Chapter Thirteen - "A Welcome Break"

The caravan slowly creaks and rattles its way along the paved road, which is beginning to show signs of disrepair at the points furthest from inhabited settlements. Eder keeps his distance from the troop but as time passes some of the earlier tension begins to dissipate.. He shares guard duty with the Captain and begins to develop some measure of respect for the man, clearly a veteran, experienced at command and with a relatively easy manner with his men, although clearly firm and sharp when the need arises.

A hand of days and more passes in the growing monotony of the journey... 10 Ahn in the saddle, two rest breaks to rest and water the beasts and the men. The making and breaking of the camp, night watches, daytime dust and heat. Although an opportunity for the Warrior to rest, the mind-crushing boredom of the regular routine begins to make him ache for some action.

One night, during the middle watch, the Captain approaches Eder, carrying a mug of steaming blackwine. The greying soldier leans up against a tree trunk, watching the Warrior with steady eyes which reflect the dying light of the watch-fires. He speaks his quiet voice carrying clearly.

"Our life isn't too exciting is it, friend ?" .... "Still, it gives me the chance to get out of the crowds in the City....Truth to tell, I would rather spend my life on the road, even with this poor excuse for an armed force.." He gestures over his shoulder to the sleeping troop with a jerk of his thumb.... "They aren't up to much, but you should have seen them when I got landed with them in the first place ... some bad apples left in the barrel but most have either cleared out or met the fate you dealt that night in the Tavern."

"No family, then ?" Eder quietly asks.

The Captain looks startled that the silent Warrior should actually speak...then he chuckles.

"None that I'm willing to acknowledge, I dare say I have left a few mementoes of my passing over the years, guess they should have been more sensible with the slave wine.... Nah...I have no wish to be tied down and to live under the lash of some FreeWoman's tongue. How about you ?"

Eder shakes his head slowly ..he smiles and says.

"Once ,long ago I heard what was said to be an old Urth saying.. I can't remember it exactly but it was something about always staying a single man and bringing all your sons up the same way. I guess that applies to you then? "

"Could be, could very well be." The Captain softly laughs.

A few moments of silence, the Captain looks into the Warrior's eye, he is not turned aside by the coolness of Eder's gaze.

"Listen ... I know this is none of my business and the Priest-Kings know I have no wish to anger you, but I am curious ..... You are not without education, some of your habits are a little strange and you seem more than happy to share the most irksome of duties, almost willingly. I have seen you in action when you killed that guard..... well not so much killed him as played with him ....sort of like a Mountain Larl, sated following a recent kill and yet killing again just to keep in practice. AS I say ,you intrigue me, for you are not what you seem on the surface."

Eder contemplates killing again but instead, he narrows his ice-blue eyes momentarily before he answers ...

"Do not be offended, my Captain, but that is none of your concern. I am what I am, You must decide on what is before you, not on what you might imagine or surmise. What you think is a matter of complete indifference to me. I will tell you nothing and I would prefer you not to enquire into matters which are personal to me. Judge as you wish, I really have no care what you do or do not believe."

The Captain raises his hands in front of him ...

"Fair enough, my lad. Curious I may be, stupid I am not. I will not press the matter.... You have caused me no trouble, in fact I am glad to have you along. Since you joined us you have done all I have asked of you and you are welcome to remain as long as you care to."

Eder nods .. "I will stay to the end of your road, then I will take my leave of you. You are a strange man, Captain...I am not one who seeks more than a nodding acquaintance with anyone I meet, but I could see myself taking pleasure in your company for an evening or two, but as you know I am not a drinking man ....."

The Captain nods.... "Dulls the senses and addles the brain, I know.."

Eder continues ...

"I never stay in the same place for longer than is necessary ..... here let me take that mug and return it to the cook-fire. If you will excuse me...."

The Warrior takes the mug and walks back into the heart of the camp. He wishes the Captain a soft "Good night", barely audible but noticed.

The veteran watches him go, he sighs and speaks softly to himself ...

"Aye lad, I understand you all too well. Those of the black caste are fools for setting down roots and cannot afford the luxury of friendships. You will do well enough and I know you will honour your promise to stay till the journey is completed. Yet you have an aura about you, an aura of death and of anger. Who's death ...pray it isn't mine ... but I feel it may be yours ..... Be well.."

Reaching down the Captain retrieves his spear which he set against the tree, he plants the metal-shod butt onto the hard ground and leans on it scanning the road and the fringes of the woodland which parallels their path. All is quiet, he muses, but tomorrow night may be different, for we rest at an Inn famed for both its table and its dancing slaves. Definitely an improvement on sleeping on this baked ground.

He laughs to himself again.... " By the one Egg... listen at me.... I must be getting older and softer than I thought....".

He walks into the camp, puts his booted foot to two sleeping figures, ordering them to take their watches. He sips another mug of tepid blackwine before curling into his furs and sleeping as soon as his head hits the pillow of his saddle.