Chapter 59 Of Fires and Families

"My name is Lord Sven Lionheart, and my wife is Lady Brooke. We're from the Grunwald Kingdom."

Lady Brooke barely noticed the messy haired tribal peasant. Her eyes were drawn to a scarecrow...that was at that moment walking down the street.
"Name Ug. Name Ug Neanderthal. Wife name small nose."
Was she dreaming? Had she been drinking? She did not think she had, but how could this be? Brooke wanted her husband by her side, to have his manly reassurance.

The Neanderthal was turning toward her. Lady Brooke smiled.

As soon as it was polite to discreetly do so, Brooke's eyes sought out the scarecrow. He wasn't by the road anymore.
Her husband was leaving her be. She'd rather have him by her side at the moment. As it was it did give her the opportunity to slowly turn about.
There he is, the scarecrow.

Is he eating? And is that food not spoiled? What am I thinking. What does it matter if a scarecrow eats spoiled food? Brooke casually walked away. She walked over to get a look at the table from the other side. But he wasn't at the table. He approached her...or maybe happened to be walking past. "Good day My Lady."

For a moment Brooke was silent. Then she realized the voice came from the scarecrow.

"Good day." She managed. The scarecrow continued walking past. Brooke did not follow.

Brooke sought out her husband.

"Sven?" she asked lightly. He turned. "I wish to go home."

Sven gave her a hug.

"I should stay longer Brooke. Are you comfortable going home on your own? Or would you like to stay with me here?"

Brooke wasn't comfortable with either choice. But telling him so would need further explanation. Further explanation might require telling about the animal people. And then? Make him afraid to leave her a moment alone? Make him worry when he does?

Brooke put on her lady smile.

"I will see you at home My Husband."

Sven forced himself to not follow his wife. After watching her walk away he set to fishing to destract himself. Before long a woman on horseback approached. He greeted her warmly.

"That is a fine bow miss."

She held it up for his inspection. Sven had trouble keeping his eyes on the bow. He could now see she was not a woman on horseback...but a woman with a horses back...and hooves and wait. What is that?

Sven ran past the horsewoman.

"Fire!" Sven shouted.

Ug ran out from behind a blanket naked and in a panic. No sooner had Ug begun putting out the fire his wife came up behind him.

"Get back woman!" Ug roared.

For a moment Sven worried of his wife.

Then he realized his wife had gone home and was safe.

As Ug put out the last of the fire Sven thought of how it must be to come so close to losing a wife. Small nose had been quite close to the fire.

"Now that your family is safe I'll take my leave. May you and your family be well Ug."

"Thank you. You family be well."

Later that night after Sven left there was another fire, this one far greater. Ug died putting out the fire. His wife Small Nose was badly burned and died a day later. The Neanderthals left no children.