Beats Entropy

(Continued from PART 1 , which was continued in PART 2, then PART 3, continued in PART 5)

The cloying reek of that swamp thinned then fell way once we reached higher ground. My legs had the gritty numbness of blood soaked sand; hundred pound bags tearing at my hips with every step. The scrub thickened after the third rise, low brush clawed and burred an ugly welcome to the badlands. I had to take three strides for every lurching one of the Ogre’s. The prick had the gall to chafe at the pace I was setting.

“We are moving too slowly. The new moon rises in three days”
A pained flush washed over the ogres skin.
“It’s mating season. I need to set my traps before the good spots are taken”

His calloused meat hooks unconsciously mimed loading a snare. I wondered if his unlucky bride would have the good sense to gnaw off the slipknot wedding band before he found her. Hell of a way to start a life together.

“Easy Playboy, we’ll be there in plenty of time.”

The love sick brute twitched along uncomfortably beside me. I could tell from the wordless snarl guttering deep in throat (like a tar filled teapot on low boil) he was unused to compromise. I picked up a couple steps to split the difference and he stopped eyeing me every time we passed a heavy log. All things considered we were tea party civil and bound for tragic violence.
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The incline pulled at our breathe and backs for the better part of the day. The meat grinder smelled the stink of home and began pressing the march in a clear direction. Glad as I was to quit the half wandering, the sudden focus forced into resolution just how bad an idea this had been in the first place. The Ogre must of picked something up, since he started getting chatty.

“What’s your plan?”

I didn’t have the energy or inclination to prevaricate.
“Plans are for rich men and liars.. We’re going to a place I’ve never seen, to kill something that can’t be hurt, and barely exists. Not really something you can plan for.”

His thick, disturbingly mobile lips peeled back in disgust; jaws pumping in violent consideration of the facts I’d laid down. I figured our arrangement was about to reach a bloody dissolution…the Ogre shook and glared but kept walking.
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–
“You are the most dangerous man in the world, you will figure it out”
With that proclamation the Ogre led us out of the scrub and into the patchy forest surrounding the base of the Uthgar Hills. If he’d known how I’d gotten that title he’d have started digging a new cave with my bones then and there; seems Ogres spirits have better sense of humour than I gave them credit for.

There are very few optimistic murders. Once you’ve been part and parcel to a few worst case scenarios you stop expecting pleasant outcomes. I’d punctured enough silver linings in my time I could feel my luck turning like a bad tooth; when the ache hit I was ready for it.
The Ogre caught sign of the girl before me, but not by much.