Aldon mentally added up the distances involved, and even allowing
for trouble they should have plenty of time. It was no more than
three hours to Jack's Hold. There they would take on more water
and rest the horses for an hour. From there it was no time from
Movra to River Drun. If need be, they would buy fresh mounts on
the way, but even allowing for a brisk pace that seemed unlikely.
Beyond that, it would be impossible to try and plan. His riders,
though good soldiers to the bone, were cheerful at the mission.
Perhaps they were unconcerned about any opposition they might encounter.
Only Lorry was his usual self, eyes scanning the lay of the land
already. After a half an hour at a trot, Aldon called for a walk.
Riders dismounted and marched beside the mounts to aid the beast’s
recovery. He ordered everyone to take in water. And when they came
to a trickle beside a field, they watered the horses. Aldon looked
to Jask, who nodded, and the eleven soldiers trotted again. They
passed gawking peasantry laden with goods for their lords, or for
market. Most gave way to the riders, but those with wagons simply
plodded along. Once, Fingers started to slow at a cart full of
fruits. Aldon's sharp bark of command had him back to speed before
his rump sat back upon the saddle. It was resolute movement for
three solid hours. The only cessation was for care of the animals.
Not a one bitched or moaned, but boredom was starting to set in.
They reached Jack's Hold, a walled compound that served all manner
of travelers, in a little more than three hours. They roared into
the center courtyard, and dismounted. Aldon tossed coins to the
stable boys telling them to rub and feed the mounts. Fingers and
Himmel had already passed the tavern's threshold.
" What I'd give for a hot bath," said Ahren, wiping
sweat and road grime from her eyes.
" I don't care what you do," said Aldon loud enough
to carry, " just be back in an hour, fit to ride. If I leave
without you, consider yourself cashiered without backpay!"
Toady, about to enter the many windowed House just down a ways,
grimaced and stepped back. He waved at the busty redhead, and shrugged
his shoulders. Lorry collected him up for a pint and some grub.
The fellow soldiers all took up a table and were quiet for a moment
as each jack was drained of its contents. That was tradition amongst
the Fists. A first round to the fallen with no words before and
no toast. Jask and Quiet joined them just after. They had made
sure the horses were being seen to.
The serving wench plopped down three fresh loaves and looked inquiringly
at Aldon. He nodded. " A good portion, please. Don't worry
about place-settings." Already most of the bread was gone.
A woman wearing the tunic of the Hold's garrison strode up, smiling.
Her sword was new, and Lorry wrinkled his nose at the strong scent
of oil.
"Hoi there, neighbors. Why the haste? We have movement somewhere
near here?" Her look was one of genuine concern. Fingers eyed
the woman's figure - and her exquisite doe-grey thigh boots.
Himmel shifted his chair slightly, as six armed men strode through
the door. They too wore garrison colors. Luckily the meat arrived
and most of the group started in on it before it cooled.
Aldon lit up his pipe, and coolly blew out the match. He looked
at the girl's hands, they were rough.
"No movements that I know of. We just got furlough, and we're
in a hurry to get to Kor to spend some deserved pay." He emphasized
the last two words just ever so slightly. " Can't blame us
for that can ye?" He laughed and Himmel and Jask immediately
joined in. Another round hit the mugs. " Care to join us?" The
girl shook her head. She'd caught sight of her comrades, and nodded
their way.
"No thanks, I got friends here to pass the time with."
"I'll bet," muttered Fingers not as quietly as he should
have. Maybe. He smiled as her smile drooped. An eyebrow rose, and
she seemed about to say something.
" I wouldn't," said Teneil quite evenly. Her eyes stared
directly into the younger woman's. " Fingers can probably
kill any man I know in seconds. You might be eager to try out that
new weapon, but we are not the ones to try it with." Teneil
smiled genuinely. " Try practicing on brigands first. I did."
That was a lie, thought Aldon. He knew she was green as wet wood
when the Captain had taken her on. Oh well. Perhaps the lie would
preserve this hothead's life.
" She's right, if you'll excuse us, please?" Aldon turned
back to eating.
" 'Probably'?" murmured Fingers with a wicked smile.
" Stuff it, turd," laughed Teneil. She grinned as the
little thief twirled a blade in two fingers and skewered a hunk
of meat. He laughed as he chewed.
The garrison member, set aback some, joined her friends in a tiff.
They all bought a round.
Quiet watched the group carefully, seeing a lot of brew going down fast.
She twitched at Bobo's sleeve. He nodded.
" I know. I see. They'll learn or they won't." He went
back to stuffing his face.
Bull grumbled into his beer. " This had better not detain us. We gotta
schedule to keep." He shoved a huge hunk of meat and cheese into his
mouth.
" Eat," said Aldon in that tone of his. Conversation
ceased. More and more patrons came in and the place began to warm
up. Smoky haze drifted lazily along the rafters. The noise rose
dramatically. Bullshit was flowing from the knot of guards. Lorry's
head whipped around once as a particularly nasty comment reached
his ears.
" Let it pass, soldier, that's an order."
" Sir," came the reply. Lorry watched as Aldon produced
a thin leather-bound scroll case. He slipped out a piece of parchment
and motioned for them to gather about. Fingers noticed the Female
Guardsman take an immediate interest, but he pretended to be more
interested in blowing her kisses. The woman’s jaw worked
silently as she took in the amused looking thief. Her eyes kept
darting to the scroll-map laid out in the midst of the huddled
soldiers.
"Here is our first goal," stated the Daum. "Movra.
A tiny town, we'll pass through at a run." His bony finger
followed the Post Road on the map. "After that we come to
the River Drun - and Tellsdale. Tellsdale is bigger, but not by
much. I'm hoping to either refresh the mounts or - in the least
- rest for a short while. We hit Kor by a glass past Nocturn; I
think we'll achieve Bale by twice, mayhaps thrice that." He
stopped to look about - no one as yet was paying undo attention. “We
stop for a few hours at the Ymris River, in Alder. They have the
means there to exchange mounts. Tomorrow morning, we'll up and
pass Dirac, Amrohel, Cern, and finally on to the chapterhouse in
Albaquar." Aldon looked to each of his soldiers. “We
should have plenty of time - but none of you can take that as an
excuse to slack! I want eyes and ears open at all times. That's
what you get paid for. That's all I got. We should start getting
ready." Aldon took a long savoring pull on his pipe.
Himmel and Bobo rose first. They used the latrine, and then went
out to the horses. Aldon motioned for Quiet and Ahren, too. Bull
rose with them, but a garrison tough beat them to the door. He
took in Bull's size, but the alcohol which teetered him drove him
on.
" Uh, you guys got your Travel Chit?" The three of them
looked perplexed, while the guard's buddies laughed. The girl joined
her guard.
" What Chit is that?" asked Bull.
" Shall I take that as a no?"
" Explain the nature of this 'Chit', please."
The girl laughed at Bull. " You dolt. If you stay the night
in the Hold you gotta buy a Chit."
" We aren't staying the night. If you'll excuse us."
The male guard Took hold of Quiet's arm. Bull caught the warning
look in her eyes, but the guard was still eyeing the substantial
swells in Quiet's tunic.
The companions at the table rose at the same time as the garrison
toughs. Aldon strode slowly over to the five at the door. Farmers
and craftsmen began to scuttle out of the way.
The Daum tapped his pipe on his heel, and then carefully stepped between
the sides. He paused to eyeball the girl and the man.
" You ever touch one of my soldiers again, boy, and I'll
let her cut your liver out and eat it." Quiet smiled evilly. " Young
woman," he said even softer," You seem to hold some sort
of rank. So here's some advice. I been a soldier for thirty-five
years, and you don't earn a soldier's respect by getting him killed."
Bull ushered the two women out, and the rest of the companions
filed after, seemingly unfazed.
Outside, Teneil took a deep breath. " We gotta saddle up.
Now."
Aldon took a breath and in his drill voice fired out the commands.
The garrison toughs showed up as they led their horses out of
the stable courtyard. Himmel, Jask, Quiet and Bobo made no efforts
to hide their strung bows. The toughs lined out along the street.
The girl stepped forward.
" I think perhaps you should accompany me to the barracks.
I believe the Reeve will have questions about your haste. I would
prefer you to come peaceably." Peace was the last thing on
her mind as she caressed her sword hilt like a piece of her lover.
Her eyes narrowed, and Aldon was the center of her attention.
Lorry mounted in a single leap and slowly approached the woman.
He came right up to her, eyeing her all the way. He leaned towards
her, as if to whisper something to her.
" I have killed one hundred sixteen men and thirty-one women,
since I joined this outfit, girl." Her eyes widened, then
narrowed. " I don't like to kill when I ain't bein' paid.
I like missing my leave even worse." The nasty whisper paled
the girl and she gripped her sword, as if it lent her strength.
Lorry was ready for the arm to tense. Before she could draw, he
had her pulled up backwards over the horn, a wickedly sharp knife
pressed to her white throat. Red blood trickled from the contact.
" You men back off. I don't want to kill you if I don't have
to. But you fuck with us, I swear the street will run with your
blood." Aldon smiled and led the group, with Lorry as second.
The toughs followed warily, unsure just how to proceed. At the
far gate, the portcullis was down.
" Raise the gate," ordered Aldon. When the man hesitated,
Lorry pressed a little harder. Blood began to flow. The girl cried
out in pure terror. The gate raised.
Outside, Lorry dropped the girl like a sack of flour - she'd fainted.
Aldon gave a curt order and the eleven rode out fast. Toady brought
up the rear, whistling a merry tune.
Darkness was but a few hours away, and Aldon fervently hoped they would
make Kor before morning.
“Whooee," cried Fingers, “Lorry - you are truly
evil. I think I love you...”
“Stuff it sideways sticky-fingers."
