By the time SJ had returned from visiting Setu and Margu, it was past midnight, and she was exhausted after the day’s training she had completed. Returning to her room, she stripped off, walked to the bedroom and collapsed on her bed.
“I will wake you in the morning,” Dave said.
“Do you have to?” SJ groaned.
“Training grounds,” Dave chirped.
She let out a deep groan, pulled the pillow over her head, and soon fell asleep.
The next morning came too soon, and when SJ went to move after Dave’s not-so-melodic voice rang in her head, she moaned. She felt stiff all over. The only part of her which didn’t feel as though it wasn’t throbbing was her head.
“God, I ache,” SJ said.
“Fizzlewick isn’t here to help you,” Dave replied sarcastically.
“Urgh. I wish I had gone to collect the Dryac Lorna mentioned.”
“Get some this morning.”
“That is if I can even make it that far,” she said, slowly climbing from the bed, bending, and trying to touch her toes, stretching her back off as much as she could. Looking at her display, it was 07:42.
“It’s not even 8 o’clock yet. Why wake me so early?” she complained.
“You have things to do.”
“Yes. Training.”
“Wing exercises. You’re nearly there now and should be able to attempt flying soon.”
SJ had not attempted to fly since starting her wing exercises, but she was determined to ensure she was fully prepared. With an audible sigh, she sat on the edge of the bed and performed her routine. The pain that coursed through her body within moments was horrendous. The exercises from the training ground had probably done her wing muscles more good than she was willing to accept, huffing and groaning with each bout.
It was still early when she reached the training grounds, and only a few trainees were around. She sat down on a barrel at the side of the training ground and relaxed, soaking up the sun. She had called in at the healer’s as suggested by Lorna and picked up a pot of the Dryac cream. It cost 70 coppers, the most expensive item she had bought since arriving. She had rubbed the cream into her worst aching muscles, and the relief had been almost instantaneous. She wished she had got some the night before.
“Morning,” Lorna called as she walked across to the rings. “Nice to see you here so early, and keen to learn.”
SJ turned to look at Lorna, smiling. “Morning. I feel a little better since I got some of the Dryac this morning. If it hadn’t started working so quickly, I am not sure I would have been training today.”
“It’s good stuff, isn’t it?”
“It’s amazing.”
“You may as well start with the basic katas. If you can remember them from yesterday, while we wait and see if anyone else arrives today.”
Still feeling stiffness in various muscles, she slowly began a warmup, completing exercises she had done during her gymnastics days. She was amazed at how flexible she was compared to before she had arrived in Amathera, and it had to be down to her increased dexterity. Completing the warmup, she started the new katas. Lorna watched her intently, advising her where she could tighten her stance, adjust her moves and, in general, improve her basic technique. The aggression in this form SJ could see would be formidable.
Finishing her routine, she asked Lorna. “How easy is it to advance kata?”
“It depends on your ability. I can teach you all the katas, but how well you can perform the routines will dictate how fast you can advance the skill.”
“I know the first two now. What is the third one?”
“You must learn a couple of the kicks before performing the kata.”
“Ok. It’s like my previous style, then.” SJ wanted to reach the level 3 kata in Amar Ti to continue pushing and progressing. “Could you show me while we are waiting for others?”
“Looking at the fact no one else has arrived yet. It may just be you today.”
SJ was not sure she wanted to have Lorna’s complete focus. She had been able to relax slightly yesterday when speaking to other trainees, but with only her, there would be no respite.
By the time they broke for lunch, SJ was drenched. She must have lost litres of water in sweat. Drinking deeply from her waterskin, she sat on the ground.
“Your dress always looks immaculate. I assume it is magical?” Lorna asked.
“Yes. That is why I am not worried about it getting dirty.”
“That can’t have been cheap?”
Not wanting to say it was a gift from a god, she wasn’t sure how to respond to the statement. Eventually just replied, “No.”
The afternoon session was even worse than the first day; the strength training took a new level, and various leg, stomach, and arm exercises were completed. The amount of money it would have cost back on Earth to have a personal trainer like Lorna would have been astronomical. The focus and details she went into explaining the benefits and requirements for each exercise that she completed.
Her strength was lagging, and the more she did, the more she needed to improve it. Not by much, but by enough to ease some movement needs, considering they were physical forms and not just agility-based moves. Hitting accurately would be one thing, but having the power to support the precision would be critical.
“Back tomorrow?” Lorna asked, grinning at SJ as she moaned, straightening from where she had been performing warm-down exercises.
“If the Dryac does its job, I should be. Not sure I can do this every day, though.”
“We only train in three-day cycles; the fourth day is always rest.”
“One more day of torment and torture before a day’s rest is what you are telling me?”
“Only if you are up to it,” Lorna said, laughing at her comment.
“I need to level my skills, so I have to be,” SJ replied, a little concerned about the level of training she needed to undertake. None of this was like the games she had played on Earth; the movement was natural and intense, not just click and accept.
“I need to go and finish planning the rosters. Have you seen Captain Broadaxe yet?”
“No. I still need to catch him.”
“He should be in the barracks now for handover.”
The pair made their way to the front of the barracks. SJ hadn’t been inside the barracks before and was surprised at what she saw when she entered. It was set up more like a police station. There was a front desk, and then behind were various sections and desks laid out. It seemed strange for a barracks compared to what she expected to see.
“This looks a little strange,” she whispered after Lorna wished her farewell and walked through the back of the barracks.
“Why strange?” Dave queried.
“Just not what I expected. There are so many desks.”
“Different departments.”
“They have different departments?”
“Of course, what did you expect?”
“Honestly, I just expected a guard room and some beds.”
“The barracks are the hub of the town. The mayor’s offices are upstairs.”
“It is like a town hall?”
“Comparing it to Earth, it would be similar. It is not just guards that work here.”
“That makes a little more sense. I wondered why there were so many sitting at desks.”
“Shift change in five minutes.” Captain Broadaxe’s deep voice could be heard as he walked down a flight of stairs into the main office area. Several sitting on benches at the side of the room began to stand and move. Each looked like a fighter in how they were dressed, and they must be on the oncoming guard shift. There were about twenty different people, and SJ was surprised at the number, not expecting there to be so many.
Captain Broadaxe approached the front desk and picked up a sheet of parchment as the group formed. “Tonight, the following are needed.” He began to list the tasks that needed to be completed by the various pairs he had assigned. It was very comprehensive, and SJ was utterly impressed with the professionalism. Once he had finished his briefing, the teams began to disperse from the barracks, leaving Captain Broadaxe chatting to an elderly-looking orc at the front desk.
SJ walked up. “Hi.”
The orc and Captain Broadaxe turned to look at her. “Can I help you miss?” the orc asked.
“I am here to see Captain Broadaxe.”
“What can I do for you then?” the captain asked, smiling.
“We briefly met in the jail the other day with Gary.”
“Ah. Yes, how could I forget.”
“I came to see you to donate as Lorna is starting to train me.”
“I see. If you follow me.” He said, walking to open a small swinging gate that separated the front from the back area.
SJ walked through, and the Captain approached the room’s rear office. Walking inside, he offered SJ a chair to sit on. SJ sat opposite Captain Broadaxe on the other side of a large desk covered in paperwork and what looked like maps.
“Training donations all go to the Guards Retirement Fund. How much you donate is up to you. There is no set amount.” He leaned forward and opened one of his desk drawers, removing a small chest. Placing the chest on the desk, he removed a key from his belt on his waist and opened it. SJ could not see the contents from where she sat.
SJ had been trying to think of a suitable amount to donate. She has been struggling with the expectations for many things since arriving. She eventually removed a silver piece from her inventory and offered it to the Captain.
He smiled broadly at her, taking the silver from her hand, depositing it into the chest, and securing it again. “Very generous of you,” he said.
“I have no idea what the going rate is?”
“It is whatever you feel is appropriate; as I say, there are no set amounts; it is voluntary.”
“Well, Lorna has been amazing since I started yesterday.”
“If you are training in martial arts. That is a hard discipline to learn.”
“I hope to excel eventually.”
“I will stick to my Great Axe. Chop and cleave.” He chuckled.
Until now, SJ had not even noticed the huge Great Axe he indicated as he spoke. The dwarf was about five feet tall, and the axe looked nearly as large. It was no wonder he had such massive arms and chest if he spent his time lugging something that size around with him.
“I don’t think I could even pick that up,” SJ replied honestly.
“Ha. It’s light. It looks worse than it is. Anyway, I must go and do some rounds. Thank you for your donation.”
“Of course, sorry,” SJ stood to leave.
“If you are after some work at all, we sometimes post quests on the noticeboard at the inn, and we pay a fair rate.”
“I will keep an eye out. Thank you for your time.”
“No. Thank you for your donation.”
Following Captain Broadaxe back to the front, she wished him a good day and headed outside.
“I need to go and visit the wagonista,” she whispered.
“It will be by the stables on the other side of the training grounds. Wagonistas are nearly always situated by the stables.”
“Ok,” SJ replied, turning back towards the rear of the building and heading over to the stables she had seen.
The stables looked like any other stable she could ever remember seeing in the many films she had seen over the years. A low-fronted slanted roof affair with open spacing and individual wooden stalls. As she approached, several people were working, mucking out and busily tacking several horses for a couple of waiting clients. A female troll walked from the stable, leading one of the most enormous horses SJ had ever seen. It reminded her of a Shire horse but on an even larger scale. It must have stood nearly ten feet tall at the shoulder. It was making SJ feel as though she was in her miniature form. Watching as the troll swung herself up and onto its back. The horse bayed in protest initially before relaxing and walking off. The troll being on its back made it look like a normal-sized horse.
It was still amazing, considering all the different races that worked amicably together. It was nothing like she had expected before her arrival. Walking over to an orc who was busy tacking a horse, she asked for directions to the wagonistas, being directed to an area further away from the main stable front. Walking around the side of the stables, SJ was amazed to see a large open space with a gazebo-style covering. On display underneath the overhanging canopy were various carts and wagons. SJ spotted Katiyanna and headed over.
She was adamant that she wouldn’t purchase anything and decreed that she would only visit because she had promised to. Katiyanna was dressed in a pale blue dress today and again wore matching jewellery. She was a beautiful creature. Her delicate features and pristine appearance added to her charismatic charm.
As SJ approached the area, an orc dressed in smart attire approached her.
“Hello. Welcome to Amathera’s premier wagonistas. How can I help you today?”
Being taken aback by the orc who stood smiling at her, she stumbled over her reply.
“Erm. I am here to see Katiyanna.”
“I see. Please wait here, and I will confirm she is available.”
Katiyanna stood talking to two other orcs, both dressed in similar attire to the one that had spoken to her. The orc approached her and talked to her briefly. Katiyanna turned and saw SJ and began to walk over.
“Hello SJ. I am so glad you came to visit,” she said, grinning, her face even more beautiful when she did.
“Hi.”
“Have you had any thoughts on what you may like?”
“I haven’t. I have no idea about different carts or wagons.”
“Well, you have come to the perfect place to learn,” she said. “Let me show you around.”
Following Katiyanna, she was shown around various carts and wagons, all with slightly different specifications relating to their uses and, particularly, their comfort. She was amazed at the level of detail and construction that went into them. Most of the carts looked like general-purpose carts she had seen being moved around the town; others had awnings or similar on them. The wagons were even more detailed, and one of the display models even had a frame reminding SJ of old Gypsy caravans. She had politely asked questions about the various models, and Katiyanna was so enthusiastic that she was caught up in the moment.
“You left the gold in your room. Didn’t you?” Dave said.
Ignoring Dave’s remark, SJ looked at a particular wagon with a covering, a small bed, and other furnishings.
“This is one of our better range models. It is used by many who take to the open road. Providing storage and comfort for your possessions as you travel. It is also able to be magically imbued.”
“Magically imbued?”
“Yes. Many do not like leaving their wagons unattended in larger towns and cities, so they will have the latest anti-theft magic imbued on them.”
“Oh,” SJ said in surprise. It was mind-boggling that it was just like walking into any car sales room on Earth.
“This particular model is perfect for an individual. It is not too large or too small and can be pulled by a single horse, although it is advised to use two for swifter travel.”
Dave had mentioned previously that due to inventory limitations, many parties took carts into dungeons with them, and looking at the size of the wagon she was looking at, it would not be very practical. One of the orcs came over and quietly spoke to Katiyanna.
“Excuse me a minute,” she said. Turning, Katiyanna quickly walked over to a rather angry-looking draconian in a heated discussion with one of the other orcs.
“You are thinking of buying one, aren’t you?” Dave said.
“I am. Why?”
“You know you can get coaches between the various towns and cities rather than buying a wagon to travel in.”
“That is good to know, but this one here is almost perfect. Look at it.” SJ indicated with her hands.
“It’s a wagon!”
“Yes, but the finish and it has improved suspension for the bumpy roads.”
“Do you hear yourself!” Dave exclaimed.
“What?”
Dave tutted, and she could imagine him shaking his head in dismay at her.
“It looks nice,” SJ said pleadingly.
“You haven’t even asked how much it is yet?”
“No, but I can.”
Dave sighed, “You also need horses, and then you have tack, feed and stable fees to consider.”
Honestly, she hadn’t even considered the extra costs that may be involved.
“How much are horses normally?”
“Depends upon breed and type. Mules or Ponies are cheaper than actual horses. Dungeon divers would just take a mule and cart for loot collection. You can then go all the way up to the Chargers. Prices will vary, but you are looking at a few silvers for decent ones of good stock.”
“A few silvers? That expensive?”
“It’s an investment. There are loaners in most towns, but they are unreliable and not always fit for purpose.”
Climbing into the back of the wagon, SJ looked through the various fittings and heard a commotion. Looking over, she saw the still angry face of the draconian, now raising his voice and shouting at Katiyanna. One of the orcs put his hand towards the draconian, who batted it away, pointing viciously at the dryad. Katiyanna was standing there with a smile on her face, replying in a calm voice. The draconian wouldn’t have any of it and was getting even more animated. Another of the orcs walked forward, and they both had to forcefully grab the draconian and move him away from the area. As he walked away, SJ saw the funniest scene. A tiny furry paw appeared between Katiyanna’s hair. She was certain that it gave the draconian the universal sign of contempt.
“Did you see that?” SJ said, startled.
Dave was busy laughing.
“That creature, whatever it is, just gave the draconian the finger.”
“It has an attitude for sure,” Dave chuckled.
A few moments later, Katiyanna walked back over. “I am sorry about that. Unfortunately, you can’t please all customers. He was trying to blame our wagon for damage to the goods he was transporting. He is known as a careless driver. There have been several complaints in town about his driving.”
It reminded SJ of all the social media posts she used to see about drivers in and around where she lived in London. Someone was always being complained about, and photos were splashed all over. The similarities between the two worlds were uncanny.
“Have you decided on anything you like in particular?”
SJ could not stop staring at the side of Katiyanna’s face, where she had seen the little paw appear.
“I have to ask, what is that on your shoulder?”
Katiyanna laughed. “You mean Lubearius.” She reached up and pulled her hair to one side. In doing so, SJ heard immediate chittering and saw a small bright red squirrel sitting perfectly on her shoulder. It looked so cute.
“Lubearius? That’s a strange name.”
“He has a bit of an attitude, and I am sure he thinks he is a bear rather than a squirrel.”
The squirrel chittered away unhappily, being revealed from its hiding place. Its eyes narrowed, and it stared in disgust at SJ.
“I can see that,” SJ chuckled.
Katiyanna reached up, grabbed Lubearius, and lifted him down. He squeaked in protest but didn’t try and bite or fight.
“May I?” SJ asked, lifting her hand towards the tiny creature.
“Of course.”
SJ reached out to stroke the small furry creature. As her finger came in range to stroke its head, he whipped around with his rather sharp incisors and bit into the end of her finger. SJ yelped, pulling her hand back, seeing blood dripping from her punctured finger.
“Lubearius. What have I told you before? You never bite a customer.” Katiyanna scolded him. “You are not getting any nuts today now.” Looking back at SJ, she apologised, “I am so sorry for his behaviour.”
SJ could see the little beastie suddenly shrink and drop its shoulders. It turned to look at SJ with wide, pleading eyes. “My finger is fine. There is nothing to worry about.” SJ said, wiping the end of her finger on her dress, knowing it would self-clean and the wound would heal soon enough.
“Please accept my apologies. He is not normally that aggressive.”
“He is a feisty little one, isn’t he,” SJ replied, smiling.
Katiyanna smiled back, and the small squirrel looked as though it was proud of itself at the comment. “He has got me in trouble on a few occasions, unfortunately.” She replied as she placed Lubearius back on her shoulder, the squirrel disappearing back to hide behind her hair, holding it apart with its little paws so it could look at SJ still.
Dave was busy laughing hysterically in her head, gasping for breath at her finger being bitten.
“How much is this wagon?” SJ asked, having climbed back down from it as Katiyanna had returned.
“This model comes in three forms. Single or double tack, and then the optional imbuement and detailing package is available.”
“Detailing?”
“Signwriting and luxuries. You can get one fully furnished with bedding and the essentials. Pots, pans, the usual traveller’s needs.”
“What do they cost?”
“The basic model, unfurnished single tack, costs 20 silvers. Then we have the 30 silver upgrade dual tack and the imbuement package, which costs 45 silver. This model is dual tack as standard.”
“What about the additional packages?”
“Signwriting and luxuries cost an extra two silver. So, for a top-of-the-range model, it is 32 silver. We can offer finance deals to suit most needs.”
“How do they work?” SJ had the funds to buy one but wasn’t willing to do so without knowing the associated costs for horses and feed.
“Finance can be arranged by paying monthly fees at any local branch of Amathera Bank. They have branches in most larger towns and cities. All wagons are magically assigned until the final payment is made, and missed payments will result in reclaim. On receipt of the final payment, the wagon’s deed will be transferred, giving you full ownership.”
It was amazing that the overarching economy included banks. Dave had not mentioned them, and she would need to talk with him. He had mentioned auction houses before and assumed they must be similar.
“Can I have some time to think about it?”
“Of course. For the next seven days, we have a promotion offering all new purchases free annual servicing and retreatment to protect them from the elements for the next three years. It’s available at any of our branches.”
“That is good to know. I will think about it and might be back. Thanks for your time.”
“No problem, and please call anytime if you have more questions.”
As SJ went to turn, she saw the little face of the squirrel appear between Katiyanna’s hair.
“Bye, Lubearius,” SJ said to the small familiar.
The squirrel watched her quizzically as she went to move away before sticking its tongue out. Dave erupted into fits of laughter again.
