Mountains and Buffalo.

Sleep Part II: That Evening...

Circumspect; his every action, full of tact and purpose. This was the principle Dave Dowd operated on. But in the present times, he found it difficult to comply with it. Its vagueness was partially to blame, but the people around him especially tested his patience. Though, he would be a deaf sack of pungent feces if he acted on it. Therefore, Dave kept his wits with him and any desire to sharpen his tongue at bay.

At the time, Dave was at a door, knocking on it every thirty seconds but receiving no response from the person behind it. It was Lola. It was supposed to be her, at the very least, but Dave stood long enough to start suspecting the room was empty. He knew better. Most likely, Lola was drunk. Dave was a sensible sort, so he didn't barge in without knocking. But with how long he had been standing in silence, he finally took the plunge.

"Lola?"

Dave entered the room to find precisely the sight he expected: a drunk woman in battle clothing, fitting for her effective position as general, but one that fit her character poorly. It wasn't the clothing that gave that away, however.

"Lola, wake up. I have urgent news."

Dave held nothing in his hands, but his mind carried information relayed from one of the Crowd's scouts. She was a fast worker, able to tell the other two camps everything necessary and arriving right at nightfall. Perhaps it was cruel of Dave to wake Lola up right when she should be asleep, but he found it consistent with himself. He decided it was the right thing to do.

"Hmm... huh... wha? Whu?"

Lola's awakening was rude and a sore for the eyes. Dave waited patiently for her to regain her senses. She stretched and yawned, nearly toppling off her chair doing so. She cleansed herself of the alcohol's influence and turned her attention to Dave.

"Dave? What's the matter?"

"I have information to relay. Are you ready to hear it?"

"...Please, at least tell me the type of news first, darling."

Dave sighed but made no fuss. She deserved such a trivial courtesy.

"It's positive, for once. Our scout came back with a report. Though she had several close calls, she told the updated strategy to the other two camps."

Lola gazed at Dave for a moment, her eyes emanating incredulously. She then released a heavy, lengthy sigh.

"Thank goodness. Is the scout okay?"

"Yes, quite. She was stoked over her performance. It was rather embarrassing."

"Oh, shut up, you. Let these warriors have their small victories. The King knows we need them."

"The King knows, you say..."

Hearing such a seemingly arbitrary name invoked a slight conflict inside Dave. He knew who Lola was referring to, as anyone else would, hearing that mythologized title. It irked him how his temporary boss believed in fairy tales. Alas, this was no time for such a debate, as amusing as the idea was to him.

"She did a speedy job," Lola said, "We'll be able to start the siege tomorrow."

"Exciting."

Lola chuckled. Dave noticed a hint of intoxication.

"Maybe for you, ex-officer, commanding the troupe from a safe distance. How I wish I was in your role."

"Are you not? The only difference is your position."

"It makes all the difference. Trust me, I'd much rather be with the Warriors here. I've gotten to know them quite well. I'll be with a cold, alien crew, and I'll be fighting with them to boot. How miserable."

Dave couldn't resist the urge to roll his eyes. Her melodrama was deserving of it. She chuckled again, catching his subtle gesture, only to down another shot of her liquor.

"...It's empty. That's likely for the best."

Lola put the bottle down and stood from her chair, stretching her arms this way and that.