OUTLANDER
Chapter 8
The Mission
“Lord Daka and High Councilor Ceric, greetings. I was told you wanted to see me,” Dax said as he entered Lord Daka’s office.
“Captain Dax, I am glad you are back. I know you have just entered the city, but there are things we need to discuss of great interest to Ceric, our Thane and myself.” Lord Daka spoke quickly but in all earnest. “Come here to the table.”
“Welcome, Dax. I trust your trip was worthwhile.” Ceric added.
“It was Grey Beard. What are we looking at?” Dax asked as he neared the table and looked down on the map laid out before the two men. A map very similar to the one Ceric had shown him a couple of times, except this one already had the notations that he had suggested to Ceric before.
“Since you have traveled much, Captain, what do you know of Neder and the lands between the two branches of the Southern Fire Mountains and the Mystic Province?”
“The same as most do, my Lord. The land there is very fertile. Neder and the other smaller villages there farm or raise livestock mostly. There are a few miners mining some ores in the foothills below the Fire Mountains. They also occasionally trade in rarer leathers that are said to come from the swamps at the edges of the Stinking Waters. I hear they have lost men several times who tried to explore the Stinking Waters, and all either failed or are thought to have died in the swamps because they were never heard from again. Also it is known that Neder is not aligned with any other Realm formally, nor is it truly considered a fully accepted realm of its own. It is governed by an appointed council, chosen from and by all the people living within its area.”
“All of these things a true , Dax. What you have not said is they have no formal army. Instead their men volunteer for service, if and only when a need arises. That being said they are not as fully trained as other armies or navies throughout the world and yet no other realm has conquered them.”
“I think that is mainly due to the nature of the area, Lord. Any outside army must gain access through the passes above Skalm, Dakam and or possibly south of Desham. Even a small force of seemingly limited training has the upper hand in those passes. Two of them being towns within our Realm. Coming from the south is not possible. One would have to cross the Trees of Dark and then the Stinking Waters before you could approach Neder. No man has ever lived who tried that. And no army would be allowed close to the Dragon Pass as it is in Eigle. Lastly I do not think any of the other realms consider the risks worth the prize.” Dax explained as much as he knew or supposed.
“Well said, all very true and or thought. So now to our issue at hand. Word came to our commander stationed at the garrison near Dakam that the council of Neder is asking for our help. It seems they have some urgent problem that they have not been able to solve, and are asking if we would send a small force of soldiers to assist them. High Councilor Ceric and I thought of you and your men.”
“I can understand why you would, we would fit such a request. Small enough to seem no threat to Neder and yet strong enough to protect ourselves if needs be. But what would be our exact mission.”
“Dax, that we are relying on you to be able to, let us say, embellish as you think best when the time arises. First try to help without causing anything detrimental to our realm, secondly see what new information you and your men can glean of this province; lastly as always, return with all the information you obtain. If it comes that you need assistance the garrisons of Dakam and Skalm are closest to that province, even though as we have discussed they would have passes to negotiate to get to you.”
“When would you want us to leave?”
“As soon as possible, when could you be ready?”
“The day after tomorrow at the latest. I will have Ruthor send for Ofid today; by late tomorrow, he could be here and all ready to leave the next morning.”
“Good, then day after tomorrow it is. Once again we will await what you accomplish.”
“My Lords, I will get started.” Dax turned and walked through the doors and turned down the hallway to the exterior. He rode to the practice fields to talk with the three men that should be there. Ruthor would send for Ofid.
Once at the practice fields, the three men were glad to see Dax had returned. He told them of his conversation with Lord Daka and High Councilor Ceric, and of their orders. Ruthor sent Cran to Ofid’s farm. Both men would return by the next afternoon.
“I have never been to Neder, Dax, what it is like there?” Vlad asked his Captain.
“It is a fair sized town, about the size of Dakam, or at least it was the last time I was there.” Dax answered and then continued.” There is not much difference between the people there and those in Dakam or Skalm actually. The town is land locked although. It is a day’s ride from the Fire Mountains regardless of if you go there from Dakam or Eigle. It is also over a day’s ride to the closest part of the Stinking Waters. The town is mostly shops, merchants, their province government and houses. There are some farmers who live at its edges, but most farmers live on their farmsteads. Most of the buildings are of wooden framework with thatched roofs. Most of the people are friendly, maybe in part because no one has tried to conquer them for many generations. Some of their men hunt at the edges of the Stinking Waters for large reptiles, their leathery and scalely skin is highly praised for its durability. I am told there are birds there whose feathers are much sought after for their bright colors and length.”
“I have heard stories that men die in the Stinking Waters and no one has lived who went in too far?”
“I have heard the same.”
“Lord Daka did not know what it is they are asking for help with?”
“Not that I know of. At least both he and the Mage said to be unaware of the exact nature of their trouble. I do trust Ceric, to have told me more if he knew it.”
“When do you wish of to leave?”
“It may be late afternoon when Cran and Ofid return tomorrow, so let’s leave early the next morning. We may be gone some time, so be prepared for that.”
“We will, Dax. I think I will go now, I will see you both that morning.”
As Vlad left, Dax and Ruthor discussed their plans for the initial journey more at length. Dax also told Ruthor of Melody and his bringing her to Marden. He hoped she would have time for them to have a couple of meals together before he left on this mission. Ruthor asked if she might be more than just an old childhood friend. And Dax’s answer made Ruthor chuckle.
“What do you find so amusing, my friend?”
“You, Dax of course. You can make instantaneous judgments of life and death when we are in harm’s way. You can plot tactics with great skill, even ones involving animals or people, the rest of us could only guess at. But ask you a simple question about a woman, who you knew with some affection years ago and you are without a plan or decision. I think there may be more here than you are aware of. I hope I get to meet this Eigle lady before we leave.”
“If she has time available I hope for you and Ceric to meet her. I will let you know if she can.” Dax answered his friend as he chuckled himself at what Ruthor had said.
“Fine my friend. I will leave also and start preparations for the journey.”
Dax and Ruthor both left the practice area and headed toward their houses. Dax decided to go by the Eigle Emissary’s office first and ask of Melody. As he neared the entry door he saw her horse still tied to a post outside and then open the door to go inside, a young woman seated at a table on the far side of the room bade him and Darma to enter.
“You are Captain Dax of the Wolf Pack are you not?”
“I am, but how would you know that? I have never been here before.”
“You are well known in Throgmarden, Captain. I suppose you would like to speak to Melody of Eigle?”
“Yes, if she is available and I am not interrupting her business here.”
“Wait just and a moment and I will see.” Then she rose from here chair and walked through a door on the left. A few moments later she returned, with Melody and an older man behind them.
Melody spoke first.
“I see your business did not take too long. I am glad you came. This is Emissary Torek of Eigle. “
The older man had a full flaxen beard and short cropped hair of matching color. He stepped around Melody, extended his hand in greeting and said. “I have heard much of you Dax, in the last few moons. I am pleased to meet you. I find it somewhat unusual that we have not met before this?”
“Emissary Torek, I am also pleased to make your acquaintance. But I thought it would be better that I not introduce myself before now, I think you can guess why.”
“I can, yes. But am glad to meet you now. You have become a man of interest here in Throgmarden and all of Marden.” Then he turned to Melody and spoke. “Melody, you and Captain Dax may talk more privately in my office if you wish. I should go and talk with my wife. I will return here in an hour or so.”
“Thank you, Torek. I will be here then.”
Torek shook both their hands again and then left through the entry door. The young woman took her seat at the table as Dax and Melody walked back through Torek’s door.
“So, this is your first time meeting our Emissary to Marden? Was your meeting as urgent as it sounded?”
“Yes, to both your questions. I had to go and talk with my men before I could come see if you were situated. I was given a mission and my men and I will be leaving day after tomorrow in the early hours. I fear we will be gone longer than your business here, I am sorry to say.”
“That is too bad, I had hoped to see you again while I was here.”
“That is why I came now. I hoped you would have time to have a meal with me tonight. I would like to introduce you to a couple of men I work with here.”
“I would enjoy that, Dax. I will be staying here at the Emissary’s offices until I leave. He keeps rooms here for such occasions. When could I expect you?”
“I will come to escort you as the sun is setting, if that does not interfere with your work here?”
“That sounds fine, I will be ready.”
Dax bowed and turned to leave through the closed door, then across the outer room where the young woman still sat at the table and then the entry door. Once he was outside he headed for the house of Ceric, he hoped the Mage would be there at this time of day.
When he arrived he knocked on the Mage’s entry door. Mejara was at the door momentarily and opened it. She signed welcome and motioned him inside. Ceric was reading a scroll while seated before his fireplace. He turned as he heard the entry door close.
“Good afternoon Dax, come sit beside me. I am reading the message we received from the commander at Daka again.”
“Are you finding any additional information?”
“No, it is just a entreating for assistance, if possible.”
“Unusual. I came to ask a favor.”
“Of course. What could I do for you?”
“I was wondering if I could join you and Mejara at evening meal tonight and bring an old friend, who is here in Marden?”
“By all means. This must be the young Eigle woman I heard accompanied you on your return. My sister and I have already talked about her.” Ceric turned and saw that Mejara was nodding her assent to the request with a sheepish grin. “And would you like to bring along any other to this get-together.”
“If that would not be an imposition? I would like to ask Ruthor and his intended to join us as well?”
“I think that would be agreeable. I know you and your Sergeant-at-arms have become close over the last few moons. I did not know that he is attached to a woman as yet?”
“Ruthor does not talk much about his life away from his duties. But yes, I believe there will be a marriage there before too long. Especially since his promotion now allows him more means to support a wife.”
“Fine, I am always pleased to hear of our people doing well and forming more families. So say this gathering at early evening?”
“Thank you, yes. I will go and see if Ruthor has the time as well.” Dax said his goodbye and left, now headed for the dwelling of his friend. Ruthor was glad of the opportunity, and as Gayla was there when Dax arrived the invitation was accepted by both gratefully. Dax had not met Gayla until then, she was a fine looking young woman, somewhat shorter than his friend, with her brown hair tied in a bun at the back of her head such that you would expect to be quite long when untied, and she had bright hazel eyes with a broad smile. He thought at seeing her that the two made s striking couple.
“I am very happy to meet you, Gayla, I have heard much about you.”
“And I about you, Captain Dax.”
“Just Dax, please. The Captain part is unnecessary between friends.”
“Dax, then it is.
Dax said his goodbyes and left for his own house, so that he could make himself more presentable for the occasion.
At just before dusk settled over Marden, Dax with Melody walked to the house of High Councilor Ceric. As they arrived and Dax knocked on the entry door, Ruthor and Gayla rounded the street as well. Mejara opened the door just as welcome greetings and introductions were being made. Dax had told Melody during their walk, that Mejara could not speak and why. He had also explained the circumstances and that she could not only hear fine, but also read lips and understood three different languages.
Mejara bade everyone inside, once there introductions were made again and thanks for being invited to Ceric and Mejara’s home.
Melody and Gayla both helped Mejara bring the food and drinks to the table and became better acquainted while doing so. The men could hear slight quiet chuckles and compliments to Mejara about the aroma and amount of food she had prepared on such short notice.
During the meal there was much chatting among them all about events in Marden, questions about Melody’s trip from Eigle and eventually about Dax and Ruthor leaving soon on their new mission. Ruthor announced as the evening was progressing that he and Gayla had settled on a date for their wedding, depending on when the mission was completed. Congratulations were numerous. Finally Dax had to comment that he was sorry that the evening had to end, but he and Ruthor had much to do the next morning. Everyone said their thanks to Ceric and Mejara once again. After the two couples were outside they made plans to meet the next night at Ruthor’s house for a farewell meal, then the two couples headed their separate ways. As Dax and Melody stood saying goodnight at the door of the Emissarie’s office, Melody thanked him deeply and told him she appreciated meeting his friends. Dax thanked her and said he would return to escort her the next evening at the same time.
Dax lay in his bed that night going over the day’s events, then remembering times of his early youth. Finally he drifted off to sleep.
*****
Damin Grawl, Jawn Mesan and Phran the Younger were all seated in the council chambers of Neder. None of the men were jovial, and none of them wanted to be in the chamber at this time of night.
“Another one, when will this end?” Jawn repeated in a tone bordering on a plea.
“I do not know, none of us do. That is why we sent for help.” Damin answered.
“I hope that was not a bad decision on our part?” Phran added.
“Well, our choices were becoming very limited. No one here could stop it or even find what to stop, for sure. Marden has never been aggressive to us and they have the resources that we do not.” Damin answered. “And at least we did get the word that they have agreed. Whoever they are sending can’t get here too soon for me.”
“Nor any of us. We have men stationed at the passes, as soon as someone is seen, we will know of it. There is nothing to do until they get here, so for me I am going home and try to sleep. It could be a several days before they arrive anyway.”
“I agree we are doing no one any good sitting here. We can rejoin once we know someone is coming over the pass.”
After a few low gasps for and grunts of disgust, mixed with despair the three men stood up and left the building without even saying goodnights to each other.
*****
The next day was one of much activity for Dax and Ruthor. Most of their planning and acquiring the necessary provisions and caring for their horses took the large part of the morning hours. By the time Vlad came to the stables, much was already done, Vlad jumped right in taking care of his mount. As he arrived South made a direct line for Darma and North. By the early afternoon when Cran and Ofid arrived then West and East joined in the renewal of pack play, while Cran and Ofid were brought up to speed on the mission and departure planned for the next morning.
Late in the afternoon Dax and Ruthor excused themselves so they could get sufficiently cleaned up for the evening’s meal. The other three men had been invited to attend. Cran said he would go home first and get Aiela, his wife to come with him. Vlad and Odin would come together since it was too late for Ofid’s family to come to the city.
The evening was clear and starlit, everyone chatted openly and generously. When the news from Ruthor and Gayla new congratulations, hugging and back slapping burst out in the ensuing revelry. Melody was greeted with open friendly ardor by all those she had yet to meet. All of them joined together in getting the food served, drinks prepared and the cleanup as well once the meal was over. It was well into the late hours before everyone started adjourning to their homes. The men would spend their first day on the road tomorrow with less than a full night’s sleep, but this was not the first or last time that had or would happen. When Dax and Melody reached the door to the Emissary’s office, both were well ready for rest.
“I am sorry that I cannot stay longer before you return to Eigle. But know that I have enjoyed our reuniting after so long more than anything in many seasons.”
“I feel the same, Dax. Come back with all your men safe. I see much friendship between all of you, I have enjoyed being made a part everything. I hope you will keep in touch with me this time, I have missed you, I know that even more now.”
“That I promise you. The Wolf Pack always returns. I will let you know when we are back from our mission, we can decide then when we can see each other again. Sleep well, Melody.”
“And you, Dax, Captain on the Wolf Pack.” With that Dax smiled, turned and put his hand in the air in a wave goodbye, as he walked down the dark street for home.
As the dawn rose on Throgmarden the next morning, five men riding horses with Dire Wolves walking at their sides were headed down the road toward Dakam several days away. None of them turned around as they rode out of sight to see three women standing at the gates parapet watching them go, nor did the women see the elderly Mage watch them from the shadows he had stopped in between buildings, as he saw them standing on the parapet.
Five days later, Dax and his men rode into Dakam and headed for the barracks of the Marden contingent in that town. When they found the commander’s headquarters, they dismounted and tied their horses to the rail outside. But before they could step up onto the wooden walkway, his door opened and an older very burly Commander Spargess stepped out to greet them. Behind him was another soldier, who immediately walked down the walkway to another building.
“Welcome, I am Commander Spargess. I thought you should be getting here any day. Which one of you is Captain Dax?”
“That would be me, Commander. And these are….”
“No need for introductions Captain. The much now known Wolf Pack need no introductions here. You all are known by the company you keep, and the reputation you are all building. I hope it can continue when you get to Neder. Come on in and join me in my office.” With that Commander Spargess turned and walked back inside his door. Dax and Ruthor followed. The other three stayed with their wolves and all five horses at the rail.
As Dax and Ruthor stopped in front of the Commander’s desk he spoke again, in a somewhat hidden surprised tone.” I have never had two Dire Wolves so close and in my office before.”
“I apologize, Commander, we are so used to Darma and North we sometimes do not remember that others might be offended by their presence. I could ask them to wait outside?”
“Not necessary, Captain. I have heard they go everywhere with you men. Will you men stay the night in our barracks here and join my men and I at the evening meal in our mess? I am sure my men and I would like the opportunity to hear more of your past missions for the Realm. We have heard tales of Thane Eric’s Wolf Pack. But I am sure we would all like to hear more if you would agree.”
Dax looked at Ruthor and then back to the Commander and said. “We would welcome such camaraderie and a night in a bed before we take to the mountain road ahead of us. Maybe you would agree to tell us of want you know of the trouble in Neder as well.”
“Good, fine then a sharing it is. Go and stable your mounts, find accommodations in the barracks and I will see you at the mess before long”
“Thank you, we will all see you there.”
“Just one slight question, will there be five or ten of you?” Spargess said and then laughed.
“Ten.” Dax answered as he and Ruthor returned the laugh, then both walked outside, grabbed their horse’s reins and started walking down the street to find the mess building.
Later, after getting their horses groomed, fed and put in stalls for the night, then dropping their gear and on beds in the barracks, Dax and his men walked down and into the Mess. As they came inside they saw all the tables had been arranged in a square pattern, with all the chairs arranged around the outside of the tables. The Commander and his men were already seated and waiting. Five chairs had been left empty at the end and across from where Commander Spargess was seated at the other end of the room. Dax and his men took seats left for them, with each of their wolves sitting down beside each man.
“Welcome, again. Men this is Thane Eric’s Wolf Pack. Cook, bring on the meal and sit with us.”
The evening went well. There were many questions, Dax and his men answered as well as they could, without any bragging. The men here though could not tell much more than Dax’s men already knew about Neder or the reason they were headed there. They did find out that there would be Neder men on post above the pass, but that was not unusual they were told. Most times no one was stopped, just observed. It was also said that there had been no trouble in the area for many seasons. As for in Neder none were sure, it was rumored that occasionally men still died when venturing into the Stinking Waters.
After a while everyone bid their good nights and except for the evening watch, all went to their beds. As was usual for Dax and his men, they were up, saddled, mounted and riding down the road out of Dakam and toward the Fire Mountains as the sun started turning the sky pink with first dawn’s light. The second day later they could see the pass and while riding over it, the watch above them was seen also, but as they had been told no one tried to stop them. Three days later they were riding out of the Fire Mountains and could see what they expected to be Neder in the not so far distance.
As the five men on horses with Dire Wolves walking at their sides entered the city, people vacated the streets. Some went into buildings and houses, some turned down intersecting streets. Dax turned in his saddle toward Ruthor and said. “It does not appear that people here in Neder have heard of us.”
“I was having the same thought. At least no one is trying to stop us either, that could be a bad start to this mission at our first arrival.”
“No doubt. There, up ahead, I see three men standing at the top of those steps. Maybe that is the governing council house Commander Spargess told us about.” Just moments later they reined their horses to a halt in front on the building and three men still standing on the top steps. The wolves sitting on their haunches at the procession’s halt.
“My name is Damin Grawl. This is Jawn Mesan and Phran the Younger. We are the councilors of Neder. May I ask what your business is in Neder?”
“We are here in answer to a request for help, from Thane Eric Throgmarden. My name is Captain Dax and these are my men.”
“Do you men always travel with a pack of Dire Wolves on official business? I have never heard of men traveling with them before, I think you have sent our people into some dread.”
“In fact, I understand and apologize, but yes, my men and I always have our Dire Wolf companions with us. This is a still rather new occurrence and many people have not heard of us. Thane Eric calls us his Wolf Pack.”
“Are they tamed?”
“No, but they do listen and follow what we direct. For good or bad. They will harm no one, unless we are in danger and then they will protect us, our horses and themselves unless we give them the signal to stop. Otherwise they will cause no one any trouble, other than people’s fear of being in close distance to wolves.”
“On that then, you should dismount and come inside the council house. We can talk there more privately.”
Vlad leaned close to Ruthor and said quietly. “The three of us could stay out here with the horses if you think best? We can be inside like lightening if needed.”
“A good idea, it should make these men more relaxed. Two wolves inside may be all they can adapt to at one time for now.” Ruthor and Vlad chuckled at these councilor’s unease. Then all five men dismounted, Dax and Ruthor handing their reins to Vlad and Cran, standing close to each of them. Then the two of them ascended the steps with Darma and North at their sides, following the three councilors through the doors.
The chamber was of efficient size, but not as grand or opulent as similar such chambers in other realms. The three councilors walked around a long table and sat in chairs behind it, motioning for Dax and Ruthor to sit on a bench in the front row of five rows of benches in the chamber.
“We are very glad you have come and hope you can work with us on a problem our people have been unable to find, and effect a resolution to.”
“That problem then would be?”
“Dying, Captain Dax, dying more often than ever. We have become rather accustomed to the occasional death, or man never returning from hunting, fishing or trying to explore deeper into the Stinking Waters. But in the past few moons, it has become an epidemic. We have found some farmsteads violated with whole families massacred it seems, dismembered and bodies left to rot where they fell. Houses and buildings untouched, nothing appearing to having been stolen, but every living thing dead and I mean horribly dead. Appearing tortured and slowly ripped apart. But not appearing eaten as if by some pack of animals.”
“Do you fear some kind on incursion then from another Realm?”
“We didn’t and haven’t for many generations. We are a peaceful people. Our province is ringed with strong natural borders. The immense Fire Mountains to the east, north and west with their high passes as the only way across them. Then the vast Stinking Waters to the south which is then bordered by the Trees of Dark, neither of which any man is known to have survived crossing. Only two Realms border the Fire Mountains. To the west would be Lagdian and the last time they attempted to attack and conquer us was several generations ago and that failed, we stopped them at the Prah Pass with landslides, they lost many and our losses were slight. The same was true generations before that when a former Thane of Marden sought to increase his Realm by adding us to his borders, with similar results. No one living here was even alive when these difficulties occurred. The Dragons Pass leads to Eigle and they are sworn neutrals in all things. If this seemed to be the reason, we would just man the passes with more men and feel we could obtain the same results as those so many generations ago. We have had normal, peaceful and profitable relations with all three of these Realms for so long, and especially with Marden. All the increase in horrible deaths seem to come from the south, the south where no man can live. And this is not to men venturing into that Mystic Province, but families and people living just near to its northern edge. That is why we sent for help from your Thane, we hoped he had a man or men who could divine an answer and a solution, where we are failing. Our people live in dread, no one will venture close to where these things have happened any longer. Will you at least try to help us?”
“A very perplexing problem. But yes, my men and I will try to help. That is why Thane Eric sent us to you. We do not back away from problems just because they seem to have no easy answers. I cannot promise to vanquish whatever it is that is plaguing your southern border with the Stinking Waters; what I can promise is that we will do everything in our ability to find what the problem is. If and when we know that, then we can make a plan to stop it from continuing.”
“Thank you. How can we help you in that?”
“For now, just allow us to provision ourselves, rest a day from our journey, and get us the locations of the last deaths. Then we will travel to investigate them all. We will be looking for similar facts in each. That is where the clues are to what is actually happening. Then why and by who. Then and only then can we focus on how.”
