by John Migacz
CHAPTER 44
Janelle stared up at the stone formation. She could imagine an animal’s face if she squinted hard. “So that’s what a luse looks like.”
“I can’t see anything in that pile of rocks that looks like anything,” said Rory.
They had entered the valley a little after dawn. It was pleasantly green and cool after their walk through the hot wasteland. The trees grew larger the further from the desert they traveled, and the shade was welcome.
“I think this must be the place.” Bo pointed to the rock. “That could be a long nose with eyes set just about where those protrusions are.”
“Who said luses have eyes?” asked Rory.
Janelle sighed. “How long do you think we will have to wait for our guide?”
“We have food for another day,” said Bo. “And there must be a stream around here somewhere. We might as well wait until the food runs out, because we sure don’t know where to go from here.”
“Roger that,” said Rory. “Sir, how do you feel about the Dieya’s order to break down and discard the laser? I, for one, would like to hold on to it. I can do without the capwear, but I would feel really naked without the laser.”
“Do as the Dieya says,” interjected Janelle. “He knows better than we do. If you’re seen firing that thing, we might get burned as witches or something.”
“Or we could get killed because we didn’t have it,” said Rory. He shrugged. “So either way we’re slag.”
“Decide later, after we’ve met our guide,” said Bo, as he laid down in the shade. “We’ll have a better idea after we see what he’s like.”
“Probably be a smelly, hide-wearing brute sent just to torment us, if I can read the Dieya right,” said Rory, sitting next to Bo. “Trust me.”
“If the Dieya sends some oaf as a guide, you can believe it’s best for this mission,” said Janelle. “Trust me!”
Rory looked pensive for a moment, then shrugged.
Janelle drew first guard duty and both marines caught a nap. As she kept watch, she found her thoughts drifting to the Dieya.
She wished she had learned his name.
Balthus had heard enough. He slowly heaved himself toward a larger ledge where he could easily make his descent and rejoin Adrianna. He thought he’d been discovered when “Bo” drew everyone’s attention to Luse Head Rock where he had been hiding and eavesdropping for the last hour.
These “friends” of Dieya weren’t dangerous to himself and Adrianna, but they certainly needed supplies and guidance. As he climbed down, he wondered if he would fit the description of a “brute” when he introduced himself. He hurried down to Adrianna.
“Well, what are they like?” Adrianna asked when Balthus returned to their camp.
He shook his head. “These are some of the strangest folk I’ve ever encountered.” Adrianna handed him a water skin and he took a long drink. “They act like they are newly born into the world. They’re using words I’ve never heard before like ‘laser’ and ‘capwear’ and they pronounce these words in a strange sing-song tongue.” He took another drink of water and wiped his mouth on his arm. “They keep referring to Dieya as ‘The Dieya,’ like it’s some kind of title.”
He started to strap his leather armor on and stopped, remembering the remark about wearing hides.
“What’s wrong?” asked Adrianna.
He related the exchange about the hide-wearing brute, and more of the overheard conversation.
She listened intently. “It seems they don’t fully trust Dieya either,” she said. “Some friends he has.”
“Yes, the female, Janelle, feels that Dieya is ‘dedicated to his mission.’ Where have I heard that before?”
“It seems that we might have quite a lot in common with these strangers,” said Adrianna.
“You haven’t heard the best one yet,” he said.
She waited while Balthus chuckled.
“They don’t know what a luse is!”
“What? Seriously? They must have been living in a cave or – ” She stopped suddenly, a stunned look on her face.
“Or what?” he asked.
Adrianna studied the ground. “Or…” She worried a rock with her toe for a while before looking up at Balthus. “Or they have never been to Ravar before,” she said quietly.
He had his helmet raised halfway to his head and stopped to stare. “Scary thought, woman. Scary thought! But if they’re not from here, where are they from? Somewhere – ?” He waved his hand to the sky. Balthus studied Adrianna’s expression. “Is that your intuition, or a just stray thought?” His face scrunched up. “Do you think they could be Travelers? Like in the ancient tales?”
She didn’t say anything else and he didn’t press her. Balthus knew she would keep her own council until she could better formulate an answer.
Adrianna had said she had a strange feeling about Dieya ever since she met him. She said she felt like he just didn’t belong here. Balthus had thought it was just because he was a sorcerer, but now… He shook his head to clear these troubling thoughts.
“Well, no matter,” said Balthus. “Bo is the tallest of the three, early into manhood. Janelle is a little older and seems soft, unhardened. Rory is the shortest one in the bunch and has the moves of a warrior. They are all unarmored, so take the small crossbow. If anything untoward occurs, put a bolt into Rory – he’s the one we’d need to put down first.”
She nodded and went to unpack it.
“I’m glad to be out of that desert,” said Janelle, fanning herself. “And doubly relieved to be out of that scout suit.” She rubbed her face at the memory. “But I can’t imagine what it would have been like out there without our capwear. I’m glad the Dieya left us those.”
“I’m sure he did it so he wouldn’t have to carry us,” said Rory.
“Slack, Strikedag, slack,” said Bo, smiling. “Remember, he’s our ticket home.”
“Hello pilgrims!” shouted a voice from the east.
They jumped to their feet and Rory slipped his hand into the pocket of his robe. “Easy, Rory,” said Janelle. Rory nodded without taking his eyes from the trail.
A hundred feet away, a large man with a short, light-brown beard emerged from around a bush, waving both arms high over his head. He wore a sword at his side and a horned helmet on his shaggy head. He was dressed in what looked to be leather armor. He waved again and repeated the greeting as he walked closer.
“I don’t think we should try wrestling that one,” said Janelle, eyeing the bulging muscles of the stranger’s bare arms.
“Do you think that’s our guide?” asked Bo.
“I’ll find out,” said Rory, moving toward the stranger.
“Hi, Rory,” said the stranger. “How are Bo and Janelle faring? Our mutual friend Dieya asked us to meet you.”
“Us?” said Rory, glancing around quickly. Balthus closed to within ten feet of Rory.
“Of course, Rory. You have the look of a fighting man. Would you enter a strange camp that bugger Dieya sent you into without backup? How about you take your fist out from your pocket and we’ll shake hands and be friends.” Rory hesitated a moment, then extended his empty hand.
Balthus shook Rory’s hand and looked him in the eye, judging the smaller man in the pilgrim’s robe. Balthus liked Rory’s self-confident, yet watchful attitude.
“I’m Balthus,” he said, stabbing a thumb toward himself. “And you must be Janelle and Bo,” he said over Rory’s shoulder. He walked past Rory and approached the others. “Balthus,” he said, shaking Bo’s hand. Balthus moved to Janelle and took her hand in his. Bowing low with a flourish, he kissed her hand. “Welcome, Lady Janelle, to Luse Head Rock. I hope your journey hasn’t been too arduous for such a delicate creature as yourself.” He held her hand in both of his and smiled.
“Uh… thank you,” stammered Janelle. A blush rose on her neck.
Balthus released her hand and stepped toward Rory. “Let me introduce my friend and consort, Adrianna.” He patted Rory on the shoulder and gestured with his other hand to a tree not ten feet away. Adrianna stepped from behind the trunk, crossbow pointed to the ground, right hand raised, in a gesture of peace. Rory twitched at her close proximity and reached into his pocket again. The large hand on his shoulder tightened like a vise.
“I’m very fond of the lass and I wouldn’t want any harm to befall her – nor you,” whispered Balthus in Rory’s ear. “So please, I’d like to see an empty hand come out of your robe. Relax. We are not your enemy. We are here to help.” He eased the pressure on Rory’s shoulder as Rory slowly withdrew his empty hand.
Balthus walked to Adrianna, placed an arm around her waist and addressed the group. “Friends of Dieya. If you will follow us, we have clothes, arms, better food, and, oh yes, luses.” He looked directly at Janelle. “Yes, luses,” he repeated. Balthus turned and with an arm still around Adrianna, walked deeper down the valley trail.
“Do you think it’s safe to turn our backs to them?” asked Adrianna.
“I think by doing so we have gained some trust. Besides, I don’t think there is any danger from them now that they’ve seen my charming side.”
She elbowed him. “Should I see if they are following?”
“Naah,” he grunted. “Where else do they have to go?”
“What do you think?” asked Bo watching Balthus and Adrianna walk away.
“I think the degree of sophistication on this world is higher than we might have thought,” said Janelle. She still felt the gentle touch of Balthus’ iron-hard hands on hers. His charisma had surprised and confused her.
“I’m glad they’re on our side,” said Rory. “Those two are good enough for recon.”
“Yes, and did you pick up on that comment he made to Janelle about luses?” said Bo. “They must have been eavesdropping while we were waiting for them. He wanted to let us know that he knew.”
“I think we’ve been making a mistake equating low technology with low intelligence,” said Janelle. “The pre-industrial ages on most planets produced some of the most ingenious and cunning characters there ever were. We must be careful and follow the Dieya’s instructions – ask no questions, give vague answers.”
Rory chuckled. “Ingenious and cunning bastards are produced in any age, Ma’am. But we’ll be careful.” He rubbed his stomach. “That big character mentioned better food and I’d like to see what he means. Let’s join them.” With nods all round they jogged to Balthus and Adrianna.
As they neared, Adrianna dropped back to Janelle while Bo and Rory flanked Balthus.
“I think what I chose for you to wear will fit well,” said Adrianna. “It will be comfortable for the trip and will look smashing on you.”
Janelle didn’t know why, but she felt safer and more relaxed now that these two had joined them. Bo and Rory might be used to joining different commands and working with different groups, but she wasn’t. She felt less the stranger with Balthus and Adrianna than when first thrown together with the marines.
She studied Adrianna and realized that Balthus might be the spokesman for the pair, but Adrianna was the strength. It made her want to know more about them. “You seem a good team. Have you and Balthus been together long?” asked Janelle.
“Oh, over a dozen years,” said Adrianna. “All my life, really. The rest of the time I guess I was just waiting for him to show up.”
Janelle smiled.
“How about you, Janelle. Are you consort or wife to either Bo or Rory?”
“Goodness, no,” said Janelle, and chuckled.
“What brings the three of you together?” asked Adrianna.
“We –” began Janelle, then hesitated. “We’re just traveling together.” Her monotone response was too hurried. She would have to be careful around Adrianna’s disarming manner.
Balthus glanced back and saw Adrianna and Janelle deep in conversation. He smiled. Now it was his turn to work on the men and unravel the puzzle Dieya had handed them. “Gentlemen. I suggest a change of clothes, a light meal and perhaps we can make a few miles before nightfall. How well do you ride?”
“Ride?” said Bo.
“Yes, you know, luses,” said Balthus.
“I never, ah – ” stammered Bo.
“We are simple pilgrims, and usually walk,” interrupted Rory. “We are untrained at riding, but eager to learn.”
Balthus figured as much and changed tactics. “How long have you known our good friend the Dieya?”
“Not long,” Bo replied. “He was kind enough to help us poor pilgrims on our travels.”
“Yes, that’s the Dieya,” said Balthus, nodding. “Always willing to help the needy.” He noticed that neither of the two men reacted when he used Dieya’s name as a title.
“I hope the clothes fit you well enough. We brought an assortment that should do. What is your best weapon? I hope we brought what you favor,” Balthus said, looking expectantly for an answer.
“Well, ahh,” again stammered Bo. “Being peaceful pilgrims, we have little skill of arms,” he said, falling back on the same theme.
Balthus saw that Bo’s guard was up, and would let it go for now.
“I might be of some use with the crossbow Adrianna carries,” said Rory, “and I’m not bad with a knife.”
“Good,” said Balthus. “I’m not bad with a knife myself, but Adrianna’s the champion in our household.”
Rory looked back and Balthus saw him re-evaluating Adrianna. He was judging her now as a fighter instead of just a woman. Her strong limbs and a torso built for speed were obvious to anyone looking for it.
Rory grunted approvingly. “Not a bad person to have at your back.”
Balthus grinned. “Not too bad to have at the front either.”
“Hey!” yelled Adrianna. “Keep it kind, Balthus, or you can cook your own supper.”
Balthus laughed.
They approached the stand of trees where the luses were tethered. “This,” said Balthus as he grabbed the halter of the closest animal, “is a luse.” The filly searched his hand for a treat and finding none, went back to her grazing.
Janelle gaped at the nine animals tethered on a long line, then reached up to stroke the nearest one’s neck. “Do we need so many to pull the conveyance?”
“Eh? Pull the – oh, no, dear lady. There are few carriage roads on our route. Dieya said you must get to Brightmoor Castle as soon as possible. A carriage would add weeks to our travels. No, we will ride on the luse’s back,” said Balthus, slapping the same. Pretending not to notice the horrified look on Janelle’s face, he continued, “And there’s not too many. One for each of us, two pack animals, and two spares.”
Bo held a luse’s halter and was rubbing its nose.
“If you like that one, Bo, it’s yours,” said Balthus.
Bo turned to Balthus, a sparkle in his eye. “These are powerful animals.”
“Aye, that’s why you have to get the bull in on them first,” said Balthus. “Let them know who’s in charge and you’ll have no problem. They are not very bright, but the only thing dumber than a luse is the man on its back who doesn’t take charge.”
Bo grinned at Rory. “These are almost like runegas back on Signalia Six. I was stationed there for a year and learned to ride them.” He patted his luse’s neck. “This should be fun!”
Balthus caught the flinch Rory made at Bo’s remark but ignored it. “That’s the way, Bo!” said Balthus, shaking a fist. “Take charge. Show them who’s the master and that’s half the battle.” Balthus noticed that the words runega and Signalia Six were spoken in that odd tonal quality they used when saying words that Balthus had never heard before. He added that to his growing collection of puzzle pieces.
“Balthus,” called Adrianna. “Let
’s get our charges into some decent clothes and then we’ll see about dinner.”
Balthus opened a sack and began pulling out clothing. He looked Rory over and dug some more in another pack. “Here, Rory, try these on for size. If the boots don’t fit, we have smaller and larger sizes.” He continued to root around in the packs.
Adrianna handed a bundle to Janelle. “What’s in here should fit. There are several sizes of each item, so you should be all right. Balthus asked the men, but he overlooked you, so I’ll ask. Do you have any favorite weapon? We have quite an assortment.”
“Well, not really. I can handle myself hand-to-hand very well, but a sword or bow…” She just shrugged.
Adrianna nodded. Janelle didn’t look as though she had ever touched a sword. “Well, we’ll have you up for a few lessons before each meal. It is handy to know how to hurt a man.” She glanced over to Balthus who had most of his head in a large pack. “Especially if you have a consort.”
Janelle laughed as Balthus’ head came out of the pack. He held up a boot like a trophy, but a stocking hanging from one of the horns on his helmet ruined the image he no doubt hoped to portray.
Janelle loosened her sash but stopped when Adrianna grabbed her arm. She led Janelle away from the encampment.
“Where are we headed?” asked Janelle.
“Well, it appears you are not prudish, but I prefer to keep Balthus’ eyes safe.”
“Safe?” she asked.
“Safe from me prying them out of his head,” said Adrianna.
“Oh! I’ve made a social error.” She held up her hands. “I didn’t mean to offend.”
“It is all right. I’m not much of a prude myself, but it never hurts to keep men guessing – and I mean about everything.”
When they reached a secluded area, Janelle began to open her robe, but as she glanced down, she yanked the robe closed. She smiled at Adrianna. “Would it be all right if I asked you to turn around for just a second?”
“Of course,” said Adrianna, turning her back. Immodest one moment, then shy the next? Adrianna wondered what was under Janelle’s robe that she didn’t want seen.
“Okay,” said Janelle a short time later. “You’ll have to help me figure this out.”
Adrianna turned. Janelle was dressed from the waist down, but was trying to figure out the straps and ties on the shirt and tunic.
“Here, let me help. You have to put this on first,” she said, helping pull the shirt over Janelle’s head. “Then the straps tie here. Turn around.” Adrianna tied the straps behind Janelle. “Tying it like this helps keep your breasts from becoming sore after all the bouncing on luseback. There,” she said, finishing. “Now the short leather tunic goes over the whole thing.” She belted a small eating knife at Janelle’s waist and stepped back. “Let me see how you look.”
Janelle presented herself, then turned around in a typical female motion. “Do I look all right?” she asked with a smile. “These clothes are more comfortable than I thought they would be.” She wore knee-length brown leather boots, forest green leggings, matching long-sleeve shirt and a brown leather tunic.
“Fetching, very fetching,” said Adrianna, picking up the pilgrim’s robe while Janelle adjusted her boot top. “Do the boots fit all right?” said Adrianna, as they walked back toward the camp.
“They fit fine, but do they need to be so long?” asked Janelle, glancing down.
“You’ll wish they were even longer and more padded after a day of rubbing your legs on a saddle.” Adrianna stopped and adjusted her own boot top. Janelle continued walking, occasionally stomping down in her new boots.
“Is riding difficult?” asked Janelle, turning back to Adrianna.
Adrianna caught up to Janelle and handed her the rolled-up robe. “It’s like anything else, it just takes time, practice and – oh, what now?”
They entered the clearing and Adrianna stifled a laugh with her hand. Janelle was not so kind. The three men stood facing each other. Bo and Rory had been outfitted with new clothes. All wore shirts and leather armor, and all had their trousers down to their knees. Trousers were quickly raised at Janelle’s laughter.
“Are you showing off again, Balthus?” asked Adrianna as they joined the men.
“Nay, Lass,” said Balthus, frustration lacing his voice. “These dafts don’t even know what a crotch bag is, let alone how to tie one properly.” He looked annoyed and hooked a thumb in Bo’s direction. “This one thought it was a hat!”
“Sorry,” said a sheepish Bo.
Adrianna shook her head. If Balthus had one fault, and he had many, it was his inability to teach anything that wasn’t a weapon or a luse. “It looked as if they have it right now,” she said. “A few straps need adjusting, that’s all. Balthus, why don’t you start dinner. I’m sure they can figure the rest out by themselves.”
Balthus took a deep breath and nodded. “Aye, I’ll get some water.” He headed off toward the stream with a large cook pot.
Rory finished dressing and reached for Janelle’s rolled-up robe. “I’ll take that, Janelle.” He tucked the robe under his arm. “I’ll just put it with the others.” He walked out of the camp and Adrianna watched him.
“Adrianna,” said Janelle, moving to her side. “Is there anything I can do to help with dinner?”
Adrianna broke her gaze from Rory’s back and turned to Janelle. She hesitated, hearing the question for the first time. “Why, yes, you can,” she replied. She opened a pack and handed Janelle a brace of long-eared harbills. “You can skin these. It will give you some practice with your knife.”
Janelle held the dead animals away from her as if they were on fire.
“I’ll do it, Ma’am,” said Bo. He took the game from Janelle and followed Balthus to the stream.
Rory returned without the robes but with an armload of firewood.
“Build the fire right where you’re standing,” said Adrianna.
Rory scrubbed a small area with his boot and started building a fire pit. He was staring at a nicely built little pyramid of twigs by the time Balthus returned with a pot full of water.
“If you light it, you get a warmer fire,” said Balthus.
“I seem to be without the means,” said Rory.
Balthus reached into his pouch, tossed him a flat metal container, and walked off into the woods. Rory opened the container to find flint, steel, and a little cotton wadding. “Oh boy,” he said uneasily.
When Balthus returned, his helmet brimming full of wild tubers, olands and herbs, he found a very red-faced Rory blowing on sparks. “Let me show you how.” Balthus sparked the flint on the steel and had a fire going in moments. “You do it two or three times a day and by the end of our journey, you won’t give it a second thought.” Balthus walked back to the stream to wash the vegetables.
“We take a lot for granted, don’t we,” said Janelle, kneeling by Rory’s side.
“We sure do, Ma’am. I’ve had survival training courses that lasted several months, but these people have lived it all their lives. They’re hard and tough. They would make good marines.”
Janelle smiled. “High praise indeed, Strikedag.”
Adrianna had come up behind them and overheard the exchange. She backed away and approached again, this time rattling the camp gear. She would relay this bit of conversation and the oddly spoken term “Strikedag” to Balthus.
Bo returned with the skinned and cleaned harbills. Adrianna had him cut them into small pieces and place them in a pan. When Bo finished, she set the pan on a metal grill over the fire and gave the pan a shake.
As the rich aroma of cooking meat filled the clearing, Adrianna heard Bo’s stomach growl. She glanced up and found him staring at the grill. “It won’t be too long,” she said.
“Sorry.” He rubbed his stomach. “That smells really wonderful.”
Balthus
returned and cut the cleaned vegetables into the pot of water.
“Do we have time for fresh bread,” Adrianna asked, “or do we use what we brought?”
“Let’s use up what we brought. When that runs out, we can cook more.” Balthus stood and stretched. “Well Lads,” he hesitated, then bowed to Janelle, “and lady. Perhaps we might learn a little about protecting ourselves while the water boils.”
“The horns on your helmet could serve as an extra weapon,” said Rory. “Can I get a horned one too?”
“Certainly,” said Balthus. “I will arrange the match at the first town we come to.”
“Match?” asked Rory.
“Aye. First you find a bull brema that has the horns you like. Then it’s traditional to battle the bull and kill him with your bare hands. You snap off the horns and add them to your helmet. Simple.”
Rory stared wide-eyed at Balthus.
Adrianna didn’t look up from her cooking. “Or we can buy one at the next merchant’s stall we come across, like Balthus did.”
“Oh, Lass,” said Balthus. He shook his head and pointed to Rory. “I had him. Did you see his face? I had him cold! You spoil all my fun.” He laughed heartily while lifting several large bundles from the pile of supplies.
“Now, on to battle!” He spread out the bundles, laying out dirks, short swords, long swords, a battleaxe, rapiers and a bastard sword. As he arranged them on the cloth, he went on like a pitchman at the Merchants’ Fair. “Lady and Gents, step right up and see if any weapon suits your fancy. Each one is a finely-honed killing tool, guaranteed to strike fear into an enemy and inspire loyalty in a friend. Pick each one up and see how it feels in your hand.”
One by one the trio moved down the row of weapons, handling each and sometimes giving an experimental swing or two. When they had finished, he said, “Take another look. It could be all that stands between you and perdition.” Balthus watched each one closely as they handled the arms, mentally matching person to weapon. “Have you found anything that seems to feel right? You don’t have to know how to use it but your body will tell you what feels good. Bo?”
“Well,” said Bo, picking up the bastard sword, “this seems right. Gives me good balance.”
“Janelle?” he asked.
Janelle picked up the poniard hesitantly. “I like this big knife. I don’t know much about knives, but I could scare someone with this, or possibly block a sword.”
“Rory?”
“I like this short sword.” He lunged once with the sword, then put it down and picked up the battleaxe. “But this calls to me.” He gave the air several swipes and grinned.
“It suits you, Rory,” said Adrianna. “It really does.”
“Then I’ll tell you what else you need…” Balthus rummaged through the weapons. “Ah, here it is.” Balthus handed Rory a two-foot long, thick-edged knife. The guard was bent back toward the point at least six inches on each side. “That is called a ‘sword breaker.’ It’s the perfect balance to an axe. You have the strength to swing the axe but you need protection from attack. A shield is clumsy, hard to carry and can get in the way. The sword breaker makes you dangerous from either hand.”
Rory examined the bent guard. “How is it used?” he asked.
“Bo, come at Rory very slowly with an overhand strike. Take care though, that bastard is sharp.” Bo did as asked and halfway down Balthus halted his arm.
“Rory, say you are off balance; you have just missed with a slash. You pull back for another attack but down comes Bo’s sword. You can step back, but Bo would run you through with his next step. The best defense is to turn aside the blow with the sword breaker.” Balthus nodded and Bo continued his slow downward swing. Rory deflected the blow and Bo’s sword slid down inside the curved guard of Rory’s knife. “That’s right. Now Rory, twist your wrist.” Rory did and the sword blade caught between Rory’s blade and its guard. “Now, and why the sword breaker is so named, you can swing your axe and shatter his blade.”
In slow motion, Rory swung his axe toward Bo’s sword. “Right,” said Balthus. “But never bother doing so unless you want to disarm your man. You might not succeed and that will leave you off balance for an attack from his left hand. The best thing to do is swing your axe down and hack the knee. Don’t go for a side smash, tempting as it is, you might get your axe stuck in his armor. With any luck you can take off the leg. Either way, a one legged man can’t swing a sword very well, and when he is down you can finish him off quickly and easily.”
Growing apprehension filled Janelle as she watched the lesson. It was one thing to burn down a battle droid from a quarter mile away, but quite another to stick a sword into another human being. Abhorrence forced words from her mouth. “But once your opponent is down, shouldn’t the fight be over?”
Balthus stared at her, then sighed. “No, dear Lady, especially if there are more foes to fight.”
“Never leave an enemy behind you,” said Bo. “Bad idea.”
“That’s right, Ma’am,” agreed Rory. “In a melee fight an opponent on the ground can trip you or hold your legs long enough for his buddy to kill you.”
“’Tis sad but true, Lass.” Balthus walked to her, put his hands on her shoulders, turned her to face him and stared intensely into her eyes. “If a man comes at you with a weapon, he is trying to kill you. You can’t reason with him. You can’t argue with him. The only thing you can do is kill him.”
With reluctance, Janelle realized that what she saw as brutality was just the common sense of survival. The weight of Balthus’ words added to the conflict warring within her. Her mind screamed: I’m just an information analyst, not a combat soldier! But you hold a gold Denwabi ring in pressure-point combat. I only took those classes for exercise! But you’re a Commander in the Human Alliance League. I just wanted to study other cultures!
Her emotional pendulum lunged back-and-forth, then slowed. The experience aboard the Kraken dreadnought had changed her. The reality of the situation descended on her like a cloak and settled on her shoulders. Her sensibilities were shocked, but her mind closed around the harsh necessity of survival. She felt herself go cold and rock-hard inside.
She could do it.
Janelle stared into Balthus’ eyes and determination replaced the turmoil on her face. Balthus straightened at her change, then put his arms around her and gave her a hug. She was surprised, but grateful. He pushed her away, but still held her shoulders. “It’s just how things are, Lass.”
She clenched her teeth and nodded.
Balthus began her poniard instructions.
Balthus sidestepped Bo’s lunge. “Good, Lad! Your form is improving.” Balthus patted Bo on the back. After a short hour his charges had picked up the basics and were developing their own style. Whoever these folks were they certainly learned fast.
“Supper’s ready!” called Adrianna.
They sat around the fire and Balthus passed out wooden bowls and spoons. “You are in for a treat. Adrianna makes the finest camp stew this side of the Ligour Teeth Mountains.” Adrianna ladled out the stew and everyone ate heartily.
“This is delicious,” said Janelle. Rory and Bo grunted their approval but didn’t stop eating to verbalize any other accolades.
Balthus waved his spoon at the men. “You lads did fine today, for a first time. You seem to be in good condition –” he looked down into his bowl, “– for pilgrims, that is.” He raised his head and grinned.
Rory and Bo grinned back.
Balthus glanced at the sky. “It looks like we won’t be putting any distance under foot today,” he said to Adrianna.
“It’s just as well,” she said. “We need time to get the tack organized and establish riding order.”
“Not to mention an early start on tomorrow’s riding lessons,” said Balthus, nodding.
“Why does it matter who
rides where?” asked Janelle.
“To best protect the column,” answered Bo, “you need a good point man and rear guard. The center folks need to know what to do in different situations.”
“We’ll discuss tactics later,” said Balthus. He looked at the trio, assessing what he had learned about each one. “You folks seem as well versed as veteran troopers.”
“For pilgrims, that is,” said Rory, meeting his glance.
“Well, we weren’t always pilgrims, Balthus,” said Bo. “Some of us led different lives before taking up the pilgrimage.”
“Ah,” said Balthus, “I understand. I, too, once considered the priesthood.”
“You never!” exclaimed Adrianna, her spoon dropping into her bowl.
“It’s true, Love. My mother took me to a temple once. A cleric passed around a plate and people filled it with silver. Right then I thought of being of a priest.”
Everyone chuckled.
“Are you from around here, Balthus?” asked Bo.
I would like to ask you that question and get a straight answer, thought Balthus. “I come from Steradam, a little town northwest a ways. My family owns good farmland near there. I was the youngest and wildest of three boys and two girls and was never cut out to be a farmer. I remember my father saying to me, ‘Son – ’”
“‘Get out,’” said Adrianna.
“Before that,” replied Balthus with a sideways glance at Adrianna. He continued in a deep voice, “‘Son, farming is what we do here. If you want to stay, you have to be a farmer.’ So when I turned fourteen, I left to find my own way.”
“We come from far away and know almost nothing of these lands,” said Janelle. “Perhaps you might tell us a little about the people and the land we will be passing through on our way to Brightmoor Castle.”
Bo glanced at her and nodded.
Balthus decided to draw them into a discussion, hoping they might say something that would fill in another piece of this Dieya puzzle. “Well…” Balthus stroked his beard and launched into a geography lesson. “We will be traveling northwest and that land is mostly forest and farmland. As for the realm in general, the King’s capital, Jarvus, is further northwest, as are most of the gentry’s lands. To the northeast are the Arvari of the deep forests, the woodland people. The east has the border barons on the edge of the Great Grass Plains. Further east of the border barons are the Sevoal tribes. They are a nomadic people, but I’ve never seen them so I can’t tell you much about them.”
He scraped his bowl clean and placed it aside. “The southwestern dry wastes hold Torbu, Morgur and Stembuck. Those arid lands are not much use to humans. To the south lies Kyndia, a land of desert-dwelling people who are hard fighters. They have tried incursions into our lands from time to time but have always been driven back.” He stopped and took a long pull from a wineskin. “The Kyndians tell us of stranger lands to the south of them, but what’s down there is pretty much unknown to us.”
“We don’t have Torbu, and other creatures you mentioned in our lands,” said Janelle. “Tell us about them.”
“Torbu are a race of underground-dwelling maggots that should be exterminated,” said Balthus. “They are always at war with the big moss-colored Morgur. The Morgur are not much better, but at least you can befriend a Morgur and he will share his drink. Torbu are just filthy blue brutes.”
“With black eyes?” asked Rory.
“Yes,” said Balthus, “but the black is only a natural shade that covers their eyes in sunlight. At night, their eyes shine red.” He took another swig from the wineskin and passed it around. “I take it you have seen the mean blue folk.”
“Yes, we have,” answered Janelle.
“I’m glad you had a good hiding place. Be careful when hiding though, they have a good sense of smell. That’s how they do most of their hunting.”
“How did you know we hid?” asked Bo.
Balthus shrugged. “You had no weapons and carry no wounds. If you had encountered even one Torbu, you would have taken some hurt. They are nasty little creatures.” He tore off a piece of bread with his strong white teeth before continuing. “Now, Morgurs…”
The lesson continued until the stew pot was empty.
Adrianna collected the dirty dishes and made her way toward the stream.
“Need some help?” asked Bo.
“No, thank you, Bo. Stay and listen to Balthus, he works better with an audience.” She smiled and walked away.
“Tell us about the Stembuck and the Arvari,” said Janelle.
“Stembuck! Vicious creatures,” said Balthus. “They are about half again my size and immensely strong. Light brown furless creatures with small spiked horns. They are solitary hunters and their weapon of choice is a club, though their claws could easily rip a man open. They eat anything they catch from horned-lopers to men. They are not dumb animals; they have an intelligence of sorts. They are crafty hunters, and very fast.”
Balthus watched their faces while he spoke. He could see recognition with his description of the Stembuck. If these people had faced a Stembuck and survived, they had not entered the wasteland unarmed. He decided to continue to wax eloquent, and see if he could learn anything else.
Adrianna finished washing the dishes in the stream, and turned to make sure she was alone. Stepping behind a tree, she pulled out the box that Janelle had secreted inside the discarded robe. She tapped the gray metal experimentally. No, not metal, she decided, examining the box more closely. Several inches square and only a half-inch thick, it wasn’t constructed of any material she knew. There were two small holes on the top and a larger one on the side. The larger one wasn’t actually a hole, she noticed on closer scrutiny but was a black circle with eight smaller holes in it. She tried to open the box, but it seemed to be of one piece. She stared at it a moment longer then put it back in her tunic.
“…and they have such a grace about them, it’s amazing,” Balthus was saying, as Adrianna came back into camp.
“Who, me?” asked Adrianna.
“No. Well, yes, you do, but I was telling them about the Arvari. We really must go visit them someday,” reflected Balthus.
“He can’t have told you much about them,” said Adrianna. “He has never met one. He’s only relating tales he has heard. I bet he didn’t tell you about their dislike of strangers or that many a man has gone to see them, never to return.”
“I’m sure they were dolts who didn’t have my charm.” Balthus smiled, then shrugged. “It’s true, they are a lovely but harsh folk.” He stared into the distance and whimsy coupled with desire seeped onto his face. “I have wanted to meet them since I was a small child.” He broke his stare and sighed. “Perhaps someday I will.”
Balthus shook himself and glanced toward the setting sun. “Humm, I seem to have talked the day away. Perhaps we should turn in and get an early start tomorrow.”
He rose and distributed blankets. “In the morning, I will show you how to roll your sleeping gear together then tie it onto your saddle.”
“Balthus,” said Bo, “should we take turns standing watch?”
“No need,” he said. “Not in this locale, anyway. The Torbu and Stembuck will not enter the forests. The only thing of danger here would be bandits. If we are raided in the middle of the night though, don’t wake me up dispatching the rogues, will you?” He laughed, put an arm around Adrianna and they strolled into the dark.
They spread their blankets in a secluded spot and Adrianna nestled in the crook of Balthus’ arm. “What did you find out?” she whispered.
He sighed. “These folk are as ignorant of this part of the world as a Kyndian. They came out of the dry lands; that’s true. How they got there is a mystery. I thought it some strange nudity taboo when the men wanted to shed their robes unseen, but both of them strolled back naked as babes a few minutes later.” He shook his head. “Sargum Pilgrims th
ey are not. I made up a story about another sect and described the beliefs of the Sargum. They never batted an eye.” He furrowed his brows in thought then brightened as he remembered more. “I would lay you odds that they have killed at least a Stembuck and probably some Torbu. The two men were, or are, soldiers of some kind. They think and act as such, anyway.”
“But what do they use for weapons?” she asked. “They seem to know nothing about them.”
Balthus shrugged. “They could be lying but I don’t think so. Rory, the older one, defers to the younger. And they both defer to the woman, I’d say. No matter how you look at it, they are not from around here.” He stroked his beard. “Do you think they are Sorcerers, like Dieya?”
“I don’t know.” She pursed her lips. “If they were Sorcerers, we wouldn’t need to be escorting them.”
“Apprentice sorcerers who can’t vanish?”
“No, there’s too much secrecy,” she said, unlacing her tunic.
“Oh, sweetheart, and I thought you didn’t love me anymore,” he said.
“I never did, you scoundrel,” she laughed, and pulled out Janelle’s gray box. “This is part of what was under her robe. The rest felt like clothing, very silky clothing.”
Balthus examined the box in the lingering light. “Did you try to open it?” he asked.
She nodded. “It seems to be made of one piece. I’ll try again tomorrow.”
“We still have tonight,” he said with a leer.
“In your dreams, maybe,” she said and rolled over.
Balthus lay on his back gazing at the stars, trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together. He knew he would need more information before he could figure this one out. Well, it sure is getting to be “interesting,” as Dieya put it. He wondered what trouble Dieya was up to at that moment.