Dangerous Territory

by Lindsay Schopfer

  Chapter 13 – Welcome to Malpin

  Keltin sat in a tree looking down at the spot in the Bent Knee River where they had decided that they would make their crossing. The rest of his companions remained a short distance south at the cold camp they’d made, spending the day cutting poles and lashing them tightly together. Keltin meanwhile had been tasked with watching the river for any signs of patrols on either side of the water.

  After more than a full day’s observation, Keltin was certain that there were no border guards patrolling the Krendarian side of the river, but was convinced that regular patrols were being made on the northern banks. While the guards never got near enough for Keltin to be able to see any sign of them, his trained ears picked them up at regular intervals throughout the day. Checking the time against his pocket watch, he estimated that the guards came by every forty-five minutes or so. A narrow but feasible window to make their crossing.

  It wasn’t quite dark when he heard a soft call from below. Slipping to the ground, he found Harper, Ross, Wendi, and Kuff all waiting for him in the gloom, holding the results of their day’s labors. The raft was crude and small, likely only big enough to carry two of them across at a time. Looking at it in the dim light, Keltin couldn’t help imagining what Bor’ve’tai would do if he saw the poor little craft. Likely, the Loopi wouldn’t say anything at all before turning around and immediately setting to work making an infinitely superior raft.

  “It’s time to decide, Keltin,” whispered Harper. “Who do you want to make the crossing with you?”

  Keltin took a deep breath, looking out towards the north for a moment before answering.

  “I’ve been thinking about it all day, and it seems like the crossing should be safe enough for all of us to go. I’m not sure what specific help each of you may offer, but it would likely be wise to have us all together in case anything goes awry.”

  “It’s decided then,” said Ross. “We’ll all go together, and won’t come back until we’ve got your friend and her family in our protection.”

  “How soon until the next patrol goes by?” asked Harper.

  Keltin checked his watch.

  “They should be here in about ten minutes. After that, we’ll make our move. We’ll lose the last of the sunlight soon, so remember to keep your lanterns sheltered or else we’ll provide a beacon for the guards to follow us by.”

  Keltin was sure he wasn’t telling them anything that they didn’t already know, but it felt good to repeat the instructions. They waited in silence as Keltin alternated between watching the fading light in the sky and checking his pocket watch. Kuff let out a low growl. A moment later Keltin heard the snap of bracken on the other side of the river. He held his breath without realizing it and forced himself to be calm. He tried to tell himself that this was much the same as a beast hunt, except that the goal here was to escape without his quarry ever knowing he had been there.

  Unfortunately, doubt still gnawed at him. The whole operation was centered on dealing with people, something that Keltin still felt less than confident about. Beasts were predictable in their patterns and instincts. They could be studied, understood, and anticipated. But a person was irrational and driven by whims that Keltin couldn’t even guess at. How was he to know if a border guard stopped to tie a bootlace, or had uncommonly good hearing, or any number of a hundred other unknowable variables?

  The sounds of movement to the north faded, and Keltin motioned for the others to follow him. Standing on the bank of the river, Keltin swung a looped rope over his head and tried to hook it onto something secure on the far bank before the daylight was entirely gone. It took him some time to hook the looped rope over something that would hold, and more than once he wished that Jaylocke was along with him, certain that the Weycliff wayfarer must have an ancestor who knew a variety of rope tricks.

  Finally he managed to get the loop so tangled in a mess of branches that he couldn’t get it unstuck. With the pull-line reasonably secured across the river and Wendi tying the other end to a tree, he quickly made his way to where Ross and Harper had placed the raft in the slow flowing water. Sitting in the center of the small craft, he felt it sink slightly with his weight, and fervently hoped that it would take the weight of the others. With a prayer that he wouldn’t sink, he began to pull hand over hand on the rope, dragging himself out onto the water. From the bank, the river had seemed glassy smooth, but the rickety raft seemed to have a mind of its own as it slew and twisted around underneath him. Once, the pull-line suddenly gave about a half-yard of slack, and Keltin had a momentary flash of fear as he pictured himself floating helplessly downstream. He was deeply grateful when his feet touched the bank on the far side of the river. Quickly, he found the end of the pull-line, untangled it, and secured it with a proper knot around a nearby tree trunk before making the slightly less nerve-wracking trek back to the south bank to begin ferrying his companions across.

  Harper was the first to climb onto the raft with him. As soon as Harper was onboard and settled, the two of them began to pull themselves hand over hand across the water. The raft rode dangerously low with the weight of the two men, and Keltin felt the chill water begin to soak through his trousers. Luckily, the now properly secured pull-rope kept the raft much more steady, and with Harper’s assistance they were able to make the difficult crossing in a fraction of the time. Harper immediately jumped off, leaving Keltin to return back to the south bank to bring Wendi across. She did her best to help pull on the line, but Keltin was beginning to feel his arms and shoulders burning by the time they reached the north side again. Harper helped Wendi to dry ground and leaned down to Keltin.

  “I can make the next trip,” he said softly.

  “I can manage,” said Keltin.

  “I’m sure you can, but I thought I heard something, and I’d rather you stay here with Wendi.”

  “All right.”

  Keltin allowed Harper to take his place and turned his attention to listening for any sign of movement among the shadowy trees. Try as he might, all he could hear were the soft splashes of water against the sides of the raft and the squeak of the rope. The noise was barely more than a whisper, but it seemed to him as if it filled the entire forest. It felt like forever before Harper and Ross returned. The Krendarian hunter helped the newspaperman to shore then immediately began making his way back to get Kuff.

  Suddenly a voice cut through the darkness. It was distant, and the words indistinct, but the sound froze Keltin’s blood nonetheless. A second voice answered, and Keltin was able to locate them. The speakers were coming from the direction that the border guards had left in. For whatever reason, the two of them were returning. Turning to Harper and Wendi, he saw them staring at him in alarm. Keltin knew that he could slip away without the guards noticing him, but he was less sure that they could manage it. Turning back to the river, Keltin tried to spy Ross and Kuff, but the light was now too poor to see them. The voices were getting nearer now, and Keltin was soon able to make out a conversation already in progress.

  “...somewhere. Help me look.”

  “It’s dark as the bottom of a barrel. You’ll never find it.”

  “I didn’t drop it that long ago, and if Marie finds I lost it, it’s my hide.”

  The men were getting steadily closer. Keltin sheltered his lantern and pulled his rifle from off his shoulder. Running his hand over the revolver chamber, he thought of the wax shot inside. He’d have to be careful. In the dark, it would be difficult to be accurate, and if his shot went awry and hit either of the men anywhere in the neck or face, it could kill them. He handed his shielded lantern to Harper and whispered in the man’s ear.

  “When I give the signal, open the shutter and shine the light on them.”

  Keltin hoped that the light would startle the men and make it easier to make a precise shot. He turned towards the oncoming noise of the men crashing through the brush, the lights of their lanterns bobbing among the trees. He lifted his rifle to his shoulder. Suddenly
he heard a violent rustling through the brush. The noise rushed past him and in the direction of the border guards, growling and snarling fiercely. The men cried out in alarm and panic, their lights swinging wildly as they tried to find the source of the monstrous noise. A moment later Ross appeared at his side.

  “Come on!” he hissed. “We need to get away from the river!”

  Keltin turned and took Harper’s elbow to help guild him through the brush. Together, they all made their way further into the forest and away from the sounds of panic behind them. At one point Keltin heard gunshots and he froze inside, fearful of what they might mean. They continued onward until there was no noise but the stillness of the woods and the labored sound of their own breathing. Keltin risked just a little light from his lantern and turned it on his companions. Gratefully, he found them all there, even Kuff. Keltin turned to Ross.

  “Why did you sic Kuff on those men?”

  “I didn’t. I gave him the command to Turn, then gave him the command to Return. He never even touched them. See? Clean muzzle.”

  Ross turned the light of his lantern on the panting hound, his tongue lolling out of his clean, grinning jaws. Keltin gently rubbed him behind his long, pointed ears.

  “Good work, Kuff.”

  The hound turned his grin to him for a moment before going to sit squarely between Wendi and Ross. Keltin turned to the rest of his companions to find Harper giving him a tight smile.

  “Well, we’re here,” he said. “Welcome to Malpin, Mr. Moore.”

  Keltin nodded. “The first challenge is over,” he said, “and it’s gone better than it could have. Nobody is searching for us, and there’s no reason for anyone to suspect us if we’re seen. Let’s try to make a little more distance north and then we can make another cold camp. In the morning, we’ll get our bearings, and start making our way to Carris.”

  The others nodded and Keltin turned, leading his companions onward into the dark Malpinion forest.

  * * *

  “I think we should have a word before we reach Carris,” said Harper as he poured himself a cup of sweet broth from the pot next to the fire. “Keltin has done a masterful job of getting us across the country undetected, but now, we need to come out of hiding, and that’s where my part comes in.”

  “Have you come up with a convincing cover story for us?” asked Wendi.

  “I’ve been thinking of that. I do have an idea, though it won’t cover everything. Frankly, I can’t come up with a reasonable excuse to have that big fellow along with us,” he pointed at Kuff licking the forest floor where the last traces of his breakfast had been. “I think it may be best if he stays out of town along with someone to keep an eye on him. Would you be comfortable with that, Wendi?”

  The young woman blinked in surprise.

  “Oh, I thought you were going to ask Mr. Ross.”

  “I was at first, but then I gave it some thought. We don’t know what conditions may be like exactly in Carris, but there’s a good chance that there may be some danger involved. I think all of us would be more comfortable if you were somewhere relatively safe.”

  “I agree with Harper,” said Ross. “You’re the only one I’d trust with Kuff, and I’d likely be better able to handle a sticky spot in town than you could. Besides, it may be a good thing to keep someone on the outside in case everything goes hexed wrong.”

  Wendi nodded. “All right. I just wish I didn’t feel so useless.”

  “Truth be told, I almost wish I could join you,” said Keltin. “I’ve never been good at lying.”

  “Sorry, but it’s essential that you’re there,” said Harper. “You’re the only one who knows what any of the Destovs look like, and the only one that they would recognize.”

  “Don’t worry, I’ll do whatever I have to do.”

  “Good. Now, with just you, myself, and Ross, I think we can establish cover stories that will hold up reasonably well. Keltin, I know that you’re not an actor, so I want to keep things as straightforward as possible for you. You will be a beast hunter from Riltvin that was brought into southern Malpin to help protect the field workers. Got that? It’s just like what you’ve actually done, only you were called to work in Malpin, not Krendaria.”

  “Can I use my real name?”

  “Absolutely. In fact, that’s the whole focus of my plan. We need word of you to spread through the town. Hopefully both the Destov family and the Brothers of Kerrtow know that you are coming and are looking for you already. If Mr. Destov wasn’t able to get word of his plan to his family, then we’ll just have to hope that word will get around to them that you’re in town, and that they can put the pieces together themselves. Our job until then is to do our best to spread the word that a beast hunter named Keltin Moore is in town.”

  “How?”

  “I’ll play the role of your advocate, shopping around from town to town looking for work for you. It’ll give me an opportunity to both spread the word about you while sniffing around for a potential contact within the Brothers of Kerrtow.”

  Keltin shook his head. “I’ve never heard of a beast hunter having an advocate.”

  “Maybe we can play it off as a uniquely Riltvin tradition. These people likely won’t know the truth. Besides, it will help add to your mystique. You’re such a good hunter, you don’t have to search for work. You can afford to have someone do your searching for you.”

  “Well, I suppose it will make it easier for you to do most of the talking. What about Ross? ”

  “Ross is less complicated. He doesn’t need to draw attention to himself, so he can go in on his own, pretending to be someone caught on the wrong side of the border and trying to find a way back. If the Brothers don’t come to you, Keltin, then Ross may be our best chance of finding them.”

  Ross shrugged. “I’m not much of a play-actor, but I suppose I can blend in with the crowd well enough. How will we keep in contact?”

  Keltin found his mind wandering as Harper described complex routines of drop-points and hidden messages. He disliked deceptions, and was still uncomfortable with the idea of trying to be something that he wasn’t. Too late, he realized that Harper had stopped speaking. Looking up, he found the newspaperman watching him.

  “Are you all right, Keltin?”

  “I’m sorry. I suppose I’m still uncertain about all of this.”

  Harper gave him a sympathetic smile. “I understand. You’re an honest man, and this is all far beyond what you’re comfortable with. I’ll do my best to help you by doing most of the talking for you. Let me worry about building up your legend while Ross focuses on trying to ferret out the Brothers. All you have to do is look intimidating and make yourself available to be contacted by the Brothers when-and-if they see fit to find you. If it helps, think of yourself as the bait.”

  “How is that supposed to help him?” said Ross.

  “Actually, it does,” said Keltin. “At least I know where I stand.”

  “Good,” said Harper. “We’ll go over the other details as many times as we need to so that nobody forgets or makes a mistake. Remember, as soon as we enter town tomorrow, we’ll be on display for both friendly and unfriendly eyes, so we’ll need to put on a convincing show.”

  Chapter 14 – The Mighty Hunter

  Keltin paced by the campfire. It had been decided that Harper and Ross would both arrive in town ahead of him so that Harper could start the word around and to avoid Ross looking like he was with them. With that in mind, Ross had left the night before, and Harper had left that morning. Keltin checked his pocket watch for the fifth time in as many minutes. Soon. He could follow them to town soon.

  Looking up, he saw Wendi and Kuff both watching him silently. He grimaced.

  “I’m sorry,” he said. “I’m much more patient on a hunt.”

  “I’m sure everything will be fine,” Wendi said softly.

  Keltin nodded absently, not really listening as he resumed pacing.

  Eventually the time came, and Keltin quickl
y took up his pack.

  “Keep safe and out of sight,” he said to Wendi. “Don’t be afraid to use Kuff if things go badly.”

  “I will. Good luck.”

  Keltin left the camp and made for the road before turning to the east. Harper had planned it so that Keltin would arrive during the evening crowd for maximum effect. His first order of business was to find the biggest eatery and enter “like a real beast hunter,” whatever that meant. He knew that Harper had given him a role to play that was as close to reality as possible, yet he still worried and fretted that somehow he would ruin it all. How would people expect a real beast hunter to act?

  The sunlight turned red as it filtered through the trees bordering the road. Keltin’s stomach growled, reminding him that he had been too nervous to eat all day. At least it wasn’t a part of his mystique that he didn’t eat. Perhaps he could get through the evening by simply keeping his head down and focusing on devouring his food. It seemed a fair plan, and gave him some small amount of comfort as the town of Carris came into view.

  Studying the town from a distance, he estimated that Carris was somewhere in size between Gillentown and Collinsworth and saw little at first that made it stand out from any of the cities that he had seen in other nations. But as he entered the town’s main district, the symptoms of deeper problems began to show. More than half of the shops were closed, despite the oncoming evening. Signs were everywhere declaring “Out of Business,” many of them propped in front of boarded-up broken windows. Most troubling was the graffiti, painted in broad red and black strokes with angry brushes. Slurs like “ape,” “monkey,” and worse were emblazoned across shopfronts along with the rough image of a vile caricature of a primate face. Every business with that face painted on it bore broken windows and an accompanying sign.

  There were few people in the streets, and those that Keltin saw moved quickly with their heads down. These were not people beaten down with defeat like those in Carvalen. These were the faces of wary prey. Keltin spied several men in gray uniforms moving like predators through the herd. Everyone seemed to get out of their way without making eye contact. Keltin saw one of the uniformed men from the side and read the initials on his shoulder. MLP. The officer turned and eyed Keltin and his weaponry suspiciously. Keltin turned down a corner and continued on, doing his best to show confidence without confrontation.