83 Movements (1/2)
”Can we build you a home here? Set up a nice cave?” Remian asked.
[It's not the same. Nothing's the same. And there's the territory to consider. If I stay away too long, I'll lose my turf.]
”But what if bad men make you crazy and you come attacking us again? You swore fealty on the rocks and Mal'thor-dras. What would happen if you broke your vow?”
[Then Mal'thor-dras would strike me.] Spike shuddered. [But you stopped them, didn't you? That's why there's no Beast Wave yesterday.]
”Maybe. But I think there's more of them out there. I don't think the Beast Waves are going to stop for long.” Remian said. ”Tell you what. We can set up a clan of wolfcats to guard you and a clan of lynxmice to stand watch, but you have to come help fight every Beast Wave.”
[But it takes so long to get here and back!] Spike protested.
”Exactly.” Remian stretched. ”It won't be like that forever, though. Right now, our defense line is moving to Kara-Goth. One day, maybe a year from now, we'll expand far enough that we'll move the line to Three Forks River and fortify Rocky Ford. Someday, we might even expand it to the Deadly Sands and then fortify the Rocky Ravine. That's just a day's trek from Craggy Falls.”
[That's all 'maybe' and 'one day'. I need to go home now.]
An odd thought occurred to Remian then. ”Spike, just how large is your territory?”
[Not as big as a Fief. About a tenth as large.] Spike shifted.
That was more land area than the whole town, more than Kara and Goth put together. That was about as much as the farm was currently taking up.
Remian considered for a bit, then said, ”What if I had some of my people stay over at your place?”
[What for?] Spike asked, suspiciously.
”We could use a forward base for scouts and prospectors.”
[Why would you need that?] Spike grouched. [And why does it have to be at my place?]
”Because whatever we're up against seems to be interested in the Black Ruins.” Remian explained. ”And there are Black Ruins all over the Wildlands, which means there are many more of them out there. This is a mess that can't be resolved simply by sitting in Shadowflash Fief, we need to find them and find out what they're up to, and then we need to stop them, which means going far, far beyond this Fief. As to why we need your place, it's because the Wildlands are dangerous, and the safest place south of this Fief is with our dear friend Spike… plus we really do want to investigate those ruins.”
[Fine! Build your forward base! But after this job, I'm going home.]
***
Meanwhile, Charlie returned to Ashdale, dropping off a report from Marcus on the way, and bringing a very important letter from Mindy to Mandy.
”She wants me to go back.” Mandy said, throwing the letter aside after she read it. ”She says they've defeated the Beast Waves for good! That they're not coming back! Can you believe it?”
”I believe she said it, but I don't think they're gone.” Charlie said slowly. ”Still. If you want to go back…”
”I don't!” Mandy barked. ”I never want to see that place again!”
”Not even for a visit? You could come with me on the airship and never set foot on the ground. You could just see your sister, and meet old friends, and then come back with me.” Charlie pointed out.
Mandy paused, considered, then shook her head. ”No. I'm sorry, but I've decided. I'm putting the past behind me, and I'm going to move forward.”
”Forward to where, by the way?” Charlie asked.
”Here.” Mandy said, glancing around. ”Or somewhere nearby. I can find a place of my own…”
”There's no need. You and the children can stay for good.” Beth called from across the living room. ”Come live with us.”
”But… but we can't impose…” Mandy gasped.
”Nonsense! Just do a baptism and formally join House Meadows!” Beth suggested. ”You can even change your name if you like!”