Commando Part 28

All forty three sets of eyes rested on the two foreigners who came to meet with them. The silent stairs made Maurice feel slightly awkward and tore his gaze away from them. Encircling the room stood dozens of guards armed with spears. Maurice's focus returned to the forty three members of this council. He noticed a quarter of them wearing garb similar to the ones guards, soldiers and militia wore. These council members donned a sash decorated in claws from various predators and beasts. Other members dressed as though they were merchants, but with more elegant decorations, and signs of wealth. The rest of wore clothing that resembled shamanic or religious priest, decorated in beads, and fur clothing showing their prowess in hunting.

Maphai introduced herself and Maurice who did not speak a word of their language nor did he understand. He could only assume what she was saying detailed their mission and venture through the unknown lands. She gestured towards him several times speaking to the council. For several more minutes she went on speaking to the council members.

When she was finished one of the council members stood up. He began to speak only to Maphai in his own language glancing over at Maurice a few times. It seemed like he was giving her a long winded speech. This council member pointed at him several times then pointed to the side a few times. Once this council member stopped speaking with Maphai she bowed saying a few words. Maurice bowed to them as well. All forty three members of the council bowed their heads an looked up as though they were going to say something simultaneously.

Maphai turned to Maurice telling him they were done with the meeting. He nodded his head and proceeded out of the council's room with Maphai following him out. As the two leaders exited the council's auditorium meeting room Maurice turned to Maphai. He asked her what did the council members say. She said council had given audience to a Vestrisian Soldier over a year ago. They were told about more Vestrisians either held prisoner or residing in other areas and a few could be in Tsubib Pajibe.

The commando paused in the hallway leading to the center of the palace. He looked at her with hope and felt flabbergasted. Maphai almost smiled at his expression, but went on to tell him there was another guy who might know the whereabouts of these missing soldiers. Maurice contemplated this for a few moments in the hallway. He realized these council members my not have helped directly, but gave directions to some who could help them. The mere mention of more Vestrisians still alive gave him more hope. Maurice wondered where they could be and who is keeping them prisoner.

Eager to hit the road Maurice asked Maphai about the ones living in Tsubib Pajibe. She said they would have to ask the locals. Seeing an opportunity the commando darted back to the dressing room. Maphai raced behind him as fast as she could to the dressing room. Both of them barged in the dressing room finding no other guests had arrived. The only ones inside were the hand maidens cleaning up after them. On the far corner of the room hung their clothing after receiving a swift wash. Despite their clothes being wet the two leaders changed back into their original clothing before they had to meet the council.

Several minutes later the pair of them made their way through the palace to the exit. They exited out of the palace through the doors they came in. Outside the pair of them discovered it had turned darker and nightfall was approaching. Acting fast Maphai suggested they take the route which wrapped around the rim. Both leaders found their way to a cobbled and gravel street that went around the rim of the crater. It appeared it would take them a few hours past nightfall to make it around the other side.

Tsubib Pajibe's streets that wrapped around the rim were illuminated with torch lights, braziers, and a few candle light street lamps. Each light was placed twenty to thirty feet of each other. Although they witnessed a brawl and death in the city no one would mess with these armed warriors strolling through the night. Maurice walked beside Maphai looking around to see if he could spot any signs of trouble. His walking companion placed a hand on his arm saying the rim of this city was more secure than the lower sections. Most of the residents here were either guards, militia, craftsman, servants, basket weavers, rope/net makers, and pottery makers. The commando relaxed a little when he saw several guards and Tsubib Soldiers armed with rifles on patrol. Feeling more secure about the darkened streets Maurice pressed forward. Just as they anticipated their journey around the rim took a few hours.

A few hours well into the night the pair of them made it back to the stables and the inn. Without a word Maphai and checked in just before the innkeeper, a woman in her fifties who looked a little younger, called it a night. She allowed them to bunk with their companions whom already rented a couple of rooms. The commando laid down on a cot taken from the storage under the inn. He wondered if Brittany and the others were getting along well in the comforts of that yacht. With this in mind Maurice got up to check with Maphai to see how things were at their yacht.

He had to stir Maphai from her bed. He managed to do without waking up Nanim, and Amonif who held a mug in his arms. The Forsythan held it in his arms like a child would do to a teddy bear. The mercenary leader woke up wondering what he wanted at this time of night. Maurice asked for the hand radio to get in contact with the yacht. She sat up and searched for the radio in her bag. She switched it on and began talking into it. They waited for a few minutes before someone picked up. As they conversed with Ordoz who sounded like he never slept at all. He said everything was going well at the yacht and that Cagan and Vylinsis found another route that could lead them to a wide river. Ordoz switched the radio off leaving them nothing but static on the other end. Giving up on communication for now the two leaders returned to sleep.

The next morning the two leaders stirred their men out of bed for an early breakfast. Amonif, Hilastes, Eyanosa, Nanim, and Oroceth sat at a couple of benches they put together outside. Maphai and Maurice explained what they discovered while speaking with the council of Tsubib Pajibe. Amonife, and Hilastes had hopeful looks in their eyes. Oroceth seemed stunned to hear news of more Vestrisians closer to them than they thought. Eyanosa nodded in approval taking a sip of his warm beverage. As they dined outside Maurice turned to look over his shoulder. He had a better look at the inn while Maphai explained where they could find a few of these missing Vestrisians. This inn appeared more modern compared to the adobe style structures around it, but still appeared to be from a previous century. It was constructed using mortar and stones that must have been dug from the earth. He could see the beams of wood creating the skeleton that was now covered. It had an odd shape to it which explained the numerous rooms and the large space for dining and the bar. This inn stood at three stories high with a crude tile roof. Within moments his view was blocked by a pair of large breasts.

He blinked and leaned back to see it was the flirtatious woman from yesterday. She smiled at him before grabbing his head then shoving it into her breasts. She took his head in between her bosoms rubbing them against his face. This woman did this for a few minutes before being told to back off and leave them to important matters. She let him go but not before placing his own hands on her chest making him squeeze her. Maurice started to squeeze her breasts before he snapped out of it then gently pushed her away. She shook her breasts and blew him a kiss before leaving them.

Multiple locals, and patrons laughed as Maurice shook the thoughts and experience away from his mind. Once the laughing ceased the mercenaries and soldiers begin discussing where they could find the Vestrisians in the city. Maurice caught the attention of a barmaid asking for the whereabouts of a Vestrisian who resides in the city. The barmaid pointed towards the city rim's flank, their right, saying there was a man with a thick beard who resides in a hovel he created. She then said there were four more men who fit the description of a Vestrisian and wore dog tags similar to his own. When he asked her where they lived she had no clue, but left him with a kind smile. Seeing the opportunity Maurice stood up urging his companions to follow him. At first they looked confused then realized what just happened. Each one of them got up to follow Maurice back to their rooms at the inn. Inside the group of warriors and mercenaries grabbed what they needed and left the rest of their belongings inside. Once they had what they needed the seven traveling companions left the inn. With Maurice in the lead Maphai and the others raced out of the inn into the streets. Regardless of who was watching them the seven of the rushed through the street that wrapped around the rim of the crater. Numerous inhabitants filled the street giving them a maze of obstacles to get around. Maurice couldn't tell how long they ran through the crowd of people who seemed to ignore them as they rushed by. A few of them acknowledged them but returned to their conversations and tasks. The world around him seemed to go by at his own running pace as he turned and moved around groups of people until he came to a structure that looked like a hovel made from stones and wood beams. Outside was a man in a dirty blue uniform, tattered and pieces missing, and replaced with leathery hide pieces. His dark hair seemed unkempt, shaggy, and a thick beard covered his face.