The Reptile's Wrath

2

“Are you serious?” Bark said loudly. “The Devourer? Again?”
    Valor winced. Keep your voice down, he thought. Do you want people to panic?
    Stead nodded gravely. He stood on the other end of the table, staring down at a map of Erdas. Thrash was beside him, easily dwarfing him with his size. Bark and Valor were near to the door.
“Thrash, I need you to get a message to Greenhaven. I trust you more than most.”
    Thrash nodded. “May I take Swift with me?”
“The kid? Sure, I suppose. This isn’t dangerous. It would be good for him.”
“If Swift is going somewhere, I’m going too!” Bark said, placing her hands on the table. Valor watched her from the wall. If he knew Thrash as well as he thought he did…
“Valor.”
“Sir.”
“You’re coming with us too. I can’t defend two kids at once, even if I want to.”
    Valor nodded silently. Bark’s tail was twitching madly. Stead narrowed his eyes in thought. “You two are dismissed. Go pack what you’re going to take with you. And someone tell Swift about this.”
    Bark grinned widely when they got out of the room. Valor said nothing, waiting for her to explain. She glanced at him, then opened her mouth to speak. “Swift is going to love this,” she said. “He’s never been away from the tower before.”
“He must have been somewhere before he joined the redcloaks. He might be scared of leaving.”
“You clearly don’t know him like I do.”
    That was true. Valor didn’t know many of the others well. “I’m going to pack my things,” he said, dismissing himself. 
    Bark nodded, waving to him, then started towards Swift’s room. When Valor got to his own, he went inside and grabbed his spear, then sat down on the floor. He ran his hands over the worn wood, feeling the emotions swelling up within his chest. Five years since he had last seen his home. Five years since his father had last spoken to him. Five years since he had been forced to leave his home.
    He made sure the lucky feathers near the spear point were secure, then set the weapon aside to begin packing a small rucksack. 
    He didn’t have much to take, an extra set of clothes, a small hunting knife, a torch and a small hatchet. From a peg on the wall he took his cloak, securing the silver clasp around his throat. Then, he took his mask down, looking at it before putting it on.
    It was white, just like all the others, shaped almost exactly like his late spirit animal’s head. He slipped it over his face, then pulled his hood up. This would be his first real mission for the redcloaks. No more fights for other people’s gain. He was finally fighting for something right.
    He rubbed his wrist where Jolt had shocked him the day before. It was still tingling, but the worst pain was gone, thank the beasts.
    Valor carried his spear and his bag as he made his way down to the entrance. Bark was already there, with her mask and cloak on. Her eyes were even more interesting with the mask. He couldn’t decide if they were golden or amber. In the light, they were golden, but in the dim light of the tower, they were darker, much more like amber or copper.
    It was then that Valor realized he was staring, and quickly looked away. That was an advantage of his black eyes, they helped him mask his emotions even better.
“What are the feathers on your weapon for?” Bark asked finally.
“Luck,” Valor said simply. 
    Bark nodded, looking around again. 
“What did Swift say?” he asked.
“Well, he’s not quite bouncing off the walls yet.”
    Just then, Swift came down the stairs with his cloak and mask ascue. He carried a bag that looked too heavy for him. Valor tilted his head.
“I’m here,” Swift said, then added fearfully, “Where’s Thrash?”
“He isn’t here yet,” Bark answered.
    Valor slid the bag from the younger boy’s shoulders, setting it down as he fixed his cloak and mask in their proper places. Once he was finished, he handed the bag back to him.
“What do you have in there?”
Swift shifted his weight nervously. “Books…”
    Bark came over to them. “I don’t think you’ll have much time to read on the way to Greenhaven.”
    Swift sighed sadly. “What’s the point of going somewhere if you can’t read on the way? But okay, I’ll take them back.”
“No, it’s alright,” Bark said. “Just be careful not to get them wet or something.”
“Why are we going to Greenhaven anyway?”
    Valor looked to Bark to explain. “Someone in Stetriol has summoned a crocodile as his spirit animal, and--”
“Like King?”
“Yes, like King. We need to tell the greencloaks about it.”
“Then why do I have to go?”
            The others just shrugged. Thrash showed up then, carrying a bag of his own. His mask had a sharp curved beak on it that looked like it could have hurt, if the masks weren’t made of cloth.
“Are you all ready?” he asked.
“Can I get an actual sword?” Bark asked, unsheathing her blade. It was dull, and looked like a training blade. Why wouldn’t she carry a real sword?
“We won’t be fighting,” Thrash said. “But we’ll be passing through Sanlow on the way to Greenhaven. You may find one there.”
    Thrash led the way out into the sunlight, pulling up his hood. “Let’s get moving,” he said. “We need to make the most of the daylight.”
    Thrash took the lead, down the hill and into the trees. Swift went next, then Bark, then Valor. Valor took one last look at the tower before it disappeared behind a bend in the path. He had never been to Greenhaven before, but he had heard stories about it, mostly from Worthy.
    The group continued on for a few hours like that, before Swift began to slow down. It seemed he wasn’t used to walking so much. He didn’t complain, something Valor was glad for, but he was definitely slowing the group down.
    Eventually, Thrash called for a break. Swift’s eyes went wide. “What?” he said. “We only just started out!”
“I’m just really tired, Swift,” Bark said, leaning against a tree and sliding down it. “I need to rest.”
“Oh,” Swift said, nodding. “Okay.”
    He went to sit down beside her, a small sigh of relief slipping from his lips.    Valor watched them for a few moments, trying to figure out if he should sit with them or not. He decided against it. If they were ambushed by something, being clumped together was one of the worst things they could do. 
    Valor went to sit against another tree across the path, picking at his claws and keeping an ear out for any danger. He trusted Thrash to protect them, but he trusted himself even more. 
    Thrash had also brought him along to protect the others, and that's what he would do. He wouldn't fail again. Not after-- No! He banished that thought quickly. He couldn’t think about that now, especially in front of the others. 
    Thrash stood up, tapping his staff on the ground. Valor jumped to his feet instantly, though the others took longer. Swift stayed in place until Bark turned to look at him, then jumped right up with a smile.
“Yeah, let’s go,” he said eagerly. He grabbed his bag, nearly falling over as it pulled him off balance. Valor went over, taking the bag from him and putting it over his shoulder. “Thanks, Valor,” Swift muttered.
    Valor gave a sharp nod to Thrash who turned and began walking again, onwards towards Greenhaven.
    Swift moved faster after that, going from the groups slowest member to their fastest. The only thing that seemed to keep him from running all the way to greenhaven was Thrash, who kept a steady pace. Eventually, Bark fell back to walk with Valor, but she kept her head down, staring at the path under her feet. Her tail tip was twitching, just like always.
“What do you think this new devourer is going to be like?” she asked.
“If the greencloaks get to him quickly enough he’ll be a great ally.”
She looked at him with wide eyes. “...And if they don’t?”
“Then I suppose we’ll be fighting in another war.”
    Bark’s tail wrapped around her hip and she buried a hand onto its fur. 
“Don’t worry though,” Valor continued. “We’re going to tell the greencloaks now. Besides, even if another war breaks out, we’ll be fighting for the right side.”
“Where were you during the war?” Bark asked softly.
“Southern Nilo and Stetriol. And you?”
“Amaya. I never did anything though.”
    Valor glanced at her. She was hugging herself, and seemed to be considering her words. When she looked back up at him, there was a questioning look in her eye. “If you don’t mind me asking,” she said, continuing in a quieter voice. “Why did you take the bile?”
    Valor stiffened. Bark backpedaled quickly. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked. I shouldn’t have said anything. I’m sorry--”
“It’s okay,” he said, once he regained his composure. “The greencloak at my ceremony was a fake. He gave the others nectar, but he gave me the bile.”
    He blinked away the stinging in his eyes, looking calmly down at Bark. “What about you? Why did you take it?” 
“My parents kept this fox they found one winter. I took the nectar, but I didn’t summon an animal. They gave it to me to cheer me up, but it wanted to be free so badly. The poor thing was crazy, trying to nip me every chance she got.” She sighed, cursing herself under her breath. “I took the bile because she was so wild. I just wanted to have a friend, but…”
    Valor smiled sadly. “We’ve all made mistakes, that’s why we’re redcloaks now.”
“Is it wrong that I miss her?”
“Your spirit animal? No, that’s not wrong. Why would it be?”
“She didn’t want to be my spirit animal. I just made her do things all the time. She definitely doesn’t miss me.”
    Valor thought for a moment. He had never had to force his badger to do anything, so this kind of talk was forein to him. But, he knew Bark needed him to say something. 
“Your spirit animal was your companion. You went through things together. I’d think you were insane if you didn’t miss her.”
    Bark nodded, silence falling over the pair. Soon, a wagon appeared ahead of the group. There was a pair of people sitting on it, directing the horses that pulled it. There were six armed men, three on each side. In the back of the wagon were chests and bags.
           One of the bags had a small rip in it, the inside was a dull yellow color. Gold. The wagon stopped beside the redcloaks. "Show your faces," the man in the wagon ordered.
"There’s no need," Thrash said, spreading his hands in a peaceful gesture. "We're redcloaks on our way to Greenhaven. We mean no harm."
"No, I've seen your type before. You're bandits."
           Valor stepped forward to shield Bark. He didn't want her hurt if the guards started a fight.
“What do you mean, ‘seen our type before’?” Thrash asked.
“This is just a big distraction isn’t it? So your friends up the way can ambush us. No way. Men, take them.”
“This isn’t necessary,” Thrash began, putting an arm around Swift and taking a step back. “Leave us in peace, sir.”
    Two of the guards came towards Valor and Bark, their weapons drawn. Valor glanced at Thrash, who’s grip was tightening on his staff. Valor felt Bark tense behind him.
“Stay away,” he warned the guards, brandishing his spear. One of them was wise, and took a step back. The other charged in, hoping to get past his guard. That wasn’t going to happen. 
    Valor turned his weapon, slamming the butt of his spear into the man’s stomach. He doubled over, groaning and dropping his sword.
    The other rushed to help his companion, and Valor backed off, trying to get over to Thrash. He was holding the trio of guards off well, but Swift was no longer at his side. Valor couldn’t see the last guard near their mentor either. He scanned the path, finally spotting Swift.
    He was shaking as he faced off against the final guard, his sharp claws and teeth bared. The man reached forward to grab him, and that was it. Swift was on him in a heartbeat, his teeth digging into the man’s wrist.
“Go Swift!” Bark cheered, before ducking a sword stroke. Valor raised his spear, smacking the man in the head with the shaft. He crumpled to the ground, and Valor winced. He hadn’t meant to hit him that hard. 
    Thrash began to back away, the others bunching up beside him. Swift ran to Bark, who wrapped her arms protectively around him. Thrash and Valor stood between the others and the guards, who were all backed against the wagon, except for the one Valor had knocked out. 
“No more fighting,” Valor said. He passed his spear back to Bark and raised his hands. “Let me put your man in the wagon, then be on your way.”
    The guards slowly shuffled out of the way, sheathing their weapons. Valor glanced at Thrash, then easily picked the man up off the ground. He carried him to the wagon and gently laid him down inside. 
    He went back to the group, taking his spear back from Bark. The people in the wagon hadn’t moved from their places. The man was glaring at the redcloaks.
    Bark stepped up beside Valor and Thrash. “You see?” she said bravely. “We only acted in self-defence. If we were bandits, we would have killed you all.”
“Maybe she’s right,” the woman in the wagon muttered. “Maybe they aren’t bandits.”
    The man took one last look at the redcloaks, then tapped the horses with the reins, starting them moving again. Valor barely made out what he said. “...tell the guards in the next town.”
    Bark’s eyes were wide behind her mask. “Thrash, what are we--”
“We continue on,” Thrash said calmly. “Our mission is more important than the redcloaks’ reputation.”
    Bark nodded slowly, hugging Swift to her side. “Good job, Swift. That was great.”
    Swift’s eyes lit up. “Thanks Bark!”