The Master of Names

Chapter 13- Reality

  "Seconds?" asked Pudge, taking Keldon's now empty plate of scrambled eggs.

  "Yes please."

  It was the morning of the next day. Last night, after some contemplation, Keldon decided against further practice and returned to the cabin, intent on speaking with Salem. However, upon returning to the cart, he was nowhere to be found. However, after spending a frustrating fifteen minutes searching, Keldon finally found him. Problem was, he was piss drunk with the Prison Crew Boys. His face was as flushed as a newbie at the Hissings caught red-handed huffing smoke on the job. Salem had summoned his skill orb and was using a "Lesser Control Fire" spell to entertain the crew. Keldon had waited another ten minutes or so, hoping for an opportunity to speak with Salem but the lot showed no sign of slowing down. Eventually, Keldon gave up, and returned to the cabin to settle in for the night.

  "Ugh..." Salem grumbled as he stirred awake. He had fallen asleep around the campfire last night so Pudge and Keldon were forced to work around him in the morning.

  "Morning Sleepyhead." said Keldon.

  Salem rubbed the sleep from his eyes, wincing a few times as the sunlight poked him in the eyes. Pudge walked over, handing him a warm plate of spiced sausage and creamy scrambled eggs with a cold glass of water, which he'd accepted with a nod of thanks.

  Keldon couldn't get a good read on Salem, even just eating his meal Salem was unassuming, but after yesterday's display of might, it was hard to look at him the same way.

  "What you lookin' at?" Salem said with a glare.

  "Birds." Said Keldon. Salem could act as cold as he wanted, but he wouldn't protect Keldon so fiercely like that last night without some kind of reason.

  Right?

  "Hey Salem."

  "Hm?"

  "Could I talk to you after you're done with your food?"

  "Ain't nothin' to talk about."

  Keldon stared at Salem unamused. He continued to eat his breakfast but Keldon maintained his stare. At this point, Salem was fidgeting in his seat, trying to feign nonchalance as he ate but Keldon refused to drop the look, confusing Pudge who looked between the two.

  "Would you stop that?" said Salem.

  "Not until you agree to talk."

  "Fine, stare all you want then." said Salem with a huff, turning his back to Keldon.

  After the three of them finished breakfast, Pudge and Ernie had started cleaning up the campsite, picking up empty bottles and packing up the sleeping rolls from the night before. Mitch had asked Salem to help feed the tortulgas before their departure and when Keldon had asked him for his own task, Mitch simply laughed, telling him to go help Salem; the prison crew boys would handle the rest. With a bucket full of scraps and rocks, Keldon pushed over the wheelbarrow of feed and plopped his next to Salem's, to a certain someone's obvious displeasure.

  "Hup!" Keldon grunted, tossing a large chunk of stone into the gaping maw of the tortulga.

  Damn tortulga breath absolutely stank, it smelt like a strange mix of vinegar, rotting cabbage and wet stone. At least with Hissing smoke, he was used to the smell, but this was another thing entirely.

  Keldon pushed down the urge to vomit as he shoveled in another helping of slop and stone. Salem had already finished his task, cleaning up after himself and returned to the cart. It seemed like he was doing his best to avoid Keldon but once the two of them were in the cart, Salem wouldn't be able to escape him.