Chapter Seven

The sun was slowly climbing through the morning sky when Jay approached the lone tree they had designated as their rendezvous point, about halfway back to the main highway. The young girl he held cradled in his arms had yet to wake when he found Dennis vigilantly watching for danger, the others wrapped in blankets and resting on the ground.

Bane and Kara had been kind enough to carry the packs of food and valuables, and after gently setting the girl down on a flat patch of grass, Jay went about distributing bread and dried meat to the starving captives. At some point Kara must have taken a liking to the still sleeping girl, or perhaps it was just natural maternal instincts. However, after being relieved of her burden, she curled up next to the comatose human female, watching her for any sign of waking.

Jay took a clean cloth from one of the packs. After soaking it with water he raised the girl’s head up, resting it in his lap as he slowly dribbled water into her mouth. After doing this several times, he gently placed her back down.

He addressed the now mostly awake group who watched his every move with curious eyes, some filled with gratitude and others with worship, which slightly unnerved him. He did not want the adulation of others, he simply wanted to do what he felt was right.

“We are a half day’s walk from the Northern Road with an additional day’s walk from Shren.” Jay gestured to the other man, still attentively keeping watch. “This is Dennis and I’m Jay. We will escort you the rest of the way to the city. The Drenz are friendly and will not harm you, so you need not worry about their presence. We have plenty of food and water, so if you are hungry, thirsty or tired let either of us know and we will take care of it.” Jay passed the pack of food to Dennis to carry as he grabbed the other from Bane.

“If you’ve all rested enough, we will walk till afternoon before breaking for a meal, then continuing on till the road where we will make camp.” All in all, there were six women of varying ages and four children, both boys and girls, under the age of ten, not including the still unconscious girl who Jay promptly picked up after slinging the pack of valuables on his back. He learned a little about each of the travelers over the course of the journey.

Most had been heading to Shren on vacation with their families or husbands before being ambushed. Faith and Sheila introduced themselves, but maintained silence in mourning for the majority of the journey. The eldest woman, Heidi, was in her early forties but still maintained a youthful air. Despite how she held herself, she was undoubtedly tough as nails, perhaps a product of a life built on hard work. Her husband had been instantly killed by an arrow. The story was much the same for the rest. Husbands and fathers all lost. Fortunately, none had lost children. Out of the entire group, only one woman in her late twenties, Peri, had a child, Geni, the eldest girl of the children in the group at age ten. The others were James, age six, Chloe, age four, and Sam, age nine. All had homes they could return to, but because of their gender or age, the land would be given to male relatives which most had never met. The two youngest, Nuriel and Vivien, both around seventeen, had been moving for work.

The group trudged forward for a few hours before the children began to lag. Dennis doubled back, scooping the youngest boy up and placing him on his shoulders. The rest managed to make it to the afternoon break, however, Kara would harbor no delays and ended up placing the rest of the small children atop Bane’s broad back. The initial yelp of surprise from one of the children had nearly caused Jay to drop his burden laughing, particularly when he saw the indignant expression Bane cast his way while Kara seemed to smirk in satisfaction.

The sun had set an hour earlier as the ragtag group finally stumbled onto the road in the dark, and collapsed off to the side. Jay quickly made a fire as they ate in silence, before many quickly fell into oblivion. The youngsters all managed to snuggle in close to Bane as he laid down at the edge of the group, causing Jay to snicker loudly at his lack of defense against the small humans. They may not like adults but the innocence of children managed to win the Drenz over. Kara took up her customary position next to her charge before they all drifted to sleep, Dennis included, as Jay crept into the shadows to keep watch throughout the night.

Morning dawned, and after a quick breakfast the rested group made quick time on the well maintained terrain. The children took turns riding Bane throughout the day, and despite the cold exterior he seemed to emanate, Jay caught him enjoying the attention the youngsters paid him multiple times throughout the trip.

The sun was setting once more as the group reached the outer gates of Shren. The city was a sprawling mass that stretched for miles in all directions. The constant growth had caused the city to create two walls. The inner stone wall was the original town, which now mostly held the upper class, while the outer wall was built of wood, which was more easily torn down and rebuilt as the city continually expanded.

The line was short this late into the evening and seeing the ragtag group of women and children approaching with two massive black beasts, one of the guards quickly ran off to find his superior officer. The other stood speechless as the group reached the gate. They did not have to wait long as the captain of the guard came quickly running with seven other men at the news. He was a big man, Jay guessed early fifties from the salt and pepper hair and mustache, yet muscularly built from years of weapons practice. His voice was gruff and commanded respect. He directed his attention to Jay, who roughly resembled a walking armory at the head of this group, patiently waiting.

“I’m Guard Captain Andrews of Shren. State your name and business, and you better have a damn good explanation.” His tone brooked no argument and Jay spoke his name and then told the story from the beginning. He had been travelling with Master Nial Gemstone’s caravan, who should have arrived two days ago, when they were attacked by bandits. After the battle, Jay had interrogated a surviving member of the raid party, who he inconspicuously did not identify, and after retrieving the information from the bandit had gone to their camp and killed the remaining members. He then released the captives they had taken prisoner before escorting them to where they now stood, and would be great to be led to a healer and for the rest to be fed, washed and clothed if possible.

Captain Andrews’ eyes continually expanded and his mouth hung slightly open. He had expected this man, Jay, as his good friend Carl had informed him of the ambush and how one of the scribe’s accompanying them had killed six of the bandits while his Drenz killed another ten, saving their lives before promising to catch up as he ran off into the wilderness. This additional story was just too much but the rest could be sorted out later.

“One last thing, your beasts,” the gruff older man hesitated as he watched the young children cling to Bane’s back and legs, eyes darting between the two massive Drenz. “Never mind, we’ll put them up in the empty garrison stable for now. It’ll be another two weeks before the patrol comes back, so it should be fine.”

Composing himself, he turned around and began giving orders. The captain himself would take Jay to Talli the healer’s shop, one would go to the Forest Gate Inn with the remaining members of the group to feed and wash them, while another would go to the local tailor and procure some general clothing for the women and children to wear. He was instructed to tell ‘that old codger Gerald’ that the captain would be by later to settle up. The rest would go back to the barracks with the Drenz and make sure they were fed and comfortable. The last statement received some nervous looks but none argued. The last man quickly ran off as the group split in two. Jay nodded to Bane and Kara, and told Dennis to go with the women and children to make sure they were taken care of as he would be along shortly.

Jay followed the captain along in silence as they wound through cobblestone paved streets. Talli's Apothecary was a small building on the edge of town. That it was an apothecary would have been apparent even without the sign jutting out from the building. Potted plants of every type, color and smell surrounded the building, sitting on the ground, in window sills and on various stands surrounding the house. The inside was an amalgam of different earthy scents and odors, as every shelf held some sort of collection of herbs, roots or mineral. Captain Andrews steadily picked his way through the cluttered areas, Jay following in his wake. At the counter, Andrews rapped his knuckles on a small open section of wood, calling Talli’s name into the back.

They both stood patiently as they heard shuffling, and a moderate amount of swearing, before the most beautiful woman Jay had ever seen stepped out from behind the curtain veiling the back of the shop. Her almond shaped eyes were the deep green of the Dark Forest set into a heart-shaped face. The slight smudges of dirt on her cheeks and forehead only accentuated her tanned skin, while her silver hair cascaded down her back in thick swirls. However, the almost unnatural beauty was not what held his attention. Poking ever so slightly out of the side of her head were slender, pointed ears. Trademark elf, Jay couldn’t help but think. Busty, beautiful and surrounded by plants.

“What do you want Walter?” Talli cast Andrews a look of irritation, her melodic voice sweet and soft despite the hostile look. These two had obvious history, and from her scowl, it wasn’t very good. Her gaze fell on Jay and the girl resting in his arms. Surprise overtook irritation as she quickly beckoned Jay into the back, promptly ignoring the guard captain, where he was directed to place the girl on a cleared wooden table before being shoo’d back out and told to return in the morning.

Jay and Andrews made eye contact, both shrugging before retreating out of the shop. Captain Andrews then led Jay to the Forest Gate Inn. The sun had since set, and despite the time the main streets were still buzzing with activity. All along the main thoroughfare, men and women mingled. Voices and laughter could be heard coming from many of the bars, inns and restaurants along the street.

They exited the primary road, ducking down an alleyway which fed into a series of back streets. It was fifteen minutes of cutting across town when a shadow shifted in the corner of Jay’s eye, moonlight glimmered as steel sliced through the air. Jay barely reacted in time, grabbing Andrews and tossing him backwards before drawing and flinging a dagger into the dark. With a thunk and clatter of a dropped weapon, a hooded man fell out of the shadows, Jay’s dagger sticking out of the side of his chest. He quickly retrieved both weapons, storing one in the already bulging pack on his back, before rummaging through the man’s various pockets, procuring a letter and small sack of coins. Captain Andrews heaved himself up, offering a quick glance of gratitude before they both rushed out into a well-lit street.

Sticking to well populated areas, they soon made it to a quiet building on another edge of the city. Inside, the women and children lay clean, clothed and with seemingly full bellies on cots spread throughout the common room. A rather rotund man exited the back area calling as he went, “I’m sorry we’re close… Ah, Guard Captain Andrews, and you must be Jay. Your man and Dennis filled me in. Quite a story, I must say.” The man jiggled as he chuckled lightly. “I’ll get you men a couple bowls of stew and some beer.” With raised eyebrows, Jay followed Andrews to a corner booth where he brought out the letter sack of coin, and promptly read the contents in a hushed voice. In hastily scribbled ink, the succinct note read:

Your target is Walter Andrews, Guard Captain of Shren.

Your fee is included.

Do not fail us.

T

Jay shook his head. What an amateur. Who keeps condemning evidence on their person like this? Andrews wore a nasty frown on his face, deep in contemplation. Jay waited patiently and the innkeeper, Bart, brought their food and drink, quickly departing as he read the tense atmosphere. Finally, the guard captain looked up to a relaxed Jay. An empty bowl in front of him as he nursed a mug of warm beer.

“I owe you one. I’d be face down in a pile of shit with a bloody grin etched on my neck if it wasn’t for you. Keep the purse. I have no use for the money.” He paused, collecting his thoughts once more. “Don’t worry about any expenses for the women and children, or for your beasts. All of it will be covered by the governor. I will be speaking to him tomorrow. Make sure to swing by the guardhouse at some point to collect the bounty we had on that bandit, Lion, and his men. Don’t worry about the letter too much.” He said as he tucked the note into his uniform. “I’m a big boy, I can handle an assassin or two.” Jay just chuckled.

Andrews continued, “If you don’t mind my asking, what are your plans, moving forward?” It was Jay’s turn to frown in contemplation, but after a brief moment he gestured at the bulging pack and the large number of weapons next to him, before casting a glance around the room. “I’ve come to feel slightly responsible for the well-being of these souls. Most of them lost their husbands or parents to the bandits, so giving them something to help get back on their feet was the idea.” Jay thought for another brief moment before continuing. “Then I suppose I will look for work as a scribe after re-arming and equipping myself, in order to pay my way, until I can learn to properly fight unarmed, as well as with sword, dagger, staff and bow.”

Andrews gaped slightly. “You mean you are not formally trained in any form of combat?” That was absurd! The man took out an entire squad worth of fighters with no formal training! Given they were bandit trash, but never the less. “Where did you learn to accurately throw daggers then?”

“Well, Carl did give me some pointers with the staff while we were travelling. Other than that, no, I’ve had no formal combat education. My throwing skills were developed during the time I lived within the Dark Forest. Throwing deadly objects is much safer when faced with claws and fangs.” Jay laughed sheepishly.

“Speaking of Carl,” Andrews was suddenly reminded. “Master Gemstone is staying with the others in the caravan at the Golden Lute. He said he wanted to speak with you when you arrived back in the city.” Jay nodded. “On the matter of your other plans, the loot and money are obviously yours to do with as you please, although I can respect a man with your kind of generosity.” Andrews continued, “The governor is always looking for educated men to assist him with various tasks. He’s a good man and very honorable. I’ll speak to him about employing you when I visit tomorrow. As far as training goes, you will always be welcome in the guard. None of us are masters with the blade, but we can at least provide a solid base for you in swordsmanship and archery. The governor may know of others who can help, as well.” Andrews stroked his mustache thoughtfully.

It was then that Dennis stumbled down stairs, his face and hair shaved, trimmed and cleaned, yet mussed slightly from sleep. It was a great improvement from the dirty, mangy bandit he once was. Dare he say, Dennis might even be handsome, if in a slightly rugged fashion. Noticing Jay, he slowly made his way over, picking his way carefully so as not to disturb those sleeping peacefully, before sliding into the booth.

“Guard Captain Andrews, this is Dennis, the man who helped me free and escort these poor souls. Dennis, Guard Captain Andrews.” At the man’s title, Dennis stiffened slightly before reaching out to shake a proffered hand. “It was no problem at all, I was glad to help.” Dennis the ex-bandit mumbled, shooting suspicious glares at Jay for not warning him. Jay sat watching, a shit-eating grin plastered across his face. Andrews simply scratched his head in confusion at the scene.

“Nice to meet you, Dennis,” was all Andrews said before turning back to Jay. “I’ll be in touch tomorrow evening about the things we discussed. For now, I have to go finish some paperwork for the report to the governor.” Andrews stood and gestured at the sleeping figures. “They will be allowed to stay here for another night before having to make their own way.” Jay nodded in thanks as the captain made his exit.

Dennis slid over to replace him across the table while hissing, “You could have warned me he was the bloody law!” Jay just stared.

“I figured his uniform gave it away. You really should be more careful.” Jay snickered. “Anyway, if he was going to arrest you they would have already done it.” Dennis sighed. Jay was right, but it was hard to break the habit since he had been on the other side of the law for a few years.

“So, what are you planning to do with your new freedom and clean slate?” The tone of the conversation suddenly flipped. Dennis sat for a while as he surveyed the room. He honestly had not thought this far ahead. “If you have no plans, may I make a suggestion?” Jay broke the silence and Dennis openly looked hopeful. “Dingo the bandit is dead. He died in an assault on a caravan.” Jay pointedly stared at Dennis.

“I just received a rather large sum of money, and will be receiving more still in the coming days.” Jay revealed. I will act as your patron in order to pay for your education. Work as a scribe pays extremely well, and once you learn to read and write, you can make your own way in the world.” Dennis sat in shock before dropping his head, eyes slowly tearing up. He did not deserve this kindness. He had helped kill a lot of innocent people, yet this man who was practically a stranger was giving him a life and a way to sustain it.

“I do have a condition.”

The quietly crying man looked up.

“Anything. On Shira’s name, I’m your man for life.”

Jay frowned at the oath. “I only ask that once you finish your studies, you try to pay it forward. Help those you can and work for your redemption. I have been told Shira is the goddess of justice. Your scales have not yet been set in stone.”

Jay reached over and patted Dennis’ shoulder. “Now then,” Jay suddenly stood. “With all that serious business taken care of, I smell like the rear end of a horse and could really use a haircut.” At his words, the innkeeper jiggled out of the back with a knowing smile and ushered him outside to a small, private building where a tub of heated water waited. That was something Jay would have to remedy. He could enjoy a nice bath, but nothing ever beat a steaming hot shower. Half an hour after settling in and cleaning most of the dirt, leaves and other miscellaneous objects from his hair and body, a thin, spry, elderly man knocked and entered, providing a close shave and haircut, courtesy of the inn. Jay still tipped the man a silver coin for such a late visit, before drying off and redressing in a set of clean clothes, his blood and dirt stained ones having mysteriously disappeared.

Re-entering the main building, the innkeeper ushered him upstairs to a plain but spacious room, complete with a straw stuffed bed, a dresser and wash basin. When he queried the innkeeper about his special treatment, the man smiled and happily told him, while repeatedly and profusely thanking him, that one of the younger women he rescued was his niece who had been coming to work for him, and that no matter what he did, he would never be able to repay the debt owed. Jay could only stand speechless in front of the man’s gratitude before attempting to wave it off, claiming he only did what anyone else would have done and that no debt was owed. Bart nevertheless refused to accept any kind of payment, swearing to Shira that Jay would always be welcome at Forest Gate inn free of charge, so long as Bart or his descendants retained it.

Jay simply sighed, his head becoming slightly pained. Two oaths to a goddess of justice in one night was too much, and after conceding to Bart, Jay fell onto the bed, instantly slipping to sleep.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Shira was immensely pleased. The two unexpected oaths sworn in her name had greatly increased her influence over Jay, allowing her to weaken her brother’s power. He had to be rather irritated that one of his subjects had failed to kill the guard captain in the vicinity of her mortal. Had that succeeded, her own influence would have been nearly severed completely. With the addition of these two oaths, particularly the life binding one sworn by the ex-bandit, and the plans she had laid for the coming days, she would soon be able to free Jay from Vratix’s influence.