A mountain of a man emerged from between the trees. He wore no shirt, yet hardly an inch of skin was visible. He was covered with curly black hair like Riley had never seen. His beard reached to his belly, though who could tell. In his right hand he carried an axe as tall as Lissie, slung across his shoulders, and wore rough skin trousers and heavy hobnail boots. “Ho there travelers! Have you trade?” The man waved his free hand.
Alexander stepped forward, his pack’s bells jangling, and its streamers flowing in the wind. Riley thought he was twirling them, though she could not imagine how. “Trinkets and baubles for food or, more importantly, drink, if you have it. I am Alexander Zarnovsky Endrindel MacKintosh the third, Bard and Tinkerer of the Ellium Company.”
Riley sheathed her sword. She didn’t think it would do any good against a man of that size.
No, I can’t be thinking that way, she reminded herself.
More men began emerging from the wood. Most smaller, but some even larger than the first.
The men gathered around Alexander, their leader introduced himself as Dunkirk.
Riley and Lissie retreated toward Anvil and Cora.
The men shouted jovially together, clapping each other on the back.
Cora asked, “Do you think they are ignoring us because we are women?”
Riley watched Lissie give her a look and say, “They are ignoring us because we are young. And we’re back here.”
Cora said, “Alexander is nearly as young as we are.” Riley and Lissie both shared a smile at that.
Cora continued, pointing, “Those fellows there are probably younger than us.” Riley followed her finger, out to the forest. There were a few men hanging back. Boys, she realized, looking closer.
Lissie said quietly, “They are staring at us.”
Riley shrugged, “Alexander will get some food, and we will never see them again.”
Lissie looked back at her and then turned to the boys and waved. None of them waved back, but two of them started shoving each other. Lissie turned back around.
Alexander came back waving loaves of bread and a ring of sausage hanging from his neck. “No luck on the drink. But I got food! Young people like eating. They tried to give me a deer, but it wasn’t even skinned. This sausage will keep a lot better.” He waved a sausage as big around as his arm and Ruskin jumped into the air after it. “Shall we break for lunch, ladies? The men are going back to work.”
Riley realized that the forest had cleared, except for the few boys whose eyes peered through the trees. “No, we lost time. We can eat on the road.”
Two hours on her feet made Riley decide to hop back on Sugarsnap. She was looking lonely anyway, and a little bored. “Alexander, why don’t you ride again, and we can trot for a few miles.” Riley watched the blood drain out of Lissie’s face.
Alexander said, “Oh I love a good trot. It really works out the calves. Don’t you like posting, Lissie?”
Lissie grimaced and said, “Trotting only has me bouncing up and down. I’ve never had a riding lesson.”
The silk-clad man smiled and said “This will be your first lesson! For I am a master horseman.” He winked, “I’ve had my share of escapes, at least. To post, you must find the rhythm of the trot. Stand up in the saddle in between every other stride. By going in time to Peach, you can avoid the worst of the jostling. Here, I’ll run beside you a while, to help you with the timing.”
Riley couldn’t help but smile as he called out “Stand! Sit! Stand!” as they rode along.
Why had I not thought of that? It seems so easy for him.
Riley was impressed at how long he was able to run, with his bells jingling above him.
Cora finally agreed to using the stirrups, flipping her voluminous skirts over Anvil’s tail. Ruskin had decided that running was much too fun to ignore. He bounded, nipping at a cord hanging off one of Alexander’s bags. Riley smiled, feeling the sun on her face and the bunching muscles of Sugarsnap’s haunches beneath her. It was the ride she had always wanted to take with her friends.
Alexander seemed satisfied that Lissie was safe and posting. Riley watched him run up to Anvil and pat him on a flank. The horse snorted in recognition and Alexander said, “Here, Anvil, I’m going to mount. Careful now.” The man grabbed Anvil’s mane and launched himself and his packs onto the trotting horse. Riley gasped. She was very glad of Anvil’s war horse training.
At least he’s still sitting in front of Cora, she thought.
Anvil’s flanks grew a bit of frothy white sweat, and Riley knew their fun was over. The sun was edging toward the treetops. Riley called back, “I’m pulling up. Good job, Lissie!”
Lissie replied, “I’m going to sleep well tonight. How much further?”
Alexander answered, “If we break now, and then leave early tomorrow, we can reach the village just after dark.”
Riley said, “I’ll keep watch for a good campsite.” Twilight fell as they came upon a clearing that was too good to pass up. There was already a fire ring made of stones and many stumps placed around.
As promised, Alexander set up his tent in the pooling darkness while Lissie made a fire. Riley called Cora to help her gather firewood. She did not miss Cora’s glance back as they walked away. Riley said to her, “I see you’re enjoying your new traveling companion.”
Cora blushed, “He’s very charming, you have to admit.”
“Well, be that as it may, we have our priority to the mission.”
Cora rolled her eyes, “You just hate to see anyone having fun.”
Riley snorted and picked up a stick, “Like right now, are you looking for firewood?”
“I have a stick right here.” Cora waved a branch, “It’s bigger than yours!”
“Good. This fire needs to last all night, and you would know how fast fires eat wood if you ever paid any attention.”
A strange cracking voice interrupted, “We have wood! It’s not moldy old sticks, it’s split lumber. Burns longer.”
Riley spun around, and found herself surrounded by the same staring eyes that she had dodged this morning. “Hello. You’re from the lumberjack group.” She said this with a cold certainty.
“Foresters. You’re camping at our camp, right? Just up the ridge?” The boy pointed, he was spotty and looked to be about fifteen years of age. His shoulders were still coltish, but wiry and strong. He reminded her of the blacksmith’s apprentice back home.
Another boy spoke, “We got a whole stash. We’ll bring it to camp.” He was a little older, taller, and red-haired. Riley thought that the words sounded helpful, but what she felt was a threat.
Cora threw her stick on the ground with exaggerated relief, “Thank the six! I don’t have to get grubs all over myself again.” But the look she shot Riley was wary.
Riley put her hand on the hilt of her sword. “Sure, you can get the wood, if you like. We will meet you all back at camp.”