Jacked Up and Good to Go
The soldiers guarding our quarters have changed, I noted as I approached. Cheki was still there. I dismissed him, this time I insisted. Going back late with a few mugs’ worth of drinks in me, I worried about not waking up on time. Thankfully that wasn’t the case.
Sleep would not come easily. When it did, I was only afforded a few moments before I jolted awake. A nightmare about the sea rearing up to unimaginable heights before coming down and drowning everyone was the culprit. I tried going back to sleep but just like the one hours before, my attempt proved to be futile. So, I started packing instead.
The sack of clothes thankfully fit on the chest containing Litoc’s gifts to the innkeepers so I only had the contents of my backpack to sort out. There wasn’t much to sort out. There were only the thin bedrolls, the pair of boots dangling from the back, and the collapsible shoulder armor to stow away on the other chest.
I laid out Hanni’s bracers and mine on the table. I briefly thought about having the cloak out but decided to keep it in the back. Next, I took out two shirts, laid them on the table and proceeded to wash up.
A soft knock came as I was putting on the bracers. The door slowly swung open before I could answer. It was Litoc with several servants behind him. He flashed me a grin as he held the door open.
While it was easy to see what the servants in front had, it was breakfast, I could not tell what the other two at the back had. When Litoc opened the chest where I had deposited the bedrolls, he pursed his lips.
“Ye probably need ta take these out unless ye want ta smell greasy fat as yer fallin’ asleep.” He said in a low voice.
The servants placed what they were carrying inside the chest after I removed the contents. I smelled like meat. From the way they were wrapped, some in leaves and cloth, and some in thin leather, I guessed it was a mix of smoked and dried meats. The four servants then carried the chests out.
“I’m just goin’ to ‘ave the other one filled. Everythin’ should be ready at the stables by sunup.”
I put the items back in the backpack before deciding to have an early breakfast. I was still feeling a little full so I just had fruits. The breakfast was just to test my stomach. Should it act up, I still had time to take care of business.
Hanni woke up as I was on my second cup. She scratched her head, ruffled her hair, and went to wash her face. She changed her shirt in front of me then rolled the used one before setting it aside. I poured her a cup and she joined me without saying a word.
Wonder where she went last night.
Jibel woke up soon after and joined us at the table. I filled a plate for him as he reached for some fruits. We dined in silence. Jibel was probably thinking about Bira, so was I for a bit. Three things occupied my mind.
First, now that there was no hurry, heading back to Osea seemed like a long, boring ride. The twelve or thirteen days spent on the road did not seem all that appealing. Miles and miles of empty road, jostling in the wagon, and bearing the heat for most of the day already sounded awful in my head. Things would go even worse if it rained. Granted, I only saw about a third of the way here but if my experience so far was any indication, I’ve seen it all.
Second, there was the matter of my request. There had been no time for it. I planned on finding Litoc and approaching the prince soon after supper the previous night but after a day in Osmouth and a heavy meal, I just fell asleep after. Litoc also forgot about it. we agreed we’d both go and ask but since we didn’t meet until past midnight, I guess he forgot about it too.
Can we squeeze it now, before we leave?
Third, was Hanni. I haven’t had the chance to ask her. I dreaded asking her. I dreaded what her answer might be. She has not mentioned Osea in any of our conversations either. I kept an eye on her as she put on her bracers debating if I should ask her.
By the time the tints of orange graced the sky, we were heading for the stables. I somehow expected Cheki sitting in front of the door as we exited but was glad to not see him.
“Ye lot are early. Subilan san odoi.” Litoc greeted us as we approached.
“Driver.” Hanni acknowledged.
“Subilan san, sivi.” Jibel returned.
“Everything ready?” I asked.
“Ha.”
The wagon, in addition to the two chests and a bucket of fat, contained two casks. A groom was checking on the Ox while another checked on the wheels. Fletching’s equipment was being tested by another groom. My heart sang when Hanni took the reigns. Suddenly, it wasn’t so bad.
“Shall we go in now?” I asked Litoc.
“Why – what makes ye think I ‘aven’t yet?”
“You wouldn’t be asking me that if you already did.” I answered.
“Clever basterd.”
I did want him to see the seneschal before we left. Our conversation left me with the impression that he actually has deep respect for the old man. As things stood, this might be the last time they see each other. I also wanted to see if we could meet Jakeli.
We bid Hanni and Jibel to wait for us and headed back into the castle. We turned right at the entrance and headed up the stairs before the hall. There was a bustle of activity at the far end of the corridor as we rounded a corner. Litoc’s pace picked up, I followed closely behind him.
There were servants standing beside the guards outside a door. They all looked ashen.
“Ye, what’s-”
Litoc did not finish the question. He sprinted inside the room. I went in just in time to see him stop in his tracks. Beside a bed, two attendants in uniform knelt. Both of them were weeping.
Juwen was dead.