by C. Litka
06
Py declined the Brey's offer of an escort, so it was just the four of us who rode up the grassy road and into the forests of the foothills. These were old pine forests with great trees that covered the sky above the road, plunging the road into almost night. Big drops drifted down from the trees. Livestock grazed and woodcutters harvested dead-fall well into the forest, so the pines marched away to darkness clear of underbrush, for the first kilometer or two. But as we traveled deeper into the pines, the underbrush closed in around us and the road became no more than a faint trail. Indeed, at some point we must have left the road without me noticing it, for we were soon picking our way around mossy rock outcroppings and through dark, damp canyons. I let my wise old lopemount find his own way - he was probably just following the tail of the lopemount ahead - and kept my eyes on the darkness surrounding us. If it had been me in DereKin's position and I had been dumb enough to decide to resist, as I feared DereKin had, I'd not have let Py or his fearsome lieutenants within several kilometers of my camp. I rode warily, half expecting that we were being led into an ambush. Our course, with cliffs on either side of us seemed to be designed for one? Thus, I was surprised to smell the campfire smoke wafting out of the damp darkness, and rounding a rocky mound, we came upon the Dere Clan's camp, dim under the tall pines - without one. DereKin and his clansmen stood a'waiting us before a large, smoky campfire.
After guarded greetings were exchanged, Magistrate Py took a seat on a large log on one side of the fire, DereKin with his two sons on the other side, with the soggy band of his clansmen arrayed behind their leader to hear the news. I noted that they had brought their spring charged air rifles to the meeting. They had no doubt been alerted to our pending arrival, and likely the verdict we were delivering as well. It didn't look like it was going to be graciously accepted.
KaRaya and I held back, content to lounge against a large pine tree, twenty paces behind Py where we could keep an eye on things unobtrusively, as had been our practice since we had taken on the role of Py's lieutenants. It was, after all, Magistrate Py who administered justice on his authority, not by the blades of his assistants. Still, sinister figures lurking in the background can sometimes be more, well, dramatic, than in plain sight. And given that Magistrate Py was going to essentially demand the surrender of DereKin, he might well need his trusty blades, if not a dart or two, at his back. Though whether, in his mind, he needed us at all was an open question, since I rather suspected, it was the boy Py, rather than Magistrate Py, who was facing the bandits with the papers of justice on one hand and his iron-vine staff in the other.
'Since they didn't ambush us like I feared, do you think that means that DereKin will accept the terms,' I asked KaRaya in a whisper as we lounged, shoulder to shoulder against the trunk of the dripping pine, as the conference got underway with Py reading the verdict.
'We broad-feathered folk don't like to be forced to change our old ways. So no, I doubt it. He'll have to be forced into any agreement - and not with mere threats. I expect he'll force Py into resorting to physical force to enforce the agreement - if only to save face. Our young friend knows that, which is why he's so cheerful. It's a dream come true. We may earn our keep, this round, Brother.'
'DereKin isn't a fellow to play such games. You've noted that everyone has their springers at hand, haven't you?'
'I have.'
'I'm thinking DereKin thinks he can win by making too much trouble. He's gone almost too far already. He means to have his way, and will stop at nothing to get it.'
'Killing a Magistrate of Laeza would put him beyond the pale.'
'But it would bind his clansmen to the cause - they'd have gone too far to surrender. It'd be the mines for them. They'd never see their families again.'
'Your point, brother?'
I shrugged. 'This isn't a game. At least not a game I'm inclined to play anymore than you and I were willing to play with the Vantras. I didn't bring my darter for nothing.'
'Oh, come now, Wil. Don't be like that. Don't spoil our fun. I've been very responsible, all these rounds, haven't I?' she sighed.
'You've been responsible ever since I've known you,' I allowed, 'But what does that have to do with anything?'
'I'm thinking that I've earned a chance for a little foolish fun - in a good cause, mind you, in a good cause. Taking on six or eight clumsy farm boys is not an especially dangerous challenge. Why, they'll be so many of them trying to get at us that they'd have to take turns. And between you and me, they don't look all that eager. Really, brother, we haven't been practicing each round just for exercise.'
'I have.'
Hissi, who was curled up on a low branch overhead, barked a laugh, as did KaRaya. 'Oh, come now, Wilitang. You're not that old and wise.'
'I'm old enough and wise enough to nip trouble in the bud.'
As if on cue, DereKin's voice grew louder and angrier. He stood and gestured at Py across the fire. 'I'll not surrender. I can raise sixty men and boys, and half as many women if needed. Brey has twenty?'
Magistrate Py replied calmly, 'With better weapons and communications. And it'd not be just them. Brey can call on a hundred retainers. Or on the authorities in Quandadar if he chose to. It would be rebellion, DereKin. Rebellion pure and simple. That's a capital crime. It'll be the mines for you, likely for life.'
'Better the mines than surrendering our rights,' DereKin exclaimed, standing up. 'From the age of legend, down through this present age, the Deres have been known throughout the marches as a proud and fighting clan.'
'Do you want the darter now?' I asked softly.
'Keep your weapon. The jacket's enough. Why I'm even more eager for a little sword play now.'
Turning to his band, DereKin continued. 'Lads, make no mistake. We're not fighting for a piece of land. We're fighting for our way of life. That vineyard is only the first blow on our blade. Others will follow in rapid succession. He intends to change Grimdar forever. Vineyards and wineries are only the first of many changes. More new ways will follow, and if we fail to fight now, we'll be powerless to prevent our way of life from disappearing from this march and the Deres will be lost to memory.
'I tell you lads, Brey is not a march-man. He's a businessman. If we can make him realize that his business here will not pay and will never pay, he'll go away and leave us to our old ways. Why, those guards will cost him more than the grapes he may or may not be able to grow. If we stand firm, he'll toss in his hand and go back to Quandadar. But only if we stand firm. Now. Are you with me lads?'
They gave him a somewhat sodden, halfhearted cheer of approval. I would imagine sitting around a smoky campfire under the dripping pines was not a great inducement for a career in banditry.
DereKin wasn't about to accept that halfhearted reply, and continued to rally them in an ever louder and impassioned voice, with ever more urgent appeals to their pride, their clan, their future, their questionable manhood.
As he harangued them, I counted 27 men and boys. Nine a'piece. They would indeed be getting in each others way - if they came at us with blades instead of springers. Still, I'd not take on a Magistrate of Laeza and his two ex-pirates with a blade, not even 27 blades, not when I had a springer rifle at hand. The drifts had taught me well. March-men might think differently, but the fact that they had their springers at hand argued otherwise.
I glanced at KaRaya. She grinned back, every bit as confident as Py as to the eventual outcome. I suppose I was too, but only because I didn't plan on letting things get as far as a sword fight. I had my trusty sissy in hand and intended to put a quick end to the festivities, should - or rather when - things got to the break point. It might be cheating, but better safe than sorry.
Py sat calmly on his log before the fire as DereKin's oratory slowly stirred some desperate life into his clansmen. As their responses to his calls became louder and angrier, KaRaya and I exchanged glances, and pushed off from the tree and spread out under the pines. Py did not glance back. He may've
even forgotten we were there. This was his dream come to life. And I intended to disappoint him. We all have to grow up.
'Are you with me, brothers, or against me?' demanded DereKin, one last time of his clansmen.
He had apparently put enough fire and backbone into his band, that they rose as one with a ragged cheer.
DereKin turned to Py. 'You have our answer, Magistrate. Take that back to Brey.'
Collecting his staff, Py slowly rose to his feet. 'I have heard your answer. Now here is my reply. DereKin, if you do not agree to the terms I will confirm the warrant of banditry that Master Brey has issued on your head. As a bandit, your title and rights as clan chief would be forfeited. And DereDen appointed Chieftain of the Clan of Dere of Grimdar.'
'I am chief of the Deres. Neither you nor the Brey can take that from me!' DereKin roared.
'You've talked enough, Kin,' continued Py. 'I'll give you one last chance to accept the terms. If you resist, it is banditry which means the mines - or death. And that applies to all who resist.'
'It is not banditry to fight for our age-old rights! As for my weapons, aye, I'll give it to you!' DereKin yelled, in a great passion, drawing his springer pistol. A great fool he may be, but not foolish enough, even in his rage, to take on Magistrate Py with a sword.
'Py's mine! Take his lackeys, lads!' DereKin yelled leveling his springer at Py. 'Dere advance!'
By this time, I had my sissy out, in hand, and activated, so I aimed it at DereKin and fired as soon as I spied the little blue dot of the drive field on his chest. His battle cry abruptly ceased as he began to slowly twist and settle to the ground. I lowered my hand a little and put a second dart into the fire, hoping to add a little more magic to the scene.
My expectations were exceeded as the dart exploded on one of the rocks in a blue flash of flame, sending a spray of sparks, glowing embers and smoke into the air, driving the Dere band back in alarm. Py stood unmoved in the swirling sparks.
With the band staggered, scared, and leaderless, now was the time to end this - whispered 500 generations of St Bleyth ancestors. They should know, so I bellowed in my best Captain Fen Miccall voice, 'The fun is over. Go back to your wives and children! And mothers!' I added, pointing at some of the mere boys in the band.
'One more step forward and you'll all end up slaving in the mines, while your women and children live in poverty, cursing you for being a fool. It's time to grow up. Magistrate LinPy has, in his kindness, merely rendered DereKin unconscious. He is our prisoner. The rest of you go back to your herds and fields. Be march-men once more. Or grow grapes if it shows promise. But whatever you do, never, ever challenge the authority of a Magistrate of Laeza again. Gather your gear and go home. Did you not hear me? Move!'
Amazingly enough, they moved, shuffling off to gather their gear, leaving DereDen and DereBaen, DereKin's second son to look after their unconscious father, collapsed in a heap at the edge of the fire.
I glanced at KaRaya. She had her hands on her hips and gave me a sour look. She wagged her finger at me, with a glance at Py.
Py, who had stood, staff in hand during my speech, turned to give me a rather unreadable, but not a very thankful look, and then turned back and stepped around the fire towards the Dere boys and their father. I hadn't expected to be thanked - I knew Py and his boyhood dream too well - so my feelings weren't hurt. However, I also knew I had exceeded my authority, not only by sending that dart on its way without his orders, but by my speech as well. It was not my place, as a magistrate's lieutenant, to act without orders. But I wasn't about to play with sharp swords with a pack of herders if I could help it. I had 27 more darts should the situation have needed them. The Way would be best served by not spilling needless blood.
Hissi, however, found it all very amusing, barking softly from her branch overhead. I'm not quite sure why, but I decided that she had appreciated the streak of ruthlessness I'd displayed in my eagerness not to get involved in a sword wielding fray.
KaRaya stepped over to me. 'I'm not wanting to be in your boots, brother. Swords and shafts are noble weapons, suitable for an outer member of the Order in the margin lands. I rather doubt Py will consider a fancy, little springer quite as noble, especially when you used it to deny him his childhood dream. And I'm not even mentioning how you stole his scene? Though it was quite masterful. You still surprised me, brother.'
'Everything I did was to prevent violence. I was following the Peaceful Way.'
'Save your sweet-talking charm for Py. You're going to need all you have in you. He's never going to fight a bandit band at this rate.'
'He just needs to be patient,' I replied softly. 'He's destined to fight one, sooner or later.'
She smiled. 'Well if not, it won't be for a lack of trying.'
While we talked in the background, Py took charge as DereKin slowly came around.
'We will go back to the tower and then on to Cloud Home Community where, as I said, you will be tried by the Masters. Now, DereDen, you must sign the agreements as the new Chief of the Deres,' he added, turning to DereDen, who nodded glumly.
'KaRaya, please bind the hands of our prisoner.' he said, glancing across the fire to us.
She gave me a quick smirk and started forward.
In the hour or so it took for the clansmen to break camp and mount up, ex-chief DereKin revived. He spent the time loudly and bitterly expressing his contempt for his clansmen, who let three men overcome them. According to him, this was the saddest day of the Dere Clan - the whole Dere Clan of the Daeri Marches. Well, he hadn't had a very good day, and I'm sure his head was pounding, so I excused his rantings. His clansmen went about breaking camp, never looking his way.
KaRaya and I got him mounted and tied to the saddle when the time came. KaRaya led his mount, while I rode behind to keep an eye on him. The clan rode ahead of us, hurrying ahead to escape his constant belittling outrage and was soon out of sight.
Chapter 17 Cloud Home