56

A walk in the Countryside

Granthurg

Granthurg and Thissraelle left the chapel and walked in silence. It was just before mid-day, so the streets were very busy with townspeople going about their business. In spite of the noise around them, they said nothing to each other.

Their original plan had been for each group to find out what they could and to reconvene at the inn for further planning. Somehow, Granthurg felt an urgency to go where Brother Mathazar had directed them. In a hushed voice, the acolyte had said, "Keep following the main road west, along the river. You'll leave the town. Soon, you'll find a way that turns off to the north and leads to a few buildings. One of those buildings used to be a waypoint inn. It's the dark market, now."

Brother Mathazar had continued, "But be cautious, and ready. If you're attacked and defeated, you'll be taken and sold. I daresay, you'd both get a pretty hefty price. You, for your strength." He had motioned to Granthurg, then to Thissraelle, "And you, for, well... Other things."

After the quiet pause that followed, he'd added, "You're both very selfless and brave for helping your friends. I wish you the very best!"

It wasn't long before the buildings became groves, meadows, and farmlands. They had been plowed and sown, but the crops were only beginning to appear above the ground. Keeping the unwanted weeds away was a constant task, and there were farmers and vassals out in the fields striking at them with hoes and digging them with sticks.

They were less than a mile from the edge of the town when they saw the small cluster of buildings around a larger, central structure. There were lots of wagons and horses tied to posts and fences around the perimeter.

"Hmph." Granthurg grunted, "For such a remote place, there are a lot of people."

Thissraelle nodded, "We probably shouldn't approach from the road."

"Good point." He looked around. "How about that knoll with the hedges on the far side?"

"We can keep walking on the road as if we're passing onward, and then double back." She drew her cloak around her, in spite of the noonday sun. A wagon started leave the compound, its driver steering the team along the narrow, but well-worn path to the main road. They picked up their pace a bit so they wouldn't cross their paths.

Another man had been walking along behind them. He carried a bulging pack over his shoulder, filled with a bundle of sticks.

Granthurg glanced down at Thisraelle and turned his gaze back to the road.

57

I See Them!

DeFrantis

The moment hung heavily in the air. DeFrantis stood, frozen, in front of Antonerri, and looking at the fancy shoes of a possible buyer, a human she didn't know. She waited, her arms tense, gently flexing her wrists. They were tied, but only lightly. She could scrunch her hands together and slip them out of the ropes very easily; they were only there for show. The tall human had made an offer, and Antonerri was silent.

What's he thinking? I hope he's playing this like he's considering the offer. He's probably scared to death. He doesn't have a lot of practice playing a slaver. Maybe he can work that to his advantage.

Antonerri cleared his throat and finally spoke. "Hmmm. Two gold is a lot. I could buy a lot with two gold."

No! You're not supposed to actually sell me!

"But I have to split any coin I get with her father. I'll have to go at least four." She heard Antonerri's voice, trying to sound resolute. "At least four gold pieces."

The other man laughed. "You'll not get even two from anyone but me! Look at her!" DeFrantis began to glance from side to side, always keeping her head down, trying to figure out what was happening around her. She vaguely heard Antonerri's voice responding. As she looked to her right, through the forest of legs and torsos, she thought she saw a small person's bare foot.

He head snapped to her right and her eyes focused, shifting forward and back to see through the people. Yes! There they are! She could clearly see two children - no, three - huddled close together. They were dressed in dirty, ill-fitting tunics and without shoes. Her body tensed as chills shivered through her. They look so lost! I have to save them! Wait! No. I have to follow them. I have to find who's buying them and where they're being taken -

She looked up at Antonerri, but his attention was on the buyer's face. They were deep in negotiations, but the thoughts in her head blocked out any words she was hearing. She moved her head in the direction of the children to try and get his attention. It wasn't working. She looked back at the children, but like a spider on the floor, they were gone.

Wait! Where did they go? I only looked away! Where are they? She leaned her body to get a better look at where they were, but other captives and sellers had moved in her way. She lifted up on her toes and craned her neck, but she was not very tall in the first place, and couldn't see over the press of people. She suddenly heard the buyer's voice cut through.

"Hey, where are you going?" DeFrantis looked at him, then at Antonerri and suddenly realized she had slipped several feet away, and the rope was tugging at her hands. "You'd better keep your maid in line!" Antonerri was stunned, not sure what to do.

DeFrantis immediately went back to her demure role, but glanced up and used her head to point to where she saw the children. Please, just look over there! Help me find them!

A loud crash and shouts from the other side of the room interrupted the hesitation of the instant. Everyone's head turned. Sellers and buyers alike were shouting and falling away from what looked like a fight. Someone bumped into DeFrantis and knocked her over. Immediately, she shouted and moved her hands to shelter her face from the rushing feet around her. The rope seemed loose, so she started working her hands free. She rolled over and tried to get up on her knees, but it was difficult with tied hands.

"Antonerri!" She called out, but his voice was lost in the noise.

My hands are free! Now it was easy for her to lean forward and stand. Her street instincts reminded her to stay fairly low, for a more solid balance. She looked left, and right, searching for both the children and Antonerri.

A loud and bright explosion instantly lit the small room and knocked everyone off their feet, either struck by it's force or ducking for cover. The concussion left DeFrantis stunned. As the ringing in her ears subsided, she sat up and shook her head, crawling away from where the explosion had happened.

She started to make out actual voices, mostly shouting things like, "Wizards!" and "Run!" She saw people begin to flood away from the room looking for exits wherever they could. As she crawled and struggled to stand, she saw a familiar face, contorted in pain, lying on the floor.

"Karendle? What... ?" Her voice trailed off as she saw the dagger and the blood.

58

I've Heard that Boom Before!

DeFrantis

"Karendle!" DeFrantis began crawling and shuffling her way over. She shielded her head and face with her free hand as dozens of feet ran around her head. The flurry of motion made her dizzy for a moment, her head still ringing from the explosion.

What happened? I was with Antonerri and there was a blast. What happened here, to Karendle? DeFrantis reached out and grabbed Karendle's hand, pulling herself closer.

Antonerri. Where's Antonerri? I was looking for the children. Is he looking for the children? She tried to stand, to look through the scattering crowd, but dizziness brought her back down.

She raised her head and looked at Karendle, who lay partly on her side, partly on her chest. Her head was up, straining to see DeFrantis. Blood was all over the dwarf's shirt, all over the floor. You're hurt. You're badly hurt. Karendle's eyes were full of fear and pain. Her right hand reached out toward DeFrantis, and with her left, tried to support herself while clutching a small pouch.

There was an explosion. Where's Antonerri? Is he OK? There was an explosion. There was a sudden moment of clarity in her mind. There was an explosion. I've heard that explosion before. I've seen it. Someone threw that explosion at us when we were escaping the guard tower. I'll never forget it. Someone tried to kill us, then chased after us.

DeFrantis drew back and looked down at Karendle. Memories filled her head. It was only a few nights ago, but it felt like forever. "That was you!" DeFrantis gasped and backed away. "That was you hunting after us!".

Karendle's mouth moved as if she was trying to speak. Her bloody hand reached up to DeFrantis.

So why didn't you attack us on the barge? Why did you help defend us? She rose up again, just to her knees this time, and looked around. Much of the room had cleared, but there were still some people scrambling for the few exits.

Where is Antonerri? Where are the children? What are we doing? She looked back down at Karendle, into her pleading eyes.

I can't let her die! With a sigh, she scurried over and turned her more on her side. The dagger was stuck in Karendle's ribcage, under her left arm. Karendle coughed twice, forcefully, and DeFrantis settled her back down.

What can I do? I've used shadows to take away hurt and pain, and heal little scrapes the kids had, but never anything like this! She took a deep breath and put her hand on Karendle's shoulder. Karendle turned her head and looked up at DeFrantis. She took hold of the dagger, let out her breath, and pulled it out. Karendle shrieked in pain, and jerked. Blood flowed fresh out of the wound over her already-stained shirt. DeFrantis immediately covered the wound with her hands and focused her concentration. The room was already dark, but a darker mist swirled up over her, around her, and over Karendle.

Karendle coughed and her body jerked. DeFrantis heard her cough again, then again. Finally, Karendle sucked in a deep breath, and rolled over onto DeFrantis' legs, then continued to rasp and wheeze all of the blood and fluid out of her lungs.

The darkness subsided and DeFrantis dropped her head to Karendle's shaking shoulder.

+++++

Friends?

This is the start of a beautiful friendship, right? Maybe... 

Did you ever have a friendship start out on a bad note? Maybe someone was difficult but later showed a kind side? Comment and share the story!