Chapter 1 - The Journey
"So there's a bunch of land-bound monsters, a huge reward, and a lot of
rain?" asked Sparrow, trying to penetrate the flowery language of the
notice."More or less," responded Graeme, staring intently. "I believe the storm sometimes clears up for a short while before the rain returns; although this could be a few minutes or a few hours."
"Rain doesn't bother me," said Sparrow. "I used to fly in snow for months every year in Deepdrift, and there was plenty of rain on the Greater route."
"It's more of a worry for us, Sparrow," said Annette. "I don't really want to be overwhelmed and killed by a bunch of vicious beasts that are only able to wander around because it's so wet."
"We'll be fine, Annette. I've heard of Two Crags before - the creatures are no true threat to an armoured knight; and far less of one to multiple knights. And I'm sure we can head towards the town in a group, perhaps with a caravan, rather than alone," said Graeme.
Annette smiled wryly, and said, "Fine. I still reckon we should head to Lost Raven for the tournament, though."
"That's in a month, we can get this done nice and quick - or someone can get it done nice and quick - and get to Lost Raven in time for the tournament, no trouble," said Sparrow.
"Hmph, you'll realise that this sort of stuff usually takes a while sooner or later, Sparrow," said Annette, "And when you do, I'm going to gloat."
"I'm going to fix the problem personally and gloat at you when we're done within a week instead, Annette."
"This sucks," said Annette, as she trudged alongside her mount. A few days of slow travel had passed, as the group had elected to travel with a caravan.
"Walking with the caravan? You know we can't break from the caravan, it's part of the agreement, and to be honest the excercise will do you good. You've been far to reliant on your horse to get you around the past few months," replied Graeme.
"What about Sparrow? Off soaring in the clouds! She never bloody walks anywhere!" grumbled Annette.
"She doesn't need to walk, since she has wings, Annette," said Graeme. "Strong, well-excercised wings that mean she doesn't depend on a horse to get her around. Your mount can, and will, die Annette; and quite possibly at the most inconvenient time. It's best to be prepared for a long march, not a long ride."
Annette muttered something incoherent (and rude) under her breath, before saying, "I'd feel better about sticking with the caravan if we'd actually seen hide or hair of these monsters, instead of just walking in the rain for hours on end."
"We'll reach Two Crags tomorrow evening, Annette, and we're not in the region the creatures wander yet. Sir Rassette was quite gracious in splitting the guard fee with us, for we both are heading to Two Crags for the bounty, not the guard money. And without him and his squire, and the caravan guards, a group of the creatures would easily overwhelm us!"
Annette paused, before saying, "I can't believe you let Sparrow negotiate a seperate payment to her for guarding the caravan, but just split with Rassette for us." As Graeme started to say something, she held up her hand, and said, "Yes, I know she provides a different 'service' and the caravan owner was ecstatic to have her on board, but surely we could have split her fee or something?"
Graeme laughed, and said, "I think she has many years of canny negotiator behind her, actually, from the years she spent guarding caravans for a living. But yes, I can see how that might annoy you. On the other hand, she is a mercenary - a highly skilled mercenary - who is working with us for a pittance compared to what she could earn. You have seen her shoot; she is nearly the best archer I have ever seen in a tournament - and against moving targets, from the air, she is far better than any I have had the honour to observe."
"That's great and all, but we both know she has a fortune stashed in various places you can only fly to. Almost enough to buy her way into a baronage!"
A sudden gust blew from behind them. Graeme and Annette turned to see Sparrow land behind them. "I'm glad that you're gossiping about me, but we have a bit of a problem coming," she said.
"There's a large group of the creatures just off the road about four kilometres ahead," said Sparrow. The assembled crowd - most members of the caravan, with the knights, caravan leader and owners of various wagons in front - listened intently. "Roughly thirty I could see, but there might be as many as twice that. They weren't moving around much - I suspect they're waiting for the rain to start back up again so they can move on, instead of waiting in ambush, since they seemed to be sticking close to the puddles."
The leader of the caravan - a tall, broad, giant of a man - stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Looks like we have a couple of choices, then. Wait until the rain starts up, and hope they move on, or send enough men ahead to fight off the creatures. Rassette, what do you think?"
"If we knew exactly how many there were, I could give you an answer, Milhim. Likely, we could take thirty without any deaths - so long as they fled, instead of fighting to the death, though they do not flee from men I hear - but more than that things may not go our way." Rassette stretched his arms out behind him, his face showing his concentration on the question at hand. "We could always have Sparrow pick them off until they flee; I doubt their rage will cause them to be so foolish as to scream and screech at the air."
"A good idea. Thoughts, Graeme?" asked Milhim.
"Sending Sparrow ahead to pick them off may work, but it's unlikely the creatures will flee from the water that is keeping them alive unless under severe duress. It's also possible they will be motivated by revenge to return, and possibly catch us on our way through. Definitely worth a try, though," replied Graeme.
"Alright. Sparrow, head onwards and kill as many as you can from above. We'll continue moving, perhaps get three quarters of the distance ahead, and then await your return." Milhim nodded to himself, satisfied with the plan. "Everyone back to your wagons! We're getting back on the move!" he finished.
As the crowd dispersed, Sparrow, Graeme and Annette walked over to their mounts and pack mules. "I've got to grab my spare quiver," said Sparrow, in response to a quizzical look from Annette.
Shortly after, Sparrow took to the air, before beginning her flight back towards the creatures.
Such ugly little critters, thought Sparrow to herself, as she glided overhead. She dropped down into one of the trees above them, to take a closer look at their numbers. About forty, she thought after a minute's counting, not too bad. I should be able to even the odds enough, at least.
As she looked over them, getting ready to start shooting (high in a tree as she was, she figured she could fire a few arrows before they climbed up, if they even could) she noticed a few staring at her. They seemed... Curious about her. I thought they entered a murderous rage whenever they saw someone? she wondered. Although... Perhaps they recognise that I'm not entirely human, and their rage is only against humans? That would be very useful.
Sparrow nocked an arrow to her bow. Too bad they can't be like this all the time. She loosed her first arrow, and it struck one of the creatures just beside its eye, piercing deep into the flesh of the beasts face. Damn, close, thought Sparrow. At this sudden attack, the creature shrieked loudly, soon after copied by the rest. As their voices joined in a cacophony of horrendous noise, Sparrow let fly more arrows. One took a shot to the throat and fell, others stumbled as arrows embedded themselves into legs, or arms.
The creatures charged towards the tree from all sides, and despite their odd, scrabbling gait they moved fast. Sparrow sent one last arrow flying (which struck true, embedding itself into the skull of one of the creatures) before she took to the air. She continued her attack upon the creatures, killing several and injuring many, even as a few agilely climbed the tree, claws dragging them up when branches wouldn't serve.
Those on the ground, however, glared at her for moment, before starting to scramble away, seeking cover or fleeing. Sparrow picked off the rest she could see, and started to count the dead, immobilised and fleeing creatures. I've killed eight, and probably injured one or two really badly, she thought. About half have fled, but there aren't very many good puddles nearby, so they'll come back, and it'd be stupid to drop to the ground to hunt down a few more so now it's time fly up and see if any show themselves. Sparrow smiled to herself. Easy.
About an hour later Sparrow flew back to the caravan. She had spent the hour circling above the creatures hiding places, occasionally dropping down to take an easy shot at them after a few had emerged from cover or wandered back. They fairly quickly figured out that she was lurking in the skies, though, and she only managed to kill another three in the whole hour (they also learnt to go scampering for cover when she dived down, and her shots from way on high were not accurate enough to warrant wasting the arrows).
Her report of what happened was met with curiousity - "They didn't seem to care about your presence until you attacked them?", "They truly noticed that you had escaped to the air and fled?" - and approval. Milhim ordered the caravan forward, and for Sparrow to go on ahead to scare the creatures into cover (hopefully for the entirety of the caravan's passage).
Graeme and Annette tromped along at the rear of the caravan, fully armoured in preparation for a fight. The caravan guards were placed evenly along the caravan in pairs, and Rassette led the caravan with his squire. The wagons and coaches that made up the caravan were battened down tightly, their drivers armed with crossbows and wearing whatever armour they owned. As they neared the creatures, they spotted Sparrow high overhead, swooping about in the rising wind.
"At least she seems to be having fun," said Annette.
"Unlikely," said Graeme. "These are storm winds, and those can't be good for flying in. Notice how the birds have all gone to ground? Sparrow would likely do the same, although he greater size and weight probably helps her somewhat." Graeme smiled. "We should have waited after all, I think - this sort of wind is often the herald of a rainy storm!"
Annette smiled, and stared out into the land surrounding them. It was woodland, as was much of the area around Two Crags (barring a few fertile sections of farmland that had been cleared around the town) and prime land for fur trappers and hunters. The fur, and Two Crags use as a waystation to a few mines and mining towns that were closer to the mountains, were the reason for the town's value despite the local hazard. Money and nobles, thought Annette. Two things that should not be as intimate as they are.
Suddenly a loud screech split the relative silence that had hovered over the wary caravan. It was followed by another, and another, and suddenly Annette could see the creatures rushing out of the cover they had taken from Sparrow's barrage and coming directly at the caravan.
Graeme drew his sword, and Annette aptly copied his motions, and his stance, as they stood facing the coming swarm. "Don't let them knock you over," said Graeme, "And cut their bellies open to kill them, don't worry about their heads."
Annette nodded, and prepared for the onslaught.
The creatures charged directly at those guarding the caravan, and the drivers, completely ignoring anything that was not human (be it an animal or a wagon). The crossbow bolts sent flying by the drivers (nine in all) took down two of the creatures, and as they drew short swords and daggers the battle was joined.
The first creature to reach Graeme was swiftly cut from the base of its chest to its chin, and the second had its head swiftly parted from its body. Annette stabbed the first creature to reach her, and noticing that this injured it little, she bashed it with her shield and cut open its belly, causing its guts to spill onto the ground. The creature still lived, but it was dying, and quickly, as its blood spilt all around it.
Sparrow had dropped most of the height she had gained in the wind as soon as the creatures began to shriek, and sent arrows into any of the creatures that made it past the guards before they could reach the vulnerable drivers. Only a few of the creatures did - the caravan guards had fought the creatures many times (though never in such numbers) and were adept at using their poleaxes to cleave into the unarmoured beasts, each pair working in tandem to ensure none of the creatures became a threat.
Annette, however, was charged by two of the creatures at once, and in a panic sent a blow against one's head. It cut deep, but did not penetrate the creature's skull. The creature leapt at her, only to be slammed by her shield and sent sprawling away. But the second creature bent over and grabbed Annette's leg, before swiftly tossing her over its should and onto the ground.
Disoriented, Annette saw the first creature running at her only for it to collapse, an arrow poking from the base of its skull. Behind the creature, on top of the rearmost wagon, stood Sparrow, alread nocking another arrow. The second creature had not turned around; Graeme had engaged it and the beast was trying to dodge his swings. As Annette got to her feet the creatures right arm went flying, having been caught by a slash, and Graeme quickly followed this up with a cut across the creature's belly, causing it to collapse.
Annette whirled around to see if any more of the creatures were approaching, but there were not - it seemed all had been slain. She sighed, and hoped that she would not be reprimanded - or embarassed - for her performance in the battle.
"Just keep your head cool and think tactically, not with instinct," said Graeme, later, when the caravan had pitched camp. "There are many creatures in this world, and you'll need to keep the weaknesses of each in mind, not just those of men!"
"And I," said Sparrow, pointing a finger at Annette, "Will not always be around to save you!" Sparrow laughed loudly and sat back, her tankard spilling slightly.
Annette glared at Sparrow. "You certainly won't if you drink whenever you can!" she said, angrily.
"How am I to refuse such a generous reward? Especially when I ki-hic-cked so much ass!" Sparrow said, hiccuping mid-sentence. She looked at her drink - beer fortified with some valuable Souduchy whiskey - and said, "Strong stuff, though."
"Powers beyond I hope she suffers in the morning," muttered Annette under her breath.
"What was that?" asked Graeme.
"Nothing," replied Annette. "We'll reach Two Crags tomorrow, right?"
"Yes, barring any long delays," said Graeme.
"Good," said Annette, stretching out her tired legs in front of her. "I reckon it's time for me to sleep."
Sparrow, who had been unusually quiet (given her drunken state), suddenly stood, and said, "Goodnight then, Annette. And you too, Graeme. I've just had the best idea." With that, she strode off towards Milhim's tent, where he had prepared her (numerous) reward tankards.
"I hope we don't end up carrying her tomorrow," said Annette.
"This sucks," said Sparrow, shouting over the howling wind. Rain was pouring heavily around them as they slogged forwards. The weather was too bad for her to fly, especially considering her hangover.
"Serves you right for drinking so much," said Annette. "And you should learn to walk in case you can't fly!"
"Normally, when I can't fly, I hole up somewhere and recover or wait out the weather," replied Sparrow, staring at Annette balefully. "I'd have wiled my way into one of the wagons if it wasn't for that guard who got wounded, and everyone wasn't pissed about me getting Milhim so drunk he's still unconscious."
"Why did you ever believe that would be a good idea?" asked Graeme.
"I try to do it with all caravan leaders. Bonding experience and all that. Oddity of my biology that I don't pass out from alcohol, ever, so I can drink anyone under the table! Except I don't remember all of last night, which means I don't know how I got Milhim to skull his whiskey... I probably drank some of it, since I think I'm still drunk," replied Sparrow.
"Surely you've emptied your guts enough to remove the drink from your body," said Annette.
"Fuu-" said Sparrow, bending over and vomiting on the ground. She coughed, and said, "Fuck you, Annette. I already said don't make me think of -" Sparrow paused, dry retching for a moment - "vomit. It sets me off. And you know that's not how it works. The alcohol's in my system now, and it won't magically end up in my puke. Though I swear if I was a mage I'd figure out a spell for that."
Annette smirked, and ignored Graeme's glare.
The caravan arrived at Two Crags a couple of hours after night had fallen, slowed by the heavy storm. Annette, Graeme and Sparrow collected their pay from Milhim (who had awoken, and was hungover almost to the point of incapacitation) and found a room at one of the town's four inns, the 'Strange Gale'. Sparrow, still very hungover, immediately went and collapsed in the group's room.
Annette and Graeme ordered a meal, and sat in an out of the way corner outside. The inn doubled as a tavern (like many inns frequented by travellers in the Duchies) but it only had a small internal bar area. As the inn was nearly full with those who had come seeking the baron's reward, and many were drinking or eating at this hour, the patrons had spilled over to the sheltered outside area of the inn, despite the rain.
"Hmm," said Graeme. "Sparrow's non-human nature might be of an advantage to us here. If the creatures do not hate her as they seem to hate us. Though I suspect we will take more advantage of her ability to scout the surrounding land."
"When the rain clears up. You remember what the inn keeper said, right? The storm's likely to last for a few days. Someone else might have the reward by then!" said Annette.
"We are not just here for the reward Annette," said Graeme. He held up his hand when she began to reply. "Also, stop being jealous of Sparrow. She is older than you, with years of combat and life experience. You heritage means you will some day be a great knight; maybe even the best I will ever have the honour of seeing. But Sparrow is something else - a winged one who has earnt her true wings, and a master archer mercenary. The pair of you are two very different things!"
Annette grumbled, not saying anything coherent, and frowned a bit. "Fine," she replied, after a little thought.
"I see you have a sulky squire too, Graeme!" said Rassette, surprising Annette. "So sulky she did not spot my approach!"
Rassette took a seat at the table, and continued. "Evan is taking an early night, all the walking has tired him out. And I see that your mercenary friend is not here, either. Is she still somewhat under the weather?"
Graeme chuckled, and said, "Yes, somewhat. Are you staying at this inn as well then, Rassette?"
"Aye, it turned out that the Tanner's Boots was completely full. There's a lot of people here after that reward, Graeme. Far too many who are a bit too young and prideful for fights that may become overwhelming. And far too many who are just here for the money," said Rassette.
"None of the really famous knights are here though, right Graeme?" asked Annette.
"Not yet, although someone will surely show up soon. The Woodsman's probably nearby, and he won't be able to resist the reward, the greedy bastard. Others will trickle in if the problem isn't solved soon," said Graeme. "The innkeepers will make a fortune once they can charge an arm and a leg, and almost everyone here already will be stuck setting up tents outside of town."
"Yes, but hopefully someone will save the town before then. Yourselves, perhaps?" Rossette glanced between the pair, and continued, "What is your plan to save the town, if I may ask?"
Graeme grinned, and said, "Pretty simple, really. Have Sparrow see if she can scout out an opening no-one has found before, find our way in to their lair through there, and hope for the best. We'll be leaving to get to Lost Raven in time for the tournament, or earlier if the town is saved before then."
"She grants you quite an advantage with that, I'll grant," said Rassette. "I'll be consulting the seer who came into town, maybe work with one of the larger groups. Ah, it looks like your food has arrived!"
A waitress laid Annette and Graeme's meals down on the table, and exchanged thanks with the pair. As he prepared to tuck in, Graeme said, "Planning aside, Rassette, you never did finish telling me about that maid in Seven Vales..."
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