Free Call of the Herald by Brian Rathbone

to go that far. The closest she had
ever ventured was to the very end of the lake, where a large set of
falls drained from the river above. There she had climbed the
tallest tree and gazed in all directions but was unable to see the
grove. She was genuinely excited about the trip and hugged her
father and kissed him on the forehead.
    "Thank you," she said, smiling broadly. He
patted her on the shoulder and told her to run along. She retired
to her bed and dreamed of ancient trees dancing in the light of a
campfire.
     
    * * *
     
    Jensen piled the last of the lumber near old
man Dedrick's barn and gave a wave as he climbed back into his
wagon. With all the deliveries done, he had enough time to stop at
the Watering Hole. A mug of ale might help the world look better,
and Chase always loved it when he brought home some of Miss
Mariss's sausage breads. This time of day was a busy time at the
Watering Hole, and the tie-offs were all taken. Jensen guided Shama
to the back of the inn.
    "G'afternoon to ya, Mr. Volker," Strom said
as he walked from the stables, but there was an odd look of fear in
his eyes, and his voice trembled slightly. "We're just about full
up. You might want to come back another day."
    "Just the same," Jensen said, looking Strom
in the eye. "Mind if I tie Shama off back here."
    "Of course, sir," Strom said.
    "Give her a bit of water," Jensen said while
removing Shama's bridle. He hooked a lead line to her halter and
tied her off to a nearby post.
    Strom approached with a bucket of water.
"Some of those inside are looking for a fight," he whispered
without looking at Jensen. "There's been a lot of talk about
Catrin. I'm sorry, sir. I don't believe any of it, and I couldn't
let you walk into trouble not knowin' it."
    "You're a good man," Jensen said, but he
failed to keep the anger from his voice, and Strom backed away.
"Unhook the wagon and saddle Shama for me," he added, handing Strom
three coppers. "I may need to leave in a hurry."
    Strom looked as if he would be sick, but at
Jensen's nod, he began unhooking Shama. Jensen walked to the
kitchen door and slowly pulled it open. Miss Mariss, ever in
control of her inn, noticed him immediately and moved in his
direction without actually looking at him. "You ought not be here
right now," she said. "Petram is acting like the fool he is, and
there's a parade of fools ready to follow 'im. I won't have you all
settling this in my common room. You understand me?"
    "I understand," Jensen said, but he was
undeterred. When he stepped inside, Miss Mariss threw her hands in
the air. "I promise you there will be no fighting," he said.
    "Men," she said. "Stubborn mules refuse to
listen to anyone else." Though her irritation was clear, she did
not stand in his way.
    As he entered the common room from behind the
bar, only those at the bar noticed him, and none of them seemed
interested at what Petram Ross was shouting to anyone who'd listen.
Jensen nodded to the men at the bar then slipped into the crowd.
Some turned and glared at him as he pushed his way closer to
Petram, but when they saw who it was and the look on his face, they
moved aside without a word. Eventually, Jensen found himself
standing in front of Petram, and everyone else seemed to be taking
a step backward. Enthralled by the sound of his own voice, it took
Petram a moment to notice the change in his audience. At first, he
seemed annoyed, but then his eyes landed on Jensen, and he
instantly took a step back, only to find himself trapped by the
hearth he'd chosen to use as a backdrop.
    Jensen stepped forward but said nothing.
Instead, he glared at Petram with a look that conveyed a host of
threats, most of which came from Petram's imagination, which was
just as Jensen wanted it. He wanted this man to fear him more than
death. Again he moved forward, and Petram looked as if he wanted to
climb up the chimney despite the fire burning in the hearth.
    "If you even look at my niece the wrong way,"
Jensen said softly, all