The True Bastards by Jonathan French

Author:Jonathan French
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Crown/Archetype
Published: 2019-10-07T16:00:00+00:00

TWENTY-FOUR

“WHAT IF WE DO NOT wish to leave?”

Glaucio had once been nothing but a chandler’s apprentice. Now he stood, hands resting on the table before him, speaking for the people of Winsome. He was a small, unimposing man, even for a frail, his cheeks hollow, his curly hair thinning, but he had no trouble meeting Fetching’s eyes, and there was steel in his question.

Fetching remained seated. “You don’t have a choice. None of us do.”

“I would still like an answer.”

“As would I,” Thistle said from her chair across the table to Glaucio’s right. She was the only other villager Fetch had invited to the cooper’s shop. Both her voice and gaze were frigid.

“What if you do not wish to leave,” Fetch echoed dully. “Then the two of you will have Winsome all to yourselves.”

“That’s a foolish answer,” Thistle said.

“It was a fool-ass question,” Fetch returned, looking at both humans. “The True Bastards will be escorting all those who want to live away from here. The entire hoof, slops and riders. None will remain to secure this place. Why would you want to stay, knowing that?”

Glaucio answered her question with another. “And once we are…delivered? What will you do?”

“That’s a hoof concern.”

“They will return here,” Thistle told Glaucio. “Quick as they can.”

“One day, perhaps. It’s our lot, Thistle. We have to return. It’s our home.”

The woman’s eyes flashed. “And it’s not ours?”

“Not one you need die for, no.”

“That should be our decision,” Glaucio declared.

“But it’s not,” Fetch said, letting the man hear she could put steel in words too. “The Lots belong to the mongrel hoofs. Mongrel. All frails that live here do so because we allow it.”

“To the mutual benefit of both.” Glaucio met her metal with heat.

“In the past. Not now. The Bastards cannot endure as a hoof on this land. We can no longer protect you. You must make a fresh start, somewhere safer, with less want. You get to live.”

Glaucio made a scoffing sound and paced away from the table. “If we survive the journey to wherever you intend to take us.”

“The where is why you are in this room,” Fetch said, swallowing her agitation. “As for the journey, the hoof will protect you. In absence of walls, we will put ourselves between you and whatever may happen along the way. I want to ensure no one dies.”

“You can’t be certain none will,” Thistle said.

“I can be certain all will if you stay.”

“It’s not right, Fetching.”

“It’s as right as I can make it.”

Thistle’s eyes, permanently darkened with weariness, were unblinking. “I have children to worry about. Infants! And you are ousting them into the badlands.”

“I don’t want them to starve, Thistle.”

“Then! Fucking! Feed them!”

Thistle shot to her feet, nostrils flared, fair hair disturbed by the speed of motion. Glaucio’s head snapped around at the outburst, concern crinkling his own careworn features.

Fetch’s teeth were clenched so tight they ached.

Glaucio came over to Thistle and placed a gentle hand upon her arm. She startled, anger causing her to forget his presence.

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