Unexpected Recruits

The screaming started the moment axe met wood.

It didn’t let up even as the Armors made a hole big enough to let Lynn through, nor did it when she stepped through and glared at the one making the noise.

A hooded figure scrambled backwards, crawling on their hands and knees to get away. However, this one was a little different. Their heavy robed garment was a dark green, almost moss like, and the mask they wore was a plain wooden one with black sockets for eyes with a little opening for a mouth. Even seemed to have little wooden ‘horns’ sticking up from the hood.

More shockingly were the strange black shape around the cultist. Several small little chartreuse eyes looked up at her as the ‘blob’ of darkness split up into several different figures.

“Ah. Cubs…, or hmm. What would you call the young of a Vesca?”

“Cubs work… I mean don’t come any closer!” The figure sputtered as she put her arms around the young beasts, trying to figure out the best course of action that wouldn’t get herself killed

She took one step before another sight gave her pause. The adult Vesca had entered the room as well, and the cubs were slowly approaching them. It was a rather cute reunion as the older ones pressed their heads against the smaller ones. But when she took another step toward the hooded figure, a few Vesca got in the way. They just stared up at her, with their ears tucked back slightly, and their mouths rippling as they gave a low growl.

“…., I think I understand.” Lyn kicked the ground to get some of the hay out from under her and knelt.

“I suppose I won’t kill this one. Unless you deem it. Okay?”

The nearest Vesca made a motion with its head and moved out the way. Something about this one seemed to appeal to these animals, so they hadn’t…. outright challenged her over but made their distain clear. Smart animals indeed.

Standing up, she walked a few steps and looked down at the figure.

“I needed one of you alive to ask some questions anyway. And if these little guys don’t want you hurt, I suppose that gives you bonus points. Now could you answer me some questions?”

“….Um…, could we maybe go elsewhere…. First?” the figure asked, as she glanced around the animal pen.

They didn’t go far, simply back to the bunk room. The cultist took off the hood and mask and introduced herself as Kayleen Smithe; a simple farmer and herder. She didn’t know much about the ‘going ons’ with the cult itself but when given the choice between starve, stabbed, or serve; well didn’t seem like there was much of one.

With her hood off, Lyn got a good look at her. Olive skin tone, and her hair was short and curly in a… almost light brown hue…, was that Ashy blonde or something? A couple freckles adorned her cheeks and her light green eyes flicked around the room as she drank from her water sac.

“So you don’t know anything about this Forlorn Dawn?” Lyn tapped her fingers on the table.

“Well…, only what I heard from the others…., I didn’t really talk with them much.” Kayleen muttered, “I just know that the other groups operate doing their own thing or specified duty and a caravan comes around for their ‘donations’ they collected. We did food mainly.”

“Along with anyone you could jump right?”

“They did the jumping. I just took care of whatever animals they brought me. They settled on Vescas given how hardy they are and easily controllable they can be. They’re smart but pretty protective of their young; so being able to ‘hostage’ them was thought up and well….”

“They go collect the shrooms with the Vesca’s ability, you watch the young under guard.”

“Basically yeah.” Kayleen shrugged.

“You mentioned food though.” Lyn tilted her head towards Mira beside her, “I was told that they’re toxic.”

“No they’re actually safe…, I mean I wouldn’t eat them raw but…”

“Wait what? But that’s what I was told by…,” Mira stopped herself after blurting that out and took a step back, head angled down a bit. Lyn was amused but her servant’s ‘shame’ in speaking out of turn.

“Either Mira heard wrong, or something else is at play here. But these shrooms are safe to eat then, yes.” Lyn asked as she leaned forward, a sly grin on her face.

“Well, yes…, my parents had a few Vesca that we cared for and they’d leave some mushrooms out for us as well…, payment? More like sharing food with the herd but why?”

“Let’s see.” Lyn brought up her hand and extended a finger with each item, “You’re the last survivor of cult outpost, who probably won’t be happy you are, with a bunch of animals under your care which you seem the kind of person that wouldn’t just leave them, and in the middle of nowhere.”

Kayleen sank down in her seat a bit more. Lyn continued though, snapping her fingers to keep attention on herself.

“It sounds like you are in mess. But…, I can offer you a new job.”

“Job?!?”

The plural answer was enjoyable to hear from both Kayleen and Mira.

“I’ll keep this short; we came here in search of food due to a collection of humans making their way into my keep. And I would very much like to keep them alive so they can’t just eat cobwebs and rubble. Dealing with the cult wasn’t my purpose and thus I feel bound to take care of this matter.”

“You have a way of producing food and are in danger.” Lyn held up one hand, “I need food and can offer shelter.” She held up the other before moving them together in a clasp, “I feel like this works out for the both of us.”

“Seems odd to trust me that much when you just met me, isn’t it?”

“Good question. And no. I don’t.” Lyn’s grin widened to show off her sharp teeth more as her eyes narrowed, making Kayleen slowly pull back, “But I trust these.”

She held out a hand to the side only for one of the Vesca to come along side her and rub it’s head in her palm, making a strange noise as it did so. Like a mix of a purr and a building bark. Lyn made a clicking sound with her tongue a few times before giving it a pat and pulling her hand away, attention back to Kayleen.

“They were smart enough to see me as a friend, or at least helpful way to deal with those that hurt them and their young. But they stepped up to protect you, seeing you as part of their group. Now, you could be just as nutty as the others, only not around the Vesca but well, I’m willing to take that chance.”

“Besides, if you ARE with the cult truly, I’d like to keep you close and not let you run off to tell the cult. Which again, probably won’t be too happy regardless of what you tell them.”

“That’s the deal. Come with me for some safety, strike out on your own, or wait here till the cult’s collectors come pay you a visit.” Lyn leaned back and eyed Kayleen up and down, “We’ll be leaving soon anyway so I suggest you decide.”

Lyn heard Kayleen’s heartbeat quicken as she worked out in her head just what to do. Her breath hitched before sighing and petting a nearby Vesca herself. It gave a low whine as it pushed it’s head into her leg before motioning with its head towards Lyn.

“Fine.” Kayleen conceded, “I need some time to get everything together.”

“I’m not sure the others will like this much my Lady.”

“They’re staying at an old ruined keep, belonging to an unhinged lord who became a vampire, and are now watched over by his vampiric daughter. I think they’ll get over having to eat not really poisoned Mushrooms.”

“…. Fair point.” Mira rolled her eyes but had a smirk to her face.

“It’s not the answer we were looking for but to be honest, I wasn’t expecting to find much in the first place. More a way to stretch my legs after sleeping in that ruined mattress for so long and that hidden away vault for longer. This was just supposed to be a quick test jaunt and to show that I’m at least trying to help. Well….” Lyn looked over her shoulder at Kayleen and the pack of animals behind her, “I’m rather pleased by this.”

They had about 20-30 Vesca and Kayleen, along with some provisions nicked from the cult. Along with some tools (their gear was rather shabby to use) a couple of valuables that might be worth trading with, some extra robes for padding and cloth, and a few other small items, there wasn’t much to the haul.

Biggest thing besides their new friends was a note book that marked outgoing deliveries and served as a journal to the man that ran the outpost. Maybe some more information about them would be inside. That a couple pouches of herbs and some healing potions Kayleen had pointed out completed the loot.

Lit the place on fire on the way out. Mostly stone sure but still had some wooden supports in places; burn through those and it would come down. Couldn’t take everything and she didn’t want the cult to have anything left behind either. Or have an easy time figuring out what happened.

“Not sure how strong they are as a group but I don’t want them trying to lay siege to me just yet.” She thought to herself.

A slight pain grabbed her attention away from such thoughts. A slight irritation on her forehead.

“Oh right….”

She looked over the landscape and saw the glow of the sun starting to poke out over the horizon. The clouds made it so it wasn’t’ direct but… as timed passed it would just get worse. Took too long to do everything but this is why she came prepared.

“Armors.” She snapped a finger which her minions quickly came to her side. Or as quickly as large possessed armors could. “You remember the route home, right?” They slowly nodded.

“Good. You, put the crate down. I need to retire.” The armor carrying her ‘travel crate’ did so, slowly as not to damage it.

“What’s going on…., oh right….,” Kayleen spoke up from behind.

“Her.” She turned and pointed at the animal handler, “Keep an eye on her. Make sure she doesn’t run but don’t hurt her either. If the animals stand up for her, stand down. Got it.”

Her armors nodded again as one moved to take up position behind Kayleen and the herd of animals. She gave Lyn a quick look.

“You’ll probably be left alone for a bit so I’d rather not have you decide to run off. That said again I’m putting trust in the Vesca once more. If they want to let you have the option to leave, I won’t stop you all. But again, I think my keep will be the safest spot for you.”

“That makes sense but um…, I can watch her for you, my Lady.” Mira offered as she walked up.

“You’ll be busy.”

“Busy…., with what…”

Mira sunddely found herself in a hug while being pulled towards the make shift coffin.

“I won’t have my liutent overworking herself. Besides, I could use a cuddle buddy.”

“My Lady! Not… in public…” Mira’s face flushed, as Lyn brought her face close to her, “Maybe when we get ba….”

“Please. Just… humor me.” Lyn whispered.

There was a shake to her voice that Mira hadn’t heard before. Besides she was starting to feel dead tired and a break did sound fun…, and her Lady probably could use the…, meal. Kayleen herself blushed as the two quickly put themselves away into the crate.

“Are you okay my lady?” Mira asked as she tried to make herself comfortable.

It was a tight fit with the two of them but there were enough blankets to make it at least soft. And Lyn had made a few icicles inside to act as a cooler; it wasn’t perfect but they wouldn’t bake when the sun fully came up.

“I’m…. well. I won’t say I’m fine.” Lyn said as she snuggled up to Mira, “I just need… more a shoulder to lean on right now than anything.”

“I suppose everything is… finally hitting home? Or just been running on stress since getting up. My body might not be human anymore but my mind still is. Or mostly is. Not the stoic rock of a leader you guys need huh?”

“Been a lot to process…, yes. I’ve had time to come to terms but…, rather sudden for you isn’t it?” Mira asked.

Lyn simply nodded after which Mira brought her into a hug. She could feel the seemingly powerful vampire give a few shivers, and it wasn’t due to cold.

“I…., I’m not very good at this my Lady. Can’t really find the words to say. I will say though, you will always have me as a shoulder to cry on.”

“Thanks…., sorry you have to see me a bit like this.”

“If anything, it helps drive the point home that you are a nice vampire. You haven’t lost your humanity. It’s a good thing.”

“I guess…., thank you Mira. I’m just…. I’ll be better when we get to the keep. Or I wake up. Whichever comes to pass.”

“I’ll be right here for you my Lady.”

Lyn gave a small purr as Mira deepened the hug. She could hear the woman’s heartbeat and the blood in her veins but right now…, she was far more tired than hungry. Perhaps she was this tired when she first ‘woke up’. If that was the case, hopefully she wouldn’t be out for so long again.

“Mira…, wake me up….” She mumbled as she closed her eyes, the rocking of the crate making her drift to sleep