Young Writers Society

The mercenary groaned. "Just kill the damn thing!"

Artemis slowly tried to stand up again, whining the whole way. She crumpled again, closing her eyes. Maybe Dakota could get away, at least, if she couldn't. Hopefully, Malvis would take care of Estella Fay for her.

Dakota crouched next to Artemis, eyes squeezed shut. Should they try to carry the wolf? But Dakota just couldn't deal with the blood... and the mercenaries would probably shoot them too if they tried to escape. They also couldn't just leave Artemis there, though. They'd carry that guilt forever! Not to mention that their reputation would be ruined if word ever got out that Dakota abandoned a friend when she was hurt.

Dakota took a deep breath and turned around. "Perhaps we could negotiate something instead? You see, I'm sure my friend and I here are much more useful to you alive than dead."

Sawyer sighed. "Look, American. I'm giving you one chance to walk away."

"Sawyer!"

"Shut up." Sawyer glared at the other mercenary. "She's done nothing wrong."

"Uh, protecting a fugitive?"

"She didn't know it was an igni!"

Dakota glared at the mercenaries. "Well, now I know. And I'll still protect Artemis in any way I can." Dakota edged in front of Artemis, averting their gaze from her wound. Maybe this was a bad idea, but it was too late to back out now. Dakota crossed their arms and leveled a hard stare at the mercenaries. "And another thing... I use they/them pronouns."

The mercenaries looked at each other. "Do you have any idea what that means?"

"No, not at all."

"Do you think it could be some political title?"

Artemis's breath was getting shallow from where she lay on the floor.

Dakota sighed. Well, it wasn't as if this was the first time they'd had to explain it...But a political title? Really? "It means instead of referring to me as 'she,' you should use 'they.' And instead of 'her,' I'd appreciate 'their.'" Dakota forced a smile. "I can explain it to you both further while my friend here gets medical treatment. Would there happen to be a doctor nearby?"

“Is that some strange American thing?” Sawyer lowered the gun, looking at the other mercenary in confusion.

“Mm… more like a future thing? Live a few more centuries and there’ll be a plethora of YouTube videos and Wikipedia articles explaining it better than I can.” Dakota glanced back at Artemis. She wasn’t moving… Dakota turned back to the mercenaries, a note of urgency in their voice. “How about an exchange of bandages for information? I’ll even toss in some management advice. That could help stop those incessant quarrels you all keep having.”

Sawyer laughed. “This one fancies herself a time travel. A quick stint in an asylum should fix that right up.”

Artemis growled from where she lay on the floor.

Dakota forced themself to keep their composure. Think, Dakota! They gritted their teeth. Unfortunately, negotiating with mercenaries in some strange alternate universe wasn't covered in Communications 101.

"Please, sirs. Just let my friend here have access to some bandages, and I promise we'll do our best to be of assistance to you. You know, I once helped an organization increase their profits by seventy percent within a year. That means money. And you mercenaries work for money, don't you?"

Sawyer hummed. “What do you think?” He glanced at the other mercenary. “We do like money.”

The other mercenary narrowed his eyes at Dakota. "But can we trust this American? Can she really make us money, or is it a desperate lie?"

Dakota harrumphed. "I'll have you know that I graduated from one of the finest universities in America. I've networked with globally-known business leaders. Trust me, I know my management and finance."

Sawyer sighed. “What world leaders? The French Prime Minister? The American King?”

Artemis’s eyes fluttered. Everything sounded too far away and was a little fuzzy.

Dakota raised an eyebrow. "Do you mean the President? As far as I know, America has never had a king."

“President? You making up words now?” Sawyer shook his head and sighed. “What do you think? The Igni looks dead already.”

Artemis didn’t make any moves to prove him wrong.