Thorns

Chapter 2 (The journey begins)

          Only half awake I fall out of bed and onto the hard wooden floor. Now groaning in a heap of blankets like one of the undead I pull myself up into a sitting position before shoving my hand through my short hair. You can do this, time to get moving. I tell myself before standing and stumbling over to find my traveling clothes. I slip on pants and a light shirt knowing a long hot day is ahead. Next I pack a sturdy oak chest with knives, twin swords, and the rest of my assorted weapons. Last of all grabbing the beautiful wooden box holding my new knife. I wrap it in an old t-shirt with a smile on my face, setting it gently into the chest with the rest of the weapons and look them all over, making sure I haven't forgotten anything. 

          Looking around the room I spot my leather jerkin. "I knew I was forgetting something." I snag the jerkin from a hook on the wall and slide it on, the familiarity of it comforting. With that I grab the chest in both hands and head out the door. The tavern only being across the street, is an easy walk. Outside the tavern I see Neldair's old horse tied to a wagon. I heft the chest into the back before walking around to pet the old mare. "You always have been a good horse, big girl." I tell her as I scratch behind her ear and down her back. 

          I hear him before I even see him, his laugh an unmistakable sound. "You never have been able to fool me old man." Neldair says to the bartender as he steps out the shuttered doors of the tavern. He continues to laugh even as he catches my eye, flicking his hand, telling me to untie the horse so we can leave. Not wanting to argue with him I untie the old horse and sit in the front of the wagon with her reins held tightly in my hands. Seconds later Neldair slides into the seat next to me and says "Go. Now." beneath his breath. I shake the reins the old mare races out of town, with surprising speed for her age. 

          Once at a safe distance I slow the cart and check to be sure all of our belongings are still in the back. After a quick once over I turn to Neldair with an accusing look. Sheepishly he pulls a bottle of whiskey from his coat and sets it in between his legs. "Just couldn't help yourself, could you?" I ask him. 

          "I needed something for the road and he's a blind old bat anyway." he says in a matter of fact tone. I grab the bottle of whiskey and throw it, making sure it shatters. "HEY! What was that for?" he asks. 

          "That was for stealing from an old man." I tell him before settling back into the uncomfortable wooden seat. A few hours later of what seems like never ending grass and road I call a stop. "Lets make camp for the night, and begin again in the morning." Without waiting for a reply I crawl from the wagon's seat and out into the soft grass clearing. Grabbing a couple chunks of wood from the back of the wagon, I build a fire as Neldair spreads a couple blankets out in the grass. The fire keeps the chill out of the air and soon both of us fall into an exhausted sleep.