Traveller

Six

"Hey, Joel? Wait up for me, I'm gonna go see about the girl." Tristam told Rogue.
"Ok, I'll be in the hollow!" The latter called over his shoulder, breaking into a jog toward the camp entrance. "Oh," he added, slowing, but not completely stopping. "Her name is Rebel."
"Oh, alright! Thanks, man."
Tristam watched Rogue depart, his eyes lingering on the spot where the older one disappeared. He shook his head and turned around, gaze landing on Laura's tent. Monstercat strolled out, along with the girl- whom he now knew as Rebel.
'Strange name,' He thought. 'But then again, so is Tristam.. and Rogue. I guess I can't talk. Everyone here is strange.' He chuckled lightly at his thoughts, perking up as Monstercat called him over.
"Sir?" He inquired respectfully, smiling a bit at the girl, then awaiting orders.
"I'd like you to show Rebel here around camp. Teach her the ropes."
"Of course."
"You are dismissed."
"Yes sir." As Monstercat gracefully bounded away, he added to Rebel, "I'm Tristam."
"Rebel, as you've heard." She said quietly. Her voice was smooth and on the alto side. It didn't match her almost delicate looks. Tristam just hoped she didn't fight like the girl she looked like.
'Looks can be deceiving. Let her prove herself.' He told himself. 'Plus, she was a rank four. She must be good in battle.'
"So... I guess we'll start with a tour of the inside of camp. Sound good?" He asked, looking down at her; she came up to about his eyebrows.
Rebel gave a slight nod and followed Tristam to a cluster of tents under a tall willow tree. Patches of sage dotted the area, giving off a pleasant, intoxicating scent. The sage bushes had always been Tristam's favorite part about he and Rogue's placement.
"These are the warrior's tents. You'll sleep in that one over there," he gestured to a vacant tent near them. "alone. At least until we get a new warrior. Joel and I's tent is over there." he gestured again to a tent in front of them.
Rebel nodded, eyes scanning the area with interest. Tristam turned around and pointed to a larger tent: Laura's.
"Laura is the healer. She's highly honored and respected for all of the work that she does."
"She seems very kind and caring."
"Indeed." He then gestured to a small cave at the base of a coniferous tree. "And that's were Monstercat stays. If you ever need to speak with him, call out a greeting respectfully, then wait for him to come out."
"Speaking from experience?" Rebel chuckled softly.
"Oh yes." Tristam giggled. "Do not make my same mistake. I was on dawn patrol for two weeks!"
Rebel hummed. "Early patrols should be considered a sin in every clan ever." A small smile crossed her features.
"Completely agree." He chuckled. "See the big oak tree in the center of the camp? Hard to miss it. That's were camp meetings are held, it's the basic structure for the canopy that provides us with shelter, and it was the starting point of the camp's construction. Basically, it's the heart of camp."
Rebel stepped forward and looked up at the canopy of leaves. Bright winter sunlight filtered through them in dazzling patterns, causeing shadows to spot their clothes and the damp, sandy ground below their feet. With a closer glance, she realized that there were carvings in the tree's ancient bark, ranging from names, to portraits of great battles. Tristam walked up beside her and ran his fingers over one of the carvings.
"The names are those of fallen warriors... Brought down by sickness, battle, the journey here, or just an unfortunate event." Fiery passion laced his words, and Rebel noticed that as he fingered the carving, his eyes lost their friendly brightness, dulled by tragedy of the past. She looked at the carving.

'Braken.' It read.

She lay a gentle hand on his shoulder. Braken must've been someone close to him.
"We lost him on the journey here." He spoke suddenly. Rebel looked at him quizzically. "When the MI found us... they.. they released Hybrids into our old camp." Rebel shivered. Hybrids.. why Hybrids? They didn't deserve anything like that! "We all got away unharmed. Braken, Rogue and I, and all the rest of the camp. We were fine. But the three of us got separated from the group somehow. We got on ok alone for a few days... but Braken went off by himself one night, while Joel and I were sleeping. Why is beyond me.. maybe he got taken, or maybe he went to look for Monstercat. All I know is, he left four months ago, and still isn't back." He finished, volume lowering until his voice was barely above a whisper.
Rebel felt guilt burn in her stomach, then a small wave of nausea washed over her. Tristam seemed so kind, and her supposed 'family' had caused him so much grief and anguish. They took away someone who was close to him. Someone he loved. She wondered why he hadn't tried to kill her yet.
"I'm sorry." She murmured. "But don't lose hope, Tristam." He looked up from the bark.
"Huh?"
"Braken may not be dead. He could still be out there. He might've found someone."
"That's a big 'if', Rebel."
"But it isn't impossible."
Tristam hesitated, then looked back at the carving, eyes filled with sorrow. "He was my best friend..." he whispered despairingly.
"And he would want you to continue on until he returned." Rebel murmured reassuringly.
He hesitated a moment, then said, "You're right. He could still be out there... I'm sorry for dumping this on you... It's just... seeing his name, it-... i-it..." It didn't seem like the dark haired boy could go on, so Rebel answered for him,
"Dug up everything that you've tried to keep covered? I understand, Tristam. I do. But please don't let his memory die."