As they slowly trudged down the slope to St. Gosbrook, Janos appraised his companions. Hiking through the woods had raised his stamina sufficiently that he was feeling otherwise fine, though his lungs, unused to such dust, had sent him once again coughing more and more as the day went on. The soles of his feet only ached a little bit, a sign that he was getting used to walking full days on the harder surface of the road, rather than the softer grass or moss of meadow and forest. The three of them obviously weren't in as good shape as Katrin, Elmar and the muleteer, but they were better off than the merchant couple that had joined the caravan in Greenrow. At least those two had a horse between them so they could switch between riding and walking. As it were, the caravan was arriving a bit late, with the sun already having gone down.
St. Gosbrook was the furthest he'd ever been from home. It had been a strange few days in the previous fall, recuperating in the company of a two Royal Rangers after assisting them. Otherwise, he was slowly settling into the routine of travel, passing through a new village or two each day, then camping in another one in the evening. The villagers were all strangers to him, but obviously not to Katrin. It was somehow uncanny seeing them greet her like an old friend, which she probably was, come to think of it. The thought of going from village to village like this, trying to remember the names and faces of everyone, day after day, made him shudder. Luckily, now he could just be an assistant, help with the mules, and set up their resting place for the night.
Before sleep was a possibility, though, they had to pay their respects to the local knight. He tried to linger in the courtyard, but was guided inside by a servant. He then took a seat at the back of the hall, but was hailed over next to the high table soon after a young woman came to talk to Liina and Nopsa. She introduced herself as Ulrika, daughter of Mantlind, the local knight, and their to-be travelling companion. His first concern, however, were his villagemates.
"So, Liina, Nopsa, how are you? Feeling tired? Feet hurting?"
"Oh, curse whatever fey spirit put all those stones in front of my feet. I've stubbed my toes enough times to nearly forget about the blisters." Nopsa replied, seemingly unconcerned about his language in front of nobility. Liina grimaced.
"I'm guessing it was more likely some of the locals, probably commanded by her father." She nodded at Ulrika. "Stone makes for a better surface than mud, most of the time."
"Actually, my mother. And, yes, exactly for the reason you are here – to give travelling merchants more incentive to visit St. Gosbrook."
With no admonishments from Ulrika, Nopsa could continue his grumbling.
"Well, in any case, I could still use some of that salve, though I'm not sure what to do about my toes. Where's Elmar?"
"I think he's dealing with the good folk of St. Gosbrook. Katrin said, though, that the locals might have some additional remedies available." Liina looked at Ulrika. "Some people from our village – Wortbank – have pilgrimaged to visit the shrine."
"The good Gosbrook – may he ever help us walk in the light of Samuela – has regulary provided a great blessing of healthy crops to us. He might provide health for your feet, if you ask kindly."
"And keep the roads of Ripats smooth for you." Liina added.
Ulrika looked towards the door. "I would like to guide you there right away, but I must stay here until my parents are done haggling with your merchant."
"Shouldn't you be with them, Lady Ulrika?" Janos inquired.
"Ah, no, my parents will no doubt want to go over details I've no interest in. I already know well enough which stops I need to prepare for. And I'm not a Lady, though my mother is working hard toward that goal."
"So, you'd prefer just Ulrika?" asked Liina.
"Unless I note someone I need to impress or cow, yes, please."
"Well, since your mother will want to spare your feet the agonies we've felt in the past days, you'll be provided a fine mount, right?"
"Just a rouncey, but she's been ridden enough that I should be fine. She's not much to look at, but luckily, one of my father's cousins will take me in for the festivities. And I've only four full dresses, so my pack mule will be fine. Mother would have liked to load it down with full a dowries worth of fine clothing if I had such."
"Hey, I'm sure you can try to match stories with Janos about your moms!" Nopsa shot.
"Don't be an ass, Nopsa. Remember, marriages and children beared are much more critical for the nobility than any other estates. Besides, it's none of our business how one of the high is dealing with their family."
"Thank you, Liina. A tongue like that might indeed send you to jail in Kalaun. However, I know well my station, and as a daughter of a landed knight, with a healthy younger brother, to become a wife of another knight is considered a fine future."
"If I may, you seem unsure, though?"
"Well, yes. My mother was provided a fine education, and raised from the merchants to nobility. Her parents were overjoyed. However, I'm not certain I'd be as happy on her path as she is." Ulrika looked longingly at Katrin. "Well, it is what is. I'll see what I can do about my options in the coming weeks."
"Hey, you should go vist the three birdie monastary with Liina!"
"Nopsa, I hope you use that terminology when we're there. I've sort of always wanted to see a true holy curse being placed upon someone. But yes, you're welcome to join me on my visit to the Blessed Nest of the Three Birds, if a life of vows seems appealing."
"Not really, no, but it may be better than an unhappy marriage, and should suffice for my mother." She raised her head, looking toward the main table. "Speaking of which, it seems they've come to a deal, and my scribal skills are finally called for. Mother could write it fine herself, but I suppose she wants to check my writing once more before I'm off."
As they walked toward the shrine, Katrin engaged in a quick discussion with Ulrika, then headed of towards the commons.
"Don't dally too long at the shrine! You still need to rest more than usual for at least a few nights."
They nodded assent, Nopsa included.
"I'm not used to praying. And going to church makes me uncomforatble. I always feel like the Seven are somehow disappointed in me. Maybe I should, though. Liina, you've been praying to Ripats, right, about making your step lighter on the roads or something? And you seem to have had an easier time than me. Though… Janos, you've been quiet. Maybe more than usual. Praying quietly? What prayers work best?"
"Uhh, no, not really. I'm just used to walking a lot. Though my feet hurt too – the roads are hard. I guess I'm just used to toughing it out. A bit of ache in my feet isn't nearly as bad as the cold that settles in you during a night slept out in the rain."
"Ohh, training! That's so boring and takes so loo-oong! I'm hoping the prayer works."
Though called a shrine, the complex was bigger than the local church Janos was used to. What prayers he made went mostly to Zand, Lord of the Forest, and he felt no need to enter now.
"I'll wait outside, if it's all right. Breathe the fresh night air and all."
The others went in, Ulrika softly explaining something about the history of the shrine. Janos ambled over to the guest house. There, on the second floow, this end. The Royal Rangers had been tight-lipped about many things, but they'd both admitted that Janos did have the kind of talent that they liked to see. They'd also been quite frank about how harsh the training months were. Still, somethng about challenging himself, finding out what potential he might have – it seemed attractive. They'd told other stories as well. About boys, much like Nopsa, that had taken the chance at anullment of a string of petty crimes. Some survived, toughed it out, became valuable members. Was he a just country boy, overly proud of his meagre abilities, actually lacking in deadly ways? Maybe his mother had it right. See more people, watch how they managed, try to figure out his worth. Though that sounded a bit too much like Katrin.
He noticed movement from the shrine. Liina seemed easier on her feet, Nopsa about the same as he'd been. Janos waved to the others, then joined them on the way back to the camp. He didn't have to decide anything yet.