Along the Black road, South of Delphi
Julian reflected once again on how he just wasn’t built for this kind of travel in Eganene. His Manager’s carriages were as beautiful as promised. The woodwork on the outside of the riding compartment was hand crafted, painted and gilded. It was the story of Eganene and the Family carved into stark relief. Julian had no doubt; they’d be the toast of the town on their arrival.
The travel, however, would be an uncomfortable set of weeks. Inside the riding compartment, there were two narrow benches. Wrapped in voluptuous crushed velvet with dainty lace pillows resting in the corners, they were sumptuous and comfortable. The benches just weren’t wide enough to accommodate Julian’s size.
Thankfully, he could count his blessings and the windows were wide and open. There was no glass, but the air was relatively warm and there was a wooden lip above the window that kept the rain out. Sasha had set one of the pine crates in the inside of the carriage, and Julian sat upon it looking outside at the passing scenery.
So far, the view had been pretty boring. Most of the trees were still leafless and the smaller towns were empty. Julian hadn’t spent much time in northern Eganene, but he knew from Leo that the people up here generally stayed away from the buildings that came through from Earth. Julian understood. His guess was that they preferred their little huts in the forest to the remnants of the Umbilicus.
Today, it was raining heavily, and he was grateful to have a roof over his head. Leo and Sasha rode with the guard. They were wrapped in long leather coats that shed some of the water. Wide brimmed, black hats kept the rain off their faces and knee-high boots protected their legs. They had their own horses and special made tack, marking them as wealthy beyond imagination.
The Black road kept the mud to a minimum, although spray from the horses’ hooves kicked up into their air. Julian grinned. His carriage might be too small for him, but at least he was dry. His Manager rode in the other ornate carriage. It led the way, followed by Julian and the six regular carriages. The road noise was considerable. The sound of the wheels, horses and men, were enough to chase off any game in the area. Hopefully, the plan wasn’t to hunt their meat.
The three house servants road in the last carriage. His Manager had said they had a full staff in Orlenia, but someone needed to prepare the meals and care for them along the road. They wouldn’t have an Inn every night. The men would be hungry and the tents would need to be set-up.
Julian wished Opia had been chosen to accompany them. He might not have had the privacy for all his favorite things, but he could have been creative. The carriage was big enough for that at least. He could have pulled the curtains and had some fun.
Picking at the bowl of nuts and fruit on the bench beside him, he wondered if he might find her cousin. Perhaps the girl would be as pretty as Opia, and he could keep her for the return trip. His Manager had said pleasure and business, after all.
Uncorking his wine, he took a deep pull and shook the jug. Half-full still. He’d already eaten most of the sandwiches the servants had packed for him, and nuts and fruit wouldn’t do much to fill him. Peering outside, he tried to tell the time by the gray light.
Leo had assured him at breakfast that they would make an Inn before nightfall, and Julian figured it was possible. The road was relatively clear, and they were moving quickly. He might not be able to tell what time it was, but his stomach thought they were about three hours from dinner. He wondered what they would have. Mutton? Deer? It had been a long time since he’d spent a night at an Inn in Eganene, and he wasn’t sure what passed for regular fare these days.
Julian’s opinion of the operation was positive. The guards were clearly professionals. Their uniforms were neat and pressed, and their swords strapped to their backs in order ride more easily. Julian knew his Manager had sent a team of men ahead to clear any fallen trees or other major debris. The Black road made the trip easy, their carriage wheels navigating the macadam instead of the muddy mess that bordered it. He wasn’t exactly sure what this marvel was called on Earth, but it was one of the major thoroughfares that ran north south.
Another hour slipped by before shouting erupted in the front of procession. Julian caught himself, the tray of sandwiches and the wine as the carriage suddenly stopped. He could hear the guards calling to one another. Their responses were calm and unhurried. He eyed the short sword his Manager had given him before their departure. Julian hadn’t wanted to tell him that he wasn’t any use with it, so he had accepted the weapon. He left it where it lay and stuck his head out the window.
“You have room for a guest, Julian?” Leo asked, riding his painted mare over to Julian’s window. His white hair was tied back against his neck, protected by his hat. His sword he rode with unsheathed, the hilt held so that the meat of the blade rested against his thigh.
No, Julian thought. Unless the guest is on the smaller side. And preferably female.
Out loud he said, “Happy to share the space.” The floor was covered with nuts and bits of fruit from the quick stop, but Julian crouched as best he could and swung out the door.
Two men climbed in hurriedly, squeezing themselves onto one of the benches as Julian shoved his crate against the other. Stifling his annoyance, he put on a welcoming smile. “Well met,” he muttered.
“Our thanks,” the older man said.
Julian’s guess was that the pair were father and son. Both had dark skin and a similar bearing, were dressed in Hunters leathers and appeared well fed. The father had curly white hair with flecks of darker peppering. The man pulled over his pack and shoved it underneath his bench. On the back of his head, Julian could see a thin, pink scar.
The younger man was likely close to twenty. He had an athletic build, a thick head of hair and didn’t meet Julian’s eyes. He busied himself with storing his own pack.
“You two have enough room?” Julian asked the boy.
He got a nod in response.
Not a talker then, Julian thought as the carriage started moving again. He might be intimidated by his Manager’s carriage. Or, perhaps the was something more interesting going on.
“You’re riding with us to the next Inn or further?”
Again, it was the older man who spoke. “Just the next Inn. We’re hoping to get dry before setting back out on our task.”
“Family work, I assume, since we picked you up.”
“Indeed. Bounty work,” he replied, rubbing his ear and shooting a quick glance at his son.
Julian could see that the man’s ears were cauliflowered. He wondered where he was from to end up with his ears like that. It was something he generally associated with wrestlers on Earth. He might have asked, but he was more interested in what the Bounty was.
“Oh, yeah? Got a good lead?”
The boy looked concerned, but the older man put a hand on his leg. “Nothing I’d bet on, but we picked up the big ticket. Figured to give it a shot.”
Julian nodded, a flash of anger shooting through him, “The girl and our Anathema.”
“Yes,” the older man agreed. “Bad business that. Better get them in before they do anything worse.”
The men’s boots made small puddles on the floor. Julian moved a bit to the side so that he’s own boots stayed out of the growing mess. Curiosity pulled the next question from his lips, “What did you hear they did? If you don’t mind me asking.”
Again, the boy shot a look at his father. The older man ignored it, “Can’t rightly say, I suppose. I figured it was bad. Given the price tag on their heads.”
“Do you know anyone that’s seen them?”
“Not personally, no. Word is they are headed South, though.”
Julian grinned and closed his eyes. If Peter was headed in this direction, it was possible he might be able to pick up his trail. He’d have to ask his Manager once they got to the Inn. If he could canvas the area a bit, he might be able to sense something.
“Your caravan is headed to Orlenia?” the father asked.
Julian shrugged. “I’m just along for the ride. I don’t know the details.”
“I see. Well, let your man know that we’ve seen some Creeling along the way. It was kind of him to give us a ride. I’d repay that kindness with information if you’d give him the message.”
“Of course,” Julian said, pulling the curtain on his window and settling back. He’d never seen one of the beasts himself, but he’d heard enough tales to know he wanted nothing to do with them. Hopefully, the monsters would pick off the horses before bothering with anything in the carriages.
The boy was looking at the remainder of Julian’s sandwich. Picking it up, Julian made short work of the meal. There was no way to know just how far the Inn was, and the servants had made his favorite. Ignoring the obvious disappointment in the kid’s face, he asked, “What were the Creeling doing when you saw them?”
“Truth, we heard them more than we saw them,” the man responded. “Caught a few looks, but they were usually in the treetops. We found the remains of grandpanther and Creeling some miles back. Can’t be sure what happened since the pelts were skinned and removed.”
Julian’s eyebrows rose, “A grandpanther, you say?”
The father nodded, “Lucky for whoever found them dead. I’m sure they’ll be worth a lot. And lucky they didn’t find them when they were still fighting.”
“That’s fairly strange, right?”
“I’d never seen the like before,” the man agreed. “Although in stories, grandpanthers are said to hate the Creeling.”
“Old wives’ tales?”
The man shrugged, “I suppose. Can’t remember the last time I heard about Creeling on this side of the mountains. I wonder why they left their nests.”
“In Baltine?”
“Round about. That’s what I heard at least.”
Julian rubbed at his face. He preferred a clean shave, and he’d noticed his Manager did, too. He’d get some hot water and get rid of the growth when they stopped. He took another swig of wine and said eyed the younger man.
“I suppose it might of been because the helstrom,” the father offered. “Storm like that messes with the animals’ sense of direction.”
Julian shrugged. He wasn’t a Hunter. The book he’d borrowed from his Manager hadn’t mentioned the Creeling, and he didn’t really know the first thing about animal behaviors. As long as he was eating them and not the reverse, that was good enough for him.
“Where did you shelter?”
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
“We were in Delphi,” the father said, glancing at his son.
“Not many Hunters in Delphi,” Julian said. “Not many folk at all, really. Why were you there?”
The man rubbed his hands together, probably trying to get some warmth into them. “Just traveling through. We picked up some supplies from a man I know. Needed a few things before setting off to find this Bounty.”
It was strange, but the man’s voice reminded him a little bit of Earth. Of Philly. Julian fought the urge to scratch his head. The scar there was still healing and bothered him continuously. It had to be his imagination. There was no way this Hunter had been on Earth. The ability to Travel was especially rare.
The younger man was studying his hands, avoiding eye contact. He was taller than his father, tall enough that he had to sit slouched against the cabin wall in order not to hit his head on the ceiling. His leathers fit tightly against a muscular chest and a heavy, silver chain could be seen at his neck.
Julian felt a thread of unease. Jewelry like that was worth a fortune in Eganene. Where had this Hunter gotten a something so valuable?
The old man seemed to hear this thoughts, “You’re admiring my boy’s necklace, I see.”
“Looks expensive,” Julian agreed. “Mind telling me where you got it.”
The man laughed, “You’re right at that. It was a gift given to me many years ago. I’d never have been able to afford something that grand. Not in many life times.”
“What did you do to get it?”
The man brushed at his leathers, seeming embarrassed. “Well, I gave it the boy awhile back, but it involved a certain young lady…”
Julian grinned, “All right, all right. I don’t need to hear that tale.”
The man look relieved, “Good. I don’t think the boy’s mother would appreciate the story much.”
“Where are you from?” he asked. “You’ve got a curious accent.”
The man sat back, suddenly more serious. “It’s been a long couple of years. The boy and I have done a fair bit of traveling. Picking up work where we could find it. We’ve just gotten back to this area recently.”
“I know something about that,” Julian agreed thinking about the different cities he’d been in looking for the witch.
“Our home town was…disrupted…when he was born,” the father said. “We headed west for a bit before finding our way up here.”
“Areasl then?”
The man shook his head, “Not so far. Boy’s mother didn’t want to climb the mountains. Village was small enough that it didn’t have a name, but it wasn’t a bad place to raise a kid.”
Julian checked the younger man’s expression, but he was looking out the opposite window ignoring the conversation.
“Why not Orlenia?” Julian asked.
“Now, perhaps,” the man replied. “I’ve been thinking about heading down there after this Bounty. Southern cities are expensive. Orlenia especially. Haven’t had the resources in the last few years, that’s for sure.”
Julian grunted, “True enough.”
Giving the man a once over, he confirmed that he didn’t have any weapons beside the short swords. “I hear the Anathema has a gun,” he told the man. “If you find him, you’ll want to make quick work of him.”
“I see,” the father said. “I appreciate the warning.”
The young man’s expression was concerned. His father put a hand on his knee, “Don’t worry. We’ll know what to do when the time comes.”
Julian felt a pang of sympathy for the pair. He wouldn’t want to go up against Peter with only a sword either. Despite his warning, the two men didn’t stand much of a chance at all. Julian’s fingers twitched. He couldn’t wait to get his guns back.
“If you do find him,” Julian said, “might be best to let Family know instead of trying to take him yourself. Less likely to end up with a hole that way. You’d still get a percentage.”
“I’ll take that under consideration,” the man murmured.
Soon, the two men were asleep on their bench. Julian wondered how far they’d come to pass out that quickly and in the mid-day hours. He noted that they hadn’t brought much in the way of luggage. Packed light, they were probably able to cover a lot of ground.
He wondered how far Peter and the girl had made it before the helstrom had hit. Looking out the window, he tried to see any majic residue, but there was nothing but rain. He’d need a better vantage point if he was going to see anything.
With the Family’s Dogs after him, Peter would have been pushing hard. He wondered if the girl was a liability or if she was really working with him. He touched the back of his head, feeling the scar that was still healing.
He didn’t know who’d hit him. It could have been the girl, of course. But, why? It just didn’t make sense that the Radcliff witch would work with someone from the Family. Ah, but Peter had some talents, too.
Julian frowned. He’d been over this a hundred times already and there just weren’t any answers. Not without Peter. He eyed the men again, wondering how many Hunters had taken his Bounty. Did they really think they had a better chance than the Dogs?
Perhaps if Peter and the girl were in the woods, Julian thought.
Slowly, he pulled one of the bags over. The noise of the caravan masked the rustling sound. It was the boy’s pack. He hadn’t pushed it fully beneath the bench.
Julian checked their expressions, but both men were fully asleep. It was difficult to bend over. The area was cramped and his bulk was hard to maneuver in the compressed space. Still, he managed to get his fingers inside the leather thong and pull open the pack.
Inside he found some flint, a bag of dried plant fluff and a thick blanket. All normal traveling items. He dug a little deeper, wondering if they had anything to eat squirreled away.
His fingertips found some cloth and he pulled it out. It was old and faded. Julian ran his hands along the stitching.
Hmm, he thought. The son must have a thing for Earth items. Julian wasn’t one hundred percent sure, but the cloth almost looked like one of those jerseys that sports players wore. This one didn’t have sleeves. He turned the cloth over, looking for a number. He couldn’t find one, and stuffed the cloth back into the young man’s pack.
Maybe the two men had a side hustle in Earth items. That would explain the fancy necklace and what they were doing in Delphi. It wasn’t illegal. Most of the stuff from Earth crumbled to dust pretty quickly. Julian’s guess was that cloth had a week left on the outside. Metal had a better chance of remaining. No one really knew why, of course. Although since the Umbilicus was destroyed, the time was shorter.
He smelled the Inn before they saw it, the woodsmoke held close to the ground by the rain. While the guards went to find the stable hand, Julian shook the older man’s shoulder.
“What?” the man said groggily. “Ah, we’re here.” He turned to wake his son, shaking his shoulder in turn.
“Where…” the boy started.
The older man slapped his arm, startling both of them. Pointing out the window, he said, “Look! Place is pretty big. They might even have a bed for us, if we’re lucky.”
Julian didn’t want to tell him they’d already booked all the rooms, so he said nothing.
The younger man hurried to climb out of the carriage.
“Don’t forget your sword, Wyatt,” his father said, pointing.
His son looked embarrassed, color staining his dark cheeks.
Perhaps the weapon was new to him, Julian thought. Even to his eyes, the boy held it awkwardly. It was as if he wasn’t sure what to do with it. Julian could commiserate. He’d never been good with hand weapons, either. Thankfully, he’d found other employment. Being an unskilled Hunter was going to be a hard life for the young man.
He took his time climbing out of the carriage, sliding out through the door into the rain. His boots sunk into the mud as he hit the ground and he stretched his arms over his head. It was good they had help along. He’d have them cleaned up tonight. Reaching back instead he pulled his sword out.
“Go on in,” Leo said in a deep rumble. The man had dismounted and was walking his horse towards the stable. “Barkeep will know which room you’re in. We sent riders ahead so everything should be prepared.”
Julian nodded and stepped under the roof above the door. The clearing was quickly filling with his Manager’s carriages, grooms and servants all hustling to get the horses settled and their baggage stowed. They looked to be the only group here. Julian was surprised they didn’t have competition for the rooms, but they’d paid the Innkeep well enough. No one was going to disappoint a group this large, not when Family were involved.
While the servants pulled his Manager’s bags from his carriage to store them in the dry barn, Julian followed the smell of roasting meat into the Inn. The air inside was heavy with rosemary and woodsmoke. Ignoring the long wooden length of the bar to his right, Julian threaded his way through the tables to the seats by the fire. His Manager was already there, his coat drying on the back of a second chair.
The man rested easily, legs crossed and intent on the words of his company. Julian slowed his progress, taking the woman’s details. Probably about his age, she wore her fiery red hair woven into many braids. Her dress was clearly expensive, the fabric shining in the low light. She looked up, catching his expression.
Julian quickly refocused on his Manager, finished his progress and bowed neatly. “I’m glad to see you’re already settled, sir. Was your trip pleasant?”
“Yes, yes, take a seat,” the man replied, his words fast and excited. “I have someone to introduce you to.”
Julian bowed to the woman. Not as low as he’d done for his Manager, but respectfully nonetheless and took a chair. It creaked beneath his weight but held. The furniture here was basic wooden construction.
His Manager’s usually pinched mouth turned into a smiled, “Julian. This is Jezebel. I’ve spoken to you of her before.”
“Well met,” Julian said, focusing on the woman’s face and not the ends of her earrings which were long and settled snuggling between her breasts.
“It is a pleasure,” she replied. Julian had expected her words to be sultry, but they came out clear and strong.
His Manager leaned forward in his chair, putting his elbows on his knees as his deep set eyes swept the room. “It is fortunate Jezebel was able to meet us so early in our travels. We have much to discuss, to plan. Having her here will make that easier.”
“Here…” Julian started.
“Don’t be concerned,” his Manager cut his words. “Sasha was here an hour ago getting everything set-up, and Leo will be with us in a moment. The staff will wait in the barn while we talk.”
Julian’s stomach grumbled with disappointment. Apparently, talking was going to come before eating.
“Jezebel, if you’d please. I’d like Julian to hear the particulars of the Facility we will be at tomorrow. He has my full confidence, so please share all the pertinent details.”
Sparing a glance for the bar, Julian abandoned his hope that drinks and snacks might materialize.
“You’ve been on Earth,” she began. It wasn’t a question. “During that time, and since the destruction of the Umbilicus, the Family has been searching for solutions to some vexing problems. Initially, wiping out those with Power was thought to be sufficient.”
“Jokihm and the Council…”
Julian’s head snapped up, desperately searching for anyone who might overhear them.
“Calm, Julian,” his Manager soothed. “We are alone. Continue, Jezebel. Julian has much to learn if he is going to serve me well in Orlenia.”
Julian flushed and tried to settle his thundering heart. This was insane. Talking about this was madness. Surely, they’d all be killed.
“Get the whiskey,” his Manager called to Leo as he entered the building. “And some glasses.”
Jezebel took the moment to wind her hair into a bun, distracting Julian with the alabaster skin of her throat. Leo set the bottle and glasses down on the nearby table, drug over a chair for himself and poured four glasses of amber. Handing the first to their Manager, he dealt the rest before stripping his coat.
“What did I miss?” he asked.
Julian’s eyes were on the bubbled glass in his hand. Neither he nor Thom had ever been in any conversations like this with their old Manager. He got orders. He did them. He didn’t need to know why.
“Jezebel was going to give Julian a historical recap,” his Manager said. “But I think we can skip that part for now. Tell us of the Facility. A general framework for Julian, but the particulars of this building please.”
“The men I sent arrived?” Leo asked before she could begin.
The woman nodded, her eyes meeting Julian’s.
“There are several buildings in good repair,” she began. “Administrative offices and employee barracks are in one building. The subjects are housed in a second buildings. The third has some more cells and the actual experimentation rooms.”
“Subjects?” Julian asked. “I thought were were touring one of the Facilities.”
His Manager nodded, “That’s correct, Julian. Tomorrow, I want you to have a good look at what the Council’s current plan is.”
“The buildings were originally brought through by the Umbilicus,” Jezebel continued, crossing her legs. “I’ve been impressed with the retrofitting they’ve accomplished. They have electricity, running water and waste disposal.”
Julian’s sluggish mind connected the dots, “This is where Opia’s cousin is.” He turned to face his Manager. “The volunteers we spoke of are the subjects.”
“That’s right.”
“Did you find her?” he asked Jezebel, genuinely curious.
Leo shook his head, “My men were instructed to pull her out if they found her. Jezebel wouldn’t have been in communication with them. Not appropriate.”
Right, Julian thought. Because she’s a woman. Of course she wouldn’t be speaking with the men.
“What is it you do, then?” he heard himself ask. Quiet met his question, the crackle of fire and drum of rain on the roof, the only sounds. Julian’s Manager took a slow sip of his drink and then gave Jezebel a short nod. It was only then that she responded.
The woman smiled, the expression not meeting her eyes. “That answer varies on what is needed. I’d been tracking some weapons shipments, interviewing some Resistance.”
“But…”
“Yes, Julian,” his Manager agreed. “There aren’t many, but they’ve been organizing in the past few years. Our theory is that they’re preparing for the witch. Getting ready in case she returns to Eganene.”
“But Peter…” Julian began again.
Leo finished his glass and poured another, “Drink up, Julian. We’ll find Peter.”
Tipping back his head, he threw back the whisky, feeling it burn. Leo poured him another while Julian collected his thoughts.
When he was ready, he said, “So, the Resistance is active again.” He took a breath, “They think the witches will return to save them.”
He got a nod in response, and turned to look at Jezebel. “You are tracking shipments of weapons and end up at this Facility. Why?”
She smiled her non-smile again. “I was using their equipment in their laboratories. It makes interrogation so much easier.”
Julian surpassed a shudder and wiped at his eyes with the back of his hand, “I see.”
“I’ve let them know that I’ve further work to do tomorrow. And that I’ve enlisted your help to finish the job.” She frowned, “The rest of what they do there isn’t to my taste. I’ve been asked to get you in close so you can see for yourself.”
“But what are they doing?” Julian heard himself whine.
The woman shook her head, “The process is complicated. Better I explain to you while we observe. It will make more sense that way.”
Their Manager stood and Leo, Julian and Jezebel rose with him. “Excellent. I’m eager to hear your thoughts when you return, Julian. Do take care to learn as much as possible. I hope to make better time for the rest of the trip, so our visits to the rest of the Facilities will be perfunctory at best.”
“Yes, sir,” Julian managed.
“Go get cleaned up, we’ll have an early meal. You two will head out with Sasha for escort at first light.”
Jezebel’s body straightened, “There’s really no need, sir. Sasha doesn’t need to…”
Their Manager set down his glass. “Nonsense. Until Julian gets his guns back, he’ll need an escort.”
Shame flared through Julian’s body, the heat of it burning his veins as color infused his cheeks. It wasn’t Jezebel their Manager needed to protect. It was him.