laneys.info Beware of Yankees, drunks, and loose women.

Dillon sat between the two knights, eating his stew. The two knights had nodded in recognition as he told tales from The Book, but when he began to relate the tales his grandfather had told of the Great War, they listened intently.

“You’ve definitely learned your history, lad,” Sir Mark said. “These days, it seems that most are trying to forget the past.”

Dillon started to reply, when the door to the inn flew open to reveal Father George and two of the town’s militia.

“There’s the rascal,” Father George yelled, pointing at Dillon. “Seize him!”

Dillon jumped up, planning to escape out the back, when Sir David grabbed him by the arm gently, but firmly.

“Only with him,” Dillon replied, nodding toward Father George.

The two militiamen came to stand behind him, as Father George approached on the other side of the table. The two knights stood and introduced themselves.

“This rascal was walking through town with a sword earlier today. He claimed that it was a family heirloom that he intended to sell, but I could tell he was lying. When I challenged him for stealing it, he attacked me. On top of it all, he was irreverent and mocking toward Arhus and the church.” He turned to Dillon. “Now you’ll see what justice means, boy!”

“Father,” Sir Mark said, “he was telling the truth. Here is the sword; I bought it from him earlier today. He was just telling us some of its history with his grandfather and great-grandfather. He says his grandfather fought for the church in the Great War.” He looked at Dillon. “And, as a servant of Arhus myself, I know the truth when I hear it.”

“Sir Mark, I understand your desire to be kind toward the child, but you don’t know his history like I do. Once I arrived here, I inquired about him around town and with the other priests. I have determined that he is under the judgment of Arhus Himself.”

“He is the last of his family line. His grandfather may have served the church during the Great War, I don’t know. But after he came here, he was killed on the road outside town. That’s quite odd, especially if the man was a veteran of the Great War. His son, the father of this imp, took over his business as chandler. Less than a year ago, he and his wife both died within a week of each other from a mysterious illness that disappeared from our town soon after. To me, that sounds like the judgment of Arhus.”

“Or the work of the Dark One, trying to eliminate a potential problem.”

“Please, Sir David, don’t encourage him to think more highly of himself than he ought. He’s a ragamuffin; a lesser son of a lesser town. The Dark One’s gaze is far from here.”

“Father, you’re right, I don’t know him the way you do. But I can tell you, the Dark One’s work ranges far and wide, just as that of Arhus.”

“My point exactly. We don’t need to be using church funds to support a family under damnation. This is why I cancelled our business dealings with his accursed chandlery.”

“And never paid for the last delivery of candles you received,” spat Dillon. “Apparently, the curse on my family doesn’t extend to the candles we made, that I still see burning in your church.”

“Your poor business decisions are hardly my responsibility,” returned Father George with a condescending tone. “Arhus takes care of His own, sometimes through the mistakes of others.”

“I’ve done nothing wrong. My family has done nothing wrong. We’ve followed the precepts of Arhus my whole life.” Dillon could feel the hot tears welling up within him, but he choked them back down. He refused to be seen as a child in front of these knights. “If we’re under the judgment of Arhus, tell me why.”

“That’s not for me to say,” Father George said after a pause. “I suggest you search for the answer within yourself. Arhus will not deny those who are truly repentant.”

“You might want to do that, too,” Dillon returned. Father George turned an exquisite shade of scarlet and motioned to the militiamen. The two soldiers quickly moved to come around either side of the table toward Dillon. Dillon turned to Sir Mark. “Is this the type of justice Arhus stands for?” Sir Mark said nothing, but just watched as the soldiers grabbed Dillon and roughly escorted him to the door.