[Mkguild] MK Dust: III

[Jack Moore]

AN: Another day, another section, any thoughts thus far? I have taken a lot
of inspiration from history, so if you have any questions, let me know.

MK Dust III

The further away from the gate the two got the more people began to emerge
on the streets. Again Sebastian attempted to stop, this time in front of a
wooden two story building with a ramp up to a porch. The building was full
of bright light, so much it seeped out between the red beams of the walls.
“That’s a tavern.” Sebastian said. Emma sighed and came to a stop.
“We’re interested in the tavern now?” Emma asked. He shook his head no.
“I’m interested in life.” Sebastian said. The tavern was full of people.
The two could see some sitting in front of the one window inside the
building, swinging back and forth. Their was a lot of noise coming from the
building. It took Emma a moment to recognize it as singing. The door popped
open and two figures, both human males, stumbled out.
“Great night ain’t it?” One slurred as he stumbled past the two. Emma
crinkled her muzzle at the smell of alcohol. Sebastian didn’t notice. He
was staring at something over the door. Finally Emma noticed it.
There was a large sign mounted above the doorway. “The Scarred Fox” with an
anthro-red fox figure painted on it. The fox had one ear and looked very
angry.
“Charming.” Emma said.
“A Keeper owns this building.” Sebastian mumbled. “It’s…” Emma glanced at
him. In the orange light Sebastian’s eyes looked clouded over. His mouth
was moving but no words came out. “I’ll tell you later. We need to leave
now.”
More people passed the two but no one attempted to stop him. Sebastian was
completely silent, lost in thought. Emma studied him in the dim light.
'What is going on in his mind?' Emma gripped the reins tighter, until her
claws dug into the leather straps. 'I didn’t have time to get provisions,
just the crap I carry with me. Didn't think this through...too much debt.'
Finally the streets began to widen. In the distance Emma and Sebastian
could hear the whistle from the train station and the ground was begnning
to vibrate. Emma’s mount began to snort and paw at the ground.
“Woah now--” Casabian reared causing Sebastian to jump. Emma heald the
reigns tight.
“What’s got him upset?” Sebastian asked.
“He doesn’t like the sounds of the trains.” Emma said. The horse landed on
its hooves with a loud clack. “I don’t like them either.” Now that he was
down Emma went to work calming the animal.

“It’s okay,” Emma patted it’s big arched neck. Her claws ran through its
fur and it began to quiet. “You’re a big coward, but I love you.” Sebastian
watched this display with a half smile. When Emma turned back he turned
away.
“Okay, you said you could take care of this?” Sebastian nodded at Emma.
“I’ll meet you at there.” Sebastian walked off towards the station without
a word. Emma watched him, his cape blowing around him in the breeze. “He is
one strange creature.” Her mount snorted his agreement.
The streets wound back and forth and the further Emma went the more her fur
rose. Humans occasionally stared at her but none approached her or
Casabian. One smaller figure, Emma suspected a child, waved at her.
'Not all bad,' Emma waved back, until she noticed a poster pasted against
the wall of a large wooden building.
It showed a canine Keeper, embracing the legs of a human who stood tall and
erect. The human was petting the Keeper on the head. Above them was written
“We Are Their Salvation!” and at the bottom “Join the Keeper Charity
Society!”. Emma’s hand twisted into a fist.
'Fucking bastards.' She kicked her mount harder than needed, sending him
running off.
The stables Emma kept Casabian at any time she was on a long trip were only
a couple of blocks from the train station. It was a large black-oak
building that always managed to look clean despite the large piles of dung
leading up to it.
Emma hitched Casabian post and ran up to the house right beside the
stables. All the blinds were drawn but there was light coming out behind
them. Emma rapped on the door.
“Closed.” A gruff voice called out from behind.
“Not for me meatslab!” Emma called out. “Now get your fat ass out here.”
She could hear someone shuffling across the wooden floor. The door opened
to a gruff muscular man with no hair, a short beard and beady eyes. He
grinned as soon as he saw who was there.
“Nice to see you too fishbreath.” The big man grabbed Emma and pulled her
into an embrace. Her fur bristled but she let him get away with it.
“Glad to see you Walt.” Emma said as the big man set her back down again.
Ever since Emma had first met Walter in the military the man had always
towered over her. He had always been very grabby and loved to hug. For most
people this would earn them an elbow to the guy from Emma. The meatslab
could get away with it.
They’d met in the infirmary, both injured in Flatlands. Emma had been in
infantry, while Walter had been in cavalry. They’d ended up side by side,
until Emma was healed and returned to the army. Walter instead was
discharged.
Magic and medicine could heal his body. Nothing they could do about his
mind.
But hugging and touching made the meatslab feel better. Emma buried her
revulsion and let him grab her. Whatever it took to help.
“Well why’re you here?” The big man asked. “I mean, I got dinner cooked if
you’re hungry--”
“I gotta leave town for a few days.” Emma said. She gestured at her mount,
tied up behind her. “Need a stall. I got some cash this time.” Walt held up
a hand.
“Strangers pay, I always got a stall for you.” He turned more serious, “Is
it debt collectors again?”
“No!” Emma exclaimed. “No no no, not this....uh” She forced a grin, “I
mean, yeah I had an incident with one earlier today, but no not this time.
I got hired by some lunatic to lead him somewhere.”
“Where?” Walt asked. Emma rubbed the back of her head.
“Yeah that’s where it gets weird.” She said. “He wants me to take him to
Metamor Keep.” This was not the answer the big man expected.
“Metamor Keep?” Emma nodded. “Why on Earth would someone want to go there?”
He asked. “It’s cursed.” Walt leaned against the doorway, causing it to
creek. “It’s empty, it’s full of Rifters, it’s a damn ruin.”
“Yeah and I don’t want to go either.” Emma said. “But I’m broke-
“Broke? You just said it wasn't the debt collectors.” Walt interrupted,
crossing his arms. Emma grinned sheepishly. “Damn it Emma, cards again?”
“I was on a hot streak!” Emma protested. “I didn’t think it would go cold.
Anyway, I’m taking him to Metamor. Ain’t had time to get supplies, just
what I got on me. Couldn’t afford em anyway, not with what I owe.” She
untied a coin purse and opened it. “He’s paying me well.” Walt whistled.
“That’s a lot of aluminum.” He said. “This guy must be rich.”
“Not sure, know he’s insane.” Emma retied the purse. Walt kept watching the
purse like a hawk.
“I don’t like this.” He said. “He told you why he wants to go there? Or
told you anything else?” Emma shook her head. “Why the hell did he have to
go right now?”
“I don’t know!” Emma said. “He just said he had to go now and he had the
coin. I’m broke.”
“Yeah well I don’t like it.” Walt said. “Stay in Giftum a couple of days. I
still got friends in the army, I can look at this guy--”
“I don’t have a few days,” Emma interrupted. “The bounty hunters are
showing up again! We’re going tonight and I need the stall. You going to
help me or not?” Walt gave Emma a withering look. Neither said a word.
Finally Walt nodded.
“You got a stall.” Walt said. He poked her in the chest, “Make sure you get
your ass back here. Drop the idiot off and leave.”
“I’ll try.” Emma said. “I’ll uh I will try.”

AN: That poster is based on a real one I saw in a exhibit on Charles
Dickens, just substitute a black man for the canine and you'll see it.
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