Chapter 19

He saw Lynna first. She was standing with her hands on her hips, looking down at the source of wimpering and screaming. He wondered why he hadn't heard the screaming outside. When he saw the source of the noise, he didn't know how to react at first.

Jacob Bentz was lying curled up on the floor in a corner. He was in a puddle of his own urine. Avern didn't think he had ever seen a more pathetic sight.

"Please," Jacob kept begging between screams. He was clutching himself and writhing and sometimes flailing about.

"Please isn't good enough, Jacob Bentz. What do you say?" he heard his daughter say with such absolute authority he almost felt timid about interrupting.

"Lynna..."

"He knew what was going on, Father. He saw the terror in Mary's eyes and he liked it. When the dog started biting into her...and she really started screaming...he laughed. I've seen the entire thing in Mary's mind, and I've seen it all from his."

Bentz spasmed and screamed again.

"What are you doing to him, Lynna? I should be taking care of this."

"He almost killed her, father. And he wanted it that way. I've heard every thought he had while it was happening. If you'd heard what he was thinking you'd be irate, too."

Bentz stopped screaming and came back to begging. Avern suspected that there was a pattern involved. He wished he knew what Lynna was doing.

"Lynna, I can take care of this," he insisted.

"Not like I can."

"I'm...I'm sorry?" Bentz whimpered desperately.

Lynna's head turned back to Bentz, her eyes hard in a way that Avern had never seen before.

"What for Jacob Bentz? Why are you sorry?"

"For...locking my door?"

"I'm sorry, you'll have to do better than that," Lynna replied coldly and Jacob's screams and writhing started anew.

Avern found himself taking a step backwards from his daughter. He realized that she seemed to radiate an angry heat all around her. He thought he could actually see the air shimmering slightly around her from it.

"Lynna, this isn't like you. Please, I'm asking you to stop and let me handle this," he tried. She turned to look at him again, and he felt as if her hard eyes were searching through him for a moment. It was all he could do not to recoil from her gaze.

"Do you love her, father? I know she helps you not feel so lonely, but do you love her?"

"Lynna, I feel strongly for Mary, but I haven't sorted out all of how I feel yet. And I don't know how Mary --"

"You're lying." Her eyes narrowed. "I'm not hiding anymore, father. I can read your thoughts, and you're lying. You do love her. And you know what? She loves you too. She's loved you for a long time, actually. And this man wanted her to die screaming. And so she did scream. She was in horrible pain as that dog tried to tear her apart, and he listened and he hoped she was dying so he wouldn't have to deal with her again."

Bentz was begging again from the corner, trying to say that he hadn't meant it, and Lynna turned to look at him for a moment. Avern saw that the man was starting to drool, and wondered if Bentz wasn't going to pass out soon.

"Liar," she said to him, and he resumed screaming. Avern reached out to grab her arm, but an electric force not unlike lightening seared through his fingers and arm and pushed him back away from her. He stood there stunned, suddenly wishing Agmar was here. He turned, hopefully, at the sound of footsteps on the wood floor of the store and saw Stott there, slowly approaching. The look in Stott's eyes suggested that there was more developing between the boy and Lynna than Avern had realized. He hoped it was enough. He was sure now that she was in danger.

"Lynna?" Stott called to her quietly. "Lynna, you have to stop now. This is the evil talking now, not just you. You're angry, but you're not the type to really hurt anybody. You save lives, not destroy them. Just walk away from this, please."

"Stott, this doesn't concern you. This man ---"

"I know what he did, Lynna. He does deserve punishment. But not this. Let me guess - you're making him see and feel what happened to Mary?"

She turned to look at him as he came up next to her, and Avern could see he'd startled her. He looked over at Bentz, as the man threw his arms up in front of his face, screaming and then tried to fend off an invisible dog from tearing into his arm and the front of his body. His heart grew faint at the thought of Mary going through that. A small part of him thought Bentz was getting what he deserved, despite his more prominent feeling of horror at what Lynna was doing.

"You don't understand, Stott --" Lynna began.

"Yes I do. You're scared. And right now the anger feels better than being afraid all the time. You're the one who told me what the evil wants, and right now you're headed right towards it. And I don't want to see that happen. Your father isn't the only one who's trying to figure out how he feels about someone you know."

Avern felt his jaw drop as Stott steeled his shoulders and moved in to kiss her, putting his hand around the back of her neck to bring them together. The air seemed to spark and there was a bright flash and a crashing noise. Avern had to turn his head and shield his eyes. When he looked back, Lynna stood there looking somewhat dazed, and Stott was on the floor, sitting back up and dusting bits of wooden crate off of himself.

Lynna was blinking as Stott stood back up. He walked directly back to Lynna, and lifted her chin to look at him directly.

Bentz whimpered and sobbed softly, ignored in the corner. Avern thought that whatever he had been experiencing had stopped. Bentz was a mess.

"Stay here with me, Lynna, alright?" Stott asked softly. Lynna hugged him tightly.

"I'm sorry, Daddy," she said, looking over Stott's shoulder at him. He moved forward and put arms around the two of them. The three just stood there for a moment, silent and still. As far as he knew, no boy had kissed her before. He wasn't sure how to feel about it now.

"Thank you, Stott," Avern eventually said. He saw Bentz scramble towards the stairs that led up to the private residence above them. He let go, giving his daughter a final pat on the shoulder. "It's alright now. Lynna, please remember what Agmar is trying to teach you about control. I don't think I have to tell you what displays like that make people think. Stott, I'd like you to stay with her, if that's alright."

Both of them nodded, and they hugged each other more tightly. "Stay out of trouble," he added. And to think other fathers just have to worry about their daughters becoming women...

He ascended the stairs slowly and deliberately. He made a point of stepping heavily enough that Bentz would know he was coming. Hopefully Bentz would also be able to tell that it was him and not Lynna coming up.

Avern found the man hastily pulling on new pants. He tucked his shirt in with angry, jerking shoves.

"Avern--"

"Not a word, Jacob," he said softly but firmly. It was what Lynna called his 'mayor voice.' Bentz fidgeted as if on the edge of speaking out, but held his tongue.

"This is not the first complaint I've had about you since this started. I don't want to hear another. This town has needs right now, and you are going to see to them. I don't want any questions, I don't want any complaints or snide remarks. Keep a tally of everything, and I'll see you get reimbursed when this is all over.

"But mark my words, Jacob, if I hear of one more incident, one more complaint, no matter how small or trivial, and I'll have this building and everything in it confiscated for the town's use.

"And you have a few days yet before this is all over. You had better deeply hope that Mary isn't still holding any hurt feelings by then. Because this town hasn't had to hold a trial in quite some time, and if she pushes for it, what you did could very easily be seen as attempted murder by willful neglect. Think on that a bit, Jacob Bentz."

Avern turned to leave, not expecting any reply from Jacob.

"That trial would be a farce with you presiding over it, Avern Mordan." Bentz turned and spat. "You're the one to talk with the kind of secrets you've been keeping. And from the sound of it, you're already in bed with the town whore so of course you'd rule in her favor. I get put through hell by that brat of yours because I had my door shut to get some orders taken care of without interruption. It's not like I set the damned dog on that bitch, I just didn't bother risking myself to help her. She's used goods Avern, you could do a lot better. But then maybe you can't, seeing as how you've been harboring a witch all these years."

He turned and swung his fist, feeling the bones in his fingers connect with the ridges around Bentz's left eye. He threw all of his weight into it, and the punch sent Jacob backwards, bumping into a chair and then falling to the ground. Avern could tell the man was still feeling weakened from what Lynna had done to him as the normally hardy man seemed to crumple from the hit.

"I never really realized what a bastard you are Bentz," he said as Jacob glared up at him. "If it weren't for the fact that it would have done terrible things to Lynna's state of mind, I'm starting to think I shouldn't have tried to stop her. Think hard before you approach Mary or my daughter ever again, Jacob. Lynna's cooked breakfast for you once every week at my home for years now. And Mary has never done anything to deserve such reproach from you. If you ever do anything that hurts either of them in any way -- so help me, I'll kill you myself."

He turned away, grinding his heel into the floor as he did and slamming the door behind him as hard as he could. He slowed his pace and deliberately walked softly as he made his way down the stairs, taking slow, deep breaths to calm himself. He came up short when he saw that Lynna and Stott hadn't moved, but were standing there, kissing, in the center of the room. He could see people peering in the store windows from outside, but the two seemed oblivious to everyone. Suddenly feeling awkward, Avern cleared his throat. Both Lynna and Stott turned towards him with flushed faces and slightly guilty expressions.

"I'm sorry, am I interrupting?" he asked, teasing a little, and hoping to break the uncomfortableness of it. Faces at the windows vanished.

"Um, no Father." Lynna's blush deepened.

As he stepped outside, Avern marveled once more at small-town life. Everyone in town was supposed to be in just a few specific places. Yet there were already an easy dozen people gathered outside. He felt as though he were expected to give a speech.

Syred Allder was still around with a few of his men. Avern motioned him over.

"Syred, I've...spoken with Jacob. I've made it clear that people are to have what they need, and that he should keep a list of everything for reimbursement later.

"But realistically, there are some things we should control so we don't run out of. I'd appreciate it if you could select someone to help keep an eye on things. Whether it's goods here, or supplies from Bruckert, I don't want to see anything get out of hand. If there's a need for something out of the ordinary, approval should come from me or possibly Agmar."

"I'm not officially in charge of stuff like that, Avern. I don't really have the authority--"

"You do now. Listen, Syred, you've been responsible for peace and safety in this town for some time now. Just not in title. I always figured you offered your services to us those years ago because you just didn't care for retirement.

"But starting right now, you're the town constable, or magistrate, or whatever the title is. When this is over, we'll find out the proper title, and you can decide if you want it. As mayor I'm allowed to appoint you like that. Personally, I don't know why I didn't do it years ago."

"I'm sorry, am I interrupting?" he asked, teasing a little, and hoping to break the uncomfortableness of it. Faces at the windows vanished.

"Um, no Father." Lynna's blush deepened.

As he stepped outside, Avern marveled once more at small-town life. Everyone in town was supposed to be in just a few specific places. Yet there were already an easy dozen people gathered outside. He felt as though he were expected to give a speech.

Syred Allder was still around with a few of his men. Avern motioned him over.

"Syred, I've...spoken with Jacob. I've made it clear that people are to have what they need, and that he should keep a list of everything for reimbursement later.

"But realistically, there are some things we should control so we don't run out of. I'd appreciate it if you could select someone to help keep an eye on things. Whether it's goods here, or supplies from Bruckert, I don't want to see anything get out of hand. If there's a need for something out of the ordinary, approval should come from me or possibly Agmar."

"I'm not officially in charge of stuff like that, Avern. I don't really have the authority--"

"You do now. Listen, Syred, you've been responsible for peace and safety in this town for some time now. Just not in title. I always figured you offered your services to us those years ago because you just didn't care for retirement.

"But starting right now, you're the town constable, or magistrate, or whatever the title is. When this is over, we'll find out the proper title, and you can decide if you want it. As mayor I'm allowed to appoint you like that. Personally, I don't know why I didn't do it years ago."

"Look, Avern, I'll do the job. That's not a problem. I'll tell people I'm doing it on your say-so and most of them won't take issue with that. But I'm through taking on titles, so don't pin one on me, alright? I've always found it ironic that everyone ended up calling me Captain around here after one of the young men on the boat I came in on had called me that as part of a joke. I have held the title of Captain before, along with several others, but there are reasons why I don't want to take on another. I brought Myrah here to raise her somewhere safe and peaceful. Generally I only draw my blade to maintain that peace and safety. I don't mind helping out, but a title suddenly puts me in a position of obligation and duty and I have my reasons as to why I would rather not be in such a position again."

Avern looked at the man in surprise. Apart from the occasional bawdy joke - and he knew a couple that could make even the sailors blush - Syred was generally a quiet man who didn't say more than a couple sentences at a time. He had always been far more likely to ask questions than to answer them. Avern had always known there was more to the man's past than he'd ever said and that Syred had travelled heavily over his years, but now he wondered what kind of 'reasons' made him look suddenly so tired just now. Syred was one of the closest of the people Avern considered friends here. Both men had arrived in town alone with their daughters, though Syred had arrived before Avern. Syred had been the first to make him feel welcome and much of their friendship had revolved around raising their daughters without mothers.

"Call it a 'request for assistance that gives you temporary authority' then, it doesn't matter right now. If anyone questions your right to keep the peace here, you can tell them to take it up with me. We can talk more about it after this is all over though, as I think nearly everyone in town would agree that it's high time you had some sort of official title for what you do. I know what its like to want to leave a part of your past behind, however, so I'm willing to leave it for further discussion at a later date."

"Fair enough, Avern. Perhaps I'll explain it to you once this is over. This does seem to be the week for sharing our secrets, I suppose." He sighed with a slight laugh to take the edge off.

"Hey, do you have that flask of yours on you, Syred?" Avern chuckled as well, allowing himself a moment to relax as the two walked back to where Margaret and Mary sat on the ground, talking. They'd moved off the road and sat in the grass where Mary could lean against a tree.

"Always," he replied, reaching into his back pocket and pulling out the small metal flask that he always seemed to have filled with the smoothest rum Avern had ever tasted. Nobody knew where he got the liquor, but Avern suspected it to be quietly imported on one of the cargo ships for him. Avern thanked him as he popped the top open and handed the flask over. Avern took a hearty drink of the stuff before handing the flask back to Syred, who drank some himself before returning the cap and putting it away.

"I forgot to congratulate you, by the way, on your new grandchild. I heard it was a boy."

"Yes, I got to hold him once last night, but Myrah seems loathe to let him out of her arms right now. Eric's bringing little Kate to see her new brother today."

"Look, Avern, I'll do the job. That's not a problem. I'll tell people I'm doing it on your say-so and most of them won't take issue with that. But I'm through taking on titles, so don't pin one on me, alright? I've always found it ironic that everyone ended up calling me Captain around here after one of the young men on the boat I came in on had called me that as part of a joke. I have held the title of Captain before, along with several others, but there are reasons why I don't want to take on another. I brought Myrah here to raise her somewhere safe and peaceful. Generally I only draw my blade to maintain that peace and safety. I don't mind helping out, but a title suddenly puts me in a position of obligation and duty and I have my reasons as to why I would rather not be in such a position again."

Avern looked at the man in surprise. Apart from the occasional bawdy joke - and he knew a couple that could make even the sailors blush - Syred was generally a quiet man who didn't say more than a couple sentences at a time. He had always been far more likely to ask questions than to answer them. Avern had always known there was more to the man's past than he'd ever said and that Syred had travelled heavily over his years, but now he wondered what kind of 'reasons' made him look suddenly so tired just now. Syred was one of the closest of the people Avern considered friends here. Both men had arrived in town alone with their daughters, though Syred had arrived before Avern. Syred had been the first to make him feel welcome and much of their friendship had revolved around raising their daughters without mothers.

"Call it a 'request for assistance that gives you temporary authority' then, it doesn't matter right now. If anyone questions your right to keep the peace here, you can tell them to take it up with me. We can talk more about it after this is all over though, as I think nearly everyone in town would agree that it's high time you had some sort of official title for what you do. I know what its like to want to leave a part of your past behind, however, so I'm willing to leave it for further discussion at a later date."

"Fair enough, Avern. Perhaps I'll explain it to you once this is over. This does seem to be the week for sharing our secrets, I suppose." He sighed with a slight laugh to take the edge off.

"Hey, do you have that flask of yours on you, Syred?" Avern chuckled as well, allowing himself a moment to relax as the two walked back to where Margaret and Mary sat on the ground, talking. They'd moved off the road and sat in the grass where Mary could lean against a tree.

"Always," he replied, reaching into his back pocket and pulling out the small metal flask that he always seemed to have filled with the smoothest rum Avern had ever tasted. Nobody knew where he got the liquor, but Avern suspected it to be quietly imported on one of the cargo ships for him. Avern thanked him as he popped the top open and handed the flask over. Avern took a hearty drink of the stuff before handing the flask back to Syred, who drank some himself before returning the cap and putting it away.

"I forgot to congratulate you, by the way, on your new grandchild. I heard it was a boy."

"Yes, I got to hold him once last night, but Myrah seems loathe to let him out of her arms right now. Eric's bringing little Kate to see her new brother today."

"That'll be nice."

Syred looked off into the distance, looking thoughtful. Whatever he was thinking, he did not share it. Eventually Avern had to turn back towards the others.

Mary was examining the dog's corpse, poking it with her toe. Stott and Lynna and Margaret were standing alongside her, although none of them were talking. He moved to join them.

He couldn't see anything unusual about the dog, other than the far-from-typical manner of its death. The head and some of the neck were lying a bit distant from the body. It looked like the head had been moved some since the dog's death.

"I'm guessing it's dead now," he proposed.

"I've been wondering about that," Stott said.

"No, I think cutting the head off stopped it good."

"No, not about the dog, specifically, Mister Mordan. The shark that jumped aboard our ship; the fish that we'd pulled up…all of it--they all looked dead, and then they started attacking. I wonder if maybe they were dead. This evil can control inanimate things, locking doors and the like. What if it can control dead bodies, too?"

Avern considered that in the silence that followed. He could admit to himself that, given the things that had already happened, just maybe it was possible. It was impossible, of course, but that already didn't seem to matter any more.

"That'll be nice."

Syred looked off into the distance, looking thoughtful. Whatever he was thinking, he did not share it. Eventually Avern had to turn back towards the others.

Mary was examining the dog's corpse, poking it with her toe. Stott and Lynna and Margaret were standing alongside her, although none of them were talking. He moved to join them.

He couldn't see anything unusual about the dog, other than the far-from-typical manner of its death. The head and some of the neck were lying a bit distant from the body. It looked like the head had been moved some since the dog's death.

"I'm guessing it's dead now," he proposed.

"I've been wondering about that," Stott said.

"No, I think cutting the head off stopped it good."

"No, not about the dog, specifically, Mister Mordan. The shark that jumped aboard our ship; the fish that we'd pulled up…all of it--they all looked dead, and then they started attacking. I wonder if maybe they were dead. This evil can control inanimate things, locking doors and the like. What if it can control dead bodies, too?"

Avern considered that in the silence that followed. He could admit to himself that, given the things that had already happened, just maybe it was possible. It was impossible, of course, but that already didn't seem to matter any more.

"It is actually much more complicated than that." Avern startled at Agmar's voice. He hadn't seen the man come up to the group.

"The evil can control human bodies while they are asleep, unconscious, or allow it to control their will for one reason or another," Agmar explained. "There is no evidence that suggests it can control a dead human body, however. The less complex the brain of the victim is, the more likely it can control it once it is dead. All it is doing in that case is manuevering the body itself, which is much more difficult than controlling the will of someone unable to resist. Animals don't have the complexity of mind to resist having their will used. There is also the matter of natural animal instinct to consider - a dog, for example, has an instinct to hunt which makes it even easier for the evil to trigger."

"My belief so far is that the dead fish and the shark attack actually have more to do with the evil being trapped and contained in a location deep within the water itself. I had believed it to be in one of the rocky outcroppings just offshore from here, but I am starting to think that it was trapped beneath the water. Perhaps the element itself is important to the containment of it."

"I would still suggest you bury any bodies, however. The evil is stronger than it has been in the accounts I have read, which means we ought to take nothing to chance. We cannot afford the risk of funeral pyres right now, if that would normally be preferable, so all dead should be buried even if it is temporary." He turned and looked at Avern. "I believe the harbormaster has some young men at his disposal. Perhaps he and they could take charge of that task for now, although the youngest of them might be better having tasks elsewhere."

"Alright," Avern replied, "I talk to Bruckert about it after the meeting."

"Thank you." He nodded to Avern before turning to Lynna. "Lynna, a word please. Privately." Agmar turned and started walking down the street. Lynna looked around at the group with a worried expression before running off to catch up to him. Avern found himself having to deliberately unclench his teeth at the thought of someone else disciplining his daughter. But he couldn't deny the feeling that it was about to happen. She'd crossed a line for a moment with Bentz. He sighed, and turned his attention back to his own duties.

"People are probably already gathering in front of the Surf and Sleep. Are you alright to walk Mary?"

She nodded, despite the paleness of her face. He looked to Margaret who merely rolled her eyes and nodded.

"Very well then. We'll take it slowly, however. You still look a bit pale to me." He nervously offered her his arm, which seemed to surprise her some although she didn't hesitate in taking it. He could feel her trembling slightly and he laced his fingers with hers and tried to squeeze them reassuringly. They were both quiet while they walked slowly back to the inn.

"It is actually much more complicated than that." Avern startled at Agmar's voice. He hadn't seen the man come up to the group.

"The evil can control human bodies while they are asleep, unconscious, or allow it to control their will for one reason or another," Agmar explained. "There is no evidence that suggests it can control a dead human body, however. The less complex the brain of the victim is, the more likely it can control it once it is dead. All it is doing in that case is manuevering the body itself, which is much more difficult than controlling the will of someone unable to resist. Animals don't have the complexity of mind to resist having their will used. There is also the matter of natural animal instinct to consider - a dog, for example, has an instinct to hunt which makes it even easier for the evil to trigger."

"My belief so far is that the dead fish and the shark attack actually have more to do with the evil being trapped and contained in a location deep within the water itself. I had believed it to be in one of the rocky outcroppings just offshore from here, but I am starting to think that it was trapped beneath the water. Perhaps the element itself is important to the containment of it."

"I would still suggest you bury any bodies, however. The evil is stronger than it has been in the accounts I have read, which means we ought to take nothing to chance. We cannot afford the risk of funeral pyres right now, if that would normally be preferable, so all dead should be buried even if it is temporary." He turned and looked at Avern. "I believe the harbormaster has some young men at his disposal. Perhaps he and they could take charge of that task for now, although the youngest of them might be better having tasks elsewhere."

"Alright," Avern replied, "I talk to Bruckert about it after the meeting."

"Thank you." He nodded to Avern before turning to Lynna. "Lynna, a word please. Privately." Agmar turned and started walking down the street. Lynna looked around at the group with a worried expression before running off to catch up to him. Avern found himself having to deliberately unclench his teeth at the thought of someone else disciplining his daughter. But he couldn't deny the feeling that it was about to happen. She'd crossed a line for a moment with Bentz. He sighed, and turned his attention back to his own duties.

"People are probably already gathering in front of the Surf and Sleep. Are you alright to walk Mary?"

She nodded, despite the paleness of her face. He looked to Margaret who merely rolled her eyes and nodded.

"Very well then. We'll take it slowly, however. You still look a bit pale to me." He nervously offered her his arm, which seemed to surprise her some although she didn't hesitate in taking it. He could feel her trembling slightly and he laced his fingers with hers and tried to squeeze them reassuringly. They were both quiet while they walked slowly back to the inn.

"Before we get there were should get Mary a bit cleaned up," Margaret suggested. Mary was a mess, badly in need of cleaning and a new outfit. "Why don't we stop at my house on the way. I've a few things likely to fit you well enough."

Mary nodded gratefully. To Avern it looked as if she were too weak to speak. Most of her was dark with blood, some was even still smeared across one pale cheek.

"Yes, clean her up. I'll help you there, but then I should head over to the inn. Rest there for a while, Mary, alright? Drink some." To Margaret he added, "I can always send for you if something comes up."

The rest of the walk to Margaret's house was quiet. Avern was lost in his own thoughts. Maybe it wouldn't be proper to be always showing up places with Mary on my arm. As soon as he thought it he tried other wordings: at his side, with him, but none of them felt right. No, I do want her with me, though.

But he was the mayor, and the town was in a crisis. The town needed him to behave a certain way. For the first time since getting the job he considered quitting it. Once this is all over. He had been elected outside the Surf and Sleep. Maybe half the town had been there. All the shop owners, the boat owners and captains, all the influential folk of the town.

They hadn't had a mayor for almost a year. It had been time to pick one, or one of the distant noble lords would have to come here and do it. Even Avern had never met them, communicating by letters and reports, and the tax men who came every fall.

He left Mary with Margaret and continued on alone, lost in his thoughts. Nobody was out to wave at him with a cheerful 'hallo,' there weren't chickens strutting about, or cats watching them too eagerly. Mrs. Hansen wasn't out with her broom shooing children away from her gardenias. No, they sat neglected and undisturbed.

It didn't feel like Eagle's Harbor. Because it isn't, is it? The town isn't the buildings and streets, it's the people. At least he knew what to say now. He arrived at the inn stepping a little more lightly.

"Before we get there were should get Mary a bit cleaned up," Margaret suggested. Mary was a mess, badly in need of cleaning and a new outfit. "Why don't we stop at my house on the way. I've a few things likely to fit you well enough."

Mary nodded gratefully. To Avern it looked as if she were too weak to speak. Most of her was dark with blood, some was even still smeared across one pale cheek.

"Yes, clean her up. I'll help you there, but then I should head over to the inn. Rest there for a while, Mary, alright? Drink some." To Margaret he added, "I can always send for you if something comes up."

The rest of the walk to Margaret's house was quiet. Avern was lost in his own thoughts. Maybe it wouldn't be proper to be always showing up places with Mary on my arm. As soon as he thought it he tried other wordings: at his side, with him, but none of them felt right. No, I do want her with me, though.

But he was the mayor, and the town was in a crisis. The town needed him to behave a certain way. For the first time since getting the job he considered quitting it. Once this is all over. He had been elected outside the Surf and Sleep. Maybe half the town had been there. All the shop owners, the boat owners and captains, all the influential folk of the town.

They hadn't had a mayor for almost a year. It had been time to pick one, or one of the distant noble lords would have to come here and do it. Even Avern had never met them, communicating by letters and reports, and the tax men who came every fall.

He left Mary with Margaret and continued on alone, lost in his thoughts. Nobody was out to wave at him with a cheerful 'hallo,' there weren't chickens strutting about, or cats watching them too eagerly. Mrs. Hansen wasn't out with her broom shooing children away from her gardenias. No, they sat neglected and undisturbed.

It didn't feel like Eagle's Harbor. Because it isn't, is it? The town isn't the buildings and streets, it's the people. At least he knew what to say now. He arrived at the inn stepping a little more lightly.

His enthusiasm was dampened some as he turned a corner and came into sight of the front porch and scene in the street beyond it. A large crowd, bigger than any he'd seen gathered here before, had assembled in the street and yards of those homes closest to the inn. He estimated that nearly everyone in town was here, and he saw some people he'd seen only a short while ago peering into the general store windows, along with others he recognized as survivors from Lloyd's. He realized that most people would know by now what had occurred at Lloyd's by now, but he still didn't see Lloyd Marks when he scanned the crowd. He heard voices rise above the rumble of conversation, and most sounded angry. At the far end from him, he thought he could see a fistfight happening. Children were crying or screaming everywhere. Each step up onto the porch felt heavier as he listened to the nearly overwhelming fear and disgruntlement within the crowd. He stood for a moment, wondering how to get the attention of this many people.

"HEY! SILENCE!" one of the men leaning against a post on the porch stepped forward and bellowed at the crowd. Avern recognized him as the large bearded man who'd told him where to find Lynna before, and wondered who he was. He made a mental note to talk to the man after the speech, as he also noted a large sword hanging off the man's belt at the hip. Perhaps he can be of some use to Syred, he thought, giving the man a nod of thanks as the crowd quieted down. He waited another moment, until he was sure he had their attention.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your attention," he began. "I know we've had a busy morning so far. I'm sorry I was unable to give the speech this morning, but Agmar had information to share with you and I felt he could deliver it just as easily as I could --"

"Like how you lied to us?" a voice in the crowd called out, causing a low murmur to start up within the crowd. Avern looked, but couldn't identify the owner of the voice.

"I never lied," he answered, feeling knots forming in his stomach. "I've kept some details of my own past to myself, yes, but I've never lied to anyone since I've been here."

"That's one hell of a secret to keep! Your daughter's a witch for crying out loud!" This time it was a woman's voice, and Avern thought he recognized the local seamstress as it's owner.

"She is not a witch. She has always had some magical ability from her mother, although as soon as I saw it in her I forbid her to use it. Lynna has always been a smart and capable girl. Until now, she has done her utmost to supress that ability and be the kind of young woman that none of you ever disapproved of before. She is no different a person because of her magic, but if she doesn't use it right now she will be more vulnerable. Those of you who are mothers and fathers, what would you do were it your child? I love my daughter, and I have done my best to raise her right - as any of you would do."

The low murmur continued, but no one gave him further challenge.

"My daughter is not what we are here to discuss. From what I understand, she's been very capable in healing people and help further some organization at this morning's meeting. I understand you've been forming into groups. If you haven't joined up with one, you need to do so immediately after this meeting and make sure our schoolmaster knows what group you are in. As you've probably heard already, Lloyd's Tavern and Inn has been destroyed, so more people are being moved in with others. We want to keep people in as few areas as possible so that we are better able to deal with crisis as it occurs. I want to thank all of those who pitched in to try and save Lloyd's while it was burning - that's the kind of response I expect from this town."

"In the past, we've grouped together to help each other through storms and other situations. This is really no different in that regard. It's just a different disaster and we don't know what to expect from it. But we didn't know what to expect from the first hurricane that blew into this town and shredded half our homes either. We got through it. We rebuilt. And we are standing here now as proof that we can get through this as well. Those of you in from the ships have seen rough storms and tough times as well. You know too that you got through those times by working together. Right now, that's where our greatest strength against this thing lies. In our ability to help each other make it through."

His enthusiasm was dampened some as he turned a corner and came into sight of the front porch and scene in the street beyond it. A large crowd, bigger than any he'd seen gathered here before, had assembled in the street and yards of those homes closest to the inn. He estimated that nearly everyone in town was here, and he saw some people he'd seen only a short while ago peering into the general store windows, along with others he recognized as survivors from Lloyd's. He realized that most people would know by now what had occurred at Lloyd's by now, but he still didn't see Lloyd Marks when he scanned the crowd. He heard voices rise above the rumble of conversation, and most sounded angry. At the far end from him, he thought he could see a fistfight happening. Children were crying or screaming everywhere. Each step up onto the porch felt heavier as he listened to the nearly overwhelming fear and disgruntlement within the crowd. He stood for a moment, wondering how to get the attention of this many people.

"HEY! SILENCE!" one of the men leaning against a post on the porch stepped forward and bellowed at the crowd. Avern recognized him as the large bearded man who'd told him where to find Lynna before, and wondered who he was. He made a mental note to talk to the man after the speech, as he also noted a large sword hanging off the man's belt at the hip. Perhaps he can be of some use to Syred, he thought, giving the man a nod of thanks as the crowd quieted down. He waited another moment, until he was sure he had their attention.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your attention," he began. "I know we've had a busy morning so far. I'm sorry I was unable to give the speech this morning, but Agmar had information to share with you and I felt he could deliver it just as easily as I could --"

"Like how you lied to us?" a voice in the crowd called out, causing a low murmur to start up within the crowd. Avern looked, but couldn't identify the owner of the voice.

"I never lied," he answered, feeling knots forming in his stomach. "I've kept some details of my own past to myself, yes, but I've never lied to anyone since I've been here."

"That's one hell of a secret to keep! Your daughter's a witch for crying out loud!" This time it was a woman's voice, and Avern thought he recognized the local seamstress as it's owner.

"She is not a witch. She has always had some magical ability from her mother, although as soon as I saw it in her I forbid her to use it. Lynna has always been a smart and capable girl. Until now, she has done her utmost to supress that ability and be the kind of young woman that none of you ever disapproved of before. She is no different a person because of her magic, but if she doesn't use it right now she will be more vulnerable. Those of you who are mothers and fathers, what would you do were it your child? I love my daughter, and I have done my best to raise her right - as any of you would do."

The low murmur continued, but no one gave him further challenge.

"My daughter is not what we are here to discuss. From what I understand, she's been very capable in healing people and help further some organization at this morning's meeting. I understand you've been forming into groups. If you haven't joined up with one, you need to do so immediately after this meeting and make sure our schoolmaster knows what group you are in. As you've probably heard already, Lloyd's Tavern and Inn has been destroyed, so more people are being moved in with others. We want to keep people in as few areas as possible so that we are better able to deal with crisis as it occurs. I want to thank all of those who pitched in to try and save Lloyd's while it was burning - that's the kind of response I expect from this town."

"In the past, we've grouped together to help each other through storms and other situations. This is really no different in that regard. It's just a different disaster and we don't know what to expect from it. But we didn't know what to expect from the first hurricane that blew into this town and shredded half our homes either. We got through it. We rebuilt. And we are standing here now as proof that we can get through this as well. Those of you in from the ships have seen rough storms and tough times as well. You know too that you got through those times by working together. Right now, that's where our greatest strength against this thing lies. In our ability to help each other make it through."

"And where is she hiding now, Avern?" Jacob Bentz's voice called out from the back of the crowd. "Where are you hiding her now? You are hiding her, right? Protecting her?"

The crowd parted a little around Bentz. Avern's stomach knotted and he had to keep the glaring expression off his face. Just that easily Bentz had the whole crowd's attention. Everyone in the town knew him, and although plenty didn't like the man, he did have a powerful presence in the town. He was influential, and everyone knew it. They listened to him. Not now, Jacob...

"Your witch daughter attacked me in my own store. Tore the locked door right off its hinges, she did. And then she attacked me with that evil magic. She's a monster Avern, and if you don't do something about her, I will. How many other people does she need to attack, Avern?"

A few in the crowd made noises of agreement. Many looked undecided. Nobody was immediately arguing against him.

"Perhaps you should tell them the entire story, Jacob Bentz," Agmar asked in a strong voice that carried effortlessly over the hubbub of the crowd. Lynna was a few paced behind him, and hung back as Agmar continued striding forward.

"Perhaps you should tell them about the woman who ran to your door fleeing a dog overcome by evil? Or tell them about seeing her coming, about watching her run almost a block, and about seeing the dog chasing her?

"Perhaps you should tell them about locking the door even as she was approaching? Or tell them about how you laughed at her screams as it tore pieces out of her?

"Mister Bentz, I have not been in this town very long, but I have never gotten the impression that it was a town that delighted in the suffering of others. I have heard no mention of anyone laughing as others were attacked by the egg-demons this morning. I have heard nothing of anyone laughing at the demon that tore and ate its way out of a woman at Lloyd's earlier.

"And then there is you, Mister Bentz. I can only hope that you do not, in fact, represent the rest of this town. Maybe you do. Maybe people here would delight in hearing Lynna scream while being tied to a stake. Maybe people would be thrilled at the cracking sound of her flesh popping while she burns alive.

Agmar stopped and looked around at the faces in the crowd. "I see a number of faces that were at Lloyd's today. How many of you heard the woman's screaming as she died? It was not pleasant, was it? Or did you did you find joyous delight in the sound?

"Because believe me, that screaming is what the evil wants to hear. If you allow it the opportunity, it will hear it, and a lot of it.

"So far here I have seen a town that bands together in times of need. Good, decent, respectable people. People that I came to help--that I want to help. But there has also been a lot of resentment towards me, and now towards Lynna. Several of you have things you have hidden from your townsfolk. I hope none of you honestly believes that Avern is the only one to have hidden things.

"But the mistrust, the bitterness, the resentment--it all has to end if you want to come out of this at all intact. So I suggest we put it to a vote of sorts. Right now.

"Who will stand by Avern, and work together to help each other through this? Who will instead stand by Mister Bentz, and fuel the evil's power by laughing at the torment of others? Those with compassion go stand by Avern, and those of you so heartless as to feel joy in the pain of others go stand in good company with Mister Bentz.

"But I promise you this, right now: if you want magic out of your town, right now is the time to decide. And if that is what you want, Lynna and I, and Avern, and Mary, will leave town right now. And the rest of you will die slowly, screaming for hours and hours as it drags every piece of your soul out of you."

"I stand with our mayor." Avern turned as Stott's voice rang out over the crowd of people now scuffing their feet in restless discomfort. He watched as the young man stepped out into the open path between Avern and Bentz and moved up to the porch to stand next to Avern on the steps.

"I stand with your mayor as well." The large bearded man remained leaning against the post on the porch, but cast his loud, booming voice across the crowd. "Then again, I'd be a fool not to."

"It's foolish to play with the forces of magic! They're going to get us all killed!" The local seamstress stepped out of the crowd and glared at Avern. "I stand with Bentz."

With some surprise, he watched as Margaret's daughter, Elsa, stepped timidly out of the crowd and head up to the porch. She didn't say anything, and looked ready to bolt during the moments when most of the people were looking at her, but she stuck her chin out with a look of determination, saying nothing.

"We stand with Avern as well." Syred's voice came across the crowd from the back, and they parted as he walked towards the porch. Avern couldn't help but smile, as Syred carried his grandson gingerly in his arms, wrapped snugly in a bundle of blankets. He was followed closely by his daughter, Myrah, her husband, Eric, who carried their other child, Kate. He watched as the three young men who Syred had recently been training also fell in behind the family. The group took up position at the bottom of the steps to the porch, as if to form a wall against the few who stood with Bentz.

Syred's movements seemed to press the town into motion, and people started moving all at once. In the end, only about 150 people stood in the grass across the road with Bentz, and an overwhelming majority stood, filling the porch and most of the roadside in front of the inn. A few people still stood uncertainly off to one side, unable to decide which group they really wanted, although Avern noticed a few that seemed to drift towards the porch purely to be in the majority. He saw Bruckert Tallet and his family standing there as the harbormaster seemed to battle an inner conflict. Bruckert did a lot of business with Bentz, so risking that relationship would be a problem for him. The man's feelings on magic were clear as well, despite the fact that he and Avern had been friends over the years. He watched as Bruckert gave Avern an apologetic look and made his way towards Bentz, his family trailing behind him. Avern gave him a nod, to try and let the man know he understood. The Leek family followed the Tallets. Avern suspected the recent engagement between Allison Tallet and Earnest Leek was the deciding factor. The additions brought Bentz's group up by another twenty people - to just over an eighth of the people in town. The rest stood with Avern.

"It seems the majority has chosen," Agmar said. "Those of you who are opposed, however, may find an alternate warehouse or such to stay in. I'm sure Mr. Bentz and Mr. Tallet can find someplace that will house all of you for the duration of this. Lynna and I will not interfere with that location unless our help is specifically asked for. That ought to set your minds at ease that our magic abilities will cause you no harm."

Avern waited while Jacob and his group left. "Very well, then," he eventually said, trying to resume what should have been a simple meeting. He scanned through the crowd, pleased to see the schoolmaster's face still in the crowd.

"If any of you have had groupings change, please let Mr. Tarrence know. I think that we should be mostly set for food supplies. Everyone please make periodic checks in your area and make sure there are plenty of fire buckets prepared and that all fires are out unless they are securely in deep fireplaces. I'll ask Agmar to check them and make recommendations. We'll still want to keep them to an absolute minimum."

"I don't think there's a whole lot else for right now. Let's all plan on gathering here again after dinner. I think these are probably still a good idea, even if there isn't much specific that's new to go over. Let's all be alert for anything strange, and we can share anything we find. Remember to stay together, and try to stay calm. Are there any questions right now?"

"What's going to happen to them?"

Avern recognized Simon Kerr, who ran a small farm at the outskirts of town. He realized that he'd seen Kerr's brother-in-law, Robert Byers, in with Bentz's group. Kerr's wife Allison was crying, while their twin four-year-old sons clung to her skirts. Kerr looked worried that he'd made the wrong choice as he put his arm protectively around his wife's shoulders. It worried Avern too, that more families may have been divided over this. He turned to Agmar to answer the question.

"When they need our help, they will ask and we will help them. Let us just hope that Bentz's pride does not keep them from asking before it is too late. I will not lie to you, sir. There have been deaths in this town already, there are likely to be more. I cannot be everywhere at once and may not always be able to save everyone. But I will do my utmost, and Lynna's abilities also improve our chances. I realize that not everyone who has stayed here is entirely comfortable with my magicks, but I am going to assume for the moment that those who have made that decision are doing so because they see the bigger picture here. I have come here to help the town, not harm it. I have no desire to see more good people lost to the evil that we are facing. Including those who have gone with Bentz."

Kerr nodded and said something quietly to his wife. Avern suspected that the main reason they had stayed was to give their children a better chance. He looked around, seeing that many of the people here looked afraid. It was better than the anger that had seemed to radiate from Bentz's group, but not an encouraging sign overall.

Most of those who had gone with Bentz were merchants, business owners, and cargo ship captains with their crews. They accounted for some of the more influential people in town aside from Margaret and himself. People usually went where the money did, and today the money had mostly gone with Jacob Bentz. Avern saw only a handful of merchants in the crowd, although he did notice that the caravan had stayed and one of the cargo ship captains with his crew. The majority of the people in front of him were farmers and fishermen though. He knew they were hardy folk and right now he needed to bolster that somehow, but he was running out of ideas.

There were a couple of minor logistics questions, and they were easily answered. In the end Agmar could not be sure what the mood of the group was. People still seemed tense, and it hung in the air, vaguely palpable but elusive.

He was tired, and he wondered if it showed. You're feeling your age, he told himself.

He turned and wandered inside as much of the crowd started disbursing. There were beds available for wounded, and it was at least reassuring to see them all empty. They wouldn't be if Lynna couldn't heal. For the first time, he found himself proud of what his daughter could do magically.

That gave him something to think about. It was a perspective he had not considered before. He wondered if he'd have any time to think about it. First he wanted water. His throat was dry, so he headed to the kitchen.

He had only a moment to himself in the kitchen before it became a bustling center of activity. He took a tankard of water and left to be out of the way. There was the room set up as a study for him, so he went there.

Someone had made up a list of inventoried items along with a list of things people thought would be helpful to have. One that struck him was loud whistles so that if a problem got out of hand at one location people could call for help faster than sending a runner. Avern thought that an excellent idea, and made that the top item on a separate list. There was other paperwork to review. He took another slug from his tankard, and took the top sheet in the pile.