by Garry Spoor
- Fort?–
Fort repeated his name several times as if trying it on.
“Browne, who are you riding?” Kile called out.
“I beg your pardon?” Browne asked, turning around to look at her.
“What horse did you sign out?” Tullner asked.
“What difference does it make?” he replied.
“Just tell us the number of your horse, Private,” Tullner demanded.
“Ninety six, sir,” Browne shouted in true military fashion.
“What about you, Private Anurr?” Tullner asked, turning to look at the soldier who was listening to the exchange.
“Forty five, sir,” he replied.
“Well, Browne’s easy,” Kile said. “He’s riding a mare, so we’ll call her Nina, but as for Anurr, I already gave Fort his name, so we’ll go with Fiv. Is that okay?”
-I can live with Fiv-
Fiv said with a chuckle.
-Thank you, Kile. No one’s ever given us names before,-
Nina added.
“Well, it’s only right. You are part of this team,” she told them. “Now, Twen, can you take us to this place.”
-I can, if he stops steering.-
“Tullner, lay off the reins for a while.”
Twen was true to his word and led them to a small clearing on the east side of the river. From what Kile learned, Twen, Fort and about a dozen other horses, along with their riders, stopped here on their way to Forthbar some time ago. Most of the animals, Kile communicated with, had an abstract sense of time, so “some time ago” could be anywhere between yesterday and last year.
Anurr collected wood and Sandson started the fire with a vial of liquid kindling. It was a strange, viscous liquid created by the alchemist of Littenbeck. A single drop on some dried leaves could start a fire in seconds. Browne broke out a large pot from his supplies and with Lark’s help, started cooking a stew. Daniel and Alex watered and tended to the horses while Tullner, with some help from Marcus, started setting up tents. They worked so well together, Kile almost felt left out. She was never one for working alongside others, and when she did, it felt awkward. Even being around these few people, people she knew and liked, she felt uncomfortable. Leaving the campsite, she headed deeper into the woods.
-Kile sad?-
Vesper asked from his place on her shoulder.
She stroked the yarrow and smiled. “Not sad, just… confused.”
-About what?-
“I don’t know,” she replied. “I guess that’s why I’m confused.”
-Friendly man make sad?-
Vesper asked, and with those words she was back in Windfoil, where she met Roland for the very first time. She had mistaken him for a librarian, or a scholar, having never seen any member of the royal family before. She made a complete fool out of herself, pretending to be some servant in the castle, and he saw right through her. He could have called the guards and had her arrested, but instead he sat with her and listened to her ramble on. And what does she do when she meets him again in Forthbar? She crushes a jelly filled cake in his hand. If anything he should have been angry, or at the very least, disgusted with her, but he wasn’t. Instead, he kissed her, and Vesper had to show her that vision as well. She saw the whole thing play out through the yarrow’s eyes and she looked like a naive peasant girl. And what did Roland mean when he said, don’t you know? She didn’t know. She still doesn’t know. This was all new territory for her, and there’s no one she could talk to about it.
It was moments like these she missed her mother the most, although they never had conversations pertaining to these particular problems and feelings. Kile always thought her mother would be there when the time came. She never even got a chance to say goodbye to her.
“What are you doing out here alone?” Daniel asked, stepping into the clearing behind her.
“I just needed some time,” she replied without turning around.
“You know you’re always doing this. You’re always running off.”
“Yeah, well, maybe it’s for the best.”
“You can’t believe that,” he told her.
“I don’t know what I believe,” she replied, shrugging it off.
“Does this have anything to do with King Roland?”
Kile quickly spun around. “Nothing happened,” she said defensively.
“I didn’t say anything did.” Daniel grinned. “But now that you bring it up…”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I saw him leavening the stables.”
“When?” she asked, but she already knew.
“Yesterday,” he said as he casually paced back and forth. He was acting like one of their instructors at the Academy, dressing them down. “Just before you met up with us near the gatehouse. I saw him leaving Cali’s Livery. He came out the front door, looking guilty for some reason. He pulled his hood over his head and headed off down the street rather quickly, but he kept looking over his shoulder, as if he thought someone was watching. Who would the King be sneaking out at night, to meet in some stable, I wondered? It seems a little suspicious, don’t you think?”
“He probably had his reasons,” Kile replied.
“Oh, I’m sure he did. I don’t really know how long he was in there. It could have been minutes, it could have been hours.”
“And this interests you?” she asked.
“Hey, he is the King after all.” Daniel replied. “And you’re my friend.”
“I don’t see how the…”
“Oh, come on Kile, I’m not an idiot. If you don’t want to talk about it, that's fine, but if you do, I’m here.” Daniel said. He was about to leave when she stopped him.
She wanted to tell him that Roland came to wish them luck, that he gave her his ring to help her on their mission, but what came out was…
“He kissed me,”
“Whoa, I was only joking about that.” Daniel exclaimed. “Are you sure?”
“Am I sure? What kind of question is that? I was there, I’m pretty sure if someone kisses me or not, it’s not like it happens every day.”
“Yeah, I’m sorry, I’m just… well, it’s not what I expected.”
“It’s not what I expected either,” she replied.
“So, what did you do?”
“What do you mean, what did I do?”
“I mean… you know… did you… kiss him back?”
“I… I don’t know. I mean, it happened so fast I’m not really sure what I did. I think I just stood there.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t knee him.”
“Oh come on, give me some credit,” she replied.
“So, what happened after?”
“Nothing, that’s when he left, after he gave me his ring…”
“He gave you his what?”
“His ring,” she said, holding up her hand to show him. “He said if we run into any trouble, I was to use his name.”
“Oh, okay,” Daniel replied, nodding, he looked a little relieved.
“Why, what did you think?”
“Well, when you said he gave you his ring, I thought…”
“Oh, come on, Danny, grow up.”
“Hey, I’m not the one meeting the King in secret in the middle of the night.”
“It was hardly the middle of the night, and it wasn’t in secret.”
“Well, maybe.” Daniel replied. “But why didn’t you just show it to the guards at the gate.”
“Because,” she said, turning the ring on her finger. “It just didn’t feel right. I mean I would have, if I had to, but it just didn’t feel right.”
She stared at the ring on her finger for a while until Daniel brought her mind back to the here and now.
“The reason I came out here was to tell you the stew is ready, not that you’ll eat any of it, but Alex is telling one of his stories, so it’s supper and a show at the campfire.”
“Alright, I’ll be there shortly.”
“Ye
ah, sure you will.” he said with a dismissive wave before starting back toward the campsite.
“Danny,” she called out to him. “Don’t tell anyone what I told you, especially not Alex, he’ll just blow it all out of proportion.”
“No problem, but Kile, just… be careful,” he said, and disappeared into the woods.
She never returned to the campsite that night, but she was waiting for them when they woke up the next morning. They broke down the camp, got their supplies together and were back on the road before the sun rose above the treetops. New information from Bakara forced them to change course, or they would run headlong into a column of soldiers. They turned south, then west, keeping to the paths and trails as much as possible. By now, somebody, back in Forthbar, must know they were missing. Will Command send soldiers to track them down and bring them back? She really didn’t think it was likely, since any orders of that nature would have to be funneled through Colonel Barshed, and would probably be mislaid for a day or two. Even so, it was best to avoid any military contact. But that was easier said than done. The closer they got to the border, the harder it was becoming. They started to sleep during the day and travel at night, relying heavily on the constant updates from the ravens and other animals.
On the eve of the third day, Bakara found a path suspiciously devoid of any activity. It took them to the small town of Treesand, in the province of Fennel, on the very edge of the wastelands.
Once known for its hop gardens, Treesand was now abandoned. There wasn’t much left of the town after the war ran over it. Stone foundations marked where buildings once stood and fallow fields where barley grew. They continued on in silence, since silence was the only thing in Treesand now. Only the wind was brave enough to make any noise, blowing over the fields and through the empty buildings. It sounded like a child weeping.
Marcus slowed the column when they reached the center of town. “This place has seen better days,” he said before dismounting.
“You’ve been here before?” Tullner asked.
“Oh yeah, I use to come every year when they had their beer festivals. It was a lot livelier then,” he replied.
“It doesn’t look as if anyone been here for quite some time.” Anurr remarked. He dismounted and led Fiv to one of the watering troughs.
“Shouldn’t there be a garrison here or at least a few soldiers?” Daniel asked. “I mean, we’re so close to the border.”
“There should be,” Tullner replied.
“There was.” Sandson said, pointing to a standard, which was still waving in the center of town. It was leaning ominously to one side.
“Well, that’s never a good sign.” Marcus added, approaching the flag. “I don’t recognize the colors.”
“I do.” Browne replied. “It’s the second Fennel Arms. They were posted to the front lines just before we were sent into Denal.”
“Are you sure?” Tullner asked him.
“I knew the standard bearer. We had drinks the night before he left,” he said. Browne dismounted and led Nina to the water trough before joining Marcus beside the standard.
“Why would they leave their flag?” Alex asked.
“They wouldn’t.” Sandson replied. “If the standard is here, then so are the soldiers.”
Larks looked around the town nervously. “Then why hasn’t anyone come to greet us?” he asked.
“That’s a good question.”
Kile said nothing as she rode past them to the center of town. Closing her eyes, she fell into her Edge. She reached out with her consciousness, feeling her way through the vacant buildings, searching out ever dark corner, every small opening, and every roof top. The town may have appeared empty, but it wasn’t. There were still rats in the basements, birds in the eaves, and even a few groundhogs in the fields. But there was something more, something larger. She didn’t have to touch their minds to know what they were; she remembered the darkness. Turning, she looked at Tullner. She didn’t have to say anything, her eyes said it all.
The sergeant quickly drew his weapon. “We have company guys. Fall back and regroup,” he shouted.
“This place is dead, there isn’t anything here,” Marcus said, looking around the town. “I’ve seen more life in a graveyard.”
Anurr strung his bow and Browne retrieved his sword from his saddle.
“Which direction?” Sandson asked, turning to look the way they came. They were out in the open. An attack could come from any side.
“Anurr, Browne, keep the Hunters safe.” Tullner ordered.
As Browne grabbed Daniel and pulled him back to the horses, he shouted for Kile to get back.
“She can take care of herself, boy.” Anurr said, pulling an arrow from his quiver. He nocked it, but there was nothing to aim at.
Marcus never moved, he just watched them as they prepared to fight something that wasn’t there. “What’s got you all spooked?” he asked. “I’m telling you, there isn’t anything here.”
Kile suddenly urged Grim forward and the two of them made for the far side of the clearing.
Browne moved to stop her, but there was no way he would reach her in time. “Does she know where she’s going?” he asked Tullner.
The Sergeant shook his head. “I find it easier not to ask,” he replied. “Sandson, you better go with her, see that our Commander stays out of trouble.”
No sooner did Sandon mount up, when something barreled its way out of the dry good store. Shattering the door and sending splinters of wood into the street, it stumbled forward, turned toward the rider and made an unnatural sound. He barely managed to stay on Fort’s back when the horse reared up.
“What the hell is that?” Marcus shouted as he stumbled backwards.
“Reptilian Wolf,” Tullner said as he urged Twen forward.
Anurr shot an arrow into the beast’s head, but it did little to slow it down.
Two more answered the Valgar’s call. One emerged from the remains of the tavern, while the other came out from behind the blacksmith’s shop.
Kile never saw them. She had already passed through the center of town, and was heading toward the mill on the far side.
The mill was a large, three story building with massive sails to catch the winds which blew off the wastelands. Now it was more like a story and a half, since the top of the structure was sheared off. The sails lay across the street and the vertical shaft protruded from the side of the building, having torn through the second floor.
Grim headed for the grain doors, which had been ripped off its hinges. Kile leapt from his back before he stopped. She stumbled across the ground, quickly regaining her feet before running into the building. She already knew what she would find, since she had already seen the vision through their eyes. Two large, and mangy looking dogs were trapped. They were not as big as the Callor hounds, but were stockier. One of them was gravely injured and could barely stand. She was backed into a corner. The second one, slightly larger than the first, stood between his companion and two Valgar.
Kile didn’t hesitate, since the reasonable part of her mind was temporarily on shutdown. She was acting on pure instinct. Drawing her Lann, she raced forward, attracting the attention of both Valgar. The dog, seizing his opportunity, leapt onto the back of the closest one. Kile slid over the millstone, which blocked her path, and struck at the other. She caught him by surprise and her blade sliced easily across his muzzle. The saladog reared back, howling in pain, the sound piercing Kile’s skull, and for a moment, she lost focus. She could feel the darkness descending on her. As she struggled to regain her identity, her feet were knocked out from under her when the saladog whipped its tail around. She always forgot about the tail. Hitting the ground hard she grabbed for her weapon. The creature lunged and she drove the blade through the soft spot under its jaw. It struggled a bit before finally collapsing on top of her, pinning her to the floor. She had to push the dead thing off with her feet, before she could crawl out from under it. Pulling her blade free, she turned to f
ace the remaining threat, but the dog had already dealt with it. He was injured, but alive. Returning to his companion’s side, he turned and looked up at her.
-I thank you, pup,-
He said.
The dog was old and tired, but there was a calming tone to his voice Kile was able to hold onto. She had almost forgotten what it felt like to be a part of the pack.
“Are you the only ones here?” she asked, looking around the ruins of the mill house.
-There is no one left.-
The old dog replied.
“Are you all right?”
- I will survive, but her injuries are bad. I fear her cycle may be at an end.-
He said, looking toward his companion. There was no sorrow in his voice or in his words. They accepted death in whatever form it came, far better than the vir ever could.
She knelt down beside the dog, whose breathing was shallow. She was in a lot of pain, and there was nothing Kile could do.
“I know someone who can help her,” she said, getting to her feet. “But they may be in trouble, are you safe here?”
The large dog looked around his surroundings.
-We are safe, for now. There are at least four more of those abominations in the town. Be careful-
He warned her.
“I will be. I’ll come back,” she promised.
Kile quickly climbed over the millstone. She had to get back to the others, warn them about the Valgar, but when she got outside, Grim wasn’t there. She knew the pony wasn’t really keen on coming along on this little mission, but she never thought he would bolt the first chance he got.
“Grim!” she called out, but there was no reply. She was about to use her Edge when she spotted him running toward her. He slowed down to a steady gait when he got closer.
“Where did you run off to?” She demanded.
-You missed one. Or did you intend to let it escape. Couldn’t have it alerting the others now, could we?-
Alert the others? They already knew. The Valgar were connected in ways the vir could never understand. By now, every Valgar in the area was aware of them.
“Did you get it?” she asked.
Grim laughed.