Chapter 42: There's No Such Thing

Chapter 42: There's No Such Thing

The interior of the farmhouse was large and airy. The room contained a stove with a number of pots simmering on it, and a wooden table with benches on either side and a chair on each end. It could easily seat eight, maybe more.

We stood in the doorway, all wiping our feet on the mat for longer than was required. The woman came out of a side room carrying a whimpering toddler. The kid stopped the moment he saw us and stared. Mainly at Maurice.

Sit down, then, said the woman as she walked over to the stove where she began stirring one pot after another. My names Margi.

We all introduced ourselves as we took a seat at the table. Margi didnt seem too worried about having five strangers in her house, but then, she looked like she could beat the crap out of us with the kid in one hand and a rolling pin in the other.

My husbands not here at the moment, she told us, but he should be back soon. I take it youre not here for the rogue ogre.

We all looked confused.

Whats a rogue ogre? I asked. Dont all ogres run around smashing things up and roaring for no reason?

She gave me the look I knew only too well from the people in Probet.

And please remember we dont have ogres where we come from.

Her face relaxed a little and she shifted her son onto her other hip. Youre right, it isnt fair to expect you to know these things. Ogres, in general, arent particularly troublesomeif you leave them alone, they wont bother you. But every now and again, one will suddenly become enraged and go on a rampage.

There was something ripping up trees in the forest, said Maurice. We didnt see it, but it sounded pretty mad. Updated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m

Thatll be him, said Margi. No one knows what sets them off, but the only way to stop them is to kill them. It doesnt happen very often, but recently weve had a spate of them. Thats why my husbands gone into Fengarad to fetch someone to take care of it. At first, I thought maybe thats why you were here, but by the looks of you, you arent ready for that kind of a fight. Not yet, anyhow.

The ogre we encountered on our first day had been enraged for sure, but the one we saw eating rabbits had been calm, almost docile. So what Margi was saying seemed to be true. They werent aggressive unless something provoked them. Knowing what that something was would be quite useful.

Can they talk? I asked.

She looked confused. Can who talk?

Ogres, I said. Are they able to speak?

Despite my explanation for our ignorance, she still cocked her head like she couldnt believe just how dumb a question I had asked. I wouldnt know. Ive never spoken to one.

Obviously, I was being silly. The others were tucking in with gusto. The smell was too much for me to resist.

It tasted as amazing as it smelled. Freshly cooked and perfectly seasoned. I think it may have been the best meal of my entire life, even if it was soylent green.

After wed stuffed ourselves I felt a bit dazed, like I was stoned. I just sat there feeling full. We were very grateful and expressed our thanks repeatedly.

Is it just you and your husband here? asked Claire.

Margi laughed. Oh no. My boys are out working the fields. Six in all, including little Dom here. She cuddled the boy in her arms. He pulled a face and tried to wriggle out of the embrace.

The news of five more sons had an unsettling effect on me. There was no reason to believe they were anything but wonderful young men, but a pinching feeling in the back of my head urged me to not wait around to find out just how wonderful.

We should get going, I said.

The others looked taken by surprise by my suggestion.

My husband should be back tonight. If youre heading to the city, we make regular trips. He could give you a ride in the wagon.

How far is it to the city? asked Maurice. If you were on foot.

She thought about it for a moment. Three days?

The others turned to me with pleading eyes. This was the problem with being well-fed and comfortable. It made you sloppy.

I suppose we could stay for a bit, if its okay, I said, like an idiot.

Of course, said Margi. Having visitors is an honour. One day you may become great people, and youll remember little Margi who helped you when you were just starting out. You can stay in the barn. It isnt much, but its warm and dry, and a straw bed is more comfortable than the ground, thats for sure.

It seemed a reasonable deal. A hot meal and a warm place to sleep, in return for which shed have the gratitude of five potential legendary heroes. Of course, the greatest thing we were likely to achieve was not dying, but she didnt know that.

The warmth in my stomach, the eager looks on the faces of my party, they all contributed to me ignoring my natural instinct to spend as little time with people as possible.

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.