Little Jimmy, as the other lads called him, waited outside the Drunk Sparrow for the carpenter to leave. Little Jimmy was apprenticed to the blacksmith but because of his small size and the newly acquired affliction, he was allowed much freedom simply because the smith thought he was worthless. Little Jimmy adored the carpenter with his laughing eyes and broad shoulders. Rumor among the boys said that he was good to his young helpers like a favorite uncle or elder brother. What Jimmy wanted was to just be on the edge of the man's company.<br/><br/>As soon as Kell came from the tavern, Little Jimmy scurried along in his wake, the shadows cloaking him.Most didn't notice him because he was small and slight, others didn't notice him because he was dressed in rags, some noticed him for evil intent. Jimmy hoped that Kell would be a man who lived up to his reputation and would not allow innocents to be hurt in his presence.<br/><br/>Isolde sometimes hired him to fetch and carry for her. Her trade sometimes took him close to where Kell worked. His work was beautiful and true which made Little Jimmy long to be able to use a hammer so skillfully. He frowned. He had fallen last year,breaking his arm beyond what Isolde could do to heal it. His arm had healed but one was shorter than the other and he didn't have full range of movement in the shorter one. The smith hated him because if Little Jimmy had not disobeyed, he wouldn't have been seated on the corral fence,wouldn't have spooked the stallion and wouldn't have fallen under its hooves where his arm had been mangled.<br/><br/>Kell and a companion came from the tavern, speaking quietly. Little Jimmy followed at a close but respectful distance.<br/><br/>~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br/><br/>Isolde was getting a bit nervous at the men who had appeared in the clearing. She needed to get this woman, this girl, back to her apothecary. If these men didn't help, they were hindering, because she could and would use her magic to load the cart. The horse could bring them back quick enough, but this standing here while the men combed the woods around them was a waste of her time.<br/><br/>She focused on the leader again,<br/>"Sir, would that you help me load this man so that I may attend his wounds swiftly. He clings to life but only just."<br/><br/>The leader seemed like a good man but she was getting uneasy and mixed signals from his men.<br/><br/>Isolde went to the coffin, murmuring, "Forgive me," as she slid the lid back in  place. Discreetly, she placed her hands under the wooden box and made a hidden gesture, which permitted the coffin to rise while looking as if she lifted it by sheer brute strength. If creaked as it came even with the cart which was burning in a couple of places. Sliding the coffin on,Isolde went to the fires and beat them out, covering her hands with her cloak.<br/><br/>Ignoring the incredulous looks on the men's faces,she turned to the leader.<br/><br/>"Would you permit me to follow you to town?"