A First for Everything

29 ^th  June

At nightfall in Seagard, we have agreed on our plan. We will ride through the wetlands and cross the Green fork to make it to Fairmarket. It should be possible to get a boat from Fairmarket to the Saltpans and then on to Gulltown from there. We assume it will take about four weeks to get to Braavos, in the best case.

We have set off a week for the necessary preparations. I am excited and somewhat anxious about the journey. I have never travelled for long without a carriage. It will be interesting to see what life is like on the road for the common folk. I have been very prudent with packing, and am only bringing one trunk. After all, I will be travelling as a commoner. Velena, will of course accompany me, it will be nice to have her company when we have the time to rest at a proper inn and to be able to clean up.

As we ready to depart, my dear father sees us off. We have been tasked with lending 10 000 gold thrones in Braavos.

After one day on the road, my spirits are low. How to people endure these saddles for weeks? The tents are a travesty as well; I am shocked to hear that these are considered good quality items. My rear is aching incessantly. I am suspecting the travelling garb I bought for the occasion was sold to me by someone who travels just as little by horseback as myself. I swear I can feel every seam in this trouser, even when I take it off for the night. Thank the Gods for Velena; she gives the best massages...

30 ^th June

Rha has covered himself in mud now… I choose not to ask, and hope it serves some purpose and that the man is not losing his mind. The people we encounter on our way are not very courteous.

3 ^rd August

Life on the road is not much to talk about, I find. I can hardly separate one day from the other. The positive thing is that my derriere, after first getting even worse, now seems to be accommodating to the new situation. I feel more content with this revelation.

6 ^th July

After a week, we reach Fairmarket. Although it is beyond me how it was given this name, at least it shall be nice to sleep in a proper bed for the night. Velena will have to give me a right scrubbing down as well!

It seems that the options for accommodation is somewhat limited, and the only decent inn seems to be fully booked. Barret manages to convince the manager that some guests could be prompted to leave, luckily. Alas, we only see fit to pay for such a service for myself, Velena, Barret and Marrok. After all the ruse of me being his wife, must be kept up. The rest find lodging at another inn. The room is disappointing, even with my low expectations. Oh well, it will have to do. I find that after the last week, even a simple comfort as a hot bath and proper bed is a luxury. Wait - did I say proper bed?

We meet up to hit the docks. By the looks of it, Willard has managed to get in a hefty bar brawl. I should only hope the opponent looks even worse for wear. There is a boat going to the Saltpans, it leaves in the middle of the night it turns out. Great, so much for my night of sleep. Barret chats to the captain about taking us with him. He says that we will have to sleep on the deck! Do people really…? At the question of whether the captain has any rooms to spare, he replies that he could always find room for me and Velena and winks at us. How forward of him! It is appalling! Barret takes on the role of husband and makes it clear that such behavior will not be tolerated. Meanwhile Lord Caradog is roaring with laughter, and I can see Rha is finding the situation humorous as well. At least Rha has the decency to try to hide it.

We head back to the better of the inns, and treat ourselves to the best they can offer in food and drink. I receive a romantic poem, courtesy of a rather dashing gentleman at the bar. I must admit it is quite amusing. I have never been the subject of such direct flirtation before. He would not have the gall if he knew my station. Being a commoner seems to have some benefits. I do not indulge his advances, though. Barret does a rather good impression of a jealous husband, I find. I take Velena back to the room and make good use of the bathtub and short time we have.

7 ^th July

We meet the rest in the early hours of the night. Lord Caradog seems rather inebriated. The others make themselves useful by building some shelter on deck.

Sleeping on the deck is even worse than the tents, the things I am learning. Had I known the discomfort this travel would bring even in the first fortnight I probably would never have left. Might haps it was good that I did not. I see the reaction my fellow travelers have at my complaints; they respect me too much to say anything but I am not blind. None of the other seem to complain about any of this, not even Velena. I shall have to endure.

The night is eventful. A band of thieves attacks us; about 13 strong, I reckon. My comrades fight them down, and the captain is very grateful. He offers us free passage. It is only fair.

12 ^th July

Another four days and we enter Saltpans. Lord Caradog suffered wounds in the fight on the boat and needs to rest. Barret, effective as always, secures passage on a vessel bound for Braavos. He manages to secure a stateroom as well. One, mind you; he says we must keep up appearances. I suppose he is right.