Chapter 2: The Business of Minding Your Own Business

  The sun was just reaching its zenith, its heat causing the air to shimmer. Two weary travelers walked down a dusty path. There had been no cover across the scrubland they had crossed but the trees around an oasis began to shade their path as they approached a dirty, well-worn city. The pinnacle of the Athelward sanctum appeared over the tops of trees as Haran pointed it out to Avner. “Look, there is the palace of Hatisep. We are almost there.”

  Avner shook his head. “That isn’t the palace my friend. The palace is a pitiful affair in comparison to the United House palaces. That is the Athelward sanctum of the city.”

  Haran paused in his steps, stiffening. “There are Athelward in Hatisep? You never said anything about…”

  “Relax, Haran. They aren’t official Athelward. They are a splinter group. No danger to us.”

  “You don’t know that,” muttered Haran as he picked up his speed to take his position beside Avner again.

  “Oh, but I do, my fine friend! These Athelward are labeled as ‘rebellious’ by those within the United Houses. They aren’t even allowed to use their powers publicly outside their sanctum lest they incur the wrath of their estranged brethren. Thank the Creator for squabbling Athelward too wrapped up in politics and dogma to work together and deal with low-lives like us.”

  Haran stared, confused. “You’ve been here before?”

  “No. Suti told me in her letter.”

  “She told you about them and you didn’t tell me?”

  Avner smiled patronizingly. “I didn’t want to see that frown on your face the entire trip here. I saved you some extra worrying time. Aren’t you glad I did? You should thank me.”

  “Thank you for putting me off guard.”

  “Well, you couldn’t prepare yourself any more than you are now.”

  “Shut up.”

  “Now, don’t be ungrateful!”

  “No! Shush! Don’t you hear that?”

  The two men listened and, sure enough, the sound of rough laughter came from the distance and a feminine voice crying out in alarm. Haran jerked his head. “Sounds like trouble near the oasis.”

  Avner grinned and swung his round shield from his back. “It sounds like we get to play heroes. Let’s go!”

  *

  Roshana was truly in a predicament, surrounded by six rough-looking men. Her bag of herbs and bandages were scattered about beside the dirt path which skirted the oasis. If she hadn’t been so terrified she would have burst into tears. One of the men prodded her with a spear causing her to jump and gasp. The man laughed. “Look at her jump and gape like a fish out of water.”

  “She’s as helpless as one,” added another.

  A third, clearly the ringleader, drew close to her face, his foul breath inescapable as he spoke. “Do you have a toll for passing through here? Not just anyone can enter the city of Hatisep where the respected Athelward reside within their ancient temple.”

  “There should be no toll,” she said, trembling. “Or, if there is, it should be with the guard at the gate.”

  “We are the guards.”

  “I…I see no uniform…”

  “Lady, this city doesn’t have much in the way of uniforms. Besides, we are off duty. Now, what do you have in that purse?”

  Without a word, she untied her coin purse from her belt and, with a shaking hand, gave it to the leader. He took it, making sure to grab her hand in the process. “Ooooh. Soft skin! You are no commoner, despite your common clothes.”

  She paled further, looking down at her long dress of simple, light brown flaxen silk, tied under the bust with a cord. Her dark brown hair was beginning to show under her veil as it came undone. The soldier dumped the contents of the purse. A few coppers and two silvers fell out into his hand. One of the soldiers snorted, “Her purse certainly doesn’t look like it belongs to a lady.”

  The leader pocketed the coins. “It’s a start. How else can you pay us?”

  “I am a healer. If any of you have injuries…I could help.”

  The leader cast a glance at his men, smirking. “A healer eh? Well, I do have this pain in my side here.” He stripped the top part of his tunic to reveal his chest and pressed the left side of his abdomen. “Maybe you should feel it to see what is wrong…”

  Roshana grew paler still, her eyes beginning to swim with unshed tears. The soldier laughed at this. “Look! Look how she sobs! He’s too much of a brute for her! She thinks you are ugly!”

  A soldier moved behind her and yanked the veil from her head. She cried out as the pin was yanked and her hair tumbled down her shoulders. “Please…please…don’t…”

  “It only seems fair,” said the leader, “that you use your skills to help us as payment.”

  Her legs began to buckle as she whispered, barely audible, “Creator, help me.”

  A new voice spoke out. “Now, gentlemen. Leave the lady be. She did say please.”

  The group turned and there, on an outcropping by the path, was Avner, posing quite heroically. His shield arm was on his hip while his other hand gripped the handle of his sheathed sword. In the light of the sun, his figure appeared to shine boldly. He was tall, six-foot, his light brown hair wavy and mixing unkempt but dashing in perfect measure. Even his thin and slightly unkempt beard gave him a rugged, handsome look. He neglected to wear armor but sported his red tunic with just a few strings untied near the neckline for effect. Beside him but not on the rock, and thus less impressive, was the slightly shorter figure of Haran. He had a full beard and a completely bald head. He was wearing leather armor with a dark blue tunic beneath and hefted a two-handed ax menacingly. He was not smiling like his partner but looked ready to fight.

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  “This is none of your business,” said the leader, putting his tunic back on as his men drew or hefted weapons.

  “I hardly think the lady’s business is any of your business either,” said Avner. “Come now. Let us let her be on her way and we can settle our business.”

  The leader looked perplexed. “Our business…what business?”

  Avner glanced at Haran. “He’s not as attractive when he’s flustered. Not like our lady here.” He turned back to them. “The business of teaching you to mind your own business. I recommend the beginners lesson…I don’t think you would be ready for the advanced.”

  The men looked at one another, puzzled. Avner sighed and turned to Haran again. “Not very bright, are they?”

  The leader put his hand to his sword hilt and drew it partway. “You might be fancy with your language but I understand an insult when I hear one.”

  Haran raised an eyebrow. “Fancy?”

  “Now, Haran, we mustn’t judge them for their poor standards. It’s their behavior we are correcting.”

  The leader took a step forward. “I suggest you leave now before we take you in.”

  Avner raised an eyebrow. “Advanced lesson then?”

  The leader’s grip tightened and, in a flash, Avner pulled a small metal spike from his belt and flung it. It stuck in the man’s hand, still clasping the hilt and he screamed as those around him drew swords or lowered spears. Haran leaped forward, deflected a spear thrust upward with his ax handle, and charged into the man, flooring him with a body slam to the chest. Avner drew his sword with a flourish and raised his shield as he leaped from the rock toward Roshana who was standing shocked next to the screaming leader.

  “Pardon me, lady!” Avner yelled.

  She nearly fell over as he landed beside her. He smacked the leader in the forehead with the hilt of his sword. The man crumpled with a cry and lay writhing on the ground. Haran, meanwhile, had disarmed a second man and pummeled him in the face with the hilt of his ax, dropping him to the ground. Avner disarmed a man with a twist of his sword, sending the other man’s weapon flying, and the man backed away, arms raised. The last two men lost their nerve and fled back to the city. Avner smiled, sheathing his sword. “Well…that wasn’t terrible. I suggest the rest of you join them.”

  The rest followed suit, holding injured jaws, hands, and sides. The leader spat on the ground at Avner’s feet as he left. Avner glanced at the globule of spit mixed with blood and looked unimpressed. “Hmm, fancy.”

  Haran lowered his ax. “Those were guards, I just know it. They are going to be a problem when we enter the city.”

  “Perhaps. But if we hurry into the city, they won’t be able to oppose our entrance.” Avner turned to Roshana. “But now, for manners. I hope those vermin didn’t hurt you, lady.”

  “No…thank you.”

  Roshana hid her face behind her head veil as she replaced it on her head. She glanced around in a stupor before bending down to pick up her supplies. The two men bent to join her and she blushed. “I can manage. Truly.”

  “Just helping out a little more.” Avner handed her the last of her items, shifting to get a look at her face as she continued to hide it. “Come now, this is a strange way to thank your rescuers.”

  “Avner.” Haran had a frown of disapproval on his face.

  Avner blushed slightly. “Ah…my apologies. I meant nothing crude by that. I just wondered why you hide your face.”

  Roshana raised her head to gaze into his eyes. “My thanks to you, sir. The Creator favored me when you passed this way in your travels.”

  Avner nodded. “It would seem so. I am Avner and this surly friend of mine is Haran. May we know whom we have rescued?”

  Roshana shouldered her pack. “Roshana. I thank you again but I really must be on my way.”

  “Just Roshana?”

  “Yes.”

  “As you wish. You must make it inside the city before the guards harass you further. Allow us to escort you the rest of the way.”

  “Oh please, don’t trouble yourself.”

  Haran rolled his eyes and began walking toward the city. Avner shook his head. “No! No trouble at all!”

  Roshana looked warily at him then nodded. “Very well.”

  They took up together, walking side by side toward the city gates, Haran some steps in front of them. “So…Roshana. Are you a healer? Your bag suggests you are.”

  “Yes, I am.”

  “Where are you coming from?”

  “Further in the empire.”

  “It is dangerous for a woman to be traveling alone. Did you not come with a caravan? Or perhaps a travel partner?”

  “No, I came alone.”

  “What brings you out here alone?”

  “Whatever happened to allowing a woman to mind her own business?”

  Avner smiled disarmingly. “True enough! I will hold my tongue.”

  “Thank you.”

  The trio entered the city without much trouble. The gateway was simple and the clay and wood walls were not very impressive in size and looked to have seen better days. The guards gave them the barest of glances and there was no sign of those encountered before. They walked down the crowded main street until it opened up into the central plaza with all of its tents and blankets with items for sale. Roshana turned to them and bowed. “Thank you once again. I can find my way from here.”

  “Very well, Roshana. If you need any further assistance, we shall be in the city for some days yet.”

  She nodded, smiled slightly, and disappeared into the crowd. Avner stared after her retreating figure with a smile. “She was pretty…and so forthcoming.”

  “You shouldn’t have told her we were staying here for a while.”

  Avner turned to Haran. “Oh, come now, do you suspect an innocent woman like that to be a spy sent to…do what? Why would anyone spy on us anyway, our troubles in that area are long dead and buried…no pun intended.”

  Haran looked quite cross. “Let’s just find Suti and get the information we need.”

  *

  Avner and Haran found themselves in front of the Cheery Hearth Hostel and entered the establishment, one with slight caution and the other with a brazen smile. Avner glanced around at the room which was smoke-laden and filled with wooden tables and benches. The hearth from its name was impressive, enough to heat the large room in the winter, and over it resided a rack of pots and bronze poles laden with meat. A woman tended to both while she shouted orders to a man who was serving plates. Avner took a deep breath through his nostrils. “Do you smell that Haran? Smoke, dirt, sweat, roasted goat, and beer. I love a well-tended hostel.”

  “Suti is over there.”

  Haran nodded toward a woman who was sitting at a table in the corner of the room. Her dark skin made her blend with the shadows of the room but her bright silk dress of orange and red made her stand out in the crowd of brown, black, and white clothes. The two men moved to her table and Avner pulled an extra chair over. “You know, you don’t really blend in with the locals.”

  Suti moved her head covering to the side to view Avner with her dark brown eyes. “I have no interest in blending in. Let them know a woman of substance sits in their cheap establishment.”

  “Aw…I think it’s a very nice hostel.”

  Haran leaned forward. “Did you make contact?”

  Suti nodded, taking a sip from her beer and pulling a face of slight disgust. “Gods, the only thing worse than the food is the drinks. I made contact with the governor. He would like to meet with you before agreeing to the terms.”

  Avner took her beer and sipped it, bobbing his head with a shrug to indicate it wasn’t as awful as she stated. “That sounds reasonable. When will we meet him?”

  “At the ninth hour.”

  “So…soon?”

  “Yes.”

  Avner paused. “I guess I’ll just order one beer then.”

  Suti frowned at her mug he had drunk from. “You shouldn’t drink. If the governor meets you and you are intoxicated; he will not be impressed.”

  “One drink is hardly enough to intoxicate me.”

  Haran snorted. “But it might impair your judgment and loosen that already sharp tongue of yours.”

  “Look who's talking! Sharp tongue indeed!”

  “Take this seriously!”

  Avner smiled as he waved the server over. “I am. I won’t drink more than one and I shall be very polite. Though, from what I have heard, I think it will be I who is not impressed by this governor instead.”