Chương 510: The Last Steps of a Journey can be the Hardest

The small party of two bipeds and three oxen continued onward to Sedgewick. Razorslash Fluffytail took one look at the giant cattle and chittered angrily at the scout who'd sounded the alert, and brought news of a 'small party' coming down the road. He sent the rest of his pack back to the deep part of the forest where Dreytown lay hidden and followed the group, carefully staying hidden. This was one of the 'odd days' when stuff happened; he could smell it in the cold winds as they blew in from the snowy plains.

All he needed to ruin his day was an overanxious scout attacking one of the Mayor's pack, and this one was walking with things he'd never seen before. They looked like sedge beasts, but without the minimum number of horns, heads, udders, and tails. What they lacked in variety, they made up for in size. He would add them to the 'Do not attack' list and carve their pictures on a limb, just to be sure. Once the group was across the bridge and into the town, he turned back and raced through the trees for Dreytown.

The elders were preparing the weekly feast to celebrate their new nest. The young ones were still too thin and needed to fatten up for the long winter that was coming. Such feasts had been unheard of only a few moons ago, and his pack was on the verge of attacking the outlying farms and hamlets to sate their hunger. Razorslash had known that would be the end of them. They would have a short-lived reign of terror, and then the might of the town would be brought against them.

It had forced them to make deals with enemies from the War of the Oaks and sue for peace. Strangely, their demands had been accepted, something that still surprised him. But both the Shepherd and the Runt were wise. The Shepherd had interceded with the Mayor and spoken of the starving babes. The Runt had coached them on how to become an ally and asset to the town, and yet still hold their heads high as mighty warriors.

The lazy Druid had been brought to their woods, and he laced the ancient magic that surrounded Gadobhra into a hollow in their woods. It had once been the home of drunken goblins, a source of much entertainment. The hearts of seven mighty Oaken Treants had been planted in a ring in the center of the old village, and acorns had been buried in the ground all around them to create an impenetrable forest.

What should have taken years happened in only two weeks as the Druid magic infested the area, accelerating the growth of the trees. To quicken the Treants, the Mayor had brought her staff and summoned the blessing of a Nature Goddess. Evergreen's light had shone down on the center of what would be Dreytown seven times, and the hearts began to sprout. The Oaks were grumpy, of course. Oaks always were.

They would need to stay rooted to attain their full growth and could see the advantages of the Treety with the Mayor. Enhanced fertilizer made from unicorn dung, plentiful water, and the loving attention of a squirrel clan calmed them down and made them forget the old wars. Barrels of nuts, groats, dried apples, and tasty nibbles were given to the clan to tide them over the long winter months, sealing the deal. Best of all, their position in the great story of the world was affirmed.

They would protect the forest on this side of the road and prey upon unwary travelers, giving them chances to show their might. Quests would bring more conflict, and everyone would fight, die, and be happy. It was a good deal for a band of Warrior Squirrels. And there was something to be said about plentiful roasted acorns on cold nights. That thought hurried him home to dinner. He'd be back to harass travelers later.

As the squirrels wisely avoided battle, Jorge's party slowly made their way to Sedgewick and over the bridge into the town. Signe was sweating slightly, and her oxen were barely mustering the energy to put one hoof in front of another. She looked up at the sun burning brightly above her and wondered where the cooling winds had gone. It had grown hotter as they traveled the last few miles; the temperature continued to rise as they approached the town.

She noticed with great distaste that a building was belching hot smoke and flames into the air. Without warning, Bessie went to her knees, panting hard. Raul took one look at her and mooed his displeasure very loudly, the sound echoing out through the forest. In the pastures, every bull who heard him echoed the sound, their concerns over a new rival secondary to the call for aid. Several curious children came running to see what was happening. Jorges tossed them a few coins to enlist their aid.

"Tell the Butcher, the Mayor, and the Shepherd that we've got a problem." The children ran off to find people, but didn't have to search hard for Rolly. He came riding into town on a large, ugly sedge goat of dubious parentage. Shamoo might have looked like he'd been beaten with an ugly stick, but Rolly had noticed he was the quickest critter in the pasture, especially when running for dinner. They arrived in a cloud of dust, answering Raul's call only a minute after Bessie collapsed.

Rolly ran to the stricken cow while Shamoo began chewing on an ornamental hedge by the fountain. Rolly rushed to the stricken cow's side and put his hands on her.

"We've got an emergency here. This lady is dangerously overheated and with child. Give me some room to work. Don't you worry, Bessie. I'm pushing some stamina and healing into you and your baby at the same time to give you some strength." Then he looked around at the people coming to see what was happening and yelled out, "Tell Delbert I need him to open up the barn doors to his big cellar. Everyone else, help move whatever is there deeper into his catacombs.

I don't want these folks to panic, and that can happen if they feel surrounded. I need some buckets of water, all three... hell, make that all four of these people need to drink a gallon or two. They aren't used to the heat." Signe started to say something, but wasn't feeling well herself. As she swayed and started to fall, Jorges caught her shoulders.

"Someone who isn't Ozzy, grab her feet and help me get her into the fountain." Ozzy had just come running up, saw the three huge Oxen and the tall girl with them, and realized who they must be.

"Right, good call. I'll go clear the cellar and pull as much heat out of it as I can to help Delbert." As soon as he got Bessie stabilized, Rolly moved to Elsie, transferring stamina and health to her. He grinned at Raul, "You've been busy! Both of these young ladies are pregnant with big babies... oh my, and twins for Miss Elsie? Better check that, just because there are four legs and two heads doesn't mean it's two babies... but yes, looks like a girl and a boy here, and a girl for Miss Bessie."

Raul let out a small moo full of pride, but looked anxiously from one cow to the other. Rolly did his best to calm him down.

"Don't you worry, we'll get them all taken care of. I'm a professional Shepherd and have delivered hundreds of babies safely. What I need from you is to relax, drink three buckets of water, and move under that shade tree. If I'm not worried about you, I can concentrate on Elsie and Bessie." The big bull nodded his head, drank the bucket dry, refilled at the fountain, and moved to the shade, keeping an eye on all three of his women.

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it. Suzette arrived and carefully approached Rolly.

"Is there anything I can do to help?"

"I'm going to move all of them into Delbert's big storage area to get them cooled off. They'll need food soon; they've had a long journey. If you can wrangle up any potions that protect from heat or the sun, that would help. They aren't used to this weather." Signe was keeping a close watch on her oxen. That they trusted this Shepherd was a good sign to her, but needing aid at the end of her journey upset her. It was going to be difficult to bargain with people whom she owed such large debts to.

It was the weather's fault, changing so quickly.

"We have traveled far and through many dangers. The weather betrayed us in the end. The cold winds subsided, and this infernal sun grew brighter. In my haste, I misjudged how fatigued my oxen and I had become." Suzette understood what had happened, but she wasn't going to tell a frost giant's daughter that she'd entered lands where she held sway, not Winter. The Winds of Winter were trying to get into Sedgewick every day, and she was holding them at bay.

It was getting easier and easier as she slowly increased her hold over the area. Luckily, there were many other things she could mention to explain why Sedgewick was protected.

"The Baron is very protective of his lands, and his will is strong. After the great victory over Winter, his lands became much warmer. Winter season is still here, but not the freezing cold that plagues the rest of the north. Hmm, and the Fae are strong here, led by the Summer Lord; they surely wish to protect their unicorns, flowers, and trees."

"A summer lord? You need to get a proper Fae who will keep things cool and comfortable, like the Queen of the Ice Blight Elves. Even the Council of Winter is cautious around her. If you get on her naughty list, she skins you and turns you into stockings that she hangs on the cold hearths of empty houses." Everyone blinked at that statement, except Rolly, "Luckily for us, Sedgewick folk are good-natured and helpful. No socks for us."

Further discussion was stopped as Ben came running up, "The cold storage is clear and ready for new tenants. How should we do this, Rolly?" Rolly looked from one overheated person to another.

"Elsie? This is my good friend, Benjamin. He doesn't speak Ox, but his horse vouches for him. He's going to walk slowly beside you and help you down the ramp. Raul, are you good on your own? Oh, of course you are. Jorges can help Signe get there, and I'm with Bessie. Don't worry, dear, you just roll on your back and I'll carry you."

Everyone knew that Ozzy could lift most anything, and that many of the workers were strong, but seeing Rolly pick up an Ox the size of an elephant and carry her gently through town was something new. The dozen players who were watching had odd looks on their faces and whispered among themselves that just maybe some of the crazy stories were true. In any case, people were going to be very careful around the Shepherd and his herds from now on.

Across the small town, they went to a ramp that led down to the first layer of Delbert's lair. This room was the size of a barn and was used to sort goods as they came and went. It was empty now except for some barrels of high-quality groats, three half-barrels of water, and a large area filled with loose straw for bedding. The air was below freezing in this room, even with the door to the outside open to the warmer air.

Signe and the oxen felt slightly better as they lay down on the straw and began breathing in the colder air. From the small doorway, much colder air was creeping in. The doors to the outside were shut to block out the warm air, followed by an inner set of insulated doors, sealing the room. Rolly checked out Raul and declared him to be fine, only needing rest, food, and cooling off. He fussed more over Elsie and Bessie before standing up and speaking to each of them.

"Things are better, but we aren't out of the woods yet. I don't want to see either of you on your feet for a day except to use the facilities in the next room." Signe appreciated his caring yet stern voice, but knew they would have to stand for one other activity.

"I will need to milk each of them, or it will become uncomfortable for them. But I will need things from my cart. My churn, bucket, stool, and kitchen chest. I don't want the milk to be wasted."

"Churn? You make butter?"

"Butter, no. Not unless it's a special occasion and mother is making some strange recipe from the warmlands. Better to use lard. I gather the milk, and my churn gathers the icy mana of the winds, turning the milk into a smooth, creamy dessert. I mix dried, powdered berries from Mother's orchard, wild cavebee honey, and crushed nuts. My father and brothers are quite fond of churnmilk." Rolly was trying not to drool.

"How much churnmilk can you make from one milking?"

"Oh, only a little bit. Three gallons from each ox. I have to milk our whole herd when we have it as a treat. The greedy boys can eat it forever. I've been trading my churnmilk along the way for food."

"Wait right here. I'll be back with all your stuff!" He sprinted off through the back door and down a hall to another exit. Elsie made a small noise, Bessie did the same, and Raul let out a loud moo. Signe agreed, "He certainly is a nice man. We will have to find some way to repay him. Debts such as we have incurred are not small things." They were pondering the implications of that debt when the Ice Wizard appeared in the doorway, a gust of delightfully chilled air heralding his arrival.

The oxen quieted immediately and bowed their heads. Signe's heart hammered in her chest. His power was vast and cold, his core a frozen star in his chest that radiated out into the rooms where his power reigned supreme. His staff was a powerful item, similar to those held by Senior Ice Mages, but topped by a shard of blue crystal that was colder than anything she had ever encountered. Cold winds swirled around it constantly, and small whirlwinds spun off it, circling around their master.

His robes were also those of a Senior Mage, the long sleeves rolled up to the elbows, and the normally floor-length hem only coming to his knees. On anyone else, she'd question their might, but this man wore them with a casualness that said he didn't need to care about proper dress or etiquette. His beard and bushy eyebrows were untrimmed, giving him a roguish charm, and his eyes were the deep blue of an endless glacier. Mother had always given her good advice." Some men have cold hearts or a powerful staff.

Don't lose your head over them. They may be fun for a holiday fling, but those aren't things to base a long-term relationship on. You have to find out how deep the gold in his caverns goes." He strode into the room, a frown on his face, and said the prophetic words she'd remember forever.

"It's too warm in here! Let's cool things down and make you comfortable. You'll be staying here awhile."