Hargis pushed through the doors in the rear of the Drunken Mountain, the tavern he frequented to deliver ale and drink away annoyances. Sure, his home was good for that too, but the company was so numerous sometimes that he could only find peace in the noise of strangers. He didn’t know why that had become the case in his youth Hargis had found peace in robbing nobles and sleeping his way through every town, but now…
“Ho Hargis, ready te depart?” A rose cheeked youth sat atop an empty flat-back wagon affixed with two sturdy horses. The boy's scale-hound sat in the empty rear of the wagon, sidling as close to the boy as it could. The matte tan of its many plates of bone gave a scrape as it turned to face Hargis.
“Yes, I believe we are Gweller.” Hargis looked to the hound. “Kept a good eye on him this time?”
Gweller nodded emphatically, “Yes sir. Didn’t leave my sight once.”
Hargis nodded his understanding and pulled himself up the notched ladder affixed for the shorter races, once seated he took the reins from Gweller and quickly gave his thanks. The boy's mother, Hargis second sister, had begged he take him along on the trip in to town. She wanted the boy to see a life outside the vine and banditry, and if he was honest with himself, Hargis agreed. Thieving wasn’t a sustainable way to live, and it wouldn’t be a good way to make an earning for a family.
Hargis gave the Scale-hound, named Torel after the boy's Grandfather, a scratch beneath its chin in one of the few open spots. The creature turned into the gesture happily and wagged its plated tail against the wood. When he finished and returned to the road, he heard the hound whine.
“You spoil him.” Gweller said. He laughed and mimicked the actions of his Uncle.
“Ah, just as well.” Hargis said, “Spoil the lot of you if i’m not careful, though I don’t think Hellena minds too much.”
“Speaking of, she was very upset when you went with that crew for the raid. The whole village heard her yelling.”
Hargis grunted his acknowledgement and whipped the horses into movement. Hellena had done more than just scream. When the group returned, and she had heard of their actions, she nearly kicked the man out to live in the fields. She’d have been right to. He thought I shouldn’t have gone
“Is it true you met a Pere?” The boy's eyes were wide with excitement at the words. Clearly the prospect of meeting a Soldier of the Empire was impressive.
Hargis grunted, “Aye, two for that matter.”
“TWO?” Gweller yelped, “And you all survived?”
“Survived isn’t the word. More to say that one of the Peres’ talked us out of dying.”
“They would have killed you?”
“Well,” Hargis scratched the chin that rested beneath his beard, “If it had just been the one, I think we’d have been fine. He didn’t seem too keen on the fighting, think maybe he's a weak one. Got through on connection and not talent.”
“But the stories say that every Pere could kill at least a dozen men in combat.” Gweller spoke the words with near reverence.
Hargis scoffed. “Hardly. A few maybe, in the right circumstance, but most barely know how to swing a sword.”
“They can use magic too, can’t they?”
“Some can, but it's the same.”
“What about the other one? Scia said it was the Bloody Lance herself.”
“That it was.” Hargis said, “She didn’t make a move though. Let the scrawny one handle the whole thing.”
“Maybe she didn’t want to bloody her armor, so she let you guys go.”
“Careful lad, that's yer families blood that’d be spilt. Awe is fine, but don’t forget that death isn’t spectacular or honourable.”
Gwellers smile faded, and he looked aside and did his best to find the bland scenery entertaining. Hargis let the words hang in the silence unabated, he didn’t mind the boy thinking highly of Pere, Hargis knew their truth as well as anyone else. Peres were no better than unchecked thieves and killers parading themselves as just defenders. Pere had driven his city from their homes, Pere had tried to kill him all his life, they weren’t the saviours stories told.
When the sloping hills of Hargis fields came into view he released a breath held subconsciously, he was home and safe. Every time he stepped from the properties, he put his life into the hands of fate, praying to the Goddess Hesta that none he had wronged hunted him. None had, but the fear remained ever present. He’d lost friends that way, ones that had chosen not to join his little comune and instead stayed in the cities and spending their ill-gotten wealth.
He mourned them, but he didn’t weep for them. They were criminals and killers, they had made their decision years before and were finally seeing the justice done. I’m on someone's list too though, perhaps one day someone will find out about this place.
“Uncle,” Gweller finally asked, “Why did you go with? Scia said you don’t like to go on raids, and that you complained the entire time.”
“Why?” That was a good question, but the answer was too difficult to give. What would he say? He wanted to stop the brash fools from killing themselves. He didn’t want to lose anyone else to arrogance, especially if he could help it? That he’d heard rumours of the Pere in charge being from that desolate campaign? “I… was bored of the grapes.” Hargis said, gesturing them to the hills. “All I do is tend to them and stare at them. I watch the grass grow, can’t an old man want for excitement again.”
Gweller laughed. “Uncle, you said you loved watching the fields grow.”
“Well I do… But sometimes you just want to stretch your legs.”
Gweller didn’t respond, instead he nodded and looked back out to the growing fields and small grouping of homes set into one of the valleys. Wisps of thin smoke gave the indication of the stoked fires within. He could hear the faintest sounds of music and singing from the distance, and a smile broke onto his lips. He had built this home for people wanting to escape their lives of danger, the ones who felt similarly had joined him. Most hadn’t realized that this little village of homes was Hargis’ opus to repentance for so many lives taken, but it was better that way.
They pulled the wagon up to a large circle of similar wagons, each without accommodating animals, and maneuvered it in to fill the only open slot. Hargis hopped down and untethered the two horses, they whinnied in joy while sprinting off towards their stable and grounds. The stablemaster would be happy to see them returned and with such energy. Gweller lept down, followed closely by Torel, and began to head towards their home.
Before he left, though, Gweller turned to face Hargis one last time. “I think I know why you went.” The boy said the words with certainty as he stepped back towards Hargis and the wagon.
“Oh? Why's that?” Hargis didn’t mind humouring the lad, he was smart and kind-hearted. If the others were a tenth as stable as Gweller then Hargis could pass in peace.
“You went with because you knew they’d die otherwise.”
Hargis blood froze.
“What do you mean?” he asked
“You went with Scia and the others because they were going to rob the Count, and you knew they’d die otherwise. They’d have attacked it without a second thought, and would have been slaughtered. Wouldn’t they?”
Hargis didn’t know what to say to that. “I…”
“It's okay Uncle, I’m glad you did. You’re right, pere are amazing, but they can kill us easily. I won’t forget who they work for.”
“Then that's enough.” Hargis said smiling. “Yer a good lad, with a good head on yer shoulders. I’m sure ye’ll be fine.”
Gweller returned the smile and sprinted away, Torel chasing happily after.
Awesome!