by Scott Wale
“Our only other option is to hide and if discovered, we’ll be exterminated”, Alejade explained. “We know that Grimtav utilizes scouts and finding us would not be a challenge unless we constantly kept on the move. Moving around does not provide an opportunity for us to recover, but settling does. I was sent to seek your protection, but it appears the best I can do is create an illusion that we are in an alliance. I can only hope that if Grimtav does decide to enter the woods that the intelligence he gathers from his scouts dissuade him from attacking the combination of our people.”
“I accept your offer”, Jalpa agreed. “Your people may reside directly outside the walls of Aman with the understanding that this is a temporary arrangement. I expect the Loupiq and Chafel to return to the Jade Plains when there is no longer a threat. I’m unable to define what constitutes a threat at this time, but doing so will be at my full discretion.”
“Thank you”, Alejade said. “My party will return to our camp and begin the relocation.”
“Your party may stay the night if it wishes”, Jalpa offered. “The Echo Woods are shrouded in nearly complete darkness at night not only making travel difficult, but also making you vulnerable to creatures that thrive under minimal light.”
The previous night when Fenrit had constructed his bow in front of a fire came to Alejade’s mind. If the group started early, there would be enough time of light to return to the safety camp. Alejade knew that even Fenrit was hesitant to travel in the dark. Fenrit would be supportive of the decision to wait until morning given that the journey would be through the dark woods rather than the Jade Plains where at least the star light provided visibility up to a fair distance.
“We’ll depart in the morning then”, Alejade decided finishing with a bow.
Alejade followed the route back to the guest quarters without an escort. She pushed her way through the door to the small structure and immediately noticed that Baon had left. Fenrit looked up from examining the handiwork of his bow and Cerevus sat up from his position on one of the four beds. Alejade figured that both of them had to be as exhausted as her. For this reason she wanted to keep the debriefing short, so the party could get a good rest before leaving in the morning.
“Jalpa has agreed to let our people stay outside the walls of Aman”, Alejade informed Fenrit and Cerevus. “The grant is temporary and he is the sole determiner on the duration of our stay. He has permitted us to stay the night and I think we should get going early to return to the safety camp before the next night fall.”
“Let us stay?” Fenrit asked in utter disgust with the results of the meeting. “It doesn’t sound like an offering of protection.”
“It’s not”, Alejade clarified. “Our advantage is the appearance of an alliance. He gets us as a first line of defense if Grimtav decides to attack Aman.”
Fenrit broke eye contact with Alejade. He exhaled in a manner to show his dissatisfaction with the result of the negotiations. Frustration would only lead to irrational thoughts. Alejade knew she needed to ease his troubles.
“We had nothing to negotiate with”, Alejade attempted to further explain. “We were relying on compassion and unfortunately we did not receive it this time.”
“At least this is better than roaming around Faunar”, Cerevus joined in support of Alejade. “Running is an option for premaliers, but not for all of our people.”
“So this is it”, Fenrit conceded. “We continue to remain between Grimtav and what we now know is his ultimate plan.”
“We don’t know for sure that Grimtav plans to attack Aman”, Alejade pointed out. “It’s also possible that what remains of our people in combination with the Ipta will serve as a deterrent for attacking the city.”
“No known force is going to sweep through the cymutt army for us”, Cerevus pointed out. “Our option is to confront them alone or accept any help we can get. We’ll be slaughtered alone, but maybe siding with the Ipta will buy us the time we need to succeed in the eventual fight.”
“There’s nothing more to discuss”, Fenrit concluded. “You’ve done what you can, Alejade. Leaving in the morning will be fine. The elders can help coordinate any relocation efforts once they are informed of the arrangement.”
Ordinarily Alejade didn’t prescribe to the theory that silence was a remedy for anything, but further arguing with Fenrit would solve nothing and cost them all some much needed sleep. All three individuals could still feel the tension of the conversation, but agreed without words to call it a night. Fenrit was the least satisfied with the situation, but what other options were there?
VI.
Grimtav paced back and forth within his drab chambers. His hairy legs, which were stubby even by Ipta standards, were beginning to get tired. He threw himself into a sling and stared up at the ceiling barely able to make out the tiles due to the trickle of light that was available. His nervous energy translated into fidgeting and he immediately began twisting and pulling on his thick crimson beard with his hand. His beard was the only hair that existed on his entire head. From time to time his restless hand would make its way to the top of his head where he’d dig into his skin with his fingernails creating pockmarks. If he was cognizant of this action, he’d instantly bring his hand back to his beard, but if not his hand would often return to his sight bearing a small amount of his own blood.
The chambers were rather cool, but secure, which allowed Grimtav to casually wear an uninspiring grey tunic. When danger was plausible Grimtav could usually be found wearing traditional Ipta leather armor that he had cobbled together himself, giving it extra padding and coverage from his neck down to his lower thigh. The armor only extended down to Grimtav’s elbow displaying his bare skinned, brawny forearms. The tone of his long arms made up for any lack of strength in his legs.
Events had not passed as planned. The cymutt brood had returned from destroying Dimday, but there was plenty of evidence that the entire population was not decimated like the village itself. This was a problem, because Grimtav did not want any impedance between him and the Echo Woods. The decision to wipe out the Loupiq and Chafel was easy after their continual failure to pay a tribute. The tribute was now more symbolic of how things were done in the past, but failure to furnish was cause for punishment. Grimtav had also needed a test to see how much of a destructive force the cymutts could be and Dimday had shown him the true capabilities of the cymutt force.
The end game was to get to Jalpa. He had sold Grimtav into a life of pillaging where in the beginning he barely survived. Grimtav made his ways through the ranks simply by surviving raids where higher officers did not share the same fortune. Eventually after enough “openings”, he had risen to the top and earned the respect and trust of Venik. Commanding raids wasn’t as perilous when the recruits were plentiful, but over time marauding wasn’t a sustainable venture and eventually the recruiting became more difficult. Venik failed to adjust or more importantly failed to see the problem. Whispers of mutiny began to transpire and Grimtav began to fear on which side of the line he would fall.
An opportunity finally presented itself after a raid near the Trados River. A miner who appeared to be the sole proprietor of the operation offered his intelligence if the marauders would spare his life. Grimtav had noticed his ability with robotics and agreed to the compromise. Grimtav hid his newfound prize from Venik and picked the brain of the miner in an effort to determine the miner’s capabilities. It was eventually determined that the miner could construct an army of war machines that would supplant the need for living beings. Raiding had become tiresome and needlessly dangerous making the war machines alternative all the more appealing to Grimtav. The machines would buy Grimtav safety and power.
With resources at an all-time low Venik demanded a raid on an outpost near the Milak Confluence. The outpost was in close contact with Faunar’s capital city VaSaige. Even if the raid on the outpost was successful the retaliation out of VaSaige would leave no survivors of those held accountable. The mercenaries were given th
eir marching orders and Grimtav was to lead the assault. When the raiding party was far enough outside of Venik’s camp, Grimtav called the marauders together and incited a rebellion urging them to return to the camp and spread Venik’s wealth among themselves. Grimtav abandoned the group before the attack and reconvened with the miner at a predetermined location. Grimtav had no need of Venik or his mercenary army. Venik would not survive a rebellion and the mercenaries would probably disperse after they finished looting.
Now Grimtav had secured himself in his own fortress, Prominence. Few living beings made their way through the halls of Prominence. The miner who created his mechanical army had even escaped being replaced by a less intelligent, but still capable, individual. Things were in place, but Jalpa was still firmly established in Aman. The Ipta couldn’t be held responsible for Jalpa’s decision surrounding Grimtav’s fate, but if Jalpa put the Ipta between himself and Grimtav then there would be an unfortunate amount of attrition.
Grimtav sat up out of his sling and left his chambers. He headed down the main hallway towards the containment room. There he would find the one individual who could provide a positive update on any front that Grimtav so desperately needed.
“Have any of the cymutt scouts picked up a trace of the Loupiq?” Grimtav asked Zephyr.
Zephyr was the replacement engineer who had just enough skill to maintain the cymutt force. He was a Denebalg with sepia colored fur and horns that stuck straight out of his skull making him slightly taller than Grimtav. His jaw was always in horizontal motion while constantly chewing cud. Most ruminants had abandoned cud when reaching a sentient state and those that retained the unappealing habit did not come across as overly intelligent. The cud chewing was an inconsistency in Zephyr’s case. It was unfortunate for Zephyr that his predecessor had a brilliant mind, because Grimtav would never learn to appreciate the skill it took just to get to Zephyr’s level. Grimtav was certain the Denebalg’s real name was not Zephyr, but all the background checks that were performed came back inconclusive.
“Nothing so far, sir”, Zephyr replied. “Most of the cymutts have returned to Prominence, but I’ve left three groups of scouts to search the Western Jade Plains. One group is circling where Dimday was located, another headed south circumventing Shadowport and will make its way along the Trados River and the final group headed north and will make its way to the edge of the Echo Woods.”
“And do the cymutts now have the range to enter the echo woods?” Grimtav asked even though he knew the response he would receive.
“No, the modifications to the controller have not been put in place”, Zephyr answered as expected. “I’d like for the scouting parties to finish their programmed routes first. It’s possible we’ll lose contact with a few units and I’d hate to lose any intel they could provide. The commands to the scouts weren’t sent until the full party had rendezvoused just north of Shadowport after the attack on Dimday. It shouldn’t be long before I can put the modifications in place.”
“You’re sure the adjustments will allow the cymutts to move into the Echo Woods and maintain a strong signal?” Grimtav asked for clarification.
“The Echo Woods are very dense, but I believe I’ve given the controller enough power to maintain a strong signal from here to well past Aman”, Zephyr explained. “I’m familiar with Aman’s proximity within the woods, but I don’t know how much farther northwest the woods extend. I can’t guarantee the signal will hold to the farthest northwest point.”
“As long as Aman is within the radius, that will do”, Grimtav confirmed. “The woods eventually are cutoff by the mountains in the west and the ocean to the north. Survivors of our eventual onslaught are welcome to retreat in whichever direction they please as long as the city belongs to us.”
Grimtav knew that Jalpa would never abandon Aman. He would fall with his city if it came to that. Ideally, Grimtav wanted to the leave the city intact and he could repurpose it for his own use. Hopefully, any fleeing residents would return and Grimtav was prepared to welcome them back with open arms. This was an opportunity to rebuild the Ipta and launch them into the greatness they deserved. Prominence offered nothing more than a secure, defensive position while Grimtav coordinated his return to his people. Returning home to Aman with the city intact was the only acceptable outcome.
“How do our numbers look?” Grimtav asked expecting a unit count he had not heard since the events at Dimday.
“Only 15 percent of units were lost at Dimday”, Zephyr reported. “That was well under what we had planned. I’ll arrange for construction of a new batch to replace losses. The new controller should allow a little more volume, but I was more focused on creating range.”
“Don’t let resources limit your decisions”, Grimtav said. “We have plenty and stand to gain so much more.”
The screen behind Zephyr began to radiate and beep. Grimtav hoped this was the positive update he had been waiting for.
“The northern scout group has reached the Echo Woods”, Zephyr started. “They’ll move along the edge for as long as range allows. I’ll let you know what they find.”
VII.
“I am pretty sure we’re not on course to head directly back to the safety camp”, Cerevus stated for the third time.
Fenrit continued forward as if he had not heard the comment at all. Fenrit had led the whole way and few breaks were taken. Alejade once again struggled to keep up, but offered no complaints given the urgency of the situation. Cerevus had planted himself in the rear just to ensure Alejade did not get left behind the swift movement of the two premaliers.
The group had departed early as planned after a quick meeting with Emur to retrieve their confiscated weapons. The woods would soon gradually grow brighter indicating they were approaching the fringe adjacent to the Jade Plains. It had been a rigorous journey as the terrain did not offer a smooth well-manicured path. Creeks, fallen trees and small crevices were all obstacles that seemed to occur more frequently than the initial journey to Aman. Alejade’s sense of pathfinding was not as well tuned as a premalier’s ability, but she was sure this was not the same route they had taken before. Cerevus’ first remark about his concern for the path had worried her, but now they both knew Fenrit was leading them towards some new destination he had in mind. Alejade was unaware of Fenrit having spent much time in the Echo Woods, but perhaps he somehow knew a quicker route. It only felt odd that this route would be more physically demanding.
“Look ahead”, Fenrit called out pointing to the bright light that was finally penetrating its way to the forest floor.
Alejade was relieved to finally see a clearing. The entire hike had been her surrounded by vertical stripes from what seemed like an infinite amount of tree trunks. When she began to feel a sense of vertigo she would look down at her leather boots to reorient herself. That had subdued the issue for the time being, but the span was getting shorter and shorter between each case.
“I can make out the Jade Plains, but I don’t see the safety camp”, Cerevus called back.
“We’re west of the safety camp”, Fenrit replied.
“The journey seemed more difficult, did we actually save time with this route?” Alejade asked.
“No, I will explain when we get to the clearing”, Fenrit stated with a very curt reply.
The trees began to thin and open up into the plains. Fenrit hunched over as he began to approach the plains and then motioned for the rest of the party to do the same. He slowed to a dragging pace, stopped and then shot up his arm ordering everyone to halt. Fenrit casually moved his arm from the halt signaling position to his quiver on his back. His other arm lifted his bow off his shoulder. He held Scourge parallel with the ground as he laid the arrow on the rest. He nodded his head twice towards the bow and Cerevus began to ready his bow. Fenrit locked eyes with Alejade and gestured toward the ground. Alejade calmly bent down on her hands and knees and then moved into a prone position on the ground. Fenrit held up three fingers before knocking his arrow. C
erevus nodded despite the fact Fenrit was already focusing on his mark and would not have received the confirmation.
Fenrit stood at a full draw following his target with his line of sight. The opportunity presented itself where the arrow’s flight would not be obstructed by the few tree trunks that still remained between the woods and the plains. Fenrit released and the arrow floated right into the flank of the cymutt. The cymutt fell over deactivated while Fenrit scurried to knock a second arrow. The two remaining cymutts charged into the trees at the group. Cerevus’ arrow took down the leading cymutt just as Fenrit had locked on to it. Fenrit redirected his aim and fired a shot missing the remaining cymutt. Fenrit had been careless and not properly locked on to the charging terror. The misplaced arrow caused the cymutt to change direction and now it was headed for Cerevus. Cerevus had been busy concentrating on knocking his second arrow before he noticed the course change. The cymutt closed the gap quickly and leaped into the air before Cerevus had a chance to draw his bow. Cerevus instinctively pulled the arrow from its knocked position and fell back against the forest floor thrusting the arrow upwards into the cymutt’s underside. Fortunately, the cymutt’s momentum carried the mechanical body just over Cerevus’ head and landed a few steps away. If the cymutt had landed on Cerevus, the weight of the mechanical body would surely have crippled if not instantly taken Cerevus’ life.
“Cerevus!” Fenrit screamed unsure if the terminated cymutt body had landed on him.
“I’m alive, but not sure I want to get up”, Cerevus called out from the underbrush.
“Are you injured?” Fenrit asked trying to pinpoint where Cerevus voice was coming from.
“No, I just saw the success Alejade had from laying on the ground and I think I’ll lie here too”, Cerevus joked back.
“I can’t let you do that, you’re doing twice the work that I am” Fenrit replied walking up to Cerevus’ position.