章 26: Fresh Prey
The meeting with the elders was long and monotonous as they discussed prices, shares of proceeds and the suspected yield that year. As the town's merchant Silvia's job would be to transport the crop to Tintagel and host the auctions at the merchant guild. She would also be responsible for registering the crops and paying the appropriate fees and taxes. In addition to those responsibilities she would act as the town buyer for supplies requested by the head family and deliver them along with the money from the sales. From there the Elders would then divide proceeds to their families.
"Are you sure we should trust this important task with miss Silvia," Grechid said, her voice having a long country draw. "It was my understandin' that she has not performed the duties of the town merchant before."
"We are not going to have this conversation again, Grechid." Stewart said with a tired voice. "My family has always been the town merchant. We know more about how things work than anyone here in the village. My granddaughter is no exception. Lucy trained her well and she knows how to read and do advanced level arithmetic."
"The loss of Miss Lucy was unexpected and we are all grieving, but that does not mean we have to put our faith in someone so inexperienced just yet." Grechid rebutted. "My grandson Gael has traded goods in Tintagel for the family and I think he should be considered."
"Your grandson, Gael? Really, you are proposing him?" Zachary the youngest Elder said. "Wasn't he the one caught spending some of the money gambling."
"That was a rumor at most and you know it!" Grechid hissed back. "He is a good boy and I am certain we will be able to get twice as much during the auction with him."
"Well why don't we leave the decision to Silvia?" Paisley said while rubbing her achy knees
All eyes in the room turned to Silvia and she felt the pressure of Grechid's knife-like gaze rest on her. Grechid has never like her family and was always vying for more power in the town. Shortly after Lucy died, Grechid successfully had her grandson take over as the town merchant while Silvia and Stewart mourned. Gael was a nightmare for the village to work with. He embezzled money, stole items, and used profits to fuel his rising gambling addiction. The town was still reeling from the few months he was in control; most of the farmers had to resort to making wooden tools instead of taking the damaged ones to the blacksmith out of fear Gael would just gamble the money away.
Albert saw Silvia flinch with uncertainty as a smile played across Grechid's wrinkled face. He had remained silent throughout the meeting since ultimately he was an outsider only there because of Silvia. However, seeing Grechid's smug condescension ticked a nerve. He quickly stood up which caused his chair to fall over with a loud thud right as Grechid was getting ready to continue. The room fell silent as the eyes that were once bearing down on Silvia turned to Albert. Grechid's smirk vanished into a scowl.
"Is this even a choice?" Albert stated with an assertive voice which seemed almost odd coming from his beautiful face. "I don't even live here and I know how terrible Gael was for the town. Silvia isn't just some small town merchant, she is better than most merchants in Tintagel."
"The most important thing you said is that you don't live here boy!" Grechid said venom practically seeped from her mouth. "This is a matter that concerns people from our town!"
Silvia stood up suddenly and without saying a word picked up Alberts chair. Everyone was silent as the young woman looked at Albert with a nod and he took his seat. She took a deep breath as she grabbed Alberts shoulder.
"Thanks Albert," She whispered to him before turning back to Grechid. Silvia's eyes were now just as sharp as the glare the elder was giving her. "Don't talk to him that way. I am not planning on letting Gael or anyone for that matter take over. So back off."
The tension in the room was settled by Zachary who played mediator. None of the other Elders had any intention of allowing Gael to take over as village merchant. The meeting concluded shortly after the debacle was sorted out. Silvia and Albert practically ran out of the town hall ready to be done with meetings for a life time. They walked along the brick road back towards the shopping square. It was already midday and Albert knew that Cena was probably searching for him.
As they approached the square they noticed that it seemed like things were just getting hotter. It was noon so they wanted to write it off as just abnormal weather but the temperature just kept rising. It got to the point that they could not bear to be in the direct sunlight. People moved out of the streets and the farmers out in the fields found shade under trees or in their sheds. Silvia and Albert squeezed into Peyton's pottery shop which was full to near capacity from people trying to get out of the sun.
In the distance a single black canine figure emerged from the woods. The beast was larger than a horse with fur that was black to the point that it seemed more like an absence in space than a color. The creature had three pairs of eyes all glowing red. The heat that radiated around the town came from this creature's presence. The intense calefaction did not radiate from the creature itself, instead an aura that surrounded it raised the temperature evenly in a wide radius.
The beast quickly scanned the town for fresh prey and spotted the men out in the field. The beast needed no further provocation to attack other than hunger. It lashed out on its powerful legs moving with incredible speed. It did not go unnoticed as the farmers dispersed as best they could. It wasn't long before one was caught and ripped to shreds by its powerful jaws.
The farmers out in the field quickly turned to attempt to make it back into the town. Those in the various shed's and cellars quickly closed the doors and barricaded themselves as best as possible. Screams echoed across the town as the creature went from hunting for food to killing for sport. Those unlucky enough to be caught outside were hunted down and quickly killed before the beast went in search of more prey.
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