John and the volunteers woke up early, well before the sun would rise. They currently had 13 loaves of bread. The process wasn’t hard, but it was timely. Only because they had limited room to bake. They would be cutting it close.
As the sun finally rose, the last batch was in the handmade stone oven. Ivan had woken up and went to hitch two horses to the free wagon. The other still held the prisoner. They would need it to carry back all of the ore.
“We’re going to be late!” John yelled as he walked to the waiting wagon. He still didn’t feel comfortable running. Karmen and her husband followed, each carrying a bag.
“We’re fine damnit. The sun is barely up. They didn’t exactly say when to meet them. We could sit there all day!” Ivan snorted at John who slowly climbed the wagon. Karmen’s husband tossed the bread on the back, gave a thumbs up, and the duo took off east.
They traveled east between the woods and the farm ground stopping at the edge of the lake. They then headed north to where the woods began.
“No further. We can’t trust the wagon on the rocky beach. And there’s barely enough room to travel between the woods and the lake for us.” Ivan paused. “Did you wonder how we’re going to get up to ten bags of ore back to this wagon? Because I’m not carrying them all,” he replied, hands hands on his hips.
“I did actually.” John unslung the bag he carried in front of him. He opened it. “Fish. I’m hoping for this fish they’ll drag it here. Or they’ll start taking fish for trade with the bread. Right now we can’t afford this much bread, but I didn’t want to go back on the trade. Not the first time for sure.” John smiled proudly.
“Aye. Good idea. Unless they already fish.” Ivan laughed and nearly hit him on the shoulder. “Almost forgot!” He laughed again. Ivan unhitched one horse and attached the bags of bread to it. They made their way to the water hole.
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Ivan leaned against a rock, grumbling. “Shoulda brought my fishing pole.” He opened one eye and gave John a sideways look. John just smiled as he laid on the ground.
The sun was far over head by this point. Several hours had passed since they’d arrived at the entrance.
“Maybe they’ve decided the bread wasn’t worth it,” John said, disappointed. “I really hope not. Or that’s all we’re going to be eating for days.” John tried to remember how long the trip had taken through the tunnels. “I wonder if they’re having trouble bringing that ore all the way over here. We had to walk what, a couple hours when they brought us here? I bet that’s it.” He closed his eyes again to take a nap.
A while later, John was woken up by being poked. “Ugh Ivan. Really?” He opened his eyes. Two huge black eyes were in his face.
“No Ivan. Vrichik.” John scurried back. The chief stood up, a toothy smile plastered to his face.
“Shit. You scared me. Ivan. Get up. They’re here.” John turned his head to talk to Ivan, but kept his eyes on Vrichik.
“I see that.” Ivan stood.
“Long walk. Hard rocks heavy. Much time.” Vrichik bowed.
John kept quiet for a moment then replied. “It’s ok.” He stood. “Are you ready to trade? I also brought you this.” He took off the bag and handed it to Vrichik. “Can you help bring the ore to that wagon?” He pointed to where it sat, at the other side of the lake just past the trees.
Vrichik opened the bag and took a fish out. He licked it. Vrichik stuck his finger in his nose, presumably to think. “Yes. Much work. We help.” He grunted to the Goblins who began exiting the cave pulling heavy bags. “Many bread?”
“Forty.” John motioned to Ivan. “That is ten bags of hard rocks.” He looked back to Vrichik who was counting on his fingers. John smiled. Like a child almost. If they weren’t so ugly it would almost be cute.
“Not dumb.” Vrichik glared at him. “Ten fish. One bag. Trade.”
“Yes. Trade. Four bread. One bag. Ten fish. One bag. Agreed?” John replied.
“Yes.” He again grunted to the Goblins who began pulling the bags along the shore to the wagon. John, Ivan, and Vrichik followed.
I should talk to him while we walk. Learn some things. But I don’t want to scare him either. Be friendly.
“Vrichik. How are you here? In the mountain?” John asked inquisitively.
“Many many moons.” Vrichik didn’t take his eyes off the Goblins who struggled pulling the bags on the rocky ground. He said nothing else.
John tried to broach the prospect of the humans mining in the western part of the mountain.
“Can we take ore. I mean, hard rocks, from.” How do I say this? John thought for a moment. Oh I know! “Can we take hard rocks from past the light?”
“Yes yes. Big monster.” Vrichik put his hands up then brought them down fast. Ivan looked at John nervously.
“Did you bring down the tunnel? To trap the big monster?” asked John.
Vrichik turned and smiled his toothy grin then looked back to the Goblins.
John and Ivan discussed the situation quietly as they continued to travel. It would take quite a while to clear that tunnel. And who knew how long ago they had collapsed it. Or if it was even Vrichik or Goblins that came before him. If that room is any indication, it could have been years ago.
They eventually arrived at the wagon. John rehitched the horse while Ivan loaded the ore. The Goblins quickly ran to be behind Vrichik. In short order, the trade was finished.
John spoke before Vrichik could. “15 moons.” He held up his fingers to count one hand twice. “We will give bread and fish. Same trade.”
“Yes.” Vrichik pointed up into the sky. “Light.” He covered his eyes. “Not light.” He again pointed up. “15 moons.”
“I understand. When the sun is gone in 15 moons we will come again.” John put his hand out to shake, as an impulse. The Goblin cocked his head. “Like this. It shows friend.” He demonstrated with Ivan then tried again. This time, Vrichik took his hand and laughed. He looked behind him and grunted.
A really small Goblin walked up to him and handed him a pouch. Vrichik gave it to John. “Gift. Friend.” John made to open the pouch. “No.” He shook his head and pointed towards the village. He smiled. He grunted, and they left back to the water hole.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
They watched the Goblins fade away in the distance. Ivan stood with his mouth agape.
“Close your mouth. You look like a fool.” John gingerly got on the wagon. His back was beginning to pull.
“I can’t believe what just happened. Never in my life would I have thought I’d be talking to and trading with Goblins!” Ivan shouted. “I must be losing my mind.”
“You never had one. Now get on. It’s already late. And I’m hungry for more broth.” John made a disgusted look. Ivan chuckled. He hopped on the wagon and they headed back to the village with a wagon full of ore.
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The wagon entered the village via the new eastern ramp and emptied the ore into the cellar. They would need to expand it soon or build another. Ivan took the horses back to the pen. He would train with people who were willing to when finished. John walked to the almost finished wall to check it out.
I can’t believe how quickly this went. But I guess it’s not really hard when you have almost 15 people digging and moving the dirt up top while Saul and Virgil build and harden the walls. Wonder how long it would have taken if they had to do it themselves. Probably a few weeks. John was interrupted out of his musings by a small boy coming up to him.
“Mister Mage man wants to talk to you.” He pointed at Virgil.
“Thank you. Lead the way.” John followed the small boy who he assumed was Luka because of his age.
“Good afternoon Virgil. He said you wanted to see me?” John asked, stopping next to him.
“Yes John. I just wanted to let you know that we will be done before this evening. I thought maybe you’d like to be here when it’s completed.” Virgil was waving with his hands.
“Absolutely. Send someone to get me would you? I’ll be in my tent. I’m exhausted.” Virgil nodded to John who went to lay down until the wall was completed.
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John was woken up shortly after he laid down. “John. Are you awake?” came a voice.
“I am now,” John mumbled in reply.
“Sorry to wake you. I just wanted to let you know that the first trial of wood cutting was a success. We’ll begin in earnest tomorrow. We’ll have unfinished planks in no time.” He closed the canvas and left.
Didn’t even get to see who it was. Oh well. Good news for sure. And the wall will be finished. The trade went well. Shit I forgot. He reached for the bag attached to his belt loop. He opened it and gasped.
“Oh. My. God!” John exclaimed loud enough for anyone nearby to hear. “Gems! Sapphires! Rubies! All uncut!” He pulled them out in a handful, dropping several to the ground. “I knew the trade would be good. I knew it!” He got up as quickly as he could and moved out of the tent. People had started to walk over to see what the commotion was about. He walked up the few who arrived and opened his hands. Gasps could be heard. “We can sell these for a fortune! We are set for months! Maybe years!” He danced a little jig then groaned at his sore back.
“What’s all the commotion over here!” Ivan said, running to John’s tent.
“Gems Ivan. Look at this! This was the Goblin’s gift!” John dumped the gems into Ivan’s big hands.
“Holy shit! I can’t believe they’d just give them to us like that.” Ivan counted them. “Eighteen total. Small, but all uncut. Definitely worth something.”
“You’re damn right they are. And they belong to all of us. I’ll trade them to buy everything we need! And guess what? The mill is working! The wall is almost done!” John was nearly out of breath.
Ivan belly-laughed. “Good grief boy. You’re going keel over if you don’t calm down. All good news. We really needed some after the other day.” The comment sobered John up some, but he was still happy. After the original excitement, everyone but Ivan left to continue their work.
“I decided early while I was walking around that it isn’t my place to decide Logan’s fate.” Ivan raised his eyebrow. “Tonight, he will be brought before the villagers and we will vote. I’m done making decisions that affect everyone.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea John,” Ivan replied, trailing off.
“I think if they know the facts, and have a say in what happens, they’ll feel more like they belong. So when supper is over, I’d like you to get him.” John’s face was steel.
“Alright boy. If that’s what you want.” Ivan patted him on the shoulder and went back to the small training area.
It’s not what I want Ivan, but it’s what needs to be done. Maybe it’s not fair, but I don't want his death to be solely my burdon. John sighed. May as well head over to the wall and watch. They should be close. He put the gems back into the bag and headed toward the eastern wall.
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An hour later as John sat on the wall watching, Virgil waved him over. “With this last Harden spell, the wall will be completed. The wall is already set.” John smiled and walked with him to the last section. “Harden.” He waved his hand from the ground up. It was as if all moisture was taken from the soil and replaced with the dirt with concrete creating a solid wall.
“Wonderful. Thank you Virgil. Saul. Everyone who has been volunteering. You deserve a well-earned break tomorrow!” Quiet cheers went up with John’s proclamation. “Now. Let’s go eat! I’m sure everyone is starving!” John put his arm around Virgil and they headed to the kitchen area.
The nightly meal progressed. More people came in from the fields and woods. When nearly everyone was finished, John nodded to Ivan who left the group. It drew a look from Marie, but Ivan smiled and left anyway.
Ivan arrived a few minutes later with Logan in tow. He was gagged and blindfolded. Sara brought up the rear.
“What the hell’s he doing here! He should have been killed with the other two!” yelled Marek.
“Calm down. That’s exactly why he’s here.” John walked next to Ivan. “Ivan had a little chat with him the other day. He has shown no remorse for what they tried to do. In fact, he said if we released him.” John stopped. “I think the children need to go into one of the homes for a little bit. They don’t need to hear this.” John motioned for them to leave. Grumbling, one by one, shooed on by their parents, they went to the nearest apartment. “Sorry, but if we are going to make a decision, they shouldn’t have to be involved.” He sighed heavily. “He said if we released him, he’d try to kill us all. So therein lies our problem. What do we do with him?”
The people talked amongst themselves for a short time. Then someone spoke up. “Kill him. I vote to kill him. Like he was going to do to us.”
“No. Make him work. Free labor. He’ll just need to be guarded!” said another.
“We can’t let him go! But I don’t feel comfortable knowing I was part of taking another’s life,” added one more.
John put up his hand to quell them. “Letting him go is absolutely not a choice. We’d be looking over our shoulder for who knows how long. If we vote to let him work, I will back it. If we vote that his life is forfeit, I will do it. There really are only two choices. I didn’t think it was mine alone to make though. So here is my proposal.” John opened his satchel and removed paper and two pencils. “We vote. You have three choices. Death, labor, or you can choose not to vote at all by leaving it blank. But I want to say this right now. No matter what is decided, there will be no blaming anyone for what they chose. Got it? You may not like the decision, but it will be honored no matter what.” People's heads nodded and some frowned. John laid the paper and pencils on the barrel he stood out. “One at a time, come up and vote and place into the satchel that is empty. When finished, I will count them with the council present so that no one thinks I changed it.” He took a few steps back then stopped. “I forgot. Can everyone write? If not put this,” he made the motion for a D, “for death. And this,” he made the motion for an L, “for labor.”
Marek quickly walked up and voted. “Death.”
Others soon followed. Some more somber while others were resolute.
Eventually everyone had voted. He waved the council and Drew forward and they went through the votes. John nodded his thanks to them and walked back to the villagers.
“It is decided.” The look on John’s face was heavy. “By majority vote, he will be put to death.” A few women sobbed quietly. Others looked dismayed but understood the finality of it. “Tomorrow, so that no one will see, Ivan, the guards, and I will take him to the Forest to enact his punishment.” He stopped and looked at the villagers. “I want everyone to take it easy tomorrow. Fish. Relax. This is a heavy decision not made lightly. So spend tomorrow with your families, other villagers, friends. And cherish it.” Together, Ivan, him and the guards walked Logan back to his wagon.
“You get what you want Logan.” John tightened the restraints. “I hope you have nightmares tonight of what will happen tomorrow. I know I will.” They left the wagon. They could hear him squirming inside. “Keep on an eye on him. Use more rope if you have to. As much as he boasted about wanting to die the other day, no one really wants to.”
The night ended quietly.