Trell - 3

He awoke to the sound of a trumpet in the middle of the night, but quickly remembered where he was, and waited to see if any of the other men got up. When none else got out of their bunks he rolled over to sleep some more. He was immediately asleep, and woke at the dawn trumpet as the other men began to stumble out of bed.


“Morning, piped up a cheerful Gabe. “Wow you were tired. Either that or you just passed out from my endless talking. Either way, its grub time. Come on.”

Trell began to put on his weapon belt, but Gabe stopped him, taking the time as they walked to explain that weapons were discourage at meals. “People sometimes get into fights” he whispered, “So the commander ‘asked’ us not bring weapons to meals.” With a wink he fell silent long enough to inhale a good size bowl of mushy something, and a slab of meat. Trell found the mush mostly tasteless, and gave the meat to Gabe who ate it in two quick bites. One advantage to such a voracious appetite was that he couldn't talk with such large mouthfuls.

Trell looked around the large room as he ate. The were in a large building, but there were only the outer walls and roof of the structure. One end of the structure was a kitchen with various fires and stoves, the other end was filled with tables and chairs while between the two was a long counter that functioned as a serving area.

As he explored the building with his eyes, a man came up to Trell and in a formal voice said, "You will report to Commander Gray when you are finished. He will be found in the staging area at the top of the ramp."

Just then Gabe swallowed a massive bite and drained the huge mug in front of him. "Well I guess I get to share your company for a short while longer. I am headed to the same place to start my assignment."

Gabe persuaded Trell that they should collect their gear on the way to the staging area because they would not be allowed to go ack for it once orders were given.

Back at their bunks, Trell found his pack, swords, and staff as he had left them under his bed. Gabe too began retrieving things from under his bed. There was his massive greatsword, which he strapped to his back, there was one of those strange bows, except this one was almost twice the size of the ones Trell had seen the other men carrying (Gabe called this a crossbow), this he also slung onto his back with a quiver of arrows. There was a traveling cloak that seemed to be treated with something that made it stiff (and waterproof Gabe explained). There was a handful of small trinkets that Gabe slipped into a belt pouch, explaining that they were gifts from his family back home. Then to Trell's surprise Gabe strapped on another weapon belt that had another normal sized sword and a long dagger. Then just when Trell thought Gabe couldn't possibly carry any more, he pulled out a large metal shield that probably weighed as much as Trell did. This he slung over the top of his greatsword and crossbow.

After strapping on his own weapon belt Trell lifted his pack onto one shoulder, and grabbed his staff. Gabe immediately spoke up. "Oh no. You don't need the pack. They will have a fresh one waiting for you at the staging area. You can just leave that on on your bunk, and someone will collect it after you are gone."

Not willing to leave everything, Trell put the two pouches on his belt, and put his two good waterskins in his smaller bag which he slung on his back.
"There you go. Beamed Gabe, "Now you look perfect."

As they walked toward the ramp, Gabe made a point of telling Trell that generally the men don't keep their own cloaks, but his father had waterproofed his, and it was hard finding one large enough for him.

At the top of the ramp there were a large number of men, some loading horses, and wagons, others handingn out packs, and the rest seemed to be preparing for whatever they had been assigned.

Commander Gray was also there and had a small wooden board with papers on it. As they approached he barked out, "Gabe, you are late! get moving." He pointed to a man that was holding the reigns of two horses, and barked again, "Move it!".

As Trell came up to him, he used a softer tone, but with the same sternness, "Trell, we can't allow this kind of dilly dallying, you have got to report on time."

Sheepishly Trell replied, "Yes sir."

"Your assignment is there" he said pointing to the same man to which Gabe had been assigned. You are to deliver this letter..." he turned looking for something then called out, "Spack!" to which a short beanpole of a man replied.

"Here sir."

"Where is that letter?" Commander Gray demanded.

"The man came jogging to the commander and handed him a folded piece of paper that had some hardened blue goo holding it closed.

Turning again to Trell he continued, "... to Lady Karil of Tra Magnon. Don't open it, don't fold it, don't damage it." He turned back to Spack for moment before Lord Tramere came striding up, and addressed them both.

"Trell, one thing with that letter." he said, "I want you to deliver that message to Lady Karil yourself. Do not let anyone one else deliver it, but make sure she reads it."

He then lowered his voice as if being secretive, "If her husband get his hands on it, he will destroy it for sure."

Placing his hand on Trells shoulder he repeated, "Karil's eyes only. Right!?" Trell felt that same dizzy sleepiness as he heard himself repeat, "Karil's eyes only."

He blinked his eyes several times as he walked over to Gabe and the man holding the horses.

"No way!" blurted on Gabe. "Where are you going?"

"Tragnon." Trell mispronounced.

"You men Tra Magnon?" offered Gabe.

"Yah, thats it", replied Trell, comming to himself, "Some lady named Karil."

"No way!" replied Gabe, "The Lady Karil?"

"I guess", said Trell.

Excitedly Gabe lost all control of his tongue, "Lady Karil, the Queen of Magic, the Beautiful Sorceress, the Enchantress of Keltorin, the..."

Trell had to break in, "Whoa, slow down. I don't know if she is all those, but just that she is Lord Tramere's sister."

"Yup, that's her", Gabe said, his eyes glowing. "I have only met her once, but I would loooove to go with you. I would give anything. Pleeeese let me go with you."

Trell raised an eyebrow as he tried to cool his friend. "Well as I understand it... " Trell hesitated, "Lady Karil... is... married, right?"

"Oh yes, she is. And Selimnairus is a great guy too." Gabe replied. Then he lowered his voice and leaned close to Trell, "Actually they have these two daughters..."

Trell exploded in laughter, and he looked around to see if anyone else had overheard the deep dark secret. The man holding the horsed couldn't help but smile briefly before looking away and regaining control of his composure. Gabe, in the mean time, had red splotches on his arms, neck, and face and he ducked his head to hide his embarrassment.
"Well I don't mind if you come" offered Trell.

Neither of them spoke as they were each assigned a pack that included rations, cloak, bedroll, crossbow, and a sword and dagger on a weapon belt. The elements they didn't need were recorded on a piece of paper that Spack was holding as he came around to make sure everything was in order. Trell had no interest in the crossbow or extra weapon belt, but found plenty of room to put his small pack inside the larger one assigned to him. Trell and Gabe each tied their packs on the back of a saddled horse, and climbed on.

Trell had been trained in riding horsed, but with a saddle he found it much easier, and was pretty sure that anyone with or without training could probably ride this way. Gabe surprised him and nearly fell off before he had even sat in the saddle. He did not look very comfortable, and began to look around as if there might be some alternative to riding. On top of that, the horse seemed just as uncomfortable and Gabe.

Trell climbed off and showed Gabe how to get familiar with the horse so that both of the could be more comfortable. The second time Gabe climbed up on the horse both he and the horse were settled and the event went much better, though not without a fair bit of shuffling and reshuffling by both the horse and Gabe.

As Gabe and his horse were settling down a man walked up to Trell and extended his hand, "Welcome to the garrison. Sorry for the misunderstanding."

Look found himself looking down at Auth. The hand extended was his repaired hand, and when he shook it, it was as strong as it ever had been.

Trell nodded, but was unable to manage a smile, and watched in a stunned silence as he walked back to the other three men that Trell recognized from yesterday's march.

Gabe finally settled down, and asked, "So what happened between you two? Yesterday I thought was going to kill you for sure."

Trell responded in an offhand matter-of-fact tone. "Oh, he tried to kill me, and I returned the favor." He then gave his horse a bit of a kick and started down the ramp.

Gabe's eyes went wide with amazement, but he soon recovered and followed.

At the bottom of the ramp Trell called out to the guards behind the gate, "Which way to Tragnon?"

One of the guards answered absently, "'cross the river and take a right."