The Year Of The Bear - Ep.15
(Start at the beginning)
Death- that familiar smell rang on the air as the light of a new day dawned. Life- in the form of breakfast sizzling on a pan over a cookfire as the crew gathered around. Carmel prodded at an egg with the end of a knife, sliding it this way and that in a healthy dollop of fat that made the mouth water. An empty stomach and the pretense of a meal were cozy bedfellows in even the darkest times, and these were dark times.
Everyone was tired, having had little or no sleep due to the events of the night prior. Everyone was injured, or had been dealing with the injured if they were so lucky. Carmel took the moment to look around his quiet bunch and simmer in their somber tone. Pitched battles among common folk hadn't been in his plan upon coming south of the mountain pass, nor did it seem to be anyone else's. But here they were.
“Who wants an egg?” He asked before looking between the three. Kodiak lifted his eyes, normally the first to dive into a meal, and said nothing. He simply continued to clean and care for his blade now that he could see well enough to do the job properly.
Carmel looked to Julia who sat squarely, staring vacantly into the fire with a plate flat and hollow on her knees. Wherever she was it wasnt at the campfire with everyone else. Carmel moved on to Dolev.
Dolev was busy washing her hands in a bucket of water, scrubbing at the skin along her needly fingers, and scraping bastions of dried blood out from beneath her fingernails. Despite being the one with the least amount of sleep, she had the good sense of mind to consider the question on behalf of everyone, and after exchanging a meaningful glance with Carmel, nodded her head toward Julia who seemed beyond answering.
Carmel piled a stack of greasy fried food onto Julia’s plate, snapping her out of her distant stupor. “Thanks.” She murmured.
“I reckon we hold over one more night, get our rest, then leave first thing tomorrow morning.” Carmel said as he filled the pan with a fresh mix of cracked egg, sliced spud, and bacon strips.
Dolev nodded. “I agree. It will give me time to brew something for Mathias.”
“What about those Yos bastards we saw? They’ve got to be nearby, they still need dealing with.”
Carmel shook his head at Kodiak, “While I share the sentiment, it’s not our problem.”
“Like hell it isnt,” Kodiak cursed, annoyed at the answer. “Might not be our town, but this is Bear country.” He ran a whetstone down the length of his blade emphasising the point.
Carmel pointed the tip of his cook knife in the Bear’s direction. “If that’s the way you feel then stay.” He challenged.
“It would seem the Yos are sweeping through these lands. No sooner would you remove one than another would appear.” Dolev intervened in her calming way. “Let Papa Bear confront them, we chose a different path. We’ll send word to Ipswitch on what happened here.”
Kodiak grumbled but fell silent, and Carmel was happy to leave it lie.
“What about Kass?” Julia roused, blinking from her thoughts and finding eyes instead of staring into the fire.
“What about her?”
“She’s not just sick. She’s bewitched. Last night, during the fight, she.. Changed.” Julia explained. Carmel hadn't been there to witness it but he’d been given the tale in brief. Now Kass was tied down and sleeping, a welcomed respite from having to watch her for the past week.
“Yes. The malady is an infection on the mind, this has been explained.” Said Dolev.
“You said she wanted to escape. To run and join the Yos.” Answered Julia.
“She might have just seen her opportunity,” Kodiak offered, also not privy to the event.
Julia answered swiftly in detest, “She didn't want to flee. She wanted to kill us!”
Kodiak shrugged dismissively.
“It’s foul, whatever the case.” Carmel said, adding his piece. “During the attack, I saw a score or more women in the enemies number, some of them not even armed. Just running and screaming and clawing. Nothing natural about it. I heard one of Mathias’ boys say he recognised a few from that abandoned town we passed. Every single one of them was simple folk, not soldiers or barbarians looking to raid. Just commoners uprooted and come intent on murder. All deader than dead now besides.” That caused everyone a moment's thought.
“All the more reason for Kass to join them I say, or at least leave her behind.” Kodiak started again, not willing to entertain anyone's gaze as he worked on his sword.
After a moment, Julia piped up. “Maybe he’s right. About leaving her behind, not the killing.” A first for Julia on the matter much to everyone's surprise.
“Just pass her off to these folk? Or leave her to her own demise?” Carmel scoffed. “You don’t think she’ll join that pile of bodies at the edge of town, or worse, add a few to it given half the chance?”
“The best thing for her will be to distance herself from the Yos’ influence. In time we may even find a cure. Besides, Carmel took responsibility for her, it is now his burden to shoulder. It would be woe for him to simply abandon it.” The look Dolev gave Carmel was one of judgment, a warning he felt stab at his soul. He frowned at the displeasure.
“She’s coming with us to your Mistress, and that’s that. If she’s as knowledgeable as you made her sound then maybe she can help. If not, I’ll take it from there.”
Once again the group fell silent which, to Carmel, was about as good as an agreement as he could hope for. So long as everybody was pulling in the same direction he wouldn't complain. He’d be down right content in fact.
He raised the pan, giving it a suggestive shake. “Who’s next?”
(Continue to Ep.16)
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