by Noah Layton
Afterwards we returned to the mother boar that we had killed. Using some tarpaulin and a length of rope from the horse’s inventory, we wrapped it up and placed it in the cart’s inventory. It’s weight took up 5 spaces.
‘How long will it keep, do you think?’
‘A day or so. Once we get it back to the tribe, cut it, salt it and store it, it will keep for around a month. We should just hope it doesn’t start to smell.’
I made a mental note of it. It was a factor I hadn’t considered yet, taking into account the fact that all of the meat we had eaten back at our land had been purchased from the trading post on the same day.
A month. With no refrigerators or freezers around, the news was a godsend.
Lara assured me that she would be able to track the spot and return us to it upon our return journey, and we continued on our way to the Rourke Homestead.
The trees began to thin after another mile, and a few hundred yards later we emerged onto the green fields that the bandits’ map had promised.
The view was like something out of a dream. Blue skies towered overhead giving onto a slightly rolling hill of overgrown green grass that danced lightly in the breeze.
The pasture was around an acre in size and framed by a fence which had seen better days. Despite the idyllic appearance of the place, the manmade features had been neglected, and the wooden fence around it was rotting and in disrepair.
And, above all else, there wasn’t a single animal in sight.
‘Okay…’ Lara said reluctantly. ‘I somewhat take back the notion of killing the piglets. We may need them if no other creatures of use dwell here.’
‘Things are too quiet,’ I said. ‘Look at this place. Why wouldn’t anybody choose to put it to use, human or animal?’
I proceeded to hitch the horse and cart to a nearby tree. We kept our weapons at the ready as we traversed the pasture, moving over the rise and attaining a view of the other side.
At the end of the field was a farmhouse that looked in a slightly better state than the fence. It was a squat, wooden structure with two floors that could maybe hold a small family. It had clearly taken damage over the years from the elements, but the inhabitants had done a decent job of taking care of it.
A large stable split into two sections was connected to the left side of the house.
‘Those are taurems,’ Lara said, pointing to the two large bull-like creatures in the left-hand stable. They were covered in thick, black fur, sporting two pairs of horns from the tops of their heads. In the other stable was a large black horse chewing on a bale of hay..
‘The Rourke’s are a family,’ I said. ‘Somebody has to be living in that house. Shit.’
‘What do we do?’
‘Well I’m not going to rob them. They’re not a tribe and they’re not trying to kill us. They’re just out here doing what Tormus and Eri were trying to do before the bandits captured them. They’re… Living.’
‘But they have animals,’ Lara whispered. ‘Even if we can’t just take them, we could do some trading while we’re here. Otherwise the whole journey was for nothing.’
‘Not completely for nothing.’
‘What? Oh, you mean your dear darling dead piglets in the forest? How could I possibly forget…?’
‘You’re fucking cold, do you know that?’
‘I am, because I’m a hunter. I know how the world works out here.’
I looked towards the farmhouse, eyeing the open windows for some sign of movement. We were too far off for any movement to be visible.
‘Let’s go see what they’ve got,’ I said. ‘No doubt they trade at the post just like us. If we cut out travelling costs we might be able to secure a good deal for some provisions. Maybe even some livestock.’
We moved from our hiding place in the grass and headed towards the house. I was already plotting how to greet the family without looking like we were trying to murder them considering there was no reasonable way to hide our weapons without abandoning them in the grass, and there was no way that that was going to happen.
Ten yards from the house, the front door burst open on its hinges. A bearded man clad in formal clothes appeared, wielding a huge crossbow loaded with a single gigantic bolt.
He was in his 50s and didn’t exactly look like the type to go shooting people in the face, but his aim was true and that bolt was pointed directly at my forehead.
I didn’t go for my sword, but Lara went straight for her bow and aimed an arrow at the man.
Shit.
‘Woah, woah, woah!’ I yelled out, holding my hands up but keeping my feet planted to the spot. I didn’t even know this man’s name, but I had little doubt that he would butcher me right there if I made a single step towards him. ‘Let’s everyone just calm the fuck down.’
‘Who are you people?’ The man asked shakily. ‘What are you doing on my land?’
‘We didn’t know it was your land. We were just looking for someone to trade with.’ Technically the truth, and there was no way that I was going to divulge the original-but-now-defunct-stealing-the-livestock-if-the-place-was-abandoned plan.
I shot Lara a stern look. She gave me an equally stern one in return, but eventually conceded and lowered her bow.
‘You’re a little heavily-armed for traders, aren’t you?’ The man continued, keeping his crossbow raised.
‘Can you really be too careful in the wilds?’ I replied. ‘I’ve been attacked more times in the past few days than I can even count.’
‘Father? What is the matter?’
Behind the man a girl appeared. She was in her early twenties, with a pretty face and her hair tied up in a tight bun.
‘Go back upstairs, Santana.’
The girl gave me one last look before doing as she was told and disappearing out of sight.
‘Look, I don’t mean you any harm. We were under the impression that this place was abandoned, but apparently that’s not the case. We’re just looking to trade, I promise.’
The man looked between us, his eyes squinting as he analysed us carefully. Steadily he began to lower his crossbow, before nodding at us both.
‘I don’t mean to be aggressive,’ he said. ‘But the gods have not been kind to us lately. They have thrown many challenges our way.’
‘No harm done,’ I said, lowering my hands. ‘What do you mean by challenges? Has someone been attacking you?’
‘Not someone. Rather something. We have been subject to attacks from wolves on more than one occasion.’
‘So that’s why you don’t have any animals in the pasture.’
‘Indeed. They come at night, a small pack of three by my count, but they are ferocious. They have killed many of the animals that I have been raising this season, and now I am left with only my taurems and my daughter’s horse. Gods, I do apologise for burdening you with such worries.’ He held out a hand, which I shook. ‘My name is Jeremiah. Jeremiah Rourke.’
‘Jack,’ I replied. ‘This is Lara.’
‘Sorry about pointing my bow at you,’ she said, shaking hands with him. ‘As my master said, we have endured some fights recently.’
Master? Why the hell is she saying that?
‘Caution keeps a person alive,’ Jeremiah smiled, before hesitating. ‘Did you just say your master?’
‘I did.’
‘So you are a tribe master,’ Jeremiah said, returning to me and looking me up and down.
‘I am,’ I said confidently. ‘But as I said, I mean no harm. My only wish is to take care of my people, and trading is an important part of accomplishing that.’
‘Very well. I feel that I know an untrustworthy person when I see one, and you seem to be earnest in your intentions. But let me welcome you into my home first. It is rare that we have visitors out here.’
There was no way that I was going to turn the offer down. Jeremiah led us inside his house and we got seated at a dining table in the open living area on the ground floor.
Their home was we
ll-lived-in and quaint. It had a small open-plan set-up downstairs with a kitchen and living area, and a staircase to the right that led up to the upper floor which comprised a small bathroom and three bedrooms.
‘Some tea for our guests, please, Santana,’ Jeremiah said as he led us into the kitchen. His daughter got to work immediately, heating a pot and retrieving a series of cups. ‘Be seated, please,’ he continued, ushering Lara and I to the kitchen table. ‘You are my guests.’
We did as we were told, and a few minutes later the three of us were sat around the table, being joined by Jeremiah’s daughter with a tray of tea. She was a beautiful young woman in her early twenties, with red hair and light blue eyes that seemed to carefully analyse her own motions as she passed a cup to each of us.
Once the steaming cups of transparent red liquid were set out, she took a seat in the remaining seat at the table.
‘This is my daughter, Santana,’ Jeremiah said. ‘Santana, this is Jack and Lara.’
‘A pleasure to meet you both,’ she smiled.
‘Jack is a tribe master. They are here to trade with us, although I am unsure what they wish to trade.’
‘Is this a family farm?’ I asked.
‘It would be my intention to pass the homestead along to Santana when I pass, but recent events have made it difficult.’
‘The wolves,’ Santana said. ‘We have been plagued by these monsters for the last few months. They come at night and terrorize us in any way they can.’
‘Your father mentioned,’ I replied. ‘Have you tried to kill them?’
‘They are brutal animals,’ Jeremiah said, ‘and my beliefs prevent me from hurting other living creatures, even if they seek to hurt us. I am a cleric, and healing is my passion.’
‘What beliefs?’
‘We are followers of the Agrarian Gods.’
‘There are very few who still follow the old ways,’ Lara added. ‘My master has only recently arrived in these lands and is unfamiliar with many practices.’
‘I see,’ Jeremiah said. ‘Have you travelled far to be in these parts?’
‘I guess you could say that. So let’s get down to business – do you have anything you would like to trade with us? We’re in the market for livestock if that’s something you’d be willing to trade.’
Jeremiah and Santana exchanged a look.
‘I am an honest man,’ he started, ‘and in that respect I am not a negotiator. I am unable to defend myself and my land in any way, and I am running out of options. It is likely time that we must leave, so here is what I say to you; provide myself and my daughter with safe passage to the closest trading post, and I will give you my taurems in return.’
‘That’s all?’ I said. ‘It… Seems a little much for just a few hours work.’
‘As I said, I have no way to defend myself or my daughter. The only weapon I have in my possession is a crossbow and a single bolt that I have never used. It is powerful, but it can only be used once, and even if I was willing to use it, I am not a very good shot. I have attempted to hold out, but we must leave this land and look for somewhere safer.’
The deal was right there on the table, but it didn’t feel right.
‘Would you mind if we stepped outside for a few minutes?’
***
‘It is an excellent deal,’ Lara said.
‘I know, but that’s the problem. I’m exploiting him.’
‘What is the problem with that? It is not a pleasant situation, true, but it is also not our responsibility.’
‘He’s in a bad situation and we’re taking advantage.’ I thought quickly before coming to a conclusion. ‘I’ve got a better idea. One that works out better for all of us.’
Jeremiah came to meet us outside.
‘I’ve got a proposal for you. It might not be one to your liking, but hear me out. If I take your livestock I’ll be taking one of the last things from you that’s keeping you and your daughter alive. You might last a few months, maybe, but after that things could get tough.’
‘The gods will show us the way. I have no doubt.’
‘I’m sure that’s the case, but the gods keep sending wolves to your door. Once your animals are gone, they will come for you, and they will come for your daughter. Here is my offer: let me and my companion stay with you tonight, and we will kill the wolves when they come.’
‘And what would you ask for in return?’
‘That you and your daughter pack up your belongings and your livestock and join my tribe.’
Jeremiah stared back at me before scoffing lightly and looking at the ground.
‘That’s an interesting proposition. Why do you seek our admission?’
‘Because there’s safety in numbers. You’re good people, and you have excellent skills that could be put to use within a community. You both know how to work with livestock and horses. And you’re a cleric – we’re in dire need of a healer on our land.’
‘What would you do if I refuse?’
‘Nothing. We can make the deal that you agreed to, I’ll take your livestock and we’ll probably never see each other again.’
Jeremiah exhaled deeply and rounded past me, looking out onto the field and then turning back towards the house.
I followed his gaze, seeing Santana preparing some food in the kitchen.
‘She has been the most important thing in my life since I first saw her. Any decision that I make is for the good of her.’
‘I understand.’
‘I was part of a tribe once, you know? Before the great war. I could sense that things were about to erupt, so I and my wife departed for this land and began this homestead. My wife enjoyed life here until, well… Anyway, I have been wary of the notion of tribes ever since then… But I believe it was the gods who sent you to us. Maybe this is a sign…’
Jeremiah paused for a final time before holding out his hand. I shook it, but no window appeared this time. It was a mutual agreement between us, one that didn’t need any binding contracts.
‘I’m glad to hear it,’ I replied. ‘Listen, if we get moving now we might be able to make it back to my land before nightfall. That way we could avoid the wolves altogether.’
‘Whether it is night or not is inconsequential. The wolves use the forest for cover. If we leave now they will use the darkness of the forest to attack. That was why I needed your protection in the first place. We must wait for them to come to us.’
***
Last time I had left the tribe for Ichabod’s Cove I had been afraid for the safety of Tormus and Eri. On this occasion, though, they were well-defended and had Ariadne to take out any potential intruders.
The Rourke Homestead was composed of only the field and the farmhouse, giving out onto forest on all sides. We were exposed all around.
I made a trip to the edge of the pasture and led the horse and cart towards the stables upon Jeremiah’s advice.
As I made my way up the path that bordered the field, Santana emerged from the house and smiled over at me.
‘What a beautiful creature,’ she exclaimed, hurrying up to the horse and stroking its mane delicately. ‘Where did you find him?’
‘He just kind of… Appeared one day, I guess.’
‘Well, he is a gift from the gods, no doubt. Come, let us take him to the stable.’
She led the horse expertly into the stable and hitched him alongside hers. Her own horse was a larger animal, black with the occasional brown patch, and probably capable of carrying two people on its back with ease.
The horses nuzzled each other briefly before taking to chewing on a large bale of hay.
‘Your father said this is your horse.’
‘She is. Her name is Myranthia. I have been riding for many years now. Can you ride?’
‘I know the basics, but I haven’t ridden for years. I’d like to brush up on my skills.’
‘There is nothing else like it. Oh, taking a trail on a lazy day is fun, but galloping across a field at high speed is
more thrilling than anything you shall ever experience. Mmm… There’s nothing quite like riding hard.’
My eyes went wide at that last sentence. I looked over at Santana, but she was busy admiring our horses.
‘You mean riding a horse, right?’
‘What?’ She said quickly, pulling herself out of her trance of watching the horses and looking over at me. ‘Oh, of course. I have never had the opportunity to truly push Myranthia to the limits, though. I always run out of field to use.’ She let out a light, delicate laugh. ‘If I could, I would just ride and ride and ride until my legs couldn’t take it any longer.’
I clenched my eyes shut and lowered my head, shaking it lightly.
There was no way that she was making these innuendos by accident.
But then I had been wrong before.
I set the thought aside. I was being stupid. She was an actual cleric’s daughter, guarded and sheltered. There was no way that she would do anything like that. The most trouble she had probably ever caused was skipping a word in whatever holy texts she read on a daily basis.
‘Father tells me that we are to join your tribe.’
‘That’s right. With the wolf attacks it would be best for you to seek some safety. You can do that with my tribe.’
‘I do not know how to feel about this… I have lived on this land my entire life. It will feel strange leaving it, and so suddenly.’
‘I know, but I don’t want that to be the case. Not in the long-term, anyway.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘When our numbers have grown I’d like to turn your homestead into an outpost for the tribe. We can use the land, raise animals here. You could even run the community.’
‘Me?’ Santana scoffed, turning and shooting me a smile as she brushed Myranthia. ‘What makes you think I could lead somewhere?’
‘Like you said, you’ve lived here your entire life. You know this land of yours better than anyone.’
‘Not better than my father.’
‘Your father is a wise man, but he has other skills, too. It would be better for his abilities to be put to use in the community. As a healer he is invaluable.’
Santana crossed to me slowly.
‘Why are you doing this?’