Dennis McCiernan - Into the Forge

Loric in turn was relieved by Phais, and she in turn awakened Beau for his stand at ward.

"Huah," said Beau as he and Tip tied thongs 'round the bedrolls, "ripples and waves crossing and recrossing, I never thought of it that way."

Beau tied another knot, then added: "Modru has dropped a vast boulder in the water, and a frightful wave rolls outward. We can only hope it doesn't drown the world."

Three more days they bore southward, riding parallel to and fifteen or so miles west of the Old Way, a north-south trade route running down the western side of the Grimwall Mountains. The land they passed through was rough, high moor with sparse trees and barren thickets and lone giants, many now setting forth new green leaves in the crisp spring air. In the folds of the land grew brush and brambles, and here and there winter snow yet lingered down in the shaded recesses 'neath ledges. Yet the route they followed was rugged, and slowly across the upland they went, bearing ever southward, and only occasionally did they see signs of animal life: birds on the wing afar, heading for more bountiful realms; an occasional hare; and once a distant fox. But for the most the harsh land was meager of game of any kind.

Five days past they had left the Elvenholt in the northernmost reaches of Arden Vale, some forty leagues behind. Although they had covered nearly sixty miles the first two days after setting forth, they were now moving only twenty or so miles a day out on the open wold, for the land was hard and they would not press their steeds beyond the pace they could sustain in the long days to come.

The seventh day on the open wold, they turned at last toward the Old Way-a road Alaria had said was patrolled by Foul Folk-for a westward spur of the Grimwall Mountains stood out across the route, and they would have to gamble on passing unseen along the road through a wide gap in the low chain ahead.

Tip and Beau readied their weapons and scanned the countryside, for they were come to a dangerous pass, and if Ghulen patrols or Rucks and such roamed it, the way would be filled with risk. Yet with sharp Elven eyes to guide them, likely any movement would be seen by Lian ere the reverse occurred, though if the Foul Folk lay in ambush…

Southward they went, through rising hill country, another ten miles before coming to the Old Way where it first entered the wide gap. No enemy did they see, though the way seemed churned by many feet tramping.

"A Horde," said Loric, remounting.

"The one from Dhruousdarda," said Phais. She turned in her saddle. "Keep a sharp eye, Sir Tipperton, Sir Beau, for somewhere ahead lies a Swarm."

Into the gap they went, eyes alert, nerves taut, Tip's heart beating rapidly. He looked at Beau to find that War-row nervously loading and unloading his sling. They rode another two leagues, and the land began to fall, the close hills spreading out, while the route they followed swung southeastward, rounding the side chain and heading for the Quadran through rising hill country.

"Well, my friends," said Loric, "it appears there was no trap, and mayhap the danger is past, for the land opens up and we can leave this abandoned road once more." Then he turned to Phais. "Even so, we must return to this route ere we come to Quadran Pass, for from it rises the single road which lies across that col."

Phais nodded, then said, "Let us pray that the Horde has not captured that way as well."

Southeasterly they rode, another five miles or so, but evening drew nigh, and so out of sight in the shelter of a hollow they set their nightfall camp.

"Another day's ride should see us to the foot of Quadran Pass," said Loric. "And then the following day we'll ride up the Quadran Road and over."

"Can we make it all the way across in one day?" asked Tip, remembering Talarin's maps. "I mean, it's forty or fifty miles, isn't it?"

Loric shook his head. "Nay. Thou art thinking of the way under, for Gildor says the winding way he went passes 'neath Aevor Mountain to the south and Coron in the north. The way over is shorter, for it crosses the col between those same two peaks. Even so, it will press the horses to go up and back down in one day, yet we can relieve them by walking much of the way, and by going lesser distances in the following days."

"Then where? I mean, after we get across."

"After that we must cross the Argon River, and to do so we have two choices: six or seven days east and south lies the ferry at Olorin Isle; ten or eleven days northward lies Landover Road Ford."

Phais shook her head. "Not north, Alor Loric, for not only does that way lie alongside the Grimwall, where Spaunen dwell, but since Crestan Pass is held by the Foul Folk, mayhap they hold the ford as well; recall, but twenty leagues lie between the two. Rather would I cross at Olorin, for it is more likely to be free, standing as it does nigh the marges of Darda Galion."

Now it was Loric who shook his head. "But the ford itself lies on the marge of Darda Erynian and is not likely to be in the hands of the foe. And didst thou forget, Dara, our other choice, the ferry, is plied by Rivermen."

"Nay, Alor, I did not forget."

Beau looked up from his mian. "Rivermen?"

"Aye," replied Loric.

"I mean, is it bad that Rivermen ply a ferry?"

Loric shrugged. "Mayhap, for apast the Rivermen on Great Isle acted as guardians of the Argon, and for this protection they exacted tolls from merchants who plied the flowing tradeway. Yet the Rivermen turned to piracy- some say at the behest of Gyphon or one of His acolytes- slaying the merchants and looting the cargo, making it appear to be boating accidents in the rocky straits of the Race, a dangerous narrows downriver. To give truth to this lie, much of the wreckage and cargo would be set adrift, to be salvaged by their ferrymen kindred on Olorin Isle, a goodly way below the Race. The woodsmen of the Argon Vales, the Baeron, discovered the piracy of those on Great Isle and banded together and destroyed their fortress, slaying many of the pirates, perhaps all, though some may have escaped.

"Yet far downstream the Rivermen on Olorin Isle claimed innocence, saying that they knew nothing of what their kindred did upriver, and maintaining that whatever flotsam and jetsam was salvaged from the wrecks in the narrows, the ferrymen came by it honestly. Nought could be proved otherwise.

"Even so, after the destruction of the fortress upriver, and the subsequent loss of drifting salvage, many of the Rivermen on Olorin Isle went to live elsewhere. Only a few families remained behind to ply the ferry."

"And you think they were guilty," declared Beau, "-all the Rivermen, I mean."

"Aye," replied Loric.

"Well then, why did they go unpunished?"

"Suspicion alone is not proof."

Tip turned to Phais. "And yet you want us to go by the ferry?"

Phais nodded. "Those events are long past, and the Rivermen alive today are not those who committed the acts."

"That notwithstanding, Dara," said Loric, "back then they were Gyphon's puppets, or so I do believe. And in these dire times Rivermen may be His puppets still."

Phais turned up her hands. "Nevertheless, Alor Loric, the ferry seems safer than riding alongside the Grimwall all the way north to Landover Road Ford, even though the ford itself may be free of the foe."

Loric frowned in thought, then grinned and said, "Aye, it does at that."

Beau expelled a great breath. "Well, I'm glad that's settled. Tomorrow we go to the foot of Quadran Pass. The next day we cross over and, following that, make for the ferry."

Twilight turned to night, and Tip walked up to the rim of the hollow to stand his turn at watch. Yet upon reaching there he immediately spun about and ran down again, hissing, "Loric, Phais, Beau-fire in the Grimwall."