The Oathsworn

by Liandra Jake

  "In that case…" Janese pulled out her phone. "We should get a pillow."A pillow?" Nate asked hopefully. Janese nodded. "I'm afraid we're too pressed for supplies. A pillow is all they can spare." "I can't complain." Nate replied." By the time the pillow arrived, the two were half asleep on the carpet. Eric threw it at the couple as he followed the nurse.

  [X]

  Nate and Janese were woken by a loud clap from Eric. "Wakey wakey. I'd like to get out of here before a nurse forces some tapioca down my throat." Nate threw the pillow at him. "Yeah yeah." Janese dropped off the pillow with the other used laundry as Nate waited outside with Eric. His "suit" was folded awkwardly in a bag hanging from behind his chair. Janese pulled up in a white van. Two large windows and a sun roof gave Eric a better view of the city than Nate and Janese.

  The dinner was largely uneventful save for Eric's toast that started it off. "To Nate and Janese, for giving me a chance to walk again, to Arend Myshcell, for giving them the equipment to do so, and to the unfortunate souls who didn't survive the Monster's poison." As the night drew on, the conversation between the three moved to Nate's work, and the group was headed for Dragon's Den.

  "Do you think when I start walking again I could pilot one of your mechas?" Eric asked as they rode up the elevator. "I don't see why not." Nate replied. "But you'll have to pass more than a few tests. It's not a toy." "Do I look like a child?" Eric asked. "Last time I checked, those things have the potential to crush cars flat."

  When it came to getting Eric down the ladder, Nate had to carry his chair down while Eric half-climbed, half slid down. "Good thing we can just repeat this when you leave." Nate said as Eric settled into his chair. "Or you can remove that plate metal you put on the elevator doors on this level." Janese replied. "Yeah, and let anyone and everyone probe into my business?" Nate asked, reaching to unlock his door. He felt a wave of heat cascade down his back when he found the doorknob broken. Replacing his keys, he pushed the door open slowly. Eric and Janese followed slowly behind.

  Lewis was waiting with two bodyguards. His face darkened as Eric and Janese stopped behind Nate. Nate's face was so contorted with unadulterated rage Lewis' bodyguards placed a hand on their weapons. "I told you to leave." Lewis shrugged. "You have no authority over me." "Kronth very well does!" Nate replied. Lewis scoffed, nodding to one of his guards. "That girl isn't worth of being called 'Guildmaster.' These two can handle and one of your 'people.'"

  "This punk giving you trouble?" Eric asked, rolling up next to Nate. Lewis stepped forward. "Mind your own business. This is between me and my son." "Not when he's so obviously upset by your presence." Janese replied, walking up to Nate's other side. "Not you either whore." Lewis replied. Faster than Nate could lash out himself, Eric twisted his chair, turning sharply and running over Lewis' right foot with his right wheel. He leaned in his chair to pus as much weight as he could o nit.

  Lewis cursed, pulling his leg up and back to pull his foot out from under Eric. One of Lewis' bodyguards wretched the chair back to move Eric out of Lewis' way. He failed to understand how unbalanced Eric was, and that Eric had engaged the break on his left wheel to create the turn, causing the chair to violently tip over. Eric barely had time to curse before Janese was next to him. Lewis glanced at his bodyguard when he moved to help. "Don't waste your time with-"

  There was a resounding crack as Lewis was knocked sprawling. The short-lived Orenth shield on his person left with a flash of orange, and gave Nate the parting gift of fractured knuckles. The two bodyguards moved towards Nate only to find a pair of sharp blades pointed at their throats. Hunter's Beat Drive flickered with neon. Flake's short-staved halberd was shrouded by a mist of glowing ice. "Kronth was very serious when she said not to come back." Hunter said. "I suggest you two back down." Lewis got to his feet, a nasty bruise growing darker on his cheek. "You'll learn to regret this Nate. Look forward to all support from my company cease entirely." The door creaked.

  Lewis flashed a painful smile as Arend poked his head in. "What's gong on in here?" "You're just the man I need to see!" Lewis exclaimed, approaching Arend. "My son seems to think he can throw his weight around without proper punishment. For now, he's lost all his funding and contract with my company. Since he was a useful asset regarding Exo-suits, do you think you could pick up the slack?" Arend looked Lewis dead in the eye and laughed.

  "Sorry Lewis, but I'm not one for immoral business relationships." Arend replied. Arend stepped sideways and pointed to the door. "I suggest you start leaving. And expect a fine for trespassing on Guild property and harassment." Flake and Hunter escorted the two bodyguards. Lewis' face grew dark. "You don't know what you're doing. You won't make it anywhere with this Guild backing you."

  "And you won't make it far if I decide to arrange a boycott and withholding of all your resources." Arend replied with crossed arms. "One word and," Arend whistled as he spiraled a finger down. "Boom. Bankruptcy. It's not that Dragon's Den supports me," Arend pulled his shirt down to show his Guild tattoo. "It's that I support it. Won't you try getting more involved with your son's Guild before you try to get his friends to betray him?" At that Lewis stalked out the door with a bruised pride.

  Nate and Arend exchanged a brief look before Arend pulled his shirt back on. "Six thirty week days, any extra work carries over to the next day. You get paid weekly a base salary of 15 Ere, plus commission for larger projects. Rights to any new work stay yours, but Shifted Tilt gets permission to use it if you use our supplies." Arend headed for the door. "'Preview day' is tomorrow, so be prepared." Nate and Janese shared a hug before she looked at his hand. Eric absently poked at one of Nate's mechas as she scolded Nate for being reckless.

  [X]

  "This place is pretty neat." Hunter said as he slowed his pace. Flake took a glance as he back pedaled. A wooden deck was built in the ally space between two buildings. A few people were being served from a kitchen that had a back door to the alley. From the smell, the food was very good. Flake sniffed. "Smells like chicken." "And burgers!" Hunter exclaimed, pulling Flake after him. They sat together at a small table.

  A waiter swooped in the moment they sat down, almost literally as he was a Changed taking the form of an owl. "Welcome welcome! Will anyone else be joining you this evening?" They shook their heads. "Just us." Flake said. "Alright alright! Either of you in a Guild?" Hunter thumbed to himself. "Dragon's Den." "Ohh~! Yes yes!" "Why does that matter anyway?" Flake asked. He looked at Hunter. "Do waiters always ask these questions?"

  "Why this is Guild Rush!" The waiter exclaimed. "We're a restaurant unlike any other! Whichever Guild has the most members visit in a month gets to eat free for one day!" A smile crept onto Hunter's face. "That's a pretty unique idea. A Guild could easily send everyone here at once and get a free meal out of it, but you'd make a lot of money out of the competition." The waiter nodded quickly. "But for now, we have a limit of 50 entries per Guild because we don't have the resources for hundreds of customers."

  Hunter flipped open his menu. "Cream soda, medium rare burger," Hunter looked up at Flake. "Do you want chips?" "How about some fried cheese curds?" Flake asked with an eager smile, tapping the next page in his menu. Hunter nodded immediately. "Sounds good!" "Grilled salmon and water please." Flake said to the waiter. "Good good! So you know exactly what you want! Your food will be only a moment!" The waiter left to deliver the order.

  Flake poked Hunter's hand. "Hey… Do you think I should join a Guild?" Hunter shrugged. "The only Guild I know that really lets in Monsters is Dragon's Den, though it's really your choice. You'll have to get used to working all the time if you really want money. Thanks to the band, I've got a steady, casual income."

  A faint crash down the alley caught Flake's attention. His ears swiveled slightly and he turned his head. The waiter appeared with their drinks. He could hear very clearly what was going on around the corner of the alley. "Hmm. Hmm… Someone is very angry. The words are difficult to make out…" After a second crash, a white figure fell out f
rom around the corner. By now, everyone else at the restaurant was looking down the alley. Hunter squinted, trying to see what the white figure was in the darkness.

  "Ho ho! It's another Sereph!" The waiter exclaimed. Flake leapt out of his chair. He was joined by Hunter before his chair hit the ground. The waiter tilted his head as the two ran off. Away from the busy restaurant and with adrenaline pumping, Flake could hear moans and calls of distress.

  The man now standing over the fallen Sereph raised an eyebrow at Flake's charge. "Another one of-?" Flake's punch to the stomach knocked the wind out of him. With gritted teeth, the man took a few steps back. "You'll regret that…" A switchblade flashed in the low light.

  He paused when he saw Flake's own weapon, and put up his hands in surrender when he saw Hunter's. "Hey now, I don't want any trouble. These bastards just cost me a whole lot of money and-" A warning growl from Flake silenced him. Hunter edged away slightly. The man turned around and ran, but not before Hunter snuck a picture of his face. "Silver Napalm will take care of him, don't worry." Flake didn't reply, instead looking down the street the two came from. A pair of Serephs were on the ground, huddling next to a dumpster. Flake bent down to the one at his feet.

  The Sereph was apprehensive of Hunter, but Flake lent some comfort. With a nod from Flake, he stood. His right eye was swollen and his body was shaking uncontrollably. A faint shade of red co hair could be seen. "You're one of the guards aren't you?" Flake nodded. "What was going on here?" Hunter asked. The Sereph didn't reply, instead stepping behind Flake. Flake turned sideways, placing a hand on both of their shoulders. "It's alright. He's from Dragon's den, remember?" The Sereph stared at Hunter for a moment before nodding. "The singer."

  The other Serephs rose to join them. Flake noticed they two were male. "I ask again: what happened?" Hunter said. "We were late in our delivery." One of them replied. "Because of it, we were punished." "I take it your employer isn't someone reputable?" Flake asked. They nodded. "Without and skills, none of us can get and well-paying job, and there already isn't much work for Monsters." I'm sure there's some charity willing to…" Hunter trailed off. Flake shook his head. "Serephs are too proud for handouts." "And with so many people here now, there aren't any opportunities anywhere." Hunter added with a nod.

  Flake started. He turned to the three Serephs. "Have you considered joining a Guild?" They shook their heads. "Should we?" Flake nodded immediately. "Syndicates have services dedicated to finding work." Hunter said. "I can't guarantee it'll be fun or comfortable, but it should pay the bills." One of them looked to Flake. "If it's alright with you, I think you'd make a great leader for our group. We need guidance." Flake smiled nervously. "I'm not sure if I'm quite qualified for that." "What do you do? You don't seem to know much about Syndicates." Another asked. Flake rubbed his neck with an embarrassed smile. "To be honest, I've grown rather dependent on him." Flake nudged Hunter. "Bringing more money in is something I've been thinking about lately, so maybe we could look for a place together."

  They collectively frowned. "You're living with him?" One asked, pointing at Hunter. Flake replied with a painful smile. "Yeah." "Are you-?" "Yeah…" flake said with a sigh. Hunter gave him a shove. "Stop that. There's no need to be embarrassed." Flake sighed again. He smiled when Hunter placed a hand on his shoulder. Flake looked back to the Serephs. "Anyway, what about those four other Serephs? All the girls…"

  All of them looked away with shame in their eyes. "We run errands, and they are... housemaids." Flake's fur stood on end, following a cascade of adrenaline that coursed suddenly through his body. Hunter jumped, feeling Flake's fur move under his hand. "Where." Flake growled. Hunter watched the rage on Flake's face with a look of awe and a touch of fear. 'I never thought he could get so angry. He's such a gentle person…'

  The Serephs led Flake across the city to where the female Serephs were being held. On the street below, Hunter followed in a dead spring, not trusting the others to carry him, and Flake was in no state of mind to stop and help him out. As Hunter expected, they were led to the darker side of Sareville, where broken and unused buildings were hives of a vast variety of crime syndicates. With a huff, he crouched with the others behind a dumpster, slowly cooling off from the run. "They should be on the second floor some-" The Sereph trailed off as Flake hurried for the guarded door. Hunter stuck to the shadows. 'I'll see how he handles himself. If there's too much for him, that's when I'll get between that rage and its prey.'

  One of the guards sneered at Flake. "What are you doing back alone? And where did you get those clothes? You thinking we'll be impressed that you lifted something fro ma costume shop?" The other guard nudged the first. "You know what he wants: a little time alone with one of the bitches." The second guard found a furred fist driven into his face with the intent to kill. The other guard had time to draw a weapon before Flake turned to him. "You aren't one of our Serephs are you?"

  Armor of ice coated Flake's arms. It fell down his chest and back, made in the style of his people's traditional armor. His blue eye sparkled dangerously. "No shit." Flake knocked him out with a quick strike from the staff of his half-halberd. As he fell back against the wall, flake kicked the door open. Hunter followed quietly as Flake marched through the building, taking out anyone who tried to get in his way. Hunter watched quietly from the shadows. Flake's charge ended when they stopped sending grunts at him.

  A bullet of Orenth exploded the armor on Flake's right shoulder. Hunter ducked through a doorway. Flake responded with creating a makeshift shield in his empty hand and using it to protect his face. A line of men on the stairs to the second floor unloaded innumerable shots into Flake's chipping defenses. Flake now cornered, Hunter prepared to assist, but a sharp-eyed individual caught his him on the cheek with a well-aimed shot. 'Shiiiiit…' Hunter groaned, watching Flake recede farther and farther into the corner. With a sudden throw of his hand, Flake created a brief flash of light.

  With a roll and a scramble, Flake retreated and joined Hunter. "God damn tropes wearing sunglasses…" Flake muttered. "At night and inside." Hunter added. Flake pulled Hunter away from the wall. "Let's go. They might have a roof access."" Hunter noticed a small canister tumble past the doorway and into the stairwell. Pulling Flake down, Hunter covered their faces. Even with Hunter's hand over his eyes, Flake flinched at the bright flash. It was more than twice the brightness of his attempt, and generated a concessive shake to their room.

  Silver Napalm's Civil Defense forces moved quickly, detaining the stunned men on the stairs as the small squad tore through the building. From above, a second squad trapped those trying to escape through a hole in the roof. A member was posted to keep an eye on the Serephs outside. The two squad captains had Flake and Hunter brought to them. "You guys moved pretty fast. Did that guy break immediately?" Hunter asked.

  "No. A rock star sprinting down the street after dark usually catches people's attention." One of them replied. "And it's a good thing we came when we did." Hunter said. "You're a little undermanned to go raiding." The male Serephs cautiously peeked around the corner. "I take it you're here to help them?" The second captain asked Flake with a nod down the hall. Flake nodded. Crying could be heard from a nearby room. The squad member immediately shut the door. As the male Serephs rushed to the room, the squad member whispered something to his captain. He glanced back. One of the male Serephs was shooing away curious squad members from the door.

  The squad captain sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. He turned back towards Flake and Hunter. "The women in there are terrified. Not just the Monsters either. We can help the humans, but those Serephs are more than just scared of men, they're scared of humankind. If and when you see them, you'll understand why."

  Flake shook his head. "I don't need to see anything. I wouldn't be able to control myself if I did. But I think I might be able to help." They turned to Hunter as Flake called Rose. "Dragon's Den right? This isn't Request infringement right?" Hunter shook his head. "I was following him. I told my
self I'll only watch unless it got dangerous."

  Flake returned with a grin fueled by hope. "Erasure's intrigued with the idea of seven more Serephs at his home, but he wants to meet them before he lets them stay." "Erasure BluZeph?!" The captains asked. Flake nodded. "He wants to meet them tomorrow morning. For now, Hunter's got a place in Dragon's Den they can stay in." "The hell kind of Sereph are you?" One of the captains asked Flake as he escorted them outside the building, the female Serephs draped in blankets. "An ex-guardsmen." Flake replied. "Everything else is sort of a work in progress."

  [X]

  Flake, Hunter, and seven Serephs were on a slow march up the BluZeph's driveway. The new mansion was practically a castle. A blue cobble driveway split around the crater that was turned into a pond, a stone fountain sat at it's center. A constant cascade of water was sprayed into the air to fall on rocky fixtures. The gardens were expanded, filling the extra space with red, snow-blooming flowers.

  The mansion itself was almost as tall as Dragon's Den, rising up from the landscape like a cathedral. Large blue stones were shaped into smooth edges to give it a visual softness the material didn't have before. The front of the mansion had three predominate features. The first was a large entryway with a flattened archway, completed with two curved dark chestnut doors.