“You said he wears a disguise, did you not?” Cirayus asked, idly plopping an entire branch of grapes into his mouth. He neglected to spit the branches back out.
“Yes, but even so, there is a limit to what he can change. His frame and the bandy that travels with him are not so easy to conceal.”
“Do struggle, human,” Cirayus said, cracking his neck. “I do not take kindly to failure.”
Morning came late the next day. With the plateau facing west, and with the tall Legion Mountains towering above, light didn’t hit the camp until well into the morning. Despite Avi’s temperate climate, the chill was cooler here. To make matters worse, a morning breeze had kicked up, sweeping through the plateau and down the mountain.
Vir was already packed and ready when Tia came bumbling out of her camp, still in her sleepwear. She nearly ran right into Bumpy before Vir caught her.
So light, he thought. Somehow, he’d expected the warrior to be heavier. She had such a confident, bold personality, it only felt right that she’d be equally weighty.
“Sowwy,” Tia said, tottering, still half-asleep.
“I see our leader is giving you trouble right from the get-go,” Vason said, grasping her shoulder and coaxing her back.
“S’too early,” Tia mumbled.
“It’s really not,” Vir heard Vason say as they sauntered to their camp.
The girl reminded Vir of Maiya in more ways than one.
The caravan soon set out, and the going immediately became tough. Yesterday, the mountain road turned into switchbacks, zigzagging its way up the mountain to reduce the grade. But the higher they went, the tighter and narrower the switchbacks grew, forcing the caravan to stop and negotiate tight turns.
What would’ve taken Vir thirty minutes took three hours, and there had been several close calls. The path was barely wide enough to allow a single wagon by, and an errant step could send a wagon careening off the mountain.
Through some quick acting by Vir and Spear’s Edge, they’d avoided such a disaster, but without them… Vir didn’t want to think how many would have died. As Vir was learning, mountains were treacherous even on a good day. He dared not imagine what dangers the mountain posed during bad weather, or in the dark.
The wind continued to mount as they approached the pass, forcing Neel to jump off Bumpy and follow alongside. Vir himself dismounted, leading the Ash’va the final steps on foot.
Saddled between tall peaks that soared for thousands of feet above on either side, the pass acted like a channel for the rushing wind. It howled and battered the rocks, and everything not strapped was sent flying. Fabric tore off the wagons, and Vir could barely keep himself upright.
Aryan motioned for them to continue through—his voice was lost in the din.
And just like that, it was over. The moment they crossed the pass and rounded their first bend on the other side, the wind died off completely, leaving a warm sun and lush forest for as far as Vir’s eyes could see.
The scenery may have been somewhat greener on the western side, but here? It was like they’d stepped through a gate into another world. The forest canopy spread like a green mat far below them, and birds soared high above, chirping and swooping.
And in the distance, at the eastern edge of the forest, lay a small town. Eshana—their destination.
“First time through a mountain pass?” Vason asked, drawing up alongside Bumpy once the road had widened. While the way up had been difficult for the animal’s heart, the way down was hard on his bones, so the caravan’s slow pace was a welcome respite for the injured Ash’va.
Vir nodded. “That was intense…”
“And now it feels like we’re getting paid even less than we ought to, eh?”
Vir’s face darkened. The low pay reminded him of the concerns he’d had about the group since signing on.
“Don’t you think all of this is a bit suspicious?” Vir asked. “Why so many guards for a caravan in this area?”
Vason shrugged. “Some clients are rich and would rather have the sense of security. Others have good reason to be afraid. People with enemies, or those carrying valuable cargo.”
“You think that’s what’s going on here?” Vir asked.
Vason shrugged. “No way to know, friend. If we’re attacked, we defend the caravan. Simple as that.”
It was after they’d reached the bottom of the pass and had broken for a rest that they gained some clarity on the situation.
Aryan walked up to Vir and the Spear’s Edge trio—who were munching on sandwiches, with their Ash’va huddled around them for privacy—to discuss a proposition.
“So, there’s the matter of your payment,” Aryan barked.
“Oy oy,” Vason said. “Don’t tell me you’re about to decrease our pay? One silver is already bottom-barrel money for this kind of contract, you know?” They’re getting the same rate I am, Vir reflected. It truly was a paltry amount, barely enough to cover the supply cost accrued.
“Actually, the opposite,” Aryan said with a sly grin. “I can double yer pay… If yer willing to accept alternative methods of payment.”
“Payment in goods?” Tia asked. “Can’t speak for our hooded friend here, but Spear’s Edge might be amenable. What are we talking about, and how much?”
Vir supposed payment in foodstuffs or weapons might work. Those were easy enough to sell at any local town. The hassle might be worth it if it meant more coin.
Aryan tossed a small pouch to Tia, who unraveled the drawstring and peered inside, sniffing its contents. Her face hardened the moment she did.
“I see,” Tia said, tossing the bag back to Aryan. “Mind giving us a few moments to discuss?”
“Take your time,” the man said. “You have until we arrive at Eshana, after all.”
Vason cleared his throat. “Don’t tell me it’s—”
“It’s opium,” Tia whispered. “We’ve been protecting opium smugglers.”
Vason whistled while Haymi began pacing around.
“I take it opium’s illegal in Rani?” Vir asked.
“Quite,” Tia replied. “The Pagan Order grows it as medicine, but it’s quite a powerful drug. Black markets the world over are always looking to get their hands on the stuff. Its use is strictly prohibited in Rani, and well, let’s just say none of us want to be caught anywhere near the stuff.”
“I can’t believe the Brotherhood allowed a contract such as this. They’ll make no friends if this ever comes to light,” Vason said.
“I suppose this is the real reason for the no penalty,” Vir said. “This caravan’s not even bound for Eshana, is it?”
Haymi shook her head. “They must have a rendezvous point outside the town somewhere. There isn’t a chance they’ll get past the gate guards. Not unless they’re carrying a tiny amount that could be cleverly hidden.”
“So?” Vason asked. “What do we do? I say we ditch this contract at all haste. If a Ranian patrol finds us and discovers what’s going on… Well, that’ll be a bad day. Doubt even the Brotherhood could cover for us in that situation.”
“Agreed,” Tia said. “We’ll collect our payment—in coin—and leave.”
“I doubt Aryan will take kindly to that,” Haymi said quietly. “We might have a fight on our hands.”
“Why don’t we accompany the caravan until we’re in the woods?” Vir said. “Then we can accost Aryan together and demand our money without the rest of the caravan being the wiser. If he’s smart, he’ll pay us our pittance, and we’ll be on our way. If he’s not… we’ll at least be in a good position to fight or flee.”