I selected yes and pulled up the next message.
THE RIDERS OF EARTH AND SKY (LEVEL – 2)
FIRST RIDER – Moon Flower (LVL 3)
SECOND RIDER – Dancing Lion (LVL 2)
ELITE RIDERS – Ice Blossom (LVL 2), Night Star (LVL 2), Stone Fox (LVL 2)
RIDERS – JICARILLA 15/15 (LVL 2)
SKILLS – HORSEMANSHIP (LEVEL – 1), ARCHERY (LEVEL – 2), SPEAR WEILDING (LEVEL – 1), FAMILIAR (LEVEL – 1), SWORDSMANSHIP (LEVEL – 2), BUILDING (LEVEL – 2)
Gifted with knowledge by the goddesses Ateantsic and Shakaru, The Riders are innately bonded with their companion horses and have the skill to ride and care for them as if having done it from birth. The Riders are the first of the ancient horse warriors reborn from legend. The Rider and horse are now able to sense each other’s thoughts at a base level, the ability will grow with level and usage.
I closed the window and began to glow, my aura pulsed bright white around me, then all my aches and pains went away, the dirt and grim fell of my body, and I immediately felt refreshed. I smiled in satisfaction and then saw the same happening with all the Riders, they all looked around surprised but elated, enjoying their first level up. When it was over the stunned Crows reacted.
“You are blessed by the gods!” The crowd began to shout and chant. “Moon Flower! The Riders! The Gods! Moon Flower! The People!”
Even though they were exhausted, their jubilant faces showed hope for the first time since we had come. I raised my hands and quieted the crowd down. All the hundreds of faces stared at the Riders and me in awe.
“You are now part of The People! We have won our first battle!” I cheered, pumping my fist high, the crowd cheered. When they finally quieted down, I continued. “We will rebuild, we will teach you to fight, we will take our revenge against the monsters, but first we will mourn our dead, then we will begin.”
The rest of the day went quickly. The work was finished, the corpses burned, and the funeral rights held. The repairs on the walls were completed and food was distributed. Guards were set, having leveled no one was overly tired, and we planned for the next day.
I had commandeered the Great Yurt, after having the hide walls pulled down, washed, then put back up, after having scrubbed the inside from top to bottom. The Sissy’s and I were joined by two of the Crow leaders, Soaring Sparrow and Striding Squirrel, the first a fierce young woman, about my own age, who had become de facto leader of the fighting women of the Crow, and the latter an old woman, who reminded me a lot of Walking Coyote, who was the head elder. All the Chief’s guards, who were able, only three, were standing outside the yurt. They had all fought their hearts out during the battle, trying to make amends for their failure to protect their Chief.
“Thank you all for coming. The walls are all repaired and are being improved upon as we speak. The dead are taken care of, either burned or buried. The first battle has been won, but it won’t be the last. We have only taken the first step.” I said, nodding at each person as I did, in thanks before continuing. “Now comes the hard part. Everyone, and I mean everyone needs to be one hundred percent involved. We have to bring the fight to the monsters and destroy them all, and then unite the rest of the tribes.”
My Sissy’s, sans Stone Fox, I sent her as the head of the supply party, nodded in agreement while the two Crow’s looked incredulously at each other first, then at me. Striding Squirrel took the lead.
“I’m sorry Moon Flower…” She began.
“First Rider Moon Flower.” I said, correcting her.
“Yes, of course, First Rider, all of the Crow are with you, but we are tired, we have lost so much, we are all old or young, the only ones of fighting age are our women, they are willing to fight with you, but it’s one thing to defend our home, it’s another to go out and attack monsters in their lairs.” She said. “What can we do?”
“My woman and I are ready to fight!” Soaring Sparrow said heatedly, beginning to stand.
“Keep your seat Soaring Sparrow.” I said, motioning the fiery young woman back down. “You are right to ask questions Striding Squirrel, but you are wrong if you don’t think you can contribute. Already, I have riders heading back to The Springs to gather more weapons and supplies. Our elders and youngsters all provide support, building, collecting, hunting, gathering, and more for the effort. As for you Soaring Sparrow, your women will be trained and will become fierce fighters. Now, that’s enough of that, now I need to tell me how this all came to pass. I need to know when the Nirumbee came, when Chief Crow’s Feet began to change, everything, tell me all.” I demanded.
“It is a long story First Rider.” Striding Squirrel replied.
“It is a long night.” I said, motioning for her to continue.
“Everything began a couple months back.” She began. “Chief Crow’s Feet had gone to meet with the Chiefs of the Cheyenne and the Blackfoot. They were all youngling warriors together and meet every year to hunt and discuss tribal laws and such. When the Chief returned, he was changed. He spent the days and nights in his yurt, never leaving, even to defecate. That was when the Nirumbee first appeared…”
Striding Squirrel continued her story, I interjected here and there with questions that needed further information. But by the end I had figured out what happened. Basically, this all took place in the last two months. The Skin-Walker had taken the body of the Chief over when he was gone and had ordered the Nirumbee to begin attacking the Crow. The raids intensified over time, killing more and more Crow warriors till they were all gone, then all the Crow who were left came here, to the Crow Chief’s village, which they called The Crow’s Nest, for the safety of it’s walls. They sat in Crow’s Nest, slowly dying and waiting for the Nirumbee to come and kill them as well.
“Then we came. That ruined the Skin-walker’s plan.” I said, to the group when Striding Squirrel finished her story. “I imagine that the Chief’s of the Blackfoot and the Cheyenne have suffered the same fate as Chief Crow’s Feet. We will spend the next week training and getting ready, then we will strike out and take the fight to monsters and come to the aid of our brothers and sisters. Get some rest tonight, tomorrow is going to be a busy day, for we have much to do.”
The group broke up and went their separate ways. My sisters stayed with me and we sat staring at the fire in silence, just enjoying one another’s company. A few minutes went by with just the crackling of the fire making any sound. Then my sister spoke.
“It’s is hard to believe he is gone.” Ice Blossom said softly.
“I know, every time I turn around, I expect to see him.” Night Star said, suppressing a sniffle.
“He would be proud of you, of us.” I said. “He trained us well, taught us how to be warriors. Use that sadness, that grief, use it against our enemies, against those that would hurt our family, our people. Come, to rest sisters, tomorrow will come earlier than you think.” I hugged them both then retired for the night, following my own advice.
TRACK 34 – MIC DROP (STEVE AOKI REMIX) – BTS, DESIGNER, STEVE AOKI
The next day the whole crew was up before daylight, now having been conditioned to get up, by my lovely shield bashing symphony. We were gathered around the fire, as the boat had already been packed, the crew’s tents and gear already stowed, having breakfast in the cold predawn air. It was cold in the mornings, more so by the water but the crew didn’t notice, our week of hell had built in toughness.
“Good job this week everyone, I’m proud of you. Let’s head to the Enterprise when you’re ready. You to Freak.” I said, patting him on the side as I got up and headed to the boat. “There is no rush, we’re ahead of schedule. Take your time and enjoy the morning.” I called over my shoulder.
I walked around the boat and did a quick inspection of the vessel, making sure nothing had happened to it during the night, and that we didn’t damage it when beaching. Then I hopped on the deck and did the same, making sure our gear and supplies were stowed properly. When I was done, I stood up
straight and stretched fully, cracking my back and other bones when I hit full extension. As soon as I was finished, I turned around and the whole crew was already at the boat, pushing it into the water. Freak, jumped on board with a growl, along with Billy and Cunning Wolf, followed by the rest as the boat began to float into the lake.
“Sorry Captain, the crew felt we should be shoving off. As we have important things to do and all.” Billy said.
I just nodded, surprised by the drive of everyone. No orders were even needed, all the crew knew their role and began doing it, with quiet competence and teamwork. I turned to the portside railing, overlooking the water and beach, and wiped the dust out of my eye. Yeah, definitely got dust in there. We were in the current in moments, the oars broken out with practiced ease. Once we were heading in the right direction, towards the junction with the Missouri River I decided to change things up.
“Billy, ship the oars and lower the sail, we don’t know this new area, let’s have all hands on-deck and ready for anything.” I said.
“Aye, aye Captain.” He replied. “Ok, let’s move, ship those oars, and lower the sail, then ready yourselves for action.”
The oars were slipped out of the water and put in their place. The crew moved up and the decking was placed over the oar benches. Lines were untied and pulled taut, and the mainsail began to flutter in the wind as it was hoisted into position.
“How’s it looking up there Mouse?” Billy asked, yelling up to the lookout.
“All clear for now!” Silent Mouse called down.
The sail was tightened, the wind caught it, giving the Enterprise a burst of speed. I looked to Patty.
“How are the guns?” I asked.
“Good Captain, locked and loaded, ready to blow.” He replied.
“Take the tiller please.” I said, nodding and grinning at the man. “Billy, how are things going?” I called out as I walked to the bow of the boat.
We were approaching the confluence of the two rivers and I wanted to see it from the best vantage possible, we were just rounding a bend as I approached the bow and my Danger Sense started going off, at the same time as the lookout.
“Danger! Danger ahead! Rapids ahead and were closing fast, five hundred yards and counting!” Silent Mouse yelled from the Crow’s Nest.
I changed my walk to a run and rushed to the bow, leaning over the rail I focused my enhanced vision ahead. I could barely make out a white mist over the water but as we closed at fifteen knots it quickly began to resolve itself. They were most definitely rapids and most definitely dangerous.
“Get that sail down, get the oars out, I want half of you on each side, up and down the port and starboard rails with those oars to push us off the rocks!” I commanded running back to the stern and the rudder. “Let me have that Patty, get on the rail with the rest of them. Billy get to the bow and direct the oars. Silent mouse, give me port and starboard directions on when to turn the rudder.”
A chorus of aye-aye’s rang out, the whole crew adopting the idiom, and everyone sprang into action obeying my orders. I grabbed the rudder from Patty and already I could feel the river pulling on it, trying to drag us into its current.
“Keep us in the middle of the river Silent Mouse, and off those god damn rocks!” I called up to the lookout.
“Aye-aye Captain, three hundred yards and closing!” Silent Mouse sounded.
The roar of rapids could be head as he made his call, and the spray could be seen from my position at the stern. It was higher than the bow, having an aft castle, and now I had a good view, but if we were pitching and rolling, I’d need eyes everywhere to steer and keep us from crashing.
My dad used to take us whitewater rafting when we were kids, and there were times when I thought we were dead for sure. We even had state of the art boats and equipment, life vests and such, here we had none of that. Just a wooden boat, built by me, and my crew, I hoped we were enough, and that I built the boat strongly enough, Coyote don’t fail me now.
“Two hundred and fifty yards, and closing fast, we will hit the rapids in ten seconds, keep left Captain, big rocks in the center!” Silent Mouse called down.
I did as he said and kept the Enterprise to the left of the channel, the rocks coming into view shortly after, while the boat began to rock and shake, as the river became rougher and more powerful. I grabbed the tiller with both hands and held the boat steady.
“Cliffs coming soon, four hundred yards and a left turn into a blind canyon, no more rocks until then, stay to port Captain.” Silent Mouse called down.
The Enterprise ran the rapids and entered the canyon.
“Hard to port now Captain!” Silent Mouse cried.
I did as he said and yanked the tiller hard, my eyes widening as I saw the reason for his shout. A huge boulder on the right side of the river was just around the bend hidden perfectly from Silent Mouse’s view.
“Oars! Starboard bow!” I cried.
The Enterprise rushed forward carried on quickly by the rushing water, I pulled as hard as my newly given muscles could pull, and the boat turned, fighting the current. Oars sprang out smacking into the boulder with loud booms as they fought to push and keep us off the giant boat killer. As fast as it started it was over, I grinned, and the crew cheered.
“Hard to Starboard! Oars to port!” Silent Mouse cried again.
Once again, I pulled on the tiller and the boat shifter hard in the opposite direction, thumps, scrapes, and curses filled the air as the oars shot out again, this time on the other side. Water sprayed, and the crew screamed with exertion and fear. Then, as before we were free, but before we could even start to cheer.
“Hard to starboard! Oars port! Oars Starboard!” Silent Mouse cried.
On it went for hours it seemed, but could only have been minutes, or we would have surely died. I pulled that tiller back and forth at Silent Mouse’s command, over, and over, and over again, until I thought my hands would break, or the tiller, or both. All I know is by the end of it, and when Silent Mouse finally gave us the all clear, I along with the whole crew collapsed where they were. Curses, oaths, prayers, all were uttered, most of all though, was laughter, sheer joy at being alive and having experienced a harrowing, and life-threatening experience. The after effects of the adrenaline wearing off and all that.
We cut left and right, bounced off rock after rock, but with the help of Silent Mouse’s direction and the crew working tirelessly to keep us off the rocks with the oars, we escaped the worst of the damage, but not all of it. Looking around I could tell the boat would need a rest and refit. My periphery was blinking so I accessed the message.
WSS ENTERPRISE
DURABILITY – 642/1000
CREW – 10/20
SPEED – 4 Knots
DIRECTION – NORTH NORTHEAST
LOCATION – PLATTE RIVER
WEIGHT – 1325/2000
WEAPONS – 4/4 SWIVEL GUNS
Yep, needed to refit, I closed the screen and pulled up the next message.
TEAMWORK (LEVEL – 1)
By working together in a perilous situation and not losing any fellow crew members, your team has developed the Teamwork Skill. This skill adds bonuses to all stats when two or more members of the team are working together. This benefit increases by a factor of ten with each additional crew member working with the team. The bonus maxes out at one hundred percent.
Nice, at least there was one bonus for running the rapid gauntlet.
“Captain, we have company, five hundred yards ahead.” Silent Mouse called down.
“God dammit, never ends.” I grumbled, motioning to Patty to come take the tiller, then heading to the bow for a better view.
Once at the front Billy joined me and we tried to make sense of what we were seeing.
“What in the bloody fuck is that?” He asked softly.
“No fucking clue...” I replied.
Ahead of us was a bridge, if you could call it that, maybe a river fort? It was nothing like I had ever s
een. We cruised slowly closer, and now were only a couple hundred yards away and I could make out more clearly what the structure was. The wood was raw and looked to have been fresh cut, so the river fort, I deemed it, was relatively new. The river was only about a two hundred feet wide, so it was a natural choke point and good place to build such a defensive structure.
It didn’t block the river completely, but it was close, as it was more of a bridge above it, with a fort on top. A wooden palisade stretched the length of the river, and two guard towers were at each end, and one was in the middle, each about twenty feet high. The bridge itself was about ten feet high, with four sets of huge wooden trees as pylons, for stability. Both sides of the fort had wooden stakes planted in the water below the structure, blocking the way through, whereas there was a gate lowered in the center which looked like it could be raised and lowered, with two docks along both sides of it. That answers the question about why there is no river traffic. This river fort had blocked it all.
That was when I noticed the severed heads on wooden pikes lining the bridge like totems. The total amount of heads was staggering, but that wasn’t the intriguing part, there were human, monster, and animal heads on there. As if the forts owner was a liberal killer, they didn’t care who are what you were. Either way, they were dangerous, and I was able to see movement behind the wooden walls now.
“Let’s get the oars out and stop getting closer, until we decide what to do.” I told Billy.
“Well, that’d be a problem, all of our shite oars snapped during the rapids.” He replied.
“Well, I guess we will find out if they are friendly or not. Get the crew ready for battle.” I commanded, Billy did a little salute and began calling out orders. “Patty, get those guns primed and ready!”
“Aye-aye Captain.” He answered, as I grabbed the tiller from him, he took off calling out orders.
I Am Gamer II Page 20