by V C Sanford
Alex flopped down and stretched, the tiny attic bed a welcome respite after the tiny bunks on board ship, despite his throbbing feet hanging over the ends of the rickety frame. Finally, comfortable, he gave a contented sigh as his tired muscled eased up enough to release the tension stored inside. His eyes narrowed as Nikiva moved gracefully around the room, doing the small things that women seemed to find necessary upon entering a room. After several minutes of aimless fussing, she finally sat down in the lone chair and turned to Alex, a look of expectation clear upon her face
“Do you like Cabrell? Would you want to make it your home after you finish your training?”
Nikiva rolled her eyes at his obvious ploy, then sighed and went along with it. “I lived on the farm until I was seven. Until then, I had never traveled farther from home than the county market. When my parents sent me to live in the city I was excited. I didn’t think about how much I would miss them. It’s was a great opportunity for me, and an honor to be chosen to attend Rosemount. But now--- I’m not as sure about my life goals as I once was.”
Alex nodded sympathetically, hoping this was the correct response to her statement. His taste in females usually ran to older, worldlier females so conversation was an option that he usually forswore, preferring his time be put to more practical use. But Nikiva was… different. She intrigued him. And she was smart, too smart for her own good, or his.
“You’ve stalled long enough. Tell me what happened during dinner.”
Drasst! I knew it! Nikiva isn’t going to let me off the hook that easily. “It was enlightening. No threats, merely dinner, and conversation.” A great dinner.
“That’s all?”
“He tried to convince me he was seeking an heir, but he was fishing for information. Nothing direct, but he spent most of the meal asking about my mother’s family and some secret family treasure.”
“Treasure?” She leaned forward, her eyes twinkling with sudden interest. There’d been a lot of wild rumors floating around about Alex’s family after the fire. If only a quarter of them were true, then his uncles’ sudden interest made a lot more sense.
“Supposedly my mother was to pass on some great family secret, but she died before she could tell anyone.”
“Then what’s the problem? If you don’t know, you can’t tell him. Maybe if we ignore him, he’ll lose interest and go away.”
“It’s not that simple. When my uncle was talking about Aurora’s hearth he’d a strange look in his eyes. I’ve seen that look before in my father’s eyes, and it always meant trouble. Then when I mentioned the fire at my family’s home, he looked guilty. I think he knows more of my fathers’ death than he’s admitting.”
“It was strange, the house catching fire and burning so fast. But Alex, your father wasn’t the most popular man in the bottoms. It wouldn’t have taken much…a word here, a few coins there…”
“I’ve wanted to run a knife into his gut myself a time or two. But why burn the house?
“I’m not sure but I bet it has something to do with your mother’s secret. Too bad she died before she could tell anyone.” Nikiva was puzzled as Alex began to grin widely.
“I lied. My mother told me years ago. My uncle asked about a medallion. She talked about it, but she called it a locket, not a medallion. And I think I know where it’s hidden. Aurora was also my grandmothers’ name. My grandfather was a blacksmith. Before he died, he used to joke about how the heat from his forge was colder than Aurora’s heart, heart not hearth. She made sure I knew all the family history, especially the stories about my grandparents. But I only know the general area in which they lived, I was six when they died.”
“Then the story might be true? Something valuable could be hidden in your grandfather’s old forge?”
“There little chance its true…more likely a family fable, but worth checking it out. The old keep burnt long ago, and my grandparents are buried nearby. If my mother never told my father of the locket, it’s possible that it’s hidden near her father’s forge. But it’s more plausible my father found it and sold it to buy whiskey.”
“No chance you’re really being named your uncles’ prospective heir and becoming a rich noble?” she speculated.
“Not likely…” Alex replied grimly. “I don’t need to see a flame to feel its burn. The smart thing to do is to concentrate on building our shipping business. But it might be worth taking a week off to check out the old homestead. If we find it, then we can decide if we should inform my uncle.”
“Your uncle still scares me,” Nikiva said. “And that man who works for Samsara, Castillo, he’s even worse. He gives me chills.”
“He might scare you, but he has no reason to hurt you regardless of his end game. You’ll be perfectly safe after we leave town.”
Alex missed the sudden tears, but the quiver of her lips gave it away. She realized they were leaving Cabrell. He was in for a fight, a fight he’d happily avoid and couldn’t win.
*******
“Some plan, slip out at daybreak before your uncle wakes up and hope he didn’t think you’d move so fast,” Maxx retorted snidely. He dipped the corner of his shirt into mink oil, liberally applying it to his boots to help keep the water out. Every time he went out in the snow, his feet got wet. Then he got sick. He took a quick look out the window at the snow drifts in the courtyard, sighed and started rubbing again.
Alex gestured rudely with three fingers, and then ignored the surly Duaar as he continued going over the checklist. “We have plenty of trail food and enough water in our canteens for several days. We’ve already loaded our packs and the horses have new shoes. Maxx you carry your axe as usual. I’ll take my sword.”
“What if I preferred to use my sword?” Maxx retorted.
“Well, that might be better,” Alex snapped. “You’ve already proven that axe gets you into more trouble, than out.”
“Hilarious,” Maxx replied sarcastically. “It’s not like you are a great swordsman. Sometimes things just happen. I seem to remember a time down in Zubalo that….”
“It shouldn’t take us more than a week, ---if the weather holds. The old homestead is about a day’s travel east of Cabrell. That gives us five days to locate the medallion.”
“Are you sure you packed enough?” Alex could be a pain, always needing to review every detail. Besides the standard dried travel biscuits, Alex had bought flour, sugar, salt lard, some jerky, dried fruit and kava for them both. Maxx also carried most of the nonfood items they would need: a length of spider-silk, a few arrowheads, extra waxed bowstrings, flint, tinder and some lamp oil. At the last moment, Alex added the spare candle from the small chest. It never hurt to be prepared. That, along with their clothes and bedding would have to do, the packs wouldn’t hold anymore.
“We have to assume that my uncle will have people stationed nearby to watch us. Since we know this already, it won’t be a problem to lose any tails. Once we evade his men, he has no way of knowing where we are going. We can leave when the Gates open at dawn, blend in with the caravan that’s leaving for Alliance. We’ll leave a note for Addie and Tula.
********
“It’s almost daylight. We need to go now.” Alex was like a hungry dog guarding a bone, he wasn’t going to let up until they were leagues away from Cabrell.
Maxx sighed, he knew what was coming.
The familiar morning sounds of Tula in the kitchen, as well as the hauntingly familiar smell of fresh bread, made Alex feel a bit foolish about all the precautions he was taking. Reaching the courtyard outside, he stopped in his tracks, puzzled by the sight of their horses, saddled and standing docilely next to two unknown geldings.
Hearing familiar voices approaching, Maxx decided he needed to fetch the mule from the barn. Nikiva and Rhianwen came out of the kitchen loaded with fresh baked goods, confident Alex had not scheduled time for breakfast. Rhianwen shyly offered Maxx a muffin which he accepted with a grateful smile. Then both sat back to watch the fireworks.
&nb
sp; “You two are not coming with us! Alex shouted. How’d you even know we were leaving?”
“It wasn’t that hard to figure out. You spent most of the night staring at your packs. And you checked the shoes on both horses when you fed them. You would need cover to slip out of town without your uncle finding out. It was either leave this morning with the caravan or wait a week or two and give him time to post watchers.”
“It doesn’t change things. It’s too dangerous a trip for young girls.”
Maxx snorted loudly, not even bothering to muffle the sound. Ha! Keep that attitude and Nikiva will soon show you how little you know about women… or their minds.”
Nikiva ignored his rant. She placed two large sacks of food into the pack tied to the saddle of her waiting horse. “You said there’d be no reason for your uncle to hurt me or Rhianwen. So, there’s no reason not to come with you. Remember how you bragged about how you’re prepared for any eventuality that may occur? This is one of those eventualities.”
Alex tried once more. “But, ---you are girls! It’s just wrong---it’s unseemly! Wait! Maxx, help me with this.”
Maxx grinned and laid back against his pack, enjoying the hole his friend was digging for himself. There’s no way the girls were going to let them leave without them. Alex was living in a fool’s paradise.
“Maxx knows when to keep his mouth shut. We’re coming with you, and that’s that,” Nikiva stated flatly, swinging her leg across the big paints back. She shifted forward, settling her body into the worn leather saddle. Seconds later Tweet joined her. He settled into a comfortable spot on top her bedroll and promptly fell asleep.
“I give up, you can come with us. We don’t have time to stand around and argue. The West gate is opening within the hour, and if we don’t hurry, we’ll get stuck behind the caravan.” Some choice, he either scrapped his entire plan or got everyone moving before someone noticed their escape. Once more a girl had backed him into a corner with no way out.
Chapter 10
“Rider coming in hot, Sergeant.”
The rapid drumming of the horses’ hoofs against the hard ground could be heard several moments before the heavily lathered animal appeared in the distance. The exhausted outrider was addressing the sergeant almost before the weary horse came to a full stop, his voice loud from excitement.
“The road’s blocked ahead Sarge, there was a landslide. One man’s injured, his horse had to be put down. He needs a healer now. He’ll have to be carried out. It’ll take some time to clear a path wide enough for the wagons to get thru.”
“We’ll have to salvage what we can from the situation. Take a quarter turn break before you report back.” A slight frown creased his weathered brow before Sergeant Axon addressed his adjunct. “Corporal Marcius! Ride out and get me an idea of what we are facing. The captain will want the pass cleared and he won’t be in the mood to hear excuses. I’ll be awaiting your report.” He mounted, then addressed the corporal once again. “And send someone for the healer.” Spurring his horse back toward the wagon’s preparing to pull out of last night’s camp he contemplated what he was going to tell his commander.
The well-trained troops hastened to obey. The weary corporal continued shouting orders as he mounted his own horse. Breakfast would have to wait.
Captain Anderson had just finished his breakfast when Sergeant Axon knocked on the frame of his tent. The ever-vigilant aide-de-camp beckoned him inside, warning him with a look that the Captain was not in the best of moods. Sergeant Axon steeled himself for the inevitable reprimand, the commander disliked having his private time interrupted.
“Excuse the interruption, sir! There’s been a landslide about a half mile into the pass. It’s entirely blocked, I doubt a cart, much less a wagon, can get through. Estimates are at least two days, possibly three before we can proceed.”
“That’s not an option. I want the blockage removed by tomorrow morning. Put the civilians to work, they won’t like it, but we can’t afford the delay. I don’t want excuses. Even the elderly and children can carry pails and water. Take care of it.”
“Even with the civilians help it’s not going to be easy to clear this mess.”
“There are limited alternatives, we either clear the pass or return to Cabrell. Neither option will help the hungry men begging for supplies. We could confiscate the civilians’ private stock to carry the military supplies and transfer the food to pack animals, but we’d have to abandon everything else.”
“That’s a decision I can’t make at this time. Keep me apprised of your progress. And Sergeant, extend the guard line outwards. It would be injudicious of me to overlook the possibility of a trap.”
Sergeant Axon saluted wearily. It had already been a harrowing journey, fraught with hit and run attacks and costly weather delays. Now, this happens. He didn’t look forward to delivering the captains orders. Several of the merchants were instigators, looking for any excuse to cause trouble. This setback would only fuel the fires. At least it wouldn’t be his responsibility to notify the civilians. He’d hate to be in the wagon master’s boots when he delivered the unwelcome news.
********
The news turned the wagon masters face colder than the winter wind howling between the scattered wagons. He stood, paced around a bit and then spat on the ground near the sergeant’s right foot.
The sergeants tightened his fists in disgust. “I realize this is putting you in a difficult position but that was totally uncalled for.”
“Can’t help the way I feel. Maybe I shouldn’t have let my temper get away from me. I know you’re simply doing your job. How long will it take?” The grizzled old drover squinted against the brightness of Omission’s dual suns. Well past midday. Another day lost. Not many more and we’ll lose half the fresh food desperately needed at the fort. Scurvy sets in fast when all you get to eat is bread and meat.
“Captain says by tomorrow but that’s not realistic. If the weather holds, a few days, maybe four,” he replied. He tried to tell himself this was one of those things that happen on the road, but the entire situation didn’t feel right. The circumstances were too favorable, what with the slide creating an obstruction exactly halfway between Cabrell and Fort Blackville. The captain was already entertaining thoughts of an ambush. Still, it wouldn’t be the first time the unit found its self in difficult circumstances.
The cargo master muttered something that Alex didn’t catch before heading off in the direction of the main cook fires. Most of the caravan’s population gathered there every morning to unwind and enjoy the meal together before a long day on the trail. The weary civilians, already exhausted from the daily rigors of the trek, looked dejected at the idea of a shortened breakfast and long day of work, followed by a second and possibly a third of the same.
Nikiva felt the same disappointment but accepted it was part of the consequence of being in a large party. When something went wrong, everyone chipped in to help. Alex quickly explained what he’d overheard, including the sergeant's fears of a possible ambush. Even if the excavation went smoothly, accidents always happened, especially when people were already in a foul mood before beginning a task. Maybe it would be better if Rhianwen stayed behind. “Why don’t you stay here and rest, there’s sure to be need of your healing skills soon.
She was tired, so she quickly agreed.
“When will we leave for the site?” Nikiva asked.
Alex hesitated, debating whether he could convince Nikiva to rest with Rhianwen, and then decided it wasn’t worth the fight. “As soon as we can get our horses saddled.”
*********
Maxx tied Panda, his paint mare, to a downed tree alongside several heavily lathered horses. He studied the slide for a moment and then made his way over to the soldier that seemed to be in charge. The young corporal seemed more suspicious than welcoming at the interruption.
“Heard you boys had a slight problem. What can I do to help?”
The two men stood staring eye to eye, then th
e harried soldiers scowl evaporated as it was replaced by a welcoming smile. He used the corner of his torn shirt and wiped the caked dirt and sweat from his face with a weary sigh. He’d been digging since the landslide was discovered.
“We’ve two scouts pinned down by debris. Between the loss of blood and the wintry weather, it’s a race against time. The sooner we get them out the better chance they have of survival. If you could help with that, it’d be appreciated Pick yourself a spot and dig in.”
“There’s a sergeant riding this way with a platoon of additional men and the wagon master was forming the civilians into work groups. I had my axe with me when the trooper reported to the sergeant, so I was able to ride back with him. I’ll be over there if you need me,” Maxx pointed toward a tall blonde man chopping haphazardly a jumble of trees and branches. Despite his effort, his short sword wasn’t having much effect on the splintered trunks.
“Let me take a swing at that,” he said. The exhausted soldier didn’t argue. Maxx raised the iron axe overhead, exhaling as he swung downwards. The heavy blade bit deeply into the green wood, cracking the width of the bole of the broken tree. A second blow broke the trunk in half.
Acknowledging the Duaar’s axe as the better tool, the tired soldier tied a rope from the trunk section to the horn on his horses’ saddle and then used the animal to drag it away from the pile. Maxx grinned at his new partner, and then, whistling a jaunty sea tune, returned to chopping.
********
Maxx shifted his heavy axe to a more comfortable position across his back, tied his sword to the saddle and then trotted his mare behind the soldiers heading back to the campsite for a meal. It’d been three days of backbreaking work, with only short breaks for food or sleep. Gazing around at the epicenter of the landslide in the early morning light, Maxx realized what a tenuous situation the entire caravan faced. The Apex Pass was the only route that bisected the mountains, shortening travel time by several weeks over the flatter but much longer passage that followed the perimeter of the western side of the mountains. Many generations of traders had followed the well-traveled but arduous passage that descended at a relatively steep angle into a sheltered canyon. About halfway thru the canyon, the road made a sharp turn to the right, following along the wall of the canyon until it reached a natural bottleneck along a dry creek bed, passing through a crevice between two enormous boulders. The road through the bottleneck had been completely blocked by a combination of dirt, large boulders, small rocks and shattered trees piled randomly within the close confines of the passage. It was a perfect site for an ambush.