Chapter 1

Fionn Grayson flew over the rolling green hills on broad, white-feathered wings. Unlike the land of his youth, this countryside was lush and long cultivated. The hills below were a patchwork of different shades of green, divided by piled stone walls and worn wooden fences. Sheep or cattle grazed contentedly in some, while neat rows of crops grew in others. Here and there a modest farmhouse stood, while narrow, winding dirt roads led between them.

It was a quiet land, and just then it looked like something near to heaven to him. He was on his way home from the southern desert, where he and his fellow adventurers had been tracking a murderous mage. He had seen his fill of bleak, barren land, and he’d had more than enough of darkness, despair, and violence. Of course he would return when he was next called upon to right some wrong, he knew that, but for the moment he was very glad that the whole affair was over and done with and he had a little time to himself.

He was still passing over farmland when the sun dipped down near the horizon. Best start looking for somewhere to spend the night, he thought to himself. He selected a farmhouse below at random and dropped down out of the sky. He landed in the road in front of the neatly kept yard and entered through the gate, not wanting to startle anyone inside by landing on their very doorstep. He made his way up a paved walk to the door and knocked. When no one answered he waited a few minutes and knocked again, but there was still no response. He shrugged and turned to go when a voice said, “Oh! Hello! Sorry, I didn’t hear you knock.”

He turned to see a sandy-haired man with cheerful blue eyes standing by the corner of the house. “How can I help you?” Fionn noticed the man sizing him up. He knew he presented a somewhat unconventional view. The avian folk were all small, so though he was actually on the tall side for one of his race, he was half a head shorter than the rather average human facing him. He was lean and wiry, but he had muscle enough to easily wield the saber at his belt. The light coat of mail, worn over its padded gambeson, added to his martial appearance. His eyes were a vivid leaf green, and his hair was an equally vivid red-orange, long enough to reach almost to his belt and held back in a practical tail

I’m looking for somewhere to stay the night. I haven’t seen any inns, and it’s getting dark, so I was hoping someone around here might put me up.”

“You’re welcome to stay here,” the man said. “We’ve several spare rooms since my brothers moved out.”

“Thank you very much. I’m Fionn, by the way.”

“Jonathan,” he replied. “Pleased to meet you.” He stepped forward, holding out a big, calloused hand. Fionn took it, his own grip firm and his hands just as rough as the human’s, though his calluses came from sword work rather than farm work. “My mother’s nearly done cooking dinner, and if you don’t mind plain country fare I’m sure there’s room for one more.” He winked cheerfully as he ushered Fionn inside. “Mother still often forgets she doesn’t have all my hungry brothers here to feed these days.”

“Thank you again,” said Fionn. “I have to admit a real meal would be quite welcome. I haven’t had a hot dinner in some time.” He smiled and added, “And last time I did it was my own cooking, which isn’t very good.”

He followed Jonathan inside the house. It was all bright and cheery, with whitewashed walls decorated with colorful stenciled borders of plants, flowers, fruit, and animals. The scent of cooking wafted through the house, and Fionn inhaled appreciatively. “Whatever that is, it smells marvelous,” he said, “and I’m hungry enough to eat a horse.” The kitchen was at the very back, with an open door letting out on a neatly ordered garden of herbs and vegetables.

A plump little woman was puttering around the kitchen, whistling cheerfully. She looked up as they came in and said, “Hello Johnny. I thought I heard someone at the door. Do we have a guest for dinner then?”

“Yes mom,” he said. “This is Fionn. I’ve invited him to stay the night”

“Of course, we’ve more than enough room these days. It looks like dinner’s ready, so seat yourselves.”

Fionn took off his sword and propped it against one wall, belt and all, before sitting down at the table. Jonathan gave the sword a curious look, but made no comment on it.