The Free Trader of Warren Deep (Free Trader Series Book 1) (22 page)

70 – Introducing a Friend

Micah and Elder Mel-Ash led the chorus of cheers as Braden returned with three deer. All clean kills, no wasted meat. They were field dressed, but needed more attention to prepare the venison to eat. A couple of the women took charge and a group went to work skinning, and de-boning.

G-War had eaten the choice parts from a couple rabbits, while Skirill made his own kill of a particularly large rabbit. They were both quite satisfied. Master Aadi, on the other hand seemed put out. He floated near the cart, well away from any villagers.

Braden went to him and stroked his neck, which he stretched out so the human hands could reach those places that Aadi himself could not.

“What’s going on A-Dog?” Braden asked softly.

‘I fear that they are all afraid of me. You were the first human I’ve met. You accepted me and treated me with respect. I give that back to you in equal portion. You are a good man, Master Braden. These women do not accept me. Mutie they called me and mutie is what they think when they look at me.’
He blinked rapidly, as he did when he was upset.

“If they knew how downright mean and nasty I am, they’d be afraid.” Braden looked closely at Aadi to see if he got the jibe.

‘Mean? Nasty? I think you are confusing yourself with someone else, young human.’
Braden screwed up his face and made growling noises.
‘Ha! I get it. Well, not really, but I understand what you are trying to do, and I appreciate it.’

“C’mon Master Aadi. I don’t know what this village is called or what they have to trade besides these tunics. I would like to see this place as a main trade center. Let’s see, where could we put the market square…” Braden rested his hand on the Tortoid’s shell as they walked, side by side, into the village.

The two young women saw Braden and made a beeline toward him, giggling to each other as they approached. When they saw he was with the Tortoid, they stopped and grimaced.

“Hey! I don’t even know your names. Come on over here. I want to show you something,” Braden said in his best come-hither voice.

The young women started retreating, facing Braden and the Tortoid, but walking backwards.

“Come here!” He yelled with a snarl. If they had anything to fear, it was him when he was angry.

They reluctantly approached.

“Let me introduce you to Aadi, First Master of the Tortoise Consortium. He is my mentor. He is the wisest creature I’ve ever met, and that includes humans. Most importantly, he is my friend. This morning you wanted to be my friend. Nothing has changed between then and now. Come closer.” Braden stroked the Tortoid’s neck. He remained unblinking, making himself into a floating statue.

“He likes this. Here. Pet his neck, gently.” The first woman complied mechanically at first, then tenderly as she felt Aadi’s neck, the rough but living skin teasing her sense of touch.

“How do you talk with it?”

“Him. I talk with him. I am bonded with Golden Warrior of the Stone Cliffs, the Hillcat, over…” Braden looked for G-War, but couldn’t find him. “Here’s here somewhere. The ‘cat connects us all. I hear Master Aadi’s voice in my head.”

The girls giggled again, looking at each other. “One of the oldest women here was hearing voices, too. No one else heard them so she was driven away.” They let that linger with Braden. Would he be driven away? No, because Micah could hear them, too.

“Micah talks with my friends, too. You believe her, don’t you?” He could tell by the look on their faces that they didn’t like Micah. Maybe they saw her as competition, maybe even an interloper, changing their world and not for the better.
‘G. Can you arrange a demonstration for the unbelievers?’
Braden asked using his thought voice.

‘No. I don’t do tricks to impress stupid girls.’

‘You’re right G. These two need to grow up a bit before they will realize how special it all is. Micah isn’t very much older than them, is she?’

‘It bores me with its inane drivel.’

‘I know that I haven’t told you this turn yet G, but you are a good friend. And an ass. Wherever you are, here’s one for you.’
The young women watched as Braden held his middle finger in the air and waved it in all directions. They looked concerned and backed away.

Braden laughed as they ran off.

‘See Master Aadi? Mean and nasty. I don’t think they’re afraid of you anymore. It seems that they have something new to be afraid of.’

‘Yes, Master Human. I think you’ve made your point. I’m sorry you won’t achieve the physical coupling you desired, but I doubt it would have been as satisfying as you wished.’

‘Whoa. Stop right there! We don’t talk about those things, especially where Micah can hear.’

‘That’s what you’re concerned about? Of all things…’
Micah’s thought voice carried a sharp edge.

“I guess this is my life now, huh, A-Dog?” Braden said to Aadi, with a friendly pat on his head. Master Aadi looked at him with unblinking eyes, then shook his head, slowly as Tortoids were wont to do.

71 – Villagers Prepare

The next two dozen turns were a flurry of activity. They made bows and arrows, learned to shoot, then improved their bows. Hardwood for the bow, deer intestines for strings, straight wood for arrows, bird feathers for vanes, tied on with snake skin, and flat stone for broad heads.

By the third set of bows, the selected wood and bowstrings were delivering a nice impact. The women started hitting the trees with some regularity and then they drove the arrows deeper as they got more comfortable pulling the full draw of their bows. With continued practice, they would have the confidence to use them in battle.

They found a good patch of ash to make the bows and other hardwoods to make the arrows. Braden filled his quiver as he showed the women how to make arrows for themselves.

For those selected to use the swords and spears, their training was going far more slowly. They were building arm strength and that took time. They were learning basic slash and defense. Braden hoped that his new archers would keep potential enemies away. If they had to fight sword to sword, the women would probably all die.

Micah excelled with the sword. Within the first ten turns, she was already besting the young man who sought to train them. Then Braden taught her what he knew, especially in the area of movement and parrying. He was good with his long knife, but that was limited to thrusting after an opponent offered an opening.  Micah’s advantage was in her strength. She didn’t look overly thick, but her muscles gave more than any man who was her size. He watched her carefully, trying to learn where her power came from.

He saw it in her trunk. She rotated her upper body using her core muscles. He practiced his own movements and saw where he did not use his body as much as he could. He counted on his own arm strength. He tried twisting at his waist and immediately saw the power. To match the arm swing with the twist wasn’t as easy as it looked. He needed to practice, but he wouldn’t take a sword away from the villagers. He needed to find a sword for himself.

That would be later. If things turned out as intended, he would be able to trade for a sword.

Braden helped build the first trader stall in what he envisioned as the village’s market square. The village, which he found out was unsurprisingly called Village McCullough after its original founder, already produced a great deal, which they shared openly.

He showed them what they could trade. Everyone learned their own individual value. Even the children got into trading, which eventually led to fighting as they learned the dangers of envy. This got them a good cuffing, which returned them to just being children.

Braden’s first trade earned him a tunic with sleeves that would fit Micah, including special breeches with the material woven around the most vulnerable parts of the leg. After seeing Micah’s protection, he tried to work a deal for the same kind of covering for himself, but the price more than doubled for him.

He could only shake his head. After all, he was the deputy to the savior of Village McCullough, as the women saw him.

The shift in the villagers’ attitudes about becoming self-sufficient wasn’t as profound as the complete change in their acceptance of the Tortoid, the Hillcat, and the Hawkoid. At Micah’s urging, Mel-Ash took the time to get to know their companions. G-War wouldn’t allow any of the others to share the mindlink, so Micah told them what each was saying. As they got to know Master Aadi, they welcomed him in the best way. He was a dinner guest with someone different every evening. He ate well. Braden suspected too well, but how can anyone tell if a Tortoid was getting fat?

G-War was a favorite of the children. Braden thought he enjoyed the attention, despite his constant protests. If they ignored him for too long, he would make an appearance, strolling regally in front of them, which always led to a game of chase the ‘cat. He seemed to like the young girls the best. They were the only ones he would let pet him. Even then, it would only be for a number of heartbeats before he moved on.

Skirill assumed the role of master watchman for the village. He began each morning with a flight around the village and the local area to make sure that no one was near. He kept track of the deer herd so they never went without fresh venison.

He sat in the highest branches of the largest tree overlooking the village and during the daylight, he watched everything. As the villagers passed him, they waved. He ruffled his wings back at them, to the people’s delight. The children gathered beneath the tree and endlessly watched him. One enterprising young boy wanted to see him move, so he threw a rock at Skirill. The Hawkoid caught it in his claw and launched himself at the boy. The children scattered in a panic. The Hawkoid landed astraddle the boy’s head. Gently, using his beak, he put the rock on the boy’s forehead, then shook his feathered head. It was clear to all the children that throwing rocks at the Hawkoid was unacceptable.

The fact that the boy left bawling made Skirill’s parenting lesson legendary.

When he resumed his position in the tree, he held his head higher.

In the evenings. Skirill made one last flight, looking for any movement from potential enemies.

Although the villagers fully welcomed Braden’s caravan, he and his companions grew restless. Mel-Ash shared with them the location of the road south. Skirill confirmed it, flying the route a number of times to help Braden and Micah visualize it and plan for the trip.

They couldn’t take the cart as it was too rough. It would stay behind, waiting for their return.

One morning, they saddled Pack and Max and said their goodbyes.

72 – The Road

Braden would have missed the road south if they had to blindly search for it. Nothing gave it away when they crossed it. It was covered by brush and even trees. The ground here was wetter than in the north. The Amazon Rainforest was reclaiming the land.

Skirill guided them to a point where the Mel-Ash told them the roadway cut through the thick trees and the heavy foliage. Once they were on the road, they could tell it apart from the encroaching ranforest. It was hot and wet. The jungle grew heavy on all sides, including overhead. It created a roof of green that let little light through.

They picked their way carefully forward. It was hard for the horses to get through. It was challenging for Skirill to fly beneath the canopy, between the trees and vines.

G-War sat in Braden’s lap on Max. Micah rode Pack, because the horse was used to following Max. He simply ambled along behind. Micah did not have to do anything. Aadi floated along behind Pack, seemingly enjoying himself. He was probably getting excess water.

“I see movement everywhere I look, but can’t quite see anything, if you know what I mean. Do you sense anything, G?”

‘Yes. So many different creatures. Large. Small. Dangerous. Safe. I am overwhelmed by all their minds. It is worse than being in Jefferson City.’

“Jefferson City is the largest city in Warren Deep. It’s where the Caravan Guild is based. It is where the Council sits and where all the important decisions are made,” Braden said for Micah’s benefit. She mumbled something in response, but Braden didn’t hear her words. He watched in front of him, then to the sides. Movement, just far enough away from his line of sight that he couldn’t see what it was. He jerked his head back and forth, trying to catch the creatures as they toyed with him.

“Micah. You’ve been there before. How did you get through all this?”

“We came from the east. The road in that direction is much better, or it was when we traveled it. It skirts the southern edge of the rainforest. We didn’t travel through this.”

“You know what we’re going to find, so let me ask. Is this going to be worth it?”  Braden asked.

“It is something you need to see for yourself. Then you can judge the value.”

The first daylight went by. They made camp, but half of them watched while the other half tried to sleep. The fire burned with a great deal of smoke. The wood they found wasn’t dry. It might never dry in this environment.

Then it started to rain.

And it kept raining as they broke camp. It rained as they traveled further south. They lost the ability to judge how far they’d traveled. Everything looked the same in the steady downpour.

Night came. The rain continued. G-War was at his most miserable. He was soaked and in a foul mood. Worse than that, he smelled like a wet dog.

Skirill stopped trying to fly and resigned himself to riding awkwardly in Micah’s lap as a miserable Pack mindlessly put one hoof in front of the other.

Aadi was indifferent to it all.
‘Water off a Tortoid’s shell and all that,’
he said with annoying frequency.

They plodded south, sleep after sleep, growing more tired and hungry as they went. They snapped at each other constantly, so they stopped talking.

Finally the rain stopped as they approached the southern edge of the rainforest. The canopy above thinned, the ground dry in areas where the sun shone through.

With a more welcoming world in front of them, their spirits lifted.

Until they saw the man with the spear standing in the road.