by T.P. Grish
Remus shook his head and began packing up. ‘Let us just go. We have all gotten enough sleep’. Elaina began packing, and Perfidian did likewise. Observing the level of sunlight, he judged that he had gotten less than an hour of sleep, but he could recuperate in town. The bard shook his head as he joined his friends in continuing the journey. Both Remus and Elaina were inflexible, like weeds who didn’t bend in the wind. His new friends were stubborn folk, and even Perfidian’s communicatory skills may not be enough to smooth over the argument.
The three travelers walked close together; despite the anger Remus and Elaina were feeling, they possessed enough tactical sense to realize walking alone was something best to be avoided. They had enough distance, however, to be well able to ignore each other. The three travelers walked introspectively, just as they had the previous day, but tension and anger laced through the air. Remus had the dwarf slung over his shoulder, and refused any entreaties by Perfidian to let him share the load. Perfidian sighed and fell into a marching trance, concentrating on the sound of his footsteps.
They felt apprehension as they arrived in High Peaks, but it had not changed from before. The buildings were intact, and people walked around on their business. But, like before, very few people were to be seen. The war seemed to be raging on still. As they entered the market square, they all felt a feeling of relief. Despite their misgivings for High Peaks, it was home. It was stable, and they had a bed to sleep in, a door to lock behind them.
Seeking out someone to ask about the war, Remus spotted Perey. The young, skinny man sat lost in thought on a bench, face and clothes smeared here and there by grime and sweat. He was glad to see Remus, and explained that he joined the militia for the war effort. The poor boy had battle-trauma, but Remus was glad that he was alive. Questioning the boy about the state of the war effort, it became clear the war still raged on, and that reinforcements from Vitter Falls had joined the fight since last week.
That was not good, but at least no cities were involved. It was time to see the Mayor, and it must be done hastily. Remus glanced at Elaina and Perfidian. Despite the tension in the group, they had one last thing to do before they could rest and go their separate ways. Try to end the war. His companions had heard Perey’s recounting, and the three of them began walking towards the forest, asking guidance from straggling townspeople about the general direction in which they could find the main war band.
The Mayor’s war band seemed to have retreated closer to the town. They ran into soldiers and militia returning home from battle or heading out to join a war band; some dressed in unfamiliar tabards, obviously being from Vitter Falls. It was not long before they entered the clearing that held the remnants of the main war band. Walking into the encampment, they discovered that it was a lot more crowded than it had been last time. A makeshift hospice had been created, bedrolls strewn on the ground, injured souls lying on them. A makeshift roof had been erected to protect the sick from the rains that sometimes came in the forest. Field medics and nurses tended to them.
Most of the soldiers that were in the war camp before, still seemed to be alive, although their numbers may have been bolstered by reinforcements. Most bore the signs of battle, chipped, scratched and torn armour, and minor injuries that they gritted through. The soldiers who were not recuperating were in defensive lines, archers taking position, warriors and war dogs at the ready. Two worn ballistae were still manned.
The Sheriff was preoccupied talking to a soldier on the front lines, but the Mayor was nowhere to be seen. They approached a large, central tent, deducting that the Mayor must be in there. The single guard standing outside glared at them, but stood aside to let them in. The Mayor sat hunched over a chair, bedraggled. He was staring at a map intently. He stood up as the three of them entered, eyeing the sack suspiciously. ‘Mayor, we have slain the rogue dwarf who slew the boy. We have his body here as proof of the deed’, Remus stated. He opened the sack and emptied out the contents, the twisted body thudding against the ground sickeningly.
The Mayor crinkled his nose in disgust at the sight of the creature, and the strong smell of the preserving chemicals. He grabbed a spear that lay on his personal weapon rack and prodded the dead dwarf, turning it over. ‘So this is what they look like up close’. He looked each of the companions in the eye and asked ‘So what do you want me to do? This dwarf, according to you, is the one that killed the boy. That doesn’t change the fact that we have been attacked by these dwarves repeatedly and repeatedly. It does not erase the anger my people feel’.
‘Our people’, Remus clarified, drawing a sneer from the Mayor. ‘Dwarves have always attacked human settlements from time immemorial. The attacks have been particularly bad lately, perhaps because of the expansion of High Peaks. But, we have slain our share of dwarves, we have let them know we will not take it lying down. But why are we at war, why have we dragged Vitter Falls into this war? It is because of the poor boy that was slain. You know, as everyone knows, that dwarves never slay children. It is recorded well in history books that children are left be, even during the ancient wars. We have slain the monster that did it’.
Elaina walked forward and spoke, sharing a tense sidelong glance with Remus. ‘Mayor, when is the last time you heard of a human army waging war against a whole Fey settlement? It has not happened for ages. There is a good reason. Any prolonged war with the Fey results in terrible casualties, the magic and fierce allies that they can bring forward will be horrific. The boy will not be returned to life by a war, and the one responsible has been slain. Let all these men go home, before you inadvertently start a war that damages the entire region’.
The Mayor bent down and lifted the dwarf’s deformed claw. ‘It does resemble the wounds that I saw on the boy. I remember noticing that the wounds resembled claws, not the weapons dwarves favoured. I did notice… that the claw marks were large for an ordinary dwarf’. He stood and rubbed his hand over his eyes, exhausted. ‘This war has resulted in no progress. We have been unable to press deeply enough to find the dwarves’ den, and it has been a back and forth of skirmishes. Word is, giant beasts have been summoned to aid the vicious Fey’. He sighed and was lost in thought for a few moments.
‘Very well’, the Mayor said, defeated. ‘I will begin the preparations for a retreat back to the town, and will recall the aid from Vitter Falls. There would otherwise be no end in sight to this campaign’.
The three companions were immensely relieved that their efforts were not in vain. They may have stopped a war that could have engulfed a whole region!
The Mayor turned away to prepare, then stopped and addressed them again. ‘I am disturbed that you seem to be convening with these dwarves, it is not normal for men to talk to these beasts. You have aided us, and slain the evil dwarf. But be careful, lest you forget which side you are on’.
The companions emerged from the tent, Remus massaging the shoulder that the sack had been slung upon. There was a brief moment of silence, as they considered what to say to each other. ‘I almost forgot’, Elaina said somberly, withdrawing a handful of coins from her backpack. ‘This is your share of the reward. Quintus gave us a fair number of coins for the effort’. As Remus began to refuse, Elaina insisted he take it, shoving it into his palm.
The three of them walked home, each taking a separate path.
CHAPTER 8
The next week was a time of resolution for the town, as it was for the three former companions; an ebbing of the tide. The Mayor ordered a gradual retreat of the forces, proclaiming that it was a rogue dwarf that slew the child, and that the said dwarf had been slain
. He promised that the war with the dwarves was not over, but that the humans of High Peaks had to find a more effective way to combat them; as the current war of attrition was one the town could not afford. This was accepted by the still-angry townsfolk, and messengers were sent to the war bands to retreat. Within a few days the last stragglers had returned to the town. The allies from Vitter Falls had returned to their town, and were rewarded for their efforts.
Of course, the Mayor did not divulge the names of the heroes who had slain the dwarf, ending the war on the efforts of two outcasts and a stranger, would dilute the ‘victory’ the Mayor had delivered for his people. But, as things tend to, word did trickle down that it was Remus, Elaina and the travelling bard Perfidian who had slain the beast. This did not improve their reputation much, as the townsfolk held them equally in suspicion for the knowledge of the dwarves they seemed to possess.
The Mayor did not divulge exactly how it was discovered that a rogue dwarf committed the atrocity, or how they found the dwarf. Whether this was to spare the three former companions the possible hostilities that the admission they communicated with the dwarves might bring, or whether it was to avoid the political headache that explaining his complicity with people who could convene with dwarves would create; they did not know. And of course, no financial reward would come the companions’ way, even though the soldiers and militia got paid; as they were not an official part of the effort. Who in the town would be generous enough to share rewards with outcasts and strangers, despite how much they may deserve it?
Things were relatively stable again, but not returned to normal. Extra guards had been recruited from the militia, and the militia had turned from volunteers who would pick up a spear in times of emergency, to a force bolstered with decent equipment and training provided by the town guard over time. More patrols swept through the edges of the forest and around town, especially at night when visibility was low. The informal alliance between High Peaks and Vitter Falls had not been needed for years before the short war, but elected officials from both towns began hammering out a formal alliance. In the interim, guards from Vitter Falls and High Peaks would coordinate their efforts, and would increase protection for travelers going from one town to another. The local people of Vitter Falls, shaken by the war that had erupted so close by, also began demanding greater security from their local guards.
The war was over before it could escalate into city-spanning and perhaps region-spanning conflict. The people of High Peaks and Vitter Falls had gotten a glimpse of the powers that Fey could bring to bear, but it would have gotten a lot worse. Details of wars between Fey and Humans were scarce, being so rare, but all stories shared the same consensus: destruction and horror on a sheer scale always ensued.
As for Weylin, the rogue Touched, they had not been able to find him, and the dangerous man could be anywhere in the known world by now.
Remus spent the first few days resting and recuperating, then resumed his woodcutting and continued his study of the Lore book. Whenever he opened the tome he was reminded of the falling out with Elaina, but it would not stop him from trying to decipher the new content. Elaina and Perfidian also spent a few days shaking off the wear and tear of the road, with the latter sleeping almost the whole first day back, in his rented room at the inn. Elaina continued her herbology trade, whilst Perfidian penned down all the details he could remember of the travels. He created some exaggerated stories with the names of characters replaced, and some ballads regarding the war, which he sampled with the local townspeople; earning a sum of coin.
Perfidian was the first to break the ice. He gathered Elaina, stating that it was time to talk to Remus and to bridge the chasm. Elaina was willing. She had been thinking of recent events, and realized it was wrong for her not to tell Remus about her meeting with the elf Thilenta, just as it was wrong for Remus to not inform her of his run in with the strange dwarf. Despite the trusting friendship that they had developed over the years, they both thought that they knew best. If they were to reforge their friendship, they would need to agree to share all of these things, and accept each other’s limitations. She wasn’t sure how the acerbic and unpredictable Remus would react, but Perfidian encouraged her to come with him and meet Remus.
They approached Remus’ cabin, noticing several nearby trees had been felled, and smelling sawdust in the air. Perfidian took the lead, knocking on the wooden door that served as the entrance to their former companion’s abode. Remus answered, and the expression on his face indicated he was not surprised they had come. ‘Hello Perfidian, Elaina. Please come in’, he said evenly. They sat on chairs around a small round table, the only table he had in his cabin.
A half-empty mug of steaming Duusil Tea indicated that he had been nursing a cup of tea before being interrupted. Remus poured his two guests a cup of tea without asking, and sat down. ‘It is good you’ve come’ Remus began, ‘we need to talk’. Although it strained his limited social skills to say that, Elaina felt approval for his improved manners. She mildly chastised herself for the thought. It had been her didactic nature that had partly created the rift.
‘First of all, Perfidian, I hadn’t thanked you for your role in the journey’. The bard started shaking his head modestly, but Remus continued. ‘You risked life and limb, and had a part in saving my life. Thank you’. Perfidian accepted the compliment with a nod.
Then Remus looked at Elaina, his brown eyes locking with her bright blue eyes. They both started to speak, but struggled for what they might say. The two of them had been friends since childhood, although there had always been a clash of personalities, of approaches, and arguments and admonishments had forever been part of their relationship.
‘You know, where I come from, farmers and peasants have to eke out a hardscrabble existence, day in and day out’, said Perfidian unexpectedly. Remus and Elaina looked at him as he went on. ‘There wasn’t the luxury of helping a neighbour, or sharing with a neighbour, when a man had to struggle to feed his own. When I left my house and my father, mother, and siblings; my father was not worried for my safety. As I told him I wanted to go out and experience the world outside of my hometown, he simply gave me his old suit of chain from his army days, what coin he could spare, and told me to be on my way. I cannot blame him, and am grateful for what he gave. But, one thing that I have discovered to be exceedingly rare in this world is true friendship; true willingness to sacrifice to keep a loved one safe. Both of you have that’.
Perfidian sat silent for a few moments, sipping his tea and letting his words sink in. ‘You two are too stubborn to admit it, or appreciate it, but you have that most rare of things’. Although he criticized them both, he predominantly glanced in Remus’ direction when he used the word ‘stubborn’. ‘I have had an experience travelling with you two, that I will never forget. This was my first foray out into the wider world, my first adventure as an amateur bard. I couldn’t have asked for a better group to travel in; as where else could I find two individuals who were dedicated enough to risk all to stop a war!’
They knew that it was a generous description of their motives, and of the series of events that led to the journey; but were grateful for his words nonetheless. They sat quietly for a moment, then Remus asked ‘Have both of you recovered from the exertions of the road? Are there any injuries still plaguing you?’
‘No, I am fine. I just needed a wagon-full of sleep after you interrupted my rest that night’, Perfidian jested.
Elaina was quiet. Remus looked at her sincerely. ‘How about you, Elaina? Are you fine?’
‘Yes, yes I am recovered. I just had the bruises of travel, and sore feet’ she responded terse
ly, looking at him.
‘Look, Elaina, from now on we have to tell each other anything important that happens… we need to talk about what is on our minds. I don’t think we will ever be the same person, or have the same perspective; but our friendship is something I do not want to break’.
Elaina sniffed, holding a kerchief to her face, wiping a few stray tears. ‘I have known you since you were just an impetuous boy. There was always a bond that glued us together in this town… I am willing to accept the offer of friendship from a grumpy hermit, if you will accept the friendship of a nosy, cursed Touched’.
‘The ‘grumpy hermit’ accepts’, Remus chuckled, clasping her forearm with his hand.
Elaina looked at Perfidian and added, ‘The foolish young bard is welcome to join as well, and accompany us on any further adventures’.
Perfidian laughed, but then grew serious. ‘I do have an announcement to make. As you know, I came to High Peaks to learn and perform songs and tales, and I certainly got more material than I bargained for. But now I feel that it time for me to move on to new adventures. I may take up the offer for employment made by Quintus and the other factions in Yondern… We will see’.
Elaina and Remus understood, the colourful young man certainly had no reason to stay in High Peaks for too long.
‘Now is as good a time as any’ Perfidian said, ‘I have had my fill of your fine town and am already packed’.
Remus and Elaina stood and escorted him to the door, exchanging a simple goodbye. Perfidian began walking away towards his inn, to retrieve his packed belongings. He walked away as his friends watched, and soon he turned a corner and was gone from sight.
* * *
Over the next couple of months, Elaina and Remus went back to their routine in High Peaks, except that it was not exactly their normal routine. Elaina helped him decipher the new content in his book, trying to puzzle out what the dwarf was trying to convey; and whether they could utilize the information. Elaina found herself coming over more often, and Remus often came over to her house, book in hand, excited about a new insight. Remus aided Elaina in trying to expand her Touched powers, and they even tried futilely to try and plant one of the remaining leaves the elf had given her. Unfortunately, the leaf would not take in the soil.