“Peace is a fragile thing, even in one’s own land. Guard it like the most precious gemstones, that your offspring may know it all their life.”—Stone Elf Proverb

  The Vill, Cryptonia, Ground Plane

  Titus’ powerful voice swept over the mass, quieting many. Heads turned, whispers cropping up here and there. All wanted to catch a glimpse of the new noble. Those nearest the small group from the Tower fell back before the uniformed soldiers. Jasper’s guards circled him, hands on dagger hilts, ready for anything. Calian and Titus stood to his left and right, a little behind him. Jasper hoped he cut an impressive figure for the townsfolk. They moved forward to the center of the crowd, where the quarrel still seemed to be raging. Jasper recognized the vibrato of an incredibly indignant dwarf and the raised voice of a human, or some mixed breed.

  “It isn’t fair, I tell you!” shouted the human. “That horse is worth twice this!” Coins tinkled on the ground where they had been thrown down.

  “You dishonor honest trade,” growled the dwarf, as near open anger as Jasper had ever heard a member of the Forest Folk. “The beast is worth what I paid.”

  “Cheat!” Howled the man, leveling a finger at the dwarf. “You and all your—”

  “What’s all this?” Jasper interjected, stepping out from the crowd into the little opening. The dwarf held an old plow horse’s halter. The roughly shaped man across from him looked ready to come to blows. At the dwarf’s feet were the coins that had been so rudely returned. Upon seeing Jasper, the dwarf immediately bowed low and recited the respectful greeting Harla had shown him upon their first meeting.

  “This shortling,” the snarling human snapped, “has cheated me out of fair pay for my horse!”

  “Ser, I will ask—no, I command that you refrain from hurling insults, or I’ll have Titus throw you in a cell to cool your heels. If we cannot have polite discourse, we’re no better than animals.”

  “I don’t know what ‘diss-course’ means, but he shorted me a full three coppers, and I’ll have it out of him, or take the horse back.” The man crossed his arms and looked down his broken nose at Jasper. “Ye been here a single moon and know everything about us, do ye?” He snorted.

  “Not everything, by any means, but I know enough to resolve this, I believe.” Jasper ignored the man’s rudeness and turned to the impressively patient dwarf, though Titus looked ready to step in. “Green leaves and strong roots, forest brother,” Jasper said to him in shaky dwarvish as best he was able. The dwarf’s eyes widened, and he smiled broadly. He started to speak rapidly in his own tongue, but Jasper held up a hand. “I must apologize, friend, I have only a small grasp of your language.”

  “Ah, I see,” the dwarf nodded. “Still, it is good and right that you learn. You honor me with your words.” He bowed again. Jasper nodded and looked back and forth between the two.

  “Now, what are your names, and what is the dispute about? I gather it has something to do with selling the horse, but I would like to hear it from you both one at a time.” Jasper pointed to the loud man. “You first.”

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  “I am Cadwethen Herstson. I come to sell that there horse,” he pointed at the weathered cart horse held by the dwarf. “Hard worker though he is, I be needing the coin more than another mouth to feed. But he paid my boy less than what the beast is worth.” The dwarf opened his mouth to object, but closed it again. Jasper turned to him.

  “Your name, ser?”

  “Beklan, my Lord. Great sister-son of Tribe Mother Harla, that is your cook at the castle.” Beklan nodded his dark brown head toward the Tower. “I have need of a pack horse to travel north. The solstice draws near, and with it one of our holy days. I must return to the forest to make preparations. I did pay Cadwethen Herstson’s son this acorn and five leaves, as I found that to be a good exchange for the animal.” Beklan bent to retrieve the coins at his feet. “The boy did take it and return to his father, who presently came back and accosted me. He claims I cheated him, yet the horse is worth what I paid according to the current horse market.”

  “He is not!” Cadwethen objected, uncrossing his arms and balling his fists. Jasper raised a warning finger.

  “Control yourself, ser. This discussion does not require violence, but let me assure you, you would not emerge the victor.” Jasper glanced to his left and right at the small squad of soldiers. The man grumbled but crossed his arms and scowled. “Master Beklan, do you find any great fault or weakness in the horse, or is there some dwarven skill with horses I am unaware of?”

  “By his teeth he is twice the age the seller claimed, and when I inspected him, I found there is a kink to his back.” Beklan moved back along the horse’s side to point up behind the animal’s shoulder. “Improper loading and harness, I’d say, Lord.” Jasper turned back to the human, eyes narrowing.

  “Master Cadwethen, did you know of these ailments? Were you intentionally attempting to sell Master Beklan a horse with a bad back?” Before he could answer, Calian interrupted.

  “Think hard on your answer, ser, for I am sure you know the penalty for malevolent trading in horses is flogging.”

  “Is it really?” Jasper’s tone did not change, but his eyebrows went up. He did not look away from Cadwethen, who had paled. “How many lashes, Calian?”

  “Ten is the minimum, but it may be more if the deed warrants it.” Jasper tilted his head.

  “What is your reply, Master Cadwethen?” The man opened and closed his mouth several times, wringing his hands before swallowing and finally speaking.

  “I did not know his back was in such a state, ser, I swear on Pilinar’s axe. I was not sure of his age, but he always seemed strong and able, so I figured him for younger.” He glanced from Jasper to Calian and the soldiers standing around the noble. “Please, ser, I meant no harm by it.” Jasper faced the dwarf again.

  “Master Beklan, would you be satisfied with the horse if payment were accepted and an apology given?” Beklan nodded.

  “Yes, Lord.”

  “Very good, then.” Jasper gestured to the human. “Master Cadwethen, receive your sum and make amends that we may go about our days peacefully.” The formerly abrasive man made his apology to Beklan before taking his payment and departing. The crowd dispersed with relative quickness, once the show was obviously over. Jasper regarded Beklan as the street cleared.

  “I am pleased we could come to a satisfactory resolution, master dwarf. I wish you safe travels and fair weather.” Again, the dwarf bowed in his people’s custom. He was smiling when he stood straight.

  “You have honored me and yourself with your right judgment, Lord Jasper. I will carry word of your just ruling to my people in the Motherwood. If ever you require the aid of a dwarf in that forest, call upon me.” Beklan made another gesture he had seen the forest folk use on occasion and led his horse away.

  “What was that sign he made, Calian?” Jasper asked when they circled back to their horses.

  “It is a blessing, Lord. A kind of ward and well-wish.”

  “Well, that’s something.” Jasper glanced back in the direction Beklan had gone, then swung up into the saddle. He made a face and chuckled as the party returned to the Tower.

  “What is it, Lord?” Titus raised an eyebrow. Jasper shook his head, smirking.

  “I just realized that in all the excitement, I never got anything to eat.”