by Garry Spoor
“But you said…”
“I know what I said. I can convince them this was my idea, but that doesn’t mean they will approve it. They still have a lot of variables to work out first.”
“How long is that going to take?” she asked.
“Under the circumstances, they should fast track it. Time is the one thing we don’t have. I’m giving my report this afternoon. Hopefully we should know by this evening.”
“Yes, sir. Would it help if Marcus went with you, he can be very persuasive.”
“I bet he can, but that’s won’t be necessary. But, if I was you, I would start preparing now, because, if you get the go ahead, you’re going to have to leave quickly.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Kile stepped back out into the hall where the others waited patiently.
“So, what did he say, did we get the go ahead?” Tullner asked, stepping forward.
“It’s not up to him,” she replied, and then had to quiet them down before they started to protest. “He has to bring it up with Command. Only they can sign off on the mission.”
“So, we just wait?” Daniel asked.
“There’s not much else we can do. He’s going to speak with them this afternoon. We should know something by this evening.”
“What are we supposed to do in the meantime?” Larks asked.
“I say we head over to the bar.” Marcus replied. “Drinks are on me,” he shouted, turning to the door.
Kile stepped in front of him. “Nobody is going anywhere, just yet,” she said. “I think we should gather our supplies first, get ready. If we get the go ahead, I want to be on the road early tomorrow morning, at the latest. Every moment we waste, is one less moment Carter has.”
“Okay, you heard her guys, get everything you’ll think we’ll need,” Tullner said, turning to the rest of the group. “There won’t be too many places along the way, so pack accordingly.”
“We’ll meet at the Flatten Sparrow,” Kile added.
“Now you’re talking.” Marcus shouted. “First rounds on me,” he said, heading for the door.
“You mean the first rounds on the first waitress you charm,” Kile replied.
Marcus laughed. “It’s pretty much the same thing.”
There really wasn’t anything Kile needed. Like all Hunters, she traveled light. Guild Master Latherby once told her, all a Hunter needs is a good horse, a good weapon, a good heart and a good head on their shoulders. She had the horse, she had the weapon and she had the heart, the head just needed a little work, but it was salvageable. Of course, a new set of traveling clothes wouldn’t hurt, as well as a decent pair of boots, and she did just get paid. A good portion of that payment went back home to her brother, although, it wasn’t her home anymore. She may no longer be welcome, but Leon was still her brother, and he did have a family to support while she had nobody. So, with what little she kept for her own personal expenses, she was able to purchase some essentials.
It was about midafternoon when she found the Flatten Sparrow, and much to her horror, there was indeed a picture of a flattened sparrow over the door. It was a crude image of a large anvil with two bird feet stick out from under it and few feathers floating around. She shook her head and stepped inside.
The place was not nearly as packed or as loud as the Wet Frog, and it appeared to be a simple tavern, which didn’t take itself too seriously, which was evident by the picture over the door, and, unfortunately, the one over the bar. This one depicted the same flat sparrow, but this time, it met its unfortunate end under the foot of some large beast.
Most of the attention was drawn to the stage where a young, one eyed, Hunter turned bard, was entertaining the crowd with a story. Alex was in his element, sitting before his audience while his illusions performed as he narrated. Kile wasn’t familiar with this particular tale, and she was grateful it wasn’t about her. The story was about a lone wizard, exploring a strange land and pining for the woman he left behind. It was actually quite moving, although she only caught the tail end of it.
When he finished, and the illusions faded from the stage, the audience applauded, but more importantly, they dropped coins into a mug that was sitting on the table.
“Hey, Kile Girl,” he shouted when he saw her. Grabbing his mug he gave it a shake. By the sound it made, he was doing pretty well for himself. “Thought I’d get in a few performances before we hit the road,” he told her.
“Are you sure you still want to come?” she asked him. “You seem to have found your place here.”
“What, this?” he said, looking around the bar. “It’s okay. It’s not Baxter’s Bay though. That's where I’m going when I get my discharge papers.”
“So, it’s final?” she asked, sitting down at one of the tables. Alex joined her.
“Oh yeah, I’m officially out, well… not officially, not yet anyway. I guess there’s some paperwork which has to be filed first.”
“What about the Guild? Are you leaving the Hunters as well?”
“I don’t know,” he said, slumping down in his chair. “They said I can stay in the Guild, you know, be a Hunter in name only. It’s kind of good for business, but I’d feel like a fake. You know what I mean?”
“You got some new material I see,” she said, pointing to the stage.
“Oh, that?” he replied dismissively. “I found those stories in an old book at the Bay Library. Tales of the Legendary Wizard or something like that. I kind of spiced them up, gave them more of a romantic feel.”
“From what I saw, it was very good.”
“Thanks, I’ve been trying to write some original material, but I haven’t really had much luck. I’m hoping, once this is all over, I’ll have a bit more free time.”
“You keep this up, and there will be bards telling stories about you.”
Alex laughed. “Can you imagine that? I can tell a story about me telling stories about me telling stories.”
“Only you could get away with doing something like that.” Daniel said, taking a seat at the table. “So, have we heard anything yet?” he asked.
“I only just got here myself,” Kile replied.
“No, no word yet,” Alex added. “Marcus was at the bar when I got here, but he left with some waitress, and that was about three hours ago. Tullner and that other guy, I think it was Sandson. They came in but went out again. I haven’t seen anyone else.”
“So what, we just sit here and wait?” Daniel asked.
“Well, wait and eat, I’m starving,” Kile replied.
They flagged down a waitress, and gave her their order. When the food arrived, Alex paid the bill. Kile was going to protest, but after finding out he made more in one week than she did the entire time she was under siege, she let him. The food wasn’t bad, far better than some of the meals she had during her time in the military, but the company was better. It reminded her of her days back at the Academy, when the five of them sat around the table, in the back of the dining hall, complaining about their instructors, their lessons, and anything else they could think of. Now there were only three of them. Murphy was the last to join their group, but he was the first to leave it. He was killed on a routine deliver assignment, not to long after achieving his fifth level certificate. Now Carter was missing, and they weren’t even sure if he was still alive. Who would be next, she wondered? One of them might not even come back from this mission.
Daniel was sitting quietly, mindlessly scanning one of the medical books. He was not a field Hunter, and as far as Kile knew, he had never been on an assignment. His skills were those of a healer. He was too valuable for the front lines.
Alex was playing tug of war with Vesper on the other side of the table, using a lettuce leaf. Although he was technically a field Hunter, he was never really in the field. Most of his assignments were running messages around Baxter’s Bay. It was only recently he had seen any real action, and the result of it was blindness in one eye. He was lucky to be alive. How long would that luck h
old out?
Kile leaned back in her chair. She would never forgive herself if anything happened to either of them. Of course, it could be her, who doesn’t come back from this one. She may be a bona fide field Hunter, but she dodged one too many disasters already. Her luck was running out. It was only a matter of time.
She was actually thinking of ways she could leave them behind when Perha Squad entered the Flatten Sparrow, or what was left of Perha Squad. There were only four of them now, or four who were willing to go with her into the wastelands. They were dressed in their riding armor and carried their helmets under their arms. They even stood in formations. It made her feel uncomfortable.
“Commander,” Tullner shouted upon seeing her. He might not have actually shouted it, but it sounded loud to Kile when everyone turned around to see who he was addressing. “Has there been any word from the Colonel?” he asked.
“None yet,” she replied. “Now, will you sit down, you’re making me nervous.”
“Sorry, Commander,” Tullner said. He motioned for the others to take a seat at one of the tables while he sat down at hers.
“And will you please knock off the whole commander thing?” she told him.
“Sorry… it’s just…”
“I know, I know, it’s just your training,” she replied.
“So, what is the plan?” Tullner asked.
“Plan?”
“Yeah, the plan, you know? What’s going to happen? What are we actually going to do?”
“Yeah, Kile, what is your plan?” Daniel asked, leaning back in his chair and grinning. Of course he would find this more interesting than his medical books.
She shot him a look, before answering Tullner.
“Look, this isn’t going to be like a military operation, this is more like a Hunter assignment.”
“What are fearless leader is trying to say is, she has no idea what she is going to do, there is no plan, and she is making this up as she goes along,” Daniel added.
“That’s what I said, it’s just like any other Hunter assignment,” Kile replied.
“I see,” Tullner said, looking between the two of them. “Then how are we supposed to proceed without a plan?” he asked, there was no hiding his confusion.
“We play it by ear.”
“Play it… by ear.” Tullner repeated. “They warned me about getting involved with Hunters.”
“Too late now, you signed on,” Alex laughed.
Kile noticed Marcus heading toward them, he was pointing to the front door of the bar. Turning around, she saw Larks enter. When he spotted her, he ran over and handed her a piece of paper.
“Bad news,” he said, shaking his head. “It’s a no go. Colonel Barshed couldn’t convince the council. They say they don’t want to risk an operation into the wastelands without proper support and planning.”
“So, that’s it?” Alex said, looking around the room. By now, the rest of Perha Squad had joined them. “They’re just going to leave him out there.”
“I’m afraid so,” Tullner replied. “Obviously, Command doesn’t see this as a practical operation. They probability deem the success rate too low.”
“So, now what?” Daniel asked.
“We go back to work,” Marcus said with a shrug. He turned and headed back to the bar.
Kile got up, grabbed her new satchel from the back of the chair, ushered Vesper into it and headed for the door.
“Wait, where are you going?” Daniel asked.
“I’m going to look for Carter,” she replied, as if the answer was obvious.
“But Command said it’s a no go,” Sandson added.
“So,” Kile said with a shrug. “Command controls the military, I’m a Hunter,”
“Yeah, but we work for the military,” Daniel reminded her.
“I quit,” she said, shouldering the satchel.
Once she was outside, she stopped and took a deep breath. Even within the city walls, just being outside felt cleansing. The cold air cleared her mind. If she was really planning on doing this, really planning on going into the wastelands alone, she would have to leave soon, before anyone could stop her. She unfolded the paper and reread the note. Was it from Colonel Barshed, or Mathew Latherby, or it could have even been from Luke? It was hard to tell, but the message was clear. They were the coordinates of the next rendezvous point, where Carter should be in five days.
Closing her eyes, she fell into her Edge and stretched her consciousness through the city. It didn’t take her long to find Bakara and his kin. They had remained in Forthbar and were always close. Although he claimed to no longer serve Ravenshadow, she couldn’t help feeling he was keeping an eye on her. It may be a gamble to ask for his aid, but she knew his services would be necessary, if she wanted to travel unseen.
Before long, she felt the familiar weight upon her head. The old raven walked to the brim of her hat and looked down at her from over the top.
-How may I be of assistance?-
Bakara asked in his harsh voice.
“I’m going into the wastelands,” she told him.
-Why would you wish to return there?-
How much should she tell the old raven? How much did she truly trust him? He claimed Lindear sent him, but could she trust Lindear? She didn’t know the vulture any better than she knew the raven. If only Kaza was here, at least she could trust the crow. Kile laughed at the absurdity of the argument. If anyone knew what she was thinking, they would have labeled her mad a long time ago.
“I’m going to look for somebody,” she replied.
-You are seeking Ravenshadow?-
Bakara asked.
“Not likely. The man I seek is a Hunter. He’s lost, and I’ll need your help.”
-You have only to ask. I am at your service, mistress.-
It was difficult to get a fix on the raven, but it was difficult to get a fix on any birds. Unlike most animals, their minds were, as Vesper once put it, flighty. They have a tendency to think rapidly and don’t remain fixed on any one subject. She wondered if that short attention span also applied to loyalties.
She was halfway to the old stables, where she left Grim, when Daniel caught up with her.
“Do you really think you’re going alone?” he asked, coming up behind her.
She didn’t turn around, she just continued walking. “I don’t want to get anyone in else in trouble, and I’m not abandoning Carter,” she told him.
“In case you forgot, Carter is my friend too. Actually, he was my friend before he was yours.”
“So what are you trying to say? That you have more of a right to find him than I do.”
“No, only that we’re going with you.”
Stopping, she suddenly turned to look at him and felt the raven momentarily lose his balance on her hat. Slower movements next time, she told herself. “Who are we?” she asked.
“Alex, Larks and myself, as well as your Perha Squad friends. I don’t know about Marcus though, Tullner was going to talk with him.”
“When did you decide this?” she asked. “I only just left the bar a couple of minutes ago.”
“Oh please Kile, we all knew if Command wasn’t going to go along with the operation, you would try to go it alone, so we all agreed to go with you.”
Kile just stared at him.
“Contrary to popular belief, you do have friends, even if you want to ignore us.”
“I don’t ignore you guys… well, not all the time.”
“So, are we going?” he asked.
It was so much easier when she decided to take on the responsibility alone, to go off by herself. What’s the worse they could do to her? They already tried locking her up once. If they kicked her out of the military, she would probably be grateful. As for the Guild, she wanted to quit, she actually did, but a moment, of what Grim would call noble pride, made her come back. Now she was going to be responsible for all of them, they were following her lead. Some of them had promising careers in the military, some in the
Guild. By following her into the wastelands, they could be throwing away their livelihood, if not their very lives. But she knew she couldn’t do it alone.
“Fine, I guess you guys can come,” she replied.
“Oh wow, that's really big of you,” Daniel laughed.
“Just meet me at the western gatehouse in an hour.”
“We’ll be there.”
“And try not to let everyone know where we’re going.”
She watched as Daniel returned to the Flatten Sparrow. She had to admit, it would be easier than going it alone, but she was still worried about bringing him and Alex into the wastelands, and she wasn’t too sure about Larks. He said he wanted more excitement, but did he really know what he was getting himself into. Perha Squad could take care of themselves, they had seen action, and were now veteran soldiers, if three weeks behind enemy lines can make one a veteran. Marcus, well, Marcus was Marcus and looked out for himself, but he was a survivor, and his trophies proved that.
One step at a time, she thought.
-He seemed… likeable.-
Bakara said
“He’s okay,” Kile replied.
-You care for him?-
“He’s a friend,”
-Is that all he is?-
“I did not ask you along to evaluate my personal life,”
-Just making conversation-
Fortunately, she reached her destination before she had to reply.
It was a pleasant looking barn with the simple name of Cali’s Livery. It was nowhere near as grand as the ones up at the keep, and they accepted mountain ponies. She was surprised by how many stables in Forthbar wouldn’t even consider taking in mountain ponies. One would think they had a bad reputation.
Entering through the side door, she found Grim in one of the stalls. The rest of the place was empty, save for two other horses, located near the front of the barn. She had gotten to know both of them. They belonged to a pair of merchants out of Littenbeck.
-So, what’s the verdict?-
Grim asked.
“It’s a no go,” she told him.
-But we’re going anyway.-
