Edge of the Empire: Book 01: Outcast Origins

Chapter 6: Hard Lessons

Jarek wanted to object. He wanted to argue but knew it wouldn't do any good. Once Myler's mind was set it couldn't be deterred. His father had given him his task. He'd gotten off on a rocky start and had made the first mistake by not remaining patient. Now Jarek had a chance at redemption. He had to find the grazer.

Unfortunately, with the Kroot in the area, it meant the grazer had most likely veered back down into the valley to avoid becoming a meal. Its prints supported this assumption. Jarek also knew they could make up ground by taking an old hunters trail that led back down. It was rarely used at that time of year but still serviceable. He shared this idea with Myler who agreed.

As they approached the trail, they passed other signs that the Kroot had been in the area. Footprints several days old, a long-abandoned camp, and heaps of snow-covered spore all indicated the savages had long since moved on. Myler seemed to agree with his deduction as well, so they pressed on.

The hunter's trail was one of many established by the clan as a means to circumvent difficult terrain. While most of it consisted of actual footpaths, it incorporated man-made handholds and ledges to help scale cliffs, and zip lines for traversing ravines and canyons. Jarek had seen and traveled on many such trails. Often the heights left him feeling a bit...giddy. He wasn't afraid of falling, but he was afraid of dying. It was only natural.

The trail looped up a bit before descending back down, only leveling out when they came to a frozen stream. A stilted wooden bridge spanned it. Though it was covered in snow it appeared serviceable.

They were just beginning to cross it when Jarek felt the boards beneath his feet beginning to shift. At first, he thought the elements were finally taking their toll and that the bridge was about to collapse. He started to run when he felt a heavy hand grab his baldric.

"Back away boy!" Myler yelled. Jarek gasped in surprise when he felt his feet leave the floor as he was hauled backward. It was a good thing too. Right, where he had been about to step the boards snapped and exploded outwards amidst a guttural roar that certainly wasn't made by the wind.

"Trespasser!" echoed a loud booming voice. A massive scaled hand reached up and grabbed the broken edge of the bridge and levered up the rest of the voice's owner.

It was a Kroot, but not like the three that had attacked them earlier. This one was twice their height and massive in terms of bulk. Like its smaller kin, it wore the skins of prey and the bones of its trophies. A Krootoc; the larger angrier cousin to the Kroot.

"I'll feast on your guts!" It yelled so loud Jarek had to cover his ears. It raised both mighty fists above its head. Myler drew his pistol, but before he could aim the Krootoc brought his arms down on the bridge. Already unstable from its entrance, the bridge shattered and fell out from under their feet. They both fell yelling in alarm as they hit the ice and slid several meters downstream.

Jarek struggled to his feet just in time to see the bulk of the Krootoc lumbering towards him. It took slow deliberate steps, its clawed feet unsure about the slippery surface. Jarek gave ground trying to keep as much distance between him and his opponent.

"Here is your chance," he heard Myler call and looked around just in time to see his father toss him his carbine. Though shocked he still managed to catch the weapon. Gripping the barrel and stock he looked back at his father who had drawn his beskad and kal. He must have lost his pistol in the collapse. "Show me you are ready!" he ordered taking up a fighting stance.

"Oya My'Buir!" he replied shouldering the weapon and turning toward the beast who had managed to take up one of the bridges supports as a weapon. Myler lunged forward and slashed with his weapons causing the beast to roar in pain.