help that’s for sure.”
The officer waves over a subordinate and has a few quiet words with him which James cannot make out. When he’s done, he turns back to James and says, “Thanks for the information.”
“You’re welcome,” he says.
The officer then calls for his men to begin moving and they double time it down the road.
“Looks like those people are going to get help after all,” remarks Fifer.
“Maybe,” says James, “if they don’t just kill them.”
“True,” adds Illan. “At least it’s not our problem anymore.”
James nods his head as he returns to the campfire and finishes eating.
On the road again, they continue their northerly course, anxious to get home. Setting a quick pace they manage to reach the city of Guellin by the night of the second day. The sheep ranches come into view long before they see the skyline of the town. Shepherds are out among them, minding their flocks. Some wave a hello while others pointedly ignore them.
As the road enters town, a large three story building sits on their right with a sign of a sleeping sheep hanging by the front door.
“Looks like a good spot,” says James. The grounds are relatively free of debris and the inn has an overall look of having been well maintained.
“Shall I see if they have any rooms?” Jiron asks.
Getting down from his horse, James stretches his sore muscles and says, “Sure. See if they have four. I’d like one on at least the second floor.”
“You got it,” he says as he goes up and enters the door.
“Just another day to Trendle,” Illan tells him as he comes to stand next to him.
“Good. I’m tired of riding,” he admits.
Miko gets down and has the last of his tarts in his hand. James can’t believe he’s still eating them. Last night they seemed a bit off but Miko wasn’t swayed by the chance of food poisoning. James tried to explain it to him but the concept was simply too far beyond his understanding. He couldn’t see how something which doesn’t smell or taste bad could be. So James just shrugged and hoped for the best.
“James, look,” Says Miko as he points across the street.
A woman walks along the far side of the street with a small girl behind her. His eyes widen and a smile comes to his face when he sees the little girl carrying what has to be one of Tersa’s teddy bears. He nudges Illan and nods in their direction.
“Guess you really had something there,” he says.
“I’m going to go find out where she got it,” James tells him as he steps into the street. Making a beeline for her, the mother soon becomes aware of his approach and stops. She puts herself in front of her daughter as he comes close.
“Excuse me,” he says and then points to the teddy bear, “but could you tell me where you got that?”
Visibly relaxing, she replies, “Argoth’s down the street has them.” She then points to the right.
“Thank you,” he says and gives her a nod as he leaves.
“Be right back,” he hollers over to the others as he makes his way to Argoth’s. He barely takes four steps before Fifer, Qyrll and Miko join him. When he looks questioning at them, Fifer says, “Illan doesn’t want you out alone.”
He glances back to see Dave standing with Illan, a sullen expression on his face. “Very well then.” They continue down the street until they see a store with a large window. Four of Tersa’s teddy bears are displayed there. He grins to Fifer when he sees them.
Walking in, he finds a portly man organizing small pouches into a neat pile. As they enter, he turns to greet them. “Good day to you gentlemen,” he says with a warm smile. “How may I help you today?”
James gestures to the teddy bears in the window and says, “I saw a woman with a little girl who had one of those and wanted to find out about them.”
“We just got them in a few days ago,” he says. “At first I didn’t really think they would do much, but so far I’ve sold half.”
“People really like them?” he asks.
Nodding, he replies, “The kids do. The trader lady who sold them to me suggested that I give one away and just see what happens. I thought that a rather foolish thing to do so before she left, she gave one to a little girl. After the girl left, she said, ‘If you sell all those in a week, you pay me for the one I just gave away.’ Of course I told her I would, but I didn’t think it would work. But sure enough, I sold three more that day just from people whose kids saw the little girl with hers.”
He looks to James and asks, “Are you interested in buying one?”
Shaking his head, he says, “No. I was just curious. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” the shopkeeper says as they turn to leave.
When they’re back outside the shop, Miko asks, “Why did you want to know about them?”
“Just doing a little market research,” he says. He smiles at Miko’s blank look of not understanding. Who would have thought Mr. Edward’s class on economics would have come in handy here. Unable to stop himself, he breaks into a short laugh.
The others look at him a bit oddly.
Back at the inn, they find Jiron has already arranged for their rooms. Taking their horses around back to the stables, they get them settled in for the night before returning to their rooms.
Later on when they convene in the common room for their evening meal, they take a large table off to one side. The room begins to fill as other travelers as well as locals come to have their meals. A bard sets up and begins playing by the time the server has brought them their food.
“I doubt if they’ve given up yet,” Jiron suddenly says.
“Who?” Fifer asks.
“The people who were interrogating Dave,” he explains. “It still bothers me that one of them got away.”
“True,” agrees Illan. “But if we stay together and keep alert, we should have no problem.”
“Wish they would just stop,” says Miko.
Dave gives a short laugh at that.
Turning to him, Jiron asks, “You got something to say?”
Giving Jiron a sardonic look, he replies, “They’re never going to stop! They will keep at him until they have what they want.” To James he says, “Would it be so bad to give it to them if it would mean living without the fear of being attacked at any moment.”
Jiron gives him a look of barely disguised disgust.
Shaking his head, James says, “Never. They could give me no guarantee that I would believe. Besides, giving it to them may prove more disastrous than the possibility of continued attacks.”
Face turning into a frown, Dave glances at the others and can see them united against the idea of returning the Fire to the Empire. Getting up, he says, “I’m going to my room and go to sleep.”
“Be careful and lock the door,” James tells him.
“You needn’t point out the obvious,” he replies then begins making his way to the stairs and up to the room he and James share.
“Coward,” can be heard though James not sure which one of them said it.
Turning his attention to the others, he says, “You guys should cut him a break.”
Jiron looks at him with a serious look on his face. “Are you sure he’s the type of person you want around? Things are afoot and he’s just a liability.” Around the table others nod their heads in agreement.
Sighing, James says, “I know. But where would he go? What would he do? I’m almost as lost here as he is.”
“But you’re handling it well,” Fifer interjects. “And you sure don’t back down from a fight.”
Shaking his head, James says, “Given the choice, I wouldn’t fight at all and would avoid any conflict to the best of my ability.” He sighs then continues, “But I am not given that choice. I know what’s right and I do it even though sometimes it pains me. He’s just gone through a bad time, worse than any I can imagine. Maybe he’ll find his niche here, but until then, he stays with me.”
“As you will,” Jiron says. “I just wanted you to know how we feel.”
