The Sword of Truth

“Why are you on your feet?” he scolded.

Gewey told him what he had experienced.

“That’s very good,” said Lee. “But you need to rest for a bit longer. I don’t want you to reopen your wounds.” Lee instructed Gewey to take off his shirt so that he could check his bandages. As he removed the dressings, Lee stared in disbelief.

“And I thought I healed fast!” Lee said in amazement. “Your wounds have closed. It will still take some time for you to heal completely, but I think we’ll be able to move on sooner than I thought.”

Gewey was pleased. “I do feel much better. In fact, I think I’m ready to leave now.”

“Not so fast,” Lee advised. “I’ve secured a room at an inn, and we’re not expected until nightfall tomorrow. We’ll risk one more day here and move on in the afternoon. It’s ten miles to the village of Gath, so you’ll need to gather your strength.”

“If you say so,” Gewey sighed. “What do we do in the mean time?”

Lee grinned. “I suggest you lay back down and listen to the forest. It’s good practice.”

Gewey grumbled with discontent. He hated being idle; years of farm work had driven the laziness right out of him. At first, he kept insisting that he was well enough to travel, but Lee wouldn’t budge.

Finally, after much argument, Gewey gave in and spent the rest of the day listening to the forest as he was told.

It seemed he laid there forever before it was time to leave. Gewey spent most of the night and next morning staring at the trees. Lee had given him an herbal tea to help him sleep, but it only made him light-headed and dizzy. Lee insisted that Gewey continue to rest while he packed. When he was done, he checked Gewey’s bandages once more and tossed him a fine linen shirt and expensive riding trousers.

“What’s this?” asked Gewey.

“Just get dressed,” Lee instructed.

Gewey dressed and mounted his horse. Pain shot through his body as he climbed up, but he was able to hide it from Lee.

“I would have helped you,” said Lee.

“No need,” Gewey insisted. “I can manage.”

The sun was just setting when they reached the road outside Gath. The village was much larger than Sharpstone, and the streets were busier than Gewey was used to seeing this late in the evening.

Vendors were still pulling their carts about, looking for prime locations along the main avenue, and lights shone in every shop window.

The sound of a blacksmith’s hammer rang through the air, and the smell of the nearby stables made Gewey’s heart long for home. The street they traveled wound and turned until he had trouble remembering which way they had come; Gewey thought he would certainly be lost if they had to make a quick getaway, but Lee seemed to know exactly where he was going.

“There, up ahead,” Lee directed, pointing to a sign that read The Fated Bandit. “I’ve instructed the innkeeper to have our meals brought to our room. I’ve told him that I’m a horse merchant traveling with my son. Don’t speak unless you must; your accent gives you away.”

Gewey frowned. “What do you mean?”

“I mean you sound like a farmer from Sharpstone. Your father may have educated you somewhat, but you don’t sound like the son of a wealthy merchant.”

Gewey’s face soured. “There’s nothing wrong with the way I sound,” he said, offended.

“Look, boy,” Lee said. “You’ll stay in the room and not come out. We need to keep you out of sight until you’re well enough to travel, so stick to the plan for now. The first person that hears your voice will immediately see through our story, so if you must speak, keep it short.”

They tied their horses to the hitching post and Lee went inside. Gewey stayed with the horses to watch their belongings. It wasn’t long before a young boy came from around the back of the building and began unpacking the horses. Gewey wanted to help, but he stopped himself; a spoiled merchant’s son wouldn’t offer to lend a hand. Lee walked outside and gave the lad a copper coin.

“See that our horses are well taken care of,” Lee ordered, then turned to Gewey. “Let’s go. Our meal is waiting.”

The inn was as clean as the inns in Sharpstone, though a bit larger. The common room was filled with travelers of all sorts-merchants, pilgrims, and even a pair of lords from the south. To the delight of the gathered crowd, a flutist had taken up residence in the corner, playing a jaunty, well-known festival dance. Serving maids were running about as the innkeeper barked orders to a thin, blond-haired youth. Gewey breathed in the air and smiled. This was a welcome change from the woods and trails. Lee led him up the stairs and down a hall to their room. It was small, but accommodating. Two beds lined opposite walls and a brass washbasin sat in the corner, already filled with hot water. On a small table were two plates piled high with roast mutton and spring peas. A loaf of hot bread steamed in the center, and two cups of honeyed wine sat beside each plate. Gewey’s mouth watered at the prospect of his first hot meal in days.

A few minutes later there was a knock at the door. It was the young blond lad from the common room. He had brought up their belongings, and he informed them that the other boy had seen to their horses. Lee thanked him and passed out yet another copper piece.

“Throwing quite a bit of money around,” Gewey observed. “Don’t you think that will draw attention?”

“It would be noticed more if I didn’t,” Lee replied. “Like I said, we’re supposed to be wealthy horse merchants. That type likes to show off.” Lee paused. “And don’t try to lecture me, boy. Of the two of us, I’m the one who has been more than twenty miles from Sharpstone.”

“I didn’t mean anything by it,” said Gewey. “I just…”

“You need to understand the danger we are in,” Lee interrupted. “Right now, we’re exposed. Until you’re healed, you must not question even the smallest thing I say.”

Gewey nodded, and then stripped off his clothes to wash up. To his embarrassment, Lee insisted on helping him and changing his bandages. After they were both washed, they sat down to eat. The food was still hot, and Gewey moaned with satisfaction as he took the first bite.

Gewey felt recharged after a wash and a hot meal, and he asked Lee if they could go down to the common room and listen to the music. Lee angrily repeated his earlier warning about the danger they were in. “Besides,” he said. “You still need to heal.”

“I don’t see how a few minutes of sitting in a corner and enjoying myself could put us in danger,” Gewey protested. “Besides, I feel much stronger now. I promise I won’t say a word to anyone!”

Lee looked as if he was ready to strangle the boy. “There will be no further discussion,” he said through his teeth. “In the morning, I have to pretend to be interested in horse trading, and I expect you to stay in this room at all times. Understand?”

Gewey didn’t answer and eased himself down onto the bed, staring at the ceiling. Lee unpacked a few things, set his sword next to his bed, and went to sleep. Gewey stayed awake for a while, thinking about home.

The next morning he woke to find Lee already dressed and breakfast waiting on the table.

“I checked your wounds while you slept,” Lee said. “It looks as if you’ll be ready to travel in just a few days. You’re healing twice as fast as I’d hoped.”

“Great,” yawned Gewey. “I don’t want to be stuck in this place any longer than I have to.”

“In any case, I’ll be back by dark,” Lee said, clearly not looking forward to playing the role of a merchant. Lee’s discomfort made Gewey feel a little better.

“What should I do?” asked Gewey.

“Stay here and bloody heal,” Lee growled as he walked out the door.

The day passed slowly as Gewey tried to occupy himself. At first he tried listening to the sounds of the town, but unlike the harmony of the forest, the sounds of Gath were confused and chaotic. He wasn’t able to stand it for more than a few seconds.

When sunset came and Lee hadn’t returned, Gewey began to worry. After another hour passed, supper and hot water were brought to the room, but he was too anxious to eat. Just as Gewey had finally decided to go looking for Lee, he burst through the door, breathing heavily.