The Mysterious Disappearance of Elm Company, 51st Foot Guards
The Mysterious Disappearance of Elm Company, 51st Foot Guards
A fantasy short story
This story is set in the same universe as Order of the Aconite but it's not a direct continuation of that story.
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Included herein are the remains of the logs of Elm Company of the 51st Foot Guards, whose mission was to scout the far western reaches of the Ruan Mountains. Elm Company set out on the 2nd of Venetas and was not heard from until one lone scout, Jan Petras, returned carrying the company logs. However, Guardsman Petras was so badly wounded that he lost consciousness near the main mountaintop camp where he was found by a patrol. Guardsman Petras never regained consciousness and died a few days later. The logs presented below, kept during their mission at the explicit request of General Mullion, are the only remaining account of the fate of Elm Company, a highly decorated company of Guardsmen which also included two members of the Order of the Aconite.
Signed,
Philius Hague, Secretary to General Mullion
2nd Venetas
We advanced west from our base in the mountains, as one unit into the passes of the upper Ruan. The mountain passes are much more extensive than we previously imagined. Their formidable height and violent weather were obvious disincentives to exploration before the Waalwik invasion.
We remain together as one company of fifty-five men. Separation is neither necessary nor desirable at this point so close to base in areas that have already been mapped.
We saw no indication of Waalwik activity today.
Captain Devisson
3rd Venetas
A blizzard started up during the night and has kept us sheltering in place. I had objected to General Mullion in person at the idea of such a far-ranging mission in the depths of winter but he insisted.
Captain Devisson
4th Venetas
Still sheltering in place. Some of the tents collapsed from the snow and had to be pitched again.
The snow seems to be slowing as night approaches.
Captain Devisson
5th Venetas
Our conjurer is exhausted from attempting to keep the tents clear of snow and keeping the fires lit in the extreme cold.
I have sent a detachment back to camp to procure extra supplies including cloaks, firewood, and potions for the conjurer.
Detachment returned at nightfall with enough cloaks for only half the men, no firewood or potions, and reiterated orders to make all haste westward across the mountain range.
We set out at first light.
Captain Devisson
6th Venetas
The narrow upper passes gave way unexpectedly to an extensive valley near midday. We half expected to be able to see south into the Waalwik lands, the mountains fell away so precipitously from the upper passes but the south was shrouded in clouds.
Still no sign of Waalwik forces.
The men have begun to complain openly of the cold. A few show signs of frostbite. The conjurer has been hard pressed to keep up with the growing demands on his energy.
I wish to make it clear that Elm Company has not complained in any excessive manner. These are extraordinary circumstances.
I may excise this portion of my log.
Captain Devisson
7th Venetas
In our mission to advance due west along the upper ridgeline of the Ruan we have returned to the narrow passes at the highest heights of the mountains despite the valley encountered on the 6th which afforded access to the more southern reaches of the mountains.
The conjurer, Kirdas, has warned me that without proper rest or the potions, which I was denied from camp, his stores of Chaos will soon run out. I may have been too lax in allowing him to tend to the less serious needs of the men so soon in the mission. I have forbidden him from using any more energy until further notice unless it is a matter of life and death.
Let us hope we do not meet with such a circumstance.
Captain Devisson
8th Venetas
(The log for 8th Venetas is missing—Ph. Hague)
9th Venetas
We found a cave with evidence of activity—an old fire. Nothing to suggest it was the Waalwik. Posting guards tonight.
10th Venetas
One of the guard posts did not report this morning—that’s three men. We will begin a search as one unit even though it will hinder our efficiency.
We encountered the bodies of the three Guardsmen, our brothers, five hundred yards from their post. They were completely naked and frozen solid. They had no wounds. Each was splayed out on his back, arms and legs extended as far as they would go and the three of them were arranged in a circle, their heads in the middle and their hands touching.
We could not give them a proper burial because of the snow and solid rock, and we were in no position to waste the conjurer’s energy on a magical burial, so we covered them with their cloaks and then with snow where they lay and set their swords upright in the snow in the center of the circle between their heads.
The snows up here never thaw and they will remain there forever.
The men are afraid. They would face a thousand swords but this was completely unnatural.
We will not post guard posts away from the center of camp tonight.
Devisson
11th Venetas
(Log missing—Ph. Hague)
12th Venetas
Seven more men went missing in the night. We found them like the others, naked in the snow, in two groups, one of three and one of four.
The men have begun speaking of a devil in the mountains. They fear we are being hunted by something. I remind them that the dead have no wounds but this fact does not reassure them.
I led a prayer over the entire company to the Three and the Eternal Sister.
I worry they might be right but I don’t let on to the men. We still have plenty of food and water, and men, to complete the mission. We will continue.
Devisson
13th Venetas
Three more dead last night. We have increased our pace to try to get beyond or away from the evil here.
Still no sign of any Waalwik forces. Perhaps they know to avoid this place.
Devisson
14th Venetas
Three more last night. The men are eager to march as fast as possible. They have sworn that no one will sleep tonight.
The wind kicked up during the day and seemed to indicate another storm but so far nothing. We could use a little luck.
Devisson
15th Venetas
No deaths last night. Some of the men reported seeing fires off in the distance, ahead down our path and back the way we had come. Others say they heard chanting. Others that they neither heard nor saw anything. I’m in the last camp. I remained awake throughout the night and didn’t see or hear anything.
Devisson
16th Venetas
(Log missing—Ph. Hague)
17th Venetas
(Log missing—Ph. Hague)
18th Venetas
Our fourth night without sleep, though we have stopped our marches early to allow the men to rest while there is still daylight. Elm Company has lost sixteen men so far. We may not last much longer. The lack of sleep is taking its toll.
Devisson
19th Venetas
During the night some of the men drew their swords and charged the fires which appeared in front and before us. I was unable to prevent them. Fourteen dead.
Thankfully Kirdas kept his head and remained in camp though he is running desperately low on energy.
The numerical pattern of our losses has not been lost on me, though I must admit I do not understand its significance. Three, seven, three, three, fourteen which is seven twice. Thirty dead in all. All without visible wounds. The only difference has been that the fourteen men killed last night were still fully clothed.
We have been reduced to less than half our strength. This rate of attrition is impossible to sustain. I have ordered Elm Company to return to camp before the men forced me to give that order, though I have no doubt they would refuse to take another step.
It is likely none of us will survive.
Devisson
20th Venetas
(Log missing—Ph. Hague)
21st Venetas
We have taken to marching at night and resting during the day. So far we have not lost any more men.
Devisson
22nd Venetas
Second night no deaths, no ghostly fires, no chanting. The company’s spirits are higher than they were. They think we may have a chance if we keep marching at night. I fear they may be wrong.
Devisson
23rd Venetas
A fire sprang up in our path last night. As one body we charged but the fire seemed to keep receding and we couldn’t get any closer no matter how fast we ran. In the confusion we became strung out. When we retraced our steps we found three men dead in the snow.
Twenty-two remain.
Devisson
24th Venetas
Lieutenant Tomis rec.
A blizzard started in the night without warning. We were forced to stop and seek shelter under the cliff face with our tents pitched as best we could in the dark. Kirdas was a tremendous help.
In the morning we found Captain Devisson’s body along with two others. I have taken command. Elm Company now consists of nineteen men, myself and the conjurer Kirdas included. I will make sure we make it back to camp.
Lieutenant Tomis
25th Venetas
(Log missing—Ph. Hague)
26th Venetas
Three dead last night. I am ordering the men to bind themselves together while we march at night. I have had several ropes tied together to allow us to remain connected.
Kirdas is at the end of his reserves. He can no longer provide us with light while we march and the torches and firewood are almost gone.
27th Venetas
Fires and chanting in the night. I thought I saw figures in the distance but they never came closer and we seemed unable to reach them. I will kill them when we do.
28th Venetas
They grow bolder. Ethereal figures in front and behind.
29th Venetas
They remain in the daylight. We must reach camp.
30th Venetas
Guardsman Petras rec.
Lieutenant Tomis was of the Order of the Aconite. We found out only when he attacked the figures as they came close just after nightfall.
He moved in a blur but his sword seemed to have no effect.
Two more were taken. There are thirteen of us left. We can no longer sleep even during the day.
31st Venetas
Seven more were lost last night. We can’t go back. We must go forward.
They leer at us day and night.
Explosion.
I heard conjurers can lose control if they cannot rest.
Three dead. I’m injured. Three more with me—Homen, Castor, Rickard.
Run
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction, strictly a product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance, perceived resemblance, or similarity to any other fictional works, to actual events or persons, living or dead, and any perceived slights of people, places, or organizations are products of the reader’s imagination. This fiction is the result of a partnership between a human writer and the character(s) he accessed with his creative subconscious as he raced through the story with them. No AI of any kind, generative or otherwise, was used in any way to write this story.