I didnt, said Zane with a grin, lowering the sword. I just tried to keep the stick from hitting me.
Caleb turned to Tad. Did you see how he did that?
Tad nodded.
Caleb motioned for Zane to drop the point of his blade, then stepped over to the boy and gripped his wrist. By turning your wrist, like you did, you achieve the most efficient use of your arm-strength and energy. Youll see men who use their entire arm, sometimes up to the shoulder, and sometimes you have to do that for a particular block, but the less strength you use early on, the more youll have should the battle wear on.
Caleb, how long does a fight usually last?
Most are short, Tad. But if two men are evenly matched, it can continue for a long time and endurance becomes vital. And if youre in battle, as soon as you kill the man in front of you, another will take his place.
I dont know much about battles, muttered Zane. Maybe I should get a really fast horse
Tad laughed and Caleb said, Not a bad way to look at it.
After a few more minutes of sword practice, Caleb said, Time to turn in. They had been sleeping under the wagon, so he motioned for them to take their usual places. Im going to keep watch tonight. Ill wake Tad first, then hell wake you, Zane.
Watch? asked Tad, his face looking particularly ruddy in the firelight. Why? We havent had one so far?
We were close in to Stardock. He glanced around, as if trying to see something in the darkness beyond the fires glow. From here to the village of Ya-Rin, things might be less civilized. Were heading deeper into the Vale.
The Vale of Dreams was a lush series of rich farmlands, orchards, and villages benefiting from a seemingly endless series of streams that ran from the Pillars of the Stars Mountains to the Great Star Lake. The region had been the object of conflict between the Kingdom of the Isles and the Empire of Great Kesh for over a century. Both sides maintained claims, and both sides sent patrols into the Vale, but the Kingdom observed an unofficial accommodation with the Empire, and the Kingdom patrols did not venture too far south, and the Empire patrols did not wander too far north. As a result, the region had spawned a host of bandit gangs, mercenary companies, minor robber barons, and constant struggle. Finding a pillaged town or a burned-out village at any point was not unusual. If banditry got too out of hand, one nation would look the other way while the other sent troops deep into the Vale to punish the malefactors.
Zane looked around as if suddenly aware of a potential menace behind every tree bole. Tad seemed less convinced. What would bandits want with an empty wagon?
Calebs smile was indulgent. Anything that you can sell, theyd want to take. Now, get some sleep.
The boys turned in and Caleb took the first watch. The night passed uneventfully, though Caleb roused himself twice to ensure the boys were not falling asleep while keeping watch. Both had, and he gently chided each, promising not to tell the other about the dereliction.
By the third night, both boys were keeping alert and Caleb felt comfortable sleeping until dawn.
The wagon bumped down the road and Caleb said, One more night under the wagon, boys. By mid-morning tomorrow, well be within sight of Yar-Rin.
Both boys nodded with a lack of enthusiasm. Riding in the back of the wagon for days had taken its toll. Both boys were bruised and sore from the constant jostling over what passed for a road in these parts. Caleb had observed that with the constant strife in the region, neither nation was taking great pains to repair what passed for highways in the region. Occasionally a town or village might elect to send out a gang to repair a stretch that had fallen into such disrepair that it was impairing commerce, but unless a significant loss of income was involved, the locals tended to ignore the problem.
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 abut 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?
How do we know youre not hiding gold on you? said the bandit leader, losing his smile. Maybe you have it tucked in a belt or under your tunic?
Caleb stood, showing he was wearing only his tunic, trousers, boot and hat. His sword rested on the seat next to him. No gold belt, no pouch. Only spare clothes in the chest. You can search the wagon, but let me and the boys go.
Theres something about you I dont like, said the bandit, pulling his sword. Youre no more a teamster than I am. Mercenary, maybe. No one hires a mercenary to drive a wagon unless theres something worth killing over. He saw the small chest tucked under the wagons seat. Maybe you have something valuable in that chest, huh? He laughed and glanced first right, then left at his companions. Besides, I have no doubt should the situation arrive that youd be happy to describe us in great detail to the local constables. That would make it hard to spend our booty! He drew his sword with his left hand and said, Kill them!
Caleb shouted, Run! as he grabbed his sword, leaped to the right, putting the wagon between himself and three of the men, facing the two on his right first.
Without hesitation, Tad and Zane were off as instructed, stumbling and barely keeping control of themselves as they hit the ground and ran downhill, dodging trees and rocks.
Behind them came the sounds of struggle, and closer, the sounds of boots on the dirt as at least one of the bandits chased after them. Tad and Zane both possessed the reckless certainty of boys their age, that somehow they could navigate this rapidly darkening maze of trees and brush. Zane glanced backwards, almost losing his footing as he caught a glimpse of the man pursuing, and Tad stumbled.
They both crashed through thick underbrush and then came to a long stone ledge supporting a game trail that ran along the side of the hill. They hurried down the trail for a dozen yards, the downward slope on their right, then found a depression from runoff heading downward. Remembering Calebs instructions on reaching the creek, they started down the hill again, hoping the trees hid them from view long enough to elude their pursuers.
Tad grabbed Zanes arm and pointed to his right. Zane didnt hesitate and both boys ran down what appeared to be another slight wash, a depression in the ground between the boles carved by years of rainwater.
The light was falling fast, but both boys knew they couldnt successfully hide for at least another half-hour. They almost ran off a ledge and barely avoided a nasty fall by grabbing a tree trunk. Tad motioned and Zane followed as they hurried along the lip of a deeper wash that cut downward at an angle to the floor of the dell.
The thick underbrush slowed the boys. They could hear the sound of pursuit growing louder behind them. Zane stopped at the base of a tree and glanced upwards. He fashioned a stirrup with his hands and motioned for Tad to climb. Tad stepped into his friends hands and was boosted up to a branch four feet above their heads. Zane glanced around and saw a fallen tree branch roughly the size of his forearm that would serve as a club, so he picked it up and tossed it up to Tad.
Tad deftly caught it with one hand, then reached down with the other. Zane leapt, catching his friends outstretched forearm and clambered up to rest upon the heavy branch with him. Both boys tried to calm their breathing, for they were gasping for breath. The boys spread out, lying sideways head to head, so that their feet wouldnt dangle down in plain sight.
A moment later two men appeared, running quickly through the woods. They stopped directly below the two silent boys. Damn! said the first bandit, a tall, rangy man with dirty blond hair that hung limply to his collar. Whered they go?