Snippet #2041745

Shako's head hurt. It felt like his skull was several sizes too small for his brain. He gritted his teeth and started piecing together what happened. It came slowly, but the memories were complete, and he still knew who he was. As far as he could discern he didn't have any brain damage. Slowly, he opened his eyes.
He was inside a log cabin. A small lantern was hung on the wall he was facing, and behind him he could hear the crackling of a fire. He was lying on a filthy straw mattress slung over a couple of wooden pallets to form a bed. It looked like it would almost have been better for his health to have slept on the floor. There were two doorways on the wall at his feet, both of them open. A quick glance upwards revealed dozens of crates filling the rest of the room. Evidently it was some kind of storage room. Slowly, carefully, he sat up. His body ached whenever he moved, and he felt stiff, but otherwise he appeared unharmed. 

No sooner had he wondered who his rescuers were than two burly men trudged into the room. As soon as they saw he was awake they started grinning. They were both big, ugly, and looked like they had taken several too many blows to the head (and face). Shako took a guess and decided they were brothers, and this was confirmed when the first one grunted "Oh look bro, our guest is awake!"
The second one swaggered closer, kneeling down beside Shako "So he is! Tell me friend, how are you feeling?"
The pair were being anything but friendly and sincere, but Shako answered the question anyway "I think I'll live."
"Well, if that's your plan," the first one said leaning in close and grabbing the front of Shako's robe "what were you doing snooping around our cabin?"
Ordinarily Shako would have broken the man's forearms - he didn't respond well to threats - but he needed some information from these people, and he didn't entirely trust his body not to betray him just yet. 
"I was lost in the blizzard and looking for help. How long was I unconscious?"
"You slept for two days." number two replied, as one released Shako, seemingly satisfied "What kind of fool are you to go into the mountains without sufficient supplies?"
"I hadn't realised just how insufficient they were at the time. I'll not be making that mistake again."
"You'll not be making any mistakes again if you aren't careful." growled number one. He appeared to be older, but less intelligent than his brother. Not to mention more aggressive. 
"All I want is to know the route back down the mountain. I will leave you in peace."
"That's as maybe, but we need to be sure that's all you were doing. Get a dose of skalm ready, Jim."

Shako's brain worked like an encyclopaedia. Skalm: an extremely powerful painkiller often used in cases of amputation, large burns or other such horrific injuries. It was a paste which gave a sensation of floating and disconnection from the body when applied to the skin, even in small quantities, for more than a minute or two. It also impaired higher brain functions somewhat, meaning it was difficult for people to lie whilst under its effects. It could be taken recreationally, though it was illegal to do so on most of the continent save for a few backwaters. Shako had never had it, and didn't intend to. If that meant he had to beat the two men whom had saved his life then so be it. Shako began to subtly tense his body, getting ready to strike. He watched the man, Jim, preparing the dose whilst feigning fear. 

Shako was just about to strike when a third figure entered from the other room. It was a woman, and she would have been pretty if not for the huge scar that ran down the left side of her face and pulled her nose and mouth out of alignment. 
"What do you two think you're doing?" she screeched, and they both flinched
"We're gonna give him some skalm to make sure he tells us the truth." Jim bumbled
"You most certainly are not!" she snapped, switching to the other brother "You do realise he's a monk, don't you?"
"I don't see how that makes a difference, Sandra." the brother replied, standing his ground. 
"It means he has no reason to lie to you, you fools! Now get out so I can have a word with him."
The two brothers left in a hurry, the second staring daggers into Sandra's back as he went. 

"I'm so sorry." Sandra began, her voice suddenly soft and sincere, the abrupt change catching Shako off guard "I hope they didn't hurt you."
"No, I'm fine. Thank you for intervening." Shako smiled politely.
"My pleasure," she continued sitting down on the bed next to Shako "they need a firm hand to keep them in line, but they mean well."
"I'm sure they do." Shako stated sarcastically, those two had anything but good intentions. 
"You do realise we can't just let you go though. You've got no money, but we need some kind of payment for saving your life. Food and firewood isn't free, and times are tough." 
Shako sat in silence for a moment, he had been expecting something like this and already formulated a plan. "How about a trade then?"
"I'm listening."
"Well, judging by how protective your friends are of this place, and how many crates full of skalm you've got, I'm going to assume that you are smugglers, correct?"
Sandra nodded cautiously. 
"My guess," Shako continued "is that you're shipping the stuff out of Shaharan and over the mountains into Cre'Est. So my offer is, that you tell me the routes down from the mountain, and in exchange I will carry three sacks of skalm to your dealer."
"How do you propose to manage that much without being searched?"
"I'm a holy man, remember? If I tell them it's for medicinal purposes, they won't question it."
Sandra was grinning "Are you sure you're a monk, you seem very willing to get your hands dirty. Plus how do we know you won't rat us out?"
"Trust me, I'm doing this to further my agenda not yours. This is just a means to an end. And I will swear an oath to you that I will not tell the guards. The monks of Uirlin are not allowed to break their oaths."
"Fine then," Sandra smiled, standing "I accept our arrangement. I'll have some provisions prepared and then guide you down the mountain myself tomorrow morning."
They shook hands, and she left to oversee her minions. Shako, meanwhile, was repeatedly telling himself he was doing the right thing. He had to leave this place as soon as possible, preferably without making enemies, and this was the best way to do it. Even if it went against his moral compass, he doubted it was the worst deed he was going to accomplish before Te'i Sai was finished. 

As planned, they departed the next morning. There were no snowstorms, and the sun was out. It was right back to the beautiful vistas Shako had first been lured in by. The trek down the mountain was treacherous, following numerous unsteady goat paths slicked with ice. Many of them overlooked sheer drops. Despite the dangers, they made it to the base of the mountain without any serious incidents. Hidden in a small wood they said their goodbyes, which were not particularly heartfelt.

"Before I go." Shako asked "What's the latest rumour on the Red Eyed Demon?"
Sandra's brow creased as she thought "Last time I was in town was a month ago, but they say he's left Cre'Est. There was talk that he'd entered Triveila but then again some say he headed into Veilbrand. Why do you want to know?"
"Oh, it's just a hobby of mine to follow the gossip about him." Shako answered, slinging the sacks over his shoulders and turning to leave. 
"Wait! One more thing!" Sandra called, her tone suddenly slightly pleading
"What is it?" Shako enquired, turning back towards her and dropping the sacks to the ground again. 
"I know I don't really deserve it but...will you bless me?"
"You do realise that the blessings of Uirlin are meant to bring luck in battle? Normally only soldiers ask for them."
"I know," Sandra replied, blushing slightly "but I feel like I could use whatever favours the Gods will give me."
"Very well then." Shako shrugged, and laid his hands upon her shoulders and closed his eyes, taking a moment to collect himself before saying "Uirlin, I implore you to look after this daughter. To watch over her, and see her carried victorious through her struggles."
He removed his hands and slung the sacks again, and this time she did not stop him, simply calling out "Thank you."
He walked on, considering the rumours she had told him. They may have been old, but Shako knew he was at least five steps behind from the beginning. What mattered was how quickly he caught up. He would head into Triveila and try his luck there once he had made the drop. He was in no hurry to go back to Veilbrand, and whilst he was eager to get back on the Demon's trail, he would keep his vows and deliver the skalm first. 

One step at a time, he told himself, one step at a time...