Today was different, today was the day he would accompany his father to the big city. Six months ago his father confided in him that he would be required on the quarterly cattle run. This was one of the final steps on becoming a man, to be a full contributor to the running of the farm and not just a 'cattlekid'.
Two weeks ago they had set out with 15 head of cattle for the hungry stockyards of Silverwater, and now the city was in sight. This morning he woke up and his father had pointed out the silvery smoke plume that was to be their compass for the final part of the journey. The beasts would not be hurried along to their final destination, it was as if they knew that this journey had no return for them. The anticipation drew his attention away from his task of keeping the cattle together, but a sharp reminder delivered by a pinecone, at speed to the back of his head brought the here and now back to the present.
The city walls come across as imposing which was their entire point. To deter a possible threat to the citizens of Silverwater. Any serious threat to the city was hundreds of years ago. Any invading army would have to travel hundred of leagues through defended territory before being able to lay siege to the city. As a result of the years of peace in the city people build their homes on both sides of the city. Jakxon did not know of the history of the wars surrounding Silverwater, but the walls endure and the gates remain guarded and the people feel safe and because of that life in and around the city continues.
Entering the city gates.
Jakxons dad gave specific orders to all the cowboys in the group.
"Jakxon, stay on the left, do not let any cattle move your way", he barked this order and Jakxon knew not to disobey. He readied his whip.
From the gates to the yards was only 100 yards but the cattle zigzagged, The whip cracked again and again. Jakxon glanced to the other cowboys and saw that they no longer relied on the the sharp noise of the whip but used the business end on the thick hides of the beasts. The newest cowboy took the hint and found that the job was suddenly easier. The yard boys opened the gates and the cattle were soon enclosed. Not before a few bruises and more than a few swear words.
The yard manager waved over Jakxons dad. Out of habit Jakxon followed him but the others kept a respectful distance.
"Fred!", said the yard manager with the knowing nod of a familiar face, "how was the run?"
"You know, the usual, training my boy here to work the cattle on the run"
"He looks like you, you'd improve his looks with a few stripes of his whip", He pressed a pouch into the older man's hand and with that the business was concluded.
They rode back to the cowboys and with silent nods they rode to the nearby inn. The smell that wafted out created a queasy feeling in Jakxon. A sign indicated that this was "The Laughing Orc". The cowboys eagerly tied up their horses and would have figuratively have tripped to get inside but one of them actually tripped one of the others so he could be the vanguard.
Fred piloted Jakxon in using the young man's shoulders as rudders.
Once inside, the group found a table that they all could sit at and Fred returned a nod from a passing wench and forthwidth and the passing of a coin the table was decorated with the appropriate number of tankards and a vessel of a brown foaming brew, that to Jakxons nose was less than appetising. Despite this the cowboy who had made his way in first decanted the fluid into each of the tankards, he paused briefly at Jakxons mug, until he received a nod from Fred and then all seated ranked level. Fred took the pouch and passed a few coins to each of the party and with some parting words told them to be back at work Monday. The group finished their drinks and dissolved.
Many years ago Jakxon and some of his friends had broken open a Fire Ants nest, releasing and attracting the fury of a horde of insects as long as your hand. They had run long and hard that day, knowing that if they had been caught their skin would not have protected them from the frenzy. However they could not resist to go back a few days later to see what their actions had revealed. The ants had buried them selves deeper in the ground but left some of the nest showing, it showed a maze of large and small passages. The city was like the nest but rather than being abandoned it was filled with moving human insects. The sheer crush of people in the city felt like that time when he fell into the the cattle sales yard. The voluminous crush of populace was like being stuck between the cattle, people moved hither and thither like startled sheep, their noise was that of chickens roused up from their nests in anticipation of their daily feeding. Each person focussed on their own target of food, drink or entertainment.
Fred had been here before and took the time to stop at the temple of Ceres. Junior and senior both knew of Ceres, the goddess of the harvest and agriculture. Compared to the small shrine that was interned at their town, this was truly an impressive structure, polished stone walls and a large golden Cornucopia or horn of plenty embedded above the double front doors. Jakxon was almost afraid to follow his father in but his fear of being left alone in this bustling city drove him inside. A large statue of the goddess at the end of the large chamber dominated the area and Jakxon felt his head bow in respect. They stayed long enough for Fred to make an offering of coins into the receptacle. A cleric that Jakxon had not noticed before made the holy sign at Fred and thereby showed him thanks.
"one more stop."
As they once more entered the throng Jakxon stayed close to his lifeline, the only way out of this maze of madness. Fred laughed at Jakxon for calling it that.
"When you have been here a few times, you will not mind it so much", said he merrily.
They passed a building twice the size of the temple of Ceres,
"Juno, the mother of the gods, The Duke is a devoted follower and allows her clerics a little more leeway than is normally allowed. Keep moving, boy"
Their objective lay in a small alley whose entrance that was hidden by a delivery cart. A door with a unfamiliar symbol, A golden circle and a smaller flattened circle on top, sat above the iron knocker. Fred pulled on the door and entered. Jakxon tried to follow but the door closed and would not open again. Anxiety gripped him and he expected to be attacked at any moment. He loosed his whip, the only weapon he had, when dad came back out. Without a word he left the way they had come in and Jakxon followed at his heels.
Jakxon was glad to be on his way but despite his reluctance it seemed that 'the Orc' was to be their final stop for the day.
"too late to set back on the road tonight, we will be on our way home at first light."
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