Undorn: The Beginning

Part Twenty-Three

Maxin, The Fort

Location: The Hospital

Catherine hadn't seen Maxin coming, but the deserter Enforcers had. All four sets of eyes slowly made their way to the servant boy as he approached them. It was only when Catherine realized she had lost the boys' attention that she turned and saw Maxin. She smiled softly, her delicately wrinkled cheeks rising towards her eyes.

"Perfect timing," she grabbed a hold of his arm gently then turned back to her new guests. "Boys, this is Maxin. He'll be showing you around and making sure you get into the swing of things."

The tall blonde in the front stepped forward before Maxin could say anything. He reached out to shake Maxin's hand. "I'm Biondi. Lufe. Nice to meet you. And thank you for doing this."

Biondi of Lufe had a strong handshake and a deep, unwavering voice that seemed to envelop Maxin in warmth. He couldn't keep the grin off his face. "Likewise, Biondi." Biondi offered him a small smile back.

"I'm Bones." It was clear that the long-haired brunette standing next to Maxin's new acquaintance was tired of the two staring at each other. His baritone was sharp and unforgiving. He didn't make any effort to unfold his arms from his chest and give Maxin a shake, either. His eyes were still narrowed, perhaps even more so now. His combat boots were artfully unlaced and he looked oh so fashionably disheveled with his t-shirt half-tucked and one of the sleeves rolled up slightly. Maxin's eyes returned to Bones' face. The boy was staring back at him, his head now cocked slightly, like he knew Maxin was taking in every last inch of his appearance and he wasn't very pleased about it.

Nevertheless, Maxin beamed at him. "Pleasure to meet you, Bones." The boy grumbled something inaudible under his breath in response, earning a glare from his friend Biondi before turning away from Maxin to stare idly into the mess hall.

The shorter one in the back weaved around Bones and stepped in front of Biondi to give Maxin a formal handshake. "My name is Orwell, but you can just call me Oz or Ors," he pulled his hand from Maxin's to gesture towards the final man in their group who stood unwavering and tall in the back. "And that's Taide. We're glad to be here, mate."

Infectious optimism radiated off Orwell so blatantly that not even Bones could hide the hint of a smile edging at his lips.

"Well, we're equally happy to have you all. When did you arrive?"

"Last night," Biondi spoke for the group. "Fairly late."

"So you've seen the dorms?"

Bones snorted. "Oh, we've seen them."

Biondi rolled his eyes. "Ignore him, Maxin. The dorms are perfectly fine. Would you like to show us around the rest of the compound?"

"It would be my honor! Follow me."

He took them around the mess hall and showed them the kitchen, explaining meal times and introducing the staff who worked to feed them. Maxin noticed that Orgon had disappeared from where the two had been dining earlier. He swallowed back the foolish disappointment that formed a lump in his throat.

The recreational room was off the mess hall, so Maxin took them there next.

"This is nice!" Orwell was already lounging on one of the two old leather sectionals that were a staple of the rec room. "And A TV! Do you get more than The Dornish News on there?"

Maxin nodded. "Catherine has something called a DVD player. She plays movies on Saturday nights."

"Next week I'm playing The Breakfast Club," Catherine had suddenly appeared in the rec room doorway as if called upon by the mere mention of her name. For the life of, him Maxin could not fathom how a woman of her age (70 years this year) could look so untouched by life's tribulations. The lines in her skin didn't give the impression of years of worry; rather, they were the mark of her everpresent smiling. "But we'll cross that bridge when we come to it, won't we? If you boys would be so kind as to follow me back to my office..." She turned and floated out of the doorway without waiting to see if anyone had followed. Of course, they all had, as if she commanded them by magic.