Chapter 4:Bronze Mountain Bloodshed
#7 of The Legacy Cycle
Sit down, get relaxed. Yes, good. Got any snacks? Good. *Takes* Thanks. *Chomp Chomp* You're goning to be here for a while. It's one of those long chapters. I hope you enjoy. This, the previous , and the next two were supposed to be one chapter but this alone stands tall. I'm going to enjoy remaking the next chapter i have yet to post. Alright, to this story:
This Chapter takes place at about the same time as the next chapter: Darkest Hours. This chapter will follow Ian while the next will observe the actions of everyone else. Ian is no stranger to being captured but, that will come out in time. Bronze pass is supposed to be somewhat like the silk road: A route where fine goods were traded, primarly Silk. There were bandits that worked to steal the raw Materals then too. This has a bit or an alternate history though, as you'll soon see. There i go talking too much. On to the Show!
Chapter 4: Bronze Mountain Bloodshed
Ian Felt he was being carried as he slowly came to. Ian was indeed being carried. Slung over Vargo's shoulder, he was bound by hands and feet. He kept his eyes shut as the footsteps echoed, he was unsure of how many there were. "No need to fake it, I know you're up." Vargo spoke in a soft but commanding voice. The boy had no choice but to comply. He opened his eyes and from Vargo's back he could see they were in a dimly lit cave of sorts. The walls were smooth, too smooth. A normal person would take years to work it to this detail. Torches hung every so often from the sides. "If you listen to us, we'll get along just fine." His captor spoke. Ian felt a small surge of anger well up, feeling taunted. The human felt he was being played back and forth. Good morning. his mind made a mock lazy yawn. You're captured, boy. his mind explained. We're. he corrected. Whatever. What are we going to do? Can it, I'm trying to think. There was a silence, inward and outside the boy's mind. Ian began to notice how the tunnel twisted in a circular motion. He figured they were going down, and down. "Am I inside the mountain?" Ian asked, deciding to try to make the best of it. "Do your friends tell you that you're a genius?" Vargo teased a playful grin on his face. Ian couldn't see it though. From what Ian could see of Vargo was that he was different shades of the earth. Spikes ran down the middle of his back and ended at the tip of his tail. "How deep are we?" Ian asked "Not very, you were only out for a few minutes." "So if I wanted to I could try to escape?" Vargo nodded "Not likely you could but, now would be your best chance." Ian paused. "This would be a bad time to tell you I can walk on my own, wouldn't it?" Vargo paused and chuckled. "Are you going to try to run?" he asked. "I'm going to try either way but not at the moment, no." the human openly admitted. After a second Ian was gently placed down to the ground. "Fair enough reasoning." Ian got a good look at Vargo. True to the back, Vargo was various shades of earth: from a light brown at his belly, to a dark brown at the top of his head. His soft green eyes made him look natural, like he was one with nature. Ian found himself attracted to his tall, slightly lanky, but strong looking captor. Comparing the lizard before him to Brogen. Vargo offered a hand to help the human up. "So what am I? Prisoner, Slave, Hostage, Concubine, Sacrifice?" Ian asked rather bluntly, not letting go of the grip until he finished his question. Vargo held eye contact before looking away and walking once more. "Let me explain that to you by telling you a little story" Vargo said. "The town of Nonin, one not far from here, started off as a small town, hidden within the sand. That was a generation ago. Then one day, they began to mine. They found Gold and Bronze in the desert. The people became greedy and money hungry and soon they began to fight over what." The tunnel branched off at points, some looked like rooms. In one room eyes watched him back behind a tattered curtain. They looked like Vargo. They looked homely and sad. Some looked fearful, others looked angry and resentful. Vargo went on. "Then a man came, offering a very simply solution: Enslave your foe to work for you. This man had a power the dominated the wills of the folk. Those who fell in his lead became the masters and those too strong willed became the slaves, workers in the endless mines for endless hours." Vargo's voice went into a whisper, like recalling a forgotten fear. "Aside from the caves being extremely dangerous because of our poor structures, there were monsters within the caves. Despite all that, we were forced the work on" Vargo's words slip, admitting it was his past he was recounting. "After long years of working, a man came into town. He saw the town for what it really was and challenged this... Man...!" He struggled with his own fury, finally remembering his face "The human who saved the miners and the townsfolk was a man named Azden Udeen. He held a weapon that I couldn't only describe as powerful." Vargo sighed and turned to Ian "We were saved," Vargo looked the human directly in the eye "but the damage was done, there was a rift that could not be repaired. The former miners, lacking education and skills for the world left while the townsfolk, without the muscle for labor remained in town, which slowly started to rot." He led Ian through a curtain "The miners moved into Bronze pass" Ian stepped through and looked down The depths of bronze pass were a long vertical tunnel where bridges crossed further and further down. Some bridges branched off into several into what looked like homes. Far down he saw a mother come out of an opening, watching he two kids run across a bridge into a deeper tunnel while she hung up clothes. Two men met at the center of one and exchanged to what seemed like a casual conversation. The people carried on life to what they could. Ian couldn't help notice that they were thin and their clothes ragged. "We wanted retribution for what happened all those years. Although under the control of one person, they had the will to resist. We began to pilfer the bronze and other trade materials that came through here." They crossed a bridge and turned through another tunnel. Mid way they met up with the two children Ian spotted earlier. "Vargo! Vargo! Look at this!" The little girl yelled. She sat down in front of him and put her best focused face on. She then huffed in frustration. "Take your time." Vargo coaxed The little girl took a deep breath and tried again. This time, the earth began to form and separate, Rocks, in the form of a mound was created, and she showed Vargo proudly with her hands on her hips, her face beaming. "That's great Casey!" Vargo knelt down and hugged the little girl, and then he looked at the boy. "What about you, quells?" he asked. The boy, with an unreadable blank face, kicked Casey's rocks. The little girl looked at Quells for a long moment then ran off crying. Still on one knee, Vargo motioned the boy over. Quells was nervous at first and stood ready for his punishment in front of the bigger lizard. "Why did you do that?" He asked softly "She's so much better at it than me!" He whined then folded his arms. Vargo looked at the boy for a moment. "Quells, you may not have the power of the earth. Not everyone has that gift." "Then what can I do!?" He asked in a helpless voice. "Remember the time when they sent a patina patrol to kill us?" Vargo asked. "Uh-huh." The boy answered, slowly nodding "Remind me, who was the one who spotted them in the dead of night?" "Me..." Quells answered, unsure where this was going. "And who was the one who warned chieftain Marul?" "Me." The boy was gaining confidence. "Do you know who I want to be lead scout?" Vargo asked, already pointing at Quells "Me!" The boy yelled, hoping once "Don't you think Casey was jealous of what you did that day and wanted to try harder?" The realization of what he did hit him, and he felt guilty "She's trying hard to help, just like you."Vargo explained "I should say sorry." The boy spoke softly. "We all live together here, like you said." "That's right. When you go, find my men and send them to my chambers" "Aye-eye, Captain!" Quells ran off to find his sister, and the woman. "I think it fair I you know my name as well." Ian took an awkward bow "Ian." "I almost feel guilty about capturing you." They descended toward the bottom to a door. It was fancy considering it was the only one. On the platform outside several men were waiting outside the door. About ten of them were scornfully looking at him. Ian however felt at ease as Vargo opened the door and they all piled into the room. Ian was forced to the center of the room, on a hard rock as the men made hushed whispers, and came to and from for hours. Now was a time Ian wished he could sleep. Ian couldn't tell exactly how long he sat there, for the umpteenth time he took a look around the room. The room was as smooth as the entire structure; it was almost like half of a spear, with the curved walls. This was the only room, Ian observed with furniture. They were simply wooden desks and stools, probably acquired during any given raid. The walls were covered with weapons, clothes, animal skins, maps, and oddly enough an anchor. Ian was brought back to the hushed whispers as it suddenly elevated "We should be rid of him now!" one yelled "He's one of 'em Bata boys and we don't want them knocking at our doorstep." "He's right!" the second agreed "we only managed to catch one because this one is stupid." "I'm right here." Ian said dryly "They know they won't catch us without casualties. This is our mountain. They wouldn't risk it." Vargo spoke, ignoring the boy. Some nodded in approval but not everyone was convinced "And if they carry earth users better than you?" the first one to protest countered "What then? We're going to give him back and say 'Sorry?'" Vargo seemed unfazed by the man's protests. Either he was used to it or simply not concerned. His face changed however when the bandit drew his blade and applied it to Ian's neck. "How will that change things?" Vargo asked calmly Ian was equally unconcerned; he looked at the blade as if he noticed a stain on his shirt. "We'll be free of any retribution!" he yelled, almost cutting the boy in his excitement. "You'll enforce it, if anything. Then they'll be simply out for blood, not a rescue mission- pay attention!" Vargo noticed Ian began to act as the human dodged back from the blade and positioned his head under it. With a grunt and as much force as he could, he stood up, slamming the top of his head into the lower jaw of the bandit. He stumbled back, holding his chin. He was about to react when Ian head-butted him. There was a soft crack as his nose was shattered and his hands were instantly met with blood. "The bastard broke my nose!" he yelled and looked at Ian with fury and hate. He brought his hand up to hack at Ian when a firm arm stopped him. "How would you react if your life was threatened?" Vargo asked The man didn't reply "Would you simply sit there and take it, or fight back?" Vargo went on, still holding the man. Eventually, his guard lowered but his eyes remained fixed on Ian. The human offered a helpless shrug. Vargo wasn't done; he turned to Ian and cuffed him across the face. The force of the blow knocked Ian back down to the rock. "I am the only one to touch my men." He spoke in a steady voice "As our prisoner you will accept what we tell or may do to you. Sam." Vargo turned to the bandit "Have a scout send a message to his friends in town. Tell them we have Ian and that we'll keep in contact. See my sister about your nose." The conversation continued as before. Another hour passed. "Leave my chambers." Vargo demanded at length. His fellow bandits eventually complied and He and Ian were left alone in the room. "Sorry about the hit." Vargo apologized almost immediately. "I can't look weak in front of my men, and had to make an example of you. Ian ignored it, as he focused on his inward thoughts. His state of mind was making a shift, something he was unfamiliar with but it felt natural. Vargo shrugged, and by candlelight, he began to work on some papers at his desk. If Ian would have looked, he would have noticed it was an attack plan "Do you know why we were heading to your town?" Ian asked, breaking the long silence. That followed the apology. "Be quiet, it's not my home anymore." Vargo warned before he returned to his work. "It's still your home too" Vargo didn't reply. Instead he just sighed. "Don't you worry how it's going? How it's advanced? What they're do-" "I've cast aside my past when I moved here" He cut the human off. "Now shut up. People have been killed for less." "You won't kill me," Ian spoke confidently "You don't want beta's retribution." Vargo turned around in the stool "Do you really think we can't defend ourselves?" "Not without casualties" Ian mocked, grinning. "Both sides will lose people, the differences being turf- your home, and who's involved." "Our men, women, and children versus people willing to die..." Vargo concluded... he was shaking his head. "If I weren't watching you, I would have guessed you were switched with an imposter" Ian shrugged "Shit happens" Ian said simply. "We start taking hostages and they start calling the shots" The lizard muttered to himself. "So that's my title?" Ian asked. "That was HOURS ago." Ian stood up, stretching his legs "Too bad I can't stay" "You missed your best chance to leave." he said. He was becoming agitated by this new side of Ian but he wouldn't let Ian see that "All exits are closed off, and we have a way of preventing escape" Vargo hinted. "You're going to let me out." Ian replied confidently. Vargo shrugged and went back to his papers. Ian's wandering of the room eventually led him behind his captor. "You know you should help your people-" "They're not my people." Vargo was curt "Want to know why we were heading there?" He asked, leaning forward "The undead is taking over the town. You want the gold so bad but there will be only death when you get there." The words slithered around his ear, causing Vargo to shake for a second. He couldn't tell if Ian was being honest or not but he had a feeling: taunting or not, Ian was an overall honest person "I want to go help them but I'm holed up here." "I'm sure your friends can deal with it." The lizard spoke quickly, too quickly. He caught his mistake but it was too late to take it back. Now Ian was at the lizard's back, leaning on his shoulder so he could whisper in his ear. "I know you still care." His words slithered into Vargo's ear "If you gave me an easy opportunity, I would go and save your home." Ian stepped back as Vargo made a half-hearted attack to the human "You don't have much time." Ian spoke in a cryptic tone, allowing that uneasy feeling to take hold of Vargo's mind. "I'm sure no matter how strong your people are here, they all secretly want a stable home back, you have a perfect chance to do that." Ian sat down on the rock, his back to the lizard. Eventually Vargo fell asleep at the desk. Ian figured it was a perfect time to take his leave. Ian, as quietly as possible took slow, measured steps to Vargo. Ian spotted what he needed: His broken sword at Vargo's hip. He could leave with everything else but that. He was next to Vargo and he slowly started to unlatch the strap. When he finally had his sword he looked up to see Vargo's eyes right on him. Ian jumped back; making sure sword was in hand. Vargo's claws missed him by inches. "Sorry I can't stay!" Ian yelled running for the door. Instead of opening it, he crashed through it. It was the right choice: The earth emerged and swallowed the entrance up. Ian started on a sprint and up the incline that led to the first tunnel. Vargo was mere seconds behind him. "Stop the human!" he yelled. His voice echoed up the walls. Ian didn't pause, He continued up the winding tunnel, blade in hands. Ian could quickly hear the footsteps of more than his own. To intercept him, two half-dressed bandits stood in his way. I don't have time for this! Ian growled to himself. Without drawing his sword from his sheath, he engages them. The first one raises his blade to cleave the human. Ian blocked the attack, cracking the sheath, but deflecting the attack. Their movements were sluggish from the lack of sleep and urgency. Ian easily sidestepped his guard and slammed the hilt of his sword into the beak of the fIrst's head. One down. Don't get overconfident! he scolded himself Ian's attention was regained just in time. He had a brief moment to jump back from the horizontal attack. The former miner clearly wasn't used to fighting in close quarters, or he was still tired: His sword implanted itself into the wall. Ian kicked the bandit's knee with anger, and head a crack as the man screamed and knelt down, forgetting his sword. As he came down, Ian's knee came up, into the bandit's lower jaw. He fell back, holding his knee, a small trail of blood coming from his mouth as well. Without guidance Ian knew to roll out the way. He looked back to confirm his attacker. He knew it to be Vargo. Wild look in his eyes, and spear in his hands, he lunged again. Ian cried out as his thigh was cut. The earth lizard was aiming for the human's heart. The human stopped knelling and jumped back just in time. Ignoring the pain, Ian continued his run. He knew it to be a matter of time until he was swarmed with the bandits. Duck! He warned himself. A sharp stalactite erupted from the roof of the normally smooth cave and he nearly cut himself in half. He barely got out of the way, clipping his shoulder on the smooth, flat side. No doubt Vargo was using his earth powers again to prevent Ian's escape. Ian was in full sprint, and he knew his captor would be behind soon. He crossed the first bridge, proud of himself. He was a level higher than before. Vargo's intention was to slow down for the next part. He hoped this next tactic would slow or stop the human all together. He saw a kindness in Ian he had not seen in a long time. He felt guilty attempting to exploit that. The next turn Ian made him pause. The broken, lost, and hungry women and children of the Bronze Pass crowded the hall way "Don't go." A little girl pleaded. She clung to her mother yet, reached out to Ian. Ian couldn't help but freeze. He looked from the eyes of the needy. They needed him; they all needed him as a bargaining chip to have food, clothing, and proper shelter. Ian felt their combined sorrow. He wanted to comply but deep down, deep within he knew their method was wrong. No matter the reason, he just felt it. Ian took slow steps by them, meeting them all in their eyes. If his resolve to make this work out his way was true, he needed to put his against theirs. If they were indeed were going to use him to help changed their lives, he was going to help his way. He drowned out their cries and finally emerged. He turned the corner and he heard footsteps behind him. He broke into a run again, crossing his second bridge, and proud of it. Vargo arrived right behind him a few seconds later. "The lights!" The lizard chief yelled. Almost instantly the torches went out and the human was surrounded in darkness. This isn't so bad. He told himself The human's eyes instantly adjusted to the darkness of the mountain. Ian were in possession of some odd skills. He assumed it was some weird side-effect of entering a magical atmosphere. When he left his home town, he and several of his travelling companions had fallen ill. Those who had awoke with weird skills, besides him. Ian began to put together that maybe he grew in ways the others didn't. His mind drifted to his brother. He wondered how he knew John was dead. Ian discarded the thought as he made it to the third level So far, so good'Ian's vision of the night gave him a slight advantage, giving him a chance to gain more ground before the next bandits blocked his path. Ian rounded the corner and ran into an old friend. Broken nose. His cutlass was perfect for close combat, it was fitting for people who live in the mountains. Ian jumped back as he felt Vargo's power surge under him, a stalagmite tried to pierce him from below. Ian tried to use the sharp earth to cut the ropes binding his hands. Vargo just rounded the corner and motioned his hands toward Ian. Ian observed the lizard's movements and moved accordingly to avoid the blade of earth, trying now from the side. In the swift motion of the dodge, and extending his hands, the rope was cut through like a hot knife through butter. Ian dropped his sword and knew broken nose was right behind him. He quickly bent over, unsheathed his sword, and brought it around just in time to save himself from critical damage. The curved sharp blade had started to cut into Ian's shoulder. Ian winced but refused to cry out. Using both hands he pushed up and prepared for the next attack. Ian tried to sidestep and bypass broken nose but received a punch to the face. With Vargo behind him and broken nose the immediate threat, Ian only knew one thing to do. Punch broken nose in the nose. Ian feigned an attack with his blade and punched with his injured side. It was enough and Ian, landed a well placed round-house kick, knocking Broken nose aside. Ian broke into a run again, rounding the next corner. After a moment, he met the next bridge and looked down. He no longer saw the bottom. Just the crosses of the bridges, then something occurred to him Jump! he warned himself. Ian barely followed suit, the ground began to crumble underneath him. He landed barley on the ledge and had to pull himself the rest of the way up. Ian looked down and saw the bridges were gone and looked up, already expecting the same. The Lizard created bridges began to fall in chunks above. He wondered how he was going to make it to the top, or how far the top- or any exit was. Vargo stood on the opposite side, looking stranded. Ian knew better. "Give up human." Vargo yelled from the other side "I won't let you leave." Ian didn't feed into the taunt; he continued the run back to the top. He might be leading you in circles.' he offered himself the possibility. 'He is an earth user. And that's reason to stop? he replied. Well, do you remember going that far down? Well... No... Ian admitted You may be going to a trap. Maybe others live at the top. Still not stopping Ian came into a fork they either didn't encounter before or he didn't notice The choice was really easy though, six bandits stood at one end, ready to take him on They're herding you. Shut up! Ian yelled in desperation. He followed the road and saw a wall Charge it. What?! Charge it. he repeated Either this or- Ian didn't finish the thought. He charged the wall and was instantly met with cool open air, His only reward for crushing the thin wall was a bruised and bloody shoulder. The moon was high in the sky and he let the moon bathe him in its lunar light. He took dazed steps away from his prison and knew he was trapped. The walls rose high and he was surrounded by it in a circular fashion. It was perfect as an arena. On cue, at least a dozen bandits, following Vargo entered the battle arena. They closed Ian's pathway out of this situation. Vargo walked forward, wielding the spear he attacked Ian with earlier. The spear was a very fine point at the end. It was metal, and it looked like its edge was attached on recently and made of different material. The pole attached to the bladed end, was made out of something that looked like gold but it was dull, and it was dark in color. Vargo aimed the crudely fashioned spear at the human. "You've fought hard enough to earn solo combat with me." The lizard explained. "I'm too impressed with your quick-thinking to let anyone else best you." He looked around for a long moment "I smell conditions" Ian chimed casually, knowing what was to come. "We both know how it's going to work: I win, you're mine, without your protest-" "Of course but, if I win..." "You're free to go." Vargo shrugged and took a stance, ready for battle. Ian understood that his freedom was on the line. Freedom that he has only truly lived for little more than a year. Knowing this, his mind is torn: In his mind, he made sort of a connection with the man in front of him. Vargo didn't seem to show his hesitation. He wildly swung his spear. Ian wanted to block it but he knew the force would overpower him. Ian rolled, right as Vargo expected. The earth indented and Ian's roll lost control to the center. The new hole grew dozens of spiked and closed at him, like the earth was trying to eat him alive. The attack proved a weakness. Ian quickly used the fangs as a foothold and humped out. Ian was knocked to the ground by the pole of the spear. The human dropped his sword with the sudden blow. His teacher would have scolded him and forced him to train for hours for this alone, then carry on a normal training session. Ian crawled to his feet and looked around. He spotted his sword but was forced to dodge away from Vargo. The strong swipes merely meant to make Ian react. Ian did, and he jumped back, toward his sword. A huge hole opened and his sword dropped down. Ian almost followed behind it. He could hear it hitting the walls as it descended. Ian is faced with defending himself unarmed. He was trained but unfamiliar. Vargo thrusts, giving Ian the option of falling in the hole. Ian barely manages to sidestep but Vargo follows up and cuts Ian across the chest. All of his pain returned to him and he limped backwards, to get out of Vargo's range. The lizard didn't let up. Ian's swiftness the only factor helping him. Vargo over swung and Ian saw an opening. The human stepped into Vargo's weakness: Extremely close range. Ian Landed a punch in the lizard's face that knocked him back. Vargo's stumble brought his spear around, tripping Ian to the ground. Ian started to get up just as walls constructed from the earth around him were closing in. Dust followed him as he barely jumped out. The dive landed Ian right in a middle range. Ian understood that from the point he lost his sword that range was a huge factor. He couldn't block an attack, unless he wanted to break a bone and staying far range would only mean him being cut and poked. Ian tried again to get within range but Vargo understood Ian's strategy. Vargo took a simple back step and swung downward. Ian couldn't react in time as the spear connected full-on in his thigh. Ian cried out and fell over; the spear was still in his leg. Vargo grunted and ripped it out, a trail of blood connecting them. Vargo's aim was perfect, fully opening the wound he caused earlier. Ian's limp became severe. He was unsure if the attack did any serious damage. Blood flowed freely down his leg and he became light-headed, almost dizzy. An entire two or three minutes had passed since they started. Ian was bloody in several places while Vargo was just getting started. He wanted to throw in the towel but he knows it isn't an option. "You could die from that blood loss." Vargo says confidently, as if reading Ian's mind."Going on any further could result in death." Ian's reply was the bloody lugee he launched. "So be it." Vargo spoke Jabbing at Ian with his spear. Ian wheeled on his good foot and caught the spear. He was strong enough to contest with vargo, head on. Ian dug into his pocket feverishly attacked the spear. Vargo was confused but, he knew better than to let Ian continue, He pulled the spear back and tried to examine it. Ian knew he couldn't let him do that. He tried to ignore the pain and leaped at the lizard. Ian's weakened blows contained no power but they were enough to flay the lizard. Vargo's natural defense was to back away and swing at the human. Ian caught it again and started working like before. The lizard chief pulled his spear back. And he stabbed again and followed with a swing. Ian ducked and with a heavy limp and a bloody hand he stabbed. Vargo gasped when a sharp object pierced his shoulder. The object cut into something deep and he could no longer feel his arm, his pole dropped. Ian had worked off the crude blade fashioned on to the end of the weapon. Ian dropped a small rock and pulled out the spear tip, ignoring the cut it already caused. Vargo tried to raise the earth to counter but Ian attacked again, his fist connecting to the Lizard's face. Vargo now felt what broken nose did. He fell back from the blow. Ian was renewed by his breakthrough. Vargo didn't have a lot of energy left. He taxed himself today: from the rock slide, attacks up the mountain, the fight now, and his little sleep. He tried on more attempt to open the ground below Ian. Ian almost fell right through. He grabbed the pole to balance himself when the earth escaped from under him, it was just enough to let him through. Ian turned the pole sideways and jerked as it stopped his fall. Ian was really dizzy and the fall below felt welcoming. He knew better and slowly climbed up, using Vargo's unrefined edges for purchase back from the trap. Vargo sat there, his weak arm only working and mentally exhausted. Ian climbed up and sat down, knowing the fight over. Vargo motioned one of his men over. Ian thought the man would go back on his word until he spoke "Get my sister, his sword, and his stuff- all of it returned." Vargo looked Ian in the eye "I'm sure he wants to leave as soon as possible." Ian nodded in agreement. He was tired but he felt the need to join up with the others. For a moment, the pair sat there feeling the numb pain in places. "You are planning to attack Nonin aren't you?" Ian broke the silence. Vargo nodded. He was surprised the boy paid attention to the paper while working his mind. "I was. He corrected. I can't wield a weapon, so I can't launch an attack." "For the gold, Huh?" Ian asked turning from his gaze of the moon to look at the lizard. Vargo was altogether taken back by the direct question. Vargo just nodded. After a few minutes a female lizard with that looked like Vargo, containing a smaller and equally lanky figure. The lizard chief pointed to Ian first and she knelt down. She looked tired but still radiant. She smiled as she got to work. "Let's see what my little brother do to you." She said. Ian watched the moon above the sky. In an hour, she stitched and bandaged Ian's leg, and she applied a healing balm to Vargo's arm-which Ian can only guess hurt because he was gritting his teeth. She stood up, hands on hips, admiring her own work. "You two should rest." "I ca-" "He's leaving." Vargo said, cutting Ian off. "I would have loved you two to meet under better conditions, you two would have made a fine couple." Angie- Vargo's sister, and Ian both blushed. "Vargy! I told you to stop that!" She said, now leaning forward, mad. She smacked Vargo across the snout. "Ow! I was hit there!" Vargo cried, holding his nose. There was an awkward silence as Ian stood up, using the former spear as a crutch. "Keep it, as a token, and proof you fought your way out." Vargo said, grinning with pride. Ian slowly nodded then spoke. "You know you should help them" He was met with silence. "It's still your home, your family, and your people. Both sides could die without working together. Most importantly, they need your help." "It's not my home anymore." Vargo argued weakly "If anything, how can bandits rob a town that no longer exists." Ian started to limp away, to the new entrance. Ian looked back one more time "You should help." He repeated before he limped into the darkness, following a guide to a way out. "Are you sure to give him that?" Angie asked after he was out of view. "Shut up, Angie." Vargo grunted as he was painfully helped to his feet.