While Obran and Zico were cooking, the three young women : Torie, Mara, Katrina went with Stripes' partner Phoebe to a nearby bathhouse in order, they said, to get better acquainted. Tomas and Erkin were given packing duty and charged to make sure the wagon and horses were in optimum condition. Afterwards, they all ate lunch together and Stripe really enjoyed Obran's weed stew, telling him he would back him if he ever wanted to open a restaurant in Remus.
"It's the best stew in the kingdom," Stripe said.
"You better snatch him up before someone else does," Phoebe said.
They kept the conversation casual and before they left Stripe sneaked a moment to talk to Obran while the rest boarded the wagon. Katrina went ahead first with two sheep along with her dog, Corvus.
"They are payment for services rendered," Katrina told them. "At least we will have fresh cheese and milk during our trip."
Mara and Torie both hugged her and promised they'd catch up to her on the road north.
Fast friends, Obran thought.
"Take good care of Katrina," Stripe said. "I hope her brother is okay but if he isn't, try to convince her to come back. I could always use someone with her skills."
"Okay," Obran said.
"Listen my boy it's obvious you have feelings for that girl and don't worry, I don't care where she is from and what she may have done," Stripe said.
"Is it that obvious?" Obran said, feeling a kinship with the elder gremlin.
"Only when you know what to look for," Stripe said. "I want to tell you to forget her and that it's hopeless but who would I be to tell you that?"
Stripe glanced at Phoebe as she cleared the table and she smiled when she saw Stripe looking at her.
"I understand Mr. Stripe and thank you for everything," Obran said.
"And listen, I think I saw something in her eyes as well," Stripe said. "Good luck, my boy."
Obran climbed into the carriage, where Tori was sitting comfortably while Mara whispered in her ear. Obran blushed, feeling they were talking about him, or somehow knew what Stripe had just told him.
"We're ready to go," Obran called out to Zico and Tomas, who both rode up front.
They proceeded to the northern gate and as the gremlin quarter faded from view he wondered if he'd ever see it again and also about Stripes' final words.
Could Tori ever feel anything for me? Obran wondered. No, don't be a stupid and get prepared to say goodbye to her you fool.
When they got near the gate Mara flew ahead while Obran and Erkin got off and walked ahead as well in order to reach the guards first. Since the festivities had ended many were leaving the city and they joined the long line to leave the city.
"Remember, we were just visiting for the celebrations," Obran said to his brother.
"Relax bro, I entered and left Roma almost every day," Erkin said.
When they reached the gates the guards just waved them by and when he looked back it was the same with the wagon; the legionnaires didn't even bother to look inside. Down the road when the traffic had spread and thinned a bit, Obran and Erkin hopped back into the carriage. Tori looked relieved, and in a flash, Mara flew back down again as well.
"Traffic is pretty heavy up ahead," Mara said. "But I didn't see any elves or soldiers and I went pretty far. Also, Katrina is not too far ahead."
"Thank you, Mara," Tori said.
"Just let me know when you want me to go scout again," Mara said to Obran.
"Zico, don't drive the horses too fast. We want to keep as much space between us and whoever might be ahead," Obran said as he remembered the riders from that morning.
"Okay, Narnia is about a day away, then it's about two days to Arretium," Zico said.
"We shouldn't stop in Narnia or any small village. We would stand out in any small town but we will stop in Arretium," Obran said.
"Okay," Zico said.
"Yes, I think it's the best course," Tomas added.
Tomas was from Arretium—an old Etruscan city—so it would be a good place to stop. There they could stay low for a few days until they moved past the Apennine mountains and into the northern lands.
"We'll stop before we get to Narnia and camp off the road," Obran said.
Stripe had given them dried meat, fruit, and bread and they still had plenty of wine and olive oil, as well as Katrina's milk and cheese.
"Can't we stop by Sabine? It's not too far from here," Mara said. "Tori, they say the most beautiful girls in Italy live there; I want to see if it's true."
"I've heard that but I've never met anyone from there," Tori said.
"Sorry, I don't think we can fit it into our itinerary," Obran said. "Remember we aren't on holiday."
"Maybe when we return dear," Zico said.
"Okay, remember you promised to take me to all the nicest places in Italia: Naples, Pompeii, Venesia, everywhere," Mara said.
"Don't worry dear we will go, I promise," Zico said.
"Promises...promises..." Mara said.
"Bro if we make it through all this we should all go on a vacation," Erkin said.
"I know some great places to visit in Etruria," Tomas said.
"Yes, that sounds like a good idea," Obran said.
"I'll miss all of you," Tori said. "It's too bad I can't come as well."
Mara flew to Tori and stroked her hair.
They continued north, soon approaching Katrina. Off the road she led two sheep with Corvus diligently by her side. Katrina had promised not to slow them down since she could catch up in the evenings and move ahead in the mornings, and in a pinch she said she could stuff the sheep in the carriage.
"She's really pretty in a kind of country way. Don't you think?" Mara said to Tori.
They opened the curtains and looked out the window.
"Yes, she is very pretty," Tori said and glanced at Obran.
Zico pulled up beside her and they all greeted her.
"Did you all have any problems getting outside the city?" Katrina asked.
"It all went okay," Obran said .
"How about you?" Tori said.
"The guards know me so not even a second look," Katrina said. "I didn't mention that I don't plan to come back."
"Did you see anything or anyone out of the ordinary?" Obran asked.
"No, just a lot of people headed home after the holidays, no news about the King either," Katrina said.
They continued northward; it was a quiet and serene ride, every once in a while a merchant or traveler passed them on the road. Each time Obran, Tori, and Erkin closed the curtains and left Zico and Tomas to handle the curious travelers. A few asked if they had or wanted to trade anything, but Zico answered that they had already sold their cargo and only asked them if they had fresh ingredients to sell; Obran guessed Zico missed his own stall and missed cooking everyday. Maybe we can get enough money from this adventure to open a real restaurant after all, Obran thought.
"The countryside is beautiful here," Tori said.
Tori looked at the fields and high grasses off the main road. The northern lands were about a week away, where it was mostly forests and mountains and where they would have to worry more about bandits, wild animals, and even monsters.
"I'm glad I'll get to see some of Italia but I will be happy to finally see the sea again," Tori said.
"I've never seen the sea," Tomas said.
"I think you will love it, Tomas," Tori said.
"I went to the sea with my old family a few years back," Erkin said but I was a bit afraid to swim.
"I've never seen the sea either. My century was gonna sabotage ships looking to resupply the enemy but the war ended before we were sent to the coast," Obran said. "I'm just happy I didn't have to man an oar."
Tori looked behind them where Katrina who was leading her sheep.
"Mara let's walk a bit with Katrina," Tori said.
"Uhm...we'll stop soon enough, Tori," Obran said.
Tori ignored him and jumped off the carriage and landed quite gracefully; Zico hadn't even slowed down. Mara flew out the carriage and landed on Tori's shoulder. The three girls were soon talking and laughing behind them but Obran couldn't make out what they were talking about.
"Do you think she resents me sometimes?" Obran said.
It was the first time he'd really considered the idea. Tomas, Erkin, Zico, Katrina, and even Mara had not fought in the war but Obran had killed many Carthaginians, her fellow countrymen.
"No but maybe she just remembers her brothers, the ones who died here," Erkin said.
Tori's brothers, both generals had died in the war, one in Remus, the other up north in a pitch battle with humans, elves and dwarves.
"I don't know how I would handle living with the people who killed my family," Tomas said.
"Do you talk to her about the war?" Erkin asked.
"No, I don't want to burden her with that," Obran said.
"Maybe she doesn't want to burden you either," Erkin said.
"Are you serious?" Tomas said. "That's what friends are for. To be there when you need them. I don't know about being a soldier or about being a slave but I don't have to know to be a good friend. A good friend just has to listen and be there."
He's right, Obran thought. He'd just listen to her and maybe share his feelings too. But too bad it won't last.
Suddenly Zico yelled. "Obran! Dark riders up ahead!"249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTb5BZ86gte
