Seeds
Part 3
Back in Blackwood forest...
“OK! Together…one…two...now!” They were trying to lift the barrel out of the wagon. They only needed that, to take it close to the river, unscratched.
“Steady….slowly…there! Finally. Now let’s make it roll to the side of the river.”
“Do we really have to pour this wonderful beer into the river? We could keep part of it at least!”
“No, but we can take a sip each, that’s all. The rest goes into the water.”
And so, they took some glasses and tasted the golden beer. It was like liquid magic. Golden, foamy, forever cold...magical. But sadly it had to go.
After a little while, feeling warm inside they lifted the barrel and emptied half of it in the peacefully running waters of the Small Arm River.
Then they sealed it again.
“Why only half of it?”
“I suppose it is in case they want to try some before the barrel goes into the pantry of the ship. I just follow orders, I don’t care”
They lifted the huge barrel again, this time was easier, and they took it back with the rest of the cargo.
Two of them got in the front of the wagon and the other one tied two horses to the back of it.
“Where do you have to pick them up?”
“We don’t. There have been a change of plans I was told. They have set up a tent in a rocky area by the river shore, a few miles ahead. We drive there, leave this and ride back here to the camp, pick you up and go to Kartos again. They take care of the rest, whatever it is….. So …we will be back tomorrow at noon”
A few hours later the two men were arriving to their destination.
They could see the rocky section of the forest from the distance and a while later in a clear, the small camp where only one strange tent had been lifted.
They could see three men there waiting. Two of them were familiar friendly faces, the other one was facing the river and they could only see him from behind. At a call, the stranger disappeared into the tent.
“Hey Amilcar! Welcome! How was the trip?” Asked Senghar holding up his hand for Amilcar to shake it.
“All right, we are just tired” He descent and they shook hands and saluted as old friends. The other two also exchanged a few words of welcome.
“Who’s that in the tent?”
“No one”
“No one?”
“Yeah” he said dismissively . “We take it from here. Thanks Amilcar.” He said trying to put an end to the conversation. “It is time for you guys to go back. We’ll manage from this point on”
“Where is your hospitality Senghar? Aren’t you going to give us some food and let us rest for a while? We just got here” said Amilcar in surprise.
“I have orders Amilcar, you know. You and James need to go back right now. Take some provisions for the journey back.”
“Come on! What are you talking about? Let us stay a while and rest! Introduce us to that block and let’s drink and relax”
“You don’t understand” said Senghar taking his arms. He commanded Unek to do the same. “Go now, don’t make me use this against you my friend. This matter is bigger that you think, go now!” He pointed his arc to Amilcar and Unek pointed at James.
Both guys run, scared, took their horses and rode away.
Senghar and Unek looked at each other and walked to the tent. Senghar cleared his throat and obviously nervous, said.
“Captain Julien, they are gone. We must hurry up, we must prepare you. We should get to Coghlan City before sunrise”.
Not far away Amilcar and James had left the horses nearby and hidden themselves behind some rocks. They were intrigued by the luck of hospitality and unfriendly treatment of their comrades. Finally the strangest man emerged from the tent. Someone like they have never seen before. Surely a foreigner. He had a long threaded black bear, an eye patch and very strange clothes.
They couldn’t believe their eyes!!!! He was quite a spectacle in these lands. They had never seen one but they were sure that that man was what a pirate would look like!!! And they were scared!
Fascinated but terrified they run back to take the horses, decided to get Timmo and get out of that place, surely, very far away.
They got to the camp in a hurry and noisily. Timmo was nowhere to be found. They thought the worst had happened. “Where the hell is my brother Amilcar?” Asked James in desperation. They finally saw him under a tree, napping. When they got to the point Timmo woke up at once…
“Hey, what’s going on? I almost wet my pants!!!!”
“Get all your stuff Timmo, we got to go far away from here. This kingdom is getting dangerous. Quick! Let’s not leave a trace!”
Captain Julien had a weird accent. He looked sever and he spread around a feeling of respect and fear . Senghar almost couldn’t see him in the eyes.
“OK everything ready then? You get ready first, then me.” It was not a suggestion, but a command.
Both men run to take a trunk from the wagon, carried it to the tent and opened it.
The prisoners’ clothing was in there.
“I’ll go first said Senghar in a whisper. He took what he needed and went to change behind a tree. Weird moment he had chosen to feel shy. When he was done he came out… he look almost exactly like Velcar the guard.
“How do I look?”
“Really good, you look a lot like him”
“Really, what about the moustache? I had to shave mine…. This one is a fake. Could you tell?”
“You look awesome”
Captain Julien rolled his eyes and gave them an impatient look.
Unek saw that and hurried to do his part. When he came out, he was looking a lot like Jack, the driver.
“So?” he asked.
“Good” answer Senghar, aware of the Captain piercing look.
“I made a good job cutting my hair, right? Does it suit me?” Senghar didn’t answer and started to sweat. Unek asked again…. What? It’s the pants? They make me look fat don’t they? ……
“OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ENOUGH YOU PRINCESSES! RAP IT UP!! GET TO YOUR POSTS!”
Senghar and Unek whished they had longer legs to run faster.
At The Dead Moors, that night.....
Peter had been hungry all day long. The sun had just set and he was making dinner, a very early one. The sky was covered with dark grey clouds and no star was to be seen. A soft constant wind was blowing, announcing a storm. He felt cosy in his house.
“There are a few more hours till midnight. I’ll be fine” he thought while stirring the stew.
The wind outside was getting stronger. He looked through the windows and saw leaves and pebbles flying in the wind, rolling on the ground as if escaping from something wicked.
The house creaked and moaned as a ship tied to a dock.
Suddenly a strong blast of wind burst open the door and the fire from the oil lamp and the candles went out.
He swore. He run to close the door before everything would be smashed by the force of the wind coming in.
When he secured the door he walked in the moonlighted room to the kitchen, where he lighted a candle with the fire that remained in the furnace.
With the new fire in his hand ready to light up the oil lamp, he saw he was not alone.
“My Liege!” He said in terror almost dropping the candle and turning the light out again. You are early, you weren’t expected until……”
“You dare to scowl me Peter?
“I’m sorry my Liege, I was surprised. Forgive me” he said with his eyes fixed on the floor.
“Light the lamp and shut up.”
“Yes My Liege”
“I came to check on you Peter. Are you well?”
“Yes My Liege, thank you”
“Have you been good Peter? I’ve heard you have been behaving for quite a few years now. It’s a pity…” the tone was mocking.
“Yes” he said scared.
“And did you do everything you’ve been asked? Remember that lives depend on you Peter….” A terrible smile was shown inside the darkened hood. Peter could not see a face….
“I did everything My Liege. They must be on their way to Coghlan right now. They will get there before the ship leaves. The King will……”
“DO NOT NAME HIM IN MY PRESENCE!!!!” Shouted. “Peter…you’ve been good… let’s have a drink”
Peter was petrified. He thought he was stuck to the floor but slowly turning picked up a bottle of his best liquor.
When he looked again, he was completely alone and the door was opened.
He run and secured it again. “As if this would help” he thought locking it up.
Next episode January 7th
PS: sorry about the size of some pics.... I forgot to resize them, but I will change that tonight if I have internet conection at home....
