The Fractured World 2, page 5
“Meaningless?!” I scoffed. “He abducted me!”
“Is there anything he can do to change that? Is there anything he could do right here and now to set that right?”
I didn’t answer. It was a truth I didn’t want to say.
“Exactly,” Gorezk said. “Ask yourself, Brandon, what will all this hostility achieve? Raab cannot change what has happened. He cannot get you off this planet. He is a victim here, just like you. Just like all of us.” He cast his available arms out wide. “Would you not agree, Eret?”
“Oh, yeah,” the man I’d once known as Red said. “This planet is too dangerous to be worrying about anything that happened before we came here. We need to forgive and forget if we want to survive, and I really want to survive.”
“See?” Raab said.
That pitch didn’t stop me growling at Raab like some badly trained mutt.
“Come, Brandon,” Gorezk said. “You know this makes sense. Please don’t let your emotions compromise our bright future.”
I pursed my lips. Gorezk did have a point, but that didn’t mean I had to like it.
Letting things go has never been a strength of mine.
“There’s something he can tell me,” I said to Raab. “Keith. Did you take him?”
“Who?” Raab said.
“My friend. A human, just like me. Did you take him?”
“I don’t know! I told you, I wasn’t ’igh enough to go planetside. I just watched the prisoners. I don’t remember what they looked like.”
I clicked my tongue. Useless. How was I supposed to figure out if he’d been taken or not if even those responsibility didn’t know?
Wait…
“What about the ship?” I said. “Do you know where it landed?”
“We do,” Eret said.
“Then—”
“Don’t get your hopes up. Those… things have been there already.” He mimed a snapping gesture with his hand. “There’s nothing left.”
I clenched my fists shut. “Nothing?”
“I’m afraid not. And, believe me, that’s not something I say lightly. We’ve turned over every rock and checked behind every blade of grass. Is there was some clue to finding your friend, we’d know.”
I gritted my teeth.
Dammit. Whenever I think I’m getting closer…
Casella pushed against me. “Don’t fret, my Brandon. I’m sure your friend is fine wherever he is. He knows all sorts about surviving in the wilds, yes?”
“Yeah,” I mumbled.
Gorezk slapped a hand on my shoulder. “Then I’m sure he’s prospering elsewhere. Who knows? Perhaps you’ll run into him if you stay with us. In the last month we’ve managed to find both Eret and Raab and now the lot of you. Who’s to say another surprise isn’t lurking around the corner?”
“I can help you look, I can,” Scobey said. “I’m good at finding people, I am.”
“Of course, it’ll have to wait until we’ve managed to take care of our monster problem,” Gorezk said. “However, once that issue is of the past, you can more than count on our assistance. That is if you’re interested.”
I sort of just gawped at them. Here I’d been expecting the worst and they were offering to help me find Keith.
Maybe Faris was wrong about these guys.
Well, most of them…
I smiled. “Alright. You’ve got yourself a deal.”
Chapter 6
After I finished exchanging fist bumps with those willing to help, Gorezk shooed them away.
“Go and make yourselves busy,” he said. “I’m sure our guests don’t want to be swarmed. Besides, their introduction isn’t over.”
“There’s more?” Faris said with a sigh. “Great.”
“It’s entirely optional, of course. However, I would recommend it.”
“Come on, Faris,” I said. “Don’t you want to scout the area?”
Faris didn’t object which was as good as her jumping at the proposition.
“Thank you, Brandon,” Gorezk said. “I promise, it’ll be fast. It’s not as if there is much to show. In fact, we’re already standing in one of the most important places in camp.” He spread an arm and highlighted the area. It was a clearing almost identical to our own. A fire sat in the middle, surrounded by benches which had once been trees. “When it’s time to feast, this is the place to come. Usually, Malfore handles the cooking, but that does not mean we discourage any who may wish to cook for themselves. You obviously know how. That much goes without saying.”
“My Brandon is an excellent cook,” Casella said.
“No need to flatter me,” I said. “I can’t hold a candle to you.”
Casella giggled and squeezed her own glowing cheeks.
Gorezk chuckled. “What wonderful spirit. It seems a shame to interrupt. However, I did promise a speedy tour. Come, let me show you around our humble abodes.”
We were guided around the small number of open tents and introduced to the owner of each. He also stopped to give us a closer look at the wooden wall separating the wilds and the camp.
It felt sturdy enough.
Not all of the tents were simple fur rugs supported by twigs and bone. One stood out among the others in both size and security. Compared to the fuzzy umbrellas jotted around, it was an animal-hide mansion.
“It shames me to say that this is my accommodation,” Gorezk said.
“Living the good life, are we?” I joked.
“Please,” he replied. “I said I wanted to be treated no differently from anyone else. The others refused to listen.”
“They do seem to respect you.”
“I’m nothing special.”
“There must be a reason.”
“Oh, there is, but it’s nothing big. See, I was the one who brought us all together. After the crash, it was I who took charge and sowed the seeds for the life we have now.”
“You all arrived together?” Casella said. “Does this mean you were friends previously?”
“I’m afraid not,” Gorezk replied. “We’d never met before our ship crashed. It was a rather large vessel, you see. Many died while others were injured. I’m included in the latter.” He wiggled his bad leg. “However, we managed to come together and make it this far. Is it not amazing how strangers can unite in times of need?”
I couldn’t agree more. “Is it normal for so many ships to crash on one planet?” I asked. “By my count, that’s at least four in the last few months.”
“No,” Faris responded.
“She’s quite correct,” Gorezk confirmed. “This planet is a strange one in so many ways. Terrain that seems but cobbled together, wildlife from across the stars mingling as one, and some strange force that drags ships powerlessly to their doom.”
“Any idea what it all means?” I asked.
“I’m afraid not and it would be a lie to pretend otherwise. However, it’s not something I think about. Those are questions we can ask ourselves once our prosperity is guaranteed. For now, staying alive takes precedent. And it goes without saying that this is the best place to achieve that. Especially when we are blessed with such wonderful facilities and those qualified to use them.” He hurried us along to another tent which had some semblance of shape. “Finding Eret was something of a blessing. To think we would be lucky enough to have a genuine medical professional on our side.”
Eret was inside surrounded by boxes and jars filled with all manner of goods. They ranged from leaves, to bugs, to fluids you wouldn’t be happy to be served at a housewarming.
Trez didn’t seem to mind. She went right to browsing. It was the first time she’d perked up since we’d arrived.
“Yep, this is where to come if something starts hanging off,” Eret said, as he leaned against a table covered in pots, bowls, and a makeshift mortar and pestle. “Hopefully, you won’t have much need of this place, but don’t let that stop you from coming in for a natter. I’m all ears.” His spiral antennae wiggled.
“I never would have thought you were a doctor,” I said.
“Well you certainly knew I was no fighter.”
I laughed. “You got me there.”
“Look at all this stuff,” Casella said as she perused. “Trez, isn’t this place wondrous?”
“It’s pretty swanky,” Trez said. “You could brew all sorts of stuff with this. Numbing agents, stomach medicine, eyes drops. Shit, you could go totally cray and start lobbing around smoke bombs.”
“Sounds like you know your stuff,” Eret said. “Are you also a doctor?”
Trez flinched and looked away. “Yeah… sort of. More like an unofficial doctor, you know? Self-trained and all that.”
“Let’s not get too deep into medical talk, shall we?” Gorezk said. “Come. The final leg of tour is just ahead.”
Gorezk led us into the ruins of the mountain which shielded the camp from back attacks. A single entrance allowed us access to a cave system packed with clutter.
“That’s a lot of stuff,” I said.
“We collected what we could,” Gorezk said. “Sadly, most of it serves no purpose. At this point, it’s simply litter. However, this isn’t what I came to show you.” He continued leading us through the crummy storage room and into an underground cavern tinged by an angelic blue glow. A steady lake sat idle and undisturbed in this hidden sanctuary.
Casella gasped. “What a wondrous pool.”
“Our bathing area,” he said.
The water spread the whole width of the cavern and had plenty of room for the entire camp. Not that I was encouraging communal bathing sessions.
I crouched down and swished a hand in the water. “Nice and cool. Perfect for this kind of climate.”
“It looks deep,” Faris said.
“Only if you venture too far,” Gorezk explained. “We’re very fortunate to have this facility on site. It seems to siphon from an underground reservoir nearby. Not that there is any reason to fear. We made sure to blockade the passage so that nothing can come or go.”
“I cannot wait to try it out,” Casella said.
“Feel free to use it at your leisure,” Gorezk said before tapping his chin. “Although, we may need to create some sort of rota now that we have such fine company.”
“We finally done?” Faris asked.
“Almost. There’s one last thing to see.” Gorezk gestured for us to follow and led us back the way we’d came.
As we approached the outside, I stopped in my tracks and narrowed my eyes. My enhanced sight gobbled up the darkness and spied past the wall of scavenged tat.
Gorezk turned. “Is something the matter, Brandon?”
“What’s behind there?” I asked.
“Pardon?”
“Behind there,” I pointed it out. “There’s a passage.”
“Really and truly?” Casella said.
I nodded. It was hard to see, even with my night vision. In fact, my eyes weren’t the reason I’d noticed it. Something about it had stirred my senses.
Gorezk chuckled. “I hoped you wouldn’t notice that.”
“What are you hiding?” Faris growled.
He lifted his hands. “Nothing untoward, I assure you. It is simply an opening that leads into a rather murky cave system.”
Casella gasped. “One filled with monsters?”
“I can’t say, but I believe so. That’s why we made the decision to board it up and hide it away.” Gorezk bowed. “Apologies. While I should have mentioned its presence, I instead opted to hide it away. I was worried you’d leave if you learned of our imperfections. I hope you can overlook my deceit and will believe me when I assure you that this camp is safe.”
The doorway still got on my heebie-jeebies, but what Gorezk said made sense. “Alright. You can lift your head,” I mumbled.
“Thank you being so understanding,” he said. “Now, if you’ll follow, we can continue were we left off.”
I hesitated as the others moved. My eyes were drawn back to the barricade.
Can monsters really explain this weird feeling in my gut?
“Brandon!” Casella said. “Hurry up! You’ll miss out.”
“Coming!” I said.
Gorezk led us to the corner of the camp he’d strayed away from previously. It housed a third complete tent which competed with his own in size.
“May I present your accommodation,” Gorezk said.
Casella wandered inside. “It’s so spacious. And the floor is ever so soft.”
“Well, we couldn’t allow our guests to sleep on the dirt. The others were happy to hand over some of their fur rolls.”
“You shouldn’t have,” I said.
“No, we insist. It would hurt our pride to sleep in relative luxury while leaving such fine ladies in squalor.”
“We don’t need your pity,” Faris growled.
“Pity? Why, of course not. This is simply common courtesy,” Gorezk said.
His words didn’t stop Faris from glaring. Then again, she had been doing her best menacing act ever since stepping foot in the camp.
“If anything isn’t to your satisfaction, please say so,” Gorezk said.
“There is,” Faris replied.
“Oh?”
“Casella.”
“What about her?”
“Don’t play dumb. You know what she is.”
Gorezk laughed. “Of course, I do. Who wouldn’t know a zerrin princess when they see one? However, I fail to see the issue.”
Faris growled. “I know men. I know what they want with her.”
“You speak of her power, correct?” His expression stayed as calm and cheerful as it had been throughout the tour’s duration. If he was fazed by Faris’s hostility, he didn’t show it. “I admit that I would love to have the strength to protect all those I care about. But it is not mine. Casella has already chosen her mate and may I say it appears she had chosen exceedingly well.”
Casella poked her head out of the tent. “That’s my Brandon.”
I grinned like an idiot.
“See? What reason is there to be concerned?” Gorezk asked Faris.
“Don’t care,” she snapped back. “Rules. Nobody can touch Casella without permission. Nobody can talk to Casella permission. Nobody can look at Casel—”
“I think you’re going a little far,” I said.
“This is the only way,” Faris said.
“There’s no harm in talking or looking. Touching? That I can agree with.” I stared Gorezk down. “And this isn’t exclusive to Casella. Trez and Faris also. They’re to be treated well or we’re out of here.”
Faris grumbled. “I don’t need such protection.”
“Don’t care. This isn’t anything special. It’s… what was it again? Common courtesy? You don’t go touching women without their permission. Especially not mine. Understood?”
“Of course,” Gorezk said, holding up his hands. “It goes without saying that we don’t tolerate harassment here. Anybody who attempts to harm or threaten another will be dealt with. Doubly so when it involves these fine women.” Gorezk rose his voice. “Are you all listening? Anybody who dares provoke Brandon’s mates will be punished by my hand.”
Faris grunted, but it was nothing compared to the whispering echoing around the perimeter.
“Is that all?” Gorezk asked.
“For now,” I said. “And don’t think this means we’re going to be hanging around. We’re only sticking around until the job’s done. The sooner that’s taken care of, the better.”
“I couldn’t agree more. In fact, I would have encouraged you to venture out now if evening wasn’t approaching.” He glanced at the orange glow which was invading the continent of blue above. “I presume you will have no issue with setting out tomorrow.”
“None at all.”
“Excellent,” Gorezk said. “If that is everything taken care of, I bid you adieu. Malfore will be serving dinner shortly. Please attend at your own leisure.” He lowered his head and limped into the distance.
We waited until he was gone to start talking.
“So, what does everyone think now that we’re here?” I asked.
“The same,” Faris said.
“I thought Mr. Gorezk was very nice,” Casella said. “As is this tent.” She poked the animal pelt walls.
“Don’t let them fool you,” groused Faris.
“It’s just a tent,” Casella protested. She left and wrapped herself around my arm. “Besides, my Brandon will protect me if anybody tries anything.”
“And I’ll make them regret it,” I said as I flexed my arm in her grip.
My sweet zerrin mate giggled.
One person had yet to return their questionnaire. Trez was looking elsewhere, seemingly at nothing.
“Trez?” I said.
She jumped. “Yo! Did you say something?”
“You okay? You’re being quiet.”
“What, me? Pff,” she batted my concerns away. “Nah, I’m fine. Just… call me shy.”
“You?” I chuckled.
“Oi! I’m as delicate as they come… whenever it’s most convenient.”
“If you’re too delicate, I can hoist you over my shoulder and scoop you back to safety right now.”
“What? Come on. I mean, that sounds totally hot, but I’m not that wussy. I can last one night.”
I grinned. “Sounds like someone doesn’t want to miss out on her payment.”
“Damn right! Another week of your tongue deep between my legs?” Trez bit her lip and moaned. “I hope that tongue’s ready, mister, because I’m ready to go all night long.”
I snorted. “You think you can last the distance?”
“Totally! Last time was a fluke.”
“And the time before that?”
Trez blushed and huffed. “You took me off guard was all.”
“Then let’s make a deal. If you can endure without passing out, I’ll treat you whenever you want. No bargaining chips needed.”
“Ooh,” she said. “What’s the catch?”
“No catch. I just want to see you squirm.”
She bit her lip and wiggled in place. “You’re on.”
And so, we were all agreed. Until the job was done, we would enjoy the camp’s hospitality. After that, we’d do whatever was best for us and us alone.
