“These are all good points.” Tulip smiled. “I am glad that both of you are thinking about this. It is important to make a wagon as much yours as you possibly can. Mine has many features that I have added over the years. Some have worked out, others failed horribly. Learn from others, both good lessons and bad lessons. Better to learn from someone else’s mistake than to make it yourself.” She pointed at a yellow wagon, “That one has a nice feature. They have a water tank that is under the wagon. It makes the wagon ride smoother for some reason. Less rocking and bouncing while rolling. At least when it is full. I plan on adding that to mine in the future.”
I looked at the wagon she pointed at and nodded. I had wondered what the odd cask under the wagon was, it seemed an odd place to place such a thing. “I have been asking a lot of questions. I guess I will need to ask more.”
Nodding, Tulip stated, “Yes you do. But you also need to talk to Raven about some basics. All wagons have some basic needs that must be addressed. These all address the basic human needs; food, water, shelter, and rest. Most of the rest of things are about comfort and convenience. You must have a plan on how you will store your food as well as cook it. What kind of food will you carry? Fruits have different needs than dried meat. Water must be carried, enough for at least a few days. Just in case you find yourself stuck between good sources of water. The wagon itself provides a shelter, but what kind depends on how you design it. All creatures need rest. You will have yourselves to be concerned about plus your companions. Also your team. How will they rest? Your wagon must be designed with all of these in mind first. Then add on the features you want. Perhaps sleeping in a hammock is what you want. Then you can change your design to allow this to be easier. Maybe even count on sleeping in your hammock outside most nights. But always have a plan in case of bad weather. If you want to cook inside then you have to have a way to protect your wagon and it’s contents from the heat of cooking. You will need a stove of some sort, most likely you will need to store some form of fuel. Each thing you add to the wagon adds to the complex nature of the wagon. Start simple and work up from there. Food, water, shelter, and rest.” She smiled at our expressions. “Do not worry, we have many years of experience. No matter what challenge you face, someone will have some manner of helping you come to a logical solution.”
I grinned nervously, “Thank you for that. I hope that we might have at least a basic idea of what we need when it comes time to pick out a wagon. That way there is less to alter as we work on it.”
Raven nodded, “Perhaps we should talk about that at our breaks. Right now I am focused mainly on working the team.” She smiled gently to take the sting from her words.
I smiled, “I understand. Just think about it and we can discuss it later. I already have some ideas of basic things we can do.” I turned and slowed down, allowing the wagon to pass me by.
“Get some of it figured out?” Stain asked as he drew even with me.
I smiled and shook my head, “Just more questions, but at least I know we are all thinking about it. We should figure it out with all of us working on it.”
“That is the way of the Travelers, to work together to figure it out.” He smiled and kept walking. “They believe that a large community can solve problems better than most individuals on their own. That is both a strength and a weakness. Keep that in mind when dealing with some of your unique problems. Be careful of whose counsel you seek.”
We walked all morning, Stain and I discussing different wagon designs. We talked about those basics that Tulip had mentioned. Stain described some methods he had seen in his travels for handling those needs. Some were effective, others failed horribly. Sometimes the stories were funny. We figured out a plan on a basic wagon and a possible set of basic requirements. At the noon break we all sat down and talked. Raven and Tulip had also been talking. Tulip had drawn upon her many years with wagons to share with Raven. Many of the ideas we had were also shared by the them. We worked on the basic wagon idea and worked out a list of requirements for a base idea to start with that we would customize to suit our needs.
“Well, it sounds as if we have a good idea of what you two will need.” Tulip stood up at the end of the break. “I believe that I have a relative that might have a wagon that would fill that basic lists. He buys and trades wagons. He also repairs them, so sometimes he has ones that have reached the end of the road. If my memory serves me right then he might have one or two that are new. One is a family wagon and the other is a trader’s wagon. I think the family wagon would be best, considering the length of your stay on the road and the fact you have companions that will be traveling with you. The trader’s wagon would not meet some of the needs you will have, plus it is built for hauling large amounts of goods between cities, not living out of full time.”
Stain stood also and poked me with his walking stick. “On your feet apprentice.” He grinned as I jumped up and grabbed my stuff.
I pulled Raven to her feet and grinned as her hand lingered in mine. “Shall we continue our journey?” I asked as the horn called out.
Raven grinned and hurried around to the front of the wagon to drive the team. Tulip followed her, if at a more sedate pace.
“So we have a possible wagon for you two, good.” Stain seemed relieved. “Sometimes it takes time to locate a suitable wagon. I worried that would be the case.” He looked at me and grinned, “Which means one more thing to work on in the evenings and at stops.” He started walking behind the wagon. “We will be camping with the larger group tonight. Tulip has made it clear that we are to keep pitching our tents with her. She is acting as our endorser to the larger group until I have a chance to provide my credentials. I think she also enjoys the company.”
I grinned, “I think she truly enjoys your company Stain.”
Stain grinned broadly, “She does at that. I enjoy her’s also. She is a lovely woman.”
We kept walking, discussing different things. At times the road seemed to roll randomly through the countryside. At others it ran straight with no changes in it’s course. As the day wore on I noticed a noise growing in the distance.
“What is that noise?” I posed this question.
Stain pointed past the wagon, “The larger camp is just ahead. What you are hearing is the normal noise of a camp of many people, animals, and wagons. I have missed these large gatherings.” He looked excited. “I get to meet so many interesting people when this many Travelers group up together.”
I stepped to the side of the road to look past Tulips wagon. I could now see that the road curved gently around and down into a large depression in the countryside. The depression was dotted with trees but between the trees lay all manner of tents and wagons. The colors ran to every color in nature and a few I had never seen before. Some colors were repeated. There were a few that were green, healers by the look. Many red ones seemed to be smiths of some sort.
“Is there an organization to the colors?” I asked Stain.
He stepped up beside me and nodded, “There is a loose idea. Most healers go with greens, smiths go with reds, and craftsmen usually are blue or yellow. Other than that you can pretty much pick what you want.” He pointed at Tulip’s wagon. “Her’s is mostly blue, she repairs clothing and other items made from cloth. The blue usually denotes repair or custom work. The yellow has to do with creating. And if you have a couple that have different skills then you might have a wagon painted in two dominant colors.” He pointed down at a wagon that was half green and half blue. The colors split right down the middle of the wagon. “Most likely a healer married to someone who repairs some manner of goods.” He pointed at another wagon, this time a blue and yellow swirl motif ran across this wagon. “They most likely both create and repair. Maybe a seamstress and a tent maker.” He looked for a moment longer and grinned, “Shall we catch up with Tulip and Raven before they enter the camp?”
We hurried down just in time to follow the wagon through a rough barrier formed of growing trees and spiny und
erbrush. A few men, lightly armed, guarded the entrance. They welcomed each wagon and it’s driver as it passed through the entrance. I could hear Tulip talking to them as she rolled past. The guards looked at Stain and myself and nodded. As we walked past one of the guards stepped up to Stain.
“Welcome to our camp. Please follow Tulip and listen to her as she is your endorser. Someone has gone to alert the elders of your presence and they will visit you this evening.” He stepped back after his comments. Stain simply nodded and followed Tulip through the barrier.
“That went rather well. Tulip must be a larger influence than I perceived.” Stain was scratching his beard gently. “Keep alert and pay attention.” This comment was delivered gently and quietly.
I nodded and looked around me as we walked deeper into the camp. I saw many wagons that shared the same basic barrel shape as Tulip’s wagon. There were a few other shapes, but most were like a large barrel. I looked for new and unique ways of doing things. But I also paid attention to the people. Children stopped and watched us walk by, the adults only paused a moment and then continued with what they were doing. We finally reached an empty camp site and started setting up our own set of tents. Tulip backed her wagon up to establish the main entrance of the campsite and we set our tents up around the fire pit that existed already.
Tulip pulled her awning out and sat on her back step. “The elders will be here before too long. Keep everything special a secret until I reveal it. Trust only those I tell you to trust. Even among family there is troublemakers.” She stood and turned to welcome a group of people who all resembled Tulip in some manner.
Chapter 2: In the camp
"Tulip, it is so good to see you returned safely from your trip." The oldest looking man stated this dryly as he hugged her. "We feared that something unfortunate might have occurred along the road." A few of the others in the group nodded sagely.
Tulip rolled her eyes while hugging the man. "I survived, in fact I had a pleasant time. Perhaps we should insist that all elders travel on occasion with a flock. I think it would be an exhilarating experience." She grinned when she made this statement. "How have things been while I was gone, Artimus?"
The man stepped back, "I believe we can go into that later, nothing of note occurred However, I hear that you are endorsing some strangers you collected from the roadside? This sounds much more interesting than what has occurred here in your absence." He looked over at us and sneered quietly. "Perhaps we should meet these people."
Stain had listened quietly to this, however I could see his posture stiffen. He was most likely getting annoyed at this fool of a man. He stood and walked over to Artimus. From his pocket he pulled out the same token he had shown to Tulip, which he handed to Artimus. "I greet you as a brother of the road and wish blessing upon your wheels and hooves." This was stated in an authoritative tone.
Artimus looked surprised at Stain's words and quietly took the token into his hands, "I see. Not so much strangers as lost cousins then." He looked down at the token. His eyebrows raised, "Very lost from the look of this token." He handed it back to Stain, "Then I believe there is no problem. Tulip has handled this matter in the appropriate way." He turned to the others with him. "If there is no other concerns I believe I have matters of camp that must be attended to at once." A few of people smirked at him while some nodded. I made a note of which people seemed to approve of Artimus. He turned and rushed away. A few of the people followed in his wake. A couple went off into other parts of the camp after hugging Tulip and offering a few words. Three stayed and settled themselves around the fire.
Tulip sat down and pointed at a short woman who had dark red hair, "My niece Amelia. She is water and earth." Amelia looked surprised and glanced at us in mild shock, but then she grinned shyly. Tulip pointed to the older woman who bore a strong resemblance to Amelia, "Amelia's mother, Ruth. My late husbands sister. Earth with a little fire mixed in." Ruth's hair had a more vibrant red, almost appearing to smolder like embers. Tulip pointed at the young man on the other side of Amelia, "Robert, fire and air." This man seemed quiet and reserved, yet his soft smile showed he had a good humor. "Robert and Amelia are betrothed, just like you two." She waved Stain to sit. "Sit down old man. Let me introduce you properly." Stain grinned and sat beside Tulip. She pointed at him, "Stain, brother of the road. Also, earth, air, fire, water." She smiled at the three other mage's shocked reactions to this simple statement. She then pointed over at Raven, "This is Raven. Knife juggler and also earth, air, fire, water. However, she is a harmonic mage." The three were obviously in shock at this also. Amelia's mouth hung open slightly while Robert had turned more serious. Tulip was grinning as she pointed at me, "This is Otter, called Ott. He is earth, air, fire, and also water." By now the color had left Ruth's face, making her shock much more obvious. "The rest we can introduce at a later time, beastly companions, the lot of them." She sat back and waited.
Robert was the first to recover, "Three full wheel mages traveling together?"
"Full wheel?" Stain posed this question.
Tulip grinned, "Our tribes talk about magic with the idea of different parts of a wheel. Each family of magic is a different part of the wheel. Earth makes up the bottom quarter. Fire and water are across from each other, while air rests at the top of the wheel. Someone who has one magic alone is a quarter wheel. Two magics makes Amelia a half wheel mage. Three magics would make a person a three quarters wheel mage. Mages like yourselves are full wheels. You have the full range of magic."
"What about someone like Ruth? With a main affinity and a minor affinity." Raven leaned forward. She always wanted to learn more about magic.
Tulip nodded, "She is called an earth quarter wheel with a fire spoke."
Stain commented, "The system makes sense. You can discuss it without getting into details that others might not need to hear."
Ruth nodded, "There are many enemies out there, more so if you can handle the wheel."
"Handle the wheel means working magic?" I posed this question.
Amelia nodded, "That is the general way of saying it."
We sat a moment and considered all of this new information.
"What is going on Aunt Tulip?" Amelia asked in a worried tone.
Tulip frowned, "I am sure many things are happening. Some are good, some not so much. However, we shall handle them as we always do." She stood, "Stain. You and I need to make the rounds and introduce you to those you must meet. Allow your two apprentices to stay here and visit with these three. They are more than capable of answering any questions asked."
Stain stood, "Very well, let us leave these younglings to their visit." He followed her out of our immediate campsite.
Amelia watched them go, "She seems happier."
Ruth grinned, "A women gets that way around a handsome man."
Robert smiled and looked fondly at Amelia, he then turned and addressed us, "What questions do we need to handle? After you ask we will ask our own."
Raven looked over at me and grinned, "I really do not have many questions. Tulip has been talking to me while I drove the wagon."
I nodded, "Stain took the time to explain things to me also. Tulip filled in the blanks."
Ruth nodded, "That is her way. Then perhaps we can ask some questions?"
Raven and I both nodded. "That would be fine with me." I stated calmly.
They sat a moment, considering what to ask. Finally Amelia spoke up, "Are you two betrothed? Aunt Tulip made that comment."
Raven blushed slightly and ducked her head. "We are."
Amelia grinned, "Good! There are no other women betrothed right now in the camp that I want to spend time with on a regular basis. We are just on the other side of the hedge. I think we will talk often."
Robert nodded, "So, does that mean you two harmonize in magic?"
I answered that one, "That is right. Raven's magic harmonizes with mine."
He looked at us and his eyes seemed to unfocus, "I see connections, minor ones
but they are there." His eyes refocused. "You need some blocking amulets."
"Tulip was going to teach me how to make them once we arrived and had time to settle." I looked around. "I guess in a few days?"
Ruth grinned, "She will do it soon, knowing her. Most wheel handlers do not travel as such, what else do your master and you two do on the road?"
"Stain is trained fully as a healer. I am decently trained to be his apprentice. Raven is just learning the healing aspect. She is trained much higher as a knife juggler." Raven blushed at my comment. "You should see her perform at some point."
"Well, Ott is also trained to be a forester and can weave baskets out of almost anything." Raven quipped this quickly.
"It sounds as if you all are well versed in different areas. Does your master also do healing wheel work?" Ruth leaned forward and asked this quietly.
I nodded, "He does as do I at times."
Ruth's expression showed her surprise. "An apprentice able to do healing wheel work. I guess traveling as healers was a simply answer."
I nodded and grinned, "Stain has trained me in regular healer work and also how to add to it with wheel work. I can also do wheel work healings. Stain is better, being more experienced."
Raven posed her own question, "You seem to have to hide your abilities from most, what do you three do on the road?"
Ruth answered first, "I am a potter. I make all manner of pots, vessels, and such. I use clay and fire to create items both useful and beautiful."
Amelia smiled, "She really is fantastic. I grew up helping her. I worked with mixing the ingredients up for her clay. I make all manner of chemicals. The dyes people need, coatings for the wagons, even paints."
A Coursing Passage (A Life of Magic Book 3) Page 7