Part Five
Dale took the message container from Nightmare and followed the Ranger with Tsuki. They were show to the commander's office directly. He rose from behind his worktable strewn with maps as the messengers arrived with their escort. Lord Duinhir was an Elf, dressed all in grey, his blonde hair braided at the temples and falling loose at his back.
"Messengers from Stone Keep," their escort announced.
Duinhir signaled for his Ranger to leave them and the Man left, but did not close the door. He spoke to Tsuki and Dale, "I have expected you. Two days is it? A good time for recruits halfway through training. It is a written message, correct?"
Dale presented the container. Duinhir broke Barad's seal and took a roll of documents from the cylinder. He found the personal message for him in the center of the roll, and putting the rest to the table with the container, uncurled the parchment to read. "Eru and Tâd, I see." Duinhir laughed. "Unfortunate our losses to the war..." Duinhir read on. "You understand you are in my command until such time I return you to Barad?"
"M'lord."
"Yes, my Lord."
"I shall need time to go over these items and draft my reply, which you will deliver to Stone Keep. Report to this office...two hours after dawn. I should have preparations made then. Until that time, you have leave to go into the town and to come in and out of our gate. There is a curfew, so if you wish to go out and return, be at the gate before eleven. I will give your names to my gatekeepers. Eru and Tâd." He laughed again.
They left him with "Thanks M'lord" and "Yes, My Lord."
"What do you think we should do now?" Tsuki asked.
"I know I want to go into the town, but first I want to check that the horses will be cared for."
"I want to have a bath. I have not bathed properly in two days."
"I know."
"You speak as if...I did wash...but there was not water suitable for bathing. I did not see you washing...unless you did as I slept."
"Even if it is cold and shallow, if it is also running clear, then it is suitable for bathing. You need not submerge to bathe. You only need to lift the water in some container and pour it over you."
Tsuki thought of Dale sneaking off to pour water over himself while he was asleep. "Well...I hope you did not go far to wash yourself, when it was your watch. We might just decide a time we stop to wash, instead of sneaking off."
"It was not sneaking. I made noise. You were just asleep. And...I do not like others near when I bathe."
Tsuki had seen that Dale bathed in clothing. "You do not like them to see your body."
"Let's go to the stable and get our packs. We can ask the stable keeper if there is a place to wash when we check on the horses."
Tsuki agreed, and so they went to the yard behind the stable. Tsuki thought that the day they had left Stone Keep Dale had been inviting Gwindor to meet him behind the stables. Dale also thought of that invitation when he stood in the yard.
They led the horses around the stone and wood structure and met the stable keeper. He agreed to take the horses in and feed them and they said they might return in the morning. The keeper was able to direct them to the fort's washhouse, so, taking their packs, they made their way there.
Dale noted that they were in a civilized place. The latrines were removed to another structure nearby. Unlike the system of wooden tubs, cisterns, stoves and boiling tanks at stone Keep, this washhouse had only two large baths lined in stone, sunken beneath the floor and heated by undetected means.
"I want to transfer here," Dale said.
"You cannot transfer while in training, and afterward you must go where they send you."
"Hope they send me here."
Tsuki removed all of his clothing, placed it on a provided bench along with his pack, and then got into one of the baths. Dale loitered, slowly picking his hair free of his braids. "If you do not undress and bathe, I will start a rumor at the fort that you are an Elf maiden in disguise."
"Too late," Dale sang, "already told, and not true."
"Dale, speak clearly," Tsuki said firmly, "and be kind enough to pass me the soap."
Dale brought the soap from his pack and leaned over to pass it down to Tsuki. He saw the markings on his back. The soap fell and floated in the bathwater. "What happened to yours skin?"
Tsuki looked over his shoulder. "Are there bruises still?"
"Blue marks across your shoulders," Dale said in sing-song.
"It is only a tattoo, Dale. It does not hurt me."
"Did your Master mark you?" Dale whispered.
"No. It was...I think the closest word for them in the Common Speech of the west is 'Wild men' or 'Nomads', but they are only wild in the sense of living outside cities and there camps do not always move. One of their shaman...that is a man like a healer or spirit traveler...marked me." Tsuki turned so that his back was to Dale. "You see, it is shaped like an eagle's wings. It is an honor to earn a mark. I earned this one quite young, when I lived with My Teacher."
"I have never seen such marks. Do the men at Stone Keep not think it strange?"
"No, Dale, they have seen enough dead Easterlings in the war to know we are sometimes painted-for-life."
"I killed no Eastmen in the war, only Orcs."
"It would be well if you had killed some. Many did side with the Dark Lord willingly. I slew many when I fought."
"I have been marked," Dale said. "That is why. I have been marked and I do not wish anyone to see."
"I understand," Tsuki said. He saw that Dale was removing some of his clothing. "It is good you told me, as we will be traveling together a while longer. I will not try to look at your body."
Dale stripped down to his shirt and loin coverings. It did not make him feel better that anyone should avoid looking at him, for that treatment made him feel freakish. Yet, he knew he did not wish for Tsuki to see the scarification. "Some people think my shape pleasing."
"It may be. It would be proper to look at you when speaking." Tsuki looked up as Dale was lowering himself to the bath. "Though, I shall not look on your nakedness, if you do not wish it."
"Some Elves have seen, but I wish they had not."
"What did you put in this soap?"
"Many herbs and flowers I found along the way. It still would not be fine enough for Elves. Here, let me use it." Dale extended his hand to take the soap. He made a lather then reached beneath his clothes to wash his skin. He could feel the scars. Every time he touched himself, every time he bathed, he felt the scars. It made him feel sick, because he always remembered how he had come by them.
Tsuki could see that Dale was disturbed. It was proper to not look to long at another while bathing in the washhouse, but casual glances were normal, and if Tsuki did not make such glances, Dale would know he was being treated differently than another would be. Tsuki guessed that Dale's marks were scars; it seemed his hands sensed them. Many soldiers had scars, but they were often proud to show they had survived the attacks that scared them.
Dale's scars were not battle scars.
When they had washed and arranged their hair, they dressed in their cleanest clothes and then washed those that were dirty in the smaller basins. Though the graduated Rangers did have others yo do their laundering when on post, Tsuki and Dale were accustomed to being considered recruits and so washed their own clothes.
When the clothing was reasonably dry, they tied their rolled clothing to their packs and departed for the town. They stopped in one of the inns and heard the prices and rooms available from the keeper. They said they would keep his establishment in mind when they needed to retire, then went to the other inn. They heard the prices there and what rooms were available. The prices were lower.
"If we asked the keeper of Ford's Inn his prices, would they be lower or higher than yours?" Dale asked.
"Higher, Good Elf," the Mistress of the inn replied.
"Then how is it he can stay in business? Or do you offer less for your price?"
"I offer a fair deal. It is true our rooms are smaller and we have no views of the river, but the beds are comfortable and clean and the food is good."
"Then we shall stay here, if we may, 'til morning."
"Very good. I will show you Sirs the room." They followed upstairs and were given a room at the end of a hall, numbered 12. It was, as promised, cozy in size, but there were two clean beds and even an oil lamp.
When they were told of the meal times and left alone, Tsuki and Dale hung their wet clothes, on the pegs on the wall and inventoried their packs. They had a few things they might trade, Dale said. They had money for their bill at the inn, but he thought it could not hurt to try to earn some money.
It was afternoon and warm, so they did not wear jackets, though Dale wore his cloak. They wore their weapons, but as even the citizens, including the females, who were not Rangers, carried some arms, this would cause no trouble. There were many different peoples in River Forge, Halflings traveling east from their homeland, various Elves, Dwarves, and Men of many kingdoms, even some of the far south, that some of the west called Southrons in the way that they referred to Men of the east as Easterlings.
They went to the shop advertised as the largest trading post in town and entered. Many shelves and hanging displays showed the goods available for sale or trade. Several people looked at the wares. A shopkeeper looked up from his counter and called to them. "We only take finished goods, if you have scavenged materials in the wild try the craftsmen in their shops."
Dale laughed. "Oh, he thinks he knows our kind."
"I have something finished that I might wish to part with," Tsuki said. He took down the pack he carried, with all the goods they might trade. He removed some things that he had whittled during their stops and presented the small bits of wood shaped as animals. The shopkeeper lifted one dyed with berry juice, it was a red horse. There was also a blue wolf and an eagle that remained the natural color of the pine it was carved from.
"They are just bits of wood," the shopkeeper said.
Tsuki frowned.
Dale laughed. "Tell him who they might be valuable to, Tsuki," Dale encouraged.
"Why, to anyone, for a child to play with, or a lady to decorate her room, or if one should take them to a Wizard or Elf, then they could be made into talismans for protection."
"Would you want to trade or take coins?"
"I should accept the coins unless..."
"He'll take coins," Dale said firmly, "If it is a fair price."
The shopkeeper looked over the wooden animals and then at Tsuki. He named a price. Tsuki glanced to Dale, who nodded. "That seems fair," Tsuki said.
The shopkeeper counted out the coins. Tsuki took them and added them to the purse hanging from his sash.
"You realize he is going to arrange them with a sign that reads 'authentic Easterling talismans' and ask much more than he gave you?" Dale asked as they left for the street.
"Think you so?"
"Tsuki, Elf-friend!" A voice called out. It was a female Elf, wearing a blue dress. She ran lightly across the packed-earth street and smiled at Tsuki.
"Lady Lenaduiniel."
Dale observed the Elf and noticed the characteristics that Elves perceived while Men often did not, which told him she was Sylvan. He did not recognize her, though she seemed vaguely familiar.
Lenaduiniel noticed that the red-haired Elf must be Tsuki's companion. She knew of an Elf that matched his description, but she was not certain this was that same Elf. "How fortunate to meet you again! Is this your companion?"
"Forgive me. Yes. I have become a Ranger and this is my fellow Ranger, whom I call Dale."
Lenaduiniel laughed gaily, "Dale. Then you are the Vale Elf. It has been years since I saw one. I thought you must be the one I have heard of. Please tell me, if you are acquainted with one of my people, an Elf named Gwindor."
"I am, Lady."
"Then you are the one who rescued my brother on the battlefield."
"Brother?" Tsuki asked. He knew Lenaduiniel and Gwindor both, but he did not know them to be related, though he understood that both were nobles among the Wood Elves.
"M'Lady, I rescued no one. I merely came across Gwindor on the field after the retreat of our enemy had been sounded and sped his way to the healers."
"I thank you then for speeding his way. I was told he left us to be a Ranger. I wished to see him. I came this far and the commander of the fort has told me he does not yet know the names of Rangers at every fort and cannot tell me which fort he may have gone to."
Dale sighed and glanced to Tsuki before he answered Lenaduiniel. "Lady, we know the fort where Gwindor is currently in training to become a Ranger, for I traveled with him there from your homeland and Tsuki has been assigned to his same Company."
"You know my brother also?" Lenaduiniel asked.
"Yes, Lady. He is my Captain at present. Dale and I still are in training, though we have been assigned to come to River Forge. Tomorrow we will know if we shall be returning to Stone Keep."
"Then Gwindor is at Stone Keep?"
"Yes," Tsuki said.
"Pardon, how is it you know each other?" Dale asked.
Tsuki smiled slightly. Dale was remarkably lucid and proper spoken when in the Lady's presence.
"When the war came near I was sent as an envoy of my father to kingdoms in the west to share his positions with their kings, my party was beset by Orcs, and Tsuki was then in the service of a Lord that governed the region of the ambush. He came to our aid and took arrows that were meant for me. Even with arrows in his arm and leg he continued fighting magnificently. Of course, he had help; as soon as his swords bought me room to draw, my arrows kept many Orcs from reaching him and others in our party."
"An excellently told tale of his deeds, I'm sure," Dale said.
"I could tell Tsuki a tale of Orc-killer, though it would not be firsthand, only as it was sung to me."
"Orc-killer?"
"That is what we call Dale, in my land. As he knew battle was approaching, my father sent for aid, in return for aid he had sent to Elves in the west. Dale was sent to us, a most strange Elf, we thought, for he dressed all in black. When the battles started, he took to riding one of the enemy's mounts and collected so many orc-trophies that sometimes we might have mistaken him for the enemy. But then he would swing his cloak from his shoulders or loose his hair!"
The tale did sounds romantic and exciting when Lenaduiniel told it, perhaps because she had not seen the actual battle.
"In the song they sing, 'Orc-killer unfurled the colors of his hair; the enemy fled at the blood-red banner; Orc-killer cursed the enemy to the pit of dark fire; he turned their weapons upon them to speed them on their way.'"
"It was not so pretty if you were there," Dale said, his voice wavering.
"It is not always easy for a soldier to discuss their battles. It is not pleasant work, even if it be for the good of many."
"Yes, forgive me, I have only been in a few skirmishes, but I should have understood how the images can haunt us. We should speak of more pleasant things. I have some things you might want, Tsuki. I kept them safe. Though you did not return, I knew you had not died in battle, as your commander informed me you rode north. You may have your heirlooms, since you live."
"I had forgotten. Honestly, Lady, I could not think of such things at the time."
"Where are you staying?"
"The inn Lasting Peace," Dale answered.
"That is where I am staying also. I inquired with Elves in the fort and they said the meals there were better; I believe they have a kitchen Elf. Have you time to collect your things from me or share a meal? I should like to talk with you both more."
"We have leave until morning. Have you been in this town long? We have a few items we might trade, but did not have luck with the trading post."
"You went to that large store. They have good quality items, but one must always bargain with the shopkeeper to get a fair price. I find haggling a petty Mannish custom, but that does not mean I will be cheated. There is a smaller trade store and they will buy commodities and also there are many fine craftsmen in River Forge, though generally Men. Their goods are not as fine in every case as those of Elves."
They discussed the things they had collected along the way and Lenaduiniel thought they might have luck at the trade store, but they should visit the tanner if they had skins, as they were not of use to others untreated.
Lenaduiniel accompanied the two Rangers in training to the shop of the tanner. Dale said that he did not expect a single brown rabbit skin to fetch a very high price, but untreated it was worth nothing to him.
The tanner's shop smelled of the materials of his trade and strongly of leather. Not only did he supply other craftsmen, but also he sold goods of leather, which he had crafted. Dale became distracted by some whips hanging on the wall, but at Tsuki's request, joined him in speaking to the tanner. Tsuki took the rabbit skin from his pack.
The tanner said it was of good size and the fur was soft and of a common enough color that it could be matched with other skins, but it did have one hole in it. "Couldn't be helped, Sir, he wanted to die honorably in a hunt and he was nearly too quick for arrows."
The tanner looked at Dale as if he thought all Elves mad. He named the price he would pay for a skin with one hole in it, and it seemed fair, so Dale took the coins, and split them with Tsuki, as Tsuki had done the shooting and skinning, but Dale had dealt with Old Rabbit in the first place.
Tsuki saw a pair of pants he wanted, that he thought he could wear after graduation. Apart from the clothing he had been issued, much that he had was either damaged, quite old or bore crests of lords he no longer served. Since he could afford them, and had little other expenses, Tsuki purchased the black leather pants from the tanner. Dale asked if the tanner would sell him a few scraps of leather that he might use to craft some small items. The tanner said he tried to use all his scraps and that they could be used to make patches, but it was true he had many scarps and not large use for them, so he sold Dale a quantity of scraps priced by their weight.
They stopped by the trade store to sell some other items. They got a good price for honey and beeswax.
They walked back through the town to Lasting Peace and made their way upstairs. Lenaduiniel was in the room numbered six. There was a wooden chest near the single bed. Tsuki had left it in Lenaduiniel's care when he had gone to war, told her that if he should die, she may have what was in it.
Tsuki recognized the chest and opened it. He remembered these things, clothing and those items that were decorative or of sentimental value more than functional. They were things he knew he would not need to survive the battles, but might wish to see again if he was to live.
Seeing these items reminded Tsuki of His Master's home. He had worn these garments in His Master's pretense. His Master had given him many of these things. He felt sad, and at the same time, Tsuki felt something like he had when in His Master's home. It felt so good just to touch these things, to touch silk and smell incense, to see his jewelry again.
Lenaduiniel and Dale both saw the change in Tsuki and both were disturbed, as they were fond of the Man. His eyes were slit open and his breath came slowly. He bowed his head and seemed to sway. Dale caught him and lifted Tsuki in his arms. "Close the box," he told Lenaduiniel.
"No. I want my things. They are my things."
"I will not steal from you," Dale promised, as he lay Tsuki on the bed, "but seeing those things makes you act strangely. Do you feel well?"
"I want to be there again, to...live with My Master."
"The Wizard sent you away," Lenaduiniel said. Tsuki must know this, she thought, he had told her himself.
"The Wizard sent you away?" Dale asked. "Tsuki, is that true?"
"My Master said I was too old to be his ward. Too old to be the ward of a Wizard and I could never be his apprentice, because I was not destined to be a Wizard, but a Man. My Master said he wanted...he wanted me...to leave him. To leave him and make my own way in the world. My Master said not to return. I knew no way to live without him. I only remembered belonging to My Master. Even when I lived with My Teacher, it was because My Master put me in his care."
Dale wanted to kill something. He wanted to shoot and stab and hew the Wizard's body into nothing. He wanted his blood. Curse Wizards to the dark fire! They had no right. "He is not your master. He is not your master and you do not belong to him. You are your own person, Tsuki. Free."
"I want to belong to My Master."
"You only think that because they took you and twisted you when you were so young!" Dale shouted.
"He," Lenaduiniel whispered.
Dale rose from Tsuki's side and strode to the door.
"Where are you going?" Lenaduiniel asked.
"Drinking." Dale opened the door, rushed out and slammed the door behind.
Lenaduiniel looked to Tsuki. He seemed so...mortal. She shook him from his dazed state. "Your friend is upset and has gone to find drink. It is yet afternoon and I doubt that he has eaten much while traveling. I will not leave you alone so troubled, so either you must go after him or we both must."
"Friend."
"I think that he must be. Are not Men loyal to friends?"
Good men, Tsuki thought. He pushed himself up from the bed. "I will find him."
"I will remain, but please come speak to me again."
Tsuki nodded and then climbed from bed and went to the door. There were three taverns in the town, more than any other business, possibly, but it was along a trade route and there were always people passing through that would stop long enough for a drink or a smoke. After Tsuki tried one, it occurred to him that Dale would be in that Tavern the most Men visited and where the drinks were cheapest.
Tsuki found that tavern, thinking it wise that Lenaduiniel had not come along. It was not a place for females of any sort. Dale was within, seated in a corner with an entire pitcher of ale and his naked sword lain across the table, warning others away, or, Tsuki thought, the sword was a secret signal that Dale sought a lover, for a while.
It was, Dale knew, in some places, just such a signal, but it was at the same time a warning that he was armed and not to be approached unless others were agreeable to his terms. The tip of the sword pointed out into the room.
Tsuki approached the table and sat across from Dale. Dale glared at him and poured more ale into his mug. He drank. "There once was an Elf from Nan-tuketh," he sang."
"I am here to make certain you do not drink enough that you stand on a table fondling yourself and singing lewd rhymes."
Dale smiled strangely. "Want me to come back to your room, do you?"
"It is your room as well, Dale. Stop acting mad."
"What's mad?" he sang, "What's mad is wanting Wizards to do naughty things to you, boy."
"Dale, stop. My Master...he did no such things. I know that...that..."
"Can't even say it."
"It was my own choice to become a Ranger. No one commanded it of me. No one asked it of me. I chose. We are here because we were assigned to come, after we both dishonored the Rangers on our leave. If you get in trouble now, it will reflect badly on us both. If you get in trouble they will not let you be a Ranger, and then you will just be a mad wandering Elf with no family and who does not even know how to be an Elf."
"I know," Dale said in his sing-song voice, "I know how Elves do it. They long and they seek. They long to share. It means no one is forced if you share. It means no one is alone, Eru. They share often and with many. That is how Elves do it."
"Except, apparently, you are seeking to do it with Men, who do not all follow such customs as Elves do."
Dale lifted a booted foot to the crotch of Tsuki's pants. "Maybe I just like Men."
Tsuki drew a sword with his right hand and brought the blade toward Dale. "Perhaps you do, but I am not seeking a lover, so kindly remove your foot or I will cut at least the foot from you."
Dale laughed, and drew his foot from Tsuki. "Not seeking, Eru? Eru is not seeking," he sang.
"I vowed celibacy. I wished to be as My Master." Tsuki lay his sword down across the table, the hilt near his right hand still, should he need the sword.
Dale looked at the way the swords lay opposite each other. "Everyone needs it. They don't all need it the same way, but they have needs. Who knows a Wizard's needs? Maybe he didn't have to touch. Maybe he just needed to be near you or look at you. Dress you up in pretty clothes and jewelry? Maybe he did it with his mind."
"No. Stop that. My Master did nothing like that. He couldn't. Wizards do not have such need."
"Stuff your master with an Orc's whip handle! Everyone has needs. Even Wizards." Dale bared his teeth as he smiled. "Besides, celibacy only means that Wizards do not marry and sire their own children. That does not mean they do not fuck someone, somehow. Pit's Fire, even I am celibate. I have no wife. If an Elf is without a spouse, they seek others of their gender. Men are the ones who go traipsing about siring whelps to females to whom they have not the slightest devotion. I'm doing all your women a favor if I feel like seeking Men."
"Seek Men if you must, I am certainly not your master, but there must be better ways than drunk and in the cheapest tavern in town."
"If you have no wish to lay your sword against mine, then leave my table." Dale saw Tsuki lower his eyes to the table. "Do you want me, or are you completely without clue?"
Tsuki stood, taking his sword and barring Dale's path with the blade. "I want you to behave as a Ranger and not storm out of a room for a drink when I show one moment of weakness. We both know that your past has not left you entirely stable, so you cannot fault me one emotional moment. You are supposed to watch my back."
"I'm sorry."
"Pardon?"
"What you just said. It was entirely correct. I am supposed to watch your back, and..." Dale meant to continue and say that it was also Tsuki's fault for saying such a ridiculous thing as wanting to be a Wizard's property, but he realized that Tsuki really was not thinking soundly when he said such things. The Brown had said Tsuki was becoming who he ought to be, but he had not become himself yet.
"And?"
"And nothing. I should have stayed with you, especially then. You would stay with me if...something bad happened."
Tsuki returned his sword to its sheath. "Yes," he said.
"I'll sit and finish this pitcher with you watching my back, unless you drink with me."
Tsuki smiled, forgiving his friend, and sat to drink with him.