Dreams of Wenches & Ales

A warm breeze blew through the copse of trees and bushes that hid Manda and Quito. Patrols from the local militia were common along this route. Keeping out of site, they ate their afternoon meal in near silence. Just beyond the copse of trees was a well-worn trail, used by trading caravans as well as military patrols. On the far side of the trail was another copse of trees that also housed a small spring, fed from an underground stream.

The business of thievery and robbery kept them well supplied with coins. However, this current heist of Delman's made absolutely no sense whatsoever to Manda, especially knowing how well patrolled the area was, not that any of them ever did. Manda really couldn't complain about the increasing wealth, but he still felt as if he were missing out on something important. He couldn't quite put his grubby finger on it, though.

Quito lounged on his back, looking through the branches of the short trees at the sky. He watched a few clouds drift lazily by. Smiling to himself, he imagined some of the clouds looked like various animals his family had taken care of on their farm. Not being able to help himself when a random thought popped into his head, he broke the silence.

"These trees aren't very tall."

Manda shushed him, keeping his eyes on the trail next to them.

Quito ignored him and continued with his thought.

"I mean really, the trees grow very tall where I come from. Many would say it was because of the elves who used to live there, while others would say it was the druids from ages past. As for me, I believe the trees were trying to touch the sky."

"Would you be quiet? We are supposed to be watching for the caravan," hissed Manda.

"Yes, I know, part of the plan," Quito said sarcastically, "but they aren't here, so why do we have to be quiet now?"

"Just stick to the plan," growled Manda.

"Fine," the lad said sarcastically.

Nothing was said for some time, as both finished their meals. They took turns watching the road that was empty, save for the occasional snake or rodent who dared to cross from one side to the other. One snake got a little too close and Quito was forced to kill it. He picked it up and showed it to Manda.

"Yeah, yeah. So, you killed a snake, big deal."

"We could skin it and eat it," offered the lad.

"Raw?"

"No, silly, we could cook it. Snake is quite good when cooked," he said hungrily.

"A campfire would give us away to any passing patrols," Manda reminded him.

"Oh," he said before tossing the carcass over one of the bushes and went back to watching the road.

Several hours later, as the light of day began to fade, it became clear to them the caravan was late. What was even more surprising was the fact that there had been no patrols all afternoon. Something was amiss but Manda kept his thoughts to himself. He didn't want to engage his partner in conversation; he was afraid that youth would talk his ear off all night if he did.

While digging through his pack for a biscuit to nibble on, Quito suddenly intruded upon his thoughts.

"Have you ever thought about giving up this life, Manda?"

"What life?" Manda replied sarcastically.

Not catching the sarcasm, the youth continued.

"This," he motioned around him, "the waiting, the robbing, the thieving. Have you ever thought about giving it all up and settling down?"

"No," he replied sternly.

"Finding a girl and starting a family?" the youth continued.

"No," he growled.

"Spending your coins on something worthwhile?"

Manda growled to himself. Why was the kid always asking questions and prying into his business? Why couldn't he just keep to himself and leave him alone? Manda shook with anger before a thought came to him. Maybe, if he'd answer some of his questions, it would shut him up. But what he feared was that his answer would only trigger more questions.

"Fine. You want to know what I would spend my coins on? You want to know what would make me happy?"

Quito nodded emphatically.

"I would order the best ale and rabbit stew from my favorite tavern, The Busty Ogre. I'd sit by their hearth and put my feet up and enjoy that tasty stew and I'd drink that warm ale and I'd order seconds."

"That's nice. Do you want to hear…?" Quito started to say.

Manda leaned back against the tree, clasping his hands behind his head and smiled. Ignoring the youth, he continued.

"After I had seconds, I'd order thirds. And during all of this, I'd have two perky wenches sitting on either side of me, fawning over me and keeping me company. I'd have another stand behind me, rubbing my shoulders and a fourth rubbing my sore, tired feet."

"Wow, that's a lot of wenches," Quito said in awe, "Anyways…"

Manda, still lost in his day-dream, held up one finger and continued to speak.

"And after I had my fill of stew and ale, I'd involve myself in a tavern brawl. I'd toss every ruffian, thug and cutthroat out of the tavern on their ear. And when I was done, I would return to my seat with the wenches and drink to my heart's content; celebrating my achievements long into the night."

"I've seen you drink quite a bit," the lad said quietly.

Manda nodded his head.

"Don't you want to hear what I'd spend my coins on?" asked the youth.

"Not really," replied the Halfling gruffly.

"But," the youth protested.

Manda waved the boy off.

"I'm not finished yet…and when the sun came up, I would crawl into the softest, warmest bed they had to offer and sleep until noon. Then I would get up and have breakfast, followed by lunch, then eventually dinner, where I would do it all over again."

"Until you've spent all your coins? Sounds like an expensive venture."

"Nyah lad. I think I'd like to own that tavern, so there would always be a steady income of coins."

"That doesn't sound like much of a life, if you ask me."

"I didn't ask you," he answered, "Though, it would suit me just fine."

"Oh, but don't you want to hear what I want to do?"

"No, I'm enjoying my own thoughts on the matter now. Don't bother me," he said as he sighed contentedly. The Halfling closed his eyes and hummed softly to himself. Resting one of his hairy feet on his knee, he moved his foot in rhythm with the song he was humming.

With downcast eyes Quito mumbled quietly to himself.

"I would donate it to the poor and destitute. I'd give to those who had nothing, so they would have something. I'd be generous with my coin. Then I would find a girl, settle down, and start a family. That's what I would do."

The Halfling didn't seem to hear him, lost in his own thoughts, still humming contentedly.

Before the moon rose, Manda heard the distinct sound of a galloping horse. He looked to Quito to see if he was paying attention. The boy was drawing circles with a stick. Manda reached over and smacked him on his head. When the boy looked up, the Halfling motioned towards the road and the boy nodded, saying nothing.

Manda pulled out a spy glass and in the waning light off to the west, he could make out the silhouette of a lone rider on a horse, leading another horse behind them on a tether. This might be an advance scout of the caravan, thought the Halfling. He quickly set his crossbow and moved into position to spring the ambush. He glanced at Quito, to ensure the boy was doing the same. The boy moved quietly through the bushes and positioned himself to block the riders escape. Satisfied, the Halfling raised his crossbow and trained it on the approaching rider.

The rider pulled up near the copse of trees but still out of range of the Halfling and stopped. Manda waited for the rider to come closer before springing the trap. Taking the tether of the second horse, the rider lashed it to a low hanging branch. Manda couldn't tell if this individual was part of the caravan or not, the rider was dressed in dark colored clothing, meant to make them invisible against the growing night sky. He tensed and held his crossbow steady.

The rider suddenly swung his horse around and headed directly towards their position. Manda took aim, drew in a deep breath and slowly let it out, never taking his eyes off his target.

The rider reined in just in front of his position and pulled back their hood, revealing long, black hair as she smiled at him. Manda blew out the rest of his breath and stood up.

"Blast it girl, I nearly shot you," he said stomping his foot.

"But you didn't," Aziath replied calmly.

"Where you'd get the horses?" Quito asked surprised.

"They belonged to the caravan guards," she replied sharply, "We'll talk later, it's time to go."

"I thought we were supposed to ambush the caravan here? Wasn't that the plan?" Quito asked with a look of confusion on his face.

"The caravan broke an axle a few hours after leaving the city. Couldn't pass up the opportunity. Delman and I hit them late last night. We got what we were after."

"You mean I waited here for two days for nothing?" spat the visibly angry Halfling.

"I'm sure you and the boy had plenty to talk about. Don't worry, you surly Halfling, you still get your cut. Now mount up; you two will ride together. Delman is waiting for us at the next oasis."

The Halfling grumbled as he gathered up his gear.

"What happened to the carpet?" asked the youth.

"Sold it," she replied.

"How much did we get for it?" asked the grumpy Halfling.

"Enough," she said giving the Halfling a look that said she wasn't about to offer up any more information.

Rolling his eyes, Manda mounted the second horse and extended a hand to help the youth up.

"I don't know why I continue to do this," he mumbled.

"Just think of your wenches and ale, "whispered Quito.

Manda thought about it for a moment then shrugged; the kid was right. No point in grousing about things now, besides, he rather liked his dream. He figured they had a hard ride ahead of them, why not think of fonder things.

Behind him, Quito smiled too. It was good to see his friend smile every now and then.