Chapter 14: Can’t is a Strong Word

  “You might have asked for our opinion before you made a deal with that minister,” said Suti in a low tone to Avner.

  They were trailing Ninah as she followed the tracks made by the flock. The sheep had been driven along the city's outskirts in a wide arc. They made their way further from the city and into the heathland, toward an open plain of tall grass with ravines cut into it by rain and erosion. In the distance, the flock could be seen with the riders keeping watch around them.

  Avner shrugged. “It was a call that needed to be made. Besides, she could use the help and we could use her healing. You know how much I get hurt.”

  “Don’t I just,” she muttered. “Especially your ego.”

  “It’s called pride and every man needs a healthy dose of it.”

  “That depends on what you consider a ‘healthy dose’,” said Haran. “Our healer is falling behind by the way.”

  They glanced back to see Roshana falling behind, struggling through the tall grass with her dress. Avner stopped while Suti kept walking and Haran hesitated briefly before joining her. As Roshana approached, Avner said, “Having trouble?”

  Roshana smiled in embarrassment as she caught up to him, walking in step with him. “I admit…I am not used to trekking through fields. At least, not at this pace. I usually stay on the roads if I can help it.”

  “Well, I can’t promise there won’t be some of this in our journey…but I can promise it won’t be so fast-paced.”

  “I should hope not. I am not sure I could get used to it.”

  “Oh, I have no doubt you could. You are stronger than you look.”

  Roshana looked down. “Such a claim is flattery.”

  “Not true. I can judge a person’s character and your lack of fear in the face of two attempts against your person tells me a lot.”

  “Not afraid? I was terrified.”

  “But not enough to break to pieces. You still stood and faced what was coming, even if you couldn’t do anything to stop it.”

  “And that is not having fear?”

  “It is as close as many of us can reach.”

  She looked at him and he smiled back at her. His gaze flicked back the way they had come and his face turned into a frown. “Oh no…what is it now?”

  Roshana turned to see Amos and E’Tar moving quickly across the fields toward them. They approached and stood before the pair, panting. “There you are,” said Amos. “I had to ask a servant where you were and he told me you left the city before the sun rose. Then I asked a passing traveler if he saw you. And here you are!”

  “And here you are,” said Avner, still frowning. “And…what are you doing exactly?”

  Amos smiled impishly. “I am here to help in whatever way I can.”

  “I see.” Avner raised his eyes to the heavens and covered his face in frustration. Haran came back to him. “I see we were tailed by your brother and his big friend.”

  “It seems they want to ‘help’ us.” Avner said.

  Amos nodded. “I do. Tell me how I can.”

  Avner stared blankly at him. “That is your pitch to me. You want to help me but don’t know how you can?”

  “Well…I-”

  “Can you fight?”

  “Well, not really. At least, I have never been in a fight before.”

  “Can you track or know any survival skills?”

  “No-”

  “Do you know how to remedy wounds?”

  “Well, no but-”

  “Do you have connections to wealthy people to find us jobs? Diplomacy skills? You have nothing to offer.”

  Amos’s face grew dark. “Why are you being so mean?”

  “I’m being ‘mean’, my little brother, because I must. This life and this work isn’t a game. At least your friend could offer his brute strength if nothing else. But you don’t have any skills I can use. If we could find a way I would but…Haran?”

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  Haran was vehemently shaking his head. Avner shrugged. “I’m sorry, Amos. It can’t be helped.”

  “I…you…” Amos spluttered but his face was falling, turning from red to pale as the truth of the words began to sink in. “So…I can’t help at all?”

  Avner put a hand on his shoulder. “No. Go home, Amos. I need you to stay safe.”

  His face darkened again at this. Suti’s voice came from some distance away. “Hey! Come look! Ninah has found something!”

  Avner promptly forgot Amos and turned to make his way to Suti along with Haran. Roshana, at least, took pity on Amos and stood beside him. All three, curious, joined the rest of the group as Ninah pointed down a embankment in the ground which led into a ravine. “See this? The ground had been churned up recently and there are faded prints. I would bet a few sheep and likely a horse went down here. Now, they might have been chasing after some strays…”

  “Or maybe they weren’t,” said Avner. “Let’s follow and find out, shall we?”

  The group followed the trail down the ravine, its walls no higher than E’Tar’s head but soon widening and growing higher as it made its way toward the mountain. As they continued along, Amos fell to the back with E’Tar and began lamenting his situation again. “What am I going to do, E’Tar?”

  “About what?”

  “About…Avner. He doesn’t care about me.”

  “I wouldn’t say that. He wants to protect you.”

  “It's like he thinks I am still that ten-year-old child he left behind. He doesn’t see me as an adult.”

  “Maybe. But he is right. Neither one of us is made for this kind of work.”

  “Not true. You are strong. And I have my power-”

  “You know you can’t use that!” hissed E’Tar. “The Athelward in the sanctum will come after you!”

  “Not if they don’t know I used it. Besides, if I leave Hatisep, what can they do about it?”

  “Leave…Hatisep.”

  “Sure! You weren’t from here originally and neither was I. We could start a different life.”

  E’Tar looked uncertain and he shook his head. “You are changing Amos. Perhaps Avner doesn’t know who you are…do you?”

  Amos shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe-”

  “Shut up!” hissed Avner.

  Avner had raised a hand. As they all fell silent, the bleating of sheep could be heard echoing down the ravine which had grown wide enough for two men side by side and and three men tall. The group crept along quietly, Avner unsheathed his sword while Haran hefted his ax.

  Being in the front with Ninah, Avner pulled her up sharply as the ravine curved and opened up into a wide, rounded basin. Penned in the center were at least two score sheep and around it were three herdsmen and one guard from the city. Avner peered around the corner of the ravine to get a better look and felt a shove at his back which almost pushed him into the open. He looked back to see the entire group crowding around him save for Suti who was covering her face with her hand. “Get back you fools.” she hissed.

  “Don’t crowd me.” included Avner.

  He pushed them back as Suti asked, “What do you see?”

  “Three herdsmen, one guard, and a whole bunch of sheep and goats.”

  “Do we face them?” asked Haran.

  “Should we find out what they are doing before we go in?” asked Amos.

  “Hush!” hissed Suti. “What do you think, Avner? Can we handle them?”

  “I don’t see why not. Stick close to me, Haran.”

  “We should go out and look menacing too!” said Ninah. She began reaching for her bow.

  “No!” said Haran and Suti.

  “What should the rest of us do?” asked Roshana. “Do we stay here?”

  “I don’t know!” said Avner. “Just…stay behind us and keep out of our way. Absolutely no interference with what we do!”

  The group nodded and Avner, sighing, stepped out into the opening and began walking toward the herdsmen and guard. The three herdsmen on horses were arguing fiercely with the guard and, as they approached, Avner picked up the last few words. “…isn’t safe! They are growing in the area and won’t resist such a large herd left without guards. Even one of your guards went missing last night.”

  “They will be reinforcements, don’t worry…”

  The guard turned as he saw the shocked looks on the herdsmen's faces and spotted the trespassers. Avner stood with Haran and Suti close behind. The rest followed: Roshana and Amos hiding behind E’Tar while Ninah stood in front of him boldly, an arrow on her bow. The guard stuttered. “What…what are you doing here?”

  “Well, well…,” said Avner. “Look who it is.”

  The guard that had been consistently threatening Roshana stood perplexed before them. “You…why are you here?”

  “We are here to find the lost property of lord Rim-Sim, which you are standing next to. That isn’t incriminating at all.”

  The man gaped but stood his ground. “You…you can’t be here.”

  “‘Can't’ is a strong word. Shouldn’t be is what you were going for. Regardless, we are going to hash this out now.”

  The shepherds on their horses began to back them nervously away, to the opposite end of the gulley where the ravine continued. Avner wagged a finger at them. “Ah! Don’t run! We aren’t finished with you either.”

  Ninah, upon hearing this, drew the arrow on her bow and pointed it in their general direction. Avner noticed and nodded. “This fine lady here will make sure you don’t leave.”

  “You should leave now,” the soldier told them. “Before the buyers show up.”

  “Buyers?”

  “Where are the other soldiers?” whispered Suti, her eyes narrowing.

  “I don’t know,” muttered Avner. “But we had better move this business along quickly before reinforcements arrived.”

  “Really?” asked Ninah who had approached from behind followed by E’Tar while Roshana and Amos followed behind him as if tied to his back. “I thought we needed to leave because of the raptors?”

  Avner glanced at her. “Raptors? What?”

  “The ones skulking around the ravine edge? They are hunting the livestock…or us.”

  Suti and Haran glanced at Avner who turned to the opposite side of the basin. The sound of horses echoed through the silence and everyone turned to see a band of men coming out of the opposite ravine. Ten men on horses rode into the basin, dressed in mottled assortments of leather armor and simple clothing, many with turbans around their heads. They halted before the group leader barked an order. “Spread out!”

  Avner drew his sword, Haran pulled his ax and Suti drew closer, her arms disappearing into the folds of her sleeves. The soldier in front of them looked back, smiling sardonically. “You see?”

  Avner shook his head, his eyes darting from the cliff top where he could see the first signs of flashing scales to the horsemen fanning out before them. “Oh…joy.”