Three days come and go while Reptar mostly kept to his room. His heart held hope for the first time since being taken to the slavers island. As he stepped onto the deck to watch their entry into the harbor there were hundreds of ships coming and going. A rather large war ship glided through the bay into open ocean. It looked like it could run over the Raven’s Eye and never know. On both side of the vessel were smaller light attack vessels armed with rifles on swivel mounts. They soon dock at the inner harbor and its bustling with people from all over the world. Reptar’s stomach growled at him in protest. He turns to Eli and says, “Thank you for the passage perhaps we will meet again someday.”
“Yes perhaps. But if we don’t I hope your journey is a pleasant one.”
Reptar sets out to find some place to stay for the night and get food preferably roasted vegetables. A rickety sign caught his eye from an ally way. It has a garden painted on it and says, “Gurga’s” under the garden. When he gets to the oak door, he finds it has been specially designed for larger clientele like himself. Upon entry there are seven simple wooden tables with benches on both sides of them. scattered about these tables sit three or four Bran’al. most of them are old except one a young female who seems to be the proprietor of the place. “Have a seat I’ll be with shortly.”
“I am looking for a place to stay is there also lodging here?” he asks as he seats himself.
“I do have one room left open for the night yes.”
“Then I’ll take it and a large bowl of roasted vegetables please.”
One of the old ones stairs at Reptar for a few minutes before getting to her feet and coming to his table. “I know you from somewhere. Who are you? What herd do you belong to?”
“I have no herd they are all gone now. But as for who I am I am Reptar king of the iron cage.” He proudly proclaims. This causes the old one to stumble backward almost falling. “Have I done something to offend you old one.” He asks. She kneels to him and says, “Long live Reptar the true lord of Oak Vale.” She looks up at him pleadingly. “Will you be going home to challenge your uncle for leadership?” He was stunned his mouth couldn’t form words. It was like his voice had been taken.
He shook himself out of his stooper. “I am not going home at this time. There are other matters that need tending first.”
“But your people are suffering at his hands, they are sold to slavers, killed at the very whim of his Goroth guards. You must help us!”
“And who of you helped my father when he was beheaded, or me when they took me into slavery? You ask for help but gave non.” He stands grabbing his bag.
“I won’t be needing that room after all.” He pulls a gold from his bag and lays it on the table. “Maybe one day someone will save you from your lord, but it won’t be me.” Reptar moves with purpose trying to put as much distance between him and the small shop and inn. Why had he said all those things this was what he dreamed about. He wanted to return home to take back the herd now he was leaving them by choice. His heart was pounding and sinking at the same time. He walked on for some time day light had begun to fade as the suns dipped below the horizon. He had managed to calm his nerves reserving himself to return and apologize to the old one. She didn’t deserve such hostility.
Before he could make his way back, however, the ground began to rumble. There was laud screeching noise coming from the sewer grates. Masses of fur and claws spew from underneath Oshireth. Hundreds maybe thousands of Ratak’kus begins clawing and biting everyone in reach. Some are torn limb from limb, while others are being consumed alive. The Ratak’kus are covered in throbbing pustules leaking a greenish gray liquid. Their eyes are milky white, and their fur seems to be falling out in clumps.
Several of the small pitiful things try and bite Reptar’s tail but their teeth simply break off clattering onto the ground. Pulling his shield and axe handle into a ready stance he lines up two and brains them with his shield. Noticing he’s now drawn some attention he lets out furious cry hoping to draw as many to himself as possible. This works maybe a little too well because in almost comical fashion all of them stop and look directly at him. “This may have been a bad idea he says.” Then he grits his teeth and runs right into the thick of them. their small fragile bodies swish under his feet, dozens are killed just from running them over. He stops for moment to see just how many have followed, his eyes widen as what looks like a tiddle wave of bodies piles on top of him.
Squeaks of rage and terror are soon drowned out by an angry Reptar. He burst out of the pile throwing several of the pitiable creatures into walls, onto sharp fences, and into the air. They continue to bite at him but their teeth like before just fall out making them resort to using their clawed hands. Out of his peripheral he catches a glimpse of a male Sabree’ta and a Druss’ female both are armed swinging with precision. The calico Sabree’ta was using a pair of daggers on retractable metal cords allowing him to keep some distance. While the gray Druss’ swung two fighting axes never allowing a moment for any of the Ratak’kus to gain footing.
Then there was a click and sharp whistle as a crossbow bolt swizzed passed Reptar and into one of the infected. As it fell an explosion of cold and ice flooded the street encapsulating ten more. Reptar look up scanning the roof tops trying see where it came from to see another Ratak’kus. He’s dressed funny with bits and bobs hanging from his cloths and wearing goggles. He continues to fire into the writhing mass of bodies, Reptar swings his axe handle and the other two move swiftly through the street cutting down anything that pass them.
The killing goes on for an hour before the last of them are slain. Reptar lost count at a hundred, but the cobblestone streets are awash with blood and bodies. After some time the other three approach him. “Well that was certainly more than I bargained for when I paid for my room at the inn.” The Ratak’kus says sheepishly.
The Druss’ and Sabree’ta eye him suspiciously. “I’m not with them,” he says throwing his hands up. “I’m from up north near the Reach. I came here to get some specialty items that couldn’t be found otherwise. If you catch my drift.”
“You mean illicit things,” the Druss’ says scowling at him.
“Well when you put it that way it sounds much worse than it really is.”
“Illegal is illegal I’m not sure you can put any other way and make it sound better.” The Sabree’ta states in a very matter of fact way. “I am Zim, and this is Luna,” he says gesturing to the Druss.
“I am Bix, purveyor of lost and forgotten technology.” the Ratak’kus says. “And what about you my very large and bloody friend,” he asks.
“I am Reptar king of the iron cage. And I must go now there is someone I must check on.” And he just walks off into the night back to Gurga’s. when he arrives there aren’t as many bodies as where he had just come from. “Are you ok old one?” he calls out.
“We are and we have weathered the attack.”
Reptar breaths in relief. Its strange but he felt a sense of gratefulness that she was alive. Why though? He didn’t know her personally, she wasn’t actually part of his family. Maybe this was what his father meant when he said Reptar would one day feel the weight of responsibility.
