Morning all and welcome to Friday. I don’t know why this week seemed longer than usual. Maybe it was due to last week’s holiday. Regardless, the weekend is here. But before we take off, lets jump into Friday with the morning prompt. Timers set and off we go.
To be honest I wasn’t entirely sure where I was going until close to the end. Now I have to make notes before I can move on. Not complaining, I’m kinda pleased about it actually.
Friday, December 6th: He was caught poaching.
He was caught poaching. There was no denying it. He had three rabbits on snares when he was stopped. He had no games warden’s license and no one to vouch for him. The evidence spoke for itself. He knew it was a risk when he went out, but he had no money for food and even if he had, no one had any for sale. Crops failed all around, the harvest meager this year. Anythiong anyone had was hoarded at home, kept to keep their own bellies… well full would be an exaggeration. Somewhat content might be closer to the truth although Dapan thought that ‘from sticking to their back bones would be the more accurate assessment.
Even the best farmers in the Gratoc Valley were scraping bottom. He was fairly certain many had to dig into their supply of seed. It would limit next year’s planting, but if they didn’t make it through the winter there would be no planting at all. It was a balancing act for all of them. His supplies ran out. It was the first time since the accident that he counted himself lucky to be without his wife and children.
If asked he would have preferred to have them with him and starve himself while they lived, but at least he didn’t have to watch them starve along with him as his neighbors were doing. In truth two of those three rabbits would have gone to them had he made it home. Now none of them would eat and he would be sent up for poaching.
Despite the failed harvest and hunger, the lands were still private. The wealthy landowners feeding their creatures with their excess so they would make it through the drought. The three rabbits he snared were twice as heavy as he expected.
He took a breath and waited quietly for judgement. He knew there was no getting around it, so there was no protest he could make. He stood waiting. And waiting. He looked at the ground waiting for what seemed like an eternity.
“Well,” the magistrate said. Dapan risked a look up. The large man had a belly that strained the fabric of his shirt and his jowls were fleshy droops of fat. Dapan sucked in air and felt it nearly whistle along his ribs.
“It seems Haveloc has vouched for you.” The magistrate said. Dapan looked down not wanting his surprise to be so easily seen. “Usually I know all of the games warden’s by sight but apparently he forgot to present you after hiring. The confusion won’t happen again. You may go.”
Dapan nodded. He half bowed to the magistrate and then backed out of the room, knowing that turning his back on such an august person would be seen as an insult. Once thought he door it was closed behind him so no insult could be given. He straightened, was handed his rabbits and passed a game warden’s identification card.
“Best not lose this one,” the man who handed it to him said.
“Yes sir,” Dapan replied. He took them both. He didn’t know what had happened, but he took his good fortune and left as quickly as he could.
Ten til Midnight 