A problem with a wheel causes a delay for Garia and her party, resulting in a number of questions being raised - including a terrible dilemma for Garia and Keren. While they wait for the wagon to be fixed Snep decides to show Garia what he can do for her. The party are forced to spend an extra night at the next stop on their journey to Blackstone.

Disclaimer: The original characters and plot of this story are the property of the author. No infringement of pre-existing copyright is intended. This story is copyright (c) 2011-2012 Penny Lane. All rights reserved.

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"Hold!"

Jaxen came cantering to the front of the train, his arm raised. Those riding in front of the first wagon turned their heads, saw his arm and reined their frayen to a stop. Garia, seated today on the bench of the first wagon beside Jenet, called out.

"What's happened, Jaxen? Is there a problem?"

He walked his beast close to the front of the wagon.

"There may very well be, mistress. There is smoke coming from an axle of the third wagon."

Soon the four wagons had pulled over to the side of the road and most of the crew was gathered round the third in line.

"I told you that was going to happen," Helen said to Durko. "We should have fixed it before we left the campsite today."

The rear wheel hub had stopped smoking but it was obvious that was the site of the problem, since the wood nearest the bearing had already begun to darken with the heat.

"I thought that extra bit of grease would be enough to get us as far as Tranidor," the other replied. "We could have looked at it there where there are better means of repairing it."

"Enough, you two," Jaxen said. "Durko, have you experience driving a wagon or carriage this far?"

"No, master," was the sulky reply. "I been this far before but not driving nothing."

Jarrin said, "Durko's done day drives from Dekarran, Master Jaxen, but I don't think he's been farther in charge of a wagon. Since we knew we'd be back in the castle before nightfall each time there was usually no need to fuss over the mechanical side, the castle men do all our maintenance."

Jaxen gave an exasperated sigh. "Look, it's different when you travel long distance as we are doing. You have to check everything every day, understand? The least cause for trouble and you tell me as soon as you can so I can make plans to get whatever it is fixed before it fails completely. Otherwise we get stuck out here like we have now. Very well. Samir, Boldo, get out the trestle and the levers, we'll have to take this wheel off and see how bad the damage is. Keet, Then, while we're standing here you might as well go round all the wagons and see if anything else is amiss."

"Aye, Master Jaxen."

Keren dismounted and came to Jaxen.

"Ah, Master Kethen, a minor problem. We'll be here about a bell finding out how bad it is."

"What will you do here, if I may ask."

"We'll raise the axle and take the wheel off to look at the bearing. There's a chance we can clean it and get as far as Tranidor where we can do a proper repair. I'm sorry, master. This will mean a delay, I'm afraid."

"Don't worry too much about the delay, Jaxen," Keren said. "We're not delivering goods to another party so all we're spending is time. I'd prefer the wagon to be repaired properly rather than lose it entirely in a week's time."

"As you say, master."

"What's in this wagon?" Keren mused. "I wonder... would it be worth reducing the load? The wagon that... Buffy rides in is half empty. Will it help to transfer some of the load?"

"Master, I ought to have thought of that myself. Yes, of course. With less weight on the axles the bearing will last longer. Let's begin unloading before we start to prop it up."

Keren's - and Garia's - men began removing things from the wagon bed and piling them on the road behind it. Sukhana and Jaxen went closer to look at the goods when they saw the chests and saddles being placed on the ground.

"So many spare saddles? These are the new type, aren't they? I've seen your men using them, Buffy, and they seem quite different than our normal style."

"They are, master," Brazan remarked as he carefully placed another saddle over a chest to keep it in shape. "They are much more comfortable to ride, though it takes a week or so for your muscles to get used to the idea. These aren't spare saddles, though. These are the saddles milady and her secretary and maid use to ride."

Garia joined them at that moment and said, "That's right, and I'm wondering if we might get some use out of them now. Kethen, what do you think? I'm getting real reproachful looks from Snep. He's feeling quite neglected."

"It's a thought. Jaxen, do you think we could get away with having the women ride with us? I think we're far enough away from Dekarran that nobody shall make a connection."

"And it will take some weight, ah, excuse me, mistress, some weight from the wagons also," Jaxen mused. He nodded. "Very well. As we'll be here a bell or so we have time to harness their beasts."

"You forget, Master Jaxen," Garia said, "we'll have to change our attire as well. We'll change in the front wagon before you load all this stuff into it."

"Change your attire, mistress?"

"Of course! We can't ride looking like this, can we? There is suitable clothing in that chest and that one. If someone can bring them?"

Jaxen turned to Sukhana. "What is it with you women and your clothing? Men seen to manage without all this fuss."

"If women went about wearing nothing but tunic and tights then indeed there would be no fuss," Sukhana replied tartly. "Since you insist we clothe ourselves modestly you have to put up with the consequences."

"I wear tunic and tights on occasion," Garia put in with a twinkle in her eye. "I wouldn't care to ride dressed like that, though."

The expression on both their faces was most satisfying.

Some of the chests already in the first wagon had to be unloaded to make room, but Jaxen said that was all right since the load would have to be reorganized in any case. Their two chests were lifted into the back and then the four women crowded in, lacing the canvas flaps shut behind them.

"It's not so easy to see in here with the canvas down," Sukhana observed, sitting on one of the chests. "What's so special about these clothes, anyhow?"

"Two things," Garia explained, "First, we have to wear a special undergarment to preserve modesty and, if I may add, preserve wear on our delicate backsides. Second is that we have a skirt of a different shape that covers the whole saddle and hides everything that ought not to be seen."

Jenet, rummaging in the opened chest, held up Merizel's circle skirt.

"Ah! That's interesting. And whatever is that?"

"That is breeches, Sookie. As those yours, Merry, or mine?"

"That's my chest, Garia. We're sitting on yours. If you'd like to change places?"

"Why only two chests?" Sukhana asked Garia. "Does not your, uh, does not Sara also ride?"

"I do, Mistress Sukhana," Jenet replied, "but I am a beginner at such adventures. Today, I shall stay on the wagon bench while those more experienced take to the saddle."

With Jenet's help Merizel changed from her traveler's dress into one of her riding outfits and then changed places so that Garia could do the same.

"Do you not get too warm with those strange undergarments?"

"I haven't so far," Garia replied as Jenet adjusted her outfit, "but then again we didn't start doing this until after the rains. I don't know what it would have been like in high summer. We chose the cloth for the breeches and skirts quite carefully so we wouldn't get too hot. Of course, when winter comes we can have other clothes made to suit the season."

"It must be quite convenient to have seamstresses running round after you, making anything you want," Sukhana said wistfully.

"Hah! I wish! To begin with we had such a... ptuvil running the Queen's Wardrobe there was an out-and-out battle to get her to do anything for me. In the end the Queen had to forcibly retire her. These days they know I am likely to ask for strange things, like riding clothes or bras, but they know there will usually be a good idea in there somewhere so they do what I ask. Would you be surprised to know that everyone in the palace wears a bra now?"

Merizel giggled. "The women, she means. I don't think they would do much for the men, would they?"

"Hardly. Now, have we everything, Sara?"

"Your helmets, mistress?"

"Oh, yes." Garia grimaced. "I guess we have to, don't we?" To Sukhana's inquiring look Garia explained, "That was a condition the King made when he permitted me to ride, that I always wore a helmet. Since they were used to people falling off he was worried I might get a head injury and I'm too important to Palarand to take the risk. So I have to wear something like this -"

Garia hefted out a helmet like Merizel's bowler hat for Sukhana to see, then pulled out her 'Roman' style helmet.

"- or this. You do get used to them after a while but I wish there were something lighter we could use. Unfortunately it will be a hundred years or so before Alaesia discovers high-performance plastics."

"I have no idea what you just said, Garia, but I agree you should look after your head. If I were to ride I think I would want to protect myself against falling as well."

"With these new saddles you'll fall less often than from the traditional style," Garia said. "Do you want to learn to ride, Sookie?"

"I've used a chair, of course, but mostly I've just ridden the wagons. It's a thought, isn't it? Would I be too old to learn the art, Buffy?"

"Not at all. If Sara here can learn then you can as well." Garia grinned. "Now all we have to do is get the idea past Jaxen."

The four climbed out and Sukhana looked critically at the result.

"Hmm. No, I don't think anyone is going to believe that you're traveling women, not dressed like that." She stroked her chin with a hand, unconsciously imitating her brother, before nodding to herself. "Yes. I have an idea. Back inside, the pair of you. Sara, if you would come with me."

Garia and Merizel climbed back in, mystified. After a while Sukhana and Jenet rejoined them, both carrying clothes over their arms.

"Those jackets won't do," Sukhana explained. "They are of a cut and quality only a merchant's wife or a noblewoman would wear. Fortunately there are short coats in your traveler's chests you may wear instead. You'll need to wear these underneath, I expect."

These turned out to be what Garia immediately termed 'camisole' but Sukhana called an 'undershift'. With those on, the short pea-coats over and their scarves re-tied outside the coat collars they looked more like traveling women might if they rode frayen. When they climbed out again Sukhana tossed handfuls of road dirt over their skirts and then roughly brushed them off to give an impression of wear.

"That's better," she said, satisfied. "Now you look more natural, like you've been riding some time." She smiled at them. "Maker, but you two do look cute dressed like that. I hope this fashion catches on."

"I'm not sure about this whole cute business..." Garia began doubtfully.

"Nonsense! You're both sweet young girls and you have everything a man might look for. I'm glad you have such a strong band of armsmen around you, to fight off all the interest!"

"But what happens when it is one of the armsmen who is interested in you?" asked Merizel.

Sukhana grinned. "Then why fight him off?" The grin faded. "I know to what you refer, Mistress Karizma. I hope your younger sister finds some answer before you all return... south."

When they emerged from between the wagons they discovered that the wheel had been removed and three of the men were busy cleaning the surfaces of the bearing. Jaxen stood talking with Keren and the two he had sent to check the other wheels. He saw them and beckoned.

"Mistresses, we have some disturbing news," he said to them. "Inspecting the other wagons, wheels and fittings has discovered a cracked spoke and some worn fittings. The spoke we may deal with temporarily but will need replacing when we reach Tranidor. The fittings the smith can do at the same time. The bearing," he pointed, "will last till then once cleaned and regreased but will also need attention. I must find accommodation for us all when we reach there, I'm afraid. It will take at least a day, maybe two, before the repairs are complete."

"Not Master Tanon's bunkhouse, I hope?" Sukhana asked, wrinkling her nose.

Jaxen shook his head. "Not in Tranidor. Master Tanon does not own his own warehouse there but shares others with some trader associates. There is a bunkhouse, which some of the men will use, but there are more of us than usual this time. For the rest we shall find room in inns in the town. It is not a problem, Sookie." He frowned. "I thought you'd been to Tranidor before?"

"If I have it was years ago because I don't remember it. All right, brother, you know best. Now, I want to see these two climb on a frayen."

Garia's men had already saddled and harnessed Snep and Topik and the two turned expectantly as the group approached. Snep nuzzled Garia's hand but she had to disappoint him.

"Sorry, boy, I've nothing left for you, you'll have to wait until lunchtime."

She dropped her mounting loop and then swung expertly into the saddle, closely watched by Sukhana. The loop was stowed and her skirt twitched to cover her saddle and legs. Sukhana walked around Snep to examine Garia.

"That looks good and comfortable as well. What's that? You have a knife sewn to your boot! Jaxen, look at this! Why didn't we think of that?"

Jaxen saw and shrugged. "An odd arrangement, mistress. Might I ask why?"

"A woman's hips are wider than a man's," Garia explained. "If I hung a knife from my waist it would stick out awkwardly when I stood or rode so we came up with this alternative. I can reach it just as easily as you can reach yours."

"As you say. It's a good idea, I think. I can think of times when it would be a better place to have a blade than dangling from a belt." He stood back, hands on hips. "Shall you ride for us?"

"When Karizma mounts, yes we will. Karizma?"

Merizel, being taller, needed no loop so was soon mounted.

"My! Topik wants to run, I think."

"So does Snep. Jaxen, we'll ride them back along the road a ways and then return. We should be back here long before you get that wheel back on and everything loaded."

Jaxen nodded. "As you say, Buffy. We have a bugle, someone will blow it if there is need for you to return at once."

Keren said, "Should you two go on your own like this? I'll detail two men to join you, if I may." He thought further. "Jaxen, do you have any need of me? I think I'd like to go with them myself."

Jaxen looked at the action around the removed wheel. "No, master, you go. I'd feel happier if you were with them, in any case."

Keren brought his own frayen back and swung himself into the saddle, the two men he had detailed to accompany him walking their own beasts on their reins. All were taken by surprise when Snep took off up the road followed almost immediately by Topik. Everybody stopped work to watch the progress of the disappearing pair. Jaxen remembered he was supposed to be supervising repairs and turned on the men.

"Back to work! The girls are only riding off because they are waiting for you lumps to finish!"

Keren let off several oaths he should probably have been too young to know and flicked his rein to get his own mount to follow.

"Come on, you two!" he shouted to the men who were attempting to mount, "We're supposed to be looking after those girls! Let's go, or they'll soon be out of sight!"

Sukhana watched the three chasers set off and then spun on her heel to face Jaxen.

"I want to do that!"

Jaxen was distracted by the men working and he turned slowly to attend to his sister.

"Huh? What, Sookie?"

"I want to do that!" She stabbed a finger at the fast disappearing riders. "If Buffy and Karizma can ride like that I can see no reason why I can't as well. Well?" She planted her hands on her hips, facing Jaxen.

"Uh, Sookie, this isn't -" She glared at him and he sighed. "Look, Sookie. Have you thought about this at all? You'll need a frayen of your own, and a saddle like theirs, and I don't know how much either of those are going to cost, and then you'll tell me you'll need clothes as well, since you can't ride dressed like you are, can you? Who shall pay for it all?"

"Don't give me that, brother. Who pays for your own frayen and saddle, eh? And of course I'll need clothes! What woman doesn't need clothes? Don't worry about that part of it, Jaxen. You just work out a way to get me a beast and saddle and I'll handle the rest."

Jaxen shut his mouth and stared glumly at his sister. Master Tanon paid for beast and saddle, of course, since they were necessary for riders accompanying trains. Sukhana's own position with the train was somewhat more flexible and might not be treated in the same fashion.

"Very well," he said finally. "I'll do what I can, but..." he waved a finger in her face, "I'm not promising you anything. I learned that lesson long ago! And don't expect me to be able to hand you a frayen the moment we get to Tranidor, either. I'll have a busy day or two there trying to mend these wagons."

"As you say, brother. I'm not expecting the impossible." She turned. "I'd better be off, Sara and I have several chests to repack."

Along the road, Garia was hanging on tightly as Snep galloped along the verge of the road. When they had started she was all over the place but she soon realized that Snep was moving his body about beneath her to ensure that she stayed seated. Very soon the two, rider and mount, synchronized and their motions became one. The ride went from disconcerting through breathtaking to purely exhilarating. Garia realized she was wearing a huge grin as they thundered along at full gallop.

Soon she wondered whether this was such a good idea right now and began to make Snep ease off.

"Easy, there, boy. Don't let's get carried away. Easy, now, easy."

The headlong flight began to slacken down from a gallop to a canter and then a trot. Garia sat up and began to breath a little more easily. She noticed that Snep was breathing hard as well.

I'm an idiot. I've only ever ridden Snep in the Large Training Hall, out on the palace field, and once or twice in procession. I've never been able to go this fast for so long before. I'm lucky I never got bounced off within half dozen yards of starting.

Snep wouldn't have let me, would he? He wants me to stay up here whatever happens. Wow!

I think he wanted to show me what he could do, that's why we raced off like that. Boy, have I got a treasure here!

Garia patted Snep's neck. "Good boy. Whoo, that was a ride, wasn't it? I enjoyed that, boy. I hope you did too."

A rhythmic thumping behind her announced the arrival of Merizel and Topik. She reined her mount down and the two walked quietly on.

"Maker, Garia! I didn't know these animals could go quite that fast! I thought I was going to fall off for sure but Topik made sure I didn't, I'll swear! This is such good fun, isn't it?"

"You said it, Merry. I'm sorry I shot off like that but I'm not sure it was entirely my idea. I think Snep wanted to show me how he would look after me and I guess he succeeded."

Merizel turned in the saddle and giggled. "I don't think Keren approves, though! Here he comes now, with a face as long as that of the beast he rides!"

They stopped and Keren reined in beside them.

"You were supposed to wait for your escorts, girls! You're not making our job any easier, running off like this."

"I'm sorry, Keren. I think it was Snep's idea. He wanted to show me what he could do, and nobody told him he had to wait for an escort."

Keren raised an eyebrow but said nothing. The two riders detailed to accompany them drew near and reined their mounts in.

"How far do you think we have come, Master Kethen?" Merizel asked. "Should we turn back, do you think?"

"About a mark and a half, I would guess," Keren replied. "Shall we turn back now? We ought not get too far from the wagons."

"This is far enough for me," Garia said. "I think Snep's had his run now so he'll be happy to return at a slower pace."

Keren nodded. "I forget these beasts of ours spend their days in a stable with limited ability to exercise. Aye, they have been out in corrals these past few days but sometimes it does them good to have a proper run. Let's return slowly and allow all to regain their breath. Frando, you go ahead, D'Kenik, take the rear. We'll walk, it will take them a while to seat that wheel and fix it in place."

"Aye, Master Kethen."

The group turned round and began to walk back. Garia found that Snep was quite happy to walk this time, he had obviously gotten his run out of his system. They were walking along the verge of the highway, a strip of cut grass about four strides wide between the made surface of the road and the immense ditch either side. Garia had noticed that lone riders traveling the road preferred to ride the verges, probably because the surface was kinder to their mount's feet. She had to remind herself again that frayen didn't have hooves and therefore had different abilities and weaknesses.

After a while she noticed that Snep kept looking to his left, at the ditch, and realized what he might want. She nudged him leftward and began to angle down the bank of the ditch until they reached the water right at the bottom. Snep immediately stopped, lowered his head and began to drink.

Keren stopped and looked down at her. "What are you - Oh, of course."

Soon Merizel and Keren had joined her while the two men kept watch high up on the verge.

"These ditches are absolutely enormous," Garia said. "Oh, of course. The rainy season. I keep forgetting, you have to allow for the immense amounts of rainfall you get two months of the year. I'm just not used to that kind of weather in Kansas."

"Not so much rain, then?" Merizel asked as she watched Topik drink.

"We get rain, but it's not concentrated into a short period like it is here." Garia looked at the banks as she waited for Snep to finish. "The grass is kept tidy, I see."

"Aye," Keren acknowledged. "If the roadside and the banks of the ditches are left to grow wild then everything would soon choke up and we'd have floods. We have work parties to clear the growth several times a year. Everybody takes part, it is seen as a civic duty to keep the roads clear and usable."

"I was just thinking that. We must have come many marks since we left Dekarran and that's a lot of roadside."

"It's in the interests of the local population to do it, Garia. If they didn't the roads would soon be impassable and the fields under water."

When the frayen had finished drinking they climbed at an angle back to the verge proper and resumed riding towards the wagons again. Garia soon came to a halt and dismounted next to a stone sticking out of the verge.

"I never had a chance to look closely at one of these before," she said as she crouched down in front of it. "These are what you say the... builders of that empire left behind?"

"The Chivans. That's right," Keren replied. "One engraved stone every mark. Or, rather, we measure our marks against the stones they left us. Of course we don't understand their writing so we put our own names and numbers on the stones."

They were like broad, low tombstones, obviously shaped originally by a mason. The surface both sides had been heavily painted with white limewash or similar and then an inscription drawn over the top.

"There's a lot of paint on this," she called up. "I can barely make out the original engraving, except where the sun shines at an angle, and even then it's impossible to read."

"The stones are traditionally repainted every five years," Keren told her. "There are crews which do nothing but go round the roads repainting them. Do you think you'd be able to recognize the original markings, then? What would that tell you?"

"I might be able to recognize them, yes. I'll let you know then what I can deduce from the marks. It's like that brass object from Morlan's laboratory." She didn't want to use the name in front of the two men. "If I can recognize the script I'll know that the Chivans came from... somewhere else entirely, and possibly from which part."

"As you say."

Garia remounted and they rode back to the wagons, where the remaining men were tidying up after refitting the wheel. She dismounted and tied Snep back to their wagon. Jenet joined them.

"You went away at great speed, mistress," she said. "Was it dangerous? Will your beast do that at any time?"

"Not at all, uh, Sara. I think Snep just wanted to show me what he can do. Thinking about it, I don't think we've ever ridden that far before. And," she lowered her voice, "you must make sure I have one of the other bras on, next time! You wouldn't believe what the bouncing up and down will do to your..."

Jenet winced. "I can guess, mistress, all too well. Will you ride now, until we reach the next town?"

"Yes, I think so, Sara. Now I've gotten Snep I ought to ride him, I owe him that much."

"Should you change your bra, then?"

Garia considered. "No, I think I'll be all right now. I don't think we'll be able to go racing off again like we just did."

Jaxen and Sukhana joined them.

"I am impressed, mistress," Jaxen said. "You have good riding skills."

"I learned to ride about eight years ago," Garia said with a smile, "and our beasts are much larger than those here in Alaesia."

He nodded. "That explains much." His eyes slid in Sukhana's direction. "And now I have another who wishes to ride as you do."

"Will it be possible, Buffy?" Sukhana asked anxiously. "You made it seem so easy."

"It's not so easy to begin with," Merizel said. "You have to use muscles you never knew existed and you have to learn how to stay in the saddle by using your balance. If you essay this desire parts of you will become very sore for some days."

Sukhana flushed. "As you say, Karizma. I shall attempt it, though, since it offers me much in return."

"Then you are welcome to try," Garia said. "I suggest, though, that you wait until we reach Blackstone. I don't think we'll have long enough in Tranidor for a saddle to be made for you."

She looked a question at Jaxen and he shook his head.

"One day, I hope, we shall stay there of necessity. Two days if we must."

"That's not long enough to have a saddle made, Sookie. It will take a saddler at least a week, and probably longer since this is a different design than he will be used to."

"He may even object to making you something different," Merizel added. "It wouldn't be the first time we have had trouble like that."

Sukhana's face fell. "As you say, Buffy. Very well, I shall wait impatiently until we reach Blackstone."

With everything reloaded the train set off again. Jaxen wouldn't let Garia or Merizel ride in front of the wagons but permitted them to use the verge alongside. From time to time he or Keren joined them for light conversation.

"Where do we go when we leave Tranidor, Jaxen?"

"That's where we leave the main trade route north, mistress. Tranidor is where three valleys come together. One, the valley of the Sufen goes west and is another important mining region. The Palar which we follow now continues north-west, eventually to end at a low pass which leads to vast areas of grasslands. Do you have such areas on your own world?"

"We do, we call them prairies. There are other names for them in different parts of the world, though. Some call them steppes and others savannah. You have traveled across them, then?"

"Several times, mistress. The road of the old builders goes as far as a city at the northern edge of the grasslands called Tel Botro. We obtain tropical fruit, spices, rare gems and hardwoods there."

"Interesting. Have you been further? What's it like beyond the grasslands?"

"I have, once, but that is a tale for another time, perhaps an evening around the fire, mistress. To answer your original question, there is a third valley leading north from Tranidor, the valley of the river Bray. There is a minor trade route through part of the valley which goes over the mountains to strike east for the coast, but we shall take another road which leads to the head of the valley. There, I believe, we will find Blackstone and the lands the King gave you."

"I see. So, how long will it take us from Tranidor, do you reckon?"

"I have no idea, mistress. Best guess, if I remember my one journey along that trade route, is that it should take us no more than two days."

Garia's brow furrowed with concentration. "Let me see. How far have we managed each day? About thirty-five to forty marks?"

"A little less, mistress, through delays of our own making. We would normally reckon on forty marks for a day's travel on roads such as this but once away from them we might manage no more than twenty-five or thirty. Worse if the weather is poor."

She nodded. "I'm impressed. You're lucky to still have roads like this after all this time."

"As you say, mistress." He paused. "Mistress, I have heard - it may be just a mistaken word overheard by accident - that you might know of the Chivans, the people who built us these roads."

"It's possible," she admitted. "I'm not promising anything, but the setup is remarkably similar to an empire from my homeworld, an empire that lasted... a very long time. They started about twenty five hundred years ago and only finally collapsed about a thousand years ago."

Jaxen's eyes widened. "So long? And they made roads like these?"

"I don't really know, Jaxen. You see, the Romans lived on another continent and where I lived we don't really pay much attention to what they did, not in that way." Seeing his blank expression she added, "You understand how Alaesia is like an enormous island in the middle of the ocean?"

"That is how I have always pictured it, mistress."

"Well, the continent - the big island - that I lived on would be about," she concentrated, "seven thousand marks or so away across the ocean from the one the Romans lived on. They never sailed across that ocean to the one I lived on, and I've never been over there. All the roads and other remains they left are over there, as it were." She smiled at him. "Perhaps that is a tale for an evening around the camp fire, Jaxen."

He gave her a rueful look. "You have given me much to think about, mistress, and I already have much to think about. Perhaps you are right, this is a tale for another time."

At little later she was joined by Keren, who looked thoughtful.

"What now?"

"I've been thinking. About us." He gave her a smile. "I've been wondering, what were my parents thinking, sending both of us off together like this?"

"Well, that was the original plan, wasn't it? I was to journey north to see my new lands, and incidentally find out whether the black rock was what we thought it might be, and you were going to accompany me to provide an escort and incidentally to learn about the lands which will be yours one day."

"As you say. But, Garia, that was before we discovered - mother discovered our... fondness, shall we say. If you remember, both my parents had strong words to say to both of us about the matter, and we were made to swear that it would go no further."

"I remember, how could I possibly forget?"

"But here we are, miles from the city and almost completely unsupervised. I find it difficult to believe that father or mother - especially mother! - allowed us to continue with our original plan like this."

"But... then I was attacked at Dekarran. That changed your father's thoughts, do you remember?"

"I do but that just complicates the puzzle." Keren shook his head. "I just hope that I have no problems this tangled when... I succeed my father." Keren twisted in the saddle to face her. "Garia, I wonder if this is all some kind of test."

Garia stared at him. It was certainly possible. Why had she never thought of that herself?

"You mean, if we can get through this entire journey and return with you," she smirked, "having resisted my feminine charms, then your father will judge you fit? Is that what you mean?"

"That would be one possible test, I agree. But have you considered the alternative? Are they testing whether our... fondness for one another is real, is strong enough to overcome the custom of the Valley? Were it not for your lack of noble blood we would be promised together right now. Which choice will they consider success and which choice failure?"

She stared at him again, this time in horror.

"My God, Keren! How are we supposed to deal with that?"

He shook his head again. "I do not know. I do know that we have until we return to the city to make a decision and that decision is going to change everything, whatever choice we make."

"Oh. Wow. This is so not a good idea. I'm beginning to think Sookie was right, this whole expedition should have been abandoned before it started."

Keren gave her a sympathetic smile. "Aye. But then we wouldn't have had all this fun, would we?"

"Fun? Well, perhaps you're right. Excepting maybe Holville. I can quite manage without having experienced that, thank you."

"As you say."

As the afternoon progressed the hills fell away either side of the valley and ahead Garia could begin to see the twists of smoke which indicated civilization approaching. Although there was some development south of the confluence of the three rivers Tranidor had been established either side of the Palar north of the two joining rivers and that was where most of the town was situated. Their train headed there, reaching the town by crossing one of the many bridges which joined all parts together. As they rode through the streets people took notice of the female riders but it was evident that they were not considered particularly unusual. Jaxen led the wagons to an open courtyard surrounded by three warehouses and a large stable.

"Jaxen! You finally got here, then!"

"Kurdor you old bandit! Of course we did! We had an axle problem barely twenty marks down the road, that's why we're delayed."

"It didn't take you three days to fix an axle, did it? I could have built an entire wagon in that time!"

"Long story - which I might tell you if you buy the beer. Now, we're in a hurry, so -"

The manager of the warehouse complex eyed the dismounting men and women thoughtfully.

"A big party, Jaxen."

"Aye. A special contract I can't really talk about right now."

Kurdor's eyebrows raised. Jaxen rubbed finger and thumb together in a universal gesture and Kurdor nodded.

"Very well. You need to have that axle looked at, don't you?"

"And I've another wagon with a cracked spoke."

Kurdor's eyebrows went up again. "That's not like you, Jaxen."

"As I said, it's complicated. Now, can you get some of your lads to help us unload? There's no trade goods, just trail supplies and personal belongings. We can put most of them in the strong room, we won't need them while we're here."

"Aye, that's what we're here for. What'll you do?"

Jaxen understood the question. "Master Kethen there and the four women, I'll take to the Weaver's Arms, I think. We'll need one of the wagons to take their chests along." Kurdor nodded. "The men, can we put them up here?"

Kurdor did a quick head count. "Too many. I know a cheap inn which can take the extras, though. The Iron Spear, down by the Sufen bridge, do you know it?"

"Aye, that'll do. Any mail turned up for me?"

Kurdor barked a laugh. "You'll not believe what I have for you in the strong room, Jaxen."

"Is that so? Well, let's get this lot organized and we'll see about that beer and swop stories."

~o~O~o~

Garia gazed about their room. They had managed to find one big enough for the four of them, which meant that they could talk and show each other the contents of their chests without having to wander around the inn. Like most town inns this was built around a courtyard, with the common room at the front and the men's dormitory over. At one side was the owner's accommodation with the women's dormitory over, reached by a separate staircase. On the other side was the stables with the staff accommodation over, and making the fourth side was the cookhouse and bakery with a bath house beside it. There were a small number of private rooms for families or small single-gender groups and they had been able to rent one of these.

"It's good that we've been able to get a room together," she said. "It will make it easier for us to talk."

"This is a family room," Sukhana said, looking at the furniture. "Those two beds look a little small to me, more like beds for children."

"I'll take one of those, Sookie," Garia smiled. "After all, I'm not so big, am I? It will only be for one or two nights, after all."

"As you say, Buffy."

"This is a big room, mistress," Jenet said. "Enough room, perhaps to do our Tai Chi in the morning?"

Garia considered the arrangement of the furniture. "I think you're right, Sara. If we're careful, we won't get in each other's way."

"Have we time to bathe before the evening meal?" Merizel asked.

"I would think so," Sukhana replied. "I'll go and ask. If they are cooking the evening meal now there should be plenty of hot water."

Bathing was possible and the four women, wrapped in their thin capes, trooped down a back stairway directly into the bath house.

"Ah! That's good," Merizel said, seeing the steaming tub. "I must admit, certain parts of my body would enjoy a soak right now. I had forgotten just what a day in the saddle does to one's backside."

"Too true," Garia said. Sukhana eyed her critically. "It's fine," Garia soothed. "It's just because you are sitting in a way you wouldn't otherwise do and your body needs time to adapt. After a week you won't notice a thing."

"As she says," Merizel agreed, slipping out of her cape. "Come on, I can't wait to clean the dirt of the road from my body."

"Ah," said Garia as she removed her own robe. "Sara, I think that Kalikan is about to call."

"Shall you need to wash separately, Buffy?"

"Um, not today, Sara, but we'd better start taking precautions from tonight."

Merizel, in the tub, frowned up at Garia. "Strange, I usually notice a change in you just before Kalikan comes. Do you not feel the change in yourself this time?"

"Not this time, though I'm still learning what my body wants to do each month. I wonder if it is the traveling, or perhaps just the riding, which is making a difference."

"It's possible," Sukhana said as she joined the others. "Just riding the wagons can make a difference to me, I've noticed."

"Another thing to file away for reference."

Clean and dressed in fresh gowns from their traveler's wardrobes, they ventured down the front stairs to join other diners in the common room. Keren was already there with Jaxen and he waved them over to their table. Garia had some calculating looks from other women in the room and she thought that might be due to her short hair style. The wife of the inn-keeper hurried over.

"We have a thick soup of gallin with seasonal vegetables, masters and mistresses, grilled fish or slices from a gavakhan we have turning on the spit, both with roast vegetables. Bread, of course, fruit, and anything you choose to drink."

They gave their orders, a serving girl brought their drinks and they settled down to wait for their meals. Other people in the room were eating, drinking and just talking. Two passed by their table and nodded to Jaxen, the second clapping him on the shoulder.

"Where bound this time, my friend?"

"Special commission this time, Halban. We're going up Bray Vale towards Blackstone."

Halban sniffed. "Whatever are you going there for? There's nothing there but a few hill farms and pakh-shaggers. The miners have crawled over that valley for years without finding anything of value."

Garia found it extremely difficult to keep a straight face.

"So I was told," Jaxen replied smoothly. "I've heard - it's only a rumor, mind you - that the Duke has granted part of the land up there to a new baron. It seems that this new lord might have ideas to improve the area."

"Is this him?" Halban indicated Keren. "He's a little young, I grant you -"

"No, no, Halban. This is Master Kethen, the son of a Dekarran trader, who's joined my train to learn the business the proper way. But the Duke asked his father to inspect the lands and he volunteered his son."

"Then why -" Halban raised his hands in resignation. "The ways of nobility just mystify me sometimes. Me, I'm going south, since you ask. I'll see you another time, Jaxen."

"As you say, Halban. Care on your journey."

"As yourself."

Halban gave them a wave and wandered off into the crowd as the inn-keeper and the serving girl appeared with the first of their plates.

"Here you are, ladies and gentlemen. Sorry to keep you waiting, you can see how busy we are. Ah, you are Jaxen, aren't you? I thought I remembered that name."

"Aye, I am Jaxen."

"There was a message, master. I was asked to tell you to call at the Guildhall if you should chance to stay here. The messenger didn't say why, not that it's any of my business."

Jaxen shook his head. "I have no idea why I might be needed there, inn-keeper. Thank you for the message."

Jaxen slipped the man a small coin before he bowed and left. The six began eating.

"The Guildhall?" Keren asked. "Any ideas?"

Jaxen shrugged. "Like I said to the inn-keeper, no idea. Why? Is there something that might be of interest to you, Master Kethen?"

"Possibly. Given the circumstances," Keren looked around to see if anyone was taking a particular interest in their conversation, "yours might be the only name that could be mentioned, do you see? It might not be known exactly who was traveling with you."

Jaxen nodded. "A good point, master. Shall you join me at the Guildhall tomorrow, then?"

Keren grinned. "After we visit the wagon-wright and the local saddler, you mean? Aye, I think so."

The room was crowded and it was easier to eat their meal in silence because of the noise level which rose as the evening went on. Finished and full they sat with the remains of their drinks and talked in low voices with their nearest neighbors. Garia had a thought and leaned towards Jaxen.

"Maybe it's just me being paranoid, Jaxen, but is there anything unusual in the fact it was the two Dekarran wagons which had damage?"

"The thought had crossed my mind, mistress. It is unusual. But... I would think that the castle would keep their carriages and wagons maintained to a high degree, wouldn't you?"

"That's what I thought. So, is it accident or is it design? What would have happened if that bearing had seized up?"

"We would have been stuck on the road for some days, mistress. Depending how bad the damage was, it may have needed a wagon to come here to Tranidor and fetch back a new axle, possibly a new wheel as well." Jaxen took a gulp from his tankard. "The other problem, the spoke, if that had shattered the wheel may have disintegrated with no warning at all. Then we would have needed a replacement wheel sent out, with more delays. The wagon itself may have been damaged as well."

Sukhana leaned forward, her expression angry. "You two saying that those were deliberate? For what purpose?"

Garia sighed. "We'll tell you, Sookie, but not here. Too many flapping ears. Let's just say it may have been a careful choice of wagon in the castle, intended to delay us somewhere along the way. Looks like we spotted the problems in time, though." She turned to Jaxen. "You'll be alert in future?"

"Of course, mistress, especially now that we know there may be mischief in the air."

Keren joined in. "The two wagoneers are both Dekarrans, aren't they? Do we trust them?"

Jaxen shrugged. "Of all our men those are the ones we know least about, master. I would not accuse without proof, however. Others may have set this snare."

The conversation was brought to an abrupt halt by an explosion of voices at the far end of the room, away from the dining tables. Chairs were knocked over, tankards and plates went flying and it was plain a brawl had just begun. Many rose from their chairs, Keren included.

"Up, all of you! We have to get out of here. Out, into the courtyard."

The six forced their way through the crowded room and out through the back door to the courtyard, gathering to one side under the veranda.

"We could have handled ourselves, Kethen," Garia said, although she was pleased to be out of the trouble.

"Aye, we could indeed," he replied. "But the town would have been talking about the affair for weeks after, wouldn't they? You can bet our style of fighting would be remarked upon. And we are supposed to be blending in, aren't we?"

"Yes, of course. Sorry, I'm not thinking straight."

The inn-keeper bustled out of the door and spotted the group.

"Ah! There you are, master. I'm sorry about this, we don't often have fights in the common room. I see you managed to get the women out in time."

"I thought it best, inn-keeper. You can handle the trouble?"

"Of course, master. For such a happening my male servants are all strong and experienced in the trade, though I have also sent for the watch, as is required. Shall you retire now, master?"

"We'll talk out here for a little if you don't object, inn-keeper. If Jaxen and I retire, we won't have much rest with that going on beneath us."

"As you say, master. If you'll excuse me, I'd better be returning to the fray now."

He gave them a short bow and then disappeared through the door.

"Looks like our evening just ended," Sukhana said. "Perhaps we'll retire now?"

"As you say, Sookie," Jaxen agreed. "The master and I will stay here for a while and consider all that has happened today. We'll see you in the morning."

"Then good night to you both, Jaxen, Master Kethen."

"Good night, ladies."