Chain the Bandit Eater 4

“It is quite the sight is it not Lady Chain?”

“It’d be better if you didn’t interrupt me again.”

In spite of her plan, the view that she had to lower her gaze from to address the bandit was as such that she would rather not have to look at him. Despite seeming more nervous than he had when they had met not long before, Bearings still managed to avoid appearing greasy like the merchants who used the Brass Line for their business ventures. Taking a moment to study his features more closely to assure that he was indeed the man she thought he was, Chain could not help but notice that even his dainty mustache was free of the greasiness typical of merchants. The straight and pearly white teeth that he revealed as he offered Chain a smile also hinted at a life that avoided conflict despite his occupation. The source of his nervousness was all the more obvious when in the presence of the Bandit Eater, yet he still had the courage to press forward.

“Perhaps if I was not offering you a drink to relish as you absorb the view.”

At the mention of drink Bearings lifted up the wine glasses he carried as well as the wooden pail of ice that held the promised beverage. The sight of the bottle of wine further soured Chain’s mood but she was a better actor than Bearings and offered him a smile that hinted at pleasant surprise. The pleasantness Chain hinted at was not however unaccompanied by her more typical cruelty.

“If I didn’t know better I would think you were trying to take advantage of a pretty girl who just reached adulthood. Not that it would matter if your intentions were so impure though since you couldn’t remove my chainmail anyway.”

“Lady Chain, please, such accusations are near bordering on slander. I’ve a reputation to uphold and speaking such in good company is wont to tarnish it.”

(Good Company huh? I wonder for who exactly?)

Chain’s thoughts were not betrayed unlike those of the other patrons of the observation car. Where Chain was beholden to the view beyond the glass upper half of the train car the patrons had a difficult time hiding the curious sidelong looks with which they studied the chainmail clad maid. Chain was not surprised by that though as the observation car of the Brass Line was rather luxurious, enough so that in the corners instead of plush benches there were rather chaise longue, one of which she had availed herself to sprawl out on to. The intention had been to draw attention in the first place and to put Bearings off guard, but Chain had not expected to overhear the gossip that swirled about in hushed whispers with her at the center of discussion. It was obvious to her that someone was prone to exploit her presence and also make Bearings very uncomfortable.

(Well, I’m sure one of these snobs is glad to be sharing a train with their fellow snobs. And at the very least this idiot’s hunter seems to be glad to have me on board so I might as well not disappoint them.)

Turning her attention back squarely onto Bearings, Chain sat upright and pulled her legs under her to make herself appear small and fragile. With a carefully constructed smile Chain engaged with thinly veiled maliciousness anew with Bearings.

“I would think talking with an adventurer like myself would already do that, no less offering me wine.”

“You sell yourself short Lady Chain. The men and women on this trip are all merchants and travelers, and while it would seem I stirred up the rumor mill, you yourself are champion to those who must brave the wilderness between bastions of civilization. Further, if not for that unfortunate Relic enveloping you there is no doubt that your beauty would suffice to convince many a lord of men to raise you above your commoner trappings. As such, offering a maid such as yourself a chance to partake in a glass of wine should harry me not.”

“You’re letting your upper standing show through now. But I guess if that’s the case I might as well accept your hospitality before you decide to try a more savage approach.”

“You wound me Lady Chain.”

(Not as much as you disgust me.)

Chain’s inner thoughts did not get in the way of her performance and she freely motioned for Bearings to take a seat beside her. His words obviously being empty Bearings accepted the invitation and placed the pail of ice on the ground before seating himself. Accepting the glass he offered her Chain took the moment provided by Bearings turning his attention to the wine bottle to study him while he was distracted.

(Disgusting as he is, he isn’t totally unaware of his situation. He knows my presence has changed things on board the train due to the sudden interest in me from the other passengers beyond idle curiosity. The fact that the guards are also partaking in the rumors surely hasn’t slipped his attention, yet he’s still willing to carry through his part in the train robbery that nearly everyone who carries a sword seems to know is coming. He either really doesn’t realize how deep he is or whoever he was talking to by the radio phone scares him even more.)

Chain wanted to dwell on her thoughts longer but had to focus as Bearings had finished busying himself with the wine. The popping of the cork that separated the exquisite beverage from those who would partake in it told Chain as much even if she had not been already watching Bearings. Understanding the importance of that cue Chain lifted her wine glass and accepted a serving from Bearings. Lifting the filled glass up Chain took in a breath of the red liquid’s aroma before taking a sip to taste of the equally sweet flavor. Lowering the glass Chain turned her attention back to the view provided by the observation car but was afforded no time to enjoy it or the wine as Bearings again spoke with a voice that was quickly becoming annoying.

“Is the wonder of the Builders not truly beyond comprehension?”

“I would think someone like you would be more interested in the technology from Automina that binds their song than that which they built in the world with their song.”

“While our modern lifestyles are dependent on what is salvaged and repurposed from the remnants of Automina by the Ratamma, even a man like myself can still wonder at the marvel of a tree that covers the sky.”

Chain did not have an immediate rebuke for Bearings as she herself had been held sway by that very tree for some time. It was not that she could not see the impossibly massive tree from back in the Southern and Headland Kingdoms, but as she grew nearer and nearer to the Northern Kingdoms she had at last found herself under the boughs of that great tree. Looking up into a canopy that resided over cloud and blue sky alike was bewildering and humbling. It was not a sensation that Chain appreciated but as the light of the sun could not penetrate the canopy of the tree she turned her gaze to the sun that flew across the sky under the boughs of the great tree bringing daylight to those who called the lands under it home.

“Of course Fallen Automina weren’t the only ones to best the Builders. The Great Bird Sol of whom Raptoria calls their patron deity rose up and restored light to the world after the Builders were bested by the ancient civilizations that drew there power directly from the Great Spirit Wells without the aid of the Builders’ Song. Even today there are those who can again tap into that power to perform spectacular feats of magic. And of course there are those who have been taken outside the Builders’ Song by the relics of the Age of Ash which have bound themselves to them.”

“Like yourself Lady Chain?”

A wry and honest smile played at Chain’s lips but Bearings did not seem to know when to stop denying the maid a moment to ponder the nature of her armor.

“But it does surprise me that one as young as yourself would have such a thorough understanding of the nature of the Builders’ Song. Perhaps a result of your time with your mentors?”

“You really do know how to ruin the mood.”

A disappointed sigh escaped from Chain as she was reminded that the man beside her was an utter idiot in her own words. Looking away from the spectacular view provided by the observation car she partook of more of her wine before continuing.

“But the short of it is, I actually paid attention during my apprenticeship so I probably know way more about the Builders’ Song than most. Of course I guess most people are content to let the Ratamma Song Smiths worry themselves about the Builders’ Song since it’s required to keep our technology running.”

“The Junk Birds would disagree with you Lady Chain.”

“So would King Raptorias and his family, but one nation’s royalty and an organization that supported the man who reduced the Western Kingdoms to ruin because they thought they could do what the Ratamma do far from make up the masses.”

“If you plan on venturing beyond the Stormroot Mountains you would do well to keep such thoughts to yourself as the Junk Birds run the air service across the range.”

“I’ll have to keep that in mind.”

Chain’s continued yet forced cordialness was becoming harder and harder for the maid to maintain. Still, she managed to maintain the façade well enough not to give away her inner thoughts as Bearings continued to make small talk.

(I should have just locked myself in my cabin. Sure it doesn’t have this view but it wouldn’t have had this idiot either. Also, if I had locked myself away in my cabin I could probably try to figure out why the Builders’ Song has been so loud on this trip instead of having to suffer entertaining this idiot I should have already run through and this weak wine of his. As it is I’m going to have to sit this out until the sun sets… I guess actually until that stupid bird flies out of sight. Argh! Everything about heading this far north is turning out to be a headache. Hurry up and get out of here you stupid bird so I can kill all of the idiots responsible for ruining my trip!)

Copyright © 2018 Joshua D Tarwater