Black Water

Chapter 2

"You wished to see me, Captain?" I say as I reach the captains tent.

 It's quite a large tent. The largest one of the camp, in fact. It's a well furnished little place. Not nearly as expensive as where I used to live of course but expensive compared to the rest of the camp.

 "Yes, actually. There are a group of eejits running around the countryside an they're terrorizing the whole damn population. Ya know, burning buildings, stealing children, the norm. I went you to investigate. Figure out their motive. Take Griffin with you. I've already informed him of all the details. Yous should leave in the morrow." 

"Yes, Captain." I reply. 

"You're dismissed." He says waving me off. 

"What'd he want?" Owen asks as soon as I get back to our tent.

 "Group'a terrorists. I leave tomorrow. With Griffin." I tell him.

 "You're going alone. With Griffin." It's a statement more than a question and I'm taken aback when I hear a twinge of jealousy behind his voice. 

He's never been jealous before. In fact, he's encouraged me to date other men. We've been best friends since I got here. Although I have harboured feelings for him he has never reciprocated my feelings. I'm snapped out of my thoughts when Owen drops a few coins in front of me. 

"Better start packing." He says.

 I nod and pick up the coins from where Owen dropped them on the table. They could come in handy on the trip. I grab some bread and rabbit meat and put it into a little leather satchel and set the satchel onto the table. Then I get a canteen, fill it with water, and put it next to the satchel. I can get the rest tomorrow morning before I leave. 

"I think I'll turn in early, Owen." I announce, making my way to my cot. 

"Good idea. You'll wanta be nice and rested for the journey ahead of ya." He agrees. 

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         The following morning I wake up at the rooster's crow. I open the trunk at the end of my cot and take out my hunting dress. It's a simple dark green ankle length dress with a brown leather dagger/sword belt and leather arm straps for throwing knifes. It's all earthy colors so it'll be perfect camouflage if I need to sneak around. I slip the dress on and then start to rummage through the trunk again. My hands finally set on a velvet weapons bag. I take out a short sword, 3 different kinds of daggers, 4 throwing knives, and a quiver of 24 arrows. I stow all of the items securely on my dress and grab the food satchel and canteen from last night. Once those are secured on my belt I slip on my longbow and boots and throw on my cloak on my way out the door. Griffin is already at the exit of the camp waiting for me with two horses.

"Ready, O'Brien?" He calls to me.

"'Bout as ready as I'll ever be." I call back.
At that we turn and set off for the long journey ahead.

The last place that the gang was sighted was at the border of Carroway and Stonedale so that's where we head first. It takes about 4 hours on horseback to get there and by the time we arrive at the inn my legs are stiff and sore. We walk our mares to the stables around back and make sure they've settled in before heading inside the inn to pay for a room.

"That'll be three pence please." The lady behind the counter says.

Three pence? I think. I'm not posting three pence to sleep in a slimy old room on top of a pub. I slide two pence across the counter careful to show a tiny glint of knife as I did so. She saw and fear flashed in her eyes. She accepted the two pence without another word. I used this same tactic to make sure that Griffin's room was next to mine.