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Part 3:
Recapitulation: Young boy Hage has run away from his foster home, the vineyard of Glaucus. Glaucus is traveling to the north to find a cure for the ruined crop of grapes that's plaguing the farm. Hage's first visit to town almost ends in disaster, as thieves home in on their wagon. But a tall man intervenes to rescue their possessions. He then invites them to a dark tavern...
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Hage's nose was assaulted by the smells inside the tavern door. Even these smells he'd smelled before on the farm - it was when the wind brought odors from the stables to the dinner hall. Troskel noticed his frown with a laughter. "Don't worry, you'll soon get used to it. A pretty odour keeps the city guards away, my father used to say. Or perhaps he only tried to explain why we lived in a pig sty." Another laugh from the tall man. They sat down at a table close to the door. Troskel put his staff overhead between two beams in the roof. It was almost invisible there in the dark. Already two plates of half-eaten food and a couple of jugs stood on the table, Glaucus and Troskel had abandoned their meal hastily. "Keeper, one more plate over here. And a small jug of beer, please."
Hage stuffed himself. The bread was hard, but he dipped it in his jug and ate happily. The fish was cooked dry and the vegetables was almost colourless after too long a time in the cooking pot. But the journey through town and the excitement outside the tavern had taken its toll. Hage scraped the plate with his spoon and then with a piece of bread.
By then the both men had finished their discussion. "Agreed then. I accompany you to Platte the merchant and you leave three barrels of wine here as payment." Troskel extended his hand. "Don't forget your promise," Glaucus replied. "Oh, yes - and I won't rob or abandon you on the way." A crooked smile split Troskel's face when Glaucus shook his hand.
"Another pair of ales over here - we're celebrating!" Troskel shouted over his shoulder.
While they waited, Glaucus told Hage that they would stay the night at the tavern. They would both sleep in the stable to keep an eye on the wagon. "You can't trust anybody in this part of town," he explained. "Who's the merchant and how would he help us?" Hage ventured to ask. Troskel answered instead of Glaucus, who rather seemed not to want to say anything at all.
"Platte is the merchant who brings goods for Glockard the magician. He's one of the few who knows the way through the woods around Glockard's hut. And before you ask: Glockard is considered the most powerful of the magicians of the north. And, may I add, the most difficult to get a hold of. Perhaps one of the reasons for his supposed greatness, eh?" Turning to Glaucus he continued: "You know, I never thought I'd live to see the day when you would turn to a magician for help - no matter what the problem." Glaucus' face darkened, his brow furrowed and Hage recognised the fear-inspiring face that woke him on the wagon floor so many days ago. "Stop your blabbering. I should have made you promise not to wiggle your tongue so freely instead of making you swear not to rob us," Glaucus retorted.
Night came and Hage went to sleep in the stable. Glaucus and Hage had made a bed on the wagon-floor in order to be close to their things. The sounds of the town infused the stable. The salty wind from the sea brought with it laughter and screams. Loud music came from the tavern. Occasional bangs told that tables were overturned and chairs flung into the walls in fights. Before gliding off into sleep, Hage asked Glaucus, "Why don't you like magicians? Aren't magicians nice people?" Glaucus responded, "Sleep now, you'll need your strength tomorrow. We'll travel hard and long through dangerous lands."
Through the woods
Breakfast at he tavern was eaten in the midst of chaos. The maids had scrubbed one of the tables for them to eat at, but the other tables were littered with food and puddles of wine. The air was thick with the dense fumes of vomit and old ale. Porridge and bread, slightly fresher than yesterday, was on the menu. Glaucus and Hage ate alone in waiting for Troskel. "Hage, listen. Today we're going to travel through the mountains. A dangerous route, normaly frequented by bandits and wild animals. At first I'd planned to leave you here to wait for my return, for your own safety. But Troskel tells me that the Land King's soldiers have worked hard to secure the road, so attacks are rare these days. He thinks it would be more dangerous for you here in town than on the road. And I agree - it seems as if it has become worse than I remember."
The tall man entered the tavern, as if he heard his name. A sack slung over his shoulder and staff in hand. "Good morning everyone. A good night's rest and a healthy breakfast fills the day with good deeds, right?" He patted Hage on the head and sat down at table. "Ready to battle ogres and dragons, are we? Has Glaucus told you about the dangers we're going to face on our journey? Whatever he has said, double it." Glaucus said, with a note of irritation in his voice, "Troskel, knock it off. You know I would leave Hage here if there was the slightest chance of danger. That was the sole reason for me not to bring anyone from the farm. I don't want to jeapordize anyone's life but my own." Troskel said, "Rest easy, friend. I'm with you on this jorney."
It took a hour to unload the wine barrels at the tavern and rearrange the rest of the goods to balance the wagon. The ride through town wasn't as spectacular this time, Hage thought. The smells more subdued, the sounds more quiet. The throbbing of crowds didn't fascinate him at all. It was almost with relief that he caught sight of the hills outside the towns walls. Picking up speed, the wagon raced outwards on the broad road leading towards the distant mountains. Glaucus and Troskel sat on the bench, and Hage bumped along on the wagon-floor. When the road became more narrow, the horses slowed down and Troskel turned to Hage. "Have you ever used an sling? Here, I brought you one," he said when Hage shook his head. The sling, with two long leather straps and a pocket of leather for the stone, seemed to be well used. Showing Hage how to swing it, Troskel hit one of the milestones up ahead. "Now you try." Hage almost knocked himself unconscious on his first few tries. When he learned how to release one of the straps it was better - but he still wasn't close to hitting anything he aimed for. "Keep practicing - you never know when it will prove useful," Troskel advised.
Soon after mid-day, they came to a fork in the road. "Well, this is it. Either we go the long way or the short. Glaucus, what do you say?" Glaucus motioned the horses along the smaller of the roads without answering. Troskel laughed loudly and unknotted his cloak. "Hage, you'll soon get all the practice you need with that sling," he said as he brought up his staff from the wagon floor. The road still ran over grassland, but ahead Hage could see a forest rise towards the mountains. "We're not actually going over the mountains. There's a pass through eastwards from here - but we have to go through the forest to get there. And since it's the shortest way it is the favorite spot bandits to set up ambushes, but I don't seriously think we'll have any problems." The forest closed in on them. The road was narrow and trees and bushes reached after the wagon and it's passengers. Sunbeams punctured the green canopy. Fresh smells of leaves and unseen flowers enveloped them. Only the sound of the horses' hooves, the creaking of wheels and swishes of branches closing behind the wagon broke the silence. None of the three seemed eager to talk.
They traveled for a couple of hours. Hage lay on his back on the part of the wagon floor not covered by canvas, looking up at the forests' green umbrella. Suddenly he felt the wagon rock. Sitting up he noticed Troskel quickly moving into the forrest, as silently as possible. The horses kept moving, but Glaucus sat up, a little more alert. Hage saw a fallen tree that blocked the road. They're going to have to stop. "Glaucus, we need Troskel's help to shift that tree..." he began to say when the bushes at the side erupted with people. A man jumped up into the wagon and tried to kick Glaucus from the seat, but the kick was deflected with the thick end of Glaucus' whip. Hage fumbled with the sling, his sweaty hands droping the stone - when he's grabbed by two strong arms from behind and gets lifted and flung over the side. Hiting the ground knocked the air from his lungs. He rolled away from the wagon and couldn't help Glaucus from beeing overmanned and dragged down from the seat.
"Enough! Stop - or I'll break his neck!" Troskel's voice rangs out as loudly as the crack of a whip. He had appeared from the woods with a man in front of him. His strong arms were wrapped around the man's chest and throat, the man was red in the face and struggled to get air. "So, what's your decision?" Troskel shouted again, impatiently. Their attackers stand still. There are only four of them, Hage noticed. The surprise attack exaggerated their numbers. "Wonder what your leader thinks, ehh?" Troskel spoke again and let the captured man get a little more air. "Back off! Back off," he coughed. "He's as strong as a bear." The battle was over. Sullenly, the men climbed down from the wagon. A strange feeling of deja vu came over Hage as he tried to crawl to his feet. "You. Move the tree at once," Troskel commanded the men, who immediately set to work. Glaucus got up from the ground and hauled Hage to his feet. "Boy, you take the reins for a moment," Glaucus said. When the tree was pulled to the side, Hage motioned the horses forward slowly. Glaucus and Troskel followed it on foot, still with the man as a hostage. "He's coming with us for the moment - so you don't get new, stupid ideas," Troskel said to the bandits. "Don't worry, we'll release him unharmed - contrary to what you would have done to us."
After a safe distance Glaucus climbed onboard and pulled the man up on the wagon. Troskel jumped up and the horses walked along the road again. The man sat down on the floor, Troskel still holding him. The four men stood silently on the road and disappeared behind the next curve. "So, you're the only one's working along this road?" Troskel attempted a chatting tone of voice. The man was sullenly silent. "Speak up, I'm not that patient."
"There's a band at the north part of the road. I don't know if they're still doing their stuff or if they ventured out into the farmland. The Land King's troops have made it difficult for any of us to find prey." The man answered in low voice, but he warmed to the subject. "Six months ago, you wouldn't have been able to sneak up on us like that. We'd have been twice the number and well-honed in our attack. Now, most of my best men have left the woods. Going to town or getting a real job. Some even work as bodyguards for rich bastards." Troskel nodded sympathetically. "Yes, I know. There really have been an influx of new criminal minds in the city. Not everyone keen on following the rules either. It's been hard work to straighten them out. I even think I recommended some of the more violent types to get into the bodyguard-business." "You're the thief-master? I'm sorry... I should have known... Would you accept my apologies?" Waving a hand, Troskel laughed. "Never mind that. It's always inspiring to study other professionals at work. Don't worry - I don't hold it against you."
The bandit seemed a little happier now. "You know, we had a decent life here in the woods. It was perfect. Being the shortest route between the towns, there's always some hothead who'd gamble and take this way. Especially if it was urgent. Yes, how we plucked them to their bones." Lost in fond memories, his wistful smile faded. "But since the Land King's troops started their damned patrols, we've been running for our lives. Big fishes have passed right under our noses, being escorted by soldiers. And if we dared to make an stick-up of a smaller company, it could prove disatrous if it were soldiers in disguise."
Troskel nodded knowingly and spoke up. "Come to town instead. The future of crime lies in town, that's my bet anyway. As long as you follow the rules and respect the thief-master."
They dropped off the bandit an while later. He shook hands with Troskel and gave them a word on the way. "When you've traveled another four hours, you'll get to a dip in the road. Beware, it's the favourite ambush of the northern bandits. If they're there, they'll surely notice that we didn't rob you, so they probably jump to the opportunity."
Hage put new energy into practicing with the sling. The shuddering nervousness that had gripped him on the stick-up had retreated again to its dark cavern inside his mind. But he still remembered the fumbling with the sling, the dropped stone and the sight of Glaucus being pulled from the seat. Hage hadn't done anything to stop them. Troskel said that he'd done well. "Not many would even had the precence of mind to pick up the sling and stone. Do not be hard on yourself. It's all a matter of practice." They came to the dip in the road. Hage was almost wishing that something would happen, so he could prove himself, but nothing stirred in the woods. Troskel sat on the bench and listened to the sounds of the forest. An hour later, they left the woods behind them. The sun was setting, the night sounds of the forrest picking up speed. Out on the farmland they could still enjoy the silence for a while longer. The Red Rat was a down-run inn, but they offered cheap rooms and decent meals. The adults sat in the dinner-room, talking until late at night. Hage slept as if he'd been knocked out on the wooden bench.
A merchant for hire
In the morning when Hage woke up, Troskel had left. Glaucus said that he might accompany them home again through the woods, but it was far from certain. "He left a message for you though. 'Keep up with the sling-practice and eat plenty.'" "That's all he had to say to me?" Hage could hardly believe it - Troskel running away in the middle of night, without saying goodbye to him. "Kid, Troskel took a great risk in accompanying us here. He did it partly because he owed me a debt, but partly so that you could come with me. He didn't think he could keep you out of harms way in the town. He did this to keep you safe." "But he could have said goodbye..." Hage whined with tearful eyes. Glaucus could only comfort him with a hand on his shoulder.
They traveled in silence and came to town around lunch-time. Glaucus left the horses and wagon at a stable outside town. Then they explored the city on foot. In a small shop of the main street they found Platte behind a counter. He was flipping through parchments when their arrival was announced by the doorbell. He eyed them suspiciously. "Yes?" "You're the merchant Platte? I have an proposition to make." Glaucus said when the man nodded and put away his papers. "Could we meet at he inn later tonight for a discussion? I have customers to take care of," the merchant complained. "You can buy me a meal," he added greedily. Glaucus agreed. Even being well-feed, the merchant seemed unwilling to accompany them to the magician. "Look. We're not trying overtake your customer. We only want to meet him regarding an urgent matter," Glaucus tried coaxing him. "I don't know. Usually I make the trip in the summer, not now in early autumn. And I've already delivered his goods for this year." "But he must have ordered more goods for next year? Perhaps even something that's urgent? Think about it - I'll pay you quite a bit to take us to him. Not only that: You also get to sell some more stuff to the magician and prove that you consider him an important customer. That means even more money in the end. I know, I'm a businessman myself."
The merchant looked doubtful, but considered Glaucus words carefully. "Perhaps. But just how much would you pay me to take you to him?" Glaucus leaned closer. "I think you know of my wine, perhaps you've even tried it." The merchant nodded. "Tell you what. You'll get two barrels of last year's vintage - considered by conniseurs to be very exquisite." In the end, the merchant agreed - after a thorough tasting of Glaucus stock. Glaucus had enough wits about him to ask the inn-keeper over to hear Platte agree to the arrangement. Hage later had to help Glaucus to bed, his snoring rising from the bed even before Hage managed to pull off his boots. Neither of the men came down to breakfast the next morning. Hage fed the horses and helped one of the maids at the inn to fetch water for the kitchen. Then he spent a couple of hours by the small stream outside town, trying to fish with an improvised rod.
It was midday when Glaucus came down from the sleeping-hall. Ordering two raw eggs, he sat looking out over the inn's small yard. "Kid. Stay away from wine," was all he said when Hage asked if he was well. The merchant arrived even later and in worse condition. Even though he was on the verge of being sick, he tried to break the agreement. He cited reasons ranging from the ridiculous to the revolting. Glaucus was adamant and called the inn-keeper over as a witness. Platte the merchant had to succumb in the end, but he needed a couple of days to prepare for the journey, he argued. "You have two days," was Glaucus only comment before turning back to his eggs.
(To be continued)
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[This message has been edited by Slayer (edited 04-24-2001).]
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I feal so dispicable for even mentioning flaws in such a marvelous desplay of world-creation and story-telling. Hopefully you won't take this too much to heart (after all, what is one persons opinion?). I can't wait for Part 4.
