Wayward Soldiers

by Joshua P. Simon

  Not long ago, Rezub had been part of a group trying to arrest me. I didn’t hold it completely against him as I knew how tight of a grip Jareb once had on Denu Creek. Rezub had since been distancing himself from Jareb and making decisions like he actually ran the town in more than just name.

  “What can I do for you mayor?”

  “I just got back from talking to Dekar. He said you’re still planning to leave today.” He said the last word like it was a joke, something he must have misheard.

  I let out a long sigh. The confrontation I expected was coming earlier than I had hoped.

  “Why do you look surprised? We made it clear yesterday what our intentions were and Dekar’s been gathering supplies and organizing those coming with us for awhile now. You think all that work last night was for show?”

  “No. But today? What about the raiders?”

  “Sivan and Ira said they’re gone.”

  “What if they come back?”

  “I suggest everyone not be here. I’m sure they’ll be less amiable than before.”

  “See. I told you! Running out on us when things get tough,” said a voice that made the hair on my neck stand up.

  Jareb had snuck his way around a pile of debris. A few of his loyal lackeys trailed him.

  He had come into town not long ago, claiming that a smaller band of raiders attacked his property about the same time we fought ours which was why he couldn’t help in defending the town limits of Denu Creek. According to the story, of which I believed not a word, Jareb and his men dispatched the men quickly and without suffering any losses.

  It was obvious he had come into town now that the danger was gone in an effort to regain control of the people. His shouting caught everyone’s attention.

  “One of my men overheard Tyrus talking to his friend after the battle,” he continued as his audience grew. “One of the brothers. They did know some of those raiders. I wouldn’t doubt if he let the others get away on purpose. Maybe he plans to meet up with the survivors and take command. Then he can reap the spoils for himself.”

  Ira appeared at the edge of the townspeople. Calmly, he drew his sword and started walking to Jareb. The man’s eyes widened and he took a step back as his men drew steel.

  “See! He knows it’s true and wants to shut me up,” said Jareb.

  “Ira,” I said without shouting.

  He stopped and gave me a look. “C’mon, Ty. Three fists in the face and he still ain’t learned a thing. A taste of steel should teach him to hold his tongue.”

  “Let it go,” I said.

  It was one thing if Jareb had died while attacking me. People would view it differently if I went after him. People whose opinions I cared about. Like my kids.

  Ira sheathed his sword. “If you change your mind . . . .”

  “Then I’ll just do it myself,” I said in a low voice.

  He grinned.

  I addressed the townspeople. “I’ve said this before, but apparently some of you just don’t get it. Jareb’s a lying, obnoxious mule who wouldn’t know his manhood from his little toe if it wasn’t between his legs.” There were a few snickers at that. I saw Jareb ready to reply, but kept going before he got a word in. “Still, if you want to follow him, be my guest. We’re leaving. Those interested can come along. You don’t have to stay with us for the entire journey. You can leave the group whenever you want. But if you do come, then you do things my way.”

  No one seemed upset by my terms so I continued.

  “If you can’t handle taking orders from me because of rumors, you’re a fool. If all that I’ve done for this town hasn’t been enough to prove what kind of person I am, I hope you rot with Xank. You definitely deserve to suffer the same fate as this idiot,” I said, pointing to Jareb.

  Townsfolk exchanged looks, some angry, some ashamed.

  I continued. “If you decide not to join me on the road, here’s a bit of friendly advice. Don’t stay in Denu Creek. There won’t be enough of you to defend what’s left. Take this chance to start over somewhere else.”

  Heads swiveled, eyes searching for answers in the faces of their neighbor. Whispers followed. Conversations began. The choice seemed simple to me, but based on the lack of certainty many wore, it seemed my little speech had gone in one ear and out the other for some.

  Sadly, I wasn’t surprised.

  Nason pushed his way through the townspeople and grabbed their attention. He looked awful, eyes red from sorrow.

  “I don’t know why this is such a hard decision for everyone,” he began. “Tyrus is right. My wife died, but my children are alive. That’s because of him. Even if those same raiders never return, eventually others will come. What will you do then? Turn to Jareb?” He spat. “Where was he during the fight? Does anyone really believe his dumb story? He was hiding! Again! Just like he hid after the second eruption when we were trying to save people. Had he and his men chosen to stand with us in both instances, more of our loved ones would have survived.” He stared daggers at Jareb then left.

  For once, Jareb said nothing. It was probably the smartest decision he could have made. No way would he have matched Nason’s raw emotion in a rebuttal and he had already made his point known. Best just to see how things played out, and perhaps speak with others in smaller groups rather than make a greater scene.

  Someone in the crowd shouted “Where are you going when you leave?”

  It was a good question since I hadn’t discussed a final destination in detail with anyone, even my friends and family. I wasn’t necessarily trying to hide my intentions. We had just been a little preoccupied, and the last thing I wanted to do was raise more questions.

  I said, “The Southern Kingdoms.”

  As expected, people gasped. “That’s crazy!” someone shouted. “Count me out,” said another. “Why would anyone want to live among those people?” another asked.

  Those people? Anger swelled inside of me even though I expected the reaction. Still, the disdain in many of their voices nearly caused me to draw my sword.

  The Southern Kingdoms were made up of people primarily with dark skin, some as black as night. Those people were Lasha’s and they shared the same blood as Zadok and Myra.

  I managed to refrain from disemboweling anyone by simply walking away.

  My reaction stifled the conversations.

  “Where are you going?” someone asked.

  “Away.”

  “But we haven’t made our decisions yet.”

  “I don’t care. I’d rather not bring along a bunch of bigots with me anyway.”

  The blacksmith, Sered, came up beside me with his head down, looking humbled. The man had once turned away my business after learning about my military experience. He wasn’t my favorite person in the world.

  “Wait, please. We’re sorry. We didn’t mean to offend you. Your announcement just caught us off guard. Can you at least tell us why you’re going so far south?”

  I gestured in the direction of Hol, then made a waving motion in the air, emphasizing the haze hanging all around us. “I thought that would be obvious. I want to get as far away from Hol as I can. Things could still get worse.”

  “How do you know that?”

  I stopped myself from looking at Ava. I didn’t want people to start bugging her with questions. It was bad enough I had to deal with them. No reason to bring that misery to my sister.

  “I just do.”

  “Why the Southern Kingdoms then? Why not just go east to Bozrath or Kartan?”

  “I have my reasons. Maybe I’ll choose to share them later, but now isn’t the time. I’m irritable, exhausted, and just plain tired of justifying my decisions to people who have treated me and mine so poorly. All you need to know is that I’m heading south. Any other information will come up once we’re on the road.”

  I walked away once more.

  “When do you leave?” Rezub called to my retreating back.

  Without turning I said. “One hour. And I wait for no one.
”

  CHAPTER 11

  Despite my warning and it hampering my credibility as a leader, I waited.

  The efforts put in by the townspeople getting ready for the journey pricked at me. Had those making a last minute decision to join us hemmed and hawed with preparation, I would have left them, but they didn’t. They hurried. And they thanked me for waiting.

  Even with a legitimate reason for going past my deadline, Ira gave me a hard time. As did Ava.

  That’s what friends and family were for.

  People ran around like loose chickens, throwing all they could grab into the backs of wagons, or on top of horses. The things they couldn’t fit, they jammed into sacks to be slung over their shoulders. I saw a lot of useless stuff packed, things like candlesticks and sculptures. Yet, I kept my mouth closed. They’d learn soon enough, what was really necessary to take with them. Probably by evening. The weight of their burdens would make their decisions for them. I expected to leave behind a lot of junk on the side of the road come tomorrow morning.

  We were almost ready to leave when Myra noticed Zadok missing. She tried to keep her cool, but the slight panic was evident on her face as she grabbed me, Ava, and a couple of others to hunt for him.

  I left Dekar in charge to keep things moving along with the townspeople as I went searching. I checked with Nason first since Zadok had been spending a lot of time with him and his kids. No luck.

  A few more stops later, I nearly walked into Boaz as I entered the Hemlock Inn. He was leaving with an arm full of supplies.

  “I thought you were done packing,” I said.

  “I was, but Dinah had some suggestions of what more I should bring along.”

  “Have you seen Zadok? We’re having trouble finding him.”

  He furrowed his brow. “He’s upstairs in the suite you were staying in.”

  “What’s he doing up there? It’s a mess. Not to mention dangerous.”

  “He said he was getting something you needed for the journey.”

  I grunted and stepped out of Boaz’s way. I had no idea what Zadok could mean.

  I thought about calling up to him through the hole that had been ripped through the roof to the main floor. I scratched that thought, worried Zadok might try to get close to the hole to look down at me. The last thing I wanted was for the supports near the opening to fail.

  I took to the stairs.

  In the suite, junk once considered gifts from the townspeople lay scattered, intermingled with structural debris. Broken glass, splintered wood, and twisted metal sat in heaps. A strong smell of mildew hung in the air from curtains and blankets damp and balled in piles throughout, soaked from the storms following the second eruption.

  I heard movement from the bedroom Ava once recovered in. “Zadok, that you?” I called while working my way over.

  No answer, but a lot more movement.

  “Zadok?”

  A crash sounded.

  “Zadok!”

  “Pa?”

  “You all right?” I asked, making it to the bedroom door.

  He stood, emerging from a pile of bed sheets and broken wood. He held something in his hand I couldn’t quite make out. “I’m fine.”

  “What are you doing up here? It isn’t safe.”

  “I know. But it was important.”

  “What was?”

  He shuffled over, and stuck out his arm. “This.”

  My chest tightened as I realized what he held. Stacked neatly and secured with twine were the letters Lasha wrote to me while I was in the military.

  I reached out slowly and took them away. “You found them.” I shook my head slowly, biting back the emotions trying to spill out. “How did you find them? I thought they were lost or destroyed. I must have come up here three times since the second eruption.”

  “I know,” said Zadok. “I’ve been sneaking up here when I had a free moment since I knew how much they meant to you. I couldn’t leave town without trying again. They were twisted in this blanket.”

  I ran a hand over the top of the stack, pausing at the lines of my name written in my wife’s hand. The paper was a bit damp, but there was no sign of any damage except a water spot or two.

  I looked up smiling. “Thank you, son. These got me through some rough times.”

  “Maybe we can read them while we’re on the road. It’d be nice to see what Ma said about everything.”

  “Absolutely.” I grabbed him by the arm and pulled him to me to give him a hug. “Let’s get out of here before this place comes crashing down.”

  * * *

  In the end, we left an hour later than I wanted to, twelve wagons in all. When we ran out of horses, we strapped in a few oxen to pull us along. Besides my family and friends, which included Sivan, Damaris, and Nason’s brood, over forty additional adults and a bunch more children joined our party.

  Dekar drove the lead wagon.

  We only made it halfway through town before stopping. It seemed progress would be something of a struggle.

  Jareb stepped out into Main Street near the end of town. With him was his usual band. Unlike before, quite a few of the townspeople not previously employed by him had joined the group. These were the ones who had decided to stay in Denu Creek rather than throw in with us on the road. They had over thirty men at a quick estimate.

  It should have surprised me that so many chose to back Jareb, but it didn’t. I don’t think even half of the thirty men were particularly excited about following Jareb. However, those townsfolk that couldn’t leave behind the familiar of Denu Creek and chance life on the road with me really didn’t have a choice. I guessed they needed to support him openly as he still had the greatest resources in town. I heard that Jareb had offered people who were on the fence about leaving a bit of coin from his private stash. I had a feeling that as the effects of the artifact only worsened and resources dwindled, those people would realize the uselessness of their newfound wealth.

  The group stopped in the center of the road, blocking our path. Quite a few seemed embarrassed for having to do whatever Jareb had talked them into.

  Dekar pulled up and looked my way.

  I heard Ava mutter something about wishing she still had her powers. I did too. She’d make quick work of dispersing the group.

  Ira trotted his mount up beside me. “Should have let me kill him earlier.”

  “No kidding.” I paused. “Sit tight and stay ready. Not sure what’s going to happen.”

  “You don’t want me to come with you?”

  “No. What I have planned will make for a greater effect if I do it alone.”

  I walked to Jareb as he separated himself from the group.

  “What is it now?” I called. “Are you planning to stop us from going?”

  “No. You and the rest of you cowards can go,” he answered while casting an accusatory glance at those gathered behind. “But not before unloading some of those supplies.”

  “Is that so?”

  “Yes.” He puffed himself up. “I won’t have you leave the rest of us hurting for food.”

  “We took only what was ours by right and paid for whatever wasn’t. Hurting for food is no fault of ours.”

  “Are you saying you won’t unload?”

  “I am.”

  He jutted his chin out like a man full of confidence. “And are you prepared to fight for those supplies?”

  “Do I really have to answer that?”

  “Even though we have more men capable of fighting than you.”

  “Numbers don’t mean everything.” I drew my sword and started coming toward him again. “Besides, I believe the only person I really need to get rid of is you. The rest will lose their nerve afterward.”

  His confidence faltered as he backed up a step and called two of his men forward. They came up beside him. All three drew swords.

  I spun mine in my hand. The move held no practical purpose, but it looked good to those watching. Showmanship was sometimes as important as actual
skill. “Only three? That didn’t work out too well for you back at your place if I recall.”

  Two more of his men came forward as well.

  I gave a nasty grin. “Five. That’s a little better. Still,” I said turning my gaze to the men next to him. “Do any of you really want to die today? Because you will die. I’m done showing mercy. The way I see it you’re no better than the raiders we just fought and killed. You’re preventing me and those I care about from surviving. Is your life worth an extra bag of oats?”

  The men exchanged glances. The last two that came forward exchanged a nod and stepped away.

  Jareb shook with anger. “What in the name of the gods do you think you’re doing?” he shouted at them.

  “What about you two?” I asked the others, stopping ten feet away. “Is this really how you imagined dying?”

  The man on the right shook his head. The other on Jareb’s left did the same. They stepped back too.

  I smiled wider at Jareb. “It must hurt to know that the thing you inspire best is cowardice.”

  “May the gods curse you, Tyrus.”

  I thought of Lasha and him together. “I believe they already have. It’s just you and me. Still want to die playing hero? Or would you rather live and twist this confrontation into something positive after I’m gone.”

  He put away his weapon and hissed through clenched teeth. “I won’t forget this.”

  I spun and gave him my back as an insult. “I will.”

  “This will come back around on you. You’ll see!”

  I shrugged. “Dekar, move out!”

  Wagon wheels started rolling once more. Jareb shuffled off Main Street, his mob still following his lead.

  A part of me wished I could have been a fly on the wall to hear how Jareb explained his ineptitude to others.

  * * *

  I sent Ira to scout ahead so Sivan could rest. The old man had slept through all the fuss and preparations. He snored lightly in the back of the lead wagon, sandwiched between a sack of oats and a barrel of salt.

  With a few exceptions, the wagons carried the young, wounded, and elderly, all crammed between supplies. Everyone else walked or in the rare instance rode one of our few spare mounts.