Big City Darkened Nights
#31 - the return trip

Hesitating in the shop Carr’s proud of the purchase and toil taken, “Thank you so much Zei. I think this hide is going to keep mine, well protected.”

Shaking Carr’s hand Zei advises, “Don’t go taking on any Dragons just yet.”

Chuckling about its Carr nods before stepping outside. Receiving the attention, he always wanted as everyone turns to check him over. A lot of people’s first reaction is it’s a lizard or lobsterman.

The four hands start snickering at the bold colors and pattern. Carr turns to them, “Hey now. I don’t live in the city or any town.” He points north, “Out there you’ll never find me.”

“I don’t think anybody is going to look.” Teases Avilo, while climbing back onto the wagon, getting the hands to laugh

Laughing too Carr gets to the wagon, “Nice jest Captain.”

“Yes.” Avilo calls out, “Move on!”

Not traveling far as the small docks can be seen past the north gate.

The men working the gate salute Captain Avilo as they pass through. Carr pretends it’s him they are saluting and Avilo is his page.

Surveying the old beached boats Avilo queries, “Which wreck is yours?”

Pointing to the end Carr informs him, “I’ve got the flat-bottomed skiff.”

Knowing how vast the great swamp is Avilo points at it too, “You cross with that? It must take all day? And you’re right there’s no way you’d get all this stuff in there. I wouldn’t even attempt half. Good enough for the animals to travel in.”

Agreeing Carr reaches back for his pack, “Animals in the skiff.” Pulling out the magic bag, “The supplies in the-my new bottomless bag.”

Captain Avilo points out a small single mast boat, “That’s the boat the King said you could have but it won’t hold everything either.”

“Nice boat and a sail too.” Carr shakes the bag Infront of Avilo, “Stuff the stuff in here. Put the animals in the skiff and tie it to the boat.”

“Yes that’ll work.” Avilo repeats the suggestion as a command to the hands.

Two men head down the beach to right the skiff and slide it to the water.

Carr shows the remaining men the magic bag, placing the quilts in. The bag appears to be empty tossing it to one of the hands. They all examine the bag before trying to get the many crates, sacks and small casks in.

Returning for the animals the two men take them to be loaded onto the skiff.

Carr and Avilo watch curiously as the sacks of grain and feed seem to be sucked into the bag. With each item deposited they check the bottom of the bag. The last sack makes the magic bag bulge, slightly.

One of the men wades in the water pulling the skiff over. The animals don’t seem nervous Carr hopes that he won’t be towing them to the opposite bank.

Encouraged the men figure the casks might fit. The casks barely fit. One man jokingly pushes on it and the small keg distorts squeezing into the bag.

Getting to the crates they do not fit. Two men begin to pull on the bags’ opening trying to widen it.

“Stop!!!” Both Avilo and Carr scream out.

They stop and Avilo instructs, “Just load the crates in the docked boat.”

Giving Carr back the magic bag, he’s surprised that it only weighs half a stone.

Carr gets an idea asking Avilo to help, “Hold this a minute please. See what else I can get in here.”

Gladly wishing to feel the weight and look inside Avilo takes it, opening the bag wide. Inside he can see the sacks and casks in a small pile. Carr places the found armor inside, followed by the weapons. Leaving his long-sword out.

Even after Carr has wrapped Krang’s bastard-sword in an old cloak, Avilo inquires. “Do you think that might cut the material?”

Carr drop’s it in, “If it does, it’ll happen while I’m out there and alone.” Quickly examining the bag for poked holes.

Impressed Avilo thinks aloud, “I should request one for expeditions and campaigns. Put all the men’s equipment into it.” He hands the bag back to Carr.

Tying it closed Carr suggests, “You could put all your men in here.”

Both thinking about it Avilo puts out a thought, “Can they breathe in there?”

“Yes good question.” Carr looks at the skiff, “Perhaps the chickens will answer that question when I get to the other side.”

“We’re all done Captain.” One of the hands approaches them.

“Excellent.” Carr hops down. Placing the magic bag in his backpack, “Thank you again Captain for not having me killed out in the grasslands.”

“You’re welcome.” Avilo smiles, “I wanted to ask you why didn’t you just cut the other horses loose and run with Bolt. You had four of those bags filled with treasure you could have out run us.”

“The thought did cross my mind.” Honestly informing him Carr hesitates looking at his near empty coin pouch, “I don’t think Bolt wanted to run, weighed down. And I didn’t think I’d get far, open grassland, unknown forest and swamp. I was out numbered and didn’t want to be cut down.” He picks the gems out.

The Captain has one more question, “You didn’t even know if King Halford would save you?”

“Well I knew he’s a fair King.” Carr shrugs, “I was hoping he wouldn’t find me guilty of wanting to be wealthy.” He spies only a dozen small gems, “I suppose you wouldn’t accept these if I offered them to you.”

Tempted Avilo waves no, “I don’t need for that. I have a great room in the castle. Someone cleans up after me and there’s two good meals a day.”

“Being waited on I’d like.” Carr asks Avilo, “How about I give them to our help. As a tip?”

“Feel free.” Avilo thinks a nice gesture with stolen property.

“Hey yous.” Carr gets the attention of the men as they stand huddled by the dock talking with one another. “I’ve got a little something for helping me today.”

Sitting back and watching Carr, Avilo tries to figure out if Carr is the genuine person or a true rogue playing out a big con to save his hide.

Gathering all his things including the half dozen pastries that remain, Carr gets into the new boat. The men toss him the lines and push him off.

Carr salutes the Captain before raising the sail. Avilo returns the gesture turning back for the castle.

Sail set and catching the wind Carr sits down glancing back to see the wagon slip into the city.

Swiftly sailing along the water’s calm surface, the new boat barely seems hindered by the skiff of animals towed behind. Definitely enjoying the ride Carr wonders if the small vessel could handle a trip on the ocean. He longs to travel to an island off the coast. A once thriving port city now in ruins, is said to hide long lost treasures and artifacts.

Envisioning being swallowed by a Dragon turtle while on the ocean, Carr thinks maybe just sail up and down the coast.

Checking on the skiff cargo the animals wander from side to side. Carr is content to see they’re not trying to jump over.

Crossing over the swamps deep channel something bumps the bottom of the boat. Quickly surveying the water Carr easily spots a large dark silhouette under the surface. Following it to the other side sees more ahead.

Noticeably the creatures are all around causing Carr enough concern to draw a sword. Glancing back observes one of the pigs is also watching the water. As a shadow glides under the skiff Carr stretches out tracking it. Infront of Carr a broad fat tail breaks the water’s surface splashing him.

Able to identify the creatures Carr breathes a sigh of relief, “Hello sea cows.” He waves to the big gentle animals.

Helping occupy time Carr watches them returning to the Great Swamp to eat on the rich vegetation that grows there. Soon they will travel further south for the winter.

Carried too quickly the sea cows viewing is cut short. Crossing back into the swallower north side of the Great Swamp. His beach hiding spot still too far away to clearly make out. Using two distant mountain peaks as guides Carr aims the boats between them.

The reeds and lilies grow in number quickly covering the area. The vegetation constantly rubs along the hull of the boat but doesn’t slow his progress. Carr is thrilled with how fast the trip across the swamp has been.

Making out the tall reeds he usually hides the skiff in redirects the boats.

Seeing the beach approaching rapidly Carr jumps up and drops the sail. The skiff minorly aids in slowing the sailboat.

Catching a fleck of white portside he sees a large white swan floating nearby in the reeds, watching back their eyes lock.

“What?” He gets a feeling the bird is trying to speak telepathically. Paying little attention to most birds he doesn’t know their body language. “You want to know who I am?”

The swan looks to the shore, Carr does as well cause eyes to widen in surprise. Moving too fast and is minorly off course. Scanning about for something to slow the speed like the long pole he spies it in the skiff. Deciding to try the long-sword instead but it’s too late.

He manages to only to get the boat’s rudder out of the water before they beach hard. Still holding the rudder Carr and the crates are tossed forward.

Trying to right himself the skiff slams into the stern of the small sailboat. Pushing the sailboat all the way onto the beach, hurling Carr into the toppled crates. sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ Find ɴøᴠel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

The animals in the skiff wipe out into each other bleating and squealing. The cage of chickens is thrown but doesn’t break.

As Carr sits up rubbing his head the swan honks in a taunting manner.

Checking the animals, the goats have leapt from the boat but are stilled tied to each other and the boat. The pigs are trying to get over side as well.

“Thanks for the warning,” Carr speaks to the swan, “find this amusing, do you?”

Out of the sailboat Carr pulls the skiff to shore.

Struggling with the pigs he helps them get out.

Taking the string of animals Carr ties, them to a tree at the start of the path back to the farmhouse.

Inspecting the cage and chickens Carr decides to go ahead with his experiment, adding the caged birds to the magic bag.

Dragging the skiff up onto the beach Carr leaves it upright. Placing the bag and basket of spilled pastries into the backpack Carr slings it and sword onto his back.

Untying the animals, he looks back at the boats hoping when he returns in the morning the crates will still be there.

Noticing the swan still floating around is watching, Carr waves goodbye.

Slipping into the light woods Carr begins a troublesome trek. If the animals would stop wrapping themselves around trees, the walk home would be quicker.

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