Chapter 46

Day 149-153:

Sergeant Major (Retired) Jeffrey Ellis jumped to his feet as Veronyka barged into the meeting. The unruly looking filthy men and women who’d been seated at the large table with him all stood quickly as well. Dead eyes and hopeless expressions greeted her entrance.

It had taken her a week to fly across the Bay of Chaos and track the Ender population down. The high-altitude westward Jetstream sped her trip, but every Raider city she checked, starting at Final Harbor was deserted by humans. Final Harbor and the next town south were zombie-filled graveyards. The ones after that were overrun by raping, pillaging and torturing orcs in numbers greater than she cared to think about. Joryndarfil, the last, largest and most successful Raider King metropolis was the only one not destroyed. It was currently under siege by the orc horde, and looked to fall within the next few days at most. The remaining population weren’t enough to hold the wall against the massive mob arrayed outside the gates.

She’d kept to the skies and out of sight on Ream’ch. A Valkyrie riding a dragon would attract the kind of attention she didn’t need. As a further disguise, whenever she landed she switched her appearance again. Modeling her new look after Sygraid’s from when John had first met the Shield-Maiden, she hoped to avoid as much notice as possible.

The sight that greeted Jeff’s curious examination then was a set of well-maintained, hard-used plain armor, with a short sword sheathed at her waist. She kept her Spike sheathed and out of sight, with the Reflector covered too.

One thing her armor couldn’t do was change her face. It could provide a face-covering helmet, but if she elected to reveal hers, others saw her true appearance.

Jeff took one look at her and exclaimed in English, “Doc? Is that really you?”

“Hey Ellis, you look like you’ve seen better days.” She replied.

She wasn’t kidding. Jeff’s face was lined with worry and covered in a thick layer of soot and grime. He wore a tattered suit of what had once been expensive fur-lined, studded leather armor, and had his own sword sheathed at his waist, with John’s first ax dangling on the other side. Something about the sword looked familiar to Veronyka, but she couldn’t remember what.

“Yeah,” Jeff thumbed over his shoulder at the disgruntled group glowering at them. “This bunch ain’t willing to admit that evacuating the city’s the only option now.”

“Joryndarfil has never fallen!” One of the most unkempt men declared.

Ellis snorted. “Yeah? Well it’s about to! You wanna stay and get killed, that’s your business. Me? I’m leaving, and taking as many as want to come with me.”

“In what? We took your boats, remember?” A heavyset, florid-faced man sneered.

Ellis rolled his eyes at her. English was good for keeping secrets, here. “Idiot doesn’t know I already took them back. John’s people, the Enders, they’re good folk. Good thing too, the rest of this rabble’s worthless as a phony three-dollar bill.”

Veronyka’s smile made the large man scowl. “Take your whore elsewhere, and leave us to coordinate the city’s defenses. Speak your filthy tongue to her on your own time.”

“Wow,” Veronyka was taken aback, “I guess he sure told me!”

Ellis snorted. “Guess that’s our cue!”

He turned to the group. “Me and my people are departing in the morning. You can do whatever you want after that. Any who don’t want to die, you’re welcome to join us. But fair warning, I’m the guy in charge. Ain’t no councils or votes in my group after we go. Just me and my orders. Can’t hack that, go somewhere else.”

Without waiting for a response, he took her arm and dragged her outside.

“Ellis...” She began.

He cut her off. “Not here, not now. Any chance whatever you used to get here could be stolen?”

She shook her head. “Not possible. Literally.”

“I’ll take your word for it.” He nodded. “Let’s go.”

With that, he dragged her back across the city to the docks. Joryndarfil was large enough that it had several major docking areas in the harbor. One section even had locks for dry-docking in the off season. Ellis headed for the main trading docks, where he had a fleet of eleven ships tied to the piers. The former soldier nodded curtly to a squad of well-armed older men standing over a much larger group of toughs who were tied up, sitting in a huddle.

“Those guys belong to that idiot who tried to commandeer my ships.” Ellis tossed a head at the toughs as they passed.

“And the guards?” She asked.

None of them looked like any of the Enders she remembered.

Ellis smiled grimly. “I picked up a few stragglers as we fled down the coast. I use the older, retired Raiders who look dependable to do jobs like that. I don’t want to start a civil war here, just help as many as I can get out of this mess.”

The pier he took her down was a sea of refugees. Any able bodied person, between ten and a hundred, no matter what their gender was busily loading the boats docked there. Small teams of two women and a younger male patrolled, quelling disputes and keeping the process moving. Several women that she recognized as being from the North, including Runa were barking orders and directing the logistics.

Everyone was dirty, ragged and visibly tired. There were few smiles and even less laughter. Haunted eyes looked around constantly, with more than a few children staring sightlessly at the chaos from their spots up on the decks and rigging.

Most quickly gave way when Ellis strode by. The man always had a kind word or reassuring pat for those who nodded a greeting. When they passed, backs stood straighter and the work grew more deliberate.

“How did you end up in charge of all this?” Veronyka asked in English.

Ellis sighed and stopped for a moment. The people around them moved back respectfully.

“Our boy left a hell of a mess.” Ellis replied in the same language. “I don’t think he meant to, given what he told me before they left. But the orcs are on a complete rampage, and that evil Shaman guy’s keeping the pot stirred to a nice boil. A few towns north of here, we got surprised by a big crowd of undead creeping over the wall one night.” Ellis shrugged helplessly. “I try to get the town residents to understand the danger, but they never get it until throats start getting cut. We evacuated that one under constant pressure from the orcs that the zombies let into town. By then I was pretty much acting as Rorik’s second. I’ve organized my fair share of military operations in my time and evac is the same, military or no. Well, the old guy,” he snorted, “listen to me, ‘old guy’! He was younger than I am! Anyway, he got cut down in the fighting.”

Ellis patted the sword sheathed at his side. “Handed me his magic sword, and made me promise to give it to the first Watch Captain I can find. Told everybody to do what I say before he gave out.” Ellis threw a sad glance at Runa, who was nearby visibly pretending she didn’t need to talk to him. “I’ve been keeping on the move, trying to find somewhere to go that we can live in peace. I haven’t got any Explorers, and only one Far-eye who ain’t half blind yet. Everybody tells me if we go to Two Courts, the Alfyr are likely to imprison the lot of us and execute those they think were actual Raiders.”

“So, there you have it.” Ellis concluded. “I ain’t sure where to go from here, and got no way navigate if I did. Can’t stay here, ‘cause the orcs are coming over the wall any day now. You got any ideas?”

The man was plainly at the end of his rope. His face was hard, and his voice never wavered, but the look in his eyes said he had little hope. Just like John, he wouldn’t quit until they killed him, but that wouldn’t produce a solution if they sailed in circles until running out of food.

“Yeah.” Veronyka whispered. “I just might.”

She cupped the miniaturized Ream’ch and tipped her hand to let Ellis see. The former soldier took a quick look around.

“What’s that?” He kept to English. “From the way you’re showing me, it’s what? Valuable? Secret?”

“All that and more.” Veronyka assured him. “But it’s also how I got here. What would you call a big reptile that had wings and you could ride on it?”

Ellis goggled at her. “A...” he mouthed the word ‘dragon’.

She nodded, putting Ream’ch away for now.

“Lets me ride her too.” Veronyka explained. “Only enough room for maybe one more, if they’re smaller than I am. I can scout for you, help find an island or something away from away from the mainland. The guys are at the dragon’s Tower right now, but should be leaving any day. I settled on a meet point with Svend before I left, so if I go tell them where you’re at, I’m sure he’ll join up. You could probably use a group of solid, experienced boating men.”

“A meet point?” Ellis asked. “There’s a portal stone out on one of the island at the harbor mouth. I could run you out there real quick and...”

Veronyka was shaking her head. “I can’t. Typhon specifically told me not to come back, especially through the portal. I’ll have to fly.”

Ellis frowned. “Damn, that sucks! What’d you do to piss the dragon off?”

“Nothing.” She protested. “But she doesn’t let people hang around on her island very long. She let us stay to wait for John, but once he got there and started the Challenge, she told me ‘time’s up’.”

“How’s our boy doing, anyway?” Ellis inquired hopefully.

Veronyka looked sad. “Not very well. He was having a real crisis of conscience when I talked to him. Said he felt like a quote ‘dirtbag’ and everything was all his fault. That kind of thing. Now that we’re stuck here, he wasn’t sure what the plan should be.”

Ellis shot her a sharp look. “What do you mean by ‘stuck here,’ doc?”

“You haven’t tried to go back to Earth in a while, have you?” She guessed.

Ellis waved his hand at the crowd around them. “A little busy, you understand.”

“Yeah, that you are.” She agreed. “Well, after John pulled Colonel Mason and one of his old unit buddies through the portal, along with Melvin I guess somebody decided to blow up the cave on Earth. The portal stone there is buried under a ton of rock, with no way to use it. The Network says the portal is still active, but sending anyone through right now would result in their death, so it refuses.”

Ellis shrugged. “I wasn’t planning on going back soon anyway. No big deal. I hope Marina keeps getting my retirement deposits though.”

Veronyka thumbed her chest. “Well, I’m not ready to give up just yet. There’s got to be another way.”

“Hope so.” Ellis encouraged her. “Wait, Spooky’s here? Who else did they bring through?”

“Uh, they called him Numb. I don’t remember...”

“Ben?” Ellis smiled. “Ben Hull’s as fine a field doctor as you could find. I know you’re a hotshot surgeon and all that, but for battlefield medicine I’ll take Numb working on me over anyone!”

“Okay, yeah, him I guess.” Veronyka sputtered.

She refused to discuss her loss of medical skills with the older man. No way could she take his pity.

Ellis rubbed his hands together. “Spooky, Pancake and Numb! Oh boy, shit’s gonna get real when those guys get back! I can’t wait!”

That wasn’t exactly her plan for John and company, but it wasn’t worth arguing about at the moment.

“So, what do you want me to do, right now?” She asked.

Ellis pointed a finger at her. “Right, first things first. Just how hidden does your ... ride need to be?”

“I’d prefer it if only you knew.” She offered.

“Okay, got it.” He thought for a moment. “How dangerous is it to ride? Would a kid fall off?”

Veronyka shook her head. “I have safety straps. If the kid’s old enough to understand, we should be fine. What are you thinking?”

Ellis pointed over at Runa. “Rorik’s two kids are as solid as any for their age. And aside from me, Runa only talks to people when she orders them around. Rorik’s death hit her hard. If you can promise nothing’ll happen to the kids, I’ll send you guys out in one of the rowboats, and you can take off from one of those islands out there. Give a look around and then come back. Runa will relay anything you find, and won’t try to make up any orders that I don’t like.”

Veronyka thought it over and agreed.

That’s how the two women, with Ulmyr and Rona came to be rowing out across the Joryndarfil harbor. Rorik’s widow took her turn at the oars, silently regarding Veronyka as she stroked. It was unnerving, but after all the creepy, lecherous looks doctors (not to mention government bureaucrats) had given her over the years, this she could handle.

The two kids sat at the prow, quietly watching the horizon creep closer. This was a family engulfed in grief, something Veronyka was terrible at dealing with.

“Sygraid and Treb are doing well.” Veronyka offered.

Runa’s gaze sharpened. “Are they now?”

Veronyka nodded. “Treb was learning to read, and Sygraid got to, um use one of the portals with John.”

The kids spun around and Rona started firing questions at her. “Aunt Sygraid went through? Where did she go? What happened?”

Veronyka shrugged helplessly. “I’m not sure. She and John can’t talk about it, like the Challenges I think. But she did get to go...”

She trailed off. What else was there to say?

“And your own children?” Runa asked. “How are they?”

Veronyka stared in surprise. “What... ? How do you know?”

Runa nodded to herself. “Ah, you have not seen him? Her? Very much. A mother recognizes another, if she knows what to look for.”

Veronyka was always terrible with other women. This sounded like one of those things.

“It’s a son.” She smiled sadly. “Mason is his name. He’s still very young.”

“Mason. Does his name have a meaning?” Runa asked politely.

Veronyka nodded. “Mason was the name of someone who saved mine and John’s life before I came here. The boy is John’s son, but we owe our lives to him.”

Runa looked surprised. “You have a son with Jyon? Does he know this? I have not heard him speak of any children.”

Veronyka nodded again. “He does, I got a chance to tell him recently. He has another son, who’s older. His wife left him when he got the injury. That son lives with her.”

Runa scowled. “She was faithless? Why was she allowed to keep his child?”

Veronyka shook her head sadly. “Because my home has some very stupid laws. And John wasn’t in any position to contest her when it happened.”

Runa was confused. “I do not understand you, but if I ever meet this woman, she will regret it.”

Veronyka gave her an evil grin. “Oh, she already regrets it. I promise you that!”

“What did you do?” Runa asked, eyes gleaming.

But Veronyka just looked away with a self-satisfied smile.

Rowing out to their intended destination took several back-breaking hours. By the time their boat keel scraped on the rocky beach, both Veronyka and Runa were well worn. They found some shade under the single grove in the island’s middle and had a small picnic out of sight from the city.

After she’d eaten a few bites, leaving the bulk of the food for the other three, Veronyka stood up and brushed herself off.

“All right,” she spread her arms, “I’m going to show you all something, and you cannot tell anyone about it.” She met each of the kids’ eyes intently. “Not a soul, you understand?”

Both Rona and Ulmyr nodded solemnly.

“Does Jeef know this secret?” Runa asked quietly.

Veronyka nodded. “He does, but no talking about it with him. Someone might overhear.”

“You have known him for a long time, yes?” The widow pressed.

Veronyka chuckled. “You could say that, sure.”

Runa nodded to herself. “He speaks of you the way a father would about a daughter he is proud of. The way Rorik would about Rona, or Deni. A good, strong man, yes? A warrior in your world?”

“Yeah, you could say that too.” Veronyka gave the woman a questioning look. “Why are you asking about him?”

This time it was Runa’s turn to look away smiling.

“Anyway,” Veronyka muttered, “don’t mention this to anyone, remember that.”

With that, she tossed a small object onto the ground.

“Come out Ream’ch.” She called.

Over the course of several seconds, the dragon mount grew to its full size. After spending time back in the chaos realm, the small dragon had put on another foot in length and a few more pounds in heft. Ream’ch would have no difficulty taking Veronyka and one of the kids as far as they needed.

Runa stared at the preening dragon in shock while Veronyka affectionately patted the reptile’s muzzle.

“Whoa!” Ulmyr blurted.

“Is it ... friendly?” Rona asked bravely.

Veronyka turned with an encouraging smile. “She is. Come over and meet her. Her name’s Ream’ch.”

The older girl was the first to approach. After Ream’ch nuzzled her chest and offered a section of neck for her to pet, Ulmyr joined his sister.

“Over here.” Veronyka urged, directing the boy to take the side opposite his sister.

While she let the kids get to know her mount, Veronyka squatted next to their mother.

“I’m going to fly on her, and look for a place out in the water for you all to go.” The younger woman explained.

Runa studied her face for a minute. “Jeef has been wanting to get away from the orcs, but none of the Raiders who know how to navigate will help. If you can do this, you will save many of us.”

“That’s the plan.” Veronyka kept her tone light.

“Why are you showing us, if you wish it to be a secret?”

Veronyka pointed at the kids. “I need a second set of eyes. It’s easy to miss something if you’re alone. Ream’ch can’t carry two adults for very long, but me and a kid? She can fly all day.”

Runa’s eyes widened in alarm. “You want to take one of my children? They will fall off!”

Veronyka shook her head emphatically. “No, they won’t. I have special straps to keep them from falling. Come see. I promise, I’ll keep them safe.”

It took more coaxing, but eventually she got Runa over near the dragon and showed the widow how her ‘saddle’ worked. Calling the collection of straps and bundles a saddle was stretching the definition, but there weren’t any ridden beasts that she’d seen beside the Valkyrie mounts.

Then it was time to decide who got to ride first. Both Veronyka and Runa agreed Rona should go first. Pouting, Ulmyr stomped off.

“I will talk to him.” Runa assured Veronyka while she strapped Rona in to her place.

“I’ll be back before dark.” Veronyka assured her.

Rona’s head spun in amazement as they launched into the sky. She waved down to her mother and brother excitedly until they were out of sight.

“We found something!” Rona shouted to her mother, when they landed that evening.

The girl had to wait for Veronyka to unstrap her, giving Runa time to approach.

“What did you find?” The widow asked.

Veronyka’s hand stopped Rona cold. “Right before we turned back, your daughter saw what might be a harbor and the ruins of a town. I only got a quick glimpse, but I think we should check it out.”

“Why would a town not be occupied any longer?” Runa wondered.

Veronyka shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m not saying it’s what we need, just that we should take a look.”

The woman agreed and showed the scouts a small fire she was using to cook their meager supplies. The group talked late into the night, hope finally kindling in hearts gone cold.

The next morning, they rowed out to meet the line of ships departing Joryndarfil. Though Ellis didn’t have any experienced Navigators among his refugees, he did have a good number of men (and a few women) who remembered how to rig and steer the boats. The rowboat had hooks on both the bow and stern, so a pair of looped lines dropped down from the railing snagged both simultaneously, jerking the smaller craft in tow. They climbed up a knotted-rope ladder and met Ellis on the tiny poop deck.

“Find anything?” The older man asked.

Runa marched over to stand toe to toe with him. “We think there is a harbor or anchorage with ruins a few day’s sail away.”