Rachael drifted back to the pub from the bay and found herself staring at the Traveler.  He was fuzzy and glowed orange from the flames.  The pub came back into focus as the last notes from the shanty floated from the stage and puffed out like ash around her ears. She took a swig of her ale.
She placed an elbow on the bar and rested her head against her hand, “So tell me where you go in the mornings? “ She felt ok about asking. She had only seen him angry once when he was fighting Spam, but not really angry just different. He had told her to go inside, for her own safety perhaps, or so she would not witness the violence.
He just smiled and said, “It is my morning exercise.” She felt like asking why he didn’t use the front door but that was a question she would have for a normal lodger. “I run around the valley and gather things like the food, and stuff for the chariot.”
“Yes thanks again for that.” She had not bought food or been hungry for weeks now. She knew he had the coins so she wouldn’t inquire further, and if he wanted to call the Volvo a chariot then ok.
“So what about the sparking coins rent deal, and every time I mention it, you always ask me if Kelly Mill is my farm?”
“The sticks made the coins flash when you tried to take them for rent, it is an old security system, to make sure the rent goes to the rightful landlord,” He smiled, “Or lady.” Rachael bristled, “Security system?”
“But it is my farm; my parents died and they left it to me.”
He seemed to be thinking about something else
“Alright then,” he said, then turned to her and asked, “Do you know what happened to them?”
“I know they died.”
He took a long swig and looked around as if he had heard a noise, she took upon herself to change the subject, even though it occurred to her that he might be experiencing the twenty question syndrome.
“So, how is my chariot getting on?”
“I was hoping you wouldn’t ask; I wanted it to be a surprise, but. . . “He finished off his pint, “very well.”
“Oh yes?” she said skeptically; she knew he did not have the tools or expertise to fix it and was probably just hammering things in the workshop and drinking ale with Len.
Two fresh pints were placed on the bar in front of them; it was obvious that Jord had told his assistants to keep the ale on a drip with these two. They acknowledged thanks and picked them up.
She heard the wind outside trying to make its point against the sturdy pub.