Caravan to Kittikin

by Brian S. Pratt

  “Come on, Jaik. We’ve got to get out of here.”

  The left side of his face was red and puffy; the eye was all but closed. He looked to Reneeke then at the multiple melees swirling around them. “Did we win?” he asked, confused and uncertain.

  “Yes, Jaik. Now let’s go!”

  Reneeke put Jaikus’ arm over his shoulder and raced for the exit. Before they reached the door, a shout from Ranthor came from behind; the exact words were drowned out by the commotion filling the common room. A glance back revealed the big man standing with the neck of another clutched in his big hand. He gave Reneeke a grin and a nod then thrust the man backward as he waded into a neighboring battle that consisted of no less than four combatants.

  Turning back to the matter at hand, namely getting out of there, Reneeke hurried a wobbly Jaikus forward. Motion and light drew his attention to a side window. Men bearing torches, cudgels and dressed in the uniform of Reakla’s town guard were racing toward the inn.

  The exit was packed with people, both those trying to escape the melee and others on their way in to join it. They had to leave before the Guard arrived. For if they failed to do so, their meeting with Master Tuppin in the morning would be seriously hindered. Reneeke grasped Jaikus tight, quickened his pace and barreled forward.

  A few realized what they were about to do and sought to get out of the way, but most were not so lucky. Bodies exploded outward as Reneeke with Jaikus in tow slammed into the log jam of humanity.

  Jaikus stumbled once but Reneeke kept him moving. He turned toward the alleyway opposite the approaching Guardsmen and practically carried his friend the last several feet into its sheltering darkness; curses and epithets following them the entire way.

  Once inside, Reneeke spared only a moment to glance over his shoulder. Not seeing the guards coming their way, he turned his attention to Jaikus.

  “Can you walk?”

  A nod was the only answer forthcoming.

  “Then let’s put that …,” he said, jerking his thumb back toward the inn, “behind us.”

  Jaikus’ step wasn’t as sure as it usually was, but he did manage to keep one foot in front of the other as the pair followed the alley to its other end and quickly made their way back to their room.

  “They ain’t comin’.”

  Master Tuppin glanced to Ponytail and nodded. “You may be right, Rojer.” The sun had been above the horizon for nearly half an hour now and he would wait no more. Half of those in the caravansary had already departed and the rest were getting underway. “Let’s go.”

  Along with him and his two guards, Master Tuppin had three teamsters, one for each of his other wagons. All had been with him for years.

  Master Tuppin flicked the reins on the lead wagon and the pair of horses drawing it pulled against its weight. As the wheels turned and made to leave the caravansary, the other three wagons fell in line behind.

  Rojer rode a roan stallion and took position just behind Master Tuppin’s wagon. His partner, the burly man with the crossbow Reneeke and Jaikus met earlier, brought up the rear.

  They made their way through Reakla and had nearly reached its northern outskirts when Jaikus and Reneeke emerged at a run from a side street half a block behind the caravan.

  “We’re here!” Jaikus yelled.

  Burly Guard glanced over his shoulder and saw the pair racing toward him. “About time,” he mumbled as they ran past on their way to the lead wagon and Master Tuppin.

  Not stopping, Master Tuppin looked to Reneeke and then gestured to the wagon right behind his. “Sit with Larko.” To Jaikus he said, “You ride with Midden at the rear.”

  Reneeke bobbed his head while Jaikus replied, “Yes, sir.”

  Reneeke tossed his pack up on the seat next to Larko and climbed aboard.

  Larko was the youngest of the three teamsters at twenty-four years of age. Brown hair cut short, he gave Reneeke a jovial grin and a friendly “Howdy.”

  “Howdy yourself, Larko. Name’s Reneeke.”

  Taking his pack and setting it in the bed of the wagon behind the seat, he sat next to the young teamster.

  “Have you been with Master Tuppin long?”

  “About six years. It’s a good job.”

  “Dangerous?”

  Shrugging, Larko replied, “What isn’t these days.”

  Chuckling, Reneeke nodded. “You have a point.”

  “Have you taken the road to Kittikin before?”

  “Twice.”

  “Trouble?”

  “Bandits once, but they were easily dealt with. Most don’t want to tussle with armed prey.”

  “Lookin’ for easy pickings I take it.”

  “Those traveling alone, mostly. Heard of a caravan two years back that was attacked in the hills. Only the master and a lone teamster survived. A party of Adventurers was sent out to find them.”

  “Did they?”

  Larko nodded. “Seventeen men were brought back, tried, and executed for murder.”

  “Good to know.”

  “Yep. Makes one feel safe to know those bandits aren’t out there anymore.” Then he glanced to Reneeke. “Always new ones cropping up though.”

  “That’s why we’re here.”

  “Glad to have you. With any luck, you two will be bored to tears.”

  “Let’s hope so.”

  Midden was pushing forty, had an air of competence, and merely gave Jaikus a grunt as the lad climbed aboard.

  “Didn’t think we’d make it.”

  Snorting, the elder teamster glanced to the young Guildsman, “Almost didn’t.”

  Jaik put his pack on the floor of the wagon and kicked it under the seat with his foot. “We couldn’t very well let Master Tuppin down. An agreement made is an agreement seen through as my old granther used to say. Besides, if things are as rough up ahead as we hear, you’ll need our swords before too long.”

  The look Midden cast him said he doubted how effective two such young lads would really be.

  At first annoyed, Jaikus then laughed, slapped Midden on the back and said, “Rest assured, we can handle it. After all, my friend and I just returned from an Adventure where we faced down trolls and mossbacks. Maybe you’ve heard of us? Jaikus and Reneeke…?”

  Midden shook his head.

  “Really?” Jaik asked, surprised. “How the troll took down Reneeke and I stood over him and saved his life with naught but a length of steel and determination?” When again he received a shake of the head, Jaikus said, “It’s really all very exciting. Reneeke and I had just arrived in Reakla not that long ago…”

  As the caravan rolled through the outskirts of Reakla, Jaikus launched into a complete and well-rehearsed exposition of their exploits all the while completely oblivious to Midden’s annoyed glances.

  Chapter 4

  North from Reakla, they came to Adventurer’s Way where it cut across their road heading east and west. A densely packed area with all manner of eateries, inns, and places selling goods to travelers, it made for very slow going. Caravans traveling in all directions wanted to pass through at the same time. Curses in a dozen languages only added to the chaos.

  Jaikus was in the midst of relating their daring raid on the Mossback lair when a whip cracked against his back.

  “Get that wagon out of the way!”

  Jaikus stood and turned to look back all in one furious move, hand on the hilt of his sword itching to draw it.

  A fat merchant with but one wagon and two young boys sitting atop his canvas-covered cargo continued throwing slurs and condemnations.

  The crowded road prevented wagons to run alongside one another and the fat merchant felt they weren’t moving quickly enough.

  “What do you…?”

  Midden’s hand gripped his shoulder and pulled him forcibly back down into his seat.

  “Don’t. Won’t do any good.”

  “But he hit me with his whip.”

  “Did it hurt?”

  Jaikus thought a moment,
“Not really.”

  “So don’t worry about it. Happens all the time.” Seeing the stubborn and ready-to-get-into-trouble look in the young swordsman’s eye, he added, “You get into a brawl and we’re gonna be delayed. Master Tuppin won’t like that.” Seeing his words having little effect, he added, “He’ll leave you and your friend on the side of the road before risking a loss of even a minute. So sit down, keep your mouth shut if you can, and we’ll be out of this in a minute.”

  The wagon in front of them began to roll. Midden flicked the reins and they started to cross.

  Curses continued to rain down upon them from the fat merchant. Even his two lads added their voices to the cacophony of obscenities. Jaikus fumed but he dared not risk causing a problem and getting him and Reneeke kicked off the wagons.

  Crack! went the whip again. Jaikus caught the motion out of the corner of his eye as a drop of blood and a small strip of skin was flayed from Midden’s ear.

  Roaring, the teamster reached under his seat, pulled forth a crossbow and in a single motion turned, aimed and fired. The stream of obscenities ended when the bolt struck home in the back of the driver bench one inch from the fat man’s stomach. He then ran a finger along the wound and held it up. Their eyes locked for a moment before Midden pulled back the string and set another bolt in place.

  “Problem?”

  Jaikus looked up to see Burly Guard stop next to the wagon. Pointing to the fat merchant, he said, “Well, he…”

  Midden interrupted Jaikus. “I don’t know.” Then he raised his voice, “Is there?”

  Staring at the tip of the crossbow bolt aiming for his forehead, the fat merchant shook his head. “No,” he said rather quickly. “No trouble at all.”

  Midden held the crossbow menacingly a moment longer before storing it back beneath the seat. The third wagon had pulled away and he had to hurry along to catch up.

  “Thought we weren’t supposed to do anything?” Jaikus said after they crossed Adventurer’s Way and were leaving the crossroads behind. “You could have killed him. I’m sure Master Tuppin wouldn’t have been too happy about that.”

  A mumbled curse, then Midden rubbed his ear again. “Damn crazy drivers.” Seeing more blood caused another curse to issue forth. “They got no sense. Someone’s got to teach them a lesson. One thing to give a little ‘hurry-along’ tap with a whip. A whole other thing when someone loses part of his ear.”

  Jaikus examined the ear. “It’s not bad. Only a nick, really.”

  Midden nodded. “That’s why he’s still alive.”

  As they rolled through the crossroads, Jaikus cast glances back at the other driver, worried that the whip might crack again. But where he and Midden continued north, the fat merchant had turned and headed east.

  Once past Adventurer’s Way, traffic thinned and they were able to roll along at a regular pace. Jaikus resumed his telling of their deeds, Midden tried to tune him out as best he could, and the caravan proceeded a little further along the road.

  Near midafternoon they came to where the road forked. To the right, Brigand’s Fate; the left, North Road. Brigand’s Fate held a great deal of riders, wagons, walkers, and all manner in-between. Master Tuppin’s wagons were alone in their desire to go north.

  “Seems most people are heading northeast,” Reneeke commented.

  Larko nodded. “Master Tuppin is one of the few traders willing to brave the road to Kittikin.”

  “If it’s that bad, why take the risk?”

  “Profit, of course. Being one of the few, makes him sought after. He does, after all, get the goods through. Has for years. Most times, no one bothers us. A couple years back we had a bad run-in with a band of brigands; had a magic user with them. Master Tuppin wasn’t expecting that. Killed most of the guards and a few of the teamsters.”

  Reneeke eyed him quizzically. “Most?”

  “Well, all the guards actually. Took everything. Nearly ruined Master Tuppin.”

  “So why does he still do it?”

  “’Cause no one else will and his patrons pay extra to have their goods delivered quickly.” Gesturing to Brigand’s Way, he added, “That way adds two weeks… more if the weather is bad.”

  Reneeke nodded. “Makes sense.”

  They left the crossroads behind and trundled along the North Road.

  “How long until we reach Kittikin?” Reneeke asked.

  “A week,” Larko replied. “First three days tend to be boring. Not much will happen until we enter the foothills south of Hermit’s Pass.”

  “Bandits?”

  Larko nodded. “There will be bandits there, I guarantee it. Whether they will choose to take us on is another matter entirely. I sure am appreciative that you two boys joined us. Even two green to the Guild will add numbers, and numbers will determine whether or not we get attacked.”

  “I’m glad we could be of help,” Reneeke said. “We are heading to Kith. Been some trouble there and we have taken the job of setting it right.”

  “Kith, huh?”

  Reneeke nodded.

  “Never been there myself. Heard there wasn’t much to it.”

  “I guess Jaik and I will find out.”

  Larko nodded.

  “…I struck it with my sword and down it went.”

  Midden had long since tuned Jaikus out. Hours of nonstop one-sided conversation had tested his patience until finally, his mind wandered other trails.

  Jaikus paused to see the effect his story had on Midden. He was a bit put out when he failed to receive words of awe and wonder at his exploits.

  “Almost time to make camp.”

  “What?” Jaikus exclaimed. “But there are hours left in the day.”

  The teamster nodded to a small creek cutting through the landscape up ahead. “That’s where we camp first night out,” he explained.

  “Why? We could get there a lot faster if we just continued on until sundown.”

  “Master Tuppin likes to camp near sources of water. That way we can water the horses and not have to carry as much with us. Saves cargo space.”

  “Well, if we have to.”

  Midden glanced to the young Guild member and shook his head.

  Sure enough, Master Tuppin turned off the road and pulled next to the creek. Several stone campfire rings were spaced about and the wagons stopped in a semi-circle around them.

  When Midden came to a stop, Jaikus hopped down. His posterior was a bit on the sore side; he wasn’t used to riding on a rough wooden plank for hours at a time.

  He hustled up to Larko’s wagon and Reneeke.

  “Ready for practice?”

  Nodding, Reneeke hopped down and stretched. He gestured to an area removed from the camp but still within sight, “Let’s practice there.”

  While Master Tuppin’s crew settled the horses in for the night and got the fire going, they worked on their forms taught to them by Master Swordsman Leari. First a series of stretches to limber them up, then they faced off and practiced different drills and maneuvers on their own with their real swords. Then, once they felt limbered and ready, they pulled out their Wooden Wasters, or wooden practice swords. Master Swordsman Leari had given them the pair when they first began training. Each was a match for their weapon in everything but composition and weight. They weighed slightly more than their swords to aid in the building of fighting muscle and endurance. He had stressed daily to never train in mock combat with anything but a Waster.

  “Practicing with real blades against each other is a fool’s errand,” he would say. “One slip, one miscalculated strike and one of your dreams for fame and fortune comes to an end.”

  His words had born truth more than once when early on they hit flesh as often as the other’s Waster. Jaikus still had many bruises to show for it.

  Larko came for a time and watched the pair. Reneeke was clearly the superior. He handled himself better, kept a more balanced stance, and looked comfortable with the Waster in his hand.

  Jaikus on the othe
r hand broke out in a sweat not long after they began sparring together. His curses whenever Reneeke managed to get through his defenses sounded on more than one occasion.

  In an aside once when Jaikus was off to the healers, Master Swordsman Leari told Reneeke, “You can’t take it easy on him. If you do, you both will suffer.”

  So Reneeke pressed him and forced him to give ground. Every time the Waster would strike an arm, side or chest, he’d curse and come at Reneeke all the harder. A few times Reneeke would allow Jaikus to get through his guard, just to keep his friend’s confidence up. Each time Jaikus would applaud himself and Reneeke would simply say, “Good job.”

  During a break when Jaikus grew winded, Larko said, “Mind if I try my hand?”

  Before handing him the Waster, Jaikus glanced to his friend. “Okay with you?”

  Reneeke nodded. “Be happy to. Practicing against a variety of opponents can only prove beneficial.”

  Jaikus handed Larko the Waster and stepped back. “A copper on Reneeke.”

  Testing the grip and swinging it back and forth a time or two, Larko nodded. “Your wager is accepted.” Then to Reneeke, “Best out of three passes?”

  “Done.”

  They took their stances and Reneeke said, “Jaik, you call it.” He turned his eyes to those of Larko.

  “Begin,” Jaikus said and Larko flicked his wrist, struck Reneeke’s Waster and the battle was joined.

  “Come on, Rene!” Jaikus hollered.

  Larko went on the attack. A feint to the right then a thrust down the middle; one to the head that instead changed course at the last minute and went for the shoulder; two to the sides, then an overhand hack followed by another coming in from the other side.

  Through it all, Reneeke held his ground. Unable to do more than move and parry, he kept the Waster at bay.

  “Larko, huh?”

  Jaikus turned to find Midden standing behind him.

  “That’s right. He and Rene are sparring.”