Blue Blood

The Things We Lost

I hunch over, place my forehead against the ground, and grip my stomach. Everything feels like it is spinning and going in and out of focus. Slowly, I sit down with my arms resting on my knees.

Across my arms were bruises of all shapes and sizes and by the way it looks, I'd bet my middle finger is broken. Everything is sore and hurts, but not as much as when they took Magnus.

They arrived just as I was waking up. Two Maston patrol guards, one incredibly near sighted, and the other red-green color blind. Which is most likely why they found Magnus, but didn't see me in the rubble of the barn.

I was stuck under the main beam of the barn's ceiling, unable to breath, and he was still unconscious. As soon as they saw his blue hair, they made a beeline for him and strapped him to their horses. I had just gotten my arms free when they took off.

Why does shit like this always have to happen?

I feel something soft and squishy brush against my head. I turn slightly and see Edima, scrapes along her nose and face. I try not to cry at her poor state and gently pet her. Poor baby, poor sweet girl . . . With some help, I stand up and lean against her.

Debris is all across the yard, the barn is only a pile of splinters now, and a tree is sticking out of the second story bedroom that Magnus and I shared.

It didn't feel real, like something out of the Uncanny Valley. Everything happened so fast. It's all just destroyed. Gone. Like it was never here in the first place.

Wait . .

Where's Kate and Damien?

Right away, I start to panic. Magnus may not have liked them, but they're still good people and they don't deserve to die. I check the basement first, hoping that they made it there in time.

When I arrive, and no one is there, I check the main level, and then the bathroom and then . . . I reach our door, somehow still intact. I make a small prayer, grip my stomach tighter, and open the door.

Dull sunlight spills across the room. The bed was now inhabited by a large evergreen and the dresser, clothes spattered about. The floor was broken. Our armor was strewn. No sign of Kate and Damien.

I slumped down and balled my fists. Dammit . . . Dammit! I straighten up and grab our burlap sack from the corner of the room. Without regard for the splitting pain in my side and hand, I stuff our armor into the sack and any clothing I can get my hands on.

I sling the bag over my shoulder and trudge down the stairs to the kitchen. Any food left in the cupboard gets shoved into the sack and thrown over my shoulder. Flopping down onto the porch stairs, I remove my armor from the sack and hastily attaching it to my self. There's blood on it. Good. Hopefully it will strike the fear of gods into them.

I wrap my finger straight before I whistle loud and hard and start strapping the sack and tightening the straps to Edima. I pick up a scattered towel from the ground and dab at her wounds. Nothing grievous.

She nudges me and whimpers.

"I know, I know . . . Everything is going to be okay . . . We'll find him, it's okay."

I scoff, "Hey, at least we get to spend some more time together! What kind of music do you like? You seem more of a punk rock dame."

She neighs loudly and I slide into the saddle, "Ha! Knew it. Yah!"

I flick the reigns and we are off like a bat out of Hel. The wind punches me in the face with good vibrations and I can't help but smile wildly. It really helps dry the tears along my cheeks.

I let out a battle cry. I did it without thinking, and I'll probably regret it later when I'm skinned like a pig at a sate fair, but it feels so damn good to get all that pent up energy out. When we get Magnus back, I can think of a few ways to get all this energy out.

"Hahaha! Who's the damsel now, biatch!?" I scream as we jump an upturned log.

"Now I get to save your ass, how about that!?"

Edima screams with me.

"Yeah, we're gonna save your ass! What're you gonna do about it Magnus, Huh!? What're you gonna do!?"

I can't help but giggle, "gods, I need to see a psychiatrist . . . Oh, fuck it."

We traveled on for hours looking for any sign of them, but nothing. Hearts shattered, we're back at square one. At bitch town U.S.A.

"And I'm the mayor . . ." I mumble.

I slip out of the saddle and look around for a place to set up camp. The erie  light of dusk normally would be a hindrance, but for once, something was working in our favor. A few yards out, a soft glow emanated above the trees.

I turn to Edima, "What do you think, Is it a good idea?" I ask her.

As if I'd get a response back from a fucking horse.

She looks to me and then back in front of us before starting to walk in the direction of the light.

I huff, "You're the boss."

We walk closer and closer, my hand gently petting her back, until we make it to an old dirt road. A small distance away stood a tavern looking desolate. I take a deep breath and head forward.

It was an old building, creeping vines climbing up the sides, but it was fairly large and made of sturdy dark oak. All the window hatchets were locked and the sign hanging off a pole said: 'Just Roll With It, Pub and Tavern.'

A sign nailed to one of the windows read, "open vacancies. Inquire inside."

No money, no medicine, can barley stand. Yeah, going in here sounds like a FANTASTIC idea.

I open the door after tying Edima to a pole outside and walk up to the bar.

There had to be only about 3 people in the bar. 2 were dwarves, passed out with a keg of ale in their hands. The last person was sitting alone in a booth. Nothing to drink. Nothing to eat. Just sitting there in the dark, practicing coin tricks between their fingers.

Every time I looked away from them, I felt eyes on me, but when I turned back around, they weren't looking at me. Creep.

I walk up and lean against the bar, hoping someone would come out to assist me. There was some back and fourth shouting coming from the back room, along with some clangs of pots and pans. The shouts were starting to become more fierce when a tall purple woman walked out, calm as can be.

"Can I help you sir?"

"Uh, yes, please. I need a room for the night."

"Ah yes, a room. Let me see here . . ." She speaks slowly and calmly. All of her movements slow and methodical.

"I apologize for the commotion going on in the other room, Braad can get a bit . . . Braad."

"Braad? His name is Braad? What kind of name is that?" I stand, bewildered.

"I thought the same." She looks at a sheet on the counter, "Ah, that will be 20 silver."

Oh. Right. Money . . . Fuck.

I sigh, "Look, I've been having the worst few months of my life and they are just getting worse. If you allow me to stay the night, I swear, on the blood in my body, that I will repay you in time."

She seemed to think for a moment, "Can you fight?"

"Yes, malady."

"Alright. I will meet you in the morning to discuss your payment. Here's your key. Third floor on the left."

I sigh in relief, "Thank you, thank you so much!"

I snatch the key from her and start up the steps.

"Don't thank me . . ." She mumbles as I leave to the stairs.

Whatever that means.

I head to my room, unlock the door and flop onto the bed. It's smelly, it dusty, it's scratchy, but right now, it's perfect.

Hold on Magnus, I'm on my way.