by Guy Antibes
They stood outside in the alley and Norra drew her sword. Herran held an antique sword without any shine whatsoever. They nodded at each other and held their swords out. Norra advanced with a tentative thrust. Herran parried and quickly tapped her on the shoulder.
“You can do better than that,” he said, “or is the sword for decoration?” Herran grinned.
Norra furrowed her brow and pressed towards Herran. She found her rhythm and found that Herran’s skill at least matched Clint’s. Her thrust finally got through his defense and cut a little hole in his shirt, just above his heart.
“Very good and, with so intimate a touch, I don’t even know your name,” Herran said, smiling and putting his hand over his heart.
“Norra, and I really think we are about evenly matched. You’re hired.” She sheathed her sword and leaned back against the wall opposite from the shop, breathing heavily. “Do you know anything about traveling in the interior?”
“You buy supplies, hire a covered wagon and take off.”
“What about caravans?”
“They are a necessary evil. If we head for the Yulga pass, we can go along the Pass Road until we take a track about two-thirds of the way and then head southwest. The slavers don’t usually attack their own caravans until they are closer to the pass, I hear. Nevertheless, we will have to be vigilant all the time.”
“Meet me at the Desert Inn early tomorrow morning with your gear. Oh! I didn’t purchase the maps.”
“If you don’t need personal copies, consider the maps a donation to our journey, my contribution. Magia has always been a place of interest for me.”
Norra put her hand out to shake and when their fingers met, she felt a tingle, which had nothing to do with magic. “See you then.” She walked back up the alley wondering if her encounter was real. Here was a handsome young man, a few years older than she, and he gave her tingles. Norra shook her head and wondered if he’d really show up. If he didn’t, she knew what maps to buy tomorrow morning before they left.
~~~~
Chapter Ten
Kendro’s Caravan
~
“There you are.” Herran got up from his chair in the lobby amidst the gear arrayed at his feet. His presence took Norra’s breath away and she no longer wondered if Herran was real.
“I suppose introductions are in order. There are, uh, four of us and we consult with two others, which you may meet later. This is Delia; she is traveling as a Queen. Our story is that we are taking Delia to her village. That’s our excuse for heading inland. Lily is a guard like me. Clint is our guide, so you will work with him, pointing us in the right direction.”
Clint, being a little shorter, but more husky, sized up Herran. “Can you fight?”
Herran didn’t bother to look at him and gazed at Norra. “Ask Norra, she tested me.”
Now everyone looked at Norra. “I did. We did a few minutes of sparring. He’s competent enough.”
“And I have a tiny wound on my chest to prove it. Want to see?” Herran grinned and made to unbutton his shirt, but Norra stayed his hand.
“My word is sufficient. My thrust put a hole through his shirt and likely scratched his skin.” She felt embarrassment make her face hot. “But that’s not important. We need to get going.”
“Our wagon is at the West gate and we’ve got our goods outside in carts,” Lily said.
“If someone hasn’t stolen them yet.” Clint gave everybody an arrogant grin. Norra winced inside at the intent of the comment. She felt much better having Herran along even though she just met him yesterday.
The hired men with the carts walked ahead of them, with Delia occupying one of the carts herself. The clerk told them that more than a few men came to the desk asking for information about Delia, but he told them to go away. Norra enjoyed her little stay after so long lodging in the tight confines of the captain’s cabin, but, with their party complete, it felt right to be on the road again.
Herran walked with them as they trudged over the little saddle between the Second Hill and the Third Hill that took them to the gate below. At the top of the saddle, Norra looked back at the port. Would she return through here after she had given up her power? She turned to look towards the land on the other side of the port. Where the long breakwater protected the port from the sea, a long wall at the base of the Four Hills protected the city from the interior. Buildings spread out for a few miles extending from the walls. A river ran straight from the sea, away from the city. Green farmland created a border that went west for as far as she could tell.
“What happens to the port if there is an invasion?” Norra asked Herran.
“Invasions don’t happen. There are more slave abductions outside the walls, but some happen inside as well. But as long as the slavers are independent operators, Port Torell has nothing to worry about.”
She nodded her head. “Ahh. Of course.” She looked at him from the corner of her eye and he looked back and smiled. Herron seemed to have a talent for flustering her.
They arrived at their wagon. Lily had purchased three horses in addition to the two sturdy animals that pulled the wagon. The hired help piled their belongings into the wagon along with a padded chair for Delia to sit in while they journeyed.
“Who drives?” Clint said.
“I do,” Lily said. “One of the Queen’s guards will be in attendance at all times.” She said it loudly for all within earshot to hear.
“Clint, why don’t you lead and Herran and I will follow.” Norra couldn’t believe how forward she was becoming with Herran.
“And where will I be?” Gristan said in her ear as she picked her horse. “Do you want to ride with me or in the cart, friend?”
“Will I intrude if I rode with you two?”
“No. Perhaps you can help me size up Herran. For some reason, I can’t consider myself very objective.”
Gristan chuckled softly. “Tall, young, handsome. One might think you are smitten by him.”
“Maybe I am.” Norra was surprised that she came out and said it. “Besides, I don’t want to make another mistake like Clint. Herran’s the second branch of our plan if Clint does something awful and I’m afraid he will.”
“I don’t doubt you. I mentioned he visited with some, might I say, unsavory characters in the city. It goes without saying that you should be on your guard.”
Norra mounted up and was surprised by Herran being there to help her get in the saddle. “Thank you.”
“I’m always there to give a body a lift,” he said.
She smiled, but wondered at the words. Herran said them like the words had special meaning. They didn’t have any significance to her, but then she really didn’t know Herran at all.
“Let’s go,” Lily said as Clint rode on ahead.
~
The West Road extended along the river that provided Torell Port with most of its fresh water. They weren’t in sandy country, yet. Farms extended out from both sides of the river and produce stands littered the sides of the broad road.
“Long ago, the Port Administrator created a stone channel for the river to run through. It extends from the city to Prosser Flats,” Herran said in his ongoing commentary about Taxia. “Trees line the river’s banks all the way towards the mountains.”
“And where we will go?”
“I took the liberty of purchasing collapsible skins to make sure we can make it from oasis to oasis once we leave the Pass Road,” Herran said.
“That is good thinking, Herran.” Gristan appeared, riding behind Norra. “May I introduce myself? I am Gristan the Ghost, or more formally known as the former Earl of Barleywood in Hestvestia. Its time to see if you will be frightened away by my presence.”
“I haven’t jumped off my horse and run screaming back to the city, “ Herran said smiling. “There are ghosts in the desert, but not many. I am surprised that Norra isn’t afraid of you.”
She looked back at Gristan, “He doesn’t go far. We picked him up quite a fe
w months ago. Its like I have him on a leash.” Gristan and Norra laughed.
“Inside joke?” Herran said.
“You might say that, “ Norra said. “We’ve developed a good friendship. But we prefer than Gristan doesn’t appear too often.”
Herran smiled, amazingly good-natured about the whole thing. “He’s one of your two consultants. I can’t wait to meet the other. Another ghost?”
“Just wait,” Gristan said.
~
Twelve miles from the city, they rode down from a rise. Across from a town was a huge field of wagons of all types spread haphazardly as if a giant threw a huge handful of dice.
“Now we have to find the right kind of caravan,” Clint said. “I know some people in the trade.”
“I’m sure you do, but I think Herran, you and I should interview the caravan masters and find one that feels right,” Norra said. Lily nodded her head.
“I will guard the Queen. May the great Ghost be with us.” Lily’s eyes sparkled with unexpressed laughter.
Norra and the two men went from caravan to caravan. The ones that Clint led them to were unsavory. As they wandered through the field of wagons, they passed three men talking to each other. One of them looked up and stopped them.
“Herran. I haven’t seen you for some time,” the man said. “How is your father?”
“I’m afraid he no longer graces us with his presence. Mother prospers, however.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that, about your father, I mean.” The man took off his hat and wiped his baldhead with a handkerchief. He was fit and his beard was turning to salt and pepper.
“That’s fine, Kendo.” He turned to Norra. “This is the best, most honest caravan master in Taxia.”
Norra had thought there were no honest caravan masters, but one stood in front of her. More than anything, the caravan master knew Herran personally. Their interplay seemed light and breezy, without the furtiveness that Clint’s candidates showed.
“No matter, Kendro. Are you full up with wagons this trip?” Herran said.
“Just about. Are you traveling inland? It’s been a long time.”
“There are others to help my great-uncle and I needed a diversion. I’m awaiting an appointment to Taulone University and until it arrives, I’ve decided to throw my lot in with this group.”
“And this group is?”
Norra spoke up. “We’re taking a headwoman to her village.”
“Oh, you are the ones. I’ve heard of you. Queen Willa of Laput, isn’t it?” Kendro said. “Not too discreet are you? You bought a load of fans for the natives and that’s a shrewd move. I’ve been tempted to do the same thing. The natives love the things. But I’ve never heard of a village called Laput.”
Norra groaned on the inside. Did everybody know about them? Did Clint spread the word? She shook her head in dismay.
“I have and that’s one of the reasons Norra has retained me. I have my maps and we will find it. The Queen is a bit hazy on its location, unfortunately.” Herran bit his lip. Norra found it very appealing, both the lie and the expression.
“Never had a queen in tow before. Two silver pieces each plus one for every two horses. That includes food for you and fodder for your horses.” Kendro shook hands with Herron. “I’d charge you for guards, but it looks like you’re well enough armed.”
“Seems like a deal,” Clint said. He came forward and thrust out his hand. Kendro looked a bit surprised, but took Clint’s and that was that. The wagon was with a caravan and Norra liked Kendro much better than the rogues introduced by Clint. Maybe she could let her guard down.
The caravan trundled along until three days later when they came to a village that seemed to specialize in serving travelers. Kendro rode on a handsome white horse. He leaned down to Delia, who rode up front with Lily.
“Your majesty, the village sports a serviceable inn. We will be here for two nights waiting for a merchant to catch up with us. You might like to take advantage of that along with your two guards.” He bowed and rode on.
“Sounds good to me,” Norra said. “My bottom would like a couple of days rest from riding and if there’s a bath…”
“If you don’t mind, I’d like to spend some time catching up with Kendro,” Herran said. “I can sleep with the wagon.”
“Thank you,” Norra said.
“Uh, I’ll sleep with the wagon, too, if you don’t mind,” Clint said. Herran looked at him and furrowed his brow.
“Gristan might want to accompany me to Kendro’s if it’s all right with the party.”
“It’s Gristan’s choice,” Norra said.
~
Gristan
Kendro laughed as Herran, Gristan and one of Kendro’s men sat around the fire. Gristan enjoyed the company of men once again. Herran told him he could appear, so he laughed and joked with the others. They’d seen ghosts along the way before and weren’t bothered.
“They are all good women, even the queen,” Herran said.
“Especially that dark haired one, eh? I’ve seen the way she looks at you. I’ll bet you can have her any time you want,” Kendro’s right hand man said.
“It’s not like that.” Herran grabbed a fistful of dirt and let it flow from his hand. “She’s an innocent, despite looking the part of a bravo—just turned seventeen. Isn’t she, Gristan?”
“Indeed. As long as I have tagged along, she’s tried to do what’s right. Innocent? She saw a good friend killed right before her eyes and has had to kill others along the way. Norra has seen more than she should have on this journey of hers, so she isn’t as innocent as when she started her journey, but as to love?” Gristan nodded his head, “She is indeed an innocent and I suggest you all remember that I can haunt you all for the rest of your lives, should you hurt her.”
“That’s about all a ghost is good for.” There was laughter around the fire that even Gristan joined in. For the first time in ages, he really missed being alive. He could participate in their talk, but there was more than talk in a gathering such as this. He missed the smells, the sipping of drink and the true camaraderie. He could join in, but still everything was muted for him. Gristan still remembered the vivid sights when he saw with real eyes. As a ghost he saw in tints of colors. Most things were gray and that had served him well all these many years until now.
He helped lead Herran to the wagon. “It’s been a long time since I have let down my hair, good Gristan.” Herran slurred his words and there was little Gristan could do to keep the man erect. “I generally don’t let strong drink cloud my mind so I can be alert for anything.”
“Certainly there isn’t much drama in a bookshop. Uh, mind your step. If you fall my way, you’ll go right thought me.”
“Ah, yes. I’m familiar with the phenomenon.” Herran put his finger to his nose. “I’m generally not in a bookshop. That’s my great-uncle’s all right. I really live elsewhere, but I can’t tell you where. Not yet anyway. I’ll have to leave tonight and won’t be back for a few days. I’m going to find a suitable village for a destination for our Queen that’s closer to Yulga’s Pass.”
“That’s a lot of ground to cover.”
“I have a friend some distance away that can help me find the right place. You’ll tell Norra that I’m not deserting her? I’ll leave the water skins and the map to the pass.”
“I will.” Gristan didn’t know what to think about the young man. He was deserting Norra and the rest of the company, but there shouldn’t be much of a problem for a few days.
~
Norra
Throwing her covers against the wall, Norra put on her clothes and stalked to the wagon. Norra couldn’t contain her anger and disappointment in Herran. Why did he have to leave? Because they were living in a flea-bitten inn? The baths were awful, but the beds were worse.
“Norra!” Gristan met her halfway. “I wandered the camp with Clint snoring away and I came back and he’s gone with all of our little fans.”
“At lea
st my doll and our money spent the night with me.”
“I suppose he has no need for travel food. His sword and his own bag are gone as are two of the horses.”
Norra struck some tinder and lit a lamp. How could he do this? She thought they were safe from this kind of thing for another week until they parted with the caravan. Even she kept their destination from him. She felt that they hadn’t seen the last of Clint. She had at least hoped they’d be far inland before Clint did something worse.
“There’s nothing we can do until daylight. I came to kick Clint out of the wagon and take his place anyway. There are bugs in the beds and I was tired of being a late night snack.” She shook her head in exasperation. “Gristan would you mind continuing to wander the camp and see if Clint has joined another group?”
“And if I find him?”
“Wake up Lily and me. We’ll show Clint just how good at swordplay we are.”
~
“Hello all.” Cloud appeared inside the wagon as everyone went through their possessions again. The merchant arrived in the early morning and Kendro notified everyone that they would leave before midday.
They all gave the cloud dirty looks.
“What’s wrong?”
“Men, that’s what’s wrong,” Lily said. “Herran left us and then Clint stole all of our fans.”
“Except my Queen’s fan,” Delia said, pouting. “And only that because I had it in my room.”
“She had that along with our money, thank goodness.” Norra cinched up her pack. Cloud didn’t know about the ruby inside her doll and she wasn’t about to tell him.
“Herran left? Who’s Herran?”
“Oh, that’s right, you took off again before we had a chance to tell you. I met Herran at the old map shop you recommended and he told us about another pass into Magia.”
“Oh, good. So you know about Yulga’s Pass, then. I found out about it further south. It’s nearly a legend but I actually scouted it out. I don’t think I’m supposed to go that high, I became much larger as I went up. There are snow fields to cross, but it’s passable on foot if you don’t mind doing a little trail work along the way.”