The sun was high in the sky, glaring down angrily at the world below, as it let its heat pound on those that were foolhardy enough to venture out into it. The horizon line shimmered and danced and every tree and building was greeted with joy, granting short salvation in the form of cool shade.
The farm lay deadly silent, not like its usual midday bustling self. Crows chirped around, looking at the stains on the ground. A short distance away from the farm there stood the remains of a great fire, still smouldering.
All was quiet.
Over the horizon, there appeared 2 silhouettes, walking along the road from the capital. As they got closer to the farm, they went from being wobbly black silhouettes to the outlines of two men, one tall and thin, one smaller and wider. They walked along, and as they were nearly upon the farm, there conversation could be overheard (if there had been anyone to overhear it that is). The shorter of the two seemed to be in disagreement with his traveling companion, and wasn't afraid to show it.
"I just don't see why we should trust him again Hector, that's all. I mean, he didn't tell us nothing about what was in that soup. Supposing we had had a little morsel ourselves eh? I for one would not have enjoyed those consequences, not if the rumours going around were true." He stopped his rant only to shudder and looked as though he was about to continue, but his companion, Hector, cut him off.
"Relax Benson. I told you, we didn't have any so it's all good. What are we, amateurs? Besides, Marcus has never steered us wrong before now has he? The message said he has some high value goods that need to be out of his possession pronto. Once we get them to another city it's fair game, and we will be rolling gold. Come on Benson, cheer up!" With that he stopped to lean on a wall on the outskirts of the farm, close by to the remains of the fire. He took a skin from his hip and drained the water held within.
Benson looked around nervously while his friend drank. "How can you be so calm in a place like this?" He glanced over to the remains of the fire, still smouldering. "What do you think happened here anyway?"
Hector stored his water skin and looked over the scene in front of him. He knew the old man that owned this farm. He wasn't close friends by any account, but they had stopped on their travels in the past, sharing a mug of ale and a story or two, even staying in the barn when there travels had not gone as swiftly as they would like. Yet now, the farm was deathly quiet. The old man was nowhere to be seen. As Hector glanced across the path further up the road, he saw what looked like dried blood.
"You know Benson, for once you might not be far off with that bad feeling of yours. Looks to me like something bad happened here, and I sure as hell don't wanna' hang around to find out for myself." With that, he turned to continue up the road, but stopped almost instantly as a glint caught his eye.
Years in the business of buying and selling goods (not always acquired in lawful ways) had taught Hector two things. The first was to never trust anyone, no matter how often you deal with them. The second thing was the amazing ability to spot expensive gear a mile off. So, when he spotted a glint coming from the pile of ash, he knew it was valuable.
"On second thoughts, let's just take a look over here shall we?" and with that, he trotted off over the grass, heading towards the smouldering mound. Benson looked around nervously and then followed him, glancing around as he did.
Once close enough, Hector saw that the shiny object was a very very expensive looking sword, with a heavily ornate pommel. He could almost hear the sound of gold raining down on him as he reached out and pulled it from the wreckage.
"Benson, I think someone up there likes us." He hung the sword through his belt and turned back towards the road. Benson, as always, followed his friend, still glancing around. "What is the owner comes looking for it though?"
Hector stopped. "Benson, for once, can we not just enjoy the moment. The owner must be dead, burnt with the rest of them. Lucky for us this sword wasn't damaged too. Now, just relax, and let's get going. We've got some money to make."
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