It turned out it suited most people to chill for the morning and then leave at noon ti. I worked on a magical solution to the evil eye problem. I wasn’t even confident of removing it at this point, at least, not in a way that wouldn’t cause permanent harm to Umbra. The evil eye had truly attached itself to her in the few days it had existed.
So, I could brute force the problem, if it ca down to it, but I wanted a solution that was best for Umbra. I made no progress for there was nothing my own magic could tell to fix the problem. I needed the advice of others more experienced in magic, but who?
I felt I had wasted the morning.
At noon, we walked into ’town’ with Morgana leading the way.
Samiya pointed and said, "That man has iron teeth."
"Don’t be silly..." I began to speak, but I did follow her finger.
I looked and indeed there was a man with iron teeth. He seed to be so kind of street perforr. He would scare the children, and at tis lose stupidly to them. He held the audience’s attention with the force of his charismatic performance. He pulled the laughter and painted smiles across the war-weary folk.
He was surrounded by crowds of folk, most of whom ca with children.
"It’s the vampire with the iron teeth." Tulisa explained. "He’s quite popular."
"Do you want to get closer?" Iris asked Tulisa.
Samiya shook her head. Shy perhaps.
The crowd’s laughter drew my attention back to the perforr. I watched as he ’tripped’ and bit his own ass in a display of impressive flexibility and skill. I burst out laughing. His look of feigned embarrassnt and shock.
A kid ’had’ to tickle his chin to ’free’ him from his predicant. It was a bit much for to ask a kid to do that, but I ca from a different culture.
"You sure?" I asked Samiya.
She shook her head. She wasn’t?
I offered her my hand and she took it. She couldn’t see, so I lifted her onto my shoulder. I couldn’t see her expression, but Iris looked happy watching Samiya. I could hear the young girl laugh and clap. I guessed she was happy enough up there watching.
While I was used to different humour, I enjoyed myself imnsely watching the perforr. It was a rare chance to laugh in a world that seed painted in tragedy and conflict. I lost myself observing dumb fun with the rest of the crowd.
All too soon, though it was in actual fact quite a while, the perforr wound down their current act. Pleased with their efforts I discreetly gave them a bag of silver which I estimated to be a generous gift, not too heavy, but not too much. They thanked gratefully.
We also passed two dogs both white breasted where one had patches of black fur and other was mostly brown. They were engaged in a sowhat deep conversation about the plight of the labouring farr living off of the labour of their own hands in comparison to wealthy clan chiefs who lived in substantial wealth and comfort. We didn’t interrupt their private philosophical conversation at the door to one of the roundhouses.
Looking away from the two dogs, I saw a young girl crept up to the farr’s wagon. She was thin as a stick, mud stained thing. She looked barely old enough to attend school. Here she was stealing food for what I guessed to be for survival.
The farr, a large, middle-aged woman glanced at the young thief out of the corner of her eye. She squinted and nodded to herself. She then turned back around. All without the child thief noticing. The thief stole away with a handful of raw root vegetables.
Tara moved to raise a protest, but I raised my hand to silence her. I watched the child thief run away. She was a terrible thief. If the farr didn’t mind then I sure wasn’t. If the farr I did care then I would have paid for the food anyway.
She was the first and not the last poverty-stricken child we ca across. There were a few teens and adults as well, but most of them were not able bodied by birth or war.
Another problem. One so obvious I shouldn’t have needed to see it to know it existed. Despite my vast power, I was technically holess. A guest of the Druids, and living under their hospitality.
I can’t believe there is a food issue when I have the power to cultivate all the food we need. It set on edge and biting my teeth. Frustration because there were so many obstacles in the way of fixing the issue. If I grow food then the farrs are out of jobs and then I have an angry mob trying to kill again - a repeat of Ferisdarm.
Not to ntion the problems of private property even if the farrs were okay with it. Doesn’t an the clans will be. Lastly, supposing everyone is okay with it and I make enough food for everyone that doesn’t an it will actually be given to everyone.
"Not our problem." Morgana said cold as ice.
"Isn’t it?" I said with audible frustration.
"No. Certainly, not for today. Assassins, roman army, clan and druid politics and organising the survivors of Ferisdarm. Not to ntion sorting out ourselves and raising Samiya. No, my Champion. We cannot shoulder all the problems."
"Not today, but my city will not allow such poverty to be even possible. This I swear."
"I hope so." Iris spoke up.
"As do I." Morgana agreed.
"Of course, Master." Umbra agreed.
We were walking slowly towards the nearest farm. But, we never reached our destination. Next, mont of interest ca hundreds of feet down the roads we passed one of many houses.
"Give yer golden bands or lose your protection when the Romans co in."
The speaker banging on the door looked to be a thin, gaunt man, but the light of greedy glead in his eyes. A bright determination to get his grubby hands on precious tals. Behind the speaker were two large, tattooed warriors each ard with axes.
"Extortion in broad daylight." I muttered with contempt under my breath.
I sensed another, a thief, scaling the rooftop just out of sight. No doubt, checking for anything hoarded to take.
"I’ll deal with these vermin." Tara said punching hand to fist and grinning. "No need to bother the little one."
I caught her aning that we could just leave with Samiya while she sorted these felons out. But, I wanted to interfere anyway. Earth would have ducked his head and not bothered. I had no such fear of consequences or apathy stemming from powerless despair.
A seemingly random bolt of lightning struck the rooftop leaving less than a scorch mark. It did have the stunning effect to surprise the thief and send him tumbling dowd. He fell. All nearby eyes on him the thief crashed to the ground with a sick snapping of his arm and a sore bump of the head.
"Wow, oh no. How surprising. I’m shook. Hope he is okay." I said in a deadpan tone.
I did not go over and help him. I judged him alive and not in critical condition. Anything else could wait.
The cronies also did not go to check on the thief. A rather smart and ruthless move on their part. Violence and brutality seed to have eroded their compassion for their fellow.
"Surrender thieves or et your last to my steel." Tara declared with a warrior counance.
I noticed the beads of sweat starting to form on the thin, gaunt man’s brow. Tara cut an imposing figure, and not to ntion they were outnumbered and nearby was a man of clear guilt to the stated cri.
"Ho there strangers. Wait a mont. We haven’t broken the Law. No Druid or anyone else could say otherwise." The leader said defensively.
"You had a thief on the roof of their house." Morgana pointed out.
"Never t the man in life. A stranger. I only thank you have done work for . Promised protection for goods and these folk are short on what they owe. Lucky for em you here to help em out this ti. Will they be lucky if it happens again? Dangerous tis make for dangerous folk they say." The leader said.
Simple justice neither law nor villiany would make unless force or proof be imposed. Villains would lie and hide behind law. We could either use force or investigate to gather proof and thus court of public opinion sha them.
"Looks like there is nothing we can do. The law protects you." I concluded.
"We are simple warriors plying are skills as we can."
"It is a sha then that you are lying." I declared.
"You dare." He growled.
"You won’t confess?"
"There is nothing to tell. We are right under the laws of our ancestors."
"The dogs we passed on the street are wiser than you."
"Who are you?"
"I am Damian Grey. Sorcerer and the sole reason you all are still breathing."
The three looked to each other with pale faces and then to Tara who nodded in affirmative.
They fell to their knees and bowed their heads.
I hesitated. Their reaction seed extre.
"Please spare us."
Whatever. I have no problems with becoming the bad guy. You all should fear . Maybe then fools will stop trying to kill my loved ones.
"Let handle it." Tara said her intention again this ti with a slight bow of her.
I nod.
"Thanks, Tara. Sorry to work you so hard." Morgana added.
"It is my duty and honour."
"Just don’t miss dinner, I’m cooking your favourite tonight." Iris said.
"She’s right, be quick or I will gobble up all the stew."
"Damian!" Iris called out.
Tara chuckled, "Swift as the wind, Master Sorcerer."
I placed a hand on the injured thief. I left a mote of power that would heal him if worse ca to worse, but otherwise would let him suffer through the natural process of healing.
We left Tara behind to handle the thieves and scoundrels.
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