Dreamwalker's Bride - Chapter 206

Chapter 206: Why me?
Ford watched Martin’s face as the older man absorbed his question. Magic was very rare in Foundrel. Martin was already a foreigner, but being a powerful one would make him even more despised. They’d probably call him a spy.

The man mentioned secrets to kill for. Maybe he was a spy… but then why reveal this to Ford?

Martin’s eyes narrowed, and Ford wondered if the old man would change his mind and kill him to keep his secret safer.

“Seen plenty in my lifetime,” Martin chewed on his words as if they were jerky. “Didn’t care to have any more death around when I thought I could save one or two from the crush.”

“But you didn’t save one or two, did you?” Ford pressed. “I was deepest. I had to have been. Did you save others?”

“No.”

“Then why me?”

“You know how many died in the cave-in?” Martin chewed the inside of his cheek.

“Uh, no?” Ford had tried not to give that a whole lot of thought. The numbers of men who would share his grave wasn’t a helpful thing to dwell on.

“Ten. Woulda been a hundred if someone hadn’t yelled before the collapse began. Reports say it was you,” Martin frowned. “Then you stayed behind while everyone else got to safety.”

“What’s that got to do with you?” Ford’s eyes narrowed. He didn’t address the untruth. Whoever shoved him must have changed the story because they didn’t want to admit what they’d done.

“Might say I feel some level of responsibility. I am supposed to safety check between shifts.” Martin’s jaw worked with emotion.

“It was fine at the beginning of shift,” The younger man frowned. “The bowing wasn’t there. It happened during the hours I was down.”

“Even so, it was me who didn’t beat it into the owner that we couldn’t skimp on timber,” Martin looked away. “So, I decided you’re my penance. Get you back on your feet and back to work or on your merry way.”

“Your penance,” Ford’s face darkened. This was one step above pity, and not by much.

“Sure. I didn’t do all I could have, and you kept the fallout from bein’ worse, so the least I can do is not let you die.” Martin shrugged.

“I’m going to die anyway,” Ford said bitterly. “I don’t have enough saved to pay for the doctor.”

“I’ll cover that.” Martin promised.

“Really?”

“Sure.”

Ford chewed the inside of his cheek, wondering whether or not to call the man a liar to his face or just let the matter be.

“How long do you think it’ll take to get better?” He narrowed his eyes. How much was Martin willing to pledge for his recovery?

“Doc’ll probably tell you to keep off it for a week, and use a crutch after that,” The foreman opined.

“A week?” Ford cried. He surely would starve. His savings would run out in two days. Three and a half if he cut down to one meal a day.

He laid back against the rough rock wall. Pulled out of a living grave just to die in the fresh air. Was that really much of an improvement?

Now someone would have to go to the trouble of burying him, putting him right back where he started.

“I’ll have food sent,” Martin sighed, and Ford looked at the man like he was crazy.

“I don’t believe you.” Ford finally said, and Martin rolled his eyes and reached into his pocket. He pulled out his copy of the mine’s map, a drawing of all the shafts and how deep they went. Flipping it over to the blank side, he took a piece of charcoal and began writing.

“I pledge to pay for Ford’s doctor bills and food and whatever while he gets better from the cave in. If I die in the mean time, give my stuff to him to pay for it himself.”

He signed the crude pledge and then handed it to Ford.

The younger man blinked in surprise. “If you die? Isn’t that morbid?”

“Doesn’t bother me. I don’t have anyone to leave stuff to anyway.” Martin told him.

“You rich enough that I’d be able to leave mining forever?” Ford joked, still not believing the paper that was in his hand. It was a strange jest.

“Maybe.” Martin said. “If you spend it right.”

“Fine. If you die, I’m never coming down here again,” Ford sighed.

Martin eyed him, apparently gauging the seriousness of his words.

“You mean it?”

“What if I do?” Ford’s eyes narrowed.

“Then you’re smarter than I thought.” Martin smiled. “What would you do out there?”

“I’ll farm, or something,” Ford shrugged.

Martin stared at him, unimpressed.

“Farm. Or something.” He repeated dully. “I mean, anything’s better than mining, and I’d be disappointed in you if you stayed after this, but… have some idea of what you can do.”

“It’s not like I’ve had some easy life, full of magic since the day I dropped out of my mother onto the ground. I’m not rich and blessed like some people.” Ford glared at the man. “It must be hard to feel bad for regular people and our stupid little plights. I wonder that you bother, living a charmed life of wealth and being treasured from birth.”

“Ha!” Martin’s single syllable startled the younger man. Was he so pathetic as to merit being laughed at? His heart hardened further.

“Sure, laugh at the poor, lame orphan who won’t ever be worth two coins put together. I’m sure it’s hilarious.” Ford’s upper lip curled in distaste.

“I’m not laughing at you, directly, just the outrageously stupid stuff you’re saying. Life of wealth and being treasured!” Martin’s guffawed.

Ford was momentarily confused. To have such a thick accent, Martin must have spent most of his life across the river in his own land. Magic users were treasured there, immensely.

“Well?” He demanded an explanation.

“Well, I’ll tell you a secret,” Martin shook his head. “I wasn’t born with magic. I was born a poor, stupid idiot like you.”

“Everyone who has magic was born with it.” Ford didn’t appreciate being mocked.

Martin didn’t reply, and a silence fell between them for a time. Ford got an odd impression the man had been serious, but he couldn’t think about it long. Either the ground was still unstable, or Ford was woozy from his injury. He felt like it was moving underneath him.

“No,” Martin’s hands were against the ground now. His face looked terrified.

“No what?” Ford blinked.

“Listen carefully,” Martin’s voice became very serious. “We’re near the surface. The way is blocked ahead, but the men can dig through it.”

“I thought your magic would replenish,” Ford frowned.

“I’m going to make a small hole through it. Enough for air, and enough for yelling to be heard,” Martin looked at him seriously. “I’m going down. If I don’t come back, just keep yelling. Understand? They’ll come if they know someone’s alive.”

“What are you going down for?” Ford was confused. “Is there another survivor?”

“No.” Martin said, standing to his feet. “Oh, one more thing.”

“What’s that?” Ford’s brow scrunched.

“If I don’t come back, you can keep my money but burn the box you find. Don’t try to open it. Understand?”