Chapter 43: Messilinger

"The path is as smooth as a baby's bottom, the ground is dry, and it's a nice, quiet day," Irin told Koth. He grunted in agreement, and she felt hopeful. "So I can walk for a while." It wasn't phrased as a question, but as a statement. Koth looked up at her; she was only slightly taller than him, even as she sat on Glima.

"Why?" he asked.

"To stretch my legs and enjoy the day. Spring has really arrived," she explained. He sighed, stopped, and made Glima stop too.

"Fine," he agreed, and helped her down.

"Thank you." She was happy as she walked next to him. The two of them were in the middle of the group. They had been walking for almost four days, following a river. Lokhue had told them they were getting close to Messilinger, and he had promised they would all sleep in beds that night. Irin was looking forward to it. After weeks of sleeping on the ground and the lumpy bedding at the shelter, she was looking forward to a bed. "Look," she said, tugging on Koth's sleeve, then pointing to a patch of wood anemones.

"Those can be used to make a particularly nasty poison," he said. Irin looked at him, and the men around them chuckled.

"You're supposed to say they look nice," Jahones helpfully said.

"Poison?" Irin asked.

"Sorry. They do look nice," Koth said.

"No, no. I want to know more about this poison. How is it made, and what effect does it have?" she asked. It was Koth's turn to look at her, and another round of chuckles came from their companions.

"A good match if ever I saw one," Lokhue said. "There's a good reason the two of them are married." Irin felt herself blush, but Koth looked pleased. He ignored Lokhue and instead told Irin about the poison, which would cause blisters in the mouth and throat if ingested, and lead to violent vomiting and death if the dose was high enough. Irin listened intently and wished she could take notes. Not that she was planning on using the poison, but she had always loved to gather knowledge about plants. Koth seemed to enjoy talking about it too, and was so lost in their conversation that he didn't notice Irin had been walking for over an hour.

"Time to stop for lunch, I think," Olug said. Koth looked around.

"It's lunch already?" he asked.

"How about bread, dried rabbit meat and dried apple?" Irin asked as she reached for the provisions.

"Sounds like a feast," Lokhue said, and helped her carry the food to the group, who had sat down on the side of the trail.

"I let you walk too far," Koth told her as he took the water skins from Maximus.

"No, I'm fine. Not even a little tired. The fresh air, exercise, and the lovely spring landscape are doing me good," she told him. He didn't look convinced, but he didn't argue with her.

"We will soon clear the forest, and then we have about half a day's walk left. We should be home by dinner time," Lokhue told them.

"It will be good to get back," Olug said.

"I agree, and this year's walk has yielded a good catch to bring home. Everyone will be happy," Lokhue agreed.

"Tomorrow the whole town will have a big celebration to mark the successful outcome of this year's gathering. You really picked the right time to visit," Olug explained to Koth and Irin. When they had eaten, Koth insisted Irin get back on Glima. She knew she had been lucky to have walked for so long that morning, so she agreed without any fuss. Lokhue had been right; it didn't take long before the forest around them thinned out, and soon they were on a hill, looking out over the snaking river that was now surrounded by farmland. The road took them farther away from the river as it passed between fields and pastures. In the fields, people were working to till the soil and get it ready for planting. Everyone they passed stopped working and happily greeted the group, looking with curiosity at Koth and Irin. Word must have spread that they were close by, as when they finally entered Messilinger, a group was already waiting for them in front of what Irin supposed was the town hall. Koth helped Irin down from the horse as Lokhue walked up to the waiting group.

"Chief Odrai, we are back from the gathering. It has been plentiful, and the land will offer us much this year. We have also found new friends that we invited to stay with us for a while. This is Koth Largash and his wife Irin," he said to an older man. Lokhue and the man looked a lot alike, and Irin guessed them to be father and son. The older man looked pleased. He ran his hand over his braided blond beard and nodded.

"Welcome back, wanderers. I am pleased to hear of your success; our people will be blessed with good fortune this year," he said. Then he turned to Koth and Irin, and Irin could feel how tense Koth was. "Welcome to our town. It is rare that we get a visit from a cleric of Alesseja. We worship Odhis and Thorim, but we respect all the gods. A wizard is also a rarity in these parts. I think Viturleiki, our shaman, will be thrilled. Feel free to roam the town, and if there is anything you need, feel free to ask."

"Thank you, we appreciate your hospitality," Koth said, and Irin could feel him relax a little. It dawned on her that he had been worried about how they would greet him. Irin had never needed to worry about being judged by who she was before she even opened her mouth. But seeing how Arind had treated Koth back in Inhasa had given her a little insight into what Koth had experienced all his life. This looked to be a human settlement, and she understood his worry. If any of these people dared to treat him with anything but kindness because he was a half-orc, she would make sure they regretted it. She was just as protective of him as he was of her; she just didn't let it show as clearly.

"Of course. Melir, my youngest son, will show you to the inn," the chief said, and a young teenager stepped forward.

"I will come by after you settle in and show you around town," Lokhue said.

"Thank you, but you should spend time with your family after being away," Irin said.

"I don't mind. I will go and greet my mother and talk a little more with my father. After that, I will be walking around the town to see what has happened while we were away; it's just as well that you join me," he told them. They agreed, and then they took their horses and followed Melir. At first, the boy was quiet and just glanced at them.

"Are you really a wizard?" he suddenly asked Koth.

"I am," Koth confirmed.

"That is so cool. I think magic is awesome, but old Viturleiki doesn't like me hanging around," Melir said, sounding disappointed.

"Magic can be dangerous; I'm sure he is just trying to keep you safe," Koth told him. It seemed to make Melir a little happier as he nodded. He was leading them deeper into the town. Irin could feel the distinctive smell of salt water and found that she had missed it. The inn was a big building not far from the harbour, which made sense to Irin. Most visitors probably arrived by ship. It was a sturdy-looking building made out of wood logs, like most of the houses in the town.

"You can leave your horses here for now, and when you have talked to the innkeeper, he will make sure you get room for them in the stable out back," Melir explained. They left the horses tied by the entrance as they walked inside. "Janosh! I have two new customers for you," Melir called as they walked inside.

"What are you hauling about? Keep your voice down unless you would like all my customers to flee the inn," a man said. It was said with warmth, and he then ruffled Melir's hair.

"Sorry. This is Koth and his wife Irin. The walkers brought them back with them. They need a place to stay and a place for their horses," Melir explained.

"Pleased to meet you. If the walkers brought you to town, you are a trustworthy pair. I have rooms available and would be happy to rent you both room and stable," the innkeeper said. Koth thanked him, and they discussed the price. Once everything was settled, Melir offered to show them the stable, and Koth said he would go with the boy.