Part LV

The road was so far well maintained, there were no holes or any other dangerous for the delivery obstacles. The sun shone on Joel's face and he felt great. For a long time he felt rather useless, now he was a guide. People relied on him and he had an important task. He rode a bit forward and checked the way, then returned back to the small caravan making sure everything was fine.

Before the evening came he has already found an inn, comfortable and clean with a shelter for the fragile cargo. Joel quickly ordered the men around, giving each one a task by securing the delivery.

"I must admit you do know your work." The older man patted his arm.

Joel only smiled at this remark and they all went in, leaving two guards to protect the wagons.

The smell of food was mouth watering. Joel was dying for a hot stew and some cold beer. The inn was partially empty, except for them there was an older couple and two other men who looked like field workers with sunburned faces.

"For completing the quarter of the way!" Tanim raised his beer up and gulped it almost in one go. Joel knew it was a bad idea. He wasn't here to show off how much of a drinker he was. Even more so as he was a guide and was at work. Joel simply enjoyed the cold drink after a tasty meal.

"Tomorrow we will reach another city, Berigam. It is similar to Musergrow. We need to be careful though. There are many people there, they might be tempted by your cargo. especially mercenaries." Joel informed them before finishing off the beer.

"I'll check on the other guards, they must be hungry and tired too." Joel voluntarily decided to change the guards.

"Wait for me, I'll help you too." Bregon instantly stood up. Seeing how eager he was to help the guide, Jarret only shook his head.

Bregon was tall, with black hair, black beard and black sharp eyes which were fixed on Joel right now. Joel had that uncomfortable feeling at the back of his head whenever this man was around him.

"Eat something, we'll take the first watch." Bregon informed the two guards.

The men gladly disappeared and Joel checked on the wagons if everything was all right.

"Relax, no one is here except for us." Bregon smiled and undid the first three buttons of his shirt.

"You never know." Joel decided to keep his distance. "Who is this cargo for?" He asked to maintain any flow of a conversation.

"It's a secret." Bregon made this mysterious look and then smiled again. "But I can tell you. Come here, I don't want anyone else to hair it."

Fuck. Joel came closer with an indifferent look.

"Well, you know we are going to the capital." Joel nodded. "Four months ago we were contacted to make this delivery by a very important person in the capital. Half of the money has already been paid, now we are here to collect the rest." Bregon was now so close that he was touching Joel's arm with his. "As soon as we deliver it, all of us receive quite a nice sum of golden coins. Before we go back home We can have some fun. You know the capital well, hmm?" He was now waiting for Joel's response.

"Yeah, I know. I know places to have fun and clean inns." Joel smiled, that country bumpkin will lose all his gold there and Joel will try to get out of him as much as he could.

"So you don't really know for whom this delivery is?" Joel asked again to make sure if those people are naive enough to travel that far without confirmation of being paid.

"Jarret knows, he has that letter with a seal of the client." Bregon scratched his head and took a sip from a small bottle he pulled out of his bag. "But that person is a real big shot. Joel knew only noblemen were allowed to use a seal.

"Want some?" He handed Joel the bottle, it smelled like really dangerous hard liquor.

"No thanks, I'm still at work." Joel decided to pull that one as an excuse.

Bregon made a few sips. His face flashed, from time to time he threw a glance at Joel.

"You know Joel, you really look unique."

"What do you mean?" Joel looked at the older man suspiciously.

"You look both like a man and a woman in one body. Don't get me wrong, I really find it attractive." The man was closer again and Joel could smell his breath which was a thrilling experience, but not in a positive way.

Bregon was looking at him waiting for any kind of reaction from Joel.

"I know, you're not the first one to make such a remark." Joel decided to say something neutral like this and end their conversation.

"Joel, do you fancy men?"

Apparently the liquor did its job and the man grew bolder.

"Not really.' Joel decided to cut it before that man made any further move.

Bregon's expression sullen, his arms dropped.

"That's a pity. I find you very pretty. Could you do me a favor? It's nothing weird." He added as if he was trying to defend his dignity after being rejected.

"What is it, Bregon?" Joel sighted, bracing himself for the next question.

"Could you let your hair down?" There was something in that man's look that made Joel's determination weaker.

"Fine, I can do that."

It took Joel a moment and soon his blond curls spread on his back and shoulders, Joel shook his hair only to see how Bregon's eyes went round.

The man looked at him as if he saw him for the first time.

"Beautiful." He whispered. "My heart is broken beyond any repair."

"Oh, common. I'm sure you will find somebody in the capital." Joel smiled and tied his hair.

The rest of the watch they have spent in an awkward silence.