Chapter 53 - 53

Words : 1784 Updated : Sep 10th, 2025

Adam did, in fact, fall back asleep, though it was not as restful as the first time but by the time Salvatore walked back downstairs and knocked on the door to be let in, and to let Adam know it was time to move, any lingering effects of not getting enough sleep was gone. It had taken well over 200 years but he had finally made use of his shelter. "Let's go kid, the storm's over." Salvatore said as Adam opened the door, geared up and ready to move. "How long is the trek from here?" Adam asked as he pulled out his pip-boy to check for himself too. "Hard to say exactly, but I'd wager we'd get there before sunset assuming no unexpected surprises." "Alright, then lead the way." The next few hours were met with idle chatter between the two of them, nothing really interesting, but some idle conversation about sport preferences, favorite, now extinct, animals, and food they missed. It was a mood booster for Salvatore, it seemed he didn't chat with pre-war ghouls often, though he claimed he knew more than a few. Still the idle chatter was brought to a halt when two figures slowly began to appear in the distance. Salvatore shouldered his rifle and Adam put his hand on his gun but did not remove it from his holster. As the figures got closer slowly appearing more in view from behind rubble that had overtaken some of the street Salvatore groaned audibly. The two men were, to put it simply, dressed like renfaire actors. Or more specifically knights. They were dressed from head to toe in metal plate mail, polished to a shine. On the breastplate was a golden dragon. On their hips they had swords, sheathed, and they carried large heatershields in their offhands. Both had helmets on, one had a great helm, the other a bascinet, so their faces were not visible but as they approached their swords were not drawn and they did not seem to be making aggressive moves. As if to carry home this point, Salvatore, despite his audible annoyance, had lowered his rifle and no longer had his guard up. Adam shot Salvatore a curious look. "Who are these guys?" Adam asked, completely beside himself with confusion at these men in full knight armor? "Oh, they are-" "Hark!" One of the knights calls out, hand raised. "Prithee tell us what your business in this area is." The knight says as the two of them saunter up close but remaining a respectful distance away. "Oh we're-" Adam began before the other knight cut him off this time. "Hey, isn't that Mr. Salvatore?" He said as he turned to his compatriot. "Ah! Yes! You are most certainly correct!" The other knight said as he took off his helmet and held it under his arm, revealing a blond haired man with black eyeshadow around his eyes, likely to darken his eyes within the helmet, or maybe he just liked makeup Adam could only guess. Salvatore just grunted as they acknowledged him but the blond haired man just smiled amicably. "Tis good to see thee. But you are not with your charge, Chuck, is it? Who is this new fellow of yours?" He asked with a friendly tone and smile to Salvatore. "Man who bought out my contract." Salvatore said curtly, clearly trying to disengage with these guys as quickly as he could. "But look we got places to-" "Wonderful!" The man stepped forward and offered Adam a gauntleted hand. "My name is Percival! It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance." He said with a big smile. "Oh um…" Adam slowly took his hand and shook it. He was very caught off guard by the whole situation, very much throwing him for a loop, this was the last thing he would have expected out here in the wasteland randomly. "Nice to meet you Percival. The name is Adam." He then paused for a moment after speaking and then spoke up again. "Wait… Percival? Like from Aurthurian legends?" Adam felt it was far too great of a coincidence that a man who was wearing full plate mail, speaking with a weird forced old timey accent while having that name couldn't possibly be a coincidence. The joy on the man's face cannot be described. It was as if he had gotten the best news he had heard all month. "Yes!" He says energetically. "I have taken his namesake in the service of the people and the other knights of the round!" he said with an incredibly excited tone. "It brings me immense joy to know that others are aware of the legends! Time has stripped away much of humanity's most heroic tales!" "I uh… just recognized the name…" Adam said, still a bit put off by the whole situation but he decided to take it in stride, though he still had questions. "Knights of the round?" "Yes!" He said with a broad smile. "Me and the other knights serving the people of Chicago who carry on the torch of Aurthurian legacy. We take up names of heroes of old and fight for the safety and justice of the people we as knights are sworn to protect!" "That's um… noble of you." Adam said, finally beginning to get caught up with the speed of this guy. It took him a minute but despite being energetic and weird, the guy was amicable and good natured. If his words were to be believed. "They're charity workers." Salvatore said with a dismissive grunt. "They go around playing white knight… literally." He sighed. "I merely see it as dedicating my life to the betterment of all! We help all equally, and do not shy away from danger." He said proudly. "So um… what are you doing out here now then?" "We are patrolling of course!" He smiled. "As a senior knight it is my job to help the junior knights break into the role so that they might, one day, earn their own names!" He gestured to the other knight. "We help those in distress, and deal with any banditry in the area!" "Wow, that's um… impressive." Adam was at a loss for words, the entire situation was surreal. But honestly, he kinda liked it. "Yeah yeah, keep up the good work, percy." Salvatore said as he shouldered his rifle. "But we got places to be and can't stick around all day to chat, so if we can be on our way?" "Oh! Of course! I apologize for holding you up!" He smiled and then put his helmet back on. "Do let us know if you have any troubles young Adam! The Knights of the round are always willing to lend a hand!" He then turned around to the other knight and gestured for him to follow. "Come along, lad. We have a city to patrol." He said with an enthusiastic tone as he led the way. Adam watched as they walked off, more astounded than anything. Once they were out of ear shot Salvatore spoke up. "Fucking wackjobs is what they are." Salvatore said dismissively as he resumed leading Adam to Midway. "You saying he was lying?" Adam asked curiously. "No, he meant every word. That's why he's nuts." Salvatore took out a cigarette and lit it. "Fucking weirdo roleplaying cosplayers go around saving people. It's embarrassing." Salvatore said with a shake of his head. "I don't know, I think that's pretty noble of them." Adam returned. "I just don't understand how they get anything done wearing heavy armor and carrying swords. I mean… armor like that can't stop a bullet." "Nah, it's actually sturdier than you'd think. Inside the armor is a ballistic weave, combine that with the metal and as long as it's not a heavy caliber round they'd tank it fine." He paused and then added: "Well, maybe a broken rib or two, but a few rounds wont stop them." "Wait… they knew you and you seem to know so much about them…" Adam grinned impishly. "What's your history with them?" Adam asked, grinning like a cat. "Wipe that grin off your face." Salvatore said back sharply. "It ain't nothing." He grumbled letting that sit in the air for a few moments before elaborating. "I ran a few jobs with them a while back, quid pro quo stuff. Guess they remembered me." He groaned a bit. Adam grinned. "Well good for us, seems they might have interrogated us had they not recognized you." "Yeah well I'd prefer that over dealing with them. Or, rather, I'd rather not deal with them at all. They are just too much." Adam laughed. "They a big group?" He asked, still probing more, now that his interest was peaked. Salvatore sighed, he clearly didn't want to talk about the knights but he wasn't going to not answer Adam's questions. "No." He responded quickly. "12 senior knights and then a smattering of junior knights, that's it." He sighed. "Surprised the Brotherhood hasn't sued them for copyright infringement." "Brotherhood?" Adam followed up. "Now that's a whole other can of worms. Not today." Adam nodded, deciding he didn't want to press any further since Salvatore seemed to be getting annoyed. "Just know that those goody two shoes are not all bark, they aren't slouches, and they are supported by several communities. Most do nothing but train and help people. For all the good that does, there are still raiders and super mutants all over, so they aren't making much of a difference." He said dismissively. "Well yeah, but if there is even one person doing good things that inspires others to do good too, besides if they can save even one life that validates their existence no?" "That sort of thinking will get you killed out here kid."Salvatore said, turning to look at Adam. "I ain't going to say you gotta be cutthroat, but if you put others before yourself you will wake up one day with a knife in your back. Only those with enough food to eat can think about charity." Adam decided to let the matter drop, it seemed he and Salvatore had a difference of opinion on this topic. That was fine, he didn't need to agree. But it was nice to know that there were still people out here, in the world, doing what they could to help others. Somehow, that made the world seem a bit brighter.

Chapter 53 - 53

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