The Merchant and the Menace (4 page)

Kael knew he didn’t outwit Jasper. In fact, he grew
accustomed to their bargaining sessions ending in a “victory” for Kael. He was
sure the tinker allowed him to win. Possibly as payback for the kindness shown
by Brelg.

Kael ran his fingers over the intricate detail in
the ancient dagger, marveling at the beautiful design trapped under years of
tarnish. Jasper questioned the boy on the health of his family and the
happenings of the town.  Kael didn’t intend to pass along Drovor’s rumors, but
as always with Jasper, the boy started to talk and found himself desperate to
tell all he knew.

“Kael, elaborate on this trip you plan,” suggested
Jasper unexpectedly.

“Jasper, how did you know we ...”

“Remember, Kael. One of my talents is information.
I know everything because I must. That is how a traveler survives in this world.
Now tell me of your journey,” said Jasper.

“Well,” Kael began. “My father is interested in
obtaining more Elven rope and medicines. So we decided I should go to Luxlor to
buy them.”

“You mean ‘you decided’ don’t you?” frowned Jasper.

“Father is reluctant to let me go,” replied Kael
grinning, “but I pestered him enough.”

 Jasper turned to Rin.

 “Old Sarge grows soft as the years go by, eh Rin?”

The straight-faced Zodrian nodded then allowed a
slight smile to creep across his face. Jasper turned and walked toward the inn
with Rin following.

“I must transact some business with your father. I
suggest you stop dawdling if you want to leave before high sun,” called the old
trader and he disappeared behind the inn’s front doors.

Kael inspected the dagger he purchased.
Surprisingly, the seven-inch blade held a sharp edge even after its apparent
neglect. The handle was made of a blue stone, but was so dirty Kael couldn’t
determine what type. With a bit of cleaning and sharpening, he he was sure the
blade could be restored to its former beauty. Kael rubbed some of the grime
from the stone and the light played off its surface. The boy determined that he
probably did get the better half of the bargain. He tucked the blade in his
tunic and ran to retrieve the Westland bow.

 Kael descended from his room into the main hall.
He noticed his father sitting at a corner table with Jasper and Rin. Kael
approached the table with his bow.

“Excuse me, gentlemen,” said Kael

“What is it you wish, Kael?” asked his father as
all three men turned to look at him.

“I came to give this to old Jasper,” said Kael
holding out the bow.

“Kael!” said Brelg sharply. “Plain ‘Jasper’ is the
man’s name. Don’t be rude.”

Brelg turned to Jasper and shook his head.

“The boys’ mother was in charge of teaching them
proper manners,” said Brelg frowning. “I’m afraid I’ve been a bit lax in that
department.”

Jasper grinned and waved off any insult he may have
received. The innkeeper turned back to his son.

“And what does Master Jasper want with your bow,
Kael?”

“I traded for something,” said Kael.

“You traded for something? What are you thinking?
That bow puts good game on our table in some of the leaner months. How could
you trade away something that important? And what frivolity did you trade for?”
said Brelg in a growing voice.

Kael pulled the dagger out of his tunic, and
awkwardly held it forward. Brelg shot a glance at Jasper and back to Kael.

“So you trade a fine hunting bow for a toy to play
soldier, is that it? I’m astonished at you, boy. If you think this deal
through, you’ll see your folly. I’m sure Jasper would reconsider his deal ...”

“Now hold on, Brelg. The boy made a sensible trade
you know,” cut in Jasper.

“How so?” Brelg asked respectfully.

“Well, if he means to travel the Nagur, he may need
a weapon. A dagger draws more quickly than a bow.”

“Your words are true, but do you really think he’ll
need it? If so, I would just as soon neither of my boys journeyed today,” said
Brelg.

Kael looked over his father’s shoulder with a
pained expression. Jasper’s eyes met the boy’s and a smile flashed across the
old trader’s face.

“Oh, of course not, Brelg. There is really no need
for it, but better to err on the side of caution, eh? Let us call the dagger a
loan to carry with him through the Nagur. Next time I’m in town, I will pick it
up. Mind you, Kael, don’t act foolishly and trade away my property,” laughed
Jasper.

“No sir, of course not,” stammered Kael.

“Well, it is settled then,” said Brelg. “Now Kael,
get to your chores. I’ve some more business to discuss with Jasper and you’re
running late.”

“Yes, sir,” said Kael. He spun from the men and
dashed out to the stables.

Kael entered the low building and tied on a long
leather smock. His father puzzled him. When most men visited the inn, old Brelg
made it perfectly clear who was in charge. However, when Jasper and his quiet
son appeared at “The King’s Service”, Brelg demanded perfect manners. Brelg too
became reserved and polite. Kael assumed this was out of respect for the old
trader’s age and knowledge. An innkeeper needed information about the wheat
crop in the fields outside Ymril and the fishing hauls on the Derzean sea to
help set his prices. However, this politeness was uncommon for Brelg.

Aemmon stood in the stables holding a shovel and a
bucket. A sour expression crossed his face.

“I hate cleaning the stables.”

Kael burst into laughter. “That’s one thing we
certainly agree upon!”

Kael picked up another shovel and went into the
nearest stall. The pair worked for nearly an hour. In addition to cleaning the
heavily laden floor, they filled feedbags, carried water into the troughs, and
finished by giving each horse a brush and rub down. Finally, a broad smile
crossed Kael’s face.

“Aemmon, get the harness for Battle-ax. We’re
almost ready to go.”

Aemmon frowned and walked to the end of the
stables. He took a small harness from the wall and entered the last stall. Kael
heard a few muffled groans and finally Aemmon emerged holding the end of a
leather strap. As he backed out of the stall, the strap went taut. Aemmon gave
a pull.

“C’mon,” pleaded Aemmon. “Be a good girl.”

“You need to be polite to her or she won’t be
polite to you,” laughed Kael.

“You know it doesn’t matter how I act toward her.
She refuses to do anything I say. Come over here and help me,” pleaded Aemmon.
“She listens to you.”

Kael approached the stall smiling. Inside, a small
donkey stared defiantly at Aemmon, her legs stiffly braced against the
compacted earth. As Kael entered, the donkey’s stance relaxed. Kael cupped his
hand around her ear and whispered soothingly. The donkey stepped slowly from
the stall and pulled Aemmon out of the stables.

Aemmon glanced over his shoulder, rolling his eyes
at Kael in exasperation. Kael shrugged his shoulders and followed into the
yard. In the courtyard the boys tied empty saddlebags to the donkey, and then
the bag of provisions for their trip. Next, they entered the kitchens for some
breakfast. Cefiz stood at the cutting board slicing a large ham.

“All of your work is done?” he questioned.

“Absolutely,” said Aemmon, staring at the ham.

“Stables, hens, pigs, horses, floors, dishes,
everything?” said Cefiz solemnly.

”Please, Cefiz. Don’t tease us. We’re hungry!”
pleaded Kael.

“Did you get Battle-ax ready?” asked Cefiz raising
a questioning eyebrow as he sliced.

“Yes, sir,” groaned Aemmon.

“Let’s see, am I forgetting anything?” smiled
Cefiz.

Aemmon’s stomach growled loudly. The trio laughed
and Cefiz forked ham onto two small loaves of bread.

“I also cut some ham and put it into this sack for
you. It’ll be nice to stop for a quick bite when you’re into the Nagur a ways.
You should start getting hungry about then,” he paused. “Well Kael will, but
Aemmon will be hungry twenty feet from the front gate!”

Aemmon blushed. He finished stuffing half of his
loaf into his mouth and was munching furiously. He chewed some more and gulped
hard.

“I could do without food for a couple of hours if it
means getting this over with,” grumbled Aemmon.

“Oh, you won’t run into any trouble in the Nagur,
Aemmon,” said Cefiz. “On a sunny day like this it’s an easy journey. The trail
is well marked. Nightfall is when it’s easy to get lost in the Nagur. You can’t
see a yard in front of your face.”

“How do you know that, Cefiz?” asked Kael. “Did you
ever travel the Nagur?”

“Oh, when the Sarge could spare me,” smiled Cefiz.
“I used to go on trading trips for the inn. I haven’t been able to go to Luxlor
since ...”

The cook trailed off and resumed slicing ham.

“Ever since mother died.” finished Aemmon.

The three men grew silent for a while. The cook finally
coughed and cleared his throat.

“An inn can’t survive without a cook. I don’t think
I’ve left this town in nearly ten seasons,” frowned Cefiz. “You boys better get
going. You want to be through the forest before sundown.”

Kael picked up the sack and headed for the door.
Aemmon finished picking at the scraps left on the cutting board and followed.
As the boys walked toward Battle-ax, their father and Jasper approached.

“Well, it’s close to the time you two should be on
your way,” said Brelg. “Did you pack everything you need?”

“Yes, father,” answered Kael.

“Remember, Kael,” said Jasper. “I’m a man who’s
traveled the Nagur many times. There are a few simple rules to follow to ensure
your safety.

“First, do not stray from the path. The forest is
thick and overgrown. It’s easy to lose one’s way once you step from the path.

“Second, respect the Wood. I’m not a superstitious
man, but mystery befalls those who harm the trees. If you need firewood, collect
kindling from the ground. Never lay an ax to the trees.

“Finally, if you do get lost, listen for the sound
of rushing water and move to it. This will most assuredly be the sound of the
Efer River or a creek flowing to it. Once you reach the river, follow its banks
and you should find a bridge and the path to Luxlor.”

“Thank you, sir,” nodded Kael as he glanced to his
father.

With that, the two boys moved toward the donkey.
Kael grabbed the reins and led her to the south road.

The road out of Kelky ran due south, crested a low
hill and meandered in a southeasterly direction. Once the boys passed the hill
they were alone. Not many travelers left Kelky to head south. After ten minutes
leading the donkey down the dirt road Aemmon broke the silence.

“I’m glad we finally left. I expected father to
make us do chores all day,” muttered Aemmon.

“If he had his way, he would,” said Kael. “We just
needed to keep working on him.”

He glanced at his brother.

“You seem to be getting more comfortable with the
idea of this trip. Am I correct?” asked Kael.

“Comfortable? No,” replied Aemmon. “Resigned to it?
Yes.”

They continued on in silence for several hours
until Kael held up his hand.

“Did you hear that?” asked Kael.

“No, what?” replied Aemmon.

“I heard some thunder in the distance. Might be my
imagination, but we really don’t need to get caught in a thunderstorm this
afternoon. We should try to quicken our pace.”

The boys walked quickly and the donkey followed.
The sky remained clear and sunny for another half hour, but then a dark,
brooding cloud appeared on the Northeastern horizon. Soon the wind picked up,
and Kael knew the storm moved their way. The Nagur appeared several leagues
ahead when the first, fat raindrops splattered on the dry and dusty path. The
pair hurried south. Within minutes a true downpour began and the young men were
soaked.