write out a payment voucher that James can take to the local bank to receive his reward. It’s for eleven hundred gold pieces, just like Ceryn had thought.
Handing the paper to James he says, “Son, you’ve done this town and this area a service that’s needed doing for some time. Take this and our gratitude for a job well done.” Coming to his feet, the mayor extends his hand toward James who quickly shakes it before taking the reward voucher.
“Now Ceryn, how long do you plan to be in town?”
“I’ll be leaving in the morning. First though, I want to take James to Corbin’s and see if he’ll let him recuperate with him. He needs a place to hole up while his leg heals.”
The mayor casts a concerned look to James. “I do hope it’s not too bad? When James shakes his head, concern turns to cheerful. “Good, good.” Coming around the desk, the mayor says to James, “Hope you enjoy your stay here.”
“It seems a very nice town, sir,” he replies as he works with the spear to come to his feet.
Turning to Ceryn, the mayor claps him on the back and walks with him and James to the door. “Going to be at the Squawking Goose?”
“After a while. I told old Gyn that I would be there to tell what happened; and maybe squash any wild rumors that I am sure are already making the rounds about James.”
“Most likely,” laughs the mayor. “I’ll see you there if I can get away.”
“I hope so.” He indicates to James that it’s time to leave and that he should precede him out into the hallway.
Once they leave the office and are descending the stair to the first floor, James asks, “He doesn’t seem too busy, why wouldn’t he be able to get away?”
Ceryn chuckles. “It’s not the town’s business that will keep him away tonight, but his wife. She thinks that because he is the mayor, that he shouldn’t mingle with the ‘common people.’ He has to sneak out just to visit with his old drinking buddies.”
They find Ceryn’s wagon out front, the bodies of the dead outlaws have been removed and most of the blood stains rinsed out. Ceryn unties James’ horse from the hitching post and secures its tether to the back of the wagon. Meanwhile, James works his way up onto the wagon and waits for Ceryn.
Climbing up to take his seat on the wagon, Ceryn grabs the reins and flicks them to get the horse moving. Turning the wagon back around the way they came, he heads through town on the way to Corbin’s farm.
The sun is nearing the horizon by this time and the streets are beginning to empty as everyone has either gone home or is heading there. A few lone people walk the streets, stragglers from the marketplace or shopkeepers on their way home after closing for the day.
Several wave a hello to Ceryn, or call out a greeting. Ceryn answers back in his usual cheerful manner. They leave the town behind them and turn down a somewhat well-maintained dirt road. The sun is just dipping below the horizon when they leave the road and enter a dirt lane, at the end of which sits a welcoming-looking farmhouse.
No sooner do they start up the lane when two dogs appear. Barking with tails a-waggin’, they greeted the new arrivals. Shortly after the onset of barking, the front door to the home opens and two little girls emerge who race down the lane toward them. James recognizes one as Elizabeth. The other can only be her sister, a younger version of the older sister. A shout from the other side of the doorway brings them to a halt.
“Ceryn, Ceryn!” the girls holler as the wagon rolls closer. The two dogs race in circles around the wagon, barking and jumping. In the doorway stands a man with the look of having been hard at work in the field all day. James figures it to be their father, Corbin.
“Good evening, Master Farmer,” Ceryn greets with a slight nod of his head as he brings the wagon to a stop.
“Master Farmer indeed,” snorts Corbin, then breaks out with a smile. “Ceryn, it’s good to see you again. I heard you brought in Garrett the Snake?” To the dogs he yells, “Cyne, Tor, quiet!” They cease their barking and confine their actions to racing about within the space between the wagon and the house.
Climbing from the wagon, Ceryn replies, “It was Garrett the Snake and his band. They came for me last night and if it wasn’t for the aid of James here, we’d not be having this conversation.”
Nodding approvingly to James, Corbin says, “Any friend of yours is welcome in my home. Won’t you both come in?”
James starts to get down off the wagon when the dogs come and jump in friendly greeting up the side of the wagon at him. “Down, boys!” Corbin yells. The dogs back off and give him room to come down off the wagon. Corbin notices how he’s using his spear for support and favors the leg where the wolf had bitten him. “Are you alright, son?”
James nods his head, “Yes. I just had a run in with a pack of wolves in the forest. If it wasn’t for Ceryn, they would have had me for dinner.”
Corbin looks over to Ceryn who nods agreement. “There’s a story there or I’m a three legged dog. But that can wait for later.”
“Devin!” Corbin turns his head and hollers back into the house. A lad of about fourteen emerges. “Take Ceryn’s wagon and the horses and see to their care.” The lad nods and takes the reins as he leads Ceryn’s wagon around back.
Coming into the house James finds a homey, well-cared for country home. A woman is in the kitchen area, working on dinner. Corbin enters after James and says, “That’s my wife, Mary. Have a seat at the table, dinner should be ready shortly.”
James takes a seat and the girls quickly move to sit on either side of him. Ceryn just smiles.
“Corbin, I’ve got a favor to ask of you.”
“What?” the master of the house replies, as he takes his place at the head of the table.
“James is injured and a stranger to these parts. I would consider it a personal favor if he could use your spare room to recuperate for a week or so. His leg is not well enough for traveling.”
The farmer turned a thoughtful look upon him.
“I would help out where I could,” James offers. “I could even pay if you would like.”
“I’m not one who usually allows strangers to stay in my home, Ceryn. But you’ve saved my skin on several occasions, so I suppose I could make an exception here.” Keeping his attention focused on James, Corbin says, “We’re not rich here, you’ll get just simple fare. If you wish, you can stay with us. Though should you give us any problems, you’ll be out the door and on your way. I’ll not have trouble in my house. Do we understand each other?”
“Yes sir, we do.”
“Fine.” Turning toward the kitchen he hollers, “How much longer till dinner, woman?”
“It’s coming now,” Mary says as she emerges carrying a platter loaded with roasted chicken and accompanying vegetables. She sets the platter in the center of the table then turns to Corbin, “If you holler like that at me again, Master Farmer, you can go out and eat with the hogs for all I care.” After fixing him with a stern glare, she returns to the kitchen. In spite of the bickering, James gets the feeling that they really care for each other.
About this time, Devin returns from taking care of the horses and Ceryn’s wagon. He takes his seat at the table, opposite James.
“Where are you from?” asks Elizabeth’s sister. “You sure have funny looking clothes.”
“Don’t bother the boy, Cyanna,” her father chides. “It’s not nice to ask questions like that.”
“That’s okay,” James assures him. Turning to Cyanna he says, “I’m from a small town like this one that’s far, far away.” He gestures to his clothes, “And this is what we wear where I come from.”
“Do you miss it?” she asks, then casts a quick glance at her father who doesn’t say anything about her questions since it doesn’t seem to be bothering James.
“A little. You always miss your home,” he replies wistfully.
As Mary places the last of the food on the table, she takes her seat and Corbin announces, “Enough questions, let’s eat.”
Baked chicken, some vegetable, and bread; simple as Corbin had said, but very good and filling.
While they ate, Corbin has Ceryn relate the tale of the outlaw attack. In difference to James, he glosses over the parts that magic played. He also toned down the gory details, respecting the sensibilities of the girls and Mary. Devin listened intently, asking many questions about the fighting.
