Conflict

 

His brother was smoking again. He still did it every now and then, seemingly just often enough to bother his sibling's mind. It wasn't just that it was unhealthy, he felt that the smoke slowed his brother down in the heat of things. He was less capable after he smoked, even if he wouldn't admit it, and they both needed to be capable for the type of work they did. At least the wind was in their favor.

The two brothers were sitting well-hidden by a rock wall on the Hill of Elders. Behind them a grand view of the Lincoln valley opened up, faraway tall hills staggering blue-green against the southern horizon. The party they were tracking had stopped for a rest some distance away on the roadside. From the hidden vantage point they surveyed their quarry.

The group consisted of five vehicles, four of which were equipped with loads bound for the mountain townships. They had only three full warrior-rangers between them, though the captain and his second-in-command both seemed hardy enough. The rest didn't concern him. At least, that is, he didn't think they would get in the way of the operation. It had just been decided, between the two of them, that the girl should be taken into custody before her party started up the mountain trail. As capable as the two brothers were, they did not relish the idea of chasing a well-equipped party of rangers up a mountain where they would find ever increasing impediments to their efforts. The mountain townships were wild, but well-protected, and with harsh weather. They much preferred the comforts of the valley. One could get away with a lot more suspect but profitable business within river-vale society, and food was easier to come by. The man in black had said to only follow and observe so he could know the girl's whereabouts, but that would be even easier to do if they had her in captivity. Then he and his slow-witted brother could avoid roughing it on the mountain road. The girl would not be difficult to capture, but they would need some help. Luckily they had many family and friends in the valley, and a quick message would bring them to the trailhead well in time for an ambush.

After a short break they were on their way again, heavy repulsars treading easily on the graded road. The sweeping views to the right were cut off by a bank of forest, but Ayleah was not disappointed. Wondrous sheets of gold and green shone vibrantly through the depths young woods to wither side. The road crested another rise, and then narrowed as it reached a junction right at the foot of the mountain. The party turned with the narrowing roadway, and entered a deeper grove of trees. There was no more avenue of sky above the road, and the larger old forest of the mountain wrapped right around their way. More woods roads branched off to the left, and it seemed that they came to a small village clearing. Local streets wiggled their way out from a main gravel lot, though one heading east seemed more used than the rest and bore a large directional sign. The main road continued on north past the clearing, but the party circled up and stopped off to the side. Here and there along the edge of the open area sat travelers by camps or vagrants in various states of wakefulness. A couple convenience shops opened lazily onto the rough square. As the lead vehicle came to a stop, Sutton got out and, ever on the alert, began to casually establish a perimeter, gazing with suspicion at the trees around them.

It was Atkins though, the navigator of the group, who first knew what was happening. She was sitting in the side of the van studying her charts when the flexglass window above her head was ripped off and thrown to the ground. In its place was a threatening sort of fellow who seemed intent on grabbing her next. Given his treatment of the previous thing in his hands, she was strongly against the idea. Thinking quickly, Atkins pushed herself away from the open window, and aimed a kick at the man's chest. “Not her idiot! Over here!” was heard from outside the vehicle, and a small chaos ensued.

The rangers of the party came quickly to their defense. Sutton had whipped around at the sound of a crash to see a window gone from the lead truck, a man just getting up from the ground, and Ayleah wresting with another who was trying to drag her away. The ranger from the second truck had just reached the scene when Sutton was engaged in combat from his other side. Many of the vagrants had rushed the party, attempting in their attack to give the brothers time to get away with the target. The valley men surrounded the vehicles and caused general chaos by rampaging them, even attempting to loot the carriers. Though fearsome and confident in their numbers, they did not count on the skills of those in the party. The two warrior-rangers earned their pay well. Sutton, Jaen, and the second driver Bellinda also proved invaluable in their calm command and ability to protect. At one point it seemed Ayleah would be taken, overwhelmed as she was by the superior strength of her captor, but Raik managed to free his small scout craft from the fray and blocked the brother's exit. He forced the man to loosen his grip of Ayleah just enough for her to break free and use the scout craft to get to away. Once Ayleah had left the scene and the valley men realized the extent of their injuries thus far they dispersed into the woods. Sutton and the other two rangers re-established a perimeter of the clearing, making sure none of the enemies continued to lurk nearby. Jaen and Bellinda surveyed the vehicles and regrouped the crew.

Ayleah returned with Raik on the scout craft to a dispiriting scene. Broken glass and other items were strewn around the parked vans, and the scuffed ground was dotted with what was most likely blood. The attackers had focused more on creating a chaotic scene for the kidnappers to slip away than on causing harm, but inevitably weapons had been raised in the conflict resulting from the defense. The valley men had had axes and other rough weapons, and had injured a few members of the party. None of the injuries seemed major though, and a couple bandages were administered. It was only when the third driver returned to their vehicle that they saw what else had happened. Craig, the lists and manifest manager for the group, had been traveling in the third van. He now lay face-down and unresponsive on the gravel, part of which beneath and next to him was staining a rusty color.

After the carriers were repacked, and the debris cleaned and losses assessed, a small funeral was had at the edge of the open lot. There was still some danger in lingering, and all in the party wanted to leave the place as soon as possible, after what had just happened there. However they had to take a moment to honor the life of one of their own. None in the party had known Craig all that well, but he had been a decent person, and good at his job. Indeed, there was even some concern about the keeping of the manifest now, since Craig had had the best mind of them all for quantities and distribution. They solemnly departed that afternoon, after burying him in a quiet grove of evergreen and loam.