The Caverns of the Husk
Soon enough that warm sun rose from over the horizon, just like it had every other morning. Again, as the first to awaken, Markus grabbed a fresh set of clothes and got dressed. Cleaning up the makeshift bed, he wrapped it all back into his travel sack and put it in its spot in the corner.
He then shook the other two awake, they still had a job to do even if they just woke up. "Ah, morning Markus," Fraan greeted. "Morning Mark," Michael said groggily. Both of them got ready for the day with their own routines. "I'll start getting the horses ready. You guys clean up and meet me out there." Markus said walking outside of the carriage.
There were 12 horses in total. Two per carriage, with the other two groups bringing their own horses. Walking towards the horses, Markus picked up three small bales of hay and dropped them in front of the horses. They all started to nibble on it, they just woke up too.
Hearing footsteps Markus turned around expecting to find his two companions who should be out soon. But as he turned, he found two unknown people standing in front of him. He relaxed as he saw the purple and orange clothing around them.
"Morning boy, do you know which carriage Thuldar is in?" One of the middle-aged men asked him. He was wearing a purple-colored shirt with light armor protecting his vital points. "Ah, you mean the caravan master, he should be in the second cart to the front. If he isn't there then he might be in the depot behind the caravan."
"Thanks," Flipping a silver coin at the young handler the two walked to the second leading carriage. "Nice," a silver coin was more than he had in his coin purse. A couple minutes later the other two young handlers came out.
Michael was furiously trying to put his light coat on and Fraan was laughing at him. The two eventually got over to the horses and Michael finally got his coat on. "Hey stop laughing Fraan! It's not funny!" But that made Fraan and Markus laugh even harder. Eventually they all calmed down and got to taking care of the horses.
"Have you seen any of the mages or knights yet Markus? We've only seen their tents so far." Michael asked full of curiosity and hope. "Yeah, I saw two older men wearing purple and orange. They asked me where the old man was."
"Hmm, that's cool. I don't know who they are but that's alright. We'll see them soon enough.'' Fraan said as he carried over a pail of water. They hooked up the horses to the carriages. The horses were finally all taken care of. They were ready to set off as soon as the old man gave the word.
Finally the sun came up fully, bringing the day to a late morning. "We were supposed to leave an hour ago," Fraan says. "Its because they wanted to eat before they left, stupid wine and cheese. They won't even allow us to try it." Michael complained.
"Well maybe they would let us try it if you didn't drink all of the wine halfway through the last trip." Fraan complains. ''You remember that Markus, he forced the old man to stop in a town off of the trail because we had only water." "Well all I remember was his complaining that his payment would be the cost to restock all of it."
In fact that is the only thing that Markus remembered. When he woke up he had only the memories of his past life and briefly before he passed out on the carriage. Waking up was a shock but he tried to get used to it. Well as much as he can get used to it in two days.
"Whatever, it wasn't even good wine anyways." Michaels said while kicking up some dirt. Markus picked up a water bottle and went to drink from it, but it was empty. "Shoot... I'll be right back, stupid bottle is empty."
"Get us some water while your out, please! It's so hot out here" Michael pleaded. The gaze of the three suns piercing through the morning clouds. They had been in the shade of the tent most of the journey here but now the carts were filled to the brim with supplies. Throwing a thumbs up to the two Markus walked to the depot to get some fresh water bottles.
Markus was a little confused though. While the other two had their shirts clinging to them from the sweat, Markus was completely dry. Not a drop of sweat had fallen from his body. He grabbed the three fresh water bottles and gave them the empty ones to fill back up.
"Oh my goodness you are a life saver Mark," Fraan says waving a fan at himself. Grabbing the water bottle they both drank around half in five seconds. Down the road they could see a large group lead by the old man and the two middle aged men walking towards the caravan. "Finally they are back."
The old man walked towards the boys with the two middle aged right behind him. "Everything all set to head off?" "Yes sir, the horses are all connected to the carriages and the carriages are loaded to the brim with supplies." Nodding the old man signaled to the two groups.
Finally they were ready to leave the stocking depot. The main cart left and the rest followed deeper into the town. They passed by a large amount store fronts A group of soldiers surrounded a far-off section that was completely walled off and guarded.
"Morning Thuldar, how was the night?" One of the main guards asked the old man. "You know how it is. The boards of the carriage are hard and cold but it is what it is. You going to open up the cave for us?"
"Hmmm, I guess I can. 50 silvers and your whole party can pass." The whole party looked at him with a tense gaze. "Just joking old friend. Get out of here, you have a schedule to follow." Smiling Thuldar waved and walked through the gates.
Walking through the gate Markus could barely see through the backs of the other carriages. Through them he could see a wooden bridge headed down into a large cave entrance. Each carriage small enough to easily fit through the cave opening.
"Welcome to the Husk's Caverns boys," the old man yelled across the caravan. Finally, they were on the road again. Sitting on the cart Markus got ready for the journey, by sleeping.