Commando Part 26

At this outpost was a dock large enough for six to eight vessels. It appeared the path through the swamp and river was too narrow for larger craft to go any further. This dock seemed large enough for vessels such as sloops, large gunboats, and xebecs. Whoever was at the helm had to move around two vessels already docked at this miniature port connected to the outpost.

Maurice watched them move closer to the vessels which caught his attention. These two vessels he saw docked here were a Gantronese gunboat possible stolen or seized while the Gantronese were in retreat, and a large swamp boat. The gunboat had the paint job of the Tsubib Pajibe markings indicating it was stolen. This other craft the large swamp boat had some symbol he did not recognize. It reminded him of the Caligari Syndicate and the insignia all its goons, and thugs carried with them.

Their yacht had to be parallel parked to let their steeds get off with ease. Maphai stepped off the yacht to see if some of them could stay here. She went over to speak with one of the guards. The mercenary leader seemed to haggle and bargain with the guard. Maphai intended to keep people here at the outpost so they could prevent the yacht from being stolen and seized by other traveling groups. To her it seemed likely their craft would be stolen while they were gone.

Maurice watched the mercenary leader on the dock wondering if this would work out. He recalled the others in his mind when Brittany came to his side. Behind him were Amonif and Hilastes chatting to each other with small talk. Eyanosa, Oraceth, and Taregan tended to their cat steeds. He figured those three were preparing their steeds for today's journey. The commando could hear Ordoz, and Cagan cleaning the sundeck while Nanim hooked the mooring lines to the dock.

He kept watching Maphai on the dock with Brittany, Amonif, and Hilastes waiting for her to be done. In moments the other mercenaries were done with their own tasks. They soon joined the sarcagosee at the bow of the yacht. Vylinsis came up to Maurice's side. She leaned over the railing watching and waiting for Maphai to reach an agreement with this Tsubib Pajibe guard. The demon winged humanoid placed a hand on Maurice. He hardly noticed as he was too focused on their mission to reach Tsubib Pajibe city. Vylinsis said something to him about Viyamor's ambitions. She suggested he stay in the comforts of his cabin. This set Brittany off who turned on Vylinsis.

The mercenary closed her eyes and turned away to move from him. Maurice shot Brittany an angry look saying she would stay at the yacht with whoever was not going to Tsubib Pajibe. This Red Heart shrunk a little realizing she took the suggestion too seriously and exaggerated a little. He couldn't believe this, they had other issues and tasks to deal with. There was no time or room for acting like a girl who wants a slut to leave her interest alone. As a leader of their group Maurice had zero tolerance for this behavior and reaction.

When Maphai returned to the yacht both groups met up in the sundeck. Here the leaders decided who would leave with them and who was staying with the yacht. Brittany was ordered to stay put in front of the entire group this time. She sat on a cushioned seat with a distraught face knowing she pissed off Maurice. She was immediately sent back to her cabin until whoever was left in charge would summon her. The two leaders looked at their crews wondering who should stay and who should go on to Tsubib Pajibe. Amonif and Hilastes were chosen to have Maurice's back since they had Mommy Gluton's goons coming after them. Taregan was chosen to stay put and tend to the steeds they wouldn't be taking. He was also to lend a hand with the yacht or anything the mercenary crew needed help with. Eyanosa and Oraceth were selected to go with Maurice since they were needed for hunting, keeping the steeds calm, and to find any tracks through the jungles or swampland. As for the mercenaries most of them stay put to maintain the yacht. Maphai and Nanim decided to go since they knew the region, cities, and tribes better. Ordoz was selected to stay to keep the yacht working and clean. Cagan and Vylinsis were assigned for patrol duty. Maurice thought it was a better punishment for Brittany since she needed to calm down and get to know Vylinsis better.

Once it was clear on who would stay and who would go the groups split up to attend to their own tasks. Those who were going went straight for their cabins, and those who stayed went to the tasks they were assigned. Oroceth, Eyanosa, and Taregan prepared the steeds for travel before getting their equipment, the mercenaries set out to their cabins or assigned work. Maurice returned to his cabin where he found Brittany laying on the bunk with her face towards the wall. Ignoring her Maurice grabbed what he needed including the prizes he collected and the dog tags. He slung his polearm sword over his shoulder and head letting it hang on his back. Before he left Maurice gently squeezed her arm. The Red Heart lay motionless as if she was asleep.

Maurice made his way to the sundeck where he met with Maphai and those they were taking with them. When everyone checked in they went to the steeds and chose which ones they would take. Since the two mercenaries did not know how to ride one they took five steeds. There wasn't much time for them to teach the mercenaries how to ride the Jumbo Cat. When they got the steeds onto the docks they mounted to ride on the road. Maphai got on the back of Maurice's steed so she could give directions. Nanim got one of the steeds behind with Oroceth. The moment everyone was mounted on their steed the group set off on the docks. They passed the guards who eyed them and watched with suspicions towards the strange convoy proceeding through their outpost.

As they past the outpost and onto the road the troop of warriors and mercenaries traveled at a slowed trot. Passing through the outpost they found the road to be same as the road between the villages of Voge and here. Only this road was more well constructed and kept in better condition. Each plank was either kept in esteemed condition or these Tsubib Pajibe people constantly maintained the road. There was evidence of replaced boards and coating on some parts with the use of materials from more advanced modern states. Maurice still could not believe there was a road system like this in the Unknown Lands. After spending years in the southern and eastern parts he hardly came upon roads this well put together other than the mountain roads the Dwarfs created.

The wooden road sat on the ground as it seemed to veer away from the waters. As they progressed further on the road they came upon more dryer land. There was less and less murky water, mud, muck, and wet marshland as this road took them away from the swamp river. For several miles they took this road which started to transform with each mile covered. It began to completely change as they progressed further down the road. A couple of miles on this road transformed the planks into beams placed in the earth to forge a path showing they came upon more dry earth compared to the marshy, and muddy earth of the swampy marshlands. Even the beam forged path began to transform with flat stone slabs filling in the gaps eventually formed the main road. It only evident they had come upon more solid ground. Even the swampland became less and less as they ran into more temperament jungles.

With every mile covered they ran into less swamps and marshlands and more the jungles similar to those directly north of the swamps. Every few miles or so they passed native totems with decorative carvings and land marks. A few villages connected to the road could not be missed as well as a few isolated huts and shacks. The road snaked through the landscape and jungles with countless turns, and sharp curves that passed some wet and muddy spots or clearings. After traversing twenty miles the group camped out in a small clearing where an abandoned hut sat with nothing inside it. At dawn they woke up and proceeded further on this road after morning meals. For several miles the small convoy kept at the slow pace due to the snake like path of the road. It felt like constant switchbacks you had to take on the mountains to either get down or climb up the mountains.

His gaze went to the sides of the road seeing the trees and leaves cover the area like any jungle would. As he looked past the trees he could see parts of the road they had already taken and parts they had yet to traverse past some turns and curves. Even though the road was still on dry parts he still caught glimpses of patches of marshland, mud, and ponds. Among the trees they passed more villages, clearings, and totems situated along the side of the roads. Some villagers eyed them suspiciously whereas the rest just ignored them like they were invisible or just everyday travelers. Maurice did catch a glimpse of other paths straying from the road or cut through clearings and villages. When they came past a thick looking tree they came to a large clearing in the jungles. In the center of this clearing stood a massive totem constructed from pieces and slabs of stone carved to form the shape of the totem. At its base were two large hollowed out holes with the road cutting through them. It appeared to be abandoned until he saw one Tsubib Pajibe come out of the bushes. Their attention was torn away by the sounds of fighting to the right.

On the right flanks of the totem and the road they caught glimpses of a skirmish going on between Tsubib Pajibe Militia and some tribesmen. It took place within the jungles and partially in the clearing itself. Maurice stopped to watch and see if they needed to intervene when Maphai pointed out those tribesmen belonged to the Guutso tribes. According to the leader these Guutso tribes were often at war with the Tsubib Pajibe city state as well as other tribes. The commando watched with intrigue letting his steed do the walking as his gaze focused more on these Guutso warriors. Each warrior was naked with purple tattoos and body paint all over their bodies. Not one had the same type of designs on their bodies or the same hair styles, except for bones tied in their hair. They were armed with war clubs, spears, some bows, and javelins whereas the Tsubib Pajibe militia were armed with rifles, bolt action and lever.

Maphai tore his gaze away from this skirmish urging him to press on further before it was dark. Heeding the mercenary leader the commando whipped the reins lightly on his steed. The large cat went into full gallop down the road and through this totem as a dozen more militia poured into the skirmish. Without knowing who the victor was the convoy of sarcagosee and mercenaries road upon five jumbo cats deeper into what appeared to be territory of the Tsubib Pajibe city state. From the large totem which was also an outpost the group proceeded along the road passing more structures which seemed to hide well behind trees along the road. At full gallop their steeds carried them on the road which became more straight as they passed dozens of structures and a few settlements. Maurice had his steed keep up the quick pace until they reached what appeared to be a larger clearing with fields of wheat farms, and rice among other crops grown in this part of the world.

It appeared that had come across the ends of the jungle until they looked past two settlements up ahead and saw the jungles wrap around the large clearing. At the end of the clearing the jungle with more of the road cutting through it and two pillars flanking the road along the edge of the jungle. Not wasting time they made their way up to these pillars passing houses, farmsteads, granaries, storage sheds made from wood or bricks, small enclaves, gardens, and watch towers with armed militia. As they reached the pillars Maphai had Maurice halt their steeds to a trot. The day was turning into late afternoon as they pressed past the pillars and some locals who were coming and going on or off the road. Past the pillars they found the road slightly wider but straight as a spear leading up to some large gates with thick trees, and trimmed bushes for the flanking walls. Each one dismounted from their steed and proceeded on foot leading their Jumbo Cats to this gate. As the party of seven approached the large gates seventeen Tsubib Pajibe guards come out of two buildings that appeared to be barracks. The dozen guards greeted these warriors, soldiers, and mercenaries. Maphai dug into her traveling satchel and produced a handful of coins with a square shape and a single hole in each one. She handed the coins to the leading guard who took them and ordered for the gates to open. Once the two large doors of the gate were pushed wide open the commando and his companions entered the city of Tsubib Pajibe.