2.2
With the harbour town disappearing into a haze behind them the storm was increasing in power. The roar of the wind was earshattering and they had to stop to tie down their goods on the wagons. They wrapped a thick sheet over the crates and strung ropes around the wagons several times. As they started to move again they could feel the wheels of the wagons slip back and forth over the narrow, muddy road. The five of them tried to keep as dry as was possible in the infernal weather but within half an hour there was barely a piece of dry clothing left on them.
- We cannot go on like this Petrus!, one of the men screamed in his ear, we need to find shelter and a change of clothing if we are not to freeze to death!
- The harbour master spoke of a village barely six hours by cart following this road, he answered, we will make it there and stop for rest. Perhaps the weather will be gentler for us after that.
The man looked fairly content with this answer and shrugged in the cold.
Five hours later they still could not see the village but Petrus knew they had to be getting close, it was only the weather and the poor condition of the road that slowed them down. He tried his best to keep morale up by singing songs of fair maidens and rivers flowing with wine. Before his inner eye he could feel the warmth of the wine and the touch of the maidens but there was a sadness in knowing that these things were a far way from where he was now.
Beyond a great field they could finally see the rooftops of several houses huddled up together in a shallow valley, barely protected from the strong winds. As they rode closer they realised that all the windows were barred and the whole place had a deserted feel to it. They braked the carts infront of the largest house and opened the door. Unlocked but heavy to open it revealed a dusty interior, dark and cold but at least dry. By the door they found some wood that they lit up in the old fireplace. Slowly a little warmth spread through the room and they could hang their clothes to dry.
As they lay down to sleep for the night noone noticed the creaking that was barely audible coming from the second floor of the building. And slowly but surely one by one fell into a deep sleep.
- We cannot go on like this Petrus!, one of the men screamed in his ear, we need to find shelter and a change of clothing if we are not to freeze to death!
- The harbour master spoke of a village barely six hours by cart following this road, he answered, we will make it there and stop for rest. Perhaps the weather will be gentler for us after that.
The man looked fairly content with this answer and shrugged in the cold.
Five hours later they still could not see the village but Petrus knew they had to be getting close, it was only the weather and the poor condition of the road that slowed them down. He tried his best to keep morale up by singing songs of fair maidens and rivers flowing with wine. Before his inner eye he could feel the warmth of the wine and the touch of the maidens but there was a sadness in knowing that these things were a far way from where he was now.
Beyond a great field they could finally see the rooftops of several houses huddled up together in a shallow valley, barely protected from the strong winds. As they rode closer they realised that all the windows were barred and the whole place had a deserted feel to it. They braked the carts infront of the largest house and opened the door. Unlocked but heavy to open it revealed a dusty interior, dark and cold but at least dry. By the door they found some wood that they lit up in the old fireplace. Slowly a little warmth spread through the room and they could hang their clothes to dry.
As they lay down to sleep for the night noone noticed the creaking that was barely audible coming from the second floor of the building. And slowly but surely one by one fell into a deep sleep.
posted by the Adventurer at
9:14 AM
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