(Leif Blackstone)
“So,” I ask, trying to clear the air. “How do you ride a horse?” It seems to follow my directions as I am pulling it, but I have never ridden one. We won three horses from the bandits; one of the four ran off and never came back.
He gives me a look. “What do you mean, how do you ride a horse? I'm a guy who grew up in a small village that has never touched a horse. How would I know how to ride one? You're the seasoned traveler; shouldn't you know?
“Well, I have also never ridden one before.” I say under my breath.
“Well shit,” he says after hearing me say the word multiple times before. My little baby bird is learning so much from me.
“Don't worry, Dulf, we will figure it out.”
He scrunches his nose up at me, and I already know what he's about to say next without him even having to say it.
“You said when I lay dying that I could call you Dulf.”
“Okay, I guess I did say that, but only you.”
Now comes my new master plan where I get everyone to call him Dulf. Hahahaha.
We walk the horses through the trail and stop them once we get through the pass. We load all the stuff on two of them and take turns trying to ride the other one to the next town. It does not go so well. We can kind of get her to go, but she goes where she wants to go. We are just happy that they haven't taken off and left us.
We manage to get to the next village somehow. It took way longer than it should have. We rest up outside the town; they really don't have any inns. We pitch little one-person tents that do not close properly and wake up freezing in the mornings. Dulf's job is to sell one of the horses and the other stuff we got from the bandits for as much money as he can get out of it. While I am going to go pay the statue a visit.
“Give me a day and I will return.”
He shakes his head and gives me a shoo-shoo gesture.
While traveling through the woods, I notice not much has changed. It's still a very spooky forest. There's no trouble this time. No wolves come and attack me, and I don’t see any Romans. While walking most of the day, I finally step out to the clearing I first saw while coming to this time. The only difference is the statue is missing. Where it should have been, all you see is a patch of dirt with a grass ring going around it in a perfect circle. The one-armed man's hut has been knocked over and destroyed. Some asshole stole my statue.
My feet walk the outline of where the statue used to be, and I walk twelve steps to the left and start digging. The old book is still here. Well, I guess that's something. I flip through a few pages, and I still cannot read it. Wish that the new gift I got was able to let me translate this.
“Man, I really don't want to deal with this.” I say to no one in particular. What the heck am I supposed to do with this? Since it's in hieroglyphics, I suppose I will have to make a trip to Egypt at some point. Who knows when that will happen, though? I don’t want to be carrying this thing around the whole time and have someone steal it, so I make my way back to the start of the forest.
My feet walk another twelve steps into the forest. Then I turn and walk twelve steps off the trail to the right. I rebury the book. That can be a future Leif's problem as well. Something tells me it will only bring headaches in the future.
Since it's near dark, I don't want to walk through the forest at night. So I decided to build a fire and set up my tent near my statue. Yes, it's my statue, and I'm going to figure out who took it and how to get it back. That's a promise. The only ones I can think of that would have the manpower are the Romans, but I don't want to make speculations. Something tells me I will see it again one day. As it gets dark and my fire is going out, my eyes finally rest.
It's the same dream as before. I'm at the batting cages again, and it goes exactly the same. The only difference is Wade is the one walking towards me with a bloody hand and not talking, just gasping for air. Then I stumble again, and the knight is standing over me.
The sun is peeking through my very cold tent. It's been getting colder here lately, but the cold is not what's on my mind at the moment. Why did I just have the same damn nightmare? This better not become a common thing. Any psychiatrist would likely tell me that I am experiencing my worst fear because I am in a new setting, or something similar.
To lift my spirits, I eat some bread and jerky. that we purchased in the village yesterday., and I give the destroyed hut one final glance. Well, I'll ask him some questions when I meet him again one day. Hopefully it's not too soon.
It takes me an additional half-day to return back to the town. Dulf is not where our stuff was originally, so I wait for him to return. It doesn’t take him long until he’s running over to me.
“I'm so glad you made it back today.” He gets out in a rush.
“Why, what's going on?”
“A caravan is leaving in the direction we were planning to go towards. They need some bodyguards. We would be signing up for two months. The pay is fifty denari per person for the full two months. It also gives two meals a day free. The head guard said they only saw bandits twice the last time they traveled this same route. What could have been more perfect? The last day to sign up was today, but don't worry; I signed both of us up.”
Why does he do things without asking sometimes? It almost makes me want to smack him. “Listen, Dulf, It's probably a good plan but wait and ask me next time before signing us up. Did you ask around and make sure it sounded like a good deal?
“Why wouldn't it be true? They were recruiting right near the bar; they already had one other signature.”
The job kind of bugs me for some reason. I don't know why. It's probably just the way my luck has been going lately. Well, there's nothing we can do about it now. “When do we leave?”
“Three days from now.”
Me and Dulf kind of goof off for the next three days until it's time for us to meet with the caravan. As soon as we reached the convoy, we received half the first month's pay. They connected our horses to wagons and allowed them to haul the stuff because we were not very good riders. About ten wagons carrying various items are being hauled, and we are among the fourteen guards watching over them.
Moby, the head guard, stated that they hoped to have fifteen guards in addition to him. Just before our town, they loaded up at a large town. visited in the hopes of obtaining additional guards. They informed us that there are many bandits in the area since Romans have been harassing everyone.
The primary road that connects Gaul and Rome is the only one that the Romans typically monitor. We are essentially protecting a trading caravan. Families make up the majority. It's four days to the next big town.
It's an incredibly dull profession, to be honest. One of the traders is seated next to me. Kimi is his name. His wife and daughter are traveling with him. According to Moby, I appear to be the most opposing of all of us, which is why we are in the lead wagon. The main merchant is Kimi’s brother.
Their entire family is Egyptian. They had heard that trading up north was quite profitable. Thus, we are left with no choice but to remain watchful, survey our surroundings, and not fall asleep. They handed me a huge war axe and asked me to put my sword in the back. I told Moby that I don't even know how to use an axe. The chief guard simply laughed and stated that it was alright to remain seated in the front and not talk, and everything would be alright. The majority of thieves should be deterred from approaching us.
After nothing happened for the first day, my costume became further bizarre. He discovered a large green cloak and slung it over my back, extending all the way to the ground. Then he flings an old, tarnished silver helmet over my head. My eyes are the only thing visible as everything closes in. Dulf even remarks on how imposing I appear. In the past two days, I haven't seen him very often. He’s been following their tracker around and peppering him with questions nonstop. Every time there is a scouting mission, he goes with him.
“So Kimi,” he looks over at me. “Why did you decide to bring your wife and daughter along with you? Road life must be kind of hard for them.”
He smiles as he looks at me. "No, friend, not at all. The caravan is our home, as you can see. My brother Bimi and I began this with nothing, and we worked our way up after learning about other people's success up north. We sell our belongings for an honest profit after riding through everything that Rome controls. We purchase cheaply from them, then proceed to market their goods for a profit. It's a wonderful time to be alive. We take what we can since we were raised in poverty. Moby has been with us for the past ten years. He served in the Roman army once. We pay him better. HeHe.”
He laughs at his own jokes a lot.
“So giant, where do you hail from?”
Dulf suggested that instead of making people feel as though they would never have heard of my origins, I should start letting them know that I'm from a more northern province. Just so I appear more trustworthy.
"I'm from an island close to Hibernia. It's tiny. When I was very little, we relocated to Gaul. The plague claimed the lives of my parents a few years ago. He nods his head like that was a common thing with a solemn look on his face.
The first thing the man told me when we initially spoke was to stay away from his daughter. He pointed his wife and daughter out to me so I would know which ones were his. Anyhow, she’s just too young for me. He said she has seen fifteen summers. Also, he said he was going to get a good price for her marriage. They marry so young here. It’s just weird to me. My tastes in women don’t run that way. I prefer a more mature woman who has lived life and doesn’t have to ask her parents if she can go out. It might be a problem in this time period; they all get married so young. Maybe I can meet a rich widower and settle down on a farm or a castle and let her take care of me. Ahhh, that would be the dream. If Kimi should be warning anyone, it should be Dulf over me. He already pointed her out to me with stars in his eyes. If he starts trying to get me to help him write poetry, I'm pushing him off the next cliff.
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
On the second day of nothing happening, we break for lunch in a field. Moby motions for me to follow him. “Grab your axe.”
What’s he up to? Grabbing my axe, I follow him. He goes up next to a big tree near the forest, which is right next to the field where we started to take a break. He draws his knife and makes sideways marks on the tree. He then draws a diagonal line somewhat higher than the first two on the tree as well.
“Can I see it?” He holds his hand out. When I hand it to him, he cuts all the places with a solid whack.
“After ten hits in one area, go on to the others. You must approach someone with an axe at just that angle.Make sure you use your whole body when you swing.”
“I thought I didn't need to learn it.” I mutter under my breath.
“Well, it never hurts to learn how to use multiple weapons depending on what's available.” He says picking up my mutterings.
“That's probably true. For how long?” I ask.
"The rest of the break. You can eat while traveling since I'll keep your food. He gets a look like he’s ready for some backtalk.
I shake my head and pick up the axe. It's time to begin the new training, then. Que training montage. Man, I really wish I had my music.
For ten years, I have invested my blood, sweat, and tears into this caravan. One wagon, two guards, and two merchant brothers is what we started with. I'm approaching my fortieth season, but I'm still a formidable warrior. I'm long past my days as a Roman legionnaire. We have seen many different men sign up to be guards, but none would be as strange as the two new recruits we just hired. It all started when we had a sign set up outside the bar posting we were hiring. At first we were not getting any takers. Then I see the tallest man I have ever seen talking to some kid, and then he walks into the woods nearby without a care in the world. No one goes into these woods. Everyone knows that they are haunted.
After passing us, the short friend wandered into the tavern. We are still short some guards. The short one probably wouldn't be anything special, but that huge one would be an excellent addition to any caravan. It would be fantastic if I could convince them to join. Additionally, it would entail employing the largest and smallest guards we would ever have. In my life, I've probably only ever seen one other person reach his height, and he was the scariest man I've ever encountered on the battlefield. It would require putting more weight on the giant. He’s too lanky as is. He needs more muscle. Look at me; I have considered them part of the caravan already. Now how to play the young one into getting them to join. I give my friend Felix a wave that I’m heading into the bar.
The boy is sitting by himself at the window, nursing an ale.
"Hey young lad, mind if I sit and talk with you some?"
The youngster appears to have been caught doing something he wasn't supposed to. If I had to guess, it might have been his first time ordering booze. He still looks young.
“Sure, no problem.”
“So where are you heading, young fellow?”
"Well, my friend and I are selling some stuff and will be traveling in the coming day or two."
He's almost too naive. If I play this right, I will be able to get these two for a steal. “As it happens, I'm hiring for a caravan right now. We are passing through towns under Roman control while carrying products and a few merchants.” I take out a map and give him an approximate idea of our destination.
After hitting this point we should make our way down South towards Rome.”
“How long will it take to hit the point?” He points at Augusta Trevor, the city I was talking about before we make our way down South.
“We should be able to do it in two months, three at the most with stops. We stop at all major villages and towns along the way.”
“What would be the coin if I and my friend joined you all the way to this town?” He points at Augusta again.
“Well, it just so happens I caught a glimpse of you and your companion before he took off into the woods. You can earn thirty denarii, and your friend can earn seventy if you join. That's for the entire two months. If you end up staying later, we can negotiate something that is fair.”
The monthly salary should be one hundred denarii for one person per month, but if the kid accepts it, then that's on him.
“Okay, that sounds like a fair trade.” He says without even trying to negotiate.
"You will meet Felix if you step outdoors. He is the caravan's scout. Simply sign the agreement with him. When is your friend supposed to be returning?”
“He should be back by tomorrow.”
"All right, be on the other side of the woods in four days. By then, we'll have all the carts loaded."
“See you then.” The naive kid says.
While walking outside, I see Felix. "We've added two new members. So set them up; one ought to be leaving shortly. We paid half as much for them as we did for anyone else that we had join up.”
Felix just laughs. “Don't worry; I will take care of it.
Four days later in the morning.
Up close, he's even more massive and young-looking. While he is still tall and lanky, I can see an anxious look in his eyes. Most likely the first time watching over a caravan. His friend has a habit of talking constantly. He'll be stuck with Felix. That way he won’t be near me.
“Hello, and welcome to our caravan. Kimi and you will be in the lead wagon. Just up there at the head is him.” I point to where Kimi is already set up, waiting for us to get started.”
After the giant moves onwards, I slap my hand down on the kid and direct him towards Felix. I double-check with all the other guards and make sure they are ready to go. Once everything is in order and everyone is prepared to leave, I notice our tall giant. He needs to look more imposing sitting up there.
While going through the cart where we keep most of our junk, I find it. The massive war axe I obtained from battling a Gaul chieftain. It may have been the best battle I had as a Roman legionnaire. I'm not sure why I kept it for so long and never sold it. It should make the kid appear somewhat intimidating to anyone watching from a distance.
Felix comes riding back on his horse. He gives me a head shake that there's no trouble ahead. Not like I expected it so close to town. I give Bimi a nod and ride to the front where Kimi and the giant are ready to go.
“How well do you know how to use that sword of yours?”
He gives his sword a look. “Not too bad, but I don't think I would do too well against multiple opponents.
“Lay your sword in the back.” He gives me a confused stare, and before he can say anything, I pass over the massive war axe.
He takes it and gives it a once-over. “I've never used an axe before.”
"Don’t worry about it. Your job is to appear as if you just stepped in shit. You need to look like you are constantly pissed off and ready to draw that weapon on anyone that you see. Take it out randomly while driving and play with it like a toy."
He gives me a funny look.
“If you do it, I will make it worth your while.”
He gives me a smile like I just made his day.
I move back to join the middle of the caravan and look at the boy looking at the axe. Don't worry, boy; I will show you how to use that axe in the next day or so. That will be your prize. Hard Training.
The first day is relatively uneventful. Felix keeps us safe at night. While thinking about the caravan, I consider our two new additions. Felix would definitely be a terrific guide to the younger one. It never hurts to have an extra scout or two in the ranks. The tall one should appear more imposing. Every time I looked at him today, instead of a mad face to frighten away bandits, I got an I'm trying to shit look. Which would almost be comical if he weren’t trying to look imposing. You think with that tall frame and the mean-looking axe would be enough to deter anyone, but it's the face. He just looks so damn young.
While I’m rummaging through my cart again the next morning for something to help me out, I find it. The helmet I had when I left the Roman legionnaire. It's a little old and tattered, but it does obscure your face. Then I grab the green cloak that no one has worn in ages. This will make the kid appear intimidating.
After completing his disguise, we set out on the road. I notice we are being watched. They do nothing, so I have Felix survey and monitor them without their knowledge. It happens again before midday, this time with a new bunch.
Might as well put on a show of force for anyone observing. I asked young Dulf if his pal had any training. He claimed to have taken well to training with a swordsman, although he didn't have much time to practice before he died. He stated that the old man used to comment on his perseverance. The kid would train for most of the day without taking much of a break. He stated that the old man claimed he had never seen anything quite like it.
It's time for everyone watching to get a show. I grab the behemoth and head towards the forest's end. Felix is standing close in case someone starts something. While marking the tree, I tell the kid to get to it. He gets to train while we scare anyone else that decides to watch.
(Leif Blackstone)
He has me train for two hours nonstop. He comes by and makes a comment every time I start to slack off or put down my weapon.
“Is that all you got, man-child?”
“Wow, I didn't know they made them your size without any balls.”
“I was once married to a lady that could chop wood better than you.”
“Why can you not hit the mark? Do you have trouble with your eyes? Should we have them checked in the next village?”
I'm going to kick Moby's ass whenever I have the chance and maybe pee in his drink when he's not looking. We finally came to a halt when he announced that the caravan had finished resting. I notice Felix staring off into the woods. He gives me a pat on the back like, ‘Good job.’.
What the heck is even going on? I'm pretty sure I sucked. Moby pretty much rode me the last hour about how useless I was with an axe. I’m drenched with sweat as we make it back to the caravan.
Kimi points towards a small creek nearby as I approach him. “Go wash off and hurry. I do not want to smell you all day. Your mutton is in the cart and waiting for you.”
I go shirtless and leave my jerkin pants on as I wash my head and body off. When I look up, Kimi's and Bimi's daughters are looking at me as if they have discovered a delicious treat. As soon as I detect them, their faces get red, and they retreat the way they came. Then I look over and find Bimi, who I have yet to talk with, giving me the stink eye as if I had done something wrong.
Bimi has a daughter named Kara, who is a little older than Kimi’s. He informed me that she is seventeen and should have been married by now, but since her mother died and she learned how to do bookkeeping, Bimi decided to keep her with the caravan. I’m finding out the man loves to gossip about things. He also advised me not to be around her either. I told him I like older women. He simply shook his head and murmured something in Egyptian about me being a weirdo. When I get out of the water, Dulf is waiting for me with an angry expression.
“Quit showing off.” He says while flexing his arms and stomach.
“Dude, who's showing off? That damn drill instructor had me swinging the stupid axe for like two hours.”
“What's a drill instructor? Dulf asks.
“A drill instructor is a hard ass with nothing else to do.”
He turns around and looks at his butt. “What does it matter if you have a hard butt? How do you even know his butt is hard? Sometimes you say the weirdest things.” He comments back at me while laughing.
He’s starting to give me a headache. I grab Dulf by one arm and pull him as hard as I can towards the water. At first he tries to resist, but there is no stopping me at this point. He goes flying and falls right into the small creek. Dulf comes up sputtering water out of his mouth.
“There I feel better.” I say as I walk away. Should have done that a long time ago.
As I get into the wagon, Kimi hands me a plate of food. He looks towards Dulf, who is getting out and shaking like a wet dog to dry off. “You two have some strange customs.”
“He knows what he did.” I say with a laugh as I start inhaling food in my mouth.
After eating, I look over to Kimi. “So Kimi, teach me more of your language.” He has been teaching me how to speak and write in Egyptian. He understands Greek and Latin as well. He said he would teach me Egyptian because I was already skilled in Latin. Dulf and his village grew up speaking Latin. Only the old know their original language. Dulf claimed he never learned it because there were more important things to be done. Maybe if I learn how to comprehend hieroglyphics, I'll be able to understand the book that's been a thorn in my side since coming to this world.
Speaking comes so naturally to me. I need a cheat to help me read. It's extremely hard. Kimi notices that I have an ear for interpreting languages and attempts to make a game out of it.
After going over a few new terms, I take out my new, gleaming axe and inspect it. Moby was explaining how to clean it. While we're wondering about how to keep it nice and shiny, an arrow slams into the side of the horse pulling us.
"Well that’s not good." Our horse doesn't like an arrow in its side and begins galloping with us in the carriage. The remainder of the caravan comes to a standstill as we speed away like a bullet.
Kimi is doing his best to pull on the rope but is having no luck. I look behind us and see Felix trying to catch up with us. The rest are sitting back, guarding the other wagons. As we go around a bend, I no longer see them. There's a tree down not far ahead of us. The horse may be able to jump it successfully, but we will not.
"Kimi let go of the rope for the horse." He lets it go without thinking twice. My knife, which I acquired from Novac, is in my hand, slashing the other ropes on the wagon as Novac pulls a pin and the horse gallops away.
The horse tries to jump over the tree, but with the arrow in its side, it is unsuccessful; it lands awkwardly on the tree, falls past it, and does not get back up. We tumble onward until we collide with the tree. We get jarred a little, but nothing hurts, and the wagon looks fine.
We look to where the tree is cut and see five cutthroat-looking bandits staring back at us. All with an evil grin on their face.
“Well, shit.” I say out loud for everyone to hear.
