Part Thirty-six
Death-shadow's Band had made camp with some Hill People on the road one night, and had sparred, drank and traded some of their goods for what seemed garments. Dog and Ugarit had watched them, lying on the grass and downwind from the encampment.
Another Day Death-shadow's band met with some Men and took horses from them in a swift battle. Dog did not know what caused their conflict, but Ugarit thought horse-boys were not called so by Orcs without reason and that horses were considered worthy of fighting over in these lands.
In the battle, Green-cloak had slain two Men and cursed others as they ran off. Dog was somewhat surprised that the Elf-warrior killed Men, but his attitude toward him did not change, as all the Orcs already considered that Elf and his sword very dangerous.
Their band was easy for Dog to track. They followed the road, and the floral stench of Elves was easy to distinguish from the horse-scent all over the fields. Dog tracked them to a city of horse-boys. It was a large walled Man-city on a hill. It would be difficult to attack with a small band, Dog supposed, but not so difficult as breaching their stone fortress.
Dog had still lived in the mines during the war, but he had seen the fortress recently, while tracking Death-shadow. Ugarit claimed to have been birthed in these lands. Dog did not know if this was true, but it was possible, as the Precious Things had been found or made their way to the mines over time, as other Orcs had, and Ugarit, despite the differences that seemed to come from being female, did daily prove her instincts and knowledge of this region to Dog.
She knew where water collected, where animals fed, drank and mated, how the wind would take a turn over outcropping of rock, and how to identify various prints and burrows of animals that were still strange to Dog. Ugarit did not seem one who had long lived in the mines. The cursed Yellow-face did not make her squint at all.
Dog did not understand why Marduk had sent only two Orcs and chosen Dog and Ugarit as those he would send. Dog supposed there must be some very clever reason behind the decision, as he believed Marduk was a smart Orc. It was true Ugarit's knowledge of this area was helpful and that Dog, despite many years in the mines, had learned well how to use the senses honed there in the damp dark pits to track prey in open country. He was still learning of the many animals and plants, but he knew the scent, sight and signs of horses, Men and Elves enough to find their trails.
Still, an Orc like Dog was tempted to think this sort of task would be better suited to warriors. Marduk certainly had enough strong Orcs with him. Stronger Orcs might have tracked Death-shadow and...
Maybe Marduk was even more smart than Dog had thought. Bands of strong Orcs had already failed to defeat Death-shadow's band. Marduk wanted his enemy followed and his life spared for his taking.
Dog spied out the city and its walls. Green-cloak was speaking to local sentries and gesturing to the band and captured horses. Man customs were intriguing to Dog. He wondered if bringing horses always allowed passage into the city.
Nearby, Ugarit squatted to mark their trail. Marduk would be following later. He had told them that only a stupid Orc would take the whole Clan into horse-boy territory now. Once he had time to dispatch his Orcs to various tasks and hiding places, he would come after Death-shadow himself. Dog and Ugarit were to make certain Marduk could find the trail. If they found secret messages from 'Duma' they were to leave them along their trail for Marduk. Dog had found none, and if Ugarit had found any, she had not announced it.
Dog looked away from the strange half-formed female and saw death-shadow ride into the city with his band. At the end of their line, Duma turned and looked back, toward Dog's location.
Dog cursed to himself. He had felt sympathy for Duma, as one who had also been a pet. Now, he was beginning to think Duma arrogant and foolish. He did not act like a pet at all. It seemed as if Duma believed that being the Chieftain's spy made him highly ranked. Or perhaps, Death-shadow had won him over with favorable treatment. Duma wore so many garments now, carried weapons, and sometimes rode a horse. He did not seem very much like an Orc. He especially did not seem anyone's pet.
Duma seemed like one who might keep a pet.
Dog turned to look at Ugarit again. She was creeping toward him, to look toward the city. It was evening, and her vision was less sharp than Dog's now. Dog sniffed and scratched his nose. Marduk must be very clever, because Dog could not understand why one who was half grown and female was sent out with him. It seemed every other day she passed blood. For all Dog knew, Duma might smell her, even upwind. The girl-Orc said that when she grew some more the flows would be predictable, and drew her knife or dagger on Dog if he sniffed too closely for her liking.
Dog did not think they could get through a gate. Marduk had given them the garments of some of the people from the hills that the clan had killed, but the sentries would look closely and see their faces and know them as Orcs.
"Do we wait for them to come out?"
"We should try to get into the city."
"I do not want to walk into a city full of horse-boys. I am brave, but not stupid."
"We are two Orcs. There seem more than two gates..."
"We only need to watch the one they will come out from. They will go that way, I think." Ugarit pointed toward the east. "They follow the road. The road goes to more Man-cities."
"Death-shadow and his band are smart. They will double back or sneak out of the city if they think they are followed. Even if they do not know we are here now, they do know Marduk has tracked them in the past."
"They do not know we are here. We stay downwind. We crawl in the grass. We carry no torches. Very stupid, carrying torches."
"Duma looked toward us. He might know. Maybe he can smell you."
Ugarit drew her dagger from beneath her skirt. "Maybe he sees you."
"He has looked toward us before. How could he know?"
Ugarit growled, snuffed the air, and then scanned the skies. "If he looks again, tell me when it happens. If he knows, there must be some sign we have not noticed."
Or it was magic, Dog thought. Maybe Wizardry. But it had been Duma that looked. Maybe...the others also knew Dog followed and did not look. Maybe Duma looked, because he wanted Dog to know that the others knew of his presence. Maybe Duma had not grown quite as arrogant as Dog thought.
"There will be no 'again' unless we follow into the city."
"How will we get in?"
"Is there a waterway?"
"Men often make cities over source of water, but these horse-boys will have put a guard or defenses at such a point, because breaching the drain in the wall was how we nearly defeated them in their fortress."
"Then we must make a new way. We will tunnel."
Ugarit sheathed her dagger and then took hammer and pick from the pouch she carried and stalked toward the city. Dog scampered after her, cursing her, because she had rushed to begin a task he had more experience doing. The girl-Orc would not know the best place to make the tunnel unless he told her.
Inside the walls, Dale watched the birds alight on a nearby roof. They called to him and he understood the Orcs were moving toward the city. They would try to sneak inside somehow, Dale thought. He looked down from Nightmare's back to Duma and saw Duma look up at him nervously. They both understood that Duma had been looking toward the location the birds had given Dale in order to give warning to the Orcs.
Dale wondered if in Duma's place he would also betray the knowledge. He was not certain, but it seemed brave and honorable to Dale in some respect. Duma was refusing to choose one side entirely. He seemed to help both sides a little, one and then the other.
Their party rode to the inn the guards had recommended. They had returned stolen horses to the city and as Tsuki and Beryl were already known to the King somewhat, word had been sent of their deeds and arrival. They did not know if the King would grant an audience with any of them, but they had agreed to go to the suggested inn and await word there.
The Stallion's Spirit, as it was called in the common speech was a two story stone and wood building near the west entrance of the local Capitol. People in other regions spoke of a High King, because they knew one had claimed various thrones and ruled over their local lords, some of which had claimed small kingdoms in more lawless times, but here the people did not speak of a High King, but another King that was a close ally to their own.
Beryl said this was true. The land of the Horse-Lords had been granted them long ago in return for their King supporting another in war. The land had not been granted with any other condition; it had been granted to them to rule, and so here, the local King was the only King whose opinions mattered greatly.
Locals spoke kindly of the King to the South and the Lords under him, and they tolerated their neighbors to the west peacefully.
The newly arrived party of ten was received well at the inn. They saw their animals taken to impressive stables and then found word of the return of the stolen horses had traveled ahead of them. Here theft of a horse was a crime punishable by death. It was not true they valued the life of a horse over that of a man, but horses were vital to their commerce and the severe punishment usually insured that commerce was protected.
The King's Marshal had taken riders to trail the thieves, but as yet, the Marshal had not returned.
After they had bargained with the innkeeper and heard the local news, the group retired to their rooms. Their reputation was good here, and so they had gotten three separate rooms at a generously low rate. The three females were given a room for themselves, Fei, Gwindor, Beryl and Kato shared the second room and Tsuki, Dale and Duma took the third.
"You should be careful here. The locals know an Orc when they see one," Dale said to Duma as he was opening the shutters on their window.
"There is no stove or fire in this room."
Dale saw the blackbirds perched on a branch of a tree behind the inn and then closed the shutters again and looked toward Duma, who was sitting curled on one narrow bed. "It is no jest. You must be careful to avoid conflict. Those new garments are not the best Mannish sort to wear in this city. Their peace with the Highlanders is uneasy yet and they will know the make of the kilt for certain, if not your coat."
"If they judge an Orc by garments, you should take care."
"Yes. That is why I will change from my traveling clothes."
Duma looked a little surprised. He had not expected Dale would also change his appearance. They had both seen how Beryl rearranged his hair and garments before coming within sight of the gate.
Tsuki was more surprised, but the other two did not notice, as they were looking at each other, while he was washing face and hands at the stand in their room. In such times as this, Duma seemed very much Dale's child. Tsuki would have expected Dale to be one who felt comfortable and able to face people only in his strange severe clothing.
Tsuki changed from his traveling clothes, so that he was dressed nearly in the local style, in long brown coat over white linen shirt and brown pants. The locals would have worn a waistcoat and walked with their longer coat open, but Tsuki put his sash and swords over the coat, rather than wear a western swordbelt across his hips and half concealed. He put his cloak over the coat and moved various items between the inside pockets and his luggage before leaving the room.
Dale and Duma did not seem natives, but they managed to look Elven, in various embroidered velvet garments. Yet, Duma still wore his long, purple wool jacket he had bought from the Highlanders. Dale also tied a scarf about his head, covering the tops of his ears, as if to suggest all Vale Elves wore such things.
They met Fei and Kato in the hall outside their rooms. Kato asked Dale if he would like to go to the tavern with him, as he could always use someone who was good in a fight to watch his back. Dale laughed, but agreed. He promised himself he would not get in too much trouble. "You'll join us, of course."
Tsuki said he would not. "I would like to take Laurel out somewhere."
"You would?"
"To visit a shop."
"It is dark now, all good people are indoors for the night."
"This shop will be open, if it still exists. If not, I shall meet you at this tavern."
"Wild Spirits," Kato named the establishment.
"Fei?" Dale asked.
"I will stay with you," Fei told Dale.
At that, Gwindor and Beryl came from the next room. Beryl looked quite Mannish, moreso than he had at the gate. Tsuki no longer felt guilt for never realizing that Beryl was an Elf in the past. Clearly he knew as much of disguise as he did costuming. His skin looked tanned and lacking Elven luster, and his hair was braided in such a way that the tops of his ears were covered. The clothing very much resembled that of the locals; his familiar and luxurious green cloak had been packed away. Gwindor had no cause to hide his identity here, and looked like an Elven Prince.
When Lenaduiniel came from her room, she also looked well dressed; her traveling gowns were simple and the skirts divided for riding. Galadhiel seemed to have borrowed a gown. For certain she was not dressed like a male.
Laurel was dressed as simply as ever. She did not wear any of her eastern styled clothing, but only a red frock and cloak.
Lenaduiniel and Galadhiel expressed their wish to stay in the inn, and said they would be found in the common room and would spend their time collecting what local news they could and inquiring where they might make the best trades and resupply the next day. Laurel would go with Tsuki, and all the rest would be going to the tavern.
Tsuki and Laurel moved quickly and quietly through the city, noting the gazes of the few wary Men still roaming the streets, but otherwise unseen or heard. They came to an alley between storefronts at the edge of town, where offensive industry such as smithing and tanning, with its foul air was placed. Within the alley, at the side of the building that seemed part of the smithy that was closed for the night, there was a simple unmarked wooden door.
Tsuki rapped at the door three times with the head of his half-made staff and then waited. The door was pulled open from within and an aged face peered out at them. "We will see your wares," Tsuki said. He used no compulsion, but made his tone firm.
The old shopkeeper wondered who these two visitors might be. Another man might have mistaken them for Wizards, but the shopkeeper was old and had served many Wizards and did not yet recognize these two. His shop did not get so many visitors these days. The former White and Grey had influenced this region greatly in the past, each in their own way, and apprentices, hopefuls, messengers and Wise Women as well as fully fledged Wizards had all openly identified themselves here and formed a community that served the Wizards and their goals. Since the betrayal of the White, things had been different.
"Who may I ask is calling at this hour?"
"You always did business at such time of day, before." Tsuki pulled the hood of his cloak back from his face and hair. "I am Tsuki, Master Novern, You know me. You saw me in the house of my former master and you helped me to find work among the mercenaries when I came to you here."
Novern opened the door wide and ushered his guests inside. "Young Tsuki! So, you survived the war? I worried that even if you had, ignorant Men would have persecuted you for your association with the former White."
Tsuki nodded. "Have you had trouble with them here? Not many that I worked with knew of my past. You and the Lady Lenaduiniel. Do you remember her? She is in the city with me?"
"The Elf? Of course I remember, we do not get many Elves here and she reminded me of my granddaughter, though she must be older than I am. I met her brother briefly, though I was surprised to learn their father had a younger son. He seemed surprised to learn of his sister's diplomatic missions in these lands."
"She risked much," Tsuki said softly, "her older brother is with us as well. Their father has only the three children that I know of."
"Young Tsuki. I am still surprised by the visit. Last we met you nearly took my head with those swords."
"I am glad I stayed my sword in time, Master Novern. Though, I never understood why you were stalking around the perimeter of our camp. Gathering herbs on a field trampled by our march always rang rather false in my ears."
"To tell the truth, I was collecting information for the then Grey."
"I see. You chose the correct side then, though I was never really clear whether I was ever on the right side during the war. I have met with the White recently."
"The war was difficult on everyone, so much betrayal and temptation…enemies coming from every side. I am glad to see you now. Who is your companion?"
At Tsuki's encouraging gesture, Laurel removed her hood and made a small curtsey to the older man. "Sir, do you have relatives in the west? I have heard the name Novern there."
"Then you are a Witch, as I supposed. I did not wish to suggest it until I was certain."
"I am from the lowlands, Sir, but the truth is I was outcast from the circle after my year and a day."
"She has power, knowledge and wisdom, she simply does not work well in their circle."
"Not all do. I was a Lord of their Hunt in my day, before I retired to a somewhat less damp climate and took over this shop. My granddaughter is in one of their circles now. The central circle."
"Lady of the South. I recognized the family name. Have you had news of them recently?"
"I have had a pigeon from Newhaven announcing they had taken shelter there after battle with Orcs. There are so many Orcs in the west now. I do not know what is to be done about it. They seem masterless and mixing one breed with another these days. They do breed quickly. We slew so many in the war, and yet…"
"I hope that whatever means we find to deal with the Orcs does not cost more lives of our people, or of other good races. I would fight if necessary, I am a Ranger now, and sworn to do so, but I do not wish to fight."
"Good men do not wish for battle," Novern said. "But tell me, what brings you here?"
"We are merely passing through. Perhaps we can give you more news of our adventures in the west, but for now we need use of your shop."
"Tsuki says you hose many tomes here that are not found in the archives of Kings."
"Yes, yes, tomes on magic specifically."
"If you have any pertaining to knowledge of the Witches, or of past associations between them and the Wizards I would like to see them."
"And we also have depleted some of our supplies. We have several excellent herbalists in our party, and the one among us who knows minerals is not well inclined toward Wizardry just now. I have a list." Tsuki took a small scroll from his cloak and read some supplies from the list, "Soda of Bicarbonate, copper filings, powdered sulfur…"
Meanwhile, Dale, Kato and the other males in their party had made their way to the tavern and finished their first round of ale. Dale signaled the barkeep to bring a second round for their table. It was simply constructed, but ornately decorated by carving. The Horse Lords seemed to love leather and woodcarving, and their strangely cut trousers that flared over their boots. If the clientele of Wild Spirits were representative of their people, they also loved ale, and various games of chance involving cards, dice or the throwing of knives or darts.
Before the barkeep brought the ale, Beryl got up from the bench and went to the bar to speak to him. When he returned, shortly after a maid brought a pitcher to their table, he had a bottle with him. "You must try this," he told the other five, as he set out small glass drinking vessels.
Kato lifted a glass and studied it. "It is hardly big enough for one of my people. Is it Elven, perhaps?"
"Perhaps part of local tea service?" Fei supposed.
Beryl laughed loudly. "No, Friends, these glasses are not for drinking ale, wine or water, but for such things that are so potent only a little is taken at once, even by large Men."
Duma snorted derisively and poured himself another mug of ale, though he told himself that he did not like it. He regretted that he had shared the last of his Orc liquor with the Dwarves, not that he disliked Dwarves, but because he missed having a properly filled flask. Though, he supposed it was strange that one who was half Elf and half Orc would not dislike Orcs. Ale did nothing but make him slightly introspective and a little less annoyed with the stares. The gazes did still annoy him somewhat.
"They stare still, and we have been seated and peaceful among them for some time. They must believe us enemies."
Dale huffed. "Don't be foolish. They are simply enthralled by Gwindor and all that lovely pale hair."
Gwindor chuckled. Even before becoming a Ranger he had been trained to be one of his people's warriors since childhood and when in battle or traveling he kept much of his hair neatly pulled from his face and braided, but now it was all free and shimmering as Elven hair did.
"I know these Men are familiar with my people, though not familiar
enough to think my hair strangely colored," Kato said as he watched
Beryl fill the tiny glass before him, "but they must have heard enough
tales to know light hair in Elves is a mark of nobility and red-haired
Elves are considerably rarer than that."
"Do not try to fit me for a pet's hood!" Duma hissed, "They
are staring at us all."
"Of course the are staring," Dale grumbled, "you would be equally suspicious if such a strange party including Elves, a Halfling and an Eastman came into your settlement."
"Exactly why I do not feel at ease. When strange fellowships come into our settlements we shoot them on sight."
"I am not worried," Kato said, "Surely they know my people must find a visitor most foul to not offer them food and drink and will return the favor."
"I should have come alone," Dale groaned.
"You would only get yourself into trouble," Gwindor said. "If we left you alone you might be dancing on tables by now?"
"Dancing on tables?" Duma asked.
"Oh, yes, did you know know?" Kato asked quite casually, "You are not the only one in the Clan to get into mischief in taverns or inns, only Dale usually sang a few lewd verses and danced upon tables before going off to dimly lit parts with strangers."
Dale glared at Kato and Duma stammered a bit.
"Did you use that peculiar flail on the girl?" Kato asked boldly, "Dale never let me touch it when it was his."
Duma could only stammer and blush. It seemed most shocking to the others. They had never had occasion to seen on Orc blush and the sudden bluish cast to Duma's face amused them and made Kato giggle.
"Kato stop or I-" Dale began.
"Enough," Beryl whispered, in stern tone.
Kato nodded and looked at the table.
That made Duma laugh.
"Anyway…" Dale said, "they rather expect certain things from Elves. Perhaps you do not all understand. Beryl might. I mean, if some Man meets an elf in the wood it is another thing, but if an Elf should appear among them in a common room, they just expect Elves to be merry and sing and such. It is really quite intolerable at times, but I do not like the treatment that comes from refusing the politest requests much…and one thing just leads to another until you find that Men tend to not view Elves the way they view their own people."
"Well, you are different races," Duma said.
"We are," Dale corrected. "I mean, to Elves, a male Elf looks quite obviously male, yet to Men and their women, all Elves tend to seem what they would consider feminine. And…"
"You need a stronger drink," Beryl said, filling the small glass nearest Dale.
"Ai, there is a creeping thing in that bottle," Gwindor said with disgust."
"Of course. You can see it is dead and yet does not rot. It shows this is no water," Beryl said of the clear contents of the glass bottle. "It is good stuff."
"I-I do not understand. What do you mean? Men think Elves 'feminine'?"
"Perhaps," Fei said, "if I have learned enough of your culture, I suggest 'weaker' instead of 'feminine'." He glanced at Dale and asked, "the translation is correct?"
"Weaker? You mean…" Duma's lip rose in a disgusted sneer that bared his fangs. "You mean that Tsuki is not the only one. That he is not some strange exception or favorite? You-you let many Men do it? You claim you are Chieftain and you let many men treat you like a-a pet?"
"Duma," Kato hissed, "lower your voice, whatever Dale has done! Your accent betrays us all, even without all the rubbish about 'pets' and 'Chieftains'!"
Dale put his head on the table and covered his head with his arms.
"By all the Gods, the two of you are as much trouble as any patchy-bearded lad and know-it-all century-old Elf combined! Those who believe themselves without shame or regret while they condemn others are simply not wise enough to realize their own mistakes. I will pull you both out of here by your ears and switch you if you do not show you can behave as civilized folk, regardless of race."
Dale lifted his head, and seemed to Gwindor and Beryl on the verge of weeping. He spoke then, voice quiet and grave, and seemed to speak to Duma, though he would not look at him. "Think what you will of me, it will not change the fact that I've earned the whip or that you are my spawn, but I will not have you insult Tsuki. He is an exceptional person and likely wiser than you or I; the rest is really not your business."
Duma shrugged and tapped his little glass on the table. At Beryl's stern gaze he added a voiced, "if you please, Beryl", to his request.
"By the way, what is a 'pet's hood'?" Kato asked.
Duma lifted his glass and poured the liquor down his throat. He ignored Kato's question and said. "May I please fill my flask from the bottle, Beryl?"
"There's a good lad. What do you say we introduce ourselves to some locals and ask to join a card game. No signals or conspiracy between our company. You understand. That would be wrong."
"I am sure he understands," Kato said, "but should I win very much and either of you lose much, I will be a friend and pay your way or buy you some things should you have need."
"Of course. That is what decent folk would do," Beryl said. "I will get a second bottle to share with new acquaintances."
"I suppose I will go throw knives at something," Dale said.
"Dale, that fellow there has begun playing one of those curious local instruments. I thought we might show them a dance," Gwindor said, "I am certain Fei Shih will have scholarly interest in local music and Elven dance."
"I will dance with you, if Fei consents to keep me from doing anything too foolish. I have no intention of sneaking off to dimly lit parts with anyone, but liquor often ruins the best intentions."
"I shall be certain you only share your lewd songs with me,"
Fei promised.