He smiled. “I thought they might need it.” He pointed and chuckled. “The way some of them are acting, it makes me realize how little I know them.”
I followed his hand. Ira danced in a circle with a group of kids ranging between the ages of two and seven. After a few moments he purposefully took an exaggerated tumble and they piled on top of him laughing.
I grinned. “Yeah, most people wouldn’t expect it but Ira’s always had a soft spot for kids. Don’t tell him I told you, but he used to sneak food all the time to give to the younger ones attached to the army. Most of my unit knew about it, but none of us ever said anything to him. We figured if he wanted to keep it to himself, then so be it.”
I looked up as the leaves rustled in the wind. “By the way, you were right about the name of this place. Treetown just doesn’t do it justice.”
Nehab rubbed his hand across the white bark, eyes traveling up and down the thick trunk. “The gods know I’ve tried to sway everyone’s mind, but people here just don’t seem to like change.”
“Considering this is the best place we’ve come upon in a long time, the people here might be on to something. Who would want to change this?”
Nehab smiled at his wife as she walked toward us. Her grin was just as wide. “Not me, Tyrus. Not me.”
By the gods, I missed my wife.
CHAPTER 9
With the group now my responsibility, I no longer brought up the rear as had become my habit, but rather rode in one of the lead wagons. I kept the pace steady, just as Nehab had, still concerned about the health of those who had suffered injuries.
The countryside looked less ravaged by war the farther away from Genesha we journeyed. Fighting hadn’t touched these areas in years, most places not at all.
Lush trees danced in the summer breeze. For once, the wind carried scents that in no way reminded me of life in the army. No animal excrement from overcrowded pens, no urine from flooded out latrines, no sickness hovering over the infirmary. Finally those were nothing more than sour memories. Clean air, fresh grass, and lavender filled my nose instead.
Three days and one stop after leaving Treetown, we reached the top of a low hill. Over the pecan trees standing behind an old wooden fence, we saw the outline of a distant town. Smoke from one of the buildings rose over the trees.
Hamath let out a sigh. “There she is. Home sweet home.” He snorted, scratching at his red side burns. “I wonder if old Aviad is the one still stoking that forge.” A distant tone took to his voice. “I remember hanging around his place for hours as a kid.”
“You wanted to be a smith?” I asked.
“Nah, I had no interest. I still picked up a few things anyway. It was hard not to.” He chuckled. “My ma always wanted me to be a tanner. Gods, could you imagine that smell?” He shrugged. “No, I hung around the forge so much because I liked listening to Aviad pound away with that hammer of his. You know, I think that helped me become a better scout. I got to where I could figure out how and where each blow struck without ever opening my eyes. It got to be a game for us.”
“I’m sure if that’s him, he’ll be glad to see you then,” I offered.
Hamath stood in his seat. “Stop here.”
“Huh?”
“Just do it.”
Confused, I gave the command to the driver. He pulled on the reins and our wagon creaked to a halt. Those behind us followed.
Hamath stepped down. He reached under his seat and pulled at his pack. He got it free and slung it over his shoulder.
“What’s going on, Ty? We got trouble?” Ira called out as he and Dekar walked up.
“No. We’ve come upon Hamath’s town.”
“Then why are we stopping?”
I nodded to Hamath. “Ask him.”
Hamath fiddled with the sword at his waist. “I thought it was obvious. I’m heading off.”
“Why get off here when we still got another couple miles before we reach town?” asked Ira.
“Because you don’t need to follow me. Supplies are fine. Plus, it’s still early in the day. Stopping is only going to set everyone back. I can walk the rest of the way.”
“How kind of you to consider our well-being.” Ira’s voice was lined with sarcasm.
I got down from the wagon. “If you don’t want us to come along, Hamath, just say it.”
He looked up, speaking in a deadpan voice. “I don’t want you to come along.”
“Why not?” asked Dekar.
“It’s nothing personal,” said Hamath, meeting each of our eyes. “I promise. I just-”
“All right,” I said, cutting him off. “You have your reasons. I don’t know how I’ll feel when I get home so who am I to judge what’s going on inside your head.”
His lips pressed together, and he gave me a nod. I returned it. We stared at each other for a few moments, wondering how to say goodbye.
Gods, it was more awkward than I thought possible. How could I tell my best friend, a man I had fought beside and killed with for years, “see you later?” He had saved my life and in turn I had saved his more times than I could count. Didn’t seem like there was a right way to do it.
“When you feel like you’ve had enough here and need a break, why don’t you come my way?” I finally mustered up. “Lasha can cook you up a mean steak.”
He forced a smile. “Yeah, sure. I’ll be there the first chance I get.”
I don’t think either of us believed that would happen. Despite how close we had always been, weeks of travel separated his town and mine, which for someone of our class, might as well have been months.
We embraced like brothers and parted. He waved over his shoulder and cut away from the road. He jumped the old wooden fence and disappeared into the grove of pecan trees, heading toward town.
CHAPTER 10
Over the next couple weeks our numbers rapidly dwindled. I watched a lot of awkward good-byes, some even worse than mine. Each parting made me think of Hamath and Ava. I started feeling down about all the relationships I was losing.
But then thoughts of Lasha and the kids would drive those feelings away. At our current pace, I’d be home by the end of the month.
I decided that wasn’t soon enough and began pushing harder. Most of our injuries had healed and those that hadn’t probably wouldn’t for some time. They’d suffer no matter what pace we kept so I saw no reason to delay things further.
A decent-sized town announced itself with an actual sign displaying its name.
Kafr stood on flat land between miles of pasture. Both cattle and sheep with heads down, munched away on bright-green grass. Considering we were down to seventeen men, none of us walking, I thought it time to sell off our remaining wagons with the exception of the one we’d take to the end. Knowing the type of towns we’d come to after Kafr, I didn’t think we’d find a better place to do so.
We rolled into Kafr shortly after midday with the sun at its highest. The town seemed deserted, which didn’t surprise me. Most anyone who lived in the area was likely working the fields. At night, I imagined things would be different.
Dekar tapped my arm and pointed. “Feed store is over there.”
I followed his gesture. “I should probably get the supplies. Anyone else is likely to waste the money. I want either you or Ira to come with me. The other can handle selling the wagons we no longer need.”
“I’ll come,” he said. “You know how Ira likes to negotiate. The man has tried so many scams of his own, he can always sniff one out.”
“All right. Hop off here and pass the word.”
Dekar jumped down as I guided the lead wagon aside, tying the horses to a nearby post.
I took a moment to shake the stiffness from my limbs while I watched the others ride by. Ira made an obscene gesture at me in jest. I shook my head, climbed up the steps to the feed store, and pulled on the door. A bell jingled on the handle as I went inside.