by Garry Spoor
Her first stop was the old grizzly who was sitting quietly off to one side. At this point all the men stopped and let her advance alone.
“Thank you again, Burgora.”
-You have no need to thank me.-
He replied softly
“You’ll be all right? I’d ask you to come with us, but…”
-I don’t think so. You need to go your way as I need to go mine. Our paths with cross again, I am sure of this. But for now, you should get these vir to safety.-
“Yes, perhaps you’re right,” she said, looking back over her shoulder to where the men stood in awe. “Just, stay out of trouble please. Head toward the spire, get out of this area. It’s no longer safe.”
-It has never been safe, first the Alva, then the vir, and now the Uhyre, but we manage.-
“Maybe, but I feel it’s going to get worse.”
-Then I will heed your advice, should it come to that. Fare thee well, Kile Veller.-
The old grizzly slowly turned and headed back toward the forest, back toward the mountains.
“Goodbye, Burgora,” she whispered. She wasn’t as sure as he was, they would meet again.
-Kile alright?-
Vesper asked from the courier bag. She scratched the yarrow’s head.
“I will be,” she lied. She turned to look at the men of Perha Squad. “Come on, we have to get to the clearing.”
“Why?” Anurr asked. “We should be looking for a defendable position. It won’t be long before they come for us.”
“More the reason to get out of here,” Sandson replied.
“But Sergeant Wargner…”
“In case you haven’t noticed, Sergeant Wargner is dead. I for one don’t wish to follow him anymore,” Nasom added.
“But Corporal Duffy is second in command, what did he have to say?” Anurr asked.
“Corporal Duffy chose to accompany the wounded to Moran,” Tullner explained. “Right now, we’re on our own.”
“But then should we…”
“Seriously guys,” Kile said, turning around. “You’re really going to debate this now?”
There was an awkward silence. The men looked at one another. She just shook her head.
“You know, forget it. You can sit here and discuss who’s right, who’s left and who’s wrong until the Uhyre catch up to you, but Vesper and I, we’re going to Moran. But know this, the last ride leaves with me, so if you don’t come now, you’ll be walking.”
When she reached the clearing, she was grateful to see the small herd of black-hoofed mountain deer waiting for her. They were a large breed of deer, as large as horses and she hoped they would be able to carry the men all the way to Moran, if she could persuade them.
“You can’t be serious,” she heard Sandson when he tried to approach one of the deer. It shied away from him.
“Please, keep back,” Kile told the men. She walked up to the large stag who was waiting for her in the center of the herd. He was as big as Grim and looked about as ornery, and he watched her as she approached.
-Why call to us?-
He asked. His voice was as smooth and as harsh as the winds.
“I’m sorry, but I need your help.” she pleaded.
-Why should we help you?-
“You shouldn’t.”
-Then what need have you?-
This was the tricky part. Deer were not horses, and do not give rides willingly. It was up to the deer, whether or not to would agree to carry the men to Moran. If they refused, it was a long walk.
“I need to get to the outpost,” she said, choosing her words carefully. “It is some distance away.”
-I see, and you wish for us to carry you these distances?-
“I’m sorry, but I would never ask if the need wasn’t dire.”
-You have helped me in the past, this, I do not forget, but I cannot speak for the others. I will not force any of my kind to bear the burden of a… vir.-
His use of the word vir was filled with visions Kile wished he wouldn’t share. She knew deer were not very fond of vir, mainly because they saw them only as predators.
“I understand.”
-So be it, the decision will be for the herd to make.-
The stag said.
Kile waited, but knew, with each passing moment, the Uhyre were getting closer. The men were already getting nervous and she could hear dissension in the squad. She couldn’t blame them, they had no idea what was going on. They were relying on her, some against their better judgment. If the mountain deer refused to help, where would that leave her? Would she force the deer to carry them to Moran? Could she take it that far? Would it be justified? If it came down to a choice between the natural world and the world of the vir, which side would she choose? Fortunately, she didn’t have to make the decision, at least not today.
-It would appear you have friends among the herd.-
The old stag said when he approached.
“Then they will help us?” Kile asked, holding her breath.
-Yes, they have agreed.-
“Thank you. I will inform the others,” she said and walked to where the men were waiting a respectable distance away.
“It’s settled,” she told them. “They have agreed to help us.”
“So… now what?” Sandson asked.
Fortunately, Kile didn’t have to tell them to strip off their armor or leave behind all their supplies, the Uhyre took care of that. As it was, she still had her doubts about the weight of some of the men, since deer were not as strong as horses.
In the end, eight deer volunteered, and Kile made it a point to introduce each one to the vir who would be riding them, it only seemed polite. Only when everyone was ready did Kile finally climb upon a good-natured black hoofed deer named Fenola.
***~~~***
10
They took to the highlands, skirting Coopervill to the north, instead of testing their luck on the main road. It was slower, but it only made sense. To get back to the road, they would have to first pass through the crags, and then deal with the lake. They would be vulnerable the entire way. The highlands provided security. She tried to explain this to Wargner, but he wouldn’t listen. By crossing the highlands, they were concealed from watching eyes.
As it was, the traveling was not as easy as she hoped. She was familiar with the area and was able to guide them through the worst of it, but there were no paths or flat lands in this part of the province, so the ground was uneven and rocky. It made for a rough ride. The deer had no problems navigating cross country, but the men complained the entire way. They soon learned, riding deer was not the same as riding horses. Deer did not look for safe paths to travel, or mind going through thick overgrowth. More than one rider was struck in the head by a low branch as a reminder to keep their heads down.
When she was far enough east of Coopervill, and the mountains no longer provided security, she turned the herd south and made for the main road. There was only one road which ran through this part of the Denal province, and it linked up isolated towns. Coopervill sat north of this road, and there were two ways out of the mining town, west through the crags or east through the mountains. Kile was hoping the Uhyre chose the paths through the crags. They would eventually reach the road, but by the time they realized their mistake, the Squad should be half way to Moran. Even then, it won’t take the Uhyre long to catch up. She witnessed, first hand, the speed of the reptilian wolves. They could cover a lot of ground in a short period of time.
Then, of course, there was a second scenario, one where the Uhyre split their forces and sent some by the mountain path. If this was the case, and she feared it might be, they could find themselves in a battle before they reached the outpost. With no weapons or supplies, the battle would be relatively short.
If she was alone, and riding Grim, she would have stayed in the wild, avoiding the road altogether. It would have taken her longer, but she would have reached the mountains and come at Moran from the north, but the deer were al
ready showing signs of fatigue. They could not maintain this pace much longer. The road, although dangerous, was their own only hope. Even if they reached it, and found it clear, it was still a long way to Moran. She estimated they would reach the outpost by noon if they ran nonstop, but that didn’t look very promising.
“How are you holding up Fenola?” she asked.
-We are not used to running so far with such burdens.-
The doe replied. Kile could hear in the deer’s voice, she was reaching the end of her stamina.
They broke out of the forest as the dawn peeked over the mountains. The dew on the grass caught the first rays of the morning sun, and the field sparkled with diamonds. Kile slowed the herd down to a more leisurely pace when they finally reached the road.
“What do you think, Vesper?” she asked the yarrow who was perched on the head of Fenola.
-Don’t like, smell dog-
The yarrow replied.
Although Kile couldn’t smell them, she could feel them. Those reptilian wolves were still out there. How close they were, she couldn’t say.
“I’m a little nervous with the road ahead,” she told Fenola. “I don’t trust it. I don’t think we’ll be safe until we reach the outpost.”
-Then we must reach your outpost.-
Fenola replied.
“What’s the matter? Why have we slowed down?” Tullner asked, coming up alongside her.
Kile had to admit, the young soldier looked rather dashing upon his… deer.
“They’re getting tired,” she told him.
“I thought as much. I think we could all use a breather,” he replied.
Anurr was the next to ride up, forcing his mount forward.
“What is the hold up? Why are we slowing down?” he shouted.
“The deer need rest,” Tullner replied. “We should be safe, for now.”
“Rest?” the soldier shouted. “We’re almost at the outpost. We can be there in the couple of hours if we push these animals.”
“We will not push them,” Tullner said, turning on Anurr. “In case you have forgotten, they offered their help. We should be grateful to them, not treat them like beasts of burden.”
Kile was actually impressed with the Corporal. There was hope for this young man after all.
“You can’t be serious,” Anurr replied. “Look, I’m all for this, hug a tree love nature crap, but there is a time and a place for everything. These are just animals. They’re expendable, we are not.”
Kile glared at Anurr. Tullner saw something in the Hunter’s eyes, something which frightened him.
“Anurr, if I was you, I’d stop now and fall back into line,” he warned the soldier.
“Please,” Anurr replied dismissively. “Like I’m going to take orders from you, I’ll see you at the outpost, if you get there,” he said and spurred the deer forward.
“Stop,” Kile whispered.
All the deer, including the one Anurr was riding, came to a complete stop.
The young man looked around nervously, and tried to spur his mount forward, but it was no use, the deer was no longer listen to him.
“What is the meaning of this?” he shouted. “The valrik can’t be that far behind us, we have to keep moving.”
“Colista, you may unburden yourself of this vir, he means nothing to me,” Kile said in a casual tone.
Anurr’s mount began to buck, and it didn’t take long before he hit the ground hard with a string of curses.
“Kile, what are you doing?” Tullner asked.
She turned to look at him, and the Corporal flinched. He had seen those eyes before.
“You think yourself so superior to us,” she said calmly, a little too calmly. “If he feels we are expendable, then let him continue without us. We will see who reaches the outpost first.”
“Kile, you can’t just leave him behind,” Tullner replied.
“Why not?” she asked.
“Because, he’ll never make it to Moran on foot. If the Uhyre catch him, they’ll kill him.”
“And do you not think, running us all the way to this outpost will not kill us. Why is his life more important than ours? Do we not deserve to live as well?”
“Well… it’s just that…”
“You don’t understand. For a moment I thought you did, but you’re no different than the rest of them,” she said.
“Kile… please,” he begged.
When she looked at him again, her eyes were normal, but just because her eye were, didn’t mean she was. There was still something there, something had changed, and Tullner was worried.
“Fine,” she said. “But, if he wishes to ride, it will be Colista’s decision
“But…”
“They are sacrificing their lives for you. I will not have them disrespected,” she told him.
By now the rest of the deer, along with their reluctant riders, circled Anurr and Colista.
Tullner looked at his men, and then at Kile. One word from this Hunter, and they could all find themselves walking.
“What does he have to do?” he asked.
“Apologize,” she replied, as if the answer was obvious.
“Private Anurr, you heard her, apologize,” he commanded the young soldier.
Anurr appeared very small and very frightened. Standing on the side of the road, he looked up at Kile.
“I’m… I’m sorry ma’am, I meant no disrespect,” he stammered.
“Not to me, you idiot,” she said, pointing to Colista “To her.”
Anurr looked at the deer, then at Tullner. The Corporal shrugged.
“I’m… sorry?” He said, addressing the deer.
“I’ll let you in on a little secret,” Kile said, leaning down so Anurr could hear her. “Animals always know when you are being insincere.”
He looked at Tullner again, and then at the other soldier. Every moment they delayed gave the Uhyre time to catch up. The soldiers looked nervous. The deer looked agitated, only Kile remained calm. Wiping the sweat from his face, Anurr turned to Colista.
“I am truly sorry if I offended you… ma’am.”
Colista hesitated before approaching the young soldier.
“Do you still want to carry him all the way to the outpost?” Kile asked her
-I will bear him only as far as the outpost, and no farther.-
She replied.
Kile shrugged. “So be it,” she said, turning to Anurr “She has accepted your apology, as it was, but if I was you, I’d watch what I said from this point on.”
Kile and Fenola rode on ahead while the other soldiers waited until Anurr mounted.
-Kile all right?-
Vesper asked.
“To tell you the truth, I don’t really know anymore,” she replied.
They rode in silence, keeping a leisurely pace, Kile out in front and the soldiers a respectable distance behind. It appeared none of the men felt comfortable riding beside her, not even Tullner. The sun was rising higher, but the clouds were growing thicker. There was the smell of rain on the air. She could only hope they reached the outpost before it started.
Closing her eyes, she fell into her Edge. She was reluctant at first. After the incident back in the cave, she was afraid to reach out. Whatever happened, it left her frayed and vulnerable. It felt as if she was losing that balance between the mortal realm and the natural realm she maintained for so long. A little nudge and she felt she would fall into the shadows, and this time she may never find her way out.
Instead of looking for the reptilian wolves, she sought something safer. She called to the birds for help. It didn’t take long before they responded. It never took long before they responded. They always seemed eager to help, and they flocked to her, landing on any surface which would carry them. Most found places on Fenola’s back, a few were satisfied with Kile’s hat. They hopped around, and spoke to her in their high pitched melodic voices.
When she closed her eyes and opened herself to them, she was bombarded wi
th images of the surrounding lands and for a brief moment she was flying again. She was able to leave the world behind, the problems, the responsibilities, even the war. There was nothing keeping her on the ground while she soared through the clouds. She looked far to the west, past Denal, over the wastelands and into the lush green horizon. Someday, she kept promising herself, but that day would have to wait, there were more urgent matters at hand. She looked east and could now see the outpost sitting silently upon the road, marking the border between Denal and Callor. It still flew the Callor colors, which meant, it had not yet fallen, so there was hope, but that hope was soon threatened. From the north, the reptilian wolves came, and they were closing in fast. She got careless again. She let her defenses down.
When she opened her eyes, she was back on Fenola, riding east. It took her a moment to regain her earth bound identity. How she wished she could fly without relying on just the birds’ visions, but that was an impossibility, and at the moment, not a major concern.
“Fenola, are you rested enough?”
-What is it?-
The deer asked.
“The Uhyre are coming in from the north, I think they’re going to try and cut us off from the outpost.”
-Then let us get there before them.-
Fenola replied.
“Come on, Vesper. You’ll be safer in your bag,” she told the yarrow, lifting him from the deer’s head and placed him in the courier bag.
“Move it,” she yelled, sending the message to the herd and filling it with the images of the Uhyre. They quickly picked up the pace, but she wasn’t sure if it would be enough. The deer were fast, but so were the reptilian wolves.
“Kile, what’s going on?” Tullner asked when the herd finally caught up to her.
“The Uhyre are coming in from the north. As it is, we may not reach the outpost before they reach us.”
“Can’t you… slow them down?” Tullner asked.
“You don’t want me to try that again,” she told him.
She thought about cutting through the fields to save time, the deer could move at great speed over the uneven land, but so could the reptilian wolves, and sticking to the road, meant there was less of a chance of getting separated, or even lost.