“It would be easier for me to keep going, if that’s alright with you two. You can rest a bit then follow me into the passageway. Take your time, no reason to hurt yourselves.
“I would appreciate your opening the passage, though. You should also secure the armory’s hallway door before joining me in the passageway. No need to worry guards about an open door, would not want them bringing anything to the creature’s attention.”
As the giant was moving toward the entry wall for the passageway Glenda stood, “My load is resting, Olaff, and thank goodness for that. Let me open the passage door for you.” She twisted the wall sconce and the hidden passage door slowly opened. Traveler and Glenda both watched Olaff step into the passageway and light a torch. Watching the giant move Glenda remarked, “He’s not even breathing hard, truly unbelievable. Boy, I sure like having him on our side.”
Traveler had stood up when Glenda did and was following Olaff through the open door. Turning to Glenda he said, “Could you shut the hallway door while your poles are resting? Once you’re in the passage, go past me and I’ll shut this entrance.”
“Sure,” was all Glenda could say. After she locked the armory door, she hoisted the poles onto her left shoulder this time. Need to balance the shoulders, she thought.
As her body attempted a left tilt, she thought, A girl needs to keep her posture straight and I’m tilting too much. She relieved some of the weight using her right hand then followed Olaff down the passageway. Behind her she heard a grunting Traveler mule bringing up the rear of their wagon train.
When Traveler reached the now open dead-end wall, he entered to find Olaff had placed his materials and Glenda’s into organized groupings. Plates, poles, and rivet nails were organized by their priority use in the construction phase.
“Let me help you with those plates, they’re heavy ones,” said the giant. “Well carried each of you!”
As the plates were removed and placed on their appropriate piles all Traveler could say was, “Thanks, I’m really glad to lay that burden down.” He reflected, He’s praising us for doing something he could do without an effort. He’s a really good guy, or a good giant, or a good whatever he is.
Looking at Glenda as she was working to straighten her shoulders and back Traveler quipped, “Bet you’re happy to lay that burden down.”
Glenda gave him her best smile, “Pack mules know each other’s burden, big boy. By the way be aware that you’re still tilting a tad backwards.” Traveler laughed but straightened himself.
Olaff reflected, One minute they are jousting with each other and the next are in a serious discussion. They instinctively know which is appropriate and that’s good. This plan requires split-second coordination among all three of us.
Grinning back Traveler said, “I guess this pack mule is ready to haul another burden. Not eager, but resigned,” said Traveler.
Glenda gave a tired nod of agreement, “It’s not going to get any easier, so let’s do it.”
Olaff simply said, “Check out what we already have. If my count is correct it should all be here.”
Traveler stood beside the pile of materials, noted the dimensions and quantities then began to construct the model in his head. He did the mental math twice then stood with a big grin. “You’re amazing, Mr Olaff, you nailed it! You brought exactly what my diagram called for. If there’s a mess-up, it’s on me.”
Glenda had been silently constructing the model in her own head and agreed, “Bravo, Olaff! You would be an A+ student in geometry class.”
Looking at the supplies and then the two young people, Olaff shrugged his massive shoulders. “If we’re all rested, I suggest we start the assembly. Occasionally even the best drawing comes up short when put to the test. Does assembling it right now work for both of you?”
Traveler thought, How can we quit now when he’s done the really heavy lifting? They nodded in agreement.
Smiling at Traveler, Glenda suggested, “Traveler this is your design, so why don’t you guide us. You tell us what to do and consider us your dutiful servants.”
I like the sound of that, thought Traveler. He put a serious look on his face saying, “I’ll get us started but I’ll work also, ‘Lead by example’ is my motto.
“First we need to place the largest diameter pipes down and use them to roll the device forward when it’s assembled. If we forgot to do that, then we’d need to take it all apart.” Traveler walked to the pipe pile, bent to pick one up, and found it was heavier than expected. He noticed Glenda watching him with a smile. “Yes, princess, it is quite heavy.”
They easily fell together as a team. Each seemed to know what the next step was, but they still deferred to Traveler for confirmation. The first stage went quickly as they positioned the rolling poles to carry the weight.
Once the rolling poles were in place, they prepared to place the largest plate on top of the poles. Olaff took one end of the plate while Traveler and Glenda took the other end. “On the count of three, lift!” said Traveler. The heavy plate was now resting in the center of the roller poles. Traveler put his foot on the back end of the plate and tested how it rolled forward.
“It’s really easy to roll forward. These poles are totally uniform in their diameters. The load is carried evenly on each pole. Those Romans sure were precise engineers.”
Walking back to the material piles, he selected four tall poles. We need to insert these into each corner. “Glenda please keep the bottom plate in place while Olaff and I place the vertical poles.”
“Easy peasy. I like your leadership style right now, big boy.”
The construction continued with the slowest part being the carrying of the heavy materials. Glenda assumed a permanent role of the master steadier, “You two strong gentlemen keep up the good carrying work, and I’ll make sure the assembly stays intact. My job will be the quality control manager.”
Traveler, who now had small streams of sweat running down his body, glanced up, “There is always room on the carry crew if you’re get bored being the QC manager.”
“Never bored, just in awe of your strength and endurance. You are an inspiration! Keep up the good work.”
Traveler was too tired and winded to even start a come-back. He simply grunted, “Sure,” at her.
The construction went in stages and each stage became easier as they advanced. After the first stage was completed, Glenda did join the carry and construct crew. The structure of the model made a three-person crew more efficient than the two-man crew, and the weights were also getting lighter. I joined at the right time, Glenda thought.
After some time as a carry mule, she found streams of sweat were now cascading down her body. Boy, is this going to be a bad hair day.
Finally the construction was complete. The three stood there relaxing and admiring their creation, then Traveler said, “Sorry team, but we need to seal everything tight now to finish the job.
“Let’s go back to the storage building for the sealant and the carrying jars. We’ll need to make a lot of trips since the jars can only be partially filled. We don’t want to leave a trail down the hallway for a curious guard to follow.”
The three again backtracked through the passageway to the armory. Moving through the armory they opened the door enough to check whether the hall was clear. If they were spotted Traveler and Glenda’s presence could be explained as two servants going somewhere as part of their job. Olaff would be another matter and they needed to avoid any discovery of his presence. They moved fast.
Once inside, Traveler headed to the sealant bin that he had spotted on their first visit. Glenda and Olaff were securing large jars and placing them beside an internal well. “Good news,” Glenda called out. “We found caps that will secure the tops and prevent spillage. We can fill these jars right to the top. Of course that makes them heavier to carry, but we’re a strong group, right?”
Yeah, I’m feeling strong right now… not, Traveler thought, then answered, “I’ll take two of those c
aps for my sealant jars.”
Traveler used a large wooden spoon to fill the jars. He did his best to avoid the sticky substance but still some found his hands. Naturally his nose itched and he instinctively rubbed it without a thought. Looking up from her filled jars Glenda just had to say, “Circus is coming to town, I see the clowns but where are the elephants?” Olaff glanced over, looked at Traveler, and began to chuckle.
Traveler rolled with the joke, “I guess I’m the clown. I’d honk my nose at you but I think I already did that.”
“While you’re both in good moods, let me strap on your shoulder-carries.”
Olaff proceeded to place wooden carrying staves across each of their shoulders. He placed a sealant jar on one side and a second jar on the other and then helped Traveler rise up. Traveler felt himself listing to the left-hand sealant jar side. “Can you move this one a little closer to my center, just a smidge will do it.”
Olaff nodded and moved the fastening rope to a closer notch on the carry stave. Traveler stood again, nodded and said “Much better balance. This mule or clown had better get going, I feel the weight of the world on my shoulders.”
Olaff then equipped Glenda with her balanced load and she quickly followed Traveler. Walking behind him she called out in a low but commanding voice, “Hyah, mule! Hyah!” Traveler’s response was a series of muffled, mule-like snorts.
When they were inside the armory and opening the hidden door, they heard Olaff. “Please step aside so I can enter the passage sideways. Also shut the armory door if you would.”
Looking at Olaff they saw his stave was made from iron with a padded cushion for his neck. Hanging from his stave were six jars on each side. The jars were touching each other and appeared stable with the contact.
Traveler pressed the latch to open the door and watched Olaff make a smooth ninety-degree turn, pass through the doorway, then rotate back. His load filled the passageway on both sides with just inches to spare from stone walls. His stride was smooth and the hanging jars never swayed on either side. He’s a master mule, well more like ten mules, thought Traveler.
Glenda entered and followed Olaff. Traveler put his load down inside, went back to secure the armory door, then moved inside quickly as the passageway door closed. Bending over he placed the stave across his shoulders, rose up with a grunt and followed. I guess the clowns are bringing up the rear of this circus.
The only sound in the long passageway was controlled heavy breathing from Traveler and Glenda. Initially Traveler wanted to catch Glenda from behind and make a mule snort sound, but his burden quashed that idea. Slow and steady is this boy’s course. Time for humor later… assuming there is a later.
Just when Glenda and Traveler thought their shoulders were ready to collapse, they heard, “You can put your burdens down. Let me help, I’ll take the loads off and set them down.” He came behind Glenda first and lifted her stave, “Ladies first, of course. We’ll take the materials inside as we need them.”
After Olaff removed Traveler’s stave Traveler gave a deep sigh, “Check my height please, I think I’m a foot shorter. I swear the bottoms of the jars were almost touching the floor at the end.”
Glenda was nodding in agreement. “I’ve seen women in movies and TV carrying large containers on their heads up a mountain trail. They must be Amazons, I see it but don’t believe it.”
Giving another deep sigh Traveler said, “Since I am the unofficial leader today, may I submit a suggestion to the crew? Let’s call it a day. I need a relaxing shower, food, and sleep in that order.”
“Now that’s leadership, big boy. You’ve got my vote. I call dibs on the shower since it’s ladies first.”
“I agree with the lad. It’s been a demanding day. You two head back now and I’ll catch up.”
For a moment Traveler was going to ask Olaff why he was staying behind, then he thought better of it. He’ll get back when he gets back. Plus, I’m really too tired for a conversation.
Chapter 95
Preparing for War
When they were back in the safe confines of the hidden retreat Glenda said, “I need water, lots of water. First, cold water to drink, then really hot water to shower.” With that she filled two mugs from the water cask. Handing one to Traveler she said, “Drink up, leader. This is the stuff our bodies really need right now.”
Traveler was sitting on a large chair by the fireplace and immediately began chugging down his mug. “Slow down, big boy, you sound like you’re drowning.” Traveler lifted his head with a full mouth of water and gargled a response. Glenda shook her head, “I’ll take my dibs on the shower while you perfect your act.” Disappearing around the corner she heard a second louder gargle following her.
Once showered, Glenda returned to the table to find a sleeping Traveler. His head was resting on his elbows on the table. For a moment she was going to wake him and tell him a skunk had wandered into the room, then she took pity. Let him sleep, we need him at full strength for tomorrow. Yeah, I think tomorrow will be the day, no reason to put it off.
As Glenda was quietly settling into a chair by the fire a voice boomed into the room. “Fresh goods from the kitchen!” Traveler awoke with a start, his eyes swept the room and then settled on the smiling giant.
“Good morning, big boy. You slept through the night. Do feel ready for today’s battle?”
“Very funny. I waited so long for you I dozed off. What I am ready for is a shower. Did you use up the whole supply of hot water?”
“Not quite. I highly recommend you double-time it to the shower. We’ll wait for you. You are our team captain.” Pausing a moment she added in a teasing voice, “Unless we don’t. What do you think, Olaff, should we start to eat right now? I’m famished.”
Not a serious question. Methinks she enjoys prodding him. I also think he enjoys it. “We’ll wait for the lad. He has earned first picks with his plan. I’ll have a nice mug of my ale while waiting.” With the mention of Olaff’s ale unpleasant memories rushed back, both winced and shook their heads.
Traveler hit the shower, increased the hot water flow, rubbed himself with soap, then embraced a washing sponge and proceeded to attack the results of the day’s labor. The sponge did its best, but multiple cleansings were needed. Finally, Traveler stopped the hot water completely. He had reduced the temperature to that of the incoming icy mountain stream. Only a polar bear would enjoy this, he thought. He did not play the polar bear part for more than a few seconds. Shivering, he was now wide awake.
Dressed, he joined his companions. “Did I hear I get first claims?”
“Indeed. To the brilliant planner goes the spoils!” said Glenda.
Conversation was limited. Eating became a serious undertaking. All bodies demanded their fuel supplies be replenished following the day’s intense labor. When the hunger urgency was met, Olaff lifted his mug, took a deep sip and said, “Good news. I naturally visited the kitchen ostensibly for food but really for information. There is a new head cook and she seems an unpleasant sort.
“I told her I had a trainee working with me and tomorrow the trainee would take the breakfast meal to the mage and the duke. The silly woman began to lecture me about work schedules and who was in charge of setting them.
“She seemed to be under the impression she had absolute authority over all the staff. I have the ability to change attitudes pretty quickly and I changed hers. I noticed the nearby staff was silently applauding me behind her back.”
“I know the ‘why’ of their applause,” said a grinning Glenda. “She is a mean-spirited kitchen tyrant. She deserves to be demoted to a scullery maid and a washer of pots.”
“Scullery maid. Sounds about right. Anyway, we are now set for tomorrow. Agreed?” Glenda and Traveler nodded in agreement while looking at the pensive expression on the giant’s face. While his face rarely showed strong emotions, it now had deep lines of concern wrinkling his brow.
“I accept that tomorrow is a reckoning day,” said an animate
d Traveler. “Let’s make it a reckoning for the jinn he’ll never forget! I feel great about our plan and even better about my companions executing it. We are forever bonded as allies.” His confidence brought strong reaffirming nods back.
Go us! Go Team! flashed through Glenda mind.
The lad is a warrior and a leader, thought Olaff.
Glenda suddenly felt her energy level hit the lowest point on her body’s energy gauge, “Gentlemen, I’m calling it a day. It feels more like two days, so I’ll see you both in the morning. Olaff give me a shout if I’m sleeping, I know we need to be up early tomorrow.”
Traveler had mixed reactions as Glenda headed off to sleep. He knew his body and mind were both exhausted but he was still wired from the day. Olaff looked at him and gave a giant’s fatherly advice. “I suggest, lad, you get some sleep now. Even if you can’t go under, your body needs the rest.”
“You’re right,” Traveler agreed. He kicked off his boots and headed to the sleeping quarters. In case the princess is struggling to sleep I’ll try not to make noise. Once he touched the side of the bed he rolled in, faced the doorway, and was greeted by Morpheus within seconds.
Chapter 96
A Day of Reckoning
Long hours of sleep passed in minutes. A deep-voiced chanticleer crowed from the bedroom entrance, “Rise and move. Although it’s still dark you need to get your bodies ready for the battle. Food is waiting but I suggest a visit to the personal room first. A second visit before the confrontation has proven to be a sound battle tactic.”
“I’ll go first,” Traveler said. Glenda gave a bare grunt of agreement. Once his throne room duties were completed Traveler joined Olaff. The fire had been resupplied and was now roaring. Giant flames were devouring the logs as they made their escape up the chimney. The aroma of burning logs added to the sweet scent of bacon and freshly baked bread.
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