What Lurks Below

by Michael Soldat

  Cecile frowned, then turned back to Robert. Lara skittered out of the room. She asked the doctor to let her know immediately if anything went wrong before opening the door. Back at the office, Lara flagged down a steward to get some dinner. She opened the door to see Nami snoring away, head down on the desk. Lara knocked hard on the door frame.

  “What?! Huh? I’m here, I’m up!” Nami said.

  “Lot of good planning done, I hope?”

  “You know it. Figured I’d wait for you to come back so you wouldn’t be too far behind. How’s Robert?”

  “Can’t really say, he’s still out cold. The doc says he’s done all he can for now. We have to let the man heal himself.”

  “Fine with me. That’ll give us some time to present that thing’s head on a platter when he wakes up. I did get a few ideas down on paper, if you don’t mind looking at them, being the boss and all.”

  Lara’s eyes unfocused a moment.

  “Excuse me?”

  “Who else knows things like he does? It’s gotta be you, if we’re going back into the mountains. That is, unless someone's been hiding around here for years that I don't know about.”

  “I… I know, it just doesn’t feel right. I did tell Felas about my plans to go back in, but being called the boss makes it… final. Like Robert’s not coming back.”

  “No, no! I didn’t mean it like that, Lara. He’ll be fine.”

  “I know, but his wife was talking about his retirement. They’ve been planning this out, Nami.”

  Nami’s gaze dropped down to her papers. She rustled them a moment before looking back up.

  “Well, no matter what, I’m here to help. Day by day, y’know?”

  “Thanks, I appreciate it. You know, if all goes well, I can probably name an assistant of my own. Pay’s supposed to be better, though I can’t confirm that. Only spent a day on the job.”

  Nami laughed and Lara sat down. Quickly, they began discussing theories on how they could rout this creature as safely as possible. Later, they paused to eat the dinner Lara ordered before diving back into their work. Only when the moon was full did they both put their feet up on the desk and fall asleep.

  4

  Lara’s eyes opened. Nothing on the desk had moved, so she closed them again. Nami wasn't in front of her, but that seemed less important than going back to sleep. Just as Lara started to drift off to sleep again, Nami rapped the table twice.

  “Aah! I’m up, I’m up! What happened? Is Robert OK?” Lara said

  "He's the same as when you left him, so I'm told. The sun came up about an hour ago, and I figured you’d want to get ready to go. Breakfast should be here any minute.”

  Sure enough, food arrived moments later. Nami answered a knock from outside, grabbed the tray of food, and shut the door. Lara put her feet back on the floor and dug into a fresh loaf of bread in between sips of coffee. Once she finished, Lara put her cup down and moved towards the door in one fluid motion.

  "Where are you going? We have to leave soon!" Nami said.

  “I’ll meet you at the gates. I need to see Robert.”

  “The doctors said-”

  “No, I need to see him. It’s not the same if I hear it from someone else.”

  Nami sighed and put down her cup, then followed Lara out. Both women practically jogged their opposite ways. At the infirmary, Lara didn’t bother to knock when she arrived, instead, charging right in and scanning the room for Robert. He lay in the corner, under light shining in from a window. Sitting at the edge of his bed, Cecile sobbed while holding her husband's hand. The doctor came rushing from the opposite side of the room to intercept Lara.

  “Hey, hi, hello, do you need something? Robert really needs his rest and-”

  “I need to see him before I leave today.”

  “I understand, but-”

  “No, you don’t.”

  Lara moved past the doctor, who sighed. Cecile turned from her husband to the young woman, sniffed, and managed a smile.

  “Hi, Lara. Thank you for visiting.”

  “Of course, Cecile. I owe it to him. How is he?”

  “Cold. Not freezing, but enough that it worries me. I’ve been here since early this morning when a steward told me you brought him in. Once in awhile, I feed him some soup, but mostly I hold his hand and tell him I love him.

  “That’s good. He needs you here, so when he wakes up, he can give you a big hug.”

  “I hope so, Lara. I hope so. Are you going to find whatever did this?”

  Lara’s eyes went wide.

  “Uh, um, yeah. Sorry, wasn’t thinking about that. We’re heading out when I get down to the gates to find it.”

  “Find it? Kill it, Lara. Kill whatever did this to my husband, please. Such nasty things lurk in the mountains, I wish they would all go away so Robert never had to go up there again. I’d follow you myself if it meant I could destroy whatever filth hurt him.”

  “Don’t worry, we’ll handle it. You stay right here and keep him company. I bet he hears you. He’s probably pushing himself to heal faster so he can look at you again.”

  “Thank you,” Cecile said, smiling. “Best run along then. I don’t want to hold you back, and we’ll be fine here. Thank you for coming. I’m sure he heard you, and I bet he appreciates you.”

  Lara turned and pulled the doctor outside the room.

  “Listen, I’m sorry I barged in. Thank you for helping him. If anything goes wrong, anything at all, please let me know. If I’m out of the city, please keep someone near my office so I can know as soon as possible.”

  “Of course, Lara. I’m giving him my full attention. Thankfully, we don’t have many other patients right now, and the apprentices can handle them. Safe travels.”

  Lara sighed. Only Robert could have an inkling of what she was getting into, and possibly offer advice. Yet, he absolutely couldn't be roused from sleep, lest his recovery suffer. She left the doctor’s office and walked downstairs to where Nami and the soldiers were waiting. Before Lara could get to the others, Nami jogged over.

  “Is everythi-”

  “Not now, Nami. Thank you for asking, but nothing’s changed. I need to power through this, and I’d appreciate your help.”

  “Like that time the wolf got you, and you thought you were going to die?”

  “Exactly like that. But… maybe don’t tell anyone about that for now.”

  Nami’s eyebrow rose as she smiled.

  “Can do, pal. I mean, I looked the same way a month later, and all I did was fall out of a tree.”

  “Yes, but you did find the grog, and I knew you weren’t going to die. Let’s go, while I’m not thinking too hard.”

  Nami and Lara walked over to the rest of the soldiers. Most of them stood once they noticed Lara arrived.

  “Welcome back! Thank you all for joining me today. I’ll keep it simple. We’re going back into the mountains to find the beast we saw with the grog, and we’re to take one home. Nami and I will be doing our best to ensure no one gets hurt. This creature is dangerous. To compensate, we'll pay you more than any previous work we’ve done in the mountains.”

  “Aye, but where’s Robert? By the end of the last trip, he looked like he was out cold,” a man in the back of the group asked.

  “Robert is resting in the doctor’s office. His wife is currently watching over him, along with our best doctor. Please do your best to not worry. I’ve made arrangements for a messenger to be sent if anything happens. But, I’m sure he’ll be… fine.

  As will we. There’s only one or two more people we’re waiting on, and then we can head out. I’m sorry for the wait, but please stick around here for now. If there are any problems, don't hesitate to let us know.”

  “I’ve got a problem! My gut’s empty!” a woman said.

  “Food’s on me. There’s a pub down the street. Tell ‘em I sent you, and it’ll be taken care of. All I ask is you be back by sundown at the absolute latest.”

  Every one of the soldiers da
shed off.

  “I… wow.”

  “What?” Nami said. “You’ve never seen hungry soldiers before? C’mon.”

  “No, I just… I can do things like this, now. I can provide meals for these people.”

  "How 'bout providing one for us?"

  Nami smiled before leading Lara down the street to a different pub. Inside, the barkeep was busy preparing for his usual night crowd. He gasped when the two women entered, then jogged over.

  “Oh, sorry, sorry! Hello, I uh, I wasn’t expecting customers. Usually I jus’ clean all day. Can I help ya?”

  “Depends, you got food?” Nami asked, raising an eyebrow.

  “Well, yeah. I mean, it’s not bad food, but I think you’re the first two people I’ve seen to ask for it. Please, sit wherever you like. What can I get for you?”

  Lara blurted out half a dozen things every tavern carried, and Nami made it double. They sat.

  “See, Nami? I know what hungry soldiers are like. I’m one, too.”

  “Yeah, well, I’m afraid there’s a lot more to worry about coming up. How are we going to do this? Charge on in, shove a sack over the thing’s head, and run away while hoping we don’t get torn to shreds?”

  “More or less, that’s the only idea I can think of. Tunnels don’t allow you to account for accidents. I started focusing on how we can make that as safe as possible.”

  “Sneak in while the grog are sleeping and put sacks of sand over their claws? That’ll do for a bit.”

  “As entertaining as that mental picture is, no. I think you and I will be our best bet against the gray itself. For some reason, it can’t do to me what it did to Robert. Robert…”

  “Hey, hey! That wasn’t your fault, OK? I know that look. I know where you're going with this. We have to focus on now, so we can get the thing that hurt him-”

  “It tried to kill him.”

  “It did, you’re right. We have to get the thing that tried to kill him. Stay with me, you can do this.”

  Lara wiped away the tears that began to form and took a deep breath.

  “Ok, so, the gray can’t do to me whatever it does. Fine. I should stay up front, and you should stay in the back to keep track of ambushes.”

  “The back?! You know I want some grog for myself.”

  “I know, Nami, I know, but who else do we have that's as fierce as you? We both know the tunnels besides the main one are complicated. I wouldn’t ask this of you if I was confident someone else could do the job. Not that I don’t trust the soldiers, but I don’t know them as well as you.”

  Nami frowned, but not for long. The barkeep arrived with the first of the food.

  “Here we are, half the menu, twice. Hey, wait. Aren’t you Lara?”

  She nodded.

  “I-I don’t mean to pry, or anything, but I heard Robert was…”

  Lara closed her eyes and hung her head.

  “He’s… isn’t he.”

  “No, but he hasn’t woken up yet. I told the doctor that I want to be the first to know if anything happens,” Lara said.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to assume. Robert’s one of the finest men I ever knew. My kids called him uncle, even. Grub’s on th’ house, I bet you have enough to deal with.”

  “Thank you, sir. Don’t worry, though. We’re gonna get what got him,” Nami said as she stood to shake the man’s hand.

  “Good t’hear, and I believe you. He talked a lot about you, Lara. If anyone could fill his shoes, I’d think you’d be th’ one. If- er, when he gets back up, I doubt he’ll want to fight anytime soon. Had to retire some day, ya know.”

  “Thank you,” Lara said, again with damp eyes.

  The barkeep walked away, and both women dug in. Neither spoke until half the food in front of them was gone. Lara sighed.

  “So, we’re going to have to cover all the ground we already know about.”

  “Then what?” Nami said before taking a bite of bread.

  “Like I said yesterday, we’ll have to wing it.”

  Nami stopped chewing a moment.

  “I know, I know, you probably thought I came up with some plan based on intelligence you didn’t know we had. But, if you’ve got secret access to some crazy map of the mountains that’s better than the one Robert has, I’d love to see it, because I have nothing better. Truth is, Nami, we don’t know what’s down there. We won’t know until we get there. Hopefully, we don’t have to go too far before we can grab the gray and get out.”

  “And if we meet a horde of grog along with it?”

  “Then I hope your arms aren’t tired by the time we get to them.”

  “Lara, I like the way you think. My ma would never let me do stuff like this!”

  “Considering you’re not obligated to come, your mother’s got the right idea. Not that I’m saying don’t show up, but this is the most dangerous thing I've planned while working for the crown. That's assuming we get back.”

  “Oh, I know I don’t have to come, but what else would I do? Unload carts by the docks? That’s no fun, and you know it doesn't pay nearly as well.”

  Lara smiled and ladled herself a bowl of stew. Both soldiers ate their fill and then some, stocking up on energy for later. They got up, thanked the bartender, and promised they owed him one. Getting back to the keep took moments, but after such a filling meal, it felt like hours. Back in the office, they sat around Robert’s desk.

  “Alright, get the maps out. We’ve gotta find the most efficient route to cover our behinds so we can get that thing and get out,” Lara said.

  So they did. Nami flagged down a messenger to tell the king what they needed. After putting together the best plan they could, the two women decided to nap. Lara leaned back in her chair while Nami put her head down on the desk, and they slept until the same messenger returned to inform them of the last soldier's arrival.

  -----

  Lara and Nami stretched as they made their way down to the keep’s entrance, shaking off the grogginess from a good afternoon snooze. Outside, the soldiers stood and talked, their supplies sitting around them in sacks. Felas’ stores granted them weapons and shields, along with enough food and water for a late dinner. He apparently didn’t expect this to be a long trip, which Lara hoped was the right idea.

  “Hello, everyone! I thank you all for coming back, despite knowing the danger we charge into. We’ll be giving the last soldier to join us a few moments to catch her breath. She came from the very southern tip of the city in short order, and I want everyone in top shape. Please, grab your gear and a bag of supplies if you can. We’ll be heading out shortly,” Lara announced.

  Nami found the new arrival and handed her a cup of water as she huffed and puffed. Lara explained their plan to the group while the woman drank. Nami brought their horses over right as Lara finished explaining the plan. Everyone mounted and, with Lara in front, started to ride west. They moved slowly since the work day had ended and citizens filled the streets. Lara saw one of Robert’s old friends, a baker, and solemnly nodded. He returned the gesture, a tear in his eye. A younger woman yelled at Nami that she still owed her a drink. Nami offered to buy the drink after finishing all the head smashing they’d be doing that night. The other soldiers rode behind their leaders, saying nothing and staring ahead.

  Outside the gate, Lara teared up.

  “What’s wrong?” Nami asked.

  “Robert knew that man for far longer than I have. I don’t know what he expects of me, but I bet this won’t be enough for him.”

  “Don’t think about it. We have to get the job done, then we can mourn.”

  Lara nodded and wiped her face. The others, quiet before, now began to chatter. Nami caught pieces of the conversation, such as one woman aiming to have another child after this job. A man planned to spend half the earnings on the finest beer he could get a hold of. Many of the soldiers ran out of small talk, and those that didn’t took the hint. Until their horses came to the foothills of the mountain range, they stayed quiet. The
re, Lara stopped them.

  “Alright, let’s get some grub in us. I hope you got some rest last night, because we all have to be on guard. Like I said earlier, we want to check caves and tunnels that we already know as quickly as possible. That way, we can get down to the real business and nab the gray.”

  “Are… are you OK, ma’am? I thought I saw you-” a soldier said.

  “I’m fine. Thank you for asking, though. Getting that out before a job is essential. Can’t worry about anything I can’t change when we’re under the earth. Now, everyone, please, sit. Eat. You’ll need your strength. We're going to do Robert proud.”

  One soldier set up a fire while another put water, meat, and potatoes in a pot. The sky turned red as the sun began to set. By the time they finished eating, it would be prime time for bringing a gray home in the dark. Nami held herself to some bread and water, content from lunch. Lara ate two bowls of stew, as did most of the others, along with the bread. Many of the soldiers looked to her, as if she was going to make a speech. She did not.

  “So, we’ll finish tonight, right?” one man asked between bites of stew. “No rush or anything, but I have a gig tomorrow.”

  "Ah, the musician," Lara said. "You playing that bar right down the street from my apartment, again?"

  He nodded.

  “Hope it’s a night show, but you should be able to make it, yes. What do you play?”

  The man went on about his lute for several minutes. None of the other soldiers seemed to pay him any mind, but Lara paid close attention for one reason: Robert would have. Lara felt that each of these soldiers were important enough for her to know about them. She felt that caring about her fellow soldiers was as important outside a fight as inside one.

  “Well, if I ever throw a party and I need a song or three, I'll let you know. As for the rest of you, if you ever need work, maybe some day I could do the same for you. As much as I appreciate everyone here, the idea is we make the work we do obsolete. The day I’m forced to retire because the grog go extinct will be a happy one, I assure you.”

  This got the rest of the soldiers' spirits up, leading to a few cheers. Quickly afterward, they finished eating and packing. Bellies full and hearts full, Lara and her soldiers rode towards the mountain.