“I don’t think there’s any home to go back to,” he says, hating the words even though he knows they’re the truth.
“But,” she says, apprehensively, “what are we to do?”
“First thing is to get you out of those rags,” Delia says as she leads her over to a wagon where she has a couple blankets already set up for privacy while Tersa changes.
“Just what are we to do now?” asks Tinok while Tersa is changing.
“Miko is still heading south,” James replies and then he explains how he figured that out. “I plan to continue south and find him.” He looks around at everyone else before adding, “You needn’t feel obligated to accompany me, now that your sister is back with you.”
Jiron gives him a look and says, “We’re not about ready to turn our back on you, James.”
“That’s right,” Tinok joins in. “Besides, where would we go?”
“Right now, we’re together and being together gives us security,” Roland adds. “No point breaking it up just yet. I figure as long as we act the part of traders, we will be left alone.” Looking around at the group he says, “We don’t exactly look the part of spies or invaders.”
“True,” agrees James. “I’m not sure how far my quest for him will lead us, though.”
“Doesn’t matter,” Jiron replies. “We’re standing by you till you see it through.”
“Thank you,” James replies, “I was hoping you would.”
Just then, Delia returns with a much changed Tersa. She had brushed out her hair and cleaned her up. The guys catch their breath at the vision of feminine beauty walking toward them.
“Tersa,” Jiron exclaims, “I can’t believe that’s you.”
“Do I look alright?” she asks.
“Alright?” Tinok says with a smile. “You’re gorgeous.” Cassie gives him an annoyed look. “But not as gorgeous as you,” he tells her which softens her expression.
James can only nod his head, words escape him.
“Thanks,” she says, blushing slightly.
“But I think we need to get her other more practical, traveling clothes,” Delia says. “This dress will hardly be suitable for the road.”
“Good idea,” James says, “we all could use a change of clothes. We’re not leaving until after tomorrow anyway.”
“Then it’s settled,” Delia announces, “Roland, Ezra and I will go in and purchase more clothes.” Turning to Tersa she says, “It would probably be best for you to stay here.”
Tersa nods her head in agreement, “I would prefer that.”
“When we get back,” she says to the others, “then you guys can go and get some extras for yourselves as well.”
“Maybe we should get equipment for the guys we’re going to buy tomorrow?” Tinok asks.
“Might not be a bad idea,” agrees James. “Do you know what we’re going to need for them? And the sizes?”
“I think so,” says Jiron. “I know who three of them are, so we can at least get those three set up and then just see about the rest once they’re here.”
“We have six additional horses,” James says. “Will they be able to ride?”
Jiron and Tinok look at each other and laugh.
“What’s so funny?”
“I don’t think they’ve ever been on a horse before,” Jiron says.
“Yeah, they’re going to be sore!” Tinok exclaims and then commences laughing once again.
Delia and her group head out toward town to do their shopping while the rest just hang around the wagons, waiting. Jiron and Tersa swap stories of what’s happened to them since the last time they were together. When he mentions James and his ability to do magic, she looks over to him with wide eyes, a little fearful.
“You’ve nothing to worry about,” her brother assures her. “He’s nothing like the stories of mages that we grew up on, he’s okay. Besides, without him I wouldn’t be here.”
Seeing him noticing her looking at him, she flashes him a quick, slightly embarrassed smile and then resumes her conversation with her brother.
Several hours later, they finally see Delia and her group returning. Trailing along behind are a couple boys carrying armloads of packages.
“Think you got enough?” Jiron asks, a slight smile on his face.
“Hope so,” she says, oblivious to his sarcasm. “Just a few necessities that will be needed.”
Ezra has a new sling for Arkie slung across her chest, his wide, curious eyes peering out from within.
“Just put them in that wagon there,” she tells the porters. When they’ve placed them in the desired location, she gives them each two coppers and they return back to the city.
“Shall we?” Jiron asks James.
“Yeah, lets,” he agrees. So this time, James, Jiron, Tinok and Roland go into town to get the equipment they’ll need tomorrow for their new ‘guards’, as well as some extra clothes for themselves.
Their first stop is a clothier where they each purchase a second set of clothes, as well a set for the guys they’ll be purchasing tomorrow. James arranges to have them delivered back to the caravan.
Outside the clothier’s, Roland asks, “Now where to?”
“Need to get some weapons for them as well,” Jiron says. “If they’re going to be guards, they won’t do much good without them.”
“True,” agrees James. Asking a passerby, Roland learns of a blacksmith across town that usually has a surplus supply of weapons for sale. They proceed over there to see what he has available.
On the way they see a group of Parvatis coming down the street toward them, five of them, their distinctive tattoos giving them a menacing appearance. Unsure as to how they are likely to react over the outcome of the fight earlier, James leads them down a side alley. Hiding in the shadows against one of the walls, they wait until they see the group pass by the mouth of the alley. Then Jiron returns to the end and peers around the corner to see if the coast is clear. When he sees the Parvatis have moved down the street, he gives the others an all-clear signal and they return to the street.
“That was close,” Roland says.
“Don’t know if we could have fought off that many,” James says. “Not and avoid unwanted attention.”
Keeping a lookout for more roving bands of Parvatis, they continue toward the blacksmith’s.
Having to ask for directions two more times, they finally arrive outside of an open courtyard where metal being hammered can be heard coming from within a building off to the side. Entering the courtyard, they see where the side of the building opens up and in the shade given by an overhang, a burly man is busily hammering a piece of metal upon an anvil. To James’ relief, the man appears to have originated from the north.
At their approach, he puts the hot metal into a bucket of water, a steaming hiss and a cloud of steam appears when the hot metal hits the water. He holds it there but a moment before quickly removing it. After a quick inspection, he places the piece of metal upon a nearby table and turns to greet them. “Good day to you sirs,” he says.
“Good day to you as well,” replies James. “We were told that you may have some weapons available for sale?”
“That I do,” the blacksmith tells him. “If you’ll follow me, I’ll show you what I have.”
“Thank you.”
Following the blacksmith, they enter the building through a side door where they find many racks holding various types of weapons. There are swords, knives, maces and several others that James has never seen before, all looking very deadly.
“What exactly are you interested in?” he asks.
James turns to Jiron and looks at him questioningly.
“Yorn usually used a longsword and shield,” he says.
“Potbelly likes two swords and Scar uses a shortsword and knife,” Tinok adds.
“If you gentlemen would like, feel free to look around and examine the weapons,” the blacksmith suggests.
“Thank you, we will,” replies James.
