Joe laughed at that and ended the exchange as he wasn’t comfortable with where the conversation was going. He’d had no intention with turning this exchange into a flirting session as he was well and truly taken however he’d kind of stepped in it without really thinking about it, his mouth talking too fast and needed this to end. He nodded his head, admitting defeat and giving the win to Gwenvair.
“Alright. Alright. You win. Lead on.”
Gwenvair giggled at that, an actual delightful giggle and he saw Kilniara giggle in return as well and Joe felt relief slide through him when he saw how comfortable Kilniara was in accepting the exchange. Her lack of jealousy was refreshing but he was feeling a bit confused that she didn’t seem to be jealous at all. Why would she not be jealous. It seems a bit much, unless … wait… she’s not human. Is it an Acokzau thing? Joe was distracted from his thoughts when Gwenvair turned away and lead him on.
“This way, Joe.”
Joe turned and followed Gwenvair, saying nothing. The other three followed behind, their silent awe staring out over the fields slowly replaced by excited chattering. Joe remained silent as did Gwenvair and they walked down the wall easily, it’s thirty meter wide top quite comfortable to be on top of, despite it’s great height and odd split. Huh… obviously the inner section is supposed to be some kind of … protected area? Why didn’t they do the same for the outside?
They continued their walk on the lower wall, the obvious thoroughfare of the wall before they came upon the Matriarch. She was surrounded by a crowd who reported to her or listened to orders before running out to enact them. As Gwenvair led them up, the Matriarch quickly noticed Joe’s arrival but did not disengage, taking in the reports from another few people before stopping the next and coming to stand before Joe when they arrived.
“Eccentric. It is a joy to have you here with us.”
Joe bowed his head and a shallow bow of his shoulders as well before standing, “Please. You may call me Joe. And, I am uncertain what one man can do to help, but I’m more than willing to offer my help.”
“You are too humble, Ec… Joe. I am certain you will be a blessing.”
Joe smiled at that and shrugged, “Well, I will do my best. Tell me when and where you want me.”
The Matriarch’s eyes flickered at that and she paused, seeming to be uncertain. Joe hadn’t much thought of his reply, but when he saw her pause immediately followed by Gwenvair’s bright smile, he wondered what he’d said that was so unusual but before he needed to ask, Gwenvair seemed to help him.
“You are willing to follow the command of the Matriarch?”
Joe blinked at that, surprised that it seemed expected that he wouldn’t. He looked to both Gwenvair and Kilniara for advice, Gwenvair especially as she knew nobility and their expectations. But both of their bright smiles offered little but happiness at his word. Guess I’ll double down then?
Joe nodded, “It is your city, is it not? I should follow the commands and rulership of the leaders of the city.”
The Matriarch’s smile was soft, but seemed to be honest happiness, “I’m honored by your trust.”
Joe laughed, “And your trust in me.”
The Matriarch nodded before waving to the side, “I had offered you a place on the wall next to me.”
Joe nodded, “I’m more than willing to do that.”
The Matriarch nodded at that, “Excellent. First in Line for Matriarch Gwenvair will lead you to your place.”
Joe bowed slightly again, recognizing the dismissal as he stepped back and turned to Gwenvair with expectation.
Gwenvair smiled and turned, leading him another dozen or two strides down the wall before lining up outwards there. When he saw that, he soon became aware that the defenders on the wall appeared to be quite spread out with about ten to fifteen meters of space between each person with each person seeming to have a support group of some kind congregating on the lower rear section of the wall. The entire front section of the wall seemed devoted only to the combatants. Joe pursed his lips in thought. Huh… not what I was expecting at all. I’m supposed to block this entire section of the wall? Joe glanced back and forth between his left and right. The person to his left was a man wearing quite flamboyant clothing with an arrogant dismissive look on his face when he looked back at Joe. Joe immediately dismissed him as anyone important… or… anyone pleasant to speak with, and turned back to take in to thought how he was going to do this. I’m going to go through … a lot… of arrows!
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
He put down the two bundles of arrows he was holding, chewing on his lips and tongue while he thought carefully. He let them fall to the ground and grimaced when he saw them poorly supported and not in an easy position for him to pick his next arrow. A barrel? Or bucket? About twice the width of these arrows? That could maybe do it? Maybe two? Then I can have them refill one and run it up when the first empties? And maybe…
Joe ended his thoughts and stepped up to the edge of the wall, stiffening his courage to put his toes over the edge of the wall itself before leaning forward to look over. Once again, he wasn’t close enough to see the actual base of the wall, but still looked over for a few moments before stepping back and shaking his head. I’m going to need a rope. He stepped up to where the other four were sitting on the bottom steps, their entire body safely hidden by the upper wall.
“Gwenvair? I’m sorry, but could I have two buckets or barrels about twice the diameter of these arrow bundles but only about half the height? And could you also get a stand, or table, that comes up to about my knee large enough to easily hold one of these barrels or buckets without it falling off easily. And… a rope? Long enough to cross this wall?”
Gwenvair listened carefully, nodding before agreeing, “Yes, Joe.”
Gwenvair jogged off towards a runner that was waiting patiently on the lower section down from them while Joe looked around then began to frown. There isn’t any … oh… wait… there’s one. Joe’s frown disappeared when he saw a possible anchor point for where he could tie his rope and nodded before sitting down with the other three. The other four ignored his joining and Joe smiled, actually happy that they were now feeling much more comfortable about speaking around him and holding their own conversations. Gwenvair came back a few seconds later and sat down next to Kilniara. She looked at Joe when she did so, but then turned to the conversation, quickly joining the discussion. Joe soon joined them only a few moments later and they enjoyed their time until the runner returned with several others, carrying several buckets, barrels, two tables, and a rope.
The tables brought up weren’t exactly perfect, but one proved about the right height and all the buckets proved perfect so he ended up with three perfect receptacles for his arrows. He placed it on his table and dumped one of the bundles of arrows in it, practicing drawing from it a few times before nodding. It wasn’t perfect, but it certainly was better than any alternatives. He then took his other bundle and barrel back to the lower ledge.
“Alright. I’ll need your help. Basically, I need arrows and just keep them coming as much as you can. Drop them in the barrel point down like I have them, then just be ready. When you see my barrel almost empty, bring up another full one for me. Don’t wait until the last arrow is gone. It’s a waste of time for me to find every one. Just when you see me trying to grab another one… if it’s taking a bit of time to find another arrow, it’s time for the bucket to change, OK? So, just a new one when there are maybe only a couple dozen left.”
Garnedell and Kilniara nodded but Zilnek puzzled a bit, “Then, when there are twenty or thirty arrows left?”
Joe nodded, “Yeah. That would be fine. It might be more or less depending on how the arrows fall in the bucket. It may be less if I am lucky and all the arrows pile up together against the edge like this,” Joe demonstrated by pulling out the bundle and leaving a dozen or so propped up nicely against the edge.
“Or, it might be more if they are like this,” Joe continued, adding another couple dozen arrows then scattering them to roll around the rim and lay down at the most oblique angle, making them very difficult to grasp, let alone even pulling out as many were laid over the top of each other.
“Does that make sense?” Joe ended.
Zilnek immediately understood and nodded his head, “Yes. That makes sense.”
Joe smiled and returned the arrows to the bucket then the bucket back to his table. He then returned and began looking at the rope. It turned out to be incredibly thin, more so than he was comfortable with, and he began testing its strength. Gwenvair quickly noticed and interjected.
“It is very strong.”
“It can hold my weight?” Joe asked.
“Well, I… are you exceptionally heavy?”
Joe smirked at that, “I’m not sure, but I would guess only about twice your weight… if you weigh the same as Kilniara?”
Gwenvair smiled at that, “Then yes. It will hold your weight easily.”
Joe nodded, not letting the comments go further as he then took a look at the anchor point where the rope would be attached. It proved to be a simple if sturdy metal ring. Joe frowned, looking at his rope then back at the metal ring. It’s not going to be useful. If I need to run to the edge straight on, that’s fine, but if I need to run side to side, I’m going to be locked at a specific length. Joe grimaced as he tried to figure out options but ultimately found himself unable to really think of anything. He knew that there were options as mountain climbers were able to use carbringers … carbingers? Carabiners? Something… and some kind of knot, but he couldn’t think of it for the life of him. Finally, he decided to just accept his limitations and settled for a static length.
He tied the rope carefully onto the anchor point then wrapped the rope around his waist before measuring it off to the edge. Once on the edge, he tied it tightly around his waist then walked back to the anchor where he tied the lose end back to the anchor, giving him a backup. He found himself a bit at odds, feeling unsettled, a nervousness that seemed to resonate through him. This felt way too much like preparing for battle, and when the realization hit that he was actually preparing for battle, a small panic attack set in and he took deep breaths to calm himself. After five or so minutes, he felt bit calmer and decided to take stock of the situation.
His stomach still fluttered, but he forced himself to move and he went back to overlook the field outside the wall. Up to this point, it had been an odd dissonance to be preparing for an obvious siege, but no one seemed agitated or concerned and his discomfort only grew more, if subtly. His earlier realization of being in actual battle now just added to the emotional roil in his stomach. The relaxed attitude of feeling prepared fought violently with the growing but tightly controlled terror of battle and left Joe disconcerted as he was feeling the tension much more obviously now. He surveyed the field for a time, tension fluctuating from uptight to relaxed and back again as he remembered his purpose for being on the wall. Well… this is weird… and very unpleasant.
* * *