Seeing she was not going to change her mind, Father Ross shook his head sadly. "Come, we will offer prayers and ask for guidance."
Tayan watched them go into the chapel. With any luck, the priest would make Amber understand she was better off staying here.
"Maybe I should leave now." he mused.
"Do you really want her running behind your coach?" Stazor chuckled.
"What are you talking about?"
Folding his arms over his chest, Stazor grinned at him. "Are you that blind? The good sister is quite taken with you. You haven't been here half a day, and I can see it clearly. I do believe she also has cast herself as your spiritual guide."
"Even more reason I should leave her behind."
"I do not think Sister Amber can be stopped. She is using her strengths--faith, love and healing. These things are her armor, her weapons against evil. I only pray that those, with her determination, will be enough."
Tayan started thinking about Amber, how she always seemed to be near him, how she looked at him with those big brown eyes. He enjoyed her company and had not stopped to think why she was paying so much attention to him. If she was falling in love with him, he had to set her straight. His heart still belonged to his wife.
Suddenly, he wanted to discuss anything but Amber.
"I need to go get some clothes. When I return, could you lend me a sword and a bow? I seemed to have left mine in Newburg."
Stazor arched an eyebrow. "How did you come to travel in this state?"
Tayan didn't want to go through the whole explanation. "It's a long story. I have coin for some clothes, but not nearly enough for a decent sword--"
Stopping him with a wave of his hand, Stazor told him, "Tell Jubar what you need, and he will get it. Once you have your other necessities, we'll go down to the armory and outfit you properly."
Tayan shifted nervously; he knew the servant would get things much too expensive for the few coins he had in his pocket.
"I can only buy basic items, and the weapons will be only a loan."
Stazor shook his head. "You are a friend and you have a holy mission, two very good reasons I cannot allow you to pay. If you have limited funds then I am sure you will be needing them. Zayton is a long way down the road."
Stazor was right, it was a long way to Zayton. He was facing the choice of either eating or sleeping under a roof. Add to that the unexpected, and he'd be broke before he knew it. His food would be what he hunted, and his bed would be his tent.
"Thanks, I appreciate it."
"You are more than welcome. I have city matters to attend to. If I don't see you beforehand, dinner is at six bells.” Giving him a big smile, Stazor clapped him on the shoulder. "It's really good to see you again."
Tayan watched him depart then went to find Jubar. The servant took down everything he asked for and included some basic items like a pack to put all his stuff in and an extra bag for feed for his horse. Keeping all his belongings in that magic sack, he had gotten used to not lugging a backpack around. He asked about the horse, and Jubar told him that horses were a basic traveling need. By the time they were done Tayan wondered if he would later add on a wagon to the list as a basic need.
With his gear out of the way, Tayan began thinking about Amber again. He had that evil whatever-it-was watching him; he didn't want to worry about Amber trying to tangle with it. He could sneak out at night and leave her behind, but then she'd only press the coach driver to make better time to catch up to him. The last thing he wanted was one more death on his hands, especially hers. He decided to go talk to the driver and hope he was a decent enough fellow to not take her any farther.
Asking around, Tayan found out all the coach drivers passing through stayed at a place called the Roadhouse Inn. It was in the center of town and only a few blocks from the palace. He made sure Amber was occupied elsewhere and left to go pay their driver a visit.
The Roadhouse Inn wasn't a tall building, but the front stretched on for half the block. Three main doors led inside, andall three had different signs over them. The first read Tickets and Booking, the second Dinner and Drinks and the third Rooms.
Tayan went in the first door to find a prune-faced woman. Looking up at him, she asked, "May I help you?"
"I am looking for the driver of the coach that came in from Capetown today."
Frowning at him, she said, "I only know where the coaches are going. What is your destination?"
"We're going to Tolina then on to Zayton."
Scanning a small chalkboard on the desk, she tapped it with a bony finger. "There are two coaches leaving for Spring Valley today. Tomorrow another one is going straight through to Old Castle. You can pick up another coach at either of those places--we have no long distance runs from here to Tolina."
Tayan figured he'd better explain what he wanted a little more clearly. "We have a coach that is taking us all the way to Zayton. I need to find the driver."
"I will not have a through coach listed, sir."
"You can't tell me the name of the driver?"
Tipping her head slightly, she asked, "You don't know who brought you?"
"No, ma’am."
"Then I can't help you, sir."
He thought it might help if he described the coach. "It was a red coach with black trim, a full-roofed model."
She shook her head as she sighed. "Nowadays, most of them are. Take a look in the stableyard out back--the driver's name should be on the side under his seat. The drivers usually gather in the dining room or the lounge. If you have a problem with your driver, you can find him there."
Realizing that was all he was going to get out of her, he thanked her and went out to the stableyard. He knew what the coach looked like, but upon seeing the line of eight vehicles backed against the rail he noticed six of the eight were red with black trim. As he got closer to look at the side door to see if it had a window, he noticed the name of the company in bold white letters on the side.
Redman Coach Lines
Staring at it, he though it had to be a coincidence. He couldn't imagine Eric owning a single coach, let alone a whole fleet. Inspecting them, he saw all six belonged to the same company. He did find the one he and Amber had come in on--it was the only one that didn't have a window in the door. Beside it was a stable boy with a bucket, washing the dust off.
The boy didn't notice him until Tayan was right beside him. Startled, the lad blushed and uttered a greeting. As he looked at Tayan, he became wide-eyed then glanced at the name on the coach. He gaped as he said, "Wow! Are you him?"
Tayan felt a chill shoot up his spine. "Am I who?"
"You the Red Man, the one who kills pilgyns and vlaks all by himself?"
The chill went into his blood. "Is that who owns these?" he grated.
"Yeah, well, Jake says that some of the drivers pay him to put his name on their coach. It helps keep away bandits--ain't no one wants to tangle with him," the boy explained.
A shadow fell over him. He had been riding in his father's coaches. Even when the man wasn't anywhere near, he still haunted him! Turning stiffly, he strode around to the front of the building. He had to do something to keep Amber from getting in one of those damned coaches and following him. Something to scare the daylights out of the driver...
Suddenly, he had the answer. He left the Roadhouse and headed back to the palace to get what he would need. The memory of his father was like a festering sore on his backside; it was about time he got some use out of the name Eric had made for himself.
***
The bald man wearing the leather apron and soot on his face looked at him quizzically.
"You want ruined chain mail?"
Tayan nodded at the smith. "The worse it is, the better."
"We don't keep stuff like that. The only thing I have here that comes close to what you're asking for is some remnants I keep to fix other suits. It isn't fit to wear."
"Show it to me."
Bending down, the smith opened one of t
he doors under his worktable. He pulled out some mail and held it up with one hand. Dangling disjointed strings of chain, it looked to be half there, at best.
"There's no front to this at all, and the underarm links have all been taken out, as well as chunks of the back."
Tayan took it and held it up. "This is perfect, thanks.”
Rolling it up, he left the perplexed man and went to the stables.
Jubar had neglected nothing; his horse was a seasoned, dappled gray. Just outside the stall, the saddle hung over a sawhorse with a blanket, saddlebags and bridle. His bedroll was already on the back of the saddle, ready to go. A long rawhide sleeve for a bow lay next to the saddle. He half-expected a note telling him where his pack mule was.
He put the mail, or what was left of it, in his saddlebags. Next he visited the armory. The squire there tried to get him into a full set of plate armor. He had to convince the boy all he needed was a good sword, a bow and a quiver of arrows. As he looked around at the long racks of weapons, he saw something else he'd need. He had the squire give him a heavy double-bladed battleaxe. He couldn't fight with it but he'd need it for the Inn, and he could always chop wood with it later.
Amber found him after he had deposited his second load in the stables. He had just started across the courtyard when she called to him. She was in full view; he had no chance to hide.
She wore a partial smile as she came up to him. "I've been looking all over for you. Where did you go?"
He knew she'd seen him come out of the stable, so he made up a story.
"I borrowed a horse to see if the south end of town had been rebuilt yet. It is--it looks good."
She eyed him as if she knew he wasn't telling the truth; but thankfully, she didn't challenge him.
"While you've been seeing the sights, I've been talking with Father Ross about our route. He says we should be careful in Spring Valley--the brothers there telling him they sense evil moving in. They haven't had any trouble other than the usual, but it might be a good idea to just pass through quickly. We can pick up another coach in town and be out before dark."
As far as he knew, Spring Valley was just like any other town. There were good and bad elements.
"I should be safe staying at the church," he told her.
Watching him closely, she asked, "You?"
A warning flag went up in his mind. He hadn't stopped to think about how to lie to her. "I meant we'll stay at the church; it should make you feel safe."
"You aren't leaving me behind."
"No, I'm not," he said quickly. Hooking his arm for her to take, he asked in a mock-formal manner, "Shall we prepare for our evening meal?"
He expected a wise remark, at least an irritated huff. She did neither. Slipping her hand up over his arm, she kept watching him.
"By all means."
They walked back to their rooms, each deep in thought. He was thinking about his after-dinner plans--he'd have to be careful not to raise her suspicions. He didn't know what Amber was thinking about, but he could see the wheels turning in her head. He only hoped she hadn't figured out what he was up to.
In his room, he found neatly stacked piles of clothes on the dresser. Leafing through the shirts, he saw these were far more than basic wear. Made of silk and linen, the shirts were adorned with everything from frilly collars to a light blue one that looked to have real gold threads in the scrolled designs over the front. Every one had expensive polished shell buttons. The pants were the same. They looked finely made, some with contrasting seams down the sides, but there wasn't one pair of durable breeches to be found.
He needed good solid traveling leathers and woolens. This stuff was going to be ruined as well as attract bandits on the lookout for wealthy merchants to waylay. He had no time to exchange them here; he'd have to do it in Spring Valley.
Knowing Stazor, the governor would expect him to come to dinner wearing something fancy. He decided to go all out. After his bath, he put on the cream-colored silk shirt embroidered in gold and a set of dark blue pants. The shirt was a bit too blousy, and the pants a bit snug, but they did fit. Looking at himself in the mirror, he had to laugh. His reflection reminded him of a gypsy dancer. He looked ridiculous, in an amusing sort of way. Once Amber saw him, she was sure to gasp at this gaudy display; and maybe chiding him would take her mind off their troubles.
He was in a cheerier mood as he strode up and rapped on her door. Standing straight and stiff, he waited for her to answer. She did, coming out in her normal brown robes. At seeing him, she froze and her mouth dropped.
With a flourish, he offered her his arm. "Shall we go, my dear?"
She swept him up and down with her eyes and a flush came to her cheeks. Her hand reached blindly for the door as she breathed, "Excuse me...for a moment."
She then slammed the door shut.
***
On the other side of the door, Amber leaned against the wall, hand to her chest as she tried to catch her breath. He was gorgeous! She had always thought Tayan was handsome, but with that frilly shirt and those tight pants hugging his hips...
Squeezing her eyes shut, she took a few deep breaths. "Leighna, give me strength!" she whispered.
If she were to survive the evening and not melt into a puddle at his feet, she would need all the strength she could get!
His voice came through the door, sounding irritated. "Amber, I know I look silly, but all the clothes Jubar gave me look like this."
Silly? He had nearly stopped her heart! Composing herself, she straightened up and smoothed out her hair, more out of nervousness than any attempt at being neat. She opened the door, fixing her eyes on his, trying to ignore anything below his chin.
"I was not prepared to see you dressed like a common street performer," she told him, trying to sound crisp.
Slipping her hand around his arm, she felt the smoothness of the cloth and had to force herself not to look down.
"It's all right to laugh, I feel kind of silly. Think anyone else will notice?" he asked with a grin.
"I don't see how they could not," she told him honestly. She decided to keep an eye on him--he wasn't going to be safe if any other women were there. Those pants were on the edge of being scandalous!
When Odif strutted around showing all she had, it only confirmed that she was crude; but for a man to show his shape--well, it scattered her brains. The more she didn't want to get another good look at him, the more she really wanted to. A few times on the way to the dining hall she silently chided herself for snatching glimpses. She was going to have to pay a week's penance for the things she was thinking!
The hall was filled with knights and their families. Tayan sat at one side of Stazor while Amber sat to their hosts other side. The dinner went well for him, not once did anyone poke fun at his attire. Most of the knights wore similar clothes, but their pants fit properly. Stazor announced his commitment to helping Zodiac rid their land of evil, which was echoed by others. Thankfully, the conversations were focused on Zodiac and not him.
After dinner they mingled as minstrels played. A few of the ladies made pains to converse with him. Amber seemed to be in the right place each time to intercept them and either coax them off or stress the benefits of being pure and chaste until she drove them away. Whatever her reasoning, he was glad to have her keeping away unwanted attention.
One young lady in white with a head of blond hair piled high on her head eyed Tayan intently. She tried ignoring Amber and even went so far as to ask him out "for a walk" as she leaned slightly forward to make sure he got a look at her cleavage.
Tayan told her as politely as he could, "I am escorting Sister Amber this evening. Perhaps another time."
The lady stared at him, shocked that he would deny her. She spared Amber a long, haughty glance and told him, "It is very...charitable for you to give your attention to her. After all, she may never again know the attentions of a man.” She then scratched her cheek, trying to hide a smirk. "Being of the church," she finished with a f
alse smile.
The last part was put in as an afterthought. He could sense Amber stiffen beside him with an audible intake of breath. If the young priestess tore into her, he’d let her get in a few good licks before he broke it up. The woman hadn't even bothered to veil her insult very well.
"Sister Amber is very brave and has more character than many women I've met," he told her pointedly.
Raising an eyebrow, she asked, "Oh? I suppose she is an inspiration."
"I can heal wounds--or give them, should the situation demand," Amber cut in with acid in her voice.
The woman gaped at her. Forcing a smile back onto her face, she said, "Everyone has to be good at something."
Amber stared coldly back at her, her eyes looking like fire could shoot out at any second. "Everyone should know how to defend themselves. It would be a great joy for me to teach you.” Only then did one corner of her lip turn up into a slight grin. "Do not be too concerned, I will heal you when you require it."
The idea of physical combat was enough for the woman to bid Tayan goodnight with a slight curtsy and weave her way out of sight in the crowd. He picked up Amber's hand and put it back on his arm.
"Don't pay any attention to her. You're more woman than she'll ever be," he whispered.
Drawing herself up, she said, "I will keep you safe from these tarts.”
Even though she didn't thank him, he could see gratitude in her face.
She could not, however, save him from a few of the young knights who were eager to hear of his exploits battling evil. He ended up telling the story of the famous cavern battle near Krundle and the weeklong lowlands battle in the place now known as the Fields of Blood. The knights listened intently as he told of the ground so soaked with blood it began to run in small streams. Their eyes gleamed at how he and the Company stood atop piles of the dead; and how the Company, badly hurt and tired, formed a ring so the wounded could be tended to. Once the wounded were healed, they'd get up and take the place of another who was ready to fall.
Tayan himself was wishing he could forget those bloody days. Once he finished with how they had to rest for the following week before pressing on, he excused himself. The knights were eager to hear more, but with Amber's help he escaped by stating they had a long day of travel ahead of them.
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