J-9Commander Redbeard wrote:"My name is Haribier, Captain of this outpost. My apologies, Captain Anardan. Your trade will be welcome here. I'll send one of mine with you as a guide."
The Crusader soldiers stood aside and let the Forestmen pass, relaxing the grip on their battle-axes. As the Caravan continued on into the mist, a burly Crudader scout holding a spear loosely in his hands fell into the first rank.
Outside the Crusader city Farburg
As the Forestmen proceeded forward, Reno leaned toward Anardan. "I'm much oblidged, Anardan. You handled that very smoothly."
Anardan simply smiled and nodded.
The Forestmen caravan continued southward past the guard tower and into the city of Farburg. Reno smiled as he stared at the city, for this was the same Crusader town where he, Bjarn, Barbod, Willem and Drakko had hijacked the ship Shadow. His good eye wandered over the new features since he last saw it; the dock had been repaired long ago, and of course the guard tower they had just passed through was new. Before, Bjarn had been able to sneak into Farburg, "borrow" a cart, and return to the other Misfits without detection.
The caravan made it's way to the center of the city to where the main marketplace was located. Aros directed the unloading of wood and Shainya saw over bartering for food and other supplies while Reno again kept records. The trading continued well into the late afternoon, and by that time the Forestmen and Crusaders had become much friendlier toward one another. Age old differences were forgotten and new ties were made as the two newly formed allies traded and bartered for what they both needed most. At last, as the sun sank into the horizon, the last cords of timber was stored and the last basket of food and bolts of cloth was packed away in the cabin. As it was late, the Crusaders invited the Forestmen in their homes and had a merry sup together. Then the Forestmen slept on makeshift cots into the houses of generous Crusaders, glad of a good day's trading.
As Shainya drifted off into sleep, she realised BloodVaine had done one good thing amist his tyranny. He had brought old enemies together.