Firstborn of the Frontier

Book Three - Chapter 138


Was incredible what you could sleep through when you got tired enough.

That was the first thought that ran through Tina's mind as she slowly came awake to a chorus of chittering Abby. They wasn't as loud as they were last night, but the shrill shrieks and high-pitched clicks were still enough to startle her fully awake as soon as she became aware of them. Took her a moment to remember she was safe and sound up on the mesa, and the fact that Howie was still laid out flat beside her helped calm her plenty. Now that was a rare sight, seeing him so still and relaxed in the faint morning light, obscured as it was by the single glass window tinted dark with the telltale markings of Aberrtin. More important was the fact that it faced west, meaning that once opened up, sunlight would flood the little shack for most hours of the day, saving them the need for any lanterns or candles until after the sun had set.

Was little things like that which showed how much thought Uncle Ming put into the construction of this place, a minor, seemingly inconsequential decision of which direction the window ought to face. Same with the door, which opened inwards so it could be barred against intruders, or the kitchen layout which left a nice isolated corner that was away from the cookfire and door both, sitting just under the window so they could get a nice fresh breeze in the summertime. Though the place wasn't much to look at and built out of mud and stone, it was better planned than most of the newer houses built in New Hope these last few years, as companies took a handful of designs and just plonked them down wherever they fit with no regard for the minor details that offered so much in terms of quality of life.

Howie was the same way with almost everything he did, which meant that if he was sleeping through the cacophony outside, then he figured he was safe and sound as could be. Since that was the case, Tina settled back down and took the opportunity to quietly snuggle up beside him. Got her head on his shoulder and locked eyes with Chrissy, who cuddled up on the other side with her pretty violet eyes all soft and scared while holding Howie's prosthetic hand real tight. Poor girl was terrified and looking to Howie for comfort, who had his arm wrapped snug around Chrissy's shoulders despite being fast asleep. In contrast, Tina only got the outside of his shoulder, which she pressed her cheek into tight while stifling a frown about the unfair treatment. Wasn't the time, as Chrissy needed love and support, which Tina was more than happy to provide with a smile as she clutched her sister's hand tight.

And Howie's prosthetic too, which made Tina feel a little bit safer to hold onto too. Was silly really, because there wasn't no warmth or softness to be had from the wooden frame of his Automaton, nor any ticklish flows of Aether coursing through the copper-laid Etches since it wasn't even powered on. Prosthetic or not though, it was still Howie's hand, and that much was enough to cheer Tina up a tick, the same way her hand cheered Chrissy. Got her eyelashes to fluttering as she came out of her head to see Tina across from her, and she looked so darling as she pressed her lips together in the faintest hint of a subtle smile. Most folks wouldn't even notice, but in Tina's eyes, here sister was beaming bright as could be and happier than a cow in a clover field.

Or Cowie snuggled up in between his two favourite people, like he was right now all fast asleep as the little spoon to Chrissy's big spoon. Meant his hooves were pressed right up against Howie's side, but he didn't seem none too bothered by it, and even leaned in close so his head was touching Chrissy's and his cheek right up against Cowie's nose. Made Tina wish she'd taken a picture before coming in for a cuddle, because if she backed out now, she'd wake Howie for sure and ruin the cozy atmosphere they had going on here.

Nothing for it but to enjoy the moment while she could, since she didn't often get to laze next to Howie while he slept. Either she was trying to fall asleep after her turn at watch or waking up next to Mama while Howie took his turn, so this here was a rare treat to be enjoyed. In between the cacophony of chittering Abby, she could hear Mama singing to herself from outside, so there wasn't anything wrong on that front. Was likely Howie stayed up so late prepping for all eventualities that Mama figured there was no point waking Tina to take watch. Explained why he was still asleep then, as even if he wasn't one to wake with the sun, he didn't do much in the way of sleeping in either.

Then again, plenty had changed over the last year, so it was hard to say if Howie still got up bright and early each and every morning when he wasn't out on the road. Not to mention that maybe she didn't know him as well as she thought she did, a realization that brung her mood right down, because there wasn't no changing the facts. She'd always known Howie wasn't one to follow all the rules, only the ones he thought worth following. Wasn't anything wrong with that, because Daddy was the same way. There were laws and then there were laws, and you were good and well to ignore the former so long as you kept to the latter. Like how bugles, horns, and whistles were only supposed to be used in emergencies, but everyone let loose during celebrations like weddings and harvest festivals. Or the sidewalk traffic rules, and how you wasn't supposed to park your wagon up along them. Thing is, there were some streets so narrow there was no choice but to else you'd be blocking traffic on the road, so didn't no one say nothing about that.

Killing was another one of them tricksy laws, as Tina was finding out for herself. Bible said 'thou shalt not kill', and murder was punishable by law, but wasn't as cut and dry as all that. The bloody work Howie done in the town streets clearing out them hitters had been ugly to behold, but they'd come to kill him with guns and Spells, so was only fair for Howie to repay them in kind. Didn't even have a gun, just a hatchet he done Conjured up, and the fact that he just watched Josie die meant he wasn't in his right mind. Brutal as it was, he needed to be brutal because he didn't have the tools he'd need to be clinical and precise. That's what Tina had told herself as she blocked Chrissy's line of sight, shot at them kids, and watched Howie go on a rampage unlike any she'd ever even imagined, much less seen.

And from what she'd heard, his work up in Brightpick had been so much worse.

Thing is, it wasn't like Howie didn't have good reason. It was Frontier Justice, plain and simple, something everyone was familiar with and didn't no one ever talk about. Federal Laws and the Accords could only do so much for a man or woman here on the Frontier, so sometimes you had to take matters into your own hands. That's what Howie did. He had a problem with the Pugliano Family, and he handled it. Took them all out in a single bloody night of fighting, albeit with an unintended assists from the friendliest Cultists you done ever did meet. Even regular folks would balk at hosting Howie for three veritable feasts a day while he was working up there, and they even made up the job just to get him up there. Not that he knew that going in; Howie might be a rule-breaker, but he wasn't no shirker, always happy to do more than his fair share then find more things to do after the fact. Hard work was his religion pretty much, because like his daddy used to say, it might not always pay off, but no work would see you starve.

And Howie was all about making money and spending it just as fast. Had to do with his lack of faith in cold hard cash, which Tina was starting to understand, but now she knew he also had a nest egg stashed away here on the mesa so he didn't have to worry about money really. While she didn't know how much Aether a single Condenser produced every year, she knew it was enough for the whole family to live comfortably not doing much of anything besides selling off his gains. That was short-sighted though, as even she knew Aether would only increase in value and selling it off now would be foolish. Especially since the Federal reserve sold crystal Aether at fair market value, which only made sense seeing how they made it illegal for private citizens to own a Condenser, and even corporations had to jump through hoops to get the licenses and regulations that would allow them to maintain one.

So she didn't think much of anything about Howie's Condenser, and wasn't in the least bit surprised that her Daddy had been the one to tell Uncle Ming to keep it for himself. Was peak Daddy, who was a free-spirited, independent minded man that thought everyone should fend for themselves and help out wherever they can. That's how they did it back when they founded America, and he figured that's what they ought to do here on the Frontier. Including one day striking out on their own as a nation independent of the old world mind you, because it didn't make no sense for them governments to reap the lion's share of the rewards without having done much of anything at all in the last 18 years and counting.

Being a Ranger might mean working for the Federal Government, but that didn't mean Tina cared all that much for America. She called herself as much, because Daddy and Mama were both proud Americans, but if push came to shove and a conflict broke out between the old world and the Frontier, then she'd be hard pressed to choose which side to stand on.

The same way she was torn between Howie and the Rangers now. It was one thing to bend the rules a bit, but she always figured Howie stayed true to the Ranger ideal as best he could. Even after what happened with Josie and Brightpick, she still thought he was on the up and up for the most part, because all he'd done was kill a bunch of criminals and leave one mangled body out in the streets. Knowing him, he probably uglied the corpse up after the man was dead to better send a message to anyone watching, that the Firstborn's family was not to be messed with. He was still the sort to go running headlong into trouble to help strangers as best he could, and would be first in line in every fight so long as he got a fair share of his kills. Or at the very least was paid for his time and ammo, which was only fair, and he'd fight without asking for so much as one red cent if it was just simple, honest folks in need of aid.

Like with Clayton and his ilk. Howie rode to their rescue without needing to be asked, and Tina expected he'd do the same with them mercs a week back, so it was a rude awakening to learn he had no such intentions. Was the first time Tina realized her sorta-brother wasn't the person she thought he was, because in her eyes, he was the Firstborn, the hero of a generation who'd be at the forefront of every fight against Abby. Now though? Now she was seeing him as he was, just a guy doing what he could when he could, and leaving the rest for others to handle.

Wasn't anything wrong with living life like that, but she'd just built him up to be so much more, and it bummed her out to know he didn't care to even try and live up to expectations. That more than anything was the saddest part, the fact that he'd already given up on being that fabled hero of an entire generation. He had the skills, smarts, and the gumption to do it; he just didn't want to, because it wasn't none of his business how the Frontier fared. Which wasn't wrong, but it wasn't what she'd come to expect from him, what she believed he could and would do one day because it's what he was meant to do.

He was the Firstborn of the Frontier after all. Oldest kid around and the one who set the bar for everyone who followed, one that was much higher than Tina even believed possible. While the likes of Alfred, Michael, Kacey, Sarah Jay, and even Jinfeng were all standout talents in their own way, not a single one was anywhere close to Howie's level, as there wasn't no one who could do all that he did and make it look easy to boot.

Was bad enough for Sergeant Dixon to say Howie wasn't ever gonna get called on by the Rangers for any sort of work. Now Tina had to come to terms with the fact that her sorta brother might never need her for anything either. He had it in him to be the best there ever was, but he'd clearly set his sights far lower and was just looking to get by as a private citizen looking after himself and those near and dear to his heart. Wouldn't be following in his daddy's footsteps it seemed, ranging far and wide across the Frontier in search of folks in need, of which there were always plenty. With more to come once the Watershed hit and the Second Wave of settlers dropped in with nothing but the Structures and memories stored inside their heads.

Wasn't fair to expect so much from Howie, but Tina did it all the same, because her sorta brother was the sorta fella who could do anything and everything required of him. Made the impossible possible, and he showed it too, taking out Vanguard National after losing a hand then bringing down the Pugliano Family to boot. Which was good and proper Frontier Justice, no two ways about it, but Tina was starting to understand why folks were so afraid of him now. She knew him well enough to know he'd never hurt her, seeing how he behaved with Jinfeng was an eye-opening experience, and not a good one either. He made plenty of threats and looked good and ready to follow through on them, then gave her just enough rope to hang herself after the fact. Wasn't exactly the stuff of heroes now, was it? Baiting folks into making a move before gunning them down in cold blood, and Tina almost wanted Mama to step in and say something.

She didn't though, which meant she figured this was just how things were out here, and Mama would know better than most. She might've spent most her days sheltered in town with Rangers and walls to protect her, but Mama was the closest thing anyone had to a therapist out here. She was a sympathetic ear to anyone who cared to talk, and Tina knew Daddy and Uncle Ming had both leaned heavily on her support. Howie ought to too, but he was too pigheaded to sit down and talk about things, especially with Mama since he feared her more than anyone else. He'd butt heads with Uncle Teddy, Uncle Rigsby, and even Sam Horne every now and then, but he'd hang his head and scuff his boots as soon as Mama laid eyes on him. Wasn't because he was scared or anything, but because he just loved her too much to stomach even the thought of disappointing her.

So if Mama figured Howie was still doing okay, then who was Tina to say any different? She just wanted Howie to be a big-time hero is all, and mostly for selfish reasons. If he was out there leading from the forefront, then all she had to do was follow along and try not to fall too far behind, but now that they were going down different tracks, she'd have to blaze her own trail and figure things out for herself. Which wasn't something she ever thought she'd have to do, not with Howie here. Was high time she put on her big girl pants though, stopped expecting her sorta brother to handle everything for her and maybe even take on some of the burden he been shouldering for so many years now.

Three quick squeezes, that's what Tina felt, and the sensation pulled her right out of her thoughts as she met Chrissy's pale, violet eyes again, this time tinged with concern and commiseration. "Tina sad?" Chrissy asked, her voice barely more than a whisper because she knew good and well how alert Howie could be. Didn't stop her from voicing her concerns though, because Chrissy was a sweet soul who loved her family dearly.

"I'll be okay Princess," Tina whispered, because there wasn't no point lying to Chrissy. She'd just sniff it out and let you know you hadn't pulled the wool over her eyes, only she'd struggle to say as much in so many words. Easier just to own up and go from there, so Tina squeezed Chrissy's hand three times right back before leaning in to touch foreheads. "Better now with you here."

That earned her a nuzzle, and they spent a few minutes squeezing each other's hands with their heads resting on Howie's chest. That's how Tina knew he was awake before he so much as shifted an inch. His breathing changed, going from slow, steady, and ponderous as can be to shorter and almost more forced, like he was working his lungs manually the way you'd crank one of them huge Aetheric Dynamos that some smaller villages used to collectively power their homes. Was more efficient than having a smaller dynamo attached to each house, though you had to invest in wiring and all that. Howie had already talked about installing one up at the quay as they currently just had a dynamo for each house, though he wasn't sure if he should do it now or wait until after the Watershed to see what new tech was available.

When he finally came awake with a deep breath that was half a yawn, Chrissy was ready and waiting to greet him. "Morning Howie," she said, straightening up so she could look at his face. "Happy birthday."

Caught him by surprise it did, and leave it to Howie to forget his own birthday. Or maybe he forgot that most people celebrated the day of their birth, since he usually spent his mourning. His mama for the first thirteen years, and his daddy after his fourteenth. Was real telling how he tried to put it off too, flashing a fake smile for Chrissy and saying, "Thank you Princess, but there still some hours yet. Was born at night after all, so ain't quite time to celebrate."

If he had his way, they wouldn't celebrate at all, but Tina knew Chrissy had been looking forward to this the whole entire trip since they usually spent Christmas, his birthday, and New Years without him. Was funny how the family almost completely revolved around him. Not because he was the breadwinner or anything, as Mama made enough so long as they didn't splurge on silly things like expensive dresses and salon visits. Was real nice getting her hair done by Madame Martin, but it wasn't really worth the $20. The spidersilk dress from Miss Westwood on the other hand was well worth the $80, even though Tina didn't know when she'd get to wear it again. Wasn't nothing wrong with the dress itself, as the blood had come right out with a bit of water and shampoo, but the fact that it'd been Josie's blood made it difficult to look at no matter how clean it might be.

Hugging Howie's arm oh so tight, Tina pressed right up against him, then pressed even further when he instinctively leaned away. Right into Chrissy mind you, not that he paid it any mind, so why was he so skittish with Tina? Didn't let it get to her though, just clung on tight and said, "Don't no one celebrate on the very minute of their birth. It's a birthday after all, so still counts. Happy eighteenth!"

"Thanks Songbird." Heaving the smallest of sighs, Howie leaned in to touch his forehead to hers for all of a split second before adding, "Alrighty then. Nature calls." With that said, he slipped out of her grasp and left Tina and Chrissy alone under their respective blankets, all fully dressed save for his boots which he laced up right quick before heading out to do his business. He could run, but not for long, so Tina traded a glance with Chrissy who also saw right through him and wasn't none too pleased. They stayed in bed a little longer cuddling with Cowie, who hadn't woken until Howie shot out from under him, but had taken it in stride and was almost fast asleep again.

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They couldn't stay in bed all day though, so Tina gave her sister a kiss on the forehead and asked, "Ready to start the day, Princess?" Chrissy immediately shook her head, which got Tina to laughing, so she gave her sister a few more minutes before deciding it was high time to get up. Chrissy tried to stay comfy a little while longer, which wasn't like her usual self, and doubly so when she clung to Cowie too who was ready and raring for some breakfast and might well have to answer the call of nature himself. Despite knowing this, Chrissy clung to Cowie and ignored his gentle efforts to free himself from her grasp, and it took a little doing before things clicked in Tina's head.

"Ain't nothin' to be scared of," Tina said, stroking her sister's beautiful silver hair while helping Cowie out by taking his place in Chrissy's arms. The baby bull saw his chance and took it as he darted right out, opening the door with his nose and even remembering to gently close it behind him. As for Tina, she held her sister close and rocked her side to side for a bit. "Them Abby are all down in the canyon and can't get up here, not without Howie knowing. If they do come, then we got lots of options to get away clean, so don't you worry about a thing."

It was the truth too, but Tina was still a little nervous. For Abby to be this active this late in the year meant there had to be something big going on, so they couldn't risk leaving until they either knew what's what or the whole hubbub died down. Which was all fine and dandy, except they didn't have an endless supply of food and water. There was a little well outside Uncle Ming must've dug at one point or another, but Howie said it was hit or miss as to whether there was any water to draw, as Proggies and their pedipalps needed a good amount of water to process all that biomass into goop.

Aside from the six days of travel time it'd take to get back home, they had maybe another five days worth of supplies if they stretched things out, and they'd have to considering they had a fifth person to feed and water. Even then, it'd be touch and go towards the end, but so long as they made it to a watchtower, the Rangers stationed there wouldn't leave them in the lurch. Was a fine line, deciding how much food and water to bring into the badlands, because you bring too much and it'd slow you down more than anything else, but not enough meant you and your mounts might not have the strength to safely make the trip back out.

As such, breakfast was a frugal affair for the lot of them, including Jinfeng who joined them at Mama's behest. They each got half a bar of pemmican spread on warm hardtack, which they washed down with hot tea that Mama carefully boiled using the kettle with a metal drip catcher overtop the spout to recover as much steam and condensation as possible. Even if things went perfectly to plan, every last drop would be welcome in the days ahead, and Tina didn't mind the reduced rations. Pemmican didn't quite fill your belly right away, but it was packed full of calories that just needed a bit of time to settle in before kickstarting your day right.

Before the food had a chance to settle though, Howie said, "I'm gonna head out and take a look around. Best to know what we up against so we can plan accordingly." Glancing at Jinfeng with a sour scowl, he gave the lovely girl a look that Tina reserved the piles of mudpies Cowie and his cow gals left behind in the back corner of the barn. "You any good at walkin' soft?"

Jinfeng's big, brown eyes blinked a few times in incomprehension, which almost made Tina laugh to see. Howie did the same thing, and so did Uncle Ming, so to see it on Jinfeng just tickled her pink. Howie wasn't none too amused though, and his scowl darkened with each passing second as the girlie parsed his meaning with great difficulty. "I am capable of moving with stealth," she answered, in those clipped and precise tones she favoured. Wasn't because she was slow in the head, but because she wanted to get her pronunciation perfect, which oddly enough made her sound less perfect by comparison. Hardly anyone spoke 'perfect' English, so that meant her proper grammar and enunciation stood out as abnormal and strange to hear.

"Hope so, because you comin' with me." Flashing a grin, he added, "Keep in mind, if you make a fuss, I got ways of getting' clear all by my lonesome, leaving you holdin' the bag as it were."

Again, it took Jinfeng some time to figure out what Howie meant, and Tina gave him a look that said she knew what he was doing. He was being purposely obtuse to make things harder on the girl, and it wasn't a good look on him. She was their prisoner sure, but he'd been ready to throw her to the wulves, which she no doubt was worrying about. Didn't show it on her face though, just nodded in response as soon as she figured out what Howie was talking about. "I have no desire to throw my life away," she said, so calm and collected she might well be talking about the weather. "I will strive to walk as softly as possible."

"Should I come with?" Tina asked, giving Howie her most innocent expression. "Could use someone to watch your back." And make sure neither one of them pulled any shenanigans out there. Granted, Tina wasn't the stealthiest person around, but she could more than make up for it with an Invisibility Spell and Minor Illusion Cantrips. Wouldn't hide her from an Ankhrav's Tremorsense or a Razorscythe's enhanced senses, but they wouldn't be able to see her all the same. Which was better than nothing, and wasn't like Howie or Jinfeng could do anything about those issues either.

Still took Howie a few seconds to figure out what he wanted to say, as she could see the gears turning in his head as he calculated the odds. "Alright Songbird," he said, casting his gaze over her gear to make sure she was carrying everything she'd need and not a single ounce more. Namely the potion pouch he'd given her which contained two Gaseous Form potions which she could use to get away, and still have one to spare for Jinfeng. Couldn't rightly leave the girl to die, not when Tina could help her, and it didn't sit right to know Howie might well do just that.

While she wouldn't go so far as to say that she suspected that was what he'd been planning, but Tina was also glad to see him so receptive of her company. If he had intended to leave Jinfeng for dead, then he would've at least tried to convince Tina to stay behind, but his only concern had been whether or not she was ready for this. Still disheartening, but for a much better reason since it meant he wasn't so far gone as most folks believed, and Tina hopped right to grabbing the rest of her kit, including exchanging her Merlin 45 for Mama's Whumper since there wouldn't be much call for long range shots on a scouting mission.

"Stay close to my left all times," Howie said, giving her a look that was serious as the grave before hitting Jinfeng with a heated glower. "And you. You keep to my right. Cross over to my left and I'll shoot you dead. Clear?"

The girlie's lips pressed together tight in a barely restrained scowl, but all she said was, "Understood."

Rather than bringing them down the tunnel, Howie led them over to the westernmost edge and gestured for them to come in close. Had his Mage Hands out with the Judges in their spectral blue grasp, and Tina blinked twice when she saw they were upcasted to Third Order. Add in his Wildshaped Hand which he Conjured up right then and there, as well as the Pass Without Trace Spell he readied with his next move, and it meant he was investing a fair bit into this scouting trip. Tina wasn't all that sure what he expected to discover, but she didn't ask any questions since he would've said as much if he needed her to be on the lookout for anything in particular.

Holding out his left hand, he gave her a smile and three quick squeezes when she took it, and she squeezed three times right back. "Got two Invisibility Spells stored in your bracers?" he asked, and Tina nodded right quick. "Then get invisible soon as we touch down and remember your training. Keep yourself silent and unseen, and don't hesitate to get gone if I tell you to. Got it?" Tina nodded again and held his hand just a little bit tighter, because he was making this out to be far more serious than she expected. Right up until he turned towards Jinfeng with a sour look etched on his face. Tentatively offering her his right hand, he said, "You go for my guns and I'll Blast you to kingdom come and leave little to nothing behind."

"Understood." Taking Howie's hand with a cold and detached professionalism, Jinfeng added, "I have Featherfall prepared. Would you prefer I cast it instead?"

"Wouldn't work," Howie lied, a calmly as he breathed. "Wards are keyed to my Aetheric signature, so any Spell of yours would fizzle out right quick. Best let me handle it, else we'll drop out of the sky long before we reach the ground. Or not all that long after the fact, if you pickin' up what I'm puttin' down."

Jinfeng clearly wasn't, but again, Howie was doing this on purpose, on top of making her think her life was wholly within the palm of his hand. Girl didn't look even the slightest bit nervous though, just nodded and accepted the facts as they were while bracing herself for what came next. Tina needed a moment too, as she made the mistake of peering out over the ledge at the sheer cliffsides of the mesa that went straight down to the ground. Wasn't no slope, gentle or otherwise, just sheer vertical stone rising up out of the ground that looked both awful far and much too close for the Featherfall Spell to be of any use.

Took two and a half seconds to cast after all, which Howie couldn't while holding a Pass Without Trace Spell. Meant he was planning to use the Featherfall stored inside his boot, which didn't take much more than a thought, but a very focused and deliberate thought. Which he might have trouble doing while plummeting down towards the ground below, all while Tina herself didn't have Featherfall prepped. Hardly seemed a good use of her exceedingly limited Spell slots, which she always filled with Mage Armour and Longstrider, but her own personal Featherfall seemed mighty tempting in the here and now.

Was too late to back out now though, so she took a deep breath and glanced at Howie who was grinning from ear to ear while watching her sweat. Even gave her a wink and said, "Remember to hang on tight." Glancing at Jinfeng, he added, "You, not so much. Feel free to let go at any time." Wasn't smart to poke the bear, especially when said bear excelled in close combat and apparently had a grip strong enough to make Howie wince from just squeezing his fingers. "Alrighty then," he said, half smiling and half grimacing as he said, "Hope the Spell's still good. Can't rightly remember the last time I refreshed it."

Then he jumped off the side of the mesa, and Lord help her, Tina jumped with him instead of letting go of his hand and staying safe and sound on solid ground like she so desperately wanted to.

Felt like she'd been falling for forever and a day before the flows of Aether surged up from Howie's Spell Storage Matrix to encompass them all in a shell of slowing magic that ran counter to gravity. Only for a half second, barely enough time for Tina's stomach to come down out of her throat before her feet touched down gently on solid ground. Was pretty much a perfect landing, as even though Featherfall lasted a full minute, you didn't want to be slowly falling to the ground in a potential hot zone. Still, a half second seemed like cutting it real close, and Tina couldn't help but give Howie a suspicious glare to see if he'd left it off later on purpose. Following along with her thoughts, he flashed a smile and shook his head before putting his head on a swivel and taking in the surrounding while unleashing his Pass Without Trace Spell.

Only then did Tina realize why Howie had held off on activating the Spell and just readied it instead. Was easier to hold onto a readied Spell than Concentrate on an active one, meaning he'd been worried about losing focus on the long way down.

Really put that close landing into perspective, and doubly so now that she had a little experience with Spell Storage Matrixes herself. The way it worked was you stored the Spell into the Matrix, which would then cast it upon you when activated. Made it finicky to work with, especially if you wanted the Spell to affect other people too, and Tina didn't want to think about what might've happened if Howie failed to include her in the Spell's effect. Instead, she activated her own Spell Storage Matrix to cast Invisibility on herself, which would stay there for the next hour without any need for Concentration. She kept hold of Howie's hand for a moment longer, just to let him know where she was with a quick three squeezes, which he returned in kind without having to think. Say what you will about how much he'd changed, he was still mostly the same Howie underneath it all, the sorta brother who loved her dearly and would do anything to keep her safe.

So it was up to her not to drag him down as they headed west up the slight incline leading up out of the Divide. On foot no less, meaning there was no chance of getting topside to see any distance at all since that was a good 40-some-odd klicks away judging by how long it took to go from the top to the ramp to the mesa proper. Howie wasn't in any rush though, as he moved slow and quiet with Jinfeng close behind, staying to his right but only just because she didn't want to expose herself anymore than she absolutely had to. As for Tina herself, she didn't have to worry much about it, because even though she'd long since let go of Howie's hand so he'd be free to sling Spells or shoot Bolts in case the worst should come to pass, he was somehow able to track exactly where she was and kept her covered the whole time.

Uncanny that, and Tina wasn't even sure if Howie was doing it on purpose, as he seemed hyper focused on their surroundings while watching for Abby. More than once, he pulled them both aside to take cover in a cave dug out into the wall, and though Tina never once caught wind of Abby passing by, she knew good and well they were most certainly there. Either down under dark and close enough to the surface to notice any movement above, or moving stealthily traipsing about around them and leaving Tina completely unaware of their presence. Could be either one, but she was thinking it was the former, since it also meant they could conserve body heat since it wouldn't be as cold down in them tunnels as it was up here on the surface.

If that was the case, then that meant all the noise was being made by Abby up on them cliffs, the ones on either side of the ramp. Wasn't much to see down here then, since they'd have better lines of sight up on the mesa. They'd have to get up high enough to see, as the cliffs stood every so slightly taller than the mesa itself, but Levitating from up top of the house ought to be good enough. If Tina could think of this, then surely Howie could too, which meant he was scouting down here for good reason. Likely because he wanted to see how busy the ramp was, and know if Abby were taking alternate routes up to the cliff sides. Unlike them, Abby could just dig tunnels straight up from the Divide, meaning they didn't really need to use the ramp to get in and out of the canyon. It merely offered a wide and spacious route, which was a necessity for armies of Abby moving out on the warpath right quick, since much like any other army, Abby needed to be fed, even if all they did was stand around stuck in traffic all day.

Speaking of being stuck in traffic, Tina noticed they'd been sat here waiting in a cave for some time now. They hadn't been travelling for long either, less than an hour in total, and their progress was abysmal since she could still see the base of the mesa when she glanced back behind him. She didn't say nothing though, because there was a nervous energy to Howie which she wasn't used to seeing, one matched by Jinfeng who was constantly moving the fingers of her left hand like she was doing calculations on an abacus, yet another habit she shared with Howie. Tina had no idea how them finger movements let them do math so quickly without having to write anything down, as she never could get the knack down no matter how much she tried. Either way, it was an odd habit, to do math while nervous, except it turned out she wasn't just waggling her fingers for nothing.

"We need to move," Jinfeng whispered, her quiet tones conveying a palpable urgency that put Tina on edge. "The omens point to a confluence of karma at our current location, so it would be best to remove ourselves from the area and seek safety elsewhere."

Rather than shoot her down, Howie grimaced and looked around. "Somethin's not right, that's for sure," he said. "Got my jimmies a janglin', but I can't rightly say why." Shooting Jinfeng a suspicious glare, he asked, "I got my Portent to help me along, but how'd you know somethin' ain't right?" A question asked as he headed out of the cave right quick without waiting for an answer, probably because he didn't expect to get one.

Jinfeng was forthcoming with an explanation though, which only served to reinforce Tina's inkling that the girl was on the up and up and just here to collect her dead. "The Classics of Changes reveals the ways of fate to those who know how to read the signs. Find the sequence of six numbers within the world and calculate which of sixty-four sets those numbers belong to in order to arrive at the correct hexagram, one which corresponds to a sequence within the Classics of Changes which we then interpret accordingly. It is a most useful tool that can work wonders in the right mind, for the ways of fate are ever changing and thus the calculations are never ending."

To which Howie replied with a strange look, like he thought Jinfeng was speaking a whole bunch of gobbledegook. To be fair, it did sound like the girl was off her rocker talking about finding numbers in the world and calculating fate, but then again, in practical terms, it didn't seem all that much different from relying on Howie's rustling jimmies. Either way, Tina was starting to feel some of that bad juju behind them, and she was glad to see they were headed back towards the mesa, albeit with little to nothing to show for their time spent scouting.

Or so she thought, because Howie was feeling better after their little foray, so much so he actually explained what was going on for once. "Seems like Abby are moving south and west in force," he said, glancing in Tina's general direction with a smile. Was slightly off, maybe a handspan to the right, but he got the general area right. In contrast, Jinfeng all but met Tina's eyes despite the fact that she was Invisible, which just went to show how not being seen wasn't as useful as others might think. That was okay though, because Tina had plenty of other tools in her arsenal to keep herself safe, including an Echo and a Minor Illusion Cantrip that could work wonders with the right approach.

"Means they're hot on the trail of something or someone," Howie continued, going back to scanning their surroundings in an effort to figure out what his Portent was picking up on. "Give it a day or two and they'll have either caught their prey or they'll give up and go back to hibernating. Any longer and they'll scour all their forward bases and goop stashes empty, and they might even resort to eating the weaker Abby just to stay warm and functional." Zigging across the ramp over to the other side, Howie fell silent for a minute as he led them back towards the mesa, but not on a direct route. No, he was circling wide to give him time to be absolutely sure they wasn't being tailed, since the greatest defense of the mesa lay not in its wards, but in Abby's complete and utter ignorance of any happenings going on at the mesa, magical or otherwise.

The long and short of it was Howie seemed confident all this would blow over soon enough, and Tina figured he knew enough about what he was doing to believe him. Jinfeng didn't argue either, as she followed alongside him with her big eyes scanning this way and that while her fingers moved across the invisible abacus she was working with. The two of them were so vigilant, Tina was almost lulled into a sense of complacency since there wasn't much of anything for her to do. Though she kept one eye on the mesa behind them on their way out, now that they were headed back, Tina couldn't help but let her gaze shoot back behind them every now and then, because she was confident her companions were seeing everything in front of them. As such, she was the first to notice something amiss as they headed for the safety of the mesa proper, but it took her awhile to realize what she was seeing.

Or rather, not seeing, because no matter how many times Tina glanced back behind her, she couldn't quite see the cave they done just left behind them.

"Howie," she whispered, as calm and quiet as she could. "I think we got a tail." Howie and Jinfeng both went alert, but neither one turned around to give the game away. "There's an Enchantment afoot keeping me from seeing what's behind us." Which was really similar to how that Razorscythe had kept Howie from noticing its presence through Detect Aberration. That little nudge was all it took though, that awareness of a lack of awareness, because now that Howie knew what to look for, he was able to push past the magical effect and sense what was being obscured behind them through his Spell.

"Razorscythes on our six," he said a short moment later. "At least three. Guess their camo Enchantment effect stacks when they work together. Don't turn around and look. You see through their camo and they'll know. They curious to see us out here, and want to know where we come from, so they're trailing us instead of attacking. Works out well for now, but we gotta get rid of them quick and quiet before heading home." Taking a deep breath and releasing it ever so slowly as he put one foot in front of the other and put on a show of seeming relaxed, Howie put together a plan in his head and shared it with Tina and Jinfeng, one that didn't have any flaws that she could see, but seemed like a stretch all the same. "Think you can manage it, Songbird?" he asked, which really sealed the deal.

Because if he was counting on her to pull her weight and make sure the plan went through, then she couldn't well let him down, now could she? "Just you watch and see," she whispered, reaching out to give his shoulder three quick squeezes just for good luck and feeling a pang of grief to know he couldn't squeeze her hand back without giving her presence away. "Gimme a count of thirty to get in place, and then we're good to go."

And with that, she split off from Howie and Jinfeng to do just that, leaving an Illusion of her invisible self in place to better confuse the Razorscythes watching close. This was it, her chance to prove to herself that she wasn't complete dead weight to Howie. She was the top boot and star recruit of her class, which wasn't saying much given the limited competition, but she was number one all the same and therefore second only to Howie. Well, maybe third behind Jinfeng who was competent as could be and had a pivotal role to play herself, but otherwise, Tina was the be all end all of this generation, and it was high time she showed it.

Yeah, Howie might be the Firstborn, but Tina was the Songbird, a Callsign that wasn't half as fancy, but one that fit her just as well. Or better even, seeing how Howie was veering off the beaten track that would've led to his future as a leader of their generation, but Tina was still moving towards the goal she set for herself. To be a Ranger same as her daddy, and same as Howie's daddy too, because there was more to being a Ranger than what some suit on the west coast might have to say.

And make no mistake. Those who knew Uncle Ming knew he was a Ranger through and through, and wasn't no one who could ever take that away.

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