CHAPTER 32 GUARDING THE CARAVAN
I woke up with Laioch calling to me, “Someone approaches.” Stretching, I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and stood up. Quickly pulling on my shirt I swung open the door and saw Reona and Tasia standing by the front of the cart.
“Good morning ladies, I hope you had a good night.” They both looked at me and nodded as I hopped down. “Let’s go get some breakfast,” I suggested. Walking into the Inn we made our way to a booth and sat down and ordered as soon as the serving girl arrived.
“I have some new to tell you, “I began. “We are now partners with the owner and his brother Ingar in a trading venture called heavy Hold Trading. I put up the Golden Ass and some gold and we have formed a partnership. You are both included under me as co-owners.”
The girls stared at me surprise on their faces, and Reona was the first to speak. “Why would you include us? It’s a nice gesture but one that will take away from any profits that the company might earn for you.” Seeing Tasia nod her head I smiled at them and then told them why I had made the choice to include them.
“War is coming, I have no doubts about that, and while you both have a place back at the city, the fact is you may not make it back there, and I do not want to leave you alone in a war-torn realm without any support.”
Tasia broke interrupted me and asked, “It sounds like you are planning on a future where you might not be around?”
Nodding I replied, “My life has commitments that I can’t explain to you, and there is a real possibility that I might have to leave at any time.” Thinking back to the shock of losing Ama I knew that as soon as I could I had to return to Hell, my son was there, alone now. I could not explain this without telling the girls who I really was so I just left it at that. I knew that they were not satisfied with what I had said, but life is like that sometimes.
The breakfast arrived as did the Innkeeper who got right to the point, “Torn would it be possible for you to leave today, the caravan has come together faster than expected and Ingar is chomping at the bit to get going?”
I looked at the girls and wiggled my eyebrows, they shared a quick look and agreed that we could go anytime as our carts were loaded. We arranged to meet at the north gate of the city and were promised that our carts would be ready to leave as soon as we were done breakfast.
I excused myself to go clean up and arranged to meet the girls outside in a few minutes. Once I was done with my morning washup I went outside and watched as the Oxyacs were put into harness. Within minutes Reona, Tasia and I were sitting on the wide bench and guiding the wagons through the street. The Diggerduggers were all sitting in the back cart hidden from sight as we navigated the towns streets.
It took about an hour and we were finally free of the town, about a kilometer from town we met up with the Caravan. Ingar came riding over and greeted me warmly, then introduced himself to the girls. He pointed out the wagons and then suggested that we bring up the last, mentioning that the wagons traveled at a walking pace and that he expected at least one of us to be on guard duty as long as we were moving.
I agreed to take the first watch and was invited to a meeting of the other guards where the duties would be assigned. Nodding I walked back with Ingar to where a group of 6 men were waiting. Ingar introduced the men to me starting with the leader, Sergeant Roche a veteran of many years. All the men had experience and seemed friendly enough until I met the scout. His name was Yakoff, and my perception went into overdrive as I looked at him.
He nodded politely but glanced at me when he thought I was not looking, I could feel his resentment and anger, not just at me but at everyone, and I could also tell he was planning on betraying us at some point. As Ingar and I walked back towards the wagons I casually asked about the men and especially about the scout.
Ingar looked at me and said, “The men I have worked with before, the scout is new but he knows the land and is experienced. I nodded, and as we approached Ingar’s wagon I debated if I should say something. Deciding not to as it was not a great way to start a long journey I resolved to keep a close eye on the scout and if needed end him if he presented a danger to us.
Going back to my carts I made small talk with the girls until we began. The caravan left at a steady pace and soon the town was behind us. I spent my time walking up and down the length of the train of wagons and carts. As the kilometers passed the trail began to go through some wild looking terrain.
As I walked by Ingar’s wagon he called down to me, “This area is known to have some wild beasts roaming around, claims of monsters have also been spoken, keep your eyes open.” I nodded it would not do to let anything damage the caravan. The day passed into evening and Ingar settled the Caravan into a field to bed down for the night.
Reona and Tasia both stepped down from the wagon and with the help of the Diggerduggers soon had the Oxyacs out of harness and hobbled on a long tether allowing them to eat the nearby grass and shrubs. I quickly put together a fire and going through the supplies soon had a simple meal of meat and vegetables cooking.
Once we were finished supper the girls surprised me by snuggling up to me, one on each side. Roan began by saying, “Torn, both of us have felt that something has happened to you, your face is sad and your usual flair for life seems to be missing, what has happened?”
I sat and thought for a moment, I did not feel like baring my soul but the girls deserved to know why I was saddened. Clearing my throat, I said, “Last night I found out that someone I cared about had died. It has saddened me and I am carrying the loss. I am sorry if it has affected my behavior.”
Both the girls stared and me and then both hugged me, Tasia then spoke, “I will take the first watch, you two should go get some rest. Standing up she walked over to where the other guards were gathered and began to talk to the men.
Reona smiled at me and said, “give me a minute to change before you come in.” I nodded as she entered the cart, after waiting for several minutes I joined her, removing my armor I stretched out on the bed and tried to relax. I could perceive Reona looking at me and was not surprised when she began to rub my back.
After several minutes, she spoke, “Torn, I want you to know I know who you really are.” I stiffened at her words but continued to listen.
Reona’s voice faltered but she continued to speak, “I know that you have every right to hate me, I took Twink and gave her to my father and watched as he killed you. I want you to know that if I could change that I would, but I cannot.”
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There was silence as she continued to rub my back and after a moment she began to speak again, “You probably don’t realize this but when my father commands me I have no choice I have to obey him. It is like a compulsion that I cannot disobey; my body does not respond to my will.”
She began to cry and then continued to speak, “He has made me do things that are wrong, things that a father should not do to his daughter. I had to respond to him, I had no choice.” AS she stopped I could feel her warm tears falling onto my back, and I could not help but guess at what she was alluding to.
This world is so amazing but it has so much wrong with it, I thought as I recalled what had happened. Turning to look at Reona I was struck with how vulnerable she was at that moment. The tears were flowing freely and her face reflected the anguish she was feeling.
Reaching up I grabbed her and pulled her down next to me and said, “I forgive you.” Once I spoke I felt a release of emotions and feelings. I began to cry also as I hugged her and gently patted her head. We fell asleep soon after holding each other, each having released something from our souls and finding out that inner peace was possible.
I woke up several hours later as Tasia climbed into the wagon, she looked at us and smiled. Then whispered, “It is time for the guards to change, should I wake her or do a double shift?”
I shook my head and silently stood up and whispered, “I have slept enough, I will take the shift. Quickly putting on my armor I stopped and touched Tasia on her cheek and said, “Thank you for caring.” I then slipped out of the cart and made my way to the fire. Grabbing a hot drink, I asked if anything had happened, and was not surprised to hear that all was quiet.
I left the fire and began to make a circuit of the Caravan, stopping often to stare at the darkness my Dragon eyes making the dark night as light as day. After an hour, I was once again at the fire getting another drink when the night air was parted with a shriek of pain and anger, it came from the west where the forest began.
The men all jumped to their feet and stared at the darkness, swearing and loosening their weapons. “What the hell was that?” one guard asked as another shriek split the air. I stopped and stared at the woods, I knew what beast was out there. It was a Wyvern and I knew instinctively that it was a female with a brood of eggs.
Ingar had appeared and he walked over to me and stared at the woods and cursed. “What the Hell is that in there. It is too dark for us to move the Caravan but I fear it might be getting closer.”
Looking at Ingar I made my mind up, I would go investigate what was happening, my Dragon nature wanted to know what could be harming a Wyvern. Looking at Ingar I spoke, “I’ll go investigate, we have to know what we will be facing if it comes this way.”
Ingar looked uncomfortable and suggested that the scout could go, I laughed and said, “I doubt he would do more than circle us a few times and then return.”
Giving me an odd look Ingar said, “You don’t seem to like him, is there something I should know here?”
Shrugging I replied, “I have learned to trust my instincts and they are telling me not to trust him.”
Putting my mug down, I said, “I will try to return before we head out, if I am not back by then just keep going I will catch up.”
Turning Torn walked to the edge of the encampment and then once he was in the darkness he slipped into Shadows and began to run towards the source of the sounds. After traveling for about an hour Torn entered a clearing and observed a band of twenty Goblins, they had surrounded the Wyvern and had cast heavy nets over her.
The Goblins were repeatedly clubbing the beast and Torn noted that its hit points were almost gone and it would soon be dead. Past the Wyvern was its nest and cradled within were four eggs, two had been split open and three Goblins were working on the third egg, hitting it with maces in a maniacal fury.
It was apparent that they soon would be done and then they would move onto the fourth and last egg. Torn could feel the fear emanating from the last two eggs when suddenly the third egg split and the little Wyvern died under the repeated blows of the Goblins.
Without hesitation Torn ran up to the nest and cloaked in shadows he attacked, using both maces he cracked two goblins in the head fracturing their skulls and instantly killing them as the weapons both cast fire and critted. The remaining Goblin whirled around his mace held high looking for the enemy but Torn was ready and shooting forth his hand he cast Dragon fire on the goblin who began to scream as he tumbled backward off the nest.
This alerted the remaining Goblins and half of them surged towards the nest determined to attack and kill whoever had dared to attack the war party. As they started towards the nest Torn cast Holy Fire his Paladin spell and was rewarded with the sight of fire lifting off the ground and falling from the sky covering all the Goblins and rapidly reducing their hit points.
Leaping at them Torn activated Wrath of Light and was rewarded with both of his maces glowing with a golden hue. As he spun amongst the enemy he hit did a considerable amount of damage and from the point of impact a golden light would quickly cover the bodies of the Goblins burning them from the inside as the holy Fire spell burnt them from the outside.
Within minutes all the Goblins were dead, along with the Wyvern. The area reeked of blood and burnt flesh, and Torn was eager to leave as wild beasts would soon be appearing. Quickly looting the corpses, he gathered 25 gold and a scroll. Leaving the low-level weapons Torn returned to the nest and looked at the lone nest, he could feel the fear emanating from the egg.
Reaching down Torn grabbed the egg and cradling it he began to run back towards the Caravan. Just as the dawn early light broke the horizon he arrived at the camp. Staying in Shadows, he listened as Ingar rebutted the scout Yakoff.
“Not another word Yakoff, if Torn does not make it back this morning he will catch up. Any talk about taking his carts and splitting the goods will not be tolerated and if I hear you ever say that the women could be shared by us men I will fire you on the spot.”
I could not restrain myself at this point and walked up behind Yakoff. I slid my dagger free and held it at his neck, then letting the Shadows fade I whispered in his ear, “I will kill you, not today and maybe not tomorrow but your death is now written in the book of life and death.”
As I finished speaking a brilliant flash of lightning occurred in the clear sky and Yakoff turned white. Jumping away from me he spun around and cursed, visibly shaken at the fact I could have ended him at any time.
I just smiled at the asshole, I knew I would have to kill him probably sooner than later, I could perceive that he wanted us all dead me most of all. I knew that he was planning a trap, where and when I did not know.
The men were all staring at me in shock, no one had been aware of my presence and between my appearance out of the shadows and the lightning most of the men were uneasy. I was going to add to that as I began to speak. Telling the story of the Goblins attacking the Wyvern took only a minute and while some of the men seemed amazed that I had taken out 20 of the bastards no one doubted the truthfulness of the tale. Not once they saw the Wyvern egg I carried.
We quickly got ready leaving as soon as I could, I let the girls sleep and had the Diggerduggers hook up the harness. Soon we were on the road, and once again life seemed to slow down to a walking pace. Soon both girls poked their heads out and greeted me. They returned to the room and soon the smell of food and kava was greeting my nose.
As the girls stepped out and sat down they passed me a plate of eggs and fried meat, along with a hot mug of steaming goodness. In between bites I told of what had occurred and of Yakoff and his demands to Ingar. The girls stared with narrowed eyes and then asked if they should help him to have an accident.
I smiled and said, “No the little prick is mine, he crossed over several lines and will have to pay the price, just watch out for him, he is a toady little bastard.”
The rest of the day passed peacefully with the girls sharing the watch duties and driving the wagon. I entered the cabin and shoved the Wyvern egg into the hot fireplace, it needed heat to continue to develop and hatch.
Laying down I opened the scroll I had retrieved and slowly began to read.
The time has come to begin to foray into the lands of men, the Dark Masters are at work, and soon the world will be plunged into shadows. Go forth and harm all, slay what you can and destroy the works of man. Are allies number in the hordes and soon we will be triumphant over the light.
What the Hell, this is more than just intertribal warfare amongst the Dwarfs. My thoughts were troubled as I fell asleep, there was a darkness moving on the land and had been for years building strength as it remained hidden. The time for hiding was over it seemed.