Winds of Torsham (The Kohrinju Tai Saga Book 2)

by J P Nelson

  With a twist of his eyebrow and hint of a grin, he added, “Of course, one never knows. Would you like to place wager on it?”

  Chapter 47

  JHA’LEY’S IDEA WAS to follow the river course up into the mountains in hopes this was the line indicated on the map. He had several reasons for this. First; the river was a road already set, it had to come from up there somewhere. Second; if navigable, he wanted to use the river for the return jaunt. Following it to the Sea of Diustahn, if, in fact, that was where it led, would allow the team to know ahead of journey what to expect. Third; it just seemed the thing to do at the time.

  It was no random draw of team members that Ottus and Boak were chosen, both knew dugout canoe building well, and Kord was expert in whitewater travel. Of course, Jha’Ley was no amateur in rough current, and Dessi grew up in dugout canoe country.

  Dessi had once commented, “Why, our farm borders were measured by this creek and that stream. I was handling a paddle before I could walk and made my first dugout when I was eight years old. If we wanted to go anywhere, we went by waterway. As a little fellow, we would paddle past folk walking the long way around trails and my father would explain they just did not know any better.”

  It was Lieutenant Mantel, Captain S’Getti’s first officer, who Jha’Ley gave choice of whether to begin up the south side of the fall, or the north. It might seem an insignificant decision of minor importance, but had I been there, which I wasn’t, I could have told them how his choice would make all the difference in the outcome of their trek, which I couldn’t, because Jha’Ley and I hadn’t met, yet.

  At the time I was well along into my second year as Coliseum Champion. Every fight was a record breaking moment, and for the time I was living as well as could be expected. I wish I could share something exciting about the time, unless you just want to hear about a lot of blood, death, working out, and good food … real good food. I did, however, eventually learn about Edgarfield selling Lath. But I’ll get to that a little later.

  Though I had not been where Jha’Ley was, I knew of the place by tales told me by my momma. I knew where they were going, something of the legends associated with the place, and a good idea of what they were going to encounter.

  The lieutenant knew his decision would go in the record books, and he wanted to think right, I mean, he wanted to choose correctly. After some deep deliberation, he thought it would be best to start up the left side of the falls, which is the southern side.

  Three of the men carried one hundred-foot lengths of measuring cord. Jha’Ley wanted to know just how high those falls were. By closest measuring, the first was marked at two hundred and seventy-three feet, the second at one hundred and sixty-five feet, and the third at fifty-four feet.

  Each of these were connected by a river way stretching over one-half of a mile. The third dropped out of a small lake which took feeds from four different sources, each from a different height. The highest was farthest to the south and measured one hundred and eighty-six feet, which was the fourth drop seen by Rufus the year before. As he surmised, it was shaped like a big crescent. What he couldn’t see was the lake was over one mile across.

  Measuring the other three feeds would not be possible from their vantage point, but an estimate would put the next one over at about one hundred and ten feet, and the third at ninety feet. The last one, to the far north, was estimated at about sixty feet.

  The southernmost fall showed steam as it dropped. It was no problem for each man to verify this was warm water.

  Kneeling and taking a drink of the crystal clear water, Jha’Ley remarked, “Sweet, clean, and as warm as a tropic river.”

  Toagun was using Jha’Ley’s telescope, “I think it’s pretty obvious, those others are coming off the glaciers to the north. From here it looks like they all come from different sources.”

  Mantel offered, “A hot river amidst a glacier region ...”

  Seedle said, “Mister Fhascully would be in heaven.”

  All of it made for a spectacular view.

  Rufus was sketching as Dessi examined the vegetation, then the sergeant mused out loud, “… as if transplanted from the Gohbashai Forests, some of these trees are ancient, but none are above forty, forty-five feet tall, at most. And this soil is black as soot.”

  Glancing about the landscape, Dessi added, “Sir, I think this area takes heavy snows and frost in same manner as my home. But it does not ice over, not as the land around does.”

  “I think you are right, sergeant.”

  He stood, slung his pack, and recovered his crossbow adding, “Gentlemen, let us see where this trail leads.”

  The fifth fall was a bit more than one mile from the first, and measured at ninety-six feet. Leading up to it was a long stretch of foaming water.

  Boak gave the river study and said, “Commodore, these are Class IV rapids. It would take a well experienced team to shoot this water, and a quality of craft we will not have time to make. We can do Class III with the dugouts I have in mind, but this is too much.”

  Thoughtfully, Jha’Ley replied, “Then we must take care to exit the river before we get here, and know well the landmarks. All the more reason to follow the river closely. With fortune, it will be better on beyond.”

  As was to be expected, the river course did not run straight up the mountain. There were many twists and turns, but for quite a while, Jha’Ley became concerned the river was leading elsewhere than the targeted sea. The river took a definite turn to the south, but at about the eight day mark started turning back north in a large arc.

  Sometimes the travel was good, more than once they altered course because of land formations or streams too wide for immediate crossing. At all times the coniferous forest extended from one-half mile to five quarters of a mile from the river. Beyond that, the terrain inclined abruptly upward into glacier country. The river itself averaged sixty to eighty rods in width.

  Rapids were common with several spots which they determined to be Class II water, but in two places they figured Class III, the second one they would encounter coming down was a very long stretch. A special note was taken with these in mind.

  As they came alongside what would be their first Class III challenge, an area nestled in rocky terrain, on the northern side they saw a large furry creature apparently bent over in convulsions. It was in center of the sunlight at direct edge of the river, its coat was a dark brindle color. Beside it was a fish still flipping upon the rocks.

  Although the creature was a good eighty rods from the team, and on the other side of the churning water, all had crossbows at ready. Suddenly, the sounds of agonizing breath could be heard across the way as the creature looked to be dying a violent death.

  Seedle commented, “By hair-of-the-lizard, it is having a Marine-sized hairball …”

  Jha’Ley and Dessi sent him dry, cross looks as Toagun remarked with a chuckle, “Careful Mister Seedle, we are upwind of it. It might hear---”

  A huge, ugly mess apparently came from the creature’s mouth, then it turned to face the team.

  One of them exclaimed, “Holy shite!”

  A tiger-ish looking head was set atop a bear-like body as it rose up to its full height.

  Mantel was astonished as he breathed out while holding his crossbow dearly, “Six rods if an inch …”

  The beast let loose a roar mixed with a snarling whine, while articulating nimble paws and protracting terrible claws.

  Seedle emphatically put a hand out and said, “Go-o-od-d kitty.”

  Toagun said, “I told you …”

  Corporal Rahno said, “Look to the left.”

  Sure enough, a second, then third beast came down to the river edge, both about half the other’s size and began roaring in anger also. Then farther up they saw yet another, perhaps a bit bigger than the first, also roaring, but more savagely than the smaller two. Dropping to all fours, this last one took a step out onto a rock amid the rapid and began seeking a way across.

  “Gent
lemen,” Jha’Ley said, “what say we ease back and take lunch elsewhere?”

  Rufus declared as he moved backward, “Let us hope these are top of the food chain.”

  Ottus added, “Let us ensure to stay center of the river, and hope not to overturn should we indeed use canoe on the return.”

  At one camp where the water was calm and there were several outcroppings of rock, Boak was one of several who had cut a rod and was fishing from a ledge. He hooked a healthy bite and after a sporting fight amid cheers from his fellows, was bringing his catch in when he said, “Hey fellows, look what I got!”

  A beautiful twenty-inch fish was dangling from his line when with alarming speed, a fish head twice the size of Boak’s catch reared up from beneath his perch and snatched the fish away. Boak was left standing there with rod in hand, a dangling line, and mouth open.

  Dessi saw Jha’Ley starting to wade into the river farther up and said with caution, “Commodore! You may not want to bathe this morning.”

  Jha’Ley looked around and saw the fishers backing away from the water’s edge.

  Dessi added, “Trust me, sir, trust me.”

  There were places along the way where the ground was fairly level, but for the most part they estimated a steady rise in elevation of about sixty feet per mile, as the bird flies, give or take five feet. It was around the forty-six hundred-foot mark they found a sizable area surrounding a small lake.

  The place could be easily described a paradise. It was a terrace, actually, about eight miles wide and half as deep. The lake filled an area of about three hundred and sixty acres. At center was a small island of perhaps twelve acres, well covered with trees, shrubs and vines.

  Using the telescope, Jha’Ley saw reeds growing at one end, several ducks were swimming across the water, two good sized deer could be seen drinking, and two more streams entered the lake. But there was something else, something he saw on that island.

  Jha’Ley began taking off his pack and said, “You gentlemen …”

  Mantel held up his hand, “Uhm, sir, I am afraid I must exercise Article---”

  “What?!”

  Seedle intervened, “Sir … he is getting ready to quote rules saying we, the all of us, agree this is overtly dangerous … and …”

  Rufus sternly continued, “… and we do NOT know what you may wake up if you go off on your own and swim in that water. It IS according to regulation … sir.”

  Toagun aimed his Beckerson VI across the river, “Commodore, look …” as he shot just to the end of what looked to be a downed log. Instantly the log jumped up on six legs, a twenty-foot-long log, at that, and scurried into the water.

  Jha’Ley did not look happy.

  Sergeant Nei called out from along the edge of the lake, “Sarge, we found something.”

  Dessi was smiling as he looked to Jha’Ley, “Who would you like to go with you, sir?”

  Hidden under a bunch of shrubs and growth was a dugout, old and long buried, but in good condition.

  They figured the canoe had been hidden for decades, but who made it? Did elves do work like this? It was skillfully made, that much was for sure.

  Seedle, Dessi, and Toagun joined Jha’Ley directly to the island. They circumnavigated and on the far side saw a place where canoes could easily land, and beyond was the remains of a trail leading to a cabin.

  The building was partly fallen down, but the chimney was well laid and still standing. Out back just a little way was the remains of a smokehouse.

  Inside the cabin could be found eight bunks. There were a couple of small pots and remains of skins made into coats. The most important discovery, however, was a hundred rods away from the cabin.

  Toagun yelled for Jha’Ley, “Commodore, you need to see this!”

  All four men stood in front of five graves marked by stones which were neatly shaped and carved. The names and dates on the four end stones were not of language read by either man. The one in the middle, however, was written in Vedoic:

  Here lies

  valiant warrior, fine seaman, feared privateer,

  son-in-law, father of four, friend

  Captain Ruben of Avalon

  5010-5105 ED

  He died a’cussin with sword in hand

  They were a long time standing there when Jha’Ley spoke, “Well … we know where he died, then.”

  Seedle offered, “Sir … they got this far.”

  Toagun added, “It means Hahry was here too.”

  Dessi asked, “Why did he not say where? He could have given us valuable information.”

  Jha’Ley answered wryly, “Because … Sergeant Dessi … I did not ask a specific enough question. I just assumed it was a shipboard battle.” He looked around and added, “Do you remember what they were fighting?”

  Toagun gave a heavy sigh, “People who eat people …”

  Seedle shook his head and said to Dessi, “I was hoping to get laid one more time.”

  Dessi raised his eye brows and started to speak, but Seedle raised a finger and shook his head no!

  Toagun asked as if he knew the answer, “Any idea who the third man left might be? Five graves, eight bunks were used. I am guessing they were trapped for the winter.”

  Dessi offered, “One perfectly good canoe left … I wager they made two, but only needed the one. And we know they made it out, at least Captain Greybeard and Hahry, because they were aboard their ship when it started going down.”

  Jha’Ley replied, “No Mister Sealer, we do not know who it could have been. There are too many variables.”

  Seedle asked, “Can we be sure Captain Greybeard was one of the men here? I mean … Hahry was specific that he was there when Ruben died, but did he say Greybeard was there, too?”

  Jha’Ley pointed to the mark at bottom of each stone, but it was Dessi who answered, “Those are elvin symbols for grey and beard, I am pretty sure.”

  The team spent the next day exploring the terrace, but there was nothing to find but beauty … and … some good sized creatures swimming in the water. Before leaving, however, Jha’Ley had the whole team transported over and proper naval funeral was given for the men resting beneath the ground.

  From this point onward, they noticed changes in the forest, it was becoming more tropical and things were getting bigger, taller, and I don’t mean just the vegetation.

  Standard procedure involved going out in twos, or more, to do your personal business, if you get my meaning. But before I go any further, let me explain a quick breakdown of Dessi’s Marines. If not, I will have to explain things a little at a time over and over again.

  Dessi’s Marines were Marines with a capitol M! We must remember these men were not infantry or guardsmen. Vedoan Marines are a specially trained force of personnel to perform a multitude of specific tasks, not the least of which include stealth, search, and rescue missions. Exploration fits well into their skill set.

  Just to qualify for this expedition, Dessi required each man to verify as an expert in their specialty of weapons undeer combat conditions. That means each man had to pass a course including eighteen different combat challenges, the last of which they had to engage ten men of militia caliber … and successfully defeat them without receiving a kill score on himself.

  There was a lot more to it, but that was the beginning. The general unit breakdown of Vedoan Marines begins with what is called a fire-team. Don’t ask me why they are called that, it is just the way it is, and has been for thousands of years.

  These are four-person teams which go like this …

  Team leader, also called a TL: is most usually a full corporal or higher. The TL carries a light crossbow and cutlass, sometimes a broadsword.

  Javelier: this is usually the strongest person on the team. They carry a cluster of four javelins, sometimes a harpoon or two is mixed in, and a two-handed broadsword. This blade is a regular broadsword with an extra long grip for strong wielding. They also carry several heavy throwing knives.

  Poleman: this
is another physically powerful person. They carry a light crossbow, but their close-quarter weapon is called a pole-sword. You take a two-foot blade of two marks width sharpened on both edges, put it on a four- or five-foot pole, and you have a long reaching weapon with the advantages of a sword and spear combined. But it takes a hoss of a person to wield it.

  Sniper: this is the one who carries a heavy crossbow of greatest range. Usually this person carries a cutlass. Lance Corporal Guen, of the Ubank, carried a custom made heavy crossbow.

  All these Marines carry a Vedoan Dirk, which is a dagger-shaped blade twelve marks long with a thick middle, sharpened on one side and serrated on the other. Dessi specializes in this weapon and is a master with it. They carry a variety of other weapons and tools, but these are the basics. These men are ready.

  Everyone was required to wear Marine armor for this excursion. We are talking boiled and oiled leather torso guards with forearm and shin covers. Except for Jha’Ley’s dao-sword, Toagun’s combachete and Beckerson Over and Under Crossbow, the non-Marines carried standard navy issue cutlass and light crossbow.

  Corporal Rahno was one of the TL’s. He and his poleman, Indo, went to tend some personal business, when they saw a large outcropping of rock with an overhang. Under this overhang seemed to be a mass of earth caked up underneath in the shadow.

  Because of vulnerabilities, you take turns. Indo was taking his turn when Rahno noticed something moving about the mass.

  “Indo? Buddy, you may want to squeeze it off rather soon.”

  “What? I am almost done.”

  “I think we are about to have visitors.”

  Squinting his eyes and focusing on the mass, Rahno, who was farm-born and raised, noticed the mass was somewhat tubular shaped. At the end of each tube he thought he could see holes. From some of these holes he was noticing movement.

  “Private, you are finished, that is an order. We have problems.”