by Sharon Gibbs
‘Here, Sir, have a drink to quench your thirst and there’s plenty of bread and cheese,’ Gustov said.
‘Thank you,’ Devon said and he sat down on a corner of the blanket and took the drink that Gustov offered him. After they’d eaten and rested, they took a walk around to stretch their legs before they headed back to the carriage.
‘Won’t be too long now, Sir, before we’re in Little Scarn. We’ll stop there for the night,’ Gustov said and closed the door on the carriage.
Later that evening they arrived in the small village. It was much like the inn they’d stayed in the previous night, friendly service, good food and a comfortable bed. There was breakfast in the morning and then they set off again for another day’s travel. The landscape ranged from fields of crops to pastures filled with livestock and they passed through wooded thickets and prairies where the grass rippled in the breeze. Some areas were rocky and some overgrown and there were small streams, which they crossed along the way.
When the evening drew in on the fourth day, they made a camp not far from the road. Gustov and Gerard gathered wood while Devon collected rocks and placed them in a ring to contain the fire. Others he stacked near its edge and Gustov placed the heavy iron pot on top. Gerard and Devon had never slept outside before or eaten food from a campfire and Gerard was excited, it was an adventure for him. Gustov cooked them a hearty stew made from vegetables, greens and some salted meat. They ate the stew and thought it was delicious. Later Gustov told stories from his childhood and also about the history of the area. He even told them a little about the Keep where Gerard was to stay.
There were tales of how the Wizards studied for hours on end and how they bonded with the moon and the seasons of time. Some of them studied the philosophies of old and others mixed magical medicines. Gustov told them how rare it was to find one with the gift of prophecy but all of them had one thing in common—they were teachers and mentors to the young students. He talked late into the night about the Wizards’ circles that he’d visited and the Solstices he’d attended. From winter to summer and all in between with their love for life and all forms of nature be it beast or plant, fire or water, the Wizards celebrated it all.
As the fire burnt low they prepared for bed. Gustov climbed into the carriage and lifted the leather seats. The base had been made into storage and he pulled out thick warm furs and two rolls of canvas, one large and one small. Most of the furs he arranged on the seats inside for Gerard and Devon and he only kept a couple for himself along with the small roll of canvas.
‘I think it’ll rain tonight,’ Gustov said. ‘But you’ll stay warm inside.’
‘What about you, Gustov?’
‘I’ll be fine, Gerard. I’ll sleep under the carriage. This here canvas will protect me from the rain and the furs will keep me toasty warm,’ he said.
Devon and Gerard bid him goodnight and climbed in. It wouldn’t be as comfortable as a bed but it would do for a night.
Gustov laid his canvas on the ground underneath the carriage and arranged his furs on top. Then he stacked some wood under there as well to stay dry in case it did rain. He climbed up and placed the larger canvas over their luggage and strapped it down to keep out any rain. Gustov crawled into his bed and snuggled himself in the furs and then he flicked the tarp over to cover himself and protect him from the cold. It wasn’t long before he was toasty warm and he drifted off to sleep. The others settled down for the night and arranged their furs to keep them warm. They were surprised how comfortable and soft they were.
It wasn’t long before Gerard heard his father snoring and as Gerard lay in the soft furs he thought about the stories Gustov had told earlier. He looked forward to his arrival at the Keep and was eager to see all the wonders Gustov had told him about.
They awoke early in the morning to hear the patter of the rain on the roof. They noticed a chill in the air and they could smell the sweetness of the soaked earth outside. Gustov was up and about already. He’d fashioned his canvas into a weatherproof cloak and around the middle he’d fastened it with a piece of rope. He was busy as he cooked breakfast over the small fire. The rain wasn’t heavy but it did look like it would hang around a while.
The Antrobus’ stayed in the warmth of the carriage and Gustov brought them over some biscuits and dandelion tea. When they’d finished, they both left the comfort and warmth of its interior to find a quiet place not far away to ease themselves after the long night. They returned to the carriage and settled among the furs.
Gustov packed up the site and then harnessed the horses and they continued on their way.
By midday they knew the rain had set in and the Antrobus’ gave up all thoughts of leaving the warm interior to take a walk. They chatted about their journey so far and talked of things back home.
It was early evening, the rain poured down as they arrived in Gallpass and the carriage pulled to a stop in front of the Boar’s Head Inn. Devon and Gerard were grateful to be out and stretch their legs. They entered the inn and ordered their meals and some hot-spiced mead to take the chill from their bones. They decided to sit by the fire and warm themselves while they ate. It had been a long day and they were ready for bed by the time they had finished their food. It wouldn’t be long now, only a few days until they arrived at the Keep.
The next morning the sky was grey and the rain continued to fall in a fine mist. Devon and Gerard resigned themselves to another day of travel within the confines of the carriage.
While they ate their morning fare Gustov entered the inn. He ordered himself some breakfast and some hot-spiced wine and sat near the fire to warm his bones after the cold night. When he’d finished he came over to the Antrobus’.
‘Mornin’ Sir, looks like we’re in for another wet day,’ he said.
Gerard’s face dropped as Gustov confirmed the rain was here to stay for another day. Yesterday he’d been cooped up in the carriage and he didn’t think he could spend another whole day in there. Gustov saw the sad expression on his face.
‘Well it’ll probably be a little crowded for ya both in the carriage all day. I could probably rustle up another canvas for Gerard to wear and he could travel with me up in the driver’s seat for a while. He’d just be needin’ an ol’ hat to keep his head dry.’
Gerard’s eyes lit up at the thought. ‘Could I, father? I think it would be fine. I could wear my old leather cap. That would surely keep the rain out.’ He sounded so happy and excited to ride up top with Gustov that Devon couldn’t deny his son.
‘Well as long as you find your leather cap and gloves and something to keep you dry, I suppose it will be all right. But only for a while, not all day you hear, or you’ll catch a cold and then what would I tell your mother. That I left you in this country sick?’
‘I’ll go right now, father, and get my cap.’
‘Let’s go. We be needin’ to find somethin’ to keep ya dry as well. We’ll meet ya out the front in a while, Sir,’ Gustov said and the two of them left the inn.
In the barn the horses were still in their stalls and they whickered good morning as the men entered. Gustov and Gerard shook the rain from their clothes and walked over to give them a pat. The stable boy had already fed them and Gustov had rubbed them dry and brushed their coats when they arrived last night. Gustov took good care of the team. He knew a stray pebble caught in their hooves could cause them to become lame and he wouldn’t let that happen. His boss Mr. Towner would have no hesitation to be rid of them as he wasn’t one to care for his animals. As long as they made him money and took travellers where they wanted to go, he was happy for Gustov to care for them.
Gustov patted the grey gelding. ‘This one is called Tommy,’ he said. ‘And that brown one there is Cal.’ Gustov then pointed to the two black geldings on the far side of the stall. ‘Those two over there are brothers. The one with the white star on his head is called Hank and his brother’s name is Joe.’
Gerard laughed. ‘Who thought up those names? They’re funny names
for horses.’
‘Well, I just thought ‘em up, everythin’ has to have a name,’ Gustov said and he laughed as well as they walked over to the carriage. Gustov climbed up onto the driver’s seat and from the box behind the seat he pulled out a piece of canvas and rope. He climbed back down. ‘Ok, Sir, let’s fix ya somethin’ to keep that rain off.’
He shook out the canvas and laid it on the floor. With his knife he made a slit from the middle to one end. Gustov put the knife away and placed the canvas over Gerard’s shoulders so the slit came up to the back of his neck and the two pieces hung down the front of his chest. The front was as long as the back and he overlapped the two front sections.
‘Now, Sir, hold it there while I wrap the rope around you.’ Gerard held the two pieces together while Gustov wrapped the rope around him. He pulled the back edges of the canvas around and tucked the front panels inside. With the rope he tied the garment together and then cut away the excess. ‘Ya always need a good piece of rope, Sir. Comes in handy for all sorts a things.’ Gustov stood back to survey his handy work.
Gerard climbed up onto the driver’s seat to reach his black bag that was strapped on top of the carriage. He felt around inside to find his old leather cap and pulled it out. He reached back in and found his gloves. He climbed down and put his cap on. He was excited and sped to where Gustov hitched up the team.
‘Gustov, is there anything I can help with?’
‘Hold on to the reins, Sir, that would be a help,’ Gustov said as he hitched up the last two horses. They walked them over to the carriage and Gustov hitched the two black geldings first, while Gerard held the other two. When they were secure he had Gerard help him position the pair at the front and fastened the harnesses together to bind them as a team.
‘Well, Sir, you better get up in the driver’s seat. We should be gettin’ along.’
Gerard climbed up and took position on the left. Gustov passed him the reins and mounted the carriage on the right.
‘Better go pick ya father up now,’ Gustov said as they drove the team out into the rain. As the team made its way towards the inn, birds twittered and darted around, checking the puddles for worms and insects as they fled the sodden ground. Gerard saw his father as he waited under the porch out of the rain. His face broke into a smile and he waved as the horses drew up in front of the inn.
Devon watched as Gerard appeared before him wrapped in a strange garment, which was held together with a piece of old rope. Sure enough the old leather cap slouched on his head and made his hair stick out to the sides. If his mother could see him now he thought and a smile crept over his face.
‘Your carriage, Sir,’ Gerard called out to his father and bowed.
‘Thank you, driver,’ Devon said as he continued the game.
Gerard climbed down and opened the door. ‘Looks like we’re in for a wet one,’ Gerard said as he closed the door. He returned to his seat and with a flick of the reins they were off. Gerard had never experienced such fun. It was different here than back home. He was carefree and happy. The rain continued to fall and small streams of water trickled off Gerard’s cap. A stray runnel managed to find its way down his back and he shivered as the cold water ran down his spine.
‘Are ya cold, Sir?’
‘No, I’m fine.’ Gerard said and smiled with joy, happy to be out in the open. He tucked his hands under his canvas cloak and was eager to see all that he could.
By early afternoon Gerard was cold and wet and finally he relented to Devon’s pleas and returned to the carriage.
He climbed down and removed his waterlogged gloves and cap. Inside the carriage he found an old cloth and dried his hair, removed his boots and wet socks then curled up in the warm furs and fell asleep.
The rain had stopped by early evening and the wind had picked up. They ate a simple meal of cheese and bread as they continued on. Gustov said if they kept their current pace they’d be in Canistar by midnight. He’d friends who owned the inn in Canistar and they wouldn’t mind if they turned up late. So on into the night they travelled. Devon and Gerard slept for a while. They woke to the clatter of the horse’s hooves on the wooden bridge as they crossed the Meer River and entered Canistar from the south.
The stars twinkled in the sky and the moon loomed overhead illuminating the road into the village. In the moonlight they could make out the small houses along the road. There weren’t many at first as they were still on the outskirts of the village, but as they drew near, the houses became more abundant and the dirt roads slowly turned to cobblestone. As they ventured further the buildings increased in size and the road on which they travelled led them past the market square and Gustov headed towards the inn.
He pulled the carriage to a halt and climbed down from his seat. He hitched the team to the rail in front of the porch and climbed the steps to knock on the door. He waited and before long he heard someone shuffle towards the door. Gustov peered through the window and watched as a candle hovered towards him.
‘Who be there?’ a voice grumbled on the other side.
‘It’s Gustov, Zeek, with the travellers from Reist,’ he said.
‘I wondered when you’d arrive.’ Zeek said. There was a scrape and a thud as the bolt slid back in its holster and the door opened. A stout man held the candle and peered out into the darkness. ‘Come on in with ya,’ he said as he waved Devon and Gerard towards the inn, ‘or you’ll freeze to death out there.’ Zeek was known to be dramatic.
They climbed the few steps onto the stoop where Zeek waited and Gustov introduced them. ‘This here be old Zeek,’ Gustov said to Devon. ‘This is Mr. Devon Antrobus and his son Gerard all the ways from Reist. They’ll be off to the Keep tomorrow.’
‘Come in, gentlemen, before ya freeze ta death.’ Zeek led the way inside the two-storey establishment and led them over to the hearth. Around the fire comfortable leather chairs had been placed for guests to relax in while they visited the inn. Between the fireplace and the counter on the opposite wall were tables and chairs for patrons to sit and on the back wall in the corner was a fine staircase which led to the upper level. He bid them to sit while he stoked the fire to provide warmth for his guests.
‘Take your team round the back to the barn, Gustov. If you wake young Johnny, he’ll help with the horses and luggage. June saved food for you all. She thought you’d be in late tonight,’ Zeek said as he placed some sticks on the fire and waited until they lit before he added more sturdy branches. ‘It’s a bit of a trip from Reist to here in Canistar.’
‘Well it was quite exciting really,’ Devon said.
‘I’ll get you and your son something to drink, Sir, and heat the food June prepared earlier. Keep an eye on the fire and give it a stoke if needed. There’s more wood in that box over there,’ he said and then left them. As Gerard watched, Zeek disappeared through the curtain behind the counter. They heard him as he moved and banged pots and pans around. Devon and Gerard were pleased to be in front of the warm fire and they watched the flames flicker and catch light to the small logs Zeek had place on the embers. Devon pushed a log back in the fire as it tried to escape. As he reclined in the chair he heard a voice from the top of the stairs.
‘Good evening, Gentlemen,’ a feminine voice said. It was June, Zeek’s wife. ‘I heard a commotion and thought Zeek could probably use a hand,’ she said and chuckled to herself. ‘How was your trip? You’ve had a little of our seasonal rains over the past few days.’
Devon rose to his feet as she approached. ‘Good evening,’ he said. ‘Yes, it’s has been a little wet but we stayed mostly dry.’
‘Was there something wrong with the carriage?’
‘No, madam, my son here wanted to ride up front with Gustov this morning and well, became a little damp,’ he said and then laughed. ‘My name’s Devon Antrobus and this is my son Gerard,’ he said.
Gerard stood and offered June his hand. ‘It will be wonderful to sleep in a warm bed tonight.’
She laughed. ‘Call me Ju
ne. It’s nice to have you here. Gustov is an old friend of ours and we’re always pleased when he brings people to visit.’ The noise could still be heard from the kitchen and they heard Zeek curse. ‘I think it’s time I popped out back and relieved him from his misery,’ June said and then she disappeared through the curtain behind the counter.
Zeek returned with four mugs of hot apple cider. ‘Here you are, gentlemen, something to quench your thirst while you wait for the food,’ he said with an awkward grin. ‘I see you met June. She’s a good one she is. Food won’t be long now she’s in there. So how long do you plan to stay in Canistar, Devon?’
‘Not long. When Gerard is settled, I must return home.’
Gustov and Johnny entered the inn with their luggage. ‘Take them up to the last two rooms at the end of the hall,’ Zeek said and they disappeared up the stairs with the bags. When they returned the young lad left to go back to his bed. ‘Thanks, Johnny. We’ll see you for breakfast,’ Zeek said.
‘Night, Sir,’ Johnny said as he left the inn.
Gustov sat by the fire and helped himself to a mug of cider. ‘All settled for the night the boys are,’ he said as he referred to his team of horses, ‘and ya bags be in ya rooms, Sir.’
‘Thank you, Gustov. You’ve been a great guide you have on this journey,’ Devon said.
June returned with a tray laden with thick slices of buttered bread and hot bowls of soup. ‘Evening June,’ Gustov said as he rose and helped her with the food.
‘Thanks, Gustov dear, just pop them on the table while I get the other bowls,’ she said and disappeared back into the kitchen. She returned with two more bowls and placed them on the table near the fire. ‘Come eat, gentlemen, while it’s still hot.’
They sat at the table and as they ate the soup Devon and Gerard told of their journey and in return Zeek and June told of life in Canistar.
