Based on the direction they were heading in with the car before it broke down, Wyatt chose to turn left when he came to a fork in the path and took a long stroll that slowly crept him closer to the town that he was coming over to visit. The path itself was very easy to walk, as it had been beaten down by many feet. There were hills, and gorgeous lands to admire while hiking around them. It took Wyatt about a half hour to notice there was a decent sized lake and the path seemed to walk right past it on the way to town which had a lot of homes and a harbor on the coast of this lake. Wyatt liked walking by the lake, because in the city he never got to enjoy a view this beautiful. Wyatt was barely there a day and already the town of Loonsburg was already taking his breath away with one stunning view after another. As he got closer to town, Wyatt noticed there were a few piers on the waters, and that was when he first spotted the old man sitting on one of them. He was an old chap, at least in his seventies, but looked rather content as he was sitting on a small chair with a fishing line off into the lake. He was mumbling to himself, and even whistling every now and then to pass the time as he had nothing else to distract him. He also had a lunch packed in a pail that was just as big as his tackle box. Even though he wasn’t supposed to, he smuggled a few cans of beer inside it and got his drink on when no one was watching. He was having one such drink while eating half of the sandwich his wife made for him when noticed the young man walking up the path towards his pier. He slyly put the beer down and grabbed a hold of his rod, pretending to look rather busy as the young man walked closer.

  “Hello there,” Wyatt called out to him. “Any bites so far?”

  “Only my lunch,” the old man called back. He seemed a little irked to be talked to, but Wyatt had simply shrugged it off as old men being old men.

  “I hope I didn’t scare them away,” Wyatt said, as he didn’t walk into the peer, but walked up to the edge of the waters that left him only several feet from the old man and thus close enough to converse with him.

  “It’s not you,” the old man replied, “They rarely bite at all. I should find a new spot, but this one’s closer to the house and easier to walk with my back and knees.”

  “That makes sense,” Wyatt said, understanding his reasoning. “You picked a great day to come down and try to catch a fish.”

  “Yeah, the day is pretty large.” The old man said, looking up at the cloudless skies. “That’s pretty rare round here, as we mostly have clouds and rain.”

  “So I’ve been told,” Wyatt said, remembering Gerald said about the constant gloomy weather in these parts.

  “I don’t mean to be rude,” The old man suddenly said, “But who are you?”

  “Apologies,” Wyatt said, “I’m Wyatt.”

  “Pleasure to meet you,” The old man said, tipping his cap. “I’m William, but my friends all call me Willy.”

  “The pleasure is mine, Willy.” Wyatt said.

  “What brings you to our fair wee town?” Willy asked, “I can tell from your accent that you’re not from around here.”

  “I’m not,” Wyatt confirmed, “I’m in town for family business.”

  “How long will you be staying?” Willy asked.

  “To be fair,” Wyatt started to answer, “I’m not entirely sure. I guess it would depend on how well or messed up that family business ends up going.”

  “Well, I need you to do me a favor,” Willy said, even whispering a bit despite the fact there was no one around for at least a mile. “Don’t tell anyone you saw me here.”

  “Oh, alright.” Wyatt said, unsure why what would be necessary.

  It was at this point where a policeman started to walk up to the pier to where Willy and Wyatt were conversing with one another. The officer looked to be smack dab in the middle between Willy and Wyatt’s age, old enough to be Wyatt’s father where Willy would be the Gramps if they were related. The officer was in uniform, and he didn’t appear to be impressed walking up to the pier.

  “Willy!” The officer called out as he got closer.

  “Oh crap,” Willy said, as he was clearly caught doing something he wasn’t supposed to be doing.

  “How many times have I told your stubborn arse that fishing here without a license is illegal!” the officer continued to yell as he stopped walking.

  “It’s just me here, George, and I haven’t caught a damn thing.” Willy protested, “In order to actually fish, don’t I have to catch something for it to count?”

  “Not really,” George said, arms crossed and looking at Willy like he’s a parent that was deeply disappointed.

  “Hold on,” Wyatt said, as he recalled something that Gerald said to him on the flight over. One of hundreds of mundane details that was pounded into his thick skull when flying over to Ireland.

  “What is it?” George said, just noticing the young man was there.

  “I thought fishing licenses were under the authority of the Lord of the lands.” Wyatt said, recalling that all licenses whether they were mining, or hunting were given or rejected under the purview of the Lord of Loonsburg. “Isn’t this a matter for the Lord to handle rather than the police?”

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  “You know what, George,” Willy said, smiling back. “He’s right.”

  “Unfortunately,” George interrupted, “There currently is no Lordship to decide the matter. Lord Crawford passed away last week.”

  “What about his heir?” Wyatt asked, “Wouldn’t that matter then fall to him as the new Lord of the lands?”

  “It’s funny you should mention that,” George said, recalling something he heard earlier in his shift, “I was told that Lord Crawford’s family was coming into town for the funeral and that one of our guests flying in was the person who inherited the title.”

  “So, you’re saying we have a new lord?” Willy said, sounding rather excited.

  “And here you are breaking the law on day one!” George reminded him, “What kind of impression do you think that’s going to make with the new Lordship?”

  “You never know,” Wyatt said, stepping back it, “The new Lord might have no issue with what’s going on here. From what I’ve heard this isn’t exactly the best fishing hole and this location is only being used due to Willy’s lack of pain free mobility.”

  “I’m sorry, who the hell are you?” George asked, getting really annoyed at the kid that appeared to be standing up for Willy.

  “I’m sorry about that,” Wyatt said as he held out his hand. “My name is Wyatt Harris, and I’m the great nephew of the late Lord Crawford.”

  “Oh,” George said, shaking his hand. “I’m sorry for your loss.”

  “Thank you,” Wyatt said, hoping dropping his uncle’s name might ease the tone of their conversation.

  “What are you doing out here?” George than asked.

  “My car broke down on the way in,” Wyatt explained, “And since the weather was wonderful, I decided to take this path and walk the rest of the way. That’s when I met up with this nice man and then yourself.”

  “Who’s watching your car then?” George asked, wondering if there was a deserted car on his roads.

  “Gerald and Eugene are still out there,” Wyatt answered, “They called for someone to come out and fix the wheel. Eugene didn’t bring a spare assuming he’d need the trunk space for luggage.”

  “Gerald?” George repeated, “As in Gerald Witherspoon?”

  “Yes, that’s right.” Wyatt said, “He works for me.”

  “He works for you?” George repeated.

  At this moment, Willy started to roar with laughter as his feeble brain was able to put everything together before the officer was able to do to himself.

  “Gerald works for the Lord of Loonsburg, George!” Willy called out.

  “The Lord is dead, Willy.” George reminded him.

  “I’m afraid that is true,” Wyatt said, “But I inherited his title, and I can assure you I am very much alive. You may address me as my Lord, or your Lordship. I’m unsure which one I prefer just yet.”

  “Excuse me?” George said, still slightly confused.

  “The young fella is the new Lord of Loonsburg!” Willy shouted out, still laughing.

  “You are?” George said, now feeling rather dumb he hadn’t figured it together himself.

  “I am,” Wyatt said, “And as the new Lord of these lands, my first official act is to grant Willy a fishing license.”

  George looked like he was about to turn red and blow his top. Yet if what Wyatt was saying were true, then he was within his rights as the Lord to grant anyone he pleased any license he wished, including fishing licenses.

  “Of course, My Lord.” George said, trying to be respectful. At this point it was safer for him to go along with it, just in case the young man was the Lordship and was making an ass out of himself enough already.

  “Why thank you, your lordship.” Willy said, before sticking his tongue out in defiance of the officer.

  “Just a few conditions,” Wyatt said, trying to be diplomatic, “You’re only allowed to catch two fish a day, and the rest must be thrown back. And try not to drink too much because the last thing George and I want to do is fish you out of the lake. Are we clear on this?”

  “Crystal, My Lord.” Willy said, giving Wyatt a decent salute.

  “Alright then,” Wyatt said, turning back to face George. “I can assume that the matter is settled then?”

  “It is,” George said, his lower lip quivering just a little bit. It was the first time someone had stood up to him when trying to kick Willy off the pier, and the person just happened to be the new Lord of the lands and he was making a terrible impression.

  “It’s been a pleasure to meet you, George.” Wyatt said, slapping the man softly on the shoulder. “You appear to be good at your job, and I feel better knowing you’re checking up on everything around here.”

  “Oh,” George said, taken aback by the comment, “Thank you, My Lord.”

  “I’m going to keep walking into town,” Wyatt said as he pointed towards the direction he was heading before bumping into Willy. “I assume this way will get me there, right?”

  “Yes, I will.” George confirmed.

  “Excellent,” Wyatt said, “Could you do me a favor and check in on Gerald and Eugene for me, and make sure they’re doing alright?”

  “Of course!” George said, as he was already thinking about doing it. “I can do that right now, your Lordship!”

  “Fantastic,” Wyatt said, “Much appreciated.”

  Unsure what to say next, George took the excuse provided to tuck tail and walk away back to his car and was gone. Willy watched the officer walk away and then looked back at the young man that has soundly put the pushy officer in his place.

  “That was blood brilliant!” Willy said, letting out another chuckle and a snort before composing himself. “Are you really our new lord?”

  “I’m afraid so,” Wyatt replied, “I hope I didn’t step on his toes too roughly.”

  “He’ll be fine,” Willy said, not too worried, “I think you smoothed it out rather well at the end. That was nicely said too by the way.”

  “Thanks,” Wyatt said, hoping it would have that effect. “I thought it would be best if he spoke to Gerald to confirm my story rather than roam around all day wondering if I was the Lord or someone that just hoodwinked him.”

  “That’s not a bad idea,” Willy said, “That might solve some issues if people doubt your standing or title. I hardly believe it myself.”

  “Neither do I,” Wyatt jokingly added, and both men had a good laugh.

  “You were serious about the fishing license?” Willy asked.

  “I was,” Wyatt said, as he didn’t think an old man catching nothing on a bad pier was going to cripple the fisheries in the area. “Just take it easy and don’t do anything to make me regret it. Deal?”

  “That’s a deal, my Lord.” Willy said, “Thank you.”

  “It was my pleasure,” Wyatt said, smiling back. “I like to fish too, so maybe I’ll join you someday if I can find the time.”

  “It would be my honor,” Willy said, “Enjoy the rest of your walk, my Lord.”

  “It was a pleasure to meet you, Willy.” Wyatt said as he started to back up to the trail he parted from. “Take it easy on the beers, and good luck with the fish.”

  “Thanks again, lad.” Willy said as he waved good-bye.

  Wyatt waved as well as he got back onto the trail and started to continue his trek towards the heart of Loonsburg. He figured if more people in town were like Willy, then he wasn’t so worried about being received as their new Lord. It was an assumption that Wyatt shouldn’t have made that soon into this trip. He was walking into a town that was clearly morning the loss of their current Lord who they had grown attached to, so any replacement was going to get a cold reception. It wasn’t anything personal, just a testament to the previous Lordship who was well loved… something that Wyatt could easily understand.