by Bob Craton
CHAPTER 9
Graice and Holder § 3
“Please stay seated, Ignacio,” Madrére Sybille told him. She and Graice sat in soft comfortable chairs while Ignacio perched on a hard wooden stool. “I wish you would sit on something nicer when you talk to us, old friend.” She raised a hand to forestall his attempted protest and continued. “At least stop popping up and down and keep your eyes up when you speak.”
“I am sorry, Madrére,” he said. “But you do overstate my temerity, and you are exaggerating that last part. I’m as comfortable on this as I would be on any of these chairs and I’m just trying to be respectful.”
“I don’t want you to be sorry. You’re important and valuable to us, Ignacio. You can be respectful and aware of your own worth at the same time.”
“I am . . .,” he started to say, but Sybille cut him off.
“If the next word is sorry, I will turn Sistére Graice loose on you.”
Ignacio’s expression showed no concern and he raised an eyebrow as he turned to the Sistére.
“Don’t worry,” Graice said. “The Madrére is attempting to make a joke about my atrocious reputation, but unlike me she has no sense of humor at all. It’s certainly proper for you not to be amused.”
“Should I apologize now for implying something is humorous about your reputation, Graice?” Sybille said. She was more serious when she turned to the man. “Ignacio, you do know that neither of us would ever attempt to influence you with effect, don’t you?”
“Certainly, Madrére, and it is quite obvious that Sistére Graice has not done so today.”
“How is it obvious?” Graice asked.
“If you had, Sistére, I would feel calm and peaceful right now rather than tense and nervous, would I not?” he answered. Both women caught the twinkle in his eye. “Will that be all, Madrére?”
“Yes, thank you. Oh, where is Holder now, Ignacio?”
“In his room.”
“On your way out, please tell whichever girl is at the door to fetch him for us.”
“To the yard, Madrére?”
“No, have him brought inside today. It will rain soon, I think.”
“Madrére, shouldn’t I get him instead of the girl?”
“No need for that. Just remind her that she’ll have real regrets if she behaves improperly around him.”
“I will,” Ignacio replied as he rose to leave. “Madrére, should I tell her that you will punish her for misbehavior or that Sistére Graice will? Which would be more threatening?” As he turned, his twinkle expanded to an ever-so-slight smile and Graice had to suppress a chuckle. “And earlier I was going to say that I do appreciate my worth, not that I was sorry.”
As the door closed behind the man, Graice turned to Sybille and said, “Do you think he’s funnier than we are?”
“I believe all three of us would fail completely if we tried to entertain anyone with our clever banter,” Sybille said. “But I was serious when I spoke about effect, Graice. You must not . . .”
“I’m offended that you think I might, Madrére. No lecture, please! Do you believe I would devalue Ignacio’s true devotion by doing such a thing?”
Sybille returned Graice’s gaze for a moment and then said, “Hmmm.”
“What does that mean?”
“Perhaps that I think you’re still too young to have perfect judgment.”
Graice’s eyes flashed for the tiniest moment but then her face and Aura calmed. “Apparently you think I need to hear that lecture again even though I’m twenty-four and have worn the red sash for a full year already.”
“I won’t lecture you but twenty-four is still young. Age brings experience and . . .”
“And wisdom?” Graice interjected. “That’s just what old people say.”
Sybille shook her head slowly and said, “Surely you admit that your circumstances are as extraordinary as your ability.”
“The foundling baby who became a Sistére? That doesn’t seem remarkable to me, not even if you take my appearance into account,” Graice replied. With a bit of sarcasm, she added, “Oh wait, I think you mean I’m special because I’m the youngest.”
“It’s the other way around. You’re the youngest because you’re so exceptional, Graice,” said Sybille. “You know very well that the second youngest Sistére to earn the red sash was thirty-six at the time and she lived over a century ago. Most Sistéres can calm a man’s quick temper or sooth a crying baby and nothing more. Those who wear green sashes are perfectly happy, and the ones who earn blue are honored. Even most Madréres don’t wear red, only a small percentage do.”
“I thought you said you weren’t going to lecture.”
A knock on the door interrupted and Helena led Holder in from the kitchen. The girl stopped and lowered her head as he walked past – all very proper until she peeked out of the corner of her eye. Suddenly Helena twitched and her head snapped up to find Graice peering straight at her. The girl realized her twitch had been caused by a quick stab of guilty feeling.
‘Act like a lady’ Graice signaled through her Aura. Helena had enough skill to read that. She feared that the guilt sensation might come back and stay, but the Sistére smiled and signaled ‘go now’. The girl did.
“Welcome and please sit,” Sybille said to Holder. “Use a chair instead of that stool. One of the wooden ones if you don’t want cushions.”
“Thank you, ma’am,” he said politely as he sat.
“I’m sorry we weren’t able to speak with you yesterday. Ignacio says you used the time to return to the caravanserai.”
“I did. I had left some things there which I retrieved.”
“Did you inquire about employment while you were there?” Graice asked.
“No caravans are forming in Matik at present,” he answered. “There was no one to ask.”
“I see,” said Sybille. “Have you finished the chores Ignacio gave you?”
“Yes, but they’re too easy. I need to do some real work to pay you for the food and shelter.”
“Actually, Graice and I want talk to you about that very subject. We wish to offer you full time employment. Real work, as you say. Are you interested?”
“Yes, ma’am,” he answered.
“Good. We’re trying to arrange an important journey and we’re having difficulty getting organized. With your experience, you could help us both before and after we start. I’m prepared to pay you three silver pecunia per week in Matik coin or any other equivalent you choose. Will that be satisfactory?”
“Rispoli paid two a week,” he replied.
Graice signaled ‘so much for our clever bargaining’, and Sybille flashed back ‘don’t interrupt’.
“Good. It’s agreed then,” Sybille said to Holder. “Let’s start now because we need your advice.”
“Where are we going, ma’am?”
“To the east.”
“Saying ‘the east’ covers much territory. Do you have someplace more specific in mind?”
“A location slightly north of east,” Sybille said, but then she saw the glare Graice was giving her. Returning to Holder, she said, “I’m sorry to seem evasive, Holder, but we don’t want anyone to learn of our destination. Will you promise to keep it a secret if I tell you?”
“Yes, and I do not use the word promise lightly. If you knew me better, you would understand that.” As he spoke, Holder’s Aura flared almost as if he had intentionally signaled his meaning. How could a man do that?
Sybille inhaled and told him, “At this moment, I don’t need to know any more to see that you’re an honest man, Holder. We’re going to Lucidus. Do you know where that is?”
“Yes,” he replied. “On the Fallal River northward of the Eastway Road. It has a wall around the town although not a high and strong one, and the river isn’t fordable from the east. It’s a nice enough place but some lands beyond are not pleasant. How will we travel, ma’am?”
“We hoped to sail upstream on the River as far as Torae and then hir
e a coach of some sort for the rest of the trip. Certain complications have arisen, however, and we don’t have sufficient funds to travel in that manner. Now it seems our only choice is to buy a wagon and go entirely by road. We can afford a yoke of oxen, I believe.”
“Oxen? You’re not in a hurry, then.”
“Actually, we wish to get there as soon as possible but our budget is very limited. We can’t afford horses,” Sybille told him.
“Why not use waybeasts? They’re not as fast as horses but are much faster than oxen. You’ll need four but that’s about the same price as two oxen. Healthy ones could easily pull a wagon that far.”
“But they’re such unruly creatures. How could we control them?”
“By hiring me.”
“Well then, do you know how to acquire such animals, Holder? And a used wagon at a cheap price while you’re at it?”
“Yes, I do. When Captain Rispoli did any trading, Dimas and I always went with him. Dimas to keep track of the money and me to make sure it wasn’t stolen. The Captain did the talking but I paid attention. I know what to look for and how much to pay.”
“You’re more helpful than I imagined, Holder. I’ll send Ignacio with you to make the purchases.”
“We can get the other equipment we need at the same time.”
“What other equipment?”
“You did say you wanted to keep your destination secret and your budget was limited,” he said, and Sybille nodded in acknowledgement. “Ma’am, camping is more covert and less expensive than staying in inns.”
“Camping?”
“Yes. Do you have enough clothes for a trip?”
“We do have spare robes if needed. The cloth is warm, durable, and stays clean.”
Lines formed on Holder’s forehead as he frowned. “May I be blunt?”
“Go ahead.”
“If you don’t want anyone to know where you’re going then you should consider wearing less obvious clothing. I also recommend not taking the Eastway Road all the way. Traffic on the highway is observable to anyone who watches. If you don’t want to be seen, I can show you another path.”
“Please explain, Holder.”
“Ma’am, a few leagues out of Matik the highway crosses the High Road. We can turn there during the night. After four days on the High Road, we’ll reach a narrow side road leading to a small town and a couple of villages. After that, a trail goes through the Veridis Hills. That part isn’t a road, exactly, but it’s passable to a wagon with a little effort. When we reach the Fallal Valley, we’ll find good roads leading to Lucidus. Fewer people will see you on that route, and none at all will on the part going through the hills. Of course, I don’t know your reason for being evasive. Only you can decide how much effort you want to make.”
“You are truly helpful, Holder,” responded Sybille. “I assume you know this route from your journeys?”
“Caravans often go where the good roads do not. There’s less competition in those places. This route will take around twenty days. More than thirty if you use oxen instead of waybeasts.”
“Taking the highway would be faster.”
“Yes, unless someone tries to stop us on the road.” Then he added, “We’ll need to carry our own food, of course.”
Sybille turned to Graice, who smiled and said, “I think we should stop pretending we aren’t impressed.”
“Please assure me that these creatures don’t always smell this bad,” Ignacio said to Holder as they walked. Men were walking to and fro in the stockyard, often stopping to look at the variety of animals inside the fences.
“It’s not so bad if there are just a few of them and they’re out in the open. Having so many crammed together in these pens causes the problem,” replied Holder. “And don’t hold that cloth over your nose. It makes you like a . . , oh, never mind. I nearly said a word that Sistére Graice would not approve. I should concentrate on my manners.”
“Indeed. I must say that we’ve done well today. That was a better price than I expected on the wagon. Are you sure it’s sturdy enough?”
“It should be and it’s the right size to be pulled by waybeasts,” said Holder. “Ah, there’s the man we’re looking for ahead.”
“Which one?”
“The one with the heavy black beard standing by that gate. His name is Studoe, and Rispoli bought several waybeasts from him.”
When they reached the man, Ignacio spoke. “Mr. Studoe?”
“Yeah, I’m Studoe. You don’t have to call me mister. What can I do for you?”
“We need four waybeasts,” said Ignacio. “Healthy ones, please.”
“All my livestock is healthy, friend. You did bring money, I trust.”
“Yes, but my friend here will make the selection rather than me,” Ignacio said. Turning to Holder, Studoe looked up.
“You look familiar. Yeah, I remember. You came with that snake Rispoli and stood behind him. To keep anyone from stabbing the bastard in the back as he deserves, no doubt. Must’ve been a busy job.”
“True,” Holder said. “May we see some of your stock now?”
Turning, Studoe whistled and shouted, “Bring a team over for these gentlemen to see, Rufus.” That man spoke to three others and each took a beast by the reins and began tugging it towards the fence. Holder studied the animals as they arrived.
“I’ll consider the first three but not the one that the man in the red cap is holding,” Holder declared. “It’s favoring its right foreleg and will go lame after a few days on the road. I see the way your man is trying to hide him behind the others, you know.”
“What!” sputtered Studoe.
“Before you get angry at me, go take a look,” Holder told him. The trader glared back for a moment and then stomped over to where the waybeast in question stood. He leaned down and ran his hand up and down the creature’s foreleg. Then he stood up and shoved his employee hard, berating him with a blast of language that no Sistére would ever condone.
“Sorry about that,” he said when he stormed back to Holder and Ignacio. “I just hired that boy and he learned some bad behavior from his last employer. If he don’t mend his ways quick, he’ll be out on his ass. Friends, I run a reputable business and don’t try to cheat no one.”
“I know,” Holder assured him. “We came here today because Captain Rispoli said he trusted you. Since he’s the most suspicious and devious man I ever met, I figure that anyone he trusts must be truly honest.”
Studoe stared at Holder for a moment and then leaned back and burst out with a massive guffaw. “I like you, friend, and I didn’t even know you could talk before today. We’ll get some more beasts brought over and you can have your pick.”
“Thank you for helping me pack, Caroletta,” Graice said as the girl reached for the last garment.
“You’re welcome, Sistére,” the girl replied. As she held up the piece of clothing, a pair of trousers in Graice’s size, her eyes widened. “Are you really going to wear these, Sistére?”
“They’ll cover my legs, won’t they?” replied Graice. Caroletta showed intense curiosity and some amazement on her face and Graice smiled in return. “I’ll only need those if the going gets so rough that dresses won’t do. Put the pants in the trunk instead of the small bag, please.” The girl tried hard but she could not quite suppress a soft laugh as she packed the trousers and closed the trunk lid. Graice gave her a raised eyebrow.
“I’m sorry Sistére. I don’t want to seem disrespectful. It’s just that I never heard of a Sistére wearing a disguise before. And to think of Madrére Sybille not wearing her robe! It’s astonishing!”
“I don’t think you’re being disrespectful and I suppose it is astonishing, but I’ve done this before. That’s why I have these clothes. Now, will you help me braid my hair? I want to put it up in a bun.”
“Of course, Sistére. Um, will you change your clothes before . . .?”
“Yes. You’ll see us both in dresses before we leave. You’d best contr
ol your reaction in front of the Madrére, though. She’s not very calm and peaceful at the moment.”
“Oh! Thank you for reminding me. I’ll be completely proper!” Caroletta promised but she couldn’t stop another giggle as she reached for a comb and brush for Graice’s hair.
No light at all shined from the windows of the House, not even a candle, and the trees around it blocked much of the star-dazzle which otherwise would have provided some visibility. The back door opened and two cloaked figures emerged. A third awaited them at the rear gate of the white fence and together the three stepped carefully through the shadows. From inside the darkened Way-House, the eyes of Yonah and the three girls tried to follow them but the figures were soon lost in the gloom.
“I wish I could go with them,” Helena said.
“You’re needed here, daughter,” Yonah replied. “Things will get back to normal now and we’ll have our usual number of Sistéres to attend to.”
“I wish I could go, too,” said Aceila and they all continued staring out the windows long after nothing could be seen.
Graice, Sybille, and Ignacio emerged onto a street which was smaller and less well lit than Regents Avenue. The few streetlamps were barely enough for them to make their way. No one spoke and all three wore soft footwear which made little sound on the cobblestones. Occasionally dogs barked as they passed but not loudly enough to wake their owners. They turned left on one street and then right on another. Once they made a detour when they saw a night watchman on his rounds. The man carried a lantern which made him much more visible to them than they were to him.
After a time Graice asked, “Are you all right, Madrére?”
“Don’t be condescending. I can keep up with a youngling like you no matter how far we walk,” insisted Sybille and before long they saw what they were looking for ahead of them.
“It’s stuffy in here. Is it necessary to keep the shutters closed? No one could see us in this darkness anyway,” said Sybille. She rode with Graice and Ignacio in a closed carriage.
“You’re the one who decided on secrecy, Madrére. You shouldn’t complain about it,” replied Graice.
“I know you’re right, Graice, but at my age I should be allowed to grumble every now and then,” said Sybille.
“The concealment is worth the trouble, isn’t it?”
“Yes, it is. After everything we’ve learned since reaching Matik, I believe that keeping our purpose hidden is necessary. This is Holder’s idea, isn’t it Ignacio? The manner in which we’re departing, I mean.”
“Indeed, ma’am,” Ignacio replied. “I believe he considers us to be insufficiently versed in the art of devious ploys, and so he feels the need to guide us in these crafty machinations. His plan does make sense, though. Had he brought the wagon to the Way-House, our departure would’ve been obvious. Better for him to keep it hidden and us to go to it, and Holder knows our carriage driver is a trusted friend. Leaving before dawn is also a rational idea.”
“The idea of sneaking out of the back of the House and walking to meet the carriage was clever, too,” Graice added.
“You seem to be enjoying the adventure, Sistére. Try to remember this isn’t a game,” said Sybille. “One more thing, Ignacio, please remember not to use our titles. In fact, I think it’s best if you don’t say ma’am either. You might slip and say the wrong word by mistake. Besides, it’s not the custom for a man to address a woman of his own age as ma’am. You and I, of course, will still be able to refer to someone Graice’s age as ‘child’ regardless of whether or not she approves.”
“We’ll tell everyone she’s adopted, ma . . . Sybille,” said Ignacio. After a brief hesitation, he added, “I do admit that it’s difficult to say just Sybille without your title.”
“Then we’ll call her something else, Ignacio,” suggested Graice. “We should have secret names to give to strangers anyway. I say we call her Orela Sægesse. It has the same meaning as her real name.”
“Excellent choice, child,” said Ignacio, and he turned to Sybille and added, “Orela, we should in turn name our adopted daughter Elysia because she is sweet and blissful.”
With a laugh, Graice asked, “And what of you, Father?”
“I’m not famous. Ignacio will do fine since no one knows that name.”
“You two are having too much fun with this,” said Sybille. Then a knock came from the front of the carriage.
“That’s the driver’s signal that we’re almost there,” Ignacio explained. “I’m glad the baggage was sent separately.”
“It seems to be a good wagon, Holder,” Sybille said as she approached. To her untrained eye it looked simple but sturdy and it had a canvas cover which would provide concealment. “Have you finished loading?”
“Everything is ready and the waybeasts are harnessed. We can leave as soon as you wish. May I show you the inside, ma’am?”
“Her name is Orela Sægesse now,” Graice said before Sybille could reply. “But she’ll still let you call her ma’am since you’re younger than her. Mother Sægesse would also be proper, I think. I’m Elysia, by the way.”
“I’m still Ignacio,” the man said, “But I’ve become Elysia’s adoptive father.”
“Don’t take them too seriously, Holder,” said Sybille. “My child here thinks it’ll be amusing to use secret names with strangers, but you can say our real names when it’s just us.”
“I’ll remember to say Mother Sægesse and Miss Elysia when anyone else is listening.” Holder smiled and seemed to be imitating Ignacio’s tone of voice as he said it. Then he stepped to the back of the wagon and held open the flap of the canvas cover for them to look inside. “With your baggage and all the gear, it will be a tight squeeze back here for you and Miss Elysia, ma’am.” The interior was lined with trunks, bags, and bundles of various sizes piled high and secured with ropes to prevent anything from falling. In the center, a small rectangular space was lined with blankets and pillows.
“Graice, will you be able to sleep with me jammed next to you?” Sybille asked.
“Yes, Mother,” Graice replied. “Holder, you did get tents also, right?”
“Yes, two. One for Ignacio and me and another for you two if you choose to use it. We also have buffoe skins to cover the ground, bed rolls, camp cooking gear, water flasks, and other things. I put my belongings under the driver’s bench in front. We have enough food so that we won’t have to stop and buy any.”
“This is a remarkable quantity of material considering the small amount of money you spent,” remarked Sybille.
“You should have seen him in the markets,” Ignacio commented. “He learned a lot more on his last job than just how to stand guard.”
“The whole purpose of a caravan is to sell something for more than it cost you. That’s easier if you get good bargains to start with,” said Holder. “Everything you see is used, of course, but new gear would attract attention anyway. Are you still determined to travel in secret?”
“Yes. The more I think about it, the more certain I am despite any discomfort we may have as a result,” Sybille replied.
“Then the two of you should climb in and stay out of sight. If we leave through Sudost Gate, we’ll be on the highway by first light.”
