It was another blistering day as the Gardarr Phalanx marched over the border from Aestus to Sordidus. So far the roads have been empty, that was good.
About an hour into Sodidus, Rand signalled one of his officers, the Phalanx spit from the main road onto a small dirt path that snaked around the base of a hill. By mid afternoon they crested a small ridge and spotted the Village lying in a low valley.
Rand signalled his men and they started down towards the Village. People stared as the armed men marched into the Village, but most just went about their business. Rand frowned.
He drew his horse to a stop at the green but didn’t dismount and just stared at the people with his soldiers behind him forming ranks. It seemed that someone had the good sense to inform the head Elder for he came rushing around the corner huffing and puffing.
Struggling to catch his breath he stammered a welcome of sorts and well wishes, but Rand had already dismissed him and was looking at a man dressed in animal rags, with long black hair and thick beard with what seemed like animal bones woven into it. He was walking towards Rand and the elder.
Rand raised his hand to dismiss the Elder and he fell silent, Rand noticed him sweating and wringing his hands as he looked from Black beard to the Rand nervously.
The Elder was still trying to catch Rand’s attention when Black beard spoke in a deep loud voice. “You bring soldiers into this Village? You startle the people? And you are not the Lord of this Region? State your business here?â€
Rand smiled and leaned over his pommel, he addressed the Elder. “Refreshments, yes? That would be good. And a table and chairs, you can have them brought here to the green†The Elder looked at Rand and rushed away to make the arrangements.
Rand sat back higher on his horse and slowly started taking off his riding gloves all the while smiling at Black Beard who since Rand seemed to blatantly ignore got visibly more irate. It also seemed that this interaction started to draw a crowd. A shame really Rand thought, most common people would know to stay clear in a situation like this. Rand dismounted as some men brought over a table and chairs and placed them on the green and women brought fruit, bread, cheese, sweetmeats and pitchers of water and wine and placed it.
Smiling rand took a seat and pointed to the other and addressing Black Beard, he asked â€Care to join me?â€
