To Be Chosen (56 page)

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Daniel led his company between Lake Tomlin and the Mighty Hirus, knowing that route would take them right to Tomrus, which was located on the west side of the river. While the humans in his swirl had been riding north with him, the bears, cougars, and wolves, along with all of the birds, except the scouts, were in Daniel’s vicinity, but staying out of sight. He added more animals to his swirl, ten moles, twenty squirrels, eleven rabbits, eighteen ferrets, a flock of crows, and a flock of pigeons. He also added three more egrets and five grebes, along with seven swans. He brought in six foxes and nine coyotes, gave names to those creatures which had none, and decided his army of feathered and furred spies was big enough for now. The queen bee never left the hive she established near the remote lake where justice had been
carried out. Half of the sasquatches traveled with him and were now moving on ahead, north toward the border, a distance over two hundred spans away. The other half led by Gurrumble had gone to the Tollus and were now heading north as well, but were far behind. Daniel could enter any one of their minds to find out the intent, but chose not to. His focus was on Tomrus and the current human inhabitants, four of which he knew extremely well, all of whom were now within a five span radius of where he sat saddle. He was being much more thorough with his scanning and was pleased there had been no tunnels or cells under the ground. He had no intention of ever making the mistake of not checking again.

Daniel led the company through the outskirts and entered the town proper, where the sound of multiple blacksmiths hammers could be heard pounding out rhythms, giving the community a pulse as if Tomrus was a living thing. Nearly every man was wearing tanned buckskins and the women wore either dresses or white blouses with skirts of varying colors. He sensed the presence of over three thousand people, slightly under a thousand of which were in or near the town. The rest of the population was scattered in farms, ranches, orchards, and homesteads throughout the region, this he knew from sensing pigs, chickens, cows, horses, and most of the animals typical of ordinary families just trying to make a living. The townsfolk were watching the procession and oddly, not one seemed surprised to see a Royal Knight of the Realm leading Royal Guardsmen into their midst. They began holding up small portraits of Daniel and shouting his name.

“These people know the proper way to greet the Chosen Vessel,” Silvia stated, after riding forward and then dropping back into position.

“I doubt they know that about me,” Daniel replied, loud enough for her to hear, and then waved to the cro
wd, not wanting to be impolite.

“It is only a matter of time before the whole world knows your true calling,” David said in a strong voice that carried, while eyeing the crowd cautiously.

A group of boys ran up the wooden walkways that connected the buildings where there were spaces between the structures. Two of the fastest runners entered the inn and were followed by the rest, who nearly knocked each other over with their pushing and shoving while trying to fit through the door at the same time. They eventually sorted themselves out and went inside.

Daniel rode alone in the lead. Silvia and David were behind him, each of them being the unintentional head of a column. Jonah and Sergeant Zaccum followed the pair of Teki and the Royal Guardsmen were right behind. Sergeant Keenan, still wearing his bracing after being healed, and Corporal Carlin were riding up and down the right and left sides, making sure all was as it should be. Chuc more than met expectations in the performance of his duty and probably should have been promoted long ago, Daniel was glad he had asked for Keenan’s recommendation.

Daniel informed everyone in his company before setting out that morning, after paying a call on those who had been injured, that the pace would be swift and the breaks short. He kept to his word and if any of them wondered why the horses were holding up so well, they kept it to themselves, especially the ones who had been healed, like Zack Gebles, the thirty year old husband and father of five children. Every man who had been healed hid the fact by wearing their bandages, all out of respect for their commander. Zack had fought gallantly during the skirmish and lost his horse, so was now riding Becket, who once belonged to Cale Tomei.

“You would think they could afford paint,” David commented with a voice dripping with contempt. A Teki is not happy unless surrounded by gaudy colors.

“The townsfolk are hard working and more concerned with what is functional than eye pleasing,” Jonah’s voice carried forward.

“They don’t even dye their buckskins,” Silvia noted.

Daniel rather liked the rustic look of the place. “True, but this town is expanding, receiving more river traffic, and merchants will come to trade with them. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a variety of clothing styles in the near future.”

“It is the way of things,” Jonah agreed.

Every building in Tomrus was made of unpainted wood and mostly one storied, but the largest structure near the center of the growing town had three floors. The Russet was about the length and width of the Polkat back in Bashierwood. Another building under construction at the far end of the street looked big enough to potentially be a second inn. No doubt about it, the discovery of Tomlin beneath the lake has brought notoriety to the area, along with many visitors, quite a few of which were Aakacarns, although none seemed to be present at the moment. A variety of merchants typical of all towns were occupying most of the buildings on the unpaved main street and near the river along the docks, which were also in the process of being expanded. Homes were located on the outskirts of town and a few had been built right at the river with private docks.

Silvia rode forward and
pointed. “Look at that boat!”

The Javelin, according to the name on the bow, was by far the most unusual boat Daniel had ever seen. It was docked at one of three crowded piers between two fishing boats. The peculiar
riverboat was eighty cubits long, twenty wide, had a blunt stern, and a wheelhouse in front of what appeared to be a cottage. Ten stalls were in the back quarter of the vessel, clearly for the transport of horses, with room for men to walk to the stern from either side. The vessel had no sails. Extending from the stern was a waterwheel.

“How many men do you suppose it would take to crank that wheel?” Sergeant Zaccum asked.

“No idea,” Daniel answered, yet knew a few spells that would turn the thing.

Night would be upon them within another mark and that justified the extra push. This allowed time for the men to set up camp, although pitching the tents might not be necessary. Daniel eyed the Russet and wondered if he could provide rooms for every
one at the inn.

Two points of pressure shoved at the back of his mind. Wisp and Echo were eager to share their sightings, but Daniel needed to concentrate on where he was going, and closing his eyes while riding in the lead would not be prudent for a commander in the field, or in this case, a commander riding up the main street of a town. Two young men, the sandy-haired one taller than the other, both wearing red on black silks, each with a single lightning bolt on the hood of his cloak, stepped off the porch of the Russet, followed by a plump man with a neatly trimmed beard and wearing a gray wool coat and pants. The heavy fellow pushed past the Accomplisheds and was smiling like a starving man about to be turned loose on a peach cobbler.

“Here comes the local official,” David informed, unnecessarily. “But why are the two Aakacarns coming out?” he asked and then grew silent when Silvia motioned for him to draw near and began whispering and gesturing wildly with her hands. She kept glancing at her cousin, there was no doubt she recognized him.

Daniel wanted and needed to speak with the pair of Aakacarns, they were both friends, and the meeting was critical. While his eyes were on them, his senses were on the four individuals still inside the lodging, his mother and father, along with Gina and Tim. David and Silvia he ignored for the time being. Daniel had decidedly mixed emotions about the presence of his parents and friends. He was absolutely thrilled at the prospect of seeing and hugging them, while afraid for their safety, and just a little bit annoyed at Simon and Samuel for bringing them on what they knew would be a dangerous journey. They had come to rescue Sherree and Jerremy from Serin Gell, one of the most dangerous persons alive. Why did they bring four mountaineers to help capture the renegade? Worse, three of them were people the Pentrosan would not hesitate to take vengeance upon.

The chubby man’s smile began to diminish at Daniel’s approach and was replaced by a more sober expression by the time he came to a stop. “Welcome to Tomrus, Sir Daniel. We are pleased you have chosen to visit us,” he said, even though he did not seem so pleased now. “I am Linus Russet, owner of this establishment and mayor of this lovely town.”

Think positive, focus on how good it is to see your parents and friends, Daniel told himself inwardly. He banished the annoyance, no point in taking it out on a man who was trying to be friendly. “Well met, Mayor Russet. I’m pleased to meet you and hope you might have room enough to accommodate me and my company for a night,” he said with a smile unfeigned, and then jingled his bag of coins so the man would know the lodgings were to be paid for rather than demanded. A Knight of the Realm could make such a demand if it was in the line of duty, and the missi
on he was on surely qualified.

Linus brightened up, no doubt adding up the number of people to be accommodated, the amount of horses to be stabled, and the dinners he would be providing. “It just so happens I do have enough rooms if some of your men are willing to double up. Not you or the Lord behind you, of course, just the guardsmen,” he said while rubbing his hands eagerly. “Why just the other day we were filled to capacity with Aakacarns,” he added and then turned to face the pair he had pushed passed in his eagerness to be the first to speak. “Accomplisheds Cresh and Trenca informed me of your coming.” That explained why no one in the town seemed surprised by the arrival.

Sergeant Keenan trotted his horse to the front of the line, perhaps waiting for orders. Jonah dismounted and stepped up, evidently feeling his presence was required. A moment of silence passed and Daniel decided to make introductions, seeing as everyone was looking at him. “Mayor Russet, meet Lord Jonah Ducalin.”

The innkeeper/mayor began to blink rapidly. It was not every day a commoner had the opportunity to meet a royal. “Pleased I am to welcome you to my humble establishment, my Lord.”

Jonah eyed the unpainted planks, the eves, the roof, and the ordinary folks walking the street, who were mostly watching the newcomers in town. People began to whisper about royalty coming to visit them. The Duke’s son smiled graciously. “Mayor Russet, if you have a bathtub in there, I will deem this the finest establishment I’ve been to in ages.”

Linus beamed with pleasure. “I have two copper tubs and five wooden. The five are in the common bathing rooms, but I will have a copper one taken to your room. And yours as well, Sir Daniel.”

“That would be appreciated,” Jonah replied and then turned to Daniel. “It is generous of you being willing to pay for my lodgings. I see you have the coins, yet I must insist you allow me to pay the bill for yourself and the entire company.” Perhaps the generosity was to make up for all the arguing along the way. He did have that which had been stolen and possibly felt a gesture of goodwill was called for.

Daniel had to admit to being a bit surprised by the offer. Even so, saw no reason to refuse. He smiled while extending his hand, “My thanks, Lord Ducalin.”

Jonah shook the hand. “It is my pleasure, Sir Daniel,” he replied just as formally.

“Sergeant Keenan, get the men checked into rooms, double them up as you see fit, and then give them leave to enjoy themselves,” Daniel ordered, and then added, “I want you and Corporal Carlin to enjoy yourselves as well, but I would appreciate it if you see to it the men do not get overly rambunctious.”

Keenan gave a nod of his head and saluted. “It will be as you say, Sir Daniel,” and then turned to the men. “Dismount and fall in. I’ve got to get you filthy mongrels inside and presentable before unleashing you upon the good people of this town.”

The Guardsmen moved cheerfully, with quick efficiency, and in short order Keenan and Carlin had them filing into the Russet.

Daniel eyed his two Aakacarn friends. “I would like to present, Samuel Cresh, a One-bolt Accomplished of the Eagle Guild and Simon Trenca, a One-bolt Accomplished of the Willow Guild. Accomplisheds, I present to you, Lord Jonah Ducalin.” They no doubt heard the introduction to the Mayor, but this was done out of the proper respect due an Accomplished of Aakadon. Although there were some citizens of the Aakacarn city for which Daniel had little respect.

The Duke’s son hesitated for only a moment, old prejudices sometimes take awhile to get over, but he recovered quickly and gave a slight bow of the head to each. “I am honored to meet members of such distinguished Guilds,” he told them and then glanced at Linus and then at Daniel.  “I’m sure you have catching up to do with your former colleagues. Mister Mayor, you spoke of a copper tub, will you be kind enough as to assign me a room and have my bath ready after I dine?”

“Of course, my Lord, come this way,” Linus replied and led the Ducalin and Sergeant Zaccum into the Russet.

Samuel glanced at the young lord and muttered, “and it is nice to meet you too,” no doubt because Jonah hurried off without waiting for either Aakacarn to reply.