The Towers

Copyright (C) 1997 by Charles Tryon


9: Separate Ways

At dawn, as the others were making ready to leave Alaghon, GreyEagle quietly slipped from the ship and retraced her steps to the small shop where she had ordered the ring. As she passed through the dimly lit streets and alleys, she hoped that it would be ready when she got there, as she would not have much time to wait before the ship left for Hlath She had no desire to be left behind.
She reached the shop just as the owner was opening up. He was mildly surprised to see her there so early in the morning, but he warmly welcomed her in. After a few moments of hunting around in the back room, he found what he was looking for, and brought it to her, still wrapped in a piece of black velvet cloth. She closed her eyes as he opened it up for her examination.
She cautiously opened her eyes to look. Framed against the black cloth, the ring sparkled in the early morning light. The finely cut branches twined around each other, reaching up to the point where they wrapped themselves around the small ruby. The craftsman had cleaned and polished the stone so that it glowed. GreyEagle thanked the man heartily and handed over a small pouch with the agreed on price. It was no small amount, almost 700 gold pieces, but she knew it was worth every bit of it. She once again wrapped the ring in the velvet cloth, thanked the owner and returned to the ship.
They set sail from Alaghon shortly after she arrived back at the ship. She watched as the breeze caught in the sails and the city swiftly dropped away from them. As she watched, GreyEagle became aware of a gnawing sense of anxiety, a feeling in the pit of her stomach. They were now well clear of the threat of the pirates, and the matter of the missing sailor seemed to have blown over, easing the tension between the sailors and the soldiers of Coyle's group, but she now knew that her time with Coyle was drawing to a close. The feeling continued to grow each day as they approached Hlath and the Vilhon Reach.
Sucaba too became moody and recluse, sometimes spending his time with the other mages, but most often keeping to himself. At first, he was simply sullen and silent at meals, but after a day, he took to bringing his meals back to his room and eating by himself. GreyEagle was just as happy with him gone though, as his mood only served to intensify her own feelings.
The weather had turned decidedly hotter, to the point where many of the crew had taken to wearing short breaches. As he had often done before, the silent mage somehow came up with a pair of breaches much like those worn by the sailors, and started wearing them around the ship. GreyEagle was glad for the steady breeze which kept the heat from being too uncomfortable. Horton spent a great deal of time swimming and scratching. His skin had become patchy in several places, and Sucaba spent a great deal of time scratching his back and rubbing oil into the patchy spots. Occasionally, the two of them would fly off to go swimming together.
They arrived at Hlath four days out of Alaghon. Berakus informed them that the merchants were only to stay there for one day. He advised them to stay near the ship, as the people there had a reputation for being unfriendly. Conrad and Ormec both grumbled about being stuck on a little scrap of wood bobbing about on the waves. When Berakus had left, they both made their way down the gangplank to the solid ground of the dock, though neither one went out of sight of the ship.
They set sail the next day, and made good time before a fair breeze which carried them down the Reach. The rumor going around the ship was that they would reach their final destination in four days. GreyEagle spent as much time with Marianne and Coyle as she could. She put on a happy face, but it was covering a deep sadness.
She often thought back to her time with Schimray, and the time that she had spent wandering in the fields and woods surrounding Arabel. Things had seemed so clear then, but still she had somehow lost control of her emotions. She longed again for the simplicity of her life at home, but she shivered once again as she remembered the circumstances under which she had left. Even there, things were not as simple as they appeared on the surface.
She still held the ring which she had purchased in Alaghon, waiting for the right time to give it to Coyle, and the right words to say. Finally, the last evening before they were to reach Arrabar, she quietly approached Coyle.
"May I speak with you for a moment," she asked, avoiding his eyes.
"Why certainly," he replied. "Is there something wrong?"
"No," she hesitated, "I just need to talk with you."
"As if you haven't had many opportunities to speak with me before," he said with a grin. "I'm sorry. I should not tease," he quickly added when he saw the hurt expression on her face.
She stood there for a time, looking out into the gathering dusk. The air was moist with the salt spray which the prow threw up as they cut through the waves, and it felt good on her face after the heat of the day.
"Coyle," she finally began nervously, "the time I have spent with you has been very dear to me, and I will never forget it. You have been kind to me in so many ways that I cannot hope to repay you. It seems however, that our ways are at last to part, and I do not know if I will ever see you again. I have a small gift which I would like to give to you to help you remember our times together." She pulled out the ring and held it in the open palm of her hand. Coyle raised an eyebrow, but did not interrupt her.
"Silver speaks of purity and truth," she said slowly. "Ever in our relationship I have trusted you and known that you have had my best interest at heart. There are few others here of whom I could say this. You have been a true friend and dear."
"The design is of interwoven branches. Though we part now, still our lives have become inescapably interwoven. I believe that we will meet again, but even if we do not, our memories will still tie us together."
"The stone is a ruby. It is small, but precious. Red it glows, and it speaks of the heart and love. I have seen your love for me, and though my heart is still torn in two directions, I will tell you now that I do love you." She held the ring out for him to take.
Coyle accepted the ring from her, and stood for a time examining it. The sun had set, but there was still the red after-glow, and it reflected crimson off of the silver. He put it on and then reached out to take her hand.
"There it will stay, until you ask for it back." Suddenly, he laughed lightly. "It seems we think alike," he said with a smile, "for I too have a gift for you, so that you will not forget me." He reached into his shirt and pulled out a silver hair comb and placed it in her hand. "I know you often wear a helm, but there are times when even you lay aside your armor to let out the beautiful woman that hides within. In times like that, I thought you might be able to use this." GreyEagle accepted the comb. It was of pure silver, and bore the likeness of a dove springing into flight. Two small green gems adorned the eyes. "When I saw this, it reminded me of you. The dove will remind you of my love."
She quickly put it in her hair. "I will wear it and think of you fondly whenever I look on it." She looked out again over the waves. In the distance she could just make out the line of the southern shore. The stars were beginning to show over their heads.
Suddenly her vision blurred, and her eyes began to sting. She wiped a tear from her eye and turned back to look at Coyle. "I do not know which way to turn," she said, almost angry. "I have avoided the question time and time again in the hope that something would make my choice clear, but now I must leave. I carry a quest which I cannot lay down, though it may kill me before I reach its end." She took Coyle's hand and forced herself to look deeply into Coyle's eyes. "Please tell me that you will wait for me. When I am finished, I will look for you. Perhaps, by that time the path before me will be clearer. I am sorry that I can promise you no more than that."
Coyle pulled her into his arms and held her tightly. "Of course, I will wait for you. I pray that you return safely, and quickly to my arms. I ask only that you do not forget me, whatever your decision."
She stayed silent in his arms for some time before she spoke again. "I had almost hoped against hope that you could come with us, but I know now that it would not be right. We will now see what the future holds for us. If nothing else, I will look back on this time that we have spent together and know that I had a true friend."
Coyle sighed. "Part of me wishes that we could just run away together, some place safe from the forces which would tear us apart, but I know that is not possible, for we would forever afterwards know that we had abandoned that which we had set out to do. I fear that it would even destroy our love for each other, faster even than any separation we face. I will always look back on this time as the best in my life. I believe that I have found my soul mate in you, and I promise you, I will be waiting for you to return to me."
GreyEagle was content to stay in Coyle's arms for a long time, saying nothing. She had reconciled herself to the fact that they would be parted. The time away might give her time to sort out her feelings a bit. Still, she had a nagging fear that, though she would return some day, it might be a long time before the two of them found themselves together again. It was easy to promise that she would look for him when she returned, but would she ever be able to find him again? She shut her eyes tightly to block out the thought.
She reached her hand up to touch the silver comb in her hair. At least she would have the memory of their time together. No one could take that from her.
GreyEagle was on deck the next morning when Arrabar was first sighted. At the first cry of "land-ho" from the crows nest, Horton, who had been sunning on the deck, sprang into the air to fly ahead and investigate. Moments later, Ormec scrambled to the deck.
"Where!? Where is the land?" he sputtered in delight. His beard was still dripping from the ale that had spilled as he bounded up the ladder to the deck. After a moment of intensely scanning the horizon he exclaimed loudly, "I see it! I see Arrabar!" He turned and ran back to the ladder, each step spilling more ale on his beard in his haste. "Conrad! We're near land," he cried out, franticly looking for the gnome. "Where are you?"
Shortly, the gnome popped this head up through one of the hatches. "What is all the excitement?" he muttered once he had climbed up on deck. "I thought we had passed the danger of pirates."
"No, no you silly gnome," Ormec called out from where he was leaning over the rail. "It's Arrabar! The end of this infernal sea voyage is finally in sight."
Conrad rubbed his chin thoughtfully as he looked out towards where Ormec was pointing. "Well, right you are, for once." He paused again. "My stomach may be happier, but now my feet and rump will have their turn."
Sucaba emerged from below deck and wandered over to the rail to see what all the excitement was about. Conrad turned to him.
"If we're going to be traipsing around the county-side, one of you wizards ought to get us a flying carpet." In spite of his haggard and worn look, Sucaba smiled at the gnome, but he made no comment.
"Well Ormec my friend," Conrad said, "if you are as anxious to get off this ship as you sound to be, then you had best begin packing up your things so we don't have to wait for you once we are docked." He quickly disappeared below deck, with the dwarf close behind.
GreyEagle pulled out the magical eyepieces from where she kept them in a small pouch tied to her belt. With them in place, she scanned the horizon. At this distance, her vision was still blurred somewhat by the effects of sea and sun and air, but she could clearly make out some of the buildings near the waterfront, as well as the docking areas. She looked away as she felt a sudden ache in the pit of her stomach. Here, at last, was Arrabar, where they would be leaving the caravan, and Coyle.
She forced herself to look out over the waves once again. She had to face the reality of leaving now. Perhaps it would be better this way she thought. This would give her time to think. The future was uncertain, but then that was the business of the future. She had survived this long on her own. She would go on. She had enjoyed this time with Coyle, and as he had told her, she would treasure the memory.
Still, it didn't make the empty feeling in her heart go away.
It was not long before they reached the docking area. GreyEagle headed below to collect her things. She passed by Recuahc in the narrow isle, and she could sense that he too was not looking forward to leaving. He said nothing as he went by, absorbed in his own thoughts.
Ormec and Conrad had already said their good-byes and were down the gangplank by the time GreyEagle returned, and the silent mage was just a little behind them. Sucaba and Horton were nowhere to be seen. Only Recuahc and Trouble were still there on deck. Recuahc was shaking the hands of several of the soldiers, wishing them luck. When he came to Coyle, he gave him a warm embrace with his thanks for Coyle's help along the way.
He stopped when he came to Marianne, and stood looking into her eyes for a moment. Marianne was strangely silent as she stood there. Recuahc leaned over to whisper something in her ear and give her a light kiss on the cheek, and she blushed. With that, Recuahc swiftly stooped to pick up his gear and headed down to join the others.
GreyEagle stepped over to Marianne and gave her a warm hug. "I will miss you and your smiles," she said. "Take care of yourself and Coyle. I will try to find you when I return."
Marianne returned the hug. "You take care too, young one. Who knows what the future will bring? But, whatever you face, I am sure that you will face it bravely."
"I hope so," GreyEagle replied. "You have taught me much in the short time we have been together."
"Well, it is time for you to go dear. The others wait for you." Marianne smiled warmly again and gave her a final hug.
She stepped to Coyle, and all the words she had so carefully prepared to say to him suddenly stuck in her throat. She stood speechless for a moment. Suddenly she reached up and gave him a kiss. Then she too snatched up her things and hurried off the ship. Trouble followed close behind her.
On the quay, she stood facing away from the ship. The horses still needed to be unloaded from the ship's holds, and she was anxious to see how they were.
She did not have long to wait. The horses were gingerly lifted from the hold using slings and pulleys. She was sickened though when she saw them. Some were almost too weak to stand. She swore under her breath and wondered how she could have possibly forgotten to check on their condition during the voyage.
Her horse was lifted over the side of the ship and set down on the dock. She rushed over to help remove the sling. He was in better shape than some of the others, but he was obviously weak, and the sparkle was gone from his eyes. The sick feeling in her stomach only intensified as she did what she could to try to help the horses. She could tell that they would recover, but they would need a couple of days of light travel before they had regained their strength.
GreyEagle heard a commotion behind her and turned to see Sucaba and Horton gliding in towards the dock area. GreyEagle grabbed Krifel's bridle as he opened his eyes wide and threatened to bolt. He had seen the dragon often enough before, but it had been some time. Sucaba hopped from the dragon's back as soon as he touched down and motioned for the others to join him. GreyEagle lead her horse over, quietly speaking in his ear to calm him.
"I have been taking care of some business as you were pulling in to the docks," Sucaba said. "I am anxious to get under way as soon as we are able to." He looked up at the sun as it was rising towards its peak. "We have the better part of the day to travel yet. Our destination is still far to the South of us, so we should waste no time here. If we start now, we may be able to reach Ormpetarr my mid-day tomorrow. We will be able to rest there for a short time before continuing."
"Aren't we going to eat something here before we leave?" Ormec questioned. "You don't think we can travel on empty stomachs, especially after spending an eternity at sea. I was just looking forward to being able to eat a decent meal without having to chase it across a rolling table top!"
At first, Sucaba frowned, but then he suddenly laughed. "Yes Ormec, I suppose we can take that much time, so long as you don't spend all day."
Conrad squinted up at the sun above them, already hot by this time of day. "Will we be traveling at night again?"
Sucaba shook his head. "I do not believe that will be needed. Travel at night could be risky on this road I have heard, and we do not need any more interruptions."
"Well then, what are we waiting for?" Horton asked with a snort. "I've had enough fish to last me a long time. Fresh game is what we all need to get our land legs back. But lets not forget we are owed some payment for our protection on this journey."
"Yes, what about payment?" Trouble interrupted. "I seem to remember Schimray mentioning something about our getting paid for this little excursion. After all, we did keep the merchants safe from whatever happened to Jerry."
Sucaba smiled. "A man after my own heart, I see. I was just getting to that. I will speak to Berakus presently about our payment."
"We need to move quickly on," GreyEagle spoke up. "Time slips by us quickly." Sucaba looked up surprised, but then he smiled. GreyEagle paused before she continued. "However, you have overlooked one detail."
"And what might that be?" Sucaba asked in a low growl.
"Our horses will not be ready for travel for a couple of days. We may be able to travel some, but not quickly, and they will need to stop often."
Sucaba swore angrily. "How has this happened?"
GreyEagle clenched her teeth and looked down. "I am partly to blame for this. I should have taken them out during the voyage to make sure that they got some exercise and fresh air."
"But you were distracted by other things?" Sucaba glared at her fiercely, and GreyEagle did not have the courage to return his gaze. There was not much to be done about the situation now. She was as eager to get moving as Sucaba was, but pushing the horses now would only lead to more serious delays later.
Just at that moment, Coyle walked up to the group. GreyEagle was glad for something to distract Sucaba's attention. Still, she looked away as Coyle cleared his throat loudly.
"I have a proposition to make," he began slowly. Sucaba whirled to look at him, but said nothing. Coyle took a step back when he saw Sucaba's reaction, but then he looked around again at the rest of the group and continued. "I was wondering if you would be interested in two new members for your little band here. I have spoken with captain Metzler, and he has released me of my duties to the merchants if you will have us. I am an experienced fighter and you are already aware of Marianne's skills as one of the best healers around. I think we could be of some service."
GreyEagle suddenly felt her world spinning around her, and she took a step back to keep from loosing her balance. Hope and dread came crashing in upon her. She had finally reconciled herself to the fact that she would be leaving Coyle. In fact, she was looking forward to some time alone to think, without the immediacy of Coyle's presence to cloud her decision. Now all that was suddenly changing, and she was not sure to be overjoyed or angry. In her confusion, she turned to Coyle. "Well, I don't know if we need more fighters, but I should think a healer would be useful," she said, trying to force a laugh.
Sucaba snapped around to glare at her, jabbing his bony finger in her direction. The look of fury and hatred instantly froze GreyEagle's heart, and she dropped silent. "We have no need of assistance," he said hotly.
He started to walk away, but then spun around again to face Coyle. His eyes were narrow as he carefully regarded the man for a moment, questioning.
"What do you wish of us?" Sucaba asked finally. He quickly glanced over at Conrad before turning back to Coyle. "We perform a mission that must not be interfered with. If your interests are personal, then that can wait until our business is finished." He looked like he was about to say something else, but he stopped himself.
A small furred face poked out of the mage's saddle bag. It sniffed the air before it pushed its head out a little farther so that its whiskers popped out of the bag too. "Oh, that's just great. Soon we'll have half the known world traipsing around with us."
The blood began to rise in GreyEagle's face, and she struggled to keep quiet. Finally, she could contain it no longer. "Schimray hired us to accomplish a mission," she said, looking Sucaba squarely in the eye. "He was wise enough though not to try and tell us how we were to accomplish it." Her eyes burned into Sucaba. "You are afraid that your reward will be less if there are more of us to divide it between," she finally said in a low voice, "am I not right? Then fret yourself no longer, for I myself will reward Coyle and Marianne from my own portion of what we find. It is a small price to pay for life and limb."
"There are far greater rewards than money," Sucaba shot back at her, never taking his eyes off Coyle. "You would do well not to try to calculate my motivations."
"What greater motivation is there than completing the task set before us?" Her voice was low and she carefully articulated each word. "Surely, your loyalties rest with Schimray still."
"Never question my loyalty to the quest," Sucaba hissed, still not looking at her. "I seek to protect what you would so happily throw away. Have you no questions for those who would blindly join us, or does your body now rule your thoughts?"
"I understood that you were on a very dangerous mission," Coyle interrupted, his voice strained, "and could use all the help you could get. Is this not the case?"
Sucaba shook his head. "You have no understanding of what you speak of. What do you wish to gain?" Sucaba glanced at GreyEagle and managed a brief smile. "You will be an old man before you get payment. Well, she did say she would reward you."
Trouble, standing a short distance off, laughed when he heard Sucaba's comments. GreyEagle flashed an angry look at him, but he just returned the stare.
"Sucaba, what other goals are we to have?" Recuahc interrupted. He had been standing by his horse trying to brush out some of the snarls in its mane. He now stepped up to face Sucaba. "Our mission is to accomplish what Schimray hired us for. What are you up to, and why do you object to help? Coyle and Marianne have already proven their worth. I, for one, would not be alive without them."
"Yes, yes!" Raal said, "Schimray hired us," Raal added from where he was standing on the saddlebags of the Silent one's horse. This startled the horse and the mage had to take a tight grip on the reigns in order to settle it. "He picked each and every one of us, but not those two! He chose one of us to be in charge of our mission. He mentioned nothing of voting as I recall. But Recuahc perhaps has an insight. A healer for the slighter and fairer among us might be useful, and if GreyEagle does not think her sword is equal to the task, who here would know better in that? These things surely will Sucaba consider."
"I for one believe that they have been an asset," Recuahc answered. "What say the others? Sucaba's opinion holds much weight in my mind, but I still see the benefits as outweighing any detriments."
"Let them give me their own reasons for joining," Sucaba answered. "If it is as shallow at it seems, then who can sat when their loyalties will change again? How soon we forget the reaction of our other `friends' to a death among us."
"I don't understand what your problem is Sucaba," Ormec said gruffly. "I say let them join us. We are fortunate to have run into them, for you do not find skilled fighters every day, and who among us knows anything of the healing arts?"
"Friend dwarf," Sucaba said, speaking as one might to a child, "it is not their abilities I question, it is their intent." He turned back to Coyle. "So, what is your intent?"
"I am interested in the welfare of a couple of members of your group," Coyle answered, his voice tight with anger. "Is that such an unusual thing? Marianne and I were invited along to help you remain alive and well to accomplish your mission, and since the mysterious disappearance of a certain sailor has put my job in jeopardy, I felt it would be best for all concerned if Marianne and I were to join your group. I do not know the details of what you are doing, but I understand it is dangerous. I thought you would be pleased to have our help, Sucaba. Perhaps you are less concerned with the welfare of those you lead than you should be."
Sucaba's eyes narrowed. "All of us here have chosen on our own to accept the risks involved in this mission. It is not I who have put them at risk. I lead this group because I was given that authority by Schimray himself. However, the words of my associates lead me to believe that your presence is desired, and that you might prove useful. With this in mind I accept your offer." He paused for a moment though and raised a finger in warning. "You, however, must also accept me as the appointed leader of this mission. This is the task given me by Schimray, and this is the task I will perform. There will be no question of that here."
Coyle looked at Sucaba for a moment before he nodded his head. "Yes, I believe I can live with that. It is agreed then." The two shook hands and GreyEagle let out her breath with a low hiss. Coyle turned to go. "I will collect Marianne and our things and be back in a few moments."
"You, I will talk with later," GreyEagle said to him in a low voice. Coyle looked back at her for an instant and appeared as if he was going to say something, but then he reconsidered and turned to hurry back to the ship.
Raal was still sitting perched on the rump of the silent one's horse. GreyEagle looked up at him. "I think I liked you better as a raven," she said with a frown.
"But now I am a Sumatran. Life is full of surprises, is it not?"
"Yes, but I believe that I have already had enough for a day."
Recuahc looked up at the rat and laughed. "Ah, my little friend, good to see and hear you are still in good keep." He held up a biscuit from breakfast and tossed it in the direction of the Sumatran, who ducked as it flew past its head.
"Ah! Save the dog food the dogs," Raal snapped back, "I don't eat scraps."
"I find that hard to believe, little one. I have seen you eat them from the hand of the mage, though I did not see your actual form."
"Eating from the hand of the friend is not the same as catching crumbs flying through the air."
"Am I not your friend them?"
"It depends... on how often you go around throwing food at me."
"You would prefer a silver platter?"
"Now that I wouldn't mind," the rat said, rubbing its paws together.
"I will remember to watch for one as we travel," Recuahc added with a laugh.
They did not have to wait long for Coyle and Marianne. The other soldiers offered them their farewells, with more than one dubious glance in the party's direction, but Coyle kept it short. Metzler followed him as he finally headed back to the group.
"As we agreed before, I have 25 gold pieces for each of you," Metzler said. "It seems you got off with an easy trip this time, though I can't complain." He dug out a number of small pouches and went around to each member. He shook hands with each as he handed over the coins, until he came to the Sumatran. He scowled at the rat for some time before he handed over the pouch. Finally he shrugged. "A bargain's a bargain I guess," he said as he handed over the pouch, being careful not to touch the rat.
He avoided Horton all together, and simply handed both pouches to Sucaba.
"Well Coyle, Marianne" he said, "I hate to see you go, but I suppose it's for the best. Good luck to you, and I hope to see you again some time soon, after all this blows over." He pressed pouches into both Coyle and Marianne's hands. Then he abruptly turned and without another word, returned to the ship. Coyle give one last wave to the boat before he turned to speak to Sucaba.
"Marianne and I have no horses of our own," he said, "so with your permission, I will see about purchasing a couple." He looked around at the other horses and wrinkled his nose. "Perhaps you would care to join me? You may be able to trade in some of your horses for new fresh ones."
"Yes! A fine idea," Sucaba answered. "I myself have no interest in another mount, since I seem to have done a considerably better job of taking care of my mount than have some other people." GreyEagle looked down and ground her teeth as Sucaba looked at her. He continued after he had let his comment sink in for a moment. "Perhaps this will greatly quicken our pace and we can make my original time line."
Conrad fretted for a moment, but then he shrugged. "One back's as good as another I suppose."
Sucaba softened a little as he looked at GreyEagle. "If you want to keep your horse GreyEagle, I will allow that. The decision is yours."
GreyEagle swallowed hard as she reached up to rub Krifel's nose. She had grown rather attached to the horse over the past couple of months. They had gone through a lot together, and she considered him more of a friend than a mount.
"I've seen the size of your purse GreyEagle," Conrad muttered. "You could buy a second horse and ride it until yours is back in shape."
GreyEagle tried to force a smile. "It isn't a question of money. It's just that, well, I've grown rather attached to my horse Krifel here, and I would hate to leave him behind. We've sort of grown to be friends, you see." She looked at Sucaba. "If you don't mind, I think I can persuade him to keep up with the others, if I do most of the walking at first." She scratched Krifel behind the ears. "You can make it, can't you?"
Conrad shook his head. "You aren't listening. The idea was to bring two horses along, not leave the one behind."
"Oh," GreyEagle said, blushing, "I see what you mean. Yes, that sounds like a good idea."
"Rather than standing around wasting our time here, does anyone know where we can go to get these horses?" Trouble asked.
"It's not far from here," Coyle answered. "I understand that you are intending to head south on the Golden Road anyway. We follow the main road here to the outskirts of the city. There are other shops there so you may pick up other supplies if you need."
"We must be on our way quickly though," Sucaba added quickly.
"Then we are ready?"
They picked up their things and headed away from the docks. As they left, Coyle stepped next to GreyEagle and touched her arm. GreyEagle looked up at him and slowed her step just enough to fall behind the others a pace or two. "I though I should explain our sudden change in plans to you," he whispered
"I should think so," she snapped back at him. She immediately regretted her harsh tone of voice, and looked down. "I'm sorry. You caught me completely off guard, and I didn't know what to think. Then too, I didn't expect Sucaba to react so, although I probably should have known better." She looked up at Coyle again and sighed. "I had finally reconciled myself to leaving you, perhaps never to see you again, and then suddenly you were back. I just wasn't ready."
"I am truly sorry that I surprised you so. The other day when you asked me to come with you I wanted it as I have wanted nothing before. However, I have been with that platoon for a long time and Captain Metzler has always been very good to me, so I did not feel I could just abandon him. Then, as you were leaving, Recuahc asked Marianne and I once again if we could come along. Marianne wanted to know if I would ask the captain if we could be released. I didn't want to, but she persisted, so I finally decided to ask. I had expected him to be at least disappointed, but then I was shocked to find out that he was delighted with the idea. It seems that the business of the missing sailor is still a hot topic, to the point where the merchants were ready to hire another platoon to protect them.
"They are still blaming you for that?" GreyEagle asked indignantly. "I thought that matter was settled!"
Coyle shrugged. "I guess not. They don't have enough evidence to make any real accusations, but that doesn't mean they can't make our lives difficult. Most of the men have families and small farms, and the pay from this contract means the difference between working for themselves and working someone else's land. Metzler was able to convince the merchants to not to drop the company, but he had to promise that he would let me go. He insisted that I be allowed to finish this trip, so I could look for new work in Arabel, but when I asked to be released here at Arrabar, he jumped at the opportunity."
GreyEagle thought for a while. Deep down in the pit of her stomach, she still had a feeling that one or more of the mages knew more than they were telling. She wondered if Schimray would know how to get the information out of the mages -- he always seemed to know what was going on. She shivered suddenly at the thought of him, and pushed the thought from her mind.
"I'm sorry that we have brought such trouble to you and your people." She held up her hand when Coyle began to protest. "I do not know for sure, but I suspect that there are some in our group who know more than they say." She looked ahead to where the others were walking and sighed. "I will warn you that the greatest danger you face here may not lie at the hands of goblins and other foul creatures, but with those who stand next to you."
"Why do you think I was so anxious to come with you?" Coyle considered carefully before going on. "I am not one to question your choice of companions, but it seems to me that you may have need of someone to watch your back for you."
GreyEagle smiled. "Ah, but now I have you here, so I need not worry, right?" She grinned mischievously. "Besides, with Marianne here too, there will be two of us against all you men, so you had better watch yourself." She laughed and gave a tug on Krifel's reigns. "Come on you! I won't leave you here, I promise."
"I'd much rather watch you," Coyle replied with a chuckle.
"If I don't move too quickly for you to keep up. I'm good at that you know."
"So I have noticed. Your tongue is almost as quick as your sword, though fortunately not as sharp."
GreyEagle blushed. "Do I talk that much?"
"No, but you are not afraid to speak your mind. That in itself is refreshing."
"If I don't end up saying something without thinking first."
Coyle shrugged. "Yes, I have known you to do that, a couple of times." He quickly sidestepped to avoid GreyEagle's swipe at him. "I was only agreeing with you!"
"You needn't be so quick about it," GreyEagle shot back. Still, she was smiling.
"If we do not hurry, my lovely fighter, we may loose the others. Sucaba is wasting no time here."
GreyEagle was loathe to catch up with the others, as she was enjoying this excuse to walk with Coyle away from the others prying looks, and Krifel was in no hurry yet. He tried to hold his head up as they walked, but there was no sparkle in his eyes, and he would not walk any faster.
They caught up with the others just as they reached the stables. The place smelled of fresh hay, and the horses looked strong and healthy as GreyEagle went to look them over.
Recuahc was the first to approach the master. "A good afternoon to you fine sir. We are here for new mounts."
"Aye, I can see you need something." He raised an eyebrow when he saw the sorry condition of the horses. "New mounts I have, and fine ones they are at that. And what might ye be doing with these poor excuses?"
"We had hoped to be able to trade them in against the price of new horses."
The master rolled his eyes. "A nurse-maid I am not."
"There's nothing wrong with them that a little time and fresh fodder won't fix!"
"Ha! Then why don't ye care for them yourselves?"
"We are in a bit of a hurry," Ormec interrupted.
"You and everyone else who comes by here."
"Surely, you will give us something for them," GreyEagle protested.
The master looked at the horses for a while and scratched his chin. "I guess I could give you eight gold pieces for each, and that's a gift."
"What!" GreyEagle sputtered. "Give them a week or two in your stables and you'll be able to sell them again at full price." The master shook his head and stood before them with his arms folded across his chest. She was going to press the matter, but she was too angry at herself for neglecting her duties in the first place. "No matter," she said finally. "I did not intend to leave my horse here anyway." She stalked back towards the stables to look at the new mounts.
"Pah!" Sucaba shouted. He had been watching the negotiations from a distance, but he was loosing patience. "We waste time here. Recuahc, come take the gear off these beasts and I will see about getting a fair price." Recuahc backed up and went to unload the pack horses while Sucaba went to speak with the master. The two of them walked off a short distance and GreyEagle watched them out of the corner of her eye as they bargained. Finally, the two shook hands and Sucaba returned, looking pleased with himself.
"We are to pay 75 gold pieces for new mounts, and I have been able to convince the master here to pay us 16 gold pieces in exchange for our old mounts."
"I suppose that's about as good as we are going to get," Recuahc sighed. "For all our trouble, we end up spending more money on this trip than we earned. I could have thought of lots of better ways to spend the gold."
"Not without a splitting headache the next morning I think," Trouble snickered.
Recuahc pretended to look hurt. "Surely, I have better tastes than that."
"OK then. Perhaps she won't have lightened your purse for you before she left. In any event, there's no going back now."
Recuahc shrugged. "I suppose we've learned our lesson, and an expensive one at that."
GreyEagle and Recuahc went to the back of the stables to select the new mounts. Coyle and Marianne accompanied them and quickly selected two horses. Coyle paid the master for his, and started to pay for Marianne's too, but she stopped him with a firm hand on his wrist.
"Just what do you think you are doing?" she asked.
Coyle looked confused. "Paying for your horse. Why?"
"As if I can't care for myself?"
"Of course you can care for yourself. I just thought..."
"I guess you thought wrong. I have resources of my own you know." Holding her head high, she gracefully produced her own pouch of gold coins and proceeded to pay the master. Standing beside GreyEagle, Recuahc snickered, and she poked her elbow into his ribs to quiet him.
"Well I never..." Coyle muttered. Finally, he chuckled and cast a glance in GreyEagle's direction. "I guess I still have a thing or two to learn about you two."
"`Tis what keeps us interesting," GreyEagle smiled.
GreyEagle checked over each of the animals as the others selected them. The stables and the pungent odor of feed, straw and animals had a soothing effect on her, and by the time they were done, she had almost forgotten the argument over Coyle and Marianne's inclusion on the quest. She selected a young gelding for herself. The horse eyed her cautiously as she approached, but she spoke softly to it, and soon had won over its confidence.
As she lead the animal back out into the sunlight, she saw Sucaba counting out coins for the horse master. When he had finished, he returned to the group.
"I have already paid for the horses out of the money given to me by Schimray, so I guess you have still earned something for your troubles Recuahc. However, now that we have taken care of this matter, we must leave soon. There is a small marketplace a short distance from here where we can pick up supplies for the remainder of our trip. We will meet back here within an hour."
"I thought you said we would eat a proper meal," Ormec protested. "A loaf of bread and a tankard of ale is hardly what I call a meal."
"You will have plenty enough to eat tonight," Conrad said. "The mage wants to get moving." Ormec frowned, but he didn't press the issue.
They made their way to a small market located near the edge of the city. GreyEagle walked past one small shop near the edge of square and caught the scent of fine perfumes as a customer walked out of the door, and on a whim, she ducked into the shop. Inside, she breathed deeply the intermingled fragrances of the perfumes and aromatic oils. Selecting one small vial, she counted out the required gold pieces and carefully tucked the vial into a corner of her pack. As she hurried out the door to catch up with the others, she smiled and wondered what Coyle would think.
Next...

7 April, 1998