by Kieron Uchee
I called one of the stable boys and ordered 4 large meals to be brought out to the stables for the Diggerduggers. I then informed Laioch that the 4 Oxyacs were mine and was surprised when he responded that he would take over the care of the animals. It turned out that they had an amazing skill with animals.
I pointed at the two carts and suggested that they could bed down in the living compartment of the first one and keep guard. The food finally arrived and the Diggerduggers ate until they were full, then making their way over to the wagons the settled in, with six on guard duty and six resting.
I yawned and then suggested that we all turn in; it had been a busy day and I wanted to sleep. As we made our way up to our room, Tasia asked, “Does this kind of thing happen to you all the time or is this something special.” Seeing Reona looking at me wanting to hear the answer I yawned before answering.
“Yes to both, and no I do not want to talk about it, I need sleep more than you two need your curiosity satisfied.” Seeing both women get that look on their faces I turned around and said, “I am going to sleep in the cart, goodnight.” Leaving the room before they could grab me I made my way downstairs and grabbing a flagon of wine from the bar I went to the cart.
Making myself at home amongst the Diggerduggers I drank the wine and thought of all that had happened. I was not sure if I was doing the right thing but plans were in motion and there would be no turning back now. Closing my eyes, I was about to sleep when suddenly there was a sudden flare of power on the buff the Ama had given me when we married.
I almost cried out in pain as a sudden feeling of loss coursed through my spirit. I knew without any doubt that Ama had died. I sat up on the bed and began to cry, feeling the loss that was more than just emotion, we had shared a soul bond and it had been severed.
I sat unable to speak or think logically for several minutes. What finally brought me out of the pit of despair that had attempted to drag me down was the awareness the Succubae buff was still active; in fact, it had grown in power since I had felt the loss of Ama.
I knew that I could not sleep so getting up I made my way down towards the docks, eventually stopping before the Golden Ass. It was empty and deserted and held no answers to my questions. Turning I made my way back into the city upon reaching the Inn I grabbed a table at the common room.
The Innkeeper seeing me sitting there gestured for me to join him, so walking over I sat down and was introduced to his companion. “This is my brother Ingar, and he is the one leading the caravan.”
I nodded and clasped wrists with Ingar, he smiled at me and said, “So I hear that you will be joining me with two carts of your own, and will be helping to guard the goods eh. Glad to have you, the trails are getting rougher it would seem, and while I don’t expect trouble, it is whispered that trouble finds those that do not seek it.”
I nodded, it was the truth that I had found in my life. Calling out to the barmaid I asked for a round of drinks and then sat back just listening to the brother's talk. It would seem that both the Inn and the Caravans were profitable but the brothers were looking to expand. This gave me an idea and I decided to broach the subject and see if they would be interested in my plan.
“Gentlemen,” I began. “I have been listening to you discuss your businesses and I have a proposal for you, as it turns out I am in possession of a small sea-going ship in good shape. Would you two have any interest in forming a partnership? I will provide the ship and put up some gold to help pay for the first cargo, I want seventy percent ownership and sixty percent of any profits, what do you say.”
The next hour passed quickly, but I was adamant in retaining the seventy percent ownership, however, I went down to fifty percent on the profits. At this point, I included Reona and Tasia as my partners in the enterprise. The men finally agreed to my terms and we signed a contract. I told them that I would have a representative check up on the venture once in a while and with that I was in business.
We had decided to name the business Heavy Hold Trading, and I had a feeling that I was going to get rich from this. The men did not seem to care how I had gotten ownership of the ship after I showed them the ship's log and the Capitan’s Journal. Ingar remarked he knew a councilmember who would facilitate the transfer of ownership of the ship to the company.
The evening was now getting late and I went back to the cart, the business deal had taken the edge off my grief, but I still felt empty inside as I went to sleep.
Chapter 32 Guarding the Caravan
I woke up with Laioch calling to me, “Someone approaches.” Stretching, I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and stood up. Quickly pulling on my shirt I swung open the door and saw Reona and Tasia standing by the front of the cart.
“Good morning ladies, I hope you had a good night.” They both looked at me and nodded as I hopped down. “Let’s go get some breakfast,” I suggested. Walking into the Inn we made our way to a booth sat down and ordered as soon as the serving girl arrived.
“I have some news to tell you,” I began. “We are now partners with the owner and his brother Ingar in a trading venture called Heavy Hold Trading. I put up the Golden Ass and some gold and we have formed a partnership. You are both included under me as co-owners.”
The girls stared at me with surprise on their faces, and Reona was the first to speak. “Why would you include us? It’s a nice gesture but one that will take away from any profits that the company might earn for you.” Seeing Tasia nod her head I smiled at them and then told them why I had made the choice to include them.
“War is coming, I have no doubts about that, and while you both have a place back at the city, the fact is you may not make it back there, and I do not want to leave you alone in a war-torn realm without any support.”
Tasia interrupted me and asked, “It sounds like you are planning on a future where you might not be around?”
Nodding I replied, “My life has commitments that I can’t explain to you, and there is a real possibility that I might have to leave at any time.” Thinking back to the shock of losing Ama I knew that as soon as I could I had to return to Hell, my son was there, alone now. I could not explain this without telling the girls who I really was so I just left it at that. I knew that they were not satisfied with what I had said, but life is like that sometimes.
The breakfast arrived as did the Innkeeper who got right to the point, “Torn would it be possible for you to leave today, the Caravan has come together faster than expected and Ingar is chomping at the bit to get going?”
I looked at the girls and wiggled my eyebrows, they shared a quick look and agreed that we could go anytime as our carts were loaded. We arranged to meet at the north gate of the city and were promised that our carts would be ready to leave as soon as we were done breakfast.
I excused myself to go clean up and arranged to meet the girls outside in a few minutes. Once I was done with my morning wash up I went outside and watched as the Oxyacs were put into harness. Within minutes Reona, Tasia and I were sitting on the wide bench and guiding the wagons through the street. The Diggerduggers were all sitting in the back cart hidden from sight as we navigated the town's streets.
It took about an hour then we were finally free of the town, about a kilometer down the road we met up with the Caravan. Ingar came riding over and greeted me warmly, then introduced himself to the girls. He pointed out the other wagons and carts then suggested that we bring up the last, mentioning that the wagons traveled at a walking pace and that he expected at least one of us to be on guard duty as long as we were moving.
I agreed to take the first watch and was invited to a meeting of the other guards where the duties would be assigned. Nodding, I walked back with Ingar to where a group of six men were waiting. Ingar introduced the men to me starting with the leader, Sergeant Roche a veteran of many years. All the men had experience and seemed friendly enough until I met the scout. His name was Yakoff, and my perception went into overdrive as I looked at him.
He n
odded politely but glanced at me when he thought I was not looking, I could feel his resentment and anger, not just at me but at everyone, and I could also tell he was planning on betraying us at some point. As Ingar and I walked back towards the wagons I casually asked about the men and especially about the scout.
Ingar looked at me and said, “The men I have worked with before, the scout is new but he knows the land and is experienced.” I nodded, and as we approached Ingar’s wagon I debated if I should say something. Deciding not to as it was not a great way to start a long journey I resolved to keep a close eye on the scout and if needed deal with him if he presented a danger to us.
Going back to my carts I made small talk with the girls until we began. The caravan left at a steady pace and soon the town was behind us. I spent my time walking up and down the length of the train of wagons and carts. As the kilometers passed the trail began to go through some wild looking terrain.
As I walked by Ingar’s wagon he called down to me, “This area is known to have some wild beasts roaming around, claims of monsters have also been mentioned so keep your eyes open.” I nodded, it would not do to let anything damage the caravan. The day passed into evening and Ingar settled the Caravan into a field to bed down for the night.
Reona and Tasia both stepped down from the wagon and with the help of the Diggerduggers soon had the Oxyacs out of harness and hobbled on a long tether allowing them to eat the nearby grass and shrubs. I quickly put together a fire and going through the supplies soon had a simple meal of meat and vegetables cooking.
Once we were finished supper the girls surprised me by snuggling up to me, one on each side. Reona began by saying, “Torn, both of us have felt that something has happened to you, your face is sad and your usual flair for life seems to be missing, what happened?”
I sat and thought for a moment, I did not feel like baring my soul but the girls deserved to know why I was saddened. Clearing my throat, I said, “Last night I found out that someone I cared about had died. It saddened me and I am carrying the loss. I am sorry if it has affected my behavior.”
Both the girls stared and me and then both hugged me, Tasia then spoke, “I will take the first watch, you two should go get some rest. Standing up she walked over to where the other guards were gathered and began to talk to the men.
Reona smiled at me and said, “Give me a minute to change before you come in.” I nodded as she entered the cart, after waiting for several minutes I joined her, removing my armor I stretched out on the bed and tried to relax. I could feel Reona looking at me and was not surprised when she began to rub my back.
After several minutes, she spoke, “Torn, I want you to know I know who you really are.” I stiffened at her words but continued to listen.
Reona’s voice faltered but she continued to speak, “I know that you have every right to hate me, I took Twink and gave her to my father and watched as he killed you. I want you to know that if I could change that I would, but I cannot.”
There was silence as she continued to rub my back and after a moment she began to speak again, “You probably don’t realize this but when my father commands me I have no choice, I have to obey him. It is like a compulsion that I cannot disobey; my body does not respond to my will.”
She began to cry and then continued to speak, “He has made me do things that are wrong, things that a father should not do to his daughter. I had to respond to him, I had no choice.” As she stopped talking I could feel her warm tears falling onto my back, and I could not help but guess at what she was alluding to.
This world is so amazing but it has so much wrong with it, I thought as I recalled what had happened. Turning to look at Reona I was struck with how vulnerable she was at that moment. The tears were flowing freely and her face reflected the anguish she was feeling.
Reaching up I grabbed her then pulling her down next to me and said, “I forgive you.” Once I spoke I felt a release of emotions that came from deep within me. I began to cry as I hugged her and gently kissed the top of her head. We fell asleep after the tears had dried, holding each other, each having released something from our souls and finding out that inner peace was possible.
I woke up several hours later as Tasia climbed into the wagon, she looked at us and smiled. Then whispered, “It is time for the guards to change, should I wake her or do a double shift?”
I shook my head and silently stood up whispering, “I have slept enough, I will take the shift.” Quickly putting on my armor I stopped and touched Tasia on her cheek and said, “Thank you for caring.” I then slipped out of the cart and made my way to the fire. Grabbing a hot drink, I asked if anything had happened, and was not surprised to hear that all was quiet.
I left the fire and began to make a circuit of the Caravan, stopping often to stare at the darkness, my Dragon eyes making the dark night as light as day. After an hour, I was once again at the fire getting another drink when the night air was parted with a wild shriek of pain and anger, it came from the west where the forest began.
The men all jumped to their feet and stared at the darkness, swearing and loosening their weapons. “What the hell was that?” one guard asked as another shriek split the air. I stopped and stared at the woods, I knew what beast was out there. It was a Wyvern and I knew instinctively that it was a female with a brood of eggs.
Ingar had appeared and he walked over to me, stared at the woods and cursed. “What the Hell is that in there. It is too dark for us to move the Caravan but I fear it might be getting closer.”
Glancing over at Ingar I made my mind up, I would go investigate what was happening, my Dragon nature wanted to know what could be harming a Wyvern. Looking at Ingar I spoke, “I’ll go investigate, we have to know what we will be facing if it comes this way.”
Ingar looked uncomfortable and suggested that the scout should go, I laughed and said, “I doubt he would do more than circle us a few times and then return.”
Giving me an odd look Ingar said, “You don’t seem to like him, is there something I should know here?”
Shrugging I replied, “I have learned to trust my instincts and they are telling me not to trust him.” Putting my mug down, I said, “I will try to return before we head out, if I am not back by then just keep going I will catch up.”
Turning Torn walked to the edge of the encampment and then once he was in the darkness he slipped into Shadows and began to run towards the source of the sounds. After traveling for about an hour he entered a clearing and observed a band of twenty Goblins, most had surrounded the Wyvern and had cast heavy nets over her.
The Goblins were repeatedly clubbing the beast and Torn noted that its hit points were almost gone and it would soon be dead. Past the Wyvern was its nest and cradled within were four eggs, two had been split open and three Goblins were working on the third egg, hitting it with maces in a maniacal fury.
It was apparent that they soon would be done and then they would move onto the fourth and last egg. Torn could feel the fear emanating from the last two eggs when suddenly the third egg split and the little Wyvern died under the repeated blows of the Goblins.
Without hesitation, I ran up to the nest and still cloaked in Shadows I attacked, using both of my maces I cracked two goblins in the head fracturing their skulls and instantly killing them as the weapons both cast Fire and critted. The remaining Goblin whirled around his mace held high looking for the enemy but I was ready and quickly cast Dragon fire on the remaining Goblin who began to scream as he burnt and tumbled backward off the nest.
This alerted the remaining Goblins and they all surged towards the nest determined to attack and kill whoever had dared to attack their war party. As they started towards the nest I cast Holy Fire, my Paladin AOE spell and was rewarded with the sight of Holy Fire lifting off the ground and falling from the sky quickly covering all the Goblins and rapidly reducing their hit points.
Leaping at them I then activated Wrath of Light and was rewarded with both of his maces glowing with
a golden hue. As I spun amongst the enemy my hits did a considerable amount of damage and from each point of impact, a golden light would quickly cover the bodies of the Goblins burning them from the inside as the Holy Fire spell burnt them from the outside.
Within minutes all the Goblins were dead, along with the Wyvern. The area reeked of blood and burnt flesh, and I was eager to leave as wild beasts would soon be appearing. Quickly looting the corpses, I gathered 25 gold and a scroll. Leaving the low-level weapons, I returned to the nest and observed the remaining egg, I could feel the fear emanating from the egg.
Reaching down I grabbed the egg and cradling it I began to run back towards the Caravan. Just as the dawn's early light broke the horizon I arrived at the camp. Staying in Shadows I made my way to the campfire in time to hear Ingar rebut the scout Yakoff.
“Not another word Yakoff, if Torn does not make it back this morning he will catch up. Any talk about taking his carts and splitting the goods will not be tolerated and if I hear you ever say that the women could be shared by us men I will fire you on the spot.”
I could not restrain myself at this point and walked up behind Yakoff. I slid my dagger free and held it at his neck, then letting the Shadows fade I whispered in his ear, “I will kill you, not today and maybe not tomorrow but your death is now written in the book of life and death.” As I finished speaking I felt my Ascendant power rise up and release.
Suddenly a brilliant flash of lightning occurred in the clear sky and Yakoff turned white. Jumping away from me he spun around and cursed, visibly shaken at the fact I could have ended him at any time.
I just smiled at the asshole, I knew I would have to kill him and probably sooner than later, I could perceive that he wanted us all dead now, me most of all. I knew that he was planning a trap, where and when I did not know.
The men were all staring at me in shock, no one had been aware of my presence and between my appearance out of the shadows and the lightning most of the men were uneasy. I was going to make them really anxious, I thought as I began to speak. Telling the story of the Goblins attacking the Wyvern took only a minute and while some of the men seemed amazed that I had taken out twenty of the bastards no one doubted the truthfulness of the tale. Not once they saw the Wyvern egg I carried.