The halfling looked up and spotted Jeanne and Cid moving towards the house. “Oh,” said rising his hand toward them, “hello there. Wasn’t expecting newcomers.”

“It does seem to be rather quiet here,” Cid said.

“Well we do try to keep things calm and charming,” said the halfling, “but even this is more than normal. But where are my manners, I’m Adalbert Dewfoot, nice to meet you both.”

“Good to meet you, I’m Cid and this is my friend Joan,” the Felidan said. “We just arrived and wandered if there were any job available to take to hold us over for our stay.”

“Well, we don’t get much visitors around here these days so I can’t say what the farms on the outlining of the Hazelshire.”

“How come?” Cid asked.

Jeanne looked around, surveying the area as the man spoke.

“Well, what with the war going on, a lot of people from outside the Meadowlands tend to stay where they are. Not want to take their chances and get caught amongst the bands of brigands and cutthroats using royal badges to rob, murder, and Sheperd knows what else.”

“Does anyone come around here ever?” Jeanne asked.

“Well, we have some back and forths with Garnburh and Kalthas. What with them needing wheat from here for animals and brews. Not much else though.”

“I see,” Cid said, nodding. “I hope this hasn’t been too stressful for your reeve?”

“Oh, I appreciate the thought, but we Dewfoots have been through a lot worse than this. Just keep our heads down and on the task and we’ve seen it through.”

“I don’t suppose we could speak to the reeve on a few of these matters?” Jeanne asked.

“Well,” the halfling said as he leaned the broom against the outer wall, “good thing I’m your man, then.”

Both Cid and Jeanne exchanged glances before looking back at the reeve. “Didn’t expect you to be doing the housework,” Cid said.

“Not much use of a leader if they can’t tend to their errands, big or small, that’s what my father used to tell me.”

“Wouldn’t that take away from the more important duties for a reeve?” Jeanne asked.

If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

The reeve shrugged. “If someone is too busy to devote a moment to sweep their own floor, then they shouldn’t be trusted to directing a community of farmers and laborers.”

“Fair enough,” Jeanne replied.

“But, if it’s work you’re both looking for, we’ve had a couple of issues come up recently which I was planning to write to the lord back in Inderwuda about this for assistance.”

Jeanne pressed her lips together for a brief moment, turning towards Cid who was clearing his throat. “I think we saw Lord Bellem marching north to join his liege,” Cid answered the reeve.

“Well,” the halfling replied, shaking his head, “that was not what I was hoping to hear.”

“Did he not give you any correspondence?” Jeanne asked.

The halfling shook his head. “No, nothing. I’d like to say the lord keeps us informed of these matters, but usually it’s a hit or miss with them.”

“I can’t imagine that making things easy around here,” Cid said.

Adalbert shrugged. “We’ve come to expect such things at this point. But to the matter of work, I think I might have something.” Adalbert turned towards the door, gesturing the two to follow. Inside Jeanne noted an iron grate with several pieces of wood smoldering, smoke rising up and moving through the windows and to the outside. On the other side of the house was a table with plates and simple cloth laid out over the top. Three sets of shelves lined the walls with porcelain pots and jugs set up on the shelves.

Adalbert went to a desk with three drawers, one on top of the other, situated on the far right side of the furniture piece, and pulled out a slip of paper. Holding the parchment close to read it he nodded after a moment.

“Right, this is over at the Lothran farm. It’s run by Ebrulf and Grace, good people, and kin of mine as well.”

“What happened?” Cid asked.

“One of their sons, their youngest, I think, named Gavin, went missing. We’ve been looking into it, but most of us aren’t hunters or trackers. The best we can do are spot sheep tracks, but not much else.”

Cid nodded. “We have a couple in our group who can handle that fairly well.”

“And we’re familiar with this type of situation,” Jeanne followed.

“Well, whatever help you can provide I’d be most thankful.”

“I don’t suppose we could get some directions where the farm is?” Cid asked.

“Oh yeah,” Adalbert said, scratching the back of his head. “If you go up the western road from here and keep going that way in the morning, you’d probably hit their farm by midday.”

“Good,” Cid said shaking his head, “very good.”

“Anything we should know before head over there?” Jeanne asked.

“Beg your pardon?” Adalbert.

“Not a good idea to insult a prospective patron by accident if can be avoided.”

“Good point,” Adalbert said, nodding slowly. “I mean, their youngest was being rather peculiar, more so than normal, before he wound up going missing.”

“Peculiar?” Cid asked.

“Well, he was always bouncing off the walls, using weird voices and the like, but recently he seemed different. As if not himself.”

“Hmm,” Cid said, rubbing his chin as he pondered the words over. “We’ll definitely check that out then. Thank you for your time.”

Adalbert waved them off cheerfully. “Of course, best of luck with the Gavin situation.”

The two covered some distance before Cid turned to Jeanne. “What are your thoughts?”

“I mean, it could be a variety of things. We should definitely see about bringing Maeryn and Doc along.”

“Doc?”

“If something weird beyond weird is going on, he’d probably know something about it.”

“Fair enough, but we should get back to the others and let them know of the situation.”