by C. Litka
03
I spent part of the following round in the library with JimDe and MiKa annotating the map of our route to Marsh Waters that MiKa drew. I learned that a Windvera league was about as long as a person on foot could travel in a Windverian "hour". The Windvera round was divided into "periods" of six hours each - before mid-round, after mid-round and sleep. A carriage travels two leagues in each hour, and they were driven nearly non-stop for two or three rounds, the crew sleeping in shifts and breaking the journey only for meals and an hour or two of sleep for crew. The passengers caught what sleep they could aboard the carriage. By the third round, the crew, and I presume, the passengers, were ready for a solid watch's sleep in an inn before starting out again. This long stay marked the end of a "stage."
I had MiKa draw as many landmarks as we could fit in, while I added notations in my smallest Saraime characters based on their translations, so that I and my companions had a chart we could use.
After the mid-round meal, Teacher AnDervi sought us out.
'Your carriage has arrived,' she said, 'Perhaps you would like to meet your crew.'
'Lead on,' we said.
'You've drawn CarVori's crew,' she said, as we walked towards the front entryway. 'Though knowing CarVori, I would imagine he chose you.'
'Ah?'
'CarVori is a character. Some of our sages will travel with no one but him. Others, with anyone but him. For he is a talker. His constant chatter annoys some of our more reclusive members. However, I think you'll find him useful since he knows a great deal about a great many things. Indeed, I believe he can spend the whole journey just describing the history of the section of road you are driving on. In a way, it is our fault, for he asks many questions as well. You will not find a more curious man, nor one who seems to retain everything he hears. He has, in his long career as a carriage captain, picked the minds of our best scholars on many subjects, and seems to remember everything he was told. He can, and will, debate with any scholar throughout the whole journey using this knowledge. Some enjoy this - it shortens the journey. Others, not so much. Those that enjoy his company and conversation say that even the longest journey ends before they have settled any point, and look forward to continuing the debate on their next trip.'
'He sounds like just what we need?'
'Indeed, you will no doubt learn a great many things about Windvera, but expect to be cross examined on every aspect of where you came from as well. As I said, I am certain that once he heard that four strangers from some unknown islands were seeking transport to Marsh Waters, he used his seniority to lay claim to the job.'
'Oh, Captain Litang here, has so many tales to spin, that even this CarVori will grow weary before we reach the end of our trip. Litang is widely known as one of the greatest liars of all of the Saraime,' said Naylea.
'It is my fate, it seems.'
'He attracts misfortune like dung attracts beetles.'
I gave her a stern look, lost on her, of course. 'I'll not deny that I've run across more than my share of talon-hawks, pirates, storms and shipwrecks. But I don't believe they're as numerous as beetles on dung.'
'And yet, he's already tempted fate by making a map of our route so that if, or rather, when, misfortune happens - as it surely will - he'll know where it happened, and will be able to point it out on a map, when it is time to spin it into one of his epic yarns.'
What could I say?
CarVori proved to be a very tall and thin man who eagerly hurried to meet us. He bowed and said with a wave to the three men standing by the carriage, 'I am CarVori and those are my pedal-men.' He extended his hand to me - they shake hands on Windvera.
I took it. 'We are happy to meet you,' I said, and named myself and companions. ' Also, though I don't see them around at the moment - they were with us for the meal - we travel with two Simla dragons as well, so I fear we will be a large party for your pedal-men to haul.'
'Yes, yes. I heard of the two dragons. Oh, I would not miss this hire for all of the gold in Xindou. You need not fear - my pedal-men are experienced, and the number of passengers does not matter much at all. You will see - we will fly to Marsh Waters'
'We've heard that you are very knowledgeable on all aspects of Windvera. Being strangers, we can learn much during or journey.'
'Oh, I talk and talk. You will learn much, as I hope I will, as well. I am ready and eager to start as soon as you are.'
'We wait on a companion yet to join us. She should be here within a round or two..'
'Good. They will be happy, since we just delivered the last hire in Devere two rounds ago. They grumbled about turning around so fast, but I told them to think of all the coins they would not have time to waste on drink and would be earning on the trip. They still grumbled about all the drink they'd be missing. But not the coins. We can settle on our meal fee and rest terms later, if you wish.'
'I understand that we can just include you and your crew in with our meals and lodging. If that is fine with you, we shall do it that way.'
'Excellent. Traveling as one party is far more enjoyable. And trust me, I know of all the finest and, since Laezans are my preferred customers - all the most affordable - places for meals and rests along the road. Never fear, I shall watch your coins like a hawk and you will never complain of either the food or the lodgings.'
'That sounds grand. We shall place ourselves in you capable hands.'
'Right,' he nodded with a wide smile. 'I shall settle my crew, and see you at dinner, where we can plan our journey stage by stage.'
Chapter 41 Luan Street to Long Street
