Brian Anderson - The Sword of Truth

“What’s this?” asked Gewey.

“Just get dressed,” Lee instructed.

Gewey dressed and mounted his horse. Pain shot through his body as he climbed up, but he was able to hide it from Lee.

“I would have helped you,” said Lee.

“No need,” Gewey insisted. “I can manage.”

The sun was just setting when they reached the road outside Gath. The village was much larger than Sharpstone, and the streets were busier than Gewey was used to seeing this late in the evening.

Vendors were still pulling their carts about, looking for prime locations along the main avenue, and lights shone in every shop window.

The sound of a blacksmith’s hammer rang through the air, and the smell of the nearby stables made Gewey’s heart long for home. The street they traveled wound and turned until he had trouble remembering which way they had come; Gewey thought he would certainly be lost if they had to make a quick getaway, but Lee seemed to know exactly where he was going.

“There, up ahead,” Lee directed, pointing to a sign that read The Fated Bandit . “I’ve instructed the innkeeper to have our meals brought to our room. I’ve told him that I’m a horse merchant traveling with my son. Don’t speak unless you must; your accent gives you away.”

Gewey frowned. “What do you mean?”

“I mean you sound like a farmer from Sharpstone. Your father may have educated you somewhat, but you don’t sound like the son of a wealthy merchant.”

Gewey’s face soured. “There’s nothing wrong with the way I sound,” he said, offended.

“Look, boy,” Lee said. “You’ll stay in the room and not come out. We need to keep you out of sight until you’re well enough to travel, so stick to the plan for now. The first person that hears your voice will immediately see through our story, so if you must speak, keep it short.”

They tied their horses to the hitching post and Lee went inside. Gewey stayed with the horses to watch their belongings. It wasn’t long before a young boy came from around the back of the building and began unpacking the horses. Gewey wanted to help, but he stopped himself; a spoiled merchant’s son wouldn’t offer to lend a hand. Lee walked outside and gave the lad a copper coin.

“See that our horses are well taken care of,” Lee ordered, then turned to Gewey. “Let’s go. Our meal is waiting.”

The inn was as clean as the inns in Sharpstone, though a bit larger. The common room was filled with travelers of all sorts-merchants, pilgrims, and even a pair of lords from the south. To the delight of the gathered crowd, a flutist had taken up residence in the corner, playing a jaunty, well-known festival dance. Serving maids were running about as the innkeeper barked orders to a thin, blond-haired youth. Gewey breathed in the air and smiled. This was a welcome change from the woods and trails. Lee led him up the stairs and down a hall to their room. It was small, but accommodating. Two beds lined opposite walls and a brass washbasin sat in the corner, already filled with hot water. On a small table were two plates piled high with roast mutton and spring peas. A loaf of hot bread steamed in the center, and two cups of honeyed wine sat beside each plate. Gewey’s mouth watered at the prospect of his first hot meal in days.

A few minutes later there was a knock at the door. It was the young blond lad from the common room. He had brought up their belongings, and he informed them that the other boy had seen to their horses. Lee thanked him and passed out yet another copper piece.

“Throwing quite a bit of money around,” Gewey observed. “Don’t you think that will draw attention?”

“It would be noticed more if I didn’t,” Lee replied. “Like I said, we’re supposed to be wealthy horse merchants. That type likes to show off.” Lee paused. “And don’t try to lecture me, boy. Of the two of us, I’m the one who has been more than twenty miles from Sharpstone.”

“I didn’t mean anything by it,” said Gewey. “I just…”

“You need to understand the danger we are in,” Lee interrupted. “Right now, we’re exposed. Until you’re healed, you must not question even the smallest thing I say.”

Gewey nodded, and then stripped off his clothes to wash up. To his embarrassment, Lee insisted on helping him and changing his bandages. After they were both washed, they sat down to eat. The food was still hot, and Gewey moaned with satisfaction as he took the first bite.

Gewey felt recharged after a wash and a hot meal, and he asked Lee if they could go down to the common room and listen to the music. Lee angrily repeated his earlier warning about the danger they were in. “Besides,” he said. “You still need to heal.”

“I don’t see how a few minutes of sitting in a corner and enjoying myself could put us in danger,” Gewey protested. “Besides, I feel much stronger now. I promise I won’t say a word to anyone!”

Lee looked as if he was ready to strangle the boy. “There will be no further discussion,” he said through his teeth. “In the morning, I have to pretend to be interested in horse trading, and I expect you to stay in this room at all times. Understand?”

Gewey didn’t answer and eased himself down onto the bed, staring at the ceiling. Lee unpacked a few things, set his sword next to his bed, and went to sleep. Gewey stayed awake for a while, thinking about home.

The next morning he woke to find Lee already dressed and breakfast waiting on the table.

“I checked your wounds while you slept,” Lee said. “It looks as if you’ll be ready to travel in just a few days. You’re healing twice as fast as I’d hoped.”

“Great,” yawned Gewey. “I don’t want to be stuck in this place any longer than I have to.”

“In any case, I’ll be back by dark,” Lee said, clearly not looking forward to playing the role of a merchant. Lee’s discomfort made Gewey feel a little better.

“What should I do?” asked Gewey.

“Stay here and bloody heal,” Lee growled as he walked out the door.

The day passed slowly as Gewey tried to occupy himself. At first he tried listening to the sounds of the town, but unlike the harmony of the forest, the sounds of Gath were confused and chaotic. He wasn’t able to stand it for more than a few seconds.

When sunset came and Lee hadn’t returned, Gewey began to worry. After another hour passed, supper and hot water were brought to the room, but he was too anxious to eat. Just as Gewey had finally decided to go looking for Lee, he burst through the door, breathing heavily.

“What happened?” asked Gewey. “Where have you been?”

“It seems our presence has been noticed,” Lee answered. “I spotted someone following me through the streets, but I think I lost him.”

“Could you tell who it was?”

“No. But whoever it was moved so fast that I almost didn’t notice him until it was too late. It took more than an hour before I was sure I wouldn’t lead him back here.”

“What do we do?” asked Gewey.

“I’ve already sent for the horses,” said Lee. “I hate to have you travel before you’re healed, but I don’t see any other choice.”

Gewey looked at Lee reassuringly. “I’ll be fine. There’s barely any pain at all.”

“Still, I don’t want you doing too much too soon.” said Lee, and sat down at the table. “We have some time before the horses are ready, so we might as well eat before we go.”

They ate and packed, finishing just as the blond youth from the inn came to inform them that their horses were ready and waiting. They gathered their things and left. Loading the packhorse, Gewey couldn’t help but feel exposed and vulnerable. He kept expecting something to happen, but the night was quiet. They mounted their horses and slowly made their way west, out of town. As they passed the last building within the town limits, Gewey could swear he saw a shadow moving behind him, then ducking out of sight.