Which meant that at times the boys were thrown around the back of the wagon without mercy, hanging on to the sides to keep from bouncing right out of the wagon bed. Finally Tad said, Dont bother stopping to camp, Caleb. Just get us there. Ill sleep in the stable if it means not having to endure another day in this wagon.
As Caleb suspected, the wagon journey had conspired to make the boys a great deal more amenable to learning how to ride. He knew he could probably find three saddle horses in the village and that after a couple of days the boys would be sore in a whole new array of places, but that eventually they would be happy to be travelling on horseback.
They were travelling slightly uphill, as the terrain rose from flat farmland and pastures and scattered woodlands, into a more heavily forested range of hills. Rising up to the south of them on their right hand was the Pillars of the Stars, the range of mountains that served as an absolute marker for the border of the Empire of Great Kesh. Yar-Rin was located in the foothills of the eastern terminus of those mountains, in a lovely valley that separated the mountains from the mammoth forest known as The Green Reaches.
But the most significant thing about reaching Yar-Rin was they would at last be out of the no-mans land that was the Vale of Dreams and be in Great Kesh. Caleb was determined to begin inquiring about possible apprenticeships for the boys, for he was anxious to be done with this responsibility and get back to his family on Sorcerers Isle. He really had no business taking the boys into Kesh, save there were little opportunities for boys their age without fathers in the Western Realm of the Kingdom these days. There was a general malaise of commerce that had been plaguing the region for over two years, giving rise to all manner of social ills: youth gangs in the larger cities, increased banditry and theft, prices for common goods soaring, and more than usual privations heaped upon the poor.
The wagon jostled more than usual when the wheels rode up over a large rock and the boys were thrown back and forth again. They were on the verge of voicing their displeasure when Caleb abruptly reined the horses in.
They had rounded a bend in the road and were now at a small crest before a long downhill run into a shallow dell. Trees now hugged the side of the road and the late afternoon shadows made the way look menacing.
What is it? asked Tad, standing up so he could look over Calebs shoulder.
Thought I saw something in the tree-line up at the top of that rise, he said, indicating the top of the road where it rose up on the other side of the vale.
Zane stood up next to his foster brother and put his hands over his eyes.
Lower your hands, Zane, said Caleb. We dont want them seeing we know theyre there.
Who? asked Tad.
Whoever it is who is waiting for us.
What are we going to do? whispered Zane.
Dryly, Caleb said, I dont think they can hear us.
What if we just wait here? asked Tad.
Urging the horses forwards, Caleb said, Theyd just come here.
Zane sounded worried. Why dont we turn around?
Because then they would be certain we have something of value were hiding. The horses picked up speed heading downhill, and Caleb said, Listen carefully. Im a teamster and youre my helpers. We delivered a load of trade goods in Stardock from a trading concern called Mijes and Zagon.
Mijes and Zagon, repeated Tad.
The goods were paid for in advance and we are returning our wagon to our employers in Yadom.
Yadom, echoed Zane.
Why the story?
Because if they think were hiding gold on us, theyll kill us before they look for it. If were just teamsters, theyll maybe let us walk to Yar-Rin.
Walk?
Theyll take the wagon and horses, and anything else they think is worthwhile.
Youre going to let them?
Caleb said, All I have to lose is my sword, and I can buy another. The wagon reached the bottom of the dell, the road disappearing under a shallow wide rill strewn with rocks which caused the wagon to bounce the boys more than usual.
As they started to climb upwards to the next ridge, Zane said, What if they dont believe you?
Then Ill shout run, and you two take off into the woods. As fast as you can, work your way back down into the dell behind us youll never elude them if youre trying to run uphill. When you get to the bottom, follow the creek to the south, then in the morning youll find a game trail a mile south coming out of the foothills. It will lead back to this road about five miles outside the village of Yar-Rin. Go there and find a man named McGrudder at the sign of the Sleeping Rooster. Tell him what happened and do as he says. Tad started to ask a question, but Caleb said, Now silence. Do not say anything. I will do the talking.
As they mounted the rise Caleb slowed the wagon, and at the crest, halted the horses. The sun had set over the ridge behind Caleb and the boys, turning the forest ahead into a dark tunnel as shadows quickly deepened. Caleb waited. After a moment, a man emerged from behind a tree. Good day, traveller, he said with a smile devoid of any hint of warmth. He spoke Keshian with a Kingdom accent.
He was a stocky man in dirty clothing, a mixture of buckskin pants, a once richly brocaded shirt, a heavy faded blue sash around his waist and a sleeveless overjacket of black leather. His hair was hidden under a red bandanna and two large golden earrings were visible. He wore a long sword at his right hip and a pair of daggers on the left. His boots were frayed and down at the heel. When he smiled, the boys could see his two upper front teeth were missing. Late for travel, isnt it?
Calebs voice was calm. Just decided to push on a bit. Theres a clearing about a mile up the road thats a nice campsite, near water.
Youve been over this road before?
Caleb nodded. Many times. Its why my employer hired me for this run. What can I do for you, stranger?
The man smiled, then said, Thats the question, isnt it? What can you do for me?
Caleb sighed, as if he had been through this before. Were travelling empty. My apprentices and me just ran some trade goods into Stardock, prepaid, so were not carrying any gold. Ive got a purse with two silvers and a few coppers in it, and the rest is the clothes on my back.
Other men began to appear from the trees, and the leader of the bandits said, Boy, pointing at Zane, whered you get your load?
Yadom, Zane answered quietly as he watched four others, one armed with a crossbow, surround the wagon. At Mijes and Zagons he was about to say, shop, but realized Caleb hadnt informed him just what sort of business that was, freight company, supplier, or merchant. He just let his words fall off as if he was frightened out of his wits, which he was.
Tads hand closed on Zanes wrist, and Zane understood what it meant: be ready to jump and run. Tad glanced slightly behind him, and Zane recognized the bandits had left the rear of the wagon unguarded.
Caleb looked around and said, Look, there are five of you and Im not inclined to fight over this wagon. You know this rig isnt worth much, so Ill not risk these boys and myself to keep it. Im getting paid when I get back and Mijes and Zagon can afford to buy a new one. So, how about I just get down and walk away?