019 - Journey to the East

Caj talked incessantly, asking countless questions without waiting for an answer, telling Magnus of all the towns and villages he had visited. Magnus had lived all his life in Kloster, his knowledge of the world outside limited to a vague understanding that Kloster was in the north west of Jute, and that just opposite was Doohama on the Dragon Isle. He knew a little of the Iron Coast from the travels of Uncle Willis, but not much else besides.

Caj told him that they had to cross the river Stor to get to the Empire Swamp, that east of the Stor was the Gifhorn-Klotz, the lowlands and the forests of north Jute.

"You really don't know? I thought everyone knew!" Caj exclaimed.

"I know the capital is Juteheim," Magnus replied. "My uncle promised to take me there one day . . as for the rest, well, we never got many travellers in Kloster."

"Well, Juteheim is south of here by Lake Stor, pretty far." Caj hummed, keeping pace with the horse. "Like to go there myself one day, you heard of the Griffon? Massive bird with the head of a lion, they say it lives in the wildlands." Caj licked his lips, "wonder what it tastes like. How strong are you boss? A silver core? Gold? I saw you pick up and toss that peasant! You must be a real warrior, right?"

Caj babbled on, asking and talking and switching from subject to subject the whole day. Magnus learnt to not engage, to answer only with a grunt. His head ached, the longer he was on the road the more his body shook, his skin throbbing beneath the bandages.

They joined with a wider well kept path, trampled dirt and worn wheel ruts, several carts and riders passed by in both directions, Magnus stopped them all, asking if they knew of the Witching Road and where it could be found, but none knew.

Caj grinned, "Don't worry boss, I know where it is. You don't need to be asking anyone else, just trust in Caj here," he thumped his chest. "We're right near the Lonely Soldier now, just a bit more!"

At the side of the road was a tall stone man worn smooth, its features all lost to years of wind and rain. It stood by the side of a tavern, looking out over the road. "The Lonely Soldier," Caj called out. "As big as your giants, no?"

Magnus shook his head saying "maybe a short giant."

It was late in the day, Magnus didn't much care where they'd spend the night, here was good as any place. Caj went in ahead, Magnus stabled the horse and followed. The main hall of Lonely Soldier opened up to a large room with several tables, a fire pit at one end. Most tables were full, many road weary travellers busied themselves with drinking and eating. Caj came running back with two pitchers of ale, handing one to Magnus. They found a table in the corner of the room.

"Sit yourself here boss, I'll go get us a room."

"Don't bother. We'll sleep in the stables, it's plenty warm." Magnus took a sip of the ale. It felt rancid in his mouth. Nothing seemed to taste right anymore.

"Nah boss, much better to have a room. Trust me, after a long day on the road there ain't anything greater than a warm bed to lay your bones. A nights rest in the Lonely Soldier and you'll be fresh as a daisy for the road tomorrow,"

Magnus raised a hand. "Enough! Alright. Get us a room, a cheap one mind."

"No problem Boss!" Caj leapt to his feet, quickly vanishing from sight.

Magnus sat and sipped his ale. Ash, bitter tasting ash. Around him the room buzzed with lively conversations. Two minutes. Five minutes. Ten. Magnus looked around for Caj, nothing. Just as he was getting up and go looking for him a voice called out.

"I know you, friend!" A man with a rough spun cotton shirt and rogue like appearance grinned at Magnus, coming across from a nearby table and sitting down. "You're Godfred, right?"

"No. I'm not."

"Jorn? Tamil? Hell, friend - I'm sure I know you from somewhere!" The man slapped the table and peered at Magnus, trying to see under his hood.

"I'm not your friend." Magnus got to his feet.

"Come now, no need for that tone! We're all friends here, sit!" The man put a large calloused hand on Magnus' shoulder. "Here, drink with me!"

Magnus slapped the man's hand away, just the touch burst several pus filled blister. The man stood up, blocking him from leaving the table.

"Friend, stay awhile! Drink!" The man smiled widely, thrusting his tankard of ale into Magnus' hands. "Another tankard for myself and for my friend here!"

Something is wrong. Magnus looked about the room, no one seemed to be paying them the slightest bit of notice, people left and entered the hall talking and drinking and eating, but there was no sign of Caj, none at all.

"Where is he?" Magnus eyes narrowed. "Where is Caj?"

"Who?" The man laughed.