CHAPTER THIRTY - HOME BY THE LAKE

The next morning, a knock on their door took Julian and Raedrick by surprise.

“You weren’t expecting any visitors, were you?” asked Raedrick.

Julian shook his head with a shrug, then walked over to the door and pulled it open. Mayor Brimly stood outside in the hallway.

“I hope I am not interrupting, gentlemen. May I come in?”

“Please,” replied Julian as he opened the door fully and stepped out of Mayor Brimly’s way.

Mayor Brimly walked across the room to the window. Looking outside, he spoke as though talking to the town outside.

“You gentlemen did the people of this town a great service.” Turning back to face them, he smiled apologetically. “I know our agreement was that I would not act on my knowledge of your desertion from the Army if you helped us. That I would let you go about your lives as you see fit.”

Where was he going with this? Julian began to get a twinge of apprehension in the pit of his stomach.

Mayor Brimly continued, “But I have a better idea.”

Raedrick replied in a tight, angry tone. “If you’re thinking of reneging on the deal…”

The Mayor raised his hands in a placating manner. “Not at all. Not at all. I just thought maybe you would prefer an alternative.”

“What alternative?”

“Malory is dead. Fendig…” The Mayor scowled and muttered a curse under his breath. Then, giving them a direct, serious look, he went on. “This town could use a couple good men to take their places. Frankly, I can’t think of anyone more qualified than the two of you.”

That was not what Julian expected to hear. He and Raedrick? Constables? The thought was so ludicrous that he almost burst out laughing. Only the Mayor’s serious tone and demeanor stopped him.

“How are you going to explain to the kingdom your putting two deserters on the town payroll as law enforcement?” he asked, in lieu of laughter. “Because they will ask, you know.”

Raedrick nodded in agreement. “We appreciate the offer, but it’s too much of a risk -”

The Mayor snorted loudly. “The blasted kingdom’s near enough forgotten us up here. Most all the major trade goes through the southern passes these days, so we’re hardly worth noticing most times. We haven’t even seen a tax collector in five years.” He chuckled in amusement and shook his head. “That’s got some in town asking why I bother collecting the taxes at all. They say I should just give the money back.”

“Why don’t you?”

The Mayor looked at Julian like he was daft. “I’m not a fool, am I? Some day the kingdom will remember to send a tax collector, and he’ll want every penny. Better to have the money set aside.”

“You make our point for us,” Raedrick said. “They will return, and you’ll have to answer questions.”

The Mayor made a dismissive gesture. “The gods alone know how long it will be before that happens. And we can deal with it then if it does. In the meantime, you could have a good life here. And you’d be doing us a service, too. Who knows, when the kingdom does think to come calling, could be your serving here would be grounds enough to forgive your other offenses.” He raised one eyebrow. “Can’t hurt, that’s for sure. Think you’ll get a better deal somewhere else?”

Julian had to admit, Brimly made a good argument. And truth be told, their plan had always been a bit nebulous beyond putting as much distance as possible between themselves and the war zone. And it was true that they were much more likely to be caught and hanged near a large city than in a fly-speck of a town in the middle of nowhere.

He half-smiled at those words, which both he and Melanie used not so long ago to describe this place. He had to admit, it had begun grown on him.

“What do you think?” Julian turned to see Raedrick looking thoughtfully at him. From the expression on his face, Julian could tell he was mostly sold on the concept.

“I guess it wouldn’t be too horrible to stay here for a while longer.” He grinned and clapped Raedrick on the shoulder. “You get to be the Deputy, though.”

Raedrick rolled his eyes but returned Julian’s grin. Turning back to the Mayor, he held out his hand. “It looks like you have a deal, Mr. Mayor.”

The Mayor took Raedrick’s hand and shook it, then shook Julian’s as well. “I’m glad to hear it. Welcome home, gentlemen.”

Welcome home. Julian liked the sound of that.

* * *

Julian knocked on Melanie’s door with his usual staccato rhythm. She took her time in answering.

Naturally.

When the door finally swung open, she wore a severe expression, as though she was prepared to lash whomever it was that had disturbed her up one side and down the other. Seeing him, her scowl faded, replaced by something that almost, but not quite, resembled a smile.

“Good afternoon, Melanie,” Julian said with a jaunty grin.

She sniffed and turned away, retreating into her sitting room. She left the door open, though, so he took it upon himself to follow her inside.

“How are you holding up?”

Melanie shrugged and settled down on her couch. Sitting on the coffee table was a small figurine of a woman carved from a black substance of some sort. Julian thought it might be coal, but it reflected the light from her window slightly. What was it?

Noting his gaze, Melanie touched the figurine with her index finger. “I found this among Farzal’s mage’s belongings,” she said. “Have you ever seen obsidian?”

He shook his head.

“It is made when the molten rock from a volcano cools.” She looked back at him and rolled her eyes in consternation as she saw the confusion on his face. “Don’t tell me you’ve never heard of a volcano.”

He shook his head again.

“A mountain that releases smoke and spews out fire?”

Well why did she not say that in the first place? He said as much, and she chuckled.

“Julian, you amaze me sometimes.” She patted the figurine again. “Anyway, I believe this is the object that controls the trans-planar rift in the hills. I have no idea how it works, though.”

“I’m sure you’ll figure it out in time.” He paused for a moment before adding, “I have some news.”

“Oh?”

Julian grinned and reached into his pocket. As he withdrew his new badge of office, the silver fist holding the dangling scales of justice, Melanie’s eyes widened.

“You’ve got to be joking. Raedrick as well?”

He nodded.

She shook her head and stood up, then made a little curtsy in his direction. “It seems these yokels truly are desperate. Congratulations. I think.”

Julian smirked in amusement. Leave it to her to ensure even a compliment held a little barb. Strangely enough, he found he did not mind. “Raedrick and I were hoping you would remain here as well.”

Melanie snorted. “Why on earth would I want to do that? This place is…”

“Not nearly as bad as you’ve been saying, and you know it.”

She was silent for a long moment while she sat back down again. Finally she nodded. “Fine, I’ll admit there is a certain rustic charm here. That doesn’t answer why I should stay.”

“Did you have a destination in mind when you signed on with that caravan or were you just putting miles behind you?”

Melanie stiffened, looking at him through narrowed eyes.

“I don’t know what you left behind, and it really doesn’t matter. You could work your craft here and no one will get in your way. Hell,” he gestured toward the window, “most folks think you’re even more of a hero than me.”

“That’s not particularly hard to believe.”

At least she grinned slightly when she said that. Julian could not help but chuckle and nod in response. “Well think about it at least. I don’t doubt we’ll need to contract for your help from time to time, and I’ve already heard a number of people talking about how useful it will be to have a professional mage in town.” He stood up. “Isenholf was right about one thing. If a person needs to hide, there are far worse places than here, but few better.”

With that, he walked over to the door.

“Julian.”

He stopped and looked back at her over his shoulder.

“It has been a long time since I’ve been made to feel welcome anywhere,” she said, “or since I’ve had anyone I can call a friend.” She drew in a long breath and looked at him. He was shocked to see that she wore an expression of gratitude. “Thank you. I will seriously consider your offer.”

Julian nodded and left. She was going to stay, he could see it in her eyes.

As he descended the stairs toward the Taproom, he passed one of the inn’s cleaning maids, who stopped and made a quick curtsy.

“Constable,” she said respectfully, by way of greeting.

Julian blinked, surprised for a heartbeat. Then he smiled and replied, “Good afternoon,” before continuing on his way.

He could feel her eyes on his back as he walked away, as well as the respect, awe almost, contained in her gaze. The reality of his new position hit him, and he shook his head in wonder. He was a respected public figure. Who would have thought?

Glimmer Vale is the first book of the Glimmer Vale Chronicles, an ongoing heroic fantasy series set in a world of valor and magic. It will be published here, one chapter per week, on Tuesday.

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