(note: The short story appearing next week here, called "Exile's Road" came from this work, I am sharing the other sections of the opening chapters, including the follow-on chapters after "Exile's" to the blog on timed drops, 3 to 4 a day, over the next week.)
>>Warning<< This is a raw, first draft section. Just sharing to show where, had I been allowed, my writings were headed.
"We became too good at herding the wagons across the desert."
Those words, from his twin sister's mouth, made Salius wince. Nothing could be said to refute the claim. Their success bred the arrogance of the last decades leading to this moment.
"You and I carried the clan up this mountain. How can we prevent the fall, sister?"
Long silence was not the answer desired. No other rose over hissing sand grains in the glass between them.
Charts lay on the table, marked with the many trade routes once used by Gens Urias and the Roshens of humani. Some lost to disasters, priced out of others. Only the great rounds still gave them any funds. Journeys pioneered in the dark of the shadow of Athalan, already growing once more in size as it faded from hemisphere to crescent. Crosses marked ships lost, stars indicated caravans swallowed in mystery. Red circles showing contracts stolen and markets no longer exclusive to the gens glared angrily, accusing him of the misdeeds leading to this moment.
"We cannot. The Matron over-extended us setting up those fools to compete on the sea lanes. At best, we can still operate here, but there will be no return to the Insulae for us. Ever. Eternal exile for the debts made in our name as a clan." Contempt dripped from Villia's voice.
Clinking bells warned them someone approached. Until they knew who it was, neither spoke. Information created wealth, letting secrets slip paved roads leading to the current crisis. Servillia Saliana covered papers fast with her Hartuli board.
"News, Mercator." A voice without, known to both, broke the silence.
Villia took command, as she often did. "Enter, Jarthuna."
"Ave, Mercatrix. Poor news I bear. Three more try the shadow's fortune now. Cavus and two fools tossed by you."
This made Salius look at his overseer sharply. Rattling beads mixed with scents of stained leather to remind him his right hand was human as well. "Which fools?"
Stretching for a moment, welcoming magically cooled air, Jarthuna kept his information silent. His dark brown eyes searched for shadows on canvas walls, before releasing words. "Kindras sister's son on west path, Brule against us, Mercator." He bowed to Villia. "Sorry, Mercatrix. I could not convince my kin to abstain."
"Regret it not, Jarthuna. That comes as no surprise, nor is he a fool." She stood, brushing back golden hair off pointed ears marking her elven blood. "Scet is merely desperate. I bespoke his woman today so I expected it."
Light from the sky light slits glinted from the beads on his breast, making wings of the eagle there seem to move for the elven merchants. "Scet understood his injury cost him work." Salius glanced skyward. "No, Brule the Beast will be our problem. He hates us for casting him out. He will cut prices to steal contracts."
"He already speaks war." Jarthuna took a seat at the table. "Fool I name him, Fool he remains. Named place he attack. Sunrise of Mesas." Tanned hands marked by many scars moved the diving board. "He steal grain delivery to West House, so we cut amid Mesas." Fingers traced paths and places on the maps.
"You assume he will attack Salius' train. I say he will strike me." Villia pointed out several ambush points along her route, following the southern fringe of desert.
Smiling without showing teeth, Jarthun continued. "I checked two more things. He take contracts to north. Oh, Custos send riders with you and Kindras on missions, so carry food enough to feed both groups." Elven faces lit up with that news.
Villia thought out angles faster; "Brule would not dare face a caravan with even a few seasoned Custos riders. Let alone two companies being discharged." Her smile proved toothy, showing her diamond incisor, a vanity.
Now Jarthun laughed. "Made sure Brule heard same, from troops going home."
More grins, shared while moving towards the entry. Grins of relief.
Laughing, the Servillia left to arrange the extra provisions and wagons for her caravan. To be provided at a steep profit. It was good to remind those going into business to learn more before taking on their teachers.
As the sun rode along series of peaks to the south, heart ranges of the greatest mountains in the world, the men stood together, staring out over the river plain below, where the camps were laid out. Jzhan, the light of the world, moved from one peak to the next as they watched the wagons and corrals being filled.
"Jarthun, I have crossed and circled this desert more times than I can count. Led caravans across the sands in the shadow ten times. But this time, both trips must work. The extra money from Villia's train will keep us from banishment. One misstep, either trip, and we are through."
His overseer smiled, not looking at his master. "I do what I can. I will ask the Kenrath to watch over us." Lifting eyes to the deep aqua sky, the human stopped smiling. "Still, good idea to be safe. Add more guards. Will see if I can find some, and more cargo."
Long after Jarthun passed down to town, Decimus Urius Servilius Salius stood, watching the flow of commerce on river and trails. Few departures, save by couriers or swift boats. More arrivals, not to mention dust clouds showing additional seekers of safety coming.
"Safe, Jarthun?" He asked the air, knowing no answer would rise. "No, this crossing of the shadow feels different. The beasts from beyond I know and deal with. The beasts of banks and former allies? Those I fear to never comprehend."
Shaking his head, he thought about the costs of extra guards, beasts and provisions. Those would tax them to the point of losing even the routes here. "I see the hands of the Parcae in all. Their left hands."
He spent the day thinking ways to thwart the ill luck a sinister hand dealt.
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