The Eggwife

Chapter 12

Brayden broke Sethyr’s reverie, calling for her to come over.

“Look here, on the map,” he pointed at a spot on the map.  It appeared to be a large area filled with crude squiggles labeled ‘Sea of Grass’.  “Luckily we only need to skirt the edge to the south and pick up one of the trade roads to Kath.”

“That should be easy enough to run,” Vijhan commented.  “And plenty of game to live off.”  His eyes lit up with the thought of hunting.

“Easy enough for you, Vijhan,” Brayden corrected.  “But not for us.  We are not built for it, at least not like you are.”

“If it were really a sea, I’d be much more at home,” Sethyr added.  “But these plains worry me.”

Brayden nodded, “they would worry me too, but we only have to travel for two or three days on them, and then it is a quick jaunt on a good road to the gates of Kath.”

Sethyr sniffed in disagreement.  “Spending three nights on the plain does not sound wise to me.  We have all heard of the monsters that stalk those herds down there.”

“I am surprised at you, Sethyr,” Brayden answered.  “You, of all folk, I would have expected to take those stories with a grain of salt.”

“You forget, I have lived in the wild…as a youngling.  Predators are not to be taken lightly.”

Vijhan nodded enthusiastically in agreement with Sethyr’s argument.

“I have seen the bears.  When they get old and sick they sometimes wandered into our mountains.  Even half dead they were a terror.”

Brayden remained unconvinced.  “I have hunted bear.  They are dangerous, but not overly so.”

Vijhan laughed.  “Not these bear, friend.  These are short faced bears, twice the size of one of a mountain bear, and with legs as long as a horse’s.  They can even run one of my kind down and tear them to pieces.  We call them dákde t'ooch: Black wind.  They are one of the reasons my people never lived in the Sea of Grass.”

Brayden looked at Vijhan skeptically but remained silent.

“It that why you have been so nervous today?” Sethyr asked.

Vijhan’s head snapped toward the mage, scowling.

“You are not the only one with a keen nose.  You smell musky when you are nervous; at least I hope it is nervousness.”

Vijhan nodded.  “If you had seen dákde t'ooch before, you would be nervous too.”

Sethyr turned pointedly away from Vijhan and addressed Brayden.

“So, august leader, what is our plan, other than avoiding being eaten by bears.”

“I believe that there is not much we can do other than being watchful and traveling as quickly as possible.  Once on the road, we should reach Kath easily.”

“I understand all that,” Sethyr said.  “I was actually referring to our plan once we reach Kath.  Shall we simply knock on the Argent Tigers’ door and demand an explanation?”

“I am not quite that naive or dense.”

“So…the plan?”

“Well…of that I am not sure of yet.  Chanti will provide me with insight when the need arises.  Of that, I am sure.”  Brayden attempted to put as much conviction into his voice as possible.

Sethyr sighed.  “I have little confidence in the vagaries of faith, but I suppose I have little choice.”

The three remained silent for a time, simply watching the herds below move to the water, drinking deeply and then moving on.  Brayden counted at least a dozen herds of different species.  Some were lumbering giants, taking their turn at the water, confident in the safety simply because of their size.  Other herds consisted of fine boned antelope who jumped at any errant sound.  The variety astounded Brayden and he made a silent prayer to Chanti, thanking her for all the wonders he had seen in her service.  Many would disagree, but Brayden found the life of a Protector much more interesting than that of a noble’s son, one sure never to inherit.

Sethyr broke the silence, snapping Brayden from his musing.

“Is this where we will camp?”

Brayden looked to Vijhan, who nodded silently.

“Yes…why?”

“I thought I might kindle a fire…if only I had something to cook...”

Sethyr let the comment hang in the air.

Vijhan gave one of his canine yawns, not rising to the bait.

“I have some oats left.  Would you like to make some gruel?”  Brayden’s voice carried an edge of humor.

“No thank you,” Sethyr answered.  “I was thinking of something a bit more fresh.”

“I spied a patch of wild onions over yonder,” Vijhan said, pointing away from the campsite.

“Umm, perhaps, but those would hardly make a meal.”  Sethyr scratched her head theatrically.  “We need something else, but what?”  Sethyr shrugged.  “Onions always go well with a haunch of roast meat, but where would we get that?”

Brayden suppressed a smile, keeping silent.

Vijhan perked up, as if an idea had suddenly come to him.

Sethyr cracked a slight smile.

“I know,” Vijhan said.  “I have some dried meat in my pack.  We could make some soup.”

Sethyr’s smile disappeared.

“You are being intentionally dense, you hound,” she said.  “It’s obvious that I want you to go and bag one of those delicious looking antelopes.”

“Yes, I know that,” Vijhan said.

“So why are you being so difficult?”

“I don’t rightly know what you mean.”

“Damn it, you know exactly what I mean.”

“I suppose I do, but I’d be satisfied with jerky soup, and Brayden seems content with his gruel…which leaves you…”

“Which leaves me hungry,” Sethyr snapped in mock anger.

Vijhan was nearly on the edge of laughter.  “So where does that leave us?”

“You can’t seriously be that childish, can you?”

“Perhaps.”

“What is it you want?”

“Just say it and I’m off to hunt.”

“Than go hunt.”

Vijhan cupped his ear, as if straining to hear a distant sound.  “And?”

“And, just do it.”

Vijhan put on a look of deep disappointment.  “Nope, not the right answer.”  He sat down and began grooming his feet with a tool from his pocket.

“Fine…would you please go catch one of those thrice damned antelope?”

Vijhan looked up from his grooming, considering the request for a moment.  The moment dragged on until Sethyr huffed in aggravation.

“Well, I suppose I could do that,” the Canid finally relented.  He retrieved a bundle of javelins and an atlatl from his pile of possessions and turned to leave the camp.

“Good, and bring back a good one.  It had better be good enough to expunge the bitter taste of courtesy out of my mouth.”

Both Brayden and Vijhan smiled at Sethyr’s comment.