Brand and Vaeol - Chapter 14

30. Lamashan,4718 - 3rd Day toward the Hall of Stars; 40th Day on Castrovel   I am lucky to be alive. Today while we crossed a gulch over a tree limb, something tried to make a meal of a Shotalashu. I had already crossed while following Lady Vaeol and Remaue, when a roar broke behind. I turned and beheld another nightmare as this jungle-world loves to breed: a too-big mouth like a giant moray and buglike eyes, and overy forty feet long. It had risen from the gulch side and had leapt up, reaved both lizard and rider in its jaws, and was trying to drag them off the limb. The Shota-rider, who is named Na-yeh, had enough mind to twirl her spear to a high, choked grip and stabbed downward into the monster’s eye. That stroke likely saved her life as the giant eel-bug flinched and loosened jaws, leaving her and her Shota-steed wounded.   Quick as a wink, not only the other warriors but also the Shotalashu bewared and struck back. The huge snakelike length had enough cunning to retreat before this mounted onslaught and slipped back into the gulch, where it faded within the gloom. The Shota, however, stayed on guard, rasping threatfully, while riders all gripped their weapons, and even Remaue and the other squire had drawn bows.   Even so, how the monster next moved so swiftly I don’t know. Something shot upward behind us, where it clutched and wrapped its length around the nearest tree-trunk. While we scrambled to get the Shota’s heads around, it struck at Lady Vaeol, but got a mouthful of her damask-steel cuirass, which saved her. Still, it almost shook her free of her steed, which would have sent her falling and lost to the hillside underneath. Happily, she kept asaddle, and it dropped her.   Then the unholy thing swerved at me. I know not whether it was hungry, vengeful at the eye-wound, or both, but it seemingly realized I was armorless, and more so unarmed. I foresaw my death in its overwide maw and gemlike eyes.   Vaeol and her steed leapt at the snake-thing’s other side. While her Shota landed its launch, she thrust her spear with both hands and their combined full weight into the monster’s scales. It writhed soundlessly, but gave off a weird sour stench, and then lashed its bulk back at her. I watched her fine damascene spear get wrenched from her hands and tumble below, while once again her Shota-lizard danced to keep claws on the bough. Undeterred, the eel-monster turned its bloody eye back at me. In Elvish I yelled for a blade, anything, though hopelessly, for I am at best a guest, and at worst a prisoner.   To my surprise, Vaeol drew a long-handled horse-axe from her belt and cast it to me. It tumbled over the awful monster’s head, and I grabbed its haft in mid-air. Right when the thing struck, I doubled my grip and brought the axe-blade hand down on its snout. Yellow blood flew, and for the first time it squawled. Then, don’t ask me how, a Shota leapt over my head and landed beside. From its back, wounded Na-yeh drove her spear a second time into the monster’s flesh. Before anything else, her Shota, also wounded, leapt from the bough and landed twenty feet off on another tree. Next, Oshis and his lizard copied the leap over my head. The burly Korasha had forsaken his spear, Instead, he buried a heavy axe-blade into its neck.    With this wound the giant eel-snake forsook the fight. It rolled off the bough, fell to the gulch side, and slithered into the underbrush. The fight ended breathlessly, shakenly, while all watched to ensure the hunting monster was truly gone. Then Na-yeh, now that the fright-thrill was worn off, toppled in her saddle while her Shota-steed almost did likewise. Hurriedly the others got them off the tree-limb and to solid ground on the other side, where Lady Vaeol healed them. Then she and Remaue went back to the gulch to retrieve her spear. Instead of climbing down (which could have been risky), I witnessed them wield their power. While their brow-feelers quivered, the dropped spear lifted upward as if magically, and floated to their grasp. Vaeol seemed relieved, which weapon, judging by its craftsmanship, is a treasured piece.   Some riders eyed the monster's trail into the thicket, and I could tell they were weighing hunting the wounded foe down. Yet after some discussion they relented, and instead we found a safe campstead.     13. Vinelae, 24,535 - 3rd day afare to Mt. Shestaru   Yesterday we had taken to the foothill treepaths. Today we met a mountain-eel that lurked below the treepaths and tried to grab a Shotalashu from underneath. Nae its rider bewared and speared it. When it fought back, we others ringed about and struck. Our Shota roared, hissed, and strove to get at the wild-thing, which slithered under the limbs.   Then against all outlook, the mountain-eel sprang upward, landed upon the tree-trunk overhead, and struck downward at us. It snapped at me and broke teeth on my breastplate, though I had a smart scare when Ess and I almost fell to death. Then it swung at Brand and maybe even reckoned him easier meat. Ess and I brunted forth. My spear stuck the eel’s flank. Then it flailed, and Ess again almost lost his clawhold on the limb, and I lost my spear.   While we strove against falling, Brand begged for a weapon. At last in hopelessness I threw him my handaxe, whereby he smote the eel’s snout. Then, ere it struck, Nae and Oshis closed and struck. After two more wounds and other riders and readying to strike, it took the drop and fled to the Darkfloor. Whether it outlived I know not, but it will lick its wounds.   We were lucky we had lost none. So we healed wounds, both riders and shota, and drew my lost spear up from the gulch. We camped soon as we could and now rest, though I did get my axe back from Brand.     31. Lamashan - 4th Day toward the Hall of Stars, 41st Day on Castrovel   Something happened today, small yet hinting deep. I was coming back to camp (a waystead that I’m guessing is often used by travelers on this road) and walked by where my Shota-steed was grazing on some fronds. As mentioned before, Remaue has been leading my riding-lizard, who has treated me with palpable scorn since I am unable to drive it myself. Now, however, it halted grazing, swerved, and swiped its bearlike head at me. I staggered and almost feared attack, except that its mouth stayed shut, over those fearsome teeth. It then looked at me, and then pressed its brow against my shoulder. On a whim I scratched its neck, whereat it stretched forth and rumbled. After a few moments I stopped, but pressed my luck by plucking a large and juicy fiddlehead and offering it to the beast, who happily munched it. I almost dared believe I had made a friend.   Then I bewared Erymi and Oshis watching me. The two sergeants had seen the whole exchange and now nodded at me. I remembered an old folk-saw from youth, that one should never trust a man whom a dog mistrusts. Conversely, I felt I had passed some trial with the Shotalashu finally accepting me.       1 Neth - 5th Day toward the Hall of Stars; a Village, 42nd Day on Castrovel   We have arrived at a small mountain settlement, which is apparently our last stop before the Hall of Stars. Earlier, Lady Vaeol showed me a gate on the village’s outskirt, through which begins a stone stairway that leads up the mountainside. Also, henceforth we shall not go on Shota-back but afoot.   Along with our climb into the mountains, the trees at this height are noticeably smaller, which means a home-tree seldom holds more than one house. This village is a whimsical motley of both tree-houses and stone buildings, hewed and stacked from quarries near at hand. More importantly, however, it has a true tavern or inn, and it serves the first ale I’ve had in all my while here, a rich braggety malt that mixes a smoky honey taste into the brew. I have enjoyed the wine I‘ve drunken here, but am grateful for something heartier.   We will climb the stairway tomorrow while half the troop stays and minds the Shotalashu.       15. Vinelae, 24,535 - 5th day afare to Ta-Shestaru; Viafill   Today we reached Viafill at the foot of Ta-Shestaru. Happily, the weather is good, and the headwife forelooks it will stay so. I am thrilled at thought of coming back to the Hall of Stars after so many years.   A guide from the Hall, a Korasha named Dehass, was already awaiting and will lead us tomorrow up the mountain.