I O N M

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Chapter Six

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"Vylak are you listening to me?" Mehki asked having not got a laugh on the punchline of his shaggydog story. Raul was riding point ahead of them and Ciaran was checking their back trail as they covered the border patrol area east of Ansel's outer wall. It was an easy assignment for a senior team. Check for signs of bandits while thinning out the grimm.

There were four, four man teams each given an overlapping section of the rather irregular 'outer circle wall' surrounding Ansel's farms. The perimeter of the outer wall was patrolled including a trip down one of the three main and one minor trading routes to the nearest neighbor to check in with them. It helped that as they'd not been given the five days minimum leave after their prior three week duty cycle that these three weeks were with a fifteen percent bonus. The dust for their weapons and bikes were sourced by the town too.

Ansel had about a dozen fulltime teams along with several temp teams and independents so normally could ensure there were four fresh teams to constantly protect the surroundings. Teams picked up incidental missions while waiting for their next scheduled three week gravy run which a senior team like MARC usually got every two to three months. If ever there was an excuse to shut the new teams up about why they were lucky to get a gravy run every six months it was this occurrence where two freshly graduated teams bailed at the last second, and two senior teams stepped up to solve the scheduling problem. The second senior team helping out as team MARC was doing, was a semi-retired temp team that normally did the gravy run every three to four months and little else unless a mission captured their interest.

They'd spent a third of the first day after riding out of the main south gate riding west and north checking the overlap that the third team would likely be entering that same area now prior to checking the south bound trail. Just as they were currently entering the section that had been sweeped once by the fourth team three days ago and would soon arrive at the east trade road that headed to the coastal cities. They would only be riding halfway along the road to Hisbeth a minor fortified town that provided a safe stop for traders between Ansel and the Coastal cities located on the north east edge of the Sanus continent.

Mehki knew Vylack was annoyed over something. You'd think the man would be glad to escape his home that was filled with women. He knew that anytime they'd been in Ansel for longer than a week his partner was eager to escape and couldn't blame him. He felt sorry for the poor man to have eight daughters, and not a single son. Of course if he'd lived his life like Mehki, a confirmed bachelor with a different woman on his arm when he so desired, he wouldn't have to worry about what people said about his inadequacies to sire a son. His wallet wouldn't have to endure the constant drain providing for the expense of up-keeping a house, wife and children.

It was Raul stopping on the East trade road that reminded Mehki that Vylack still hadn't answered him. "Oy Arc grim on your right!" He yelled and was thankful to see the man twist and start scanning for the none existent grimm. "Great Oum man you were miles away that I doubt you'd have seen a grimm 'till it had its jaws around your neck."

"So we ride the road?" Raul asked hopefully. Mehki shook his head before replying. "You know the job description Raul. We'll ride two aside north and south of the road around thirty yards off it 'till the forest. Then tomorrow use the road to the low pass but that will still include checking the margins again once the trees give up at the higher elevation for as long as we safely can. We'll camp north of the road above River Sel's Run before the forest tonight, and hopefully we can make Hisbeth tomorrow evening if we start early.

"If we rode the road we could camp after the forest and sleep in tomorrow." Raul muttered. To which Mehki replied. "You wouldn't want to sleep in the cold camping in Blaylock's Gully either side of the pass and if a boat from Saphire had issues on Sel's rapids the council would learn we didn't check The Run this evening.

"Oh, as if that is likely…

"Actually it's happened three times and once there was a team that did what you propose Raul. They were fired unpaid for their three weeks of work. I've told you that afore." Vylack said before turning to Mehki and ignoring Raul's muttering. "Partner what are the teams?"

Mehki looked at his team. "Ciaran do you want the longer or rougher route?"

"I'll take the south side." Ciaran said, and then asked. "We splitting as partners?"

"Well Raul you want the longer and smoother ride with your partner?" Mehki asked Raul instead of replying to Ciaran. Still grumbling Raul set of south of the road with Ciaran on his tail. It was not as bumpy as the rolling land north of the road that had fingers of foot hills running to the plains that the east road tried to initially follow before the spine of the mountain ridge brought the foot hills beyond the east road. However even as south of the road eventually would also have bumps the north side's bumps by then would have also grown a lot bigger.

Younger huntsmen preferred the shorter north trek but senior teams had learned their bodies felt better during the following days when they'd used the opposite side, and only have to cross north of the road at the forest to get to where the River Sel rushed down to Ansel. Vylack looked at Mehki before asking. "What would you have done if Ciaran had chosen the north route?"

"Then I would have asked you next if you wanted to ride with Ciaran and if you asked for the easier route given you Raul while I rode the ridge line instead of sharing it with you." Mehki answered, and reassured Vylack that he wouldn't have risked failure to ride the ridge line. It should be written in the job details as there were rapids along the whole stretch of the River Sel flowing west just north of the ridge line that mainly was about fifty yards north from the road, and nearly a hundred yards at furthest.

True at the elbow above where they camped tonight were where the worst rapids were found, and the area named 'The Run'. It was caused as the river flowing nearly due south turned west, but the whole nearly three hundred plus mile stretch had some class three and four rapids that have taken out boats occasionally and just as team MARC had never seen a beached boat, they knew it could always be the mission they failed to check when it occurred. "Which half of the ridge you want to ride?" Vylack asked and upon learning Mehki preferred to ride the second half kicked his bike out of neutral and raced the fifty yards up to where he'd be able to see the river. Allowing Mehki to ride the halfway point between the ridge and road.

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It was over four hours in, and close to the point to switch when Vylack saw what he constantly said could happen. He sent a dust shot into the air from his pistol that was his holdout, and then turned his bike onto a mountain goat path that would hopefully get him to the river and the boat before the grimm had killed the people. Nearly wiping out on one turn forced him to slow down sure there were two ursa major with a pack of about ten ursa minor, but he needed to get down the slope alive in order to be of any help.

At a third of the way down he heard the first death scream and he found himself frustrated. Five more turns and the steepness starts to decrease. Just let me get those last five turns carefully and I'll open up where I have a chance to be more reckless. The second scream caused him to throttle earlier and he hoped he wouldn't wipe out on the next bend. It was pointless to get down there after they had all died. He took the corner too fast and the rear wheel swung out to hang over empty air. Leaning forward and standing on the pins he threw as much of his weight as possible forward onto the front wheel and somehow the rear wheel found a bush to keep it up as the only wheel on ground slid down the deer trail by gravity as the spinning rear wheel offered little to no forward momentum as it mainly attacked the bush like a demented wood-chipper.

Vylack was unsure when the rear wheel found ground again. He'd rode the front wheel looking for when he next swing around and of course the corner of this turn allowed him to swing the bike back further onto the trail. Bike stabilized and in range. After sitting back down he pulled out his hold out and shot toward the ursa. Mainly to hopefully get their attention off the people, but somehow one of his five shots actually caused one of the ursa minors to turn to dust.

Pistol now empty he holstered and drew Crocea Mors in his off hand as he needed his right for brake and throttle. He'd be leaving the bike to stall as he couldn't fight the ursa from it and he was sure they weren't about to give him time to stop the bike correctly and then wield his weapon. Glancing to the ridge he saw Mehki was pussyfooting his way down to join him. He'd give him grief on how slowly he took the descent. Heck he knew just what he'd yell at him. "Why the f' didn't you get off the bike I'm sure I could run down that slope faster than you rode!" His joking was interrupted by several screams. Hopefully some were in fear of seeing a close one die, and that wasn't the whole group getting murdered. How bleak his job was to be hoping that as the only chance of arriving with at least two or three of civilians still alive to rescue.

Vylack hopped off the bike to the right and enjoyed seeing it sail rear wheel first toward one of the ursa major while he swung Crocea Mors at the other. As the major bear stepped back from the slicing cut he switched hands and drew the sheath in his now empty left hand and flicked it to transform to shield.

Using the shield to stall the large bears attempt to bull rush him he pierced the neck of one of the minors coming in on his flank and enjoyed seeing it turn to dust. Having gained a moment's breath he looked to the other Ursa major and saw it struggling beneath his bike. One of the boatmen stabbed his pole-axe into an eye socket through its bone mask and Vylack counted his bike as an assist on that kill. So two minors and half a major not a bad start all things considered.

Stepping to the right so the major would turn its back to the boatman he relaxed into his stance. The boatman, however, retreated to his boat instead of attacking the major from behind as he had hoped. He'd thought either spear or axe could have wounded the ursa major and allowed him to kill it, but that plan was scrapped.

The bear frustrated in thumping his shield while standing up on its rear legs tried to get at Vylack's head with its right limb over the top edge of the shield. Vylack quickly lifted the shield knocking the arm out of position and protecting his head while allowing his sword to slide into the monster's unprotected stomach. He quickly twisted to his left to avoid the creatures left limb and pulled his sword with him out the right side of the ursa. Then swinging at the still attacking left arm while the pinned right limb was still in a useless position for the grimm to attack with. The ursa was trying to force the shield down but was unable to bring any leverage as it currently was stuck up too high and the bottom edge of Vylack's shield had been slipped onto the lip of his cuirass. Crocea Mors took half of the ursa's left front limb with it causing it to finally roar in frustration.

Before he could finish off the major though he saw two minors coming in on his left and he had to step back and rotate into where thankfully the ursa's missing limb could no longer still attack him. The major sat back onto three limbs looking at his missing limb with a confused expression so Vylack concentrated on the two incoming minors. He noticed the two still alive boatmen beside their boat had managed to dust another minor between them, but then he had to concentrate on his next fight.

Of course the Ursa major didn't remain sitting and allow Vylack to take care of the two Ursa minor. No it roared and one more minor came to help in the fight with Vylack. Vylack got into a purely defensive rhythm knowing he would need to now hold out 'till his partner got here. It felt like ten minutes and he felt like his limbs were going to fall off and then Mehki was beside him and they each dusted a minor.

Vylack found himself facing the wounded major and quickly got to its left side and was then able to cut its rear leg enough that it fell to three legs which brought its head close enough to be attacked. It wasn't much after that and he was able to slice through its neck. He was only moments after Mehki heading for the last three ursa minor that were attacking the two boatmen.

The noise of two dust bikes caused Vylack to look up at the ridge and see Ciaran and Raul at the top of the ridge coming down to offer help. On turning back he saw Mehki had dusted one of the three. He quickly charged one facing the boatmen and his partner attacked the other.

Four people against two minor grim meant a quick battle. Vylack checked his sword and shield and seeing no damage sheathed the sword and attached it to his side. Next he reloaded his pistol and only then did he look to the boatmen. Correction boatwomen.

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It had taken two and a half hours to bury the four dead boatmen and pull the boat far enough onto the shore that it wouldn't be lost to the river in a storm. Initially they'd hoped to repair the boat and let the women hobble to Ansel in it, but it was far too badly damaged. Instead they allowed them to pack the perishables and gems and other high value to size tradable commodities into the four bikes saddle bags. They protected the dust and other large trading items from the weather as best they could in the boats skeleton. Animals and grimm would have no reason to mess up the storage as there was no food or people to interest each respectively. As the minor road between Ansel and Saphire left Ansel more or less north-north-east making the hypotenuse of the triangle that the river route made, the boat's supplies should be safe 'till the next boat sails down river, a boat that would need to be mainly empty to take on their cargo and manage to get close to the bank while avoiding damage from the rapids.

It was the best they could do in the limited time and hopefully the two women would recover their cargo later. Instead the women would ride with Raul and Korvin along the road except for the north leg to the campsite and of course the dear trail up from the river bed to the ridge. Mehki would ride the ridge to the night's campsite and Vylack would ride south of the road.

Thankfully there were no grimm, or other marooned boats along the river and they still had light in the early summer evening to assemble their tents. The four men began their evening routine without talking as they each knew what they were responsible for and they were behind schedule. Vylack had just ensured his pistol was loaded and he had spare rounds and his gear when he realized one of the two boat women was approaching nervously.

When he turned to look at the green hair woman she smiled and said. "Look I never got to thank you… If it wasn't for you well Mia and I… well yes I know your team came later too… but…

"Jade, yes?" Vylack asked figuring he'd nip her spiel in the bud to save wasted time. "I, or my partner Mehki, always ride the ridge, as we knew it was possible for a boat to be damaged by the rapids. We are one of Ansel's patrol huntsmen teams so we're only doing our job. I'm sorry I wasn't there earlier, but now I really need to set my snares and get water."

"Oh, you're not hunting dinner? I thought I could help I'm good with a bow." Jade indicated a crossbow he'd not noticed that was hung on her back. "Raul and Ciaran hunt for game in the evenings while ensuring there are no grim around. I set some snares which if we're lucky will yield food tomorrow otherwise perhaps when we return back this way." He smiled and enjoyed Jade's laugh before continuing. "I also get water and ensure there are no signs of bandit activity. Mehki cooks as the only one of us not married he is the best cook."

"Oh Mia was interested in Ciaran. She'll be devastated. Should I let her know of Mehki?" Jade laughed, before asking. "Do you mind me going with you though? If I see something I can still hunt while you do your search for bandits and setting up snares, yes." The smile she offered him, Vylack felt should be criminal. She was a pretty woman and likely in her mid to late twenties at least seven if not more years younger than Primrose.

"If Mia thinks she can crack the nut of a confirmed bachelor, all power to her. You can certainly come with me if you want." Vylack couldn't think why he'd made his job harder by saying she could tag along, but he'd said it almost without thinking of all the extra work he'd just given himself to defend her while doing the needed tasks.

"Why don't you snare those two holes too?" Jade cut across his thinking and startled him to remember she was beside him. She'd done a good job of moving to not be in the way or distract him from watching the surrounding area. "You huntsman trained?" Vylack asked.

"Two years at Shade, the known Fifth or 'None Academy' and I got knocked-up before I could graduate." Jade laughed while flicking her long light green coloured hair over her shoulder. "Do you have children?"

"Eight daughters…

"My word… and from the same wife?" Jade teased and grabbed Vylack's lower arm. "I just love the golden hair on your arms. They look like strands of pure gold and they are so soft… I could spend all day running my hands along them. "So those two holes that you didn't put snares on?"

Vylack took a moment to recall the earlier question. He quite liked how the smooth dainty hand of Jade stroked his arm. He could hear her breathing and smell the perfume she wore. "This is a Woulowoon burrow and they have entrances and exits to the burrows. Those two holes are entrances so they would notice the trap and not enter the burrow." Looking into her bright Amber eyes Vylack wondered at how she was so perfectly put together. Her light brown skin went so well with her amber eyes and truly Jade coloured light green hair. So appropriately named, so beautiful and young and sweet.

Shaking himself he carried on explaining. "I mainly place the snares on the burrow's emergency exits as if a predator is in their burrow those are the ones they use and unlike the normal exits they're more likely to be swiftly exiting and thus more likely to pull the snare tight on their neck. I had some extra snares so I put them on the regular exits but they'll be less likely to catch us a meal."

"Oh wow. You are so smart, Vylack, to me all the holes look the same, but you know which are the entrances, and normal and emergency exits. I never knew animals were smart enough to designate between them. I just thought they tunneled and accidentally ran into each other's tunnels creating a maze." Jade tentatively touched her lips to Vylack's after twisting into his strong grasp. As Vylack kissed her back she licked his lips with the point of her tongue before pushing between and deepening the kiss.

Vylack felt like the world was back the way it should be. He'd been off kilter since the return to Ansel when his wife had been so cold in turning down his offer for lunch. He'd felt unwanted in the house that evening and though he initially was glad that Prim hadn't got all bent out of shape of him leaving for three weeks having barely retuned from three weeks away and then he was second guessing. Was it relief that he'd seen as he left that evening? Did she have someone else in her life? This beautiful and younger woman actually wanted him. It was great to be wanted. He was a hero. He'd saved her life, and he was sure Ciaran would not refuse Mia if she came onto him as Jade was to him.

She didn't stop his hand from wandering onto her bum. Instead she was melting into his embrace, and pushing her small but perky breasts into his chest. He was so glad he'd taken off the cuirass. "No… No…

Vylack while cursing his stupidity pushed Jade away firmly. "We can't do this. I'm married, and you said you had a daughter, so I assume so are you."

"I've never been married. I was eighteen away from home and got in with the wrong crowd and went out drinking. Someone must have added something to my drink… I awoke in a dump of a room with mattresses on the floor and little other furniture. Though some of the other mattresses had one or occasionally two people sleeping on them I had no idea aside the torn skirt and missing underwear that I hadn't just slept alone the last night."

Vylack felt a complete tool seeing Jade's body shake as she began to cry, and he had pushed her away when she needed comfort. He hugged her, trying not to enjoy the way her body felt against his. "Shh It's okay you are a beautiful and wonderful woman, and sometimes nasty things just happen." He accepted her kiss knowing she needed reassurance while stroking her back. If he could find the man… No a person who drugged and took what they wanted from a girl wasn't a man.

Seemingly calmed down Jade continued speaking in a haunted innocent voice. "I stumbled into the hallway and down several flights of stairs, as the elevator in the building was broken… I was scared and felt everyone's eyes on me in judgment. Finally I got back onto campus… A few weeks later and I knew I was pregnant, and it's just been me and my daughter ever since."

"It's okay you didn't do anything wrong. Let's get over that way. There's a fresh stream to get our water from." Vylack held Jade against him stroking her back and trying to let her calm down. Needles to say though he'd been checking for bandit activity he likely didn't check the stream as carefully as he normally did as most of his effort from then on was ensuring Jade was alright.

That night Mehki and Raul could only be thankful that they each had a tent to themselves. It had been thought that with the women sharing a tent, two of team MARC would have had to share a tent too. However, after a late evening supper Mia bid goodnight and followed Ciaran into his tent while Jade chose to share Vylack's.

"The plan is to leave them in Hisbeth tomorrow yes?" Mehki asked as Vylack finally left his tent to take over the middle of the night watch from Mehki who had finished the night's first watch. "You know I half wondered if you would come out to take the watch."

"Look Jade's been through a tough life…

"As Oum is my witness I live to see the day the mighty Vylack is caught by a sob story!"

"It's not like that and keep you voice down. Jade has been through so much and judged unfairly…

"So what happens at Hisbeth?" Mehki asked seeing no point in making Vylack see sense. "They plan to sell the things that they can get a better price than they know they'd get in Ansel then head back with us to Ansel to sell the rest."

"Oh and are you and Ciaran paying to portage a boat up to Sapphire to sail down the Sel and get the other goods?" Mehki couldn't help the derision seeping into his voice. Vylak calmly replied. "Two of the dead are Mia's brother's, whom were partners with Jade's boss that provided two guards that are the other two that died. For that reason and adding in salvage fees we could make some good lein especially if we didn't pay to portage a boat."

"How do you figure that to work? Anyone with a boat in Sapphire will want to fill it with their own goods?"

"When we get back to Ansell we rent a wagon and take it on the east road to where the boats beached. Then Use a generator and hoist sling to pull the goods up the ridge and load the wagon. The goods are already three quarters of the way to Ansel why risk another boat trip down the Sel, and trying to safely navigate to the side of the river near the first wreck?"

"If you take the job without signed contract of what you are getting paid you are likely to get shafted Vylack. Anyway I need to get some sleep. Raul thinks Ciaran should get third shift." Mehki finished his drink and headed for his tent. Vylack called after him. "I'm waking Raul. He slept the full night yesterday."

Mehki just waved his hand whether in agreement, disagreement or I give no f's it was hard to know. Vylack picked a few logs up and dumped them on the fire then did a perimeter check. With tomorrow night being in Hisbeth meant he got four nights in a row without a watch. Four whole nights in a row to share with Jade was far too sweet an enticement to listen to his conscious. He'd been surprised to learn she was thirty, she looked barely twenty-five and she knew that Vylack was the only reason she was alive. He deserved to be worshiped. He was Vylack Nelson Arc the best huntsmen the Sanus continent had ever had protecting it.

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Author's Note: Last edited Aug 8th 2021 What is mine is mine all else is from RWBY please don't post or publish this story partially or in its entirity anywhere else.