Chapter 19: Getting a clue

Givontair: 

Tara hosted us for a couple of days. Long enough, for us to get better. Erik's burn is healing well. The skin graft, I did, is taking to the burned area. The place I took the skin for the graft also seems to be healing.

There is a man who travels down the Rapurnonium, and all the way to Corum. He doesn't even ask for much.

Just one gold coin for the entire trip, no matter how many passengers are in his boat. So, after saying our goodbyes to Tara, we head in the direction of the peer. It takes us two days to reach it, but I don't mind. The wagon and the horses made it so, that we barely felt the trip. 

"Do you trust this man?" Nathaniel asks. "What if he also took the slavers to Corum?" 

"We will get to the bottom of this," I assure him. Yet, when my eyes land on the man for the first time, I can't help but think that this man can do no wrong. He is old, but well-preserved. With a kind face, and arms as big as boulders. 

"Hello, we would like a ride to Corum," the man eyes us all, and he stops to stare at Erik. 

"I told the last batch, that I don't transport slavers. If this boy is with you by force, we are going to have trouble," his eyes narrow. Erik steps between Nathaniel and me, and addresses the man. 

"Those slavers you spoke of; did they also have a raven-haired woman with them? One with brown eyes?" The boy asks, and then adds. "She is my mother. I look a lot like her." 

"Yes, I believe there was one such as the woman you described in the group. Her eyes were puffy, and her hair in disarray. Yet, she was still the most beautiful woman I have ever seen," that prompts Erik to ask his next question. 

"How long ago did they tried to get passage with you?" He asks. I can tell he is hopeful that it was but a day ago. Yet, the boatman crushes his hopes. 

"A week ago. By now, they must be in Corum," Erik bows his head at the man's words. I place a hand over his shoulder. 

"We will find her," I assure him. 

"If she is as beautiful as this man claims, then they won't just present her to the forum," Nathaniel says. That is not something I would have used to calm the boy.

 Those who are not presented to the forums, are presented in private estates. There, everything goes, and the nobles can even sample the wares. Erik seems to think something along these lines as well, because his shoulders begin to shake. 

"We need to get to there," Erik says. I pull out a gold coin from my coin purse, and hand it to the boatman. 

"We must go there before the harvest feast," I tell him. 

"They haven't sacrificed anyone in years," Nathaniel says. I sigh. 

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"That is because they haven't seen anyone who is worthy of having their throat slit. Yet, if they see a pretty woman, they will jump on the chance like sharks," I squeeze Erik's shoulders. Now, he is shaking like a leaf. 

The boatman spits on the ground. 

"Some good was the church of Harika, if the priests still kill people. And the Pope doesn't even care about that!" I am just as outraged, but there is little anyone can do. Maybe, the new rule that humans are not to be sacrificed was one of the few good points of the end of the dragon's rule.  

"Hop in. The river will carry us to Corum in three days," the boatman says. I can see that he already has provisions in the boat. We pile inside, and then he uses the oars to push us away from the shore. 

The river carries us ever forward. It is obvious that this man has made the trip more than once. He rolls with such vitality, that I almost think that he is not elderly. Erik seems to be transfixed by the sight of the fish swimming downstream. I lean into Nathaniel, as he places an arm around me. 

"So, you two are looking out for the kid, while searching for his mother?" The boatman asks. I don't feel well, not knowing his name. So, I offer my hand. 

"My name is Givontair, and what is yours, good sir?" I ask. The man blinks at me. 

"Givontair the White?" I nod. There is no way to lie now, that we are in the middle of the river. 

"I am Gorax the Old," the name rings a bell. I thought that, after this dragon was exiled from the capital, that he died somewhere. "As you can see, I now earn my keep with a boat. It is better than to be Ajax's advisor." 

"Why do you charge just one gold coin, if you are a dragon?" Erik asks. I tug at his ear.

"Don't ask silly questions. This is Gorax, one of the biggest dragons out there. Second only to Ajax the Bold in power," I tell the boy. He doesn't seem to be all that awed. Still, he bows his head, and mumbles an apology. 

"Sorry, sir. I didn't mean to offend you," Erik says, and I nod in approval. 

"As far as most of the world knows, I am dead. Let us keep it this way, ok? Givontair, do you still moonlight as a healer?" Gorax asks. I nod, and he grins at me. 

"Good because I have been having the worst back pains. My age is catching up with me, I am afraid," I nod again.

I have plenty of balms for different types of pain. Much like my horde made up of treasure, I horde medicine as well. Perhaps, this is the reason why I can hand over gold. For, once a dragon learns to give from their horde, their self-control becomes legendary. 

"You will be as good as new, don't you worry," I tell him. He returns to rolling. I glance at Nathaniel, who seem to be conflicted. I think it is for the best, if Gorax doesn't know that Nathaniel is a dragon slayer. Or, a necromancer, for that matter.    

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