Walking through the night is usually a poor idea but knowing a dragon slaying cult was wise to my existence hastened my need to travel. Luckily the sky was cloudless and the moons were bright. I reminisced on watching the many names for them being formed across the many lands. The people of this kingdom were just one of many hubs of civilization. However the chance that The Profitable was still alive in the capital gave me a purpose to be here besides gathering strength.
I gave silent thanks to Mesdith the god of travels for giving me a collection that I carried in my mind. The fact that other people had to know the story and tell it or versions of it to count made my strength in constant flux. Through the magic runes I had left across a dozen towns I listened to the tales people spun to others. One of them I had told the town and it was being repeated. The other was a short story of a king’s soul trapped in his crown. I added it to my collection and felt the tiny drop of power be added to my own.
The great fields gave way to a sparse forest of thin tall trees unsuited for lumber farming. They grew neither fruit or usable sap. Their leaves were now tiny red buds growing to one day sprout into the round circular leaves. Along the road I spotted a tilted wagon ahead and heard faint cursing on the wind.
I approached cautiously, “Hey there traveler. Looks like you're stuck.”
“Blasted hells!” A thin whipcord of a man came around to look at me. His brow was soaked in sweat and he wiped at it with his sleeve. “Oh blessed be the gods. Is there any way you could give me a hand? I left Gromstome just before sunset. We were just passing through for the day. I got a shipment to deliver next week.”
The nervous sputtering of a donkey sounded out on the other side of the wagon and a soothing call of a young voice. “Easy Bess.”
“Tell you what, you treat me to a meal by a campfire tonight and I’ll help you get unstuck. I’ll even throw in a short story.” I stepped closer and started taking off my carried items and placed them on the back of his wagon. I came around the side that had dipped down heavily. A little girl with gold spun hair peeked around. Her hands wrapped around the reins of the donkey Bess. I waved and looked at the problem.
A deep rut had over a third of the wheel lodged down inside it. A thick piece of timber lay there and the obvious footprints of someone trying really hard to lift it visible. I looked at the man and we nodded understanding our roles. Slightly in front in a deep crouch he followed suit behind me and to my left.
“Ok Mary we are gonna lift in three, you pull Ol’ Bess forward and we will do our best to get free.” I heard him take deep steady breaths as he mentally prepared. “One, two….. THREE!”
I made sure to limit my strength to what would be a normal amount and the timber bar groaned under the strain. For a moment nothing moved and then it began to lift. Bess with tremendous effort for a beast of burden managed to pull the wagon free.
The man collapsed onto his backside and let out a roar of a laugh. “Stranger, you don’t know how relieved I am. Been struggling all day to get free.”
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I nodded and asked, “While you rest you have a shovel or anything. I think I’ll fix this rut while you rest.”
“Best I got is a garden hoe in the delivery. I don’t think the clients will notice if you don’t damage it.” The man lay down now on the cool earth with a great smile. “Mary fetch this man what he needs.”
“Yes papa,” she climbed aboard the wagon and rummaged for a minute before reaching out a hand with a garden hoe.
“Thank you little one.” I went to work repairing the road as the man and his daughter drank deeply from waterskins. In a few minutes I was using the timber to pack down the dirt I had moved and felt satisfied with the repair.
“You’re a lifesaver. What’s your name, friend?” He reached out a hand and I clasped it.
“Dolan, I’m a minstrel heading town to town making my way in this world. Always had a bit of a wanderlust. Your name sir?”
“Gerald, that is Mary and Bess.” He pointed to the girl sitting on the driver's bench and the donkey.
“Well I know you’ve spent all day working to get free. How about we get to a little turn off and make camp?” I went to grab my stuff and he patted my arms.
“Keep your stuff there and hop on. I won’t be making you walk alongside us.”
After everyone was aboard Gerald let out a whistle and Bess started clipping along. Mary stepped over to me and offered some water. I drank and handed it back.
“Thanks sir,” she seemed to have a brave nature, or a trusting one.
“It pleases the gods when you help your fellow man.” I pulled my collection free and pointed and named the gods for the girl. She sat and listened intently with her arms around her knees. “Would you like one? I can always get another.”
She shook her head, “Papa says we shouldn’t take from strangers, even gifts. Things have to be earned, he says.”
“Wise man, I’ll tell you a tale tonight about what happens when you take without earning it. That sound good?”
She nodded and headed back to her father. The road was bumpy while on a wagon. You didn’t feel the ruts beneath your feet this often but I looked out at the stars and smiled.
Time passed and soon I felt us turn off the road and stop. I climbed out and helped set up their small camp. Grateful that it was a clear night. Soon a campfire was going and I added a bit of dry meat to the stew.
After we ate Gerald sat back and picked at his teeth with his nails. I walked over to him and knelt. “Let’s get a look at your shoulders. Saw you flinching a bit and I have a salve that can help.”
“You’re too kind, Dolan. Let me pay you a couple of bits and I’ll take the salve.”
I took the coins and added them to my light purse as he stripped off his tunic. Deep angry bruises were on his shoulders from struggling with the timber all day. I took out the pungent salve that numbed the skin and with my threadbare rag applied a thin layer to the bruises.
“It’ll take a few minutes but it’ll help the pain. Heard about this recipe a few years back in the south where the sun burns your skin.”
“You’ve traveled that far?” Gerald’s voice was amazed.
I nodded, “I’ve been to another kingdom too. However, no one seems to be as kind as the folk here.” Sitting back on my spread out bedroll I looked at the fire.
Mary stared at me waiting. I clapped once gently, “Well before we go to bed for the night, how about a story?”