10 Minute Tales, Part 2

Jul 26 - Humble Beginnings

He stood straight with a grunt, wiping the sweat from his brow. The farm had been much slower since the horse fell ill, but he couldn't afford to stop just because of the poor girl. He looked at the field; he had managed about a quarter of it so far, and it was already noon. He needed to speed this up. He looked around with a grunt, sighing deeper and lifting the hoe again. He was about to swing it down when a galloping from the road stayed his hand. He looked up to see a messenger riding along the road, heading towards the village. The way his cape billowed in the gentle breeze, the pure breeding of the white horse... there was no way he was a simple traveller. He couldn't help but walk closer, fascinated.

"Ho, traveller!" he called out, waving. "How fared your travels?"

"Well enough." the messenger replied, slowing the horse. "Tell me, is this little village the steading of Payge?"

"It is, sir." he nodded. "What business brings you here?"

"I have news for all villages on the southern road; this is the next on my ride."

"Oh, well, uh... I'd think the elder's in, try the church." he gestured to the buildings in the distance. The rider nodded and galloped off, a frown of determination adorning his face again. The farmer hesitated, glancing at the field briefly. He made his decision and ran after the messenger. He was curious now.

-----

The village was small, but he couldn't remember every face in the crowd that had gathered. Some were fishermen, that family was a merchant, there was the guard... that was the cleric, maybe? He wasn't sure. The elder stood on the church step, looking out over them. Stood in the doorway behind him was the messenger from before, arms folded and a grim expression on his face.

"Good people!" the elder cried out. The crowd grew quiet in response. "We have received dire news from the capital, news that you should all hear. We are... the kingdom of Gailhan is now at war."

"At war?" the populace muttered, looking to each other nervously. "With who?"

"That is the troubling matter." the messenger spoke, stepping out of the shadow to stand with the elder. "It is no mortal foe we face. The mages claim that it is the elements themselves that are out of balance, and so they battle in all realms. It is not a mortal foe we face, it is the very ground that grows your food. It is the very water that grants you fish. It is the very air your breathe."

"The air? How the hell're we supposed t'fight the air!" the fisherman yelled, shaking his fist.

"Ordinarily, there is no way in this realm. However... I have been authorised to recruit soldiers to leave this realm and fight the demons in their own homes. Who among you is brave enough to risk their lives for the security of your home and the gratitude of your queen?" The crowd mumbled to each other, uncertain. This didn't seem to surprise the messenger, but what followed did.

"I will." the farmer declared, raising his hand.