The first light of dawn tinged the eastern horizon when Garrow finally uncrossed his legs and stood he had spent the best part of the night extracting gold from the earth and shaping them into crowns, when he had finished the last one, he knew he had more than enough to pay Clovis and have some left for supplies should they need them in Tierm.
With the small chest in his arms, he made his way to his tent where her found Horst, Sloan, Albriech and Baldor waiting for him, the four had become his closest allies and supporters throughout the journey so far.
"So, what's the plan?" asked Garrow
"It took some shouting, but we managed to convince Thane and Ridley and after that Loring didn't really have a leg to stand on and he gave in, we thought we'd get everyone ready to leave today and that way in the morning all we'll have to do it break the tents and we can move to the beach whilst you and the others we've chosen go and meet Clovis."
The day passed quickly the belongings people had brought with them had dwindled and now everything comfortably fit in the wagons and carts they had brought with them, and it was all parked surrounding the villagers camp shielding them from sight. That night Garrow was grateful when Horst offered to take his turn on watch, he crawled into the tent he shared with the smith and pulled his blankets over him not bothering to change, within minutes he was asleep.
The next morning Garrow woke fully refreshed, he changed and packed his belongings into his pack he once more entrusted Uluthrek to Horst, the smith was to be in charge of getting the villagers to the beach in time to meet Clovis and the barges.
Slinging his pack onto his back he grabbed his spear and shield and along with Albriech and Baldor, Sloan and a dozen or so other villagers headed towards Narda.
He was dismayed when he saw the same two guards that had barred the way on their first trip into Narda, he silently prayed that the pair wouldn't stop them again, but his prayers went unanswered. As they drew up to the gates the two men's halberds came down once more blocking the entrance.
"Halt, who goes there?" he looked at the group and spotted Garrow, "You there, I've seen you before."
Garrow stepped forward "Aye sir, I was here two days ago with a number of companions who were looking to barter with some of your merchants."
"I don't seem to see any of your former companions, that is save for these two," he gestured at Albriech and Baldor.
"When we were last here, we spoke with a master Clovis, and he told us he needed men to crew and guard his barges for a venture he has been engaged in."
"You hardly look like sailors and men of fortune." Said the older of the two guards.
The first one looked closely at Garrow "What exactly be your name?"
"My name is Cadoc."
The guard frowned "Your face seems familiar," Garrow could sense the others around him tensing ready for the fight to come "Is your name not Gar…" before he could finish Garrow lunged and buried the tip of his spear in the guards throat, his eyes bulged and blood pooled and the corner of his lips, before the second guard could react Garrow pulled out the short handled axe he had taken to wearing opposite his sword and swung it sinking the blade into the guards chest.
Pulling both of his weapons free he turned to the others "Quickly, help me hide the bodies and let's be about our business."
Together Albriech and Baldor picked up the younger, white haired guards' body and hid it in the culvert by the side of the road whilst Garrow and Sloan moved the second body.
After the bodied were hidden the group led by Garrow entered the town and hastily they made there way to the docks where they found Clovis waiting with two other men whom he introduced as Torson and Flint, "They will be in command on board the Merrybell and Edeline whilst I shall command the Red Boar."
Without pause they divided into the two groups of Guards and Deckhands and the together they loaded the provisions that the villagers had purchased.
"The tide is turning Master Cadoc, its almost time for us to depart, before we do, I'd like to settle up."
"Very well Master Clovis." From within his pack, he pulled out the small chest that contained the payment to the seaman.
Once Clovis was satisfied he locked the chest away whilst Torson and Flint pulled open the warehouse doors. Using long poles Clovis commanded the men aboard the Red Boar to cast of and pole them out into the sea, when they made it half a mile out to sea, the bells of Narda began to ring out, their iron clanging calling out across the water.
Garrow looked first to Narda and then to Clovis "What's all that about?"
"I don't rightly know. Perhaps Urgals have been spotted in the area"
Just then Torson drew the Merrybell alongside them "Should we turn back sir"
"No, we'd lose the tide." Shouted Clovis
"I'd surely give a days pay to find out what all the commotion was about." Called back Torson
"So would I." muttered Clovis but then he turned his attention back to the sea for two more hours they sailed up the coast until Clovis called out "The cove be on the other side of that outcropping master Cadoc."
Garrow began to lean out over the rail looking to catch a first glimpse of the villagers, he was nervous to see them and confirm they were all safe.
As they rounded the tip of the outcropping Garrow saw the refugees from Carvahall all on the beach cheering as the three barges came into sight.
Clovis cursed behind Garrow, "I shoulda known somethin' were amiss the moment I clapped eyes on you Cadoc! Livestock indeed! Bah! You played me for a fool."
Garrow whirled to face Clovis "You wrong me sir, I am the shepherd of that flock, I am within my right to call them livestock if I so choose."
"Call them what you will, they're still people and I didn't agree to haul people to Tierm. I understand why you didn't tell me about the true nature of your venture. By rights I oughta throw the lot of you overboard and turn my barges back to Narda."
"You won't do that Clovis." The coldness in Garrow's voice concerned him, "I need these barges Clovis, and I'll do anything, ANYTHING, to keep them. Honour our bargain and you'll have a peaceful trip and get to see your Galina again, if not…" Garrow didn't finish the sentence, he didn't know what exactly he would do to Clovis and his men he knew not, perhaps he might tie them up and just leave them."
Clovis turned red, his fists clenched, then he relented his fists uncurled slightly "Fair enough Cadoc."
Garrow relaxed and turned away, that was when his instincts of old kicked in he twisted and raised his shield, he was shocked by the force with which the belaying pin struck the shield.
He wheeled round to face the seaman glaring coldly, then his anger dissipated "You can't beat me Clovis; I am over four hundred years old; I was bonded to my dragon Ophelia for over three hundred of those years. I promise you I will not harm you or any of your men, but I will see my friends and family to safety. Now will you honour our bargain or not?"
Clovis was stunned "If I agree you must do me the curtesy of telling me why this rouse was necessary, who these people are and where they come from. No matter how much gold you offer me I won't assist in anything that goes against my principles. Do you serve the King?"
"That knowledge may place you in greater danger." Replied Garrow coolly
"I insist."
So Garrow told Clovis his full story starting with his real name, his fight over Fienster and Ophelia's death, when he neared the conclusion he gestured towards those waiting on the shore "those people on the beach before you are all who remain from Carvahall in Palancar Valley, we were forced to flee when three of the forsworn descended upon us, they came to take our sons as soldiers for the king and we fought back, after that Galbatorix decreed that every man, woman and child would be sold into slavery or killed. Reaching Surda is our only hope of escape."
"Blast it Garrow I'm no friend to Galbatorix, and the empire but I understand why your deception was necessary."
"Have you made your decision? The shore draws near."
The weathered seaman shoulders drooped "Aye, I'll see you to Tierm but then I want nothing more to do with you."
"Fair enough." Answered Garrow pleased he might not have to pirate the barges. "Do I also have your word that you won't try and slip away in the night?"
"Aye; you do Garrow."
Sand and rock grated along the underside of the Red Boars hull as it was grounded on the beach, flanked on either side by its two companions.
The lapping of the waves against the sand and the wooden hulls of the barges lulled Garrow towards calm, the smell of the salty sea air also helped, he had always enjoyed being near the sea it was a shame the riders never built any outposts on the shoreline.
Once the sails were furled and the gangplanks lowered Torson and Flint clambered onto the Red Boar and began a heated discussion with Clovis. Leaving the owner of the three barges to explain what he wanted to, to the two other captains Garrow disembarked and made his way to the villagers who had begun cheering when they realised who exactly was aboard the barges.
The first to greet him were Horst and Sloan, the smith handed Garrow his sword which he quickly fastened to his belt once more finding comfort in its weight at his hip.
"How did the journey go?" asked the old rider
"Fair," answered Horst "though we did see a couple of dragon flying overhead at one point, we need to get these people on the barges as soon as possible."
Sloan clapped Garrow on the arm "I hope you have a plan for when we get to Tierm."