8 V 2 1

Plopped down next to gloomy-looking Almoner. He pretended to smile in a greeting. It didn't seem like just the mind-numbing boredom of an eight hour shift which must be coming to its end by now. Lingering yesterday's melancholy? Worry about the imminent attack? The gossip flying around town? Divine retribution? Secrets? So many problems to choose from. I ignored all of them.

And created my own. "I stole all your strawberry jam and you'll have to fight me for it," I announced mischievously.Almoner was unperturbed, but the grin seemed happier, "No, you didn't." This confidence made me think that I had in fact overlooked something."The cellar," I said suspensefully, "is now empty."Brawny blondey snorted, "No, it isn't." I was about to weave more lies, but he interrupted me with a permission, "You're welcome to it anyway, boney."I pretended to be insulted, he pointed out how loose his clothes were on me. With such light-hearted banter we successfully kept our worries at bay, neither mentioning anything relevant. Sun started weighing heavy on the horizon and a bell sounded. Few seconds later a radio crackled, telling about an odd couple at one of the gates asking to talk to leadership.I wanted to sit tight and miss out on the excitement, but at that exact moment shift change came and relieved Almoner. Since the kid wasn't yet cured of his youthful curiosity, we made our way towards one of the gates.Plenty of armed friendlies gathered here to gawk. It was an overkill for mere two patiently waiting silhouettes.The fortification was a little above my head, but there were mounds every few steps to... observe and fire back? I couldn't resist peeking over it either. The strangers wore camouflage. Clean and shaved. Didn't look like they spent days camping out in the woods, fighting off monsters. They were armed too, but stood relaxed. The bad news were, these people didn't look like bandits.There wasn't much to speak of that way. Some saplings and an unused road. Even I could tell these people circled around. Will the assault start from the other side, then? Perhaps it was good choice to position myself at an opposite wall."What do you want?" a guy who wasn't Priest called back. Envy. He hung around the man often enough for me to think that maybe he did have the authority to do this. Surely everybody else thought so for nobody said a thing. This guy was older, perhaps oldest I have seen in the settlement. He wore leather jacket with patches, black bandana and sunglasses. The very image of Priest's biker crew, although I was yet to see any motorcycles."I am captain Spengla. I am empowered by our government to assess your settlement," taller of the questionable men shouted. "We are here to help.""We don't need yer help," the gramps called back loudly.They argued the point back and forth for bit, military man offering food, possible restoration of running water, sewage and electricity. The old man didn't give any details about just how fine the little town got by without any of those. And they truly did. Waste went into compost heaps, water came from the wells and lighting from the beeswax and alien innards. Whatever else they needed they successfully traded for."It is time we stood united, not scattered each to his own. You are still part of the country," soldiers implored, their approach changing towards appeals to a better human nature. There was none to be had. Faces around me were all frowning. We all knew what that really meant."Nice euphemism for taxes, but we aren't making any money," old coot said. Cash, of course, was the least interesting thing in a harsh world of hunger and survival. "Or does the local lord mandates we have to give up half of our potatoes now? Welcome back to feudalism, boys!" Villagers laughed grimly. They too thought granary was point of interest in this inspection. They weren't graced by thugs, but it was close enough."We do not need your help," he reiterated after commotion died off. "Nor are we able to assist you or the others. We have just enough for ourselves. Leave."The tall fighter did not relent, "You misunderstand. There are many ways to cooperate. You could operate as a safe house for travelling convoys or provide intelligence on surrounding areas. We could open a regular trade route. New documents could be issued and passages opened to urban centres." That suddenly did seem like a good deal. Tad too good and it immediately made me suspicious by default."We could go into cities?" somebody asked loudly in a slew of hushed whispers."Of course. You are our citizens," the captain confirmed fervidly.Odd. On both sides. Getting into a city wasn't that hard. Perhaps the bumpkins never tried because of the long trek to reach one? And military men thought too highly of their impenetrable defences? Because nobody ever checked identities of those already inside. Branded people were the only ones to get the occasional boot."Who's that guy?" I asked Almoner and he did confirm the intrigued speaker was one of their own. Priest's fellow, picked up out the wastes before they even got here."You think it's a bad idea?" healer asked and I shrugged. Really didn't have an opinion."I grew up in place ran by military. Their shenanigans would seem normal to me. But..." I concentrated and gave it a big think. "They probably intend to leave a garrison permanently. To ensure safety of their whatever. You'd have to do what person with a gun tells you to. And they wouldn't let just anyone walk around like that," I gestured towards the armed crowd. Some wore brands. Yeah, definitely not these fellows. But even now the villagers just listened to scary-looking motherfuckers who would sack them in the teeth for nasty look, so would it really be all that different?Old man deliberated with his cronies and must have reached a similar conclusion. "However beneficial your offer is, we do not want strangers traipsing around. Nor your assistance necessary.""Is that because of the mouth who lives here?"Chilling quiet extinguished the whispers. Even the idiots were catching up that something was not quite what it seemed here, in case they missed a memo of war band watching them from afar."What do you mean?" old man feebly played senility card. His scratchy voice certainly assisted with the illusion, even if the strong frame denied it. The enemy didn't see it."We have a report of a man defeating foreign entity, then flipping van back and driving here.""Ah... you mean travelling merchant? We have nothing to do with that.""And what about the other mouth? One with horns." Our number was up. They began revealing their cards.Gut-wrenching tension was present and I couldn't hold back, especially since nobody else had any handy excuses on hand, "That's just our Parkinson. He's going through a phase." The crowd gaped at me – some with horror, others just frowning. I shrugged, whispering the explanation to them, "You know, because of the..." I exaggerated tremors on my hands for show. Several frowns turned into pity or disgust and I rolled my eyes. These god damn bumpkins understood nothing."We mean no harm to you or your... allies. But we are coming in and assessing the settlement," military man stated. "For one, you are restricting passage through public lands. Two, as stated, you still are part of this country and we must ensure the laws are being abided to.""Three, take our food!" one of the crowd yelled at the sunset."That is entirely unimportant right now. I am tasked to make a census and accurate map of land we realistically hold.""Census? For conscription," another irritated voice called out."It's strictly voluntary service. However, once you hear of the benefits, you will be lining up to do your duty," captain whatshisname was still being diplomatic but tone of his voice changed to more authoritative. Nice to meet you, I thought."Which way did you come from?" I asked, not really caring for the answer – it was all too easy to lie. But part of me wanted to find out anyway. Some frowning people gave me stares again.After getting the answer, I deliberated geography with Almoner and decided soldier was vague enough to either be truthful or lie and get away with it. Which was answer enough."Captain something," I called back."Spengla," man replied calm and collected. He really liked his name. Soldier boy was either really an official on official business or about to smear someone's reputation with terrible atrocities. But that's a lot of work and dedication, so probably the former. Why have someone else ruin your good name, if you can do it yourself?"Why such shallow graves?" I poked my head out to look at the pair again. I wouldn't be able to tell if they lied, but there was a chance to catch them off guard and slipping up. "And didn't even finish burying the bodies. Tsk tsk tsk. Why such a rush?""What bodies?" No reaction. My supreme hit and run interrogating techniques were powerless against these professionals.The two whispered among themselves with completely relaxed postures whilst waiting. I had no further inquiries, villagers frowned at their brand new and shiny madman.The awkward lull in the talks must have told soldiers we have no more questions. "We will come back again tomorrow and expect to be welcomed inside. It will happen one way or the other. Order will be re-established. We are giving you this night to talk amongst yourselves and get used to the idea. We can iron out the details afterwards. Have a good night." The two turned and walked back briskly.Whilst some descended into chatter amongst themselves, one of the crowd snarled at me and strode as though to shove or punch. "What was that about? You think it's some kind of joke?"I wasn't about to find out which option he'd prefer. Ran on first sign of trouble. Could have mouthed off some more, but getting beat up by a gang and a mob didn't seem quite as fun as being able to painlessly breathe. Someone was still giving chase and I sped up. It wasn't Almoner because the kid still argued with those that felt too lazy to go after actual reason of their ire. Welp. I guess, I was a little too used to my companions being able to scram.The people who chased after me weren't as good at this as me and I was gaining distance, but the town was only so big. I really didn't want to brave the wilderness at night. Swerved, vaulted a little unkempt hedge and flattened myself to the ground to hide. My legs carried me to seek safety in the presence of someone bigger and badder. My pursuers perhaps lost me, but likely just figured out where I went. Nobody even crossed the street to get into demon's face. Ha, fools! The creature would just stand by and watch me getting beat up again. Luckily, they didn't know that and I have sown enough doubts.