along in the wagon, James realizes that the sun is rising on their left. Heading south, he figures.
About midday, the road begins to descend gradually and everyone is glad that they will soon be out of the mountains. Everyone that is, but Tinok who says, “I don’t know why you’re all so happy.”
“What do you mean?” Delia asks. “I thought you wanted to be out of the mountains.”
“I do, but once we’re out of the mountains, we’re going to be in Empire territory again. Doesn’t that make you the least bit nervous?” he asks.
“A little,” she replies, “but I like to hope for the best.”
“Besides,” adds James, “we now have a reason for being there. I think we’ve even got a letter that will allow us to pass through.”
“I hope so,” Tinok replies. He quiets down, keeping his brooding thoughts to himself.
The trees begin to thin and they can see off in the distance where they will be coming out of the mountains. A road appears further down, running along the base of the mountains going east to west.
An hour later, they finally reach where the road they’ve been following will be leaving the protection of the trees as it makes its way out to the main road. They pause only momentarily as they check for any travelers who might observe them leaving the mountains. Not seeing anyone upon the road, they quickly make their way out upon it.
“Which way?” Jiron asks James.
“Let’s try east and see if a road hooks up with this one that’s heading south,” he suggests. “If we find that this road turns to the north further along, we’ll double back and see what’s to the west of us.”
Jiron turns his horse eastward and leads them down the road.
Chapter Seven
They travel half a day after leaving the mountains when they see a town coming up ahead. It appears rather small, just several buildings at a juncture of converging roads. As they near, they realize this town shows no sign of the Empire’s occupation. The citizens go about their daily business and children can be seen running around, playing in the streets.
“Wonder why this town remains untouched by the Empire?”
Delia glances to James and shrugs. “Maybe it’s in the Empire?”
“Could be,” he agrees. “I guess we’ll find out soon enough.”
Jiron leads them toward the town and as they draw near, the people become aware of their approach. Most only pausing a moment to glance in their direction before continuing about their business.
One of the buildings has a sign of three barrels hanging above the door. Figuring it to be a shop where they can purchase supplies, they pull up and stop in front. James and Jiron go inside while the others wait with the wagons.
Within the shop, they find a man in the process of straightening up his inventory. When he sees them coming through the door, he turns toward them and smiles. “Welcome, welcome,” he says as he goes over to greet them. “How may I help you today?”
“We just need some supplies before heading on,” James tells him.
“We have a wide selection of goods for the traveler,” the shopkeeper says. “What might you be interested in?”
“Just some travel rations and water bottles,” he replies.
“You don’t seem very busy,” Jiron comments when he notices they’re the only ones in there.
“Business has been a little slow of late,” he says. “With the war going on and all.” He places several packages of rations on the counter, and then asks James, “How many water bottles do you require?”
“Five.”
The man reaches up to a shelf and removes five water bottles, placing them on the counter next to the rations.
“The Empire didn’t come this way?” Jiron asks.
“We’re sort of on the border,” he explains. “We’re not really apart of anyone, yet they all think we are apart of them. Sometimes it’s confusing, but everyone tends to leave us alone her in Bindles.”
“How far is it to Korazan?” Jiron asks.
“About three to four days,” the man says. “Are you going there?”
“We have some goods to deliver there, yes,” James replies.
“If you would deliver a couple packages for me,” he offers, “I could let you have this for free.” He indicates their goods on the counter. “Plus, when you delivered them, you would receive a bonus as well.”
James thinks for a second and then says, “Sure, we could do that for you.”
“Excellent,” the merchant exclaims. “I’ve been waiting for some time for a trader to pass through who would be willing to take it. Just wait here a moment and I’ll bring it out.”
While he’s in the back, Jiron comes closer to James and whispers, “Why are we doing this?”
“Gives us more credibility if questioned,” James replies.
Jiron suddenly understands and gives James a nod with a slight smile.
The man returns from the back with three packages and a bill of lading. “Take these three packages to Zi- Aldan in Korazan. Not sure exactly where he is located, but if you inquire at the local merchant’s guild, they should be able to direct you to him.”
“Very well,” James says as Jiron collects their goods. The merchant hands him the bill of lading and then picks up his packages to carry them out to their wagons. James holds the door open for him as they leave his shop. Tinok gives them an odd expression as the merchant walks over and deposits the packages in the back of his wagon.
Extending his hand, the merchant says, “I appreciate you doing this for me.”
James shakes his hand and replies, “Glad we could be of assistance.” He climbs up onto the wagon and sits next to Delia. Then he gives the merchant a slight bow as he says, “May you have prosperous dealings.”
The wagons begin rolling away as the merchant says, “You too sir, you too.”
They continue through town and when they come to where the roads converge, Jiron automatically turns to follow the road going south. As the town begins to fall away and finally disappears behind them, the terrain gradually becomes more arid. Trees and bushes make way for scrub brush, as well as the occasional tumbleweed. Kind of looks like the area around Bakersfield.
The air becomes drier the further south they progress and the temperature starts to rise. They had warm, even hot days before, but nothing like this. James is literally baking under the sun, sure that he’s going to end up with a dilly of a sunburn.
The road meanders along this desert-like territory for many miles before they begin to approach another small town. The citizens here all wear long flowing robes, kind of like the middle easterners wore back on Earth.
There’s a company of the Empire’s soldiers garrisoned here and when they enter the outskirts of town, an officious looking man steps out of a building just ahead of them. James’ pulse begins to beat faster when he realizes the man means to intercept them. As he approaches he raises his hand, signaling for them to stop.
“Greetings,” he says to them as they roll to a stop.
“Good day to you as well,” James replies, giving him a small bow.
“What brings you through Arakan, good merchant?” the official inquires.
“Traveling through to deliver some goods in Korazan,” James replies nonchalantly.
“Do you have a letter of travel?” the official questions. “Anyone not of the Empire requires one to be allowed to pass through our territory.”
James reaches into his shirt and brings out the official looking letter and hands it over to him. His heart racing, he glances to Jiron and sees his right hand on a knife as he stares intently at the man as he reads the letter. He knows if it’s not what James had been hoping it was, they’ll have a fight on their hands.
The man reads the letter and then hands it back to James, saying, “Very good, all seems to be in order. Hope you enjoy your stay here in Arakan.”
