by Tim Moon
“Fair enough,” Jaron said with a grin. He tilted his head towards Gnoly. “Are any of those painkillers?”
“These are to fight infection, a greater concern right now than your comfort,” she said.
“Aww.” Jaron shook his head, unsure if he agreed with that assessment. “Come on doc.”
Gnoly’s brow furrowed. “What is… doc?”
“Oh, right,” Jaron said, glancing at Burlibink. “Where I come from healers are called doctors or doc for short.”
“Hmm.” Gnoly pursed her lips but approached with her herbs.
“I should probably learn this kind of stuff.” He nodded at Gnoly’s load of greenery. “What plants are those?”
“I will be using peaceblossom, silver holly, marshroot and wormleaf to make a nice poultice for your wound. Peaceblossom does have minor pain-relieving properties and it will sooth the burning sensation,” Gnoly said with enthusiasm, clearly thrilled to share her knowledge.
“Interesting names. They don’t look unusual,” Jaron said, picking up each plant to inspect. They had distinctive features and coloring but nothing that would make them stand out among all the other plants. “Are they common to find?”
“Marshroot takes a sharp eye but the others are common enough,” Gnoly said. She took out a mortar, pestle and other items from a large pouch that nevertheless looked too small to hold it all.
Jaron’s eyes widened. “Is that a bag of holding?”
Gnoly glanced between him and the pack and slowly nodded. “Yes.”
“Wow,” he breathed.
“Yes?” she drew the word out so that it ended like a question.
“I’ve heard about them. Everyone in my world wishes they had one,” Jaron explained. He unconsciously went to rub his hands together greedily until the move tweaked his pectoral muscle. With a wince and sharp intake of breath, he let his arms fall to his sides. Jaron caught his breath and in a strained voice said, “Hopefully, I can find or buy one soon. Carrying things in a normal pack is so old school.”
Gnoly glanced at Zahlin and mouthed “Old school?” Zahlin simply shrugged.
“Anyway, what’s the next step?” Jaron asked nodding at the equipment. Their lack of enthusiasm for the bag of holding barely fazed him.
“I mix the ingredients with fresh water and grind it into a paste.” Gnoly began to put ingredients into the pestle. “Then I apply it and you begin to heal.”
“Hmm, that’s great.” Jaron settled back and stared at the canopy of trees overhead. A cool breeze blew down from the cliff and rustled his hair.
Gnoly adjusted the bandage over his wound and began to apply the poultice.
“You are lucky, you know. The arrow stuck against your rib. A little more power or a different angle and it could have punctured your lung. Thank the goddess it was not tipped with poison.”
“I would be dead without your help,” Jaron said. “Thank you.”
Gnoly’s cheeks glowed.
“Seriously, all of you pitched in when you could have just as easily turned around and walked away.”
“You did defend our land without being asked. Many people would simply flee rather than fight, even against goblins,” Gnoly said. Then she laughed and ducked her head. “Especially someone with your lack of gear and training.”
Jaron grinned sheepishly. “I bet I looked ridiculous in the temple, wearing only the loincloth.”
“The goddess blessed you while you wore that rag,” Zahlin said.
“A good story to tell your children someday, right?” Jaron glanced at him.
Zahlin shrugged on shoulder. “It will be a popular tale back home.”
“When will you go back?” Jaron asked.
Zahlin shrugged. “Whenever Thendo decides our duty is fulfilled.”
“Is it far from here?”
“A few days away. Maybe a week for you,” Zahlin said with a smirk.
Jaron nodded. He looked at the two and said, “I would like to know more about your people. Tell me about Wildhall.”
“Well…” Zahlin and Gnoly took turns telling Jaron a brief history of their clan as he rested.
41
Two days later, Gnoly gave in to Jaron’s insistence that he had recovered enough to travel. Sitting around the camp was driving him mad and every day he laid around was a day he didn’t get closer to reconnecting with Cyprus and the kids. And potentially another day to miss out on completing Free the Lucky Seven II.
Moving with purpose and masking his discomfort as much as possible, Jaron and the gnomes used their magic and skills to repair the cover and concealment of Vayvnu’s body after the battle disturbed their earlier efforts. At Thendo’s suggestion, Jaron used terraform to block the entrances to the lair, leaving only a subtle indent in the stone to mark the entrance so he could find it again when he returned. The gnomes did an amazing job using detritus to cover disturbed soil and their magic to grow new plants. If he hadn’t known the area was freshly turned soil, he never could have told it apart from any other section of the forest. The work should be enough to fool any follow-up orkkan or goblin patrols.
Jaron reached back with one hand to feel for the keystone through the leather backpack. He had placed the important stone inside one of the tea pouches that the gnomes had so eagerly emptied. As soon as he finished helping the children, he would return, activate the keystone and claim his territory. Jaron was a man of his word and would fulfill his promise to Vayvnu.
As Jaron walked back to the others, Thendo returned from a short security patrol to the clearing atop Blacah. Even at a mere two feet or so, Thendo looked commanding atop the badger with spear raised and his hair and beard flapping in the wind. Jaron gave his friend a nod. The other badgers and gnomes looked to their leader.
“Zahlin, you and others return to Wildhall. Report back to the chieftess and general so the village can prepare,” Thendo said. “This is unlikely to be our last encounter with the orkkan forces.”
Burlibink raised a finger. “And what are you going to do?”
“I will accompany Jaron to his other companions, and on to Oakenport. If you have no objection, of course,” Thendo said, directing the last bit at Jaron.
“I would be honored for your company,” Jaron said.
“Excellent-” Thendo started to say. He was cut off by Burlibink sputtering objection.
“What?! You cannot be serious?” Burlibink said with a scowl.
Thendo slid from Blacah’s back with practiced ease and strode to Burlibink. “I cannot?”
“Escorting him through the forest to his companions is one thing, but why must you go all the way to Oakenport?” Burlibink asked. His tone tempered slightly with his commander in arm’s reach. “The humans are fearful and prejudiced. We do not leave the forest for a reason.”
Thendo considered Burlibink’s words with a firm, steady gaze. “Perhaps it is time for things to change. If we constantly hide, they can never go back to the way they used to be.” He nodded his head as if realizing something. “Change is upon us whether we like it or not, and it is in Wildhall’s interest for us to keep abreast of developments that could affect the forest. Chieftess Brightfern will agree, I am certain of it.” He put a hand on Burlibink’s shoulder. “Besides we need all our best warriors near the village to deal with the orkkan.”
“Very well,” Burlibink said although his frown showed his discomfort with the plan.
“Don’t worry, Burlibink. I will keep Thendo safe,” Jaron said with a cheeky grin.
He raised an eyebrow at Jaron.
“After all, I make a great target.” Jaron gestured at his chest. “They’ll have to get through me first.”
Burlibink snorted but Jaron thought he caught the hint of a smile on his lips.
“If that is all, we should be off. The sooner we leave, the sooner we return,” Thendo said.
The gnomes saluted their commander with crossed wrists that formed an X in front of their chest. Zahlin and Gnoly did the same to
Jaron, who returned the unusual gesture. Burlibink turned away and began to walk into the forest.
“Apparently, he’s not fully ready to move on,” Jaron muttered.
“Burlibink sometimes likes to crack eggs with a hammer,” Thendo said, shaking his head.
42
Jaron looked in both directions, carefully listening for any sign of people approaching. With a nod from Thendo and a snort from Blacah, the trio stepped out of the forest and onto the king’s road. It was little more than a wide path cut through the forest with shallow ditches on either side of a packed dirt road topped with cobble stones. A far cry from anything Jaron was used to back on Earth.
Progress through the forest had been quicker than Jaron expected. Thendo had cast haste on him, giving him a massive 40% speed boost for one hour. They only stopped to rest when Jaron’s stamina ran out and once to camp at the base of a rocky hilltop.
“Finally, an actual road,” Jaron said, spreading out his arms. He winced and put his arms back down. Jaron’s chest hurt but seemed to be healing extremely well thanks to the herbal concoction Gnoly had given him. The skin had mended quickly but was still pink and puffy. Full range of motion was slowly returning which amazed him.
If only modern medicine worked so quickly, he thought.
“I do not see the appeal. The forest is much safer,” Thendo said as he glanced around cautiously. “The open road makes us an easy target.”
“For who?”
“We will only know if we survive their ambush,” Thendo grumbled.
“Come on,” Jaron said with a wave of his hand. “We’ll make great time on the road. Depending on the distance and how fast they’re moving, we may even catch up to my friends.”
With a heavy sigh, Thendo conceded the point with a nod of his head.
Blacah raised his nose to sniff the air and strode across the rode sniffing here and there like a curious dog. Thendo sat atop the badger, patiently waiting for whatever signs he may pick up on. With a snort, Blacah turned to face south and glanced at Jaron who watched with interest.
“What’s he telling you?” Jaron asked.
Thendo shrugged.
“Is that the direction we’re going?”
“Indeed, it is.” Thendo nudged his mount with his heels and Blacah started forward at an easy pace. Jaron followed.
“Have you travelled the road before?”
“A long time ago. Non-humans are not well regarded in these parts anymore,” Thendo said with a sad shake of his shaggy mane. “Strange how things have changed.”
“Yeah, I’m sorry to hear that,” Jaron said, feeling a twinge of guilt. “We have a sad history of that sort of behavior, even among our own kind.”
Jaron felt Thendo’s eyes on him and when he looked down the gnome raised an eyebrow at him. “What?” he asked.
“What are you saying?”
Jaron frowned, sensing the conversation about to derail. “You were saying non-humans aren’t well regarded. I said that humans have a sad history of that. What part wasn’t clear?”
“You are not human,” Thendo said, chuckling.
“Oh,” Jaron said, looking down at himself. Heat rose to his cheeks. “That’s right. Well, that will take some getting used to.”
Thendo grunted in amusement.
“I meant in my world, uh,” Jaron paused thinking how weird that sounded. “We have humans of many skin colors and some people were prejudiced in how they dealt with them. It’s crazy but people are like that — very tribal.”
Thendo nodded. “You will have to tame your tongue. A slip like that could bring you unwanted attention in a place such as Oakenport.” He reached down to rub Blacah’s head.
Jaron considered his advice. If outlanders were as hated as they had told him, he certainly wanted to avoid that kind of attention. Prejudice was a difficult obstacle to overcome.
“So, is he a mount, animal companion or familiar?” Jaron asked, changing the subject.
“You understand the differences. Good,” Thendo said. “Blacah here is my animal companion. We have a very tight bond after surviving many trials and tribulations.”
“I can imagine.” Jaron stroked his chin and cleared his throat. “How does one go about getting an animal companion, exactly?”
“Tired of walking already?”
“No, I can walk all day,” Jaron said defensively. “But I have that emerald drake hound egg and I only have a 75% chance of making it my mount. I want to do everything possible to make that a 100% chance. How awesome would I look riding a drake hound into battle?” Jaron did a little imitation of riding a horse, even waving a hand overhead until a twinge of chest pain tempered his enthusiasm.
“Hungry for power then?” Thendo’s voice took on a contemplative tone. “Ahja watch over me.” He brought two fingers to his heart and lips and held them up in a simple sign.
“It’s not like that.” Jaron swatted away the concern.
“Uh-huh,” Thendo grunted. “Making a strong bond with an animal is not something everyone is capable of.”
Jaron nodded with a grin. “I know, that’s part of what makes it so cool. It’s limited and difficult to obtain.”
Thendo scowled and his voice became firm. “It is a serious responsibility. The bond is nearly as strong as with a familiar. Do not approach the bond with such a flippant attitude.”
“I hear ya,” Jaron said. “I’m not trying to be flippant, I’m just excited about the possibilities available in this g-, uh, world.” He cleared his throat. “Is it something you can teach me?”
“I have never tried,” Thendo said thoughtfully. “You seem to get along well with Blacah so perhaps you have it in you.”
Could it really be so easy? Jaron thought.
“I should be able to guide you.” Thendo leaned back and stroked his beard. “First, you must study a tome which I do not have with me.”
There it is. Jaron’s shoulder’s slumped.
Thendo chuckled. “No worries, friend. Oakenport should have a Magenarium where you can buy such things.”
“What’s a Magenarium?”
“Ah, well, it is a network of shops specializing items for mages run by the mage’s guild. They have branches in most major cities.” Thendo shrugged and then made a sour face. “If Oakenport opened a branch, it was after we began avoiding human settlements. I have to say I am not a fan of cities.”
Jaron tilted his head as he considered that point for a moment. Then he smirked. “Poor sanitary conditions?”
“You have no idea.”
43
Blacah’s ear twitched and his snout raised at the same time Jaron and Thendo looked at each other. They both slowed to a walk, listening intently. A sound in the distance made Jaron’s heart begin to race.
“You heard that, right?” Jaron asked between deep breaths.
“Children’s laughter,” Thendo said with a nod.
It had to be the children; Jaron could feel it in his bones.
They heard the sound again, enthusiastic laughter in the distance. Jaron’s eyebrows rose in pleasant surprise as he took off jogging down the road. Blacah easily kept pace while Thendo lounged on his back. He caught Jaron’s glance and gave him a casual wave.
“Lazy bastard,” Jaron muttered.
“Sorry, did you say something?” Thendo asked as he nudged Blacah and they began to pull ahead. “I cannot hear you over the sound of the wind whistling in my ears.”
Not one to back down from a friendly challenge, Jaron poured on the speed, overtaking his friends. For a few glorious seconds he held the lead. When Jaron glanced over his shoulder with his blue hair streaming behind him, he barely had time to open his mouth to mock them when a dark blur whizzed past him.
How fast can a badger even run?
The small group quickly rounded the bend only to see that the road stretched out before them for at least a half-mile and it was completely empty. Jaron slowed as the burning sensation in his thigh and calf muscles in
tensified. Gulping air and holding his arms above his head, Jaron thought he spotted movement in the distance on his left but wasn’t sure. In any case it was clear the children had moved off the road after detecting the approaching party.
“Did you see anything?” Jaron asked between deep breaths as Thendo circled back around.
“There was movement up ahead, but I cannot be sure what it was.”
“I saw it too,” Jaron said between gasps. He let out a big breath. “Man, you guys are fast. I didn’t know badgers were so quick.
Blacah tilted his head at that.
“He understands me?”
“Of course,” Thendo said, stroking his beard and scanning the forest intently. “He cannot speak to you though. We should keep moving. Slower though. We don’t want to scare them off and I feel like we are being watched.”
“Okay, sure,” Jaron said, secretly grateful for the rest. His legs wobbled like a bowl full of jelly, so his pace was leisurely at best. “If that was my friends, they will show themselves. Otherwise…” His voice trailed off and he unshouldered his bow.
Thendo’s lips pressed into a firm line and he nodded.
The companions walked confidently but cautiously, keeping an eye out for an ambush. Even the forest seemed to watch with bated breath, with not so much as a peep coming from animals or insects. The wind died down and the air felt heavy with tension.
As they passed the approximate area where they spotted movement, Jaron glanced down at Thendo who was leaning down to inspect the ground intently.
“Anything?” Jaron asked in a whisper.
“Hard to tell on this road,” Thendo replied.
Whispers caught Jaron’s attention. Thank goodness for big elven ears. Turning towards the sound, Jaron brushed his hair out of his face and smiled. He was nearly certain it was his friends.
“Cyprus? Kids?” Jaron listened intently.
Blacah snorted when brush rustled, and a shadowed figure moved in the forest. Thendo hushed Blacah and the two of them moved forward and off to the side.