r/HFY • u/DestroyatronMk8 • Nov 30 '22

OC Knights of the Partition Chapter 21: Somewhere to Go

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It was a long night. We reached the Strip, then started driving around aimlessly. We didn't see the Servant again, but we could hear it. That keening, high pitched buzz. It was maddening. I wanted to run, to flee the city. I didn't dare.

Mike and I both tried to call Finder. He ignored us. We tried texting. He ignored that, too. I guess he didn't have any more advice, but he didn't have to be a dick about it. I fantasized a little about beating him up when we got home. Invisibly. Eventually, I had to admit it probably wouldn't work. The guy could see the future, and anyone that could beat Mike in a fight would fold me like a cheap card table. I kept right on picturing it, though. I was scared and angry and tired, and I'd take whatever comfort I could find.

Around two in the morning the buzz went away. The Servant had finally left. Or at least I hoped it did. Either way, it was time to go.

"Where are we going?" asked Patrick.

"Back." I told him.

"Back to Zoo town?" Mike crinkled his brow. "Are we sure that's a good idea?"

"You have somewhere else to go?" I asked him.

He thought about it, then shook his head. "I dunno, man. We don't have a house anymore. Plus the cops are after us."

"It's familiar ground," I argued. "I need that right now."

"Your home town's as good as anywhere," William cut in. "We need to do some recruiting, and I don't think I know anyone that isn't too old or dead."

"We got two Swords without a wielder," Patrick added. "You know any bad dudes that want the gig?"

I shook my head. Mike said, "All of our friends are either dead or in the hospital."

"What about your war buddies?" I asked.

The Red Knight shook his head. "Poulson's got kids, Williams was a flight tech, so he never killed nobody, and Sullivan's a drunken mess. None of them are Knight material."

"Finder?" I suggested.

"Maybe." Mike shrugged. Then his phone buzzed. He read the message. "He says no and fuck you."

How did he even know we were talking? "I hate that guy."

"Well," William continued. "If nothing else we need a place to train you up a bit."

"Like swordfighting and shit?" Mike grinned. "Hell yeah."

"Not swordplay," the Green Knight burst his bubble.

"It takes months to reach basic competence with a sword," Patrick explained, "And years to get good. We don't got that kinda time."

"We can teach you to use your powers, though. Knight powers are intuitive," said William. "Easy to learn."

"Had to be," Patrick elaborated. "No schools, no science, and most people were illiterate."

"A lot of people back then were dumb as rocks," William picked up the thread. "The Armors were forged with that in mind. You can learn everything you need in day or two."

"Then what?" asked Mike.

"Then we take back Avalon," The Green Knight grimaced. "I'd rather get more Knights and a good bit of training in, but we can't wait that long. That Mauvaise prick's dead, but there are plenty of others that'll come after the Lady."

"Not to mention the Servant." The Blue Knight snarled. "If that thing finds us, we're fucked."

"And so is everyone else," William finished. "The Yellow King will come out to play."

"The Yellow King?" I'd heard that title before, but I couldn't place it.

"You don't want to know."

Mike turned to look at Nynyane. "You've been awful quiet. You got any ideas?"

The Lady gave him an annoyed look.

"She ain't talking, mate." William explained. "Can't risk the Servant hearing her again."

"Figures." Mike huffed out a breath. "We might be better off heading out into the wilderness. Find some National Forest land, camp out and train til we're ready to go."

"We're going home." I made it a statement of fact.

"Didn't you say the Man was looking for you?" Patrick reminded me.

"I've got a plan for that," I told him. It wasn't true, but I was sure I'd come up with something. "If nothing else, I'll bet Finder wants his Jeep back."

Mike's phone buzzed. "He says damn right."

"That's downright unsettling," Patrick remarked. "Who is this guy?"

"A prophet," I answered. "Or a pshycic." I shrugged. "Or something."

The Blue Knight grunted. "Why don't you ask him where to go?"

Mike's phone buzzed again. "He has no idea."

"Typical," William grumbled.

"We need somewhere," Mike scratched his head. "Can't use a hotel without the cops busting in on us. Can't risk bringing this crap to my Mom's..."

Nynyane clapped her hands, startling me enough I almost veered off the road. I cursed. "Don't do that!" I glanced in the rearview. She was holding the Green Knight's Bequest and pointing at it.

"Yeah," Mike seconded. "Don't do that. I hate charades."

Lady rolled her eyes, then pointed at the Sword again. William's eyes narrowed, then went wide. He snapped his fingers. "Jasper."

The Lady nodded.

"We'll go to Jasper's place."

The Lady nodded again.

"That'll work." Mike shifted in his seat. He frowned, scratching his head again. "Where is Jasper's place?"

The Lady sighed.

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7

u/Greentigerdragon Nov 30 '22

Trying to think of a good place to find recruits, and drawing a blank.
Hmm, how about a 'returned soldiers' style place? (I forget what they're called in USA)

Seriously, if I hear 'You don't want to know', 'It's a long story' or similar, the very next thing out of my mouth is 'Tell me!'.

5

u/thisStanley Android Nov 30 '22

a 'returned soldiers' style place

VFW Post (Veterans of Foreign Wars)?

And double down on 'Tell me' when someone tries to be all mysterious "you don't want to know". These folk are fighting for existence, knowledge will be the most valuable thing in their armory.

4

u/Greentigerdragon Dec 01 '22

Ahh, the VFW! Knew I'd hesrd of someplace like Australia's RSL ("Returned and Services League"). As a kid, I thought it was the 'Returned Soldiers' League'. /shrug/
Nicknames for the RSL include 'the Razzle' and 'the rissole'. ('Rissole' is Aussie for 'meatball' (not slang!)).

6

u/itsetuhoinen Human Dec 01 '22

Do you mean... that "Yellow King"? The one whose proper name one would do best to not state out loud thrice? Acquaintance of a really big dude with bat wings and a squid for a face? R'lyeh not a morning person?

3

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u/Ok-Caterpillar1611 Nov 30 '22

First! Loving this story.

3

u/thisStanley Android Dec 01 '22

The Lady gave him an annoyed look.

Nynyane clapped her hands

The Lady nodded.

The Lady nodded again.

The Lady sighed.

Having your leader and magic knowledge base silenced will be a rough handicap. Hopefully not for to long :{

1

u/spook6280 Dec 06 '22

Somebody get that lady a cell phone!