The Path One Follows

The sun did its best to cast its rays through the clouds racing across the sky, creating a contrast that made it look like a vast darkness was enveloping the land. Seemingly ominous, but only to those with a flair for drama. Travelers hurried to shelter down before the storm. They would need to park the wagons and get the horses settled in. Lightning in the distance had been an early enough warning, but now thunder was rumbling closer. As the wagons got settled, the group started to prepare camp fires. A good blaze would keep the chill away, but not if the usually kindling was soaked before it could be lit. With everything set up, the parents would be bringing food to their children. No one would want a little one wandering around tonight. A child lost in this was a child that wouldn't make it back. Humans might shelter from the storm, but wolves weren't afraid to take down small prey when it presented itself so readily, though they mostly stayed away from the world of man. Thundering booms sounded as if a bard was beating a bass drum. The way everything looked like daytime when the storm flashed its fingers of electricity, made it feel like the end of days. It was the end of a singular day, but not of all. The camp fires seemed lively. Most of them were. A lone man sat by a fire that looked far away though still part of the camp. No one even knew where the man had come from. He wasn't there when they started, but they found him in camp that night. He hadn't said two words to anyone but his horse in the month he'd been in their caravan. He was a handsome man, probably around his middle years. Dark hair, fair skinned, and eyes that looked like a frozen pond, ice blue, but with a depth of sadness that left those that made eye contact think him a tortured, ghastly spirit if not for talking to the horse. Early attempts to have a conversation had been met with haunted looks. He'd glance at the speaker, make eye contact, and he'd walk away. It was obvious that there was a story there and that he was unable, or unwilling, to tell it. The caravan leader went through to check on everyone. He always made sure the group was able to bed down and that there were no major obstacles that needed addressing. It kept everyone moving. A busted axle could be fixed overnight, so that everyone would be able to move at first light. It was extremely efficient. Tad was no stranger to this life. He had purchased a ranch and settled down, but it had been destroyed during the War of Shades. Five years had passed since then, the moment he had lost everyone dear to him, and found his calling helping others avoid the same fate. It seemed a noble enough cause, though not a free ride. He only asked that he be taken care of in whatever fashion that was available. He'd do everything in his power to keep them safe as long as they fed him and kept him clothed. Occasionally, a woman on her own would seek passage. Tad tended to make arrangements with them as well. No one knew the actual terms, but those women would stay in his wagon. For safety reasons. After the stranger joined, Tad had asked everyone to just let him do as he wished. No one was sure if Tad and the man knew each other, but he didn't ask a lot. He'd tell everyone that the more fighting men they had, the safer they were. The night went by quickly and everyone was readying to move a couple hours after dawn. That gave the storm time to finish blowing through and let Tad scout the country ahead. They'd been lucky to find themselves nestled between two ridges for the night. It was a vast open plain ahead and no one wanted to get caught without cover. . They weren't soldiers. The Hunters they could encounter were. As lands were taken over, the new lord liked to keep his people from leaving. If they were seen to have left, he'd have his Hunters bring them back. It was worded to sound like it was for their own good, but he couldn't collect taxes or fill the ranks of his army if everyone was let to leave. None wanted to return. There'd been rumor of a free city far to the West. That's how people normally came across men like Tad. The free city was never named to anyone's knowledge, but was the ultimate destination. It took months to get there, or so it was said. It was preferable to get there before winter. When winter descended, the entrance was impassable for the colder months, and that would mean building a camp to weather the cold, with no guarantee how the group would fare. When Tad had everyone ready to move, he explained that they'd need to stick close to the ridgeline. There were tracks that led onto the plains so they'd go around. It would add a day or two to the trip, but they might make that up on the other side of the plains. Speed would be for nothing if they were caught. Onward the caravan moved. It wasn't on the main road and the terrain was considerably more treacherous. Without caution, they'd break a lot of wagon wheels. They had what they needed to repair them if needed. It would just be a loss of a lot of time. Tad led on. When the sky started to show the iridescent colors of sundown, they hid in a copse close to a ridge. The terrain would offer some camouflage. Tad had to address everyone. "Ok everyone, listen up! We are not in safe territory. We will have one small campfire for cooking. I know it's a hassle, but we have to limit our exposure. This is the hardest part of the journey. I've made this run quite a few times. We will make it if you keep to the rules. I hope you can all understand." It was taken in stride, but these folks felt inconvenienced. Small price to pay to escape this land. Tad went to find the stranger. Frank sat at his own fire with his wife and son. He watched Tad closely. Frank was always a bit of a skeptic. If not for his wife and child, he'd have tried to make this journey on his own. His wife, Jolie gave him a light backhand. "What're you starin at, Frank? You're gonna give them a complex. Mr. Tad has done right by us this far. I don't reckon he's gonna just up and skedaddle." "I know honey, but it's hard to trust anyone these days. I want to know more about that stranger. Why is he here? I'd feel a helluva lot better if he'd just say somethin." "That man ain't showed no interest in our comings and goings at all. He just seems like he's hurtin. I'm not gonna get my girdle in a twist unless he looks at me with eyes that don't look so defeated. I'm gonna go get in line for the fire. Will you and Frank Jr get our supper area ready?" Jolie didn't wait for an answer. She knew they'd get to it. They'd been through this process enough. "Come on, Junior. Let's get the table out and set up. I have a mighty appetite tonight. " "Ok, Pa!" Junior started going for the plates. Everything was done well before Jolie could return. Frank decided to get some water from the spring that ran off the ridge. "I'll be right back, son. You guard the fort whilst me and your mom finish gathering supplies. " Junior was used to being left with the wagons. None of their group had misplaced a child yet and they weren't in a hurry to do so. Junior watched the area like a real guard. He saw the other wagons doing the same. His eyes settled on the stranger. No one knew anything about the man. He was the only mystery Junior had to distract himself from the journey. The man wasn't looking Junior's direction, so he took the time to see what he could put together. His belongings were simple. The odd stranger had never had a wagon, only a worn sleeping bag and a backpack of supplies. It was obvious he knew how to live rough and his camp had been ready before anyone else's. "Did you need something?". The unknown voice spoke without looking towards Junior. The boy was so shocked that he fell off the stump he'd found to sit on. Panicking, he went to hide in the wagon. Disbelief had taken residence in Junior's face. That man only ever talked to his horse! Why say something now? It was another ten minutes before his Ma got back, barely arriving before his Pa. He tried to tell them of the encounter, but they didn't believe a word. The man had already turned in for the night. After a simple, luke warm dinner, the fire line had been a mess, the family decided to rest as well. Everyone else seemed to be settling in. They could hear wolves having conversations in the night, but the camp was quiet again.