Chapter 21
Wolf and the step into the unknown
The exterior setting of Ivan's lodge lay dormant and still in the shroud of darkness. Only assorted panes housed dim light like dying embers in an evening fire. Amidst its docile presentation a small buggy pulled by a manicured dappled grey trotted up.
No sooner than when it was parked that a young man leapt from his seat to assist his lover out of the passenger's side. She took her gentle hand in his as support as she gracefully exited the carriage.
"Catalina my love, let us rest here for the night before proceeding our retreat further."
She fell into his arms from the exhaustion before proclaiming, "Joseph have we exceeded the reach of my father?"
Picking her up and carrying her to the front steps he stated, "I shall contend with any he has sent myself if not to fight him directly for your hand."
"Dear me, you mean you propose an ending to your life for the chance with a lifetime with me?"
"My life would be forfeit if ever being denied your company, for a day without you is a day of a thousand deaths."
She buried her head in his shoulder, "We should not have run away without first attempting diplomacy."
"Diplomacy? Why the man hates me! So caught up in his riches that he failed to see the most valuable gem in his life before him. If it be a robber that shows a man what is most precious to him by relieving him of that item whose worth he overlooked than I shall be the thief in the night sweeping his gem away!"
She smiled tenderly, "Come then, show me your secret hideaway."
He stopped on the landing and gazed into her pearly eyes and saw nothing short of a face beckoning for the affection he wished to bestow. Therefore he leaned his face forward to attempt to meet her lips with a kiss.
That is when he was knocked forward plummeting to towards the earth with his betrothed in his arms. Catalina shrieked as she landed on her side while Joseph was sprawled face down on the hard wood landing.
Turning over to identify his perpetrator, Joseph balled his fists at the man and demanded satisfaction, "Damned Fool! I demand you to make amends post haste!"
The man looked back while being followed by others of the like nature and said, "We are on official business of Cross Iron, consider your amends made."
The small band of soldiers left the distraught lovers behind and entered the lodge who, in a few moments time, were met by Ivan dressed in a night gown and cap.
"Can I help you gentlemen?" he said with the irritation one would have after being denied a full nights rest.
"We are looking for two fugitives who may have come up here, have you anyone suspicious holding up here for the night?" replied the man in front.
Ivan stretched his eyes, "That's very vague, just about everyone ranging from nobility to outlaw has passed through my walls. Can you perhaps give me a description?"
The soldier then withdrew a parchment with a freshly constructed sketch on it which had a fair depiction of Holo and Ranger.
Ivan squinted hard then replied, "What business do you have with them?"
"Have you housed them or not?!" caromed the officer who wished to avenge his fallen brothers in arms in Cross Iron.
Ivan sighed then said, "Yes they're here."
"Take us to their room now." returned the officer with a voice louder than those who would show respect for the resting weary.
Ivan repositioned his crutches and replied with a still calmness, "Come this way, and please for the love of peace don't disturb my other guests."
As he led the way one called back, "Or what they will issue a formal complaint to the staff?"
Ivan stopped dead in his tracks to refute that comment, "Some of these people are freelancers, mercenaries and bounty hunters, so if a formal complaint would be for one of them to come out the door with a sword to kill the one disturbing them then yes the staff would be alerted."
He then continued to proceed them to the room.
While in her bed Holo was tossing and turning and having a restless night. It was ended when her senses detected the presence of those who sought her. She sat up straight in bed on high alarm to already find Ranger by the door with his sword drawn and taking a prone position and anticipating a deadly altercation.
In haste Holo took hold of some wheat and readied herself with her tail becoming firm and straight with each hair becoming static. Ranger raised his finger to his mouth as a motion for her to be quiet in which she rolled her eyes to the obviousness of his demand.
She could hear them talking with Ivan and could depict every detail of the conversation in which she whispered in a panic, "It sounds as though he will lead them to us! What shall we do?"
Ranger sternly yet impassively raised his arm to silence her, "We wait." said he.
They awaited and listened in deathly silence. There was one soldier within the lobby who stayed behind to mind the exit and began wandering around. Ranger withdrew slightly from the door when hearing a creak and seeing the two foot shadows obscure the sliver of light at the base of the doorway.
The shadows then moved to the left followed by departing footfalls as the guard was going down the hallway. Wiping her eyes Holo began to lift herself from the bed and put her hand on the nightstand to steady herself. Suddenly she began looking around and said in a panicked voice, "Where is Edmund?"
Ranger again raised his hand to silence her and said nothing. As Holo's feet touched the floor there was a loud and terrible clatter. One of the dishes that was taking refuge there had slipped and fallen to the ground.
There was an overwhelming surge of alarm as the footsteps of the soldier stopped and could be heard coming back.
There was a creaking in the hardwood floors and once more the two shadows re appeared from under the door but awaited in silence as though the man behind it was listening. The knob was only six inches away from where Ranger was prone and could be seen turning slowly. There was a faint clank which prohibited the knob from being turned any further which only fueled the guard's suspicion when discovering the door was locked. The door then shuddered slightly as the man was attempting to force it open with the might of his shoulder.
Ranger moved to the front with his sword at the ready to plunge it through the door and into his target until there was a bit of a scene transpiring upstairs in which the remainder of the search party was running down while yelling, "They have escaped out the window!"
Ivan led them to the decoy room where he had tied the bed sheet off the bed post and threw it out window so when any investigator would see it they would believe their target had fled.
The sentry at the door quickly ran to join them and soon after all was silent. Ranger sheathed his sword and Holo retied her wheat pouch. They were safe for now.
He then turned to Holo and said sharply, "Get dressed and pack your things, we are leaving."
The next hour had shown our adventurers loaded into the wagon and set out on the trail after all was clear and had given their departing salutations to Ivan. The day was still infantile with a black sky overhead with only a pale hem of light crowning over the eastern horizon.
During the first portion of the commute Holo was being wroth and stubborn with Ranger upon discovering the whereabouts of Edmund.
"You should have consulted me before sending him on his way." said she.
"What was there to consult?' returned Ranger, 'We had in our possession, valuable information to be used against Lord De Buhr. I found a purpose for the man and entrusted him to carry it out."
"You sent him on his own!"
"And he would have been better off if he had come with us?"
She folded her arms and crossed her legs in an irritated manner, "I wished to have said good bye to him that is all."
"And that would accomplish..?" said Ranger impatiently.
She frowned and put her head in her hand, "I enjoyed his company, that is all."
Ranger then replied quietly and with spite, "Misery houses no company."
Her mind was then called to the night prior when she had asked of him to pray for her welfare and the words of his benediction could be recalled almost perfectly.
"Our most merciful Father in Heaven, whose holiness and mercy exceeds infinitely higher than those of the earth. Please hear the cries of an unworthy servant who calls upon thee this hour to aid this woman in her time of need.
Thou art aware of the fall of every sparrow and surely thou knowest the plights and perils of this fair creature. I beseech thee that thou watch over her and her companion in all their doings.
In times of old thou didst smite the wicked to preserve thy righteous ways, let thy justice fall upon the wicked men who stand in their way as long as they stay aligned with they will. Guide their thoughts during the day and let the spirit of on high overshadow them by night.
Bless them and preserve them.
Father my soul cries unto thee for the welfare of Lawrence and Matthias. In their darkest hour let thy mercy find them. Let them not forget thy atoning sacrifice that may make right all that was and is unjust in this world.
Give them strength to endure their trials and if it be thy will that their time on earth is coming to a close, I pray that thou take them into thy rest hastily that they suffer no more.
We glorify in thy righteousness and pray earnestly that thou shalt not suffer evil to prevail this hour.
And these things we do humbly pray for in your name, Amen."
She found it warm and amusing to hear a prayer so personalized to her worries and fears for the only introduction she ever had had with the practice was rote recitation from a separate script. However she hid her more inner feelings from the masked man for Edmund's presence appeared slake her sensation of loneliness.
"Let us hope then that he is able to deliver the information to Count Laterniuex." said she as a final word on the matter.
Ranger said nothing in which Holo inquired, "Speaking of the Count, what was written on the letter that he had sent to you yesterday?"
Ranger breathed a sigh of discontent, "He had suggested that increase our numbers to engage Jurgen."
"Form our own militia, yes?"
"That would be one way to put it."
"What did he have in mind?"
"The problem was who he suggested we recruit."
"And that would be?"
He let loose the reigns and allowed Gallavuan to follow the path under his own free will, stretched then said, "Do you remember the night when the Count was in your dining area recounting the elements to your situation?"
"About the history Jurgen had had with the rangers?"
"Correct, and do you remember the three who were dispatched to slay him?"
"Vaguely, I recall him saying that one was killed and the other two resigned."
"Your memory serves you well." replied Ranger, "They were the best team of fighters the rangers had ever seen. Swift, silent and precise. They were known to them as 'the Warbirds,' mainly due to their codenames; Hawk, Raven and Eagle."
"The Count had said that when they attempted to kill Jurgen they were captured and tortured to inhumane degrees did he not?"
"It was a miracle that even so much as one survived, for as it has been told of me, Jurgen's torture tactics go beyond physical brutality and to the very stripping of a man's mental wellness."
He saw Holo trembled who was pained at the idea of Lawrence being left in such a pit of wickedness and therefore moved to quell her fears.
"In the end they had escaped and it was the one known as Eagle who stayed behind to contend with De Buhr."
"And he is the one who is said to have perished?" inquired Holo in stillness.
"Correct, apparently Laterniuex has been maintaining some kind of contact with Raven and Hawk for he has suggested that we find and recruit them to our cause."
Holo took a facade of astonishment, "They must be in this area for the Count would not suggest any venture that would take us too far out of the way."
Ranger looked out to the tips of the moving trees, "It is not that, I am unsure how to convince them to take up their arms once more against him. Whatever they experienced, it caused them to retire. Men tend not to re engage in that which caused them their greatest misfortunes.
It always struck me how the Count could not know exactly where Jurgen is, for it would make the most logical sense to direct us to where he was held up the first time. The only reason I feel he could not was for Hawk and Raven never divulged that information, leading me to believe they wished to put all away."
Holo then leaned forward, "Yet if the Count desired us to keep an eye out for them up here perhaps they roosted somewhere close just in the circumstance the job was not finished."
Ranger folded his arms and stewed a moment, "It is all too unclear and all too delicate."
The she wolf then smiled delightedly, "Do you know what I do when faced with such circumstances?"
He trailed his eyes over to her and shrugged.
"I sleep on it!" she chirped before climbing over to the back and laying down before the man could say anything. Soon after she was soundly asleep.
…
The hours the morning spent to transition the sun further into the sky were rather uneventful. The wagon carried on for many miles with Ranger sitting up front only observing what was before him while Holo was sleeping on her back lengthwise in the bed behind him.
Concluding that all was well for the moment Ranger leaned back and rested his eyes and before he knew it, dozed off as well. With the shire free from any coaching he pulled the wagon as he pleased. This resulted in him walking over a large rocked that caused the two right wheels to go up and over it and come down hard shaking the wagon feverishly.
Ranger's eyes bolted open and took hold of the reigns while the perturbed Holo sat straight up and yelled, "Lawrence be gentle!"
It did not take long for her face to turn red with embarrassment at her outburst when Ranger turned around and only gawked at her. She had just revealed a more secretive quarrel in her marriage.
She uncomfortably slipped back into the driver's box and fidgeted her fingers together. At this point Ranger withdrew the map Ivan had given him and he began charting the course.
"It seems we will be coming upon Trapper's Loop soon."
"Do you intend to stop there?" said she while scratching her left ear.
"According to Ivan it is the last outpost to gain supplies, it would be warranted to take advantage of that final call to preparedness."
"Yes and perhaps I can-OUCH!"
He turned to see her favoring the left side of her head with a tilt while whimpering slightly. He then noticed the hand she used to scratch with had collected a crimson gunk under her finger nails.
"This blasted ear, it has been irritating me for the last few days!" she moaned.
He turned towards her, "Let me see." he said then withdrew a handkerchief.
She folded her arms and turned her eyes away with an annoyance that dashed her pride while the man gently peered inside her ear canal. He then took the rag and began scrapping out the inside in which she made a strange lament as she was simultaneously brought pain and relief.
He withdrew the rag and examined it. There was a dark red, thick paste like substance that left a musky smell comparable to vinegar in the air.
"You have an ear mite infection." came the diagnosis.
"Mites?' she protested, 'Tis impossible for the wise wolf to be infested with such creatures!" said she with the arrogance that only comes from wounded pride.
Ranger ignored it and said, "Keep clear of Kaytaff, I do not want him to contract them as well."
"I most likely contracted them from him!" she pouted when looking at the shepherd dog who raised his head slightly when hearing his name.
"We will stop at Trapper's Loop and see if perhaps a field doctor may have a remedy for them."
She huffed but agreed.
It was not long after, that the wagon was proceeded to a small yet sufficient collection of of wagons gathered around tents and coaches that served as the outpost fore mentioned. The tents were normally kept by the those who chose to permanently set their stalls without making a major investment in an actual structure while the coaches were used as an opportunity for traveling merchants to expand business. It was normally a gamble, for unless a peddler understood the demands of the frontier a traveling merchant may only make a profit on luck alone.
It was here that our duo had rolled around the bend and was now parked among them. Many of the individuals were rugged and well worn with a wisdom and cruelty on their faces that can only come from years of hard living. Some had scars along their faces and one was even missing his eye that he did not bother to conceal for modesty was a rare.
Holo and Ranger had dismounted and began exploring the little hamlet. they came to the middle of the crowd to see many sets of chairs and tables scattered about which served as a small dining area for those who wished to have a drink.
As they looked around Holo then realized, "We should re stock on vegetables and oats for ourselves and Gallavaun for I do not believe we bought any while with Ivan."
"Onions, potatoes and carrots have a lasting shelf life. Go and see if they can preserve the caribou meat we have with us. I will see what medical provisions they may have."
"Very well." said she.
That was when Ranger inquired, "How much coin have we left?"
"Forty eight trenni." said she with precise accuracy and timing.
"So Ivan has been paid in full?" he interrogated.
"All that he billed me for." said she with a sinister smile.
He turned to face her, "What do you mean?"
"I mean he accidentally gave me a complimentary meal last night."
"You did not pay him?"
She put her hands up, "It was his own fault, he never came to me with the bill for my food, therefore I was never obligated to pay for it."
He rubbed his eyes, "I am trying to maintain somewhat of a decent rapport with him."
"Well perhaps then this will help him be wiser in the future. Aside from this, did you pay him back for the arrows you broke?"
He let out a sigh of defeat when realizing she used her words to wind him up in his own hypocrisy.
"Let us get what we need and be on our way." said he.
They nodded and parted ways to look who could provide that which they sought. At some point Ranger was able to see a man standing next to a medicine cabinet on wheels and approached him.
"Oye there stranger,' said the medicine man, 'what can I do you fer?"
"Have you anything that can reduce swelling and pain?"
"Sher, sher I do, looks like you could use it heh, heh!" said he in reference to Ranger's swollen eye.
He pulled out a small packet with dried up herbs inside, "Mixer up this with a tad o water and use it as a poultice for yer flamin' skin." He then took a small bottle filled with a white powder.
"Now fer pain and other hurtins, I got me here som morphine. Just throw this in yer drink and it'll take yer pain and make ya happy man too!"
Once it was all settled the medicine man asked, "Anymore ya want?"
Ranger leaned forward, "My dog has ear mites, what have you for that?"
"Ugh nasty lil' buggers, lemme scavenge around a bit." replied the pharmacist while digging around in his cabinet.
While the peddler was pre occupied someone from a table called out to the masked man, "EH stupid, ya sign up over yonder!"
He erected his posture and slowly turned his face to the perpetrator addressing him. From there he found a drunkard sitting at one of the tables with a few beer mates calling out to him.
"And what would I be signing up for?" he seethed.
"All ya dumb yokes be gathering round to fight them injuns up at Ketchiwa."
Ranger pardoned himself from the medicine man and walked over to the table, "Tell me more." said he.
The drunkard shook his head, "What's there to tell, you have the wild savages rapin' and plunderin' the good folk while the nobles sit on their high thrones and don't do a damn thing about it except encourage dolts like you to try and rum em' out."
"Where do I sign up again?" said Ranger with a pretense notion.
He sloppily pointed his mug to a tent at the outskirts, "Right yonder. God be with ya, fool."
Considering the man was inebriated and in an altered state of judgement, Ranger excused his insults. However if the man where sober then satisfaction would be encouraged greatly by the offended.
Ranger turned back to the medicine man who had just found his remedy and said, "I gots a cream here for them scabies, reckon it'll do the same all as well. Just wash yer pup's ears out frequently."
"Set these aside I will come to pick them up later." said the masked man who departed to the tent where these recruits were said to organize.
He walked into the opening of the canopy to find a few men sitting behind a large table with records on hand. One took note of him and said, "Name and association."
Ranger approached him and said, "What do you mean?"
"I mean, do you come from a mercenary guild or are you just freelance?"
He briskly looked over the papers that had names associated with said guilds such as; Myuri, Hawks of Eizenberg and local militias.
Ranger took a seat and said, "Is this exposition going as far as Ketchiwa?"
"Didn't you get the memo?"
"I am on a need to know basis. If you could tell me more about this exposition I may be more interested in signing on."
The man sat back, "Make it quick."
"Who supplies it, who leads it and for what purpose?" returned Ranger very swiftly.
"No one supplies it, all participants come with their own wares under their own indignation. There is funding coming from the Lords of the northlands. The savage attacks have been increasingly more hostile so this is their idea of providing support for their citizens. Therefore they hired on a bounty hunter to organize and lead the campaign to suppress and beat them back."
"Are we to meet with this bounty hunter?"
"Indeed so."
"Who is he?"
"He goes by the name Nikiski."
Ranger paused, it was the second time he had heard that name in a days span.
"Do you know him?" asked the man.
"Not professionally.' returned Ranger, 'Is he planning on going as far as the Ketchiwa mountain, to no man's land?"
He nodded audaciously, "It'll be difficult to get a presence up there because the injuns have such a tight grip on it."
"It is their home." came the masked man's subtle ridicule.
"Look, I don't get mixed up in the politics I'm just a recruiter. So are you signing or not?"
"Just one more item that needs to be addressed, where are we to meet up with Nikiski and how soon until he leaves?"
The recruiter then said, "Do you have a map."
Ranger's eyebrow lifted, "In a matter of speaking."
He stood up to retrieve the map from his wagon when a passed by a young boy who could not have been anymore than the tender age of fifteen advance past him with a caliber tied to his hip. He turned to see the lad walk up to the recruiter's desk eagerly with a look of concern and disbelief.
"Name and association." said the recruiter.
"Umm I am Timothy and I am here to join the exposition."
Ranger then called to him, "You plan to go on this endeavor boy?"
Timothy turned to him proudly, "Indeed so!"
Ranger motioned to his hip, "That sword, let us take a look at it."
The stripling seized the handle and went to withdraw it in a heroic fashion. However it slipped from his grip and the caliber fell to the earth with a heavy thud. Timothy quickly retrieved it in which Ranger noticed that the weight of the weapon alone was too great a strain for his hands as he struggled to polish it clean. Clearly if there was ever an individual so unqualified for war, it was this boy he beheld.
Ranger approached him with his hand held out, "Give it here."
The boy handed it over with confusion thinking that perhaps the masked man was the bounty hunter leading the crusade which fueled his desire to impress him.
The warrior eyed every dot and detail of the weapon with that prestigious eye of his and asked, "Where do you come from boy?"
Timothy smiled brightly and said, "Almost as far as Svernel."
"You have family there?"
"My father and two sisters."
"And what makes you wish to join this party?"
Timothy, with that over eagerness found in a hopeful adolescent, said, "We too own farmland we wish to preserve. However the work of the common man is not for me. I wish to become the most feared mercenary in all the nation, and it must start here. How could pass this opportunity by?!"
Ranger said nothing, he only withdrew his saber and compared it with Timothy's who looked on with excitement.
"This blade,' inquired the warrior, 'where did you obtain it?"
"I was able to strike a deal with what little money I had from a traveling arms dealer and was willing to sell this to me for whatever I had on me."
"And the amount you spent?"
"One full Trenni!" piped the young man.
Then without word or warning Ranger smote the two blades together with such force that the clatter made a few of the horses jump just outside. Timothy sat there in complete dejection as his prized blade lay in pieces on the ground with only the hilt being all that was intact.
"I hope that purchase is refundable." said the masked man.
The pitiful young boy with tears in his eyes collected the shards while pleading, "My sword! What have you done? Do have any idea what this means to me? What did you think you were doing?!"
Ranger looked upon him with little to no sorrow and replied, "Saving your life."
He then went out of the tent.
Meanwhile Holo had devoted her time to the purchasing of bulk vegetables which was not difficult venture. Nary the only task that proved difficult was the negotiating of a fair price which she was able to secure. The last item was to see if there be any who could preserve the caribou meat within the wagon.
After some probing she found a mountain man who though not under that employ was still versed in the art of meat preservation and were able to settle on a service fee for his work. She waited patiently as the caribou carcass was unloaded, tied up and was being filleted.
She was quite enthusiastic about the thought of when she would be able to cook it up and eat it all to herself. Her wants and desires were interrupted when hearing a boisterous and rather vulgar conversation happening at the tables behind her position.
She crooked an ear and listened.
"I tell ya, there be no greater evil in this world than those damned merchants!"
She looked back to see the same drunkard encountered by Ranger rambling on about his foul luck yet this time was more liquored than before making him more aggressive and insensitive.
"Look at us gents. Why we practically provide the product that becomes their merchandise and whadda we get? Have ya ever wondered why we never have enough money? It's simple, the merchants set the price on what we sell and buy so they can keep it all to themselves! And the kings and nobleman sanction this form of theft!"
Holo tightened her knuckles and gritted, for each attack he made against merchants, in her mind was an attack against Lawrence and their livelihood.
"It's all part of greed, I mean what have merchants done for us anyway? Nothing short of stealing my money which lands me in the grasp of poverty! My children and wife, starve for it. They should all be burned for their crimes!"
At this point Holo wheeled around and marched up to him which clearly got his attention. With an angered face, that was hurt and vexed beyond what pen could describe, she said to him, "So that is how you feel about merchants?"
He laughed while rocking his head, "That is what I know about merchants my little mud flower."
Trying to prevent an outburst she trembled while speaking, "Actually would you really like to know why you have no money?"
He put his mug on the table, "Please, tell me somethin' I havn't heard before."
"It is you!' she started, 'Look at the daylight, I am sure there are many who are out right now working to make their wages and while the daylight burns here you are, sitting on your arse with ale in hand when there is work to be done!
What have merchants done for you? Why they provided you with the very alcohol you are drinking that YOU paid them for! This is not theft you dolt!
But if you want my advice in regards for your wife and children, I say introduce them to a real man. One who can provide and is actually worthy to be the patriarch of your family!"
At this point the drunkard shot to his feet and glared at her with his blood shot, glassy eyes, "I feel the only thing I should provide right now is a sound beating for that kind of talk you.."
As he was about to advance, a hand palmed him by the collar and shoved him back into his chair with such force it nearly knocked it over.
There stood Ranger, whose ear had picked up Holo's distressful tone and came to investigate.
"Dare lay a hand on her and I will add to your misfortunes." he growled.
Holo quickly regretted her decision as a scene was now underway with them at the center of it all. For the crowd began herding in with some whistling and calling awaiting to see what would happen next.
The drunkard was assisted to his feet by his friends who were then shaken off. "What is she to you?"
Ranger hardened his scowl but said nothing. The drunk came around the table and spoke closely to the masked man's face, who caught a strong whiff of his fermented breath.
"What, she your handmaid?" he jested, "Oh yes I understand, a man like you, spending all the time out by his lonesome, must find someway to keep himself sane and occupied." He then looked past his shoulder at Holo, "I can only imagine what her loins must feel like."
Ranger suddenly chambered his fist for a back hand and was about to deliver until Holo rushed in and stopped him, "No Fivel! It was my fault. Come let us not stay here any longer, please!"
In swirling silence, Ranger looked at her, then back at the drunkard.
"Do what she says Fivel." smirked the villain.
With a deep respire, the masked man turned around without saying a word. He could hear the laughs and scorn of the wretches who congratulated themselves on their partial victory.
The peddlers who needed payment quickly approached him for compensation for their goods and services before he left in which he snapped back, "Talk to her."
With great unease they approached Holo while Ranger loaded up the wagon. The last few men to be satisfied was the mountain man who had cut the meat into even chunks, salted and wrapped them, and the medicine man.
When it was all said and done and the bill was fulfilled, the pharmacist whispered, "Thanks fer stickn' up fer us!" he gave a cheery smile then returned to his stand.
Holo cautiously returned to the wagon to see Ranger re organizing the spare space for the new cargo.
"Well that was about the last of the coin." she said nervously.
He gave no reply, only giving a slight look to acknowledge her.
She then sighed and swallowed her emotions, "I am sorry, I know you do not like it when I create scene and that you wish to remain discrete. It is just the things he was saying about what me and Lawrence do, I could not bear it! Please do not be angry with me."
He finished re stocking and looked at her unevenly, "Why would I be angry?"
"I nearly started a conflict and drew too much attention."
He hopped out and paused before walking to the driver's box, "Should I be angry with someone who said what needed to be said and defended the honor of her profession?"
Then just as he was climbing up said while looking back, "It is not you who I am angry with."
She had nothing more to say, therefore she went around and took her place beside him. Just as he was about to slap the reigns, a familiar and rude voice called out, "Yes that is right, begone and take that wench with you!"
Ranger was now beyond agitated as he looked over and beheld the drunkard and his two cohorts who wished to dig the knife in deeper.
"Oh that does not bother you does it? When I insult her?" said he out loud then nearly screaming, "WENCH, SHREW, TROLLOP, HARLOT!"
Ranger then retied the reigns and was attempting to get out when Holo took hold of his arm, "Please, it is alright we can just go." she said while trying to hide the hurt from the insults.
He hardened his gaze on her then said, "No, it is not alright."
His feet landed with a weight that equaled his mood as he approached. The drunkard seemed excited, "Come now Fivel, you realize if you go against the wishes of your woman it will put her out of the mood forever. Are you sure you wish to fight?"
Ranger crooked his head then said, "I do not intend on fighting anyone."
Suddenly he whistled and pointed right at the man. The drunkard was put off for a moment and was about to laugh once more until a streak of black and gold blew past his enemy and had jumped up and locked his arm in his powerful jaws. Kaytaff was called to action.
Yelling and screaming the drunkard cried out, "Blast Dammit get the infernal beast off of me!"
As soon as Kaytaff felt a set of strange hands attempting to pull him off he turned his fury upon them and began lashing out at this new set of flesh. His teeth ripped and tore through the man's wrists while the drunkard recovered and kicked the dog in the hind quarters which was a grievous mistake.
Kaytaff flipped back around and grabbed his ankle and pulled so hard it yanked both feet out from underneath him. Once on his back the hound put the might of his jaws where he really wanted them, on the man's face.
He shook and yelled through the snarls and barks and begged for assistance in which the third one who had yet to try anything pulled his hatchet from his belt. He did not get far in his design to use it as Ranger turned him around and struck him so hard across the jaw line that he fell to the ground and did not move after.
Ranger then called his four legged companion to heel in which he did, after getting a last few chomps in on the drunkard. As he was about to leave the two on the ground in agony, the last one standing was about to make another move until Ranger pointed at him, "Stay!"
He complied and gave the man up to peace who stepped up to the drunkard whose flesh was swollen, lacerated and bleeding, picked him up by his lapel and stated.
"You are fortunate, for in times past in other countries an offender like you would have been tied down naked with a red hot blade resting on his genitals for daring to dishonor another man's woman."
With that said he went over to the one who lay smitten and motionless, took hold of his lapel with one hand and lifted him up. His body was completely limp as his arms dangled about his shoulders like dead ropes. He was still breathing therefore he was dropped back to the earth as Ranger returned to his wagon leaving the one standing and in absolute terror.
He returned to Holo who stood there with her hands held down in front of her waist who could only muster to say, "I-uh-thank you."
He stared at her for a moment with a gaze she had yet the opportunity to decipher in which he addressed his hound and said, "Kaytaff, (while pointing at Holo) guest."
The beast looked on as if in a stupor. Holo however felt a tingling warmth for she no longer felt as an outsider in this venture.
They departed hence from Trapper's Loop without looking back. At this time Holo, very reluctantly, took the ointment and began to apply it within her ear. She grumbled and recoiled while hissing, "It burns!"
Ranger did not seem to mind or notice, for he had his new course of directions laid out in his lap with a compass in hand and the mountains to fix his bearings. The observant wolf took note of newfangled scribbles upon it which compelled her to inquire of their function.
The masked warrior lifted it further up for her to view and said, "I had done some investigating and it turns that that bounty hunter, Nikiski, is heading another raid upon the inuits and so happened to have a recruiting office stationed at Trapper's Loop. As fate would have it, he is going to attempt to make it as far as Ketchiwa."
Holo's ears perked, "That means he would know how to reach there, would he not?"
"Precisely, what I had done was signed on and we are now expected at Kanek Basin to rendezvous with the rest of the party."
"How much time have we to get there?"
"I was told to depart immediately, for he is expected to leave tomorrow, however the time of day is unclear."
"Then let us delay no longer." said she.
Gallavaun was then put into a trot that he maintained for sizable trek until the terrain became rocky and on a steep incline. They seemed to be making good time in which due to her wild curiosity could not help but inquire.
"So this country that would heinously punish men who insulted women, it was your country, true?"
This time he chose to amuse her inquiry by saying, "Perhaps, perhaps not."
She supported her head in both hands with that ever so sly smile exposing her fang, "I happen to be an excellent judge of character. And I can tell you have a sensitive spot for damsels who are caught up in the act of being mistreated."
"How observant, whatever gave it away?" replied Ranger with that dull sense in his voice.
She snickered in good heartedness, "So tell me, was it something you were born with or indoctrinated at a young age?"
He let out a heavy breath through his nose in which Holo could tell that his defenses had raised immediately, "Is this conversation really necessary?" he asked very reservedly.
She folded her arms and sat back with hear head hanging behind her, "You are no fun."
Ranger, against his better judgment, and in desire that perhaps if he gave her what she wanted the sooner it would end, said, "I lived in an area where we greatly cherished our women. For reasons why; they bore our children and nurtured them while we were away. We exerted every effort to keep them safe for they were the vessels in which our posterity could turn into generations. Above all else, they were the greatest asset for us to exercise our affection. They are what kept us human, they were the most valuable thing to return home to."
When finished he noticed she did not say anything in which he turned to see her cunning face perched next to him, "I did not know you cared!" she giggled.
Ranger suddenly turned the tables against her, "What of the wolves of Yoites? Did they cling to one mate or did that change from year to year?"
His tone was nearly disrespectful to her heritage yet she was still able to answer, "Unlike the lesser wolves, when we would look for a mate it was considered to be a long term relationship. Though we did not have the bond you humans call marriage, we did experience what it meant to fall in love."
"Is Lawrence not your first mate then?"
She shot her head towards him so fast her hair wrapped over her face. Pulling it back she said, "I have had pack mates and other humans in the past I had become quite fond of. But Lawrence was the first I had become…one with."
"Then that could mean you do not know the difference between mates who are gentle or aggressive."
Her face made the transition to red so rapidly that she nearly burst a capillary. Stammering and stuttering to find the words to counter act him, she could only fold her arms and snap her head away. She had just been beaten at her own game and it was a sour defeat indeed.
"I think I am going to read." she huffed before grabbing her novel and began to delve into its contents. She tried at best to ignore his eyes that were affixed upon the trail. For though his face was concealed it was as though she could literally hear him smiling.
There was no speaking to one another after that. Soon in time Holo forgot about Ranger's jab and became lost in the quest of Rabana.
The day moved along at its leisurely pace with the forecast coming in to blot out the sky with a quilt of gray textures. The hills rolled and the thicket of trees swayed all while being overlooked by the towering frontier.
Down off the beaten path was a stream of opaque currents flowing over smooth rocks in which eagles could be seen diving down and catching wild salmon. Ranger turned and watched them gracefully dive down and skim the water with such a majestic soar that it could entrap the human mind to see it happen again.
The mood of tranquility was about take a heart shattering turn when Ranger heard Holo moan and wince. He set his eyes upon her to assume the mite infection was flaring up again. However he noticed she had a hand on her abdomen.
At first he thought little of it and looked on ahead until only a few minutes later she let out another soft groan of discomfort. With an increasing concern for her comfort he asked, "Are you well?"
She nodded with a hand applying pressure to her stomach and said, "It feels like a sore muscle or cramp. I will be fine."
He observed her more closely and said while shaking his head, "You are looking pale. Do you need to lay in the back?"
"No that will not be necessary, I will be-AH!"
Suddenly without warning, the pain she was describing flared and intensified to such an insurmountable degree that she hugged her stomach with both arms and leaned over while yelping as though she were being stabbed.
Ranger pulled up on the reigns to address her, "What is wrong?"
She tried to look at him as her face had become as colorless as a corpse, as if all the redness had moved to her eyes while her skin had become immensely diaphoretic.
"I do…not..know!" she struggled to speak between her gasps of air as the agony was becoming greater than she could bear.
The most natural attempt to relieve the pain was to move about, in which she attempted to disembark the carriage. She buckled under the attempt and nearly fell face first out of the wagon if Ranger had not caught her in time.
She stumbled to her feet and mustered only a few steps before collapsing onto her knees and grasping her sides with all her might while sobbing in terrible pain. Ranger was quick to tend to her as he began leaning her over.
"Lay down." he ordered as she hobbled over onto her side while tucked in a ball.
"Did you eat something?" he quickly probed in an maneuver to discover what was ailing her so terribly.
She shook her head with tears bathing her face while she rolled around and cried. Suddenly her eyes opened slightly in profound horror and began moaning, "Oh no! The Baby. The Baby-y-y!"
He was quick to clarify, "Are you sure?"
She only trembled as her head assented to the positive while she cried out loud. The man just stared at the woman in her hysterical state. She was too distraught to see the look in his eyes, the look of fear and helplessness.
She grabbed his lapels and begged, "Please do not let me loose it! Get me Lawrence! GET ME LAWRENCE!"
Suddenly the masked warrior erected himself and leapt into his wagon with a single bound. He went to one of the locks on his chests and slid his sword into the shackled and stomped on it to break it free. This saved him the time to sort through the keys.
He was back tending to her in a mere flash of an instant and there began cradling her head with a vial in hand.
"Drink this, quickly!" he ordered.
The paralyzed wolf mother did not see it, she only opened her mouth and tasted a foul liquid that made her cough it up in a struggle. Ranger held her down and ordered again, "You must drink this, there is no time!"
This time she fought the gag reflex and aloud the dregs to soothe down her throat. She thought she recognized the scent, it smell as that elixir and ointment given to Albert and Jabari. Once finished she began to breath a little more easier. The pain did not subside all at once, but its intensity was dissipating.
As she was cooling down she whimpered, "Is my baby going to be alright?"
Ranger rested his index finger on her lips and hushed her gently, "Try not to speak. Just rest."
Once convinced she would be comfortable enough without him for a few moments Ranger let her lay back down and then began to layout the blankets in the back of the wagon and there formed a make shift bed. He then carefully picked her up and walked her to it.
She curled in his arms and sniffled, "Lawrence….forgive me…."
He gently laid her down on the bed and then wrapped her up in another blanket and was sure to keep her head elevated. He then retreated down to the river to douse a rag in cold water, returned, and placed it on her forehead.
She was still pale but her condition seemed more tolerable. He continued to tend to her for the next twenty minutes to see if her condition would worsen. When it was not so he quietly said, "We need to keep moving. Lay here and let me know if anything changes."
He turned to step out the back when his wrist was caught by the snatch of her hand. He looked back at her eyes who were like shimmering pearls.
"Am I still going to be a mother…?" she moaned.
After considerable silence he could only say in the same tone as he had before, "I do not know."
Her hand fell and was slowly brought in so that her face may be buried in it. Ranger secured the wagon and set it off in motion.
Though the physical pain had passed the spiritual torment remained. It was the crushing unknown that tormented her the most. Despite her all wisdom, her fears began to prey on her and she silently wept to herself.
Ranger took one last look towards the eagles at the river. They only remained perched on the overshadowing trees and waited.
