Death Seeker - Horizon: Zero Dawn

Chapter 10

"You've done as I've asked, boy." Grahlan began. "I'm pleased that you've started listening to me."

"Thanks, Grahlan."

"But it's time. You're sixteen now. Time to become a man."

Ahvis nodded. He knew the gang had been planning something for a while. Ehris and Fahris had been scouting an area south of Meridian day and night, and had acquired reliable intelligence regarding a noble's caravan readying to travel the Way of Broken Stones, to the village of Freeheap, then continuing north to The Claim for trade. Ahvis heard machine hearts mentioned, crystal harnesses, lenses, slagshine glass, metal plates and electronic blocks amongst others. He had no idea what most of the materials were for, or why anyone would want them, but the demand from the Oseram in the north was huge. Great sacks of precious shards had been offered by the clans, desperate for such rare parts to play, tinker and build with.

"So, what's the plan?"

"A caravan will be leaving The Estate in a day or so, joining the Way of Broken Stones trail for Freeheap." Grahlan began. "We will wait at the abandoned camp in The Gatelands, and ambush the merchant's party when they approach. Mika will quickly take out the scouts, then we will surround the remaining guards and dispatch them by hand. Once we have control of the caravan, we'll bring it back to Blackwing Snag through Day's Height to the Spurflints, then west, remaining hidden from Meridian by the Spearshafts. Easy."

Ahvis regarded his toothy grin with distaste. "What do you want me to do?"

Grahlan was surprised at the question. "By the Metal Devil what do you think I want you to do? Kill boy! As many as you can!"

Ahvis nodded his understanding, testing his ribs with a poke and a prod. He had healed well over the last four weeks, and although he was far from recovered, he could still swing a spear with decent strength. He regularly crept out of camp late at night to see Tufanah, and they had become very close. They would sit atop the mesa above Sunscreen Woods, overlooking the Spearshafts, and frolic and giggle amongst the flowers for hours. And when it was time, usually in the early hours after they lay together, he returned to Blackwing Snag, to prepare for this final mission. Then he would leave.

"Be ready to leave, boy." Grahlan tore him from his reverie. "We will have to move fast when Fahris brings word."

-

The Gatelands camp was a perfect vantage point, and perched on the edge of a cliff, it offered an opportunity to monitor activity from the west. Fahris brought early word that the caravan would be departing soon, and the bandit outfit quickly traversed their way east, then north into The Gatelands.

The last residents of the camp were long gone, and the mountain shelf where it sat was perfectly hidden from Lone Light and Morning's Watch. They had barely a chance to scout the area when they heard someone approach. Fahris spoke.

"Ehris." Fahris whispered.

The older brother quietly trotted over to the others, joining them in the camp behind rocks and a burnt fence. "They're close. Six guards, protecting a merchant, and four carriers."

"Positions." Grahlan ordered. "Mika, we wait on you."

"Ready." She replied from above, perched somewhere in the rocks.

Ehris and Fahris climbed the far side of the camp, ready to surprise the caravan on the trail. Grahlan and Ahvis waited for the caravan to pass.

They waited.

The muscular carriers walked in a rectangular arrangement, supporting a long pole over each shoulder, connecting their carriage of two in front and two behind. They chuntered slowly up the slope to The Gatelands camp, puffing and blowing like a row of chimneys. The colourfully dressed merchant walked closely behind, keeping a watchful eye on the delicate sacks securely hung from the carry poles. Four guards tightly surrounded the caravan, carrying long spears and armour similar to Carja soldiers, and at a distance ahead were two scouts. They wore leather or hide padding and armour, and carried short bows. They prowled the immediate area, scanning for dangers.