Free Trader Complete Omnibus

by Craig Martelle

  44 – Village Coldstream

  Bronwyn was a handful and a huge relief at the same time. She wanted to ride with Micah, holding G-War on her lap and pulling Aadi close by. If she could have figured a way to wedge Skirill next to her body, she would have.

  Braden kept Skirill with him. The Hawkoid was healing well. The injuries lessened with each turn, with the most progress since they discovered the new source of numbweed. Skirill had no pain since Bronwyn first touched him. She didn’t heal his wounds, but she made him forget they were there. That could be dangerous if Skirill attempted to fly before he was ready.

  It wouldn’t be long now. Braden figured that within a couple turns, Skirill would be able to take some test flights, maybe they would find a breeze he could fly into to lessen the strain.

  When they approached a new village, Bronwyn reached out and talked with the animals. As they entered, she was greeted by her new furry and feathered friends. That seemed to remove any tension that the villagers had toward the strangers. Nothing like a happy little girl to keep everyone calm. This village, like the last, was a community. No one in charge, everyone going about their business. Nothing unique to trade.

  The same story as Greentree. Village Coldstream was unique in its own way. It was smaller than Greentree, but they favored bright-colored clothing. The colors were so vibrant that Braden felt like squinting when he looked at them.

  The companions were welcomed because Bronwyn would have it no other way. She introduced each of them, with a story. Even Max and Speckles were included. Braden and Micah ended up introducing themselves.

  The Elder couldn’t move like he used to, so his son took care of the business of greeting strangers. Other people did not travel to the village very often. They thought it had been three or four cycles since the last, but no one was sure. People kept to themselves in the south. But they have plenty to offer each other, Braden thought.

  “The colors? Oh, that’s just a little something we do. We never really thought anything about it,” Dantan said. He remained non-committal, but Braden saw the light of potential in his eyes. If they spent more time making and dying fabrics, then they would have to spend less time in the fields or with the animals.

  The pens contained a good number of pigs. Pork was their staple. They treated it with syrup from a nearby stand of unique trees. Braden thought he was in heaven eating the meat. Bronwyn promptly disowned him, informing all present that she did not eat the friendly animals. Someone made a quip that they were only eating the unfriendly ones. Everyone laughed but Bronwyn, who stormed off to talk with the pigs.

  It wasn’t long before she returned and apologized to Braden by giving him a hug. When he looked at her curiously, she answered that the pigs told her that their purpose was to get big and die gloriously to help the humans live. With that, she thanked the pig and bit deeply into the syrup-cured meat. Her eyes lit up.

  “Yup,” Braden said to Micah. “This stuff will change anyone’s life.” Micah couldn’t respond as her mouth was stuffed, sweet juices running down her chin. She nodded instead. Who cares about pretty clothes, Braden thought.

  Braden traded half their rope supply and some mushrooms to get a couple big handfuls of the sweetened, smoked pork. He didn’t care. He even contemplated trading the saffrimander, but they probably wouldn’t appreciate the spice.

  They left Coldstream in high spirits, another village added to the trade route.

  Two more turns and another village. Another addition to the trade route. More fields and vegetables. Village Bliss didn’t quite live up to its namesake, but at least the villagers weren’t hostile.

  Another couple turns and Skirill was flying again. He flew tentatively at first, but Braden kept him on the ground so long that his injuries were fully healed. It was his muscles that needed work. The Hawkoid was at home soaring high above the ground. He raced far ahead, then circled back. Braden cautioned him from getting too far away, in case the mutie birds returned.

  Skirill kept his Hawkoid eyes pointed northward. He wouldn’t let those flying terrors sneak up on them again. He didn’t know what their minds would do to Bronwyn, but he knew uncomfortably well what their claws and fangs could do to flesh.

  45 – Never a Dull Turn

  With the Hawkoid watching far in front of them, they were able to pick up the pace. Max and Pack trotted along happily, guided by Bronwyn.

  Braden still couldn’t call him Speckles.

  Had it only been a cycle since he and G-War drove the water buffalo and their wagon on the trade routes west of Cameron? Not even a cycle.

  And now, he was a family man with responsibilities. Although he could look at it as being the best trader in the entire south. He laughed to himself. Change was constant. Change was good. Bronwyn sat in his lap, stroking Max’s mane, humming to herself. With the animals of the world as her companions, she was always in a good mood.

  Micah looked at him as he watched Bronwyn. She caught him smiling. He mouthed the question, ‘What?’

  “You. Tough man.” Her tone was kind. Yes, change was constant.

  “Next stop, big scary animals that can pull a whole village!” he exclaimed, trying to change the subject.

  “They aren’t scary. You just have to love them. You are so mean!” Bronwyn said in her little voice. The ‘cat had been running alongside to get some exercise. He vaulted into a tiny space between the little girl and the horse’s mane. She threw both arms around him, pulling him in tightly.

  He started purring, the sound deep within his chest, shaking him and Bronwyn. Braden wasn’t the only one who changed. The ‘cat was getting soft in his old age.

  ‘I’m still young, in ‘cat years. I just decided to enjoy the finer things in life,’ G-War said.

  “Bronwyn. Do you know Golden Warrior’s true name?”

  “Oh yes,” she answered brightly. “But he told me not to tell you.”

  “Of course he did.” Braden put his hands over the little girl’s ears. “Ass!”

  “Stop that, it tickles.” Bronwyn fought back as much as she could, but her arms were filled with ‘cat and she was wedged in front of Braden. Micah laughed out loud as she rode alone. Skirill was ahead, perched on a high branch of a tall tree, carefully watching the sky.

  Aadi watched them all, pleased with his decision to join the human called Braden. There was never a dull turn for the Tortoid as he contemplated all the things he’d seen and what else he might see. Maybe it was time for him to expand his family. There was much that Tortoids could bring to the good people of the south, as well as the Amazonians. Ambassador Aadi of the Tortoid Nation, he thought. That had a nice ring to it.

  46 - The Aurochs

  As Skirill scouted ahead, he spotted a herd of large creatures grazing the western grasslands of the Plains of Propiscius. He swooped in for a closer look, passing the image via the mindlink.

  “Wow,” Braden said. “Those look much bigger than the water buffaloes I used to have.”

  “Let’s hurry. They look wonderful!” Bronwyn exclaimed and immediately Max and Pack broke into a run.

  “Farging crap!” Braden yelled as he almost fell off. Micah glared at him in harsh rebuke, pointing with one hand at the little girl as she held on tightly with the other. They all leaned lower in the saddle as Bronwyn urged the horses on.

  ‘There is a village, not far. I see many people,’ Skirill shared.

  Bronwyn slowed the horses as they approached the grasslands. The creatures towered over them. Bronwyn struggled to get down, but Braden held her back, not knowing why.

  “Let me go!” She continued to struggle until Braden lost his grip, G-War going one way and Bronwyn going the other. She tumbled to the ground, brushed herself off, and ran toward the creatures. Braden’s instinct was to race after her, but G-War stopped him. Aadi stopped him. Micah stopped him.

  Although she was only ten cycles old, this was Bronwyn’s strength. She had nothing to fear from the beasts.

  She reached
the closest one, a massive brute with shoulders nearly as wide as Max was long. They looked like water buffaloes, but far larger and their horns were immense, on top of their heads, above their ears, wide at the base, curving gracefully forward to end in sharp points. Braden wondered if the horses would be safe.

  The beast bent down to the little girl who lovingly stroked his head. She patted his forehead, her hand a tiny spot on his thick brownish hair. Other beasts ambled over. They varied in size and color, large to small, thick dark brown hair to light, one color to splotches of dark brown, light brown, and white. They continued to join the large bull until Bronwyn was completely encircled. Braden and Micah could no longer see her.

  “G, a little help please,” Braden asked.

  ‘She is safer there than anywhere else she could be. They call themselves Aurochs,’ the ‘cat said.

  “Aurochs.” Braden looked at Micah and shrugged uncomfortably. “I guess we wait.” He got down from Max, gave him a couple pats on the neck, and turned him loose to graze. Micah followed his lead. Bronwyn must have told the horses that the Aurochs were friends, because no one seemed concerned besides Braden.

  Micah took his hand as they stood watching the Aurochs. “It’s not knowing that bothers you,” she started. “You’ve taken responsibility for all of us and that means you can’t let go.” She squeezed his hand tightly and leaned into him. “Sometimes you have to. What would you have done if she wasn’t here?” Micah nodded toward the circle of Aurochs. They still couldn’t see the girl.

  “Probably screwed things up,” Braden answered. “I think I would have gone to the village first, hoping that they had domesticated these creatures and would be willing to trade for some.” He shook his head. “We still need to go to the village. They might think they own these beasts.”

  “I agree.” Micah put her head on Braden’s shoulder. He wasn’t sure what exactly she agreed with. It didn’t matter. He felt better.

  “Bronwyn!” Braden said in his loud trader voice. “Can you introduce us?” He hoped that she heard him. He was impatient. He expected that if he didn’t help them focus, Bronwyn would spend the day playing with her new friends. But she had heard him and, surprisingly, acknowledged him.

  A couple smaller females, cows, moved aside so Bronwyn could exit the circle. She skipped as she joined Micah and Braden, wedging between them so they each took one of her hands. The Aurochs she first talked with followed her. The others fell in behind.

  “This is Brandt Earthshaker. He’s King of the Aurochs.” Braden and Micah didn’t know what to say. How did one greet a king?

  “I am Free Trader Braden and this is my partner, Micah,” Braden started and both of them bowed deeply. “We are searching for someone who can help us establish trade routes. We need your strength.” Braden didn’t know if Brandt could understand him directly or if Bronwyn was translating what he said, so he waited.

  “Greetings Brandt Earthshaker, King of the Aurochs,” Micah said in her own greeting. They bowed a second time.

  Finally, the king bowed back, dipping to one knee, then standing up straight. His horns were bigger than the humans and when he dipped, they were treated to an alarmingly close look. It took all Braden and Micah had not to step away from the King.

  ‘These are intelligent creatures,’ G-War offered, before opening the mindlink with Brandt. The King’s thought voice rivaled his size and boomed within their heads.

  ‘Welcome to our herd, humans.’ Although his voice was loud, it was friendly and filled Braden and Micah with warmth. Their fears melted away.

  “You are magnificent!” Braden blurted out.

  “Do you mind?” Micah said, already beside the creature’s great head, stroking his ears and his neck. His hair was thick and coarse, but not long. She could feel the muscles rippling beneath his skin. His strength had to be incredible just to hold his head up. Micah knew she would be unable to lift even one of his horns.

  ‘Not at all, my lady. I’ve never talked with a human before. I find it exhilarating,’ the King answered.

  Bronwyn stretched as far around Brandt’s nose as she could reach to give him a hug. He raised his head, lifting her into the air. She scrambled over his head, turned, and straddled his thick neck. She sat there, radiating joy.

  “Have you dealt with humans before?” Braden asked.

  ‘Yes. Dealt with, but never talked to. From the edge of our grassland, the villagers think they can control us with fire. We stay away from them. If the grasslands burn, we will all die.’

  “We won’t let that happen, will we, Braden!” cried the little voice from high above the ground.

  “No. We won’t, little sweetheart. Have you talked with Brandt about what we’d like?” Bronwyn shook her head as she leaned down to rub the huge neck with both her hands.

  “King Brandt, we are creating a world of trade here in the south. We’ve gotten a number of villages to believe what is possible. If we had wagons, a great deal of products can be moved between all the villages, helping them become civilized. Good trade can stop conflict, help people be better, be happier…” Braden’s thoughts drifted back to Sanctuary. Good trade can make people envious, destroying the world, he thought. But this time was different. He could influence things the right way.

  ‘We can pull your wagons, but there will be conditions.’ Braden waited, but the King of the Aurochs didn’t explain.

  Never agree to a trade without knowing all the conditions. “What are your conditions, King Brandt?”

  ‘We are never to be tied up. We are equal partners with the traders. We determine how far we go in a day and we determine how much time we need to feed.’

  “Shrewd! Understand that you’ll have to wear some kind of harness to pull the wagons. Outside of that, you will never be tied up. Anyone who tried would be foolish. Those are easy conditions. Now, how do you define equal partner?” Braden asked, now in full trader negotiating mode, despite the fact that he was speaking with an Aurochs.

  ‘If we find something we like, a grass, a vegetable, we will want our fair share as part of the trade.’ The great beast shook his head to chase away a few flies. Braden fell backward trying to get away from the horns. ‘Sorry,’ Brandt said in his booming thought voice. ‘Not used to humans.’

  “Not yet, my friend. I hope you’ll grow to like us. Yes, getting vegetables as part of the trade is certainly possible and a good thing. Try this.” Braden pulled a mushroom from his belt pouch and held it before the King’s great head. The Aurochs looked at it briefly before carefully taking it from Braden’s hand and eating it.

  ‘We usually avoid these kinds of things as they are too often poisonous. But this is good. I’ve not seen its like before. Where did you find it?’

  “This is something that the Lizard Men trade, the Amazonians that is, the people who live in the rainforest.”

  ‘We have seen these creatures, but we don’t go into the rainforest. We don’t fit!’ He started shaking his head. The other Aurochs standing close by were shaking their great heads as well. Were they laughing?

  “As to your other points, I can’t say how far you go and when you eat. If we trade, it is nice to keep to a schedule, but that schedule can be whatever we make it. We’ll need to travel a certain amount each turn. I expect that, as big as you are, you cover a great deal of ground in a very short time. I don’t think it will be a problem, so yes. You determine how far and when you feed. How much do you eat?” Braden asked without thinking.

  ‘That is an ongoing battle, I’m afraid.’ The Aurochs all started shaking their heads.

  ‘That’s it, then, shall we go?’ the King of the Aurochs asked.

  “Now?” Braden was surprised. “How many would come with us?”

  ‘Well, all of us, of course,’ Brandt answered without hesitation.

  “But we probably only need a couple of you...” Braden stammered. Micah stepped up.

  “We have one village where we stay. We travel from there and then return
. A couple of you could come with us. The trade route can end here. I’m afraid that if all of you come on all the trades, then there won’t be enough vegetables or mushrooms to go around.”

  ‘Show me,’ Brandt asked cryptically.

  Skirill stepped into the conversation, showing images of the villages and surrounding areas to the Aurochs. The Hawkoid showed broader swaths of land between the villages.

  ‘There. That will be our new home.’ Brandt selected an area with fields and grasslands with streams flowing throughout.

  It was Greentree, Bronwyn’s home village. Braden suspected she influenced Brandt’s decision, but it could not have been better, in his opinion. There would always be someone who could talk with the Aurochs and make sure that they were happy. He didn’t want to think of the damage any of these great creatures could do if they were upset.

  “Yes! I will take care of you all. Mushrooms and cabbages!” the little girl shouted gleefully.

  “I’d like to talk with the villagers near here, if I may, and then we can get going.”

  47 – Too Many People

  The Village of Westerly had few houses and huts, but a lot of people. Braden and Micah wondered where they all slept.

  Although they didn’t raise the alarm and come at Braden and Micah with weapons, the reception was cool. They did not get down from their horses as they waited for someone in charge. An older man finally strolled up, making it clear that he was important.

  “Someone said you wanted to talk with me?” he asked in an imperial voice.

  “I am Free Trader Braden and this is my partner Micah. The Hillcat is G-War. The Tortoid is Master Aadi. The Hawkoid--” He pointed to a tree. “--is Skirill. We are looking to open a trade route, from east to west on the north side of the rainforest. We already have a number of villages with trades ongoing.” Braden left it there, assuming that the man would want to know more information.