Chapter 20

It felt like an age before I was able to contain the poisoned mana Myta had released. The lessening of her sickness was a blessing, of course, but I couldn’t help but worry over my delay. She had disappeared from her inner world, and I had a vague sense that she was fighting. But I was under too much strain to be able to tell how much time had passed.

When I finished my task I opened my eyes, finding myself still sprawled at the entrance to my tent. Myta had taken enough time to lay me on my back, and drag me slightly out of view. Then she must have charged directly into battle. I could hear the sounds of combat out among the trees, and see the occasional burst of flame. That made me smile in grim satisfaction. My warrior had recovered a portion of the strength she should have held this whole time.

I did not hear any fighting within the camp, which was a very good sign. I did, however, hear the cries of the wounded. That meant I had work to do. Mutil was standing outside his tent, flanked by his apprentices. They wavered uncertainly, as though steeling themselves to charge out into the jungle.

“Mutil, we need to clear the camp, and gather the wounded. Have your men search the area, starting from here, and working across the camp.” The woodworker stared blankly at me for a moment, before understanding lit his eyes. He gave the apprentices an abrupt nod, but I stopped them before they had a chance to leave.

“Bring any wounded to the central fire, and check any enemy bodies you find. Make sure they’re dead. And don’t skip areas, search everywhere.”

“I’ll keep them on track.” Dani, the fruit transporter appeared behind me, a pruning knife in her hands. It wouldn’t be of much use in a fight, but was functional enough for slitting throats. “Denu, follow him. Central fire, right? She knows how to take direction.”

I appreciated the woman’s clear head, and businesslike attitude. A glance at her daughter showed that the girl had the same resolved expression as her mother. Nodding in satisfaction, I headed deeper into the camp, keeping an eye out for the wounded and fallen.

Our side of the camp was relatively undisturbed. Myta must have charged directly from our tent, catching our attackers before they’d had much chance to advance. The farther I moved from that point, however, the worse the state of things. Guards, in various states of armed and armored, had taken wounds all over. Though the civilians had largely been spared. I organized people where I could, giving them the same directions I had to the woodworkers.

At the central fire. I set about triaging the wounded, and binding their wounds. Myta had most of my mana, so I stabilized as many as I could through mundane means. I didn’t dare lessen her strength while she was still fighting. I made do with just mundane skill, until I felt Myta ranging farther from the campsite.

*Let the rest go. I need you back at camp.* Myta followed my mental instruction without question, and was by my side in minutes. The camp guards were all awake and geared up, milling about like lost sheep now that the fighting was over. I couldn’t help but notice the way they looked at her when she arrived, with something like awe in their gazes.

*Take charge of the guards. I doubt we’ll be attacked again tonight, but beasts may be attracted by the blood. Get the bodies gathered and stripped outside of camp, and a new watch set.* After casting me a confused glance, Myta followed my command. I could feel her surprise as the guards rushed to obey, but she hid it well. They had no real organization, having been hired by individual caravaneers, and seemed grateful for some structure. None of their employers objected, which I had been somewhat worried about . I pulled my extra mana back from her, although she had dispersed a fair amount in dealing fiery **** to our attackers. Still, there was enough remaining that I was able to stabilize the most critically injured. We lost surprisingly few lives in the ****. A dozen souls had perished, the majority of them guards.

We got the newly unclaimed wagons sorted, enough to move them at least. Whatever goods they carried, we’d need to sort out later. Financially, the attack had been a windfall. Our attackers were outfitted in expensive gear. Far too expensive. I acquired some armor for Myta, which required only minor repair. It was made with overlapping scales of spirit leather, worth a lord’s ransom, but not a soul argued over it. She had also acquired a glaive during the fight, a mana wood haft adorned with a river steel blade and reinforcements. The kind of weapon only elite fighters received. All of the guards obtained such upgrades, with more to spare.

“They will come for us again. Soon.” I commented to Myta. No one had found any more sleep that night, and so we set out even earlier than normal. It was dangerous, traveling in the predawn gloom, but no one felt safe remaining in any case.

“We killed most of them. I doubt they will gather up their courage quickly.” She responded quickly, but I could hear the doubt in her voice.

“You, killed most of them.” I let the emphasis hang for a moment. “But there were what, perhaps a score of men here? Not enough to account for all the rumors of bandits. Not enough to cover all the branches of the low road. There are more. And weapons and armor of this quality… whoever leads them will not let this go.”

“I’m sorry, master.” Myta spoke after a short silence. “The spear you bought for me was destroyed in the fight.” I barked out a laugh, something I desperately needed.

“Burned up in you hands, did it?” She nodded. “Unsurprising, only materials enhanced by mana would survive. I had been planning to see if Mutil had anything appropriate for you. I just didn’t want to appear too eager.”

“Mytan! There are soldiers on the road ahead! No markings.” The shout came from one of the guards we had set to scout, and I had to nudge Myta before she realized he was talking to her.

“Guards! Fall in close to the train! Weapons ready!” Once I prompted her, she took control of the situation easily. Myta was intelligent, and had a basic understanding of tactics, I had known that already. What I had not expected was for her to be so charismatic. Her confidence had surged with the reduction of her malaise. Though she still looked to me for affirmation after each decision she made. It would have stroked my ego, but I knew it came from a place of insecurity, rather than real respect. I knew many things, but having her seek my approval in matters she understood better than I could only hamper us.

Within a few minutes we spotted the group of soldiers, formed up by the side of the road. As the scout said, these warriors bore no marking, but I recognized several of them as members of the Bani guard. It was clear they had moved off the road quickly, most likely to put our minds at ease. Why they were out here without Bani colors though, concerned me. Myta and I were leading the caravan today, rather than trailing near the end of it, as we had been. Knowing that I had recognized the men, Myta left it to me to speak.

“Sargent Hati, it’s good to see you out here. Are you investigating the road attacks?”

“Master Esur? It’s just Hati now, I’m afraid. Me and my boys here are just, taking a walk. Trying to clear some trash off the roads.” The large woman glanced at our injured. “Trash it seems you’ve seen. If you’d like, master Tarun is offering his hospitality to travelers, on his estate. I’d recommend visiting.”

“I think that seems like a very good idea.” I replied. “Can you afford the time to show us the way?” Hati nodded, mustering up her men. The trip to Tarun’s estate took another few hours, during which time I fielded a number of questions from the caravan. I answered as best I could, but I was still working in the dark. Tarun was an acquaintance of mine, another one of my regular contacts. He was, or apparently had been, the captain of the Bani guard. I had known the man had an estate out here somewhere, but I’d never known him to leave the city for any length of time.

Tarun’s estate was an impressive stone home, built with thick walls and wide hallways, designed to ease the forest’s wet heat. Its stately gravitas was somewhat marred however, by the refugee camp that huddled around the walls. Hati warned the caravan not to wander too far past the point where the trees had been hastily cleared. Apparently the area beyond was seeded with traps. We sent the rest of the caravan off to claim a location to camp, while Myta and I followed her inside.

“Esur’ul! Your presence is most welcome. I think perhaps the divines have led you here.” He gave Myta a soldier’s bow a brief but pronounced, inclination of the head, fist to his chest. Eyes remaining on her the whole time. It made me smile, that the former captain had recognized her skill so readily. Though most experienced combatants could recognize a martial artist by their stance.

“It seems we’ve run into a poor situation, Tarun.” I raised my brow waiting to see if he’d correct me with his title. Instead he grimaced.

“You might more properly call me Tarud now, though the men refuse to do so.”

“Unsurprising. I can’t picture you as a merchant, or a farmer. Please my friend; can you tell us what, by the Radiant Sea, has been happening here?”