The Marauders of Ezeroh Keep

A Moonsea Adventure

Chapter 3

The Dark Forest

Near Lake Minarezeroh, Mirtul 12

            The trip back to camp was mostly made with no further conversation, and upon arrival Vhivi's first chore was to relate her findings to the rest of the group. After that discussion she grabbed some soap and made her way down to the bathing pool she had located to wash the mud off and to take a quick but much needed bath. She spent her watch brushing the dried mud from her clothing and contemplated what had been learned. She also kept a sharp eye to the branches above for she had no desire to encounter one of these bugbirds the others had described to her.
            In the morning Vhivi went about her morning routine and prepared a bite to eat and tended to Inyaroch. She thought nothing at all of running about in her loose, almost baggy, linen under-garments with a cloak thrown over her shoulders for a bit of warmth. After repacking the things she had used during the night, she resaddled Inyaroch and finally put her leather armor back on and rebraided her hair into a single, tight braid.

            The breakfast hadn't tasted good to Heimdall. Two members of his party were injured and it pissed him off, even if they were just cuts and scrapes. Heimdall slid his palm against the smoothness of his sword and sheathed it. He'd just completed a brief early morning routine which he'd adopted years before. It helped wake him up and steady his mind from it's dreams - last night it was all wild-eyed whip wielders and black masses melting into ugly winged monstrosities. Ah, the delights of the Moonsea, he thought with a half hearted chuckle.
            But that wasn't the half of it. Kerri - was missing. Ty seemed to think that she had vanished of her own free will, and that gave Heimdall some relief. He kept his own thoughts private regarding Kerri - but images of bugbirds danced in his head and he knew he was frowning.
            The wounded having taken priority, Heimdall had split the two remaining watches between himself and the elves - allotting each six hours to rest. It left him feeling a little puny, but it wasn't anything he couldn't handle. It wasn't the first time, and he was sure, it wouldn't be the last time.
            Ty had no immediate thoughts on Kerri. To Heimdall he only commented, "Guess I should have advised you to make your own contract with her when mine was cancelled. She may have followed up on the idea of checking out the town, that certain distractions from yesterday prevented me from pursuing. Or maybe she is just afraid of that speak'um ritual of the Ladyship's. Perhaps our winged companion can spot her. So far she robs of us a sword, but until we have something we can attack, that will not short us too much."
            Ty looked over to Alexana. "Speaking of speaking spells. The one on Vhivi. I may have missed it but I have still not heard details on its duration. Or how many languages it allows Vhivi to understand and respond in. Or if it allows her to read those languages as well as speak them. This may effect how the spell will help us later. We don't know if that is a mixed group in there or not. Maybe there will be some prisoner we take that needs to be talked to. Or some scroll or message we need to read. Just a thought."
            Alexana wiped at the corner of her eyes with the tips of her fingers. "Spell...? Ah, I see. There is no spell upon Vhivi; the Maiden saw fit to grant my reqvest of aid. However, I asked only that she be able to converse vith me, so I do not think she vill be able to speak vith anyvon at all... but then, that is up to the Goddess." She raised her eyes heavenwards, hand going to the lash that was never far from her grasp. "I imagine Vhivi vill understand the True Tongue so long as I need her... and now you must excuse me. I must offer Loviatar my thanks and devotion." Rising, she moved off into the underbrush, which would no doubt shield the group from the sharp slap of the lash against her skin.
            When Ty heard about how hard the Keep was to scout he voiced his opinion once more. "Well Heimdall. Still seems to me our best way into that place is to parley with them and get an invite. But I'm all ears to hear what other approaches we can come up with. Think we can drop the 'gettum' approach. A frontal assault seems doomed. The back door seems well closed. Over, under or through the walls seems out. I don't think we can besiege them and wait them out. Nor are we going to be able to defeat them in detail unless more of them leave the keep. In numbers we can manage. And I still suspect and propose that if they turned the magic of the place to their advantage they have some magic of their own on call." Ty smiled to the others. "Oh. Good morning to all."
            With an incredulous look to Ty, Heimdall said, "They aren't going to leave the keep." He sounded sure of himself. "They've gone to a lot of trouble to get that castle and we haven't seen any sign that there are more than a handful. I don't think, if I were them, I would risk anyone outside the wall." He shrugged and dumped a bit of dirt from inside his boot. "I am admittedly disappointed. I was hoping we could take them by suprise. But this spell has complicated things so." A small sigh of warm breath escaped his lips. "Surely we will know more by day's end."
            A ghostly glimmer wavered in his eyes. "What perplexes me, is this other elf that Lia referred to. An elf reading in the Lord's chamber?" Distance shown on his face, as though he were watching something far away, something no one else could see. "An elf in the Lord's chamber and two men picking at...stones? It just strikes me as odd." It occured to him that Nightbreeze hadn't said wether the elf was male or female, and he wasn't sure that it mattered. He layed his hands in his lap and shrugged. "You know, I'd hate to think it, for obvious reasons," he rolled his eyes, his almond shaped eyes, "but the woman who made the ransom demand - could she be the elf Lia saw reading?" He stood as he spoke and swung his pack onto his back. He looked up at Ty in the tree. "Lets break down camp and be ready before Alexana finishes her... ah... prayer. Daylight is wasting and we can grill our lovely comrades to our hearts' content on the way."
            Ty passed the time on watch making sure his recovered darts were ready for use again. He grinned down at Heimdall at the man's observation. "I think that is what I said, that among the many things working against us one is we are not going to get a chance to pick them off in small groups. As to their leaving the keep, well there are many incentives that might change their mind. No payment maybe? Fire, famine, plague? A better offer? They get what they really want? All kinds of things possible."
            Ty dropped down from the tree and went to secure his gear to his mount. He slung the chain shirt separately in case needed. Ty looked off to where Alexana had gone. "Know some lords that pay good money for the services of a dominatrix of her experience. Makes you wonder what she does for a 'fun' evening don't it? So what's the next step, oh Fearless?"
            Heimdall knelt, pushing earth over the fire pit. He looked up, smiling. "Dominatrix." He paused and looked at the sky thoughtfully, as though trying to pluck the word's meaning from the very air. "A domi-what?" As the words left his tongue, he blushed. It occurred to him that he might not want to know what exactly Ty was talking about.
            The first time he'd seen the young Manakja caress that whip, he'd wondered about her intimate habits. It was none of his business, but the memory was enough to force him to clear his throat. "Ah, gather up your sundry trappings and do your best to cover their traces. And I," he pulled a fallen branch from the undergrowth and began thrashing the ground lightly, scattering the leaves in a natural pattern over the earthen impressions of feet and bodies. "Will see about concealing our camp. At least it may be passed over at first glance."
            His horse Ivan was easy to make ready and he rewarded it with a carrot, Ivan's favorite thing. He considered trying to get Alexana's beast ready for her, took one look at it, and changed his mind. It stood staring at him, unmoving. The look was not encouraging.

            Seeing that the discussion had turned to possible action regarding the keep, Vhivi interjected her thoughts. "The group that left and did not return makes sense to me if the ransom demand is real and that they did not have plans to take and keep Ezeroh Keep. If they expected a siege or attempted attack and they had not the force to vithstand it then they vould take their prisoner back to their own stronghold. In that light I vould think that Lord Tjesnitjérs is no longer in the keep, but has been removed."
            "However, " she continued with her finger pointed up for emphasis, "ve do not know for certain that is vhat they do. The Lord may still be in the keep and the band may be gone for a purpose other than simply leaving. They may have left to get more reinforcements or to deliver a token or something like that. At the very least ve must determine if the Lord is still in the keep. Ve either get them to show him to us or ve go in and see."
            She stared off in the direction of the keep for a moment then back at the group, "I have thought about the idea of trying to get them out of the keep, but there are too many things that could go wrong vith that idea that I vould only try it if there were no other choice. That means ve must go in and to do that ve need to get the shield down. Either ve find a vay to force it down, like getting the vizard, or ve trick them into taking it down." She gave them a wily smile and said, "I think the best chance ve have of tricking them is to use a reason other than talking about the Lord. Ve should make them vant us to come in by getting them to think ve have something they vant. If I'm not mistaken, they have no idea who ve are... other than the Lady Alexana."
            Ty listened to the additional conclusions and concerns provided by Vhivi. To Heimdall mostly, but to all really he responded in a conversational manner. Maybe slightly amused, but also supporttive of the burden that was Heimdall's. "We seem to be getting better on the whats to do, and with no shortages there. But a little short on the how parts. I'm still not hearing anything doable about getting inside the keep to affect events. Unless, as pointed out, the wizard is contacted and gives us the key. How about it Heimdall? What is the course you suggest we set to get this done? Or to get to what we need to get to getting this done? I think this is where you need to start putting our accumulation of ideas into some sort or order. Do we seek out and eliminate the wizard first as a wild card? Or try the town? Split up or stay as one? This is why you get the big lions isn't it? Or not? No bonus clause was set for the leader was there? Where's a good labor agent when you need one, huh?"
            Vhivi regarded Ty with a neutral expression and said, "I'll go you von better, Ty ... vhy don't ve lay out vhat ve need to decide on? Make the decision or decisions, and then nail down the how?" She began ticking off on her fingers as she continued, "First, ve must decide if ve stay here and gain access to the keep, or if ve go after the bandits that left. I don't see that ve can do both. If ve go after the bandits that left there is no further discussion needed; ve go now. Othervise ... second, ve must decide if ve go for subterfuge to gain entry or if ve take the direct approach and enlist the vizard. If ve enlist the vizard then end of discussion; ve go now. And that leaves... third, ve must decide if ve bring our knowledge of Lord Tjesnitjérs to the attention of those in the keep, or if ve use an indirect approach."
            Vhivi looked squarely at Heimdall and said, "My recommendation is that ve gain access to the keep. You have von of my reasons vhy. Another reason is, even if the Lord has been removed, ve don't leave an enemy at our back as ve go off to look for him. I think ve need to enlist the aid of the vizard because I vould imagine those in the keep have been directed not to let anyvon inside. However, ve use the vizard only as a last resort but have him handy so ve can immediately use him rather than having to look for him later. The plan for our subterfuge needs to be hammered out. If ve use von method, then the other vill no longer be available; ve vill have played our hand."

            Heimdall listened to their thoughts, revealing nothing of his own upon his face. The tip of his finger caressed the trigger of his crossbow. "That's all true." Intensity flashed across his face as he took in their words. "But - our options have been limited. We have to exhaust every resource available to us without revealing ourselves to the bandits. Otherwise, we risk endangering Lord Tjesnitjérs further." The tips of his ears turned a shade pinker as he spoke - he'd caught Vhivi's eyes in an unfortunate gaze just at the words 'revealing ourselves'. His chagrined pause was less than half a heartbeat before he regained his senses and spoke again. "We cannot set a ruse to gain entry as our first course of action, not unless Jarrow refuses to help. That is where we go this morning - to the wizard. He is our best bet to regain control of that castle."
            He turned to Vhivi. "Whether or not the Lord is within we cannot know until we have searched the dungeon ourselves - or by some miracle, we see him inside. That is a long shot we don't have time to wait for. And I dare not leave any of you behind to watch the keep. The bugbirds drove that consideration from my mind quite efficiently." His shoulders rolled with an exaggerated sigh. "We will attempt the wizard's aid. He will either help us or not. If he can't or won't get that shield wall down, then we have to set up a dialogue with the bandits.
            "If we fail with Jarrow, I will go back to Ropominar and see if I can determine what happened from the townsmen - I might do that regardless of what our wizard does. Ty, Vhivi - work on a way to appeal to those inside - get at least two of us in, or get them to come out, but do not reveal the presence of the Manakja - or so much as a hint of our affiliation. We do not want to alert or anger them." The last he directed at Ty with half a grin. "Diplomacy."
            Ty glanced over at Vhivi. "Ladies first? I'm not sure with all the restrictions Heimdall put on us that anything immediately comes to mind as a way to get us asked into the Keep. Your thoughts then."
            While he waited on Heimdall's decisions Ty brought up what was puzzling him. "Everyone? I'm wondering if we all see the whole course of events that started this the same way. Heimdall was already in Alexana's employ before we crossed paths at the inn, and may have been given more information then was passed on to the rest of us. Certainly I lost track of how the ransom demand was delivered. Or who was involved."
            Ty looked to Alexana. "Could you confirm a few points for me please? One, did you say you reported to your order in the city, then came to the Keep, then returned to the city, then planned on coming back here only with Heimdall for support? I'm thinking again that the sequence might tell us something we overlooked."
            Pushing aside the nearly-bare branches of the snagging bushes, Alexana stepped past their thorns before looking up; her face was flushed. "Yes... I reported, as you say, to my Order before returning home, only to find my vay barred and Lord Tjesnitjérs captured in his own keep. You must understand, I could not go to the Council vith the matter - I do not trust the Families so far as to throw our blood in the vater before them. But I... knew of somevon who might help, and so vent back to the city in the hope that I might find somevon to aid me." The priestess shifted a little, tugging at the fresh bandages under her pristine robes.
            "I vas unable to acquire so much help as I had hoped - it vas Bane's vill," she said with an aborted shrug. "But the gods, they granted that Heimdall vould accompany me. I had thought maybe to ride to Phlan and hope to hire some freespears there, but vhen so many of you came vith me, I decided to vaste no time - after all, who knows vhat might be happening to my Onkel even now?" Her grey eyes dim with worry, Alexana shook her head, the furrow in her brow deepening.
            Ty continued, "Also, am I right that you stood before the Keep alone when you were denied admittance and given the ransom demand? I had thought before you might be the target, but if they already had you alone before them, why not take you then?"
            Alexana's smile was weary. "Few care to so affront the gods by offering harm to their clergy," she reminded him. "If they know I am among the Favored, they vould be that much less villing to confront me directly."
            "I take it there are political reasons why you did not make this abduction more publically known and get others to aid you, but I don't recall that being mentioned since the inn. Vhivi may have the right of it in that the Lord of the Keep may have been walked off already. With that large group the tracks were picked up on." Alexana paled, glancing toward the keep, though it was hidden beyond the trees.
            "Right now we have the problem that we have more questions than answers. Including not knowing what is really behind the taking of the keep. But I'm now thinking ransom has nothing to do with it. One, because the only person we know of who was told the terms was not expected. Two that the ransom is too large to be expected to be payable. The fact they knew about the spell to secure the fields brings up the question of who they could have learned that from. How many do we have on that list Alexana besides you, the wizard and your uncle?"
            The Lady looked faintly embarrassed. "Jarrow, he vould have told no von, nor Onkel. But if you are correct, and they have their own mag..." She shuddered. "Ve have few visitors, and who vould expect anyvon to be a mag? Onkel kept the scroll vith Jarrow's spell on his desk - there seemed no reason to hide it. After all, who else could read the symbols of a mag?"
            "On a new line. Is there any chance your uncle might have activated the spell in such a way that it is allowing no one to exit, as well as enter? That might explain that the elf spotted studying was their mage, and was looking for a way to defeat the spell. And the large party that walked off was locked out and just left to cut their losses. And you were sent off just to not reveal that they are trapped."
            Alexana shook her head decisively. "Onkel vould not dabble in the dark arts - he is a god-fearing man. But vhether or not it could happen...? I do not know... but I do not see vhy it vould. None of Jarrow's scrolls have so failed us before."

            As they prepared to depart Ty realized that he now lacked transportation. He had been distracted as Vhivi's comments had him reviewing what had actually happened. "Heimdall? I seem in need here, unless you want me left behind? Maybe my pack on her Ladyship's while I double with you?"
            Heimdall stepped away from the group and drew his foot into the stirrup to mount, but paused. For a moment he seemed to be muttering something to himself. With a sweeping grace, he drew himself into the saddle. "Ty, pass me your pack, Ivan can carry it, but unless Alexana will let you up with her, I'm afraid you're walking. Ivan's got quite a load as it is." He reached his hand down to take the bag.
            Alexana glanced at Ty and sighed, pulling open the flap of her tent. "Very vell. But see that at least your hands remain civil," she added tartly as she disappeared inside.
            A thought passed behind Heimdall's eyes. He frowned. "They would have killed Alexana on sight if they wanted to eliminate the Tjesnitjérs. They want something else. An elf reading a book and two men picking at stones. Footsteps around the village... along the Phlan path. Where will that road take you... I mean, obviously - to Phlan. Back to Melvaunt right?" He remembered seeing a map, set behind glass hanging on a wall. "But, doesn't the Phlan path also head off to Zhentil keep?"

            When Alexana emerged, armored once more, the band set off. Seeing he would be constrained, and to lighten the load on Heimdall's mount, Ty put on his chain shirt before leaping to the back of Alexana's mount when they were ready to depart. A skilled rider, Ty set himself so he was facing to the rear. And unslung his bow to be ready should anything require its use spring upon them.
            Over his shoulder to Alexana he spoke teasingly. "Okay, I'll behave if you'll behave. I'll try not to provoke your passions for me, knowing how discomforting such a display might make things for the others."
            "How kind of you to be discreet about our forbidden love," Alexana said said dryly, glancing back at the rogue. "I vill try to keep my hands to myself."
            Recrossing the river, the band followed the northern lakeshore west, into the woods. The gloom of night still hung heavy within it, and the mist obscured all but the closest trees and bushes. The sound of the horses picking their way among the dead leaves and twigs seemed thunderous in that strange dawn silence, so sharp a contrast to the noises of the night.
            Perhaps sensing their mood, Alexana cleared her throat; her voice was less hoarse than usual. "The mag lives about five miles to the vest. I'm sure I can still find my vay to his tower, but the voods, they are treacherous; ve must be careful, and not stray from eachother.
            "Jarrow used to visit us often; I remember he and Onkel vould play chess together, games that lasted for days. Vhen Onkel von, he vould parade about Ezeroh like a sqvire who had just von a jousting match." The priestess chuckled. "Onkel knew Jarrow long before I vas born. He never spoke of it, but I think Jarrow vas indebted to Onkel, the matter of saving his life. I'm sure he vill help us somehow... if nothing else, he might show us the brigands' every move vith his magic. But I hope that he vill know a vay to simply destroy the barrier he has built."
            She was about to go on when Cyravel glimpsed something partially hidden among the trees - cloaked in the mist, she could only make out its strange shape - and great size.

            Vhivi slid off her mount and with a ring of steel drew her rapier with her right hand. She snatched the reins of her mount in her left to move it and put the group between it and the thing. She scanned the surrounding mist for any sign of more of the whatevers.
            A shudder ran down Heimdall's spine with the metallic voice of Vhivi's rapier in his ears. He peered into the forest, plays of shadows and light obscured through the mists. At last he thought he saw what the elves had alerted to. A bulky, mass of shadow against an even darker shade. Crap, he thought. He was sure he was seeing the object less clearly than the young elf. He had to be - it was huge! He flexed his fingers over the crossbow. "What do you see?" He whispered, leaning low.
            When he saw Vhivi dismount and prepare to fight, Ty gave Heimdall the hand signal that he would watch the rear. Until proven otherwise no reason to let one target decoy them from picking up on others in an ambush. Since Vhivi had dismounted Ty also slipped off Alexana's mount and moved to give himself a clear view of the back half of the potential battlefield. An arrow now nocked.
            "In the name of Loviatar, servant of holy Bane, show yourself!" Alexana called out, standing in her stirrups. There was no fear in her voice or bearing, but her eyes were tight. Her knuckles were white on the haft of her whip.
            A moment passed in silence; then the creature took two slow steps forward. Alexana let out a quiet gasp and sank back into her saddle. The beast had the dark, powerful body of a strider - but where its neck and head should have been, the torso of a man took its place... and yet, not a man. Its head was elongated and chinless, horselike, with long ears that swiveled this way and that, and its skin was the same black horsehide as the rest of it. A short-clipped mane bristled from its forehead and disappeared under the grizzled wolf pelt tied about its thick neck.
            All of that, however, was secondary to the impression of muscle; the creature had the tough look of a freesword. Its barrel chest and powerful flanks bore heavy scars, and the barding and saddlebags it wore seemed battered and worn. A quiver hung at its belt, and it held a bow nocked and ready... but apart from the flicking of its long tail, it made no other move. "A kohpox," Alexana breathed, awed. The beast regarded her with dark, liquid eyes, ears flicking forward and wide nostrils flaring.
            Vhivi released the reins on her horse and quietly slipped off to the side and forward keeping an eye on the kohpox and flicking glances off into the mist, trying to penetrate the shielding blanket for signs of any more of these creatures.
            Heimdall stared, aghast. He held up his hand, slowly, giving the signal to hold fire. But he also slid his shield down onto his left arm, keeping his right free to draw either sword or bow. "Why has it not attacked?" After all, it could have already charged them at any time and it didn't. And it seemed to respond to Alexana's calling out without aggression. He hoped he hadn't made a error in judgment. He forced himself to swallow his fear as he watched the kohpox's muscles move under the ebony hair. He really hoped.
            The creature focused on Heimdall as he spoke, shifting to face him more fully. Its nostrils flared again, and its chest swelled impressively as it sucked in breath. "I hunt no you," it rumbled, and even its voice was reminiscent of the deep, uneven nicker of a horse. "You no man-hunters; now I know." It lifted a foreleg, pawing the ground gently. Silver gleamed on its hoof. "Why you here? Home trees kohpox." The beast didn't sound threatening, but the arrow stayed nocked in its bow.
            "The Lady suffers the loss of her home to bandits and we hoped to gain help from a man who lives deeper in the wood." Heimdall spoke measured and slow, calm. He was proud of himself for not sweating and shaking like a child - which is what he really felt like doing.
            But his relief was withheld. He didn't want to name names just yet - for all he knew, the kohpox could have setted itself an enemy to the wizard or the Tjesnitjérs. Nothing would suprise him at this point. "We did not mean to disturb you. May we pass?"
            The beast hesitated, tossing its head, then lowered its bow. "You I hear talk of Jarrow?" When the kohpox lowered its bow, Vhivi lowered her rapier but did not resheath the weapon. Her ears pricked up at the name of Jarrow but decided not to say anything just yet. Just remain alert and keep an eye out for an ambush, she thought as her eyes scanned the misty woods once more.
            It was with a precautionary glance of question at Alexana that Heimdall answered, voice halting and neutral. "Yes. Are you a friend to him?" He gave a single nod, pressing down his astonishment at the sheer power contained just under the coarse hide of this creature. Heimdall hadn't quite believed the stories of the strange and exotic beings found in this region. Bugbirds were one thing, but this... well, it seemed, he owed a few bards an apology.
            The creatue glanced around at the group, taking a small step back. "Home trees kohpox," it reiterated warily, snorting. "Friend you Jarrow?" Having not noticed any presence other than the single kohpox, and noting its wariness, Vhivi gave the creature a wan smile and resheathed her weapon.
            "Well," Heimdall dismounted and took a couple of steps forward so he was next to Alexana. His hands lay open in a gesture of good faith. "Yes, kohpox. And a friend of Jarrow's is in danger - we need his help. Please, may we pass? Our time is limited."
            The kohpox tossed its head, pawing at the ground. "Long no see Jarrow. You see, greet from Koomdawr." It shifted its weight, dry twigs scratching along his studded barding as it stepped further away from Vhivi. Half-turning back into the mists, it added, "Careful of manhunters."
            "Vhat does he mean by 'manhunter'?" Vhivi queried, looking at Heimdall and Alexana and then shifted her shrewd gaze back to the kohpox. "Such a proud and noble creation is he! So obviously talented and strong, yet gifted vith a keen and insightful intelligence! I have never seen the like of him before. Kumdahr is your name?" Vhivi bowed to the kohpox with a flourish, "I greet you!" She then, with a warm smile directed at the kohpox, moved over to stand next to, and slightly behind, Heimdall.
            There was a distinct relaxing of the muscles along Heimdall's arms and neck since it became clear the kohpox was not an immediate threat. He didn't know what a manhunter might be. He shook his head with a shrug, and smiled over his shoulder at Vhivi as she spoke. He felt his ears go pink. All his years, and a beautiful woman could still do that to him. He was usually pretty good about hiding it, but not yesterday, and apparently, not today either.
            "As do I. My name is Heimdall." He bowed his head respectfully and then motioned to his companions. "This is Vhivi, Alexana, Ty and Nightbreeze. Since it has been so long that you saw Jarrow, perhaps you would like to accompany us and greet him yourself? You are more than welcome along."
            Though Heimdall could hardly believe he'd just said it, the point remained. Whatever a manhunter was, it seemed to be enough a threat to have driven concern into this large, powerful being - concern enough to prompt a warning. The more the merrier, and safer too, he reasoned and shot a glance across the eyes of his party, looking for a sense of their opinions. Alexana sat quietly, staring at the beast with a look of childlike wonder; behind her, Ty stood scanning the woods behind them for signs of an ambush.
            The kohpox had turned back to them at Vhivi's words, ears flicking and head nodding in the equine equivalent of a smile as the mists released it again. "Kind you," it whickered. "I say right, manhunter? Hunter of," and it gestured loosely with its bow, indicating them all. "Hunter. I hunt now hunter." It tossed its head again in amusement. "I go maybe you trees, Jarrow... why?" Koomdawr asked, sending their packs a sly glance.
            "Let me speak with my associates a moment, but if you happen to have something in mind, please - tell us. Surely we can come up with an agreement?" With an easy smile, Heimdall tapped Alexana on the leg to snap her out of it. It was hard to talk without being able to meet both of their faces, so he stepped back, drawing Vhivi closer to the conversation. "Ladies, I have no idea what he might want, any suggestions? Ty?"
            Alexana blinked as though waking from sleep. "I... the kohpox, it is creature of legend," she whispered with a furtive glance at it. "The story goes... vell, is not time to tell now, but it kills the unrighteous killers. Vhat it might vant... I do not know." She rubbed her hands on her thighs in distress, glancing at her pack mule.
            Vhivi shrugged away from being drawn back, gave Heimdall an impatient look and said, "Ve should not be so rude to turn avay. Kumdahr is hunting manhunters and approached us thinking that's vhat ve might be." Smoothly, Heimdall withdrew from her, sporting his most charming smile. Something flashed behind his eyes, some vague emotion. He watched after her, showing his support with a prideful gaze as she walked forward and spoke.
            Vhivi turned back to Koomdawr, smiled her most charming smile and slowly approached with her hands held out from her sides with palms facing up. "Noble Kumdahr" she pleaded, "ve know vhat hunter is, but many things may be hunter of men. Even men may be hunter of men. Vhat type of thing is it that you name Manhunter? Does it go on two feet or four? Does it use veapons and vear armor? Does it have skin as a man or skin as a volf or bear? Does it travel alone or in pack... herd? Please, anything you might tell us vould be most appreciated!"
            Koomdawr shifted, obviously pleased. "Hunter with two feet and four," he agreed helpfully. "Skin as man, skin as wolf." He fingered the huge grey pelt that hung draped about his shoulders. "Hunter in pack." The kohpox raised a thickly muscled arm and snapped a branch overhead, sending a shimmer of droplets down over them. "Still Koomdawr hunts."

            From his watchpost Ty followed the conversation, as best he could. "Heimdall? I don't think I caught why this fine fellow hunts his prey. If they are a part of those that left the keep, we may have common cause. We are presuming we and those we are looking to save are the good guys, and that not good guys are what this fella seeks. Course good and bad are subjective. Then again, maybe we have something possessionwise he would be interested in. Might want to sound him out on that. Just don't trade away her ladyship's developing sense of humor. She has made one joke already today. I am so looking forward to the next one. Oh. Might not want him to ask if Alexana has heard the one about the wide-hipped... or... umm. Well maybe not then. Other business at hand."
            Heimdall nodded in agreement with Ty's first comments and began to answer, but broke into an amused smile with the latter. He shook his head and grinned mischievously - hoping Alexana had missed the joke. "You're terrible, Ty."
            Alexana swiveled about to shoot Ty a frown. Clearly, the awe from the kohpox's presence was wearing off. "A man so vorldly must know that no voman finds any discussion of veight amusing," she informed him with a prim sniff.
            Heimdall brought his finger to his lips, light still in his eyes, and whispered, "Shh... Vhivi seems quite an arbiter - listen." He stroked Ivan's neck firmly - watching and listening as Vhivi and Koomdawr conversed. She looked very small and fragile indeed beneath the shadow of the mammoth beast. But, he suspected, fragile, wasn't a word she'd appreciate very much, delicate perhaps - but certainly not fragile. He smiled warmly as if remembering something pleasant.
            His arms folded across his chest, shield catching the light for a moment as Heimdall leaned onto what he thought was his horse. His horse however, had moved by a step. It was Alexana's leg. He jerked upright and bowed his apology with a shy smile. "My Lady."
            Alexana stared at him, clearly startled, but the look quickly melted into an unreadable look. She nodded acceptance of his apology and shot Ty a warning glance before turning back to Vhivi and Koomdawr.
            Horses, and feathered hats - my bane. I hope Ty didn't see that. He'll never let me live it down. Heimdall peeked pensively over his shoulder to Ty, still quite aware of the events unfolding infront of them.
            Ty caught the different glances in his direction and simply replied by adopting a 'butter would melt in his mouth' look. Meanwhile he kept sweeping the surroundings to make sure the antics of their benefactor did not grant enemies an opportunity to surprise them. "Heimdall? Gonna put him all the payroll? If so, stay away from offering all he can eat, would ya?"

            Catching some of Ty's words out of the corner of her ear, Vhivi continued to regard Koomdawr and warmly continued, "A truly great hunter you must be! You are but one who hunts a pack of many. Are there many packs of manhunters about?" She motioned to the footprints she had made in walking forward, "Do they make tracks that can be followed by those vith the skill of hunters?" She smiled back up at the kohpox and said, "I am sure you vish to be back on the hunt, but since ve must be here for avhile, and ve do not vant to be the hunted... Are you helping Jarrow by hunting these manhunters for him? Is the vay to his home safe from them?"
            Koomdawr swelled visibly with pride, swinging the broken branch in a wide, magnanimous gesture. "Safe no. You, Koomdawr safe. I show." It sidled up beside Vhivi, prancing a bit; her horse didn't seem to mind in the least, reaching over to nose the creature. "Come home Jarrow. Manhunters' tracks I find again. No hurt you. I kill!" Koomdawr reared demonstratively, bringing his heavy hooves down on an imaginary foe. They thudded into the loam quite convincingly. "Come now," he reiterated, offering Vhivi one dark hand in a surprisingly genteel gesture.
            Vhivi's eyes widened at the display of power and looked admiringly up at Koomdawr as she gave him a graceful curtsy. She daintily took his proffered hand and remarked, "You are most gracious and generous my Noble Kumdahr ... Kooom ... Koomdaur. I hope I have that right. Vith you along to guide the vay I am sure ve vill arrive at Jarrow's home safe and sound! I hope that ve may find a vay to return the favor you show us in kind." She gave Koomdawr another curtsy then turned and beckoned to Cyravel to bring Inyaroch forward. She turned to Heimdall and said, "Forgive me if I stepped out of my bounds, but a leader does not have to do every task and I have had some experience vith my Onkel Berl on the vays of ..." She paused to give Koomdawr a shy smile, "of greeting nobility." Heimdall regarded her with appreciation and a soft smile spread across his face. "Not at all, not at all."
            Chest outthrust, tail and head held high, Koomdawr led the party through the forest with sure certainty, insisting on strutting alongside Vhivi. The dripping trees seemed to hold no threat for him, even when they passed a tree laden with sleeping bugbirds like bountiful, rotting fruit. "Day, sleep," Koomdawr snorted with a contemptuous flick of his ear. "No hurt Whiiiihihi." Vhivi's name came out as a whinny, to which the horses all began whickering and bobbing their heads. Koomdawr slapped the broken branch against his palm in emphasis before moving on.
            The clutching underbrush dragged at the horses' legs and the ground was wet and slippery - and sometimes held the tracks of clawed things Cyravel would rather not they meet - but with the kohpox's guidance the horses kept their footing and a decent pace. Not half a candlemark passed before they were deep into the woods - and Koomdawr stopped in his tracks, nostrils flaring.
            Another moment passed before Cyravel and Vhivi heard it - boots crushing twigs and leaves, bodies moving through the bushes. It might have been a trick of the mist, but suddenly they appeared before the band: four men and women in red and brown, with dark, mottled cloaks and strange, pale skullcaps. Their leader, a grey-haired old fellow leaning heavily on a roughshod cudgel and minding his steps, took several more steps before realising the others had stopped. They gaped at the party - or rather, the kohpox - in astonishment; the youngest of them let a chunk of the apple he'd been eating fall from his open mouth.
            Koomdawr reared up with a deafening whinny, teeth and the whites of his eyes showing. Ears plastered to his head, he pawed the air with his heavy hooves even as he grabbed an arrow from his quiver. The horses whinnied in alarm, and the mule and Heimdall's Ivan jostled about, trying to get away.
            The newcomers broke and ran, leaving apple and even the cudgel behind. Koomdawr thundered after them, disappearing into the mist with his bow singing.
            Surprised as any, Vhivi soothed her horse as she looked off in the direction that the people and Koomdawr had gone. She shook her head and then, over her shoulder, asked, <"Nightbreeze, did you perchance see the tracks of those things that Koomdaur called 'manhunters'? I'm getting to think that manhunters are the least of our worries in here, but I think I would be more at ease in my mind if I knew what manner of creatures they were.">

            "Vell, the tower, it cannot be far," Alexana sighed, patting her massive strider. The muzzled beast hadn't moved a muscle, buts its lips were skinned back from its teeth menacingly and its ears lay flat against its skull. "Straight northvest, I think." Ty returned to his place behind her, once more facing the rear to more easily monitor their backtrail. "Miss me, darling?"
            Alexana pinched the bridge of her nose, squeezing her eyes shut. "I live for the evening," she grumbled.
            Doing his best to steady his horse, Heimdall stared at Alexana. "But... what... what?" He sidled up beside her and dismounted. "Alexana, what was that all about?" He followed the line of impressions in the soggy earth, picked up the cudgel and examined it. "Those people? Man hunters?"
            Vhivi moved Inyaroch back into its normal position within their train and kept an ear strained to the woods for sound of the result of Koomdawr's chase and news that he might be returning. At Heimdall's question, Vhivi thought for a moment, shook her head and muttered under her breath, "I don't think they vere manhunters, but I know not for certain. Let us get to Jarrow's, though ... posthaste; these voods are giving me the villies!"

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The Second Cycle