The book, characters, and artwork are (c) Ronald J. Lebeck (that's me).

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Chapter 04 - The Outpost

After having a good nap, I awakened in the afternoon with Red Moon lying next to me snuffling and twitching--she was having a dream. I just lie there watching her move and make little noises until she calmed down when the dream ended. When her breathing returned to normal and she was lying peacefully, I kissed Red Moon awake.

"Good morning, dear," I said smiling.

"Yawn. Morning?" she looked questioningly at me. I stuck my tongue out at her and chuckled.

"Okay, now I know you're feeling better," Red Moon said as she put an arm around my neck. "Come here, you!"

"I suppose we should get up and do something," I said after a while.

"I think we did already, dear," Red Moon said teasingly.

"I mean maybe we should eat something, and then go have a good scrub. After that, we should get everything and everyone rounded up to head out," I said.

"Sigh, I suppose so. I guess we have everything more or less ready. I wonder what Dahmietra and Warri have been up to since we've been napping," Red Moon said.

"Hmm, youngsters left alone to their own devices...probably something nefarious, no doubt," I said with a sly grin.

"The den is still standing, and it seems quiet...," Red Moon gave me an equally sly grin of her own.

"Think we should go check on them?" Red Moon asked.

I got up and held my hand out to Red Moon.

She sighed and took my hand and I pulled her up, "Come on, dear, we better go have a look."

We found Dahmietra and Warri out front where they had been the whole time since I came back. As soon as Dahmietra saw me, she got up, threw her arms around me, and gave me a hug.

"I was worried about you when you came home. Are you okay now?" she asked.

I hugged her in return and chuckled, "Yes, quite all right now. So, have you and Warri been keeping yourselves occupied this whole time?" I inquired.

"We've been right here," Dahmietra said, "and we've been thinking about getting something to eat."

"Interesting that you should mention food, because we were thinking the same thing," Red Moon said.

"After we eat, I suppose a good scrubbing will be in order before we round everyone up and head out this evening. Warri, why don't you go ahead and get your travel things and bring them here while Red Moon and I find us something to eat," I suggested.

"Is it okay if I go with Warri to get his things?" Dahmietra asked.

I looked at Red Moon and she nodded her head.

"It's okay with us, dear," I said.

"We shall return shortly, Sire," Warri said.

We watched for a while as they walked down the path and noticed that they were walking together as if they were long-time friends.

"Seems like she's already made a friend, doesn't it, dear?" Red Moon observed.

I put my arm around Red Moon's shoulders and smiled.

"I believe so. Now then, let's go see what we still have to eat around here."

After Dahmietra and Warri returned from fetching his things for the journey, we ate what food we had left (no sense in leaving anything behind to spoil while we would be gone) and then went to the bath house to get the last good soaking bath that we were likely to have for the next two or three moons. After we had finished, we made a quick trip over to Grimm Tooth's to let him and Foxfire know that we were ready to head out whenever they and the others were. As we were arriving, so was the other four who were going with us: Brown Leaf, Night Song, Smoke Fire, and Snow Spear.

"Looks like we're all here, are all of the supplies packed and ready?" I asked.

"Everything is ready," Grimm said.

"Right, might as well get started...we'll swing by our den to pick up our things and then we head for that outpost."

We gathered up the supplies, distributed them among us, and headed towards our den so that Red Moon, Dahmietra, Warri, and I could get our things. As we were walking up the path leading to the den, we noticed that the other villagers were starting to come out and were watching us. We reached our den and gathered up our things. I situated Battle Fang so that I could also carry my bow and quiver of arrows, and Red Moon strapped on her large hunting knife and got her staff. Dahmietra just had her little knife and the same stick I had given her to walk with when we first entered The Great Forest and Warri had a spear with two points that was common among the lake clans. When all was set, I closed up the den and we all started towards the main path. By the time we made the center of the village, it looked like everyone had turned out to send us off.

We stopped before Lore Master Spirit Feather and the other Lore Masters who had led the crowd.

"Dahmietra, we know the journey that you are about to take will not be an easy one for you. Mist Runner is with you because he chose to be your protector of his own free will; the others accompany you and him because of love, friendship, or loyalty. Our thoughts and prayers are with you child, and with all in your party. May you return safely to us, Dahmietra."

"Thank you, Master Spirit Feather," Dahmietra said as he gave her a hug.

"Mist Runner, we will keep watch for you--we have sent word ahead to the defender outpost that you are coming. If you have not returned in three quarters of moon's time, we will send a hunting party towards the village of Cedar Knoll to search for you. If you should run into trouble, help won't be far away."

"Thank you, Sire. I hope we don't, but it is always best to be prepared, just in case," I said.

Lore Mistress Fire Weaver pulled me aside for a moment to hand me something.

"Mist Runner, these potions should help you and Dahmietra when Foxfire gives her grand performance. Since the two of you will undoubtedly be very close, her effect on you will be much more intense. This should help you to keep enough of your wits about you so that you can make your exit. I don't know how long the potion will work for, so you should take it just before you go in front of her people."

"Thank you Mistress," I said and quickly tucked the two bottles in my bag.

"Mist Runner...please be careful, your mother still worries about you, dear."

"I know you do," I said giving her a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek.

Because of her position, I have to treat my dam the same as everyone else does while in public, even if we are family.

"Let's go, Dahmietra...destiny awaits us," I said with a grin. "Grimm! Let's move out! Coming, dear?" I asked Red Moon.

"Right beside you," she said smiling.

Brown leaf took the lead along with Night Song, then Red Moon and me, followed by Dahmietra and Warri, Grimm Tooth and Foxfire, and Smoke Fire and Snow Spear bringing up the rear. As we headed out the whole village broke out into song and everyone was waving at us. We waved back until we cleared the crowd then picked up the pace a little. The villagers kept singing a parting song until we had passed from sight. When we could no longer see the village, we stopped for a moment and howled our goodbyes--even Dahmietra joined in, though she had no idea what she was saying in our tongue. To her, it was just howling...and she blissfully howled right along, much to everyone's amusement.

We made good time, considering that we were limited to how fast Dahmietra could walk. We stopped every couple of hours for rest breaks until it got too dark for Dahmietra to see and then we made camp for the night. We took turns standing watch in pairs...not that we really needed to post a watch during the night while still in The Great Forest, but Grimm thought it would be prudent to get into the habit quickly, and I agreed. We were going to be gone for a while so it would be a good thing to get into practice...once we cleared The Forest, there would be no telling what we might run into. We ate a little first then everyone settled down for some rest while Grimm and I took the first watch.

"Just like old times, eh, Grimm?" I asked in a low voice.

"Almost," he replied.

I could tell that he was concerned about Foxfire. This is the first time that she will be heading into the area controlled by the Wastelanders, and she doesn't know what to expect. Red Moon hadn't traveled much lately, but she could hold her own if she had to; Warri, of course, had not yet been on a hunt, let alone a trip of this nature. What he lacked in experience, Warri made up for in youthful determination. The four defenders were all well trained and experienced, and both Grimm and I had more leagues under our feet than we cared to admit. And then there was Dahmietra...the poor child was not going to have an easy time of it, but she was determined to see this through.

The trip to the outpost was an uneventful one, and we arrived before dark on the third day. We saw that the boats we would be using were there already, tied up to the dock next to the bridge across the small river. The outpost itself was built off the ground and up into the living trees. A dense thicket of thorny bushes, vines, and fireweed surrounded the area beneath the outpost. Fireweed is an obnoxious plant that oozes an oily liquid that produces a very painful burning sensation if you touch it. It's difficult to remove the oily sap once it gets on you...and you don't even want to think about burning it to get rid of it. Nearly every animal that has had the unfortunate experience of coming into contact with fireweed immediately regrets it and won't soon forget the painful encounter.

Grimm Tooth announced our arrival as soon as we sighted the outpost and the watch answered him quickly. As we crossed the bridge, Dahmietra looked in awe at the structures built up into the trees--she had never seen anything like it before. The main reasons why it was built the way it was, was so that if the river ever flowed over its banks the outpost would not be flooded, it provided a good view of the surrounding area and also made it much more defensible. The trees supporting it were huge and ancient, and great care had been taken so as not to cause harm to them. Branches and trunks were simply built around, and the whole affair was made to flex as the trees moved and grew. This time of year the leaves of the trees hid much of the structures from view, making it difficult for those on the ground to see those above unless they were directly underneath.

"So, Grimm...just how do we get up there from here?" I asked.

"They will lower some stairs from one of the lower platforms for us to come up," he replied.

"Well, that would certainly make it rather difficult for anyone to get up there in force, though I can see one drawback to it," I said.

"Oh, and what might that be?"

"Did you notice the fireweed growing around and in that thicket?" I asked.

"What about it?" Grimm asked in return.

"If any of the Wastelanders come and were to set fire to it, where do you suppose that the smoke is going to go?" While Grimm was thinking about it, I continued. "It certainly isn't going to go down into some hole in the ground...and this is far enough inside the forest so that there won't be a lot of wind. Just what do you think they're going to do up there once that smoke envelops them? _I_certainly wouldn't want to be caught in it! And where are they going to go, down into the thick of it? That fireweed might be good if any attackers stayed on the ground, didn't wear layers of loose clothing that could be removed in a pinch, and didn't decide to set fire to it and then back off a safe distance and let the smoke totally incapacitate everyone in screaming agony. Sheer idiocy, if you ask me...and it's hard to get rid of once it gets rooted."

Grimm, rubbing his chin for a moment, agreed.

"I see your point. That should be brought up with those in charge. And since when did you become so interested in such things?" Grimm asked me.

"My friend, I've been hanging around you for way too long not to notice," I said with a chuckle.

We approached a defender who was standing watch just under the lowest platform in the trees. There was a slender rope near him hanging down from above, and a small round hut nearby. The small hut was mostly for temporary storage, but it also doubled as a guard shack of sorts.

"Ayooo! Good evening to you!" the guard called out to us. "What brings you to our outpost?"

"I am Mist Runner, from the village of Hope's Spring. My friends and I are to meet Boat Master Yureel of Bridge Rock Cove...is he still here, by chance?"

The guard looked at a slate and said, "Yes, he and his party are still here and they are expecting you, Sire."

He gave the rope a couple of tugs and we could hear a jingling sound above. There was some movement on the platform above, a shout of "Heads up below!" and then a wooden stairway was lowered on ropes to the ground.

"Will you and your party be staying with us for the night, Sire?" the guard asked.

"What do you think?" I asked to everyone.

"Sire, if I may, it might be best to wait until morning so that we can better judge the river downstream," Warri suggested.

Grimm gave a quick nod and the others didn't seem to mind, so I indicated to the guard that we would be staying for the night.

"Hey, Birdsong, these folk will be staying tonight! Find 'em a place, eh?" he shouted up to one of the others.

"On it!" she replied.

"Sire, if I could get the names of everyone..." the guard had his slate ready to write. We each gave him our name, though when Dahmietra gave her name he paused and looked at her intently.

"You speak like a Wastelander...what brings you into our lands?"

Before Dahmietra could say anything, Grimm interceded.

"I am Grimm Tooth of Hope's Spring, youth...this female is with us, and her business is our business and none of yours. That is all you are required to know." Grimm lowered his head so that he was nearly nose-to-nose with the guard, staring at him directly in the eyes. Lowering his voice a notch, he asked, "Am I understood, youth?"

The poor chap was scared and didn't know what to think...like all of the defenders in these parts, he knew of Grimm Tooth and here he was standing nose-to-nose with him and seemingly none too pleased. The guard dropped his ears and averted his face in submission.

"Y-y-yes Sire!" he managed to stammer.

Grimm Tooth slowly flexed his huge muscles, making his armor creak noticeably, drawing it out for maximum effect.

"Good. I will inform the watch captain that his training has become...lax; his sentries seem to not know the difference between taking names of visitors and conducting interrogations." Grimm straightened himself. "Continue," Grimm ordered and then ushered Dahmietra over to the stairs and waited with me until the others finished giving their names.

Dahmietra looked up at Grimm who stood there with arms crossed apparently staring at the guard. However, Grimm saw Dahmietra looking at him out of the corner of his eye, so he gave her a quick wink.

When everyone had given the guard their name and made sure that it had been written down properly, we went up the stairs to the lower platform. The one called Birdsong led us up a few more levels to some unused sleeping quarters and then went off to go find Boat Master Yureel to let him know that we had arrived. We each found a place to set our gear down at and relax for a short while.

Dahmietra sat down next to me and asked, "How come Grimm Tooth was so hard on that guard?"

"Well, because it's not the guard's job to question people why they are here or what their business is, and he should know what his duties are," I said. "Just because this place is away from any villages, it doesn't mean that they can just simply start doing whatever they want. Grimm caught that guard doing something he wasn't supposed to be doing so he let him know, in no uncertain terms, that he did wrong."

"But shouldn't the people who run this place do that?" Dahmietra asked.

"Yes, however, Grimm is actually their superior," I replied.

"I thought he was just in charge of the ones in the village," Dahmietra said.

"He is...and also of others," I said.

"Your friend must have a lot of responsibility."

"He does, Dahmietra...and he's quite good at what he does. Grimm and I both have spent a lot of time developing the training methods--seeing what works and what doesn't and why."

"You also?" Dahmietra sounded surprised.

"Grimm and I have known each other since we were cublings, and we've been the best of friends since. We've helped each other along the way."

"I don't doubt that," Dahmietra said with a smile.

Birdsong returned in a short while after she had found where Boat Master Yureel was.

"Sire Mist Runner, if you will come with me, please, I will take you to Boat Master Yureel now."

"Be with you in just a moment."

I got up and went over to Grimm.

"I'm going to go meet with Yureel and I'll take Warri with me. We should see about getting something to eat now that we have a place to stay for the night."

"Okay, I'll keep an eye on the pups while you two are off doing that. I'll ask Night Song if she can find where to eat at around here," Grimm said.

"Good," I said, "I don't think we will be gone long." Heading for the door I called out, "Warri, you're with me."

We followed Birdsong up to another level and across a footbridge linking it to another platform. She brought us to what looked like a storeroom and said that she would wait outside for us. Upon entering the room, we found Boat Master Yureel and one of his underlings were going over the items therein, checking them off on a list as they were being inspected.

"Ah, you made it!" Yureel called out.

"We haven't been here long," I said, "though we're planning on staying the night and then head out in the morning."

"I have your boats down by the bridge, plus I have something for the young lad from his parents," Yureel said. He picked up a bundle that was sitting away from everything else in the room. "Here you go, lad...a little something from home," Yureel said with a grin as he handed the bundle to Warri.

"Thank you, Sire. This is a rather pleasant surprise...please give my parents my thanks when you return home," Warri said.

"Will do, lad," Yureel said.

"I just wanted to stop by and let you know that we're here. We should be getting back with the others; we'll be eating soon and turning in early tonight. We'll meet up with you around sunrise, if that will be acceptable," I said to Yureel.

"Certainly, sunrise it is, then. A good evening to all," Yureel said.

As we were heading back to our quarters for the night, I asked Birdsong how long she has been assigned here.

"Oh, almost six moons now," she said.

"Do you like it?" I asked.

Birdsong glanced at me and said, "It takes a little getting used to, being up off the ground like this. Once you get used to it, it's not so bad."

"Has there been anything going on with the Wastelanders lately that you've heard of?" I asked.

Birdsong thought for a moment as we crossed the footbridge between platforms.

"No, Sire, it's been rather quiet...in fact, we haven't seen any movement along the edge of The Forest in this area."

"Hmm, that's a bit strange. There is a trade route not far from here...and no one has seen any movement along it recently?"

"No Sire, not even so much as a farmer."

We came to the stairs and went down to our level. When we arrived back at our room, I thanked Birdsong for everything and she went on her way.

"Warri, I don't know about you, but it seems rather odd that there has been no movement along that trade route lately."

"Yes, Sire, it does...it is one of the major trade routes, which is why this outpost is here. Do you think this is a bad sign?"

"Well, there could be any number of reasons why there hasn't been any movement along the route for a while. I hope we'll know more once we get to Cedar Knoll and I can talk to the innkeeper," I said cautiously.

"I hope there won't be any trouble waiting for us," Warri said.

I patted him on the shoulder, "All we can do is hope for the best and be ready for the worst...whatever happens will be somewhere between those two."

While Warri and Mist Runner were gone, Grimm sent Night Song off in search of something to eat while the others settled in. Foxfire was in a corner near her brother apparently trying to meditate (not that it was doing much good, but she was trying anyway), Grimm was quietly talking with Snow Spear while Brown Leaf and Smoke fire were busy relaxing by playing a game of chance. Dahmietra was casually observing everyone while slowly munching on a piece of dried fruit. Red Moon brushed her fur as best as she could, then she stretched out on her bedroll and closed her eyes.

Dahmietra had been trying to watch others ever since Mist Runner had told her about paying attention to the subtle clues (and not so subtle ones) that can give you an idea what they are thinking or feeling. Grimm, for example, usually kept his facial expression blank and each movement seemed calculated and purposeful...though, she had noted that at times a little window would open and something would come out--a grin or a frown, or a chuckle or some other thing that would show that he did indeed have emotions. When she saw Grimm and Mist Runner together in a more private setting, Grimm seemed to relax more and was more expressive. Around the village, Mist Runner by comparison, was much more relaxed and gently expressive; while traveling, however, he was alert and more purposeful (though he still had his sense of humor). Red Moon didn't bother with hiding what she was feeling, and Foxfire...well, she was in a class of her own. The other four defenders were a mixed bag: Brown Leaf was generally soft spoken and easy going, but she always seemed acutely aware of everything; Night Song was wily and tended to speak her mind; Smoke Fire spoke very little; and Snow Spear seemed like a seasoned veteran--a no-nonsense, dependable and steady individual. Then there was Warri. He seemed like everything she thought she might like in a boy, only he was just...so...different.

Red Moon suddenly perked her ears up and popped her eyes open. Everyone else in the room stopped what they were doing and looked towards the door...it took Foxfire a little longer than everyone else, but Dahmietra saw her ears move, trying to catch a sound. She herself didn't hear anything, but if everyone else was alert, then there was probably a good reason to be. Dahmietra strained to hear whatever it was that got everyone else's attention...after a few moments she thought she heard...voices? She watched Red Moon who listened intently for a little while longer, then relaxed a little. Dahmietra thought she could tell that there were more than one person outside the door, but wasn't sure how many. When the door opened she could see why Red Moon seemed to relax a bit--it was Mist Runner and Warri, they had returned from talking with Boat Master Yureel.

I looked at Red Moon as I came into the room and the smile on her face quickly changed to a look of concern.

I went to the center of the room and said quietly, "Everybody gather around...we learned something on the way back."

They all exchanged glances and Grimm raised an eyebrow as they got up to stand closer.

"As Warri and I were on our way back from seeing Boat Master Yureel, I struck up a conversation with Birdsong. I asked if there had been anything going on with the Wastelanders lately, and she said that it has been rather quiet along the edge of The Forest in this area, and that they have not seen so much as a farmer on the road. This is very strange because a major trade route runs right past here, which is the reason why this outpost was built and why it's been considered to be turned into a trading post. Now, we have no idea why there has been no movement along the route--could be due to say, a bridge out somewhere and people are having to take a different way, or there might be any number of other reasons. I hope that we can find out more in the village of Cedar Knoll when I can talk to the innkeeper there that I know. He's always been a good source of information, so if something out of the ordinary is going on, he'll know. Boat Master Yureel agreed to meet us down by the bridge about sunrise, so...," I stopped talking and listened.

Everyone else heard it too--someone was approaching and making a lot of noise. Grimm went to stand beside the door and Snow Spear grabbed his spear. Dahmietra saw everyone's hands go to the hilt of their daggers and she nearly jumped out of her skin when she felt a hand slip around her waist from behind. Dahmietra turned around and saw that it was Foxfire who had put her arm around her waist. Red Moon looked back at Foxfire and saw that she had pulled Dahmietra towards the back of the room. Red Moon nodded to Foxfire and then turned her own attention to the door. Warri, not having been trained as a warrior, remembered his instructions and quietly slipped back to be with Dahmietra and Foxfire. His hand was on his own knife, just in case. Dahmietra felt the wave of Foxfire's influence washing over her, though this time it was more of a motherly feeling...like the time Foxfire had held her. Dahmietra reached out, took hold of Warri's left hand, and squeezed it.

She felt his presence in her mind and thought, "What's going on, Warri? Why is everyone like this?"

Warri answered back, "We are in a strange place and so we are more cautious."

"But we're still within The Great Forest and this is an outpost of your warriors," she thought back.

"Even so, don't forget that we are here to protect you at all costs," he replied mentally. "Every one of us, even Dam Foxfire and I, will do whatever is necessary."

Warri looked at Dahmietra and she saw the determination in his eyes. She looked up at Foxfire who smiled back. Dahmietra just happened to notice that something was holding back the fuzziness that she had felt before when Foxfire was so close to her. This was different from when Mist Runner pulled her back from it.

"Warri, are you somehow blocking Foxfire's effect on me?"

"I'm trying to," he thought back. "Don't know how long I can do this."

She could sense the strain in his thoughts.

There were heavy footsteps outside the door and then a thud, followed by some mild cursing.

"Ayooo! Somebody get the door, will ya? I got food out here!"

Grimm quickly looked at everyone in the room and then opened the door. Night Song was there, bent over a large iron kettle sitting on the floor with a bag tossed over her shoulder.

"None of these fool tail-for-brains offered to help carry this thing all the way over here! It's not exactly the easiest thing to carry up and down stairs, and across swaying footbridges, while carrying a full bag of stuff and trying not to singe your fur in the process! Why I wouldn't doubt these tree-swinging miscreants were taking bets to see if I pitched over the side and ended up going splat on the ground with my head stuck in a pot of hot stew! Why, I'd..."

Grimm Tooth interrupted, "Night Song!"

"...I'd...yes, Sire?"

"You made your point."

Grimm pulled her into the room and then grabbed the bail of the kettle, lifting it with one hand and brought it in, shutting the door behind him. Night Song looked around the room at everyone and got a puzzled look on her face.

"What's going on?" she asked.

Snow Spear put the butt of his spear on the floor, holding it like a staff, and said, "You were making so much of a ruckus out there that we thought there might be trouble."

"Nobody's seen anything of my people along the trade route near edge of The Forest for some time, supposedly not even the local farmers," Dahmietra piped up, making her way towards the middle of the room.

"Hmm, the cooks said something a while ago that I thought seemed strange," Night Song said.

"What did you hear, Night Song?" I asked.

"Well, Sire, they were talking about the amount of supplies they've been getting lately. Apparently, they've been getting more dried, smoked and salted foods from the lake clans...a lot more. And other stores, too."

Grimm and I exchanged looks.

"I should pay a visit to those in charge," Grimm said.

"Agreed. However, let's eat first, and then I'll go with you," I said.

Grimm nodded his head once.

"Alright, everyone, chow time," I announced.

"Seems to be a pattern here, Grimm," I said while we ate together. "The guard pointedly asking Dahmietra why she was here, what Birdsong told Warri and I, and what those cooks told Night Song...I don't like it."

"Neither do I," agreed Grimm.

"Dahmi, is there anything you can think of that might explain why your people haven't been seen this summer?" Red Moon asked.

Dahmietra thought for a bit, and then slowly shook her head.

"No, there are no holy days or other special observances that might account for it. Not during this summer," she replied, "unless there is a plague or bandits or a war brewing, I can't think of any other reason."

"A war...that High Cleric said that it was a possibility. I hope we're not going to be walking into an even greater stinger's nest than we feared," I said.

"Maybe we will get lucky when you talk to that innkeeper," Red Moon said.

"Lore Master Spirit Feather told me before we left that they had not only sent word ahead to this place that we were coming, but also in three quarters of a moon's time they were going to send a hunting part towards Cedar Knoll to search for us in case we needed help," I said.

"Hmm, if they supposedly knew that we were coming, then that guard should have known. Another issue I need to discuss with the ones in charge," Grimm said as his assessment of those same individuals just lowered another notch.

"At least Night Song was able to get the cooks to provide us with something to eat," Foxfire said cheerfully.

"That she did, Foxfire, that she did...and, it's...warm," I said giving the contents of my bowl a dubious look.

"We've had better trail rations," Grimm commented, giving the contents of his own bowl an equally dubious look.

Warri gave his a couple of sniffs and set his bowl down. He got up, went over to his things, and retrieved the large bundle that his parents sent to him. We all watched with interest as he untied the thongs binding it and opened it. The main item was wrapped separately, so he untied its bindings and opened it. Inside were stacks of squares of some dark colored substance that had an interesting scent. Warri handed out a square to each of us and then closed up the wrapping.

"What is it, Warri?" Red Moon asked, sniffing hers.

"My clan eats this on long boat trips and also keeps it for emergencies. It's made from dried meat, fat, berries, and some herbs. It's quite good and can be stored for long periods. Just one of these squares a day will sustain a person," Warri explained.

I bit into the one I was given and tasted it.

"M-m-m, this is pretty good! Chewy, but I like it."

Red Moon tried hers and nodded her head enthusiastically. "You're right, dear, this_is_ good!"

Everybody was trying some of their squares and soon they agreed.

"Sure tastes better than this slop that I lugged all the way here!" Night Song proclaimed to some chuckles.

"Hey Warri, what do you call this stuff?" Brown Leaf asked.

"We just call it 'boat rations'...I can get you different recipes for it if you'd like," he replied.

"Is it difficult to make?" Grimm asked.

"No, just takes a few days to dry the meat and berries," Warri replied.

"Perhaps we should consider making some and keeping it on hand," Grimm suggested.

"That's a good idea," I agreed.

After we finished our meal, Grimm and I went to see those in charge of the outpost to try to find out what was going on, leaving Snow Spear in charge of the group. We went back to where we came up from the ground and found that the stairs had been pulled up and secured for the night so those who had been there to lower and raise it were no longer needed and had been relieved of their duties. Grimm and I walked around until we found someone who could tell us how to find the ones in charge. We made our way to one level above the room we were staying in and on the far end, near the footbridge to the next platform. The room had a window and we saw light coming through the shutters, so I knocked on the door. There was no immediate answer so I knocked a second time.

"Yes, what is it?" someone asked in a somewhat annoyed voice.

"We need to speak with you," I replied.

"Come back in the morning after first meal, I'm...busy!"

"Is that so?" I said so only Grimm could hear me.

Grimm and I exchanged annoyed looks and then he reached for the door handle--it was locked. Grimm quietly snarled and then proceeded to rip the door handle out of the door and throw the door open. He stood with the remains of the door handle in his hand, glaring at the now very surprised individual who spoke (and who, incidentally, was not alone).

"Your door handle...it is defective," he said as he dropped it onto the floor. "On your feet, Thornbrier!" Grimm snarled. "You there!" Grimm said pointing to the female whom had been the reason for Thornbrier being 'busy'. "Leave us."

The frightened female grabbed her cloak and quickly left.

"Thornbrier, well, what a surprise...I thought you were still up in the Northern Reaches after our last meeting," I said coming around Grimm to face outpost's leader.

"S-S-Sire G-G-Grimm T-T-Tooth! S-S-Sire M-M-Mist R-R-Runner!"

Thornbrier managed to stutter. Thornbrier looked like he had put on weight since the last time I saw him about ten turns of the seasons ago...a fact that did not escape Grimm's notice either.

"You are eating as if you were still in the Northern Reaches, while sitting on your tail being 'entertained', I see," Grimm said caustically.

Two defenders came to the door of the office and peered in to see what was going on. I sensed their presence and called them in.

"You two, come, I have an errand for each of you," I ordered.

I sent one to bring the second in command and the other to fetch the scribe with writing materials and a scroll tube.

Grimm looked at me shaking his head, "I see that I am going to have to spend some time at this outpost to get it into the operational shape it should be in." I agreed.

"I will also make it a point to have my assistant find out why this tail-for-brains was put in charge of anything larger than a small hunting party," Grimm said.

I cracked a grin.

In a short while, the second in command, Rock Jumper, entered the room with the scribe.

As soon as he saw Grimm, Rock Jumper snapped to attention, "Rock Jumper, reporting as ordered, Sire!"

The scribe, not being one of the defenders, took a more submissive stance.

"What's your name?" Grimm asked of the scribe.

"Barkberry, Sire," she replied.

"I need you to take a note to my assistant," Grimm ordered.

"Yes Sire, just a moment if you please," she said.

Barkberry took a seat and got ready to write. When she was ready, Grimm proceeded.

Grey Spike,

Effective immediately, Thornbrier is relieved of his duties and is to proceed to Hope's Spring where he will remain until he successfully completes one standard training cycle, and then is to be transferred to White Peaks for further training under Shadow Mist. Thornbrier's escorts are to be permitted three days rest and provisions before returning to their post. Also effective immediately, Rock Jumper is temporarily assigned as leader of his current outpost until further notice.

Grimm Tooth, Alpha Defender

Eastern Forest Clans

When the scribe, Barkberry, had finished writing the note, she rolled it up, placed it in a scroll tube, and handed it to Grimm Tooth so that he could place his seal upon it. Grimm motioned to the two defenders who were waiting by the door to come forward.

"I want you two to draw whatever rations you need, grab your kits and then escort Thornbrier to Hope's Spring at a hunting pace. You will give these orders to no one except to Grey Spike himself. See to it that the tube remains sealed until you hand it to my assistant, and that Thornbrier keeps up. You are not to deviate from your orders, is that clear?"

"Yes, Sire!" they both said in unison.

"Good, you are to leave within the hour. Oh, and Thornbrier...you may take your 'friend' with you to your new duty assignment if she agrees. You are dismissed!"

Thornbrier was totally mortified, but he knew not to argue with Grimm Tooth. With ears lowered and tail between his legs, he left the room to gather what he could take with him. He could send for the rest later.

"Now that that unfortunate business has been dealt with, Rock Jumper we need everything you know about what has been going on with the Wastelanders lately," I said.

"Yes, Sire. Barkberry, would you please get the patrol logs for the past three moons? Oh, and would you also have some tea sent up for our guests?"

"Yes, Sire, right away," she said and then quickly left.

A short time later Barkberry arrived carrying scrolls along with an orderly who brought a pot of tea and drinking bowls. We had the orderly stay while Rock Jumper proceeded to tell us what he knew about the activities of the Wastelanders in the area near The Great Forest. We got to looking at the scrolls and I had an idea.

"Grimm, think maybe we should have Warri take a look through these?"

"Couldn't hurt, I suppose," Grimm said.

"Orderly, go to our quarters and tell Warri that we could use his help going through these records," I instructed.

He left quickly and I returned my attention to Rock Jumper.

"So, there has been no activity along the trade route for how long?" I asked.

"At the beginning of spring there was the usual increase in activity as people began to sell their wares made during the winter, but then towards the beginning of summer the usual activity dropped off to the point where only the local farmers were moving along the road. However, for the past moon and a half, there has been next to nothing. We don't know what might be the cause...the road seems to be open as far as we've dared to look in either direction," Rock Jumper explained.

"Has anyone thought to ask the locals along the route if they have heard of anything?" I asked.

"I'm not sure, Sire. Thornbrier wouldn't allow me to look at the patrol logs."

Grimm and I looked at each other in amazement.

"Why not?" I demanded to know.

"Unknown, Sire," Rock Jumper replied, "though I know that he has been ordering more supplies, and also had our people plant fireweed around the compound...I told him it was foolish, but he insisted that it would keep anyone from trying to sneak through the thickets."

"One of the last times the Wastelanders attacked us, they tried to burn us out. If they were to attack this outpost the same way, do you know what the smoke from all of that burning fireweed would do to everyone in this outpost?" I asked sharply.

The thought of that happening caused both Rock Jumper and Barkberry to gasp in horror.

"I see that you comprehend," Grimm said. "Have your people begin work on trying to eradicate that fireweed--it'll have to be dug out, more than likely. Make sure they protect themselves as best as they can, then haul it out of The Forest and destroy it, along with whatever protective clothing they wore."

"Yes, Sire, I'll have a detail start work on it in the morning," Rock Jumper said.

After Mist Runner and Grimm Tooth left to see those in charge, Night Song lugged the iron kettle out of the room and sat it outside the door, thinking someone would come along and take it back to the kitchen. The stew, they all found out was not very good and therefore did not eat much of it. The bag that she brought contained fruits and dried provisions, so everyone divided it up--with equal amounts reserved for both Mist Runner and Grimm Tooth. Snow Spear and Night Song moved closer to the door and engaged in small talk, while Brown Leaf laid on her bedroll and rested. Smoke Fire waxed the drawstring for his bow and then laid down on his own bedroll. Foxfire quietly hummed a tune to herself while she brushed her fur; Red Moon brushed Dahmietra's long hair and Warri made entries into the journal he was keeping of the journey. After a while, Night Song's ears perked up and she listened for a moment.

"Someone's coming," she said quietly.

"I hear them," Snow Spear said, "one person walking quickly."

Soon there was a knock at the door, Snow Spear opened it, and the orderly greeted him.

"Sorry to bother you, but Sires Mist Runner and Grimm Tooth requests the assistance of one of your party named Warri in going over some records," the orderly explained.

"Warri, looks like you're needed lad," Snow Spear announced.

He put his journal away in his bag and gave a quizzical look to both Dahmietra and Red Moon as he got up to leave. Snow Spear motioned to Warri to come over.

"The person outside was apparently sent by Sires Mist Runner and Grimm Tooth to come get you. He said that they needed your help with going over some records or such."

Warri nodded his head and headed off with the orderly. He hoped this wasn't going to take long because he was going to need a good night's rest. Tomorrow he was going to have to show nine others how to enter, leave and paddle or oar the boats who had never done it before.

"It's going to be a long day tomorrow," he thought to himself.

As Warri was following the orderly to where Mist Runner and Grimm Tooth were, he met three others along the way--two were clearly defenders who seemed to be escorting an older third, one in front of, and one behind. As they approached, Warri noticed the orderly turned his head away and held his hand up to cover his eyes. Even though Warri wasn't trained as a warrior, he surmised that the one being escorted must have done something very wrong. He remembered that when he saw more than one defender walking together, the one with the higher rank walked in front. It was also peculiar in that the orderly purposely turned away and covered his eyes. That clearly wasn't a sign of respect. Not knowing what he should do in a situation like this, he decided not to look directly at the three. Warri made a mental note to ask Mist Runner about it later. After the three had passed, he and the orderly continued on to where Mist Runner and Grimm Tooth were.

"Ah, Warri, good...Rock Jumper, this is our map maker and records keeper, Warri; Warri, this is Rock Jumper, the leader of this outpost; and also Barkberry, the scribe," I said, making the introductions. "Warri, we have here the patrol records for the past three moons. Rock Jumper has informed us that at the beginning of spring there was the usual increase in activity along the trade route, but then it dropped off around the beginning of summer and now there is no activity--not even the local farmers. Would you please take a look through them? See if you notice anything unusual or that stands out."

"Certainly, Sire," Warri replied. I had Warri sit at the table so that he could have room to work.

While Warri was busy going through the patrol logs, Grimm was busy talking with Rock Jumper about how to run the outpost properly. He had the scribe, Barkberry, make a list of things that needed to be changed--personnel assignments, duty rotations, training cycles, supplies, defenses, and so forth. He also had two copies of that list made--one for him, and the other to send to his assistant, Grey Spike. I sat with Warri and glanced through the logs while he was making his own notes. He worked quickly though with meticulous care. Occasionally I saw a frown appear on his face, and a few times, he raised an eyebrow at something--reading it over a second and third time just to be sure. When he finished, he leaned back and rubbed his eyes a moment, and then he handed me his notes.

"Sire, I believe that you and Sire Grimm Tooth are not going to like what I found," he said at last.

His words immediately got the attention of everyone in the room.

Grimm came and looked over my shoulder as I read Warri's notes. It was as Rock Jumper said that activity dropped off considerably at the beginning of summer--during the daytime. The patrols had found what appeared to be fresh tracks within the past two moons, but had never sighted anyone because no one was keeping watch along the route at night. Normally, there wouldn't be any movement at night--both the Eastlander and Wastelander traders would make camp somewhere along the way for the night, and our own people seldom ever traveled directly on the route. Instead, they usually chose to travel our own routes that were away from the ones that the other peoples used. One report mentioned that the tracks found looked odd, as if they were softer and partially obscured.

"Grimm, are you thinking what I'm thinking?" I asked.

"If you're thinking someone is trying to obscure their movements and hide their numbers, then yes," he said.

"Rock Jumper, send a patrol out now and instruct them to watch the road tonight to see if anything happens. They should spread out to cover as much territory as they can and still be within hearing range of each other--use hunting calls to signal any movements so that if anyone is on the road, they won't be likely to suspect it is our people watching them. Have the patrol hurry back at first light and report," I instructed.

"Yes, Sire, I'll send out our best scouts," Rock Jumper said, and then left to see to it.

I patted Warri on the shoulder, "I sure am glad that you came along with us, Warri...it might have taken us a while to find these little details."

"Indeed, so," Grimm added. "You've given me an idea for something...I might have a use for those with such attention to detail as you have."

"Thank you Sires," Warri said.

He appreciated being given the chance to prove his usefulness.

"Perhaps we should get some rest," Grimm suggested.

"I agree, it's probably going to be quite a day tomorrow," I said. "Barkberry, I think we're through for the night, so you can get some rest yourself; thank you for your help tonight."

"Yes Sire. Safe journey to all of you."

We followed Barkberry out the door and headed back to our own room for the rest of the evening. When we arrived, we shut the door and gathered everyone around. I looked down at the floor for a moment, gathering my thoughts before telling about what went on.

"I'll give you the short version--Grimm dismissed the outpost's leader and sent him with an escort back to our village with sealed orders to Grey Spike, and temporarily promoted the second in command to the position." That drew astonished looks from everyone. "Further, Warri was able to find some disturbing bits of information from the patrol logs over the past three moons. Apparently Birdsong was correct in that there hasn't been any movement along the trade route...however, nobody bothered to keep a watch on it during the night. At least one of the patrols found unusual fresh tracks that had not been there the day before, and they might be due to an unknown number of people traveling it during the night and trying to hide their numbers."

This caused a stir through the group.

"Any idea as to who it might be?" Snow Spear asked.

"No one knows. I instructed Rock Jumper, who is now the temporary leader of this outpost, to immediately send out a patrol to watch the road all night and to return quickly at first light to report."

"Did anyone talk to the local farmers to see if they heard anything?" Red Moon asked.

I looked at her with a frown and shook my head.

"Apparently not," I said.

"Who was running this place?" Night Song asked incredulously.

"Thornbrier," Grimm growled.

Night Song was too stunned to speak, but the usually quiet and calm Smoke Fire curled his lips.

"I know that bumbling, incompetent dog...I nearly skewered his fat hide when he stepped in front of me as I was about to loose an arrow at a target during a skirmish with some bandits a while back."

"For whatever good it will do, he's on his way at a hunting pace back to the village for a full training cycle, and then he's being assigned to Shadow Mist," I said.

"Woo-hoo!" exclaimed Night Song. "I would have liked to see the look on his face when he heard that!" she said laughing.

"Let's try to get some rest...it's going to be a long day tomorrow and we have a lot of ground to cover. We'll stand watch in ones, each for about an hour or so, and we'll keep something in front of the door," I said.

"I'll take first watch," offered Snow Spear.

I nodded my head in approval and had the lamps dimmed.

After everyone was down, Red Moon quietly asked me, "It's not looking good out there, is it, dear?"

"It does seem rather suspicious...and unsettling. We don't know who has been moving along that road at night, in what direction or for what reason, but_somebody_ has been moving and trying to hide it," I replied.

Red Moon put a hand to my face and kissed me.

"I hope we'll find out--better to know than not," she said.

I kissed Red Moon back and gave her a hug, and then we settled into a comfortable position. I felt Dahmietra snuggle herself against my back and work her fingers into my fur. I reached behind me, gave her a few light pats, and then drifted off, until it was my turn to stand watch. The rest of the night was uneventful, with everyone--except for Foxfire, Dahmietra, and Warri--taking a turn at keeping watch for about an hour.

At first light, I awoke to the sound of Brown Leaf's voice calling my name.

"Sire Mist Runner...the patrol has returned."

"Wha...? Oh, okay, thanks Brown Leaf," I said sleepily.

I reached for Battle Fang and my belt, got up, and strapped them on. Grimm woke up and saw that I was up and getting ready for the day.

"I take it that they have returned?" he asked.

"Yeah, Brown Leaf just told me," I replied.

Grimm got himself up and ready as well.

"Might as well go see what they found, if anything," I said.

Grimm and I slipped out of the room and found that there was someone waiting for us.

"Good morning to you Sires. I'm to take you to meet with Sire Rock Jumper and the patrol, if you will follow me please."

We followed the junior defender to a large room where all of the members of the patrol were sitting with Rock Jumper and the scribe, Barkberry.

"Good morning, all," I said as Grimm and I entered the room, motioning for everyone to remain as they were. "Did you find anything?" I asked.

The patrol leader stood and said, "Yes Sire...we found plenty."

Grimm and I exchanged glances as the patrol leader proceeded to give us a full accounting of activities from the time they left during the night until the time they returned while Barkberry wrote down what was said.

Apparently, Grimm and I had been right--the road was being used at night. Members of the patrol had been able to position themselves close enough to the road to see who was on it and in which direction they were going. They discovered a group of about eighty warriors, dressed like Eastlanders, was moving in single file along the route, which runs in a southwest to northeast direction near this part of The Great Forest. They were heading in the direction that would take them back towards their own territory...and through that of the Wastelanders. Well, that explained the need for secrecy--no need to touch off a conflict with the oft times volatile Wastelanders. What it didn't do, however, was explain why they were so far from their lands, why they were heading back, why they didn't work out some agreement for safe passage through Wastelander territory, or why no one was traveling the route during the daytime. A lot of unanswered questions.

"Rock Jumper, perhaps you should have the road along here watched day and night for a while, and if possible see if anyone can contact any of the locals casually and discreetly--without telling them what we know about the Eastlanders. Offer to make a few trades, gossip with them, whatever it takes--be creative. Find out what has them scared so much that they are not doing their usual business," I suggested.

Grimm had a thought: "Perhaps someone should contact those we know of the Eastlanders and see what they might tell us."

"That's a good idea, Grimm," I said. I turned to Rock Jumper again and added, "Have a runner take a message to Grey Spike asking him to send someone to contact the Eastlanders and see if they might tell us what's been going on and why their warriors are moving through the Wastelander's territory at night. If there is something major going on that could concern us, we should know about it."

I thanked the members of the patrol for going out on such short notice and that I appreciated their efforts.

The patrol leader looked at his group and then said, "It was no problem, Sire...it gave us something different to do for once."

Grimm and I went back to our quarters and made sure everyone else was up by this time. We told our group what the patrol had learned and what other things that were brought up during the meeting. Snow Spear had a troubled look on his face, so I asked him what was bothering him.

"About eighty of their warriors, they said, right?" he asked.

"Yes. What are you thinking?" I asked in return.

"Well, Sire, that's too many for a simple patrol and certainly not enough of their people for fighting a pitched battle."

"Go on...," I prompted.

"If they didn't have any carts with them, either empty or full, then they weren't likely to be much of either a relief force or one evacuating an area...or even traveling far for that matter, with no supplies," he said.

Dahmietra spoke up next.

"I think it would be very unlikely that any of my kind would travel far without any supplies, since we can't go as long as you can without eating. And if they are trying not to be seen by traveling at night, then what do they do during the day so as to not draw attention to themselves? They would have to make a camp somewhere. I would think that eighty men would be too large of a group to hide easily where there is not much cover."

"Good point, Dahmietra," Grimm said.

Warri went to his bag and pulled out the case with the map he had copied and brought to the group.

Pulling out the map and unrolling it, he said, "The trade route crosses the river here," he said pointing at the map. "We'll be passing under that bridge today...perhaps we should keep an eye out to see if there has been any activity along the edge of the river while it's light."

"I see your point, Warri. We should try to be as far past that bridge as we can before nightfall."

"It will be sunrise soon. We should get ready to move out," Grimm suggested.

We got our bedrolls rolled up and tied and the rest of our things ready. Warri passed out squares of his "boat rations" to everyone for something to eat as we made our way to meet Boat Master Yureel by the boats.