Chapter 3 - Enroute
#3 of Interesting Times
Before any wolves take offense, Wolves are not going to be depicted as evil. Some wolves, sure, but so will some mice and some stuck up old squirrels.
Just a little clarification. Airuk lives in a mouse kingdom named Tairune. The wolves live in a collection of city states that are usually allied with each other. Although minor wars amongst themselves are known to take place. Everyone else usually treats them as if they were any other unified kingdom.
Any comments and criticisms are welcome. And now, here you go.
In the three months since Airuk and Melik's meeting with Raiktor, things had returned to their usual state of affairs. Which was, in Airuk's opinion, mind numbingly boring. Since then Dorin had gone out of his way to be as hostile as possible to the young mouse. Because of that the library was growing more and more disorganized. That only served to make Dorin madder, and more often then not he took out his frustrations on Airuk if he was available.
It was something of a vicious cycle and had turned the afternoon sessions in the library, once one of Airuk's favorite parts of the day, into something to be endured rather then looked forward to. It was approaching harvest time however and class stopped for three weeks. When the school was originally founded there might have been a reason for that. However in the three centuries since then the membership had changed exclusively to the children of craftsmen. Regardless of the break's utility, Airuk wasn't going to complain.
The days were getting shorter and the sun had already begun to set when Airuk made his way back to his house. The last day of school before the harvest break was over and Airuk was looking forward to an extended period of doing nothing. What he found when he got home was unexpected to say the least. Two of his older brothers were wrapping mirrors in cloths and packing them into crates. On the other side of the shop his father was arguing with a rough looking mouse wearing a rusty cuirass.
"35 regals and not a penny more!" Airuk's father yelled. The man he was talking to didn't appear fazed in the least by shouting.
"Vaikir, you know as well as I do that with things as they are, our services are in high demand. I'd have no problem at all getting 45 regals, and on such short notice it might be hard for me to find the men you need anyway."
Airuk's father let out an exasperated sigh, "Alright then. 45 regals it is. We can expect your men here at dawn tomorrow then?"
"Hold on now, I said we wouldn't have a problem getting at least 45 regals." Airuk's father scowled, "But I suppose we'll settle for 45. Cut you a bargain as it is. They'll be here tomorrow at dawn. A mouse named Hurik will be in charge of em. He'll take care of anything else you need."
As the man walked out Airuk's father cursed under his breath. From what Airuk heard it certainly didn't sound as if his father agreed that they were being cut a bargain. Noticing his son's entrance Vaikir approached his son and began to speak, "I was wondering when you were going to show up. We've got a surprise for you."
Looking around the shop Airuk thought that whatever was going on was certainly surprising in itself, "Em dad, what exactly are you all doing?"
Airuk's father chuckled, "Well that ties into your surprise. I just received word that Julian's shop burned down in Tordakir. With the harvest festival coming up and no competition, we ought to be able to sell most of our stock in a few short days if we can make it there in time."
Airuk had read about Tordakir. It was a Wolf city close to the borders of Tairune. Tordakir was connected to a different river system then Thaiden meaning the two cities didn't trade often. However it was connected via the old imperial roads and its annual harvest festival had been drawing pilgrims and tourists for at least a thousand years. The cities significance as a center for religious pilgrimage had been declining in favor of those who sought a much less spiritual, but much more enjoyable time.
Airuk realized he had been tuning out his father and started to listen again, "So, I expect you to have your things ready to go in the morning."
It took Airuk a realize to what his father had just said. When he did his face lit up and he began to jump up and down excitedly. He had read a lot about Wolven cities but had never actually gone much further then just outside the borders of Thaiden. Airuk was about to run up to his room to start packing when his father grabbed him by the arm.
"Now hold on just a moment. I'm not finished. You and Iyzic will need to be careful. Especially you young mouse, if I should have to pay ransom money to get you out of some trouble you managed to get yourself into, I'll have your hide tanned and made into a rug. You're going along to help your brother, so you're not to get in his way. And that means absolutely no wondering off."
Airuk gave his father a look that said that Vaikir's last remark had hurt. His father returned the look with a stern glance of his own, "Don't give me that. Do you remember the winter festival in Hallbrook two years ago? That is exactly what I'm talking about."
Airuk remembered Hallbrook vividly, mostly because of the punishment that had followed. Hallbrook was a village about twenty miles north of Thaiden. Their entire family had traveled there for a festival. Honestly, Airuk was sure that the whole thing wasn't really his fault. He hadn't known the cider was that strong, and it wasn't his fault that he had got a bit tipsy. Well, if he was being honest with himself, a bit drunk. A bemused guard had returned Airuk to his family after searching half the town, and only asked five regals for his services. They had been obliged to pay, if they hadn't the guard might have decided to charge Airuk with drunkenness for his trouble.
"Yessir," Airuk said, "Should I go start packing now?"
Vaikir nodded, "Yes. But remember that you'll need to be traveling quickly. So you'll want to be traveling lightly. The less you bring the better."
When Airuk got up to his room he found Annah already packing. She was an elderly mouse who had been working for the family since before Airuk was even born. Airuk waited until she was done, gave her a hug and said thanks, and then proceeded to put away about two thirds of what she had packed. He loved her as a second mother, but she tended to dote a bit excessively. If he had brought everything she packed he would have collapsed under the weight before they even got out of town.
Dinner that evening was heavier then usual. Annah wanted to make sure that Airuk and his brother Iyzic had plenty of energy for the journey ahead. Annah had bought a pair of chickens from the market and slaughtered one of the pigs she tended. Thaiden may have been a former imperial city with the requisite sewer system, but the best way to dispose of food waste was still to feed it to a pig. With a heavy belly, Airuk fell asleep quickly.
The next morning Airuk only had to be told to wake up twice before he rolled out of bed and started to get dressed. Because he would be traveling he wore a heavy wool tunic that came almost to his ankles and had a second set of longer sleeves that covered the arms. Into the belt of his tunic he tucked a small dagger, he wouldn't use it but it was a good thing to have on one's person. Tights and shoes were eschewed in favor of sturdier leather boots and leggings. Airuk had never really liked tights anyway, and was glad that they were losing popularity. The last item was a heavy cloth cloak that had been covered in a new material called rubber that had started to be imported from the further reaches of the world.
Downstairs Iyzic was finishing the very last of the preparations while Annah tried to feed him pastries. He tried to brush her off as politely as possible. Airuk, wanting to be helpful, ate Iyzic's pastries for him, with Annah's permission of course. When they headed outside a few of his father's apprentices and journeymen had finished loading the wagon. Three mice who were obviously mercenaries were mounted on horses and positioned around the wagon. Each wore a sturdy, if worn, steel cuirass, and carried an harquebusier in addition to a sword. Considering the slow drizzle rendered their firearms useless, the swords were a necessity.
Airuk's father and mother both said their goodbyes, his mother with a hug and a kiss that Airuk did his best to duck out of, and then they were off. Or as Airuk thought, as off as you can be at the snails pace their two horses pulled the wagon at. Rather then riding on the wagon he instead walked along side while Iyzic directed the horses from the driver's seat. Along the way Airuk said his goodbyes to the merchants he knew as they set up shop for the day's market.
At the town gates the guards had just opened them and were letting in visiting merchants. There was a large line as they assessed tariffs and searched for any smuggled goods. The way out was clear though, and the guards simply waved them through. The land outside of Thaiden was covered in farms that fed the city. The river that the old imperial road wove around also served to irrigate the farms and carry waste away from the city. After walking along side the wagon for about an hour Airuk got tired and climbed up onto the wagon beside his brother.
"I was wondering how long you were going to walk. Father wanted me to talk to you about where we're going. For some reason," Iyzic grinned at his younger brother, "he seems to think you're likely to get yourself killed. I of course don't think you'll get killed, beat at most."
"Gee." Airuk replied, "Thanks for standing up for me. And I'll have the both of you know that I know a lot about the wolves and don't need you to tell me about them."
Iyzic smirked, "Alright then. Tell me what you know."
Airuk bit his lip for a moment before responding, "Em. The wolves occupied the center of the Empire after its collapse. They still use the old Imperial capital of Aukir as their capital. Even if there's nothing left of it since Imperial days. They're also really stuck up and think they're the heirs of the Empire. Even though they've had a thousand years to do it and still haven't even conquered us."
This time Iyzic chuckled, "See. That's what I'm talking about. If you say something like that to the average wolf they're liable to hit you upside the head. Yes, they think they're the heirs of the empire and they'll not be shy to make sure you know. The best response is to simply nod and smile. As the heir's of the empire, they also tend to think themselves superior to everyone else. And no, they're not too shy about telling you that either. That they rule about a quarter of the world certainly doesn't help with modesty. Just remember, their money spends as well as anyone else's, and better then some."
Airuk rolled his eyes, "I wasn't going to tell them that! I'm not that stupid." He crossed his arms and gave his brother a hard stare. His brother kept his eyes on the road. Despite the hood he was wearing to shield his head from the light rain, Airuk was fairly sure he had a lopsided grin on his face.
"You're smart enough not to say that if you're sober. And on that note, I don't want you drinking unless I'm watching you. If you do what you did in Hallbrook in Tordakir they're as likely to sell you as they are to return you."
At that Aurik's eyes bulged, "Sell me? They don't have slavery in Tordakir. Do they?"
Iyzic laughed, "Well they certainly don't call it that. It's more along the lines of forced servitude. Course, you know as well as I do they mean the same thing. It's all debt slavery really. They'd fine you for drunkenness. Then you would have to work for a patrician family to pay off your fines. Of course, they'd fine you for any infractions in your work and make you pay for your food and lodging. You would accumulate debt faster then you could pay it off. When you die they pass the debt onto your children."
Airuk now looked slightly terrified. When he had first been told about the trip he was excited, now he was scared. Visiting a wolf city would be interesting, living the rest of his life there as a slave was another matter entirely. Seeing his younger brother's face Iyzic began to laugh. "Of course, we would pay off your fine before any of that happened. But when we got back father would want to take it out of your hide. I think you would make a charming rug though."
"The thing to remember is that things in Wolven territory aren't like they are in Thaiden. Wolves are hierarchal animals. The nobility is dieing in Thaiden, but in Tordakir and the other Wolven cities the Patrician families rule. Everyone has a place and the nobility expects them to stay there. The lower classes might not like it that much, but it's what they're accustomed to."
Iyzic grew quiet after that giving Airuk time to think. Airuk didn't really like people who thought too highly of themselves. Even when they did deserve it, and if he was to be honest with himself the wolves had earned the right to a little arrogance. Wolven forces had gone largely undefeated on the field of battle for three hundred years. Still, that didn't mean he had to like them.
The country they were passing through was slowly turning from farms into woodlands. After every mile of forest another town seemed to spring out of the trees. At midday they ate, but didn't stop. The festival would start soon and they had to hurry if they wanted to make it in time. Shortly after midday the road diverged away from the river and went west towards Tordakir. When Airuk got tired of walking he climbed off the wagon and started to walk along side one of the guards they had hired.
"Hello." Airuk said to the guard who stared impassively down at the young mouse, "I was wondering if I could ask you some questions."
"Oi, ya might as well. There ain't much else to do besides stare at the trees anyway."
"I heard your boss and my dad talking yesterday. And they mentioned that there was a lot of demand for guards. But the roads aren't any more dangerous then usual. And there's no unrest in the city. Especially with the fall harvest almost here."
The guard raised an eyebrow, "That's a lot to say for someone of your years. Do ya want up on my horse? It could be a long answer and we've got along way to go yet." Airuk nodded yes and the guard bent down to pick up the small mouse and set him on his horse. The animal barely even noticed the extra weight. Once that was done the guard continued, "How old are you anyway?"
"I'm thirteen. But I'm almost fourteen. That's why my parents let me come along." Airuk replied.
At Airuk's answer the guard looked more then a little bit dubious, "Ya can't be more then nine, ten at the most." he said before turning to face Iyzic, "Hey, boss. How old is this runt?"
"Twelve I think." Iyzic replied. Upon hearing his answer Airuk's ears turned red and he squeaked in anger.
Narrowing his eyes Airuk yelled back at his brother, "I am thirteen almost fourteen thank you! How old are you, fifty?!"
Iyzic only shook his head and smiled before returning his attention to the road ahead. The guard chuckled and took a hand off his horse to rub Airuk's head. "Thirteen almost fourteen it is then. I had a boy about your age once. Course he looked more like his age."
Airuk couldn't exactly read the guard's tone of voice, "What happened to your son?"
The guard only grinned, "He grew up of course. Boys have a way of doing that you know. Now little boss, my name is Hurik, and your name is?"
"Airuk, it's from the name of Airaneus, the first emperor." the boy said, beaming at a chance to show off his research.
"Well that's quite interesting. Now, you had a question didn't ya? What your pa and Girin, my commander, were talking about is that things are a bit, tense. The nobles of Tairune have been hiring all the mercenaries they can get their hands on. It's steady work and I'm sorely tempted to do it to. But it's also awfully dull. I like this better"
Airuk spend the rest of the day going back and forth between Huriss and Iyzic. Shortly before sunset they stopped in one of the small villages and rented two rooms and boarding for their horses. Airuk and Iyzic slept in one room while the guards slept in another. The bed was not nearly as comfortable as Airuk's bed at home, but he had always liked the idea of roughing it.
When the innkeeper came to wake them in the morning, the last think Airuk wanted to do was leave his bed. An early morning frost had settled on the ground and the temperature indoors was just as cold. Iyzic was out of bed and dressed quickly. Airuk simply curled up into a tighter ball to try and fend off the chill. That worked until Iyzic grabbed the blankets he had wrapped himself in and dumped Airuk on the ground.
Once they got on the road it wasn't much better. Torn between walking to stay warm and trying to curl into a ball for warmth, Airuk settled for the latter. The sun did little to warm them and the wind only picked up past dawn. Every so often Airuk would forget how cold it was and poke his nose out of his ball in the wagon. He could tell they had entered Wolven territory, the houses they passed were bigger then mouse construction. Eventually despite the chill and rough condition of the road, Airuk fell asleep. He awoke several hours later when the wagon abruptly stopped.
The reason for their delay was obvious. In the middle of the road six wolf soldiers had the road blocked off. Four other wagons were in front of them and the wolves were searching each one. Decided it was best to not look like they were smuggling him, Airuk climbed up to sit beside his brother. The wolves spoke in a guttural sort of Tairune imperial, but it was understandable. When they spoke their own version there were far more yips and characteristically lupine sounds. Overall Airuk thought that Tairune sounded more like the original Imperial.
After half an hour of waiting they had finally reached the roadblock itself. The wolves then turned to address them. The lead soldier seemed almost bored when he addressed Iyzic, "Where you going?"
"We're heading to Tordakir, for the fall festival. We have metal goods in the wagon." Once Iyzic was done speaking several other wolves moved up to inspect the wagon. While Airuk would have been forced to climb up onto the wagon, the wolves simply looked over the edge. They lifted up the clothes that covered the goods and examined everything they were carrying. When they seemed to just about be finished the lead wolf walked over to the wagon and plucked several of the choicer mirrors and other goods they carried from the wagon. "Road toll." was the only explanation he offered.
When they were past the roadblock and out of earshot Airuk turned to his brother and began to speak, "That's not fair at all. They took the best stuff we had. And they're just going to take even more when we get to Tordakir!"
Iyzic nodded, "It's the price of doing business here. We brought extra goods for exactly that purpose. We also brought money and small gifts for bribes. The same thing happens in Tairune to. Don't worry though, even with the 'road tolls', we should have no problem selling our goods at the fall festival. The difficult part will be going back while making it seem like we didn't make much money at all."
Hearing that Airuk was slightly puzzled, "Why would we do that?"
"It's simple enough really." Iyzic replied, "The more money we make the more they'll expect us to pay in road tolls and other bribes. After all, we'll have more money for them to take. They'll be even more vigorous about searching on the way back. But we'll cross the bridge when we get to it."
"I'd rather burn it." Airuk thought, he didn't say it though. The day didn't get much warmer, but the wind died down in the mid-afternoon. When he got bored Airuk got off the wagon and walked over to Hurik, who again picked the young mouse up and set him on his horse. Airuk was full of questions, he asked about everything from Hurik's war stories to his son.
"My son, quite a lad that one. I wasn't around much when he was growing up. I'd send money to his ma ya understand, so it's not like I abandoned him. I visited whenever I could to. I last saw him about two years ago. He worked on the wharfs of Thaiden, watchin' all the dock workers and making sure they didn't go running off with anything. He was thinking about becomin' a soldier like me. I told him that I didn't regret my life, but it's not what I wanted my boy doing. I think he might be a guard now, I hope so anyway. S'what he said he wanted."
"Why didn't you want him to become a soldier?" Airuk asked.
Hurik shrugged before replying, "It's not an easy life at'all. Especially not these days. When I started work was hard to come by so you worked for whoever would pay. Ha! I worked for Tairune, I worked for Olm. That's a small little kingdom of rabbits. Funny fellows, awfully fond of caves." Airuk nodded, he had read about Olm, "I even worked for the wolves. That didn't last long though. They like hiring boars and badgers, not mice."
"Today though, things have me worried. Work is too easy to come by. I'm not complainin' mind you. But whenever soldiers are in high demand, it has to worry you."