FSE

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A month later

After returning to the town, James and Emerald had taken time for a break. James had made good on his promise to play with Margaret, and she was so happy to play house with him and Emerald. Other times Emerald would teach her how to make flower jewelry. They had also ranked up. They were now bronze rank and decided to stay a team until they were higher. Emerald had also moved into James’s house. After James finished the floor, she took his extra room and put her things into the room. He'd finished his room a week later. He'd given Emerald the gold she needed to pay off the debt. Emerald had her for an hour after that. He'd also tailed her as she went to pay the money. James saw it was near the town center, and they looked like a decent place. She walked back out after a few minutes with a rolled-up letter in hand. She had a smile on her face as she walked away.

“Good to see that mess is finally done.”

James walked away from the area and headed for the market. He figured she would be safe now.

After a few days, James was busy cutting down trees around his house. He had decided to start a small farm as a second income. And to start making firewood.

“James!”

James stopped and looked down as he set the axe down. He rested his hand on the handle as Emerald stood on the porch. James smiled as he saw her in her new blouse and long brown skirt. Her hair was tied back, and she had a full smile. James smiled as he lifted his axe onto his shoulder and walked to the house. Since moving in, Emerald had started making breakfast and taking over the household chores. It was almost like they were newlyweds.

“Is something on your mind?”

James snapped back to reality as he hit the porch. He’d rebuilt the new roof, shading it with hooks on the side for a hanging bench.

“I got lunch ready, James.”

He smiled as he followed her into the house, and he smiled as he saw the simple but nice house. James had used some of the gold from the reward to buy furniture, and the blacksmith was working on his wood-burning stove.

“Go and get the table ready while I get the food in bowls.”

James nodded as he approached the table and grabbed the wooden spoons, forks, and rough rags. As they sat down, James started thinking back. He had passed on a little knowledge to Sir Wildfang with drawings. James told him about the windmill to grind grain, moldboard plow, crop rotations, and resting plots for animals to live in for a year. He had to explain that the animal's manure would help boost crop yields after a few years as it helped with soil quality. They could also make compost to add more to it. They could also cut out and spread alfalfa, clover, borage, comfrey, and sunflowers when the animals were in the field.

‘Hm that look on his face.’

James smiled as he remembered the look on his face. Sir Wildfang had called in a few of her best farmers, and a blacksmith, and consulted with them. The farmers had said the tool would take some getting used to, but it would make their jobs much easier. With it being a metal plow instead of a wooden one, it would last longer. They wouldn’t need a team of oxen or horses with it. Instead of three or four, this new plow would only need two at most. They could have more than one team plowing per farm and may sow seed sooner or even harvest sooner. The blacksmith said the blade and frames would be easy to make as the frame was wooden with metal only where reinforcements were needed. The blade was curved and would slice through the soil with the blade, lifting it, and then turn it over completely. It effectively flips the topsoil layer as it is pulled through the field; if it doesn’t hit, rocks or come out of the ground, it may save days to a week at most of work. The windmill was the last thing they talked about, and they decided it would be best to test it on a small scale before making a full-sized one. Sir Wildfang asked James to have a model made and ready to show in two months. Sir Wildfang had also paid James a fee for coming up with ideas to provide jobs for to the slum laborers.

“Hey James, can I ask you something?”

James looked at Emerald as he stabbed a piece of meat with the fork.

“Ya?”

Emerald took a bite from her bowl. After she swallowed, she set the fork down and looked at James.

“I was wondering. Um, we’ve been working together for a month now, and we’ve faked being together for two weeks now. D-do you think maybe we could try for real?”

James, surprised by her words, looked at her.

“Emerald, are you sure about that? You know some beast don't look kindly to human relationships.”

Emerald nodded as she looked at him.

“I know but you've treated me so well and offered me a safe place to live. You saw to it that I was safe and comfortable while we were on those missions.”

James nodded as he took a bite and looked down at the plate.

“Well, you're a lady I was raised to treat a lady as a lady “

Emerald smiled as she heard him talk.

“Well, that’s good.”

James smiled as he looked at her, then took another bite as she started to eat again. Once dinner was finished, James did the dishes since Emerald had cooked. Emerald moved to her room and James walked back to the door.

“I'm going back to cutting the trees!”

“Okay!”

James walked out and grabbed his axe. He started to hum as he walked down to the trees. Once he was close to the tree, he stopped when he heard horse hooves. He hummed when a group of guards rode into the small clearing he was making. James smiled when he saw the captain again. He waved, and the captain smiled, then frowned as he rode closer.

“James, I’m sorry to bother you so late in the day. But, Sir Wildfang requests that you and Lady Emerald come to his home as we have captured a beast claiming to know Emerald.”

James raised an eyebrow as he looked at him.

“Okay, and why are you guys here then? Why didn’t you send whoever this is here?”

The captain looked uncomfortable, and before he could speak, the door to the house opened. Emerald stepped out and spoke.

“What is going on? Do we have another job?”

Everyone looked at her, and James saw the captain's uncomfortable expression. Emerald wiped her hands on her apron as the captain spoke, looking away from them both.

“Lady Emerald and Sir James, a beast by the name of Onyx. Who ran from the territory two years ago has returned and was looking for Lady Emerald.”

Emerald froze as she looked at him and James. To everyone's shock, the sweet and kind Emerald vanished. Her teeth were bared, and her eyes were filled with fury. She grabbed the wooden porch handle and crushed it with all her strength.

“HE’S BACK!?”

James looked shocked as that was made from cedar he’d bought and knew that wood didn’t give easily. But, what shocked him more was the sweet and kind female who’d been at his side looked ready to maul this guy. Then it clicked in his mind. Only one person he knew of could make her react like this.

“It's your brother.”

James's grip on his axe tightened. The captain who knew a little had his fur pale a little. James looked at the captain as Emerald rushed back into the house. His smile was forced and the captain laughed a little.

“You all may want to ride hard back to where he is being held. I'll explain later just to know if she or I get to him he's in for a world of pain.”

Emerald came running out with his old mace, and she was booking it down the road. James swung his axe into the tree, sticking it there before he started after Emerald.

“Wait up Emerald, I want to see this!”

“You two stop!”

The captain and his hounds turned their horse then started after them.

“Sir James, Lady Emerald please wait!”

Twenty minutes later

Emerald burst into the city jail; mace raised high.

“Where are you Onyx!? I’m going to make you pay for the year of hell you made me suffer before I meet my alpha!”

The city guards in the front of the jail looked at her scared. As she tried to rush in, James came through the door and grabbed her as she thrashed.

“Let me go! Let me go! He needs to pay for what he’s done!”

James only smiled. He planned to make this guy suffer, so he didn’t see why Emerald should be arrested.

“Now, why don’t we see what Sir Wildfang wants to do then we beat him to death.”

Emerald growled as she stopped thrashing. The guard sighed as they watched James take the mace before they looked at them.

“We’ll be back and if we don’t find him when we get back. I’ll hunt him down them make him suffer for making my girl suffer for so long. I’ll also make sure you lot won’t see booze for a month.”

They paled as James expected. Booze was one of the biggest draws of this city. It was famous for its beers, meads and fancy wines. The guards also get free booze on the adventure guild. With James being Sir Wildfang's exclusive adventurer, he could stop their free booze and stop the inns from selling them booze.

“Y-yes sir “

James smiled and nodded as he put Emerald back down onto her paws. She threw the mace to the ground and stormed out of the jail. James grabbed the mace and put it on his side before walking out. He stopped as he saw Emerald glaring at the guards who seemed to be stopping her.

“Now, guys, there's no need to block a lady like that, is there?”

They all looked at him, and the captain knew James well now. He was a peacemaker until he decided that peace was off the table. James would offer a hand if you needed it, and then, if he was angered, that hand would turn into a fist, and he wasn't scared to throw that fist if he needed to.

“Okay, Sir James. We have a carriage around the corner.”

James nodded and then he wrapped an arm around Emerald’s stomach. She huffed and crossed her arms but didn't try to get away. But, James could feel her tail wagging from the slight shaking of her hip. James smiled as he walked her to the corner, and there, like they said, was a small carriage. James got her in and the drive got the horses moving once they were sat down. Once they were on the way, Emerald sighed as she leaned into him.

“Sorry, I didn't mean to run off like that. I was just so angry he had the guts to come back here.”

James let out a breath and nodded his head. James laughed as he rubbed her side.

“I understand why you're angry, Emerald. But, you getting thrown in there with him is the last thing we need right now.”

Emerald let out a little laugh as she rubbed her head into his shoulder.

“You're right, and I know it. But, I still want to hit him at least once.”

James smirked as he moved his hand to her shoulder as he spoke.

*Oh, you'll get that punch my dear. Sir Wildfang doesn't strike me as the type to let someone like him go. Abandoning the territory is a serious crime and he's going to pay for it. We can also try and see if he can be forced to pay you back. You know money for your suffering.”

Emerald smiled liking that idea. After twenty minutes they arrived and the driver opened the door. They stepped out and before they could head for the door it was thrown open. The happy Margaret came running, her mother trailing behind her. Margaret ran right up to James and latched onto his legs. James laughed as he reached down and rubbed the top of her head.

“Hey, pup.”

Margaret smiled at him, left his legs behind, and held her arms up. James smiled as he leaned over and put his hands under her arms. He picked her up and quickly moved one arm to let her sit. She smiled as she wrapped her arms around his neck, her tail wagging like crazy.

“Oh, look at the little thing.”

Emerald reached over and patted her back.

Margaret smiled as she looked at her.

“Hello Miss Emerald.”

Emerald smiled as she moved a hand to her head and rubbed near her ears.

“Hey little, Miss, are you having a good day.”

Margaret laughed as she grabbed her hand.

“I'm good, we just had lunch.”

Emerald smiled as she looked at her.

“Oh ya? What did you have?”

“Ya, we had those pork sandwiches James made when we played. My father really likes them.”

James laughed, unable to believe that sandwiches were new to them. Sure, they had white bread, but they never tried to change who ate them. But that was something to think about later.

“Well, little lady. Normally we'd be happy to play with you but. We have an important matter to talk about with your father.”

Margaret puffed up her cheeks but knew it was true. She'd heared her father talking about a bad hound caught this morning.

James set her back down on her paws, and she rushed back to her mother. She picked her up and nodded to James and Emerald. Emerald waved back, and James nodded. Once they were inside the house, James and Emerald followed Sir Wildfang to his office. Emerald dropped the smile as she looked at him. She sat down beside James before she spoke up.

“You have my brother and I want to have the first punch.”

Sir Wildfang, having already been told the story, understood. He sighed as he looked at the most popular couple in the city.

“Lady Emerald. I won't say I understand what you've been through. But, I do understand the want to inflict some pain onto him. I'll let you have that punch but after that he's off limits.”

Emerald smiled and could live with that. They sat down on the couch and Emerald leaned into him. Sir Wildfang smiled as he looked at them.

“James, I’d also like to thank you for the new plow. We had a test model and have used it to plow a field a week early. Plowing one acre of land took only fifteen hours instead of a day. Once we have enough to plow all the fields, we could sow seeds half a month earlier than before. The farmers also mixed in what plants they could find. A few are also trying different things. Like burying spoiled fish, old eggs and used beer mush that was to old to eat. Were having slum working helping.”

James smiled and Emerald hummed remembering when she had to do those jobs. They paid just enough for you to feed yourself for a few days. You’d be lucky if you could put even a few chopper pieces away.

“Well, that’s good to her, Sir Wildfang. I’ve also nearly finished the model I need to assemble.”

Sir Wildfang nodded as he looked at them and sighed before he looked right at Emerald.

“Now, onto business. Onyx will be jailed for running away after signing an agreement to pay back the money and running from his legally required military service that came with it.”

Emerald nodded knowing that her brother hadn’t just screwed up her life. He’d destroyed his chances of ever being able to live a normal life in this territory again. He wouldn’t find a stable job, a home or even a mate. She also knew what was going to happen after the sentence.

“So what is going to happen?”

Emerald and Sir Wildfang looked at James. They realized James hadn’t seen had only leave in this territory for about three months. Sir Wildfang sighed as he never liked explaining this.

“Well, James. If you're going to keep living here, it’s better that you know the punishments of this kingdom.”

Sir Wildfang leaned back as he looked at him.

“Well, James. You see in this kingdom some laws were put in place. Emerald's Brother has broke two of the biggest laws. He took money, abandoned the contract, and was required to serve two years if he couldn’t pay. He signed to uphold both before he ran off. Emerald was his only family, so by law she had to take on the debt, but not he’s military serve. He will be jailed, used as a free labor and a brand on his chest. He will forever be labaled as a thief and will never have a family of is own.”

James nodded as he’d made a fist. It was tight that his knuckles were white with a little blood coming from his nails digging into his skin. His wish to hurt this Onyx was only growing.

“I see, so when will Emerald get the punch?”

This caught Sir Wildfang and Emerald off guard. James was known for kindness and always helping, but this James looked and sounded like someone ready to beat Onyx to death. She Wildfang with weighing the options in front of him. Both of them would likely just beat him to death. He wasn’t if letting either of them near him.