Alra Forest - Part One

Vestin 

The sun had drained him more than he wanted to admit.

And not because the walk to Emmet's was overly long.

It was more the lack of walking combined with over eating and drinking over the past months that made the short walk harder than it should have been.

He was thinking, quite correctly, that he was in no real condition to be taking on the job being offered.

But Vestin needed the money badly. So even though his body was out of condition, even with an extended belly and no sword practise in months, he felt the need to take the job.

Emmet was the one who would make the job possible.

Emmet, even with the farm work, practised sword work every day and would be good to go right now.

And Emmet needed the money.

All Vestin needed to do was ask the question.

He saw the farm house ahead and was thankful the walk was nearing its end.

Just last night he was kind of happy drinking his ale at the tavern with Serine. There had been no argument over debt, they were in a peaceful state of drunkenness and the rain was keeping most people at home.

A recipe for a quiet night together.

Just as they were nearing time to retire, an elf walked into the tavern. A female elf, and as striking to the eye as only an elf can be.

Vestin instantly picked the slightly awkward movement. She hid the injury extremely well, but there it was to see by a trained eye. An eye used to finding any weakness in an opponent.

Even though the appearance of an elf in a human town, at night, was extremely unusual, this elf stood out even more with her sword neatly strapped across her back.

Vestin couldn't resist, he had to ask her what her story was.

He did ask and was rewarded with an offer to escort her to Gathering, three days walk from Tribute, and then a few days into Alra Forest.

She wanted to travel at night only, and she paid well so long as the questions stopped.

So here he was, with an early morning walk to Emmet's farm. The prize would be a big hearty breakfast, and the acceptance of the job from Emmet.

As he neared the farm house he saw Emmet sitting on the front steps, whittling an animal of some type no doubt. Even though Vestin was sure the cows needed milking at this time, it was no surprise to see him waiting.

Emmet seemed to get glimpses of things just before they happened, like the presence around you before a storm, heavy with the promise of hard rain.

As Vestin got close, Emmet rose from the stairs with a smile. He was whittling a cow.

Emmet was a stocky man, but not fat. His hair was dishevelled with no chance of looking controlled. He stood in such a way as to look unmoveable, like a large oak.

Emmet began with “Well, I see your right arm is getting a good work out” and as Vestin got close enough he patted his tummy and added “as is your stomach”.

“How are the cows my friend, sick of the mooing yet?”

“A moo is work of nature Vestin, it starts with a mmmm then ends with an ooooo, ah genius”

Vestin and Emmet faced each other for a moment smiling, he was pleased to see him after so many months and was wondering how it was possible he had not made the effort to see him more often.

How is it possible that a good friend can drift? And why was the reason for seeing him a job rather than a good talk with good company?

Vestin broke the silence “Why are you insisting on farming, and dairy at that? It is a hard living.”

Looking at the ground he said “Because it doesn't involve dying by the sword.” but flicked his eyes directly into Vestin's when he said “But to be honest, at least death by blade is quicker”.

He kept looking at Vestin for a moment before adding “Just tell me the money is good and that I can be back within 14 days”

Emmet said, “It is a trip to Gathering, we are the escort. She wants haste and silence and expects no trouble, but should it arrive she wants protection. She was injured last night in a mugging so she can't look after herself as well as usual”

“She? And where was she mugged?”

“Within the walls, chances are the Bander family took exception to the pointy ears.”

“An elf?” Emmet was genuinely surprised, “Vestin, you have got to be joking. Elves spell trouble, always have, always will, haven't you learnt that yet?”

“Of course I know that”, he felt a little berated at the obvious statement.

Vestin felt the need to sit down, the walk and internal heat made from the walk required sitting. And he was feeling slightly flustered, the job needed to be done, not because the deed was noble, but because the money was needed to pay people.

People Vestin was not currently able to beat in a fight.

“Look Emmet, I know this elf is trouble, I am a little afraid to ask why she is even in town. But whatever it is, she wants silence, she wants an escort, and she is paying enough money to keep us happy for the winter. Even if there is trouble, we can deal with anything this place can throw at us. Seriously, it is easy money, 10 days tops, and you can come back here and listen to your mooing until the cows come home”

Emmet did not look overly pleased about it. He was thinking, pondering, considering.

“Where was she injured?” Emmet asked.

“Looks like a stab to the lower back; she has lost a decent amount of blood but is walking ok”

“If she is walking and talking after a back wound, you realise she has magic at her disposal?” Emmet stated.

“Well, the thought did cross my mind. But like I said, she isn't going to knock us off any time soon because she needs the escort, and we will watch her closely in any case. If you really feel that uneasy about it, I will ask Serine to come along.”

Emmet paused. He was not happy about the situation. He was not overly fond of magic of any type, but knew how to deal with it so long as the magic user was watched closely.

Give no time to get the spell out, and the advantage stayed with the sword.

“Get Serine, tell her the truth and make sure she brings curing, I have a feeling we will need it. You better get back to town right now. I will catch up with you easily enough.” He said while glancing at his belly and sweaty face, “I just need to get my stuff and say goodbye to the cows.”

Vestin looked surprised. No offer of food or a big hug from his loving wife was offered.

As Emmet entered the house he turned his head and said “Fine, if you are going to sulk about it, go get the meal and hug, but don't stall, I want to have a decent talk to this elf before we leave.”

He threw Emmet a crooked smile, and took his time standing up.

Emmet was not one to take his time, by the time Vestin had reached the front door he was out the back one telling Gail as he walked through the kitchen “I was right, he has a job that will save the farm”.

He wasn't sure if he was suppose to hear the last part as Emmet's voice dropped while he said it, so he pretended to be deaf to the words.

He walked into the kitchen and saw her. She was beautiful without being striking. Plain without being ordinary and moved with the haste only a busy mother can do.

Unlike Emmet, she seemed to enjoy the dairy farming.

He wasn't sure if she liked it because she knew nothing else, or whether she had that innate pleasure some people get for doing things that are not easy to do.

Either way, she enjoyed her life, loved her husband, and had never complained to him about her life.

She seemed too good to be true.

He had quizzed Emmet about what she was really like, when no one else was around, but he just said “My friend, she is a blessing. She loves her life, her man and her farm. I do what I can to make sure she stays happy and keeps wanting me, not that I understand why she wants me” To which he would usually laugh to himself.

Either way, the hug was close and the breakfast as big and hearty as he expected.

She did the small talk and didn't ask many questions about what the job was or where. But when Emmet began to yell from the barn that it was time to go she turned from the bench and said “Vestin, bring him back in one piece.”

“I will Gail, I promise”

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