With that, Madam Portia shook her head and rose to her feet. “That’s all I found, I’m afraid. Kindly leave a piece of shine on the table before you leave.” Before Raoul could speak, she had returned behind the velvet curtain and resumed her quiet mumbling.
Taz was sitting cross legged on a nearby tree stump as Raoul exited the tent. Her head was in her hands and her cheeks seemed red and puffy. She straightened herself up and rubbed her eyes as he approached her.
“How was your turn in there?” she asked him.
Raoul shrugged. “Just a load of rotting dippery, like you said. The woman is clearly winked.” “Yeah…same with me,” admitted Taz. She braved a smile, regardless of the obvious traumatic effects still lingering on her face. “You’d think someone like her could have explained all this Acryptus rot. I should have listened to you.”
Raoul shrugged again. “Well, it’s done now. I figure we should head back. Clayton will want us moving out in an hour or two.”
They made their way back up the hill and towards the bulk of town. Each lamented over what Madame Portia had said to them, and each decided it was better never to tell another living soul about the things they’d heard, no matter what. It seemed only right.
As they were approaching the place they had split with the group, Raoul could feel someone following them. He nudged Taz and jerked his head back. They both turned to see a man, about forty or so, with long orange hair and a well groomed handlebar mustache. His neck was lanky and tight, connected to the boniest shoulders either one of them had ever seen. Several of his fingernails were either missing or bandaged up. He smiled as the pair turned to acknowledge him and hurried closer, clasping his hands in gleeful eagerness.
“Splendid!” he exclaimed. “ Another Red Hand here in Ditchwater. I wasn’t sure you people still existed. Welcome, young fellow, and your friend, too.”
Raoul’s jaw dropped. Taz cursed loudly and lunged forward. She was at the man’s throat with her spear pressed against it in a matter of seconds.
“Don’t you speak another word, stranger,” she hissed in his ear. “I’ll slice you where you stand.” “Who are you?” Raoul demanded. “How did you know what I was? Where is Huglund? Are you working with him? Huh? Speak up.”
The man threw up his hand s in protest. “Come on, please. This suit is custom made. But if you must spill blood all over it, kindly avoid it being mine. I’m one of the good guys.”
Taz raised an eyebrow and Raoul shook his head.
“Prove it,” demanded Taz. The man reached into his suit pocket and pulled out a business card. Raoul snatched it out of his hand and read it aloud.
“ D. Pulsipher: Attorney at Law”
“I told you,” he laughed.
“How did you know I was Red Handed?”
“When I’m not handling the affairs of divorcees or victims to a drunken squalor,” Pulsipher laughed. “I prefer to spend my free time working with those of you our great lord Tiberion has deemed…..unpopular since he took over this province ten years ago. I smelled your group from a mile away.”
“Hey guys,” Clayton yelled. He had appeared on the front porch of one of the nearby houses. “You might want to bring whatever’s going on over here.”
Pulsipher grinned. “I can’t help but agree with your friend. I’ve been doing this kind of thing for years in secret…I’d hate to blow my cover with so many people still needing my help.”
“Alright,” Raoul growled, glancing about. “Let’s take this inside.” The inside of the house was tasteless and bland. The wall paper had been stripped and the carpet was torn off of the floor. The only items left behind had been a dozen wooden chairs and a tattered curtain strapped across the only window facing the front porch. Clayton had found some tea bags in one of the kitchen cabinets and had just started to brew some hot water over the stove before taking a minute to get some air outside. He’d been there less than a minute before witnessing Taz and Raoul approaching from down the street.
Once inside, Pulsipher was introduced to the group and made himself comfortable on one of the rickety wooden chairs. Everyone gathered around him, except for Cherry, who slept peacefully in a neighboring room.
“So what exactly is it you do for Red Hands, Mr. Pulsipher?” Clayton asked.
The orange haired man sighed. “What I do is offer you a second chance; one that contains no peril, little secrecy, and a great deal of possibility. Any Red Handed, man or woman, who finds themselves branded with the Acryptus Tree usually finds their way here to Ditchwater.”
“Can you tell us anything about the tree?” Adelaide inquired. “Do you know anything about Jonah Longstreet, too?” “Longstreet?” Pulsipher asked. “You mean the mysterious inkman?” “He’s connected somehow,” Taz told him. “We’re hoping to find him before we reach Reignfall and approach Lord Tiberion.”
Pulsipher laughed in a fit of uncontrollable hysterics. Taz furled her brow and Raoul grit his teeth. Everyone in the room felt belittled by the lawyer’s sudden behavior. After a moment, he ceased and wiped his eyes before speaking again.
“I say,” he finally managed to spit out.” If you all plan to go marching up to the rotting gates of our Provincial city and knock down the front door, I really must protest.”
“Really,” Raoul muttered spitefully. “Must you?” “I certainly must. Every inch of territory between Ditchwater and Reignfall is crawling with Tibris Guards. Scattered villages, solitary homesteads, and all variety of characters in Amber are being harassed, coerced, or monitored. Your village was the first one to be publicly decimated, that I know of. This can only mean their macabre antics will be less stealthy. Any movement towards Tibris Tiberion at this point would be futile. Now I do, however, offer a wiser alternative to those such as yourselves and others like you. For a very reasonable fee, I can supply a map, supplies, and fake papers to start life anew in another province, particularly our closest neighbor, governed by Lord Cassius. He is secretly very concerned with Tiberion’s most recent law, especially as very few people around here know of it without experiencing it firsthand. Now, as Tiberion controls this province, Cassius cannot interfere without starting a full out war; however, once Red Hands are out of Amber, Tiberion is powerless to stop them. They are safe. I wish to offer you that same security I’ve given so many others…..for that small fee of course. I certainly wouldn’t recommend the alternative.”
“Alternative?” inquired Clayton. Pulsipher nodded. “Yes, indeed. As a law abiding citizen of Amber, it is my duty to report any conference with Red Handed individuals to the nearest Tibris Guard. Can you imagine the legal ramifications of helping someone like you? I could lose my license, or worse, end up eliminated from existence. From a legal standpoint, the only course of action is to turn you in. Fortunately for you, with a small sum of shine, that little dilemma can be readily overcome.”
The group sat in silence. “You want us to bribe you,” stated Adelaide.
“Bribe? O h, whatever gave you that silly notion? It’s expensive to find supplies and have maps drawn up. I’m just covering the bills. Not to mention the risk I am taking by breaking the law for you. The ramifications of going against my loyal conscience can be rather strenuous. Besides, a few shine would barely buy me lunch, let alone make me rich.”
“A few shine would have kept me fed for a week!” Taz exclaimed angrily. “How do we even k now you mean to help us?” Adelaide asked. “You’re just as likely to take our money and lead us straight to the nearest pack of Tibris Guards.”
“Just to be clear, you aren’t getting any shine from me,” Raoul sneered.
“You’ve got plenty to spare, Blondie,” said Finn. “Don’t be a rot. You could coverus all and then some.” “Sure, sure,” Raoul whispered. “Everyone here, except you.” “Would you two please knock it off,” Adelaide said.
“Now , Mr. Pulsipher,” Clayton said. “We aren’t implying you’re a brigand, or just another card in Huglund’s pocket…but let’s be serious h
ere, who has spare shine to spare?”
“ Frankly,” the lawyer sighed. “I’d imagine someone who is out of options. Someone who can appreciate the trials and risky chances a guy like me takes in just offering you people this reasonable deal.”
“Stop calling them “you people”, you arrogant dip,” Taz growled. “They’re better than you.” Pulsipher scoffed. “Is that so?”
“Ok, that’s it,” Raoul growled, rolling up his sleeves.
“Now calm down, everyone,” Clayton said. “Let’s not get out of hand here.” “I have sa ved approximately twenty two Red Hands the last few years alone,” Pulsipher stated. “I’ve given them food, shelter, and well heeded advice. I can guarantee you that, unless fallen upon by thieves or wild beasts, every single one of them is safely dwelling in the comfort of another province. Don’t seek to lecture me about my terms. I don’t promise you freedom from the terror that haunts your dreams each night, I deliver it! How can you think so little of that? Why don’t you all think about that little girl back there, sleeping so soundly. Think about her life. Why should she suffer an early end because of your involvement in political conspiracy and malevolent trees?”
Raoul leapt to his feet. Clayton held him at bay with an extended hand. “I’ ll say this piece and then leave you to decide,” Pulsipher continued. “You have a lot going on at the moment. I am impressed and revere of your ability to survive, thus far. However, pride and hope only benefits one for so long. The sooner you all realize your present dilemma will land you all under a sharp blade’s tip, you will stop trying to be the noble sort and attempt to endure this in the best manner possible. Living like animals isn’t wrong if you are being hunted like them. My deal is the last true chance any of you will have. As for those of you unmarked by that cursed tattoo, don’t get excited. Anyone even remotely involved with a Red Hand is treated just as bad, death upon capture. You signed your death warrants the second you tagged along for the ride. Now, I might be a greedy, winking rotter, but I can guarantee I am one of a very, very small group of folks in Sanctumsea who will help you, regardless of the costs on both ends. Thirty shine each, that’s my price. I’ll lower it down to ten for non marked members of your party. You all got a decision to make here: take your chances out there, alone, cut off from any help or open society….or enjoy a new life someplace else. Any family you had or have here….you’re going to have to let them go. The choice is yours. I’m not saying it’s an easy one, but it’s one you’re going to have to make soon.” He glanced down at his pocket watch. “If you were being pursued, I give it an hour before Tibris Guards arrive. I’ll be in my office down the street across from the bar should you all come to your senses.” With that, he walked out the front door.
“Maybe we should try to get Cherry out of here,” Taz suggested. “One of us could go with her and keep her safe.” “Meaning me?” Raoul asked. “Forget it! I’m not going anywhere.”
“It makes sense,” Taz continued. “She trusts you the most out of all of us.”
“Not going to happen,” Raoul said.
“First off,” threw in Clayton. How much shine do we even have amongst us?” “I’ve got nothing,” Taz said. “Oderheim wouldn’t allow us to keep our own. Freud just came along every week and confiscated it for himself. Hollis gave me a couple for food before he went missing. I just wasted them on a modified javelin and listening to some winked fortune teller.”
“I don’t have any either,” Adelaide sighed. “I had ten saved back home, in a box under my….my bed. I didn’t grab it, I…I should have grabbed it. And I should have grabbed my journal this morning.”
Finn put his arm around her shoulder.
“I’ve got one, I think,” Clayton announced, digging his hands into his pockets.
“I got some,” declared Raoul, “but I’m not leaving the group. I don’t care what you all agree.”
“How much?” pressed Clayton.
“Fifteen…plus two pellets of TOX; those are worth around five each.”
Finn laughed and shook his head. “So we have enough for Cherry,” Clayton remarked. “That much is clear.”
Stifled whimpers from the next room immediately silenced the group.
“Cherry?” Taz called out. “What’s wrong?” ““You…you guys aren’t going to leave me here, are you?” the girl’s voice cried out.
“Of course not,” Clayton exclaimed. “We wouldn’t abandon you, little squirm, I promise.” “We just….” Taz said. “We were just thinking maybe…maybe it would be safer to send you away, you know, someplace safe until all this blows over.”
Cherry responded with another whimper. “I don’t want to leave you guys,” she cried. “You….you watch out for me.”
“And that’s what we’re trying to do right now,” Taz said. “I don’t want to leave you! I can….I can keep up , I promise. I’ll cook every meal and stand watch every night. Please you guys, I’m begging you. I….I know the risk. I can accept it. I’d be in that bed in Pinewood if you guys hadn’t saved me. Running with you is…it’s where I belong.”
“I say she goes over the border,” Finn said. “That’s my rotting vote.” Clayton sighe d. “I wouldn’t feel good knowing she was anywhere we couldn’t help her. I’m willing to allow her to stay….if the majority rules.”
Raoul glanced over at Cherry’s room and sighed. “I wouldn’t trust her out of my company. There’s a bunch of winks and rotters out there. She can come along.”
“Well , I say she’s in danger here,” Taz announced. “With Raoul’s money, we could get her away from all this. I stand with Wessel.”
“Alright, 2-2,” summed up Clayton. “Adelaide has the last vote.” Adelaide looked over at Finn. He nodded towards her, as if to say she was expected to side with him. She could hear Cherry purse her lips together in uncontrollable anticipation. As eager as she was for the tension between Finn and Raoul to end, she couldn’t bring herself to tell that little girl she had to go. Besides, strength in numbers seemed the better option no matter how she viewed it. She finally shrugged her shoulders and sighed.
“I say…she stays. We need all the help we can get without splitting up the group.”
“Alright then,” Clayton sighed, shouldering his pack. “So be it.”
CHAPTER TWENTY TWO
The group decided to head east, to avoid running into any patrols. Clayton estimated a day’s march would bring them right to the edge of the Obrillo Forest, which was over twice the size of the Wallowing Woods. Once inside, and under the shadow of the trees, they could then move safely north towards Reignfall. This plan was quickly put into motion as the group made its way out of Ditchwater and onto open land. Swampy mush beneath their feet quickly disappeared and was replaced with coarse crabgrass and horned weeds that scratched and tore at their feet. The ground turned rough and rocky, with patches of slippery moss coating stones and small boulders. The landscape sloped and rolled about them, slowing their pace down quite considerably. There was always a babbling brook or flowing stream to top off their canteens and console their tired feet. The air grew denser as they trudged along. The longer they walked the harder it became to breathe. The entire wilderness seemed to be turning against them, as if to delay their escape or turn them back towards civilization and certain capture. They would not be swayed.
As the hours dragged on, Clayton slowly turned their course inch by inch towards the east, intent on reaching the edge of the Obrillo tree line before sunset. Several short stops were made, during which the group struggled to catch their breath while nibbling away at small fragments of the provisions supplied by the Martellos.
“Cut it,” Finn groaned. Raoul had just broken into a quiet whistle as they cleaned up after a short rest. “I can do what I like,” Raoul chuckled. It greatly annoyed Finn that he was in a rare good mood. Even his latex gloves had been removed, tossed onto the ground back in Ditchwater. There was also the fact that it had been quite some time since any supply of Honeydrop had been f
ound along their journey, and Finn’s craving for it had only magnified.
“I’m tired, Blondie. Try giving it a rest.”
“He’s so good at it,” laughed Cherry. “You should appreciate his talent.”
Finn grumbled and turned away. It was going to take more than water to quench his thirst.
“I appreciated him better when he wasn’t so chipper,” he muttered. An hour passed and nothing changed. The ground sloped and slid about with no sign of changing. The rivers and creeks grew less and less as the afternoon sun rose high above the group’s heads, adding to their growing thirst and depression. Taz and Clayton kept themselves upbeat with casual jokes and playful nudging; acts which helped them cope, but unfortunately only increased Adelaide’s irritation and inner fury. At Cherry’s request, Raoul kept whistling away, every now and then hurrying up close behind Finn, clearly with no other purpose but to bother him. He didn’t have to do it long to get results.
“There,” Clayton finally exclaimed, pointing his weary finger up towards a growing cluster of trees in the distance. “There it is. We’ve made it.”
The trees loomed above them as they drew closer to the edge of the Obrillo. They seemed duller and darker, like old weary soldiers who had seen the worst of battle. Anyone who knew anything about the Obrillo Forest knew it to be deadly and dense, home to packs of wandering bandits, and haunted by the spirits of their victims. No one ventured there unless they had no other choice. As Clayton saw it, it may have been the only place Huglund wouldn’t be able to follow them with such ease. There they all could plan for their future trek to Reignfall while distancing themselves from their assailants. It was the best option they had.
Cherry, once again, fell asl eep, perched on Raoul’s back as the group plunged off into the forest. The ground was littered with fallen pinecones and sharp branches poking through the worn out soles of the group’s tattered shoes. The sun slowly started to set behind their backs as they headed due east, gradually losing sight of the sloping wilderness behind them.
The Acryptus Tree Page 18