Mitch called for everyone’s attention, outlining the plan to them. “I intend to stay here tonight,” he said. He wasn’t the most experienced miner in the village, but he’d done an admirable job of coordinating the rescue in the absence of the more senior men trapped inside the mine. “I’d like a couple of volunteers to stay with me, to keep an eye on things.”
“I’ll stay,” Alti said. He’d been a pillar of strength all day, taking care of whatever task needed seeing to.
“I’ll stay as well,” Paul said. Then he immediately looked over to Lynette, a look of apprehension on his face, like he expected her to refuse. And for a split second, she wanted to say no. There was no reason for Paul to stay. He wasn’t a miner, he wasn’t even an adult. There was nothing useful he could do for the trapped men overnight.
But then she rethought her own opinion. Paul had been invested in the rescue right from the start, accompanying Koradan up the mountain that first time, risking his life inside the main tunnel. And her revelations on her own views on the ‘demons’ today had forced her to re-evaluate a few other things as well. “Okay,” she said, after giving it a moment’s thought. “But you do exactly what Mitch tells you to. This area still isn’t safe.”
Paul nodded, apparently too relieved at being allowed to stay to get annoyed about her warning. “Yeah, absolutely,” he agreed. “Whatever he says.”
“I thought you wanted to ride a vreki back down the mountain?” Koradan said from nearby. Lynette glanced over at him, and from the look on his face, she guessed he was simply playing devil’s advocate. Would the thrill of a ride on a vreki be enough to dissuade Paul from his self-assigned duty?
“I do,” Paul said, not looking the slightest bit put out by the question. “But I want to stay here tonight. So maybe I could ride Ashd tomorrow?”
“I’m sure he’d like that,” Koradan said with a knowing smile. “Best of luck for tonight, then. We’ll see you tomorrow.”
They were better equipped for someone to spend the night up here now, having learned from yesterday’s situation. This morning, they’d brought blankets, extra food and even some firewood so the campers could have a fire.
The trek back down the mountain was more subdued than it had been the night before, with the knowledge of the death of one of their friends weighing heavily on them. When they got back to Varismont, they found the salases waiting in the village square, the vreki already comfortably tucked up in the barn.
“I wanted to suggest that we share ourselves around a little differently this evening,” Rodgard said, once most of the villagers had arrived. Along with those coming down off the mountain, a fair few of the people who’d returned earlier in the day came outside, eager to hear any news from the mine. “I deeply appreciate Vernon’s hospitality last night, but he has a broken arm and three children to look after, so perhaps it would be more appropriate to leave him and his family in peace tonight.” Rodgard glanced anxiously at Koradan, who nodded, and Lynette had to wonder about the exchange. Rodgard’s request was unusually polite, compared to his typical blunt style, and she had to wonder if perhaps Koradan had had a word to him about being more amiable with the humans.
“Well, Mitch is still up the mountain, so I’m adrift for the night at the moment,” Melowin said with a smile – an expression that was still a little jarring, given his prominent tusks. “But I have some good stories to tell, if anyone’s looking for a little light entertainment?”
“I think perhaps Hetti could use a break from playing hostess as well,” Sigmore said. “Maybe I could-”
“You could come and stay with me,” Hazel called out immediately. Lynette had been about to ask for volunteers to take the salases, so it was a relief to have someone beat her to it. But given Koradan’s earlier comment about Hazel’s apparent interest in Sigmore, Lynette had to wonder just what her intentions were.
Half the crowd turned to look at Hazel, and she blushed in the light of the lanterns. “Well, Hetti said her kids really liked the story you told them,” she said to Sigmore. “And I’ve got two kids, so I’m sure they’d love to meet you.”
Sigmore froze at the news, his amiable expression turning guarded – almost to the point of panic, from Lynette’s view. “I, um… I hadn’t realised you were married,” he said, his voice tight.
“What? Oh! No, I’m not married,” Hazel blurted out, suddenly realising where he was going with the question – and confirming Lynette’s suspicions at the same time. “The children aren’t actually mine. Charrice and I had an older sister. She and her husband were killed a few years ago when a horse bolted and ran their cart off a cliff, so I adopted her kids. They’re really sweet. They’re seven and nine years old. So, um… How about it?” she trailed off, suddenly running out of steam.
“I’d love to,” Sigmore said, and Lynette caught Rodgard rolling his eyes.
“Melowin can come and stay with us,” Charrice announced, beaming at the man.
“But you only just got Joen back today,” Ann interrupted, before Melowin could reply. “Wouldn’t you rather spend time with your husband?”
“A husband I only have back because these fine gentlemen spent the day lugging rocks and risking their lives to help him.” Charrice smiled at Melowin. “My offer stands,” she said proudly.
“I’d be very grateful,” Melowin said, a grin revealing his sharp canine teeth. “Not sure I’ve ever been called a gentleman before, though.”
“First time for everything,” Rodgard muttered, and Koradan nudged him, shooting him a curt little frown.
“Rodgard’s welcome to come to our house,” Ace said, sounding a little subdued. The gash on his face was red and swollen, but clean and dry. “Like Charrice said, we owe you our lives.”
“We don’t owe them anything,” Ann said sharply.
Lynette had had quite enough of her suspicions and fear-mongering, and in an instant, she decided to put a stop to Ann’s ongoing efforts to erode the village’s confidence in their guests. “For heaven’s sake, Ann, stop griping about every little thing that happens,” she snapped at the woman. “Has it occurred to you that people here are actually grateful for the help the salases are giving us? We have a very real chance at getting almost all of our men back, and the salases have been nothing but polite and accommodating the whole way through. And on that note, Koradan’s more than welcome to come and stay with me again,” she added, before she could think better of it. “Peter, are you able to have Rigolard again, or should we find another house for him?”
“Rex, are you up for a little company tonight?” Peter asked his son. It was his house as well, after all.
“Absolutely,” Rex said with a grin. “I want to hear how the hell this lot arrived just in the nick of time to save us.” He glanced at Ann. “Far from them being demons, I’d say they’re more like angels, just based on timing alone.”
“That is heresy,” Ann said, but no one was listening.
“Early start again tomorrow,” Lynette said, as people started heading off towards their homes. “Thank you all for your help. Get plenty of rest, and please let me know if any of the miners need any help tonight. I’m happy to come, no matter what time it is.”
