The Lost Fable

Chapter One

"Like I told you before, my services come at a price." I explained to the old man that had requested my help no more than a week before.

"Your price is too much Leon!" He exclaimed. The poor guy had asked me to help him remove the moles that had been eating his crops from the roots up. "And besides, you destroyed most of my property in the process!"

"It was bound to happen." I shrugged getting up from the table and walking across the small room to examine the paintings on the wall, they were lovely illustrations of what I assumed to be his family.

"It shouldn't have! And now you want me to pay you?! I can't afford it with all the repairs I'll have to make, I can barely afford to feed my family!"

I nodded, the paintings were his family. "What a shame..." I sighed and took one of the paintings from the wall. "This is a wonderful piece of art, you know?" I said turning to face the man, a small grin slowly beginning to form on my face.

"They wouldn't be worth anything to you, please just put it back." The man said cautiously, slowly standing up from the table. He was starting to remember just who he was talking to.

"That might be true... but I'm almost certain that they are worth something to you." I told the man, placing my thumb over the face of the child. "Wouldn't it be just awful if something were to happen to these beautiful pictures?"

"Leon please, I can't afford to pay you. Give me some time."

"You see, if I did that then everyone would ask for time, and then they would want more time, and more time... and I'm afraid I can't allow that." I felt my fingers warm up slightly as my power traveled through them, fire burning through the canvas of the painting.

"Leon please stop!" The man cried running over in an attempt to save his painting.

"Whoops." I said as the small fire grew, consuming the entire painting, leaving nothing but dust and ash. "Well there goes one painting, shall we see if the others burn just as quickly?" I asked removing another from the wall.

"No, wait! I'll get your money! Just please don't burn anything else." The man said hurrying out of the room.

"Be quick about it!" I shouted after him. "I have other debts that I need to collect."

I hung the painting back on the wall and began wandering around. There were all sorts of nice things around this guys home, silver forks and spoons, fancy china... it looked to me that this guy had plenty of cash, hell maybe even enough to share.

I stood motionless for a moment and listened for the man, he was still upstairs getting what he owed me. I took that as the perfect opportunity to help myself to a few of his fancy silverwares.

I took a few forks and spoons, leaving him enough for each of his family members a fork and spoon each. I was a thief, but I wasn't a monster... usually.  I knew exactly who would like these fancy things, and I'd make a nice profit off them too.

"Alright Leon," The man said as he reentered the room. I had just closed the glass cabinet I had been going through as he walked in. If he saw me stealing, he didn't say so. "I got your money. Now please, just leave me and my family in peace."

I strode over to the man and collected my payment. "See, that wasn't so hard." I gave the man a sharp pat on the back. "Until next time Robert!" I exclaimed with a laugh, then exited his home.

These people... they never want to pay me for the help I do. I thought as I made my way down the road leading into town.

There were fields of all different kinds of crops that were just beginning to mature and become ready for the harvest season. The farmers in the area work hard to get everything ready, during this time I'm technically not allowed anywhere near the village. I didn't mind of course, I didn't care much for the people of this place, or anywhere for that matter.

Of course the reasoning for me not being allowed around during this time is because of the fires. I was a pretty rambunctious one growing up. My mother was the only reason I was allowed to stay in the area. I was allowed to live within the village while she was still alive, I was removed a few days after she died. The town gave me less than a week to mourn the death of my mother.... Anyway, I used to set the crops on fire when I was younger because I thought it was funny, and I nearly burned the whole village down the day my mother died.

According to the town leader, they were lucky that only one building had gone up in smoke. They were lucky that, even though a handful of people had been hurt, the town had only suffered one fatality. My mother. I didn't agree.

The reason for me almost burning the whole village to the ground is irrelevant at this point, just know that people didn't like it when I was around.

As I walked into town I flashed a wide grin at everyone I saw, the responses I got in return were less than welcoming. Like I said, not many people want me around.

There were the typical responses to the sight of me such as groups sharing an uncomfortable glance, and the constant wave of whispers that not only followed me throughout town, but spread out until the whole place knew I had arrived.

"What are you doing here?!" A rather brave man asked sharply, stepping into my path. It was rare that this happened, simply because people were afraid of me. "You know you're not welcome inside the village. Especially during harvest season."

"Hey now," I said in my natural calm voice. I knew what he was trying to do. I always found it kinda cute when they tried to intimidate me. "There is no need for harshness. I'm simply here to collect something, then I'll be on my way. Does that sound good to everyone?" 

I looked around at the crowd that was beginning to gather around us, the smile never leaving my lips.  This was another scare tactic. One they've tried a few times actually, and one that has never worked.

"You're not welcome here Leon," Someone said. "Why don't you just leave and never come back," Called another.

You know they hate you. Why do you keep coming back? You could go anywhere, so why stay here?  I didn't like when it got to this point, I hated that this was something to be dealt with.

"Come on guys, we all know why I'm here. Why I keep coming back to this town. Profit."

"Profit off who? Nobody wants your help." The first man stated.

"You say that, but here I am. Ready to pick up a debt. Now if you wouldn't mind stepping aside so I can get this job finished, and I'll be on my merry way." I said remaining calm. This happens every time I come into town. All I gotta do is convince this mob that I'm not here to hurt anyone... this time around.

The crowd began to fill with whispers as they discussed letting me pass. The first man to speak out felt familiar somehow, like I've met him before. But I knew I never had.

"This is the last time." He said. "You collect what you came here for, and then you leave. We don't need people like you around our women and children any longer than need be." And with that he turned and walked away. The crowd dispersed as well, leaving me mostly alone in the street.

I nodded, chewing on my lip. That was something I did when I was trying to figure something out. Who was that man... and why did it feel like I knew him? I quickly shrugged off the thought and started heading further into the village. 

I had a debt to collect. And it wasn't like any other.