Strange Travels
Chapter One
The Unexpected
The old man strolled casually down Front Street toward the White Lion Inn. Held tightly in his left hand, shoved deep into his pocket a tiny fragment of parchment contained an invaluable code key.
Looking around in a nonchalant way he nodded at a passing group of obviously upper crust citizens who ignored the gesture.
He was distinguished looking in his official robes and despite his age his square cut features had not significantly eroded in the usually furrowing one might have expected though his hair was well on graying.
So far all was well, but of course who could expect that such a simple looking old man was in fact up to such a dangerous game. It had started as an exiting interlude from the daily rigors of a minor faculty member at the White Mountains Science Academy one summer thirty-five years ago.
Now a well tenured Professor of high renown in the world of scientific instruction he was also trapped in a world of espionage and skulking mischief.
Nearing the meeting place for the exchange he slowed perceptibly and became very watchful though by outward appearance he simply seemed to be examining the architecture of an old ornately impressive building that was now a diplomatic office. As he passed the structure a young woman said pleasantly. “It’s stood there for over two hundred years on this very spot as is usually case with such places.”
The professor looked into the woman’s eyes. “Ah… so it has… so it has. Do you know who commissioned the construction?”
The woman smiled. “Well it was not me, but of course you are not looking for building of architects are you.”
He smiled back. “Neither… a little parched, and leg worn! Would you join me for a conversational drink my dear?”
The well dressed young woman was perhaps twenty-six or seven with near black hair and angelic features which were well accented by her hazel eyes; that now smiled profusely. “Delight to dear sir… perhaps we could exchange a few pleasantries over a cool drink as we wile a few minutes in Smalltalk.” She said while curtsying and holding out her right hand.
Professor Priom smiled as he pulled his left hand from his pocket and casually passed the parchment to the young woman as he took her hand and kissed it. “And might I ask your man?”
She still smiled as she answered. “I am Samantha, and you are?”
As he stepped around and hooked elbows with the woman he replied. “Ah… I Am
Professor Priom of the White Mountains Academy.”
They walked the short distance to the White Lion and quickly entered drawing glances from only a few patrons. They proceeded to a vacated corner booth and sat down facing each other. The Priom spoke quietly. “You have the key now I but need the message from Kokoshima… You do have it?” She nodded. “Yes… the waiter is coming!”
Priom smiled. “AH, just so… it can wait a moment.”
The waiter was a pinch faced man dressed in formal attire and he stopped and presented his notepad as if he were making a salute, quill at the ready. “Your service good lady; gentleman!”
Priom smiled up at the man. “Simple ale for me but cold… and… Ah well, how about a nice white wine for the dear lady!”
Samantha nodded. “Yes white, also chilled thank you sir.”
The waiter moved his eyes in the direction of a close table occupied by two mild looking men then spoke. “There, there… I note a bit of chill in the air are you sure you require it chilled or perhaps a more inviting table?”
Priom nodded. “A bit of a chill…Yes, which table do you suggest good man? Since as you say there is a bit of displeasure at this one.”
The waiter nodded. “Very well; right this way if you please we have a very nice table in the loft.”
They stood and followed the waiter to a flight of stairs that ascended from near the Kitchen door. They chatted aimlessly as they walked and were soon once again seated in the upper loft where there were no other tables or patrons close by. The waiter bent at the waist and whispered. “They are on to you Priom! You have to leave the country immediately. The monarchy is cracking down all over and it is no longer safe. Your lady friend should also go since all contacts have already been apprehended and all safe houses shut down. I don’t know why they haven’t already taken you unless they are simply not sure yet, but someone will talk. I’m leaving myself at the shift change in a few more minutes.”
Priom looked as if someone had hit him in the stomach. “Is it that bad? How so quickly.”
Samantha grabbed Priom’s arm. “I’ve already got passage on the Seagull for later today bound for Agron. It won’t be safe there either but it could get us out of the immediate danger.”
Priom nodded. “I have plenty of money with me. Give me back the note!”
Samantha handed the note back as the waiter walked away in fear Priom would trust its destruction to him.
Priom removed a small vial from a pocket and pulling the stopper; dropped the parchment in and the contents began to instantly bleach the note to what would be in three minutes a pure white color, with no traces of the writing it now had on it.
Samantha smiled as she saw what Priom was doing then looked around quickly. “I don’t like being stuck up here…! Is there… another way down from here, or must we pass back through and out the front door?”
Priom not smiling looked her in the face. “We have two options. We can slip through the kitchen at the bottom of the stairs which is what I believe Ronald our waiter intends for us to do or as you say out the front. I’ve known Ronald for many years and I am still not sure about him, I think he turns too easily on the bill perhaps… I think we should go through the front door and hire a cab. There is usually at least two there, then for the business district, and on foot from there to the docks.”
Samantha shook her head. “Why take that way… it is much farther than if we go straight to the docks from Market Street.”
“No, I am worried that we will be followed. There are a bunch of tenement buildings between Business Way and the dock and a moderate catacomb under them. I know how to get in… and from there a path through them that leads to the water front. I once spent a week smuggling documents through there.”
Samantha nodded. “Good enough for me! When?”
Priom peeked over the side of the lofts to note the two mild looking men still sitting there. “We have to wait for our drinks or those two will know something is up.”
Samantha looked more than a little worried as she shook her head. “No we don’t just follow my lead, OK?”
Priom looked at her quizzically. “What do you have in mind?”
Samantha did not answer but in stead she stood violently knocking over her chair. “You’ll bend me over no table you cretin… I’m no strumpet to be boffed and so handled by you.!”
Priom was at first shocked then stood speaking loud and frantically. “I meant no such thing my dear, I said if you want good service you should bend a little is all.” “I know what you meant…” Samantha yelled as she stormed away.
All the establishment’s patrons were looking and several laughed as Priom followed
Samantha rapidly down the stairs begging after her. “Perhaps I was out of line but I did not mean what you believe I intoned. Please just listen…”
Samantha yelled again without looking back. “Liar…! Do you think I am an idiot?”
As they entered the street, Samantha haled the nearest cab and hurried into it and Priom took the second cab leaving no others available for the two mild looking men who now did not appear as mild at all.
Traveling to Business way Samantha exited her cab and Priom stopped his then they in the same cab, proceeded to a location near the Catacomb entrance he had earlier mentioned.
An hour later they were birthed on The Passage Ship Seagull where they lay low in their small compartment.
Samantha giggled as the Seagull drew up anchor and they were now for the time out of immediate danger. “I’ve not done such things before; In a way it was fun, and frightening. All emotion I am now…I am new to this game.”
Priom smiled. “Nor have I. I was never suspected in the past, and believed you to be the expert in such things since you handled it so very well.”
Samantha smiled. “And what did I do but react? You seemed so cool.”
Priom touched his finger to his nose. “Ah… Well the distraction at the Lion was perfect for our purpose at the time.”
Samantha blushed. “All I could think of at the time.”
Priom grinned. “Yes but the line about bending of you over the table was genius.”
Samantha’s face flushed. “Priom… Such a thing would be genius at this moment… would you…? I feel so bound to you at this moment I can think of nothing else my dear professor?”
Priom was shocked but as such an offer was inviting had already started to undress.
Samantha lay back on the table and spread her legs after she removed her pantaloon. Priom advanced on the young woman and soon had her well pinioned to the table where in slow rhythmic motion he worked in a labor of joy to satisfy his young guest.
Now, this part of the story if expressed in day to day terms would become a labor of indifference and bordom would be the result so for brevity sake it will be brief.
Arriving in the Agronian port of Merieka they left the Seagull and transferred passage to the Agron schooner South Wind departing for the Far East Port of Bintai In Kingwar.
The passage, they knew, would be long and perhaps arduous since the Actin Horn was notorious for terrible weather. Also neither of them had ever really traveled in the past so their hopes were that Bintai would be a welcoming place.
As a professor Priom had studied and taught about all the wonderful science practiced in the east and now looked forward to seeing such things first hand. The strong scriptural beliefs of most western nations tended to shun science for mystical concepts and for the most part that was why Priom had become a clandestine operative in the first place. While most of his illegal undertakings had centered around money and state secrets he had received his best pay in the form of Eastern manuscripts on invention and practical studies of for the most part common things. Now it would be good to actually see and touch the things he had dreamed of for so long.
Samantha on the other hand really had not driving force other than survival that sent her to the east. All her past life was now irrefutably gone for ever and she mussed over her plight often and found relief in regular sexual escapades with her new companion. This is not to say that she did not still have dreams and she listened while the professor expounded on the wonders of the east and her excitement grew with the passing of each day as the South Wind cruised farther and farther south toward the Actin Horn.
As it happened the turning of the horn was uneventful and the dreaded Actin coast was soon forgotten. Now the way lead east by north and fair winds sped the passage at near record speed.
Ninety-six days in passage and the ship ran hard for the port of Juhien near the tip of the Honsen peninsula of Gora-Iema. The weather was astoundingly good and no one expected any non-favorable turn but what they did not take into account was Pirates.
The raid came aboard near midnight and all the passengers were force to deck along with the South Wind crew. All stores were left in hold and this caused the South Wind Captain a man named Stewort to understand that the ship was to be taken in total with cargo, and that the passengers would be sold into slavery or worse. As the ship turned back to the southwest under control of the pirates, Captain Stewort who had taken steps to prepare for such an event removed some of the planking from the after hold floor revealing a large stash of weapons. Unaware the pirates took turns raping the women along with a few men even, and as they came back for Samantha and some others Stewort launched his counter attack.
The battle was pretty brief with the pirates all being killed since most of them were drunk as the fight began. Unfortunately during the battle the South Wind was engulfed by fire at the bow and do to the deadly fighting no damage control measures could be taken before it became too late.
Well it is now time to return to a more telling form and as this is so; so goes this part of the story.
Priom with cutlass in hand moved toward the stern of the South Wind, Samantha in tow. He hadn’t fought any pirates and preferred to keep it that way since he understood that as a professor he could perhaps explain the physics of battle but not physically engage in such a thing.
At the stern were tied two launches that trailed some distance behind and reaching the fan tail Priom looked longingly at the larger of the two. It was at this time another passenger who had been noticed often on board but remained to himself came along side of Priom and Samantha. “What do you await? Now is the time to disengage ourselves from this burning hulk!
The man began to climb over the railing quickly followed by Samantha, while Priom doubting the express wisdom of the action also did the same. The drop to the ocean was frightful but soon the three were swimming hard for the larger launch, and just in time they were because it was just then that some cargo content reacted badly to the fire and a terrible explosion erupted leaving flaming debris and little else to be seen upon the water where the ship had once been
Aboard the launch the three began a quick search of the area and found only two others alive who they took aboard. One was a tired looking business man and the other was a teen aged boy.
The unknown man immediately took charge and turned the launch on a direct eastward tack taking advantage of the wind while instructing the others to inventory the small craft stores. Priom and the business man who was named Childer did a little calculation and determined that the available dry goods would be sufficient to last fifty- or so days, but the contents of the water breakers only held enough for perhaps twenty days if firmly rationed. The teen a lad named Thomas along with Samantha discovered a few weapons and fishing gear stored toward the bow in a small forward hold.
There was little to do but ride out the voyage, and since they all believed their self appointed helmsman to be a fine sailor if not also very tight lipped. So they bided for three days before Thomas awoke at around midnight and looked at the stars.
The boy immediately started an uproar by nearly assaulting the strange man. “If you don’t know how to navigate why didn’t you ask for help you stupid bastard.”
The man looked angry and dangerous as he glanced around at the others. “Navigation is my trade. I am Captain Liemme of the Aligator.”
Thomas spat. “We are miles out of the lanes by now and heading south by south. Where are you taking us?”
Liemme smiled evilly. “An expert… Then you might know that the Iea-Shimea Pirates of whom we were so recently guests sail in fleets and I do not like their company. We head to the continent of Eilavoi twenty days travel.”
Thomas pulled out a small dagger. “Then you will turn back now… none of us has business in such a place as Eilavoi.”
The Captain smiled. “Put it away or I’ll make you eat it as a last meal boy!”
Thomas flipped the dagger around in a twirling pattern in his right hand. “Care to try old man, and I’ll be eating your liver for breakfast.”
Liemme shrugged realizing this was no mere boy. “I hale from Adams in Eilavoi where I have business. I will return you to Kokoshimma afterward on my Alligator.”
Thomas sat back down. “So it is a short interlude! That it can be… you see my destination holds a sort of permanent assignment that I do not really look forward to. Another forty days before that is no issue.”
Liemme looked at the others. “The rest of you?”
Priom glanced at Samantha then back to the captain. “No matter to me.”
Childer looked glum in the half light. “My charge was destroyed on the South Wind… I’ve nothing to look forward too but a severe questioning.”
Liemme nodded . “Then Adams it is.”
As most everyone lay back to continue sleep Thomas sat down next to Liemme. “Captain why didn’t you tell us?’
Liemme frowned. “I didn’t need the potential grief like what just happened at your earlier goading.”
Thomas laughed. “Sorry but I am all about business and my business can be hard.”
The captain shook his head. “No harder than mine! I believe I know exactly what you are and know you this… I do not fear you boy!”
Priom propped himself on one El Bow. “What are you Thomas?”
Thomas smiled. “Well you are Priom, a spy! The doors on that enterprise were closed and let’s say you were lucky they were not closed by me.” Priom sat up indignant. “Spy… What do you mean by that?”
Thomas smiled wryly. “You know very well… We had our eyes on you for some time, but it was not really my operation. That fool Ronald was to see you into the kitchen that day to be arrested, but I imagine he was hanged for his failure. You were lucky!”
Priom along with Samantha who now sat next to him both looked frightened as the professor asked. “What are you going to do?” “Nothing… as I have said it was not my operation so be still!” Priom put his arm around Samantha’s shoulders. “We have your word?”
Thomas looked into the sky in exasperation. “We’ve been on the same vessel for how many days and now you worry! As I have said I don’t care about you and could care less what you have done. You see I don’t give a damn about the hurt feelings of the spiritualist in Embrey and as far as I could surmise what you offered the nation was a benefit.” Samantha smiled weakly. “Thank you Thomas.”
The next several days passed and on the evening of the twenty-first day in the launch, land was spied far to the south.
Liemme steered directly toward it since the Water breakers had now been dry for two days and all were thirsty. The distance closed too slowly but in time they arrived off a friendly looking coast which they followed southerly. Then before daylight they found a small river mouth and the captain steered well into it and they all set about re-supplying the water breakers.
Thomas along with Liemme thought the episode was a great joke since their further time on the launch would be short.
Two days later they reached the port of Adams to find it deserted and most of the City burned to the ground. Searching along the waterfront Captain Liemme found what remained of his once proud Alligator was a burned out hulk sunk by the stern. Nowhere was there a single person to question so they moved five miles farther south to a sheltered cove known by Liemme and set up a hasty camp.
Thomas was edgy as he scanned the area around the camp site. “War is the only explanation but I don’t understand where are the armies, refugees and the like. There should have been at least a few scavengers in Adams!”
Liemme nodded agreement. “Some thing is strange in all this. The city was ransacked, the people all gone, the ships all burned and destroyed. Yet; there is no sign of those who did this, and no message at all to tell the tale.”
Priom shook his head. “There is one such story I do recall… well more a myth as it were but, in the kingdom of Axanth, now called Diera, some hundreds of years ago there was a plague that spread so fast that none could escape. Once it hit a city or any place of sufficient populace it drove them all mad and those so struck; set madly upon destruction and killing. Could this be such a thing? We don’t yet have the information to know anything as of yet and our judgment is bound to be flawed.”
Liemme looked up angrily. “And what is the point of that story? All I know is that I have lost everything, and I want to know why!”
Samantha looked away from the others and said slowly. “We… we should depart this place. Go back to where we were bound.”
Thomas laughed. “What else to do? To remain here serves none of us beyond answering a question the answer of which may be our ending and I am not ready for such a thing.” Priom held up a finger and waved it. “Things like this do not happen alone, but in pairs or series; If we leave too soon this eventuality whatever its nature could spread. I suppose that was the point of my mentioning the old story of Axanth. We should search for at least the driving force behind what happened here before we depart.” Samantha looked contemplatively at the professor. “We should sail down the coast to the next port. There should be answers there.”
Thomas stood. “Answers or the same thing with no more than the riddle of this place in another, but Priom is correct, we should delve a little deeper.” Liemme laughed a non-mirthful response. “I for one will seek an answer and cannot leave without it.”
Chapter Two
Human Storm
Thick clouds covered the moon and visibility was poor as a light rain fell.
Turning to lea off point hunter the launch veered toward Port Wilson and all aboard were quiet. There were no lights visible on the run in and as the launch made the drop to within a loud voice the sails were dumped and anchor lowered.
Thomas winked at Samantha his near nude body a strange sight having been smudged with burnt cork to aid in blending with the darkness. The boy slipped into the water silently and began the swim to the nearest of the docks.
As he disappeared Samantha whispered to Priom. “Let’s hope!”
Priom replied in a whisper. “He knows what he is about; I am sure.”
Thomas in long measured strokes closed the distance and slipped between the remains of two burnt out hulks that had settled to the bottom. Neither seeing nor hearing anything threatening, Thomas moved onto the shore and headed into town while keeping to the shadows.
As in Adams the place was deserted and had been ransacked. There was no sound of anything that would indicate human habitation, though there were several stray cats and a few rats making the rounds. Thomas considered turning back since it seemed there was nothing more to learn then moved slowly on. Turning to the left he pushed on to the edge of town then followed a well made road for some distance before coming to parceled farmland beyond a low ridge. While he stood shivering in the sheltering trees a sudden sound alerted his ears.
Off to the left the sound of a large four footed animal moving slowly his way. Ducking into the branches of a thorn bush Thomas knelt and waited. Shortly the animal was passing very close and Thomas with dagger in hand moved quietly out of seclusion behind it and followed. There was not enough light to see but as the animal moved slowly Thomas kept up easily as he once again entered the town. The sound of the animals feet on the paving stones of the thoroughfare were distinctly recognized as those of a horse with shod hooves. So he dropped back a little distance but not far enough to lose contact.
A short time later the animal stopped and a rider was heard dismounting and whispering to the horse. “Aye… leave just you for the moment… while I shan’t be too long.”
The unknown person moved slowly in the shadows into a close building and Thomas followed behind. The interior of the building was pitch black while Thomas could hear someone making a rustling sound. His back to the wall The assassin waited, and soon there was a bright flash as the other person struck flint to tinder. Another two strikes the a whisper. “There now… friendly spark.”
There was the sound of the person blowing as Thomas lowered himself to the floor.
Within a minute a bright flame illuminated the corner of the large room they were in and the person lighted three candles as she muttered in a whisper. “Aye, one for my lost brother’s soul…and another for my Da’s and another for my dear Myther. A penance pay’s I unto them by lightin these here candles, in this holy place.”
Thomas heard the words and saw the person was a young girl, perhaps ten years old. The girl knelt and muttered in a strange language for a short time then stood glancing furtively around the interior of the church. She was about to extinguish the candles when
Thomas said in a low voice words he hoped would not frighten. “Bless you child for your offered penance and thoughtful prayers unto the almighty.”
The girl whirled casting her eyes about the room, as she gasped out. “Who is there… are you the Holy Father?”
Thomas said quietly. “No child I am but a friend… Will you talk with me a moment?”
“Are ye a ghost? Were ye a banshee ought like ye daren’t speak o’ such holy words.”
Thomas smiled to himself knowing that if she saw him now without explanation she would run away. “No dear child; I am but a traveler who came here in stealth to discover the mystery of this ruined place. Can you enlighten me?”
“Do as what… I have no light to shed but o’ these here candles, an do not understand yer meanin.” Thomas frowned. “Ah… what happened here…to this place. How did it come to
destruction?”
The girl still looking for Thomas said quietly. “It were them hooligans come out o’ them mountains. Them who eats of the flesh of man and care neigh ought but for sin an lusful doins. They that’s’ been overhauling all they come over an pass.”
Thomas spoke quietly and calmly. “Don’t be frightened because I may also look like a hooligan to you as I now appear. I assure you I mean you no harm but would seek answers then leave you be.”
The girl stood motionless as Thomas stood up then she smiled. “No you dan’t looks like themuns you looks like a lad o’ the clans.”
“I am glad you are not frightened so could you tell me more, are there others like you, hiding out?”
The girl looked scared. “But a few, an when ought I answers will you be goin an leavin us to the fits. How I’s been prayin for one o’ the clans to come see to us.”
Thomas felt sorry for the young girl as he answered. “No lass I’ll not leave you to the fates. Take me to the others.”
Four hours later Thomas pulled himself back into the launch.
Liemme asked hastily. “What news… the same I dare say!”
Thomas started to answer but Priom cut in. “We saw or heard nothing the whole time you were gone, tell us.”
Thomas spoke normally. “I found some answers and I will tell you but haul up the anchor and make way half mile south of town we’ll landfall there.”
Samantha blurted out. “What did you find Thomas?”
“Two eleven year old twin boys and a ten year old girl. They are wrapped in superstition so the explanations I have gotten so far are full of holes.”
Liemme nodded. “Hill folks, many here abouts… well were.”
Thomas continued. “They are alone and have been hiding out for about two months. What seems to have happened was a hoard of mountain raiders has been marauding up and down the coast. They are cannibals, and practice no quarter but kill all they find then haul the bodes away for consumption. There must be thousands of them.”
Priom shuddered. “Thousands of cannibals set loose to attack the general populace. How could such a thing happen?”
Liemme stood and began to make sail. “They’ve been there for years but never came down but to snatch a few around the lower reaches of the mountains. The king posted large forces to keep them in their place but there must have been too many to hold back.”
Traveling southward close along the heavily wooded coastline all eyes peered intently toward land. After a short time Samantha said. “There a dim light… just over there!”
Thomas laughed. “My night signal, Turn toward Captain.”
Liemme grumbled. “Think you I am not about my business?”
“Well lets be quick, this darkness befuddles my senses, and no danger can be avoided in it.” Priom said urgently, bringing a soft laugh from Samantha.
The landfall was a quick and orderly process with Thomas providing a sudden escort for the escape of the three children. Within minutes the launch under full sail sped away back to the north.
Priom sat with his hand on the young girl’s shoulder. “Hello my new friend, well met and how are you this night?”
The girl smiled. “Me an mine are gladful ta ya sir.” One of the boys spoke. “Neigh so gud ere… we ere all thas leff an poor leavins we are. Them hooligans done fer tuthers.”
Liemme asked quickly of one of the boys. “When did this event fall on Wilson, how long?”
“Two an arf moons gooly cappen, they fell on tah us in dark o’ tah moon an alls wuz taken buts us who was slippin ta steal a hen en dark.”
Priom nodded then turned to Liemme. “They may be a large force but could not have captured all of the land yet there has to be a safe place somewhere.”
Liemme chuckled. “Yes and I believe I know where we should go. The crown city lay a day farther south, then two days inland. While it is close to the mountains; it of all places will be well guarded and should have held.”
Priom groaned. “A trip to there might be too dangerous. Trekking on foot overland.”
Liemme laughed aloud. “Fool! We will take the river to it; the Cern flows past and to the sea.”
“Priom is no fool he is cautious!” cut in Samantha with a well expressed frown.
Thomas laughed as Priom shook his head. “I knew of no such river… the Cern you call it… well things could still be close called.”
Priom nodded. “Sir; perhaps fool was too abrupt… my voice got away, too used to command.”
“So we attempt to make contact. Then what?” asked Thomas. “It seems to be more a poorly thought out gesture than a plan.”
Priom smiled as Liemme said angrily. “I need the word this thing may turn… you are a sneaking killer who makes a life by taking it and I a business man.”
Thomas sighed. “I don’t really care it is just that I am not being paid to undertake this. I am not afraid nor do I shun the challenge for the sake of it, but a little gratuity goes a long way. I too am about business.”
Liemme shook his head. “I don’t understand what you mean. You are willing but would be paid and there is none here to exact that payment to you. What are you suggesting?”
Thomas smiled back. “With a little reconnaissance we might come up with a plan for relieving the capitol which I assume is now under siege. There would be a large debt to us if we find such a plan.”
Priom nodded. “Aye… but what could the few of us do.”
Liemme laughed. “Now I understand: professor, it is nothing of our action but more in our presentation of a means so that others might act.”
Samantha shook her head. “Yes it would be good to be well paid while avoiding the risk.
I would like to have enough to settle somewhere and not worry for the lack.”
Priom frowned. “Sounds very dangerous none the less, a military style mission for pay and yet I’ve lived in danger for a long time; but comfortably. We can perhaps see if such a thing might be possible.”
Liemme laughed as he prepared to tack the launch to set a southerly course. “I’ve lost everything with the destruction of the Alligator and have little more to lose. I will play this set if we can agree.”
Priom frowned shaking his head. “Ah… well seeing how I have little monies left to start a new life here in the east what choice? I believe that young Thomas is correct there would be a hansom bounty for a good service so rendered!”
One of the boys spoke then. “Narry been ought sich a boat, ere for ere bount?”
Priom scratched his head. “What did he ask?”
Liemme laughed. “Said he’s never been in such a boat and wants to know where we are going.”
Priom smiled. “Ah… South lad; down the coast.”
The boy’s eyes grew wide. “Hooligans stirred ought way tree nights pass.”
The girl also spoke. “Many badens I ken member, thouns’!”
Priom nodded. “Ah, I see thousands of marauders went south three nights ago. Well, well we travel ought this here boat and will not see them.”
The other boy smiled. “Gud, nary wud I ta see um theys kich en eat ya.”
Thomas laughed. “They won’t catch or eat you they won’t get the chance.”
Childer who seemed always to be lost in the doldrums spoke in low tones. “In my profession I’ve been chewed up and spat out so many times I must be pretty unpalatable by now, so why not? I never wish to work for another in all my remaining days.”
Samantha laughed at what Childer had said while Liemme responded. “Very well sir… then you can do all the work if you are so inedible.”
Traveling south each of the adults steering in turn they came to the wide Cern River and made the turn into it. The tacking up stream though the current was light was slow and tacking so after a few hours the exhausted party made landfall on the north bank where there was a wide plain of visibility and no chance to be taken by surprise.
After an hour Thomas by plan headed eastward on foot while the others cast of to continue the trek up river.
Thomas moved briskly through the open ground and soon came to a heavy tree line indication a parcel of forested land. Passing into the shadows of the forest the moved at a reduced but still deliberate pace seeing no one at all on the well worn path he followed.
While still in forest the ground began to pitch upward a mile from the river where he now stood peering through a gap in the trees to see in the distance the launch and his friends a good distance back as they followed in multiple short tacks up the river. Thomas planned to stay afoot through the night and meet the boat some time in the morning, so he turned once again east and moved back into the heavy tree covered land.
As time passed he reached the top of a high ridge and noticed while standing on its bald top heavy smoke off to the north-east. The source was not a burning forest but more than likely a town set alight by the marauders. Paying little mind to it since the distance was far he turned his attention to things more close at hand as he dropped down out of the hills into open cultivated farm lands. All the farm structures were burned and there were no animals or people at all to be seen. A few miles farther as the dusk began to close in he came to a place where the ground was covered with fresh signs of the passage of uncountable feet all heading east.
Some ways farther he found a gruesome sight. In a huge corralled cattle lot from on end to the other bodies lay strewn across the ground. They were all killed within a day or two and had not began to significantly rot. They were all nude and most had their throats cut. Significantly from each body was taken a cut of flesh. Some had their breasts removed, some their genitals, or thighs and buttocks. Some had their heads cut open and the brains removed, while others were missing entire legs, arms or heads. Pregnant women hade their bellies ripped open apparently while they lived so the babies could be removed alive to be eaten fresh. These women were laying about in a group all contorted as they died in great agony.
Thomas was never so angry in his life and wanted to personally destroy the monsters that had done this. A trained killer he was but his killings he liked to believe served some greater purpose, while these were done to satisfy some morbid self gratifying lust.
Some distance away the ground was covered with fire pits and the bone leavings of the macabre feast.
Thomas turned to follow the tracks of the hoard that now turned north east and followed vengeance in mind.