Rune mage

Chaoter 59: visitors

They looked like merchants.

They felt safe.

I was still hesitant to let them near.

We had eight men, four boys and a woman. I had to protect them by deciding who was safe and who was not.

In the end Jess huffed at me and said she would flay them herself if they turned out bad, but she needed supplies and it was likely they had some.

So I let them travel up our hill, pass the now harvested fields and to the front of our fort.

I forgot my sergeant wouldn't be there to open the gate and meet them.

Archer and Little hadn't forgotten.

I ran down from the battlements, my fingers traveling a worn path along the wall, over and through runes.

I came to a stop and waited for an introduction.

"Commander, this is merchant Crowly and his family. They bring news and supplies."

"Make sure you find out what supplies!" Jess called from behind a protective line of men and runes.

The wife chuckled.

"We have a little bit of everything. We came this way in search of a man who could make magic torches."

We all stared at the torch glowing slightly at the opening, as though it hadn't been there for ages.

"Like that one," the merchant said.

"So you heard of them..." I started slowly, "and came looking randomly in this direction?"

He shrugged, "I may have had some directions from some folks who said they were at the fort in the past. But I promised not to use any names because my understanding is they left under what the army calls suspicious circumstances."

I frowned. "Nothing suspicious about sending messages."

"From entirely different areas than the fort is located?" The merchant rebutted. He shook his head. "I don't blame you commander, it was a much as you could, and they said to me that same thing. You did what you could. So. What wonders can we trade for?"

"Invite them in already!" Jess called.

I chuckled and held my hand in welcome. "Please stay with one of my men at all times. The fort has been...difficult of late and we have traps"

The husband and wife pair looked at each other and shrugged. They got help from my men bringing in their heavily loaded wagon. There was just enough room for the wagon and their draft horse in our courtyard.

A little head popped out of the back of the wagon. "Is it safe to come out now?"

I looked at the child. "That is not one of your wares for trade I hope."

The woman laughed and reached for the child. "No this is our daughter Eva."

Jess appeared from the kitchen. "He will dub her girl child and forget her name. It's a wonder he remembers mine, and I've been here...well...long enough he should know it." She mock glared at me.

I raised my hands innocently. Then I pointed to the child and said to Little, "you make sure the girl isn't in any traps." I paused and put a hand on the wall, pressing power into the runes. "She is a little girl, fort. Don't play tricks on her."

The merchants exchanged looks but then shrugged stepped closer to Jess.

"This is Ivan and Ian, my brothers. My husband, Archer. The two behind my brothers are Red and Levi."