Shadows of Home

by James R. Vernon

  "Out for a walk," she called back. "If I'm stuck here for the night, I'm not going to spend it just sitting around."

  She turned her back on him and let whatever else he said get swallowed by the noise of the crowd. Why was the man so stubborn? She used to be able to get her way eventually, but now that he had Shay backing up most of his opinions when it came to taking a more cautious approach to catching Ean, Ezzy rarely won against him. It was beyond frustrating.

  Pushing the front doors open, she almost smacked them right into Shay.

  "Where are you going?" The crimson woman said it almost exactly as Nolan had.

  "Out for a walk."

  "I could join you. We should--"

  "No, I need some time to cool off." When Shay gave her a quizzical look, Ezzy waved back inside. "A disagreement with Nolan. I'm sure he can fill you in."

  Not waiting for any further questions, Ezzy walked out into the street and away from the inn. She walked a few circuits of the nearby streets until she was sure Shay wasn't silently stalking her and then headed for her real destination. Thankfully, the general store was still open, and with the little amount of coin she possessed, Ezzy purchased a few days rations and a thick blanket. She moved down a few side streets so as not to go anywhere near the inn and eventually made it to the west side of town where Paz was waiting for her. She ordered her Vithalos to place her on his shoulders and then the two marched off at a brisk pace down the road towards the Skyfall Mountains and the path through them to Rottwealth.

  She had promised Shay that she wouldn't try to take Ean's life, but she never promised her teacher that she wouldn't face him alone.

  Chapter 14

  Despite Ean being the town pariah long before his association with the Abyss, and despite the years of being bullied, dirty looks, and general avoidance by most of the people of his village, returning home to Rottwealth lightened some of the tension in his shoulders and back. Spending almost two decades of your life in a place garnered some affection.

  Coming down out of the path through the mountains, he took a moment to look across the valley that had been his home; the empty span of grass hills by the mountains, the one-story wooden homes with the mayor's garish inn poking out above the rest, the plowed fields left to fallow in the north and south, and the marsh to the west with the mountains rising again behind it. The one thing missing was Old Cleff's home on the outer reaches to the west of the village—the place where Ean had grown up. Wild, growing grass covered the spot where the two-story home had been; a few stones were left over from the house’s foundation, peeking out from under the overgrowth visible from even this far away. His childhood home was barely a memory.

  The marsh and the mines were where he and his companions called home now.

  "What a pathetic little village," Azalea said from his side. "In hindsight, I wish we had brought you back from death somewhere a little nicer."

  "Azalea..."

  Snaking an arm around his, she locked their elbows and pulled him close. "I suppose it’s not that bad. In the mines. At least there, I only have to run into the occasional human chipping away at the walls in search of something to sell."

  "Depending on how difficult Mayor Erikson decides to be, we might have a few more guests for a while."

  Glancing back, Ean took in the sight of the people gathered behind him. Seven families, ranging from a newly-married couple to a group that consisted of three generations of members, struggled along the path that sloped down out of the mountain. Their worldly possessions were all tucked tightly away in the packs on their back or on the two carts that one family had shared with the rest. Paige was amongst them, hard to pick out amongst the throng of people wrapped up in their cloaks to protect themselves from the season's chill. Ean had tried approaching her twice during their journey but she had been quick to dismiss him.

  Those faces he could see wore the sagging frowns and drooping eyes of the exhausted as they looked out to the valley and cast the occasional glance Ean's way. He hadn't pushed them hard on the two-day journey, but there were children and a few elderly amongst the families who came with those who had been touched. Even with Ean and Azalea's help, they had needed to pause multiple times both days of the journey to allow people to rest.

  And their journey still wasn't over. Ean would pay to rent out the rooms of the Golden Coin, but by itself, there was no way the modest inn would house all twenty-five people he brought with him even if it sat empty, which was doubtful with the increase in visitors since Mayor Erikson opened up the village to the outside world. The mayor would certainly gouge the price of the rooms as soon as he learned that Ean was covering the bill. Hopefully, Jaan had kept most of the money the mine made for them in the season he had been gone.

  The rest would have to take up space in the mines. It would be an adjustment, to say the least. Humans and creatures from the Abyss, living underground, the weight of the mountains pressing down on them. It had taken Ean some time to get used to that oppressive feeling, but he had been forced to endure it. The people he was bringing in wouldn't be held inside by Auz, like he had been. At least if they felt the weight of the place becoming a strain, they could get out for a time. Hopefully, by this point, the creatures from the Abyss had gotten used to humans moving amongst them as well. If not, Ean would have to allot the Crux to keep an eye on things.

  But one thing at a time. Best to focus on the immediate future, which involved getting the people out of the mountain pass and giving them a few more reassuring words—and warnings.

  Once they reached the bottom of the path, and the dull green of the grass became more prevalent than the tans and browns of the rocks, Ean stopped the group and addressed the crowd.

  "Welcome to Rottwealth. Please keep in mind everything we've talked about during the trip here. As far as the local residents are concerned, you've all decided to move here for one reason or another. Whatever reason you wish to give is up to you, just don't mention anything having to do with the Abyss.

  "Our first stop will be the inn to see how many of you can be set up with rooms. As we've discussed, those rooms will go to those of you with young children, infants, and the elderly. After we see what's available at the town's inn, I'll take the rest of you back to the mine and work out living arrangements there. They won't be the best conditions, but please keep in mind, they are only temporary until we can have homes built for all of you.

  "Are there any questions?"

  Tired eyes stared back at him. When no one spoke, Ean turned back around and led them towards town.

  Stepping across the grassy fields with the village looming ahead, the weight of what he was doing started to press down on Ean's shoulders. Rottwealth was a small village to begin with, and he had just brought in close to a fifth of the current population. These people needed to be fed and sheltered, and while the sheltered part he had tentatively worked out in his head, Ean hadn't given much thought to how the village was going to feed that many extra mouths during the coldest season of the year. He hadn't even bothered to ask what any of those he had brought with him did for a living. Would they be able to support themselves here? Would they be competing with people of the same skills that had lived here for generations? Would the people of Rottwealth even except them, or would they be forced to fend for themselves and have Ean cover the things they needed?

  Then there were all his responsibilities for the creatures living in the mines.

  Ean was so focused on his worries that he almost didn't notice when the grass that ran alongside the road gave way to the well-trodden dirt that surrounded the homes of Rottwealth. It wasn't the change of scenery or the Golden Coin Inn towering over him though that brought him out of his reverie. It was the feeling of the dozens of eyes that watched as he led his motley crew into town. A main street that should have been clear while most families were at home eating dinner was lined with people watching them approach. A good amount of those were sitting on the inn porch, which the mayor had expanded
since Ean was last home. What had been wide enough for a few loungers to lean against the railing now held small tables with enough room for four people with space to spare. For a cold night, a good amount of those tables were full, and each person watched them approach.

  To Ean's surprise, not all the faces he saw as he walked down the main street of Rottwealth showed open hostility. If he could be so bold, some even looked friendly. He received a half smile from Helen Strane, one of the servers at the Golden Coin. Dann Granstan, a local farmer, gave him a quick, barely noticeable nod. It was more than acknowledgment than the man had given him during the almost two decades he had lived in Rottwealth before leaving. In fact, a majority of the people seemed to cast curious glances at the people behind him, but to Ean...was it acceptance? Maybe even respect?

  "Well, look who's back." Of course, the one voice that could dampen Ean's mood would be the first he would hear. The mayor walked out from behind a group of people gathered on the porch of his inn, his expression sour enough to curdle milk. "The great and powerful Ean Sangrave."

  Ignoring the man's tone, Ean approached the porch stairs. "Mayor Erikson, I'm glad you are here. I wanted to--"

  "Of course, I'm here. I take my position as the figurehead of our village very seriously. I don't just run off, leaving my responsibilities behind, on the slightest whim."

  Ean refused to take the bait. "As I was about to say, the group behind me were hoping to move here to Rottwealth. Until acceptable homes can be built, I was hoping to rent out as many of your rooms as you can give to those with children and the elderly. I'll pay whatever the usual rates are until acceptable homes can be built for all of them. Do you have anything available?"

  "Of course I have rooms available. This is an inn after all."

  "Great. Then how many can I rent?"

  "None."

  "None?" It was a simple word, but for some reason, Ean was having trouble grasping its meaning. "But you just said--"

  "That I have rooms available. Not that I would rent them to you or anyone you happen to bring to town."

  "But as I said, I'm willing to pay."

  "And I don't need your money. I'd rather have an empty inn than take a single coin from you."

  Ean was finding it hard to suppress his anger towards the stubborn man. "I'm not asking you to do it for me. I'm sure I can handle housing a good number of these people in the mine for the time being, but a damp cave is hardly the place for the elderly and children amongst them."

  "Then send them all back from where they came. Just because you've taken our mine doesn't mean you can--"

  One of the men near the mayor placed a hand on his arm. "Mayor, look at these people. Some of them look like they are barely on their feet."

  "If Ean is willing to pay, what does it matter?" another asked, moving to the mayor's other side. "You're the one who said we should stop being so isolated from the outside world. If that's the case, how can we turn people in need away?"

  Erikson Sr. wavered. "Because they are his people..."

  "I don't have people," Ean replied. "But if I can help these people, I will."

  The mayor stared at Ean. He stared at the people gathered on his porch, slowly taking in the people Ean had brought. He also noticed the slowly increasing crowd of Rottwealth's citizens coming out of their homes to see what was going on.

  "Fine," he finally said. He cast a forced smile on the crowd of Rensen refugees. "I can handle hosting the children and elderly. Not wanting to break up families, I can take in their relatives as well. But no more than that. I have to leave some of the rooms open for the traders and peddlers who come through. The rest will have to stay in your mines."

  To Ean's surprise, he took no satisfaction from the mayor actually conceding. All he felt was a great rush of relief. "Thank you."

  "Don't thank me. Just pay me." Erikson made a waving gesture behind him. "Helen?"

  The woman appeared at his side. "Yes, Mayor Erikson?"

  "I'm placing you in charge of this group. I want everything documented. Every room occupied, every loaf of bread eaten, even the tiniest expense that these people incur. It's your responsibility to record everything so their benefactor," he paused long enough to give a backhanded-wave in Ean's direction, "is accountable for every last coin."

  "Of course, sir."

  "Good. Then I'll leave you to it. Just being in that man's presence for this long has made me need a strong drink."

  Without saying anything further, the mayor pushed through the double doors leading into his inn. Ean was happy to see him go. The people he brought needed to feel comfortable here. They didn't need to see Ean fighting with the mayor. And there was plenty more still to be done.

  Helen disappeared for a moment, hurrying into the inn and quickly returning with a small, leather-bound ledger. Fanning through the pages, she stopped at the first fresh page and placed the tip of her pencil to the paper. "Shall we begin then?"

  ***

  By the time everything was settled, dusk had covered the valley. Ean was happy with the results. All but seven of those he had brought from Rensen, Paige amongst them, would be living at the inn. They all stayed at the inn for dinner; each man, woman, and child received a full meal and had some time to rest, mixing in with the citizens of Rottwealth and filling all the tables of the common room. Weariness from the road and the awkwardness of being somewhere new seemed to melt away as stomachs were filled with steaming food, and for the adults, there were strong drinks. Warm milk was provided for the children, which led to a majority of them spread out on benches and by the fire fast asleep despite the noise of the Rensen and Rottwealth people intermingling. With everyone properly fed and given time to relax, Ean left with his companions, Paige, and the other six.

  By this point, night had completely descended on the village. Where just a few years ago, the village had been left to the darkness of the night, now small lanterns lined the main road. Their small lights did little to fight off the darkest time of the night, when the sun had set and the three moons had yet to make an appearance in the sky, but they provided enough so Ean's group did not have to bumble about in the dark as they headed to the west edge of the village.

  To Ean's surprise, instead of the village's road ending at the last house, it continued on and seemed to lead to the mines. A new extension of pounded dirt, complete with small torches to light the way, led right past the marsh and the old foreman's building that sat in front of the mine entrance. In the low light of the torches, Ean couldn't see anything out in the marsh, but that didn't mean he couldn't feel the Vunvuanima named Sinar swimming about below the surface. He was curious to see how much work the little water elemental had done to clean up the murky waters while he had been gone. That would have to wait until the following morning.

  "The mine is closed for the night!" a gravelly voice said, cutting through the relative quiet of the evening. "Turn around and return to the village or else harm will come to you."

  Not the warmest welcome. Ean stepped forward, hoping that what he guessed was one of his Crux might recognize him. "It's Ean. I've returned."

  An uncomfortable pause followed his words. Something large shifted in the darkness just inside the mine entrance.

  "Prove yourself."

  Not knowing what else to do, Ean rolled up his sleeves and took in more Abyssmal energy into his body. His tattoos flared to life, casting an azure glow over the area. The Crux a few feet ahead of him came into view; a towering creature, its maize skin covered in tiny bumps from its bulbous head to its four massive arms that stuck out of its leather armor, and down to its bare feet.

  The fact that it spoke human meant this particular Crux was more than likely Lotrug.

  "Is that enough to prove who I am, Lotrug?" Ean was happy to see the Crux nod in recognition.

  "Zin arrived earlier and told us you were coming, but I had to make sure. You must speak with Jaan. He has been eagerly awaiting your return since--" It was strange to see the unwavering re
solve usually present on a Crux face replaced with one of concern.

  "What's wrong?"

  "The Heart, it no longer sheds its light." The crux made it sound like a death sentence. "The entire mine has fallen into darkness."

  Chapter 15

  Auz, are you there?

  Nothing.

  Ean had just started getting used to having conversations with the strange, floating orb in his head. Of the presence reading his thoughts and replying even when Ean hadn't been interested in the object's opinion. When had Auz gone silent? He couldn't think of the last time he had heard from it. Its silence now, especially with Ean so close to the Heart, put the tiniest seed of worry deep in his gut. After all, Auz had been the catalyst for his resurrection. If something had happened to it, what would that mean for Ean? For that matter, what would it mean for their little lair and all those creatures that he had summoned through the gigantic sphere?

  "Alright, Lotrug." Ean waved the crux ahead into the mine. "Let's go. Azalea, can you take--"

  The Yulari cut him off before he got any further. "No, no, no. I'm not babysitting your charity case."

  "Azalea!" Ean shot a quick glance at the seven people from Rensen. Thankfully, they all seemed too focused on the massive, four-armed Lotrug to have heard the slight. "I'm not asking you to...listen, I just need you to find them a place to stay. Maybe get some of the imps working on mining out a few new rooms if none are available."

  "Yeah, not happening. The human-speaking crux can handle all that after he takes both of us to see Jaan. I am one of your advisors, after all. I should be there to hear the news, especially since you know that Zin is more than likely waiting with Jaan for your arrival. That slimy little imp will throw it in my face if I'm not there; plus, he'll probably give you bad advice on what to do as well. For your well-being, I have to be there to hear what's going on."

  "Fine. Fine. Let's just go." Turning to the Rensen group, Ean waved them on. "This way." The seven men and women continued to stare at Lotrug. Ean only knew one of their names. "Paige, can you get the rest of your group moving into the mines?"