Rocinante rocked himself back and forth on his chair as he wrapped himself in a blanket. He could hear the people talk, the children laugh, and the birds sing. All he could do was listen and smell as his sight faded long ago. Rocinante heard a distant commotion as he tried to lull himself to sleep. It mattered little to him as he was only good for making clothes. The days of battle were long behind him, the only sharp object his hands held these days were sowing needles. Rocinante heard the sounds of shuffling footsteps encroaching on his porch.

  “Been a long time old friend.” Said a familiar voice

  Rocinante groaned as he shifted his body in the chair.

  “We were hoping that you could make us some coats for the journey.” Said a woman’s voice.

  Rocinante groaned again. “I’m busy catching up on my sleep. See me in a few hours.”

  “Well then I suppose I’ll just help myself inside then.” Said Baphomet.

  “Ugh I hate you. Fine you can come in but the legionnaire stays outside.”

  Azura was stunned. “How did you know?”

  “Your scent. You don’t smell like us. Now come on you old goat.”

  “Coming.” Replied Baphomet.

  The old pair made their way inside Rocinante’s house whilst Azura waited outside. Rocinante shuffled his way towards the table as he dragged his feet with Baphomet close behind. Both sat at the table while Rocinante maintained his grip on the blanket.

  “Almost fifty years to the date since I last saw you.” Said Rocinante.

  “Well they say distance makes the heart grow fonder.” Replied Baphomet.

  Rocinante let out a tired sigh. “So then I take it this means it’s about that time? The woman mentioned coats, and we both know what that means.”

  “Nothing gets past you. We have the furs and the means to make the trip. First we’ll go see about helping out one of the legionnaires with their condition. I reckon Yiriv could do something about it. Then we’ll bring back Tangeth’s sword.”

  “Assuming the thing still exists.”

  “It’s survived this long.” Retorted Baphomet.

  “We never saw the thing. For all we know Yiriv could’ve just said that to mess with us.”

  “She could’ve killed us.”

  “Besides you and me who else is left from that expedition?”

  Baphomet didn’t answer.

  Rocinante sighed. “Bring me the furs and I’ll get started right away.”

  “Knew I could count on you.” Said Baphomet as he made his way outside.

  “I have to wonder if Yiriv knew this would happen.” Thought Rocinante.

  Azura

  “Good news is he’ll do it.” Replied Baphomet.

  “And the bad news?” Asked Azura.

  “There is no bad news. He didn’t even ask for payment. Nonetheless, I think we should head back and grab the furs.”

  “You sure he’ll be up to the task? He seems kind of old.”

  “Roci’s only gotten better with time. The old horse still has a few tricks in those hooves of his.”

  “If you say so. What about the locals? Will we have an easy time dealing with the Yukingawari?”

  “Hmmm… It’s been so long since we’ve had contact with them. I think the last time we sent some of ours went up there was… Twenty maybe thirty years ago. They keep to themselves, and the Gaericists and Zulamarians know enough to let sleeping dogs lie. In any case, we should rest here as long as we can. Getting proper rest on that thing is hard on these old bones.”

  Embry

  Embry stared back at Onyx’s crimson eyes. Ever since that night when they attacked the village and outpost he has not slept at all. He’s only growled at them, and rattled his chains. Embry closed the distance between them, and this prompted Onyx to squirm almost as if he would attack her if given the chance.

  “Just hang in there a little longer Onyx. Hopefully we’re not too late.”

  Suddenly Embry heard a twig snap. She started for her automatic crossbow and aimed it at the surrounding trees.

  “Is that you Azura? Baphomet?” Embry asked but received no reply.

  Embry then fired a crossbow bolt at every possible location someone could be hiding in. Suddenly she heard movement coming from behind her. She saw a large man armed with an axe swing at her. Embry dodged and fired her crossbow at him. The man raised his arms to protect himself. Several bolts stuck to his arms, and the man howled in pain. Embry pulled out another magazine and scrambled to reload the crossbow. Just as she placed the magazine the animalist transformed revealing a man wearing the face and horns of a bull.

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  “Fuck!” Exclaimed Embry as she readied her crossbow.

  “STOP!” Yelled another man.

  Embry turned around and saw several more animalists with Azura and Baphomet in tow.

  “Embry are you alright?” Asked Azura.

  “Yeah.” Answered Embry.

  The bull transformed back into a man. Embry shifted her gaze towards Onyx who was still rattling and squirming under the chains. Embry climbed down from the sky sailor to meet with Azura and Baphomet.

  “What just happened? Who are they and why did they attack?” Asked Embry as the adrenaline left her system.

  “We were headed towards the village when we saw your… boat. We thought you were Inquisitors or Gaericists.” Answered a man that was at least six feet tall covered in skins and chainmail, and wielded an ornate club depicting horses and bulls.

  “Right. Azura and Embry this is Camran Bloodhoof. He’s next in line to becoming leader of the Bloodhooves.” Explained Baphomet.

  “Can’t believe you’re out and about you old goat. Who are you people? You don’t smell like animalists to me.” Said Camran

  “They’re friends of mine.” Answered Baphomet.

  “Friends huh?” Camran was not satisfied with Baphomet’s answer, but decided not to push it any further.

  “Embry you can come down now, and grab the pelts.” Ordered Azura.

  “I can’t just leave Onyx all by himself.” Answered Embry.

  “I will stay with him. Come fetch me when he starts on my coat.” Answered Baphomet.

  “Sure.” Replied Azura.

  Rocinante

  Rocinante heard Embry, Azura, and Camran approach his house. He let out an exhausted sigh as he opened the door, and prepared his sewing materials.

  “What is it this time Camran?” Asked Rocinante as he placed his tools on the table.

  “How’d you know?” Asked Camran.

  “You seriously think that I’ve forgotten the sound of your feet with my shoes? What do you think I’am? An amateur?” Rocinante continued. “And what do the two of you want?”

  “Baphomet sent us here so that you could fix us up some fur coats.” Answered Azura.

  “Is that right? Well take your shoes off and set them over there. I can hear your feet shuffling weird.” Replied Rocinante.

  Azura and Embry stood there dumbstruck.

  “Well what are you waiting for? I haven’t got all day?”

  He finally heard the distinctive sound of leather thudding against the floor. Then the sound of fur being dragged across wood. He placed his hands over the fur pelts. His fingers tracing every single hair as he tried to determine its quality. He checked for a soft underfur that could determine whether it was of good or bad quality.

  “Yeah these will do just fine. I’ll have your boots fixed up too. I can also do with an extra pair of hands. Which one of you is good with your hands?”

  “Embry you’re our medic so help him out. I’ll wait outside and give you some room.”

  “Okay.”

  “And you Camran? What do you want?” Asked Rocinante.

  “I’ll wait until they’re gone.” He said as he left the house.

  Rocinante huffed as he started to work on the fur coats.

  “So then little girl care to tell me what a couple of legionnaires are doing here?” Rocinante asked.

  “How did you…” Embry began.

  “You’re not the first legionnaire that I’ve met.”

  “Those legionnaires that you met? Did you kill them?” Asked Embry.

  Rocinante continued sowing and did not respond immediately. “Yes.” Rocinante paused. “But that was a lifetime ago. I’m actually surprised the old goat’s still alive.”

  “Do you know anything about Dragon Eyes?” Asked Embry.

  “A bit.” Rocinante continued. “They’re a trait passed down from one of the thirteen tribes much like our transformations. If the stories are true they were supposed to be formidable warriors. Havel… The champion that fought against Gaeric for the Divines and fought for Corrax during the Unification Wars is said to have had the trait.”

  “Ever heard of any of them turning into giant lizards?” Asked Embry.

  “Nope. That’s a new one. Although… Hmph…” Rocinante tried to remember the ancient stories. “I think… No. Never mind.”

  “Anything you know could be of great help.” Replied Embry.

  Rocinante sighed. “Sometimes my memory gets all muddled and confused. Even if I had any more information it would be based on hearsay.”

  “I see…” Replied Embry with a defeated tone.

  Baphomet

  Onyx growled at Baphomet as he pulled out the box he had brought with him. He showed Onyx the idol and slowly brought it to his face. Onyx snarled at the idol as he thrashed about more violently.

  “What is it about this thing that makes you act like this?” Asked Baphomet as he brought his face closer to Onyx.

  It was then that Onyx finally spoke. “You dare show that to me?” Hissed Onyx.

  “Well that’s a new trick. Is that you legionnaire?” Asked Baphomet.

  “Were I free of these chains and this vessel I would see to it that his effigies would burn.”

  “Who or what are you?”

  Onyx snarled at Baphomet. As he did he noticed that his teeth had become sharp and his tongue had changed into a forked shape.

  “My name is…”

  Azura

  Azura walked around the village and came upon a large stone with images carved into them. She saw a dragon with a horn flying across the skies and mountains, a horse with arms holding a spear galloping across some plains, a large wolf stalking the forests, a massive worm burrowed in the desert, and a beast that had tentacles and claws in the ocean. She decided to return to Rocinante to see if he knew anything about it.

  When she returned she saw that they were almost done with the fur coats. “Rocinante,” she began, “That giant stone in the center with all the markings what are they?”

  “Those are… Well it’s difficult to say exactly what they are. Kings? Maybe… Well suffice it to say they are kings in their own right. The wolf there is Currumpaw king of the forests. The horse with arms and a spear is Red Hare the king of the plains and hills. I can’t remember the dragon’s name but they’re supposed to be the king of the skies and mountains. The worm I’m sure you’ve heard of them they’re supposedly in the Badeshi Desert, Golek the king of the desert. Finally there’s Bahalosh the king of the ocean.”

  “I’ve heard of Golek and of Bahalosh, but not the others. Weren’t they just remnants from Khemmel’s war with the Divines?” Asked Azura.

  “Who can say? All I know is that they’re beings of incredible power. Red Hare I heard could create earthquakes by stomping his hooves on the ground. The dragon could create storms with just a flap of its wings. Whether or not these are true remains to be seen.”

  After a few hours the coats were done and their boots were fixed. The pair of legionnaires returned to Baphomet with their coats in hand.

  Rocinante

  Camran entered Rocinante’s house as soon as the legionnaires left. “What is it now Camran?”

  “Dawon wants to call for a conclave. He wants to go to war.”

  “He can call for it all he wants the tribes will never go for it. Well except for the Broken Beaks, maybe a few Bloodhooves, but the others won’t go for it. Not without the sword of Toborn.”

  “Come with me your voice still carries a lot of weight.” Pleaded Camran.

  “I’m old Camran. Too old. Let me be old in peace.” Said Rocinante as he sat back in his chair and began rocking himself back and forth.

  Camran left Rocinante cursing him as he walked away.

  “You’re too old to be having adventures Baphomet. You crazy old goat. I really hope it’s worth it in the end.” Said Rocinante as the sounds of birds and children helped him drift off to sleep.