The Righteous Way

Chapter 19

James ’s eyes suddenly opened as he heard a wolf howl. Scarlett felt him shudder and she too was now awake. The two sat up and James thought he saw a shadow move.

“What?”

“Something’s out there,” he whispered,

Through the darkness of the forest Scarlett could see slight movement in her peripheral. She signaled for James to follow her lead. She slowly reached for her bow and an arrow. Another twig snapped and Scarlett shot her arrow into the shadows. A deep howl came from the beast as it turned and ran.

James tried to chase it, but it was large and faster than he was. Eventually the pounding footsteps faded and James stopped his chase. He returned to the campsite where Scarlett was explaining to Alex and Ruby.

“It seemed like some sort of beast, without any light I couldn’t get a good look,”

“What about you James ?” Alex asked, “Did you see it?”

“No, but it’s steps were loud and heavy, it must be gargantuan,”

“Well there’s no need to worry, it’s wounded and shouldn’t return tonight.” Alex concluded and went back to sleep. Ruby followed suit and Scarlett took James ’s hand and they too slept through the night.

In the morning the group packed up and started through the trees. After an hour of walking Alex stopped abruptly. “What’s wrong?” James asked,

“Quite,” he whispered.

The other three then heard it too; a strange low wimpering. Alex headed towards the sound leading him into the darker shadows. He then noticed it, a large figure against a tree. “Go away,” cried the creature between sobs.

“You’re injured,” Ruby said, “we’d like to help,”

“Just leave me be,” it cried,

Ruby walked up and noticed it was a large man in a cloak, so large the cloak was two quilts sown together on one end. “Your leg!” Ruby gasped seeing the arrow still sticking through his calf. “It hurts,” he cried. Scarlett grabbed one of James ’s daggers and approached the man. She quickly cut off the arrowhead and yanked the rest of it out.

The man wailed and rolled to his side facing away weeping only louder. Once he quieted down the four of them could hear him muttering in a whisper: “leave me alone, leave me alone,”

“We meant you no harm,” James said, “We mistook you for a beast of prey,”

“go away, go away,”

Ruby put her hand over his large back and did her best to hug him. His cries continued, but he stopped muttering. “That’s not pain from his leg,” Alex said, “That’s the wail of a tortured soul,”

“What do we do?” Scarlett asked,

Alex thought for a moment and then simply sat down against a nearby tree. Scarlett and James followed his lead and they too sat waiting while Ruby held the hand of the large man until he calmed to a whimper.

“Why won’t you go away?” he asked,

“Because we take no pleasure in the despaired soul,” Alex answered,

“Just go away, I... I don’t deserve...”

“What is your name?” James asked,

“My... name? My name is Franklyn,”

“Well Franklyn, in apology for shooting you we’d like to assist you, perhaps you’ll let us start by bandaging your leg?”

“I... umm...”

Scarlett approached and began to wrap the wound. When she was done the man was much more calm. “Care to join us Franklyn,” James asked, “We could easily get you to a village,”

“The village won’t accept me, they are why I must live in this forest,”

“Why you must live here?” James asked,

“They laugh and tease me, they call me ‘ugly’ and ‘beast’,”

“Why would they call you that?” Ruby asked.

Franklyn then stood up revealing just how large he was. He towered over them by a full four feet over Alex . He looked up at the man and noticed he had patches of thin white hair and crooked nose which were indeed not pleasantly attractive. His body mass was slender, but with heavy-looking muscles.

“Why not use your size to get what you want?” James asked,

“James !” Scarlett shushed him, “Obviously he has a gentle spirit, not everyone is violent like you and Alex ,” she then looked at Franklyn, “don’t listen to the fool there, he can be insensitive sometimes,”

“I meant no offense,” James apologized,

“I want to be alone,” said Franklyn,

“Then we shall leave you be,” Alex nodded, “but first must ask if you have need of anything? Food or perhaps some more dressing for your wound?”

Franklyn gave them all a confused look. “Why must you be pleasant to me? Does my face not offend you?”

“Your face is your face and it is not ours to judge,” said James ,

“You are but a man, albeit a man of irregular height, but the soul of a man is no less in value than another,” said Alex ,

“But all men are cruel and beat upon me with words of insult and abuses,”

“Not all men,” said Alex , “For we see you as kin, our conscience and morals would not allow such mistreatment; but at your request we shall take our leave,”

“Hold!” Franklyn almost shouted, “Might I tarry with you into the village, I am indeed hungry, but I am afraid of the people, would you go with me?”

Alex looked at his companions who all nodded, “We shall.”

The troupe headed out and Franklyn limped from his wounded leg. “So are you from the village?” Scarlett asked,

“I am,”

“You speak well for a hermit,” Ruby said,

“I listen well and was taught by my mother,” at the word ‘mother’ he his voice began to choke,

“All is well friend,” James said, “We’re nearly there,”

“It’s the beast!” shouted a young boy as he turned, dropping a bundle of firewood as he ran.

“We’ve told you before giant, you have no place here--” said an approaching man who stopped when he saw the other four. Franklyn turned and ran back into the forest while trying to cover his tearing eyes in shame.

“How dare you!” Scarlett shouted at the man causing him to step back. She turned running after Franklyn while James ’s face displayed anger, “That man is starved, cold and almost naked, living without shelter or comfort. How can you turn him away!?”

“He is a beast, not a man but fearsome creature that we must be forever vigilant as to keep our wives and children safe,”

“He is but a man,” Alex corrected, “Regardless of height he has feelings, needs and a human soul with all its entailing,”

“Yet he steals from us, he also slaughters our sheep and chickens,”

“Sheep and chickens?” James asked, “But aren’t there wolves in these woods? Why blame him?”

“There are wolves, but our fences keep them out,”

“And there are no other ways in?”

“None, plus he steals, food from the storehouse goes missing,”

“And you’re sure its Franklyn?”

“Franklyn? Who is Franklyn?”

James and Alex gave each other a worried look. James sprinted after Scarlett. With his speed he caught up quickly to find her trying to comfort Franklyn who was crying on his side again. “Scarlett back away,” he said,

“James ? What is it?”

“The villagers say his name is not Franklyn,”

“How could they even know his name? They have no interest other than bringing him misery,”

James thought for a moment, “perhaps, but they say he steals food and kills their herds of sheep and clutches of chickens,”

“Those are the wolves,” Franklyn sniffled, “They have learned to push the latches with their noses,”

“How would you know that?” James asked,

“I see them as I steal food, but not very much, just a loaf or so a night, otherwise I’d starve,” He then teared up again, “I’m still a lowly thief,” he continued weeping into his hands,

“Very well, we’ll have to go back so you may apologize,” Scarlett said,

“I’ll pay for the loaves you’ve taken,” James agreed, “And you’ll work it off,”

“You mean, though you know me a knave you would show mercy?”

“You are no knave sir,” James said, “I should know, for I was once a thief without honor, I was a truly loathsome soul with no thought of morality,”

“Tis true, he was quite repulsive, a real baggart,” Scarlett smirked at him,

He gave her a scowl before continuing, “I was, so allow me to say you are no knave, nor scoundrel, nor baggart as Scarlett so likes to refer me as, you sir are a gentle man with compassion for righteous cause and love of others, so much so you do not use your boastful size to conquer and control, and so it would be our pleasure to help you,”

Franklyn looked at both of them through bloodshot eyes, “Are you angels?”

“Angels?” James asked, “I don’t quite believe in such creatures,”

“But only angels would show such mercies upon a soul,”

“We are but men and women with no claim to higher power,”

“But you must be--”

“Would angels lead to deceive?” James asked, “Or would that not be a task for the father of all lies: the devil? Yet he would not show compassion and would bask in your miseries forever, so as such since Angels cannot lie about not being angels and devils not show mercy would we be either?”

Franklyn thought about James ’s words for a moment then nodded. He stood up and brushed the dirt from his cloak and body. They then returned to the village where Alex and Ruby were waiting for them. Without speaking a word Alex could tell Franklyn wasn’t a threat.

“Franklyn would like to speak and I would ask you let him finish his speaking until the end lest my fist find your face,” James said with a smile,

“Then speak Giant,” said the villager,

“I have been stealing your bread from the storehouse,”

“I knew--” the villager quickly silenced himself as James took a step towards him,

“and I’m sorry, I was just so hungry I couldn’t stop myself, but the wolves are to blame for the sheep or chickens, they have learned how to move your latches up with their noses,”

“Lies!” shouted the villager and the others shouted their agreement. James , Alex and Scarlett all gripped their weapons.

“We said let him speak!” Alex shouted,

“I have nothing else to say,”

“Well I do,” James said tossing a bag of his coins on the ground next to the village leader, “That should more than enough pay for the bread he stole and now he’ll be coming with us,” Alex gave him a curious look.

“What about our sheep and chickens, where is the pay for them?”

“We pay what is owed, not what is unjustly wanted.” James then took Scarlett’s hand and began to walk through town. Ruby took Franklyn’s and Alex walked behind them all. James let out a deep breath. “I was afraid they’d riot,” he said aloud,

“I think they’re too afraid to fight a giant,” Scarlett whispered to him,

“James ?” Alex asked walking up to him, “Not that I’m opposed to Franklyn’s company, but I must ask why invite him?”

“Oh come now Alex , a helpless soul like his? He’d either starve or the people would’ve tried and killed him, plus he owes me now. Franklyn!” James shouted, “Catch,”

James tossed him three coin bags. “What’s this?” Franklyn asked,

“Heavy, that’s what they are, but I figure a man of your size will have no trouble carrying them?”

“No, they are feathers to me,”

“Good, then you may repay me by carrying them for me,”

“Would you like me to carry your supplies as well?”