The Unsuspecting Mage (16 page)

Upon approaching the outskirts of town they see a column of soldiers marching along the main road heading east.

“Who are they?” asks James.

“Cardri soldiers,” he replies. “They must be heading east to reinforce Dragon’s Pass. The siege is still raging at Saragon, at least that’s the rumor. If it falls, they may swing our way. Doubtful, but best to be prepared.”

“I suppose so,” he agrees.

Once the soldiers pass, they make their way through town to Alexander’s. Arriving at his establishment they dismount and tie their horses to the front post before entering. Within they find Alexander at the counter dealing with an elderly woman so they wait a few moments until she concludes her business.

When she is done and turns to leave, James steps to the counter. Alexander looks up at his approach and says, “Why, it’s James. How may I be of service today?”

“I’m leaving town so need to withdraw the rest of my money,” he explains.

“Very well,” Alexander says. “A thousand gold pieces is a lot to carry around with you. If you prefer, I could give you a letter of account. Such a letter would be honored by any money lender in Cardri. It would be less bulky than a chest full of coins that any robber would surely take an interest in.”

“Alright then,” agrees James. “Give me another hundred gold pieces to take with me and the rest in a letter of account. That should last me until I get to Cardri.”

“You’re heading to the city of Cardri then?” Alexander asks.

“Yes,” James replies, “I plan to head in that direction.”

“My brother has a money lender establishment in Cardri,” he explains. “I’m sure he would be more than willing to cash this for you. You can find him in the merchant’s quarter of the outer ring.”

“That sounds good, I’ll look him up when I get there,” James says.

“Very good sir, I shall be but a moment,” Alexander says as he turns and disappears in the back. It doesn’t take long before he returns to the counter with a pouch of coins and the letter. Together they count the money, both verifying that James is indeed receiving the correct amount, and then the money is put back into the pouch.

Handing the pouch and the letter to James, Alexander says, “Protect this letter carefully. If you lose it, you’ve lost your money, understand?” Seeing James nodding that he understands he adds, “And if you see my brother, tell him all is well here.”

“I will be sure to do that,” James assures him. After signing a few papers stating that Alexander was no longer responsible for his money, he and Corbin leave his establishment.

Next to Alexander’s is the Chandlers’ Shop where a variety of equipment and supplies that would be useful for travel are sold. Inside, they find useful wares displayed throughout the shop. Bags, cloaks, belts, etc. An open counter lines most of one wall and a portly man stands behind it.

James describes the things he thinks he’s going to need, then Corbin and the chandler proceed to tell him what he’s really going to need, including several sets of clothes. Together, they compile a list of equipment he’ll need. When he asks how much for the lot the chandler replies, “Jake came in here yesterday and told me that if you wanted anything, that I was to charge him for it. He said it was the least he could do to repay you.”

Turning to Corbin, James looks questioningly at him.

“While you were recovering, he stopped by to talk to you but you were sleeping and we thought it best not to disturb you,” he explains. “He said he wanted to repay you in some way, so I told him that you would most likely be needing equipment and supplies when you left, seeing as how you didn’t have anything. He must have come down here and set this up with Burl.”

With his arms full, he exits the shop and begins the job of packing and redistributing his things upon his horse until he has a balanced load. As he gets ready to mount, Corbin stops him.

“Here,” he says as he offers James a knife in a simple leather sheath. “This has been collecting dust the last few years and I’d like you to have it. You will need it more than I.”

Taking the knife, he pulls the blade from the scabbard and finds the metal well polished with a sharp edge. He then reinserts it back into the scabbard and unbuckles his belt, looping it through the openings in the knife’s sheath. Once his belt is buckled securely around him once more, he positions the knife’s scabbard in a comfortable position. Having it on his hip makes him feel pretty darn good.

“Thanks, Corbin.” Reaching out his hand, he shakes Corbin’s. “I appreciate all that you’ve done for me. I’ll drop by if I’m ever back in the area again.”

“You’re always welcome,” Corbin tells him. “You take care now.”

James mounts up, turns the horse in the direction of the south road, and canters out of town.

Traveling down the road along the Kelewan River is peaceful and enjoyable. The road has been well maintained and makes for easy riding. It’s a clear and sunny day with a slight breeze, too warm for more than just a shirt. James rides along and covers the miles quickly. According to Corbin it’s two days to Bearn. As the day progresses, he passes several travelers, some alone and others as a group. Late in the morning he encounters one caravan with ten wagons and about as many guards. The teamsters wave at him as he passes, while the guards only glare. The lead wagon is not the same flatbed as the others, but a wagon covered with a deep blue canvas. A four horse team pulls it, making him think of the covered wagons in the old western movies.

The wagon is being driven by a young lady who looks to be about sixteen. Next to her on the seat is an older man, most likely her father. As James pulls abreast of the wagon, the lady greets him, “Good day to you sir.”

Smiling his most charming smile, he replies, “And a nice day to you too ma’am.”

The man looks him up and down, his expression seeming to suggest that he finds James somewhat lacking. He nods a greeting but doesn’t say anything.

Thinking a bit, she says “The Flying Swan is good and well priced. The owner is a friend of mine by the name of Jillian. If you should stay there, tell him Celienda sends her wishes.”

“I will, and thank you for your help. Maybe we’ll run into each other while I am there?” suggests James with a grin. Her father gives him a cold look when he hears that.

“You never know,” responds Celienda with a cheerful smile.

Giving them another slight bow, he says, “May your travels be both profitable and safe.” He speeds his horse up to a canter and begins pulling away from the caravan.

“Fare you well, James,” he can hear Celienda call after him. It doesn’t take long before he’s out distanced them.

When the sun reaches its apex in the sky, James stops to let his horse graze while he has a bite to eat. Finding a shady spot not far from the banks of the river, he removes the sack Mary gave him and settles against the bole of a tree.

His posterior has been complaining for the last hour from having to sit in the saddle, but he’ll just have to get used to the rigors of being in the saddle all day. In this world, it seems to be the preferred mode of transportation.

While he eats, he thinks how peaceful and calm it is there by the river. Pulling the medallion from beneath his shirt, he again contemplates the design upon its face. Questions and still more questions with very few answers. Sighing, he replaces it beneath his shirt and finishes his meal.

The rest of the afternoon is pretty much a repeat of the morning, except that the pain in his bottom grows more pronounced as the day wears on. When the sun is but an hour away from dipping below the horizon, several buildings appear in the distance ahead. Two appear to be houses or storage sheds while a third stands two stories tall with smoke coming out of the chimney. Another long building sits behind it.

As he draws closer he makes out a sign depicting a river turning a bend hanging in front of the large, two story building.
Must be an inn,
he thinks to himself. Since night is quickly approaching, he figures this would be a good spot to stop for the night. Coming to the inn, he ties his horse to the hitching post in front then enters.

The smell of unwashed bodies and smoke hits James like a wall, taking his breath away. His eyes start to water and can barely breathe. Standing there for a second, he slowly acclimates to the stench. Looking around he notices several tables in the common area, only one which is currently unoccupied, and a long bar along one wall. A stairway at the rear of the room climbs to the second floor.

Fortunately the unoccupied table is near an open window. Taking a seat enabling him to sit with his back to the wall so he can see the entire common room, James gets comfortable. Leaning his head back against the wall near the window for the fresh air coming through, he doesn’t have long to wait until the serving girl comes over.

“Hi, I’m Melinda. What can I get ya?” she asks him.

“What do you have?” he asks.

“There are two choices for dinner,” she explains. “Mutton stew or roast beef. The stew is two coppers, the roast beef three. I’d take the roast beef. Some have said the mutton is a bit on the tough side.”

“I’ll take the roast beef then,” he decides, “and some ale. How much are the rooms? I also have a horse.”

“The rooms are a silver a night and two coppers for the stall for your horse. If you need feed for your horse, that’s another copper.”

Reaching into his travel purse, he pulls out two silvers and hands them over to her. She takes them and says, “I’ll be right back.” She walks over to the man behind the counter and his coins change hands. Then the man hands her back several coppers and she returns to give him his change. He gives her two coppers for a tip.

“The stall for your horse is the third from the right,” she explains. “If you need feed for your horse just give a copper to Ferric when you stable your horse. He’s the stableman. Your room is up the stairs and second on the left.”

Despite being in close proximity to the window, he’s unable to stand the stench in the common room any longer. “I’ll take care of my horse first then retire to my room,” he explains. “Would it be possible for my meal to be delivered to my room after I’m finished settling in my horse?”

“Sure, if you would like,” she says. “When you come back from stabling your horse, just let me know and I’ll bring it up there myself.” She gives James a wink and a knowing smile before walking over to another table where a customer is signaling for her.

Getting up, James hurries back out the door into the cool refreshing evening, taking a couple of deep breaths.
Haven’t these people ever heard of baths?
I suppose I better get use to it. They’re not very hygienically conscious here.

He unties his horse and leads him around the side to the stable. There he finds a man filling the feed bins in several of the stalls. “Are you Ferric, the stableman?” he asks.

“That’s me, what can I do for you?” Ferric inquires.

“Melinda said I was to have the third stall from the right.” Digging into his travel purse, James hands him a copper, “This is for feed for my horse.”

Taking the copper, Ferric takes the reins from him and leads James’ horse to the stall. The stall is roomy and filled with clean straw. At the rear is an area where the tack and saddle can be stored. Finding a brush hanging on the wall, he takes it down and proceeds to brush his horse’s coat, getting all the dirt and dust off just as Corbin said he should. When he finishes with the brushing, Ferric comes over with a pail of feed for his horse.

“He’ll be fine,” assures Ferric as he pours the grain into the feed bin. “My room is at the end of the stable so I can hear if there is any trouble. Should there be trouble or a problem arises, I will come get you.”

Giving him another copper, James says, “Thank you.” Turning to his horse, he pats him and says, “I’ll see you in the morning.” With one last pat he turns and heads back to the inn.

James signals to Melinda as he comes back into the inn, indicating that he will be in his room and that she can bring up his dinner. Nodding, she finishes with a customer and hurries into the kitchen.

He climbs the stairs and finds a long hallway stretching the length of the building. Four doors line each side of the hall and two lit oil lamps at either end do little to banish the growing shadows. Coming to the second door on the left, he opens it and goes inside.

The room is somewhat dark as the window faces east and the sun has begun dipping below the horizon. A single candle sits in a candlestick on the middle of a small table. He tries a simple spell to light the candle’s wick.