EPISODE 76: THE ROAD AHEAD

"Ow! That stings!" Corwin complained while Sera Emberhart daubed a poultice on one of his half-healed cuts.

The novice gave him a sour look. "Keep that in mind the next time you crawl into a Dungeon Boss' mouth. You're lucky to even be alive. Thank the gods that Master Heggin's healing potions are so potent."

"Yeah, some of us weren't so lucky." Vash said, sorting through the hand-me-down equipment that Master Lin had brought by earlier in the day. The rogue that Vash had taken to calling Topknot accompanied her. He looked tired, but none the worse for his ordeal. Topknot had gifted Vash with a new short sword in thanks for saving his life. It lay next to his Dagger of Return on the bed with the rest of his newly acquired gear.

Corwin gave Vash a side-eye. "Are you going to keep bringing that up? Do I need to remind you it was your decision to give me the potion?"

"You could have refused."

"I was dying!"

"So was I," Vash said with a shrug.

"Smug bastard." Corwin growled as Sera yanked his face back so that she could smear some poultice on the cut above his eye.

Vash grinned to himself. In the few days since the Master's Council, things had brightened considerably. Sir Jacen and his contingent of Knights of the Hidden Star had quickly gotten the hint that they were no longer welcome, especially when the Wayfarers discovered the Knights had spent the entire battle guarding their own camp rather than lending aid to the village. Jacen had made excuses about protecting important materials from agents of the shadow. Master Sallik heavily implied that the Knights should move on with all due haste.

Both Jabez and Corwin spent two more days in the infirmary under the care of Sister Clea. Vash had never seen a cleric with such a strong connection to Taella, goddess of healing. The things Clea had done were nothing short of miraculous. Corwin's wounds were now mostly cosmetic, and normally he would have shrugged them off, but Vash suspected he enjoyed the attention of the lovely novice, Sera.

Jabez was a different story. The trek through the Underlands, his kidnapping, and the confrontation with the Dungeon Boss left a great deal of damage to both his spirit and Core. He had more gray in his auburn hair and beard than before, and the lines in his face had gotten deeper. Still, Jabez was up and around, grousing at Edda and Clea when they tried to get him to rest or try another potion.

Between Jabez's convalescence and his many meetings with Master Sallik and Master Rowan, Vash had little chance to talk with him. Now that the question of his acceptance into the Wayfarers was settled, he worried a little that Jabez would assign him to another Master. Against all better judgment, Vash had grown to like the irascible dwarf.

"When do you think we'll set off for our new assignment?" Vash asked, selecting a gray tunic that was only slightly threadbare with a few noticeable repairs at the elbows.

"Whenever Jabez gets done with his business with the other Masters." Corwin said, wincing as Sera smeared some more of her poultice on a cut on his cheekbone. "We don't have any other business holding us here, and it's a pretty long trek to Thorpe if I remember right."

"How far is it?" Vash asked, pulling on the tunic.

"Well, Harper's Crossing is considered the halfway point on the Glory Road. That's just after you come off the Highland Road. Thorpe is somewhere on the Highland Road, I think. So, it would take a month at least, maybe six weeks." Corwin said, pulling back from Sera as she finally released him from her care.

Vash buckled on his belt and then started putting clothes and other items into his pack. They weren't sure when they would leave for Thorpe and the decommissioned Waystation Forty-Two, but the infirmary released them, and they were moving to an inn today. Vash's supply of gear was still quite small, but several of the people he had met and fought beside had brought him replacements for what he lost in the battle.

Charity brought a new leather jerkin with blackened steel ring-mail riveted to it. Slightly heavier than his previous armor, but providing more protection, she had assured him. The new short sword that Topknot brought featured a Therium core, meaning it held enchantments longer. Also, a mage could permanently enchant it if he had the coin. Master Lin and Master Clea had brought a variety of replacement clothes that were roughly his size. To his surprise, Silas Quartercall and several other merchants brought him boots, belts, pouches, travel supplies, and even a pair of vambraces. According to Silas, everyone in the village knew what he had done at Footsore Phaella's and they wanted to thank him. Phaella herself had brought a pair of monster-sized sandwiches for Vash and Corwin.

"Your money's no good with me anymore." The white-haired gnome said, wiping tears from her eyes. "Anytime you get hungry, come by and I'll feed you, and don't you dare try to pay me, either of you."

Then she had called them both too skinny before giving them hugs and bustling out the door. Vash struggled to keep his emotions in check; he wasn't used to that sort of gratitude.

Even with all these gifts, it only took a few minutes to pack his gear. Corwin dressed and packed up his gear as well. All the while he chatted with Sera about Guild gossip while she got her supplies neatly stowed away. It reminded Vash of the times he would prepare for a mission with Iona. She loved to chatter while putting together her kit. One of the few times she would relax and just talk, rather than constantly being on her guard.

Vash felt a pang of loneliness, but pushed it aside.

Time enough to ponder that later.

You'll have to tell me about her one of these days. Cass said sleepily from somewhere in the back of his mind. The remanifestation had been difficult on her, and she spent a great deal of time resting these days.

Maybe, Vash thought, but not now.

Vash felt the mental equivalent of a gentle hug before Cass faded back into unconsciousness.

"All set?" Corwin asked, hefting his pack onto his shoulders.

"I suppose so," Vash said, putting on his own pack. "No use putting it off."

"Jabez said he'd meet us in the village, so we should head that way," Corwin said, then glanced at Sera. "I guess this is goodbye, huh?"

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"Not really," Sera said with a grin. "The Guild assigned me to the Temple in Thorpe. Edda, Charity, and I are going to be representing the Wayward Path up there."

"That's great!" Corwin said with a wide smile. "See that, Vash. We'll already have a couple of friends up there."

Vash smiled, but wasn't sure how to feel. Having friends who weren't Eth Mitaan felt strange, like he was doing something wrong.

"Congratulations, I guess?" Vash said, uncertain if this was good or bad news for Sera.

"It's my first posting as a Journeyman," Sera said, blushing. "It's very exciting. A whole new land that hasn't been explored in centuries. Who knows what we'll find."

Vash suddenly thought of the shadow temple. The black and white eye of Noctus behind the glowing crystal of the Dungeon Heart. A giant worm rising from the waters. Zakarias' twisted form impaled on his sword as the Heart cracked and the temple fell.

"Who knows?" Vash agreed.

The early afternoon had an autumnal nip in the air, but the bright sunshine made the walk a pleasant one. Vash and Corwin ambled along the path to the village square. Not having any place to be, they took it slow. Off to the right, Vash saw the copse of trees the Nightscales a few days ago to ambush passing Wayfarers. Memories of blood, fire, and screams jumped unbidden into his mind, and he shook them off irritably. He knew these things were normal, and only time would heal the scars in the mind left by combat, but he still found it difficult to cope.

From Corwin's cries in the night, Vash knew he was dealing with everything that had happened as well, but the big man was determined to put on an optimistic face.

Maybe rebuilding an old fort will be good for us. Vash thought. Give us some time to heal.

The village square bustled with activity. Knots of adventurers moved from the Guild Lodge to the shops, inns, and taverns that lined the square. The wagons of the caravan heading for Thorpe were all lined up in the square. All that was needed was for the caravan members to hitch up their horses. And they could get underway.

A familiar face fussed over one wagon. Silas Quartercall struggled with the rope that held a row of barrels in place along the right side of the wagon. The whole thing looked in danger of falling apart at any moment.

Corwin immediately rushed to lend his strength, holding up the barrels and giving Silas a chance to tighten down the rope.

"Thank you, my friend!" Silas said, slightly out of breath, securing the rope with a complicated knot. "I was afraid these barrels were about to roll me flat as a pancake!"

"They're certainly heavy." Corwin grunted. "What's in them?"

"Nails!" Silas said brightly. "Thousands of high-quality nails."

Vash looked at the barrels dubiously. "What use is that?"

"That's the genius of my plan, Master Ballard," Silas said excitedly. "The valley is open and hundreds, if not thousands, of folk are coming to seek their fortunes. They're all going to need a roof over their heads. Do you think the local blacksmith will have time to make enough nails for everyone to build a shelter? Of course not! We will need their expertise to fix equipment and such. So I provide the nails, people build their shelters. I make coin, folk sleep out of the weather. It's a win-win!"

"You're the merchant." Vash shrugged.

"It's not my only product." Silas said. "But I don't go advertising everything I carry."

"You'd better not," A gruff voice said, approaching from behind Vash. "Or else you'll need more protection than my apprentices can provide on their own."

Vash turned to face Jabez, approaching from the Guild Lodge in the company of the older human with the hawkish face that had broken up the fight he'd had with Logan Lackhand's apprentices. Vash learned that the older man was the famed adventurer Rowan the Archer. A Master Ranger in the School of the Wyld, and a veteran of more campaigns against the shadow than could be easily counted.

"We're providing protection?" Vash asked, unsure if he'd heard correctly.

"That's right." Jabez said. "I've contracted with Silas here for you two to act as caravan guards between here and Thorpe."

"It's a real honor to have two heroes such as yourselves protecting my goods and my person." Silas said with a big smile.

"Two?" Corwin asked, turning to Jabez. "What about you?"

Jabez's mouth quirked in a small smile. "I have a few things to work on with Rowan. Everything with the sorcerer, the Duke, those shadow temples…it needs investigating."

"It shouldn't take long," Rowan said. "What I need Jabez for will only take us a few weeks. With how slowly caravans move along the Glory Road, I'm sure we'll make it to Thorpe well before any of you."

"I thought you were supposed to train me to be a Wayfarer." Vash said, confused.

"I told you, I specialize in warriors, not Delvers," Jabez said. "You've got the Gideon's Guide; that will go over most of the Guild rules, bylaws, and customs. As for Talents…you seem to learn new ones every day on your own. I'm not sure what I can even teach you. When we get settled in Thorpe I'll see if there are any gaps I need to fill in."

Vash heard a note of suspicion in Jabez's voice. Nothing accusatory, just an acknowledgment that Vash wasn't telling him everything.

"Just keep doing what you've been doing." Rowan said with an encouraging nod. "From what I've seen, you've got real potential."

"Wow," Silas breathed. Silas breathed, "A Wayfarer approved by Rowan the Archer is guarding my wagon."

Jabez rolled his eyes. "I got us rooms at the inn for the night. Caravan sets out in the morning. Enjoy your last night in town. It's a long way before you see civilization again."

"What do you say, Vash?" Corwin said, eyes twinkling. "Should we try the Gateway Post again?"

"Just don't get into any bar fights." Rowan said wearily.

"That wasn't our fault." Vash countered.

Rowan gave him a sidelong look, but didn't comment.

"Don't worry; some of our friends will be there tonight." Corwin said. "They'll keep us out of trouble."

"Friends? Who?" Vash asked.

"Sera and Charity," Corwin said, thinking. "Galia mentioned something about stopping by. She asked about you, by the way."

Corwin gave Vash a nudge with one elbow.

Vash shook his head. "Fine, we can try the Gateway Post. But if Kurt and his crew show up, we're leaving."

"I don't think we'll have to worry about Kurt for a bit. Supposedly, Logan took his apprentices north last night. I think they're headed for Blood Mountain." Corwin said.

"Blood Mountain sounds pretty ominous." Vash blinked.

"Biggest goblin infestation in the southern kingdoms." Jabez remarked. "Wayfarers have been trying to clear it out for decades. It'll be a good place for Logan and his followers to lick their wounds and get their pride back."

"See, no excuses now." Corwin said, clapping Vash on the shoulder and steering him towards the Post.

As they approached, Vash spotted Galia and Charity standing outside the tavern. Galia was talking animatedly while Charity listened with blank-faced intensity. When she spotted Vash, Galia gave a smile and a wave, gesturing for him and Corwin to join them.

Corwin called out a greeting in a great booming voice, eliciting a laugh from Galia and a half-smile from Charity. Vash moved to follow, checking his pouches for where he had put his dangerously thin money pouch. In one pouch he found a crumpled piece of paper. Curious, he brought it out to have a look.

The paper was a piece of a map. The drawing showed the town of Greenstone Crossing and the surrounding area. Looking closer, Vash saw a tiny drawing just to the side of the bridge that gave the town its name. A drawing of a nightingale.

Vash looked at it for a moment. See you in Greenstone, Iona.

"Are you joining us?" Sera said, appearing at Vash's elbow.

"Hmm, oh yes, just checking that I brought my purse." Vash said, folding the map and stuffing it back into his pouch.

Sera laughed and took him by the arm. "You haven't been out since the attack, have you?"

"No, just staying with Corwin and Jabez while they rested up." Vash said.

"I'll be surprised if anyone lets you buy your own drinks tonight, Vash," Sera said, gently pulling him along. "You've got a lot of friends in this town now."

Friends? Vash thought, letting Sera guide him to where Corwin, Galia, and Charity stood. In the doorway, he spotted Morwen lurking half in the shadows. He raised his hand to wave. She immediately smiled and trotted over to join them.

It's been a while since I had friends.

The group laughed at something Corwin said, even Charity, who normally maintained a grim stone face. At some unspoken signal, they all walked towards the tavern, laughing and joking. Even at its best, the Eth Mitaan had never been like this.

It felt like belonging.

It felt like home.

END OF BOOK ONE

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