“Not speaking at all? Not one word? Well, that’s unusual for Shyla,” Verdant said, the beginnings of a smile curling the corners of his mouth.
“Well, she mumbled a lot to herself. Down in the mine she asked me to step in and ‘teach the dwarf some manners.’ I declined, thinking she wasn’t in any real danger.”
“You did the right thing. Her heart is in the right place, but Shyla lacks the temperament to serve here on the frontier. She…and the Light as well, would both be better served if she had a post in a larger city,” Verdant said. He reclined in his chair, putting both hands behind his head and staring up at the ceiling.
“So, the army finally decided to show up for the shipment?” Dain asked, changing the subject.
“Yes, Arctanon’s. They arrived about three hours ago. Their commanding officer is set up in one of the mine offices,” Verdant answered. “I offered our services, but was politely declined. Evidently, they brought their own healers.” He gave Dain a considering look. “You’re a fighting man, do you think an army can get the gold out?”
“No telling…they appear to be highly disciplined. That’s a good sign. Seems all I’ve heard, though, since I arrived, is how the orcs here, led by this One Eye, are so damn smart.” Dain paused a moment then continued. “If this shipment succeeds, it will change the dynamics of the valley.”
“How so?”
“Well, for starters, there will be a huge influx of investors and miners. With them will come even more of the usual predators that follow the gold boomtowns. Overrun with thieves and conmen, Galena’s population will become even less civilized. Right now, the town’s growth has stalled a bit and the big shots are waiting to see what happens. The orcs, assuming they don’t completely break themselves attacking this army, will have to change tactics.”
“What do you mean?” Verdant asked.
“So far, they’ve been content to hit the caravans, avoiding the semi-fortified mines like Baylest’s Lucky Seven. That could change if a shipment gets through. Without a chance at the protected caravans, they will grow desperate. They’ll try to plunder some of the mines. They could even try the town itself to wipe us all out, if they have the numbers.” He paused to take a sip of the water Verdant had placed out for him. “Which mining office is the commanding officer in?”
“The Goldleaf’s,” Verdant answered. The priest grew silent for a moment then continued. “I hope you aren’t looking for a job with them. You have done admirably for me these last few weeks, and I can really use you around here.”
Dain smiled. “Not in my plan. Armies never pay enough. I’m going to head down there and see what I can find out, though.”
The two men stood and shook hands, and Dain took his leave.
Full darkness had taken hold and the clouds had departed without dropping even a light dusting of snow. Pinpricks of cold starlight lit the night sky with only a slim, white moon to compete with.
Dain crossed from the hospital and stepped up onto the boardwalk that lined Galena’s main street. His heavy boots creaked the wooden planks as he followed the street down.
The Goldleaf office stood at the very outer edge of the settlement, nearest to the army’s pitched tents. A dozen horses were tied to the rail in front, and another temporary rail had been improvised along the building’s side. Four more animals were picketed there. Yellow light poured from the Goldleaf’s front windows, dimmed somewhat by drawn shades. Dain stopped across from the office, in front of The Drunken Gnome, one of Galena’s thriving saloons, leaned on a support column, and studied both the army camp and office.
After half an hour he noticed a man, dressed head-to-toe in forest browns, leave the Goldleaf’s side door then head down into the camp. Dain watched him zigzag through the canvas tents and finally emerge at the camp’s northernmost edge. Then the man turned and stopped at a larger tent, well away from the others.
Dain ducked inside the saloon behind him and made a purchase before heading down the road out of town. With the patrolling guardsmen watching, he was careful to make no quick moves, and made sure to skirt wide around the camp before turning toward the solo tent. A campfire blazed out front with four men seated around it.
“Hello in the camp,” he said.
“Hello yourself, stranger,” the man he’d seen earlier responded. “You’re welcome to fire and coffee if you’re friendly.”
“Friendly enough, but I might have something a bit stronger than just coffee to offer.” Dain stepped closer into the firelight and waited a few seconds at the light’s edge, allowing them to study him, before tossing a whiskey bottle to the nearest of the group.
“Damn friendly I’d say,” the man said with a smile. He held the bottle up to the fire’s light and the amber liquid inside seemed to glow. “I’m Jan, and these others are Bend, Dax, and Lonsan. Dax doesn’t talk much.”
“Dain…Nice to meet you all. Scouts, I wager?”
“Yeah. You done our sort of work before?” Bend asked. He poured a shot of whiskey into his coffee before passing the bottle around.
“Not for a while. I served down south, scouting for the paladin brigades. Thought I would find a bit of gold up this way, but it hasn’t worked out as well as I hoped.”
“Gold has a way of doing that,” Jan answered smiling, “Not working out, that is. We’re full up on scouts for this trip. Army might need a few swords, though. Anyone who served with the paladins would have to be pretty good with a sword.”
“What army might that be? I haven’t seen a flag or standard and I’m a bit picky about whom I serve,” Dain said.
“Army belongs to King Balen of Arctanon and it’s led by General Stonebly. He’s tough but fair,” Lonsan answered.
“He’s a fool, nothing but a damn fool,” Bend interrupted. “If he wasn’t Balen’s uncle he’d have been stripped of command after last year’s campaign.”
“Last year’s campaign?” Dain asked.
“We spent a month with Stonebly, chasing after Ghent’s invading army,” Bend said. “Ghent’s attack on the capital had failed and the survivors were trying to get back home before winter set in. The king appointed Stonebly to follow them and wipe out the survivors before they escaped. Wanted to teach the invaders a lesson. We finally caught up to them at the end of a narrow valley right near the border.” Bend paused before continuing.
“Stonebly was counting on a quick and easy victory so he ordered the main force in before giving us scouts time to check the area. The heavy cavalry tore straight up the middle, trying to punch a hole in the center of their lines. Flags waving, spears lowered, hell of an impressive sight, all those brave men charging at full speed. A hundred yards short of enemy lines, the earth just gave way and dropped the cav into pits full of sharp spikes. Horses screaming, men too, it was pure hell. The snow, kicked up by the horses’ hooves blinded the main infantry body and they were right up to the pits before realizing the cavalry had been wiped out. Stonebly’s front line of troops saw the danger and tried to stop, but their comrades behind were so worked up into a frenzy they just pushed them right in on top.” Bend took a swig of the whiskey straight from the bottle.
“About then a battalion of Ghent’s troops sprang out of some woods off the left flank and hit our surviving infantry. After the initial surprise, the battle was shaping up pretty even and Stonebly knew it. Instead of trusting his men to win out, he ordered the archers to fire into the mass. They cut down everybody, friend and foe alike. Stonebly claimed it was a glorious victory, and built up the story to his nephew,” Bend finished. The seated scout shook his head and poked a branch at the fire, rolling around a few red, glowing coals.
“Some of the big mines here in Galena offered a nice bounty for anyone willing to guard a big gold shipment,” Jan said. “King Balen sent his new ‘war hero’ up here to get the gold through. He needs the bounty to help rebuild his army before Ghent does. Course he wouldn’t need to rebuild nearly so much if his uncle hadn’t destroyed most of his own men.
”
“Are all of you from Arctanon?” Dain asked.
“No, none of us are, in fact. We’re recruited from all over. Dax and Lonsan are from Dillow, Bend is from Cibalaptra, and I’m from Bymreh,” Jan said.
Dain coughed. Bymreh. The name dredged loose a flood of memories. His dismissal, the burning cities, the grey elves. Bymreh wasn’t his former home, but it was close, far too close. He’d been careless, sloppy, throwing around his name and his service with the paladins.
Take care in what you say. Some things are never forgotten and certainly not forgiven.
“Why do they fight? Ghent and Arctanon?” He needed to get them on another subject, one further from home.
“Both sides, Ghent and Arctanon, have been warring for years. Every spring one tries to invade the other. I doubt anyone remembers why the war even began. Arctanon pays better, at least this year.” Jan winked. “So that’s who we hired on with.”
“A lot of locals are counting on this shipment getting out,” Dain said.
“I’ll bet. Over two thousand pounds of refined gold. Enough to buy a kingdom outright,” Bend said.
“How’s the lay of the land around here? You’ve been over it?” Jan asked.
Dain spent the rest of the evening describing the surrounding terrain. He gave them a general description first, then honed in on several key locations. Judging by their questions he gathered that they had skirted around the Golden’s kingdom in a wide loop on the north, forged the river, then headed straight toward Galena.
They’d found signs of orcs shadowing the army, but there had been no direct contact with the green-skinned warriors. The army would travel at a quick march returning along the same path to avoid the enchanted lands. Dain told them what he knew of the valley, and what he had heard of the surrounding areas. He didn’t share with them the wood elves’ hidden path.
Daring to hope for news of Sera or Jin—the real reason he dropped in, if he was being honest with himself—he asked if they had seen any elves on their way. None had spotted any, but there had been whispers and rumors of renewed war between the two elf kingdoms. The murder of a son of one of the royal families, it was said. Dain nodded and took in every word.
His mind dwelt on their stories as he returned to his room. There was no reason for him to worry the way he did. Like their human neighbors, the elves had been warring for years, and this brewing conflict was likely no more serious than any of their countless other altercations. He owed the wood elves nothing. He was here for his fortune and then to get out.
In the darkness of the night, despite all his rationalizations, he prayed Sera and Jin were safe.
CHAPTER SIX
Dain watched the army leave. Row after row they marched, six wide in their bright, shining armor. Proud soldiers guarding a precious cargo. He remembered the feeling, remembered the pride in serving.
Three days had passed since he and the priestess returned from The Lucky Seven. Each evening he met up with the scouts, and had come to know them quite well. Even quiet Dax spoke up a few times. He wished his new friends safe travels, but from their tales of General Stonebly, he was concerned.
Stonebly’s second in command, Colonel Maib, seemed capable enough. Maib had even visited the scout camp once, the evening before their departure, and introduced himself. It was he who maintained order in the camp, and unlike Stonebly, he wasn’t someone uncle or a political appointee, but a career soldier who’d risen through the ranks after fighting multiple battles and engagements in Arctanon’s ongoing war with Ghent. The scouts, even Bend, respected him. If the orcs attacked, the best possible outcome would be a quick death for Stonebly so the Colonel could organize a strong defense.
He headed uptown to the hospital, hoping for an early morning tea with Verdant.
The priest brewed his tea strong and black, like Dain himself preferred it. He sat in a chair on the hospital’s covered front porch, facing west, where the army had gone. An extra tin cup sat next to the steaming pot.
Dain climbed the steps with a broad smile then poured himself a generous cup before seating himself across from Verdant. The priest’s eyes never left the far horizon. Dain waited, not wanting to disturb his friend, and finished half his cup before Verdant spoke.
“Do you still doubt their chances?”
The question’s tone betrayed his anxiety.
“More now than when we first spoke. Everything I’ve heard about their General Stonebly leads to more doubts. Colonel Maib seems like he’s got a good grasp of the situation, though. From what the scouts said, he’s a good officer. Even dropped by to join us last night. He won’t be able to fully counteract Stonebly, of course,” Dain answered.
“Yes…Maib is a good man,” Verdant said. “He married to my older sister, Neive. They have three small boys together. Good lads, full of energy and mischief. He’s been fighting at King Balen’s request for almost fifteen years now. Arctanon’s war with Ghent never really stops, it just pauses each winter while each side licks its wounds.”
“I would have guessed you were from further south, out near the Great Sea. You speak with a bit of coastal accent.”
Verdant nodded. “My father sent me south, to Mezania, when I turned twelve. He wanted me to be educated, so I was sent to school there. Growing up, Maib’s family lived next door to mine back in Arctanon. He and Neive were in love since they were ten. I took leave from school at their request to perform their wedding ceremony. At the wedding, I promised Neive I would return after completing my studies and I took a job at the small parish in my hometown. It’s just a little place in a sleepy corner of Arctanon with fewer people than even Galena here. The church there couldn’t afford to support a full-time priest, so after a few years, I found work here.”
“Did you get a chance to visit with him, when he was here?” Dain asked.
“Yes, we spoke of my sister and nephews. The oldest is now twelve, vowing to enlist and serve in the cavalry like his father.”
“No priests in the lot?”
“No priests. Too much of my sister’s adventurous blood,” Verdant said, laughing. “When we were children, Neive was always finding new ways to get into trouble.”
Dain smiled but said no more.
“Do you have family, Dain?”
“It’s…complicated.” Dain polished off his first cup and poured a second. The priest had never pressed him on his past, and didn’t do so now, but was curious. He sighed and continued.
“I have two brothers and a sister, along with my parents; they live almost a year’s journey to the south. I haven’t seen or written them for four years now.”
“Something happened then?”
“I served under a great Lord, in his brigades. We were at war. I failed to follow orders and, as a result, I was stripped of rank and cast out. For the dishonor and shame I brought on them, my family disowned me. As I said, complicated.”
Dain swallowed. He hadn’t intended to say so much. It was more than he had told anyone in a long, long time. The priest was easy to talk to though and once he had started he couldn’t seem to stop. He hung his head, staring into his tea and thinking back to those dark days. He remembered the angry lines in his father’s face and the tears shining in his mother’s eyes. His brothers and sister, all younger, hadn’t really understood then that they would never see him again. He remembered their soft little hands grasping at him, pleading for him to stay, and then waving as he rode away that last time. He wasn’t sure why he spoke of it now. Even Bix, close as they had once been, had never known much about his past.
“Life is rarely anything but, isn’t it,” said Verdant, leaning back in his chair. Dain could feel the priest’s considering eyes on him before he continued. “Why are you here, Dain? You could join any army as either a healer or, I presume, as a fighter, and make a solid career for yourself. Why Galena?”
“I found a place about three weeks’ ride south and west of here. There’s a quiet little village bordering on the Spine
Mountains. Right along the mountain’s edge there’s a lot of wild and rough country where a man could build a modest estate. He could raise a few horses and farm a bit, doing very well for himself.” Dain paused and met Verdant’s gaze. “I am tired of fighting other people’s wars. Most of the men I’ve fought for weren’t worth it. They fought over lines on a map or pride or politics. I have no interest in their struggles, not any longer, but for the land I want I need gold. That’s what I’m here for. To gather up enough for my land.”
“A noble goal to find your own bit of peace.” The priest considered for a moment then continued. “I believe the Creator calls each of us to service in different ways. It would be a shame to deny the Light the use of your talents, but I understand your frustrations. I am sorry you have had such ill luck in those whom you have served, and I am grateful for your help in the hospital, but I don’t think you’ll get rich working for me. Do you have any sort of plan to get your gold?”
Dain smiled ruefully. “Still working on it. I may buy a claim on the creek and try panning in my spare time.”
“Well, I wish you success,” Verdant replied. “For now, though, let us wish my brother-in-law, the army, and the town’s wealth a safe and quiet journey.”
“Any assignments for me? No more Shyla, please. I can’t handle any more of her for a time,” Dain said.
“Just make the rounds through the hospital. I think I will keep the priestesses close to Galena for the next few days. Maybe tomorrow I’ll take them out toward the Slide mine, see if they need anything. Wheeler runs a tight ship, so your skills most likely won’t be needed,” Verdant answered. He returned to staring at the horizon and was soon lost to deep thought.
Kingdom's Forge: Book 01 - Paladin's Redemption Page 8
