Chapter 4

Wolf and the Uncivilized Impasse

It was here at the inconvenient blockade that Fabian was found by his own wagon, sorting through his merchandise. His attention was thwarted when acknowledging an oncoming presence. He turned himself around to see the masked man walking towards him.

"Ten and five silver have been acquired." said he while holding up a modest collection of silver coins within a leather pouch.

With reverent amazement, Fabian inquired with charm, "How did you manage that? I've heard that man to be so cheap he wouldn't pay for his own funereal."

"It matters not,' returned the hood, 'we have the coin, with a surplus of five."

"Now there is another question, which wagon goes across?"

Ranger pondered how to approach this, "Leaving behind my possessions would not be ideal."

"All my product is in here, plus I'm providing most of the coin."

"The errand I run cannot be without my provisions."

Throwing his hands up in the air, Fabian grumbled, "After all this just to get the damn money, this is the impasse we hit?"

Then to the surprise of both men, Holo approached after hearing it all and said, "Really, the two of you cannot compromise when the answer is quite simple?"

Fabian raised an eyebrow, "What do you see in all this?"

Perching her fingers below her lip, Holo motioned behind her with her eyes, "We have plenty of empty space, move your necessities to our wagon."

Fabian rubbed his chin while Ranger remained silent, to the she wolf it seemed as if they were stunned at their own inability to see the obvious that almost exposed imprudence on their behalf.

The masked man then said to Fabian, "Select the merchandise most precious to you so that it may be loaded."

"Fair enough, pull it around here, I've already picked out what I want to bring."

Ranger then turned about and headed for his own coach at such a brisk pace that Holo nearly had to jog lightly to stay with him.

"You do not have to thank me all at once." panted Holo as she attempted to keep up with him.

"And what gratitude do you feel you are owed?" replied the hood without looking back.

"If it had not been for me, the two of you would have been squabbling over which carriage to take, which would not have mattered considering the three silver you would have made off the weapons." said the she wolf with a tone that demanded recognition for her service.

Once they reached the wheels of the wagon, Ranger responded, "I would have found another way."

"Well it obviously would not have been your business talent." criticized Holo.

"There are other ways in which I can attain my goals." said the masked cutthroat as he was now in the wagon and began reorganizing the chest and the crate.

"Of course, you can simply beat your obstacles into submission." said she with disapproving sarcasm.

Ranger the put a foot on the ledge and rested both forearms on his knee and peered into her face with a stern glance, "Said the harmless and innocent pagan god who contributed to the corpses of today's events." said he.

Holo's mouth scrunched into a look of displeasure, "Was it not you who said that I did what I had to?"

Tilting his head, Ranger simply said, "Not all situations can be handled with a civilized approach, the sooner you come to realize this, the better."

He then got into the driver's seat and instructed, "Now come, the hour is far spent."

With understandable ill will, Holo took her spot in the wagon before it was pulled up to Fabian. Ranger then looked back to the canine and said, "Kaytaff, guest."

Then to the surprise of Holo, the hound made no hostile response as Fabian timidly put some of his provisions in the empty spaces of the coach.

She then leaned over and whispered to the hood, "You could have given the same order in regards to me, could you not?" Referencing to the bad blood ensuing between the woman and the dog that could have been avoided based on one command.

Lifting his eyebrows some, Ranger gave voice, "A shepherd dog tolerating a wolf invading his territory? I am a freelancer, not a worker of miracles."

A great flush ran through her flesh as she let out a silent grunt. Once Fabian finished loading his belongings he could not help but notice and comment on the exiguous number of accouterments that belonged to Ranger.

"What's in here that is so important to you?" said he when observing the locks that held the chests shut.

"Nothing worth the mention." returned Ranger with stiff resilience.

"Fair enough." replied Fabian as he sat on the tail gate, furthest from Kaytaff, who may not have made a snarl but did send a distrustful stare to the man.

The wagon was then led to the cluster of other coaches who were all awaiting the ferry's return. Again, as before, the people gathered about took an unlikable notice to Ranger's dithering appearance and Holo's choice of garb. Even more confused where they when seeing the fair Fabian sitting in the back.

"I wish they would take their eyes elsewhere." said Holo with a feeling of violation.

"The combination of unusualness in our presentation has called for attention." returned the hood.

"Speaking of that,' interjected Fabian, 'what happened to the two of you? You look like you've been through the valley of death and narrowly escaped,' then to Holo, 'and you look like you've never seen a tailor in your life."

Holo was unsure how to answer, for few would believe the actual events of that morning had transpired unless they were there to witness it.

Ranger however was quick to respond, "This woman was taken from her home, I had intervened."

"Very well, but if it's not too much to ask, what happened to her clothes?"

The masked man then said, "She was assaulted."

Holo went red with embarrassment, then out of reaction, to typically do to the men who humiliate her, thrust her fist into his side. She may as well have struck a brick wall, for Ranger did not budge nor even flinch. She pulled her hand away and began to shake and message her wrist.

Then, angrily she shot her fiery eyes upon Fabian and said, "It is too much to ask!"

The merchant put his hands up assertively as if to transmit an apology, then said, "Are you then taking her home?"

Quickly, Holo thought and replied, "Yes, I live in Valenfurt."

"What were you doing traveling alone?"

"I desired to become a nun and go on a pilgrimage with hopes to return with the knowledge of my studies would bring the people of my native town to the truth of the Lord." said she.

This impressive cover story caught the intrigue of the Ranger, as he gave her a simple look of complimentary praise.

She then looked back at him and said, as though she were talking to Fabian, "I was being attacked, if not for this man, heaven knows what may have become of me."

Cocking up an eyebrow, Fabian pointed to her hand, "If you're a nun then why do you have a ring on?"

Forgetting the article of marital declaration on her finger, Holo was able to add another element to their pretense, "At times, some men would wish to seduce me whenever I would stop at an inn or tavern. This would help keep them away, for any man who would value his well being would not trifle with another's beloved, would they not?"

"No, I suppose not, that would only mean trouble."

"Yes, and by wearing this I have been able to repel any who wished to take me to bed. However I do forget to take it off sometimes, but never when I am evangelizing."

"So you are a unmarried?" asked Fabian with a failed attempt to cover the hopefulness in his voice.

Correcting quickly, Holo caromed with s sultry tease as to dash the man's hopes, "I am not available if that is what you are wanting."

"Well it never hurts to ask." replied the fair man with more of a reassurance for himself.

Suddenly there was a stir in the crowd in which Ranger looked to see that the ferry was within eye shot and closing in on the shore. There was a line formed, however, to the relief of the circumstance there would be enough room for the three travelers on board.

The passage boat came up to the shore in which some men jumped out with ropes and secured the barge down. Shortly after, the ferry's pilot came out. He was a short and stubby man with a staff in hand, wearing a traditional outfit that was common among sailors who were not apart of any official navy or business.

He then cupped his hands around his mouth to amplify his voice and spoke loudly, "This is my last run! For those of you in line, be sure to have the toll or be turned away."

Soon, one by one, the wagons rolled on until it was time for Ranger to board.

"What have you got?" asked the ferryman.

"A wagon, horse, and three passengers."

"Alright, that comes down to fifty five silver."

Ranger then passed the coin purse to Holo, who handed it to the ferryman.

"An outrages price." said Holo silently, but with enough volume to be heard.

"Pardon?" returned the pilot with quick displeasure.

Then with boldness, Holo confronted him, "One could almost buy his own raft for that."

"Well you are more than welcome to explore the market my dear, but for now, this is your quickest chance of getting across. So do you have the half up front or not?"

"We do." she affirmed.

Then, when gazing upon the oddly looking trio, the ferryman then said with an insult, "So what's your story? Oh, wait let me guess, he had to bail you out when another got you on your back."

Ranger suddenly leaned forward and said with a harsh reprimand, "Our business is our own."

With a rude laugh, the ferryman peered into the wagon and said with a pry, "What's even in here that's so…"

His hand went beyond the borders and rested upon a crate, which was met with a viscous bark from Kaytaff, who would not suffer the master's possessions to be mishandled.

In the pandemonium the pilot leapt back and wielded his walking stick against the canine. He was about to make a swing, but his attack was barred when Ranger's hand shot forth and clasped around it.

There was a hushed awe among the crowd when seeing his reaction time. Holo was looking around in repudiation then finally found the Ranger and asked with an astonished tone of violated personal space, "Did you just leap over me?"

It would seem the only logical explanation as to how the masked man may have dismounted from the driver's seat and found next to the pilot as quickly as he was.

"You are paid to transport the wagon, not inspect it." said the hood with a tone that called for the man to be more mindful of his reach.

The pilot attempted to pull his cane away, but ere his struggles could not liberate it from the hood's grasp. In response to his tantrum, Ranger forced his end into the man's chest and pushed him away.

Panting in childish anger, the pilot exclaimed, "You said nothing of a dog on your wagon! I'm going to increase your toll for that plus the treatment that you have shown me!"

Holo then got out of the wagon to stand between the men, whose tension could be felt when she had intervened.

"He was only protecting his owner's merchandise." said she.

"It's not about that!' he returned, 'He counts as another passenger, those are the conditions!"

With irritation to his selective petulance, Holo pointed out, "As far as I am concerned, the conditions only applied to horse, wagon and human travelers, did they not? Could not the animal qualify as cargo?"

"Not for you, you little crook!"

Stifled by his hypocrisy, Holo returned, "We can give you an additional five silver for the dog, does that seem fair?"

Shaking his head the pilot said with an unreasonable tone, "Well there is also the risk of falling prey to his savagery."

"He is well trained and will not attack,' said Holo, who then added a dark emphases, 'unless he is commanded to do so, or provoked."

"That still does not make him a problem that a bare minimum of five silver could fix."

"I am sorry,' said Holo with a grousing defense, 'that is the last of our money."

Stepping in closer with hostile mannerisms, the pilot shot his finger inches from Holo's eyes and bellowed, "I WILL NOT TAKE APOLOGIES AND EXCUSES, YOU EITHER PAY ME MY…."

Holo was then suddenly moved off to the side as Ranger arbitrated in such a way that turned the pilot's fury into whimpering terror.

"If you will not take her apologies then perhaps you will settle for my wrath." said he.

Fabian bit his lower lip and said weakly, "Now fellows, we can come to some agreement I'm sure."

With a cross of resentment and cowardice in his voice, the pilot stammered, "You think you can intimidate me with empty threats?"

"Tis not a threat,' returned Ranger with a tone of seriousness, 'it is a promise."

"I have a better idea,' said the ferryman, 'I take the silver and you can take the harlot and your mutt elsewhere."

Let it be pointed out to the reader, that though the term 'mutt' is used often in modern times, in this context it refers to a mixed breed of dog. Which is an insult to purebreds, as Kaytaff was, that declares the animal either unclean and or imbecilic. While Holo was equally offended ehen being compared to a Jezebel.

These things atop the proposal of being burglarized did not confide well within the best interests of the mask and hood. Therefore he took it upon himself to make this man atone for his trespass.

He drew his right hand across his chest in a horizontal fashion and made a swipe through the air with the palm down, with a sharp simultaneous whistle complementing the motion.

Many were confused as to why Ranger had made this odd motion, until one responded quickly. It was a command in which the fiercely devoted black and gold shepherd dog leapt from the wagon and began to snarl while perched in an attack stance at his master's side.

The pilot backed away and held up his staff to defend himself, which was only answered with a hostile bark from Kaytaff who closed in.

"Hold!" came the master's voice, in which the hound held his aggressive posture and growled.

"There are only two options for you." said Ranger "I give the command, and my 'mutt' unleashes his fury upon you. Upon which, the money I have given you, will be repossessed. You will be left bleeding and suffering with torn ligaments, to fall prey to bandits and wild animals. Then we shall board the ferry and depart.

He then flexed his neck and continued, "Or, you can take the five silver and let us pass, and then we shall board the ferry and depart."

The Pilot was at a loss for words while some of the spectators grew anxious. Ranger then took a step back, held up his hand and said, "You have three seconds to decide."

In the pandemonium the Ferryman began to oxidate unkemptly. Ranger, keeping track of the hour the ultimatum was given, pointed his two fingers at the Pilot and nearly gave the command the dog was awaiting.

"Wait!" screamed the pilot. "I'll take the dog for free."

"We understand each other perfectly." said Ranger with a near condescending tone, "Your generosity is most gratefully accepted."

The Pilot only waved them through, in which Holo, Ranger and Kaytaff retook their spots and had the shire pull the wagon onto the ferry. The fellow passengers attempted to alienate themselves from the newcomers, in which a pocket of free space formed for the wagon Gallavaun pulled to roll into isolation.

Timidly, the pilot untied the ferry and pushed off, in which the passage boat drifted across the current. Ranger then quitted the driver's seat, headed to the wooden railing, rested his arms against them and stared out into the sunset.

The water shimmered off a golden reflection, whose spangled glory was brought about by the gradual eventide. Holo looked around and could not help but notice the other commuters failing in their attempts look as though they were not gawking at the queerly looking duo. She could overhear hushed whispers concerning what had just happened, and debated the safety of all within the ferry who seemed trapped with volatile raider.

She then slid off the passenger seat and took a place to the left of Ranger, and only peered at the vista with him.

"Well we have already made a good impression have we not?" said she with a hint of neglect in her voice.

"Being delayed in our venture would prove to be futile." returned the Ranger with little remorse for the harshness he had shown the pilot.

"Yes of course,' returned Holo with a slight rude sneer, 'as you have said, 'not all situations can be handled with a civilized approach?'"

With a calm yet rebuking tone, the hood responded, "Had you held your tongue when delivering him the money, perhaps there would have been no situation. For nothing would have been instigated by your outburst."

Holo knew she must forfeit the argument in that regard. For she would feign arrogance should she deny her part in sparking the conflict.

She only bowed her head and looked into the dark current and said with the bitterness one endures when loosing an argument, "I am sorry."

With a heavy sigh, Ranger continued looking on into the blissful horizon which had the silhouettes of healthy trees springing up from the base. They drifted in silence, as Fabian had already moved from the wagon and as far away from Kaytaff as he could.

At last, Ranger broke the silence, "You had done well in devising a pretentious story in securing our cover."

Holo raised an eyebrow, for she was taken off guard. The Ranger had given her a compliment.

"Oh well…' she stammered, while keeping her eyes affixed on the water, 'it was an alias I had used before when traveling with Lawrence. Holo the nun…It was the excuse we had used when others would wonder why a single merchant was traveling with such a fair young lady."

She then took the time to observe her wedding band while continuing, "The other parts of the disguise came from other of life's experiences. Shortly after we had left Lenos, we had encountered a bright young man by the name of Tote Col. A witty little child in his pre adolescent years when we had met. His ambition was to study all the beliefs of the church so that he may help the members of his hometown who were faithful to a pagan god. A frog I believe."

She then gave herself a tender smile and went on, "He always seemed to be our liaison when Lawrence and I were arguing. He grew into a fine young man when we had finally built our inn.' then looking up into the tangerine sky, 'then shortly after the gathering in celebration to our impregnation. He finally chose to take an opportunity to eat into the church's power structures and use the laws to protect his own village. He left on a pilgrimage to join the clergy."

It was then that Holo came out of her own trans and realized she may as well have been talking to herself for Ranger did not seem to be paying attention. He clenched his fists and let out a grunt.

"What is it?" asked Holo with some alarm.

"We are heading away from the main road, which means we will not be reaching Valenfurt in the time estimated."

The she wolf was just as disappointed, however, the need for punctuality did not irritate her as much as it seemed the hood.

Quickly he turned and made his way to the ferryman. Just as before, his progress was made apparent by the quick shifting of human beings who were repelled by his presence. It was an odd sensation for Holo, to be feared once more, not for her ears and tail should they be seen, but by who she was associated with.

The pilot turned to see the masked man approach him, who backed away to the rail, and failed horribly in attempting a portrayal of confidence.

"How far from the main road are you taking us?" asked Ranger.

Adjusting his outfit, the pilot returned, "There is a dock in which is the only place I can tie down…"

"How far from the main road?" interjected the hood.

"At least fifteen miles, where are you heading?"

"Valenfurt."

"I'm sorry but that's twice as far from where you'll be dropped off."

Ranger then turned and nearly collided with Holo who wished to be apart of the the conversation.

"What news?" said she.

"We will be thirty miles out, which is another day's journey." he returned while pushing past her.

Holo then glanced around and could almost feel the eyes upon her. In this pitiful state, she mourned within, she yearned for something decent to wear. She ached for a home and a husband to share it with.

She moved away from the others and confined herself to an empty space. The moon was beginning to fade into few in the soft blue of the sky. Her eyes began to water, as she could only wonder and hope that all was well well with Lawrence.