“But it’s settled now?” Courtney asked.

“As far as I can tell.” Herzer shrugged. “The people of Tarson are certainly on the side of light. Harzburg… you can burn the place to the ground for all I give a damn.”

“So are you staying the night?” she pressed.

“No, unfortunately,” the soldier said with a sigh. “My orders were to report ‘without delay.’ So I’m going to have to head into town pretty soon. But I figured I could take enough time to stop by and have some real food at least.” He grinned and carved off another slice of the pork. “You’re both looking good. The farm is looking good. I’m glad.” He chewed on the pork with a thoughtful and sad expression for a moment, then smiled again. “Life could be a hell of a lot worse.”

“Herzer, tell Duke Edmund that he’d better let you get some rest or he’ll be talking to me,” Courtney said dangerously. “And you had better take it, Herzer Herrick.”

“I will,” Herzer replied, looking around at the low room. It was clean and homey in a way that nothing in his life had been in a long time. It was like a slice of some peaceful place that he was afraid he would be shut out of for all eternity.

“I’ve got to get going,” he said after a bit. “Thanks for lunch. Hopefully we’ll be able to get together some while I’m around.”

“We’ll do that,” Courtney said with a smile. “We’ll make an event of it.”

Herzer grabbed his gear and headed back out to the horse. Diablo looked at him balefully when the gear started going on but the horse sat quietly as Herzer saddled up and loaded item after item.

“Is all that necessary?” Courtney asked.

“Not really,” Herzer said. “I suppose there are things that I could pick up along the way. But I like the tools that I have.”

Finally he was saddled up and gave Courtney a hug and shook Mike’s hand.

“See you in town,” Herzer said, mounting the horse with a grunt. Diablo sighed and shook himself, not so much telling Herzer to get off as settling his own gear to his satisfaction.