While Isaac was taking his lumps, I gathered the squad in the dusty clearing we had arrived in and informed them of Eldarion’s theory. I told them about the Avatars of Chaos and Order and the animal aspects and then left them with the tome to determine their own Avatars.

I climbed up onto the driver’s bench of Lisa’s wagon and watched as some of them poured through the book, talking excitedly, and others went back to their evening’s business. My stomach gave a low rumble and I went in search of Matthew.

I came upon him walking toward the small stable yard, “Ah Drake! I was just going to look for you,” he called.

“My belly told me to seek you out Matthew,” I replied.

“Let’s have ourselves a meal then, follow me.” He started around the side of the horse pen, following the wooden fence to a building with smoke billowing from a short chimney. Inside the building, sitting at a long, low table in the main room, Ezra and Bethany were having a meal together. I gave them a smile and a wave as I followed Matthew towards a door that presumably led to the kitchens. They were engrossed in conversation with each other and both gave half-hearted waves in return.

“Those friends of yours?” asked Matthew, as we passed through the door.

“Squadmates, yes.”

“Why was one of them dressed like a pirate?” Matthew wondered, grabbing two bowls from a stack on a table near the door and handing me one.

“He has issues, but he’s a good soldier. I’ll tell you more about it while we eat,” I said, watching him ladle broth into his bowl from a cauldron in the fireplace.

“Very well,” he responded, waiting while I filled my own bowl with the mix of meat and vegetable broth, “I know a place where we’ll have some privacy, come on,” he grabbed a hunk of fresh bread and pushed open a small door to the outside.

Crossing the small settlement, we came to large oak tree with a hut in the boughs, Matthew went around the back of the tree and I followed. Curling up the trunk was a stairway leading to the hut, walking up it and through the hut to a small front porch with two wooden chairs. Matthew plopped into one and gestured for me to take the other. He broke the bread loaf in two and passed half of it to me, after dunking his portion into his broth, he took a large bite. I settled into the other chair, it felt good to take my weight off of my leg and I tucked in with gusto.

From up here we could see the whole settlement and some of the surrounding forest, the setting sun turned the foliage a beautiful orange. There was a slight chill up in the tree and I was glad of the warm broth. We ate in silence for a few minutes before I began to speak. I told him everything and he listened attentively, only interrupting to ask for details when I was scant with them. I talked about what happened during my trip to Stronburg via caravan between sips of broth. I spoke at length of my time with the Wolf Hunt and what I had learned about what had happened to Ezra’s eye and how that led to his mental state. By the time I had come to what I remembered of our escape from Stronburg and subsequent arrival here, our food was gone.

“Kearse was a tough old man, I’m sorry to hear of his passing,” Matthews solemn tone was touching.

“Did you know him?” I asked.

“He and I met a few times,” replied Matthew, “Got into a few scraps.” With a flourish, he produced a previously hidden flask from somewhere on his person, “A toast is in order. A better fighter, drinker and tactician there never was. It’s my genuine hope that he found his deserved rest in the heavens.” He raised the flask high and drank deep, passing it to me while wiping his lips.

“He lead us well down here, may he continue to do so from up there,” I added, copying the gesture and drinking just as deep. The alcohol burning a fiery path down my gullet brought to mind the sensation that preceded my fiery exhalation in the cells beneath Stronburg and Kearse’s noble sacrifice. I was glad of the sting in the alcohol to give reason for the sudden moisture in my eyes. “That is strong!” I gasped.

“I got it from some Dwarven friends,” he winked, “Puts hair on yer arse.”

“You mean on your chest?” I said.

“Oh, sure. There too.” Matthew’s laugh lifted my spirits somewhat. Then, it was back to business. “I know I jokingly brought up that you were here to pay your debt to me, but now I need a real answer. Solomon and I are doing well enough here, but a real military unit would be an immeasurable boon to have on our side. Do you think you’ll be able to stay with us

I caught sight of Nicolas guiding a woman towards our refuge, by the two children with them, a boy and a girl, I knew it was his sister.

“Looks like it’s time for me to meet Nicolas’ family,” I groused, anger tingeing my voice. I passed the flask back to him and stood up.

“Go easy on him lad, ” Matthew advised, pocketing the flask, rising from his own seat and grasping my shoulder.

“He betrayed us,” I countered, keeping my voice low so that his niece and nephew wouldn’t hear. “He literally threw us to the Wolves.”

“True enough, I suppose. Just try to remember that he did what he thought was best for his family.” Matthew added gently, looking out over the small encampment, “By my book, family’s the most important thing in this world.”

I followed his gaze to the animal pen where Lisa was scratching one of her oxen under the chin and its soft lowing of pleasure drifted up to us. His set jaw told me he wouldn’t be receptive to questioning about his gaze so I thanked him softly and descended the stairway to meet Nicolas, his sister, Ruth and her children.

Nicolas’ niece and nephew were very polite, old enough to know what had happened to them, but still young enough to bounce back from it. The girl, a miniature version of her mother, even dipped a small curtsy before giving their rehearsed ‘thank you’s and then retreating behind their mother’s skirt.

“We’re very sorry for our part in what happened to you and your company,” Ruth apologized, a mousy blonde woman, she didn’t look very much like her brother. She still had dark circles under her hazel eyes, a remnant from her harrowing ordeal. I learned that her husband had been killed trying to fend off the soldiers that took her.

I nodded at her, not wanting to speak while I was still worked up. Then I looked down at the two small children staring up at me. They had been through enough already and I wanted to ease their mother’s mind somewhat, so I added “No need for that ma’am. It’s hardly your fault that you and your children were taken hostage by a mad man.”

“Thank you for saying that, and for rescuing us from that place,” she looked to my wounded limbs, “If there’s anything we can do to help you while you recover, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

“I’m sure you’ll be busy enough with these two,” I smiled at the children, “but your offer is very much appreciated.”

“Momma I’m hungry,” the boy said, tugging at her hand.

“I had best get them some dinner,” looking into my eyes, Ruth added, “Try not to judge my brother too harshly.”

“No promises,” a sad smile accompanied my words as she gathered up her children and left the two of us alone.

Next Chapter: Chapter 18