Ch 2 A Journey Home
A journey found
A burden laid
To keep his child
And companion safe.......
"Are you sure it's time to travel, he looks a little young yet" Gaven, the Herald replacing him asked as he watched Mikel run circles around the two older Companions. His own Finorn ignored the youngster's antics, continuing to graze as he wandered slowly towards his chosen.
"We don't have much choice, if we don't leave now, we'll ending up waiting until spring" He looked over at his Companion. "Val wants him to be around other young companion's. She thinks it's not entirely healthy to be so isolated from his own kind".
"I suppose she knows best" Gaven said, a little doubt creeping into his voice.
"We're not leaving for another week, there's a caravan heading up towards Valdemar, we'll ride with them for the first part of the journey" he said.
"That's probably a good idea, safer anyway" Gaven said.
"That's the idea" Remi said.
Mikel had trouble keeping pace with his mother as they took the street that would bring them to the gate where the caravan waited for them. He kept trying to dart off, the sights of the city extremely distracting to a youngster who had previously only been in the open pasture and barns of the King. His mother snorted in annoyance as she reined him in for the fifth time in a quarter candlemark.
:Val love: Remi sent to her. :Perhaps I should tie a lead to you, then he won't be in danger of getting lost in the crowd:
She sighed :I think you're right: she sent stopping long enough for him to pull out the lead and attach it to the side of her saddle. Mikel didn't like this turn of events. Once Remi was in the saddle again and they started, he dug in his feet, squealing angrily. At least until his mother turned her head and nipped his flank lightly.
:Hurts: Remi heard.
He grinned as he heard Val reply :Then behave, show your manners, do you want people to think you're a horse: she asked.
:No: came the sullen reply.
:You might want to remind him to watch his voice, I can hear him: he said to Val.
She must have spoken to him because Remi didn't hear anything more from him even after they joined the caravan. Mikel almost vibrating in his excitement. Remi was glad they had thought to tie him to his mother.
"You the Herald" the master of the caravan asked.
"Yes, I'm Remi and this is my companion Valana and her foal Mikel" he said.
The man nodded and sent him to a spot between wagons. "You can tie the youngster to the wagon if you like" the master said before turning back to give orders to his outriders.
:Talkative isn't he: Remi sent as he followed the man's orders.
He heard Val's snort behind him.
Mikel behaved himself the next few candlemarks, not having much choice being on a fairly short lead. Gradually he walked slower and his head started to sag as his energy started to give out.
:Tired: came the pitiable cry.
Remi looked at the foal and felt more than a little sympathy. :Val, I'm going to ask if Mikel can ride on one of the wagons for awhile until he gets some rest:.
She nodded :You're right, he's not used to walking so much:.
"What" the master asked, looking at him with a doubtful expression.
"I was wondering if the foal could ride on one of the wagons, he's not used to walking for so long" Remi said.
The man looked at him funny, but nodded and the caravan stopped long enough for it to be done.
That evening when they stopped for the night Remi was brushing Valana when one of the guards walked up "A treat for the lady and her foal" he said softly. At Remi's surprised look he added. "I'm from Valdemar originally, I'm not like Master Denner, I know about my ladies kind" he nodded to Valana.
:Tell him thanks: she sent taking the fruit gently from his hand.
"She wants me to thank you" he said.
The other man nodded. "We're having music tonight at the fire, you're welcome to join us if you wish" he said.
Remi nodded "I think I will" he said.
He sat by the fire drowsy but not enough to sleep as the trader pulled out his instrument. He sat up and waited for the music to begin as did many of the other men.
"This is one bout someone you all know" he said before starting a song Remi hadn't heard before.
"What was that" he asked the man sitting next to him quietly as the song ended.
"Tis called Dark Rider" the man said.
"I hadn't heard that one before" he said.
"Not surprised" he said looking at the Herald.
One of the other men nodded "He's a caravan guard now, couldn't return to his holdings after what happened" he said.
"Don't understand that, givin up land. It ain't natural" another man said shaking his head.
"They were lifebonded" the first man said.
"Do you mind, I can stop if you'd rather talk than listen" the trader said in an irritated tone.
Everyone quieted to listen to the music, all discussion shelved until later, but Remi still wondered about the man in the song. Lifebonds were rare and when one died the other usually followed, he must be a strong man he thought to himself.
The next few days passed quickly, gradually Mikel got used to walking, though he still did need to rest part of the day. Remi frowned thinking he was still too young for so much travel, but they really didn't have much choice. Finally they came to the point where they parted ways with the caravan it would be turning back to the south again.