Traveling back to the bridge to head east takes more time when traveling with three people than it did when Bao was alone. This may have been because Keyon was still being cautious around Bao. He insisted on making Maria travel with the horse in the middle of the two men while Bao was in the front so he could keep an eye on them both. Meanwhile, Maria seems to have no problems talking to Bao as they spend a few days traveling.
“Bao, what’s the difference between a hamlet and a village?” This was one of the many questions Maria asked about Bao’s life.
“I guess I would say that a hamlet is smaller than a village. Back home, our communities are all so reliant on each other that even though we’re spread across the jungle, we consider ourselves each to be a part of one large community. Even the Redmane and Orcan communities are treated like family there,” Bao thinks for a moment before continuing, “Of course, the Redman communities are larger than any Sosun hamlets so I would definitely call them villages. As for the Orcans, no one has ever seen their communities underwater, so I have no idea what they’re actually like.”
“I see,” Maria seems to be invested in Boa’s words and is eager to learn more, “so then do you have a king or queen that rules over the jungle? I’ve not heard of anyone like that but how do people organize and who guides them?”
Bao is a little confused by her questions, “If you mean a chieftain like the Redmanes then no. Each hamlet has their own group of men who discuss the wellbeing of their community. These men are advised by the elder who is usually the oldest or most experienced of the men. The elders of each hamlet may get together during a crisis but that isn’t common. So even though we rely on each other for our livelihoods, we operate on our own most of the time.”
“That's really interesting! In my country of Tab, there are lots of large towns with people who rule the city a lot like your elders. But each of these cities is ultimately controlled by the emperor who lives in the capital. I think that sounds like if one of your elders was in control of the entire jungle.”
Both Maria and Bao began laughing at such an absurd implication. Of course, neither one is laughing at the same thing. Maria imagines an old and decrepit man ruling over an entire jungle. While Bao images how ridiculous a single person ruling over so many people sounds.
“Well, that’s how things are for me anyway,” Maria continues, “but I don’t know how things are in Keyon’s hometown. He isn't originally from the city of Tab or the nation,” She turns back to face Keyon who is diligently trailing behind them, “isn't that right Keyon?”
Keyon replies but he turns down the princess’ request to speak about his personal life, “I'd rather not talk about my past too much. I've dedicated a lot to wear this armor and serve Tab. I'd like to leave it at that.”
“Oh yeah the armor!” Bao had noticed the armor when they first met but hadn’t found a chance to ask about it. It wasn’t a full suit by any means but there was just enough on the chest, legs, and arms to provide moderate protection. It definitely looked like it traded protection for mobility but since Keyon has been on foot for who knows how long, Bao figured it made perfect sense. The armor itself wasn’t colored. It was probably simple steel. The leather and cloth in between the plates though, were all a uniform olive green. On first thought, it might just have been a style choice, but now that Bao understands Keyon is a member of an organized military, there had to be meaning behind it, “I noticed the green accent earlier. Does it have any special meaning?”
Keyon is silent but Maria is more than happy to explain, “Each branch of Tab’s military wear the same armor within their respective roles. The armor may have different styles but the color accent is universally used to mark a soldier’s roles within the military. Keyon is wearing the Green Plate of Fortitude which symbolizes life and is reserved for soldiers who guard the royalty. This is the plate that I see the most often, but the Red Plates of Courage are the ones who make up most of our army and are the most common. Other plates are the White Plates of Perfection who enforce the law in the cites and countryside, the Blue Plates of Freedom who make up the military at sea, the Orange Plates of Promise who enforce the borders, and the Black Cloaks of Silence. The Cloaks are, uh, like an elite guard you could say.” Maria gives an awkward laugh at describing the last Plate which isn’t a plate but a cloak.
“The Black Cloaks are our spies and assassins.” Keyon remarks. He is proud of his military, and the chance to intimidate their new companion is not something he can pass up, “although it wouldn’t make sense to refer to them as the Black Cloaks and then have them actually wear black cloaks. They only wear their uniforms during ceremonies. The rest of the time they might look just... like... you...” Keyon slowed his speech down just enough to tease Bao a little but also to remind him that, even after a few days of traveling, he still isn’t trusted.
As the bridge over the river once again comes into sight, Bao notices a fork in the road that he had missed earlier. Once he came closer to it, he realized the reason for that was because if someone approached it from the opposite side, it would be hidden from view. This second path dipped down a hill for a way before leveling out again in the distance so unless you saw the trail right as it veered from the main road, you’d miss it. Bao let his eyes follow the route of this second trail to see where it would lead. Rather than continuing west as Bao had done, this road headed north and appeared as if it would either run right through the mountains, or just alongside them. Of course, he could only imagine where the trail would lead, as it eventually turned around a hill and disappeared and disappeared from sight.
Keyon interrupts Bao’s thoughts, “It looks like we might have more company, Lady Maria,” he says as he directs her attention in the direction of the north road.
Turning around the hill and coming into sight was a large caravan. They are still too far off to see what kind of humans they are, but they have several wagons large enough for a few dozen people and plenty of animals to haul their supplies.
“Be careful Bao,” Maria speaks up as Keyon helps her unmount from her horse, “we don’t know what kind of people these are yet,” Maria turns to Bao with a look of concern on her face, “it would be nice to join up with a caravan if they are headed in the same direction but that road travels along the outskirts of Tab so they might not be running a completely legitimate business.”
Maria completely changed from the carefree attitude she had when speaking with Bao for the first time. This reassured him that she wasn’t concerned about whether she could trust him or not, but it also made him uneasy in this new situation. His only guide to the outside appeared so nervous about these new people.
“They are still a long way off,” Bao tried to offer some advice. Even if he didn’t fully understand the situation, he thought it might put Maria more at ease, “we could hide here for a moment and try to learn a little about them. Or we could hurry to the other side of the bridge and see if they go that direction. Maybe that would-”
“Wait a minute!” Keyon interrupts, keeping his gaze fixed on the new group. “The situation may have just changed. Princess, please take a look at the end of their caravan, the last wagon”
The three of them focus on the end of the procession. As the last of the wagons turn around the hill, coming into sight, one large human is clearly visible from even this distance. A giant human walking behind the caravan with four strong insectile legs and four arms chained to the wagon. The human is just as tall as the wagon itself and they look as though they might be able to destroy the wagon and free themselves at any time. Despite that, this new human appears docile and is keeping pace with the procession in quiet solitude.
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The sight of this human took both Maria and Bao’s breath away, “Keyon, isn't that a Sulfuges?”
“Thats right... A Sulfuges,” Keyon turns his attention to Bao, “Listen Bao. I assume you’ve never seen a human like this before. Sulfuges are incredibly strong and intelligent humans. Never get too close to one of these humans unless they are properly restrained. Otherwise, you are putting your own life at risk.”
Bao thinks about that for a moment as he watches the caravan slowly draw closer, “But they are still humans, right? I mean, I see that they look like beasts but even Redmanes look intimidating sometimes, but Sosuns have no issues with them,” Bao pauses for a minute, second guessing if even his most basic assumptions are shared by his companions, “...right?”
“But it's not the same with Sulfuges, Bao,” Maria tries to help explain the situation. “Sosuns naturally get along with lots of other humans, and Redmanes are very communal, so once they accept a Sosun it is a very strong bond. A Sulfuges is completely different though. Those humans are solitary and cursed with incredible bloodlust. They are incredibly strong and just as intelligent. In their own lands they hunt down anything and kill it without mercy. They are one of the most dangerous groups of humans in the world,” She pauses for a moment, “if this caravan is holding a Sulfuges captive, then they must be aware of the attention it attracts. I doubt they are doing anything illegal. That’s probably the same reason why they’re taking back roads. Less traffic is safer for them and anyone else.”
Keyon interjects. “I agree princess. Not only that but even the sight of a Sulfuges is enough to keep most trouble away. If anyone were to ambush them, the risk of setting him loose would be too high.”
“It would be mutual destruction for both sides...” Bao thinks out loud. He is finally beginning to understand the situation, “so, maybe it would be best if we could join up with the caravan to avoid trouble ourselves. As long as we stay towards the front, we shouldn’t have anything to worry about. That’s what you are getting at correct?” Bao turned to Maria to see what she thought.
“Yes Bao, that is exactly what we are thinking. Although that’s much easier said than done. I'm sure none of us enjoy the thought of traveling with our greatest danger moving right behind us but those people seem to have established a working system. I'm sure the Sulfuges understands that he can’t fight an entire caravan by himself.”
“Alright, then its settled,” Keyon begins to suggest a plan, “Bao, you will go out to meet the caravan, find out which direction they are headed, and possibly get permission to travel with them for a time. While you are doing that, I will stay here with the princess and guard her.”
Something about that plan doesn’t seem fair to Bao, “So, you’re hiding while I put myself at risk?”
Keyon isn’t too concerned about how Bao feels about the plan, “don't think of it as hiding. I can't just leave you here with the princess alone and I’m not about to send her down there either. Right now, you are the only person I can afford to lose if worse comes to worse.”
Bao looks at Maria for any indication that she is against this plan, but she avoids eye contact and just keeps staring down the road. Bao is surprised that these two could send someone they hardly know into an uncomfortable situation like this. The plan did make sense though. He was just taken aback by how easily they both accepted it. After a moment he set out down the trail to meet the others. As he walked down the slope, the other two left to observe from a place that wouldn’t be so easily seen as from the road.
“Do you think he will be alright down there Keyon?” Maria feels bad about it, but she doesn’t have a better plan.
Keyon doubles down on his distrust of Bao, “I don’t care what happens to him, but yes, I think he will be fine. But if anything does happen, make sure to stay close to me. We’ll escape the same way as last time. That’s one of the reasons I was assigned to the Green Plates after all.”
While Bao is still a ways off from the caravan, he waves to the front to try and get their attention. As they come closer, one of the riders in the front wagon appears to speak to a rider next to him. The second rider turns around and heads to another wagon. They return with a third rider just as Bao comes within shouting distance.
“Afternoon travel,” the third rider makes the first greeting. He is a Redmane, “what kind of poor soul is so down on his luck that he’d be alone on this road and without even so much as a horse for company?” Bao is relieved to see that the man is a Redmane. His blunt but friendly speech is just familiar enough that Bao is put at ease.
Bao shrugs when he thinks about how desperate he must look, “I suppose I put myself in this situation Redmane. I came from the jungles south of here. I plan to travel the continent, but ,” He looks at the horses, “I only recently realized that I might not have the means to do so.”
The Redmane’s eyes become wide at hearing this, and he starts to laugh with amusement, “this is a first for me. Originally, I’m from the nomads to the east, and whenever I speak with the Redmanes in your jungle, they’ve never mentioned a Sosun leaving.”
“I do have my belongings from the home if you need proof. I don’t have any problems showing them to you,” Bao was confident that they trusted him but, because of the problems he had with Keyon, he felt like it was worth going an extra mile. “Wow, I wish I would have thought of that while I was talking to Keyon. Him and Maria aren’t merchants though so I wonder if they would have even been able to verify my story anyway.”
“No need to worry about something like that Sosun. I’ve been all around the world and I’ve only ever seen Sosuns like you in the jungle or far to the west in deserts opposite from here. Though, seeing you as I rode up, I thought you may have been from the desert. It’s just so rare for a Sosun to leave the jungle,” The Redmane lets out another hearty laugh.
“I guess that’s just something I need to get used to,” Bao thought to himself. He was starting to realize that his appearance stood out a little more than he expected, “thank you for trusting me. My name is Bao and I’ve been traveling for the past several days to learn more about the world outside of what I’ve grown accustomed to,” he pauses for a moment, “that gets a little easier every time,” he motions to the direction he just came from, “I was wondering if I should go east or west when I saw your group coming up the road. If you don’t mind, I’d be a lot more at ease traveling with a group like yours.”
“Ah yes, safety in numbers as they say,” The man speaks while stroking his large heavy beard. It runs down to the middle of his chest and spreads the full width. Just like the chieftain Bao had previously spoken to, he couldn’t tell where his hair ended and where the beard began.
“We’re making our way to our home of sorts to the east. Of course you can travel with us! It only makes sense to help someone on the road after all. My name is Barros by the way, and I run things in this caravan. You’ll learn soon enough if you keep traveling that this can be a pretty unforgiving life. We have a few horses available you can use. Or if you’d like, you can ride along in one of the wagons with a few other passengers,” he begins to turn his horse around and head back, “if you grab one now and ride ahead, I should have two more ready by the time we reach the fork at the top of the hill,” he laughs again as he rides off leaving behind an awkward silence between Bao and the other riders. He realizes Barros meant they would be getting horses ready for Maria and Keyon as well.
The riders help Bao find the horses and he unties one from the back of a wagon. While getting it ready he peers into the wagon out of curiosity. Here, he sees three children trying to occupy themselves within the small vehicle. Bao recognizes the first. A Redmane boy. Bao has never seen the other two humans before. He stares for a moment, stopping just short of feeling rude. Instead of bare skin like a Sosun, scales, fir, or a carapace, like some of the other humans he has encountered, the second boy is covered in beautiful feathers with a pair of large wings folded on his back. His head, neck, and shoulders are covered in clean and powerful white, and the rest of his body is an equally striking black. The skin around his eyes is a vibrant red that stands out against the white feathers and almost traps Bao when their gaze meets.
The second human was even more captivating than the boy. It is a small girl, maybe the youngest of the three. As she moves, she occasionally steps into rays of light making their way through the roof of the wagon. When this happens, it becomes clear to Bao that her body is made of a type of stone. The light wraps around her and refracts in some places and for brief moments she appears to glow a myriad of colors. For having a stone body, or at least stone skin, the girl doesn’t seem any less agile or energetic than the two boys. After realizing he has wasted too much time, Bao finishes getting the horse and prepares to ride back to meet the others. He stops for one more moment and glances back.
“I have a lot to learn.”