As I tried to keep up, Mai’s last jab remained in my mind. She was right, I couldn’t wait to mount Izusa, though she didn’t mean it the way I did. I had noticed the beastmen growled in pain as their bodies contorted, changing from one form to another. When Izusa changed form, there’d be a moment where she would be distracted. I knew that would be my moment to strike, the moment I would get back my freedom.
“I cannot believe you are just letting her get away, sir,” said Capsain Cattail. “She broke rank, abandoned her post, and then publicly spat in your authority when she avoided even the slightest punishment. If others stop respecting you, that could be the end of the joint expeditionary force. There’s already talk of breaking it up after….”
“I know Cattail,” said Dragontail. The pair stood shoulder to shoulder just outside Dragontail’s command tent as they watched Izusa and her human prisoner leave the camp from afar.
“But what am I to do?” Dragontail continued. “She handed me a legitimate order signed by her clan chief. If I were to go against it, he would have an excuse to withdraw all of Doraga’s forces. And he might not be alone, other clan chiefs might do the same.”
“But it is like you always say, it is time for our people’s division to be ended. It is time for our separation into clans to end. After what happened to Nest, it is clear that our only path forward is South,” said Cattail. Cattail was Dragontail’s most loyal underling having started when they were both boys. After their clan had fallen to ruin their mentor, Beehoof, had started preaching the need for Othans to move to better territory. Dragontail and Cattail had both joined the movement even before it became an army.
“You know what I believe,” said Dragontail. “Unfortunately reality does not quite live up to our dreams. The individual clan chiefs still hold highest authority over the raiders of their respective clans. So officially I must respect the order.”
“Officially?” said Cattail, his voice quieting to ensure only Dragontail could hear, quite a feat in a camp full of Othans with superhuman hearing beastforms.
“Officially, there are things I cannot do. Orders I may wish to give, but cannot, at least not officially. If you understand my meaning?” Dragontail whispered back.
“I think I understand, sir,” Cattail nodded.
“It just keeps getting worse, no one has found anything but gergrubs in the north quadrant all summer and the eastern and western quadrants have pulled in 20 percent less this year compared to last.” Gergrubs were millipede-like insects that lived on soft rotting trees. They didn’t taste good, but the beastmen couldn’t be choosey and at this time, they were a blessing. Since many of the other animals had moved south to survive, the number of gergrubs had greatly increased.
“I know, Truant, hunting has been down in every territory not just in Doraga,” said Jutmaek. Nearly every one of their monthly meetings had been like this the past few years. It wasn’t as if any of it was within Jutmaek’s control. He was a clan chief, not a god.
“What can be done has been done,” said Rotimer, trying to pacify Truant and some of the more skittish members of the clan in attendance. “We’ve doubled the hunting parties and initiated rationing to reduce our expenditures.”
“I’m just worried that we are seeing a repeat of what happened to Nest,” said Truant. Nest was once just like any of the other clans that made up the Othal Confederation. They had been Doraga’s nearest neighbor, lying only 200 miles to the northwest. But over the last decade, the clans had experienced unusually cold weather that seemed to worsen each year. Each winter brought heaps of additional snow, which took extra long to thaw. The Othan Confederation had never been an easy place. It was cold, food sources were scarce, and often those sources could just as easily hunt you as you hunt them.
Nevertheless, the worsening weather had turned a challenge into something all but impossible. The cold had started to kill and freeze the northernmost reaches and every year the frost expanded. Nest, the northernmost clan, couldn’t support themselves and fell. Many of Nest’s strong warriors and hunters were able to find refuge in other clans, an able body would have its uses. The unaccompanied children, elderly, and weak tried to find refuge as well, but most were rejected. Many died of starvation or exposure. Jutmaek felt saddened by the event. He too personally rejected many of the refugees, but times were hard and his first priority was Doraga.
The remaining warriors and other able-bodied from Nest, those that didn’t join another clan, focused their attention on raiding the humans to the south to supplement their needs. Over the past year, they were joined by members from other clans desperate from low yields in their territories. This culminated in the present military state. The normally independent clans joined into a large force that planned to permanently seize a chunk of human territory to the south.
Jutmaek never liked this plan. Sure, it could alleviate current shortages and Jutmaek wasn’t unfamiliar with some losses. A few hunters died each year to some of the territory’s fiercer beasts and a few more were lost in raids against the humans, but a full-scale war was another matter entirely. Thousands of warriors could be lost in war if one wasn’t careful and if the humans ever successfully organized a counter offensive, many of the clan’s youth, their future, could be lost. One on one, nearly every adult Othan could trounce even the strongest human warrior, but the clan’s younger members, those who had yet to undergo the Blood Moon were virtually no different than any human youth.
“What happened to Nest will not happen here. We have made great strides in making up the losses in game. Already we have enough to make it through this winter so long as we keep to rationing and I have recently heard word that the raiders we sent under the command of my daughter have done well and will soon be sending more spoils we can trade with the other clans if needed,” said Jutmaek.
Doraga was further north than the other clans so environmental damage in their territory was worse than most. But the fall of their nearest neighbor also let Doraga expand its hunts into regions formerly claimed by Nest. This was allowing Doraga to hang on, at least for a little while.
“But I heard that the joint army took a massive setback last week. Tens of thousands of the most skilled Othan warriors were lost,” said Truant.
“Perhaps that is true of the joint army as a whole, but I received word not three days ago that the majority of our raiders weren’t directly involved in that operation. Of the 2000 raiders that were sent south, we’ve only lost around 100 so far,” said Jutmaek.
Although the number had nearly doubled in the last week, the assembled clansmen still took pride in the number. Doraga had always been a bit on the small side, its lands not as bountiful as ones held by other clans, and its warriors had always been lightly mocked for that deficiency, but now that the real fighting had started, the Doragans were proving their worth. A 5% loss might have been significant, but it was probably the lowest amongst all the clans.
“Now that we’ve discussed the raiding updates, I think it’s time to start talking about preparations for the next Blood Moon,” said Jutmaek, switching the topic before the group could further steep themselves in a crisis they could do no more to rectify.
The Blood Moon was still some months away, but it was something everyone looked forward to. The young would dream about the day that it would finally be their turn. The old regaled anyone who would listen with tales of their own Blood Moon. Mothers would brag to each other about how well their sons and daughters had done or were expected to do. While fathers placed bets on whose offspring would come out on top.
Competition during the Blood Moon was always fierce, but this one would be especially so. Typically, the Blood Moon occurred roughly once per year however, because of the predictable, yet somewhat chaotic conditions necessary for the celestial bodies of the night sky to produce a Blood Moon, it had been nearly three years since the last one. The large number of participants in this Blood Moon coupled with the harsh weather of winter and a lack of game made Jutmaek,
and a number of other clansmen, nervous. Most likely, a record number of participants would fail in their Blood Moon and join the ranks of the Fallen. It was sad and a bit unfair, but it was the Othan way. Such traditions had sustained their people for thousands of years in lands deemed too inhospitable by the other races.
The assembled Doragans spent the next half hour discussing advance preparations. It was still too far out to really matter but the distraction worked. By the end, most had forgotten their worries of starvation and war, the meeting came to a close with a general feeling of satisfaction.
Jutmaek stayed back as people started to file out in case anyone wanted to ask him anything. Fortunately, no one did and after a minute or two, he was able to relax and follow everyone outside into the cool fall evening air. Snow would start coming down any day, the temperature was already low enough so they just needed some precipitation to pass by. Jutmaek’s relaxation didn’t last long as a sprightly young brunette was waiting outside for him.
“Hey, clan chief, remember me,” said Talia, giving Jutmaek a big exuberant entire arm wave that suited neither the difference in their social status nor their close proximity.
“Yes,” Jutmaek sighed. He always found his daughter’s friend’s behavior exhausting.
“Come on, I have a message to deliver,” said Talia as she walked past Jutmaek and entered the meeting tent he’d just exited. Jutmaek reluctantly followed.
“I received a report from one of your commanders that Izusa abandoned her post after the defeat,” Jutmaek began. “I assume now that she has sent you, her mission was successful.”
“Yes, Izusa found the human crafter,” said Talia.
“Where is she now?” Jutmaek asked.
“She was in Dewpoint two days ago. She should be leaving around now,” said Talia.
Jutmaek did a few calculations. With her speed, it should take ten days or so for her to get to Doraga. Perhaps 12 if her travelling companion didn’t cooperate or if the weather didn’t hold. Jutmaek just hoped they didn’t run into any of the New Fallen. Confusing that group’s arrival with the Fallen had been a mistake that many Othans, including Jutmaek, had come to regret, but it was too late to make amends.
“Good,” Jutmaek nodded. “I guess it’s time for me to get to work.” Before this, his daughter’s side quest seemed like an absurd dream. Now that she’d started to pull things together, Jutmaek needed to prepare for the next step. They’d only get one chance at this, if he could convince his people to make the attempt at all.
Ch. 4: Ambush
Izusa and I spent the next two hours walking. The city of Dewpoint moved quickly into the distance but, since it was centered in a large clearing, it could still be easily seen. Although the beastmen never placed much emphasis on industry, they still had some needs. The forest around the city was cleared for a dozen miles around before the terrain rapidly shifted back to dense forest.
Branches and pine needles scraped across my body as I struggled to keep up with the hefty beastwoman who pounded through as if it was nothing. Fortunately, I didn’t have to do so for long. A mile or so into the forest, Izusa slowed to a stop.
‘I guess it’s time for you to work your magic,’ said Mai. I gently nodded. Izusa would stop this early for only one reason. We’d gone far enough and she’d soon shift into her beastform.
“Inventory,” I whispered as quietly as I could manage. I needed to be able to bring out the weapon stored in the space-defying inventory at a moment’s notice.
Izusa’s face started to shift. Her pupils became slits, her ears became pointed and furry, and her face elongated into a pointed snout. My hand moved toward the inventory screen, my finger just inches from the icon of my newly forged gravity spear.
†Sense Jeopardy†
The persistent passive skill warned me of an impending danger and Izusa’s transformation stopped at her face. Time seemed frozen for a few seconds, tension held at the precipice, before sudden mortal violence. Izusa lifted her head and took a few deep breaths as she turned side to side. Then her face returned to human. A nervous bead of sweat rolled down my temple. Had she smelled the sweat on my brow or heard the rapid irregular patter of my heart? The danger sensing skill had never failed me before, it only went off when I was in serious trouble. Had I misjudged how much Izusa needed me?
“I can’t say that I’m surprised,” said Izusa, turning back to face me as she drew the sword on her hip.
‘Someone just got caught,’ said Mai in an overly flippant way that pissed me off. This was a serious moment. I was about to take on Izusa and all her trained muscle head on.
“What do you mean?” I said coyly, still clinging to the hope that I might be able to maintain my innocence. She might have sensed something, but my weapon was still safely stowed away in my inventory. There was no proof that I was up to something.
“We’ve been followed,” said Izusa, sending my mind spinning.
“What?”
‘She means that some other Othans have followed us from Dewpoint,’ Mai explained. Mai could use my senses and enhance them through computer processing. She’d probably been aware of our pursuers even before Izusa. It annoyed me that she hadn’t shared that particular piece of information, but it wouldn’t have changed anything except my stress levels. It wasn’t as if I could have warned Izusa of the danger, it’d be strange for my human senses to exceed those of the beastman.
“Hurry, get behind me,” said Izusa as she marched past. I turned my gaze to follow Izusa’s. In the dark night and deep cover of the forest, I normally would have been tripping over my own feet, but Mai adjusted the brightness and contrast levels so I could see a few dozen yards before the brush got in the way. Still, even with a brightness boost I couldn’t see anything.
‘I’ll help with that,’ said Mai as my vision suddenly shifted. The trees darkened until I could barely make them out and four glowing orange humanoid figures appeared in the distance.
One of the figures stopped and hung back while the other three continued their approach. As they neared, the majority of my vision returned to normal letting me see the details of the ones who approached while the one in the distance remained an orange blob.
“Show yourselves,” Izusa shouted. “I know you’re there.”
“So, you found us,” called the deep voice of one of those who approached. “Well, not that it really matters. You’d have been a fool to let us sneak up on you entirely, but I am impressed you discovered us so soon.”
“Cattail,” Izusa yelled back. “I should have known Dragontail would send you. You are the only one so attached to his ass as to lead a mission like this.”
“I’m hardly the only one,” Cattail replied.
‘I can’t believe he admitted it,’ Mai grinned.
“Many see that the world has changed and that we need to change with it lest we end up like all creatures that fail to adapt,” said Cattail. “But… Why do I bother trying to convince dead people? Take them out.”
The two men who flanked Cattail levied their heavy axes while Cattail followed a short distance behind with a pair of long wavy kris daggers.
“Stay,” Izusa ordered as she took a few steps forward to put some distance between us. She wanted me close but if I were too close, I’d only get in the way.
Izusa hung back as the three beastman spread out and approached. They’d planned to all come at Izusa at the same time, the beastwoman may have been skilled but not to an extent where she could defend against three opponents simultaneously. So, Izusa didn’t let the trio carry out that plan. The moment one of the three drew close enough, Izusa lunged, taking a single large stride towards one of the ax-wielding beastmen as she thrust her sword to her reach’s maximum. Even caught by surprise, the beastman managed to parry the sword away from his vital points so it only made a long gash along his left bicep.
The other axe-wielding beastman tried to take advantage of Izusa’s overextended state. He hurriedly took a vertical swing at Izu
sa’s back leg, but Izusa spotted him and rather than try to deflect the blow she continued her extension towards the first beastmen, charging past the second beastman’s strike as she unleashed a flurry of swift sword strikes on her first opponent. The first beastman roared in pain and frustration as the series of slashes eviscerated his lower arms, forcing him to relinquish his weapon.
Then Izusa turned her attention to the second opponent before he could strike at her again. Her sword was fast and the second beastman struggled just to defend, but that’s all he really had to do. While Izusa was preoccupied with him, Cattail approached from behind.
Izusa saw it coming and tried to finish the second beastman quickly like she had done with the first, but it wasn’t quite soon enough. She got past the second beastman’s defenses and spiked her sword straight through his face, but while her blade was entangled between ridges in the beastman’s helm, Cattail struck.
He shoved the wavy blade of one of the krises into Izusa’s side. Izusa reacted immediately and let go of her stuck sword. Even if she had time to free it, at Cattail’s close proximity the long sword wouldn’t have done much good anyway. With one hand, Izusa deftly tore at the fingers of one of Cattail’s hands, forcing him to let go of the blade still deep in her side.
While this was happening with one of each of their hands, Izusa and Cattail’s other hands were just as busy. Cattail lashed out with the other kris, this one aimed not to immobilize but to kill as it reached towards Izusa’s exposed throat. This Izusa’s stopped with her own empty palm as it snatched at Cattail’s fist stopping it and the blade just short of their target. Izusa kept her grip on Cattail’s fist tight, preventing him from pulling it back for another strike.
“All traitors must die,” Cattail roared as his empty hand joined the one with the kris in an attempt to push through Izusa’s block.
The Ice Lands Page 7
