Commando Part 4

Inside the sleeping quarter they rented were three beds. Two were ordinary twin beds and a double bed for couples or lovers. Hilastes and Amonif took the twin beds whereas Maurice shared the double bed with Brittany. As he laid on his back the Red Heart nestled up against him for warmth. She put her head on his shoulder wrapping herself around him. He out his arms around her and began to grab her butt cheeks while she fondled his manhood. His hands squeezed her breasts as one thing led to another. They got carried away and copulated until both grew tired.

      After an early morning meal and coffee the four fighters packed up their luggage and cargo. Once ready they set out towards the Crehx Heights a grouping of peaks shoved together to form one gigantic one in the Sarcagos. The Crehx Heights stretched for a good sixteen to seventeen miles northwest. Behind the Crehx Heights was the Dwarf Kingdom Mount Ayalim. For hours they journeyed through the Kherndaruhl valley where some trade posts scattered about the sides of the road. The road had a tall tower and a checkpoint with an outlook tower on top marking the borders of the Kherndaruhl realm. Kherndaruhl’s banner was of purple field flanked by a turquoise border. The emblem was a pair of white goat horns flanking a white sword in the shape of a rune letter. Far off in the distance to their left sat another tower with the purple banner flapping in the wind.

      Along the cobblestone road to the tower they came across multiple patches of bushes with berries, flowers, and spearhead fruits. At one of these berry bushes was a family of black bears having their meal. The bears left the four smugglers alone who happened to be fighters, commandos, and two ex-soldiers. Up ahead the commando-smuggler spotted what appeared to be a cage on a set of wheels. They progressed down the road running into the cage that contained a prisoner. This prisoner was an ex-Gargoyle of Death a notorious gang under the leash of the Dwarf warlords. He still wore the tan jacket with the black claw of the Gargoyles. It appeared roughened, torn, worn out, and dirty much like the prisoner himself. This cage prisoner was escorted by two Kherndaruhl guards, a sheriff, and a deputy/bounty hunter. From the looks of the guards’ armor there were more with the ex-Gargoyle indicating he was an outlaw to civilized communities.

      The two groups passed each other as the commando and his three companions made their way up to the border. At the checkpoint and tower sat and elderly looking dwarf monk dressed in brown robes wearing a silver amulet around his neck. The hood was pulled over his head and the old the dwarf wielded a long staff with a bronze compass for the staff head. He chanted continuously towards another group of travelers loaded with hiking, and climbing gear. This dwarf was chanting for safe travels to all who passed him. His chants went to the Deity of Journeys, Hazal.

      According to the religion of the Dwarves Creed Hazal was prayed to before going on the road. It was also customary for monks to chant along with the road praying on behalf of travelers for safe journeys. With this monk were several guards manning posts at the tower and the checkpoint. The four of them stopped so the guards can impact their cargo and the pass, which were papers that granted access through Dwarf lands. This procedure also required each traveler to show an ID or photo of themselves.

      Brittany handed the pass over to the leading Dwarf Guard who went inside the check point. All four had to wait for the main warden of this border check point. While they waited Maurice looked around checking out the tower and checkpoint. His attention was drawn to the monk’s feet where a Gantronese skull sat below the monk’s stool. The Gantronese skull still had the goblet shaped helmet with the jungle netting It showed the Gantronese did have a presence in the Sarcagos while it tried to occupy the Unknown lands. The Gantronese lost countless numbers of troops in the southern parts of the Unknown lands from fighting savage cannibalistic tribes along with the Vestrisian Union. Those who lived in the Sarcagos resisted quite heavily against the Gantronese occupation. However the Dwarves bid their time and struck around 1844 when the VAVR reached the Sarcagos.

      The warden came out of his post asked for their IDs as he handed their pass back to Brittany. Each of them pulled out their ID and photo to show to the warden. Lieutenant Maurice Viyamor took out his wallet with his VAVR military ID. It was issued in 1842 the very first year he began his service to his beloved VUVR. When all IDs were examined the warden let them on their way towards the Crehx Heights. The small caravan quickly strode on the Dwarf constructed cobblestone road.

      This cobblestone road went through a field of tall grass mixed with bushes, and trees scattered all over the place except the road. There was no doubt more skeletons of dead Gantronese soldiers strewn about the field from past fighting. That did not mean anything to the small caravan since they had to hustle before it turned dark. For two hours the caravan paced their way to the Crehx, which were getting bigger as they drew closer. Maurice looked to the left letting his Goat like steed follow the two large cats. Another range of Mountains flanked the Kherndaruhl called the Kafyg Range. This range stood about ten miles deep and stretched nine miles. It ended at the bases of two other mountains called the Vlyks Mountain and the nameless mountain. Rumors say the Nameless one is where dozens of vaults dot the face of the Mountain. However the Kafyg Range and the Vlyks host both Purple Beasts and one large confederacy of Beast Men tribes.

      When they came within a quarter of a mile of the Crehx base a stake in the road with several signs stood in their path. The road sign marked an intersection in the road. It split up into three different pathways. Here they stopped to read the signs briefly. One pointed to the Kherndaruhl, another pointed to the north, a third pointed to the Vlyks Mountain. The Crehx Heights and the fourth sign pointed at the Vlyks Mountain. The Crehx Heights sign had another one labelled “start of the Grik Pass”. It is a path through the Sarcagos that is infested with travelers, friars, outlaws, bandits, and Savage Beasts from the Vlyks Confederacy.

      All of them took a deep breath and proceeded on the Grik Path. The last time they were on the cobblestone road the caravan took the northern road which snaked around the Crehx. This time they took the more swift, direct, but dangerous path. As the small Caravan approached the base of the Crehx sounds of shooting could be heard in the distance up ahead. Whatever the shooting was about it must have involved bandits against outlaws, each other, the law or those Beasts of the Sarcagos. From the base they proceeded onward ignoring the constant shooting they heard. Along the way the caravan came across abandoned military outposts built by the Gantronese as well as skeletons of Gantronese dead. A few had spears in them while others appeared crushed or beheaded. It was apparent that the Gantronese were not welcome here.

      Grik Pass grew more winding as they progressed. It also seemed to rise up a little forming a ramp like bridge up the Heights. The Crehx appeared to be like any other Mountains with large rocks, boulders, and trees covering parts of the mountains’ faces. Upon the Grik Pass the caravan came nearer the source of the shooting. Up ahead was another path trailing off the Grik Pass flanked by two large boulders. Next to this path were bandits shooting at foes attacking them. Through the spaces between trees and boulders Maurice spotted a gang of sixty to seventy bandits lined up in defensive positions. They appeared to be fighting off two groups of beasts. It as best to keep going since these bandits were all outlaws. There was no clear number of beasts attacking. Maurice calculated there were over a few hundred or more beasts. By the time they got a clear view of this battle more rocks and trees blocked their view as the path grew steeper.

      The steepness ended as the path became level after a few hundred feet or so. It soon turned into long stretched out switchbacks. These switchbacks made it easier to trek up the Crehx. Maurice counted up to four of these switchbacks before it became dark. In the middle of one switch back they came across an old abandoned mine. For one night they stayed inside the old mine taking their steeds and yakox inside. The following morning the caravan proceeded onward. Breakfast felt rushed since they had to push upward forcing them to eat on the road. As they progressed further up the mountains it grew colder and signs of frost could be seen upon the path.

      After four more hours of ascending the path the caravan reached the top of the Heights. There were more paths breaking off the Grik Pass snaking around the jagged peaks. Crehx’s peaks appeared numerous with the mountain roads winding around them. When the caravan made its way around a small peak they ran into some Tuxir. Fourteen Tuxir warriors rode upon the backs of the Jumbo cats which they actually called Cabrakan-Tadi. These Tuxir wielded rifles, pistols, war clubs, war axes, knives, iron spear tipped lances, and javelins. Each Tuxir wore decorative clothing from trading, looting bodies of dead Gantronese, and handmade hide clothing. The party of Tuxir was heading south back to the Tuxir confederacies. The two groups crossed paths letting the other go on about their own business.

      Maurice took the lead while preparing for the final push towards Mount Ayalim. He went for a pistol in the saddle sensing danger around them as they moved on the path between two peaks. His companions also went for their weapons almost sensing danger. In the shadows of the peaks lurked Purple Beasts and Beastmen that liked to pounce on anyone who took this path in between peaks. Behind the peaks and larger rocks many of these Beasts lay waiting to ambush them. The commando stopped in the middle of the road halting the caravan. All four of them slowly dismounted as an attempt to bait these creatures.

      Within moments of dismounting the Beasts fell for the bait. Approximately ten to twelve Beasts jumped out of the dark. Another group of Beasts attacked from their right flank. Each of them opened fire on both groups as their steeds went on the offensive. Their cats swung their claws striking down numerous Beasts as the goats rammed several to the ground. Plenty more beasts attacked them trying to overwhelm and surround the caravan. It would have worked if none of them had modernized guns and ferocious steeds.

      For some number of minutes the four smugglers fought off a large group of Beast Men and Purple Beasts. Scores upon scores of dead bodies encircled them. Hundreds of Beasts still surrounded them, but stayed clear of their cats and goats. Maurice and Brittany found themselves back to back killing as many Beasts as they could. Hilastes and Amonif fared as well as their own steeds did. From the looks of these beasts Maurice assumed these groups were the ones attacking the outlaws.

      Another score of Beasts fell to the caravan’s weapons when something scared them off. Maurice turned to his right and saw six Ayalim Green Rangers, Eight Militia and twelve Dwarf patrolmen firing on the two groups of Beasts. Each of them ceased firing once the last of the Beasts vanished back to their part of the Crehx. All the smugglers could actually relax and recover their steeds, which still stuck nearby.

      The four smugglers were relieved to see such a sight like this coming to bail them out. Maurice looked down at two dead Beasts a Beast Man and a Purple Beast. The Beast man appeared very savage like with long shanks, dirty fur all over his body and fangs along with a row of sharp teeth. On top of another Beast Man was a Purple Beast. The Purple looking creatures looked very ape like and almost orc like up close only with fur. He noticed those creatures dyed their furs in some purple powder from head to toe. Brittany pulled him away so they could get going on the road.

      With a larger group of escorts the caravan made their way to the other side of the peaks. From here Mount Ayalim could be seen standing high amongst a few mounds around it. Maurice felt that his mission was almost over. He descended the path heading towards Ayalim. The path down this side of the Crehx felt safer and quicker. It was mainly because they were going down instead of trekking upward. Along the way they stopped at an inn to rest as it grew dark again.

      While they stayed at the inn the patrols and Rangers left to attend to their own duties. The next morning all four of them got up for a hot meal before setting out with the militia. For six hours they made their way down the path passing towers, cottages, settlements, farms, and a few scattered mills. When they came to the base of one of the mounds a few Dwarf Cleavers halted them. A high ranking officer of the city stood at the mound with the Commander of the Guard, Prince Kulem, and the King himself come to exchange Maurice’s gathered cargo.