“Then I consider this a breach of contract.”
“Take it up with the Guild,” replied Charka. “I have a life to save.” Then turning his back on the apothecary, he stalked away.
“What does it mean when there is a breach of contract?” Reneeke asked Master Hymal.
“It means that he failed to live up to his side of our agreement.”
“But if your reagents were recovered, then there wouldn’t be a problem, right?”
The apothecary glanced to the young man before him. “True.”
“Rene, what are you thinking?” asked Jaikus, though he already knew the answer. Before he could stop his friend, Reneeke said, “Jaik and I will recover them for you.”
Charka paused in mid-stride and spun about. “Are you out of your mind? The two of you, against a fully grown mossback?”
Master Hymal ignored him. “Do you mean it?”
Reneeke nodded. “If it is possible, we shall recover your reagents.” Jaikus didn’t look thrilled at the prospect of going off into the Swamp on their own.
Stalking back, Charka rounded on Reneeke and demanded, “How do you expect to make it back? Can you even find your way to Reakla?”
Pointing off through the Swamp, Reneeke asked, “It’s that way, right?”
“Correct,” answered Master Hymal.
Charka scowled. “Boy, you’ve lost your senses.”
“I do not plan on engaging the mossback,” he explained. “Merely track it and recover Master Hymal’s packs from the carcass.”
Lady Kate came forward leading the two mules. Seward was slumped across the neck of one. “If we wish Seward to live, we best leave now.”
“Right you are.” Then to Master Hymal, Charka asked, “Do you plan to accompany us back to Reakla, or would you rather remain with our two, completely inexperienced and most likely soon-to-be-dead, Springers?”
To Reneeke, Master Hymal asked, “Can you recover my reagents?”
“Unless the carcass has been taken somewhere we can’t follow, then yes.”
“Like at the bottom of a bog or something,” added Jaikus, just on the off chance they failed to retrieve the aforementioned packs.
“There are three packs that contain reagents,” said the apothecary. “Return with them and I’ll give you lads a bonus.”
“Bonus?” queried Jaikus. The prospect of trailing a mossback lost a great deal of its terror at the mention of a bonus.
“Indeed.” Then he turned to Charka. “I would be of little help to these lads. I shall return with you.”
“As you wish.” Then to his Springers he said, “You two be careful. It’s better to come back empty handed, than not come back at all.”
“Don’t worry about us. We won’t take any unnecessary chances,” Reneeke assured him.
Lady Kate opened her pack and handed him two flasks. “These are our last two healing potions. Take them.”
Reneeke hesitated. “Won’t Seward need them?”
She shook her head. “We still have three scrolls. That will be sufficient to see him to Reakla.”
Jaikus quickly snatched the flasks from her hand and slipped them into his pack. “Thank you.”
“If you make it back, stop by the Guild,” Charka said. “I’ll leave word where we can be located.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And good luck, boys. You two have more brass than any Springer I ever had.”
“Thank you,” replied Jaikus with a smile.
And with that, Charka took the reins of the second mule and turned to begin the trek back to Reakla.
Lady Kate gave them both a quick embrace. “May the gods be with you.”
“And with you, Lady.”
She smiled and nodded as she hurried to catch up with Charka and the apothecary. Setting a quick pace, they soon vanished into the trees.
Chapter Thirteen
Standing next to the blood soaked-ground where the horse had collapsed, they saw how the creature had begun dragging the carcass toward the water, but then had altered course and skirted the water’s edge.
“I wonder why it didn’t drag it into the water?” queried Jaikus.
To illustrate, Reneeke grabbed a stick from off the ground. Then, stabbing an end into one of the many pieces of horseflesh that had been ripped from Master Hymal’s steed, flung it into the water. The roiling of the water as the flesh-hungry little fishes tore into it was explanation enough.
“It didn’t want to share.”
The bank of the stagnant pond was soft, and the mossback’s tread had been heavy. Tracking it wasn’t going to be an issue. Reneeke shouldered his pack and made sure it rested comfortably.
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” asked Jaikus. “Charka didn’t seem to think we have much of a chance.”
Pack now situated comfortably, he replied, “He didn’t think we had much of a chance as Springers either. Yet here we are.”
Slinging his own pack into position, Jaikus said, “This is different, Rene. You saw what that other mossback did to Seward, and that was even after you had rendered its back half useless.” After a quick, nervous glance toward the trees wherein the mossback they were about to hunt for had gone, he added, “Charka said the one that took off with Master Hymal’s reagents was much larger, too.”
Reneeke flashed a serious look toward his friend. “Jaik, if we do this and survive, there’s no way anyone would bar our admittance into the Guild.” Reneeke could see his friend was having some serious reservations about following after the mossback. “I promise that we will not fight anything. We’ll simply find out where it took the carcass, wait for it to leave, then retrieve Master Hymal’s reagents.” Slapping Jaikus on the back, he added, “Piece of cake!”
“I hope so.”
“This is what adventuring is all about, right? Risking life and limb for glory?” But then he grew serious. “Unless of course, you have changed your mind about pursuing a life of adventuring? Returning to the farm would be no disgrace.”
Jaikus knew that his friend would be more than happy to do just that. Farm life, though, was something Jaikus simply abhorred. “No, I still wish to join the Guild.”
Putting hand to hilt, his face twisted into a wry grin. “Alright then. On to adventure?”
“On to adventure.”
Reneeke took the lead as they followed the trail left behind by the thieving mossback. Tracking was simple as there were not only the mossback’s tracks, but a wide swath of blood-streaked ground courtesy of the eviscerated equine with which the mossback had absconded.
Upon reaching where the trail left the water’s edge and moved into the surrounding trees, Reneeke came to a halt. “We need to be extra careful from here on. Coming up on an animal with a fresh kill can often cause it to attack if it thinks its meal is in any way threatened.”
“Not to mention the possibility that the scent of fresh blood could draw other creatures in to investigate,” added Jaikus.
“Right. So like my father always said when we were on the hunt: ‘Keep your eyes open and mouth shut.’”
Jaikus merely nodded.
The trees they began to pass through were by no means closely packed together, yet it still took them some time before the mossback and its dinner came into view. Upon a knoll rising from a point slightly off-center within another pond, the mossback was in the process of greedily tearing into the horse’s flesh. Half of the equine carcass still lay within the water. Reneeke was quick to note the lack of any tell-tale roiling which would indicate the presence of the voracious little fish. He deduced that this must in fact be the lair of the mossback. For with the pond being free of the parasitic little flesh eaters, it could take its ill-gotten bounty through the water to the knoll where it could eat in peace. Also, from atop the knoll, it would have a commanding view of anything enroute that might make an attempt to abscond with its supply of horseflesh.
Halting some distance from the water, the pair crouched down behind the roots of
a toppled tree where they could observe the mossback without fear of being seen. “Look there,” Reneeke said, pointing to the packs and saddle which were miraculously still attached to the horse.
Jaikus nodded. “But how are we to get them, Rene? That mossback will hear us in the water long before we reach it.”
“Could be it will wander off once it’s eaten its fill.”
Annoyed by the insects buzzing about, not to mention the slight fact that night was rapidly approaching, Jaikus said, “Light’s going to be gone soon.” Already, the shadows were beginning to deepen. They had an hour before the last traces of daylight would be gone altogether. Maybe not even that long.
Reneeke didn’t answer right away. He kept his eyes directed toward the feeding mossback. “You may be right,” he finally replied. “But we dare do nothing until it’s eaten its fill.”
“But, night is almost upon us.”
Shrugging, Reneeke said, “So? Night is going to catch us in the Swamp no matter what we do, anyway.”
“Then, what are we to do?”
He gazed at his friend for a moment before realizing no answer was forthcoming.
Sometime after the sun had set, and before night had a chance to completely take over, the mossback moved off. Sliding from the knoll and into the water, it left the remains of the horse at the water’s edge as it disappeared beneath the surface.
Reneeke could sense Jaikus was about to speak, so held up his hand for silence. Eyes scanned the surface of the water. The deepening shadows created a concealing patchwork that shrouded the pond almost to the point where details were lost. Almost.
Accustomed to the ways of animals, especially those inhabiting the mountains near Running Brook, Reneeke knew the mossback probably had a favored resting place that would most likely be both sheltered and secluded. Patience was the key.
A minute ticked by as the shadows continued their descent into full night. Then he saw it, a tell-tale ripple spreading across the pond’s surface. It was easy to determine from the ripple’s movement where the mossback had settled. Far to their left was a thick patch of moss drooping down from overhanging branches. It was thick enough to hide whatever might be on the other side. It was within that mass of sheltering moss that the creature had gone, he’d bet his life on it.
Pointing toward the moss, he whispered, “It went over there.”
Predators, son, are mean and nasty when hungry. But if you wait until their bellies are full, they are prone to be slow and lethargic.
His father’s words flitted across his mind as he considered their next course of action. What did he know of mossbacks?
Rene, always know what it is you’re hunting. Know what its habits are, what it likes, and what it hates. With his father’s words guiding him, he began to recall snippets of previous conversations.
…a mossback’s habits were to kill and eat, preferably near water…
…young ones liked to drop out of trees…
…fire….
What did Charka say about mossbacks and fire? They don’t care much for fire and tend to avoid it whenever possible. He remembered very well how the previous mossback reacted to Lady Kate’s fireball.
Turning to Jaikus, he grinned.
“What?”
“I have an idea.”
“Is it a good one?”
Reneeke chuckled as he shrugged. “If we survive, yes. If not, no.” In the fading light, he could see his friend frown. With a sweeping gesture to indicate the area about them, Reneeke said, “Help me gather some of this dead brush and I’ll explain.”
Ten minutes later, they stood at the water’s edge. Jaikus wasn’t any more enthusiastic for this undertaking than when it first had been explained to him. “We’re not going to make it. You know that, Rene.” They both were able swimmers. It wasn’t the fear of the water that had him concerned. Rather, it was the creature lurking beneath the overhanging moss that terrified him to the verge of calling this off and going home.
In his hands he held four branches. The ends of each had had their combustibility augmented with interwoven bundles containing as much of the dead and dried-out material that could be found.
The plan was simple. They would ignite one branch’s bundle of combustible material, then slip into the water and cross to the knoll where they would then get the bags containing Master Hymal’s reagents. It was hoped that having just gorged, coupled with the mossback’s natural aversion to fire, the creature wouldn’t sally forth to investigate what was going on in its pond. Should the first branch burn itself out, the next would be lit, and so forth, until they had returned back across the water and reached the shore.
Reneeke ignored Jaikus’ prophecy of doom. Taking one of the four, make-shift super-torches from Jaikus, Reneeke used flint to strike sparks until the material caught. In no time, the fire spread throughout the bundle.
Standing up, he glanced to Jaikus. “Ready?” Chuckling when Jaikus shook his head, he stepped toward the water. “Come on.” As Jaikus followed, he gestured to the remaining three branches his friend held. “Keep those dry.”
Nodding, Jaikus entered the pond. He gasped at the icy water’s first touch. “It’s cold, Rene.”
“So? Can’t be any worse than the mid-week baths your mother gave you.” He was, of course, referring to the fact that Jaikus’ mother was a firm believer in a regular regimen of cold baths. Once a week, his mother would make him haul buckets of water from the nearby creek for his bathwater. The coldness was supposed to ‘purge’ the evil out of him, as everyone knew that evil spirits came from a place of fire. Therefore, a good dousing in cold should scare them off. Jaikus’ family was a bit stricter than most when it came to such things.
“Don’t remind me.” Gritting his teeth, he stayed as close to Reneeke as he could while making their way toward the knoll.
They kept constant vigil toward the moss-shroud wherein the mossback lay hidden. Jaikus felt very exposed and vulnerable, feelings that only increased the more submerged his body became. When the water reached his chest, he was forced to hold the branches high above his head to keep them from becoming wet.
“It’s still there,” commented Reneeke in the quietest of whispers. In the light from the burning brand held aloft, he watched the hanging moss and adjacent water for tell-tale signs that the mossback had taken an interest in what they were doing. Thus far, that area of the pond remained still and quiet, but he figured such a state would not last for long. They were even now crossing the halfway point and drawing near to the knoll.
Chin now raised high due to the water’s depth, Jaikus worked his way along the bottom of the stagnant pond. The foulness of the water occasionally found its way into his mouth, nearly causing him to gag. What stopped the reflex was his fear that the mossback would take a greater notice of their presence in its territory.
“Jaik,” whispered Reneeke.
So quiet was his voice, that Jaikus almost didn’t hear him.
“Hand me another branch.” The flames of the one he held had begun to die. Shadows started regaining lost ground, including that of the mossback’s hideaway.
Already precariously balanced on what he hoped was the branch of a submerged log, Jaikus tried passing one of the branches to Reneeke. The slight movement toward his friend caused a foot to slip off the branch, and under he went.
He didn’t panic, as both he and Reneeke were fair swimmers, having during their youth frolicked in the ponds and lakes near Running Brook. Reflexes quickly took over, and after locating the bottom, used his foot to propel himself back toward the surface. Just before breaking through, he felt Reneeke take hold of the branch he had been in the middle of handing over, providing some much needed leverage with which to regain the surface and stay afloat.
“Shhh!” urged Reneeke when Jaikus broke through and began sputtering.
Pond scum coated his hair, eyes, mouth, and every other nook and cranny from the neck up. Nasty was a mild description for the way he felt. Once h
is balance had been restored, he began treading water since the bottom was no longer within reach.
“Are you okay?” Reneeke took the branch from Jaikus and set it against the almost burned out one. Instantly, the tinder of the second flared to life.
“Yeah,” replied Jaikus. Now with only two branches in his left hand, he moved closer to Reneeke in order to lay a hand on his friend’s shoulder to aid in his effort to keep afloat. Supported as he was with his new-found grip, Jaikus was able to wipe the scum from his face on a relatively dry patch of Reneeke’s shirt.
“Uh-oh.”
“What?” Looking up, Jaikus’ panic returned anew as he glanced back and forth across the water for signs of danger.
Reneeke directed Jaikus’ attention to the mossback’s hideaway with a nod of his head. There was a gap in a section of the overhanging moss touching the water that hadn’t been there before. In a voice as silent as he could make it, Reneeke said, “The mossback…it’s out.” He felt Jaikus’ grip tighten on his shoulder.
“Let’s get out of here,” urged Jaikus.
Not moving, Reneeke held the torch up as he scanned the surface of the water. When he saw no signs of the mossback, or the tell-tale ripples indicating its passage, he shook his head. “We’re close, Jaik.” A short silence, then, “Hang on.”
He began moving toward the knoll. Jaik held onto his shoulder and kept his eyes peeled for the mossback as Reneeke worked to bring them through the water.
They could see very clearly the remains of the horse where it lay half in, half out of the water. Of the three saddlebags Master Hymal had mentioned, two were clearly visible. The third could very well be hidden beneath the carcass.
A slow minute passed. Reneeke was moving as quickly as he dared. Footing was treacherous, but at no point had the water grown so deep that it prevented him from reaching the bottom. Then his foot sank into a depression, causing his head to momentarily dip beneath the surface.
Terror shot through Jaikus as his friend suddenly went under, frightened that the mossback had attacked.
Jaikus and Reneeke Join the Guild Page 18
