Disclaimer: You should know by now that they do not actually belong to us, as much as we like to think they do.
Justify the Thrill
Chapter 7
Exempt From Sanity
The small caravan traveled along the rough roads for several candle widths, striving to reach the Brindisi oasis before the second night of their journey. There, the band, mainly the thieves, had decided to spend a day selling their wares and cross the Glama desert by nightfall. It would be far easier to cross during the cool night, though it was not necessary to cross at all. That was what the people of Brindisi told every traveler. The thieves' caravan has passed through the desert many times over the years. They had yet to take the longer route around the deserts edge to reach Medina. The journey through the Glama cut off an entire day of travel.
The road to Brindisi was long and treacherous, winding sharply through the brush and woodland. All sorts of animals were common in the expanse of forest between Tralee and Brindisi. Though it was quite dark as a result of vast expanse of tall trees, the sun's immense heat pounded through the large canopies filling the forest with sticky, humid air. The nobles began to appreciate the tattered clothing the Rogues had given them, for they were far lighter and provided some luxury. However, their lack of traveling in such conditions tired them out quickly.
Spot led the convoy followed closely by Race while Jack and Wolfgang struggled to keep up. Behind them rode Blink, Mouse, Hotshot, and Specs who seemed to be amusing themselves with a game. David had opted to ride in the cart and Dutchy road his horse alongside for the sake of conversation if nothing else.
Specs approached Spot and murmured something to Spot as he stopped the procession. He quickly took the horse tied to the cart, David's mount, in a trade for his own tired horse. They galloped quickly along the trail to where he had noticed a group of vultures circling overhead.
Spot took up a lessened pace, a slow trot, while Jack took the opportunity to glance behind him. The Rogues had become silent and attentive, ready for action whereas Jack's friends appeared worn out as moans escaped their lips. It had been a hard ride and even Jack's thighs burned from gripping his horse's sides. It was indeed time for a rest.
"Spot" Jack's voice rang out clearly; "I believe it is time to break for camp." The young prince waited a few moments staring intently toward the Rogue leader who gave a snort.
"You've got to be kidding me." Spot's tone showed obvious frustration. He replied without so much as turning to face the prince. "The day isn't half over."
"My people are tired; they need to rest. Surely you can see that." Even Wolfgang had cursed their travel, and he was easily the most accustomed to travel, and riding. His father was after all the captain of the king's army.
"And we need to reach Brindisi before the day is through." Spot snapped, quickening the pace once more in an attempt to put distance between himself and Jack. If he did not here the prince's complaints there was no need for a response.
A few seconds later he heard a low but familiar whistle, it was a stop or wait signal which the thieves all knew, rolling, and similar to a sparrow. It came from behind him. Spot whipped his horse about to see that Jack had not moved a foot from very place they had spoken.
"Oh, for Artol's sake!" Spot exclaimed. "What to you think you're doing?"
Jack set his jaw. "We have to stop; my men cannot go further without rest."
"Listen Highness, the faster we reach Brindisi, the more time we have to rest before we cross the Glama." Spot stared the prince down, as the rest of the thieves grew restless behind him. "And I swear to you, we can reach it in a few short hours if we do not set up camp here. There are beds and good foods in Brindisi. Why should we waste our rations without need?"
"You're crazy Spot! You'll tire us to death! Even the knights don't push this hard when the armies travel. Brindisi is a three day journey we'll never make it in two. It's impossible!"
"Impossible." The teen spat. There was so much this prince did not know about the very land he would inherit in the next decade. A king should know his own country. "Ha! Impossible is trying to cross an ocean by horse. Seahorses don't count." Spot added before Blink or Mouse could protest. "However I can assure you, your highness, it is not now, nor will it ever be impossible to cross a three day stretch of land in less than two. It can be done, it has been done, and it will be done again."
With that the group fell silent the only noise that could be heard was the soft moaning of a gentle breeze passing through and the steady gallop of Specs' fast approaching horse. The young thief happened upon the scene in all seriousness. He could almost feel the tension rising like steam between the two leaders who were surrounded by weary nobles and edgy thieves.
Sighing, and knowing Spot would not be in a pleasant mood after hearing his news, he trotted toward the center where Spot and Jack were still staring each other down.
"Spot," he began, "we need to talk." After a long pause a sharp response was heard.
"What is it?" Spot's eyes never left the prince's face.
Specs glanced around at the others indicating Spot would want privacy. However, one look at Spot's impatient face made him think otherwise. "There is a dead coyote a few miles down the trail. It isn't by any means a small one either. If we had brought Swifty with us he would tell us to stop for the night. He gave me some warnings last night. There are some strange creatures around here, Spot, dangerous ones. And a coyote is a bad omen."
"Coyotes are friends to a thief." Spot referenced an old fable regarding the thieves' god.
"Even Fletcher himself would be wary of this. The other beast may still be around."
"What are they talking about, a coyote being a good omen for someone?" David wondered aloud.
Dutchy shook his head, "That's beside the point."
"What is the point?" Inquired the frustrated Wolfgang.
"Yes" Spot agreed, "What are you trying to say Specs?" He finally tore his gaze away from Jack's and looked the thief in the face.
"Swifty would say not to travel any further. I have to agree with him. We could reach Brindisi tonight Spot, but if we did, we would be putting ourselves in danger of an attack."
Jack grinned triumphantly.
Spot's tightened as his eyebrows furrowed closer together in annoyance until he was unable to hold in his fury. Releasing an agitated bellow which scared his mount, the rogue leader sprang from his horse and stomped off into the dense woodland grumbling a string of vulgar words, which reached the group until he was well out of their sight, under his breath. He was cursing every god known to men for their rotten luck.
"Well then," Came Race's less than chipper voice as he slid from his saddle and rubbed his hand together, "I guess we're staying here for the night."
They found a small clearing nearby and led the horses into it. So they could graze at one end. The group set to work, Specs unsaddled the horses staying with them a while before going with the other thieves in search of water, food, and rocks. They returned long before the day's light had faded to view two great tents in their camp.
"Oh how thoughtful!" Mouse exclaimed setting a large bucket of water down, the nobles smiled at the praise. "Now we don't have to search for fire wood!"
Jack and his friends stared at her incredulously, for they did not hear any trace of sarcasm in the girl's voice.
"These are tents, you know, for sleeping in." David explained standing in front of the arc of gathered nobles.
"What do you need those for? We're only in the woods."
The other nobles began to snicker.
"Where do you expect us to sleep, on the ground?" Jack sputtered causing the group to erupt with laughter.
"You really don't know what a tent is?" David inquired.
"Of course I know what a tent is!" She sounded upset, but not angry, "They're portable rooms made of cloth that people buy so they can brag about how tough and experienced they had because when they traveled they slept in cushioned tents. How can someone be experienced with nature when they sleep inside a tent? You get more out of nature by sleeping on the cool ground under the stars."
"You honestly enjoy sleeping on dirt with insects, not to mention out in the open where who knows what can get at you?" Jack remarked snidely as Mouse's cheeks burned.
"You're making fun of me?" She whispered.
"She's worse than Mush!" Wolfgang joked only seconds before Blink, who had overheard the entire conversation, stood protectively in front of Mouse.
"What was that?" He snapped drawing the attention of the rogues. Blink was roughly the same size as Jack, and muscles rippled under his shirt. Swimming had kept him fit over many years and he was the only thief who honestly looked to be a formidable opponent.
The nobles silenced, staring at the tall Cascadian boy. "There isn't a problem here, I hope?"
A chorus of no's followed the question. "Good, then why don't you go away into those little tents of yours since you're so exhausted from the ride?
With that said the group dispersed into their respective tents. Meanwhile Race had set up for a fire while Specs began tossing bed rolls to Blink who set them up in a circle so when the lay down, their heads would lie near each other making it easier to converse. Hotshot and Blink had found edible berries and Race had arranged several large rocks about the would-be fire as seats, all that was needed was wood for the fire.
Dutchy emerged from the tent he shared with David and timidly sat beside Mouse who instantly blushed.
"Um, I'd like to apologize about their behavior. It was quite rude and I'm sorry that I laughed at you."
The girl nodded staring out into the trees. "I forgive you," She whispered. She knew he was from Oort, he had to have spent weeks out under the trees there.
Dutchy smiled and stared at the circle of rocks around a patch of dirt where Race had thrown some leaves. "Is that going to be a fire?"
"No, Spot'll bring plenty of sticks and twigs back with him. He always does." She giggled.
"But maybe we should build the fire now." Hotshot entered the conversation. She'd seen the boys make fun of Mouse earlier and was not happy about one of her closest friends being hassled by ignorant fools. Dutchy, she found, she could mildly tolerate. Standing she moved over toward the tent shared by Jack and Wolfgang. Squatting down, she inspected the stakes holding it in place. Finally deciding that they were indeed wooden she stood upright once more and gave each a good swift kick causing the tent to collapse onto its inhabitants, who remained deep in slumber. She collected the stakes depositing them into the stone circle on her way to her seat.
They lit a fire and swapped stories until Spot came through the brush, arms full of branches as predicted. Dropping them into the fire he took a seat beside Race and began discussing travel plans. Race pointed out various locations on a map and spoke in a hushed tone.
Spot saw that Blink seemed a bit edgy and soon noticed the noble called Dutchy was sitting beside Mouse. He raised an eyebrow but decided it was too late to comment and he would discover what was going on later. For now he sent the group to bed.
The thieves lay down to rest and spoke in hushed tones to their neighbors before drifting off to sleep. It was around this time that Dutchy returned from his tent in his sleepwear with a bedroll. He set it up beside the fire and made himself comfortable. He lay there for a moment trying to make out the stars through the canopies.
Blink who hadn't been able to sleep him and gave him a quizzical look.
Dutchy caught the look and explained, "It reminds me of home. Oort is very woody."
Blink grinned and rolled over. He was could now forgive the boy as Mouse had. With his new found trust for Dutchy he was finally able to rest decided that the boy would turn out to be a good friend.
1
In their usual spirit when they traveled the thieves were up an hour before the sun. Blink attended the horses, seeming to be very glad to have them around for once. Spot and Race were going over several maps of the trails; drawing in the ones they knew of which the king's mapmakers did not know of. Mouse and Hotshot were repacking everyone's sleeping rolls, refilling water bags, and conversing quietly with Specs as he stirred a soupy looking substance over a small fire.
"So is Spot really planning to go to…" Hotshot trailed off and glanced at the still sleeping Dutchy, "…you know where."
"I guess," Mouse said, "I wonder what it's like there."
"I always forget you two came after we last visited?" Specs glanced up at her. "You'll like it Mouse, it reminds me of the paintings of Cascade."
Mouse shrugged, rolling up the last of the bedrolls. She tossed it to the pile of them, "I'm really wondering how the hell Spot is going to get them all in there without them realizing where they are."
"That's easy," Hotshot said, "most people, especially nobles, believe that Avignon is a myth. Nobles are convinced it is because they have never found it, and even if they do they won't know how to get there. Spot has all the maps." She tasted Specs' bubbling concoction, "Needs more berries."
"I think I know how to cook, thank you very much." He looked at her appalled.
"You think you know how to do a lot of things." She retorted. She picked up two bedrolls and walked toward where Blink was tacking up the cart ponies.
"You're not getting out of it that easy," Specs said, jumping up after her. She sped up and he chased her over too the other side of the camp.
"I swear to Artol, you two," Mouse growled. She had been standing on the log Specs was sitting on. His sudden movement had caused the log to roll slightly, in turn causing Mouse to fall to the ground. Well, not the ground exactly. "Ugh, Dutchy, I am so sorry!"
"S'okay," he mumbled, rubbing his eyes. He looked in the direction of the sliver of sun peeking over the horizon, and then around camp.
"We need to leave soon."
Dutchy pushed himself out of the bedroll and began to immediately roll it up. He added it to the pile and went into his tent to dig out some clothing.
David awoke soon thereafter, and Dutchy assisted him in taking down the tent. It was highly amazing that the large things could be packed so tightly into their bags.
At the same time the thieves were gathering around the fire. They instructed the nobles to leave their bedrolls in the pile and they could all pack them when they left. Specs began to hand out bowls of the berry mixture.
David mumbled a polite 'thank you' as he accepted the bowl. Once he had eaten he became much more alert and sighted the collapsed tent on across the clearing. "Dutchy?"
"Yeah," He looked up from his breakfast.
"Are," he looked on in utter shock, "Are Jack and Wolfgang still in there?"
Blink nodded, "Hotshot kicked out the stakes to start a fire last night." He turned to Spot, "The sleeping beauties are still out cold."
"I realize that." Spot replied. Spot's voice was still cold. He was still angry about the previous day.
Blink gave him a pleading look and Spot nodded. Blink grinned and licked his lips as he stood up, carefully picking up the bucket of water that was for putting out their fire. He carried it over and swung back.
"Don't-" David leapt up, trying to stop him.
Blink sent the water careening over the flattened tent. A second later there were two, very loud screams being emitted from the dark blanket. The cloth began moving this way and that as the two nobles struggled to get out.
Everyone else was frozen; the thieves by laughter, and the nobles in shock. The two boys cried out in somewhat of a panic until they were able to find their way to the tent's entrance.
Spot chose this moment to shake his head, "What a waste of water." He knew how Blink's mind worked. He would get the idea.
Mouse and Blink locked eyes and turned toward the tent, concentrating. It was hard to be sure what scared the nobles more, having water thrown on them to wake them up, or having it evaporate and refill a bucket in front of their eyes. The thieves were still in hysterics when the bucket was full again. Dutchy was trying to smother his giggles as well.
As soon as he was capable Jack moved to examine the tent and noticed the missing stakes, "Who did this?"
"I did," Hotshot laughed. Guilt escaped her conscience. "Last night too, I'm surprised neither of you woke up nor noticed. We needed wood for the fire. It'll happen to all of them eventually, so you might as well get used to sleeping outside."
"What on earth were you thinking," Jack snapped.
"I was thinking we needed wood for the fire and Artol forbid I ask you to assist in finding some."
"Do you have any idea who you are doing these things too; nobles and a future king. The sons of this country's finest knights." He turned to Spot, "And you, condoning this type of behavior, no encouraging it. I swear that when we return to Tralee I will see to it that your men are all adequately punished for their deeds, and that you have to watch all of it."
Spot's face had hardened as he listened to Jack speak, "I doubt that. You see Jack I am the one who has all of the maps, I am the one who has the power to leave you behind, alone and defenseless around some people who don't take kindly to nobles. Oh no, not at all. And don't think I won't. Your father sent us along to baby-sit you, which I can deal with, but I will not be talked down to by someone who has no experience in real life." Spot snorted, "Has no idea the distance between his own cities or know the roads. Now," He shoved a bowl into Jack's hands. "Shut your trap, have some breakfast and pack that tent. We're leaving in a quarter candle."
Jack looked like he wanted to say something but restrained himself; something Spot definitely would not have done under any circumstances had Jack chosen to voice another opinion, so it was probably a wise choice.
Half a candle later they were all mounting their horses and starting back along the trail. At least the quarter candle was spent in utter silence. Even the thieves dared not to make small talk when Spot was in a mood like this.
"Spot," Specs looked at the ground. He stopped his horse.
Spot pulled on his reins and made the horses he was riding turn. He met Specs' gaze and saw him looking down toward the road. "What is it?" He noticed fresh claw marks on the roads dirt surface.
"It was here, last night. The coyote. I saw it with my own eyes, Spot. That thing was huge. Whatever moved it must have been, I don't know, bigger than any of the horses." He squirmed a bit in the horses' saddle, "We just need to get moving faster and get out of here."
"Alright," Spot used a gentle voice that was rarely heard. He turned to the rest of the group and yelled to them, "You heard him, pick up the pace!"
They did so with a renewed sense of urgency, pushing the horses to go faster. This went on only until they felt that they were out of danger's reach. The trees opened up to open sky and sparse fields. At least if anything tried to attack them they would see it coming.
Jack had taken the place next to Spot a candle width later. The two of them had not spoken since their confrontation that morning, and neither was looking forward to the next words they shared. The loathing they felt for one another was only growing as each day passed by. The two could not wait to be rid of each other, and would make it a long trip for everyone else.
Occasionally they exchanged the briefest of glances, each letting the other know that he was still angry. The rest of them had fallen into hushed conversations behind them but did not dare interfere.
They rounded a bend in the path only three candle widths after they had left camp. The road evened out several yards ahead, and about a mile away, in the distance; one could see the towers of Brindisi and see carts from other trails. The company stopped, all looking at the city in wonder. They had actually reached it without killing one another.
Spot turned to them. The thieves all winced; he was smirking. Smirking was dangerous. "Look at that. Brindisi, only three candle widths from where we stopped, and we stopped with at least two candle widths of good light left last night. If we'd kept going like I said we would have made it here last night and been able to sleep in a nice warm inn. We'd have been able to cross the Glama tonight." He let go of his reins and looked up at the sky, putting his arms out to his sides, "Cursed Gods.?"
Jack urged his horse into a walk, "We're here now. Isn't that all that matters?"
Spot let out one last aggravated growl which seemed to release all his tension, "Fine." He kicked his horse hard in the sides, "C'mon guys." The horse charged down the path in the direction of the town. The thieves all urged their horses to run, following Spot's lead. It had been a while since they had brought their goods to Brindisi, and they all had old friends to catch up with.
The noble's didn't see what the rush was about, but didn't mind joining a real civilization again so soon.
"What is your business here?" A man at the gate called out as they reached an ancient archway that marked the city's great entrance. He was large and dark skinned, and his face looked unkind.
"Hello Roman," Spot replied. "We've got some goods to distribute. Looking for lodging too. We need to cross the Glama tomorrow night."
The man cracked a toothy grin "You're crazy to be crossing that desert more than once in your life, Mister Conlon, many don't even make it across once. How many times will this make it?"
"Ten."
"And what kind of goods are you bringing in?"
"That is for me to know, not you, Roman." It was quite obvious Spot and his group knew this man as they were shouting various 'hellos'.
"Stolen, no doubt." He spat it like a curse word but there was a sparkle telling of a squandered youth in his eyes. He knocked on the heavy doors which opened inward.
Spot laughed, "Stolen is such a harsh word." He led them all into the streets inside the wall.
"He was right, unfortunately," David said, begrudgingly, "We could have made it here last night."
"I could learn to hate it when he's right," Jack mumbled to David and Wolfgang as they steered their horses in through the archway that lead into the busy city of Brindisi.
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A/N: Hey all, it's Hotshot. Today's my graduation party so I'm just waiting around for it to be one or people to start getting here. SaL's going to be here later. I think a bunch of people are going to stay the night and we're going to sleep in the moon bounce, yeah, we're dorks. So here's another update. The next chapter has major changes made from the original so those of you waiting for new stuff keep an eye out for the next chapter
Wonders if she has time to start another chapter of something else-
Updates soon, I promise.
Exempt From Sanity
