What is one minus one?
"Please don't leave me, I don't want to be alone again."
Tsk!
I heard her put away her weapon, I couldn't see through the tears. How could I do that to her? She definitely hates me now but.. Aggh
I heard her footsteps moving closer to me.
"I'm.. I'm so so sorry..I didn't mean to hurt you..I heard you but.."
"Get up!"
"I'm sorry if you wish to cut me down I won't stop you, I deserve it. I'm sorry!"
I don't remember the last time I cried like this, I was this close, so close to being alone again. The very thought sends me into shambles I no longer know what to do. What do you say when sorry isn't enough? What do you do when your actions paint you a villain?
"I said get up!"
I half expected to hear the dagger, that, or dealt damage from a forceful punch or kick. I've seen her do worse. She walked up to me dragged me off the floor and gave me a hug.
!!!
"You don't have to tell me, I know"
Al..dis I don't deserve such kindness, like an infant I cry, without much thought of those around me. How can she embrace, me after all that how can she embrace...me.
"I know, you meant me no harm"
We embraced for the remainder of the night, I as an adult crying myself to sleep. Drifting in emotions as vast as an ocean, distant as the east is from the west.
As the sunlight broke my eyes I slowly rubbed my tired eyes looking for Aldis, she was still there sitting upright with her hands on her knees
"A..About yesterday"
"Don't, I already know"
"My apology isn't enough"
"Drop it, okay! That wasn't you...not completely"
"I.."
"In any case let's get you to Northport"
"Are..Are you going to leave me?"
"I don't know; it's not that simple," She said, without even blinking. "I'll be running for the rest of my life if I leave. If I dont, you might murder me one day."
I..I should have known, it still hurts. I am shocked and speechless, this is what fear feels like.
"Get up, were moving."
She got up and proceeded as strong as always. Where she walked I followed, when she stopped, I stopped, waiting patiently not saying a word. Heh this is familiar, reminds me of when we started.
"I dont like when your this quiet"
"Sorry"
"Alright listen, just pretend it never happened okay"
"O..okay"
I can pretend all I want, in reality, I've hurt a friend and in consequence I hurt myself.
"Fine I'll start. Last time, I made a mistake.
"Mistake?"
"We stayed there too long this time we'll keep it moving. Besides, if we do this right it'll be much harder to find us"
"How so?"
"Were borrowing a traveling cart"
"Borrowing or stealing?"
"I'm glad you caught on"
"Hm.."
"Your not going to object?"
"I..Uh.. I dont know"
"Well if your not going to say anything"
"Wait! Aldis I dint think we.."
"There it is, I'm still going to however"
"Aldis"
The real question here is why are you so happy to steal? It was almost impossible for her to hide her sadistic smile.
"Khatar we have to! What choice do we have?
*Sigh*
"I'm following you"
We waited until around mid day before making our move.
"There's a cart"
Wait! Why does this feel so familiar, Ah right how could I forget, this is where Makros picked me up. Hold on what day is it?
"Come on"
"Wait! Aldis hang on"
It was too late she had already stepped out to pull the cart over
"If you value your life surrender this cart to us"
Of all people please dont be him.
"Excuse me liddle lady, I'd like to pass"
Dammit! Just my luck. I threw my hood on placing the pin where it could be visible and trying my best to mask my face and voice
"Good sir I would listen to the lady, you wouldn't want to anger the boys now would we"
"A red card eh? Means you probably have one of them marked pistols or whatever, cant argue with that. Take the cart and let me go"
"Move along"
I shifted my body, not by alot but just enough to not face him. He walked by casually saying under his breathe.
"Be sure to keep that tattoo hidden, Theres a bandana and food in the cart. Put it to good use Khatar"
"Makros"
My eyes lit up, he knew.
"Hey! This cart is carrying almost triple the rations it's supposed to, also there's clothes in the back? This could easily get us to Northport, we chose the right guy to rob"
"We didn't rob him, he gave it to us"
"Gave it to us?"
"Remember that story I told you."
After a second she screamed "He's the one!?"
"..Yeah"
That day, you were hoping I was listening weren't you?
"Now that I think about it. He was surprisingly calm for someone getting robbed"
"Thank you Makros, Never worry. This debt will be paid in full"
"Hurry up and get in your making us look suspicious"
"Right"
I bowwed in reverence of him while Aldis snapped the horses. I hear the two horses charging forward towards me, before it passes I stick my hand out grabbing the cart and jumping on the back.
"That never ceases to amaze me"
We travelled in a straight line for a day after that resting as often as we could. With the rations Makros provided food was never really an issue.
"Are you sure he is a stranger?"
"Makros?"
"Yeah"
"To be honest, I have no idea; he didn't need to save my life, but he did. He had no reason to believe that we would require this cart or more provisions, but he gave it to us anyway. Id be lying if I said I didn't find it unusual, but to me he's good people."
"I figured"
"You did?"
"Well you dont know much else about him besides his name"
"I guess that's true huh"
I caught myself smiling for the first time in days, it felt normal. I felt normal.
"Hey Khatar?"
"Hmm?"
"Stay like this, please"
"Oh uh sure"
The following day was much of the same. It was calm, peaceful and after the past few days needed.
"What's the north like?"
Well Unlike the south, The city of Northport is built on the banks of a man made harbour. Its heart placed directly between the 4 great Mountains, Isa, Asa, Ysu and Jsa.
Within those two mountains are a boastful amount of cannons and ammo paired with a grand gallion sized gate.
There's cannons in those mountains?
I knew you'd like that part. Long ago Northport was the center of a battle for this continent, Aga. During artificial repairs of the mountain the king ordered cannon holes to be placed at oppurtune locations to protect the citizens.
Although you can still see the wear and tear from that battle to this day the king, the people, hell the entire continent believes in the invincible gate.
The invincible gate, that's its name?
Plenty have tried to conquer it since then, but to no avail. You see Northport is much larger than Southport, It's no wonder people see it as a true modern trade center.
The climate these mountains bring combined with its influence to architectural designs in vast majority of buildings is what make Northport, Northport.
"You see there?"
Ah!
"Those were the mountains I were talking about"
It was just as she described 4 colossal mountains 4 enourmous peaks protecting the port. With the gate in view the smell of fresh water overwhelms the senses.
"This Is Incredible"
"Is It?"
"Oh right sorry"
"Maybe atleast from the outside"
I should really think before I speak. She told me She hates this place, and for good reason.
"The guy were looking for, what's he look like?"
"Old"
"Yeah, because that helps"
"Dont worry, I got this! When we get there you can just stay with the.."
"Oi! That's a lovely cart you have there"
A gang of gentlemen had entered the road approaching the cart. I'm too relaxed, I didnt even sense them.
"What of it?" Aldis replied snappily
One, five, ten, there must be atleast 18 of them. Why is there so many of them?
"Hey, Aldis"
"We're surrounded again arent we?"
"Yeah"
This isn't looking good come on think, they're not gonna believe me unless I do something. What would he do?
"It would be a shame If someone were to comendere this from you"
"Yeah? And that's gonna be you?" Aldis challenged
I chime in shortly after
"Listen up chump, you know who we are?"
He wouldn't say that, I admit that was far too weak. Still, I did my best to flash the card and pistol.
"Chump huh? Who is this guy haha"
I had half a mind to draw the pistol at this point so I did, doing so makes the man startle for a second.
"Bahaha Who are you fooling? No member of the Red Cards would travel around in this"
"Oh really?"
"If means of travel is so important to you, then how about I take away yours."
I swiftly grabbed her dagger off her person.
"Hey! Tsk"
I Jumped out the cart, dashing towards the man. He wore an eerie black coat similar to Gills but less distinguished. He must be a lower rank, this should work. I tried my best to imitate what Gill had done to Aldis. First, assertively close the gap, kick inner thigh, drop your opponent. I followed up by cutting a deep gash from his kneecap down his shin, choking him afterwards.
!!!
"Did he jus.."
"Ah dammit, hey! That's not...That's not the signal!"
"Screw your signal" I throw him out of the way and walk towards the larger group
*Click*
"How bout it then?"
They silently move out of the way and we proceed. I maintained my belligerent expression until we were clear.
"Hahaha"
"What's so funny?"
"I didn't know you had that in you? If means of travel is so important how about I take away yours. Hell you pass in my book"
"Was that excessive?"
"Oh boy on second thought, you have a long way to go"