Chapter 8

Aston wasted no time getting on the road the following morning. He had bought a loaf of day-old bread and a chunk of cheese and headed south as soon as he had the horses hooked up and the wagon checked one last time. He made sure the axles were properly greased and the tack tight. This done, he snapped the reins and Frayn snorted to his mares and they started at a slow walk. Once they had cleared the last house on the road out, he picked up the pace a bit. The horses grumbled about it a bit until he tuned them out, hearing them was distracting. He knew he had five or six days of hard travel ahead of him, so he relaxed and worked at keeping the wagon out of the worst of the ruts.

While he had been at this last stop, he told the Brewman about Riversbend and the disaster that had struck it. They would need help and supplies to face the coming winter. He was told they would spread the word and any aid that could be spared would be sent that way. After thanking the man for the hospitality, he had rolled out of town.

Day four dawned grey and wet. He decided that with the rain being so light, he should be able to continue moving south to Tres. He was wet, cold, and generally miserable by mid-day when the clouds broke and the rain stopped. The horses had informed him that they were not overly pleased with the conditions either. He kept them going until sundown and set up camp in a clearing that might have once been a farm. The trees in this area were smaller and provided less cover. His camp soon had a cheerful fire going with meat and vegetables cooking on skewers. He made sure the horses were curried and cleaned as well as he could in the wild. After making sure the fire would continue to burn he settled down to get some sleep. The drive he had been making south was as hard on him as it was on the horses.

The morning dawned clear and cooler. He could feel the first warnings of fall in the air and knew he had to hurry if he was to make it to Tres in time to hook up with the caravan west. He passed several folks going the other way and learned that he was only one more day out if he pushed. The caravan he wanted to meet was several days later due to a damaged bridge slowing traffic both ways, so they felt he would make it. Just before night, he began seeing farms and other signs of civilization. He camped in a clearing that was used often as it had stacked wood and fire-pits set up for travelers to use. Another group of travelers stopped as well and they traded news of road conditions. Word had reached Tres about Riversbend and a supply and relief group would be leaving in a few more days. He was relieved that he was still ahead of the westbound caravan.

He left at dawn after wishing the others well and drove south. The horses had begun to complain that they were getting tired and he told them they might be able to get some rest once they arrived at their destination. They snorted in irritation but continued on. He kept them fed, watered, and cared for, so their complaints were minor at best.

Early in the afternoon, he entered the outskirts of the city of Tres. It didn’t have any walls or gates to protect it from what he could see. As he traveled deeper into Tres, he paused and asked where the caravan yards were located. He was directed to turn east, follow the roads around and he would reach the yards as they were south-east of the city. He arrived just before sundown and was told to park his wagon near a group of stables that could hold several hundred animals at once. He was told to park by the farrier stalls. When he explained he wanted to hook up and head west with the caravan, he was told that was fine. This was just the best place for his wagon to be parked until he was ready to go.

Once he was parked and the horses housed and fed, he wandered around the area. He ran back to the wagon when he found a bathhouse to grab some supplies. After he was clean and refreshed having removed a week’s worth of road dust, he sought out a barbershop. His hair was getting shaggy and he needed a beard trimming. He had decided to grow a goatee and mustach. He thought it made him look older and more refined. The cost here in Tres was higher, but it was worth the full treatment. He felt more relaxed now than he had in days. He took a room at one of the many inns that circled the marshaling yards and began to wait.

He only had to wait one day for the caravan to arrive. It was larger than he had expected and was going to double in size before it left for Fairham’s Cove. He listened at first, getting a feel for what they might need. He spent the first day after they had arrived watching as they got the train sorted out. He could see their on staff farrier was alone and not doing too well. When he approached the man and introduced himself, Berith Griz smiled and said he was hired, go to the front group, and get signed on.

Word had arrived at all the inns that the caravan was looking for another farrier, any apprentice or journeyman that wanted to join was welcome. The caravan had already been in for a full day. Aston wanted to give them time to get settled in before he went to visit the man in charge, Waylon.

“What’s your name boy,” Waylon asked him when he rolled up.

“I’m called Aston Grey, sir. I need work and need to be away from this region. The local Baron has exiled me.”

Waylon narrowed his eyes and looked coldly at him. “What did you do that the locals want you gone.”

Aston sighed, “It wasn’t anything I did or didn’t do. It was that pompous ass of a son of his that caused it. He blamed me for a shoe coming off a horse and making it go lame. My father sent me away to save me. I have to get to Fairham’s Cove and meet up with an old friend of his. Some old guy named Gareth Brizton that runs the Broken Sword Inn.”

Waylon paused like he had heard something like this recently, then he smiled as he had it. “Andrew, get over here now,” he yelled. “Your folks ever belong to Merc’s?” he asked Aston.

Before he could answer, a very large boy, or more likely, young adult several years younger than himself came over. “Yeah boss?” he asked Waylon. The guard gave Aston a fast looking over then looking back at Waylon.

“Got another of your lost traveler’s here west heading to the Broken Sword,” he said pointing at Aston.

Aston waited then was surprised when this boy or man asked, “Mercs?”

Aston knew he had one chance to get this right, answer with the truth, but how much he wondered. “Yes, both my parents.”

Andrew reached back to the pocket with the logbook in it. He pulled it out and asked for Aston’s full name. “Grey, Grey, ahh, here they are. Ouch, left before the last mission series under less than good terms.”

“They never told me why they left the Merc’s. Just that they wanted to settle down and raise a family,” said Aston.

Andrew smiled, “Hey, it didn’t involve you, so I’m not worried. I see you’re a Smithy?”

“Master Farrier, both hot and cold shoeing. I am also a master of leather so I can make and repair tack. Journeyman woodworking and can ride any horse or mule around.”

Andrew looked at Waylon and nodded. “I’ll see that he gets to the Broken Sword with Brena, Ledger, and myself.” With that, Andrew returned to his duty as day security at the lead wagon group.

“Ok kid, you’re hired for the run. Pull your kit back to the smithy wagon about halfway down the front line. We’re stuck here for three more days.” Aston re-mounted his wagon and got the horses moving and was soon turned around to go to the line he was assigned to. He was about halfway by his estimates when a woman’s voice called to him from behind.

He brought his wagon to a halt and jumped down after making sure the brake was set. When he turned to face her, both froze, eyes locked. Aston stared at this incredible red-haired vixen in front of him. His mouth went dry, his brain shut off, as all the blood needed for it went south. He tried to speak, but only a squeak came out.

He could see she wasn’t in much better shape. Here was a case of pure lust, just waiting to blow up, he thought. She saw, without looking too far down, her reaction to him. Her nipples popped and tried to cut their way through her blouse.

Aston blinked several times as Brena closed her eyes and seemed to gather herself. “I need to get your name and personal information and destination so you can be put on pay,” she said. He gave her the information she needed and she quickly departed for the front of the caravan.

“Oh Aston, this is going to end so badly, I can just feel it,” he muttered and continued to where he needed to go. He got back on his wagon to drive it in line with the current Farrier and stopped. As he set the brakes and prepared to step down, an older man stood up in the back of the other shop wagon.

He looked at the wagon, then Aston. When he saw what was loaded, his face split in a massive grin. He jumped down and stood at the back, looking over the tailgate. “Now this is a rolling shop. What’s your name mister?” he yelled.

Aston finished setting the break, making a mental note to check the ropes. It felt loose and he had to pull the lever further over to get it to set. “Aston Grey and you are?” said Aston.

“Jerrid Holm is the name. I am the only bonded farrier on this lashup.”

“Well Jerrid, I may be the answer to a few prayers. I am a master farrier as well. I’m not sure what you mean by bond’ed, but I can do the job.”

Jerrid lost his smile now, “Around here, you have to be rated and tested to become a master. At the most, if you haven’t been bonded, I can rate you to Journeyman until we get to the Cove. There I know who can run you through the testing to get your masters rating and bond.”

“We didn’t have anything like that up near the Spine Mountains. I have been training since I could pick up a hammer.” Aston felt a sense of depression at this news. He had hoped to be able to really work, now he would just hold things most likely.

Jerrid saw Aston’s expression and spoke up before the boy could go too far into the dumps. “Hey now, I need all the help I can get. Look at the size of this lot and expect it to nearly double in the number of beasts we have to look after. You will be busy shoeing and cleaning until late every night from here on out.” He saw he had gotten Aston out of the dumps with that news. “Now let’s get you set up, we have a lot of horses and mules to check before we get back on the road in three days.”

They spent an hour moving the rolling shops to the corrals and began checking the horses. Handlers would bring several at a time and hold the horses while Jerrid and Aston inspected the hooves and legs for issues. Aton had a total of ten horses he had pulled aside to work on. All needed a shoe replaced. Jerrid had five for shoes and one with some bad cuts that had gotten infected on the first part of the run. He would have a talk with the drivers about injured horses before they rolled out.

Be the end of the day, Aston was dead tired. This was the hardest he had ever worked in his trade his entire life. He only finished six of the horses that needed shoeing, so he would be busy in the morning getting them finished. After that, it would be time to check the mules. It was best that the different draft animals were kept separated.

That night the eyes stopped and looked at him then moved on. They didn’t speak to him, just looked. Partway through the night, a woman woke everybody around her when she woke, screaming from a nightmare. Aston pulled on his pants, grabbed his whip, and was ready to lend aid in a fight if it was needed. He made his way to where the woman was and saw in the dim torchlight it was the redhead from yesterday. She was being held by the big guy that Waylon had called over, Andrew.

He listened for a minute and heard her mention green eyes hovering over her in her sleep. He watched as Andrew stood up and cursed. “Brena, I know who that was and will arrange to have a little chat with her about scaring folks in their dreams like that.”

Now Brena looked up, wiping her eyes. She looked around and spotted him. She waved and Aston knew he was going to be in trouble somehow. For what he didn’t know, but things would not go well if he got involved with this girl. Rather than run, he walked over and asked, “You ok miss?”

This time when she looked, Brena did not feel a sudden heat like she had felt the day before. “Yeah, just a weird nightmare.”

“Red eyes, or green?” he asked.

“Green. You’ve seen them before,” she said, a suspicious tone creeping into her voice.

“I have encountered both. The green chased the red off and hasn’t bothered me since. I think I dreamed of them just before you screamed. Did they speak to you?” he asked.

“Not so much speak, more like a chuckle. They were laughing at me.” She paused and looked at Aston then frowned. “I don’t think we were properly introduced. I know your Aston Grey, I’m Brena Sizemore from Planes Guard.”

“Aston Grey, Out from the Northern Spine Mountain’s,” said Aston.

“Andrew Markenin from the Southern Plains.”

None had noticed another smaller figure had come up from the side. “I’m Ledger Fireham. I am from the Forest Plains, exiled by a family of killers,” said Ledger.

“You and I are in the same boat Ledger. I was exiled to prevent a nut case from doing my family and I harm,” said Aston.

Now Andrew spoke, “We are all exiled in one way or another, either because of others or by choice in my case.” He looked around then yelled to the surrounding people, “Nothing doing here folks, just a nightmare waking a girl is all.” The people that had woken at Brena’s scream grumbled and returned to their wagons and tents. “Ok, it’s late and we will have time later to talk, back to bed now. I will have a talk with the eyes, or at least Bloodrend will.” He turned and went back to his tent. Ledger followed suit after a minute.

Aston waited until he was alone with Brena. “Brena, I want to apologize for earlier. Our reactions may have been my fault.”

Brena looked at him and smiled, “Well at least you’re honest.” She sat down in front of her tent and motioned for him to sit across from her, not next to her as he was hoping. He knew he might have been able to influence her, but didn’t want to risk it. “Now, I felt that you were broadcasting your feelings earlier, my advice is, don’t, period.” She frowned and pointed at him sharply and jabbed at his chest, “And should I think for one second that you are trying to influence me, I will personally cut out your heart as a warning to all of your ilk that has the ability to mind talk and influence others.”

Aston fell back and scrambling away from her in fear. “What are you,” he whispered.

“I am several things and am protected for the moment in that regard.” She stood and glared down at him. “One, I am the one called The Queen of Thieves, the head of the Planes Guard Thieves Guild.” Now her eyes seemed to glow in the dim light, “I am also a representative for the Brotherhood of Assassins and a messenger for both, so mess with me and I will know it, are we clear on that Aston Grey?”

Aston scrambled to his knees and bowed his head to her, not looking into her eyes. What he had witnessed there for just a second made his heart skip several beats and his blood run cold. Death had looked back out at him and smiled hungrily back at him. “I understand Mistress.” He did not move, waiting for her orders. This woman was someone to fear and respect at all times.

“Call me that again and I will have Andrew beat you to a pulp. Now stand up,” she snapped at him with serious irritation in her voice. He stood, still refusing to meet her eyes. “Aston, don’t be afraid of me, I just needed to set the rules between us. I don’t know how, but the Goddess warned me about your talent so I was ready to handle you as soon as you thought about it.” She turned back to her small tent and climbed in. “Go back to bed Mr. Grey, we all have much to discuss in the morning.” She pulled the flap shut with a snap.

Aston returned to his tent and climbed under the covers, shivering, but not from the cold. ‘The Death Goddess had glanced at me for an instant and found me wanting,’ he thought. ‘I must never show interest in that woman.’ With that last thought, sleep claimed him.

Andrew sat next to his tent, holding Bloodrend, conversing silently. “Ok, who the hell is she Bloodrend. I have seen the eyes in my sleep a few times since the history lesson, but they have stayed in the background.”

“Well master, I have had a few chats with them. The being the eyes represent isn’t the one you will need to meet. The mortal they are bound to, she is the one to worry about,” Bloodrend said. “In fact, you have met her already.”

“I have? Who ... Wait, the redhead at the weapons shop?”

“That’s the one Master. From what I have been told, she is at this moment packing up shop and her entire estate and family-clan of the half-elven will be following us in another day.”

“Why would she do that?” asked Andrew. He was startled when a woman’s voice answered.

“Because we have been part of the guardians of this world since the vampire was imprisoned, that’s why. Now that it is awake, we must fulfill our family duty to destroy it once and for all.” The eyes settled down next to Bloodrend in his mind. “Mind you we have only mortals, for the most part, I am a special case, being bound to one of the beings of chaos from the before exodus.”

“I will not ask then,” said Andrew, “Sometimes ignorance is bliss. I am guessing you will be about two weeks behind us then.”

“Something like that. We won’t be moving much faster than you though. Slow wagons with families and inventories of supplies and all,” said the eyes.

Now Andrew felt a twinge of irritation, what do I call you, I can’t just keep calling you eyes now can I.”

The voice chuckled, “Call me Tara.” The eyes rose up and merged, changing shape until it was the redhead from the weapons shop standing in front of him. Once the transformation was complete, she faded away.

Andrew sat in the dream world, feeling bemused at what he had just witnessed. “Ok my friend, we have others that will join us when they catch up.”

“Well, at least we know she won’t be a threat to us,” said Bloodrend.

“We can only hope. You told me about the elven race. Is she descended from that one man?”

“She would have to be, Master. I can’t fathom any other way one of her races could be on this world at this time. From what I have been able to piece together over time, only humans arrived on this world,” said Bloodrend.

“Then we will wait and see. I am off to bed for some real sleep. I have a mid-morning watch.”

Andrew opened his eyes, glanced around, stood up while stretching his back and legs. He entered the tent that the guard used and lay down on his cot. He was asleep in seconds.

Morning came with the slow rising of sound as people and animals began moving around. The horses that needed shoeing still were brought to the Farriers and taken care of quickly. The rest of the yard had men and women going from place to place, loading and unloading wagons as needed. A Passenger wagon was added to the train and Brena moved her personal effects there for the remainder of the trip. Ledger checked his wagon over and found a worn axle bearing that would need replacing before they rolled out. He sent the request for work and in an hour a group of men checked the spot Ledger had seen and agreed that it needed replacing right then. The team had the wheel off and the axle bearing replaced in under an hour, They took the time to teach Ledger how and where to grease the bearing and axles each morning before they rolled out. The team leader made sure Ledger had a small bucket of the thick grease then moved on to the next job on his list.

Ledger walked around then lot, not looking for anything in particular. Near the stores and shops on the city side of the yard, he spotted a red and white pole. ‘I need a hair cut and a good shave,’ he thought. Checking to make sure he had his money pouch, he headed to the barbershop. He waited his turn not paying much attention to what was going on until he noticed a girl slip up under the sheet of the man getting a trim. He knew what was going on when the sheet began to bob up and down. Now he looked at the price board to see what options he had and how much they would cost. The full treatment, trim, shave, and relief only cost seven gold coins. Those he had in plenty. He would throw in a good glowstone as well as a tip. When his turn came, he sat in the chair and the sheet was placed over his front to keep the hair clippings off his clothes. When asked what service he wanted, He said the full treatment and handed the woman doing the cutting the gold and a small glowing stone. She looked at the stone, then at him, then back at the stone. She pocketed the stone and dropped the coins in the dropbox. She waved one of the girls over and whispered something in her ear that he couldn’t hear. The girl nodded and slid up under the sheet and went to work. Ledger was trimmed, shaved, washed, and blown most completely, twice by the time the barber finished her job. He was a bit wobbly when he left the shop, but he was more relaxed and happier than he had been when he woke that morning.