“We’re going to need help. The Kobalds are going to smell blood!” the old man shouted in the crowded square.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” another yelled. “You go asking for help against imaginary bogey-men and they’ll be laughing so hard they’ll never agree to send anything.”

“They’re real! My chickens got ate last night!”

“What, you never heard of foxes, coyotes, or anything else that actually does exist?” another joined in.

“It was the Kobali, I’m telling you!” the man with the lost chickens insisted. “Pulled them right underground!”

Math tuned out the argument and turned to Ana. After a harrowing two weeks since she had lost her leg, she had finally insisted on leaving the bed that morning. The doctor had found an old wheeled chair, and Math had gingerly lifted her into it. Her left thigh was wrapped thickly with bandages, halfway down to where the knee would have been. Then it ended, abruptly. Her right leg lay stretched straight in front of her, resting on a padded support. It was still wrapped in splints but healing nicely. She would have at least one healthy leg at the end of it. She claimed her shoulder was as good as ever, though the doctor had ordered her to go easy on it.

They were gathered outside a council meeting. The last two weeks had given the town time to clean up a lot of the rubble, but with half the town burned many were still living in tents in the streets or the surrounding fields. Hunger was setting in, clean water was hard to come by, and sickness was becoming a concern. The council intended to ask for help from the nearest towns and was looking for someone willing to leave their own repairs for later.

Math was seated at their table now. Although he wasn’t part of the council himself, he frequently sat in on the meetings and offered his opinions. He read more than most and the council had come to value his input. He suspected his friend Sarys was grooming him to take over a seat and retire, but Math wasn’t interested in the politicking.

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

“You’re the best one to go, Math,” Sarys was telling him. “Your brother can handle your mother and his girl’s father. The people in Tameron will respect you.”

“He’s right,” Ana agreed. “Rai can take care of me and Thea. We’ll be fine.”

“I’m not leaving you this soon,” he argued. “There are plenty of others who can go. I barely know anyone in Tameron.”

He saw Ana roll her eyes as he dug in his heels.

“It’s a week-long trip each way. I’m needed around here. Someone’s been stealing livestock, and we need to put a stop to it. Folks are hungry enough."

“Listen Math,” Sarys pleaded. “We are already short a man on the council, with Trey taking his family and disappearing. The rest of us can barely lead the recovery as it is.”

Math didn’t even acknowledge the empty fifth council chair. Trey was often a little lax with his responsibilities. The empty chair was a common sight.

“There are plenty of folks with homes that weren’t damaged. There’s no reason it has to be me,” Math insisted.

Sarys sighed, conceding that there really wasn’t any reason not to send someone else to beg grain from Tameron. Math knew he should be flattered that the councilman wanted to put such faith in him. At the moment, though, he was more concerned about his own family.

“I’m sorry Sarys. Please excuse me for a while,” Ana spoke up. “I need a break, Math,” Ana said, resting her hand on her son’s wrist.

“Sure Ma.” Math took hold of the handles on the wheeled chair and carefully turned her away from the table.

“I’m sorry too, Sarys. You know I’d love to help, but I can’t go right now.”

“I understand boy. Take care of your own. There will be plenty more to do later.”

Math nodded. “I’ll help with whatever I can, as long as I can stay close.”

“If you get a chance, swing by Trey’s place in the next couple days. Tell him I said to get his lazy ass over here,” Sarys said as Math wheeled Ana away.

“I will,” Math promised.

Math and Ana were silent until they were a good distance from the crowd.

“This isn’t your fault, Math,” she finally said. “A mother wants her sons to grow up and have their own lives, not be constantly waiting on an old lady.”

“I know Ma. But you can’t even walk right now. How are you going to get around?”

“Rai will help. You wouldn’t be gone more than two weeks.”

“Rai has Thea to look after now. And her father. I don’t have anyone taking up my time, it’s better not to put it all on him.”

Ana didn’t press the point. Math knew she’d never admit to needing the help, but that she was smart enough to silently accept it.

“I’ll head out to Trey’s tomorrow,” he said. “If he hates being in town so much, maybe they’ll convince him to make the run.”