Samedo selects me to be part of his expedition and after choosing the rest we headed out for the river. The sergeant pointed out the trail we were following, comparing the sandal-prints to each of ours. Our quarry was larger in the foot than us, heavier too, and the formation tightened as we continued, hands tightly gripping the hilts of drawn swords.
We made good time, starting as the sun was rising over the horizon, and Samedo had us halt at the river, letting us forage for berries and nuts to supplement our rations. He crossed to the other side, remaining in the cold water while he surveyed the muddy bank. After a few moments he strode from the river and then gestured for us to follow, his attention already back on the dirt around him. One by one we stepped to Samedo's side, watching the trees in case the crossing was being monitored, and then we reformed, a handful of blades sticking out in all directions.
Samedo had found more sandal-prints but we all noticed straight off that this second set had been made by a smaller person than the first. The squad fanned out, nine sets of eyes searching through the undergrowth for a sign of our original target, but eventually Samedo called us back.
"In the scheme of things this change doesn't matter. It is likely that these new prints belong to someone associated to our initial quarry so we'll follow these. Understood?"
We signalled our acknowledgement with a muted cry, shifting positions in the formation, and Samedo waved Kalypae to the front, the hunter's eyes invaluable for our pursuit. We continued, getting steadily more nervous with every step. None knew what was waiting, the sandals suggested other people but beyond that we were in the dark.
The squad halted upon entering a clearing, staring at the building that greeted us. It was old, squat and sitting on a raised foundation. Off to one side but still connected was an archway that led into the earth, clearly the entrance to a mine.
"This is Mytean. To be here it must be."
Oras' words hung in the air as we advanced across the clearing, his deep voice a rumble.
"Yes, I suppose it must be. At least it used to be. Canthi was abandoned nearly twenty years ago." Samedo eyed the building, presumably the mine's bunkhouse, before frowning. "We'll investigate the mine. Whoever we're dealing with is down there."
The entrance was wide enough for us to move in pairs and I found myself next to Lesandro, my squadmate grinning. Samedo prowled ahead of us, a fierce glint in his eyes and I lifted my gaze up as I passed under the archway, noting the quality of its stone. The shaft expanded slightly as we descended, we were now in three rows of three, and signs of occupation were becoming numerous, boxes of tools and scattered chunks of stone strewn about.
The mine entrance was far behind us when we encountered the first person, the man hacking away at an exposed section of stone on the left wall. He was slowing, I suppose we weren't exactly being sneaky, and indecision, fight or flight, flashed over his face upon seeing us. Samedo solved his dilemna, the sergeant lunging forward, and the miner staggered, pickaxe nearly torn from his grasp after he'd tried using it to block Samedo's attack. He doubled up following their next exchange, coughing thick wads of blood as Samedo's sword found itself in his stomach, and the sergeant shoved the dying miner to one side.
"Bandits, outlaws or just thieves." Samedo resumed his march, flicking his sword to remove the blood. "We'll slaughter them and then, once we're back at the watchtower, I'll send someone back to Mytea. Tell them nyasuma has been rediscovered."
The mood turned electric, we all instinctively slipped into predator's stances. The brief clash between Samedo and the miner would have carried far, any in the mine would know of our presence. A large cavern was at the end of the initial shaft, multiple passages leading in a variety of directions around its circumference. Wooden ramps crisscrossed the cavern, allowing access to the passages, and on the ramps were gathered a score of gaunt men and women. Their tunics bore no sigils or markings, were made of plain undyed wool. Each clutched something possessing a blade, I spotted swords among the pickaxes, but there was a nervousness that swam among them.
Samedo pointed his sword at the group, a snarl on his lips, and the squad charged, assembling into shield-walls. As the first rank we crashed into the miners, battering them from our path with brutal swings. My sword lashed out, cutting the throat of a man I'd just trapped against the railings, and then we were through the group, all of them behind.
"Spin!"
My shout was instantly obeyed, the three of us turning to surround the surviving miners between two shield-walls. Only half still lived, none of those without injury, and slowly the items they held were dropped, clattering on the wood.
"No prisoners. These people shouldn't be here and we can't look after them."
Samedo's pronouncement created panic and uncertainty, I know my shield dipped slightly, but the expression on Samedo's face was unyielding and stern. In the end his order was carried out by the third rank, the rest of us had enough problems keeping the miners within our cordon, but soon the ramp was stained with crimson and the squad were the only one alive in the mine.
After, as blood dripped between the planks of the ramp, Samedo personally searched for the nyasuma, ignoring the rest of us beyond a few terse commands. I found myself walking along one of the side passages, my eyes tracing veins of iron on the walls as I thought of the massacre, That's what it really was after all. I knew I was training to be a warrior, that I'd have to kill, but the engagement left a bad taste in my mouth. I paused with a sigh upon reaching the end of the passage, gaze idly roving over rough divots and discarded pickaxe handles. A glint of light, a golden white, drew my attention up.
I recognized the material almost instantly, nyasuma has a colouring like nothing else, and was sprinting for the main cavern. My run had attracted others, five of the squad were waiting with swords drawn, and I thudded painfully into the railing.
"Tell Samedo there's nyasuma at the end of this tunnel!"
The five all split, our sergeant's name echoing throughout the name as he was summoned. A crooked smile appeared when I pointed out the nyasuma, his hand came down upon my shoulder like a father's would. Lesandro was detailed to guard the mine as we prepared to leave, he eyed the building in the clearing with apprehension, and I waved as the squad strode from the clearing, retracing the trail we'd used to get to the mine.
It was when we got to the river that I gave voice to a concern, glancing at Samedo as he splashed through the water.
"Sergeant, none we killed were capable of leaving the sandal-prints that were initially found..."
"I know." Samedo raised his voice, pitching it so that the squad could hear it. "Your brother-in-arms makes an interesting observation. Someone related to those miners still lurks in this valley. Be vigilant."
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