21

“What’s this?” Jakob asked as Kenric handed him a coin purse.

“500 silvers, which is half my up-front fee for signing on with Nathaniel’s caravan for a single month-long trip into Carolina and back,” Kenric answered.

“Keep it. It’s your money,” Jakob replied, trying to hand back the purse.

“I’m not going to be here, and the clinic can always use the money,” Kenric said.

“Jakob, take it,” Gomes said. “Let Kenric do what he feels is right. Even if you don’t want to use it for the clinic, you can use the money to help others.”

“Are you sure about this, Kenric?” Jakob asked.

“I’m sure. The other 500 silvers will be more than enough to buy me some traveling clothes and other necessities,” Kenric answered. In fact, it might be enough to buy a mana crystal or two as well. It would be good to have my own.

“Did you get everything we advised you to ask for?” Elisaria asked.

“Everything but my own food. Nathaniel says he and his cook insist on the best and I’ll have to eat that,” Kenric replied. “Though I suppose I could buy some food along the way if I need to or don’t like what they serve.”

“What about your pay?” Gomes asked.

“That’s not our business,” Jakob quickly said.

“2500,” Kenric said.

“You probably could have gotten more,” Catalina replied.

“Yeah, I think I could have as well. But…”

“But you were excited to get the 2500 and the merchant got away with not paying more,” Catalina concluded. Kenric nodded. “Learn from your mistake.”

“I will,” Kenric said. Catalina grunted and nodded her approval. “Jakob, do you want me to work in the clinic this afternoon?”

“Not really. We got it covered. Why?” the senior healer asked.

“I thought I would go find some traveling clothes if you didn’t need me,” Kenric replied.

“Go and do what you need to do,” Jakob said. “When are you leaving?”

“Three days from today,’ Kenric answered.

“That’s not a lot of time to get clothing made,” Elisaria said.

“I know,” Kenric said, shrugging his shoulders. “Still, I should be able to get something already made and the tailor should have enough time to make some alterations for me if needed.”

“Have fun,” Gomes said. “I hate getting fitted for clothing.”

*

“I have pants and shirts that will fit you in the back,” Natasha, the tailor or seamstress who owned Natasha’s Clothing & Alterations, said as finished taking Kenric’s measurements. He wasn’t sure which term really applied to her nor cared. She tapped her lip. “I’ll probably need to hem the pants though.”

“How soon could you have that done?” Kenric asked. That is the only thing that really matters. I can’t afford a delay.

“I can have any alterations needed done tomorrow,” Natasha answered. She smiled. “Do colors matter to you?”

“Not really. As I stated before, the clothes need to be sturdy since I’ll be working for a caravan.”

“I have what you need,” Natasha said. “I’ll be right back with a pair of pants and a shirt for you to try on.”

That comment about having what I need can be taken in a few different ways, Kenric thought as he watched the woman walk to the back. Does she always sway her hips like that or is that for show?

She stopped at the curtain to the back, looked over her shoulder and smiled. Natasha then stepped through the curtain. Most definitely a show for me and I’m surprised. I haven’t had a woman flirt with me in years. Natasha is attractive for an older woman too. I don’t see any gray in her brown hair but wonder how old she is and if she’s married. I don’t recall seeing a ring on her finger…

“Here you are,” Natasha said as she emerged from the back. She was carrying a white long-sleeved shirt, a brown pair of pants, and something else. “I have other colors of shirts, but since you’re a healer I felt you might prefer white better since people like healers to wear white.”

“Thank you. I hadn’t considered that,” Kenric replied as she sat the clothes down. “What else are you carrying?”

“A short sleeved over tunic and vest,” Natasha said, showing him the two garments. “I wasn’t sure which you would like, if either of them.”

“I’ll try both since you put some thought into completing the outfit for me,” Kenric said. He smiled and she returned it. “Do you have a changing room where I can try these on?”

“Right over there,” Natasha replied, pointing at a curtain to the left.

“Thank you,” Kenric said, picking up the pants and shirt. “I can try the tunic and vest after putting these on.”

*

“What do you think?” Kenric asked, emerging from the changing room.

“Let’s see,” Natasha said with a smile on her face. She walked around him, touching and tugging at the pants and shirt. “The pants are about half an inch too long, but if you tuck them into boots you’ll never notice. Or I can hem them.”

“I’ll tuck them into my new boots,” Kenric replied. Natasha ran a hand over his chest. She then handed him the vest. He tried it on. She reached around and opened it from where he had fastened it closed. With her arms still around him, she turned Kenric to a mirror.

“I think you look good,” Natasha said over his shoulder, her lips very close to his ear. “The clothes fit you well. What do you think?”

I hadn’t realized she was nearly as tall as me. He turned to face her. She didn’t move an inch.

“I agree and I’ll need four shirts and four pairs of pants. I’ll take two pairs of pants in brown and two in black,” Kenric said.

“And the vest and tunic?” Natasha asked, not breaking eye contact.

“Two of each in whatever color you think best.”

“That will be 250 silvers and I guarantee my work,” Natasha said.

“You seem a little breathless,” Kenric said, deciding to see if she wanted more than to just flirt with a customer. He grinned. “Perhaps you need an examination.”

“I think I do too. Let me lock up early,” she said with a coy smile on her face.

22

I can’t believe I spent 400 silvers just on clothes yesterday, Kenric thought as he looked at the clothing spread on his bed in his room at the clinic. He had the four sets of pants and shirts from Natasha. He had two vests and two tunics that were more colorful that Natasha promised matched his pants and shirts. He had a new sturdy, yet comfortable pair of waterproof leather boots. The boots came up to just below his knee. He had also bought two waterproof hooded cloaks and a hat. One cloak was for warm weather and the other for cold weather. The hat was just to keep the sun off his head and out of his eyes. They’re not the best clothes, but they’ll do until I can afford better clothing. They’re also a far cry better than what I’ve worn the last few years, so I can’t complain.

“Kenric?” Fiora called as she knocked on his door.

“Yes?”

“Nathaniel has sent a runner. He wants you to come to his shop. The runner is to accompany you and show where it is.”

“Thanks. I’ll be right down,” Kenric replied. I wonder what the merchant wants. He shrugged and put on the new boots. They’re comfortable, but still need to be broken in.

*

The runner was a young dwarf girl named Eira. She was short and skinny with curly brown hair and brown eyes. She’s too cute and friendly to be related to Nathaniel, though that’s still a possibility.

Friendly turned out to be a bit of an understatement. Eira was a talker and chatted about everything she could think of in the 10 minutes it took to reach Nathaniel’s shop, which was a walled off compound instead of being the simple shop he had assumed, including asking him a ton of questions about being a healer. They entered the shop, which sold a wide variety of goods, and with a wave from the clerk, were allowed to pass into the back.

Eira led Kenric past some storage areas and into a courtyard. In the yard were two dozen vardos and open-air wagons of different sizes. The open-air wagons were being loaded with crates, wood, and other thing things from warehouses that surrounded the courtyard. Kenric stood watching the activity.

“First time seeing a caravan loaded up before?” Eira asked.

“It is,” Kenric confirmed. “I know how wagons are loaded, but never expected anything like this.”

“Uncle Nathaniel employs the best,” the little girl said. Kenric smiled. I bet she heard someone else say that. Most likely Nathaniel himself.

“Stay here. I’ll go get Uncle Nathaniel,” Eira said.

“Is he really your uncle?” Kenric asked. She nodded. “And he uses you as a runner?”

“Sure. I get paid good too!”

“I bet you do,” Kenric laughed. She laughed and took off.

“You handled Eira well,” a woman said from behind him. Kenric jumped and looked behind him.

Crap! I need to start paying more attention to my surroundings. I wonder if she had been following the girl.

The woman was a dwarf wearing full chainmail with two small axes belted at her waist. He saw a dagger sticking up from each boot. The woman was pretty with short black hair and gray eyes. The only thing that marred her looks was a scar that ran from the corner of her left eye across her face to the corner of her mouth. She grinned. “Like what you see?”

“Thank you. I’ve little experience with kids. And yes, I like what I see.”

“Oh?” She taunted, turning her face so the scar stood out even more. “What do you see?”

She seems angry and is trying to toy with me. I shouldn’t let her do that. I imagine getting on her bad side would be a bad idea. But how to defuse… ah! I got it.

“An attractive, strong, and capable woman.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Because you’re still alive and I doubt whoever did that,” Kenric said, gesturing to the scar, “is still alive.”

The woman laughed. “You’re alright healer.”

“Thanks. So, you know who I am?”

“Of course. You’re Kenric Mender and you’ve hired on for this trip into Carolina and back.”

“And you are?”

“Revna Norwood. Nathaniel is my cousin and I’m in charge of the guards,” Revna answered, completing the introduction.

“Interesting,” Kenric said.

“In what way?” Revna asked.

“I didn’t think this was a family venture.”

“Nathaniel is the next in line to be our clan leader. That makes almost everything he does family business.”

“That makes a bit more sense to me and I’m well aware of how much clan and family mean to your people,” Kenric said. “Do you want that scar healed? I will not charge you for the healing.”

“No. It makes me look fierce!”

“I doubt you need a scar to look fierce.”

Revna laughed again. “Keep it up healer and I’ll start to think you’re flirting with me.” Kenric smiled and shrugged. Revna smiled. “Thanks for the offer though. The scar is also a reminder that I don’t’ want to forget.”

“Fair enough,” Kenric replied. I’m not going to pry. “But the offer is open for as long as we’re working together.” He grinned. “After that, you’ll have to pay.”

“Ha!”

“Is Eria coming along?”

“No. She’ll stay here with her dad, Bertram. He’s Nathaniel’s younger brother and will run things here while we’re gone.”

“Is Bertram more of a city boy?”

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

“Yep.”

“Kenric!” Nathaniel shouted from halfway between the wagons and where they were standing. The merchant waved Kenric over.

“Thank you for your company, Revna. I’ll see you later,” Kenric said.

“You’ll probably be sick of me after the first few days,” Revna replied.

“You can’t be any worse than any of the guard and mercenary captains I’ve been around before,” Kenric said as he walked away.

“We’ll see about that!”

23

“Don’t mind Revna. She’s not that bad but she can be strict,” Nathaniel said when Kenric was close enough that he didn’t have to yell to be heard.

“Captains are who they are because they take their responsibility seriously,” Kenric replied. “I’ve not met one that isn’t strict but fair.”

“I haven’t either,” Norwood agreed. “So, I’m sure you want to know what I called you here for.”

“Yes.”

“I’m going to show you how lucky you are.”

“What do you mean?” Kenric asked.

“The vardo I had planned to put you in has two cracked axels and we don’t have time to repair it,” Nathaniel answered. Kenric nodded. “So, I’m putting you in my old wagon.”

“What about you?”

“My new vardo arrived this morning,” Norwood replied. He pointed to a large wagon that was off to the side. It was slightly longer and wider than the others. “That one is big enough for my wife and son to accompany us.”

“Is that a good idea? The road isn’t safe.”

“We’ll be fine. We have more than enough guards for anything that is stupid enough to attack us. Besides, my wife and I don’t like to be separated for a month at a time and my son is finally old enough to travel.”

“I suppose I might feel the same way if I ever get married,” Kenric said. Nathaniel laughed and agreed. “So, why give me your old wagon instead of someone else?”

“This way I don’t have to hear the other merchants going with us whining about me picking favorites. I can blame you for wanting comforts,” Nathaniel answered. Kenric laughed. “And it’s the most expedient use of resources.”

“Makes sense. Can I see the vardo? I’ve never seen the inside of one before.”

“Right this way,” Nathaniel said. He guided Kenric to the last vardo in the line. The wagon was old but well cared for and maintained. That said, the green paint was fading just like the others.

“Is the faded paint and sort of worn look on purpose or are all the wagons just old?”

“Both depending on the wagon. Bandits tend to go after the more expensive looking wagons first. That’s why my new wagon looks faded and worn already too.”

“May I?” Kenric asked, gesturing to the door. In answer, Nathaniel tossed him a key. Kenric climbed up the front wheel and onto the little porch. There was a slight overhang for shade and to keep the rain off the driver and a bench built into the walls on either side of the door. Kenric opened the door and looked inside.

On the right side of the vardo was a stove, sink, and storage cabinets. On the left side was a door. Kenric stepped inside and felt the wagon shift as Nathaniel climbed up behind him.

“That door leads to the bathroom,” the merchant explained. “There’s a toilet, sink, and small tub inside. All are enchanted so you won’t have to worry about water and waste.”

“That’s not something I expected,” Kenric said.

“Most people don’t, but like I told you before, I look after my people. All the vardos have a bathroom like this.”

Kenric nodded and looked into the bathroom. He shut the door and stepped past it. Behind the bathroom was a two-person booth or table. Above the table was a storage cabinet. The rest of the space was taken up by a full-sized bed.

“I’m surprised all of this looks like it’ll fit me,” Kenric said.

“Your legs aren’t that much longer than mine,” Nathaniel joked. Kenric laughed. “Everything was made to suit human, elf, or dwarf. The vardo is also enchanted for comfort, so if something doesn’t fit quite as it should, you’ll find it does the next time you use it.”

“Interesting. Does comfort extend to heat and cold?”

“It does. The interior has lights that come on when it’s dark enough and the lights go off when it’s light enough outside.”

“That might make it hard to sleep.”

“Nah. When you’re in bed and not moving much,” Nathaniel said, wiggling his eyebrows, “the enchantment will turn off the lights.”

“That’s amazing!”

“Aye. Dwarven enchanters are the best at what they do,” the merchant proudly said. “There’s storage space for clothing and linens on either side of the bed. Dishes, pots, and pans are in the storage above the stove and sink.”

“Considering how small the storage spaces look, I take it they’re all enchanted.”

“Yes. So are the stove, sink, and icebox.”

“This is a house on wheels,” Kenric said with a smile on his face.

“Indeed. The other vardos don’t have the kitchen setup and all the enchantments this one does. Well, my new one does,” the merchant said. “This is the vardo I used and lived out of while I started my business. She’s been good to me, and I’ve been good to her in return.”

“I promise to take care of your vardo as well,” Kenric said.

“Good man,” Nathaniel replied. He paused in his tracks, looking thoughtful. “Can you drive a wagon?”

“No,” Kenric admitted.

“I’ll get Revna to assign you Crispin or Petra as your guard. Both were wagon drivers before becoming guards and can teach you how to drive the vardo,” Nathaniel said. “Keep the key. I have another.”

“Alright,” Kenric replied. He shut the wagon and locked the door after they exited. He put the key into his inventory.”

“Come on. I’ll introduce you to some of the others.”

*

“We’re going to miss you,” Elisaria said. She hugged him after giving him a book on herbs. The others had already said goodbye and given him food or other light gifts including an enchanted satchel and backpack that held 50 and 100 pounds of weight respectively, before heading back into the clinic.

“You act like I’m not coming back,” Kenric replied, slipping the book into his inventory.

“You won’t be unless it’s just to visit,” Catalina said. To his surprise, she hugged Kenric as well. She handed him a small mana crystal. “Take this.”

“I can’t take this,’ Kenric said after examining the crystal. This thing can be refilled and is worth 500 silvers or a little more than that.

“Just say thank you, you twit,” Catalina retorted. “Accept the gift and use it well.”

“You guys didn’t use the money I had given Jakob to buy this, did you?” Kenric asked.

“No. This is a small refillable crystal that I used in my traveling days,” Catalina answered. “It needs a new chain so you can hang it around your fool neck though.”

I’m not going to miss her barbs and digs, but I will miss Catalina just as I will the others.

“Jakob is using the money you gave to buy needed supplies for the orphanage,” Elisaria added.

“Thank you. Thank the others for me again please,” Kenric said.

“You’re welcome,” Elisaria replied.

“Good luck,” Catalina said. “Tell us about your adventures whenever you get back this way.”

“You don’t think I’ll be coming back with the caravan?” Kenric asked.

“Maybe, maybe not,” Catalina answered. “Wanderlust has taken hold of you and who knows where it’ll take you.”

“Make sure it takes you to the ocean,” Elisaria said with a tinkle in her eye. “That is something everyone should see once in their life.”

“Oh! That’s a good idea,” Catalina replied to her wife. “Do you remember that time we went 20 years ago?”

“I do,” Eliasria answered. “You had almost got eaten by a landshark!”

“A what?” Kenric asked, interrupting them.

“A shark is a creature of the sea,” Elisaria replied. “There are different types and they’re all predators.”

“Alright. But what’s a landshark if a shark is a fish or whatever?” Kenric said.

“A landshark is a monstrous version of a shark that has legs and pincers like a crawfish,” Catalina explained.

“You’re joking,” Kenric said.

“No,” Catalina replied.

“And that’s something you think I should visit?” Kenric asked.

“Indeed,” the two women answered at the same time. Kenric smiled, shook his head, and started walking. He could hear Elisaria and Catalina laughing as he walked away.

*

“Are you ready?” Crispin asked. The guard was standing beside the vardo.

“Yes,” Kenric answered.

“Good. Let me introduce you two our team,” Crispin said. He walked up to the two massive donkeys that were hitched to the wagon. “This is Jack and Jill. They’re Mammoth Jackstocks.”

“Mammoth is right. They’re huge!” Kenric replied. Both stood at least five foot tall at the withers with the black one being a few inches taller. “I guess Jack is the black one.”

“Yep. Jill is this lovely little sorrel girl,” Crispin said, patting Jill on her neck.

“I don’t know about her being little.”

“Hey! Don’t talk about the lady’s size like that,” the guard replied, laughing.

“Everyone’s here!” Nathaniel shouted. The merchant didn’t do much more than nod at Kenric and Crispin as he kept walking toward the front of the line. “Let’s mount up and roll out!”

“That’s our cue,” Crispin said. “You can organize your stuff while we’re underway. Petra will switch off with me every other day.”

“That works for me,” Kenric said. He climbed up and entered the vardo. Crispin followed and sat on the driver’s bench.

“After you get your gear sorted out, you can join me up here if you want. If not, leave the door open so some of that coolness slips out, if you don’t mind.”

“Sure. I don’t have a problem with that,” Kenric replied.

24

“Come on drunken princess!” Crispin taunted. “Hurry it up. The boss is already moving out.”

I wonder who told him I had been born into a noble family. Crispin had been holding that little factoid against me for hours. And I guess I earned a reputation for being a drunk in Mountain City.

“I’m coming,” Kenric called, shaking off his thoughts. The caravan had stopped for lunch and to trade at a small village named Zionville.

“Healer, thank you again,” the woman he had just finished healing said. “If you wait a moment, my husband will be along with some fruit and vegetables to pay for the healing you did to me.”

I’ve forgotten her name. Maybe it was Claire. I’d better play it safe, Kenric thought. “It’s alright ma’am. I’m just glad to be of help. Though I won’t say no to some fresh fruit and vegetables if your husband gets here before the wagon departs the village.”

“I’ll go make sure he’s coming,” the woman said.

Crispin shook his head and clicked at the jackstocks as the woman rushed off. Jack and Jill looked over their shoulders at him and turned back to eating grass. Kenric smiled.

“Giddy up!” Crispin said, snapping the reins. Jack and Jill started slowly moving. Kenric frowned.

“Crispin,” Petra said in warning. The female guard was astride a horse and had been obviously waiting on them. The male guard grinned and shrugged his shoulders.

Asshole!­ Kenric thought. He glanced at Petra.

“I’ll say something to Revna. He knows he shouldn’t be doing this,” Petra said. Kenric smiled and nodded his head.

“Healer!” the woman he had healed shouted. Kenric and Petra turned their heads to see the woman and her husband rushing to them.

“Take it all,” the man urged. Kenric spotted watermelons, cantaloupe, apples, cucumbers, tomatoes, and potatoes in the man’s wheelbarrow. He also noticed the worn clothing the two wore.

“Your wife needs this more than I do,” Kenric said. Petra shot him a questioning look. I guess she hasn’t heard of a healer turning down payment before. By the looks of surprise on the woman and her husband’s faces, they haven’t either. I suppose I can take two of the watermelons though. He smiled at the farmer and his wife. “I’ll gladly take two of the watermelons and a dozen apples though. It’s been over two years since I’ve had any watermelon.”

“You sure you don’t want all of this, sir healer?” the farmer asked.

“I’m sure. As I said, your wife needs to eat well. Her body will need the energy to recover from the healing,” Kenric replied. They looked at him in confusion. Maybe I’m laying it on a little too thick. “You and your children will need it as well.”

“As you say, sir,” the man said. Kenric took the two watermelons and a dozen apples. He put them in his inventory and nodded to the farmer and his wife.

“Take care of yourselves,” Kenric said. He shook their hands.

“Kenric, we need to hurry,” Petra said. “Crispin didn’t wait.”

Kenric glanced down the trail. The vardo was disappearing around a bend.

“Right. Can I ride with you?” Kenric asked. My dignity will have to suffer.

“Yes,” Petra answered, extending a hand to help him up behind her. Once he was seated behind her, she whispered, “You’re sharing that fruit, aren’t you?”

“Of course. Just not with Crispin.”

“Good. I’ll ask Revna to just assign me to your wagon and remove Crispin,” Petra said as they rode out of the village.

*

“Rock Thrashers!” The shout came from one of the scouts.

“Shit!” Crispin cursed. “Get in the wagon and shut the door, you lush. That should keep your worthless hide safe.”

“The inside of the wagon won’t keep me safe from a four feet long bird that can crush rock,” Kenric retorted.

“It’s enchanted for defense. Get in there!” Crispin ordered. Kenric started to protest but held his tongue when Revna and Petra rode up to the wagon.

“Fine,” Kenric said.

“Prepare yourself healer,” Revna said. “Crispin set the brake and get in cover.”

“Yes captain,” Crispin replied, putting words to action. Petra dismounted her horse and tied its reins to the wagon. She ducked under the wagon. Crispin joined her. Kenric shut the wagon’s door as Revna rode off.

Hiding from those monsters is not a good strategy. Then again, trying to fight a flying opponent that isn’t vulnerable to arrows isn’t a good strategy either, Kenric thought. The lights in the wagon came on. I hope that light doesn’t attract the thrashers.

Kenric sat at the little kitchen table or booth. He pulled out his herbal book and started to read. Might as well get some studying done while the caravan waits to see if the thrashers attack or just fly by.

*

“You can come out now, worthless noble brat,” Crispin said as he banged on the vardo’s door a couple of hours later. “The Thrashers checked us out and flew away after a while.”

“If it wasn’t for my healer’s oath,” Kenric mumbled to himself. He unclenched his right hand that he had unknowingly balled into a fist. Hopefully, Petra will talk to Revna and get Crispin assigned elsewhere. I should probably talk to Nathaniel about him too. In the meantime, I can pay attention to how he drives the wagon.

25

“I can’t believe you traded healings for supper,” Nathaniel said. Kenric shrugged. “Still, I appreciate it. You’re saving us money.”

The caravan had stopped for the night at a tiny, poor village named Vilas. The village was made up of about 15 homes behind a tall wood wall. Kenric had agreed to heal several lingering health issues some of the villagers had and give everyone that wanted it a once over with his diagnostic spell. That turned out to be everyone in the village.

The Vilas elders had insisted upon paying for his service. Since they didn’t have much in the way of hard coin, Kenric had talked them into cooking supper for the caravan in exchange for whatever he did for them.

“The worst issue any of the villagers had had was a poorly healed broken ankle, that I broke again so I could set the bone correctly and heal it as well as a whooping cough one of the children had,” Kenric replied. “The relatively good health of the village surprised me.”

Nathaniel grunted an agreement and the two fell into a companionable silence for a few minutes. They ate some of the stew the villagers had prepared.

“So, how was your first day on the road?” Nathaniel asked.

“Not bad despite the delay from the monsters and a certain someone. And I have no doubt that you heard about him.”

“True. Revna and I decided to move Crispin to guard one of the supply wagons. That won’t stop him from talking to the other guards about whatever issue he has with you, but at least he won’t be around you more than the bare minimum.”

“Thanks for that,” Kenric replied. “He just seems to hate the circumstances of my birth.”

“Oh. There’s nothing we can do about that,” Nathaniel said, shrugging his shoulders. “Do you want another guard to join Petra, or do you think she will be enough to protect you?”

“Crispin had said something about the vardo being enchanted for defense. Is that true?”

“It is. The wagon can take quite the beating,” Nathaniel replied fondly.

“In the case, I’ll leave that decision up to you and Revna about putting another guard with me or not,” Kenric answered.

“I’ll leave it up to Revna. She’ll have a fit if I try to override her security plans,” Nathaniel said.

“Every guard and mercenary captain I’ve known has been that way,” Kenric said. “They think they’re the experts and they’re most often right about that.”

“True. But the smart ones listen to input from others,” the merchant replied. Kenric nodded his agreement.

“So, why are you here visiting with me instead of spending time with your family?” Kenric asked.

“Taking care of caravan business,” Nathaniel answered. “Besides, Amelia and Alaric ate supper before we stopped.”

“You didn’t join them?”

“Nah. I was driving our vardo and then had to check on everyone and do some trading. Then the villagers offered supper and well, here we are because it would have been rude of me to refuse them.”

“And bad for business,” Kenric quipped.

“That too,” Nathaniel laughed after looking around to make sure no villagers were near them. “I understand you received some fresh fruit when we were stopped at Zionville.”

“Two watermelons and a dozen apples,” Kenric replied. “I had thought to share the watermelons at some point on the trip.”

“That will be appreciated,” Nathaniel said. “You can put them in the food pantry in the wagon. It’s enchanted to keep food fresh just like how our inventories do.”

“Thanks for the tip,” Kenric said.

“You’re welcome,” Nathaniel replied. He stood and stretched. “I’m going to do one last circuit of the others and spend some time with my family.”

“I’ll set the ward up and catch up on my reading,” Kenric said.

“You won’t need to do that tonight. The village is warded and behind decent wood walls to boot. We’ll be safe enough tonight,” Nathaniel replied. “That’s why none of the guards are on duty right now.”

“Alright,” Kenric said. Nathaniel nodded and walked off. I’m not sure why Nathaniel doesn’t have guards watching his supply wagons, but maybe he has them warded. He yawned and decided to turn in for the night instead of reading. I think I’ll try the tub and take a bath before trying out the bed.

*

“Good morning, Winifred,” Kenric greeted the caravan’s cook. “I hope you don’t mind that I had arranged for the village to cook for us last night.”

“Morning. And no, I don’t mind. I know you had to charge something for the work you did for them. A meal was an odd choice though,” Winifred replied. “Just don’t make it a habit. A lot of these villages have more coin than they let on.”

“Live and learn,” Kenric said, shrugging his shoulders. She does make a good point though. I suppose I became too trusting while working at the clinic and depended on Jakob too much to take care of the business side of things. I won’t be able to do that now. “Thank you for the tip. I’m not used to handling the business side of things.”

“As you said, you’ll live and learn,” the cook said. “Now, what do you want for breakfast?”

“I know I smell bacon, so some of that, a mug of yaupon tea, and is that grits in the pot?”

“It is.”

“Grits and a chunk of bread if you have any.”

“I do. Want a crunchy end piece?” Winifred said.

“Please.”

“Anything else? Eggs? Sausage?”

“No thank you,” Kenric answered.

“Give me a moment and I’ll fry you some fresh bacon,” the cook said. She held up three fingers. “Three rashers?”

“Four please,” Kenric answered, patting his stomach. “I’ll have to work it off later. Perhaps I’ll work off the bacon by walking beside the caravan for a while.”

“Your guards won’t like that,” Winifred pointed out.

“They’ll get over it,” Kenric replied. He took the watermelons out of his inventory. “I want a big piece, but other than that, you can share them with everyone."