periodically as Shadya waited her turn with the guards.
Under the sun, Rondel’s discomfort grew. Sweat beaded on his skin and chafed under his clothes. It took everything he had not to reflexively wipe his brow. However, he dared not make the slightest of movements lest a brush of cloth against wood alert the guards to their presence. He spared a glance at Andrasta who lay perfectly still except for the occasional blink.
He wondered what occupied her thoughts.
Probably planning out a thousand scenarios if we’re discovered, all working out how to cause the most number of deaths. His smile parted into a nervous grin. And all I can think about is taking a leak.
He sniffed the air, suddenly aware that the awful aroma came from them. Neither had bathed in days. And only Rondel had a chance to clean up at all.
The wards don’t mask sound, but I hope to the gods they close nostrils.
A voice that sounded like gravel, hoarse from a day’s worth of questions rose above the dozens of other random conversations held by those pressing toward the gates of Zafar.
“Name.”
“Shadya Wasem.”
“Why are you leaving Zafar?”
God, it sounds as though he’s actually holding rocks in his mouth .
“I’m to meet my husband in Thaj.”
“What’s your husband doing in Thaj?”
“Business.”
“What sort of business?”
“I don’t know.”
“He didn’t tell you?”
“No,” said Shadya in a lowered voice. Rondel imagined her bowing her head, appearing as submissive as possible. She played the part well in public. Rondel thought he saw a slight shake of Andrasta’s head. His partner hated how women were treated in Erba even more than he did.
In order not to offend the local men of the city, Rondel had to convince Andrasta to pretend she was a male by wearing a man’s headdress and face covering. By disguising her voice and letting Rondel do most of the talking, they had been able to fool most. Those who suspected or even knew the truth, didn’t seem to care since she was not a local.
“What are you taking to your husband?” continued the guard.
“Sacks of wheat. Several barrels of olives. A few other smaller items.”
“An odd mix,” said the guard. Rondel could tell from his voice that the man had begun to circle the wagon. “Why does he need them? Especially when he could purchase such things in Thaj.”
“I don’t know.”
“You may go.” Rondel thought, imagining the next response that followed these questions.
“You don’t ever question your husband’s requests?”
Crap. This is new.
Andrasta noticed the same. Her breathing changed ever so slightly.
“Never,” replied Shadya.
“Even though he’s sending you on a four-day journey in order to deliver what seems like trivial items.”
“Never,” she repeated.
The guard grunted. “And you’re traveling by yourself too. A dangerous thing for a small woman to do on her own. And a risky thing for any husband to command his wife. Many things can happen on the road.”
Rondel glanced down to Andrasta’s hand. It worked the dagger hilt hard.
“Hubul will protect me,” said Shadya.
“I hope he does,” said the guard. A long pause followed. “You may go.”
The wagon rolled forward. Minutes later, Shadya called over her shoulder. “We’re out of the city. I’ll let you know when it’s safe to reveal yourselves.”
Rondel relaxed, but only slightly.
He still had to pee.
CHAPTER 6
Traffic lessened the farther out from Zafar they traveled. They spoke sparingly during the first hour or two except when Rondel begged a stop to relieve himself behind an outcropping of large orange rock. Rock and sand was about all one could expect to find away from the cities of Erba unless one happened upon an oasis or watering hole.
It wasn’t until much later when the roads emptied that he left the back of the wagon permanently and moved beside Shadya. Andrasta remained in the wagon’s bed, refusing to take her eyes off the road
Under the sun, Rondel’s discomfort grew. Sweat beaded on his skin and chafed under his clothes. It took everything he had not to reflexively wipe his brow. However, he dared not make the slightest of movements lest a brush of cloth against wood alert the guards to their presence. He spared a glance at Andrasta who lay perfectly still except for the occasional blink.
He wondered what occupied her thoughts.
Probably planning out a thousand scenarios if we’re discovered, all working out how to cause the most number of deaths. His smile parted into a nervous grin. And all I can think about is taking a leak.
He sniffed the air, suddenly aware that the awful aroma came from them. Neither had bathed in days. And only Rondel had a chance to clean up at all.
The wards don’t mask sound, but I hope to the gods they close nostrils.
A voice that sounded like gravel, hoarse from a day’s worth of questions rose above the dozens of other random conversations held by those pressing toward the gates of Zafar.
“Name.”
“Shadya Wasem.”
“Why are you leaving Zafar?”
God, it sounds as though he’s actually holding rocks in his mouth .
“I’m to meet my husband in Thaj.”
“What’s your husband doing in Thaj?”
“Business.”
“What sort of business?”
“I don’t know.”
“He didn’t tell you?”
“No,” said Shadya in a lowered voice. Rondel imagined her bowing her head, appearing as submissive as possible. She played the part well in public. Rondel thought he saw a slight shake of Andrasta’s head. His partner hated how women were treated in Erba even more than he did.
In order not to offend the local men of the city, Rondel had to convince Andrasta to pretend she was a male by wearing a man’s headdress and face covering. By disguising her voice and letting Rondel do most of the talking, they had been able to fool most. Those who suspected or even knew the truth, didn’t seem to care since she was not a local.
“What are you taking to your husband?” continued the guard.
“Sacks of wheat. Several barrels of olives. A few other smaller items.”
“An odd mix,” said the guard. Rondel could tell from his voice that the man had begun to circle the wagon. “Why does he need them? Especially when he could purchase such things in Thaj.”
“I don’t know.”
“You may go.” Rondel thought, imagining the next response that followed these questions.
“You don’t ever question your husband’s requests?”
Crap. This is new.
Andrasta noticed the same. Her breathing changed ever so slightly.
“Never,” replied Shadya.
“Even though he’s sending you on a four-day journey in order to deliver what seems like trivial items.”
“Never,” she repeated.
The guard grunted. “And you’re traveling by yourself too. A dangerous thing for a small woman to do on her own. And a risky thing for any husband to command his wife. Many things can happen on the road.”
Rondel glanced down to Andrasta’s hand. It worked the dagger hilt hard.
“Hubul will protect me,” said Shadya.
“I hope he does,” said the guard. A long pause followed. “You may go.”
The wagon rolled forward. Minutes later, Shadya called over her shoulder. “We’re out of the city. I’ll let you know when it’s safe to reveal yourselves.”
Rondel relaxed, but only slightly.
He still had to pee.
CHAPTER 6
Traffic lessened the farther out from Zafar they traveled. They spoke sparingly during the first hour or two except when Rondel begged a stop to relieve himself behind an outcropping of large orange rock. Rock and sand was about all one could expect to find away from the cities of Erba unless one happened upon an oasis or watering hole.
It wasn’t until much later when the roads emptied that he left the back of the wagon permanently and moved beside Shadya. Andrasta remained in the wagon’s bed, refusing to take her eyes off the road
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