Blood of the Righteous

Things Have Changed...

Gabriel had risen before sunrise, removed the bits of shattered skeleton, sanctified the crypt, and readied their horses. It didn't come as a surprise that Drake had completely restocked their traveling food and water. He even put a small cask of ale in Gabriel's pack and a cask of sweet wine for Eleenia. Jake had slept with Gabriel the night before, and as he always had done, he hogged the bed, pushing Gabriel to the very edge. The hound sat watching him pack, his tail wagging.

"I'm sorry, boy, I can't take you with me. Drake and Jolina are your masters now."

The dog launched into a heart-string tugging whimper.

When he went back into the tavern, Jolina was setting four places at the large table. The other guests weren't awake yet. The plates were packed with eggs, bacon, steaming sweet rolls, and sausages.

"Thank you, Nana. Your hospitality has been very refreshing since we arrived in Aragil."

Jolina didn't meet his gaze. "Poppin, things have changed. I'm sure you know that the Defenders have been pushed out of Aragil. The town watch has been disbanded and their duties have been taken over by the Aragil army. It has gotten so bad that most churches have gone underground. Two years ago, one of the priests who had been critical of the monarchy had his mass trampled upon by the king's men. The priest and half of the parishioners were slaughtered, and the others were marched off to Ironshield and haven't been heard from since. You had best avoid Lystra and take a riverboat straight down to New Portsmouth. You can be there tomorrow afternoon."

"What happened to the family castle?"

"It is still there, abandoned. The king put one of his lackeys in as the Lord of Kheog. Lord Quinn rules Lystra through the captain of the legion stationed there. The captain is brutal, but as long as the citizens produce their quota of steel goods, he generally leaves us alone." Jolina looked up as Eleenia groggily walked down the stairs. "How did you sleep, dear?"

"Like a baby. I woke up screaming every two hours. It is still difficult from me to rationalize those skeletons that attacked us yesterday," Eleenia said, wiping the sleep from her eyes. She sat down, and Jake took up his place next to her.

"Maybe you shouldn't try to rationalize it, sister."

Eleenia nodded and took a drink of the apple juice that Jolina had set out.

An hour later, they were saying their goodbyes at the door.

"When you find him, please bring David by to see us."

"We will, Nana," Gabriel said, giving his former nanny a hug.