Chapter 27 - Lies and fangs
"To start with," Scarlett began her questioning. "The people I have seen appeared very tense. Why is that?"
The village head wiped his hands on the sides of his shirt. "That...I'm not sure what you mean, my Lady."
"I believe you are." She tapped her finger against the table next to her as she regarded him. "In fact, there was an unusually small number of people out on those fields too. I was under the impression that one worked until it was dark during times of harvest, yet so few of you seem to remain outside your homes." They'd passed by a number of hamlets on their way here where large groups of people—women and children—had been busy at work harvesting the field's yields. It stood out to her that that wasn't the case here.
"Ah. T-That's because..." He paused as his eyes went back and forth between Scarlett and her entourage.
"Yes?" She raised an eyebrow. "Surely you do not mean to say that I am the sole reason behind this behaviour?"
His eyes widened. "N-No! Of course not, my Lady. I wouldn't dare."
"Then there is another reason. Tell me of it."
He went quiet, squirming where he stood. Scarlett almost felt sympathy for the man. Though that wouldn't really stop her from grilling him. "I should mention that we will be staying for several days. Attempting to lie to me is not in your best interest."
The statement seemed to have spooked him. "I-I never meant to lie to you, my Lady. It's just that I don't think that such a small matter is worth bringing to your attention."
"I will be the judge of that," she said. "Speak."
He massaged the backs of his hands. "Recently...we've had some small problems with monsters attacking our crops." He held up both palms. "No one's gotten injured! We've just asked those more vulnerable to stay inside as it gets darker, just to be safe. But it's barely affected us, really."
"Why haven't you sent for help? Or contacted the Shields Guild?" Kat asked from the side.