In her room that night, Raleen had difficulty dropping of to sleep. This was the most exciting thing ever to happen to her.
In spite of the wine, Raleen spent the night tossing and turning, unable to sleep properly due to her head being awhirl with the thoughts of her impending journey. The next morning she was up at daybreak and had breakfast well underway before Staril wandered into the kitchen. Before long, Redbeard and Brandel arrived and she was left to her own devices as Staril went out the front door with them, discussing business as they left the house.
The day passed rapidly as Raleen took the opportunity to visit all of her friends and childhood acquaintances to bid them farewell. Some expressed real surprise at the fact she was leaving and so soon but mention of her Grandmother in Belvedere was explanation enough. She eventually found herself at the Harbourmaster’s house, sitting with Polnari in the front parlour.
“Are you leaving permanently or just visiting your grandmother for a while?” Polnari bashfully asked her.
Raleen couldn’t help but smile at the unspoken question lurking in the innocent seeming query.
“Oh, I expect to be gone a long time,” she replied with a smile.
Polnari grinned, hastily covering her mouth in dismay.
Raleen laughed. “I know you have designs on Staril. He’s quite a catch and I’ve been in his way for far too long. I couldn’t think of a better woman than you to be his partner, Polnari. You won’t find him an easy catch though.”
Polnari blushed a deep crimson and turned her face away.
“I didn’t mean to be so obvious. I am so sorry. I really do like you but it’s very hard to make Staril aware of me when you look after him so well.”
“Well, I leave in the morning and I wish you well. When I return we may be sisters. Take good care of him please.”
“I will. You have my word on it.”
Later, after she had bidden Polnari farewell and was returning home, Raleen reflected on their meeting. Staril could do a lot worse. The girl was honest and straightforward and was obviously head over heels in love with him. Her brother would be loved and cared for and it was one less thing to worry about.
Back at the house, having returned from her round of goodbyes, Raleen found the saddlebags where Redbeard had left them that morning. As Raleen began to pack, she realised how small saddlebags really were. What should she take? What should she leave? Practical as always she packed sensible clothing and a few treasured possessions and by the time she had finished, the smallish bags were bulging. Ah well, she could always give away a few things if the bags were over packed.
The remainder of her belongings she split into two piles.
Those to give away and those to keep.
The latter she placed into a small trunk which she locked and placed under her bed, hiding the key in a secret place in her room. The other clothes would benefit some of the poorer people in the village. Staril could take care of that. Giving things away would increase his standing within the community.
Raleen had just finished her packing when she heard the voices of the men returning and went to greet them at the door. Redbeard smiled and asked if she was packed and ready to go in the morning.
“Yes, although I didn’t realise saddlebags were so small.” Turning to Staril she said. “I’ll leave a pile of things on my bed in the morning for you to give to needy folk. It’ll be your choice as to who gets what. Now I’ll go and make the evening meal.”
A few glasses of wine after the meal and Redbeard and Brandel were sensitive enough to leave the siblings alone on their last night together and went back to their camp quite early. Staril was downcast. This could be the last evening he would spend with his sister. Raleen caught the mood.
“Staril, I feel the same way, so why don’t we pretend I’m not going and just have a normal night together rather than getting maudlin. There are a lot of things we could say but I don’t feel like being unhappy. Oh, and I went to see Polnari today.”
Staril glanced up sharply and the look was not lost on Raleen.
“Yes, she wants to get to know you better. Leave it for a couple of days after I depart then go to see her. Keep it proper, she will receive you, don’t worry.”
He smiled a shy little smile. “Thank you sister,” he murmured.
Dawn, bright and early, Raleen was ready and waiting. She had decided to wear boy’s trews and her leather jacket for ease and convenience on the road. Just as well, for it was one of those summer mornings where the fog rolls in off the ocean and makes things grey and damp, with the regular sounds of the town muffled by the thick blanket covering it. She heard the sounds of the horses before she saw them and before long Redbeard and Brandel loomed out of the mists. The Trader stepped down from his horse and indicated it to Raleen.
“I saddled the mare and rode her down here to warm her up. The saddle is dry, hop up.”
She turned to Staril first and gave him a tight embrace then broke away before the tears had time to come and went to the horse, handing her saddlebags to Trader Brandel who tied them to the back of the saddle for her. Redbeard looked down from his black stallion.
“I see you wore sensible clothing. Good. This trip may not be so difficult after all. Mount up.”
She did, with difficulty and assistance from Brandel and settled into the feel of the saddle. It was quite comfortable really, as well as warm and dry. This trip shouldn’t be too bad.
Redbeard touched his horse with his foot and they were off. Raleen turned and waved as Staril and the Trader were rapidly lost in the mist behind her. The horse’s motion felt strange as she adjusted to it, a bit like a boat on choppy seas.
“What do you call this mare, Master Redbeard?”
He looked back at her and smiled. “Trollop,” was all he said.
They picked up the rest of the Band at the Commons and rode out. By midmorning they had left the sound of the sea and the fog well behind and were surrounded by rich Myseline farmland. The day was warm and sunny and Raleen shed the thick coat she had put on for the cool fog and soaked up the sun. All around, the fields of grain were starting to yellow as they ripened.
The Band passed through a few small hamlets with the odd inn but generally the population was mostly scattered over the countryside. Near and far over the land, as far as could be seen, were dotted the farmhouses and barns of the farmers. They passed fields of vegetables, some for local consumption, many to be taken to Encarill, the capital of Myseline, a long way to the south. Some of those vegetables could even end up on the King’s table.
Trollop stumbled and Raleen nearly fell off her horse. Redbeard roared with laughter.
“Pays to keep half your mind on what you’re doing lass. Daydreamers often eat dirt.”
She reddened, more in embarrassment than at the jibe. Others in Redbeard’s group had chuckled at the slip as well. A cough sounded beside her and she looked to her right. An older man had ridden in beside her and was pacing her horse.
“Divn’t you worry none lass, we all ‘ave to start somewheres. I be Caron, number two in this sorry bunch. I notice you ain’t familiar with riding easy so if’n you don’t mind, I could give you a few pointers.”
Caron was being kind and in truth, Raleen felt she needed all the help she could get in coping with this riding thing. She smiled at Caron and disregarded the few whistles that followed.
“Thank you Caron, I’d be grateful for any help.”
He nodded. “First, you gotta relax. Let your legs go, you only need t’ grip the horse with your knees when we trots or canters. That mebe tomorrow or the day after. Redbeard’s bein’ kind and breaking you in gentle, otherwise you could hold us up for days if’n you get too sore. Slump in the saddle slightly, let the horse take your weight and keep your reins low, almost rest your hands on the front of the saddle. Last of all; don’t forget to move with the horse at all times. It’s more comfortable for both of you that way. Got all that?”
She nodded and thanked Caro
n who nodded in return before he rode forward to speak to Redbeard as Raleen concentrated on his instructions. She didn’t feel too bad actually.
They stopped for lunch after midday and when Raleen dismounted she felt the pain in her rear end. She stood for the meal and afterwards managed to mount the mare by herself at the second attempt. Her bottom complained slightly as it hit the saddle. The rest of the day was uneventful and the countryside didn’t change much.
As far as Raleen could see, most of the land was given over to farm after farm, broken up by small stands of trees here and there. Looking east, far off in the distance, she could just make out the mountains, Mehgrin’s Wall as they were known. They didn’t look so high from here but they were the main reason why Myseline never came under Dominion rule. Only the one high pass to defend and it was impassable for four months of the year, covered with deep snow. She remembered her history lessons well.
That night was her first true outdoor camp and she felt uncomfortable among twenty strange men but Redbeard showed her where to sleep, with the men arrayed around her in a circle. They took their job seriously. While on horseback she had never realised how many weapons each man carried but as they took off some of their weapons for sleep, Raleen realised each of them was a walking arsenal. Axes, swords, spiked clubs, short spears, bows, long knives, daggers and no doubt other little delectables like knuckledusters and short stabbing spikes hidden away. Her respect for the band grew, they really were her guard but, what were they guarding her from?
The following morning as Raleen stood for the first time, her buttocks tightened with the pain of the previous day in the saddle. She felt rubbed raw and was sore between her legs and she had it all to do again. The day passed much the same as the previous one except Redbeard decided to make up some time and Raleen was introduced to long collected canters. Half an hour cantering then half an hour walking, alternating throughout the day. The horses seemed to enjoy it and after her initial unease, so did Raleen.
That night Caron came to her with a small jar.
“This is mostly pig fat but I bought it from some old woman claimed as she was a healer. Rub it on them parts what is tender but don’t let the men see you doin’ it. Might upset ‘em, if’n you catch my drift.”
He winked as he handed the jar over then turned and went back to his sleeping roll. She tried spreading the sticky muck over the chafed areas and indeed it did help.
A bit.
Day after day they rode, cantering for longer periods each day. Raleen had never been this far from home nor had she ridden through forest before. She loved the wooded sections of the road and apart from the discomfort of riding, the journey so far was most enjoyable. After a further week of travel the ground started to rise gradually. Up until now the horses had been grazed at night, hobbled, with a couple of guards but in a few more days there would not be a lot of grass available until they got through Durhain’s Pass. Redbeard asked around at a couple of villages they passed through and eventually they stopped in Bentwood to purchase a couple of bags of old oats which were strapped to the spare horses. He tested the oats by raising a handful from deep within each bag and smelling them before he made his purchase. Raleen was impressed by his thoroughness.
Trader Brandel had been right. Going uphill was not the most pleasant form of riding and as the road steepened it only got worse. Raleen had to crane her neck back now to view the snow, still visible on the higher mountain peaks below the cloud shrouding the top of Mehgrin’s Wall. She stared at the road ahead as it wound up the mountain to the vee cleft which was obviously the Pass. It was the only cleft in the whole range. Raleen felt dwarfed by the sheer scale of everything. The mountains, which from Trugor could only be seen on a clear day, loomed over her and she felt inconsequential and tiny. Her bottom ached constantly and as the horses were only walking because of the slope, she took to dismounting now and again and walking herself.
Much to the amusement of the band.
“Got a perfectly good horse and she’s walking.”
“Bum sore, Lady?”
“Not as easy as yer thought?”
“Sorry we ain’t got a carriage Milady.”
This was followed by guffaws of laughter until Redbeard turned around and growled. That was all it took. Raleen was grateful to him although the ribbing had been just that, only ribbing.
The weather turned cool at night for the last few thousand feet and the horses were being fed the grain. At some time in the past, large flat areas had been cut wherever the lie of the land on the ascent made it practicable and some had crude stone shelters on them. These were used as camping and layover areas. They could see a couple of wagons on the road ahead and Caron rode up alone to greet the drivers and reassure them Redbeard’s Band weren’t criminals. The wagoners were then quizzed about road and travel conditions before the Band rode past, Redbeard never camped on the same flat spot as a wagon.
A cautious man.
In less than two weeks after leaving Trugor, they drew into Durhain’s Pass and Raleen pulled her horse up for a last look back at Myseline. The sun was descending toward the sea and shone straight into her eyes as she gazed out over her homeland. It must have been the sun in her eyes causing them to tear. The entire band stopped, waiting until the girl felt comfortable. Rough they were and deadly but they all had somewhere they called home and understood Raleen’s need to pause for a moment and say a brief goodbye to hers.
That night they stopped in Cumbrisia’s End, occupying the still empty blacksmith’s shack and smithy. Raleen was offered the only bed and felt greedy accepting it but her body was suffering from the rigours of the unaccustomed riding and she needed to rest it. Redbeard left her guarded by four of his biggest men while the rest of the band walked over to the Flying Pig for a meal and an ale or two. After about an hour, four of the band returned, one bearing a large portion of greasy stew, a chunk of bread and a jug of ale for Raleen. He put it down in front of her, motioning with his head to the four guards who had been with her. They left, heading for the inn.
“Complements of Master Redbeard, who hopes you like the change from camp food.”
That was all he said before going to take up a position by the door.
“Thank you, er, er. Sorry, what’s your name please?”
“Madaxe, Lady. I forgot my real un. Please, we is under orders not to talk wiv you. So’s I ain’t bin rude but I gotta shut it now.”
He went back to sharpening a small axe he had pulled from his belt. Raleen noticed its twin tucked into his belt on the other side.
Descriptive name.
Good to have someone like Madaxe at your side rather than facing you. She tucked into her stew and found, against all odds, she enjoyed it and also the ale which washed it down. Finding a comfortable position to lie in after she had finished her meal was not so easy but in a very short time she was dead to the world and awoke refreshed, just on sunrise.
After a quick breakfast they were off again. The horses had been groomed, the tack seen to and the band of men looked quite smart as they set off. No one saw the little figure in a black cowled cloak who observed their departure through eyes as black as coal.
The first settlement they came to after Cumbrisia’s End was Penultimate. They didn’t stop but Raleen noticed an old man outside the inn staring at her as she rode by before tipping his hat in her direction. Raleen didn’t know where to look next as she tried to take everything in. It was all so new and nothing like Myseline. Days passed as Redbeard’s Band travelled further down the Grand Valley, passing through village after village. Cascades, WoodenBridge, Spikerock and Hollows now lay behind them as they made good time on their journey. It was early afternoon when they turned around the large rock and clopped down the slight hill toward Forbidden. The air looked stale, deflecting the sunlight at odd angles and all was silent. No birds called, even the leaves on the trees drooped in the still air.
“Sniffer.” Redbeard called out as he reined in. “What have we
got?”
An old man rode forward, his face scarred with burn marks but his blue eyes were bright as two freshly minted coins.
“Bad magic Sir.”
“I know its bad magic. Even I could tell that.”
Raleen was puzzled, ‘magic’, what were they talking about?
“No Sir, I mean ‘bad’ bad magic.”
“Explain yourself Sniffer.”
“Well Sir, I ain’t never met magic like this afore. It be bad in the worst way. Tainted like, with some strange power I can’t identify.”
Sniffer was casting about like a dog looking for a scent on the wind.
“It’s waiting for a trigger.”
Redbeard stirred in his saddle. “You think it might be us. Is that it?”
Sniffer just looked at the leader and nodded. Redbeard turned his horse around and regarded his men.
“We have to go through Forbidden, it’s the only road. This is what you signed on for. Be ready for anything and if there’s any trouble, form up tight around the lady and ride like Fate’s Fingers are reaching out for you. They might be. Slow in, don’t look for trouble but if it finds you, deal to it and get out quick.”
He turned his horse around again and nudged it on. The band followed with Raleen completely surrounded in the centre of them.
The town was as quiet as a weekday church but there was a palpable underlying malevolence to it. Even Raleen could feel something in the air. As they rode toward the centre of town, people started to come out of the buildings flanking the road. A few at first then more and more stepped onto the street, moving toward the centre of the road. The mounted band started riding around them but not one spoke a greeting and as Raleen looked down at their faces she realised they were blank, with the eyes rolled back into their heads so just the whites were showing.
That was when she became fearful.
By the time the Band reached the centre of town the way was almost totally blocked by people standing silently, not shifting out of the way of the horses and the Band had to push through the throng. As if on a signal the whole crowd started grabbing at the mounted men who rode deployed around Raleen and once having a hold, they would not let go.
The Ring Of Truth Page 39
