table of contents – (spoilers)
At the south gate, Corporal Dom’s squad were nervously doing their best to keep the small crowd of curious villagers away from someone outside. As Choke reined up, Dom gratefully turned to report:
“Sir! There’s a man here asking after ye. Ornery. Seems serious, too, so I held him here at the gate. Told him to wait outside, I mean.”
“Thank you, Corporal,” Choke said, dismounting and handing Nike’s reins off a soldier.
Outside the gate, there was indeed an ornery visitor for Choke, who blinked in surprise as he recognized the man. It was Shane, from Callic valley. The Pekot Squad had first met him at his cabin on the Callic side of the Tanglefoot Trail. It was there that Shane’s brother, Earl, the cretin, had given Peep the Stronian Wheel shield ring from a powerful local undead knight known as the Desolate One.
Middle-aged, with a shaggy beard. Shane was dressed in full buckskins and was wearing beaten-up, wide-brimmed, felt hat with feathers and the teeth and claws of forest beasts laced into the band. In his left hand was a fine recurve bow. On his right hip was a full quiver with a handaxe just behind it. On his left was a shortsword. His buck knife was across his belly, its handle just above his silver and amber belt buckle.
Shane was squatting down in front of a riding horse with his three, big, shaggy dogs laying around him panting. When Choke came out of the gate, the dogs all raised their hackles and growled at him as they tensed up and drew their feet under themselves, ready to attack.
“Settle down,” Shane growled at his dogs, who immediately complied. Shane stood up. “Lieutenant Bartholomew,” he said, removing his hat and stepping forward to offer his hand.
“Shane! It’s good to see you,” Choke said, shaking it warmly. He noted that Shane did not smile. His manner was grim. “What brings you here?”
“I bear evil news, I’m afraid. Father Nate sent me, but I woulda come even if he hadn’t a. It’ll keep for a minute, if ye got important duties to attend to, but I need a private word with ye just as soon as ye can manage.”
“Of course, Shane. Are you hungry? Did you ride all the way from Callic?”
“I did. Left before first light and pushed hard. But that aint nothin. I had water and jerky in the saddle. Trail was clear and looked good. Yar outpost on the ridge above the trailhead’s seen better days, though. Shouldn’t ye have a squad on that, at least part time? No sign that anybody’s been on it in months, for good or for ill.”
Choke winced. “You aren’t wrong, Shane. I know. But we have had our hands full getting Bristlehump’s defenses in order. And getting our men in order, too,” Choke added, dropping his voice low. “They were green as grass, and I have lacked enough reliable NCOs to manage them properly. They have needed constant supervision. They are coming along, though. Speaking of which, I should introduce you to a good man.”
Choke turned back to the gate, where Dom was standing with his squad.
“Corporal! Come and meet a friend of ours!” Choke called to him. When Dom had joined them, Choke proceeded: “Shane, this is Corporal Dominic. He goes by Dom. He was a hunter and trapper from around Didsbury before he was… encouraged to join the King’s army by the Baron’s men in Spitzer. He has served admirably since. Corporal Dom, this is Shane. He has served the Baron on campaign and protects the Tanglefoot Trail’s head in Callic.”
“Good to meet ye,” Shane said, shaking Dom’s hand.
“Likewise, sir,” Dom answered.
“Pardon me, though, Lieutenant, but I do have to correct ye on one matter. I serve the Baron in keeping the trailhead in Callic. That’s true. But I aint ever served him on campaign. It was his father, the Baron, that I served with. Hunter and scout,” Shane said, meeting Dom’s eye with pride and serious intent as he relayed his previous role.
Dom nodded gravely as he acknowledged receipt of this important information. Then he grinned and snapped his fingers.
“Oh, shit!” Dom said. “I think I heard of ye. Out where we were, out past Didsbury way, it used to be known that the trail to Callic, hopping over to the Tanglefoot, was a reliable way for shady people to get around Kingdom men to get out to these parts. So long as they avoided the old Dwarf tower, of course. But some time back we heard that there was a Kingdom man worth a shit on the Tanglefoot. That’s you, huh? Word is yar a serious man. I can see that, for a change, them spreading word aren’t doing so out their asses.”
“Thank ye for that. But I only ever do the best I can, such as that is. Only so much one man can do,” Shane answered, showing just a little pride in his bearing.
“Yes, speaking of that, how is your brother? Earl, wasn’t it? I hope that Father Nate wasn’t too rough on him,” Choke said.
Shane grunted. He sucked some air through his teeth and spat off to the side. “Ugh. That one. That’s a whole other story here. I suppose it relates, so I’ll get into it when the time is right. But, mostly, that’s for Otilla’s ears. Is she well, I hope?” Shane stiffened up properly and clasped his hat with both hands in front of him as he spoke her name.
“She is. Same as always. She and Pinch, Sergeant Nikolas, are out on a reconnaissance at the moment, though.”
Shane traced the Wheel over his heart and nodded sagely, clearly pleased.
“Well, I think that’s enough standing around outside the gate,” Choke said. “Let’s go to our base. We can care for your horse, and you can have something to eat and drink, if you like. Do your dogs need anything?”
“Thank ye. Dogs should be fine, so long as they can come along. Is there a kennel?”
“There is.”
“That’ll do for tonight. I gave them a good feed this morning, so if yar cook can chuck them some scraps tonight, maybe tomorrow I’ll take em out for a proper hunt. Time and duty permitting, of course,” Shane said.
“Of course, Shane. You, and they, are most welcome. As for sleeping arrangements, there is room in our barracks. You would have to sleep with the men, of course. Otherwise—”
“Barracks should be fine, LT. Or, maybe the stable, if there’s room. Kinda prefer to be by myself, if that’s okay,” Shane said.
“It is, I am sure. So, I think it’s time I heard this grim news of yours. You seem troubled, Shane.”
“That’s just because I am. Evil shit, this.”
“Alright. Let’s go to the base, then. Thank you, Corporal,” Choke said to Dom.
Choke mounted Nike at the gate and he and Shane rode into town through the small crowd of gawking villagers. Shane’s three big dogs followed obediently. A couple of the villagers called out greetings to Shane by name, who tipped his hat in return.
“Things seem about the same as usual here,” Shane said as they passed through the town square. He tipped his hat at the merchants who were in their usual gossip cluster in front of their businesses across from the church. “How’s yar Church man, these days?” Shane asked Choke, with a sly gleam to his eye.
“Oh, you’ve heard about him, have you?”
“Keeping the Tanglefoot on my end, I do hear tidings from out this way, from time to time. I aint under a rock over there, ye know.”
“I see. Yes, that makes sense. He is doing much better. We have things in hand here, I would say,” Choke said, showing just a bit of pride himself.
“Well, that’s good, because I’m about to overturn yar apple cart, I expect.”
On the church’s side of the square, Corporal Hardmod, the chief slinger, had command of Pinch’s squad. Choke reined up briefly and waved to him.
“Corporal Hardmod! We are pressed for time, but this here is a friend of ours from Callic. Shane is his name. He is one of the Baron’s men there. Treat him accordingly.”
“Yes, sir!”
Choke and Shane carried on. They were almost at the base when there was the sound of another alert. This time, it was the sequence of bell ringing down at the freight yard signaling the return of a caravan. It was a little faint up in this side of town, but was audible. In case it was not, the soldiers on the south gate rang the identical alert.
Shane looked quizzically towards Choke.
“Lumber wagon caravan from Spitzer is returning. Most likely empty,” Choke said.
Shane nodded.
A few seconds later, there was another sequence of rings from the freight yard. Choke had never heard this one. After a longer pause than the first, the alert was approximated by the south gate bell.
“What’s that one mean?” Shane asked.
“I do not know,” Choke sighed.
“I suppose that means ye should go check it out.”
“Yes, I suppose it does. I’m sorry, Shane, I know—”
“It’s fine. It’ll keep, I said. If it’s alright, I’ll just stick with ye and see what’s up.”
“Yes, of course. Let’s go.”
Choke and Shane wheeled their horses around and rode at a trot back to the south gate. There, Dom was up on the wall, peering down towards the freight yard.
“What do you see, Corporal?” Choke called up to him.
“Nothing, really, sir. Caravan’s coming in. Empty. Same number of wagons as left, I think. But… No! There’s a rider with them. And… okay, yeah! There’s a squad of soldiers with them! One mounted!”
“Good! Thank you, Corporal!” Choke shouted up. “Well, that explains that,” he then said to Shane. “Let’s head down and see what this is about.”
Choke and Shane cantered through the Crotch and down the road to the freight yard, with Shane’s dogs running excitedly behind them. Impressively, as spirited as the dogs were, they did not bark once.
At the freight yard, the wagons were being turned around and lined up in their order for reloading. At the log cabin freight office, Bob and his man, Klim, were speaking to the leader of the squad of five soldiers. This turned out to be Lieutenant Cooper’s man, Sergeant Neil. Lieutenant Cooper was Choke’s friend. He and Choke had been left in charge of Spitzer fort together while its commander, Captain Edison, and Lieutenant Hamon had both been guests of Father Morrenthall at the church.
Sergeant Neil had remained mounted with his spearmen lounging behind him. He smiled broadly before he stiffened to salute Choke as he reined up. His men did likewise.
“Lieutenant Pekot, sir! Sergeant Neil reporting! I have your delivery, safe and sound! Sir!”
“Thank you, Sergeant. Men. At ease,” Choke said, returning the salute.
Off to the side, there had been another greeting of old acquaintances, this one non-verbal. Both Bob and Klim had tensed visibly as they recognized Shane, who was sitting in his saddle with this bow held at the ready, his right hand back with its thumb hooked in the quiver on his hip.
As Choke finished his salute, Shane took the opportunity to address his counterparts:
“Bob. Klim. It’s been a minute,” he said, his voice low and level with a killing menace in his eyes. He then hawked and spat off to the side.
Bob met Shane’s eye and hawked and spat himself before returning:
“Yeah, it has, Shane. How’ve you been keeping?”
“Same as always. You know me.”
“Yeah, I do at that,” Bob said, with clear hatred simmering.
“I’m sure ye do. Just as I know you. And I don’t need to ask how yar doing, because I know already,” Shane said with a smile.
“Oh, ye do, do ye?”
“That’s right. I do. Yar just as right as rain. Because yar blessed. Ye’ve been blessed here to have Otilla and her men come to clean up this place. She’s been touched by Stron, sent here to cleanse the land of the wicked and the evil, be that man, monster, or beast. And yar here being a part of that. And I know that, because yar still here. So, I know that you know just how blessed ye are.”
“Yeah, I’ve been real blessed, alright,” Bob spat again. Then he turned to Choke: “So, then, Lieutenant, I’ll need ye to send some men down to get yar cargo. Soon as possible, would be great.”
“Cargo? We have cargo?” Choke asked, looking to Sergeant Neil.
“Yes, sir. I have a delivery for you right here,” Sergeant Neil patted his saddlebag. “But there is also cargo. Two crates. Building materials, is all I know. Seem heavy,” Sergeant Neil answered.
“So I’ve been told. And we don’t deliver up to town, just so’s ye know. Sir,” Bob said, his every gesture oozing spleen. “And I aint having any of my boys throwing their backs out on account of it. So yar gonna want to send some of yar bigger lads down with yar cart to collect it. Soon as possible, like I said. That would be appreciated.”
“I will see what we can do. Thank you, Bob,” Choke said, nodding deeply to him. He then turned to Sergeant Neil: “I suppose you will come and stay the night with us?”
“Yes, sir. If there’s room. We’ll be returning to Spitzer with tomorrow’s caravan. Is that alright with you, sir?” Neil asked Bob.
“Yeah. For sure. And tell whoever’s in charge now in Spitzer that more of the same sure would be appreciated. Thanks, Sergeant.”
“Not at all. Just following orders.”
Choke, Sergeant Neil, and Shane fell in together to ride slowly towards Bristlehump, leaving the dogs and spearmen to follow as they would. The soldiers seemed fresh, having ridden on the wagons the whole way. Three of them had crossbows and seemed comfortable handling them.
“Sergeant Neil, have you met Shane before? I wouldn’t assume so, but, it seems, he is fairly well known in these parts,” Choke said.
“No I have not, sir. Sergeant Neil, sir. Lieutenant Cooper’s platoon, under Captain Edison at Spitzer Fort, at present. Well met!” Neil said, bringing his horse alongside Shane’s to shake his hand.
“Likewise, Sergeant.”
“Shane patrols Callic’s Tanglefoot trailhead for the Baron. And served on campaign as scout and hunter for his father, the late Baron Hart,” Choke said.
“Well, then. Good to meet ye indeed, then, sir,” Sergeant Neil said, tipping his helmet. “Get off on the right foot, and all. Looks like you and Bob have some history, eh?”
Shane grunted. “Nothing I concern myself worrying about. We had a scrape or two as young pups when we was both coming up. I suppose that he took it personal, it having gone the way it did and all. He knows better than to move on it, though. Whatever else he is, he aint a stupid man.”
They went back through the south gate and up to town square where Choke ordered Corporal Hardmod and his squad to fall in with them. At the army courtyard, Choke first addressed Sergeant Neil:
“Sergeant, you may put your mount away in our stables, there. Then, you may find bunks for yourself and your men. Corporal,” he turned to Hardmod, “please help him with this. Shane, why don’t you take this opportunity to get yourself and your animals settled. Our cook is Spearman Hubert. He should be making dinner. Talk to him about food for your dogs. Corporal, you can introduce him, yes? Thank you. I will now attend to having the cargo picked up. As soon as I have, Sergeant, we can deal with receipt of your delivery. Yes?”
“Yes, sir,” Sergeant Neil and Corporal Hardmod saluted. Shane nodded and tipped his hat.
Choke left them to it and rode out the north gate and around to Knuckle’s work crew on the palisade. There, Knuckle and Shasta were sitting on a stack of logs together, laughing while Knuckle’s men slackassed their work.
“Sergeant!” Choke barked as he reined up.
“Uh-oh! Daddy’s home!” Shasta laughed.
“Yes, sir!” Knuckle smirked as he stood up and saluted.
“There is a cargo delivery at the freight yard. Two heavy crates, apparently. Take Corporal Osgar and three strong men of your choosing. Harness our cart and go and get them. You help them with the lifting; I don’t want any men injuring themselves doing it. As well, if it seems too heavy a load, bring the crates up one by one. Two trips, I mean. Don’t break our cart overloading it. Understood?”
“Yes, sir! Right away, sir!”
“Thank you, Sergeant. You men,” Choke said to the work crew: “head back to base and put your tools away. Clean yourself up for dinner. There are men from Spitzer staying with us tonight. Let us make them feel welcome. Dismissed!”
“Yes, sir!”
Knuckle saluted Choke and gave Shasta a quick look of goodbye before grabbing his longbow, quiver, and greatsword and heading back to the gate. As the men hurried to gather up their tools and weapons, Shasta sighed and lifter her bulk up off the logs.
“Shasta, I am sure your children could use you back at home, yes?” Choke said, his tone cold.
Shasta gave Choke a look like he had thrown a turd at her. “No,” she sneered.
“Well, regardless of where you choose to go, I’ll thank you not to further distract my men while they are on duty. And Otilla will probably be returning soon, so there is that to consider.”
This rattled Shasta, who gave Choke a murderous glare before hurrying off towards the trail down to the Bristle Creek where her property was.
It was just another few minutes until Choke was pouring an ale for Sergeant Neil in the barracks’ dining room.
“Thank you, sir. Here is your delivery, sir,” Neil said. He opened up the large saddlebag he had with him and extracted a leather satchel a letter. The satchel’s leather ties had been sealed with a large glob of sealing wax.
“Captain Edison’s seal, sir. That is your platoon’s next two weeks’ pay, I believe.”
“Thank you, Sergeant,” Choke said. He broke the seal and extracted several canvas coin pouches filled with copper. “Seems in order, but, with everything that has gone on, I should count it.”
“Absolutely, sir.”
Once Choke had determined that the payroll was exactly in order, he spared the sealed letter a quick look. It was addressed to Lieutenant Bartholomew Pekot in Bristlehump. The seal was unknown to him, but above that was written, “From: Mannis, bastard of Count Vallent.”
“Oh! Mannis!” Choke exclaimed, quite surprised, having completely forgotten that the Baron Hart had talked of reaching out to him on Choke’s behalf. Choke set the letter down and nodded to Sergeant Neil: “I have duly received the payroll and this letter, Sergeant. Thank you for their safe delivery.”
“Of course, sir. That, and the two crates of building supplies is all of it. As well, I have general news for you from Fort Spitzer. Lieutenant Cooper, on behalf of Captain Edison, I assume,” Sergeant Neil paused here to give Choke a sardonic smirk. “Lieutenant Cooper has asked me to tell you that Captain Edison, Lieutenant Hamon, and Sergeant-Major Orel have all been returned to duty. Colonel Hart has command of the fort, and Magistrate Morrenthall and his Holy Sword men have full control of Spitzer’s law and order. Everything is in order.”
“Well, that is good news. Thank you, Sergeant. And thank Lieutenant Cooper when you next see him.”
“I will, sir. You are welcome. However, it is not all good news. Captain Fairchild’s reconnaissance in force has not reported in. They are a week overdue on that. Now, that is not unheard of in this sort of mission, but Captain Fairchild did have several homing pigeons, so something should have come back.”
“That is concerning.”
“Yes, sir. A fast rider has been sent to Burnthistle outpost, the last army post to the north and where Captain Fairchild would have staged from. I was dispatched here before we could hear back about that.”
“Alright. Well, thank you for informing me, Sergeant,” Choke said.
“Not at all, sir. Now, it is my further duty to inform you that I have been ordered by Colonel Hart himself to conduct a survey of Bristlehump’s defenses. As well, I am to take a headcount of your men.”
“Of course, Sergeant. How would you like to proceed?” Choke asked.
“If I may, sir, I think now would be a good time to survey the defenses. That shouldn’t take long. From what I have seen, they seem in good enough order. As for the headcount, at tomorrow morning’s muster should be the best time, if you agree, sir.”
“I do. Thank you, Sergeant. That all sounds fine. You may proceed as you wish.”
“Thank you, sir. I have been told that you have reported the loss of two men so far. Is that correct, sir?”
“Yes, it is. Corporal Lenny was court martialed and hanged for desertion. Spearman Reece was summarily executed in field for murderous conspiracy against Sergeant Nikolas and Otilla.”
“Yes, sir. So I understand. And it was Miss Otilla that executed him, was it, sir?”
“Yes, Sergeant, it was. You can speak with her about it when she returns from her scouting mission with Sergeant Nikolas,” Choke said, hoping he was masking his anxiety over the whole affair.
“That won’t be necessary, I’m sure, sir. Thank you, sir. I think it’s best I survey the defenses now, if I may, sir.”
“You may. Thank you, Sergeant.”
They both stood up and exchanged salutes before Sergeant Neil left the dining room through the outside door.
Choke gathered up the coin pouches, along with his letter from Mannis, and took them all to his room. The coin he locked up in the lockbox there. He stared at the letter for a moment before deciding against reading it then. He tucked it inside the front cover of his Holy Book and then went back outside to find Shane.
Muse Vassal 