Chapter 3: Accusation!

Upon arriving at the farm, Callum quickly unloaded the meager goods he'd bought, put the wagon away, and rubbed down the mules. He started a beef stew with all the ingredients coming from the farm except some salt which was among today's purchases.

While the stew was cooking, he proceeded to do a quick tour of the barn and nearby animals. Ensuring his animals were cared for before taking care of his own needs was one of the many lessons his father had taught him.

A quick lunch of a little bit of cheese, some bread, and the stew fortified him for the work ahead. Half an hour later, he was passing through the south pasture. Alister wasn't in sight and hadn't been in any of the areas around the farmhouse and barn.

Callum was at least somewhat mollified that the fencing had been worked on. The fencing still needed major work, but at least the cattle wouldn't be able to escape. It was barely passable work, but at least Callum wouldn't have to worry about it anytime soon.

Having confirmed that the cow pasture was secure for now, Callum continued heading south towards a field overflowing with wild plants. Over the past week he had worked to create a firebreak around most of it. Today, he would complete it and set the field aflame.

The field had remained fallow for several years, allowing the soil to build up some more nutrients. The combination of burning the wild plants and mixing in livestock manure would complete the process of getting this field ready for cultivation once again.

Callum worked hard for several hours, wielding a pickaxe, shovel, and hatchet to great effect. Finishing the firebreak alone was hard work and he soon sweated through his light tunic. He hadn't planned on doing this today, as he still had to plant the field he had tilled yesterday.

But, there was little to no wind today. Perfect weather for him to set fire to the field. He was just about to finish the firebreak when something caught his attention.

A group of guardsmen on horseback were quickly approaching him. Callum moved forward to greet them, hands open and down by his sides in a nonthreatening manner. He wondered what they wanted, but guessed that it probably involved him. A couple of minutes later, he stood in the middle of a circle of the mounted guardsmen.

"Farmer Murray, I have a writ for your arrest based on several accusations. We will escort you to Hillshire where you will stand trial. Do not resist." Stated Lieutenant Caldwaters.

Callum inwardly snorted at that. 'Like I can resist!' Callum thought to himself as he eyed the guardsmen's levels. Even the lowest level was a level 17 warrior. Despite being a slightly lower level than Callum, he alone posed a great risk because he had a combat class, skills, and abilities to Callum's noncombat class and skills.

But there were six guards in total and their lieutenant was even a tier 2 combat class! He had no delusions of his ability to resist in any meaningful way.

"I won't resist Caldwaters. It will take me 20 minutes to take my tools back and . . . "

"No, you will accompany us immediately! And murderous scum like you will refer to me by my rank and not my name!" Interrupted the lieutenant.

Callum glared at the guard. Before replying with as much calm as he could manage.

"I'll need time to saddle a horse and bring my tools back in lieutenant."

"Unacceptable, you may try to dispose of evidence or attempt an escape. You will accompany us back immediately!"

"You can follow me and ensure I do nothing nefarious. I have animals to care for. I beg of you, just give me a couple minutes to sort things out."

"What kind of kin killing fool are you to misunderstand what immediately means?!?! My orders are clear. For the last fucking time, will you comply?" Roared the now red faced lieutenant.

His twitching hand near his sword hilt and the glint in his eyes hinted that he clearly wanted to hear anything but a yes.

"I'm no criminal and have nothing to hide. Let's go to town and get this farce over with!"

The horsemen boxed him in as they set across the field towards the road. 'At least the tools should be fine out here. It shouldn't rain over the next couple of days. And hopefully my lazy brother can at least do the bare minimum caretaking of the animals until I return,' thought Callum as he marched forward resolutely.

As much as the guards' heavy handedness grated on him, Callum couldn't stop a small smile from forming on his face. 'Finally! A truthteller must've arrived at last. It took months longer than normal, but now I can prove once and for all that I am innocent,' thought Callum.

His father's bank accounts would be opened to him, not that he expected much in there with all the debt the farm had. His reputation would rebound and he'd get better prices when buying and selling. Maybe he could finally get a loan or two as well.

Most importantly, he could finally repair his relationship with his brother. All in all, Callum had many reasons for his renewed sense of hope. His good humor took a dip when they hit the road.

"Alright trash, we're on the road now. Start running!" Ordered the lieutenant.

"Start running? But I told you, I don't plan on resisting!" Exclaimed a shocked Callum.

"Right and we don't have all day to get there. Now stop lollygagging and start running to town."

"You .. . . you want me to run all the way into town? But . . . but it'll be quicker if you let me saddle my horse."

"I didn't ask for your suggestions fartbrain. Now fucking start running before I add to your charges kinslayer!"

Gamely Callum started to run. His high stamina offset his lower agility, letting him run longer. As he jogged to town, he started to realize they were trying to provoke him. Every once in a while, someone behind him would none too gently prod him with the sharp end of a spear.

Catcalls and insults rained down from all six. A sense of rage and humiliation encompassed him as he was gasping for breath.

He quietly memorized the names and faces of all six of them. Lieutenant Caldwaters in particular became his prime focus. He hadn't been convicted of anything. Even official prisoners were to be afforded some rights. He would be filing complaints.

He'd pull on his connections once his reputation was restored to especially see Caldwaters stripped of his rank and maybe even imprisoned. His own name may be in the outhouse for now, but the Murray name still carried weight.

An hour later a sweaty, dirty, and bloody man was running into Hillshire. His stamina was low and he was on his last legs! The guardsmen gave him no rest, chivvying him with spearpoint if they thought he was moving too slow.

The back of his tunic was covered in blood and sweat. He looked like the epitome of a crazed lunatic. Even a newcomer to town would see his crazed visage and pronounce him guilty of murder.

'I'm going to kill every last one of those fuckers! I'll slowly wring their damn necks until they breathe their last. I'll cut them open and pull out their entrails as I watch their eyes dim.'

Callum's good mood had vanished long ago. The actions of these guardsmen had passed beyond the limit long ago. They were thugs! No better than the refuse lying in the streets. His stubbornness had just barely allowed him to hang onto his sanity.

Any longer of a trip and he may have snapped and attacked them with animal fury. But now, he braced himself once more as his trials would be over soon. He'd be cleared and he could seek vengeance on these guards.

He wouldn't even have to wait long with a truthteller on hand to verify his claims against them! He stumbled to a halt when the lead horsemen didn't turn down the street towards the courthouse.

"Move it worm! We're almost there, no one told you to stop."

"But . . . the . . . courthouse . . . is . . . that . . . way!" Callum forced out in between big gulps of air. His fingers pointed in the direction.

"Who said we were going to the courthouse? Now start running before we see how many more holes we can put in you!" Shouted Caldwaters.

The procession soon arrived at the town square. Where he was led up onto a small platform. Callum barely noticed his surroundings due to stamina deprivation. That was until his brother's voice cut through the din.

"I accuse my brother of the murders of our parents Patyr and Lindsey Murray as well as the murder of Betty Reagan!"

'Wait what! Oh . . . was that her name? But . . . oh shit!'