I needed that sleep even more than I thought. The insane run made me so tired, that I just drifted away after closing my eyes. I dreamed a lot about strange aliens and gods. Uhm's story really brought a lot of inspiration to feed my brain. It spat out that mess of a story with no sense and forced me to watch it.
When I finally woke up, I could barely remember anything from it. Will was already awake, munching on a nice orange carrot. The color matched with rocks surrounding us, and sand covering the ground. Sun was already up, pouring down the heat on the whole area.
I collected myself somewhat, and got up, to grab a bottle of water from my cart.
- Good morning, Peter.
- Mornin...
- How do you feel?
- Like shit, to be honest. That run was too much, even for my body.
- How about Uhm's story? Any new thoughts? - he asked whole getting up and coming closer.
The top of the carrot fell out of his hand on the ground, and Will leaned against the cart side, to have a better look at my face.
- I... I just don't know - I responded, spreading my arms, and shrugging with the shoulders.
It smoothly went to a bit of stretching as I yawned.
- Who the hell are we to deal with that kind of stuff, Will? We are just two guys, but everything falls on our heads.
- You forgot that I'm a hero? - he answered with a smirk.
I felt this strange urge to just punch him.
- Hero my ass. You should be the one running like a mad man yesterday.
- I have people to do such work for me - was his answer, and that annoying smirk didn't go away.
I clenched my fist, trying to control the anger.
- I swear Will. One of these days you will really get it. I swear...
He laughed.
- Chill man. Eat breakfast, and let's be on our way. The distance is long, and people should really learn about this whole story of Uhm's.
- Yeah. Let's allow the smarter heads to figure it out.
I said and grabbed a strap of dried meat, to chew on. After finishing a few of those I also ate two oranges and finished with one carrot. Then we packed our things and started to head back to the city. Collecting more crystals from still living orcs, and those killed by me yesterday, that just remained on the ground.
Maybe it was not the best idea, but I didn't want to rush since I still felt backlash from yesterday. We both came to the agreement that getting back a day faster won't change anything. This whole situation needed a lot of discussion. If we were really gonna try to visit Uhm's at their homeland and find out more, it would require a lot of preparation for such a journey. Remembering the drawing Ole did a couple of days ago, the distance was quite big. At least several days of travel with unknown dangers lurking around.
We couldn't just go for it but had to really think it thru. Who knew what lied behind harpies territory? The fact that Ole's little group made it unscratched was a silent promise of success on our side. Will and I easily dealt with the bunch who attacked them, so we should also be able to travel thru the same path they took. Problem was, we had no idea how they got here, so we couldn't just follow in their footsteps.
With a bit of effort, we made it out of the canyon by the end of the day just to set up the camp behind the tree line. Not too long ago I would deem this decision as reckless, but now we could allow ourselves to peak the campsite without putting too much thought into it.
For some reason, we encountered mostly groups of twelve on the way back. With what was left on the ground we managed to get really nice score during this one day. Additional 216 crystals landed on our carts, split unevenly.
With everything set up, we both sat on the ground, to finally fill our stomachs with food.
- What do you think their reaction will be after we tell them? - Will started the conversation, polishing a nice red apple on his trousers.
- I don't know. They probably won't believe us at first - I answered, and started to wrestle with a piece of dried meat, to rip off a piece with my teeth to chew on.
- Oh yeah... I'm sure Aisha will look at us like we lost our minds. But she will believe it eventually.
- Blue will be the worst. He is not gonna believe it at all.
- I really don't care if he believes or not. Would be nice to have him engaged in this for many reasons, but there is not much we can do. We should also grab other people. Juan, and a bunch of newcomers. They formed few groups among themselves.
- Yeah. I heard. I doubt they will be of much help, but we should be as transparent at this as possible. To be honest, you should take care of this. It would boost your standings among the people.
- You just want me to do all the work! Be honest you lazy bum! - he said with an accusatory tone, but couldn't hold a serious face for too long, and just laughed.
I laughed with him.
- Damn, you got me. You saw right thru my evil plan.
- I'm a hero. That's what we do.
- Yep. That's exactly what you do.
- I really should save a princess... I can't be a real hero with saving a princess.
- I can wear a wig for you, and we could take a few orcs hostage - I answered trying my best to hold a serious face, but the corners of my mouth just kept rising in a smile.
Will laughed.
- That would be something... Damn... Can you believe it? Not so long ago we couldn't even dream of crossing the canyon, but now we are treating orcs like a joke.
- Hard work, Will. Tons of hard work, and dedication. We are the only people that don't hang in the city. We take a risk, and it pays off.
- It's because you are crazy Peter. You keep taking me to all those dangerous places. It's your fault.
- C'mon, you are the hearo. You have plot armor. There is nothing to worry about.
He shook his head with a light mile.
- We are both crazy.
- Crazy places make crazy people, Will.
- Yeah... Yeah... You are right. And think that all I was concerned about not even a full year ago, was how to get more clients for my little weed business. Now we have monsters around, murderers in our front yard, and aliens! Fucking aliens! All those crazy people were true! The fucking aliens exist!
- Calm down.
- I am calm. I've never been soo damn calm in my entire life, as I am now. It's all because of you Peter. Thank you, you beautiful bastard. You changed my life.
- Ok, ok. Calm down. Don't go all sentimental on me. I didn't do shit. You are the one who saved me. Back then, when Nacho was on my ass, and I couldn't pay the tax. You trusted me and traded those crystals. I still remember.
- I'm a hero. That's what we do. We save.
- Fuck you.
He laughed out loud, and I joined him. Moments like those really brought me joy and gave me hope for the future, even with all the mess around us. Aliens, monsters, magic, and humans. Humans, who sometimes felt like the worst enemies.
Then there was a long silence between us, as we finished our food, and prepared for the night. I set up barriers around to alarm me if somebody or something would get close to us, and will cut some twigs full of green leaves to make bedding for us between two trees and our carts.
- Hey, Peter...
- Yeah?
- That Uhm, Ole, or whatever... He said those Bahumdabar's ruled over many worlds, didn't he?
- Y-yeah... I think.
- Then maybe we can go back home somehow?
- Maybe...
Will lied down and stared at the sky for a long moment.
- I really want to see my kid - he finally spoke.
I couldn't find any response to his statement. The bond between father and son, I could understand it partially, but I never had a kid, so parental love was a big question mark for me. I had only a basic understanding of how he felt but still wanted to reassure him somehow.
- If it's possible, then we will find a way - I finally found the right words.
- Thank you, Peter.
- No problem. Let's go to sleep. Tomorrow will be a long day.
- Good night.
- Good night, Will.
The day ended with 61 621 points remaining on my account, and 744 orc crystals split between both our carts.