Resilience Run

Chapter 20

"Daniel Davidson? Daniel Davidson?!"

A man by the docks was calling out when we made our way into the village, until Daniel stepped over and said, "That's me. What's going on?"

"Urgent message for you sir, your eyes only!" said the man as he handed an envelope to Daniel, "Looks like that's it, got to go!"

With that, the courier ran off while Daniel opened the envelope and skimmed the letter inside. His eyes widened when he finished.

"Looks like everyone is having trouble now," said Daniel, "Looks like someone else is calling on us."

"Who is it now?" I asked.

"A small village on the way," said Daniel, "Mostly werewolves and vampires, apparently the emperor's cracking down on some of these places. Looks like all-out-war is only a matter of time away."

"All-out war?" I said, "Wait, you think I'm making that much of a difference around here?"

"I don't think, I know," said Daniel, "Like I said, your actions make a lot of difference, whether you realize it or not. Every good thing you do ripples through the country, people hear of it, or better, they grandiose it."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"People don't always hear the same thing," said Daniel, "People misremember, or misheard to begin with. For example, I was told you've killed three entire different groups of tax collectors on your travels, and gave them all their money back personally."

Rhys burst out laughing.

"Well, that's not exactly what happened..." I said.

"But that's what people are saying, and that's what matters." said Daniel, "You inspire people to stand up and fight Riley, and that's what matters. In this case, these people are a specialty."

"Why's that?" I asked.

"This village has a lot of people who are related to two very special people," said Daniel, "Xelsa and Killian."

"...Oh."

Daniel looked at me oddly.

"Sorry, I've just been focused on other things," I said, "I mean, I know they were being forced to do what they do, but that doesn't change the fact that they tried to kill me."

"Understandable," said Daniel, "But even so, these are still people requesting our help. Are you just gonna keep going and leave them behind?"

"... Damn, you got me there." I said, "So, what are we waiting for?"

"I'm just worried what kind of threat is causing problems for powerhouses like vampires and werewolves." said Rhys, "Those guys aren't exactly pushovers."

"It's not a single threat," said Daniel as we made our way out of the village and started walking along the path through the woods, "It's soldiers. Empire soldiers, to be exact, trying to draft them into their ranks for the inevitable escalation of the civil war Redemption's been bringing to their door for a long time now."

"So what happens then?" I asked.

"We finally do what I've been wanting to do for a while now and kick the emperor's ass," said Daniel, "I'll relish the look on his face when we kick his door down and put his head on a guillotine."

"After everything he's done, he deserves a hell of a lot more." I said, "I know I seem like I resent the Runners, and maybe a part of me does, but I'll always hate the emperor more for forcing them to do all of that."

"I'm glad you have those priorities straight," said Daniel, "Especially considering what I heard right before I left to catch up with you guys."

"Why? What did you hear?" I asked.