“Couldn’t it just be some stray Jiadin?” asked Mistake.
“There are stray Jiadin that could be bandits,” shrugged the Emperor, “but I doubt that they would waste their time attacking eight people who carry no goods. The Jiadin would also prefer to attack on horseback. That is the favored method of fighting in Fakara.”
“You are right,” nodded Mistake. “Jiadin would not hide in the woods and attack from a distance. They would charge down the trail with their swords raised high. It is a cultural thing.”
“One I hope to change before Vand arrives,” smiled the Emperor as Axor came into view and rode towards them.
“I was not able to capture them all,” apologized Axor. “Two of us will have to double up.”
“My horse was struck with an arrow,” offered MistyTrail. “I will ride double with Caldal.”
Chapter 5
Western Woods
Emperor Marak and his party arrived at the Western Woods Inn slightly after dusk. Gunta and Halman dismounted and swept into the inn while everyone else waited. A few moments later the two Torak soldiers emerged and nodded their approval.
“There are no other guests this night,” Gunta reported. “The innkeeper is actually quite excited to have company. Halman and I will care for the horses.”
The party dismounted and entered the inn while Halman and Gunta took the horses around to the stables. The innkeeper and two serving girls stood in the common room waiting for the guests.
“My name is Crawford,” the innkeeper announced cheerily as the guests entered the common room. “Do you require rooms for the night?”
“Four private rooms if they are available,” answered the Emperor.
“Not a soul around tonight,” smiled Crawford. “You can have your pick of the lot. All rooms are sparkling clean as the inn is quite new.”
Emperor Marak smiled at the old man and handed him a small pouch of gold.
“Take what is customary,” the Emperor said. “You must lead a boring life out here on the frontier without customers. Do you like it?”
The innkeeper opened the pouch and extracted four gold coins. He held them up one at a time so that the customer could see how much he was charging for the rooms.
“I like it very much,” answered the innkeeper. “I like the solitude, and I also enjoy the occasional company that comes along. I used to serve under Yojji in the Kheri tribe. After the battle at the Valley of Bones, I realized that I was getting on in years. I can’t fight as I used to. Besides, the days of warfare are over.”
“Did you take enough for eight meals?” asked Emperor Marak. “We are looking forward to sampling your cooking.”
“One gold apiece for two in a room,” nodded the innkeeper. “That includes two meals, the evening meal and the morning meal. If you are wanting trail rations when you leave, that will be extra.”
“Your prices are reasonable,” nodded the Emperor. “We shall sit down and unwind while you prepare the meals.”
“You have a choice,” Crawford said as he walked to the tables and waved his hand as if ushering his customers to their seats. “We have fresh wasooki and clova. Both come with a bowl of vegetable soup and bread. Pitchers of ale are included unless you consume a great deal.”
Emperor Marak slid along a bench at the farthest table from the kitchen. He sat in the corner with his back to the wall as others in the party sat down. Axor sat directly across from the Emperor, while the other four sat at the open end of the table to leave room for Gunta and Halman nearer the Emperor.
“How can you make a fair profit at such prices?” he asked the innkeeper. “In Khadora the tally would be much higher.”
“It is what Rejji has demanded,” answered Crawford. “Fakara has had little in the way of inns. Most travelers still choose to camp along the way, but Rejji wants Fakara to grow into a traveler-friendly place. He keeps the prices low to encourage travelers to get used to staying at the inns. He currently provides gold to the girls and me each month so that we can keep the prices low. When things pick up, we will be free to raise our prices sufficient to survive on the travelers.”
“Clever,” grinned the Emperor. “I think I will have the wasooki.”
Halman and Gunta arrived before the innkeeper had finished taking everyone’s orders. One of the girls brought two pitchers of ale to the table, and the other brought eight mugs. Caldal looked across the table at Axor. The Chula shaman sat silently, his hood still covering his face.
“Why don’t you remove the hood, Axor?” asked the elf. “It must be difficult to enjoy your meal with your face covered. You are among friends here.”
“You have no idea what being a Chula shaman entails,” Axor answered softly. “Even among friends I will remain covered. Besides, I will not embarrass the staff of this inn.”
“Do not pursue it,” Emperor Marak softly advised the elf.
Caldal frowned and stared at the table silently. MistyTrail watched him sulk, and she began to feel sorry for him.
“I think an apology is in order,” she said to Emperor Marak. “Just before we were attacked, you were lecturing Caldal about his attitude. He just made an effort to be sociable, which I believe was very hard for him to do. He does not need to be rebuked at this point.”
Caldal glared at MistyTrail and shook his head. He was about to open his mouth to tell her to be quiet when the Emperor spoke.
“I do apologize,” declared Emperor Marak. “My words were not meant to make you feel apart from us, Caldal. I was merely trying to save Axor from embarrassment. While his looks are revered among his people, other humans might have a hard time accepting him. I suspect that elves would, too. Let’s make a deal this night, Caldal. When I say or do something that you think is wrong, tell me. I will do the same for you and Eltor. If we are willing to communicate with each other, we will not suffer from false impressions. Will you accept?”
“I do accept your offer,” replied Caldal. “I was not really put off by your words. I was attempting to fit in with the group. I just don’t know what to say. I guess I was embarrassed by not knowing what to converse about.”
“I readily accept as well,” interjected Eltor. “Your compassion for the feelings of Caldal makes me respect you more than I do already. Why are you so different from other humans?”
“I am not sure that I am much different in regards to what we are talking about,” answered the Emperor. “There are good people and bad people in this world. I am sure the same is true in Elvangar. I am sorry for what you had to go through in Motanga at the hands of humans, but we are not all like that. You really have no idea how the humans of this land feel towards you.”
“What do you mean?” asked Caldal.
“I have heard many compliments about you from the people at the Imperial Palace in Khadoratung,” stated the Emperor. “While some complained that your attitudes were poor, most expressed admiration for your skills, especially in archery. Many of them would have liked to have gotten to know the two of you better, but you never gave them the chance.”
“That was my fault,” conceded Caldal. “Before you explained to me the truth about humans discovering Elvangar, my attitude was poor. I apologize for it. I wish I could go back and change many things, but that is not possible now.”
“No, it isn’t,” smiled the Emperor, “but you can change the future. Promise yourself that you will give all people a fair chance to be friendly, and you will be surprised how many truly are.”
Caldal’s eyes darted to the hood-covered Chula, but the elf quickly turned away.
“You are right,” purred Axor as he caught the elf’s gaze.
“I am sorry,” apologized Caldal.
“You have no reason to apologize,” replied Axor. “Emperor Marak just spoke words of wisdom to you, and your first thought was that I was ignoring his words. You are correct. I have been hiding under my hood the same way that you have been hiding your feelings inside. I am not giving other people the chance to accept me as the Torak just suggested. His words were the words of a wiser man than me.”