Chapter 842 (2/2)
The sight of him was such a surprise that for several seconds, Randidly just looked at the other man. Randidly stopped dead, considering Claptrap, feeling the Aether that trapped a soul in his one arm, and the strain his body was under holding together all the strangeness that Lucretia had tied into him.
But only one real thought came to Randidly’s mind as he considered Claptrap. You killed Roger, you arrogant fuck.
“Well?” Claptrap hissed, his eyes darting up to him. “If you have something to say to me-”
Randidly walked past him without another glance. Ah, but I don’t have to say anything, do I? You will be devoured by guilt for the rest of your days. And for all that you sneer like a two-bit villain... C Corp has done a lot of good for Tellus. For that, I’ll let my own feelings go.
Claptrap flinched as Randidly passed close by, and he stared as Randidly didn’t even acknowledge him. Silently, Claptrap stood, watching and sweating, until Randidly rounded the corner and passed out of sight.
Next order of business was setting up the giant torches filled with Ignition of the Emerald Essence. They were placed near the remaining food-producing farms, and Randidly actually enjoyed watching the plants greedily absorb the ambient energy it created.
The results were satisfying as well; It took Randidly and Io two hours to create an acre of harvestable apples that were large and hearty enough that the thick skin had to be cut with a spear.
Of course, the flesh inside was compensatorily soft and delicious.
Once she had the idea of how to create them, Io and her team got to work spreading the torches to other areas. Which left Randidly free to move on to something else.
Humming beneath his breath, Randidly walked toward the Northern camp. When he approached, he didn’t bother to greet the guards. At this point, he wasn’t willing to risk being recognized by one of the guards and being bombarded by questions about Tellus’ future.
Well, I might be being paranoid, Randidly reflected. I’m only known by most everyone who survived in Hastam. Outside of that… and hopefully, there are other communities throughout the world. Small ones, to be sure, but knowing we have survived the trial, they will likely explore to find the heroes that saved them…
Deep in the Northern Camp, he found the group just as described by Aethon Thai’s subordinates. There were four people, sitting outside of one of the ragged tents that mirrored a thousand similar dwellings that populated the muddy outskirts of the camp. They were an old woman, a young woman, and two twin boys, likely around fourteen.
The survivors of the Willow Tree Spear Style, Randidly thought sadly. When Randidly had met the group a year ago, there had been dozens of them. On the run from the Engraving Guilds, sure, but living.
The last year had been brutal on the Style, whittling their number down to four. But Randidly was pleased to see that both the Matriarch and Jade, the woman who had noticed him Engraving and took him to see the Matriarch, both survived.
The two boys Randidly didn’t recognize by distinctive features, but… he recognized their archetype. They were the future of the Tellus, the brave younger generation who would become the heroes to face tomorrow. They were exactly the group that Pronto University needed to draw in order to flourish.
As they play-fought in front of them, the Matriarch looked on fondly. Her eyes were fixed on them as she allowed the dull noises of the camp wash over her.
After watching the group for a bit of time, Randidly approached. Jade was the first to notice him among the crowd of wandering spear-users, and she jumped to her feet as if she had sat on a porcupine. The Matriarch was second to notice, staring at Randidly with an almost overpowering examination as he neared the four.
The boys didn’t seem to notice Randidly at all. They were too busy play fighting with spears. Randidly noted with amusement that the boy that appeared to be winning had a shirt that was sewn with Helen’s tassle.
Small world, Randidly thought with a work. Then he realized that Helen was probably considered the champion of the under 25 Tournament.
The four had a small fire, and Randidly stopped at a few meters away from it, looking across at the Matriarch. Eventually, she nodded.
“Well met, friend.” The Matriarch said. Then she turned to Jade. “Jade, please begin to gather our things.”
“Huh- why? Is something wrong?” Jade’s eyes flicked from the Matriarch to Randidly fearfully, as though he was a harbinger of the return of their hunters.
The Matriarch chuckled. “No. I believe Mr. Ghosthound was just here to pay back his debts. I assume it wouldn’t be too much to ask for you to find us better living quarters?”
Randidly grinned. He could probably swing that.