Month of the Shepard, Third Tenday, 2nd Day, 767 KD

Glen Falls was not what I had envisioned.

We saw the towers first, looming over the tall trees. They were of new construction, the gate solid oak, twenty span tall and manned with bowmen.

Two men with long swords, wearing steel armor, stood at the gate.

“Evening Sergeant. These two say they wish to enter the town. The girl claims to be sworn to Lord Trang. Ruby of Cantor.”

“And the man?”

“Handice, of Shirin Mills. He was sworn to an outlander called Alec Braun, but the bond was broken. The girl vouches for him.”

The sergeant rapped on the gate and gave instructions to someone beyond it.

We waited for a very long time, and then a rapping came from the other side of the gate.

“They may enter,” the sergeant said.

The gate slowly opened. Beyond it spanned a long, narrow bridge, which crossed the river and led to another gate and two more towers.

Two more guards awaited us and escorted Ruby and I

across the bridge. I looked at the black water below and decided this method was much preferable to my previous crossing.

The gate opened as we approached. Beyond it was the town, quiet, dark and seemingly deserted.

The sergeant told Ruby, “You will enter there and wait for the watch commander. He will debrief you.”

To me, they said, “You will follow us to your accommodations for the night.”

I looked at Ruby.

She said, “It is all right. I will speak to you tomorrow.”

I watched her walk up the steps and enter the building. The guards urged me on, a bit impatiently.

We walked through the town. The guards were not ones for conversation. We approached an inn. The door was closed, but muffled sounds of chatter and music came from within.

The guard Jenkins opened the door and lead me inside. Inside was revelry and merriment to rival any I had seen in Crille or River City. A trio of minstrels played. Dozens of people ate, drank, sang and danced. Four barmaids bustled about carrying trays of drink and food.

Yet another guard was stationed inside, by the front door. Jenkins told him, “This is Handice, here to stay for the night.”

The guard greeted me. “I am Fields. Welcome to the Great Stone Inn.” Jenkins and the other guard departed. Fields closed the door behind them.

I stood there for a moment, a bit disoriented and dizzy by it all after my excursions of the past few days, and also embarrassed by my disheveled appearance. I was still bare-chested. A few people did glance at me, but not in an unfriendly manner. One woman stared at me from the other side of the room. She was in conversation with a trio of young women but looked at me as she talked to them. She was a lovely woman, a few years older than myself, with long dark hair adorned with a silk band and a light, flowing red and black gown, also of silk.

She excused herself from the women and approached me. She wore red slippers, showing lovely ankles.

She smiled warmly at me. “Welcome. I am Dyana, keeper of this inn. I don’t believe I have seen you before.”

“No Madame. I have never been here before. I am from Shirin Mills, in Jaspen. My name is Handice.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Handice. I believe I met a traveler or two from Shirin Mills. They spoke fondly of it.”

“Who were they? Shagrin? Luka? Delia?” My heartbeat quickened at possible news of old friends.

She laughed. “I fear I do not remember. One of them was a big, fine, handsome young man…”

“That sounds like Kamael.”

“Much like yourself,” she finished. “Tell me, do you always travel shirtless, even in this cold?”

“Oh no, Madame. I had a little…accident. I lost my tunic.”

“I can remedy that for you, much as I hate to,” she winked. “But you do look cold.”

“Oh, I can barely remember what it is to be warm, Madame.”

“Please call me Dyana. I am not that much older than you. I should have a tunic that will fit you. Come with me.”

She led me down a corridor to another room, which contained weapon racks, wardrobes and assorted odds and ends.

“Here,” she said. “Try these.”

She handed me a tunic and a cloak. They were not fancy but well made, and fit reasonably well.

“Madame….forgive me, Dyana. I cannot pay for these. My gold…”

She put a finger to my lips. “It is a gift. You have no need to pay me. Tell me, what brings you to Glen Falls? If you wish to tell me, of course.”

“Of course. I am traveling with a young woman.”

“Oh,” she smiled. “Is she your wife? Lover?”

“Oh, no. I was merely escorting her to this town. From here, I do not know where I will go.”

“Well, I hope you will consider staying here. We have a lovely town – the best in the country, and the safest as well. And we are famous for our hospitality. Our single rooms are small but comfortable. Come, I will show you to yours.”

“Thank you Madame.”

“You have no gold?”

“No. My companion…”

“It is fine. I can extend you a line of credit, enough to see you through the next few days, should you wish to stay that long. You really should.” Her smile appeared again. Her teeth were very white and perfectly straight. She really seemed as if she wished to take me to bed.

“Thank you, Dyana. That is most kind.”

She reached inside the folds of her gown and produced a thin stack of paper. She ruffled the paper in her hands, counting it.

“There,” she said. “These bills represent twenty gold. They are just as good as gold anywhere in Glen Falls.”

I looked at the paper, still warm from her breast. Each parchment had a drawing of a man, a large numeral one, the words ‘One Gold’, and a sigil, with the name Michael Trang below it.

She took me to my room where I placed the meager belongings I had left, and we returned to the common room. In the common room, she introduced me to one of the barmaids, Melisa, and instructed her to set up a “tab” for me. This meant I could order all the food and drink I desired and pay for it later with the paper bills.

I was nearly starving, but also quite ready for ale.

I asked Melisa to bring me stew, ale and whiskey, and I found a table close to the fire. Melisa brought the food and drink almost as soon as I sat down.

I devoured two bowls of the stew, burning my mouth but not caring. It was steaming hot, with goat meat, onions, tomatoes and potatoes. The bread was fresh, crunchy and delicious. I was drinking my second ale, watching the minstrels perform, finally relaxed, when a woman came to my table.

“Why is a handsome man like you sitting all alone? Would you like some company?” She was quite pretty and unlike any woman I had ever seen. She had blue hair and paint on her face. She wore a long white skirt of material so thin that I could see through it. Just barely covering her breasts was a narrow white cloth of similar fabric, tied to her back with a thin string. She wore leather sandals. The nails of her toes and fingers were painted the same color blue as her hair. She wore a perfume that nearly intoxicated me.

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“By all means,” I replied, attempting not to stare.

“I am Ashleigh,” she said, offering me her hand. Her skin was cool and smooth.

“I am Handice.”

The ensuing conversation was dizzying, along with the strong ale which Melisa continued to bring me, as quickly as I could drink it.

Ashleigh seemed fascinated with me and asked a great many questions, and shared very personal information about herself. She was from Glen Falls, had lived here all her life. She worked as an entertainer here at the inn. She had no romantic attachments. She enquired whether I had such attachments, and I told her all about Alayna. This nearly moved her to tears. She wiped her eye, blushed, and said I was a true romantic. I must admit she made me feel quite good about myself. Indeed, this was turning into a rather enjoyable evening.

I was drinking my fourth or fifth ale and we were laughing together about something when I looked up and saw Ruby, standing next to me.

She did not appear to be in a cheerful mood.

“Are you Alayna?” Ashleigh asked, removing her hand from my leg. The question did not brighten Ruby’s spirits.

“No, I am not Alayna. I am just here to finally get a warm meal and retire to bed. By all means, keep groping him.” She turned and walked away, finding another table.

“She cares for you,” Ashleigh said.

“No,” I said. “It simply was not a good day for her.”

“You should go speak with her, make amends. I will wait here if you like.”

I found Ruby at a table on the other side of the common room. She gave me a sad smile. “I am sorry. You were enjoying yourself. I did not mean to ruin it.”

“I would like to hear about…”

“Tomorrow,” she said. “In the morning, first thing. For now, I want to take a bit of food and go to sleep. Go back to your new friend. She is quite pretty.”

I stood there stupidly. The ale had done more than its desired effect.

“It’s ok,” Ruby insisted. “Have fun. Take her to bed if you like. It would be good for you.”

“Oh no,” I said. “Alayna…”

“Enough about Alayna! She could be married now, for all you know. Here is my bread. I am going now. Good night.”

I returned to my table. Ashleigh sat there, legs crossed, watching the minstrels and clapping.

Ashleigh said, “Perhaps you need a little time alone with your thoughts. You look troubled. I will go for now.” She touched her cool lips to my cheek and held them there for a long moment. Then she departed.

I had quite a lot more ale after that.

“You look half dead,” Ruby greeted me the next morning. “Just how much ale did you drink?”

“Too much,” I groaned. My head pounded as if angry with me.

“So,” Ruby said as the bar maid brought me a plate of runny eggs, bacon and fresh bread. “What are your plans? Are you returning to your village?”

“I do not know.”

“I will be staying here for some time, while I await my next assignment. I do not know how long that will be. But I will be quite busy, and will be staying somewhere else in town. This may be the last time we talk. I want to thank you for all you did for me.”

“I did nothing.”

“You risked your life. And I do not believe I would have made it here without you. So, thank you, Handice. I think you should return home where you belong.”

I began to eat my food, holding the fork somewhat awkwardly with my left hand. At first sight I did not think I could eat it, but found that it was delicious and desperately needed.

“I do not want to go home yet,” I said finally.

“Why not?”

“I am not ready. I have unfinished business.”

“What? What are you talking about? What unfinished business?”

“I cannot say.”

“What do you mean you cannot say? Some of kind command from that Alec Braun? Do not tell me you wish to go back to him.”

“No. I am finished with him.”

“Then what?”

“I cannot, would rather not say.”

“Is it because of me? Have you gotten it in your head that you are in love with me instead of that Alayna?”

“No! Of course not!”

She shook her head and muttered something under her breath.

“It is not that,” I assured her.

“Fine, I believe you! But what is it then?”

I was not going to say and quite honestly did not have the ability to express it in words. But then she was able to guess it for herself, perhaps seeing me look down at my missing hand.

“Revenge? Is that it?”

I realized that it most likely was.

“You fool,” Ruby said. “You are not suited for revenge. It is not you.”

“We will see.” I washed down my meal, now finished, with cold ale. It made me feel a bit better.

“Go home,” Ruby told me. She stood. “I am not finished discussing this yet, but I must go. I have to report to my commander. I will find you here this evening.”

Glen Falls was much more impressive by day than by night. The streets were now bustling with people. Every one of them seemed to have somewhere to go or some important task to do. Traders came through with carts and livestock. Merchants set up stalls. Messengers hurried to and fro. Soldiers in uniform marched smartly. Young men and women swept the streets and picked up any stray refuse.

I myself had somewhere to go.

Soon after Ruby left, a young messenger came into the inn and delivered an invitation to meet with Jerod Karn, assistant aide to Belhok, City Administrator. I was invited to meet with him at the town hall at the tenth bell. Curious, I scrawled back that I would attend.

I found myself alone in the common room, a barmaid replenishing clean dishes and a young man sweeping and cleaning. I had thought perhaps I would have some more ale, but I had the feeling that was discouraged.

Outside, I asked directions to the town hall and was told where to go. The bell tolled ten times and I quickened my pace, navigating the grid of crowded streets.

The town hall was in a grass square in the center of town. It was a large, square stone building. A steady stream of people hurried in and out. Inside, a citizen directed me to the office of Jerod Karn.

“Come in,” he said. “Take a seat. I am Jerod Karn.”

He was a short, rotund man of middle years, half bald. He was smartly dressed in good cloth, black and gold, with the sigil of Trang on his right breast.

“How do you like Glen Falls?” he asked me.

“I must say I am quite impressed.”

“It is a great town. We are doing amazing things here. I made this appointment with you to see if you would like to be part of it.”

“Is that so?” I was taken aback.

“Yes, absolutely. Your friend Ruby mentioned you to one of my superiors last night, in her debriefing. She said you are an intelligent and honest young man, and also that you appear to have some skill at writing, that you keep a journal.”

“Yes.”

“Would you care if I took a brief look at it, only to obtain a measure of your writing ability?”

“I am sorry. I do not have it with me. And I consider it private.”

“Of course. I understand. In that case, would you mind taking a few minutes to write something for me? Whatever comes to mind – it could be anything. Just a page is all I need.”

He slid a parchment and pen across the desk to me.

I sat for a moment, uncertain and not particularly eager to comply with the request. Yet somehow Karn made me feel as if I had already agreed to do so.

I wrote a few paragraphs about Shirin Mills, not really putting a great deal of effort into it. It was difficult to write with my left hand, but I had begun to get better at it. It took longer, but the writing was legible.

Karn nodded and seemed impressed.

“You are certainly qualified,” he said. “Handice, I would like to offer you a job as a clerk, beginning immediately. Tomorrow. The pay is quite good, and with your abilities, it could increase very quickly. There will be opportunities for promotion. Perhaps one day you could have my job. And you will be working right here, in the center of everything. The pay is five gold per day, free lodging, and even a clothing allowance!” He smiled broadly at me.

“Well,” I said. “I am not sure…”

“Think about it! It is not a problem. Take a few days if you like. One thing,” he raised a finger. “Do not let anyone from the army talk you into a job. The civilian sector is much better, I promise you.”

“The army? They would take me?”

“Yes. They are looking for clerks as well.”

“Would they take me as a soldier?”

He glanced at my stump and looked uncomfortable. “Well, I do not know. Probably not. Why on Yorn would you want to do that anyway?”

“I wish to learn to fight. Would they train me?”

“Yes, they would. If they did not simply make you a clerk. But the pay is terrible. And they require a two year commitment. Moreover, gods know where they will send you – the Frontier most likely. People die there. Soldiers die every day. Here, your worst danger would be getting a cramp in your writing hand.”

“Where do I go to join?”

I met Ruby that evening. As darkness began to fall, the streets quickly emptied, and the inn filled. The minstrels took their place on the stage and began to perform.

I ate a hearty supper and drank plenty of ale as I waited.

After our previous conversation, I did not expect to find Ruby pleased with my decision, but the intensity of her reaction nevertheless surprised me.

“You did what?” she asked me.

“I signed on for Trang’s army. I begin training tomorrow.”

“Why would you do that?”

“It is what I wish to do.”

“I thought you wanted to marry Alayna. What about that?”

“That will have to wait.”

“You expect her to wait for you? For two years? What girl would do that? And that is if you survive.”

“I will survive.”

“You have no idea what lies in store for you.”

“Where are you going?” I asked. She had risen to her feet.

“To my quarters. What do you care?”

“I care – are you not hungry? The food tonight is very—“

“I am not hungry, and I wish to be alone now. Good night!