Taka followed Zirko's careful footsteps as they made their way to the next location on the list. After waiting for a few minutes following their fae pursuers, Zirko decided to continue their current mission. Rather than immediately reconvene with Syla and Maeve, Zirko believed that the fae wouldn't expect them to slip their tails and then continue to do what they had been doing. Taka thought it felt risky, but Zirko was adamant that they would be fine. Before they left, Zirko changed his clothes and now wore the garb of a mid-level merchant, his face mostly covered. Taka, still operating the golem, didn't have the luxury of being able to change outfits, so Zirko threw a white bedsheet over Taka and cut out a slit for Taka to see through the golem's face. Taka thought the get-up looked ridiculous and incredibly obvious, but Zirko gave Taka an empty barrel to lug along. When Taka picked up the barrel with the golem's arms, it obscured most of the golem's form from the front, and Taka could still see. Thanks to the high craftsmanship of the golem's construction, it wasn't too much more difficult to maneuver the golem while holding the barrel than without.
As they walked through the streets, light and quick on their feet, Taka looked to the lizard man as he led the way. Zirko hadn't yet told Taka the full story of the mind control incident, exactly how it happened, and what he had done between attacking Taka and when Taka managed to free him from the seed thing. Zirko had certainly warmed up to him, but Taka could tell the lizard man was putting extra effort in, either as reparations for the attack, thanks for liberating him, or perhaps both. Taka decided it didn't matter. Zirko was family, just as much as Syla and Maeve. He felt warm with the realization, but a pang of coldness rang through his bones as they ached for the ones he had left behind without saying goodbye in his old life. Taka wondered if Syla understood that pain, or if the elf's pain resembled his own mother's. The pain of not knowing where your loved one went. How do I know I really died and was reincarnated? Taka wondered. I could've been summoned here without actually having died, I could just be unconscious in the hospital right now, in a coma or something. One of the gods might be able to tell me, but they could just as easily lie... Taka felt the urge to tell Zirko about his past life, his encounters with Valish and Beja, but he chose to keep his mouth shut. He didn't want to drag the lizard man into any more trouble than they were already in. Sure, he might be able to help Taka figure it all out, and yes, at some point, the gods would reveal just how involved they were with the creationist church pricks' current schemes, but Taka wanted to shoulder that burden...
"Yo. Dude. Did you eat all the pepperoni?"
Dylan slammed the fridge shut as he slid a pizza box across the table into Taka's paper plate, sending it off the edge onto the floor, crumbs and all.
"What the fuck, dude?" Taka shouted. "You better vacuum that."
"We were supposed to have half each, man," Dylan whined. "Half the pep for you, half for me. Half plain for you, half for me!"
"You already ate your half of the pepperoni yesterday, dumbass," Taka quipped.
"When?" Dylan asked incredulously.
"After the movie," Taka said.
"What movie?" Dylan asked, still not believing Taka.
"Build, Fight, Survive," Taka said as if it were the hundredth time he had said it that day.
Dylan paused, Taka staring lasers at him.
"Oh," Dylan said. "Right."
Taka snickered, and Dylan let out a chuckle.
"It was pretty good," Dylan said. "You want the rest of the pizza?"
The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
"Nah," Taka said, smiling as he slid the pizza box back to Dylan. "All you."
"Sir Filo?"
Taka blinked, and Zirko was standing inches away from the golem's head. Taka looked around and saw that they had arrived at the next place on the list. He still felt like he was in a daze and had completely zoned out as they made their way through the outskirts. Stay focused, Taka told himself, you can't get stuck thinking about the past.
"Sir Filo, are you alright?" Zirko asked, his voice growing tenser.
"Yes," Taka said, "I'm, I'm fine."
Zirko looked into the worm's eyes through the golem's head, searching for a deeper answer, but quickly turned away. The lizard man approached the tent, which Taka now saw was in a lot full of tents, and cleared his throat.
"Hello?" Zirko asked. "Is anyone there?"
Zirko's question was met by silence. Others in the encampment scowled at the lizard man as they passed by.
"We're here to help you," Zirko said, doing his best to soften his tone.
No answer. Taka looked around and noticed just how many tents there were. There had to be dozens, maybe even over a hundred, spreading out over the lot. Dr. Quinoth had provided them a description of the tent and where it was, but who's to say that the person they were searching for didn't change tents? Sure, it was their home, but if they felt endangered...
"We were sent by Dr. Quinoth," Taka called out, louder than Zirko had been.
A few of the residents of the encampment stared at Taka, but with no more curiosity or malice in their eyes than would indicate they knew who the doctor was.
"Please, speak to us," Taka pleaded. "You're in danger."
Most of the otherkin who took notice of Zirko and Taka continued to go about their business after that, but one woman with a humanoid figure but obscured by a cloak continued to stare.
Her? Taka sent to Zirko.
Zirko followed Taka's golem's gaze and saw the woman. He squinted, taking her presence in, and nodded.
"Pardon me, miss," Zirko asked, still doing his best to act as non-threatening as his muscular form would allow. "Could you spare a moment of your time?"
The woman's shoulders tensed, and Taka could tell she was checking her surroundings, planning the most efficient escape route she could from her current position. Taka considered using his CHARM skill for a moment, but then he remembered how Hyark had been affected, and how distraught she seemed after the skill had worn off. Instead, Taka turned to face Zirko.
I have an idea, Taka sent to Zirko.
What is it? Zirko asked.
Taka used his TELEPATHY skill and opened a link to the woman.
Please do not be alarmed, Taka sent the woman. I am communicating directly with you as to keep this conversation private.
The woman jumped up and looked around, frantically searching for where the voice in her head was coming from, until she looked back at Taka.
Zirko looked at Taka confused, then let out a huff, "this is a bad idea."
Do you have a child, or young one you care for? Taka asked the woman.
She stared at Zirko, not realizing the golem covered by the sheet was where she should be looking.
We are friends of Dr. Quinoth, guests of the Ambassador, Taka sent. Ambassador Reika.
The woman seemed to relax slightly as she rubbed her hands on her thighs, trying to soothe herself.
If you think this has nothing to do with you, then feel free to walk away, Taka sent. But if that is not the case and you do know what I am referring to, then the child you care about is in danger.
The woman took one more look around, then gave a slight nod of her head and began walking away from Taka and Zirko, deeper into the encampment. Without losing a beat, Taka followed, Zirko trailing just behind him.
Revealing your Divine Arts to a stranger is a foolish risk, Zirko scolded. There were other options--
I didn't want to manipulate her against her will, Taka spat back. Innocent creatures deserve to be treated better than that.
That is quite a tall order to stand by, especially when our enemy lurks in the shadows, and perhaps among us, Zirko sent.
Taka turned back to face the lizard man, the mole in the Ambassador's office--
You need to stay cautious, Sir Filo, Zirko interjected without stopping to face Taka. You are too trusting, and if they find out, they will use it against you. You can be sure of that.
Taka fell into place behind Zirko as they continued to follow the woman, who stopped at a tent toward the far end of the encampment. When they reached her, she cowered slightly and looked away from Zirko.
"It's alright," Zirko said. "Where's the child?"
The woman froze for a moment, then led Zirko and Taka inside.
Favorite Character?
