WATT

                            CHAPTER XIX

            “How is our friend doing?”  Rikki asked the soldier riding in a wagon.

            “He struggled once or twice.  But with a little persuasion he has remained relatively peaceful, Captain.”

            Rikki looked down into the bed of the wagon at the bound and gagged Lewis, who starred back with hateful eyes.  “Don’t get too comfortable Lewis, we are just about there.” Rikki  smiled.  He looked up to glimpse the gates to Bolton  half a league away.   The sun hadn’t risen yet but the silver across the horizon gave them all more than enough light.   So much so that they had extinguished the wagon’s torches twenty minutes before.

            “Captain Kalhoun?” A cavalryman called riding down the line.  “Captain Kalhoun?”

            “Over here Cavalryman.” Captain Kalhoun called out to the rider.  He guided Sefu over away from the wagon so that Lewis wouldn’t hear anything he shouldn’t.  “What is it?” Captain Kalhoun prodded.

            “Bolton, sir,  They won’t open their gates until the sun has crested the hills.  Did you tell them that we are the Riponian Princess’s escort?”

            “Yes, Sir.  But the Gate watchman says that they are under orders not to open the gates until the sun has crested.”

“Did our forward scouts get in yesterday?  To inform them of our arrival?”

“Yes sir.  Cavalryman Johnak was standing next to the Gate watchman.  He

said that the dwarves are sticklers for following orders and that they wouldn’t open the gates for  the Underlord Ramah himself until the sun had crested.”

            “Captain!”  Cavalryman  Symon called out riding up from the rear of the wagon train.

            “Alright Cavalryman, have the forward troops stop and dismount just out of bow range and take care of their mounts.  No one is to wander off or sit down and sleep.  If the Dwarves are that ridged with their orders, I won’t have us showing them a rag-tag honor guard.  I don’t care how tired they are.”

            The cavalryman saluted and rode towards the gates.

            “Yes Symon.” Captain Kalhoun looked to the second soldier.

            “Sergeant Galyway sent me up here to inform you that Lieutenant Kollyns is coming up behind us, Sir.” Symon reported.

            “I hope that means that there weren’t too many difficulties.” Captain Kalhoun thought aloud.

            “Lieutenant Kollyns’ should be reporting shortly, Sir.”

            “Thank you Cavalryman.”

            Rikki turned Sefu away from the procession and rubbed his tired eyes with his good hand.  He then looked to the East for the sun.  The colors in the sky were turning from silver to gold. But the sun hadn’t even begun to crest the mountains yet.  Down by the gates of Bolton, he could see the first ranks of the honor guard begin to rub down their mounts.  The wagons behind them, came to a stop, the drivers were already doing the same with their horses.  Rikki gave Sefu some rein and turned him towards the rear of the procession.  Sefu seemed full of energy even after the short battle and all of the ground they covered over the night.  The dark horse was soon galloping down towards the main body of the Royal procession.

            He found Kadyr riding towards him from the back of the group.  Rikki slowed Sefu down and turned him allowing Kadyr to come up besides him.

            “Am I glad to see you.” Kadyr muttered to the Captain.

            “How many dead?” Rikki tried not to look at his lieutenant.

            “None.”  Kadyr could see Rikki physically relax.  “We have a few injured, but nothing too serious.  Brother Tagyrt has his hands full and needs a good rest soon, though.”

            “We’ll see if someone in Bolton can take over his duties while he gets a good night’s rest and some time off.”  Rikki replied.

            “We also have a situation with Lady Monyka, Captain.” Kadyr added.

            “Did she get injured?” Rikki asked with concern.  The last thing he needed was for the Princess’s best friend to get injured.

            “No, Sir, She is fine.”  Kadyr reassured his Captain.  “After we were attacked, she went in search of the Princess and when she couldn’t find her she confronted me…….. Has there been any sign of the Princess?”

            “I don’t expect her until late today or even tomorrow.  The plan was for her to get here before us, but because we didn’t stay over in Roberton as we had planned.  We beat her.”  Rikki rubbed his hands through his hair.

            “Well, Lady Monyka is pretty upset over not knowing where the Princess is.” Kadyr stated.  “I told her, and Ambassador Zareb that once we caught up with you here in Bolton that one of us would let them in on the switch.”

            “Them?” Rikki queried.

            “When I refused to give her any information, she went to Ambassador Zareb.  Now he is in a lather as well.”

            “As soon as we are settled in at Bolton, I’ll deal with those two.” Rikki yawned.  “Is the Half-elf still with you?” he asked,

            “Yes, Sir.  She has been very quietly riding in the royal carriage.  Shall we continue the charade once we are in Bolton?” 

            “I think it would be best if we did.  We have quite a few refugees that we picked up in Roberton, that may have spies amongst them.  Lets keep them guessing.”

            “Shall I have Brother Tagyrt come up and take a look at that?” Kadyr gestured to the Captain’s bandaged arm.

            “I’m sure the good Brother has his hands full enough as it is.  I’ll wait until we get a little settled in Bolton.”

            A cheer rose up from the city.  Rikki looked up to see the Wagoner’s moving excitedly as the gates to the city of Bolton swung outward.

            “I’ll see you at the command post in Bolton, Lieutenant.” Captain Kalhoun said turning Sefu towards the rising sun.

            “Takoda,” Tonya broke the relative quiet of the forest. “I’d like to send Ahnni a gift from Bolton.”

            “That gift you already gave her was quite adequate, Highness.” Takoda commented.

            “I know, but I want to do something for her.”  Tonya continued.  “They didn’t have to take us in and shelter us from the rain and cold, but they did anyway.  I want to do something for them.”

            “What did you have in mind, Highness.”

            “When we get settled in Bolton, I’d like you to personally oversee that a wagon gets loaded.  Loaded full with things that they could use.  Sugar, flour, some fresh fruit, some fabric for a new dress or two and perhaps curtains, even an axe or two, they seemed to need a lot of firewood. Chickens so that they have fresh eggs,  a cow for fresh milk. A horse so that they can get to and from Bolton easier, and perhaps a bit faster.”

            “Those are great gifts, your Highness, but they wouldn’t be able to keep a cow or horse.”

            “Well, why not?” Tonya felt slighted.

            “To keep a cow or horse they would need a place for the them to graze.  These woods are much too dark for grass to grow and therefore would require hay.” Takoda began.  “Cows eat a lot of hay, even a single cow eats a lot of hay.  It would be way too costly for them to pay for the hay, just to have fresh milk.  They would probably just slaughter the thing for meat, or sell it back in Bolton.”  Takoda went on.  “The same thing goes for a horse.  But not only will a horse need hay, it will also need a warm dry place to stay, so a barn would have to be constructed.”

            Tonya looked abashed at learning this.

            “Ill make a list of things that they might need, your Highness and make sure they get things that they could use as well as need.”

            “Thank you Takoda.

            “You know, Sergeant, I’ll bet they could do with some goats.  The goats can eat leaves and underbrush, then they can have goats milk and make cheese if they were inclined too.” Grymm piped in.

            “Will you three stop yacking so loud.” Nevyre came cantering up to them from his forward position.

            “We were just discussing some items that Bolton might have for last night’s saviors.” Tonya scowled.

            “We have elf-sign.” Nevyre whispered loudly, putting Takoda and Grymm on instant >