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Rift (Part 5)

The constant march down the southward road was becoming tiresome quickly. I hadn't slept since the day before, back in my world, and it had been non-stop travel the remainder of my time here. Rilen held up well as if he was used to going long distances on foot, however after the battle at the farmhouse it seemed he was dragging on, as I was behind him. His tail was lifeless and drooping. His boots occasionally scraped at the ground instead of his normal, carful pace. I was holding up no better, but it was unusual to see him like this.

"Rilen..." I interrupted the silence in the warm air. He didn't stop, but his ears swiveled to catch my words.

"Yes?"

"Do you think we could find a safe place to rest soon? I'm not used to this kind of exertion, and you seem tired from your battle with Jeal..." Rilen stopped dead and spat upon the ground.

"That was no fight. It was..." He paused, searching for the correct words. Finding none, he made his way off the road into the woods to the right. I followed. "We can find a place to rest in here... I admit I'm weary from the... battle..."

These woods where less dense than the ones I had seen previously, although I saw many of the same flora. One exception was deciduous saplings that must have grown here only a few years ago. We made our way through these and continued until we could no longer see the road though the trunks and broad leaves. Rilen sat himself down against the rough bark of a larger tree with a sigh. The tree's roots spread out under him, and he propped his boots up on them. I stood in front of him for a moment, not sure whether to sit next to him, or on another tree. The way his knees were up, I could see where his tail went into his pants. His slouched posture exposed that particular area, and I caught myself looking at it. Rilen patted the ground next to him.

"You wanted to rest, Eswin Ritter. Sit and gather your strength." I tore my eyes away and sat next to him, up a little higher on the tree than he was. I was taller, but I also didn't want to slouch so much. To take my mind off of my confusing thoughts about Rilen, I decided to make what I thought was small talk.

"You know, you don't have to say my last name every time you address me." Rilen looked up at me with his yellow eyes.

"Oh? Is it your house name then? I thought it might have been all one name at first. Then I wondered whether it was something less... Alien..." I gave a nervous laugh.

"No no... That would be rather alien wouldn't it? But I wouldn't call it my house name either... It's a more loosely based family name really... I hardly know them..." Rilen's eyes showed something akin to pity.

"I'm sorry... Was it any fault of your own that you were separated from them? Your family, that is? I'm not sure what to make of it really..." He looked back at the ground in thought. "This loose family structure... what good is it if you don't stay together and operate as a single organization? Then you're just... People who happen share a bloodline..." The differences in our cultures made me smile, and I let my back slide down the trunk of the tree, forgetting my discomfort and enjoying the moment's rest.

"You're right. It's exactly like that. Your people put a lot of stock into bloodlines, eh?"

"Oh yes. It's the only thing holding us together in these times of turmoil. We would descend into anarchy in a second if the houses fell." I nod, closing my eyes with a last look at the green leaves of the forest canopy.

"Mmm... I believe it, hearing the dispute with... House Khanda was it? Are they much of a problem? They certainly seem to be." Rilen sighed.

"They are the biggest problem we have right now... After the House-Wars where settled, they grew bitter at the inconsequentiality of the conflict. They didn't gain any territory or resources from it. In fact, nobody did by the end of it all. Isn't that the nature of long wars? Short wars gain ground. Long ones don't.... One does not have a short war with the Khanda, but they are usually the greediest, and start more conflicts than both us, and the Lornia combined..." He paused for a moment and clicked his tongue. "Forgive me; I'm prattling on about politics. You just got to this plane. You can't be expected to know what's going on, or even what house to trust... Not that I want you in the hands of another house..." He fell silent. I turned my head to him, the hood slipping off. I didn't bother to fix it.

"I am far too tired and far too confused to side with anyone but you at this moment. I don't think I do trust your house yet, but I think I trust you." I tentatively put a firm, leather clad hand on his shoulder. "You could have killed me when you found me, but, knowing I was human, you spared me. That is something I can truly judge, unlike these politics that trouble you... As you said, I'm an alien. I can't imagine you would have received a warm welcome should you have gone through the rift yourself."

"Oh? Tell me what you think would happen? I want to know more about your world." I let my hand slip off his shoulder.

"Well..." I smile as I thought of where the portal was. "The first human you would meet would be..." I stop dead as a cold shiver of guilt crosses over my heart. Rorick was my lover, but he was another world away. For some reason, I felt like I should keep him a secret from Rilen. "Would be men we call: Enforcers. They wear black suits made of synthetic... er... created material that can block many projectiles, and certainly be enough to turn your arrows. They would, at best, take you to some laboratory and imprison you there while they ran experiments on you. It would likely be the death of you, after your interrogations where over." Rilen listened with rapt attention.

"Gods... that's incredible... What a hateful assumption your kind must make at the prospect of foreign things you don't understand yet."

"Mmm... I think that is an excellent way to put it."

"You don't have much respect for your own kind, do you?"

"I wouldn't say so, no. To be honest, and I shall reserve full judgment on this for when I meet some more foxes, coming to this world was the best thing that's ever happened to me." Rilen shifted uneasily against the tree.

"Hmm... You should reserve your judgment, indeed. You are very lucky that it was me and me alone that found you first. Even if you had met me with others, I might have killed you. I can't say for sure what any others will do. I must introduce the idea of your presence in our world to specific, trusted people. Then, I think we might arrange a meeting between you and them. Then, if that goes well, we can afford to take a little more risks. Eventually, I hope you can walk among us as a free man. The stigma of the House Wars is not forgotten, and the furless destroyer still puts fear into the hearts of foxes from all houses. Many would sooner start another war before they allow such a destroyer to reign again..."

I simply nodded to myself, taking it all in. This world seemed just as complicated as mine. The difference was, I had respect for this one. I leaned back and closed my eyes with a sigh.

"How long can we rest do you think?" I asked him.

"Mmm..." He grunted in reply. "How do you feel?"

"Tired... sore..."

"Mmm..." Rilen said again, this time more like a knowing nod than a voiced thought. "Let's stay a little longer. After this, we should keep to the side of the road to be ready to hide should someone come along." I agreed and slumped lower down on the tree.

We set out in half an hour, again, by my count. There seemed to be no real concept of time, at least, not out here in the woods. Rilen and I walked along the side of the road like he had planned, but we saw no one else.

"Into the woods." Rilen whispered with urgency. We made our way off the road again and back into the foliage.

"What is it now?" Rilen didn't stop, but now walked with the road through the trunks of the trees.

"We are going to encounter some more farmland soon, and after that, the capital city. I'd like you to remain out of sight for as long as possible." I nod to myself.

"Sure... But I don't think this hood will protect me in a crowded area. I'll be noticed for certain."

"Yes" Rilen said matter-of-Factly. "I do have a plan for that, but we should wait until we need to use it first. I can't sustain it long, especially after my battle... er... confrontation with Jeal." I wasn't sure what he was referring to, but I assumed it had something to do with magic. I trusted his judgment for the moment.

"Alright then... So, we just need to get past the farms?"

"Yes." He said again. "With some carful maneuvering, we could slip by undetected. But your hood should project you from being recognized at a glance. They are used to me passing though, not that they would like it, but it wouldn't be outlandish."

"I understand. I'm not a novice in this area of stealth. I'm sure you have routes as well. I'll stay close."

"Good then. We are almost there." The trees where indeed clearing. They opened into more fields of grain. Beyond the fields was a larger farmhouse and barn. I could hear voices and the sounds of animals in the distance.

As I steeled myself for the trek across the field, the feeling sunk in that I was an alien here. I had no purpose here but selfish ones, and I was causing a lot of trouble for the foxes. I turn to Rilen, kneeling beside me, scanning the distance with his yellow eyes.

"Rilen..." His ears swiveled before his head did.

"What is it?" I hesitated a moment.

"Thank you for doing this. It's a risk you really didn't have to take..." He looked back to the farm.

"I know." I wasn't satisfied with that answer, but I would wait to hash it out with him. "Focus on your movements and keep your eyes open. We can talk later."