A Storm Approaches

Jabez wasted no time and gathered everyone back to the caravan. Those he couldn’t find immediately, Reijo put out the call, ensuring no one was left behind. From there, Jabez urged Reijo to lead the caravan out of Lurick as soon as possible.

“Something urgent has come up. We must make ready.”

“You’re certain?” asked Reijo. Jabez nodded, to which Reijo said, “Then into the wagons, everyone.”

With this, the caravan was able to get ahead of the enemy. Once they were at a safe distance, the caravan sought out a place to settle down... And prepare.

“All right, Jabez. I’ve protected us against any potential spies. Now speak your mind. What happened?” asked Reijo.

Jabez took to the center of camp and began his talk, knowing full well his time was limited. “Everyone, listen up. An agent from the church has found us out.”

“What? Who is it?!” asked Samu.

“How’d they find us?” asked Braun.

“I don’t know their methods for sure. They were able to pinpoint exactly where I was. His name is Hito, and he’s... An unusual man to say the least.”

“I’ve heard of that man,” said Reijo. “He’s a known eccentric that travels the land in the name of Ramtha’s Church of the Twin Suns. He’s usually sent to investigate unusual crimes, or track down criminals on the loose. Not much is known about him other than his skills. But if he was the one that found you out, why were you able to walk away? Did you escape him?”

Jabez shook his head. “He gave me a head start. He thought it’d be more interesting this way. Given that he came into the town with mercenaries – who I believe to be my old free company – it seems he wants to set the stage for a battle.”

“So that’s how it is,” said Demetra. “Bit of a flare for the dramatic. But if it’s a fight he wants, it’s a fight he’ll get.” Several warriors among the crowd cheered. Soon after, Demetra looked to everyone and said, “What’s the plan? Should we try the anglerfish maneuver on them?”

“No. Someone like Hito will see right through that,” said Jabez. “Plus we need to get our non-combatants away from the fighting. Our wagons, too, could be trouble. It’s been a risk moving with all that alcohol. If the enemy is going to be hostile from the start, there’s a chance they might fire on us with arrows. Flaming arrows.”

“This much is true,” said Reijo. “But if it’s arrows that we should fear, we need a way to defend against that.”

“I know. That’s why I propose we take the fight into the woods over yonder,” Jabez pointed. “We can hide our wagons and non-combatants using the same druidic magic you all used to hide bodies. Cover them all up in shrub and vine. Something thick enough to block an attack but still natural enough to help them blend in. The trees, too, will help defend against a rain of arrows. If we make use of the terrain, we can hit and run their forces and tear them apart one by one. Even if they fire with flaming arrows, that forest looks damp from recent rainfall. It won’t be nearly as risky.”

“But they’ll know how dangerous it will be,” said Tuuli. “We can try to bait them into the woods, but if that mercenary captain is as smart as you’ve said, he’ll never take the bait.”

“Maybe not... Unless we present bait he can’t ignore.”

“What do you mean?”

Jabez put a hand to his chest. “I’ll lure them into the woods myself.”

“What?! No way! That’s too dangerous to do alone!”

“But they’re here for me. I’m the reason you’re all caught up in this mess. It’s my responsibility to end it.”

A silence fell over the crowd. It was not as if Jabez was wrong. Samu had said as such in the past. But Jabez had helped the Hidden Grove immensely in his short time with them. He helped them better understand their enemy, come up with tactics that minimized risk to themselves and help take out potential threats. Even Jabez recognized this, but he still couldn’t let things go. Not as they were now. With as great a threat to their plans as Hito and the Company of the Spade were, Jabez was willing to put it all on the line for everyone’s sake.

“It’s not as if it were the first time we’ve dangled me from a hook at our enemy,” said Jabez. “This time will be no different. Though our tactics will differ, I’m still willing to be the bait. I’ll draw the enemy into the woods where you all will be waiting, then with druidic magic, we’ll cut off their escape routes and kill them all. Archers can fire from up above. Those with spears and blades can leap out from behind cover and strike at whoever gets too close. We’ll make sure not a single one of them leave that forest alive. And when they’re gone, we can rest easy for the remainder of our journey.”

“Then let me at least help you,” said Sullivan. “My magic can embolden your speed and durability. It can help you fend off arrows and crossbow bolts. If you’re going to be the bait, I’ll make you the hardest to catch bait they’ve ever seen.”

“Thank you,” smiled Jabez. “With your help, I’m sure we can succeed.”

Reijo then stood up, looking across the crowd. “Then let’s get moving now. We still have time on our side, so we’ll make every preparation we can. Kela, can I rely on you to keep your clan out of danger?”

“Yes, as always. Will keep everyone’s heads down. A clan specialty!” said Kela. “But Kela has ideas to help, too. Traps always useful.”

“True enough. I’ll gladly accept the help.”

“Iris, can you stay with Kela too?” asked Jabez.

The young kortu nodded. “I don’t want to burden you all, so I’ll hide with the others.”

“Hey,” Jabez got on one knee and put his hands on Iris’s shoulders. “You’re not a burden. I just don’t want you getting hurt. I doubt those mercenaries would think twice about taking you or the others hostage if they had the chance. Just keep that dagger I gave you close, okay? Don’t hesitate to defend yourself if you have to.”

“I’ll do what I can.”

“I can keep an eye on the wagons as well,” said Demetra. “I won’t stand too close, of course, but I can make sure no prying merc has the chance to find them.”

“I owe you one,” Jabez smiled at the Ajinian.

“No you don’t!” Demetra slapped Jabez on the backside, nearly toppling him over. “Didn’t I teach you anything? I’m doing this because I want to. Although if you really feel inclined, I could always use a shoulder massage!”

The Ajinian laughed, and Jabez couldn’t help but laugh with her. But imagining what it’d be like to massage someone like Demetra was... Distracting. He put it out of his mind, simply saying, “We’ll figure things out once we’re done here.”

Thus did Reijo direct the caravan into the woods nearby. Everyone followed one by one, and preparations came underway to ensnare Hito and the Company of the Spade. As Jabez sat in the grass just outside the woods while Sullivan prepared his enchantments, Tuuli approached.

“Is something wrong?” asked Jabez. “You look nervous.”

“Of course I’m nervous!” Tuuli shot Jabez a glare. “We have no idea what the enemy is capable of! But... Most of all, I’m worried about you.”

“Really? You needn’t worry about me... As I said, this is my responsibility.”

“If you really think that, then this is my responsibility too. I’m the one that took you with us when Seela and I found you that day. I’m the one that brought you before my father and the rest of the Hidden Grove. And you know... Even if we don’t always see eye to eye, I don’t regret it. That being said,” Tuuli struck Jabez over the head.

“Ow!! What the hell was that for!?” Jabez shouted.

“You’re not being fair to the others.”

“What?”

“Don’t you realize how many people care about you? No one wants to see you get hurt! If you think you have a responsibility to go into battle, then remember you also have a responsibility to make it back safely. Think of Kela, of Iris! Think about the bonds you’ve forged. And...” Tuuli lowered her voice. “Think of Demetra. I’ve seen the way you two look at each other.”

Hearing those words, Jabez felt like he’d turn beet red. And yet somehow, he felt... Calm. Almost relieved. He knew damn well that Tuuli was right. This wasn’t the time to heroically sacrifice himself. He had so much left to do. So many lives to save. So much of this world to see when it was safer. Jabez pondered the future, then he smiled.

“I know you don’t like to hear these words, but... Thank you, Tuuli. When this is all over, let me treat you to something nice.”

“Hmph!” Tuuli turned her nose up at the suggestion. “Save your gift-giving for another. I don’t do what I do for thought of reward. But... If I happen to receive something from you in the future anyway, I won’t turn it down.”

“Aaaah, I see how it is. Don’t worry, message received.”

“Shut up!!”

Tuuli struck Jabez again. Instead of a forceful strike to snap him out of his stupor, it was a gentler, almost playful blow. It reminded him of how he and his sister Sarah used to fight. Once the elf disappeared into the woods, Jabez turned his attention to Sullivan.

“Is everything about ready?”

“Yes. Enchanting you proved more difficult than I thought, but the magic should last for the whole battle. Just know that you and magic don’t seem to get along very well... There’s a chance that my spells may fizzle unexpectedly.”

“I appreciate the warning. You better get going, though. They’re almost here.”

Sullivan looked out to the empty fields, nodding. “Good eye. I sense them as well. I’ll leave you to it then. Best of luck.”

With the final member of the caravan gone, Jabez was left alone on those emerald plains. He decided to move ahead, placing himself in the middle of the grassy field. There he sat with his sword on his lap. The wind was howling, the sun was hidden by cloud cover, and a chill could be felt along his skin. Yet in that moment, Jabez felt at peace. He was ready.