The Trials and Tribulations of Travelers

[CurtailedAmbrosia]

Details are sketchy and the surviving recorded accounts few, but it was generally accepted knowledge that the world hadn’t always been in the gloomy state it currently existed in. The sun wasn’t always red, for instance. Plants used to be a bright and vivacious green rather than their current sickly, pale brown. A multitude of brightly colored ‘flowers’ had grown the world over, and could still sometimes be seen depicted in the rarest and most expensive of antique paintings.

And the ever present, thickly misted fog that choked the land during the evening hours? Absent entirely. But the gloom and decay were small prices to pay if one believed the world truly had come so very close to annihilation centuries before.

They called it ‘the great evil’. It had come from parts unknown but was generally agreed to seep from somewhere deep within the world, to have crept to the surface and sullied all that came into contact with it. The histories and even the priests were vague on just what the ‘great evil’ was, but all agreed that Varric the Immortal, Lord Emperor of Essenia had been it’s fatal foe.

Then just a minor lord from the Western reaches, the man who would become emperor took his stand against the ‘great evil’, and unlike the kings and armies that had come before him, he had survived it.

But not even Lord Varric could undo what had already been done. And so he had allegedly abandoned his ancestral lands to a younger brother and taken to the rebuilding of the sullied lands himself. His power grew, and his empire spread, and the tales became more murky with each passing decade until only the secretive priest class really had any idea what any of it meant, and even the religion that centered around them had its contradictions.

Unimportant. Varric could not be dethroned and had himself slaughtered the few who had tried. It was rumored he could not be killed, that whatever had allowed him to survive the great evil had only strengthened over time. Essenia was, by all accounts, ruled by a living god. His tyrannical hold had been tight for centuries, and would no doubt go on for centuries more.

After all, were it not for him, Essenia and indeed the world would have perished. Why shouldn’t he rule it as he saw fit?

 

[CoSurvivor]

The night air had been wet, with the full moon above his head, Rand could see across the line of his fellow soldiers. They'd been in this muck and grime for weeks, Everything he wore and owned carried a level of grime to it that had been built up during the wet season, it left Rand feeling dirty, soiled and now part of the ground that could very well claim him. It had been so wet he'd turned to carry his sword flat across his back bare to the elements so as it wouldn't rust in the now useless scabbard that was attached to his pack well what was left of it anyway. It seemed he hadn't seen a clear sky or felt a dry bone on his body in weeks. Above the slow and steady mist of rain that fell upon them, He could hear the mosquitos buzzing around, searching for flesh, a victim to suck dry, and infect with their poison.

It wasn't supposed to be like this, they were supposed to fight with honor, defend their lands and possibly get out from under the thumb of the capital but one thing leads to another, the list grew so long of transgressions, murder, and misunderstandings that after the years-long war Rand had nearly lost track of who started it. Now... it just felt like he was waiting for it to end. He refused to just surrender, he wasn't about to die, he had his wife, their child to return to...They were safe.. so he knew when they'd fled Pristina. That was 6 months ago. and while he knew that lines of communication from the front to where her family was had been terrible, he'd hoped he might have heard from them, even just a slip of paper that said she made it. He had to get back to them. His heart sunk when he thought of what could've happened to them. But allowing those thoughts to continue in his brain only made sucked the light out of his soul... But looking at the other soldiers along the line, he knew he wasn't alone, he could see their faces, knew their own pain as they surely shared his own.

Taking a deep breath, he could see the mist escape his lungs as he exhaled...the horn blew, somewhere off to his right..the guards were coming, Rand wedged one boot into the wet ground and could feel it sink an inch, he steeled himself for the oncoming force, turning his head, he could see them, shadows hidden by a blinding light that masked their faces... Screams of anger next filled his ears, his own voice, his own screams added to the others.

Rand woke from the dream, it hadn't been as bad as some others, he didn't dream specifically about his wife, or his son, no not this time. This morning he was saved that pain. Instead, his head screamed at him, same as his back and shoulders screamed the same language. "What the hell was I thinking last night" Surely he hadn't been drinking, no he gave that up long ago, (well.. mostly) as he knew what a hangover felt like, and this wasn't it. Siting up, Rand swung his legs out from under the covers and looked over his scarred arms, and legs. He'd brawled with someone, but at the moment his head was still swimming. He felt his bed move, and turned to see what had caused it, and noticed a particularly muscular, yet very feminine calf and foot start to move as if it's owner was waking just like he had. Rand certainly didn't remember inviting any woman to join him last night, and as she turned to face him, he was half surprised, half startled to find 'her' in his bed.

"Vonnie?" Rand croaked out in a morning voice.

'Von' or 'Vonnie' as Rand had gotten to calling her was one of the Barmaids for the inn since he'd become a resident at the inn about a month ago, they hired him on as a sort of handyman and bouncer for the evening crowd that needed to be sent home. The inn itself was open 24 hours, but the dining room wasn't, and occasionally they'd have a rowdy bunch that didn't respect that and retire to their rooms, to at least get some sleep before returning to their labors. As Rand called her name the attractive brunette turned and opened her bleary hazelnut eyes, sitting up a little Rand noticed she was wearing a nightgown as the sheets fell from her chest. Her first words were ones of concern for Rand, more than a concern about where she was.

"How's your head?" she commented looking him over, sitting up more and getting a better look at him.

Rand then touched his head and realized why his head throbbed so badly, he had a wrap around the top right side of it, and reached to touch it. Vonnie's hand quickly reached out and stopped him,

"No.. don't. Doc Westen said to leave that dressing on for the next day or so, the stitches will need to come out in about a week, but..."

"Stitches?" Rand asked.

"Yea.. the Coleman brothers didn't take kindly to you asking them to leave last night, one took a bottle and hit you with it while the other tried to break a chair over your back. I say tried because the chair nor you gave in."

Trying to stand, bumbling about it as Vonnie got out of bed herself and walked over to the other side and helped him, Rand took a look at himself in the small mirror on the wall. He had a black eye, or what would soon be one, the bandage was high on his hairline, so when the wound healed he'd be fine, nobody would notice the new scar amongst his collection.

Rand turned to Vonnie, gave her a slight smile, then nodded... "That explains my scrambled head and my new scar... but.."

"Why am I here?" Vonnie interrupted. "Because.. the doc said you might have suffered some more damage to your head from the bottle... so I volunteered to keep an eye on you."

Rand didn't know what to say, it had been a long time since he'd shared his bed with a woman, it had been just as long since he'd been intimate... Vonnie was beautiful, the girl next door attractive appearance that got her attention, and sometimes too much. But she was a smart woman. He didn't want to get her hopes up.

With a smile, Rand took her hand and kissed it, "Thanks for looking out for me. Did I do.. or say anything while I was asleep?"

"No.. you didn't." Vonnie lied. He hadn't done anything that was true, but she'd been up half the night holding him as he cried...wept...he called out someone as he cried... For all he'd done for her, the least she could do was keep that secret. It hurt her, knowing that this man who'd been kind while staying with them harbored such demons in his sleep... But now she knew why he'd brushed off all the other girl's advances. Of all the secrets she had, keeping this one to herself was nothing, and Vonnie could take a bit of pride in knowing a little about the tortured man she'd shared a bed with.

Rand asked a question, while he already thought he knew the answer, he asked anyway... "Did I....?"

Vonnie raised an eyebrow at him and shook her head. "No, you are an honorable man, despite what you may think of yourself. Nothing happened, despite the fact that I wouldn't have minded, but no."

The idea of being with Vonnie wasn't unappealing, he'd thought on it a few times, find a way to get her alone in the massive storage closets, pull up her gown and... well the thoughts were there but as a traveling man, Rand had never thought it a good idea to sleep around. In all his travels since the war was over, he'd never spent more than a year maybe more in one place. the village was nice.. he might actually consider staying here, but something in his bones was telling him that there was something coming.. something in the air that told him he wouldn't be here long and it would be impolite to make roots when he'd be leaving soon.

Leaving his internal conversation, he turned to face Vonnie before she got the impression he was ignoring her. "I, know... but..."

"Hush Rand...it's ok. I'm a big girl... I know.."

Certain words passed between them for a moment, Vonnie turned to the opposite side of the bedroom where she'd left her clothes and started to dress, that's when Rand remembered his own state of undress and wondered how he got there as he was practically naked...
"Wait a minute.. so who got me undressed??"

A blushing smile crossed Vonnie's face as she finished tying her dress, "Just me Rand, despite Mallory's best efforts."

When she finished, Vonnie stepped over and kissed him chastely on the cheek.

"See you downstairs Rand."

Vonnie left, one more look over her shoulder and she opened the latch to his room pulling it closed behind her she gave him the sort of look that someone might give a loved one when they knew they may never see them again.

Sitting on the side of his bed in silence, Rand listened to Vonnie's footsteps as she walked down the hallway. Once her footfalls grew distant, Rand stood up and forced himself to look at the man in the mirror. Gone was his youth, replaced by the shattered man that looked back at him. He could see his father there, and while his father might not hold it against him that he'd fallen so far, but he wouldn't be happy either.

Looking over at his clothes folded neatly on the chair near the door to his room, Rand sighed and resolved to make something out of today.

-----

Rand had taken the better part of an hour to put himself together, dressed in the cleanest shirt and pants he had, a black tunic which he'd mended more times than he could remember, pants dark blue almost black that reminded him of his time in the city guard. Putting on his belt, boots and hooking his belt on, Rand hid two daggers in the folds of his tunic as he put on a heavy leather vest. The vest was part of a jacket he owned the sleeves he'd taken off during the lighter weather, Now as the weather was turning colder (colder than it already was) he'd end up attaching the sleeves in the next few weeks. This particular day was cloudier and gloomier than normal as Rand headed down the three flights of stairs that lead down from his room. He'd looked out the windows and caught the heavy clouds rolling in across the village. Change was coming, the weather was indeed bringing change.. no matter if the village wanted it or not. Once Rand had made his way to the ground level he crossed the main atrium of the inn and walked into the common room which served as the eating area for anyone visiting or dining at the inn, The food wasn't terrible, in fact, it had been one of the reasons he'd decided to stay.

At the moment Rand was sitting in his normal spot, a corner table in the back of the common room, He could see out the window next to him and watch the village activity, and he could also see anyone who came in the front door of the inn. With his journal out on the table, Rand was referring to notes as he waited on his food, He could hear conversations, something about travel to the capital, which peaked his interest, Looking up he thought he could see someone standing at the bar talking to Mason, the head barkeep and the main proprietor of the inn, but was distracted by Miranda another of the Barmaids bringing his breakfast. Biscuits and gravy with a side of eggs and bacon, oh the smell just made him salivate. When short blonde set down his food, Rand nodded, gave her a smile and thanked her and began to plot his course through the food in front of him. Whatever the conversation was about that he'd heard, Rand could care less, food in front of him.

 

[CurtailedAmbrosia]

Wren had waited until morning to venture into the inn, tucked away for a restless night in the crook of a chimney three dwellings over, half tucked in under the hay of the thatch roof. She’d left her knapsack and bedroll in the woods outside of town. If she didn’t have it on her, it could hardly be stolen.

She had waited until morning because it’d be safer-less drunken men, if there any at all, and therefore no one to accost her. If she wasn’t there, she couldn’t be attacked.

She’d asked a few questions of a vagrant before finding her nook to sleep in, and he’d pointed her here, and given her a few names, and descriptions to go with those names. He’d tried to ask her questions, too-but if she didn’t talk, she couldn’t be found out.

Those were the three rules she lived by, most of the time. Don’t carry it, don’t be there, and if you are there-be silent.

No one had looked up as she entered, and that suited her just fine. She moved to the bar counter and waited until the man spotted her, and despite her admittedly ragged appearance-graciously waited on her. “What can I do you for, miss?”

“I’m looking to hire somebody.” Wren said bluntly, her voice quiet and a little flat. “I was told there were men here for that.”

“Hire them for what?”

“I need to go to the capital.” Wren grudgingly admitted. “And do not know the way.” So her man would have to. It’s the only reason she bothered to tell him about her destination.

A smile played around the bartender’s lips, the man amused by her blunt businesslike speech. She looked like a ragamuffin in those clothes-her dark green tunic fell to about mid thigh, a rough hewn rope belt around her hips and the top portion tucked in but loose over her chest. A boy’s breeches for her legs, and a dirtied, patched up cloak with mud stains at the unevenly cut and torn hem.

And her hair-it wasn’t...bad, but she kept it short in flagrant disregard for the fashionable long hair styles of most empire nobles and serfs. It was dark, very straight, and only about chin length. It was also a little fussed up at the moment, messy. Her face was clean though, and too pretty to be a boy’s. She had almond shaped, lash fringed olive green eyes and a delicate facial structure, a small bow of a mouth that, currently, was pressed together in a decidedly serious, maybe stubborn fashion. She’s on the smaller side-petite, couldn’t have been more than five feet tall. Though, and it’s hard to tell for certain, there DID appear to be shape to her sleight form. A woman in those clothes, not a girl.

She hardly looked like the sort who could afford anyone who frequented here, especially for so long a journey. All he sees on that belt is a rectangular satchel and a short dagger-no coin pouch. He decided to humor her anyway.

“Rand over there might be worth talking to, miss.” Mason nodded to the man currently enjoying his breakfast.

Her head turned, the name familiar-one of the ones mentioned by the vagrant. “He’s got bandages on.” She states, the same tone one might describe bruised, battered fruit.

“Yes, but he’s been everywhere and will most certainly know the way.”

She still looked unsure, but she started over there anyway-without so much as a thank you. That only amused him more, all told.

~*~

Wren sat down across from the bandaged man without so much as a ‘how do you do’. Just plunked down in the seat across from him, serious dark green eyes studying him a moment. It’d be awkward if she wasn’t so determined looking.

“Bartender says you know the way to the capital.” Well. That wasn't much of a greeting.

 

[CoSurvivor]

Rand was eating as if it was his last meal, each bite was like a flavor explosion in his mouth, he'd have to call over Miranda when he was done and demand that 'Cook' as everyone called him, (well he was the cook for the inn after all) give him some insight as to what spices and the amount of pepper he put in the gravey that made it taste so amazing. the beef sausage was also just perfect, He wasn't sure how Cook did it, but the man was a genius, in the kitchen anyway.

His ears though picked up the not to polite conversation going on over at the bar, it was his job to be a snoop no matter where he was, and with the fact that there were three people in the common room right now, it was hard to not pick up on his conversation. Between bites, Rand would look over and take stock of the new guest, he'd try to figure out who this person was trying to be? Was she trying to be homeless? trying to pass her self off as a serf or a pesant? Surely from here the massive amount of clothes hid a lot about the shape of her. But so long as she kept her distance it didn't matter to him, However, when Mason mentioned his name when it came to traveling to the Capital, Rand internally groaned...

"Oh come on... " Rand internally pleaded, if she comes over, he'll never get to finish his food, and he really really didn't want to have a conversation this morning, not till he'd had Coffee and a full stomach. Well, there was that and his splitting headache still. When it looked like she was going to turn and face him, Rand decided he'd ignore her for as long as possible, if he was in the middle of eating surely she'd wait till he was done, at that rate he could politely put her off. He tried to keep three steps ahead of this girl in his head, planning how to at least avoid talking to her till he was finished. All that went out the window when the girl didn't even bother to introduce herself, but she sat down at the table across from him..

Internally Rand couldn't help but crack a smile, the girl had guts, either that or she was raised with absolutely no manners. Either way Rand would make her wait till he was good and ready to answer her.

As if to put off answering, he cut a fresh piece of biscuit off which he'd soaked in the creamy mixture of gravy and sausage. Rand forked it in to his mouth and thumbed the whisp of gravy that hit the edge of his mouth. then proceeded to answer her question as he kept his eyes on his food, and looked at her through the corner of his eyes.

"I might, there are a few ways to the Capital that I know of.. Who might be asking?"

Rand's voice was polite, he'd no reason not to be, This young woman, as she surely was because of her attractive face might be more than meets the eye. He'd seen a few people in all his years of traveling end up trying to underplay who they were so as not to attract attention, and something told him that there was something more to her than many would guess. His interest was peaked. His intuition was right about today. the weather did bring change his way.. he just wasn't expecting it to be in the middle of his breakfast.

 

[CurtailedAmbrosia]

Wren's blunt, but she's smart enough not to pester-that was one of her rules, after all. The less you spoke, the less they knew, and the less that could be used against you.

She waits.

And while she waits she openly scrutinizes him, sizing him up while he keeps his eyes on his plate, eating his breakfast like she wasn't even there. That was alright-if Wren was him, she'd focus on eating too. Never knew when or where your next meal would come from...

He's older but certainly looked experienced, if the scars are any indication. One of his eyes are a little puffy, the skin bruised-it might darken into a right shiner, she's not sure. And the bandages around the top right side of his head-for a minute, she feels bad for him. She's lost fights before, it's never fun.

Of course, she's assuming he lost. Wren's sympathy hardens a little. Either way, he'd gotten his head conked somehow, and that might mean he wasn't capable of going any damned where with anybody.

"I might, there are a few ways to the Capital that I know of...who might be asking?"

Wren's lips press together. "I am." She says bluntly. Somehow though, she doesn't think that answer was going to fly. She briefly considers lying, but lies weren't ever that great of an idea-they'd tangle you up, you tell them to anyone you plan to be around for any length of time. Which he would be, she hired him.

Her eyes flick to a biscuit and then the window, and she reluctantly gives herself up. "Wren." Her eyes drift back. "Don't have a last name." She says with a shrug.

It was fairly typical of peasants and street urchins, serfs working on farms and in households. Sometimes they took on their master's or Lord's names-but not Wren. No, never Wren.

Her arms come up to rest on the edge of the table, hands folding just in front of her chest. She's sitting rather straight, but it seemed less about posture and more about trying to look bigger than she was. She's determined and rather serious, this girl.

"I've only heard you referred to as Rand." Wren tells him. There's a hint of curious question to that.

 

[CoSurvivor]

"First names are fine, I'm ok with that," It had been years since he'd really given his last name that most people who he ran into never knew it, or he never stayed in one place long enough for anyone to pry it out of him. Rand more than most probably understood why she was so resistant to giving more than that. Everyone had secrets, He could tell that Wren was hungry, she'd been eyeing the small plate of biscuits that was sitting next to him. She'd been blunt enough to just plant herself in a chair in front of him, but she wasn't without manners, otherwise she'd have just reached over and taken a biscuit without asking. To break the ice, and allow himself to keep eating Rand pushed the small plate toward her, and picked up the small jar of honey that was opposite from the plate, If the girl was going to eat, his food, the least he could do was make sure she had something to go with it. With a nod of his head and a raise of an eyebrow, Rand gave her nonverbal permission to dig in.

As if it was good fortune on his part, he could see Vonnie appear from the stairs where the rest of the rooms were. She caught sight of him, but her warm smile slightly faded as she noticed that he had company at his table. Before she could walk over, Mason spoke to her which drew her full attention, turning her back to him. When she did turn back to face him, Rand could see her eyes had partially grown sad. Rand felt for her a touch, she'd shared his bed last night, spoken on how she would have liked more, but there was nothing there, there could be nothing there... His face didn't betray his true feelings, how he would have liked to have buried his face in her hair, listened to her breathing and the beat of her heart. Vonnie had been one of the first to befriend him here. which made it that more difficult to think of leaving.

"So, Wren, if I'm taking you to the capital, I need to know a couple things, depending on your answers, It will decide for me if I can take you, or if you are just going to get us both killed. Understood?"

Rand gave her half a second to process that, till he followed up.

"If we are going, I need to know if you have a problem traveling at night, the warnings are out there, the Fog has been known to claim it's victims.. but more so to the south of the Village. If you've ever been through there you'll know what I'm talking about."

Surely she would, as the mystery about 'The Fog" was for the most part very much folklore. Stories parents would tell their kids to keep them out of trouble, but if you'd done any amount of traveling like Rand had, you'd konw most of the things people say about the fog is absolutely a lie. Yes there are monsters, but four legged ones., there are the wild packs that travel at night, there's the bandit gang of Moric who love to raid and steal, and who control a portion of the Lord's road and demand a toll be paid by those who travel it There are ways around them, but if Rand is going to take Wren out there, he had to know if she wasn't going to bolt at the first sign of the fog, or if she was going to walk right through it. Her answers would tell him the truth.

While he waited for Wren to answer and as he watched her tear into the biscuits he'd given her, Rand mouthed and signaled for more, and another cup of coffee. His guest seemed like she'd been through a bit, and maybe, just maybe a bit of kindness might draw out the reasons why she needed to get to the Capital. Vonnie caught his signs and brought over the extra biscuits, and an additional cup of coffee, filling the cup, she politely asked.

"Can we get you anything miss?"

 

[CurtailedAmbrosia]

"First names are fine, I'm ok with that,"

Good, because a first name is the only kind she's got. He doesn't say anything else about names or jobs or questions-but he does slide over the small plate of biscuits, the scent of which now that much stronger, obvious.

Poison. Wren immediately thinks, her traitorous stomach feeling a pang of regret.

Except...well-no, he'd already eaten one of these very biscuits, she'd watched him mop up gravy with it. They're not likely to be poisonous then-but he better not be planning to charge her for any either. She waits another beat, an uncertain glance back to his face, the raised eyebrow-and then she finally reached for one of the biscuits.

She holds it with both of her small hands, feeling the warmth and the fluffy-but-dense texture of it. He doesn't spring a 'gotcha' on her, and Wren finally decides he really was just...giving her some of his breakfast.

"...thanks." She has no idea why he would do that, she's supposed to be paying him.

She takes a small bite of the biscuit, and it's delicious. She chews slowly, eyeing the honey suspiciously but not bothering with it. Like butter, if you got used to something like that, you'd never enjoy plain bread in quite the same ever again. And that, would be a sinful kind of wasteful, in her opinion. Swallows, gives a nod-and then another small bite as she looks out the window, the sort of slowness of someone who knew what it was to go without.

She looks back as he starts to speak, catching him looking away from a woman with auburn hair over by the bar. "Assuming I decide to hire you." She adds, for Wren's no fool-people don't do each other favors, not for free. He'd escort her for a fee, and she'd pay that fee, and both would be getting something they wanted out of the trade. She's not going to plead with him to take the job anymore than he's going to plead with her to give him one.

But she listens to him all the same as she takes another, slightly larger bite of the biscuit-it's half eaten now, and she's considering saving the rest for later.

"No." Wren answers truthfully about traveling at night, a small, somewhat self satisfied smile curving her bow of a mouth. "No problems with night travel. That's how I got here, after all. Four nights walking in the Fog. Slept during the day. Still alive." It'd actually been twice that-she'd been on the road for eight straight days, creeping along at night and stepping off to sleep (or try to sleep) during the daylight hours, usually tied high in a tree bough or else curled up in the roots of one. She'd slipped just outside the circle of firelight of two bandit camps without notice, and other than a slightly more panicked night listening to mournful howling in the distance-she hadn't seen or heard much of anything out there, and certainly no monsters. As for the Fog supposedly being poisonous-well, she'd known that was a lie for a long time now, hadn't she?

And her lie-four days would make him-and anyone he might gossip to-think she'd come from somewhere much closer than she actually had. It'd keep people from guessing exactly where she'd come from, or out of, and hopefully-keep her a little safer, maybe, in the long run.

Maybe.

The auburn haired woman appears, more biscuits that end up set in front of her, and a cup of hot coffee poured. Wren's lips press together again, eyeing the black liquid in particular.

"Can we get you anything miss?"

"No." Blunt, but not terse. Wren isn't polite, but she's not entirely rude, either. Just...short on words.

She decides not to save the half eaten biscuit after all. She gestures to her own head with it, asks "What happened?" before biting into it. This time, Wren finishes it in three bites. She oddly doesn't pick up another one, or sip any of the coffee.

It was possible she didn't realize they were for her.

 

[CoSurvivor]

Rand was happy to hear she wasn't the faint of heart and that she'd actually been on the road a bit which made it easier for him to be optimistic about helping her out. The young woman was attractive, the olive eyes made him think of something, but he couldn't quite place where he'd seem the same facial features. He'd have to think on that.

It was good that she finally gave in and ate, if he was her and had been on the road as she'd said, he'd be ravenous by now, and Rand made no effort to take one of the other Biscuits that had been brought over when Vonnie delivered them. He was more than amused when she bit back at him regarding if she'd hire him.

If you decide to hire me?" Rand spoke jokingly. "I don't see anyone else jumping for the opportunity to travel all the way to the capital, it's not exactly the safest trek, but then again if you've spent 4 nights on the trail then you already know about the howlers."

The howlers was actually a joke, the howling sound was due to the semi hollow trees of the forest up north,.The howling winds would come in off the coastline drag down the valley and the winds would get loud.. really loud. But that was in the opposite direction they were traveling. The Capital residing due east of them was a good three weeks travel on foot, and with the fact that she had mentioned sleeping up in the trees she knew about it. Too many city folk were scared out of the forest because of them, and well, the bandits and marauders took advantage of that, the forests were safer than many thought, but not safe enough to just go trapsing in with absolutely no plan. As he sat there with her, he was mentally trying to think of the best route to take, He could head south and charter a boat. that would be much faster, and get them to the capital in maybe.... a week.

With Wren's question about his head, he was about to speak up when Vonnie replied for him.

"Oh, his head got in the way of a beer bottle. Two good for nothin brothers decided to trash my bar last night rather than leave and Rand here got in the way of that. He's stronger than he looks. and won a chair versus man match too last night.."

Rand looked at Vonnie and finished.. "Thank you Von, anything else you care to add ??"

Vonnie thought for a moment raised an eyebrow and simply said "Nope, just that they look worse than you do this morning,

Rand could only shake his head and nod, "I honestly don't remember,"

Vonnie nodded and with an exaggerated 'your welcome' look then wondered off to the other side of the common room as two of her regulars made their way in.

Rand looked at Wren and gave her a bit of a half smile and asked her a few questions of his own.

"So, this trip, IF you hire me. Am I deciding the route? How quickly do we need to get there? And, what are you willing to pay?"

By the looks of Wren he wasn't sure if she could pay anything. She surely didn't look like she could pay for a meal let alone travel expenses... Maybe that's why he didn't mind giving her some of his breakfast..

Whatever her answers, this young woman seemed motivated.. by something he wasn't sure.

 

[CurtailedAmbrosia]

“He's stronger than he looks. and won a chair versus man match too last night.."

"Thank you Von, anything else you care to add ??"

"Nope, just that they look worse than you do this morning.”

"I honestly don't remember,"


Wren’s eyes had flicked back and forth between the pair during the exchange, and now she definitely wasn’t drinking that coffee, or eating any of the new biscuits that had been brought over. For all she knew, he’d LOST that fight, and his friend there, and they were clearly friends-she was talking him up, covering it up so...so...well, how would poison fit into a scam like that, coin for inept escorts?

Wren’s not sure, but better to be safe than sorry. To his earlier point though-there weren’t a lot of people to hire in this town, and she had no idea how to get to the next one. She’d mostly stumbled on this one by mistake, and who’s to say the next won’t have one of the Lord Varric’s churches in it?

No, better to find a guide now who knew the way, and if she found someone else later, that’d be just fine. A bird in hand was worth two in the bush, after all.

The woman left, leaving the ‘poison’ coffee and biscuits behind.

Wren considered both a moment, then-took one of the biscuits originally on the first plate he had slid over to her, the one she’d seen him eat one from. She had only been intending to eat the one, but the display, she decides, cost him a second.

Or maybe it had just been very good and she’d been careful, very careful-too careful?-on rationing her meager provisions.

She chews thoughtfully on the biscuit as she considers the first two questions-and then her eyebrow raises on the last, a swallow.

Nice try.

“What are you hoping to charge me, Rand?” She’s not going to just make him an offer! Not first, anyway. As for the other questions-well, Wren loses a bit of her shrewdness, street smarts. “...however long it takes to get there is how long it takes to get there. Maybe you can offer an option of routes…?” That sounded...reasonable, she thinks. She looks more certain, leaning back in her chair with a nod. “And what you might charge for each one.”

That little smile plays around the corners of her lips again. “IF I decide to hire you.” And she takes another bite of the biscuit, pleased.

 

[CoSurvivor]

"Wren, I ask about your preferences because maybe there are people you'd like to avoid. You said you want to go to the Capital, and you haven't said why. It could be for a wedding, it could be for a funeral, it could be because you have an uncle there and he promised to get you out of this dreadful place if you could get up there. Your reasons are your own, but how quickly we get there depends on a few things. So I'm going to assume you want the safest route, to get to the Capital avoiding most entanglements, Some we can't avoid. So we'll do this. if you want me to take you to the Capital you'll pay for the following, provisions for the trip, that's dried goods etc along the way, we'll have at least a week worth of dried foods on us, and a few water skins to make the trip, When we stop, you'll pay for lodging for us both, or if we are out on the road, you'll help me set up camp. I'll be your guide but I'm not going to do everything for you. if we have to hunt, you'll help. You pay for the provisions and lodging, I'll guide and pay me 300 once we get there. That's reasonable."

Rand took a healthy bite of a biscuit he'd slathered in gravy just moments before Wren had sat down, He looked at his food, looked at the cup of coffee and Biscuits that Vonnie had put down on the table for her.

He could tell she was... what was the word, 'skittish around people and if she was traveling alone, then she'd have to be even more protective of herself so as she didn't get taken advantage of. There was something more to this, what it was Rand wasn't sure but his he was beginning to get invested in it, but if he was going to travel with her, she had to trust him.

"I can see, and it's obvious that you don't trust me, or others, so let me try and calm your nerves just a little..." Rand nodded over at Vonnie,

"That's Vonnie, she's more or less the 'mother hen' of the bar, she nearly runs this place with Mason over there, the bartender you first met who sent you in my direction. They make everything in house from the coffee to the biscuits to the jar of honey that's on the table, and they take great pride in their food. Vonnie was just being her normal nosy self as she's giving me a hard time for trying to play hero last night. So if you are worried about them, or me, and if someone has ulterior motives, remember, this place runs on a reputation of taking care of it's patrons, it would be bad business for them to ruin it. If you take my meaning."

Rand scarfed another bite, and looked at the biscuits on her plate, then at the mound of gravy on his. Scooping up a bit of the gravy off his plate, he dolloped it on half of one of his own biscuits, then put it on the corner of hers.

"The biscuits and gravy here are amazing, I've literally been thinking about having them for breakfast since I woke up. So if you are going to sit here with me then you may as well eat. and if I have to share, to at least earn a little of your trust so we can get to you to the Capital, then I'll do that.. just.. just do me the favor of trying it."

Why was he trying so hard to win this strange woman's trust? It was so outside his normal personality to reach out to someone who was so bent on distrusting people. He wasn't hard up for money, he had enough, and when was the last time he needed to go to the capital? it had been a while. But something told him in his gut that he was supposed to help her, even someone as distrustful as Wren appeared to be. This just wasn't normal for him, He wasn't normally one to reach out, to anyone, but something told him he needed to with this young woman but he couldn't explain it.

 

[CurtailedAmbrosia]

“Maybe there are people you'd like to avoid. You said you want to go to the Capital, and you haven't said why.”

Her green eyes and gaze turned a little flinty, and Wren’s expression shifted towards cool.

“...you are right, my reasons are my own.” The words of a very determined, very serious woman.

But that’s all she says on it, listening to him list terms without comment, at least initially. Then he dropped into how she didn’t trust him-and he’s right. She did not trust him, nor should she. Not fully, at least-her eyes flick to Vonnie as he indicates her, and then back to the bartender she’d first spoken to. He tells her not to worry about them-and that, of course, makes her think there IS something to be worried about here. Your reputation couldn’t really take too much of a hit if there were no witnesses and no one to miss the victim.

Which, in this case-there wasn’t.

She almost gets up and leaves right then and there, because whichever it was, good or ill will here-she doesn’t care to risk it. There had been two other names, she’d go find one of them-maybe the blacksmith’s brother Leon?-and her fingers actually lift to grip and push back on the table-when Rand dribbled a bit of gravy on one of the originally offered biscuits, the ones that for sure could not be poisoned-and tries to get her to try it.

Wren goes still. She settles uncertainly back down into her seat, more than a little confused and somewhat staring. Okay, fine. He wants her to try the murderous Vonnie and Mason’s gravy, she will. She plucks up the biscuit and takes a bite. It is, indeed, pretty good.

Chewing thoughtfully, Wren watches him without the cold suspicion-and then slides her cup of coffee forward to his side of the table. She says nothing, but it should be obvious-she wanted him to drink it first before she would.

Just where the hell had this woman come from, and what exactly was she so on edge about?

Only now does Wren truly weigh his offered terms, and the fact that he’d wait until they were in the capital to be paid was honestly-more than a little crazy. Perhaps he was no swindler after all-maybe he was someone who was in fact, easily swindled. That was why he expected her to trust Vonnie and Mason on his say so, because HE’D trust them on someone’s say so. Wren worried over this a moment, her eyes drifting to his bruised eye. Poor Rand with his bandaged head and trusting nature, extending credit to complete strangers and sharing his breakfast with women he did not know. She decides she should help him, but at the same time-not be entirely foolish, accepting the first number he throws out there.

“Two seventy.” Both numbers are mind-bogglingly high. Wren’s never even SEEN that much silver, let alone possessed it. The forty two silver coins hidden in the woods nearby, plus the single gold coin on her person-that was the most amount of money she’s ever seen, and the first amount of money she’s ever honestly possessed, too.

But how exactly would she figure out how much to pay him, should she wish to find someone else later? Or if she died…?

“Which I will pay along the way, in installments of-” Wren freezes, having just trapped herself into mathing on the spot-and covers quickly with a sudden “Sixty silver, with the final remainder on arrival.” She can count it out proper later, when she had more time to think.

“And...you’d have to eat even if you weren’t escorting me.” Wren pointed out, brow furrowing and her lips pressing together as she sized him up. He wasn’t the largest of men she’s ever seen, but he was a lot bigger than she was-which probably meant he ate a lot more, too. AND he probably was the sort to use butter and honey, desire...she doesn’t know. Fancier foods than she was used to.

Perhaps it was a standard requirement, rations on the road for all hired parties-a travel expense? She honestly wouldn’t know, and she wouldn’t want to make ridiculous demands and reveal her not knowing, or accidentally swindle HIM.

Swindling other people she would not feel bad about, but somehow it seemed...wrong, here. Wren weighed this carefully, then relented-but only slightly. “What I buy for me, I’ll buy for you.” She finally decides. “You want extra or something fancier, you pay for yourself.” He wouldn’t starve, but he also wouldn’t live the high life on whatever she stole, either.

“Same goes for bedding down-I stay in an inn-” Highly unlikely she would. Why pay for what you could get for free? Sleep shouldn’t be costly. “You can stay there with me. Otherwise-you want to sleep inside, sleep inside, and I will see you in the morning or the night, whichever it wasn’t when you left for your feather pillows and mattresses.”

Wren shrugs. That sounded fair enough to her, anyway. As for hunting, setting up camp-well, if he wanted to teach her either, fine. She could forage for herself, and wouldn’t have wanted to be waited on anyway. She popped the last bite of the third biscuit into her mouth, mostly full, and happier for it-while she moves to seal the deal, if she can. She pulls the sheathed dagger from her rope belt, draws it-and then tilts the sheath upside down for a single gold coin to slide out. Dagger and sheath were set aside for her to press her fingertips to the coin, sliding it to be about in the middle of the table, but not lifting her fingers from it just yet.

“One gold coin, in good faith-should you agree.”

 

[CoSurvivor]

He humored her comments regarding feather pillows and mattresses and it actually made him chuckle.. .

"You must think I live like a noble... I don't think I've ever seen a feather pillow let alone slept on one, and a mattress? Wren, do I look like someone who's had such finery... I'm not a noble, not in this life, not in the last... not in my next one. that's for sure."

Rand had weighed her choices truth be told she was offering to pay him on the way, which was more than what he expected. He didn't expect to get paid till he got there, and if he was a lesser man, he'd think that he could take her half way and ditch her somewhere. But something told Rand that because of her statement, she either put her foot in it before she realized it, or indeed had never hired someone. But it put the guide in an advantageous position to drag her along till he got the amount he might want and then leave her where ever to rot. Rand could see some serious flaws that with anyone else, could easily lead to an early demise for Wren. Fortune did indeed shine on them both.

Rand had made up his mind long ago in their conversation that he'd take her and as he was about to take the coin, he looked at her fingers. This was no noble woman or even remotely near. Her hand, her knuckles and skin showed the signs of someone who'd seen life. not a comfortable one either.

"We have an agreement Wren..."

Rand was about to put his fingers on the coin when instead, he upturned his hand reaching out, as if offering to shake her hand. In Rand's mind, your word is your bond, and a courtesy is to shake upon it, Money may exchange hands, as well, but there was the physicality of contact with someone which solidified the contract. He could see she had options, either place the coin in his hand or shake it..

"How soon do we need to leave? I need to tidy up here, settle accounts, but we can leave today if need be, or we can take the day and gather provisions then go. Do you have a preference?'

 

[CurtailedAmbrosia]

His acceptance of the revised terms satisfies Wren, and the small woman takes her fingers from the coin so Rand could pick it up-but he doesn't, just leaves his hand where it is, half across the table and loose, palm partially up.

It takes her a minute to realize he wanted to shake on it, and an even longer minute to realize that yes, she WAS now someone to shake hands with-an independent party operating under her own power. Her breath catches to be recognized or assumed to have that automony-and Wren straightens with a puff of pride, her smaller hand clasping his for a firm handshake and an honest to God, -real- smile on her face.

She hasn't had cause for one of those in...a long time, she feels like.

"Agreed!"

Rand's new employer slips from her chair and moves to replace the sheathed dagger in her rough hewn rope belt-all while considering his question, thoughtful.

She still hasn't slept and had been traveling at night for the most part, she saw little reason to change things up now-but she hadn't hired a guide just to ignore whatever advice he had for the trip.

"No later than tomorrow morning.". Wren decides, slowly. "But preferably tonight, just before sunset.". She watches him for confirmation. "Which time should I come back for?"

 

[CoSurvivor]

Rand was more than pleased that she took his hand and shook it. When she did, Rand could feel the genuine emotion in how she took his hand in hers. While Rand wasn't a very big man, standing only about 5'8" and 185lbs on a good day, her hand was smaller in his. Her smile, however, was infectious. and he smiled back, nodding as she stood and put away her dagger.

He thought on her question for but a while, looked at her, specifically her eyes, and could tell she'd been up for quite some time.

"My recommendation is that you get some rest. if it be here at the inn, and their prices are quite reasonable, you should get off your feet for a while. With your preference of traveling overnight, I do suggest we leave at dusk, while we do have some light, per your preference. While I'm expecting good weather this evening, getting caught out when there is no moon makes it harder to travel at night. And, we may end up traveling during the day time as well. so I hope you are alright with that, some places we'll be going have their gates closed after hours, and won't allow visitors. if we have any intention of being safe, we'll have to take that into consideration."

Rand forked up another bite of food and finished. "If you are in need of anything, Mason at the bar can get you situated, or there's McCallister's down the street, he's got a good shop that has most things you might need, and he won't charge you more than is reasonable. If nothing else, then I'll meet you here, before dusk."

When Wren left, Rand continued to observe the room, finished his coffee and anything more he could get in his stomach from the wonderful breakfast he'd been served. He could tell by looking over at Vonnie that she was a good bit disappointed that he'd be leaving, but a woman in her position was probably used to men staying but a short time then leaving. As Rand finished and did the honorable thing of bringing his plates to the bar nearest the kitchen doors, Mason caught his attention. The stout man with a beard to his chest finished serving coffee to one the regulars and walked over to take his plates.

"So ya be leavin soon?"

"That seems to be the case, she is an interesting one, I was originally concerned she'll get me killed out there on the road, but after talking to her she seems to have more smarts of the world than actually civilized manners."

Mason nodded, his beard folding as he leaned against the bar, "Aye, ya be careful anyway, I was hoping you'd be staying for a bit longer. Especially Von, She normally doesn't take to many men, so it was surprising she'd gotten used to you around here, So have I, my old friend."

With a solemn look, Rand first looked across the bar at Vonnie where she was serving a customer, then at his old friend, One of the few he trusted.

"I know, I'll be back Mason, the Capital is a long ways from here, but once the business is done, I'll be getting out of the Capital, I'm not a fan of being so close to all the priests."

Mason nodded, then looked at Rand, extending his hand, as the two men grasped hands they shared a similar tattoo on their right forearms.."See me before ya leave."

"Will do." Rand agreed, nodded and left the room while Vonnie was distracted with her customers.

Rand spent the rest of the morning gathering his things from within the room, he hadn't gotten too comfortable in the month he'd been there, so most of his stuff could go back in his travel bag. The ONE thing he'd taken with him from Pristina, the only thing that he'd been able to hold on to was his travel bag, and despite its outward appearance, there was a lot more to it than it physically appeared to be. Rand had spent the better part of the afternoon preparing his gear, checking to make sure his scabbard was well oiled, his Sword will kept and sharp, the throwing knives and throwing ax all appeared in good order. He was going over his boots, checking the lacing and stitching for wear when he heard a light wrapping on his door. Knowing the subtle sounds of a particular set of shoes shuffle across the floor. After Rand granted them entrance to his room, He could smell the aroma of fresh bread, and a smile grew across his face.

"Vonnie, you didn't have to." was his reply as he looked up to see the attractive brunette with a small wrapped bundle in her hands.

"Whatever do you mean? This? this is for room 12, you didn't think I'd have baked something for you? No.. your mistaken Mr. Rand." A wry grin grew across her face as she set the small bundle on the side table next to the chair he was sitting on and closed the door behind her. A wry smile grew across her face, as she took the boot he had in his hand, placed it on the floor and kissed him.

"You may be leaving, but not without saying goodbye."

Rand was 10 seconds away from being firm about telling her it wasn't a good idea... until he saw the look of determination in her eyes...

"I'm not a fool Rand, I know you are probably never coming back, Mason has told me enough, I know enough.... So... don't stop a determined woman..."

Rand's only response was to kiss her back this time and take her in his arms. It had been a long while since someone had embraced who he was and didn't shy from it. Their time together was short, but all the expression of what two strangers could share in a passionate moment was there, and when Vonnie left, Rand's worries that somehow she'd latch on to him, try to keep him were gone. They were both people of a similar cloth, passing each other in the fog of life enjoying but just a moment together. It was passionate.. and neither left the other with any regrets...

The rest of his evening was rather uneventful, Rand settled his account with Mason at the bar while more patrons were filing in due to the music being played by a two-person band in the common area. drinks were aplenty and the noise... was well. happy. As Rand clasped hands with one of his oldest, and dearest friends, they exchanged a knowing look, no goodbyes, no hugs exchanged.. but a look among warriors that simply said. "Till next time."

Mason did have a package for him, a thin, medium-sized package wrapped in leather, which spawned a curious look from Rand.

"What's this?" He asked,

"Open it on your way, just put it in your bag and be careful about them."

"Mason, I can't.." Rand stated, almost pleading for his friend to rescind what he'd given him.

"You can.. and you will, Besides, where you are going you'll need them more than I ever will."

Once again, a nod was shared, and Mason got back to his customers as Rand walked out the doors of the inn and took in the late afternoon. The sun was still above the trees, yes it was near dusk, they should get going soon. He looked around for Wren, hoping she'd taken his advice and gotten some rest.

 

[CurtailedAmbrosia]

Wren’s eyes drifted back towards the bartender, not really considering staying here and more wondering if Rand was going to be alright sleeping outside most of the time. Well, like she had said-he could sleep wherever he wanted to, but she wasn’t payin’ if it wasn’t her idea.

The small woman just shrugs, absently drawing the hood to her tattered cloak up. “I am alright with these things.” She agrees-he knows more about travel than she does, that’s why she’s hired him.

“Dusk, then.” Wren’s still a little blunt-but it’s almost cheerful now, as if she was looking forward to it. Perhaps she just didn’t find a need for too many words. Perhaps she was just impatient. Perhaps uncultured? Wren did seem a little...rough around the edges, though not unpleasant.

She gave him a nod, and with a final suspicious glance to the bartender-left.

~*~

Wren slept a little easier than the past few nights, now that she had some direction-though the full belly didn’t hurt, either. She didn’t dream, and she only stirred awake twice to give a sudden, sharp look around-but she was a good twenty minutes out from the small village, and unlikely to be found should anyone have come looking. Tucked into the roots of a gnarled tree, she slept a good many hours before the sun was high enough to make wake her-and then she’d walked a good thirty minutes to where she’d stowed her pack-and started back towards town.

Now she’d see about provisions-the less time you possessed a thing, the smaller the window for someone to steal it. Suppose with Rand around, it wouldn’t be the end of the world to be seen with a pack. She can hardly think on how to avoid it, now.

~*~

McCallister stood in the doorway to his shop, hands on his hips and a bemused expression on his face as he watched the odd little woman go. She was the most parsimonious creature he’d ever met-all his charm and cajoling had come to naught, he’d made hardly anything off that sale. She’d haggled him down and stuck to her guns when he balked, just a shrug and a flat statement she’d go elsewhere.

What could he say? She had guts, and a bluntness to rival any man’s. It was so novel, he had let her walk out with most everything at cost-and she hardly so much as thanked him! He was becoming a fool in his old age, giving way to a woman like that.

He doesn’t much regret it, though. He’d tell his wife about the strange encounter over their supper tonight, that was for sure.

~*~

Wren munched on a pale, sickly looking carrot as she marched down the path, serious as ever as she approached, her noticeably patched up, roped feedbag pack on one shoulder, and a few more objects of note on that rough hewn rope belt. The sheathed dagger was still slipped into it, but on the opposite side there was a surprisingly nice looking, stiff leather pouch, a simple tie keeping it closed. On her hip, a small pouch that at first glance looked like coins-but there was a clear and obvious square nail poking out of one corner, so obviously not.

Her non carrot wielding hand held a nicer, not so patched up feed bag, this one given to her by the tricky shopkeeper. “You can carry this.” She delivers bluntly, not so much as a please. At the same time, while not very polite-it wasn’t exactly an order, either. “I kept a few vegetables and some tack in case you ran off.”

Rand might notice the foodstuffs within the feed sack was particularly...minimalistic. Wren apparently didn’t eat much.

“McCallister also sold me a blanket. Tried to tell him I didn’t need one, but-” Wren shrugs, turning slightly so he could see she’d looped it to her bag a little haphazardly. “He said it got cold, going further in. Not that I told him we were.”

She studied him for a moment, then cast a last look around the place. She’d only been here for one day, and while it was noteworthy given it was the first town she’d been in-she wouldn’t miss it. She had other places to be, after all. But perhaps he might, so she hoped he’d said his goodbyes wherever he had needed to-she didn’t want to wait around for that.

To punctuate the thought and make the desire to get going known, the serious woman spoke again.

“So. Which way do we go?” Obviously not the way she'd come.

 

[CoSurvivor]

Rand strapped took off his back pack from under his cloak and strapped the package to the back of it, Putting it back on, adjustnig the weight on his back and then adjusting his cloak, he turned and nodded for Wren to follow him.

"We're headed northwest. I want to get us across the Barrow bridge which crosses the Elbis river before it closes. that's the first thing. So we'll walk for a bit, simply to shake out the cobwebs, then soon as you are ready we'll set a pace which will get us there before complete nightfall. If we can't cross the bridge before it closes, we'll have to walk an entire day's travel along the river before we find a spot narrow enough to wade across. So, unless you can swim against a strong current, we want to get to the bridge."

Rand could indeed swim, but he'd seen enough people get swept away by the current in the Elbis river to know not to try and wade across it.

As they walked out of town, Rand watched other people some looked at the two of them curiously, others paid no mind, what he was concerned about, or more precisely 'who' he was concerned about were the two Coleman brothers from last night. The last thing he needed on his way out of town was to run into those two. Thankfully by the time they'd left the village and were a good 20 minutes out, nobody had bothered, them, and nobody seemed to be following, and slowly Rand started to quicken the pace by which he was walking. Within 10 minutes the two of them had increased their pace to a light run. It had been a month since Rand had been out on the road, his body slowly remembered the pace, but once he'd adjusted. he was fine.

They'd come out of the forest to the top of a hill which allowed them to look out upon a starlit night, the view was breathtaking, Down into the valley, they were going to have to descend into they could see the path they needed to take. Along with the Barrow Bridge. A massive wooden structure which was built across the massive Elbis river. The entrance was lit by what looked to be massive torches, at least from this distance. Rand knew they were close enough to where they could take a moment and eat something. They'd been on the road running now for at least two hours straight and they could use a moment's rest.

Rand pulled open a side pocket to his backpack and unfolded a cloth which held half of one of the loaves of bread that Vonnie had made for him, taking a bite the crust was a bit frosted, sweet and the bread itself was moist. Rand turned his hand toward Wren, offering her some. He knew she'd probably be a bit hesitant to share his food unless he'd already tried it. so he made a show of taking a good hunk of the bread and gobbling it, savoring every bite. Rand turned his attention back to the valley and the bridge beyond.

"Well, what do you think, impressive hm?"

 

[CurtailedAmbrosia]

Barrow Bridge. Elbis River.

Wren nods, filing the names away for later-

”So, unless you can swim against a strong current, we want to get to the bridge.”

Olive green eyes flick over to him, and stare a beat longer than comfortable. She does not, in fact, know how to swim, and she wouldn’t be crossing any bodies of water without a bridge-she’d walk three extra days if she had to, rather than risk drowning in a billow of cloak and panic.

“Best to get going, then.”

Wren didn’t make any comments about speed, or their different stride and leg lengths. No concerns at all about his potentially being faster-she just kept up, and did so effortlessly. If he picked up speed so did she, and Rand might get the feeling that Wren was holding back no matter how fast he went.

When they stop, the woman’s not even winded-though there is a bit of flush to her cheeks. She slips her canteen from her pack while he does something with his own pack, and she takes a sip while curiously looking at what she could see of the rapidly darkening valley below.

He offers her some of the sweet smelling bread he’d just munched on, and Wren blinks at it, then him, then the bread again.

“...thank you.” A slightly longer thanks, this time! She tore off a piece with one hand and offered her canteen with the other-then sniffed the sugary coating before taking a small bite, chewing thoughtfully. It was sweet, and makes her mouth water as the light flaky dough melts on her tongue.

Wren tips her head, thoughtful as she takes another bite, then another, and then, finally-pops the last little bit into her mouth. If he offered her more, she’d shake her head. She didn’t want to get used to something like that, either.

He asks her what she thinks of the valley, and Wren sizes it up another minute. The mist is rolling in thick down there, particularly over the water-the brilliantly lit torches at the mouth of the covered bridge look as if they were shining behind fogged glass.

She’s never seen so large a river or bridge, and it occurs to her that, once they are on it-she won’t have anywhere to go but in the water should they get blocked in. Maybe they could climb up and run over the top? That might not be the worst of ideas...unless you fell. He said he could swim, but that would be a long ways of doing so.

“Is it Lord Varric's bridge?" Suppose that was a stupid question-EVERYTHING was Lord Varric's. Wren changes tacks, genuinely curious-but also thinking something over.

"You said they close it up.” She reminds, her eyes narrowing on the distant torches. “Who closes it up?”

 

[CoSurvivor]

"Who closes it up?" Rand asked in mock annoyance, "Why... the village of Barrow does. it's their bridge after all." Rand gave her a wry smile and

Rand waved for Wren to follow and as they walked down a steep part of the trail, he gave Wren a more in-depth description. "See the village of Barrow grew up around where the bridge actually is today. the village forefathers build the bridge years ago, as legends say, before the great war that Lord Varric won. Which turned our world into the giant clod of mud that it is today. They pay a tax to Lord Varric I'm sure, but if you ask anyone who travels through this area, where to go in order to at least safely cross the River Elbis within a week's travel, it's here, at Barrow Bridge."

From a distance it doesn't look like much, just a covered bridge with lights at the front for anyone who visits, but within the walls are vendors and families, fishermen and a blacksmith, all within the walls of that bridge. Why haven't they ventrued to establish their Village on either side of the river? Probably because they tried that, and every time the river breaks it's banks the settlements get washed out, which unfortunately is too frequently. But their good people."

When Rand had guided Wren to the bottom of the hill, the bridge was now no longer insight, the high forest trees masked it's existance, only when they'd quickened the pace and arrived a few hours later did Rand stop, and start two walk once they emerged from the dence forest to a flat plain sparsely covered with bushes, most were sickly. alive but not really. From where they were, one could make out three, maybe four armed guards, they were not wearing the royal colors of Lord Varric's priests, theri tunics were a dark purple, a black sash tied around their waist. Each guard carried a long sword at the side, and a polarm at the ready.

Rand spoke as they walked.

"OK, so when we approach the bridge, they'll let us pass as they do most everyone, just don't 'try' to not make eye contact, if they suspect you they'll want to question you. the key to getting across the bridge is to look like everyone else."

Looking at the mishappen rags and cloak that Wren was wearing, Rand commented,

"Which brings me to another topic. If we are traveling together, you'll need more fitted clothes, I know of a shop in a Village on the way, or we can look here. it's up to you."

 

[CurtailedAmbrosia]

So maybe not priests. Good-that’s more what she’d been thinking about.

Wren hops over a log and follows after him, listening curiously to what he says about this town of Barrow, and how it had existed before Lord Varric-and how the WHOLE THING is on that bridge?!

Wren’s eyes go wide, lips parted as her jaw drops-and then snaps closed, rising to her full height to try and see it again from where they currently were-but it was no use.

“That’s clever.” She decides, a serious nod. “Then they can only be attacked from two, bottlenecked sides, yes?”

Later still, he begins to give her advice-and it’s good advice. “It is better not to be noticed.” She agrees, eyeing the distant guards with a slightly sour look-one that’s interrupted by what he says next.

Wren stops short, glancing down at her clothing with a frown. They weren’t...the best, but they were good enough-she hadn’t even HAD a cloak before she’d stolen this one. She was glad enough for it, the nights were cold. “Clothes are clothes.” She mutters, a grumpy eye on his own attire. Of the two, she definitely looked worse off-but good. She couldn’t be confused for a GOOD mark by thieves, not if she looked-and honestly was-poor.

“Nothing wrong with mine.” She stubbornly protests, not...offended exactly, just apparently finding the idea frivolous.

 

[CoSurvivor]

Rand raises a bit of an eyebrow at Wren as they were about to step out of the tree line and head to the bridge.

"Wren, I'm not tyring to be critical here, I'm just observing that the closer we get to the capital, the more out of place you are going to look. If we get you something that fits, you'll more fit in, less look like you are a traveling vagabond.. like me."

Rand smiled and gave her a bit of an off-kilter grin, then looked beyond the wide field at the entrance to the village.

"Most of the people who live in Barrow could care less about what you look like at least at this time of night, but we should be aware, they will be cautious because it's a village rule to block the entrances after too late of an hour. When the fog truly rolls in, they'll lock the gates. And they won't open them for any reason. They are good people.. but they are supersitious."

Rand walked the rest of the way in silence, taking in the view of the village as they grew closer. The covered bridge was actually quite massive the closer one got to the structure. it was two stories tall, and for all the weight that it had, the pillars that kept it anchored to the riverbed were an engineering marvel. Rand had thought once to ask how they'd accomplished the feat of anchoring such a massive structure across such an expansive river, especially one that could be as violent as this one, but the more he thought about it, the more he considered that the secrets to how it was built were lost in the past.

When they reached the massive doors which slid on rails to allow both to be opened or one at a time, a young man about 19. His helmet was probably one size too big for him as he was talking with a farmer who planned to sell his goods the next morning. He looked over at Rand, then Wren and asked in what was his best attempt to be authoritative, and inquisitive at the same time.

"Business in Barrow?" He asked.

"Passing through will take our chances on the other side." Rand finished his sentence with finality as if the young man shouldn't ask further.

His eyes rolled and looked over the two of them. "Your funeral... gates lock in an hour. if you have any business I'd do it quickly and be out. The fog is supposed to roll in quicker tonight.."

Rand nodded, looked at Wren and hoped she'd note the need for expediency.

"Do you need anything in here?"

 

[CurtailedAmbrosia]

“-the more out of place you are going to look.”

Wren considers this with a slightly more open mind. She did prefer not to draw attention. “Try to look like an almost proper lady and her hired man?” She considers, eventually shrugging. “Fine, if you think it wise. Not here though. I don’t want to be locked in on their bridge. We pass straight through, worry about clothes later.”

She’s not wearing anything she can’t run away in, though.

The bridge is huge. Maybe she was being overly cautious, not wanting to be caught in it-there were probably plenty of places to hide. Still, better safe than sorry-she’s still more than a little nervous about the only way out being through guards or into the black, rushing waters below it.

Just the sound of the churning water made her a little flighty feeling. It was probably cold, and she’s heard stories of people being sucked down into hidden caves and caverns, drowning lost in the dark or with kelp monsters.

It takes her a second to realize Rand was speaking to her, eyes flicking up to him, then the guard at the gate (he didn’t look so tough, she wasn’t afraid of him).

“Nothing but passage.” She confirms bluntly, a trace of a scowl. Not due to anything either man had said-but her own anxiety about the water they’d be crossing over. She wasn’t prone to flights of fancy-these imaginings of monsters and drownings were beneath her, things children worried about. She’d traveled eight days alone in the wilderness-she’d manage a bridge.

 

[CoSurvivor]

Rand nodded to Wren's comment, it went without saying that he didn't want to get cooped up in the bridge. She was preoccupied with something he figured which was her reason for a short reply, and while Rand was inquisitive enough to want to ask what it was, he didn't. He barely knew Wren, and if she wanted to talk he would, otherwise he'd save his questions for more appropriate times.

With their business with the guard finished, Rand looked around and grew a little closer to Wren, he could see the busy atmosphere in the village upon him, and while he'd been here before, even spending an evening, he knew it was best as a traveler, as an unknown guest that he should keep his money purse close,

"Keep an eye out for the wondering eye, but don't 'look' like you are.. there is some rabble here and while they don't mind the passerby, they do try to take advantage of a loose purse."

As they walked further on in, the inside of the bridge looked very much like a two story city street in a major city, something you might see in the capital. The walls, and most homes were completely made of stone, Wood was a minority material here, and if you looked around, you could probably see why, Because of the confindes of the bridge, if a fire broke out and spread, you'd be in some serious trouble. This gave the architecture that much more of a marvel. How the builders were able to carve this entire city and most everything out of stone was beyond him, One thing that couldn't help but be noticed was how clean the bridge was. There were grated holes in the bridge floor which debris and water were swept into, Looking around one could easily notice that there were a number of water pumps that pulled water up from the river on to water stations, it was all very intricate, as if there was a purpose built to just about everything. Looking up, the bridge was covered, but with massive wooden and stone shutters that could be moved into place over square holes. This gave natural daylight into the bridge at regular intervals. Otherwise, it seemed that spaced for candle light. which despite the attempt to bring in fresh air, through windows in the ceiling, and in the walls, the ever present smell of burned oil and candle wax was in the air. As they walked further in, Rand spotted the steel and glass oil lamps were being lit through out the bridge, they were either built on top of stone pillars well out of arms reach, or on steel poles. It seemed that the pair had hit the peak hour when the lamps were lit as crews of three would go through and light these, moving on to the next.

Rand tried to explain a bit of the Bridge to Wren in as calm a tone as he could while also dialing down his interest in sharing knowledge with someone who'd never been through here before. Keeping close so as people couldn't get between them or they couldn't be separated, Rand explained to Wren.

"These people take the fog literally, when the night hours approach they close up just about everything, most inns are closed, save for their own tenants, shops close up, families have a curfue that they have to abide by. This also cuts down on the amount of resources that the village has to expend at night time. by staying in doors, they don't have to light the entire village, the lamps do provide a certain amount of light, it's only there so the village guards can make sure their people are safe. About 20 years ago they suffered a fire in one of the stables that we'll pass on the way out, and since then they've instituted a much harsher punishment for anyone who doesn't practice good safety. They excommunicate them from the Village, and if you've grown up here, that's a fate worse than death."

The two of them were able to stay together rather easily, Rand did keep an eye out for anyone who he'd previously run into, he'd spent the better part of a month here, and after realizing that the smell of ash and the enclosed space just wasn't for him, he moved on. He hoped the guards on the exit wouldn't pay him too much mind.

They were nearing the end of the bridge when Rand noticed that they'd already closed one door, and were beginning the process of shutting the second. breaking into a run, Rand called for Wren to follow him.

"They are closing the doors early.... they are supposed to blow the warning horn....Damn it!!.."

The door closing process was completed by pulley system, the two guards wold work in tandem as they released the tension on the doors and allowed them to close. This evening it seemed the guards were in a rush.

"HOLD IT!! We're leaving!!" Rand called out,

One yelled back at him as Rand ran passed him "Are you crazy! The fog has rolled in!"

"Then I'm crazy.!!..."

With but not a moment to lose the guards held the door, with maybe a foot gap left... Rand knew Wren could easily make the gap, but Rand had to squeeze through..

Once squeezed through Rand heard, not so much as felt the massive door close behind him the moment he'd slipped passed. They were now standing on a short ramp that was folded back and up into a locked position, blocking anyone from approaching the doors, and trying to break them open. Looking around Rand spotted what he was looking for, a small platform to the side where someone could stand while lowering the ramp. it wasn't wide, but it did give an unobstructed view of the shore line.

The distance wasn't far, maybe 5-10 feet, but he knew what lay beneath the water line was more dangerous than turning an ankle if they landed wrong. Looking at Wren, he said,

"We have to jump, we can't wade through that water, there are underwater spikes which will kill us if we land wrong,.. You wanna go first? Or should I?."

 

[CurtailedAmbrosia]

"Keep an eye out for the wondering eye, but don't 'look' like you are.. there is some rabble here and while they don't mind the passerby, they do try to take advantage of a loose purse."

That made no sense to Wren. If you looked like you were clueless, people might think you are, and then maybe move in a little closer for what they thought would be an easier score. She keeps that to herself though-and just keeps on as she usually does, watchful, but also as invisible as possible, a traveler looking to mind her own business, thank you very much.

Something that keeps distracting her are the grated holes, however.

At the first one, Wren flat stopped-she stared down through it in a moment of hesitation before her eyes snapped up to sweep over what she could see of the path ahead-and afterwards, she continued with decisive care to avoid the grates wherever possible. It would only be a little bit of walking before she eased up about it-having discerned the pattern the grates seemed to be carved out in.

So now she watches the people going about THEIR business, curiously listening to Rand-and for as watchful and suspicious as the young woman killed, there was also a measure of open curiosity, a lack of that blunt appraisal every time he spoke. She made for a surprisingly good audience, and thought she did not say so-she clearly appreciated the things he relayed to her.

Someone lights a lamp and Wren visibly cringes, eyes squinting closed as she turned her face away, having been looking right at it at the time. It wasn’t that bright of a flame-so it made it a little odd that Wren acted like she’d just chanced a glance at the sun. She shook her head, and kept on their way, blinking a few times and loosening back up.

“I used to be afraid of the mists.” Wren admits, keeping as close to Rand as Rand was keeping to her. “Most everyone I knew was. If someone did for some reason go out, or not come back in time for shuttering-no one would let them in, and they’d be suspicious of them forever after. They think the mists kill, and then what comes back isn’t you, but someone wearing your face. A mist wraith.”

Wren frowns, and despite her ‘used to be’ statement, there DID seem to be a bit of uneasiness in the woman about the idea of mist wraiths. Her description also sounded like serfs on a plantation or farm somewhere-they were particularly suspicious of the night and it’s dangers, the wilderness around them.

Land owners and nobles encouraged it with occasional scares. It kept their labourers firmly beneath their sway.

“...I’ve never seen any, though-and I clearly didn’t die.” Just stories.

Wren breaks into a run after Rand, his statement about a horn making her think he had spent quite a bit of time here before. There’s an exchange with the guards and Rand stopped to argue with them-but not Wren. She slipped through the gap without bothering a comment one way or another. If he was smart he’d follow-but Wren doesn’t catch if he does or not, just hears the door slam somewhere behind her-because now she’s out over the rushing rapids below, and the ramp folded up.

Wren doesn’t like this, and the woman draws back against the door with a deep frown-just as he ventures over a small overhang on the side of the ramp. Wren edges over in that direction, keeping close to the door-when he says something about jumping. He doesn’t even get to the part about spikes before the girl took a single step forward and grabbed fast to one of his wrists, trying to tug him back towards the door with a strong shake of her head.

“No, we stay here until morning, when they’ll drop the ramp.”

 

[CoSurvivor]

His concentration was on trying to find a way off this damn thing, the landing they were standing on was maybe 10 feet long and maybe 3 feet wide, the water in front of them was maybe 2 feet deep, max. he'd seen this platform years ago and had always been curious... now he knew it was used to help lower and raise the ramp. Looking down he could see the metal chain that was wound around the pulley system they'd used to lower and raise it. The pole they used was taken inside every night, and trying to jury rig something to get the ramp to fall was out of the question.

"Think Rand.... Think.. before the guards come looking for you two..."

He heard Wren comment about staying here, waiting till morning, and the thought of getting stuck out here on this platform all night was NOT going to happen. Well... for other than the obvious reasons, if they didn't get going now, and get clear, they'd get caught up in the guards...

Rand shook his head, "If they find us out here they'll think we tried to break in. THEN we'll really have a problem. No, we've got to get off this platform, and get into the woods. "

Rand looked around, tried to remember what he'd done so long ago, and trying to remember the landmark he'd used when he'd had to get out the last time. He turned to Wren, knelt next to her and took her hand in his.

"Look, at the water's edge closest to us, it looks deep but it's not, and, the distance isn't as far as you think. Take your pack off, Toss it to the shore line, back up and RUN.. I'll toss my pack as well... "

Rand walked to the platform edge and took off his pack and cloak, throwing his sword across, watching it skid through the grass and come tor a rest. Motioning for Wren to do the same he walked back to the far end of the platform and waited for her..

 

[CurtailedAmbrosia]

Wren’s reluctant to get anywhere close to the edge of the platform, but she doesn’t see a way around it-not without looking like a coward. Which wouldn’t be the WORST thing if it meant she didn’t have to risk drowning-

“Okay okay, can jump. We’ll jump.” She shrugs out of her pack, nervously removes her tattered cloak also-and takes her time tying it around her pack. She’s mentally psyching herself up, eyes darting from the shoreline to the water to-oddly-the metal torch sconces on either side of the bridge doors. She also glances at the chain-then, after a deep breath-hurls her pack across the gap, where it lands and slides even farther than his had. For so wiry a thing, Wren was surprisingly strong, seemed like.

She backed up to where he was, the most serious of expressions on her face, a grave and solemn look of the doomed. “You first.” She says, nodding to the gap.

When he clears it with no trouble, Wren’s worries eased only a little-she still doesn’t want to do it. And now that he’s jumped, maybe she won’t-because now there’s no one to make her.

But...strength. She’s done hard things before. He’d mentioned spikes, but also two feet of water-maybe the former would kill her before the water could carry her off and drown her, should she not make it.

Well-she’d make it. She’d absolutely make it. Wren takes a deep breath, steadies herself-and then bolts, surprisingly fast and-!

When she jumps, she jumps, easily clearing the gap and landing hard on the other side in a tumbling roll, scrabbling to all fours after. She easily went as far as her pack-what on earth was the woman so worried for? She’d clearly made it just fine, with room to spare!

“Ha-” Wren breathes, not climbing to her feet just yet. Closer inspection proved the girl was trembling. “Ha, made it, didn’t drown.”

Uh oh-seems leaping over the water had taken more courage than Wren had let on-and also revealed, the fact she couldn’t swim.