The price of madness vol.01 : Dream and Condemnation

Mask of Disgust

"You know what ?! I'm sick of your bullshit!" Shouted 113 in the middle of one of the great streets of the Ambrian capital.

Brena pressed her head against the young man's, having to bend over heavily. The streets were covered with stalls of vegetables, fruits, meat or even more... dark things, like hallucinogenic mixtures or deformed and dangerous animals. These stood in the shadow of the alleys further away from the rest but seemed surprisingly better off than all the others. A mad crowd flocked to the stalls and of all kinds, so that none paid attention to the four companions before the young man's yelled.

"What did you just say, brat?!" Brena got angry.

"What ? Are you going to kick my ass? Go ahead, I'll wait, you'll be tired before I die!"

Brena picked him up by the shoulders and threw him towards a vendor's stall, which he smashed under his weight. The merchant watched his wares fall to the ground in dread and then threw himself to the ground to pick them up. Several passers-by helped him while others took advantage. Getting up, 113 grabbed a piece of wood to defend himself while the jaguar drew her sword. She cut the piece of wood in half with a sharp blow.

"You'll have to do better if you don't want me to cut off your arm..." She mocked.

Keryll threw her sword at the young man's feet. It was still sealed in its sheath.

"If you survive, I'll teach you how to use it." She added. "Brena?"

"Hm?"

"Show no mercy."

The Nar's eyes shone with sadistic pleasure.

The fight did not last more than a few seconds by being generous and it was after perhaps a few broken ribs that Brena cut the massacre short.

"You are solid, I grant you that."

"A compliment ?" The boy wondered, raising his head, out of breath but still more or less upright.

"But it just makes me want to keep hitting you." She concludes, putting away her weapon. "I'll save that for later, we have to make the pleasure last after all."

Passers-by continued on their way, whispering and giggling. 113 got up with difficulty thanks to Keryll who pulled him by the arm.

"Ni'i. Follow Brena and find us an inn for the night. I must takes away this smell of swamp. We'll meet back here in two hours."

The wolf nodded and pushed Brena forward. The two had gotten along much better since the beating that the wolf had put on the jaguar. This one finally respected her for her skills and no longer judged her on her young age. Keryll tossed a small handful of gold coins in front of the merchant, who looked at her with some terror in his eyes.

A raven with bright plumage suddenly landed on the General's shoulder. He almost seemed to whisper something in her ear. She grimaced and whispered back before dismissing him.

"What was that ?" Inquired the boy.

"Nothing you're supposed to know right now." She retorted. "I have to find a Garrison Commander to gather some information on our mission, follow me." She continued, softer.

It had been almost a month since they had left the West garrison of Algirus. Ni'iterci had been much nicer with 113 and even though it was the same for Brena, it was still very light coming from her. Today was proof of that, but the young man couldn't take it anymore to hear her make fun of him in every way. She had always been terrible with him but at the same time she always seemed to be holding back. He didn't prefer to point it out in front of her for fear that it would change, but he couldn't help but wonder why. No other Sister was holding back and even though she was by far one of the toughest and strongest in the Order if you forget about the Guard, she was also not afraid to hurt him in general. Often it seemed like her anger was only temporary and that she actually preferred not to get too close to him. Maybe she was afraid he would bring her bad luck? When he thanked her for the bandages around her neck, she just pretended she hadn't heard anything and walked on without looking at him.