Rifted
Rifted
Episode 7: Hindsight
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: ChristopherK
Sound design and editing by: Elizabeth Plant
Extras:
Emi Ray
Dan
AJ Carter
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/riftedpodcast)
So,
SPEAKER_04:That really hurt, you know. Graze to the hand and you act like I gut you. Might as well have. There, even wrapped it for you. Crossfail should be back soon. Sit tight, I guess.
SPEAKER_00:She moved off then, or at least to the other side of the campsite where there was a short distance between them.
SPEAKER_04:How did you sleep? I didn't. Vexidol, I can't even breathe right with these things on. Aurora. What? Did you expect me to slumber on while my brother's out there, dead for all I know? We don't know he's dead. Are you alright? Right as rain. Why can't you be honest with me? Because, Daniel. I know you won't like the real answer if I give it to you. Oh, so I'm wrong to worry about you. Can you two stop that? Forgive us. Bothering you with our domestic- Just be quiet about it, hat bastard. I like that one. Clever. Not asking for compliments. Just some damn quiet around here. Heard a lot about you, you know. Guess it didn't include being a major pain in the ass. I'm sure that was at the top of the list. You heard about us? Mostly him. Doubt much of it was true, though. Now you've got my attention. Like what? The Dravara talk about you. Tell stories. Nothing too interesting. Liar. All tall tales. Nothing more than that. I know you killed a whole patrol once, or... Some like that. Almost killed. That's not what happened. Guess I don't know as much as I thought then. Oh, please. Spill it. Or you afraid your master won't- Let's get one thing straight. He's not my master. And he sure as shit isn't in charge of me. Right now, he's my one ticket out of being a Rowena's bad side. Nothing else. Heard Norton was one of the best officers the Javara had ever had. But never saw much of either of you. I was stationed at an outpost. Didn't see too much of a way on back at the keep. Hmm. Heard when you left after that patrol got killed. That was about it. You never said what you heard about me. Speaking to the beasts over the rift. Heard you can do that. Boring. You had me thinking this was going to be interesting. Of course, anyone can. It's really not that difficult. What about you being one of them? A beast in the body of a man? Oh, that's one better. Unfortunately, disgustingly human, I'm afraid. Don't suppose they have much else to do up that way but make up stories, hmm? You're just going to inflate his ego if you keep going. Nonsense. We're legends, Daniel. Stupid, ridiculous legends. You can count me out of your legends, thank you very much.
SPEAKER_01:Ow. You hurt?
SPEAKER_04:Was, yes. Better now. What happened? I got shot. If they wanted you dead, they aimed pretty far down. That's a slow way to bleed out. If only she'd aimed a bit higher then. Would've saved us all some trouble. Alright, enough. You mentioned being stationed at an outpost. Someplace near the border. What's it matter to you? Only fair I get my share of questions, too. Yeah. Something like that. I was at an outpost for a while. Not stationed, though. I know. It was my outpost. Ha. Guess you two met before then. Did you know... Did he know about him? The boy? He was... he was... What are you babbling about? There was a boy there with me. He was there. Did you know? You were the only damn prisoner there. There was no boy. What are you talking about? This is your fault if you ran that vexing place. You let him die.
SPEAKER_00:Truly, if his mind had been clearer... He would have seen that her confusion was genuine, but he couldn't bring himself to. Not then. Wide-eye, just like him, but for a very different reason. She shook her head. I
SPEAKER_04:didn't let anybody die. Shit, never even saw you when I was there. Running that place was my responsibility. Not you, and definitely not some boy. Aurora, did you hear me? What are you talking about? It was real. Who? Lucius. Why are you here? I never much care for seeing myself. That's not true. Ali! Where are you? I'm just on your own. I come. Just tell me you didn't turn down the chance. Theo!
SPEAKER_00:The flicker of light that came across his vision certainly wasn't sunlight. Softer, somehow.
SPEAKER_04:Allie, can you hear me? Henry, I'm here. What hurts? Oh, the blood. Allie, where's it coming from? Everything. What are you doing out here? Cutting. Both, but my chest.
SPEAKER_01:You are not!
SPEAKER_00:Diana was at his side just as quickly. Wild hair tucked into her hood and tied back in a cloth. A firm hand moved him onto his side, careful fingers prodding their way up his body to a sluggishly bleeding wound.
SPEAKER_01:Who shot you? Wait. Explain later and lie still. Josephine, dear, bring me my bag. Is
SPEAKER_04:he
SPEAKER_01:all right?
SPEAKER_04:Bag, please. He sent us out here, trekking all over the place, looking for you and your group. No. No group.
SPEAKER_01:Huh? Hey, no need to show. Stop making him talk. He can explain later. What were you thinking, cutting a crossbow bolt out of yourself? Don't you know what kind of damage you could have done? Don't answer that.
SPEAKER_04:Allie, you sit tight and let her work, okay? I've got you. I can't breathe. Look
SPEAKER_01:here. Just try to keep calm. Alikeo, open your eyes. Look at me. Emery, hold him. Wait, what are you doing? Hush. His lungs will give out if you don't do something. Talk to him
SPEAKER_04:if you can. Give me your hand. There we go. Ben sent us out to find you. Weren't expecting to find you shot, but... Hold
SPEAKER_01:that right there. There you go. Nice and easy. Just breathe. Which thing am I holding? The tube. Hold it so it doesn't get out of place. Are
SPEAKER_04:you going to get the bolt
SPEAKER_01:out? Not until we get back to camp. Still with us?
SPEAKER_04:Unfortunately. You'll be just fine, Allie. You remember when you dragged me back home? Two holes in my back, not just the one like yours?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah. Ruin my damn table. Not on
SPEAKER_04:purpose.
SPEAKER_01:You had anything for pain?
SPEAKER_04:No. You gonna give him something?
SPEAKER_01:No. My hurt is breathing more. And I don't know how bad he's bleeding in there. I'll let Kale's eyes open. You hear me?
SPEAKER_04:Yes,
SPEAKER_01:ma'am. I'll beat you bloody for this. You're a special kind of idiot, you know that? Not his fault he got shot. I'm talking about trying to cut the damn thing out.
SPEAKER_04:Ah, well, guess you're still mad about that? We'll get you back safe. He's waiting for you, you know? You and that brother of yours. Wherever he is. He's got plans now. Big plans for all of us.
SPEAKER_01:Mad is an understatement. You're lucky this isn't worse. Best I can tell, it's stuck in one of the ribs. Stopped it from going deeper.
SPEAKER_04:You can get it out, right? Back at camp?
SPEAKER_01:Yes, but you need to go get a wagon. Bring that one that girl rode in with.
SPEAKER_04:You got it. Elizabeth. Yes, she beat you to camp. Guess she's the only reason we knew to come looking. I can walk.
SPEAKER_01:Oh, no, you can't. I've had just about enough of your stupid ideas today. Now you sit still and let me forget about what you tried doing a minute ago. I said it once, I'll beat you bloody, Alikio. I should, and just maybe I will.
SPEAKER_04:You stay right there, Allie. Don't you go running off, and don't you worry. If I can't find a wagon, Josephine will just carry you back.
SPEAKER_01:That's funny. Emery, camp. Is he gonna be okay? Yes.
SPEAKER_04:Are you... Furious.
SPEAKER_01:You're not out of the woods yet. Wounds like this are nasty. Chest filled with blood and you're drowning yourself before you know it. But, of course, you can handle that on your own. Just cut a little here. Puncture your vexing lung. Broken ribs? A whole mess is broken, aren't you? You keep this up and you'll be more scars than skin. When we get back, I'll get something for your pain. Keep still if you can.
SPEAKER_04:You
SPEAKER_01:better get used to this. I've got a lot to do left.
SPEAKER_04:No,
SPEAKER_01:please!
SPEAKER_00:There was far too much, and it came too quickly. Rushing out over his hands and through the cracks in his fingers. A river. A flood that bubbled up from the ground until they were both drowning in it.
SPEAKER_03:Open your eyes! Step away from him! A trial! What are you talking about? He gets a trial. That's how it works. Not here. Not now. Step away from him. I won't ask you again. Please! I... You... You couldn't just... Daniel!
SPEAKER_04:Fine! Get a medic! Hey! Hey! Look at me! No!
SPEAKER_00:No! Hey! We need help! Someone! Please!
SPEAKER_04:Get back! All of you! Roll him over. Get him on his side. There you go. Just like that. Blinking,
SPEAKER_00:he righted himself, pushing himself up from the ground they had been resting on for some time. He nodded as best he could. Eyes rising slowly to look at the kaleidoscope eyes staring back at him.
SPEAKER_04:Not so sweet dreams, I assume? You could say that. You're in luck. I'm something of an expert on... I don't want to talk about it. Why not?
SPEAKER_00:Daniel shrugged, leaning his head back and feeling the heat of Aurora's shoulder against his again.
SPEAKER_04:Must have been something terrible then. I wasn't sure if I should have woken you. Why? You were noisy, that's all. I'm fine. Sounds, Daniel. I was concerned. Yeah, well... Damn. My biggest concern is how badly I need to pee. Hey, you there. What do you want, hat bastard? Daniel needs to piss. Aurora, stop yelling. You, get up then. And you, hat bastard, don't you move until I get back. You have my word. I'll give you an apple if you bite my ropes off. You drive a hard bargain. I'll make it two, but that's my final offer. Back already? You aren't like she said you'd be. Don't tell me you're disappointed. Were you expecting something different? I don't know. I just wasn't expecting you. Should I be flattered or offended?
SPEAKER_00:Zane looked down, picking away at the chip polish of his nails and raised his shoulder in a shrug.
SPEAKER_04:Neither, I
SPEAKER_00:think.
SPEAKER_04:See, that sounds like disappointment to me. I worked for my father for a long time. We did many jobs, many people... Most tend to beg for their lives, or make fake promises if we let them go. And how often does that work? It doesn't. Perhaps I'm just too proud. Or stupid. I suppose it could be a combination, yes. She will kill you. I know. Are you comfortable? I'm tied to a tree. Si. I suppose. Comfortable enough, yes. My job is to bring you east, not make you miserable. Can I ask you something? Fire away! Are you... sick? Sick? No, I... A sick man doesn't beg if he knows he will die soon. That is why I ask. I'm not dying. Not anymore.
SPEAKER_01:Not anymore? As
SPEAKER_04:someone who has no regard for the fate of his prisoners, you are terribly curious about me. I see no harm in being decent. Bounty hunting. Now that seems far more interesting to talk about. You don't just fall into a position like that, do you? My father, he trained me. My siblings, they took different paths. My father took me in when I was little. Too little to remember before then. His name was well known, so I... wrote his coattails, so to speak. Um, yes, I think. Strange. I'd never heard of you or your family before. I can say the same about you. Different worlds, I suppose. The man with you, who was he? You mean the one you shot? It was defense, and I only meant to wound him. Truly, I hope he recovers. Well, aren't you sweet? What's wrong? Having a change of heart? Planning on cutting me free next? I won't turn my back on a job. He is one of them. The Resistance, yes? If you thought that, why did you let him go? He isn't part of this job. Funny coat of honor you've got. Are you hungry? A bit, yes. What is this? A treat. It has oats, some seeds. Seeds? Are you a bird? No. If you like, I can take it back. It's not bad. How old are you? Twenty. You are the second one to ask that. Damn. But I suppose your companion was wandering the same. Yes, early on. Where is she from? She is Southern, like me. And you, yes? Never been. But I suppose my parents were, yes. I never knew them. Much too little to remember anything. Like I said. I am not used to the cold out here. Don't worry. My best guess, we are getting close. The two of you will be in the south again and... And I suppose I won't be. She'll kill you. Rowena. She'll kill you. Why would she do that? It's easier that way. Easier to make things disappear. She is an employer. We have a contract. Won't matter. You won't convince me this way. I'm not trying to scare you. I'm trying to warn you. Welcome back. Come with me. I just sat down. I heard something. Probably an animal. Come. Did you threaten him? No. Quite the opposite. Did it work? No.
UNKNOWN:Ha ha ha.
SPEAKER_04:Do you remember when we had to share a room at the inn? Feels like a lifetime ago. Why are you asking? I think that was the last time you willingly shared your bed with me. Not like I found you sleeping in my room when we were with the Javara. The beds were small, though. Yeah. Yeah, they were. Aurora, are you awake? I am now. Um, the inn is full and they needed to use my room, so... Don't bother Elizabeth. She said she shared last time. So, it's your turn. Silas... Isn't here. Left for... something. So they're using his room already. Fine, you can sleep in here. Ah, thanks.
SPEAKER_00:Daniel shuffled into the room, dragging a blanket and pillow along with him.
SPEAKER_04:What? Should I... set up on the floor or... You're ridiculous. Get up here or get out. I was asleep, you know. Yeah, sorry. Hey, Aurora... Aurora
SPEAKER_00:sat up, staring down at the blanket-wrapped form of Daniel beside him.
SPEAKER_04:Nothing? Not a thing. Just what Silas told me. How did you get here, then? Same way as everyone else, I guess. Know what I meant. Silas brought me here with him when we were little. I don't know where we came from. You don't know? I don't care. Why should it matter to me when this place has been my home? I guess I didn't think about it like that. You don't have to sound so sad. Forget it. What? Wanna hold my hand? I'm just... homesick, I guess. Go to sleep, Daniel. Thanks. Real comforting of you. Thank you, though. For letting me sleep in here. You're starting to make me regret it. By the way, I'm a clinger. Huh? When I sleep, tend to cling. Never tuck you for the cuddly type. I said cling, not cuddle. Good night, Aurora.
SPEAKER_01:You keep him company. Make sure he doesn't move too much. Aye aye, Captain. I'm serious. And don't panic if he falls asleep, alright?
SPEAKER_00:I
SPEAKER_04:don't think
SPEAKER_00:it's kicked in yet.
SPEAKER_01:It will. Kim promised you dad.
SPEAKER_00:The door of the tent waved as she left, a gesture she didn't mirror.
SPEAKER_04:Thought she'd never leave. Not a very nice thing to say. Did you see her? Practically dead on her feet? Needs the sleep, that's all I mean. We all do. Is it still there? What? Oh, the tomb. Yeah. Yeah. Giving me the shivers just thinking about it. Went to see him? Yes. Regretting having asked about it at all. Didn't you speak to him? Not before he left, no. Saw him briefly. Smoking like a chimney on fire. Chimney's always on fire, isn't it? No, I mean like you set the chimney on fire, too. Not just the firewood. Nothing new, then. No, this time I swear you had one in each hand. Can't blame him. No, guess not. How do you feel, anyway? Tired. It hurts when I move too much, but... Better with the bolt out. You can breathe okay? Yes, but... Better than before. Still, some way to go. How about there?
SPEAKER_00:Old scarves, eh?
SPEAKER_04:Don't mean they can't still hurt. Ones in my back sure do ache sometimes. Yeah, I guess they do from time to time. Can I ask you a question, Ali? Of course you can. Did... Did you think you were gonna die out there? Vex it all, Ali. When I saw you there, passed out, still half in that freak, I thought we'd found you dead. I did. I actually thought I was... and I saw your lantern. What, like I was some spirit dragging you into the afterlife, huh? Or was it just seeing my pretty face again, huh? Of course, that's the one. I missed you. Missed your sister, too. So much happened, Alan. I've got so much to tell you. Won't remember if you tell me now. Starting to feel a bit foggy. That's good, right? Not sure yet. I felt like I was drowning, Em. Huh? You asked me if I thought I was dying. Back there by the creek. Surprised me to find you so close to that water, you know? What a fine trickle, really. Progress, then? It's been overly positive, I think. You should get some sleep. Want me to wake you if anything happens? Uh-huh. Just make sure Elizabeth doesn't burn down the camp while I'm off. See you in the morning, yeah? I'll be right here.
SPEAKER_02:Mom, there's a man here to see you. Should I... Send him in? He says it's urgent, Mom. Something about the bounty hunter?
SPEAKER_03:Yes, send him in. It's a bit late to be dealing with things like this, yes? I can tell him to come back tomorrow. Or you could just listen to what I told you.
SPEAKER_02:Yes, Mom.
SPEAKER_03:Ah, it's you. Would you like to sit? I do hope this is as important as my chief officer has suggested. Got a letter from your bounty hunter. The fellow who dropped it off was in some hurry. And? The Crossvails don't disappoint. Excuse me? That's all it said. Vague, but I take that as a success nonetheless. I do hope it's not a translation error.
SPEAKER_04:Good news, yeah? A celebration in
SPEAKER_03:order? Not until he arrives, no. I'm hoping the bounty hunter gets here before his day. I'd love to arrange a hunt, for old time's sake.
SPEAKER_00:His
SPEAKER_04:day... Oh, right. Didn't think that was until next season, though.
SPEAKER_03:Perhaps your memory is failing you.
SPEAKER_04:I don't think I'm that old just yet. I've got plenty left in me, that's for sure.
SPEAKER_03:My grandfather raised hunting hounds, you know, and while my father never took part, I find the tradition grounding. You understand that once traditions are in place, I do like to keep them. The hunt is no different.
SPEAKER_04:I was never much of a hunter myself.
SPEAKER_03:I know. Rather useless with a gun, but you have your uses to me, don't you? I
SPEAKER_04:like to think so. I... I hate to bring it up now,
SPEAKER_03:but- Patience was never a virtue of yours, but I suggest you make it one. Need I remind you of the vastness of these woods and just how easy it is for someone to disappear should they become inconvenient to me?
SPEAKER_04:You frighten me, you know that?
SPEAKER_03:For the sake of both of us, I hope it stays that way. I worry the bounty hunter further complicates things.
SPEAKER_04:You're not thinking.
SPEAKER_03:Not unless he creates a problem, no. Should he agree to no longer speak of what happened, he'll be free to go. I have no reason to keep him here. Don't want to raise any alarm from the capital, you know. A disappearance during a snowstorm is not unheard of around here. Now, if you'll excuse me, I think it's time that I retire for the evening. Of course. Have a good night, ma'am.
SPEAKER_02:I'm sorry, ma'am. Just wanted to see if you needed anything before I left.
SPEAKER_03:No, nothing at all.
SPEAKER_02:The two offices, Norton and Aurora...
SPEAKER_03:Fugitives, I remind
SPEAKER_02:you. Of course, but
SPEAKER_03:are they alive? I assume so. But why is that any concern of yours?
SPEAKER_02:It's not. I was just curious... To make arrangements for when they get back.
SPEAKER_03:Do you take issue with the treatment of traitors, Duffet?
SPEAKER_02:No, Mom. Not at all. Have a good evening.
SPEAKER_00:The door opened with a groan, and she moved into darkness, striking a match to light a candle on a table nearby. Flames sprang to life. Hmm. Soon, perhaps. I'll have the rest of you, too. Hmm.