Crossfire

7 Part 1

The sun was settled into the sky just west of high noon. Palka was finished training her horses, and now it was time for her training. Charar met her halfway through the field, carrying a brown sac with a string threaded through it.

"Kineou's not training you today," he began, "and no one else can. So," he held out the bag, "you can bring lunch to that friend of ours."

"I can . . . do that . . ." Palka said, feeling a little sad. Charar dropped the sac into Palka's hands. "Where is he?"

Charar shrugged. That's it. He just shrugged and walked away.

Palka stared after him. She had no idea what to do, or even where to start. She then felt the friendly slap on her shoulder.

"Hey, girl! You got anything going on?" It was the girl from the woods, suited in armor like before.

"Well, actually, yes, I do." Palka continued by explaining her predicament.

The girl was thoughtful for a second. "I bet I could help you! I probably know my way around Chrilst better. Plus, I gotta make sure you aren't skipping out on our sparring." She nudged Palka playfully. "Come on! We're wasting daylight!"

The girl took hold of Palka's elbow and they started full-on running to the stables. "I'm Kimdie, by the way. Who are you?"

"Palka," said she with a small laugh.

Soon they were bareback on fresh mounts with Kimdie in the lead, heading for the busy marketplace.

"So, he was staying at a nice inn?" Kimdie asked as she navigated through the crowd.

"I'm assuming it's nice. Charar said it was fit for for him."

"That doesn't help much. The traveler comes yearly, and is quite wealthy. Charar isn't very fond of him. He says the man 'disrespects the impeccable citizens of Chrilst'. I'm not entirely sure how that's true, but Charar believes it with his whole heart."

Kimdie chuckled at this and Palka half-heartedly joined in.

"I guess that doesn't really narrow it down, does it?" Palka said, feeling impatience settling on her.

Kimdie shook her head, but didn't seem disheartened by it. "I haven't seen the south side of Chrilst for awhile. We can start there."

The girls didn't have to go far, for out of a bakery about two buildings away walked the traveler, looking stern as ever.

Palka's first thought was that she hoped he hadn't decided to eat his lunch there. They rode up to meet him next to the dogcart he was looking to climb into.

"Sir," Palka called to him as he pulled coins out of his cloak, "I--we have your lunch."

The traveler's hand paused halfway between paying the dogcart driver. He frowned thoughtfully. "Ah," he said, a slight look of disgust showing on his features, "you're from the castle, aren't you?" His voice never changed pitch or showed signs of emotion. He snatched the cloth sac from Palka's outstretched hand. He shoved the coins back into his pocket, earning a scowl from the driver. Ignoring it, he peered into the sac. Satisfied with what he saw, he pulled out the coins again. A look of happiness descended onto the driver's face. But, once again, the traveler paused halfway through the transaction. "I will have lunch with you," he said, nodding at Palka and Kimdie. He stepped away from the dogcart, which was driven away with a grumbling and disappointed driver.

The traveler led the trio across the street to a building that seemed more like a shack. One end was completely open and the roof had an unnatural slant to it. There was a gruff looking man sitting on a barrel cleaning a tin cup. The traveler flipped him a coin and the other nodded. As he stood, they took seats on their own barrels next to a square table.