Morning came, clear and cold. Alan got up long before the others and slipped outside. No other person could be seen, which he didn’t marvel at; for, he supposed, none save perhaps he and Tobias had slept well underneath the unnatural din of the night before. But Alan had shared his cotton plugs with Tobias and Stormy that he used in his forge. With the noise deadened he’d been able to sleep well at least. Now he looked thoughtfully about him at Four Trees.
At first glance the village seemed a shattered wreck, but now he could see it wasn’t so. There were fallen limbs from the Roof and blown over fences or wagons, but it wasn’t as bad as he’d feared. The walls were still stout, the gates were closed and hadn’t been forced, and the worst damage he could see was a fallen limb from the Roof that had crushed an empty woodshed to kindling.
He took up the watch on the lowest fighting platform, testing his bow. Near the warning bell, he could easily sound the alarm if he saw any animal approach that might be a danger.
He did not stay long, for guardsmen were coming up swiftly from the inn, ready to take watches now the storm had passed. Those that could be spared from the assessments at least.
Alan climbed down from the platform and returned to the inn where he found people hurrying out of the doors, including the weary and chagrined faces of the Council. They spotted him returning and hurried over.
Mayor Thistlehawk was the first to speak.
“Alan, we are amazed to see you up early, we are going out to check the damage now.”
“It does not look bad.’ Alan replied to him, bowing to the elders. “I saw only a single woodshed smashed to kindling, and broken shutters were plentiful. Downed fences and overturned wagons are about the worst of the damage.”
People looked relieved and the conversation turned to laughter and merriment.
“Check the damages anyway.” The mayor shouted. “Broken windows may have let rain into homes and the bedding might need to be dried.”
People filed by as Alan went past them and caught up to Stormy and Tobias.
“Shall we go to the forge?” Stormy asked.
“Just long enough to check for damage and set out a keg of nails for everyone.” Alan said slowly. “Then I still want to go with Tobias on the road unless other news of ill-omen reach us.”
Sabrina stepped out of the house door as they walked up, carrying a basket of wet clothes and a line.
“Aren’t you opening the forge?” she asked in surprise, seeing them give the forge only the barest of glances inside, and pulling out a keg of nails to set by the door.
“No!” Alan replied. “What is needed has already been forged, if it hasn’t blown away. So we will go with Tobias to check the road and the other villages to see if help is needed there.”
Sabrina nodded gravely.
“Would that I were free to go with you!” she sighed, looking wistfully North, over the houses and past the gate.
“Perhaps next time you will.” Alan said seriously—he knew her worth in battle after all— "But I do not think we shall be long away. So far as I know, we are only going to Jagger’s Strike to collect news there and return it to the council. If we have to go out again, I’m sure you’ll be free to come.”
“Speed well!” she said, the light of adventure coming to her stern gaze.
“We will.” Alan promised. “Unless we find Master Hubtree along the way. Then our going may be slowed.”
“May it not be too slow.” Sabrina said. “You don’t want to be outside the fences after nightfall!”
Tobias stood next to the North Gate when they found him an hour later. Beside him stood a great, ill-tempered horse with a proud neck and wide flaring nostrils. Her eyes flashed fire as she whinnied, seeing them approach.
“Sunshine is eager to go, no matter what else may happen.” Alan smiled.
“She loves to race; it’s the only thing that makes her happy.” Tobias said, dodging a swing of her head.
“Then she’ll be most unhappy, for if we are to check the road, we shall have to go slow. Have the other scouts left?”
Tobias nodded.
“Not too long ago, Harold and Tharm went together by boat to check the mines. Others have fanned out through the forest to get a sense of the damage and see if there is trouble brewing.”
“Good! Then let’s be off.” Stormy said eagerly. “I’ve no wish to stand here all day!” she danced a little under him.
“Whoa! Steady there!” Alan said, getting a better grip on the saddle horn. “You’re picking up Sunshine’s mood, Storm!”
“A little.” She admitted. “Yet there is more to it than just that. Somehow my heart lifts when I’m moving. Something from my childhood, perhaps.” She said it without any inflection, but Alan felt the frisson run through her.
Alan said nothing to that but put one hand companionably on her shoulder, needing no words to show he understood.
They set off, walking out North Gate side-by-side. Stormy and Sunshine set a steady pace while Tobias and Alan surveyed the ground.
At first the road was paved in large square stones worn completely smooth by time, except for the deep ruts of carts made over the uncounted years when, in the old songs, the Great Kingdom of Silverwood stood near the river and Deeper in the Heart. Alas, that time had been so long ago now that only songs remained: but every dweller of the Forest counted themselves as one of the great kingdom’s descendants and followed the last Laws of the King:
Be honest in all thy doings and tricksters shall have no hold over you.
Every person is made equally by the Ancients
Stand Ready…
No one knew what the last law, completed, would have said, for King Alwin the Wise died while writing it in front of his councilor. Still, they followed it as best they could, believing that in his wisdom he saw some doom for his people that only by unity and strength of arms would they hold it at bay.
Long had those laws held sway, three times great Orano Oaks had gone from tiny seed to ruinous age in the forest, and the Kingdom had turned to dust and its people withdrew deep into the forest and did not venture out, as foreign kings sought to conquer them time and again only to be defeated and swallowed by the dark and brooding trees. Now only Traders visited, and those were fewer every year.
Alan’s eyes roamed over the road and to the dark trunks beyond seeking hidden things. They were coming into the wild, far from help, where the Forest ruled supreme. They tightened their grips and moved silently, not talking as they listened carefully to the forest. Even Sunshine, veteran of the Road and the Wild alike, kept silent, her ears twitching constantly in search of danger.
They saw nothing in the first hours save hundreds of birds seen and unseen, and three spiders.
<That one seems bigger than most>. Alan signed calmly at a fat-bodied red one that flashed in the darkness like a horrifying nightmare covered in ruby mail. The spider looked to be the size of his head, sitting calmly on its silken web, a net poised in its front legs as it waited for dinner to show up.
<Yes. I rarely see them as bright too.> Tobias signed back. <I wonder if it’s from the Heart? They say all creatures are bigger in the heart.>
<Who is ‘they’?> Alan asked. <For I know of no one that has ventured to the heart.>
<I have spoken with other Hunters and Rangers who have ventured close.> Tobias signed in way of answer.
Stormy, though she could only see Tobias’s replies, must have guessed Alan’s questions and asked one of her own.
<Do you think that more giants shall stray?>
<Who can say?> Tobias shrugged. <If they do, we will drive them back, though the labor would be hard.>
“If that is so, then that is so.” Alan said quietly, but confidently, patting Stormy’s flank to reassure her. “There is nothing we can do about it, but to stand ready.”
“Of course.” Stormy said.
They did not speak again for a long while.
In a few hours they were reaching the half-way point when gradually they became aware of a commotion ahead. Not in view yet, but not far off either. They halted, listening.
<It sounds like quite the party.> Stormy signed, her hearing exceptionally keen. <I count twenty voices, perhaps more.>
<I can make out several.> Tobias agreed, <And they sound as if a row is about to break out.>
<I don’t know what it might mean yet, but I think we should get off the road and spy out what is going on first.> Alan suggested.
They carefully slipped off into the trees with no more noise than bats in the dark. Tobias had his bow in hand, an arrow set to the string. Alan and Stormy held their spears at the ready, just in case. And all of them wore the mail and armor of Four Trees, dyed to blend into the dark grays and shadows of the trees.
Moving quietly, they circled until they were nearly upon the noise before Alan and Tobias got off their mounts and crept forward carefully. Peering around large trunks, they at last caught sight of the caravan.
Four very large wagons stood in the middle of the road, their box-like bodies decorated in bright, eye-hurting colors except for the first, which eschewed color of any sort. Wood slab-sides gave the impression of moving fortresses while the enclosed driver bench had poles set every four inches pointed outward in a bristly hedge-hog defense. Around each of the wagons was a guard of ten men, most clustered around the draft horses that pulled the wagons—six to each, keeping them from harm. They were dressed in rough clothes and most seemed to have a burnished golden scale set on their uniforms: the sigil of the Trader’s Guild. In fact, Alan recognized the lead wagon and guard.
<It’s Master Hubtree.> He signed with relief. <At least he’s safe.>
<Yes, but who are the others, I’d like to know.> Tobias signed back. <Large convoys are never seen here. There is a tale to hear here.>
<True. Stormy, what do you think?> Alan asked.
<I think we aren’t going to find the answers crouching here in the dark.> she said. <Let’s go and meet them.>
Together they strode out of cover to the road, coming almost to the nearest wagon wheel when they were finally challenged by a surprised guard. Alan wanted to snort in disgust—a hungry forest lion or S’trell would have devoured the whole lot by now.
“Who goes there?” the young man asked, brandishing an axe. They halted while the alarm spread to the others who ran to see what was the matter. A dozen men perhaps still guarded the far side proving that they weren’t entirely green, but to Alan’s mind there were far too many leaving the wagons almost undefended on the far side.
“I am Alan Eagleheart.” Alan replied, keeping his spear carefully to his side as he looked at the guard who had spoken. “This is Storm Walker Eagleheart and Tobias Redhawk. We wish to speak to Master Hubtree. Where is he? I can see his wagon, is he not here?”
“I am here, Master Eagleheart.” A weary but joyful voice said. A slight fellow with white hair and long beard, his green eyes twinkled in his heavily lined face. His lips were parted in a smile of warm greeting as he strode up with three other men dressed in rich, bright cloth of purple, green and red. Hubtree himself wore clothes dyed an eye-watering blue, which was something Alan had never seen him do when he was alone.
“Master Hubtree.” Alan gestured to the stopped wagons. “What seems to be the matter?”
“One of my friends, Master Connels, here, has broken the bracket that holds his axle on the left side. Towards the rear.” He pointed.
“I’ll take a look.” Stormy said.
The others stirred and guards gawked openly. All eyes were on her as she knelt and looked critically at the bracket for a moment. When she got back up she was smiling, and walked back to them.
“Your friend is very fortunate, Master Hubtree; the break is not bad. I can easily repair it when we get back to the village. If we can distribute much of the goods to the other wagons to lighten the load, then I think the wagon should make it with little trouble. The road is smooth and free of debris from here on to Four Trees.”
“Thank you Mistress.” Hubtree said, leaping in before anyone else could speak. “We will do just that! And may I say, I look forward to purchasing any of your small rings or necklaces you feel like parting with.”
“Let us help you.” Tobias suggested. “It will aid everyone if we get moving—”
Tobias didn’t finish. One of the strangers, the Trader all in red like blood on a bright morning with a sneering face burst out indignantly.
“What manner of backwards place is this where beasts can speak, and give orders to decent, honorable traders!” his voice sounded like a raven’s, hard and cold with anger and disbelief.
Alan and his friends stared at him in shock, hardly believing their ears. Hubtree sought to hush him, but he continued to speak.
“That creature should have a collar, at once! Whosoever let this thing out of his sight will pay for his carelessness, and you boy will have to face him for stealing—”
He went cross-eyed as he perceived the point of Alan’s spear resting a hairs-breadth from his throat.
“What is the meaning of this, Master Hubtree?” Alan asked, his voice stern. Around him guards and traders alike looked on in amazement at how fast Alan had brought his spear to bear. A creak, as of wood under strain, jerked their eyes to Tobias who’d bent his bow and fitted an arrow to string, ready to fly at whoever moved first. Stormy’s spear was in her hand but not pointed.
“Have you come only to offer insult to my family? I cannot think that you would have done so, you who have come to Four Trees for as long as I can remember.”
Hubtree looked deeply troubled.
“You’re right, master, and I beg your pardon; Master Aldehyde has not journeyed in the Forest before and does not know your ways. He simply speaks as do many outside the borders.”
“What passes in other lands does not concern us” Alan replied coldly. “We uphold our own laws here and those who wish to treat or barter with us had best learn them and have care! We are quick to defend our own.”
Aldehyde’s face turned purple in rage.
“The King will hear of this!” he shrieked, his voice turning shrill. “I have his ear! You will regret this, and your beast will learn her place!”
He fell silent as the Alan’s spear point tickle his neck. Blood instantly flowed, though Alan hadn’t really touched him, in mute testament to its keenness.
“We do NOT acknowledge any foreign King.” Alan said. “Your threats mean nothing…but Master Hubtree will warn you that you push too far, and I may challenge you.”
Hubtree gasped and turned pale while the others stirred.
“No! Master Alan, please! I beg you, forgive his rash words, I will speak with him.” Hubtree begged.
Alan considered, his calm unflinching gaze locked on Aldehyde’s furious one. Around the three grim-faced guards put their hands on the hilts of their weapons, but Hubtree hissed, “Put up your weapons, fools! You do not guess your peril!”
A few took their hands away slowly, but perhaps a dozen remained gripping their weapons and waiting for one to draw first while Tobias’s arrow point moved around waiting to see who would die first. Each of the guards was far shorter than the foresters, but they were tough and cold, eying the three like wolves at three stray fawns.
Alan did not move for a long while. Aldehyde twice attempted to speak only to be silenced by the barest shiver of the spear. Only the noises of the forest came to their ears. Finally Alan spoke.
“I shall forgo my wrath for now. Time passes and ‘ere long night will come. I may tell you this: only fools walk the roads at night, for death waits all around you.”
“Master Hubtree,” he continued, looking at the elderly man. “I will give you what aid I may, but not to any other here, if they be of the same mold as Aldehyde. He shall not purchase either my goods or services, nor may any of his folk.”
“Stormy, I ask that you and Tobias return to the village to tell what has happened here. I would that you not breath air tainted by this creature.”
Aldehyde’s eyes bulged at the insult but Stormy said in grim tones: “I do not like to leave you amongst these serpents with only Master Hubtree to ward you! Let me stay with you.”
“And I.” Tobias said coldly, “Shall not leave you alone here.”
“I would enjoy your company,” Alan said to Stormy, “but I do not trust this man. I think before this journey ends I shall have to kill him and his guards.” He finished in a calm, matter of fact voice, but his soul felt like molten steel. Which must have shown in his eyes, for Aldehyde went pale and did not speak while his guards murmured in astonishment at the announcement, as if the deed did not sound too difficult at all.
Stormy hesitated before nodding. “You believe that if I am not here he may not behave so foolishly?” she asked in understanding.
“So I may guess.” Alan replied.
She hesitated, looking like she wanted to say more but didn’t know the words. At last she said, “I shall take Sunshine with me, Tobias. Keep them safe, Master Hubtree!” as she turned and galloped into the woods. Moments later she appeared leading Sunshine hard by the road, until they were lost from sight.
“I will do my best.” Hubtree said quietly as they watched them go.
Alan at last removed his spear point from Aldehyde’s jugular and strode to Master Hubtree’s wagon without a word. The guards parted to let him through and Tobias followed.
Hubtree’s chief guardsmen—a pair of brothers nearly as old as Hubtree and veterans of many forest runs, greeted them politely and in correct fashion.
“Hail Alan, and well-met.” Edward said, his thin, drooping mustache bobbing as he bowed, his gnarled old hand resting comfortingly near the scabbard, hilt towards Alan in token of peace. His brother Howard smiled but said nothing. His thick, corded arms held the broad moon-bladed axe Alan had made for him years before.
“Greetings and fair words to you, Masters.” Alan said correctly, bowing slightly. “Your company is gladsome for lonely men.”
“Then be comforted, for you are not alone.” Edward finished.
“What passes here, Edward?” Alan asked. “Never has Hubtree come in convoy before, and now he brings three with him! And one, at least, is scarcely more polite than a rampaging boar!”
“Hush! Keep your voices down.” Edward warned, glancing warily around. He leaned in closer and spoke in under tones.
“Hubtree is retiring.” He said. “Not by his choice, though he has been thinking about it for the past couple of years. But of necessity. The Traders have appointed three to replace him, hoping to bring more stones out. They are high in the Trader’s secret councils, and two of them can Trade directly with the King of Narva outside the forest and the King of Port Halwin by the sea. Maybe some of the others for all I know. And he trades in Hell’s Gate with the Grunds.”
“The Grunds!” Alan said in surprise. “That is a dangerous alliance!”
Edward nodded. “They’ve made peace with the kings of men, but you knew that.”
Alan nodded. That is old news, even for here.
“Well, recently they’ve begun trade, and wondrous things have come from their city: medicines to heal a man even at Death, strong metal I’ve never seen before fantastic for weapons and even, it is said, for building castles from, and other goods too numerous to count. They will trade for whatever pleases them at the time, but most often for Silverwood Stones, which is why the Traders Council has turned its eye hither: it is expected to get far more profitable.”
Alan shrugged. “They shall get naught if they insult our people.” He said calmly.
“Perhaps. But a word of warning! As your route increases in profit, Kings will turn their attention hither once more. Your way of life may be at an end.”
“We follow no foreign king.” Tobias growled.
“Your king died a thousand years ago.” Edward pointed out.
“He is still our king.” Tobias retorted. “He long told us to stand ready, and so we have. Any army that comes to claim this land as his shall not leave it.” Tobias said proudly.
A grizzled guard with an armload of goods to place on Hubtree’s wagon snorted in amusement.
“Yer tall folk, and brave I’ll grant ye, but the King’s armies are vast beyond your small comprehension, and well-armed and trained for battle to boot. Your small group of villages won’t stand a chance.
“We have faced the Forest.” Alan told him. “Have you? Then have a care. This land kills the weak quickly and is no good for large armies other than to ring the bell for feasting. Armies that have come here to barter for our lands have never left. These armies will be no different.”
Hubtree bustled up then before the guard could speak.
“Well! The load from the broken wagon is being repacked to the others and we’ll soon be ready to depart. I know I heard you say you will not work for any of them, but I beg you again, please forget their words. I’ve explained things better now, so it shan’t happen again.”
He said it sincerely, but Alan caught the worried look he shot to the other wagons.
So, he fears they will not heed his advice. Alan wondered if there wasn’t something he could do to help: Hubtree seemed to be caught in a cleft stick not of his making.
“I cannot.” Alan said slowly, choosing his words with care. “But I do not hold you to any blame. It is apparent to all they would not have heeded your advice. But tell me, master, er…what was said earlier about a collar for Stormy?”
Hubtree looked uncomfortable, fiddling with the fringe of his jacket, and thought long before he spoke.
“It’s a new law of the Kings of all lands, and a devil-device from the Grund. All beast-folk are supposed to wear them, to signify their slave status. But it does far more than that: it cuts off a slave’s ability to speak or fight back, leaving them mute and compliant with orders from their masters. I’ve heard that no one is allowed to free them anymore and if a master passes and there is not a living heir, then the slaves go to either sale or the King.”
Alan’s spear creaked in his hand.
“What manner of folk would condone such evil?” Tobias demanded. Alan couldn’t speak, but his white-knuckles gave testament to his feelings.
“I don’t know how it came about. Gradually at first,” Hubtree said, “every year a little more of the beast-folk’s rights were taken away, until at last they are what they are today. These laws hold absolute sway everywhere now except…”
“The forest.” Alan finished for him.
“Yes.” Hubtree nodded.
Alan’s molten eyes met Tobias’s frozen ones.
“This sounds like a matter for the council.” Tobias said.
“Yes.” Alan agreed. “A great Council, perhaps. There is no telling how far this madness will go. They will put them on any now, and how long before those they profess to vaunt will wear those collars? They are leading their people into slavery, and I fear the Grunds are behind this coil.”
Hubtree said nothing for a while, seemingly busy with preparations, but at last he said, “Aye, I guess it be so lads. But I wonder what will come of it. None of your people have ventured outside the forest in living memory, and perhaps longer. I know that might not be true to you, but for us it is. Things are not the same as you think here in your home.”
“I do not know.” Alan replied. “Maybe nothing but a general agreement not to deal with any Trader save those who earn our trust.”
“If all the kingdoms think as you say, then that will be few indeed.” Tobias said dourly.
“Yes, I fear it will be so.” Hubtree said sadly. “To tell you the truth, I am very glad to be retiring, though I wish my wife would consider moving out here. It is most wondrous, and I feel I could find peace and joy here.”
“I wish you could.” Alan said sincerely, “though the beasts and fish are dangerous enough to make most days dangerous, there are times of peace and plenty here as well.”
“I don’t doubt it.” Hubtree said with a strange laugh. “I remember too well the time your father took me fishing with him to win a bet! Lucky thing he was so quick with that S’trell spear, or I might not be here today!”
“Yes, I heard about the fish that almost pulled you in.” Alan said with a smile.
“Are you going to stand there jawing all day?” growled Aldehyde, stopping behind one of the wagons, ready to duck out of the way should either of the foresters move. “We want to get a move on!”
“Yes.” Hubtree straightened. “We should. It will be nightfall before we see the walls of Four Trees before us, if we’re lucky.”
“My cart will hold now!” Connels shouted, standing openly away from Aldehyde along with the other trader.
“It is not your cart that worries me.” Hubtree told him.
“Worry not, Master Hubtree.” Alan said. “We will go in front and guide you well.”
He strode forward as Hubtree climbed onto his wagon. Tobias came behind, followed by the brothers and Hubtree’s wagon and its guards and then the rest.
Alan kept a sharp watch on either side of the road, though his mind insisted upon returning to Aldehyde’s cruel words.
You’ll get eaten if you don’t focus, he told himself irritably.
They didn’t speak as the sun sank lower and lower into the sky. Suddenly a voice called out, “It’ll be dark soon! Shouldn’t we try to make camp?”
“No!” Alan cried in answer. “We are already being hunted. They are simply waiting till nightfall or we stop. Press on! Not far now.”
“Hunted?” scoffed one of the guard. “I’ve seen no sign of it. Where? And by what?”
“Rats.” Tobias said grimly. “I’ve seen one of their scouts, but it ducked away before I could shoot!”
“Rats?!” the man scoffed. “You are worried about rats? Set the cat on them, I say!”
The others laughed, except for Hubtree and his men and the foresters.
“You may stay and die, if you wish.” Alan said grimly. “We will not stop you. The wise will keep up with us.”
“If you wish to stop,” Tobias told the disbeliever, “build large watch fires and set torches every ten paces around the camp. Walk the inner ring not the outer and do not obey outside lights. That wisdom, maybe, will get you, or rather some of you, through until morning.”
The guards looked at them, then at Edward and Howard with smiles dying on their lips at the concern the older guards showed.
“Twang!” snapped Tobias’s bowstring as he drew and shot in a smooth motion hardly to be seen. The shot flew true, disappearing into a thicket on the side of the road about twenty yards away. Men grabbed their swords or axes as a shivering animal howl, almost immediately silenced, sounded from a dense clump of bushes off to the right of the path.
Alan strode towards the bush, his spear ready in his hand. He knew Tobias would put a feathered shaft in anything that might try to attack him from behind.
Reaching the thick, woody bush he poked carefully around until his spear met something soft and yielding. Feeling around with the point until he had a good notion of the animal’s orientation, he thrust his hand inside until he grasped what felt like a cable the size of his fist. Gripping the limp rope tightly he pulled and tugged until with many shaking of leaves and rustle of branch, the rat popped free.
He took it to the wagons and dropped it next to the road, the creature’s four huge incisors at the front of its mouth gaping wide in a snarl, a green-feathered arrow sticking out of its neck. It was three feet long, with mottled dark brown and gray fur which made it difficult even now to see in the dim light. Its red eyes gleamed with malice even in death.
“That’s a rat?!” the guardsman who’d expressed disbelief cried out in horror. His friends shivered and looked nervously about.
“This is a forest Rat.” Tobias told them. “They usually hunt in packs of fifty or more to bring down even very large prey. They are unafraid of lights but fire can make them wary. It will not stop them though if there is a good chance of a meal.”
No one seemed inclined to argue when Alan said they needed to push on. All were now watching every shadow as if it could be hiding a dragon.
They reached the gates just before sundown, weary and spent.
“Alan!” Tom Bluebird cried when he saw them approach (he evidently had gate guard duty), “We’ve been expecting you. And Master Hubtree! It does this old heart of mine good to see you again!”
“Likewise, Master Bluebird.” Hubtree called back happily. “You’ll be happy to know I’ve managed to lay my hands on some nice Krusovian cloth from the deep south; as fine a weave as your wife could ask for!”
“Ah, thank ya sir!” he cried happily. “Emily will be right pleased, she will.”
“We will walk with you to the inn.” Alan said stonily, feeling his wrath kindled anew now they were free from danger, “but for my part I will go no further nor step inside its doors until such time as your friends apologize to Stormy or you depart.”
Tobias nodded agreement while Tom looked curiously on. He set his spear in the ground.
“What passes?” he asked, his voice losing some of its warmth. “Has aught occurred Alan?”
“Much, and most of it not well. Master Hubtree shall explain more.” Alan said stonily. “I do not wish to dwell on it again.”
Tom cocked a head. “This sounds as if grave insult were given.” He said slowly.
“Unintentionally, I assure you, Master Bluebird.” Hubtree said sickly, though he cast a worried glance backwards into the gloom. “I’m certain that kinder words will come in the morning. My…friends have never traveled in the forest before and some of your…er…laws caught them off guard is all.”
“I think not.” Alan said. “But I will not speak of it here. Tomorrow may bring different words, but until an apology is given, then I shall not work on any piece.”
His expressions softened. “Perhaps Stormy will still sell you her jewel and ring work, Master. I know she has been working hard on them this year, and she is very proud of her work.”
“I’d dearly love to see them.” Hubtree agreed, “She has the finest jewel-work I’ve ever seen. I pray I shall be able to come.”
Alan nodded and Tom, looking suspiciously at the wagons and guards now coming in to the torchlight, let them pass through the gates to the village.
Alan and Tobias led the way to the inn while here and there a goodwife shouted a greeting to Hubtree or looked with concern at the other wagons.
Alan left them at the Four Trees inn, after wishing Hubtree and his guards good night. The last thing he heard before he was out of range was the stern voice of Mrs. Tavernhawk demanding answers from the flustered Hubtree as she barred the door.
Hubtree will be hard-pressed to lay his spear at her door tonight, Alan thought.
He came to his home to find everyone up still, sitting in the den waiting for him. Stormy lay on the ground stoically with Mary clinging to her back, her small hands brushing her hair and humming as if to comfort her. Beside them stood Sabrina with her arms folded beneath her full breasts, looking severe, distant as the stars in feature but with eyes of molten steel. Their mother seemed no less angry to him, but her face seemed carved of marble, unyielding and destructive as an avalanche. Of his father he saw no sign.
“He’s gone with the council up to the inn.” His mother said in answer to his look. “Stormy’s news and account of the Traders has warranted closer attention.”
“Aye, we will not be beholden to foreign kings!” Sabrina spat.
“Peace!” Their mother spoke commandingly. “We do not yet know the full tale, I deem. I read it in your face, son. I would hear your side of things now.”
Alan gave a full account. When he came to Aldehyde’s outburst about Stormy, and the news of the collar and what it could do, Sabrina choked, unable to speak.
“This was not told to me.” Their mother said, casting a look to where Stormy sat, her eyes pained.
“Forgive me.” Stormy said softly. “The words did not seem important to me, and Master Hubtree begged us to forget them. I did not know of the collar, but even so…they are just words here.”
“All true.” Alan said.
“Nevertheless, this master…Aldehyde,” her tone could have done credit to Alan’s forge, “Has threatened my daughter with worse than death. Is there aught else to know?” she demanded.
Hurriedly Alan finished his account and told of his promise at the gate.
“I have made no such promise.” She said, leaping to her feet. Striding to the door she flung it wide.
“See to your sisters’ safety.” She commanded. Grabbing a spear she spared one glance back and then was gone.
Alan grunted, looking at Sabrina and noting her eyes were drawn to the pile of spears by the weapon-hold. A fierce light shone in her eyes that troubled him, but he said no word.
They sat in silence together, each wrapped in their own thoughts as Alan strained to hear any shouts or sounds of battle.
Just after the midnight hour their parents returned. Alan felt relieved to note no sign of blood on his mother’s spear, though their faces told a different story.
They said nothing at first; his mother laid her spear at the door, taking off her coat she hung it on the peg next to his father’s and then they both sat down in front of the blazing hearth. Presently his father spoke.
“Master Hubtree had much news to share.” He said at last. “The least of which is his retirement. He has begged the village that the harsh words spoken earlier be forgotten and the new Traders be made welcome, hard as it may be. He told us,” his voice turned scornful, “that King Alfonse has claimed lordship over the forest, to which the others smiled and Aldehyde seemed smug. Their smiles fell off when we told them we would not serve a foreign king! ‘But your kind is dead and his kingdom in ruin!’” he mimicked. “Ha! As if a thousand years would be enough to let us forget who we are! Aldehyde then stood up and pressed the council then to reconsider our position and, as law-abiding citizens of Narva, seize the beast—such was his word—and loose her witchcraft over us.”
A slow smile played on his lips. “I thought Stephanie would stab him then, guest or no, and I saw many of the other villagers look the same. Mistress Tavernhawk seemed about ready to explode and fingered her cleaver, but Master Thistlehawk spoke first.”
Alan pricked his ears and leaned in a little.
“’We are grateful for the aid and comforts you have brought to us in the past, Master Hubtree,’ he said, ‘but no welcome will we give to those who give brag and abuse, demanding we betray one of our own. You have guest right for tonight, all of your company, but come morning’s light they must depart our walls. You are, of course, welcome to Trade with us, but they are not, if they are of the same mold as Master Aldehyde. News of this deed and insult shall be spread to all villages of Silverwood: Cold welcome will any of them find here in the forest, though we hold you blameless, Master Hubtree.’”
His father chuckled, “The looks on their faces. And one, Connels, asked if he could have his wagon fixed before they departed.”
He shook his head. “That will depend on you and Stormy, of course.”
“Connels has not said anything.” Alan said thoughtfully. “In fact, I cannot say I’ve heard him say more than a few words, and those were directed to Hubtree. Perhaps he is of different mind than Aldehyde? Yet my promise holds firm. He must apologize to Stormy ‘ere I work on his cart. Or he will have to ask Stormy herself, for she, at least, has not made such a promise.”
“Perhaps. But Aldehyde and his men…” His father frowned. “I worry now that they may work themselves to some mischief tonight while darkness cloaks them.”
“Then let us stand guard, you and I father.” Alan said. “And then none shall do anything we cannot mark.”
“And I shall watch after you.” Stormy said firmly at the same time as Sabrina.
“Very good.” Alan smiled at her, though he felt fresh worry spring in his chest: she was their target, after all. “None shall escape your keen sight and hearing!”
“Wake us in the late watches.” Sabrina said. “Dawn will not be far off.”
The women bid them good-night and went to bed while Alan and John settled themselves comfortably by the fire to wait out their watch, talking quietly. Eventually the talk turned from their guests to what would happen if foreign kings marched armies into the Silverwood again.
“Any army that marches in here will not march out again.” His father said grimly. “We will not be beholden to a foreign king, to wait on his whim or mercy; not while we have strength left.”
Alan nodded agreement, feeling disgust at the thought. But…
“What shall we do about Trade?” he asked. “If no Trade comes, we shan’t get fresh supplies.”
“We will survive, as we always have.” His father said dismissively. “What we need we can make, or mine, or grow, or harvest ourselves and what we can’t we don’t need.”
Alan thought about his words and realized they were true. Granted iron ore wasn’t bountiful in the mines; you needed to be in the mountains more for that, yet there was usually enough, and suspicion welled up in him that he would need all of it.
“Everyone shall have to check their armor and sharpen their spears.” Alan said at last, interrupting his father from some deep thought. “And bring to Stormy and I whatever is in need of repair. Perhaps we all will have need of them.”
“Perhaps.” His father’s deep voice sounded thoughtful.
They didn’t speak again and the night drew on. The fire burned down low and they threw logs on, letting the flames leap high in merriment as they greedily latched on to their new food.
Twice more they fed the fire before the small clock on the mantle, his mother’s prized possession given by Master Hubtree long years ago Alan remembered, chimed four.
His father went and roused Sabrina while Alan woke Stormy. She stood dreaming on her legs and came awake at the barest touch of his finger on her arm.
“Seems a shame to wake you.” Alan told her as she yawned and rubbed her eyes. “But you asked to take a turn. No trouble yet, but there’s a breathless feeling to the air. Somethings going to happen, and it will be soon.”
Stormy nodded. “I’ll keep a sharp lookout.” She promised. “Sleep well.”
She left to stand her watch and Alan ascended the stairs and walked down the hall to his bedroom. He cast himself in bed but sleep did not come.
He tossed this way and that, and still he did not sleep. At last he simply lay quiet with his eyes closed; not asleep, but resting his body. His door stood open and he strained his ears, alert to every sound.
How many slow hours passed like that, he didn’t know. One or two, it made no difference to him, each passed like a whole day.
Suddenly, his ears caught a faint sound; like the rasp of steel on wood. He lay for a little while until he was certain it wasn’t a trick of his mind. Once he’d made his decision he swung out of bed and padded downstairs. He reached the bottom and saw Stormy and Sabrina rising from the fire looking puzzled. He said no word but strode to the door and threw it open.
No one could be seen, but Alan clearly heard the sound of feet running away in the darkness. He looked around and saw, carved on the doorframe, a strange symbol: two circles, one inside the other, and a triangle inside the smaller with a head inside it.
Alan looked curiously at it, wondering at its meaning.
I guess that it’s a sign of evil in foreign parts, he thought.
Closing the door softly he turned and saw Sabrina and Stormy with spears in their hands, the points glittering in the light.
“Peace.” Alan told them. “It is a few meaningless scratches and no worse. It will be mended tomorrow.”
“If that is aught to judge of their courage, then it is plain they are a cowardly fold.” Sabrina sniffed, lowering her spear.
“Maybe, maybe.” Alan said. “But that means we should be ever more watchful of knives in the dark. Aldehyde, if it was him, is a S’trell in a thicket.”
“No.” Sabrina shook her head. “S’trells have more honor than that. There is nothing worse than treachery.”
“You are right.” Alan yawned. “Well, I’m back off to bed. See you in the morning.”
“Yes.” Stormy nodded. “There will be work for Master Connels before that caravan can depart. We should all be rested for that trial.”