Requiem Run

Chapter 20

Going through actual portals was something I thought I wasn't going to get used to, but much to my shock, the feeling of my stomach trying to catch up with me didn't happen when we moved into the purple mist. Katie let go of my hand when we were in the camp, and she made no stumble whatsoever.

"I think we're getting good at this." I said.

"We just took down a magical elf man and a werewolf without the wolf," said Katie, "We passed good and went straight into badass territory a while ago."

The three of us followed Daniel into the main tent of the camp, where Tarron was looking down at a map on the table. He looked up when I pulled the flap back, and smiled when he realized who it was coming in.

"Good to see you!" Tarron said as he ushered us over to the table, "You did it again! You took out another one of the Runners!"

"Yeah, it was no sweat." said Katie as she pretended to check her nails, like it was no big deal what we had just done. Tarron's smile widened a little more and he bowed to all four of us.

"Oh, by the way Daniel," said Tarron when he got to Daniel, "I believe this belongs to you?"

The elf rushed behind the table and put something on it, a crossbow. Daniel's eyes widened the moment he saw it.

"How... how did you get this?!" Daniel asked as he looked down at the thing like it was some kind of mythical object, "I thought it was lost a long time ago?!"

"The original was," said Tarron, "However, your old friend, I think you know the one, recovered it from the bottom of the ocean overseas, rebuilt it from scratch, and had it sent here to Xeastea, since he heard you had come here. We only just got a hold of it when you left with the maidens for the mountains."

"I... I don't know what to say..." Daniel said, "Thank you."

I could see Daniel eyes wetting up, like he could start crying any moment now. He took a deep breath, picked up the crossbow, and held it like it was a baby, examining it closely.

"You're a good shot?" I asked, "I mean, I imagine you can, since this was yours a while ago?"

"A very long time ago," said Daniel, "Feels like a lifetime ago. I'm probably rusty with my shots."

"We'll see about that," said Tarron, "I've heard some stories of your travels, I don't think we're going to have any trouble at all."

Daniel blushed a little and looked away. The man had a story, I was just wondering what it was.

"So, what's the plan from here?" I asked.

"Right, back to business." said Tarron as he turned to us, "Congratulations to my fair maidens for defeating another Runner! The rest of the Redemption already has the good news, and word's being spread throughout the country as we speak. Soon, we'll have a whole country rebelling against this empire."

"Sounds like heaven to me." said Katie.

"Uh, I'm sure that's a good thing." said Tarron, "Anyway ladies, please see your medical treatment from Elisen in the medical tent and rest up in your cots, we've kept them prepared for you, and by tomorrow, we'll have a portal ready to take you to the next region."

"Where are we going next?" I asked as Rhys and Katie left to head to the medical tent.

"The next closest region is Othoe's Desert," said Tarron, "Killian Renwick resides there."

"Oh, the pervy bloodsucker." I said, "That's gonna be an adventure and a half."

"Killian resides in the deserts," said Tarron, "Our scouts are preparing supplies for your travels, mostly water and food for the journey."