Chapter 8 Part 5

"I don't like just the thought of just sitting around," Sam complained. He stabbed at a piece of vegetable as he and the others sat at a table eating late one night. They had arrived in Tycho the day before, and Regalus had agreed to put them up and he also found jobs for them until they decided what they would do.

Ruk had been a shock to many of the people, but true to Tycarian hospitality, no one bothered him nor treated him badly. In fact, Sam found that even he could roam about freely without getting more than just a second look.

Ruk and Sam seemed to have hit it off quite well. Calista had made it know to her lover very quickly that she was fond of the big minotaan and that she wanted them to be friends. Sam, had returned to being the young man she had fallen in love with, and his memory of the time he was under Tyson's spell was vague and hazy.

Nikki and Ruk had chaperoned the two youngsters to the city and had arranged for the lodging. Nikki was spending her mornings in the forest around Tycho while Calista was working as a bar maid. Ruk was providing manual labor as was Sam. The purpose of the whole thing was to keep them busy until they heard from Avery and the others.

"We have little choice," Nikki reminded the young man. "There is little we can do to help, and they think that this is the safest place for us to be."

"In all probability," Regalus commented from the head of the table, "you’re right. Blackheart’s a powerful house, but they’re not so foolish as to try to operate openly in Tycho."

"Would they operate covertly in Tycho?" Ruk asked.

"House Blackheart operates covertly everywhere, even in Tycho," Regalus answered. "It can’t be stopped. Greed is the one factor of mortal man that can’t be ousted by loyalty. I dare say that Blackheart has several agents here, but you can bet he had to pay plenty for them."

"Then if they are on the lookout for us, it’s a safe bet that they know, or will soon know that we’re here," Ruk observed. "That isn’t a comfortable thought."

"Then we should not stay," Sam said excitedly.

"I don't think that was the conclusion we were after," Ruk replied.

"But, it is a logical one," Nikki interrupted with unexpected support for Sam's enthusiasm.

"Are you really suggesting that we leave the city?" Ruk asked.

"I think it may very well be the best choice," Regalus agreed. "Your friends sent you here for your protection, but they don’t know everything. In fact for them to not know where you are may actually be safer should they get captured or..."

"No one could capture them and force them to betray us," Ruk assured the dwarf. The minotaan and dwarf were a complete antithesis of each other. The midnight colored giant towered above the compact, red haired dwarf.

"But, are they proof against trickery?" Regalus asked. No one answered that question. The reason for their recent journey was solely caused by Tyson's deception.

"Do you have a suggestion?" Ruk asked.

Regalus stroked his beard. "You need to take a vacation. Try going somewhere where you can be safe from Blackheart's influence. Try going west."

"We just came from there," Ruk said.

"We could go to the Janus valley," Calista offered.

"That’s in the Savanah mountain range isn't it?" Regalus asked.

"It is," Ruk answered. "Calista’s right. We have comrades there and the area is notoriously utopic. I don’t think Blackheart has a following there. But it’s a very long way."

"The last time we went west," Calista explained, "we took an ice boat."

"I remember," Regalus recalled. "But the northern seas have thawed for the sun season. The northern route’s closed for now unless you want to take a sailing vessel."

"Could we travel over land?" Nikki asked.

"That would take a long time," Regalus answered. "No, there’s a better way. If you move back through the Orkon mountains, you may be able to charter a small craft to ferry you to the west side of the glass desert."

"I didn't think ships crossed the glass desert," Nikki stated.

"Normally they don't, and if you do find one to take you, you would best be advised to watch your backs on that trip." Regalus gazed up at the giant minotaan then continued.

"For some reason I don't foresee anyone trying to do you harm."

A young elfin maiden approached and placed a flask of cold water before each of them. She smiled warmly at Sam who returned her smile and allowed his eyes to gaze upon her slim figure a moment too long for Calista's comfort. The young woman rewarded her mate's misplaced attentions with a swift and none too gentle kick under the table.

Sam glared at the girl. In the time he had been unconscious, she had grown greatly, both physically and mentally. She was no longer the star struck girl he had inadvertently betrothed, but was a bright and capable young woman. She had become a seasoned traveler, and a self reliant huntress. Sam's glare softened as he lost himself in her eyes.

Since the first night after they had left the cabin, the two of them had shared such tenderness and affection each night that they were hard pressed to stay awake during the days. Ruk had ignored the issue altogether, and Nikki only considered it as sweet. Sam, himself felt a little embarrassed by Calista's enthusiasm.

Regalus finished his drink. "We can leave tomorrow if you want," he announced.

"We?" Nikki asked.

The dwarf smiled through the confines of his beard. "I haven't been out west for about a hundred years. I think I’ll join you this time."

The next morning came with a strange chill on the breeze. Sam and Ruk stood outside Regalus' inn with the wagon the dwarf had decided to take. The wagon had enough water and food to last them weeks in the barren rocks of the Orkon mountains.

Calista emerged from the inn wearing the subdued and mottled colored outfit that Avery had given her. She carried her bow and a quiver of arrows. At her hip was a long hunting knife and on her feet were deerskin boots. Her hair was tied back in a ponytail and a green hood and cloak were attached about her neck. She made her way over to the two mules that were hitched to the wagon and spoke gently to the beasts.

When Nikki and Regalus emerged, the first of the two suns was up and the second was beginning to show above the horizon.

"This is the philosopher's hour," Ruk said absently to the youth at his side. "My people believe the interval between the rising of the two suns is the time to plan for the coming day, and the time between the setting of the two suns is the time to reflect on the day's events."

Regalus joined them. He carried a heavy sledge hammer and a wore a thick breastplate. The dwarf tossed a knapsack aboard the wagon and climbed into the driver's seat.

Sam hefted his own weighted staff and twirled it absently. He had not forgotten it nor had he lost the skill he had developed with it. He had become so proficient with it in fact that he doubted that he would ever pick up a sword. He tossed his staff to the dwarf and climbed into the back of the wagon. Nikki joined him momentarily fussing with a heavy sack loaded with herbs and spices.

Ruk joined Calista ahead of the wagon and together, the minotaan and huntress led the team into the streets beneath the outstretched limbs of the great trees that made up the upper level of the city.