Faenella, Eganene

“Whisky!” Charlie called as they entered the Inn, and Carl knew it was going to be a good night. His friend loved Melody, loved her as much as Rae loved Wul, but the few times Charlie came to Faenella without her were some of Carl’s best memories. The boy he grew up with shone out from beneath a beard of red and grey. Charlie was excited to play.

“We better grab a table,” Carl suggested, steering his friend towards the fire. They picked their way carefully, two big men in a room filled with chairs and glasses. Plopping down in the booth, he waved at Mae. She gave him a wink and disappeared to the bar.

In no time, she was at their table dropping off beer and whisky. “Are you staying the night?” she asked, her red lips pouting.

He hoped he hadn’t offended her the last time he was here. With Veri in his room, he hadn’t invited her up. He put on his best smile. “Mae, this is Charlie.”

“Hi, Charlie,” she replied, her eyes on his marriage bracelet. “So, Carl, are you staying tonight?”

He nodded, “How many rooms are open?”

“Two, I think.”

“We’ll take both.”

Mae grinned. She had always liked him. He liked her back, not as much as she would have wanted, but enough for a warm night. “What does Nadine have on for dinner?”

“Roast elk, potatoes and greens,” she replied, twisting her hips.

“Excellent. We’ll take it as soon as it’s ready.” Gesturing to his pack and sword, he said, “And I want to put this stuff upstairs as soon as we can.”

“And another round,” Charlie added, finishing his beer.

Mae curtsied and left to fetch their keys. Carl grabbed his own glass. The beer was the color of maple and he emptied it in one long sip. It was sweet and strong. Probably brewed with molasses and cinnamon. Licking his lips, he felt himself smile.

“Good, eh?” his friend asked.

Carl grinned, “Delicious.”

“Once we get back, I’ll have to get the Innkeep to send me a few casks.”

“Melody won’t mind?”

“No, I’ve been good. We’ve been doing well at the markets lately and we have the coin. You wouldn’t think cabinets would sell so well, but they do.”

“They’re not just cabinets, Lie. They’re art.”

His friend blushed, hiding his eyes beneath the longer lengths of his hair. Carl looked away. He hadn’t meant to embarrass his friend. Mae came out from behind the wooden bar, her arms filled with food and several mugs of stout gripped in her hand. He watched her deposit the drinks around the room, enjoying the way her hips rolled as she walked and the switch and sway she did around clumsy patrons.

When she got to their table, he dragged his eyes from her exposed ankles up to her smiling face. She had pretty eyes and long eyelashes. Her full lips twitched. She pulled their room keys from her apron, tugging her shirt down as she did. The soft swells at the top of her shirt’s neckline were momentarily exposed. Carl sighed appreciatively.

“Thanks Mae.”

She gave him a wink and sauntered away, a little more swing in her hips than usual. “Two and three,” she called over her shoulder.

“Come on, Carl,” his friend chided. “You’ll have enough time for that later. Let’s get this stuff upstairs.” He shot a glance at the kitchen doors, “I’m hoping dinner will be done by the time we get down.”

The rooms were side by side. Carl chose number three. He’d stayed there with Veri and remembered it being comfortable and warm. The fire was almost out, so he added a few logs and fanned it. Once he took advantage of the chamber pot, he went to get his friend.

“Don’t know how we’re going to fit on those tiny things,” Lie grumbled, pulling his door shut. “My bed at home has got to be at least three times its size.”

“And you share it with Melody,” Carl laughed. “I think you’ll survive the night. You drink enough beer and you’ll sleep on the floor anyway.”

“I hope not. A good night’s sleep is important. A man can’t be expected to go off on an adventure without a good night’s rest. He needs energy for walking and fighting.”

“All right, princess, don’t worry. I’ll make sure you’re all tucked in.”

“Not if Mae puts you to bed first.”

It was Carl’s turn to flush. “She’ll be working until the bar closes. I’ll be up.”

Charlie laughed, “I certainly hope so. For Mae’s sake.”

Carl punched his friend on the shoulder and the two men squeezed themselves down the narrow steps. The smell of rosemary and cumin mixed with the birchwood smoke from the fire. Carl’s stomach grumbled, little gurgling noises escaping with each step. He hoped the creaking stairs would mask the sounds, but Lie glanced over his shoulder and gave him look. “It’s like we didn’t feed you last night.”

“That was last night. I’m hungry.”

Charlie laughed. Reaching the bottom of the stairs, he pointed to the bar. “Look, it’s Malachi! He got my letter!”

Following his friend, he grabbed Charlie’s thick arm. “Hold on. Let’s sit over there,” he said, gesturing towards the larger booth in the corner. “We don’t want the rest of the world to know what we are about.”

“They’ll know soon enough,” was Charlie’s retort, his expression grim.

Luckily, Malachi had better sense and agreed with Carl. The man was tall and thin, his many braids bound together behind his head in a length as thick as Carl’s forearm. He was clean-shaven and wore hunting leathers, his age somewhere between forty and fifty.

“There’re a lot of strangers about. We ought to talk in private,” he said, his dark skin losing some of its color.

“Suit yourself,” Charlie replied, “but I’m thirsty.”

Taking a seat, they waited until Mae had served their drinks. Then Carl leaned in, “By Rae and Wul, Malachi, I’m happy to see you.”

Their friend smiled, his teeth a stark white against his face, “I’m happy to be here. When I got your message, I wasn’t sure what to think. Things have been crazy. There are Dogs everywhere.”

“What happened?” Carl asked.

Malachi took a drink, regarding them candidly, “Something happened up north about a week ago. Something big.”

Carl and Charlie exchanged glances.

“So you know about it?” Malachi asked.

Carl shook his head, “No, we just know something happened.”

“Well, I don’t know much more than that. No one does. But, the Family is furious. There have been more Dogs through town in the past week than in the whole month prior. And they’re armed. How can they have so many guns, Carl? I don’t understand it. Where did they get them all?”

“They’re headed north?” Charlie asked, leaning in.

“Mostly. They posted a bulletin about tracking someone. Sounds like one of their guys went rogue.”

“I heard about that,” Carl said. “Another Hunter showed me his bounty. This has got to be the first time they’ve gone after their own. Those monsters are usually in for life.”

“Defecting?” Malachi asked. “Crisis of conscience kind of thing?”

“There’s no way to know,” Charlie said, “but it doesn’t matter. They’ll hunt him down fast. The guy doesn’t stand a chance. They’ll surround his position and then close the loop. Those godless monsters have plenty of practice tracking.”

Carl grimaced, thinking about all the poor people the Dogs had chased down in the Purge. He still dreamt about it sometimes, imagining the women and children fleeing in the night, terrified for their lives. The children bothered him the most. Their little hands gripped in their parents larger ones, dashing out into the darkness. There hadn’t been anyone who made it, not that he knew of. Although, if they did, they wouldn’t have returned to tell.

“They say he has a girl with him,” Malachi continued, surveying the room. Carl followed his gaze, picking out the people he knew, the locals, tradesmen and marketers. There were a few new faces, but not many and no Family, thank the gods.

“Stupid xia must have fallen in love with the wrong girl,” Charlie surmised. “Can’t think of another reason he’d run. He must have known they’d hunt him.”

“Wonder who she is,” Malachi whispered. “Someone’s wife from upper management? Maybe the Council?”

“Doesn’t matter, both’ll be dead soon enough,” Charlie replied. “They’ll catch him for sure. You can’t run fast with a woman.”

Malachi shrugged. “So if you’re not here about what happened up north, why are we meeting like this? It is a big risk, all of us meeting together.”

Charlie nodded, finally pitching his voice low, “We know. Carl ran into some men northwest of here, out in the woods. He followed them. Found out the Dogs are…”

“Lie, I’ll be back in an hour or so,” Carl interrupted.

“Where are you going?”

“To get the rest of us.”

Leaving Lie to explain the situation, he went to get Jamison. Dusk was settling on the town and the Bounty Master would be coming in from the forest. Carl waved to a few of the men along the path and stopped to talk to a Hunter in the Market who looked promising. He probably told the boy more than he should have, but he had hoped to recruit him to their cause.

He opened the door of the cottage and the papers on the walls fluttered in the breeze. The older man was in his office, a frown on his face and several weapons stacked beside the exit.

“Hey’ya,” Carl said as he entered.

Jamison grimaced in his direction, sweeping some papers into a pile on his desk, “You ready?”

“Getting there. How many are we?”

“Nine. You, me, Charlie, Smitty and Malachi. Anthony and Richard. Tobius and Sam.”

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

“Gods be good. It doesn’t seem like enough, does it?”

“Depends, I suppose. Either way it’s all we have. Everyone is out. The message said you don’t want to wait.” The fire had burned low, the small logs black and white husks, the red centers slowly dying. It was unfortunate that other Hunters weren’t around. Carl didn’t know them well, but Jamison did, and at least they would be skilled.

“Kassam?”

“Was only here for a day. He went hunting with some friends of his. He might be back tomorrow or the next day if you want to wait.”

“No, there’s no way to know when he’ll return. Aren’t there people in town that would join us?”

The old man shook his head, “Not sure we could convince them that quickly. They’re not used to this type of work.”

Carl thought about the boy he’d met in the market. “I saw a new Hunter down in the market. He looked capable enough. I told him where to find you.”

Jamison grunted, cutting him off, “He didn’t come by. And it’s too risky. I don’t want anyone around we don’t know. Where’s Charlie? He told me he’d be with you.”

“He’s here. We’re at the Inn tonight. Going to leave at first light.”

“Putting the cart before the horse, don’t you think?”

Carl laughed, “I suppose or maybe just drinking to Tod. You know we’re going to need him.”

Jamison gave him a half smile, “You’re right about that much. Charlie’s note was vague. He said you needed us and needed us now. You know, until Charlie told me, I wasn’t really sure about you.”

Carl shrugged, “Not something I talk about a lot, I guess.”

“What happened out there? What made you change your mind?”

“Should I get the others first?” Carl asked, suddenly uncomfortable.

“No, I’ll get Anthony and Richard. Market should be ending and we can gather the rest. I have supplies packed up already. Food, weapons and blankets, everything I could think of. What’s the plan?”

“Drink, eat, rest,” he replied, unconsciously feeling for the canteen he’d left at the Inn. “Tomorrow we’ll head northwest to the Facility. It is a few days hike from here.”

“I’ve never heard of it. Why’s it important?”

“Family is taking women and children there.”

Confusion washed over the Bounty Master’s face, “Why?”

“I ran into a Dog a few days ago. He didn’t know much, but he said they’re trapping people and taking them there. He didn’t know why, just that they paid. He said the rest of the women were sent south along the Black roads. Headed for Orlenia.”

“What for?”

Carl took a deep breath, “They’re selling them.”

The older man was silent. His enormous white eyebrows drew down as his lips pressed into a thin, angry line. Even the corded muscles in his shoulders bunched together like he was expecting a blow. Carl felt for him. Jamison was responsible for the people of Faenella. He and his trusted Hunters did the best they could to make the surrounding woods safe for the town.

“That’s not all,” Carl continued. It was better if he gave him all the bad news at once. “Some of the captives aren’t coming back out. Neither of the men I spoke to knew why.”

“Then we need to find out.”

Carl nodded. It was a relief that Jamison was on board. The Bounty Master was a leader and a planner. Men trusted him and followed his orders. Carl would get them to the Facility and then relinquish control. Jamison had decades of experience. He’d lived through the war, the Purge and the Revolt. He would know what to do.

Opening a drawer in his desk, the older man pulled out a fat, leather purse. The nos jingled. “First couple rounds are on me,” he said, tossing the bag to Carl and locking the door behind him. “I’ll gather the boys and meet you at the Inn.”

“Malachi is already there.”

“Good, I’ll see you in a few hours,” Jamison replied. “And Carl?”

“Yes?”

“Make sure the boys can walk in the morning.”

Charlie and Malachi were several pints in by the time Carl returned. Mae brought the food, and the three men ate in silence. He listened to the Inn’s conversations, a habit of his, but the sound of laughter grated on his nerves. He longed to jump on one the tables and tell the people what he knew, tell them how the Family were selling people, that they were all in danger and that they needed to act.

His teeth ground together, harder than was necessary for the elk. The meat was soft and tender, having been slow cooked the whole day through. It was a good meal. The pool of gravy was well spiced and a perfect complement to the hunk of sweet, brown bread he was using to sop it up. Malachi and Charlie were in better spirits, but they knew something was bothering him. Thankfully, they had enough sense to leave him be.

As much as he might want to tell the town the truth, he couldn’t, not yet. The people might respect him, but they would never rise up, not for a rumor. He needed proof. He needed to bring back those women and children and let them tell their tales.

Even the unwilling couldn’t turn away from that. Then, the people would take up arms. They had to.

“Anthony! Richard!” Charlie called out.

Carl peered around his friend to see the new arrivals. The brothers were close in age, the only children of Scarlet Sally, the town’s best-unwed lady and tourist attraction of sorts. The twins still lived with their mother, in a home that had more rooms than the Inn. She had to be over fifty, but was by all account still raking in the nos.

Carl gestured for the men to sit. Both had red hair like their mother, faces sprinkled with freckles and large, dark eyes and thick lips. They made Carl think about the church in Baltine and the rainbow glass windows depicting smiling winged infants.

“Good to see you!” Anthony grinned, grasping Carl’s hand. “It’s been ages since we saw you last.”

Carl returned the greeting, “I’m glad you both decided to join us. We need all the help we can get.”

The taller brother nodded, accepting a beer from Mae as she flitted by, “Mother wanted us to give you her greetings and to ask when you’d be stopping by.”

Flushing red, Carl choked on his response.

“Leave him be, you devils,” Malachi intervened. “We’ve got enough trouble without bringing your mother into it.”

Anthony batted his long lashes, “Malachi…”

“Is taken, boys,” the darker man replied, showing the brothers the bracelet on his arm. “Wedding’s in April, if you have a mind to gift me anything.”

Putting a hand to his heart, Anthony smiled, “But who’ll satisfy the fair women of this town?”

“Carl!” Mae exclaimed so loudly that everyone turned to her. Smiling, she dropped a curtsey and twirled away.

“What was that about?” Charlie asked.

Carl shook his head while the rest of the men laughed.

Malachi and Charlie explained to the brothers what they knew while Carl kept an eye on the crowd. Outside the single, small window, the color continued to bleed from the sky. It would be pitch black in an hour or so. He hoped Jamison would hurry. It would be best if they could get their business concluded early and retire for the night. He might even get a few hours of rest before Mae came up. He wanted to be on the road at first light.

He was thinking about the barmaid when Tobius, Sam and Jamison hurried into the Inn. No sooner had they taken a seat, then two women entered the bar, calling for their husbands. Their voices were high and panicked. As the men left with their wives, Jamison grabbed Carl’s wrist.

“Not here,” he hissed. “You have rooms?”

Carl nodded, something was very wrong. Two men he recognized from town entered the Inn, pushing their way to the bar, fury etched on their faces. “Let’s go and quickly.”

Carl relayed the message to the group, and they all trooped upstairs in a long line. If the rest of the bar hadn’t been in an uproar, someone would have noticed them and thought it odd. As it was, the story was already being told. All eyes were riveted to the newest arrivals.

Eight men did not fit comfortably in the small room, but they made it work. Carl ended up sharing a seat on the bed with Malachi and Charlie. Unfortunately, he was squashed in the middle and neither man lacked in size. Jamison had his back to the door and his fingers scratched at the new growth on his chin. He didn’t preamble. Carl would have been surprised if he had.

“Smitty’s dead.”

“What!” Charlie shouted.

Carl elbowed him in the side. “Shut your drunk mouth and listen.”

“It was Family. Torched their house and forge and shot him and his wife,” the Bounty Master reported.

“The boys?” Sam asked, looking about wildly. “Ian and Simon?”

Grief creased Jamison’s face, making him look ancient. “They burned.”

Sam grabbed the sword at his side, his knuckles white on the pommel, “We have to do something.”

Tobius grabbed his son in a huge hug, crushing the boy to his chest. Sam quivered in rage, refusing to be moved. No one said a word. They all knew the boy had been close with Smitty’s kids. Six men studied their boots. There was nothing to be done, not now. Dead was dead.

“May the gods watch over them,” Anthony prayed, sitting down beside the wood stove. The men in the room all closed their eyes, tilting their faces up to towards the wooden shingles above their heads. Carl was grateful. He’d never been good at public prayer and the Smith’s family deserved one now.

“May Tod guide their path to the heavens,” Anthony continued, a loud shout from beneath them breaking his concentration. “…and Sorge sooth their fears.”

No one spoke for some time. The men were lost in grief, mourning their friend and his loved ones. Carl couldn’t help thinking about his own brothers, his father and mother. During the Purge, murder had been a common occurrence. But, Dogs had left Faenella alone the last years. He’d almost gotten used to it.

The noise from downstairs grew louder and louder, until Jamison said, “I’m going to go down and talk to them. Before someone does something stupid. You boys should try and get some sleep. We’ll need to stop at Smitty’s before we leave, see if there is anything left we can use.”

Sam frowned, “But we can’t….”

“He’d have wanted us to have them,” Jamison disagreed. “I have supplies downstairs. Explain the situation to Tobius and Sam. We leave when the sun rises.”

“I’ll come with you,” Carl offered, squeezing off the bed and following Jamison out of the door.

“Good. I can use another voice.”

The old man peered down the hall. “We need to calm everyone down. If they go after those men now, they’ll end up dead. These men knew Smitty and Marybeth. Their kids were friends with Simon and Ian. There’s going to be a lot of emotion.”

“I know,” Carl said. “They were good people and well liked. Maybe this’ll make people reconsider.”

Jamison stopped, putting a heavy hand on Carl’s jerkin, “Don’t expect much of them, Carl. They’re frightened and angry, now. They’ll follow the group and do rash things. But don’t mistake. They won’t join us. They’re just people. They don’t know how to fight.”

“Once they find out about…”

“Maybe,” the Bounty Master allowed. “But right now we need to calm them down. The Dogs have guns. Even if the whole town found them tonight, it wouldn’t be enough. The Family would mow them down.”

“They could come with us tomorrow.”

The Bounty Master shook his head, “They’d be more trouble than they’re worth. All they would do is die.”

“But…”

“By the gods, Carl, you are some Revolutionary! Let them settle down. Let them decide when their minds are clear. If they want to fight, we’ll train them, but now is not the time.”

The Inn was in an uproar. Half the men of Faenella were crowded around the bar, mugs and bottles in their hands and fear on their faces. The barkeep, Nadine and Mae were pouring drafts as fast as they could, leaving the people at the tables to fend for themselves. Everyone was shouting, the loudest young men about Carl’s age. Rage twisted their features, transforming them from familiar men, the miller and several farmers, to strangers.

Jamison caught the Innkeep’s eyes and climbed on the bar. Men noticed him, and their voices trailed off, eager to hear what he would say. The rest were elbowed or chided into silence, until finally the room was quiet. It was eerie. Carl was unable to remember a single night when the bar was not filled with conversation. All he heard now was the fire roaring in the massive hearth.

Nadine handed Jamison a beer. The old man took it gratefully, sadness in his eyes. Clearing his throat, he raised his cup, “To Smitty and Marybeth. And their sons Ian and Simon.”

The room raised their glasses.

“Let Tod accept them into his heavens and let their rest be a peaceful one.”

One of the louder men made a move to climb up with Jamison, but Carl put a hand on his shoulder. The man looked around in surprise, and Carl whispered, “Let him speak friend. He knows what he’s about.”

“A tragedy today, friends. The loss is a heavy one. One we will feel every day for the years to come. The men who did this…” Angry mutters filled the room and Jamison spoke over them, “…will be held responsible. But not tonight.”

“How? They’re Family!” a man yelled, pushing closer. Several people turned his way, nodding in agreement.

“Smitty and Marybeth are dead!” another man shouted, spittle flying from his mouth. “Those monsters killed those boys! There’s been too much of this. We need to do something. Now!”

Jamison shook his head, “We’ll do something. I promise you. But now is not the time. The Dogs are gone…”

“You can track them…”

“They have guns,” Jamison continued. “From all accounts, they all have guns.”

The men exchanged worried glances. They had to know the Smith and his wife were shot. One gun was dangerous enough. Four was unheard of. The townsfolk were goodhearted folk. They wanted to do something to right the wrong. But, four guns was too much.

Carl saw they were afraid, their eyes glassing over as the anger disappeared from their eyes. The baker dropped his fist, his floury palms marked by crescents where his fingernails had bit into his skin. These were not fighters. They were just terrified people.

“The Dogs were seen. Most of us would recognize their faces. They’ll return one day. And we’ll have vengeance.”

“But the guns?” someone asked.

Carl pulled himself up on the bar, “We need our own.”

Surprise registered. He saw their eyes widen.

If he couldn’t ask them to fight, he would ask them this. It was illegal and if they were caught they would suffer the same as the Smith’s family, but he asked them anyway. “If any of you knows a way of getting one, do it now. Things are happening. I know most of you are aware. The Dogs…”

“Are everywhere!” someone shouted. “They’ll kill us if…”

“Yes,” Carl interrupted. “One way or another, they can kill us.” He surveyed the crowd. “We need to be ready next time. Ready to protect our own.”

He could see men nodding in agreement. Whether or not they showed up was another thing, but it gave him hope. Once they came back from the Facility with the captives, the people would have to rise up.

But they needed weapons. “Find what you can. Talk to people you trust. Arm yourselves. We need to be ready. Ready for those monsters. I know it’s a risk, but go to your friends and family, wherever they may be. Tell them what has happened here. Find out if they have guns.”

“But they’ll kill…”

“They’ll kill us, anyway,” Jamison answered. “Carl’s right. This town has always stood strong and protected one another. The best we could, anyhow. This has got to stop.”

“Hear, hear,” a voice shouted and several others chimed in.

“But what can we do?” someone else asked, his voice high and scared.

Jamison’s voice rang out, “The first thing we need are guns. Find them. Take some risks. Carl and I are going to find some, too. I know it’ll take time. Just do your best.”

“Smitty was one of us,” Carl added. “A friend. A good husband and father. It could have been any of us. You, you or you,” he said, pointing at some of the men. “Next time it could be your family, your wife, your mother or sister, your brother or son.”

“They don’t even pretend to have reasons. They just kill,” Jamison concluded.

“Even if we kill them, “ someone shouted, “they’ll send more.”

“Perhaps,” Carl replied. “Or maybe they’ll just steer clear of this town. We make ourselves a big enough bother, maybe they go elsewhere. A month’s time, that should be enough. We’ll meet back here. Bring your friends. Bring your guns.”