"Well, that makes you a brother of the road. What of your charges? Have they been grafted in yet?" She motioned to Raven and myself.
Stain shook his head, "I had hoped to do so this next season. They were to be wed and I thought to do the in-grafting at the same time. They will be living lives much like your people, therefore I figured it would be a wise idea."
Tulip nodded, "That would be a reasonable idea." She leaned back and considered what Stain had said. "What skills outside of magic do you possess?" This she directed at Raven.
Raven thought a moment, "I have some basic smith skills and am working towards knife juggling mastery. I am fair with most weapons but excel with small blades."
"And you young man?" Tulip turned to me.
I grinned, "Well, I was raised learning wood lore and basket making. My uncle, a healer, made sure I had a working knowledge of his trade. I also learned some basic smith skills also, but in a sporadic manner."
Tulip smiled, "Very well. You both seem to know who you are. I think the match is well made." She looked at Stain. "I will let it be known that these two are betrothed, that way no confusion will occur. It will also keep the young idiots from making fools of themselves." She turned to Raven, "If any young men bother you, simply let me know. I will make sure they get warned." Turning to me she grinned, "Do not be deceived The young women will most likely pester you also. If there is a problem simply come and talk to me. I will address the issues." She looked at Stain once more. "And if you would like to share some tea in the evening I would enjoy the company."
Stain nodded, "That sounds most agreeable. Thank you for your intervention in my charges welfare."
She stood once more, "It is partially a selfish offer. Singles cause too many problems already. No reason for their to be more because they perceive attraction that does not exist. Now, it is getting later in the day. I must deal with a few matters. Thank you for your visit and your friendship." She ushered us out of the tent and with a few more words headed across the camp.
"An unusual woman." Stain muttered. He led us back to our tents. "We will be following behind her wagon during our travels. Occasionally one of you might drive her wagon so as to gain experience." He sat down beside the fire. "I would like you both to pay attention and learn how these people handle camp matters. The road is their life, much as it will be for the rest of yours."
"How was the visit?" Mophar asked.
I gave him a quick overview and he laughed at moments. "It seems as if she is a sneaky, old woman." Mophar finally stated. "I like that."
"I do also." Stain replied. "There are not enough good, sneaky people in this world."
We sat beside the fire, listening to the camp settle in for the night. People walked by on errands, some casting out greetings. Some also gave us sly looks and grinned.
"I guess word of the betrothal is making the rounds." Stain said after one particular group of young women walked by and giggled.
"What did she mean by a match well made?" Raven asked Stain.
"In a betrothal here they make sure that the couple compliments one another. Not just in feelings but also in skills and temperament She felt that your skills work well together." Stain looked between us, "I also agree. It is a good match."
Raven and I looked at one another and grinned silly grins.
"I am going to bed." Stain stood up. "Do not stay up too late, we start traveling tomorrow." He headed into his tent and we could hear him settling down for the night.
Raven walked around the fire and sat beside me. "I am glad everyone seems to approve of us. I just wish they did not feel that we had to have their approval." She leaned against my shoulder. "You have my heart also. Just so you know."
I grinned and leaned against her slightly. We sat there watching the fire deep into the night. Just enjoying the quiet and company. Finally, we both went to our tents and went to sleep. I laid there for a while until Mophar asked, "What is on your mind?"
I looked up at him, "Things change so fast, yet many things stay the same. I wonder what will have changed when I wake up tomorrow."
Mophar looked down at me, "It will be morning and you will be packing up this tent getting ready to head down a road to a city you have never seen." He summed it up nicely.
I grinned and rolled over, "Good night Mophar. Sleep well."
"Sleep well yourself." Mophar closed his eyes and went to sleep. I followed soon after.
***
The next morning I awoke to the sounds of people and animals bustling around. The rest of the camp must already be packing up and getting ready to move down the road. I roused myself and left my tent. The rest of the camp was slowly folding up and being packed into wagons. Stain and Raven were sitting near the fire, eating.
"About time you woke up." Raven grinned at me. She held out some food. "Eat, then we finish packing."
I sat down and started to eat. Most of their stuff was already packed and loaded on Tag or Evins. "When do we leave?" I asked Stain.
He looked up and smiled. "You still have some time. We will also help. We have enough time to take care of it." He looked back down at the scrolls he held.
I smiled and ate. The next bit of time was a blur of packing and loading. Finally everything was either loaded on Tag and Evins or in our own packs.
"Good. You are all packed." Tulip walked up to us. "You will be behind me today. My wagon is the blue one." She pointed at a round wagon that looked like a massive wooden tub was laid on it's side and had been painted all manner of blues by a blind artist.
"That would be hard to miss. I believe we should be able to follow it with little problems." Stain was grinning broadly.
Tulip stuck her tongue out at him. "My granddaughters repainted it for me. It is the Wind Wagon, as they put it." She smiled and turned to Raven. "Today you ride with me and learn how to handle the wagon and team." She walked off and talked to a few other people.
Stain stood there and watched her walk through the camp. "That is one unusual woman." He picked up his pack. "Ott, you and I will be walking behind the wagon while Tag and Evins follow us. We will be traveling all day with a short break at midday." He helped Raven to her feet. "You had better assume your place, I think we shall be leaving shortly."
Raven picked up her pack and headed to Tulip's wagon. Once there she climbed onto the driver's bench and settled her stuff. Tulip appeared on the other side of the wagon and started explaining things to Raven.
"We should move into position so that when the line moves we will be ready." Stain led the way over to Tulip's wagon, taking up a position behind the wagon. Tag and Evins moved behind Stain and maneuvered into position in front of a wagon that bore a resemblance to Tulip's. This one was painted with wildflowers, they covered every surface. A young man sat on the driver's bench and a few other people were still attaching things to the outside of the wagon. A team of donkeys stood ready to pull the wagon. They looked bored.
I looked around and realized that while there were many different colors of wagons, most looked about the same in shape and design. Each had been painted and had unique features, yet the overall look was similar. I mentioned this to Stain.
"There is usually a family that builds wagons for all the other Wanderer's in the area. These look to be made after the same idea as barrels, a good idea. Each family or person will pick a theme to paint their wagon. If no other person has that design then they have it painted. If someone already has that design then they change it. Each wagon will be unique." He motioned to different wagons. "If you look closely you will notice that each wagon has been customized. Learn what was done to each wagon and why. Perhaps you will discover something that you would like on your wagon." He smiled and nodded at Tulip's wagon. "I like the awning that extends off the back of her wagon. She can have a little shaded work area without having to unpack a tent."
I walked around a bit and looked at each wagon. Overall there were ten wagons. Each had different features, some for utility, some f
or comfort. All the people were proud of their work and showed me how each thing worked. Some even discussed what other changes they were planning on making. I realized that these wagons were their most prized possessions, constantly being redesigned and changed. I heard a loud horn ring out across the camp, which was now a group of wagons and people. Calls and cries could be heard as the animals were commanded to move forward. Wagons groaned as they started to roll down the road. I made my way carefully back to where Stain was walking.
"So, did you find out anything interesting?" Stain asked me as I joined him.
I nodded, "There is some basic things that all wagons have in common, yet each is customized and shaped by the various needs of each person or family."
He grinned, "So that means you and Raven need to consider what you will need. We could acquire a wagon and team. That way you have time to do the work it will need."
I looked at him and smiled, "That sounds reasonable." We walked a while in silence. The road we traveled was well built from stones. Walking along a smooth road was much easier than climbing through the woods. Stain was showing that he was indeed changed to a younger version of himself, there was a spring in his step as he strolled down the road. "Should we be harvesting anything along the road?" I posed this question to him after a while of walking.
He looked off to the side of the road. "I believe that most of the plants along this area are of little use to us as healers. The plants of good use have been harvested. Only the weeds stay on to grow. We will travel all day and set up a minor camp tonight. We will do this for a few days. There should be time for you to explore and possible find some plants that we can use to increase our stores."
A child ran up to Stain at that moment, "Sir, my momma needs you. She is hurt." He turned and ran back down the line of wagons as Stain and I followed. We stopped beside a red wagon decorated with flames and metal. This was the smith's wagon. A woman sat on the back of the wagon, blood dripping down her arm. "A stupid cut, I tripped and caught on a hook." The woman looked more upset about getting hurt than hurting.
Stain walked up and looked at her arm. The meat of the upper arm had been ripped open by a metal hook. The woman's expression never changed as Stain examined her. Finally he stepped back, "This is bad. I can help but the best thing will be for you to rest and allow it to heal." The woman nodded.
"Will you close it up?" She looked at the cut.
Stain nodded and pulled out his basic healers pouch. He pulled out a few items and a vial. Holding up the vial he stated, "This will clean the wound, but it burns like liquid fire."
Her eyes brightened, "I help my husband tend the fire. We will see if it burns the same."
Stain poured the clear liquid into the wound. The woman inhaled sharply at the pain yet held still. Stain gently squeezed the wound and the liquid bubbled up slightly. "Good, it has worked down into the cut. Once it dries I can close the wound. Then you will have to keep it clean and change out the bandage. I will give you the salve to put on it each time." He sat beside her and pulled out some bandages and a small crock of salve. After a bit the wound was dry and he stitched it up with small, tight stitches. "There, that should heal with a very small scar. Now, this salve will help the cut to heal and also keep it from getting angry. Keep a bandage on it to keep it clean." He finished up her arm by wrapping a bandage around her arm and tying it tightly. "Let me know if there is any change. If it looks red, swollen, or oozes then send for me. If I can not come then my apprentice will come. He can handle this with no problem." He gathered up his things and we walked back to our place in the line.
We walked for a bit before I asked any questions, "So that is the kind of thing we will be doing?"
Stain nodded, "Most injuries are minor. Cuts, broken bones, simple things. However, we will also help with illnesses, births, even death. That is the life of a healer, trying to ease the hurt and suffering." He grinned broadly. "You will learn. You already know most of the basics of healing and have learned much more since traveling with me. We will continue your training. It will be what keeps you fed and well on the road." He spent the rest of the morning talking about the various types of common issues people might have on the road. Most of the new information covered injuries that involved wagons, large hoofed animals, or camping in large groups. "You must always be prepared to establish a sick tent. No one comes near it and no food is shared. Once someone or something enters the sick tent area it does not leave until everyone is well. That prevents the rest of the camp from catching the sickness." A horn blast suddenly rang out down the wagon line. Stain looked up and smiled, "Time to eat our midday meal. Shall we join the ladies?" He walked around the wagon and almost ran into Tulip.
"Watch it old man." She teased. "Ott, water and feed your animals. Raven is dealing with mine. Stain and I will grab the food and we will make a fine picnic for a few moments." She climbed into her wagon.
I grinned and proceeded to do as she told. Tag and Evins were thankful for the water and rations. Tag as always shared a comment, "I think you need to consider that a packshell is not going to be the best animal to pull a wagon. Look around and find out all the information you can about the different things that pull wagons. There is a great many of different creatures and just as many different reasons to choose each type."
Evins tossed in his opinion, "Be sure to pay attention to the drivers also. Each person has a different driving style and that reflects on the animals."
"Thank you for that, I never considered that I would need to pick that out or what might go into that selection." I scratched both of them behind their heads, something both enjoyed. I rejoined our group just in time to sit down and eat.
"Perhaps you could share one of your stories?" Stain asked Tulip.
Tulip smiled, "Not now. This is a short stop and I am hungry. Perhaps tonight would be a better time for such story telling."
Stain nodded and ate his meal. Raven grinned at me. "Tulip has been sharing observations about wagon design and the animals to pull them. There is a lot that goes into wagons and such."
I laughed, "Stain and I have been discussing it also."
Tulip smiled, "If you plan on spending your lives in a wagon then you need to make it a home, not just a rolling tent. It needs to be yours, customized for your needs. The same goes for your team. Mine are tough little donkeys. They will pull until they give out and eat very little. Which keeps my work at a point that I can care for my team without help."
We discussed different aspects of picking out wagons and teams the rest of the break, until another horn blast rang out. Tulip stood and headed towards the front of her wagon. "Time to get moving again. Raven, time to put into practice what I taught you."
Raven hurried to the front of the wagon and it soon pulled away from Stain and me. We quickly gathered up our gear and followed the wagon. The rest of the day was a blur of walking along behind the blue swirled wagon.
***
That night we pitched our tents around the same fire as Tulip, at her insistence "You three are under my charge during the trip, we might as well share the fire as well as the road."
"How long will it be before we reach the city?" Stain asked Tulip.
She sat and thought a moment, "We will reach the main group in two more days time. Shadow's Edge is a day and a half travel from the main group." She picked up a garment and worked on a torn spot.
We each finished setting up our tents and getting the campsite ready for the evening. Raven had cooking duty tonight.
"I need to check on the smith's wife. A day of traveling can upset even a minor injury." Stain picked up his healer's bag.
"Shara got hurt?" Tulip asked in a worried voice.
"Just a cut. I had to stitch it up and apply some salve. It should heal well, I just want to be sure it is closed up tightly and healing correctly. Ott, come with me and pay attention." We walked from our campsite into the main campsite. "The wagons are always pulled up in this fashion. It helps to have the same
basic layout every time. Everyone knows where to be and where to find everyone else. Also it keeps the camp tidy." We turned and walked towards the smith's campsite. Shara was tending the fire and the young child sat beside her. A massive man was working with some tools at the back of a wagon. He turned as we entered the light of the fire.
"Welcome Master Stain, Ott. Thank you for such a prompt response today." He set down a hammer and shook our hands. "I assume you came to look at Shara's arm?"
"We did. I wanted to make sure it was healing correctly after a day on the road." Stain sat down beside Shara. "How is it feeling?"
She grinned, "Much better, it itches slightly at times. I changed the bandage and applied more salve at the noon break." She held her arm out so Stain could examine it.
He unwrapped her arm and I could see that the cut was healing nicely. The bandage had a small amount of blood on it but no pus or ooze. "Good, it is healing well. Change the bandage three times a day and apply the salve. When it runs out you should be able to leave the bandage off unless it will get very dirty. Again, any change of color or discharge and summon me or Ott." He stood up. "I think it should be fine after a few weeks. Expect it to be sore and tender for a few days at the very least."
"Thanks again for taking care of my wife." The smith grinned and held out a small pouch. "Something you might find useful."
Stain hesitated to take the pouch, "I already have an agreement with Gorcy for my services."
The smith grinned even broader, "So you do. This is in appreciation for such a prompt response and for your kind manner. Many healers lack both."
Stain nodded and accepted the pouch, opening it revealed a bunch of fine metal needles lined up. "This is a great gift. Thank you."
The smith nodded, "With the way life on the road occurs I figured more needles would serve you better than me. Also you know Shara and Gena. I am Talbert. If you need anything metal we focus on that. It would be a pleasure to help you."
A Coursing Passage (A Life of Magic Book 3) Page 5