Warden's Daughter Pt.7

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-basically just added a few words and thoughts in this one, but I hope you like it!

Glipwood

I chase after the others as they head down the lane, Nugget running ahead a few steps.

As we enter town, I wave to the Shoosters and the guests on their porch. I think about asking them if they’d seen Peet today, but not with the others.

As we continue down to Oskars, he greets us from the deck while we walk up the few steps.

“Ho, there Igibys!” He calls, Zouzab peeking out the window behind him.

“Hello, Mr. Reteep,” Janner responds.

“Janner, lad, do you think you could help put up the books from my last trip to Dugtown? And brink Tink along too, we could use the extra hands. And by the looks of it, he could use the exercise.”

Tink’s eyes widen, “Really, Mr. Reteep?”

“That’s right, lad. What do you think of all this fuss lass?” Oskar continues, looking at Leeli, “Glipwood is a different town for a day, isn’t it?”

She looks around, smiling, “I like it. But after a day of it, I’ll be glad when things go back to normal-”

Janner interrupts, rolling his eyes, “Well, I wish Glipwood was like this everyday. I wish The Only Inn was always full of travelers and merchants with news from Torrboro and Fort Lamendron or tales from explorers who’ve gone beyond the edges of the maps. Did you ever think about the fact that there might be whole continents that no one from Skree has ever seen-”  Podo’s from Skree and traveled plenty. You’ve heard about other places from him. Well, not places like where you’re from, but places Skreeans scarce go. “-That no one from anywhere has ever seen? We’ve never even been to Fort Lamendron, and Grandpa says it’s only a day’s ride from here. All these rich people from Dugtown and Torrboro get to really see Aerwiar, not just shovel hay all day-”

“Janner,” I interrupt, “If someone didn’t do the work, there’d be no way for them to be"rich ". Besides, do you really think these people have all the money it looks like they do? Their clothes are patches over patches. No jewelry on anyone. How much do you really notice about them if you can’t see how much they’ve been worn down?”

Oskar adds to it, “Lad, it’s one thing to be poor in pocket-–nothing wrong with that. But poor in heart—that’s no good. Look at them. They’re sad in the eyes, and it’s a sadness no amount of money could repair. Why, they hardly remember what it’s like to laugh from the belly anymore. Young Maddie is right lad, Everyone you see out here’s worn down from the Fangs. I don’t think you realize Glipwood is one of the towns left best from their rampages.”

“But they seem happy, Mr. Reetep, don’t they?” Leeli asks, “We could hear the laughter and music from up the lane,” She looks at me as she finishes.

“People come to Glipwood to see the dragons,” I tell her, glancing at Oskar to make sure I didn’t cut him off.

He nods and I continue, “It’s one of the only freedoms we have left. We sleep under the roof we want and with our family, sure. We–though it’s broken—live in our own land. That’s not what freedom used to be-”

Oskar interrupts and I quiet, “Some of us still remember what it’s like to stroll through town after dark, or ride a horse through a safe forest.” His voice changes, and I think he’s talking to himself more than us, “It’s beginning to feel like the Fangs have always been here, that Gnag the nameless has always ruled us, taxed us, and stolen our young.”

I back up a pace, almost trying to separate myself from his words.

“Ah. But it’s a fine day, is it not, Igiby children? There’s a time to think hard and there’s a time to ease up. Now you run along. As the great Thumb of the Honkmeadow wisely wrote, ‘The games are starting soon enough’”

He waved us away as he pushed his patch of hair more firmly on his head.

As we pass the jail, I see Janner staring at Gnorm, eating at an empty bone. The two beside him hiss as Gnorm throws the bone at a resident, currently wiping grease and slobber from his face. 

Uncle Esben would’ve figured out a way against them a while ago, if he could.

I see Janner and Tink smile at each other, and I notice a group of people in a circle, laughing at something between them.

Tink points and runs forward, “Peet the Sock Man! Come on, Leeli! Let’s see what he’s up to.”

They push through the crowd as I stand back, but none of them notice.

I join the applause as Papa flips back on his feet, skipping away. 

“And he’s gone,” Janner says as the crowd leaves, coins scattered on the ground.

Tink pops up beside me, “Do you think it’s true that he lives up near the old forest?”

“He’d have to be crazy to live there,” Janner shrugs.

Tink pauses and skips a step before continuing, “Well if anyone’s crazy enough to go near the forest, it’s Peet. The Blaggus boys said they saw him up by the forest, riding a toothy cow like it was a horse, whipping its rear with a switch. They said he was singing a ballad.”

I saw him and a cow earlier, headed away from the cottage. Probably the same one, if they can be considered honest.

Janner snorts, “No way. Nobody could survive a toothy cow. Besides, the Blaggus boys are too jumpy to go anywhere near the forest. They’re pulling your strings. Come on- Where’s Leeli? Leeli!”

I glance down, watching her rub Nugget’s belly at my feet.

“Janner?” I ask, not looking up.

He spins around, sighing when he sees her.