Stephen Zimmer - Crown of Vengeance

The outside wall planks of rough-hewn timber were covered to a large extent on the inside with great, capacious fabrics. Some of the hangings appeared to have designs woven upon them, but in the dimness Lee could not make out much detail.

A shallow pit or small hearth had been dug out near to the center of the room. Lined with stones, it was filled with cold ash and embers left over from the last fire that had burned within it. A large iron pot was currently suspended over the hearth by a chain, which hung down from the center of an iron tripod.

Looking up, Lee saw that there was an opening set high in the ceiling, visible through the second level. A little further light made its way through the opening in the roof overhead, giving highlight to the central, open shaft. Some wooden steps running up from the back of the room, just off to the left, led on up to the second story loft.

The light through the front door also revealed a last, intriguing feature in the room, which quickly drew the interest of the four guests. Lee became aware that all of his companions had settled their gazes upon it, even as Gunther followed the direction of their stares.

There was another large wooden door centered in the rear of the room, set right in the hillside’s outer surfacing.

“Yes, I suppose that doorway looks like a mystery. And yes, it is of importance. I once had a habitation not too far from here… and I relocated myself to this place, after I had learned a little more about these woods. It was a little easier to fashion two levels using the hill, but I chose this particular location for a very good reason, which you will learn about soon enough. But not just yet,” Gunther said, disappointing Lee’s curiosity once again.

The woodsman unbuckled his leather belt as he walked closer to the wall with the shelves, setting the belt with its attached leather pouches down upon the ground. Straightening up, he removed his great hunting bow and leaned it against the wall, proceeding to place his quiver down next to it. Finally, he removed his baldric, propping his sword in its leather scabbard up against the wall as well. Gunther then directed his four guests to set their own weapons and other belongings down, near to his weapons.

“Please feel welcome in my home. It is about as safe as a place can be in this age,” Gunther said invitingly, turning to face the four. “Let me show you where you will sleep. Soon you will eat your fill, though I have only a humble fare, and then you will rest.”

Lee was more than ready to take the woodsman up on both offers. Even Erin seemed not to be overly bothered about the rather stark nature of their surroundings, or at least she kept any misgivings to herself. Under other circumstances, Lee had no doubts that a pompous veneer would have shined forth from the young woman.

“This way,” Gunther remarked.

He gestured towards the staircase, as he moved forward and led them up to the second level loft. It was difficult to make out all of the features in the upper room, but enough light leaked in to reveal that it was fairly barren.

At present, there was just one rather plain, straw-filled mattress, with a rough-spun woolen blanket heaped atop it, and a couple of hides set to one side. Gunther walked over to the end of the room opposite the top of the stairway, and pulled forth several more coverings out of a deep pool of shadow, mostly turning out to be hides.

“It may not be the most in comfort that you may find within this world, but for now you will have to make use of it,” he said, indicating the skins. “I cannot say I was prepared for several visitors, but I have accumulated some extra hides which you may use for warmth, and to cover the floor surface. You may use the mattress as well… though it is for you to decide who amongst you will do so. For the time being, I will sleep below.”

He then bid them well, and informed them that he would see to the preparation of the evening meal. Exiting down the stairs, Gunther left them to their own devices, as he turned his attentions to stoking a fire in the cold hearth.

The others remained silent as they quietly listened to Gunther bustling about the hearth below.

“Not the best I’ve had, I’d say,” joked Lynn in a low voice, looking around the room. Walking to the edge of the room’s central area, she looked up at the square opening above them, before glancing down upon the cooking hearth on the first level. Lee casually strode over and joined her.

He looked up to the ceiling as well. There was a raised square of timber positioned just above the roof opening, designed to deflect the bulk of any rains out, while allowing smoke from the hearth below to exit.

“I would have to agree,” Ryan stated, as he drew up next to Lee, resting his hands on his hips while he looked around. “I come from a poor family, but our little house was a mansion compared to this.”

“Well, I don’t know about you all, but right now I could use some rest, at least until there is some food to be had,” Lee said, as he turned and walked away from the opening.

He pulled one of the large animal skins that Gunther had brought out over to an open space. Lee spread it out along the rough wooden boards that formed the flooring, and lay down upon its surface. He immediately made a little grimace, shifting about as his sore, tired body adjusted to the unforgiving floor surface. He moaned, “Ooohh… I think this is going to take some getting used to.”

He rolled his head to the side, looking to see what the others were doing.

With little hesitation, Erin all but dived down upon the straw mattress. A triumphant look was splayed across her face as she stretched out. “I will take this one. Called it first.”

Lee saw the irritated looks crop up on the faces of Lynn and Ryan, and also observed that Erin was alert enough to take account of them as well. “For the time being,” she quickly added, suddenly seeming a little abashed at her own rash impetus.

“Good diplomacy, Erin,” Lynn said, with a noticeable edge to her voice, as she followed Lee’s example in pulling out another large skin and claiming a spot on the open flooring.

“Wonder where that door downstairs, in the back, goes to,” Erin stated from where she lay, looking back towards the staircase.

“Who knows? Maybe we’ll find out after we get a little of our strength back,” Lynn said.

“I’ll go with that,” Ryan said, unleashing a wide yawn as he dragged a skin over, laying claim to some space that was close to the central opening.

“Be careful,” Lynn said, watching Ryan lie down. “There’s no railing there.”

Ryan smirked, and retorted sarcastically, “I think I’ll be fine… but thank you for your concern, Mother…”

Lee chuckled. If Ryan tumbled over the edge, he would not fall terribly far, and would likely be rewarded with a nice singe. All the same, Lee was not too worried over the likelihood.

Letting their bodies relax, and looking forward to dinner, the full effect of fatigue began to descend upon the four.

Before very long, the first tendrils of smoke wafted up through the opening in the center of the floor, accompanied by a glow of light. Shortly thereafter, the scents of something cooking over the hearth reached up to Lee from beneath. It was enough to make his mouth water, but not enough to rouse him.

Despite the discomforts, all four had drifted into sleep by the time that Gunther unmercifully awoke them with a rather forceful greeting. Lee jerked awake, feeling immediately as if his aching body had begun to turn into stone. He felt the series of cricks in his stiff neck as he turned his head to look towards Gunther.

“Come on, get up now! Evening meal is ready!” the woodsman told them, with little expression to his face. He stood at the top of the stairs, and did not depart until he was sure that they were all waking up.