“ Of course , as my lord wishes . What , then , can this humble Alderman do for you ?”
Jona had to resist clicking his tongue in exasperation at the man . For the tripping over he did to fulfill Jona ’ s every wish , he didn ’ t seem to have listened very well . “ I have a strong suspicion that your village is about to fall under a wild curse .” He leaned forward and glance up to look the Alderman deep in the eyes . The other man balked from it . “ A few questions and I can see about lifting it for you .”
“ Please , ask and I will answer as best as I can .” The Alderman drew a pipe and tobacco from his waistcoat and puffed thick smoke with a sweetish smell to it . After a few draws , he opened a window to sit beside . “ Daise hates the smell , but it keeps my head clear .”
Whatsoever kept the Alderman amenable to questions Jona was happy to live with it , though he also found the stench of tobacco smoke abhorrent . “ Were you aware of the wild curse ? Folk attuned to their land often are .”
A pensive look crossed the Alderman ’ s face . “ Can ’ t say that I ’ ve known as such . Rather , I ’ ll call it a feeling ,” he made a circular gesture with his pipe stem , “ all round I ’ ve been suspicious that we ’ d get a bad harvest , maybe a minor blight . Worst , the river might flood and take a house or two with it . Never suspected anything like a curse .”
That was important . A looming sense of doom , even if the man couldn ’ t put a finger on the problem . “ Does Dalhurst have any dark local faerie tales ? Witches or monsters in woods or mountains ? Something common in local lore , but never seen unless in passing ?”
“ Doesn ’ t everyone ?”
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