Fantasy Ain't No Rest for the Wicked

[Axeykins]

Survive together or Die? Which will it be for two of the Four Riders lost in God knows where.

 

[Axeykins]

The cold hard ground had never felt so welcoming for once to tired, aching bodies. They'd been forced to set up quickly and tucked up tightly along the canyonside with almost nothing but their blankets after a scheme gone wrong led to a long and tiring pursuit. All of them just barely making it by the skin of their teeth before the townsfolk lost them and gave up. But at the same time leaving them with no time to set up any camp or grab many of their supplies beforehand. "What a hell of a day..." Sisceal exhaled deeply. Twiddling a small gold coin between his fingers, the only thing...well...only thing that wasn't a fun time that he managed to nab from his little act as he tossed another branch on the fire. Fighting to keep it going to stave of the biting cold threatening them beyond the edge of the light. "What'd we even do to make em go batshit like that this time?"

 

[Soviet Panda]

"Well," Connor growled, pulling his duster tighter around him in an attempt to retain as much heat as possible, "it could be several things. One, it could've been you laying about with seemingly every married woman in the town. Two, we're wanted criminals with a massive bounty on our heads and they thought a few of theirs dead was worth it. Or three, we tried to take everything from them and they wanted to keep some of it." He was thoroughly cross with Sisceal, more so than what he usually was. In fact, he had half a mind to grab the man with both hands, and hold his head in the fire until the twitching stopped. But he knew better than to try that, for despite the frail appearance of the man there was a surprising amount of strength to him. Nothing that Connor couldn't overcome, of course, but not something he wanted to deal with considering their current situation.

 

[Axeykins]

"Could be your nasty ass attitude too. Goin off at the slightest thing and insult or person lookin at ye the wrong way. Wouldn't have as much trouble if you got that under control for once and shut your trap." He spat back. Pulling his legs in closer to his chest with a shiver. Not taking too kindly to getting a point aimed at him when they were all in this together. Especially coming from Connor out of all of them too. "Least I ain't gettin any complaints for chasin some tail everywhere we go....ain't my fault the men around em can't make em happy." He glanced up at the man with a wry grin spreading across his face.

 

[Soviet Panda]

"People tend to shut up and do nothing after you break their nose and knock their teeth loose." Connor spat back, refusing to show that he was cold in the slightest. "Now shut your mouth and wipe that smirk off before I kick your teeth in." And with that, he took his revolvers out of their holsters, lowered his hat to cover his eyes, and crossed his arms. "You get first watch." How he wished he hadn't had to leave Stepper behind. He was a smart horse, no two ways about it, and would no doubt find his way back to Connor. But Stepper had the bed roll, and lever action rifle, and more bullets. In fact, that horse had just about everything they needed right about now. But he'd get through this, like he always does. If some bullets can't stop him, what can mother nature do?

 

[Axeykins]

"Or they run ya out of town with nothin but the clothes on your backs!" He retaliated. "Try all ya want. I dare ya, you know it won't work like you think." Sisceal gave a firm huff and glared at him with a glint of daring to challenge him on that. Pulling the one saddle blanket he'd managed to snag from his horse's back before they had to bolt farther over his shoulders. Focusing more on his senses that still worked to get an idea of what around them was the normal sounds and keep those in check. He almost had an emergency pack from him but the damn beast tried to kick his head in again unsurprisingly, then ran off. It'd be back eventually it always came back but until then it was going to be rough. He had just a knife and the most basic of guns on him, with a few spare bullets stashed in a secret pocket in his pants.


Try as he might he could not for the life of him keep his eyes open. Not like he wasn't tryin but a few too many bullets he'd taken to the midsection were making his body force him into a sleep to heal. Hit his threshold just enough to cause it. His whole shirt in that area was wet with blood and riddled with several holes, only hidden by the fact that it was black. His head bobbing up and down in jerky motions as he fought it. But ultimately his eyelids fell shut like an iron curtain. He drifted off into a deep sleep, completely unawares of the brewing storm rolling over the horizon.

 

[Soviet Panda]

Connor woke when the heavens opened up and released a torrential downpour. It was like someone had upended a bucket over him, but it just never stopped. Spluttering at the sudden presence of water in his throat, he worked his way up into a sitting position and looked around. He wasn't able to fully register what was going on until a brief moment later, when he saw the edges of their canyon side perch begin to wash away. That woke him up even faster than the rain did.

Acting without even having to think about it, he gathered what meager supplies they had before hauling Sisceal to his feet. "We got to go, now!" He shouted over the deluge that had engulfed them. "Cliffside's giving away! They're waiting for us up top, so we go down!"

 

[Axeykins]

Sisceal wasn't awoken by the complete deluge of rain falling down upon them at all, but instead pulled from his comatose state via Connor hauling him up. Retching loudly as mud and water from above splattered his face. "Down? Whaddya mean down??" He slurred. Struggling greatly to gain his bearings as they very quickly approached the cliff edge. What was the bastard doing now? "Wait a minute Connor! Have ya fuckin lost it? The hell are ya doin?!" Fortunately or unfortunately for him there wasn't much protesting that could ever have been done. Not in the urgency of the situation and not with how weak he still was. It was down the cliffside for the both of them, no ifs ands or buts.

It felt like they plummeted for ages into the chasm below. Luckily the river had quickly swollen greatly from the torrential rains and provided a softer landing. Though being unable to control his body properly lead Sisceal to hit the water with a harsh WHAP heard even above the wind and thunder. Knocking the air completely out of him as he struggle to pull himself back up to the surface of the water.

 

[Soviet Panda]

Not a moment after Connor sent Sisceal over the edge did he follow. He wouldn't die from this, he knew he wouldn't, there were things out there that didn't want him to go so quietly. But oh boy, would it hurt. And with a resounding crash, he entered the water. Breaking the surface, flailing and gasping for air, he quickly spins around and sees what he can see. What he saw, was a whole lot of water, moving very fast. And they were caught in it.

"Damn it, damn it, damn it." Connor repeated as he did another spin, refusing to believe there was nothing but the water. He saw Sisceal's head pop up above the water, and tried his best to swim over to him, battling the fierce current the storm had created. "Swim, damn you, swim!" He shouted over the growl that was slowly building further down stream. Wait, a growl downstream? That only meant one thing. And looking over his shoulder, he confirmed it. A waterfall, big and angry, and they were headed right for it.

"Shit," he hissed as he began to swim faster, fighting the current with every fiber of his being, trying to escape the plummet over the edge.

 

[Axeykins]

The cold water snapped Sisceal out of his stupor. As well as the harsh smack to all of his being. "Shit!" He paddled fast to catch up with Connor. The fool was trying to fight the current directly. "Diagonal!" He shouted over the roaring waters. "Don't fight it or you'll lose! Gotta go diagonal! Gotta be shore somewhere!" Least he hoped and prayed there was. He took hold of Connor's sleeve and dragged him backwards with him into the mercy of the rapids. No matter where he turned his head there was no apparent shore in sight but he in all good intentions was trying to aim them diagonal through the waters. It was a wild guess but that's all that they had right now.
Their only other option was fight to exhaustion until the waterfall pulled them over to a very likely death. If the impact didn't kill them drowning surely would. "Lemme know if you see any shoreline and aim for it! we ain't got much time!"


Nothing! There was nothing! He couldn't see a single inch of shoreline anywhere only walls of rock and sludge all around them. The roar of the waterfall grew louder and louder. In a last ditch attempt he tried grappling onto a group of rocks poking out the top of the water. But the current was too powerful. He had it for a moment before his shoulder popped painfully and his grip slipped.
"Fuck!!." He twisted himself around to be below Connor as they plummeted. Gripping onto him still. Stupid move of him yes, but least he was a fast healer and could take a fair beating, best that he took the brunt of the blow to come.

 

[Axeykins]

There was no telling how much time had passed by the time he opened his eyes again. As he regained some focus dark steamy brush came into view surrounded by pits of water and moss everywhere. The greens were so dense it was impossible to see more than a few feet into them.
Pain wracking his every fiber he pulled himself up from the ground with a sickening wet pop. Thick oozing black muck inched it's way off of his face, smelling of rotten eggs. His hat was lost to the void but at least his gun had stayed holstered and his knife was hanging on by a thread but there.
"CONNOR??....YOU ALIVE?" He shouted out through the sharp protesting coughs of his lungs.

 

[Soviet Panda]

Sisceal had grabbed his arm, he couldn't break free of the suicidal man no matter how hard he tried. Then they were over, and he felt weightless. Then, without warning, his head hit something hard, there was a loud, crack, and the world went black.

"Connor... Alive?"

Connor heard the words as if they were from some far away place. His head was ringing, and throbbing, and pulsing, and hurt. Everything hurt, for that matter, but his head hurt most of all. He groaned, attempting to turn his head, but it was stuck in something. Staying surprisingly calm, he opened his one eye that could and observed his surroundings. 'Great, a swamp. I hate swamps.' he thought to himself as he saw the muck and undergrowth. His hat somehow managed to stay close to him, it resting no more than a few feet away from him. And his pistols were still firmly at his sides. However, he very much doubted they'd be able to shoot anything for a while. And when he tried to get up, a searing pain shot through his leg.

"Ah fuck!" he shouted, collapsing back into the mire.

 

[Axeykins]

Hauling himself up farther he swiveled his head around. Listening for any signs of his fallen comrade among the croaks and groans of the swamp. The second he heard a shout he slopped through the grime towards it. Turns out they weren't terribly far from each other, but the dense foliage made it much harder to locate him straight away. He had to push away drooping branches and hope with all his life they weren't snakes just to get there.
"Ah good. You're least whole....I think?" Sisceal scooped the man up under his armpits. Body protesting the entire time of pulling him out and onto some semi solid land. Least loads better than what he was in. "Reckon we were washed into one a those basins from the looks of it...only ever read of em myself though."

 

[Soviet Panda]

Connor leaned heavily against the frail man, keeping weight off of his right leg. It didn't look broken, maybe just sprained or dislocated. Not bone, at least. A small blessing, one he wouldn't turn his nose up at. "Fascinating." he responded gruffly, not really caring about what it was called. "We need to get away from the river edge, they'll be looking for us." He didn't know if their hunters were still on their trail, but better safe than sorry.

'Gods I wish I had my horse.' he thought to himself as they began to trudge through the murk and muck.

 

[Axeykins]

"Right. Good strategy." He helped the man steady himself best as he could. It was either the dense brush or following the path of mud cutting through them. Considering how wildlife worked back in the dryer areas he opted for leading the way more along the mud. Wasn't about to find out what creepy crawlies lurked in those trees.
It felt like hours upon hours before his feet actually solid ground ,old rough weathered planks oddly enough but it was extremely welcomed. Sisceal then helped pull Connor up onto it as well, being mindful of the man's leg. He didn't want to ask while they were trudging along in fear of getting smacked. "Y'know I can heal that for ya? Quick rest if we can find a place and I'll be healed from it faster than you ever would be."

 

[Soviet Panda]

Connor growled at the man as he said he could heal him. He knew how that worked, a bit. Some magic stuff, like him and his runic rounds, but a bit more personal. He was about to sink a jab into Sisceal's ribs when he put weight on his bad leg, and nearly toppled over. Growling once more, though this time in frustration, he dropped down onto his rear and waved at the bad leg. "Go on then, wave your hands over it or whatever it is you do." he all but barked. Connor was not a weak man, and he did not like showing weakness.

Feeling the old wooden planks underneath him while Sisceal worked, Connor could help but get the sudden feeling that they were being watched. From where he did not know, but he took out his gun anyways, what little it would do, having only recently been submerged in a river, thrown over a waterfall, and dragged through muck. But the weight was enough to comfort him. And besides, he could still use it as a makeshift club.

 

[Axeykins]

"Calm your ass it'll only take a moment." He sat down next to him. Seeing Connor suddenly on edge put him on edge. He had to admit that the man's instincts were never wrong. By far more reliable than his pathetic sheltered self's by a shot longer than you could imagine.
After shimmying himself to get weight off the leg he knew would be hurting like hell soon, Sisceal put his hand on Connor's leg. An ethereal greenish white light swirled around the area.
Connor's injury would reset itself painlessly as at the same time there was a cracking and popping noise from Sisceal's leg as he took in the injury. Thankfully felt like just a slight fracture and dislocation. Bit of rest and he's be healed of that in no time. "Good to go." He winced. "See anything out there.....this place is givin me the creeps."


From deep in the trees several figures slowly made their approach. Wearily hiding in the shadows from the sudden appearance of two strangers on their doorstep rather than the typical bird or gator. The largest of them crept forward until just his face was visible. Snaggle toothed and far more rugged than anyone they'd encountered before. "Yew bois seem a lil lost don't ye."

 

[Soviet Panda]

Connor's gun came up in a flash, pointed at the large face of the no doubt large man. As he did so, he heard the click of several other guns. Guns that weren't his or Sisceal's. Slowly, he lowered his, uncocking the hammer as he did so. "Just a bit lost." he said gruffly, eyes searching the foliage for signs of the other people this man was with. Was that a flash of gun metal? Or was it a knife? Did the leaves rustle just a bit to much in that breeze over there? He couldn't tell, and it unnerved him.

 

[Axeykins]

The man laughed deeply and stepped out further. Could have mistaken him for a a titan straight out of legends at a first glance. His whole clan joining in with guns aimed at their heads all of different shapes and sizes. "Yew think that soggy lil peashooter is gon do much against all of us boi?" Each step closer made the planks creak loudly in protest under his boots. He got up real close to the both of them. "Got some balls on ye don't ya? Drawin first no hesiatatin. Got mahself some reespect for that." Whistling through his crooked teeth the rest of his little group closed in. "Don't mean we trust ya though. We ain't gon shoot ye, but you bois are comin back home with us till we decide whats to do with ye."

 

[Soviet Panda]

"Don't s'pose we have much of a choice." Connor answered gruffly, putting his gun back in it's holster before taking the whole thing off. "And I'm guessing you don't want guests such as ourselves to be armed." It wasn't a question, it was a statement. "Be real careful with 'em, this one has a temper and don't like getting jostled, tends to blow up if you do." He gently tapped one of the two pistols he had, making sure not to set it off himself. Once his guns had been taken, he helped Sisceal to his feet, or foot. "At least we aren't so well known to be recognized out in the boonies." he hissed through his teeth, trying his best not to be heard by the bayou people.

 

[Axeykins]

"Sure, it'd be much oblidged tho we got loads more of em than yew. You'll get em back once paw and ma-ma give you the a-okay." The man whistled through his snaggled teeth for one of his crew to take their guns. Heeding Connors warnings and handling them with care. Sisceal soon handed over his gun as well and knife. He didn't have as much arsenal as his partner.
"Far as we know they don't know who we are." He responded back in a hushed tone. Hobbling along as fast as he could. Far too eager for a solid nap to heal this injury up. They were lead down a long winding path. Across barely functioning bridges hanging over deep swamp water and thick brush. Coming upon a wide open clearing with a mixture of higher up tree top housing and dock area for some weird flat boats and canoes. They took them into one of the upper houses and to a surprisingly nicely made table and chair set.
"Come on in bois. Take a seat, get a bit o a drink if ya want. We dun bite. Least not that hard." He laughed hardily. Sliding them some rough made mugs and plates with questionable looking meats and vegetables on them and some hot freshly boiled water in the mugs. Least that's what Sisceal hoped the steaming concoction was. "Go on. Eat. We ain't gon kill ya."
The massive man sat down across from the two at the table. Eyeing them up and down even more as the rest of the crew scattered. Off to whatever work they had presumably and a few off to fetch the leaders of this whatever it was to see them.

 

[Soviet Panda]

Connor helped Sisceal into a chair before crashing down into one himself. He stared at the bowl for a only a moment before picking it up and wolfing it's contents down. He didn't think to much about what was in it, and didn't dwell on why some of the meats were chewy and why there was a crunch in one of the vegetables. If they had wanted to kill them, they would have done so out in the swamps. If they had wanted them to die from eating whatever the concoction was, they wouldn't have just one person sitting there to make sure they downed it. And though the man was indeed very large, the more Connor looked at him, the more he decided that he could take him.

Swallowing what was left of his mystery meal, he clears his throat and speaks. "So who's this ma-ma and paw?"

 

[Axeykins]

Sisceal didn't fair as well as his partner. Course he followed his lead given he was starving and the man didn't die after a few bites, but boy howdy. His more spoiled palate immediately set into gag reflex mode at the slightest taste and texture of the food. He damn near choked on it trying to get it down with the thick steaming whatever it was of a drink not helping in the slightest. He'd keep at it but while turning a few new shades of green in the process.

"They're the ones who be callin all the shots here on thangs like this. Newcomers wanderin in suddenly. Usually people use the front door if anythin' not just fallin outta the sky. Almost nobody ever makes if far as yew boys have y'know that? That's why they're gonna come here personally and give you the up n' down. See if we can trust ye."

 

[Soviet Panda]

"We're nothing if not the trustin' sort. Ain't that right Sisceal?" Connor growled out, giving his partner in crime a jab with his elbow to get him to speak up. "Us droppin' outta the sky is a bit... Complicated." Leaning back in his chair, he looked suspiciously at the mountain of muscle seated across from them. "Why didn't you just shoot us and be done with it? Wouldn't have been two seconds and the gators would have something to eat. Don't tell me y'all are curious to know just who we are and what we're up to."

 

[Axeykins]

"Right." He choked out. Mustering up a half assed smiled in between his gags and coughs.

The man looked them up and down with a hint of suspicion. "I just told ye. Not many make it that far in. Either are gotten by the gators or one of us shoes em back out." He grunted. "Couldn't care less bout who you even are since we got no clue on that un. And we ain't just mindless savages if yer thinkin that. Jus don't like trespassers."


"These the two bois you talkin bout?" An elderly man and woman entered the room. The man was thin and dressed in suspenders and a raggedy shirt, tall boots up to his knees completely caked in mud. The woman on the other hand was brightly dressed. Feathers and snake skins forming a rough dress around her form. Decorated in old fangs and odd bones. As the man sat across from them the woman came right up into their personal space. Poking and prodding at the two men, particularly jabbing her walking stick into what used to be Connors injured leg and then into Sisceal's injured one. Staring up at them with cloudy eyes gazing long and hard into theirs. She said nothing but hummed to herself curiously.
"Definitely city folk ain't ye. Used to the dry. Yer definitely dressed for it and got some fancy things on ya both. What's so complicated bout how ya got down here that ya can't say it huh?"