by Matt Wilk
The allFather blessed me with a bright morning- then stole it away. My arm did not get to heal properly before the hail blew in from the glacial tundra. There was nothing else to do but clean, so, I spent all day sweeping with one hand and scrubbing with my feet. The twelve stables on the first tier were easy enough to clean. A trail of tiny poops led me to find a horde of pack rats that burrowed into a crack in the rock. They were smart enough to hollow out one of the wooden partitions. If I tried to reach in, my hand would meet sharp splinters, and the bastards would still escape from the other side. I decided to let them live, as long as Eso did not complain.
The second tier had twelve rooms with rock walls. Each room once had enough hooks for one soldier to sleep in a hammock on each wall and a bed in the middle for their corporal. Most of the hooks were gone or too rusted to be trusted. The floors were left without any more beds, and only two hides remained hanging on the walls for covers. I shook them out again and was surprised to see how much dust had accumulated between the fibers in only a few months.
The sergeant’s quarters and the officer’s quarters both had doors that could lock. Both of the doors were always locked. Dooza had had all three officer’s rooms to herself for so many years that not even Major Swiftblade dared to question it.
The day dragged on so long and so dreary that I was shaven, scrubbed, and fed before the sun went down. I felt overly proud of myself until the next day, when I realized there was nothing left to do. The weather was gone but that did not bring the sun back. Everything was still wet. The hens had lost their inclement weather cover and Dooza made me crunch through the frozen grass to look for it. The damned thing was a solid piece of ice when I found it, and I was ready to chop off my left arm to spare the pain of having to drag it all the way back up the serpentine. Shaking it out furiously re-broke my arm. But, upon seeing that I had finished her task, the acclaimed healer finally helped me to reset the bone. She melted some pain relieving leaves, caked me in mud from elbow to wrist, and only then did she slap it to make sure I wasn’t faking.
I rolled around in the night. My sweat turned the cast back to mud. It was in my hair, all around the floor of my room, and, I overslept. I woke up to the thundering convoy as it pulled into the stables below. Fleeing the high wind, the new mercenaries ran into the second tier while I was still struggling to get my boots on with one hand. The skinny little servant boy ran straight into the first room- my room. He ripped the sloth hide from the reed I had hung across the doorway and wrapped himself tight. When he saw me, he shrieked so meekly the mercs ran in as well.
“A wild man. I mean, a wild boy.”
“What? Where? Oh.”
“Who’s in there?”
“No one boss, just some kid.”
“Yea, and he stole my door. All of you- get out. You’ve gotten mud all over my clean floor.”
“Like the mud you’ve gotten all over yourself?”
“Ah yes, that would be the Cadet. Rumor has it you cook a mean peppered sloth.”
“Can you not see the cast on my arm?”
“Can you not see to whom you speak?”
“Done did it now. Watch out Jim, the fairies are gonna have a slap fight. ‘Oh no, my clean floors. Mother was right about you.’”
“Yea, good one boss.”
The two mercenaries walked out laughing and flexing. I had had my implant for so long that I had forgotten the demeanor of those still adapting to the awesome power. The boy stood in his place with his lips out waiting for an apology. He had the long limbs, dark black hair and eyes, and the proud nose of a Chron.
“You look like Ambassador Crow, but have none of his manners.”
“You think you knew my father?”
“Master Crow was good to me, I mourned his loss.”
“Yet, you did nothing to save him.”
“Sorry boy, I only showed up in time to deliver his top knot.”
His face softened and his eyes went blank.
“That was you? Uncle Malta never mentioned...”
“Matthius, Cadet Commando. Welcome to Ram’s Peak, last stop before the tunnel of doom.”
He wiped his cheeks and cleared his throat, gripping my extended hand with his own.
“Well met, Matthius. Jyetta Crow, Ambassador to the Chron.”
“You are just in time for the full moon celebration.”
“Indeed. Have you cleared the tunnel of monsters? We must continue our journey before too long.”
“No, that’s just what I call it. You know, when I’m talking to myself.”
“Very funny. But then, why did your master call for you? Ah yes, the hot meal.”
“Right. Just to be safe, I am going to see for myself.”
“Smart thinking, I will come with you.”
I merely crossed the room for my shirt, and he immediately offered me his hand. I raised a brow his way.
“Uh, it’s the custom.”
“I have been to Hi-yadora and no, it is not. Wait, how many times have you gotten away with that lie?”
“Well, it’s just a little fib really.”
“Oh, you are a freak.”
“Hmm, I know.”
It felt good to be laughing again. Jyetta was blushing a bit harder than I thought he should, so, I checked the tier for prying ears and questioned him bluntly.
“Jyetta Crow, are you a gay?”
“What? Why- who- what?”
“I knew it.”
“Wha- no- I didn’t say yes. I mean, how dare you peasant?”
“Ha! You are a terrible liar. Just be grateful you did not grow up in Ulfbar.”
“And why is that? Did they hurt you?”
“Yes, but, not because of that. Seen men whipped for less is all I’m saying.”
“You see? And people wonder why I never leave Embraun.”
“Don’t. Trust me Jyetta, do not leave Embraun. The capitol is a rare phenomenon unlike any other. Safe, clean, peaceful, the food, the women- everything is better in Embraun.”
“I don’t know, Matthius. I rather enjoy the scenery out here.”
“It is breath taking, isn’t it?”
“I’ll say.”
It took a long moment to get my wet leather vest over my head with one hand. Only once I had finished did I realize that he was talking about my body.
“You are such a freak.”
“Please, I know.”
He joined me in a laugh without blushing. Likely, few people came to know his secret without the usual reaction. The sun worshippers either hiss like a cat or flail their arms for an emergency prayer. I was glad he was honest and up front. Not as glad as he was. Knowing where the boundary was would allow him to cross it at will. He was no fool, and his sense of humor served well to keep comments from people like Jimmy and Hoss- the burly son of pig farmer- at bay. The new mercenaries turned out to be just as red-eyed and rude as Shale’s crew. The White Coal skin heads were only there for the chance to kill for gold. However, without Clarence there to share intimate details from my past, I managed to lead the questioning while I flipped over the fire pit block and made them warm.
“You don’t understand the real prize at stake here, young’uns. I’m out here for my chock to join a stag hunt this season. You lot have any idea how much meat I’ma put on the table? And the whole party splits the profits fetched for the antlers.”
“You’re such a good father boss. I’m all jealous and such.”
“Yea well, they’re all grown and not but my Shena left home. You believe that? Three grown men I gotta feed.”
“And all of them big enough to sleep in the barn, I bet. Right boss?”
“Right you are Jim- giants. A whole litter of hungry stinking giants.”
It was rare to hear a man complain about having too many sons. They laughed about it, knowing that there was no other way to operate a pig farm. I moved as quickly as I could, though, my curiosity did slow me down. Even in the cold wind, my sweat further melted the clay
on my arm. I was a wind burned mess when I knocked on the Swiftblade’s door. I was smiling. A mistake, as it always was.
“Behind you.”
After a few knocks, Major Swiftblade called to me from The Lady Dooza’s cracked door.
“Hurry it up boy, I’m not heating up the whole valley.”
“Sorry ma’am.”
Once I had the door closed, they both dropped their falsely cordial tones. Dooza stomped over to the door and slammed the bar down in the catch so hard it bounced back out. I offered to help her with the simple lock. She chose to glare at me and continued to fail.
“I like your home ma’am. It’s all cozy and warm.”
“Do not coddle me boy.”
“What did I do?”
Major Swiftblade cleared his throat and pointed the end of Dooza’s pipe at the ground. He sat at the end of a crescent shaped table angled out from the wall. The commanders would have used the room for meetings. The map had long since been removed from the speaking area in the center. I sat down on the floor and waited to be addressed. The looks I was receiving foreshadowed another speech on the importance of bravery. I had failed to confront a monster for the second time. There could never be a more agonizing punishment then to hear one’s mentor express their sullen disappointment. Luckily, the Shaman and the Monster Hunter were in a mood to yell.
“No more cowardice!”
“Does he have to say it again?”
“I went after the raptors.”
“I killed bigger when I was a babe!”
“Do hear that? Bested by an old woman.”
“I have no weapon.”
“How dare you offer any excuse!”
“What if the beast took all the clucks before chasing off after you? Where would you be getting your food from then?”
“Do not even suggest that you be allowed to hunt.”
“If the Opa can have sharpened reeds- why can’t I?”
“You must earn your title. Even I know, for the grey skins, your weapon represents who you are.”
“But,-”
“Stop. You have already compared yourself to the tall reds that haunt the Sheek-tee. Do you eat on man flesh? Have you no honor?”
I slammed my mouth shut and sunk my head. Dooza leaned in, baring her teeth in anticipation. I smelled the smoking bark she threw in the fire. The smoke was crawling around me on the floor.
“Or, have you no shame.”
“Please don’t.”
“You have shamed yourself twice now. Do not the good citizens of this nation deserve to know exactly what sort of man with whom they speak?”
“They will never speak to a marker at all.”
“One more time- look at me!”
The knife hand he used to point at me slapped me one good time and became a fist. He took a long draw off the pipe and covered me in a thick cloud of smoke.
“I say you give it to him now.”
Her Shaman voice echoed from every direction. I hid my chin with the only gauntlet I had.
“Run from your duty one more time. I swear it, you will wear the mark of shame forever.”
Another long draw off the pipe lit his eyes with its red embers. They sparkled like evil rubies from above and beyond the cloud. The trance made me feel as though I were falling down. I was sitting on the floor, and yet, the rushing air made it hard to breathe. The image continued with eyes tight against the lie. I rocked back and forth holding my chin, until they were good and satisfied.
“Does he believe me now?”
“Oh yes. He is quite lost in the abyss. He fears your wrath more deeply than any beast.”
“Please. Don’t.”
“Go.”
Dooza cracked the door and the hazy trance was lifted. They had put me under quite the spell of illusion and suggestion. On his word, I was gone. I sprinted back to my bedroll best I could. The wind blew me into the rock face and tried to take me over the edge. I stunk of fear, shivering from the cold and running for dear life. My bed roll did very little to keep out the wind. Sitting by the fire, Jyetta could see the Shaman had put me under a spell. He suggested I quit rocking like a mad man before I made it a habit. The mercs made no such attempt at kindness.
“Alright then, boy? Can you feel your fingers?”
“Yes, finally.”
“Well?”
“You tell him like it is boss.”
“Where the hell’s my lunch? We aint got all day.”
Hoss enjoyed the speed in which I jumped to my feet. Moving around and cooking was better than sitting down in the cold. Besides, I was only imagining what sort of beast might be the end of me.
“Don’t forget to pack a dinner for your journey.”
“Oh, sorry Jyetta. I cannot come along this time.”
“But, you are. Major Swiftblade said the Lokah want that mess off their land before the first snowfall.”
“What mess? Why didn’t he mention it to me?”
“I don’t know, and well, I don’t know that either. Did you not just go to receive orders?”
I chose not to respond. Jyetta happily seized his opportunity to champion for me. While the soup was cooking, he ran up the serpentine to ask for details. And, he was very proud of himself when he returned, screaming at the cold and calling the wind bad names.
“Did you get confirmation?”
“It is confirmed. You will ride with me through the tunnel.”
“Holding hands for sure.”
Hoss pounded on Jim’s arm to convince him to snicker along.
“Is that all he said?”
“He says, you know what mess. And, he says, no more running like a coward.”
The mercs burst into a full bout of laughter, completely disregarding how much hot soup they were spilling in their own laps. Jyetta tried to make me feel better. He went about it all wrong.
“So, having a little confidence issue? I can help you with that.”
“Ugh, he does it right in front of us boss.”
“You two are a bunch of freaks.”
“Trust me peasant, I know.”
He did not mind turning his self into the subject of their jokes. Besides the full belly and all the laughing, my arm was feeling better from a day’s worth of weak light. The afternoon turned dark quicker than usual, causing the hail to begin falling again. The lucky mercs were protected by thickly stuffed winter pelts, issued by the Lantos to prevent the sickness from following them back to Embraun. Jyetta and I had to dive into the boxed wagon to avoid being hit. Of course, he held open the door so he could dive in on top of me. Knowing I had to walk back through the tunnel alone, I greatly appreciated the ride there. The mercs continued to make noises and pass judgement, but I found Jyetta’s persistence both flattering and hilarious. His encouragement had indeed bolstered my confidence and I vowed to face the next monster head on.
Jyetta’s boxed wagon was much secure than his fathers’ had been. Massive springs above the wheel mounts and a steel reinforced frame were the most obvious upgrades. The door opened in halves- undeniably a Lantos idea- with the top half serving as the only hammer proof window. The mercenaries lit their lighting globe after reaching the shelter of the tunnel and the window held onto more light than it allowed in. I knocked on the thick glass, and it hurt my knuckles like a stone. What it lacked in decoration, it more than made up for in protection.
“Don’t worry sweetness, you’re quite safe in here.”
“That is what Slip thought.”
My absent minded comment turned his mood. The new Ambassador Crow had every right to be nervous, especially about this leg of the journey.
“Poor Slip. Oh well, the lesson has been learned.”
“Has it? Do tell.”
“No more servants in the House of Crow. The grey skin died without ever knowing why, and without ever truly believing that peace with the Chron was a worthy endeavor.”
“So, never again?”
“Never again.”
“That’s what I keep saying, though, the gods do not rightly care. No more cliffs- ha!”
“You mean, no more monsters.”
“No, that’s not right either. The monsters, they just, never attack me first.”
“Yes, the Sheek-tee warned me of that.”
The cart lurched forward into the tunnel as Jim apologized about first needing to relieve his self. The noise should have been louder, even inside, but the steed’s pace was a safe and steady trot.
“What does that mean?”
“Spirit of the Wolf. Monsters never initiate attacks on you, for fear the pack is waiting in the shadows.”
“How can that be? I am a grey skin.”
“Just you wait. The Lexicon speaks to the Swillians. They took your woman, and locked you in cage. Then their city burned to the ground. Do you see no connection?”
“No, I never asked for any of that. I wouldn’t.”
“As you say, the gods do not rightly care. And the scale worshippers will tell tales of the gods demanding balance. ‘Never forget how Ulfbar was punished for their sins.’”
“The sun worshippers won’t care one bit.”
“No, I suppose they won’t. Yet, it changes nothing. The Sheek-tee War Chief asked me to keep to your side in a fight, knowing that you will escape- even from the tall reds.”
“Silence. Do not speak of the Scarlet Opa. No one can know.”
Jyetta certainly fell silent, but my confirmation wrote a smile of relief on his face. He bit his lips, looking around the cart for something to grab his attentions. Of course, he found only Matthius.
“Well then, why don’t you tell me how you got such large muscles?”
His raised brows did nothing to hide the shade of red in his cheeks. I knew it was a flirtatious trick, but, at the very least, he had the courage to keep trying.
“Quite simple. Mandatory training. One day at a time.”
“But, your master does not share your build.”
“All of this would only slow him down. I train every morning, usually he is already out on the hunt. The Opa are a slippery beast, and their presence has forced many other monsters to go hungry. I am not prepared to fight the man eaters unarmed. However, he has survived many attacks. They have an elite, an average, and even a breeding class.”
