Awakening from a Dream

It had been awhile since I had had that dream. Filled with strange people and ominous talk about destiny. The scene and entities reminded me of the Court of Masks that I read about as a child. More common were the dreams of that other world, Earth. I had them so often as a child that I almost thought they were real. Part of me still hoped they were real. There were so many of them, that they could make up an entire life but I tried not to think of them too much.

In my youth they were a source of inspiration that caused many to see me as a prodigy. They drove me to improve so that I might find a way to this imaginary place. But I never found any mention of Earth or anyone coming from another world, and my father's library had a very extensive collection of books. At 18 I now realized the full implications of them being real and didn't know how to feel about them.

My father. The fact I woke up meant his men hadn't found me while I slept, a constant fear of mine these days. Only recently did I start to have the feeling that they might not be looking for me anymore.

Around me, others were starting to stir awake in one of the common bunk rooms of the inn. I had debated getting a private room, not only for privacy but so I could lock the door and place some magic wards. The biggest factor against that course of action was the attention that it would bring. Novice merchant guards shouldn't be able to afford private rooms.

When I opened my eyes I saw the only reason I was able to rest with ease. Captain Manx sat at one end of the bunk room and a guard from another caravan sat on the opposite end. A total of five caravans were at the inn and none of them seemed to trust each other and with good reason.

Each merchant company had a different way of hiring guards. Luckily for me there was one heading north early in the season that didn't ask too many questions. If you could manage a sword, you were hired. The night guards from other companies were making sure outsiders didn't steal from them. Captain Manx was making sure his people didn't steal from others.

The Captain gave me a nod as I quietly put on my light armor and headed towards the common room. Some of the other guards thought the Captain had a liking for me, something that those who traveled with him often said was uncommon. Why else would he pay any attention to a young rookie? I recognized the look in his eyes for what it was.

On one of my first hunts, my father and I were filling our water skins at a stream. On the other side, a wolf came to drink from the stream. My tensing caused the wolf to also tense. My father placed a hand on my shoulder to calm me, and I saw how he looked at the wolf. He wasn't scared, but he respected the fact that a predator was before him.

I hated that the captain looked at me that way. It meant that he'd remember me if anyone came asking. I wasn't even sure how he got that impression of me. During the simple test to join, I made sure to appear average. I avoid using any aura or magic, but he seemed to sense I was hiding something. In a company with its share of hidden murders, thieves, and other ilk, why did I stand out enough to gain that look?

The common room was divided in two parts. Those with private rooms or a little more coin got smaller tables and their food brought to them. The other side was for the guards and poor travelers. It had long tables and a large stew pot that you served yourself from. I learned quickly from the veterans that it was best to be up early as most establishments didn't bother with keeping the pot warm or full for that matter.

Only a few others had arrived before me and I took a seat far from them. I was soon joined by two others from my company that despite my quiet disposition seemed to seek my company. I think they just wanted an audience for their flirtatious arguing.

"You'd think with how much Vulferam hates sleeping in tents, he'd have picked an inn that wasn't basically just that. I could feel the wind coming through the walls all night." Diocles said.

"You really think his private room had a draft? You're a guard, he's the merchant. And if you want better accommodations, quit taking such low paying jobs." Wassa said.

This was also the only inn in a village that only existed as a rest stop on the southern edge of the Grehgi plains and hills. It was large enough to handle nearly triple its current occupants and being on the major trade route with the kingdom's northern province kept them busy. But being the only inn allowed them to skimp on upkeep.

"I bet the woman's bunks weren't nearly as bad. Maybe next time you should let me slip into bed with you. It will keep us both warm." Diocles said.

"I'm sure Vice Captain Verena will allow that. Though I'm not sure a corpse will be of much use to me during the night. Especially this part." Wassa reached down and grabbed his crotch causing him to jump. His knees hit the table, causing some stew to spill out.

"Maybe next time you two should just get a private room. I know the rest of us wouldn't mind the lack of snoring, Diocles." I said.

"Ah Wilmaer, don't say such mean things. I'm this close to getting her to share a tent with me. I don't need unfounded rumors to scare her away." Diocles said.

I had debated how friendly I was going to be with my fellow guards but Diocles seemed to make it his mission to become acquainted with me. In the end, trying to push him away would be too much effort.

"In that case maybe I'll sneak into your tent, Wilmaer." Wassa said with a wink.

She waited until I had started to drink for her little joke. Diocles slapped my back as I coughed.

"Don't worry buddy, I got you." Diocles said. "Just stick with me and I'll help you out." He paused for a moment before saying in a more serious tone. "We're about to enter a more difficult part of the journey. So, I mean it. Even if things get confusing and you can't make what's up or down. Just follow my lead." For a brief moment Wassa gave him a stern look.

"You guys headed north?" A guard from a different merchant company sat down across from us.

Diocles shifted away from me quickly. My heart was telling me this was suspicious. But I was getting tired of questioning everything all the time.

"Yeah. Our guy is hoping to get to Torinheim before anyone else." Wassa said.

"Well you're in luck. We haven't seen any other caravans on our way south. Hopefully you make it before too much of the snow melts and washes out the roads." The guard said.

"Did you encounter any monsters on your way south?" I asked. Fighting strong monsters meant I might have to use abilities that could be traced back to my home.

"Nothing too difficult to handle. The big ones will be hibernating for another week or so. And we took care of the early risers." He said.

"I'm surprised the Duke hasn't sent anyone to clear the road yet." Wassa said.

"The true trade season doesn't usually begin for a few more weeks. Our guy is like yours, trying to get an early start. The other two caravans didn't even intend to winter in Torinheim, so they're trying to get south to make up for lost profits." He said.

The talk turned to idle chat; news from where they'd been, good inns and brothels where they were going. I listened passively until I saw a commotion on the stairs coming from the bunk rooms.

Other guards from our company were hurrying down, some of them not even fully dressed. They didn't join the line for breakfast but instead went outside. The Vice Captain broke off from them and made an announcement.

"The Vulferam company is moving out now. Stop eating, settle any bills, and get moving." She said.

Diocles moaned but still stopped with his bowl half eaten. The most disappointed were those that had just sat down. They quickly shoveled what food they could into their mouths before the Vice Captain could get to them to give a good smack upside the head to get them moving.

Outside was more chaotic than their usual mornings. Most of their carts were hitched and making their way towards the road. Their teamsters must have been up pretty early. I also saw carts from the other company headed north being hastily set up.

Vulferam and another merchant were yelling at each other in front of the inn. Their argument pulled my attention.

"I have the right to the road. First to pull in, first to the road." The other merchant said.

"You left three days before me but I still spent the last day and a half having to slow my pace for you." Vulferam said. "I won't do it any more."

"That doesn't matter. The guidelines of the guild are what matter." She argued back.

"Oh you want to discuss guild guidelines. Let's go have a word with your Master of Horses. Let's see who had his contract first." He said.

She tightened her mouth without a response. At that moment a young woman in a heavy brown traveling cloak came out of the inn.

"We're leaving at any moment. Best get your mount ready." Vulferam said.

"Hump. Not only do you steal the right to the road, but you steal passengers as well." She said.

"Hah, steal. I heard you last night, you kicked her out of your caravan." He said.

The merchant woman took on a wicked grin. "There's a reason we were so slow. But I don't have to worry about that anymore."

Vulferam glared at her as she went back into the inn when the young woman approached him.

"I already told you what I told that woman. Leave me be and don't touch my horse and there won't be any issues." She said.

As she spoke to him I was able to get a view of her face from within her hood. It was definitely a face that pulled men's attention and caused envy in women. Despite the late winter wind, there was a warmth on my forehead.