Cambria

Northern Territory of The Flats.

He thought the Dunes moved liked the waves of an ocean and almost smiled at the familiar view of endless sand. It had taken weeks for the cold and ice to fade and be replaced by the orange warmth of the Flats.

“Sight of sore eyes Pete?” Thompson said. “Or well eye in your case.”

“It surely is.” James Costner said ignoring the little joke Thompson had made. Thompson was still calling him Pete but Costner knew that Thompson knew the truth.

“I ain’t been down to the Flats in the three years or more... still a lot of bad blood with Confederates.”

“I’d say.” Costner said simply.

“I don’t get it. I’m just a trader.” Thompson said with a shrug. “Anyway The Zong is down to the South East. Used to be you avoided it on account of the Slavers now it’s the Soldiers you gotta watch fer. One thing you gotta give the ‘Feds at least they’re trained. This Flats Army ain’t nothing but shit kickers with uniforms.”

“I wouldn’t know.” Costner said as he pulled out his revolver and cocked it.

Thompson turned quickly and held his hands palms out at his side. “Woah now Pete what you doing?”

Costner sighed. “Thompson, Who have you told about me?”

“About you?”

Costner nodded.

“Pete I ain...”

Costner interrupted. “Stop, you know that’s not my real name.”

Thompson’s face fell but after a moment he nodded.

“Look I’m sorry I dragged you in to this but it was your greed that made this go south.”

A tear ran down Thompson’s cheek. “You don’t have to do this. We can go... just like old times me and you.”

Costner laughed. “Like old times? You weren’t thinking about old times when you sold me out were you?”

Thompson looked at the ground.

“Who?” Costner asked.

“Ryan Mozambique.” Thompson said faintly.

Costner was shocked for a moment. “Mozambique? That whole thing was years ago, Jenner Reese is more of a threat to him than me.”

“He’s an old man now. Crazy too, thinks his enemies are everywhere. I knew he had an old score with you and... and I just wanted to cash out.”

Costner nodded he then lifted the revolver and fired a single shot killing Thompson instantly.

Costner patted the body down and took some beads and bullets. He then glanced up at the sun which was already beating down harshly.

“Welcome Home.” He muttered before he gathered his small pack and started walking south into the Flats.

#

New Mesa.

The Office of Jenner Reese.

The speech was as good as any she’d written recently but she still found herself doubting it. Was it too much? Farpoint was already making the case that too much was being spent on the military and not enough on rebuilding and expanding the cities. Jenner was no fool though she knew that Tobias Wing had already earmarked the beads currently going to the Army for his own Train project. Jenner would be damned if defence spending would go to help another Farpoint turncoat make a fortune on the back of taxes. She was about to reread the speech when there was a knock at the door of her office.

“Yes?” she said although she knew what the meeting was.

The door swung open and a small portly man gave her a thin smile. “President Reese, Mr Chastain is here.”

“Send him in.” Jenner said as she set the speech to one side.

“At once.” The man said with another meaningless smile.

A few seconds later the lanky frame of Chastain was in her door way.

“This a bad time? Your butler seems all wound up.” Chastain said with his trademark drawl.

“No it’s fine and he’s not a butler he’s an aide.”

“Whatever you say.”

Chastain entered the room and closed the door behind him. He glanced around the room laconically before leaning against a book case on the far side of the wall. It always entertained Jenner that he never saw an occasion to dress formally. Always in the same poncho, always armed.

“How’s business?” She asked.

“Good but dull. Some rumblings of the Fed’s sending down some Cabal but nothing came of it.”

“Good. I received a request from Deeza the representative of the Ochil.”

“For us? That’s not like the knife ears.”

Jenner frowned at his use of the epithet but Chastain’s face remained unmoved.

“Yes, it seems some of the clans to the east have been having trouble with a slaver gang. They want us to help track them.”

Chastain raised an eyebrow.

“The Ochil want help tracking? They’re the best trackers on the Flats.”

Jenner nodded and leaned back in her chair. “True. Deeza is an old friend from the war and she’s trying to get the Ochillian clans to agree to join the Table.”


“Deeza. I know of her, she’s pretty much their leader. Like the Ochillian version of you. Why doesn’t she just make ‘em join?”

Jenner shook her head and frowned. “Ochillian politics are not that simple I’m afraid.”

“Right so you want us to go out help this clan with their slaver problem and maybe generate a little bit of good will towards the government?”

“Exactly.”

“You know anything about these Slavers?”

Jenner shrugged. “They’re slavers. What more is there to say?”

“Got ya. Any other business?”

“One other thing. Alexia Coleman is travelling to Farpoint and requires an escort.”

Chastain rolled his eyes. “Lemme guess we’re going too?”

“Now I can see why you make sure leader.” Jenner said with a smile.

Chastain smirked at her jab and allowed a few seconds of silence to linger before he changed the subject.

“I know Tobias Wing and his railway is screwing with the beads going to the army. Why don’t you just put us on him? Evanna can make it look like... well anything.”

Jenner shook her head. “No that’s my battle. He’s an elected official.”

Chastain nodded before slowly rising to his full height. “Alright then. I’ll be back next week for the speech.”

“Not necessary, the army is more than capable of keeping me safe.”

“I’m sure they are. I just want to be an informed voter.” He said as he left the office.

#

The White Group wasn’t large so Chastain had to pick and choose the missions he took carefully, unless of course they were missions for Jenner which meant he had no choice as the White Group was an extension of her office. In all other jobs though Chastain had the final say in where they went. Of course nobody requested the White Group got involved in situations as they were unaware the White Group existed. Instead Chastain played the long game. He’d identify problems that only the White Group could fix and introduce the solution. One such problem has occurred in the small town of Karkuth.

The town was nothing special apart from a whisper he’d heard a few days ago from one of the Lost Boys. The Lost Boys were the eyes and ears of the wastes. The Children that nobody noticed but that noticed everything around them. One of his informants had told him that the Barkeep in Karkuth was acting strangle and had been wandering out into the wastes at night. This coupled with rumblings of Cabal sightings in the area were what piqued his interest. He had his missions for the week and set about drawing up the listings.

#

Jobs

Come With Me.

Location- New Mesa to Farpoint.

Objective- Ensure Alexia Coleman makes it safely to Farpoint and back to New Mesa.

Information- Alexia Coleman is going on another trip which as you know means we have to hold her hand. This one comes straight from President Reese so it’s gotta be done.

As we all know Professor Alexia Coleman aside from being the Genius who invented the Mechanically Augmented Walker that helped us win the war is... eccentric. This means whoever goes on this mission will have to be on their best behaviour. Professor Coleman is in possession of many phobias and most would agree it’s best to just play along. Shooting a snake is far easier than getting a two hour lecture in the middle of the wastes about different types of venom.

This is not to say the trip will be simple. So far we’ve be lucky in these little excursions as Tribals have stayed away but as we all know the second you get out on the wastes things can go real, bad real fast.

As we all know Professor Coleman is currently working on some kind of new military gizmo and her survival is vital. So try not to lose her.

How to Make friends and Influence People.

Location- Eastern Flats, The Scrublands.

Objective- Aid the Takalu Clan in tracking a defeating a band of Slavers

Information- This is another request from President Reese and is something of a diplomatic job. The representative of the Ochillian Clans is called Deeza, an old war friend of Reese’s. Anyway Deeza is the intermediary between The leaders of the Ochillian Clans and the Flats Government. Deeza and Reese feel that everybody would be better served if the Ochillian Clans become part of the Table. Of course the Ochillian Clans ain’t too trusting so Deeza and Reese reckon the best way to win them over is to show how the Government can help out the Clans.

One such problem is an Issue the Takalu Clan is having with a band of slavers raiding their settlements. The Takalu isn’t a big clan and have been hit twice already. They can’t take a third so you are not going to let that happen. Reese wants you meet with a band of Takalu warriors and track down these Slavers. Liberate the prisoners and deliver some “frontier justice”.

What we know about these Slavers is limited. They always attack by land but they have airships. The Takalu are able to track the Slavers across the wastes but inevitably the trail goes cold and the Takalu believe an airship is being used. The good news is its unlikely the Slavers have went north yet however if they get wind the Government is involved they’ll hightail it. These assholes like pushing around a tiny band of nomads but will run at the first sign of the big boys getting involved. That’s why we can only send you in. We show up with a battalion they’ll be gone before we’ve even started searching.

If you find these Slavers and free those Ochil we’ll be a step forward to bringing the Clans into the Government and uniting all the Flats. Fail and the Takalu will most likely cease to be a tribe. No Pressure, right?

Cheers.

Location- Karkuth

Objective- Investigate the Bar Keep at the Drunken Scorpion.

Information- The Lost Boys recently passed me a piece of information about Bradley Hounslow, the Bar Keep at the Drunken Scorpion in Karkuth. Karkuth is a small town in the North West of the Flats very close to the border with the Peaks. It is of little strategic value as it is quite out of the way. In fact the only reason the town exists is due to its remoteness. It serves as a small resting post for traders travelling by land North to the Peaks. Obviously in the years since the war this trade has dried up. The only thing that has kept the town alive is the small mine on it’s outskirts but that too becoming depleted.

However the creation of the Flats Army has created new opportunities for Karkuth as our forces moving to guard the border have to pass through the town. This means the town gets an economic boost each time troops pass through. This means the citizens of Karkuth have a pretty good idea of what we have guarding the western border of the Flats.

Hounslow has been brought to my attention thanks to his slightly odd behaviour which involves him travelling out into the middle of the wastes for no easily identifiable reason. The Lost Boys are unable to follow him out on to the wastes as they’d be discovered immediately. This coupled with recent reports of Cabal activity in the area has piqued my interest. It’s not a lot to go on but if Hounslow is meeting with Cabal agents we need to know what they are discussing and if possible to stop any meetings happening in the future. It’s up to you to get to the bottom of this. It could be nothing more sinister than a man enjoying the occasional ramble or it could be a spy monitoring troop movements. You need to find out.

Location- Eastern Flats, The Scrublands.

Objective- Aid the Takalu Clan in tracking a defeating a band of Slavers

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Evanna sat with one hand on her hip, glaring into the harsh sunlight. She'd forgone thick or stuffy clothing for the day, instead opting for a thin shirt and a skirt that hardly reached her knees. The Wastes were hard and dangerous places, so unlike her home. Evanna reached to touch her belt as she looked around her, subconsciously taking stock of what poisons she had at her disposal- vials of doll's eyes in her right side pocket, their juices sloshing wildly with every jump of the horse she rode; a vial of liquid seeped with the roots of a Water hemlock on her left side; crushed crab's eyes mixed into cheeses that she kept in the pocket next to her buckle. None of them would be of much use for her today, of course- today would be bloodier than she liked. For that reason she had a quiver of arrows on her back and a bow next to her on the horse. The arrows were coated in ricin, but she could kill without that. But, she thought idly as she pulled the horse, a mare named Kalia, to the left I might not be able to use them at all at this rate. Where are those Ochil?

She'd been looking for them since she'd arrived at the edges of the Scrublands that morning. She'd taken a horse from a trader in exchange for a belladonna plant- rare, expensive things, those. Lucky that Evanna could grow her own. The horse was old and slow, and Evanna's fair skin was beginning to burn in in the harsh light, but suddenly she saw what she had been looking for- the Takalu Warriors. They were brutish and large, but Evanna kicked herself down from the horse to greet them kindly. She wasn't afraid of them- and they were not afraid of her, it seemed. One of them, a man, stepped forward and raised a spear towards her, pointing it at her chest.

"Evanna Kings, of the white group. I am here to be of assistance," she explained. Another of the Ochil, a woman this time, stepped forward and pushed the spear down from the man's hands, yelling at him at a speed Evanna couldn't understand.

"I am Beril, that is Izach," the woman's voice was harsh but motherly, and Evanna nodded as she introduced the rest of the small group. Aside from Beril and Izach, three more made up the small group of men and women. Evanna nodded her head to each in turn, happy that they had apparently been expecting a liaison of the white group to assist them.

"So, as I understand it you have been having trouble with Slavers?" Evanna said as she drew her bow over her shoulder, ready to rest. It would be easier to track at night, and the day was starting to wane in any case- and from the tales Evanna had heard of this Ochil tribe, they made very good food from the harsh ingredients of the Wasteland.

___________________________________

The desert cools alarmingly fast, turning the molten heat of the day to frigid winter within what seems like moments. The sun had just set and Evanna, full of soup made from cacti milk and lizard, was back atop her horse with one of the men's fox-fur blankets slung over her shoulders. Now, she kept her bow ready at her side, always half-ready to drop her hand on the reign and pull it into action. The wastes became the stuff of nightmares at night, and even though she was protected by people who knew the lands she was vigilant.

"Where'd a broad like you learn to use a bow?" Izach, the quick-to-the-trigger man from earlier in the day, said as they tracked their way across the land, searching for signs of the Slavers.

"An Ochil taught me," Evanna said simply. She must have seemed bristled by the question because he didn't ask her again. They road for hours, it seemed, before they even had an idea of where the men might be, and even then all they'd found was a scrap of fabric that had torn from the body of one of the captured. Of course, this may seem to be a very small clue, but apparently it struck something in Beril, who Evanna had noticed was the leader of the small caravan of warriors.

"Airship. It left here.. I do not know what direction it went in," she said, and Evanna noticed a tinge of sadness in her voice before she resumed the trotting of her animal.

"What if it hadn't gone anywhere? Slavers are smart people- some of them, anyway. They know the Ochil are trackers. They know this , and what would be the easiest way to avoid being followed? Don't leave." Evanna muttered under her breath, looking skyward. At night the sky was cloudy, and any airship would be obstructed by the low-hanging clouds. "That cloth was ripped off one of yours, right?" a few nodded in agreement. "Right. Your people aren't stupid. They left it for a reason," Evanna dismounted and searched the heavens before nodding to herself.

"We stay here until morning," she declared.

______________________________________________

They took turns sleeping, and by the time morning rolled around Evanna was pacing, searching the heavens. If she was right, and she was quite sure she was, there was an airship around up there somewhere. She paced back and forth for a time before she did notice what she'd been looking for- the silver glint of a metal ship high in the air, hard to see if that didn't know what to look for. Of course, Evanna had no way to get up there, but it was only a matter of time until they came down.

As it turns out, she didn't have to wait long. A long rope fell from the heavens by about noon, and they were ready. Evanna tied it down to a nearby rockface and, soon enough, the straggly figure of a lanky man in desperate need of a bath fell from the sky, clutching a bag to his person and mumbling to himself. Evanna delighted in shooting him down and watching the ricin in the arrow turn him to a mass of seizures.

"Up," she demanded, and they followed the order quickly, scaling the rope with inhuman strength. Evanna followed swiftly, though she had more trouble with it than the others.

The inside of the airship was steamy, decrepit and in desperate need of repair. The thin metal slacks that covered the bottom of the craft had to be navigated like a maze, lest someone fall through. But, they managed quickly, pulling themselves into an alcove that had a reliable ground.

"How many attacked your tribe?" Evanna asked, holding her bow upright.

"Fifteen or so- a small group. At night, and they had very good weaponry," Beril answered.

"I'm willing to bet your captured are in a cell at the back of the ship. You go to them, I'll deal with halting this operation permanently. Once you get them, you get out, understand?" Evanna took off her boots, set them on the ground and disappeared into the framework of the building, waiting patiently until she heard them trail off into the depths of the structure before she walked towards the front of the ship, where the captain would be. She didn't meet anyone for the first few minutes, but the first one she met was hardly a challenge- a person- no more than a boy really- that couldn't hold a knife if it was taped to him. She had pushed him into one of the many holes that littered the floor of the broken airship. His screams were loud, and provided just the diversion she needed to slink into the captain's room and lock the heavy steel door behind her.

She announced her presence quickly, tapping her fingers on the metal of the door frame. The captain turned to face her, looking over her greedily. She could almost see him putting a price on her. Her bow was at her side, and she didn't have an arrow in it at the moment- she must have looked very innocent. She surveyed the room, noted the decanter of brandy on the table next to him, and a plan formed in her mind. She dropped the bow and arrows at the door, hoping they were out of the way, before she began to speak:

"He-Hello. A man told me to come in here- a young boy, with sandy blonde hair," she described the man she had just killed quickly, feigning innocence, "He said you'll take me to Farpoint," she said, scratching at the ginger hair that was curled into a bun at the top of her head.

"Why- Micheal, yes. We'll take you to Farpoint, if you want Miss... for a price, of course," the man smiled a seedy sort of smile and Evanna almost gagged, forcing herself to pull herself forward.

"I don't have much... I make cheese, you see, and I have a client in Farpoint that I wanted to talk to about possible employment with the airships.... not many people can afford the frivolous anymore," to demonstrate, Evanna held out one of the cheese cuts from the pocket in her belt out, offering it to the man. "You can have what I have on me, if you want... I don't know if that'll be enough..." he took the outstretched triangle from her and examined it, even took a bite of it before he began to speak again.

"Miss, I think I'd much rather have what you could offer me with nothing on you," the man advanced on her and caged her in, and she fought the urge to simply end it and stab him then. She wanted to give the Ochil as much opportunity as possible to get everyone out. His breath stunk of ale and he stunk of death, but Evanna smiled a nervous smile as he moved towards her, probably intent on kissing her. Thank god the poison started up then, attacking his systems and leaving him foaming at the mouth. He seized suddenly and fell, grabbing onto Evanna's leg. She shook him free and grabbed up the remaining portion of cheese from where it had fallen onto the floor. She put it on the table next to the decanter and poured a glass of it, sipping it slowly. It burned her tongue but it was a nice burn. She set the ship on a course for the ground, making it so that it would fall slow enough to enable her escape if she was quick but too fast to stop. She would have to count on the Ochil having already left. She made her way to the rope quickly, thankfully not noticing anyone else as she fell down. Once down she cut the rope as high as she could manage and watched the airship sink with increasing speed towards the ground.
________________________________________

Evanna caught up with the group as they were preparing to leave, stopping the sadness on their faces as she approached.

"We thought you'd been killed, what took so long!" One of the women said as she cut the ties off of one of the captured.

"I had to deal with the arrangements. I don't think you'll be bothered any longer," she said slyly as she watched the ship sink into the distance. The caravan was heading out when they heard the initial boom and a smirk graced her features.

Come With Me.

Yvette was annoyed. She prefered the shadows. Escort duty was not something she excelled at. On top of that the woman was known for being as eccentric and out there as they came.

Her scarf was draped around her neck. There was no need to hide her face for this job. In fact doing so might set off the professor. Perhaps that was the part that bothered Yve the most. The professor was a mess of phobias, fears and rules but they were not always consistent.

Yve had briefly considered hiring someone to pose as her to do all the meeting and talking to the professor so that she could watch from the shadows. She decided against it knowing that if the strange woman found even on inconsistency with things or began to think someone was watching her she might go ballistic. Even the woman’s reactions were all over the place. One minute crying because sand had somehow gotten into her shoe and thus meaning she had to change her whole outfit to yelling about how someone coughed on her to lecturing on the dangers of wind burn.

Yvette waited at the arranged meeting spot. When the blonde approached everything about her screamed odd woman walking.

“Professor. Nice to meet you. I will be your escort-” She put her hand out but was stopped in her tracks by the woman’s look.

Shit. Not even five minutes in.

“I do not shake hands. Now then do you have my transportation ready?”

Yve realized that it could have gone much worse and thanked her stars it hadn’t.

“Yes of course.”

“It is secure I trust and comfortable? You checked for damages or wear? You know one can die if one’s transportation has not been adequately maintained. In fact last year-”

“Yes professor. I checked on everything and ensured its most recent work.”

The woman wrung her hands. She did not look entirely convinced. Yvette looked her over. Her tone of voice did not fit the worried, wide eyes or the constant fidgeting. Yve had a feeling that the words, the requests were well practiced, like she was coached by someone within the group on how to appear less terrified than she clearly was.

Yve was still stiff and tense but the professor seemed to lose some of her practiced edge. “You know there are many dangers out there. In fact between random bands of-”

“Why don’t we discuss this along the way? It will keep our minds alert and watching for things if we talk about them.” Yve interjected not wishing to hear about the dangers that potentially lay ahead. She was well aware of them and someone listing them off made it feel like all of them could happen. Unlikely she knew but the things this woman said made it feel like the sky could drop on them any minute.

The journey won’t be the hard part it is not letting her drag me into her neurosis that will.
********************
A while later Yve sat in the back of a small but well maintained carriage with the professor. They were already behind schedule as the woman decided that Yve’s promise was not enough and she needed to inspect the passenger carriage for herself.

Midway through listening to Prof. Coleman talk about the design and engineering flaws Yvette was ready to pound her head against a wall. In her mind she pictured herself tying the woman up and gagging her for the entire journey. On the outside she remained calm, standing still and let the woman go about her business. It was no sense arguing with her.

They sat, Yvette staring at the back of the carriage and the professor staring fearfully out the window.

“Is that a coyote? I think I saw one. They hunt in packs you know.”

Yve sighed. “It is fine, the horses are faster and the driver is equipped with a weapon.”

“One can’t be too careful you know.” Alexia wrung her hands.

Yvette removed her scarf from about her neck. “Here, twist this. You are going to rub your hands raw.”

The woman looked up and then down at her hands. “Oh if I do that there is a 78% of infection due to foreign bodies.” She frowned and took the scarf. “Though there is a risk of infection from using something that has been in contact with your skin.” She looked torn for a moment.

Yvette, as gently as she could muster at that moment, put the scarf in the woman’s hands. “Lower risk with the scarf.”

“Yes. Yes.” The professor seemed to be mentally calculating it all out.
***************
They stopped for water at the halfway point. The land around them was sand, dust and the occasional scrub grass.

“I am surprised they sent a woman. Though I am quite-” Alexia struggled for the words. “Overwhelmed. No. Confused. No.”

“Anxious, nervous, awkward…” Yve offered. She received a heavy frown in return.

“Men are not my first choice of companion. Truth be told neither are women. Such fragile bodies and though able there is something to be said for human error.”

Yvette gave a huff. “You’d rather a machine I take it?”

“But of course. I designed well...you know.”

Yve barely stopped herself from rolling her eyes. “Yes I know and I know you are working on something new. All secretive, I understand.”

“I simply find human beings to be illogical at times.”

Yve forced a smile and gestured for the cart. “Shall we get moving?”

The professor hesitated. What now! Yve inwardly screamed. “Is there a problem?”

“Yes. I exited this side but when I first entered the cart it was from the other side. Perhaps, for consistency I should enter once more from that side and reserve this side for exit only.”

Hands wiped her face as Yve tried desperately not to yell at the woman. Why it mattered what side she got in or out of baffled her.

“Well you do what you are most comfortable with but we should not delay too long. The horses are freshly watered and rested.”

“Yes of course but if I could have a moment to ponder this out….”

Yve’s hands balled up. “Of course.” She spoke through clenched teeth.

Turning her back on the professor her eyes raked over the land behind and to the distant sides of them. To the far east a dust cloud was forming.

Riders. It could be nothing but it could be something and Yvette wasn’t ready to risk it.

“Professor have you decided? The-” She turned and found herself alone. Stunned but not worried she went to the other side of the cart. Must have gone around to get in. The other side was empty as was the interiour.

“You have got to be kidding me.” Yve threw her hands up and began to look for the woman. Surely she couldn’t have gone far. She looked over the shoulder. The dust cloud was headed in what could be assumed to be their direction but there was a lot of land between them still.

“Professor? Professor?” Yve’s eyes raked the sand for footprints. What she found baffled her even more. It looked as if the woman had walked in a circle and then was gone. Not possible her lip twitched in annoyance.

She turned to check the dust cloud and saw shadows visible in the bottom. Riders. Their intentions were not clear but Yve wanted to move on before they had the chance to show that they did not mean anything good.

Something moving just in the corner of her vision made her head turn. With a low growl of frustration she ran over to where the professor knelt in the sand.

“A curious thing this little plant. See how it holds water inside? Imagine what we could do if we could carry water with us all the time and keep it fresh. Not just in canteens or such but I mean great loads of it or other liquids?”

Yve wanted to strangle Alexia. “I thought you were deciding what side to get into the carriage on?” She attempted to hide the anger behind the words.

“Oh yes...that...now let’s see.” Alexia stood and brushed off her dress.

“No time now professor.” She grabbed her by the arm and steered her towards their waiting ride. She put herself between Alexia and the approaching riders. The last thing she needed now was the woman in a panic when they had no idea if the small band was even coming to them or simply riding on.

“In we go.” Yve practically shoved the woman in.

“I do not-oh-stop pushing-what if this is-” Yvette turned a deaf ear.

“Go. Now.” She ordered the driver. She stood in the open door, balancing on the edge of the cart as they took off. She still couldn’t tell if they were coming to them or not but she was happier to be away.
*************************
They weren’t accosted. Yve had managed to get the moving with enough distance that it was not possible for the riders to catch up.

For her trouble she endured a lecture that lasted the greater part of the second half of their journey. The professor had an opinion on every point of the matter, all except the fact that they might have been followed, potentially attacked but Yve ensured that didn’t happen. Of course she might have had something to say about it if she had been aware that it had occurred. Yvette was grateful that the woman was blissfully unaware.

They arrived and Yvette was never so happy be alone as she was when Alexia went off with her new guards.

And I have to get her home again… Right now she was just happy to be rid of the woman. She didn’t know where she went or what she was doing while here but it was none of her business. Her job was protect her there and back.

Yvette went off to relax and find a very important thing.
***************
They met once more at the prescribed place. It was time to head back.

“Good morning professor. I hope your time here was productive.”

Alexia frowned, “Well I wouldn’t say productive I definitely hoped for better.”

Yve grit her teeth. “Well shall we get going?”

Alexia looked over the carriage just like last time. Yvette stood there trying not to look bored, just like last time.

They climbed in and set off.

“Here, I wanted to make sure we had plenty of water. I have heard it will be particularly dry this day as we head into the wastes.” She handed the other woman a canteen.

She received a nod of thanks and Alexia went back to staring out the window.

“I hope we do not see any coyotes this time. I am sure that is what I saw.” Alexia began rambling on and Yve tuned her out as best she could offering ‘yes’, ‘I see’, and interesting where applicable.

The canteen was opened and Alexia put it to her lips. Yve watched with baited breath as the woman drank.

It was long after the canteen was closed that Yvette watched as the woman’s eyes grew heavy, her speech more garbled and her head bobbed.

Yve smiled. The journey back would be far more enjoyable.