This story is being rewritten! The new version, A Price in Memory, can be found here. 

 I highly suggest you read the new version as this one won't be completed. Also, there has been a lot of changes so you won't be able to continue with the other where this one left off.

“The Fall is coming!” a man shouted as he stood on the street corner, a small group of people listening, though most just ignored him.

“The beasts are restless! Soon the great horde will form and sweep across the land, devouring all in its path! Salvation lies in Ward’s embrace, turn away from the Shield at your own peril.”

Y’rid gave the man a glance as he walked past him. He and Hadi were walking through the marketplace while Kali and Red went to see about getting their supplies.

“What is he talking about?” Hadi asked.

Y’rid looked at him. “Preaching to the desperate. Best to not waste your time on doomsayers.”

“Doomsayers?”

“People who think the world is coming to an end, or worse, those that don’t but use the idea to their advantage. There are always some of them.”

He shook his head. “No matter where you go,” he muttered under his breath.

“Why would they think that?”

Y’rid shrugged. “Doesn’t matter, they are always wrong.”

“How do you know?”

“We’re still here,” He said smiling at Hadi. “Come on, let’s see if we can find a tailor still in the city.”

The nights were already cold enough and would only grow longer and colder the further they headed north.

It didn’t take them long to find a tailor shop near the market place. A rather large stone building with a painted wooden sign above the doorway, depicting a needle and thread.

A bell tied above the door rang out as he and Hadi stepped inside. To the side was a counter from which a man looked up, his sullen expression brightening as he saw them.

“Welcome, welcome,” the man said. “Can I help you find anything?”

Y’rid scanned the shop. Several tables were lined in neat rows supporting all kinds of clothing as well as coat racks holding a number of coats and cloaks. Some were plain while others were brightly coloured with intricate designs.

“Just looking for something warm for me and Hadi here. Something to keep out the chill.”

“Well you’ve come to the right place and at the best of times, I might add. We are offering a discount for multiple item purchases. Best to buy now before they’re all gone.”

Y’rid looked around, confirming that they were indeed the only customers. He looked back at the merchant with a raised eyebrow. The man held his gaze without blinking, though his smile did waver for a moment.

“I’m surprised your still here,” Y’rid said. “As I understand, most merchants already left the city.”

The man laughed and shook his head. “Not about to abandon my store so easily.” – He walked around the counter and made his way over to them. – “So, what can I interest you in?”

“I need a coat or cloak that can fit over my armour. Something that’s warm without restricting movement too much.”

“Hmm, yes. A warrior’s coat I think. We do have a few still here which I am sure will be to your liking,” the man said as he moved towards one of the racks. “You one of the new mercenaries coming to help with the beasts then?”

“I suppose you could say that,” Y’rid answered.

“You brought the boy along?” The man said nodding to Hadi.

“Never too young to learn, right?” Y’rid said with a smile, though the man seemed to take his joke seriously and nodded with a grave expression.

“Sad truth of our world, that. Though you’d best keep him away from the walls.”

“I can fight!” Hadi protested. “Look.” He showed the man the knife at his belt that Y’rid had got for him back in Lok.

“I’m sure you can,” The man said with a smile. “But someone needs to guard the house, yes? What if the beasts make it over.”

The man turned back to the rack and didn’t see the slight paling of Hadi’s face. Y’rid placed his hand on the boy’s shoulder and squeezed.

“Though,” The man said and turned to face Y’rid. “I would advise you to take the coin you gain after this and take the boy for a trip south. Maybe for a year or two.”

“Why?” Y’rid asked. “This about the stirrings from the north?”

“Just some rumour floating around,” the man said quickly, “probably nothing.”

Y’rid looked at the man but he seemed to be intent on rifling through the different coats and cloaks, though Y’rid did catch the glance directed his way. He sighed. Information was just another product.

“How about I buy an extra piece for both me and Hadi? We can spend the extra time talking about those rumours.”

Buying extra wasn’t a bad idea and, who knew, perhaps the merchant actually had something useful to say.

The man paused before nodding. “Sure, I’ll tell you what I heard some of the hunters say. You see, the story goes, some of them tried to trace the beasts back to their dens after the attacks.”

Y’rid nodded.

“Well, they didn’t find what they were looking for, but it seems they found something potentially worse.” – The man paused for a moment and looked at him. – “Beastmen. So far only a few whispers are spoken about it but, mark my words, if those halfmen are involved then we’re looking at a restart of the old war.”

“Why?”

“The education of young people these days,” the man said shaking his head and handing Y’rid a longcoat of brown fur. “Everyone knows those things are half beast themselves. It wouldn’t surprise me if they and the beasts talk to each other. And I wouldn’t put it past them to work with beasts if they can get rid of us.”

He felt a frown pull at his forehead, he surely would have heard from the others if this was really the case. As far as he knew the beastmen kept mostly to themselves, they were too busy dealing with beasts attacking their own settlements to start a war. Though Kali had mentioned a war between the two races once, so he supposed there might be some truth to this.

“Why would they attack now? This disturbance far north would hit them just as hard, would it not?” Y’rid asked as he pulled on the coat. The left sleeve refused to fit around the bracer, which he quickly began loosening.

“That’s the thing. Most of them are either far to the southeast in their jungle or they live in the caverns underground, safely hidden away from the creatures on the surface. They might suffer some, but not as much as us. Perhaps they think to strike preemptively at us to avoid another Skin War in the future.”

Y’rid slipped on the longcoat. It was a good fit, the dark fur warm, yet it was a bit thick and he’d have to fasten the bracer over the coat.

“It’s a good coat but I don’t think it fits well with my armour.”

“Hmm, I might have something else for you,” The merchant said and went off to one of the shelves on the back wall.

Y’rid raised a hand to his chin as he thought of the man’s words. He didn’t know about the man’s claims about the nature of beastmen. However, someone had made those rune-beasts and if the beastmen truly saw humanity as a threat…

I’ll have to ask the others.

The merchant returned with a dark grey coat which he handed to Y’rid. “This is a warrior’s coat meant to be worn under the upper body armour. The hide is made from the inner skin of a ko’ari, it won’t be as warm as the previous coat I gave you but it should still suit your purposes.”

Y’rid took the coat, the inner side of the coat was soft while the outer felt surprisingly rough. He took off the leather armour on his upper body leaving only the shirt and pulled the coat on, tying the few buttons in front. It reached down to his knees, dropping over his leather leggings, parting at the front and back to increase the ease of movement.

He hadn’t seen a ko’ari before but he knew they were scaled creatures that preferred the colder climates of the north. He couldn’t see any signs of scales, though perhaps that had to do with this being ‘inner skin’. He took a few minutes to put his breastplate and shoulder guards back on. After which the weighted bracer and the leather arm guard followed.

He did a few experimental stretches, looking for any discomfort, but the coat barely hindered his movements.

“Yes,” he said with a smile. “This is what I looked for.”

“Of course it is, my shop has everything to fit your needs. You want another coat of that type?”

“No,” Y’rid replied. “I think it’s best to get a thick cloak just in case. You got a warm coat that would fit Hadi?”

“Of course, this way young man,” The merchant said to Hadi and took him to the side of the shop were smaller pieces of clothing were hanged.

Y’rid looked around as he walked, avoiding the colourful dyed or embroidered cloaks. They would only attract unwanted attention in the wilderness whilst costing a lot more for that feature.

“Where can I find these scouts who saw the beastmen?”

The merchant handed a brown leather coat to Hadi and looked at Y’rid. “I’d rather not if I were you. The guards have been trying to silence the rumours. You might end up attracting the wrong attention.”

Y’rid shrugged. “I’d rather take the risk and know what I’m getting myself into.”

The merchant looked at him for a moment, then shrugged. “If you’re set on sticking out your head, I heard Fanin was one of those that saw them. You could usually find him at Rav’s near the eastern gate. It goes without saying that you didn’t hear any of this from me.” The man said, fixing Y’rid with a stare.

Y’rid nodded. He could understand the cityguard trying to keep rumours from spreading and causing the population to panic, but their methods obviously weren’t working. Perhaps he was missing something?

He shook his head. For now, he would just have to see what the others came up with.

They quickly finished their shopping after that, getting a thick dark fur cloak with a heavy hood for himself along with the coat he now wore. Hadi ended up getting a cloak and a fur-lined jacket that made him seem twice as big as he was, but was also extremely warm.

They left after paying the man a gold piece and a few silver, and that was after the ‘discount’ the man assured him he had given. Y’rid looked at the two silver pieces in his palm as he stood outside the shop. It was all he had left from the mage’s payment.

He had found an odd confliction within him when spent the coin. An almost instinctive reaction, as if he should be hoarding what he had lest he loses it. He could only think of it as some remnant from his memories of living on the streets.

They walked through the city for a while, knowing Red and Kali was probably still looking for supplies and he had no idea when Rhone and Holin would be back from the mage.

With the extra clothes slung over Y’rid’s shoulder, he and Hadi took in the sights. Along the streets were planted bushes and trees that supported vines, giving a bit of colour to the otherwise bleak look of wood and stone that made up the buildings. A solution to the lack of light at night as well, he presumed.

The night’s length was steadily increasing as the days shortened with their journey north, and by now the nights had long crossed the one and a half times as long mark. Apparently, at Stronghold, the night would be twice as long as the day. Even though the increase happened slowly and over time, he still found it rather bizarre.

They made their way back to the inn after a few hours, though Y’rid did take note of a bathing area at the southern part of the city next to the stream. One that he planned on visiting later if he had the chance.

***

The sun could barely be seen peeking out over the top of the hill to the west as Y’rid reached the inn. Long shadows cast by the houses stretched across the street stealing away what little warmth remained of the day.

He opened the door and motioned Hadi inside before stepping in and closing it behind him. A fire roared upon the hearth warming the common room. Y’rid looked over the other patrons to see Kali and Red at the table they had previously occupied. He and Hadi made their way over.

“Did you find what you were looking for?” Y’rid asked as he dropped his cloak on the table and pulled out a chair.

Kali sighed. “The prices are ridiculous. We got a bit but not what we wanted, should be able to fit everything on the cart though, so at least we won’t have to spend more on another. I see you had better luck.”

“Yeah. I got what the tailor called a warrior’s coat and a cloak, and Hadi got a jacket and a cloak,” Y’rid said showing the clothing to her.

“Good,” She said with a grin. “You’ll need it when we reach Stronghold.”

Red nodded. “You will. First week I lived inside, next to the fire. Cold enough that the water refuses to move. Frozen solid.”

“But you came from the desert,” Kali said. “I doubt Y’rid would have such a hard time.”

“Why did you decide to come north, anyway?” Y’rid asked. Of all the members of the group, he knew the least of Red’s history. The quiet man rarely spoke of the past.

Red shrugged. “Anuneer is at one tip of the world. Wanted to see the other. Can’t find balance when all you know is the edge. In time, I’ll go and see it again. Maybe get Tara to join.”

“Hah, good luck with that,” Kali said.

“You don’t think she will?”

“She loves the mountain.”

“Anuneer is ashkalin. Pure. Peaceful. Except for the sandleaches. She will like it.”

“Uh huh.”

Kali didn’t seem convinced as she looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

“A place consisting almost entirely of sand? I’d go to see it just out of curiosity,” Y’rid said.

“See,” Red said towards Kali with a smile and turned to Y’rid. “You’ll come with then. I can show you where to find water. How to walk straight. How to keep skin from cracking. All you need.”

Perhaps this isn’t such a good idea.

The door to the tavern opened with Holin and Rhone stepping through, saving Y’rid from having to think up an excuse. They strode over and took their seats.

“So what did the mage say?” Kali asked.

“He has some interesting ideas,” Rhone said. “Thinks there should be a lot more of these beasts, that this is the beginning of something larger.”

“Do you believe him?”

Rhone shrugged. “Too little information so far, but it holds merit. In short, mutating a single beast would be done over time and take a lot of experiments. After that, you would know how to mutate that species, starting on another would again take a lot of time. Much easier to simply make more of the first. So many different types showing up at once points to a large supply somewhere.”

Y’rid felt frown crease his face and saw a look of disgust cross Red’s. Having a bunch of unknown beasts running around with abilities no one’s heard of would make things a lot harder for hunters everywhere as well as the all cities that relied on the beast’s meat as a source of food.

Methods were developed to handle certain beasts especially by hunters that stayed in a specific region. If these creatures were numerous enough then they could cause a major upset by simply existing.

“Would you not have noticed if there were so many of these creatures?” Y’rid asked. “They only came into being recently, right?”

“As far as we know, yes,” Rhone said. “That is just the mage’s theory however, and regardless whether or not it is correct, we can use him to get to the bottom of whatever is happening here.”

“Use him?” Kali asked with a raised eyebrow.

“A trade,” Rhone clarified. “He wants to get into the Archives and hinted at being willing to help out if we can help him.”

“That’s not up to you though, is it?” Kali asked.

“No, but if he helps and we vouch for him, I think we can get the Weaver to consider, especially since he seems to be willing to trade some of his knowledge as well.”

“I still don’t like it,” Holin said as he stared at the table with a narrowed gaze. “He’s hiding something.”

“He has a hundred and fifty terms of secrets,” Rhone said dryly. “I’m sure he’s hiding more than one.”

“You know what I mean.”

“Keep an eye on him then,” Rhone said.

Holin grinned. “Was planning on it.”

“Guess it was too much to hope for that he’d have the answers huh?” Kali said.

Rhone sighed. “Nothings ever that easy.”

“I heard something today,” Y’rid said, drawing Rhone’s attention. “The tailor I went to told me about some rumours. Apparently, two scouts found some traces of beastmen when they were investigating the surrounds when the horde retreated. The tailor seemed convinced they were involved somehow.”

Holin’s head turned towards Y’rid, his eyes seeming to look through him as he tilted his head to the side. “Why haven’t we heard of this?”

“Apparently the guards have been trying to stop the word from spreading.”

“Actually,” Rhone began, reaching into his coat to pull out a stack of papers. “There was mention of something like that in these reports I skimmed before the business with the mage started.” – He quickly paged through until he found what he was looking for. – “-reported sighting indicative of beastmen totemic markings. Further investigations failed to confirm sighting. Inconclusive.“

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

“This changes things,” Holin said, his eyes fixed on Rhone. “If beastmen are involved, this could get a lot uglier than it is.”

Rhone returned his stare, his tone measured as he spoke. “I lived through the Skin War, Holin.”

A few moments passed as Rhone held his gaze until Holin nodded and broke eye contact.

“People always look for something to blame when things go to shit,” Rhone continued. “And hate can fester for a long time.”

Holin sighed. “Right. You sure it is just rumours then?”

Silence fell over the group, soon interrupted by the tapping of Rhone’s fingers on the table. He didn’t seem to notice as he stared at the surface of the table.

“No,” he finally said. “Most likely it is nothing, but not looking into something can be as damaging as assumptions.” – he turned to Y’rid – “You get the names of the scouts?”

“One of them, a man named Fanin,” he answered.

“You and Holin see what you can find out tonight, people tend to watch their words around us, even in here in the north. Perhaps someone without red eyes would help.”

“What are you going to do?” Holin asked.

“I’m going to spend some time on the wall,” Rhone said. “See how the terrain looks at night. From tomorrow, someone has to stay on the wall during the night, Ideally four of us so we can cover the four directions. I want to know exactly how these beasts operate. Where they gather, how they move, attack, retreat. Everything.”

“Think they’ll come tomorrow?” Holin asked.

“Seems like as good a time as any. The citylord said the attacks were getting more frequent. The reports never showed two in a row however. Perhaps it takes time for the beasts to gather.” – Rhone shrugged – “Either way I doubt anything will happen tonight.”

“Well, if you want us up on the wall tomorrow, then I won’t join you on the wall tonight,” Kali said. “I don’t know when I’ll be able to get a halfnight’s sleep again, so I’m going to take it.”

“I’ll be up a while,” Red said towards Rhone. “Might join you later.”

Rhone nodded.

“I want to see. Can I come?” Hadi’s voice came from the side, causing everyone to look over. He looked at Rhone with eyes full of expectation.

Rhone chuckled, “Sure you can watch my back then.”

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” Kali said and Y’rid nodded in agreement.

“Please,” Hadi stretched out the word, looking first at Kali then at Y’rid.

“I’ll keep him safe,” Rhone said, the corner of his mouth turning up in a smile as he looked at the boy. “You sure you can keep up?”

Hadi nodded vigorously.

Y’rid sighed. He reached down and picked up the new cloak he bought for the boy and threw it in front of him. “At least take that, you’re going to need it.”

“Then it’s settled,” Rhone said.

***

“This was the place huh?” Holin asked, looking up at the sign hanging above the tavern, ‘Rav’s Respite’ painted upon it in faded letters.

Y’rid turned to him and shrugged. “The tailor said I might try here. Not like we have any better guesses.”

“Well we’re in no hurry,” Holin said with a smile.

He saw Y’rid raise an eyebrow.

“Oh don’t look at me like that. As Rhone said, the horde will come tomorrow if not the day after. One has to relax a bit as well.”

Y’rid chuckled. “I’m pretty sure he said we needed to be on the wall tomorrow.”

“No, he said he’d prefer four people on the wall. Him, Kali, Red and Hadi. Four.”

“You want Hadi to be a lookout? The boy’s barely six terms old!”

Holin scoffed. “He only needs to watch the horde’s movements, and he’s got more eyes than me. Don’t worry about it.” He said striding towards the tavern.

His smile stretched a bit further as he noticed a conspicuous lack of footsteps behind him, before he heard a sigh as they started.

Light spilt onto the street as he pushed open the door, the warmth of the tavern washing over him with scents of smoke, food and ale.

Holin stepped inside and made his way over to the counter hearing Y’rid shut the door behind him. The tavern was rather full given the situation of the city, though that understandable. Given the uncertainty of what was happening, many people would take what ‘respite’ they could.

The fire’s hearth and the many candles and lanterns lit the room giving it a welcoming atmosphere. Men and women crowded around tables, drinking and chatting as serving women swerved between them, arms heavy with plates and drink.

He reached the counter and waved over the woman standing behind. She turned to him as she noticed the gesture. She gave him a smile as she met his gaze.

“Glad to see the rumours are true for once, especially since they bring good news.”

The corner of his mouth lifted in a rueful smile, though she did an admiral job of covering it up, he had still caught the flinch when she saw the scars on his face.

“Rumours can be pesky little things, can they not?” He asked. “Best to keep them at arm’s length.”

The woman snorted. “Doesn’t seem to help, rumours are attracted to taverns and ale like lies to a lord.”

Her eyes flickered in surprise as she scanned over Y’rid who stepped up alongside Holin. “So what can I get you?”

“Seeing as we’re looking for some of those rumours, why not start us off with two of those ales.”

She nodded and reached under the counter, retrieving two tankards before turning to one of the barrels lining the wall. Using the small tap at the bottom she started filling them up, speaking over her shoulder as she did so. “What are you looking for?”

Y’rid cleared his throat. “A man, Fanin and... whoever he scouts with.”

“Ah.”

“You know them?” Holin asked.

“I do, Terig is the other man. They’ve been coming here for a long time, long as I care to remember in fact, before their falling out. And I can guess what this is about.”

“They had a falling out?” Y’rid asked.

The woman shrugged with her back still turned towards them. “That’s what disagreements tend to do. Especially when there’s so much interest in it. Especially when none of it’s good.”

“What can you tell us about this disagreement?” Y’rid continued.

She turned back and placed the two tankards down in front of them. “I reckon I could tell you a lot, not that I will. Had the guard captain himself in here, making suggestions that were a lot less subtle than he thought. Not a lot of tact, that one.”

She eyed them both for a moment. “You want to start digging, that’s fine, but I’ll not be adding to the rumours myself. Got enough trouble as it is. Fanin’s there, at the back.”

Holin traced her gaze to a table at the back around which sat four people, laughing as the talked.

“The one with his back to us,” he heard the woman say. “As I said, they used to come in together. You’ll probably find Terig at the Drunken Ape now though, heard he was spending his time and coin there.”

“Thought you weren’t going to help?” Holin asked.

“I didn’t,” she said. “You found that out all by yourself, master rumour hunter that you are. You keep it civil now. At least my tavern, don’t care what you do at the Ape, any patron you drive away there might come here. And that’ll be three silver for the ale.”

Holin raised his eyebrow at the price. The woman held his gaze and raised an eyebrow to match his.

He shook his head, chuckling. “And such wonderful ale it is. Drew in exactly what I wanted, worthy of a bit more even.”

He slid five silver pieces over the counter which she swept up, a glint of amusement in her eyes.

“They’re good men, those two. Bit hardheaded at times, but good.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be gentle.” He said, turning away as she snorted.

Holin made his way over to the back of the tavern with Y’rid beside him. Reaching out, he grabbed one of the free chairs next in passing. Seeing the man they were looking for still talking with his back turned, he walked over and thrust the chair down next to the man with a loud thud, causing the man to nearly jump out of his chair.

“What in the-“ One of his companions started, only to stop mid-sentence when Holin’s gaze found him.

“So, what are we talking about?” Holin asked as he sat down and looked around at the group who was staring at him with a mixture of surprise and confusion. “Nothing? Well, allow me to suggest a topic of conversation then.”

“You see,” he continued. “I hear there was a scouting mission a while ago that ended in some… strange circumstances, isn’t that right Fanin?”

The man looked at him. He hesitated a bit before licking his lips and replying. “Don’t know what you heard, but I gave my report to the guard captain, you can get everything from him.”

“Sure. But you know what they say,” Holin started, his voice trailing off as he rolled his hand in the air a few times before finally shrugging. “I don’t know, something about a well and fresh water or some shit. Point was this though, it’s always better to go to the source.”

Fanin looked at Holin for a moment before he grimaced and looked at the table. He turned to his companions with a slightly forced smile. “Why don’t you guys leave us, yeah? I’ll catch up.”

“You sure-“

“Yeah man, I’ll join you later.”

The other man nodded and stood up with the rest. “Thalsman,” He said with a nod towards Holin before walking away with the others.

“I didn’t mind the company,” Holin said as Y’rid took the now empty chair opposite Fanin.

The man looked at Y’rid in surprise. He turned to Holin, the question in his eyes unspoken. Holin merely returned his look with a smile.

Fanin broke his gaze and sighed. “Look, you can tell the captain he made his message clear. There is no need for this. I understand, yeah? Can’t have people causing panic.”

“Oh?” Holin answered his smile growing a bit wider. “I’m some errand boy for the captain now?”

“I think you misunderstand,” Y’rid said. “We are not here on his behalf. We just want your side of the story.”

Fanin gave a humourless chuckle. “My side of the story? You even sound like him. Always two sides, another way to spin it.”

“I’m sure there are lots of sides,” Hollin said. “Tell us yours, maybe we’ll put our own little spin on it, who knows. What I do know, is I couldn’t care less about what the good captain said to you. I do care about what you have to say.” – He let the smile fall from his face as he stared into the man’s eyes – “So say it.”

Fanin swallowed and looked to the side, before taking a deep breath. “Alright. We went scouting, after the attack three days ago, me and Terig and a few other groups. See if we could trace the horde. Thought that since they attack from different directions they might have some… I don’t know, territory or gathering point or something, somewhere.

We went out. Came across one of those carved bone totems, you know, the ones the half-beasts make. First time I’ve seen one myself and the bones were fresh. We came back, told the other groups and the guard captain, who then told us to keep quiet. That’s all.”

Holin leaned back in his chair and dragged a hand across his face, his fingertips sliding along the marred and stretched skin that covered half of it.

“And Terig?” he heard Y’rid ask. “We heard there was a… difference of opinion.”

“He claimed it wasn’t beastmen work.” – He shook his head and threw up his hands, his tone rising a bit higher. – “Who else caves totems out of fucking bone?”

“No need to get jumpy,” Holin said. “Why did he claim it wasn’t beastmen work?”

“I don’t know,” Fanin said, reaching for his tankard and downing the rest of the contents. “You should ask him. Best to get it from the source, yeah?” – He stood up. – “Look, you wanted my side of the story and that’s it.”

Fanin turned around and strode away towards the exit of the tavern.

“He was eager to leave,” Y’rid said. “Bit too much so perhaps?”

Holin grunted, still staring at Fanin’s retreating back as it disappeared through the door.

“Also didn’t say much more than what was in the reports,” Y’rid continued. “Except for those ‘bone totems’.”

Holin turned back to the table. “Beastman practice. Different reasons for them, but all of them would point to beastman activity in the area. Which make me wonder why the other said it wasn’t.”

He raised the mug to his lips and took a swig. Hopefully the other one was right and there weren’t any beastmen in the area. Immanus had said that there might be a lot more of these creatures out there. If the beastmen were really behind this then it could really mean the start of another war.

What he couldn’t figure out was why. A restart of the war would serve no one, yet it would damage both races, perhaps even bring them to their knees. At least in Evener. The southern continent of Dron didn’t have any beastmen as far as he knew, then again, the place consisted mostly out of sand. As for Eidir… well, who would know?

“Maybe I should go talk to the Terig first.” Y’rid’s voice came from across the table, pulling him back from his musings.

Holin looked up with a raised eyebrow.

“It’s like Rhone said, right?” Y’rid continued. “People act differently around you. That man, Fanin, he was on edge the entire time, and I don’t think your presence did much to calm him down.”

“Got him talking quick enough.”

“And stopped him nearly as quick. Around who do you think one of these men would be more at ease? A member of the Order of Thal, or just another mercenary who is going to fight by their side in defence of the city?”

“Ahh,” Holin said, leaning back in his chair as recognition crossed his mind. “You are technically not one of us yet, you don’t bear the eyes.”

“To him, I might as well just be in the city for a job,” Y’rid said. “If it doesn’t work, you can always go see the man after.”

“You think you can get him to loosen up?”

Y’rid shrugged. “I can try. A new mercenary, hearing a rumour in the taverns. Wanting to know what exactly I got myself into? Worth a shot.”

“I like it,” Holin said. “Very well, you do that.”

Y’rid nodded, “What are you going to do?”

Holin drank the rest of the ale and placed the mug down with a belch. He turned to glance back at the counter at the far end of the room. “I’ll see if I can get some background on the two. Maybe that can help shed some light.”

The chair screeched and Y’rid stood up. “See you at the inn then?”

“Sure-sure,” Holin said as Y’rid walked to the door.

He looked back at the woman still taking orders and filling mugs behind the counter. With a sigh, he ran a hand down the side of his face.

Would have been a lot easier a month ago.

His smile returned a moment later. Wasn’t like he didn’t enjoy a good challenge.

***

Y’rid took five of the coppers the girl held in her hand, leaving the sixth. She gave him a quick smile before disappearing, already on her way to another group of people.

He looked down at the five coins before pocketing them with to his last remaining silver. He would really have to get some more soon. Rhone and the others already paid for his and Hadi’s meals and lodgings, asking them for more wouldn’t sit right with him.

With a sigh, he transferred one of the two full mugs he had just paid for to his empty hand and turned to the table the girl had directed him to.

Sitting alone at one of the smaller tables sat a red-faced man, his drink his only company. The Drunken Ape had a few of those. The lack of a fireplace allowed the cold to seep into the room, motivating people to find their warmth in the sour ale. The candles on some of the tables and the lanterns hanging from the walls were only enough to provide a dim lighting for the large room.

A few details such as the oversized rough wooden doors or the uneven floor consisting of planks placed onto hard-packed ground hinted at what the building might once have been before it was turned into a tavern. Even so, the drink was cheap enough for people to overlook the flaws.

Idly he wondered what that said about the man he was walking towards. This seemed less a place for social gatherings and more a drowning pool for troubles. The fact that the man was sitting alone only strengthened this idea.

The man glanced up as he stopped next to the table.

“Mind if I join you?” Y’rid said, holding out one of the mugs.

The man looked at the mug, then at his own and sighed. “Sure, why not.”

“But I don’t swing that way, if that’s what you’re looking for,” The man said, giving Y’rid a stern glance, his word slurring slightly.

Y’rid looked back at the man in confusion before he started chuckling. He pushed one of the mugs over and took a sip of his own. “No, that’s not what I had in mind. I’m new here. Thought I’d get to know who I’d be fighting with. Unless that bow of yours somehow helps you to farm the lands?”

The man followed Y’rid’s gaze to the bow that leaned against the table. “These days I don’t leave home without it. You’re one of the new mercenaries then?”

Y’rid nodded.

“What band?”

“No band. Heard there was well-paying work this way, so I took a job guarding a merchant that was heading here,” Y’rid said. While most caravans were leaving the city when they arrived, he did recall seeing one or two coming in.

The man’s mug stopped halfway to his face, his eyebrows raised in surprise. “Lone merc? Well, at least you got the right idea to try and make some friends then. Though being on your own and coming to Clove in the first place more than makes up for that spark of intelligence.”

Y’rid shrugged. “Can’t eat without coin.”

“That you can’t,” the man said and raised the mug the rest of the way, finishing it and picking up the new one Y’rid had brought. “But gods know, there are easier ways to earn coin than defending the city against a horde.”

“So why are you here then? Why not leave?”

The man sighed. “I’ve been asking myself that question. I grew up here, doesn’t feel right to turn tail.” – He chuckled – “I wanted to be a trader, you know, back then. Then I wiped the sleep from my eyes and here I am.”

He raised his mug once more. “What about you? Why a mercenary? You don’t come from here, why fight?”

“Gives a roof over my head and food on the table, isn’t that enough?”

“Is it?” The man asked, his eyes narrowing.

It would have been. For the Y’rid that spent his childhood and beginning adult life on the streets. He might have done it for the roof alone. But as he was now, it wasn’t. He didn’t want to just survive.

Y’rid looked down at the mug in his hands. He swirled the ale, watching as it turned round and round, always moving yet going nowhere. “A while back I had the chance to break away. Make a new life.”

He paused and shook his head “I have somewhere I need to go, not sure how to get there, but I do know that staying in one place won’t help. What I’m doing now has a chance to get me there and if not,” – he took a swig of the ale – “at least it’ll pay for the journey.”

“’make a new life’, eh?” The man asked with a grin. “You look like you barely started this one.”

Y’rid laughed. “I suppose I do.”

“Y’rid, by the way,” he said holding out a hand.

“Terig,” the man replied, shaking it.

“Terig, huh?” Y’rid repeated, rubbing his chin. “I heard that name. Someone said you found beastmen in the hills or something. Any truth?”

“Where’d you hear that?”

Y’rid shrugged. “As I said, I’ve been trying to get to know the people I’ll be fighting with. Though every tale I hear seems as though it’s trying to beat the previous one. So, what about yours?”

Terig sighed. “Seems like everyone asks me that, yet always manage to miss the facts. You came to ask me that question then?”

His eyes shot up to look at Terig who looked back with a small grin.

Y’rid chuckled. “I might have come this way after I heard the story and that you might be here. I like to know what I’m getting into.”

Terig nodded. “At least you got a head on your shoulders, unfortunately, I can’t answer that. I don’t know what we’re in. Me and another went out. We didn’t find any beastmen. What we did find was a bone totem, though not made by beastmen.”

“How do you know?”

“The lines were wrong.”

“The lines?” Y’rid asked in confusion.

“Two of the pattern lines were swapped and a few symbols twisted. Yeah-yeah, I know. ‘Details’, right?” Terig said and shook his head. “The totem was of the Huntress, one of their goddesses. No beastman would get the lines wrong.”

He moved his mug out of the way and leaned forward as he started talking animatedly. “The lines and patterns are like a representation of the god, yeah? A telling of their history. Carving out that totem is an act of worship, of prayer. Doing it wrong is like… praying to the Shield for fresh water while forgetting His name.”

“Sounds like you know a lot about this.”

“I do,” Terig said simply. “And I can tell you now that was a fake.”

“So why do people think beastmen are a part of this,” Y’rid asked. “Can’t you show it wasn’t?”

The man shook his head. “Totem was gone when we went back with others. And Fanin, the other man that was with me, knows about as much about beastmen and their totems as most people, which is to say he doesn’t know shit.”

He sat back and picked up his mug. “Blaming them would be a mistake. But the real problem lies in why it was there in the first place.”

“You think it is a setup,” Y’rid said.

Terig shrugged. “Your guess is as good as mine. So telling you what you’re getting into isn’t something I can do, we can only hope that it isn’t too deep to climb out from.” – He raised his ale finished it in a few gulps. – “I’m heading off. I’ve got to be in the hills before dawn, see if I can find any sign of the next attack.”

He stood up, swaying slightly while supporting himself with one hand on the table. “Thanks for the ale. And if you want my advice, you’d take another escort job out of the city. Whatever it is you’re looking for, I doubt you’ll find it here.”

Y’rid watched as he made his way to the door before turning his gaze back to the table. His fingers tapped on the side of the mug as he thought of the man’s words. It didn’t seem as though Terig was lying, or at least, the man believed in what he said. That didn’t make the situation any better.

He took another swig of the ale and pushed the half-full mug away. The ale here tasted as cheap as it had cost, and the taste didn’t help lift his mood. Some fresh air could help with that though, at the very least, the cold air might help sharpen his mind.

Y’rid stood up and walked to the door dodging the serving girl that was busy carrying a tray laden with mugs. He reached the door and pushed it open, the gust of cold air banishing what little warmth the tavern kept, causing those nearest to complain as he slipped out and shut it behind him.

He breathed in deeply, already glad that he had purchased the coat. For a moment he just enjoyed the air and the view, before starting to make his way down the street. The streets of Clove were lit by a combination of burning braziers along with trees and bushes supporting light vines set along the side the street. During the day it hadn’t looked like much, yet now he couldn’t help but appreciate the scenery.

The street seemed quiet, a figure with his back turned towards him at the end of the street the only other person in sight.

It still seemed strange to him that people could go to work at dawn and return after dusk, but it did make a kind of sense, with night being as long as it was here. And with most people avoiding being outside in the cold of the night if they could, the lack of people in the city only became more noticeable.

He was walking down the side of the street when a man came out of an alleyway that ran between two buildings directly ahead. Y’rid stepped to the side to avoid bumping into the man, his eyes glancing over him as he did so, catching the reflection of light flickering across red-stained steel. He pulled his gaze up, meeting that of the man, seeing surprise cross his face, before it hardened into a snarl.

He drew back as the man lunged, acting on long hours of training, he deflected the knife thrust with the weighted bracer on his arm. He surged forward taking advantage of the opening to send his fist into the man’s jaw, sending him reeling back.

Y’rid took a step backwards to gain some distance and drew his sword.

“Get him! Quick!” A voice shouted from the alleyway, a moment before a second man appeared.

Shit.

Y’rid had just registered the dagger in the second man’s hand before the first was upon him again. Cursing his lapse, he sidestepped the swipe and threw his arm forward in an underhand cut, the blade cutting through fabric to bite into flesh, too shallow for a real wound but enough to draw out a cry of pain from the man.

The second charged at him, forcing him to retreat further into the street while the first recovered. The second didn’t press the attack but moved to his right as the other moved to his left.

Y’rid stepped back further as they advanced, trying to keep both ahead of him. He slapped away another thrust from the first man with his bracer and swung his sword in an arc at the second forcing the man to leap out of reach.

They were slower than Holin, much slower.

Good.

He pursued the leaping man, taking advantage of his sword’s reach to stab at the man’s chest. The man tried to parry the hit, but the weight of the dagger was too little, only managing to alter the course of the blade to from his chest to his arm. He screamed as the sword pierced his shoulder.

Y’rid headed his instincts and dove to the side, ripping the sword out of the man as he did so. He hissed as his shoulder hit the ground hard. He rolled on the ground, barely avoiding the swipe of the first man that was aimed at his back. He rolled again to avoid the follow-up stomp at his head. Rolling into a half-crouched position he swung at the man, forcing him back and giving himself time to spring backwards onto his feet. The man charged at him, the second man a few steps behind, one arm hanging limp.

With a growl, Y’rid sprang forward. He swung his bracer to catch the blade. It struck onto the bracer and slid across it to gouge a deep cut across the leather on his upper arm. He opened his hand and grabbed onto the man’s extended arm pulling him forward as he drove his sword into the side of the man chest, entering beneath the man’s ribs to skewer his lungs.

Heaving, he pulled at the man’s arm while pushing on the blade, shoving him into the path of the second man, whose dagger plunged into his dying companion’s back. Y’rid released the man and sword, darting around him and seizing the second’s arm as he tried pulling out the dagger.

The man swung his free hand at him in a desperate strike that struck his cheek with the back of his fist. Y’rid reached out and grabbed the hand to prevent another strike before slamming his forehead onto the bridge of the man’s nose with a solid crack.

The man tried to pull back as blood poured over his face, but Y’rid kept his on the arm that held the dagger. Ignoring the throb of his head he reached down and pulled his own dagger, thrusting it into the side of the struggling man. Pushing the dagger as deep as he could, he twisted the blade before ripping it out, spraying the street with blood.

He released the screaming man, letting him fall clutching at his side. A futile effort. He would be dead in a few moments.

Y’rid took a few steps back and sank down, to support himself on the ground while heaving for air.

Breath in. And out

He repeated in his mind as the second man died, his cries second to the thumping of Y’rid’s own heartbeat in his ears and the rasping of his breath.

His cheek pained and the headache was just starting to flare up, announcing the folly of using his head as a weapon.

He held up his hand, still clutching onto the dagger. The blade trembled as adrenaline rushed through his system, his fingers throbbing from how hard he had gripped the weapon. He could hear shouting in the distance, but paid it no mind, focusing on his breathing.

After a moment he slowly stood up and stepped past the corpses. He looked around, catching sight of a slumped figure in the alleyway they had emerged from. He walked forward, his stride growing steadier with each step as he reached the mouth of the alleyway.

lying against the wall was the figure of a man he recognized. Someone he had met just a short while ago.

Terig.

The pants were untied as he lied in his own blood, throat cut, his lifeless eyes were staring up into the sky. They probably caught him while he pissed out all that ale he drank.

Y’rid sighed as his eyes caught the bow lying next to him. Didn’t leave home without it he had said. It didn’t help him much when the threat came from inside the city.

The thought left a bitter taste in his mouth, one he doubted could be washed away by cheap ale.