76

Sergeant Cantrell was watching his troops drill the next morning when Kenric and Diadra found him. Asgina garnered a lot of stares as people passed by and the cat didn’t seem to mind.

“Sergeant, might I trouble you for a bit?” Kenric asked.

“As long as you don’t mind it being out here where I can watch my lads and lasses work, I don’t mind,” the sergeant answered. Kenric nodded. Cantrell glanced at Diadra and nodded his head. “Miss.”

Diadra smiled and returned his greeting, “Good morning.”

Kenric smiled. Diadra seems a bit more confident this morning. I suppose she feels better after getting her class. I’ll have to ask her about that later.

Diadra turned her attention to Asgina instead of watching the troops. Though Kenric did notice both her and the cat paying a bit of attention to their surroundings.

“So, Mr Mender what’s on your mind?” Sergeant Cantrell asked. He then held up a hand and shouted,” Blast it Rodney! Hold your shield up higher.”

“Like this sarge?” the trooper replied, lifting his shield a few inches higher.

“Just like that,” Cantrell agreed. He looked back at Kenric. “Sorry about that but it’s part of the job.”

“It’s alright,” Kenric said. “I understand. I don’t miss my days training other mercenaries.”

“Let me guess, you want to find out more about Sparta and Jefferson?” Sergeant Cantrell asked. “And more importantly, which would best suit you and your daughter?”

Kenric was flabbergasted. Cantrell laughed.

“Yeah, that’s pretty much it. How did you guess?” Kenric replied.

“Eh, it was easy enough to guess,” the dwarven sergeant answered. “I would say don’t worry about either and settle here in Mayberry like my family and I did, but Mayberry doesn’t need another healer at this time.”

“Yeah. Mayberry is tempting, but doesn’t fit our needs,” Kenric said. “As for the other two villages?”

“Both are along a good trade road and sit in valleys. Jefferson is actually two villages that merged together years ago,” the sergeant replied. “Sparta is the smaller of the two and has a few hundred less souls than Jefferson, though neither have over 1000 people living in them.”

“That’s a lot,” Diadra commented.

“Aye,” Cantrell agreed. “Though Mayberry has at least 2500 people living here and that’s not counting the garrison, which adds another 250 souls.”

“Wow!” Diadra exclaimed.

“I had no idea this town was that large,” Kenric said. “So, does Winston Salem have twice the population Mayberry does?”

“Three times at least,” Cantrell answered. “As does Wilkesboro.”

“Then there’s all the little villages,” Kenric said.

“Aye, but that’s nothing,” Cantrell agreed. “The population grows a lot once you head to the lowlands and coast. The capital has over 40000 souls living in it.”

“Doesn’t that make you glad you decided to stay up here in the mountains, dad?” Diadra asked.

“Yes,” Kenric laughed. Especially since I doubt that you would like to be around that many people. “Sergeant, what else can you tell us about the villages?”

“Sparta is more of a wood crafting and farming village with more of a human and elven population,” Cantrell explained. “Jefferson has mines around it in addition to the wood crafting and farming in the area. So, there’s more of my kin living there than in Sparta.”

“No dwarves in Sparta at all?” Kenric asked.

“A couple dozen from a minor family of the Norwood clan. They control a lot of the trade going into and out of the village,” Cantrell answered.

“That doesn’t thrill me,” Kenric muttered. Cantrell gave him a questioning look. “I worked for the clan heir before setting out on my own and we didn’t part on the best of terms.”

“So, you know Nathaniel?” the sergeant inquired. Kenric nodded. “I don’t like that pompous ass, nor his new business partners from Wilkesboro.”

“I agree,” Kenric laughed. He gave the sergeant a brief recap of his experience with the merchant.

“Daniela, who heads the family in Sparta isn’t like her uncle. She treats people right,” Cantrell informed Kenric. “Bethany, her daughter, is also an enchanter.”

“What clan controls Jefferson?” Kenric asked. “With mines in the area, I can’t imagine the dwarven population doesn’t have control or at least final say on things there.”

The sergeant grinned. “You’re pretty smart for a human. The Hemlocks control Jefferson. Warren, their chief, is the headman of the village.”

“The area’s nobles don’t mind that?” Kenric asked.

“There are no nobles to object since both villages are so small. The queen and duke will probably assign a viscount in a few years to both villages if they keep growing,” the sergeant explained. “Plus, the Hemlocks have lived in the area for generations and have a good relationship with the queen or at least her taxmen, so she’s liable to make Warren the viscount or one of his children if he steps down before Jefferson is large enough to warrant a noble.”

“Sounds like you think Jefferson is the better of the two villages,” Kenric said.

“Aye. And it’s not just because I’m a dwarf,” Cantrell replied. “Both are nice places, but Jefferson is larger, has more stout walls, and has more industry that includes enchanters, which means more work for a healer.”

“That’s a good point, dad,” Diadra chimed in.

“Plus, you won’t have to worry about drunks shouting, ‘this is Sparta!’ all the time,” Cantrell added, shaking his head.

“Do what now?” Kenric asked as Diadra giggled.

“Sparta was named after some far away ancient city and the locals have shouted that for generations after some supposed ancient play had that saying in it,” Cantrell explained.

“Yeah, I don’t think I would like that,” Kenric said.

“Me either,” Daidra said. “I imagine the boys shout it a lot.”

The sergeant laughed. “They do little miss, at least when we’re in the village. But as the old saying goes, boys will be boys.”

“I think it would be best to visit both villages and talk to their headmen,” Kenric said. “Then make a decision.”

“Aye. That’s wise indeed,” the sergeant agreed.

“Thank you, sergeant,” Kenric said.

“Yes, thank you,” Diadra added.

“You’re both welcome,” Cantrell replied. He turned back toward his troops. “Not like that, Rubin!”

“Better him than me,” Kenric said as the sergeant stomped over to the guard he had just shouted at.

“So, back to the inn so we can sort our stuff and see what else we need?” Diadra asked.

“Yeah,” Kenric replied. “Then we can work on your magic a bit more.”

77

“Whoa!” Sergeant Cantrell called, raising an arm in the air. His squad stopped. “Mender, you and your daughter come take a look at your possible new home village.”

Kenric and Diadra urged Koda and Elu forward as the troops in front of them parted to let them pass. Kaya and Wapi, the packhorses, followed since they were tethered to Koda’s saddle. Asgina chirped from where she rode on Elu’s saddle in front of Diadra. Diadra rubbed the cub’s head, murmuring something to her the whole time.

From the rise they had stopped on, Kenric could see a valley below. The local terrain was hilly, even the valley. It was also green except for the village in the valley, and some of the fields, which were filled with golden crops in the midday light. Several streams, creeks, and a small river flowed through the picturesque valley and surrounding hills.

“So, that’s Sparta?” Kenric asked.

“Yep,” Cantrell answered.

“It’s pretty,” Diadra said while stretching as best she could while on horseback with the catamount cub draped over her legs. It had been a hard, but uneventful ride from Mayberry to Sparta.

“No stone walls around the village?” Kenric asked.

“No. They used wood,” Cantrell answered. “They even used the trees closest to the village as part of the wall so it all blends in with the forest.”

“That’s either clever or dumb,” Kenric commented. The sergeant snorted. “I can see a case for both.”

“Why is that daddy?” Diadra asked.

“Clever because it hides the village’s defenses,” Kenric answered.

“And dumb because it makes it easier for bandits or other assaulting forces to climb over the wall,” Sergeant Cantrell added. “Or burn the wall.”

“Exactly,” Kenric agreed.

“Oh,” Diadra said. “Is that likely?”

“No,” Cantrell answered. “Since traders use this trail so much, it’s patrolled regularly like we’re doing, and Sparta has a sizable guard force of their own.”

“Uh huh,” Diadra murmured. Kenric smiled.

“Anyway, let’s get down there,” the sergeant said. He signaled his troops to move out.

*

“Kenric, this is Reynold Collins, Sparta’s headman,” Sergeant Cantrell said by way of introduction. “Reynold, this is Kenric Mender, a healer, and his daughter, Diadra.”

Reynold Collins was a few years older than Kenric and just a bit shorter than he was. The Sparta headman had a small gut overhanging his belt. He wore fine clothing and had his shoulder length hair pulled back in a tight low ponytail, that made his receding hairline more apparent.

I don’t like this guy. His beady eyes don’t help, Kenric thought. Still, he shook the man’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“And you as well,” Reynold replied. He glanced from Kenric to Diadra and back. “So, you’re a healer, huh? Have you come about our job offer?”

“Perhaps,” Kenric answered. He doesn’t look happy with my answer.

“Just perhaps?” Reynold questioned in a cold tone of voice.

Yep. Not happy at all. Asgina chose that moment to rub against Diadra’s ankles and chirp. She bent down and picked the cub up.

“That’s a big cat you have there,” Reynold said, reaching out to rub Asgina’s head. The cub hissed at him. The headman’s eyes widened in fright as he jerked his hand away. He spun on the sergeant. “You let a catamount in my village?”

Cantrell shrugged. “The cub is the girl’s familiar and as such, it goes where she goes.”

“She’s a mage?” Reynold asked. Cantrell shrugged again as the headman looked back at Diadra. Kenric saw a calculating look come into the man’s eyes. She shrank back behind Kenric.

Yeah, us staying in this village isn’t happening. I’ll take Diadra elsewhere. If not this Jefferson village, perhaps back to Mountain City or elsewhere in Knox’s lands.

“As I said, Sparta is a maybe,” Kenric said, pulling the headman’s attention back to him. “I wanted to get the lay of the land so to speak and will visit Jefferson before making a decision on which village to offer my services to.”

“In that case, why don’t I show you around?” a woman asked.

“Daniela Norwood!” Cantrell called out. “It’s good to see you again.”

The dwarf reminded Kenric of Revna, except she had more wrinkles and gray starting to streak her black hair.

“Showing the healer around is a grand idea,” Reynold proclaimed after introductions were made to Daniela. “I’ll accompany you.”

Diadra barely kept from frowning. Kenric grinned and pulled her into a side hug. He whispered, “Stay on my right side so you’re as far as possible from him.”

“I’m going to see to my troops. Kenric, I’ll take your horses to the inn and have them stabled with ours,” Cantrell announced as Diadra nodded and did as Kenric suggested.

“Thank you, sergeant,” Kenric replied.

“Sergeant, why don’t you and the Menders join Bethany and I for supper?” Daniela asked.

“I’d be delighted,” Cantrell answered. “I’m not sure about the Menders though.”

Kenric looked at Diadra. She shrugged. “We’ll be glad to have supper with you too.”

*

“These people really want a healer,” Kenric told Diadra later that night. “They’re willing to give us an older two-story building for our home and clinic.”

“Mrs. Norwood also offered to have her daughter enchant it for free too,” Diadra replied.

“Yes. It’s almost too good to be true,” Kenric said. “I don’t like that they wanted a 20-year contract and for me to teach someone of their choosing to be a healer. What do you think?”

“I like the village and valley, but I don’t think I like the people,” Diadra answered honestly.

“That makes two of us,” Kenric said. “So, onto Jefferson in the morning with the good sergeant and his troop?”

Diadra smiled. “Yes, please.”

78

“The villagers didn’t take your turning down being their healer well,” Sergeant Cantrell said by way of greeting the next morning just as the sun started to rise. Kenric grunted but kept shifting the packhorses loads around. He had sold half of the loot to Daniela the night before and added fresh produce and meat to their stores. Cantrell glanced at Diadra and nodded to her. “The sooner we’re on the road, the better if you catch my meaning.”

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

“Our horses and gear are ready to go. Give me two or three minutes to talk to Diadra and we’ll be ready as well,” Kenric replied. I hope that’s all it’ll take to teach her. Speaking of Diadra, she looks apprehensive, but not scared.

“That works for me,” Cantrell replied. He walked back to his troops.

“Are we alright, dad? They won’t hurt us, will they?” Diadra asked once they were as alone as they were going to get. Asgina chirped and rubbed up against her ankle. “Is the sergeant worrying for no reason?”

“We’re fine and yes, he’s worrying. But that’s his job and it’s better to be safe than sorry,” Kenric answered. She nodded and looked relieved. “Now, I want you to try and focus your magic on Elu’s saddle horn. From that point, imagine a shield or perhaps bubble that moves with her and can cover her, Asgina, and yourself.”

“So, a ward?” Diadra asked as she mounted the mare. Kenric picked up Asgina and handed the cub to her.

“Yes. You can do it,” Kenric replied. She started to concentrate on what he asked her to do.

“It’s not working,” Diadra said, shaking her head. “But it’s making my head hurt.”

“Hmm. Perhaps think of a river flowing around you, or a strong breeze, or perhaps even a protective fog or rainstorm,” Kenric suggested. He snapped his fingers. “Or even a thorn briar that a rabbit would hide in.”

Diadra smiled. “Okay. I like those ideas.”

“Good,” Kenric replied. He mounted Koda. If she can’t create a ward, I’ll cast one over her and her animals.

“It’s time,” Cantrell said a couple of minutes later. He and his troop were mounted. One of the troopers gasped and the others started talking amongst themselves. “By the heavens, what is that?”

Kenric turned. His mouth opened in surprise. Diadra, Elu, and Asgina were covered with ethereal thorny vines. Then Diadra and Asgina became more indistinct, almost foggy. Asgina moved and became more noticeable.

“Diadra?” Kenric muttered.

She smiled and opened her eyes. “Dad, I did it!”

“So, I see,” Kenric replied. “What kind of ward is this?”

“The first is a Briar Ward. It can hurt those that try to attack us,” Diadra proudly answered. “The second isn’t a ward. It’s a spell called Shrouding Mist. It helps hide me and Asgina. It’ll be able to hide Elu too once I level it up.”

“That’s great, kitten! Now, save your strength,” Kenric said, giving her a beaming smile. He cast a Lesser Ward on Kaya, Wapi, Koda, and himself. “Sergeant, we’re ready to ride. If the locals get… feisty, I’ll ward you guys as well.”

“That works for us,” the sergeant replied. “We’re going to ride out the northwest gate and take the lesser used trail that passes through the tiny villages of Twin Oaks, Scottville and Nathans Creek. You might get to practice your craft there.”

“Is that a longer trail than the one you mentioned that goes southwest?” Kenric asked.

“Just four miles,” Cantrell answered. “But it makes up for it by having better scenery and less traffic.”

“Better scenery?” Diadra asked.

Cantrell grinned. “More hills to ride up and down instead of being mostly in a narrow valley.”

*

They arrived in Scottville just past midafternoon. The Twin Oak villagers didn’t need much in the way of healing, but most of them had wanted a checkup exam, which Kenric happily did. They had left that village with 250 more silver than they had ridden in with. Scottville was a little bigger than Twin Oak and held eight houses to Twin Oak’s half dozen. Both villages had simple wooden walls around them.

“We’ll be camping here tonight,” Sergeant Cantrell announced. “There’s not even a tavern, but the lone shop does offer a cup of ale or mead and a bowl of stew if you’re willing to pay the high price they ask for it.”

His troop looked disappointed at that statement. Diadra and Kenric shrugged.

“I think I’d rather make our own stew,” Diadra said.

“Me too. I’ll still offer my services to the village though,” Kenric replied.

“You might not get much business. Jefferson is about 13 miles away, so a little over half a day’s ride,” Cantrell said, as he dismounted. “From what I understand, the villagers here go there for healings.”

“Still, I’ll offer anyway. It never hurts,” Kenric said. He released the wards he had cast as they left Twin Oaks. “Diadra, release your wards and spell.”

“Okay… pa,” she replied. Kenric noticed her mischievous grin.

“Trying to make me feel old?” he asked. Diadra held up her left index finger and thumb just a little apart in answer. Kenric laughed and pulled her into a side hug. “For that, you can brush down the horses and I’ll start the stew.”

“Dad, I was only joking!” Diadra replied in mock horror.

79

Jefferson looks nice. Kenric glanced at Diadra. She had a huge smile on her face. “You like the hills that much?”

“Yes, but I love those two mountains!” she replied. “One to watch the sun rise over and one to watch it set behind.”

“Good point,” Kenric said with a matching smile on his face.

“What about the walls?” Sergeant Cantrell asked.

Seems he has pride in those walls. Guess the dwarves built them.

“They’re big and look strong,” Diadra answered.

Cantrell smiled and nodded. “That they are. My people do excellent stonework.”

Asgina chirped. Diadra rubbed the cub’s head and asked, “The villagers won’t have a problem with Asgina, will they?”

“No,” Cantrell answered. “Jefferson sees adventurers quite often and some of them have familiars.”

“Why do adventurers come here?” Kenric asked as Diadra nodded. I suppose she is satisfied with that answer.

“See the creek running northwest of the village?” the sergeant asked. Kenric nodded after spotting the creek. “Follow the creek into it runs between those two hills. You can just make out the beginning of some ruins. In those ruins is the Smethport dungeon. The dungeon itself is two miles outside the village.”

“A dungeon that close to the village?” Kenric replied with a frown on his face.

“Don’t fear,” Cantrell said. “Clan Hemlock runs the dungeon regularly and sells slots to adventurers and the kingdom.”

“So, you and your guards have run the dungeon?” Kenric asked.

“I’ve run it three times,” the sergeant replied. “This lot is scheduled to run it next month. I don’t know if it’ll be with me or a different sergeant though.”

“Guess that means you’ll have more work dad,” Diadra chimed in.

“That’s true,” Cantrell laughed.

“Thanks sweetie. Keep looking on the bright side of things,” Kenric told his daughter. She nodded and smiled. “I guess we should head on in and meet the villagers and see if Jefferson is for us.”

*

“That should set your mind at ease some more,” Cantrell told Kenric as they entered Jefferson through its northeast gate. The sergeant was pointing to a walled compound that straddled two hills and the north part of the valley and village.

“The Hemlocks’ compound guards the village from the dungeon?” Diadra asked before Kenric could.

Smart girl, Kenric thought.

“They do,” Cantrell confirmed.

“That means they also guard the dungeon from others,” Kenric said.

“What do you mean?” Diadra asked.

“Dungeons can be great source of wealth, “Kenric answered. “I bet it is why the clan settled here in the first place. The mining and other industries are just a bonus.”

Cantrell laughed and nodded his agreement. “As I said before, you’re smart for a human. Let’s go meet Warren.”

*

He’s not what I expected. For some reason, I expected Warron Hemlock to be much older. It’s just a guess, but I’d say he’s my age or maybe a few years older at the most, Kenric thought as he sized up the Hemlock clan leader. And like every other man of his race, he’s stout and powerfully built. The red hair and blue eyes are a bit different than other dwarves I’ve met though.

“Clan leader,” Kenric said after the sergeant had finished introducing the two men.

“The name’s Warren. You can cut the clan leader and headman crap,” Warren replied as they shook hands.

“In that case, call me Kenric,” Kenric said. “This is my daughter Diadra and her familiar, Asgina.”

“It’s nice to meet you sir,” Diadra said. Asgina chirped.

“Likewise. You can call me Warren too, Diadra. You’re some sort of mage?” Warren replied.

“Druid,” Diadra answered.

“That’s a good class for these parts. Nobody in the village will bother your catamount,” Warren said. He gestured to two of the dwarves standing behind them. “This is my wife, Wyonna and our daughter, Rebecca.”

The rest of the introductions were made, and pleasantries exchanged. Cantrell wished Kenric and Diadra well before he excused himself so he could see to his troops. Guess that’s the end of that and we’re on our own from here, Kenric thought.

“Would you like a tour of the village and see the healer’s clinic?” Wyonna asked.

“Yes, we would,” Kenric answered. “I suppose we’ll meet… Sofia at the clinic.”

“No, you won’t be meeting Sofia,” Wyonna informed them.

“Why not?” Diadra asked. Kenric smiled. I’m glad to see she has started to come out of her shell since she gained her druid class.

“She left already,” Rebecca answered. Warren frowned and muttered a few choice curses.

“You’ll have to excuse Warren. He’s most upset because Sofia left before a replacement healer took over for her,” Wyonna explained.

“That doesn’t bother me as much as having to buy the blasted clinic!” Warren exclaimed.

Kenric barely kept from laughing. There’s the true dwarven nature I’ve come to know over the years. “So, if I take over the clinic, I’ll have to buy it from you?”

“Yes,” Warren quickly answered with a gleam in his eyes. “We’ll discuss that business if you decide to become our healer.”

80

“Lots of houses,” Diadra commented.

“Our village is growing rapidly,” Rebecca replied as her parents nodded their agreement.

“As you saw, our compound houses all the clan businesses,” Warren said. “That includes the village bank which has its own door in the compound wall for ease of entry just like the other businesses.”

“Our residences are in the hills,” Wyonna added.

Seems the clan built a village and Jefferson grew up around it, Kenric thought.

“I take it that Clan Hemlock doesn’t intend on leaving the area in that case,” he said. “I’ve known lots of dwarves that live above ground.”

“Yes,” Warren replied. “Only once we have decided on a permanent home, do we build underground. Our tunnels and mines extend to Mt Jefferson to our east and Buffalo Mountain to the west.”

“That’s the two mountains surrounding the village?” Diadra asked.

“Yes,” Rebecca answered.

“There are others of our people living in the village,” Wyonna said. “Along with humans and elves.”

“And you can see we have every kind of shop you could ask for all along our main street,” Warren said as they walked the street. “From tailors to taverns, we have it all.”

“It’s nice,” Diadra said as she watched people go about their business. Most of the villagers ignored them, though some gave them curious looks. That included Asgina.

“I’m surprised that people are being calm with a catamount cub walking amongst them,” Kenric said.

“Diadra isn’t the first druid we’ve seen here,” Warren replied. “One had a catamount with him a few months ago. The other that passed through Jefferson in the last few months had a wolf with her.”

“Neat,” Diadra remarked.

“Can I pet your cat?” Rebecca asked Diadra.

“Sure. Just let her sniff you first,” Diadra answered. The two girls started chatting.

“Where is the clinic?” Kenric asked. “We’ve been up and down your main street, and I haven’t seen it.”

“That’s because Sofia had insisted on a view when the clinic was built,” Wyonna replied. She pointed to a hill on the east. “The clinic is up there on High Street.”

*

The clinic was a bit different than Kenric had expected. It sat on the side of the hill and had a tall wooden fence that started at the right side of the stone building and extended to encompass enough room for three more houses. A gate was centered in the fence. The front lawn was green and filled with flowers, bushes, and trees. A rock path led up to the front porch.

How does the grass stay so uniform and cut? Kenric thought.

“It’s pretty,” Diadra said. Kenric could hear the happiness in her voice. “Can’t see Mt Jefferson but there’s an amazing view of Buffalo Mountain.”

“The entire building is enchanted for cleanliness, comfort, and safety,” Warren said. “That includes the yards, stable, and fence. The building is also enchanted to recognize its owner.”

“Wait. The grass is enchanted?” Kenric questioned.

“It is,” Warren replied. He pointed to some head size rocks at the edges of the yard. “Those stones are enchanted to keep the yard in good condition, which includes keeping the grass cut. A foolish expense if you ask me. Then again, I prefer living underground.”

The clan leader walked up to the front door and grasped the handle. He opened the door and entered. His wife and daughter followed next.

“Excited?” Kenric asked Diadra.

“Yes!” Diadra answered. “Let’s go!”

“Yes ma’am,” Kenric replied. Diadra scowled at him. He laughed and led her and her familiar inside.

*

“The entire bottom floor is the clinic?” Kenric asked as he looked around the large room.

“No. There’s a kitchen, library, and bathroom on this floor as well,” Warren answered. “We’ll show you.”

Kenric nodded. “No private rooms for long term treatment?”

“No,” Wyonna replied, giving Kenric a confused look. “Sofia always sent people home after she healed them and either had them return for additional healings or visited them at their homes. Is that not the way you do things?”

“I learned in a clinic in Mountain City across the border,” Kenric explained. “There, they had private rooms set up for long term treatment such as addicts or those so badly injured it took multiple healings to heal.”

“Healer Sofia didn’t want those sorts in her home,” Rebecca said.

“Rebecca!” her mother scolded. “You know better than to gossip like that.”

“That’s not gossip,” Warren laughed. “It’s the truth.”

“Still,” Wyonna said and then shrugged. A moment later, she added, “We don’t have a problem with addicts around here.”

“I’m sure there’s a few that like their cups a bit much,” Kenric said as he examined an examination bed. There were only four in the small clinic, and they were separated by curtains on each side of the room. The walls and ceiling were painted white while the hardwood floor was a light natural wood color. It was all spotless.

Diadra and Rebecca were looking at the desk near the front door, in what Kenric decided was the reception area. Asgina jumped up on the desk and chirped at the girls.

“Did Healer Sofia have an assistant?” Diadra asked as she and Rebecca rubbed Asgina.

“Only her apprentices before they finished training and left,” Wyonna answered.

This will do nicely, Kenric thought. It’s much better than healing people in the street.

Warren led them into the small library, which didn’t have any books on the shelves, and then to the kitchen. Along the way, he showed them the bathroom.

“Did Sofia allow patients to use the bathroom?” Kenric asked.

“She did,” Warren answered. “But only if they really needed to go.”

“Is the kitchen enchanted too?” Diadra asked. She looked very happy about the stove, pantry, and icebox after examining each of them.

“Aye,” Warren answered, proudly. “The stove and icebox were made and enchanted by my clan’s craftsmen and enchanters.”

“In fact, the entire house and clinic were built and enchanted by our clan,” Wyonna added, proud clear in her voice as well. “The basement is for storage and where she made tinctures and salves.”

Warren led them down to the basement and the ceiling glowed softly providing light as they entered the space.

“That’s a neat trick,” Kenric remarked. There’s enough space here to make a couple of rooms in addition to the little lab area. And at least Sofia left the alchemical equipment. “What’s that door for and the white metal box?”

“The door leads to more food storage. This room is built into the hill,” Warren answered, opening the door. Like the rest of the storage, they had seen so far, it was empty. They could feel a coolness drift from the doorway. “Sofia liked to keep a lot of meat on hand, especially beef.”

“The metal box is an enchanted cleaning box,” Wyonna explained. “Just put your clothes, sheets, and other linens into it and it’ll clean them.”

“That’s neat!” Diadra said.

“Yep,” Rebecca agreed. “The clan has sold one to almost every house in Jefferson and has started selling them to other merchants and villages.”

“Let’s go see the upstairs living space,” Warren suggested.

*

The stairway leading upstairs opened right into a large balcony, which overlooked the kitchen and was used as a sitting room and library. A short hallway led to three bedrooms. The two on the left were decent sized and shared a bathroom, which had doors leading to each room.

“This room is larger than the wagon was!” Diadra said excitedly. “It’s also larger than any bedroom I’ve ever seen.”

“This room isn’t big,” Rebecca said. “It’s comfy or will be once decorated better.”

Diadra sat on the bed and bounced a little. “Dad, this bed is even more comfortable than what the wagon had.”

“Wagon?” Wyonna inquired.

“I was a traveling healer,” Kenric replied. “We lived in a dwarven made enchanted vardo until it was wrecked by some thugs.”

“Ah. That’s a pity,” Warren said. “I would have bought the vardo from you.”

Kenric shrugged. “Is the room across the hall another bedroom?”

“The master bedroom,” Wyonna confirmed. She led the way into it.

The room wasn’t quite as large as the other two bedrooms put together. It contained the sleeping area, a sitting area, and a slightly larger bathroom. There was also a door that led outside. Diadra and Rebecca opened the door.

“Dad, there’s a balcony overlooking the yard and southern part of the village!” Diadra exclaimed. “I’m jealous of that.”

Kenric laughed and shrugged. He sat on the bed. “This is better than the bed in the vardo.”

“The water is enchanted for purity, heat, or coolness in every spigot,” Wyonna informed them.

Kenric nodded and glanced at Diadra. She was talking with Rebecca and seemed happy. So did her cat. Seems she has already made a friend. He joined them on the balcony. Diadra side hugged him.

This is a nice view, and the yard has a small stable, corral, and outbuilding. I guess Sofia had used the building for storage or to keep her wagon if she had one. This place will probably be expensive, and I hate negotiation, but I think my decision has been made already. Diadra will be happy here, and I think I will be too.

*

“As you can see, there’s a small three stall stable and wagon barn,” Warren said a short while later after they had looked at the yard and outbuildings. Kenric nodded. “I can promise you that you won’t find a more safe and comfortable home and clinic in the region.”

Kenric nodded again. “So, what do you think Diadra?”

“It’s already furnished, and I like it,” she answered. “I like it a lot.”

“Warren, how much do you want for the place?” Kenric asked the clan chief.

“I’ll take 50000…” Warren started to say until his wife coughed and shot him a disappointed look. “I mean 40000 silvers for it, and you can move in right now,” Warren replied. “I’ll even send someone to fetch your horses unless you want to sell them.”

Diadra looked sad by that proposal. And it’s not the money she cares about. It’s the thought of losing the horses, especially Elu, that upsets her.

“I can’t sell you the horses,” Kenric said. “My daughter loves them.”

“I thought as much since she said she was a druid,” Warren replied. “Still, it never hurts to ask.”

“Dad, you can sell him Kaya and Wapi,” Diadra said. “I like them but haven’t bonded with them.”

“I take it that those two are the pack horses,” Warren said. Kenric nodded. “Pack horses are always useful to the clan. I’d give 2000 silver for them.”

That’s generous of him, Kenric thought. “Let’s go back to your compound so you can examine the horses, and we can write up a contract if we come to an agreement.”

“So, you’re interested in the clinic and house?” Warren asked.

“I am,” Kenric answered. He saw Diadra and Rebecca whisper to each other excitedly. I also see that Warren looks relieved. I’ll have to lean on that.

*

“Alright. That’s 5000 silvers for the packhorses and gear you don’t need,” Warren said. Plus, 5000 that you’ll pay me today.”

“Which leaves me owing 20000 silvers since you were kind enough to sell me the place at a discount,” Kenric said, a grin on his face.

Warren frowned, shrugged and then grinned. “Aye. It’s a good deal for us both, so I can’t be upset about it.”

“Plus, it keeps your wife happy,” Kenric replied. The clan leader laughed and agreed. “I may not charge as much as Sofia did. I’ve only charged about half what you said she did for my services.”

“That’ll make the clan and village happy, but it’ll take you longer to pay your debt off,” Warren said.

“That doesn’t matter,” Kenric replied. “I have to live with myself and more importantly, buying the house and clinic provides my daughter with a home.”

“True on both counts,” Warren agreed. “Perhaps you’ll tell me the story of how you became her father one day.”

“I might,” Kenric said. “Let’s sign this contract.”

*

Kenric put his copy of the signed contract in his inventory as he emerged from Warren’s office. Instead of a loan from the bank, the clan chief had accepted a payment plan that had a term of a decade. It won’t take me no where near that long to pay off my new purchase, but it’s nice to have the option because who knows what the future holds.

He headed toward the compound’s stable and found Diadra talking to Asgina, Elu, and Koda.

“Where’s your friend?” Kenric asked once Daidra turned toward him.

“Rebecca?” she asked. He nodded. “She had to do some chores.”

“Ah. Are you sure you’re not going to miss Kaya and Wapi?”

“Yeah. Elu, Koda, Asgina, and you are plenty of company to love,” Diadra answered.

“True,” Kenric agreed. “So, are you ready to go home?”

“You bought it?”

“Yes,” Kenric answered. She shouted for joy and crashed into him. He returned the hug. Asgina rubbed their ankles, making Diadra laugh and him smile.

“I love you, papa.”

“I love you too, little one,” Kenric replied. “Let’s go home.”

End