WOT Adv 45 - Arturo's Orchard

--- The Wheel Turns ---
As you kneel to remove the tack from the dead horse, you examine its wounds. It appears the horse was killed by five or six deep puncture wounds. Either from spears or from thrusts with a sword, you carefully examine the peddler and you find it doubtful that he would be able to give such deep puncture wounds to the horse with the dagger he wears at his belt.

The cart is heavy, and it isn't until the second try that you Therlin and the Peddler manage to turn it right side up.

While you help the Peddler load the horse, and gather what's left of his supplies you find out his name is Gideon Faun and his a Domani peddler. He's been plying his wares across the Amoth Plain and Toman Head regions for some time now. There have always been disputations between the Domani and Tarabon regarding the Toman Head region, he concedes. You ask him about the Taraboners who attacked him.

"Well there were six of them. And their leader was a large man with gray eyes and a long, thick mustache," he grunts as he puts an empty barrel into the back of the cart. "They came from the East, and left to the west."

"If they return you might want to wear this," and you show him one of the chain shirts packed on the back of Keb's horse.

He shakes his head. "No thanks, my good man; I fear it would only slow me down. Besides, look." He holds it up to his chest and you can easily see it won't fit his wide girth.

"Then maybe you should carry this?" You pull out one of the hafted axes used by Palvear's guards and hold it out to him.

"Friend, I appreciate your good intentions. But I am a Peddler, nothing more, and I'm certainly no warrior. I'm afraid I would trip on it at the wrong time."

You give up and hope that should it come to a fight Gideon will simply stay out of trouble. You instruct Keb and Issa to ride in the cart with Gideon. Keb gets her bow out.

Keb gives you a sour look when Therlin climbs on 'her' horse. But she doesn't say anything.

You help Issa climb into the cart. "If there's trouble, you will need to be brave and we'll protect you as long as we can."

She looks at you with wide eyes and nods slowly.

"If that happens you will remain hidden inside the cart unless one of us calls your name. If one of us yells or screams your name, you are to come out of hiding and gallop with the cart all the way to your Uncle Hobbs. Do you know the way?"

She nods soberly. "Just follow the road."

"Good, if no one calls your name you stay hidden in the cart until you can hear the birds singing in the trees. Then you will need to go as quickly as you can to your Uncle."

She nods again and doesn't say anything, looking very frightened and alone.

"I'm sure there won't be any trouble, though," you say and smile at her reassuringly. "We're just trying to be prepared."

Keb is riding with Gideon and Issa in the cart. Therlin is on a horse as is Maeslyn.

You move down the trail and looking back you can can see the ravens flapping their large wings and settling back on the carcass to finish their meal.

Soon you're moving again along the road toward Aturo's Orchard. While traveling you ask Gideon about Arturo's Orchard.

"Well, it lies in between the Old Hills and the Bramblewood, and it's about two weeks journey to the Aryth Ocean. What else do you want to know?"

"What's the town itself like?"

"Well," he sighs, settling into a story telling mode as he guides the cart around a bend. "The village grew from a farm or two. It boasts a fine smithy and a prosperous orchard and is quite famous for its apples, ciders, jams and the like."

"So they named the town after the orchard?"

"Well, sort of. Aturo tended the orchard with care back when he founded the village. The orchard was around before the village was founded. The history says that Aturo discoverd a grove of apple trees entirely by accident, but when he tasted the sweet fruit, he knew he could prosper from harvesting the applies. He build a home on the hill overlooking the grove, and after many years of work, he founded the village with the proceeds from the apples. And the apples are the single largest source of revenue for the village today." He winks at you. "Remind me to buy you the apple pie at the Three Crowns Inn."

"Well, at least they have an inn." You reply with longing. It's getting colder outside and you look forward to a nice warm rest.

"Yes, many travelers enjoy resting in the quaint village. Since the town is situated near a cross roads, the increased number of merchants, peddlers, and other travelers over the years has necessitated an inn," Gideon concludes.

After traveling for perhaps another hour you finally come to Arturo's Orchard, thankfully without any incident.

The single-story stone buildings of Aturo's Orchard look comfortable and inviting. Little welcoming curls of smoke wind up from the chimneys of several buildings, but despite the midday hour the streets are empty. In fact, except for your group, nothing seems to be moving in the village.