While no one was ready to question them, they were all eager to sell trinkets to the traveling peddlers. Three days after arriving, they set out fully outfitted and having only been approached by one suspicious petty officer in the local guard. Undoubtedly, he would be found recovering from his drinking binge with a throbbing headache and dim memory of what had actually happened in a day or so. One of Tusul’s sedatives did the trick quite convincingly.
The rest of the trip to Shienhin was conducted in relative comfort with the travelers taking turns riding in the wagons. Packed as they were with supplies, there was room for a driver and one or two passengers depending on how cramped they wanted to be.
Shienhin reared its walls in the center of a large plain between the northern reaches of the Vaulwar and the Garoche Mountains. The city proper was surrounded by walls that dated back to the beginning of the Millennium Wars. The castle keep could be seen with its soaring towers and ramparts. To someone who had never seen the city, the view was sobering. Especially if you consider that your enemies were within the siege proven walls. Huddled in the shadow of the city walls was the lower city. It was more akin to a slum than a city. Few of the building on the outskirts could even be called such. The poverty was incredible in its completeness. Further in, real buildings stood, but a pervasive smell clung to everything ensuring that the traveler never forgot where he stood.
“We split into four groups. Two in each. There is no reason for there to be eight people tending two wagons and doing so is sure to draw unwanted attention. Two groups of traders with the wagons and another two groups of travelers. Make your way to the Red Thorn, but don’t give on that we know each other when you make your lodging arrangements.” Urake had called a halt a few measures outside the lower city and gave his instructions. The group broke into the proscribed fragments and waited until the proceeding group had passed out of sight behind a small hill before going on themselves. Cero found himself in the last group with Aleest who longingly watched the last wagon rumble down the road with Niman and Arken seated at the front.
“So, what is it like? Your Gift that is.” Cero shifted his pack and swatted at a fly that still buzzed around.
“I don’t know too much about it. Sort of happens without having to think. It is like I can look at animals and know what they are thinking. If I focus, I can affect what they think. They don’t think with words like most people do, but with pictures. How is it like when you talk to Bani?” Aleest took the delay as an opportunity to find a pebble that had migrated into his boot.
“I suppose it is like that, but he can tell what I am thinking without me having to try. I don’t affect what he thinks, just let him know and he makes his own choice.”
“I should get myself a little pet to keep with me. A squirrel or something.” Aleest had found the pebble and was in the process of strapping his boot back up.
“I don’t think he would refer to himself as a pet. More as a companion. I’m not so sure that he doesn’t think of me as a pet.”
“I think we can go now.” Aleest watched as the last of the dust from the wagon drifted off the road.
“It looks like it. I have never been in a big city before. I wonder what it will be like.”
“Trust me when I say you weren’t missing anything. I lived in the castle as a groom and still was expected to lick the floor anytime a noble passed by.” Aleest glared up at the castle in the distance.
“The biggest town I have been in is Warton. I was originally headed for The Forks, but kind of got side tracked. Ended going through the Draeld.”
“Really? I always heard stories about how dangerous the Draeld is. I always thought it would be a wonderful place to live with so many animals around.”
“Not really. It is cold and foggy most the time, unless it is burning hot and humid. There are quite a few animals, but fortunately they kept their distance.” Cero recalled the nerve wracking experiences that mentioning the Draeld had awakened.