Darth John snow's Arc

Chapter 5 of 10

The two riders came up the path at a walk, dust on their cloaks and a small orange lizard riding on one saddle horn. The girl met them at the old oak by the stream. She had already nailed an iron plaque to the trunk, the date cut in clean numbers. Darth John Snow read it once and said nothing. The shorter rider dismounted and spoke fast. The village wanted them back. Tomorrow. Every week. Forever. Bandits would return, and the villagers had no one. He looked at Darth John Snow like the answer was simple. Darth John Snow shook his head. Two riders could not guard one village and still ride for others. If they stayed, the order ended before it began. The rider's face fell. The compsognathus on the saddle chirped and tilted its head. The girl tugged his sleeve. She pointed at the woodpile, then at the smithy shed, then drew a bell in the air with one finger. Build them something, her hands said. Leave it there. A tower with a rope. A gate at the road with the iron knot on it. Let the village call, and let any rider near enough come. By the next dusk a small wooden frame stood at the village edge, a bronze bell hung inside, and a stout gate carried the order's mark for any traveler to see. Darth John Snow rode home alone. The riders stayed one more night to teach the villagers how to pull the rope. He had not given them protection. He had given them a way to ask.