Jocelyn approached Bounder, tickling her daughter’s ear, while looking deep into Bounder’s eyes. He felt as if she looked into his soul, relieved when she smiled and gently scratched his neck.
Braden hazarded a look at the Governor. The man fingered his sword as if preparing to battle those in the room. Jocelyn turned to face her husband. She pointed her finger at him and glared until he stopped fidgeting.
“I apologize to you, Free Trader, for forcing you to come here to save us from ourselves. I saw what he was doing, but retreated into myself and ignored what he was doing. I don’t know the extent of the damage that he’s done, but the fact that you are here, fighting for the people who are not your own, tells me how serious it is.” She looked at the floor, kicking something with her toe. She glanced at the charred body of the Sergeant-at-Arms emotionlessly, before returning her gaze to Braden.
“I’m from here. My parents were members of the Caravan Guild. I was raised on the trade routes in the north. I live in the south now with my family, with my friends,” Braden said, looking at those in the room who’d made the long journey with him. On cue, Brandt bugled, happily this time. They turned to see Micah, one arm draped over Zeller’s shoulder as both women struggled onto the landing outside the door. Braden draped his bow over his shoulder, putting the arrow back in its quiver as he went to them.
He helped Micah into the room. She smiled weakly as he set her into a chair along the wall as the servants stood nearby, trying to look inconspicuous. Her eyes were still unfocused, but color had returned to her face. The wound on her chest had stopped bleeding, but it needed to be sewn shut.
Jocelyn watched Braden as he carefully and tenderly ministered to his partner.
“We used to be like that,” Jocelyn started. “I don’t know what happened, but it doesn’t matter. I think our relationship has come to an end.” She held her hand palm up, asking Braden for his blaster.
“It won’t work for you. It’s keyed only for Micah and me.”
“Shame.” She let her hand drop. She leaned around Braden to see the Rabbits enter, Nerise walking carefully between them and studiously avoiding looking at the corpse on the floor.
Leah wiggled until Bounder put her down, and she ran to the newcomers. Leah hugged each of the Rabbits, and then the children introduced themselves, holding hands as they talked. The Rabbits hopped in place, just enough to show their pleasure as they watched the children.
“I missed that too, the joy of being alive. Sometimes we don’t even realize what we’ve given up until we see it again.”
“So what do we do now?” Braden asked, believing that Jocelyn was the way ahead for Jefferson City, for the north.
They looked at each other as Governor Anderle found his voice. “All of you will go to jail for violating the law of carrying weapons in the city! You will be tried for your murder of the good people here and you will be executed!” he screamed, almost hysterically.
Micah pulled her blaster and dialed a narrow beam. Braden put his hand on the weapon and shook his head.
The Governor stood and raised his sword as he moved to strike his wife. She dodged in fear as the Wolfoids thrust their spears into the man’s body. His sword arm froze over his head until the blade dropped from nerveless fingers, clattering as it hit the floor. Bounder and Gray Strider pulled back, ripping their spears from the man who stood there, perplexed by his imminent death. He fell to his knees, eyes pleading with the raven-haired beauty before him. She shook her head once, staring into his eyes as he toppled.
Braden pulled out his needle and thread and got to work on the vicious slash across Micah’s chest.
A New Governor
“I really don’t want to be the Governor,” Jocelyn pleaded with Braden and Micah.
It had been seven turns since Governor Anderle’s demise and the city was barely returning to normal. Anderle had ordered that most of the Caravan Guild be executed, but the remaining members committed to help Braden restore free trade. Jocelyn was surprised to find out that Micah was the President of Vii. She happily deferred, hoping the newcomers would stay, until she heard that Braden and Micah’s children were in the south.
“We need you to make sure that no one takes their freedoms away again. Government’s job is to create the conditions for people to succeed on their own. Let them work and serve each other and the people will find their own way back to a better place,” Micah counselled. “And the fact that you don’t want the job makes you perfect for it.”
Although Nerise was nearly twice Leah’s age, the two had become fast friends. Jocelyn insisted on raising the little girl. Nerise was torn. She wanted to stay with the Rabbits and Braden and Micah, but wasn’t sure about going to an entire new land. She was more comfortable in Jefferson City.
The companions recovered Pony and moved him closer to Nerise in the Governor’s Mansion, recently renamed as the People’s Hall.
To make the transition easiest, Patrice and Delavigne agreed to stay with Jocelyn and her family. Braden tried in vain to talk them out of it.
‘We’ve seen their fields. They need help, and Patrice is pregnant again. I think we shouldn’t travel.’ Braden smirked. A Rabbit was pregnant again. He shouldn’t have been as surprised as he was. They congratulated their friends on the great news. Jocelyn, Nerise, and Leah could all talk with the Rabbits, thanks to a little mental tweaking from G-War. Patrice and Delavigne wouldn’t be alone. Braden was sorry to see them stay behind, but it was their decision. All intelligent creatures had the right to determine their own destiny.
Jocelyn agreed and was pleased that the Rabbits decided to join her and her family. Patrice and Delavigne only asked one favor and that was for Braden and Micah to give their laser pistols to their eldest children. They didn’t want any Old Tech weapons remaining in the north. Too many of the Governor’s strongmen were still on the loose to risk such a weapon falling into their hands.
Braden agreed wholeheartedly. They shook and left Jefferson City in the more than capable hands of Jocelyn and her advisors from the new trading guild, called the Free Trader Guild in honor of Braden and all traders.
Micah’s wounds were healing. Her arm was still in a sling to keep her movement to a minimum. Zeller was also healing. After the fighting was over and they had time to check, Braden decided to sew up three of the cuts on Zeller’s shoulders and arm. She left the one on her face alone, a scar as her badge of honor, a warrior blooded in battle.
The women of Trent had acquitted themselves well and ensured that freedom returned to the north.
Micah scoffed at Braden’s thoughts regarding his partner’s contribution and her fellow from Trent.
“I’m still mad at you,” she said playfully.
“I know,” he replied with a chuckle. He helped her into the wagon that the rancher had taken good care of.
Even after Braden told the man that trade would return to normal and that the Provincial Government was no more, the rancher remained skeptical, shaking his head as he returned to his livestock. “When it rains, it rains too much. When it’s dry, he wants rain. I’m not sure that man will ever be happy,” Braden said, watching the man walk away.
“Maybe that’s what makes him happy?” Micah offered. Braden shrugged. The harness was tight on Arnie. The Wolfoids were in the wagon, empty except for the tent and their supplies. The weapons had been turned over to the new Governor for her to do with as she pleased.
Brandt walked alongside. He no longer wore the brace on his knee. The contraption was in the wagon, taking up space, but they kept it, just in case. G-War was perched in his usual place on top of Brandt’s head. After Braden mounted, Zeller asked Arnie to head out, south toward Cameron.
‘Who’s going with me?’ G-War asked out of the blue.
“Where?” Braden looked sideways at the ‘cat as he glared back.
‘Hillcats? Anyone remember the conversation where the Prince gets to go back to his people, recruit some lady Hillcats to come south? I si
mply cannot take the south over by myself, and those grisly urchins from that vicious creature in Cornwall simply won’t do to carry on my legacy,’ G-War told them.
Micah choked, trying not to laugh out loud. Her children were bonded with the so-called urchins, so she wanted to take offense, but couldn’t because of the Golden Warriors matter-of-fact tone and the images of the cat from Cornwall going after him on their last visit. “Isn’t that your mother, I asked Klytus and Shauna,” Micah said, remembering the throw-down they had the privilege to witness.
Braden laughed, and G-War continued to glare at the humans. ‘Yes. All of you poke fun at the poor ‘cat, just trying to make his humble way in a dangerous world.’
“Did he just say ‘humble’?” Braden said out loud, before doubling over with a full belly laugh.
“Okay, G, you got me. I’ll go with you. Out of Cameron, southwest past Binghamton, to the forested hills of Ankhmar.”
“We’ll have to wait for you in Cameron?” Zeller interjected. Micah nodded.
“Wait, what’s that look?” Micah asked suspiciously, noting her disappointment.
“He has a present for me,” she said in a low voice.
“The blacksmith in Whitehorse” Braden said when he figured it out, realizing that the present wasn’t for him. He was disappointed, but only for a heartbeat. He was happy for Zeller. “Hey, see if he wants to come with us. Old Tom is stretched pretty thin. He could make a difference in the south. We really could use someone like him.”
Zeller smiled, thinking about having him in the south with her, but she would continue to trade. The Old Tech wagon would make things easy for her and Arnie. But it would be nice to come home to someone. They could use a blacksmith in any town besides Dwyer. She’d have to think about it, not about convincing him to come south, but where he could set up a new smithy. Maybe River Crook, but she didn’t know what raw materials he’d need. That would make for good conversation as they traveled. She continued smiling to herself as her daydreams took her away.
Braden and Micah looked at each other, pleased with events and happy that none of the companions were killed. When they were attacked by the archers on the road, they’d realized how vulnerable they were. The feeling of invincibility evaporated with Arnie’s shriek of pain. Old Tech weapons were just tools, not an end-all. Those who held the tools were still only flesh and blood.
Skirill joined the companions in the wagon as Zyena flew ahead. She circled high above, looking for any sign of those who’d served Governor Anderle. Braden suspected that they’d blended back into the populace, returning to their lives as farmers, craftsmen, shop keepers, or any of a myriad of trades. Braden didn’t expect anything, but he sat with his blaster on his hip, fully charged and ready for use. G-War was attentive as well, although when asked why he hadn’t seen the previous ambush coming, G-War suggested that neither he, Braden, nor Micah had been at risk of injury within the timeframe of his visions.
“Let’s all pay more attention. I don’t want to go through that again,” Braden said and Zeller agreed most of all. Arnie was her best friend. She still agonized over the pain that racked her body seeing the arrows embedded in the Aurochs.
After two turns of travel, their worries were unfounded as they moved unmolested along the road. Cameron was a beehive of activity as the people had taken to destroying everything from the Provincial Government and retaking ownership of the town. This included an extensive barricade across the road to Jefferson City. As Braden’s caravan rolled up, a man waved to them in welcome.
“What gives with the barricade?” Braden asked.
“In case the Governor sent his strongmen down this way. We aren’t going to hand our town over to him, not again. If he wants a fight, we’re ready!” the man said boldly, puffing out his chest, before looking at Micah’s arm in a sling and Zeller’s injuries.
“You can take the barricade down. There’s been a change in leadership and the Provincial Government is no more. The next time you see a wagon coming down this road, they’ll be coming to trade, bringing supplies, doing what we do!” Braden shouted back, pumping his fist in the air. The man cheered and ran off. The companions looked at each other and the barricade that the exuberant man left in place.
Brandt lowered his head and pushed the jumble of furniture and rough cut lumber out of the road. Arnie continued into town, heading for the Market Square.
The Power of Hope
Micah removed her sling so she could climb down, but Braden stopped her.
“We need to find our water buffalo rancher and start working the trade!” he said excitedly. She shook her head and climbed down. He pointed to her, then to the road leading east, then back to her, confused. There was a trade waiting for him. He was compelled, almost beyond his control. Micah waved him to her. Braden looked longingly at the road east. He hung his head in surrender and climbed down, unhooked Arnie so he and Brandt could find somewhere to graze, and took Micah’s hand to casually stroll through the market and see what people had to offer.
She found many things to buy and she refused to let Braden negotiate. He was appalled at the high prices she was agreeing to. He grew increasingly miserable as he carried more and more items for her. Braden kept trying to interject sanity into the process, but Micah shushed him. Finally, when he could carry no more, they returned to the wagon where he deposited a small fortune in goods, which shouldn’t have cost a small fortune.
“Why are you punishing me?” he asked her, a sad look on his face.
“Braden, look at these people. Ten turns ago, they were starving. They’re trying to make a go of returning to normal as you asked them to do. So we share a little of the wealth that Holly gave to us. Who cares, especially if it helps?”
“But I’m Free Trader Braden,” he countered in a weak voice. She looked at him until he looked away. “You could have made better deals.”
She lifted his long and sad face. “We’ll get a good deal next time. Look at this place. Look at the people. What we traded today is priceless, it’s the value of hope.”
Braden conceded, knowing that his role had expanded far beyond a simple Free Trader, something he reveled in being and would probably never get the chance to do again. He had a hard time letting go. As usual, Micah taught him the hardest lessons of his life, helping him become better at being himself.
“Okay,” was the most he would say, even though Micah knew what he was thinking.
“I’m sorry, lover. You fill a more important role now. We both do. Teach the other traders how it works, but we have different goals. We create the conditions for everyone else to be successful.” He wanted to argue with her, but looked at the wagon, knowing about the pile of gold and platinum they carried, and saw his friends idly watching people. “From the first turn we met, it’s all you’ve ever done. Don’t you have more now than you’ve ever had before? And you didn’t trade for any of it.”
He wore Old Tech boots, carried an Old Tech bow and blaster on his Old Tech belt, over his Old Tech clothing. His stuff was in an Old Tech wagon, pulled by good friends. Some of the platinum and gold had been his from before, when he plied the northern trade routes, but nothing else. Everything he had was because of finding New Sanctuary. He looked at Micah. Well, not everything. The most important things had nothing to do with things at all.
The caravan met to determine their way ahead. Braden promised to take G-War west and Micah agreed to settle the trade and particulars for the water buffalo. They believed that fifty head awaited them.
The Wolfoids wanted to run with Braden, but it was G-War’s call. They couldn’t scare away the Hillcats that the Golden Warrior was trying to woo into coming south. After Braden thought about it, he figured that he’d need the wagon in case more than one or two ‘cats decided to join them. Brandt suggest that Braden could ride him and they’d make the best time without being overly burdened. Bounder looked at his mate with puppy-dog eyes.
‘Okay, it can be a boys’ trip out. You c
an all do disgusting man things together,’ Gray Strider told them over the mindlink. Micah shook her head. Braden grinned. No sense waiting. He couldn’t look at the pile of goods in the back of the wagon as it countered the nature of his being. Maybe after a trip back to nature, he’d reconcile himself with his new role as Vii’s savior. Until then, though, they were headed to Hillcat country.
It’s a Man’s World
The King of the Aurochs dipped his head so Braden could us his horns to climb onto his head, then crawl down his neck to find a seat on his back. G-War leapt effortlessly to Brandt’s face, then assumed his position crouched on the top of the King’s head. Bounder was ready to run alongside. Braden had his pack with certain things, but they were going to rough it, live off the land for a few turns while they tried to find Prince Axial De’atesh’s people. Zyena said that Skirill could go, too.
The going was easy as people had not yet ventured too far from Cameron. The road was little used and empty for the first part of their journey. Brandt and Bounder raced for half the daylight, until Bounder conceded the King’s dominance in the footrace.
They rested so the Wolfoid could decide if he wanted to try and ride the Aurochs or continue to run. He opted for riding, which created the first challenge of the journey. How does one get a Wolfoid onto the back of the largest of Aurochs?
G-War and Skirill watched with good humor while the others tried to figure it out. They were on a broad plain, no rocks for Brandt to stand next to, no ditches or water to wade into. Braden opted for leaning against Brandt’s side, turning himself into a steep human ramp. Bounder backed up and took a run.
‘This is going to be good,’ G-War quipped just before Bounder jumped. The Wolfoid’s back paws hit Braden’s back like a battering ram. Braden collapsed under the onslaught. Bounder slammed bodily into Brandt’s side, falling on his back on the ground. The ‘cat giggled as he curled his tail around himself, settling in to watch round two.
Free the North! (Free Trader Series Book 5) Page 18