4.18 In Which the Dark Lord Gets His Way

4.18 In Which the Dark Lord Gets His Way

As planned, our eventual campsite was well within what Harker informed us was squirrelfolk territory. He also claimed the squirrels probably had scouts watching us by now, but so far they hadnt seen fit to introduce themselves. They also hadnt shot anyone with a poison dart, so it wasnt all disappointment.

We settled into the hollowed-out husk of a dead khora rather like the one in which the cat tribes Spirit was housed; Dhinell commented that such a huge quantity of intact khora shell was ideal for highborn architecture and worth a fortune if it were possible to haul it out of the dense forest and back to civilization. She didnt think it was funny when I immediately began carving my name into it.

In kanji, for once. My dad wasnt around to be confused and frustrated by my use of hiragana, which it turned out sucked all the fun out of it.

It was actually relatively cozy, once the asauthec fire in the center had time to work. The khora walls made a very effective windbreak; it wasnt as warm as being indoors, but it beat the hell out of camping in the open in this weather.

I appreciated this even more when it was my turn to step outside and visit the designated pee spot. With night fallen and the relative warmth of a semi-enclosed space with a fire now cut off, the wind was like knives through my coat. It was also spooky as hell, whistling eerily through the hard shells and odd protrusions of the surrounding khora, their fronds withdrawn from the cold. But it had to be done, and not just to answer the usual call of nature.

Aster had gone right before me, and I found Biribo hovering quietly in the darkness, waiting. After buttoning up, I stepped a few meters further away from our campsite into the shadow of another looming hulk of khora before gesturing him to proceed.

Harker was right, boss, he said very quietly, buzzing closer to be heard next to my ear without raising his voice. Youve had at least one squirrel stalking the group at any given time during the last five hours. The first was replaced by another scout three hours ago and went off in the direction of the village at high speed, and an hour after that a second one joined em following you. Two more have showed up since we made camp. Theyre arranged around the site, watching.

So the whole village knows were coming, I murmured as softly as I could. Guess Harker was right about them not attacking, too. Well, so far, so good. Okay, I know the setup is the opposite of ideal given my current costume but Im gonna need you to stick with me from here on, Biribo. Probably shouldve done it earlier, in fact. This is gonna be tight and a little awkward but there should be room for you to hide inside my scarf. Thatll keep you close enough to my ear to feed me intel, too.

Gonna be a bit tricky, yeah, Ill have to actively hold it closed. But no worries, boss, hiding in clothes is all part of the familiar gig. Blessed with Wisdom always need to play it discreet.

Any sign of goblin support?

No tunnel entrances near here, boss. Weve passed over some tunnels that came fairly near the surface, though, and there was movement in em. Gizmit knows where youre going, where you started from, and about how fast you can move. Shell keep people as close to your position as possible.

Good point, Gizmits always on the ball. Anything else to report while were out here?

This may seem redundant, but be careful around Rhydion, boss. Its a real bad sign that I cant tell what that armor does; I should be able to identify enchantments on sight. Thats not unprecedented, but artifacts that block familiar senses are always the absolute highest tier. Were talkin top grade enchantments on every piece and probably some massive bonus powers for having the whole set. And Im pretty sure that helmet has some kind ofdetection or oracular function. He picks up on too much to just be smart.

So, Rhydion knows more about everyone else than they do about him, and I probably cant take him in a fight. Not news, but the confirmations worth having. Okay, lets get you tucked in before I freeze my balls off out here.

I returned to the shell, Biribo carefully hidden inside my scarf. Harker nodded once at me and stepped aside to let me in through the gap, his expression carefully blank. Careful was a good overall description of how hed acted toward me since our earlier exchange. I gave him a sunny smile, because I knew he was smart enough to recognize that it was the most threatening thing I could possibly do with Rhydion looming over our shoulders.

Harker was on first watch. I was not particularly worried about that, for all that murdering me in my sleep would be the most effective way out of the problem Rhydion had warned him hed created for himself this afternoon. Because yes, that was absolutely a problem. Nobody got off the kill list until they got off the alive list; I was just going to have to be a lot more careful about it, or wait until I was confident I could deal with Rhydion and whatever he threw at me. But for now, even aside from having reclaimed Biribo, Harker knew what Rhydion would do to him if I woke up dead.

What a happy little band we were.

Aster was stretched out on her back against one wall of the khora shell, holding her sheathed greatsword like a teddy bear. Rhydion and Dhinell both sat against protrusions of it closer to the fire, leaning back in fairly relaxed postures suggesting they intended to sleep upright. Both were still, and while Rhydions state behind that visor was anyones guess, Dhinell still had her eyes open, staring into the fire.

I had just settled myself into the least uncomfortable nook I could find when she spoke, turning to look at me.

So. Whom, exactly, have you murdered, that youve apparently made a habit of it?

Criminals, I said, also turning my head to stare at the flames. Bandits, mostly. Also some city gangsters. Whether you consider those a separate group is just quibbling over definitions, really. A prolific serial child abuser one time. Oh, and some cannibals oncethat was a weird day.

I paused, feeling her stare on me but not looking at her, and frowned.

Lots of rapists. Overlapping with basically every other category. Justholy shit, so many rapists. Rape seems to be Dounts national sport.

Hm, the priestess murmured noncommittally. You almost seem to take thatpersonally. Peculiar, for a man.

Yeah, see, thats exactly the kind of fucked up attitude that created this problem, I lectured. I dont know how any person with a conscience can see the aftermath of something like that, or even just talk to someone it happened to, and not take it personally. Thats part of being human. What sort of twisted, soulless waste of air could justdo that to someone and walk away feeling like they still deserve to live?

I turned to stare pointedly at Harker. He was still staring pointedly out into the dark, pretending not to listen.

Well. I suppose thats no one who mattered, then, Dhinell finally said, grudgingly. I was prepared to dismiss you as a monster, but there are indeed some individuals who are worth nothing but a swift removal from existence.

I grimaced, shifting to look at Rhydion.

Does it sound that gross when I say it?

In what way do you imagine yourself to be fundamentally unlike anyone else who might express such a sentiment? the paladin asked quietly. Yeah, I knew he wasnt asleep.

Your hypocrisy is truly without bounds, Dhinell snorted in disgust.

You know whats really funny? I mused. Justabsolutely hilarious, the best joke the goddesses ever played? All of that is just in the last few months. Since this summer. Before that, in my home country Hell, I dont think Id ever been in a physical altercation since my voice dropped. We dont go around murdering people where Im from. I would have derisively laughed at anyone who suggested I might ever find any reason to take a human life.

Hum, the squirrel said in a noncommittal tone. Promising, that you call it our territory. Or is it only because you want something?

Well, whose is it, if not yours? I asked. You live here.

He shifted his inscrutable stare to me, and I took some comfort in the fact that while all four of them were holding bows, they were in a relaxed posture with arrows not drawn.

The Fflyr claim to own the whole of Dount, last I heard. As do the Shylver. Living between the two, we arecautious.

I snorted. I could claim Dount belongs to me and it would mean exactly as much. For now.

He smiled again.

From what I understand, said Rhydion in a brave attempt to regain control of the conversation, it is rare that you would approach outsiders so directly and openly. May I hope that you are amenable to cooperating, or at least conversing?

Hum, the squirrel repeated, slowly shifting his head to size up each of us in turn. Rhydion. Harker. AndLord Seiji. The women we do not know, but a priestess and a warrior, yes? An interesting group.

Everyone glanced at me, all but visibly wondering how the squirrels knew my name. Quite apart from my disinclination to answer questions like that, at the moment I was rather curious about it myself.

I assure you, Rhydion continued doggedly, our business is not with you, except incidentally. We are investigating the undead in this forest, and hope to stem them at their source. Weve heard accounts of a witch at the root of this, and rumor that it is your tribe which can tell us more.

Ah, yes. The squirrel turned back to stare at me in particular. You helped the wolves. Chatty, were they?

Gotta say they didnt come across as particularly fond of you, either, I replied cheerfully.

Unusual for them to be chatty, he replied, his stare unwavering. Not friendly to outsiders, the wolves.

I find that most people become a lot more approachable when theyre suffering the aftermath of a forest fire and undead outbreak and I have healing magic to offer them.

Ah. And this is the arrangement you offer us? In exchange for information?

We have not come here to make demands of you, Rhydion said firmly. Lord Seijis healing is but one of the things on offer. If you will help us, I am determined to provide fair compensation.

No, I said suddenly.

Everyone turned to glare at me, which as usual I enjoyed. I kept my own expression intent and calm, though, fixed on the spokessquirrel.

Lord Seiji, Rhydion warned.

If any of your people need healing, I said, ignoring him, due to zombies or the Inferno or whatever else, Ill offer it. No quid pro quo, no strings attached. It would be nice if you felt like being helpful afterward, but lets consider that due toa more favorable outlook on us. I wont consider you indebted if you dont. Either way, Im not interested in letting people suffer if I can help.

I couldnt forget my own agenda, here. Adding the squirrels to my Crusade would be a big win. With effective control of the entire western forest, I would be the dividing power between Sanorite and Viryan territory, and with my tentacles running all through the Fflyr presence on this island, I would finally have breathing room to turn and deal with Shylverrael before they decided to deal with me.

Hum. Interesting, interesting. Part of it was doubtless due to his animal features, but it wasnt just that; this guy was deliberately composed and difficult to read, in both expression and tone. And is that the deal you made with the wolves?

I smiled pleasantly. What other deals Ive made with whom is not, at this time, any of your business. Should it transpire that we become friends, I may change my mind about that. Im sure you of all people understand the value of privacy, and discretion.

Rhydion was staring at me so fixedly that I could feel it despite his all-obscuring visor. As much trouble as his displeasure could conceivably cause me, I could not deny a real element of satisfaction at having him on the back foot for a change.

Interesting, the squirrel repeated. I am Vylkher. I will make no deals, and I will tell you nothing.

Now see here, Dhinell hissed.

Please, Sister, Rhydion said, holding out a hand toward her. Vylkher, I do not wish to

That is not rejection, Vylkher interrupted. I am a hunter, a scout; I do not lead. You know what it is, I think, to answer to those more important than yourselves? Some of you more than others, perhaps. I have my orders. The Seer has foreseen your coming, considered it carefully, and made her decision. If you wish, you may come with us. She will speak with you and discern your truth. Until she gives leave, none of our people will deal with you.

A Seer? I began to have a bad feeling about this. That could be just a religious or ceremonial title, but on a world with Spirits and Blessings of Wisdom, it could also mean someone with a very real power to penetrate deceptions and secretsin short, exactly the last person I wanted to be in a room with.

So, of course

We agree, Rhydion stated, nodding. Thank you for your cooperation, Vylkher. It will be an honor to converse with your Seer. Please, lead the way.

Yep, there it was. Story of my life.