U.S.S.A HellField

Chapter 22 The Holy Crusader

So this must've been the guy running the place; Hazvrati Sarkon, I think that first one was his title. "I see you two are very capable and dangerous, I would hope you can stall your aggression and speak peacefully for but a few moments?"  He asked kindly. I was expecting someone crazier than an Alsha man in dirty farm clothing. - "Uh yeah...sure. Are you Sarkon?"  I asked him. - "Here and present, I see you've heard of my flock. Come to seek guidance have we?" He asked, gesturing with both hands. - "We're here to look for a friend who came here yesterday, they said they were checking out what town your people were from."  Alice interrupted before I could say anything. She had a habit of doing that. - "I'm sorry, they? Are we speaking of multiple friends of yours? I'm a little confused."  He asked her. -"Well that's the thing, we don't know for certain if Artemis is a he or she, so we've just been using a neutral term."  Alice explained. - "Hmm interesting...wait did you say the name Artemis? Were they by chance a hooded figure in camouflaged armor?"  Sarkon inquired.

Alice and I both looked at each other and then nodded in response. "We did have such a figure appear in our town yesterday, they...asked us questions regarding our way of life. Your friend was quite skeptical of what I told them, unfortunately, I can't tell you where they went because they didn't stay long."  He said, sounding like he was disappointed in himself. - "You mean Artemis just up and left?"  Alice asked for clarification. - "Yes. They wandered around our town and asked their questions and we answered them, then they left. We tried inviting them over for our communal feast that we hold every month, but they declined."  He said disappointed with his head down. He looked at himself and then at us. "Oh forgive me, I was out helping with the garden when we heard gunshots and fighting, as well as the massive explosion, I hadn't time to put on anything cleaner."  He said, patting the dirt off of his clothing.

He seemed like an eccentric yet honest man, but I've been wrong about people before. - "Well if Artemis isn't here then we should get going. Any idea what direction they went in?"  I asked him, straightening my posture. - "Oh that wouldn't be a good idea around these parts so close to nighttime. The Hellfields are a dangerous place to be at night, especially so close to the warp gorge."  He said, his voice becoming gravelly as he spoke. - "Are you asking us to stay here for the night?" Alice asked with a questioning look. - "Why yes I am, heck stay as long as you'd like, we don't often get visitors."  He said, giving a friendly smile. I wanted to be out of here as soon as possible, I'm not exactly a fan of religious types, especially the cultish types, Alice's family are catholic so they're fine. Alice tapped me on the shoulder, and when I looked at her she darted her eyes to the side, which meant she wanted to have a word with me. She probably could tell I wasn't keen on the offer. 

- "A moment please?"  She said to him. - "Of course."  We walked off to the side to talk. - "It would be rude of us to turn down such a generous offer, plus after that fight, I'm exhausted. I haven't had any blood for a few days. Please?"  She asked as she gave me a pleading look. Dammit, I couldn't say no when she looked at me like that. - "Okay fine...just for one night, then we get out of here and look for Artemis."  I gave in with a sigh. She smiled briefly and then turned to Sarkon. - "We'd be more than happy to accept your offer."  She said politely. Sarkon smiled when she accepted his offer. - "Splendid!"  He said with a clap. "Oh, you two must be famished? We still have some to spare from dinner. That is if your kind can eat our food that is?"  He asked. - "Mm-hm, we can."  Alice said with a quick nod. - "Ah good, you will not be disappointed. Now come, while there isn't much to see, I gather you'll find it much more peaceful here than in BloodRust...I assume that's where you came from am I correct?"  He turned around and said to us.

- "Uh yes, how'd you know?"  I asked him. - "Unfortunately that's because every major town between here and there has sadly been wiped out, it's a tragedy honestly. Many of those towns stood for...oh never mind, I'll show you where you will be staying for the night."  He said somberly then returned to his jovial attitude. He lead us to a small cabin next to several others like it, though they were all built slightly differently and had various personal artistic touches decorating each one. - "Wow, your homes are quite pretty, I've never seen anything like it here." Alice remarked. Sarkon seemed to almost smile bashfully at her comment. - "Well, we do have a few artists here and we do encourage others to indulge in their artistic expression. I'm sure the folks here will appreciate any compliments you have for them, as you know we don't get many visitors."