Friendly conversation kept the two awake as the day wore on. The miles slipped by far faster than Avdren realized, and as the sun began to set, the glow of watchfires and torches from the garrison walls came into view between the trees. As they rolled up to the gate, David slowed his horse, who was named Beth, according to the farmer, to a halt outside the gate. A guard looked down and exchanged a friendly wave with the driver. "Oy, David! Brought our supplies, and right on time, I see. Who's that there with you?"
"A traveler," David called back, cupping a hand around his mouth to carry his voice. "Nice lad who's headed north. You going to raise this gate so I can pull in? I need an ale to wash all this dust from my throat." He gave a mock cough to accentuate his point.
Avdren laughed and gave the guard a wave. "My name is Avdren. I'm headed over the border to see some family."
"Alright then, that's all I needed." The man turned to someone out of sight and shouted a command to raise the portcullis. The metal bars began to rise up slowly with squeaking protest, and after they were high enough, David drove the wagon through into the courtyard. He pulled over to a doorway on the side of the central garrison building and hopped out to unload. Avdren climbed down as well as a few men exited the doorway and met the farmer behind the wagon. As the men began grabbing the supply sacks to bring them inside, Avdren started helping. It was the least he could do to repay David's kindness. The job went quick, and David was soon able to unhitch Beth from the wagon and take her to the stables.
"What usually happens now?" Avdren watched David checking over Beth and making sure the troughs were full of feed and water.
"Usually, I have a few drinks, eat a hot meal, then find a cot for the night," David replied in a cheerful tone as he found a brush and began to work on getting the dirt and snags untangled from the mare's coat. "It's a good time to learn about what's happening at the border, and the men like hearing about what's happening in the city or surrounding towns like Goldenvale. I'd wager they'll want to talk to you as well, and there's always a spare bed."
"That does sound pleasant. I'll follow your lead then." Avdren reached out with a gentle hand and stroked Beth's neck, her big eye watching him. She knickered as he scratched under her jaw. After a few minutes, David declared her coat clean enough and left her to eat while the two of them headed inside. The scent of cooking meat was heavenly, and Avdren felt himself begin to salivate at the thought of a hot meal. Men not on watch sat around a few tables, chatting and having a few drinks. David led Avdren over to the side of the room to get a serving of stew from the cook who was working the pot before finding a table with room. The two men seated themselves and began to eat voraciously, though David did pause after a moment, looking over at the soldiers around them.
"Well fellas, tell me how boring it's been." David flashed a grin around his mouthful of soup and raised his eyebrows in question to the rest of the table. Avdren continued eating, but listened intently.
"Oh, we can't complain, David. Captain keeps us busy one way or another. Had a few goblins come down from the mountain the other day. Archers got some target practice on a few of the buggers before they'd had enough and ran off. You'd think the little bastards would learn eventually. Can't fight a whole garrison with clubs and shortbows. Daniel did get an arrow in the shoulder, I guess, dunno how he let that happen." The men laughed as a man, who must have been Daniel, raised a middle finger. Avdren chuckled, scooping another mouthful of soup and looking around at all the men.
"How long are you stationed here?" He asked between bites. "Surely they let you return home eventually?"
"Aye, they do. It's a six-month rotation. Another month and our replacements will be here. Its not too bad. Gives me a break from my wife." The man laughed to himself. "I do miss her, though. It will be good to head home." A few of the others nodded. David shook his head.
"I couldn't do it. Leaving for a night to bring these supplies is hard enough. My wife and kids are everything to me." The farmer smiled. "Wouldn't trade them for anything."
Avdren smiled as well, though it faded after a moment, and he quickly hid his discomfort behind another mouthful of soup. From time to time, he found himself wishing for a wife as well, and children. He was reasonably sure he could do a decent job at it, or learn how to anyway. He wouldn't be responsible for passing on the curse, though, so a family was out of the question. One of the soldiers looked over to him, gesturing with his spoon. "So, fella, what are you doing here with David? You don't look like a hired hand."
"I'm not." Avdren smiled and shook his head, setting down his spoon when he realized his bowl was empty. "I'm headed north to see some family in Tharnshire. David found me on the road and was kind enough to give me a lift here."
David nodded before standing up. "I'm off to find an ale. You want one Avdren?"
"No thanks. Would kill for a cigarette though." Stupid of him to crush his last pack in frustration like he did. David shook his head in mock disappointment before heading off to seek a drink. The soldier who had spoken to Avdren reached over and, with a deft movement, produced a pack of smokes and offered it to Avdren.
"Here, have it. I'll trade you what's left in there for news about the city. I can get more, so don't worry about it. I'd also like to hear what you got into to need that eyepatch."
Avdren accepted the gift with a grateful nod. "I can do that. Anything in particular you want to know about the city? As for my eye, I'm afraid that's a rather boring tale. I accidentally walked into a tree branch out behind my house. Damn thing smacked me pretty good and ripped my eyelid. It'll heal up before too much longer, and I can take this itchy piece of fabric off my face." He gave a sheepish grin and shrugged, trying to sell the lie.
Several of the soldiers chuckled good-naturedly, shaking their heads in amusement at his clumsiness. "We just want to know anything exciting that's happened recently. News takes a while to reach us here unless the traders or farmers know something." The man took a sip of his drink as he directed the conversation back to his first question, and all of them looked at Avdren expectantly.
"Well, I heard an envoy from Gilspen came by to visit, but apparently up and vanished a few days ago." Avdren rubbed at his chin. "I don't know much more than that, sadly, I only overheard it from a guard."
One of the soldiers choked on his drink and spluttered a bit, trying to catch his breath. "Really? Gods, that's a pretty big bit of news to just drop out there like that. That's really all you know?"
"I heard some of the city guards were found dead as well. Really strange."
"Boy, I asked for excitement and you didn't disappoint." The men glanced between each other. "I'd say that sort of news definitely earns you that pack of cigarettes." They began talking to each other, eagerly discussing the bit of news. Avdren took the pack of cigarettes and stood just in time to see David heading back towards the table. He gave a wave to the man.
"I'm going outside for a bit, but I'll come find you so you can show me where the beds are."
David nodded his agreement before taking his seat. As Avdren walked away he heard voices being raised as the men began excitedly discussing what they had heard. He opened the door and stepped out into the cool evening air. He fished a cigarette from the pack and stepped over to a torch to light the end of it. He placed it to his lips and took a drag of the familiar flavor, sighing with relief. He hadn't realized just how bad the cravings were until he smelled the tobacco inside the garrison. As he smoked, Avdren walked around the courtyard, eventually heading up to the walls after asking one of the patrolling soldiers if it was alright. Several soldiers dotted the palisades, keeping watch out into the night. The moon had risen and was providing a soft light, but the forest held a lot of shadows.
"Oy, what are you doing up here?" Avdren had wandered over to the north wall and was watching the road when a soldier wandered up, calling out in a gruff and commanding voice.
"Oh, sorry. One of the men down below said it would be alright as long as I didn't get in the way." Avdren shrugged apologetically, before taking another drag on his cigarette.
"Nah, I'm just fuckin' with ya." The man leaned on his spear and looked over the wall. "Don't get many lone travelers through here. Just the occasional caravan. What brings you to our quiet corner of Theonaght?"
"Heading north. Need to cross the border into Tharnshire. Got family I need to go and see." The half lie was getting a bit easier every time he told it. As he spoke, something caught his eye out in the forest, and Avdren leaned forward a bit, staring out. "Hey, did you see something out-"
A blur shot past him out of the darkness and pinged off the stone behind him. There was another whistling sound, and then a crunching, wet gurgle. Avdren watched as the spear clattered to the walkway before the soldier dropped a moment later, an arrow jutting from his throat. Blood poured from the wound as the man reflexively tried to breathe, but choked and coughed instead as his feet kicked. A half second later he was still. "Fuck." Avdren swore and scrambled toward the man, trying to stay below the wall. "Hey! We're under attack!" He yelled out, waving his arms around to draw attention while doing his best to stay below the wall. More arrows zipped past his head, and he swore again, grabbing the fallen spear and trying to move down the walkway. He shouted again, as loud as he could, and heard several return cries as soldiers hurried in his direction.