Paul had walked back slower than he normally would, he hadn't meant to cause Dallin any trouble. It had been a nagging question, he couldn't help himself.
Voices could be heard, he paid them no mind at first. Then there was a cry of pain, which grabbed his attention immediately.
Just down the road through the village, he saw three elves atop horses and a single elf standing over a familiar form. As he drew closer, he could make out more of what was being said.
"You wanihndrê ought to know that rabbit pelts are reserved for the Lord and his house." said the dismounted elf.
"Please my lord, he is still a child have mercy!" it was Ella, Paul recognized her voice. She was protectively covering a smaller elf who was bleeding from the lip.
"If he is too young, then you or your husband must appease the law. Do you know what the punishment for theft from the landowner is?" The dismounted elf had short black hair and wore a saber on his belt.
"Nay master Lynwood. I will take the blame, Whatever it may be, please spare my son." Paul didn't know what to do, he wanted to help but he was no fighter. He had no weapons and no armor.
The elf named Lynwood took notice of his approach.
"Oh? I see that you are housing the kadrêni now too?" said Lynwood.
He looked at Paul with disgust, "Who are you non-elf, and what business do you have on my father's land?"
"I am Paul, I help Garrett in the tavern in exchange for a room, sir."
"Your accent is revolting, who taught you our tongue?"
"The monk, Knox, he li-"
"Yes, I know that old fool. Of course a holy idiot would have compassion for a stranger, even while we are at war no less!"
Paul glanced at Ella, who was trying to get the young elf to go inside.
"Nay, don't look at them, I am speaking to you." Lynwood turned his head and looked at the struggling mother.
Lynwood grinned cruelly "Father would not be pleased if I harmed a wanihndrê again so soon, so it seems Erowin has smiled upon you wench. A kaldrêni, however, well they have no rights. Should I give him your punishment instead? Would you accept that to save your child?"
Ella darted her eyes to Paul, then scooped up the young Wystan, and ran into the tavern.
He was alone with the armed elves.
"Well, non-elf, it would seem you have been abandoned. Alas, there are two paths here. First path, you run. My elves will run you down, and my hounds should enjoy your corpse. The other, you submit and I take one of your fingers, such is the penalty for theft."
Paul felt a sudden chill run through him, his pulse throbbing in his ears, this was not good.
Think of something you idiot! You got the others out of the way, now you have to save yourself!
Paul hesitated, then spoke the first words that rolled out of his mind. "You outnumber me, I am not armed, and I have no armor. Surly a Lord's son would have more honor!"
Lynwood scoffed, "Would you rather I mount and run you down myself?"
"My lord! I have no horse, and I could never hope to escape! Surly such a high born elf would be my better even unmounted!"
Appealing to honor? God I hope he's stupid enough to take it…
"HAH! Would you have me tie a hand behind my back as well? Or would you wish I offer you my saber? Would you believe me to be so dull?" Lynwood cocked his head, and the riders all chuckled amongst themselves.
"No my lord! I would never doubt your wit! However, how can such a noble elf find thrill unless he is challenged!"
Is challenge the right word to use? Maybe I-
"Challenged! Well! I am sure that we can make it a challenge! Here kaldrêni, I think I shall allow you a third path to take. Tomorrow, at sunset I will return. You will face me, as you are with whatever you may find as a weapon. After I have cut you down, my elves will punish not only the child, but all of his family as well. Should you draw blood, I will forgive this family."
Lynwood turned to his fellows who all nodded approval, or merely smirked at the human.
It was not the right word, shit…
Paul thought for a moment, "I will take the third path."
"Wonderful! Tomorrow I shall bring my brothers so we may all delight in your defeat!"
Lynwood Mounted his steed, "Farewell, kaldrêni! Enjoy your final hours!"
The group of mounted elves trotted off down the road leaving the village behind.
* * *
Paul was sitting at the bar when Garrett walked through the doorway.
"Oh you're back, I just finished loading the Lord's share of our yield. I take it the tax collectors have come and gone then."
Paul didn't move, "I'm going to die tomorrow."