by Duane Alston
“You know how this place is. Someone must have seen you yesterday or the day before, some hunter or whatnot, and the word spread. That's how I knew, and if I knew then the town guidance man knows, and if he knows, then he sent word down the road and on and on. Word has it that Fog Warriors may be on their way and you know we haven't seen Fog Warriors since the Great War, so it has been enough to scare the life out of this town and they blame you folks.” Cleary shrugged his shoulders when he finished, as if in explanation for their actions. Jalaby looked at each of his companions to see how they took to the idea of Fog Warriors being around, since they were the goblins of their childhood and instinctively brought fear to most Onan people. To Jalaby's relief, they seemed unconcerned, but he avoided asking Cleary about their existence.
“Who and what is the town guidance man?” Jalaby asked Talisbon but Cleary quickly answered.
“Oh, he's the little bit of government we do have way out here on the frontier. He takes his cut of the taxes and levies and sends the rest back to that damn Langmaster family. A fellow can hardly make a living nowadays.” Though Jalaby wasn't used to being a Langmaster and had no concept of what was occurring on this side of the Crieton River, the attack on his family name momentarily irritated him. Talisbon turned and caught a glimpse of the irritation on Jalaby's face, before he could compose himself.
“OK, as long as there is no present danger from these mythical Fog Warriors, let's get settled for the night. We're all tired and hungry and we can talk while we eat. Our horses also need seeing to.” Jalaby spoke quickly and with authority but the man looked at Talisbon, who gently nodded before Cleary moved to take Jalaby's horse.
“What would you like first Jalaby, quarters for the night or something to eat?” Talisbon said graciously.
“Quarters!” Shouted Sarah before he could respond.
“Quarters Mr. Miller. Then we'll take you up on that offer to show us the best place to eat.” Jalaby said laughing.
“Right this way then. Brockman's boarding house should do us fine.” He turned and led them back up the main street that had now noisily returned to what was probably the state prior to their coming into town. The folks were noticeably more relaxed now, but looked wary. Talisbon nodded and greeted several, who begrudgingly smiled back and parted the way to let them through to a large porch area just off the walkway. Brockman's Inn was painted in large letters on a tall facade above the front of the building.
Just as they entered the front door, Jalaby, who came through behind Talisbon, felt vibrations and burning from the stone around his neck and it made him stumble forward pushing Talisbon forward as well.
“Sorry,” he managed to say as he grabbed Talisbon to keep himself from falling.
Talisbon eyed him suspiciously for a moment and then smiled.
“That's OK Jalaby, no harm done,” and moved away towards the front desk.
“You OK,” asked Sarah, with Tom's and Connel's expressions reflecting the same question.
“It's this stone again. Sometimes it feels like it's burning a hole in me, but it never leaves a mark. Anyway, it's vibrating a bit. There are too many people around to discuss it here. Let's wait until later.” Jalaby said quietly and moved to join Talisbon at the front desk, where a heavy set lady had appeared from the office just behind her.
“Talisbon! It's been a long time since you've been here! About time too, cause I need the business. Rumor has it you're traveling with special people and it has caused quite a stir.” she said conversationally but with a hint of question.
“Margery, these are old acquaintances of mine from the old country; they arrived for a visit and I'm going to show them all over. You know that old mill of mine, it's no place for entertainment, so we have come here first and then we'll head east tomorrow. Anything happening?” Talisbon finished smoothly.
“Well, just so happens, there's a dance tonight and you are welcome to come and bring your guests. We have a fine local group with grand fiddling and everything. I'm sure the young lady would like to attend, there's nothing like a dance to make the young ones happy. Shall I tell folks you'll be there?” She finally finished and it reminded Jalaby of Talisbon's use of long sentences. It would be interesting to see who would outlast who in a conversation contest, but Jalaby thought on the other hand he'd rather miss that experience.
“We have to go to the dance or Sarah will whine the whole rest of the trip,” Tom said lightly as Sarah smiled and nodded.
“OK, Talisbon, we'll be going,” said Jalaby smiling as well.
Margery looked from Talisbon to Jalaby as if trying to determine the relationship. She finally turned and began to hand out room keys, while at the same time telling them how they'll have a great time and if they want a good meal before the dance, they should try the new place down the street called Farmer's Feedbag. In the end, they all agreed to meet downstairs an hour before the dance, so they could eat first.
Margery then shouted as Sarah was starting up the stairs, “And Sarah, if you need a dress, I have plenty left over from my four daughters who are now married, so come back down when you want and we'll pick something out.”
With a big smile, Sarah shouted her enthusiastic reply and ran up the stairs.
The boarding house was somewhat run down, but clean and Jalaby was exhausted. Upon entering his small room, he stretched out on the bed just to relax a bit before taking a shower, but he dozed off. The next thing he remembered was the pounding on the door and Tom's voice echoing down the hall.
“Come on you dancing fool, wake up in there.”
“OK, just a minute.” Jalaby's voice was groggy as he let Tom through the door.
“Hey you're fifteen minutes late already and everyone's downstairs. Are you alright?” Tom finished with a note of concern in his voice.
“Yeah, just tired. You go ahead, I have to take a shower and I'll meet you at the, ah, Feedbag.”
“You're right about the shower bro. Whooowee! No one's going to want to dance with you, so you better get at it and hurry or Sarah's going to be up here. I had a hard time keeping her from rousting you out. She's either worried about you or just itching to get to the dance. Can't figure her out. OK, catch you later.” Tom finished and before Jalaby could reply, was out the door.
Ten minutes later Jalaby was making his way down the street in the direction Margery had given him. It wasn't quite dark yet but the sun was low and a cool breeze blew from the north. The street was near empty with just an occasional soul sitting in a rocker or bench outside a store or house. It was a peaceful setting and Jalaby was thinking that it was a nice town, full of nice people, just like many of the folks he had left across the Crieton River. He entered the brightly lit dining room of the Feedbag and immediately saw his group in the corner. Despite his effort at nonchalance, his eyes kept drifting to Sarah as he walked towards them and her eyes were looking straight into his. She was wearing a beautiful green dress that looked extremely well with her dark red hair.
“Hello everyone,” Jalaby greeted them rather shyly as he sat down.
“'bout time too,” laughed Tom. “You're smelling better now and I see you've had a change of clothes too. You are looking smart!” Tom seemed energized and Sarah was smiling and laughing as well. Jalaby was used to Tom's barbs and smiled back pleasantly.
“I think we all needed a bath at this point in our adventure.” Jalaby said.
“Hey what about that stone, is it giving you any problems?” Tom blurted out and immediately they all turned toward Talisbon.
Talisbon leaned forward towards Jalaby. “You have the Stone of Crieton?” His eyes did not leave Jalaby's and they stared at each other for some moments before Jalaby answered.
“Yes.” Jalaby said simply and after a minute hesitation Talisbon replied.
“That is indeed good fortune for all of us. Trust in the stone and it will let you know what you are up against and give you time to prepare or time to flee, depending on your circumstance.” Talisbon sa
id quietly and remained looking at Jalaby as if searching for a glimpse of the stone.
“Well, to be honest, I am not totally sure how it works. It does tingle upon occasion and once in a while it can be quite active. Do you know how it works?” Jalaby, although not quite sure of Talisbon, was hoping to draw some information out of him that might be useful in the use of the stone.
“No, not exactly, the only information I have is from talking to others. I have no direct knowledge, nor have I ever seen the stone before.” Talisbon hesitated and Jalaby knew he wanted him to display the stone, but Jalaby wasn't going to oblige him, so Talisbon continued.
“Well, from what I understand, as you continue to wear the stone, it and you become more, let us say, in tune with each other. From the stories I've heard, it can not only warn you of approaching danger, but sometimes indicates deep feelings such as fear or even love.”
As Talisbon finished, Jalaby looked at Sarah and she looked back directly into his eyes with a slight smile on her face. He was unaware of how the others took the information, but Tom broke in.
“Well that's handy Jalaby, you won't know if you're afraid of my sister or in love with her!” Tom chuckled as he finished, but only Connel laughed out loud and Sarah and Jalaby seemed to turn red in unison and glanced away from each other. Regaining his composure, Jalaby started to continue his questioning but the food came that they had initially ordered when they first sat down.
After the server left Jalaby continued speaking. “Well, I don't see how useful this is going to be if I can't judge the level of danger.”
As they ate, Talisbon tried to answer Jalaby's question between mouthfuls.
“Best I can understand, sometimes it is quite obvious especially with extreme or impending danger, but danger from, let's say, an untrustworthy person or someone who is out to deceive you, then it is not quite so clear cut. That, I understand, takes practice and can only be gained by experiences as you wear the stone. You must recall the situation where the stone has reacted and learn from it. That is about all I know and most of that is second hand.”
Jalaby thanked Talisbon and they finished their meal in humorous conversation, thanks to Tom. But Jalaby did not particularly like Tom's humor, especially when as they rose to leave, he took Connel's arm and put it through Sarah's. He said, since he was Sarah's chaperon that it was time Connel got some time with Sarah, because Jalaby has been hogging all her free time. Jalaby just smiled and they all laughed, but Jalaby was very aware of Sarah and envious of Connel as the two walked arm and arm in front of him, heading for the dance.
Chapter 16
As the group rounded the corner of the street that they had been directed to, it was easy to find the hall in which the dance was to be held. The dead-end street actually ended with the hall at the very end. If that wasn't enough, it was brightly lit and had banners all across the front. Dozens of people milled about the entrance and the drone of their conversations began to get louder as Jalaby’s group approached. Based on their previous experience entering the city with the quiet stares as they rode past, Jalaby was expecting the same treatment as they neared the group at the entrance, but was pleasantly surprised because Margery Brockman, the owner of the boarding house where they were staying, was now right in front of them on the steps and her booming friendly voice was heard above the crowd.
“Well there you are. Everyone, everyone, listen up! I want to introduce you to some friends of mine who have been on the road for many days and I want some welcome out of all of you and some dances for the gentlemen and lady.” They all cheered around her and Jalaby heard several men say that there would be no problem with dancing with such a beautiful girl. With that welcome, they entered the hall.
The hall for the dance was a large room with seats and tables all along the outside walls and a dance floor in the middle. At the far end was a fiddle band setting up and to Jalaby's surprise, there was Cleary, who they had just met at the stables, tuning his fiddle with a group of about ten musicians. Jalaby's group drifted to the far end led by Tom, who wanted to be as close to the band as possible, since bands and music had always been an interest with him. It wasn't long until the hall was filled with conversation and laughter. A well dressed gentlemen took a spot in front of the band and after quieting down the room with a wave of his hands, he began with a booming voice.
“As Mayor I welcome you to this year's harvest dance. We have had a particularly good year and even the Guidance Man, Bill Scholly, approved of this year's production numbers.” With that pause, a wave of boos thundered across the dance hall making Jalaby and his group jump. All the eyes of the town folk turned toward a small round man who sat on the other side of the room near the band. The man just kept his eyes on the Mayor.
“OK, OK, hold it down. I will take the advice you gave me regarding last year's speech and keep it short. The only last thing I want is to welcome the small group of travelers staying with Margery, welcome,” and with that he waved towards our group and the room applauded. “OK, start the music!” As if already ready for this cue, the band immediately began a lively fiddle tune and the rush began. Before Jalaby could get to his feet, Connel had whisked Sarah to the dance floor and Tom was headed for a group of young ladies. Jalaby stood disappointed since he really only wanted to dance with Sarah but realized that he should at least be sociable. He slowly moved in the direction that Tom headed to asked someone to dance. They continued dancing tune after tune, but there always seemed to be a large crowd of young men in line to dance with Sarah and especially a tall dark haired sturdily build man, who had had several dances and applied for more. Finally, Jalaby had enough of waiting behind the others and just as the tall man requested another dance, Jalaby spoke loudly from the back of the group.
“Sarah, if you don't mind, can I have at least the next dance?” With that the crowd seem to part, with the exception of the tall man, and Jalaby walked up to Sarah and she smiled at him as the tall man spoke.
“I'm sorry, but I already have this dance.” He said flatly with a stern look on his face.
“I'm sorry too, but from what I have seen, you have had about a half a dozen dances already and it is time some other folks have their chance to dance with Sarah. So please step aside.” Jalaby could feel his stone strongly tingling, but did not know what it could mean as he faced the young man of about Jalaby's age. They had all worn swords as was the custom, even at the dance, but Jalaby did not believe it would come to that.
“No, I will not give way and -” Sarah broke in.
“Now wait you two. Don't ruin the evening. Jalaby this is Kent Watermaker, he is the head of the local militia. Kent this is Jalaby Stebon.”
“It does not matter who he is. In this part of the world you can't just barge in and claim a dance with no respect for those around you. For my honor and the honor of our town, I must have some satisfaction,” and with that Kent Watermaker pulled his sword from its sheath, which made all those around him involuntarily jump and then voluntarily move far back from the three.
“You would fight and kill for a dance?” Jalaby said incredulously and looked at Sarah, who seem dumbfounded and stood with her mouth agape. Jalaby smiled at her slightly as he shrugged his shoulders in resignation. It all seemed so bizarre, most times in Bridgetown when logic was used, such as pointing out that someone had taken six dances to another who had taken none, folks would be reasonable, and if not the elders of the town stepped up to settle the dispute. It was odd here, they seemed quick to violence and there also seemed to be no authority figures around that wanted to become involved. Jalaby scanned the room and he could see the Mayor and others just standing and watching, well aware of the violent situation. Jalaby decided that perhaps he could just knock the sword from his hand or nick him slightly as they had sometimes done in the competitions back home.
“Tom, please take Sarah back out of harms way.” As Tom moved and began to pull Sarah away, Jalaby was vaguely aware of her screams of protest and that it
took the addition of Connel and Talisbon to finally move her back. He pulled is sword, which sent a murmur through the crowd.
Kent then suddenly brought his sword through a sweeping arc that came crashing down on Jalaby's sword, which blocked the blow, but it sent a tremendous jarring shudder through Jalaby’s body with a force that he had never felt before. It was at this point he realized that he was going to have to work hard to best this fellow, but he still felt this to be more a competition than a life and death struggle, so he would be careful not to hurt the fellow too much.
They continued striking back and forth as if taking turns, but there was a noticeable difference between the force of the blows that was evident to those watching. While town militia leader Kent's blows were hard and savage, Jalaby's blows were more often defensive in nature and were not of the same force which made Sarah scream from the side for him to fight harder.
“Jalaby, he will kill you! You must fight back! You must kill, if necessary!” The tears streamed down her face as she screamed with the realization that Jalaby could be killed. Her futile effort to grab a sword from anyone around was blocked by Tom, Connel and Talisbon, and that made her scream at them.
“What kind of friends are you! Stop this, stop this now!”
“Jalaby must be given an opportunity. He has not yet begun to fight. We will step in if needed.” Although there was some concern in Tom and Connel's faces, there was no real fear there.
“You idiots, this is not a competition like we have back home! This is real!” Sarah pleaded as the swords again made a tremendous clanging sound and they turned to see Jalaby roll across the room from the blow. This time Kent quickly followed up the blow and brought his sword down as Jalaby rolled. The sword bit into the wood dance floor and although missing the intended target, nicked Jalaby's arm sending a bit of blood over his white shirt.
