Chapter 11

Here is another chapter, thank you everyone who has reviewed this story. They make my day. I am still looking for a beta reader so anyone who is interested pm me!

The ride back to the Arridi town was passed in silence. I was wondering who would dare attack a courier of Araulen. Araulen is a powerful country and has many allies, who would dare anger us by attacking a courier. And who were these foreigners selling exploding sticks. The thought still made me laugh but they were starting to seem more and more possible, and terrifying.

After arriving we ran to our rooms to see if Alyss was alright. Her arm was freshly bandaged and Horace was siting next to her. Halt was sitting back drinking coffee but his eyes betrayed his worry for the situation.

"What happened," asked Will after he checked Alyss was in no immediate danger.

"The Wakir's men", growled Horace, "When I get my hands on them…"

"Horace", barked Halt before continuing on in a softer voice, "The Arradia for the People's party took offence during the negotiations and pulled out their exploding sticks…"

"Guns", Horace broke in helpfully.

"Alright guns", said Halt with a glare at Horace," and fired on us. One of the projectiles scraped Alyss's arm before I could get both of them," said Halt fingering his longbow. We then ran out of the building and have been here since I sent Gillian to get you three. "

"The new Wakir ordered an attack on a foreign dignitary," Umar gasped.

Halt nodded," the Wakir said shoot them and then they fired. The accuracy was horrible, or they were untrained in how to use it. The firing speed was slow too they both only managed one shot before I got them."

Halt sat brooding for a while before saying, "Horace, tell Gundar to get the ship ready to leave as soon as possible."

Horace nodded and got up and left to find Gundar.

Halt then continued, "We are all going to leave whenever that Skandian can get the ship ready and sail just out of sight of the town. Will you and the apprentices will disembark then and find out whats going on here. We will sail North to Skandia and get another ship to come down and wait for you three. The rendezvous point will be where we dropped you off. Figure out what's going on here." Halt finished.

"We can sell you 10 colts and 5 mares for 100 each, " put in Umar.

"50 for the colts they haven't been trained yet!" Ishea replied looking cheeted

"75 for each colt," said Umar, "I will take no less."

Ishea looked at Halt before replying, "Alright that will be fine."

Halt said, "We will send the reels south from Skandia on the ship picking Will, Ishea and Amber."

Umar nodded in agreement before saying, "I will depart for home now, Will come see me if you need help on you search for answers, I would like some too."

"You will see us soon," replied Will

We departed early in the morning at first tide. The sun was barely up! I was muttering the entire ship ride about sleep being essential for a persons health. Ishea just shook her head at my mutterings. She was beginning to come out of her shell and was laughing with us at evening meal.

"Were here", yelled Gundar interrupting my musings.

"lets get the horses unloaded," replied Will.

Tug, Coconut and Ishea's horse were hoisted off the deck quickly and brought to dry land. The sun was halfway to the zenith before our little group was ready to leave.
"Be careful Will", Horace called.

Alyss gave my mentor a peck on the cheek and I looked pointedly away. Romance was an unknown territory for me. Ishea hid her laughter at my embarrassment quickly before Will saw either of us.

"A ship will be here in a week. They will make an appearance every night until you leave," said Halt.

"Bye Halt", Will called," We'll be here in a week."

Halt nodded and Gundar yelled at the rowers to get the ship out of there. Then we turned around and set off for the town planning to spy on the Wakir and figure out what to do about him.

Readers, lets make a deal, you review and I'll keep writing ok? PLEASE REVIEW I am wondering where to take this story. Amber and Ishea's characters will be developed more. Should the traders capture the apprentices and Will has to rescue them? I sent the other characters home because there were WAY to many people for me to write about. With only three I hope it will be more interesting. What should Ishea's horse be named if you have any ideas please include them in your review.