Ogden by Ben G. Price

Author:Ben G. Price
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Publisher: Histria Books
Published: 2023-09-17T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter XIX

Stranger in Town

Drowden Erebus arrived in the streets of Irongate inside a plain birch wood carriage with smooth straight lines and scant ornamentation. It was driven by Harry up top. Ogden rode below with Drowden and Argis. The town crier was making his way down the main thoroughfare warning of the impending closing of the ornate forged gates for which the town was known. “Reglars in; rowdies out!” chanted the crier. “Gates is closin’. Gates is closin’.”

The sky was still bright, though the sun was tipping over the edge of the world to the west. The brick, stone and clapboard buildings on one side cast shadows on the cobblestones and facades of the opposite facing buildings along the north-south running roads. Meanwhile, columns of bright light sped eastbound through the intersections running east and west. As the carriage crossed these, Drowden shielded his eyes and had difficulty seeing the faces of Ogden and Argis.

The rattling of the metal wheel hoops on the stone matrix jarred everyone inside. But Harry seemed to enjoy the air in his ears as he tapped the whip on Bleacker’s brown shoulder for a little more speed. Drowden knocked on the carriage roof with the butt of a walking cane, calling “Slow it down, Harry! We’re in no hurry.” Harry seemed not to hear, so Drowden tried again to talk with his riding companions. His voice warbled with the washboard ride.

“As we’ve talked about before, some will be startled; some will be amused; some will be frightened, and some will be openly hostile at the sight of a full-grown troll. Still others will be enchanted, even delighted.”

“Aye, an’ some will git ther teeth shuffled,” Argis added, flourishing a knuckly duke.

Ogden placed a hand over Argis’ fist, nearly covering it. “Friends first,” he said with a lippy smirk.

Argis smiled back. “Sure, lad. We’ll give ‘em a chance ta be ladies and gentlemen before I crown ‘em wi’ glory.”

Harry steered them knowingly to their destination: the Tilthinger Inn, where prior arrangements had them expected and welcomed accordingly. Drowden stepped down from the carriage and stretched his arms over his head, then twisted his torso and bent forward to touch his knees, then the ground in front of him groaning with each contortion. Ogden and Argis climbed out behind him. Argis stepped forward to give the stable master instructions. Ogden simply watched Drowden’s ritual gymnastics and stood aside as Harry descended from the driver’s seat and bowed toward him and Drowden.

“Hopin’ yer ride was pleasant, sirs. Regrets fer the rough road. It’s Irongate, ya know,” he said, and helped lift down the baggage strapped to the rear of the carriage. He lifted a footlocker and a leather satchel free, unstrapped a night bag and a drawstring hempen sack and handed them to the doorman, who loaded them all on a cart and disappeared.

“Let’s get some grub,” said Drowden, appealing to the vernacular and likely single-minded purpose of his men. Argis said, “Aye.” Harry said, “Well said,” and Ogden nodded, but said nothing.

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