The Toll Collector's Story

Jegar the toll collector knew that something did not look right when he saw the man leading three horses to the gate. Not only was he not riding, but the loads seemed to be splayed across the backs of the horses without a thought to balance. The man himself was labouring to keep the horses in line, and his body swayed from right to left and back again even as he plodded along the road. Jegar decided to meet the man.

"Del, watch the basket while I see what this is all about."

As Jegar came closer to the man and the horses, he saw a limp arm dangling over the forequarter of a horse. The man leading the three horses made no threatening move. Nor did he shy away.

"Do you need any help?" asked Jegar, not really knowing how he could help.

The man stared at him, and nodded his head. Jegar continued forward, his heart beating a little faster.

"What happened?" He looked at the man holding three sets of reins, and then he said, "Hesht?"

Hesht nodded again. He was breathing heavily and rapidly, and was sweating and trembling. Hesht was paler than he usually was. He started to speak.

"Yes. She," he said, raising his left arm slightly and pointing at one of the horses, " engaged me to convey her to Yepenhan. We were attacked by two men. You will find them near the Old Frontier Road about 200 paces south of the junction. One has been stepped on by a horse, and I think that he is dead. The other has broken a leg, and has been knocked out."

"This is weird," Jegar thought. "There is something about Hesht that is not normal. He seems to have more purpose than usual." Jegar advanced to the horse and studied, the woman. She appeared to have a dress typical of a Hespaniard woman, but someone had ripped the cloth of her dress to an indecent length, on the exterior sides of the legs. It had been ripped so high that he could see the bottom of her rib cage. Jegar groaned as he looked at her right side.

"Did she get stepped on by a horse, too?"

"No. I think he kicked her."

"And the torn dress?"

"She cut it those to a length just above her knees so that she could ride astride the horse, as is the custom in her land. The man with the broken leg did the rest."

"Oh, I see. Hesht isn't stuttering as he usually does." Jegar placed his hand under the woman's chin. A beautiful woman like that .... She was breathing, and her eyes were open, but she had all the life of a rag doll. He was obligated by the law to call the watch to find the man. This would have to be investigated, and the man would have to have his day before the Davan. But what sort of monster would do this to a young lady? And Hesht was one of the most harmless people that he knew. It was a pity that he could not send Del out to find the man, and have him end the matter right there. A thought crossed his mind.

"Hesht, how did you manage not to get killed?"

"They were careless. The man who was trampled struck the lady with a quarterstaff. I ran in, and said that they were bad men, disgracing the honour of Hespan. I noticed that both of them had swords, and while I wanted to strike them, I knew that they would kill me, and my death would not help the lady. They were quiet for a second, and then they laughed, but said some unkind things, and then the man with the quarterstaff ran toward me. I ran into the rocky field. I managed to hide. He got tired, or bored, and left. I snuck closer, keeping low to the ground to avoid getting spotted. He was loosely guarding the horses. He was looking at his buddy and Astra more than he was looking at the horses. I snuck in and untied them. I cannot ride a horse, but I was able to spook them and he was taken by surprise and knocked down, and one of the horses stepped on him. I picked up his quarterstaff - I could not find his sword. I saw that other man and Astra. She was on all fours, crying, and the man was hurting her. I snuck in and beat him with the quarterstaff. I got cut a little, but I hurt his leg so that he could not move very well. I gave him a blow here." Hesht pointed to his solar plexus. "He was breathing when I left, but knocked out. Astra could not stand up. I think that he cut the tendon above her heel. She was pale, and she collapsed after a few minutes. It was hard, but I got her on a horse and led them to town. Could you do me a favour?"

Jegar said, "If it is within my power, certainly."

Hesht said, "Get Astra to the White Hospital now. Not tomorrow. Go by night. I have nine pieces of silver to pay any tolls or expenses."

"We should take care of her here, in Darvazde Yepenhan."

"No. She needs to leave this land. She wanted to get to Yepenhan, and out of Hespan, very badly, and the White Hospital is not too far away. Until this happens, my promise to her is still unfulfilled. Please help.

Jegar thought, "Two silver pieces for a rider, two for the toll here, one for the toll into Yepenhan itself, and one to the White Hospital. That left three pieces clear for me. And I am doing a good thing for those poor people."

Jegar said, "It will be done immediately, my friend." He took the reins of two of the horses, and he and Hesht advanced to the gate. He ordered Del to fetch a man that he knew with a speedy horse and cart. Hesht handed nine pieces of silver to the toll collector. He had taken all the silver from a pouch on Gog's horse, but had left the gold coins. Silver was more common, and would attract less notice. Hesht said little but kept watching until he saw Astra safely across a bridge that separated the two towns, and separated the Kingdom of Hespan from the Duchy of Penhan.

Jegar said, "Godspeed, Astra."

Hesht said, "Godspeed." He lay down at that spot, overcome by what he thought as a tremendous urge to sleep. He had kept his promise. The will that defied the pain and loss of blood from the wound that Gog's sword slashed into his hip was no longer needed to keep that promise. Hesht's body now fell into shock as it tried to save itself.

Some time later, Astra awoke in a straw bed in the White Hospital. She was drugged in order to dull the great pain, and felt very groggy.

A young lady in a white dress, said, "Please do not move, khanomam. You are still not well."

Astra nodded her head. She felt a dull pain with each breath that she took.

The young lady furtively glanced at a bench. The Davar, the judge, of Darvazde Yepenhan was here. She was aware of the two stories. One man, Gog, claimed that Astra, a known criminal and alien, tried to seduce him while her companion murdered his partner while trying to rob him. The other was the story of the toll collector. The life of Hesht himself still hung in the balance, so he could not defend himself. The Davar, a greatly respected amuzgar, would decide what would be just in this case. The young lady talked to the Davar. "She is not ready yet. Must you speak with her?"

The man answered, "Yes. I am aware of that this is a place of sanctuary. But I cannot make a just decision without knowing more of what happened. And she cannot stay here forever."

"Please. Not today."

"It has to be soon. There are important men who are taking sides in this case. I have to find the facts."

Now, as to the state of Astra's memory at this time,

1. Astra can only remember to the moment when Magog knocked her out with the quarterstaff.
2. Astra can remember some of what happened thereafter.

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