Part Forty-four
Watches were posted as they usually were, two per two hour shift for that night. The others slept close together, between the windbreak and the remaining coals of their fire. Laurel and Fei had the second to last shift, and as they sat awake, speaking quietly and looking into the darkness, the wind shifted.
The winds that had blown from the east now came from the west. Laurel knew that westerly winds were considered rather gentle, but even a breeze added to the night chill during this time of year. She suggested they move the windbreak to give their companions shelter as they rested.
It was not a job two could easily do in darkness and stepping around sleepers, so Fei suggested they wake Duma and Kato, who were scheduled to soon take the last watch.
Laurel went to Duma's place to wake him and found him tossing in his sleep in a tangle of blankets. He was having a nightmare, she thought. It was no surprise that movement among the sleepers had gone unnoticed, as watchers focused on the perimeter of their camp and averted their attention from the nocturnal activities of their companions. Dale's bedroll was closest to Duma, but he was so far moved toward Tsuki at his other side that Dale would not have noticed if Duma did flail about all through the night.
Laurel reached out to shake Duma from his dream and the blanket fell from his face. He was sweating more than nightmares or layered blankets should explain, and his skin was hot to the touch.
"Duma is burning with fever," Laurel said. "He cannot help us or take any watch, and he needs caring for."
Kato, already woken by Fei, stuck a match to light his own lantern, as was his habit when taking watch, at least, when their lives did not depend on secrecy. The Orcs that followed them would find them whether they lit lanterns or not. "Do Orcs get sick?" he asked sleepily.
Dale sat suddenly, disturbing Tsuki, who had been holding him, such that he woke also. "Orcs don't get sick!" he said firmly, but then he thought about the things they had learned recently and Marduk's claims. Dale did not know whether it was true or not that Orcs could be made sick and he did not know if there was any reason Duma would be spared. "Not unless there is some Wizardry at work."
"Do Elves get sick?" Laurel asked. Then without an answer she continued speaking. "Kato, bring me my basket and waterskin. I will need a drinking cup from our gear as well. Fei, Dale, you must move the windbreak to give us shelter now the wind has shifted. I will stay awake to care for Duma, but Dale, you must take his watch for him."
Kato pulled on his vest and jacket and then took up his lantern to fetch what Laurel needed. Dale similarly arranged his clothing before rising and set to striking and re-pitching their shelter with Fei.
"Elves generally do not get sick," Tsuki told Laurel, "though any race that can be said to die of despair or grief cannot be said to suffer no form of illness."
"You'll have her think us all mad," Dale complained.
"Is there any sign of poison? A wound? A scratch? A dart on the ground? Bites of some animal or insect?" Tsuki inquired.
"I see no such signs as yet." Laurel reached toward Duma again, to examine him, and this time found his blade of black glass pressed to her wrist. "Stop. Duma. It is I, Laurel."
Dale lifted his whip from his bedroom and snapped it overhead. The sound woke Duma. His eyes opened fully and he saw Laurel over him. He spoke but only Dale understood any of his speech. "I do not understand. Something about hot rocks. He speaks of the place he used to live, perhaps. He does speak of the furnaces sometimes."
"Duma, do you feel well?" Laurel asked.
He responded in a whisper so low only Laurel heard. "He complains of fever and aches," she relayed to the others.
"Can you help him?" Dale asked.
Kato brought the basket, skin and cup to Laurel then. "I will prepare a fever remedy immediately, but I do not understand the cause. I hope that I can help him."
"Is it serious?"
"He is very hot," Laurel told Dale.
Dale laughed, "He's found a way out of having to make breakfast! I think this was the first time since he joined us he was assigned to prepare a meal."
"I was beginning to think it unfair," Fei said, "Though I am not sure I want to eat what an Orc serves."
"I think that is why we found other chores for him," Dale said.
"If you trust Dale's cooking, I do not think Duma could do much worse," Tsuki said.
"What?"
"I think he is only saying so to make you go over there and wrestle with him," Kato said smugly.
"We do know Duma has experience with tending fires and roasting large game," Tsuki pointed out. "With Dale...well, I shall never have thought to eat frog if not for Dale."
"Yes, frog is good to eat," Fei agreed.
"Frogs?" Kato asked, "I thought it a bit strange when you cooked the snake..."
"Did Duma eat something that the rest of us did not? Some berries along the way? Or some raw fish found in the river?" Tsuki asked.
Duma answered that he had not and Laurel relayed his quiet response as she prepared a remedy in her mortar.
By breakfast, Duma was still not well. He had been given a remedy and it had reduced his fever and discomfort somewhat, but he was far from well. As Dale and Kato served steamed squash and fish for breakfast, the group discussed their options.
Some thought that if one of their party was sick, they should continue on and seek a settlement where they might have a healer. Others voted for staying in their present camp. Many believed that among them they had skilled enough healers, but they were not certain whether it was best to move Duma or to stay.
Staying might mean they Orcs caught up with them.
As the wind had changed, Dale was saying he had scented the Orcs and that they were again in numbers. "I lost the scent before morning," Dale told the others. "I suspect they are flanking us to the south, across the river, and will attempt to cross get ahesd of us somewhere to the east."
When the issue had been discuseed entirely and voted upon, it was decided they would remain camped at the same location another day. It would not only give Duma rest, but the others a chance to repair gear, Beryl another day to rejoin them, the Orcs something to puzzle over, and the horses rest as well.
Laurel watched over Duma through the day. He slept a lot, though fitfully, and complained of being hot, thirsty, and achy when awake. Laurel gave him water and herbal fever remedies as she judged appropriate. She knew much of herblore and knew of bodies what a witch learned from animal carcasses, wounded hunters, women who had trouble in childbirth, or women who desired not to carry to term. She was not expert in young male Orcs.
Tsuki had studied tomes of Dark Art and knew the arrangement of organs within the body and something of their function. He even knew how the body of an individual of one race differed from that of another, within as well as without. It was learning that enabled him to be an efficient soldier, but also information that enabled him to diagnose many injuries and ailments. When Duma allowed, Tsuki examined him, prodding at Duma's chest and abdomen, sometimes inquiring whether the touch caused pain. He listened at Duma's chest for his heartbeat and checked it also by feeling for the pulsing of vessels beneath the skin of his wrist.
When the examination was ended, Duma said that he needed to go relieve himself and would go alone, but when he tried to stand and walk, he swayed and nearly fell. Kato agreed to help Duma walk away from the campsite, though Duma made him promise not to stare.
"How was he?" Laurel asked Tsuki.
"I can determine nothing out of sorts, except that his heartrate seems elevated and that he is fevered. There is no swelling or tenderness that I can detect." Tsuki watched Duma walking beside Kato; he was still wrapped in a blanket and shuffled barefoot over the grass.
"Has he ingested some stimulant?"
"I do not think that would cause such sever symptoms. He is an Orc. That brew they often drink is a powerful stimulant and seems agreeable enough with their kind."
"I had an uncle who would shake if he did not get his wine," Laurel noted.
"It is something to consider, but I am not convinced his illness is related to lack of Orc liquor."
"He has eaten and drunken the same things as we have."
"Yes. Perhaps an allergy."
"A bad reaction to a substance that to others seems benign."
Tsuki nodded. "Or else, it is not directly caused by external influence. A woman can feel discomfort periodically, without being sick, and a growing lad can suffer pains without injury. Perhaps one that is half Orc and half Elf suffers such episodes."
"I do not know why they would, but I do not suppose it can be ruled impossible, either."
Duma returned and fell to the ground softly. It was clear that the short walk had exhausted him. Duma closed his eyes and tried to sleep again. He wanted to be strong, and not a burden. If he were among Orcs, they would leave him behind and not wait. Knowing this made him think his present companions weak for being slowed down by a sick one. He had no information that was necessary to them.
Yet, Duma did not feel so bad when Laurel held a cup of water to his lips or wiped his face with a cool cloth. Weak or not, he did not truly wish to be alone or left behind.
Still, he thought, if he did not soon get better, he should undertake some task that would be his death, just to end things with some seeming strength and not to die some pitiful Mannish death by illness.
He wanted to live. His body hurt so much. This must be what the sick ones had felt, he thought. It was horrible, and Duma told himself over and over that he should suffer through this and live so that he could find out the truth. He would find out if the Wizards had made Orcs sick, and he would find out if Dale was involved. He would live at least long enough to find and defeat his enemies. And then Ugarit would be left the property of a sick Orc and other Orcs would come fight over her.
"Why is he laughing?" Kato asked. "Perhaps madness runs in his family."
Dale was away bathing in the river and did not hear, but Tsuki glared at Kato for the jest.
Duma did not reply, but continued laughing, even though it hurt.
Duma fell into a light sleep and rested through the day. He woke for meals, and ate more than his usual large share of the food, though Laurel said plainly she was surprised one so fevered had such an appetite. Duma did eat the portions slowly and with plenty of water.
Tsuki stayed awake with Duma that night and noticed the fever was reduced by Laurel's remedies, but not broken.
In the morning, Tsuki suggested Duma might travel, if he shared a horse with another. Duma insisted he could dress and ride on his own, though as it turned out he had a lot of difficulty getting into his clothes and rode bowed over his horse's neck. Dale put Nightmare at one side of Duma's mare and walked along at Duma's other side, willing to catch him should he fall.
They found there was a horsepath along the river, as there had been on the opposite bank. Galadhiel rode ahead as scout, while Gwindor rode close to Kato. Fei and Laurel rode together, as they often did, teaching each other new words in their native languages and generally carrying on conversation. Behind Duma, Tsuki and Lenaduiniel rode their horses, sometimes talking to each other, but both watching Dale and Duma as much as they watched for signs of attack or danger.
Sometime in the morning, Galadhiel came upon a road sign. It was in the language of the Horse-Lords, and though Galadhiel was fairly well educated for an Elf, it was not a language she well understood, so she rode back along their line to find Tsuki.
Tsuki was brought to the signpost and studied it. It was positioned such to be read by those traveling west and so he had to bring Moon-halo about to read the carved letters highlighted with white paint.
The posted message warned that the river water to the west was not suitable for Men and that travelers should draw from the river south of the path.
"What does it say? You read the language, do you not?"
"It is of no consequence. A post recommending camping sites to local Men," Tsuki lied. He did not wish yet to tell the others that the water they had all drank, cooked with and bathed in may be the cause of Duma's illness. He did not wish to speak until he was certain and understood why only Duma was affected.
Galadhiel accepted the translation and rode off again to scout.
Tsuki remained, not urging Moon-halo to do anything but remain as the others rode slowly by. Tsuki observed them all and wondered. Gwindor did not seem sick at all. His hair was perhaps more lustrous than ever, but now Tsuki remembered Gwindor and Dale discussing the water while bathing and that Dale had said it had no taint and Gwindor had commented that it was like waters flowing through Elven lands.
Kato seemed vigorous as usual, or perhaps more lively than that. Kato had eaten more than his usual large share at their meals, but it had not seemed strange then, as Kato had joked that they had forgotten not to count Beryl when preparing the meals and that he should help Beryl by eating his share of food.
Fei and Laurel looked well and Tsuki did not feel any different. If the water was truly not suitable for Men, Tsuki did not see how it was so.
Dale came walking toward Tsuki then, Duma's horse keeping pace with the Elf, without any sign of control from its rider. "Sowhadidsay?" Dale asked.
"Pardon?"
Dale rolled his eyes. "Pray tell me what was found upon the signpost, Tsuki, if you please," Dale said with forced pleasantness.
Tsuki shook his head. He looked then up at Duma. He wore not only his coat, but a blanket draped over his head and shoulders. Tsuki reached up and pulled the blanket from Duma, causing him to nearly fall from his horse.
Dale drew a breath intending to scold Tsuki, but then he choked and gasped as he looked at Duma.
Duma was awake and could see Tsuki and Dale staring up at himm. "Oh, what is it? Have I lesions now? I am on the verge of death?"
"Is he well?" Lenaduiniel called as she rode slowly toward them. When she came around and saw Duma's face she made a soft gasp.
He had changed. His skin appeared of Elven radiance, though it was still so pale in color as to seem blue where colored by the blood beneath. Duma looked overall less gaunt than he had, and Dale and Tsuki both though he must actually have grown and that explained the trouble he'd had getting into his clothes.
"You don't look sick at all!" Dale told Duma finally.
"Take off your coat," Tsuki whispered.
Duma struggled, but was soon out of his coat. His clothing still covered most of his body, but his head and left arm, but seeing his arm was evidence enough. Not only had he grown larger, but his scars had faded. They were still visible as scars, but all seemed old and long-healed and his skin seemed a healthy, if Orchish, color.
"What is it?" Duma rasped.
"Look," Lenaduiniel told him. "Look at your arm and skin."
Dale looked, then choked again and walked quickly away. He was afraid that if he checked his scars they would remain, and he was afraid that if he checked they would be faded. Dale was not certain he truly wanted his scars gone, as much as he loathed having them seen. He had held onto the bitterness over his past so long...he wanted an excuse to not just let his past be past. He did not like to think of it, and yet it seemed insulting to him to not think on what had been done to him every day.
While Dale stood facing the water, the others rode back, noticing that Duma had not followed. All but Dale were gathered, their horses pressed close. "Why only Duma?" Tsuki asked aloud.
"But, I think Kato looks bigger," Lenaduiniel said.
"Ah, and his eyes are green," Gwindor agreed.
"My eyes are blue."
"Kato, I say they are more green than before. Your eyes, they are a greenish blue. And I believe you must be taller."
"Then why?" Tsuki asked.
"Do you ask why they are changed? Or do you ask why only they changed? You suspect the cause." Galadhiel said.
"The water," Tsuki admitted, "It was the water flowing from the north. The sign warned that it was not suitable for Men. Duma and Kato are not Men. I do not understand."
"We all drank the same water...and Duma was sick," Fei said. "Is the sickness related?"
"Duma and Kato are the youngest, are they not?" Laurel asked. "Duma nine and Kato only just of age."
"Then if there be something that effects the young, Dale should be affected, as he is so young for an Elf," Lenaduiniel said.
Dale could hear the conversation, though he was not very close and he shook his head wildly at Lenaduiniel's suggestion.
"Perhaps this water only effects mortals. The sign may not mention other races, because they do not inhabit this region," Gwindor suggested.
"Youthful mortals?" Galadhiel asked.
"Kato and I were not sick," Dale said.
"I am the youngest," Duma said, "and I am half Orc. If magics are at work, I would not be very surprised to learn the nature of the magics effected Orcs badly. Our kind was spawned by Wizardry."
"It is not magic," Tsuki said, "the waters that flow out of the Old Forest to the north have properties which increase vigor and vitality. The fever was caused by the body's sudden growth and not directly related to the water. Or, that is my theory at present. Duma was the most changed, because he was not yet full grown."
"It can't have anything to do with age," Dale insisted. "Tsuki's grey hairs are gone."
"I did not have any grey hairs!"
"You did," Gwindor whispered, "Only a few. It looks distinguished in Men."
Tsuki sighed and ran a hand over the top of his head. "It is pointless to argue. Duma seems to be recovering and the cause was likely the water. If we have any concern, we need only draw fresh water from the river here."
Dale came, took Duma's waterskin from the back of his horse and walked back toward the river.
"If Duma feels well enough, we should ride on," Gwindor suggested. "Dale can watch our southern flank and Tsuki and Leanduiniel the rear."
"I can take a post alone," Leanduiniel insisted. "I need no guard. Tsuki ought to be asked to ride the left flank, as Men would most likely approach from the north."
"That is reasonable enough," Gwindor said slowly, but his posture communicated that he still felt concern for his sister and wanted her protected, even if she was the best archer in their party.
Gwindor and Galadiel rode ahead with Kato, as Dale returned the waterskin to Duma's pack. Dale then mounted Nightmare and rode at Duma's right side, after Fei and Laurel. Nightmare seemed to want to rush ahead, but Dale held the hair of his mane. "Not now," Dale whispered, "Do you not like this one to run alongside you? She has pretty braids."
Nightmare snorted and tossed his head. He did not think braids attractive on horses; they had no fingers to make their own braids and so it was always a mark of ownership and servitude. Nightmare's Elf was light, did not put marks on him, did not ask disagreeable tasks of him, and arranged for mares in his stable stall. Nightmare did not believe he was in servitude.
Behind them, Lenaduiniel and Tsuki still sat upon their horses watching the others. "Gwindor seems confident. He almost makes suggestions seem orders."
"He never was a poor leader. He and his Elves, or Gib for that matter must all have known the cost of war as well as that of standing by while the Dark Lord conquered the land. They gave their lives willingly to save others from doing the same. They stood on the front line and bought time and lives. That Gwindor feels survivor's guilt stems from the fact that he is a brilliant swordmaster."
"And strong, agile and keen as our kind are."
"Of course. Do you think...if it is not very improper to ask...do you know if he has become devoted to Galadhiel?"
Lenaduiniel laughed softly. "It is improper."
"Then I ask forgiveness, My Lady."
"I forgive you of course, and as you are a Man, and Elf-Friend, I will tell you something that may help you find the answer. An Elf can tell whether another Elf, male or female, is devoted to another simply by looking them in the eyes."
"Truly?"
"Sometimes we exchange tokens, but it is plain in the eyes. Elves know if they are making advances to one who is taken, rather, they would know one was taken before asking and not make the advance."
"With all Elves?"
"Well, the normal manner of things would be for an Elf to always know, even if the devotion has not be spoken. We see when it is there. Yet, I cannot tell with my brothers or father, and I understand this is sometimes the case with others, that they cannot look at their kin as judge in the matter. But, certainly, when meeting male Elves, I have always been able to tell, except with two."
"Were they Beryl and Dale?"
Lenaduiniel laughed, but nodded. "I believe Beryl may actually have learned to hide such feelings from another's gaze. He is an accomplished actor."
"And Dale?"
"He does not really look at Elves when he looks at them. His gaze darts everywhere except where it may make direct contact with another's gaze. It is different than with Beryl. Beryl has feelings and is able to keep them from showing. Dale has feelings and they show, yet he is always causing some distraction to keep them from being noticed."
"He will not meet your eyes directly, still?"
"It is true. Sometimes I feel as if he is like a servant that does not dare meet the gaze of their Lord or Lady. But let us not speak of such matters now."
Tsuki nodded. "With Men, Lady? Can you tell with Men?"
"As long as our race has studied yours, we still find Men puzzling and full of surprises. An Elf would need further signs to know whether one of the Second Race were attached or holding a devotion."
"That is fair enough. Men seem able to identify only extremes of stoicism and merriment in Elves. Although, in my own experience, I find the more Elven faces one encounters, the easier it is to read the expression in any one of them."
"A likely truth."
Tsuki gave a nod and then urged Moon-halo on and rode to take up his post at the line's left flank.
They continued, encountering neither Men nor Orcs, though they saw signs of previous or distant habitation by both. They heard of the Orcs from the animals that flew before them. Small animals burrowed into the ground or trees, but some birds and larger animals crossed the river, and then Dale would find them. He had taken to sleeping alone in trees near the river and keeping watch there at night, and though Gwindor and Lenaduiniel were by blood half Sylvan, they were only able to read some signs in animals and could not understand their language. Dale, as Beryl could have, understood the communication of most animals.
The animals did not understand Goblin any better than Mannish speech and could only report their observations on actions or gestures, or in some cases mimic the sound of a word they had heard often. Communicating such as they were able, the worried animals were able to inform Dale that the Orcs remained in a large group across the river that they hunted often and that many Men were about, but had not yet come into new conflicts with the Orcs.
Meanwhile, Duma had recovered his health and now was grown and stronger than before. He resumed his lessons, learning to read and write Elven from Lenaduiniel or Tsuki, in Beryl's absence, and also practicing archery and defense with knives or bare hands. Duma was often inclined to use his claws, which he now kept neatly shaped but very sharp, with aid of his various stones, files, and grinding surfaces. Tsuki suggested that Duma learn to defend himself and others without drawing blood. He told Duma that if he should learn to use focus and various shapes and surfaces of his fists or open hands to fight, then he would have more options when trouble came, and would be able to defend himself, even when deprived of all weaponry, perhaps even his claws.
"Feet also," Fei said one day, as he was nearby writing, "In some fighting styles feet are also used often."
"Your body can be a weapon," Tsuki agreed, "And as with
other weapons, you must train and practice in order to use it well."