The first few nights went by in awkward assembly. Sandaval took care of the horses, and Beaux took care of fires and dinner. The others ate their own food, and sat around Beaux's fire for warmth. The two slept in shifts, watching the horses and supplies in careful suspicion. Kali and her merry group (whose names were Dave and Willie) huddled together most nights. Poor Lance laid alone, oftentimes crying himself to sleep.
One night around the fire Beaux pulled out the leather skin of wine he had brought from the summer solstice celebration. Sandaval didn't drink, and in an act of camaraderie, he held it towards Kali.
She lifted her brows in suspicion, the firelight danced across her face creating shadowy lines down her chest.
"If it were poisoned I'd be the first to fall." Beaux said, smirking.
She snorted, taking a long swig of the drink.
"This road is long." She said, and her voice was much deeper than he expected. Gruff in a way he had never heard.
Beaux shrugged his shoulders, it was Lance who spoke next.
"We make good time, Miss Moon." He spoke with a quiver. "Two days ahead, the middle lands are not far off."
[What has the boy been eating? I haven't seen him take anything from his pack, spare his bedroll.]
Lance had somehow become even thinner than before, his golden cheeks sunk in. His eyes were large, with dark circles rimming the bottom.
[Still not my problem.]
"And how do you know that?" Asked Sandaval, from his seat near the horses.
Lance shook again, his entire body was trembling.
"I can read the stars, my grandfather taught me." Lance sounded as if he'd explode into tears.
Beaux nodded his head and looked to the sky. On the ride without a house insight, the sky was clear and dazzling clusters of stars spread far across the sky. The hills beyond were hunched giants, sleeping in their lazy meadow.
[Lance may have some purpose, it seems.]
"Your Grandfather," Kali added, "nautical man, I assume."
At that, Lance lit up.
"Yes!" He said more confidently, "he fished off the shore of Venu. He told many wonderful tales of the sea and his travels."
This made a lot of sense. Venu was a country torn apart in the war, east of the Sow. Across the ocean were clutches of islands making up a single kingdom, and further was the Eastern empire of Hon Lu. The major rival of Tethya. Lance's skin was a rich gold, and his hair looked like curled strips of dark coal. His grandfather must have been from Venu. On the coast of the middle lands, his knowledge may come in use, especially if he spoke any Venu tongue.
Beaux tossed a few pieces of dried meat, and an apple towards Lance.
"Eat this, you look like you could use it."
Sandaval shot him a pointed look, then nodded in acknowledgment. When the food landed on Lance's bedroll, he took it and chewed greedily. Kali rolled her eyes and made her own bedroll, where Dave and Willie talked quietly.
Sandaval came close to Beaux, ready to whisper before bed.
"Your honor is surprising Poncè." He said, nodding towards Lance. "It is a manly thing to share with someone who has so little."
After spending the last few nights with the man, Beaux had learned that honor was extremely important to Sandaval. The man went on about it relentlessly, talking of knighthood and his plans to move high in the ranks of the military.
A simple shrug was all Beaux had to offer in response.
[His rambling makes sleeping on the road far more annoying.]
"Those two." Sandaval said, pointing to Willie and Dave, "Lack the makings of honorable men."
That was something Beaux could agree with. They helped with nothing, not gathering wood for the fire or scouting areas for camp. Even Kali Moon did her part, often bringing heaps of sticks to Beaux's feet when it was time to camp.
"We need to keep an eye on them." Beaux said, "I'll take the first shift."
Sandaval rose in understanding, and went to his own bedroll for sleep. Lance was still sitting there munching on his apple quietly.
"I admit to not knowing much about the Venu coast and its history." Beaux spoke gently to the lad, wanting as much information as possible.
Lance perked up.
"Well, nearly sixty years ago it was independent of Tethya. The shore is vast, and rich with fish and crabs the size of one's head." He started the tale with a weary smile, "though the land provided, the local government was tyrannical. Often stealing from the poor to make themselves rich. There were seamen who felt the lords were too greedy, and fought in rebellion. Once they rose up in civil war, the Tethya troops swooped in and claimed the lands. Freeing the people from the lords. Many Venu people were displaced in the dispute, including my grandfather and his family."
It was true there was a civil war, but often Tethya was seen as an aggressor in the story. Coming from behind during a territory dispute, and conquering. Beaux could see that in some ways Lance worshiped Tethya as a savior to his people. The Venu shore still had many of its inhabitants, only a few were spread across parts of the middle and lower lands.
The lower lands had a similar history, many hundred years ago it was wild and lawless. Large powerful families held small territories, bearing family crests similar to the Poncè. Women were not used for breeding as they were now, instead they held the family titles and power. Daemons spread across the hills like wildfire, and as the large families fell, Tethya took over. Now it was a safe place, only a few dark creatures lurking in ponds and grass.
Lance looked to the sky and pointed to the brightest star.
"Do you see that big one there?"
Beaux nodded his head and looked as well, it was a dazzling blue unlike any he'd seen.
"It's the eastern star, it points home." Lance looked misty eyed, as if in a daydream.
At the coast, they'd take a four day boat ride to Theo. So, the eastern star was their guiding light on the dark and dangerous road. Lance would indeed prove himself of use. He tucked himself deep into his bedroll, tossing the apple core aside.
"Thank you for the meal." Lance said, from deep below the blankets.
Beaux said nothing, still staring at the sky above. In awe of the beauty and knowledge they held.