The Brightest Shadow, page 19
In any case, she soon spotted two people she did know. Slaten was helping to load one of the supply wagons, while Melal sat on the side and swung his legs back and forth. They seemed to have been talking - or at least Melal was talking - but cut off when the two of them approached.
"Glad to see we'll have a bit of beauty along for the trip!" Melal raised a hand and trotted over to them. He focused on Eraes, who suddenly found it essential to discuss provisions with one of the Coran men on the other side of the caravan. That left Tani with Slaten. After setting down the box he was lifting, he nodded to her somberly.
"Tani. We're about to depart."
"Sorry for not helping load the wagons."
"It is fine. You're here to help fight, if it comes to that." Judging from his gaze on hers, he was certain that it would come to that. Tani noticed that he had two swords at his waist, one in a sheath she recognized from their training but the other broad and unfamiliar.
"Do you... know something about this journey?" She tried to search his eyes, but he was hard to read. Though it might have sounded like an accusation, she'd learned to be direct with Slaten. He simply shook his head.
"I hope this ends well, but I don't think it will."
They might have said more, but at that moment one of the Coran men called out a command. Several of the workers climbed into the wagons and whipped the aurochs, which gave irritable groans but began to move. The wagons had to circle back a bit, but soon they trundled over the grasses toward the road. It extended to the horizon like a dusty serpent.
Contemplating how far they had to go to reach the herds, assuming they found them as expected, was not something Tani liked to think about. Though she could ride in the wagons, she had too much nervous energy to do so. Slaten walked as well, so she fell in beside him.
Just walking in silence would make for grim traveling, however, so Tani tried to think of a different topic. She wondered what subject could make Slaten as excited as Eraes had been talking about tactics - it was hard to imagine him like that. He was certainly interested in sein, but his interest was less excitement than focus.
"Did you buy a new sword?"
"Ah. Yes." Slaten reached down and unhooked it from his belt, extending it to her as they walked. One side of the blade curved out to a point, almost like an axe, before curving back to a thrusting tip. It struck her as too large and the shape didn't allow for a sheath, but it seemed made with purpose. "There aren't many Oken blades here, and they aren't well made, but I managed to find one. Depending on the situation, it might be better to use a blade I feel comfortable with."
"It looks well made to me." Tani held it closer to her eyes, admiring the shine on the blade. It was only sharp on one edge, but the axe-like point could be used for hacking, while the end might be useful for stabbing like a Coran blade.
"It was an Oken smith, but using Coran iron. The result isn't as good as a Coran sword."
"I wish I could get knives made out of the Coran steel they get from South Corah. I've only seen a kitchen knife made from it, but I was impressed." With only a small amount paid by Kolanin for their work, Tani didn't have much money for purchasing weapons. She'd replaced or repaired them in preparation for this trip, of course...
Tani realized that Slaten would probably be interested, so she didn't keep her thoughts to herself. They talked about weapons for a while, which was pleasant enough. Swordsmen had it easy, only needing to be concerned about a single primary weapon. The balance between a sickle knife and different kinds of throwing knives was more difficult, though Slaten seemed interested and it was nice to find someone who could appreciate the technical details. Maybe now she knew how Eraes felt.
Wrapped up in the conversation, Tani didn't think about the fact that they were leaving Bundlin until they were already far away. She looked back and could just see the city on the horizon. That was good, if it meant the trip would go quickly. But as they walked away, Tani was left with a deep sense of melancholy.
Chapter 12
-
"An Oken man knows only the tribe nearest him.
An Estronese man knows only the skills of the tribes.
A Coran man knows only which tribe has the most to steal.
A Deathspawn knows only killing."
- Rhen saying of unclear provenance
-
It was so goddamn hot.
Melal picked at his shirt, which clung to him. He was as sweaty as an aurochs's ball sack - and he knew, because he'd had to walk alongside the stupid creatures. This trip had sounded like fun at the start, but it was quickly turning into a slog.
Melal missed Bundlin. The city had been a bit shit, yeah, but recently it had come alive. All the glorious stories! A flame had been kindled in the hearts of everyone, a belief that the vile Deathspawn could be defeated. Not everyone had seen it yet, but they would learn. Even Kolanin seemed to feel the difference, though he didn't understand the doom that was coming for him.
Out here, Melal was probably closer to the Hero, but he felt lost without so many people around him, believing together with him. And if things went according to plan, they wouldn't meet the Hero anyway. Melal desperately hoped that he could change that, he just wasn't sure how.
The heat brought yet another drop of sweat down the side of Melal's forehead, sliding to his neck and itching as it went across his chest. His shirt had gotten sweaty and dried so many times that he hated it. Melal growled and smacked a fist into his palm a few times, just to feel something else. He needed to take his mind off the heat.
Melal's first thought was to see if he couldn't get somewhere with the girls. Only bright part of this trip was the chance to get closer to them. Unfortunately, Eraes and Tani were seated on the side of one of the wagons, gossiping about something or other. Wouldn't want him butting in. Melal took a moment to admire the two of them, then headed toward the front of the group.
There Melal found Bardel trudging along in the lead and Napenel keeping the aurochs in line with a long reed. Bardel was a tough old goat, and stronger than he looked. Napenel was more his age and Melal had already chatted with him some. Napenel was weaker than him, but could take a good punch. They'd have to wrestle more when they got back to Bundlin.
But for now, better to talk to Bardel, find out if he had anything more interesting to do. "Ho, Bardel!" Melal moved up beside him, raising a hand. The older man nodded to him.
"Melal. Hot day, isn't it?"
"Doesn't seem like they make any other type. We anywhere near the herds?"
"Gotta be any time now." Bardel's eyes shifted over the horizon for a while, then shook his head. "But they can roam a long way in one day. Never know exactly where they'll be."
"You think we'll run into the Hero?"
Bardel was silent for a long time, then shrugged. "Maybe. Maybe not."
"But wouldn't that be great? There are stories of him fighting alongside others, you know. He's probably gathering good men to fight for him. Think he'd recruit us?"
"Hard to say."
Melal scowled at the older man. "You told me you took this job for money - you're not getting soft on the Deathspawn, are you? When the Hero gets to Bundlin, believe me... you'll see the difference between those who believed and those that didn't."
"Maybe." Bardel was silent for a while, staring upward into the blindingly white clouds, then he shook his head. "Seems to me that calling yourself a Hero is one thing, living up to that name is another. And I'm not saying I like the Deathspawn being in charge, but Bundlin was a violent shithole before they arrived. If they get vanquished or whatever, who's going to keep us all from going at each others' throats again?"
"You'll see! If the Legend is true, the Hero will unite everyone against the enemy! The Rhen and the Estronese will join us and we'll be able to make a better city. Especially once we clean out all the Deathspawn filth from the other side of the river, huh?"
"It'd be nice if it worked out like that."
Bardel still sounded a little skeptical, but Melal was no longer concerned. The old man might not believe yet, but he would be on their side. Maybe some just needed to see the Hero in all his glory first to really believe. The Legend did say that the Hero would need some time to draw everyone to him, after all. At least that was how most of the stories went.
Just when Melal was about to start another conversation, Bardel shifted. Then suddenly he was moving forward, so quickly that Melal drew his sword. It turned out to be nothing. Bardel didn't attack anyone, just bent down in the dust to examine something. When he raised a palm behind him, Napenel hastened to swat the aurochs until they came to a halt.
Meanwhile, Melal came up beside him, saw that the dust looked a little different. How could anyone tell if animals had passed, on hard-packed dirt like this? But after only a short time, Bardel stood up and smiled in satisfaction.
"We have them. Not a large group, but the tracks are fresh. Time to hunt."
"Finally!" Melal put his sword back into its sheath, eager to take up the proper tools of the hunt. But Bardel was already shaking his head.
"Sorry, kid, but you stay here. We can't sneak up on the herds with the wagons in tow, and somebody needs to stay back to guard them. Still stories about bandits in these parts."
"What? Why not me?"
"You're tough, kid, but you have a long way to go. Duusha ain't like aurochs. Horns are just as bad, tempers too - but duusha are fast enough to gore you, and they're ornery enough to try. You're along to get a taste for this. We'll handle the hunt."
Melal scowled and moved up to the old man, straightening his shoulders. When they stood toe to toe, it was obvious that Melal was taller and even a little broader across the shoulders. The old man might be tough, but he couldn't just leave him out of it. Yet Bardel just stared at him without blinking or budging, then sighed.
"Tell you what... hit me, right in the face. You hit hard enough to impress me, I'll take you along. As hard as y-"
Not waiting any longer, Melal punched the old man directly in the face. He went for the nose, aiming to break the bastard's pride a little.
It felt like punching a brick wall. Bardel took a step backward, but didn't bleed so much as a drop. Though Melal bit his lip hard to avoid making any sounds of pain, he couldn't help but wring his hand. What the hell was the old man made out of?
"Better than I expected, kid." Bardel rubbed his nose with insufferable superiority. "But you're not ready yet. Keep wrestling and carrying the stones. You got the potential to be a lot better than me one day, but you're not going to get there unless you put the work in."
With his hand still stinging, Melal couldn't object. Napenel also asked to be included in the hunt, but Bardel only had to give him a look to shut him up. Their whole group moved off the road, circling up the wagons and setting the aurochs to feed while the hunting party got prepared.
It was a small comfort that at least Slaten had to stay as well. The Rhen girl too, and of course the dark foreign girl. Maybe this wouldn't be all bad. After all, they had nothing to do but sit around and wait for the hunting party to come back. Him, Napenel, another young man he thought was named Pendaneyo, Slaten, Tani, and Eraes. He liked his odds.
Oddest thing was that Pendaneyo seemed to be chatting up Eraes, and she didn't look pissed at him. Melal scowled and moved closer, eyeing him up. If these were the young warriors in their group, better get to know them all. Pendaneyo was tall with lanky brown hair but he had a weak aura to him, didn't look people in the eyes. Which made it odd that he had a pretty good Coran shield that he always carried around.
Before Melal could get close enough to hear, Pendaneyo moved away from Eraes. He had something in his hand, some kind of wood carving, but he quickly hid it as he turned away. Melal wondered what the hell he was up to. Trying to get Eraes to look at him somehow.
"Hey." Melal stepped into Pendaneyo's way as he moved. "Can you actually use that thing?"
"Reckon I can do okay." The other man pulled his shield off his shoulder and grabbed the strap, puffing his chest out like an idiot. "My daddy gave me this shield and taught me a few things."
"Let's see if he knew his stuff." Melal pulled back and swung, his fist impacting the center of the shield.
To his surprise, he found himself staggering backward. Pendaneyo's eyes were wide, but he'd braced himself and put some inner strength into the shield. Enough to send Melal's strength right back the way it came. Though Melal had just wanted to hit someone, and should have been pissed, he found himself nodding.
"Not bad, kid. I never used a shield myself. Think you could teach me the trick?"
Pendaneyo looked surprised, then gave a nervous smile. "I could try."
"Let's start tonight." Melal clapped him on the shoulder and looked for more interesting conversation. Eraes had moved away for some reason, so he had to find someone else.
Tani stood facing one wagon, playing around with her knives. Strange thing where she tried to throw them fast, Melal wasn't sure what to make of it. Not that it really mattered. He moved in and leaned on the wagon near where she was throwing to show he wasn't afraid. She stopped, two knives still in hand, and looked at him.
"Too bad they made us stay back, huh? We don't get any respect here."
"I would have liked to hunt too," Tani said. "But it's true that we're the youngest ones here. Maybe they'll give us a chance after the first hunt or two."
"If they don't, I'll make them! Old man Bardel said we could go along if I punched him hard enough to knock him over."
"Really? I guess you'll be wanting to practice punching, then. I doubt I'd be able to do that, but I might be able to throw hard enough to bring down a duusha, if I work at it enough." With that she moved to the side, aiming at a new place on the wagon. As she raised her hand again, Melal shifted in the same direction so that she couldn't ignore him.
"That's a fancy knife trick. But if you want to take down something big, you're gonna need more strength. We've got good training for strength, if you're interested."
Tani looked at him for a long moment before she lowered her knives, then gave him a smile. Not as big as the quick smiles that would flash across her face, but that was a good sign. She started to say something and Melal moved to stand closer to her when her gaze suddenly shifted to the side.
Just in case it was a trick, Melal turned slowly so he wouldn't look afraid. But it didn't turn out to be a trick at all, there was a woman walking toward their group.
And damn, what a woman. Melal had thought Tani was cute, and spent plenty of time thinking about Eraes' dark curves, but this woman... her leather outfit was closely fitted to her body, and he was grateful for it. Her wide hips swung as she walked, and the tattered cloak over one shoulder couldn't hide those fantastic tits.
She did look a little worn, her face smudged from travel and her brown hair limp around her face. It looked like she might be in trouble. Not afraid, but definitely more worn down than he'd realized at first. The woman stopped a short distance away and raised her hands before her.
"Please... I need water..."
Melal started forward, grabbing a gourd of water, but Slaten put an arm in his way. Glaring at the idiot, Melal tried to imagine what he could be thinking, not to help such a woman in trouble. But he saw Slaten's eyes looking over her and realized that he must be transfixed as well.
"I can pay... I just... need to make it to the next town..." Her voice was a little hoarse, but Melal thought it had a pleasantly husky quality. When no one objected, she walked closer, lowering her head gratefully. "Please, just a little..."
Just when Melal was about to push past Slaten to hand her the water, Tani stepped forward with a gourd of her own. Her eyes were a little suspicious - perhaps jealous of the woman's obvious charms? The woman obviously didn't deserve the glare, smiling gratefully at Tani before taking a drink. As promised, she drank only a little, then handed it back respectfully.
"Thank you, ever so much... how can I repay you?"
"What's your name?" Tani asked. The woman nodded slowly, turning to look toward them. She glanced at Slaten first, then at Melal, and he saw her smile widen.
"Well, this is quite a group you have... my name is Veron. Who might you be?"
Her voice didn't sound so hoarse anymore, but when Melal tried to answer he found that his throat was dry. "I'm, uh, Melal."
"Well, Melal... is there anything stronger to drink?"
"I..." All he had was the stupid gourd of water and Melal cursed himself for it. Before he could grab one of their gourds of beer, Napenel moved first, extending one to her. To Melal's surprise, Veron didn't smile in response, just grabbed the gourd and swayed closer to the wagon. Apparently she wasn't interested in Napenel.
"What do you have here? Looks like some standard rations... surely you have something more interesting?"
Pendaneyo smiled foolishly and started to answer. "We're hunting f-" Melal punched him in the shoulder. This woman might be stunningly attractive, but that didn't mean she could just look through their possessions. She was rummaging through the items in the main cart now, while working the cork out of the gourd with her teeth. Napenel and Pendaneyo still drooled over her, but Melal was getting tired of her presumptuousness.
"Alright, that's enough," Melal said firmly. "What are you doing?"
"Looking through your stuff, obviously. You're on a long trip, surely you have some money? If it's with the ones who left, that'll be a real pain in the ass."
Anger rising, Melal moved to loom over her, throwing his weight around. "See here, you can't j-"
There was a sword at his throat.
It was only after feeling the cold edge that Melal realized the sword was being held by the woman. She wasn't even looking at him, just extending her arm to place the sword along his neck. While he stood frozen, she sniffed at the contents of the gourd, then took a swig.
"Well, this might as well be piss. Got anything better?" Veron waved the gourd in the air as she turned to look at the others. There was no warmth or gratitude on her face now, just a lopsided smile. He realized that her leather outfit was really rather like armor, and noticed for the first time a nasty-looking scar along her neck.
