Chapter 44

Rajin loped after Hammer and Avan Nerovast as the proceeded further into the village. She had tried to be as submissive as possible to Hammer, though it was understandable he was still annoyed. She was grateful he hadn't tried to kill her and didn't seem likely, but she had to stay alert just in case. She was similarly baffled by Avan Nerovast. Why did he not try to retaliate from what should have been a killing blow? Should she ask him? Was it something to do with this cooperation that they did in these other places? He hadn't killed her yet.

She directed a thought to both of them. Why haven't you killed me yet?

They both stopped simultaneously, though perhaps Avan was slightly faster.

Hammer was the first to speak.

“I don't enjoy killing. The idea sickens me.”

Avan followed up.

“Killing unnecessarily is a waste. Also, killing something sentient is generally avoided, most places have a golden rule that you shouldn't do something to others that they wouldn't want you to. This includes killing them, and applies even if the other party doesn't abide by that rule. There are, of course, exceptions, but you aren't threatening enough for either of us to worry about.”

Avan resumed walking, and they followed as if drawn magnetically. Rajin didn't know what else to do. Intrigued by this idea of considering others' needs, she asked the next question that occurred to her.

What about killing for food?

Without turning, Avan replied.

“Would you like to be killed for food? I can oblige if you like. There are plenty of hungry mouths here.”

That shut Rajin up. If she had been level with Hammer, she would have seen a slight grin on his face at that.

***

Hammer was annoyed at Rajin. Why hadn't he killed it yet? Because Rain had asked for temperance, that was why. Possibly also because he thought the sword would object to that. He didn't know why or how, but that lump of wood seemed to have a mind of its own. He had killed those priests in the temple, and although it seemed ages ago, it was only a little while. He was shaken up by the event, but didn't think he handled it too poorly. He could do it again if necessary.

They arrived at what appeared to be a barracks, and Avan hailed down a main in full plate mail armour, made of bronze, rather than steel as Hammer sort of expected. His sword and shield were similarly coloured, without a hint of green to mark oxidation – he kept his equipment well oiled.

“Kamron,” Avan said, “two new recruits.”

The man looked up, face covered in scars and pock marks.

“Are they better than the last mob?”

Avan paused, considering. “Slightly. They have some minor experience. Hammer here has at least killed, and you'll find him resistant do damage, provided you keep him well fed. Rajin is quick and may have some minor ability to work with Haze.”

Kamron grunted. “Which is which?”

“Hammer is the humanoid, Rajin is the Sauroid.”

“Well, let's take a look at you.”

Kamron looked them up and down, and prodded Hammer's skin in curiosity. “What's with your skin? It's glassy.”

“I'm not sure, sir. Something Avan did.” He behaved like the thought people in the army were supposed to. It seemed to work because Kamron moved to Rajin then.

“Swift he said?”

He swung his scabbarded sword at Rajin, who ducked it easily, then, reflexes kicking in, she lunged at Kamron, bowling him over. She raised a claw to strike, but stopped it a hairsbreadth from his throat.

All that Hammer saw was a blur. The sword had been difficult to track, but Rajin was insanely fast. Both he and Kamron were staring at Rajin.

“Avan was right,” Kamron said, “you're no Sharok, but you're still quick.”

A half second passed, then Kamron spoke again. Rajin must have spoken directly to him.

“Because I could see what you were doing, that's how I know you aren't as fast!” Kamron had laughter in his eyes.

“It's interesting that Sharok and Jason are both missing, and you two arrive, together, with similar, if lesser, abilities.” He mused. “Ah, well. Let's get you fitted with armour. We'll begin training in the morning.”

They were measured and sent off to sleep. Rajin preferred to sleep outside, so that's where she went. Hammer was given a simple sheath for his sword; two flat pieces of wood were placed on either side of the blade, then the whole thing as bound with twine. Finally, a hot black substance was poured onto the outside of the twine, which he was told would harden overnight. He was told to leave his sword sheathed until morning.