The Fellowship of Bander: The Complete Trilogy Boxed Set by Randy Nargi

Author:Randy Nargi [Nargi, Randy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bogwood Press
Published: 2017-05-21T22:00:00+00:00

Part III

The Widow

Chapter Fifteen

BANDER DIDN’T PARTICULARLY ENJOY SPENDING THE LAST SEVERAL DAYS ON HORSEBACK. He much preferred walking. But walking wouldn’t have made much sense since he was in a rush to get to Three Rivers. Still, as a mode of transportation, walking suited him much better.

When he walked, he’d arrive when he’d arrive—with no pretense that he was traveling quickly nor efficiently. Most times with riding, there was a sense of urgency: the understanding that you were making an attempt to travel quickly. Still, as he and Walgir rode across the North Bridge into the city, squinting into the late afternoon sun, Bander was relieved to have a respite from his travels—even though he knew it would be a brief one.

Three Rivers was a low, sprawling city of maybe 20,000 people that served as one of the central marketplaces and river ports for the vast farmland that stretched northwest of the River Thornton. As its name indicated, the city was built where the Meredel was joined by Hauchar River from the east and the River Thornton to the west. A trade road branched off from the Northway at Three Rivers, connecting the city to Finbury Wood to the west. A few hundred miles to the south lie the Steading and beyond that, Vale.

Bander had been through Three Rivers several times in his life, though not since he retired from his position as Imperial Investigator. In the loop that he made every year, he travelled from Laketon east to Lhawster, not south to Three Rivers. So as he rode down the wide, dusty streets of the city he was mildly surprised at all the new structures and improvements he saw.

Bander asked Walgir, “Have you ever been this far south?”

The Dwen shook his head. “And to be honest, I don’t much care for it. The air is thick…”

“Yes, it’s the moisture.”

“Good for the crops, I suppose.”

They found a large inn that catered to traveling merchants and left the horses to be cleaned, fed, and watered, and then did the same for themselves at a public bathhouse. Afterwards, Bander and Walgir visited a jeweler to convert one of the cloud diamonds to gold. It was too much for one man to hold, so Bander gave a good portion to Walgir.

“Enjoy your evening, my friend. I have some errands I need to take care of,” Bander said.

“Need my help?”

“No, but if all goes well, be ready to leave at dawn. I’ll see you back at the inn.”

Bander left the Dwen and sought out a draper where he purchased a new tunic, trousers, leggings, and a short, light cloak. He bundled his new clothes as tightly as possible and then spent the next ten minutes looking for a suitable hiding spot for them. Eventually, he found a group of broken vendor carts behind an outbuilding near the central marketplace. After making sure he wasn’t being observed, He stuffed his bundle under one of the carts.

Next Bander made his way to the south side of the city.

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