The Red Lands 1

by ForestRage

  Chapter 41

  Young Master Gofart

  On mornings, Chu would take a walk within the lodge compound. He always seemed fascinated with the contents of a small leather pouch. During this time Ming handled the errands and visits to the slums.

  The two of them loitered near the entrance until a tired looking guard approached them. The man had bags hanging under his weary eyes as he shuffled towards them.

  “Oh, good morning guardsman Ray. Looks like you had the night watch duty last night. How was it?”

  “Not bad, not bad. Keeping watch outside that property of the Trading Post isn’t bad. I lost out on the roster for tonight, so I think Yale might be sent to that house. I have to face the ruckus at the south gate tonight.”

  Chu nodded in sympathy while Ming handed over ten coppers to the guard. Guardsman Ray beamed as he pocketed the easy earnings.

  “Thank you boys, you won't believe how we fight in the barracks for this job. It’s a Heaven sent job in this trying time. Oh, your old man sent a message. Your mother is cooking some soup today. Damn Yale, that lucky bastard. I’m sure he will have a hot bowl when he goes out tonight on patrol.”

  Ray said. Ever since the Trading Post Master approached his Captain and offered this gig, everyone had scrambled to place their names on the roster. The guards had become so competitive, such that they literally lived outside the house to ensure its safety.

  With this property under the protection of the Trading Post, and the garrison patrols frequenting the streets during the day showing their goodwill, the adventurers stayed clear. Only a fool would meddle and asked to be blacklisted by such a large Merchant company.

  “This has to be one of your best ideas yet, Chu. Rumors from the south gate and inn, has it that your old man works for the Trading Post cutting lumber during the harvesting season.”

  Ming praised.

  “That’s good, I want you to keep spreading those rumors. Once the adventurers feel the patrols are looking out for the welfare of a person, and not guarding any riches or supplies of some sort, they will naturally keep away.”

  Chu replied. Although he bled and wept when those ten coppers left his hands daily, this safety precaution was only for this winter. He filed a memory at the back of his mind to regain this loss, with interest from Griz when the opportunity arose.

  "This is the power of money, no matter where you go."

  He told Ming, to which the boy replied

  "I think its wine Chu, Clod says that those patrolmen rush straight out the south gate to the new tavern. He said one morning the patrolman even offered to deliver the food, because he limped too slow. All for the love of rum."

  "You can think of it that way also, if you like."

  Came the lagged reply, after a moment of contemplation.

  Two days after the arrival of the Hounds, the young masters of various clans made their appearances. The Trading Post became filled to capacity, with renters from the higher echelons of society.

  Griz moved the boys to a more isolated room at the rear. The move increased Chu’s appreciation for the Merchant. Ming complained that Griz tried to shortchange them, but Chu shook his head.

  “That old miser is not trying to renege on his promise.I think he is simply trying to help us in keeping a low profile.”

  “Why the heck would he have to do that?”

  Chu remained in silent contemplation.

  During his experiments the next morning, the main courtyard unexpectedly became a scene of hustling bodies, scampering with messages or dragging heavy chests. Amidst the clatter and shouts, Chu’s head gravitated to a series of yells nearby.

  "Hey, hey you, the servant boy. Come here and help me."

  Chu scanned the area to locate the owner of the voice. His gaze fell on a plump young man in his late teens or early twenties.

  "Yes you boy. Run to the shop and buy me the finest tea. Tell the Master to put it on my tab."

  Chu walked slowly up to the man. The fatty carried an air of disposition that could not have been accumulated in any village or town. He was certain that beneath that smiling face lurked something dangerous.

  "Young Master, what name do I use that carries such weight?"

  "Pretty sharp for a kid, I'll let you utter the name most renowned in Frost City. Tell them Young Master Gofart sent you."

  "...!"

  "...!"

  "My apologies lord. I was not paying attention. Say, what name again?"

  "It's Young Master Gofart kid."

  The words rolled slowly out of the fatty's mouth.

  Chu stood for a minute then retreated a little out of the fatty's reach. He didn't want to incur the other’s wrath, because he thought heard his name incorrectly.

  "By your leave then, Young Master Gofart?"

  "Yes, yes hurry, it has been a long journey."

  Chu scampered away to the shop in a daze. He avoided the busy clerks, and squeezed in on the counter between some customers. The shop was too small to handle this capacity. He searched for Griz in the melee and shouted for his attention.

  The Manager frowned when he saw him. Normally the boy was smart to keep a low profile in this mess. When he found out what wanted, his frown deepened some more. He signaled Chu to the back entrance and gave him a box.

  "Hey kid, keep your distance from those young masters. They are not good company."

  Griz shook his head and went inside. He had seen it all to often in the city. The poor and middle class who were infatuated with those who seem to command the wind and rain. They worshiped and were attracted to them like a moth to the flame. Only to be scorched and burnt by the flames until they were discarded like ashes.

  Chu delivered the box to the young master.

  "Ah good job little boy. You seem capable enough in this place."

  As Chu bowed and was about to retreat, Ming came walking across the courtyard with their meal.

  "Boss, I got it and paid the patrolman. He..."

  Ming trailed off as he noticed the man standing close to Chu.

  "Boss? Hahaha, I see. So it seems that you are the local tyrant in this village. Not bad for one so young. No wonder you are allowed inside this compound."

  Master Gofart laughed and squinted his eyes.

  "But kid, you need to train your underlings better. This one is too bold. Take this as my lesson for the work you just did. Spade!"

  "Yes Master Gofart!"

  A servant in his thirties who was carrying the luggage to a room quickly ran over. He dropped to one knee and bowed before his master.

  "Run to the end of the courtyard and back, NOW!"

  "Yes Young Master Gofart."

  The man rushed off and soon returned panting in the cold air.

  "Walk on all fours and moo like a cow."

  "Yes Young Master Gofart."

  Without hesitation the scene was acted out in public.

  "Now lick my boot until its shiny"

  "Yes Young Master Gofart."

  Chu observed with a straight face as the man performed the task given with no hesitation. The young master grinned and looked at him.

  "See, this is how a real underling should act. Consider it my free lesson to you."

  Chu answered swiftly, without wasting no time.

  "Thank you for taking your precious time to train this lowly one. I have truly been blind. Young mater Gofart is truly the best man I have ever met in my humble life."

  Chu's eyes sparkled with admiration and fawning worship at the man. Master Gofart gazed with his head held high on the boy’s face. He had seen it many times before--a face of awe.

  "Good, good. I hope to see you around then. Seems like I might have some fun here after all. Dismissed!"

  When the young master turned to enter his room, Chu raised his head and beckoned to Ming for them to leave. Only when Chu closed the door did his he raise his false facade.

  "Whew, that was close. I felt like I was facing a new client and lying about a bad product wh
ile rating it up. I can't remember the last time I had to don that face."

  "What do you mean Chu?"

  "Never mind, it's nothing. Stay away from that guy's sight from now on Ming. Tell Clod to do the same. I have a bad feeling about these 'young masters'."

  Chu calmed his racing heart. He slowed his breathing by taking some deep breaths. Recalling the eyes on the young master, he shuddered. The smiling face would fool a common peasant, but did not mask the vicious eyes on the man.

  In a land where the law leaned towards those with wealth, he probably appeared like a meaty bone to this man of status.

  A bone to chew for a while and spit out when finished.

  The next day they managed to avoid being seen by the new lodgers. The following morning however they were not so fortunate. Clod had just left them at the entrance after delivering his message.

  On turning to reenter the compound, they locked eyes with Young Master Gofart escorted by two servants. Chu shooed Ming to the room after placing some exaggerated slaps behind his head. He turned and his face registered a false surprise as the young master came up.

  "Young Master Gofart. How can I be of service?"

  "Haha, I see you have been practicing your lessons. This great one is tired after dawdling in that snuffy barracks. Meet me tonight at sunset at the entrance of the compound. I'll show you how real masters enjoy themselves."

  "Young Master Gofart is to kind. This lowly one will forever be grateful for these lessons."

  "No need, remember at sunset."

  "I will be waiting my lord long before that."

  Chu clasped his hands and bowed, while Gofart and his servants walked by. Only when they disappeared from the corner of his eyes did he raise himself from that slight bow and continue.

  He had rushed Ming away for fear the young master might decide to educate Ming on the etiquette of being a proper servant.

  In the room Ming paced around for him with a worried expression. He stopped on seeing Chu enter through the door while sighing in relief. The two of them sat by the small table chatting.

  "Chu why do you keep walking around in the mornings with that pouch. What's so special about it?"

  "This?"

  Chu removed the pouch he usually kept in the coldest corner of the room. Opening it he withdrew the front paw of a snow fox. It was frozen stiff but remained free of frost, since it was protected within the pouch.

  If he did something like this in the old world he might have been accused of practicing black magic. In any city on earth, he would be labeled as seriously gothic.

  "I know it's the paw you made me buy since the first day we started living here. I just don't see any meaning with you carrying it and paying so much attention."

  Chu removed his gaze from the frozen paw and replaced it to where it belonged.

  "Let’s just say I am using this to check how well our stocks are being preserved. More importantly, stay inside the room. I have an interesting meeting to attend with our young master Gofart tonight. I think I am going to be in for a treat."

  Ming broke off a piece of bread and dipped it into the lukewarm soup. He stuffed it into his mouth without any concern about table manners.

  "Yes, yes I know what to do. Just be careful around that guy, he kinda gives me the creeps. There’s been some strange rumors blowing about."

  Chapter 42

  A window to the rich

  At first glance the boy at the Trading Post lodge entrance might be mistaken for someone from the slums begging for scraps. Loitering about in the snow, he was dressed in a tattered and patched cloak, completed with a pair of worn out, old boots.

  As the sky turned to dusk, the guards on the night shift started their duties. Soon the light from flickering torches at the distant south gate illuminated the night sky. Chu waited patiently for this tardy young master.

  If the garrison patrols were keen to seek favors, they would have immediately ran the little whelp away from bothering the lodgers. Only on closer view however, would they notice that the Trading Post guards paid no attention to the kid. Sometimes they might even strike up a conversation, puzzling curious onlookers.

  "Ho, ho. Very punctual. Nothing less from the local bigwig. Follow!"

  Young Master Gofart appeared and without slowing or any courtesy, he continued on with the same stride. Chu nodded to the guard and trailed behind the young master and his companions. The world appeared to run because of the favors of this man.

  The entourage continued their procession towards the south gate. Chu realized from their direction that this idiot was really intent to have a good time. The debauchery and intoxicating reputation of the new Trading Tavern was already infamous.

  With a wave of his hands the young master trotted past the guards at the village gate. Decked in a lavish coat and a virgin coat of lavish leather armor, the guards never bothered impeding him. Especially when seeing the large insignia of the Military stamped on the armor.

  Ever since the local Tavern burnt to the ground, Chu never ventured out from the south gate. He never imagined the sight that now greeted him.

  A huge bonfire attracted his eyes on exiting the gate. On the plains opposite the guarded gates, it roared like a defiant beast against the cold of winter. Even while standing on the road, the radiated heat swept away the night chill.

  The light from the fire fell on a large pile of recently harvested lumber nearby, waiting to sait the hunger of this ravenous creation.

  Around the collection bay and shop now turned into a Tavern, smaller bonfires provided light and warmth. These bonfires extended a little way into the grassland, providing heat for the accompanying owners.

  Of course the fires remained a little way from the only source of liquor in the village. After the burning of the original Tavern, the Trading Post owners took no chances. A few of their guards joined the local patrol in guarding this necessary establishment.

  Chu passed the collection bay area, bustling with adventurers and hunters. A line of sleds loaded with the day’s catch waited for inspection. He heard the shouts as he walked pass.

  "Ten silvers, it’s a white wolf."

  "Are you crazy? Two silvers not a copper more, this pelt looks like you beat the damn wolf even after it died!"

  At another counter...

  “The skin is pierced in too many places by arrows, you can only get six silvers.”

  "Deal, haha. I can finally bag Madame Cocotte tonight. Hurry and pay me before those damn party members find me.”

  Nearby in the shop,

  "Three silvers, come on man, three silvers. I have to get me some Rock wine tonight. I’m begging man!"

  Chu heard the haggling and desperate begging as if in a large marketplace. He made out the features of John as the clerk fatigued over this inexhaustible flow of customers.

  They had removed the outer windows of the store as a steady stream of coins, casks, and mugs exchanged through. Most of those who just begged and cried for extra coins at the collection bay now hustled to this window to feed their vice.

  Young Master Gofart continued onwards towards the bonfire. As they crossed the road, Chu glanced around at the different occupations who roamed freely around the Empire. Whenever he was ready, he would be crossing paths with these sort of characters.

  Mercenaries who roamed in large parties over ten to the thousands, working as soldiers for higher, Adventurers consisting of small six or seven member parties seeking fame and fortune.

  Garrison guards who protected the towns and the villages, and also the Military--the mighty bulwark of the north, standing between the Empire and a demon beast invasion.

  Master Gofart led them to a large bed-like structure built to bask in the warmth of the fire, but away from the rising smoke. Heaps of furs blanketed the frame turning it into a cosy and enviable location.

  Presently three individuals lay stretched out on the soft bed, emulating the Roman emperors of old.

  "Well, well if it isn't our young ma
ster Gofart."

  "You're late as usual, I was starting to get bored."

  "Hmph! Since when has this Master ever been late? Don’t blame this young master because you arrived early."

  Young Master Gofart simply shrugged his shoulders. With a swift movement that defied his bulky frame, he joined the others as the platform creaked in protest. His entourage offered a quick bow and retreated to join the servants standing patiently behind them.

  Chu copied their actions and soon allowed the group to swallow him from sight.

  "Hahaha, lighten up my friends, we are not competing in the cities anymore. Since we have been thrown together in the Military by our families we should forget the past and become friends."

  The loud burst from Gofart had the opposite effect on these individuals. Instead of pacifying them it raised their tempers.

  "You are really one to speak master Gofart. Especially when you have been secretly paying mercenaries to hamper my families scouts."

  "Hmph! As if you are any better, the trackers I hired were certainly killed by your men."

  “What nonsense are you spouting? If it was not for your family trying to send assassins to do a scout's work, there would have been no fighting."

  Chu listened as the four young masters engaged in an endless bickering as to who slighted who, and who eliminated whose men. Some of these hired men probably didn’t even know who they offended or why they died.

  The servants stood standing silently, as if immune to this flexing of power that reaped lives.

  "Hey Daffodil, buy us some bottles of the best wines from the Trading Post."

  A huge man wearing a shirt that could barely contain his muscular figure, briskly stepped out of the crowd towards the Tavern. The parting of the servants exposed the hiding Chu. Young Master Gofart zoned in on him before he could hide.

  "Young Masters, let me introduce to you the local boss of this place. Big dog, step forward."

  Young Master Gofart beckoned him with a finger, as the nearby servants retreated.

  In another place and time, young master Gofart might be nursing a broken jaw right now. Unfortunately Chu had neither the strength nor backing to disobey this disrespectable order.