Azure Chronicle

Wormwood

I saw Lore run up the street to meet me.

"Oh my God, are you ok?" She looked me over.

I too looked at myself. "I've been better." I said plainly.

"Come on, lets get you the doctor."

She put my arm around her waist and half carried me down the street to the doctor.

We reached the clinic and I was greeted by an older man with receding grey hair. He laid me on a bed and began asking questions.

"Well, looks like you've had quite the morning, eh young man?" He asked putting on an apron and a pair of little spectacles.

"Tell me, what happened? Share with me your epic tale!"

"I thought I heard someone calling my name in a cave, so I investigated and got attacked by a cocrottat."

He poked at a cut on my leg causing me to flinch

"You are a very brave young man."

"Az, you can't just run like that."

Just about that moment, Hack came into the room.

"Well look at you, yer almost a man already." He punched me in the shoulder, a little rougher than I would have appreciated.

"Hack, don't encourage this." She glared.

"Don't encourage self-defense?" Hack teased.

"You know what I mean."

Hack shrugged it off and continued "Come on, tell us all the juicy details." 

I proceeded to tell about throwing the wild dog over the falls and about my wounds. The doctor released me with some bandages on my legs and wrist.

"We got some work to do before we can head out, and were a burnin daylight."

Mash rode us to the train station at the far end of town. There men were fueling up buggies and putting ammo in mechs as well as loading up crawlers onto the rail.

"Hidgeon, come here" Mash called. 

A short man who was loading up a turret hopped off and walked over.

It wasnt until he got closer I realized he was very short. He was only a few feet tall.

"Hidge, this is Hack, Lore, and Az." he pointed.

"Nice to meet you my lady" the man tried to grab Lores hand and kiss it.

Lore snarled at him and he chuckled in a funny high pitched voice.

"Bringing a girl and kid eh?" he chuckled again putting some chew in his mouth.

"Lets look at the equipment shall we?" Mash diverted.

"Yes, lets." She said still glaring at Hidge who smiled back deviously.

Mash walked us to the large train lined with equipment and men.

"The crawlers got outfitted with rail wheels, they will ride front and flank to the train. They'll guard the important stuff. You've got about 25 men altogether."

"And a girl and a kid" Hidge insulted.

"And a midget" Lore replied.

"I like this lady" Hidge thumbed to her.

"Hidge is two men in one, dont be fooled." Mash laughed. "In a few minutes they will be all loaded up."

With that Hidge left to finish loading.

"You comin along?"

"Im afraid not Hack. I have responsibilities here in Titum to attend to."

Hack hung his head and nodded then looked up squinting at the sun.

"I almost forgot. You might want to read this." Mash handed him a newspaper.

Hack unfurled the dirty paper and began scanning.

"What the hell?"

Lore and I stared at Hack intently.

"Looks like Cerberus is blaming this on us."

"That means Vale will pay even more to have that carcass." Mash smiled.

"No, that might mean the end of Azure trade and another war." Lore stomped.

I knew what Azure was, but wondered what these people could possibly use it for. I made a note to ask later.

"All the more reason we need ol wormwood."

I looked to Lore, who looked to Mash, who looked confused. Hack noticed the confusion and explained.

"Twits named him Wormwood"

The bird chirped with satisfaction.

We all rolled our eyes and walked away.

"What?" Hack threw his hands up.

"Its ok Twits. I like the name" he winked at the bird.

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AUTHOR COMMENTS

I am going to like Hidge, even if Lore won't. I mean hey, Midgets need love too.