1 week
“Stop.”
Nalim’s arm blocked their way forward. She picked up her rifle, bent behind a rock, and peered through the scope.
They bent down in their places, trying to decipher what it was she saw. Europa spoke first.
“What is it?”
“Movement.”
“Of?”
“Good question, could you let me figure that out first?”
Europa sighed, slinking further into the underbrush.
A silent moment passed before Nalim stood. “It’s people.”
“Like us kind of people?”
She slung her rifle on her back and gave Europa a tired glance. “What. Does that mean.”
“Are they City people and/or Guardians, or are they the people of the ‘wilds’?” She gave a special intonation to wilds.
“I don’t know. But they’re not Cabal, and they’re not Fallen. We need to catch up with them before they leave. Come on.” She started her stride towards the edge of the forest.
Alexi smiled, offering Europa a hand up. “Maybe there will be someone you know.” Something about the look in his eyes made that seem less than genuine.
She raised an eyebrow. “Did the little angel just make a jab?”
“I am just saying.” Now he was definitely smirking, his optics narrowed at her. “You know a lot of people. It’s likely.”
“I’ve ruined you, Lexi.”
He laughed. “You are a bad influence.”
“Aww, but I’m your bad influence.”
He rolled his eyes. “Woo hoo.”
(author's aid: he's calling her a hoe)
They emerged from the trees a few seconds after Nalim, approaching the band of people warily.
“King-Killer?” At the sound of the title, several people turned to see.
Nalim’s expression soured. “Ugh.”
The speaker was an Awoken male, and judging from his worn-down armor, he was a Guardian. Hunter. His bright eyes followed Nalim in amazed respect, until he spotted the two behind her. “Europa?”
Europa’s eyes snapped to him. “Alton?”
“Euri!” He broke off from the idling group to hug her, drawing eyes. “You survived!”
She returned the hug, holding him at arms’ length. “Never mind me, I didn’t think I’d see anyone I knew out here. Much less you.”
He made a face. “You didn't think I’d live?”
“Well…” She grinned.
“Ouch.”
Nalim stepped to their side, appraising him very visibly.
“Alton is the one I bribed into messing with the fuses at Cali’s first birthday.”
“Is that literally the only thing you can say about me?”
Europa chuckled. “It’s the one she’s going to know.”
“Great, first impressions off to a great start.”
Nalim nodded quietly. “I remember you.”
Europa backed up, and Alton seemed to tense under Nalim’s stare.
Alexi looked pointedly at her, the smile in his eyes.
“What?” She realized. “Oh, shut up.”
“Alton, how old are you?”
“Four years, ma’am.”
She nodded. “Did Cayde train you?”
“Mostly. Have you seen him?”
“Hmm. No.” She shook her head. “How did you get here?”
He tilted his head. “Here as in this part of the woods?”
“I mean out of the City, and with these people. Do you know them?” She looked over his shoulder at the other people. Some looked to be Guardians, but mostly they were noticeably civilians. One watched her with the same amount of vigilance.
“I lost contact with the group I was evacuating when we became..y’know. I blacked out, and when I came to, they were gone. I just followed the same evac route to find them, but I found these people instead. I figured I’d be more helpful here than hunting for a group I might never find.” He shrugged, looking back at them. “That was a few days ago. My ghost doesn’t know how long either of us were out.”
She nodded again. “Good. Thank you, Alton.”
He straightened under the praise. “Of course, ma’am.”
“Stop calling me that.” She glanced at him. “And do NOT call me King-Killer.”
“Uh. What-”
“My name is Nalim.”
Europa suddenly entered his view, and she smiled, leaning on her mentor. “We like to call her ‘Mom’.”
“No thanks, I don’t wanna die.”
Nalim barked a laugh. “I like you.”
The watchful civilian approached as Alton shied away. Nalim stepped forward, holding out her hand.
“Hello, I’m-”
“Yeah, Alton’s not quiet. King-Killer.”
Nalim sighed.
“You and your group all Guardians? All three of you?”
She glanced at Alexi and Europa, who’d wandered off to chat. “Yes.”
“Good. Then you’re armed I hope?”
“Yes.”
“Awesome. We need a bit of help with the protection part. Your City folk aren’t used to all the eyes on ‘em.”
“‘My’?” Nalim tilted her head. The dots connected from the rifle and the poncho. “Ah, not a City dweller.”
“I’m Suraya. Hawthorne. Certified non-City dweller.”
“Nalim.” She held out her hand again. Suraya shook it this time.
“Nice to meet you, Nalim. Good job on not dying.”
“I’ve gotten good at that. Thanks.”
Suraya snorted. “We’re launching for a haven soon. I suggest you stick with us.”