Fires of Prophecy_ Book Two of the Morcyth Saga - Brian Pratt [38]
“Business has been a little slow of late,” he says. “With the war going on and all.” He places several packages of rations on the counter, and then asks James, “How many water bottles do you require?”
“Five.”
The man reaches up to a shelf and removes five water bottles, placing them on the counter next to the rations.
“The Empire didn’t come this way?” Jiron asks.
“We’re sort of on the border,” he explains. “We’re not really apart of anyone, yet they all think we are apart of them. Sometimes it’s confusing, but everyone tends to leave us alone her in Bindles.”
“How far is it to Korazan?” Jiron asks.
“About three to four days,” the man says. “Are you going there?”
“We have some goods to deliver there, yes,” James replies.
“If you would deliver a couple packages for me,” he offers, “I could let you have this for free.” He indicates their goods on the counter. “Plus, when you delivered them, you would receive a bonus as well.”
James thinks for a second and then says, “Sure, we could do that for you.”
“Excellent,” the merchant exclaims. “I’ve been waiting for some time for a trader to pass through who would be willing to take it. Just wait here a moment and I’ll bring it out.”
While he’s in the back, Jiron comes closer to James and whispers, “Why are we doing this?”
“Gives us more credibility if questioned,” James replies.
Jiron suddenly understands and gives James a nod with a slight smile.
The man returns from the back with three packages and a bill of lading. “Take these three packages to Zi-Aldan in Korazan. Not sure exactly where he is located, but if you inquire at the local merchant’s guild, they should be able to direct you to him.”
“Very well,” James says as Jiron collects their goods. The merchant hands him the bill of lading and then picks up his packages to carry them out to their wagons. James holds the door open for him as they leave his shop. Tinok gives them an odd expression as the merchant walks over and deposits the packages in the back of his wagon.
Extending his hand, the merchant says, “I appreciate you doing this for me.”
James shakes his hand and replies, “Glad we could be of assistance.” He climbs up onto the wagon and sits next to Delia. Then he gives the merchant a slight bow as he says, “May you have prosperous dealings.”
The wagons begin rolling away as the merchant says, “You too sir, you too.”
They continue through town and when they come to where the roads converge, Jiron automatically turns to follow the road going south. As the town begins to fall away and finally disappears behind them, the terrain gradually becomes more arid. Trees and bushes make way for scrub brush, as well as the occasional tumbleweed. Kind of looks like the area around Bakersfield.
The air becomes drier the further south they progress and the temperature starts to rise. They had warm, even hot days before, but nothing like this. James is literally baking under the sun, sure that he’s going to end up with a dilly of a sunburn.
The road meanders along this desert-like territory for many miles before they begin to approach another small town. The citizens here all wear long flowing robes, kind of like the middle easterners wore back on Earth.
There’s a company of the Empire’s soldiers garrisoned here and when they enter the outskirts of town, an officious looking man steps out of a building just ahead of them. James’ pulse begins to beat faster when he realizes the man means to intercept them. As he approaches he raises his hand, signaling for them to stop.
“Greetings,” he says to them as they roll to a stop.
“Good day to you as well,” James replies, giving him a small bow.
“What brings you through Arakan, good merchant?” the official inquires.
“Traveling through to deliver some goods in Korazan,” James replies nonchalantly.
“Do you have a letter of travel?” the official questions. “Anyone not of the Empire requires one to be allowed to pass through our territory.”
James reaches into his shirt and brings out the official looking letter and hands it over