Chapter 13

Previously in NWC-

Reno discusses a plan with Kent, getting him on board to use the iron to improve Bambadale's overall defenses by arming the citizens with guns. Reno acknowledges his actions could have dire consequences and thus the plan is set in motion. Reno begins to cut wood and clean up his future training grounds to help Kent with the steel production. After getting a good amount of wood, Reno has lunch with the mayor...

He sits down on a stump and looks around. "That one tree was actually the main issue with this place now that I actually look at it."

"I agree. What's left are rocks and fallen branches. Are you intending to continue working?"

"Might as well. This stuff doesn't look too bad. I think I'll move the rocks and call it a day." Reno takes his time getting up before he starts moving the rocks.

"Hey, Reno. What if you used the rocks to make a firepit?"

"A firepit? I guess I could do that. We're gonna need something to use all this wood on." Reno quickly begins stacking the rocks, making a small firepit near the stump on which he was sitting. "Now we'll just have to get something to start fires with and then we'll be all set!" Satisfied with the quality of his work, he sits down again. "I don't think I've got much left in me, Luna. I think I have to call it a day."

"I believe that'd be for the best. It would be unwise to push yourself on the first day. Your body isn't used to this level of physical exertion."

"I'll start the actual training once we clear the rest of this area, but for today I can't swing that axe anymore." Reno and Luna bask in the glory of nature for a while longer before deciding to leave. "Looks like Mr. Kent took the cart already. I should go ask him if that'll be enough." Reno makes his way to Kent's shop, greeting him upon entry. Kent was already moving the wood into the building. Reno decides to offer him a hand and helps carry the wood into the shop.

"Thanks, kid. You didn't need to do that, but I appreciate it."

"No problem! I just wanted to make sure this was going to be enough for what you needed?"

"This should do, kid. Oh, and one more thing. I'm assuming the axe you left n' the cart is the same one you're usin' to cut the wood. That thing's duller n' hell, kid."

"Unfortunately it's the only one I have. The old man, let me borrow it."

"Ya' give me half an hour n' I could sharpen it for ya'." Without giving Reno a chance to speak, he takes the axe to his grindstone and gets to work. Not sure what to do, Reno walks around the entry room. The walls are bare, save for a couple decorative weapons. The wooden floor is covered in dust, presumably from all the work that goes on in this building. He wanders over to the counter and spots a piece of paper with a drawing. Upon closer inspection it's the diagram for the rifle barrel. "Mr. Kent must take his work very seriously if he drew a diagram for literally just a tube." Reno was making a comment to Luna, but to his surprise, a different female voice responds.

"You're damn right he does!"

Reno jumps and turns to face the woman. "Fu- I didn't hear you come in!"

The woman walks over to the counter, using a cane for stability. She had curly brown hair with a noticeable amount of grey mixed in that reached her shoulders. She was tall for a female, standing at 5'10", but slightly hunched over as she walked with her cane. Her strut had a noticeable limp as she made her way over. Her voice was deeper than the average woman's, but not unpleasant to listen to. "You must be that kid Ken keeps talking about. The one who convinced him to finally stop being a little sissy and fight." Reno's expression shifts to an awkward forced smile as he tries to think of how to respond to this. "About damn time someone in this village started doing something! Those damn bandits have gotten away with their bullshit for too damn long!" Reno stands there awkwardly, not sure what to do. "What's wrong kid? Ain't got anything to say?"

"Sorry, you just surprised me. Who are you?"

"Ahh, right. I'm Ken's wife, Deb."

"Hello, Mrs. Deb."

"He wasn't kidding, you really are just a poor twig of a boy!" Deb laughs at her own remark while Reno smiles awkwardly. "Ain't nothing wrong with being a bit thin. I'm sure Bambadale will fatten you up in time! You gotta be careful! We might be a small village, but the food here will have you fat in no time!"

"I've eaten with the mayor a couple times. Even though stuff is so simple, it really does taste good."

"Fresh is the best, I tell ya'! So, kid, tell me about yourself! Who's this 'Reno' Ken tells me about that has wilder ideas than the mayor?"

"Well, it sounds like you already know, but my name is Reno. I'm staying in one of the barns for the time being and I took over the carpentry in the village. I may or may not have asked Kent to make rifle barrels so that we may or may not possibly consider fighting against the bandits."

Deb laughs at Reno's comment. "You sure as hell did! Ken couldn't keep a secret from me even if he wanted! Just be careful, you hear?" Deb holds up her cane as she leans against the counter. "When they first came around, we didn't sit by and let them get away with it! I got this damn leg injury wrestling with one of them while another tag teamed me and stabbed me in the leg. Never walked right since. But you bet your ass I gave them what they deserved! One of them only has one eye because of yours truly, and another is missing two fingers!"

"(Why the hell is she telling me all of this?!)" Reno becomes increasingly uncomfortable as Deb continues her rant. 

"Deb are you scarin' the boy?" Finally, Kent returns with the sharpened axe, much quicker than anticipated to Reno's surprise.

"Just telling him about the thrashing I gave those bastards! I'll never forget the look in that one's eye after I held up the other one!"

"Alright, Deb, you're gonna scare the poor kid."

"Oh don't be such a spoil sport, Ken!"

Kent turns to Reno and hands him the freshly sharpened axe. "Don't let her scare you, kid. Here's that axe, it should last you for a good bit. You're always welcome top bring it back and get it sharpened again."

Reno happily takes the axe and inspects it, running his finger along the new edge. "It's like new! Thanks, Mr. Kent!"

Deb chuckles as she leans over the counter. "And if you ever want to get your hair cut you can come to me. I ain't as good with scissors as I am with a sword, but I got to do something to keep me from going insane!"

"Thank you, I'll remember that. I really appreciate it! I should probably head out now, I've been trying to stay busy." Deb and Kent wave farewell to Reno before heading back into the back of the shop. Out on the street, Reno speaks to Luna. "Oh my goodness, why was she telling me all of that crap?! I felt like a poor retail worker who's just trying to check people out when an elderly person walks up out of nowhere and starts telling them about how their grandkids never call them, and they fought in the second world war!"

"Reno, you should be more considerate of others. Some individuals are more outgoing than others and need more than one person to talk to."

"I should be more considerate?! I'm not the one who randomly started telling someone I've never met about how I cut some dude's eye out!"

"I will admit, her choice of stories to tell were odd, but the least you could do is act like it doesn't bother you."

"What? How am I always the bad guy in this stuff…" Reno and Luna make a trip to the mayor. 'Hey, old man!"

"Reno? What are you doing back already?"

"I was wondering if you had anything to start fires with? Like a flint would be perfect."

"Oh, of course!" The mayor gets Reno a flint that he can use to start fires. "Don't go burning down the forest, ya' hear?!" The mayor laughs at his own joke as he hands Reno the item.

Reno thanks the mayor and heads to the future training grounds. He wanders over and sits on the stump he frequently uses as a chair. "Luna, we gotta' talk."

Luna floats out of Reno's shirt and hovers in front of him. "Why the serious tone?"

"Because, this is a matter of national security." Reno does his best to put on a serious expression. "It could mean life or death for EVERYONE."

"I highly doubt that, but please, enlighten me."

"We have to name this place."

It takes Luna a couple seconds to process the fact that Reno had already finished talking before she responds.

TO BE CONTINUED...