Bear-ing Burdens Back To Camp

"Look out for it's claws!" Roman shouted diving to the side.

"Unff! I know!" Risty grunted getting her shield up in time to defend herself from a paw swipe of the big bear they'd encountered. She smashed her Morningstar into it with a crunch and rolled to the side... but the damn thing turned to focus on Roman... again! "I think it likes you!"

"RAWR!" The bear roared as it brought it's head snapping towards him with a crushing crunch.

The illusion shattered and as it fell apart. Roman appeared to the side and clubbed it on the snout hard with a two handed grip and jabbed it in the eye for good measure before leaping away. "I noticed! Minor family curse I'm afraid!"

The bear howled in rage and pain. Half blinded and crippled but fully frenzied now. The definition of berserk. It lunged for his illusion again... and followed it's nose right through and past it!

"Oh shit!" Roman said knowing there wasn't time to retreat or evade and brought his cane up to defend. The bear took a swing with its crippled paw and Roman blocked it but barely held on as it barreled into him. He felt the claws raking down his chest drawing agonizing furrows of pain. "Grraagh!" He yelled back in the bears face as it roared in his.

"Roman!" Risty shouted bashing her shield into it's open mouth and smacking the paw away from him.

Roman seeing the opening took careful aim and thrust into the bears wedged open mouth as it swiped with its other paw. He felt the claws raking him the other way this time with it's strong paw... but as painful as it was it was weak. His aim and strike were true as he'd finished off the opponent striking a deathblow through the wedged open maw.

He jerked his cane free as it toppled and just barely spun out of the way as it's weight crashed down next to him. Roman toppled too feeling weak.

"Oh no, no, no!" Risty said racing to his side then looking at his wounds gushing blood. The claws had rent right through his vest and clothes and into his flesh leaving a gapping hashmark of wounds.

"I know...," he said coughing up blood. "I really liked that vest... bloody bastard! Hah! Aaargh!"

"Don't talk fool!" Risty said trying to staunch the bleeding with her hands and the tatters of his ruined shirt. "Dammit it's too deep! Hold on! There's got to be-"

"Ha... ah... herbs," he gasped. "Back..."

"Backpack!" She shouted looking around for it then spotted it and took off running to where it had gotten dropped. "Just hold on, dammit!"

Roman smirked, bloodily. "Ah'm not... goin'.... any... whereeee..." he knew it was bad. Knew it looked even worse... but his insides weren't outside. He'd live.

"Yah... you hear... me?" He saw his hat on the ground. He went to pick it up and nearly stopped because it hurt like hell! He gritted his teeth to pick it up and deliberately placed it on his head at the cockiest rakish angle he could and pointed to the sky. "I know... You're watchin'," he addressed the judges through the drones and grimly smiled. "I ain't done yet!" He said loudly and clearly.

"Shut up," Risty said coming back with the bag. She was glad Roman was as methodical as he was. Everything was easy to find. Herbs, bandages... everything. "Just hold on, Roman! You're-!"

"Ah'm gonna be... jes' fine..." he told her with a smile before blacking out momentarily.

"Roman?" Risty asked a slight tremor of panic in her voice before snorting looking at his face. Even grimacing in pain and ****- "Yeah, I bet. Still got that cocky look on your face! You could have at least hung in there long enough to tell me how to use these things tough guy!"

She thought about the poltice and tea he'd brewed for her but there wasn't time for that so she grabbed a handful and crushed the leaves in her fist then popped them in her mouth to chew up. She spit it out into the bandages and wrapped them around his chest.

"Will that do?" She wondered looking at his face before realizing she'd been staring and blushed. "Handsome bastard. I don't know what I see in you," she muttered and then chewed some more herbs up mumbling, "You better appreciate this, jerk." She leaned in and placed her lips against his, forcing his mouth open to feed him the herbs... and trying not to think about it as a kiss and how nice his lips felt on hers as she closed her eyes.

She felt his tongue against hers as she **** him to swallow and briefly wondered if he'd been faking but no, it was simply a reflex action... but it did feel surprisingly nice and she lingered longer than she thought she would before peeking.

She noticed his eyelids flutter a bit and his breathing deepened. Was he waking up? She pulled back and was surprised at her own **** to do so.

He was definitely starting to stir. Was he waking already? She peeked under his bandages and saw the wounds were miraculously start to close themselves up. "Roman?"

Roman slowly opened his eyes. He felt- "Water?" He asked licking his lips. There was a taste of the herbs...and something else. Something he couldn't quite place.

Rusty snorted and passed him the water canteen. "Seems like you'll live," she stated checking his bandages again so she had an excuse to look away. His eyes looking at her like that sent a thrill through her. She watched the wounds close themselves up quite nicely. He had a surprisingly fine physique under his clothes. "Well that's not something you see everyday! Good news... you'll probably have some light scars but nothing disfiguring, handso-er, you hard headed idiot!" She caught herself before she could say something embaressing but she felt herself flush.

Roman shrugged and finished drinking the canteen dry. "Ahh... Told ya I'd be just fine... a little thirsty though. Probably should be feeling anemic from blood loss but all I am is thirsty... and hungry!"

Risty shook her head watching him slowly sit up, then kneel pulling ou a knife to start t carving into the bear. "Is that what you're doing? Carving yourself a steak? Because I... is that it's heart?"

"Yes," Roman said cutting out the organ. "Thank you Brother," he said to the bear. "Thank you for the gift of your life. I promise you. None of it shall be wasted." He said before taking a bite.

"Eugh!" Risty said but she watched fascinated. "I guess you like meat more than I do! Seriously though is that a ritual of some kind?"

Roman nodded. "It is. Braves and hunters long ago would eat the heart of their prey. It's strength became their strength. It's life essence and soul nurtured theirs. It's about respect and honor for a fellow living being in the cycle... But it's also just good sense. Waste nothing. We will waste nothing."

Risty watched him take another bite and chew. It was primal. "What an interesting way to live... but uh, I don't think you can eat the whole bear. Not by yourself." She watched him hold out the bloody heart in her direction. "Oh, uh no thanks. Not what I meant."

Roman nodded as he chewed. After he swallowed he said with just a hint of a smile. "Don't worry. I have a friend who is a bigger fan of meat than you. They'll appreciate our sharing. But first..." now he did smirk looking at the carcass.

Risty sighed looking too and guessing what he had in mind. "We just added to our load significantly didn't we?"

Roman smiled and nodded.

"Geez!" Darlene said looking at the bear they'd brought in. It was way too heavy to carry so they'd made a travois sledge and dragged it the whole way. Thankfully they hadn't been far. Still they were covered in sweat from the workout. "Thats a big 'un! You're a mess! You think it's smart to let people see you like that?"

Roman blinked then shrugged. "I actually hadn't considered the optics... Meh. It should be fine. We won."

Darlene nodded then smirked. "Maybe so... Roman the Invincible. We?"

He chuckled embaresed. "Hardly. It was a pretty close thing there! And yeah Risty here." He gesture to Risty at his side. "She was a big help. I wouldn't be here without her!"

"Oh wow... You got a thing for pink and redheads, don't cha Cap'n?" Darlene asked looking Risty up and down appreciatively. "Not that I can blame ya hey!"

"It's just a coincidence," Roman said. "And Knives hair is actually black. It's just that little section that's been colored to apparently match mine."

"Who's this?" Risty asked also looking Darlene over and appraising the blond with the sides of her head shaved, the crossbow on her back and the two bowie Knives she favored. Her eyes glinted. "Is she your Knives?!"

"No, no," Roman said quickly, eager to clear up any misunderstanding. "This is Darlene and she's a Prime. See? No collar. She's also one of my lieutenants and she's earned it so show her a little respect, got it?"

Risty surprised him by nodding and smiling offering her hand. "Got it! Sorry, didn't mean any offense, Darlene. I can respect a fellow warrior woman."

Darlene smiled too taking her hand. "None taken, Risty and right back at cha! Nice to meet you... Very nice!" She said looking at Risty in a suggestive manner. "Boss has got taste in women! Let me know if you ever feel like sharing, hey!"

"Wha- I-" Risty said flustered snatching her hand back as if suddenly burned.

"That's up to them, not me Darlene and don't tease her like that," Roman said chuckling and shaking his head. "And I ain't into guys so if any of them are amenable to it you'll need to have something better to share yourself than Turner." He turned to Risty. "Sorry. I should've warned you... this ones a wolf!"

Darlene laughed but put her hands up in surrender. "I'll remember that and I was only half joking you know!"

Roman smirked. "Oh I know! Half joking is half serious after all!"

Darlene grinned. "Sharp as ever! That's why you're the boss!" She pointed at the bear. "So what do you want done with this big boy?"

Roman nodded. "You're the best hunter in camp. Think I could ask you to help me skin and process him?" He smirked. "I know. It's kind of a "big" favor!"

She laughed. "Hahaha! It sure is... but yeah I'll help you out!" She snapped her fingers. "Speaking of Will and favors have you found enough materials to start looking into making a forge yet?"

Roman shook his head. "Not yet. I'm willing to bet we can find some metals somewhere but even then we'd need some serious equipment to start up a smithy. Hammers and anvils won't be cheap if we buy them with points and most importantly... we need to find materials to make bricks. Want me to make it a priority in exchange?"

Darlene nodded. "Only if you can. I figure we'll start needing the better tools and materials before long and it'd be nice to put him to work outside of the bed if you catch my drift. Alright leave the big guy here while I go get my tools! See you later?"

"See you later," Roman said.

"Later," Risty said before turning to Roman. "Bricks?"

Roman nodded. "Sure or something equivalent. Hard to make a decent furnace without them." He gestured pointing around the camp. "Honestly that's the next step for a lot of things. Bricks. We got a lot of timber around we can use for some construction projects and some folks are hard at work on that already. But we really need to start looking into brick making in general. With bricks we can make walls and graineries and kilns for pottery, ceramics and better bricks. Then we can make furnaces, forges and other things like better walls, dams, piers-"

"Prisons and holding cells?" Rusty said a touch of bitterness in her voice.

Roman shrugged and nodded. "Those too. I would have said better homes and fireplaces and ovens because those are just more useful and better for people... but those would be good too. We got a wooden stockade at the moment but it's less than ideal. Hell I doubt breaking into or out of it would slow either one of us down for more than a minute or two tops. Which means more people needing to stand guard when it's in use." He sighed. "Such a pain, really. It ain't easy being the boss or convincing people that public works that benefit everyone are a good idea. They're a good bunch but some of them ain't exactly big "thinkers", if you catch my drift."

Risty smiled though. "No, I get it. You're trying to think of everyone's needs and not just your own or a small groups. That's... commendable, actually. And if anybody knows what a pain leading knucklehead bandits around is, it's me!" She laughed.

Roman grinned. "Right! Well welcome to our collection of huts and hovels holding our knuckleheads, schemers and dreamers! It ain't much!"

"Hahaha! But it's home?" She asked amused and a little curious.

He shook his head. "Nah... but we're right next door and it's only marginally better and only slightly more inconvenient!" He winked making her laugh again. "Oh hey!" He waved taking her hand. "Follow me!"

Risty had to admit over the next couple hours. It wasn't the most impressive bandit hideout she'd ever seen... but the operation itself was. As Roman took her around and introduced her to people as he bought a new shirt from Em and talked shop, bought fruit from Frank and Jane, looked over the ledgers and deposited items and funds with Carlos and discussed targets with Burt and so many others... everyone was either respectful or friendly with Roman... and her by default. Everyone had a greeting and most wanted to discuss something with him. Whether asking his opinion or advice on a multitude of subjects or just wanting a quick word with him, he made an effort to make at least a little time for each and everyone of them. Hear their complaints, ideas and suggestions and give each an individual well reasoned response, explanation or advice. Sure some people looked at him with fear. But mostly she saw respect and gratitude. He worked hard for them and their betterment, physically and mentally, and most recognized and respected him for it. "You know... I kind of see you in a new light."

"Huh?" He said swallowing and passing her a banana. "What brought that on? Nevermind. Here try one!" He said loading the outrigger canoe.

"What is it?" She asked sniffing it.

Roman grinned. "A fruit. Well sort of. Peel it first like I did mine. There you go! We'll head home in a bit." He sighed. "I'm going to have to make a second trip out and back just to get all of our stuff at M's. Oh well... Price of success! The reward for a job well done is more work, my father would always tell us."

"Mmmmm! Tha's gud!" Risty mumbled then swallowed. "Different but good! What's it called? And do you want me to come with you the second time? It must be easier to paddle this strange contraption with two."

Roman smiled and shook his head. "That's a banana. This is a dugout canoe. Well technically it's an outrigger canoe but I used the dugout process carving it from a log. I got another at home that's half finished... and no. It's nice of you to offer but I can manage as it isn't terribly far and most importantly..."

"Mmm! Banana! I'll remember that!" She said before asking, "Most importantly?"

Roman nodded. "Most importantly I want you to meet the others, relax a bit and get used to the place, Risty. It'll be your new home."

"Home, huh?" She said looking thoughtful.

He nodded then tilted his head seeing her expression. "Yeah... something wrong?"

She smiled a little and shook her head. "No. Just... I haven't had a "home" in a longtime. I... I'm not opposed to the idea. It just... hadn't really hit me yet." She smirked and shrugged. "As a wanderer and bandit, home has been wherever I happened to lay my head that night. Can't lose what you no longer have and they are a bit hard to take with you. It should be... interesting. What?" She asked seeing him smiling at her.

Roman shook his head and held the canoe. "Get in." She did and he pushed off out into the waves before hopping in himself. He started paddling still smiling. "Even if we don't have a place, a person's "home" is in their hearts. A home is the people more than the place. You're my responsibility now, Risty. That means I need to take care of you, always. Your home is with me now. Always, for as long as you want it."

Her heartbeat sped up as she heard, felt those words, resonate inside her. It awakened a feeling inside of a lost homeless orphan from long ago. One who'd also been taken in by a bandit as his own daughter and who'd told her something similar. She smiled and quickly wiped at her eyes before picking up a paddle and trying to match his technique and rythym of paddling with the oddly shaped oar in the strange "ka-new" boat. "Huh... Ok. Let's go home."

[Roman Stark Knives Chau Saya Takagi and Risty

Will Return In

Making Introductions

Coming Soon]