“What?” Delia asks.
Putting the mirror away, he says, “Nothing.” Looking around he tries to find a shaving kit, but such a thing doesn’t appear to have been developed in this world yet, or at least there isn’t one here.
Seeing a small knife, he buys it for three coppers, thinking that later he might try to put a spell on it that will enable him to shave without scraping all his skin off in the process.
“Anyone else getting anything?” he asks.
Roland looks around and picks up a small piece of cloth, saying, “Ezra would like this.” He haggles briefly with the man and then hands over the coins.
Delia and Jiron just shake their heads, not interested.
They look around for a few more minutes and then turn to leave. James glances over to the man to say goodbye but he’s already fallen back asleep.
Once they’ve returned to the caravan, they tell everyone about their plan to have dinner at the Broken Egg. James stays at the caravan with the two lads as everyone else goes over for dinner. “I’ll send one of the boys over if there is a problem.”
“There shouldn’t be,” Jiron replies.
“You never know,” he says.
After everyone has left for the Broken Egg, he takes a bucket and fills it with a little water from one of the water barrels and then sits down by the fire. Taking out the little knife, he holds it up in front of him and contemplates a spell that will enable it to shave the hair off his face while at the same time, leaving his skin intact.
After about five minutes of working it out, he turns his concentration on the knife and lets the magic flow. After completing the spell he feels the edge of the knife with his thumb, it doesn’t seem to have changed at all. It’s barely sharp and it would take a whole lot of pressure to cut anything with it. But then, that wasn’t what the spell was supposed to accomplish.
Taking out the mirror, he holds it up so he can see his scraggly looking face in it. Then taking the knife, he very carefully runs it down along his cheek. He can feel a slight drawing of magic from him by the knife, must be taking the magic it needs to work from him. To his delight and amazement, the hair is scrapped off like frosting from a cake. Excited, he continues until all the stubble has been completely removed and then splashes his face with the water from the bucket to get all the residual hair and dirt off. Holding up the mirror, he’s pleased to see the familiar face that had been hidden by that horrible, scraggly beard.
Next he takes the comb and begins to run it through his tangled hair as he attempts to restore it to its proper look. Painful as it is, he gets the job done and then realizes his hair is getting a little bit long, especially over the eyes. Taking the ‘hair’ knife as he calls it now, he begins to very carefully cut off the ends, making them as even as possible. What barber wouldn’t pay a lot for this? he thinks to himself as the hair comes off so easily.
Looking in the mirror when he’s done, he once again resembles the man he was oh so long ago. Quite pleased with the results, he starts whistling as he cleans up and then puts away his shaving kit. That’s when he notices the two lads watching him, whispering to one another.
When they realize he’s noticed them watching him, they smile at him and then resume the game they’ve been playing, a game with sticks and dice.
A half hour later, the others return and when Delia sees James, she says, “My, don’t we look nice.”
Cassie takes a closer look and ads, “You do look good.” At which Tinok gives her a look of annoyance.
“Couldn’t stand it any longer,” he tells them. “How was the food?”
“Pretty good,” answers Roland. “But don’t have the goat, it’s a bit tough.”
As James prepares to head over there, he says, “Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind.”
Leaving them behind, he walks over and enters the Broken Egg. The place isn’t that crowded, probably since only one other caravan is here. Having his pick of seats, he takes one by a window overlooking the road outside.
A girl comes over and asks what he would like.
“What is there?” he asks her.
“There’s roast goat or our specialty which is eggs and ham with a spicy sauce,” she explains.
“I’ll try your specialty and some ale if you have any,” he tells her, remembering what Roland had said about the goat.
Nodding her head, she says, “It’ll be just a few minutes for the special, but I’ll bring your ale right over. That’ll be a silver three.”
Once he’s handed the silver and three coppers over to her, she returns to the kitchen, returning momentarily with his mug of ale.
While he’s waiting for his dinner, he sits and looks out the window. He’s surprised when Delia, along with Tinok who’s carrying a box, comes into view. Curious, he watches as they go into the store across from the inn. Wonder what that woman is up to?
His meal arrives shortly after that and while he eats, he keeps an eye on the store. Finally, he sees them leave and Tinok is no longer carrying the box. Curious.
Before he’s done with his meal, which is surprisingly good if a bit spicy, a group of enemy soldiers ride up to the Broken Egg and tie their horses to the rail outside.
Upon entering, the soldiers cross the room and sit at a table not too far from where James is. The serving girl comes over to them and begins taking their order.
Nervous, James finishes his meal quickly and then gets up to go. As he crosses the room, one of the soldiers addresses him in their language. Frozen with fear, James pretends that he doesn’t realize he’s being addressed and continues to the door.
One of the soldiers gets up and comes over to him, stopping him by grabbing his arm.
James looks at him and says, “Sorry, were you talking to me? I didn’t understand what you’re saying.”
The soldier looks back to his officer, who asks him, “What is your business in these parts?”
“Just part of a caravan coming through,” he replies. Taking out the letter, he walks over and gives it to the officer.
Taking it, the officer scans through it and when he gets to the signature at the bottom, returns it to him saying, “Very well.” He nods to the soldier who has a hold of his arm, who then releases him. “Sorry to have bothered you, but you can never tell.”
“I understand,” James assures him and then proceeds to the door, exiting the Broken Egg. Legs shaking, he makes his way back to the camp. What does that letter say? he can’t help but wonder.
Returning to camp, Tinok comes and greets him before he even reaches the wagons. “Can I ask you a question?” he asks him.
“Sure,” James replies.
“Can you show me how you got the hair off your face?” he asks, somewhat embarrassed.
“Doing it for Cassie?” James asks, trying to keep the smile off his face.
Nodding his head, he says, “She just keeps going on about how nice you look. So, I thought if I did it too, she would be happy.”
“No problem,” James replies. “Just wait here and I’ll get my stuff.”
“Thanks,” he says, relief evident in his voice.
Going back to the wagon, he grabs his kit and then returns to where Tinok is waiting. Showing him what to do, he holds the mirror while Tinok runs the knife over his face, removing what little hair he has. When he’s done, he runs his hand over his now smooth face and says, “Thanks a lot.”
“Glad to help,” James assures him.
He watches as Tinok goes back over and sits next to Cassie trying to get her to see his newly shaven face, without letting on that he wants her to. She, unfortunately, has no clue about what he just did and he’s crestfallen when she doesn’t immediately recognize his efforts.
James just smiles and shakes his head at Tinok’s attempts to get her to notice. Replacing his kit back in the wagon, he goes over and joins them. The rest of the evening, Tinok continues trying to gain Cassie’s attention until finally taking her hand and rubbing it along his jaw line.
Her eyes open wide as she finally realizes what he’s done and he at last gets the praise and attention that he’s been wanting.
