Chapter 8: Flotsam Village

  “It should be just over this hill,” Beep explained as the group followed his lead.

  It had been a few days since Burn had joined them and they'd left the Floodlands behind. Beep had scouted ahead for them and found a village that they all hoped was the location of the Flotsam Ninjas.

  As they peaked the crest of the hill, they all let out a large sigh of relief. At the bottom of the hill, in a small valley hidden by the dense foliage of the forest, sat a small village. Regardless of whether or not this was where they would find the Flotsam Ninjas, they all looked forward to the idea of sleeping in an actual bed again.

  Frelka paused the group and looked at the walls that surrounded the village. He could make out figures patrolling the tops but struggled to make out anything else. Eventually, he looked back to the rest of the group and shrugged. “Well, only one way to find out, ja.”

  They slowly made their way down the hill, being sure not to step on any of the loose roots that would, at the very least, spell a broken leg. Just as they approached the gate, they heard a voice.

  “You! Don’t take another step! What are you doing here?”

  Frelka heard a “beep” as a figure stepped out from the shadows, crossbow leveled at Frelka’s chest. The figure, a female Greenlander, was dressed in a similar manner to Beep, though instead of all black, her garb was stained slightly with what appeared to be moss–or at least, the color of moss.

  “She is a shadow!” Beep exclaimed under hushed breath.

  “Yes, as are all of my fellow sisters who surround you this very moment, ready to shoot if you don’t cooperate. Now tell me, Greenlander, who are you, and why are you here?”

  Frelka raised his hands and gave his most encouraging smile. “We are just adventurers, ja. We don’t want any trouble.”

  “Then why’d you bring the demon?” the guard asked, gesturing to Burn.

  “Oh shit,” Shryke muttered, concern creeping into her recently upbeat voice, “we’ve managed to find the one Holy Nation settlement in this gods-forsaken forest. Frelka, we need to leave.”

  The guard shifted her crossbow to point at Shryke. “Who are you calling ‘Holy Nation’?”

  Frelka moved quickly to place himself between the two of them.

  “I’m sorry. I believe we got off on the wrong foot. If you are not Holy Nation, perhaps you can tell us who you are.”

  The figure eyed the large man in front of her. “Well, adventurer, you’re trespassing on private land. Guess you discovered the wrong place at the wrong time. See, we’re not too keen on people knowing our business here, you understand? So, give me one reason why I should let any of you live.”

  For someone so small, Frelka was impressed by the woman’s ferocity. Then again, if I had a large number of allies in the shadows, I’d probably be pretty smug too.

  Shryke stepped forward. “Well, you guys seem pretty secluded out here. And your camp doesn’t seem very large. I know a little bit of medicine. Perhaps we can help some of your injured?”

  The guard, who had shifted back to Shryke when she pushed Frelka aside, stared shrewdly at her for a moment. “We’ve plenty of first aiders here already. Now, if you have first aid supplies, that’s a different story. But,” she added, readjusting the crossbow against her shoulder, “if I’m going to let you in, I need to know you’re not some Okranite lackey. Swear on the Phoenix, swear on your god that you are truly what you say you are.”

  Shryke laughed loudly, the echoes reverberating in the open air. “I have no gods. But sure, if it makes you feel better, I swear on the Phoenix’s life and on Okran that we’re not here to hurt anyone.”

  The guard slowly lowered her crossbow, though her scrutinizing glare remained. “Okay, I’ll be watching you closely while you’re in our neck of the forest, got it?”

  Frelka grunted. “Ja, we will behave ourselves. So, what is this place?”

  The guard glared more intensely at Frelka, her words sharp. “The less you know, the better. Forgive me if I’m not overly talkative with strange men.”

  Frelka stared at the woman, for once at a loss for words.

  After a moment of watching him stand there, mouth agape, the guard said, “We’re done talking here. If you really want to know more, talk to Moll in the dome. Otherwise, watch yourself…I sure will be.”

  She stepped aside and allowed the group passage into the small settlement.

  As they walked through, all too nervous to speak after the encounter, Frelka looked for the domed building the guard mentioned. Given there were only about eight or so buildings in the entire settlement, only one of which was domed, it didn’t take long for Frelka to spot their destination.

  “Come,” he said to the group, “this way.”

  They walked past a handful of storm houses and a couple of small shacks on their way to the domed building at the back of the settlement, passing what appeared to be the only shop just before reaching the building.

  As they walked in, Frelka was surprised to find what appeared to be a bar inside the large building. Wooden dividers stood on either side of him, creating a makeshift hallway that led to the back half of the building, where a semi-circular area marked the main portion of the bar. Stools lined the bar, tables and chairs were arranged haphazardly, and numerous sitting cushions were spread about the area. Frelka noted a variety of Greenlanders, Scorchlanders, and a few Shek seated around the area. Notably, the inhabitants appeared to be mostly women, with only a few men dispersed throughout. Quickly looking back toward the makeshift rooms cordoned off by the wooden dividers, Frelka noted beds that he prayed were for rent.

  He approached the woman standing behind the bar. “Good evening, ma’am.”

  The woman scowled. “I’ve no interest in talking to men.”

  Shryke placed a hand on Frelka’s shoulder. “Hey big guy, I think I’m sensing a theme here. Why not let me do the talking for a little while?”

  Frelka nodded and stepped aside.

  “Hey, name’s Shryke. We’ve been travelling hard since leaving the Foglands. Perhaps you can help us by answering some questions.”

  “A woman from the godless lands, huh? Don’t get many of those here. Name’s Reva. Hopefully you’ll talk more sense than everyone else around here.”

  “…I’ll try not to disappoint…” Shryke added slowly.

  Reva shook her head. “Sorry, that probably seemed a little out of place. Forgive me. I’ve been in a mood tonight. My life has taught me the hard way that there is no god. So, I made my way here, hoping to find a new life. But a lot of the refugees here, they just can’t let go of their belief in Okran, even after he betrayed us all, abandoned us to be left at the mercy of man…I just can’t live amongst this nonsense any longer…I despise it.”

  Frelka saw a familiar look on Shryke’s face as she slowly responded. “Okay…well that answered all of the questions I didn’t ask. Um, is there perhaps someone better to talk to?”

  Reva glared at Shryke before rolling her eyes and pointing at a Scorchlander seated at one of the tables. “Whatever. Talk to Moll. She’s the leader around here.”

  “Thanks,” Shryke said slowly as she stepped away from the bar. As they walked toward Moll, Shryke leaned over to Frelka. “Really just dumped it all out there to a total stranger, didn’t she?”

  Frelka suppressed a laugh.

  They approached Moll, a Scorchlander with short-cropped, white hair. She was staring at a piece of paper on the table. As Frelka turned his head to see what it was, she looked up and said, turning the paper and pushing it toward him, “Can you believe it? Thirty thousand Cats?” She scoffed. “They couldn’t even get the bounty right. I’m easily at fifty thousand by now.”

  Frelka picked up the paper and read what he now realized was a bounty.

  WANTED: Moll

  His Holy Excellency Lord Phoenix, praise be His name, bestows upon you the holy honor of serving Okran's will by cleansing the foul servant of the Demoness Narko going by the name of “Moll.”

  Wanted for the crimes of blasphemy, treason, disobedience, witchcraft, terrorism, murder, child murder, cannibalism, female independence, arson, kidnapping, mind-control, blackmail, thievery, and slander.

  Whereabouts are unknown. Known abilities are the use of dark magics and mind control that she uses to brainwash her dark army of demon ninjas. It is recommended that you attack quickly and without warning so as not to give her a chance to speak her tainted words.

  REWARD: c.30,000

  “Child murder?” Frelka asked.

  Moll rolled her eyes. “Lies. Just like ninety percent of the charges on that paper. Female independence is true though,” she added with a laugh. “So, who are you? I haven’t seen you around before.”

  Frelka looked nervously between Shryke and Moll.

  Moll laughed. “Don’t mind Reva, Greenlander, you’re free to speak. She’s a little…bitter with her life. I thought placing her at the bar would help to adjust her to others–particularly men–but it seems her scars run deeper than I imagined. Though you’ve definitely not found yourself in the most man-loving area.” She stood and offered her hand. “I’m Moll, leader of the Flotsam Ninjas, and scourge to the Holy Nation’s laws. How may I help you?”

  Frelka smiled wide. “Hello, Moll. I am Frelka. This is Shryke, Beep, and Burn,” he added, gesturing to the others. “We have been looking for your group for some time now, hoping to find somewhere safe to continue our journey.”

  Moll scoffed. “Nowhere in this world is safe, Frelka. Especially here with us. People are either trying to burn us at the stake or eat us alive…but at least the cannibals are good for target practice.”

  “Beep. Cannibals?” Beep piped up from the back.

  Moll smiled darkly at the Hiver. “Aye, cannibals. The lands to the northwest are theirs. We’re sandwiched between them and the Holy Nation. The Holy Nation Paladins are tough, tougher than we can afford to take on in any real capacity, but the cannibals run around practically naked. So, we use them as a means of training. With luck, we’ll get strong enough to free Rebirth; maybe even kill the Phoenix King himself one day.”

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  Shryke stifled a scoff of her own. “Okay, sure. This group of–” she paused, pretending to count the people in the bar, “what, thirty people–is going to take on the Holy Nation?”

  “It’s our goal, yes,” Moll said, her tone leaving no room for doubt. “Perhaps you don’t know what the meaning of rebellion is. Or hope.”

  Shryke rolled her eyes. “You know what, I’m going to let you keep talking to the big guy here, he’ll be all for your ‘rebellion’ and ‘hope.’” She turned to Frelka. “I’m going to get a drink and some food. Then I’m going to bed. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  Frelka nodded and Shryke, Beep, and Burn all left toward the bar. He turned back to Moll and sat down. “Sorry, she likes to consider herself a ‘realist.’ Unfortunately, she doesn’t see changing the world for the better as realistic.”

  Moll nodded. “She’s not wrong to be dubious. Our group is small, and the Holy Nation is large. We are vastly outnumbered and outmatched. To any outsiders, we are delusional, and to the Holy Nation, we are little more than pests. But our numbers grow with each passing week, and change doesn’t happen overnight. Not even the First Civilization lasted forever, and neither will the Holy Nation. One day, they will fall, and we will remain.” She shook her head, readjusting her gaze from staring into the ether. “Sorry, I’m guessing you didn’t come here for a sermon.”

  Frelka shook his head and waved his hand. “No, no, it’s okay. It is nice to meet a fellow-minded person who is intent on changing the world for the better. I am currently on a journey myself to do the same thing.”

  Moll’s brow raised. “You want to take down the Holy Nation too?”

  Frelka smiled. “Well, nothing so directed, no. I am on a pilgrimage to earn my family’s name of ‘Frelka’ by venturing out into the world, only returning once I can safely say I am leaving it better than I found it.”

  Moll gave Frelka a questioning look. “And she thinks I’m delusional?” she asked, gesturing toward Shryke, who was downing a tankard of grog at the bar.

  Frelka laughed. “Oh no, she also believes I am delusional, but there is only room for one delusional person in her mind.”

  Moll laughed. “Well, I guess I can understand that. This pilgrimage of yours sounds interesting though. Why does your family do this?”

  “Beep has been curious about this as well,” Beep said as he placed his food on the table, setting a meatcube in front of Frelka before sitting down himself. Burn and Shryke sat down as well.

  “Well,” Frelka began, “my father, and his father before him, all the way back as far as any Frelka can remember, havealways ventured out on a grand adventure, helping those in need, and eventually returning to settle down and sire a Frelka to continue their legacy one day.”

  “Wait,” Shryke said, choking on her grog, “are you telling me your father’s name is Frelka too?”

  Frelka nodded. “And his father before him.”

  “Jesus,” Shryke said, “do they name all of their children Frelka? Or is it just like the first-born or something?”

  “No, Frelka’s only ever sire one Frelka.”

  “You say that like it’s a prophecy or something,” Moll added.

  Frelka gave a light laugh. “Nothing as serious as that. In addition to our family’s pilgrimage, there is also the belief that long ago, there was a Frelka who set out on an adventure, the first of any kind to do so. So successful, so prolific was he, that the universe soon became littered with Frelkas. In an attempt to keep our bloodline in check, the gods cursed our lines to only ever sire a single child. The original Frelka is said to have eventually ascended to godhood himself, where he continues to look down upon his offspring, smiling at the deeds they perform.”

  Shryke’s mouth was agape. “Okran’s loincloth, your family has a legend of being descended from gods?!” She snorted. “You’re even more delusional than I thought!”

  Frelka felt his heartrate spike and the heat rushed to his face. “I did not make the story up, ja. It’s what has always been told.”

  Shryke continued to laugh. “And you think there are others of your lineage just scattered throughout the stars, huh? Talk about shit luck getting put here!”

  Frelka felt another surge of emotion. Without another word, he stood up from the table and walked toward the beds in the back. He’d pay for them tomorrow. As he laid down, the sinking weight in his chest shifted. He knew his family’s legend sounded outrageous, but it’s what he had been raised with, what he had been charged with. To have Shryke laugh at his family’s heritage like that…Frelka turned to his side, facing one of the wooden dividers, and closed his eyes.

  For a moment, no one spoke.

  “What was that all about?” Shryke asked.

  “Well…” Burn began.

  “You did kind of make fun of his entire lineage,” Beep finished.

  “Even I can see that, and I just met you,” Moll added.

  “So?” Shryke defended. “Come on guys, really? You heard the guy! ‘My family is descended from a human who ascended to godhood.’ If that’s not delusional, I don’t know what is.”

  “I mean, does it matter?” Moll asked.

  Shryke looked at the woman, still confused as to why she was suddenly the bad guy here. “What do you mean ‘does it matter’? Of course it matters! You start going around thinking you’re some kind of demi-god and you’re going to get yourself and everyone around you killed!”

  “He never claimed to be a demi-god,” Moll said.

  “What else do you think ‘descended from a god’ means?”

  “Well,” Burn added, “if you want to get specific, he said the original Frelka ascended to godhood after siring children. I am not sure if demi-godhood is retroactive for humans, but regardless, it doesn’t sound like Frelka believes himself to be any kind of god. From what I have observed, he just seems earnest.”

  Shryke looked back and forth between the others at the table. “Hey now,” she defended, “why are you guys all ganging up on me? I made a joke! It’s not like I actually called him a liar!”

  “No,” Beep said, “just delusional.”

  “Plus,” Moll added, “even if you didn’t say it, your entire treatment dismissed what sounds like the reason he’s trying to help others. Hope is what fuels change. It’s what keeps us all going from one day to the next in this cruel world. And you just took the source of his and stomped on it.”

  Shryke felt the heat shift from her face to her ears. She stared at the table. “Look, it’s not like I was trying to hurt the guy. He’s done a lot for me…for all of us. I was just surprised is all.” She put her tankard down and stood up. “Whatever. I’m going to bed. I’ll tell him I’m sorry tomorrow.”

  With that, Shryke went to the bar, paid for their beds, and went to sleep on the beds placed on the opposite side of the building Frelka had gone to.

  ~~

  “Hey big guy,” Shryke said as she approached Frelka the following morning. “You got a minute?”

  Frelka, who had been swinging at one of the trees outside the settlement, paused. He turned and put on his most convincing smile. “Of course, ja, Frelka always has time to help.”

  “You can put it away,” Shryke began, “we’ve known each other for quite a few months now, I can tell when you’re faking.”

  Frelka let his fa?ade drop. “Didn’t think it was that obvious.”

  “It’s not,” Shryke reassured. “Just obvious to those who are close to you. Look…” she hesitated. She looked at Frelka, then her feet. She opened her mouth, but no words came. After a few minutes, she finally worked up the strength and said, “Look, I’m sorry about what I said last night. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings or anything. It’s just not what I was expecting to hear. I mean, it’s not every day that the person you’re traveling with tells you their family believes they’re descended from a god.”

  Frelka shrugged. “It’s not like I made the story up. It’s been passed down for generations. Und I’m not saying I believe all of it, but it’s nice to feel like there may be more than just…” he paused and gestured around him. “Even if some of my family’s story has been exaggerated over the generations, I still come from a line of heroes. Und there has only ever been one Frelka born to another Frelka. Regardless of whether the origins are true, the heritage is. Und that’s what drives me. I have to prove myself worthy of my name, or I will be letting down my ancestors.”

  He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up to see Shryke smiling at him. “Hey, listen to me. Honestly, that part was never in question, big guy. Demi-god or Greenlander, you’re already a hero in my books, okay? Now, come on, let’s go get the others and figure out what heroic deed you’ve got coming up next, okay?”

  Frelka gave her a wide smile, his old enthusiasm returning as though it had never disappeared. He scooped her up off the ground and gave her a hug. “You are sweeter than you let on, ja?”

  “Okay,” Shryke choked out. “Okay, okay, that’s enough. Put me down, you big ox!”

  ~~

  “Ahh, I see he’s recovered from his injury,” Moll said as the two walked into the bar and sat at the table with her, Beep, and Burn. “I was just telling Beep here about the Flotsam Ninjas. He says he’s also a ninja, and a member of the–”

  “Shhh,” Beep interjected.

  Moll looked at Beep and smiled. “Right, Beep says he too is a ninja. Asked if he could join us.”

  Frelka looked back at Beep, his brow turning upward. “Beep, you are not going to leave us again, are you?”

  Beep shook his head. “No. Beep was asking if we all could join! Then we can fight the Holy Nation! And Beep will be a double ninja!”

  Moll laughed. “Not sure that’s how that works, Beep, but in a world of fire-happy religious zealots and flesh-eating nudists, we can never have too many allies.” She turned to Frelka. “I like what you said last night. And if you swear your allegiance to me, and your defiance to the Phoenix, I’ll make sure my ninjas are always ready to protect you.”

  “Hell yeah,” Shryke added.

  Frelka paused at the offer. He looked at his members: a Hiver, a free-thinking woman, and a Skeleton. It’s not like the Holy Nation is going to let me walk around freely anyway, ja.

  The Holy Nation had been an unattainable target for the Frelkas of the past, but he felt a surge of inspiration as he looked at his group. With a few more people, and a lot more training, maybe they could do something. Maybe not take down the Holy Nation completely, but maybe aid in the process.

  He turned to face Moll, smiled, and flexed his muscles. “You go after the Holy Nation, und we will be right behind you!”

  Moll smiled back. “Okay then. For now, you’re one of us. Go forth in your slaughter of Holy Nation lackeys. Spare the innocents, obviously, but you show no mercy to the paladins or priests, for they will show no mercy to you.”

  Frelka nodded. “So, do you have any plans?”

  Moll gave a playful scowl to her new ally. “Of course we do! We recruit. We train against cannibals. We get stronger. We destroy the Holy Nation.”

  “That…doesn’t necessarily sound like a full-fledged plan,” Shryke commented hesitantly. “More like a plan for a plan…”

  “Well,” Moll said, “if you guys want a target, why not start with Rebirth. You know about it, yes?”

  They all shook their heads and Frelka said, “Ja, it’s the labor camp where they send their dissenters.”

  Moll gave a half-hearted shrug. “Yeah, close enough. I’d probably call it a slave town though. And it’s not just dissenters, it’s anyone they deem as unworthy of reincarnation. Work hard enough, kill yourself for Okran, and maybe you can earn the right to be reborn as human, or male.” She turned to Burn. “Unless you’re a Skeleton, of course. You guys don’t have souls. Best to just kill you outright.”

  “Beep.”

  “So, what about Rebirth?” Frelka asked.

  Moll turned back to face him. “Well, if you want a target, start with that place. Free the slaves there, kill the guards, and dismantle the entire operation, and you’ll deal a massive blow to the Holy Nation!”

  Frelka saw Shryke’s fists tighten and her knuckles move as she nervously ground her fingers into her palms. “Everything alright? Isn’t this what you wanted?”

  “I mean, sure,” she said, “but we can’t take on the entirety of Rebirth! We’ll get captured for sure. And they keep you just on the verge of starvation there. Keeps you too weak to escape. We’d never get away. It’d be just like Mongrel, only worse!”

  Frelka nodded. “It will be tough, to be sure. We’ll need more training. Und a new base of operations.” He turned to Moll. “Any of those storm houses out there for sale?”

  Moll shook her head. “I’m afraid not. We’re low on beds as it is. We have to send new recruits to safehouses out near the border of the Cannibal Plains as much for training as we do for room. If you’re looking for a place to set up, I’d suggest making your way to World’s End. It’s a town to the east of here. Not only will it have anything you could possibly need, it’s also home to the Tech Hunters. They’re dedicated to studying the technology of the First Civilization. They’re also very adept at appeasing the Holy Nation. The Holy Nation believes it to be under their control, but it’s not. It’s as free as you’ll get out here. Here, give me your map.”

  Frelka handed Moll their map and she began marking different locations.

  “So, we’re here,” she began, marking and labeling their current location. “Head east and you’ll eventually find World’s End.” She made another mark. “Head south-southwest from here and you’ll find Rebirth nestled in the mountains.” She made another mark. “And finally, to our northwest, on the border of the Cannibal Plains, you’ll find two scout posts, should you need a place to rest and recover.” She finished with her final two marks and handed the map back to Frelka. “There, that should get you all where you need to go. Good luck.”

  Frelka took the map and nodded. He turned to the group. “Well, it seems we are done here, ja. Let’s go to World’s End.”

  Beep nodded enthusiastically, Burn stared, and Shryke shrugged. “Sure, why not?”