Heretical Fishing

Book 2: Chapter 79: Oaths

Beneath the descending sun, Sue’s and Sturgill’s eyes were distant. Dual waves of power flowed from them as they entered their names into the System.

“Happy?” Maria asked, giving me a rather judgemental look while trying her best to hide the amusement poking through.

“Very,” I replied, grinning.

I extended a hand to Sturgill, then Sue, shaking them in turn. “Welcome to the ranks of the heretical, Fat Rat Pack and The Beetle Boys.”

Sue pouted. “I’m still not sure how I feel about being called The Beetle Boys.”

“Would you rather Fat Rat Pack?” Sturgill asked, smirking.

She lowered her eyebrows. “No. I’d prefer Sue.”

I opened my mouth to let her know why the names were important, but she shook her head, likely knowing my intention.

“It’s fine. Barry already explained why it was necessary, but it doesn’t take all the sting out of it.”

Her eyes drifted to the heaped boards of fish. “It couldn’t hurt...”

“Well, good, because we need to eat all of this before it goes bad. It’s warm, so we should really hurry.”

With that, the feast truly began. The mountains of sashimi shrunk surprisingly fast, everyone falling into silence as we ate it one mouthful at a time. I watched my animal pals with no small amount of glee, encouraging them to eat the pink flesh when the slices of red meat were gone. I didn’t know when she got there, but Cinnamon lounged in the sun, chewing a stalk of sugarcane as she rested a paw on Pelly’s side.

“And where have you been?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

She gave me a sly little shrug, amusement clear on her face.

“All right. Keep your secrets.” I bent to rub her belly, then grabbed another slice of sashimi.

No matter how much I ate, the fish, even when combined with the savory sauce, was light and refreshing. Everyone clearly felt the same, as after less than a half hour, we’d eaten every last bit. I’d been keeping an eye on Roger, only glancing his way when he was distracted. Though I already knew it to be the case, it was clear that he was eating the fish for more reasons than just gaining power. The tension held in his body slowly melted away with each bite. He and Sharon joked and smiled, their love for each other clear in their eyes. Maria, who was also stealing glances at them, squeezed my hand. We shared our own smile, hopeful for the plan to come together.

As we sat and let the food settle, I cleared my throat. “So, I have a confession to make.”

All turned to face me, their conversations pausing.

“I had an ulterior motive in inviting you all here for this fishy feast.” Before anyone could respond, I steeled my nerves and rushed into it. “Maria and I have decided to take a trip to the capital.”

“Now hold on one second!” Roger protested, his temporary joviality gone. “That’s too dangerous. I won’t let you take my little girl into the maw of the capital.”

“Dear...” Sharon said. “I think this could be a good idea.” She shot him a meaningful glance, communicating... something. “Don’t you also think Fischer going to the capital is a good idea, Barry?”

I furrowed my brow, not sure what Barry had to do with it. His eyes darted around, his face calculating.

What have I missed...? I wondered, still not comprehending.

“It would be a good idea for Fischer to go to the capital.” Barry agreed. “The timing is—”

“I don’t give a damn about your Operation Sticky Fingers!” Roger spat. “If you think I’m willing to risk my only daughter for such foolishness, you’re out of your damned mind! I care little for the—”

Sharon clamped a hand over his mouth, cutting him off. “Mind your company, dear...” she said, glancing at me.

“Okay.” I threw my hands up. “What the hell is going on? What is Operation Sticky Fingers?”

Maria, Sue, and Sturgill looked similarly confused, but every other face grew apprehensive. I waited, a line forming between my eyes as I tried in vain to connect the dots.

Barry broke the silence. He sighed, shaking his head. “We’ve been meaning to suggest you go to the capital, though Maria wasn’t involved in the plan...”

“... why?”

Barry grimaced. “Do you really want to know the details...?”

“If you do, is there a chance that Maria fits into the plan?”

Barry nodded. “I don’t see why she couldn’t—”

“Absolutely not!” Roger yelled, cutting him off. “It’s much too dangerous!”

“That’s enough, Roger.” Barry’s voice held a weight to it, physically pushing against my body. I’d felt it from him before, and as it washed over me, I finally understood why it held such power.

There’s chi in his voice...?

Strands of it, hair-thin and invisible even to my eyes, flowed out from him. He didn’t have the level of control I did, so I wondered if he was even aware it was happening. Roger’s complaints died in his throat, his eyes going wide as he sat back down, blinking rapidly.

Barry took a calming breath, slowly exhaling it before he continued. “I understand your worry. Truly, I do, but you’re being too emotional and speaking out of turn. If you can’t hold your tongue, I’ll need to ask you to leave. Sharon can tell you what happened later.”

Fury crossed his face, his lips forming a line and cheek twitching, but he remained seated.

“Thank you,” Barry said. He turned toward Maria and I. “How much do you want to know?”

We shared a look, and she nodded for me to take the lead.

“I want to know about anything that puts Maria—or any of you—in danger. Spare the rest of the details unless we ask.”

Barry nodded, taking a moment to think. “Okay,” he eventually said. “I can work with that. I really did want to leave you out of this, but you’ll understand once you know the plan...”

***

Hours later, Barry sat at the round table within the church. As he waited for the rest of the congregation to take their seats, he smiled out at them.

“How are you feeling, dear?” Helen asked, rubbing his shoulder.

“Honestly? I feel great.”

Snips, Claws, Pistachio, and Bill entered the room, taking their seats at the table. Bill was a recent recruit, but it already felt as though he’d been there since the beginning. His instruction in martial arts had been invaluable.

Sharon smiled, squeezing Barry’s arm to get his attention. “Are you relieved Fischer agreed?”

“More relieved that the conversation is no longer hanging over my head, I think. I always knew he’d say yes, but I dreaded asking him to do it. It’s the opposite of the relaxing life he years for...”

“But it’s for the best.”

“It is,” he agreed, reaching over to take hold of her hand.

Sue and Sturgill took their seats, each looking as confused as the other. Only two spots at the table were empty—those of Sharon and Roger. The latter still claimed he wasn’t a part of the church, yet he’d attended the last week’s worth of meetings. When it had become apparent that Maria could—and would—accompany Fischer to the capital, Roger had stormed off, trailed closely by Sharon.

Knowing there was no point in waiting for them, Barry cleared his throat.

He gave Sue and Sturgill a kind smile. “Sorry for dropping you right into the deep end like that, you two. I’d have liked to ease you into it, but Fischer forced the issue.”

“It’s fine, Barry.” Sturgill put a hand around Sue’s back, resting it on the chair. “We spoke about it on the way back here, and I think it actually helped. We know the stakes and what you’re working toward.”

“More importantly,” Sue added, leaning into her husband. “We agree with all of it.”

Another weight lifted from Barry’s shoulders. “I’m glad. We’re more than happy to have you with us.”

“Shall we pick up where we left off?” Ellis asked, reading over his notes.

“We should.” Barry rubbed his chin. “I believe we were about to go over your crafting when Claws came to get us. How is the spirit beast’s leather coming along?”

“Coming along?” Ellis raised his eyes, pride clear in them. “It is finished. Just in time, too.”

“It is?” Theo asked, clapping his friend on the shoulder.

“Indeed. It came out even better than I had hoped.”

“That’s fantastic timing, Ellis.” Barry gave him a nod. “Well done.” He took a deep breath, thinking about what to discuss next. “Okay, I believe the running plan should work. We’ll use the Baker’s Dozen and Hidden Stash variations. Also...” He smiled at the room, unable to hide it. “I believe we can adjust Baker’s Dozen now that we have Fat Rat Pack and The Beetle Boys...”

Claws chirped, nodding her head so violently that Barry she might take flight.

“Glad you approve, Claws.”

“Wait,” Sturgill said. “I thought we were staying here? Why are you including us?”

“Oh, sorry. I forgot you don’t know the variation details. We didn’t tell Fischer on purpose.” Barry turned to Ellis. “Would you mind going over it?”

“Of course.” He stood, placing his notepad in a pocket as he walked over to the diagram on the wall. “Baker’s Dozen, by its nature, is a variation focused on misdirection...”

He continued explaining the variation in all its intricacies. When understanding finally struck Sue and Sturgill, their eyes went wide.

“Don’t tell me…” Sturgill said.

“You really mean to…?” Sue asked, trailing off.

Barry nodded, unable to stop himself from smiling.

The two bakers, now known to the System as Fat Rat Pack and The Beetle Boys, burst into laughter.

***

There were only a few hours of daylight left, making it a terrible time for a villager to leave on a camping trip. Luckily for us, we weren’t regular villagers. With a fitful breeze at my back and Maria’s hand in mine, I followed the setting sun toward the west.

“Are you sure about this, Fischer?”

“Don’t worry.” I gave her hand a soft squeeze. “I’ll be on my best behavior.”

“Yeah, that’s exactly what I’m worried about.”

“Hey! I can be good!”

She snorted. “Yeah, you were being good when you spoke to that noble the other week. How did that end?”

“Lord Osnan? I thought that went pretty well…”

“He tried to slap your head off!”

“Fine, it didn’t go well, but that was one time.”

“One time? What about every other time you’ve interacted with my dad?”

“Okay, I might have been a touch antagonistic here and there.”

She stopped on the spot, narrowing her eyes beneath her blonde hair. “... here and there?”

“Fine—most of the time, but this time will be different. I promise.”

She looked at me for a long moment, then nodded and resumed walking. “Okay.”

“... okay?” I took a few hurried steps to keep pace. “Just like that?”

“Yep. I trust you.”

I glanced over, seeing a solid side-eye coming from her.

“Unless I shouldn’t?” she asked.

I grinned back. “You can trust me. I want you to move in without your dad swearing a blood vendetta against me, so I’ll be on my best behavior.”

“Good.” Her cheeks flushed, and she darted in to plant a kiss on my cheek. “I want that too.”

I stared into her eyes, marveling at the colors I found there and the way they seemed to shift in the sunlight. Distracted as I was, I felt our quarry’s chi signature too late.

“What do you want?” came his gruff voice.

I turned to look at Roger. He sat on his deck, peeling a root vegetable and letting the skin fall to the sandy soil.

“Hey, Mate. I came to see you.”

“Don’t you think you’ve done enough for one day?”

I turned to Maria. “Would you give us a moment?”

“Of course.” She let go of my hand, sweeping forward and only pausing to give her dad a quick hug before running inside. The front door closed behind her, leaving us alone.

The soft snick of his knife peeling skin from the vegetables was the only sound to be heard. A wind kicked up, shaking the leaves of the surrounding crops. I leaned into the calm the wind gave me, letting out a slow breath.

“I know you don’t trust me, mate. That’s okay, and I get it. In the absolute best-case scenario, I’m some kind of interworld traveler with more power than he can fully comprehend.”

Roger raised an eyebrow, glaring up at me.

I held up both hands, stalling the inflammatory comment no doubt forming on his tongue.

“Let me finish, mate. You don’t trust me—totally fine. What you can trust is that I love your daughter. I’m in love with your daughter. Come hell, highwater, or even a literal God coming down from the heavens, I will protect her with my life. I swear to you, on everything I am, that I’ll bring her home safe. I’ll always bring her home safe.”

Every time Roger looked at me, I saw exactly who he was. He had the eyes of a soldier, one who had seen things most men would crumble under the weight of. He’d never told me as much himself, but it was easy to glean from the things Maria had told me. He never spoke of his time in the army. Never. Not even a word. It was why he was so abrasive. Why he didn’t really care what others thought. Given everything he had been through, it was impossible for him to not see the world through a grim lens.

When it came to his daughter, though, that mask shattered.

He usually did pretty well to hide it. To lash out in anger and hide the fear he felt; the fear of losing her. Earlier, when Barry had agreed Maria could accompany me to the capital without being put in danger, Roger’s eyes told the truth. Now, as he looked up at me from the deck, with his knife frozen midway through removing a strip of dirt-covered peel, he had the eyes of a father, terrified of the prospect of losing the thing he held dearest in this world.

“Can you really promise that?” he asked, voice unnaturally calm.

“I can.”

Whether he could tell I meant it or because he needed to believe me, Roger nodded and stood. He set his vegetable and knife down, holding out a hand toward me. I grasped it, shaking as he weighed me with his gaze. It felt as though we’d finally found common ground, like I’d finally convinced him that I was someone worth trusting.

Was this the missing piece? I wondered. Could I have ended the animosity long ago by promising I’d protect her with my life?

He leaned in close, his eyes going flinty. “Fail her and I will hunt you down.”

Welp. Nevermind.

“I don’t care if you ascend to the heavens,” he continued, leaning in closer and squeezing my hand with everything he had. “I’ll follow you, find you, and end you if you hurt her.”

“Deal,” I said, matching his strength.

I felt a small but powerful source of chi racing through the crops behind us. Roger looked past me, hearing the creature as it brushed sugarcane stalks aside. Borks came flying out, his tongue lolling and tail wagging as he came to a skidding stop before us. He barked, sitting down and looking up with nothing but excitement on his face.

“I think that’s my cue, mate,” I said, letting go of Roger’s hand.

The door opened behind him, Maria and Sharon appearing in the doorway.

“Ready to go?” She asked, giving her father and me a hesitant glance.

“Yep! Ready when you are!”

She skipped forward, wrapping her father in a tight hug. Sharon came to me, giving me a knowing smile as she approached.

She pulled me into a hug, patting me on the back. “Bring her home in one piece.” She leaned toward my ear. “And nicely handled,” she whispered before letting go.

I gave her a wide grin. Maria came to my side, putting her hands behind her back as she smiled at her parents.

“See you guys soon,” I said.

“Yeah!” Maria agreed. “We’ll be back within the week.”

“Remember your promise,” Roger said, his face once more that of a hardened soldier.

“Will do, mate!”

With Borks at my side and Maria’s hand in mine, we followed the trail of the setting sun.

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