Jachike watched his daughter close the gate of the coral. She was a beautiful girl, fit and hardworking. She had her mothers smile and cheery disposition. She lit up a room with joy just by walking in.

Soon he would have to start thinking about finding a husband for her. But not yet. Despite nearly being of age she was still a child. She still liked to play with the other children and often offered to herd the goats, rather than work with her mother in the house.

No, Jachike would not seek a husband for her yet. Let the girl enjoy her innocence. It would be stripped from her soon enough.

The girl smiled at him as she passed to enter the house. "Is dinner ready yet, dad?"

"Ask your mother, child. I hope so, I've been salivating at the smell from the hearth for an hour or more."


They all sat around the table eating the stew. Chicken for a change, instead of the usual goat. The mood was good as it usually was when Jachike was home. He travelled a great deal. As a hired sword it came with the territory. When he left they could not be certain of his return. So his family were always happy when he was home.

"Husband I have news," the look on Nabina's face suggested it was good news.

"Oh?"

"I received a letter from my little brother today. Yash brought it over, said a merchant left it at the tavern two weeks ago."

"Are you scolding me for not drinking, wife?"

"Jachike, no. The letter is old, Simon is far away in the north. He wrote to us nearly three months ago. Travellers and merchants have passed it on."

"So what does he say?"

"He has retired from the army. A friend he made up there willed him a farm. He has land now. He is important."

"That is good to hear, wife. I liked Simon. It is a shame he is so far away though."

"There is more. He says there is some land for us too. If we help him guard against goblins."

Jachike sat up, "Land? Our own land?"

"Yes, husband."

"Show me the letter, wife." Nabina turned from the table and picked up an envelope from the counter. She passed it across the table to Jachike. He scanned the parchment within.

"Twenty acres?"

"Plus a house, Jachike."

"Hmm, that far north a house is not optional. Frozen water falls from the sky. They call it snow. This looks to be a fair offer."

"What are goblins, dad?"

"Little folk, child. They live in caves like orcs, though they can come out in the daytime, unlike their larger cousins."

"Are they dangerous?"

"They can be, yes. They are deadly with a bow."

"Do they ride wargs, dad?"

"No daughter. Goblins are too small to master a warg. I believe they make their slaves carry them. One would reach your hip if stood next to you. Mostly they are green, but just like people they come in different colours."

"Snow, husband?"

"It's not so bad. Looks pretty, but saps energy. Unlike here farming would be seasonal. You'd have to harvest enough to survive the winter. It's tougher than grazing a flock of goats on common land."

"Do we try?"

"Land, wife."

"I know."

"If we sell the flock we should be able to afford a milk cow after we cross the sea. I'm sure your brother will take us in if we can't get a harvest in first season. I've had enough guarding caravans. Though we can do that to get passage to Jalar."

"Dare we?"

"I think we have to try."

"It could be a mistake. Selling up everything for a promise."

"I trust Simon, your brother is an honest man."

"Mum, Dad, do I have to come?"

Both turned to her together, "Yes, Adah, you do."