The Thief, The Beggar, and the Dragonstone

Chapter 5

As night approached, Hez stumbled upon what appeared to be an ancient town, with only dilapidated stone foundations and overgrown vines with dead leaves because of the fall weather was all that remained. It was difficult to discern due to the dense foliage, but Hez had seen many similar towns along the Old Pike, a road that was abandoned for nearly two centuries. He wondered why people would still use the toll bridge instead of this road.

They decided to camp next to an old stonewall that had once been part of a foundation. Hez hoped the wall would conceal their campfire from any passersby. It had clearly been a campsite before, as evidenced by the remnants left behind. 

While Nivian prepare their dinner of dried beef and rice, Hez started a small fire. He knew John would be angry about his impulsive decision to run off. John would cover his work for Mr. Calcraft, but he would likely lose his job at the docks.

Hez couldn't stop thinking about the Dragonstone and how to get it from Vorstig. Hez considered the possibility of tricking or ambushing him. However, he knew it was a foolish idea, as Vorstig would be a formidable opponent, even when alone. He had initially hoped to ask Vorstig to use the Dragonstone to heal his mother, but the kidnapping of Granny had foiled that plan.

Nivian broke the silence by asking, "how come you don't like Jack?" She stirred some rice in a tin cup.

Hez replied, "What do you mean?"

Nivian explained, "you never have nice things to say about him."

"You've heard the rumors?" 

Nivian nodded. "I want to hear the truth."

Hez paused for a moment before beginning. "We were up in Bluefield. We were part of the Stilwell caravan. Working the barley fields." His family had stayed with the Stilwell Caravan for fifteen years, and Hez had had many friends. Jack ruined everything.

"Jack was over at a rope swing in the woods not far off from the Caravan. Gertrude was with him. He cut some rope from the swing and used it to strangle her. Oh, Jack said he didn't do it and had a crazy story about a man with strange eyes appearing out of nowhere and touching his chest. Then Jack says Gertrude was on the ground." 

Nivian just looked at him, not saying a word. Hez went on. "The sheriff said there was no evidence of anyone. The kids who had been playing there had trampled the ground around the rope swing."

Nivian shook her head. She said, "That's awful."

Hez agreed. "The Sheriff ordered the Voivode to whip Jack. It was either that or take him to jail. We had to leave Bluefield and ended up with the Azulpozo Caravan in Marlfield."

"He seems like a sweet boy to me," Nivian said. She threw more dried beef in with the rice. "He is a little backward, is all."

Hez reflected on how their mother babied Jack, knowing he would never mature and always cling to her. Jack was fearful of others, and it was always Hez's duty to protect him when they were outside of the camp. It was never necessary for John to take care of Hez in such a manner.

Hez wondered why his mother always favored John and Jack over him. It wasn't fair. Hez had been happy until Jack's actions ruined everything. Hez didn't believe that Jack would ever achieve anything in life.

"We should have brought Jack with us," Hez said smugly. "He could draw Vorstig's attention," if Jack got caught, or worse, Hez could live with that, "we could steal the Dragonstone before Vorstig even knew it."

Nivian remained silent, and Hez realized he had once again let his obsession with the Dragonstone overshadow his concern for Granny. "I mean, we have to find a way to help Granny escape," he corrected himself.