Page 24 of Quest of Fools

"Looks like there's a good spot to rest up ahead," Viletti shouted over the pounding rain.

Warf glanced at her, then followed her gaze to where the trees grew denser, shoulders slumping in relief that they could stop for a bit.

When they reached the trees several minutes later, he dismounted the horse he was still learning to properly ride, legs protesting fiercely as he shuffled off to relieve himself.Back at the horses, Viletti was pulling out foodstuffs, dried rations that could be eaten while they stood there taking a break from getting ruthlessly soaked."I hope it's not like this the entire journey," he said with a sigh, and shoved another piece of jerky in his mouth.It had more flavor than he was used to from jerky, was almost soft instead of jaw-aching tough.Cut with cheese, bread, and some dried fruit, it was a better meal than he often got.

"It'll ease up tonight or early tomorrow, Viletti said, finishing off the last of her own food."If it doesn't, hope you either know how to swim or are a quick learner."

Warf laughed."I don't think it matters; at my size, you sink like a stone no matter what."

Viletti grinned at him."Fair enough.We'll find a tree that floats."

She mounted up, and with a sigh, Warf followed suit, riding alongside her out of the relatively dry safety of the trees and onward down the road.Thunder rolled above them, lightning cracking across the clouds and occasionally striking the ground—thankfully nowhere close to them, though still near enough to seize in his chest whenever it happened.

Warf stifled a groan as they came to a hill that was much steeper up close than it had appeared at a distance.It was going to be like wading against the current in a muddy brook.He said nothing, though, only let Viletti take the lead and tried to imitate what she did, though his skill with a horse was leagues behind her.

It took what felt like hours, but couldn't have been more than half an hour or so.Time was impossible to tell with skies so cloud-laden that afternoon looked like late evening.At the top, they dismounted and gave the horses some time to rest.Warf swept his gaze over the valley below—and froze as he saw something out of place."What is that?"He pointed as Viletti looked at him."There, past that scrub.It almost looks like a carriage."

"An accident, come on," Viletti said, swinging back into the saddle and racing off.Warf scrambled to catch up, not nearly as confident about sending a horse to full tilt in the miserable weather but having little choice in the matter.

His heart dropped into his stomach as they reached the carriage.Heknewthat carriage.That crest.Throwing himself off the horse, Warf raced to it, bellowing, "Marian!Marian!"

The carriage had two broken wheels.Likely one had snapped, destabilizing the carriage, and then with the stress, the second wheel had snapped, causing it to collapse completely.Warf yanked open the nearest door, nearly pulling it right off the hinges, and looked inside.

Nothing.No one was here.

A short, pained cry broke through the downpour, and Warf jerked back, looking around frantically.

There.Down the road a bit.Warf ran, water and mud flying, and slid down into the ditch to the figure half-covered in water, like they'd fallen and been unable to get back up.

He froze.Like the carriage, the man was familiar."You— You're the one who offered me money.What happened?"Warf shook his head before the man could reply."Nevermind.Later.Will you be all right if I pick you up?"

"Couldn't get worse," the man said, the words only barely audible.His skin was ashen, and there was blood on his lips.To judge by the way his arm lay, it had been broken rather severely.It was a fucking miracle of the Fates that he was still alive.

"Brace yourself," Warf said.Moving as gently as he could, he got his arms beneath the man and heaved him up out of the water, grunting as he slowly and carefully climbed back out of the ditch.As Viletti came racing up, he said, "He needs a healer."

"Nearest village is about an hour away in this weather.We'll put him on my horse."

The man whimpered, and now that he was out of the water, Warf could see it wasn't just his arm that was injured.His leg had a nasty gash in it, like something had sliced it right open.Given the weather, the state of the carriage, it could have been branch or carriage part or even an animal.That explained why he'd been unable to get back out of the ditch, for certain.

Why he'd clearly been left to die was another question that would have to be answered later.

"I don't think he'll be able to stay up, not with that leg and the broken arm," Warf said."Lead the way, I'll carry him."

"Carry him,"Viletti said."He must weigh—"

"Far less, even soaking wet and covered in mud, than the sacks and barrels and crates I moved most of my life.Time is wasting, so please, let's get moving."

Viletti gave him a look that said she wasn't remotely convinced by his words, but she gathered the reins of the horses and led the way.Thankfully, as they walked the rain steadily lessened, until it was little more than a hard drizzle as the village came into view.

Village was perhaps generous, but it was people, and people meant help and food and shelter.

Racing ahead, Viletti vanished from sight.Thankfully, by the time Warf reached the center of the village, she returned with four men trailing her.In short order they were in a small house in front of a large, roaring fire.

Warf laid the man on the bedroll a woman indicated to him, though where she'd come from and when he hadn't the slightest.Then he was shuffled out of the way as another woman came bustling up, and one of the men motioned him to a room off the back of the house, some sort of lean-to, where he was able to wash up and dry off.

The man who'd guided him returned, bundles of fabric in his arms."You're a big'un, so we ain't got much for your size, but these should get you by until your clothes can be cleaned and dried.Name's Rom."

"Warf, and I'm grateful," Warf replied, taking the clothes and pulling them on.They were just a bit snug, but clean and warm, which was all that really mattered."Thank you."

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