The Disguised Caravan (Chapter 1: The Strangers)

Sound of grumbles had been echoing incessantly since this morning. Wheels against gravel, the sound every traveler used to on their long journey inside a wagon or anything they could ride on. Deldon attempted to sleep, but the problem was not the sound, the wagon vibrated and lurched from time to time wheeling the rut road. His body complied the upheaval, causing the uncomfortable sensation all over the body.

"Can't sleep, can you?

"Bright light blinded Deldon as his eyes opened and wandered through the back of the wagon. The sand along the roadside reflected sunlight to all directions, including into the wagon. Also the air seemed to turn wavy in an indistinct way. That only happened when the sun had reigned above.

"The wagon is shaking too much, Captain." said Deldon, adjusting his seat. "I cannot sleep anymore."

"Endure it for a week until we reach the castle."

Deldon nodded. The broad-bodied man across him reached out and patted him twice on the shoulder before asking his lieutenant beside Deldon to hand over a basket nearby. He was the one who insisted the general to allow Deldon to join his company, reasoning his extraordinary archery skill would prove crucial in escorting King Ragan. King Ragan himself, a hooded figure beside the Captain, didn't mind at all. He had watched his archery in various tournament these past years.

"My king, please eat this bread."

The king waved his hand. "I'm not hungry, Captain."

"You need your strength," persuaded Captain. "We may sit here all day, but our body needs food. Please eat it, My king."

King Ragan raised his head and removed the brown hood from his head. Medium-length, black hair flowed out. Deep wrinkles ran down his face like ridges, his lip was chapped, and he examined the bread Captain had handed him with droopy eyes.

Never Deldon had seen King Ragan in such a state. The king usually appeared in an exquisite clothes, not necessary a grand one, with neat hair alongside a fur cape in most occasions, but right now he was like a fragile old man. White beard decorated his chin. Deldon heard the king had a rare disease which they were sent as his escort on the way to meet the legendary healer southwest of the capital near a backwater castle. Though, Deldon believed other reasons were put on plate.

Whatever they were, it's none of his business. They would escort the king to the castle first, then met the healer afterwards. And the day grew hotter. Deldon wrapped himself under the thin blanket only to find the solution left him drenched in sweat. He reached out the knotted curtain on top of the back wagon, untied it, and let the white curtain flowed down, covering the entire back wagon. The inner wagon got shady and a little cooler.

"What's our plan, Captain?" asked Deldon, eating a chunk of bread after splitting it into two chunks.

"Stay inside the wagon."

"Any other?"

"So far so good," interjected Liutenant. His tone was calm. "What do you seek, Deldon?"

Deldon shrugged. "Guard the wagon on horseback, maybe."

"Another time," Captain answered short. "Right now, we must disguise ourselves and act like a commoner."

"Why?"

"I have told you why, Deldon. Just do as I say."

They fell silent. The King continued his lunch while Captain grabbed a flask beside him and gulped the entire content. Liutenant slumped against the side of the wagon, both hands crossed together. Deldon was curious, but Captain nor Liutenant seemed to avoid the topic, so he kept the questions for later.

When Deldon started sleeping again, there's a shout followed by a sudden force which staggered them one side toward the front wagon. The King and Liutenant had the worst, their right side body struck the basket beside them assisted by the force of Deldon and Captain's strength caused the basket to produce cracked sound. Fortunately, the items inside the basket dampened its force. They could heard the horse neighing nervously.

"What do you want, Kid?!"

Liutenant brushed aside the flap of front wagon curtain and peered over as the coachman scolded a young man outside. Deldon awoke in a surprise. The king and Captain grunted.

"May we join your caravan?"

"You got ner…"

The sounds became babble. Liutenant put down the curtain and looked back at Captain.

"Who is it?"

"A young boy, he asks for a berth, Captain," said Liutenant, worry in his voice.

"Should we let them on?"

Captain opened his mouth, but no words came out. He seemed troubled even though Deldon believed there's enough room in their wagon for more than one person. Another wagon was full. An oddity since actually some commoners nor disguised soldiers from another wagon could be squeezed along with them.

"Meet our strangers, Deldon," ordered Captain. "Make sure they are not dangerous."

Deldon understood because there's king in their wagon. However, the previous question remained in his head. He stumped to the back of the wagon and dropped upon the rocky road. The heat rose drastically.

The wagon behind them also stopped. The coachman sat waiting. Two soldiers got out from the wagon, they wore tunic like Deldon's and were the ones in charge of the another wagon. These two men joined Deldon.

As Deldon treaded beside the wagon, the coachman warned the young man not to dart in the middle of the road. He almost hit him. From the looks of leaves patterns adorned his cloak neck, the young man was not a commoner. He could afford such expensive attire. His bright blue tunic under the cloak too was hardly to come by, especially in big city.

"What do you want, Young man?" asked Deldon.

"We want to have a berth to the next city, My Lord." The young man pointed his finger to the far side of the main road. "Me and my Master."

Deldon spotted an old man in an intricate blue cloak sitting on a rock under the lush tree. The wizened man had droopy eyes. Thin white beard decorated his chin and he held an oak staff. He stared at Deldon until Deldon decided to face his student again. The old man made him nervous.

"What's your name?"

"Baldin, My lord," said the young man. "We're just wanderers."

"You look like none. I do bet your fancy clothes attract bandits, maybe one or two."

"Your guess is right, My lord," concurred Baldin. "They killed our horses, but we escaped safe and sound. Although our comrade is not that lucky."

"What happened to him?"

"A woman knight. She holds the bandits until we can leave away, she promises to regroup with us in the next town."

A false hope, the woman most likely was dead. Deldon wouldn't be obtuse to say it out loud.

"And what do your Master do?"

"I'm a herbalist, My Lord," answered the old man, walking towards them. "We have some business in Peldor City."

His staff tapped the gravels one at a time until he stood beside his student. The man towered Deldon a bit. His long sleeves hid most of his forearm and his robe dressed down to his sandal feet. Somehow, the old man emanated an aura of someone in charge. Only one person Deldon knew had the same aura, the General.

"I heard your student said you're going to regroup with your comrade, am I right?"

The old man stared Baldin before addressing Deldon. "Yes, we are. We will also buy our supplies there."

"And herbs?"

"Of course. We're almost out of some herbs"

The old man took out something under his robes. A medium size pouch. He untied it and a pungent smell filled the air, originated from the assortment of herb bundles inside the pouch. Deldon assumed the old man showed him the pouch to convince him of their identity.

These two men didn't seem like bad people. They definitely were not only herbalist either, something more, because a herbalist wore plain tunic compared to their bright clothes. As long as they did no harm, they could fetched a berth.

"What's your name, Old man?"

Baldin's Master stroke his beards. "I'm Orfus. May I know yours, Young man?"

"I'm Deldon, a sol… I mean only one of the person in charge here. I'll talk to others about your intention."

"Thank you, Deldon."