Daughter of Ice and Fire

Thirty-One

"We will be searching every wagon."

"Of course. Please let me know how we can assist you."

"Just stay out of our way." The final sentence was delivered in a deep growl. Kisari nodded, the forced smile never leaving her face. She bowed and stepped back, sighing inwardly. Another delay. This one might cost them dearly.

The King's guard turned on his heel, calling orders to his men. Dismounting, they began to systematically search the caravan. Kisari could hear the low grumbling and muttered curses as sounds of glass breaking and harsh laughter rang from inside the string of wagons.

"Walk among the people," she whispered to Vishenka. "Tell them to remain quiet and smile if one of the guards looks at them. Remind them that the King's men have the right to do whatever they please and if they believe we are annoyed or upset, they will take things further."

Vishenka nodded, his face grim.

"And Vishenka, tell the girls to keep their faces and bodies hidden and their heads bowed. They are not to speak, even if the guards ask them a question. Let the men do the talking."

Vishenka nodded again and moved away. He casually made his way through the people, whispering a word here and there. Kisari watched with her tongue cleaved to the roof of her mouth and schooled herself to remain patient. Quietly sending several hand signals, she had the Gypshens herd the children and young women behind her, hoping things wouldn't get out of hand.

This was the fourth time the caravan had been stopped. Each time, the King's guards took pleasure in destroying the possessions of the Gypshens. As upset as it made her, she felt it was a fair price to pay so the men would leave the woman and children alone. The head of the King's guard had not told her why they were searching the wagons or what they were looking for but she had seen the posters nailed to trees as they made their way northward. Whoever the person the King sought was, they had obviously upset the King. Really, really upset him based on the amount of the reward being offered.

The posters only indicated the person, supposedly a girl dressed as a boy, was wanted for theft and murder. But the amount of the reward was staggering, which indicated there was more to it than that. Kisari had no doubt that even if the person was found, whoever turned them in would never live to enjoy the supposed reward. The amount was just too high. She suspected the person may not have actually committed the crimes they were accused of but instead had angered the King. They then had gotten away before they could be punished. Part of her was glad that whoever this person was, they had somehow outwitted the King. But another part of her cursed them for causing such inconveniences. At this rate, the Gypshens would be lucky to make it back to their hidden lands before the snow came. If they made it at all.

Standing silently, she once again wondered if she had made a mistake by saving Gauthier. Things had not gone well after the Gypshens left him outside Kaladhin. Not well at all. Because of the delay caused by nursing him back to health, she had decided to alter the normal route home. Instead of heading to the western coast and traveling past the fringes of the Irosar Mountains, she had decided to head east. But the caravan couldn't cross the Gulf of Englestahl, so they were forced to cross the entirety of the Sterile Wastes. Several horses were lost and by the time they reached the border, their supplies had run dangerously low. Forced to stop at the first village to replenish supplies, they ran into the King's guards for the first time.

Kisari had been able to hide the children and young women by sending them into the fields at the first sign of the guards. When questioned, she had told a version of the truth while slipping a large pouch into the Captain's hands. He had looked at her suggestively but a growled warning from Vishenka had bought him up short. When he looked at Vishenka as if to argue, Vishenka made several complicated gestures with his hands. The Captain paled and backed away, calling his men and ordering them to move on. Kisari had grabbed her sides to keep the laughter contained and once they were gone, had doubled over as the gales pealed forth. For once, the rumors about the Gypshens being able to cast spells and curses had worked to their advantage.