Rifted
Rifted
Episode 11: Reunion
Twitter: @Riftedpodcast
Cast:
Aurora: Justice Hart
Daniel: Karma
Rowena: Elizabeth Plant
Harriet: Mimi Brown
Elizabeth: Valerie Rose Lohman
Wren: Dea Elizabeth
Aazyra Collins: Ken Rou
Zayne Crossvale: Adrian Garcia
Jackson/Silas: Aubrey Poppletron
Emery: Scottye
Dianna: Tiffany Witcher
Josephine: Anarosa Butler
Narrated by: Justice Hart
Script Doctoring: Cc Lilford
Sound design and editing by: SlyCoreyVA
Extras:
Rambunctious.vo
you
SPEAKER_00:Make sure you give them their blankets. Opie is the red one. I heard you. Go inside. I'll finish with the horses. Zane lingered in the doorway, hesitant. Yes? You have to tie it, or she will pull it off. I will. Thank you for letting us use your stables and for taking us in so late. Lucky I had the room. Only got the one room, so it'll have to do. Oh, it will do what? The room. You'll... Oh, yes, it will. It's suitable for two? Huh? The room. It's suitable for two people, yes? He held up two fingers as the innkeeper continued to eye him carefully. Sure, it's suitable for two. As many as you want. Doesn't bother me any, as long as I don't get any complaints about the noise. You will get no complaints. Second door from the end, right up the stairs. Thank you. My companion, would you send her after me? I would like to take my things upstairs. Mm-hmm. She is tall. Right. Her name is... I said I'd do it. Here. Inside was no more impressive than the rest of the place, sparsely decorated by a few pieces of mismatched furniture. Zane set his bags down, stumbling through the dim to light an oil lamp on the table. Oh, it's... The bed was moderately sized, and yet, its greatest flaw was the fact that it stood alone, not joined by another. This must be a mistake... Cranky bastard at the counter, isn't she? I... Hold on. Something is wrong. She must not have understood me. With what? Bette doesn't have bugs or something, does it? No. I don't think so. No. I'm so sorry. I had asked if the room was suitable for two. Yeah? And it is? Please, don't think I was using this as some way to... What are you going on about? I will ask for more blankets. The floor is... I have slept in worse places, and you should take the bed. Wait. You're all worked up over sharing a bed? I don't kick or something in my sleep. Cross my heart. No, no. It's not that. I didn't want you to think this was a trick. A trick? Please, if you are not comfortable sharing this room, I will find another place. Goddesses, you're dense, huh? You're smart, but I'm pretty sure your skull could stop a bullet sometimes. I don't understand that. I'm not uncomfortable sharing a bed with you, Zane. Didn't think anything of it until you brought it up, actually. Oh. You said yourself that you're not built for the cold, right? Might be better to have someone beside you, yeah? I... suppose. I just wanted you to know for certain this wasn't a setup to sleep with you. I would like for us both to be comfortable. Zane, I want to sleep with you. Oh? It was the second time she crowded him against a wall. Only this time, it was under far different circumstances. That is, if you want that too? I... She tilted his chin up to look at her. How's that sound? If not... I'm sorry, my heart is beating very fast. Everything felt tight and heated. His throat, his chest, his clothes. Is that a no? No, I mean it's... It's a yes. Yes. Yes. Please. I would like that very much. Always so nice. Polite words and all, aren't you? Let's see if we can fix that. Daniel will be alright on his own? Of course. He can stand to be on his own for a while. I suppose both of us could. We should wait for Bantram. I'm not afraid of Sha. I worry you should be. Do you see? They are dancing. In a way, he was right. Aurora's eyes trailed over the lights above them, watching them twist in the dark. Been a while since I've seen them. Yes, for us too. When you were gone, they left. Seems they're happy to see me too, then. They say you were shot. I did not see it. Yeah, I was. Didn't miss much, I can tell you that. Probably just missed watching me bleed out and piss myself in the snow. The Dravara, did they heal you? No, not... well, I guess. They kept me from dying, if that's what you mean. Daniel did anyway. He must be a skilled healer. Well, not exactly. He knows enough, though. He tries. He really does. In all things. I owe him so much for that. If he's your, uh, life, mate, there is no O. I never would shoot him if he was yours. If he's your, uh, life, mate, there is no O. I never would shoot him if he was yours. My what? The mate or lover. Yes? Alakio told the clan when you came. Is that what called them off? A bond between mates is strong. There are old stories and they say you have missing pieces of you. They're found in those bonds. Some have one other, or more. Or some may choose none. To break a bond on purpose is very bad. The clan will protect yours, too. Are they expected to stay together forever, then? No, not every time. Only they can choose. No one outside. Something sacred, it seems. Oh, protected by something... Uh, a great force, or, well, a very special bond, is what I meant. Yes, the clan has many. Wren and Bantram. Sacred bond. And Sha? Bantram and Sha? Yes, sacred bond. You said Bantram and Wren were bonded. Sha is with them as well. Uh, not really. Bantram and Sha, yes. Ren is with Bantram only. Oh, I see. A complicated arrangement. Sha takes the company of other males only, so he is not with Ren. Oh, well, something of the same here. I understand. Lin, can you take me to Sha? I want to speak to him. You want to see him? Lin's ears fell. pinned against his head as his tail curled by his feet. Why is everyone so anxious about that? Yes, alive, but... bad. He was badly wounded, and he is healed. Lin pointed to two places on his chest. His body is healed. His mind is... lost. He and Bantram fought, and when it was over, Shaw stepped down. Bantram fought him for the clan? No, no, not like that. No, no, not like that. It was willing, they agreed. Shaw has been strange since then. I'm afraid he will hurt you without meaning to. I just want to talk to him, that's all. And if he refuses, then so be it. But I have to try. There is no help for him. Then where is he? I don't know. To the trees far off. I have not found him. The camp is not his home, he thinks. He was here when you came. He came to the camp, but he is gone. Shah does not stay. Wait! Shaw, are you out there? Speak to Bantram instead. Last I checked, Bantram was away with my brother. Wait for morning, please. Just wait. Fine. We can wait. It's too vexing cold. Aurora stops finally, nodding and tucking his hands under his arms against the cold. Oh, no... He cut himself off when Lin's expression changed drastically, ears falling flat against his head and eyes widening in terror at whatever approached from behind. You were looking for me? His ribs showed beneath a dull and matted pelt, sickly and weak. A fresh network of scars crossed his face, marred his chest, ran pathways down his arms, and even cut an exaggerated snarl into his lip. where part of it had been torn away. You were looking for me? Stepping back, Aurora blinked, eyes flashing over to Lin who had since ducked his head. Shaw's tongue swiped across his teeth. Lin, go. I will speak to Aurora. I will stay.
UNKNOWN:Go.
SPEAKER_00:Lin stepped backwards, shivering when Shaw's eyes came back over him again. Before he turned and moved off, back towards the camp. Why are you here? We heard there was an attack. The resistance is still... We are even less now. And this is because of you. We had time before you came to us. Before she shot you. Now, there is no time. I know. There is no time! This place is where we die. We watched the skies here, and now we all die here. The Dravara are coming here, and they will kill the next time, Aurora. I can't compare my situation to yours, but I know that she hurt me, and she hurt most everyone else in the Resistance fighting for your clan. We need you and your clan to fight too, as long and hard as you can. We are the last. There is no stopping her. There never was a stopping. If... No! Mothers and cubs, the elder and warriors. It does not matter. Rowena declared war on us for breathing. She will not stop until we do. The Falorn was practically panting, drooling from the place where his lip had been torn away. to uncover his teeth. A clawed hand came away from his chest, and Aurora watched fresh blood pool against his fur. We just need a little more time. Giving up now would only mean... Even with how angry he was, Aurora never expected to actually be struck. There was little force behind it, given the strength of the Phaeloran. just enough to send him reeling backwards and into the snow. Aurora scrambled away, sweeping his hat from the ground and raising his hands in front of him protectively. You have no right to give me false hope. Dazed but unharmed, Aurora finally got back to his feet. Shaw's head snapped up, ears pinned as he spotted her. She was small. Lean and every bit as furious looking as Shaw. Unlike the others, her pelt didn't carry most of the familiar spotted pattern, instead showing only echoes of it.
SPEAKER_01:Go!
SPEAKER_00:For a moment, Shaw's face twisted into a snarl before it fell away, becoming just as hollow and empty looking as the rest of him. His eyes lowered, body slumping as he turned away. I'm sorry, Aurora. Shaw limped off, leaving behind only tracks and faint spots of blood from where his own claws had cut into his flesh. Are you hurt?
SPEAKER_01:Is it your blood?
SPEAKER_00:No, it's Shaw's. Aurora, this is Fala. She came to help. He really is lost. We are all lost.
UNKNOWN:The End
SPEAKER_00:Do you remember the words, Alicheo? Scythe was stopped, blinking. Bantram paused too. For a moment, he waited, scratching at the side of his face before looking back into the flashing eyes of the Falorn. It Magnaval. She would be proud. Very proud of you. Is she? No, no. She lives, Alicheo. Good. She wanders to the other clans. Other clans? No. To where they were. We let her go. Scry searched for you after you were gone. Gone. Do you still hurt? No, not much. Not my body. My headaches. I... Silas reached up to trace his fingers over the network of scars that marred his throat. Speaking, it hurts. It scares me. Some days, not so bad. My mind is still hurt, I think. Like many of us. Like Sha. Yes. You can go back. When we find Scry, I will leave you to talk. I'd like to walk alone. Stay close then, yes? Alikeo! Yes? Scry never blamed you. The clan never blamed you for the loss. It was a mistake. It was unfair to you. You were young. Just a... A kid. Yes. The battle was lost from the start. We knew, but for us, you were hope and we wanted to believe in something. I know. Follow the river. You will find her. Thank you. Bantram didn't follow. Silas held a lantern in one hand, rusted and beaten, a relic from an age ago, a long dead age. Don't cry. It's me.
SPEAKER_01:No.
SPEAKER_00:No?
SPEAKER_01:No!
SPEAKER_00:Her eyes were clouded with age, but unmistakably furious. She slunk forward, cautious, somehow fearful in the way her body slumped and how she extended a clawed hand towards him.
SPEAKER_01:Alikeo...
SPEAKER_00:I said I'd come back. I'm sorry it took me longer than I thought. Scry! He didn't fight her hold. She reached up, brushing clawed digits through his hair, touching the collar of his shirt, and grabbing for one of his hands. Silas winced.
SPEAKER_01:You... The scars...
SPEAKER_00:They're all the scars. Bantram came back. Akan came back. The clan was hurt huge. You died. You said... I'm alive. So are you. It's so good to see you, Scry.
SPEAKER_01:Your voice hurts you.
SPEAKER_00:I'm okay. How are you? Old. I am old. Me too. You... I've been gone so long. Why? Why didn't you come? It is a long story. I was hurt. Very hurt. And then... She hurt you, Rowena. Bantram and Hakan told me you were dead. They saw you die. They saw me fall. I was crushed under the horse's grey. To them, I looked like I was killed.
SPEAKER_01:We mourned for
SPEAKER_00:you. I'm sorry. All died with you. You have far... Stubble, a beard, yes. I'm sorry, again.
SPEAKER_01:Did you see your family again?
SPEAKER_00:Yes, I did.
SPEAKER_01:A mate?
SPEAKER_00:No, in a way, but not like that. My family, it's gotten bigger. Other people were hurt. A family you find is just as strong. I mourn for mine. You have the clan still. No, not anymore. Why not? They can't blame you.
SPEAKER_01:I do. I blame me.
SPEAKER_00:Scry's head dropped against his shoulder, a familiar weight. The skies are changing. Is it a good change? Bad. But I don't know anymore what's true. You're looking at them wrong.
SPEAKER_01:That is my hope.
SPEAKER_00:Does the clan still have hope, Scry? Scry's weight sank heavier against his side.
UNKNOWN:Ahem.
SPEAKER_00:We're doing what we can. That is all we ask. Will you make me a promise, Alikeo? Silas nodded, hesitant. When we are gone, remember us. You won't be gone. I would die before. No, you won't. please promise you will live I will Scry I will someday you will come back again and we will watch the skies without being afraid you will bring your family we will be happy safe Someday we will be safe Skrei. Where are we going?
SPEAKER_01:You will see. I
SPEAKER_00:don't understand the need to be secretive. The clan doesn't like us going here. It's off the limits. Off limits? Of anyone, I'd think you'd be a good influence, Lin. Instead, you're leading me along into trouble. Fala is leading. I'm just here. To make sure nothing bad happens.
SPEAKER_01:A fearless protector.
SPEAKER_00:Why are we stopping?
SPEAKER_01:Don't talk.
SPEAKER_00:We're sneaking around the forest at night, and I'm the only human for miles. I think they'll catch the scent of me even if I...
SPEAKER_01:We are downwind of the clan.
SPEAKER_00:There is nothing. We can go. I
SPEAKER_01:thought I heard something. Come this way. Aurora, Len will not tell me about your mate.
SPEAKER_00:Oh. Fala, don't!
SPEAKER_01:Tell me about him.
SPEAKER_00:If you have questions, why not ask him yourself?
SPEAKER_01:He is afraid of the clan. Why?
SPEAKER_00:He's afraid of a lot. I wouldn't take it personally. We did not know. He's fine, I promise you. It's time and, well, he doesn't exactly have the greatest history with your clan anyway. Daniel is complicated, and my relationship with him is the same, but we aren't involved, bonded, in the same way you've described it. We haven't been the best about communicating things either.
SPEAKER_01:When is the same?
SPEAKER_00:Fala?
SPEAKER_01:He is too afraid to ask. We are too young, but one day, I think he will.
SPEAKER_00:No, wrong. Best of luck to you both, then.
SPEAKER_01:Come, it's right here.
SPEAKER_00:The grove of trees was thicker ahead, forming some semblance of an obscuring screen with a small structure tucked behind it. Most of it was built into the ground. hidden further by a hatch propped open on short wooden walls. Don't tell me we're going in there.
SPEAKER_01:You can stay at the door. Look inside.
SPEAKER_00:Vala moved to the door, lifting it slowly until it fell back into the snow. Be careful. What is it? Something to save us. Aurora squinted against the dark, reaching for a pack of matches in his pocket. No, don't. I can't see. You will... Explosives.
SPEAKER_01:Taken from the Dravara.
SPEAKER_00:He tucked the matches away, relying on what little light made it through the canopy overhead. Aurora crouched at the entrance, peering down into the makeshift cellar. That... affects it all. That stuff is ancient. Very old, yes. The clan has been taking it for a long time. Do you know the story of Aliquio? It's odd hearing people call him that when he's just my brother. Like he's a legend or something. He is! He is not! Fala, don't! He came with Scry from your side of the rift. She was kept by the Dravara, locked away, and he set her free. Before you came, he was hope for the clans. There was a plan. The clans would stand against the Javara.
SPEAKER_01:And they lost. The other clans are dead.
SPEAKER_00:Yes, they lost. But not because of Alekio. No, not because of Alekio. What does that have to do with all this? Since Alekio, we have gathered much of it. One day, enough to destroy the bridge. You're going to blow out the bridge.
SPEAKER_01:We will be safe.
SPEAKER_00:Aurora ran his knuckles across the dust-covered bundles, tightly wrapped charges of black powder. Where did you get this? The mines from long ago. Well, I knew the East used to be used for mining, but that was a long time ago. The outposts, some of them, were repurposed by the Javara, I know that much. Are you sure any of this will even still work? Yes, we have tried it. As long as it stays dry, it will work. Why haven't you done it before? Before? If you had it this long, why wait? Why not blow it up sooner?
SPEAKER_01:Not enough. If we fail, the
SPEAKER_00:Druvara will know, and we will die. If we take too much, they know. The clan has waited a long time. They can't wait forever. What if Rowena... Right. What good does that thinking bring? That's it all. You certainly have quite the stockpile already, though. Soon they will use it. When Sha was hurt, it was supposed to be then. To get enough for us. Now we have to try again.
SPEAKER_01:We will go again soon.
SPEAKER_00:We just need more time. A little more. They're working on that.
SPEAKER_01:We know. That is why we show you this. You know we are fighting, too.
SPEAKER_00:The clan is not lost yet, Aurora. I am sorry for what Shaw did to you. I don't blame him for anything. He's afraid. And he's... Well, Vexador, anyone would be after what you've all gone through.
SPEAKER_01:Are you afraid? I
SPEAKER_00:am. Perhaps not in the same way, but... Yes. It's going to be alright. I know that doesn't mean much coming from me. But we will do what we can to buy you as much time as possible. I can promise you that much. I can promise anything at all.
SPEAKER_01:Do you really think it matters?
SPEAKER_00:What matters? What we do. Does it matter? Will it change things? I do. But why? That's a good question. And well, if I don't think it will, it makes it harder to keep moving forward, I guess. Maybe it's selfish, really, when it helps. It is not selfish to think and to fight. I suppose not.
SPEAKER_01:Aurora, would you like to see a bear cave?
SPEAKER_00:We should go back to camp. Yes. Please, show me the cave.
SPEAKER_01:You should be sitting.
SPEAKER_00:I... I'm sorry. I just got tired of staying in one place. Antsy. Antsy, yes. That's a word for it. Daniel took a half step backwards, shrinking as the Phaeloran stepped closer to fill the doorway beside him. You were waiting for Aurora to come back. Yes. I... Sorry. Stepped wrong. You should rest. Her grip on his shoulder was gentle, firm. Daniel sat. I was lucky. Just a grace.
SPEAKER_01:Luck would be the arrow missing. Yeah, I... guess it would be.
SPEAKER_00:Have you seen Aurora today? Wait, I'm sorry. So many times. I didn't mean it like that. No, no. So many times you say, I'm sorry. I'm so... Yes, I know. I say it a lot. Do you have that much to be sorry for? Daniel. That's... a complicated question. Questions that have
SPEAKER_01:stories often are. I... guess you're right. Can you eat something? I'm
SPEAKER_00:not hungry at the moment. Not food. The powder inside is bitter. The leaves are covered in... You call it honey, yes? It's... Sticky, yes. We call it honey. Do not you swallow them, or you will taste... Too late. Bitter, but... Got them down. Where did you get the honey? It is rare. We have some, but it's very old. There are some cycles where they come from short times. Before we know, if you alone traveled across to get it. Wish I would have known. I could have brought some with us. I'm... sorry. I didn't mean to... May I ask a question?
SPEAKER_01:Yes. If you want. How do you know Aurora?
SPEAKER_00:That's... another complicated question. We met a long time ago, just before the two of us went to the Jervara. Well, went is one way to put it. There was an accident with Aurora's sister,
SPEAKER_01:and we stuck together after that. I
SPEAKER_00:guess I felt bad, or like some part of me owed it to him to stick around after what happened. I know it wasn't actually my fault or anything, but the responsibility stuck with me. And I couldn't shake him after that. You care for him. I do. Very much. I really do. It's never been very easy to explain what we are, or who we are. Aurora is my best friend. I can say that for sure. And I want him to be okay. Then you will do right by him. I will. I'll try my best anyway. Good. He'll be back soon. Ren? Yes? Thank you. You and your clan didn't owe me a second chance. And you still gave it to me. If you are helping, you are no good to us dead. Wouldn't you say? Yeah, I suppose you're right. I think I've misled you. She shifted beside him in the bed, limbs still tangled in the sheets.
UNKNOWN:Huh?
SPEAKER_00:I have not been truthful to you. What are you talking about? Can I ask you a question? Of course you can. If you learned something bad about yourself, something that could make others see bad in you, what would you do? In what sense? I don't have many friends. No shit? What? Wasn't supposed to agree with you? Please, don't tease me. Not now. Still can later, though. Right? Had quite the time of it last night. Please. Her arms reached for him, drawing him close against her chest again. Comforting, ensnared by the shared heat between them as her fingers traced circles on his thigh. Zane, I take you plenty serious, you know? I wasn't trying to upset you. I know. You're shaking. I know. If you need me to listen, whatever it is, I will. I've got you. Go ahead and I'll shut up, okay? I spoke with Benjamin sometime after we got to camp. He came to me, and I didn't understand why. I stay out of the way. I haven't talked with anyone at length, aside from you. Azira's arms were firm around him, grounding. I ask again. If you learned something bad about yourself, something that could make others see bad in you, what would you do? I don't know. Guess it depends on what it was and if it was my fault. I'm afraid. Did something happen between you two? We're not getting booted from camp, are we? No, no. I don't think so. I thought he was just being friendly, but we kept talking. That's why I asked if you found out something terrible about your family. Would you think it made you a bad person? Bounty hunter families bound to have skeletons. Oddly enough, not them. I don't know how... You worked closely with Rowena. Close enough. According to Benjamin, I have connections to them. To the family, and... You're Southern, and last I checked, none of them were... I'm half Southern, on my father's side. My mother is Brunish. You're running me in circles. My mother, Victoria, was a widower. After her first husband died, she remarried. Married my father. Married Raymond Crossvale. And I was born soon after. A happy ending. Away from the East. Away from Rowena. Victoria, my mother, is the same one who was married to Oren Rinskar. The same who was Rowena's mother. The... Oh, shit. Which makes Rowena... Small world, isn't it? Did you hear anything I said? Yes, I heard you. I... What were you expecting? I don't know. I... Angry? Angry at me, or... Why would I be angry with you, Zane? If... If you were angry, I... I... I was prepared for you to be angry with me. I considered leaving camp. I thought if I went away, no one would know, and... Easy, slow down. Zane, it's a name. Why would I be angry with you over a name? You thought I'd be angry at you for a family relation? What sort of a person did you take me for? I was scared! He didn't mean to flinch when she tugged him closer, pressed a kiss against the back of his neck, where her face was buried. I think I said it before, but I may not know what it feels to have my life disproven, but I do know how it feels to have a name that doesn't fit right. Half the people back at that camp made their own families, Zane, and you got just as much a right to do that too. Choose who you want to be. I want to make up for what she's done, but at the same time, I don't know if it's my place. That's not your responsibility. I know, but I can't shake the... Guilt, and not even your own. You could have convinced me you're a damn thing like her if you tried. Zane let himself sink further against her chest, rolling over until he was on his back, his legs intertwined with hers once more. How does Benjamin know about this stuff? He's, well, when you asked about where the southern heritage came from. Oh. Well, that's good news, isn't it? Got one mystery taken care of. Knowing he's my father is good news. But I don't think it overshadows my relation to Rowena.
UNKNOWN:Huh.
SPEAKER_00:You better get that powder off your lips before I do it for you.
UNKNOWN:Damn.
SPEAKER_00:Doesn't make you cute, though. I, uh... Thank you. Now that I said what I needed to, we have plenty of time before meeting the others. Yeah, we do. If you would like to continue from last night, I am willing as well. I want to think about something else for a while. We're going to have to work on how you initiate. But I can't say no to that kind of an offer, can I? No.