What the hell? Dafu thought. He had just heard Harm speak, but he knew that the group wasn't due back for another day, possibly longer, depending upon what they discovered to raid.
Dafu, this is Harm. I am trying to reach you telepathically. I know you can't see me, but I hope you can respond. Try to think about replying to me through thought.
No way! Dafu thought.
YES. Harm thought in response, ecstatic at knowing Dafu had replied.
How? Dafu thought.
I will confirm and show it to you once I get back.
It's like you are standing next to me.
That's good to know. I wasn't sure if it would get quieter with distance.
Where are you now?
The group was still making its way back towards the camp. They had taken a wide route around Kartoon to avoid any potential patrols before heading high into the hills and cutting back towards the valley. The raid had been limited, with little taken that would benefit the group apart from the crystal ball.
On our way back. The group we ambushed wasn't carrying much of value.
Why return now, then? Dafu asked.
That was actually a good point. They didn't need to return immediately unless Dafu told them there was a problem, and they still had provisions for at least another four days. Now that he could communicate with the clan from a distance, it made it much easier for him to consider them being away.
They had released the horses that had been pulling the wagons onto the plains. Harm doubted many would survive the plains' predators, but transporting them back to the hills and their clan was infeasible. Luubu had wanted to kill them for meat, but Harm couldn't bring himself to allow it. The clan had always survived off hoglings or deer, and he didn't want to add horse meat to their diets. He knew goblins weren't as fussy, and if he were being honest with himself, he wouldn't be that fussy either if it came down to whether they were starving.
Harm knew that the group required better equipment if they were going to contemplate taking on the town guards of Sallew. They didn't have the quality or, for that matter, quantity of decent weapons, and armour was virtually non-existent across most of the clan. A few goblins wore elements of leather, but most wore little more than plain furs, offering no real defence. If anything, armour was probably the priority; weapons could be constructed, clubs or similar, even if crude in comparison, but armour wasn't as easily produced. None of the goblins were skilled at tanning. The clothing they made from skins was crude and poor.
A thought crossed Harm's mind. He wasn't sure whether it would work, but it was a consideration. Pardew, whose fence he had repaired, had shown kindness and understanding. Harm also knew that he had no love for Satil. Maybe, just maybe, he could see if he could help them. Pardew only made leather armour, but any armour would be better than the ragtag of skins they wore.
Dafu, I am going to send the group back. I have a task to undertake.
There was a pause before Harm received a response.
What task?
I don't know if it will be successful, but I am going to contact someone I know.
Who?
Someone in Sallew.
The thought blazed into Harm's mind. It's too dangerous to go near Sallew alone.
Don't worry. He lives out of town at the plain's edge. If anywhere is easier to get to, it will be there.
And what if he alerts the guards?
I have to do something. We are too ill-equipped to attack the town, and if he is willing to help, then we may at least be able to get some armour.
I don't like it.
Don't worry. I will be able to stay in touch now, and if there are any problems or things change, I will let you know. Harm cut the connection for now. He didn't need to hear Dafu complaining about his decision.
"Luubu. I need you to lead the group back," Harm said, catching up to her.
Frowning, Luubu looked at Harm. "That sounds like you are going somewhere?"
"I am. I have to see if I can get us some better gear, and I have an idea."
"I don't like the sound of it."
"I will be fine. I will keep in touch through thought, and if there are any problems, I will be able to let you know."
Luubu's frown deepened.
"I'm the chief, and it's my decision," Harm said. He didn't like to use his position over those who had become his friends, but he knew if he didn't, Luubu would likely follow him rather than ensuring the others got back. Her loyalty was absolute.
Luubu let out a deep sigh. "As you wish, but let it be noted that I am not happy with you going off alone."
"Noted," Harm grinned.
Harm opened his followers' screen and selected the group setting before he communicated to them through thought. The group spread along the trail faced a long stretch before their next planned rest.
All. I require all of you to follow Luubu back home. I will catch up later. Harm thought before immediately cutting off the chat again, knowing that he would likely be inundated with thoughts questioning him.
Harm stopped as Luubu continued forward, the remaining goblins slowly reaching and passing him, giving him quizzical looks as they did, but none asked him what he was doing. Once the rear scout had passed, Harm turned and worked lower into the foothills. He knew from where they were after opening his map that they had moved around the top of Kartoon and were now just between Kartoon and Sallew. An extensive area on the map was greyed out and wouldn't become visible until he actually walked through specific areas.
The hills rolled back towards the plain, their undulating peaks visible as he worked his way through and between craggy outcrops and dense gorse bushes. There was no clear path through the wilds of the hills, untouched because of their inaccessibility. Insects buzzed and rose above the gorse, flitting between the flowers that dotted the terrain. Birds hopped between the rocks, pecking at unseen food sources. He entered a shallow dip, and the ground underfoot became sodden. The moisture was soaking through his boots. The boots he had got off Dasir's corpse may be enchanted, but they weren't fully waterproof.
A shallow pool had been formed where the rain had never been able to escape, surrounded by thick ferns. As he continued towards it, a cloud of midges was disturbed, and they swarmed around Harm as he neared the pool. His face itched, and he rubbed at it constantly as the insects landed or collided with his skin. It wasn't until he had moved away from the pool that the midges began to lessen again, and slowly, he was again free from their constant torment. He made a mental note not to follow such a direct path in the future if he discovered another pool similar.
It took him a couple of hours before the hills started to peter out, and he could see the plains ahead of him in the distance as they slowly fell towards it. The ridge of the hills created a natural wall of defence from the open plains, preventing many from accessing its heights. It was as though they had suddenly stopped being cut off by an unnatural hand. The sun was high in the sky, and Harm stopped for a moment to drink from his canteen, sitting on a large flat rock looking out across the horizon. It was only then that he heard the caw of a crow. Harm looked skyward, covering his eyes with his hand to block the sun as he noticed the black shape circling above him.
It was only as it started to fly lower that Harm felt his heart leap in his chest. Could it be? After all this time.
"Jessie. Is that you?" Harm asked as the crow neared.
The bird continued its path, lowering closer. It circled a good forty feet above him before slowly descending and landing a dozen feet from him on a rock.
"It is you, isn't it?" Harm said.
The crow tilted its head, looking at him cautiously. Harm hadn't seen Jessie since the day the goblins had caught him and taken him to the clan.
Harm called some dry meat from his inventory and, breaking a small piece off, offered it to her.
Jessie blinked, the membrane that acted as a third eyelid sweeping over her wide, white eyes with its horizontal movement. She hopped forward, still cautious. Harm knew he no longer looked like the man who had been captured. His clothes were worn, his hair was unkempt, and his beard had regrown. She eventually came within reach of Harm and pecked at the meat, tearing a piece off with her sharp beak.
"I'm glad to see you are okay, girl," Harm said, smiling at her. After a few more pecks of the meat, Jessie decided that it must be Harm and hopped closer. Harm held his now-empty hand out, palm open. She jumped the final distance, then lowered her head, rubbing his palm.
"I missed you, girl," Harm said. "I had hoped you would have followed me before," thinking back to when they had been separated.
Harm's display triggered a notification, blinking. He opened it, reading the message's content.
Companionship
Jessie has offered her companionship. As a former familiar of a deceased druid, Jessie has offered her friendship to you. Are you willing to accept her as a companion? You have no control over her choices or actions, but you will form a mutual and shared respect for each other.
Companions of this nature offer no benefits.
"Well, thank you for the offer," Harm smiled as he slowly stroked her soft feathers, their black sheen, and chocolate undertones shimmering in the sunlight. "Of course, I will accept you as a friend. I just wish I could have done more for Wes."
The thought of what had happened to Wes raised his temper, and his blood quickened in his veins.
"I will get revenge for him, and William," Harm said, remembering Wes's badger, which had been killed in attacking its master's murderers.
Jessie let out a caw in response before moving closer and hopping onto Harm's knee, where he continued to stroke her as he again looked over the plain. He knew he couldn't move any closer at this time of day, so he would continue along the edge of the hills, approaching Sallew. He planned to visit Pardew that night. He hoped the old boy would accommodate his request for help. If he didn't, then Harm would leave him. He had no thoughts of hurting him if he declined.
He still had the coin he had taken from Dasir, and the clan had been collecting the uncut and washed down emeralds from the river. He called the pouch that contained them, opening it. They had collected around sixty so far. Their sizes varied from that of a pea to the largest, almost filling his palm. Harm still did not know their value in their uncut nature, but knew that a jeweller could turn rough, dull objects into gems of pure beauty. He planned to pay Pardew for his services if he offered his help.
Harm stood, then continued his journey towards Sallew. He would get nearer and then wait until nightfall.
The afternoon ticked by slowly, and now Harm could see out towards Sallew. Jessie had followed him and now rested on his shoulder, her head tucked under her wing, sleeping. The valley's entrance was broad, and the roofs of Sallew's buildings were clearly visible. Pardew being on the outskirts of the town meant he could approach it without going into the town itself, but he would need to cross the main track and head into the plains and circle before reaching his home. As the sun lowered in the sky, Harm prepped himself, disturbing Jessie from her perch, who let out a low caw in protest.
"Sorry, girl. It's time to start moving," Harm said, stretching and slowly beginning to move towards the plains. The rocky and broken ground was difficult to traverse, and Harm wanted to pass this area before nightfall. The going was too treacherous for him to attempt it at night. As the last of the light settled, the long shadows of night creeping forward with its perpetual darkness, a weak moon shone in the sky. Clouds blew past the moon, causing spouts of almost impenetrable darkness, until the high winds carried them away. The temperature had dropped, and Harm shivered.
He had reached the top of the natural wall the hills created, about ten feet above the ground below. Harm knew that he could have jumped down if he needed to, since his attributes had recovered, but without knowing the surface he might land on, he was unwilling to chance it. He lowered himself over the side and scrambled the few feet.
Jessie had taken off from his shoulder and disappeared into the night sky above. He had no way of spotting her, but he somehow knew that she was still close by.
Harm hurried across the road leading to Kartoon before turning right and heading further out, before he turned back towards Sallew and Pardew's home. The plains offered a brief respite from the chilly breeze, where the tall grasses absorbed its bite, which always seemed to cut through, not overly strong, but enough to raise goosebumps.
As nighttime arrived, Sallew awoke, the bright orange and yellow dots of lanterns and torches making it appear like a strange birthday cake with haphazard candles placed in it in the distance. Cautiously, Harm moved towards the town. He took his time, not hurrying, and his senses peaked as he listened for any unexpected sounds. Pardew's was just outside the main town, and Harm slowly crept towards the property. A road led to the front, but he knew from the rear there was nothing in his path as he proceeded across to the fence he had repaired for him. The closest building to Pardew's was about sixty feet away, and in that and Pardew's property, lantern light shone, but it didn't break the night enough to allow for any but the keenest eyes to see the large man almost crawling towards his target.
Harm wriggled under the fence, squeezing beneath the bottom rung, before crouching and, no faster than a snail would move, creeping towards the rear porch. He heard a squeaking hinge, and across at the closest property, he heard muffled voices. He couldn't see what was happening from the distance he was. Only the silence of the night allowed the noise to reach him.
Harm stood as he reached the porch, stepping up onto it. The wood creaked in protest under his weight, making him freeze. His pulse was racing, and his thoughts were rampant, considering the what-ifs and maybes that entered his mind. Slowly, he reached forward and knocked on the rear door.
