The Red Lands 1

by ForestRage

  “Bend your backs mates, we have to make a hefty bonus this winter, before parting ways.”

  Moraan said while trundling through the snow.

  “Easy for you to say. Come next winter, when you and Muldoun huddled near the fire with your wives, me and Bunobo will still be trampling over snow in this village.”

  Makoey griped. He tugged at the rope with Chawaki dragging the dead boar strapped to the sled.

  “Stop complaining, you know you old men will be welcome in those guys farm. When I am finished with my touring the southern kingdom with Jamm, I plan to leech of those two wannabe farmers.”

  Laughed Chawaki.

  After this winter this party of close friends will scatter along their own paths.

  This winter they voted to remain in the village, hunting as much as possible to gain enough silvers for a large bonus. Come spring they would all help the two newbie farmers stake their lot before parting ways.

  Bunobo slogged at the front of the party, following the chipped markings on the trees indicating the way out. His legs broke the three feet high untouched snow that blanketed the land. He scanned the surroundings, that appeared devoid of animal life.

  “Don’t you feel it? Something doesn’t feel right.”

  He paused.

  “What are you worried about, there aren’t any tracks for miles. We have been the only hunters out this week ever since that rumor spread about the wolf pack sighting.”

  Jamm scoffed. As a seasoned hunter and veteran of this forest, he knew that the wolves probably hunted far to south by now. That reasoning had them bustling out early in the morning to hunt in the north.

  “No, now that I think about it, my gut says something is different. This forest is quiet—too quiet for a winter.”

  Muldoun turned and glanced at the trees while talking. A stifling feeling descended, worse than being eyed by a stalking Jaga. The men unconsciously pulled closer together and scanned the surroundings.

  Clutching their weapons, they doubled their efforts to leave the forest. Only when they exited the trees into the open grasslands did they all breathe a sigh of relief.

  “Scaring the shit out of me, you bastard.”

  Chawaki exhaled.

  With the tense atmosphere dissipating, the group relaxed as they made their way towards the village. Not far from the exit tracks in the forest, a claw emerged from under the snow and cut a small opening.

  A pair of yellow eyes stared at the departing party, knowing fully well, these men would never set foot in the village that day.

  Chapter 23

  Best training is live training

  When Ming called out for Clod and the others to come up, they became confused, thinking he misspoke. After all the sounds of snarls and growls echoed from above. Dead wolves tend to become silent.

  Climbing out one by one from the cellar, their baptism began. The loud snarling sound of the wolf pushing its mouth through the space between the planks. The sight of sharp white teeth snapping down on the feeble spear.

  Lucy poked at a head, causing the beast to yelp and back away. The wooden spears Chu purchased had been fitted with iron spear tips. Without adequate force, they could only stave off the wolves and not inflict major damage.

  For Lucy, these remaining wolves seem like pitiful creatures, a far cry from the vicious and agile predators that stormed into the barn. To the newbies who huddled in the corner, these terrifying creatures lived up to their frightening reputation.

  “Come on, don’t be a hare. Stand and walk behind me. Keep your eyes on the wolves.”

  In the eyes of these newbies, the fierce wolves were close to breaking the fences and busting into this area. The savage nature of the beasts with their growls and foaming mouth scared them to death.

  The fierce and hungry eyes, the frenzied haphazard movement and the overwhelming size of the killing machines up close had the newcomers’ knees wobbling and knocking like pieces of dry wood.

  If it wasn't for Ming and Lucy accompanying them the girls would have already jumped back into the cellar in a fit of panic. The high-pitched screaming at the sight of every attack, gradually lessened to whimpers and sporadic shrieks.

  It was precisely because of this embarrassing display that Chu wanted them to gain some experience.

  'Wasn't one of the most important conditions that drove the wheels of industry, called experience? From teacher to businessmen, engineers to doctors it became indispensable.’

  Experience.

  Chu shouted over the ruckus, breaking the paralyzed minds of despair as they regained some semblance of sanity. For children to overcome the fear of a vicious beast, a generous dose of tough love was needed.

  "Snap out of it! Climb up here now!"

  They ascended the ladder as if running over the flat plains. Dyna fell midway, but she skittled up without caring about any injuries. Fear and adrenaline acted as the best potent drivers.

  "Clod take a spear and help Ming below. Keep the wolves at bay from the fence, I want to lessen the stress on it. Have Lucy return to the platform when you head down.”

  Clod froze for a minute as he digested the order. Nobody would want to leave the safety of the platform and venture into a waiting hell. He cast Chu a begging face, before climbing down. A short time later, Lucy joined them.

  "The boss wants you to face your fears a little. We are nearly men so it’s time to prove it."

  Ming greeted Clod below while patting his broad shoulder. Leaving the teen, he began fending off the wolves with his own spear. The fence constructed from thick planks remained sturdy but rammed with enough force it may splinter and break.

  Clod jabbed a spear at a wolf, hitting the upright fence instead. He reeled back as the foaming mouth threatened to tear him apart. The fence did its duty, keeping the predators at bay. With growing confidence on understanding the situation, Clod focused on his task.

  The fence represented a barrier for the children. A construct built with their own hands that provided emotional safety. If it remained impenetrable, their confidence would increase.

  Only an animal as overbearing like a Snow Bear could tear the fence, much less the barn to shreds like paper. Facing a beast like that again, even Chu would resign to his fate.

  He focused on these new recruits trembling in front of him.

  "Take a deep breath and release it slowly. There is nothing scary about these wolves. Do you like eating good food? Then killing a wolf can make money to buy food. Lucy help Sakura load the crossbow, Dyna why is your hand shaking like a little girl? Take aim and fire. If you miss the target, then reload and try again."

  Up on the platform Chu coaxed the girls into calming down and shooting the wolves. He gladly risk damaging a few pelts in exchange for the price of strengthening his companions. Bagging a pack of wolves, while laying the foundation for an unflinching, confident team.

  Not a bad bargain at all…

  "Good job Sakura, see how easy it is. Steady your hands and aim for the head. A shot in the front or side can also slow a wolf, if not kill it by damaging its vitals."

  "Sue take the crossbow from Dyna and have a go. Miki help Dyna to the corner, let her vomit on a quilt. Anyone who wants to retch can do it there."

  Chu patted the little girl on the back as she crawled towards a quilt with her hand sealing her mouth.

  “Dyna, when you’re done, you have to return. This might be the only chance for you to ever kill a wild animal.”

  Surprising the one who had trouble adapting and being able to handle the now bloody scene was Dyna. Ever since she settled and opened to the group she had displayed the air of a tomboy.

  Unfortunately, it seemed she did not have the stomach when dropped into the middle of a bloody battle.

  Sue held the position as a cook and had experience in a kitchen. Her familiarity in the past with preparing game to serve at the inn proved invaluable. The massacre unravelling before her differed from chopping meat on a block, but Sue still co
urageously held on.

  Chu felt that the quiet Sakura would have been the first to wretch, instead the young girl steeled her heart and soldiered on bravely.

  Clod had managed to kill a wolf by skewering it through the mouth with the spear. This kill appeared not that amazing, considering the wolf kept attempting to snap the spear shaft for the past hour.

  What impressed Chu the most while monitoring the slaughter—he wielded the heavy weapon for the entire duration without signs of tiring.

  Among them he possessed the strongest in build, but his bad leg limited his movements. With good food for the past month and plenty of jobs to keep him active he had bloomed into a muscular youth.

  The excited shouts and whoops of victory increased the moral of the girls who took turns in emptying their stomachs on a thick quilt.

  Riding on Clod’s achievement, the air of confidence increased, leading to eventual kills. Sakura had created a pin cushion from a wolf, with crossbolts littering its body. The wolf Sue focused on attacking died without suffering that kind of pain. Only because most of her shots missed the target completely.

  In his mind, Chu placed them down for extra target practice when they settled this matter. His group of misfits needed serious training. Compared to a few months ago, they performed a thousand times better.

  Baby steps Chu. Baby steps.

  He had already taken some massive steps forward when it came to their finances. The problem in protecting themselves and their mounting wealth, poised a headache.

  Ming killed a wolf by stabbing it in the neck. Chu didn't expect anything less from the quality weapons he bought. If they used the previous makeshift spears, Ming might have been attacking from now until the end of winter to kill the wolf.

  "Good work Ming."

  "I know right! I was going to use the Sky slash to wipe the floor with it, too bad though."

  "Sky slash? Ming you must show me that move. Can I master it in-spite of my bad leg?"

  Chu tried his best to ignore the conversations rising from below. He was fully aware of Ming's special move. That move turned a spear into a club for a beat down session, wasting the true worth of the weapon.

  Lucy did not hear, or she would be laughing in his face.

  Dyna killed the final wolf placing an end to its misery and the one-sided battle. The triumphant faces and excited chatter had filled her with determination. Amidst the stench of blood and vomit, an unlikely band of warriors emerged.

  "Miki, head up to the tower, see what you find in the surroundings. Holler if you spot any moving shadows. The small of blood might attract some unwanted visitors.”

  He continued

  "Sue wash up, and prepare some hot bread and butter. Let the girls help you, we can have a rest after eating. "

  Chu asked for a spear and had the boys follow him among the dead. With the poison in effect, a wolf would find it hard to overpower the three boys. He planned to ensure that all the wolves had died. He had Lucy accompany them with a loaded crossbow.

  With confidence stemming from being in a group, they started systematically from one end and walked. Part of him hoped to encounter no survivors—he remained ashamed when Lucy had lambasted them about their flailing dance. Since then Ming had stopped his boasting.

  The scouting party soon finished this task. They found one wolf wheezing in the corner. Clod skewered the beast in the neck, as it stared at them with glazed eyes. When they returned to the platform, Chu dropped on the boards, blowing heavily.

  The mental strain of walking around dangerous beast tired out his mind. He now noticed his shirt had been drenched.

  "Ming secure the doors and bar them. Clod help him and turn off the lamps before you return. Don’t forget the spears."

  An hour later, they sat on the platform, munching the crisp warm bread. Miki confirmed no movement in the surroundings. Under a flickering lamp, Chu glanced at the bright-eyed children chattering around him.

  "Leave everything as it is. The chill will prevent the carcasses from rotting and begin to freeze them. Tomorrow we will clean the barn and decide on our next move. Sue, heat some water, we need to wash up before resting."

  His words helped to release the easing tension in their minds. Under the effects of a warm food, bath and bed, they slumbered without nightmares.

  Chu woke up at midday. Making some lazy stretches he sauntered out of bed, and up the steps from the cellar. Equally tired faces greeted him as he entered the kitchen area. With dazed eyes, they admired their work from beyond the fence.

  This achievement needed some time to soak into the minds of slum children. The gravity of decimating an entire wolf pack would scare a villager, and turn them into legends.

  "So, I think we should stack those wolves near the barn entrance. We'll only use the oven to keep us warm. That way the chill will keep them preserved."

  Chu swallowed a piece of bread while talking.

  "The floor needs cleaning to rid the fresh smell.”

  "I can handle that. They built these barns to hold livestock or horses. Most farmers who keep animals have a deposit of limestone rocks around. By crushing it into fine powder, and scrubbing with water, the floors become clean.”

  Clod said.

  "Good thinking, then after we move the wolves that's the plan."

  The laborious task of moving and stacking the wolves in a corner had them taking the entire evening. Clod left them and returned with some chipped white stones that the pounded into powder with a wooden mortar and pestle. He also harvests some dried twigs and branches.

  In no time the children scrubbed the floor with the powder and hot water. The barn slowly began to give out a scent of spring freshness. The grounded twigs from dried herbs created a soothing scent.

  "I think we need to visit the village again. The sooner the better."

  "Whaaat? You do know it's highly likely to run into wolves, right?"

  "That will be a big chance to take."

  Chu listened as they voiced their concerns.

  "I know it’s dangerous but hear me out. First, we need to get rid of the carcasses, we cannot have them around enticing other beast by scent. If I can convince the Trading post to send out some of their guards to collect them, we will trade for useful supplies and food.

  Secondly, the sooner we go the better. If we delay the trip, another pack may appear since this territory will be up for grabs. The danger lies in going, we can return with safety under the protection of the guards."

  The others listed to the logic behind his words. What he was concerned about was that in the event of another pack prowling, capturing them with these carcasses, would prove a task. It made no sense to keep this pile of inedible meat.

  If a hunting party stumbled across them only death awaited them. A stack of silvers literally stared at them from the corner. A sight like this, made one drool.

  "We can leave in the morning when most animals rest after hunting at night. Ming will travel with me, Lucy will remain with Miki as added protection. If we don't return the same day, most likely we would be back on the next."

  Chu embarked on another list of stocktaking, for the planned trip.

  Early the next morning, the boys set out over the plains. Both trudged through the snow using the spears as support. On every hill, Chu paused to scan the white world, ensuring they journeyed alone.

  By noon, they climbed the last hill leading to the village. Ming hid the spears under the snow near some bushes to serve as markers, before they entered the gates. Dressed in patched cloaks they encountered no resistance on entering the guarded gate.

  Chu visited his family first and literally had to pries himself away from his inquisitive mother. Confirming the family lived well over the winter, he slogged over the slush filled road to the General Store. This served as the Trading Post home of business during the winter.

  The boy spotted the large frame chatting with some clerks on a desk.

  Chu suppressed the smile as he rapped on the cou
nter.

  "Good day Mr Griz I have a bonus deal for you today."

  Chapter 24

  Trading in bulk

  Griz stepped over to the counter, looking at the boy wearing a tattered and patched cloak. This brat was so cheap, he even wore a cloak that seemed ready to expire into heap of rags.

  Given the few dealings he had with this boy, he grasped the situation. The question remained, on what sort of deal this boy came offering.

  "What can you offer in the middle of winter? The price of firewood remains at two coppers. Don't feel just because it’s winter you can snag a better deal."

  "Ha ha, firewood! This humble one will not waste your time on such trivial matters."

  Just as expected the boy had a bearing and speech, that could never be learned in the slums. If this was how slum children were raised, then the nobles in the capital would flock, to throw their kids into the ghettos.

  "I have a proposition, but its private as usual."

  Griz sauntered over to the end of the counter, away from the chatting assistants. By now, Chu learned that this huge man held the position of the Trading Post Master. A person with such a title commanded, the same respect in the village like the Garrison Commander and the Village Chief.

  Ignoring the conversations about a hot meal and a warm bed, Chu sauntered to the corner of the counter to sit on a stool. Griz grinned as he spoke

  "Let me hear this one. You can't hide it from me, when you feel you got something good."

  "I want to make a bulk trade. I want dry food supplies like flour, butter and preserves to be delivered to my barn. If possible, I want it done by those you trust, a little kid like me cannot bear the wrath of greedy men you know."

  "How far is your barn? Maybe you don't know it. since you're cooped up in isolation. The Trading Post does a monthly delivery to the outlying farms on better winter days."

  "Oh?"