by Dan Mat
“Very well.” Mykhil nodded.
“Furthermore, if everything goes as planned, I think we can use his knowledge and experience, in assigning the additional troops and securing the caravans.”
“That means you are ready to make the changes on the second item of our list?” Mykhil asked.
“If commander Er’ulrath, a military expert, is saying they are necessary, who am I to claim different.” Xavnier explained.
“Fair enough.” Mykhil nodded “Shall we move to the third item?”
“Reconstruction of the mine and town?” Xavnier asked, as he glanced once again over the page “We can talk about it, but out of the respect for you, I can’t sit here and make the false claims.”
“Care to elaborate?” Mykhil asked.
“I can’t promise the rebuilding of Gollvin.” Xavnier admitted “Well, at least not yet.”
“Why not?” Mykhil asked.
“Because of Vallsynk’s council assembly.” Xavnier shifted “You are aware of it? Yes?”
“Yes.” Mykhil nodded.
“What you don’t know is that we are deciding on the new course for our city.” Xavnier said “We are trying to decide, who will be our new leader.”
“I’m beginning to realize why is this creating you such a headache.” Mykhil smiled.
“We are close to voting.” Xavnier said “And with ever growing evidence of corruption, how am I to know who to trust?”
“I have a proposition for you.” Mykhil cleared his throat.
“I’m listening.” Xavnier nodded.
“Me and my men will help you uncover all of the criminal elements hiding in the council.” Mykhil said “And in return, I expect your pledge of fulfilling the demands of my people.”
“Reasonable and agreeable.” Xavnier said.
“If we don’t remove the rot, nothing will ever change.” Mykhil said “But you already knew that.”
“I did.” Xavnier looked down for a moment “And I must apologize for not mentioning that before.”
“I don’t blame you, considering our ultimatum.” Mykhil said “But you have to know, those aren’t the meaningless threats.”
“ I figured that as much.” Xavnier said “In your place, I’d probably took the similar steps a long time ago.”
“Truth to be told, I often wonder, why did we wait for so long.” Mykhil sighed.
“Because you are good and kind people.” Xavnier answered “Because you believed you could find that kindness in others.”
“When you say it like that, we must seem quite naive to you.” Mykhil said.
“My associates, the councilors, often perceived me as such.” Xavnier answered “As if because of that, I was weaker in their eyes.”
“And that is something we could use.” Mykhil said “They won’t see us coming.”
CHAPTER 23
“I think I’ve had enough, thank you.” Enepel said, refusing to take on the jug of sweet wine and wooden platter filled with roasted quetzals and yams.
The lunch that the tribe prepared, following the return of the hunting party, soon turned into a proper festivity. The great catch they brought, alongside with the sudden arrival of their old, long lost friend, elf, Aduin Nardual, was no less than worthy cause for it. Not that anyone of them minded the fun. What’s more, they all welcomed it.
“I’ll admit, we got a bit carried away, with the festivity and all.” Mourdac said, as if he just realized the night descended over the jungle “But, it’s not the every day, we are blessed with a visit from an old friend.”
“All of this because of me?” Enepel sounded genuinely ashamed.
“Of course not.” Mourdac laughed wholeheartedly, patting on the elf’s shoulder “Few of our young ones proved themselves in the hunt. This is for them as well.”
Enepel was familiar with this custom. And he had a deep admiration for what it was. He knew it ment a lot to these young hunters. They were no longer boys, now that they proved themselves. They became men. Bound to uphold on the care and protection of the tribe. Allowed to begin thinking of conceiving a family. This night will be the last, that they’re going to spend in their parents homes. Come tomorrow, they’ll begin building their own ones.
“I don’t mean to offend you.” Zaanven said “But I’d love to catch a shut eye for an hour or two.”
“I might as well.” Mourdac smiled as he stood up “But before we go, could I ask you to follow me to my hut.”
“For?” Zaanven asked.
“A brief conversation.” Mourdac retorted.
Ten minutes later, they were on the opposite, residential side of the village. And far away from the noise. One that will surely last until the dawn. There, in between dozens of similar, wooden huts, stood the one belonging to the chieftain. Raised some two feet from the ground, huts stood on thick, sturdy posts. Safeguard from the torrents and floods, which were common occurrence, due to sudden, often, heavy downpours. But also as a protection from the numerous insects, arachnids and reptiles. For those larger, menacing creatures, animals and beings, the thorny fence surrounding the village, should prove to be sufficient.
This village was similar to one Enepel was in, the first time around. With the difference, that it was erected on a different location, several miles upstream the river Taroin. Come to think, it was somewhat larger, and closer to the bank. But otherwise, looked as if it was plucked up and transported to the new spot. Pamens had no need for changing something which functioned for centuries. Their structures were simple and easy to build. The maintenance and repair was even easier, it was enough just to look around. Thick, wild forest, spreading everywhere, gave them the abundance of easily accessible material.
“When did you decide to change your name?” Mourdac asked, as soon as they entered the main room.
“Not long after I left.” Enepel answered “And with the name, I got me a new look.”
“That strange mask of yours?” Pamen chieftain asked.
“Yes.” Enepel nodded “The gift from Olveen Zaanan, Lord of Issurk.”
“So you did meet with him afterall.” Mourdac said.
“Yes.” elf said.
“Did you find the answers you were looking for?” Mourdac asked.
“It went even better than I expected, fortunately.” Enepel answered.
“What happened next?” Mourdac asked.
“I had to put my new identity to the test, so I went for Vallsynk.” Enepel said “And lo and behold, no one recognized me, nor suspected my story and my name.”
“You took unnecessary risk.” Mourdac said “So, was it worth it?”
“I think so, yes.” Enepel answered “I did decide to stay in town after all.”
“Until now.” Mourdac said.
“Yes.” Enepel nodded.
“What went wrong?” Mourdac asked.
“I’d like to know that as well.” Zaanven frowned “One moment I’m in my house, almost ready for the bed. Then in another, I’m fighting the assassin and fleeing the city, just to save my head.”
“Was it them?” Mourdac asked “Did that organization finally tracked you down?”
“You mean Consortium?” Enepel retorted “Nah. They were dismantled a decade ago.”
“So you don’t know who?” Mourdac asked.
“No.” Enepel answered.
“Do you think they’ll follow you here?” Mourdac asked.
“Yes.” Enepel nodded.
“And still, you choose to come to our village!” furious, female voice came from the other side of thin, wooden wall “To put all of our lives in danger!”
“Carissa!” Mourdac roared “You are way out of line!”
“Out of line?!” fiery lass stormed in the room, yelling back at the chieftain.
Her black, thick, curly hair resembled more to a mane of some wild, but gorgeous animal. And she surely acted like one. Despite being only three and a half feet tall, she seemed threatening. Exact image of her father, Pamen chieftain, whe
n he was younger. Enepel barely concealed the smile, noticing the resemblance. What’s more, even now being in her thirties, Carissa hasn’t changed much since the elf saw her last time. The same flame burned inside of her, kindling the passion and the pride. And judging by the light, leather armor, she was wearing, Enepel saw that she grew into a proper warrior.
“Apologize right now!” Mourdac yelled.
“What for?” Carissa waved her hand “I’m telling the truth!”
“You are free to speak out.” Mourdac said “But never in such a way.”
“Alright.” Carissa grumbled “I am sorry.”
“Very well.” Mourdac said “Now don’t be rude.”
“Hello Aduin.” Carissa said quickly “Good to see you again.”
“Likewise.” Enepel nodded.
“It’s been a while.” Carissa said.
“Too much.” Enepel retorted.
“Did you miss us?” Carissa asked.
“Very much.” Enepel smiled.
“Did you think of us?” Carissa asked.
“Every day.” Enepel nodded.
“In that case, could you explain, why did you decide to put us all in danger?”
“Carissa!” Mourdac jumped “You…”
“No, she’s right.” Enepel interrupted chieftain “I was wrong to involve you in my problems.”
“Don’t speak like that.” Mourdac said frowning.
“I made a mistake by coming here, and I apologize for it.” Enepel said, as he went for the exit “I’ll leave come morning.”
“Let’s not get hasty now.” Mourdac followed him “I’d never ask that from you.”
“Until now, I wasn’t ready to admit it to myself. But coming here was nothing more than a selfish attempt to survive.” Enepel said calmly “I counted on your help. I was sure of it. And not once I thought what could happen to you, because of that.”
“Understandable, considering the circumstances.” Mourdac answered.
“Circumstances have changed.” Enepel said “I can’t ask you to sacrifice your well being for me.”
“That is not your decision to make.” Mourdac said worryingly.
“How could I be so stupid?” Enepel shook his head.
“Come now, let’s all take a deep breath.” Mourdac said.
“I appreciate and thank you for everything my old friend, but my decision is final.” Enepel bowed, before leaving the hut.
“Fuck!” Mourdac spat, after staring at the closed doors, for a couple of seconds.
“Why are you mad?” Carissa asked “Aduin did us a favor. Now you don’t need to refuse him.”
“Refuse him?!” Mourdac snapped at his daughter “I want to help him. I have to.”
“You have to?!” Carissa interrupted the chieftain “What for? You are acting as if you owe him something.”
“Oh but I do owe him.” Mourdac whispered “I owe him everything.”
“What are you talking about?” Carissa asked.
“I owe…no…no, it doesn’t matter now.” Mourdac suddenly shook his head.
“What are you hiding from me?” Carissa was persistent.
“It doesn’t matter.” Mourdac said.
“Father!” Carissa came closer “What are you owing him?”
“Alright.” Mourdac fell back in his chair “You were to young to remember, and that’s probably for the best.”
“Remember what?” Carissa was curious.
“The attack of the wild Sumens.” Mourdac said, scratching his forehead.
“What happened?” Carissa asked “Tell me.”
“The Sumens came suddenly, when most of our hunters were away from the village.” Mourdac’s face twisted in pain “They attacked with one reason on mind. To take our youngs.”
“Those beasts?! Those cannibals?!” Carissa shivered in fright.
“They killed but a few of us, and managed to grab five of our children, before disappearing in the woods.” Mourdac continued “And you…you were one of them.”
“I…I was?” Carissa stuttered “Yes I was.”
“We went after them, managing to catch to the group a four days later.” Mourdac said “But we soon realized the Sumens split up. We saved two. But the rest, including you, were still missing. You were with the other group.”
“Oh father.” Carissa whispered.
“I completely lost it at that point.” Mourdac struggled to relive those moments “Warriors had to carry me back to the village.”
Carissa kneeled beside the chieftain, taking his hands into hers.
“I simply gave up then and there. I mean, how could I go any further? Everything was telling me, it would be futile to continue with the search.” Mourdac sighed “And deep down, inside, I knew everyone else is thinking the same. Everyone, except Aduin.”
“Come again?” Carissa whispered.
“He refused to give up. And he went in the jungle. Alone.” Mourdac continued “I don’t know how, but he found the track. He found you.”
“Oh father.” Carissa sighed.
“He somehow find you. And by some miracle, he managed to safely bring you back.” Mourdac said “He saved me as well that day. For I lost my will to live.”
Carissa nodded. Her heart was hurting, even more because she couldn’t find the right words to comfort her father. Instead, she gave him a strong hug. And for Mourdac, that was more than enough.
“Do you remember what you said first, once you were in my arms?” Mourdac smiled, wiping a single tear out of the corner of his eye.
“That man with the scary scars on his face. He isn’t scary at all.” Carissa sobbed “I know father. I remember. I remember it all.”
CHAPTER 24
It took two full days for the detachment of vards, led by Vlaazh Niykav, to navigate around the eastern shore of the lake. They traversed over varied terrain, mostly dirt and mud, mottled with large patches of rocks, pebbles and black sand. And yet, vards did it with such an ease and in such a fast pace, they could even afford a luxury of resting in a makeshift camp, the night before.
Wide, gentle banks, considerably eased their journey. But at the same time, left them somewhat exposed to the possible encounters with the beings residing in this jungle. Vlaazh knew someone could ambush them at any time. And the attack could come from anyone or anything, humanoid or animal kind. Here, in Amn’oaz, everything was waiting for an opportunity to hunt, kill and eat.
Because of that, Vlaazh decided to lead his men into the forest. Not to deep, only about fifty yards in. But far enough, so they could use the cover of the trees. And at the same time, stay close to the lake shore, in order to keep a watch over it. Additionally, vards powered up the camouflage feature of their technologically enhanced skin. With it, they were able to mimic or reflect the surroundings, making them almost impossible to spot. A feature, vards soon found to be quite useful, when they found themselves at the river crossing.
The river was some fourty yards wide and probably couple of feet deep. It was slow, still and dark. Even at the spot it entered the lake, some two hundred and fifty yards downstream. The difference between the colors of the two waters, looked as if someone had painted them. What was more important to the vards, they needn’t to look for a spot to cross to the other side of the river. But, before they even took a single step, scout Tenreth Tytlin suddenly raised his hand. A signal for the rest, to stop immediately.
Just to the right of them, on the narrow, sandy bank, at the river mouth, Tenreth saw a couple of halfling fishermen. Judging by the way they were pulling the net out of the water, and their merry and somewhat loud chatter, scout presumed the halflings weren’t planning on staying here for much longer. Woven baskets full of fish, rocking in the shallows, just to the left of the halflings, only confirmed that.
“What is it?” Vlaazh whispered, as he warily crawled towards the scout.
“Fishermen.” Tenreth answered.
Scout was youngest among them. He enlisted into the service just be
fore he turned fifty, as a graduate of prestige military academy in Xadraihines, capital city of Pryria, vard’s homeworld. Being the top of his class, Tenreth had the privilege of choosing his assignment. And once the opportunity to join the Ganiwarthal’s mission came to his attention, scout knew he couldn’t let it pass.
The chance of visiting and exploring other, strange, distant worlds, was too tempting. It was seemingly worth the risk. Thought of something bad happening never even crossed Terenth’s mind. Had he knew what could transpire, perhaps he would choose to do things differently. Perhaps he’d choose to join the mission on the world which was already well explored. Perhaps not to this untamed wilderness, that was planet Dorull.
Still, Tenereth had no regrets. He accepted the fate, just like the rest of the vards from the Shteint. They were stranded on this planet, as the sole survivors of the catastrophic incident, which destroyed their mothership, Ganiwarthal. With no means to leave this system, or even send a distress signal, only thing left was to wait for the rescue. So they did, they waited, in the only way known to them. By finding all sorts of distractions. By finding the tasks to do. Similar to the one they were on, right now.
“Fishermen?” Vlaazh asked, to confirm what his scout said.
“Yes. Halflings.” Tenreth answered “I believe they are planning on leaving soon.”
“Good. Let them.” Vlaazh said “If their village is nearby, I’d prefer we avoid it altogether.”
“What if they too are going west?” scout asked.
“Find a path around them.” Vlaazh answered “And make sure Vagyr does the same.”
“Yes sir.” Tenreth nodded, switching on his communicator, in order to relay the warning to the other group.
“Arrange us another meeting point.” Vlaazh said.
He was about to turn around and join the rest of his men, when all of a sudden, rather particular part of conversation in between two fishermen, drew his attention.
“You know the elf from before?” one of the halflings asked, while pulling the last yards of the line to the shore.
“Yes.” other answered “I met him long time ago. You weren’t even born.”