The Red Lands 1

by ForestRage

  "Spade, head to the garrison and get me a Hound. Meet us up at the north gate when you are done. Tochus will help you with the requisition, he should already be at the garrison."

  "Lord Gofart sir, this humble one greets you."

  Chu stepped out to the side and bowed, careful not to seem like he was impeding this angry young master.

  "Oh, if it isn't my little follower. I can't believe I missed you last night. I usually tend to treat all my servants equally."

  Chu knew exactly why Gofart didn't see him often enough last night. He wasn't going to enlighten him about it anyway. The last thing he wanted was to be treated 'equally' like those servants. He also knew better than to rub salt in a man’s wounds.

  "Lord it is my fault for being not able to take part in your happiness. Please forgive me for not being able to please you. I was now heading over to the slums to meet up some companions."

  Gofart paused for a moment. His gruff countenance changed as he spoke in a forgiving tone

  "Forget it, forget it, my young master. Next time we hold another feast I will be sure to treat you well. Where are you heading now by the way?"

  Chu smiled and brimmed with pride as he fawned over Gofart.

  "Many, many thanks, young master. I have some followers in the slums so I am heading there now."

  Chu puffed out his chest as he continued

  "I use them to run little errands and beg for scraps. I hope to use what I learned from the young master to the fullest."

  He sighed and shook his head sadly

  "But it so hard to find good help these days, and the food is scarce to come by. Even in all the ruckus now we can't find enough work for money."

  "I see, I see. Tell you what my little friend, I have taken a liking to you here. When I return to the city I am going to send for you. I was going to hire some folks for an easy job this morning, but I will give it to you. I shouldn't though because it concerns the Military..."

  Chu displayed the performance of a hungry man being thrown a loaf of bread. For a commoner to be fancied by a noble was a huge privilege.

  "Please, please master Gofart I will take it. I can get any help you need."

  One glance at the little boy and you could see how he was desperate for this favor. He was so desperate he did not bother asking for a price. The enticement of being able to someday leave this place was just that alluring.

  "I don't know...This work might require the hired help to remain with us for some time in the forest. We might even need others as time goes on."

  "Say no more Master Gofart. I can organize any amount of help you need. I can send my servant to the slums for a helper anytime your call."

  Both of them smiled as they reached an agreement, both of them satisfied with their deception of the other.

  "Come then, I am heading out for the Military. I need two helpers preferably fit and not old. They would have to do some work in the forest for a couple of days."

  "Yes, yes no problem. Ming! Get your scrawny butt to the slums and shake out two of the younger men. Tell them they would get paid from the young master Gofart on completion."

  Chu launched a kick on Ming's backside propelling him out on a run. He then continued behind Gofart and the others who were heading to the garrison. Since he found his bait, young master Gofart regained his spirit.

  "Would ten coppers suffice for a day for these helpers? I don't want to overpay them. When the commoners get easy money they tend to become lazy."

  The boy glanced at Gofart as he muttered his righteous bull.

  "Ten coppers are more than enough Master Gofart. Are we going to the garrison?"

  Chu forgot this guy's foundation was from a merchant company. Being a miser was bred in his bones.

  "I am meeting another companion to carry out this mission. Since your here I will permit you to see a Hound up close."

  "Thank you Master Gofart. Master Gofart is really powerful to be able to control these beasts."

  Chu did not forget to keep laying down the compliments.

  Gofart strutted at the front soaking in praises. His lips were open as he boasted and chatted. Chu understood that the Hounds tracked using scent. Only when they were close could they pick up a demon's scent and then follow a fresh trail.

  The boy was secretly amazed at the intelligence of the wolf demon. This beast had ambushed the garrison patrol in the north and driven them into the forest. It slowly toyed with them as it herded them into despair.

  Chu could imagine the emotions of the last guard, when he exited the forest and had grasped a sliver of hope. That ray of light in making his way to the village had been mercilessly crushed.

  What a sadistic creature...

  Chu feigned ignorance in sharing his knowledge about this dead demon.

  They arrived at the north gate to meet a frowning Tochus waiting with a contingent from the Military.

  “What the heck took you so long. One day you will be late for your own funeral.”

  “Stop spouting nonsense. Not all of us have the luxury of sleeping in the best room of the barracks. I have already found our helpers, so we can conduct our business when we drop off the Hound to the scouts.”

  Young Master Gofart replied. They trotted to the west to the slums. Instead of meeting some willing bait, they spotted a boy slogging out from among the shacks.

  Ming dashed out from among some shacks, presenting a sorry state to the group. It did not take much to realise the boy had undergone a proper beating. With a ripped cloak and blue black face he sported a frightened look as he skidded to a halt.

  His expression convinced the gathering that the boy had been beaten until frightened to death. Chu however, knew that Ming had probably nearly wet his pants on sighting the large Hound. He had actually skidded to a halt a few paces from the animal.

  Ming thanked the Heavens for the scrubbing and soaking in the tub from Clod. Those herbs were worth their weight in gold. I can probably earn a fortune in selling this somewhere.

  Ming shuddered as he forced his mouth open. To the soldiers and others around, such a reaction was understandable. They were not aware of the true meaning and his thoughts.

  "Chu, I found a few helpers for the young masters willing to work for food. But there were men who didn't believe me. They said that those young nobles were useless. I tried to argue but they beat me up. I barely escaped with my little life."

  Ming panted in the cold with warm fog puffing out from his mouth. Chu kicked him on his legs.

  "Stupid idiot, can't you do anything right? You did good standing up for our young masters or else I would leave you to beg.

  Young Master Gofart, please accept my apologies. It seems like these lowly dogs are not aware of your might. They need to be taught a lesson to remember where they stand. A good scare would have them begging to serve you."

  Chu bowed and glanced subtly at the Hound held nearby. The animals were normally not used on the patrols around the village to avoid unsettling the demon. The Military rotated them within the forest to trace the demon.

  Tochus picked up on Chu's glance immediately.

  "Hahaha, Master Gofart I think these slum dwellers would be glad to see a Hound up close. Let's show these scum what the true might of the Military is. Lead the way boy!"

  Without waiting for a reply Tochus commanded Ming to guide them into the slums. He beckoned the Trainer to follow with the Hound. The group walked behind them.

  This large dog looked like a large wolf pumped up on steroids. Its fur was raised like little spikes reminding Chu of those cartoons of a frightened cat. The mouth was in an everlasting sneer displaying some mighty looking teeth on asphalt colored gums.

  Ming led the way genuinely frightened by the animal that was literally breathing down his neck. Soon they reached the middle of the Slum area close to a large firewood heap.

  The few slum residents who did not venture out to beg in the village were not that demented to stand around this posse. Only a certified w
acko would be that nosy. Forming a crowd around these unscrupulous but affluent people was clearly looking for death.

  Ming walked around near the firewood pile as he yelled out for his previous attackers. It appeared that they had scattered before the face of might. His taunts were to no avail.

  The trainer and the Hound remained close to him. The animal was held on a long leash that it could snap whenever it wanted. The leash acted as the medium of control the Trainer had over the animal.

  "Haha, I knew it. Those slum rats only have balls among themselves. If I was not busy today, I might have shown them a good time."

  Tochus sneered as he looked around arrogantly. All the servants were snickering as they basked in their superior status. The soldiers from the Military stood at the side, this had nothing to do with them.

  Gofart issued out a command, in this group he and Tochus were the highest in rank

  "Boy hurry and get your helpers, we will wait here for you."

  Ming scampered away out of sight among the shacks. He presumably went to seek out the two willing helpers.

  Gofart folded his hands as he surveyed the place. He had the face of someone who was unwilling to remain here for too long. He didn't want this poverty-ridden place to infect his noble upbringing.

  Chu was the only one who was standing quietly at the side like an innocent bystander. He was only focused on one thing. After a few breaths he finally saw what he was waiting on.

  The Hound that was motionless at the side, had finally begun to move.

  Chapter 45

  A shocking development

  Everyone listened to Ming yell his taunts as he strutted around the messy woodpile. While the boy played out his act, Chu stood nearby glancing at the oversized dog.

  The Trainer and the Hound trotted out from the group, to drive the fear into the hidden spectators. Following the boy, they halted near the pile of firewood, waiting for this show of power to end.

  “Alright, they must have probably pissed their pants by now. Find the help and let’s go.”

  Tochus commanded while wrinkling his nose. As much as he liked to flaunt his status, doing so in any slums were beyond his status. Residents here had already been broken.

  Ming puffed his chest and strutted out to find his cronies. His display of flaunting himself left the servants snickering.

  "Look how great that little prick is acting, now that he has a backer!"

  "That is what happens when an uneducated scum gets a little power!"

  These servants had consigned to oblivion the memories of they being in the same boat once upon a time. Failing to realise the grip of the their owners, they expressed disdain of the commoner bathing in a newfound power.

  Chu snorted while glancing at them. In any human society there was always places designated for people like them. In gangs there were kiss-asses, in companies- the brownies and in wealthy families- the suck-ups. His focus remained on the Hound.

  As the soldiers from the Military grew impatient, the Hound tugged at the strap as it began pacing around. The animal held its nose in the air and sniffed the air and then buried it in the snow as it ploughed the ground.

  “Is something wrong? Did one of these lowlife bury a body here?”

  Gofart scoffed.

  “Somethings around here.”

  The Trainer said, while removing the leash. The Military raised a Hound to be inseparable from its Trainer. The Trainer assumed the role of caring and teaching the animal according to a manual handed down through centuries.

  A Hound cost more than a town’s garrison in care and maintenance. The Trainer would obviously read the display from his partner. The Hound had picked up a trail!

  There was only one type of scent these animals were bred to follow. The blood of a demon beast.

  “Stand on guard. Corporal Gofart, secure the area.”

  Said the Trainer as he retreated a few paces from the aggravated animal.

  While young master Gofart reeled in shock, the soldiers fanned out between the trainer and hound. Drawing their weapons, they stiffened their hearts. In the event of a demon beast attack, the trainer would recalled the Hound.

  This procedure allowed the men to fight freely, while also securing the precious animal. A Hound occupied the position among the precious resources in the Military.

  “Dammit man, are you saying what I think you are saying?”

  Gofart shouted.

  The Military trained the young masters of noble houses and in returned secured the support and resources of the Empire. A high ranking noble would never actually face the battlefield, and if he did, it would be behind a large force while acting as a leader.

  Most of the support for the young master lay in the heat of the action, inside the forest. In the north, it need a team of experienced soldiers to subdue a low ranked Demon Boar. Master Gofart glanced around at this pathetic contingent.

  Young Master Gofart nearly pissed his pants when the Trainer had remove the leash on the Hound's neck. The statement confirmed his worst fears.

  Young Master Tochus presently surveying the area with his nose in the clouds did not hear the conversation. He did notice the movement of the soldiers. Turning around his eyes fell on the antics of the Hound and then on the face of Gofart.

  What is all this commotion about?'

  Tochus eyes bulged and his jaw dropped. As young masters not only were they afforded a good rank in the Military, but they also had the backing of their clans information networks. Young masters did possess some sharp minds.

  Only one thing could excite a Hound, and only one Demon was sighted in these parts. Oh, and he stood unprotected in the slums waiting to be slaughtered.

  "Damn! What the hell man."

  The young master Tochus scrambled backwards, stumbling onto his buttocks in the brown and yellow colored snow. In the slums, dogs were not the ones who left excretion lying around.

  At this moment that was the least of Tochus's worries. The Hound bellowed and pawed around the snow as it searched for a trail. It finally dropped its head and eyed the heap of firewood.

  ***

  Master Gofart found himself in a pickle. A quandary as one might say.

  Last night he had successfully gotten a brilliant plan from the drunken Prickus. Today started out wonderfully. He had sent his family escorts as the vanguard to secure a place in the forest for the trap. For bait he had an unlimited supply provided by the local slum lord he beguiled.

  Unfortunately things didn't pan out as he had hoped.

  This damn dog did not find any other place to get excited but in the freaking slums. Only a demon's blood could cause this animal to become curious. The only demon around was the wolf demon, and according to his clan's information it was a foe not to be trifled with.

  Now he stood in the slums, with a small low-level contingent of soldiers for protection. No matter how strong his accompanying servants were with a sword, the end result was the same. In the face of overwhelming power, all present was like dust in the wind.

  They could only wait to be scattered and blown away.

  On the battlefield, a wolf demon was not going to be impressed by his large family backing. It was not going to be scared by his Clan. This was a fight that a young master of a prestigious house had no leverage to use.

  The first plan that came into his head after the initial fright, numbered among the best idea, ever. With fear constricting him like a python, a release like no other descended upon him. That release was the source of his epiphany.

  On a side note, it also the caused some unexpected bowel movement.

  'Increase the soldiers moral by some words, while he hightailed it out under the guise of seeking reinforcements.'

  A brilliant idea.

  "Stand firm, soldiers of the Empire. You are led by the great commander Gofart. Only victory awaits us. Servants stay here while I seek reinforcements. The glory will always belong to the brave!"

  "...!"

  "...!"
/>
  Young master Tochus saluted and literally ran away after giving his speech.

  "...!"

  "@#$%!....."

  "Damn you Tochus! Get back hereeee you coward!"

  Gofart could only shout in frustration and anger, as Tochus literally stole and ran away with his idea.

  Chu backed away behind an empty shack. From what he witnessed, these young masters would sell their own wife to cheat death, much less for him. Would a master Tochus dripping with piss, leave him alive to spread the word?

  A loud growl followed by sharp barks, quieted down everyone but exploded the panic and dread in their hearts.

  The Hound scampered towards the pile, and started swiping away the wood with its paws. It bellowed as it continued raining the broken wooden debris all around.

  The Trainer and the soldiers fanned out, away from the danger of the falling pieces. Dread and anxiety were seen on their grim faces. Only Military order and strict discipline kept them from following in the yellow stained footsteps of master Tochus.

  Gofart remained rooted to the ground as if accepting his fate.

  Sooner or later the inevitable was going to happen. The wolf demon would emerge from its hiding place and slaughter them all. His skill with a sword was as good as Rufang but his body condition allowed only for small burst of strength. If he had to burn stamina to run like Tochus he would already have toppled over from exhaustion.

  The incessant growls and barks from the Hound ceased. Thinking that the heavens had granted him a reprieve, Young Master Gofart steeled his heart.

  "Ahem, cough, cough...soldiers make way, get ready for battle. This demon is a ruthless type."

  Gofart strutted bravely towards the front of the group as the Trainer called the Hound to his side. Both of them had a puzzled look as they stared at the remnants of the wood pile.

  "What the hell?"

  On the ground partially hidden by the intended firewood lay a common canvas sack. The Hound circled this sack, waiting on the order to tear it to shreds. There was no place here, for a Wolf Demon to hide.