They were in a quandary now, and they couldn’t agree on the way forward.

‘We need to return to the hill fort,’ Auntie said flatly.

Ashlyn thought it would be a brave soul who argued with her. But there were plenty who lined up to do just that.

‘We’ve come all this way,’ said Usa. ‘We’re so close to the barrow. What if this is our one chance of getting inside?’

‘What if there’s more warg riders waiting for us?’ Ashlyn demanded. ‘And a reminder for those who weren’t there at the last barrow we explored: it was full of undead.’

‘What if there are no goblins, or undead?’ Pecs countered. ‘And we didn’t even go look? We’re mercs. Putting our lives on the line comes with the territory.’

‘He’s right,’ Fortune spluttered. He could barely breathe; hadn’t managed to get to his feet yet; but he was all for going to the barrow, just like his comrades from The Blades.

‘What about Wade?’ Christoph said.

Like Twerk, the thief was sprawled out on the ground, still unconscious.

‘We’ll leave people behind to guard them,’ Usa said.

‘No. I mean, he’s a thief. That’s why he’s here. We needed The Baron last time.’

‘If we need a thief, so be it. But like Pecs said, we don’t know what we’re facing yet. What if it’s empty, except for a pile of loot just sitting there?’

Auntie gestured at Jaelin. ‘The Explorer is the only one who knows where the barrow is, and he’s in no state to go.’

Like Fortune, Jaelin had benefited from Femke and Mila’s healing enough to push him up to four hit points. He was conscious. But vulnerable to any attack. And there were no potions left.

‘I’ll go,’ Jaelin said.

‘You will not!’ said Auntie. ‘I’ve not patched you up for you to go and get killed.’

The Explorer gave her a pained look. ‘I know. I’m sorry. But they’re right. We’re nearly there now. I can’t give up after all this effort.’

‘I’ll go with them,’ Mila said. ‘In case they need some treatment.’

‘No,’ Jaelin said firmly. ‘You need to look after the injured, with Auntie. Anyone who goes to the barrow makes that decision for themselves. We’re not dragging others into danger with us.’

Only Ashlyn noticed the little smile that came to Mila’s face at his words.

‘We’re going,’ Usa said.

Ashlyn sighed. ‘I’ll stay then. Someone has to.’

‘You’ll stay?’ Fortune gasped. ‘With that sword? We might need it! Lend it to me, and I’ll go.’

‘I’m not lending you my sword.’

‘You’re not going,’ Auntie told Fortune. ‘You’re as bad as him,’ she said, gesturing to The Explorer. ‘But at least he has a reason to go. You offer nothing, you’ll only be a liability.’

‘I’ll stay,’ The Hoffmeister said.

‘Very well,’ Ashlyn said. ‘I’ll go. With the sword.’

‘I’ll stay too,’ Bletcher decided.

‘You’re coming!’ Izil said. ‘You got an early warning of the danger. You’re needed.’

‘The gods have only granted me so much power. I have used what I have.’

‘It was that stick that gave you the warning,’ Fortune told him. ‘Just bring it with you.’

‘How dare you insinuate that it was just the staff? What do you know of the spirit world?’

Izil put a hand to the hilt of his sword. ‘You’re coming.’

‘The gods,’ Bletcher declared, ‘have decided that I will go to the barrow.’

Only six of the starting thirteen mercs continued on the mission. Ashlyn couldn’t help thinking this wasn’t Stiff’s plan. And somehow, she had been talked into heading to the barrow with no thief, and no medics.

They walked at Jaelin’s pace, pain visible on his face. But he seemed to have his faculties, in no doubt about the location of the place he had scouted.

They walked through the trees, casting nervous glances through the foliage. The Explorer’s decision to arrive with daylight now made total sense. Usa, Izil, and Pecs had spears and shields at the ready. They gave her occasional glances, checking to see if Greenblade was glowing. Then they would stare at Bletcher, who provided no clues about the state of the spirit world.

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Jaelin stopped them at a small ring of standing stones. ‘There are three of these altogether. One of them atop the barrow.’

They all waited for Bletcher to make some pronouncement. It took him an age to even notice all eyes were fixed on him. He pouted, and gave an indifferent shrug.

Jaelin sighed. ‘The entrance is up here.’

The shape of the mound was similar to the first barrow they had explored. It even had trees growing on top. Jaelin stood to one side catching his breath, while Pecs, Usa, and Izil dismantled the bricked up entrance. The whole experience was so similar to the earlier mission, that Ashlyn knew she should be worried. But for some reason, now they had made it to their destination, she was more relaxed than ever.

Pecs removed the last of the stones and stood, smiling. ‘All clear.’

‘Let’s go,’ Usa suggested.

The two brothers led the way. Pecs and Ashlyn followed them in. The big man had to crouch to get through the entranceway, but it then opened up into a domed central room, just big enough for him to stand upright. In the centre was a stone bench, on top of which was a metal casket.

Ashlyn thought it strange that Usa and Izil just relaxed their grip on their spears, letting them fall to the floor. But as she and Pecs followed behind, her opinion changed. She thought nothing of Pecs dropping his pike.

She looked at Greenblade. It wasn’t glowing. There was no need to be afraid. She began to unbuckle her belt.

‘What are you doing?’ Jaelin asked her.

‘We don’t need weapons here,’ she told him.

‘Oh. I suppose you’re right,’ he said, laying his knife down.

Ashlyn chose a place to sit and rest, leaning against the circular wall of the chamber. She hadn’t felt such peace since she was a child. There was nothing to worry about. She could just sit down and rest for a while.

No. I could sit here forever.

***

They had done an awful lot of walking to get here, and Bletcher didn’t disagree with the decision to sit down and rest for a while. Didn’t disagree one bit.

There was just one, nagging problem. The damned staff Stiff had given him kept warning him of something. There was nothing to worry about, and yet it wouldn’t cease its incessant exhortations.

Damned thing is broken.

He stood, intending to cast it out of the barrow, and allow him some peace. His eyes caught the metal chest, on the stone plinth, and he recalled that this was the purpose of their mission.

Curious as to its contents, he crossed over and lifted the lid.

There were all sorts of goodies inside. He particularly liked the things to wear. He popped a copper coloured circlet onto his head, and imagined he must look like a prince. Then his eyes caught something even fancier—a mask. He replaced the circlet with the mask. It covered his face, with holes in just the right places for seeing and breathing.

However, it made him feel rather uncomfortable. Nervous. On edge. He nearly took it off.

Then he realised what was going on. The mask wasn’t making him feel bad. It was blocking the sense of tranquility that he, and his new companions, had felt since arriving at the barrow.

So it falls on me to save the day once more.

First, he took the chest and its contents outside the mound, laying them down on the ground. This took several trips, since there were weapons, and armour, plus the items his companions had discarded.

Then, he decided he ought to rescue at least some of the others. The scout, of course, he dragged out first. He was the only one who knew their way around this wilderness. The girl next. He had developed a bit of a soft spot for her. She had kept his gift, even if she hadn’t paid him for it.

The others, he thought he could leave. They had a habit of putting their hands to their weapons and threatening him.

‘What’s going on?’ the girl murmured, as if waking from a dream. ‘What are you wearing?’

‘A mask.’

‘Were we put under a spell?’ the scout asked.

‘You were. But don’t worry, I rescued you.’

‘And you’ll get the others?’ the girl asked.

‘Others?’

‘There are three others in there,’ she said—rather sternly for a damsel who had just been rescued.

‘You do know I’ve only got one frickin’ arm?’ he grumbled, but stomped back into the barrow once more.

At last, all the mercs were rescued. The scout and the girl were on their feet now, sorting through the items.

‘Look at this!’ the girl exclaimed.

Bletcher stared at her, bemused. Of all the items, she seemed most taken by a bag.

‘It holds all these weapons, and is virtually no weight to lift.’

Bletcher continued to stare blankly at her, but supposed it did sound useful.

‘Wait a moment,’ she said. ‘Where is Pecs?’

‘He is far too heavy to shift.’

The younger of the two brothers put a hand to the hilt of his sword. Of all the bullies in The Rotten Apples, he was the meanest of the lot.

‘The gods,’ Bletcher declared, ‘have decided that Pecs should also be saved.’

MISSION COMPLETE

SUCCESS: The barrow was explored

Some of your mercs improved their stats:

Greenblade:

Agility +1

Hit Points +1

Action Points +1

Skill with spears: competent

Usa:

Agility +1

Izil:

Might +1

Hit Points +1

Action Points +1

Auntie:

Skill with staves: competent

The Explorer:

Agility +1

Hit Points +1

Action Points +1

Bletcher:

Intellect +1

Pecs:

Skill with spears: proficient

Fortune:

Agility +1

Some mercs levelled up:

Greenblade is now Level 4

The Explorer is now Level 4