by Reaves, Troy
Gregor's curiosity was piqued by the mention of orcs so close to the cities. Dakin's stories had indicated that the humanoids had stayed away from the more populated centers, and he said as much. Tana's reply was punctuated by a snort of derision. "That may be true where Dakin hunts, but then again, he has not seen the goblins in the numbers I have. The orcs I have encountered are far more aggressive than their weaker brethren. Less than a moon ago one of the wolf packs was attacked by a handful of them that were hunting game in the forest. The wolves' howls roused me from sleep, filling the night with their pain and anger. I transformed, making haste to the clearing where they were desperately fighting for survival against an enemy of a strength the poor creatures had never encountered. Most of the pack were dead by the time I arrived, and the scene was one that terrified and enraged me all at once. Dead orcs and wolves littered the copse of trees. Several of the wolves that still breathed were hanging in their boughs. I will never forget the sounds of feeble growling silenced with the cracking of bones and rending of hides.
Tana shook her head sadly at the memory. “The orcs in the clearing fought over bits of meat torn from the dead wolves like mongrel dogs, grunting and striking at one another. I had seen orcs before, but there was one among them the likes of which I had never seen." Gregor witnessed a tremble pass through her as Tana continued. He wanted desperately to reach out to her, but found he had no words to offer in comfort. "The light of the full moon reflected off his back, giving him an odd glow, like sunlight passing through blood. He tore at the meal before him, consuming one of the fallen orcs and tossing away the bits he could not readily break in his jaws. The others in the war party kept a good distance from the creature, though they seemed to be gathering more meat for him. Two other dead orcs had been thrown within reach of the creature's long arms. There was little hope for the wolves that remained, so I returned to the place my bow and other equipment was stored, intent upon ridding the forest of this evil. The orcs had taken to the forest in search of more meat when I returned. I tracked and killed them each in turn as they bumbled through the trees, the stupid bastards, until only their leader remained. The grotesque humanoid still remained where it was when I had last seen it, gnawing and tearing the remains of the dead orcs at its feet. The large beast must have caught my human scent and decided it was more interested in softer flesh. It dropped its meat and pointed its nose into the air, turning to face the stand of trees where I stood with my arrow nocked. The eyes of the creature gave me a moment's pause; they were unlike any eyes I had ever seen.
Tana frowned slightly. “It may have been a trick of the moonlight, but this creature that vaguely resembled the orc kind had eyes that glowed like embers of a dying fire. Two red-hot coals shone out from under its heavy brow, and the tusks protruding from its mouth seemed impossibly long. I had no time to consider what this could mean, as the huge monster began loping rapidly toward me, not so much running on two legs as using its arms and legs to move with greater speed. My first arrow put out the fire of one of its eyes, but it barely even slowed. I sent a second arrow into its other eye, blinding it but slowing it only a moment, as once more it caught my scent. It took several more arrows and finally my blade, buried deep it its chest, to kill the creature. Nothing held its body together once it fell dead. The only sign of it ever having existed was an area of dead grasses in the rough outline of its body where it had fallen. I did not dare touch the ground that night, and when I returned to the area the next day, the grasses had already begun reclaiming the spot."
"Demon spawn." Gregor's features hardened as he recounted his encounter with the demon that had destroyed the Knights of Bella Grey, and almost killed him as well. The demon's eyes were burned into his memory forever, and Tana's description of the creature she had seen brought the image of the demon to the surface once more. "Master Silverwing shared stories of the mating of creatures from the Abyss with humanoids of the lands, but never anything like this." He made note to make inquiries of the priests once they arrived at the temple. Somehow he doubted he was the only one who had been visited by the evil figure that had invaded his dreams in Dakin's home.
5
Food for Thought
A great wooden gate stood at the entrance to the port city of Nactium, as foreboding as it was impressive. Two guards stood at either side of the entrance, clad in dented plate mail and bearing wide-bladed halberds in addition to personal hand weapons hanging from their belts. Each tower at the sides of the gates was host to several militiamen who bore crossbows at the ready. They were moving about constantly, searching the deepening twilight for any threat in the surrounding area. Gregor was shocked from his examination by a high-pitched voice emerging from one of the helmeted guards flanking the gateway. "Tana! Welcome back to the city! We see you have brought a new friend with you, too. He looks too clean to be another poacher. Are you giving tours of our great city now, in addition to capturing unwary bandits?" The guardsman in question sounded younger than Gregor, and he wondered why one that could not even grow hair on his face would be trusted to secure the city's walls. Times were difficult indeed when mere boys filled the ranks of the city's protectors.
The boy's incautious prodding was answered by a low growl from Fang, and a ridiculing remark from her mistress. "Watch your mouth, boy. Fang would have at you if not for her respect of me. That bladed spear you hold would not protect you. I doubt you have the strength to wield it properly in your slender arms." Fang emphasized Tana's words with her own feral bark. The young guard was caught by surprise at Fang's bark and dropped his halberd. He moved to pull his sword awkwardly from the sheath at his belt, but the blade did not wish to be exposed, and the hilt would not budge.
The guard next to the boy issued a barking laugh of his own at the young one's antics before addressing Tana himself, "I recommend you tie up that dog of yours, Mistress Tana. The guard cannot afford another wounded soldier in the infirmary. I would like to see this one cut his teeth in battle before there is a need to stitch him up. What is your purpose in darkening the great doors of Nactium?"
"I am bringing a pilgrim to the Temple of Light. This warrior was lost after fleeing into the forest, pursued by the bandits you guardsmen are supposed to keep at bay. The streets of fair Nactium are not safe after dark, as you well know, so I will be bringing him to the temple myself." She turned to look at Fang intently. "No need for you to worry the poor defenseless guards, Fang. Go on into our forest and rest. I will find you soon."
The guard's sharp answer to her words came quickly enough. "That dog is lucky no hunter has found her yet. She has a lovely hide, and with a bit of work would make a fine rug." The other guards laughed with him at his jest.
"Most hunters would find her more than their match. Those that might be foolish enough to track her would find my arrows are hard to swallow. Now if you will excuse me, we are due at the temple. I believe this pilgrim's God would be displeased to know he was delayed by halfwits." Tana moved through the open gateway, Gregor trailing behind her before they had a chance to reply.
***
They walked through the city at a slower pace, allowing Tana to point out the various places that Gregor might find useful, as well as the places he should definitely avoid. Even at night, there was a clear division between the sections of Nactium. Gregor felt he would be able to find his way with little effort after Tana had left him with the priests. The low buildings where craftsmen practiced their trades were marked with carved pictures and names on the signs hanging from the eaves. The loaf of bread clearly denoted a baker, and the anvil and hammer was the location of a smithy. Tana noted which tradesmen she sometimes dealt with for supplies, and suggested that Gregor should seek them to supply his needs as well. She promised to take him around once the trades had opened for business the next day, and make sure their association was known so he would not be cheated. Tana, for her part, had grown to like the naive wanderer that had come to her forest, and whether she liked it or not, she felt some r
esponsibility for him.
The simple warrior had been overwhelmed by the grandeur of the Temple of Light itself, which was more a complex of various devotions to the facets of the God he was chosen to serve than a simple place of worship. The sheer number of priests and acolytes that maintained the main house of prayer was beyond anything Gregor had ever witnessed, and the libraries of books made him eager to find a tutor in the many languages of the varied tomes. He was welcomed with open arms by the Brothers and Fathers of the God of Light, and felt immediately at peace among them. Safety emanated from the very stone of which the walls were formed, and every tapestry and statue scattered throughout the many buildings spoke to him. When Gregor and Tana had first arrived, she too had been moved to pay respects at the foot of the magnificent altar devoted to the God. They had bowed their heads and knelt as one before the candlelit dais. Gregor felt the touch of the great power he had experienced when he had been saved from the Tharnorsa that had destroyed the Knights of Bella Grey. Tana would speak later of the soft light that suffused his bowed form while she had listened to Gregor's simple words of honor.
The Father who had come to greet him offered rooms for the pair after Gregor had explained why he had come and who had sent him. The priest did not appear surprised at the hour of his arrival, explaining that they had expected him, though his companion was not foretold. "The God of Light keeps his own counsel, and we simply do his bidding," Father Oregeth said with a smile. "We have ample housing for the two of you, and Tana may stay with the sisters of the temple if this would please her." He turned to Tana with a nod. "They would probably enjoy the opportunity to speak with a servant of the Goddess of Nature. She has no proper sanctuary within the city, though we do our best to serve the needs of all the higher powers within these walls. Sadly, there are few written records concerning the Goddess of the wilds, despite every person's reliance on Her special gifts. We gather what information we can from the worshipers bringing food and supplies for our stores here."
Tana declined the offer respectfully, with some amount of regret. "These are dangerous times, Father Oregeth, and there are matters that require my attention before I return for Gregor tomorrow. It would be best if he were able to get a good night's rest before beginning his studies, I am sure you will agree." Tana nodded to Gregor and Father Oregeth. "I will return for him at midday tomorrow, if that will give you enough time to arrange his introduction to his tutors."
Father Oregeth moved his hands in a sign of blessing toward Tana, touching her lightly on her forehead. "That should give us ample time, Sister, and we look forward to your return. I will make the arrangements personally, and he will be ready when you return. Travel safely with the God's and Goddess' blessings." He turned to Gregor as Tana waved a farewell, beginning to make her way back to the gates of the city. "I think you will find that though our cots are simple, they will be more comfortable than the forest floor. Let me show you to your place of rest." Gregor found his sanctuary was more than adequate to his needs. A rack had been provided to store his armor and weapons. There was also a small bookshelf near his bed that held several simply decorated leather-bound books. Gregor found a longing unlike he had ever known, eager to possess the knowledge and the wisdom they held.
***
Gregor found his tour of the city with Tana the next day enlightening and amusing. The tradesmen Tana chose to deal with were unique personalities the likes of which he had never encountered, yet each brought back memories of his home. Each man and woman seemed to possess a pure nature unspoiled by the life inside such great walls, and Gregor found it easy to understand why Tana trusted them, despite her strong dislike of all things civilized.
The baker, Master Regar, dealt in delicacies Gregor had never sampled until now. His ovens were easy enough to find because the smell of his goods drew you from blocks away. The scents issuing from the chimneys of his humble establishment made you hungry even after a meal, wondering what ingredients the cook had gathered to create such tastes. Gregor was sorry he lacked a cloth with which to dab his watering mouth as Tana and he entered the place. "Ah, the swordsman shares complements already, and you have yet to sample a morsel!" Master Regar handed Gregor a light, flaky item wrapped in parchment paper and a piece of rag for a napkin. "Have you eaten? Can't have a friend of Tana's going hungry in my home. Tana, would you like the usual, or are you feeling adventurous today? Got some biscuits for Fang. She should like these especially well. Soaked them special in some boar fat. The butcher has been favoring me with fresh meats of late. I suggested he might find a market for wrapping his meat in my dough, and business has been brisk for both of us since we teamed up. Nothing like one of my buttery rolls with a treat of meat baked inside." The laughter in his voice was contagious, almost causing Gregor to drop his first bite.
"Well, it is getting near noon meal. What do you charge for the new creation? I am sure Gregor and I would be thankful for the offering, once he finishes that glazed roll he has." Tana's hand shot out, as if she intended to take the rest of Gregor's treat from him. She pulled her hand back in mock concern when Gregor greeted the movement with a growl sounding much like Fang. "Have you come up with a name for them yet?"
The baker enjoyed the interplay between Tana and Gregor. Like so many of her friends in the city, he wondered often if she would ever find a human companion that suited her. The poor girl, in the baker's estimation, grew more feral each time he saw her. She spent too much time alone in her forest with little company outside her pet. "Watch your fingers, Tana. Looks like you would do better to snatch one of these biscuits from Fang than separate that handsome man from his pastry." The baker frowned momentarily in puzzlement before he spoke. "Well, the butcher is calling them traveling rations, as he is selling them mostly to the mercenaries and merchants floating in and out of Nactium. The name does not really do them justice, by my way of thinking. Why don't you and your friend try them and see what you can come up with that might suit them. Got a fresh batch, warm as you please."
Tana took the offered roll, biting into it with gusto. Her teeth carried through the light breading to find a well-seasoned hunk of meat inside. Tana's eyes opened wide in appreciation for the taste that blessed her tongue, savoring the mixture of buttered loaf and tasty meat. She chewed the first bite hungrily before giving her praise. "I recognize the deer meat, and the roll is definitely one of your best recipes, but the two combined is simply amazing. There should definitely be a name fitting it better than simply traveler's rations. Let me think."
The baker laughed as Tana resumed eating. "Well, the butcher has been seeing a lot of wild meats since the hired blades invaded the city seeking coin in service among the traveling merchants. It would seem there are some fair trackers among their numbers. Takes the butcher and me a day or two to prepare the loaves for the travelers, but they seem willing enough to wait since word has gotten around. You are enjoying softer bread than the merchants and their hired hands normally receive. It takes a stiffer loaf and a saltier bit of meat to serve for the trips of the tradesmen these days. They pay a fair price for these things, and I spend many a late night at the ovens meeting the demands of the market. The rolls like the ones you and the swordsman are having fetch a strong price. I have seen more than a few servants of the governor's house come right here to purchase as many as they can carry. It seems we have drawn the attention of a few stomachs among the more affluent. Still, I make a lot of it for the common folk, sending some to the guardsmen when I can. A lot of those guards are little more than boys summoned for the service, while their fathers try to keep the granaries full for the city. A man cannot forget where he came from when the Gods and Goddesses favor him, so I keep the militia in my favor with treats. Truth be told, I have already made more than any humble baker should, and could retire tomorrow if it suited me. Still, I cannot stand the thought of abandoning my ovens, and it looks like I will have no shortage of demand for my wares for quite a long time. Come up with a name for the finer rolls, and yo
u can consider our debt settled, Tana." He went to get another loaf for Gregor to sample, while Tana finished enjoying her meal.
Once Gregor had a meat roll of his own, he wasted little time in making it disappear into his belly. He wiped the remains of it from his mouth and smiled brightly. "I have a name for it!" Gregor exclaimed around his last bite of roll. "You should call it 'the Baker's Secret.' I am certain you won't be sharing the recipe. Not too fancy, but I think it might serve your purpose."
"That is a great idea! We don't want to make it sound too high for the common people, and the wealthy sorts will feel it is more suited to them, with a proper name to distinguish it from common fare. I wonder what they would think if they knew the secret was common venison. Gregor, whenever you decide the adventuring life isn't for you, let me know. I could use a strong back and a sharp mind around here. The best part is, you get to eat all the breads and treats you want!" Master Regar patted his ample belly, causing a cloud of flour to rise as if to emphasize his point. "Now, you two get out of here. I am sure you have other places to show your new man, Tana, and I have more than a little to do, myself."
Gregor flushed red at this last remark, and stumbled over a reply to correct the baker's assumption. "Sir, I am not....well, I mean, Tana and I are not....she and I only just met and....I would not want you thinking....I mean, Mistress Tana is a fine woman...um, that is to say, I mean...."