They pressed on, finally stopping in the early afternoon to eat lunch. In one satchel was bread, dried meat, apples and figs, a typical legionnaire's rations. They dipped their bread in olive oil and drank wine mixed with water. If they weren’t fleeing it could have almost been a picnic. Zico wanted to start a fire to cook some food but Obran argued they should just take a short rest and press on.
“But we can still play some music,” Tori said.
From her own satchel she took out a small lyre; it looked well made, perhaps custom made for her and for a second it was as if they were all back in Obran’s gremlin hole.
“We can sing together, Tori,” Mara said.
“Wait a second,” Obran said. “Let me take a look around.”
Obran climbed to the top of the wagon but he only saw fields, with trails that no doubt led to Roman villages or estates or small farms. He saw the two centurions about a half a mile behind them, but besides them the roads were empty—most likely everyone was already celebrating in Roma or Remus.
“If you need me to look around just let me know,” Samara said.
“Can you check ahead of us and on the centurions behind us,” Obran said.
“Okay,” Mara said.
Mara flew quickly into the sky, not giving her husband Zico a chance to object.
“Shouldn’t we all just travel together now. We’re miles from Roma and traveling in groups is nothing unusual,” Tomas said.
“He’s right, Obran,” Zico said. “Traders constantly hire sellswords to accompany them when they are hauling expensive loads.”
“Okay, when we make camp tonight we’ll tell them to join us,” Obran said. “If you think they are trustworthy, Tori.”
“They’ve always been polite and professional with me, though a bit aloof,” Tori said.
“Okay, Tori, can you play as we ride? We should get going.”
They got back on the wagon and Tori started to play her lyre. She sang in her eastern Phoenician dialect and though they didn’t understand the lyrics they all enjoyed her songs.
“Let’s do a song together,” Samara said as she zoomed into the carriage after scouting around.
“Did you see anything, Mara?” Obran said.
“No. I didn’t see anyone suspicious,” Mara said. “And I went pretty far and circled around too. I even saw Remus from a distance.”
“Okay,” Obran said. “Samara, we'll need you to fly up everyone once in a while. If that’s okay, Zico?”
“Uhm…” Zico said.
“Of course It’s okay,” Mara said.
“Thank you so much Mara,” Tori said.
“Just be very careful, dear,” Zico said.
Tori and Mara sang and harmonized some traditional ballads together which lightened the mood a bit. They sang love songs and for a moment Obran even imagined Tori was singing to him. He knew it was silly. Mara even sang a song in her fae language too, which again Obran didn’t understand. There are too many languages in this world, he thought as he tried to translate some words.
“Mara, do all fae sing so well,” Tori asked.
“Yes, all fae can sing. Zico’s parents forced me sing at their stupid parties for their friends; that’s why I didn't sing for a long time,” Mara said.
Obran imagined Mara would be great entertainment in a fancy and expensive restaurant but understood why she didn’t want that role. She didn’t want to be a specimen, something to get gawked at.
“I understand. There are some things I’ve never done again since being freed as well,” Erkin said.
“But Mara could put on quite a show if she ever needs the money,” Tori said teasingly. “I hope you boys find a way to earn your keep too while you are all in Remus.”
“Me and Zico can always cook or at least wash dishes,” Obran teased. “These two would starve.”
Obran motioned to Tomas and Erkin.
“We’re engineers; we can build and repair things,” Tomas said from the front of the carriage.
“He’s teasing you, Tomas,” Erkin said.
They drank more wine and soon it was as if they were laughing and singing and enjoying the banter they all had together like in their own parties. But every few minutes Obran would still check to see if the roads were still clear and the soldiers were nearby.
“Zico, do you see that?” Obran suddenly said. He saw a human in the distance in the fields along the road.
“No, I don’t see anything,” Zico said.
Obran climbed to the top of the wagon as Mara flew past him up into the air. Obran forgot his eyesight was better than any human or gnome but he was glad they had a fairy scout. Zico stopped the wagon as Obran peered into the distance. Why are they off the road, he thought.
“I’m not sure who it is but just keep going,” Obran said.
Tori returned, flying rapidly down into the cart. Damn she’s fast, Obran thought.
“It’s a shepherd with a small flock of sheep and her dog,” Mara said. “A girl, kind of pretty and she’s coming towards us.”
“Haven’t seen that before, a girl working as a shepherd,” Tomas said.
“She’s a shepherdess then,” Tori said. “In my country female goat herders and shepherds are common.”
“They are more common in the north too but not here near Roma,” Zico added.
“Zico, can you buy us some milk and cheese if she has any. I’m tired of just water and wine,” Mara said. Shepherds sometimes sold milk and cheese to earn extra money.
“Okay dear,” Zico said.
“But make sure it is fresh,” Mara said.
“Of course,” Zico said.
Obran wanted to press on but realized it would be unusual not to stop and say hello if they were approached. Traders and travelers traded constantly while on the road and the shepherdess would most likely be harmless.
"Remember, if she asks you two are traders headed north. The rest of us will stay out of sight and be quiet back here,” Obran said.
Obran closed all the curtains in the carriage. Mara frowned but soon sat on Tori’s shoulder whispering in her ear. There shouldn’t be any reason for the shepherdess to look inside, Obran thought. Soon he heard the bells of a shepherd’s staff approach the carriage.
“Good afternoon, friend,” Zico said.
“Uhm...hello,” Tomas said as if nervous.
I hope Tomas can keep his cool, Obran thought.
“Good afternoon,” the shepherdess said. “Are you two coming from Roma?”
“Yes, we’re headed to Remus,” Zico said.
“Any news from the capital, good sirs?” she said.
She had a firm yet feminine voice, as well as a northern accent.
“Just a lot of festivities, some were getting out of hand as usual,” Zico said.
“Okay, thank you. Do you know you’re still about half a day's ride from Remus. You won’t make it before dark.”
“I know,” Zico said. “But we plan to push on until we make camp.”
“There are some good camping spots a few more miles ahead, with some brooks for fresh water. Also some inns as well. I can travel with you and keep an eye out and protect you both from wolves if you like...my name is Katrina.”
“We know the path well. We travel to the capital often so we don’t need a guide but thank you,” Zico said.
Good work Zico, Obran thought.
Katrina was silent after that, perhaps she was a bit disappointed. The life of a shepherd was hard and maybe she just wanted some company besides some extra coin as as guide.
“But I was hoping to buy some milk and cheese if you have any,” Zico said. “But only if it is fresh, please.”
“I have plenty of milk and some cheese at my campsite. It’s just up the road. I could take you there. It’s not far.”
“Uhm, okay I guess, we’re going that way already,” Zico said.
“Great, I was just about to go back to make camp,” she said.
“So early?” Tomas said.
The sun would not set for a few more hours.
“We shepherds sleep early so we can keep an eye out at night, that’s when wolves and other predators come out.”
“Oh...cool…” Tomas said.
“But it can be a bit lonely at night, thankfully I have my dog Corvus,” Katrina said.
Corvus let out a bark at the sound of his name.
“Oh...I understand. Your dog seems uhm...nice,” Tomas said.
Jeez, you're so smooth Tomas, Obran thought, shaking his head. Tori looked as if she were about to crack up laughing.
“Okay, lead on,” Zico said.
The cart started moving again. Soon Obran heard the bleating of sheep as they walked beside the wagon.
Great, now we are picking up strays, Obran thought.275Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0X83x8T5M
