Wormhole
Stormwolf
The fire spread quickly, and thick black smoke filled the room making Blair cough. He bent over trying to breath, then blinked away tears. A hand landed on his shoulder and Blair looked up to see Jim. "We've got to get out of here!" A man yelled and Blair turned to look at the Professor who some two weeks before had had both Sentinel and Guide kidnapped as part of his experiments. "The fire has spread to the door, there's no way out!" Jim said. The professor appeared frantic, and wrung his hands together. Blair hugged Jim to him, as the fire engulfed the basement where the Professor had kept his two subjects locked in heavy steel cages. "The machine!" The professor cried and ran to the controls of his so called wormhole machine. "It is the only way!" "Are you crazy!" Blair shouted, then fell into a coughing fit. The professor fiddled with the controls, and suddenly a bright blue laser beam struck the nearby wall where flames covered it. Where the flames where a blue void appeared. Blair looked at it in amazement. Though the professor had sworn to them that his machine worked, they had never seen it in action. Instead the professor had ignored the machine for his new find. A real live sentinel. The Professor had used a bracelet that could give the sentinel a mild electric shock like a tazer to keep his subject under control while he did insane experiments involving electromagnetic fields, high frequency sounds, and blood tests. The professor, though a genius, was also in Blair's opinion a certifiable nutcase. Blair now stared open mouthed at the strange portal that the machine that Blair had called recently a `crock of shit' had opened up. The professor laughed maniacally, then leaped toward the portal. His body disappeared into its depths. "What do we do?" Blair asked Jim, who was coughing from the thick smoke. "we only have two choices, Blair." Jim said. "We stay and die, or we follow the professor into God only knows what." Blair looked at the wall of flame that was coming closer. A fire caused by one of the professors experiments gone wrong. A electrical short circuit had caused a spark on oil soaked rags which had then burst into flame until spreading through out the basement. The professor had released Jim and Blair from their cages, and then had been trapped in the basement with them. "I don't want to burn to death, Jim" Blair said grabbing his backpack where it sat on a nearby table, and Jim nodded. The both went towards the blue portal. They stopped before its depths, and looked at each other. Blair grabbed Jim's hand and held it like a lifeline. Jim mouthed, "It will be alright." And they leaped. Blair groaned as consciousness returned to him. He opened his eyes and the first thing he saw was a blade of grass with a ladybug climbing its stalk. Confused, Blair lifted his aching head and looked around. He found himself lying in a field of grass. Not far from him was a dirt paved road. Blair turned his head in the other direction and found Jim lying facedown in the grass not far from him. He blinked and shook his head, then looked at his friend again. Jim's clothes had changed. Gone where the blue jeans, and T-shirt he had been wearing when they had fled the professor's basement. In their place was a pair of brown leather pants, calf high brown boots, a white shirt and a brown leather face. On his wrists were leather armbands and tied to his back was a leather baldric with a sword sheathed inside it. It was then that Blair looked at himself and noticed he was wearing leather breeches similar to Jim, only they were of a dark black color, and a light blue silk shirt. His boots were also black, and he had a light weight dark blue cloak around his shoulders. His backpack was gone, and a pouch rested heavily on his belt. Blair slowly got to his knees and crawled over to Jim. He touched the sentinel's shoulder, and shook it lightly. "Jim, man, you need to wake up and tell me I'm dreaming." Blair told his sentinel. Jim groaned, and opened his eyes lifting his head to look at Blair. "If you are dreaming, then why did you wake me up?" "Are you alright?" Blair asked. "Ugh, my head hurts, but I think I'll live." He pushed up with his arms to sit on his haunches. Rubbing his head, Jim looked around seeing for the first time the strange surroundings that had Blair worried. "Where the hell are we?" Jim asked. "I have no idea." Blair said. "I mean if the professor did really open up a wormhole, then we could be anywhere…literally." "Why are we dressed like rejects from a Shakespeare play?" Jim said noticing their clothing for the first time. "I don't know," Blair said looking around. "I would guess that somehow we might have been thrust int our counterparts bodies. Maybe." "Chief you lost me." "Its possible we've been placed on an alternate earth, and on this earth there are doubles of us. Actually they are us, but not quite as they have had different experiences from us." "And you think we might have taken their places. Isn't kind of strange then we'd be together? I mean what are the odds." "Soulmates." Blair whispered. "Yeah, sure Blair." Jim shook his head. "Aren't you stretching it a bit." "Maybe not. Some cultures believe that each person is always looking for the other half of their soul and if they are lucky to find that person who carried the other half, they will never be parted thereafter no matter what reincarnation follows." "Okay, I'm not saying you're right, but you I might be." Jim lifted his left hand to rub his head, and Blair noticed the mark for the first time and his eyes widened. "What the hell is that." Blair grabbed Jim's arm and studied the strange mark. It looked like two circles linked together with a triangle tip above them. Jim looked at the strange mark on his arm. "It looks like a burn scar." Jim said. "A deliberate burn scar. You don't get this accidently. My god, that's a brand!" Blair was shocked. "You think my counterpart's a slave?" Jim asked. "Maybe, though you're wearing a sword which says to me you're not, but…" He trailed off and Jim could see the wheels turning in the guide's head. "Stand up and turn around." Blair ordered as he stood up himself. Jim did as he was told knowing Blair's tone meant no argument. Blair grabbed Jim's shirt tail and shoved it upwards towards Jim's shoulders revealing the strong muscled back. Jim felt Blair's hand rub over his skin. "No scars." Blair breathed relief evident in his voice. It finally occurred to Jim, "No whip scars you mean, which means that I'm probably not a slave." Blair let Jim's shirt and vest fall, and said, "Yeah. No whip scars, thank god." "Now what do we do?" Jim asked looking around the expanse of green grass and the dirt road. "Maybe we should follow the road. It might lead to a town or something." Blair suggested. Jim looked at the road again, "Well at least it isn't paved with yellow bricks." Blair laughed, "I seriously doubt this leads to the Emerald City, man." "After everything that's happened, I wouldn't be surprised." With that, Jima nd Blair set off on the dirt paved road heading in the direction the sun traveled. "Why couldn't our counterparts have horses?" Blair asked. They had been walking for a few hours and so far all they had seen was grass, and trees. "I don't know. Maybe they did." Jim said. "Maybe they ran off when we switched." Jim was rubbing his head as he walked. "What's wrong?" Blair asked noticing. His own head ached, but he was trying to ignore it. "I've got a bump on the back of my head." Jim said. "Do you think you hit anything while we were travelling throught he wormhole?" Blair asked. "Blair, if you'll remember we are in our counterparts bodies, not ours." Jim answered. "Oh yeah, I forgot. I wonder..." Blair reached up and felt the knot on the back of his head. It was a big knot. And sore. Blair winced when he touched it. "You wonder what?" Jim asked. "Maybe our counterparts were robbed. That oculd explaint he lack of horses, supplies, everything." Blair said. "But I still have the sword." Jim said. "Yeah that's true, but why would our counterparts be out wondering around without even a water bottle." Jim shrugged. "Maybe your right and they did get robbed. Then that would explain the bumps on our heads. <aybe they wre interupted before they could steal the sword." Jim reached back and unsheathed the sword. He stopped walking as he looked at it. "Maybe." Blair said. He was still walking unaware that Jim had stopped. "I think I know why they didn't take the sword, Chief." Jim said. Blair turned around and saw Jim staring at the steel blade. He walked back to where Jim stood. "Woow!" Blair said as he stared at the blade. The same mark that branded Jim's forearm was marked into the blade along wiht other runes and symbols Blair did not recognize. "Your right. No way they could sell that and not have it recognized." Jim resheathed the sword. "Now what do we do?" Blair asked. "We keep walking and hope to hell we find civilization soon." "I'm hungry." Blair said. "Have you checked that pouch your wearing?" Jim asked. "Oh, I forgot I had it." Blair reached down and took the pouch off his belt and undid the drawstrings. He gasped in shock. Jim came forward and looked into the pouch. "How in the hell did the missing diamonds end up in your pouch." Jim asked Blair. "The Professor. You think he stole the diamonds." Blair said. The uncut diamonds in Blair's pouch had been stolen int heir world and it was the crime that Jim and Blair had been investigating when the professor had kidnapped them. "Why would the professor steal uncut diamonds. The man was rich." Blair said. "I'm still trying to figure out how the diamonds came through with us." Jim said. "Maybe they were in my backpack, Jim. I took it off the table before we jumped through." Blair retied the drawstrings and tied the pouch to his belt. "We now we won't have to worry about food. We can use the diamonds as currency." "They don't belong to us, Blair." Jim said. "Jim, I don't think you realise, but we are never going home again. That was a one wy ticket man. Even if we found the Professor, our clothes suggest a primitive time period. There professor would not be able to build another wormhole device from in this primitive era. Face it man, this is home." Jim said nothing as he followed Blair down the road ralizing that Blair was right. Within an hour, Jim and Blair crested a hill, and found the first signs of civilization. The road curved down the hill and through a small village made up of mostly dirt hovels with straw thatched roofs. Out in the meadows beyond the village were herds of grazing sheep with a few goats dotted amongst the woolly creatures. But it was the sight beyond the village that their eyes were drawn too. A large walled city lay beyond the village on the shores of a huge river. The city was massive, butting up against the river where longboats and riverboats were docked along a stone quay. The city itself looked like a maze of wooden townhouses, stone temples and palaces along with a rabbit warren of walls and gardens. Just before reaching the docks was a nest of wagons and brightly colored tents that were easy to spot from their hilltop vantage point. "It is an impressive sight." Jim agreed. "Wow." Blair said. "I bet that's a bazaar or market." Blair said gesturing toward the bright tents and wagons. "We can get supplies down there." "How? We don't have any currency." Jim said. "The diamonds. I bet you there's some gem dealers down there who would give us some local currency for the diamonds." Blair answered as he started down the road toward the city. Jim shrugged and followed the young guide. As they passed through the village, Blair noticed the strange stares they received from the grubby villagers. Jim ignored the stares, but Blair was curious as to why a woman made a sign against evil and spat upon the ground as they passed. The only ones whose stares were not angry or fearful were the dirty half naked children who ran through the streets. The children only laughed or pointed. A few of the older ones dared the younger children to get closer. Some of the younger children took the dare running just past the sentinel and guide almost within touching distance. Rather than stopping, Blair and Jim passed through the village as quickly as they could. "What was that all about?" Blair wondered aloud. "I don't know. I hope the reception isn't like that in the city." Jim said. "I hope not." It took another hour of walking before they reached the gates of the city that stood wide open. They shared the road with a few carts that hauled hay and grain into the city itself. The guards at the gates gave them a cursory glance as they passed beneath the iron portcullis. They entered the outskirts of the city, which were mostly wooden barns and stables with a few rundown inns. The streets were paved with stones, and were dirty and unwept. Blair talked Jim through the process of dialing down his sense of smell since even Blair could detect the stench of the sewer gulleys. "I wonder how we can find a gem merchant." Blair said aloud. "Should we ask somebody?" "I don't know, Chief. You think you can find someone that looks friendlier than the people we've seen so far?" Jim answered. Blair could see that Jim was right. Most of the people within the city that even bothered to look at them had the same looks as the villagers. A few made ward gestures and a few even spat on the streets. Blair spotted a kid, a young boy of about eight or nine. "There's are guide." Blair said and started for the kid. The kid put on a brave face as Blair came up to him. "Hey." Blair said. "Hi." The kid answered hesitantly. "My name's Blair. What's yours?" Blair asked. "Dani." The boy said his voice getting stronger as he realized Blair wasn't going to hurt him. "Well Dani, I'm a bit lost in this city, but I bet you know your way around here pretty good, huh." Blair said with a smile. Dani smiled back and said, "You bet." "That's good. I was wondering if you could take me to a gem dealer, Dani. Do you know what that is?" "Sure. They'd the ones that sell those real pretty sparkling rocks." Dani answered. "And I knows just the place. Follow me." With that Dani led Blair and Jim through the crowd of the streets across a stone bridge into a better part of town that was filled with wooden townhouses, and shops. The boy led them to a wooden house with a sign out front that had a picture of a diamond on the front. "This is it." Dani said his voice and stance showing his pride. "Well, Dani if you'll wait out here with my friend, I'm going to see if I can sell something and get some coins. Okay." Blair said, and Dani nodded. "Are you sure, Chief?" Jim asked. "Don't worry, Jim. Just stay out here with Dani. Once I sell one of these rocks, then I can pay the boy for being such a good guide." Blair said. Jim nodded and watched Blair enter the shop. When the bell above the door rang upon Blair's entrance, the proprietor of the shop, a thin, balding older man, came to Blair before the guide had gotten four steps into the place. "May I help you?" The man asked. Blair saw no hostility or anger in the man's eyes, and sighed inwardly with relief. Blair reached into the pouch and pulled out one of the uncut diamonds. The diamond was about the size of a bean and had been cleaned and polished. The proprietor's eyes lit up at the sight of the stone. "How much would you give me for this?" Blair asked. Blair hands the diamond over and the proprietor looks at it. "Three hundred gold crowns." The man offered. Blair, not knowing how much a gold crown was said, "Six hundred." "Three fifty." The man said back and the bargaining began. Eventually Blair came away with five hundred gold crowns for the one diamond. Blair asked for and received one of the crowns broken down. Blair discovered that a gold crown was equal to fifteen silver celts which were about the size of a quarter, and one silver celt was equal to fifty copper pennies which were about the size of an American penny but thicker. Blair placed the four hundred twenty five gold crowns, the sixty silver celts, and the fifty copper pennies into his pouch, then thanked the man. When he walked out of the shop, Blair tossed a silver celt to the boy, Dani, who caught it in the air. "Wow!" The boy said at the sight of the silver. He looked at Blair, "If you ever need any more directions, I'll be around." Dani smiled and ran off. Blair and Jim watched him go. "I think I probably overpaid him, but I think he could use the money." Blair said. "So what do you get?" Jim asked. Blair explained the amount of money, and what each coin was. The gold crown was bigger than a half dollar and was made of a mixture of gold and copper, and had a picture of an eagle nosed man on one side, and a pair of crossed swords on the other. The silver celts had a picture of a horse on side, and a sheaf of wheat on the other. The copper pennies had a picture of a bull on one side and the other had a plow. "Now where to?" Jim asked as they walked away from the shop. They avoided the people who still glared at them, or made warding signs with their fingers. "An inn, I suppose." Blair said. "Hopefully we can get some food, I am starved." They walked through the streets of the more prosperous side of town, and found what looked like an inn with a sign that had a golden bull painted on it. When they walked inside, the innkeeper, a heavy set man walked over, but as he got closer his smile turned into a frown, and his eyes became angry. "Get that beast out of my place!" The man yelled. Blair and Jim turned to look and see of a dog or cat had followed them into the inn. But they saw nothing. Blair turned back to the innkeeper who had stalked up to them. "You heard me. Leave! I don't serve his kind here. If you want to eat in here then you can put him in the stables, otherwise leave my establishment!" The man yelled at Blair. Blair looked at the man confused. "What are you talking about," Blair asked. "What beast?" The question seemed to outrage the man even more, and he stabbed his finger in Jim's direction, "Him, that sentinel you dare to bring into my clean establishment! I have good paying customers who don't want his kind here listening to their conversations, and spying upon them!" Blair stepped back in shock at the word 'sentinel', and his face turned white. Jim grasped Blair's shoulders, turned the guide around and led him out of the door. "Don't you dare show back up!" The innkeeper yelled after them as they left the inn. Once outside the inn, Jim hurried Blair away from the growing crowd. When they were safely away from the inn, Blair stopped. "Did you hear what he said?" Blair asked his tone shocked. "He called you a sentinel. How did he know?" "This probably." Jim said pointing toward the brand on his forearm. "After all he called me a beast, and you brand beast." "Oh man, that sucks. You don't think my counterpart was the one who... who did that?" Blair was disgusted by the thought of a guide harming a sentinel in that manner no matter what the general consensus of the population was about sentinels. "Maybe." Jim shrugged, "Or someone else did. It doesn't matter." "Excuse me, sir guide." A woman's voice said, and Blair turned to look at the speaker. The woman who had spoken was a young brown haired girl who wore a padded leather jerkin, and leather pants a sword stuck out above her left shoulder. "My name is Ariana. I'm a member of the Mercenary Guild. If you're looking for a room, I would suggest the Guide's Guild. They know about the sentiment here in Rockswold, and the guild was built to house guides and sentinels." "Thank you, Ariana. I don't suppose you could show me how to get there?" Blair asked relieved that the woman did not have any disgust in her green eyes. "No problem. Follow me." The mercenary woman turned on her booted heel and walked up the street. Jim and Blair followed. The Guide's Guildhouse turned out to be a large inn that had been reconverted into a guildhouse. The sign on the door had the same symbol that Jim bore on his forearm. "Here you go. The Guildmaster is Master Liam." "Thank you, Ariana," Blair said, and the woman smiled and nodded then left. Blair walked into the guildhouse with Jim at his heels. In the outer room, a blond haired man sat on a high backed chair in front of a desk. Upon their entrance, the man lifted his head and looked at them with hazel colored eyes. The blonde smiled, "Welcome to Rockswold GuildHouse. I'm Guildmaster Liam." The man stood and held out his hand. Blair took it with a smile. "My name is Blair and this is Jim." Blair said. Liam took Jim's hand as well, which made Blair sigh with relief. Liam heard the sigh. "I take it you've been introduced to Rockswold's hospitality." Liam said with a grin. "You better believe it. An innkeeper called Jim a beast. Does everyone here believe that?" Blair asked. "Unfortunately they do. Their king, King Brytag, has a low opinion of sentinels. Luckily, Rockswold is the only major city in Korinia, and most foreigners are from more enlightened countries. The Guide Guild is seriously considering closing down this GuildHouse and banning Rockswold and Korinia from hiring Guides. I will certainly be glad of that. Breyd and I don't much like it here." "Breyd?" Blair asked. Liam grins, "My sentinel. She's upstairs right now taking a nap. She's been patrolling the area at night since we've had a few vandals." Blair gulped, "A female sentinel?" Blair asked his tone nervous. Liam looked at him strangely. "Yes, but its alright. She's not due to go into heat for another few months. And anyway we are fully bonded." Liam's eyes suddenly lit up with understanding. "I take it you've had a run in with an unbonded sentinel female. I hope that you reported it to the guild. There's nothing worse than an unbonded sentinel running around loose." "Uhm, yeah. We uh reported it. But she was kind of beyond help." Blair explained. "Feral, then?" The man shakes his head sadly. "Nothing worse than that. I hope they put her down quickly. No need to let a sentinel suffer like that." "I believe they did." Blair couldn't mention that the woman was in a mental institution. He wasn't sure they knew what those were. "That's good. Well, I'm sure you guys are tired, dirty and hungry. So let me show you to your room. I'm afraid, though, that your responible for your food. There's some excellant vendors in the market district. Also behind this place is Farrow's Bath House. And his prices are very reasonable and since he's not from this stupid city, he has no prejudices toward sentinels. He's also an ex-mercenary, which mean his prejudices are few and far between." Liam said as he guided them up the stair. He turned right at the landing down a hallway, and opened the door that was second on the left. "Here you go." Jim and Blair stepped inside the room. It was a sparsely furnitured room. A small wooden table had a polished bronze plate hanging above it. On its surface was a porcelain bowl and pitcher. An oak wardrobe stood in another corner. A small table and two chairs were lined against one wall. But it was the sight of the large bed that halted them. One large bed. Liam only smiled at them, then asked, "Do you have your identity tag on?" The question was directed at Blair. Blair thought about it, then reached into his shirt. He had felt the leather cord aorund hi neck but had though nothing of it. He pulled out a small copper disc attached to the leather cord. The disc had a number carved into it. Liam read the number, and thanked Blair. "Have to be sure and write it in the books. The Guild likes to keep track of the members." Liam then bidded them goodday and headed back downstairs. "So what should we do first?" Blair said. "If we had some spare clothes we could take a bath." Jim suggested. "Maybe we should buy some spare clothes." Blair said. "We need to buy a lot of things, Chief. I don't think we want to stay here for longer than we have to. I know I don't." "Yeah, your right. Best we move on when we can. To a city that is more tolerant." "Well then, let's go spend some coin." Jim said. The two of them left the room and headed downstairs. Once outside, they headed back to the market district. At one wagon they managed to buy some casual clothes made of silk and wool. Trousers and loose shirts that were already tailored. They were a bit loose, but would be comfortable while their own clothes were washed. Jim's nose led them to a few other vendors. At one cart, Blair bought a wheel of cheese wrapped in cheesecloth, and at another he bought a loaf of freshly baked bread. At one point they came across a cart were the vendor was roasting lamb over some hot coals. A few copper pennies got them a few slices of the lamb wrapped in a clean cloth. Blair had bought a simple woven basket at one vendor and they places the food items int he basket which Jim carried since Blair was the one actually buying everything. Though some of the vendors were merchants from out of the city, others were residents. Blair proceeded to buy two earthenware cups, and then bottered a cork stoppered earthenware jar of wine. They took their purchases back to the Guild Guild into their room. Blair sat down at the table and began to unwrap the cheese wheel. "Eww." Blair said at the sight of the molded cheese. Jim chuckled as he picked up the molded cheese and unsheathed the knife at his belt. "Aw man you aren't going to eat that?" Blair was turning slightly green at the sight of the mold. "No, but I am going to eat what's below it," And with that Jim used the knife to cut away the layer of mold to reveal the yellow cheese beneath. "I forgot about that. Its been a long tim since I've eaten from an open air market like that. Not since I was in Cairo." Blair said as he poured some of the red wine into the earthenware cups. Jim placed the cheese on the cheesecloth, then wrapped the molded pieces in an extra cloth to be thrown away later while Blair broken the loaf of bread in two. Jim took one of the pieces, then sliced it open. They ate the cheese, bread and meat washing it down with the watered down wine. When they were done, they cleaned away the scraps, and placed them in a cloth to be dropped in a midden heap on their way to the bathhouse. What was left of the cheese was rewrapped in the cheesecloth to save for later and the wine jug was restoppered. They walked to the bath house were Blair doled out twelve copper pennies for them both a bath, oiled massage, and for their clothes to be washed. The man showed them to the copper and porcelain bathtubs. His sons, four of them, carried in the buckets of hot water from the huge pot hanig over a large fireplace and filled the two tubs. Pleasant smelling herbs and floer petals were placed in the water and they were given toweles and a gentle sweet smelling soap. After Jim and Blair stripped out of their clothes, and climbed into the bathtubs, one of the sons collected the clothes to take to his other for her and his sisters to begin washing. Their extra clothes they brough were hanging in another room fo rhtem to put on after their massage. The owner and his eldest son were both strong men with good hands. They used oil and rubbed Blair an djIm down, then massaged away knots and tension. When that was done they stepped into their comfortable clothes and boots. The owner said that their clothes would be delivered the next day. Blair and Jim thanked the man, then headed back to the room. By this time the sun was setting and the moon could been seen in the sky. They ate some more cheese and drank some wine before getting ready for bed. At the market they had bough some silk underclothes which was mainly just a night shirt that hung down to their knees. Unembarrassed by stripping down in front of each other, Jim and blair slipped beneath the blankets of the large bed. Jim was glad to see that the mattress was free from bugs, otherwise he would never have gotten into it. They were unconcerned about sleeping in the same bed so used to each others company as they were, though they were not lovers. On the stand beside the bed, Jim blew out the candle that was the only light within the room other than the moonlight coming through the paned window. Some shifting, then a few moments of silence before the sound of light snores filled the room as the two ocupants fell into a deep slumber. The morning sun coming in through the paned windows woke Jim and Blair from their slumber. Blair got up first, and used the chamber pot in the room wishing for indoor plumbing. When he was done, Blair dressed in the clothes they had bought the day before, and grabbed a wooden bucket that was sitting next to the door. He turned and saw that Jim was getting out of bed as well, and heading for the chamber pot. Smiling, Blair exited the room taking the bucket with him. Just outside the guild house was a well, and Blair waited his turn to fill the bucket. A young raven haired woman with green eyes and a slender but muscular build was turning the crank. Blair started a bit when he noticed the brand on the woman's forearm identical to Jim's. The girl turned her head to look at Blair. "Hello." She said as she lifted the bucket and poured the water from the well's bucket to her own. "Uhm, hello." Blair was nervous about being near the female Sentinel, the image of Alex flashing across his mind. "Liam said that another Pair was here. I'm Breyd." She didn't offer her hand for which Blair was glad. She hefted her bucket full of water, smiled at Blair and said, "All yours." "Thanks, and uhm, I'm Blair by the way." Blair said. "Nice to meet you, guide Blair." Breyd said then headed into the building. Blair set his bucket on the well's sotne rim, and set to work lowering the well's bucket into its dark depths. Upstairs in the room, Jim got dressed, and left the room following the sound of his guide's heartbeat. Downstairs he stopped and stared at the other sentinel with whom Blair had been speaking with near the well. The girl, Breyd, couldn't have been more that seventeen or eighteen, and she smiled at Jim. Jim smiled back sighing inwardly with relief when he realised he felt no attraction towards the girl. Breyd headed in the back with the filled bucket, and Jim made his way outside to the well. When he got there, Blair was just bringing up the bucket filled with water. "Here Chief, let me help." Jim said and together they poured the water into their bucket. "thanks, Jim." Blair said. He then looked at his sentinel, "Did you see her?" He asked. Jim nodded, "If you mean the other sentinel, yeah." "That was Breyd, Liam's sentinel. She's a little young isn't she." Blair said. "Yeah, very young." Jim agreed. "Do you think she and Liam are..." "Lovers?" Jim finished for him. "Maybe. I can smell him on her, but he is her guide. I have your scent all over me." "That sounds gross, man." Blair said. Jim just shrugged. They walked into the Guild House and headed upstairs to their room with Jim carrying the bucket. Once inside the room, Jim poured some of the water into the pitcher on the table and set the bucket in the corner. "We need to buy more supplies today, Chief. Some horses, packs, water bottles, food. Definitly some more clothes." Jim said as he washed his hands in the basin and rubbed the ater on his face. Stubble was growing on his face. "Razor." He added. Blair laughed at that, "Do you think we have enough or should I trade a couple more diamonds for money." "I think you might need to. Horses will probably cost alot. And I'm not walking to the next city when there are horses. Why don't you go and trade some diamonds, and I'll head to the market with the money we do have and see what i can get." Jim suggested. "Sounds good. But first things first, I am hungry." Blair said his stomach rumbling to emphasize the statement. "Why don't you go to the bakery that's a couple of buildings down. The owner is from this city." Blair nodded. If the owner was a resident, then he wouldn't want Jim in his store. "Alright, I'll be back in a bit." Blair took a few coins from the pouch that was lying beneath the mattress of the bed, then head out the door. The bakery was open and the baker had already set out his wares on the shelves. Three apprentices were taking orders under the baker's watchful eye. Blair looked aroudn as he waited his turn in line. There were several different kinds of bread as well as different sizes of loaves. Blair spotted some poppyseed cakes, and honeycakes. Even some with raisins. The baker also sold honey, and oils in earthenware jars. When Blair stepped up to the apprentice, Blair told the young man he wanted a two of the honey cakes, a loaf of wheat bread, and a jar of honey and olive oil. The apprentice scurried to get everything Blair wanted, and the baker gave Blair a price of fifteen coppers. Blair paid with a silver and recieved the change. His items were placed in the woven basket he had brought with him, and he thanked the man and left. When he stepped out of the bakery he spotted a familiar face. "hey dani." Blair called, and the young boy turned to look at Blair. The boy smiled at Balir and raced over avoiding the adults who scurried about the street. "Hello, Blair. Need a guide?" The boy asked enthusiastically. "My momma and sisters were so happy to see the silver. Momma bought us all some food, and was even able to get a new sewing needle." "I am glad, and yes I definitly will need a guide today. Think your up for it?" Blair asked. "You bet." Dani said. "Good, first off, could you tell me where I might be able to buy some milk?" "Sure. Goodman Lochiel has a little dairy at the edge of the old city." "Hmmm....how far is that?" Blair asked. "Kind of a ways." Dani said. "Cross two bridges to get there." "A little too far this morning then. I'll tell you what, though." Blair pressed a few coppers into Dani's hand. "Go inside the bakery here and get you a honeycake if you want, then come and have breakfast with Jim and me, and afterwards we'll need you to guide Jim around as he does some shopping. Does that sound good to you." Dani's eyes lit up, "Oh yes, Blair, I'll be glad to." Dani went inside and a few minutes later came out with a honeycake of his own. Together Blair and Dani headed back to the Guild house. Liam was inside the buidling sitting behidn his desk when Blair and Dani walked in. Liam looked at the boy his eyes widened in shock, "Have you find yourself an apprentice, Balir?" Liam asked with a smile. Blair was confused, "I don't know what you mean, Liam." "You mean you don't know? No of course you don't if the way you are looking at me is any clue. the boy at your side, Blair. I can feel just looking at him. He's a potential guide." Blair looked at Dani who seemed to understand what Liam was saying, "Really. I thought there was something familiar about him, but I didn't think about that possibility." "He's a little young, but if he wants I can get him into the Guide School in Rethnal." "Who would take care of my mama and sisters?" Dani asked. "If you want, Dani, you can wait a few years. The offer will still be open." Liam said. "I think that would be best. Can't leave my momma and sisters on their own." Dnai answered. Liam smiled, "Whenever you are ready." Blair and Dani went upstairs to the room where Jim waited. Jim had heard the conversation downstairs so was not surprised to see Dani. Blair placed the basket on the table, and pulled out the contents sitting them on the table next to the basket. The earthenware jars were about the size of Mason jars, and so did not take up too much room. While Dani sat on the windowsill and ate his honeycake, Jim and Blair seated themselves at the table and ate. When they were done, Blair took three diamonds from the pouch under the mattress and left for the gem dealer's place. "So Dani, Blair says you are going to guide me through the market today." Jim said. "That's right, Jim, Blair says you needs to shop for some s'pplies. I here to help." Dani smiled up at Jim, and the sentinel clapped the boys on the shoulder. "Well then, little guide, lead the way." The two of them exited the building and Jim follwed Dani through the streets ignoring the looks from the people in the streets. They crossed a bridge over into the market street where the brightly painted wagons, stands, and tents awaited. "Where to first, Jim?" dani asked. "Horses. I need to buy some horses." Jim said hoping he had enough money for that. "The horses traders are closer to the river so they can water the horses easier." Dani said and led the way. Jim of course really didn't need a guide. His senses could help him find anything. But Blair and Jim both felt the need to help the boy who would one day perhaps be a guide to a sentinel. Jim's eye told him which of the horse traders he should avoid and which ones were not selling rejects from a glue factory. The trader Jim finally decided on was a foreigner. A tall man with bowed legs who smelled like horses, hay and leather. The man was willing to allow Jim to walk into the pen and examine the horses knowing with a look that Jim knew horses. Jim examined the horses, running sensitive hands over legs and withers, checking teeth and hooves and smelling the horse's breath and idning no sign or scent of disease or medicines. Fromt he pen, Jim found three horses for his liking. A black gelding, a gray dappled gelding, and a heavier built and sturdy roan. Jim left the pen and walked over to the trader to begin bargaining. In the end, Jim managed to buy all three animals, leaving him with a few gold crowns left, and some siver, and copper. "Any chance you can hold them for me. My guide and I are staying at the Guild house, but we plan to leave soon. The sooner the better." The trader grinned, "Don't much like this city, either. If it weren't for the profits we get coming here, I would as soon not have my caravan come here. Its hard pressed to find Pairs who will hire on to come here. And then near impossible to find Pairs here to hire to guard the caravan on its way to Ligton. Don't suppose your guide would be willing to hire on?" "I don't know. He want sto leave this city soon. How long before you head out?" Jim asked. "Four days. Then we'll be heading down the North road through the Dark forest to Ligton then on to Tessalay." "I'll ask him about that. How many guards have you hired already?" Jim asked. "Ten. My caravan is twenty wagons in all." He pointed to the long line of wagons and tents. "Its safer to travel togther, and the cost for guards is shared between us. We make a tidy profit." Jim looked down the wagons, "I'll ask him. He's supposed to meet me here. About the horses?" "No problem. I'll keep 'em here for ya. Hopefully your guide will be agreeable to hiring on." "Thanks." Jim said, then turned to Dani who was seated on the top rail of the pen watching the horses. "Ready to go?" Jim asked the young boy. Dani started, "Uh yeah, sorry." Jim grinned. The boy had been so enthralled watching the horses he hadn't realised Jim was finished. "If I become a guide," Danny asked, "Will I be able to get a horse?" "No doubt of it." Jim said. To Jim it was obvious that Pairs found jobs guarding and scouting, and there was always going to be a need for both. "Where to next?" Dani asked. "Tack. We are going to need saddles and packs." Jim said. Though he already knew where a saddler could be found formt he scent and his sight, he followed Dani as the boy led him through the wagons and tents. He smiled as he thought of the sentinel who would be lucky enough to have the enthusiastic and kind boy as a guide. At the saddler's, an older man with thin graying hair, Jim purchased two saddles and bridles, along with a halter and long lead rope with a harness and packs for the sumpter horse. The saddler promised to hold the items for him especially since Jim mentioned that they might be hiring on. The old saddler was a member of the caravan, and was happy to know that a Pair might be hired on. However, by the time Jim had purchased horses and tack, he was running low on coins. It was at that moment that Blair made his appearance. "Hey, Jim!" Blair said as he walke dup to were Jim and Dani were standing near a fruit seller's stand. Jim was surprised, he had heard Blair's heartbeat heading in his direction. "Hey, Chief." "Man, did I have a hard time finding you, then I remembered you wanted to buy some horses." Blair gestured at the horse traders wagons and pens that was not far from the fruit seller's stand. "Did you manage ot buy some horses?" "I did. Along with some tack, but now I'm busted. I have maybe a few coppers left." Jim said. "Well, I got a good price for the diamonds, at least I hope I did. the ones I sold him today were a bit bigger than the first one." Blair said handing Jim a small leather pouch that clinked. Jim took the pouch and tied it to his belt. "So where to next?" Blair said. "First I've got to tell you that we've been offered a job." Jim said. "A job?" Blair asked. Jim nodded. "The caravan master was also the horse trader I bought the mounts from. He wants to hire us to help guard his caravan when he leaves this city in four days to travel to another city." "So that's what sentinels and guides do in this world." Blair said. "I'm sure that Pairs do more than guard caravans." Jim said. "But look at it this way, there is safety in numbers, and this caravan isn't from this city so they don't have this city's prejudices toward sentinels." "Its a good idea, why don't you tell him we accept." Blair said. "I don't think it works that way, Chief. Despite the fact the man doesn't dislike or hate sentinels, I got the distinct impression that I had no real say in the matter. I think as the guide you have to make the contract." "I hope your wrong about that. I don't like the idea that sentinels are slaves or something." Blair said as he followed Dani and Jim back to the horse trader. Jim shrugged, "You could ask Liam." "Then he'd wonder baout me because I should already know the answer since I am supposed to be a guide." They were both talking in a low voice aware of Dani's presence. the boy wasn't really paying that much attention to them intent as he was on leading them to the horse trader. The horse trader whose name was Tigold, was happy that Blair agreed to be hired on. "I'll go by the Guild tomorrow and start the negotiations on the contract." Tigold said. "I'll be there." Blair said, and the trader nodded. He told Blair that he would keep the horses for them until the caravan was ready to leave and that he would talk to the saddler, Master Duran, about the tack. Blair thanked tigold and the three of them left the horse trader's wagon and headed deeper into the market street. "We'll need more clothes. Ones that fit better. Leather, and wool probably." Jim said. He looked at Dani, "Think you can find us a merchant who deals in that?" Dani grinned, "Follow me." Blair and Jim followed the small boy through the streets avoiding the crowds. Twice Jim brushed off a hand of a young cutpurse, but didn't bother capturing the boys not wanting to deal with the city's watch. The merchant was also a tailor by trade. He sold wool, leather and silk clothes that he made himself. The tailor, Master Arun, used a rope with knots to measure both Jim and Blair. He measured their shoulders, chest, waist, legs, and neck. He even measured the length of thier arms. Jim knew what they needed, and spoke to the man who listened despite the fact Jim was a sentinel. Jim ordered leather breeches, three pair a piece, leather jerkins, vests, and wool shirts, silk shirts, and two wool and oiled cloaks. Jim chose the colors, dark greens, browns and blacks to help blend into the surroundings. He compromised though on the silk shirts allowing Blair to choose a deep saphirre blue for his and an emerald green for Blair's just in case they had to look presentable for any reason. The man assured them that he would have the part of the clothes finished in a few days, and the rest would be ready within a week at most. The man had several apprentices who were nearing the end of their apprenticeship. Also the man was part of the caravan that they were hiring on. At a leather maker's stand, Blair ordered at Jim request, because the man was a local, four large skins nearly as tall as Dani that could be filled with water or wine, and five smaller leather canteens that could be attached to their belts. The man handed them over after Blair paid the agreed upon price. They stopped at a stand where a man was cooking a young pig, and bought a few slices of the roast pig. The seller wrapped the meat in a silk cloth and placed it in a basket Blair had brought with him. They bought another loaf of bread, a wineskin filled with red wine, a few apples and placed them in the basket, then after giving Dani another two silvers, and some bread, and meat, Jim and Blair headed back to the Guild house. they were met inside by Liam who looked decidely angry. "What's wrong, Liam?" Blair asked. "Its this damn city. I just heard that a new ordinance may be passed by the council." "What's the ordinance?" Blair asked. "Oh, this is good, listen to this. This ordinance," He made the word sound like a curse, "says that all sentinels outside the Guild house shall be and I quote, 'leashed'! Can you believe the nerve of them!" "Oh man that sucks!" Blair said. "Huh." Liam asked. "Oh sorry, I meant that is bad." "Its worse than bad. I reported this to the Guild Council. So far there isn't a response. At least the Book doesn't have anything new written in it." "The book?" Blair asked. "Oh sorry, I forget sometimes that not all guides know about the Book. Its a spelled book. Anything I write in it appears in all the other Guild Houses Books, just as anything they write in their appears in mine. There is one book, however, that is only linked to the Council's book." Blair was trying not to gape. Spelled. This world contained magic. Balir wanted to laugh in Liam's face, but he had the feeling that Liam was telling the truth. "What will they do if the ordinance is passed?" Blair asked. "Seriously, I think the Guild will close this chapter house, and abondon this city altogether. They will also make sure that all guide's know not to come here anymore. It will probably be forbidden. That fool of a council doens't realize they are slitting their own throats. When the caravans find out that they will not be able to hire Pairs to guard them coming here and leaving here, they may bypass this city altogether." "That is cutting their own throats." Jim said. "Exaclty. the thing is, I know this stupid ordinance will be passed. The council is that stupid. I've told Breyd to pack, because I am pretty sure we will be leaving. I would suggest you guys leave as well." "About that," Blair said. "I jsut spoke to a caravan master today about hiring on. He said he'd be here tomorrow to negotiate the contract." "When are they leaving?" Liam asked. "Four days from now." Jim answered. "Then the Guild house will have to stay open at least that long, unless your caravan master would be willing to put you up till then. I'll ask him tomorrow and try and add it to the contract. If the ordinance passes, you might want to stay inside, Jim. I seriously doubt you want to be leashed. Its degrading." "I'll keep that in mind." Jim said.
"brey and I are going to the market to get dinner. There's a park in the Crown District where we can eat, perhaps Blair, you and Jim can join us." Liam asked. "We'd be happy to accept your invitation. We have some wine, cheese, bread and meat to add." Blair said. Breyd came downstairs a few minutes later wearing brown leather breeches and a sleeveless low cut jerkin belted at the waist. The four of htem left the Guild House, Liam locking the door behind them and headed for the marketplace. Blair and Liam carried the baskets, leaving Jim and Breyd free to protect them should it become neccessary. The basket Blair carried contained the food items they had bought earlier along with what was left of the cheese they had bought a few days ago, and the two earthenware cups. At the market, Liam bought some sausages, fruit and honeycakes. In his basket were two earthenware cups and a jug of water from the well in front of the Guild House. While they were int he marketplace, jim took the opportunity to buy a couple of knives for himself and Blair along with leather sheaths. Together, sentinels and guides walked across two bridges into the Crown District. In the shadow of the huge palace in a park with trees, benches, ponds and an open air theater, they ate their meal sharing the food between them "Liam, I'm trying to write a book about the laws and customs of Pairs. I have to admit my memory is sketchy in certain areas..." Blair began hoping he wasn't going to make the other guide suspicious. "and I was wondering if you have any books or papers I could study. To refresh my memory." Liam smiled, "Of course. A new book about Pairs would be very refreshing. The books we have are at least two hundred years old." Liam sighed, "I'm not sure if its a good thing or a bad thing that Guild laws and customs haven't changed since then. But I do know those books are dry and boring." "Aah yes, I remember. One of the reasons I hope to write my book, to try and save later guides from death by boredom." Liam laughed. "when we get back, remind me, and I'll dig out my copy of Guide Morfitt's book and Guide's Trenor's book. They woudl be the best ones to start with." "Blair smiled, "Thanks, Liam. I really appreciate this." Liam smiled back, and the four of them continued their meals ignoring the looks of the other citizens int he park. When they were done, they packed up what was left of the food, and headed back to the Guild House. Waiting ont he door of the Guild House was a parchment nailed to the heavy oak door. Liam snarled as he ripped it off the door while he unlocked it. "The gods damn them to the lowest hells, those sons of goats passed that godsdamned law!" Liam cursed as he stalked intot he guild house with Breyd at his heels with Jima nd Blair behind her. "Fuck!" Blair said under his breath. Aloud he said, "what now, Liam?" "It says that the law will be enforced starting tomorrow. Any guide not in compliance will be arrested. They even have a minimum qualification for 'leashed'. I need t write this in the Book." Liam walked into the storage room behind his desk, and came out with a large leather bound book in his hands. He sat it on his desk. Nlair walked over to the desk and picked up the parchment and read. "Five days in jail for not being in compliance!" Blair read, "What happens to the sentinels when the guides are in jail?" "They are kept in the cages of the King's menagerie." Liam answered as he dipped his quill into a stone inkpot. Blai shudderred and read on, "Minimum qualifications are: one chain leash no longer than three feet and one leather collar with guide symbol and number etched or painted into the leather. This is ridiculous." Blair said. "It is," Liam agreed. He wrote everything in the Book. A few minutes later more writing appeared in the Book. "Close downt he Guild House. Reprot to Guild House in Hawk's Crest, see Guild Master Norn." Liam read. "That was quick." Blair noted. "I'll leave tomorrow after I officiate the contract. I will make damn sure that the caravan master will put you up so Jim doesn't have to be outside. I would strongly suggest that you stay inside until the caravan leaves. With the Guild House closed down, the Kign might use that as an opportunity to keep you indefinitly should you get arrested" "You think he might?" Blair asked. Liam nodded, "I know he would. he is a fool. He would like nothing more than to keep a sentinel in his menagerie. Fortunatly, the Guild House's presence has kept him from doing jus that. Now he got his wish, the Guild house is finally closing. This law was the final straw." "Damn." Blair breathed. "But, the Guild House won't be closing indefinitly." "What Guild Master would want to work here?" Blair asked. "the Guild will probably send a nanny guide to run the Guild House here." *A nany guide* Blair though confused by the term. *What the hell is a nanny uide?* But he didn't ask. "A good idea." Blair said. "Its a waste, butits the only solution. Nanny guides are hard to come by. To take one away from Stone Tor is a complete waste." Blair was becoming even more confused. "Should I get those items, just in case?" Blair asked. No need to specify the items. "You'll have to." Liam looked at Breyd who was seated at a table with Jim playing a game of dice. "hell, I'll have to. At some point tomorrow we'll both be leaving this place. I'll go in an hour to get the supplies. If you want I'll get them for you as well." Blair handed over a silver, "If you don't mind." No problem." Liam said taking the coin. "About those books.." Blair began "Oh of course." Liam took the Book into the back and came back to the desk with two smaller leather bound books. "here you go." Blair took them and read teh title glad that he could read the writing. "Customs and Laws of the Guide Guild and "A Guide's Guide to Sentinels." "Thanks Liam." Blair smiled. Blair and Jim both went upstairs to their room. Blair handed Jim the book "Customs and Laws of the Guide Guild" while he read the other. Lighting a few of the candles, Blair setteld down on the bed to read whiule Jim sat at the desk. An hour later Blair said, "tha ti didn't know." Jim looked up, "What didn't you know?" "According to this book all guides are male." Blair said. "Isn't that kind of strange?" Jim asked. "Yeah I would've...." He trailed off as the next paragraph caught his attention. "Oh shit." Blair said. "What?" Jim asked. "the book says that female guides are nany guides who care for young sentinels at the school in Stone Tor until they are sixteen years and old and paired with a male guide who they fully bond to." "So that's what a nanny guide is. Liam mentioned that full bodnin thing too. What is it and are we fully bonded?" Blair shook his head, "No we aren't and there's a reason for that. We haven't had sex." Jim choked on water he was drinking, "what?" "that's why guides are male. Apparently the bond is completed when the guide's see is released into the sentinel's body." "You mean we have to...fuck to complete our bond?" Blair nodded, "I have no doubt that the bond between our counterparts were complete, but I don't think that translated over to us when we entered their bodies." "Is it going to cause problems?" Jim asked. "I don't know," Blair admitted. "Liam mentioned something about Breyd no tbeing in heat." "You think Alex was in heat in Sierra Verde?" Jim asked. "It would explain alot. I'll read more and see if they talk baout it." Blair said. "Anything of iterest int hat one?" "Well I was right as far as roles are concerned guides are in charge. they are also the ones who sign contracts, own proerty and distribute money. they also have the right o punish their sentinels and not even the guild can punish another guide's sentinel." Jim answered. Blair shuddered at the idea, "Anything else?" "Not really. Normal laws. No breaking contracts, no murder, or stealing. Guides are executed if they kill thier sentinels or maim them except or Guild authorized geldings." The last statement made Blair's balls tighten, "Shit. why the hell would they authorize that?" "There's only one reason. The sentinel forced himself on his guide or another person." "Rape. Wel I guess I can see that." Blair said. "Only thing is its not rape if the guide forces the sentinel." Jim continued. "Your kidding?" Jim shook his head, "Its right here. Sentinels must submit to their guides or face punishment." "That is fucking wrong." Blair said. Jim nodded in agreement.