Two Paths

originally posted September 12, 2006
map is copyright Markus Harris 1997

In those woods, my brother has a cabin. It is small, but there is a porch. He learned long ago that locking the doors or barring the windows only invited the charge of a shoulder or the throw of a stone. Similarly, what was kept in the cabinets would not likely remain in the cabinets from one visit to the next. For the most part, people respect the sanctity of the dwelling. From time to time, a traveler, most likely an outlaw or a forager of some sort, sometimes a hunter, will enter and sleep upon one of the couches. One knows this from an inspection of the domicile. Footprints in the dust, an unfolded blanket. Evidence of a fire, soot and such, in the hearth.
"Tomorrow morning, I will enter the woods with Tasta and the girl, Sandal," I mentioned. "I have business to take care of."
Mathor simply nodded.
"I will drive your other animals along the Vosk Road, turning onto the Viktel Aria when we reach it."
"We shall meet at pasang marker two hundred. It is due south of here, on the other side of these trees," I said.
"Very well," he replied.
Have I mentioned he is not the most verbose of fellows?
"It should take no more than a few days," I said to him. "You will need the key to the coffle."