The Red Lands 2

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The Red Lands 2 Page 15

by ForestRage


  This girl Rose was new to the slums. She had run away from home after overhearing a plan by her family to sell her off. From their conversations, this girl had a no-nonsense attitude who had no hesitation carrying out her mind.

  Ming found her beating the crap out an old man one night for trying to sneak into her shack. Knowing that sooner or later she would find herself in even worse trouble, he decided to offer some aid.

  Chu was currently trying to build up a support staff to aid in farming and other ventures he was planning. Come next summer, all the fields were going to be cultivated. Hence his reason for seeking manpower.

  He was confident he would make a profit if he sank some of his money into the farm. Not to mention the fact that securing a stable food source comprising the main priority. Chu personally experienced starvation and vowed to never take it for granted.

  Unlike Chu who came from a world of equality between genders, Mr. Thomas still had the Empire's mindset.

  That belief that women were inferior to men in holding certain positions was, however, slowly being eroded by the constant interactions with girls like Lucy and Dyna.

  Such dedication and hard work to achieve outstanding results could make any man in the same position feel ashamed.

  Now this girl standing before him piqued his interest. Something in her eyes and tone called out to his years of experience in the Military. She displayed pride and courage that signified a requisite for a soldier.

  Mr. Thomas was well aware that Chu intended to enlist farm helpers but he decided to make an exception.

  "Hey Rose, you interested in learning to defend yourself and protecting others?"

  The glint in the girl's eyes answered his question. He shifted to Chu.

  "Boy, I think I will be taking this one."

  Chu could only shrug helplessly.

  "You should be careful how you word those sentences coming out your filthy mouth, old man. In this place that could come across with a different meaning."

  Mr. Thomas gave him a knock to the head as he dragged the blushing girl out with him. With the meeting done he had to sort out this girl's business.

  Having found some new workers he was ready for the next expansion. Chu prepped the village home to receive the new tenants. He brought food and firewood from the farm and bales of cloth swiped from the Trading Post.

  Three extra hands were still not enough, but an idea crossed his mind during their interviews. He would use the old couple to draft in more members. This time was when the most heartless of families shed their loads to survive the upcoming winter.

  The couple had lived in the slums for some years, making them well acquainted with the people and ways of life. Having them scout out new members would not be too difficult.

  All he had to do was mention his requirements and use a probation time to 'feel' them out.

  Ms. May was provided with some sewing kits to begin making quilts and clothing. The quilts were orders for him, the clothing for them. The barn residents had long since begun manufacturing their own clothes from bales of quality cloth purchased at the Trading Post.

  Only the patched robes that they donned during the visits to the village agreed to a poor farming household. At the farm in the evenings, they dressed in comfortable attire like those worn in the cities.

  Before Chu returned to the barn, he instructed Ms. May to keep a lookout for any trustworthy characters from the slums. If she found girls ready to serve sewing in the winter and farming next spring, she was free to welcome them into the village home.

  He had Mr. Thomas make it clear they were not managing a charity, come next spring everyone would have to pay back this kindness.

  His money disappeared just as quickly as he made it. Getting his household up to par with clothing, utensils and other basic items was slowing draining his funds. No matter the discount, he still had to pay.

  One piece of interesting news spoke of the Mong bandits being obliterated. They had been chased and separated to the south and met their end in small skirmishes over the grasslands. Because of this, the news concerning them and the wolf demon was shrouded in hearsay. Nobody knew if the true culprit had been found.

  'Who suspected to look for a little girl living on a farm?'

  The only certainty coming from the nobles, Military and others who participated was that they did not encounter any news of a Sersen. In the eyes of the Empire that was all those of standing wanted to hear.

  The slow travel of information shocked Chu the most. This report in the form of a rumor reached the village at the end of autumn. The confrontation actually occurred before summer. He so missed his wonderful information age.

  Rose returned with them to the farm. Mr. Thomas had visited her family and using his bearings as a soldier 'convinced ' her father to let her work in his farm. When Rose exited the house he stuffed a pouch of coins into the man's greedy hands.

  Such acts by her family a girl should not have to bear witness. Better that she thinks her family was reluctant to see her off than to be sold instead for money. Her new family was one in which the members had no time to be jealous or be envious of each other.

  Everyone had their own job which was just as important as the other.

  Sometimes at lunchtime, the dining tables were near empty, Miki would be out hunting with Dyna in the grasslands, Mr. Thomas and the others in the forest cutting trees or out hunting.

  At dinner time it was always full and noisy with all sorts of recaps on the day's events. Rose fitted in very well among her new companions.

  With winter upon them, the main activity of the farm was the completion of the fence around the barn. Although they had extra hands, the section east of the barn was still outstanding.

  After some discussion they decided to used this time to harvest the lumber and place it on site. During winter they could continue the building effort without having to enter the forest. Clod would construct a temporary stockade for the time being.

  He showed Clod a rough sketch for a small watchtower just a little higher than the wall and large enough to hold two persons. He wanted to have them constructed near the entrances.

  These were not necessary at the moment but he was planning ahead for the future.

  The reason he made the palisade so far from the barn was to make room for upcoming construction work. As he did before with Mr. Thomas, he would slowly assimilate new helpers into the farm.

  This way it would be very easy to have them conform to the rules and operation of the farm. New workers meant new homes. He did not want to end up overcrowding the barn.

  He did not want to alienate new members, nor did he want to share their secrets with everyone. If he introduced someone like a fighter, the others should not need to know what abilities the individual possessed.

  'A business approach and structure.'

  He had one load of pelts to deliver to the Trading Post and they would be ready to hunker down for the winter. Chu sat down and tallied his progress for the year. For a 'twelve' year old man it was acceptable.

  He was under the shade of the tree as yellow and red leaves fell down intermittently. Not far away in the training ground, Mr. Thomas was demonstrating some breathing techniques to Rose. He felt he was like an old man whittling away the time.

  The pattering of feet awoke him from that comfortable feeling.

  "Chu, Chu I found something big!"

  Chapter 22

  Fated Circles...

  The moon waxed over the grasslands, nearing its end.

  The nights were still chilly, but Spring was drawing to a close. Hot Summer was mere days away.

  A group of people was hiding behind a small knoll. This small contingent of soldiers lay huddled and also wrapped tightly in thin cloaks. About half a mile away in the distance a small wood, populated with a few trees punctured the plain landscape.

  Months of tracking and fighting led the Military to this hidden camp of bandits.

  "Wake the Captains, the signal
should be here soon."

  The veteran scout nudged his sleepy-eyed apprentice.

  The young man clutched his worn cloak tightly as he crawled to a position near the base of the mound behind them. There, accompanied by some servants lay the resting men.

  He passed the message while still wondering why this unit of a dozen Military soldiers needed 'four' captains.

  "Captain!"

  "Captain!"

  The calls rang out very softly in the dead night. In the silent grasslands, sound travels very far. Making noise before staging an ambush was never a wise choice.

  The four thick, fur-lined cloaks all opened one after the next, unwrapping its contents from the comfortable cocoon. While they had long toned down their extravagant behaviors, demonstrating might through riches was always their forte.

  "Get up you lazy slobs! As 'Captains' you need to set an example for your men!"

  Young master Gofart was the first to speak.

  "You'd better shut your trap poser. Otherwise, nobody will respect you, 'Dullard'."

  Prickus mumbled back as he stretched out some stiff limbs.

  At the side, Rufang kicked a swollen cloak rolling out the contents. he nearly vomited at the sight which greeted him.

  "Tochus you dolt! Why the hell can't you keep your vices out of public sight. Nobody wants to see your bare ass in the moonlight!"

  Rufang spat in disgust at the two naked men now sprawled out on the grasslands for all to see.

  The culprit of that anger merely got up as another servant began dressing him in the dim light. He slowly turned his head soaking in the faces of all the soldiers nearby.

  "Stupid, stupid Rufang. Everyone here knows about my relations with the Commander. Add the support of my family and not a man here dares to spurn me."

  "Not here among these low ranked soldiers. But when you return to Frost City, Weak

  Bladder Tochus will forever be a hot topic. If word gets out about you and the Commander, he won't be able to save himself much less someone with a poor reputation."

  Prickus chimed in, replying to Tochus.

  The raised voices prompted the scout to interrupt their conversations. Dawn was nearly upon them, the ambush would begin.

  The soldiers all scattered around the side of the mound, like a half-crown viewing the shadow covered woodlands. A gray band of light began in the east, slowly widening and brightening.

  Master Gofart gaze fell on another mound closer to the target. Another team led by Roberts crouched there hidden, also waiting for the signal.

  "Why the hell do we have to act as support during this time. We won't earn an ounce of Merit or Achievement."

  He grumbled to Tochus who sat at his side seemingly without a care.

  "You say this, but Commander Fredijak has his reasons. You do remember the reason behind chasing these bandits right?"

  Tochus replied.

  After the fiasco in the village to the north, the Military wasted no time in tracking the perpetrators. The Wolf Demon's head was proof of existence, an existence without a body. As a result, the upper echelons of the Empire demanded satisfaction that no unaffiliated Sersen roamed its lands.

  Hence Commander Fredijak wasted no time in casting the net. The Military supported by the Houses and Clans that took part in the previous demon hunting stormed across the grasslands. They tracked and captured any bandit group.

  After a brief interrogation, they killed them earning fame from villages in the process. A solid lead to the Mong bandits came when a scout tracked an ambushed survivor to their camp. This camp was about three villages to the southeast of Chu's and hidden in a small grove.

  "There they go."

  The platoons of soldiers and hired fighters rushed silently towards the woodland. All around small teams were doing the same. Consequently, it did not take long for the sounds of battle to fill the air.

  Under an assault of trained fighters, the resistance of the Mong bandits quickly crumbled. This group of rag-tag brigands relied on the strength of numbers so as to achieve their desired aims. Finally having to face well-trained fighters had them scampering away into the grasslands.

  The bandit camp consisted of probably just over one hundred members remaining with a prized possession of thirty horses. The horses were part of the group normally used during the Spring collection event held every year. Using horses to make a grand entrance cowered the villagers into paying a levy. It also served as a lure to gather prospective members.

  The bandits conducted most of their ambushes and raids on farms by foot. Yearly recruitment made up for losses from failed battles and brawls. Outstanding members also obtained rewards of young girls and captured women.

  'Ming's dreamy choice of occupation ended abruptly for the present employees.'

  First of all, the recruitment drive in one village met with fierce resistance. That group was totally wiped out and so never returned to camp. In addition, smaller groups out hustling the surrounding farms ended up being targeted by bands of fighters. Only through an informant did they finally learn news of the event.

  Commander Fredijak was an old hand in conducting these types of tactics. The Military was different from the Empire's army. They did not fight head-on with demon beast but used hit and run methods, ambushes and the like. Some commanders were not adverse to even using hired help as bait.

  The leader of the Mong bandits was distraught, nearly dying from a stroke on the report. The bandits who died in village ambushes by the Military consisted of almost all his elite members. Furthermore, they were his prized performers meant to strike fear and awe.

  Worse yet, it was becoming widely circulated that he probably had a Sersen in his camp.

  That announcement alone had him coughing up blood.

  'If I had a Sersen under me, do you really think I would be in this line of work?'

  Now before he could regroup and think of a way out of this predicament, his camp was being raided.

  "Bloody hell!"

  Normally he would show off his battle prowess with a large hammer. That skill was enough to contend against a garrison guard. It also served to gain praise from the dunderheads that surrounded him. In the face of bloodthirsty fighters out for bounty, it became useless.

  His organization built on the wonderful foundational rule collapsed.

  'Among the blind, the one-eyed man is king!'

  Besides him and a few others, the rest of the bandits served the purpose of batching up the numbers. It did not take long for them to be either captured or killed outright. Politics was ever present in raids like these. Therefore killing the Sersen meant no other power could make use of them in the future.

  The weaker bandits who usually served to either makeup numbers or used as fodder ran away on foot. The small teams guarding the encirclement was given the job of capturing these stragglers. A company of mounted officers handled the ones escaping on horseback.

  "Dammit, I have never worked so hard in my life!"

  Master Gofart raged as he launched a kick behind a lanky bandit.

  It seemed like nearly all the runners had decided to escape to their location. Since most of his soldiers were occupied in confronting the fugitives, he had to act. Given his physical conditions, he soon became tired out.

  At the moment Rufang had some soldiers stripping the prisoners to conduct visual examinations for a tattoo. As a result, It soon became evident that this batch possessed nothing of value.

  "Do we kill them like the others?"

  Tochus asked as he leered at the naked men.

  The surroundings were already littered with bodies of slain men.

  Master Gofart was about to agree when he had an epiphany.

  "Stop Prickus, hear me out first."

  Master Gofart led the other four captains away from the rest of the squad.

  "We just ended up with a gold mine. The Mong bandits were the largest group of brigands in these parts. Now that they are gone, a void will need to be filled. Remem
ber I am from a Merchant family. If I can raise the new group of bandits, I will hence control all the trade along the forest."

  Young master Gofart beamed as he talked.

  If they controlled the local bandit group, they also controlled who and which merchant might successfully trade in lumber and pelts. By allowing close associates and family to pass through the area unhindered while blocking rivals he could crush the competition.

  "Well, it's not like I see it as a problem. More money to you means more to spend for us."

  Prickus commented.

  Master Tochus quickly had the naked men released and brought over. Twenty bandits remained alive in the group while one suffered injuries from the fighting.

  The soldiers left the men to the mercy of the young masters. Having carried out the instructions of the Commander their task was done. Whatever fate had to dish out for the prisoners was of no concern to them.

  "You ruffians are in luck. Due to the fact I am in a good mood, you have two choices. Either serve me and become the new 'Mong' bandits in the region or die."

  Young Master Gofart talked while walking with his hands behind his back and head facing the sky. Gathering no response from the gawking and shocked bandits he finally looked towards them.

  "Do it!"

  On his next instruction, Daffodil dragged the injured prisoner out to the front and swiftly sliced his throat. Because it was intentionally not a clean cut, the man died in a slow and brutal manner.

  "Well?"

  Came the follow-up question.

  The twenty bandits dropped to the ground in prostration.

  "Agreed my Lord, we agree!"

  With the backing of a lord the sky was the limit, therefore it was not surprising for dead men to swear allegiance. Under the unison replies, young master Gofart smiled.

  "Spade, get these riff-rafts some clothes and crude weapons. Since the south is still hot with activity, take them up north to the previous village there. You can train them a little by likewise ambushing those caravans from the Trading Post. I would be a foolish merchant if I did not see they were making a fortune. High time I collect some dues."

 

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