table of contents – (spoilers)
Peep and Choke were sitting down in the small dining room of the barracks with mugs of burnt stugroot. They were there to discuss the evening meeting with the lumberjack couples three nights before. Choke was still looking flustered and bothered.
“You doing alright, man?” Peep asked. “Ye don’t need to talk about what’s going on with Mariola, do ye? Because I cannot be there for ye like that.”
“No, that’s fine. It’s been wonderful. But, actually, now that you bring it up, I have been finding myself very distracted since we’ve been together. It’s like I can’t stop thinking about—”
“What did I just say! I don’t wanna hear it, man!” Peep interrupted.
“Right. I am sorry. We’re here to talk about Bristlenook.”
“Oh, ye remembered! Good on ye, man. Way to get yar shit together.”
“Thank you. So, you have some thoughts, Peep?” Choke asked tiredly.
“When don’t I? So, anyways, we gotta figure out what we’re gonna say to Barrelmender when he gets back. There was a lot a shit we learned on the state of things out there. And here.”
“Okay. You mean beyond how the lumberjacks get paid? I didn’t feel that meeting was particularly useful, to be honest,” Choke scowled. He picked up his mug and blew across it before taking a sip with a grimace.
“Well, that’s just because ye aint too bright when it comes to normal folk. Not that I’m blaming ye, to be clear. It’s not like ye grew up with any. So, first thing, we learned that the townie lumberjacks and the Bristlenook guys aren’t at all the same. They work together, but besides that, there aint much else they see eye to eye about. The good news there is that the townies, Daeg and Lila, and Babs and Balan, they’re all basically yar kinda folk.”
“Babs and Balan don’t live in town,” Choke griped.
“They may as well, though. They’re townies. And for all his yelling and bullshit, Daeg came around and helped us out as best he could. And ye can just feel it with them and everyone else in town here; if they aint with us, at least they aint against us. They’re giving us that much, at least,” Peep said.
“Okay, yes. I agree. But then there’s Sif and Will.”
“Right? And she’s the one to keep in mind here. She did all the talking, and that rubbed Daeg the wrong way. And that’s how it goes out in the bush with them witchy bitches around. They get used to running the show. The women in general are a lot more in charge of matters.”
“So it seems. But then look at Babs. Not to mention Shasta,” Choke snorted, some of his good humor returning.
“Let’s not mention her. And yeah, women out here in general are more brass than ones in Spitzer, or wherever, I’d guess. But d’ye think Balan wouldn’t shut Babs down if she started pushing shit he didn’t agree with? He’s quiet because he can be. That aint the sense of it I got with Sif and Will. So there’s that. And that goes with what we’ve learned about Bristlenook. Thad’s running around there with his meat bat, smacking anyone that’ll sit still, but it’s really Diya that’s running the show. The hoors confirmed that. She’s the serious healer out there. Thad’s just chilling.”
“Understood,” Choke said, now listening intently to Peep.
“Right. But that bitch, Sif. It aint just that she’s running her man. She’s got bold, brass balls. Right from the start with us. Pushed up on us like Stron aint nothing to her. Pushed up on me.”
“I don’t imagine Stron is anything to her. Out there where they are, they haven’t had to worry about Stron for, well, for ever, I would suppose. And this begs a wider question as to what we are doing out here, at least in relation to Bristlenook,” Choke said thoughtfully.
“And that is?”
“Well, why do we need to worry about what goes on out there? Yes, Thad is annoying and a heretic. And, yes, it seems that Diya is a druid. But the Church has apparently decided to draw the line of Stroniandom here in Bristlehump. It has to be drawn somewhere, of course. And they have ceded the Moondark Hills to the druids, according to Barrelmender. And I am quite sure he is correct. So, why should we care if Thad and Diya are out there in Bristlenook, so long as they leave the people of this community be?”
“Are ye going soft on me now, Choke?” Peep asked, an amused gleam in her eye.
“Of course not. But these are legitimate questions.”
“Sure. But Bristlenook aint the Moondark Hills. Right? So Stroniandom ends here in town because no one here has arsed themselves to go and clean up the next holler. That being Bristlenook. So their shit has taken root. And Thad saw fit to prance into town here with his followers and wave his cock around at us on the steps of the church.”
“Well, I don’t suppose he’ll be stupid enough to try that again,” Choke said.
“I’d guess yar right on that score. But he’s out there with Diya, and they’re both fair game.”
“So that’s what you want? You want to go and burn them both?” Choke asked, completely earnest in his question.
Peep thought for a good long while before answering:
“I don’t think so. But something out there is calling to me. I feel it deep inside. It’s Stron’s fire pushing me. There’s something out there that I gotta do. But I aint sure it’s a killing or a burning. That aint clear to me. But we gotta look out that way,” Peep said with conviction.
“Then we shall,” Choke answered with the same.
“And then there’s also the tactical side. Or strategic, or whatever. With Diya out there running a haven for bandit assholes and Outfit goons, we aint safe here. They can come outta there and take a poke at us whenever they want, and we gotta just sit around and wait for them to do it. I don’t like that. We need to work on that.”
“Yes. This is a good point. So what do you want to do?” Choke asked.
“Well, I guess we gotta check in with Barrelmender. See what he thinks. But I think we should do like we were saying: sneak out there as a heavy squad and press Gotthilf over our arrows. See how he takes that. Buy some bows off him, too, if we can.”
“Assuming we can, how many?”
“I dunno. Three? That’ll probably do it. We don’t have that many men, and they’re all meant to be spearmen, right?” Peep asked.
“Well, Captain Edison did say that if we can gather the bows and horses from killed bandits, we should try to turn the men into a platoon of light horsemen. But, that does seem a long way off. The men as a whole are much safer in a shieldwall, so we don’t want too many having a reason to get out of line. But… yes, I suppose three more bows could be of use.”
“The other thing to think about, though, is Pinch. If we all pitch in and get him a heavier bow, then his deer bow can go to Mariola, who definitely could handle it, I reckon. Then Pinch’s old bow that she’s got can move down the line to one of the men. So, in that case, a bow for Pinch, plus two more lighter ones,” Peep said
“Food for thought. This all supposes that we can get to Gotthilf and that he has the bows to sell. Now, when you say a heavy squad, what do you mean by that?” asked Choke.
“Well, us. You, me, Pinch, and Knuckle, of course. Then, may as well bring Dom along too, right? He’s a good shot, and solid in the woods.”
“And what about Gabe?”
“What about him? By his own word, he don’t know shit about Bristlenook. So what’s the point of him out there? He aint a killer, and if we get him killed, that’s gonna sour Babs and Ballan on us. Leave him out,” Peep said.
Choke nodded. “I agree. So we’ll need Barrelmender to mind the men for us while we do this.”
“Yeah, for sure.”
“Okay, we’ll run it by him when he gets back. Hopefully, that’s this evening. So, anything else you want to go over?” Choke asked.
“Nothing major. But there were a couple little things with Sif and Will. Remember when we asked all them about whether they seen spooky shit out there, like skeletons and the like? Both Sif and Will shared a snicker about it. They knew about that trick in general, at least. Maybe they knew about it getting sprung on us. But Daeg obviously didn’t know shit about it. That’s interesting. It shows that while guys like Will and Daeg might work together, there aint nothing from Bristlenook’s side getting shared. That’s shady. It means they’re tight out there.”
“I see what you’re saying. That’s something to keep in mind, at least. Thank you. Anything else?”
“Yeah, I guess. We also got talking to them about there maybe being a reward for help in killing Sneed. Not one person there asked us how much. They aint going anywheres near it. Now that aint a surprise, but we gotta remember it. We’re on our own out there, and anyone that’s friendly here in town aint gonna hear shit from out Bristlenook way,” Peep said.
“So, just as we are used to, then.”
“No doubt. Then, finally, when I brought up the white hart, no one seemed to know shit about it.”
“They could have been lying. Sif and Will, I mean,” Choke said.
“Yeah, they coulda. But they didn’t seem the sort to bother. They didn’t bother hiding much of anything else from us. Not great liars, I’m thinking. And Sif looked confused by it, like the question was just strange. So, that’s just weird, right? We see the thing. Then the skeleton scam pops, which they do seem to know about. And the two Marrovique agents come through and bring it up specific; even give it a name. So, if the fuckers in the Moondark are worshiping the thing, and a foreign druid like Hargarl even knows its fuckin name, how come Sif and Will don’t know shit about it?”
“I don’t know. Is this important, though?”
“I dunno. How the fuck should I know? Probably worth bringing up to Barrelmender, though, huh?” Peep said.
“I suppose so. So, is that everything?” Choke asked.
“I reckon so.”
“Alright, then. So, now you’re going to grab some men to do some crossbow shooting, right?” Choke asked.
“Yeah, for sure. May as well give the guys with bows some practice time too, while we’re at it. So, I guess that’s just Dom and the guy we put on Lenny’s bow. Lee?”
Choke stared of into space for a second before retrieving the name:
“Leof.”
“Cool. Yeah, I’ll grab him, too,” Peep said.
“Sounds good. If you’re taking Dom, I’ll go outside with Pinch. Knuckle can manage the men in the courtyard by himself.”
“No doubt. Okay, then, see ye at lunch,” Peep said as she stood up and went out through the kitchen to drop off her stugroot mug.
***
The rest of the morning and the afternoon went smoothly for everyone. The work party outside was able to pull all the logs they would need to repair the palisade and got most of them in place. While Peep had no real notion of how to shoot a crossbow, she was able to get one man for each squad at least somewhat comfortable with shooting the platoon’s one crossbow. As well, Mariola, Dom, and Leof had some productive time at the range as well.
Just as they had hoped, Barrelmender came riding through the south gate just an hour before dusk. He rode straight through to the army compound and into the courtyard. He dismounted and handed his reins to one of the soldiers that Knuckle and Osgar had been training.
“You are Sergeant Theodas, yes?” Barrelmender said to Knuckle.
“Yes, Brother!” Knuckle barked, standing up smartly at attention.
“These men all look exhausted. How long have you been training them, Sergeant?”
“Since this morning, Brother!”
“Good. I’m glad to see it. Keep it up, man! Lay it on them!”
“Yes, Brother!” Knuckle shouted happily.
“This horse has served me well. Have someone put it away properly in the stables. He deserves a good brushing. I haven’t been pushing him hard for the last hour, so he should be cool enough to water fully.”
“Yes, Brother!”
“As well, when you see him, tell Lieutenant Pekot that I have returned. I would like to see him and Otilla after dinner. There is no rush. I think I shall take mine at Royce’s tavern. If I am not at the church, I will still be there.”
“Yes, Brother!”
“Thank you, Sergeant. Carry on.”
After dinner in the barracks, Choke and Peep went to the church. They were relieved to find Barrelmender in the kitchen, writing by candlelight. He seemed sober.
“Good evening, Brother. Welcome back,” Choke said.
“Thank you, Pekot. And thank you both for coming. Please have a seat,” Barrelmender said as he stood up to clear away his writing materials. “Do you have anything to report?” he asked as he again took his seat.
“Yes, Brother, as a matter of fact, we do,” Choke answered.
“First off, I went ahead and killed Reece,” Peep said.
Barrelmender blinked slowly at her. “I am sure I have no idea what that means. What is a reece?”
“One of the men, Brother. He—” Choke started.
Peep raised her hand in front of Choke’s face. “Ah-ah! I got this. See, it’s like this, Brother. Reece was a piece of shit and he was plotting to kill us for the Outfit bounty. So I shot him through the throat and put his head up over the north gate. And that’s that.”
“And what of his co-conspirators?”
“There was just the one. He didn’t go along with it. I’ve had a heart-to-heart with him and he understands where we’re at. He’s our new corporal, by the way,” Peep said with a grin.
This earned her another slow blink. “I am sure this is quite unorthodox. But so long as you both are in agreement that this is the correct course, then I am content not to have to hear any more about it. Anything else? We haven’t murdered the blacksmith as well, have we?”
“No, we haven’t, Brother. Although, now that ye mention it, if we were to clip one of the merchants here, he’d be my first choice,” said Peep.
“I will take that under advisement. So that is everything, then?”
“Yeah, I think so. There’s a bit to talk over about the lumberjack meeting and our next moves, but that’ll keep until tomorrow,” Peep said.
“What about the man that deserted? Your corporal? What’s become of him?” Barrelmender asked sharply.
“Oh, yeah. Right. Lenny. Oops. We caught him on the Tanglefoot, me and Pinch, and drug him back here. Then LT here ordered him flogged a bit and hanged. Went off without a hitch,” Peep said.
“How nice for everyone, I am sure. So that is everything, then.”
Peep nodded amiably and eased back in her chair. Choke, however, leaned forward and raised a finger to interject.
“I would just like to say, Brother, that we have promoted two men to corporal. The one that was the possible accomplice of the man that Otilla dealt with in her particular way: Sergeant Theodas thinks highly of him. As you seemed to as well, Brother. He was the larger fellow that you seemed to elevate to the roll of your sergeant during your training of the men. Osgar is his name.”
Barrelmender smiled blandly as receipt of this information. Choke continued:
“The other man, Hardmod, was chosen by Otilla. He is her lead slinger, and an experienced woodsman. Both seem respected by the men, in their own ways.”
“Indeed? We are done with this, then, Lieutenant? Please do understand that I really could care less about your staffing issues. While I am technically meant to exercise some measure of control or oversite of you, you really must keep in mind that all higher authorities are sure to regard me as utterly spent. Their expectations of me could not be lower, is what I am saying. I am no shield to you. So do as you will. Yes?”
“Yes, Brother. I shall.”
“Good. Now, as to Spitzer: I was able to have my report sent to Flitwik monastery by Morrenthall’s men. He was quite obliging. So that is done. As well, we have some news. First of all, the reconnaissance in force under Captain Fairchild, sent north to check on your goblin situation, has failed to report in. They marched north of Burnthistle, as planned, but have not been heard of since. Now, they are meant to be out in the wilderness, so this may just be normal communication difficulties. But the captain did have pigeons, so this is a worry.”
“Well, shit,” Peep said.
“Indeed. Now, as to the Church matters concerning you, Otilla, that Aoelric was referencing. I, of course, did not mention any of that to Morrenthall. It is for the senior Brothers alone to decide what is to be done about that. However, I did ask Morrenthall if he had heard anything about your current status with the Church. He obliged me with an answer,” Brother Barrelmender said, looking significantly at Peep.
“Uh-huh,” she said tiredly.
“Indeed. Morrenthall has received a letter from the head of the Knights of the Holy Sword here in Bitina, Abbot Xabier, at the cathedral in Strana. He said there has remained a great deal of interest in you from various orders. Indeed, the Bishop himself was about to appoint a diocesan investigation of you and your potential miracles. However, before he could do so, word was sent from Ban Altas, and the Bishop shut everything down.”
“What’s that? They stopped? They aint gonna investigate me?” Peep asked intently.
“So it seems. Abbot Xabier wrote that Morrenthall should inform us that we are to continue on doing as we have been. You, Otilla, are to do as you feel the Holy Fire wishes. The rest of us are to aid you in whatever way we can.”
“Okay, then. Well, that’s great!” Peep said cheerfully.
Watching Brother Barrelmender carefully, Choke did not miss the deep look of dread that clouded his features.
“What does this mean, Brother?” Choke asked. “Would this have come from the Archbishop himself?”
“Who else could shut down a Bishop in his own diocese? If not the Archbishop, then someone who speaks for him.”
“Wait. What does that mean? Who could possibly speak for the Archbishop?” Choke asked, stunned.
“Leaders delegate, child. Those they delegate to have the power to represent themselves as the higher authority. That is how it goes. Be all that as it may, the result is that you, Otilla, are to be left alone to do whatever it is that you must do. It would seem that there is a concern, from up on high, at least, that excessive attention upon you might interfere with whatever it is that you are mean to do,” Barrelmender said, looking to Peep.
“Which is what?”
“That is for you to discover. I will say, that in my studies of these sorts of things, in the Holy Book and other manuscripts, the purpose, or end, of a holy possession is never clear ahead of time. You must simply follow your heart. Or, rather, whatever it is that the Holy Fire in you compels you to do.”
“Well, okay then. I need to go to Bristlenook. Something out there is calling me. And it aint for a burning, I don’t think. It’s like an itch, though, that I can’t scratch,” Peep said.
“Very well. Have you any thoughts on how to proceed?”
“Sure. So, I guess we’re getting into it, then,” Peep said.
She and Choke then went on to tell Barrelmender everything they had discussed earlier. Barrelmender was able to focus, but it was obviously taxing him. He bore it well enough, though.
“So, anyways, Brother,” Peep finished. “We have a reason to go and lean on the bowmaker and fletcher, Gotthilf. That’s a place to start, anyways. Head in there and see what comes of it.”
“Very well. So I suppose you will want me to mind your men.”
“For sure. Thanks, Brother,” Peep said.
“When?”
“Why not tomorrow? No sense putting it off.”
“I suppose not,” Barrelmender replied.
“Just one more thing, though, Brother,” Peep said. “What are yar feelings about the folks out there? You wanna go after them? Thad Swallowtail and Diya, I mean.”
Barrelmender was thoughtful for a while. “Swallowtail is a Solluna Union heretic. I am certain of it. It is our duty to cleanse the world of his type. However, at present, he is not an acute threat. Sneed and his Outfit fellows are. And as to Diya, we have no solid information on her. So, we scout. We accumulate more information. But, if she is a druid, then she must be cleansed as well. However, we must tread carefully. There is no telling how powerful she may be. And I would remind you that it seems very likely that a very powerful druid indeed, this Hargarl, has gone north to meet with the Moondark druids. So, Otilla, if you do feel that you must go north, then you must do so. But with all caution. This is a scouting mission. And our primary target at this time is Sneed. Understood?”
“Yes, Brother,” both Peep and Choke said.
“Good. I shall come to the base after breakfast to watch your men. Now, begone. I must rest.”
Muse Vassal 