When Things Are Set Right

Trouble

Sunshine cracked through the curtains the next morning. With their belongings mostly dry, they dressed, packed, and ate breakfast out of their rations to avoid spending more money. Then they headed downstairs to find Odo.

Though the music and activity lasted until late, the tavern was clean and orderly. Odo emerged from the kitchen wearing an apron. An overweight striped cat trotted after him and hopped onto the bar.

"Sleep well, I hope?" Odo said. "Ya'll hungry? I got porridge and bacon and eggs made to order."

"We're all set," Grim said.

"Suit yourself. C'mon back. Lemme show you what you'll be delivering."

Aeryn gave the cat a scratch behind the ears and followed Odo and Grim through the kitchen to a loading and receiving area in the back. A crate sat in a wooden cart with two large wheels, two legs, and two handles.

Odo tapped the top of the crate. "I've already nailed it shut, and I'd ask you not to crack it open. You can push or pull the cart. Don't drag the legs, and don't let it tip. Finest dragon whiskey in all of Thoen, here. You're bringing it to Jandar Berringer at The Laughing Boar on Straight Street in Woodby. He'll pay you the other half when you get there."

He dug three gold coins out of his apron pocket, thanked them, and they left.

ᛋ

The road cut through the land, over gentle hills, beside open fields and small farms, and the occasional cluster of trees. With little shade, the summer sun beat upon them mercilessly, as though making up for the downpour the day before.

In the sun, the clothes which were damp in the morning dried within twenty minutes, only to dampen again from sweat. Aeryn's loose hide clothing felt heavy and hot. The southern forest was notoriously warm, but the shade made it bearable. She let her vest hang open to give the sleeveless tunic underneath some air, and she tied her hair in a neat swirl to get it off her neck. Grim suffered more than Aeryn in his plate armor. There was enough room in the cart for their bags and weapons, which helped.

They took turns with the cart. Aeryn felt she had better control when she pushed it in front of her like a wheelbarrow, but Grim preferred to hitch it up and pull it behind him. Weaver glided nearby, and eventually settled atop the load for a snooze.

After two hours of travel they approached an outcropping of trees beside a gargantuan boulder.

"You want to stop for a rest?" Aeryn asked, a few paces behind the cart. "Or switch? I can take another turn."

"A little further," Grim said at the head of their procession. They rattled halfway past the rocky outcropping when he stopped abruptly. Weaver squawked and fluttered to Aeryn's shoulder.

Three armed men in plainclothes emerged from behind the boulder. They strolled into the road like they owned it, barring the path ahead. Each wore a cloth mask which covered their faces from the nose down, and each carried a sword.

A swish of feet over grass drew Aeryn's attention behind her. Another armed man with longer hair and a similar mask darted into the road behind Aeryn.

They were hemmed in.

One of the bandits ahead pointed his sword at Grim and Aeryn. "You stumbled down our road. Drop the cart. Empty your pockets."

Another brandished his shortsword. "Don't get any ideas, or we will cut you open like a pig. Throw your weapons on the ground."

Grim released the wagon handles with a clatter. "You want my weapon?"

He grasped his axe with two hands, hauling it from the wagon bed. With no intention of surrendering, he closed the gap between himself and the bandits in a few strides.