Quests Volume Two

by Barbara G. Tarn

  The very pale, confused young man trying to avoid notice might be sick or just pretending. The fair-haired, worried boy chasing a small child reminded him of himself running after his younger sister.

  Babita elbowed him and he stopped watching people to look at the only government building of the town. It had a sliding roof with red tiles and green shutters at the windows. It was a two-story, rectangular construction of gray stone standing in a side street on the northern part of the town.

  The main door was open and didn't have any guards. A clerk sat in the entrance that had a big staircase that led to the upper floor. Doors opened on the left and right, leading to ballrooms or great halls for the town gatherings.

  The current government was made of several elected officials chosen from the town's guilds. The clerk told them they had mostly law books upstairs, to deal with the town matters. And no, he hadn't heard anything about the Magical Races, and thought they were bedtime stories for children.

  "I don't think there was much more at the temple," Babita said as they left the government building. "I'm afraid the northern kingdoms wiped out the Genn so thoroughly that they now consider them stuff of legend."

  "Which won't help us in finding the lost towns." Keshav sighed. "Fine, never mind, we'll find them without the locals' help!"

  They slowly headed back for the inn. Rohan said he wanted to try the stuffed pheasant Babita had mentioned and Keshav missed the lentil soup.

  "Tomorrow Serina will give you your new clothes and we can be on our way," Babita said as they dined in the still crowded main room of the inn. "We should reach Konigtown in a couple of weeks."

  ***

  Rohan awoke with a sun ray caressing his face. The cot wasn't really as comfortable as his bed and he didn't really think the inn was "fit for a Lord" like Babita had said, but it was certainly better than other accommodation they'd had during the trip. The food was very good and the wine pleasantly strong. He considered buying a bottle for the road, but then remembered they were on foot, and he already had enough weight on his shoulders.

  He sighed and stretched his limbs. Time to move again. He had enjoyed the stay in the town, even though he needed Babita to talk to people. He was certain, though, that if someone was like him, he wouldn't need words. Except he hadn't seen anyone that had caught his eye among the bearded fishermen and merchants of the town.

  He yawned and put on his southern tunic for the last time, he assumed. He was kind of curious to see what the dressmaker had done and wondered if she'd make identical clothes for him and Keshav or if she would respect their different status.

  He certainly didn't want a long, scholarly tunic that would hinder him if he had to use his sword. He also wondered if they'd be provided with northern hats for protection against the sun, since the barbarians didn't seem to use turbans, but were definitely covering their heads when necessary.

  He shaved with the small mirror and basin provided by the inn, then packed his things and went downstairs. He was the last one to sit at the table, as usual.

  "Don't you ever sleep?" he asked both Keshav and Babita who greeted him with amused smiles.

  "I don't sleep much," Keshav admitted.

  "I do sleep, but I eat less than you do, so that probably accounts for less sleeping hours," Babita added.

  "Do you miss the company?" Rohan asked her.

  "Sometimes." She shrugged. "But I'm not ready to have another man dictating my life."

  "Was Advik that bad?"

  "He was good, it's his mother who is a witch." She scowled. "Next man must be an orphan! Or at least motherless!"

  Rohan and Keshav exchanged a smile.

  "What's that pastry with?" Rohan pointed.

  "Blueberry muffin," Keshav answered. "Really good."

  Rohan grabbed it and tasted it. Really good indeed. "Glad we have the same tastes for something," he said, grinning at Keshav.

  The scholar cleared his throat and looked away. Rohan chuckled. He liked to embarrass Keshav. Maybe eventually he'd even dare kiss him. But not yet.

  He finished the pastry and drank some tea with milk. "I'm ready," he said. "Shall we?"

  Babita nodded. They had already paid for the rooms and the meals, so they headed for the dressmaker's. The redheaded woman gave them "breeches" and tunics cut the northern way. Keshav's was ankle-length, but Rohan's was barely knee-length, with openings on the side.

  "In case you need to mount a horse," Babita explained, amused. "That's what warriors wear up north."

  Rohan put on everything and tried some movements. It seemed fine. He had to adapt his sword scabbard to the leather belt that accompanied the clothes. Keshav looked like a lord with his long tunic held by a leather belt.

  "Can we keep our sandals?" Rohan asked.

  "Sandals are sandals... when we need boots, we'll buy them. But sandals are fine for the summer," Babita answered.

  "Good." Rohan packed his southern clothes in the bulging backpack and so did Keshav.

  Soon they exited from the portcullis of the northern gate and followed the now unpaved road that followed the coast. A forest loomed on their left, the sea was on the right. Even if the road was sunny and dusty, they stuck to it. Entering the forest might be dangerous for the presence of bandits and outlaws hiding there.

  "We shouldn't be attacked, but you never know," Babita said. "Especially in the summer they can easily live off the forest, it's in winter that desperate men attack other men. Like packs of wolves."

  Rohan shivered at the thought of wolves. There were no tigers in the forests of Gajendra, but once he'd gone on a hunting expedition with his cousins on the Central Massif. It was winter and a pack of wolves had tried to steal their prey.

  He was very happy to be traveling in summer time.

  The road was fairly busy with carts going to and from the town. Mostly peasants carrying their goods to Hurlevent's market or going home after selling everything – the latter were more eager to take passengers in their empty carts and carry them forward, sometimes even offering food and their barn for the night.

  So far things weren't much different, except for the language that meant only Babita could communicate with the locals. Rohan didn't care much, he was happy just watching the landscape or looking at Keshav...

  And then they reached an inn. Babita said it was called The Leaping Griffen Tavern.

  "What is a griffen?" Rohan asked.

  "The griffen or gryphon is a mythical creature with the body, tail, and back legs of a lion, the head and wings of an eagle and an eagle's talons as its front feet," Babita explained.

  Rohan whistled.

  "They think the same of our Winged God," Keshav said, amused. "I mean, a God depicted as having the golden body of a strong man with a white face, red wings, and an eagle's beak and with a crown on his head..."

  "But apparently gryphons existed in the northern kingdoms," Babita said. "Along with the Magical Races, unicorns, faeries and other beings we never saw or heard about."

  "I see... well, let's go inside and see if they have rooms. And maybe bath tubs?" Rohan looked hopeful.

  Babita smiled and pushed the front door. The inn was large and had most rooms occupied, but they found accommodation for the night. The rooms were all small and slightly over priced, but they treasured the privacy. And yes, bath tubs were available for customers, for a few extra coins.

  Thus all three retired to wash and change clothes, wearing the southern ones to go back downstairs for dinner in the crowded main room. Most patrons were drunk which kept the noise level loud and cheerful.

  The bartender was female and reminded Rohan of Zoya, the bartender of the Sour Stallion. The food was of poor quality and overpriced, but Rohan was starving by then and would have eaten anything. Babita suggested he tried the mutton while she and Keshav had porridge.

  Rohan noticed the thoroughly tattooed herald with oddly-colored eyes who must come from a nearby castle. He was losing at a very active dice game and soon left the tab
le, snorting in frustration. The oddly-colored eyes met Rohan's amber eyes and quick recognition passed between them. The herald smiled and joined them at their table.

  "His name is Duncan," Babita translated when the herald realized Rohan didn't speak his language. "He is wondering if you'd like some company tonight."

  "Why not?" Rohan grinned at the young man, staring appreciatively at his tattoos. "Will you keep my purse for me?"

  Keshav chuckled. "That's smart," he said. "Sure, leave it to me and you won't be robbed."

  Rohan nodded, finished his meal, then cleaned his hands on his tunic and discreetly gave his purse to Keshav before offering his hand to Duncan.

  He was glad to have company. Duncan was blond and tattooed, but he could always imagine being with Keshav instead.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  "You should probably go and check on him," Babita said, putting down her empty mug. "Just in case the tattooed guy killed him after... whatever they did together because he couldn't find his money."

  Keshav sighed, looked outside of the inn's window, then rose.

  "Keep his purse while I wake him up," he said giving her Rohan's purse.

  He went back upstairs and knocked on Rohan's door. When no answer came, he opened the door and found both young men still in bed, naked, Duncan's tattooed arms wrapped around Rohan's muscled body.

  Keshav closed the door with a thud that startled both awake.

  "Keshav!" Rohan looked confused. "Is it late?"

  "The sun is high and we should go," Keshav answered. "Please come downstairs as fast as you can."

  "Uh, sure." Rohan blushed, hiding under the bed sheet. As if Keshav hadn't seen everything already.

  Keshav waved and went back down the stairs.

  "They were still asleep," he muttered, sitting down again in front of Babita. "Glad my room wasn't near theirs."

  "Mine was." Babita smiled. "I heard them until quite late. No wonder they were still asleep."

  "You could have told me." Keshav glared at her.

  "Did you want me to find them naked in their bed?" she teased. "At least you're a man too, they don't have anything that you don't have as well, right?"

  Keshav looked away, frowning. As long as Rohan didn't ask him to have sex...

  "Do you have a problem with sex?" she asked.

  "No, I just don't get people's obsession with it." He shrugged.

  "So you don't find it hard to remain chaste."

  "No. Why? Should I?"

  "Just asking. I sometimes miss my husband. Especially now that I'm traveling with two men not related to me – and who make me feel invisible."

  "I'm sorry, scholars and women don't really get along well," he said, looking towards the stairs. Rohan and Duncan were rushing down the steps. Duncan briefly kissed Rohan's lips, then stormed out of the inn.

  "He's late, his lord might scold him," Rohan said, sitting at the table and taking a pastry.

  "We shall scold you too, your highness," Babita said. "You overslept."

  Keshav tried not to burst out laughing at her serious face and Rohan's puzzlement. The prince stopped munching and stared at her wide-eyed.

  "She's right, your highness," Keshav said, putting emphasis on the title to remind him they used it only to tease him.

  Rohan gulped, relaxed and shook a threatening finger at them. "You got me," he muttered. "Is there still any warm tea in that pot?"

  Babita poured him some while he quickly finished the pastry and drank some not-so-warm tea.

  "I hope you are well rested," Babita said as they gathered their things and headed out. "Let's try to get to the next inn today. Although they're not at regular intervals like in Gajendra and if I remember correctly we might not find any until tomorrow."

  Rohan nodded, adjusting his sword by his side and his backpack on his shoulders. The wind from the coast brought some clouds, but it didn't rain. Still they had to use their southern sashes to cover nose and mouth from the dust of the road.

  "Maybe mud would be better than this sandstorm," Keshav muttered.

  "Trudging on muddy roads means no carts or wagons out and about," Babita replied, and soon enough they could hitch a ride on a peasant's cart headed for a nearby village.

  That night they had to sleep under the stars. They made camp on the road side, just outside the woods still lining the left side. They found wood to make a fire in a pit that had already been used by other travelers.

  There was also a wooden canopy for whoever stopped in bad weather that allowed shelter from the rain. Just a roof over four shafts, open on all sides, that made them wish they had cloaks, since at night the temperature went down.

  "Maybe we should take turns and keep the fire alive," Keshav said while Babita distributed traveling provisions she had bought in Hurlevent. "If it goes out, we might freeze."

  "It's not that cold," Babita said. "It's the summer! But yes, it's better if we keep the fire alive."

  "Can you do the first shift?" Rohan asked. "Wake me up when you need sleep!"

  "Sure." Keshav smiled. Considering that the prince slept a lot more than him, he was ready to spend most of the night awake, but then, he wanted to jot down observations in his journal and check his notes, so he didn't mind.

  Soon both Babita and Rohan were asleep and only the crickets kept him company. An owl watched him from a nearby tree and sometimes called upon another who answered from within the forest. A small stream ran nearby and Keshav saw beavers busy around their nest. At least he had freshwater for tomorrow morning.

  He settled against a rock and took his journal, pen and ink, keeping an eye on the fire. The flickering light wasn't perfect, but better than nothing. He also looked at the map, trying to trace the journey they had made so far. Well over halfway from Godwalkar to Konigtown, but apparently the worst was still to come.

  The night was quiet and moonless. Soon he had to throw more wood in the pit and lay down to stare at the starry sky. Then night animals went quiet. Only the crickets seemed oblivious, but owls and beavers seemed to be still.

  Someone was coming. Keshav kicked Rohan awake and signaled him to be quiet. Rohan half rose and listened, soon nodding in understanding. He quietly pulled out his sword from its scabbard, but lay it down so the fire wouldn't gleam on the metal blade.

  Keshav took his own knife and kept it hidden in his sleeve while Rohan rolled over his sword and covered it with his body. Whoever was coming might think they were all asleep around the fire.

  Four figures emerged from the forest. One was clearly limping, another looked like a hunchback. They had woodcutters' axes or scythes – typical peasant's weapons – and now that they were getting closer, they weren't that silent. Their shuffling forward awoke Babita who sat and glared at them.

  Keshav sat too as she asked them something. Toothless smiles and incomprehensible answers shot back their way. The four advanced on them as if they owned the camp and wanted some kind of toll for the use of the fire pit.

  "Bandits?" Keshav asked. Babita slowly nodded, frowning, still staring at the four. Rohan hadn't moved and still pretended to sleep. "Tell them we don't have anything worth taking."

  "I already did," she replied. "They want our clothes and our bags anyway."

  The bandits wore rags, so it wasn't surprising they'd get anything they could.

  "Do you have weapons?" Keshav asked.

  "Of course!" she snapped. "Is Rohan...?"

  "Awake and ready," Keshav answered.

  The limping bandit asked something in a threatening tone. Babita answered mockingly.

  "They don't like the fact that we talk in a language they don't understand," she said. "They think we're going to attack them back."

  "It's still four against three, but then, our prince should be able to handle two, or when I get back to Godwalkar, I'll have a talk to his sword-teacher!"

  Keshav glanced at Rohan and saw his lips twitch into a smile. Babita hid her smile behind her hand, then found a scythe's blade at her thr
oat. The hunchback leaned on Rohan and raised his axe, ready to hit.

  "Now!" Keshav said, swinging his arm and thrusting his knife in the body of the bandit behind him. At the same time Babita struck the scythe man and Rohan rolled over, revealing his sword and stabbing the hunchback who screamed in pain. Rohan was immediately on his feet, attacking the fourth man and breaking the shaft of the axe he had raised in defense, hitting him between neck and shoulder.

  Still panting, wide-eyed, Rohan looked around, but the four bandits were all down and moaning in pain.

  "We should tie them up, lest they bother us again," Keshav said. "Or we could leave, but it seems the road is quite dark still."

  "They came with rope," Babita said, pointing at the hunchback. "We will use their rope and tie them to that tree over there. Someone will free them when we're long gone."

  "And if nobody shows up?" Rohan asked, worried.

  "Not our problem," Keshav replied. "Unsafe roads should be kept safe by whoever is in charge here."

  "Nobody is in charge on this stretch of the road," Babita said. "That's why they've tried to rob us. I doubt they have families to feed somewhere anyway."

  "Put away that sword, Rohan, and help me take them by that tree."

  Rohan nodded, still frowning. Both men carried the bandits to the tree and Babita tied them up.

  "Get some sleep now, Keshav," she said as they lay back down by the fire. "I'm sure Rohan can't sleep right now."

  "No," Rohan admitted, clearly shaken. "I hope they don't die."

  "We'll see in the morning," Keshav said, closing his eyes with a sigh.

  ***

  Babita didn't sleep well, and not only because she was lying on the ground in the open. Maybe coming now, without waiting for the other merchants traveling to the Konigtown Fair, hadn't been such a good idea after all. But she really thought that the summer would be safe enough, without desperate people trying to survive by robbing travelers.

  Rohan still looked upset when the sun came up. He had obviously never shed any blood before, but his training had worked perfectly. He had struck surely and without hesitation, and took out two opponents with almost a single move.