Chapter 3 - Welcome to Patience

I was led into a plaza, of sorts.  I kept my head still, and scanned the area, eyes flicking to and fro.  Old habits were telling me, that building would provide cover in a firefight, that one would be torn to shreds in seconds, that one over there would crumble to a pile of junk in a month if left alone.  Of more importance, however, were the group of armed individuals walking towards me, guns leveled at my heart and head.  Sam leaned in close to me and muttered, "Shut up and don't make any sudden movements."  I resolved to keep my mouth shut, but my mouth moved on its' own, "If they are anything like you guys, I'm safe.  Especially if I'm a rad scorpion."  She glared at me.  I shrugged, "Sorry, I'm a reflexive smartass."  She put her face in her hands, but I could still see the smile, "You'll be a dead reflexive smartass, if you don't shut the hell up."

The group approaching gathered around me and a man with long, dirty hair and a perpetual sneer waved his gun at me, "So's your the 'plus one'?  You look like an idiot to me."  I felt my lip curl in a sneer of my own, "The opinion of an idiot who doesn't know how to hold his weapon properly, means little to me."  He bristled but Sam stepped between us and gave me a withering look, "Paulo, shut the hell up and get back to your duties.  And you,"  she raised and eyebrow at me, "If I have to tape your mouth shut, hog tie you and throw you in the outhouse, I will."  I believed her.  She watched as Paulo and his group swaggered back from where they came then rounded to face her own group, "Alright, get to bed.  We have a lot to do tomorrow."  She grabbed my arm and led me roughly up a street past dilapidated houses.

We wound our way through the town, past people.  Children shrieking in glee as they skittered past us in the dim light from houses and lanterns placed on the side of the street.  Their faces were streaked with dirt so their faces were hard to distinguish.  A few adults peered after them with rueful smiles, but gave me cautious looks and Sam waves of greeting.  I was still holding my hands up as she nudged me and hissed, "Put your arms down, you really do look like an idiot."  I dropped my hands.  She led me silently up to one of the larger structures in the town and marched me up to the door where two armed guards glared at me.  I waved cheerily at their glares while Sam smacked my hand down and addressed the guards, "Move it, knuckleheads, we need to speak with the council.

One spoke gruffly, "Can't.  They all went home."  Sam rolled her eyes at him and said, "You think?  Look, Manny, I need to set up an appointment for him to speak with them.  S'why I'm here and not finding lodgings for him, yet."  The man seemed to mull it over, but before he could respond, a short man walked around the corner.  He was balding and somewhat overweight and covered in what looked like mud, as he huffed up to us.  He didn't seem to notice us as he brushed himself in vain as he approached, muttering, "...last time I help, only a few minutes....hah!"  He lifted his head and started when he saw Sam, "Ah!  My dear, Sammy!  To what do I owe this pleasure?"  Sam gave the man a long suffering sigh and smile, "Norbert, please don't call me that.  I am here on business."  She gestured to me and the man named Norbert peered at me with suspicion, "I don't recognize you with that ridiculous scarf!  Well?  Take it off!"  I reached up to start unwrapping my face, but Sam stopped me with a hand.

"He's an outsider, Norbert.  We are here to put in for a Council meeting, he has some things to tell you all."  Norbert appraised me critically and said very seriously, "I will put it in for you, Sam.  I trust he will be under guard at all times?"  When Sam nodded, he continued as though I wasn't there, "Where will he be staying?"  Sam had to think for a time.  Finally, her eyes widened, "Oh, crap!  The only place that has any room is my place!"  Norbert frowned, "If we weren't shutting down half the town for the expansion and all, we could put him in,"  he glared at me, "appropriate lodgings."  He excused himself and scurried into the building with a glance back at me and a frown.

I turned to Sam, "Charming.  Is there no inn here?"  Sam gave me a level look as she turned and started off, "In case you haven't noticed, we are a small town who are in the middle of the sticks.  Why, I ask you, would we have an inn."  I stood in the doorway and looked at the guards as she walked briskly away.  I yelled after her, "What about guarding me at all times?!"  Her voice drifted back, "If you do anything I don't like or any of my people catches you on your own, we'll just shoot you."  Once again, I believed her.  I quickly set off after her, a little nervous as the guards glared daggers at my back.