“Just put them in that wagon there,” she tells the porters. When they’ve placed them in the desired location, she gives them each two coppers and they return back to the city.
“Shall we?” Jiron asks James.
“Yeah, lets,” he agrees. So this time, James, Jiron, Tinok and Roland go into town to get the equipment they’ll need tomorrow for their new ‘guards’, as well as some extra clothes for themselves.
Their first stop is a clothier where they each purchase a second set of clothes, as well a set for the guys they’ll be purchasing tomorrow. James arranges to have them delivered back to the caravan.
Outside the clothier’s, Roland asks, “Now where to?”
“Need to get some weapons for them as well,” Jiron says. “If they’re going to be guards, they won’t do much good without them.”
“True,” agrees James. Asking a passerby, Roland learns of a blacksmith across town that usually has a surplus supply of weapons for sale. They proceed over there to see what he has available.
On the way they see a group of Parvatis coming down the street toward them, five of them, their distinctive tattoos giving them a menacing appearance. Unsure as to how they are likely to react over the outcome of the fight earlier, James leads them down a side alley. Hiding in the shadows against one of the walls, they wait until they see the group pass by the mouth of the alley. Then Jiron returns to the end and peers around the corner to see if the coast is clear. When he sees the Parvatis have moved down the street, he gives the others an all-clear signal and they return to the street.
“That was close,” Roland says.
“Don’t know if we could have fought off that many,” James says. “Not and avoid unwanted attention.”
Keeping a lookout for more roving bands of Parvatis, they continue toward the blacksmith’s.
Having to ask for directions two more times, they finally arrive outside of an open courtyard where metal being hammered can be heard coming from within a building off to the side. Entering the courtyard, they see where the side of the building opens up and in the shade given by an overhang, a burly man is busily hammering a piece of metal upon an anvil. To James’ relief, the man appears to have originated from the north.
At their approach, he puts the hot metal into a bucket of water, a steaming hiss and a cloud of steam appears when the hot metal hits the water. He holds it there but a moment before quickly removing it. After a quick inspection, he places the piece of metal upon a nearby table and turns to greet them. “Good day to you sirs,” he says.
“Good day to you as well,” replies James. “We were told that you may have some weapons available for sale?”
“That I do,” the blacksmith tells him. “If you’ll follow me, I’ll show you what I have.”
“Thank you.”
Following the blacksmith, they enter the building through a side door where they find many racks holding various types of weapons. There are swords, knives, maces and several others that James has never seen before, all looking very deadly.
“What exactly are you interested in?” he asks.
James turns to Jiron and looks at him questioningly.
“Yorn usually used a longsword and shield,” he says.
“Potbelly likes two swords and Scar uses a shortsword and knife,” Tinok adds.
“If you gentlemen would like, feel free to look around and examine the weapons,” the blacksmith suggests.
“Thank you, we will,” replies James.
They inspect the various weapons while the blacksmith looks on. James is totally at a loss as far as telling if a weapon is good or bad, so he stands back and lets Jiron and Tinok decide.
After inspecting all the swords and knives, feeling for balance and sharpness, they settle on the ones that are the best of the lot. Unfortunately, the blacksmith doesn’t have any shields, they’ll have to find an armorer for that. James lets Jiron do the haggling and then hands over the coins.
When James asks if they can be delivered to their caravan, the blacksmith says, “My apprentice is currently out for his midday meal, but when he returns I can have him take them out first thing.”
“Thank you,” says James, “we would appreciate that.”
Leaving the blacksmith’s shop, they go in search of an armorer for a shield for Yorn, there’s no way they’ll be able to afford any armor. They find a shop boasting a sign bearing a shield upon it not very far from the blacksmith’s shop. Inside they find many different shields available in different sizes, thickness and strength. Jiron finds one that he says is similar to the one Yorn had used back in the pits.
Handing over the coins, James realizes that they’ve all but exhausted the money that he brought with him. They take the shield with them, since it would be no burden to carry back.
After leaving the armorer’s shop, they head on back to the caravan. On the way, they again run across the group of Parvatis, only this time the Parvatis see them first and alter course to intercept.
Seeing them approaching, James fears the worse and readies one of his slugs. The Parvatis come close before stopping in front of them, the leader of the group takes a further step forward and says something.
Roland replies to him and then he says something else. Turning to the others, Roland says, “He’s asking if you’re the man who fought the blood duel with the Parvati earlier in the slaver compound.” Looking worried, he asks, “What should I tell him?”
“Tell him the truth,” Jiron replies and turns his gaze to fixate on the leader.
Turning back to the Parvati, Roland tells him that Jiron is in fact the one, pointing him out.
The leader turns to Jiron and reaches into his tunic, bringing out a necklace with three spherical stones. He says something to Roland as he hands it to Jiron.
Taking the necklace, Jiron looks questioningly to Roland.
“He says that to defeat a Parvati in a blood duel is an amazing thing,” he explains. “He also says that it shows great skill and this necklace will show any Parvati that you are to be treated with respect. It kind of makes you one of them.”
Jiron gives the Parvati a slight bow and says, “Tell him I am greatly honored to be accounted as one of the Parvatis.”
Roland translates for the Parvati, who breaks into a smile and says something else. Then he turns and the group walks away.
“What did he say?” James asks.
“He said ‘May your knives drink deeply’,” Roland tells him.
Jiron places the necklace around his neck as he watches the departing Parvatis.
“Thought we were in trouble for a moment there,” admits James.
“Me too,” adds Roland.
“Let’s get back to the caravan,” Jiron says as he begins walking.
It doesn’t take them very long to find their way back and they’re surprised to find that the packages containing their clothes have already been delivered.
“If we keep buying stuff,” James observes when he sees the water wagon is beginning to be filled with their things, “we’ll need to get another wagon just for belongings.”
“Probably,” Delia admits.
Shortly after the sun crests the horizon the following morning, James, Jiron and Roland are again heading back into town for the auction. Before leaving, James fills his money pouch once more from the chest and realizes that they’ve spent almost all of it. He mentions the fact they’re running out of money to Delia and she says, “I’ll see what I can do.”
“Alright,” James replies.
As they leave, Delia hollers out, “Don’t get into any fights this time!”
When they arrive at the slaver’s compound, people recognize Jiron from the day before. Many come up and congratulate him on his victory over the Parvati. Due to his notoriety, they are allowed to proceed to the front of the crowd for the auction.
After a wait of about fifteen minutes, they begin to see slavers coming onto the platform and shortly afterward, the first line of slaves is
brought out. These are men this time and they look as if they are all from the fall of the City of Light. Their ages range anywhere from fifteen to fifty, some look to have had an exceptionally hard time if the number of bruises covering their bodies is any indication.
“Recognize any of them?”
“A couple,” Jiron replies, “though none of the ones we’re interested in.”
The auctioneer begins and they quickly go from one to the next until the entire line has been sold. “They’re going for a lot less than the girls had,” Roland tells them.
“Wouldn’t be surprised,” James comments.
When they bring the next batch out, Jiron says to Roland, “I see Yorn. He’s the third in line.”
Roland nods and waits until the first two have been sold and then joins in the bidding for Yorn. Whether it’s because he’s with Jiron or because no one wants him, the auction lasts only a few rounds. Having outbid everyone else, Roland moves forward and pays for him. Leading Yorn by his tether, Roland brings him over to the waiting group. Upon seeing Jiron there, he smiles briefly before resuming the stoic look of a slave.
Jiron gives him a nod and then turns his attention back to the auction. The rest of the line is auctioned off quickly and then another batch of slaves is brought out. “There are Scar and Potbelly,” he tells Roland.
“Which ones?”
“Scar’s the first in line and Potbelly is the fifth,” he points them out. “Did you tell them about me?” he whispers to Yorn.
He shakes his head and whispers back, “You asked me not to. But they saw you fighting here yesterday, so when they mentioned it to me, I let them in on it.”
Jiron nods his head as he turns back to the auction. When Roland goes up to get him, Scar gives him a look that says he’s dead and gets a lash across the shoulders for it. When he’s led back to the group, he begins to smile when he sees Jiron and Yorn standing there, then remembers himself and again dons the look of a dejected slave. They wait for Potbelly’s turn and in just a few minutes, he’s standing there amongst them too.
When the next line is brought out, James hears Jiron gasp. “What?”
“See that little guy there,” he says, “second in line?”
“Yeah.”
“He’s another of the knife fighters, not as good as Tinok and me, but good,” he explains. “He used to show me how he could hit an apple thrown in the air with his throwing knives, though of course he was never allowed to use them in the pits.” Turning to Roland, he says, “We want him and number five.”
Roland nods and commences to bid for them when their turn comes.
“Number five’s name is Stig, he’s good with mace and shield,” he explains.
Soon, they’re standing with the group as well. Jiron has to silence them on more than one occasion when they begin to talk amongst themselves.
The next line doesn’t contain anyone that they’re interested in, although Jiron gets a satisfied look on his face when they’re brought out. James notices his expression and asks him about it.
“The third guy in line,” he says, pointing him out. “He once tried to accost Tersa and had to spend two weeks recovering when I was through with him. Glad he’s up there.”
He gets bought by a farmer whom they hear needs help on his farm. “Back breaking labor,” Jiron says. “Good!” He watches with great satisfaction as the man is taken by the farmer and led out of the compound.
The next line finally yields the last one they’re here for, a young man of average build, who Jiron says is very deadly with the quarterstaff. Once he’s bought, they lead their newly acquired slaves out of the courtyard and back to the caravan.
After they arrive at the caravan, Jiron removes their tethers and says, “You guys are expensive.”
They all laugh at that, “Thanks, man,” Yorn says to Jiron.
“Don’t thank me,” he says, “thank James, he’s the one who paid for you.”
They all express their thanks to him. Delia begins to hand out the clothes that they bought for the ones they knew about and they quickly remove their slave clothes and don the others.
While they’re changing, Jiron explains what’s going on and that they’re still searching for James’ friend, Miko. How they’re going to act as a caravan and that they’ll be playing the part of the guards.
“You know,” Scar says after he hears about Miko, “an official came through and took a whole bunch of them the morning after the escape attempt.”
“Yeah,” says the little guy whose name, accurately enough, is Shorty. “The slaver in charge seemed really unhappy about him coming and taking them all away.”
“It seemed like he had no choice in the matter,” adds Potbelly. “Your friend is most likely in that group.”
“Think we could find out where they’re headed?” James asks. “I do know they are at least headed south.”
“Maybe,” Jiron says.
“We still need some weapons, too,” Shorty pipes up.
“We got enough left for that?” Jiron asks James.
“Might have,” he says.
“Let’s go back in and get the rest of it then,” he says.
“May as well,” James replies as he grabs Roland and with Jiron, head back into town. The newly acquired ‘guards’ are more than happy to stay behind and catch up on what’s going on with Tinok and the others.
Their first stop is to the clothier to pick up James’ belt for his iron slugs. He’s managed to have the belt ready and James tries it on, a perfect fit. Taking a slug out of a pocket, he tries sliding it in. It’s a firm fit and is unlikely to fall out on its own. Using his finger, he presses against the slug through the slit in the side of the pouch and is able to slide it out with little difficulty.
“Perfect,” he tells the man as he hands over the remaining three silvers he owes.
“I’m glad,” the clothier says as he takes the coins. “I’ve never seen anything like that before.”
“Common where I come from,” he says, thinking of gun belts. “Thank you,” he says as he makes ready to leave.
“You’re very welcome,” the clothier says. “Do come again.”
After leaving the clothier’s shop, they complete the rest of their shopping quickly, this time carrying their belongings with them since there isn’t quite as much as before.
When they return to the caravan and distribute the clothes and weapons, Shorty is absolutely ecstatic about the set of throwing knives they bought him. Taking one out, he throws it at nearby tree where it strikes point first and embeds itself three inches into the trunk. He runs over and removes it, replacing it back in the belt with the others.
James takes in the newly dressed men and is satisfied that they should now be less likely to stand out, as well as better protected.
“James,” Delia says to him as she approaches.
“Yeah?”
“Do you think it would be possible to find out where your friend Miko is heading?”
“Why?”
“I’ve found out there are two main roads to the south and if I knew which one we’ll be taking, I may be able to arrange for cargo to help replenish our depleted supply of coins.”
“Maybe,” he says as he gets up to retrieve the mirror from his shaving kit. Settling on the ground with the mirror cupped within his hands, he concentrates on Miko.
Delia sits down next to him and watches as Miko appears, still riding in the wagon. “Can you expand the image? Try to see more of the surrounding area,” she asks. “One of the roads follows the river that flows out of the lake.”
Nodding, he concentrates and they watch as the view expands and sure enough, the road is following the river. “Does that help?” he asks her.
“Yes, it does,” she says. Getting up, she signals Roland and Tinok and they follow her as she heads back to town.
He relaxes the rest of the afternoon, watching as the men get familiar with their new weapons, sparring with one another. James is amazed
at the speed with which they move their weapons, also surprising is that no one is even nicked by a blade during it all.
The lad with the quarterstaff works primarily by himself, whirling and twirling the staff until it begins to whine. He sees James watching him and gives him a nod, smiling, before resuming the practice.
Several hours later, when the sun begins to dip toward the horizon, Delia returns. Tinok is carrying a large sack full of food, “I thought everyone could use one last good meal before we hit the road tomorrow,” she explains.
“Good idea,” he says.
“I did manage to acquire a couple consignments, nothing major, that are to be delivered at a few towns along the road,” she tells him. “They’ll be bringing them out to us in a little while.”
When the smell of the roasted meat contained within the sack hits the guys practicing, all practicing halts as they hurry over to get some. Ravenous for some real food, they pretty much consume it all, but not before everyone else was able to get some for themselves.
Over the next hour, three different wagons come and deliver the goods for transport, transferring them to their wagons.
Delia comes over to James and sits down, saying, “I neglected to mention to you that the road your friend is traveling on leads to the capitol of the Empire.”
“Oh?” he replies.
“Doesn’t that make you nervous?”
“A little,” he admits, “but there’s not much I can do about it, is there?”
“No, I suppose not.”
When they all settle down for the night, there is one thing that James realizes that he forgot to get for the new arrivals, bedrolls. But they don’t seem to mind, sleeping free is good no matter what.
Chapter Sixteen
The next morning they begin rolling with the rising of the sun, everyone is anxious to leave Korazan and the slave market behind.
With Jiron riding lead, the rest of the guards space themselves along the caravan with Potbelly at the rear. Getting them into the saddle that morning brought back the time when he first started riding back in Trendle. Smiling at the memory, he watches as Jiron and Tinok attempt to show them the proper way to mount a horse.
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