Argus saw the innkeeper coming toward him with a grim look on his face. He hadn't been in the tavern, nor had he tried of late. Surely there can't be that accusation. But before he could figure out why this man was here, he arrived and pressed a coin in his hand, saying it was from the woman and with advice to leave the town. There was nothing more than that Argus wanted to do. Given that the only thing keeping him was the mere minute or two he needed to see the woman.<br/><br/>As the innkeeper turned on his heel to leave, he saw the smoke billowing and started to run toward the tavern. Seconds later people were rushing from the tavern and seeing the volume of smoke increased their haste.<br/><br/>As if caught up in a wave of people, Argus headed toward the smoke.  He was slower than them but continued as quickly as he could  As he went he realize that he was carrying his crutch at his side and not using it for support. He kept his other hand clutched around the coin given to him. He hobbled with a limp, to be sure, but the pain was slight and he felt relief come over him knowing that perhaps his leg was healing.<br/><br/>Realizing this he slowed to assess his leg. People were passing him and he caught sight of the woman, running with the others albeit slower wearing her dress and all the paraphernalia that women of her stature wore, but with a determination that matched the local townspeople. She passed him with her intent on getting to the fire, seemingly not noticing him.<br/><br/>He figured the short-statured man would have been ahead of her. Perhaps he would be passing him soon. Argus hadn't seen him yet but in the confusion, he would have been easy to miss.<br/><br/>By the time he was close enough to see that the blacksmith shop was ablaze, a bucket brigade had been started. Argus' first thought was of Smith. Was he okay? Where was he? Surely the confusion would have been upsetting to him, but he must have been aware that his place of employment was no more.<br/><br/>###<br/><br/>The fire having been put out, and most of the townspeople had returned to the tavern. There was no sign of Smith or his employer.<br/><br/>With a thought half-formed, Argus noted the trail of water that had splashed from the buckets and followed it back to the waters' source. He followed it to its origin and found that it led to the town mill. The large wheel turned, without care of the recent activity around it. The mill pond beckoned Argus, and soon he was in the water feeling better than he had in a long time. He tried to wash his pants and the rag of his shirt used as a bandage for his leg. But soon, the refreshment of the water led him to splash with abandon with a smile on his face. He realized that for this moment, his life was good.<br/><br/>He felt refreshed and clean as he left the water. He wrung out his pants and shirt the best he could, then wandered around naked not wanting to have this moment of time end.<br/><br/>Then hearing a shout, he looked up. Standing at the mill, he saw the miller, who shouted, "You're getting pretty old to be frolicking around like that, aren't you?"<br/><br/>Argus couldn't contain his smile and waved at the miller and put his damp clothes, as well his cares and worries, back on. His pants were damp and uncomfortable, but mostly clean. His shirt, tattered as it was, was somewhat serviceable. He then picked up his crutch, not wanting to leave it behind, and started walking toward the blacksmith shop. The worry about Smith, his message for the woman, and the mysterious man, weighed on his mind.<br/><br/>Nearing the blacksmith shop, he saw Smith cowering at the berating being given to him, and the shouts of the man delivering this string of curses with anger. Argus looked at the older man and was surprised to see the resemblance of the man to Smith. Coming instantly to Argus, he realized the man was Smith's<i>father. </i>Argus realized Smith wasn't capable of running the blacksmith shop but had no idea that the man was his father.<br/><br/>As he had this moment of clarity, the man looked up and recognized Argus and yelled, more of a bellow really, "YOU! IT WAS YOU WHO LURED MY SON AWAY! YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS!" The father started to run toward Argus. The man was as huge as Smith and surprised Argus with his speed. Quickly turning, and dropping his crutch, Argus ran as fast as his legs would go. Turning a moment later, he saw the father starting to tire and slow, then stop and shouted, I WILL FIND YOU AND BEAT THE COST OF MY SHOP OUT OF YOU! COUNT ON IT!<br/><br/>Our of breath, Argus slowed then stopped to catch his breath. Then he walked on, back to where he started at the edge of the woods. The carriage was still there sans horses, and things seemingly had returned to normal.<br/><br/>He leaned on the tree that he had leaned on previous and thought of his predicament, his coin still clutched in his hand. The innkeeper despised him. He would not be welcome in the tavern. The woman would not even let him come close to her. And now the blacksmith. Argus shuddered at the thought of the beating he would get from the blacksmith.<br/><br/>Then the short-statured man came to mind. Apparently, he had known Smith. His ability to speak to him at his level had shown that. Aside from that, he knew nothing of him, yet had seen him prior. Argus tried to think where, but the events of his time in the village kept him from remembering how or where.<br/><br/>Argus decided he would seek out the man. He had little to lose at this point, and perhaps the man would come to his aid in some way. Perhaps he could help him deliver the King's message to the woman, which would only take a minute or two, and then he would leave this place forever.<br/><br/>Argus leaned against the tree and made his firm decision. I shall seek out this man and request his aid.