Shadows of the Hollow: A Tale Reimgine

Confrontation

The following day I made sure to keep those books close to me at all times. Crane has probably figured out that someone has broken in and taken them. He will know that I was the one that did. He is a coward. Crane would be foolish enough to confront me. The little man is nothing without his books.

Tending to the hot coals I work until my stomach growls. As I sat down for lunch I heard the quick clatter of hooves. Up ahead a boy of color is charging toward me on a wild looking horse. The messenger, a scrawny lad with tousled hair and a determined look, reined in his horse. A quick jerk of the reins had the animal sliding into a stop.

"Have a care with those reins or he will grow tired of you." I said to the boy as he dismounted.

"I beg your pardon sir but are you Brom Bones?"

"Speaking."

The boy reached into his pocket and removed a folded parchment.

"A message sir, from Katrina Van Tassel."

I straightened, my heart quickening at the mention of Katrina's name.

"The young miss asked if you have a message to pass it on to me sir. I will deliver it to her safety sir."

Opening the note I read the message.

Baltius Van Tassel hereby invites you to join him at his annual harvest party. Come eat, drink, and celebrate the ending of the harvest.

Postscript: Brom please come. I need to see you.

Kat

Smiling, I toss the note onto the fire. No evidence that she has been in contact with me.

"Tell her that blue looks good on her."

At the tavern I told the boys about the party. Apparently the whole town has been invited and the boys were all too happy to attend. It's not very often a party is held. A wedding maybe but not a joyous party. Van Tassel must have done well this year to host one. As we drank we talked about our day and the upcoming hunting trip. I figured now would be the best time to tell the boys about Katrina knowing. They were happy to hear that she expected them. They even inquired if she would join us on our trip to the mountains. Our glee merriment was halted by the door opening. Crane stood in the doorway, eyes blazing. A few people greeted the schoolmaster. The room seemed to chill, as if Crane brought in a winter wind with him. When his eyes were on me, he entered and approached the table. Mr. Crane, a man with a sharp nose and sharper eyes that seemed to pierce through the very souls of everyone in the room. But, not me. Those eyes don't frighten me.

"I didn't think schoolmasters could stomach a strong spirit." I say. "I figured you would like a glass of warm milk before bed."

The boys giggled. Cranes' nose wrinkles at the smoke from their cigars.

"I know you broke into the school." he said sternly.

Crane stood with his arms crossed, his jaw set tight as he locked eyes with me, who leaned casually back in my chair, a smirk playing on my lips.

"We are well past the age of going to school. We know all we need to know."

"I grow tired of your pranks Brom Bones. I ask that you leave me and my schoolhouse alone."

My friends shift beside me, their bodies tense, muscles coiled, ready to leap into action at a moment's notice.

"I didn't do anything scarecrow. I have more pressing matters to attend to. Unless you are afraid to handle the ghost that haunts your domain." I said my voice dripped with mockery as I took a swig from my beer.

"Your abilities are too infant-like for doing much alone." Crane said. "More than likely you had help."

The men shifted, casting wary glances at each other, their instincts on high alert. They could sense the brewing storm, muscles coiling in anticipation of a fight. Crane stood firm, unwavering, eyes locked on me. I remained unfazed, a predator against a cornered opponent. The air hung thick with the promise of confrontation, everyone poised at the edge of chaos. But that's what he wants. Crane wants to expose us. Humiliate us because we got the best of him. I won't fall into Crane's trap. He's trying to bait me.

"Dissembling harlot, thou art false in all!" I shot back, a grin spreading across my face. Crane's mouth fell open momentarily, his surprise evident.

"You... you know Shakespeare?" he stammered, taken aback by my sudden articulation.

I chuckled, leaning forward, the shadows of the tavern casting an intriguing silhouette against my features. "Well, I dabble. A bit of reading in the dark is a fine way to pass the time when the world is too loud."

The tavern fell silent for a heartbeat, and then the laughter erupted again, but this time, it was directed at Crane, who had unknowingly summoned a hidden intellect from the most unlikely of friends. Crane stood speechless and I couldn't help but follow into laughter with the others.

"Go back to your schoolhouse. Let the real men have some fun drinking. I'm buying the next round.

The bar erupted in applause, the crowd erupted into cheers, raising their glasses in a collective toast. The bar's atmosphere buzzed with murmurs and laughter, but to me, it all faded into a dull hum. I could feel the weight of the tension lingering in the air, a palpable energy that crackled. Crane's pride had been bruised, and I revealed in the satisfaction of having bested him with a clever retort rather than a brawl—a tactic all too familiar to me.

"Some battles are won with words," I murmured to himself, raising his glass in a silent toast to his own cleverness.

The boys giggled and we drank late into the night