Chapter Twenty-Eight

**The Fire in the Night**

Jason watched Trent rush to the bound man’s side and cut him free. The man heaved loudly, he had been gagged with a wadded ball of cloth. Dry rasps scratched from the man’s mouth as he tried to draw in air. “Quick someone, water,” Trent yelled.

The armed villagers looked amongst themselves in confusion, but Jason’s hands quicky dropped to his bag and pulled out his flask. “Here, "he yelled, then threw the flask to Trent. The sheriff caught it without a thanks then opened the cap and slowly assisted the man drink the water. Jason dug back into his bag and removed his cloak. He approached Trent and said, “he might want this too.”

Trent quickly took his eyes off the man and saw the cloak in Jason’s hands. The sheriff nodded in gratitude then snatched the cloak and wrapped it around the man. Jason walked back to where Vanna stood.

“What’s going on Byron,” Vanna cried. All the reeve could do was shake his head.

A dog howled in the direction of Finchead. Soon another hound joined the call in within seconds, dogs from the fields, pastures, and village formed an orchestra of cries. “Byron what’s going on,” Jason yelled trying to get his voice heard over the dogs.

“It’s a Fiery Calling,” Byron replied, the flame’s fiery light reflected off Byron’s pale faces like mist wrapped around a ghost.

“What’s that,” Jason continued confused.

“Fallow’s is calling us to repay our sins or there will be war,” Byron said loudly and angrily so that the entire party could hear. “That what it is,” Byron said turning towards Jason. The reeve’s spirit was enflamed and he rattled with paranoia.

“What, Fallows?” Jason yelled, “what if there is anyone still here?”

“Most likely not,” a voice rasped. Everyone turned and saw the bound man was now standing using Trent as a crutched. His skin was pallid from exposure and his eyes were hollow. “There were three of them that ambushed me…” the man coughed hoarsely, “I was in the fields watching my flock…” he coughed again this time louder. The man clutched his chest and leaned hard on Trent.

“Woah son, take it easy,” Trent said holding onto the man.

“My dog barked, but… but before I could see what got his attention I was hit on my head and tied up,” the man continued angrily. Jason couldn’t tell if it was the smoke from the fire or the man’s emotions that were causing the wounded man to cry. “Next thing I know… they were killing em, my flock. The bastards laughed as they slit their throats, the whole bloody time. The ones they didn’t kill they let run off, the wolves probably have them by now. Then they dragged us out here and started the fire,” he coughed again but this time not as bad. “Before they left they gave me a kick in the gut and told me to tell whoever found me ‘a son for a son, and only then.’” The man went silent and clung onto Trent.

“You think this was Malcom’s lot, Byron?” Trent asked.

“Hell of course it was,” Byron said frustrated, “who else would it be Trent?”

“I want at least six of you posted all along this road tonight,” Trent commanded his militia. “If you see, hear, smell, or even bloody taste anything; you raise the alarm.” They all growled in acknowledgement, anger dripping from their cries.

“Come on son, we will get you home,” Trent said to the wounded shepherd.

“My sheep, my herd,” the man muttered dumbfound, “I’ve nothing left. What about my family? I’ll have to sell everything to pay back Nellie for the sheep I lost,” the man began to cry. “And then what?” he cringed.

“Ho lad,” Byron said coming over to support the man on his other side. He began to pat the shepherd’s back softly, “don’t you worry, I’ll work this out with old Nellie for you. You did nothing wrong.”

The shepherd nodded, but he kept mumbling worried words and shaking. Byron and Trent started him back towards Finchead and Vanna and Jason followed after. Jason could see Byron start to pant under the shepherd’s weight, but the reeve didn’t say anything. Before Jason could step into help, Vanna told Byron she could relieve him. The reeve didn’t hesitate and traded places with the warrior.

“What’s going to happen now?” Jason asked.

“Who bloody knows,” Trent muttered.

“Trent,” Byron said through heaves, “tomorrow, first light, we ride to Fallows and settle this nonsense. These bumpkins acts as if we still live as tribesmen. A Fiery Calling hasn’t been raised in centuries.”

“Alright Byron, but should we ride to the castle first?” Trent asked. He like Byron was a representative of the nobility in Finchead, but Trent was directly responsible to the King and charged with keeping his laws within Finchead’s jurisdiction.

“You know as well as I that will only spur more trouble,” Byron said. “It’s best if we try to handle this ourselves first.”

“You’re right,” Trent agreed, “but I want to bring a few men with us.”

“No,” Byron cried emphatically, “we don’t want them to think we’ve come to pick a fight. They may have little honor, but they wouldn’t disgrace and outlaw themselves by killing two officials without provocation.” Trent snorted, but kept quiet. “Jason,” Byron said. “Do not let this bother you, make you trip to Laxtar in the morning and we’ll all pray this mess will be behind us by your return.”

“Alright,” Jason said warily, but his mind couldn’t shake the fear of what was to come.

*****

Day Ten

Jason struggled to sleep that night, but in the end he managed to drift off dreamlessly. He awoke earlier than normal, his bladder ready to explode. Despite the chill, he rushed out the back door and relieved himself over the makeshift drainage pit they dug the day before. Jason shivered in the dark, he missed internal plumbing. We’re definitely going to need an outhouse, he thought before he tied his trousers and ran back inside.

In the main room he found Vanna and Eliza up, the latter building up the fire. “Oh sorry did I wake you up?” Jason asked.

“It’s alright,” Eliza said, “dawn is in less than an hour.” Besides knowing whether it was morning or afternoon Jason hadn’t adapted to instinctively know the time of day yet.

“Oh,” Jason said with a yawn. He wished he had coffee to make. Jason turned to Vanna and saw the woman was using water from the barrel to wash her face. “Well I guess it’s good that we are all up,” Jason began. He dug into his pouch and pulled out a few copper coins. “I want to give you some kind of wage if you’re going to be working for me and I want to give you an allowance to buy somethings for the house. It’s probably much cheaper if you buy food from the villagers than us dragging it all the way back from Laxtar.” He dropped the coins into Eliza’s palm, careful to avoid contact. “There’s 4 coppers for you, for today and tomorrow. We can figure out a better wage when we come back. Then three more coppers for house stuff. After you get food can you see if anyone is selling chickens or hens? We can try to repair the coop in the back.”

Eliza nodded silently, but Jason saw she had a happy look on her face. He believed it was comforting the woman to have something to do again.

“Are you going to be alright by yourself?” Vanna asked.

Eliza nodded, “yes, Jule says she will stop by when she has a chance and they invited me to have dinner with them tonight. I won’t be alone.”

After Eliza was settled they made a poor breakfast of oats, but Jason dropped a few strips of dried fruit into the mix making the gruel slightly more edible. By the time they were done eating it was time to leave. Vanna and Jason said their goodbyes to Eliza and head off to get Skippy and the wool.

They met Jon in front of his storage barn. The man looked to be distraught. “Morning Jon,” Jason greeted.

“Huh, oh hi Jason,” Jon said, he hadn’t noticed Jason and Vanna approaching even though they were clearly in his view. “Let me ah go get the wool.” He turned and walked into the barn, his dog went over to Skippy and the two animals began playfully nipping at each other.

Jon ran back out, jogging with a sack of wool over each shoulder. “Jon is everything alright?” Jason asked.

Jon tossed the wool into the back of the cart and began to pant slightly. “It’s been a long night, but I think you already know that.” He ran back inside and grabbed a few more sacks. “My grandmother has been on edge, I had to go out and tell the night herders to bring the sheep close to the village for the night. Some of them were a few miles away, so I didn’t get much sleep.”

“I can load the wool Jon,” Vanna offered. “Jason you handle paying him.” The warrior walked into the barn before Jon could protest.

“Here I already had it counted,” Jason said handing the man the three silvers and thirteen and a half coppers deposit. Jon nodded thankfully. “Do you think everything is going to be alright?” Jason asked.

Jon sighed and his sigh turned into a long yawn. When he recovered he replied, “we’ve had our problems with Fallows before, but never this bad. Sheep have disappeared from time to time but we don’t know if that’s them or the wolves. Never have they butchered the animals like that before, bloody business. I’m not one for fighting, but I think something needs to be done to put a stop to this. Half the villagers rely on herding to feed their families,” Jon frowned.

Jason nodded in agreement, he didn’t want a fight to break out. There was no knowing what the consequence of that would be, but he also wanted the security to know he could conduct his business safely. “I trust Byron and Trent will figure it out,” he said.

“I hope so,” Jon remarked. Vanna came out with the last sack of wool and tossed it on the cart. “Alright it’s time for us to go Jon, good luck to you.” Jon tilted his head then went back to his work.

The trip to Laxtar was the least eventful journey they had so far. Jason thoughts were so occupied on the future he didn’t even worry about going through the forest. Vanna seemed to be deep in her own thoughts as well because neither of them spoke until their first break on the other side of the forest.

Jason cleared his throat then asked, “so what are your plans for when we get to Laxtar?”

Vanna stretched her arms, loosening the tension built up from the walk. “I’ve got almost two gold now,” she said, “I think I’m going to look into getting a horse.” At first Jason was taken aback by Vanna’s revelation, but then he realized nearly half of it came from her fighting a few days earlier. Jason was jealous of the fact Vanna didn’t have to constantly put her money on the line to make money, but then again I’m not constantly fighting people.

“That’s a lot,” Jason remarked, “but still I have a feeling that not even that much money will get you a decent horse. At least the kind of quality you’re used to,” Jason added.

“You’re right, but I just want something so I don’t have to walk anymore,” she laughed. “And,” she said seriously, “I think any bandits will have second thoughts about trying to attack us when they see a mounted fighter. Speaking of animals,” she looked at Skippy grazing on the tall grass,” I think you are going to need to upgrade Skippy’s diet. With all that work he’s doing he’s going to need oats or other food that can give him a lot of energy. Grass and his treats,” she laughed at the latter,” are good but soon he’ll lose all his fat and that stuff won’t build any muscle on him.”

Jason looked at the donkey and realized she was right. Skippy was already looking skinnier. And besides just improving the animal’s health, feeding Skippy an energy rich diet would probably make him faster.

“Oh man,” Jason said, “you’re right Vanna. I haven’t taken care of an animal since I was a kid. If you can pick him up some food while you’re looking at horses I’ll happily pay you back, you sound like you know what he needs.”

“It’s no problem Honey,” Vanna smiled, “but I think you better come with me when I look at the horses. Sounds like you’ll need to ask that cart man about getting yourself something bigger and another donkey or a pack horse to pull it.”

“I know Vanna,” Jason said, he wasn’t looking forward to finding out the price for all of that, “but I’ve got a month to have all that. What’s more important is getting my bartering skill to tier two. Then I can upgrade my class, heck I think I can even upgrade it tonight if I can get barter to Trainee I. I don’t know how its going to work, but I’m going to grind at some stores to get as many levels as I can. I figure if I just keeping jumping from store to store only buying items when I can drive their price down super low my skill should level up.”

Vanna laughed with a snort, “good luck with that Honey, we best be going so you have the all the time you need to shop.”