A massive stag stood regarding me. Its antlers disappearing impossibly into the tree branches. We stood, regarding each other for a moment. For a moment I saw another section of the wood, where it met on the other side of the town and a badger just sitting there. The stag snorted, then turned, without any disturbance to the branches, and walked into the woods. I was tempted to open my inner eye, but honestly was nervous about what might happen.
A shuffling sound to my left broke into my thoughts. Jimmy had shuffled nervously watching me. “Did...” I paused getting my thoughts back under control and realizing I should word this so I don’t look crazy. “Did you see anything in the forest?” Jimmy glanced at the forest, then back at me and slowly shook his head. “No. But your eyes are better’n mine, boss. Especially when it comes to the forest… and the dark." I smiled, realizing Jimmy thought I had caught site of a bunny or something that he missed. There was no way Jimmy or anyone else would’ve missed seeing what I had seen.
I went over to the forest to take a look for tracks though I expected to find none. Before I even bent over I could see that the areas where the stag had stepped the grass was a good bit taller and lusher, with a large strip of shiny new growth at its base. Almost like reverse tracks. I glanced at Jimmy. “Do you see that?” I asked pointing to the strange tracks. Jimmy nodded and looked at me quizzically. Shaking my head both in confusion and to stave off any questions Jimmy had I turned and headed back along the forest edge of the village, Jimmy’s light step trailing me. “What did you see?” He asked. I shook my head. If he didn’t see it then I shouldn’t have either probably so I fell into my old defensive patterns. “I thought I saw some movement. I was scared it was the beast but it wasn’t. There was another weird movement and it was gone. Those weird prints weren’t made by any undead beast though.” I said glancing at Jimmy who was looking at me. He sheathed his weapons and nodded. “Definitely not.” He said. I shook my head. “It’s getting close to dawn which is even a little late for me, but at least it doesn’t seem like the beast has come back tonight. I’m heading to bed.” Jimmy nodded and as he opened his mouth the watch horn sounded twice back in town. Jimmy glanced at me and grinned. “Well one of us is going to bed anyway.” He said. “Enjoy your meeting.” Jimmy laughed as he sauntered into the night away from me. I shook my head and headed toward the Mayors house to see why he summoned the watch to a meeting.
Everyone filed in, many scrubbing sleep out of their eyes. “Evan was taken by” he paused and shook his head. I shook my head too, thinking how I was on the opposite side of the town as the beast struck. It was like it knew! “Evan was taken by the zombie of Garen.” I blinked, surprised it wasn’t the beast though I guess it was the same effect. Ocran sputtered. “I helped him bury him! He was his height down in the dirt!”
Ocran coughed, embarrassed at his outburst. “Sorry Mayor.” The Mayor nodded to Ocran. “Entirely understandable reaction.” He continued. “Frank is out tracking… it. Nikki is awaiting a response.” I had noted Frank wasn’t here but hadn’t thought much of it. I opened my inner eye and saw that only one spirit was sitting on her shoulder, interesting. “While we wait I’m having the Stagg’s Inn bring over some breakfast and coffee for everyone.” A statement which earned some cheers. “I don’t need to tell everyone that the village is in danger. I will however reiterate that all of you need to show confidence when dealing with your fellow villagers. If you see dissent step in, squash it.”
At this point Gundle arrived carrying trays of eggs, biscuits, muffins, a jar of jam and one of honey. Aggy followed carrying a large pitcher of coffee and milk along with a large tureen of a white gravy that smelled of sausage. They set up on the tables that lined the walls in this room and people queued up. I grinned at the gratified groans as people go their first sips of Aggies coffee. The mayor continued as people grabbed food.
“If you need backup don’t hesitate to use your horn. The village needs to see that we have control of the situation.” Nikki stepped toward the Mayor who stopped what he was saying and leaned toward her. He said a faint “Thanks” to her and turned back toward us. Those with food froze, muffins poised before waiting mouths waiting to hear if we would be out chasing a monster.
“The zombie that was Garen has been destroyed.” People glanced and one another and an excited chatter picked up. “Understand that the creature that Baz, Bran, Dancer and Sticks ran across, is still out there so everyone still needs to be careful and vigilant. This is a good note though. These creatures can be brought low” He paused as people nodded and glanced at one another. “and once we find this necromancer they will be brought low as well!” He said, his fist shooting into the air. Cheers and chatter erupted from the group. “Alright! Enjoy breakfast, then go out there and keep our village safe!”
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The mayor wandered over and grabbed cup of coffee of his own, got a biscuit and a dollop of honey then wandered back to the front of the room. As he homed in on his seat I sidled up to him. “I’d like to speak with you.” He glanced at me, biting into his biscuit. I glanced at the door to the back area meaningfully. He nodded to me and headed toward the door and I fell in behind him.
I talked through recent items of note, Kueriken’s missing pet and the Forest Lord putting in another appearance. “You have no idea why the Forest Lord put in another appearance?” Skandro asked. I shook my head. “And he just stood and stared at you?” Shrugging I said “I get the feeling he’s not much for talking. Unfortunately I have no idea what his appearance means though.” The mayor looked at me “I read up on him some since the last time we talked. It seems the last time we had a necromancer he put in appearances then too. First as a giant stag, like you’ve mentioned. Later he showed as a giant, tusked boar. It seemed to hint in the writing that the image shown displayed his state of mind, the stag being a relatively peaceful state of mind while the boar was a much more aggressive display. We will just have to hope that, what I read is right and since he is still showing up as a stag, he is still feeling peaceful.
While the Mayor wrote up all that we had talked about I thought through the recent events and something Evan said came back. “With Evan gone, you control the bank, right?” Skandro winced. “With Evan out, I assume temporary control of the bank.” He said “And if Evan does not come back?” I asked. The mayor sighed “The Mayor’s position would own the bank. Evan dropped updated paperwork off last night.” “Is there anything interesting in there? I mean could all this be a repeatedly botched grab at the bank?” I said.
Skandro looked at me a moment. “I suppose that could be possible.” Skandro gave me a measuring look “What? No leading questions to see if I’m the necromancer?” I laughed “No. It doesn’t pay to accuse your employer of being the bad guy.” He shook his head “You should suspect everyone. There is a necromancer among us and its very likely someone you think you know very well.” I kept smiling “So I should have you locked up now? No.” I replied to my own question, shaking my head for emphasis. “The necromancer tore through this town the first time by sowing suspicion and dissent. We’ve already had one death due to nothing more than theatrics.
Can I look through the records for anything that might stand out?” Skandro sighed, looking oddly defeated. “There are oddities in there, or at least there were. The updated paperwork Evan brought by resolved all of those.” “Wow. That kids sharper than I gave him credit for.” I said. “Sounds like a lot of paperwork.” Skandro nodded and handed me a small chest he had been leaning on, on his desk. These are the currently active loans and recent changes.
Tipping his cup up the mayor drained it. “This is good stuff.” He said “When you’re done why don’t you head home and get some rest?” “Oh yea. That reminds me.” I said leafing through the loan paperwork. The mayor stopped, hand on the door waiting to hear what I had to say. “Arla threw me out of the apartment, so if she still asks you for any more payment she’s ripping you off.” Skandro, glanced at me. “I take it you have a place to stay?” he asked. I nodded. “Good. Have them bill me. Arla’s agreement was different so that’s fine.”
The chest held some interesting contents. There were a lot more loans than I would’ve suspected for such a small town. Most of them pretty small, but that wasn’t what stood out. What stood out were oddly written loans for Crai and Arla. Both came from the poor sector. Both loans helped them establish their business and both had astronomical interest rates written in a way that made them look small and verbiage that allowed for a request of services from Arla and furniture from Crai in lieu of payment. A good number of payments showed as “Services rendered” for both of them. Garen was more of an opportunist then I had given him credit for. “Money is simply power for the powerless. Something easier gained for the lazy. I suppose it’s clever for the beasts to come up with a system of value to create a false power. Gather it and hand it to their offspring to give them a head start on gathering more. Spirits have no such false measures.” money did not seem a system without issues, but also couldn’t see people frozen at trading livestock and whatnot. At least with trade the people that had the needed skills were the ones with power.
I headed out noting as I passed through the front room that Frank and Skandro were talking together on one side of the room. Nikki watched as I crossed the room, nodding as it was obvious I was heading out. Curious I guarded my thoughts, keeping them on the upcoming bed and peeked with my inner eye. Both spirits sat on her forehead now. Seemed like she could deploy a spirit and get information from where it was, interesting. Nodding back to her I headed out and home to bed.