Revelyn: 1st Chronicles - When the last arrow falls by Chris Ward Read Free Book Online Page B

to defy her parents she had disappeared just after her eighteenth birthday and was not heard of again. There was no news of her until three years before when she sent him word that she had married a cloth merchant, Jycob Menin and was living in Ramos which was the King’s city. Worn out with worry and hurt, her parents disowned her, but Rema had kept up an infrequent communication, sending word perhaps twice a year. He had heard nothing back until she had sent a short letter just recently.  Serenna begged his forgiveness and asked for help. Her husband Jycob had threatened to throw her out on the street and she hinted of beatings and other more sinister things. Of course Rema felt obliged to respond to her call. He knew that no other would.
    He had left Farview and Sylvion on the last full moon. He’d traveled alone; Goodman Cantor his closest friend was unable to leave his work. Goodman was a skilled swordsman and a singer whose reputation had begun to come to the notice of the Council, but he still worked daily in his father’s growing business as a candlemaker; and there was always a demand for the quality wax candles of Cantor.
    Looking back Rema was glad now that he had left Fairview quietly under cover of darkness. He knew he would be traveling into some danger. Any Mighty Mountains man was treated with suspicion in the Lowlands and the situation in Ramos was reported to be highly unstable as King Petros Luminos seemed to be descending into some deeper form of madness; as if he could get any madder. His violent ways and unjust dealings with his subjects had stripped much of the peace from the land he ruled and the Council was concerned that he was turning his eyes to the vast resources of the Central Upthurst which was causing serious concern.
     
    To reach the plains of the Lowlands below Fairview by the quickest route meant taking the large woven basket that was winched down on a thick rope by a huge derrick which was swung out over the great cliff at a point where it was somewhat indented giving some protection from the wind. It was not for the faint hearted, but the rope had only parted once, many years before and then by luck had cost only the life of three prize pigs. The basket could carry five men if required, but three was normal. The rope was made of a specially woven hemp spooled onto a huge wooden wheel which was turned by a pair of work horses walking in endless circles. The two thousand cubit drop was too great to do in one continuous lift, so cut into the rock at five hundred cubit intervals were large chambers in which were replicated all the mechanisms required. There were dwellings and stables and a forge at each stopping point, for horses were needed at every level. Most travelers were grateful for the stops, but the toll was not cheap and only those of reasonable means, or soldiers on Council business could afford to travel in such a manner. Rema had shared the basket with a wool merchant who was traveling to Amrosi to secure a shipment for the next season’s weaving. He was a sullen fellow and Rema wondered why he was traveling at night, but reasoned fairly that the merchant might well have wondered the same of him.
    Rema had traveled by hired cart over rough roads south towards Ramos, skirting the Great Southern Forest. At times he walked alone and slept rough in an isolated haystack. He would shoot a hare and roast it over a simple fire. His unusual bow was not taken seriously by any and south of the Snake River which was more settled, he carried it wrapped in a cloth and strapped to his back with his quiver and arrows. It could have been any number of things, and then it was a common enough sight to see a traveler on the roads carrying a bundle in that manner. Usually he enjoyed this type of overland travel, a chance to meet some interesting people who knew the roads and the mood of the countryside. He could listen and learn with little conversation, but he had found it strange this time. He