The Other Way (Passage to Dawn Book 2) by Derrick Smythe

Author:Derrick Smythe [Smythe, Derrick]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dorean Press
Published: 2021-11-07T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 43

Dagmara

AS EVENING APPROACHED, AYNWARD TOOK Dagmara’s arm and pulled her off the narrow road they traveled along the river. “Wagons.”

They found cover several paces off the road and waited for the travelers to pass them by. There was still plenty of light by which to see, so as the three wagons bumped along, Aynward tilted his head and pointed at the uncovered cargo in the second wagon. He whispered, “Wine.”

Then he started to stand. Dagmara pulled at his sleeve. “What are you doing? We don’t have enough coin for your—”

He yanked his sleeve free and stepped into view. “Hey,” he yelled. “Hey, over here.”

Dagmara’s heart sank. What have I done, trusting a drunk with my life?

The wagons came to a halt and Aynward beckoned Dagmara to come forward with him. She forced exhausted legs to stand and followed him over.

Two dark-skinned Scritlandian men bearing the typical short, curved blades of their homeland stood beside a shorter Scritlandian. He spoke with a light accent, lighter even than Brenna’s. “You’ve captured my attention, stopped my wagon.” He looked the two of them up and down, then peered into the woods searching for others before he continued, “You don’t appear equipped to rob us so I’ll assume your intentions lack malice, but I am no charity. State your business.”

Aynward said, “I noticed your cargo. That’s Van Odla vineyard vintage, is it not?”

The guards gripped their weapons tighter at the mention of the cargo.

The man nodded. “It is.” Skepticism leaked from every word.

How did Aynward know that? wondered Dagmara.

“My companion here, Ada,” Aynward waved a hand toward Dagmara, “and I are friends of Lady Minathi Van Odla. We were planning a visit but were attacked by bandits and lost our way. We were wondering if you might point us in the right direction.”

The man stepped toward them to examine closer. “Friends of Lady Minathi, you say?”

Aynward replied with the truth, sort of. “We took a course together in Brinkwell. She’s quite the spirited girl. Enamored with a friend of mine, actually, but he’s a Don-Votro, so you know, not a realistic pairing.”

The man frowned. “I didn’t catch your name.”

“Lars. Samdred Lars, of Fremolden originally.” Aynward even did a gentle bow, though Dagmara noticed him wince at the movement.

The Scritlandian in charge stepped back and nodded. “It’s funny, for a moment there I thought perhaps the two of you might be those fugitives we heard about just before our departure. Something about a brother and sister, one of whom stands accused of slaying his own father, the King.”

Aynward’s eyes met Dagmara’s and she could see him judging the guards’ positions, the man in front of him, as well as any others who might be a threat. He didn’t pause long in his response. “Fugitives and Kingslayers? By the gods, that sounds like a bit too much excitement for the two of us. Truth be told, them bandits brought enough violence to satisfy us for the rest of our days, that is if the gods have mercy.

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