Headed by a Snake

The forward group had been traveling in the cave for a couple of bells.

Justus wished they moved faster... The thought of it reaching nighttime and camping in the cave unnerved him a great deal.

Puddles or other strange, slippery algae or animal droppings were dispersed around the cavern floor, as well as the occasional pitfall... dug by a creature nearly as large as a human. One of the other Decani nearly fell in. After that, Optio Sixtus slowed their marching speed immensely.

Fortuna's floating orbs and the glowing enchantment on Sixtus' shield were barely better than torches, but Justus was thankful the constant glow didn't create dancing shadows amongst the cave's stalagmites like flickering flames would... though it still felt like they were being watched by... something.

"That guy-- he's probably a total loser, anyroad." Fortuna muttered. "He looks like a girl!"

The only sound chasing away the creatures lurking in Justus' heart was... Fortuna's voice. Justus prodded her whenever it grew too silent to bear, and she'd babble away like a brook. Thus far, he'd only had to prod twice. It reminded him of a machine he saw in capital city Rixus that dispensed holy water in exchange for a silver coin... except the stream of whatever Fortuna was saying lasted longer.

The idle conversations stopped as they ventured deeper into the Manticore's lair. Maybe everyone else was as nervous as he was... Justus hoped Duplicarius Zehr would come back soon. There were marks of his presence in the form of chalk-mark arrows on the floors and walls, but it felt safer when he was around.

"Does he have any friends? I bet he doesn't. I bet he doesn't even talk to any girls!"

Fortuna's eyes didn't match what she was saying. She didn't seem upset-- but more... curious?

"Does he like anyone?" She asked.

Justus frowned. Zehr seemed pretty hurt by Rena's loss, even though he didn't seem interested initially. The Duplicarius' increased annoyance as of late was probably the only way he knew how to express his feelings.

After all, Zehr was human, too.

Justus nodded hesitantly, "Yeah... I think he did."

"Oh? Who?" Fortuna badgered him, "I mean, not that I particularly care-- I just wanna know. Because she's probably too good for him! ...But who is it, though?"

A dull pain filled Justus' chest at the thought.

"I apologize for Fortuna, young Decanus," Optio Sixtus' voice called back. "She thinks she's terribly clever."

"Shut up, crucifixion pervert," Fortuna shot back.

Justus gave a weak smile, "She... she died in the Manticore attack."

Silence again reigned amongst the tent group. Justus regretted spoiling the admittedly neutral mood, but he wanted to answer Fortuna truthfully.

After journeying for several quiet minutes, Optio Sixtus spoke his thoughts aloud, "It's a shame the Holy Bolter was killed."

Justus clenched his fists and unintentionally gnashed his teeth, "Her name... was Rena."

He felt his mana circulating rapidly-- his heart started to pound and sweat began to form underneath his helmet.

"Young Decanus..." Cyrac placed his hand on Justus' shoulder, "Your aura..."

Justus realized his foolishness... He took a deep breath, trying to slow his heart rate. He willed his mana to slow... "I'm sorry, Centurion."

"It's fine, Young Decanus," The old, one-eyed veteran nodded sagely, "You feel anger out of love. It's because of that love for our brothers and sisters that we can fight so hard to protect them."

Fortuna crossed her arms, "Like you love anything, you old goat."

​ Cyrac chuckled, "Of course, I do. Though to me, Fortuna, you're not so much a sister--"

"Sexist pig!" Fortuna glared.

"--you're the wonderful daughter I never had," Cyrac smiled.

"O-oh..." The Healer pouted, her anger derailed. "Wh-who asked for a thief of a dad like you?"

"After all this--" Cyrac declared, "We'll gather for a meal. We'll honor the fallen. We'll all mourn together."

The old Centurion clapped Justus' shoulder-- a masculine but somehow gentle reassurance, "The youngest pours the drinks for everyone. And I'll pour for you. How's that sound?"

"The custom goes that the oldest pours for the youngest," One of the Decani offered.

Cyrac coughed and averted his gaze, "Aha, right."

"Yes, Centurion... I'd like that." That sounded good... Everything being over, that is.

"I must apologize to you, young Decanus," Sixtus' unexpected voice threw Justus off-guard.

"Sixtus, taking the initiative to apologize..." Fortuna raised an eyebrow, "By the Flame, who is this imposter?"

"It is indeed a bit of a rare occurrence," Cyrac stroked his white beard amusedly.

Optio Sixtus turned back to reveal a frown of disapproval, "Decanus Justus, I meant no offense concerning Holy Bolter Rena. I wished to express my lamentation of her passing, as she was one of our most promising officer candidates. She was skillful and well-liked within the cohort."

Justus nodded. He hadn't asked-- but it made a lot of sense that Rena was so promotable... not that it meant anything now.

"She was a person too, Sixtus! Not just one of your tools!" Fortuna scowled.

Sixtus twisted his face and came to a stop, "Fortuna... please understand that I think the way I do because I want the Rhodoks to succeed. The Rhodoks are experiencing great tribulations now and it is my solemn wish to see us through."

His gaze passed over everyone in the forward group, "You are my brothers and sisters. Though I do not often say it, I am eternally grateful to you all for fighting by my side."

The Optio's admission stunned the whole group. Fortuna gawked with her mouth open.

Cyrac gave a hearty laugh, "Well spoken, old friend!"

Justus nodded, his chest warmed with pride, "Yeah..."

Suddenly, Fortuna's head whipped to the side, her eyes narrowed.

Their group didn't have a second scout... and the half-elf had better hearing than everyone else. Justus placed his hand on his sword, "What do your elven ears hear?"

The woman glared back with a reddening face, "Something's... chewing."

Sixtus directed his shield, enchanted with Fortuna's light, in the direction she faced.

A visored Duplicarius sat cross-legged on a raised rock formation. Zehr waved in acknowledgment, "It seemed you were having a pleasant conversation. I did not wish to interrupt."

Justus breathed a sigh of relief. Fortuna mentioning chewing made his stomach recoil. He remembered all too well, the Manticore's work-- half-eaten bodies on the funeral pyres, disemboweled to inflict agony and slow, painful deaths.

"Would anyone like some dried apples?" Zehr offered, "The texture is similar to jerky."

Sixtus took a deep breath through his nostrils and nodded, "Let's take a break-- we'll eat in two shifts."

"I'd like some," Justus walked up. "You're a really good cook, Zehr."

"Drying fruit over a few suns is nothing special..." Zehr curled his lips up in a polite smile, "--but thank you for the compliment, Justus."

Justus mulled over the thought of Zehr's appearance in his mind. He was the only one amongst their number not on edge... which could be a testament of his demeanor, but...

"Zehr... have you... maybe..."

The Duplicarius pursed tilted his head, "Speak freely, Justus, but do gather your thoughts. It is frustrating if you speak with them incomplete."

"R-right," Justus smiled with chagrin. He'd just come out and say it, "Have you been to these caves before?"