1 CHAPTER 01: SLOAN

Southeast where snow rarely seen except on the peaking mountain stabbing into the clouds. There small villages with population less than a hundred scattered around the outskirt of the South Green Forest. These villages can be claimed as frontier villages founded as to exploit the surrounding resources. With rivers originated from the icy mountain span through the forest, people build established their villages near them.

The forest is bountiful with games and green produce. The land is fertile and untouched by the hoe of man causing many to migrate over to find work. Years past after the kingdom's conscription, the number of population in each village are rising albeit miniscule. But, sure enough some became big enough to be listed as a small town.

One village in particular founded only in a mere decade near the outskirt of the forest, there lived a man somewhat removed from the other villagers. A young man with ordinary build and tanned skin generally seen on any villager.

Sigh. "Why are they going for my garden?" said the man looking at the leaves riddled with holes. "Extra work is a pain" sigh. He then went to a shed and came back with a basket and a pair of tongs.

He soon began work removing the pest while humming a tune. 'Hmm… hmmm… hmmm…' "Sloan! Are ya' home Sloan?" The man named Sloan stop his tongs midway in picking up a furry worm. "I'm in the garden." Sloan answered. Soon footstep came casting a large shadow on Sloan crouching before a tomato plant.

"What you want Bucks?" inquired Sloan with his back still facing the man. "That some focus ya' got there, want some help?" grinned the robust man. "Love the offer, but you ain't getting anything free out of me." "Tsk, Cheapskate" retort the man. "I'm here to umm… well umm… For a trade." said Bucks in discordance.

"Well why didn't you said so, what do you need?" beamed Sloan hearing Bucks intention. "Tomatoes, cabbage, mushroom? Mind you I don't have much mushroom since it's not the season yet." Bucks simply stood there hesitating. "Ummm, I…. need…" "Good god, I knew you were slow but not that slow, spit it out." irritated Sloan. "Vigour's Cane," the man answered with a wisp.

"Huh?" Sloan took close look at the man. Bucks was three years older than him, have a robust figure with a darker tanned skin than him. He works the land, tilling the earth from morning until noon then head into the forest to hunt or to the river to fish. He's a capable and responsible person. And… he has three wives and nine children.

"Ya' heard me, I knew ya' do, I'm not repeating ma' self" said Bucks coldly. 'He's serious,' thought Sloan. "You are thinking of having another child?"

"I'm willing to trade a whole Bark Deer for 'it'." said Bucks with a sharp gaze. Seriously, a Bark Deer is a delicacy, one any noble would seek out even proactively. Of course, for hunter like Bucks eating them is a waste thus most of the meat are sold to the market for money. Their meat is delicious with any method of cooking but what made them rare is their defensive prowess. Their hide is strong enough stop any common penetration attack such as from arrows. If you want to take one down, you must do so one-on-one. Mind the you deer are not only move in herd but also protective of their own. Thus, come the issue of supply and demand which made them so rare.

"A whole deer? A Bark Deer?" asked Sloan seriously. "Yeah, caught one in one of ma' trap. All it took was a stab in it's underbelly and lights out." said Bucks proudly. 'You caught it in a trap and it was probably wounded, nothing proud catching game like that.'

"I did have it," said Sloan hesitatingly "but already sold it." Bucks eyes went big with disbelieve. He simply stood there dumbfounded. "When?" asked Bucks. "Around the end of this spring. There was a wanted ad at the adventurers' tavern in town. Some noble commission a high price for it. I have no use for it, so I just sold it." said Sloan. A heavy sigh came from Buck as he turns to leave disappointed.

xxx

The sun glaring heat can be felt even as Sloan seek shelter under the roof of his home. Facing his small vegetable garden, a smile unknowingly came to him with satisfaction. He then remembers his conversation with Bucks. 'In the end he left just like that. Didn't even tell me what the herb was for.' The summer heat was simply torture and broke his pondering. 'Merciless sun, oh merciless sun, why oh why….'

Inside his house made of forest wood there was only him. His gait turns lonesome and then suddenly a silent yawn came abruptly. As if under a spell he keeps on yawning again and again, his eyelids get heavier as he wobbles around the living room before stopping on a rocking chair. Then he sleeps.

"Sloan… Sloan.. Sloan! Wake up!" a voice lulls him into lucidness. Eyelids heavy as lead as he struggles to open them. "Uhmm…" Sloan prop himself upright as his gaze wonders around seeking the voice. 'Its dark, how long did like I slept?' wondered Sloan.

"Sloan have you seen my husband? asked a voice anxiously.

"Huh? Ummm wait a sec." Sloan still recovering from dreamland starts to feel under his chair. 'Found it.' It was a oil lamp and flint. He lighted them up and illuminated his surroundings. To his surprise it was not one person, but three people stood around him.

Recognizing them he then inquired. "What is going on? Why are you here Mrs. Shellton? The three in front of him are female of fame. Why? Because all of them are married to the same person, Burcan Shellton a.k.a Bucks.

The fruit of Sloan's inquiry was that their husband went missing. While his reply to their previous question was disappointing albeit provided a clue. "Did you know why he's looking for Vigour's Cane?" His inquiry was met with a melancholic shook from the three wives.

"Thank you, Sloan, if you figure anything out please come see us." came raspy voice from one of the wives. Sloan can see their countenance fill with distraught as they move further away from his home. 'Too irresponsible.' he chanted. 'Making them worry sick while you off to who knows where, too irresponsible Bucks.'