Kestrel
was barely out of sight when the first small group of Greek children
came running up to gawk at Sert and Meli as they sat on their cart.
Meli already had a book in hand indulged fully into the written words
leaving Sert glancing around in silence.
“Hard
to move stuff if you have nothing to pull the cart.” one of the
boys stated.
“Maybe
he is as strong as a titan and can pull it himself.” one of the
girls suggested.
“Like
the legendary Herakles?” another chimed in.
“I
know not of this Herakles but I definitely cannot pull a cart by
myself.” Sert replied. He dismounted to walk around the edge of the
cart to meet the children. “Our companion and guide has gone to
find us pull-beasts.” he informed them.
“And
you are doing what while waiting?” one of the half dozen asked.
“Guarding
the cart.” he answered with a shrug. “A little hard doing it
alone.” he whispered to them. He signalled with his head toward
Meli as she slowly flipped the page in her book. “Do you think you
and your friends could help?” he suggested. A thought had formed in
his mind remembering the inn keeper that handed out food to the
children. “I am sure we can make an agreeable deal.” he added. He
deftly snatched one of the apples from the back of the cart showing
it to the children. They shrieked at him before rushing off in all
directions. Sert stood staring at them in total confusion as they
fled.
“Maybe
they are not hungry.” Meli commented casually. “But good effort
and your diction was correct.” she added offhandedly. He sighed as
he slowly walked around the cart with his shoulders slumped. As he
completed his walk around, he spot the first child returning with a
handful of friends at their heels. Each child, be it boy or girl,
carried either a wooden sword or a long stick with them.
“Ready
for guard duty sir!” the lead child called out. The others aligned
themselves behind him trying to stand at attention like the first
attempted. Sert chuckled as he handed out a fruit to each of them
from the the two remaining baskets in the cart. Others arrived before
the last member of the first group received their payment. In total,
Sert had collected over two dozen children all armed and ready to
help guard the cart with him.
“Make
sure to spread out around the cart evenly.” Sert told them. He
walked around noticing some would spar while other kept watched like
a true army would do during the quiet times. “I must believe that
part of the Greek army waited here for ships.” he commented to one
of them.
“They
had tents and practised in the fields just outside of town.” the
child replied.
“Was
not the best for the field but it will survive.” another one
stated.
“Any
large gathering of people can have that unfortunate effect.” Sert
admitted.
“Why
are you not besieging Troy?” one of the girls carrying a solid
wooden sword asked.
“I
am not part of the army here.” Sert replied softly. “My people
cannot interfere in such matters unless directly asked.” he
whispered to her.
“But
you wear armour and carry a sword?” another pipped in.
“I
am private guardian for my companions which allows me to wear such
things.” he returned easily. “The Alton are not allowed to put
our swords into others' conflicts.” he stated under his breath. He
heard the words “He is an Alton!” spread around the circle.
“How
can you speak Greek if you are not one of us?” the girl remarked.
She had stopped walking to stand by him.
“I
learned it from hearing my friends practice it.” he answered. “She
is much better at learning from a book than I am.” he continued.
The girl glanced from Meli to him. “It is why she is a skilled
healer while I am but a soldier.” he added.
“I
think you are smarter than you let others believe.” the girl
replied in a hushed voice. “Best return to patrolling now, sir.”
she stated out loud. She ran off to walk with the others around the
cart. Sert laughed as he spoke to them as they passed his check
point. He spotted Kestrel holding back with a pair of horses in hand.
He hollered to him making him approach his entrenched position.
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