Chapter 1
“Pa, why are we going this way? Isn't it dangerous?”
“Yes boy, it is, but there is more money to be made this way. To be successful and survive this war as a company, we need to do what other merchants do not dare.”
The family fell silent for a time, the creak of the wagon wheels filling the quiet. The group consisted of a middle-aged man and his three sons. Nathaniel, the oldest boy broke the silence again.
“But pa if we get robbed or caught in a battle, then won't we have lost more than other merchants?”
“Hush boy, don't be saying things like that, you'll bring bad luck.”
“But pa..”
“I said to keep your mouth shut boy!”
Again silence enveloped the group. The middle boy, Alaric, had remained silent the entire trip. He knew that the route they were taking was dangerous, but his father was also right that there was money to be made there. The soldiers would be grateful to be able purchase some much needed supplies or comfort items. Alaric was also very good at business and his father had even spoke of leaving the company to him, rather than Nathaniel. Of course Nathaniel had not been told this, because their father knew how he would take it. Nathaniel generally expected everything to go his way. He was the oldest, the most educated, and the strongest of his siblings. The youngest brother, Charles, was spoiled. He got whatever he wanted and never had to do any work. Alaric didn't mind, because by doing more work he knew he was gaining more experience in what he might be doing the rest of his life. Nathaniel, however, hated Charles for it.
As they went up through a mountain pass, a light snow had begun to fall. After an oddly cool summer it wasn't really a surprise that there would be snow this early in the year. As the merchant family continued through the pass, several men in the light brown uniforms of Estad, appeared from behind the rocks that littered the area. They were all armed with rifled muskets. One of the men stepped forward, “Halt! I must ask you to turn around.”
“Ah, then we've made it. I am Ezekiel, owner of the Wyverstone Trading Company”.
“Merchants? I didn't expect to see any merchants up this way”.
“Well sir, I figured you gents would like the chance to buy some things that you don't have up this way.”
The soldier smiled, “Well come on then and we'll take you to the camp. I'm sure the general will even jump on the opportunity.” The soldiers searched the wagon and the family, making sure that they weren't spies, and then escorted the family another quarter of a mile or so to the camp. There were quite a few men, huddled around fires. Although it was only September, it was colder up here than the rest of the country. Several men started towards the wagon as soon as they saw it. Others, when they realized what the wagon was, jumped up, many with smiles on their faces. When the wagon came to a halt, the soldier that guided them to the camp told them he would tell the general so that they could get permission to sell to the army. A few moments later a short man with a long brown beard, wearing what looked like an officer's uniform and a large brimmed, black hat, approached the wagon.
“Good afternoon gentlemen. What sort of goods do you have in that wagon?”
“General, we have all sorts of fine things; winter coats, new boots, blankets, soap, coffee, even some candy. We also have a few special things if you are interested.” Ezekiel winked at the general as if trying to convey that he would be very interested in whatever the special things were. The general nodded, “And the prices are fair?” Ezekiel laughed, “Oh yes, we'll take any currency or good trade. For example, we'll sell this blanket for five Marks.” The general nodded again, “You may sell to the men. I'd be very interested to see these special items you mentioned.”
“Of course sir. Boys start taking these fine men's money. I'll be with the general discussing a few things.” Ezekiel went around the back of the wagon and moved a few blankets. Then he removed a couple of boards and pulled up a long crate. “Let's take a look somewhere more private, eh?” The general smiled and led him to a tent.
Meanwhile, Alaric was talking business with the soldiers while Nathaniel passed out the bought goods. Many of the men thanked the boys for coming all the way up here to sell to them. Others thanked them for the fair prices. Alaric was very interested in the soldiers. He spoke to some about their homes and why they were fighting, as well as how they felt the war was going. Alaric discovered that thanks to the mountain range that separated Estad from the invading Kudranian Empire, the war was going well. There was some talk of more Kudranians arriving in the mountains everyday and some fear of being overrun by sheer numbers, but most were just happy to talk about how lucky they were to not have to fight very much. Alaric realized that most of these men had never seen a full scale battle, so it made sense that they were happy the mountains were keeping the enemy at bay.
After a good hour, the soldiers had bought everything they wanted and mostly emptied the wagon of goods. Alaric was counting the money inside the wagon when there was a sudden whistling sound. It got louder and louder until a boom sounded somewhere on the other side of the camp. Men began shouting and grabbing their guns. Horses neighed and then more whistling followed by several explosions. Ezekiel came rushing to the wagon, “We've got to get out of here boys; the blasted Kudranians are decimating the army on the other side of the camp.” The boys began hurriedly packing up the wagon, while Ezekiel grabbed his shotgun from inside the wagon and handed it to Nathaniel. “I'm going to need you to help me get your brothers out of here safely. Don't be afraid boy, this is a war after all.” The sounds of rifles being fired could be heard now, the smoke was building from both guns and burning tents. The general rode up to the wagon on a horse, “Thank you for your wares. We'll put them to good use today. Leave while you can!” With that he rode towards the fighting.
The merchant family tore out of the camp, as fast as the wagon would allow. As they reached the pass, the men of the picket line stopped them to ask what was going on. Ezekiel explained that the camp was under attack and that he was trying to get his boys out of harm's way. As the soldiers were letting the family leave, several shots flew in their direction, and two of the soldiers dropped. Ezekiel whipped the horses into moving as more shots went off. The few soldiers left of the picket line urged them to go as they returned fire. Alaric looked out the back of the wagon and saw at least thirty men on horseback, in the dull green uniforms of Kudrania. The horsemen trampled the picket line and continued towards the merchants. Nathaniel climbed into the back with the shotgun and as the horsemen got closer, he took a shot, a snap followed almost instantly by a deep bass boom erupting from his gun. Fire and a cloud of smoke shot from the barrel and a moment later a Kudranian fell from his saddle. The horsemen fired several rounds at the wagon, mostly from revolvers. Nathaniel took another shot, completely missing the oncoming soldiers. As he tried to reload the shotgun, a round from a revolver ripped through the canvas of the wagon, striking Nathaniel in his left shoulder. He screamed in pain, dropping the gun and clutching his wound. Alaric stared at the blood now dripping from his brother and fear gripped him. Alaric found he couldn't move, his eyes fixed on his brother.
“Charlie, Alaric, get into the secret compartment. Don't make a sound.” Their father's voice broke Alaric's paralysis. The boys obeyed instantly. A moment later a wheel struck a rock. The wheel wobbled, its spokes cracked, and the wheel came off. A back corner of the wagon crashed to the ground, slowing the speed of the wagon. The horsemen caught up, going along the side of the wagon. There was a shot and Ezekiel fell to the ground. The Kudranians got the wagon horses stopped and then dismounted. The horses were untied from the wagon while other soldiers dragged Nathaniel out of the wagon, and threw him next to his father. What seemed to be the commander walked towards them, “We can't have you leaving and warning anyone that we're breaking your army, now can we? You'll be coming with us
