Conversations on the Road

"Twenty years ago you never had to worry about making the trek this early. There were enough towns through the plains that you didn't need to care about monsters attacking. Then that damn beast went through here. Now the Duke up north and the Duke to the south of the plains keep arguing over who's going to fund the rebuilding." An older guard named Kloan loudly said. "Back when I first started….."

"Has he been like this the whole trip?" The young woman pulled her mount next to mine.

"Yes ma'am." I replied. "If you're interested in local history, geography, or even flora and fauna, Kloan is the one to ask. You don't really need to ask actually, he'll let all of us know either way."

"Have you been north before?" She asked.

"I haven't." I said.

"What was your previous area of employment then?" She asked.

"Mostly in the capital doing security for an inn." The capital was large enough that it would be impossible to verify.

"Your accent is a little more southern." She said.

"My parents were from the south around Cordivon." I said.

"They were refugees from the Ardonius plague. And they ended up in the capital." She said.

"Yes." I said.

"Where you grew up around horses." She wasn't asking questions anymore.

"My parents worked for an inn." I had it all planned out. The plague around Cordivon happened 17 years ago and many refugees ended up in the capital. I even knew the name of an inn that had burned down last year. Since the owner moved to a different region afterward, it was a backstory that would be difficult to investigate.

Yet she not only seemed to guess each step, but her look and the tone of her voice, said she didn't believe a word of it. What was almost as alarming was that I didn't have the cold suspicion in my heart that had been my constant companion these past six months.

"What about you? Where are you from?" I asked, trying to take the focus off me.

"I was raised in seclusion by an eccentric uncle. He died and my cousin that inherited his land isn't fond of me. So I'm heading north." She said.

Just as vague and untraceable as his own story. Could she also be running north to hide from an unwanted past? She seemed too young to be sent by my father. He was well aware of my skill level. Could she have a partner, was she in disguise?

I had my usual suspicions I would have of anyone, but they just didn't feel true. Asking more questions about her past could help me figure her out but that opened me up for her questions.

"Kloan, you better watch your words. They're borderline heresy." Another guard said.

"How can you not think the gods, spirits, or whatever watches us let us down? Disaster after disaster came during the Years of Sorrow. I get that they can't stop everything but where was their guidance and aid during that time." Kloan said.

The other guard made a hand gesture commonly used to ward off evil and moved further away from Kloan. Ignoring the man's protest, Kloan started back up again.

"He's not completely wrong. There were a few prophecies in the archives of the Holy Lights Temple that didn't come true around twenty years ago. The seers also amended a few other prophecies that are still to come." The young woman said.

"You would think prophecies wouldn't need amending." I said.

"It's a common misconception. Prophecies are possible events, free will has always had the potential to change the future. Over twenty years ago someone important made a choice that has had consequences years into the future." She said.

"Why does it have to be someone important? Can't the common people also affect the world?" I asked. This was a thought I had from my dreams that often conflicted with how others thought.

"If someone is capable of changing the course of the world to the point that it caused the Years of Sorrow, how can you call them common? It wouldn't matter their background, they would be the most important person of that era." She replied.

I nodded along with that. "I'm surprised you know what happened in the Holy Lights Temple. The clergy are usually secretive about important matters."

Her mouth tightened as her face reddened. "A friend of my uncle had an important position in the church." As she continued it was my turn to feel like I said too much. "Though some might consider it strange that a simple stable boy would understand the workings of the clergy."

"Kloan, stop yapping and keep a lookout." A red glow surrounded the Vice Captain's hand. A small fire bolt went flying into the nearby brush. A high pitched yelp was followed by a large rabbit looking creature with small antlers running away from the road.

"Jackalopes will take a piece of flesh off your horse and be gone before you can do anything about it." She said.

"Sorry Vice Captain. It won't happen again." Kloan said.

With the brief commotion the young woman moved her horse further up in the line. It was obvious that we were both hiding something. But for some reason we both seemed to be comfortable talking to one another, dancing around the truth of our past. 'Next time I needed to ask her name,' I thought to myself.

"Better watch out Wassa, it looks like our young lad is going to be lured away from us." Diocles rode up to me.

"It's something to be concerned about definitely. Young love can make people do stupid things." Wassa said.

"If my excuse for being stupid is young love, what's yours?" I asked. Diocles let out a hearty laugh.

"Hey you three, stay separated. I don't want any gaps in our lines." The Vice Captain yelled.

I was smiling as they drifted back to their positions. Inside I was confused. The suspicion I had ever since I fled my father's lands came back once the young woman left.

Shortly afterward Vice Captain Verena made her way over to me.

"You seem to be on good terms with our guest. Vulferam said to make sure she was kept happy. My guess is she paid more than his usual rate to come with us." She said.

"She was just saying thank you. I helped calm her horse this morning before she arrived at the stables." I said.

"I don't really care why she's friendly to you. Vulferam told Manx and I to make sure she's kept happy. Make sure you're available if she needs anything." She paused for a moment and turned her head so she wasn't making eye contact. "Normally certain actions with passengers would be cause for disciplinary action, but like I said, Vulferam wants her kept happy. As long as she initiates it, anything will be acceptable."

I was left speechless. Was she suggesting what I thought she was suggesting? It wouldn't be my first time being approached by a woman for such matters. From an early age some of my father's younger servants thought a bastard of a bastard would make for an easier life. I had been dumb enough to engage with a few of them. Luckily, a stern lecture from my father was the worst as a consequence I suffered.

"It would also be good if you can help with that horse of hers. From talking with some of the guards from her previous caravan, it can be a handful and caused more than one disturbance." She said.

"I will do my best." I said.

"See that you do." She left me after that.

The following days were uneventful. Despite my curiosity I didn't approach the young woman and she didn't approach me until the evening of our third day.