The Pearl Of Vynes - Chapter 19 Off On The Road

The cool of the morning brought Alice out of her slumber. Alice’s head ached severely as she let out a groan. Her skull seemed to throb as she tried to open her eyes; the light coming through the window stung her eyes as she rubbed the edges of her eyes. Miles was sleeping in a bed opposite her, getting up she could barely hold herself up as everything ached and her memory was fuzzy from last night. After drinking with Miles and Tane, Alice couldn’t remember much after that but was thankfully they had made it back somehow. Miles groaned in pain behind Alice, he clutched his head as Alice turned around. Watching Miles in pain somehow eased Alice’s and made her smile. Miles reached inside his cloak trying to find his familiar flask. Alice noticed it was on the ground while Miles fiddled around with his coat pocket.

“Is this what you meant by drinking killing you” Alice asked in a gravely voice, her throat was parched and desparetly needed some water.

“Gave me an hour, and I’ll get back to you if I’m still living” Miles said, groaning as he clutched his head and covered the blanket over his head to block the sunlight. Getting up Alice grabbed a pitcher of water and drank to satiate the desert that was her throat. Watching Miles suffer from his antics, This might actually solve his drinking problem she thought to herself. Tidying up the room a little, Alice walked out of the room to get some fresh air. Some of the patrons were still sleeping on the ground while a barmaid cleaned up the mess the place had gotten into from all the hard celebrations. Exploring around the place, Alice found the stables. Their horse and cart were already sitting there for them, while the horse ate from a pile of hay while it was tied up to its post. Alice laid down in another hay stack next to the horse, her stomach now starting to rumble for breakfast.

“Guess that’s enough excitement for one day, right?” Alice asked the horse. It nickered in response and went back to eating the loose hay. As Alice lay there, the travels with Miles came back to her. After her whole life in the village, the world seemed very large in comparison. They had travelled so far, and this town absolutely dwarfed her home. With all the things that happened, magic and monsters it left Alice feeling small in the scheme of things. Before they had gone out drinking that night Miles told her the capital was huge. Larger than 10 of her villages, Alice could barely even comprehend something of that size as she rested in the hay. Alice could feel her eyes starting to droop as the hay gave her a comfortable bed out near the horses, Alice drifted off to sleep, dreaming off huge villages and large looming creatures that she couldn’t explain.

A light snap of reins, broke Alice out of her rest. Looking around she noticed she was in the cart, Miles driving it as they were already headed out of the town.

“What’s happening Miles?” Alice asked stretching out the sore muscles in her back from sleeping in the cart.

“We’re making our way to the capital” Miles said without turning around. As the cart trundled along the path Alice noticed it was going back the way they had come.

“But Miles, isn’t the capital the other way” Alice said pointing at the other path a number of travelling merchants were already using disappearing in the distance as they separated further.

“We’ve got somewhere to be first” Miles said turning around.

“Where’s that” Alice questioned.

“It’s a secret” Miles said with a grin, going back to driving the cart as the sunny day relaxed Alice. Alice had driven a few times already for Miles when he couldn’t resist sleep. It wasn’t too hard to keep the horse wanting to move but making the trip smooth was a talent in itself. As Alice went back to lying in the cart she watched the sky as clouds drifted along. After the tension and her heart having been almost beating out of her chest from the fear and terror having to face a monster the quiet of the open road was a relief, with only the sound of the wind and an odd bird passing by. To Alice they had been travel for a while now, when Miles brought the cart to a stop. Alice got up and looked at the front of the cart. They had stopped at a port in the middle of nowhere, a ship was tied to the docks with an elderly man sitting in a rocking chair smoking a long pipe as he watched the day go by. Miles hopped off the cart and gestured for Alice to follow. Alice complying stood behind Miles as she watched him greet the man. Though she was far off and couldn’t hear the conversation but the gesturing and passing of coins gave her a rough idea. Miles came back and unhooked the horse from the cart and led it out to the pier. While they were walking a man came from below the deck of the ship, a very familiar set of white hair and large body that Alice wasn’t surprised she didn’t figure it out earlier.

“Ave, friend” Tane shouted from the ship.
for visiting.

“Ave” Miles responded waiting with the horse on the dock. Tane brought a long gangway plank, wide enough to fit the horse onto the ship. Miles lead the horse up the gangway while Alice followed at a distance behind.

“Good to see you Alice” Tane said with a beaming smile. Alice gave a head now and followed Miles into the inside of the trip, a pile of hay and beds were already laid out for them.

“Miles, why are we taking a boat?” Alice asked.

“It’s a ship Alice. And we need it” Miles replied.

“But wouldn’t the cart be ok to do this?” Alice asked confused.

“Speed is of the essence, looks like we might have to cut back on some corners” Miles said as he walked back onto the open deck.

“It’s been a while since we’ve had an adventure together Miles” Tane said leaning against the mast of the ship. Alice looked around and couldn’t see anyone else around working the ship, although as small as it was the three of them should be able to take care of it.

“Well we’re definitely gonna need you when we get out there” Miles said as he felt the wind pick up behind them.

“Time is wasted if we stand here talking, I’ll make sure we broach off okay” Tane said as he untied the ropes holding the ship at the pier. Alice and Miles helped and coiled the ropes on the deck while Tane jumped back on deck by himself. The wind was already starting to push the boat out into the river it was in, but Alice could see a wide mouth at the end of the river. Tane manned the rudder while Miles opened and tied the sails, taking the wind and launching them so fast Alice almost fell over herself having to grab the nearest side of the boat.

“And we’re off!” Tane grinned as the wind rippled through his hair, “It’s been so long since I’ve gotten out of that blasted city. It’s too grey” Tane shouted at Miles who was inhaling the sea breeze deeply, Probably still recovering from his drinking Alice thought. Miles napped while Tane drove the ship through the river, navigating it through reeds and out into the sea. The open ocean was so wide it took Alice’s breath away, it went past the horizon and Alice could see no end to it.

“So how did you meet Miles?” Alice asked Tane, still taking in the sights.

“Well, probably back when we were Brave’s we took a request together” Tane said scratching his short beard as he remembered.

“He hasn’t changed much since then, in personality or face. It’s always annoyed me that he barely ages at all” Tane said in frustration.

“When was that?” Alice asked.

“Hmm, probably over 40 years ago?” Tane said.

“40 years ago?” Alice said in astonishment.

“He’s probably way older than we think; he was an Brave long before I was. I was a mere baby when he started” Tane continued. Alice mulled over the thought, he was always acting much older than anyone else but she had never heard of someone close to that old, nonetheless still working as an Brave. The sound of yawning broke Alice out of her thoughts, Miles had recovered somewhat and seemed in a better condition that this morning as he stretched out his muscles. Getting up from his position, lying next to the mast Miles patted his back.

“How long till we get to the capital?” Miles asked Tane.

“At least two weeks” Tane replied.

“Well this is a good opportunity for us” Miles said. Walking over to Alice, Miles looked her over.

“I think it would be best we train you how to fight, you’ve got some good instincts” Miles complimented Alice.

“What did you have in mind” Alice asked worriedly. Miles gave Alice his hand to pull her up from the floor, launching Alice back on her feet.

“Now follow me in how you throw a punch” Miles instructed and Alice observed and followed as Miles went about demonstrated.