The Moonlight Town

Chapter 2 - The Farmer

The train ride was quiet. Bit read a book while Dev stared out the window. "We've arrived at Lion's Gate," announced the conductor, pulling the train to a stop. "Well, off we go," said Dev. Dev hopped onto his feet, with Bit slowly rising up. They hurried out of the train onto the Lion's market. Lion's market was a small town, but due to various policies, it became a market for small businesses and merchants, with bigger businesses going to the bigger city of Venia. Among all the noise and bustle of people trying to sell, there was a smell of freshly baked treats, most likely due to magic trying to keep the place smelling fresh. "This is my first time here," said Bit, "my family was always on the more poor side. "Yea this place does get pricey, especially if you can't haggle," smiling, Dev continued, "but, for the one time I've been here, it's almost always worth the trip." They wandered a bit, trying to get to the east stable, but due to the size of the crowd they ended up getting separated. Dev kept walking but he felt a little nervous for Bit. On the other side, Bit was also getting anxious as well, luckily she managed to find the stables, where Dev was waiting. "Hey Bit, you okay?" asked Dev. "Yea just got a little distracted," said Bit, looking around for farmer Jean, "Has she arrived yet?"

"Here I am," said a voice from behind.

The voice was a husky and dry voice. "Hi, I'm Jean," she said. They both looked at her. She stood fairly tall, wearing jean overalls. Her hair, which was coal black, was long, and pulled into a ponytail. Her button up shirt underneath was rolled up to her shoulders, showing her toned arms. Her boots were dirty and a little undersized. Her pale eyes looked old. She had defined laugh lines and wrinkles under her eyes.

"Y'all are the detectives, right?" she asked.

"Well, yes," said Dev, "And you are?"

"Jean, nice to meet you."

"Ah, your letter seemed eloquent," said Dev.

"Yea, I'm a better writer then a talker."

Bit then spoke up," Well, let's get a move on, you can tell us all about the problem on our way there!"

Jean led them to a small cart in the shade, which was pulled by two horses. "Watch the tools," said Jean. Jean hopped onto the front and grabbed the horses' reins, while the others hopped in the back. The cart then started to move. "It'll be an hour until we arrive at my place, any questions about anything," asked Jean. "Firstly," began Dev, "What makes you believe it to be these hooligans?"

"Well," said Jean, "they are the closest to where I live, and I showed them how to put up magic borders. If anyone would know how to break MY border it would be them."

Dev continued, "Who is allowed through it?"

"Well, just me and my cattle, and the cattle are NOT allowed out, and let me tell you, MY barrier is not easily broken, you would need to know how to and have the strength to break it."

Bit then asked, "Are you sure it's only possible for you, is there anyone else?"

"Well, yea, pretty much."

Bit made sure to remember that.

"Okay, why don't you tell me about the town people, especially the sheriff," asked Dev.

"Don't get me started. The people are sorta scared of any newcomers, some still don't like me. I've been here for three years if you can believe, and people still cross the street to avoid me. The sheriff, upon me reporting the crime, came over, used magic sight to see if anything was suspect. Nothin of note, according to him. Then, he only did some 'light investigation' and saw nothin. They all upset me so damn much. My neighbors, the ones I mentioned earlier, were one of the first to be nice to me, despite the kids being such troublemakers. They actually tend to help me with my harvest, it's why I taught them magic, they are quite capable. If you want to talk to them, I recommend talking to the father, name is Bif. Wife died a few years back."

Dev was busy writing all the information down when Bit spoke up, "Is there anyone we can trust to give us information about the town?"

"Ah yea, there is the local little half elf librarian, she is very nice. First friend I found. She moved in, little earlier than I did. Anyone you can trust would definitely be here. She has been gathering all the information on the town, and local religions, and any history. She can help you like she helped me. Name is Meln. If you tell her I sent you, you won't need to explain nothin."

Bit looked towards Dev as he finished writing, "Where did you learn magic," asked Dev, still looking at his notes.

"Bards college, not that important," said Jean, quickly. "Can I trust that you'll take this investigation seriously," she asked.

"Of course," both said at the same time.

"Good, anyways we're here," said Jean.

She pulled her cart in front of her small house, and led the horses into a small stable. "Hey, the sun is setting. Go on inside, I'll make some food, y'all can sleep in my guest room, it has two spare beds. It's not safe out here around dark.

Inside the house was quite small, but well cared for. The main room was directly next to the door, with stairs leading up. One wall was covered with various trophies and knick-knacks. On a small coffee table sat a radio. On the wall was an acoustic guitar. The kitchen was a small hallway off from the main door. Inside, on a counter, was a small boombox and cassettes stacked next to it.

"So, you enjoy guitar," asked Dev.

"Yea, I studied it in bardic college."

"How did you get in,"

"Family died, left alone, decided to try to make it big."

"Did you?"

"Sorta," said Jean, looking finished with the conversation.

"Alright, I'm making a simple stew tonight, then I'm going to sleep, y'all can do as you like."

After dinner, Dev and Bit went upstairs, and sat their bags down. "I'll be reading a bit, what are you going to be doing," asked Bit. "I'll be reviewing my notes. Then sleeping, it seems this town has a lot more than I originally gave it credit for."