Fires of Prophecy_ Book Two of the Morcyth Saga - Brian Pratt [89]
James looks at the poor man for a second before Roland says, “He’s willing to pay us five golds just to transport him a few miles down the road.”
“Sure,” James agrees, “we’ve got the room.” Turning to Stig and Scar he says, “Could you please help this gentleman transfer his barrels into the water wagon? There should be enough room for them.”
They get down from their horses and proceed transferring the barrels from his wagon to theirs. The man starts speaking again and Roland tells them he’s thanking them for their help. He then removes his horses from their traces and ties them to the rear of Roland’s wagon. Once his horses are secured, he climbs up and sits on the seat next to Roland as he waits for his cargo to be transferred.
James can hear Stig mumbling, “Lazy merchant…”
“Yeah, he could’ve at least helped…” Scar says to Stig.
When all the barrels have been transferred, they get back into the saddle and their caravan continues on down the road. Roland talks with the merchant and then says to James in the next wagon, “It seems the celebration is a yearly festival where people come from far and wide to just have fun.”
“Kind of like a county fair,” states James.
“What’s that?” Roland asks.
“It’s a festival where I come from that happens every year,” he replies.
“Oh,” he says.
“Maybe we could stop for the night there?” Delia asks him. When he looks at her, she says, “It wouldn’t take much time away from traveling, especially since we will need to stop for the night anyway. Also, I have a couple deliveries to drop off there as well.”
“You guys can go have fun,” he tells her, “but I don’t think I’ll be in much of a mood.”
Three hours later they come to Inziala, a large city sitting at a crossroads. To the north of the city along the river is a large area with hundreds of tents spread out. A crowd of people are moving in and around the tents. That must be the festival.
To the east of town is an area where the caravans have all gathered while they’re enjoying the fun. Finding a good spot near the other caravans, they set up camp while Delia takes the merchant with his wine over to the festival. She takes Scar and Potbelly along for protection.
After they’re settled in, Tinok, Cassie, Jiron and Tersa along with Roland, Ezra and Arkie deicide to go and enjoy the festival. “Do you want to come along?” Cassie asks James.
Shaking his head, he says, “No thank you. Someone needs to stay here and look after things. Besides, I’m not really in the mood for fun.”
“Miko?” she asks.
He just nods his head yes.
“I’m sorry,” she says and then giggles as Tinok takes her by the hand as they head over to the festival. Over her shoulder she says, “Goodbye!”
“Have fun!” James hollers after them.
The four guards remaining see them walk over toward the festival and say, “When do we get to go?”
“I’ll need four of you here at any one time to discourage any thieves,” he replies. “When Scar and Potbelly get back with Delia, you can draw lots and then two at a time can go.”
“Alright,” Yorn says.
An hour later, they see Delia trundling her way back to their camp with Scar and Potbelly riding along beside.
“Everything okay?’ he asks as she pulls up.
“Everything’s fine,” she assures him. “Got the five golds and another thirty for the packages I delivered.”
“Great,” he says.
Looking around, she says, “Just where is everyone?”
James indicates the festival and replies, “They left shortly after you did.”
From the group of guards, he hears several curses and a cry for joy as they draw lots to see who gets to go. Stig and Shorty walk over to James with happy expressions on their faces, “So you guys get to go first?”
“That’s right,” Shorty says.
“Could we perhaps have a few