by Duane Alston
“Sarah, here's your transportation. His name is Flurry and he is a descendant from the finest horses that Crieton Langmaster ever produced. He's yours to keep,” Talisbon finished looking a bit embarrassed.
Sarah let out a shriek of joy that slightly startled the other horses and then gave Talisbon a huge hug after he dismounted from Flurry.
“I can't believe you'd give up such a horse to me, someone you don't even know. This is incredible. Jalaby, look at him, just look at him, isn't he something special,” she laughed as she petted the side of the horse's head and stared into Flurry's eyes.
Jalaby couldn't help momentarily feeling a bit jealous that he could not have inspired such an effect in Sarah, but her tremendous joy was such that it quickly washed this out of his present consciousness.
“He sure is. He is a magnificent horse, so why did you give him up?” Jalaby asked Talisbon a bit more accusatory sounding than he intended. This made Sarah momentarily stop her admiration of her new horse, as if Talisbon might change his mind in reaction to Jalaby's question.
“Look at me Jalaby. What would I do with a horse as bold and strong as this. I'm getting too old to even exercise him properly.” Talisbon answered matter-of-factly with no hint of being accused of anything.
“Yes, I see your point. I'm glad you gave your horse to Sarah, it was a fine deed. You're a tough man to figure out Talisbon, I hope we get a chance during the journey to get to know the real you.” Jalaby finished in a friendly tone that did not quite dispel the doubt he felt. Talisbon answered similarly.
“I'm sure we will and our minds will be in tune as the greatest of friends or the worst of enemies in their focus, as the philosopher Regiling once wrote,” Talisbon nodded and smiled as he finished. “Hey, the wagon is loaded with as much food and water as it will hold, the mill is all shut up, and the stable as well. You're the leader, when do you want to leave,” Talisbon finished the question knowing the obvious answer.
“Right now Mr. Talisbon Miller, right now,” with that Jalaby patted Talisbon's shoulder and smiled at Sarah, then squeezed past Sarah's new mount, realizing now that he would miss her presence behind him on Willow. They had completed the second step in their Journey and he was content that things had gone as well as they could have and that he could handle whatever came at them, either from outside or from within.
They had been riding for about an hour when Jalaby halted and checked his map. The day was bright and the sky was a brilliant blue with only a few clouds barely visible in the eastern horizon. The terrain from the mill heading east was rough. The road crossed over many low but rocky hills that ran parallel along the length of the Crieton River, from what Jalaby could see. It was slow going because of the rough road. Jalaby was surprised that Talisbon's mill got any business at all, based on the condition of this road.
“Talisbon, which direction is the Plains River from here. The map is a little sketchy and shows we should be paralleling it?” Jalaby asked as soon as Talisbon's wagon stopped behind him.
“That is the interesting thing about the Plains River. At one time it was next to the road but it now disappears underground and comes back to the surface east of here in about a day and a half ride. We need to cross Paradise Valley and get almost to Gatson before we see it. Near Gatson, there will be plenty of water and once we are over this last stretch of rocks, in about another half hour, the going will be easier. There is a wide flat road that travels along what use to be the Plains River, through Paradise Valley.” Talisbon finished sounding more like a tour guide than a miller.
Without a word, Jalaby nodded and continue on. True to Talisbon's words, they came down from the last rocky hill and a wide desolate valley opened up before them. There was no plant life to be seen, just barren soil that flattened out before them. Occasionally they would see remnants of an old stock fence, but for the most part, the land seemed stripped clean of any vestige of past inhabitants. It was hot but not excessively and an occasional breeze helped to cool them off. They stopped every so often and watered the horses to make sure that they were not stressing under their loads. Jalaby knew that they were key to their success and if the horses and kacks were not properly taken care of, it would be a disaster.
Even though he had promised the others to be more open, one thing he had kept from the group was the small but consistent vibration from the Stone of Crieton. At first, since it had been a very weak vibration, he thought it had been his imagination, but the almost electric tingle was there. He would wait to see if it grew more pronounced. If it did, he would tell the others, because he felt they had a right to know, but for now he didn't want them to worry.
The road was dusty and even Tom's occasional bursts of song were not enough to make the traveling pleasant and every time someone, including Jalaby, made a suggestion of stopping to rest a bit, Talisbon would strongly argue against it. He pointed out that if they did not make it to Warner Well, there would be no shelter. Jalaby begrudgingly had to agree, since a buildup of clouds to the east suggested that they may be in for a similar storm like they had experienced when they arrived at the mill. In addition, the occasional wind gust blew dust all around, such that they momentarily could not see the road before them. He did not want to be caught in a dust storm.
As they went along, Jalaby found that he was irritated by the attention that Sarah was paying to Talisbon. She rode alongside his wagon and they talked continuously. Jalaby caught snatches of conversation that were about Onan and their hometown of Bridgetown and a bit about Talisbon's home. Jalaby didn't like Talisbon knowing about him or his friends, he felt uneasy about Talisbon's motivation. When Sarah was riding towards the rear, he spoke to her.
“Sarah. Don't get me wrong, but I don't really like Talisbon knowing everything you've been telling him about us. I don't trust him.”
“Or me for that matter,” Sarah said hotly. “What secrets do we have Jalaby, none that I'm aware of and what difference does it make that Talisbon knows where we came from.” Sarah finished with an intense stare that along with the words had startled Jalaby. He had no idea that such a reaction would stem from the words he had spoken.
“Easy, Sarah. I'm leading this journey the best I can and I don't trust Talisbon yet. He may prove himself, but until I know what this whole thing is about, I expect everyone to watch what they say to outsiders.” Jalaby spoke in a calm voice that belied the way he felt.
“Well, as far as I am concerned, keep your nose out of my business!” Sarah urged her horse purposely forward and up again alongside Talisbon's wagon as if in defiance of Jalaby's warning.
Jalaby just shook his head and mumbled to himself, as Tom rode up alongside.
“What's up with you and Sarah?” He asked.
“Nothing it appears. I just warned her about saying too much to Talisbon and she nearly bit my head off. I can't figure her out. Sometimes she is so pleasant and at other times, she's as stubborn as one of our kacks. What do you make of it?” Jalaby continued to stare at the back of Sarah as she rode.
“You've got to be kidding. She's my sister and I can't make her out. But I'll tell you one thing, you can't treat her like she's three and needs telling what to do. You're going to have to trust that she has the smarts to judge for herself and if she fails, work around the outcome. It'll go smoother if you do.” Tom finished smiling at Jalaby.
“Hey, with that advice I think you could develop into one of Onan's Mind Healers. OK, I'll back off a bit on Sarah, but I will continue to keep an eye on Talisbon.”
“And I will as well, Jalaby my man, I will as well. I better takeover for Connel, he's been in the lead too long. I'll send him back to talk to you. His dreary outlook on life will soon make you feel better.” Tom surged forward and up to front of the procession.
Well Tom was wrong about Connel's affect and Jalaby spent a relaxing afternoon listening to Connel's stories of growing up and visiting in the uplands of Onan.
“Another hour and we'll be at Warner Well,” shouted
Talisbon, his short stout body bouncing in the wagon seat.
Sarah lagged back to come alongside Jalaby again and looked at him seriously.
“Well I'm not sure you want to talk to me, but I've found out a bit about our traveling companion. Evidently he used to work in Crieton's administration and at one time was very high up. His family was quite well off and owned over a dozen mills. They supported the Great War and were hoping to take over Onan and other lands. I couldn't get much out of him in regard to your parents, that is, Julie and Narish, and what debt he owed them or how all that came about. He seemed pretty sensitive about that and once spoke rather sternly to me when I kept pressing him for information. He has now been out of the spotlight for quite some time, so I don't think he's got anything going on at the moment, that is politically, but I think he might, given the opportunity, use you for his own gain. So, I guess in many respects you are right to keep and eye on him, but my gut feeling is that he is harmless. Even though he does possess great physical strength in his small body.” Sarah finished looking up the road at the back of Talisbon. In the far distance a grove of trees could barely be seen.
Jalaby rode with a slightly open mouth, thinking either he is extremely bad at gauging people, or that Sarah is an extremely unpredictable woman. He was surprised at the extent she had gone to in order to find out more about Talisbon.
“Come on Jalaby speak up, you forgive me for getting cozy with Talisbon to find out what I could or what?” Sarah's childlike face pouted momentarily and then broke into a big grin. “Give me some credit for some brains will you. Don't get me wrong, I think Talisbon is a good guy, after all he gave me Flurry and he's one of the finest horses around, but I think we need to make sure of anyone we meet along the way.”
“Well you surprise me all the time Sarah, but I guess I shouldn't be. You are not the little girl that used to tag along after Tom and I, thanks for helping.” Jalaby sighed in relief and laughed out loud.
“What's so funny,” his laugh made her laugh as well.
“Tom, he told me to back off you and trust you. I told him he could become one of Onan's Mind Healers. I see he's quite an intelligent young man, isn't he.”
“Tom? Well as a sister, I've seen many things that would throw doubt on that for sure. But in general, I think your right.” They smiled at each other and rode companionably for an hour as they neared what Jalaby knew to be Warner Well.
Chapter 15
There wasn't much to Warner Well. A couple of rock buildings with wood trussed roofs that had seen better days. Jalaby surveyed these as they stopped outside the largest of the two buildings. He wondered how much they would leak if they received a heavy rain storm.
“Here we are!” Talisbon shouted as he nimbly leaped from his wagon seat. “There is a water well inside the main building and we should be able to stable the horses and kacks in the other building.”
“I'm for that, that kack poo is something else and that first night when we crossed the Crieton River, was enough to make my eyes water.” said Tom as he dismounted.
“I'll check out the stable building Jalaby,” said Connel as he turned his horse and headed towards the other building without waiting for an answer.
Jalaby nodded to no one, stepped down from Willow's back and along with the remaining party, tied their horses and kacks to the posts outside the building.
Entering, they stood momentarily in the entrance taking in the first room. It was large and held not a stick of furniture. There was a large fireplace at one end and near the other end, there was a large square wooded box sprouting from the floor that was undoubtedly the well because it resembled what you would find all over Onan in the form of an outside well, with the exception that there was no little roof directly over the well.
“Talisbon, check out the well and see if it is good. If so, get some jugs and start filling them up so Tom and I can take them over to the stable to water the horses and kacks.” Jalaby said brusquely.
“Right you are my prince,” Talisbon replied sarcastically.
“Knock that prince talk off or you'll find yourself sent back to your mill!” Jalaby replied angrily but didn't venture a look at Sarah. If she sided with Talisbon, he didn't want to know about it.
“OK, OK. I'm on it. Water in no time.” Talisbon went back outside to get containers to start his task.
“Any orders for me?” Sarah said merrily.
“No. You might explore the other rooms and see where we might bed down. Tom and I will take the rest of the horses and kacks over to Connel. Take your dagger.” Jalaby added without giving a reason.
“I always have it, worry wart!” Said Sarah as she headed down a hallway at the far end of the room.
The night was calm and quiet. The rainstorm never came and they all decided to sleep in the big room, per Jalaby's insistence that they stay together. Jalaby purposely put Sarah's sleeping bag between himself and Tom, entertaining Sarah immensely as Tom teased him unmercifully about the sleeping arrangements. Connel said little but Jalaby could see him smile, as they laughed in the light of the fireplace. Talisbon seemed unaware or bewildered by the conversation and soon fell asleep before the others. They knew he was asleep, based on his snoring, which made them all laugh as well.
“Now that snore reminds me of Jalaby at one of our camp-outs. He got the award for the worst snore. You could hear him for miles.” Tom said.
“Hey, I think that story is about you, not me. The way I remember it, I got the quietest sleep award and you got the loudest.” Jalaby laughed. “Let's get some sleep, we have another long day tomorrow and Sarah is tired to the point of giggling.” Jalaby finished and Sarah laughed again.
As before, except for Talisbon, they took turns at watch and the night past peacefully. They were all soon up and at Talisbon's insistence, they snacked their breakfast as they rode towards Gatson.
The trip there was tedious and somewhat boring for Jalaby. There was very little conversation and as they rode everyone's head bobbed up and down lulled by the rhythm of the ride as they daydreamed. It was mid-afternoon when Tom's voice shook them from their introspection.
“Next stop Gatson!” He shouted and pointed as they crested a small hill that had obviously blocked their view for some time. Gatson now appeared quite close.
The valley opened up before them and unlike Paradise Valley, this one was lush and green. Farmland spread far to the south and what looked like a great forest started near town and spread to the north. To the east was a range of high mountains that ran north to south and from the map, Jalaby knew these to be the Neteos range. Gatson was dead ahead and the road they traveled seemed to split the town exactly in half and continued on toward the distant mountains. No one said much except Talisbon, but you could see the excitement in their faces as Talisbon spoke.
“Yes, you're going to like this place. The friendliest folks around and talk about good food, well you're just going to have to let me show you my favorite place to eat. I have my barn and stable facilities at the north end of town, so let's stable our horses there and let the man that works for me take care of them while we get accommodations. I take it we are staying the night?” He waited only briefly for a response before continuing on. “They have some outstanding traveler houses we can stay at. Rooms are clean and quiet. This is the end of the road for most sales folks and they need to have somewhere to stay, so there's always plenty of rooms.” Talisbon finally wound down as they turned north onto the main street that ran north to south.
Immediately when they turned, there was a distinct change in the world around them. In the previous glimpse, they had seen a bustling street with a number of horses and people milling about with a few children running and playing. In an instant it all changed. The town folk all froze as if on queue and in the quickly established silence, they just stared at them as they rode past. Their faces were masks of what? Jalaby thought perhaps fear, it certainly was not the warmth and friendliness that just moments before Talisbon had bee
n projecting. Talisbon began to wave and occasionally call someone's name, but it did little good, they just stared. Some even turned their faces away. The street was dusty with wooden walkways on either side and as a whole, looked quite prosperous, but most of the time Jalaby could not take his eyes off those who were staring back. Jalaby rode up alongside Talisbon's wagon to have a word.
“What do you make of this?” Jalaby leaned slightly down to listen for a response.
“I don't know what to make of it. Something has frightened them, that is obvious. We'll see what my man says at my stables. He'll tell me or I'll wring it out of him.” Talisbon's vehemence towards this unknown man seemed to Jalaby a bit premature. As they neared a big barn and corrals, Talisbon called out.
“Cleary! Cleary!” Talisbon yelled and as if by command a wrinkled gray-haired man appeared at the smaller door to the large barn. He was old but looked quite fit and wiry. The group dismounted, except for Talisbon who remained on his wagon seat.
“Keep your shirt on Tali! I'm coming, you don't have to yell. I heard you were on your way yesterday, just thought it would be a little later. Got the stalls all ready.” The man spoke gruffly but Jalaby got the impression that this was probably how he talked to everyone. Jalaby was more taken aback by the fact that he knew they were coming. Jalaby looked at the others who just stared back blankly, except for Tom, who had his usual irrepressible smile and seemed to be enjoying the small man's personality.
“Good, Cleary.” Talisbon seemed to take no notice of his employee's gruffness. “Hey what's with these people, they act like we're a bunch of Fog Warriors.” This statement brought the man's head up sharply but he paused before replying.