Spice and Wolf Volume 10 by Hasekura Isuna

Author:Hasekura Isuna [Isuna, Hasekura]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance, Fantasy, Economics, Drama, Middle Ages
Publisher: Drunken Wolf Translations
Published: 2013-07-23T18:53:24+00:00

Chapter 4

One had to be fully willing and mentally prepared before they set out into the snow. That was why merchants often lodged at inns in various towns for weeks on end every winter. Even familiar paths seemed like obscure foreign alleys when it snowed. Even worse, dangerous areas and harmless plains would become indistinguishable under a layer of snow.

Traveling in the winter required a guide, a sturdy horse undeterred by a bit of snow, and a prearranged lodge or cabin to travel to for the night. For longer journeys one also had to take care to prepare enough food and drinking water.

The one thing worth celebrating was that as long as demand existed, there would be a supplier. And this merchant-filled branch of the Brondel Monastery harbored travelers in every corner. Lawrence approached Pisky in the evening to arrange for the driver who had helped them come to the monastery.

A hint of surprise momentarily flashed across the still-writing Pisky’s face upon hearing Lawrence’s intention to leave. But it was quite natural for people to be more resolute about their departure times in the winter, and Lawrence had generously compensated him for his services as a guide, so Pisky quickly agreed.

He probably understood as well as anyone how quickly one would depart when a search for information yielded no results. After all, moving on to the next lead was infinitely preferable to wasting one’s time moping around in disappointment.

Merchants always smilingly shook hands in welcome, even when they first met. And when the time came to bid farewell, they would likewise reveal a casual smile and wave goodbye. It was a rather forlorn way of doing things, but in a way it could also be comforting as well.

“With this, all the arrangements should be complete.”

“We’re in your debt.”

“You’re still being too polite. I wasn’t of much help at all.”

The two of them didn’t forget to exchange the usual meaningless, yet satisfying mercantile platitudes. But the handshake that followed their politeness did hold some meaning. A man’s complexion hinted at his aptitude and bearing, and his hands hinted at the life he led.

Lawrence always decided how long he wanted to remember another’s face based on the feeling of their handshake when bidding them farewell. As the two of them clasped their hands firmly, he made sure to remember Pisky’s face well. He hoped Pisky would remember his as well, if possible.

“I think we should be able to depart as early as tomorrow morning. But..”

“But?”

“A delivery from Winfield just arrived from the west, and apparently the weather there is extremely bad. Not only that, but the messenger who was supposed to arrive today hasn’t made it yet either. It seems likely that a blizzard will strike us soon.”

Adding powerful winds to snow ensured that the entire landscape would be quickly painted white. Even the most skilled horse driver had his limits.

“Obviously we won’t forcefully head out into a blizzard. Everyone knows there are three things never to pick a fight with: the Church, babies, and the weather.

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