Chapter 16

Pherein saw Professor Horsewood walking towards him and knew him well enough to see he had something intentional on his mind. "Hello, Professor."

"Good day, Pherein," the academic greeted him. "You look well."

"What do you need from me, sir?" Pherein asked.

Horsewood laughed. "Straight to the point. I like it. Very well. If you are not otherwise engaged, I have an expedition leaving town in three days that I would like you to join as an additional guard."

The Delorgan did not have any work currently. He had turned down his last two offers since he didn't trust the contractors. The islander also didn't need the money so he could be picky, but the reality was, his attitude was starting to change and he was starting to look at himself differently so he was becoming choosier. The professor was one he trusted and even looked up to, so he was interested. After their recent conversation about his 'troubles' that likely came into play as well.

"I have no current engagements," Pherein confirmed. "What is the trip?"

"We are going to visit some ruins in the forest near Oakenwatch," Horsewood answered, naming a place in the southeast of the nation.

"That is still in Latrellus and near the garrison at Castle Guardian," Pherein countered. "There are no real threats in that area, why do you need me? A simple drover who knows his way around a blade should be sufficient."

"True, but this is more a sightseeing tour than an exploration. The two major benefactors of my work here are the ones doing the archeological tour. They have heard of your exploits, and it would be good for them to meet you."

"Really?"

"Yes, Pherein. There is value to this for me."

The word 'no' was on the proud Delorgan's lips but then he looked at the professor and reconsidered. The man was genuine, it was not to display him as some trophy. Plus, the academic had been kind to him and was one of the few he could honestly talk to.

"Okay, I'll do it," Pherein confirmed, "but at my regular rate."

"Of course," Horsewood chuckled, "I would have it no other way. We will travel to Remus City, meet our guests, and go from there."

The three days went quickly and Pherein found himself looking forward to the trip with the professor. He truly liked the man and was increasingly comfortable around him. And on the other hand, he had been unable to come up with anything on the missing citizens of Grantsbend. That and the confusion and stress of trying to sort out his feelings for Lily and Lauren was becoming increasingly frustrating. He had avoided extended periods of time with either, choosing instead only short conversations with each. He was not wise with women but knew each didn't like the other. While neither would ask about the other, he was smart enough to pick up their hints about the subject. He did care for Lily and her family, especially Molly. The woman was vibrant and made him smile and he genuinely liked her. But then there was Lauren. The masters student was beautiful and had an intensity about her he found very drawing. It was a frustrating, tantalizing contrast he could find no answer for. He prayed to Latrell for guidance but got nothing but silence. No, he was on his own with this one. So, the thought of being able to get away for a ten day suited him fine and he found himself looking forward to the trip.

The day of departure arrived and Pherein was ready to go. He had told each of the women he would be gone and felt a tension of decision in the responses of each. Good to be on the road. Professor Horsewood had his supply wagon packed and ready to go. They would pick up a carriage for their guests in the capital and he would drive that while the wagon would be taken care of by the other guard, Nigel Whal. So, Storm Fury would stay back in Grantsbend.

The guard was below average in height and average weight. He looked like he could handle the long sword strapped to his waist but did not seem physically vigorous. Pherein wondered at how he could be in this position but then realized that he was likely an honest and honorable man to be working for the professor. Plus, those who were willing to put themselves out like that were likely few and far between. Most were like him, willing to sell themselves to whoever had the gold. Guilt welled up in the proud islander like an acidic bile at who he had become and how he had judged this man he did not know. Pherein MacDiarmidson could try to justify it but this time he didn't. Instead, he let it wash over him for the first day of their trip and then to Remus City where they picked up Horsewood's guests. It turned out they were two wealthy businessmen, Sujget Cahier and Ever Waycross.

The men though both elderly and with white hair, seemed vigorous in disposition, fit and excited by the prospects of the trip. They were excited to meet Pherein and peppered him with questions their first night at camp. Initially not thrilled by the attention, the quiet Delorgan warmed to the pair as he found them to be genuinely interested in what he did. By the second night he found himself enjoying himself as he regaled them with tales of his raids and life on the isles. Other than talking about his previous trip with Professor Horsewood he stayed away from sharing what he'd done, even the recent defense of the village of Tyreel, since he arrived in Latrellus. No, he found himself truly enjoying his time with the men and felt more like he used to than he had in a long time.

Yet everything was not all good.

Leading up to the village of Oakenwatch Pherein began to see signs of monsters and other creatures about and an absence of any military presence. Despite the royal garrison not far away at Castle Guardian there were no signs of any solders or patrols in the area. They passed Oakenwatch and found the village had recently built a wooden palisade around it. This did nothing to help Pherein's disposition. The area seemed unprotected and the further into the wilds the small party got the more this became pronounced. So, when the professor wanted them to spend the night at an inn, he was familiar with deep in the woods the experienced fighter could stay silent no longer.

"We should not be staying here," Pherein declared. "Better we camp on the road and in secrecy."

"Come now, Pherein," Professor Horsewood scoffed, "to trade a warm bed and hot meal for a bedroll and rations? I think the choice is obvious. Not all of us have your love for roughing it."

Both Cahier and Waycross vigorously nodded their heads in agreement, looking forward to a night in a bed.

"It is not that, professor. This place is a beacon for trouble," the islander responded patiently. "We are in wild country. Better to be a place of our choosing."

"We are still in our land and so protected by the King's troops."

"Of which we have not seen signs of for two days nor any militia. We've not even seen any Wardens. Yet there are ample signs of fell creatures about. No, I do not like the looks of this place."

"None the less, I think we all need this before we move into the more difficult part of this expedition," Horsewood explained. "I think the reward outweighs the risk. Besides, it looks like there are several here who can handle themselves in a scrap. Come let me buy you dinner."

Despite Pherein's better judgment they settled into the Red Rock Inn. The place was a long, one story dark stained clap board building. There was one main room built in a post-and-beam fashion with a room off the side filled with bunks on one end and the kitchen and living area for the owner and staff. The inn keeper turned out to be a diminutive halfling who served better food than expected and had a decent supply of spirits. There was a mixed company of a dozen travelers at the Red Rock Inn. While a few looked like they could handle themselves in a fight, most only carried staffs or daggers for weapons. Of more concern for Pherein was the observation that the friendly inn keeper had no guards. The seasoned fighter wondered how this place had survived unscathed. But then it seemed it was only recently that this territory had fallen into isolation and lawlessness. He wondered what had changed. There were the disappearances in Grantsbend on now this quiet part of the kingdom was left undefended.

Horsewood and his party enjoyed a full meal with drinks while Pherein and Nigel Whal both ate quickly and went outside to keep an eye on their wagons.

"We should not have stopped here," Whal commented, as he took a pull from his pipe.

"I agree," Pherein replied, scanning the thick woods that surrounded the inn. As the sun started to set, he could barely see a few feet into it. Besides the main road that ran past the inn there were several paths cut into the woods around it. "I told the professor the same thing but the alure of a warm bed was too great."

Whal harumphed at the comment but said nothing.

"We'll make the most of it tonight and press on tomorrow. There are several who look like they can handle themselves in a scrap if it comes to it," Pherein commented hopefully, filling the void.

"Aye, and many that cannot."

"One of us will always be awake. We take turns sleeping," Pherein stated.

The professor and his travelling companions enjoyed the hospitality of the Red Rock, playing some games, drinking liberally and getting to know the other patrons. That was lost on Pherein and Nigel Whal who kept vigil outside. Several of the patrons visited them to talk of their concerns but none offered to help. The rest did not seem overly concerned.

As the night wore on and things settled down Horsewood's guards took turns sleeping. Pherein had the last watch. There was now no pipe smoking for the smell would carry. He and Whal had been vigilant through the night but as the first hints of dawn started to show the big Delorgan wondered if Professor Horsewood had been right, and he was being overly cautious. The seasoned warrior had always trusted his instincts in the past but now so much was out of synch he was no longer as sure. His mind began to drift towards thoughts of the two women who had entered his life. While happy to know them both for different reasons, the emotional turmoil they caused was something he did not desire.

Things were a lot simpler back home on the Isle, the troubled man thought anew.

They were simpler, and yet he left there seeking his own way. That did seem to be his pattern. Thoughts of home caused a deep sadness. He missed his family. He missed his people. He missed the rugged beauty of Delorgan. And if he was totally honest, he missed the responsibilities and purpose of his role within the clan. Now he was like a ship adrift without a rudder, being blown from one assignment to the next. There he was Pherein MacDiarmidson, raid captain, leader in his clan. Here he was just another fighter from the North. There he had purpose. Here? Well, he was another sword for hire. Should he return? Should he swallow his pride and go back? No, he was unable to do that. Still, he needed many things to change.

Purpose.

The word came out of nowhere. What was his purpose now? That Pherein could not answer, and the cycle of torment and indecision began anew.

The islander's musings almost caused him to miss the purpose of necessity he currently carried. In his distracted thoughts the reflective man missed the sudden absence of sounds of the night creatures who had kept him company. But coming out of the fog of despair he did not miss the clear snap of a twig being broken by something heavy. Senses suddenly alive, he could feel the presence of approaching foes even before he heard the quiet sound of their feet. The torches that defined the perimeter of the Red Rock Inn were burning low so very little light was being cast but it didn't matter to the warrior. Quietly he went over to Nigel Whal and woke him without a sound. Silently drawing his sword, Pherein began to move in a crouch towards the main entrance to the building. He was halfway there from their wagons when four strange creatures, half man, half goat, came out of the inky darkness. Their intentions were clear as they carried a club in each hand and moved aggressively towards the door to the inn.

"Awake!" Pherein yelled. "We're under attack!"

The beastmen roared in anger as their sneak attack was thwarted. Two ran towards the Delorgan and two more put on a burst of speed and leapt up on the porch of the inn and opened the door.

The first came at Pherein and swung a savage blow intending to stove in his head. The Delorgan nimbly side stepped it and swung across the midsection of the creature opening up a wide red cut. In one swift motion he pivoted and thrust his bastard sword's razor-sharp point through the back of the passing creature skewering vital organs. Its momentum carried it forward, falling dead onto the dirt ground. Pherein tried to move towards the inn entrance where he could hear yells and screams but the other beastman blocked his way. Whal was slow to respond, groggily coming out of his sleep so the islander was on his own. The muscular goat-faced foe yelled a challenge in a guttural tone that was unintelligible. The islander ignored it and instead swung in a high arching blow coming from right to left. The beastman blocked it with his thick club but Pherein had anticipated this move so with its mid-section open he kicked it square in the stomach with his heavy boot. With a whoosh the air exploded from the beast's lungs and it doubled over. Now exposed Pherein swung down savagely and cut the creature's head off.

Before the beastman hit the ground the Delorgan sprinted towards the open door of the inn where the sound of battle could be heard. Whal following behind. In the main room things seemed to be under control with the pair of attackers down and a mob of patrons around them. But the kitchen area seemed to be a different story. Screams and grunts came from behind the closed servery window. Pherein saw a door to the back area to his left and so with sword ready aggressively pushed through. One beastman was on the floor as were two female employees of the inn. Three more of the creatures were pressing the innkeeper and cook who though battered were still in the fight. With a roar Pherein charged in, catching the beastmen off guard who had their backs to the fighter. The Delorgan skewered the one closest to him who went down. Another tried to turn but the narrow alley that made up the kitchen meant when it turned to strike its club hit the wooden wall. Pherein, on the other hand, pulled his elbows in to navigate the confines and again thrust out, point first, driving his sword through the heart of the second attacker. The third was distracted from its quarry so when it turned to face the islander the innkeeper and cook set upon it with butcher knives and cut it down. Just like that, the fight was over.

The only sounds were the cries of the wounded and distraught and the heavy breathing from exertion of those still standing. Pherein did a quick assessment and saw no immediate threat but knew that did not mean there was no more danger.

"Nigel, stay here, guard the people," Pherein ordered his companion. Seeing an open back door to the kitchen area he stepped over the bodies and exited the building. Dawn's first light was upon them so the fighter could see a bit. He stepped off the back porch and crouched down, looking and listening. The muffled sound of cries and shouts could be heard from within but there seemed to be no sounds outside around the inn. As his own heart rate began to slow and his breathing came under control he was aware of wood's animals starting to stir and move about. There seemed to be no threat, but he moved cautiously around the full perimeter of the inn. He pushed out on several trails and through the bush, finding the tracks of the party that had attacked them but there seemed to be no imminent threat. The islander paused for one more quick assessment to ensure he had not missed anything. Then a thought struck him:

Professor Horsewood!

Pherein knew several were down but in the fog of battle he had forgotten about his employer and friend. The Delorgan ran back to the inn taking the steps to the main entrance in one bound and burst into the room startling several frantically scanning the room until he saw his employer and friend who, seeing him in return, trotted over to see him.

"Pherein, again I owe you a debt and own myself to be a fool. I should have listened to you," Horsewood apologized.

"No, it was good we were here to assist these people," the fighter answered, still looking for danger.

"We should saddle up and be gone," Nigel Whal declared, "there could be more of these creatures around."

Pherein could not argue with the logic, and there was perhaps a time he would have said the same thing himself, but not now. "No, we can't do that, it would not be the right thing. We stay and ensure all is well before we carry on."

The pragmatic sword-for-hire looked at the determined Delorgan then over to the academic who smiled in appreciation at the decision and shrugged his shoulders. "Suit yourself, I will look to our wagons and horses."

Horsewood watched the other guard walk away with a note of sadness. "I am glad you are on this expedition, Pherein. I am also glad for your decision. It would not be proper to leave now."

"It's the right thing to do."

"You are a good man," the professor declared, patting him on the shoulder as his travelling companions came over to join him.

"Well, that was a close call," Sujget Cahier declared, watching two of the patrons of the inn putting a blanket over a slender man who had his head stoved in by a club in the initial part of assault.

"Aye, to be attacked like this, in this part of the country," Ever Waycross added, "it is unprecedented."

"These are strange days. It seems like something is happening in this land," Cahier stated. Then with a heavy sigh asked, "Now what?"

"We do what we can here and then carry on," Horsewood answered.

"I am not certain that is wise, nor am I certain I have the stomach to continue," Cahier confessed.

"What do you mean?" the Professor asked.

"We mean that this expedition of exploration has lost its flavor. We do not wish to continue and would like to return home to the capital."

"Gentlemen, I do not…"

"Not to worry, we will pay you in full for the whole trip," Waycross confirmed, "there is no question of that," the wealthy merchant stated.

"Are you sure that is necessary?" Horsewood asked in surprise. "Pherein, what do you think?"

"It's likely a wise course of action," the Delorgan answered soberly. "This is perhaps the wrong form of adventure right now. There's more going on in this region than we seem to be aware of."

With a resigned shrug Professor Horsewood gave up.

"It is settled then. We do what we can here and return to Remus City and home," Waycross confirmed.

For the better part of the day the party helped tend to the wounded, buried the two of the inn staff and one guest who died as part of the attack and then burned the bodies of the beastmen, all while maintaining a high state of readiness. While Nigel Whal showed little interest in doing more than he was paid for Pherein was a whirlwind of activity while regularly ranging out to ensure no new attack was brewing. He did see signs of other creatures about, but none seemed to have the stomach to assault the now prepared inn. In the end, the party of Professor Horsewood stayed through the day and the night then left the next morning to return to Remus City.

For Pherein, he stayed up all night on vigil. Torches were lit and others mounted guard as well but there was no repeat of the previous night's attack. For the brooding Delorgan it felt good to be useful, something that gave him pause for thought during the long night. Something was stirring in the fighter beyond the turmoil of his relationships with Lily and Lauren. A longing was growing that had been suppressed since he'd left the islands. He knew there was more to life, more to him, than he had been experiencing the last few years. He also knew he needed to stop running from who he was and even the responsibility that came with his name. Despite the fact he feared no man or creature this was something he did fear and was uncertain he could overcome it.