Firstborn of the Frontier

The town of New Hope, on the shores of Last Chance Lake.

A fitting pair of names as Sarah Jay saw it. To most who made their home on or around the Wayfarer River, this here slice of the Frontier ended at the lake, and that was that. Folks would bring their boats upriver and across the lake to New Hope where they’d unload their wares for a pretty profit. Once their business was done however, the majority headed back to Riverrun for the night. That’s where it was ‘safe’, or at least safer, but only because they had New Hope to protect them. Most folk never cared to appreciate that simple fact, how the good people here were risking life and limb to serve as the first line of defense against the encroaching badlands.

Daddy understood it, and he made sure Sarah Jay and her siblings all knew it too. Back then, there weren’t no harpy attacks, not yet at least, but armies of Abby would come test their walls every season or two. Some came from the lake, others from the forest hills, and still more from the badlands, in all sorts of shapes and sizes, but the Rangers kept them safe and sound every time. One of her earliest memories was hiding with Mama in their little cellar, only half dug out and still being propped up by wooden beams and such. She held Sarah Jay so tight, her and Mary Ann both, while they hugged her pregnant belly while all three of them trembled and cried the whole while. That was it, because far as Sarah Jay could remember, nothing of note happened. Abby never made it past the walls, which back then had been made of logs rather than sturdy stone at the time. Got the job done well enough, but Mama had been terrified all the same.

That’s how it was with most folk when it came to Abby. They was scared. Helpless. Weak. Not for no reason neither. Daddy wasn’t none of those, and those ugly harpies still got him. Dropped right out of the sky with no warning at all, intent on grabbing Sarah Jay, Mary Ann, and little Jimmy before flying away. Daddy wouldn’t let that happen though, fought off them harpies like the hero he was and paid dearly for it. That was a sight she’d never forget, how brave and strong he’d been that day, right up until the very end. When his six-shooter ran dry, he fought Abby off with harsh language and a pocket knife, but there were too many of them for him to get clear. Mama just froze up too, stood there and held them all close while watching daddy fight and die. Didn’t run to help or hustle them off to safety or nothing. If Howie’s daddy hadn’t come along to save their bacon, then their whole family might well have died to those harpies on the streets that day, instead of taking shelter inside the dress shop not ten steps away.

The same shop they’d just come out of, and the same shop Daddy had been shouting for them to make for, right up until a harpy drove its talons clean through his chest.

Took a long time for Sarah Jay to understand why Mama froze up like that, and even longer to forgive her. Some people just weren’t made for this life, and that wasn’t entirely their fault. Back before the Advent, Mama had been Amelia Beauchamp, a scholar fresh out of university for less than a year before making her way through the Gate. She’d grown up rich see, the daughter of a successful lawyer who’d never wanted for anything. Never had to Mend no socks, slaughter no livestock, or even chop wood for her own hearth, much less come face to face with Abby. Coming to the Frontier had been a rude awakening, one her undergraduate degree in psychology left her ill-prepared for. That’s why she left New Hope after Daddy died, because she wanted to get somewhere safe, but moving across the lake only seemed safer. Wasn’t nothing stopping them harpies from attacking Riverrun too, nothing besides the Rangers stationed here in New Hope.

Which was why Sarah Jay found the names so fitting. Last Chance Lake, meaning last chance to turn back before reaching the front lines of the war against Abby, of if you wanted to go darker, the last chance for these here parts. If the Proggies were to break through, they’d gain unfettered access to the western lands and strip these forests bare of all life and biomass, turning it into an unnatural wasteland just like the badlands around the Divide. New Hope though, that embodied the spirit of what these town folk meant to do, bring new hope to the settlers too scared to fight for their own safety, safety they took for granted more often than not.

Sarah Jay loved her mama with all her heart, but she’d long since vowed to never be like her. Largely in part due to the Firstborn, who was only a few weeks older than she was, but killed no less than five harpies during the attack that claimed her daddy’s life. If Sarah Jay had been half as useful, then he might still be around, and Mama wouldn’t have to depend on Oswald for her own well-being and peace of mind. A horrible man no matter how you cut it, ugly, mean, and hateful, but Mama married him all the same, mostly because she didn’t know how to get by on her own. Wasn’t her fault, as Amelia Beauchamp just wasn’t built for life on the Frontier, which meant that as her daughter, Sarah Jay Kowalski would have to work extra hard to adapt. That’s why she pushed herself so hard, not just in Basic but in school all those years before it, learning anything and everything that might help her survive out here on the Frontier.

The people of New Hope though, they were certainly built different from the rest. Everyone walked around strapped and ready for Abby, their sidearms hanging from their belts, shoulder harnesses, or what have you even while they was drinking and celebrating to their hearts’ content. They’d all been ready for the fight, clearing the streets within a minute of the alarm to bunker down in reinforced stores with rifles and Blastguns at the ready. A real marvel, as even though Riverrun was only stone’s throw away across the lake, everyone had gotten themselves into a tizzy just last autumn when a single Mudkipper Merbeast crawled out onto the docks. A solitary Abby that’d gotten too big for its britches it all it was, and it tried to make a snack of little Jonah Mercer, who’d been skipping stones for fun. Three sailors had been injured in that exchange, fools from downriver with more courage than sense and not a single gun between them, and poor Jonah still lost a foot to gangrene.

Wouldn’t have happened here in New Hope, no sir. They brought their school kids out to swim in the lake sometimes, under heavy Ranger guard of course, at least once a week in the summertime, or so Tina said. As for the rest of the townsfolk, they shook off the harpy attack without so much as missing a beat. Went right back to their lives after the threat was seen off, even Howie who’d been in the thick of it. Forty-nine harpies he bagged, and he acted like it was just another day in the life of the Firstborn.

And far as she could tell, in his eyes, it was.

This festival was something else though, just the thing Sarah Jay needed to full shake off the nerves. Shooting helped, as it gave her something to focus on until Aunty Ray came along all sweet as honey and supportive as can be. Now there was a strong woman, independent and beautiful as a dream, while cooking meals like a professional chef and wrangling people with a soft hand. It’s no wonder she’d raised a daughter like Tina, the top boot in Basic bar none, so kind, friendly, helpful, and hardworking it was impossible to even envy her for her success. Made Sarah Jay feel downright inadequate next to her, but that wasn’t Tina’s fault, so she cheered the girl on as loudly as anyone when she came out on stage to sing out a few songs.

And what a performance it was, topping anything the acrobats or illusionists could ever match, which was why they made Tina the big closer.

Was a time when Aunty Ray closed out these festivals, that much Sarah Jay could remember. The up-and-coming generation seemed to be the big theme this evening though, with everyone going on about how the Firstborn almost single-handedly saw off the harpy attack, without anyone being injured no less. The general response was disbelief, and Sarah Jay didn’t blame them for it. She’d been there herself and could scarcely believe it, but enough people had seen the Recording to vouch for the truth of the matter. Some even recognized her and stopped to shake her hand. Errol’s too, saying how much they appreciated their efforts. Nice as it was, she had to remind herself that she wasn’t in this for the accolades.

Nah, she was here to kill Abby and get paid doing it. Simple is as simple does.

Course, there wasn’t no harm in enjoying herself along the way. That was Errol’s doing, as it’d been a long time since she’d been happy, truly happy and content. While it wasn’t love at first sight when she first laid eyes on him, she fell head over heels in love with him again tonight as she watched him go all starry-eyed and giddy at all the different events. Couldn’t remember the last time she’d laughed this much, as Errol brought out the best in her. He signed them up for sack hop, where they competed against each other while trying to let the little kids win, or going all out against the older folk in the three-legged race and coming up just short of a victory. While they watched the shadow puppets and circus acts, he cheered right alongside the kids and she did so too, swept up in the current of his genuine wonder and fascination of things that were all old hat to Sarah Jay. It wasn’t just the fact that it was new to Errol that made him react that way, but that was just his way, wearing his heart on his sleeve in a way she’d never seen before. Most the boys in Basic puffed themselves up like roosters and acted like they was the cock of the walk and God’s gift to women, but not Errol. He’d plop down after a run with a big old grin and groan about how he never wanted to do that again, or stride right through the mud pit on the obstacle course and crack wise about that’s where he would’ve ended up anyways.

Even when it was clear Richard and his bunch weren’t raised right, Errol never rose to their baits or even gave them so much as a cold glance. He just did his thing and treated them like anyone else when they was grouped up for drills or whatnot. Magnanimous, that’s the word Mama would’ve used, a man with a big heart and beautiful smile that Sarah Jay couldn’t tear her eyes away from as they walked hand in hand away from the stage beneath the rising twin moons of the Frontier.

Most folk were packing up by now, so of course Errol was inclined to help out. He just walked right up and asked if they needed a hand, and he was welcomed by most. It was the sort of thing Daddy would’ve done, and same with Howie’s daddy Mr. Ming, so Sarah Jay pitched in alongside, her cheeks strained from smiling so much but still grinning like a fool. They made short work of the clean up, but not everyone went home, as there were a couple groups of folk all chatting and drinking still. As for Sarah Jay, she was content to wander about the outskirts with her arm around her man’s waist and his around her shoulder.

Sweet and magnanimous though he might be, one thing Errol couldn’t do was read the mood. “So,” he drawled, not meeting her moon-eyed gaze as he stared up at the night’s sky, “About signing on with the Firstborn...”

Stifling a sigh, Sarah Jay put other thoughts out of mind for the moment, and almost wished she could drag her man back to the traveller’s lodge where they could get a room together. Was mighty hospitable of Aunty Ray, opening up her home to Sarah Jay, and she understood why Errol had to stay with Howie, but still… “What about it?” She asked, snuggling deeper into her man’s shoulder. “He say something while you gals was gossiping at the range?”

Oswald would’ve given her the back of his hand if she’d dared talk to him like that, then done the same to mama too, but Errol just chuckled, a deep, rich sound she so loved to hear when her ear was against his chest. “Yea he did actually, something I think you should hear.”

“Good to see you two getting along so well,” Sarah Jay drawled, mostly to give her time to fret. Was it about her? If it was, Errol might be getting jealous, which she sort of loved. Wasn’t nothing like knowing your man would go all out for you, not that she encouraged that sort of behaviour. Lord knows it was stilly enough how Errol had been fixing to pick a fight the Firstborn when he showed up this morning, fresh rolled out of bed and still swaddled in his nightclothes. Howie made the look work though, the loose clothes looking casual and laid back as he puttered about the kitchen unlike any other man Sarah Jay had ever met. That was supposed to be women’s work, but then again, seeing how he’d grown up without his mama, Mr. Ming had probably done his fair share of cooking too. “So?” She asked. “What’s so important that you gotta talk about it right now?” Instead of bringing her somewhere dark and private, away from the crowds.

“Well…” Wasn’t like Errol to be so shy, so Sarah Jay snapped herself out of her funk and paid more attention to his expression. Perplexed, and more than a little concerned. “You saw how he handled himself against those harpies. Incredible, right? Except…” Breaking their embrace to face her head on, Errol placed his hands on her shoulders and met her eyes with unease. “I didn’t tell you this, but this morning? When he sent you up to help Chrissy with her dress and ribbon? He told me that if I love you, I would help him convince you to go back to Basic. I do love you, and I think he’s right.”

A statement which both warmed her heart and got her madder than a wet hen. “Oh?” She tried to keep her tone neutral, but seeing her man flinch told her she’d failed miserably. “And you think telling me you love me means you get to tell me what to do?”

“I didn’t say that,” Errol replied, all calm and smiling in spite of her frosty response. “I’m saying I think that he’s right, that you’re better off in Basic than riding out with him.”

“And how you figure that?”

Taking off his cap to run his hand through his thick, curled coils, he took a moment to consider his words while Sarah Jay’s temper cooled and ardour heated. Wasn’t fair, being a man so pretty it could make your knees weak, but she crossed her arms and held firm even as she stood up a little straighter to better show of the gals. If he was gonna use his charms against her, then she had no qualms about doing the same, and she allowed herself a smile when she saw how distracted he became. Men were so silly, getting all gooey and bug-eyed for what amounted to two lumps of fat on a girl’s chest, even while fully covered by a buttoned-up shirt and vest. Would do away with hers if she could, especially considering how large they’d gotten in recent years and all the unwelcome attention they brought, but she liked them more now that she had a man she loved to appreciate them.

“Howie comes off as a real confident guy,” Errol began, soon as he found his tongue again. “Almost over-confident even, but that’s just how it looks. He’s confident because he knows what he can handle, which is why it’s concerning how he spent so much time today confidently telling me how hard it’ll be riding out with him. That talk we had on the range? He spent most of it trying to convince me to sign on with a different outfit, because we’d both be safer there.”

But not better paid, or free to pick where they were stationed, which was important to Sarah Jay. Still, if the Firstborn was concerned, then she should be too. “Why didn’t he say nothing to me then?”

Errol chuckled again and shook his head. “Because he’s got you pegged. Knows that if he tried to discourage you, you’d think it was some sort of test or something and double down.” Sharp as a tack, the Firstborn was. Figured all that out over breakfast, though it wasn’t like Sarah Jay did much to hide it. She didn’t say nothing though, just listened quietly while Errol told her everything about their talk. Crazy to think that even the Firstborn was struggling to keep his head above water, what with how the town folk of New Hope went on about him. He was the star of tonight’s festival, though he made no real public appearance of any sorts. Didn’t seem like the type to put on airs and he most certainly didn’t, just wandering about with sweet Chrissy on his arm and an uncomfortable smile on his face while shaking hands with strangers and making excuses to get away.

Didn’t seem like a man who could walk into town and gun down five outlaws posing as lawmen, either but that’s what everyone said he did, and Sarah Jay believed it, even if he did get shot.

“I told him we’d rather sign on with him than another outfit, but I figured we should at least consider it.” Errol concluded, gently placing his big hands over her arms and slowly rubbing them. Not to entice her or anything, but to keep her warm, even though she already had his jacket draped over her shoulders. That’s the sort of man he was, considerate and caring, and it was all she could do to keep herself from throwing herself at him for a taste of his lips.

She was already shaking her head though, unwilling to start over somewhere else. “How long would it take if we went to the Pathfinders?” she asked, knowing he didn’t have the answer. “Or even the Latin American Church? I know you was raised Catholic, but I doubt the Templars pay much considering most them knights take vows of poverty. And we’d have to come back for my family and bring them away to somewhere they might not even speak the language. The Métis got plenty of English, but you said yourself that a lot of them only speak French, and don’t get me started on how many languages you gotta know to get by in New Sonora.” Spanish and Portuguese were the big ones, but outside the church, plenty of South American settlers only spoke Nahuatl, the language of the natives.

“I know,” Errol replied, still rubbing her arms with that gentle, loving look in his eyes. “And that’s why I told him what I did, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t think about it. Like what if you went back to the Rangers? You could finish training while Howie shows me the ropes.”

It was sweet how concerned he was for her safety, but she was more concerned about him. He was a kind, gentle and caring man, but that didn’t mean he didn’t get angry, and when he did, he’d lose his head. She’d seen it firsthand when he beat the tar out of Richard, who more than had it coming, but then she saw it again today when he ran headlong at a flock of harpies. Though she didn’t want to say it out loud and hurt his pride, she knew her man was only alive because the Firstborn risked life and limb to keep him that way, and it’d been a close thing. Six by her count, that’s how many times Howie saved Errol’s life this morning, though she suspected the real number was probably higher.

If anyone was better suited to ride with the Firstborn, it was Sarah Jay, not Errol, and that was a fact.

“Disgusting.”

A single word is all it was, but spoken with such forceful loathing that hit Sarah Jay like a cold shower. Errol too, judging by how he stiffened up and pulled away before stepping out in front of her without so much as a thought. Sweet and stupid is what it was, as she could handle herself against the likes of Richard Aultman and his pack of peckerwood goons. Still, she didn’t want to make nothing of this, so she didn’t so much as glance at Richard and instead wrapped her arms around Errol’s waist, snuggling right up and resting her chin on his shoulder. “Let’s go,” she said, subtly nudging her man’s hand away from his pistol, which wasn’t even loaded anymore. Howie wouldn’t let them go around strapped, as you needed a license for open carry in New Hope and any of the fortress towns along the Blue Shield, but he wanted them to get used to the weight. “Forget these fools. Don’t let them ruin our night.”

Errol didn’t budge one bit, not with his temper fired up as it was. Richard had that effect on a lot of folk, just a smug, hateful little man, all scrawny and five-foot six with his brown hair slicked to one side. Probably needed help from one of his goons apply his foul, shiny hair product after Errol broke his left arm, which was currently resting in a sling. Any sympathy one might have for Richard would dry right up after hearing him speak, as he had a way of talking at you that made you feel real small. Like Oswald, only worse since Richard would spew hate and lies like they was truth and fact, while Oswald just called you stupid and worthless. Even with his jaw magically Splinted in place by the medicos, Richard wore his ugly little sneer as he looked them over like something he stepped on out in the fields. “You still don’t see it, do you Sarah Jay?” he said, his voice flat and tone rude in a way that had nothing to do with how he couldn’t open his mouth. “You’re only demeaning yourself by mingling with an Umber, disgracing yourself, your heritage, and throwing away your future in the process.”

As if using so hateful a word wasn’t enough, Richard said it with such disdain while looking at Errol like he was some sort of vermin. Even knowing what she knew now, she found it so shocking considering how careful Richard had been in the past. Though he made no effort to hide his bigoted views, he’d always been careful to never say anything too hateful out loud, or at least not until he found out about Errol and Sarah Jay. Then all that hatred came pouring out, because Richard fancied himself a ladies’ man and had long since set his sights upon her. Not Kacey, because she was Nipponese, and not Tina after she added mud to his bowl of stew and magicked him so he didn’t notice the swap until he was halfway done eating. That’d been a real hoot, watching Richard scarf down wet dirt like a man starved, which was how he ate every meal. He didn’t make no advances on Tina after that, no siree, but it meant Sarah Jay had the displeasure of his full attention.

Attention she never encouraged, and made plenty clear of after she beat the tar out of him during a sparring session when he thought he could get handsy. Still didn’t get the hint though, as he kept right on telling her about all the places he’d been and fancy doohickies his daddy had bought him, as if that was supposed to impress her. Now, he was going on about how blacks were lazy, criminals, and terrible fathers, or how diversity was not a strength, and how she’d end up a trophy to be shared among Errol’s ‘primitive tribe’. That’s how it was with Richard, as he couldn’t talk sense so he talked fast, yammering on and on from one point to the next without any rhyme or reason. Still ignoring him, she gently guided Errol to leave without so much as moving an inch, and she could feel his resistance melting away.

Right up until someone else called out their names. “Errol! Sarah Jay!” Sauntering up bold as can be, Howie turned his back to Richard and gave them both a big grin. “Was hoping to find you two and have a bit of a chat before we head home.” Leaning in all conspiratorial like, he whispered, “Aunty Ray brought Chrissy home, as they was both getting sleepy, so best we talk now while we can.”

Tina was also trailing along behind him, smiling brightly and bouncing along like the pure delight that she was. Like Sarah Jay, Tina didn’t give Richard so much as a glance, her cheeks all flushed, big blues bright, and sapphire gleaming after belting her heart out on stage like a superstar from the old world.

“Beat it kid. Adults are talking here.” It was clear Richard didn’t recognize Howie, not with his back turned as it was. If he did, he wouldn’t have said what he did. Tina, Errol, and Sarah Jay all sucked in a breath, as did some of the smarter boys on the other side, those few who’d clocked the Firstborn on his way over. Though still smiling, Howie wasn’t happy no more; downright hopping mad in fact, judging by how his eyes got even bigger than their normal wide-eyed stare. That was part of why so many thought of Howie as cocky, because the natural southern smile didn’t look so natural on his decidedly Qin features. Wasn’t his fault others weren’t used to seeing it, but after a single day, Sarah Jay already saw how natural it really was.

Howie was a happy man, most of the time. He was also an angry man, almost all the time, but he had good reason to be, and now he had an excuse to act on it.

“Don’t,” Errol said, fool that he was. “It’s not worth it.”

“Oh don’t you worry,” Howie replied, the heat in his brown eyes still blazing hot. “This ain’t for you.” Turning about on his heel, he gave Richard a casual half-wave, while folding his left hand over his stomach. “Howdy there. I’m Howie Zhu. Firstborn of the Frontier, so I reckon if I’m a kid, then you’d be one too.”

The scorn in Richard’s eyes was plain to see, and his tone still hateful as he oozed, “There’s more to maturity than age. Course I meant no insult by it. You just looked like a kid from behind.” None of the goons chuckled, which put a furrow in Richard’s brow, because they always laughed at his jokes. Wasn’t the irony that kept them from laughing though, though Sarah Jay found it laughable considering Richard was even shorter and flimsier than the Firstborn. Though she hadn’t seen Howie with his shirt off, he had a solid way about him that made her think he was lean and wiry, especially considering how much he ate. More than Errol even, who had a good four inches in height and both shoulders in width, though where the Firstborn was putting it all away, only the Lord knew.

“Understandable,” Howie replied, slowly striding over so they could talk face to face. His right hand was still held like he was still half-waving, except it wasn’t moving no more, which struck Sarah Jay as strange until she realized what he was doing. Keeping his hands away from his pistol, which was very much loaded. It was the same reason he had his other hand folded across his stomach, to show he wasn’t waggling no fingers. A habit to get into, that’s what he told them this morning, words he lived by.

That wasn’t all though. The Firstborn didn’t just walk straight on over, he angled his path a bit to his left. Richard and his goons shifted to keep him in front of them, the movement so natural Sarah Jay almost didn’t clock it until she was looking at both groups from the side. Howie didn’t lock eyes with them neither, his head tilting this way and that as he looked the whole goon squad over. Checking for weapons maybe and being none too subtle about it, but also showing how unimpressed he was. Man could put a lot of words into something simple as a smile, and Howie’s was full on smug and mocking, but not hateful like Richard’s.

“So lemme guess,” the Firstborn said, standing within arms reach of six possibly hostile men yet still relaxed as can be as he sized Richard up. “You must be little Dick.”

Men.

Before anyone could get angry and do something, Howie clapped, startling them all while shaking his head. “English is a funny language, ain’t it?” His voice took on that soothing tone he used when spouting facts, like the specs of a gun or the history of a world he ain’t ever been to. “How in tarnation does ‘Richard’ shorten to ‘Dick’? Ain’t the only nickname that don’t make sense neither. Like Robert and Bob, or William and Bill.” Turning to give Sarah Jay a genuine smile and a knowing look, “James and Jimmy.”

It warmed her heart to know the Firstborn still remembered her daddy six years after his death, and Sarah Jay smiled back. So did Tina, who chimed in with, “Charles and Chuck.”

“Good one.”

The little smile between Tina and Howie got little Dick right hopping mad, seeing her get along so well after treating him so cold these last two months. “Listen here you –”

“Don’t interrupt.” The words cut like a knife, cold and sharp as can be, and wouldn’t you know it, little Dick shut his mouth. As much as he could at least, and Howie kept right on talking all nice and breezy as if it were nothing. “Ain’t done saying my piece. Bah, forgot what I was going on about now. Whatever.” Shaking his head with a sigh, he looked each goon dead in the eye and somehow made them look away, the mad dog in him ready and raring to get out. “Now I know there some bad blood between Errol and little Dick, but how bout we leave it for another day? Today, we had ourselves a harpy attack, and no one in town was hurt or killed, so I for one think we ought to keep it that way. How bout we all take a step back and go on about our separate ways. Sound good?”

The last was directed straight at little Dick, who Howie was now looming over in his strange little stance, so casual and defenseless it was almost daring them to take a swing. Others had taken note of their little gathering by now, filtering over to see what it was all about. Mostly younger folk, including a number of boots from Basic, and Sarah Jay was gratified to see more than few meet her eyes and give a little nod. Not Kacey though, as the fetching oriental girl had her piercing gaze fixed on the Firstborn, all intense and fiery but not in the way he would like. She had Inari in her arms, and though the white-furred three-tailed fox seemed all curled up and relaxed, its unblinking eyes were fixated on Howie with the same intensity as Kacey.

That’s what you get when you beat up a girl’s little brother. Shame on Howie, though having seen Kacey’s brother, Sarah Jay could understand how he made the mistake of thinking the fourteen-year-old boy was older. That’s said, they wouldn’t have made a good couple anyways; Howie was an affable sort, even if he wasn’t all that sociable, and he had a breezy attitude towards most issues, while Kacey was polite and goal oriented, serious as the grave and reserving all her smiles for her brother and her fox.

It took long seconds for little Dick to find his nerve and respond. “You going to make me?” Even having one broken arm didn’t slow him none as he grabbed the Firstborn by the lapel with a sneer. “Go on then. Beat a man with a broken arm and jaw. Show the good folk what a rabid beast you are and abuse an injured American.”

Letting out a little scoff as he looked down at little Dick, Howie reached up to adjust his hat, even though it was already sitting firmly atop his head, before leaving both his hands half up by his shoulders, his palms forward and fingers spread. “Now why you gotta go and make this so hostile? I’mma kindly ask you to remove your hands from my person.”

“Or what?” Came the reply, the words so full of contempt that even little Dick’s goons felt he’d gone too far. The closest one, Alfred, a burly fella close in size to Errol, turned to say something, but little Dick just snarled and said, “So what if he’s the Firstborn? That isn’t worth shit, and I’m not going to let some savage, slant-eyed Qink tell me what to do.”

Howie laughed again, a soft sort of chortle that wasn’t much more than a breath of air. “You absolutely right. Ain’t nothing worth respecting about being Firstborn. Just means I got here a little earlier than the rest of you is all. Only brought it up because it was relevant to the conversation at the time, what with you making references to my age. Why don’t we go back to talking like gentlemen then? I’mma ask you real nice once again, please remove your hand from me and we can each go our separate ways. If not, well…” Howie shrugged, his face so comically reluctant that it took everything Sarah Jay had to not burst out into giggles as he said, “I suppose I’ll have to defend myself. You know, assuming you intent on keeping your grip of my shirt there.”

He was baiting little Dick, who gobbled it up hook and all. “I’d like to see you try.”

“Last chance,” Howie said, holding up three fingers on his right hand. “I’mma count down from three, and if your hand still there, then I have no choice but to take action. Normally, I wouldn’t give so much warning, but you near full crippled already, and I feel a bit bad for whoever gonna hafta feed you after this.” Little Dick’s sneer grew even more hateful as he tightened his grip, but Howie just smiled through it and counted slowly. “Three Mississippi. Two Mississippi. One Mississippi.” Cocking his head to the side, he turned to Tina and asked, “Hey, why do we count in Mississippis? River’s literally a world away, and I’m sure we can figure out some local landmark to use instead.”

Tina shrugged, and Howie shook his head before turning back to little Dick. “Sorry about that,” he said, beaming brightly at the other man’s scarlet cheeks, from anger and exertion both as little Dick held on as hard as he could. “I get distracted at times. Now, you absolutely sure about this?” No answer was forthcoming, so Howie gave another little shrug. “Alright. Suit yourself.”

Even though she had a perfect view of them both, Sarah Jay didn’t catch what happened next. One second, Howie’s shirt was held tight in little Dick’s fist, and the next thing she knew, the smarmy little bigot was on the ground screaming as he cradled his hand. Smoothing the wrinkles out of his shirt, Howie put on an innocent, wide-eyed expression and looked around at the others. “So… rest of you ready to walk away, or y’all fixing for a dance?”

Hand to God, Alfred let out a small sigh before cocking his hammer of a fist back for a swing, and credit where it was due, Howie waited politely for the man to steel his nerves and throw the punch before responding. This time, Sarah Jay saw it all crystal clear, as the Firstborn casually swatted the bigger man’s fist aside like wet paper. Then, with that same hand, he carefully punched Alfred in the gut, not a full out swing, but an almost probing jab that had the big guy doubled over and gasping for breath. Hooking an arm under the bigger man and lowering him gently to the white grass, Howie said, “Good punch,” while standing with feet planted and glancing at the others to see who would be next. “Should find better friends though. Don’t get up.”

A Spell. It had to be. Alfred was twice as thick and muscled as Howie, so it should’ve gone the other way around. Maybe the First Order Absorb Force? A self-cast reaction Spell, making it one of the more difficult Abjuration Spells to not just learn, but properly utilize. Without any Vocal or Somatic components to the Spell, the caster needed to keep careful discipline of their thoughts and actions so as to not only time the Spell right, but also keep themselves from accidentally utilizing it in everyday life. It was like walking around with a loaded gun and your finger at the trigger at all times, except in this case the gun was more of a shield than anything else. Blast, Eagle Eye, Web, Misty Step, Mage Armour, Simple Servant, and now Absorb Force. That made seven Spell Structures he currently had Prepared that she knew of, not including Cantrips. Which mind you was almost double Sarah Jay’s current limit of four, and she’d spent every day casting her Spells to increase that limit since the day she turned fourteen. More you cast, the more Spell Structures you could Prepare, but natural aptitude played a part as well and once again, she was reminded of how far behind she was.

Despite all this, the remaining three goons seemed to think they still had a chance as they traded looks and spread out to take Howie on together. Errol made a move to step up, but Tina gently backhanded him across the chest and whispered, “Don’t. He’ll pitch a fit if you step in and interrupt his fun, especially after he told you this wasn’t for you.”

That Howie did, though they all thought he’d meant something different. Seemed Tina knew him well, as well she should, having grown up like siblings. Even though she knew what the goon squad could do, she hardly seem concerned or even much interested in Howie’s fight, still all bubbly and bright without so much as batting an eye at Howie’s predicament. In two months of Basic, Sarah Jay hadn’t ever seen Tina any other way. The girl could smile through a twenty-mile marathon in full gear and look no less beautiful for it, something Sarah Jay envied but entirely without malice. Hard to hate someone so friendly and caring, even if she was brilliant, talented, and had perfect skin too.

As for Howie, he showed them all why Tina wasn’t concerned one bit. As Gabe, Steve, and Ike closed in, he danced around the fallen Alfred and little Dick, leading the others on a merry chase. Kept his hands held up in front of him like a boxer’s stance, but palms open instead of closed into fists. A flurry of punches came his way, and those he couldn’t dodge he parried aside, smiling all the while. It was nothing compared to what he did against the harpies this morning, yet still every bit as amazing to watch, because it wasn’t speed or strength he relied on to keep himself in the fight, but foresight and experience. He made the other boys look clumsy because he was five steps ahead of them, running them around in circles and making sure only one could come at him at a time.

Like when Gabe ran in with arm cocked, Howie closed in, forcing Ike to abandon his tackling charge for fear of hitting his friend. Ducking under Gabe’s punch, Howie then positioned himself perfectly to push his unbalanced opponent into Steve who’d been coming at Howie from the side, leaving only Ike still standing as his boys picked themselves back out. It wasn’t luck, but an opportunity the Firstborn created, and he took full advantage of those three free seconds to unleash a trio of punches. Not full-on strikes with his full weight behind them, but sharp jabs aimed at Ike’s eyes, gut, and liver, little love taps that barely rocked the bigger man before Howie danced away to circle around once more.

Now it was Ike standing in the way of Gale and Steve, who came running over in a big rush, and the game continued for a while yet. Howie never took a full swing, attacked very rarely in fact, usually aiming at the goons’ eyes and dancing away shortly after. He was marking them, bruising them real good, but he wasn’t hitting hard enough to knock them out. No, he was just content to swat and play while tiring them out, as the goons were soon panting from the exertion of swinging their fists so many dozens of times.

For a minute, Sarah Jay thought Howie was toying with his opponents them like a rhyzie with a cornered chitter rat. Then he took his first hit and his smile slipped, and she learned why people said to never start a quarrel with a Qin. Wasn’t nothing more than a glancing hit to his left shoulder, but Howie’s fury was terrible to behold as his once-happy expression twisted in rage and resentment. He wasn’t dancing no more as he threw himself at Gabe, who himself had yet to recover from delivering the lucky hit and went down hard like a sack of potates.

It cost the Firstborn dearly to stand and fight, because even he’d taken one man out of the fight, it was still two against one. Though Howie dodged Ike’s spear tackle once more, he was left with no choice but to block Steve’s right hook, and he staggered aside as he took the hit on his left shoulder again. Letting loose a snarl of pure anger, his left elbow went up and around, locking Steve’s right arm in place and leaving him ill-equipped to block the Howie’s storm of furious rights, all aimed at the bigger man’s face. Steve got his left hand up in time to block the first blow, but the second blew his guard away, and the third landed hard right on his cheek bone and turned his legs to jelly right quick. It was over for him, but Howie hit him twice more before letting him go and turning on the last man standing. Anyone with eyes could see Ike was scared out of his wits, but he didn’t have the good sense to run or give up, and now it was Howie’s turn to go on the offensive. He didn’t run in, just walked over calm as can be and started throwing punches. Credit where it’s due, Ike blocked a fair few, but Howie’s fists kept coming from all different angles and more than one slipped through.

“That’s enough Howie,” Tina called, and like magic, Howie stopped beating on Ike, his arm stopping mid swing at the sound of her voice. Staggering about on his feet, Ike looked like he was still game, but then Tina said, “Fight’s over,” and he took her words at face value. The pluck drained out of him as he dropped to his knees, but Howie caught him the same way he caught Alfred earlier and gently lowed Ike to the grass.

Wasn’t no magic in Tina’s words, only truth and good sense, but clearly Howie wasn’t done just yet. Once Ike was down safe on the grass, Howie’s dark expression lingered as he adjusted his hat and stalked on over to little Dick, who was still cradling his hand where he fell. Grabbing the other man by the hair, Howie made a face of pure revulsion, disgusted by the feel of the product before dragging little Dick’s face closer for a little chat. Whatever Howie said was meant only for the two of them, but it scared that peckerwood something fierce, the blood draining out of his sun-tanned skin until he was whiter than a ghost.

And then he turned even whiter when Howie grabbed his broken hand and gave it a good hard shake, eliciting a mewling cry from the smug little racist. All praises aside, the Firstborn had reputation for being a mean son of a gun, and apparently deservedly so, as Sarah Jay was now seeing firsthand.

Dumping the man like yesterday’s garbage, Howie wiped his hand in the grass before standing up straight and moseying on back. “Alright then,” he said, grinning like a kid in a candy store again as he led them away, not caring one whit about the people he left behind or the blood on his scraped knuckles. “About that talk. First off, I was hoping you’d share what Spells y’all know and what schools of Magic you best with. I’ll go through my Spellbook when I get home and try and put together proper loadouts so that we don’t got too much overlap.” Blinking as if he’d just remembered something, he leaned in and said, “You know, assuming y’all still want to try this. I’m sure Errol’s told you everything by now, but I guess you could take the night to think it over. Or longer, but then you gonna hafta wait, as I’m planning another trip real soon and we’d have to start prepping right away. Won’t be too long if you miss it, a month or so? Six weeks tops would be my guess.”

“No need,” Sarah Jay replied, hugging her man tight and taking solace from his presence. Sure, Howie had a mean streak when his blood got hot, but wasn’t like little Dick and the others didn’t deserve it. Paid them no mind to start, then gave ‘em every chance to walk away before it all went down, so you couldn’t exactly blame the Firstborn for giving it a proper finish. “We’re in. You need a crew, and we’re it.” If they was gonna talk shop, then maybe the Firstborn would open up about what he could do…

The smile Howie gave her was charming as can be, as was Tina’s who smiled out of sight behind him. Now that Sarah Jay thought about it, Tina and Howie would make a cute couple, though it was harder to imagine it considering how sweet and brotherly he was with Chrissy. He was probably the same with Tina, though maybe not as cuddly, which only made sense. Breaking away from hugging her man, Sarah Jay strode side by side with Howie and talked shop for a bit, eager and excited to open up the next chapter of her life.

Wasn’t no place she would rather be than New Hope, and no one she’d rather ride with besides her man and the Firstborn both.