The Broken Ones

Chapter 3:3 -Dreams

Soi woke up the next morning to the sound of low voices whispering urgently. Ana and Nebelius sat with their heads together, with serious faces whispering their conversation.
-This is strange, you know it’s strange, Nebelius.
-I know, but we have to take this opportunity and move as fast as we can. This break won’t last long. You know what they say about the calm before the storm, we have to be prepared. Something big is moving and we can’t sit and wait it out.
-Yes, yes. But it’s irritating to be kept in the dark. And what is even more vexing is that I think Sofara’s mayor might be correct in his judgement.
There was a pause and Soi opened his eyes a little to see the two.
-Do you think Sassy…? Nibbles asked.
-Definitely not, she won’t side with us, Ana answered decidedly.
-Then what shall we do about this? Nebelius nodded his head in direction of the south.
-She’ll come forward sooner or later, just let her be. No, I’m more worried about the lack of attacks and Sam. But there is nothing we can do about it from here.
The horses moved nervously and Ana fell silent.
-Do you think? Nibbles asked.
-No.
She rose from her position.
-We should get moving. Awake Soi. I’ll be back soon, be ready by then.
Soi closed his eyes quickly and soon felt Nibbles poke him with his foot and Soi tried to glare at him.
-Awake, you sleeping soldier, Nebelius said without enthusiasm. –Your mistress wish us to be ready to leave in five minutes. She’s a warlord, you should change mistress.
-I was assigned to her, there’s nothing I can do.
-You could kill yourself.
-It’s not that bad, Soi was appalled.
-It was a joke, Nebelius explained but his face was still grave. –But it would be rather fun to witness, so if you ever consider it please tell me beforehand. I could assist.
-I think we should pack up.
Soi moved away from Nebelius.
When Ana returned the camp was fixed and Soi had already mounted his mare and waited anxiously. He reached down to receive her hand and pulled her up.
-Aren’t you anxious like a teenager? Nibbles, what did you do? Ana watched Nibbles from the corner of her eye.
-I didn’t kiss him, if that’s what you’re implying.
Ana rolled her eyes.
Throughout the day, Soi kept their conversation in his mind. He couldn’t piece it together but he thought it strange that they hadn’t said anything about the fact that they were being followed. And what about the monsters? Ana had said that there were plenty of them but he had only seen one and that was the one he had cut up. Soi kept looking backwards to see any pursuers.
-What are you doing? Ana asked irritated when he for the eleventh time turned his head back. She had a little wrinkle between her eyebrows and her mouth was slightly stretched, her eyes flashing dangerously.
-Didn’t you say we were being pursued? Soi whispered back to her.
-That is something you don't have to bother about, that is my and Nibbles problem.
-But I’m your guard.
Ana laughed heartily.
-Yes, and what a fine guard you are. You don’t have to worry about this bug, she’s not foolish enough to attack us. She knows better than that.
-Bug?
-Yes, a black leather dressed bug who’s irritating to death.
-What about the monsters then?
-I thought I already told you that they don’t move in the daylight? Honestly, can’t you remember such a little detail?
-Do you have to talk down to me?
-I’m sorry, did I hurt your feelings? Aren’t you grown-up enough to take it?
Ana glared at Soi and he sighed.
-Just give up, Soi, she’s looking for a reason to quarrel, Nibbles supported him.
-Who asked you?! Ana cried.

The next days passed in a similar way. Ana got more and more touchy and tried to pick fights with both Soi and Nibbles and soon her moodiness rubbed off the other two.
On the seventh evening it escalated. The meal was over and the silence was thick. Suddenly the bushes on the south side of the camp moved and they all became very still.
-Is it the monster? Soi asked nervously.
Neither Ana nor Mr Silver answered him. But then they both relaxed and got on with what they were doing.
-No, Ana said shortly.
Soi waited for her to continue but she didn’t say another word.
-Then what is it? He asked irritated.
Nibbles watched him with a silly and irritated smile on his lips.
-You’re right Ana, he does ask a lot of questions.
Something in his voice made Soi nervous and he remained silent throughout the evening. When he finally fell sleep around midnight he slept restlessly and woke up several times but he didn’t dream anything. He felt a bug crawling on his blanket, he heard an owl hooting in the distance or a cloud blocked the moon. There many things that bothered him. All the unanswered questions were swirling around in his head. What were these monsters? Who was Nebelius Silver? What was the Academy? Who was Sam? What was stalking them? What was the Broken Ones really? And the question that took up most space in his confused mind was who was Ana?

When it was his time to guard, it didn’t take long before he begun imagining things. Was it a snake rattling in the bushes or something else? Was it the wind or an animal howling in the distance? Something was glowing between the trees, wasn’t it? The glowing light came closer and closer. Soi didn’t know if to wake Ana up or not. His heart pounded and his mind was buzzing. It was definitely something creeping up closer to their camp. Soi reached for his sword and opened his mouth to wake Ana. But too late.
Something large and black came flying over him. But it wasn’t a monster.
-Oh, Sammy dearest, missed me much?
A tall woman dressed completely in black leather was striding him. She had black hair and dark eyes. She had a sassy smile on her lips and when she saw that it wasn’t Sam she was striding her smile broadened. She flipped her hair and smacked her lips.
-Well hello.
-Get off him, Sassa.
Ana had woken up by the tumult and watched the two as she leaned on her elbow and supported her tired head.
-Oh, are you here? The woman said with false surprise.
-As you didn’t know. Get off him.
Ana was clearly annoyed but the woman ignored her.
-He’s pretty, rather handsome. He’s a broken?
-No.
Ana’s grey eyes narrowed.
-Then…
-My guard.
The woman laughed.
-Your guard? You, have a guard! Fancy that. What about Sam then? Does he approve? Or has he left you yet? Is your guard the same kind as mine?
-Sassy, shut up! Nibbles had woken up as well.
-Oh, Nibbles, you’re here as well?
-Where else would he be? Ana snorted.
-Isn’t this a nice gathering. Feels like old times except… where’s Sam?
-He’s dead.
-Oh, the woman answered rather disappointed.
There was a short silence. Then the leather covered woman insensitively asked:
-Oh, is he dead dead or just “dead”?
-What does it matter?
-What does she mean? Soi asked confused and tried to gently push the woman off him. –Dead dead or “dead”?
-He’s dead, ok?! Ana yelled and stood up, her eyes tearing. –He’s not coming back, that’s what it means!
-Ana, Nibbles uttered softly.
-No! Do not pity me, it’s his fault! His fault… Her voice broke and tears flooded her cheeks. She grabbed her staff and marched off, limping heavily. The silence was thick.
-Oops, hit a soft spot it seems. The woman smiled broadly –Made my day.
-Sassy, shut up and get off Soi.
Nebelius was vexed and glared with his one eye at the black clothed woman. The woman dismounted Soi deliberately slowly, her mouth twisted into a wry smile.
-I’m so sorry to have bothered you, she said. –But there is nothing I love better than to annoy Ana. She’s such a stuck-up and a bore so she deserves it, and she’s so cute when she’s mad. Like a little doll. A crying doll, to be correct.
The woman stood up and stretched out her hand to Soi.
-I’m Sassa, and this is my guard, she said and proudly presented a man who stood with a lit lantern in the outskirts of the camp. –Isn’t he handsome? Has tons of muscles and is otherwise well equipped, I think I have outdone myself this time. He’s such a catch.
-You don’t really need a guard, Sassy, Nibbles pointed out.
-You could say he guard my needs, Sassa smiled sassy. -I sure have a lot of those.
Soi lost all colour on his face.
-She’s called Sassy for a reason, Nebelius informed Soi.
-And mr Nebelius here is called Nibbles for a reason as well, Sassa retorted.
In Soi’s perspective Ana was the sanest one of the broken ones he’d met so far. And not even she was entirely normal.
-I think I should go and check on Ana, Soi said.
-Oh, please, she can look after herself, it’s not like she was born yesterday, Sassa cried out. –Stay and have fun with me instead.
She smiled invitingly.
-Sassy, he isn’t that kind of guard. He’s a real guard.
-Are you sure? I mean, he’s even alive. Doesn’t she usually kill them off?
Soi left the two broken to themselves and swiftly departed the camp.

It was still dark but the moon hung high in the sky and lit the woods. He could hear the river rush and walked in its direction. On a large rock Ana sat with her legs hanging over the ground and with her head in her hands. Beside the rock the staff stood tilted. Her body quivered as she cried and she looked so small. Like a child, the little girl she was.
-Ana? He asked carefully.
She dried her eyes clean from tears and turned around. In the moonlight Soi could see that her cheeks were redden and new tears begun to fall.
-What? She said, even her voice was weaker than usual, sounding tired.
-How are you?
-Fine, just need to be alone. You can go back, you don’t have to guard me, you know.
-I know.
He sat down beneath the rock, beside her staff.
-Can’t you just tell what’s going on? I understand that you are upset about Sam’s death but this was just the top of the iceberg. You have been on your toes for days.
-I’m sorry.
She shook her head slowly.
-What are you sorry for?
-The mess I’ve dragged you into.

To be continued...
By J.L.Frick