Brain was much better, back to his usual obnoxious self, only worse, because he had, as he put it, 'taken one for the team.' They could see gathering storms; one behind and one in front. They were huge storm fronts, the kind that even gods fear and they were slowly moving towards our favourite questers. They were riding in bright sunlight, but the storms were an ominous sign of the trouble ahead and the problems coming up fast behind. What had started as a fun adventure was slowly turning in to a mission with the possibility that one or all of them could die. Okay, enough morbid imagery.
"You know, I don't think one of you has thanked me yet. There I was putting my life on the line, taking one for the team and not one of you had the decency to say, gee thanks Brain you really saved our bacon."
The others mumbled something that could have vaguely been construed to be a thank you.
"And another thing, I checked through my sack and found a few things missing. Any idea what happened to my secret stash of energy drinks?"
The others roared with laughter. (That was another way the military gatepost made money, a few items would go missing from any unattended bags. In this case, a six pack of Brain’s energy drink. At the exact moment they were talking about it, six privates were lining up in front of sick bay complaining of stomach ache and diarrhoea.)
"What's so funny?"
"Nothing Brain, it's just good to know that things have a way of working out in the end." (Tricks is into that whole karma thing.)
Brain was slightly confused by this answer, but he would never admit to it. Instead he shrugged his shoulders, winced at the stabbing pain and then mumbled something like good, glad that’s sorted.
They shot the breeze for a little while, using Brains arrowless bow. (Said there would be more on the bow, well here it is. It looked more like a crossbow, but had a tube were the arrow normally sat. Attached to the bowstring was an arrow, without a point. When you pulled back on the bow the arrow would line up with the base of the tube, you would then fill the tube with stones or anything else handy that would fit in the tube and then release the bow string and the headless arrow would fire the stones and things at the target. Due to patent protection I can't go into more detail. All I will say is that while the stones are not deadly, they really, really hurt, as Opie is about to find out.) He had found the bows in his bag and was testing them. He had brought four along, so they all had a chance to try them.
"Not bad hey Brain." Opie said. "These could be really great for riot control. Hey watch were you point that thing. Ouch. Now you gonna get it."
Of course Opie missed Brain, but hit his horse instead. The horse bolted and it took the others over an hour to catch up to him. At which point they collided with the storm. It was a biggy. It only got worse when its brother joined up. The four of them found an abandoned house to hole up in while the storm passed. While the storm passed, so did a group of highwaymen. It was lucky that the storm started when it did or the band of cutthroats would have caught them. (I'm not sure how long Grimy’s protection lasts, but it can't be forever.) The storm was over almost as fast as it had begun. Siege was the only one of them that had remained untouched by the rain. Opie was in total awe of this ability.
"It was amazing.” he said once they were out of the very leaky house. "It was like you were shimmering, almost too fast for the eye to see."
"What was that? Can you see something shimmering? Wow this shoulder hurts, would you mind helping Tricks with the horse? I'll keep Siege company. Thanks Opie, watch out for the tree stump, oops, too late. So Siege, how you doing."
"Don't start Brain, I know your reputation too well."
"Me, a reputation. I can't believe that." Brain said acting all hurt.
"Why don't you hit on Tricks, you're just wasting your time here." Brain feigned as if he was hurt and then a wicked thought hit him.
"I could never hit on her, because she would hit on me."
Siege didn't think it was quite as funny as Brain was making out. Every time he came up for air he would say 'Hit on me' and then collapse into gales of laughter again. Siege left him and joined the others.
"What's got Brain going now?" Tricks asked.
"He thinks he's a regular stand-up comic." Siege said sourly.
"Well he certainly looks better, maybe I will go shimmy him along. Hold the horses, Opie will be back in a sec." Tricks walked off to help Brain along; no sooner had she left than Opie appeared.
"Brain can really be a pain some times." he said.
"Tell me about it." she replied.
They stared into each other’s eyes for a few seconds, and then Opie took her free hand. He moved a little closer, but didn't feel he could move in for a kiss. Not with Tricks shouting at Brain and Brain whimpering about his shoulder. Instead he said:
"When we finally get a chance to be alone, may I kiss you?"
They both blushed.
"I think I would like that, yes. Yes you may."
He squeezed her hand and then the other two arrived. They saddled up and continued.
The rest of the journey to the city without a name was fraught with clear sky and happy travellers, the happiest travellers were the ones leaving The Town with no Name. They always said the same thing; don't go there, mostly with haunted looks in their eyes. The only real thing of note was that Opie got sunburnt; he was now a deep red in colour, making it hard to tell when he was blushing. They rounded a hill and there sat the city without a name in all its squalor. They all cheered, it might have been a bit premature. Waiting in the city was an army of cutthroats, baying for their blood. Add to that a large group of evil horsemen hot on their heels. Maybe it sounded like a cheer of relief, but it could as well have been their death cries.