by Ralph Smith
“I’m so sorry for the mess. Can I help you clean up?”
Horatio answered, “I can’t believe what I saw here today. I… I … have never seen anything like it. Who are you?”
“I’m just a man like you Horatio. I hope that we haven’t caused you any trouble by stopping here. Let me help you straighten up, and if you prefer that we leave we’ll be on our way.”
Matilda said, “Don’t even think about it. We are blessed to have you two here. I’ll get Andrew and we’ll move these men out back, so they don’t attract any attention until after you leave tomorrow.” She turned and hurried off.
Horatio went and bolted the door. In a few minutes, Andrew was there. He was a scrawny young man in his mid to late teens, and when he came in he looked over at Aurora. Blushing he said, “Hello Aurora. It’s good to see you again.” Then seeing the carnage said, “oh my, what happened here?”
Matilda said, “come on, Andrew let’s get this sorted out, and we can talk about it later. You are going to have to go out when we are done, and see if any of their horses are out front still.”
They all worked together, and in no time the inn was cleaned up. Andrew went out front, and found the others had taken four of the horses, and left two behind. He brought them around to the stables.
***
David looked at the dead men. They were not possessed like the others they had encountered, just wicked men who had become like animals preying on the weak. David had slaughtered animals before, so the sight of blood didn’t bother him, but this was different. He felt a bit queasy as they hauled the bodies out back, and sopped up the blood. He noticed the others seemed somewhat unaffected, and it struck him that their lives were so much harder than his had been that death was too commonplace. His heart ached for them all, and especially Aurora; he only hoped he could help put a stop to it all.
Once they were all finished, they sat down to share some tea. David was amused by the puppy dog expression Andrew had on his face looking at Aurora. He figured she probably never noticed before.
“Aurora I think we should give these fine people some extra money for all the trouble we caused, don’t you?”
Horatio said, “No, you have paid us handsomely, and after what I saw tonight I know you are doing the Lord’s work. Besides, we got two horses out of it already.”
David and Aurora laughed a little, and David said, “Fair enough. Thank you. Is it safe for you if we stay here tonight?”
Matilda said, “We have thieves and murders pass through here every day, and you think the two of you put us in danger? Don’t be silly. Tomorrow we’ll contact the constable about the bodies. He won’t ask too many questions once he gets a look at them. They were an awful lot.”
Andrew said, “I can stand watch tonight down here, so you’re safe” looking for Aurora’s approval.
She smiled at him, and said, “Thank you, Andrew. You’re a dear friend.”
Andrew, was so red he was almost purple said, “Well, I want to do the right thing too.”
David looked at him, and said, “That is very kind of you, Andrew, but be sure to come get us if anything happens. I know you’re brave, but it would break our hearts if anything happened to you.”
Andrew said, happy for the approval, “I will, sir.”
“Please call me David. If you don’t need anything else from us, I think we should get some sleep. We want to be off at sunrise. What do you think, Aurora?”
“I’m ready for some sleep.” She said with a smile.
They all said goodnight, and Matilda escorted them upstairs. They were in the room at the farthest end of the hallway. When she opened the door, they could see a full size bed with warm looking blankets, a washbasin, chair, and table. Matilda had put some fresh flowers on the table, and some fruit.
“I hope this is alright. It isn’t particularly fancy, but I’m guessing you truly are going to sleep tonight.” Matilda said with a sly grin to Aurora.
“Matilda!” Aurora said blushing slightly then added “you never put flowers in a room for me before. You don’t have your eye on my husband do you?”
Now Matilda was blushing, and said, “You’re such a sassy young girl. Goodnight. I’ll wake you at sunrise.”
“Thank you Matilda.” David said.
"Yes, thank you," Aurora said with an affectionate smile for her.
She waved them off and left. They sat on the edge of the bed next to one another to pull off their boots.
“Never a dull day.”
“Not with you around” Aurora said to him cheekily.
David gave a little laugh “I guess I have to take some of the blame. Well I guess for tonight all of the blame.” In a sad voice looking down he said, “I’m sorry, what I did tonight was foolish. I put everyone in jeopardy. I don’t know what I was thinking.”
Aurora reached over, placed her hand on his face, and encouraged him to look at her. In a tender voice, she said, “No you saved that poor man, no one can give him his life back, but you kept him from throwing it away foolishly. I’ve never known anyone as compassionate, and caring as you, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
He gave her a small smile “What would I do without you?”
“Probably get lost on your way to Roktah.”
“No doubt, should we get some sleep?”
“I think so. Daylight will come quick enough.”
“I don’t think we’re going to have any trouble tonight, but I’m going to sleep in my clothes just in case. If you’re uncomfortable in your leather under your dress, I can step out so you can change if you’d like.”
Aurora looked at him for a moment as her emotions swirled around inside her. She hadn’t thought about things like changing her clothes, or him seeing her without clothes on. All of a sudden the prospect was frightening. What if he didn’t find her attractive? Her head was spinning with the thoughts of seeing him with no clothes on, especially at the thought of them being together. It was frightening, and at the same time exhilarating, and dear Lord, she thought she had no idea what to do. What if it was terrible? Would he regret marrying her?
All of a sudden she thought she was going to cry and she blurted out “what if I’m a terrible wife?”
David looked at her, his face full of compassion and said tenderly “why would you think that?”
“I don’t know anything about being a wife, I don’t know how to care for a husband, and I … I … don’t know what to do… well as a woman…. “
David starting to understand said, “Aurora, you are everything I could ever want in a woman. You’ll be the perfect wife just as you are. I love your heart, and your mind. I love who you are, and you could never disappoint me.”
“But I’ve never been with a man, and what if I’m terrible?”
“Please remember I’ve never been with a woman either so I don’t know what to do exactly …" David felt himself getting red this time “I only hope that I won’t disappoint you too, and that is why I don’t want us to rush because well… when the time comes I want it to be special for both of us.”
“What if you don’t find me attractive?”
David smiled “Aurora, I have never seen a woman as beautiful as you are. And as I have come to know your heart, and your spirit I find you more and more beautiful each day.”
“Really?” She said, feeling silly asking the question.
“Really, every time I hold you close, and feel your body next to mine, I want nothing more than to run away with you. To go somewhere that we can be alone, without all the worries and responsibilities we face now, and get lost in your embrace.”
“I feel the same way too. I just never thought I’d have these feelings.”
“Neither did I. So let’s have an agreement.”
“Alright. What is it?”
“Let’s agree that we’ll wait until all of this is over and that we’ll learn together how to be a husband, and wife. For now, we are soldiers, and when we win this fight then we
can help each other win that fight too.”
“That sounds good to me.” She smiled and hugged him.
Pulling her close to him he said softly in her ear “I love you with all my heart.”
She squeezed him tightly, and said, “oh, and I love you with all my heart too.”
David pulled down the cover, and let Aurora climb into the bed then he lay down on his back as she put her head on his chest, and an arm around him.
“Aurora, in spite of all the danger and hardship we face, lying here with you, I feel like the luckiest man in the world.”
Pressing herself closer to him she said, “I could stay right here forever.”
He kissed her on the head and said, “Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
In moments, they were asleep.
Roktah
The next morning Matilda got them up just before Dawn. Andrew had already gotten the horses and carriage ready to go. Matilda gave them some warm food to eat as they traveled. They all said their goodbyes, and David and Aurora headed out by first light to avoid any attention.
Once they were safely outside of town they opened Matilda’s care package. The bread was still warm, and they enjoyed the food she had sent with them.
“You have to give Matilda credit. She can cook.”
“She sure can. Every time I pass this way I stop there.”
“Andrew sure does like you.” He said teasingly.
Aurora going red chided him “don’t start first thing in the morning, you.”
He chuckled a little “Ok I’ll wait until after lunch.”
“You better watch it, or you won’t get any lunch.” She said teasing him back.
As they were talking they came around a bend, and found themselves in clear view of a small group of border sentries.
David grumbled “how foolish of me, not paying attention to what we’re doing. We haven’t put on the clothes Aaron gave us.”
“They’ve already seen us. We can’t do it now.”
“I agree. We’re just going to have to hope we can still pull it off. Be ready for anything.”
“You know I will.”
David slipped his hand behind the bench, and true to his word Aaron had indeed put some extra weapons there. He felt the hilt of a short sword. David and Aurora were wearing their traveling cloaks, so he still had a few surprises in there too. As he looked at the men, he saw two of them had bows at the ready. Not wanting to raise any suspicion he kept the steady pace they had been on as they rounded the bend then slowed as they approached them.
“Stay up here while I go down to talk to them, your height may give you an advantage. Please give me a couple of gold pieces too.” David said to Aurora.
Aurora handed him a few pieces of gold that he put into his pocket. Pulling the carriage to a stop some twenty feet or so back, David climbed down as one of the men walked over to him saying, “where do you think you’re going?”
The men had the same rough unkempt appearance as the soldiers chasing Aurora the first time they met.
In a formal tone, David said, “Good morning Captain, my wife, and I are emissaries from Southaven. We are on our way to Tartaros, to discuss an alliance.”
The man flinched at the name then said, “I’m no captain.”
“Really? I would have thought with such an important post, they would at least have made you a captain. I will be sure to tell your commander. If Southaven is going to forge an alliance, we need to know loyal soldiers like you are well compensated.”
The man eyed him a little suspiciously “You don’t look much like an official.”
“We just traveled two weeks through hostile territory. We’re trying to maintain a low profile.”
“I guess that makes sense.”
“Good then, I thank you for your time today. We have a long way to travel before nightfall.” He turned to head back to the wagon.
“Wait a minute.”
“Oh yes how foolish of me, I almost forgot” he reached into his pocket with the man closely watching him, and pulled out the gold Aurora gave him. The man’s eyes going a little wide, David handed him two gold pieces saying, “Here you go my good man. Keep up the good work.”
The man stood there for a minute looking at David feeling the coins in his hand. David gazed back at him calmly, unblinking, waiting for the man to decide what he was going to do.
Then the man said, “Very good, safe travel to you.” Then he turned and walked off as the others parted for them to pass.
David climbed back onto the carriage, giving no indication he was concerned, and with a flick of the reins they were off. The two of them sat quietly until the men were out of sight.
“That was a close one, and it only cost us two gold coins.”
“Why didn’t we just kill them? Not that I like killing, but we are at war.”
“For starters, if we leave a trail of dead bodies we might attract some unwanted attention.”
“That’s a good point.”
“Also it was an unnecessary risk. I don’t want to take any chances with your safety if I don’t have too.”
“Last night you could have easily killed all six of those men, there were only four here. I wasn’t worried about that.”
“Last night was different. I was able to draw on the power of the spirit. I was saving that man’s life, like the time when you were in trouble, in the woods. Those men were attempting to harm us, and would have killed that man last night. These men today, yes they were thugs, and no doubt had done terrible things, but they weren’t trying to kill us. They will be judged for their lives, but I don’t think I’m supposed to do that. In a way, I think this was a test or a reminder that we have to be on guard so that we don’t become what we’re fighting against.”
“One thing is for sure. We knew this wasn’t going to be easy.”
“That’s one thing I’m certain of. How far is it to Roktah from here?”
“We could reach it tomorrow if we don’t run into any troops. They’re supposed to be extremely active in this area.”
“Are there anymore towns between here, and there?”
“There’s one inn that we can probably make by nightfall, but from what I’ve heard it’s not a place that decent people go to anymore. It mostly caters to troops.”
“Perhaps we should try to pass it at night, and see if we can’t get by unnoticed.”
“That sounds like a good idea to me. There are some woods we should come to after midday. We might be able to find a place to pull off and hide the carriage behind the trees and wait. It would also give the horses some rest.”
“Perfect.”
They rode until midafternoon when they found a clearing that was large enough to turn the carriage around in and well hidden behind a wall of trees. By this time, the breakfast Matilda had sent with them was long gone, and they were hungry. David busied himself taking the harnesses off of the horses, and giving them food and water. He wanted them well rested since they would be riding late tonight.
Aurora got some supplies out of their stores, and set out a blanket for them to sit on in the sun while they ate. They were both stiff from sitting on the driver’s bench for so long, it felt good to move around, and stretch their legs. Once the horses were settled they sat down to enjoy a quiet lunch together. The sun was shining, warming them under the crisp fall breeze. They were lying down on the blanket, Aurora resting her head on David’s arm and shoulder gazing up at the clear blue sky.
“I could just lie here, all day.” Aurora said with a sigh.
“It is hard to imagine we’re in the middle of a war zone isn’t it?”
“You had to remind me didn’t you?”
Chuckling a little, David said, “Sorry about that.”
“Maybe we can just pretend we’re normal people on a picnic, and we don’t have anywhere to go.”
“I like that idea.”
“When I was a little girl I used to love to dance, and some nights t
here would be gatherings, and musicians would play, and everyone would dance and sing. We all sat outside on blankets like this. We had so much fun. Do you think we can go dancing someday?”
“I would love to go dancing with you, but I have to warn you I’m not very good at it.”
“Just the idea of doing something, other than fighting and planning, sounds good. I was starting to think that was all my life would be, but now I have hope that it can be so much more.”
“Then that’s the first thing we’ll do when this is all over.” He pulled her closer, kissed the top of her head, and he could feel her smiling.
After a couple hours of enjoying doing nothing, they decided it was time to be on their way. Packing up the carriage, and harnessing the horses, they set off again feeling refreshed. The air had cooled, and it wasn’t long before the sun started to set. Fortunately the moon was still up enough for them to see the road. It did slow their progress, but they felt passing the inn late would attract less attention.
They meandered slowly along not wanting to push the horses too hard just in case they had to attempt a quick getaway. It was well past dusk by the time they came upon the inn. They could see light coming out of the windows, and hear the raucous sounds of the men eating and drinking. Keeping a steady pace they were relieved not to see anyone outside. They had stopped talking trying to be quiet and on alert for any movement around them. They were sure there was no way anyone could hear them over all the racket emanating from inside. But it sounded like such a large group of men they didn’t want to find out.
Before they knew it the inn was well behind them, and they both let out a heavy breath as if they had held it the entire time.
“That went well.” David said.
“Yes, it sounded like at least 20 or 30 men inside there.” Aurora said.
“What do you think? Should we travel for a couple of more hours before we stop for the night?”
“That should put us near the top of the ridge. I think we may be able to find somewhere to hide the carriage, and then in the morning we can head down into the valley of Roktah.”
“Sounds like a plan. I think I should stop for just a minute to water the horses.”