United Against Hate: Chapter 12

“Oof”

Dumping the large bag of rice on the ground Vincent cracked his back then wiped his forehead. Flicking the sweat away he put his hands on his hips and looked up toward the caravan wagon. Standing in one of their open drop zones in the Free City he watched as Monica came forward slowly a bag in her arms.

“That’s the last one Vince,” she said tossing the bag to him.

He caught it shakily, stumbling backward, and then turned to walk to dump it with the others. Monica hopped down and hit the side of the wagon. “Thanks for the delivery!”

“No problem, Monica. Thanks for the escort.”

The wagon kicked off going down the street and toward one of the gates. Monica turned around to look over what they had in stock. A couple dozen sacks of rice. A half dozen boxes of bread. A few crates of assorted vegetables. And a few baskets of fruits. Overall, it was a good haul of produce for the inns and people in the Free City.

“Alright Semperius. I need you to catalog everything that we have together and report back to Rebecca.”

“What? Why me?” the former monk asked turning to look at his present boss.

Monica shrugged. “Makes sense given there’s only the three of us. Get Brynie to help. Give her a place to focus her energy.”

“Oh yeah. Sure. Cause I can count on a brat.”

“Watch it Semperius. That’s my brat. But I’ll stick around and help,” Vincent offered and glanced at Monica. “Unless you need me to do anything boss.”

“Nope. I’ve got my own duties to take care of.”

“Really? You make it sound so official.”

“Careful Vince or I’m going to pass this crap off to you directly.”

“Please no.”

“That’s what I thought. Help Semperius. I’ll see you guys. Annie’s later?”

“For sure.”

Monica waved and then went over to her horse. Mounting the animal, she took off leaving the pair behind. Vincent turned blowing out a long breath. There was definitely a lot more food than he initially guessed would be present.

“Okay I know Monica was joking when she mentioned Brynie but after the last time she’s been needing something to blow off steam. Plus she loves being useful.”

“Well hurry up. I’m gonna lose count like three times during this. Think Monica will know if I take a banana?”

“Probably not. Just save me one.”

“If you get back fast enough,” the monk said already picking and peeling one of the fruits.

Turning Vincent jogged back toward the city. In the early morning he knew that Brynie would be taking lessons with Poppy right now or playing with the other kids. Between natural causes, Alison’s rescue missions, and refugees there were suddenly way more kids in the Free City than they knew what to do with. And none of them were more a handful or happier than his daughter.

Just the thought of her face lighting up at seeing him early made him smile. He broke into a slow jog going toward the tall stone structure that he could still see even from his position in the city right now. He hit a hard corner going for a shortcut there when he tripped suddenly. Letting out a shout he flipped forward and landed on his face.

Groaning and blowing sand out of his mouth he winced getting back to his feet. “I swear if I tripped on some fucking toy I’m fighting the kids.”

Wiping his face clear he looked at the object that had tripped him up and paused. Instead of a toy or something normal, it was a person. A man, at least that was his guess, face down, wearing all black with thick a once well cut fade but was in desperate need of a touch up. He was wearing a black suit and pants heavily covered in sand and dust.

Vincent walked back over to him slowly and nudged him with his boot. Seeing someone passed out in the street wasn’t entirely uncommon, getting drunk was a pastime. But he also wasn’t sure if they were actually in need of medical help or not. There was definitely a thin line between the two.

Erring on the side of caution Vincent grabbed the man and rolled him onto his side so he didn’t potentially drown in his own vomit. His skin was a dark brown and he had a rough beard and mustache as well. His features were soft in the way that a young guy’s face was but rough in the way of someone who’d done a lot of fighting. He was probably younger than him, maybe mid twenties. He did note the leather eyepatch over his left eye. The guy had definitely not had a chance to groom himself in a long time. He was asleep, well more likely unconscious.

With his good deed for the day done Vincent turned to head back toward the tower when he stumbled. Looking back, he saw the man’s hand was now holding onto the edge of his pants leg. The man brought his brown eye up to stare at Vincent slowly. “Food… water… help…”

Staring at the man, now a beggar, Vincent rolled his eyes. “For fucks sake.”

“I thought you were getting one of the little Rogues,” Semperius said staring at the newcomer.

“I was but I found him on the way,” Vincent folded his arms. “And he wouldn’t let go of my ankle until I helped him.”

“This is why you don’t help people randomly.”

“I try to adopt that mantra but Alison won’t let me.”

The pair were staring at the starving beggar who was very eagerly chowing down on a hot bowl of rice and vegetables. Vincent dragged him back with him because it was closer than dragging him to an inn. It was a meager meal but it seemed to do the trick as the beggar was scarfing it all down. They skimmed as much as they could from the delivery so they could still count it without Monica getting pissed at them.

He set the bowl down, all of it scraped clean and he pressed his hands together and bowed his head to them. “Thanks for the meal. It was delicious. A real master craft in culinary skill.”

“Quit the flattery. It was basic.” Vincent asked.

“Oh come on don’t sell yourself short.”

“Where you from?” Semperius asked.

“Noria. Though haven’t been home in a long time.”

“A Norian huh?” Semperius stroked his jaw slowly. He said as if he knew something about Norians.

“When’d you get to the city?” Vincent asked.

“Last night give or take. Got separated from the group and was wandering the desert. But made it here in one piece and figured I’d hang around until my friend found the city too and then be on our way!”

Vincent shrugged. The normal story of the Free City. It was more or less his own when he first came through. Vincent walked toward one of the piles of supplies picked up a clipboard and a pen groaning. “This is a lot of shit.”

“What is?”

“We’re doing inventory and even with all of us it’s a lot,” Semperius elaborated.

“But not for the three of us,” he sat up. “Payment for the meal. Fair is fair right?”

Vincent looked at him then back to Semperius. The monk shrugged his shoulders as if he could take it or leave it. So Vincent stroked his jaw slowly and finally nodded. “Okay sure. We’re a team.”

The three of them got to work loading the food stuffs in various wheelbarrows, marking the contents and where they were supposed to, and making sure they were all set. They worked for the majority of the morning and into the afternoon. There was a lot more food than they’d thought and not enough wheelbarrows.

Leaving Semperius behind to keep stocking they went to find more. As they walked the stranger kept looking around. Seeing the people he smiled. They stopped short at a tent that smelled of incense and Vincent cleared his throat. “Hey Brynie! How about taking a break? Need your help!”

He heard the shout of excitement and could hear the steps. The girl burst out of the tent and immediately tackled Vincent almost knocking him over. She was twelve and not that tall but she could pack an impact when she wanted to. Vincent hugged her back though and met the bright gaze as she looked up at him.

“Daddy! You’re here early! Are we getting lunch? I’ve got so much to show you! I’ve been learning fast. Really fast! Even miss Poppy says I’m a natural. What do you need help with? Oh! I finished the book. Can I have the other one?”

Vincent put a hand on her bright red hair that put his own to shame and she stopped. She smiled up at him vibrating with energy but at the very least the deluge of information was paused. She had dark brown skin and her smile was so big it looked like it would split her face. She had her arms at her side but he could see her bouncing in place slightly.

“We’re not getting lunch yet but we can afterward. Me and Semperius are helping Monica and we could use an extra pair of hands.”

“I’ve got an extra pair of hands.”

“Which is why I came to find you.” She nodded excitedly and he smiled. “We’re getting more wheelbarrows but Semperius definitely wants an assistant. I’ll meet you back over there and then you can tell me all about your studying okay? And when we’re all done, I’ve got more books for you.”

“Yay! I’m on my way! I’ll see you there!” She turned around and put her hand over her eyes making a face of concentration before sprinting off to him. Vincent watched her go and fought hard to hide his smile.

“So that’s your daughter?”

“Yeah. Yeah she is.” His face softened but his smile remained.

“She looks like you.”

“Got lucky. We found her by herself during a job and one thing led to another.” He could still remember the crying girl they’d found in that smoldering village. “We bring in a bunch of orphans but Brynie picked us to be her mom and dad. And we picked her,” Vincent said and glanced at his companions’ hand, “What’s her name?”

“Who?”

Vincent motioned to his finger, “The ring. Is that the person looking for you?”

He looked at his ring, a simple gold band with a red stone within it and laughed, “No. No she’s far away. But reuniting is at the top of the todo list. You have someone too right?”

“Yeah. They’re away too,” Vincent chuckled. “I miss them both but they’ll be back soon. Hopefully.”

“Is this what it’s always like here in the Free City?”

“More or less. We’re bigger than we used to be but things have been good. We have our fair share of problems just like any other place but it helps that most people here came from bad places and wanted something better. No one wants to cause trouble. Not anymore at least.”

“Any more?”

“There used to be more groups beyond Rogue Thuggery. But when Boss died and Monica took over, we gave most of the gangs an ultimatum. Shape up and join or leave. A lot left but a lot stayed. So a lot of people have been in trouble and we do what we can but we focus on our city more than anything else.”

“So you’re trying to make a safe haven for people?” he asked.

“Kinda. Outside of just wanting a good place to live this place being a haven wasn’t up to me. It was Hers.”

He pointed above them and the sky was empty. Just a blue sky with a few clouds hanging around. Confused he tilted his head to the side confused but Vincent laughed. “Do you know the story of the Lady of the Free City?”

“The rumored creator of the Free City. A goddess who walks the streets and the shadows. Overseeing the people within its walls and taking care of them. It’s a nice fairy tale at the very least.”

“Oh she’s real.”

He covered his mouth suddenly embarrassed, “Oh sorry. You believe in her?”

“I do but I’m not religious. Trust me. She’s real. It’

He stopped walking for a moment and looked at Vincent. “You’re being serious.”

“Very. It’s a lot of long stories but the Lady of the Free City is definitely real.”

Vincent shrugged his shoulders and continued with their walk. They found what they were looking for near the gardens. Borrowing four, they pushed one and had the other one just resting in the barrel part. They pushed back the way they came, trudging against the ground and it was definitely more difficult this way.

“You know. Thinking about your story. It sounds like. The story. Of the Great Leader. In Noria.” he said in between each step. “Have you ever heard the legend?”

“Can’t say I have,” Vincent replied shoving along and trying to make sure the other barrow didn’t fall out. “I just know the. Great leader. Doesn’t talk much. And likes war and taking territory.”

“Yes. And no.”

Vincent stopped pushing for a second and stood up wiping his brow. “Fuck these things are heavy. Back to what you were saying. You saying there’s been a benevolent ruler side to the great leader.”

“Kinda. It’s a weird story if you want to hear it.”

“Sure why not. Not doing much today anyway.”

He started to say something but stopped. He furrowed his brow thinking and trying to figure out how or what he was actually going to say. Rubbing his beard slowly he snapped his fingers and nodded.

“Okay. The first great leader, at least that we know of, was over a thousand years ago. There were a bunch of tribes that used to occupy the area of Noria and they hated each other. They fought endlessly. Then one day a woman came and unified them all. She talked to and fought everyone she had to do to bring them together. She created what would become Noria.

“But she didn’t do it through just strength and charisma. She was kinda possessed by the spirit of the great leader. More like had her soul merged to his. No one really knows how. Lots of rumors and guesses.”

“Merged? With a god?” Vincent was more than skeptical. But then he thought back to Morrigan and nodded. “I guess that’s not as far fetched as it could be. So what did she do after that?”

“Ruled. With the powers of the God she kept the tribes in line. Waged war. Expanded her territory. All that fun stuff. But eventually, she died and there was a lot of infighting for a while. Everyone wanted to be the successor and have her power. Things threatened to fall apart entirely until the great leader returned, this time a man. He brought his people together and led them under one banner.

“And that’s how it’s always been. Noria going through conflict and the God of Noria being reborn into a new person, either newly born or newly chosen. Sometimes a commander, sometimes a king, sometimes a normal person but always a leader. To lead the people through whatever trouble comes their way. The great leader isn’t always great. Some were pretty awful. But they all reincarnated paired with the same soul. The great leader would do anything to ensure Noria’s future. Even sacrifice their own life. At least that’s the story.”

He smiled but he kept his eye on Vincent the entire time. Vincent looked down, thinking for a long moment. Digesting it for most of it. Finally the rogue looked at his companion and asked. “Do you believe it?”

“Kinda. There’s truth in every story right? So if the Lady of the Free City is real. Maybe the reincarnating leader of Noria is real too. Be nice to believe that the great leader actually cares about Noria. At least cares more about Noria than waging another war.”

“You talk like the great leader is dead.”

“Not dead. But he’s not in Noria anymore. After what happened four years ago Noria’s been on its own.”

“Well if they’re real then I hope they reincarnate soon,” grabbing the bars of the wheelbarrow Vincent gave a hard push. “Noria needs as much help as it can get.”

Softly he said, “Yeah it does.”

They got back to work pushing the wheelbarrows back to the off loading point. When they arrived the other wheelbarrows were gone and so was about half the produce. Semperius turned to face them and pointed, “Well well well. Look who finally showed back up.”

“We were getting there.”

“Yeah after sending me Brynie.”

“Speaking of. Where is she?”

“I made her do the first half of the deliveries.”

“See she was useful then.”

“That’s not the point and you know it.”

“Look we’re here now. And we got more wheelbarrows. So let’s wrap it all up.”

Stocking the wheelbarrows one by one they moved them across the entire city. So with the three of them plus Brynie, they were done in a fraction of the time it would have taken for them to do it on their own.

“Last one accomplished!” he said raising his hands above his head in celebration

Vincent groaned cracking his back. “Would’ve been faster if you didn’t volunteer to help Poppy too.”

“How could I say no to Brynie when she asked us to help her.”

Vincent waved that away, “She’s always doing that. That girl helps anyone she can see. Once she finishes her lessons she’s going to be starving.”

They walked together going up toward one of the walls and standing on the edge. The wind rolled over them and was a cool refreshing breather. He glanced at Vincent and said, “She’s a sweet girl. Though I haven’t worked that hard in a while.”

“Yeah it shows a bit.”

“Think so?”

Vincent laughed and clapped him on the back lightly and he winced. “Stick around a bit longer and you’ll get used to it. You were a lot of help. Thanks.”

“No problem,” the stranger’s face gained a wistful look as he looked back toward Vincent. “Hey Vincent. Do you think people can change?”

“What do you mean?”

“Like,” he said trying to grasp the words. “Does a person’s past damn their future no matter what they try.”

“You’re in the Free City. Every single person here has a past. Good or bad. Doesn’t matter. Here people can start over from nothing or stay exactly who they were before. Anyone can change if they want to. We don’t really pass judgment.”

He laughed covering his eye for a moment. “The stories about the Free City really are true. We wish we could stay here longer but it’s about time we moved on.”

Once was strange but the second time Vincent caught it and narrowed his eyes. He looked at the man that he’d spent working with in a new far more cautious light. “What’d you say?”

Fishing into his pocket he pulled out a black pocket watch connected by a chain to his pants. Just looking at it made Vincent’s skin crawl and he had no idea why. Tensing he took a step back and smiled at him. “It’s time we moved on. In fact we think he’s finally made his way here.”

As if on cue a black ripple appeared in the sand outside the wall. A half circle opening that Vincent knew to be a portal. Out stepped a man with dark hands and eyes that reminded Vincent of the night sky. He didn’t know him but something about him made his spine tingle in a bad way.

The man looked at the walls and waved quickly to the strange man before bowing. Turning around he saluted Vincent and his brown eye turning red. “Thanks for the meal Vincent. And the talk. If we had the chance we would have liked to spend more time here. We’ll take to heart what you said about people being able to change.”

“Who or what are you?” Vincent asked carefully.

“Our name is Badou. And as for what? Well we told you our story earlier. We just have a lot of work to do to be worthy of it.”

The man took a step back and jumped from the wall down to the sand. Vincent rushed forward and reached after him. “Hey wait!”

The man skipped backward before turning around and meeting the man. They embraced quickly, first with a handshake and then hugged one another. Badou put his forehead against his for a moment then looked him up and down. “You look rough Frost. Have a good time in the desert?”

“I ran into some. Interesting children my King. But it seems that my body is still taking its time to recover. I’m not at my best.”

Scratching his head Badou nodded. “I should have told you to stay behind. Though. I doubt you’d have listened.”

Motioning to the portal behind him Frost smirked, “You know I wouldn’t have. Hard to be my King’s left eye without being here. But we have to go. We’re already going to be the last ones back.”

Badou nodded again and turned to look back toward the city. He could see Vincent glaring down at him, see the guards starting to move, startled by Vincent’s sudden outburst. But when he shielded his eyes from the sun, he saw the shape floating in the air behind them all. The robed figure with only a pair of glowing yellow eyes like a pair of suns.

He stared into them and finally dipped his head, “You run your kingdom well. We’ve got a lot to learn sister.” Ducking his head, Badou turned around and stepped through the portal, Frost behind him, and then it closed leaving no trace behind.