Sorry about the long wait, my friends. I have been very busy looking after horses and dying cos I've lost my job :( Will write for money? (only joking). I've also not been very well and exam season is here! Yay... :U
I got five reviews within about an hour of posting the second chapter. I could cry with glee! I'll answer reviews up here today :) I will upload the cover for it with this chapter too. I did it a while ago but didn't want to give too much away with what Jack's horse would look like.
Reactions to reviews:
SkyHighFan- Thank you for commenting on both chapter 1 & 2. To your question I cannot answer specifically, I don't like answering questions that may cause people to stop speculating. But imagine the consequences that would be brought out if your hypothesis were true? First off, how would Eugene take it? He's given Jack his lively hood. Then there would be the shame for Lillian to have given birth to someone else's child whilst married. What would it mean for Elias, who is the role model and the person the village relies on as their leader? Interesting theory all the same.
Trix1015- Thank you very much for commenting and providing me some motivation. I am also happy that you have also followed the story.
Blackkyu- Thank you. I am glad you are enjoying it so far :)
LightMyBulb- I almost died with happiness. FANART!? :U Never had some fanart before... I feel like a celebrity. Maybe a picture of Ben tanking of with Jack as the Indians are escaping? Any art would be appreciated! My DeviantArt is the same as my user so message me if you have an account :) Thank you for that, my day got so much brighter at the concept of fanart! I'm glad you are liking the story. I'm about to cry!
Mananai- Thankyou! Amazingly written? YAY! That's very kind of you, I will finish this! I have never felt so much compassion for a story as I have for this.
Yami's Devil- D: don't you like?
Trix1015- Yes, I am finishing it, I have it all planned out, I even spoke to Marcus sedgewick about it, can you believe that!? But yes, I somehow will finish it! D: Thank you for saying it is really good though, I appreciate that :)
Disclaimer: I do not own Rise of the guardians. However Jack frost was sprinkling snow over my town and... muhahaha well... He is now within my clutches and will never escape! MUHAHAHAHAHAHA! *cough
Ahem... Enjoy:
Chapter 3
~* Shady and the grey *~
The Sunday after next had finally arrived. Jack was up and preparing for the coming journey.
Jack had never felt so excited in a long time, the journey offered some change to the routine. He only ever left on visits to the lake with his mum, brothers and mother.
Everything was finally going his way for once, he had his chance to go with Elias, had a beautiful fiancé and a stable finance that he'd been saving for over four years now.
He only had to ask his father for the small bit of land on the hill for a house and then find out how in the world he would build it. He'd need wood and power. Billy and Harris would help, he knew, if he slyly mentioned it then they would offer.
That would be where the problems would begin to build on themselves, he wasn't sure whether his dad would consider letting him have the land up on the hill... he had been avoiding the man all together for the whole week so... when would he pluck the courage to ask?
He shrugged to himself and stood, filling in the check-list in his mind of what he'd need, clothes and money. Couldn't forget the money, it was his foundation for his new companion. How excited he was couldn't be rivaled at the moment.
Happily the boy brought the saddle-pouches over his shoulders and made his way downstairs into the kitchen where his mother was standing silently over the heath, peering in at the embers as she peeled away a basket of small potatoes.
"Mum?" He asked, somewhat hesitantly.
Lilly looked up to see him, "I hope you'll be okay."
She looked on the verge of tearing up and Jack moved in to hug her, chuckling as his mothers shoulders slumped onto him.
"I don't want to see you go," She wept, sobbing into his shoulder.
"I'm not leaving forever" He sighed, it felt like he was explaining himself to a child, "Does dad still know?"
Lilly sobered up and straightened, her eyes staring back at her hands as she continued her work with the potatoes.
"I made sure to tell your father when he wasn't drunk."
"And?" Jack pushed anxiously.
"He knows about yourself and Ellana too, but he heard that from Billy, not me."
He didn't know why it mattered what source passed it onto the man, so long as it was not someone negatively biased against the idea. Billy was perfect for the job since he could make anything bleak sound positive and useful... as he had when the Indians had stolen the cattle.
Either way Jack couldn't help but feel worried. Lilly fell silent before she looked up at him and told him carefully, "He's sitting in the fireplace room, he hasn't slept all night, I think he was thinking of you."
The way she had said it was careful and precise, as if encouraging a skittish lamb to take feed from the hand.
Jack nodded and took that as an order to go and see him before leaving.
Jack turned away and pulled on his travelling cloak, shoes and placed the pouches by the front door. There was no harm in providing one's self with a quick exit.
Though, before he could make his way to the room, Emily bombarded him with her presence. Tears were spouting from her pretty, little face as she sobbed with outstretched arms.
Jack had no choice but to pick her up as she wailed, "Don't leave me Jack!"
"I'm not," Jack told her and she gripped him tightly, "I'd never."
"But you're marrying her an' you don't want to see me any more."
"Of course I do, why would I ever not?"
Her sobs seemed to be stifled as she looked back at him with her big, round brown eyes.
"Would I ever trick you?" he asked, smiling calmly.
"Yes," she whimpered, unhelpfully.
"Well, I'm not tricking you now. When I get back, you can ride my new horse."
"Can we play games?"
"Sure" He assured her, "now, I've got to go speak to father. Behave yourself."
She nodded and left to join her mum as Jack placed her down. He patted her on her head as she went by. He then turned and passed through the kitchen into the sitting room.
Goose bumps sprung upon his arms and legs as he nervously entered. Within the fire place lay a pile of cold, black ash where a flame had once flickered.
His father was perched deeply upon the chair facing the fire-place before the man noticed Jack and stood.
The two stared evenly at one-another. Eugene looked away though, swallowing his pride and waving his hand to summon his tall son forward, "let me look at you."
Jack came forward, failing to withhold his hesitance as he stood the length on an average fox away from Eugene.
Eugene looked him up and down, piggy eyes squinting against the dim light that the room possessed.
"I am so proud."
Jack almost took a step back. He had not been expecting those words to ever leave his father's mouth, he'd always appeared disappointed. To hear them now was such a shock.
Eugene held open his arms and came forward, hugging Jack stiffly, patting him lovingly on the back. As he stepped back, tears brimmed in his eyes.
"You must see me as a bad man, I know." He stepped away and sat down, tiredly.
Jack stared back like a dumb sheep while his father seemed to stare at nothing in particular, Jack couldn't help but wonder if he was remembering something distant.
"But have I been wrong?" Eugene asked dryly, "You are not pig-headed like those boys down in the village. You are smart, smarter than me. You have ambition, something I've never had."
The man looked away from himself as if looking for his next recurring sentence, "I am proud of the beautiful daughter, wife and sons I have. There is nothing more that I can ask for."
He then stood, walking over to the fire place and retrieved the shepherd's crook from its place bellow the plaque.
Jack visibly tensed and looked like he were a shadow, preparing to shrink away from the light.
Eugene either ignored this or never noticed because he came forward presenting the crook like a magical sword.
"This belonged to the first Verdandi bloodline to set foot on these lands," He explained, "It has been passed down but I have never used it as it should have been."
He looked warily up at Jack, studying him before continuing, "It was actually given to your mother by my father."
Jack's eyebrows almost met in confusion.
"I'll never know why. I remember being jealous because of it and she never commented when I took it for myself. I would suppose it would be okay to give it to you."
He held it toward Jack who paused before tentatively taking the crook from him.
Eugene straightened.
"I am happy you are getting married, my son. I will be speaking to the priest who will be serving as our clergy for you today. You will marry on the Sunday that marks the end of winter, to start new life in spring. Continue the bloodline of the family_" Eugene's body racked with a dry cough. "-Your mother and I have also been speaking. She insists we allow you to have the five acres upon the top of the hill, facing the forest, for your own. As a man, I trust you with the care of that small space of land."
Jack had been taken aback. So much so that he too felt water well behind his eyes, but he refused to lose them.
"You are leaving for several days I believe. I will see that the sheep are fed and looked after. Come home safely. That is all I have to say for now."
Jack had nothing to say. Instead he decided to hug his father. His long arms wrapped around Eugene's portly belly, not quite meeting at the finger tips.
Eugene was silent, his eyes trailed away as Jack felt for the first time the warmth of his dad. He was now grateful and felt that it was he who had perhaps been the one who had wronged. Had he mistaken his father's actions all this time?
He felt good in himself; he felt he had made himself into a role model. "Thank you," He said softly to Eugene who nodded into the silence and sat back down as Jack left the room.
Colin and Edward were both up and standing at the bottom of the stairs. Edward had picked up one of the pouches and handed it to Jack before the eldest of the three could pick it up. hearing the door knock.
Jack was feeling weak with his emotions; he wasn't sure how long he had been waiting for those words from that man. He was sure that he had given up waiting for them, in fact. The crook in one hand, he used the other to pull open the door to see Sam crouch.
"You ready?" Sam asked looking agitated that he had been forced to stand in the foot of snow, waiting for Jack to hurry up.
"Yup," Jack replied, picking up the saddle-pouches and striding out to meet Elias and the rest of the men, all sitting on their horses, prepared for the travel with rolls of blankets, pouches and bags full of necessary items.
William Hopkin's wife had been very kind in allowing Jack to use William's horse.
Jack supposed she was still grieving; still thinking about how she can sort her life out now William was gone. It made Jack wonder about losing someone again, before he shook his head and let the idea dissolve away. The horse was a liver-chestnut, lithe beast. It averaged the size of the rest in this small group; around 16hh- give or take. He had no specific characteristics Jack cared to notice but an aerodynamic, plucky head.
He knew the horse was called Riley, so he supposed he better start by greeting the animal. First impressions were always important and Jack had no intention of upsetting an experienced stallion three times his size.
"Hello there," He said softly in his lamb's voice.
Riley didn't bother to turn his head around to even look at Jack. Jack failed to notice the amused smirk that slithered it's way up Ike's thin face. He pouted at the horse and decided, after Sam huffed grumpily, that it would be best to begin their little escapade.
Oliver was holding Riley with one hand by the bridle while his reins to his own horse were tight in the other. Jack gratefully took the reins after pulling the saddle pouch straps securely through the 'D' rings of Riley's saddle fastening them on to the strap of the pouches.
Jack mounted with little trouble and found Riley was a lot narrower under the knees than Ben was. There was more neck too. He was feeling like he was sitting on the animal's shoulders more than the back, though he felt excited that he'd be soon used to this feature.
They waited for Sam to struggle onto Harvest who was forced to sidle slightly as the ungainly man hefted himself up.
"Right then," Elias said as the horses began to shift underneath them in anxious excitement.
The man dug in his heels and Brennan turned away and shifted alongside Ike and his horse Archie.
Oliver teamed up with Sam leaving Timothy and Jack to ride alongside each other. The two paused as he waited polity for Timothy to take the lead but the man seemed to hesitate for a split second. Jack felt as if Timothy was pausing for him. It was like he was waiting for Jack to get his bearings or to let everything sink in. However, Jack wanted to be seen as an adult, he had his bearings. He clicked his tongue which urged Riley in a quick forwards motion. The stallion's head was up and his hocks pushed away into the troublesome snow.
They began a quick paced trot down the incline; Jack looking back behind him to watch as his mother and Emily watched them depart from the door way.
He waved to them with a crooked grin before gripping both reins within his one hand and the crook in the other. He saw it best to take the crook, it was like a badge, or a title. I am the village shepherd... but I am also leaving away with these law abiding men to spend my money on something completely off-topic. He shrugged uncomfortably.
Riley was an awkward ride, being sleeker than Ben. His strides were also longer and more jostling. They all came into the village and trotted down before Elias paused now Ellana was waiting outside of her abode.
She nodded to Elias who had the decency to pause the whole group for her to pass words between herself and Jack.
"Come home safely?" She said as she came close, skirting warily around Riley's head.
"Of course, everyone is making such a big deal out of it all. Would you have me bring anything back for you?"
She smiled cheekily and leaned forward, "nothing more than anything I already have."
Jack's lips twitched, ears hot as he blushed. He leaned down, quite a feat for the horse he was on, to kiss her.
"Be safe, don't go getting distracted."
"You be safe too," He replied softly.
"I love you," she whispered, as if it were a secret.
"I love you too," He replied, aware of Timothy's scrutinizing gaze upon his back.
For a pregnant moment they waited for each other to do something, neither wanting to be the one to say goodbye. Ellana was the first to move as she drew back and smiled encouragingly at him.
They then set off again, now setting a quicker pace. Onwards in a trot.
They reached the end of the market area, which was empty now that the snow had taken over. The sky was empty of clouds and the sun shone against the quiet, ice blanket that had been left on the ground the previous night.
Passing the old well was where they had finally left the village.
One thing Jack had already come to understand is the difference between these horses and Ben's heavier type. Ben would have just ploughed through the deep snow beneath them with little care for loss of energy. These finer-boned horses lifted themselves out of the snow, quicker but still struggling against the icy endeavor.
Riley's ears were back and he held his head indignantly. They crossed the short clearing and into the forest where their sight of the small settlement would be lost in the winter trees and the undergrowth.
After a short while the horses were in a faster canter sometimes hopping against the snow every now and then when their hooves began to feel distant. Jack felt bad for their efforts but rather them than himself.
"Nice girl," Timothy said to Jack, cutting a wound for conversation.
"I wouldn't say that," Jack joked, "you haven't seen her when she's really angry."
Timothy laughed to that and asked the boy riding alongside him, "do you think she's the marrying sort?"
Jack looked sideways at the man, he wasn't sure how to answer that.
Timothy had waited a second longer for an answer. Jack's face was crumbled in concentration as he thought about what he should say. The boy obviously found it hard to answer simple questions. Perhaps it had been from the lack of socialization. With only the sheep keeping him from solitude, Timothy found it no surprise for the inability. In fact it made him sad.
It wasn't that Jack didn't know the answers but more that he wasn't quite sure how to say something. Or so the man thought, per haps I am just reading to far into something, I am biased because of Elias.
"I mean," he rephrased "-does she compare much to your mother?"
Jack, looking a little embarrassed, shook his head at the silly concept. "No, my mother has the patience of a hen, Ellana has the patience of a bull."
Timothy laughed genuinely, "that so? Then what took your fancying?"
"We've been friends since I can remember," Jack replied swiftly, "It just happened. She's beautiful and has a nature that I like."
Timothy studied him for a moment before looking away to watch where his horse was heading. Jack asked Riley to pick up the pace again, momentarily looking behind himself to see the wounds that the hooves had caused in the snow.
"We were, " He began, "always close together and it felt somehow, like it was the right time. God himself must be for it. I just feel all nervous now." He felt his shoulder pang with a little ache, a mischievous reminder of that night.
Timothy smiled again, "about getting married? Its good that you are, so young... Not that there is anything wrong with that," Timothy cut himself off at Jack's quizzical glance. "I was thinking of options. How sure are you that this girl is the one you truly love?"
"Very," Jack replied evenly.
"And if you see a pretty young, lady strolling down the street you wouldn't feel smitten?"
Jack frowned, he wasn't fickle nor fatuous. He knew what Tim was trying to suggest: that maybe Jack was too young to understand the concept of love.
"Ellana is right for me, I see myself with no one else. My feelings are not... mercurial."
A devilish grin then spread itself upon his face as he watched Timothy consider him. Proud of himself for using Ellana's word, he continued, "-and she feels the same way."
Mary had told him what it meant, his pride was too high for him to admit to Ellana that she knew something more than he did. Not because he had anything against her but the simple fact that she would never give it up.
"So you must be anxious of this other place we come to?"
"Yes," Jack agreed, "I've never been further than the lake when it comes to leaving the village.
"So what you know comes from what you read in books?"
Jack cocked his head slightly as he wondered over that question, "There isn't much to read about it. The books I've read are about plants and wildlife, sometimes even the Indians. Though I hear a lot from being quiet."
Jack supplied himself with a means to excuse his eavesdropping.
One thing he would know about Timothy was his smile. He always laughed either genuine or dry. He was usually indignant or not happy when his smile became tight, or a corner upturning one half of his face more so than the other would be when he knew something you did not. Being able to read his face was agitating when the man was feeling like he understood something better; sarcasm.
"I do say that soon those Indians should not be a problem to us soon."
Jack looked at him and he laughed, "when William was killed, we can see it as nothing but a threat. Its an act of war."
Jack only saw it as an excuse though, he frowned, "we don't even know where they are."
"It'll only be a matter of time," Timothy shrugged, "take the cattle going missing, they can't have gone far for twenty Pineywood cattle to be waltzing off with them."
"That's a blow for everyone," Jack admitted solemnly.
"Its a startling one," Timothy huffed, "no one would've thought they'd just do that. We have these sympathisers come n' say how these redskin, bush creatures are good people. Would you believe that?"
Jack fell silent, he was at a loss by this point, mind clouded with what Billy had said.
"Well, I suppose it's convenient for your family," Timothy continued dryly, "with no cattle, suppose the sheep are the best we have."
"Awfully convenient," Jack agreed, suspicion bating his breathe.
Timothy sent him a quizzical glance but Jack shook his head and let the idea roll away from his mind.
Timothy matched the pace and quickly changed the uncomfortable topic, speaking more of the exciting days ahead.
Jack still liked him more than grumpy old Sam Crouch, who's fat bum bounced on poor old Harvest's back as the horse struggled through the snow.
After a while the original ranks were quickly dismantled. Elias always rode upfront. Brennan was relentless. His head was arched in as he eyed the snow with caution before treading down with confidence. The snow seemed to make no obstacle for the large, grey horse.
The man himself seemed to be away with the clouds and was quite. Isaac had given up speaking to him though mainly because Archie fell back in his paces.
Harvest had fallen to the back, the horse looked agitated about that fact but conceded as Sam had little interest in setting the pace. Jack wondered whether maybe Sam should have had Ben instead of the small horse.
Misfit and Oliver seemed to be surging through the snow like a vain ewe. The mare threw her head high as she struggled through the snow and the man on her back was looking onwards. His nose was pink against the cold.
Timothy seemed to be a few strides short of Jack, who had reined Riley up to trot near Brennan's hindquarters.
The rest of the ride was completely uneventful. They had long passed the lake and passed any trees Jack had seen before. He could not even recognise the very tips of the stretching, wooden skeletons. Behind them was left a track that was a medley of mud and snow where the turf had been drawn out by sinking hooves.
The formidable army of trees stood tall and daunting around them and the sky seemed to be pale with clouds again.
Ellana bent down to pet the lamb, her mother was standing at the doorway holding her grey robes tightly to her tired body.
"I don't want to take him to that old, fat_"
"Ellana!" Mary warned before the girl could continue.
"I'm sorry mother," Ellana stood sadly, "it's just... we've been feeding him and looking after him, I don't want to see him gone."
"I know," Mary conceded though she looked as if she had better things to be arguing about.
"Please let me keep Stanley, mother!" Ellana begged.
"You named it?" Mary asked looking exasperated, "good lord, Ellana, If I didn't know any better I would assume that you plotted to keep this beast the moment you saw it."
"Plotted is such a devious word mama, makes it sound as if I went behind your back."
"No, you schemed in that little world you have in your mind, here," Mary grumbled pointing at her own forehead.
"Mother, you sound so angry," Ellana pouted playfully and then protectively hugged the lamb which had grown accustomed to her good nature, "I promise, I won't ask for anything else."
Mary rolled her eyes, giving up completely, "Well, he's your problem, just like everything else is. Sometimes I just don't know what to do with you."
Ellana grinned gleefully and kissed Stanley the Leicester lamb on his soft, velvet muzzle. "I won't let them get you," She promised the lamb in what would be a whisper. The lamb gaped at her blankly and she gave it another gentle peck before ducking away from under the shelter.
Mary found herself rolling her eyes as the girl skipped to her side before the two disappeared into the comforts of the little wooden, cottage.
"Sometimes Ellana, you really do try my patience."
Ellana frowned, "mother you know I'm grateful."
"Oh, I know you are but I can't wait till you get married and have kids of your own," She waggled her finger, "then you'll be sorry. You'll be saying: mother! You were right all this time."
Ellana laughed as her mother began to chuckle and she embraced the woman who sighed softly into her beautiful mane of hair.
"I do love you," Mary told the girl softly.
"And I love you mama," Ellana told Mary.
Mary pulled away and smiled softly at her daughter, "you're father would be so proud... I suppose he would be angry too."
"Why angry?" Ellana asked, tears brimming.
"Because to him, you were always his baby girl," Mary choked on her tears, "now I hope you let that boy take care of you."
"I know he will mother," Ellana sighed, "Lets not talk about papa, we... we always end up crying."
Mary nodded in agreement and slowly drew in a greedy amount of dusty air before her features loosened from the tight reins of grief. Ellana pecked her mother's cheek and smiled lightly, "I'm going to go out mama, what should I go get?"
"No, no," Mary shook her head , "we have plenty of potatoes left over from the summer. Bread too, but I think its bound to be hard by now."
"I'm sorry, mama," Ellana apologised sadly.
"It's not your fault that your so soft in the heart," Mary smiled, whisking a wild strand of hair away from her cheeks. "You could do me one favour though, Its a little tedious but... I need you to find Billy or at least Harris."
"Why?" Ellana asked curiously.
"Never you mind," Mary huffed. Ellana's right eyebrow arched condescendingly and Mary found herself telling her anyway, "Well, we have a little problem. One of the beams in the kitchen look rotten. It could be a leak or... or anything. I want to know if the roof could fall in, it has been worrying me for a while."
"But wouldn't Tom know more about that?"
"Tom's wife, Clemmie, why she's taken ill. She's had a horrible cold I said I'd go to see her but Tom was adamant that no-one should see her."
"She must have a horrible illness, I did notice that he looked paler than usual."
"If its pneumonia, I can only understand."
The two took a moment to fall silent before Ellana stood and reassured her mother, "I'll go get Billy, we want a proper job being done here."
"I'd check the Tavern," Mary advised gravely, "this would be his hour."
Ellana crossed the clearing between the cottage and the other village houses. Lights shone brightly against the shadows of the cold snow. Dark figures loomed in the fog where skinny dog's ears pricked and heads turn to find devious lumps of snow that had fell from the over hanging arches and roofs.
The tavern was always alive with light, even now when the drinks inside were nearly as thin as the water. Everything served as a reminder that Burgess was in an unstable time.
People were too ill to farm the land around themselves and there hardly ever sprouted new generations as the previous one's began to wither. The town was desperate for more people to tend the lands but then there was not enough food to go around.
There was another factor that caused outsiders to stay clear of the town and it was the audacious Indians. Better known as the Mohingan tribe, the villagers often nicknamed Mohingan members: Redskins because of their deep, clay like skin.
The Mohingan did not like the settlement, it had been placed on their hunting lands (so Ellana had heard).
The Redskins worried Ellana because of their past hauntings; losing the cattle was a sharp knife in the flanks of Burgess. It would take time to recover from the loss and soon the people of the small town would need better quality leather than that which came from the sheep.
Yes, it definitely worried Ellana but there was nothing she could do, surely Elias was going to do something. Maybe the place they were going was a good area to recruit more people to fight or come to the town.
We need to show the Redskins that we are no scared, Ellana thought to herself wryly. She crossed her arms against the cold and exhaled against the crisp air before watching the cool vapour fade off into the light of day.
Ellana's pace quickened.
The cold day was anything but welcoming to her small frame and so she fled into the warmth of the inn. Several men cared to look her way. In fact there only were a few people in at that time. She supposed everyone with sense would be staying indoors or would be working to earn a pretty penny.
Ellana surveyed the bland scene of wooden table, chairs, kegs and pitchers. There was a tense, subdued atmosphere within the walls of the inn. Ellana could not quite place it. She spotted Billy in the far corner. "Thank the lord," she breathed in relief and set off towards him though Phil's hard tone seemed to cease her motion.
Albert's father, Phil, was hunched over his own pitcher. Albert was to his right and Magwitch sat opposite him. They seemed terribly melancholy. Go figure, Ellana thought to herself. Although Eugene's family owned some of the cattle in that stolen herd, Magwitch owned the majority of them, so some of her empathy fell for him.
Either way the men seemed to be gossiping between themselves, speaking bitterly.
"There is no money here anymore," Phil growled darkly. Albert frowned and sank into his seat, face red with shame.
"The only currency that comes in is what ever Elias and his… his men bring in, but it's nothing much."
"Oh, that's nothing. I'd be more worries about the food. We have no cows now. What will we do now? Eat sheep? That boy doesn't want anything to do with them and Eugene is too fat anf lazy to care for them, the one's I bought are scabby and thin."
"It's been a hard winter Phil," Magwitch huffed but he didn't seem like he particularily disagreed.
The three of them looked a little unsure before Albert continued, though this time much quieter. Ellana had to subtly lean against a table. A man she knew called Owen asked her if she wanted something to drink. She never thought of the disgruntled huff he made as she waved him down. She was interested very much in what had to be said now.
"But I've been hearing things you know." Albert told them.
"Not that again," Phil scorned, "it's not worth it."
"Please, do go on," Magwitch asked avidly.
"You wouldn't believe me, though," Albert said in a would be whisper, not caring to look around.
"Tell me then," Magwitch prompted, "what did you hear?"
"Well, It'd do the village in. I was having a pint, minding my own business too. Then they came in and settled down just behind me. Wasn't much but I heard it. Caught my attention when fat-mouthed Sam asked him how he were going to handle it."
Albert leaned closer, "then he said: 'he should just stay away as the little snot weren't officially_"
"Ellana?" Billy asked placing his hand on her shoulder and dragging the young woman from her intense silence, her breath caught.
The inn hadn't gone completely silent, there was a low comfortable murmur. She saw out of the corner of her perceive how the three men whom she'd just been eavesdropping had paused to look at her.
Albert had an unreadable expression, his brows were furrowed slightly, any other time and Ellana would have told him to look elsewhere.
"I came looking for you," She recovered quickly.
"Me?" Billy asked and chanced a look at the three men after following her gaze, "I see, what am I needed for, is your mother alright?"
"Yes," Ellana replied, "one of the support beams look frail, she wants your opinion on it."
"I'll come now, you too," he said and helped her up, he seconded a glance at Albert, it was a dirty one.
"Did you hear what they were talking about?" Ellana asked him worriedly, "there's something weird going on with them."
"Just keep away from it Ellana, don't mind it." Billy told her, his face was terribly grim.
"Don't be like that," Ellana said, "you can trust me can't you? They said something about Sam, they must mean Crough."
"There is only one other Sam in the Village, Ellana so you're not wrong." Billy added conversationally.
Ellana rubbed her chin in thought, "Albert said 'they' were talking, it doesn't take an idiot to work out that they mean Elias, Billy."
"I know, I know."
"But you know what they mean don't you?"
Billy was quiet, "Just rumours Ellana, bad one's, these things kick off all th time. Idiots who'll get slapped one of the days."
"What rumours?"
"Just rumours," He replied with deep irritation.
"My husband to be is with those men, I demand to know what's going on."
"Listen," Billy paused and he glared fully at her, "I'm glad for you two, really but you're both still kids. Keep quiet and docile, forget it and just carry on with life."
He gave her a final glare, the type a wolf gives to silence his pups.
Ellana huffed indignanly, she wouldn't settle with that, she was curious, what's wrong with being curious?
She watched Billy wade through the snow, he was heading to her house and he didn't seem to look back for her.
There was only one way she could solve this and the best person for advice was Lillian. Lillian was married to Eugene and he was the biggest loud mouth in this whole settlement. She'd know something surely.
"I don't think it's anything important." Was all Lillian had to offer, "I think it could be something to do with the indians."
Lilly smiled brightly at Ellana, who was now sitting at the wooden table, Lilly offered her a bowl of something that looked like a watery type of broth and shook her head.
"It's a funny thing though mrs. Verdandi," Ellana prodded, " they were secretive about it."
"Rumours start out like that," Lilly offered kindly, "and their a horrble thing... rumours."
"What if it weren't a rumour though?" Ellana asked, "He said it would be bad for the village."
"It'd be bad for the people involved," Lilly agreed gravely, looking elsewhere.
"But there's no need to speculate. I think whatever has been said is said. It's not important, so just forget it while your still young."
"It could effect Jack though..."
"Ellana please," Lilly shook her head, "let it be. All things come when the time is right. Good or bad but now... lets forget it."
"That's what Billy said," Ellana replied deadpanned.
"Well, Billy is smart, doesn't get into trouble," Lilly seemed to think for a moment before chuckling, "much. Anyway," She sobered, "I'm tired, Jack will be back four days from now.. he said. Maybe you can discuss it with him?"
"Maybe," Ellana agreed, standing up from her seat, "thank you for the broth anyway. I'll see you around Mrs, Verdandi."
"Just call me Lilly sweetheart, everone does."
On that note, Ellana left, still curious with so many questions buzzing in her mind.
A day later as the sun shone it's last lights across the sky, Elias, Jack and the rest of the group were riding into the Ohnera Village. The first thing Jack saw that caught his eye was the great vast waster that seemed to disapear into the darkness.
He guessed that it must have been the biggest lake in the countrey. The sun was falling on the far end of it... wherever that was.
"That's the sea," Elias said.
Jack passed a glance at him. "The sea?"
"It goes on, to England... to other undiscovered places." The man shrugged and he kicked brennan forwards.
There were docks too! Massive boats that stood on the water. They were bigger than Jack's house, they would compare to the size of Burgess. His mouth was agape, Sam told him to close it else he'd catch flies.
Then there were the houses, rows and rows of wood. People sauntered around. There weren't many but Jack put that down to the fact it was night. Men armed with pointed weapons marched passed, all in a tight red uniform.
"You want to keep away from them," Ike advised as he rode to the side of Jack, "their trouble makers."
"What do you mean?" Jack asked innocently.
"Just a little disagreement by the colonists of England with those of France and Spain, pay no mind."
"Why doesn't the village know about it," Jack mused aloud.
"It'd cause panic for one and nobody is sure whether war would brake out, even if it did, Burgess is too far inland for it to affect them," Ike offered.
War, Jack pondered gravely, That'd be all Burgess would ever need.
"Well lets get moving, find a place to bed the horses and get some shut eye," Elias suggested with a cheery tone.
Timothy road alongside him, "come on, I've slept on the ground for two days now, your all holding me up from a good night's sleep."
They rode the horses down several streets. Elias knew exactly where he was going buyt Jack supposed that it was only to be expected. They usually did leave to come over this way every so often.
However, the dorm they lent wasn't as private as Jack previously thought. It was a simple open room at the top of stairs. Not exactly fancy, it reminded him of home, everything seemed so makeshift.
There was a smell of dampness, that came from the wood.
He lay away in a low bed.
Elias, Ike, Oliver and Sam had all stayed downstairs to buy drinks. They'd come stumbling up sometime, Sam was very intoxicated. Jack could hear his heavy steps and curses before he reached the top of the stairs. Elias was supporting him with one arm and Ike seened to be causing more damage then good as he sidled toward their appointed beds.
He supposed it was quiet comical in a way. Elias flopped down on his own. Rolling onto his back and kicking away his boots. He peered at a letter in the candle light and smiled to himself.
"Why are you so happy?" Jack asked in a bored fashion.
The man had to catch himself, he stuttered and pulled the letter away, "Wha? I thought you were asleep."
Jack chuckled dryly, "Couldn't with the amount of noise you were all making, Timothy was talking in his sleep, he's going to kill you."
"Oh he does it all the time..." Elias muttered and brushed his hand through his hair.
"So you get your darn horse tomorrow, I hope all this was worth it."
"Me too," Jack agreed.
"Don't you go buy a goat, that'd upset me."
Jack would have replied but Elias was fast asleep. He sighed to himself softly.
Nevermind.
The next day came far too quickly. Jack was still tired. He didn't want to get up but he did because everyone else had.
Sam Crouch was in a foul mood. If it were possible, he was in a worse mood than he usually was. He was especially angry when Isaac tipped his bed over and poured water over his face. So mad that he went to kill Ike, not literally but it was his original intention.
"Their like kids," Elias sighed to himself, rubbing his eyes and standing, up. "I'm going to head down."
The rest trudged after him but there was something that caught his eye. Elias had left something. It was the small letter from last night.
Elias must have dropped it when he spooked. Jack picked it up and noticed that the paper was lightly torn and paled.
I mustn't, Jack thought as he suddenly felt the urge to turn it over and read it.
"Hurry up," Timothy called from the bottom of the stairs to the inn.
Jack took a last glance of the letter, thinking to give it back to Elias and pocketing it quickly to retrieve his small bag that he left at the bottom of the bed.
He met Tim at the bottom of the stairs. The man stretched and almost purred, "That was a good sleep, all those idiots stayed awake till midnight."
Yeah... those idiots, Jack thought grudgingly.
"They've went straight on, I'll take you to the market and their going to meet us there."
"Where have they gone?"
"Oh, they go off to buy some stuff. Anything really s'long as it's cheap."
So Jack went to the market with Timothy. They saw all kinds of things. It made the tiny market at home look like a single stall. Here they sold cattle, pigs, chickens, horses and produce.
"wow," Jack smiled, "Is it like this everyday?"
"Not on a sunday, this is like a nearlly end of winter. These people need that last little bit of cash to get through the rest of this damned season," Timothy told him, "just Burgess but bigger really."
They passed all sorts of horses; bays, greys, blacks and a few piebalds but nothing that Jack really cared for. Timothy was starting to get a little worried that Jack wasn't going to even bother. They passed a man who begged for money and before Jack could think to slip his hand into his coin purse, Timothy led him away.
"You get a lot of beggars," He told him, "Don't give them money or they start to flock."
"But he had no money." Jack pointed out.
"His own fault, He could muck out a stable for someone, plenty of work if you look hard enough."
Jack wondered about that and realised that they were now at the end of all the stalls, "Haven't seen a single one you like?" Timothy asked, he looked annoyed.
"Out of all this?"
The market was too loud, people were shouting out bargains or to buy something. Jack frowned at them before Sam found them and waddled over. "we were just looking for you two," Sam huffed, "too cold to stand around."
"Jack ain't picked a horse," Timothy said, "we're going to have another walk through."
"Don't worry," Elias said and Jack turned around.
"We beat you to it, Jack," Oliver chuckled.
On the end of the rope that did not have elias on it was a fair sized horse. He stood at about 157 cm. He was a dappled grey with no particular markings. A decent lookin horse with a slightly concave body, a short and well defined jaw with a pronounced but improminent wither.
The horse looked keenly at Jack who stared blankly back.
"I saw him and he was already about to be sold, luckily the guy weren't that interested. He's a bit of a baby I suppose," Elias reported, "I'm not sure whether you want him or not."
"He's great, I think he's the right one, is he backed?" Jack asked robotically.
"Yes, hunted and everything. He's four so he's still a youngster, he's worked but he hasn't seen proper work yet. I instantly thought of you."
Jack wasn't sure whether he should take that as a compliment but he smiled anyway, "Thank you. How much-"
"Nothing, he's a nag, you might want to get another when you're a bit older."
"Nothing?"
"It's on me." Elias said firmly, refusing any means of payment, "Now go take him to the stables at the inn."
"Thank you so much, I don't know how I could repay you," Jack began to splutter.
"Please don't," Elias refused, "Go or he'll spoil in the cold."
"His jaw was thick and tight as if something were hurting him but Jaack nodded gratefully and led his new steed away.
"That's no nag," Timothy said after a moment.
"No," Elias sighed it's no nag."
Sue me, another cliff hanger :/ I know, I am very sorry it took so long to update. Any way Exams end after this second week and then it is just two weeks in June where I'll be dying. I'm current;y in a state because I don't know where I am going to find £100 to pay to keep my horse and I can't sell her because she's all I have. Not sure why life hates me so much at the moment :( Anyway I love you all. Please tell me your thoughts even if it is just to shout at me.
Review and rate please :)