Jude Barion's Arc

Chapter 1 of 8

Jude Barion stood at the edge of the wetlands, his polished shoes sinking into the mud. He pulled out a rolled map from his coat and spread it wide. The parchment showed his vision—a town with shops, roads, and people spending money. But first, he needed to deal with the witch who lived in these swamps. He folded the map and tucked it away. From his wagon, he hauled out a water pump with rusted pipes and a wooden base. The metal felt cold in his hands. Jude dragged it to the wettest spot and shoved it deep into the soggy ground. Water would be the first problem to solve. No town could grow on land that squished beneath your feet. Next, he pulled out a brass compass with cork at its base. The needles caught the morning light as he knelt down. Jude pressed it into the firm earth near a cluster of cypress trees. He paced off distances, marking where streets would go. Where houses would stand. Where his mansion would rise at the center of it all. He could see it already—white columns, wide verandas, elegant woodwork gleaming in the sun. That mansion would prove his vision was real. People would come. Money would flow. The witch could curse and wail all she wanted, but progress couldn't be stopped. Jude wiped his hands on his coat and smiled at the empty swamp. Soon, very soon, this would all be his.