Chapter 16

Bartleby got back to the encampment and took a moment to marvel at his work. "Ha-hah! Still dead!" Before continuing along the path, finding again the stream of water and heading down it. This time he wasn't going to be distracted by smoke monsters, no sir. He kept walking and walking until he was sure there could be no signs of life up this way. And then he saw it. A house. With a garden out front. And a farm. Food! He was still tired, still exhausted, and, frankly, after chasing those smoke monsters and inhaling their fumes, he was dehydrated again. He made his way to the house and knocked on the door. *come on, someone please answer*. And out stepped a pudgy bespectacled British man. "By the Gods! You have no idea how happy I am to see you! I am Bartleby, a Knight of the Temple of Rone," Bartleby was now shaking the man's hand, "Yes I am a Knight of the Temple of Rone and whoever said I couldn't do it, and I require water, and food and a bed", "Well, I don't suppose I've ever met a Knight before", the man said bashfully", "I suppose we can make some reservations for you here at the homestead. Come on in. I am Archimedes."

Bartleby broke bread with Archimedes and Miriam and the children, who ooh'd and ahh'd and gingerly touched his onion-shaped armor. Deliriously explaining that yes, he was a Knight, he had been traveling without horses or rations, that all his men had died, that he had been sent here on a crusade, a crusade to kill Witches, that it was a "damn fool's errand", before conking out right on the table.

Bartleby awoke the next morning to find his armor taken off and himself lying snug and sound in the bunk upstairs. *Good Gods it's been long since I had a bed to myself.* And then a woman, who introduced herself as Miriam, came in with a pot of hot tea and some pancakes and told him that Archimedes was very curious about his journey, and Miriam left to go tell Archimedes the Knight was awake and Archimedes came up and sat by the foot of the bed. "I've never had the pleasure of meeting a Knight in all my days, I'm afraid. It truly is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. May inquire as to your name and that delightful onion-shaped armor?" "My name is Bartleby, I am a Knight for the-" "Yes, the Temple of Rone, you already said that part," Archimedes chuckled. "Bartleby. A fine name for a knight." "Yes and I must say, I am much obliged to your hospitality, and those wonderful children. Are they yours?" "Oh, no", Archimedes chuckled, "They're not ours but we take care of them here. They run a local theatre troupe in the village. "I see, I see", said Bartleby. When he wasn't wearing any armor, you could see his beautiful, bright blonde hair, cut short, and his square, distinct jaw. "Tell me, Bartleby, how did you find your way to our establishment, all the way from Agora?" "Agora! You know of it?" "I am aware of the Temple of Rone. I am well studied in its history." Bartleby laid his head back on the pillow. "I knew your Knights were on a crusade at this time, but I did not know you'd traveled this far! I am...sorry to hear what happened to your men." "Archimedes.", Bartleby interrupted. "I am grateful for your hospitality, it is true, and I am doubly grateful for your sympathy. They were good men. But there is something I should tell you. Southeast, at the hamlet from here, I saw something." Archimedes looked curious. "What is it?" "Black smoke. And flame burning backwards. And men. Hideous men who looked like jackals riding backwards on their smoke. Burning the town backwards." Archimedes looked like he had just seen a ghost. "Did you say, flame burning backwards?"