Part Eleven
Gwindor had only recently arrived and accepted Dale's invitation to the loft when they heard Tsuki arrive. He noticed a tension in Dale at Tsuki's voice. Gwindor knew from conversation with Tsuki what had happened between him and Dale. "They have all been at the fort and among Elves at least two months; they understand our ways."
Dale's purple eyes seemed to flash on Gwindor. Of course Gwindor had meant to say that Tsuki in particular would not spite Dale for sharing with other Elves, but he could not say so with Dior present, as it was rude to name another's lovers. It was because of this Dale and Dior had not know that both had been Gwindor's lovers in the past, though Dior had more recently been the lover of another Elf among the recruits.
Dale calmed and shifted his gaze to Dior. The darker-haired Elf was shirtless but for a short coat of white rabbit skins. Elves did not normally wear skins and leather, but Dior was presently enthralled by the way the coat felt over his skin and beneath his fingers. "You should not wear that," Dale said quietly. Put it back. Put all his things back."
"How do you suppose the half-Wizard came about such garments? I have rarely seen Men or Wizards wear such things."
"Please," Dale whispered, "I can't...see you in his things. You should not even look through the others" garments."
Dior stroked the fur coat. It was very soft. He had been through Dale's clothing and found it all quite dull, but this coat and the fine robes and the little wooden shoes were just precious.
"Perhaps they are made to appear as clothing of the east, but judging by their size, they were acquired while living with the Wizard, as Tsuki has lived in the west since he was a boy," Gwindor said, "Do as Dale asks and put the clothes where you found them."
Dior put the other things into the leather case, but he hesitated to remove the coat.
"Dark fire!" Dale hissed, "For all we know the Wizard dressed him up like a girl-child's play thing so that he could spy upon him while pleasuring himself."
Dior made a face of disgust and removed the coat. Pleasuring oneself was such a distasteful Mannish thing, he thought. It was so much better to be among Elves and share. Dior put the coat away and pushed the case beneath the bed upon which Gwindor sat. Gwindor smiled at the two younger Elves. "Do not make me sorry to leave you together. Now, let me see you embrace each other and I shall show you each how to best please the other."
Dale smiled. Gwindor was a most skilled lover and he would be happy if Dior took lessons from him. Dale was aware he had troubles, but he always to learn new ways to please Elven lovers. He was grateful for all they had shown him and for all their help, though he was sometimes a little sad when he suspected some shared out of obligation to help him recover and did not find him beautiful. He had such strange coloring, and so many scars.
"Have you shown Dior how you are different, Dale?" Gwindor asked. He sighed. The young Elves were beautiful together...so much hair.
Dale shook his head.
"Show him," Gwindor instructed patiently, "Dior, you will see, he is a little different, but it need not be a bad thing. I know that you both shall be able to pleasure each other greatly."
"Show me what Dale likes and then...show Dale what I like!"
"Beautiful young ones, you will tire me, and I have quite a hike in the morning."
Dale and Dior laughed gaily and embraced each other again. "You jest, we all know Elves only grow more radiant and strong with age," Dale whispered.
"And young Elves are precious," Gwindor said. He then drew Dale toward him and kissed his neck as Dior watched intently.
No one needed any mystical sense to know what the Elves in the loft were doing. Brandy and Leo had known Dale for a while and witnessed the way he flirted with Men. They would agree that he seemed less mad in recent days, but neither had reason to expect he would cease flirting or offering himself to anyone. Cal had less idea about what Elves did when alone, but he knew that it was something private that Men had no business interfering in, and that was enough for him. Tsuki knew well what they were doing. He knew very well what Dale and Gwindor shared and he had suspected the night before that Dale and Dior had chosen to share...something and he did not spite Dale this, as it was truly the way of Elves, yet part of him felt wounded.
Tsuki had offered himself to Dale and been rejected. He did not fault Gwindor or Dior, but he did wish that Dale would choose him as a lover. It hurt more perhaps, because it had been his first attempt with anyone, after realizing what he wanted. The rejection gave him little encouragement to make future attempts; Tsuki was not certain he wanted to make attempts with anyone else.
And whether it was attachment to Dale or some level of mystical awareness, Tsuki sensed too clearly what Dale was doing. He opened his chest to retrieve his less conspicuous wooden wand and walked out of the cabin and around the building to their garden.
Tsuki knelt on the ground, looking onto the garden plot where an Elven member of Bear Squad was examining the neglected plants. Perhaps an Elf would seem better suited to making a garden grow, but power was power. Elven magic was not the magic of Wizards, it was elemental magic. Tsuki remembered that when the Wizard had worked with Elves he had often rearranged his props and the accidents of ceremony.
Wizards disliked others knowing how their works were accomplished so they sometimes used props and gesture and illusion more than was necessary, to throw watchers off the trail of those gestures and accidents that mattered to their ceremonies. They often borrowed from the stage conjurers they enjoyed to disdain.
When Elves had come to the dwelling, the vessel of water remained; the coin or disk would be replaced with an earthen vessel filled with grain; the sword or knife would be replaced by some vessel with hot coals that burned incense to scent the air; the staff or wand would be replaced by a metal caldron containing a fire. The ceremonies would remain in the Wizard's mind, but the Elves would find his work more to their liking.
Tsuki summoned the image of the bones. He remembered the calm grounded feeling of working wood. He visualized of the physical realm, of the six-sided structures within the nearby hive, the structure of a bisected plant stem, the shapes of leaves and roots, and his own flesh and bone. He listened for the movement of his own blood. He felt the rhythms of the living things, the water soaked into roots, sucked into thirsty stems and pumped into leaves, the life-blood of the insects, the bees that transported pollen from plant to plant and the insects that dug tunnels in the earth that allowed air and water to circulate and those which benefited plants by preying on more harmful insects. Tsuki sensed the spirit in the plants and insects, the spirit that was in all things, in himself.
Tsuki visualized the garden being balanced and healthy. He visualized growth. Tsuki's body felt warm as he willed his power to focus. He felt a rush of heat as he willed the power to be released to the garden. Tsuki fell softly to the ground and thought that soon the days would not be so warm.
A shadow fell over him and he blinked open his eyes to see an Elf. It was not the Ranger from before, but Lenaduiniel. "Shall I lend my power to the garden as well?"
"Then I shall not know if my spell worked."
"That is so like a Wizard," Lenaduiniel said, "Does it matter who receives credit, if the garden grows strong and healthy?"
"I would say that like an Elf, but they often do take credit for their work."
"We have done many great works throughout the ages and we are proud, but not too proud to lend aid simply because it is needed."
Tsuki stood and then bowed. "I suppose you are not too proud."
Lenaduiniel laughed softly then bent to whisper to the plants in the garden.
"Your brother is here," Tsuki said when Lenaduiniel straightened.
"I know. We both came by yesterday after Gib informed us of your new residence, but everyone was away."
"We had much work to do in establishing the home."
"So we believed. Will you come in? I think it must nearly be time for a meal. The Halfling was creating a delicious smell at the stove."
"It is always time for a meal when you live with a Halfling."
Lenaduiniel laughed. "The others should be down soon. You can only say farewell so many times before it has all been said."
"But perhaps some tongues take longer to part than others."
Lenaduiniel smiled. "I do not know. Perhaps with Dale, but my brother does not have poetry enough in him to make his goodbye speech, even to two Elves, last very long."
"Your arrows have quite a sting, My Lady," Tsuki said as they walked to the cabin's door. When they came inside, Gwindor and Dior were already in the common room. When asked, they said that Dale was asleep.
The three guests stayed for supper and then departed. Tsuki and Cal wished Gib luck at his new post. Tsuki also wished Gwindor luck there. Lenaduiniel did not let Tsuki speak. "If you ever have need of me, call, I will know," she said. Tsuki agreed with a nod. Lenaduiniel bowed and then departed with her brother and their Dwarven companion.
Three days passed. The convoy from Stone Keep to River Forge reached its destination and another convoy to a fort farther south had been deployed. Seven of Stone Keep's cabins were occupied. Dior foraged, Cal fished or captured frogs while out digging clay, Leo hunted small game with bow and arrow, Brandy tended the garden and busily made jam of summer's last berries. What they brought in each day and did not need for themselves was taken to tanner, smokehouse, or kitchens, and receipts were collected against their quota.
Each day they worked at their crafts, if they were not called to help clean the stable, or to mend the roof of the ladies' quarters or to watch from the walls. Dior busily made hats, gloves and scarves in preparation for the coming winter, started making baskets, and continued making belts, straps, bags and even bridles. Leo made much paper; some was decorated with leaves or bark, most was even and neutral as possible. Cal made many useful things of clay and fired them. Brandy kept careful lists of what chores needed doing and who had done chores and where they stood against their quotas.
Dale and Tsuki of course contributed. Dale helped the others in their work, he ran all the errands inside or outside of the fort, he cooked meals and sat tooling leather with heated metal tools and with needles and stone-bladed implements. He showed Brandy how to collect sap from the trees he had tapped and boil it down into syrup and sugar. Tsuki had found a design for a pedal driven lathe in his borrowed tome and constructed it. He made wooden bowls and cups. He took Moon-halo out to haul logs and learned to prune green twigs and branches from trees without felling them or causing them to die. He split logs, planed planks, and even constructed a bench to add seating about their table.
After those three days had passed, Thorn came to Cabin Five and announced that Dale and Tsuki would be leaving on a mission. The squad had not realized that they would be split up. Thorn assured them that the quotas would be adjusted for those who remained, but they were still disappointed. Dior and Brandy were both quite fond of Dale in their way. Leo liked him. Cal had become intrigued by Tsuki's displays of Wizardry, and Dior was often asking Tsuki to stand as his model.
Tuski and Dale were nervous also, because since that night Tsuki had confessed how he felt, they had not been alone together, but always with other people about.
"Come with me to the commander's office," Thorn said, "You will return to pack your things after you have received your orders."
Barad was waiting in his office with The Brown when the two Rangers entered with the Captain. "Eru and Tâd," he said, "There is a mission I have chosen you for especially. You will need to travel as escorts to a certain individual, and though it is not necessary for you to remain hidden, it is necessary you not identify yourself as Rangers."
"A secret mission, Sir?" Dale asked.
"Yes, and one in the interest of the security or all good people."
"My Lord, whom will we be escorting?"
"You will meet them at the South gate. For now, all you need to know is that this mission is important, it may be along journey, you should be prepared for anything, and that it is vital your ward arrive at his destination safely."
"Shouldn't we know who he is?" Dale asked, "Is he a prince or something?"
"I cannot say. Return to your cabin to pack your things. Remember that it is wise to travel light, but pack anything you may have need for, as I cannot say where you will go. Remember also it is best you not appear Rangers." Barad placed two small bags on the desk. "This is an advance on the current month's pay. If you run out of personal funds, you will have to trade or earn money on your way, "when you return you will be paid for your time, as you are on our business, though you must not advertise it."
Tsuki and Dale each took one of the purses. "Sir," Tsuki began, "Are there any rules? And when shall we leave?"
Barad laughed a little. "No rules. Travel as you will. I should add only that your ward knows his own mission and the destination, you must follow what he says in that matter, but as you are responsible for his safe conduct, you will have authority to decide how you reach the destination."
"I will accompany you to your cabin to advise you in packing," The Brown announced, "You should prepare yourselves well, so long as you leave before dawn it will be well."
They walked from the commander's office to the cabin. At their return, Brandy was first to inquire the nature of their mission. "They cannot say," The Brown informed the cabin mates. "You may help them pack, as they will perhaps undertake a long journey, but you may not know where they go or why."
Tsuki said that he would first bring down his clothing and luggage to begin packing. Dale said he would prefer to start by choosing weapons. He gathered his sword with the scabbard and straps he used for hanging it from his back, a hip quiver on a leather belt, a modified Orc bow, a long dagger with its own leather scabbard and straps, a whip and a wallet containing several small knives.
Dale rushed up the ladder-like stair to the loft as Tsuki was descending in his stocking feet, wearing only recently purchased black leather pants and a white shirt otherwise. Dale paused on the stair to watch Tsuki go, then scampered up to the loft to change his clothes and pack the rest of the garments he would need.
"I do not have very much clothing that is appropriate," Tsuki said. The others did not know what he meant, but The Brown understood. Tsuki had little clothing that would not identify him as a ranger.
"You have such lovely clothing," Dior said.
"I have soldier's livery and clothing appropriate to a home of a wealthy Wizard."
"Might you wear the rabbit fur?" Dior sighed. It was now common knowledge that Dior had looked through everyone's garments. He ran lightly to Tsuki's side to advise him. "Your usual pants and jacket are mended and clean."
"I think this mission calls for secrecy," Brandy speculated as Dale came down the ladder wearing tall black boots, leather pants, a red velvet doublet and a black hooded cloak.
"Perhaps this would be suitable," Tsuki said. He lifted the garment unlike the usual jackets of the west. The Wizard had ordered clothing made that simulated the styles he had seen in the east, but Tsuki suspected there would be differences; the jacket in question had wide sleeves, no collar and wrapped across the front. Tsuki slipped it on over his shirt, tied it closed, then wrapped his sash about his waist.
"Bring what you have, perhaps I can alter some as we go," Dale called. "I'm pretty much packed; I've got weapons, clothing, a comb, and soaps to wash."
Tsuki pulled on his old pair of tall brown boots; the soles were still in decent condition. He went to the wall to collect his swords and bow. He had another bow and a quiver, which he had used in the war; Tsuki decided he would take that quiver but use the bow he and Dale had made.
"Those are certainly things you need, but if we are gone long, bedrolls might be valuable and cookware. I plan to bring a few other things, my compass and spying lenses..."
"Take the cooking kit you helped make," Brandy suggested, "Cal, don't you agree?"
"Do I agree? Yes. Dale finished the sleeve for it."
"I will carry it, as you will probably have more things." Dale went to the cabinet near the stove and stacked the pieces of the cook kit into the woolen sleeve, then pulled the strings to secure the cookware inside.
"Do not rush me," Tsuki said. "Do you suppose the grey cloak is acceptable?"
"We can buy one before it gets cold, I will even sew pockets inside to hold your wand again."
"Take mine," The brown said, swinging his cloak from his shoulders, "It already has many useful pockets inside and you will need your money."
Tsuki took the cloak, bowed and thanked the Wizard. He put it about his shoulders. He gathered his spools of thread, some scraps of cloth and the livery he had worn in the war and gave these to Dior, saying he should do what he pleased with them, especially if it help the squad. Tsuki retained the brown thread for himself and put it into the saddlebags along with the compass, one lodestone, flint, hour and minute glasses, spying lenses and leather holder for them, knife, whetstone, ink, quill and some rolled pieces of paper, soap, shaving blade, comb and hair-wash, mortar and pestle, one looking glass, brazier, a few candles, a brush for Moon-halo, and a small hatchet and one flat chisel from the woodworking tools.
Tsuki left some of his other things for his cabin mates to use or loan out: some of his tomes, some paper, his older bow, some Wizard cookware he had formerly traveled with, the ranger issue pants, jackets and cloak, some additional looking glasses, the remaining woodworking tools, his bear pendant compass, some stones, including one other lodestone, candles, his wooden wand, clay disk, some assorted bowls and cups, and fire drills.
His clothing, ceremonial objects and jewelry were in the leather case that would sit behind Moon-halo's saddle. Tsuki thought that the silver objects and expensive jewelry might as well go with him, as they would not do more good here. They did not weigh much.
Tsuki took the remaining precious stones and gems from his chest, put them into a small purse and put the purse into the case with his clothing. "I want to take some of these oils, liquids, vials and powders along, but I do not know how to pack them."
"Are they useful?" Dale asked.
"Yes, or I would not bring them. Though, some are more useful than others. I can make a smoke to conceal an escape, for example..."
"I find that if you make a bag with many pockets, such as were sewn inside your cloak, so that every bottle has its place, it works well," The Brown said.
"Quickly, Dale, let us sew a pouch for him," Dior said, "Also, I will send these gloves, scarves and handkerchiefs with you, as you may have use for them. Dior collected shears, brown wool, needles and thread while Tsuki lined up the items he wished to carry and directed them on how to arrange the pockets, so that the carrier could be folded without crushing any bottles. Dale and Dior quickly stitched the rows of pockets. Tsuki fit the various materials of The Art. He bound the soft case with leather ties and managed to fit it in one of the saddlebags.
A purse with a few coins hung from Tsuki's sash cord and a heaver purse was put in his case. Tsuki folded two blankets into his case, collected his waterskin and decided he might be ready to go. Dale looked as if he had packed little, but it was his way to conceal many things within his cloak or otherwise on his person. Dale had the essentials: weaponry, clothing, soap, needles, flint tools, a means to collect dew, and should he get scared, one cruel phallic device to which had recently been added many leather thongs to make of it a flail. He carried a comb, money, their cookware and one waterskin as well, though Dale did not find these things absolutely necessary for survival.
Tsuki lifted his things and turned to say farewell to their cabin mates. Dale looked at them, longest at Dior, but said nothing. Dior was sad to loose another lover, especially so soon after experiencing Dale's particular skills, but he would simply go to the washhouse at different times and see if other Elves signaled that they were seeking a lover. If all else failed, he would give signals.
When they were outside, The Brown told them to ready there horses and he would have their ward meet them at the gate. When the Wizard had gone between some other cabins, Tsuki and Dale walked past Eagle Squad's cabin and crossed the yard to the stables.
"You know I will still watch your back," Dale said.
Tsuki had not believed Dale would betray him, but it felt good to be reassured that their working relationship was intact. "And the same to you, Dale."
Nightmare and Moon-halo were found in their stalls. Dale fit bridle, blanket and harness to Nightmare and secured his pack, waterskin, bow and cook kit to the harness with rope. Tsuki fit a bridle, blanket, saddle, bags and case to Moon-halo and secured his bow, quiver, and waterskin atop the case with rope. Moon-halo was carrying more weight, but he was a strong horse, if not so freakishly large as Nightmare.
The horses were walked from the stable and in the yard the riders mounted. The horses trotted to the gate and Dale could see a small figure on a pony near The Brown. Dale had seen such a figure coming in through this gate, perhaps four night ago, when he had been led to the cabin. It was that night Tsuki had brought him behind the stable.
Tsuki had realized that the Wizard should have waited or asked. He had said he knew he could only be devoted to one who was male. He had said he wanted Dale. He had said he could forgive Dale for eating people; that was insane.
Insane, and Dale wanted it to be true, because that meant there was some chance he could forgive himself.
The Brown's staff cast a little light on the area and as they came close, even Tsuki could see clearly that the pony carried a pale-haired Halfling smoking a pipe. The Brown fanned smoke away from his face with one hand. "This is the courier you will escort. He is called Kato."
"As you are to be the Rangers to escort me, you may have my name, it is Caerig Winnan, but for traveling Kato will do, or any other alias that seems suitable to me at the time."
"I am Tsuki Eru. That is more my name than any other."
"Excuse me if I seem uneducated, but I seem to recall a song in which that is the name of a god."
"It is the word Elves sometimes use rather than speak the name of the creator," The Brown explained, "Tsuki is not 'The One', only 'One'."
"And who is our other companion? I dare say we could not be a more conspicuous company: A man of the east it seems, a rider in black, and myself."
"But do we seem Rangers riding escort, hmmn?" Dale asked, his voice rather sing-song.
"Dale," Tsuki warned with his tone.
"Dale is it? An Elf?" Kato peered into Dale's hood to see his face. "Seems a shame to hide such a pretty face, but then you seem strangely outfitted overall, I am certain it is all some clever deceit to keep others at a distance."
At that, Dale urged his horse away from the gate and Nightmare began to prance and pace at the gate.
"Your manner is most blunt," Tsuki told Kato.
"I offended him. Then I was not meant to see through his façade. I am sorry. Sometimes I am too insightful. I did not say so much to you, as it took me longer to read you, but I see now you have been in the west a long time and though I might have mistaken you for The Brown's apprentice at a distance, you are not a Wizard."
"If it aids you, use the title as your alias and disguise," The Brown said to Tsuki, though plain enough that Kato could hear.
Tsuki nodded once sharply to The Brown. "Let us hope any foes we may face are not so insightful as you. If you will tell us our destination, Dale and I will seek a safe course there. We should be off before Dawn, though the moon is yet dark and progress might be slow."
"We go south, and I have a lantern." Kato lifted from the packs on his pony a metal and glass device with a wick inside it. The glass was a round lens. Kato took a match from a pocket, struck it against a piece of the lantern and reached inside to light the wick.
"You have matches? That is a Wizard lantern!" Tsuki exclaimed. The interior of the lantern was highly polished copper and the lens on the door focused the light in a beam. The lantern had a reservoir of oil in the bottom that could be refilled from the outside. "Where did you get it?"
"My people have had commerce with the Wizard Valley of late," Kato said casually.
Dale rode up to Tsuki's left side as Kato shook the match quickly to put out the flame. "The Halfling has more Wizardry than you have! He brought a twig to flame in his hand!"
"It is just a match. I could make matches also if I had a mineral wax...phosphorus...potassium..."
"Wizardry," Dale whispered, making the word a curse.