Red Rock

Chapter 26: Pieces of Value (Part 1)

Chapter 26          Pieces of Value

It was the first time Daire had spoken to Luke in three days. A report from the cannibals had arrived and Luke demanded to be there when the report was given. Zack's disappearance was nothing but a suspicion to him at this point. Luke had too many problems on his plate to take Zack's probable death seriously. "I don't want you getting captured again," Luke said sternly, ordering five of his men to accompany him for Daire's protection.

Daire knew he was safe in the presence of Luke. The fact that Luke wasn't concerned about Zack's death and was ignorant of the stolen gold, showed Daire that Luke was probably going to plan his hostile takeover after Goroth was defeated. "As long as you don't trade me over, I think I'll be fine."

Luke didn't take the response personally and kept walking to the lone cannibal waiting beside one of the campfires. Daire immediately recognized the skinny-looking cannibal to be Princess. Princess had the look of a demented child on a school playground that no one talked to. One wrong word and he'd shove a pencil into your eye socket. "Blud tells me, to tell you, that Goroth had sent for reinforcements," he said.

Daire didn't look surprised. "How does he know that?"

"Are you questioning me you fucking Marble?" Princess asked, puffing his chest out and swinging his arms out wide.

Daire didn't feel the least intimidated and within a moment's notice, one of Luke's men shoved Princess backward away from him. "I'd just like to know how he acquired the information," Daire said with a smirk.

Princess looked disappointed that he couldn't even make a previous hostage fearful of him. "We killed a carrier," Princess finally bickered, accepting defeat. "He was heading east somewhere. And Blud also says that he is losing interest in his agreement with you. Says you better attack soon or he'll come and take the gold by force."

This comment amused Luke. He always enjoyed the tough talk of forces he could annihilate with a single stroke of a finger. "Tell him we will be on our way shortly. We just need another few days. Did he say how many troops they have?" Luke asked, knowing that Princess had skipped the most important aspect of the report.

Princess spat a long stringy slab of saliva that dripped down his chin. And with a single wipe, he gave a yellow tooth smile. "About a hunnit fifty, hunnit sixty. Somethin like that. They dun even know we've been watching them. Should be fun," he said with a delinquent laugh.

"Similar to our reports," Luke confirmed to Daire. "They haven't received any reinforcements as of yet. Chances are they don't have many more troops."

"I don' care," Princess said aggressively, assuming himself in the conversation. "Jesus Christ, what am I? Some sort of, some sort of," he was at a loss of words from his lack of creativity. "Some sort of fucking dog or something?"

Daire and Luke decided not to touch the subject of Princess' stupidity. "Get the fuck out of here," Luke said with contempt. Princess gave a mean mug and cursed under his breath as he left the scene. He walked like an injured animal, tripping over himself along the way.

Daire turned to Luke once Princess was out of sight. "I'm assuming you have a plan on attacking Goroth?"

"It's in the works. We've recruited about fifty more men to fight fulltime for the cause."

Daire looked unpleased. "I thought I told you no more recruitment?"

"We need as many men as we can get our hands on to fight for us. This is our future we're talking about."