The stone spear technique was finally formed. It was no longer than his arm held out before him, but at least it was there. The walk had been long. And they still had one more day to go, but he was grateful that Dariea allowed some time each day to train.

He calmed his breathing and steadied himself. The hare was not far away, though his vision was affected by the setting sun just over the ridge. He took one more deep breath and focussed his will on the animal. The spear flew at speed and sunk itself in the furry flesh.

He did not revel in the killing of the animal, but he was overjoyed at his progression so far. With Dariea’s contract still in place, he was starting to almost feel like himself again. Just as she said he would. It was the second time he had had to go through such a process, but it felt more familiar and more importantly faster this time.

“Good job. Now we will have something to offer those villagers when we ask for a room for the night.” Dariea had watched, though her enthusiasm had dulled a little after the several failed attempts to conjure the spear.

Jano grew nervous. They had almost no contact with others since escaping from Qursa. Dariea had bartered for some food and other supplies at the start of their journey, but Jano had been too weak to join her then.

“Come on. They are village folk and as long as we provide something of our own and don’t seek to take advantage, they will look after us.” Dariea seemed so confident in the whole affair that he felt that whatever happened it would work out.

As they got closer Jano saw the small torches burning at the end of small dusty paths. The houses were built in a bizarre triangle shape, with each part not quite level so that the entire structure looked a bit like a scowl. Each house had a path which led to their own patch of field. In the dying sunlight a cascade of soft brown and yellow crops swayed in the breeze. It was an idyllic sight and yet entirely aliens to Jano.

“Beautiful isn’t it?” Dariea said.

“Is everything outside of the Empire like this?” He asked.

Dariea offered a soft laugh. “If only.”

They walked into the village and found some of the folk looking at them with strange looks full of suspicion. “Don’t worry, they look at all strangers like that.” They walked past an older looking woman, with tanned skin from working the fields. Dariea looked back at Jano. “She probably looks at everyone like that.”

Jano looked at the thatched roofing as they passed one of the larger buildings in the village. “Who did you say that you knew here?” Jano asked.

A stout man with a long beard and a kind face rounded the corner of the larger building. He was carrying a hoe and his clothes were muddy and worn. Dariea grabbed the hare from Jano and threw her arms in the air. “Alderman Thierry, I have brought dinner and company in exchange for a night stay in your humble abode.”

“Now I’m pretty sure that the last time that I saw you, I told you not to come back. There’s only so much that our little village can take.” The alderman looked at Dariea seriously enough that Jano tensed up.

He put the hoe down and walked forward before bursting into laughter. The door opened and a woman screamed. “Dariea!? Is that you? Thierry, you didn’t tell me you were expecting company!”

“I didn’t know! She just turned up.”

The woman and the alderman both exchanged hugs with Dariea and exchanged quick conversations that Jano couldn’t quite catch. They spoke in the nature that only long lost friends can do. After a short time, Thierry took the hare from Dariea and headed inside.

“Jano come here.” Dareia said, still trying to stop herself laughing.

“Jano this is Millie. She and Thierry are very old friends from back in Molinia.” She ushered him forward and he walked forward sheepishly. “Millie, this is Jano. He helped me while I was back in Qursa. And we are heading to Molinia to brief them on the situation.”

——

“Life is simpler here. There’s no real politics to worry about, no warring factions. The only thing we have to worry about is the crops and how much we will be able to sell them for at the Molinia markets.” Millie said.

“Which isn’t much mind you.” Thierry said with a grimace.

“It is enough for us.” Millie replied as she smacked Thierry on the arm and began to serve some of her husband’s hare stew. Jano welcomed the hot food. Spices drifted through the room and he sat forward to receive his portion. Millie smiled as she dished out the food her husband had so generously prepared.

He wriggled a little in his new clothes, the clean fabric nestled against his skin and wrapped him in a soft warmth. Having each taken a portion of the stew, they sat around the solid wooden table with the lit hearth providing a relaxing backdrop. Jano took a bite and felt the last of the anxiety of the road slip away.

He wasn't entirely comfortable relying on the strangers, but it was better than a makeshift shelter in the elements amongst the creatures lurking amongst the shadows.

“So, that’s it then. It will be war between Molinia and the Empire?” Alderman Thierry asked after the group had enjoyed a few moments of silence while they ate. Jano felt a little of that anxiety creep back into the pit of his stomach. Dariea had filled in her old friends while they had prepared dinner.

Once again, Millie smacked her husband on the arm. “We are eating. We don’t have to discuss this at the table you twit.” Dariea chomped the last of her mouthful down.

“Probably. But that depends on the next steps of both parties I suppose. The Emperor has been bullish in his approach to any kingdoms which are even remotely close to Qursa. I can’t imagine he will relent now.”

“There have already been skirmishes just west of here. Some of our village’s crops were caught up in the last attack. Though we managed to drive the scouting party away.” Theirry said.

Jano listened intently, but he was confused. Why was the Empire sending scouting parties to places like this? He knew that there was occasionally fighting, reports would filter through the Slums via the taverns and inns about the latest enemy of the Empire. But they were always fought far away, and never by people from the city. Or not that he knew.

“As far as this?” He heard himself say out loud. Though he had not been intending to add to the conversation.

“Sure. They’ll come as far as they need to gather supplies.” Thierry said with half a spoonful of food sliding down his throat. “You’d think those so-called Mage’s would bring enough for themselves. There are plenty of ways to expand carrying capacity.”

“They are travelling light. Their purpose is to cause a nuisance and maybe even provoke an attack.” Dariea said. Eradin has used the same tactics for years.

“Well I wish he would leave us alone. He’s got more than enough space already. Why could he possibly need more?” Millie said rhetorically.

“Power. He simply seeks as much of it as he can get. And if anything, it has gotten worse as time has gone on.” Dariea responded.

“Well I hate to be the one to tell you Da. But the different factions in Molinia are just as divided as ever about the path forward. The army is still not allowed near the homeland.” The alderman pulled a face. “It’s all very political again up there. So brace yourself.” He smiled sardonically.

Mille moved away from the table. Jano looked down at his food and finished it off. Political? The words popped into his head. Do they mean disagreement? The concept was somewhat alien to him, after all the Emperor’s word was law in Qursa. A loud popping noise sounded off at the back of the room. “Well anyway, we don’t need to think about that now. I’m sure our guests here would prefer to chat about more light hearted matters. And to fill their stomachs with this vintage I have been holding onto for such a special occasion.”

Soon enough, a cup made of horn was thrust into his hand. The rich spiced smell emanated from the cup. Jano took a long drink and it was instantly refilled by Millie. She thrust the bottle into the middle of the table and drew out a deck of well worn cards.

“Let’s play a few games for old times sake shall we?” She shouted with a joy filled voice. Dariea clapped her hands to the table and joined in. Jano clocked eyes with Thierry, who began to laugh.

“I think we best do as we are told.”