The Red Lands 1

by ForestRage

  "But the only place between us and the north is the village Chu. A demon would have to be crazy to be prowling around the place the Military is going to come."

  Chu sneered as he replied

  "Exactly! Now where in this village would you least expect to find a wolf demon hiding?"

  Ming didn't have to think the answer. It just rolled out his mouth naturally along with his saliva

  "The slums..."

  "Exactly. I think it's time to put those bandit recruits to work."

  Chapter 38

  Covering the bases

  The next day Chu and Ming traveled back to the barn on a sleigh pulled by a horse. Chu scoffed at those earthling romantics while rubbing his butt during the rough journey. Simon personally served as the driver, and the lone escort.

  Chu's willingness to travel across the grasslands only served to reinforce his tale to Griz.

  It looks like it is actually safe to travel.

  Griz had met them up in the morning before they left the lodge. He had voiced his concern for Chu and his friends living alone. According to him, they would not be able to protect themselves in such a lonely place. Who knows what dangers would befall a group of kids.

  He expressed his anxiety over their welfare and was willing to shelter them for the rest of the winter.

  Chu in reply had expressed his disdain over Griz's fake worry performance.

  "You think I am so stupid as not to know what you real intentions are? I know you are just trying to hold us like hostages until the caravan comes. Only a fool would take advice from a near stranger to spend his money without some sort of guarantee. Your real aim is just to prevent us from running away in case something happens. Pshh! You taking me for some kid?"

  Chu mocked, causing the large man to turn red from the neck upwards.

  "Brat, if you know what I'm doing, why the hell did you show that caring face and played me along? You better not think about running. I don't care too much about the others, but I am not letting you out of my sight! And for your information you are a stinking kid!"

  Griz shouted him away as purple veins threatened to smoke away the cold.

  Ming and Simon stood at the side silently in a respectable manner as the two continued bickering like old men around a rum bottle. In the end they agreed that Chu and Ming would be staying at the lodge.

  Chu did get Griz to offer a free ride to the barn to inform the others about his decision. He left Ming at the lodge stating he would return after some business in the village for the morning. To this Griz reluctantly agreed.

  It was now in the afternoon that they were riding on the sled across the snowy plains. Griz personally saw them off heading into the distance. He gritted his teeth and cursed them on their way.

  The brat had not only wrangled this free ride from him. He was adamant in staying for free in the lodge quarters for the entire winter. Griz knew the boy was fully aware that the prices of those rooms were going to be jacked up in the coming days. That hypocrite simply took advantage of his hollow promise to provide him a room.

  If that wasn't enough he returned with a man pulling a sled and demanded Griz honor his deal of selling at pre-winter prices. The excuse being that they had to stock up on food for his friends.

  Griz nearly coughed up blood at such shameful behavior.

  "Didn't you recently buy up enough food to last until spring?"

  "Have to move now, all that will spoil." came the nonchalant reply

  "But most of what you bought were dry rations and preserved goods."

  "Because of you I have to be bunking in the village, you want me parading in here with all my stuff?" was the vexed voice of a seemingly frustrated individual

  Griz could only grit his teeth at this boldface boy. If he continued the brat would just keep denying and skirting around the truth.

  When the sleigh reached the barn, Clod stood outside at the door waiting. The lookout had long since spotted and ascertained their arrival.

  Chu casually turned to Simon

  "It won't take us long to pack. I want to let the girls get their stuff. I will take some of them back with us, while the others will remain to clean up and secure our supplies. Don't worry, I won't be begging for a free ride for them."

  "Go ahead, but hurry up. Unlike you I am still wary of that demon."

  Simon patted the horse on the side as he looked around. The barn stood alone on the small hill overlooking the barren snow-covered landscape. He had to say these kids had balls. Never would anyone expect a bunch of kids out in the wild like this.

  "Ming you know what you have to do right?"

  "Yes I remember it in the order counting from one like you said."

  "Good, when we leave share it with Lucy and Clod. Make sure you do it as I said. I am counting on you guys to secure this place."

  Ming, Lucy and Clod would remain to secure their belongings and then return to the village once they finished. Only Chu and the girls were leaving on the sleigh with some supplies packed in bags.

  In about an hour they organized themselves to leave. All this time, Ming and Clod had taken turns entertaining the man at the sled. Simon was surprised at their efficient behaviour.

  If he didn't know better he might swear they had already packed and waited on this free ride. He did not know that they always had supplies stored in the event of a quick escape.

  He watched as even the smallest girl carried a large canvas sack onto the sleigh. The boy called her Dyna as she sat down on the sleigh silently. As expected of young children she clutched her large sack preciously.

  The others placed their belongings around her partially blocking her from his view. Each of them had large sacks containing possibly clothing and food.

  It really was hard for children in the slums to survive.

  Chu broke him out from his thoughts.

  "Old man Simon, we are ready. Hopefully we can reach the village before nightfall."

  "Don't worry, we will be there long before that."

  The horse trotted across the snow making its way to the village.

  ***

  "Holy crap, that was close."

  Ming finally released his breath.

  He was in the lookout along with Lucy watching the sleigh disappear from view. Clod was below at the front. He continued removing the planks and wood pieces he had used to cover the canvas containing the wolf demon.

  If Simon had entered the barn he would have found a relatively clean place with a herbal smell. In the corner of the barn was a fenced off stockpile that stored various pieces of lumber. Dyna and her wolf pack had long vanished into the cellar on sighting the arrival of a stranger.

  Ming clambered down the ladder and called the others. He relayed the plan from Chu and discussed it with them before they started. He then brushed the remnants of a hallucination from the platform.

  ***

  The same morning Chu had gone to visit his parents. In a warm kitchen he told them about his selfish request. If it wasn't for the low spirits and fear about the wolf demon, this might have been the best winter the family ever experienced in their lives.

  His mother readily consented to his pleads of allowing the others to stay. Even if they had to eat watered down porridge, their food was sufficient to last the winter. Not to mention a large portion of deer leg remained hanging in the kitchen pantry.

  Chu didn't stay any longer once his goal was achieved. He felt bad for having to lie to a mother. Every-time he visited the memory of the stubborn attitude of his body's previous owner surfaced. That young boy had been willing to throw his life away to protect his family from falling into debt and burden.

  Chu was comforted by the fact that he had certainly done better than that person in providing for the family. Still he always felt guilty in front of his family. Sometimes he wondered if it was because he appeared the boy had passed away.

  Is someone taking good care of my family now that I am no longer there?

  He made a quick s
top at the inn before returning to the Trading Post with his father in tow. He made sure they brought a sled with them. At the store he haggled and argued with Griz for some more provisions. This time his old man just sat on the counter and gazed at them with faded eyes.

  Satisfied with his purchases, Chu sent his old man who was still dazed back home. It was then that they finally left for the barn.

  ***

  The return journey proved uneventful. The girls surprised Simon with their endless chatter. They sat at the back huddled up in cloaks talking and sometimes being noisy throughout the trip. If he didn't know better he might think they were out on a tour.

  Chu sat beside him near the driver's seat holding him in a conversation to avoid the backseat distractions.

  They talked about Simon's life as an adventurer and the places he visited. Chu learned about how the nobility and large clans operated in the towns and cities. He got information about the ancient city of Frost since Simon once lived there for many years.

  Simon wanted to use this opportunity to study this group but he soon understood that this boy just didn't have any story. With a few words his life from leaving the village to living the slums was done. He didn't even know why, how or where this boy actually lived in the village.

  Only long after did it register in his mind that the boy always manage to cleverly steer their conversations away from himself.

  On reaching the village gate, the guards allowed them entry. Simon and the Trading Post emblem at the side of the sleigh ensured they went in without being searched. The guards were so respectful that Simon didn't even slow down, they just waved him inside.

  If this was a farmer or even a new merchant, those guards would have been the first to demand some compensation. With all those bags, they would have most certainly have been frisked and robbed.

  Chu directed Simon towards his parents house in a side street away from the village center. They unloaded the sleigh and after a brief talk with his parents he left with Simon. Chu was adamant that he had to honor his deal. This rush to uphold his promise only served to garnish the man's respect for him.

  Chu's parents quickly hustled the girls inside the house. Dyna has been the first to scurry inside, not even worrying about formalities. Even though they were cloaked it did not hurt to be cautious.

  His mother was well aware what would happen if it became known the house was home to lots of girls. Not including the new residents that would soon flood the village, those soldiers had a habit of calling on villagers that had young daughters.

  Only when inside and the door bolted and windows covered did the woman relax. It was then she got another scare of her life and nearly fainted in fright.

  'Was this going to be a habitual thing every-time she had dealings with her son?'

  In the small hall

  Materializing from the large canvas bag that the smallest girl had carried, staggered out three small but very notorious wolf cubs.

  Chapter 39

  The trade convoy arrives

  During the next few days Chu roamed around the lodge giving the impression of a bored little boy. This was only the opinions of the guards and the other lodgers. Unknown to them, his mind functioned like a well oiled machine.

  The lodge remained relatively vacant and ready for the influx of expectant visitors. Chu did notice one of those merchants who Griz was speaking to the other day. If he didn't know better he would have thought the poor fellow was schizophrenic.

  Every day the guy would run out from the Lodge compound and return muttering and cursing. The routine actions did provide some form of entertainment in this dull place.

  He could only hope that there had been no hiccups in his plans, and that his companions encountered no problems. The girls remained as instructed within his parents home, out of sight and thus out of trouble.

  Once daily his old man made the trip to deliver a hot meal and any messages from home. The home cooked meal warmed his heart and stomach.

  Chu couldn't help but curse Griz silently for being such a miser. The man had visited him on the evening he returned and sang a sad tune. The main points from that evening discussion circled around Griz allowing him to bunk for free in the Lodge.

  Griz went on to say he was sure Chu was not a pinch-penny as to expect the lodge to provide a free meal on top of such generosity. Chu didn't forget to remind him that this was all his idea, but it was like reasoning with a stone.

  It was a cold afternoon when he saw Ming at the entrance speaking with the guard. On seeing him the boy waved and entered when the guard allowed him to pass. Ming had run the trip of bringing him the food. They talked and laughed for a moment and then returned to the room for the meal.

  Soon as the door closed Chu pulled the boy to the middle of the room. They sat down while he covered them both with the blanket. If anyone had seen them it was obvious that they had entered the room to have a meal. Still he felt it prudent to take no chances.

  The conversation was held in a whisper under the sheet. Any eavesdropper would only hear the sounds of muffled voices. Unless Griz had someone like Lucy with special hearing capabilities, their conversation sounded like turkey garbling.

  As for Simon, Chu was certain he never read anything about the boar demon lifestones giving anything other than some strength related ability.

  "How did it go?"

  "We did as you said and hid the rest of the stuff in the cellar. The wolf..."

  Chu slapped him while correcting him.

  "Package, I told you it's package when you talk about it okay. Now go on."

  Ming rubbed his head

  "We placed the package in the passageway and blocked it from the cellar. It’s double wrapped like you ordered. That thing was heavy like hell, but we completed the task. Clod hung up the remaining meat in the cellar and also wrapped them up. He said the frost wont worry it during the winter."

  "Good job."

  Chu praised.

  "Yea, it took us that long because Clod insisted to scatter some of those dried herbs around the barn and cellar entrance, he did it in the passageway also. We placed some old lumber haphazard around it and the partially dismantled the oven on the trapdoor entrance. Clod is certain even dogs won't discover our secret cellar."

  Chu felt a mountain had been removed from his shoulders. No matter if anyone traced the wolf demon back to the barn, the trail would stop there. If those herbs could confuse the wolf demon then it should be able to block anything that tracked with smell.

  "Other than that we did everything according to plan. Lucy and Clod have bunked at your house so Clod and your old man will take turns delivering the meals. Your mother chatted with the neighbors while mentioning she had decided to raise some dogs.

  Chu nodded. That was smart thinking on the part of his mother. Any noises by the cubs would be passed on as a tantrum made by dogs. If Dyna and the others were careful in keeping the cubs content, then it should not be a problem.

  That would only be until some of the greedy villagers come knocking for free meat. Chu had long noted that there were no stray animals roaming freely in this village. No owner meant it was the silent consent for 'free for all'.

  Luckily the house was located in a quiet path away from the main road that ran from the north gate entrance to the south. The Trading Post lodge and general store was located near the south gate. Small service shops and tradesmen conducted business along this route. The garrison headquarters and barracks occupied the area in the north.

  As a frontier village it was designed to be able to provide some form of defense from attacks. It was also made to be able to accommodate the farmers and other traders who lived in the outlying areas in times of war.

  Chu was satisfied in not having to worry about the small details.

  "And the other thing?"

  Ming grinned sheepishly

  "We left the barn five days after. We only took so long since you said to give Lucy time to recover. We spent that time in making
the barn look like it was abandoned. Before we left Clod even removed the front doors to make it even more uncomfortable. I separated from the others just before the village and made my way to the slums."

  Chu nodded

  "Did you get it done?"

  He whispered.

  "It was just like I said before. The younger men were all shacked together with old man Bai. They had broken down some of the older folks shacks and piled up the lumber for firewood.”

  Ming said while securing the cover over their heads before continuing

  “Most of the old people are now forced to live in the shacks closer to the forest. I got old woman May to cause a ruckus between the residents and the ruffians. I used that opportunity to sneak in and complete the task."

  Chu couldn't believe that the first namesake of his was actually a bandit or stooge in this world. Imagine the first person you ever met carrying your name turned out to be a crook.

  "How in the world could you get all those old people to come out in the height of winter?"

  "How else, I paid them with ten freshly made rock bread. I smuggled it in afterwards for them, a couple at a time. Didn't you say a person will do anything for food?"

  Chu could only shake his head in silence. Ming's reliability was excellent but his reasonings were seriously misconstrued.

  "Its money. I said a person will do anything for money. Stop going around misquoting people."

  ***

  Chu didn't have to wait long to witness something akin to a gold rush.

  The Trading Post convoy came in first in the middle of the week after a huge snowstorm. Fifteen sleighs filled with goods and equipment. From garrison commander to slum dweller, everyone was shocked in the village.

  No one expected the Trading Post company to risk such a venture, on knowing the surrounding danger. More amazing was the fact that they only traveled across the roads with just five guards.