Commando Part 18

For the next three days Viyamor’s group conversed with the five travelling warriors who escaped the Gantronese attack on the Red Symbol’s base. These five warriors called themselves the Travelling Talons or at least members of a larger mercenary army in the South Western parts of the Unknown Lands. It consisted more than a battalion of hired guns, mercenaries, bounty hunters, rogues, rangers, fighters, and privateers. However the five mercenaries before them were two women, a male half orc, a bald dark skinned elf, and a light skinned figure who appeared more alien to Calorn. The two women appeared slightly foreign to the Sarcagosee warriors. One was an auburn brown haired beauty with the appearance of a succubus or a female with bat like wings. She wore a white sleeveless blouse worn by explorers, adventurers, and archaeologists. Over her lower parts she wore short pants that appeared to fit on her nicely. Rough explorer’s boots covered her feet. She was armed with a few pistols, two combat knives, and a hatchet. The other female had a Vorcadam look about her with the yellowish skin tone, slanted eyes, and thin eyebrows. Her clothing included a hooded cloak over a leather armor that was a cross between a cuirass, tank top, and a vest covering most of her upper body held by straps. This cloaked female wore long pants covered in pieces of metal for armor. She only had two pairs of pistols, one of which appeared alien and the others from Grussia.

      As members of the Travelling Talons these five mercenaries were often tasked with missions and contracts. Most times they set out to scout the area in search of any sign of Gantronese activity. Several of their scouting shits resulted in the discovery of old bases and facilities abandoned by the Gantronese. A few of these did put them in a few encounters with the Gantronese patrols and stragglers. Each encounter became a skirmish that seldom transformed into a battle. It was not very often for them to keep an eye on the tribes, or beasts of the Unknown Lands since they mostly fought each other, preyed on weaker prey, or just lived their natural lively hoods not caring about the civilizations around them. These five introduced themselves as Odoz, Cagan the Orc, Nanim Despurden, Vylinsis, and Maphai Dovakson.

      During the remaining three days of their stay in Ujal Voge the two groups became acquainted with each other and joined forces. Ordoz was a member of a humanoid species called the Fornith who came down to Calorn with others of his race. His entire race was at war with the Gantronese for the past century and a half. Part of a battalion of chosen warriors Ordoz fought the Gantronese in guerilla style warfare within the mountains of the Grussian-Eothan Peaks that interlock with the Sarcagos. He and a hand full of others survived hoping more of their kind would be sent with the Fornith Fleet. Cagan the Orc came from a clan of Orcs, and humans who coexisted in the mountains. As a child he was kidnapped by slavers two of whom he killed with his hands. This brought him to the fighting pits after training until he was fourteen. As he climbed to the top Cagan won his freedom swearing an oath to kill slavers and bring down any empire allowing slavery. Nanim Despurden is a dark elf or Drow who sought a new life after being banished. He found this band of mercenaries to be a promising substitute for a clan and family. Vylinsis is the winged beauty who belongs to a humanoid race said to be cousins to the demon succubus and incubus. Her people live in a well hidden city deep with the mountains of Nazdar held Syrianos - Daedrathia. Maphai Dovakson was a member of a wealthy low status noble family who were eradicated by the Gantronese. She and the remnants of her family fled with all their wealth to Ruhonthra where they began this large mercenary army.

      Maurice, Brittany, Hilastes, Amonif, Jenn, Loaket, Flede, Jode, Macon, Eyanosa, and the Ranger Oraceth told these five mercenaries their own stories. As the leader Maurice told their leader, Maphai about their mission in the Unknown Lands. After exchanging words, information, sharing drinks, and meals seventeen warriors forged an alliance. In the tavern’s largest booth the two leaders and their companions discussed how they could meet while on the road. One group would take the Krukir’s Way roads, and the other group would ride through the marshy swamps.

      Coming up with a few places to meet along the road the two parties parted ways. It was an hour after the crack of dawn both groups began to leave. Maurice’s eleven sarcagosee warriors mounted their large cat steeds, and Maphai’s crew of four loaded up the large yacht. The locals said their farewells to the two groups and bid them great fortune on their journey. In ten minutes of mounting their cats the twelve warriors proceeded out of Ujal Voge after parading through a crowd of local villagers. Maurice took the lead down the wooden road with eleven warriors, gangsters, and soldiers trailing behind at his heels. He kept meddling with the hand held radio Maphai gave him for communication. For a good thirty miles the twelve venturing companions galloped down the wooden road while the yacht sailed on the marshy waters miles away from the wooden road. On both sides of the road the boggy marsh appeared the same for miles all around with a few trees, branches and logs visible here and there. The occasional crocodile or patch of land visible in the grass was all they really saw during the trek on the road. Another twenty miles and they would only be hundred miles away from the swamps.

      Feeling they could press on further before nightfall Maurice urged his companions forward. In full gallop on their steeds the twelve riders rode on the wooden road for a great number of miles until it grew dark. His own mount kept galloping on the wooden road several more hours into the day. The commando paid no heed to their surroundings as he raced towards the swamps hoping to get as far as he could before it turned dark. Hearing nothing but the galloping of his steed’s paws hitting the boards Maurice felt the wind on his face from the speed his mount galloped.

      Out of the corners of his eyes Maurice spotted movement in the waters and grass of the marshes. Glancing to the right and to the left he noticed they were passing crocodile dwellings on either side of this road. He counted about nine crocodile dwellings full of crocodiles and young crocodiles. There were no doubts there were more of these nests and dwellings hidden in the grass of the marshes. Maurice kept his gaze ahead of them on the wooden road that began to snake a little through the landscape. The sun began to drop in the sky as the day was starting to end. At full speed Maurice led his companions further down this road with the day closing and night approaching.

      When the day ended and night came with the dark sky each rider slowed their mount to a trot. Whoever had lanterns they immediately lit them to shed some light on the road. Loaket handed Maurice a lit lantern that held it up to see where the road was in front of him. Holding up the lantern Maurice pressed on well into the night with the lantern’s light illuminating the road before him. He raised the radio to his mouth to contact Maphai who did not pick up until the sixth attempt. Both leaders exchanged words about their locations so they could calculate when and where to meet. She told him to keep going a little further and keep an eye out for a red light.

      Within an hour and a half of talking to Maphai Maurice spotted a small red light in the distance. Informing his companions what he saw in the dark he warned them to keep close and stay on the wooden road. Each one called out to him letting him know they were behind him. Relieved to know all of his companions were behind him Maurice looked down at his steed’s head. These Jumbo Cats had the ability to see in the dark after all feline species are nocturnal creatures. It was to their greatest advantage and for the Uxane nations who tamed and rode them. Another good thing about these large cats was that they never acted like the little ones who would sleep all day and roam around at night. His steed turned its head from time to time checking out its surroundings. Even though he could not tell what the cat saw he didn’t think they were in any danger from the way it kept on going.

      This red light Maphai told him about grew larger and brighter as they progressed further down the road. Multiple lights joined this red light illuminated what appeared to be a structure with several shadows of figures moving around. No one could really tell what the structure was even if there were enough lights illuminating the thing. He pressed his steed and his convoy of companions forward until they reached the structure. A few more lights were turned on facing the surrounding area to illuminate anything that might encroach upon them. The lights shining on the structure illuminated a large structure that resembled a large submarine that was converted into a building. It had a couple of garages for vehicles and a dock for floating vessels. Feeling exhaustion overwhelm their bodies they herded the steeds inside the garages where they fed them hunks of meat.

      Once the jumbo cat steeds were fed and herded inside the garages the twelve warriors entered this submarine like structure. When they entered the five mercenaries greeted them inside a vast chamber that was part of a much larger structure. In the dark it was difficult to see the true size of this structure. To the greater surprise of the commando and his companions the structure was about as big as the tavern inn back in Ujal Voge. 

Commando Part 17

Everyone sat in their places at the feasting table with their full attention on Ranger Roderic. A bit of fear could be seen on some of their faces. Aside from the fear instilled by the tales and horrors about this Over Boss Mommy Gluton Caligari, every fighter was exhausted from the long journey. Silence consumed the whole room forcing the feast to end for the night.

      As a whole group Viyamor’s gathered fighters left the feasting hall for their quarters. Maurice chose to stay put as most of his companions left for the tavern. Just Maurice, and three of his best fighters stayed. Four Sarcagosee, several Rangers, and the leaders of Ujal Voge sat at the feasting table within the feast hall. Maurice turned to see who was left as a few Elders and Rangers left to retire for the night. Amonif, Eyanosa, and the Prowler Taregan of the Northern Uwaux nation stayed with their leader Viyamor.

      Drinking the rest of the wine that was left at the table the two leaders discussed the locations of those Vestrisian Soldiers. It pained Maurice to hear of their fate. Those two soldiers were part of the expedition sent to expel the Gantronese forces with aid from the local tribes and peoples. He explained to Roderic what his mission was, which involved tracking down any more soldiers missing along with the 215 held prisoner. Roderic listened intently as the commando explained everything. He translated these words to Fahurn who in turn translated to the Chief who was getting weighed down by the need for sleep. Once Maurice was finished telling his story to them Chief Oguun whispered into Fahurn’s who then told Roderic. The Grussian told Maurice that he and his party of companions were welcome to stay as long as they needed. Agreeing to this without hesitation Maurice felt like he had sealed their fate for the moment.

      As one the last attendees to the feast rose from their seats and cushions. Each one proceeded to file out of the feast hall to witness further celebration among the locals. Drums, wooden flutes, and other tribal instruments played while dancers performed a spectacle for a tribe that lived in the marshes. Bonfires were lit in the center of each village giving an orange, yellow, and red glow to everything around it. Torch lights, braziers, and lamps were lit to shed light in the paths, and streets. Outside the groups departed for the night. All the Elders, Chief and Translator retired to their own homes while the Shaman joined in chanting and waving his arms as if summoning something or performing a ritual. Every Ranger except for Roderic left for their own huts, and shacks in the far end of the village they were in. At the entrance to the great feast hall Maurice, Amonif, Eyanosa, Taregan, and Roderic exchanged further words about the two Vestrisian soldiers out in marsh somewhere east of here. Maurice wanted to get those corpses located and get their dog tags. If it were possible he would like to transport the bodies for proper burial. The only transportation that they had on hand were those Jumbo Cats, canoes, the Red Symbols’ swamp boats and the Dwarf airship. He recalled the Dwarves and their Gnome companion when Maurice spotted something large slowly rocking back and forth amongst the villages’ small port.

      It hit him they could use some of the motorized vehicles to scour the region and even scout ahead before setting out again. The commando turned Roderic asking if they could get the Swamp boats on the other side of the wood docks and roads. Ranger Roderic gave him a wry smile telling Maurice that had already been done during the feasting.

     

      Maurice and his companions were surprised and wanted to see these swamp boats working. Roderic agreed to this and proceeded to escort them from the village. Maurice ordered Eyanosa to run back to the tavern to inform the others they’d be staying here for a while. In the dark night the Ranger, Commando, Unseen Bear, and Tuxir walked on the wooden path to where the Swamp Boats sat. It took a few minutes to reach the Swamp Boats, which were being worked on in the dark with bright work lights used for light. The figures working on these Swamp Boats appeared to be Dwarfs and Gnomes from the airship docked not too far away. Roderic got one of the mechanics’ attentions. The one he got was a short gnome wearing engineer overalls, goggles, and mechanic head gear with a head light on it. He looked at the Commando, Unseen Bear, and the Tuxir scrunched his eyebrows focusing on the trio of Sarcagosee warriors. This Gnome nodded at Roderic’s question then said that the Zoologists, Doctor, Elf and Guide were aboard their vessel. It was scheduled to leave in the morning for Khilscar Orvain.

      On the next day Maurice awoke with Brittany in his bed pressed against his body. Hilastes, and Amonif slept in the bunk quite soundly. Brittany still slept on even as he sat up to get dressed. Getting up the Commando slipped on his clothes and went over to Amonif to wake him. Startled awake the Unseen Bear nearly grabbed him by the throat. Both Vestrisians grabbed breakfast in the tavern hall. Here a local named Diruk volunteered to help them find the two lost Vestrisian Soldiers. Allowing this local to help them the Vestrisians went out to the Swamp Boats with the local. The trio boarded the Swamp Craft and sped through the marshes in a westward direction. An hour and a half in the trip and they came upon the corpses they were searching for. On a tiny mound of land for an island the corpses seemed to have been dumped there to rot. Maurice grabbed the dog tags and anything valuable he could perhaps send back to their homes. He wrapped the corpses in old tarps they found on board, and brought it on board.

      On the way back they came across several crocodile dwellings and nests, which they didn’t see due to the speed they rode. These large carnivorous lizards poured out of the grass and foliage in the marsh revealing the locations of their dwellings and nests. This surprised them as they went the route they had come. Winding around patches of land, grass, fallen trees, logs, and tree stumps jutting out of the water made the trip back a little longer. Within two hours they came back to Ujal Voge where the locals were constructing a dock for their new swamp boats with no help from the Dwarfs or Gnomes.

      They docked next to the construction as lines were tossed their way. Upon docking Maurice, Amonif, and Taregan were greeted by their travelling companions. Roderic stood next to them with a few other Rangers whom looked a little wary about something. Several kept looking over their shoulders with tense expressions. Maurice studied their expressions wondering what is wrong with them. He expected another attack to happen as he climbed off the boat. Amonif tossed the corpses on to the dock next to him. Hilastes and another Sarcagosee lifted up the bodies. Completing their docking at the docks the Sarcagosee held a brief meeting. Each one agreed to stay for four days since they no longer had any babysitting to due. Brittany informed Maurice and the others that the Red Symbols were attacked by a group of Gantronese who call themselves the 29 Dragons. While they were gone to retrieve the corpses a small group of five travelling warriors came to Ujal Voge. These warriors hung out with the Red Symbols, but hardly caused any trouble for anyone. However they did fight the Gantronese, or so people say.

      Maurice worked his way to the docks with his companions and the Rangers listening to more about these new arrivals. As they made their way through the widest part of the platforms the locals gathered in the marketplaces going about their daily lives. The large group of warriors snaked through the crowds to the docks where only certain sized ships could dock. Here at the docks of Ujal Voge the Swamp Boats sat alongside long canoes, dinghies, fishing craft, crocodile hunting boats, and a large Yacht looking craft with a red flag containing the emblem of a white Hawk armed with a spear. At the boarding and unloading ramps stood the five warriors ordering locals to carry their cargo and baggage from the yacht. Roderic whispered that these warriors could join the Sarcagosees’ party. Looking at one another the commando’s party considered this as a good idea. All twelve of these warriors and fighters approached the Yacht with a nice proposal for the new arrivals. 

Commando Part 16

In a mass panic the locals and patrons emptied the tavern. Just the way the patrons rushed out told the new comers they were rushing back home. Roderic told them that these locals have been harassed by a single gang. All of them desired to avoid any trouble with this gang. This one gang was known as the Red Symbols had set up base at some old Gantronese facility. According to Roderic this gang had a date with the people and villages of Ujal Voge. For the past five years the Red Symbols came here each season to collect a debt. This debt involved a person taken from a village, livestock, and the selection of their finest alcohol or a night in the Taverns with no charge. Roderic was about to continue when the Tavern door burst open.

      A large group of over fifty rough and violent looking goons entered. Each one wore a different apparel of clothing. On the right arm on all of them were red tattooed symbols. Those whose arms were not exposed had their sleeves painted with these symbols or had them sewn on in red. Maurice counted up to fifty one members in this gang. Among this gang called the Red Symbols stood five Lizard like humanoids, fifteen humans, seven orcs, six wolf-Gnoll humanoids, eight Gantronese deserters, ten mysterious figures covered in pieces of cloth and scarfs wrapped around their bodies.

None of the scarfs were colorful nor soft, but rough strips of fabric.

      Twelve fighters from the Sarcagos Mountains all stood up at this gangs presence. A commando, two Unseen Bears,  Red Heart, four Onyx Cougars, a Silver Harpy, a pair of Tuxir, a Prowler, one Mountain Ranger, and possibly ten or more rangers of this area, faced this gang inside a large tavern. The supposed leading member of the gang was a large lizard humanoid with a normal chin, mouth and head with no snout stepped forward. His nose was more serpent like and he seemed to stick his tongue out like a snake as well. The scales were a shade of coffee, and hazelnut color all over his body. He wore a jumpsuit underneath a worn cuirass combat armor. For a weapon he was armed with some war pick mixed with a sickle weapon.

      Within a hearts beat every one of these Red Symbol goons drew melee weapons. Apparently to these Red Symbol gangsters the new comers were a threat. Ujal Voge was their turf and the Sarcagosee were trespassing. Every Sarcagosee fighter stood up as one. Armed with pistols, knives, war clubs, revolvers, hatchets, axes, maces, maces, quarterstaff, and knucklers the commando’s party kept their gaze on the goons. Without his pole arm sword Maurice had to draw his dagger from his boot. All the Red Symbols wielded katanas, battle spades, sledge hammers, harpoons, crowbars, short pikes, bayonets, kukris, and bizarre bludgeon weapons made from metal tools. Even though this gang could be armed with modern weapons still armed themselves with melee weapons. Neither side moved a muscle as they studied each other. The humans and a few other Red Symbol goons eyed Brittany and her body. Some even adjusted their pants crudely to expose themselves or made gestures towards the women.

      One of them thrust his pelvic at Oladele and Eledheim whom had moved to the side of the tavern. Not taking this very lightly the bodyguard guide raised her rifle at him. Both groups stood in the tavern locked in a standoff. A long silence fell upon the tavern as either side waited for the other make a move.

      Four locals rushed in through a back entrance behind the bar section. They looked young, about eighteen, seventeen, and sixteen years of age. Each one of them held headed adrenaline filled expressions. Two of the youth wielded harpoons, one wielded a swamping axe and the other one wielded a billhook. Just about every single Sarcagosee held pistols, revolvers and rifles fixed on the Red Symbols whom did not even see the four youth at the bar. Taking advantage of being in the blind spot all four youths charged. Oladele fired a shot at the thrusting one as chaos broke loose inside the tavern. Every firearm was unloaded on the gang as those wielding melee weapons made quick work of the ones who charged them. A small group of six Red Symbols rushed out of the tavern.

      Maurice, Hilastes, Eyanosa and six Rangers rushed after the last of the goons that confronted them earlier. Another dozen members of the Red Symbols stood outside near the villages. Over by the villages the Red Symbols docked twenty two swamp vessels. Sixteen locals came rushing towards their location from the furthest village. Several of the remaining Red Symbols turned to face these villagers whom they probably regarded as inferior swamp rats and weak sheep. In hot pursuit of these goons the fighters tried to catch up with them. Those who held rifles fired on the Red Symbols that fled. Four of these goons fell on the wooden planks as the last two stopped and dropped to their knees. The pair raised their arms over their shoulders and had their hands behind their heads. Looking past the other goons Maurice spotted the locals again at a closer distance than from the tavern.

      Ten of the locals were armed with older style rifles and breech loading one shot rifles. The other six locals wielded harpoons, spears, and reptilian hooks. Caught between the advancing armed locals and the pursuing fighters the last of the goons split up. Four Red Symbols jumped onto a swamp boat and rushed to crank up the engines. The other remaining eleven stayed on the wooden road standing their ground. One of them pulled out a pistol then pointed it at the four goons attempting to leave. He unloaded the entire clip on the four cowardly traitors trying to run away. At the same time ten rifles opened fire on the ten goons in a single volley. Seven of the Red Symbols fell from the volley. Eyanosa shot one of the last three as the other two were impaled with thrown harpoons.

      The two parties met at the fallen Red Symbols discovering five of them survived with bullet wounds. Another group of the Ujal Voge people came storming over to them. Maurice Viyamor stepped past the Rangers, corpses, companions and armed locals. He stood on the dock-like road seeing four of these locals heading towards this location. When they drew closer he could make out a few lead figures of Ujal Voge’s governing authority. Among the leaders were the Chieftain, shaman, head elder, and the translator. This quartet didn’t have any one else following them behind.

      Oladele, and her companions had rushed out with the Dwarves and zoologists to join them. Maurice heard their footsteps as he watched the leaders of the Ujal Voge villages’ converse with each other. All but one of them appeared angry, anxious, and comprehensive about something. Maurice hoped it wasn’t over them killing these Red Symbol Gangsters. When the four leading officials of the three villages approached their previous expressions changed to more hospitable ones. Each one gave their thanks to these foreign outsiders for eradicating this group of gangsters. It was said in a tribal language which Maurice and his companions couldn’t understand. Translation came from the translator to the Rangers who also translated to the Sarcagosee in common language.

      Even though the local leaders along with plenty of locals appeared angered yet afraid, they still offered food and gratitude. That night the Sarcagosee were invited to dine with the leaders, elders, and esteemed members of the three village tribe. Bowls of rice soup with crab meats, and strange vegetables made up the majority of the feast. However the main course was a fully grown crocodile from one of their reptilian ranches. Truth is told there weren’t any fences for borders of the ranches just poles and stakes.

      As they feasted Maurice and his companions were told numerous bits of information about this region of the Unknown Lands. Ujal Voge was one of multiple if not numerous settlements along a multi-road highway called “Krukir’s Way”. This set of toads led to larger cities such as Tusbib Pajibe, Magesar, and Waikun. It ran through the marshes, bogs, swamps and even up to the north where they came from. Every major and settlement rested on the other side of the swamps, which lay 150 miles to the south. The Chief named Oguun warned the foreigners there was still over one hundred fifty miles of boggy marsh ahead of their journey. All marshes, bogs, and swamps together stretched thousands of miles east and west. Between here and the swamps were a few more dwellings but each one was connected to this particular road.

      Brittany asked one of the Rangers where those Red Symbol goons came from how many they really had. Translator Fahurn overheard this conversation and spoke to the Chief in a low voice. In their own language the Chief Oguun, Translator Fahurn, and the Elders conversed with just each other. Roderic leaned over to inform Maurice that there are more Red Symbol goons located at some abandoned Gantronese base/facility located about two hundred miles west of Ujal Voge.

      When the Chief, Elders, and Translator finished their conversation all the tribal leaders turned their attention to the Commando and Ranger Roderic. Translator Fahurn spoke to Roderic who then translated Fahurn’s words to the commando. These Red Symbols were a single unit of ninety seven bandit-raiders whom acted as enforcers for an Over Boss named “Mommy Gluton” Gaodiir Caligari.

      Roderic proceeded to tell Maurice and his companions that this female Over Boss commanded over 950 thugs, 1000 or more gangsters, two fleets of pirates, a few cities and had one man-eating monster for a pet. She was often at war with her neighboring states, and seldom the Gantronese forces still in the Unknown Lands. Many rumors spread about her saying she fed captives, prisoners or even guests to her pet.

Commando Part 15

Having collected seventeen dog tags Maurice stashed them away. He proceeded to snoop around more to see if any of the cabins could be used as shelter. Despite the protests from the zoologists and the elf nobles the party decided to make camp here. For the rest of the day the enlarged party set up their camp in the abandoned Vestrisian base. They had to clean up the base a little making a few of the cabins habitable.

      That very night the enlarged party of twenty six slept in different parts of the base. Most of the fighters slept in the tents and cabins. A few of the non-combatants slept inside the command center whereas the rest stayed in the cabins. All jumbo cat steeds slept against the cabins that felt a little stuffy. For a good seven hours this party of fighters, commandos, prowlers, trackers, scientists, guides, and guardians slept restlessly. Before dawn the commando’s party woke up the others so they could get a move on. Grumbling and unhappy about being roused from sleep earlier the zoologists, guides and elf nobles got up. Oladele Zeim, Eledheim and Pokeha wanted to press on southward to the nearest city alone. Their desires were overruled at breakfast.

      Every zoologist, guide and Dr. Westley urged them not to go out in these jungles without any protection or help. Eledheim did not seem pleased by the overwhelming resistance against her group leaving the party and going alone. According to the guides and Dr. Westley they were eleven or more miles from the bogs and the marshes. To the south, west, and south east of their position lay the bogs, marshes, and the start of the swamps. In order to avoid these bogs, and marshes or at least the most dangerous parts the guides suggested taking the road. Fortunately this camp-base was connected to a few roads one of which trailed to the south.

      Every fighter in Maurice’s party grew impatient with these zoologists, guides, and elf. After a brief argument they were all talked into accepting the tagalongs. Twelve jumbo cat steeds were mounted by two riders each. In moments the large party set off on the road that trailed southward from the Vestrisian Base. This road appeared unkempt and covered in multiple parts by brush. Because of the nature covering the road it appeared more like a badly built path.

      For half the day the large party travelled along this road coming across other paths and trails. If they hadn’t been in a hurry the party would investigate these other routes. The jungle around them covered the skies from view and stood dense enough to act as a wall. Such a thick jungle made the road feel like a maze. Trotting on the path they did stop whenever Maurice spotted whatever he thought was a corpse. A total of nine piles were found along the road spaced out by several miles each. Only about three of the nine piles they found were corpses.

      One of the corpses was a Vestrisian Soldier from the expeditionary force. The other two corpses were an adventurer, and the other one was some long lost traveler. Each of these piles had something interesting or valuable to pick up and even use. Among the other piles they found a few satchels, travelling kits, travelling capes, cloaks, old lanterns, explorer’s pack, a few bags of coins and other jewels, boots, staffs, and flasks. Most of the things they found in these piles were torn, eroded, very filthy, tore upon touching, and broken or cracked. These items were left there deemed useless and unusable. On the corpse of the Vestrisian soldier aside from the dog tag was his helmet, cap, tattered uniform, boots, a pistol with little ammunition, combat knife, and two flasks was some object wedged in his head. Inside the skull of the explorer they discovered a strange figurine of a god of some sort. Its head was larger than the carved body and looked more like a mini tribal mask. Whatever this was they assumed it must have been a depiction of a tribal deity turned into a dagger.

      Several more days on this road witnessed a few more of these discoveries which they either ignored or scorched after looting. As they progressed further on signs that they were nearing the bogs and marshes showed with every step taken. Less and less of the jungle showed with the boggy marshes increased each mile. The road began to twist and turn wrapping around muddy marsh land. Some parts of the road turned into a path made from planks of wood or large flat stone slabs. Every bit of the wooded planks appeared old but still sturdy enough to hold anything heavy. Many travelers, explorers, adventurers, or regular expeditionary forces would assume the roads were well kept. Many of these people would have it believed that the natives or someone was taking care of these roads. This seemed too hard to imagine anyone else trying to create civilization in this part of the world.

      Within another day’s worth of travelling the jungle abruptly ended. To the party’s fortune they came across an outpost or a large tavern like lodging. A few other structures and homes nearby branched off the road over the marshes. Not too far away rested three settlements built upon connected platforms raised by dock posts and stilts not too different from pile dwellings. A couple of average sized stables located parallel with the large tavern sat on their left. Flanking these stables stood sheds, shacks, and other structures one would find in a small village or town.

      None of the fighters believed any settlements could exist this deep in the wilderness of the Unknown Lands. They did acknowledge the settlements and cities along the edges of these lands and in the Sarcagos Mountains. However any shred of what they considered civilized couldn’t exist in this bog or marshes while hundreds of savage tribes lay to the north, south, west and east. Nonetheless the large party entered the large tavern. The Tuxir and Ranger took the steeds over to the stables.

      Maurice, Brittany, Hilastes, Amonif and the rest of their party sat at their own table. The zoologists Vik, Dr. Evarn, McKeris, Figdius, and their guides sat at another table near them. Dr. Westley talked to the local barkeep. Oladele, Eledheim, and Pekoha asked for a bath. This trio of women had to wait for the baths to be ready for use.

      Sitting down with Brittany, Amonif, Hilastes, Silver Harpy Jode, Onyx Cougars Jenn, Loaket, Flede, plus Macon, Maurice had a few drinks and a hearty meal of roast meat. Whatever this roasted meat was it tasted like fish and something gamy. He looked around this large tavern to get a good look at the inhabitants. These people were brown skinned in hide clothing, grass woven tunics, traditional garb made from cloth and linen. Much of the clothing styles involved vests, loincloths, tunics, skirts, wraps, trousers, strange shirts, and some familiar garb hailing from the east and the allies of Vestrisia. Nearly all the clothing types were made from the hides of reptilian creatures, grass, large leaves, sewn shells, bark and woven fabric. Other clothing were crafted from linen, leather, and cotton cloth.

      Studying these people he saw they appeared more like huntsmen, fishers, skinners, trappers, weavers, tanners, canoe craftsmen, lesser craftsmen, and prowling warriors. In this tavern were also Rangers from other nations and lands. Each one had the standard arms a ranger these days would hold other than the bow. All these native locals were armed with rat knives, wooden war clubs, long knives, hunting knives, spearheads, and a strange machete like blade. Some of them even had old fashioned rifles, revolvers, and Gantronese style weapons. Along the Tavern’s walls tridents, spears, harpoons, javelins, trophies of heads from reptilian beasts, mounted jaws, and netting decorated the establishment.

      Most of the tavern’s patrons had their eyes on the nine armed fighters who came in. Their gaze did not show any signs of suspicions, or hostility. Ever pair of eyes on them seemed more curious. One of the locals nodded repeatedly in approval with a serious face. Another local picked his teeth with a pick while keeping his eyes focused on the new comers.

      After a few long moments of the curious staring the barkeep told the whole tavern who these warriors were. As the barkeep addressed them the Tuxir prowler, tracker, and Ranger entered the tavern. The trio looked at each other confused as the barkeep informed the native patrons in their own language. Ignoring this barkeep the Tuxirs and Ranger approached the table joining their fellow companions. Maurice nodded to the Silver Harpy who slid the rest of the meal over the three new arrivals. Oladele looked over her shoulder at Maurice and his band of warriors.

      Only a few locals who spoke common, said hello to the warriors. Maurice looked around where their other companions sat. Five other locals conversed with the Zoologists and Dr. Westley. Each one of them seemed eager to get a quick ride to the nearest city. One local pointed towards a table in the far corner of the tavern. In this corner sat three short stout looking figures. At first glance these figures looked like short people.

      Maurice squinted his eyes to focus on them more. He realized this trio was not short people but two Dwarfs and a Gnome. The Dwarves wore their beards in the Forkstyle and the single braid beard. Their Gnome friend seemed taller than most Gnomes standing at four and a half feet tall. Gnomes did live in the Vestrisian Republics and served as citizens like everyone else did in the VUVR. Personally Maurice did not know much about Gnomes except about their skills in tinkering, craftsmanship, engineering, and inventing amongst the Dwarves populations.

      A Ranger who appeared Grussian came up to the commando. Forced to turn away from the trio Maurice turned his attention to this Grussian Ranger. Hilastes offered his chair to this Ranger. He stood behind Maurice as did the Tuxir named Eyanosa and Loaket. Smiling with his eyes at this band of warriors from the Sarcagos the Grussian studied them for a few seconds. He introduced himself as Roderic Alin Mandelertz a member of the twenty or so Rangers whom ranged these parts of the marshes. As Roderic began to converse with Maurice, the four zoologists rushed over the Dwarves and Gnome.

      Nine patrons left the tavern beginning the process of emptying the place. Roderic informed the Sarcagosee warriors that a large gang of bandit-raiders were in the region. He also added some information on a few locations of where some Vestrisian corpses could be found. Maurice asked Roderic where these locations were and how far from the villages. Roderic was about to tell his new acquaintance when he was interrupted by loud rumbling engines. Outside the noise from the engines grew louder as the source seemed to draw closer to the villages. Every single local patron and Ranger held a frightened, nervous expression upon their faces.