System Break
Chapter 71: Stronghold stopover

Demon bird flew with the grace of a Volkswagen Kombi with a clutch issue but just like the old car, he was effective. High above the Dokkalfar fort the bird banked to the north before circling back to the west.

Over the last days we pushed hard all the way to the Dokkalfar stronghold, and we paced ourselves the last few miles. It was late afternoon of the fourth day.

Ailen ran with a steady gate. His heavy pack rested neatly on his back and beads of sweat nestled on his forehead.

"Tired?" I asked.

He nodded but did not answer. I could see the determination in his weary eyes.

"Good. You're almost ready for hell week."

His eyes narrowed. "This isn't hell? I've never worked this hard in my life."

I laughed. "Surprising yourself is what hell week is. Just when you think things couldn't get tougher you replace out how wrong you were." I pointed. "We're almost there."

"Thank heavens," he said then peered at me. "You ready? Your dream-walk is tonight."

"I guess I have to be." I nodded reassuringly to myself. "It'll be good to be out from under the thumb of the programme."

"I'll make sure you're paid too," Sakaala said. "I read your contract; I can't believe you signed it. But they owe you for your time and the discoveries. It's not a lot, about 600k USD."

I scoffed. "That is a lot."

A cheeky smile broke across her face. "I guess so. What will you do with it?"

"We can sort this out on the other side," I said.

"Okay, I'll visit if I can. Or we can wait until you're in a pod like us."

We waited patiently at the main gate. Our packs were brimming because we had to fight our way through some nasty shit. We were all weary to a degree even Demon bird was eager to feast on the carrion we left behind and sleep it off.

"Go bird," I told him. "You can eat to your hearts content and sleep for a day or two." This all took place in my mind; it was like talking to yourself.

Berger appeared after a few minutes. "Ah, you're back. Come, come, stow your weapons in the cart and be our guests." He eyed my poles.

When I pulled them to place in the cart, he flicked his head. "Put them in with the trade goods. You're looking for heads? What sort?"

"Spear, I think."

"You think?"

I nodded. "I want to hear what Barrin recommends."

"I see," he said, and we stripped weapons and packs as requested. "Okay follow me to the main hall. You'll be staying the night again?"

"Yes," Reyas answered. "If we're welcome."

"You are," he said and glanced at the two packs full of qi cores. I was prouder of my massive pack full of top-quality skins.

"How far north is your forest?" he asked as we wandered up the passage.

"Three hundred miles I think," Sakaala said.

"One hundred leagues," Gisael translated.

He whistled. "And through our mountains. Is the rest of the trip hard going?"

"No, it's plains mostly," Reyas said. "And these mountains aren't too troublesome."

I chuckled at Berger's expression. The warband leader was thinking we were monsters. His legs were much shorter and his armour heavy, he would have a hard time keeping up.

When we reached the tabled Sakaala and Ailen flopped. Nej to his credit was as able as Gisael when it came to eating up the miles. Reyas and I cheated with qi-stamina.

I leaned forward and turned my head to look at Gisael. "Want to learn qi-stamina now?"

She bared her teeth and her eyes gleamed. "I am able to keep up with you."

"But it'd be nice."

She put her hand on my leg. "Many things are nice."

I chuckled and removed my mask. I loved wearing it for the effect it had as much as the protection, but I missed her not being able to see me smile. She could only see my teeth gleam through a few cracks.

I stretched and put my arm around her. Reyas rested her head on my shoulder from the other side.

"After all this stuff is done, we'll take the time and train you to wield your qi."

Reyas sniffed. "It is not easy to push as you say. It does not want to move."

"Maybe we should ask Mother or your shaman what they do to wield their qi."

Gisael's hand wandered up and down my leg. "It will be natural for her. We do not force like you do."

"But you do, otherwise no guardians would even learn qi-blade."

"How do you know it is this way?"

Barrin entered the hall and waved. He then spoke to some of the other Dokkalfar.

"I don't, I'm guessing based on what I see." I waved back as he approached. "Hey, we're back."

"I see," he said and smiled. His eyes were as big and his skin dark as I remember. His goggles rested on the top of his scarf which covered his head. We didn't know if he was bald or had a full head of black hair underneath it.

"Where's Redmond?" Ailen asked.

"He's an apprentice," Barrin said with authority. "He'll be here when his work is done."

"You are not the only one who trains hard," Gisael said.

"Whatever Redmond is going through I'm willing to bed its way easier than what we just did," Ailen said.

"What did you do?" Barrin asked.

"Oh nothing," I said. "He exaggerates because he's new to hardship."

Barrin laughed. "So is Redmond."

I grinned. "They're alike in this way."

He grinned evilly. "Yes. He will learn the value of hard work."

"How is he coping?" I asked.

"He is determined. I admit I'm surprised. He may make a good smith one day."

"How long?" Ailen asked.

Barrin shrugged. "Ten years, twenty if he's a slow learner."

Ailen choked.

I laughed. "He can learn on the job Ailen, don't worry. He just needs to learn the fundamentals and then he can join us."

Barrin stared at me. "Guidance from another is always needed. Even I have someone to check my work and tell me my errors."

"Sure, but he can't stay here forever. He travelled from our old world for a reason and when he's ready he can join us."

"Agreed," Barrin said. "It is unfortunate he will not be with his kind."

I stared at him. "You're already attached?"

Sakaala said, "You know. It could be possible for you to have more like him. If that's what you wanted."

Barrin nodded. "Brudin speaks with the gatekeepers. They are singing the same tune, but she is wary."

Sakaala glanced at Ailen and he nodded.

"What do you want to trade for this time that you bring so many cores?"

"Oh, those," Sakaala said. "We intend to bring most of them back to our home. We have furs and skins to trade and we need some spearheads for Benzhi."

Barrin nodded. "I saw the fine shafts. What wood is that? I do not recognise it."

I glanced at Gisael who nodded and said, "It is from our sacred willow."

Barrin whistled a low note. "That is not common, not in the least. I am honoured to work with your living wood."

I drummed my fingers on the table. "You know," I said, "It doesn't have to be spear heads. I'm open to anything that strikes your fancy. Whatever you like."

Barrin grinned. "Are you certain? I could make them halberds, pikes, bardiche, so many things."

I shrugged and said, "I trust your judgment."

"How long do I have? It's not good to rush these things," he said.

"Take as long as you like," I said. "And that brings me to my next request. I need to stay here for a bit. Not sure how long exactly. I need to dream-walk back to my old world and I could get stuck there for a while. Its important to discuss this now because I need to dream-walk tonight."

He tilted his head. "Curious, why come here now if this dream-walk is urgent? Or did something happen."

"Oh. We're on our way to the tournament in a few days. Well, my friends are, I'll have to catch them up."

"The tournament in Dawnharbour?"

I nodded.

"And we want someone to guide us. One of your traders, we'll pay of course and Sakaala can assist you in setting up direct trade with the adventurers. Can't you Sakaala."

She nodded. "We can help you. We know some of them."

A horn of mead arrived and Barrin took a sip. "Your visits are interesting and surprising," he said and laughed. "I never know what you'll propose next."

"You don't have any gorgeous daughters, do you?"

He laughed and eyed Gisael, then Reyas. "Don't you have your hands full already?"

He grinned and continued. "You're welcome to stay here of course; that's not a problem. I think we can accommodate you with a guide because we do want to establish trade with the adventurers, and this is a great opportunity. I will have to discuss with the council, but it is something we can decide quickly."

"You have time before dinner, you should relax in your room and clean up if you like. Follow Hilda here, she'll show you through and it will give me time to talk with Brudin and Kindeag. Let's meet back here at dinner to conclude this business."

I stood and said, "Sounds great. Lead the way Hilda."