Draft 30 – Updated 22 SEPTEMBER 2026 (C003/D030)
Autumn stepped into the stirrup and swung his leg over the saddle. If things took a turn at the church, he would be in the middle of the mess.
The overseer himself wasn’t particularly deadly, but his bodyguard was armed with a frontier knife and would kill to protect his boss if he had to.
Autumn trusted that Hunter was a good shot. But for at least a few moments, it would be two-on-one and Autumn, unarmed, would be face to face with sharp steel.
The small eladrin was much younger than Hunter. He had less experience with the ungodly noise of human settlements and did not, in the least, care for it. How a species so practically deaf could accomplish so much absolutely baffled him.
Individually, he had some sympathy for humans. Collectively, he found them difficult and offensive.
Always, with these people, there was something. Today … it was coughing. If they couldn’t hear it, they were impaired. If they were ignoring it, they were heartless. Children were rare in The Wood. They were precious. But humans seemed to take theirs for granted. They were always coughing, their noses were always running, and nobody seemed to bother about it.
Autumn knew his assignment. He understood every detail of Hunter’s meticulous plan. He knew that straying from the plan could be fatal, but he also knew that, as the one in the middle, the person in greatest danger, he had the power to make changes.
As his pony approached the group assembled on the steps of the church, the overseer’s back was toward him. The young constable guarding his back, faced into the square.
Autumn’s team was expecting him to stop and engage their target, but, at the last moment, Autumn tweaked the plan.
Summary:
• No change from prior read to OOO, PoV, plot movement or character change
Notes:
Autumn stepped into the stirrup and swung his leg over the saddle. Where is he in relationship to the town?
Always, with these people, there was something. Today … it was coughing. If they couldn’t hear it, they were impaired. Note, he is in the saddle, but he hasn’t moved. Where is he? Close enough to hear the coughing?