The Teacher Of The Rombuli

By Eddie Gubbins

Edward Eastland lives in an obscure country of the Parison Empire son of the most powerful man in Alskar Province, Idris Eastland. For over a century, the small nation of the Rombuli has been bowed down under the yoke of the Parison Empire and the Imperial Army,. The Emperor and the Imperial High families are maintained in power by the mysterious group of magicians called the Covenent.
Soon after Edward meets Kitty the daughter of the Imperial Army Commander, the Emperor plans a visit to this distant Province of his Empire. In Alskar Town Square he confronts a Covenenter using his power but has to back down.
Edward is taken to Nimmar the capital of Rombuli and is forced to confront the dichotomy of his hate for the Empire but his love and friendship for some of the Imperial servants?
Follow Edward as he learns more of the secrets of the Rombuli, attempts to confront the Covenent as he learns more of his power and searches for the ancient Teacher of the Rombuli, Nelvask, who has not been seen for over one hundred years.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Eddie Gubbins
• Release date: Oct 8, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301269808

Eddie Gubbins

I left school at sixteen and became a cadet with he Shell Tanker Company. In all, I spent 12 years as a ships officer in the British Merchant navy. That is where my Tales from the Sea posted on www.theoldun.blogspot.com come from. Actually I used to put what happened while I was at sea in some sort of literary context while walking up and down the bridge of ships in the middle of the night. Though it can sound exciting travelling the world’s oceans, at times it can be very boring spendin four hours staring at the sea. I never wrote these stories down at the time just composed them in my head. After leaving the sea, I graduated and became a university lecturer in Transport management. I had my first taste of writing seriously when I published a text book entitled Managing Trandport Operations. While lecturing years if my students appeared to get bored with my what I was teaching them, I kept them awake by relating my experiences while at sea! It was these students who encouraged me to write the stories down and post them on the web. over a number of years I wrote a novel entitled Running after Maria loosely based on aperiod in my life. In this novel I explored the effect of great loss and heartbreak and how the kindness of others can lead to redemption. As a first novel I could not find a publisher though I am thinking of publishing this as an ebook. Since retiring four years ago, I have signed up for Creative Writing classes at the local college. The Tutor ( Debbie Tyler-Bennett) is a poet and makes me write very bad poetry as well as short prose pieces. She has encouraged us to send our writing off to publishers. One of my short stories has been published as the runner up in a competion in an anthology “ islands in mind”. I have written or am in the prossess of writing a fantasy novel called The Return of the Exiles. I can remeber exactrly when the ideas for this started. It was 1972 and my wife had gone to look after her terminally ill mother. She left me with a copy of Lord of the RIngs and an Album Rambling Boy by Tom Paxton. I read Lord of the Rings in a very short time. It occurred to me that this was a genre in which certain ideas could be explored. Over the years i thought about this made notes and wrote isolated incidents in the story. Since starting Creative Writingclasses some of the other participants I have read some of these incidents to the class. they encouraged me to write the whole novel the result of which is The Return of the Exiles which looks as though it is now growing into two books. On my other web site: www.eddiegubbins.blogspot.com I am posting my fantasy novel The Return Of The Exiles a chapter a week. I have published under a grant scheme two novels An Ordinary Life and A Ceremony of innocence. I have for a long time been interested in how people see themselves and justify their actions. An Ordinary Life explores this concept in that the hero thinks he always acts for the best of motives. A Ceremony of Innocence explores the 1980’s and how many people grabbed what they could and hang the consequences. They did not consider how their actions impacted on other people.

Book preview

Book One Of The Rombuli Saga

The Teacher of the Rombuli

Eddie Gubbins

The Teacher Of The Rombuli

Eddie Gubbins

Copyright 2012 by Edmund J Gubbins

Smashwords Edition

Other books by the author:

Running After Maria

Brotherly Love

A Ceremony of Innocence

An Ordinary Life

Chapter One

The violent storms of the night, which had rushed across the river and poured down on the land, had passed by the first faint light of day, rumbling away towards the hills and the mountains to the north and west of the town of Alskar. In the soft misty light of the dawn, the land around the town lay sodden under the pale blue, washed out sky. The scattered clouds, all that remained of the towering black thunderheads of the night before were now lit by the rays of the rising sun, turning their edges to pink. So violent had been the storm and so heavy the downpour, miniature canyons had appeared in the roads and tracks which meandered through the town to the central square and beyond to the river. Caught by dams formed by the debris floating on the rush of water during the height of the storm, muddy puddles spread amongst the potholes in the roads, the last mute testament to the storm's violence. In the still of the morning, the sound of the waters rushing between banks bore witness to the fact that the river was now in full flood. The sound of rushing water was amplified as the river flowed fast and full past the ramshackle quays where the barges tied up to load their cargoes before setting out to Nimmar, the Capital of Rombuli. Even now in the comparative calm of the morning, anybody venturing out could quite clearly see how, during the storm, the streets of the town had bubbled and swished with running water. The thatched and slated roofs of the houses had poured water into gardens, turning many a proud vegetable patch into a brown muddy pool. Sudden gusts of wind had bent and buckled trees, shedding branches, which were just starting to bud in the early spring, across the fields and pastures of the countryside.

While the storm had lasted, most of the people living in Alskar town had crouched in their houses, thanking their Maker they did not have to be outside braving the wind and the rain. Others looked out fearfully at the lightening, believing the Gods were angry and fighting each other for supremacy over the heavens. These people made all the correct gestures to ward off the bad luck which can happen if a person sees the Gods during a thunderstorm. Still others hid under the bedclothes, fearful that the storm portended the change of an age and the end to life as they lived it now. All the people of Alskar shuddered at the sound of the thunder and fearfully waited for the storm to pass hoping that their property would be safe from damage. Animals, trembling in their stalls at each blast, had strained against their restraints, raising their noses to the storm and only became calm once the storm had rumbled away into the mountains.

Edward Eastland came out of his house, rubbing his blue eyes to take away the last vestiges of sleep and pulling his broad shoulders back to ease the slight ache of his back muscles. Of medium height but strong build, he looked around to assess the damage the storm might have caused. As he stood looking around the grounds near his home, he ran his fingers through his dark brown hair as though to keep this in place. The yard of beaten earth and cinders in front of the house had turned to mud during the storm and Edward walked warily across this to the gate from where he could inspect the structures for any wind or weather damage. The buildings enclosed three sides of the yard, the living quarters to the left, a forge where Edward spent his working hours in the centre and the stables and sheds for the animals and equipment to the right. The whole arrangement was single storied except for the loft above the stables and had the appearance of having grown rather unplanned from a much smaller earlier construction. This indeed was what had happened as different generations of Eastlands had added parts to or altered the building left by their ancestors.

A large broad shouldered man dressed in a leather apron waved to Edward as he appeared from round the corner of the stables and walked towards the forge. He stood waiting by the door for Edward to approach.

Good morning, Edward. What a night! I don't suppose you got much sleep what with all that noise. Clare was so scared, I thought she was going to crush me the way she wrapped her arms round me at every loud bang. It was worth it though having her arms about me like that. The man's grin was so wide and suggestive as to leave no doubt in Edward's mind about what he was talking.

Edward grinned back affectionately. Good morning, Chuck. As, unlike you, I do not have anybody to crush me to their breast, I expect I would have slept through the storm but my mother and Morag made so much noise going out just as the storm got going, they woke me up. I even had to get out of bed because Morag left the door banging, she was in so much of a hurry. At least your wife doesn't rush off in the middle of the night to help her mother deliver babies or attend the sick. Still, what they went out for last night was a bit special. It was Matt's wife having the baby.

Edward had known Chuck for as long as he could remember. Chuck was the son of the man who had helped Edward's father in the forge before Chuck's father had retired. As they grew up, though Chuck was an older boy, they played together along with Matt, the son of one of Edward's father's wagoners. Later, Chuck had taken training as a blacksmith and started to assist his father in the forge and had stopped playing with Edward. Then, on Edward's sixteenth birthday, his father had told Edward that he was finished with play and must give up exploring the surrounding countryside with his friend Matt. From this time, Edward would have to learn the blacksmith's trade from his father and Matt was to go into the warehouse as a packer and loader. Actually, having spent some time during his boyhood observing what went on in the forge and then experimenting in the evenings when all the other men had gone home, Edward had already gained some of the joy of working metal so his entry into the forge was not too much of a wrench.

During the time when he was learning the trade, mending ploughs and other farming implements, something happened which had always puzzled Edward. The Rombuli were forbidden by the Imperial edict to make or carry weapons, Imperial soldiers and administrators making sure the law was obeyed. Only at the time of the Gathering were the Rombuli permitted to carry long bows and swords openly. Even the carrying of knives was looked upon with suspicion by the Imperial troops and only relatively small innocent knives were allowed. All this was especially true whenever the Rombuli gathered in large numbers except at the time of the Gathering and then only at the Field of Deliverance. Being forbidden to carry weapons, it was only natural that the making of weapons by Rombuli craftsmen should also be banned.

Whilst Edward openly learnt his trade by day, in the evenings or late at night after all the others had gone home, his father, Idris Eastland, would come down to the forge and teach Edward the skill involved with making swords, daggers and lances, the weapons of war. We must be prepared in case one day we will need this skill, his father had told Edward quietly. During these sessions alone in the forge late at night, Idris taught Edward to get the balance right, how to make sure the edge was keen and how to apply decorations to the handles. Before his training was over, Edward had a collection of hand made weapons which he could only store away from hidden eyes and get out to look at during a night when he was alone. His father continually warned him about letting the Imperial garrison know about his skill but Edward had no dealings with the Imperial officials so there was little chance of his skill being noticed. All dealings with the Imperial officials involving the forge and the trading business were undertaken by his father.

Whenever duties and work permitted, Idris and his son would go hunting together in the woods around Alskar. It was during these trips, Edward learnt to use the long bow so beloved of the Rombuli people in the legends told by father to son. It was not long before Edward's father noticed that Edward was even more proficient with a bow than Idris, who had been national champion in his younger days. On top of this, although Idris had become an extremely busy man, he had managed to teach Edward about the Rombuli people, about their history, about their customs and religion and about how they as a people had fallen into the hands of the Empire.

As he stood talking to Chuck outside the forge, Edward looked up the road leading passed the home buildings to the warehouses next door. He smiled at the memory of his father getting angry at the idea that the trade and wealth of the Rombuli were controlled by some other nation and not the Rombuli people. Idris had ground his teeth at the idea of the Imperial administrators looking on the Rombuli as provincial, dull and rather slow. As Edward grew in those early years, he understood how determined his father was to beat the Imperial merchants at their own game. At first, Idris fought the authorities without success but each set back made him even more determined to get what he wanted. All he wanted, he said innocently whenever he got the chance to visit the Fort to put his case, was to build a few warehouses on land he owned next door to the forge.

All I want, he would declare, is a chance to carry out some local trading. I don't want to travel outside the area in which the Rombuli are free.

In Edward's early years, the tension this fight brought to his home was reflected in the times of set backs and the way in which his mother tried to keep things calm until she would finally explode. What got to Heather, Edward's mother, was not the arguing with the officials from the Imperial Government but with the Alskar council as well.

These are our people and we must keep them on our side, she had told her husband.

Many of the Rombuli living under the power of the Empire and control of the Imperial Army, were scared that what Idris was doing would bring Imperial sanctions down on their heads. These good citizens were content to keep the traditions of the Rombuli alive in the privacy of their homes. On the holidays, when the Rombuli gathered especially at the Gathering in the autumn, they sang the Rombuli songs as loud as anybody else. Most of the time they wanted to let their patriotism fade into the background and to have the Imperial Army leave them alone. Idris Eastland was not like that. Oh no, Idris Eastland was not like that.

He wanted the Rombuli to have control over their every day lives. He told everybody, including the Imperial administrators who stopped him building his warehouse, that the Rombuli were a proud nation and they could look after their own affairs while still paying Imperial taxes and obeying Imperial laws. Edward was about ten years old when his father finally won. It was a glorious day, even rivalling the day Edward was officially made a man at the Gathering after his sixteenth birthday. Idris Eastland built his warehouse and from that day ceased to be Idris Eastland blacksmith, but became Idris Eastland merchant. He took on other blacksmiths, added a coach and wagon repair shed and business boomed. Now, Idris Eastland had a reputation for honest dealing and would do business with everybody in Rombuli, even the Imperial Army.

After assessing the damage caused by the storm, Chuck and Edward banked up the fires in the forge ready for the day’s work. Briefly, they consulted the list of jobs for the day’s work and agreed on a schedule. That done, they parted to go back to their homes for breakfast.

Edward found his father in the kitchen alone. Are mother and Morag still at Matt's house?

Idris smiled. Yes. Your mother went out early last evening and Morag later. I hope everything is all right because they have not sent word to me yet.

For as long as Edward could remember, his mother, Heather, had assumed a position of helper in need to the women of Alskar. Heather had had two children and then been told she would not have any more. There after she helped tend the sick, bound up wounds, looked after children while their mothers were ill, delivered babies and generally lent a helping hand and a sympathetic ear. Nothing seemed too much trouble and Idris, bound up as he was in building his business, looked on in amused bewilderment as their maid ran his house. At times there were under currents of resentment from the villagers because Heather helped not only Rombuli but travellers and even the Imperial Army. To her a sick person was a sick person and she did not ask questions of how they became sick or where they came from. She tried to heal anybody who asked for her help.

Morag was two years younger than Edward but she had made plain to her father that she was not interested in either marriage at an early age or helping with the business. Morag set out to help her mother tend the needs of the district. There was a difference between Morag and her mother, which soon became apparent to many people. Morag could relieve pain, sickness and mend wounds like nobody else. Edward was not too sure how she did what she did and anyway was too involved with learning his trade to think too deeply about Morag. She was only his younger sister anyway. He had seen her when an accident had happened in the forge or warehouse, run her fingers over the patient and pinpoint exactly what was wrong. It was as though some secret power flowed through her fingertips and gave her a mental picture of what was wrong and where. She could tell her mother how to straighten a broken leg so that it would set properly or even whether a bone was setting right after it had been bound in a splint. On the few times Edward asked her about her ability, she smiled mysteriously and said her Maker guided her mind. Edward was rather sceptical about this but he had to acknowledge whatever it was, it worked.

As Edward was leaving his father's house to start work on Mr. Bailey's plough, Matt strode into the yard from the village. Hello, Edward! Matt called, a big grin lighting up his face, making the bent nose, broken in some fight years before, even more prominent.

Well? was all Edward needed to ask his oldest friend.

It is a girl! Matt said, his grin getting even more broad. She is so small and delicate, I can hardly believe she is mine.

Edward looked his friend up and down, noting the broad shoulders, the broken nose set in a round rather flat face and how much taller Matt was than he. With a grin, Edward slapped him on the shoulder and replied. I hope she takes after Polly, your wife, because I would hate to meet a girl who looks like you! Congratulations!

Matt made a threatening gesture and then grabbed his friend’s hand. Thank you Edward. You must come and have a drink with me tonight. I must get going or your Dad will give me the worst job he can find for being late. Oh, Morag asked me to tell you she will be home for lunch.

I'll tell Mrs. Miller when I see her, Edward called as he went into the forge. Before starting work he sent Jeb his assistant to let his father know what was happening with Heather and Morag.

Edward, Chuck and Jeb were putting the finishing touches to Bailey's plough when a group of soldiers rode into the yard. They had obviously been riding hard because their uniforms were splattered with mud and the horse’s breath steamed in the cool spring air. The leader wore a uniform that was of expensive cloth and his horse was big, black and well cared for. He was about Edward’s age, fresh faced and clean shaven. Even to Edward, the horse appeared well trained because it stopped instantly on entering the yard while the escorting soldiers fanned out to guard the road and the entrance. Edward, looking at the leader from the shadow of the forge, thought he was no ordinary soldier, though Edward did not have too much experience with which to judge the position in the hierarchy of the army of any soldier.

Who is in charge here! the soldier ordered, more of a command than a question. He sat his horse as though he considered the task he had been asked to perform beneath his dignity and getting off his horse would make him dirty his boots.

Edward looked from Chuck to Jeb and back. They both grinned and shrugged, hidden as they were from the soldiers by the plough they were working on at the time.

I suppose I am, Edward replied hardly pausing in his work and only glancing at the soldier. Edward Eastland.

The soldier looked at Edward with the contempt of an Imperial Army Officer from Parison, the capital city of the Empire, for the Rombuli people. There was no doubting his feelings of utter superiority and his distaste at having to be at the forge speaking to a local peasant.

You must come with me! he ordered Edward in a loud voice but he did not dismount from his horse. Bring your two work mates and load a wagon with your tools. There can be no argument.

Edward was left in little doubt that the order was to be obeyed without question because the tone in which it was issued smacked of the parade ground and instant obedience. Though Jeb and Chuck stopped what they were doing, Edward carried on working.

I am sorry but we have to finish this plough for Mr. Bailey. He wants it back this evening so that he can start ploughing his fields tomorrow. Unfortunately, we were a bit late in starting this job because the job we were doing before this one ran into complications. When we have finished this plough, we will come. All you have to do is tell us where you want us to go and what sort of job it is you want us to do. We have to know that so that we can make sure we bring the right tools. It would be a waste of time if we had to come back here because we had forgotten something. We will be there as soon as possible. Now please leave us to get on with this job or we will never get out to you.

For some reason, the way Edward treated him made the soldier very angry. Drawing his sword, he jumped from his horse and came into the forge. Jeb and Chuck stopped their work on the plough and backed away. Edward stood his ground and noted out of the corner of his eye that Chuck and Jeb still held their hammers in their hands. The other soldiers had also dismounted and were walking menacingly towards the forge. Striding round the plough, the Undermaster, Edward now recognised the uniform, came close to Edward and placed the point of his sword against Edward's throat. Edward stared into the Undermaster's eyes and gripped his hammer harder, calculating whether he would be able to wield his hammer into the Undermaster's groin before the sword was pushed through his throat. Dispassionately Edward calculated that it would be touch and go but thought he might be able to get away without too much injury.

‘ What am I thinking about,’ Edward then thought. ‘ The soldier is a trained killer and I have never hit anybody in my life.’

Stop what you are doing when I talk to you, the Undermaster rasped through tight lips and grinding teeth, his face red and angry. I am an officer in the Imperial Army and an aide to Imperial Grandmaster Borovic, Imperial Army Commander of Rombuli and Sandaria. When I give orders, they come directly from him and must be obeyed. This means you as well as the army. Indeed this especially means the scum of the Rombuli peasants like you. When you address me, stand up straight and call me sir.

Edward slowly straightened his back and wiped his hands on a cloth but noted that the sword never left his throat.

" Father, we have trouble in the forge. " He projected his thoughts towards his father’s office.

When he was standing upright, he faced the soldier squarely and looked him unwaveringly in the eyes. Slowly Edward raised his hand and pushed the sword point from his throat. For a moment the soldier’s knuckles tightened on the sword and then he let the blade drop until it was level with Edward's stomach. This gesture made Edward's flesh crawl even more as he felt the sword point close to his middle

Trying to sound calm and in control of his nerves, Edward said quietly, There is no need to threaten me with your sword especially here in my own work shop. You are in the free part of Rombuli at the moment and I do not have to bow down to your every whim without you giving me a reason. All I want to do is finish the job in hand for a client who has been promised this plough today. Once we have finished this job, we will come and help you.

For a moment the Undermaster looked into Edward's eyes, his sword point twitching close to Edward's body. Then he shouted for his horse before threatening Edward one last time. You will come to regret the way you have treated me this morning. I will now go back to Imperial Grandmaster Borovic and get an order to close down your business. I will return with a troop of soldiers to make sure the order is carried out personally.

As he turned to leave, sheathing his sword as he moved away, he was brought up sharply by the sight of Idris standing silently in the door listening to the Undermaster and his son. Edward sighed and thanked his Maker that his father had received the mental message he had sent.

What is the trouble, Undermaster? Idris asked, stepping away from the door and in front of the Undermaster. I am Idris Eastland, the owner of this establishment. How may we help you?

His tone was conciliatory but there was no mistaking the hard edge to his words. For the first time since he had arrived, doubt entered the mind of the Undermaster.

Your employee here disobeyed the commands I gave him, the Undermaster almost shouted as though the very thought of anybody, not least a Rombuli, disobeying any of his commands was beyond belief. I gave him an order in the name of the supreme commander of the Imperial Army in Rombuli and Sandaria, Imperial Grandmaster Borovic.

It is not an employee but my son actually, Idris remarked, his tone reasonable but again there was no mistaking the hard edge to his words. I will ignore for a moment your threat to close my business down. Just sufficient to say I have a document signed personally by Imperial Grandmaster Borovic giving me authorisation to run my business. Now, what is it you want my son to do?

As a member of the Imperial Grandmaster's staff, I do not have to justify my orders to the likes of you, the Undermaster snapped. I have the authority and the power to have people flogged and transported to some other part of the Empire for their showing such gross disrespect for my rank. I am a Parison noble and he is only a Rombuli peasant.

Idris actually laughed and shook his head. If you have them flogged and transported they are going to be in no position to help you or the Imperial Grandmaster are they? Instead of climbing onto your dignity and showing us what a superior being you are, why don't you calm down and allow us to discuss your problem like civilised men. Of course, you may have problems with relating us to civilisation but we may be able to understand what you want and then suggest ways to help you.

For an instant Edward thought the soldier was going to strike his father. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Chuck moving forward his hammer cocked as though he was ready to strike. The escort had drawn their swords and Jeb had moved round the forge until he stood in the door ready to confront the soldiers as they came into the forge. The Undermaster stood stiffly erect, his hand on his sword. The tension in the forge could almost be felt as though an electric storm was coating everything in a blue haze of static electricity.

" You hold Jeb and Chuck back there Edward and let me deal with this! " Idris ordered.

Edward waved his hand slightly at Jeb and Chuck, who put their tools by their sides and stepped back into the shadows.

With an effort of will which caused the breath to wheeze from his lungs, the Undermaster took his hand away from his sword and waved the other soldiers back to their horses.

When the Undermaster spoke his voice was calm showing that he had his emotions under control. You are right, Eastland. This confrontation is getting us nowhere. I am Undermaster Cannoc, aide to Imperial Grandmaster Borovic. We are on our way from Nimmar to Alskar on Imperial business, he paused but then continued when he realised his pompous outburst had no effect on his audience. We were about two miles from the bridge over the Alskar River when one of the carriage horses lost it's footing causing the carriage to roll into a ditch. One of the carriage wheels is broken and all the baggage spilled into the ditch. There maybe more damage to the carriage but we could not move it to inspect the underside. I was sent here by the Imperial Grandmaster to get help. He specifically told me to contact you because he assured me you would send help without question.

Idris smiled broadly. That is much better, he said, his smile taking all the tension out of the situation.

Turning to Edward, Idris said. Right Edward. Load the wagon with the necessary equipment and take Chuck with you. When you get to the place where the carriage has been damaged, see what you can do to help these good people. Don't make that face, just do as I ask without any argument. I will help Jeb finish Bailey's plough and get it back to him by tonight. Oh, was there anybody hurt, Undermaster?

One of the soldiers who was driving the carriage has a broken leg but other than that there were only a few bruises, Cannoc replied in a tone that gave the impression that as it was only one of the soldiers, it was not important. We will deal with him once we get him back to the Fort.

I'll get my daughter Morag to bring out the trap as soon as she can. She is good at setting broken bones so she can help with the soldier when she gets there. If necessary she can bring him back here. When you get back to the place where the carriage came off the road, give my greetings to Imperial Grandmaster Borovic. Tell him I offer the sparse comforts of my home and lunch. He will be able to clean up and make sure everything is in order before going on to the fort. Idris patted Cannoc's shoulder much to the soldier’s obvious embarrassment. Come in to my house and have a drink while you wait for Edward to load the wagon.

Before Edward left the forge to help the Imperial Grandmaster, his father drew him aside out of hearing of Cannoc. Be careful while you are doing this job Edward, his father told him his face very serious.

Edward had to suppress a desire to laugh at his father’s expression. It is only a routine job, father. Chuck and I have done these jobs hundreds of times.

Idris still looked serious. That is what worries me. For the life of me I cannot figure out why the Imperial Army has to call on the services of a provincial blacksmith for help. They have all the resources they need to get that wagon back on the road. Think Edward! They have all those soldiers and back up staff like blacksmiths at the fort, therefore do not really need you and Chuck.

Maybe the part of the Army which deals with accidents like this are in another part of the province. Edward remarked with a shrug.

Each unit of their Army, even the guard for Imperial Grandmaster Borovic, are trained to look after themselves in enemy territory, Idris stated emphatically shaking his head. No, there is some other motive behind this request. Maybe they are testing us in some way, trying to judge whether we are operating outside our licence. It could be a plan they have for the future. I wish I knew what they were up to. Never mind, there is nothing we can do about it now, so there is not much point in worrying. There will be something the Imperial Grandmaster has in mind so you be careful. Don't show them any more of your skills than you have to. Remember you are only a small time blacksmith whose main job is repairing farm machinery. Make sure you do not let any hint of your other talents slip out while you are there. Go on but please be careful.

It did not take long for Chuck and Edward to collect the equipment they needed from the forge and load this onto the wagon. Indeed, this was something that often happened and they had a mental checklist that they used before setting out on such a job. As soon as Edward and Chuck were ready, Cannoc told his escort to mount and led the way out of the yard.

As they approached the bridge over the river, Edward felt his stomach go tight. It was not only the hostile stares of the local people at his wagon being escorted by Imperial Soldiers or worry about what he would find when he got to the crash site. Even the worried warnings of his father were not the cause of his distress. No it was something much more fundamental. All his life Edward had looked upon the land across the bridge as alien territory. His father had drummed into him