Hinterland Fortress

by Ron Smorynski

  Ender covered the wagon as best he could, with bramble and mud. Ligo and Rhyal looked around one last time for anything else. They found a few dirty coins, at least it made Ligo cheery.

  They hiked out of there and back to Hinterland Fortress with a bit more coin and some renewed sense of their skills.

  7. Chase

  As they were returning to the main travel road, Ender stopped them. He and Rhyal both saw a wolf with a goblin rider, sniffing about. Ligo was chatting up a storm but luckily it was far enough away that the wolf did not seem to notice. Rhyal bent down and grabbed Ligo, who immediately knew to be quiet.

  Ender waved them down as he advanced to a moorland shrub and crouched there. The wolf most definitely sniffed out the path they had taken off the road to the orc encampment. There wasn't any other way than their path. The goblin let the wolf sniff along, encouraging it forth.

  Ender pulled out his bow and notched an arrow. He then saw, looming in the mist beyond, silhouettes of orcs and goblins. It was definitely more goblins, six or eight hobbling along, with several larger orcs. It was a large enough group to overtake Ender and Rhyal.

  Ender scurried back as Rhyal scooted back with Ligo. "Go back. We have to find another way quickly."

  They hurried back to the encampment and ruins. Ender looked to and fro but did not see any other way through the swampy waters. There were many grabber beasts lurking in the depths surrounding the small isle. They had seen a flurry of grabbers the night they hurled out the dead orcs and carcasses that littered the ruins.

  "What you all doing?" Ligo fretted. "Remember, I'm not a fighter. I'm a trader! I'm a trades gnome!"

  Rhyal looked down at the path. "If they are coming from there, I can take out many of them with my flames!"

  Ender looked. "Perhaps we can litter the path with wood! Intensify the burning."

  "And barricade it!" the gnome added, seeing the drying racks. "So, so, so they can't cross over!"

  "Hurry!" Rhyal said, rushing down. They quickly carried what branches and sticks the orcs had strewn about, thrusting them into the narrow mud path that lead to the rise of the ruins. Ligo pulled the rickety drying racks over, stacking a few to create a blockage of sorts that would stop them.

  Soon enough they heard the pitter-patter lurch of paws and the sniff and growl of a mongrel wolf. In the mist, it began barking a distance away.

  "Ooh whooh! My Dahrk smells it!" the goblin rider hollered. Several others answered from afar, yelping and hooting as they rushed forth.

  Rhyal, Ender and Ligo focused, throwing more flammables down and piling up a decent mound near the 'entrance' to their defensive mound.

  The wolf finally growled in a decisive manner. "Oh yep! Oh yep! Found we some manfolk!" the goblin howled.

  The other goblins and orcs responded with growls of their own.

  "I'll take out any scouts. Don't burn them till there's enough," Ender whispered down to Rhyal.

  "Of course," Rhyal replied.

  Rhyal remained close, hiding within the ruins, quarterstaff ready. Ender hurried back far enough to draw them in. He took an orc look-out spot. His bow was ready and he made himself visible. Ligo hid holding a small crossbow.

  The wolf leaped and bounded excitedly as it got near. Ender could see it come through the boggy mist as the goblin urged it forward. It barked and growled knowing Ender and Rhyal were near. "Looky there!" the goblin said, pointing his blade up at Ender.

  Ender quickly fired, but missed both of them.

  "Hah!" the goblin cajoled. He hurried back tugging his wolf fiercely.

  Ender tried again, firing into the mist. He missed again. "Misty critter!"

  Rhyal stayed hidden and ready with her hands free, a small flame cupped in her hand and ready. She was close to the bramble and drying wrack barrier, behind the ruins of the stone wall.

  A large orc came up with a battle axe. It had chain armour, a manfolk helm, and well made armbands. It looked quite tough and observant. It eyed the thrown bramble and paused. Ender gritted teeth and posed with bow and arrow, trying to draw it closer. He could take a shot but it was a distance away.

  The orc raised his battle axe. "Kill!!!"

  Suddenly, a rush of goblins and three large orcs charged along the mud path.

  "Not as smart as I thought," Ender jeered.

  He saw the wolf and goblin rider race ahead. "First kill!" the rider screamed.

  Ender focused. "Father of Light! Mark this foul creature! Focus!" he then fired. The arrow shot into the wolf's head. It crumpled under, throwing the goblin into the muck and mire. The goblin got stuck head first, never to rise again.

  The other goblins and orcs caught up, leaping over the dead wolf and onto the thrown wood.

  "Fire!" he roared.

  Rhyal stepped up and blew flames from her hands. The fiery of it blasted the goblins and orcs just before her. Many goblins fell to either side, black and crispy. The orcs were a bit further back and covered themselves with their greaves, taking some burns but not overwhelmed by them.

  Ender fired an arrow, hitting one and dropping it. Ligo fired his small crossbow. It too hit its mark wounding one. Two orcs still stood but they did not wish to cross the burning dead and the inflamed barrier.

  They turned to flee. Rhyal, feeling victorious, gladly hurled a bolt of fire on one. It singed it greatly as it flopped away squealing like a pig. Ender fired, killing the other with a shot in the back.

  Ender rushed forward. "Best we kill it before it calls others!"

  Rhyal agreed as they rushed around the waning flames and hurried along the path. It wasn't hard to make chase or to hear it splashing and breathing in exhaustion.

  They then heard it scream in utter fear. There on the path in front of them, a krokodrake had waited in ambush. It was upon the path and caught the orc by a leg. It easily ripped back and forth, turning the screaming orc into a rag doll.

  The orc finally lay quite still as the krokodrake crawled back into the murky waters, pulling the orc with it.

  "Yikes!" Ligo said, catching up to them. "Guess we won't be scavenging coin from that one, ehy? Heh heh!"

  8. Repose and Requests

  Back at Hinterland Fortress, Ligo walked past the meager docks and boatswains, letting his large pouch of coin flop back and forth upon his tiny thigh.

  Rhyal and Ender noticed, and knowing tales of the big city, weren't keen on showing off their wealth.

  Ender shrugged to Rhyal. "Perhaps everyone knows each other here, and having coin stolen from thieves would get around pretty fast?"

  Rhyal pondered in agreement. "Thieves thrive in anonymity. None of that here."

  Both couldn't help but giggle a little, seeing Ligo saunter through, weighted by the bag. The mud ridden boatswains and dock workers peered curious after the little ragged gnome.

  "Come my fellow adventurers! We must acquire some goats!" Ligo said, waving them on.

  The guards at the gate let them pass.

  "No entry fee, no taxes," Rhyal remarked. "They’re definitely desperate for more treasure hunters and businesses here."

  Ender nodded. "Let us benefit from this while we can. I must get my swords sharpened."

  "Good idea, and your leathers sewn," Rhyal added.

  Ender agreed. "Now that I have some coin." He danced his eyebrows. "I'll head to the blacksmith I saw past the market."

  "Meet us back at the inn then?"

  "Alright," Ender replied, eager with his sack of coins.

  Rhyal looked down at Ligo. "Can you acquire the goats?"

  "Of course, but you'll split the costs with me! Fifty-fifty!" he snapped.

  "Of course, Ligo -- my Agent," Rhyal said, bowing just a bit and handing him a small stack of five Telehistine coins.

  Ligo's eyes widened.

  "Will this cover our share?" Rhyal asked. "And a bonus for you!"

  "Oh? For me?" Ligo gulped in surprise, making sure the few craftsman at Craftsman Row noticed.

  "Get the goats
. I wish to seek out any casters in this small enclave."

  Ligo took the coin, then stopped. "No, Rhyal, wait."

  She stopped and looked happily down at him.

  "I wouldn't do that if I were you," Ligo said pensive, biting the coins out of nervousness and looking about. "Wouldn't do that."

  "Do?"

  "Seek out the wizards, at the..." he waved her closer, down to him.

  She bent down.

  "There is a Wizard's Hall here. Dastardly are they," Ligo's face twitched. "They're up the hill, where all the investors and marque holders are."

  Rhyal peered beyond the market, up the slope to the interior wall and the larger abodes. They had not gone there. There were definitely guardsmen and knights guarding the walls and towers in that area, though not a lot.

  She realized there indeed was a church and monastery attachment. The large ministry-like building she presumed was the Wizard's Hall. There were several other choice buildings, probably with skilled crafters or smiths. Beyond that, at the top of the fortress mound was the keep and royal estates.

  Ligo stepped in closer. "They have their own ways. They are seeking out relics and legends, lore of the Evermire. And they don't much like others crossing their path." He peered at her with a face of warning.

  She pondered all he said. "Ligo, a caster, a wizard, needs lore and knowledge." She easily crouched to talk to him. "I only have a few spells in my repertoire, only a few I was allowed to copy and learn. But I feel I will soon be ready for more. I will need access to any lore grand wizards are willing to provide me."

  "Yes, yes, wizards and lore, I've heard of such things," Ligo fussed. "But they won't treat you kindly! Not yet!" Ligo gave her a sad look.

  "I expect as much as a lowly flame caster such as myself," Rhyal said, looking about at the slow dreary day of crafters with very few buyers. There were at least some new traders in, selling their wares to the crafters.

  "Harsher than that, they'll take you, from me, from Ender! They'll take you and force you on a dangerous journey far into the Evermire!" Ligo said, his lip quivering, as if remembering something.

  Rhyal looked closely. "Have you dealt with them before?"

  Ligo gave her a sudden downward look and nodded yes. "Turned me into a toad, they did."

  "A toad?" Rhyal gasped and giggled.

  "Not funny!" Ligo huffed. "Not at the time!"

  "And why did they turn YOU into a toad, Ligo?"

  "I, I, entered the Wizard's Hall grounds."

  "Entered?"

  "Snuck!"

  "Snuck?"

  "Ah, their gates aren't very secure! See how trim I am!" Ligo turned to the side.

  Rhyal thought it was his small stature more than his claim of being fit. "And... why?"

  "They sent us, well, a caster and some ruffians, out on a dangerous mission!"

  Rhyal was listening intently now.

  "I had found and hired the ruffians. Bunch of brigands from the outskirts of Telehistine. Doable! And none returned, not even their caster!"

  "Not returned?"

  "Dead! For sure in this cursed swamp. And I put up the coin for them. It broke me!" Ligo cringed with anger. "The wizards, at the Wizard's Hall, are seeking things, not the trinkets and coins scattered around the border regions. This fortress was just an outlier back when this land was rich with many kings. The ruins around here are just stone farms or look out towers. But go further into the Evermire, further in and you'll be up against who knows what! In there, the kings and sorcerers of old hid all kinds of things. Or so they say... And I don't want you being led off into some dangerous evil quest is all!"

  Rhyal stood up and looked down at Ligo. "Fine."

  "Fine?"

  "Fine."

  "Fine, you're not going?"

  "Yep."

  "Oh? Good, yes?"

  "For now, but how will I -- a mage and firecaster - learn the arcane knowledge of wizardly powers unless I study the greater wizards' works and writings?" Rhyal asked, crossing her arms.

  Ligo thought hard, trying to figure something out. "We'll figure something out." He nodded for her to follow him.

  Ender entered the smithing stable. It wasn't hard to find. A dwarf was there, hammering away at iron fixings for wagons. Ender noticed a few swords and axes, and several shields. There were plenty of armour hung on the walls. It was an impressive setup in a small shack and stable or den for some goats. It appeared he shared parts of this with the cartwright and goatkeeper.

  Just to his left, outside was the end of the Craftsman Row. There were goats and carts there. Ender figured the dwarven smith worked closely with the cartwright. He'd probably see Ligo there soon enough purchasing the goats.

  The dwarf stopped his hammering and looked up at Ender. He nodded and waited.

  Ender realized he better say something as the dwarf looked busy. "I just came to get my swords sharpened. I have coin."

  The dwarf liked Ender. He was all business. "Let me take a look."

  Ender unbuckled and handed the dwarf his short swords and scabbards.

  "I can sharpen them for you. I'm Gurek the blacksmith!"

  "I'm Ender."

  "You with an elf then? In red robes?"

  "Why yes?"

  "Jurgeon the trader spoke well of you," Gurek said. "He brought me some trade, some wood and coal." Gurek nodded to a pile of fresh wood and sacks of coal. "Can always use more wood and coal."

  Ender nodded. "Oh yes, we came in with him."

  "Indeed," Gurek said, getting his stone wheel set up. "I will make these swords very, very sharp Ender. Remember that. The way I sharpen, the first few cuts will be very effective indeed! And last awhile as well!" Gurek winked. "Give me an hour."

  "Oh, can you also repair my armour?" Ender asked, showing his leather armour's cut.

  "Oh, that's a nice one!" Gurek said. "I'm proud of you Ender. You are really getting into the thick of it then. That an orc's crude axe?"

  "Yes it is!"

  "Himley, the old troll hunter next door, big fella, he is a master with leather. The Duke himself called for him! By the looks of your fighting style, I'd spend a pretty coin at his place."

  Ender nodded grateful, tapping his scabbards that Gurek set aside. "I'll be back!"

  "I know!" Gurek chortled as he began sharpening Ender's blades.

  Ender rushed into the shack next door. It was indeed a tanner's shop. It had many leather rolls and hides. There were beast skulls hung on the walls. It wasn't a large space at all, but whomever the tanner was, he filled it up like it was his hoard. And it was definitely a hoard of leathery goods.

  Suddenly, a big furry man sat up from behind a work table. He was sleeping or something, but sat right up and stretched as he stood. Ender glanced about trying to soak in all the abundance of leathery stuff. Mixed within it all were masterly crafted bracers, gloves, scabbards, belts, and armour pieces.

  Ender wasn't sure what to say or ask. Were some for sale or just sitting there unfinished?

  Himly was a big burly man with a thick black beard and frazzled hair. He wore a fur like a vest and had his bare muscular arms showing. His mane, as it were, had plenty of gray so he was definitely past his heyday of once being some grand warrior.

  Ender thought he heard of 'troll hunters' before but they were in a far away northern region and known to relish their private mountainous lands. They say there were dwarves amongst them as well, but this troll hunter had no dwarf blood in him. He was easily a head taller and wider than Ender.

  Ender noticed the old troll hunter walked with a limp. It was probably a big part of why he was now here in this remote fortress making leather works.

  "Got any business here boy?"

  Ender blinked.

  Himley eyed him, already seeing the issue. He stomped through his stacked store and grabbed at Ender's cut armour.

  "Hmph!" Himley looked impressed. "Took an orc's axe and lived to tell the tale boy! Impressive!"

  Ender looked down. "
Oh yes, Gurek the Smith told me to come here."

  "Ah yes, take it off then. Sans the blades I see."

  "Uh, oh yes, Gurek..."

  "Is sharpening them," Himley replied. "Elvish leather. Very nice quality! Very rare my eyes have laid upon elvish leather! Take me some fine work to match that. Delicate work!"

  Ender wasn't sure if he was impressed or making fun of him. As he took it off, Himley enjoyed examining the craftsmanship of his elven leather. Ender noticed a pair of bracers that looked magnificent and large.

  "How much for those?" Ender asked.

  "250 gold," Himley replied.

  "250!? For leather bracers?"

  "Apparently you've never heard of my skill then?" Himley replied politely, which is odd since he most definitely looked like a brute of a man.

  "I've never heard of leather bracers costing 250 gold pieces," Ender gulped.

  "Hah hah! Welcome to the real world Ender boy! A world where every masterful work needed to give you that advantage in strength or skill, will also cost you a pretty stack of coin! My work, honed for years in the remote Crag Mountains, mastered for fighting brutal trolls and boar beasts, will give you blessings and strengths you've never known!" Himley gave Ender a good look. He realized he was even smaller than he was in the leather armour.

  "Did the elves starve you then? To get you in this armour?"

  "What? No?" Ender looked at his diminutive girth. "I'm just, well I was raised by elves, after my family was killed."

  "Ah, one of those, huh? Lost everything, saved by elves, adopted and trained by the best then?" he chimed.

  "Something like that," Ender nodded.

  Both stood for a long uncomfortable moment.

  "Can you fix it?" Ender finally asked.

  "Oh yes, oh yes, fine fine, easy, softy leather like this. Won't be as pretty as the tiny fingers that sewed this together. Mine are not so delicate. But I will fix it right up for you!"

  Ender nodded.

  "You have leather armour for sale then?"

  "When you come back with coin, greater coins, we can talk."

  "Oh okay," Ender pouted. He only had tens of coins, not hundreds.

  "I have the best leather armour, well, definitely around these parts! I'm probably the only tanner around! Once the Duke persuaded me to come, he hadn't thought about others. He figured he needed more armour and weapon smiths of steel, you know. He's trying to build an army I'd say! Conquer the Evermire!"