The Village Children
I decided to speak with Gary, who knew Wesley Jenkins well. I hated leaving the outpost again, but Elina, Lindel the guard dog, and Asletica the old lake dragon were here, so I wasn’t too worried about security.
As I was getting my horse Leon ready, Village Chief Ganun arrived at the outpost.
“Up early again, Sir Justin.”
“Morning, Chief Ganun. Something wrong?”
“Just came to thank you.”
“Thank me?”
He unfolded a newspaper—an article about Lowell Glaberson being arrested for using forbidden magic to manipulate his brother and take over the Goethel Mines.
“Looks like it’s been widely reported.”
This scandal was surely a huge blow to the Glaberson family’s reputation. Amira had been especially shaken—after all, it was her relative who had tried to ruin his own brother.
But rumors always come with exaggeration, and Amira had been scared about how the village children, especially Parker and the others she played with, would see her.
Just then, speak of the devil, those same kids showed up at the outpost.
“Master Justin… Is Amira here?”
“Ah, yeah.”
Parker asked on behalf of the group, but before I could fetch Amira, she’d already come outside.
The kids rushed over, and Chief Ganun and I watched in suspense, wondering what would happen next.
“Amira… we’re always your friends.”
“If anything happens, come to us.”
“We’ve got your back!”
“E-everyone…”
Amira burst into tears at their encouragement.
“They’re good kids,” Chief Ganun said.
“They’re the pride of the village.”
I couldn’t agree more.
The magic mine problem was solved, but we still had Lillian’s mystery to unravel. I had to see this through, so Amira could live peacefully again.
What do you think about this chapter?
