"Gaweiro!" The First Merchant reined in her stallion, Daylight. She turned him around to see her brother's horse galloping toward her, carrying him with it. Erifman to his core, his short black hair whipped around his angular face. His narrow, light brown eyes seemed golden the way the sun hit them. They were on the main road from Erif, taking Bleeding Wood to Aribra.
"What do you need, Markus?"
"The men, especially those to the back, don't want to continue."
"You think it's Nio's fault?" Nio was her Bottom Driver, the last man on her train.
"I can only speculate, but I'm almost certain it is his fault. He's always been a dissenter. What did I tell you in the beginning? I told you that he was trouble. You can tell sometimes."
"I'll have to talk to him later. Go back to your post, Mark. I'll see you later."
"May I attend the meeting with him?"
"No, I want you to speak with the men he's brainwashed to his cause."
"I'll bet you they don't talk." His eyes glinted mischievously.
"I will take that bet, Markus Okanamara."
"One golden crown, Eiro. Galaidrin will hold bets." Mark had obviously chosen the scout who was on his way back. After this trip, he wouldn't be back until they stopped for camp. "Galaidrin likes me better, anyway." The scout was almost upon them.
"That will be just fine, Mark, since you'll lose anyway." Galaidrin smiled as he heard their words.
"Betting again, Lord Okanamara? Against your sister? She's almost always right." The man had bright green eyes and light brown hair. Galaidrin was in his middle years and had laugh lines around his eyes. He was a man who loved to smile. He often spoke of a son, but never could say his name or location. Gaweiro assumed he didn't want anyone to kidnap the boy and use him to gain money. Despite being a farmer before enlisting to her ranks, Galaidrin Griffin was a rich man.
"What's the bet this time?"
"Mark is betting that some people won't talk. But, he has to do his best to make them."
"Sounds like a bet worth your time, my Lady. How much is the bet?"
"One golden crown." Galaidrin held out his hand and they both retrieved one of the heavy gold coins from their pouches, placing them in his palm. "Did you find anything worth reporting?"
"Not much, just a man camping to the side of the road with a couple of boarhounds."
"Nothing worth worrying over?" Galaidrin shook his head.
♠ ♣ ♥ ♦
Suffocation always seemed like a bad way to go, Talus thought, pounding on the lid of the coffin, screaming until he thought his throat would bleed.
"Let me out!" Tears streamed across his face, into his hair. "Please," he whispered. He fell apart into sobs. He knew he was wasting air. He also knew that he was going to die anyway. Why did it matter? He should have begged to go home. The money didn't matter as much as his family did.
♠ ♣ ♥ ♦
Gaweiro sat on the ground across from Nio, who looked very guilty. They hadn't stopped for camp yet, but would soon.
"Are you too warm? You seem to be sweating. Horace's Burrow isn't far from here if you want to go stick your head in the Aribra River."
"I'm fine, just nervous."
