WOT Adv 9

The Wheel Turns
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The next morning around dawn you present the scythe to Oravan. His eyes grow wide. "Where'd you get that?"
"It is a gift to you. For your kindness," you place it in his hands.
"It is too fine a gift," he says but he holds onto it, caressing the handle.
"It is yours for the keeping, may the sun always keep your enemies from its intended wrath."
"Aye. That would be the wish of many a folk," he replies. "There has been much blood spilt in the past between you and the folk east of east of here. But it doesn't have to be that way." He smiles and shuffles to his feet, extending his hand. "Should you ever come this way again, and need my shelter, please do so."
"My thanks," and you warmly take the proferred hand of Oravan, helper of the wandering wastelander.

Maeslyn busies herself by packing her meagre and remaining belongings. "I'm afraid I don't have much to pack. I'll help Oravan with a few things about the house while you finalize things with Aybiya."

---

About an hour later you sit uneasily in the small well kept cottage of Aybiya, the village Wisdom of White Elm. A small pot on a smokeless fire yields delicious breakfast smells. She listens to your offer of deffering payment for a later time while stirring the contents.

"No," Aybiya says thoughtfully, eyeing you carefully and a hint of a smile. "You desert folk make good hagglers because you have passion. But I'm afraid the monetary obligations must be payed in full."
"But--" you respond, shifting nervously in the chair, realizing you needed that money. You are no gypsy merchant, but for a minute you thought you might get away with it.
"But maybe not right away," the Wisdom smiles. "Perhaps you can pay me 30 marks now and the remaining 30 marks when you come this way again." She pauses, "And for interest, you can help put that roof upon your return."
"Yes," you reply recognizing the chance she has given you. This would give you perhaps some much needed cash for the journey ahead. "But I do not know when I will come that way again," you honestly reply.
She nods and returns to stiring the food. "That doesn't matter so much. Shall we say, within a year's time, I will expect your return to White Elm? I occasionally like to test the resolve of men." A twinkle appears in her eye. "If in a year you do not return with the needed funds, I shall determine that you are either dead and cannot come, or are perhaps merely a desert lander without honor."
That pierces you. You and your people value honor above all else! What an insult! But then you catch the twinkle in her eye. And you see it for what it is. A test. You smile in return and nod, feeling up to the challenge. "Yes. I shall return in a year's time. May you have shade," and you count out the 30 marks.
"And to you in your travels," she says with a polite nod, relieiving you of the coins. "Keep that woman safe," she counsels as she walks you out the door, "There is much danger in the world. Much darkness and I do not want to patch her up again."
"I shall." And you head off to finish the remaining purchases.

---

You return to Oravan's place around noon. You 'think' you judged Maeslyn's size correctly for the sensible wool dress. But then again, you were never very good with that sort of thing.
"Here, I got you some new clothes."
"Thank you. I didn't know you could judge such things. Perhaps you're more useful than I thought." She smiles and enters Oravan's house to get dressed. You shrug and pack everything on your horse, placing various bags, items, on top of the saddle.
"Where's the horse I sent you to get yesterday?" Maeslyn frowns at you.
You ignore her. She clears her throat.
"Yes?" you reply innocently. Or you think so.
"You heard me. Where's the horse?" Her hands on her hips.
"You wetlanders rely too much on these animals," you reply. "Besides, the men said they needed their horses for the harvest; there are none to buy. Only to steal. Shall I fetch one for you?"
She just stares at you, open mouthed. Then she closes is.
"So do I ride on top of all that, perched like a peacock queen?" she points to the growing pile on the horse.
"No. You don't," you grunt as you cinch down the gear.
"Then where do I ride?" one foot starts tapping on the ground.
"We have to walk, and we have to walk quickly, otherwise we'll tire the horse."
"You're concerned about the horses? What about me? I refuse to walk all the way to Caemlyn."
"You won't. At least not all the way. For now, though, you must walk, and walk quickly. After an hour you can ride."
"Men!" she grumps, but she looks relieved. "Tell them to buy horses and they buy oversized dresses. I look ridiculous in this." She stretches her arms out and you were close, but not nearly close enough.

You say farewell to Oravan and set out toward Caemlyn.