Chapter 37
A small party of rough looking men waited on the road for Sid to arrive. They had seen him and the five people who were traveling with him from a distance and had ridden hard to intercept him. Their horses shifted nervously as they waited. The oldest among them sat astride his horse wearing a frown on his face as he watched the group approach. The person he was waiting for wasn't with them.
Sid rode up and looked at the men waiting for him. They did not look entirely happy to see him. Fred looked at the men with concern and wondered why they were there. Smiling at the oldest man of the group, Sid said, "Hello Gustov."
"Hello, Sid. Where's my son?" Gustov asked in a gruff voice.
"Lord Olaf is taking care of the King's business," Sid answered with a smile.
The news surprised the men; none of them more so than Gustov. He looked around at his companions for a second before he asked, "Lord Olaf? My son is a Lord?"
"He's a Lord. Appleton is his holding," Sid answered.
"Appleton? Are you telling me that my son is Lord over a bunch of apple farmers?" Gustov asked in disgust. He had raised his son to be a cattleman, not to grub in the dirt like those farmers. He wasn't too upset. After all, his son was a Lord even if it was over a bunch of apple farmers.
"Yes. It was the only Holding that would give him time for his other duties," Sid said chuckling at the man's reaction.
"What other duties?" Gustov asked raising an eyebrow.
"He serves the King as Minister of Agriculture," Sid answered.
"And just who is this King?" Gustov asked watching Sid with a twinkle in his eye.
"Me," Sid answered with a grin.
Gustov laughed and said, "It's just as well that you decided to keep him. I imagine after all of his adventures that he wouldn't want to be a cattleman anymore. He'd have been bored following behind these stupid beasts all day long. I guess being Minister of Agriculture isn't all that bad."
"Olaf was one of my most trusted advisors on the campaign. I know he's going to do a good job. You raised him well," Sid said.
"Thank you," Gustov said. He sat up a little straighter in his saddle thinking that his son was a Lord of a Holding and a Minister to the King. He nodded his head thinking that it wasn't a bad accomplishment for a boy raised following cattle around. He said, "Would you come to my house and tell me about his exploits?"
Four women chimed up as one, "We can't!"
Sid turned and looked at the four Damsels. He doubted that he would survive taking Gustov up on his offer. Grinning, he turned back to Gustov and said, "The women have spoken. I fear that I can not accept your offer. I would risk my life if I did."
Gustov's laugh reminded Sid of Olaf's laugh. Gustov said, "It is right and good for a man to fear a woman. Why do you think I stay out here and watch cattle all day rather than stay at home with the wife?"
Chuckling, Fred said, "I can tell where Olaf got his brains."
Fred's comment earned him a light slap on the shoulder from Milly. Gustov watched the interaction between Fred and Milly. He hadn't been introduced to the rest of the party, but it sounded like they knew Olaf and liked him.
Sid laughed. "Why don't you ride with us? I'll tell you about Olaf and the overly productive chickens."
"Chickens?" Gustov asked shaking his head. He turned to the men with him and said, "Why don't you guys get back to the herd? I have to hear about how my son turned into a degenerate and took up with chickens."
Fred laughed at the characterization of Olaf. The men rode off to take care of the cattle. Once the men had left, Sid performed the introductions.
For the next few hours, Sid regaled Gustov with stories about Olaf's adventures. He told of overly productive chickens, herds that got fat while being driven across the country, and slightly twisted ideas. Gustov laughed through most of the tales. Each tale was exactly what he expected of Olaf. It was obvious to him that Sid and Olaf had become good friends over the course of the campaign. It warmed his heart that Olaf had acted with honor and accepted responsibility with a good nature.
Chuck sat behind the counter watching the afternoon crowd trickle into his place. He sighed and poured the pitchers of watered wine before his customers even ordered them. He knew his customers and, even more importantly, knew what they liked to drink. The men came to the counter dropping off their coins and taking the pitchers with them to their tables. He shifted on his seat and watched the crowd.
One of the regulars came in and asked, "So have you heard anything about your son?"
"Barson has a holding and is now a Lord," Chuck answered with more than a little pride. He'd sent his son out to experience the world. Now it was time for the world to experience his son.
"That's great news," the man answered.
Chuck held up a letter that he had received that morning and said, "I've got a letter here where he tells me all about it."
The news created a minor uproar in the bar. Men gathered in front of the bar counter and asked to hear it. Smiling, Chuck made a production of unfolding the letter. Holding it a good distance away, he read the letter aloud.
Dear Father,
General Sid has won the final battle against the slavers. At long last the war is over except for some minor cleanup operations. By right of conquest, Sid is now a King and rules over a vast area of land. I think that he must be the most powerful man in all of Chaos. Next time you see him, you will have to bow and say, 'My Liege.'
I had plans on coming home, but King Sid had other ideas. He gave me a holding. I am now a Lord and rule over Weavertown. As you know, I have been staying there a lot while performing my duties. It is a nice enough place and I had thought of returning to it one day. You would like it and I'm pleased that King Sid though well enough of me to give me ownership of that Holding.
I will not be returning home in the near future. King Sid has also made me the Minister of Finance. Can you imagine that? You son is in charge of the finances for an entire kingdom. I don't know why he chose me, but I swear that I will carry out this duty with the kind of honor that you taught me. I will do you proud.
The messenger is about to leave and I must end the letter now. I'll return home to see you as soon as possible. I won't require you to bow and call me 'Lord.'
Your son,
Barson
The crowd in the bar had laughed at the last line and then started teasing Chuck about having to call his son Lord Barson. Chuck took the teasing with good humor knowing that with the jokes came more orders for watered wine.
The room became quiet when the door opened and Sid entered. One of the men, falling to a knee said, "King Sid!"
The rest of the room fell to one knee leaving Sid and his party standing. Chuck looked down at his peg leg and decided that it was too much work to kneel. Sid looked around the room and said, "Get up. Drink your wine and have some fun. Don't mind me."
Chuck waved to Sid and said, "King Sid, I had just finished reading a letter that came from Barson."
"That's Lord Barson to you," one of the men called out. A ripple of laughter crossed the room. Every man in there would have given anything to have a son who became a Lord.
While Fred escorted the ladies to the table, Sid walked over to the bar counter and said, "So you've heard the news."
"Yes," Chuck said. He turned to a young man who was working in the storeroom and said, "Take over the counter for me, Danny."
The young man, about thirteen years old, said, "Yes, sir."
Laura glared at where Sid was standing and muttered, "Come on, Sid. The bank is only two streets over. We can be there in five minutes."
"Have a little patience. That is Barson's father," Fred said.
"As much as I love Barson, I'd love to be back at Crossroads even more," Alice said crossly.
"Hush," Fred said getting a little irritated at the women. He liked Barson. He felt it was only proper that Sid spend a little time with his father to fill him in on the news. Barson's father deserved to know how well Barson had comported himself on the campaign.
"Don't get upset, dear," Milly said putting a hand on his arm to calm him down. She said, "They have needs that only Sid can satisfy."
Relaxing a little Fred nodded his head. He watched Sid and Chuck leave the public room to talk. He said, "Sorry. I'm just a little bothered that Sid thinks he can leave me behind."
Milly nodded her head in understanding. She loved him and wanted him to stay with her, but she wouldn't be able to respect him if he didn't try to follow Sid. She said, "You are his sworn man and have a duty to perform."
Inside Chuck's office, Sid waited for Chuck to take a seat. The wooden leg seemed to be bothering the older man and he sighed when he settled into his chair. Looking over at Sid, Chuck said, "Gerald would be proud of you."
"Thank you. That means a lot coming from one of the two men that my Uncle trusted most on Chaos," Sid said.
"Why do you say that? I'm only a lowly bartender in a little town," Chuck asked gesturing to the little office in which they were seated.
"He left his most valuable possessions with you. That tells me that he trusted you a lot," Sid answered. "I have the same level of trust in your son."
"That makes me feel good," Chuck said.
"I guess you heard the news about Bixby," Sid said.
"Yes, I was sad to hear of his passing. He was my best friend," Chuck said.
"And you watched his back," Sid said.
"Yes, I did. After our last campaign together, your uncle talked to Bixby and me about his Citadel. He asked me to rule over it while he was gone, but I refused knowing that Bixby was the better choice. I think your uncle knew that as well, but he gave me the chance to turn it down before offering it to Bixby. I figured that our business was done, but your uncle talked me into opening this bar and serving as Bixby's rear guard. It was a good offer for a man with one leg and I knew it," Chuck said.
"My uncle always came to you before he went to the Citadel," Sid said.
"That's right. Only a handful of people ever realized that," Chuck said. He wondered how Sid had managed to figure it out.
"I'd like it if you would continue to serve in that capacity," Sid said looking the older man in the eye. He said, "I'm sure that you'd like to join Barson in Weavertown, but..."
Chuck smiled and gestured to his surroundings. In a soft voice, he said, "I've got this place and another son to raise."
"Another son?" Sid asked surprised by the reason for staying. Barson had never mentioned having a brother.
"Well, I adopted this kid that showed up in town. One day, he wandered in looking lost and no one knew what to do with him. He's an orphan and I took him in. After Barson left, I needed a little help running the bar," Chuck said shrugging his shoulders. The boy was basically good at heart and was growing into a good man under his tutelage.
"That was very kind of you," Sid said.
Chuck was silent for a moment and then said, "I believe that Danny escaped the slavers when the rest of his family was taken. He won't talk about it, but he is troubled with nightmares. He must have seen some horrible things."
"If he escaped the slavers, then you are right," Sid said having a good idea of some of the horrors that the young man might have seen.
"I knew after Barson's first letter that he wouldn't be coming home. He was always a little too big for this town. Staying here would have been hard on him," Chuck said. He gestured in the direction of the bar and added, "Danny has had enough of the world. He'll stay here and take care of me in my old age. It has all worked out for the best."
Sid stepped out of Chuck's office to find that the four Damsels were drinking watered wine as if their lives depended on it. They were not taking the delays in getting back to Crossroads very well. Shaking his head, he stepped over to the table and asked, "Does anyone think they are sober enough to make it over to the bank or will we have to spend the night here?"
Alice looked up at Sid and said, "There's no way we are spending another night here!"
Sid turned to Fred and said, "Fred. We'll be going to the bank now. Chuck will put you up for a few days in exchange for stories about Barson and Olaf."
"Thanks," Fred said despite the fact that he had other plans.
Sid pulled out a coin purse and set it on the table in front of Fred. Pointing to it, he said, "That should cover your living expenses for a while. If you need more, talk to Barson and he'll make sure that you get all that you need."
Shaking his head, Fred jiggled the coin purse at his side. Dismissing the coin purse Sid had put on the table, he said, "I have plenty of money."
"I'm sure you do, but you're getting married soon. You'll want to have a house built at Rivers Crossing," Sid said.
Fred frowned and thought about what Sid had said. He looked over at Milly and saw that she was nodding her head for him to take it. After considering it for a bit, Fred decided that he would leave that money with Milly while he followed Sid through the magic gate. Shrugging his shoulders, he said, "Okay, I'll take it."
"Good," Sid said. He looked at the man for a several seconds thinking about all they had gone through together. It was hard to say goodbye. Finally, he said, "I had better get them over to the bank."
"Of course," Fred said looking at the four Damsels. They looked tense enough to snap despite the quantities of watered wine they had drunk.
"Take care of yourself and Milly," Sid said.
"Take care of yourself," Fred said. He took a drink of his watered wine and set the mug down with a heavy hand. The clunk it made as it struck the wood table echoed across the room.
"Watch over Barson, Olaf, and Albert for me. You know how I like to do things. Don't let them get carried away on one of their slightly twisted ideas," Sid said looking at Fred. He knew that Fred was going to try and follow him.
Fred shrugged his shoulders thinking that Sid was just trying to give him something to do just to occupy his time. It was a pretty safe bet that Barson, Olaf, and Albert wouldn't destroy the kingdom. Smiling, he said, "I'm your sworn man."
"Let's go ladies," Sid said. The four Damsels scrambled to their feet and followed Sid out the door.
Fred waited a moment and handed the coin purse to Milly. He said, "I have to do it."
She nodded her head and said, "I understand."
Fred ran over to where Chuck was seated at the bar. After a minute of conversation, Fred followed Sid out the door. He spotted Sid stripping the saddle and gear off of his horse, placing it in a pile at his feet. It seemed odd to him that Sid was going to visit a magic gate, but was unsaddling his horse before leaving. He was even more surprised when Sid carried all of that gear into the bank.
Once everyone had entered the bank, Fred went to the bank and, looking through a window, watched while Sid deposited almost two thousand Conches into his account. When Sid went into one of the rooms, Fred entered the bank and waited beside the door. There was a small indicator on the doorknob that showed that the room was occupied. Fred settled in for a wait. He wasn't going to be left behind.
Inside the room, Sid stuck his thumb in the hole that would cause the storage case to appear on the table. When the storage case appeared on the table rather than being transported, Alice asked, "What is it now? Why aren't we back in Crossroads?"
Sid smiled and said, "I have to store my gear for the next visit."
"Just forget it. Let's go. I'm so horny I could kill," Alice said. She wasn't alone in that sentiment.
"It'll just take a few minutes," Sid said. He looked at the four women and said, "If you have anything from here, remove it now."
Sid opened the storage case. Reach down, he picked up the saddle from his horse and loaded it into the case. The saddlebags and other gear followed it into the case. Sid started removing all of the external items from his clothes. The coin purse, his weapons, and his protective gear went into the case.
All of the women turned to watch when he started removing his clothes. He was removing the chain mail when he realized that he had a very interested audience watching him. Feeling a little embarrassed, he asked, "Do you mind?"
"Not at all. I could watch this all day long," Laura said with a giggle.
All three of the other women nodded their heads in agreement. Sid put the chain mail into the case and then removed the undershirt wishing that he had taken the time to wash it before storing it away. With his back to the women, he jumped when three hands ran along his bare back. He turned and asked, "Are you having fun?"
"Yes," Mandy said while running a hand over his chest. Her fingers drifted to his nipples and she gave them a playful tweak. When he jumped, she said, "I'm having lots of fun."
Looking down at the bulge in his pants, Laura said, "It looks like he enjoys having someone play with his nipples."
"You don't say," Mary said. She ran a hand along his ass and giggled when he jumped.
Groaning, Sid did his best to ignore the teasing comments. He double-checked himself and found that he was still wearing the signet ring. It took a little twisting to remove it. He dropped it into the storage case and ran his hands over the places where he normally carried things. There was nothing on his belt, in his boots, on his hands, around his neck, or on his head. Turning to the women, he asked, "Did you have anything to remove?"
When they all indicated that they didn't, Sid closed the case.
Outside the room, Fred waited for the door to open Sid to emerge. After ten minutes, the indicator changed to show that the room was available. Fred straightened up and waited for Sid to come out of the room. After another ten minutes passed without Sid coming out, he opened the door and looked inside the room. It was empty. He entered and looked around the room for any way out. There was none.
Fred stood in the room for a long time before accepting that Sid had left with the Damsels. It was hard to accept that the magic gate was inside a bank, but that's what it looked like to him. It also explained why the Damsels always got so excited when they saw a bank. He walked back to the bar to rejoin Milly with a heavy heart. Shaking his head, he said, "A sworn man's place is by the side of his master."
Sid stepped out of the portal and into the arms of Sally Caretaker. Laura Author stepped out behind him. Ignoring the Damsel for a moment, Sally asked, "Are you all right?"
"Yes," he answered. "All of us are okay."
"Good," she said as she led him to the healing tank. The rules of Crossroads stated that all people returning from Chaos were to go immediately into the healing tank. Sid knew enough not to argue, but he did wonder why she was rushing him. While putting him inside it, she said, "You'll be out soon enough."
"I brought four Damsels with me," Sid managed to say before the lid of the healing tank closed.
Sally Caretaker looked down at Sid in the healing tank with a proud smile. She said, "I know my Hero from Earth."
Grinning as she returned to the portal, Sally was ready to get the full story from the Damsels. Trying to act a little professional, she said, "Hello Laura Author. I'll take you and the other Damsels to the Healing Chamber."
"Okay," Laura said.
Looking behind Laura for the other Damsels, Sally asked, "Where are the others?"
"I don't know," Laura Author said looking around puzzled by their
absence. She hadn't realized that she had been the only Damsel in the
portal with Sid.