บท 11: Micah - 2.0
"Uncle, did you bring any tonic?" I asked.
"Of course, my nephew. I wouldn't want to have to clean up another mess in my nice carriage. But more importantly, I wouldn't want my nephew to be sick. I haven't forgotten the last time we traveled and you suffered for two days before we happened to cross another merchant caravan that had a spare vial. I wish there was a way for us to have known before we left the first time to bring tonic," Uncle replied.
"Thank you-," I hastily gulped as I imbibed the bluish liquid from a small vial Uncle was hiding within his coat. "Thank you."
"Don't worry, dear boy, I have several more. As I imagine you'll need many more today. They don't make them like they used to..." Uncle trailed off with a distant look outside the carriage.
"By the way, Uncle, where are we stopping?" I asked.
Uncle laughed heartily. "Oh, well, I have a couple of errands to attend to along the way. You know, traveling out this far warrants business. Do pay attention; you may never know what skills you'll need later in life. I'll have a few bargains to attend to, several work orders to place, a package to pick up, and actually, someone for you to visit with."
"Really? Someone for me? Who is it, Uncle? Is it family?"
"Oh, well, I don't want to spoil the surprise. Think of it as an early birthday present from me to you. Our first stop is Aetherhaven. I need to pick up some metal for a new machine that we've been working on for the bakery across from the academy. I'm afraid our luxurious carriage will turn into a merchant caravan shortly."
"Oh, a caravan? How much are you getting, Uncle? How do you even afford all of this?"
"You know. Business is good. The nobles crave the finest for their balls and their feasts." He paused as he bit into some of the rations we were sent with. "Speaking of which, it seems that your mother finally figured out my recipe. I'll have to keep an eye on that one; can't have any secrets getting out. How would I stay in business?" He ended with a slight chuckle.
"I thought the better taste was just because I was in a better mood from leaving."
The carriage carried on into the night before stopping at a very small village in a remote area populated with only a handful of souls and only two stone masoned buildings: one an inn, and one a warden post.
The driver ushered us into the inn to book us a room and to find a stable for the horses. He came out and handed us a key after just a brief minute. With a bow, he dismissed himself to carry out his duties.
"Always so respectful. Micah, remind me to give him a raise when we get back."
"As long as you remind me to remind you," I replied with a grin and a slight laugh.
Uncle Ulysses chuckled even more. "Of course."
We found our lodgings down the hall of the inn with a promise of some food accommodations in the morning. It was the largest room in the inn and had two separate beds with actual mattresses.
"This right here is the reason I prefer this inn to most in the country," Ulysses commented as he sprawled out on the hay-stuffed bed. "Moderate comfort, great affordability, and a nice location to add. I always make sure I stop here, and if you ever travel through this way, Micah, do mention my name to the owner."
"I'll be sure to do so, Uncle," I took a mental note, making sure to mark his words as well as his earlier reminder.
"We'll be leaving at dawn. We need to make good time to get to the hills before dusk. We'll have our morning mail and break the fast before carrying on. Do get some good rest, Micah, and I'll give you another vial in the morning." After finishing, Uncle turned over and began to snore.
I pulled out my new book from my ring. The cracks in the roof allowed enough moonlight to shine through to be able to read. I lost track of time, only realizing how much I've read once the silvery moonlight began to fade into a pink hue. I hope Uncle doesn't mind if I sleep in the carriage.
I suppose it's time to go check out whatever meal accommodations they were speaking of. I quietly snuck out of the room, taking care as not to disturb Uncle Ulysses. I traveled down the hall and found a welcome scent of oily meat and a slight tinge of copper in the air from a freshly butchered animal.
"Good sir, what is the meal?" I inquired.
"Well, today I prepared some stew with freshly butchered pig, added potatoes and carrots from one of the villagers' farms," replied the barkeep.
"Yay... pork stew... with potatoes... and carrots..." I mumbled as I looked at the meal that was placed in front of me.
"Aye, lad, not much better around here. Is your uncle joining?" The man behind the counter asked.
"He should be up shortly; he said he would be getting up at dawn," I replied.
"That geezer never changes," trailed off the innkeeper.
With a gesture of thanks, I began to eat my pork stew with potatoes and carrots. I tidied up my mess and brushed the crumbs off into my hand and carried them outside before sitting on the lawn with a book, watching as the driver prepared the carriage. I've managed now to be halfway through the second chapter; each word intrigues me more. There's so much I don't know, and it excites me. The thrill of gathering new knowledge, new information, there's not much else joy in life than learning.
Just as the sun began to poke above the horizon, I heard the door to the inn open behind me, and out came Uncle with a few crumbs on his collar and a slight oily sheen on the side of his mouth. He silently offered me another vial of the tonic as we approached the carriage synchronously.
"Uncle, do you mind if I nap here?"
"Well, who's going to be my conversation partner?" he replied with a stern face. I began to look guilty, being selfish before he piped up again. "I'm just jostling you, kid. Of course, rest. You have a journey ahead of you. This is just the beginning."
I gently closed my eyes and rested my head against the back of the wooden booth. With alternating pictures of black and the visage of my uncle, I slowly slipped away into the Land of Nod. I opened my eyes to be greeted by the smiling face of my father, reaching out a hand to me as I was laid down in a cool meadow surrounded by books. He pulled me up with great force and then gripped my entire body with a hearty hug.
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