Chapter 12: Bandit Trouble
"I want to thank you for getting Commander Tamm back," Cormick told Gareth as he was preparing to leave Fort Locke.
"I assure you, it was no trouble," Gareth waived it off. "Without Tamm in charge, the soldiers were turning out to be no better than the bandits that plague the area. Lack of discipline leads to trouble in the end. Hopefully he will be able to whip the remaining men into shape and the roads will soon be safe once more."
"I'm sure he will," Cormick said confidently. He had to admit, he was impressed by the young monk. He barely remembered the shy young boy who used to hang around with Amie all the time. The young man standing before him was so different as to almost seem to be a different person altogether. "I wish I could reward you for what you've done, but that will have to wait until I return to Neverwinter. When you get to the city, come by the Watch Post in the docks and I'll see to it you're fairly compensated for your trouble."
"Speaking of which, do you know what happened to Lorne Starling?" Gareth asked. "I know he joined the greycloaks, but no one has heard from him since the war, not even Retta. She's very worried about him and wishes he would write to her or something, let her know he was okay."
"After the war, many of the greycloaks were disbanded, those that survived at least," Cormick answered. "I looked into the situation for Retta, but couldn't determine whether Lorne was released or not. If he was reassigned somewhere else, I should have found a record of it, but I've come up empty handed. Sorry."
"I see," Gareth nodded and then looked around to make sure no one was nearby to overhear. "I'm also curious to know if you can tell me anything about Webb Mossfeld. He went to Neverwinter and joined the greycloaks a few years ago. We used to get regular letters from him, but he has not written in over six months."
Cormick studied Gareth closely, for something in the way the young man said Webb's name made him think there was more to the question than the words implied. "I know he was quickly promoted to Sargeant, he came and visited with me a couple of times and told me. But I haven't talked with him in months, I've been so busy trying to keep order in the docks. I can look into it for you once I get back, maybe have some answers by the time you reach the city."
"That would be great, thank you," Gareth nodded appreciatively.
"Well, I'd better get going," Cormick held out his hand to shake Gareth's. "It was good seeing you again, perhaps we'll find a moment or two sometime to talk about West Harbor and growing up there."
"Sounds good," Gareth smiled and then watched as Cormick mounted his horse and rode off. It had been too much to hope that Cormick knew anything about Webb, but at least he was willing to look into the situation. That would save some time once there. Turning he walked over to where Khelgar and Neeshka were waiting.
"Hey, got something interestin' to tell ya," Khelgar said as the monk approached. "That priest there, what owns the shop, he says bandits accosted him and stole a holy symbol from him. Said he'd be grateful if someone got it back for him. Also, these poor people here," the dwarf indicated the milling peasants around them, "they say these same bandits have kidnapped their kin. Want some kind of ransome for them which they ain't got. Just thinkin' maybe we could do somethin' to help, is all."
"Well, Commander Tamm won't be able to do anything for a while, he has to get the Fort back to order after the mess Vallis left for him," Gareth mused. "If we don't help, then who knows what will happen to those people."
"I think I saw their camp on my way here," Neeshka piped up, eager to make a good impression on the object of her fantasies.
"Do you remember it's location?" Gareth asked.
"Yeah, I think so," Neeshka nodded and then added with a grin, "I think we should find it and loot. They probably have lots of neat items there, all ripe for the picking."
"Eh? That all ya think about, stealing from poor innocents fiendling?" Khelgar growled, irked at her apparent disregard for the suffering of others.
"Hey, I got talents and have to make my way in life using them, if I want to survive that is," Neeshka snapped back, irritated at the the dwarf's snide comment.
"We are not going there to rob the place Neeshka," Gareth said sharply, frowning at the girl. "You'll keep your hands in your pockets and not do anything to make the situation worse." He wondered if she would be able to do that and whether or not he should have her wait at the Fort until they were finished.
Neeshka pouted, but seeing that Gareth was serious and not wanting to get left behind, she nodded her head. "Okay, okay, I'll practice hands off, if that's what you really want. I do owe you."
Gareth frowned at her before nodding. He wondered at her agreeing with him so quickly, unable to shake the feeling that there was more to it than just feeling that she owed him for saving her from those soldiers. "Okay, let's get some supplies together and get some rest. If we end up having to fight, then we should be at our full strength. I don't know about the rest of you, but that whole graveyard adventure wiped me out."
Together, they visited with the Weaponsmith, Jacoby, and picked out a new waraxe for Khelgar and some better arrows for Neeshka. The girl still had her daggers, but it wasn't a good idea to put her into a situation where she would have to use them, for she wouldn't last very long. The next stop was back at Tor's, for Gareth wanted some healing supplies. He figured that the bandits would put up some kind of resistance, and wanted to make sure he could tend their wounds properly. Most likely they would have to find the leader, and most likely they would have to go through more than a few thugs to reach him. Gareth just hoped that he could talk them into releasing the prisoners.
"All right, I think that's everything," he told them as they stood just inside the gates. "How far away do you think the bandit camp is Neeshka?"
"Maybe a couple of hours," the tiefling replied after thinking it over.
"Sunset is only a couple of hours away," Gareth said as he looked up at the sky. "Let's head in the direction of their camp and make our own camp at a suitable place along the way. That way we'll be well rested." Getting nods of agreement from them, he set off down the hill in the direction Neeshka had indicated.
******
"Neeshka, will you stop sulking," Gareth sighed. They had fought their way into the bandit hideout and met the leader, who had turned out to be an older man who was tired of the life he was living. Gareth had managed to convince him and his advisors that working for the Fort would be eaiser than stealing from poor farmers and merchants. On the way out, he had caught Neeshka trying to pilfer a couple of trinkets and yelled at her. She had sulked then and was still sulking as they sat around the campfire.
"Yeah fiendling," Khelgar agreed. "Ya think that bandit leader would have just let ya walk out with his stuff?"
"He wouldn't have even known if Gareth hadn't said anything," Neeshka snapped. "I mean, they weren't even his to begin with, and he was gonna let the men take what they want, so..."
"There was no way I was going to take the chance of him finding out and irritating him," Gareth shook his head. "Besides, he agreed to return those belongings that he could to their rightful owners. Not only that, he trusted me to be honest with him and stealing the stuff, regardless of the fact that he stole it in the first place, would have only convinced him we weren't to be trusted. We would have ended up fighting our way back out, risking the lives of those we were trying to rescue."
"Don't be bothering trying to explain to the likes of her," Khelgar rolled his eyes. "Her kind do nothin' but cheat and steal, so they see nothin' wrong with it."
"My kind?" Neeshka snapped, her tail twitching angrily. "I suppose you think it's okay to go around picking fights with people just for kicks?"
"That's enough you two," Gareth said sharply. "I'm tired and sore and want nothing more than to relax, and you're not helping. I made my position clear on more than one occassion Neeshka, and you agreed to abide by my decisions, so stop complaining. If you don't like it, you are free to leave and go off on your own. I'm sure you'll be just fine." He shifted a little and stretched, rubbing his back to ease the tension.
"I can help with the sore muscles," Neeshka said sweetly, moving to sit behind him. She placed her hands on Gareth's shoulders and began to massage them. "I learned how to give massages and I'm pretty good with them. After all, I do owe you." She could barely contain her excitement at being this close to him.
Gareth pulled away and then stood up, "That's okay Neeshka, all I really need is some peace and quiet to meditate and I'll be fine." He looked down at the girl, frowning slightly. "If you really do want to 'repay me', then do as I ask and follow my rules." He moved away a few feet and sat down cross-legged, resting his arms on top of his knees. Closing his eyes, he took a few deep breaths and searched for the calm center of his soul. The monks had taught him that a focused mind could help heal the body. He had been getting a lot of practice lately.
Neeshka pouted as he walked away, not understanding why he tried so hard to keep his distance. Maybe she was being too subtle and he just wasn't getting it. They had been together now for almost a week and he had shown no interest in getting closer to her. Or maybe, he was attracted to her and was fighting it. Her eyes gleamed and a small smile curved her lips at the thought.
"Whatever wicked idea just popped into your head, forget it," Khelgar growled softly.
"What are you talking about?" she asked innocently.
"Ya got designs on that boy and I ain't gonna let ya corrupt him," the dwarf retorted, his eyes cold and hard. "He's a good kid, an innocent lad, so just watch yourself. Ya hurt him and I'll make ya sorry, got it?"
"You're being ridiculous dwarf," she rolled her eyes. "He's a full grown man and you're not his mommy. He doesn't need protecting."
"I don't think so," he shook his head. "He shoulda sent ya packin' when he first saw ya. But he's too nice to do something like that, so I'm gonna make sure he doesn't regret it. Keep your paws off him fiendling."
Neeshka shrugged and then went and began to set up her bedroll. Let the dwarf say and think what he wanted. Gareth was a man, with a man's needs, and she was more than capable of taking care of those needs. All she needed was a little more time and he'd be hers, then the dwarf could be sent packing.
Khelgar eyed the tiefling with distaste. It was all well and good to help out those that were needin' it, but she certainly wasn't in need of that kind of help. If given half a chance, she would be causin' trouble for all of them. In fact, he was surprised that she was still hangin' around. Gareth had made it clear he didn't want her practicing her tricks, but she kept doing it, and the boy kept forgiving her. He hoped the boy wasn't buying into the fiendling's game. Mentally shrugging, he determined to keep a closer eye on her, and to make sure she was aware of his scrutiny. That should keep her in line, at least until they got to Highcliff. Perhaps once there, they could get rid of her for good.
Gareth let his thoughts drift, feeling peace wash through him now that he was alone. He had been uncomfortable with Neeshka touching him. He knew that the reason she gave wasn't the real reason. He had felt the excited tremor in her hands as they moved across his shoulders. He wondered how far she would have gone if he hadn't moved away. She wanted him but he didn't want her, or any woman for that matter. Webb, I wish you were here with me, I wish you hadn't gone to Neverwinter. It is your tender touch I want to feel, your lips I want to kiss. I miss you so much it hurts. I'm afraid Webb, afraid I'll never see you again. I don't know what I'd do if I lost you forever. I don't think I'd want to live without you. Silent tears fell down his cheeks, soft sobs trapped behind his lips, as the feeling of peace was replaced with sadness and loneliness. He had to remain strong, to not give up yet, but it was hard. He had hoped that Cormick would know something and finding out that he didn't had chipped away at his confidence a little. If he had someone he could turn to, then perhaps it would make things easier. However, he had to keep it secret, for there was too much risk in the truth about him being known. Sighing, he mentally scolded himself. Such thoughts were counter productive. He would solve the mystery of the shard, he would find Webb, he firmly told himself. Daeghun and Tomas, his mentor at the monastery, would both chastise him for doubting without grounds for it. With his thoughts and feelings back under control, Gareth moved back towards the fire and set up his bedroll. He would cross those other bridges when the time came, not before.
