His Only Reward **Completed and Free**

Chapter 7: Fairbridge*

The last few days of Jamie’s journey went without any more rescues. Fluff was able to hunt for himself and would sit on Jamie’s shoulder. Fluff would often meow in Jamie’s ear and Jamie seems to be able to understand what Fluff was saying. “You're a strange cat Fluff, but I am glad you here!” Jamie mused. She wanted to stay in the Forest, but she promised her Pa that she would go to her Uncle’s.

Jamie saw her Uncle Tyrone quite often until he remarried five years ago. His new wife and stepson looked down on Jamie's Ma and Pa. 

Uncle Tyrone owned the only Pub or drinking establishment, as his new wife called it, in Fairbridge. The Pub was called The Crone’s Head and was located on the only main road in Fairbridge. 

Fairbridge was a small town that was on a key road to the Capital City of Riverwell. The town survived on the travellers, but like everything else in the last few years, trade had died. Farmers and tradespeople use to make their way to the Capital, Riversmeet, to sell excess stock. With the recent famine, people had nothing to sell. 

The hard times could be seen on the facade of the town. It had become worn, shabby and dirty. Broken windows were common and rubbish strewn around.

 “Even the stray dogs are going round in two's! “ Jamie muttered, and Fluff meowed in agreement.

Jamie finally got to the Crone’s Head and banged on the heavy wooden door. A gruff man’s voice shouted “How many bloody times do I have to tell you? Deliveries go round the back!”

“Uncle Tyrone it is me, Jamie!” Jamie said nervously. She was not sure if she would be welcome.

There was a pause, the door opened and Uncle Tyrone stood there. He was a lot older than Jamie’s Pa and had sliver hair with brown eyes. He was just below six feet and was plump in stature. Uncle Tyrone wore a large leather apron, a white loose top and brown trousers. There was a look of surprise on his face “Jamie, what are you doing here? Where are your Ma and Da?” His eyes scanned behind her concerned.

“Raiders,...raiders came to our farm and they... “ Jamie could not finish her sentence. She flung her arms around her uncle's neck and sobbed. Fluff gave a protest meow at being squashed.

“There, there little one. It is ok, come inside, come inside!” Tyrone said gently.

Uncle Tyrone led Jame inside and took her into the pub area. It was dark, musty and smelt faintly of urine and vomit. The wooden floor was warped in palaces and stained. The wooden tables had deep knife scratches on them. The benches were bare dark wood as well, it was clear they had seen better days. There was little decoration; an old map of the realm, a fireplace and a picture of the Old Crone Goddess. 

There were small offerings of wildflowers underneath the picture. Fluff went up to the picture and started purring. Jamie went over to have a look, there was something familiar about those blue eyes she thought.

“Of course you can stay here, but I have to pass it through your Aunty Judith first!” Mumbled Tyrone.

“Pass what past me first?” Jamie turned around and saw her Aunty Judith. She was a small woman with a large bust and dyed bright red hair. She had plucked her eyebrows so much that she now had to draw them in. There was over the thick white foundation. Aunty Judith thought she looked sophisticated and this is what people in the Capital. No one was brave enough to tell her otherwise. 

“What is she doing here?” Aunty Judith looking Jamie up and down.

“My brother and his wife were attacked by raiders and are now ..passed on..” Tyrone said softly.

“Well, what did they expect when they lived out in that forest? So uncivilised...so unnatural!” Judith said in disdain.“I suppose now you want us to look after this child?” 

“My parents were not uncivilised!” Jamie blurted out. 

“How dare this b***h talk about her Ma and Da so?” Jamie thought furiously.

“You better watch your mouth you little b***h! How dare you talk back to me?” Aunty Judith raised her hand to slap Jamie for talking back, but Fluff jumped in front of Jamie and hissed. Aunty Judith jumped back, obviously scared of cats.

“Ahhh, what is that flea-bitten cat doing here? Tyrone! My Love, please throw them out!” Judith said in a panicked tone.

“I am not going to do that Love, it isn’t right!” Uncle Tyrone said firmly.

“Well, she is not staying under this roof with that fleabag! If you do, I will leave with my sweet Ronnie!” Judith huffed.

Tyrone mentally rolled his eyes, his stepson with anything but sweet. At 16, he was lazy, pampered and had problems keeping his hands to himself. However, Uncle Tyrone did not want to fight, he was tired. 

“Jamie can sleep in the stable loft for now!” Tyrone said hoping that would be the end to the matter.

Aunty Judith smiled in satisfaction. “ Of course, we can not afford another mouth to feed for free, she will have to work!”

“Judith... “Tyrone implored.

“No Uncle it is fine, I am happy to pull my weight!” Jamie said. Jamie would show this woman how well her parents have brought her up.