Disclaimer: Please read previous chapters for disclaimer.
Disclaimer 2: AU. (In case you need t be told)
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"He carries a letter of introduction from that worthy. Would you like to see?" Kraven asked.
"Yes, I would." Beck insisted, and Ryder pulled out his pack. It took him a short while to find the box he kept the letter in, and from there, hand the letter over to Beck. "Okay, from what I can tell, this is his hand writing, and that is definitely his signet. Okay, I believe you. I guess we're traveling together."
"Then we leave withing the hour." Kraven announced. "I just have to find one more person, someone we all will have to trust." The old man gave a bearded smile. "It's been a decade since I walked this path. I'm hiring a guide. Don't worry, I know a family that owes mine. They'll send someone."
Half an hour later, the whole party, including the expedition from Vordnar, made their way to the edge of town. Outside the walls, on the other side of the moat, sat a small township that was made up of shanty buildings. Kraven led the group to a collection of such buildings. "Wait here." He told them all. Ryder looked nervous.
"That symbol, I know this family." He told Beck. "They have a, um, reputation. It's been eight years, and I still remember what my father used to say about them. They know the mountains like no one else. I don't remember much else, save that they can be rugged brutes that are difficult to control. Men of the wild, as at home out there as any human can be."
"Rangers and scouts, yes." Beck said, smiling. "We'll keep him away from the expedition, let him be in that wild he loves so much. I don't care how much of an animal he really is, just as long as we get where we're going, safe and sound."
A few minutes later, Kraven walked out with what looked like a clerk. The boy seemed to be around the same age as Tori and Beck, but was thin, with a scrawny build that belied his height, because the lad was as tall as Beck himself. (Ryder was taller, standing just over six foot two inches tall, as opposed to Beck's five foot ten, and Victoria's five foot six.) The boys bookish look was augmented by his curly hair and glasses, a means to correct his flawed vision. "Boys, this is Robbie, from the Shapiro family. He's gonna be our guide."
"Um, I thought mountain men were tough, rugged individuals." Beck said.
"And I don't look it, do I?" Robbie asked. "Yea, I don't. Honestly, I enjoy the comforts of home and hearth far more then I ever hated civilization. Me and my dad, don't get along very much, as he doesn't understand anyone who doesn't want to be out there. But hay, you need a guild who can take you to Aleister's compound, and I both know the way, and can get you there safely. I assume we're walking?"
"Could we take horses there?" Beck asked.
"Probably save us a couple of days, but then, we'd have to protect the horses. No, many of the critters out there are reluctant to hunt anything with a human scent. But horses, they smell like food to some of the large critters. Plus, the horse trails, all kinds keep an eye on them. So it's far better to walk. Pity, cause I prefer to ride. Oh well..." Rob shrugged.
"And you're a rugged mountain man…?" Tori asked, almost forgetting to use her man voice.
"Look, being strong helps, but if your strong but dumb, might as well stay home. Smart, that's the edge you need, and I know everything my father ever tried to teach me about being a ranger. I can use a bow, hit what I'm aiming at, and I know what every track, every dropping, every sign out there means, just as long as it was made by something both natural and local. You're not gonna find a better guide, and certainly not at this price."
"I thought your family was repaying a favor you owed Kraven?" Beck said.
"Oh, we are." Robbie replied. "Which is why I'm going at all. But I'm young, and so I only get the base rate for a guide, for the week or so it'll take to get there, then get back. Plus you're covering my meals."
"So how soon can you be ready to head out?" Ryder asked, not sure of this choice, but trusting Kraven's survival instincts over her base miserliness.
"I can leave right now." Robbie said. "We're always ready to go, just in case. But I will need some of my things should you decide you want to hire me long term. I mean, sure, I'm really good around here, but I'm a ranger, trained in the wilds, and I can be of use in all kinds of places. So, lets get going, shall we?"
After giving the boy a chance to grab what he needed, the group walked off towards the mountains. After about half an hour, where they'd gone up a notable incline for the last ten minutes or so, Robbie addressed the party. "Okay, we're in the mountains now. That means, we play by a very different set of rules. You're gonna see wild life, that's fine. If I see something we need to avoid, I'll let you know. Otherwise, leave all hunting to me. If you do something, almost anything, you could well bring us trouble we don't need. That clear?"
The men nodded. "Good. Um, Ryder, can I have a word?" The ranger continued.
The knight approached, and found himself being led a few paces away from the group. "What is it?" he hissed.
"Just, as a knight, I assume you've noticed that one of our party is a girl, right?" Robbie said.
"What makes you say that?" Ryder asked, keeping his eyes on the expedition.
"The way she moves while climbing." Rob pointed out. "Her center of balance is all wrong. I'm assuming the members of her own group know she's a she, but did you or the merchant?"
"Honestly, the way she dresses, it's not obvious." Ryder admitted. "I only knew because the knight who trained me often spoke about his friend, Lord David, Baron of Vordnar. One thing he spoke about was the mans daughters, and how they were raised as sons to make up for him lacking any of his own. If that is the child of Baron David of the Dale, then we're dealing with a daughter. You just confirmed my beliefs."
"So, do we expect any troubles from having her out here?" Robbie asked.
"Do you?" Ryder countered. "She was trained like a son, and if Sir Gary is correct, she can fight as well as any man out there. Is there any concerns on your part?"
"No, not really." Robbie assured the knight. "Just wanted to be sure everyone is on the same page."
"I haven't told master Kraven yet." Ryder admitted.
"So we won't, up until it becomes necessary to do so." Rob agreed. Then, in a louder voice, he called out to the group. "Okay, I just want to remind you, we're not looking for trouble. We have a large, armed expedition here, and while I'm sure we could do a lot of damage to the flora and fauna, lets not. We'll get there quicker if we're hauling our own food. Are we?"
"We have plenty, and experience in treeing it." Beck said.
"Then we're good." Rob announced. "Lets go. I tend to set a fast pace, so don't be afraid to tell me to slow down."
Despite more than a touch of doubt, they nodded and followed as the young ranger found the trail. He moved with confidence, but to the untrained, it wasn't unreasonably fast, at least not initially. But traveling in the mountains, and in the wilds, can be deceptively hard, as the expedition soon discovered.
By the end of the first day, Beck was convinced something was wrong. Rob was a lot more fit then the lord had anticipated, but that alone wasn't enough to explain why the ranger kept distancing the party. 'No, he knows this territory, knows the best ways to travel through. I can't explain it, but somehow he can turn that knowledge into distance...'
"We're almost at the camp sight I've chosen for us." Robbie called back as she showed himslef from the greenery. Beck had to admit, the boy was well trained.
"So, how is it your so good at this?" Tori asked, staying in her man voice.
"Oh, like I always say, a lot of this is training." Rob replied. "Brains over brawn. You see, stealth is a mix of physical and mental, and when I couldn't keep up with the physical aspects, I pushed the other half. It's okay, cause the physical, I kinda caught up. Not the strongest, but I'm good with my bow, my blades, and lets be honest, I'm never gonna just stand up and trade blows like some knight..." His eyes flicked over to Ryder. "No offense."
"None taken." The knight replied. "I get it, smart over strong. Even knights have to have a lot of skills, know something about tactics. That keeps us alive. I'm sure Beck and Vic know that."
"We do." Tori agreed.
"So, this camp, is it some place you've used before?" Ryder asked.
"It's a hunters hut, a place out here where we can find shelter in the storms, or at least be dry in the rains." Robbie explained. "It's not that big, cause it's just a secure place where we can bunker down in bad weather. But it's safe as can be expected. Plus, I'll wager there are a couple of you who'll appreciate not having to sleep on the ground tonight."
"How far?" Kraven asked. He was used to hard travel, but more than just the years, this was cutting across small trails and through the wilderness. It was hard work he'd rather only do occasionally. Then again, the contract with Alister was worth the strain.
"Not far." Rob replied. "Lets get moving. The sooner we're there, the sooner we can settle in, set watched, maybe build a fire."
Ryder hustled to get closer to the guide as they cut their way through the light forest to where Robbie was leading them. "So, there are shelters in the mountains?" He asked.
"Remember smart over tough?" Robbie asked. "We build them, in secure locations, and then we do what we can to hide them. This one, it's not that major a thing. But yea, there are several, near where we like to hunt. That way, we have a safe place to retreat too. Of course, you do have to be careful about leaving food out, cause bears, they'll tear right through most of these shelters. But that's okay, cause we're smart, and I'll show you, once we get there."
"Sure, whatever." Ryder agreed. 'This guy seems more then good enough. I saw Kraven's face. They don't usually use shelters like that out here. That's why I'm packing a small tarp, to make shelter for us. I'm thinking, in the future, he's gonna wanna be stopping here...'
They came through a think bunch of trees, and found themselves looking at what appeared to be a small clearing. "There she is." Rob said. "Like I said, this one's a bit older, so it's mostly just basic. Something to cut the wind, keep the rain off your head."
"I don't see..." Beck said, looking around.
"Oh, it's here." Robbie said. "We just need to set it. See, I'm gonna go pull down the walls, and the roof. It'll look a lot like a lean-to, but bigger." He chuckled. "Okay, there is no size limits to lean-to's, but you get the picture. We hide it, cause we have to be careful, cause animals like shelter too. Now then, lets clear this floor area out, and you guys help me set the walls, and the roof. We'll have all the shelter we can handle then."
It was odd, how they pulled the walls, and roof, out of some out of the way storage space, quickly binding them together. The building they created wasn't huge, but it had a fire pit, and space for them to sleep. But the biggest thing it had, once the pieces were pulled out and constructed, were some rude beds. There were four beds that would hold maybe eight people if they got friendly.
"Okay, nobles and merchants get beds." Beck called out. "Sorry, Robbie, I'm sure you were hoping..."
"Oh, I was, but I get it." The boy said with a shrug. "No one wants to share with a commoner. It's okay, I have an alternative for me. Just let me string it up, and I'll be ready to go."
The expedition set themselves for the night, setting watches and making a fire in the pit. As they did so, Robbie found a place to put the food, hanging it from a tree in a surprisingly secure location. Then, he tied something to one of the support trees. The length of rope then went to another, and it was obvious that the rope was actually two, or more, and secured a piece of canvas. Robbie had set up a hammock.
"You're gonna sleep in that?" Ryder asked.
"Once you learn how it's not that hard." The ranger explained. "Besides, this way, I'm comfortable, and off the ground. I kinda like that. Only problem is, you have to learn how to get in and out. But it's good, cause me, I'm an expert. You should see me string this thing up high, in the branches. Harder to get into and out of, but really secure."
Tori looked around, and to her surprise, the whole construction looked a lot more like a shelter then she'd have guessed. Except for missing a whole wall, the lean-to felt like a small cabin. 'Of course, the building won't hold in heat, so we'll need all our blankets. And that huge open wall, gives us no protection. But I have to admit, I do feel safe, and dryer, and hell, this is almost comfortable. Okay, the sac I've been stuffing with greenage, to make the bed, it does smell a bit of mold, but not as bad as some of the clothes people were wearing back in town. No, this is good...' She smiled.
Beck flanked her, while a couple of the men of their expedition chose to sleep on the floor near by. It was a reminder to her that she wasn't accepted as an equal. 'I've been passing as a man for over a month now, so I sometimes forget, everyone in our expedition knows who I really am, and why I'm even here. We're all on this quest together, and somehow, I'm expected to speak for my dad, get the wizard to help out. That is, if he can...'
"Tori, how're you doing?" Beck whispered. "Look, I know this has to be straining on you. But hold on, we're almost half way there. Besides, there's a chance we won't even be able to fool the wizard, so maybe..."
"Maybe we'll be able to drop this disguise?" Tori asked back, her voice just as low. "I wish we could, at least among our own. I miss my pretty dresses, and my bed, and my horse, and everything that went with being the second child of the lord of Clan Vega. I mean, I can be just as tough as anyone, but I'm a girl, darn it, and I like girly things sometimes. Like a bath. I would love a bath..."
"I agree, the one they had for us, back at that inn, wasn't much of a bath." Beck said.
"At least you didn't have to worry about someone walking in, which is why you'd stationed a guard outside the door when it was my turn." Tori griped. "I want a nice, long bath where I can feel really clean."
"Patience, Tori." Beck urged. "Patience. I want that too. I've been on this trip far too long. Tracking down a wizard was harder then it looked."
"At least we were never naive enough to pay first." Tori smiled. "And Aleister has a reputation. If he's who he claims to be, we should be able to get the help we need. I just hope it's not too late…" She saw the face her cousin made.
"Beck, it's okay." Tori tried to comfort her cousin. "The dragon isn't just attacking out holdings. It's choosing to strike the peripheries, demanding tribute. That gives us time to find a wizard and bring him with us. Maybe we'll even be able to salvage something of this years harvest. Gonna be a lean winter, but we'll make do. Assuming, that is, that we have the chance to rid ourselves of the dragon."
"Sleep." Beck urged his cousin. "Sleep, and lets hope that we're not going on yet another wild mashak chase."
Jade watched the sky, restless. 'I wish there was some movement around here.' She thought, glancing at the compound, and thinking of the silent tower she now inhabited. 'But the master, he sleeps in the house, leaving the tower for magics. I'm alone."
"Um, Jade, I've been meaning to ask, do you prefer to sleep on your side, or your back?" Cat asked, reminding her she wasn't alone.
"Kinda all over the place, why?" Jade wondered.
"When we're traveling, you're gonna wanna have me near a whole lot more then just during the daytime." Cat replied. "So I'm figuring out where I'm gonna sleep. If you were on you back, I'd..." the fay's eyes lingered on the valley between Jade's breasts.
"What? NO!" Jade held her hands up, covering that part of her body.
"Why not?" Cat asked., "That's a soft part of the body, and I could be warm and comfortable in there. Plus, your heart beat might sooth me..." She gave a big smile. "You'd probably do well to have me travel there, when you're in the city. If I go invisible, you won't have any idea where I am…. On second thought, lets just have me scouting for you. In the cities, that's where you'll really need a scout."
"Why is it you think I'd care what kind of trouble you're gonna get into?" Jade growled, meaning it to be meaner then just an accusation.
"Because if I get caught, you're the one paying for it?" Cat asked back.
"So don't get caught." Jade stated.
"Still gonna want a nice warm place to travel in." Cat said. "And you do look so comfortable..."
"I'm thinking we're done for the day." Jade noted. "So why haven't you gone back yet?"
"I'm a Familious." Cat explained. "I can come on my own. I just need to set things up." She smiled. "Plus, this tower, I have rights to it. As long as your here, I can come and go as I see fit. However, I am bound to help you learn, and we've made some progress this last day. Remember, our goal is to build upon what you already know, and go from there. I have no idea what kind of danger you're heading into, but I know it's gonna be huge, cause my lord, back in my home realm, told me that you were in for one hell of a trial by fire. Just, remember, not all things are as they appear… Oh yea, and my kind can do, um, things with yours, assuming we deal with the size differentials. Just, and this is lucky, but I'm not into girls, which is good, cause that body, it calls out for someone to make it tingle. Who makes your skin tingle?"
"So, you're warning me that fey creatures are leches?" Jade asked.
"Many." Cat replied. "But what I'm warning you is, you may find yourself among a strong party of adventurers, and that includes men. I know I'll be seeking comfort in at least one of their arms, once I get them to agree to letting me deal with the size problem, of course. But as I was saying, I just don't want any confusion between us. I'm here to tutor you in magics, acting as a channel for my lord wisdom and power, so she can help you grow.. Wait, you're not supposed to know that last part. You're just doing exercises I recommend to help you build strength and stamina. I want a boy with stamina. A pretty boy with stamina..."
"Um, Cat, are you going to be a problem?" Jade asked.
"Not my real body, so I won't get consequences for a little fun." Cat said. "Which is good, cause mortals, you live such a finite amount of time." Her elfin face lit up. "I know, lets work on that. Maybe by extending your life a bit, we can build your magic reserves. Just, there are a lot of ways to extend life, and many of them take power. To add power, we'd have to do something a bit radical." The small faerie smiled a big smile. "I'm up for it if you are."
"Can we do it in the amount of time we have?" Jade asked.
"Yes and no." Cat said. "I'll need to talk to my lord, find out exactly how we'll do it. But good news, I think we have a chance of having some fun while we make some havoc." Her face fell, and Jade could almost hear something yelling at the girl. "Oh, right, supposed to keep you from creating too much havoc. Why is it they're always getting in the way of my fun?"
"I think I'm ready to go to bed." Jade announced. "You're logic is wearing me out."
"Just don't roll over." Cat called, fluttering over to her pillow and taking up some space near Jade's head.
Jade lay down and was staring to relax when she felt a pulling of her hair. Immediately she sat up, and dragged the small fay along. Cat was still holding onto her hair as the blue eyed girl leveled a dangerous glare at the petite creature. "Why are you pulling my hair?" Jade asked.
"Wanted to use it as a blanket." Cat said, as if it was obvious. "Plus, the colors so boring. Want me to do something about that? I can add streaks, colors to liven up your look. Like, lets start with red. How would you like some red streaks.?"
"Whatever.." Jade said. "I just need sleep. So Cat, go to sleep, and for the love of the gods, stop pulling my hair."
Cat snuggled in near the sorceress. 'Yea, red streaks. She'll look darling., Besides, I need her looking out of the ordinary, cause this trip, she's in for one hell of a time...' A smile fixed itself on her petite form, and she drifted off.
But Cat's type of fey only sleep about two to thee hours per night, so she woke up well before Jade did. Taking her magics, she started adding some streaks in Jade's hair, marveling with her enhanced vision at how the red offset the black tresses. 'We'll have to try other colors as we go along, cause lets be honest, not everyone looks good in red...' Cat smirked, enjoying her play time.
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So we met Robbie, and got a touch more Cat. Plus, we got out expedition heading towards the wizard. What do you think is gonna happen out there in the wilds, and what do you think is going to happen when they actually get to Aleister? Whatever, review, cause why the heck not.