The Mercenary Code

by Emmet Moss

  As Alessan trudged across the desolate plain, he took stock of his supplies and was happy to find that his sword was still sheathed at his side. The golden dagger he had been holding for Corian Praxxus was also present. His Sylvani uniform looked none the worse for wear. In fact, his outfit seemed far too pristine for one that had just survived a harrowing flight through dank and dusty old corridors.

  Time passed slowly as Alessan forced his tired and weak body forward. Only the growing shadow in the east served as definitive proof that he was in fact travelling anywhere at all. The ground remained parched and flat in all directions.

  Am I dreaming? He wondered as the sun paced itself far overhead. If this was a dream, it would reinforce his belief that the reoccurring Aeldenwood visions might be a thing of the past. Any pattern he had once perceived now seemed of no importance at all. Am I going mad?

  Engrossed in his thoughts, Alessan failed to notice the ripple in the air directly behind him. Oblivious to the subtle disturbance, the now familiar touch of gently caressing fingers prompted his full attention. Turning to acknowledge his companion, Alessan breathed a sigh of relief.

  “It’s good to see you, C’Aelis,” he gasped.

  Likewise, Alessan, the Gorimm replied with a short bow. I am also quite pleased to see you once again. I trust I did not startle you?

  The Gorimm looked far better than he had when last they had spoken. A day’s travel from the Crossroads, C’Aelis had worn such a haggard look on his face that Alessan could remember his concern for the health of his strange friend.

  Now, the clean and shimmering silver-haired Gorimm was pristinely groomed. He wore a beautiful green and grey robe with soft leather boots. Standing confidently on the hard earth, C’Aelis had regained the graceful stance that reminded Alessan of a poised hunting cat. Over both shoulders the Gorimm also bore his twin short swords, their bronze hilts gleaming with a polished shine.

  “I wasn’t startled,” Alessan replied with a smile. “I may be a little on edge, but I believe I’m beginning to recognize your presence in my mind.”

  That is excellent to hear. I have not forgotten the pain I caused you when first we met.

  “Oh that. It’s of no matter,” Alessan chuckled. “Unless you meant to cause me harm?”

  Eriena strike me down, I wished no such thing! C’Aelis replied.

  Alessan immediately experienced a profound feeling of remorse regarding his offhand comment. He realized that the Gorimm almost certainly had no ability to lie, so transparent were his feelings when speaking this way.

  “I was just kidding, C’Aelis,” Alessan laughed at his friend’s obvious distress. The laughter itself felt cleansing to him, a release after so much pent up anxiety.

  I believe there is much I have yet to learn about humankind, the man mused, his thoughts strongly conveying amusement. And to think, it truly hasn’t been that long since last I spoke with your race. But no matter, there will be time for that discussion after we deal with your present dilemma.

  “Dilemma? I would gladly take this one over my last,” Alessan responded. “I’m not quite sure what has happened or where I am, but your presence makes me wonder whether I might be dreaming,” he replied with a shake of his head. “The last thing I remember was being beneath Rose Keep. I’m a little confused…”

  The stabbing pain that had been present when he first woke up suddenly returned with a heightened intensity. Alessan stifled a cry as the pain continued to swell in his stunted body.

  A gentle but firm hand clasped his shoulder. Alessan, you must listen to me. You are dreaming, but the pain you feel is real. You are in danger and need to control your emotions, control your thoughts. Believe not what you see or feel, lest they take true form.

  “True form?” Alessan gasped for breath, his fingers once more returning to massage his temples in a vain effort to abate the throbbing waves. His whole body was now shaking and through his pain filled gaze he suddenly caught sight of a fast moving cloud of darkness. The strange apparition was heading right towards them. In horror, he found himself helplessly captivated by the approaching gloom and unable to pull his eyes from the sight.

  Alessan! You must listen! C’Aelis’ voice suddenly roared through his mind, sending him reeling in pain but effectively breaking his frozen stare. You must not fall prey to the dream. You must take my hand and follow where I lead. Alessan! Do you understand?

  It was the frantic tone in the man’s thoughts that finally pierced Alessan’s numbed senses. Never before had he felt such alarm from the Gorimm. With a cry of agony, Alessan thrust his hand into his companion’s outstretched palm. C’Aelis’ grip was like solid steel, unyielding and unbending.

  Gritting his teeth, Alessan struggled to his feet. “Lead on...” he said and watched in wonder as the silver-haired Gorimm began to fade before his eyes. Glancing quickly at his own body, he shuddered fearfully as his own body also began to dissipate. In vain, he struggled to free himself from the Gorimm’s grasp, but he was powerless against the supernatural grip. To his left, close enough now to distinguish the individual creatures, charged a twisted mass of Gath. Slavering mouths roared as they rapidly closed the distance. Screaming, Alessan braced himself as they overwhelmed him.

  Alessan slowly opened his eyes. The soft light from a nearby glass globe illuminated his surroundings. He was in a small well-kept chamber. Rows of shelves packed with old leather-bound books circled the room. Heavy velvet curtains covered both windows and a small oak desk was the only other piece of furniture of note other than the bed upon which he lay.

  Sporting the same robes he had been wearing on the barren plain, C’Aelis turned from the window and smiled. In the dim light of the chamber the man’s large green eyes glowed like exquisite pieces of jade.

  You had me quite worried these past days, Alessan Oakleaf. To see your eyes open and your fever broken brings me much relief. For a time, I thought you were lost.

  “I need a moment to collect myself,” Alessan responded slowly. “Too much has happened in too short a time. I’m not quite sure what is real anymore.”

  When you are ready I will shed as much light on your recent adventures as is possible. Until then, take comfort in knowing that you are safe and have been for much of the last three weeks, C’Aelis replied.

  “Three weeks…” Alessan breathed. “How?”

  Now is not the time, Alessan, C’Aelis replied in a calm and patient voice. You must take your own advice and rest your body and soul. I have an herbal tea prepared that should help you to relax. I trust you are interested?

  “Thank you, I am.”

  It took some time before Alessan downed the last of his tea. The warm drink had calmed his racing mind and a soothing wave washed over him. It also tasted wonderful. Even his mother’s tea leaves lacked flavour when compared to the rich taste of the Gorimm beverage.

  Stretching his arms about his head while wrapped in his thick bedding, Alessan glanced outside. Seeing a definitive change in the contour of the moon that peeked through the trees, he sighed and threw an expectant look toward his benefactor.

  “How long?” Alessan asked heavily.

  C’Aelis was sitting in a wooden rocking chair, his own cup of tea already empty and resting on a small end table. Greiyfois snored softly at his feet, the wolf’s snout curled under the foot of his master. The smooth sheen of the animal’s fur remained patchy in a few areas as old scars mingled with a newly healed gash that travelled the length of her left foreleg.

  It has been seventeen days since I found you in the ruins of Old Telmire, twenty-one since last we spoke, C’Aelis answered. Nearly a seven-day has passed since I pulled you from your True Dream.

  For the moment, Alessan preferred to ignore the strange term and asked instead. “How did you find me? And what of the Gath and Master Praxxus?”

  You called to me, Alessan. Finding you was never a
problem after your sending was received. The only obstacle to my arrival was time itself. My journeys had taken me far to the south. Greiyfois and I were somewhat hampered by a confrontation of our own with the Gath. As for those who had tracked you through the labyrinth beneath the castle, they were all slain by the time I arrived. Corian Praxxus —

  “Wait!” Alessan interrupted. “Let’s start at the beginning. Please explain this ‘sending’, as you call it.”

  Once again I am humbled. There is such a gap in our history that I forget how foreign some of my terms must sound. A sending is a silent call to one of my people when in need. Once a link has been established, we can communicate indirectly over longer distances. Although I knew you were far from my reach, I received your message of dire need, faint though it was.

  “Can you send to me as well?”

  C’Aelis nodded as he continued. Yes, it is possible, but humankind tends to receive feelings as opposed to the words we wish to convey.

  “Like a breeze in my head?” Alessan asked, reminded of a brief moment in the catacombs.

  Yes, that would be an apt description as to the sensation, C’Aelis agreed. Very few of your race have had success in forming actual messages and Dwarvenkind can neither receive nor give a sending.

  “Any reason?” Alessan asked.

  My forefathers all believed that their affinity with the stone of the earth blocks our ability, although even the most learned of our sages has yet to confirm this as an absolute.

  Propping himself up among his numerous cushions, Alessan paused a moment to consider this new revelation. He caught the raised eyebrow of his companion and remarked, “I just realized that I have learned more about your people in the last minute than in our three previous meetings.”

  C’Aelis chuckled. I don’t believe there was ever time for tea on those occasions.

  Enjoying the lighthearted turn of the conversation, Alessan looked about the small chamber and suddenly opened his eyes wide. “You know,

  I think I’ve been here before. Or rather, it was a place in my dreams,” he said with a certain amount of disbelief.

  I am not surprised. We will talk more about all of your visions, Alessan, for you have shown yourself to be somewhat proficient in a talent my people thought long lost.

  “Really?” Alessan exclaimed.

  It is not yet the hour, young Oakleaf; let us deal with one set of questions at a time. There will be ample opportunity to bring to light other items of interest.

  Alessan agreed with a tired smile. “In that case, you mentioned the slain Gath, but what about Master Praxxus? When I felt my mind almost shatter, he was lying wounded and those creatures had me surrounded,” Alessan said with a deep sadness welling up inside.

  I regret to inform you that I could find no trace of your employer, although I did see Gath tracks covering the ground where he had fallen. How the Gath were slain remains a mystery, but I do have a theory that I am not completely comfortable voicing at the moment.

  Alessan’s heart sank as he thought of the big jovial merchant. Without the trust of the businessman from Innes Vale, he would never have found the means to leave his previous life in Briar and strike out on his own. And yet this predicament, he realized, had come about because of that very same confidence. The world, it seemed, continued to play havoc with the rules when it concerned this young ba’caech from the North.

  I am sorry, Alessan.

  “Thank you,” Alessan whispered and fell back into his thick blankets.

  I believe the hour is late and it would be unseemly for any host to keep a recovering guest up for so long, C’Aelis said. Our conversation can wait until the morning if you would so prefer?

  Catching the deep sorrow underlying the man’s words, Alessan sent him a grateful glance and fought back a sudden onrush of tears. Blinking his eyes in frustration, he turned away and closed his eyes.

  Thank you, he whispered in his mind.

  You are most welcome, Alessan. Sleep well, the Gorimm replied.

  In the darkness of the night, Alessan cried softly. At the doorway to the small bedchamber, C’Aelis pulled over a chair and sat as silent watchman for the remainder of the night. Slumbering comfortably at his feet, the young wolf shifted her body and snuggled closer to the Gorimm. Deep in thought, C’Aelis leaned back and watched the stars through the tall upper tower window.

  A wonderful scent slowly brought Alessan back from a deep and restful sleep. Light was beginning to seep through the sides of the burgundy curtains, bathing the room in a gentle radiance. Yawning, Alessan stretched and made his first attempt at raising himself to a sitting position. His body ached and his muscles screamed loudly in protest. Wincing at the discomfort, he managed to slide his feet off the edge of the large bed and drop them onto the cold stone floor. Shivering, he prepared himself for the inevitable pain that would follow his attempt to stand.

  With a gasp, he straightened his body and pushed himself to his feet.

  It took a considerable effort to exit the room and reach the end of the hallway. Woefully, he eyed the stairwell now directly in front of him. Pausing to catch his breath, he leaned heavily on a nearby windowsill and looked outside.

  He was surprised to find himself high above the forest floor. The tower gave a breathtaking view of the surrounding area as it peeked above even the towering trunks of the Aeldenwood. The bright light of the sun danced across the treetops like flames in a fire. The forest stretched far off into the distance, the green canopy broken only sporadically by similar towers, each of which looked like tiny poles on the horizon. It was at these times that the usually foreboding Great Wood enchanted Alessan. It seemed impossible that something so vast and beautiful could be home to something as evil as the Gath.

  You have courage to be up and about, C’Aelis called in his mind. Please wait where you are, I am happy to be of assistance if you wish to climb down for a midday meal.

  “Midday?” Alessan wondered.

  I thought it best to let you sleep. Both your mind and your body needed rest, the Gorimm replied. One can only push themselves so far before they fall off the edge. Even you, Alessan Oakleaf, must learn to control that stalwart spirit that resides within you. Temper the traces of rebuke and disgust that I can detect and replace them with feelings of hope. Your heart will rot if you do not take care.

  Alessan frowned. “I cannot change who I am,” he answered tersely.

  But you can always change who you become...

  Alessan waited at the top of the stairwell until the nimble form of the Gorimm came into view. C’Aelis was dressed in his customary leathers. Twin swords were sheathed across his back in a crisscross pattern and a bow was slung over his shoulder. Alessan smiled and greeted him warmly, pushing aside any lingering objections to the Gorimm’s lecture.

  They made their way to a small nondescript kitchen on one of the lower floors. Compared to the serene beauty of the upper chamber, it was quite plain.

  Do you enjoy mushrooms? C’Aelis asked as Alessan took a seat near the small cooking fire.

  “Very much so.”

  Excellent. They will be ready presently. I also have another pot of water boiling for tea. You definitely consumed the last cup with vigor. A general feeling of amusement tickled at Alessan’s thoughts.

  From the open window, the air carried the unmistakable scent of new growth, a sure sign that the winter had finally loosed its icy grip from the land. Reminded of the abnormally temperate climes while journeying under the eaves of the great forest, he wondered if the Gorimm could really differentiate between the seasons.

  “You’ve explained sending to me, but I have to admit my curiosity has been piqued. What exactly is a ‘True Dream’ and what on earth does it have to do with me?”

  Setting his own cup down on the worn wooden table, C’Aelis locked eyes with Alessan. If you truly wish an answer to yo
ur question, Alessan, it is imperative that you understand that your life, imparted with my knowledge, will never again be the same. I will be opening a door previously closed to you; a door you never even knew existed.

  “I’ve never been happy with who I am,” he answered slowly, a sudden chill sweeping over him as he held the Gorimm’s supernatural gaze.

  Recent events, especially the fever that left you in bed for far too many days, have led me to believe that there is a reason that we have been united.

  “Am I in danger?” he pressed.

  Yes.

  Breathing deeply, Alessan continued to hold the Gorimm’s stare. “Then tell me.”

  I must first ask you one question, Alessan, C’Aelis cautioned.

  “Go on,” Alessan replied immediately.

  Very well. How familiar are you with the greater world?

  “Well, only a little I’m afraid,” Alessan hesitated. “I know of Kaleen, the Shattered Kingdoms and the Free Cities. I’m afraid history wasn’t a common topic of discussion in my family. My father loved the legends and stories of the North far more than anything else.”

  And of Valence or the Feradin? C’Aelis asked.

  Alessan cleared his throat uncomfortably. “I know that Valence lies far to the east and I believe it has a Council of Lords, but I’ve never heard of the Feradin.”

  Then I believe you’ll need to be patient while I explain something of the lands to the east, C’Aelis nodded. Millennia ago, in the times of my forefathers, the forests of the Aeldenwood stretched across far larger tracts of land, land now empty and barren of trees. The borders of the Gorimm kingdom also reached far past the northern mountains and the southern plains of the Drayenmark. Peace still existed between the Gorimm factions and we had made contact with a number of races, the Kaleenians and humankind included. In the —