Part Fourteen
Marduk the Orc watched the road from the trees. Another small group of travelers was coming from the town of Halflings and Men. Behind him Duhmluk coughed. Normally, Marduk would have knocked the head from a sick Orc before he could slow down the group or give them away, but this was not normal sickness and Marduk's mission required they use this dying Northerner as long as he was still of any use.
"Take your medicine! Look at these ones here. And keep downwind of them!"
Duhmluk had once been a Chieftain. He had tamed trolls and driven hundreds of Orcs into battle with his whip. Now he had no whip and he moved as quickly as he could to take a position where he could remain hidden and yet view the road before them. His hair had all fallen and he could no longer run. He was not even worthy of being a pet, but they needed him. All Duhmluk had to show of his former power were the many battle scars he had survived and the cloak of a Ranger, which Marduk had allowed him to keep, only because he thought Duhmluk might remain useful to him a while longer if he was kept warm.
Marduk was not compassionate, but allowing his subordinates a few symbols of status and a few rewards only made him appear stronger for being their leader. The group was rather mixed; apart from the sick one, Marduk now led a heavily armed knuckle-dragging Easterner, two archers from another clan of the North, another large Westerner like himself, and the small mine-dweller he called Dog.
"The sun is too bright, I cannot see well enough," Duhmluk said.
Marduk did not think the sun was that bright. The sky was cloudy. Duhmluk's eyesight was failing. Perhaps tonight, Marduk thought, he would take Duhmluk away from the band and make him repeat his story again. When Marduk was convinced he knew everything Duhmluk knew about the Wizards in the old ruined Man-city, the sickness their Orc workers had been plagued with, the devices the Wizards were building, and the fancy-dressed Elves who visited them, then Marduk would kill the sick one.
For now, it was important to watch. The Elves had been contacting those cursed Rangers. Two of their parties had been slain. One had been slaughtered. Some of the Northerners were raving about this 'Death-Shadow' who was supposedly some mad lone Elf they told stories about over a kill. Marduk did not believe any Elf could do all the things they said.
Marduk needed to know if the Wizards, Elves and Rangers knew about the 'Precious Things'. He dared not think or speak the true names of them. Marduk had only recently learned of the Precious Things and seen them with his own eyes. He understood what they meant. It meant no Orcs needed to work for Wizards. Orcs had power now, power of their own.
If the Precious Things were destroyed or taken away, it would be bad. The Precious Things must be protected. If these cursed forest men and Elves knew of them, then they must die.
Some of the Northerners wanted the Wizards to die too, now that they knew of the Precious Things and the sickness. Marduk did not care about the sick Northerners. He only cared that he might use their knowledge to gain or keep power for himself and for Orcs.
The more power all Orcs had, the more power those who led other Orcs would have, and Marduk was a leader of a small band. He might become Chieftain if he survived long enough.
They needed to find out if the messengers were going to the south. Perhaps the thing the Wizards were working on was a weapon. Duhmluk's story was garbled with incomprehensible Wizardry and so hard to understand. Even Dog would understand that a weapon sent to the Men in the south by Wizards would be bad for all Orcs.
"Dog, spy out those riders and tell us what you see. Could they be the cursed forest-men and their Elves?"
The small mine-dwelling Orc scampered from hiding and leaned against Marduk's leg. He wore a dirty loincloth and the cloak and goggles Marduk had put on him when he carved his name on Dog's flesh. His pet had sharp vision, especially in the dark, and with the cloak and goggles Marduk provided, his pet could see as well by day now. He was useful, and he was Marduk's. Owning such a useful pet gave Marduk power.
Dog looked through the narrow slits of his goggles and saw the three riders. He did not know if they were Rangers, but his master did not wish him to know or think, only to obey. There were weaker Orcs who could have overpowered Dog, but Marduk had claimed him, and so he was Marduk's until the big Orc tired of him or another Orc overpowered Marduk. Dog would do his best to make certain his master did not tire of him. He could be very useful.
"A pony...a Halfling with pale hair on the pony. A horse-boy cloaked in brown. A Rider in Black."
"Black-Rider?" The other Westerner laughed.
"Is it another horse-boy?" Marduk asked.
"The beast he rides is large, not like the ones they ride in the south, not like the ones they keep for themselves. The rider carries an Orc bow and black-feather arrows."
"That is no rider of the Dark One; they are all gone," Marduk said, "and no horse-boy."
"It is Death-Shadow," A Northerner whispered. "Some of our clan of ours was spying on the travels of the forest-men and sent a band to track two Rangers and a female Elf."
They should have had good sport, Marduk thought, but the Northerner did not look as if this was the case.
"One of the forest-men rode a tasty looking white mount and he appeared to be of the east. The other rode a large black horse. Another band went after the first and saw the bodies of the Orc, before the other forest-men came to the site. They were hewn with an Elf blade, I heard. It was Death-Shadow. Death-Shadow has joined with the Rangers."
Marduk slapped the Northerner across the face with the back of his hand. "Those are just stories. Not one of these Death-Shadow stories is clever enough to fool a Westerner. Elves do not ride, and would not choose such a beast as their mount if they did. They do not hew Orcs when they are dead. They may lift our arrows to use in battle, but they do not carry Orc bows." Marduk snuffed the air. "I do not even smell Elf."
"Death-Shadow does not smell as an Elf," the Northerner said, "It is one of his tricks."
Marduk saw that if they did not settle this matter the others might attempt to team against him. He would likely kill them, but then he would have only two loyal followers left to show other Leaders. "Dog, what of the horse-boy, do you see anything more about him?"
"They are cloaked, but I see he hangs fancy swords from his belt. His horse is white"
"You," Marduk said to the Northern that had talked so much, "Go run to the others and tell them we may have found the Rangers that killed one of our bands in the hills. Tell them you think Death-Shadow is with them. Say that Marduk will track them and learn their business. If what you say of Death-Shadow is true and he is with the Rangers, we will need more Orcs."
The Northerner seemed satisfied; he took a draught from his skin and then began running east. Marduk glanced to Dumluk; he did not look well. Marduk turned and spoke to the Easterner, "Use your strong arms to make sure the sick one does not lag too far behind. I may kill him tonight to unburden our party, but if he dies by your hand before then, I will kill you as well."
Marduk saw the band begin to creep southward through the trees. He pulled down Dog's hood and petted his slick black hair. "Be a good dog and track them for me. Keep us within sight, but not too close. Keep the wind against us. If you do a good job, I may grease your hole next I take my pleasure from you."
Dog smiled. Just because he was not ordered to think, it did not mean that he could not think very well. He always made sure his master got the most pleasure when he rewarded Dog by using the grease. It was rare Dog had to go without.
On the road, Dale signaled Nightmare to stop and danced the horse around as he scanned the horizon in all directions. "Trouble?" Tsuki asked him. He called for Kato to halt his pony.
"No. We should keep moving," Dale said.
"Do you see something?" Tsuki asked when they were all riding together again.
"I saw no clear danger, but I have a bad feeling about this. The trees are sparse here, but the low hills and brush either side of the road would provide good cover. And look." Dale lifted his head. There were two blackbirds circling their position.
"It is just the two. They follow you I think."
"Yes. When it is two, they are always the same ones. More than two and they gather from where they may...and I worry."
"Do they speak to you?"
"Sometimes. They report no present danger to me, but it is possible some things are hidden from their view. I just have a feeling...as if we were being watched."
"Perhaps it is the barrows," Kato said. "We are approaching an area where ancient kings are buried. It is said to be a haunted place."
"Oh, then I should feel right at home," Dale whispered. The barrows were not the only ancient thing about the area. The road itself had clearly once been made of skillfully lain stone pavers, but now grass and weeds grew up around and through much of the road and it had become sloped and pitted over much of its length. It was more evidence of the tragedy of the Dark Lord's reign. This region had once been settled by Men and well traveled by all.
They had been on the road a day and it was coming on evening again. Food was not a problem. Kato had brought along a basket of various preserved foods, even some bread and he was willing to share with Tsuki and Dale. Though there were not very many trees, there were some, and low vegetation was plentiful, so that Tsuki and Dale could spot many edible or useful plants along the road. They had seen various wild creatures, birds, rabbits, rats, snakes, foxes, but nothing larger than that. Dale thought as it grew darker more animals would come out of their cover. Many fed at dusk. The pony and horses did have plenty of grass upon which to graze.
The largest problem was finding water. Kato knew this area fairly well, and said if they truly ran out of water they might hike west through the barrows to the river there, which flowed various south and west on its way to the sea, from the hills and lake in the north. It moved quickly and had a rather muddy appearance, but Kato would trust the water more than that of ancient wells.
Tsuki suggested they might dig for water. It had recently rained and they might find groundwater close beneath the surface. "That may be true," Dale said, "but it would take less effort to wait for the rain." He gestured toward the clouds that were growing darker.
"I trust an Elf knows when rain will come," Kato said. "Will it be soon?"
Dale scented the air. The wind was shifting. "Get off the road," he hissed.
Tsuki dismounted and slipped from Moon-halo. He grabbed Kato right from the back of his pony and carried him off the road into some grass and bushes. "Put me down this instant!" Kato demanded.
"Quiet," Tsuki whispered. He watched Dale creep along the road with his bow drawn. "If Dale says we get off the road, then you better get off the road and take cover. We are both here for your protection."
"But my pony."
The pony remained where they had left it, though Nightmare and Moon-halo were slowly moving along the road.
"Stay right here," Tsuki said. He ran at a stoop toward Moon-halo and grabbed his spying lenses and holder from the saddlebag. He ducked off the road again and rolled the holder around the lenses to form the spying glass. Tsuki saw Dale still moving along the side of the road. Dale had caught scent of Orcs, but he was not sure if they were near or if they had spotted his party. He was somewhat surprised they would be this far south and west, so he suspected trouble.
Dale made a shrill call and the birds above came down to him. One landed on his shoulder.
Watching from the bushes, Kato was quite disturbed. He had considered himself quite worldly, having visited so many towns and cities of the big people, but his own escort was frightening him. He had heard horror stories about Men in Black that came to the door at night and cloaked riders galloping through the woods and taking heads. He seemed to recall the fiends made some terrible shriek before they killed.
The stories had always seemed more entertaining when he was around a warm fire with a pipe and a drink.
Tsuki noticed Dale was looking toward the east and trained his spying glass there. There was still a little light left and the sun was behind him, while it would be in the eyes of those watching from the east. Tsuki scanned the low hills across the road. He caught movement, but even with the glass, he could only make out dark retreating shapes.
Thunder rolled above. "It could be Orcs, but maybe bandits. I saw several figures retreating toward the east," Tsuki called. "They are already distant."
The birds left Dale and flew east. Dale strode toward Tsuki, still wary, but no longer expecting attack or hunting a target. "Orcs. I caught scent of them just as the wind changed. They cleared out quickly. I believe they may have been following us for some time. They will be back, when they have more Orcs, or when the rain is stopped, or late in the night...maybe sooner if their leader starts giving out lashes."
"Orcs? Are you certain?" Kato asked, still hiding in the bushes.
Tsuki stood, putting the lenses into pockets of his cloak and tucking the holder into his jacket. "What do you think? Should we move on then?"
"I'm not entirely sure what would be best. I have heard that there were Orcs loyal to one of the Wizards of the Vale during the war, but I do not have experience with those Orcs, mainly those found to the North and East. They are more often abroad during the day and they are rather more...Mannish. I would have thought they would be driven east or hunted by the Men, though."
"Well, of course it is suspicious that Orcs are tracking us, but they did it before. I do not think we can be sure if they are interested in one of us in particular, travelers in general, or perhaps something we are carrying. The question we must answer is: without knowing their reasons, how do we deal with the fact that we are being followed?"
Dale nodded. "Of course, it's just that it bothers me when Orcs act suspiciously."
"Firstly, we should get out of the rain. I always think one should know well enough to get out of the rain. I have a tarp we can pitch," Kato said.
"What color is it?" Dale asked.
"A sort of grey I suppose." The rain was only coming drop in periodic drips, but the clouds seemed to threaten harder rains. Kato walked onto the road, such as it was, and went to his pony.
"We'll stay in the barrows."
"The barrows?"
Tsuki shrugged. "I agree. It is not the place I would most like to stay, but I suspect if the Orcs return, they will not assume we have remained here among the ancient dead and will scout along the road for us."
"They can be superstitious as Men," Dale said. "They will not come into a burial ground, even of Men, without a whip at their back. Though the darkness will seem favorable to them, they do not like a rainstorm any more than we would. Even animals take shelter in rain, and Orcs are actually a lot more clever than animals. Come on. Let's get the tarp up to give the horses some protection and camouflage and find a barrow to shelter in."
"I really do not like this idea," Kato said, but he untied the tarp from his pony.
"You said your people had no daily use for monarchs, so it would seem the Rangers hold the majority vote," Tsuki said, laughing softly.
They lead the horse and pony into the burial grounds and scouted for shelter. They all knew that if there should be lightening a low spot would be most safe, but then the low spots might fill with water if there was a hard rain. They first found a barrow that had long been opened, thinking that the air would be safe within and not foul, and which had its opening facing downhill. They secured the tarp over a level area, attaching it with rope or makeshift stakes to standing stones or mounds. The horses were unburdened and tethered together and Nightmare was loosely tethered to a bush beneath the tarp. The horses were then hidden from above and from the road.
Dale was not worried about Orcs tracking their scent in the rain, and he went back to the road alone to see that any obvious signs of their leaving the road would be obscured.
Tsuki brought the last of the packs into the barrow and then set about unpacking the stove and burner so they might at least have a warm drink. Dale came in as Tsuki had made sparks with flint to light the burner. "You haven't seen any barrow-wights rising, have you?" Kato asked.
Dale snorted, "Barrow-wights."
"I want to light my lantern, but I am afraid I shall find the chamber is full of corpses."
"I highly doubt it," Tsuki said, "This is not a place of evil. It is a holy place, consecrated in ancient times."
"I only know that in recent days there have been stories of animated corpses and restless spirits here."
"Many dark things did gain power during the reign of the Dark Lord, and good things were corrupted, but his influence is gone now," Tsuki assured Kato.
"Don't move," Dale whispered to Kato.
Kato made a small squeak of a sound and froze still. He closed his eyes. Tsuki could not see what might be threatening Kato, and thought Dale was having fun with him. As he was about to warn Dale against teasing the Halfling, he saw Dale dart to Kato's side and reach behind him.
"Something touched me!" Kato wailed.
"It's just a snake," Dale said, bringing it out. He held the snaked at arms length by its tail. The snake tried to recoil upon itself enough to strike Dale, but the eight of its body worked against it. "Use your sword, Tsuki. Fair is fair. It was going to strike Kato."
Tsuki drew one of his swords. "Kato was shivering and flailing. The snake probably felt threatened."
"Aye, it challenged us and was overpowered. I say it's a fair kill!" Dale lowered the snake's head to the stones below and Tsuki quickly dispatched it with his sword.
"You don't mean to eat that? Snakes are foul things, not proper meat."
"You do not have to share," Dale told Kato, "It's our kill anyway. I am not going to waste good meat." He laughed. "I suppose I could have just thrown her outside, but she might have spooked the horses and been driven to strike…I might have milked the poison from her before giving her to Tsuki."
"I think you should go with 'the way of Elves' on that," Tsuki advised. "You clean this one. If Kato would give me the lantern, I will check the rest of our barrow and return to help you cook."
Kato brought the lantern out of his pack. He lit it with one of his matches as Dale was hanging a blanket over the opening in the barrow, so that the light would not escape to reveal their position. Tsuki took up the lantern as Dale began to prepare the snake meat.
The interior of the mound was lined in large stones, uprights supporting those that formed the ceiling. The walls were decorated with spirals and ancient runes in some places. There was a chamber behind the long entry; there Tsuki saw there was a stone coffin, which was undisturbed, but the rest of the room seemed plundered of whatever treasure it once had held. In some places there were signs of habitation by animals and Tsuki saw mice and insects. He thought the snake had probably controlled the mice population within the barrow.
The snake had threatened Kato, so Dale was probably correct to suggest killing it, though another Elf would have found less lethal means. Actually, thought Tsuki, Elves would likely not have sheltered in the barrows.
Tsuki reported that the chambers seemed safe. They were sharing the hospitality of an ancient Prince, but Tsuki saw no reason that their presence should offend his spirit, if it still held any connection to this place.
Once they had boiled some water for tea, Dale and Tsuki grilled chunks of snake meat directly on the stovetop. They spoke as they ate, but in low voices, so they might listen for signs of trouble from outside. It was raining hard then and they agreed it was fortunate they had sheltered here. They had traveled through the past day and night and needed a safe place to rest.
They were all tired, but were not entirely eager to sleep. Kato was still nervous about sleeping in a place where the dead were laid. Dale and Tsuki were discussing who would take the first watch. They heard shrill neighing from the horses outside and were themselves silent.
Tsuki drew one sword and signaled that he would go out to see if there was danger. Dale agreed with a nod and readied his own sword. Kato also grasped the dagger that he carried for his defense as Dale covered the lantern with the corner of his cloak to cover evidence of Tsuki's exit.
Tsuki moved aside the blanket hanging over the entrance and peered into the night. It was very dark, as the storm clouds hid the moon and stars, and rain pelted down on the stones and mounds. There was a glow moving near the horses, and then as lightening lit the sky, Tsuki saw a slight figure stood there beside his horse.
"Stop there and show yourself," Tsuki called.
The figured gasped and moved away, drawing the simple lantern with it.
"The undead have no use for candles and rain passes through spirits, so you must be a flesh and blood horse thief. I am willing to call a truce with you for the night, if you will do the same. I am sure our ancient Prince would not object to extending his hospitality to one more guest. Even thieves should know when to come in out of the rain."
The lantern rose, held in one pale slender hand at arm's length. Tsuki could see some of the other's face beneath their damp hooded cloak and he suspected this was a woman, or a female at least.
"If you are with others, go to them and leave my company in peace, we are only seeking shelter here for the night and seek no trouble, but if you are alone, perhaps you would feel safer if I loaned you one of my swords, though if my intentions were dishonorable, I should have already overpowered you."
The woman grasped something in her other hand, inside her cloak, but said nothing.
"I am going inside. Share the shelter of the tarp with the animals or come inside, as you will." Tsuki turned his back, listened for a moment, then moved the blanket and entered the barrow again."
"Who was there?" Kato asked.
"A woman, I think." Tsuki sheathed his sword and removed his damp cloak. "Do we still have those pins?"
"They are in my pack." Dale looked for a clothespin for Tsuki.
"A woman? Are you certain it was not some strange fey creature sent to seduce us?"
Dale straightened, clothespin in hand, "As the seductive Fey creature in this party, I object to such remarks!"
The blanket moved and the woman stepped inside. Kato's lantern lit the interior quite well and it could be seen that this was in fact a woman. She wore a rec cloak and a simple black gown, both of which were soaked with rain, and she held a small wand of wood in one hand, and the candle in a cage of metal and glass in the other.
"A Lord of the East and a Man in Black?"
Dale pushed his hood from his hair, though he did not look at the woman. "Seductive Fey creature," he whispered to Kato.
Tsuki removed the blanket from the lintel stone and hung his cloak in it's place. He offered the blanket to their guest. "I am Tsuki Eru. May I hang your cloak?"
"I am Laurel Poe." Laurel, as this was truly her name, blew out her lantern and set it on the ground. She removed her cloak and wrapped the blanket around her shoulders in its stead. She had sheltered a bedroll and a basket beneath her cloak and make no move to release them, or her wand. Tsuki took the wet red cloak, and then taking the pin Dale still offered, hung the cloak from a root growing above so that it might dry.
"Perhaps you would like to get out of that wet frock?" Kato asked. Dale kicked Kato in the ankle, as they were sitting beside each other near the stove. "I mean, if you did, perhaps you would like to use the Prince's chamber over there?"
"I will be fine," Laurel said, "I thank you for the hospitality." She sat down across from Kato, on the stone floor.
Tsuki sat down beside Laurel. "We have some tea left and some meat. It is snake meat, but it is quite good."
"You can have some of my food!" Kato brought forward his basket and opened its lid to reveal the various foods that remained.
"Some tea, if it is not too much trouble to you. I should like to take the chill off."
Dale removed his cloak, sword, quiver and belt. He crept across the barrow and opened Tsuki's case to take a blanket, in return for his that Tsuki had lent to Laurel. Dale stood, taking the blanket and his flail in his right hand. He made a show of drawing the dagger from his left boot. "I think I'll sleep with the Prince tonight," he said, then sauntered toward the rear chamber. "Wake me when it's my turn."
"I suppose I shall go to sleep too," Kato said, after this cup of tea and a small snack."
"You can sleep too, if you want. I will keep watch over the camp," Tsuki said.
Laurel finished her cup of tea quickly then unrolled her bedroll and made a space in the corner near the entry to sleep. She took a knife from her belt and held if with her beneath the blanket as she lay down.
Tsuki said nothing for a while. He saw Kato was arranging his things to sleep. When Kato closed his eyes Tsuki shifted his gaze to Laurel and saw she was watching him. He drew his own knife from his saddlebags and saw her flinch. "Do not spoil a ceremonial knife by using it as a weapon. Borrow mine, if you do not trust me."
Laurel reached a hand from beneath the blanket and took the knife Tsuki offered by the handle.
Tsuki put out the burner beneath the stove. He arranged his things in a neat pile, taking his remaining blanket to wear over his shoulders. Tsuki put out Kato's lantern and then rested against the wall, but did not sleep. He sat with his hand on the hilt of his sword, listening for signs of danger.
There was a lot of power in this place; he could feel it. Tsuki wondered
if that was why Laurel had come.