Wind 72, Slide 8 Day 9, End-Slide, 415 AC
The caravan reached Trisden in the early afternoon, six days after leaving Vagar. Ursula stuffed the book she’d been reading through the slats of its original crate.
Big Hill held the curtain to one side. Xandor motioned for Ursula to disembark. He’d been such a gentleman on this trip, always letting her take her breaks first whenever the caravan stopped along the way. He hadn’t made any advances on her, either. She wasn’t sure how she felt about that. She’d never had a boyfriend and never wanted one, but if she were to have one, she’d like it to be Xandor. Maybe.
“A moment before you go.” Big Hill stuck out an arm to block Ursula and Xandor from moving past him. He squinted at one of his men. “Coup, if you please.”
Coup climbed in and Big Hill watched intently until the wizard climbed back down and announced that everything was accounted for. The merchant clapped his hands as he turned to Ursula and Xandor. “Thank you for watching over my wares. Fare you well on your journey.”
Ursula tilted her head and forced herself to look into Big Hill’s piggy eyes. “I don’t suppose your plans have changed and you’re going to Omensound.”
He rocked his head from side to side. “My route is the southern half of Manwor and nowhere else. You ask around for Tradesman Usher. If he’s not here now, he will be soon. He works the Riven Plain. Don’t go afoot to Omensound. The goblins will get you.”
As men arrived to unload the Happy Herbalist crates, Ursula and Xandor sauntered away, peering about at the numerous other merchant caravans that had also delivered goods to the city. Ursula nudged Xandor with her elbow. He didn’t flinch at her touch. Most guys who professed the desire to be warriors acted as though a wizard’s touch was a curse. Xandor behaved as though he was comfortable with magic and Ursula liked that. “So are we traveling to Omensound together?” She hoped they were.
“I don’t know.”
“You have a girlfriend back home.” Although she stated it as fact, she hoped she was wrong.
“Yes.”
“So you don’t want to do your Age Quest with me. I understand.”
Xandor fidgeted with something in his breeches pocket. “We shouldn’t. It’s complicated. I’m sorry.”
“It’s all right.” She inclined her head and walked away. Though she felt disappointed, she didn’t dwell on it. She wasn’t one to steal another girl’s boyfriend. How had she even allowed herself to entertain the possibility of having a boyfriend?
Her divination magic should make the search for Tradesman Usher brief. Ursula would be on his caravan. If Xandor didn’t want to go to Omensound with her, then he could find another way.