Liza and company could see a group of thatched houses clumped together as they walked down the hill. Kelna village was a small settlement composed of twenty households or so. The rolling hills surrounding the village were dotted with farmlands here and there, with the grove to the southeast being the only change in scenery.

Ben observed that most of the fields were of wheat or rye and couldn’t help but wonder if they didn’t have something like potatoes, or if perhaps they didn’t know about it. Potatoes would be easier to care for and give a much better yield.

As the group approached, they could see people from all ages working the fields. They were tanned, gaunt and somewhat muscular; probably the combination of hours of hard work under the sun and no proper nutrition to speak of.

Noticing their arrival, a young boy dropped his hoe, gave a wide smile and rushed to their encounter, leaving his work unfinished. His mother, who was not that far away from where he was working, scowled at the sight and shouted at the boy.

“What are you doing boy? Come finish your work or I’ll whoop your behind!”

“Later ma, we’ve visitors! Can’t let them just wander around the village now, can I? I’ve got to be proper like you taught me!”

“Oh you! Using my own words like that, I should really give you a trashing.”

The boy ignored his nagging mother and jumped over the animal fence. Liza smiled at the whole exchange, she found the scene wholesome and familiar. It warmed her heart.

“Hello travelers, welcome to Kelna Village! Are you guys staying overnight or just passing through? Oh my god, is that a monster? It looks like a snake! So cool! Are you guys adventurers? I’ve heard only adventurers can tame creatures like that! Awesome! Have you killed many monsters? Visited many places? Have you ever seen any dragons? Is it true that goblins kidnap children who have been bad? Or that if you enter an old forest and fell a tree you’ll be killed by the spirit of the woods?”

The boy spoke in quick succession, barely breathing in between sentences. He was letting loose all the questions that plagued his young mind. There was much curiosity about the outside world for youngsters stuck in small, rural hamlets.

“What’s your name lad?” asked Liza when the boy finally took a pause to breathe.

“It’s Jimmy miss. The other kids call me Jimmy the bold!”

“Hahaha, do they now? Well, Jimmy the bold, we need to talk with the elder of your village. Could you show us the way?”

“Sure thing! Follow me travelers!”

Jimmy led them down a beaten path between the fields to the center of the village. Along the way he asked many questions and would get a few answers in return. This happened not because Liza wasn’t inclined to respond, it was mostly because the young boy wouldn’t stop talking in all his excitement.

The boy stopped in front of one of the thatched houses. His mood did a complete reversal, as he solemnly knocked on the door. A wrinkled, ash haired old woman appeared. She was surprised to see the strangers and her gaze stopped on Boro for some time. Noticing they were calmly accompanying Jimmy, she turned to the boy.

“My, if it isn’t Jimmy! Playing hooky again, I gather?”

“Not true granny Isa! I’ve brought these fine adventurers that were looking for you here, see?”

“Oh, indeed you have! Now that they’re safe by my door your guidance is no longer necessary. Off you go, back to your chores.”

“Ok granny Isa, I’ll be on my way. Bye folks. Later you’ll have to tell me all about your adventures!”

They watched in silence as Jimmy (the bold) skipped back to the fields, a spring in his step. Soon he joined the rest of the villagers in preparing the soil for a new field, humming a catchy tune.

“Quite an energetic lad,” said Liza.

“Too energetic sometimes. Well, come in strangers, let me serve you some tea in the spirit of hospitality and hear why you’re looking for this old lady.”

“That would be wonderful. If it isn’t too much to ask, please prepare some for our serpent as well.”

The elder found it strange, but didn’t inquire any further, only nodding in consent. She sat them around the table and poured tea on their cups (or bowl, in Boro’s case) and offered them a few pastries. Being on the run this whole time, the group accepted the beverage and the chance to unwind with glee.

The old woman payed attention to their expressions the whole time, sipping her tea quietly and waiting to hear what they were going to say. The only things that could be heard for a while were the sounds of chewing and slurping. Finishing her tea, Liza grabbed the package Paul entrusted to her and set it on the table.

“I’m friends with Paul Auber and knowing I was traveling in this direction he asked me to deliver you this, elder…”

“Isadora. My, how wonderful! We were running low on medicine already, thanks for bringing this to us. Since you’re Paul’s friends that puts my old heart at ease. I can’t never thank him enough for all the help he gives us, please make sure to tell him that when you see him again.”

“I will.”

“You’ll be staying for the night, of course? Serving you dinner and giving you a warm place to sleep is the least I can do to repay you for the trouble of brining this package all the way here.”

Liza let out a long sigh and gave a wry smile.

“Truth be told I’ve a rather cumbersome request…”

“Oh? If it’s something I’m able to help with, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

“When we passed through Starfall we stirred some trouble with the local lord. Right now we’re considered fugitives on the run. We’d like to stay here for some time till things calm down.”

“This…”

Isadora was clearly shaken. Helping fugitives was a serious crime and the consequences, if found out, were more than harsh. The whole village would be convicted of treason and be put to death or sold into slavery. She was thankful for the help Paul always gave her, but this was no matter to be taken lightly.

“If it’s too much, let it be. We’ll rest here tonight and depart in the morning,” said Liza.

Isadora closed her eyes and drummed her fingers on the table, lost in thought. She remained like that for a long while before opening her eyes again. She gazed at each one of them and spoke with resolution.

“Paul asked you to bring us these medicines, that shows you’re more than just acquaintances. I know how much a box like this is worth, he wouldn’t just trust anybody to deliver it. It would be black hearted of me to ignore his dear friends in their time of plight.”

“Thank you so much!”

“It’s no trouble. There’s a cabin in the woods you can use as your residence. It belonged to the village hunter, but nowadays we just sow grains and the job of hunter is no more. It’s quite hidden away, so even if they come searching you’ll be safe.”

Liza and Ben were relieved to hear they could stay. They kept talking with the elder for a good chunk of the afternoon. Liza spoke about Paul and what was happening in the world and Isadora would share old tales and speak about oddities that happened in the village. It was a pleasant time, made much more precious after all the troubles they’d the last week or so.

“My, it’s sure good talking when people don’t complain you’re being long winded,” Isadora laughed, “but before we continue we better make sure everyone knows who you are and that they understand your circumstances.”

They exited the elder’s house and followed her to the village square. Though calling it a square was being generous, as it was more of a large clearing in the center of the village where the well and the alarm bell were located. Isadora grabbed the bell’s rope and swung it vigorously. A clear ringing sound echoed in the air, startling the villagers. They all dropped what they were doing and rushed to the square, looks of fear and anxiety stricken across many of their faces.

“What’s wrong elder? Are we under attack? Is it goblins? Bandits?”

“Calm down people, I rang the bell to call for an emergency meeting, we’re not under attack, be at ease.”

Isadora’s words soothed the villagers’ unease. When she saw everyone had arrived she began explaining the situation. At first the villagers were glad and thanked Liza’s group for bringing the medicine, but when they heard they were fugitives that would hide in Kelna for some time their smiles faded.

“Elder, I don’t want to sound ungrateful, but harbouring outlaws is a heavy crime! You could be dooming us all!”

“That’s right elder, please reconsider!”

“I don’t mind, they’re cool,” murmured Jimmy.

“You shut your mouth Jimmy, this is a matter for the grownups!” replied Jimmy’s mom.

“You don’t want to sound ungrateful? That’s exactly how you’re sounding like Jon! Would your son have survived his infirmities if it weren’t for the medicine that my good friend Paul gave us? No, he wouldn’t! And now that friends of his want our help all you’re gonna say is tough luck? Shame on you! Shame on all of you!”

Hearing the rebuke, most people dropped their heads and averted their eyes. Many lives were saved due to the medicines they received every year from the elder’s friend. If the circumstances were different they would help in a heartbeat, but the punishment for harbouring criminals was just too severe.

The villagers weren’t the only ones ashamed. Liza and Ben’s cheeks were also red. The feeling of forcing these ordinary people through such situation was unpleasant, but they had no better options at the moment.

“Besides, I didn’t ring the bell to ask for your opinion. I already made my decision as the village elder, I’m just telling you all about it. They’ll be staying and that’s the end of that. If anyone comes asking, just keep your mouths shut!”

It could be seen that the people of Kelna deeply respected the elder, because when she put her foot down on the matter no one complained anymore. Soon everyone dispersed in small groups, murmuring amongst themselves. A few people that were saved by Paul’s medicine in the past came to thank Liza personally before departing with everyone else.

“Are you sure it’s ok? They don’t look happy about it,” asked Liza.

“Don’t let it bother you, they’re crude folks that wear their hearts on their sleeves. Give it a few days. When they see that no one is coming to look for you they’ll forget about it,” said Isadora.

“But people could come looking for us…”

“I doubt it. From their perspective you could be anywhere about now, since so many days already came to pass. Unless you did something truly grave, they’ll just hang wanted posters or something of the sort.”

“Well…”