[Winter - Gravelrot]

Sporting an oily complexion and new patchwork on his once-immaculate coat, Eriko stood just meters away from the most important person in the group visit. The host of the evening’s heist, Sallie Houston.

Mrs. Houston wore a tight, bright red dress that revealed more than some wished to see of her heavy frame. Leaving room to remain agile and accented in black lace, styled in an outlined pattern, the seams seemed more stressed than their occupant.

“Just a short wait honey- these players just want to see their hand we’ve dealt.”

An outlaw with a mean pair of eyes hidden under a red handkerchief only slightly more wrinkled than his visible skin turned around the corner and into Eriko’s personal space. The Immortal felt outmatched by this silent stranger in cowboy regalia. With loud steps, the man extended a leather-gloved fist to help Sallie into the awaiting stagecoach. It would serve as a built-in getaway vehicle and alibi.

The heist was to cover a real one, with a fake, thought Eriko alone.

In a shape that could only remind Eriko of an onion, he stifled his amusement and followed in unison without the need of assistance, entering its carriage. As the miniature door was gently closed behind by the helper, he responded to the increasing number of steps and hooves being pounded outside.

“Wasn’t expecting a party tonight.”

He settled into his uncomfortable seat. Eriko had taught himself how to fake being strong. At least that’s what he considered in secret, admitting only to himself. The enact tactic was to fix his eyes on any foe’s nose. Front-and-center simulated an intrigued recipient. Or perhaps, it was just a projection of some kind.

“What can I say? When I run for office, I do it with flair. The supporters- support the cause. They know that if supplies are low, well then, Mrs. Houston is the leader they need. You already memorized that, right Eriko?”

Internally, Eriko couldn’t care less about a word the woman had said.

Sallie sat, examining Eriko from head to shoelace, not one imperfection in fashion sense went unjudged by her scanning gesture. Arms folded, she grew displeased without additional input. The only thing she knew is that it wasn’t her burden.

Every time he had visited her in their brief, yet flourishing business relationship, it was to chip away further at her stubbornness. In fact, he had rarely met someone who could put themselves and their selfish needs in front of others like Sallie.

No more taking a loss for Eriko, he was going to prove his worth to her.

“I’m getting Lou Cooper.”

Her distracted sight refocused. Without breaking eye-contact, she removed her purse and placed it beside her. Rallied voices rang out from the exterior. Eriko had heard of the nightly raids, cutting routes transporting water supplies to the Spiri, he hadn’t presumed the straightforward, pitiless approach. The Immortal grinned.

“You? With your adolescent tactics, Lou Cooper to help fill your ambitious water supply ploy.”

The woman stopped speaking abruptly, Eriko gulped. He could feel that distrust start to override him. The one he despised, that was always followed by open pores and the downpour of sweat. Not this time though, his practice had paid off.

The woman removed a pristine pink glove from her chunky fingers, never backing down to his stare. In the most feminine routine conceivable the other trailed in succession.

“Well! Pardon my dumbfoundedness. You are still filled with surprises aren’t you little Eriko.”

“That I am.”

Shots fired into the night.

Wide-eyed, down to the membrane, she became exhilarated. A collective effort, indiscriminate gunmen grew rowdier as insulting words and metals were hurled and repeated between dying yelps. The slight shifting of the cabin’s contents, including themselves, almost helped shake off the cries for help outside.

“And...”

She pried for the information that Eriko didn’t want to share.

“...Th-there’s better offers.”

Eriko gave up and peered down into the void where their feet rested. Stains spurting across shadowy flashes of people slain mixed with final screams masked the specifics from being heard. The woman however, wanted to end the conversation abruptly.

“Remember well Eriko, I’m the reason you even know what Lou can do, you ungrateful little shit.”

Signifying she was through with the night’s exchange, she ducked her head and ignored Eriko. With vigor, she clawed into her shoulder bag and retrieved a .45-caliber handgun. One quick exhale, then barging through the wooden frame, Sallie fired at any retreating targets that remained.

“Ya’ better get out of here!”

One more shot.

“You bastards better run if ya’ know what’s coming. These streets aren’t safe we tell ya’!”

Two more shots. Eriko hated this part of the job, one day he could hire a liaison, but it was a necessary step to reign in the elite of the underground Agist trade. Sallie was a loose cannon, but one who inflicted damage against enemies. He wanted to remain an ally.

Eriko exited the cabin himself, hanging out the stuffed door, barely squeezed past the galvanized woman, he joined in.

“This! Stand up an’ fight back if your town has the spine!”

It was louder than Sallie thought he could muster. A convincing lowlife, she thought. Their pistols snapped into the ill-lit, shaded dirt path as they laughed. No one was left to be hit.

[Winter - Outskirts of Dew Fall City]

Starting with her tangled scalp, then shifting the itch to her forearms, Penny felt the peak levels of the desert cold. She hadn’t layered enough. In fact, she hadn’t done much thinking at all before entering the harshness. She’d fallen into the same trap Anette had, it was so serene she could almost lay down to rest.

“No!”

Jolted, she provoked herself by slashing her elegant nails at the night gale in front of her. A few effortless swipes were enough to have her arms fall limp at her side. Barely upright, she felt dumb, but if it meant survival, she wouldn’t care.

“The Ageast! Where did it go?”

She asked herself without need or haste. Embers, small in size, but abundant remained in a steady enough stream to follow at a safe distance. If Penny was correct in recognizing the structural lights in the distance, the hilltop treeline she stood atop was already a city over from where she had ventured out. More questions began to fill her cloudy mind. The cold, winter night was nowhere for a solo walker to brave without weapons however. She knew she had put herself in a position that J.J. would speak out against. It was silly how often his teachings helped.

Dragging steps proceeded, as Penny heard a horse whinny, it brought her to attention. With a small stretch between them, she could see what looked like the outline of another solo traveler, but this one horseback. The figure of a man and a tall horse, she couldn’t raise the energy to contemplate a better plan other than to proceed uninterested and hope that the feeling was reflected. “Two boats in the night,” she had been told.

Even so, the man steered his horse at an angle, one that indicated she’d be meeting him very soon. Mere strides into the gap-closing maneuver, the tiny Ageast appeared from behind a path of heavy stones. Startling the unidentified man’s horse, it neighed and retreated sideways, orderly. It seemed well-trained, just like Poni.

The Ageast paid no attention as it burned a less refined shape, melding down into an amorphous collection of fire Agi. Leaving hunks of itself behind at a time now, it continued down its predetermined path. The combination of the high winds and fire Agi rippled a wave-like gesture at Penny. The sight was intercepted by the horse rider.

As the man spoke, the Ageast bolted off.

“I’ve seen a lot, but this- is new.”

From his high-seated position, the cordial individual with a calming voice looked down at the defeated Penny. He had already decided to lend a hand, for a cost.

“I don’t need nothing too much, young ma’am. I just want myself some answers.”

“You got it...for a ride to follow that thing.”

“I’m a master of moving when they least expect it. How I kept myself alive, can say truly, you’re in good hands- miss?...”

With newfound spirit- she replied.

“Penny, Penny May.”

“Buck Floyd. Pleasure.”