Waking up and looking around, Ethan felt discombobulated. What happened? My head feels like the time I fell from the roof. Looking around, something felt, well, off. He couldn’t place what, just that it felt off.
He was in his room. It wasn’t much just four walls and some basic furniture. He was actually lucky. Most of the houses around only had two rooms, one for kids and one for parents, but his dad being the baron in control here, they built him a large house with four rooms.
He was laying on his bed with covers over him. The nightstand next to the bed had a bowl of soup with a cup of water. One sniff told him it was his old nemesis, mung weed soup. He had never personally licked the bottom of a goblins foot, but he imagined the taste would be about the same.
After examining the bowl’s contents, he noticed something. It’s cold and mom always says it doesn’t help if it’s cold. Smiling at his wit, he grabbed the water that was next to it for his parched throat and drank it all.
Last thing I remember was making a joke and feeling Dad hit me. Did he knock me out?
He was still tired and didn’t feel up to figuring out what was wrong with this situation or his room. He laid down, closed his eyes and started drifting back to sleep.
*SLAM* Nearly blinding light shown through his open door and while his eyes were still adjusting to the incoming light. “BROVER!!! BROVER!!! NO MORE SWEEPIN!!!”
If the slamming door hadn’t woken him up, the small charging monster slamming into him definitely would have. Landing on, and almost knocking the wind out of him, was his little sister, Linny. She took after their mother with her soft features beautiful green eyes and dark red hair.
“Linny… you know there are better ways of waking me up.” Ethan said in a pained voice.
“No, you make funnier faces.” She said with a giggle.
“Oh YEAH!” he grabbed her before she had a chance to hop off the bed and started tickling her sides.
“EEEEEEEEEEEEEE” She twisted and squirmed just enough to get away. He was feeling weak and that only served as an aid to her escape. “MOM MOM MOM HEEEELLLLP. BUBU HURTING ME!!!!”
Just then, his mother walked in. The look of relief showed all over her face as she immediately rushed over to Ethan and was checking his face. And arms. And breathing. Only after her thorough inspection did she hug him tight to her chest and breathe out a large sigh of relief.
“How are you feeling?” she asked as she drew back a little.
“Like I’m ready to go out foraging.”
She glared at him. “If you lie to me again, I’ll keep you here another week and make you eat mung weed soup just to make my heart feel better. Now, how are you REALLY feeling.”
Putting on his impish grin, like he’d just been caught with her sweet rolls again, he told her how he was feeling.
“I see. You need water. I’ve been able to get some into you, but not much. That would account for the headache and the feeling parched. Weakness is most likely from not eating for three days. Eat your soup and I’ll bring you some bread. Are you feeling cold or hot?”
“Not right now.”
“Now?”
“Yeah, just before dad knocked me out I was feeling really cold.” His mother looked at him like he said something wrong.
“I think you have something confused Ethan. Your dad did smack you, but I checked you and the only mark on you was from you hitting the ground. You passed out with a fever three days ago. It wasn’t until just this evening that the fever broke.”
…
She just said it again. three days. I’ve been asleep for three days!
“You’re a little confused, but that’s understandable. Drink your mung weed soup down and then get some rest. LINNY, if you jump on him again I’ll hang you by your toes with the wash.” Standing up, his mother dragged his pouting little sister out of the room.
Reluctantly, he looked at the bowl next to him. Steeling himself for what was to be a very unpleasant experience, he reached out and drank the soup in one go. Quickly he set the bowl down and practically lunged for the water cup.
It was empty… NOOOOOOO
~~
It took another day for Ethan to feel better. He was just able to get out of bed and it took another two to be near his sprightly self. If he was honest with himself, he was glad most of his first week of grounding was over that quickly.
Getting out of bed on the 7th day, it hit him as he reached under his bed and grabbed his shoes.
That cold chill seemed to return to him almost at once. It’s not dark in here. I can see in the dark as if it was only evening light. There was one window in his room, but it was closed. Even the darkest part from under his bed, which was always pitch black and caused Ethan many a nightmare could be seen easily. Should I tell Mom?
After mulling this over, he figured it was better to just leave it alone. He left his room to see his grandfather sitting at the table eating his breakfast. Eggs with a couple strips of dried deer meat.
Grandfather (Garth) had silver hair and a soft youthful appearance. His wrinkles showed that he was always smiling, and his eyes showed a mischievous light. He was sturdy, and only in recent years had he started slowing down.
Their kitchen was also a working area and gathering area. Strings of dried herbs hung from string that was in front of windows. Herbs were also hanging on a large string that hung lower, just above peoples’ heads, through the center of the house. Jars on multiple shelves held so many herbs from rarer ones to common.
In fact, Ethan, knew from his mother, that if someone really wanted all of them, he would probably be able to live off of all the profits for half of his life.
“Morning, grave keeper”
“Morning, seedling”
These endearing affectations were thought of by grandfather. He wouldn’t, in his wildest dreams, have ever called an old person this. Grandfather thought it the funniest thing in the world when he taught him these. Even though he had been really little, he still remembered the look on his parents’ faces when he said it to his grandfather for the first time. Since then, it was just something they did around each other that brought small joy to them every now and then. Maybe a little more when his parents heard it.
The only downside to being the town’s herbalist was the constant smell of the herbs. Some were good, but that wasn’t all of them. His mother had to process some and dry others. The smell at times was so bad that Ethan’s dad joked that he could use the smell as a weapon, and Ethan wasn’t sure he was wrong.
“Any extra Grandpa?” Ethan pointed to his grandfather’s plate.
“Maybe.”
Ethan scowled a little. “What do you mean, maybe?”
“I seem to have accidentally cooked too much for myself this morning, but my darling granddaughter will be up soon, I might just give it to her.” A roguish grin spreading across his face. “Unless…”
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Ethan loved his grandpa but this side of him always ended up with Ethan and himself catching the sharp side of his parents’ tongues… even though it usually meant a lot of fun. “Unless?”
“See that pot over there?” He pointed to the smaller pot on the counter. “I think it would look much better above your parents’ door.”
Dishes usually went above that door for keeping so he wasn’t understanding what his grandfather was getting at, but if it was going to get him breakfast, he would do it. After retrieving the pot, he got up on the stool and noticed why his grandfather had him doing this. All of the dishes were spaced just far enough apart to look right unless you knew how they were before, and there was just enough room to place the pot on the edge and hanging off. Ethan knew his parents’ door would shake this shelf a little. A smile spread across his face as well, as he helpfully and dutifully put the dish away.
“Good boy. Now eat your breakfast and get out before you get in to trouble this morning.”
Moving over to the table, he started grabbing some food, quickly realizing there was far more than grandpa had let on about. He had made enough for everyone. The small glimmer in his grandfather’s eyes only confirmed his suspicion that he had been tricked.
He decided just to let it go. What could he do anyway? It’s grandpa. “Anything interesting been going on while I’ve been asleep?”
“Actually, yes. There has been a string of thefts in the village.”
“A thief in Tauph village?!” Ethan was more than a little startled. Thieves where something only cities or larger villages had.
“It’s an odd thing though. People think it’s an insane person from the wood or a sprite. Personally, I think it’s an animal. A smart animal but I’m getting ahead of myself.” Garth paused and thought for a moment about where to begin. “Four days ago, someone was cooking a duck in their house. They said they turned their back for only a moment and when they turned back it was gone.”
“The next morning, they found a couple freshly killed animals on their table. The same thing happened a couple days later to another family. Food had been cooked and it disappeared only to have fresh killed game on their front porch. Two nights ago, our food storage was broken in to and when your dad got back he tried to find the who it was and came out empty handed.”
The food on Ethan’s plate was forgotten now. “I’m going to catch this person and bring them to justice.”
Garth started chuckling to himself. “Boy, I tell you this. If your Pa can’t track it, you are a might short on skill to do much better. I’ll tell you what though, today I want to try something to catch it. I wouldn’t mind a little help with a few baited snares. Eh?”
This is why he loved his grandfather so much. His interests always aligned with his own. It didn’t matter if it was stories he wanted to hear, things to do, or things to learn, his grandfather always knew whatever it was and was always on his side.
“Done.” He said.
“What’s done?” His father asked as he stepped into the room.
“Grandpa told me about the tricky thief that’s been stealing things around the village, and we are going to capture it.” Ethan replied.
“Two things. First, thief is a strong word. All things taken have been replace with more than what was taken. The only thing that was truly lost was time. Second, you’re still grounded so I expect chores done and nothing else needs doing around here.” he sat down and looked around the room after getting some breakfast. In an undertone he added “and if that pot hits your mother, I won’t envy you this morning after she gets done with you.”
Both Ethan and his grandfather froze a little at hearing that last part. After a moment of silence Grandfather spoke “We don’t know what you’re talking about. We only put away washed pots and stuff to help”
“Uh huh and I’m the lost dwarven king courting an elf.” He said rolling his eyes at us.
“Just remember, I had nothing to do with it.”
*BANG*At the sound they all jumped a little. Teela had come in and shut the door to their room.
“DADDY!!! ETHAN!!!” His mother exclaimed. “Lord, give me patience because if I ask for strength, I might kill them! I barely slept a wink last night and I have to wake up to this foolishness! When are you going to grow up?!” He knew he should have moved the pan a little more.
After breakfast with I extra helping of lecturing, he went to the side of the house to help his father with the iron work. His father was the temporary blacksmith of the village. He had learned the skill from his own father. It was mostly nails, door handles, horseshoes, or arrow heads for this area. Occasionally, a replacement knife or sword would come in. However, those were few and far between.
The smithy was outside but even in winter it seemed warm because of the fire. The bellows was the most fun for Ethan when he was younger. His dad would lift him up and let Ethan ride down as he held on to the giant wooden rod. It was attached thick cloth that bulged against leather bands that stopped the fabric from stretching to far as it was worked.
This Winter, Ethan had started making nails and other simple things. His father started him out every morning with a heavy hammer. Only when Ethan was sure his arms were going to fall off did his father let him rest for a bit and take up the smaller hammer. Today was no different.
“Why do you always give me the heavy hammer?”
Datons expression softened, and he had the look of a father who now got his son something important.
“Apprentice’s need to work hard to build muscles for their craft. If you aren’t strong enough to do the work, you won’t succeed in that field. Also apprentices should work twice as hard as the master to not just help the master but make up for all their mistakes.” The look Ethan gave at that said he didn’t agree. “Don’t give me that look. You broke so many nails I could have almost made a small anvil out of all the pieces.”
“Maybe the smallest anvil ever heard of.” Ethan pouted.
“Yeah we’ll about that today. There is a lesson in that as well Ethan.” Daton put his hand on Ethans shoulder and got down close to him. “the more weight you put on your shoulders willingly. The less the weight you must carry later will feel. Does that make sense?”
Thinking about it for a moment Ethan kind of understood what he was talking about but not really. “No”
Daton smiled. “keep it in your heart and one day you will.”
They worked the forge till about noon and Ethan finished up his other chores. Then he found his Grandpa out back. He was looking at small marks on the door of their store house.
The store house was off to the side of the house next to the fence that was meant for horses and cows once they got some in. Its door was operated by a simple wooden slide bolt.
“what are those Grandpa?”
“claw marks, but what is unusual is the fact that there is only one set. Like the creature stood on the fence here and reached over and pulled the slide till it was open.”
Ethan inspected the marks and then looked all around the ground but found nothing. “I would say the marks were old Grandpa but I know all this is new and the coloring on the inside of the marks is barely weathered. No matter how I look at it, you seem to be right. How could some animal be so smart?”
Garth gave him a blank stare like Ethan had just asked a stupid question. Sighing Garth explained.
“ Let me start off this lesson with a question. You just got done with your first encounter with a Leviathan. Why do you think they are so dangerous?”
“Because they are large, fast and powerful. Lots of teeth, claws, and a bad attitude to match.” Ethan shivered again as he remembered almost getting caught in the things jaws.
“yes and no. I know I have told you the story of the fall of Tymer the great city. The reason of that fall was because the king of that land got advice from a Leviathan. It was one of the old ones. He had taken a deal and followed it bringing him instant riches and prosperity to his kingdom. He cultivated the area near a volcano and the earth brought forth a bounty like the country had never seen before. It was not to last though. Six years later the volcano erupted and destroyed everything around and because the king had relocated all farmers like the Leviathan had said the kingdom soon suffered from starvation. Greedy nations nearby came and took advantage killing the King. Dividing his wealth and land.”
“But that could have been bad luck.” Even Ethan knew this was a weak argument.
“The Great downfall of Rimuru he was a mighty fighter and made a deal with a Leviathan. For 10 years he fought numerous battles and had slain many of his enemies. Then when he returned home to his family. He found them being enslaved. A fight that would have been easy for him he lost as the weapon that the Leviathan gave broke and was his downfall. The gifts of Satan’s poison may last for a moment and give you the strength of 10 men but in the end, it is still poison. The point I wish to make beside stay away from those creatures is this. It may look like a beast or strange but in this world are creatures that have intelligence that can be far greater than ours.”
“I understand Grandfather. So what do I do if I meet another?”
“Another leviathan? Let’s just hope that day never comes again, but if it does you have but 3 options as I see it. Kill it, die trying, or walking away not listening. The last one will probably be best if its an option. Listening to it would bring a fate worse than death.”
“Yes grandfather.”
After a moment his grandfather handed him some honey crumble. It was a sweet treat made of honey and hard bread mixture. Making a sweet type of preserve cookie when dried by the fire for many days.
“Grandpa! Mom is going to hang us in a tree if she catches you stealing this.”
“Hehehe. Better eat it quick then huh?” Garth laughed under his breath before popping his last bit into his mouth.
He did. First this morning. Now this. My Grandpa is trying to get me killed. Looking over at the door again he asked. “So how do we catch this smart creature?”
“All we can do is try everything and maybe some things that may have never been tried.”
Getting some wood and other supplies they first made another slide for the door tighter fitting and added a small catch in the back that had to be pressed down before the slide would move.
That night they heard from Dayton that the creature had struck again next door.
“How did it take an entire roast without the Hallens seeing it.” Ethan asked.
“According to Mrs. Hallens she just went to reach for her knifes to cut it and then when she looked back it was gone.” Dayton was sitting across from Ethan with a troubled expression.
“How though. Mrs.Hallens has the keenest eyes in the village. She knew when me and Zuk were planning to pilfer a piece of pie before we even got out of our seats to do it.”
It was true and a memory he will never forget. He and his friend had just finished lunch and Zuk motioned toward the pie with his head. All Ethan had done was nod and they heard his mother in the other room voice this. “you touch that pie boys and you WILL live to regret it” He never tried anything around the Hallens ever because of that day.
“I’ll agree with you on her having sharp eyes son. The more I think about this though. Its just weird. The food going missing then more food showing…” Dayton stopped mid-sentence. Grandpa and him looked at each other and nodded.
“Worth a shot.”
Confused Ethan asked “what’s worth a shot?”
They both looked at him. “we never know where it will strike next, but we know where it will be in the morning.”
Ethan realized it then. “it always brings food back.”
They set to work immediately. Ethan ran over to the Hallens and filled them in on what was happening. After they had agreed Mr. Hallen came over to help Dad and Grandpa. Ethan found out why later. Apparently, the lost roast had taken Mrs. Hallen the entire day to prepare, and she was so upset she had cried.
That night Ethan couldn’t sleep he kept waiting and listening in his room for anything that sounded like a trap going off, but it never came. Ethan had stayed up so long that it felt like he had just fallen asleep when he was woken up by his sister. “BROVER WAKE UP” *THUNK*
Ethan was awakened again with Linny jumping on him. After his soul decided to come back to his body did he remember the trap. Rushing outside he looked to his neighbors to see them Hauling a medium boar to the back of their house and Mrs. Hallen holding some spring flowers.
His Grandfather appeared next to him. “It came last night. The trap was found disabled. Broken in a spot that made the entire thing useless. The boar was on the snare even though it was broken. I could accept all that if it wasn’t for those flowers. Seems those were found where the roast was taken.”
Ethan’s brain took a moment to prosses everything he had just heard. “In the house… Was there any tracks?”
“Your father searched the area thoroughly and found nothing except bent grass where it looks like something was stepping and avoiding the dirt.”
The week that followed was more of the same occurrences. Food would go missing about every third day and then food would almost by magic appear in or in front of that families house. The village tried everything from setting night watches on the houses to trapping all around the village. Nothing was ever caught. Traps were found disabled or broken. The watches never saw anything but did hear some noises every now and then from roofs, but when they checked nothing could be seen.
Then one day it stopped after about a week of fighting this menace. Ethans Mother left a plate of food out on a stump near the back of their house. In the morning the plate was clean and a small animal lay on it. With this one act the pilfering stopped, and my mother decided to just feed the spirit every night.