“Why do we go around?” questioned Jaikus, as he barely avoided his foot slipping into the muck for the untold time.
“Quiet!” Charka whispered back to him. “No talking.”
“I would rather be on the mounds as well, Jaik,” whispered Reneeke, from where he walked just behind his friend.
“This is a cursed place,” Seward told the boys in a hushed voice. “Some say the spirits of the dead walk among the mounds at night. It would be best not to anger them by treading upon their graves.”
“Graves? These are graves?” Jaikus whispered back. Visions of treasure buried with the dead sprang to mind.
He must have had his thoughts written upon his face for Seward said, “Don’t even think about it, boy. The dead don’t take kindly to those who remove their trinkets.”
“But the dead are, well, dead, aren’t they?”
“You don’t know nothing about nothing, do you?”
Just then, Charka held up his hand and brought the Troupe to a halt. He and Hymal were stopped at a junction where the corners of four mounds converged. Motioning the others to gather near, he knelt down and inspected the ground.
Pointing to a line of tracks running between the mounds coming from their left and disappearing to the right, he said, “Trolls.” He paused a moment as he inspected the ground further. “And something else too, maybe a mossback.”
“Are the trolls hunting it?” asked Seward. “Or is it hunting them?”
“Hard to tell. I make out five trolls, so I would be inclined to believe that they were after the mossback.” Standing back up, he said, “Mossbacks rarely try to take on so many at one time.”
“Sir?” asked Reneeke. “What is a mossback?”
“Large reptile,” explained Charka, “about the size of a cow with razor sharp teeth and a mean disposition.”
“It gets its name from the small patch of hair upon its back that resembles moss hanging in the trees. The younger ones are able to climb up into the trees where the moss conceals them until prey passes below, then they pounce.”
Reneeke came forward and examined the tracks as well. “They look a couple hours old.”
Charka nodded. “You have a good eye, boy.”
Shrugging, Reneeke replied, “My father used to take me hunting in the hills.”
“Handy with a bow?” asked Seward.
“Fair. I tend to hit more often than not.”
“Then you should have brought one with you,” Seward stated with irritation.
“We didn’t have enough coins to buy one, and my father wouldn’t allow me to bring the only one he had. To be honest, he didn’t think our chances of getting into the Guild were very good.” He grinned. “And neither did I.”
“Well, you aren’t in the Guild yet,” Seward pointed out.
“But we will be,” asserted Jaikus. “Once we return, Charka said he would put us forward for membership.”
“Boy, you have to survive before that can happen.”
“Enough,” interjected Charka. “All this talk will surely draw the attention of creatures we don’t want to meet. It appears this area is no longer as safe as we used to think. There is still a day to go and standing around here talking won’t get us there any quicker. Keep alert and no talking.” He eyed his two Springers meaningfully before resuming their trek through the mounds.
Later that afternoon when the sunlight was beginning to fade, Charka again brought them to a halt. He stood still with head cocked to the side. They had left the mounds behind some time ago and were now making their way through a dense forest consisting of dead trees and scraggly bushes.
“What do you hear?” asked Lady Kate, as she came up behind him.
He held his hand up for silence as he turned his head from side to side, then pointed to a position almost directly ahead. Without saying a word, he held up two fingers. Glancing back to the others, he laid a finger against his lips for silence.
So intently was Jaikus peering into the forest of dead trees before them, that he about jumped out of his skin when Seward patted him on the shoulder. Seeing the man holding out the mules’ reins for him to take charge of, he took them.
Drawing his sword, Seward moved forward to stand with Charka. Lady Kate positioned herself behind them. Hymal and his horse moved to the rear with Jaikus, Reneeke, and the mules. Then they waited.
Minutes ticked by as six pairs of eyes and ears searched for any sign of what Charka had sensed. Jaikus was about to announce that he hadn’t heard anything when a troll’s lumbering silhouette appeared as it passed laterally through the trees before them. Then another.
Jaikus couldn’t understand why Charka wasn’t going on the offensive. Didn’t two beasts mean a larger bonus? After all, hadn’t they easily taken care of the last troll? Two shouldn’t be any greater difficulty. Yet, their Troupe leader acted as if he didn’t want to face the beasts. Jaikus began to wonder if the man was a bit of a coward.
As he watched the “increase in bonus” fail to take notice of their presence and continue moving off through the trees, he coughed. Charka, Lady Kate, and Seward turned angry eyes upon him as the beasts, drawn by the noise, glanced their way. Seeing dinner waiting amidst the trees, they charged.
Snarling, the pair of trolls crashed through the dead trees and withered foliage. Lady Kate shouted a single word and a myriad of miniature, dancing lights sprang into being around the first troll’s ugly head. Distracted, it slowed its pace as it tried to bat the lights from out in front of its face.
The second troll paid the predicament of the first no heed. Continuing forward, it was met by Lady Kate’s trio of fire bolts, each impact causing the beast to misstep and roar in pain. But her effort didn’t stop it.
The two fighters stood as a wall before the charging troll, Charka on the left, Seward on the right. When the troll drew near, Seward stepped forward and met its attack with his shield, just as before. Knocking aside a forceful swipe of claws, Seward thrust forward with his sword. Blade sinking deeply into its side, he danced quickly backward as the other arm shot forward to grasp the top of his shield.
Whack!
A mighty downward hack of Charka’s sword severed the arm at mid-forearm. Lady Kate’s Webs of Binding trapped the creature’s legs and down it went. Immediately, the two fighters stepped forward to impale their swords through the creature’s back.
Giving the troll a second to stop twitching, Charka then pulled his sword free and glanced toward the second troll. The spell of Dancing Lights had run its course and the troll was once again charging forward.
“Scroll!” shouted the Troupe leader.
Prepared for the call, Lady Kate passed a bound piece of parchment to him.
As Seward moved forward to meet the attack of the second troll, Charka placed the scroll upon the first. Already, the regenerative nature of the beast had begun restoring it, and its limbs were starting to twitch. “Immolate!” Instantly, the power of the scroll caused the troll’s body to burst into flame.
Fire bolts slammed into the oncoming creature, knocking it backward slightly, only enough to ruin the force of its charge. Seward moved forward to deliver a slice across the beast’s chest before it could recover. Webs appeared to entrap its legs sending it crashing to the ground. Then as before, Seward and Charka moved forward to deliver the telling blows.
Lady Kate came to the beast’s side and brought forth fire to consume it.
“You guys are good,” praised Jaikus as he came forward with the mules. “I only hope to one…”
“Think you’re pretty smart, do you?” Cutting him off, Charka turned a visage full of wrath and anger upon him.
“What…what do you mean?” Jaikus stammered.
“You coughed on purpose,” accused Seward.
“No one coughs that loudly when danger is near, unless they intend to.”
Withering beneath the two men’s glares, Jaikus turned to his friend Reneeke for aid. But none was forthcoming from that quarter. H
e could see it in his friend’s eyes that he, too, believed the legitimacy of the accusations being laid.
“I…I…”
“I’m afraid it was my fault,” said Hymal. “I was foolish enough to tell him that the Troupe gets a bonus for any attacks.” Glancing to Jaikus, he shook his head. “Boy, I didn’t think you were that stupid.”
Charka’s eyes narrowed. “Is this true? Did you put the lives of myself and my Troupe in danger just to pad your share of the bonus?”
Jaikus didn’t need to reply, for the answer was clearly written across his face. Trying to come up with something to say, he was flattened by a blow from Charka’s fist. Breath knocked from him by the impact with the ground, he tried to rise only to find the point of Charka’s sword at his throat.
“You ever do something like that again, and I’ll leave your body to rot in the Swamp. Do you understand?”
He looked from face to face but there was no mercy, no leniency. Jaikus knew he had lost the respect of everyone there, and for what? A few more coins?
“Boy,” Charka said, pressing his sword painfully into the softness of Jaikus’ throat, “I asked you a question.”
“Yes!” he shouted. “I understand.”
Meeting his eyes for a few seconds more, Charka returned his sword to its scabbard. “Master Hymal, there will be no charge for this attack. It will come out of his share.” Then he glanced back to where Jaikus was sitting up and rubbing his throat. “As well as the cost for the scroll.”
Jaikus had the good sense to lower his eyes and hang his head.
For the rest of the day’s march, no one so much as looked at him. Even Reneeke was giving him the silent treatment, spending most of his time in hushed conversation with Lady Kate. Jaikus felt bad for what he had done. He would take it back if he could. But what was done, was done.
Their evening’s campsite, the last before reaching their destination, was again situated on top of a knoll. Jaikus tossed his pack down and immediately began collecting firewood. Much to his relief, Reneeke joined him.
“Are you okay?” his friend asked.
Jaikus nodded. “I’m sorry.”
“I know you are. I think the others are getting over their resentment and by tomorrow, things may be close to as they were.” He paused a moment then said, “I hope.”
“So do I, Rene.”
Returning with an armload of wood, he dumped it by the fire where Seward was busy preparing another batch of his stew. Their eyes met for a moment before Seward turned away. Shoulders sagging, Jaikus returned to the surrounding trees to collect more wood.
Returning with his own load of firewood, Reneeke paused as Jaikus met him halfway. “Lady Kate told me that Charka meant what he said, about the money for the scroll coming out of your share.”
Turning gloomy eyes upon his friend, Jaikus asked, “Really?”
Nodding, Reneeke continued. “The scroll was fifty golds, Jaik. She doesn’t think your share will amount to anything when this is said and done.”
“Great,” he moaned. His moment of ill-conceived greed had cost him dearly.
“And that’s not all.”
“There’s more?”
“I’m afraid so. That stunt you pulled may have just changed his mind about putting you forward for Guild membership.”
“What?”
“He considers such an act as not honorable.”
“That’s…he can’t….”
“He might. She wasn’t completely sure how he plans to handle it. She did say, however, that you might still have a chance if you adhere to the highest standards of honor and bravery from now, until our return to Reakla. It’s a small chance only.”
“How about you?” asked Jaikus. “If I’m a wash, will he still put you forward?”
“We’re a team, Jaik, you and I,” his friend stated. “Either we both get in, or neither of us will.”
“That’s awfully considerate of you, Rene. But I wouldn’t want to stand in your way should you be able to join.”
Reneeke put his hand on his friend’s shoulder and looked him in the eye. “Why would I want to join if you weren’t there with me? I’ll wait until we both can join together if I must.” Then he grinned and slapped him on the back. “Plenty of opportunity for two Springers such as ourselves to prove our worth in the days to come.”
Jaikus gave him a half-hearted grin. “You got that right. Let’s be quick about our task and see to our drills.”
“That’s the Jaikus I know!”
Charka required twice the wood as they had collected the previous nights. “We must keep the fire bright tonight, lads,” he explained. “Came across fresh tracks from a mossback. They don’t care much for fire and tend to avoid it whenever possible.”
“Yes, sir,” replied Jaikus with great enthusiasm.
Their Troupe leader eyed him but remained silent.
Once the desired amount had been accumulated, Charka set them to practicing their basic sword maneuvers until dinner. Then during the hours afterward, they spent time on oiling and sharpening their swords. “You may have need of them before the night is over.”
“Will the mossback attack?” asked Reneeke.
Charka glanced to the Springer and said, “There are more than mossbacks abroad in the Swamp at night, boy. Where fire keeps mossbacks away, there are other creatures that it will attract.”
“Like glow-moths,” offered Seward. “They are not very big, barley larger than a gold coin. But they have stingers longer than your little finger and have no qualms about using them.”
“If you see soft, pale lights moving about in the Swamp, it’s the glow-moths. Did Bella give you sleeping mesh?”
Pulling the large, finely weaved mesh net from his pack, Reneeke asked, “Is this it?”
“That’s it. Make sure you cover yourself with it when you sleep. It will keep the moths away.”
“Yes, sir,” they replied in unison.
“Jaikus, you have first watch.”
“By myself?” he asked, surprised.
“Is that a problem?”
“No, sir.”
“Okay then. Wake me for the second.”
“Yes, sir.” Glancing to his friend, Jaikus saw him shrug.
“Perhaps he’s giving you a chance to prove yourself,” suggested Reneeke.
“Not so,” interjected Seward. “First shift is often given to those deemed the most untrustworthy.”
Crestfallen, Jaikus asked, “It is?”
Seward nodded. “It’s the easiest to stay awake, and most likely Charka won’t even fall asleep since he has elected to follow you.” The man then moved over to where he had laid out his bedroll earlier that evening on the far side of the fire near Lady Kate’s.
“I still think it shows he has some faith in you,” asserted Reneeke. “This is the first either of us have been allowed a solitary turn at watch.”
“I hope you are right, Rene.”
“Of course I am. You’ll see.”
“Get some sleep,” Jaikus told his friend. “Your turn at watch will come all too soon.”
Flashing him a grin, Reneeke replied, “Don’t I know it.” Pulling his blanket over him, he then maneuvered the mesh so it covered his upper body. It wasn’t large enough to cover him completely. “’Ware the moths.”
“I’ll see you in the morning.” And with that, Jaikus moved to the outer fringe of firelight and began his circuit of the perimeter.
The others settled into their bedrolls, each moving their mesh nets into position in anticipation of glow-moth incursions. Jaikus’ mesh netting remained atop his bedroll as he didn’t figure on needing it right away. How wrong that supposition turned out to be.
Not more than twenty minutes into his watch, the first glow appeared out in the Swamp. He paused to watch it move about amongst the trees. Even though it didn’t head directly toward the camp, it did steadily draw closer in a roundabout way.
A second one appeared, then a third. By the time
the fourth one began its way forward, Jaikus decided it to be time to get his mesh and drape it over his head. He felt kind of silly with the thing on him, but since everyone else seemed to believe in its effectiveness, he would trust in it.
The night was silent as more and more lights began to appear. From all directions, the glow-moths were drawn to the light of their fire. Four became eight, eight grew into sixteen, and their numbers kept increasing.
Jaikus was rather nervous when the first one came his way. He saw the stinger Seward had mentioned. Long and barbed at the end, it definitely wasn’t something he wished to be impaled with. As the glow-moth came and fluttered near his face, he quickly realized that should it decide to attack, the flimsy mesh would hardly impede it.
But the glow-moth didn’t attack. In fact, it veered off before coming within six inches of the mesh. Intrigued, Jaikus stood his ground and watched as a myriad of glow-moths flittered about on their way toward the fire. Very graceful and beautiful to behold, Jaikus would have tried to grab one if it hadn’t been for their barbed stingers.
He had to let Reneeke see the aerial display for himself. Going over to his friend, he gently woke him. “The moths,” he whispered as Reneeke started awake. “Aren’t they something?”
Reneeke nodded sleepily. “Yeah. They’re great, Jaik.” Then after another brief glance at the flittering insects, he rolled over and immediately fell back asleep.
The display lasted for only an hour before the glow-moths departed. A few had come a bit too close to the flames and were consumed. But by and large, they appeared to have come to dance around the flames, then leave. Once the exodus began, it took only a few minutes before the last glowing moth had vanished back within the Swamp. Taking off the mesh, he went to wake Charka for his turn at watch. He approached the Troupe leader cautiously, wondering if he were in fact asleep.
At Jaikus’ first touch, Charka’s eyes snapped open. Focusing on the lad standing over him, he asked, “Everything go okay?”
“Yes, sir. The glow-moths came and departed. Everyone is fine.”
“Good.” Then as he came to his feet, he said, “Get some sleep.”
Jaikus and Reneeke Join the Guild Page 7
