The first hours rolled by uneventfully as they went down the open track. Trees rose ever higher around them, even going as far as to engulf them in shade from time to time, a relief now the sun was peaking over the mountain tops and spiking the temperature. Everyone kept their guns close by or on hand. Even if the ambush a few days prior hadn’t happened, no one was willing to take any chances. Some of the Nyúlfur marched on foot as a token force of extra security. But when it was Audas’ turn to hop off and walk alongside them, it dawned on him that it wasn’t just for ease of defence, but a way of starving off boredom.

  Oh sure, there was plenty of conversation. He found himself chatting with Dray and Kaine, and even found himself exchanging words with Reyes. But Dorian continued to ignore him, focusing his attention on the others in the carriage.

  He would have to find some way to prove that he wasn’t a threat, and perhaps sooner rather than later.

  The trail widened as it swerved down the valley and a gentle breeze started to flow through. It had dawned on him that any human would have felt the chilly nip of the air, but with the fur he now possessed, he barely registered it.

  Another couple of hours passed and the mountains gradually shrunk in size until finally the gargantuan barriers fell away from view, with what was left hidden behind the trees. It was the end of the valley and reaching the top of a hill at the very mouth of it, Cascadia finally opened before them.

  A vast bumpy sea of green, near endless forest was broken up by lush, fertile plains elsewhere. Scattered in little clusters across this were the dark blue blobs of water settled into thin, strung-out lakes. Grey-white pyramids towered above the land as nigh-omnipotent giants in the far distance. Cascadia’s Coast Mountains. To his left, or towards the south rather, the grassland and forests were brushed aside as tan-coloured, arid ground started to dominate. To the North, the ground ducked and weaved into hillier, rougher terrain where the mountain ranges still flanked that ground. Of course, at his back was the Rocky Mountains themselves, still as massive on the outside of the valley as they were within.

  It took moment for Audas to realise he wasn’t breathing, and he shakily took in a cool breath. He soaked in the view, still staggered at the vast country before him.

  “You can’t beat a view like that.” He finally uttered, unable to tear his gaze away.

  “Never gets old.” Dray warmly stated behind him.

  “Oh, believe that!” Kaine exclaimed, leaping to the front of the cart and waving a hand across the picturesque landscape. “It’s just one of many views! And there’s the people, the wildlife, the forests, rivers and mountains…”

  “And yet 90% of the place still wants to kill you.” Dorian snorted, Audas’ ears finally twitching round as the heavy, disgusted noise.

  “Well… there’s that too.” Kaine replied, voice hesitant as if slightly off balance.

  “Thanks for ruining the moment you two.” Reyes quietly grumbled, more amused than annoyed.

  With a near hidden softness, Audas sighed. Always someone to put a damper on things.

  They rested for a moment, the caravanners giving the horses a chance to munch down on their surrounding foliage before they made their way back down into the trees.

  It didn’t take long until they hit actual tarmac, the road markings long since faded away. With the horses trotting harder, they had soon reached Ironhold.

  *****

  Much like the Hub, the Nyúlfur town had been hidden from prying eyes, but that was where the similarities between the two ended. Whilst the Hub had relied on the sheer size of the mountains and valley to hide it, Ironhold relied exclusively on the forests surrounding the ruined human town of Naskup to do the same. Unlike the Hub however, which had an area so vast that patrols were the only reliable way to provide security, Ironhold could afford to – and had to – rely on something more substantial.

  Settled on the edge of a small lake, the town was surrounded by dozens, no, hundreds of rusting containers stacked on top of each other, creating a wall of repurposed iron. A few of the containers were unlucky enough to be torn up to allow gun nests and armed gatehouses to be built into them. Audas couldn’t stop himself from nodding in approval at the sight, more than adequate to deal with a bandit party or a small military force.

  But not a full-fledged Feral…

  He drove the thought away as they passed through one of the makeshift gatehouses.

  A rough concrete path cut straight through the heart of the settlement, easily wide enough for four, maybe five cars to drive through side by side with little issue at all. At the edges of the road were more different coloured containers, many of them doubled stacked and all modified. Steel doors, glass windows, store counters and even the odd balcony were added to what appeared to be makeshift houses, stores, workshops, garages, storerooms and inns.

  The street itself was abuzz with activity, Nyúlfur settlers, travellers and traders strolled through the centre and between the establishments. Another cart and a 4x4 sat parked in the street, crates being unloaded and carried into the container-buildings. On both sides of the street, passages lead deeper into the containers.

  “I still can’t believe this used to just be an outpost.” The driver uttered, bringing the cart to a halt.

  “It was.” Dray explained, “And then some of the traders and the guards had the idea of turning the place into a trading town.”

  Audas clambered down from the cart, bare feet thumping against the warm concrete, eyes scanning the containers. “How did they even get the containers into place?”

  Dray dropped down next to him. “They had a few cranes lying around. Not ideal but they made do.”

  “Still got the big bastard folded down somewhere.” Kaine declared above them, “Haven’t seen it for years though.”

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  “Doubt they’ll raise it again.” Dray replied, “A sixty metre crane is too conspicuous to keep up today.”

  Audas twisted his mouth into thin grimace. Just because humanity had lost most of its cities, it didn’t mean industry went down with it. A handful of ships still travelled the oceans at least, and Manchester had its factories. But far from those cities, a sizeable crane far inland would be a prize worthy of any settlement in the world. Dismantling one for storage seemed pointless… Unless the people wanted to stay hidden.

  “You guys better have a look around.” Reyes said, lowering himself from the cart, “Pick up everything else you need, we’ll be heading off in about a few hours.”

  The caravaners began to spread out, leaving only a handful of guards to keep the carts secure. As Dorian marched off into the depths of the town, the remaining trio put together their plans. Dray would hunt down the technical gear, Kaine would gather a few additional perishables and Audas would handle any remaining ammo. Beyond that, they could do whatever they wanted. A simple, yet efficient plan.

  With his destination pointed out, Audas strolled through the central street, carrying a fistful of hefty coins in his pocket. Gaias and Lunas, Dray had called them. A makeshift Nyúlfur currency that he had seen being tossed around every so often back at the Hub. That being said, he didn’t expect the coins to be quite so valuable here, even if the Pound was still being used back in his native Britain. He let himself peer through the windows at the counters as he walked onwards. Some shops contained basic necessities, meats, breads and fruits in their shelving. Others showed metal and woodwork. He passed a large inn, nearly shivering at the thick aroma of stew that wafted up his nose.

  The Hub may be bigger… but damn, this place is a trader’s paradise!

  Figuring he had the time; he even wandered through some of the more open market stores. Clothes were hung on racks, parts for vehicles rested atop of tables… it was like he walking through a damn shopping centre. He let his fingers brush past a pair of leather jackets. Almost like I’ve gone back in time.

  Nevertheless, he couldn’t spend all day browsing, so he pulled himself away from the shops and moved to track down that armoury.

  Luckily, it was easy to find. Unlike the rest of the town, it was an old concrete garage with a reinforced metal shutter. A window had been converted into a counter, and leaning behind it was a tall gold-grey furred Nyúlfur. She was fiddling around with an ammo clip and her mouth twitched in annoyance at what he assumed was the clip.

  Indeed, she was that focused on it, it was only when Audas was literally right against the counter did she finally look up. Her eyes were narrow as slits, but she quickly jerked upright as she scanned Audas. “Sorry.” She grumbled, “Just been a long day. Did you need something?”

  Audas tilted his head, “That’s fine. I was wondering if I could get some 5.56 rounds?”

  The armourer clenched her jaw as she looked towards the M4 over Audas’ shoulder. “Well, what kind? Regular? Hollow point? Fucking cray-“

  Audas was already clenching his fist, expecting a sudden argument. But that was when one of her ears twitched and she leaned forward not to try and grab him by the collar. But to look downwards. “Wait, is that… shit.”

  Her eyes had widened, and her face swiftly relaxed into a much more neutral state, albeit her face was now flushed with a visible wince. Huh, what did she notice?

  The answer came a couple of seconds later.

  “That sword… it’s Vale and Alex’s work right?”

  Audas withdrew an inch, hand instinctively reaching for the sword hanging at his waist. “How could you tell?” he asked suspiciously.

  She leaned back from the counter, “Check the pummel, it’s got their signature.”

  Still feeling somewhat sceptical, Audas pulled the sword out a touch to get a better look. At first, he couldn’t see anything, until he caught the slight flash of light and shadow at the top of the pummel. A small symbol was etched onto the surface.

  II

  “A number two?” Audas observed, running a finger along the surface and not even feeling the mark at all.

  “Nah.” The armourer replied, “Gemini.”

  Gemini? What would the Nyúlfur know about the zodiac…

  Then it clicked. “Ahh… twins.” He mused warmly.

  “Bingo.” She replied, clicking her fingers. “Sorry for the snap. Was that a commission?”

  “A gift, actually.”

  She flashed a touched smile, “Well, a friend of the twins is a friend of mine. I’ll get those rounds.”

  The sudden revelation about the symbol for Gemini of all things was quickly pushed aside as the now elated armourer – Kia as she called herself – quickly scooped up some hollow point ammunition. Pretty handy against unarmoured targets and Ferals.

  That was very much to Audas’ own satisfaction, right up until she offered a pair of grenades.

  He fought off the instinct to narrow his gaze on the explosives. Dirty rounds were one thing, jamming guns at best, detonating in the barrel at worst. But a post-Outbreak grenade was another matter. It hadn’t been the first time one had exploded on its own accord.

  He couldn’t hide the inevitable chuckle though, Probably in some poor bastards’ trousers.

  “I know exactly what you’re thinking and no.” Kia replied, bemused, “Those are Rainer Grenades, won’t get any better than that.”

  Okay, got no idea what kind of quality these ‘nades are, but if she was going to sing her praises about them, well, I better play along. Could come in handy.

  “Glad to hear.” Audas said, smirking as he slipped the grenades into the sack (conveniently with as much material between him and them as possible) and laid out a handful of Lunas. “Thanks for the help.”

  He turned to go, only to freeze as an idea formulated in his mind’s eye. Or rather, an old one. Back when he was with the Merryhunters, he had a habit of asking the locals, normally a shopkeeper, about any activity in the area they happened to be visiting. Perhaps the same trick could work here. Get a better idea of what to expect.

  “Actually.” He started, looking back, “Heard of anything going on out there? I’m still new around here.”

  Kia frowned as she put the coin away. “Not much. Just a few more bandits on the road, more wildlife popping up… a few more Feral packs in the countryside but that’s nothing new. Vancouver is still a hellhole. The South is damn quiet.”

  “So basically… business as usual?”

  “More dangerous actually.” She warned, “Especially if some lunatics want to go running up into the Hub’s land. Glad to know you managed to stop that.”

  Audas slowly nodded, the memory of the encounter still fresh on his mind. “Thanks.” He replied, his voice dipping that little bit in volume. It wasn’t the best load of information, but at the very least, a lack of anything major to report could just as much be a boon as it was a con. “I better get going, need to get a few more things.”

  “Right.” She replied, as Audas turned once more. Perhaps he could- “Wait!”

  Raising a brow, he turned back towards the female Nyúlfur, who was leaning over the counter, “I’ve heard one rumour.”

  “Oh?”

  She chewed her lip, “Apparently there have been some military types wandering around. Humans.”

  Audas’ frown was small and subtle. “That’s not new.” He replied. Cascadia was pretty big, and he knew Victoria had its own standing army, even as far away as Manchester – the Cascadian Guard – it would make sense for them to send some patrols out across the territory they claimed.

  “I would just write it off as the Guard just mucking about” Kia replied, as if coming to the same conclusion, “But they weren’t in their standard uniform. And it was top of the line apparently. Completely black gear, faces covered up. No insignia too.”

  Audas’ muscles clenched. Black armour? No insignia? Underneath his fur, he could feel a few drops of sweats form on his brow. It couldn’t be them. Surely? “None at all?” he questioned, leaning forward and bringing his voice down. “It could just be some mercenary company, last I heard they were becoming more common.”

  “I thought the same when the scavengers mentioned that they were stripping this old factory out of the Badlands. But here’s the thing…”

  Her eyes flicked over his shoulder, and Audas could feel his blood go cold as the dread began to build up. “…apparently they had a team of Nyúlfur with them.”