Big City Darkened Nights

Alone at the bar Carr sips ale. A magical bag? A King’s treasure. No two King’s treasures. Maybe I could join up with them and get a cut. Or all.

Returning to the bar with empty mugs Sandra whispers in passing, “ambush,” taking his empty bowl.

He keeps an eye on her walk away. Did I speak out loud? She’s got a good idea, ambush. Which way will they go back to Kapigorn? The swamp is slow traveling and risky weighted down. South on the main roads? Two days of straight riding to get out of the territory. Ocean? Nah.

Trying to recall the ships in the harbor Carr pictures the fishermen’s boats and a couple familiar trading vessels. Maybe they have a ship waiting off the southern shoreline.

Breaking free of Strum’s drunken crew, Elija sees Carr thinking hard and nudges the young rogue, “Whacha’ plannin’ boy?”

With eyes and nose Carr points to Sandra, “Your new girl made a suggestion, an ambush. But where?”

“Oh, she did?” Elija thinks aloud, “Good idea. Not the swamp it’s too slow.”

“That’s what I thought. Do you think they have a ship off shore?”

“If they, do it won’t be there much longer.” Elija is aware, “The winds are picking up. Soon the waves will be too high and rough. Ship’s not in a safe port will be smashed on the shoreline. And the fishing villages don’t have safe harbors.”

Knowing the coastline Carr agrees, “Barely docks in some places.”

Knowing Halford’s whole territory Elija comes to one good conclusion, “They’ll need sleep by tomorrow night. Safest place for them is the Ironwood Forest.” He points a thick finger west.

Once on a dare has Carr been in there, “I know the forest. Aren’t there a lot of strange and dangerous creatures in there?”

Elija teases Carr, “What’s the matter not quite a man yet? Surely by your tales a creature or two isn’t keep you from a fortune.”

“Hey,” insulted Carr responds with, “I don’t see you going there.”

“That forest don’t scare me.” Elija jokes, “The real danger for me would be when my wife finds out.” Chuckling about it he informs Carr. “There’s a clear path cutting through the middle. It’s covered in great hiding places. If you left right now, you’d be a couple hours ahead of them. And maybe tomorrow, still have enough daylight to set traps for them.”

“That is a good idea.” Finishing his ale Carr gets up.

Chuckling Elija questions him, “So what are you gonna do? Walk there?”

“I guess.” He thinks about acquiring a horse.

Elija makes an offer, “For some future gratitude I’ll let you take Bolt. A brave fast horse.”

“I’m sure I can do that.” Carr shakes hands with him, “Where is this horse?”

“You’re a good soul.” Elija pats Carr’s back, “Stop at the main stables. Find a really old Elf, Willie. Tell him I said it was okay. Besides he was telling me I need to get that horse out for a good run.”

A mere chance scheme coming together Carr grins with anticipation, “Thanks Elija, I guess I should be back in three, four days.”

“You’re welcome.” Walking him to the door, Elija requests, “At least bring the horse back.”

“Will do Elija.” Carr waves to him heading north to the main street. Knowing the city gates will close soon he jogs.

As Carr picks up the pace Elija contently recalls youthful pursuits. Wishing to be younger or at least single so he can go along.

Coming up beside Elija, Sandra queries. “Do you think he’ll come back? If he lives?”

“Mhmm,” Grinning, Elija recalls how the boy got named, “You can toss a rat into a raging river and they can still manage to reach the bank.”

Crossing the city Carr keeps an eye on the distant gates.

Nearing a tall granite statue of King Halford I, Carr feels many eyes on him. Glancing right sees the massive three-story stone barracks; a dozen men outside and dozens more hanging out windows. Some of the men’s voices sound like ones from tavern.

It’s said the U-shaped building houses two thousand men, and several halls. Lead horsemen and officers get to stay in the castle.

Checking out the simple but detailed castle opposite of the barracks, the building is the same in length and height. At the south end of the castle a tower standing three times the height of both buildings. A small spire marks out the castle’s main entrance.

A couple of sentries stand watch in front of the main doors. They are certainly watching Carr and discuss quietly how they will deal with him if he rushes them.

The main stable rests beside the barracks, it’s larger than any of the town halls Carr’s ever visited, holding five hundred horses. The upper floors house the tack and feed for them.

Beside the stable the city’s south gates, appearing quiet, the men seem in no hurry to close them.

Approaching the stable Carr slows and is surprised to see a graying Elf smile as he nears. In the Elf’s hand the reins of a dark grey, saddled horse.

Remembering something familiar, Carr has an intuition, “Willie, I take it? And this must be Bolt?”

Willie wonders how he knew, “Do you have the gift of foresight?”

“No.” Carr wants to know what he’s talking about, “Do you? I was told I could come get Bolt and…”

“Yes, I know.” Willie informs him, “I have the gift I knew you were coming. Maybe before you did.”

“Oh, yeah?” Carr inspects the horse, “Well how do you see our trip going?”

“It’s not like that.” Willie hands over the reins, “I only see my future.”

“Thanks.” Walking the animal around Carr tries to joke with the man. “Did you see being a stable-boy in your future?”

“No.” Willie closes the doors to the stable, “That’s why I did it. Better visions came after.”

“I see.” Carr is curious if the old Elf is clear headed, “Do you see still taking care of Bolt?”

The Elf stops, slowly his eyes close. To Carr it appears the man may have fallen asleep.

“Yes.” Willie opens the eyes again.

“I take it you don’t see me bringing him back?” Carr asks knowing he’s not going to get much of an answer.

“No.”

Shrugging Carr gets onto the saddle, “At least Elija will get his horse back. Thank-you for having him ready. I’m sure I’ll be back.”

“Keep your ears open.” Winking an eye Willie turns returning to the stable.

“Okay.” Carr directs Bolt towards the gates. The horse knows where to go and wanting to heads right through the gates.

Merely moving they have the attention of the males along the walls and gate. The guards say nothing in passing.

Liking how the horse handles so far Carr’s ready to find out how quick it is. Putting some heel into the horse’s sides he lets out a loud, “Heeyah!”

Not like being heeled Bolt lives up to the name, digging into the muddy soil, takes off with such force and aggression Carr loses his grip.

Bounced right out of the saddle Carr flips over landing butt first on the wet ground to watch the steed race away.

The watching men laugh getting the attention of others near by.

Someone calls out from a tower, “First time on a horse, boy?” Getting the men to laugh some more.

Sore butt and bruised ego Carr stands, wiping mud off.

Bolt is making a wide circle heading straight for Carr.

Nearing a collision Carr jumps aside avoiding Bolt but slips back down into the mud.

Bolt slows up prancing around Carr tauntingly and whinnying. The whole south wall bursts into laughter, drawing men from the barracks.

“Ha, ha, ha,” grumbles the young rogue getting off the ground. He’s now fairly certain to why Bolt is going to come back.

Grabbing the reins, he hops back into the saddle.

Leaning forward Carr softly speaks to the horse, “Okay let’s try this again.”

Before he nudges the horse, it tears off again kicking mud at the gate guards.

Barely able to stay seated Carr’s arms and legs flail about, trying to hold on.

The spectacle a welcome sight has the men laughing until tears or ache.

Several run out the gates only to see a horse racing away with rider in trouble. Not the way Carr wants to be remembered but it becomes part of a local tale for a few decades.

Eventually gaining control Carr stays with the horse’s pace entering the western lightwoods. Racing almost blindly down a tree covered road, Carr begins to enjoy the horse’s power.

A few hours later Bolt slows up, reaching a bridge crossing over a stream.

Halting Bolt, Carr slides off, allowing the horse to drink from the river. Also, to stand awhile giving his aching butt a rest.

Walking on the wooden bridge Carr feels like they just left the city. Normally on a slow ride it would take six or more hours.

He studies the dark gray horse curious to what creatures would be faster.