Shadow of Hope 41
As Kurn moved in the direction of the battle’s western edge, he was met by Zulian and Rôhn emerging from around a cluster of trees. The Dwarf seemed fine, though Zulian appeared to have faired no better than Borlak or Kurn at the mandibles of the great insects. Striated tears could be seen along the clothing of her midsection along with the telltale glisten of the Ankheg’s volatile saliva. She waved off any aid that was offered at the moment in favor of discussion.
“No sign is given that any of these creatures moved away from this site overland,” she said, “Though we cannot know to what extent they have tunneled beneath us.”
As Cheskith reached Haron and affirmed that the boy and the mounts were all unharmed, Erellia looked to and fro from horseback before turning to address the party. “I do not like this,” she stated, “Camping in the den of another is unwise on many accounts, and there is no way to be certain we have cleared the area of all the Ankheg. Not without heading into those tunnels and ferreting them out.”
“Other thoughts?” she asked of those nearby.
Katarina moved over to Kurn and addressed the warrior perfunctorily, “Mind if I have a look at your arm?” Without truly waiting for a response, she began her ministrations of Kurn’s wounded limb. After assessing the injury for a few moments, she said, “The Lady’s aid will be needed,” and began intoning words of prayer.
After a few moments of gathering her will, a pale yellow light infused her hands and the injuries began to mend at an accelerated rate. When she finished her divine craft, there was still a degree of soreness, but the wound was much improved.
“Agreed,” growled Rôhn, “Their tunnels may be deep and expansive.” He gave a knowing side-glance to Cheskith. “We should move on before the darkest of nightfall.” Brow furrowed, Rôhn’s eyes scanned the horizon.
As the barbarian’s battle rage settled Borlak once again became aware of things around him. He checked himself over and realized that the wounds were not life threatening, giving him the chance to take in his surroundings.
Movement at the edge of his vision drew his attention, and he strode over to the lair. At once his gaze fell upon a corpse that seemed to be breathing. Kneeling down to examine it, he realized that it was merely writhing…as if something was moving underneath the skin.
In a soft but firm voice he said, “Look. This body is still writhing. The ankheg are using these bodies for breeding chambers!”
Borlak looked up at the rest of the party, “We had best burn them before they hatch!”
Rôhn grimaced at the thought, and began rooting for the fire-making supplies.
Marcus helped gather wood and tap the keg of oil for just a pint to start the fire well. As he worked he noticed any wounded that were still hurt and offer help.
Borlak stacked the bodies into a pile, then foraged for suitable tinder, intent on ensuring that there were no surviving Ankheg.
Once the bodies were piled, the tinder was gathered and the dead were assured, Rôhn proceeded to start a fire on the pyre.
“All is well, I see?” Cheskith inquired of Haron, “The bodies, they were accompanied by giant insects that burrowed from below. The four that attacked, they are dead now, but whether more of them are here, we are uncertain. See what they are doing, I should, but what has happened, you know.”
“Thank you, sir,” Haron responded to Cheskith’s update, “All’s well here. I’ll just move the horses onto the trail for when we’re ready to head out.”
The boy began to follow Cheskith as the Silveraen returned toward the party, but he drew up short on the trail, looking onward at the carnage from afar.
Cheskith returned to where the others were gathered amidst the trees, keeping out of the way as Borlak and Rôhn arrange the pyre; having been absent when the discovery of the corpses’ infestation was made, he concluded that it was a sign of respect rather than one of cleansing, so he kept himself back from the perceived ritual.
Kurn voiced no assent or dissent; there was no guarantee a safer place would make itself evident if they proceeded a mile, or two, or three down the trail. Moving off at least a few hundred yards southward as had been suggested would suit Kurn fine and get them far enough from the bodies.
As the dead were piled, Kurn assisted or stood clear as need required; he would not push in just to ensure his hand was there to lend, but he did not hesitate when something needed doing.
With his sword out in one hand and an Ankheg’s chitinous severed leg tip in the other, Kurn surveyed the ground where the bodies were, watching carefully for any sign of movement and then digging furrows into the soil to a depth of six inches using the Ankheg limb to see if any larvae had started to burrow.
As Kurn inspected the nest site, no indication was given that any of the Ankheg larvae had begun to migrate. The earth itself was still quite firm with the winter chill, and the corpses appeared to contain all vestiges of the young.
As Borlak managed the corpses, aside from the sickening sensation of the subcutaneous pulsing, the reek of sour flesh and decay was almost overpowering. As he lifted the third body from the earth with a squelch, a small flat box snapped loose from the strap which had secured it to the victim and tumbled to the ground. One corner, almost a quarter of the box’s area, was smashed in, but otherwise the wood appeared to have weathered the elements rather well.
Kurn and Rôhn both took notice of the wooden object as well as it came to rest on the trampled ground.
Katarina approached with a face slightly pinched against the distasteful task and said, “Borlak, keep that arm clear of the filth lest it fester! When you’re finished, allow me to have a look at the wound.”
When at last the bodies are all gather and lit, Borlak turns to Katarina and gives himself over to her healing attention.