Legend Land: Tale of the Nameless God

Chapter 14.2: The Toll

Part 2

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Wait...what boy was he talking about? I groan when I stand, and check the alley. Ghelly is frantically struggling against the ropes around his wrists and ankles, moaning furiously into the cloth around his mouth. He sees me and wriggles faster, trying to inch towards me.

I squat down and remove the cloth from his mouth. "That bastard!" he hisses, face flushed and sweating with exertion." I can't help myself: I chuckle. "It's not funny!" he shouts, but my laughter just gets louder. Maybe it's not purpose I need: just a laugh. But it would be nice to know how I can fill the vast, aching, emptiness that consistently grows larger with every day and every thought. Ah, I'll deal with that tomorrow.

I'm able to cut Ghelly free in a few quick movements. He doesn't stop swearing the whole time, even as he explains what happened. A child after my own heart.

"Why did Baer leave you tied up?" Ghelly snatches his sword from the ground, buckling the naked blade to his worn belt.

"Because he's a crazy old coot!" I level my gaze so our eyes meet. He catches my eye and brushes himself off. "He caught me sneaking out, okay? He helped me, then he just knocked me out and tied me up! It still hurts," he mumbles, rubbing a lump on the back of his head tenderly.

"Why were you sneaking out?" I ask, leading him out of the alley and into the throng of people.

"I was tired of being cooped up in the tavern."

"You've only been there one day!"

"It felt like an eternity." He looks up at me and stuffs his hands into his pockets. "I didn't ask to be anxious, alright? I just...if I'm in one place too long I go stir crazy. I need to move. I need fresh air."

"If you want 'fresh air', you won't find it in Malor," I pat him on the back and he stumbles a bit. It's rare that I'm taller and stronger than someone; it's kind of nice to have someone to boss around. Makes it more fun to look after the little brat. "But if you want to still hang with me, then breathe that smog in deep." Despite himself, Ghelly smiles. Sure, it's full of crooked teeth and his breath smells like death, but it looks good on him.

"Where are we going?"

"Donyoku," I reply.

"Where's 'Donyoku'?" he asks.

"Not a where, a who. Well," I scratch the back of my neck. "What is actually more accurate. He's a Baku, one of the forgotten chimeras. He can get you to anywhere in the cosmos. For a price."

"Is he nice?" Ghelly asks, his hand on the pommel of his sword. Most people in Malor aren't nice, per say. Or mean. They're a messy gray blob of shifting values and principles. Donyoku is no different. Still, Ghelly isn't bursting with self-restraint. I don't need him getting us both killed.

"It's probably best to let me do the talking," I say.

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Donyoku's place is in a quiet part of Southway. Sailors and rogue members of Karha's crew patrol the docks, dividing it from the Jungle. The only other Baku in Malor lives in Northridge. It's probably a good thing they live on opposite sides of the city; I doubt they get along.