Part Twenty-five
Most of Beryl's household slept well into the next day, as they were still healing and had in previous days not had soft sleeping pallets or safe havens for their rest. Beryl slept little and upon waking, drank some dew, washed, dressed and went out early, having a list in mind of the supplies, gear and provisions the group would need to continue a journey into the southern cities. He brought home many goods and went out again to rake the street before his house clear of rings and crumbs of food.
The rings were put in a bucket of water to be washed and the scraps of food collected in a basket and taken into the rear yard where Beryl liked to leave food for birds and small animals. He tended to his plants for hours, sometimes eating of the edible parts, before the first of his guests came down to use the outhouse. This was Kato.
Beryl went inside with Kato and they made tea and cooked some eggs and toasted yesterdays bread. Soon others began to come down, variously taking time to wash, dress or relieve themselves before coming to breakfast, which was had somewhere between the time for lunch and tea.
Dale and Tsuki came downstairs last and it was obvious to some that they had been expressing their passion for each other not only the night before but today as well, before going about washing and dressing.
As they sat to eat, Beryl announced that he would join them on their journey. Gwindor was the first to protest, feeling it was not Beryl's work and that they should not bother him any more than they had. "I have found people I wish to protect," Beryl said, "I can fight for you, having a clear vision of the cause and people I wish to keep well. I am quite skilled as a fighter and in living off the land, and so I will be of help to you Rangers and perhaps learn a few things as well as teach. Nine is a good number. Let us make our company nine."
"We should vote," said Kato, "I vote that Beryl may join us."
When the voting was done, it was decided Beryl should join them. He then showed them the things he had been out buying and told them that he would give them things from his house if they would be of use. "I know some of you lack suitable outfits for traveling, but some of you are skilled with needle and thread. I have many more garments than I need and if you find some and mend and alter them you may keep them. There are perhaps a few that I would not wish to part with or will need on my return, so show me what you wish to take and I will likely approve."
With that matter settled, the nine went about making a new and thorough inventory of all they possessed and wished to carry and made lists of additional supplies that had been overlooked and which they would need. Items they were carrying but wished to be rid of were set aside to be sold and traded. New and clean clothes were folded or rolled for packing. Bedrolls were counted out for each. Those who did not have some manner of pack to store their share of the gear borrowed or constructed luggage. Those who could use bows made certain their bows were mended and tightly strung and that they had arrows. Bladed weapons were oiled and sharpened and made ready for travel. Beryl made two spears ready, one with a short stabbing head and another with a long slashing head. A dagger was found in Beryl's horde for Laurel, which had a pretty decorative scabbard and a ring with which to hang it from her belt. A scavenged sword was given to Fei, mainly for intimidation and practice, as he had not yet become proficient with any particular weapon.
Lenaduiniel remembered that she had something to give to Tsuki and brought it down from her small pack. It was a brown rabbit skin with a hole in it, now cleaned and preserved. It was Old Rabbit's skin, which Lenaduiniel had been carrying since she had left River Forge. Tsuki accepted it as a gift and made a pouch from it in which to place Old Rabbit's bones.
It was decided they would ride and so Beryl selected horses that he believed would be good mounts from those he had at his house and on loan to the Rangers at the nearby fort. Kato's pony would stay in Beryl's stable, cared for one of Beryl's daughters who had already been summoned to watch his house. Dale and Tsuki would bring their own horses, but additionally, Tsuki arranged to buy one of Beryl's horses from him outright, as he had been wanting another horse and he trusted Beryl as a dealer.
The black mare, which Tsuki named Moon-shadow, was a few years younger than Moon-halo and Tsuki hoped that in the future, he might breed the mare and be assured to have a younger horse available if time came that Moon-halo failed him. Dale was happy, because he had it in his mind that Nightmare would mount the mare the first chance he got and that any foals would be his.
They made certain that all who needed saddles for their horses had ones they found acceptable and that the various packs they each owned could be made to fit on the horses. Beryl suggested they make a test ride with some portion of their luggage, to be sure the animals were manageable and that if additional straps, harnesses or ropes were needed they would find out while still in Newhaven.
They fit their various tack, empty packs, and larger gear onto the horses for fit and then rode up the street to Riverside and followed the road and river east. They had nine horses, as Tsuki had offered that Laurel could ride Moon-shadow. Tsuki and Laurel were still quite friendly and had talked about magic and other things while doing their work. Even Kato had been assigned a horse and Beryl had adjusted the stirrups to allow him to ride comfortably, but Kato needed help in getting onto the animal. Though Beryl was an Elf, he fit his own horse with a leather riding saddle, bridle, reins and halter. He said that for short rides he preferred no saddle at all, but for traveling, this manner proved more efficient. Dale, though not opposed to leather, did not ride with a saddle, but fit Nightmare with a large blanket and harness that allowed the horse to carry or pull weight. Tsuki had seen this worked well for Dale and Dale thought it sensible that some horse be able to pull a load. "We can't know when we might need to remove some obstacle in the road or pull a wain or absent gods forbid a bier," Dale said. Laurel and Fei also had followed in the manner of Beryl and Tsuki, while Gwindor and Galadhiel fir their horses only with bridles and reins made of cloth and light blankets and cinches rather than saddles. Lenaduiniel said she did not like riding, but she had finally settled upon a light saddle, well padded and made of cloth and also a matching set of saddlebags.
They rode until they came to a small wood at the very east of Newhaven and Lenaduiniel and Beryl showed the others where they had buried Gib, between the trees and the river. They were quite close to the territory of the Orcs, but Beryl said he came here often. He removed dead wood, tended sick trees and visited with the animals. When he found Men, he asked them to fell as few trees as possible. This wood had once been larger and was the main source of wood for Newhaven, especially as travel north was prevented by Orcs.
There was a cairn of stones over Gib's grave, to prevent it being easily dug up. They group dismounted and gathered there and paid their respects.
Tsuki retold how Gib had been beside him at registration when he had received his name. Gwindor told first how Gib had become known to him in training and impressed him by learning Elven and then told how he had fought bravely in the end. Tsuki also added that Gib had been the one to help him remake his ceremonial objects and that he would remember Gib for that. Galadhiel added some of Gib's other brave deeds. Lenaduiniel then told how Gib had given her his ring and how she had known he was very devoted to her, but she did not tell others that she had kissed him when he was dying, because that was private. Dale remembered some anecdotes from their training which had involved Gib and told them. Beryl said that Gib had made a very unwieldy corpse but that he had been glad to bear him here and lay him in the earth. He thought Dwarves would probably want to be put into graves in the ground.
Lenaduiniel began to sing a lament and it was a common mournful song that could appropriately be sung for any friend. The others who knew to sing in Elven joined in. Then, Dale began to sing another song, which he had only just made up, and he sang all the things the others had just said of Gib plus a few more things that he remembered. Everyone said that Dale's song was beautiful and Beryl was especially proud.
When they had finished with their visit to Gib's grave, they went into the trees and collected wood for making more arrows. Dale went out to the river for flint and was able to find some. Tsuki collected additional wood for his whittling, thinking it was always beneficial to practice some trade that might bring income.
Their party left the wood and rode to Beryl's house. The horses were stabled and the people went upstairs for dinner.
They stayed one more day in Newhaven. It was spent mainly in refilling their quivers, which were six in number, and in altering clothing for travel. Tsuki had decided to continue his disguise of apprentice Wizard, although it had not yet been quite useful, and so he received from Beryl some old clothing that was brown in color, including pants, a long jacket and a tunic. He also received some new shirts, as Beryl had many. Fei and Laurel had already purchased new clothing and so Laurel had returned Tsuki's pants after washing them, having found similar garments to wear. Lenaduiniel had been given some gowns and robes that had belonged to Beryl or his daughters and divided the skirts for riding. Gwindor and Galadhiel had both taken a few jackets and pairs of pants, as they no longer saw fit to appear as Rangers, but as Elves only, though Galadhiel did insist on remaining dressed as a male. Gwindor, Lenaduiniel and Galadhiel insisted on keeping their grey cloaks, but Kato and Fei accepted green cloaks from Beryl. Laurel preferred her red cloak, but allowed Dale to assist her in sewing in a lining of green fabric, should she feel she needed better camouflage.
It was the fourth morning after the equinox when Beryl's daughter Finloriel arrived and Beryl set out with the others. They and nine horses were washed, fed, and in reasonably good health. All the gear they thought they might need was in good state of repair and packed onto their animals. Beryl kissed Finloriel goodbye and Kato said farewell to his pony and they rode toward the main road.
Before departing the city, they rode back across the bridge and to the Ranger post. None of them presented themselves as Rangers, but they were admitted and saw Captain Anto, and the Elves known to Dale and also The Lady and those surviving from her camp. They said their farewells and Beryl informed Anto, who was the most senior officer among them, that he would be leaving town and heading into the south and that his daughter would be staying in his house.
Anto acknowledged Beryl's statement. He was not glad to see him leave, as Beryl, without being a Ranger, had always been of help to them and kept an eye on the Orcs for them.
Before it was noon, the nine horses and people had ridden from Newhaven and were continuing on the trade road that would lead them south, first through the unsettled highlands where a proud and reclusive people were said to dwell. They made good time, they figured, but did not cover as many miles as some had hoped, because as they got farther from Newhaven the road began to climb slopes and curve around small hills and outcroppings.
They made light conversation, though they remained wary. When it came time that some began to suggest making camp for the night, Dale looked back toward the northwest, where Newhaven lay, and saw in the clear sky, illuminated by the setting sun, a column of smoke. Newhaven was a good half a day's ride away, but that told Dale that the fire was large. "We have to go back! Newhaven is burning!"
In a moment others had turned their horses and were looking in the direction they had come; Tsuki assembled his spying glass to look. "I do see a column of smoke in the far distance."
"Even Elven eyes cannot see the city," Gwindor said, "but there is smoke in the sky above the place I would suppose Newhaven to be."
"It is barely larger than usual," Beryl said calmly. He was dismounted already, though Kato was sitting upon his horse as he led it. "Remember that where many Men live and work there will be fire, and smoke clouding the air."
"It seems more than would be usual, perhaps they are in trouble,' Galadhiel said.
"Perhaps," Beryl said levelly, "last winter there were several large fires in Newhaven.It is simply a reality of a large settlement of wooden structures."
"Orcs do sometimes use fire as a weapon," Dale insisted.
"Yes," Beryl agreed, "but we do not know if this is the work of Orcs."
"I know you are worried Dale," Kato told him, "but if it is not Orcs, we must trust the people there to deal with the fire, and if it is Orcs, we must still trust the people there to deal with the fire and any attack. It is too far for us to be of help."
"If there is an attack, they might have chosen this time to attack because the survivors from the Battle of the Hill have had time to meet with those near the mines and their Chieftains have learned all their suspected Rangers have gone into Newhaven," Tsuki said.
"That's exactly why I want to go back. They are suffering because we endangered them."
"Newhaven has been in danger of Orc attack and fire since it was settled," Beryl said. He felt weary of the conversation, but his voice seemed as calm as before.
"Tsuki, we do not even know that there has been an attack," Kato told him.
Tsuki looked to Beryl and then to Kato sitting above on the horse. These two were not fools. Beryl and Kato did believe there had been an attack and that the cause was related to their mission; Tsuki understood this as he looked at them. Believing as they did, they thought the best thing they could do was complete their mission and trust in those they had left in Newhaven to protect that city. It would help no one to speculate or worry.
"Right," Tsuki said, bringing Moon-halo back around, "Let us make camp here then."
"We should stop only to eat and travel on by night," Dale suggested.
Beryl and Kato both felt they had said enough and did not wish to appear they were taking command, though Kato would insist on some things if it insured success of his mission. Kato did not believe it mattered whether they traveled by night. "I will leave it for others to decide what is safest," he said.
Gwindor did not want to be seen as in command, as he felt more than ever those who followed him would die.
"There is no reason for it," Galadhiel announced as she dismounted. "If there has been an attack on Newhaven, then they do not know we are gone and given the time of day, I would think the attack recent. We will be moving again before they can catch us...if they realize we have gone."
"I think some Orcs know better than we where we go," Dale said, "but I will stay here tonight. I am certainly not going to run off and abandon Kato, even if I respectfully declare my doubts in this mission."
With the matter settled, Gwindor and Beryl consulted each other on the best place to make the camp. There were few trees in this region, only rocky ground with short grass and in some places patches of wild grain, wildflowers or other cover of vegetation. They chose a flat area on the west side of a hill, covered by heather, away from the road and made there made their camp. Beryl set up a simple shelter of a tarp, spears, wooden stakes and rope, with it's open side toward the hill and offered this to Kato, Laurel and Fei, because they were neither Elves nor trained in survival outdoors.
There was little wood, so they used Tsuki's stove to cook. The other stove, which had been issued to Gib, had been left at Beryl's house. They used water from the skins they carried and rice, a little sugar, vinegar and salted fish from the provisions they had packed, along with some foraged herbs and greens to make their dinner. Dale had some of the food that included fish, but the other Elves did not.
They ate and drank water and then laid out their bedrolls. They set two at a time to watch together and assigned two hour shifts, this meant one would not watch. They agreed this was fair, so long as it was a different person each time they rested. Gwindor still had the least healed wounds, though he was fit to travel, and so it was decided he would not have to watch. He did not like the decision, but he abided by it.
Lenaduiniel and Galadhiel took the first watch, then Laurel and Fei, Beryl and Kato and Tsuki and Dale sometime before dawn. They would break camp when it was still dark, and Dale was satisfied with this. Traveling by road and having lanterns, they could travel by night nearly as well as by day.
They had no trouble in the night, though some wolves were heard howling in the distance. When they consulted the maps before riding again, they estimated they would be in the highlands several more days.
Meanwhile in Newhaven, an Orc attack had been repelled at the walls and moats. A few Orcs had gotten into the city by way of the river, but deaths among the populace there had been low and the Orcs had met the fury of wash water, brooms and fry pans and been driven back into the river, where archers arrived to finish them off as they surfaced.
Other Orcs had launched flaming arrows over the walls, but the women who had not been mustered for the battle handled the fire as well, with chains of buckets from wells and rivers, the draining of some roof level cisterns, and many wet blankets.
Finloriel had joined the defense of the northeast part o fthesettlement with the Men, for she knew that her combat experience and strength were greater than many of theirs. She returned to her father's house in the morning. Beryl's house was as before, though the house beside it and one of Beryl's trees were burned. The family of that house had all been away, either defending against Orcs at the river or fighting a fire that threatened a house where children lived, and the house had burned quickly, because so much of the interior was made of paper. Finloriel offered the family space in her father's house until they could rebuild their house and offered also to help with the building.
Finloriel settled her guests on the third floor and then went up to sleep in the bed beside that used by her father. Before she lay down, she put back up the curtains and panels that had been taken down in precaution against fire attacks, and she noticed the spying glass. When she had stayed with Beryl before, they had sometimes used it to look at stars, but now it was trained on the area inhabited by Orcs.
Finloriel looked through the lenses and saw many Orcs moving south along the mountain range and by daylight. She did not know why they were on the move, but she knew that if they continued on that heading they might meet the trade road within the highlands before her father left that area. Even if the Orcs were not pursuing Beryl and his company in particular, such a large force of Orcs was not good for anyone but Orcs.
Finloriel called to the birds perched at the feeder hung outside her father's sleeping chamber. She begged them in song to fly a warning to her father, but she knew also that her father was much more skilled in communicating with animals than she was. Finloriel saw the birds fly and hoped that they would find Beryl and that he would receive their warning in time to find it useful.
Finloriel could do no more for Beryl and trusted that he was wise and skilled and would not perish. She left her father's house to warn the Rangers of the Orc's movements.
There had been an argument among the Orcs in the Mines. When reports had come in from Marduk's band and others, it became clear, even to the newly-spawned, that Death-Shadow and Green-Cloak, both hated by the Orcs, were not both in the city and lately seen with Rangers. Some Chieftains believed this meant that the danger was immediate, that whatever those in the north had devised was to be realized here, with an attack on the mines. Some disagreed, and believed that the Elves, Wizards and Rangers they suspected were more likely to be delivering some plan or weapon to their High King.
Even when most conceded that there might be an immediate threat to the mines, the Chieftains could not agree on what action to take, though most fell into two camps. There were those who wanted to attack the city before an attack could be made against Orcs, and those who wanted to take the precious Things away from the mines and out of danger.
Once it was suggested that some would take the Precious Things from the mines, the conflict became violent and many Orcs were slain by other Orcs. Many then were led out in an attack on Newhaven, but a Chieftain called Nimrod had been strong enough to hold off challengers and he took a portion of the Precious Things and many loyal, or at least fearfully obedient, Orcs and marched south, leaving the mines by the western gate. Marduk happened to be one of the Leaders then subordinate to Nimrod.
It was a day and a half before the birds reached Beryl and by then many blackbirds were already circling above, worrying Dale and Lenaduiniel most, as they could see them and knew their meaning. Dale noticed also as the smaller birds alighted on the spears strapped to Beryl's back.
Without a word to the others, Beryl lifted Kato from his saddle and placed Kato on his own horse, then rode north from the road alone. "Where does Beryl go?" Gwindor asked.
"He received news from birds," Dale said, "He did not say what."
Gwindor urged his horse along the road to scout toward the south. Lenaduiniel and Tsuki then went west on foot and Galadhiel east, also on foot. Lenaduiniel, Tsuki, and Galadhiel saw nothing of note, and those remaining on the road had their view in most directions obstructed by landforms, but Beryl and Gwindor, both being able to view the northeast from their vantage points.
They saw the Orcs, thought not very clearly. Beryl was able to see them more clearly, only because he was on higher ground. There were several hundred in number he thought, traveling slowly and in the middle of the afternoon.
Beryl rushed back and found the other scouts also returning. "I confirmed the warning I received. Orcs. Several hundred. They are moving south and their path would seem to intersect the road ahead. There is a spur in the range they have marched round, and so they have come near us days sooner than one would think from their previous heading." Beryl was grateful for the warning, but concerned it came too late.
Those who had been off their horses mounted again and Tsuki asked, "What does it look like? Can we pass them by urging the horses to speed along the road, or will we be overtaken?"
They are not running as fast as they might," Gwindor said, scanning the horizon in all directions as he was speaking. "Still, I think there is some large chance we would be overtaken, whatever speed we made. They would sight us once they reached the road. If we are the ones they pursue, it will be a contest of endurance between Orcs and horses."
"Then we move from the road and attempt to outflank them or circle past their rear," Tsuki said and with the air or one who was a soldier.
"That is the mistake we made in coming to Newhaven," Galadhiel said.
"Do not think we can circle them," Dale whispered. He rearranged his hair so that it was hidden beneath his hood and cloak. "They are already close. They have scented us and sent their dogs sniffing after us. We have been upwind from them all this time and the hills hide them from the road."
"I prefer not to trust Dale's fatalism alone," Kato said, "but I think I would feel better moving, or perhaps if we dug a hole to hide in."
"They will follow our scents and smoke us out. I think Halflings are lucky that Orcs hate Men and Elves most, or they would have moved into your homeland and made every hole a smokehouse and lived off your preserved meats a long while."
"Dale, calm yourself. I think you do sound agitated," Tsuki told him, not as softly as Dale would like. "It is what...perhaps a score plus five for each?"
"My slaying of Orcs has been mainly confined to pushing them onto the swords of Orcs behind," Laurel said, her voice tight, "I would rather fly from here or rely on magic."
"Bend your will toward seeing us safely past the Orcs," Tsuki suggested.
"And you."
Tsuki gave a nod. "We have no more time to discuss it in committee," he said, "We ride now! We may yet outrun them." Tsuki called to Moon-halo and they were off, galloping sometimes on the old road and sometimes, if there was room, just beside it.
"Trust your horse and hold on," Beryl said quietly to Kato, "She is untired and you are light. You will get through." Beryl then slapped the mare and she ran, carrying Kato even as he screamed.
Their race was begun, nine riders following the road and trying to outdistance the Orcs before their journey was hindered. Tsuki and Kato went before the others, driving their horses over the remnants of the old road, which was now earth with an uneven line of stones along the center. Beryl came last, watching that no one else fell behind, and riding with spear in hand.
The Sun was yet high and as they cleared the landforms that obstructed view Gwindor called, "I see them!"
Others spotted the Orcs as well and it appeared some were running to overtake them while others remained behind, and so their force was spread in a long line from the road north.
Kato and Tsuki remained ahead of the others, but then Moon-halo stumbled. Gwindor and Lenaduiniel moved past Tsuki on their horses and flanked Kato, and then all three slowed and turned to look back. Dale brought nightmare close against Moon-halo's left flank and kept the smaller horse from falling. "He threw a shoe," Laurel called as he reined in her mount. "I saw the shoe struck his rear leg as he ran."
Galadhiel had stopped her horse, between the three in front and those behind. Beryl called to her as he came upon the others, "Go now! We will follow!"
Galadhiel turned and called to those ahead as Orcs were closing in on their position. "Fly! Get Kato away!" She urged her horse on then in effort to catch up with them.
"I will tell you what happens," Laurel said to Fei.
He gave a nod, drew the curved sword that was now his from the place it was tied to the saddle and then rode on after Galadhiel. Gwindor slew an Orc as it reached the road to allow Kato and Lenaduiniel to pass. Fei took the head of another, though he had only practiced with his sword several days; the speed of his horse provided the necessary force.
Lenaduiniel turned her horse and then aimed her bow at the oncoming Orcs, making targets of several that were approaching those who were tending to Moon-halo.
"The Elf-maiden is the last that should stop and make herself vulnerable," Beryl muttered to himself, though Dale heard.
"She is a really good shot."
Beryl glanced to Laurel, wondering why she had remained. Laurel kept up her incantation, heedless of Beryl. She and Tsuki had spoken with the Elf in the past days. He did not really understand practice of magic, as he said that to which Elves seemed living to Men often seemed magic.
As Beryl stooped behind the horses to check Moon-halo's leg, Dale drew out his hair and then his sword and whip. "Send your Chieftain to parlay with us!" He called. "That's right 'parley'?" He whispered then to Tsuki.
"I am not of the nobility, but I believe you have invited them to negotiate."
"I'm..." Dale did not finish. He saw something among the Orcs that tore at his mind and fell to his knees laughing hysterically.
"Dale!" Tsuki looked to the Orcs. "There is something not right."
Laurel moved from behind the horses, pushed back her hood and waved her staff, to create the illusion of power. Now she also could see that the Orcs were in some disarray. Some were running toward them, but not al had thought to draw weapons. Some seemed to be laughing. Elsewhere Orcs pranced around naked or vomited into the grass. Some lay on the ground. A few were using whips, but they seemed to have no control. There seemed to be Orcs engaged in some manner of sexual activity, though their enemies were near.
"I think," Laurel said, "They have traipsed through a stand of damp grain."
"Spirit walking?" Tsuki wondered. He would believe it of most, but those stalking toward them seemed confident and sober. "Perhaps the odds favor us then?"
"The shoeless hoof is of no consequence, but the rear leg pains him; Moon-halo cannot run from here now," Beryl said.
"Then we will send Moon-halo on and defend his retreat. Dale! Where have your wits gone now? Tell Nightmare to lead them away."
"'Is she precious to you?' What has Your Master meddled in, Tsuki? What has he done?"
"I see them," Beryl said, "That is why they have been acting strange! Female Orcs! Put your weapons down. If we appear more of a threat they will find sense enough to have their arrows on us!"
Tsuki returned his swords to his sash and then shook Dale. "Dale! We need you! Spirit walking or not, they will kill us for coming upon these ones! Dale! Talk to them!"
Dale shouted to the Orcs in their Goblin language, "Would you understand if I killed you all and took the young to raise as Elves? Would you understand when dead? Do you even understand now, why I will not hunt you but I will kill you? I will kill you all now, if you threaten my family!" He pointed toward the three with him in effort to make the Orcs understand. "They are precious to me!"