Reboot special; Two Pair; part five

Supper came early. Lindsay was a bit upset as she checked her food stores. She pulled out a cream tart and told him, "This is all I have left."
Travis pulled an extra loaf of bread from his stores, broke it in half and gave half to her. "Here. Eat as much of it as you please." He said.
Lindsay gave him another favorable look. She kissed him on the cheek, knowing how  much he liked his bread.
His eyes traveled with hers. Something caught it behind her. Without much thought he grabbed his bow and notched an arrow to it. Though not in the mood for fighting Lindsay drew her blade and turned around. Just like that she was ready, a warrior born.
"Who are you and what do you want?" Travis yelled.
It was a pair of trolls. Neither of them stopped entirely but slowed down their pace. Both were grinning wickedly.
Travis didn't let either of them get close enough. He let fire an arrow and his bow spoke truth; it took him in the shoulder and pierced him there. Trolls might be dangerous but good arrows were well enough.
Lindsay did a flick of her wrist with her blade and charged the other troll with tenacity. They neither expected a great fight nor thought they were facing warriors born. One male and one female – two pair!
It was the final thought that went through his mind. Lindsay had gotten to him, and though his skill with a blade was accomplished he didn't stand a chance. Right about the time she arrived another arrow flew into the stomach of his friend. Lindsay battled him back far enough that she slashed the life from him. It wasn't long before he was joined in death.
"Are you all right?" Travis asked.
Like the reaper of death Lindsay cleaned off her blade. "Yeah." She said.

Night was beginning to fall. Clyde and Sonya came from afar. They were silent as they made their approach.
They came upon a sleeping Lindsay and Travis. Lindsay had her head resting on Travis'es stomach. "Clyde look." Sonya said.
Clyde had to smile. They finally got over their difficulties, or so it would seem.
"Come on Sonya, let's head to bed."

Reboot; Infinite Discovery part 27

Chris closed the door to their home. "Told you there was more than one way to skin a cat."

Molly turned around to him. "How did you know they were wanted men?"

"Hired thugs usually are." He said.

The phone rang. Molly picked it up and soon after handed it to Chris. "It's for you." She said.

Reboot; Vince Vaan part 27

"So... she's your cousin?"

The red head jumped down and hugged Vince. "Yes. Meet Barbara Vaan. This is Sarganno."

"How do." She said curtly holding out her hand.

"So you still roam these parts?" Vince turned to her.

"Yes, me and the boys. What are you doing out here?"

"Ask uncle Matt." Was all Vince had to say. Barbara nodded a few times, her mouth puckering to one side.

"Just like him not to ask for our help." She said.

"Probably couldn't pay you." Vince said grinning. "Come on in, dinner's ready."

Reboot special; Two Pair; part four

That night Sonya was filled in on what had transpired between them and the ogre. Their rescuee the young girl known as Tanya decided to spend a night with them.
Around a campfire Travis sang to them until the sun set entirely. Clyde paid attention to whom Travis paid attention to. He gave equal amounts to either girl but went to Tanya first. Lindsay gave him more of a cold reception while he sang. Clyde looked to Sonya. It appeared that she was taking in the singing and nothing else.
Tanya went to sleep early. Travis excused himself not long after. He came back with flowers. "For you Lindsay." He said.
She took them and slowly smiled. "They smell good." She said, now smiling slightly. Clyde hoped he wouldn't try anything else that would make him look like a womanizer.
"Clyde... remember the last time you bought me flowers?" She asked. The tone of her voice belayed what she was thinking.
Clyde smiled down at her. Had Travis and Lindsay not been listening he would have told her it's a shame they weren't alone.
Clyde and Sonya were next to fall asleep. Lindsay took to reading her book. Travis yawned aloud. He was tired but didn't want to sleep yet. Lindsay put a bookmarker in her book and looked to him.
"They're such a great couple aren't they? It's easy to tell they love each other."
Travis had to agree, but first he took some time to enjoy the thought. "I want to be like that some day." He said.
Lindsay looked to him. Travis didn't give any indication that he realized that. After a moment he turned his attention to Lindsay. "... Just saying." He said, shrugging.
Lindsay's face formed into a wide smile. She got up, came over and kissed him. "Good night." She said in a low tone.
She lay down to sleep but Travis was to excited to sleep. He sang silently to himself having nothing better to do. Finally he lay down to sleep and did.
In the morning Clyde had to wake up Travis. "Hey. It's time." Was all he said.
Travis rubbed sleep from his eyes. "I must have really slept in if your waking me up."
Clyde didn't bother to mention he slept well. "We may have to start hunting soon. Our food is running low."
Like any young man Travis was quick to get up. Without saying a word he noticed that Tanya had departed. It would be some hours later that Travis began to realize that Clyde and Sonya were falling farther and farther behind. Travis was quick to figure it out. He said nothing to Lindsay.
In the hours that followed Lindsay actually chanced a glance back. They had reached a fork in the road and she turned to find that Clyde and Sonya were gone. She looked to Travis a bit confused. "Why don't we stay here and take a break. I'm sure they'll be along shortly." Travis said.
This did nothing to bely her confusion. It never occurred to her what was going on. Her confused look fell on Travis. He, in turn, gave his summation, "I think they want to be alone." She got the idea with a silent "Oh."

Reboot; Infinite Discovery part 26

With the lights off Chris drove around Molly's house. Sure enough, there was the car that had followed them for blocks. Molly let out a worried groan.

"What do we do now?" She asked.

"There's more than one way to skin a cat." Chris said. he got out his cellphone and started to dial. In a moment Molly was all smiles.

Reboot; Vince Vaan part 26

"What the hell?" Sarganno muttered.

Vince put up his blade. He recognized those horns. "Relax." Was all he said.

Men on horseback road up, some of which he could clearly see from his window. A womans voice boomed loud through the air.

"Residents of the house come out now before we take the place by force!"

"What do we do?" Sarganno looked befuddled. "There are even more of them."

"Oblage her." Vince said smiling. I wondered when I'd see you again...

Reboot special; Two pair part three

Travis ran flat out. His sharp eyes took in the scene at a glance; an ogre was baring down on a young maid. He had his club up and ready to come down on her once he came close enough. Travis slid to a halt while drawing an arrow. His arrow proved true; it entered the ogre's right arm and he dropped his club.
Lindsay wasn't far behind. She drew her saber in preparation. She passed Travis as he got another shot off. This one entered his chest but didn't go to deep. By now the stupid giant realized where he was and took off through the underbrush at a slow run to him.
As he emerged Lindsay was all over him, slashing away at his legs. Travis abandoned his position in favor of a closer one.
Lindsay was fearless in the face of combat. The ogre flailed his arms about trying to punch or slap her away from him. Lindsay wasn't agile but had incredible finess with a blade. Finally a blow landed and swept Lindsay off her feet.
Travis had been taking careful aim. He came to a stop not feet from their opponent. "Good night sucker!" He shouted. An arrow flew true, from his bow to the ogre's head. The ogre staggered a bit but eventually fell over, dead as a doornail.
By the time all was said and done Clyde had arrived. Travis rushed over to Lindsay. "I'm all right." She said, leaning on her now bloody saber to get up.
A girl wearing a pink dress came out from the underbrush. She brushed some twigs off of her. "Thank you for saving me." She said and bowed.
Travis hadn't seen such a girly girl in some time. He came up kind of shy. "It's ok, it's what we do. I'm Travis." Lindsay shrugged off her depression at how Travis acted.
Introductions were made and then Clyde asked her if she was traveling alone. "Yes. I came from the forest Rivun to collect Hika fruit. I have a full wagon but..."
"What's wrong?" Travis asked.
"I was taking a break when the ogre came. My horses ran off at the sight of him taking my wagon with them." She told him.
Clyde stepped forward. "Sometimes things just happen. We're glad to see you're all right though, and that is most important."
"Yes, that is true." Lindsay said.
"Thank you all." She said again.

Reboot; Infinite Discovery part 25

Chris drove like an all out maniac. He was certain that those following him were up to no good. He swerved in and out of traffic careening up and down the road.

Suddenly he rounded a bend and halted in a back alleyway. He saw them fly by behind him. Finally he relaxed.

"What in the world did they want?" Molly asked.

"I don't know. I don't think anyone knows we've got money so...

"Hang on, I'm going to see if they stop at your house."

Reboot; Vince Vaan part 25

Vince held his blade point out at a window thinking for sure that would be the way they would come. He could see their grinning faces through the window. "What's the matter boy? Can't take a little pressure?"

Vince thought for a second. "I have an uncle who's powerful. If you spare me and move on I'll get him to give you whatever you want!"

The leader spat on the ground. "And I have an uncle too. He's got forty gold bars and fifty asses Ah-hahaha!"

His men laughed with him. One was about to chuck himself into the window when they heard it.

"Whazzat?" One of them said.

Listening intently they heard it again.

"Cagswallop. Let's get out of here!"

Reboot special; Two pair part two

Clyde slept without so much as a dream. He woke up in the hours before dawn and observed Lindsay reading what she could by firelight. Without a second thought he flopped his head down and fell asleep.
In the morning toward noon Clyde was woken up by his wife. She nudged him gently. "Hey. It's time to go." Was all she said. Clyde loved sleep and hated to be woken up, but if anyone could do it without a word to the contrary it was his wife.
They had gotten underway for a short time when Travis confronted Lindsay again, "Hey, how about a cream tart?"
Lindsay looked at him without moving her head. "I want mine for myself."
"I have cranberry juice..." He said smiling.
Lindsay shook her head.
Clyde coughed. Him and his wife were traveling behind them a fair distance. Travis looked behind to him. Clyde shook his head.
The following hour was spent uneventful. The irrepressible Travis couldn't stand the boredom of just walking so he broke out in song.
"Just look at the two of them. Aren't they cute?" Sonya began, "Travis has a wonderful singing voice and just look at the way she's looking at him. She really can't help herself can she?"
Clyde smiled down at his wife. He knew Travis'es type well; the ladies lined up for men like that. Handsome, charming, and a voice like a skylark; he drew in the women faster than Clyde wrote verse. Still, he was sixteen and he had yet to learn limits. Clyde knew where he stood with women, and his brother had helped him not make an ass of himself so Clyde was paying back the favor. Besides, while he wrote music and played guitar Travis would sing and earn them some coin in the street. They made a pair.
Just as Travis finished a song a scream rent the air. Travis went running followed closely by Lindsay. While not much of a soldier Clyde took his wife in either arm gave her a last look and went running to.

Reboot; Infinite Discovery part 24

Chris and Molly were on their way home. Chris looked behind him in the rear view and caught a glimpse of the thugs.

"Looks like we have someone following us." He said.

Molly turned around to look. "Huh, what do you suppose they want?"

"I don't know. Hang on, I'm going to lose them."

Reboot; Vince Vaan part 24

He saw them coming long before they arrived.

"Sarg, get down here now!"

Sarganno came running, "What? What is it?"

"Barricade the doors! Marauders!"

Sarganno cursed but headed for the backdoor. Vince lifted the couch to the front.

A few moments passed and the sound of hooves came thundering up. Vince stood ready for anything.

"Ahoy in there! Got any food for some starving brothers?"

"We got nothing for yah, go away!"

"You here that boys?" The leader spat on the ground. "He doesn't have very many manners. Let's teach some to him."

Reboot special; Two pair part 1

The forest Rivun was a much coveted place. Everyone loved the idea of endless trees producing fruit, fruit everywhere and no insects. It was in some terms paradise, but in others not so much. Paradise was shared, of course, and orcs did not get along with humans, nor trolls with elves.
This day found four travelers on their way to the forest. It was night time and they lay down to rest.
Travis called across the flames where Lindsay lay parallel to him. "Hey Lindsay, can I have a cream tart?"
Lindsay finished her mouthful before replying, "You have plenty of food Travis."
But he wouldn't take no for an answer, "How about if I shared some of my grape juice with you?"
Lindsay turned over and ignored him. Clyde spoke up from behind him. "Hate to say it Travis but she'll probably be mad at you for what you did for a while. Do you remember what you did?"
Travis flipped over. "Nope, can't say I do."
Clyde remembered all to well, though he had to bite back laughter. They were at her house when he came over, drunk, and sang, "The manual to women." Out loud embarassing her.
Clyde's wife, Sonya, happened to be awake. She looked over her husbands back to Travis and gave her summation, "Why don't you give her a day to herself and then ask her what's wrong? Sometimes we just need space."
Having not much to say to her Travis nodded once and turned over to sleep. Clyde turned over and smiled at her. She kissed him and laid down for sleep.

Reboot; Infinite discovery part 23

"Hey, you sure this is the place?"

"I watched them go in." The other replied.

"I don't feel like starting nothing inside no club. Let's wait until they come out."

"Yah, that way we can nab'em free an' clear."

A police car came by and parked outside of the place. The three of them watched as two officers came out.

"Shit. Let's head back to our car. I ain't starting anything in front of no damn police."

Reboot; Vince Vaan part 23

"Here you go sir. Any requests?"

His uncle's worker dropped off food enough to last them until they made their own. Vince looked through the second bag and found all the necessary tools they needed.

"Sarganno."

He came forward out of the house toward them. Vince handed him the bag "Get to work making locks on the doors first."

"Right, hey what's for supper?"

Vince threw him a pastry. "Keep the change."

Vince turned back to the servant. "Yeah, I could use a few things, namely..."

***

"Look boss, a house!"

"Well I'll be. Saddle up boys we getting ourselves a nice place to live."

His men gave a cheer.

Reboot; Infinite discovery part 22

The place resembled something of a bar like the one she worked at before. Girls danced in cages and female bartenders attended the drunks. Mostly young men hung out here, though Chris saw a few dirty old men laying around here and there.

"Chase please." Molly said.

Chris had wheeled her to the back of the club and a bouncer went through a door. A moment later a man in a grey tuxedo and sunglasses came out.

"Hey! Molly, what happened to your leg?"

"Nevermind that Chase, I need to make a withdrawal."

"Certainly." He said, "Right this way."

Reboot; Vince Vaan part 22

Vince awoke during the night. Flashes of his grandparents rolled through his mind...

He looked around. Sarganno was asleep in the corner. He hauled him roughly up by his collar.

"Huh, wha-"

"Your suppose to be on guard remember?"

"Oh yeah. I think it's your turn now." He said grinning.

Vince rolled his eyes. Just because they were in a house did not mean they were safe. Vince shouldered over to the couch he had been sleeping on and sat, taking his turn at guard duty. I wonder where she is now...

Reboot; Infinite Discovery part 21

"Where are we going?" Chris asked.

It was a clear sunny day, a gentle breeze was about and Chris was driving Molly's car. To where they were going he didn't have a clue.

"Relax. I need money and I know a few people whom I can trust."

Chris looked at her, "Oh yeah? Trust for what?"

Molly laid her head down on his shoulder. "For my money. I'd been saving up for some time."

Two cars behind them some ugly looking thugs followed.

Reboot; Vince Vaan part 21

"... he said you would know what to do."

Matt nodded. "Thank you Toque, your dismissed."

"Just a minute, your not going to call me to do this again are you?" Toque said before leaving.

"If I feel that your needed for the job." Came the reply.

Toque soured at the prospect but said nothing. He did have a debt to pay.

"Oh, and Toque."

Toque stopped at the door.

"Tell the prep cook to come up when his shift is finished. I'll need him to deliver the next load."

Reboot; Infinite discovery part 20

"You sure that was him."

One looked to the other questioningly. "Yeah, are you sure?"

"I'm sure." Was all he said. "You know what we have to do."

They all grunted an acknowledgement.