Chapter 4: You Are What You Were Made To Be

The Vassa, a river that knows no season. After much debating, my wonderful cousin came up with the solution to crossing the surge of brown, icy water. His squire-ship with the Lady Alanna seems to have produced some unique talents in the usually lazy Meathead - talents and acquaintances.

I watched cautiously as Neal, Kel, and Tobe began negotiations with the Scanran smugglers. The fact that we had been strung out on the ridge irked me. Our enemy could take easy count of how many followed them, if anyone cared to warn them. My hand never left the crossbow hanging from my saddle until Neal waved for us to come down.

Inside the palisade, I looked around. The walls were well built, if the houses were a little rough. One man kept near a bent old woman, a hedge witch by the looks of her. He seemed rather put out about our presence. Others circled the walls above, weapons close to hand. We had been admitted, but we were not welcome. Keladry announced.

"We leave at moonrise. These people will help us across the Vassa. Don't try to socialize while we're here. Just go about your own business and leave others be."

Well, we'd at least get some rest from the chase. None of the men said a word, but the way was hard. The fact that we had entered Scanran territory not too long ago weighed heavy on everyone. I nodded to my men and dismounted. Some boys in mismatched clothing came from behind buildings to lead the way to the stables. We knew better than to leave our things in the hands of the not so honest.

Fulcher sighed. "Good hot food, a nap, and some time off for my tired bum. What more could a King's Own ask for?"

"Sides a girl?" One of the others asked drily.

"None of that." I warned. "They don't want us here, and I don't want any trouble."

I took care of my mount, then carried my tack back to the building designated for our use until nightfall. Tossing it at the foot of one of the cots lined up against the wall, I took silent count of the men. Two were simply lounging about, their equipment un-cared for. Pointing at them, I ordered.

"You and you, clean your gear and stand watch at the door."

Shamefaced, they did as told. Satisfied, I picked up a rag and began wiping down my saddle. A handful of minutes later, an urchin stuck his head in the building. He stared at the men, then announced in a high-pitched yelp,

"Food's up!"

He quickly vanished.

I gave my gear a once-over, then nodded to my squad. We filed out, leaving the two misfortunates to guard our things. Out in the open, I again looked over the smuggler's camp. We were being closely watched both openly and covertly. I would be glad to leave, this mistrust set me on edge.

Inside what I assumed was their mess hall, I quickly located our group of Tortallians. We were handed bowls of some sort of meat stew, the smell of which made my stomach growl. Before sitting down, I again scanned the area for any possible conflicts. I found none. Satisfied that the men were obeying orders, I moved to the empty place next to my leader, Keladry. She and Merric had been an argument over her choice of action. Merric exclaimed,

"Kel, if there's something you're not telling us, you owe it to us to spit it out."

What was this? Something about her obsession over the refugees?

She was shaking her head. "You won't believe me."

Merric frowned as I sat, one leg over the bench the other dangling on the opposite side, facing Keladry as I tried to catch up on their conversation.

"Come on, Kel. Give me the benefit of the doubt. I'm a gullible lad. I believe all sorts of things."

I smirked. Not a good ploy sonny, just makes yourself look stupid. "If it's knowledge you're after, try Neal." Keladry gave me a side glance. "It looks to me like he's gleaning from the crop of spy fields."

They both turned to look over at the corner where my cousin sat with a handful of men, clearly the leaders of this place, and seemed to be bargaining with them. Keladry looked back at me.

"What does Lady Alanna know of spies? That's how he said he knew of them, from riding with her."

Trying to lure Merric off track I see. I played along with her. "He also mentioned her husband. I think that's more to the point."

Merric was not to be put off. He's one determined, if a little naive, man.

"Enough!" His hand slapped the table. "Kel, just say it, all right?"

Someone spoke from behind me.

"It's sommat to do with Blayce, an' Stenmun, an' that Ordeal room." It was Tobe. He had a smug look on his face like he knew he was giving away information. "She dreams about em' all the time. How can anybody talk to a room?"

I stared at the boy. He had to be joking. The Ordeal room? The Chamber? She went voluntarily back into a place that every knight feared more than death itself? The look on Keladry's face only confirmed the fact.

"Tobe, it's not just a room. Or there's a thing in it, a god or something. I -" She glanced around the growing circle of listeners. "I had reason to talk to if before we left Corus."

Before she had arrived at Haven - that would explain her attempts at refusal in commanding that outpost. That's why she was unsurprised by the news of the iron beasts or the mage who created them. She already knew. I'd heard many strange things about the Chamber - all of them re-enforced my promise never to go near the thing unless directly ordered. My list of reasons was growing rapidly.

Merric had to swallow before repeating. "You talked. To the Chamber."

Keladry sighed. "I said you wouldn't believe me. It told me that my path and Blayce's would cross." Her voice dropped in anger. "It just wouldn't - couldn't - tell me when, or where, or how many would die beforehand."

I saw the frustration mix with guilt in her dreamer's eyes. Yes, this is why her passion ran so deeply about her charges. She obeyed orders to the letter, but her own code held her more responsible to her word than any oath of loyalty could enforce. The Chamber played to her code, conning her into this insane rescue. I believed her. I'd seen too many strange things over the Immortals War to think this story untrue.

I shot a look at Merric to shut him up. Lightly commenting, I stood.

"Well, that answers that. I'm so glad I was a younger son and never wanted a knighthood. I wouldn't go into the Chamber once, let alone twice." I looked around the room. "Not to be abrupt, but it looks like we're getting ready to move."

The smugglers were heading out the door. The old lady who had greeted us earlier approached as we followed. She carried something in a large Scanran krater. Holding it out to Keladry, she muttered something. Keladry turned and called to Neal.

I gave orders to my men to fetch all our gear from the bunk house. The horses had been groomed quite nicely and seemed refreshed when led from the stables. As they were saddled up, I returned my attention back to the group of leaders. Once again they were arguing over Neal's judgment. Perhaps he could learn something from it if he actually noticed how often it occurs.

"You're sure?" Sergeant Esmond questioned.

Keladry rolled her eyes. "Do you think he'd have taken the first drink himself if he weren't?"

I grinned. "Not our Sir Meathead."

Neal turned his anger at being doubted on me. "You're like a dog with a bone about that name."

"Me? I'm not the one growling at every bite at my ego."

Neal jabbed at my chest. "How about I turn you into one."

I sauntered over to Keladry, who finished taking a swallow. "I don't think that goes under the qualifications of Healer. Sides, save your energy for later, Oh Great One."

Gah, any sort of potion tastes nasty when made by mages. Whatever the hedge witch had made wasn't as bad as the few samples I've tried, but it still was rather overpowering. I had no idea what it would do, but if Neal and Keladry were drinking it, then the rest of us would too.

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We crossed the river with no mishaps. However, on the other side we discovered more evidence of our target's coldness. At the foot of the bluffs which always signify an upcoming mountain range, we found more bodies. The only marker to identify the hanging corpses was a crude wooden sign calling our former friends 'Rebellious Slaves". As if they expected any other...

We cut them down from the trees, rested them in respectable places and covered them as best we could with branches. I saw Keladry open her mouth to say the appropriate prayers but nothing came out. I stepped forwards for her, but Neal spoke first. The night was over half complete when we moved on, leaving pitiful piles of remains behind. Keladry remained silent until calling a halt hours later. Setting up temporary camp, I settled with the rest for what little sleep we could gain before the sun rose.

I woke with Jump panting in my face, a dead rabbit at his feet. With a groan, I sat up. An hour before dawn, the false dawn, gave enough light to see my men scattered in the small cove we had found. Others stirred. Giving Jump a pat, I picked up the rabbit and moved it away from my blankets. With a low whistle, easily mistaken for a warble of a bird, I woke the King's Own.

Digging into a food pack, I found cheese and sausage. Tobe came from where the horses had been picketed and made his way over to where his mistress lay. When he nudged her, she rolled over and asked,

"Did I talk in my sleep?"

Tobe shook his head. "No, lady."

I commented from where I knelt. "It could be that now you're on your way, you'll stop dreaming about it."

She nodded absently, searching among her own things. After a moment she came up with a comb. I couldn't help staring. It was the only 'girlie' thing I had seen in her hands before - made from some soft green stone instead of the usual bone and carved elegantly with a Yamani fan pattern on the handle. However, its feminine presence didn't seem to register to Keladry as she quickly ran it through her short brown hair. The sun was beginning to bleach parts a honey color. Hang me for even noticing. I deliberately tossed some of my food to her when she stopped looking over her maps and walked away.

Our good luck ended later that morning. Thus far we managed to travel enemy territory without being discovered. If we wished to remain so, new measures would have to be taken.

Owen, our lead human scout, came dashing back just behind the sparrows. Soldiers approached - heavily armed and of nearly equal strength as our rescue party. The reality of our insanity would come around the bend in just a few moments. Keladry quickly and cooly issued orders after taking stock of our position. Her hand clutched something as she evaluated her assets. I watched the wheels in her mind turn. When she brought her gaze to me, I knew what she was thinking.

We could not afford to let one Scanran live. They would all have to die. The thought of it made me wince. I've been a soldier my entire life, but I get no pleasure out of the extremes that war makes me do. I had been faced with similar choices before, but this would be the first for the lady knight. Her face set as she called for Jump and signaled to the men to prepare for combat. When she rose from speaking to him, she began checking over her armor.

"The animals will tend to the scouts, I hope. Dom, you and your boys get behind the men on the road, like yesterday. Esmond, go with them to hold the enemy at the rear. If you don't mind, let Dom give the orders - he's been fighting longer than either of us."

We exchanged glances and nodded.

"Wait till you hear noise from the front before you start shooting. Don't let the horses get away, and -" She had to swallow. "And don't let a man get away. Not one, do you understand? Get the dead off the road as soon as you can." Calling the birds, "Nari, Quicksilver? Take some of the flock. Get in front of Dom, further down the road. Warn him if anyone comes."

With a nod, Keladry excused us. I wanted to touch her shoulder in encouragement, but I know she would take it as concern or pity. I mounted my horse and followed the sparrows. Moving as quickly and quietly as possible through the brush, I led my men in a loop to pin the enemy from behind. One sparrow always clung to the mane of my mount, bright eyes darting here and there. Feeling slightly foolish, I asked in a whisper,

"Are we behind them?"

The bird cocked its head at me, then flew off. Moments later, it - or another - darted back and bobbed its head. I signaled my men.

Reaching the road, I had just enough time to take a look around when the sparrows came crying around the bend. I raised my sword. A spearhead became visible over a rock and the sound of battle rang out. Leaping forwards, we clashed with the six men trying to escape. The spear narrowly missed my side as I took off the welder's head. My horse trampled another swordsman. The birds did their duty well, distracting and hurting the Scanrans, bringing the odds into our favor. No man escaped.

Reunited with our comrades, we took stock of our victory. No one was seriously injured, and every Scanran accounted for. Stormwings harassed us as we covered our work. I've always been surprised at Keladry's loathing of the immortals. She hates them with a passion - probably because of their mistreatment of the dead. I have met few people with such honor.

The rest of the day went along rather uneventfully, except for another battle with a party of Scanrans which went smoothly. We passed two farms, but no one had waited around for Stenmun to pass by. It was nearing evening when a scout brought in better news. We had finally caught up with them.

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Rescuing the refugees was nearly pathetically easy. Keladry's training served them well. With the animals on our side, we quickly wiped out the guards and soldiers. Once again we were forced to dispatch every enemy, but with the help of the captives it was rapidly finished during the battle. However...

"Lady! Lady Kel, they ain't here! Loey and Meech and Gydo and them, they ain't here!" Tobe cried once the grounds were secure.

I glanced around. The children were gone, all that were present were the adults, some badly beaten, others frightened half out of their wits, but all determined to keep their freedom. Keladry sighed.

"I know. They were taken?"

The question was directed to a badly whipped woman who I recognized as Fanche. She wasn't the one to answer, but a man dressed in what was once a mockery of finery who had been soundly beaten in the face spoke up.

"Sunset last night. Across the ford. They're with a hundred and fifty soldiers and that animal Stenmun, riding."

That put our odds to over four to one. Stenmun didn't really care about adults. He wanted the children to make more of those twisted machines powered by innocent spirits.

The woman, Fanche spoke tiredly. "You'd've been proud. They fought like wildcats, all of them. We were terrified they'd be killed, but Stenmun wouldn't let them be hurt. Now he has them. Gods know where they're going."

Owen, sporting his new cut on his face, broke in. "Across the ford where?"

Another refugee, a ploughman I had once stood guard over, answered.

"Up the Pakkai."

Keladry nodded like she expected no less. I wouldn't be surprised if she knew all along that this would happen. She issued the usual orders of taking care of bodies and the signs of a camp. It wasn't until she told her personal aid, Tobe to round up the horses and the others to gather supplies that the we began to get suspicious.

Esmond paused in his tracks to stack the fallen weapons. "What do you mean 'you'll need them'?"

Neal, the strain of healing just beginning to show, shook his head. "Exactly what she says. She's going after the little ones, and Stenmun, and Blayce." He paused to send green mist over Fanche and the man's wounds. His control had expanded since last I'd seen him use his Gift. When he finished he turned back to his friend. "You'd better tie me to my horse when I get this lot fit to ride."

Her reaction was what I could have predicted. Hands on hips, she glared. "I want you to return with them."

Neal answered with his own sharp look. "Not a chance."

I call my cousin a Meathead but in reality he is nothing the like. Yet at times like these, he deserves every aspect of the name. There would be no budging him once he made a decision. Nodding to my men, I gave my hand the twist sign to gather.

"They go without me and my boys, too. My orders were to stay with you." The men backed me up with nods of their own.

The convict leader, Gil, gave a sharp look over the group before straightening his shoulders.

"We're stayin' too, me an' my squad."

Keladry knew she was beaten once more. This time she didn't even attempt to argue as she had at Giantkiller. But her troubles weren't over yet.

"The rest of you -" She began.

"You're not going without me." Fanche interrupted.

"Or me." That was her courtier, a man named Saefas.

I wanted to laugh at the face she made. With a tiny groan, she played her last card.

"Merric, you're in charge. Get them back across the Vassa and safe home, to Mastiff if you can. Neal, tell them how to contact the smugglers."

Merric protested, "But Kel -"

She would have none of it, pushed to her limit. "It's our DUTY. These people are under our protection. I can't go back, do you understand? I have to get the little ones, and I have to settle with Blayce and Stenmun Kinslayer. Otherwise they'll be making new killing devices for us to fight."

Merric gave in quietly. "Oh. What the Chamber wanted you to do, right?"

Keladry didn't even answer.

The refugees prepared to head home, to safety, while the rest of us continued to prepare for the last leg of the chase.