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We were north of the threat. Scouting the land, assuring nothing will flank us. Sent by the elders, those that know.
“Young Ford, you came to us an orphan. A mother sick, asking our band of travelers to take you in. Your father died in a war; on her death bed she couldn’t remember which. You have become a student of the sword, a natural swordsman. Though it’s your lack of schemes, maneuvers, your unerring direction to usurp the simplest of plans. You may fell a beast or a slaver, buy you’ll never withstand an enemy’s tactics.”
Rut and I plan for a home that will survive. I plan for a fertile land that will provide and the walls to protect it. Rut plans for a chance with Matia.
“She’s fond of you, Ford. But if she’s not for you, I’d be grateful for the chance.”
Rut is stricken with the girl. A fine girl, but she’s not my focus. I question how I can leave them, find my calling, when they are incapable of standing under the misguidance of their elders.
“We live at the service of Gypsies, Rut. Yes, they’ve settled a land after years of steering away from trouble. But they don’t see what I see. We have the river, but we need walls.”
Our third day out we had still seen nothing, until we see smoke gathering in the south. It takes us the day to reach our settlement before the light fades, revealing our dead on the shore of the river. Mercenaries arrive to offer aid while they loot what remains of the camp. They’re not kind but they’re not the slavers that took our camp. Rut is overwhelmed with grief.
“There’s no sign of her. All who we knew. They…they burned our church, Ford! Do you know how long it takes to get a hundred wanderers to agree to worship the same god?”
And now they’re dead or slaves. I tell Rut I’m leaving, give him the chance to join, but he feels what I don’t about the place. He feels he can rebuild, be there for Matia when she returns.
I leave Rut behind. Tell him I’ll search for her, any that survived. Bring these slavers to justice.
I also tell him to build walls before he rebuilds the church.
Read it. Enjoyed it. No idea what it pertains to or where to insert it in the timeline. Nonetheless, big fun and thanks for writing it.
This is a futuristic tale where Ford’s mom and dad drop him off at summer camp.
Sorry, thought it was evident with all the pie-eating contests and camp counselors thrown in.
Mr. Horn is one of the camp counselors.
“I have to believe she’s still out there, Ford. Perhaps we can strike out together, find the slavers who took her. Make them pay.”
“I would like nothing more, Rut. Though it’s a fool’s errand and not your calling. This is.”
“Our village is fine. We have walls. You’ve brought us a priestess. I don’t think she’ll contest our other clerics, all will be good.”
“Your village is not yet a village. The walls are small, weak, and the people scattered. And your ‘clerics’ follow ancient and false gods.”
“We allow the people to follow who inspires them, Ford.”
“Toma is a priestess of Pelor. She was wasted where she was. Now she’s here, the town will convert.”
“You can’t disappear and come back setting how our town, how Riverside, will be run.”
“It’s a small ask. And I will finance this in my absence. You’ll have stronger walls and soldiers to defend them. Toma will have a small Church to help you lead the people of your new town.”
“Though you won’t stay.”
“The kingdom is in an unfortunate state. They’ve cast their future in with prophets and seers, empowering a boy to the throne. His charisma will sustain him, his youth will overcome him and the kingdom. Should I leave this behind it will soon follow us here. I will return to them, and the part I play will ensure this riverside camp will receive a city charter.”
“No great need. We’ve not had much incident here.”
“You will once we’ve entered the new charter.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Our new charter will be Slave Harbor.”
“We’re a harbor for slaves?”
“Yes, but disguised as a harbor to trade slaves. Why hunt them when you can invite them to your doorstep? Once we sow the stories and they begin to come, we’ll find our slavers. Until then, I’ll do my damned best to preserve the kingdom.”
Slave Harbor eh? Sounds fun. Kind of like turning Disney into its own city.
Glad to see Lord Ford will be joining the fun in Chapter 2.
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