System Break

Chapter 23: Mountain Folk

There was a smile on my face that refused to budge. We ran like the wind to meet up with our fellow guardians. Gisael was a master of the forest and her speed and stamina were unmatched. We were without the apprentices and I was able to spread my wings.

My long strides and powerful jumps gave me an edge, but it still wasn't enough, when she realised I was testing myself against her. My beast power was no match for her finesse. She danced between trees and used height to her advantage. She would climb and leap, then swing land and jump.

It was like she sensed where the foliage was heavy. She always picked the wide-open path. Despite the thrashing I was still smiling when we arrived at the newly built outpost.

The forest had expanded, mostly to the east and south, but a little to the north as well. At least five hundred yards. This outpost was at the furthest point from the land core, the north east corner.

The tallest tree was selected, one which soared above the others. It had an unhindered view of the terrain. Where its branches were thickest there was a cache filled with arrows and dried food.

"We need more quivers," Talila said.

Gisael nodded as she inspected. "This will do for now. When the artisans arrive, they will make many more." She picked up a random arrow and threw it to the ground. She glared at us.

Ailen waved his hands. "Wasn't me."

I climbed up to the crow's nest and stood. "I love this view."

Gisael tugged my leg. "You're not supposed to be seen." She sat in front of the trunk with her knees tucked underneath her. She blended in.

I smiled at her. The Svartalfar were pro.

"Damn," Ailen said.

I began to climb down. "I'll go scout now."

"No too far," she said.

"Can I come?" Ailen asked.

I shrugged.

"Be wary. Run back here if trouble finds you." Gisael peered at me.

I laughed. "That's guaranteed." I looked at Sakaala and she shook her head, she didn't want to come with us.

Grabbing the tree with both hands I dropped down using the tree-run ability - grabbing every ten or so feet. It was like abseiling without a harness or rope.

When I landed, I crouched, looked up towards the mountains and waited a few moments for Ailen. The forest bordered on hills which eventually turned into mountains after five or so miles.

He landed with a thump and I asked him, "Do you think they hunt in those hills for food? Will they venture into the forest in winter."

"When's winter?"

I laughed. "Good question."

We walked with our heads on a swivel. There was no point in trying to hide as the hills provided little cover other than the odd boulder or bush. The tufts of grass were sparse and not very long.

I knelt to inspect a patch of dirt and Ailen knelt beside me.

He kept his head up. "You can track? Is that an ability?"

"No, it's a skill. Didn't you pick it up in your training."

His eyes glazed over for a moment. "Oh yeah. But it's noob, 0.91."

"See this here," I pointed. "I'm sure that's a hundred spiders which passed this way."

"How long ago?"

I laughed. "No fucking idea."

"What's your skill."

"Not great almost 15, but I've done this in the real world."

"When you were a soldier?"

"Yeah."

He chuckled. "What type of soldier were you?"

"I was a specialist; one the CIA uses."

"Oh."

"Let's move."

"What about the spiders?"

"If we sense them, run like the wind and I'll try and lead them away from you."

"Why?"

"Cos I'm faster than you archer boy."

He chuckled. "I didn't have much choice. Maybe when I become elite like Gisael I can start using a sword."

"Shh." I waved my hand behind my back and then pointed. There were four men, wearing furs and leathers, wait one was a woman. How could I miss that - she was beautiful.

She had pale skin and long dark hair. She wore skin-tight leathers which left nothing to the imagination. The leather itself was handcrafted, not like back in the real world. It was layered with interlocking segments. There were multiple straps holding knives and she carried a pair of axes on her back.

I didn't look at the men much.

I took a couple of steps in their direction Ailen whispered, "Wait, what're you doing?"

"I'm going to talk to them," I said and strode across the hill. They were the first humans I'd seen.

When their eyes widened, they drew weapons and moved quickly into formation facing me. I placed my spear on the ground and held out my empty hands. I walked slowly towards them smiling.

They didn't throw any knives or axes at me. It was a good start.

"Hello," I said with a grin and I couldn't take my eyes off the girl. She stared back at me with the same animal vitality that Gisael had.

The man with lines on his face and bits of grey in his hair spoke. "Halt. We're not in the forest why do you approach us?" He wielded a wicked knife.

"We're neighbours. I wanted to see if we could be friendly." I twisted my shoulders loosening them up with a crack. "But if you want to fight, I don't mind."

"You're naked and weaponless," the beautiful girl said.

I looked down at my dragon who was impressed with her. The I met her gaze and shrugged.

The man laughed. "You're strange for one of the tree-folk. What would being friendly with you gain us?"

I laughed in return. "Do friends seek to gain off each other? Is that what being friends is to the mountain-folk?"

Her faced scrunched in distaste, but the man laughed with me.

"You're right. But we're not friends yet. Maybe we trade some. Maybe we fight together and then we can be friends."

I clapped. "That's what I'm talking about. What sort of stuff do you need? What do you have to trade?"

"We could use some timber and food. They're always needed. And we have tools, weapons and skins to trade."

I turned around and called, "Ailen. You're needed here." I turned back, "Sorry I'm just a friendly face and the muscle. Ailen can do the bartering. I'm sure he's capable." I looked at the girl. "Would you like to take a walk in the forest? Or perhaps we can kill some spiders together?"

She shook her head in disbelief then looked at the man. "Father?"

He laughed. "They're different. Think nothing of it. No tree-folk you won't be taking my daughter with you back into the forest alone."

I sighed sadly.

When Ailen arrived, the older man told him to discuss terms with his aide. He was one of their chieftains apparently.

He looked me up and down. "You're tall for one of them."

Ailen began to chat with the aide and cast me nervous and confused looks. "One sec," I told the chieftain. "Just made a deal. It's how we start a friendship. Any deal, not too big and don't get ripped off."

I walked away from Ailen and the chief followed me. "How do you know so much about the tree-folk? We know so little about you."

He chuckled. "I pay attention and you folk normally mind your own business. Except you. You're strange."

"I get that a lot." I smiled. "Are you down here hunting for food?"

He grinned. "Spiders and cats roam the hills. Good for skins and eating."

"You eat spiders?"

His grin widened. "They spawn fast and taste great. Fried is my favourite." He twirled his axe. "If we become friends does that mean we could wander into the forest without being attacked?"

I pursed my lips and thought. "If you had a good reason, like seeking shelter. But the forest belongs to us. You cannot take anything."

He nodded and sighed. "That is expected. But that would mean the hills are ours and you cannot take anything."

I looked up towards the mountains. "Aren't the mountains yours?"

He nodded.

"Then the hills are no mans land. The forest is ours and the mountains are yours."

"I never met a tree-folk who bargained." His eyes narrowed. "You're awfully cunning."

"Living in the forest brings a sense of balance with nature." I spoke absolute tripe, but he didn't know.

"Balance you say. It does seem that way. We each hold a domain and its neutral in between. I cannot speak for all the clans, but we can have an agreement you and I."

I held out my hand and he clasped it. "You and I," I said, and he tried to break my hand. I poured qi body into it just in the nick of time. He grinned. Men were men even here.

He turned his head and spat blood. "Oh. You are strange."

"Sorry," I said and let his hand go. I watched as his qi retreated back to his core. It was the size of a fist, larger than mine and Gisael's. He probably ate the cores from spiders and other things.

"You have remarkable strength for a tree-folk and you carry a spear. What is your name?"

"Benzhi."

"I am Ulfgrim. Well met."

I sensed her before I saw her. Gisael appeared on a hill with her bow in hand. I waved at her.

"I best let them know we're on friendly terms. Ailen."

Ulfgrim grinned. "Be well. We can meet here again in three days for the trade."

Ailen followed me back to the frowning Gisael. She turned and walked back with us to the forest without saying a word. Her breathing spoke volumes, she huffed and puffed.

As soon as we were under the cover of trees she asked. "What have you done?"

I grinned at her. "Making friends."

I think I shocked her into stunned silence.