Knives Can't Guard a Trail

Old Betty’s wheels rattled as if it were her last trip, but the old carriage remained strong after a full day and night with company. And by noon the next day, Maria appreciated the intense, culminating scent of spices within the carriage. A complex wave of earthy, sweet, and sharp aromas that blended together and lingered even with the passing breeze.

She gazed forward past the driver, Oz, watching as the lush lowlands gave way to grey-stone foothills, while the mountain on the horizon grew in size with each passing hour.

Thomas sat to the side, fiddling with an extra map Oz had lying around. Maria had initially offered hers, but when he glanced at it, he nearly laughed in her face, commenting on the literal drawing of a sea monster where the main trade highway should be.

With a quill in hand, he struggled to draw straight lines upon it as the carriage swayed on King’s Road.

At the far end, Kaelan sat in silence, focused on the road behind.

Maria sighed. Maybe I teased him a bit too much.

A caravan of merchants passed by, heading in the opposite direction. Maria waved at them with a smile, but they only replied with drawn faces.

“Must be true after all,” Oz said from the front.

“More monster sightings ahead?” Thomas asked.

They’d already encountered quite a few. Nothing that interfered with their travel thus far, but according to Oz, you’d hardly see them near the main roads.

Thomas held up the map he’d been scribbling on. “This explains the uptick back in Arborhaven…”

“What is it?” Maria asked.

He slapped it down.

“The Ashen Dire Wolves we saw earlier through the farmlands. They are forest creatures…” He pointed at different points he’d circled on the map. “The reports of far more goblin hunts than usual…”

Kaelan glanced from the back, but his attention remained elsewhere.

“The monsters aren’t… getting along?” Maria asked.

“Well, there’s that,” Thomas continued. “But still, they are too scattered… Monsters are territorial, Maria.”

“Ah! A few of the children at the chapel are like that with their beds.” Maria chuckled. “Some early mornings, they’d hiss at me, refusing to wake. Nearly impossible to get them off at times.”

Thomas squinted. “Just give them a sample of your divine magic; that’ll get them moving.” His eyes suddenly widened. “Wait…” He gripped the quill tightly and steadied his hand against the subtle rocking of the carriage.

He drew line after line with broad strokes, starting from each circled point on the map. The squiggled lines culminated at the tip of the Great Yargo mountain—the very place they headed, where they’d have to traverse the mountain pass.

Thomas circled it twice as the main point of interest.

“Everything okay?” Maria tilted her head.

“Whatever is up there must be causing a trickle effect.” Thomas shifted his gaze from the mountain on the map to the misty peak growing on the horizon. “It’s capable of shifting the territories of so many other creatures… It must be massive.”

“Who knows, maybe it turns out to be friendly.” Maria smiled.

A quiet grunt came from Kaelan.

So he is listening…

“A friendly monster? I highly doubt it.” Thomas gave a dry chuckle. “Then again…” his gaze lingered on Maria.

Maria balanced her steps as she joined Kaelan at the back of the carriage. He remained focused on the long road behind them.

“Are you worried about the monsters?” Maria popped her head into his line of sight.

“...Among other things.”

“So you’re expecting trouble,” Thomas said, as he sat on top of a wooden crate full of spices.

Kaelan turned to him. “I’m always expecting trouble.”

“But trouble from something,” Thomas narrowed his eyes, “Or someone?”

A heavy silence settled over the spice crates until Maria waved a dismissive hand.

“You two worry too much,” she said. “Believe it or not, I’ve scared off plenty of powerful monsters in the past.”

The men looked at her blankly.

“Oh, we believe it,” Thomas said.

Kaelan stood, steadying himself to the rhythm of the carriage. He turned his back. Maria had almost forgotten how broad his shoulders were.

“Still,” he said. “I’m sure there are some things even a Saint would rather not defeat.”

***

A scent of forest pine carried on the cooling air as the sun dipped beneath the looming mountain. Oz halted his horse, which stopped pulling the carriage with a neigh.

“Why are we stopping?” Maria asked.

“I deliver cargo, not bodies,” Oz muttered. “This is as far as I can get ya.”

The carriage stood where the road split past tall trees. King’s Road continued west into the mountain pass, but Oz had no intention of cutting through.

“Come now, Oz.” Thomas used his smoothest tone. “Did you not have business in the capital?”

“With how things are looking now, any sane merchant would take the detour through the northern roads.”

Kaelan stared down the stretched road leading north. “That’s another month of travel, at least.” He glanced at Maria, who shifted her gaze downward.

“The northern lands can also use some spices. Plenty of trading to do up there before heading back down to the capital. Free to continue with me, if you’d like.”

“I don’t think…” Maria’s words trailed off, but her eyes then snapped to Oz. “I can protect you!”

Oz shook his head. “I know you mean well, Sister. But I have a family waiting on me. I can’t take any chances.”

Maria gave a faint smile. “I understand.”

The three climbed down from the carriage.

Maria scratched the horse’s head. It neighed in apparent joy.

“Well, I’m sure you have your reasons,” Oz said. “There’s a village at the foot of the mountain. Just an hour or two from here. Used to be a merchant stop. Not sure about now, though…” He rummaged through the cargo and left them a few small tents, lamps, and other supplies.

“Thank you,” Maria said.

“Sorry I can’t help with much more.” Oz hopped back onto the carriage. “I wish you all the best!”

Thomas gave him a firm handshake before he departed. “Thank you, Oz. Take care of yourself.”

“You make it sound like this is the last we’ll see of each other. You still owe me, remember? So when I see you again, pay me back. With interest.” Oz winked.

Thomas chuckled. “Of course.”

The three waved goodbye as Old Betty creaked away. Horse hooves faded into the distance, along with the lingering scent of spice. Only the damp forest air and a deafening silence remained, just as nightfall arrived.

***

A campfire roared in the darkness below tall oaks. Thanks to Thomas and his fire magic, it’d been easy to light. The three decided it was best to camp for the night before heading to the mountain village early in the morning.

Thomas was already snoring in his tent. Maria sat by the warmth of the fire. She reminisced about the times she and Mother Martha would spend chilly nights with the children next to a similar warmth, telling stories as their small eyes drooped.

Maria caught her own eyes doing the same.

She glanced at Kaelan. He sat across from her in silence. He’d been much quieter than usual, even for him, ever since they rode on King’s Road.

Maria stood. She stared at him, waiting for a reaction, but none ever came. “I’ll be heading to sleep now.”

Kaelan nodded. “Have a good night.” His words came clearly, but his eyes didn’t follow.

“You should sleep, too.”

“...I have to watch.”

“Because of the monsters?”

“Something like that.”

“Then,” Maria took a seat next to him, “I’ll stay up too.”

Kaelan gave a subtle chuckle. “You’ll be out before midnight.”

“Hey! I’m not a child. You know, I’m actually used to staying up late.”

“I’m aware.” Kaelan glanced at Maria. Her eyes struggled to stay open. “The children would throw a tantrum if they found you out.”

Maria yawned. “I hope they’re getting a full-night’s rest.” Maria’s head hung. It was a losing battle. The crackling fire was too comforting. Sitting next to Kaelan, somehow, even more so.

So much had happened since departing Bellmere Village and her home within, yet so much remained ahead.

The sound of a snapping branch came from the side. Or was it the campfire? It pulled Kaelan’s eyes and tensed his shoulders. But any further noise faded in and out as Maria’s heavy eyelids fluttered. 

He reached for his knives, or maybe she imagined it? Her vision darkened with a last glimpse of Kaelan.

His gaze returned to her. “Rest, Maria. I’ll watch over you some more,” he whispered.

Ah. So he can smile like that. She drifted to sleep, unaware of any doubts that might’ve remained.