A Damned Domain

That Mercenary...

Cussing

Branzy glanced over his shoulder as if the mysterious person Spepticle spoke of would be there. "You're certain you saw a mercenary? Did he have a long black cape?"

Spepticle nodded. "I'm not sure he's a mercenary but, yeah, my ability allows me to see twice as well at night." After another moment he asks, "Why are you so flushed?"

Branzy's hand fly up to his face, desperate to protect what dignity he had left. "N-nothing, he's just been following me for a while now if what you say is true." 

"That doesn't explain the blush-"

Branzy cuts him off. "It doesn't matter!"

"Hey! Branzy! Why are you two taking so long?" Ash shouts. 

"Oh, uh, nothin' Ash! Spepticle just hasn't peed yet!" Branzy replies, making up an excuse. 

In a much lower voice, Branzy asks, "Spep, do you think he's in these woods right now?"

"The mercenary probably isn't stupid enough to stay close to our camp!" The red fae states. "Hold on, if he really is a mercenary, then could he be hunting you?"

"WHAT!?" Branzy screams, and then remembers that Zam and Ash are near. He quiets himself. "Why me?"

"Well, I mean, you're the only one of any value. You're a noble, are you not?" Spepticle asks to confirm. 

"I am a noble, but a minor one... My Goddess... Is Lady Grace trying to kill me off already...?" Branzy rambles absentmindedly. 

"Who the hell is Grace?" 

"The High Noble who sent me on this mission. She... found out about my origins." He explains. 

Spepticle seems confused. "I thought you were good at hiding yourself!"

"Yeah, well, nobles have records of history! Very good ones!" Branzy defends. 

"Or maybe you just suck..." The fae mumbles.

Branzy looks flabbergasted. "Oh, shut up! You're the one who's a pet!" 

"DON'T CALL ME THAT!" Spepticle screams.

"BRANZY! WHAT THE HELL IS ALL THAT SCREAMING?!" (Help, why did screaming auto correct to creami- *cough*)

Spepticle and Branzy share a look of: oh, now we've done it....

"Spep, we're gonna walk back to camp slowly." Branzy says. "I have to put this thing back on you."

Spepticle glares at the ankle chain clamp before reluctantly letting it on. Branzy secures the chains before leading him back to camp. 

"Remember, act normal." Branzy reminds him.

The Fae nods, not having to be told twice. Branzy pushes aside the bushes surrounding the camp. Prince Zam looks up from his hands near the fire, still warming them.  

"Greetings, again. What took you so long?" Zam asks.

Branzy falters for a moment before responding, "Spepticle here wouldn't pee. Y'know, pets are sometimes so tricky." He gives a nervous laugh. 

Ash nods absentmindedly while continuing to roast something over the fire. "Anyone want a Cotton blue fish?"

"Do inform me of what that is?" Asks the prince. 

"The natural fish of the Greensprings. It's funny, isn't it? It should be called Cotton green fish, huh?" Ash explains. 

Zam grabs a small fish and bites into the crispy skin. He chews for a moment, a thoughtful look on his face. "This... is actually pretty good."

Meanwhile, Spepticle sniffs the air, beginning to salivate. Branzy grabs two sticks from the open flame, handing one fish to the Fae. Branzy digs into the meat while Spep greedily rips his apart and devours it. Ash suddenly raises a hand in the air.

"Everyone, quiet..." He mutters.

Looking into the shrubbery, he calls out, "Who's there?"

A shadowy figure steps forth, a scythe strapped to his back, and a mask on his face. A small rip in the cloak of the figure can be seen. Branzy feels as though his wrapped wound grows more noticeable. 

"Evenin'." The mercenary greets. 

"Whoever you are, leave. We don't want any trouble." The purple adventurer says cautiously. 

The masked man shifts to look at the whole camp. "Y'know... that smoke'll attract unwanted company."

"Like you?" Ash retorts.

"Let's not be so feisty now, Ash."

"How do you know my name-?"

"Not important. I just want to have a chat with Branzy here." He states.

Branzy steps back warily. "Me...?"

"Yes you." The killer replies.

Branzy glances back at Prince Zam and Ash. They both give him a look of: don't go there.

The white-haired man mouths something like, I don't have a choice.

⊑⟒'⌇ ⏃⌰⌇⍜ ⊑⍜⏁-      (Ok I'll stop)

Reluctantly, the noble follows the mercenary to, hopefully, not his doom. The killer is shrouded in a cloud of mystery for Branzy, yet he can't help but feel some form of attraction. Suddenly, the mercenary comes to a sharp halt, causing Branzy to nearly crash into him. The cloaked man unexpectedly spun around and glared into the shorter's eyes. 

"Why are you on a quest? Who are you? Who are you working for?" The man asks in rapid succession. 

"I- huh? Wha...?" Branzy's words falter for a moment, having been taken off guard. "M-my name's Branzy."

"What else? Who. are. you. working. for?" The mercenary demands.

"L-Lady Grace. She sent me on this quest to... to pay off some debt." He mumbles, avoiding some things. 

 He huffs, slightly annoyed at the lack of detail. "Now tell me what your quest is."

"I'm supposed to spy for Fallshire..." Branzy mumbles.

"And you're a noble? You do understand this is a death sentence, don't you?" The masked man inquires. 

The noble thinks for a moment. "Well... yeah... but still, there is a chance I could survive and return." 

This man is so naive...     "Why do you bother to make relationships with people when you know that you could die?"

"I- I don't know." Branzy looks down.

"Sigh... How's that wound holding up?" The mercenary asks, looking down at Branzy's leg. 

The noble looks shocked. "So, it was you..." Then he adds, "The wound's fine, I guess." 

"So, I didn't ruin my cloak for nothing. Good to hear." The mercenary steps back. "If you need a friend, I'll be close by." Then he disappears once more into the void of night. 

"Wait, what does that mean? Where are you...?" Branzy trails off, having lost sight of the man.

Shit. I still don't know his name!

Branzy slowly makes his way back to camp, scanning his surroundings just in case. When he shoves aside the bushes, he's greeted by the two arguing men. 

"I say we go after him!"

"The mercenary could kill him if we even got close!"

"Branzy could die if we don't check!"

"He could die anyways if we do check!"

"Guys? I'm right here." Branzy interrupts. 

The duo whips around and looks at him. "What happened?!" They shout in unison.

"You don't want to know. But for some reason, I feel like we've gained a new ally."

Sup beansprouts! I'm not very depresso anymore! Here is a smol update, I guess. Word count: 1093.