Chapter 12: Chapter 12: First Steps

Chapter 12

First Steps:

Upon leaving the tavern I made my way back to Blue who had been waiting patiently just outside. I gave him a brief glimpse of the carrots I had stashed away in my pockets in order to set his mind at ease. One thing I knew for certain was that he was serious about promises that had been made to him.

Across the street I watched as Hershel’s grandson, Neil, strained under the weight of a heavy crate as he loaded it into the back of their wagon. I decided it was best to make a good first impression, so I walked over and began helping him to load the rest of the crates. They were heavy but with the two us we made short work of the task.

“I appreciate the help” Neil said, as he wiped sweat from his brow. “That would have taken me most of the morning if you hadn’t stepped in, my grandpa sure as heck wasn’t about to get off his throne to help lift these boxes.”

“That’s one of the perks of being old” Hershel said cheerily, as he sat comfortably on the wagon. “That’s why I brought you along, we needed to get some muscle built up on that frame of yours.”

I laughed and extended my hand to the pair in order to offer a more official introduction.

“I appreciate you letting me travel with you and for your help in the tavern. My name’s Sam, Sam Garner, and the donkey’s name is Blue.”

At the mention of the name Garner the old man’s eyes widened, and he coughed on his tobacco, a sharp wheeze escaping as he thumped his chest.

Neil took my hand and shook it excitedly. “It’s a pleasure, I’m Neil Claybrook and you’ve already met my grandpa Hershel.”

Once Hershel managed to collect himself, he wiped the sweat off his brow and nodded my direction. “We had better get a move on before we lose anymore of the daylight.”

At his suggestion we finished our preparations and began to move towards the edge of town. Hershel’s wagon rolled casually through the crowded streets as other travelers prepared to follow our example. It seemed several groups would be heading in the same direction as us, which Hershel assured me would only bolster the security of the roads.

Just before we crossed the threshold of the town, a hand suddenly curled around mine, and I was turned abruptly to face the opposite direction.

Grace stood smiling at me, her long golden hair was tied back into a ponytail with a bright blue ribbon. She wore a matching blue traveling dress that complimented the bright sparkle of her sapphire eyes; her beauty was a reflection of the cloudless sky overhead.

“Planning on leaving without saying goodbye?” she chided, as her gaze swept over me. “No offense, but you look like you slept in a barn last night.”

I grimaced as I hastily tried to brush away the straw that still clung to my clothes.

“Yeah, well, that’s because did. Plus, I thought we already said our goodbyes if I remember correctly, it was when you left me alone at the dance last night.”

This time, she blushed, as a guilty look crossed her face.

“Sorry about that… I just got caught up in moment.”

She looked down, kicking at the dirt with the toe of her boot, a faint flush still coloring her cheeks as she considered her next words.

“I’m traveling with that group of musicians back to the capital, they’ve invited me to perform with them.”

I looked across the street to find another woman along with several men packing a wagon with instruments and other supplies. One of the men stared in our direction as if trying figure out my relationship with Grace.

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“They said we will be heading north, then east to High March.” Looking at me shyly she added, “Do you think you’d like to travel with me?”

“Well, I’m actually heading the opposite direction, to a town called Salt Brine. My uncle left me some land there, and I plan to make it my home for the time being.”

As I spoke I couldn’t help but notice Grace’s demeanor change as her smile slowly fell away from her beautiful face.

I had a feeling she’d already made up her mind, but just as she’d asked me, I wanted to return the question. If only to give us one more chance.

“Grace… do you want to come with me?”

Her eyes welled with tears before she turned away, gaze drifting back to the group behind her. They were laughing and singing as they loaded instruments into a covered carriage. Their joy carried on the morning breeze, light and carefree, pulling her toward a life far different from the one I was about to lead.

After hesitating for just a moment, she took a deep breath and squared her shoulders; her mind was made up.

“Well… I guess we both have our own paths to follow. A part of me had hoped that… “ She left the remaining words unsaid as her voice filled with emotion. She reached out her hand to shake mine as a bittersweet smile took its place on her rose colored lips. “Goodbye, Sam”

“Yeah, you too… Good luck, Grace.”

With that, she turned away and walked back to her new group of companions who proceeded to welcome her warmly onto their wagon.

A quiet melancholy settled over me in that moment. Grace had been the woman I thought I might marry one day, she had been my only interest for all these years. And yet, I couldn’t bring myself to try and change her mind.

Something deep inside told me this was for the best. If I forced her to follow me, she’d only come to resent me for keeping her from chasing her own path. And truthfully, I would feel the same if she tried to pull me somewhere I didn’t want to go.

This was an ending. I could accept that.

But that didn’t make it hurt any less.

I walked in silence for a while, keeping pace beside Hershel’s wagon as we made our way out of town. Emotions churned inside me, but I kept them buried. I didn’t want to embarrass myself in front of my new companions.

I had left my family behind. I’d said goodbye to my childhood sweetheart. And now, I was headed to a city I’d never seen, chasing a future I couldn’t even begin to imagine.

It was too much to process all at once. So I did what I’d seen my father do countless times.

I bottled up the feelings and kept walking.

“You made the right choice, lad,” Hershel said, stuffing a fresh wad of reeds into his mouth, the sharp, earthy scent mingling with the dust of the road. “It’s better a man walks his own path before settling down. Focus on yourself, then worry about all that extra lovey business. Trust me, women’ll have you whipped faster than you can blink if you let ‘em. You gotta keep your wits about ya if you want to survive.”

Neil, overhearing his grandfather’s rant about the perils of romance, couldn’t help but chime in.

“Grandpa, you bend over backwards for Gran every chance you get… and didn’t you get married right after your own Choosing Day?”

“That’s different!” Hershel stammered, shooting his grandson a weathered look, his pockmarked face reddening as he adjusted his hat. “She baked me a pie the day before me Choosing, and after one bite, I realized she’d bewitched me.”

I turned to the man, my brow furrowing in confusion. “Bewitched?”

He nodded eagerly, his eyes glinting with the conviction of a man sharing an unshakable truth.

“Now, to be honest, she wasn’t the best looking woman in the city, but looks only last so long, Sam. Cooking, now that lasts forever. After that first bite, she reigned in me heart through me tastebuds! In my opinion, that’s witchcraft of the highest level.”

Despite my sadness I couldn’t help but laugh along with Neil.

“Well that’s quality cooking I wouldn’t mind trying.”

“Aye lad and you will once we arrive back home. You just be remembering she’s already spoken for.” A genuine smile spread across Hershel’s wrinkled face.

As we travelled, I couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of gratitude for Hershel and Neil’s company. This would have been a lonely trip if I had been left with nothing but my thoughts and Blue’s stubborn grumbling. The steady banter over the past few hours made the time slip by quickly as their laughter and stories provided a welcome distraction from the life I’d left behind in Wheat Hollow.

After a full days journey, the sun began to dip toward the horizon, painting the sky in hues of amber and violet. We decided to pull the wagon off the main road and make camp for the night.

The mule, fondly named Clyde, happily stomped his hooves at being relieved of his burden for the day as did Blue who was not yet used to the rigors of the road.

As promised I gave Blue a few carrots from the sack as a reward for being such a good sport throughout the day. However, to his dismay, he cried loudly as I offered a carrot to Clyde as well.

Having tended to the animals we set out our bedrolls and prepared a fire. Hershel offered to prepare food for the first night, which despite Neil’s many warnings, I found myself accepting the offer.

It was a hard lesson learned but it was decided from that day forward I would be the one making meals for the camp. It was truly astounding, I hadn’t known it was possible to burn stew to that degree. I was afraid that the taste of tonight’s supper would permanently remain on my tongue for the foreseeable future.

As we settled down for the night, I found myself smiling as I looked up at the stars. It had been a hard day but I knew this journey would be worth whatever cost I had to pay to see it through. These moments would fondly remain in my memory as my first steps on the Path of the Harvester.