The Red Lands

Asking for recompense from the wrong person

The stable boy thanked his luck while preparing the horse-drawn wagon. With the warm coppers in his pocket, he even assisted the woman and the young maiden up the portable wooden steps.

Dyna walked over from petting the horse as it nuzzled and licked her face. Second, only to the horses, she spent most of her free time sleeping in the stables. She then guided the horse as the wagon rolled into the open roadway before the south entrance.

The iron hinges groaned under the heavy load as the stout door pushed outwards. Rind appeared, waving, with a middle-aged man in tow. The redhead was about to ascend the portable steps with the assistance of the gracious stableboy when she spotted another small party following. Rind trotted up to report.

"Beg your pardon, little Boss, but Commander Joss had to see you."

"Ah, young miss, how are you. I believe there is some misunderstanding that can be easily sorted out... Haha."

The green eyes opened like an innocent child as Dyna tilted her head while looking at the stalwart Commander. Captain Joss really filled the part as a valiant leader.

"Oh? What misunderstanding, Commander?"

Commander Joss scratched his hair while glancing around. An older-looking man stepped forward. Dressed in the oiled leather armor of a captain, he held his head up high. A pointed beard jutted out from under his sallow chin. Out of the four officers accompanying Commander Joss, she had no recollection of him being on the farm.

"Commander Joss informs me that your farm holds some status in these here parts. The nobleman who handles the distribution of deeds in Karst for this village is my father. Commander Joss might be lenient with you, but nobles also have rights."

The captain peered down from his upturned face at the girl. By now, a commoner would be groveling in fear. The explanation was not only directed at the girl but also at the family in question. An uninformed, little farm girl wouldn't cower as much as an older commoner who toiled under the ways of the world.

"Now, now, Captain Millet. We need not take it this far. You've already received the money you gave. There is no harm done."

"No harm is done? Commander Joss, this is like a slap to the face. As a nobleman, being rejected like this will make me a laughing stock. I demand recompense. Two hundred silvers and the girl spends three nights with me."

Commander Joss stared at the man while twitching his lips. One of the nearby Captains also shook his head in disapproval. The other two Captains apparently belong to the upper class in Karst. Both of them tried to reason with the old man. They had survived through the demon raids and understood the home of this girl held unknown secrets.

"We want recompense..."

The brief silence turned awkward as the redhead repeated her words louder.

"We also want recompense."

Dyna pointed to the old man while continuing.

"Two dozen cows, and four dozen sheep. An elder such as yourself should be careful out in these parts. If you leave the village, who knows what might happen? This one has found the best way to send messages is by using the Trading Post."

Placing a thumb and index finger under her tongue, she blasted a shrill whistle.

"Ahh!"

Who knows when, or how, two large wolves appeared over the snowbank near the road and trotted towards them. They joined the girl on either side while their intelligent yellow-orange eyes followed the outstretched, slightly tanned finger.

"The leader of the farm is well known to the Tower Mages. By their assistance, our wolves have also helped in keeping the surrounding lands safe. Who knows, however, when some stray wolf pack or wild beast might evade our patrols and launch an ambush. By the way, are any of you planning to ride with him soon?"

The last sentence was barely uttered when Captain Millet found himself standing alone.

Two pairs of unnatural eyes eerily raised the hairs on the back of his neck. A feeling as if standing defenseless in an open clearing within the dangerous forest washed over him. Isolated, his mouth opened, but the dry tongue and lips remained free of words. The demon occupying his entire world smiled.

As if on cue, a giant wolf bristled its hairs while stepping one paw forward, while sweet, edged words continued.

"Great, I look forward to your delivery. If something arises and spring finishes without the livestock arriving, then don't blame this one when the Tower Mages come knocking on your door in Karst. Commander Joss, maybe you should explain to this fellow who we really are..."

***

The wagon rolled along the road as they approached the familiar lane. Dyna occupied a bench of her own while the family of three huddled together. Ever so often, they glimpsed a large wolf darting and tumbling around on the snow. Sometimes, one flitted across the road in front of them. Amazingly, the horses and the driver seemed ignorant of their presence.

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"Boss, we're near the gates."

Rind informed while slowing the wagon. His words ended up lost to the ears of his new passengers. The creaking vanes circling high above, and belching smithy with chorusing hammering, awed the family even though they witnessed them during the winter. When the wagon paused, distant chopping also traveled from the nearby forest.

"As expected from a place associated with the legendary Tower."

The father muttered to himself.

The gate creaked open as two guards bearing iron spears exited on either side. Both wore a loose, embroidered tunic with a strange, large seal imprinted in the middle. Thick gold chains hung around their necks, embedded with glittering gems. Gauntlets and leather armor surfaced from underneath their uniforms.

A cough from behind startled the gawking family back to their senses. Root stood behind them as the redhead had already disembarked.

"Welcome, honorable guest. Please follow us. The master of this house has already been informed of your arrival."

Under a strange escort, the family followed the redhead while being flanked by a pair of wolves and the two treasure-bearing guards. The party soon arrived before the workshop.

A welcoming party filtered out to greet them. Young girls in frilly dresses under warm fur-lined capes and ladies in carved buttoned coats with thick hoods surrounded the newcomers. A few men and boys wore similar outfits to the guards. Dyna moved to the side of a raven-haired teen who stood at the center.

The solemn expressions from the men differed from the curious stares of the younger boys. As for the women, they cast inquisitive eyes and serious expressions, worthy of mothers-in-law who assessed their future daughter-in-law. The bearings and attire of the residents suited nobles of a city rather than dwellers of a rural farm.

As for the young under-dressed maiden, she only had eyes for the stalwart, lean figure standing behind the young master.

Chu raised an eyebrow on being introduced to the family. By sheer coincidence, he had assisted this mother-daughter pair in the village by drawing and carrying their water bucket. The father, however, caused an evil smile to surface on his face.

"Greetings, Chief Drey. What a pleasant surprise..."

Within the cozy dining hall, Chu sat at the head table. On one side, the village chief and his family kept glancing around the table and the surroundings. Facing the threesome, Root sat just as nervously with a straight back. Dyna slouched on a chair beside him with her eyes closed. Jim occupied the other chair next to him.

Behind them, however, stood the true overseers of this meeting.

"I admit Root has a good eye. Ms. Winny is well known in the village as a faithful woman."

Ms. May said as she stood behind the chair of her husband. Dressed in her gown and cape, she appeared more like a noblewoman than the wife of a previous trapper.

"I concur. I also remember when Rugol broke his arm in the tavern, Ms. Winny spared what little extra flour she owned to help tide us through."

Stavia added. The face of the woman sitting opposite them flushed red from the positive praises. Jim twisted in his chair while muttering.

"May, can't you see how you're making Ms. Winny nervous? I swear if I had to woo you in front of a crowd like this, I might have run away."

"Nervous? Old Jim, this is how it should be. Little Emy is already known to us, so this is a mere formality. But ever since the day the Boss sat down and chatted to Mrs. Thomas and us in the kitchen, the women here have reached an agreement. Sure, we all know what love feels like, but anybody wanting to wed the young ones of this farm better bring something to the table."

Ms. May informed her second half, seated at the table. Jim only sighed and shrugged his shoulders at Chief Drey. Having to visit a home and face interrogation by a swarm of shrewd women didn't sit well with him. Heaven help the poor soul who decided to come calling when Yin or Hope grew up.

Chu made a wry smile on listening to the conversation. If he had to face a group who came out blazing like this, he might be stuttering all day. Clapping his hands, he drew the scrutinizing and curious gazes towards himself.

"Alright. I believe our guest Chief Drey has understood the importance of young Root in this household. Similarly, I also agree that Root has made a good choice. If the two of them are willing, then I see no objections to them being wed."

Turning to Chief Drey, Chu continued.

"As for the dowry from the bride, we won't make it difficult. Chief Drey can see for himself that we lack nothing when it comes to either wealth or a comfortable home. Since his daughter will become a part of this household, I think the Chief will be more than happy to lend his services to me... ahem, to us in the future."

Chu nodded to Shine. The signal sent the gathered women scattering in the hall. Soon, bowls of steaming buns, thick soups rich in vegetables and meat, sizzling roasts, and tender buttered bread lined the table. As the enticing aroma caused mouths to salivate, jugs of wine and strong tea joined their worthy companions.

"Amazing..."

Chief Drey muttered while his words died in his throat. A meal like this during the beginning of spring and after a terrible winter hovered around the realm of the impossible. Judging from the astounding face on his wife and the one of surprise and excitement on his daughter, he leaned back on his chair and sighed.

"Not even a nobleman could produce this during the start of spring. What a display of wealth and power."

Filling his cup with wine, Chief Drey stood up at the table. Looking around at the long table where everyone ate and dined together, warmed his heart.

"Apprentice Chu has demonstrated his goodwill to my family and my daughter. A toast to the union of the future couple. I hope young Root accepts my humble gesture."

"Chief Drey needs not to worry. I thank you from my heart for accepting me as part of your family. Thank you for giving your blessings and for your daughter's hand."

Root jumped out of his chair to reply to the glazed eyes of his soon-to-be father-in-law.

With the agreement reached, both sides settled down to the lavish meal.

"Young Root, don't be stiff. Hurry and help your future wife serve her family. Don't tell me you want to sit and guzzle your food like always."

Stavia taunted from one side of the table. The women nearby laughed at witnessing the stiff joints of Root in motion.

"Chief Drey, have a taste of this steak. This is a piece of Inyoni we were lucky enough to capture."

Chu advised while pushing the platter towards the middle-aged man. The usually shrewd face had already lost its stiffness under the reception and the cup of downed wine. Chief Drey willingly stuck a fork and hoisted a slab of steak onto his plate. Copying Dyna, who sliced into her own with a knife, he soon savored the morsel only nobles could afford.

"Emy, your braids are so well done, can you braid mine?"

A little girl asked the shy young lady who was seated next to her. Emy had spent a few minutes assisting Root in serving the food to her parents. She only now noticed her companion in the chair next to her.

Gazing at this doll-like figure with tresses of lush, golden hair sitting comfortably, she watched the dainty fingers move across and inspect her braids. The cheerful face seemed to also dissipate all her pent-up nervousness.

"Hi, Emy. I'm Hope. Welcome to our home."