The Lutin Chronicles
Chapter 6
They who Went Before
By Oren Otter

"This is the brilliant part." said Fugu, demonstrating his special addition to the aqueduct.  "When the water level becomes high enough, the floating ball goes up, the lever gets lifted, and voila, the valve is closed.  This way, the pond here at Camp Dimtorch will always have exactly the right amount of water.  Never a shortage, never a flood."

"That's quite clever." Kayrok praised.  "But what if the pond freezes?"

"If it freezes, then the water isn't going to be coming in anyhow, now is it?"

"Good point."  

Fugu had good reason to be excited.  The aqueduct was about to open.  This meant fresh water for Mountainshade and Moondark.  There was also a pipeline which would bring some of the water into Cephas, and a downspout would make sure the pond in Camp Dimtorch stayed full.  At the end of each line in the forest towns, water would fall into deep trenches.  Those trenches would carry the water south again into a low valley which would become a lake.  Once the lake was full, the water would return to the old riverbed.  In the next year, Kayrok hoped to continue the aqueduct to Spiritfell, then to Anhunger, perhaps even to Point Grove.  Solace and Rider relied on wells and did not need the aqueduct.  Nevertheless, they were still slated to receive their own branch, partly to increase aggricultural growth and partly as a sign of solidarity between the cities of the Alpha-Omega Federation.

Some loud voices caught Kayrok's attention.  A squabble had broken out between a gnome and one of the rider lutins.  Tightening his jacket against the cold, the Captain went to see what was wrong and hopefully fix it before it came to blows.

"You take it back this instant!"

"And what army is going to make me?"

"Fight!" someone shouted.  "Fight!  Fight! Fight!"

"Gentlemen!" Kayrok called over the din.  "Let's save our cries of 'Fight! Fight! Fight!' for when we reach the southlands, shall we?  Now what is going on?"

"He called moi mother a goate!" said the gnome.

"I did not." the lutin insisted.

"What DID you say?" asked Kayrok.

"I said that Smallbreard's goat, Bess, looked a little like his mother."

"I see.  And does she?"

"Captain!" cried the gnome.

"Now hold on.  How is this gnome's mother like Bess?"

"Well, Sir, it's the hair, isn't it?  Long and white and a little wavy.  And she's got those eyes..."

"What about her oiyes?" demanded the gnome.

"They're big.  And brown."

"I see.  Are they pretty eyes?"

"I... I suppose they are."

"Bess' or the gnome lady's?"

"Well, both, Sir."

"And the hair?"

The lutin was beginning to understand that he'd better answer carefully.  "Like snow on the mountaintops, Sir.  Quite lovely indeed."

"Mister gnome, this lutin has just told me that your mother has pretty eyes and lovely hair.  How are you going to respond?"

"Er... thank ye?"

"You're welcome." said the lutin.  "I guess."

"Now show me that you're men of honor.  Shake hands."

A little grudguingly, and yet surprised by their own lack of ill will, the men complied.

"Now, why don't you all go have a drink in the mess hall?  Get yourselves warmed up.  It might put you in better spirits.  Oh, and the next man I hear chanting 'fight' gets to muck Bess' stall.  Dismissed."

"Well played, Sir." said Sujan.  "Tripe has just returned from Mountainshade and reports that the aqueduct is complete.  The dedication can proceed as planned."

Kayrok gazed at his first officer, standing in the winter cold without so much as long sleves.  "Sujan, where is your coat?" he asked.

"I need no coat."

"Doesn't the cold bother you at all?"

"Cold is a sensation, sir.  It neither bothers nor pleases me.  At the current temperature, it will not damage me.  Therefore, I need no coat."

"It must be nice to be a sociopath." said Kayrok, dryly.

"It is neither nice nor..."

"Yes, I get it.  That was a joke, Sujan."

"I see."

"What's the progress on the railroad?"

"Foreman Ravenpelt reports that tracks have been laid up to approximately two miles from the trading post."

"Well, that's significant progress." said Kayrok.  "I know that the trading post group has been impatient to have their stop put in."

* * *

"I can scarcely believe it." said Jora the bard.  Mayor-general!  Me!"

"Don't let it swell your head." said Kiki, a female trag who had come to the trading post to work as a cook.  "You're mayor-general of a trading post."

"Of the BEST trading post!"  He turned around and drank in his territory.  The post was beautiful.  From the outside, it was a rustic but beautiful log cabin, two stories tall, with a large porch and balcony.  Inside, it was spacious and inviting.  In the front was the shop, which boasted wares from all over the federation.  There were fruits collected by the tragso.  There were furs from Spiritfell.  The dwarves of Cephas brought elaborate carvings, musical instruments and furniture, as well as tools and utensils.  From Mountainshade, there were jars of soup, jams and jellies and other preserved foods.  Moondark had contributed lovely jewelry made with the gems and metals found in the mine.  From Rider, there were weapons, armor and hunting gear.  From Solace, fine clothing and books, as well as the occasional bottle of recreational spirits.  Behind the store was a large tavern with an enormous central fireplace.  Above that tavern, a number of rooms where travelers could stay the night, safe from beasts and robbers.  And on the right side of the building, something any lutin would consider rediculously decadent- and indoor pool which was kept warm by a series of tubes that carried water to and from warming fires.  The staff of the trading post had quarters immediately above the pool, where the rising steam would keep the floors nice and warm all winter.  The left side of the building held the stables, which could accomodate well over forty horses at once, and was stocked with enough hay for the entire season.  It was a grand place.  It only lacked a name.  Jora hoped he could come up with one by tomorrow, when the post was to be dedicated and officially opened.

The door opened and a bell rang.  In came Urik, blowing on his fingers to warm them.  "Afternoon, Jora." he greeted.

"Afternoon, Urik.  How are you this fine day?"

"Half frozen.  Do you mind if my daughter comes in?"

Jora hesitated.  "Is she housetrained?"

"Yes." Urik laughed.

"Then by all means, bring her in!"

Urik opened the door for a small pony.  She was pale yellow with an orange mane.  "This is my daughter, Karen." he said.  "Karen, say hello to Jora."

Karen neighed and nodded in greeting.

"A pleasure."  Jora liked Urik's family.  Mara was always a pleasure to have around.  It was just unfortunate that the curse which changed her into a unicorn also made it medically necessary for her to have her own aging spell which made every living thing around her grow older.  This was great for farming.  The farmers would pay, barter of even beg her to walk around in their fields and cause their crops to grow in overnight.  It wasn't so great for people, who had to carry youth charms in case Mara came too close for too long.  Fortunately, Rugi had a solution for that, and was even now installing the final item which would make the trading post complete.  Through the window, he saw a light go on.  Rugi had just finished installing a lamppost which would not only generate light, but would cast an anti-aging spell over the whole building whenever Mara was near.  Jora was so pleased, he took his flute out of the holster on his hip and played a celebratory tune.  Urik danced along and Karen pranced.  She nickered and whinneyed, her voice following the melody of the flute.  When the song was done, Karen stomped her hooves as if to applaud.  "I have it!" Jora declared.  "Singing Pony Trading Post!"

* * *

Kayrok glanced around at the crowd which had gathered for the dedication of the aqueduct.  There were quite a few faces he didn't recognize.  For that matter, there were quite a few bodies he didn't recognize.  There were five creatures who resembled dark humans with thick fur and whiskers.  "What are those" he discretely asked Point.

"Gageets, Sir.  They joined the work force three days ago when they heard we were building a ten-mile waterslide."

With a nod, he indicated a group of what looked like gnome-sized goblins.  "And those?"

"Gnurls, Sir.  Or as the Icehearts call them, Snotlings.  Not very bright, but they work hard."

He pointed at a group of brown-skinned goblins.  "And them?"

"Bhuka, Sir.  From the desert regions.  The fellow with the gills is a koalinth.  The one who looks like a bug is a norker, and that incredibly strange one over there is a thoul.  Part goblin, part troll, part human, part ghoul."

"And all these people work for me?"

"Yessir.  Word of your enterprises started spreading through the forest once we allied with Rider.  It seems everyone wants a piece of the action."  Oh, and by the way, those odd fellows over there are nilbogs.  Sujan hired them to be taste-testers, just in case Azpat started getting funny."

Fugu tapped Kayrok on the shoulder.  "Everything is ready, Sir."

Kayrok stepped up onto a dias and raised his arms for quiet.  "Gentlemen... Ladies... Everything inbetween and just in case that doesn't include someone, yes, you too... I would like to welcome you to the dedication of this aqueduct.  When Nasoj sent me and my company here, it was in disgrace.  We were expected to die miserable and alone."  There was a round of booing.  "But we have taken the impossible and made it possible.  And in doing so, we have made more friends than we can count.  Dwarves..."  A cheer.  "Gnomes..." Another cheer.  "Trags..." with each species, another cheer went up.  "Hobgoblins, Cyclops, Unicorn, Giants, Gageets, Gnurls, Bhuka, Koalinth, Norker, Thoul, Nilbog..."

"Good memory." Point remarked.  A bleat sounded in the distance.

"And Bess the goat!"  The crowd roared with laughter.  "It was by becoming something more than we were, by reaching out to others, by choosing peace over enmity, by rising above our base instincts, by chosing to build each other up instead of tear each other down as we have seen throughout the goblin tribes, that we have become able to create and accomplish great things.  This aqueduct will provide water to the forest communities, and in doing so, will make possible expanded aggricultural efforts that will enrich us all.  And this is only the beginning.  I believe in my heart that by working together, there is nothing we cannot accomplish.  And now, let's step back a bit lest we get soaked... Mister Fugu, if you will do the honors?"

Fugu pulled a lever.  A sluice opened up, diverting water from the river and allowing it to pour into the aqueduct.  Everyone cheered and tried to avoid getting splashed by the torrent now racing over their heads.  Everyone, that is, but the gageets.  The torrent gushed northward and then split along twin branched to Mountainshade and Moondark.  Kayrok gave a word of thanks to the scarred god that everything went off without a hitch.

The crowd was now piling onto the cars of the steam train, which would attempt to keep pace with the water as it took the first group to Splim's for a celebratory drink.

* * *

Jora played a soft melody while Urik nursed a warm cup of chota.  Karen quietly enjoyed a bowl of oats in front of the fire.  "I've been thinking about some of the things that Mara has told me about the Keep." said Urik.  Jora lifted an eyebrow in question.  "I always assumed that she believed they were the good guys because of propaganda.  You know, because Duke Hassan feeds them all sorts of lies about us."  Jora twisted his head.  "But she talks about how kind people are, and how happy everyone is, and how harmonious the whole place is.  And it got me thinking.  What if she's right?"  Jora kept playing but wiggled his ear to indicate he was listening.  "What if they really are the good guys?  The lutins all see Nasoj as some sort of great liberator who's going to free us from our containment in the northlands.  But what if he's not our great savior?  What if he's just some thug out to take what he can?"  Jora's eyes went wide at this line of thought.  "I'm not saying I'm going to incite a mutiny.  I took an oath to serve, and serve I will.  But think about it.  If Nasoj was concerned about the lutins, wouldn't he have done things differently?"

Jora stopped playing.  "Such as?" he asked.

"Well, for instance, every time I've gone into battle for him, the lutins have been on the front lines, just storming the Keep.  No battle plan.  No special weapons.  Just 'attack!'  I've watched my fellow lutins climb the keep walls with their bare hands only to be picked off one by one.  Kayrok would consider such loss of life unthinkable, no matter the prize.  And from what Mara tells me, so would the Keepers and the Hipocci."

"And we don't question it."

"No.  We don't.  Because we have never been taught to value life.  Not until now."

Jora glanced at the wall clock.  "Urik?  Weren't you supposed to be at the Aqueduct dedication?"

Urik jerked around to see the clock.  "Aw, crumbs!" said Urik.  "I promised Kayrok I'd be there.  I really wanted to see it, too."

"Well, what's done is done.  You can be here for the grand opening of the trading post instead."

"Of course.  But for now, I'd better at least make a show of trying to at least make it to the afterparty."  Calling Karen, Urik stepped out into the cold, where he put on the charm which transformed him into the shape of a unicorn.  The two of them galloped southward.

* * *

The camp was empty except for a few security personel.  Even they were huddled together in the warmth of the mess hall.  No one saw what happened to the aqueduct.  They only heard the sound of crashing stone.  By the time they got there, a huge chunk was missing, the stones laying on the ground, and water was pouring into the old riverbed.

* * *

Don't worry about this, Sir." said Smallbeard.  "We can fix this in hours.  We'll have the water flowing again by nightfall"

"I don't doubt that."  said Kayrok.  "But I want to know who did this, and why."

"Nearly everyone was at Splim's at the time." said Point.  "It would take well over an hour to come here, break the aqueduct and get back, even on horseback."

"We don't know how long it took to do the damage.  At full gallop, a horse could make the round trip in forty minutes."

"Sir?" said a nearby unicorn.  "I think I may be able to help.  I was late for the dedication.  By the time I arrived, everyone was gone.  But I did see something out of the ordinary.  A group of lutins going toward the aqueduct from the west."

"You mean coming from?" asked Kayrok.

"No, Sir.  Going toward.  I didn't think anything about it at the time.  I thought they must have been a foraging detail returning to base.

Kayrok turned around.  "Tripe!" he called.  "Foxtooth!"  His two trusted soldiers came running and snapped to attention.  "Men," he said.  "We're going scouting."

* * * 

Norebo seemed hesitant to enter the cabin of Onju, the mayor-general of Spiritfell.  Onju sat at his table, reading.  Norebo knocked lightly.  "Come in." called Onju.

"Good afternoon." said Norebo.

"Good afternoon." said Onju.  "What brings you way out here?"

Norebo didn't say anything at first.  He sat down at the table opposite Onju and just looked down at his hands.  Onju waited patiently.  "I heard..." said Norebo.  "That you have dreams."

"Everyone dreams." said Onju.

"Not like this."

Onju took a deep breath.  "It's true.  Vertarbna has shown me in a dream what must happen in the future."

"How much did he show you?"

"Everything.  The good... and the bad."

"Then you know about the devastation."

"Yes." said Onju, throat tightening and chest quaking.  "I've seen it all."

"We must prepare." said Norebo.

"How can we possibly prepare?  We have no hope of staving off the terrible events to come."

"No.  But we can soften them."

"I don't understand."

"There is always a remnant.  And where there is a remnant, there is hope.  My intention is to protect that hope."  He told Onju what he wanted to do.  Onju listened carefully.  "It will be a very difficult undertaking." said the mayor.  "But it will be worth all the toil and more."

"Then lend me your aid.  Help me to accomplish this thing."

"We will need help.  Go speak to Ben Oakenstaff.  He's the best woodcarver among the dwarves.  He'll know what to do."

"I shall.  And if you would, please send a message to Jun.  He will play a major role in this project."

* * *

Kayrok, Tripe and Foxtooth tread quietly through the high grass and scrub to the west of the camp.  For three hours, they followed the course of the river until they came upon a small lutin village.  This one was made of tents.  The chief was only slightly larger than the rest.  He seemed to be a bit awkward.  He walked with a limp and would frequently stumble.

There was a lutin there with no legs, who walked about on his hands.  Another had blue skin and a large head.  One had gone blind and required the help of another to move around.  In the middle of the camp, a lutin shot lightning from his fingers to light a fire.

"Sergeant." someone called.  It was a pink-skinned hobgoblin with a twisted leg.  He approached the chief and saluted.  "Zero says dinner is ready if everyone's returned."

"Thank you, corporal." said the chief.  "You go eat.  I'll be along in a moment."

Looking back at Trip and Foxtooth, Kayrok whispered "It's us!"

A lutin with improbably long ears turned their way.  "Sergeant, there's someone over there."

Kayrok stepped into plain view.  "Well, might as well introduce ourselves." said the commander.  Walking up to the chief, he introduced himself.  "Good afternoon, Sergeant.  I am Captain Kayrok of the lutin army, chief of Camp Dimtorch and chairman of the Alpha Omega Federation.  These are my men, Tripe and Foxtooth."

"Sergeant Grad of the western company, Sir." said the sergeant with a casual salute.  "Though the men call me Oof.  If I may ask, Sir, what brings you all the way out here?"

"Investigating some damage to a nearby aqueduct.  You wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would you?"

Oof seemed incredulous.  "That happened hours ago.  You mean to tell me you came all the way out here to Punishment from Nasoj's realm in a matter of hours?"

"Sergeant, I aksed you a question, and I am waiting for an answer."

Oof puffed out his chest.  "Yes, Sir.  It was I and my men who broke the aqueduct."

"Explain."

"We had to, Sir."  He pointed to the water.  "This river is the only thing between us and starvation."

Kayrok began to walk, looking around the camp.  "Sergeant, why did you refer to your camp as 'Punishment'?"

"Well, that's what it is, Sir." said the Sergeant.

"Explain."

"I was sent here five years ago after my failure at the battle of Kel-Harghor.  My superiors decided they needed to thin the herd, so they put me in charge of every soldier they wanted to get rid of.  They sent us here and gave us the assigment of digging through the mountains to the southlands."

"The Everdark you say!" Tripe responded.

"The Everdark I do!"

"And how much progress have you made on your pass?"

"Progress?" bellowed Oof.  "PROGRESS?  Are you telling me you actually take the assignment seriously?"

"I am not a joking man, Sergeant.  Where is your pass?"

"There is no pass!" Oof shouted.  By now, his company was beginning to gather behind him.  "We were sent out here to die.  We were given two year's rations.  We've managed to stretch that out to five years with the fish from the river.  But when the river dried up today, all of the fish went downstream.  We'll never make it through the winter now.  We will die, just as my superiors wanted."

"Sergeant, it may surprise you to know that you are not alone."

Oof blinked.  "What?"

Kayrok repeated, more gently, "You are not alone.  I am Captain Kayrok, leader of the new Omega Company.  We are twenty miles east of here.  We also have been given the task of digging through the mountains."

"You have my sympathy, Sir."

"And you have a surprise coming.  Sergeant Oof, would you and your men please accompany us back to Camp Dimtorch?"

* * *

Night had fallen by the time the group returned to camp.  First, Kayrok took his visitors through the gates into the pass.  The digging had gone past a mile, now.  Many hands had made light work.  Even now, the evening shift was busy digging away.  Torches lit the way a mile into the pass.  Oof and his men stood dumbfounded.  "You did all of this?" he marvelled.

"I orchestrated this." said Kayrok.  "I am merely the conductor.  When I was placed here with this impossible mission, I realized I had two options.  One was to give up.  The other was to go out and find an orchestra."

"But how can you possible finance this operation on a Captain's salary?  Or are these people slaves?"

"No slaves.  There are two prison laborers, but I promise you, they earned their position.  No.  Everyone here works because they want to.  And through our efforts, every corner of our alliance is made better."

"But Sir, what about the river?  Your aqueduct will ruin our river and destroy our camp."

Kayrok took the group back outside.  Going out behind the huts on the northwest edge of the camp, he pointed beyond them.  "Out there, we are filling up a lake.  When that lake is full, it will feed into the river once again.  We have no intention of permanently drying the river, or of ruining punishment."

"But what will we do in the meantime?"

Going to the south end of the camp, he led the troop into the supply building.  "Take all you need." he said.  "There is plenty of preserved food.  Take blankets as well.  Take warm clothing and boots.  Take weapons if you need them."

"Sir, why are you doing this?" asked the Sergeant.  "You receive nothing from helping us."

"I could easily take from you." said Kayrok.  "I am the commanding officer for this entire area.  I could order you and your men to work in my operation.  Since it IS your assigned mission, you would have no recourse."

Oof tightened his fists.

"I could.  But I won't.  I want you to join me freely.  Help me complete this mission.  Then you and I, and all of our troops, will be able to return to lutin society with out heads held high and our honor restored."

"You're a strange one." said Oof.

"Thank you."

"I remain suspicious of your motivation, Sir.  This is very un-goblin.  However, on behalf of the men of Punishment, I accept."

* * *

"And it is with great joy that I present to you the Singing Pony Tradng Post!"  Jora cut the ribbon strung across the building's door and allowed a the myriad of goblins and other people inside.  The place was soon bustling.  Fish jerky had been a last minute addition to the inventory, contributed by the soldiers of Punishment.  It had been an excellent investment.  The fish was a big hit with the other towns, and the soldiers were happy to exchange the stuff they'd been eating for five years for some fresh fruit, poultry, eggs, even vegetables.  The tavern was filled to overflowing and the waitstaff was kept hopping.  Many of Oof's men rented rooms for the night, overjoyed to be sleeping in real beds for a change.

Norebo was the best customer of all that night.  He bought a little bit of everything.  It caused Jora to wonder what he planned to do with it all.

Kayrok, having reminded himself of his promise the previous day, let himself into the pool room.  Removing his clothing and going nude as goblins usually did when swimming, he let himself down into the warm, soothing waters.

Onju slipped in a moment later.  "Mind if I join you?" he asked.

"Please."

Onju disrobed and let himself down into the water. It felt terriffic.

"I hope you haven't come to remind me of looming disaster." said Kayrok.

"No, Sir."

"Good."  After a moment, he said "I've had nightmares."

"I hope I haven't been the cause."

"Well, to be honest, I can accept that this assignment is going to become harder.  I can live with knowing that I'll be facing trials.  I just wish I knew what they're going to be."

"I can't say.  But I can tell you that You won't face them alone."

"Thank you." said the commander.  "That's comforting to know."  Sinking deeper into the soothing water, he let himself forget about the future, content to enjoy the pleasure of the here and now.