Lunch at Lincoln Cities

 

“You don't think he could've been waylaid by robbers before this point? We know the roads and field-groves are dangerous.”

“Not a chance,” Ayleah replied, “Telon is one of the most powerful scholars I've met. He's more than capable of dealing with highwaymen.”

They were stopped at a sunny park by the side of the road. Around them sprouted the buildings of the Lincoln Cities; a small populated region in the open river valley. Leb had agreed to accompany her this far at least, since he had his own business in the larger settlements. He said he could not come with her on her trip into the mountains, but that ranging parties often left from the Lincoln Cities, and one of them would be happy to take her on. Near the roadside park was also an enclosed marketplace that served as a way-station and provider of supplies for the rural settlements uphill. In addition to the hermit village of Battell and the high-elevation settlements, numerous spiritual communities called the slopes of the Lincoln Mountain home. As the two sat eating lunch, they observed evidence of all this in the happy bustle of the cities and the streets.

Their talk turned from the dangers of the road to more esoteric threats. Leb was concerned about the possible presence of dark cultists in the area. He agreed with the others that Ayleah should leave for Battell as soon as possible, and would probably even be safer amongst a trustworthy party in the wild forest. Ayleah was ever the more eager to find Telon's whereabouts, though she had private worries about joining some strange supply caravan. She wished Niisi could have come along.

Ayleah could see the care Niisi had for her in her eyes and the way she carefully packed items in Ayleah's bag. She had prepared some protective wards according to the teachings of her family, including herbs and mineral substances that would help Ayleah hide from evil sight and open easy paths before her. She had also packed medicines and healing salves for the journey, should the protection charms not be sufficient. They had shared only a moment's bittersweetness before Ayleah left. Niisi had her own concerns to tend to, and now had to be more vigilant in case there were nefarious forces about.

Ayleah realized her mind had wandered from the present conversation with Leb, and she drew him back into focus. They had finished their lunch and were relaxing on an open green space. While they had been eating, one of the expedition parties was preparing transports in the wide sunny field. Like some of the trucks she had been in at home, these were designed for rugged rural trails. Their repulsars had extra friction power for use on steep angles of rock and the sides of the vehicle were often tall and armored also, with the driver sitting higher than normal for a better command of the terrain. Each one carried a load of supplies, tied down in packs that balanced the weight as evenly as possible.

Leb indicated that she might join this group, as they seemed to be planning to leave at a good time for her purposes. Ayleah had not expressed her uncertainty of strangers to Leb, and said nothing. She looked at the group making preparations across the green, studying the air of comradery between them.

It was a short while later, and Leb was considering a nap on the grass. Ayleah looked up from her journal to see a captain from the expedition party striding towards them. She nudged Leb, who opened his eyes and gazed curiously at the approaching young man.

“Old friends and new! How fitting it is to see you two here at this moment!” Jaen was dressed for his trip to the mountain, regaled in the trappings of a wilderness commander. He actually looked quite dashing, Ayleah thought, with his high boots, close-fitting utility straps, and gleaming metallic helm. The helm had a very short brim and a golden crest that told of his position in the crew, and he had an upright manner to his posture that told of a newfound confidence somewhere within.

“Here I am, readying my crew to ascend the hills, and I find some of my favorite people to send me off!” Leb greeted his friend, and they told of Ayleah's trouble at the Eagle Bend marketplace. Jaen had heard rumor of nefarious folk around, and this confirmed all his suspicions. Upon hearing the full nature of her story, he immediately entreated Ayleah to come with his party.

“Guarantee there's no place you'll be safer than with my band over there! We're bound for the Lincoln Peak, which is by way of the Battell communities, so we can show you the way. We're taking supplies, but a good number of our company are also skilled fighters and rangers, so should any trouble come to find us on the road you can be sure we'll quickly send it on its way. Come with us Ayleah, it will make both our journeys so much better and besides,” he added, “why go into the unknown with some pack of strange rangers when you could go with a friend?”

They left later that afternoon for the Hill of the Elders at the edge of the cities. The next day the party turned toward the mountain and began to climb.