FreeHolds Adventure, Cycle 3 Part 3a
Part 3) Adwin
Adwin eyed the cat suspiciously. He was pretty sure it was the same cat that had wrecked the flights on Tipper’s arrows last year when he and Mokha had hidden here. The cat was on top of their pile of luggage that had been stacked inside the barn that Wikkersak Coach and Courier used as its carriage house. He did not think the cat could get into anything, but one never knew with cats.
Seeing the cat had reminded him of Nan and the mind-mage. While there were often goats around, and soon there would be frolicking kids, he had not seen one as odd as Nan and, so far, they all seemed to have been doing normal goat things. Still, they were well within the area that the witch had been using the goat to spy on them previously, Adwin wondered what other animals could be a spy for the witch. Truthfully though, he had more pressing concerns.
Adwin looked west towards the setting sun. There had been no sign of Tipper as of yet and he was worried about what she had been planing that had required the rest of them to make such a hasty departure. They had left behind lodging and food and not even had a proper opportunity to say goodbye to Pridden nor Hidge. He had his suspicions as to what she might be doing, but those suspicions provided no comfort.
Dorn and Palk were seeing to the animals. Dorn had been pleasantly surprised by the sudden switch over that Adwin had made happen, relieving him of the responsibility of the passengers he was unable to transport. Although it had solved a couple of short-term problems for the man, Dorn seemed to be of the opinion that the company that he had been given to manage was finished. Done in by the competition, abandoned by his boss and unsure what he should be doing next.
Adwin was sure he could find further employment for the men who had once worked for Tipper’s uncle or maybe just buy up some of the assets that he and his companions would need. He had not made up his mind about what to do. He was hopeful that Tipper would manage to rejoin them before they had to leave Wikkersak, though she had said to keep moving on without her.
On top of those concerns, he had learned that Lord Sharlok’s army was camped just a yat or so to the northeast of Wikkersak. On the one hand that meant the army was not already on its way to Lekas and might provide them the opportunity to get there first. On the other hand, it meant there was an army nearby.
The obvious thing to do was to move on first thing tomorrow morning. If Tipper had not shown up around dawn, that meant leaving her behind. Something that he was not overly keen on doing.
Mokha came up beside him and put an arm over his shoulders, “I’m sure she’s okay, Adwin. She’s the toughest person I’ve even known.”
Adwin looked to his friend, “You’re likely right. I keep thinking of the slaughterhouse though… Sometimes Tipper doesn’t back down, even when it’s the smart thing to do.”
“And I owe her for that.”
“We both do. That’s why I wish we hadn’t left her behind. We could have helped.”
“Maybe.”
They stood in silence for a while, watched the sun sink below the town’s walls and then turned as the other two came back from using the facilities. The four of them stood looking at one another for a few moments, then Calathy asked, “So we’re sleeping in the barn?”
Mokha gave a nod, “Finest accommodations in Wikkersak. The ceiling is a bit low up in the loft, but the cats have done fine work keeping the rodents away.”
“Well, that’s something, at least.” Sefla eyed the barn dubiously.
Calathy said, “We passed a nice looking inn as we came into town.”
Adwin sighed, “Sorry ladies, I’d rather stay here. Seems the most likely place Tipper would come looking for us. It also means we’re handy for an early morning departure.”
“What’s Tipper doing?” Sefla asked.
“Likely causing trouble for someone.” Mokha offered.
Dorn approached from the direction of the other barn, “You sure you lot are going to be alright sleeping here tonight?”
“We’ll be fine.” Adwin assured him.
“So you had mentioned something about the possibility of more work. Though I have to tell you, we’re pretty much not able to go anywhere but east from here. The company has been prohibited from further operation in the hold.”
“Well, we’re going to need transport to the east; Lekas, Aramy and beyond.”
“There’s not much beyond Aramy. Not for a ways in any direction you could choose.”
“Kaymere.”
“The ruins?”
“Yes.”
“Well… You looking for treasure?”
“Kind of.”
“There’s often goblins and bandits out that way.”
“I’m aware of that.”
Dorn looked at the two women then back to Adwin, “You said Tipper would be joining you? Grange’s niece. The one that was here last year.”
“Yeah. If she’s not here by tomorrow morning, she’ll catch up with us along the road.”
“Seems there’s always some peculiarities whenever that girl’s around.”
“You had mentioned that the larger coach had been sold?”
“Afraid so. We’ve a couple small wagons in addition to the two regular coaches, I’m sure we can accommodate your needs.”
“What if I hired you, Palk and a couple of others for the rest of the spring and the summer? It’d mean digging and watch rotations in Kaymere. Likely we’d bring two of your wagons. I’d also pay for outfitting the expedition.”
“Well, under the circumstances I’d be foolish to say no, seeing as there’s unlikely to be any further business for us this year. It is very short notice however and I’ve a family to consider as well. I’d not be keen leaving them here for the next two seasons. Not with everything that’s going on.”
“How big is your family?”
“Me, the wife, and our first born, Nalli, she’s nearly two years old.”
“How many employees would you be leaving behind?”
“Well, the farrier’s already decided to sign on with Roburns. You said you’d hire four of us? So that’d leave one other, aside from a handful of youth. Most of the younger ones would likely find something locally.”
“You’ve no other kin that your wife and baby could stay with?”
“Not here, and I couldn’t make other arrangements before dawn tomorrow.”
“Well, how would you feel about bringing them with us?”
“Well, if I’m being honest with you, Master Adwin, I find this situation rather strange. If it wasn’t for the fact the company’s on its last legs, then I wouldn’t even consider what you are suggesting.”
“Well, that’s fair. It’s starting to feel like a logistical nightmare at this point.”
They fell to silence, twilight had settled, frogs sang and the first of the stars appeared in the eastern sky.
“How about I buy one of your wagons, a team, and some supplies. I’d be willing to offer a generous deal under the circumstances.”
“That does seem like something I’d be more interested in.”
Adwin looked around at his companions. He asked Dorn, “Is there a decent place to get food around here?”
“Decent? Close by? Nothing I’d recommend. The inn we passed after coming through the gates would be your best bet for good food.”
Calathy interrupted, “What about a stove? Some place to cook?”
Dorn shook his head, “I don’t know where my head’s been, but why don’t you all come to the office? There’s a couple of stoves, supplies. I’d say you’d sleep better there than in the barn. Come along.”
They followed him to the small warehouse and he soon had Calathy situated with what she needed for cooking. Mokha and Sefla saw to bringing some of their luggage to the office while Dorn and Adwin sat down by lamplight to try and hammer out a deal.
It had not taken them long to come to an arrangement, Adwin was a bit chagrined by how convoluted his earlier suggestions were. Clearly he was distracted by his concern for Tipper.
Dorn agreed to Adwin’s generous offer on a wagon, two horses and some supplies without haggling. He promised to return around sunrise and to have them on the road shortly thereafter. He did take the time to empty out the small office safe and then left them to feed themselves, asking them to be careful not to burn the place down.
Adwin joined his companions at a small table near the stove as they waited for the food to finish cooking. Calathy slid a book over to him across the table, “Look what I found at the last station.”
He glanced down at the book, Oddam Hollen’s, Greener Fields, it was the sequel to a book they had read over the winter. Adwin gave a nod but was not particularly enthused. Calathy seemed a bit hurt by his lack of response.
They ate in relative silence and no one seemed inclined to stay up. After making sure the fire in the stove had been banked and the lamps snuffed they settled down to get what sleep they could. Adwin lay awake for a long while worrying about Tipper.
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