Teleporter (a Hyllis family story #2) by Laurence Dahners Read Free Book Online Page B

didn’t introduce them, “are two of my deputies. As such, I’m trying to head off trouble between the townsfolk, and people like you who collaborated with the invaders. I don’t want there to be any more killin’.”
    Daum’s eyes flashed with fire and he said vehemently, “We did not collaborate with that bastard! Krait and his men forced their way into our tavern and demanded that we feed them. When we ran out of meat, they took meat from Stevenson’s butchery. You ask Arvil Tornesson, I’m the one that shot Krait. I did it from Tornesson’s upstairs window.”
    Farley stared at Daum for a moment, then grinned like Daum had just said something very funny, “Sure you did Hyllis.” He raised an eyebrow, “From almost all the way across the square there at Tornesson’s house?” He barked a laugh, “I know you’re a good shot Hyllis, but no one’s going to believe that one! Besides, several people saw one of Krait’s own men shoot him, so no one’s going to fall for that story!” He shook his head, “No, the townspeople know you Hyllises for what you are and I think things are going to get ugly pretty soon. So far, they’re just refusing to do business with you, but trust me it can and will get a lot worse after what your friends did to this town.”
    Daum looked like he was about to explode. “We did not …” he began.
    Farley waved a placating hand, “It really doesn’t matter what you did or didn’t do. In the court of public opinion you’ve already been convicted. I’m just here to try to keep the peace, and being from a merchant background I’m a believer in negotiated settlements. Now I’ve been worrying that you won’t be able to leave this town to restore our peace. That’s because you won’t be able to get your money back out of your investment here in the tavern. Therefore I’m prepared to offer…”
     
    Back in the kitchen, Tarc sagged against the wall, sick to his stomach. Farley had offered about a quarter of what Daum and Eva believed the tavern was worth. They hadn’t expected to get full value, but had thought they might get eighty percent. Farley was offering less than Daum had paid for the original building, before they’d added on the stable and kitchen as well as refurbished and remodeled the main building and put in the tubs.
    And if Sheriff Farley was bidding, it seemed unlikely that anyone would bid against him…
     
    ***
     
    At lunch in the empty tavern, the talk centered on Farley’s offer and how the Hyllises might separate themselves from the town of Walterston. Daum was still seething with anger over the gall Farley had to offer so little. “I swear to God, I’ll burn the place down before I’ll sell it to him for that price!”
    Eva sighed, “That’d be like shooting yourself in the foot,” She said sadly. “Whatever money we get out of it would be better than none at all.”
    Daum looked like he was chewing nails. “I’ve never liked Farley and I can’t believe the bastard angling to be sheriff! That’s reason enough right there to leave town.” He paused a moment, then said, “ You’re right that burning the tavern down does us more harm than it does Farley, but I’d rather sell it to someone else at even a lower price, than sell it to that son of a bitch.”
    Eva stood and picked up her plate, “Well, if we’re talking about going on the road for a while, I’m going to go down to the market and see what the caravaners actually do there. We’ll need to make a living somehow and I have no idea what kind of stuff they actually sell.”
    Daum’s eyes widened, “You can’t go around town by yourself! I don’t think it’s safe the way people have been acting.”
    Eva shrugged, “It needs to be done. Tarc can go with me if you don’t think it’s safe.”
    Tarc’s stomach turned over. He didn’t want to go out in the town himself, much less as his mother’s guardian.
    Daum said “Tarc can’t protect you!”
    Eva said, “If Tarc