Small Fries

Falling into a crouch Jace out one arm out in front of Tony protectively.

It wouldn't do to have her man get one shorted.

Up in front of them along the road they had been walking along a man had come into view.

Slow and steady he approached and then stopped at about ten meters.

"Just give us your goods, jewelry, and money. No need to make this tough."

The man was sensible and seemed professional.

"Okay, …"

Starting to say something, Tony was silenced with a quick jab from Jace.

"Tell your men to come out of the woods behind us."

Having no intention of being robbed Jace calmly replied back. Instead she was thinking about how to kill these men.

'I have my whirlwind, or I can unleash my lightning pylon ability. What would be best?"

Contemplating her choice the pylon ended up just opting for the most blood.

Between one step and the next she accelerated forward and using just her hand chopped the back of the leading man's neck.

He fell instantly, but Jace was already circling around to intercept the two behind. Each of them received a chop to the back of the neck as well.

"You might not want to see this next part!"

Giving a warning to Tony, Jace proceeded to drink their blood.

There was no particular reason to. Pylons don't have to have blood to survive like vampires. But there was something so satisfying about drinking her enemies blood especially while they were still alive.

"Well, if I was doubtful before about you being a vampire, I am no longer."

Tony said and then went to the side of the road to throw up. Retching for half an hour wasn't enough.

Searching the bodies Jace found several good knives, a couple of books, and some money. Nothing much. The money when added together wouldn't add up to more than a few silver dollars.

Tony eventually moved on when Jace was done cleaning up. He caught up and walked by the side of the cart with her.

Every once in a while Tony would have dry heaves. It didn't help the Jace was also covered in dried blood.

"Don't worry, there is a steam up ahead."

Comforting Tony, she patted him on the arm.

At the stream, which was only a few inches deep Jace was not shy and took off all her clothes. Squatting down she soaked and washed them while scrubbing her body, too.

Tony gave her some privacy by going down the bank. Of course he hadn't been prepared and received an eye full of curves from behind.

"Ahhhh, …."

But Tony had no words and could only drive Jace some space.

The cold water did nothing to prevent Jace from taking her time and enjoying the feeling of being clean.

Eventually she finished up and directly put her cold wet clothes back on.

"Tony! Come on, we don't have much daylight left!"

They passed many of quaint little cottages before one caught Jace's eye. This one had a few fruit trees in the yard and a well between the house and a barn. She liked it because it was dug into a hill and had a slightly higher elevation then any of the other cottages they had seen.

For all that it was also smaller and looked like it hadn't been well maintained.

"Hello the house!"

Jace called out.

There was no response.

"Hello!"

She tried again.

"Anyone home!"

"Quit your hollering! Do you want to bring the whole mountain down on us?"

Finally receiving a reply Jace smiled and walked the rest of the way up to the house leaving Tony to watch over the cart.

"Hi! Me and my husband are …"

Trying to get right to the point Jace started talking.

"I don't care who you are or what you want. Get off my land!"

An old granny with a rifle had hobbled out of the cottage and now stood with a wide stance rifle on hip.

"No, I, …"

Click

This time the granny didn't say anything she just lowered her rifle and snuggly place the stock in her shoulder. Cocking the gun she very unsteadily aimed at Jace.

Not at all deterred by the old woman's actions Jace smiled and carefully started reaching for her purse.

Bang!

The granny dropped the nozzle of her gun then froze mouth agape.

Jace moved a little more probing her purse with her fingers.

"I could have sworn!"

The granny practically bugged her eyes out trying to look at Jace. Which was why she saw Jace hold up a gleaming royal.

"Alright, I change my mind. You can have whatever you want. Free and clear!"

Dropping the rifle on the porch the old lady also sat as if it had been taking all her energy to stand.

"We want your house and your land."

Stepping slowly towards the current occupant Jace told her gently when she was only a meter away.

"Fine, fine, that is just fine."

The old woman held out her hand to receive her prize.

Confused Jace asked, "You don't mind leaving your house that you have lived in for who knows how many years?"

The woman gave Jace a crooked smile.

"I am an old woman. I know it is my time to die. Why not spend my last few days living like a queen?"

Tony guided the horse and cart up by the barn and then came over to see this confrontation between old and young.

"You seem resigned to die?"

"Oh, it is nothing my dear. Some of us old folks go out of this world kicking and screaming. But I am content with my life. I hold no regrets."

"Why don't you stay with us?"

Offered Tony.

Jace gave Tony a glare. She didn't want to live with a stinky old cantankerous type.

"No, no, I think I will go over to the city. Rent a room and then eat all the best dishes till I can't eat no more."

Speaking really slowing the woman described the vision of her final days.

"That is a nice dream."

Encouraging such a dream Jace offered a few good words.

"No, just love here. I will buy you some food in town and warm it up for you here. No problem."

Again Tony spoke up while Jace was giving him a hushing motion with her hand.

"Really, you would do that for me?"

The woman asked.

"Yes, of cou…"

Interrupting Jace offered the old lady another crown.

"Here, just so there is no hard feelings. I wouldn't want your money to run out before you die."

Nonchalant the pylon just wanted to be done. There was still a lot to do tonight before she could sleep.

Without skipping a beat the old bitty thrust out a hand and grabbed the gold from Jace's hand.

"No, I am serious, stay here. I will take care of you."

But Tony wasn't done. It seemed he really did have some backbone. This thing he was being stubborn about was too much though.

'Why is he testing me!'

A pylon's pride surged inside of Jace, but it was exactly the kind of emotion that challenged her determination to enslave herself.

Tony was her connection, in the end it wasn't hard for her to accept this trivial thing. After all she could eliminate her later.

'It would be like stepping on a bug. Sorry, bug god!'

Thinking vicious thoughts Jace nodded.

"Show us your place."

Was all Jace said in reply.