By the time Dav had changed into clothing suitable for travelling, grabbed his pack and sword and made it to the eastern gate the others were waiting. They had all changed too, into new uniforms given to them by the Master of Arms at the barracks yard as they were collecting the horses and supplies for the journey. Anders had approached his newest soldiers there loaded with bundles that he placed on a nearby workbench. Corps duty uniforms for each of them consisting of grey tunics, sturdy serviceable grey cloaks, a coat of mail, padded under tunics and a half helm. They’d already been issued boots in training.

  “Squad form up.” Anders commanded after unloading his bundles. The four stepped into a line abreast with backs straight at attention in military precision born of long months training.

  “You’re soldiers of the Corps and must look the part. These are for you, wear them well and with pride.”

  Each of them stepped up in turn to receive their bundle and don the new clothing. Tanisin noted the crest stitched onto the left breast of the tunics. It was the standard Corps sigil with a notable addition of a zig zag lightning pattern set bold underneath. Anders noted Tanisin’s scrutiny.

  “I had that made specifically for you all. You are for the time being your own unit within the Corps, the slash beneath represents your young Priest. You stand over him, ready to protect and serve. For now at least you’ll wear that crest.”

  They stood unsure what Anders was telling them. To have their own unit crest, to have the faith in them from a commander renowned within the Corps. It was unprecedented. All four stood straighter at his words.

  “Thank-you sir!.” Tanisin spoke for them. “We will gladly wear them and make the Corps proud.”

  “I know you will. You are a fine group, it’s been a pleasure training you. You’ll find all you need on the pack horse and arrangements have been made for stops along the way. When you get to the border of the Dreadlands you’ll find an outpost, Fort Last Stop. Ask for Lieutenant Mathers when you arrive and he’ll update you on what's been going on in the area to give you some idea what to expect as you travel further. Pay attention, he’s a good soldier and has good scouts riding for him.” He paused then to look them over. “Now, as I’m sure you’re eager to be off and daylight is wasting, I'll leave you to it. Dismissed.” Anders turned and saluted them before he marched away.

  “I don’t feel like we've earned this yet.” Opined Deliah. Her face was shining.

  “Me neither.” Relf agreed as he too broke into a smile.

  Willhem interjected his own opinion on the matter, sardonic as ever. “I expect my squad-mates, that by the time we’re done with this endeavour we will have.”

  “I think your right Will.” Tanisin mused. “Still, it’s an honour. One we will carry with us as we fulfil our duty. Let's finish up, I want to be gone before too much longer.

  On Dav’s arrival at the gate he found them all mounted, decked out and waiting, with two more pack animals and Dav’s horse saddled and ready. He tied his bedroll behind his saddle and mounted. “Are you all ready?”

  “We are.” answered Tanisin.

  Putting heels to flanks they coaxed the animals to a walk through the gate into the city. They made a small yet notable procession as they wound their way through the crowds and bustle. Drawing more than a few eyes on their way. The going was smooth though and no one impeded their way.

  It was a pleasant day, cool spring air with a gentle breeze billowed up from the south and promised an easy day's ride. As they exited the city proper flush with excitement, the eastern landscape opened before them. Field and farm mostly with Lake Pel glinting in the distance to the southwest. The landscape would remain much the same for the majority of their trip. At least until they reached the Dreadlands. None of them was ready to think about that dismal place.

  Dav turned from his position at the front. “Come on, let's give the horses a bit of a run. I want to make it to Sarsville before dark.” Without waiting for an answer he kicked his mount into a run, tearing off ahead. The others, with a brief period of surprise adding to Dav’s lead, took off after him.

  Tanisin enjoyed the dash, it had been too long since he’d had the pleasure of a ride with nothing else to worry about. All of the riding they’d done since their training had started had been for the purpose of that training. Each member of the Corps regardless of role was expected to ride well, stay in formation and be able to use a lance while doing so. It was refreshing for all of them to just ride for the sake of riding. After a bit of a race where no one managed to pull ahead of Dav’s quick start they slowed to a trot.

  The miles sped by as did the time. Dusk, staining the sky above them with reds and pinks, painted a grand picture of natural beauty as they arrived at their first stop. Sarsville was a small village nestled in a flowing roll of grassy hills. It had only one road straight through the middle, lined with shops, trades, stables and the village's only inn.

  They stopped for the night there, gathering in the common room after stowing their packs in the rooms arranged for them. Tanisin and Dav would share a room, the other three would take the other. Dav and Tanisin offered to bunk with the men and leave a single room for Deliah but she wouldn’t take them up on the offer.

  “I’ve been bunking in barracks with women and men for the better part of a year now.” She protested. “In Bayamak we all sleep in family huts. Only the chiefs have their own rooms.” Dav tried again to argue the point, his Dimabrian values wouldn’t let him give it over but she continued to refuse.

  As they ate that night's meal they talked about the first day of travel. They still had a sense of exhilaration at being on their own on a mission and there was no trepidation regarding this leg of the trip. The Grant was well settled and the roads maintained. As they figured it they had three more days of travel before the Dreadlands became a factor, with arranged stops each night until they reached Fort Last Stop. It promised to be easy going.

  Morning found them on the road before dawn cracked the sky. As the light grew steadily stronger they made good time by working the horses between a trot and a walk. Come mid morning dark clouds threatened rain, the wind picked up and the temperature dropped. They’d hoped for fair weather the whole way and it seemed their wish was not to be granted. Just before noon the rain started, a drizzle at first which turned into a deluge of strong winds and rain. Their cloaks did little to keep them dry and the road became muddy and treacherous to the horses' steps.

  Tanisin who rode beside Dav struggled to yell over the wind, rain plastered his hair to his head. The whole group was miserable by this time. “We’d better find shelter until this blows over!”

  Dav looked at him, he was irate at the thought. Lost time meant their plans were already put off. “I know… I’d hoped it would pass us by or miss us entirely.” Tanisin acknowledged.

  A farm became visible in the darkness ahead, barely discernible through the driving downpour. “We can stop and see if they can offer us shelter, a barn or shed. Anything’s better than slugging through this any further.” Dav squinted ahead.

  “I’ll send Willhem ahead to ask the favour. Better him alone than the lot of us showing up at their door unannounced.” Tanisin slowed his horse, letting the others catch up. He leaned toward Willhem talking. A second later Willhem took off down the road, as much as the weather would allow him. Mud splashed as he galloped away. The rest of the group tightened up their formation and continued on. Soon they reached the lane leading up to the house and turned, making their way cautiously. Before they reached the house Willhem returned to meet them.

  “We can stay in the barn. The family doesn’t mind and I told them we’d put in a word at the Citadel for recompense. They only ask that we don't disturb their animals and be on our way come morning. Rain or shine.”

  “It’ll do.” Remarked Tanisin and they followed Willhem to the barn. They dismounted outside, Relf opened the large door and everyone led their horses inside.

  It was… a barn. Like any other, large, warm and dry however and would suit. Stalls lined the sides but more than half were empty. The back end had a ladder to a loft and under the loft a large pile of fresh straw lay inviting them to rest. They were all relieved to have a dry spot to wait out the storm, but Dav was upset.

  “Curse it!” He exclaimed. “Not even mid afternoon and we’re stuck. I’d hoped for better.”

  “Better here than under a hedge.” Relf, not usually the optimist, was stripping off his cloak and mail shirt, undertunic. Right down to his smallclothes as he hung each piece of clothing over an empty stall railing to dry. He then dug into a pack producing a lantern, flint and steel. He struck a spark and soon the warm glow of lantern light diminished the shadows. The rest, with light to work, followed suit. Their clothing hung and left dripping puddles in the straw that littered the floor. They dug out some dried meat and cheese from the supplies and settled in to wait out the rain. It did not abate that afternoon, nor into the night until long after they’d fallen asleep in the hay.

  Dav awoke near dawn the next morning. He opened his eyes and listened for the sound of rain outside. Hearing none he got up, stretched and ambled over to the door for a peek outside. He was happy to note that the rain had stopped, but it looked to be a wet morning’s ride. Rousing the others they ate a hasty breakfast, donned their still damp clothing and left the barn to resume their mission.

  They kept a harder pace that day, hoping to make up for the half day’s lost time. Still the roads were wet and muddy preventing anything too fast lest they injure a horse. The lands about them remained as they had been before. Fields and grassy hills with ranches and farms scattered here and there. Despite the mud they made good progress, arriving at the town of Thelli around midday. The inn at Thelli was to have been their resting place the night prior, they decided to take a lunch there, advise the innkeep that his rooms would not be required and carry on. They’d camp off the road that night so with lunch done they continued out of town.

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  A few more hours of travel brought them to a more hilly region of the Grant. Nothing like the foothills of the Westmounts back home for Dav and Tanisin. Similarly nothing like the rocky outcrops and volcanic rock of Deliah’s homelands in Bayamak. Yet hills they were, requiring an up and down ebb and flow in their travel. They were just cresting one such hilltop when a cry echoed out from ahead. Dav pulled his horse to a stop! His companions–mindful of their duty–formed a circle around him. The whole group looked around wary.

  The cry came again, this time they could pinpoint it to their left off the road and they looked towards it. A figure, stark against the afternoon light, waved its arms above its head and made its way down the slope towards the roadway. It was a woman’s voice and she appeared to be in some sort of distress.

  “Should we go see what she needs?” Tanisin looked to Dav for direction.

  Dav nodded, “Just you and me though, let’s not scare her.” They left the others milling on the road and rode towards the woman who was still trying to get their attention while making her way to them.

  As they approached it became clear that she was in some sort of trouble. She sprinted down the hillside towards them, casting furtive looks behind her. Dav quickened the pace hoping to get to her before she fell down in her haste. They soon closed the gap and pulled up their horses a few paces away. She appeared to be no older than the two of them. Dressed in the common garb of the residents of the area. She stopped, breath heavy from exertion, her dark hair windswept.

  “Sir… Good sir, please I… I need your help!” Panting she addressed Tanisin directly, picking out his uniform.

  “Easy now.” Tanisin tried to calm her. “What can we do for you Miss?”

  “It’s Missus sir. Missus Thrain” She corrected him. “My husband needs help!”

  “With what exactly?”

  “Husks sir!” She shuddered. “It’s husks, too many for him–my husband that is–to handle on his own.”

  “Husks?” Dav exclaimed. “How many Mrs. Thrain, and where are they?”

  There was no question they would help, what was the Corps’ purpose if not dealing with things such as this. Dav while lamenting yet another delay was of the same mind regarding the priesthood. Their course was clear.

  “Over the hill there sir. Bottom of the other side, close to our farm. There’s at least five that I saw myself.” Her breath while still laboured was coming easier now as her panic eased.

  “Tan, go with her and check it out, I’ll ride back and get the others!” Dav turned his horse and galloped towards their companions.

  Tanisin leaned over to offer a hand. “Climb up behind me and we’ll take a look.” She grabbed his hand and he heaved her up to his saddle. Once settled he rode up her back trail.

  “Tell me about the situation.” He inquired.

  “We saw them about an hour ago, over in the trees near the house. At first we’d only seen two so Norrin, my husband, took his axe and went to clear them out. It’s not the first time we’ve had to deal with these beasts you know. They can be common in these parts.”

  “Yes, I imagine.” Tanisin agreed.

  “So Norrin figured it’d be easy and I followed a few minutes later looking to help get rid of the bodies. We have to burn them lest they taint the ground they lie on you know? I went into the trees looking for Norrin, and I found him… ”

  “But all was not well was it?”

  “No sir twasn’t.” She sobbed. “I found a dead one first, near the edge where Norrin had felled it, then I heard him yelling in a panic and that made me worry more. I hurried to the sounds and saw… I saw Norrin up a tree, his axe on the ground beside another dead one but, well but Norrin I… I… I think one got him! There's blood on his leg sir, and a bunch of the brutes around the tree so he can’t get down.”

  They’d crested the hill by then and started down the other side. Tanisin could see the farmhouse at the bottom, cosy and inviting with the copse of trees further on. As they descended the sound of hoofbeats behind precluded the arrival of Tanisin’s companions. Together they made for the house picking up speed as they went. They drew to a halt in the yard and Tanisin helped the women off his horse.

  “Leave it to us now mam.” Tanisin assured her. “Dav, stay with her. The rest of you are with me!”

  Dav dismounted to stay with the distraught Mrs.Thrain while Tanisin, Relf, Willhem and Deliah spurred their horses towards the treeline. They closed the gap and dismounted at the edge of the trees. They could see the first of the dead Shamblers just inside the treeline. Tanisin drew his sword, set his shield and settled his half-helm on his head. The rest followed suit and they made their way into the trees.

  A short way in they heard the sound of farmer Norrin yelling at the creatures to get away. It was a hopeless yell, more anger than function. A few more steps brought them in sight of the scene. As she'd told them they could see the second dead husk lying on the ground, with the farmer’s axe beside it in the dirt. The tree itself was large with low branches. They couldn’t see the man up in the foliage, there were six shamblers milling about the base of the tree.

  The unit made short work of the things. Tanisin leading brought the first one down as his companions fanned out beside him. He made his way to a second, dispatched it with ease and looked to find all of the remaining husks dead. It was only his second encounter with these creatures and the sight of them still revulsed him.

  “You can come down now.” He called to the man in the tree as he cleaned his sword with a handful of grass pulled from the ground. A rustle of leaves from above precluded the man as he dropped from the lowest branch. He landed with noted difficulty in front of Tanisin.

  “Thank-you sergeant, thank you.” The man grabbed Tanisin by the hand, shaking it with gratitude. He was older than Tanisin with a grip that spoke to one who worked with his hands all day. Dressed much as any other farmer would be. There was also, Tanisin noted, blood on his left leg and he stood favouring that side.

  “You’re welcome.” Tanisin assured him. “I’m happy we could help. It’s fortunate your wife found us close by.”

  “Fortunate, yes… my poor wife. She’s worried sick I’m sure. I’ll make my way back to her now.” He turned to go.

  “Hold just a minute.” Asked Tanisin. “I’ll take you to her.” He turned to address his unit. “Get these bodies gathered and burn them then meet me back at the house.”

  As the others took care of the bodies Tanisin led Norrin out of the trees, Norrin stopped to reclaim his axe and followed. Exiting the trees Tanisin grabbed his horse's reins and led the animal at a walk beside Norrin. Despite Norrin’s prior need to go to his wife he seemed reluctant now and his leg was causing him some pain. He noted Tanisin’s glance.

  “I know.” He signed a heavy resigned sound. “Just give me some time with the wife and then we can do what needs doing.” It was all Norrin had to say on the matter. His face spoke volumes however. It was a bite. Shambler bites were a death sentence to any living thing. The wound would fester, fever would set in and the leg would turn black as the puss and ichor would spread under the skin. Eventually, days for some and up to a week or more in other cases the bite would kill. After death the corpse would reanimate as a new husk devoid of any humanity it once held. There was no cure.

  They stayed at the farmhouse long enough to burn the husks and help bury Norrin. Upon his return to home and wife he’d begged off and took her inside to console her and say his goodbyes. The bite was fatal, both he and Tanisin knew. Furthermore he didn’t want to delay the inevitable. The rest of the companions joined them in the yard after piling the bodies of the husks in a field and setting them ablaze. A dark plume of smoke floated away on the breeze. Tanisin explained the situation to them, their grim faces turning paler by the word. They each recognized the necessity and lamented the need.

  The couple exited their home with sad faces betraying the truth of the matter. Norrin held his wife in a tight embrace for a few minutes then left her standing on the stoop with tears streaming down her face. The companions then received an idea of just how tough, how resilient these people that populated the Grant were. They accepted life, they accepted death, and they accepted all the in betweens. Norrin approached Dav.

  “Sir, I ask. Would you be willing to strike the blow and grant me the last rights? It’s clear you’re of the clergy, on your pilgrimage I’d wager.” What he was asking of Dav was enormous, not to be taken lightly.

  Dav was shaken. He considered it a moment, but he was resolved to aid this man in his final minutes and agreed. “I would be honoured Norrin. When you’re ready.”

  “I’m ready now.”

  “My name’s Dav.” Dav put a hand to Norrin’s shoulder. I am on my pilgrimage.``

  “Dav...” Norrin held out his hand in greeting that Dav accepted, “Acolyte, Brother, Sister or Enlightened. It matters not. We’ve seen our share of acolytes passing this way over the years. It only matters that someone is willing and able. I’ve made my peace with it and said my goodbyes.” He looked pained, though physically from the bite or mentally from the reality of his looming death couldn’t be determined. Likely both Dav thought.

  “What’s to become of your wife and the farm?” Tanisin asked him.

  Norrin held out a scrap of parchment. “When you bury me, put me out back. There's another grave there you’ll see. Our youngest died last summer and we buried him there. If you’d grant me one more boon I’d like to see this delivered to the fort ahead. They’ll get it to her kin, she’s got family will help her square things away. They’ll also reach our eldest. He’s in the Corps and serving somewhere away from the Citadel.”

  “Certainly, I’ll see it done.” Tanisin told him with as much compassion and resolve as he could manage.

  With nothing left to say Norrin led Dav around to the back of the house away from his grieving wife’s view. Within minutes Dav returned alone and solemn. Mrs. Norris Thrain gave a painful sob and fled to the rear to be with her now deceased husband.

  “That was… the most difficult thing I’ve ever had to do.” Dav looked defeated, a shell of himself.

  “Sayoshti’s will Dav.” Deliah spoke first. The others repeated the sentiment.

  “You brought peace to a dying man Dav. You did a service here. One that no one envies you of but one that was necessary.” Willhem stated. That it was true did little to ease the burden on Dav’s soul.

  “I told Norrin we’d stick around long enough to bury him and make sure those bodies have burned off.” The others nodded.

  Norris’ wife took some time with her husband’s body. When she came back around the house her tears had dried up. With eyes red and her expression grave she approached them.

  “Thank-you. Thank-you all. I’m ready now. Cursed Despair!”

  The squad pulled camp shovels from their packs and buried Norrin in the yard under the watchful eye of his wife. Dav said a prayer over his grave, it was the only comfort they could provide. There was still daylight to travel by and they’d make it to the fort shortly after dark with luck. Mrs. Thrain sent them on their way with some food she’d gathered while they’d dug her husband's grave. She watched them for some time as they rode away and they all hoped she’d be okay. It was a melancholy group with heads down that left behind the grieving widow.

  In the dimming afternoon light a dark figure watched as the group left the farm. Crouched low on a small hilltop it made its way unobserved to the copse of trees past the pile of burning husks. Had one of them looked up, had they not been mired in self reflection and been intent on their own thoughts one of them may have spied the figure. It stood at the edge of the copse of trees watching them ride further away. Had they seen it, would they have even noted its presence? It had no discernible features, from the distance it appeared to be just another shadow under the trees. It watched them exuding malice. It had watched them try to save the farmer and fail. Watched them kill the shamblers, those it had worked so hard to get here from the Dreadlands unseen. The husks would have remained unseen had they not been hungry for flesh. The figure–thinking it safe–had let them hunt. It continued to watch the group in the yard as they went about their grim task. Now that they were leaving it turned to the farm. It would take the wife and consume her and she would be reborn as one of his, another husk to add to Despair’s ranks.