“Afraid, pretty boy?” she asked.
Galahad shot her a poisonous look. “I’m not quite as pretty as all that these days.”
Valla’s eyes focused on the deep scars covering Galahad’s cheek and her skin drained of colour. The burst of personality she’d shown, the first glimpse I’d seen for weeks, vanished and her eyes dulled once more.
“That wasn’t necessary,” Morgan snapped at her brother, her hand seeking Valla’s.
“Well, I think he’s still pretty,” I said, trying to ease tensions already high because we were in an unknown environment.
I smiled at Valla, wanting to reassure her, but I didn’t receive an answer.
“Maybe we should move away from this place quickly,” Nest murmured, her shoulder touching Kerwin’s. They were growing closer and I hoped it meant at least one of us was having a sensible love life.
“We need horses,” Lance said. “And I’d like us to have more supplies if we are going to be crossing a desert. Also a guide.”
“You want a guide?” asked a new voice to my right in accented Common. We all turned. A man with Aleah’s colouring rather than that of the people around him walked toward us with a friendly smile and open hands. He wore long robes similar, though not as rich, to the ones Aleah’s brother wore and a curved dagger at his left hip. I watched Aleah melt behind Galahad and I, so I covered her with my mass and I bowed slightly from the waist.
“Well met, friend,” I said.
He bowed very low and briefly touched his closed fist to his heart. “Well met, friend.”
“You are a guide? You seem to be a long way from home as well,” I said, the others obviously happy to allow me control.
“I am a wanderer and traveller in search of the eternal answers, it leads me to many places in this world of Albion,” the man said. “You are also a long way from home, I think.”
Not exactly the reassuring answer I wanted. “We are. We seek a guide to the city of Larz,” I said. Murmurs went up from the people around us. They clearly understood enough to be worried about the name of the place.
Our potential friend’s eyes widened slightly. “You have many women in your group for such adventures.”
“They are warriors,” I stated. “Our equals,” I added, just to be certain there were no misunderstandings. The Salamander had some interesting views on the role of women and I knew nothing about the tribes this far south except what we’d seen of Aleah’s treatment – not exactly reassuring.
“The role of the gentler sex is very different in the north. You are to be admired for conquering such power,” the man bowed again.
Morgan snorted but I dug into her ribs with my finger while the man’s head pointed toward his toes.
“If you can offer us guidance through these lands, we can pay,” I said. “First, though, is there somewhere we can stop for the night? I don’t think this is the kind of port that welcomes friends easily.”
The man smiled and there were just slightly too many teeth for comfort. “Indeed, these southern tribes are not used to light-skinned visitors. Especially such tall and well armed individuals.” He eyed our weapons and Galahad in particular. “Come, I will take you to my current abode.” He beckoned us to follow him.
Aleah grabbed my hand. “I’m not sure this is a good idea,” she whispered.
“Are you in danger from this person?” I asked directly.
She shifted from foot to foot. “I’ve never met him but –”
“But nothing,” I said. “We need help, he can help. If you don’t know him personally I’ll come up with a story to make sure you are safe. Stay close to Galahad at all times and don’t speak unless it’s something harmless. Trust us to keep you in one piece, Princess, that’s why you came with us.”
She frowned but I pulled out of her grip and walked after the new man. He moved with slow confidence through the people and milling children, who multiplied like rats around rubbish. Though I have to say, they were a lot nicer than rats. The language of the children gaggled about us, words strange but gestures familiar, until one of them snagged Lance’s purse. Our new friend caught the offender by his hair and shouted in the strange guttural tongue of the native tribe. The boy handed over the purse and said something to Lance that sounded very apologetic.
“Thank you,” Lance said in return.
“Ank o,” the boy returned and smiled.
Lance laughed at the young thief and from that moment on we had not only a guide but a boy who made certain none of the rest of our equipment went missing among the throng with many little hands.
The walk through the low buildings made us all stare like village idiots. These people were small, even smaller than Aleah, and their feet seemed overly large in comparison. Many of the adults had broken teeth and I soon saw why, they chewed the reeds that grew in vast fields on the delta, to make everything they owned. The women carried reed baskets, sometimes with babies inside rather than fish, around their waists, roped to them with more reed rope. The men carried short spears, designed for hunting, and those carrying more baskets strapped them to their heads, so the bulk rested on their backs leaving their hands free.
The huts were all small and low lying, none of us men would fit inside easily, but those I could glimpse inside showed great cleanliness and simplicity. The cook fires were either on small hillocks of damp ground or on the reed ground, but they were all set inside large crucibles of rough clay set inside a tripod of metal. From the centre of these tripods hung their skillets and cook pots. These were just about the only obvious metal objects except for the constant bangles, neck bands and spear heads. None carried swords and the knives were all sheathed but they too must have been metal. These people survived completely on items found in their immediate surroundings and when I looked at my own clothes in comparison I realised how far Camelot had come from relying on her own supplies.
We walked for about a league from where Raven had left us at the mouth of the delta when we left the township behind, the adults lining the edge of their home, glad to see the back of us. The man I took to be in charge, as he wore the most decoration, didn’t stop us but didn’t want to engage either. He merely spoke a few words to our guide and we left unmolested, the children running away with items they’d convinced us to part with.
We walked up a shallow hill consisting of poor soil that crumbled under our feet and finally saw the place our host wanted us to stay.
Large complex tents, such as the Salamander used in the deserts to the north, made up a community of many souls. Bright cloths flapped from the mouths of the large circular structures, making for a colourful display against the black sand and white skins of the portable homes. There were many horses and camels posted some distance away and I finally understood.
“You are a merchant,” I said.
“I am a humble man in search of answers to the mysteries of the world, if I happen to make a little money along the way by picking things up from here and dropping them over there...” He shrugged. “Well, so much the better for all concerned.”
I laughed and offered the man my hand. “Especially for you.”
He grinned. “Especially for me. My name is Habib Gelth.”
“It is an honour, Habib Gelth,” I said and I mirrored his bow. “My name is Loholt Tintagel,” I said quickly. I wasn’t going to give this man fuel for a fire we didn’t need setting now or later. “My companions and I are grateful for any help you can offer us.”
“And I will be grateful for any assistance you can offer me,” Habib said.
“Oh?” I asked.
He swept a hand over the portable village. “I came here looking for guards, my own having been...” he considered his words carefully, “...unfortunately detained by the gods of death. So, I am in need of armed men who can help me keep my few possessions safe.”
“And women,” Morgan said, placing a hand on her sword.
Habib bowed toward her. “And women, of course.”
I glanced at Galahad, Nest and Lance. They all nodded, it seemed the perfect way for us to travel into the centre of this vast continent.
“Then we need to discuss terms,” I said.
I heard Galahad whisper to Lance, “Does he know how to do negotiate a deal?”
Lance chuckled. “Holt knows more about this stuff than you ever will.”
We began to walk down the slope to join the large caravan and it opened out to us.
CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR
There were four large tents and five smaller ones, all flying flags of many colours with writing on them rather than our northern style heraldry. I guessed there were close on a hundred camels and horses penned nearby. Women, covered against the harsh sun but not strapped like Aleah had been, bustled around seeing to daily tasks. There were men as well but they lay under the porches sticking out of the front of the tents. They didn’t look interested in anything.
“Come, we will drink and eat before coming to terms, friend Loholt,” Habib said.
“Holt,” I said automatically.
“As you wish,” our host said, showing us into the largest tent.
Five women all rose from the various tasks and bowed toward Habib before vanishing through a flap at the back of the tent.
“My wives, as you see I am a modest man,” he said smiling.
“One is difficult enough,” Galahad murmured beside me. I tried not to laugh.
No fire sat in the centre of the tent, the women cooked outside; the inside consisted of beautiful rugs, large soft cushions and reminded me heavily of the Salamander.
“Is this normal for your people?” I asked Aleah quietly.
She nodded. “It is the best way to travel in the desert.”
“It’s the way the Salamander travel,” I said to her.
“They are our neighbours, Holt,” she said, confused as to why I’d be surprised.
I wasn’t surprised exactly, I was worried. Aleah’s people being close to the Salamander might make life difficult. Technically we were at war and close ties made us vulnerable.
“Come and sit, Holt, introduce me to your companions,” Habib said. He showed us to a pile of cushions and picking one for himself he sat, crossed his legs and looked comfortable. I sat with more grace than most, spending a long time among the Salamander in my younger days, and waited for the others to settle.
I started to introduce everyone, only changing Galahad’s name and Aleah’s completely.
“You have travelled a long way, I am surprised to see northerners this far south and you travel with one of my own countrywomen.”
“She and my young friend, Ward, met and fell in love. They married in rather a rush,” I said, smiling. I hoped to build a believable community that would be hard for our enemies to find. “As to us being so far south,” I shrugged, “we were blown off course and forced south so continued to travel until our money ran out. We are adventurers, looking for new places and new experiences, a group of people who have come together with like minds.”
He nodded wisely and continued to assess us while his wives brought in food and drink. One of the younger women, with heavy dark eyes, kept glancing at me surreptitiously to the point of making me quite uncomfortable.
Habib noticed. “It seems you have an admirer among my wives,” he said.
I forced a polite laugh. “I don’t think you have anything to worry about in that department.”
“Good. I don’t share,” he said and his manner became darker.
“Um,” Galahad decided to deflect the irritation. “Perhaps you can tell us what our duties will be in detail and we can negotiate a final price for our services.”
Habib smiled hugely. “Ah, I do like to make a deal.”
We began to talk details and money; trying to pin him down to a contract and a price took the rest of the day and exhausted me completely. When we’d finally settled everything we all needed some rest and some privacy to unwind. We would be sharing tents but with each other not with the caravan workers, and taking turns at guarding the camp each night during the journey.
When we were shown out of Habib’s grand tent we were led to a small encampment near the horses and camels, the smell somewhat over-powering.
“Your married friend, Ward, and his wife, Nyla, can sleep in the smallest tent,” said one of the wives of our new employer who showed us around the camp. Everyone stopped and stared at her. Galahad and I shared a long glance.
I nodded, with a belly suddenly full of snakes biting me and telling me to worry about him sharing his bed with his beautiful bride. Galahad nodded in return but a flush coloured his face, leaving his scar stark and pale. He took hold of Aleah’s hand and together they retired to the small tent. I shared with Lance and Kerwin, the girls took the largest tent. They were simple affairs and disturbingly still contained much of the previous occupants’ belongings. We sorted them out and made room for our own things before settling down. Kerwin fell asleep almost immediately, but Lance and I were going to be taking first watch at full dark.
“How are you doing, Holt?” Lance asked me quietly.
“Tired, but alright,” I said.
“I meant about Galahad and Torvec,” he said.
I shrugged and didn’t say anything for awhile. He watched me and gave me the space to think things through. “I’m going to lose Galahad. I know he loves me but it’s not enough to alter his feelings about the physical aspect of loving a man. If I don’t lose him now then it will be soon. I just have to hope he allows me to be happy with someone one day. I have to hope I can be happy with someone. I miss Torvec but I’m glad we are on dry land and he is behind us. Maybe with some space we can all take a breath and things will calm down.”
Lance nodded, full night almost upon us. “I think you’re right. We better get to work, King of Camelot.”
I chuckled. “Oh how the mighty of Albion have fallen.”
We left the tent and I walked towards Galahad’s. The night air cooled a little but the humidity remained, making me wish for the robes the Salamander warriors wore rather than the northern costumes that left me itchy. I pulled at my gambeson for the hundredth time that afternoon and knew we’d have to find a different way of dressing or I’d go bonkers. I raised my hand to scratch on the tent flap when I heard Galahad’s soft voice.
“Aleah, I can’t. Holt means the world to me. He can’t handle any more changes right now,” he said quietly. I knew I should walk away but I didn’t.
“But you want me,” she insisted.
“I don’t know what I want and we are supposed to have a marriage of convenience,” Galahad replied.
“I’ve seen the way you look at me,” she said in a tone I’d never heard from her before. Sultry and heavy.
“Aleah, don’t please, I’m not made of stone,” he said, and I heard the desire in his voice, the soft desperation.
I finally turned away, unable to listen to any more for my heart’s sake. If I reached out to Galahad for just a moment he’d feel everything and know I’d heard him speaking with Aleah. I had to give him space to be himself. I couldn’t destroy his future by making him someone he wasn’t. I kept everything tight and tried very hard not to think about calling Galahad toward me.
“Holt?” Lance asked as I strode past him.
“We need to find positions high enough to see the whole camp if possible in this swamp,” I said. He scrambled to catch up to me.
“Galahad’s supposed to be helping,” my old friend said. I heard the notes of worry and fear in his voice.
“Galahad’s busy, I expect he will join us when he can,” I said. I wasn’t going to think about him. I wasn’t going to call him. I was not going to be jealous or difficult or petty and controlling. I could let him go. I would let him go.
I felt Lance’s hand on my arm, pulling me to a stop. “What’s happened?” he asked.
“I can’t. Don’t. Let’s just do our job, please,” I begged him.
He stared into my face and wha
tever he saw convinced him to leave me alone.
We found a place where the land sloped upward slightly and overlooked the horses, camels and the rest of the camp. I could see Galahad’s tent but with night now upon us the only part of the camp properly lit was the large main tent belonging to Habib and his wives.
“We ought to have one of us on the south side,” Lance said quietly.
“That’s bordered by the delta people I think we’ll be safe from them or Habib would already be dead,” I said.
“Do you want to talk about it?” Lance asked. He didn’t mean the security of the camp, he just used that as a way to make me open my mouth.
“No.”
“Holt –”
“Imagine if Nim had to marry someone else even though you loved her and you had to listen to it. I don’t want to talk. I just want to stay focused on the job,” I said. I picked at the spiky grass around me.
“Oh, sorry. It must be complicated.”
“It is so drop it.”
We slumped into silence and I tried to relax. Lance decided to do a patrol; I opted to remain in place so I could watch him and judge how easy it would be for enemies to infiltrate the camp around the large tents. I found myself staring at the tent containing Galahad and felt a greater sadness over Torvec’s death. It seemed so unfair.
I finally gave up and turned my back on the whole thing, looking out over the river delta and forcing down the misery.
“Holt?”
The voice made me stand in one fluid movement.
“Holt,” the relief in Galahad’s voice surprised me. It surprised me even more when he almost ran toward me and swept me into an embrace.
“Are you alright?” I asked, unable to resist his arms.
“You didn’t come and get me for work,” he said, his breath against my neck.
“Are you alright?” I asked again, pulling back.
“I am sorry.”
My stomach dropped to the floor and I disengaged from the hug, turning away from him. “It’s fine, Galahad,” I managed around the pain of in my chest. “She is a beautiful woman.”
The Du Lac Legacy (Sons of Camelot Book 2) Page 16