Jess

The wind off the northern plains made Jess's cloak snap in the wind that came off the sea. The fire in the central pit of the gathering place had burned low, throwing long, sinewy shadows across the packed-earth. Jess stood beside it, his steel spear shimmering in the light, his face giving no indication that the wind or the fire's faint warmth bothered him. His movements were slow, deliberate, almost as if every step was part of a ritual.

Giglon paused just outside the circle and bowed. Even a hardened scout hesitated before disturbing Jess during his ruminations.

Jess didn't look up. "Giglon," he said, voice calm but edged like a honed blade. "What is the report?"

Giglon stepped inside the meeting ring.

"Our spies in the manor sent word." The young man's voice held the stiffness of someone fighting unease. "The staff preparing for the arrival of Baron Yarbeth… they are reluctant to speak. Truly reluctant." Giglon swallowed. "One of ours said the scent of fear when discussing their lord is thick enough for any dog to sense."

Jess finally lifted his eyes. He said nothing, simply watched, waiting for the rest.

Giglon continued, shifting his weight like a man with thorns under the skin. "A few things have slipped out. He travels north with most of his family. His sons will remain here with him for a year, too, as he says, to get things under control. They plan to return to their southern estates when the baron is satisfied. Their wealth is considerable, and their steward…" Giglon hesitated, jaw tightening, "…their steward is fiercely loyal to House Yarbeth. He has already sent three letters, one to the new baron, and two to the Count of Yarbeth."

Jess set aside his spear and sat down, inviting Giglon to do the same. But Gigglon was to restless to sit. "Patience, Giglon. It is not always easy to turn a man into a true believer. And sometimes," his eyes glinted faintly in the firelight, "those most devout to their current master become the strongest converts when the truth unmakes them."

He let the words settle like a warm cloak. The words meant to comfort the uneasy man.

If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it. "What of Malcomp and Plimgus?"

Giglon's shoulders squared, his voice heating with fervor. "Our spies in Malcomp heard many comments, from the family, some whispered in private, some openly before Lord Malcomp, mocking the Descended. Their disrespect is constant." He leaned forward, fire reflecting in his eyes. Teeth grit in anger. "Could we not arrange an accident on the road? A fallen tree… a broken wheel… an ambush from supposed bandits? It would be easy to make it believable."

Jess's expression softened into something almost like pity. "No. Their house is too powerful still. Such a death would draw investigation, and the fault would fall upon our lord." He lifted a small coal with a long metal pick and dropped it into the fire. Sparks leapt upward. "Our attack must come when no one can place the knife in our hands."

Giglon lowered his gaze, chastened. "I only fear, Master… he promised that we would have a home in the North. That a new group would take our place in the mine." He exhaled slowly, voice trembling despite himself. "You know how we lived under the last baron. Mud huts. Empty bellies. Children growing thin as reeds. My wife and little ones… they smile now." His voice cracked. "Liv says she cannot go back to watching our children starve. We have grown used to being treated with dignity. I fear losing that."

Jess rose smoothly to his feet. He was not a large man, not by Karr standards, but when he stood, the air seemed to shift around him, like the world leaned in to listen. He walked over to where Giglon was pacing. As the man froze in his tracks, Jess placed a hand on Giglon's shoulder.

"We will be strengthened for what is coming. The Descended will need watchers, bearers of word spoken in the night, silent knives waiting to strike." His voice deepened. "He will protect us, Giglon. As we protect him. It is his way."

Giglon's shame dimmed, replaced by the steady glow of devotion. He bowed his head. "I know. Forgive me. It is only… Liv and the children have tasted hope. It is hard to ask them to go back to darkness."

Jess squeezed his shoulder. "Trust in the Descended. Fear not those who oppress. Already our order extends beyond the River Decmoore. Even villages in Vaspar whisper his name. The faith spreads—fed by the desperate, the hungry, the forgotten." His eyes shone with quiet fire. "Someday all shall know the greatness of the god's own child who walks among us."

Giglon bowed deeper, fist over heart. "It shall be as you say."

Jess gave a final nod, turning back toward the fire. "Good. Now go. Watch and wait, and in the end, the gods themselves will reward us."

I wanted to do another reminder about my Kindle book being released on DECEMBER 16th, but I thought another anouncement was stupid. So I ignored what I was supposed to be doing this morning and wrote a side story that has been floating around in my head for a while, that way I could slip it in at the end in big bold text and not feel like I was being annoying. LOL

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