Chapter 13: Chapter Twelve

The horses did not make the ride through the forest much better. Albaran pushed for more speed ‌and they ate their midday and evening meal in the saddle, but they still traveled less than half the distance than if they had taken the road. Del called a halt when dusk fell. The ranger protested, but she wouldn’t risk the horses and their necks in the dark forest.

Once they’d hobbled and fed the horses, they each found a place to roll out their blankets.

“Does anyone have…” the mage waved his hands over the ground abstractly. “You know…”

“A blanket?” Maug suggested.

“No,” Shorgus answered. “Maybe something more…solid?”

“A pillow?”

“That would be lovely, but no. I was thinking of something bigger.”

“Like a bed?” Del laughed.

“Exactly like that, yes.”

“Lay down, mage,” Albaran grumbled.

“Camping isn’t really my expertise.” Shorgus took a step closer to the ranger. “You have the most beautiful skin I believe I have ever seen.” He said and smiled. The Velli huffed before turning away and marching into the night.

They passed a quiet night and rose at first light. According to the map Albaran brought from Bellon, which showed next to nothing helpful to anyone but him, they were only half a day from their destination. But that was on the road.

“We should risk the open,” he said after storing the map again. “It is pointless to get to Daybridge unharmed if…our quarry…is no longer there.”

“I agree,” Del said, “but it’s a risk. Every guard from here to Gidura probably has our description.”

“I could help with that,” Shorgus said. “Perhaps.” He began pulling packets and cups from his pockets.

“How could you do that?” Albaran asked skeptically.

“Well, the way I see it, you’re the biggest hurdle, right?” He held up his hands defensively. “I think you are delightful and wouldn’t change a thing. But let's be honest, you stick out like a sore thumb anywhere but Bellon.” The ranger pursed his lips.

“You could change that?” Del asked.

“Of course. It wouldn’t pass inspections by his mother, but…ah!” He pulled a long orange cloth from his bag. “We can dress him in a traditional Vinteran wrap, the kaffa. It covers almost the entire head.”

She looked at Albaran, but he only stared at the cloth with a sour expression.

“If it means we could make it to Daybridge before noon, it might be worth it,” she said.

“Fine,” he grumbled. Although he looked like he had just agreed to go into a battle outnumbered and unarmed.

“You,” Shorgus pointed to Maug, “could just use a wig. It’s my first choice personally. Less chance of something going wrong.” From his bag, the mage pulled a long brown wig.

Maug took it and fitted it to his head. The thick, lank hair looked out of place on him, but it covered his ears reasonably well.

“Why didn’t we ever think of this?” He asked her.

“Wigs aren’t really something you stumble on in the local town store.”

“What do you think? Passable?”

“I think it’ll do,” she said as he tilted his head this way and that.

“I’m afraid I don’t have another one that would help you, Del,” Shorgus said as he moved Albaran’s face from side to side as he wrapped his head. “Have you ever considered langberry paste?”

“Yes,” she and Maug said together. Del tried to help him straighten the wig to a more acceptable fit. When she turned back, Albaran was blinking at her through the small slit in the wrap left for his eyes. It covered everything from the top of his head to halfway down his chest.

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“Too much, you think?” The mage asked. Albaran turned his head, and the wrap shifted over his eyes. “Slowly, slowly I told you. The kaffa is not really my expertise.”

“What is your expertise, mage?” Albaran growled.

“Lightening, of course,” he smiled playfully at the elf as he made adjustments. “And I’m very good with anything that requires a delicate touch.” The ranger growled again.

The second attempt was a little better and with an added blue cape Shorgus produced from his never ending pack, Albaran would look Vinteran from a distance. A long distance. Maug changed into his fancy black coat and would pass for a retainer, again, at a distance. Del put on her red velvet again. Shorgus insisted he needed no more disguise than a change of cloak, since he wasn’t known to be a part of their party, so wouldn’t match any description about them.

It took them an hour to find the road. Shorgus went ahead to ensure the way was clear. They joined him and headed south. Del took the lead, with Shorgus beside her, with Maug and Albaran trailing behind. Surprisingly, Albaran was a terrible rider who frequently lost control of his horse. Added to the fact he was supposed to be moving slowly to keep his disguise in place, Maug was left to control both their mounts. He alternated between laughing and grumbling at the rangers' frustration.

“You make a fine Aurelian lady when you want to, you know?” Shorgus said after they had been on their way for about an hour. Del scowled at him. “You don’t like being Aurelian much, do you? Is that why you are out here on adventures? That’s definitely not a very Aurelian thing to do.”

“No questions, remember?”

“You said minimal questions and talking will make us look less conspicuous. Where ever did you meet a Velli? I’ve only ever seen one other and that at a distance. He is quite…formidable.” He practically purred the word.

“You’d be best to leave the ranger be. He is rather unfamiliar with the ways of the world and might take you the wrong way.”

“Hmmm…” he said. “Does that mean I shouldn’t tell him that wrap is traditionally worn by women in Vintera?” Del choked back a laugh.

“I would not,” she said, trying not to laugh. “And the less you know about our adventures, the better. It’s not safe.”

“So you have said,” he nodded thoughtfully. “But you know, I may be of more help if I knew where we were going and who we were looking for.”

“We are going to Daybridge and we are looking for a person.”

He made a noncommittal grunt, but left off with the questions. A mounted patrol had just rounded the bend ahead of them. They were too far yet to see more than the red of the coats, but Del felt like she had just swallowed a ball of lead. She willed herself not to look back at the two elves behind her.

“Don’t worry,” the mage said conversationally beside her. “I am sure our party will reach Daybridge without incident.” She was too busy trying not to stare at the soldiers to answer him. “You should sit up straighter,” he said quietly. “And raise your reins. A lady doesn't slouch so.” The patrol was drawing near. They were moving faster than she had thought. Her pulse quickened.

“And smooth your skirts. That velvet shows everything. Silk is better suited to travel. And you really should wear riding gloves. Any lady would and you really need to cover those hands. Those are not the hands of a lady. Maybe you should have a cloak too. That might help, a little. And…”

“I am not in need of guidance, mage.” She turned and snapped at him. “Will you kindly be quiet and let me think?” He bowed his head submissively.

“Of course not, my lady.”

The guard moved by them, a dozen strong at least, kicking up dust. The lead horseman barely glanced at them as he passed.

“Now that is how an Aurelian lady acts,” the mage murmured after the last moved out of hearing.

“You did that on purpose,” she said through gritted teeth.

“I did. You looked nervous. That would have drawn more suspicion than even my bad kaffa.”

She knew he was right and she should be grateful for his intervention, but the best she could do was not yelling at him more. He seemed to take her mood and stayed silent.

They passed two more groups of guards, one with a set of mercenaries in tow, but their disguises held and no one gave more than a passing nod. Just before noon, Maug rode up to join them, with Albaran in tow.

“He says we will reach the town soon.” He grumbled.

“What’s wrong with you?” Del asked. She slowed her horse to a walk to allow them an easier time.

“This thing itches.” He shook his head irritably and gave a little jerk to the reins of the ranger's horse. “And I don’t have a loose hand to do anything about it because he can’t keep his horse on the road.”

“I told you we do not have horses in Bellon.” Albaran growled at him.

“Well, that’s just stupid,” Maug said.

“Did you have something you wanted, or were you just coming for a friendly chat?”

“I told you, he,” Maug gave another tug on the reins as Albaran’s horse tried to wander away, “says we are almost there.”

“Good.” She looked at the ranger. “Do you know where we are going once we get there?”

“Yes. Daybridge is a large place, but the home my contacts are staying in faces the main green. It should be easy to find and observe.”

“If these disguises get us past the front gate, that is,” Del said.

“Have faith, my dear,” Shorgus said. “I am sure whatever excitement awaits us, we will get there without any trouble.”

“Humph,” Maug muttered. “Stick with us very long and you’ll know better fast.”