Caravans of Doridia: The 2nd Chronicle of Jon Hunter (The Saga of Jon Hunter Book 2)

by Ronald Watkins

  “Yes, I played a small part in the matter last fall.”

  “Then I salute you.” With that he saluted and looked upon me with admiration and approval. I returned his salute and left for the dining area, there to more closely examine the artwork and to sip wine before the dinner began. The return of Lehdah was after all a family matter and not for outsiders.

  ~

  This dining hall lacked formal Sekers, attired in glittering ceremonial armor, standing to attention, nor were there spears and swords along the walls, war trophies going back generations. It was a sunken room, oval shaped, lined with pillars, the walls covered with gaudy tapestries depicting heroic events in the family’s ancient history. Flickering oil lamps lit the scene.

  Dinner became a festival, with the finest wine and rich plentiful food. All of the family were present and throughout the evening family members from all over the city came to greet Lehdah and to express that pleasure at her return. A group of musicians played lighthearted music and for a time the spell of unhappiness was lifted from me. If such was the happiness one could create by freeing a slave, I determined to free even more in the future.

  I recall one touching scene when the butler, an elderly man long in service to this House approached Lady Lehdah, for such now she was, and unbidden expressed his happiness at her return. She jumped to her feet and clutched him to her bosom. Then she asked that all the slaves who wished be allowed to greet her, and nodding his consent the Urak permitted a flood of domestic slaves who were gathered about in the kitchen upon hearing the good word that the Lady Lehdah was returned from the dead. Among the slaves were many who had tended her since infancy.

  I was thanked many times over by all in attendance. Later in the drawing room Lehdah told of her capture and ultimate release this night. She made no reference to the vicious treatment she had suffered in the forest though all present could well imagine what had occurred. She praised me, much to my discomfort, and again, tactfully, made no reference to any act on my part to which any in her family would object.

  Granted she had come willingly to my furs, but one does not rub the nose of your father in such matters. So pleased were all of them upon her return that none that night I am sure thought much of what she had done as a slave, for she had been a slave and must do the every bidding of her master. To my relief she made it clear that I had only just learned her identity that very afternoon and I had freed her at once. I was apprehensive that the Urak might believe that I had known her identity all along and had kept her concealed to play as a trump card in the event our negotiations broke down.

  Ladak sought me out and said, “I am very happy that I spoke so frankly to you of family matters this afternoon. From what my foolish sister says, had I not, she might have remained a slave.”

  I was by now intoxicated and so I beamed at him, accepted his thanks and enjoyed the festivities.

  Too soon it was well passed the midnight hour and family members from without the Great House reluctantly bid the Lady Lehdah good night. Her mother and sisters, along with the younger male members of the household also departed leaving the men and Lehdah in the drawing room with the Urak Kabatoh.

  “I will never forget what you returned to me this night, Hunter,” he vowed solemnly. I assured him that I asked nothing in return save the pleasure I had received at witnessing the festivities this night. “I hesitate to see you out of my sight, my dear Lehdah but there are matters of business which I should discuss and so I give you to your mother for a short while, but I will join you two as soon as I can.” This was in Doridia a fairly formal order for Lehdah to leave, but ever the headstrong woman she instead came to me and clutched me to her.

  “Earlier a miserable slave thanked you for freeing her. Now I, the Lady Lehdah, thank you. You have always been kind to me and you have this night given back my life. If ever there is a means by which I can repay you, I will.”

  I was somewhat embarrassed by her actions for Free Woman do not touch or show sign for anyone outside their immediate family. Her gesture in holding me had said more to the men present about her feeling for me then the words she had spoken.

  She pushed herself from me and literally ran from the room to her waiting mother and sisters. All present grinned and the Urak personally uncorked yet another bottle of vintage wine. It was then that he turned to me and pledged the participation of his House in the venture of my Urak. We all remained together only long enough to finish the last bottle and then the good man excused himself and rushed to the side of his youngest daughter. Ladak escorted me to my quarters. Upon reaching them he asked, “When will you be returning to Taslea?”

  “I will not for a time. The caravan will depart within a few days but the merchant in charge can carry a dispatch from me to my Urak informing him of the success of my mission here.”

  “And what will you do?”

  “There is a personal matter for me to settle in the forest.”

  “Does this personal matter involve the lady taken in the attack upon your caravan?” I looked at him, surprised at his candor and show of curiosity. It took me a moment to realize that no longer was I an outsider to him but now a member of his family and being such the usual formal restraint shown to an outsider no longer existed between us.

  “Yes, it involves the lost lady. But beyond that it is a matter of honor and I must personally see to a certain outlaw’s death.”

  “You are still quite weak from your injuries and even in the best of health such a venture can be of great risk. Perhaps a second, skilled Seker could be of some value to you.”

  “I thank you for the thought but I must do this alone. My health returns rapidly and I shall be ready to depart in a few days now that business matters are concluded and I am free to do so.”

  My friend did not pursued the conversation, but thanking me again, bid me good night. I entered the room and lay upon my furs, asleep almost before touching them.

  ~

  I slept as if I were dead and for once the nightmare which had haunted me since the loss of Sofeeah left me in peace. I did not rise until midday but when I did I was much refreshed and considered myself strong enough to undertake my mission in the forest the next day.

  I sought out a scribe within the city and had the arrangement with Urak Kabatoh and Tonalah set to parchment for Merchant Renakor to carry safely to Taslea. I shopped for the things I would need in the forest and did not have already in my wagon. I decided to depart at first light.

  My friends Ctesias and Koptos, now fully recovered, were upset with me on two counts. One, I had freed a slave and never once shared her and, two, I was a fool to enter the forest without their assistance. I remained firm in my position for I would not risk another life in my endeavor, save my own and as I considered it lost already without Sofeeah, I risked very little indeed.

  The Merchant Renakor thought me a fool to even consider doing what I told him I would do the next day. He agreed to carry the dispatch for me but looked upon me for what he believed would be the last time. I checked over my belongings and laid them in preparedness for the following morning. The rest of the day I would rest and retire early for the forest would be very exhausting on me.

  I spent the day wandering idly and slowly about the city to view its sites and to observe life this last day. I had no misgivings about my mission, I knew that it was hopeless and that I would perish in the forest, mostly likely before I ever reached Sofeeah or set a hand on Kanchoh. But I could do nothing less.

  By midafternoon I had returned to the Great House of Kabatoh and lain upon my furs unable to sleep but willing my body to rest. With the evening hour I received word to join the Kabatoh family in their private quarters for dinner. I dressed a last time in rich robes and as a sign of respect and trust in the Urak wore no weapons upon me.

  I was greeted as a family member upon arriving for dinner and was much pleased to see Lehdah radiant in luxurious robes and fine, costly jewelry. A detected a trace of perfume about her when she
kissed my cheek in greeting and thoroughly approved of her new hair style and selection of light cosmetics. She was if possible even more beautiful then she had ever been before and I thought myself a fool to give my life up in the forest when I could remain here and no doubt marry this woman if I wished.

  But I had given my word to the Lady Tonalah. Even more Sofeeah was again the captive of Kanchoh and I could never allow that. And then, my heart was as dead without Sofeeah and even a woman as precious as Lehdah could not replace her.

  “We celebrate again this night Hunter,” Ladak said, “for with the first light I will depart on a journey.”

  I had heard no tale of a journey for anyone in this family. “A journey. And where do you journey to?” I asked.

  “Why into the forest, in search of bandits and outlaws who prey upon the caravans of my father. As you leave at dawn as well, perhaps you might care to travel with me, particularly as we go to the very some destination.”

  “But I do not know where I go except as the outlaw band I seek leads me.”

  “That is quite a coincidence, for I do not know where I will go except as the outlaw band leads me. I think our paths take the same road this journey. We would be wise to take it together.”

  Before I could answer, his father said, “I cannot, of course, permit my son to venture on so noble a feat without some small assistance, and particularly as we have entered into an agreement but to seek out and destroy outlaws. So a few of my trusted men shall escort him.”

  “I see,” I said. “A few Sekers shall escort him. How many are a few?”

  “My father is quite attached to me, so he sends 200 men to see to my safety.”

  “Two hundred?”

  “A small escort, to see to my safety for I hear that there is great risk in the forest.”

  I saw that the decision was made and that there was nothing I could say or do to discourage or prevent these men.

  We ate with much merriment and no mention of the next day’s departure. The Urak’s good wife sought me out as she left to retire and kissed me softly, clutching my hand in gratitude. Lehdah went away without seeing me and I assumed that she did not wish to say goodbye. I returned to my room and slept deeply this last time in the Great House of Kabatoh,

  ~

  Ladak came for me before first light, dressed for military action. He informed me that the men were drawn up at the main gate prepared to depart as soon as we arrive. However, upon reaching the market beside the gate, I saw not two hundred but three hundred Sekers ready for march.

  The Merchant Renakor greeted me and explained that he had no need of the additional Sekers which had journeyed with us to this point and that he had ordered the Commander of One Hundred to lead them wherever I went. Before I could speak, he said, “The Urak Kabatoh sought me out yesterday and said that in as much as he was sending a detail of Sekers to pursue and slay outlaws perhaps the Urak Rahdon would care to join in the venture. This seemed most appropriate and so the arrangements were made.”

  I was speechless. My one man crusade, destined to failure, was now a full-fledged expedition and there was now some chance for success.

  “There is one final detail, Hunter,” Ladak said. “A special guide will lead us into the forest.” With that the Lady Lehdah stepped from my wagon dressed for the forest.

  “No, I cannot...” I began but was cut off by Lehdah.

  “You cannot prevent it. I made a bargain with you and I will keep it. And anyway, Hunter, do you think I can lightly forget what happens to a woman kept by outlaws in the forest? I will help free Sofeeah and you have need of my services.” I saw that her mind was set and that I could say nothing to disway her.

  “But to risk recapture or death so soon after gaining your freedom and upon being returned to your family...”

  “It was you who gave me that life to risk. My father understands the meaning of a bargain and he knows that to risk my life for the one who gave it to me is only fitting.”

  I turned to the men and as I walked to the gate the Sekers beat their spears against their bronze shields and cheered, “Hunter! Hunter! Hunter!” In that moment as we left I feared for the outlaws.

  20. Meeting at River’s Edge

  From our place of concealment we could clearly view the great colorful caravan which stretched snake-like along the dirt road leading to Lathanah. It had been our intention to look for signs of outlaws but instead the caravan had leaped to our view. Ladak and I shared a flask of water and a bit of dried meat as we spoke in hushed voices of the campaign in the forest and of the caravan ahead, the second this season to make the journey, my own having been the first. Finished with our meager repast we returned the same route we had followed up the hill and rejoined our band of hearty Sekers. Taking a suggestion from my book, we had informed the men that they would receive one silver coin for each outlaw slain to be split equally by all.

  We set the men on the march again and in a short time reached the head of the ponderous caravan, only a bit smaller than the one I had commanded over this very route but a few days earlier, when Sofeeah had been so near to total freedom. I had recalled a promise and having left Lathanah without securing all that I needed in the forest I thought now to obtain the essential items from this caravan.

  I approached the leader of the main group of wagons and inquired as to outlaws. “Outlaws, you say,” he growled at my question, “why the forest is crawling with them. We have thus far been attacked three times, once even in the middle of the day. I lost four wagons and over twenty good men to those cutthroats. I’ve had about all I intend to take from them. It’s time we struck into the forest and hunted them like the wild dogs they be.”

  “That’s exactly what we intend to do, so any specific information you could provide us with about the numbers of outlaws in the attacks and the location of them could be an immense help to us in our search.” I could see no reason to conceal our purpose for the moment the outlaws spied us off of the road in the trees they would know our intent. “And one other matter of business. We desire 10 slave girls. Perhaps you know of a merchant on the caravan who has some for sell?”

  “Slaves!” he spat. “And here I believed that you were serious men, set about on a serious venture. Sure, we have slaves enough. My merchant will be happy to sell them to you. It’ll save him the price of feeding them the rest of the journey.”

  Leaving Ladak to acquire whatever intelligence the Seker had for us, I moved down the caravan and bargained with the merchant for 10 slave girls. He sensed my strong desire to acquire them and I fear made a better bargain with me then he would have received on the auction block in Lathanah. But I was satisfied. These women permitted me to keep my word. They were especially suited for my purposes as all were trained for service in taverns.

  And so the caravan passed my marching troops, one soon to reach the safety of the city walls, the other in quest of outlaws.

  I was strong enough for the march the first two days but I was fearful that I would be unable to keep up the pace for long. I did not wish to slow the march of my men, but then I alone had personal reasons for this hunt. I continued to take nourishment whenever possible in the hope that my strength would return.

  It was midday when we reached the banks of the River Beerah. The ancient stone bridge was intact and unmolested. This had surprised me when I had first seen it for the outlaws could destroy it, unguarded as it was.

  “Destroy it, you say?” the Merchant Renakor had replied to my off handed statement. “Outlaws they may be but rarely fools. If they destroy it, then no caravans can pass this way and they will be destroyed in turn. Outlaws frequently seek to hinder a caravan or block its route, but never by causing a calamity that would permanently block the route.”

  The bridge stood and I ordered the men camped on the east side of the road some distance from the bridge at the river’s edge. Taking Ladak only with me along with the 10 frightened slave girls and a large bag of silver, I crossed the road to the west side,
near the river and selecting a small clearing awaited the arrival of Danak, for this was the night of the new moon.

  I was pleased that my ears were keen enough to hear the approach of the outlaws in the dark even though they sought to approach us in stealth. Upon hearing them I gave the command and the woman lit the firewood already prepared for this moment. Soon several fires glowed in the blackness of night, growing in intensity with each passing moment.

  Danak was the first man I saw. He walked boldly across the clearing, every inch a leader. I marveled still again at my creation. I vacillated in my opinion of what I had wrought. At times I felt as Michelangelo must have upon seeing the completed form of David, carved in marble to perfection, but at other times I suspected I felt more like Dr. Frankenstein when his creation first rose from the surgery table.

  “The silver?” Danak said by way of greeting. I patted my side from which hung the bulging pouch. Danak looked about and remarked, “I can see the women well enough.” Then grinning he called out for his band, once mine, to join him. Ladak was nervous behind me but boldly held his place as over 30 filthy creatures sprang from the forest blackness. The band had grown under the leadership of Danak. He organized the men into a file and then took his place between myself and the man at the head of the line, only just slightly to the side so that he appeared as a mediator of the exchange.