Ugh...my neck is killing me. The sun is bright and the air smells…like liquor and grease. The hard cold ground I slept on was Aniki, who keeps snoring even when I shamble up.
It must have been an unforgettable night, I wish I could remember it.
Stretching out feels nice, I keep my left arm tucked close, but manage to pop my neck and back without trouble.
Aniki yawns like a bear, "G'mornin', ya' ol' mahn bones plipin' and poppin' make wakin' up eazy."
Says the big green bubble wrap, popping and cracking all over camp.
"Aniki, you creak more than your armor does, you should take it off when you sleep."
Tossing some wood into the fire, he shakes his head, "Na' orcs ain' strippin' less we washin'or fuckin'or dyin', cain't ah'ford ta take risks loike dat. Soides, it'z plenny comfor'able."
Breakfast is simple, spiced monster meat on a stick. The meat is tough but it doesn't taste bad. Aniki rips through the meat like its pudding, the sharp teeth must help.
After we eat I help Aniki wrap up the fur. The meat's fine for breakfast, but he says it's not worth money or effort, so he'll handle it later. We load big rolls of damp fur onto a sled, top it with the horns and set off back to town.
The walk back is even slower than coming here, we have to twist and turn to keep the sled from flipping or sliding. The sun's out, lucky the trees cover most of the trip.
My legs are becoming wobbly, I nearly fall over tripping on a rock and Aniki decides it's a good chance to check my arm and rest.
The little cloth on my arm peels away like old tape, the open air is cold and stings. It feels better than it looks, the skin is brown and yellow, little scabs and curled bits of skin surrounding what are clear knife outlines. I have to look away or I'm going to be sick.
Aniki smooths the cloth back over my arm.
"Looks loike ye'll be foine, 'ave Lir'ien clean it fo' ya soon or it'z gonna go rottin'."
I bite my lip at the word 'rotten' and stand up, he sure knows how to motivate someone.
"Can't be sitting around here all day, let's get going!"
I can see my flesh falling away just like in the movies.
Was it always itchy like this? Like a slow tingle…Better speed up.
My legs are sore and sluggish,but if I lose my arm that's forever, even Lirien said we can't put things back on.
Aniki stays ahead of me, even as I begin to jog.
The hills begin to flatten out, I can hear the mill in the distance, we're so close.
I need to find Lirien, time is running out.
There's the mill!
"Aniki, see you at the bar later!"
I hear him laughing while I sprint past him, why is it funny? Is he trying to lift my spirits? Am I too late?
Clutching my arm against my chest, racing through the town, Lirien should be home, he has to be at home. I can feel my fingers going numb, the rot is setting in!
Past the houses, the tavern, the trees, faster–I need to go faster!
Faela waves to me from their garden,
"Ohh Gōki! How was your trip? Lirien will be back for lunch soon–"
He's not here…It's over…
My strength is gone and I tumble to the ground in their yard.
Faela gasps and puts her hand on my back, "Gōki! what's wrong?"
"My arm is going to rot away…I'm going to be a martyr!"
She looks at my arm and pulls away the cloth with a yelp.
"Ugh, Gōki…you shouldn't try to scare me like that, come inside, let's clean that up so we can eat."
She leads me inside, my face is burning.
We sit down in the kitchen and she gathers some bandages and bottles.
Clearing her throat she sits down next to me.
"Ehm–, It's a good thing you hurried Gōki, I'm glad you're ok…how did it get like this?"
I can't even look her in the eyes, the story feels less heroic. I mumble the details while she listens quietly and dabs cold goo on my arm.
It burns, but I try to ignore it, I already look sad enough.
After wrapping it up in clean cloth, she puts everything away and starts setting the table.
"Lyria will love that story…but try to pose when you tell it again later. And make sure to show her the scar, she loves details like that."
Her smile hurts a little bit, she shouldn't have to worry about making me feel better.
She brings a big pot of stew and sets it on the table before scooping some into my bowl. Big hunks of meat and nice salty smells make it hard to mope, the thick slice of bread makes it impossible.
The front door creaks and Lirien calls out like a salaryman.
"I'm home! What's for lunch?"
I motion for Faela to stay quiet, she smiles and nods.
"You can have bread, or soup, or…ME!"
Posing like a magazine model, bread against my lips, but all I get in return is Lirien yelping and pouting that I surprised him.
He takes the spot across the table and eyeballs me, the way he glares at the bandages makes my arm itch.
"You can tell me about…'That', when we see Lyria later, it looks like you're ok though, I was worried the orc would drag you into something crazy."
I stop eating and point my spoon at him.
"His name's Drashka, Lirien, don't disrespect my Aniki"
"What do you–"
He turns pale and freezes, Faela holds her hand out, but doesn't say anything.
Shit…too much.
"I-uh…sorry…a lot happened…Don't let my bad attitude ruin good soup."
A big cheesy smile sells it. Lirien chokes on his soup trying not to laugh and Faela rolls her eyes with a smirk.
The food disappears quickly, but I can't help it if it's tasty. Lirien tries to keep up with me, but gives up when he sees my bowl is empty and he's only half done.
A wooden chair is pretty comfy after sitting on dirt and logs, I lean back as Faela scoops up the dishes.
"Thanks for the food, it was great."
She smiles,
"Anytime Gōki, you're always welcome here."
That's what everyone says to their guests, but…it doesn't feel like she's just being polite.
Closing my eyes, the monster fighting and bullshit feels far away. There's just soup smells and smiles.
Lirien and his mom chatter about local stuff, mr.whosit says mrs. whatsit said this and that, the kind of stuff my mom would gossip about. I can't be bothered to keep up with everyone else's life on top of mine.
They just go on and on…Grocery talk…repairs on the house…a cat someone found…Gōki wake up…are you asleep…just clucking away…
"Gōki!"
Lirien shakes me a little and the chair almost tips backward.
"It's time to go to Trav's, wipe your face and get up."
I wipe any remaining sleep from my eyes and drool off my chin onto my jacket sleeves. We say goodbye to Faela and head out toward the tavern.