Author: Ian Hall
Category: Cook books
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covering ground, while I saw rocks, and slopes, the smaller details of uneven ground was lost to me, and I stumbled frequently. But by the time the sun had begun to rise again, we were far inland from our landing point. Before settling in our hiding place for the day I gathered some early blackberries, hardly ripe, but filling nonetheless. A small nearby stream gave us our only drink. The boys fell instantly asleep, their bodies worn-out from the hard march I had led them on. I remained awake for a while, but then I too lost my battle and drifted into a deep dream-filled sleep.
I awoke to my sleeve being pulled.
Benelek, the elder boy, pointed out from our thicket. Two men trod carefully in the open, searching the ground for tracks. I gave thanks to Kernos for thick morning dew that covered all our movements from the night before. I had no doubt the men were from one-eye’s band.
That night, we approached a sizeable village, and again I placed the boys in a safe place and ventured forward.
I bring you greetings, friend. I sensed a presence in the camp, perhaps a dhruid of some sort, but definitely a trained mind.
Greetings, friend. The touch was not refined, rough around the edges. Do you require assistance?
I am in need of food, for me and two others.
I sensed an ache within the voice, a reluctance, and almost took to flight.
There are men here, it is not safe.
I sighed, my belly was protesting openly and although I had fasted before, the boys needed food.
Meet me on the hill to the north.
With much anticipation, I gathered the boys, circled the village, and climbed the shallow slope to the top of the hill. To my surprise a shadow loomed above me, a single stone, a little taller than myself. Gently I laid my hands on its surface, smoothed by many such hands as mine.
Hello, ancient one. I spoke to its core, and was rewarded by a familiar tingle in my palms. Buoyed by the contact, I turned southwards, recognizing the approach of a stranger.
My name is Winnie. I turned to see a middle-aged woman walking through the gloom towards us. She carried a basket to her considerable belly, and smiled when she identified our silhouettes in the darkness. The boys pretended no decorum as they raided the basket, and indeed, the smell of fresh bread garnered me to her side.
“Thank you, Winnie,” I said, my mouth watering on the food I pushed inside, a spiced fish, I could taste fresh rosemary. “Are you certain you were not followed?”
“I have a guard below.” She handed me a skin of wine, and smiled warmly at Venutius’s sons. “These are the boys the southerners seek?”
I nodded. “Is it a man with one eye?”
“No, but it is obvious they answer to one higher up.” Winnie grinned. “They are certainly not the brains of the group.”
Aware that I had not introduced myself, I took a break in eating. “I am Sewell, from the northern clans. I must get the boys far away to the north.”
She looked at me strangely. “Where do you hail from?”
“From the lands of the Votadini, many days march from here.”
“I too, am on my way north, although it has taken me many summers to get this far.” She motioned that I should eat more. “I had a dream, just the other night that promised me a passage north, a partner to guide me, to introduce me to the chief of a high fort.”
“Tra’pan is indeed a fort, and built on a high hill.”
“Overlooking the sea?” she asked, her eyes wide.
“Why, yes.”
“Ha!” she said, altogether too loud for my liking, but her mind seemed to be in a different place. “Then you are my guide. Sent from the Earth Mother herself.”
I stopped in mid-chew. One of the old ways, the old magic.
She nodded at my realization, a gentle smile on her face. She had mentioned the female deity, and that was rare in modern times. The ancient teachings were not strictly taboo to the dhruid order, but they were not taught. It was the first time I had ever spoken with my mind to a woman.
“Yes, indeed.” By her smile I knew Winnie had mentioned the Earth Mother as a curtesy, an outward warning that she was indeed a follower of the old faith. “But with these men on my heels we cannot delay our journey.”
“You stumble in the dark.” Again she bade me eat. “While you could be in full flight. I know the lands to the north, and can aid you. My companion is also a warrior, such skills are useful.”
That night I slept with my back against the stone, one boy on each side. The combination of Winnie’s contact and her welcome food had relaxed me, and I fell asleep easily, the steady snores of my young companions soon added to by my own.
The sky was still dark when I felt Winnie’s hands on my shoulders, shaking me gently. “We must move before dawn.”
I was instantly awake. “How long before you are missed?”
“Oh, we are well known for our long forays for herbs and such.” Her smile held a calming effect not lost on me. “This is Kat‘lana.” She drew my attention to a willowy youth of no more than fifteen summers. Even in the near darkness I could see striking beauty mixed with cold blue eyes. The girl nodded. She held a spear and had a sword in a tight belt. “She is my companion.”
More bodyguard than companion. The thought was out before I knew.
Both. Her contact inside my head was smooth, a well hewed skill. I instantly closed my mind, using the same private guards I used around other dhruids.
We strode quickly north, and noticing the quiet chatter between Kat’lana and the youngsters, I became instantly aware of how little I had conversed with them since their mother had died. I had been in the company of dhruids too long.
Despite our speed, Winnie stopped repeatedly to pick herbs and leaves, which she either passed around for our instant enjoyment, or stowed them carefully in a pack at her hip.
“Wild onions,” she remarked on her latest acquisition. I chewed gratefully on the stringent root, appreciative of the new energy her company had given me.
In time the woodland became denser, and with a cloudy sky above us, it became more difficult to maintain direction. Only Winnie’s local knowledge kept us on track, and when we exited the wood to see a wide river in front of us, I knew I would be far more settled with this barrier at my back.
“Can it be waded here?” I asked.
“There are villages on either side of us.” Winnie said as we sat down near the bank. “This is the only place to cross without being seen.”
I looked at the river, quite easily wider than a bow could shoot.
“Climb up,” Kat’lana said to Benelek, and he hopped easily onto her shoulders. She handed him her pack. “You hold onto this tight, keep it dry.” The boy grinned at her, clutching the bag with one hand, and her neck with the other. Following her lead, I did the same to Fetasius, and knowing we were going to get wet, we waded into the chilling water.
Feeling ahead of me with my staff, I followed Kat’lana’s lead and stepped carefully forward. Avoiding the larger stones on the river bed, we made steady progress, although my shoulders got weary with the boy’s added weight. At the deepest point, the slow-moving water reached my chin. I glanced upwards at Fetasius and noticed with some satisfaction that his face remained stoic under somewhat frightening circumstances. Slowly, with many stops, and many changes of direction to find a shallower route, we made it to the other side.
Kat’lana had chosen a path to a small stream that joined the larger river. “We will walk up here for a while.” She said, her flat tone brooking no response. I slipped Fetasius from my shoulders, my joints protesting the unusual workload. I took his hand as we trudged up the stream. “There are eyes that follow us.” It made sense, to keep our trail to a minimum. Soon, she stepped from the water onto a shingle bank. “The stones will soon dry, removing signs of our passage.”
“We need a fire,” I said.
She gave me a stale stare. “Not yet.” She walked up the grassy bank. “They are not far behind.”
I looked at her, then
Winnie, but neither would meet my eye. So as I followed, bringing up the rear, I relaxed a little, sending my mind over the group. Sometimes if I concentrated enough I could distinguish a force from a non-dhruid, an unwitting emanation of their inner power. I had withdrawn my own influence in deference to Winnie, but now I focused on her young companion. To my instant surprise, I met a strong wall around her, an area into which I could discern nothing at all. She was surrounded with a void, and one of her own making.
Best not test her too much. Winnie said, her voice gentle and somewhat soothing in my head. She does have some sensitivity in the spirit world, but she lacks control. We are working on it, but if she is pressed, she can be rather abrupt in her own defense.
Knowing the power of an unbridled mind, I backed away, deep in contemplation. Thank you, my dear. I had much to consider, much to wonder about my newest companions.
So our route north continued as before, with Winnie collecting chewing foodstuffs, and Kat’lana leading the way. When Winnie would insist on a rest, or there were berries enough for us all to eat, Kat’lana scouted ahead, and watched the path at our backs. When the sun was edging towards the horizon, she took our path eastwards, and doubled back. “We will sleep here.” She said.
I looked around as she collected wood. Our young tracker had led us to a small hollow, through which a trickle of a stream ran. It was indeed the perfect place to settle for the night.
“Can you manage a fire, wise one?” Kat’lana asked. Her fierce demeanor