Authors: Ralph Smith
“She is one of my faithful children
, and awaits your arrival.”
“What will we have to sacrifice?” David asked
.
“At the appointed time all will be revealed. Be wary of fear
, and temptation those are His most dangerous weapons.”
“Lord, what of my parents?” Asked Aurora
.
As his voice began to fade they heard “They watch over you filled with pride
, and joy.”
They woke still
laying next to each other, stiff from not moving during the night. They sat up and looked at one another.
Aurora asked
, “Where you there too or was it just a dream?”
“
It was just like, when I stared into the Seal.”
Aurora’s eyes were glistening with emotion. David could imagine how much it meant to her to hear what He said about her parents. He put his arms around her
, and she welcomed his embrace. The sun was up and bathed the inside of the coach. It was warm, and comforting after the cool night. They sat in silence for a little while listening to the sounds of the morning, the birds, crickets, and the slight rustling of the trees from the breeze.
“I guess we should get up, I need to check on the horses. They’re bound to be hungry after such a long night.”
Aurora squeezed him a little then let go “I’ll see what we have for breakfast.”
David busied himself feeding
, and watering the horses while Aurora put the bedding away, and found some bread and fruit for them to eat. They decided not to bother with a fire for coffee so they could get moving sooner. Once the horses were bridled to the carriage, and everything was packed back into place, they set off. It was a beautiful day. The warm sun was keeping them comfortable, and the clear blue sky filled them with a feeling of hope.
"
Would you like breakfast?" Aurora asked.
“That sounds good. What did you find?”
“Well there’s some fresh bread, cheese, and some Apple I cut up for us.”
“Sounds perfect
.”
They began eating, Aurora hand
ed David small pieces so he could manage the reins while he ate.
“What do you think it all means, what we were told last night?” Aurora asked a little hesitantly
.
“I’m not entirely sure
, but I have a feeling there’s more to come.”
“I was thinking the same thing. Roktah is not on the direct route. We will be going f
urther east before we head north. Perhaps there’s something there we need to do?”
“Please, tell me about
Roktah.”
“As you know I’m from Roktah
, and the valley is where our forefathers settled. It’s a small city surrounded by farming communities. My parents and I lived well outside the city until it was overrun, I fled the area after that, and it’s been under their control ever since.”
“What’s in the city?”
“I remember a marketplace where people from all around would come, and sell their crops, and other goods, a town square, a meeting hall, all kinds of shops for everything you could need. I didn’t travel to the city often. I spent most of my time in our village.”
“Is your village south of the city?”
“Yes it is. How did you know that?”
“Just a hunch, I have a feeling we need to go there first.”
“I don’t know what we’ll find. Many of the houses were burned. It was….. Horrible.” She said sadly.
“How many days do you think it will take us to get there?”
“We should cross into their territory in another day or so then it’s another day or two depending on what kind of trouble we have.” She gave him a slight look of concern.
“Us have trouble? Every day since we met has been a picnic.”
She laughed a little “If all of our adventures so far have been a picnic I have to wonder what your idea of trouble is?”
David laughed “Getting on your bad side. Now that sounds like trouble
.”
“And don’t forget it
, I’ve been taking it easy on you so far.” She said with a smile.
“Since we don’t expect to see much today, would you like to get some rest inside the carriage while we travel?”
“No, I feel fine.” She said as she laid herself across him looking up at the sky. “Why don’t you tell me more about what your life was like growing up? I’m sure you caused all sorts of trouble.”
David said teasingly “No more than you I suppose.”
David went on to tell her all about his life on the farm, school, tractors, all sorts of things, and she asked questions about everything. His life compared to hers was much simpler, and a whole lot less scary. She was fascinated by everything he told her about his world, and told him about how different hers was. They effortlessly talked for hours, and after a short break for the horses around midday they continued on. Late in the day, the air started to cool as the sun set.
“A little way ahead there’s a small village. It’s the only one between here
, and the border. Do you think we should stop there for the night? I found a small supply of gold so we could pay to stable the horses, and get a room.”
“Do you think it’s far enough away to be safe?”
“I’ve stayed there in the past. Occasionally they get some thugs passing through, but troops haven’t ventured this far yet.”
“I guess it won’t hurt to check it out. Once we cross the border I’m guessing the four of us won’t get a lot of rest.”
At dusk, they approached the village where there were a handful of shops all closed for the day. Only the Inn had lights on; they could hear the sounds of guests coming from inside. Out front there were a number of horses tethered to the rail. Based on the gear, these riders hadn’t traveled a long distance, but they weren’t farmers either. Since they were in friendly territory, they decided not to bother with the dress clothes Aaron had packed for their trek through the dark lands. Wearing her travelling coat, Aurora put the gold she found in her pocket. David tethered the horses to a post, and grabbing their packs, they headed inside.
They opened the door
and felt a blast of warm air carrying the smells of food, ale, and sweat. They walked in to see a group of 6 men off to the right sitting around the table eating, laughing, and talking. They looked like hard men, and David immediately took note of their weapons, a mixture of short swords, knives, a mace, and crossbow. There were few other patrons, a couple keeping to themselves, and a lone man sitting in the shadows. Seeing them enter, a man with a leather apron approached, smiling at the arrival of new guests.
“Good evening, good evening, I’m Horatio. Welcome to my inn. How may I help you tonight?” He said preoccupied
, but in a jovial voice as he shot a quick glance at the group of men.
“I’m David
, and this is Aurora.” David said, noticing Aurora dissecting the room with her eyes.
“Oh Aurora dear, I almost didn’t recognize you. Not in your usual attire
, are you?”
“Hello Horatio, how have you been?”
In a softer voice, he said, “well things are getting a bit tenuous these days. I fear what the spring will bring.” Then shot another quick glance at the men.
“Horatio, we’ll try not to add to your troubles. Is
Andrew handy to stable the horses?”
“Oh yes dear, I’ll go get him. Please have a seat over here.” Horatio guided them to a table near the other couple
, but away from the men. As they sat he stood patiently watching them.
Aurora reached into her pocket
and pulled out a gold piece “Can we please get some dinner, and a drink, as well? We’d also like to see about a room.” Horatio’s eyes wide at the gold, looked at her and David.
“My dear, why of course, I would never
pry but is this man your husband?” Horatio asked in disbelief.
Aurora staring at him with penetrating eyes in her no nonsense voice
said, “Yes, that’s right. We were married yesterday.”
Horatio a little flustered at the news
said, “Well dear that’s terrific news! I have to say I thought it might never happen. Um I mean not that you aren’t lovely dear … um… yes you young man must be quite…. Well…. Um special, to have won this young ladies’ heart; my, my, that is something.” Horatio was withering under Aurora’s gaze.
“Thank you Horatio, I guess that’s a compliment.”
“Oh yes, yes dear. I’ll be back with your food shortly. Which horses are yours so I can tell, Andrew?”
“There’s a carriage out front with two large quarter horses. Can you please stable, feed
, and water them, and bring the carriage around back out of sight?” Asked David.
“Why yes I certainly will.” Then still mumbling to himself as he walked off
, they heard him saying, “Aurora married… I still can’t believe it.”
David looked at Aurora
, and broke out in a big smile, and she flushed brightly.
“Not a word.” She glowered at him
.
David laughed “I wouldn’t dream of it. I told you being on your bad side isn’t my idea of a good time.”
Aurora gave a small laugh “I have a reputation to protect you know.”
“I noticed. Horatio was so nervous I thought he might forget why we were here.”
“Ugh wait until he tells Matilda.” As the words escaped her lips, they heard her.
“AURORA!! Oh my dear, Horatio just told me the news.” A stout woman with a
broad smile came scrambling up from the back, her arms waving. “Oh dear, is it true?”
They both stood to greet her
, and Aurora said, “Hello Matilda, it’s great to see you too. Yes, it’s true, Horatio hasn’t drunk all the ale yet tonight.”
Matilda gave her a quick hug then turned to David “Let me look at you” she said as she gave him a quick look up
, and down. “You are a nice looking young man, but if I know Aurora you must be very stubborn too.”
“I don’t know about that
, but it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m David.”
“Oh dear, it’s
delightful to meet you too. Young Aurora here has been our guest many times, and she has helped us out on a few occasions. I’m terribly fond of her, and so glad she has finally met a man that she didn’t want to knock his front teeth out. You do have all your teeth still?”
“So far I have managed to avoid having her knock out my teeth.” Then he said in a quiet voice leaning in so Matilda
and Aurora could hear “But I always have my guard up because you never know she might just want to show me who’s in charge.” Then he gave her a sly grin.
Aurora hit him on the arm
, and Matilda laughed “oh dear, you may have met your match, Aurora.” Matilda said chuckling “He’s the first man I’ve met who wasn’t afraid of you. How about I get the two of you something to eat?”
“That would be lovely Matilda.” Aurora said
.
“Yes
, please, thank you very much Matilda.” David added.
“Oh dear
, and manners too, you two sit. I’ll be back shortly.” Matilda said as she bustled off.
Matilda’s boisterous visit had caught the attention of the group of men
, but David could see they weren’t getting up anytime soon. He just made sure to sit so he could keep an eye on everyone in the room, and so did Aurora.
“So it seems you do have quite a reputation.” David chided her
.
“Oh stop it, I’m embarrassed enough.” Aurora said playfully now that they were alone.
“They seem nice enough.”
“Oh yes they are
, but it’s a hard life this close to the border, and if it ever came down to it I think they’d probably sell us out.”
David considered that for a moment
, and filed it away, then asked “Do you recognize anyone else in here?”
“No
, but I’m keeping an eye on those drunk men over there.”
“So am I. Tell me what kind of trouble have you
helped them with in the past?”
“Mostly the occasional unruly patron who didn’t want to pay
for their meal. One time a man got a little too friendly with Matilda, and when Horatio said something to him, the man hit him. I showed the man the error of his ways.” Aurora said with an air of satisfaction.
“Did you now
, and how did you do that may I ask?”
“I put a dagger in between his legs
, and told him if he ever stepped foot in here again that I would find him, and finish the job.”
“I’m sure he found your offer quite persuasive.” David sa
id grinning at her.
“I do have a reputation of keeping my word.” She said confidently
.
The next thing they knew, Matilda
and Horatio where there with steaming stew, some hard bread, a couple of tankards of ale, water, and hot tea.
“This looks like a
feast.” David said cheerily.