Tag: Lynn Kupfer

Chapter Six

It had been some time since I last rode on a horse, but the old familiar habits came back quite easily. The dark bay gelding whose back I sat, was spirited yet well-mannered, readily acquiescing to my hand and knee commands from the moment I mounted him in Lord Michon’s courtyard.

Echoes from my past drifted into my thoughts.

My late father’s voice instructing the younger version of me, “Be one with the horse, respect his nobility and spirit, care for his well-being as you do your own, for there will come a time when he may be the only one you can really trust.”

The memory of riding bareback with Callyn behind me, pressed against my back, her arms around my waist, her breath a delicious warm whisper in my ear, “Be one with the horse with your knees and thighs, Ahren. Yes, that’s it, use the pressure of your knees to convey your commands, where you want him to go, when you want him to stop, or when you want him to run like the wind.”

No question, both my father and Callyn would have liked this fine animal.

I guided the bay a little ways off to the side of the trail the caravan was on, reined him to a halt then patted his neck with great affection. I chuckled softly as he snorted and tossed his proud head, turning my face to the side to avoid being lashed by his long black mane. His liquid brown eyes followed my blue ones, his ears flickering back and forth with interest as we watched the slow progression of the people, wagons, and assorted animals that followed behind Lady Kellina’s carriage.

It was a beautiful day for traveling, a slight chill in the air, but nary a cloud in the lavender tinged sky. Trees everywhere were ablaze in their splendor of fall colors.

The caravan made steady progress, having traveled west then southwest for several hours since leaving Lord Michon’s shire. We crossed the Azarite River about an hour ago without incident. That had been my first good look at the magnificent bridge spanning across the river in daylight, for the last time I had traveled across the bridge was in the dark of the night, several months ago. At the time, I was reluctant to reveal my hiding place amongst the caravan of merchants traveling to the Shire of the East.

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Chapter Four

The crisp wind cut into her flesh as she took careful but hurried steps up the rocky hillside. The wind smelled of rain to come, but it would not arrive before she reached her destination. She heard the babbling joy of a spring nearby and, making her way through the brush at the side of the trail, stopped long enough to get a sip of its cool freshness. Sitting down on the grassy bank, a lighter breeze blew here and was more refreshing than chilling. Slowly, she bent forward and removed each worn sandal in turn, and placed her feet into the swirling water. Cold, but not uncomfortable, she let them remain in the water several minutes, allowing the cool soothing energy to stream upward into her weary body.

She had started early that morning, knowing as she did that her destination would take the better part of the day to reach. She would have to spend the night, but here she had no worries. She knew her visit would be welcomed and hospitality, sparse though it may be, would be extended. She reached behind her and brought a small and much worn satchel forward. At one time, its leather had been the color of the purple meshunk trees that adorned the area. Now, it was faded and worn, although she attempted to keep intact it by oiling it regularly. It had been a gift many years hence, Lord Michon had made it for her when he was but a boy and his family still reigned over the shire and village below.

The wind blew loose strands of gray hair around her face, which she brushed away. Allowing memory to open the gateway to what used to be, she remembered the shire and village when they had been full of life and even love. She did not know why she had stayed on after all was ravaged, but she did not regret it. The gods had been kind to her in the ensuing years and life had been comfortable, if lonely. She had not seen another human visitor, save the occasional bandit or ruffian, in many years. It was with a mixture of joy and sadness that she had watched Lord Michon arrive many weeks prior, and she now knew what had prompted the visit: the same thing that prompted her journey up the mountain now. She pulled out a bit of dried bread and a small container of meshunk wine. The rich sweetly bitter taste soothed her tired, dry throat as she sipped it. She took tiny bites of the bread and two more sips of wine before returning them to the satchel, drying her feet with the lower portion of her apron, and returning the sandals to her feet. Rising, she put the satchel back over her shoulder and returned to making her way up the hillside.

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Chapter Two

At the main entrance of the barracks, I paused and took a deep breath.

Beyond a doubt, I felt Her eyes on me moments ago.

Again.

But from whence the feeling? I dare not look around to see where She might be, dare not give any sign that I am anything but about my business as a servant. I allowed myself only a few fleeting seconds to savor that sweet awareness before I schooled my face to impassive normalcy and continued through the large common room of the barracks.

Several off duty guards of both sexes were gathered at one of the larger tables, their mugs of ale forming a circle around a battlefield of cards and large gold coins scattered across the worn wooden surface. One of the female guards spotted me, her face breaking into a grin of amused delight.

“Ahren! About time! Come join us!”

I paused long enough to give a sigh of mock dramatic exasperation then shook my head and chuckled softly. “Saym, really? Why should I? You wiped me clean four nights ago.”

Loud guffaws reverberated from the other card players. One of the male guards heartily slapped Saym’s tanned shoulder. “Aye, you sure did, Saym.” He said. “And what a magnificent move, calling Ahren’s bluff, after the rest of us all had folded…..”

“You all were so stupidly blinded by Ahren’s charming personality….but not me…” Saym bragged. “No, sirree…. Not me….” She grinned at me. “Saw right through you and nailed your ass.”

“Yea, yea, you sure did.” I held up my hands and shrugged in good natured acknowledgement. “Sorry, no can do tonight. Thanks to Saym, I got no gold left to my name.”

“You could always offer some other assets, Ahren, seeing that tonight’s your last night with us.” A second male guard smirked suggestively, and was rewarded by a kick to his lower leg under the table from Saym. “Ommmppftt! Ow!”

“Shut up and mind your manners, Raed!” Saym glared at the man. “Ahren is Lord Michon’s servant, not a barracks whore. “ She looked back at me, rolling her eyes, “Raed’s had too much to drink tonight, Ahren. You know how it is.”

Ignoring the exchange between Saym and Raed, I replied, “Ayeup.” Gesturing to my tunic and breeches, soiled and stained from the afternoon’s bloody work of beheading, gutting, and preserving the last of the chickens under Madame Adelaide’s direction. “I just want to get cleaned up and finish packing. ”

Saym stood up and gripped my shoulder. “Goodnight and safe journey, upon the morrow, Ahren.”

“Thanks, Saym. Take care.” I replied warmly. I nodded to each of the guards still seated at the table, including Raed. “Goodnight, all.” The tinkle of coin striking coin announced the resumption of the card game as I turned and continued my interrupted journey towards the sleeping area of the barracks.

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