517 The King (1/2)
Nix kicked sand into his adversary's face then attempted a leg sweep while Chiba's sight was impaired. When his leg contacted nothing, he rolled free and brought up his guard, but it was already too late. The flat side of the old woman's blade slapped him gentle on the shoulder.
”Well done, Apprentice!” Chiba took a long drink from her canteen and then wiped her mouth with the back of her sword hand. She offered her apprentice a drink, but he shook his head and produced his own container. ”One last spar!”
”There's no telling what you put in your canteen.” Nix knew without asking that it was booze.
”True...” Chiba stood barechested in the mid-morning sun. Her short gray hair, pale skin, and flat chest hid the fact that she was female from those who didn't know her well. She toasted Nix with her canteen and took a long drink.”
Nix returned her toast politely. ”To the King.”
Chiba paused after stowing her canteen. ”The King?”
Nix grinned at the old woman. ”Fuh... King.”
Chiba stared at him for a moment before her laughter erupted, the creepy sound of it making everyone nearby turn and stare. ”HAHAHA... PERFECT I LOV..” Her hilarity was interrupted when Nix tapped her shoulder with his blade.
”I win.” Nix stowed his blade and took turned abruptly while his Master continued to cackle uncontrollably.
”Nix! Come back! Don't cheat your Master!” The old woman was still chuckling when her apprentice disappeared towards the beach.
A few minutes later, Nix arrived at his destination where Morti, Fey, and Soup were playing in the surf. The entire camp was enjoying the brief respite from 'bone form.' After returning for their R\u0026R trip, Jun Li set up a light roving guard and gave the camp a day off. Cookfires were set up, and the recently rezzed members from the Striker Graveyard were given a chance to acclimate themselves.
/Alpha: Semmi: Where are you at, Boss?
/Alpha: Nix: Down at the beach. Problem?
/Alpha: Semmi: Not really, we'll come find you.
After returning from Vasai Virtual, Nix had put a long leather strap on Commander Bensic's helm. The shiny headgear was an upgrade from his last helm but still only covered a fraction of the cub's huge head. ”Looks good, Morti.” Morti was sitting on his enormous butt, letting the surf flow around him while he scratched figures on the wet sand.
”Thanks. I like it.” Morti's wet fur was sticking in all directions. ”Soup has gotten stronger.”
”Commander! Commander!” A familiar voice shouted his name from the rocks.
Nix seemed to freeze in place for a moment. ”Say it isn't true.”
Morti glanced toward the running figure. ”She's really fast.”
An instant later, a tiny blond figure skidded to a stop in front of him. She snapped a salute while her large smile threatened to consume all of her face. ”Captain Bali reporting for duty!”
Nix returned her salute, biting down on the smile that bubbled up. ”Did I promote you?”
Bali nodded. ”Permission to hug you, sir?”
”Denied.”
”Handshake?”
”Denied.”
”Headpat?”
”Fine.” Nix chuckled and scruffed the blond ranger's hair. ”Now that the big guns are here, maybe we can make some progress.”
Bali nodded in agreement. ”Am sure Ronnie has missed me. Know where she is?”
”Probably test flying the new Bone Crow mounts.” Nix noticed Semmi and Pon walking toward them.
Bali took a sideways glance at Morti. ”Love the new helm.”
Morti seemed more intent on his drawings, even though the surf was erasing them before he could finish. ”Thanks, Captain,” he replied without looking up.
/Alpha: Semmi: Meant to tell you, Bali came through the Mocai Coven portal.
/Alpha: Nix: With who?
/Alpha: Semmi: Elan Mtui and Beta.
/Alpha: Nix: Breach Commander Mtui? Why is he here?
/Alpha: Semmi: He's here to support us; we should probably guild both him and Beta. That will give them mounts and permanent Boneyness.
/Alpha: Nix: Mtui is a tank?
/Alpha: Semmi: Yes. Oh, and Sharl was able to summon Floyd.
/ALpha: Nix: Now that's awesome news. Where's Pathfinder?
/Alpha: Semmi: They have a tent set up next to yours.
/Alpha: Nix: I have a tent?
/Alpha: Semmi: Medium-sized one that you're sharing with Fajii and Shae.