nothing to cook. While she put the camp together, she wondered at the irony. For the last month she looked forward to today like a kid waiting for a birthday. Now she couldn’t wait for the day to end. Worn out, she pulled her jogging jacket out of her pouch, banked the fire, lay down next to it, plumped up her pouch to use as a pillow and went to sleep.
May, 1605
Lord Arik and his three men sat around a campfire making plans for the following day’s journey.
“M’lord, will we continue our patrol?”
Arik stared into the campfire. A foreboding chill swept over him. He didn’t answer right away. Something in the air had changed. He wasn’t certain what it was. He gave the feeling time to ripen then made his decision.
“No, we have been away from the Manor too long. We’ll start back at sunrise. We need to get back as soon as possible.”
He had to rein in his impulse to leave at once. He knew better than to travel at night. Besides, the day’s patrol took its toll. The horses needed rest. He looked at his men. They would follow him anywhere. Best they rest, as well. He would be driving them hard in the morning.
Chapter Five
For some time, the old man was aware of an energy change. His thoughts raced as he tried to make sense of it. Time was running out. He came to this place to investigate before it was too late. Malevolence surrounded him and left a sour acrid smell in the air. It was worse than he originally thought, and a sense of urgency washed over him.
In the guise of Doward the old tinker, a form he used often, he traveled in his wagon with his horse, Shade, stopping at villages to gather any information available concerning the changes to the land. He was a welcome face to many but none knew his true purpose.
Riding along the trail, enjoying the forest, Shade’s ears flattened. The horse stopped and drew back prancing nervously. Doward spoke softly and reined her in, calming her.
“Did you feel that too?” With the horse settled, he looked around trying to identify the source. It may have been a peculiar breeze that swept by rustling the trees or an errant cloud that darkened the trail. He wasn’t certain. The hair on the back of his neck stiffened in warning.
“A new energy I suspect and it’s close. It’s not at all like what we’ve come to investigate. This one has a sweet and spicy aroma. Do you agree?”
The horse whinnied her response.
He straightened in the wagon seat, a frown etched on his face. “So you agree, my friend. Well, we will see,” he said softly. He continued moving down the trail, the pull of the energy’s signature getting stronger.
The scent of lavender and roses filled the air when he turned the bend. He stopped. Night was quickly falling. He would have to stop soon and he hoped the energy would stay in one place for the night. He mustn’t lose its trail. Wetting his lips, he dragged his sweaty palms down his shirt. He got off the wagon and as he passed the horse, absentmindedly patted her nose as he went on alone to scout ahead.
The dark smoky aroma of fresh burning wood caught his attention. He surveyed the landscape, looking for the source. In the distance, he saw the campfire just off the trail. As he approached, he felt a snap. Surprised, he came to an abrupt stop. The energy turned cold with apprehension. The stranger knew he approached.
He continued on to the campsite. The stranger slowly stood and took an intimidating stance, legs comfortably apart, a staff held in both hands. It was a neutral position but made the point. The stranger was at high alert and on the defensive.
Only a few feet away now, he called out, “Good eve.”
“Good evening.” The stranger’s voice was husky, cold and distant.
Silhouetted by the campfire, Doward couldn’t make out who it was. He must be careful. There were too many strange things happening lately. He inched over to the right, forcing the stranger to turn. He kept his hands in full sight and spoke
May, 1605
Lord Arik and his three men sat around a campfire making plans for the following day’s journey.
“M’lord, will we continue our patrol?”
Arik stared into the campfire. A foreboding chill swept over him. He didn’t answer right away. Something in the air had changed. He wasn’t certain what it was. He gave the feeling time to ripen then made his decision.
“No, we have been away from the Manor too long. We’ll start back at sunrise. We need to get back as soon as possible.”
He had to rein in his impulse to leave at once. He knew better than to travel at night. Besides, the day’s patrol took its toll. The horses needed rest. He looked at his men. They would follow him anywhere. Best they rest, as well. He would be driving them hard in the morning.
Chapter Five
For some time, the old man was aware of an energy change. His thoughts raced as he tried to make sense of it. Time was running out. He came to this place to investigate before it was too late. Malevolence surrounded him and left a sour acrid smell in the air. It was worse than he originally thought, and a sense of urgency washed over him.
In the guise of Doward the old tinker, a form he used often, he traveled in his wagon with his horse, Shade, stopping at villages to gather any information available concerning the changes to the land. He was a welcome face to many but none knew his true purpose.
Riding along the trail, enjoying the forest, Shade’s ears flattened. The horse stopped and drew back prancing nervously. Doward spoke softly and reined her in, calming her.
“Did you feel that too?” With the horse settled, he looked around trying to identify the source. It may have been a peculiar breeze that swept by rustling the trees or an errant cloud that darkened the trail. He wasn’t certain. The hair on the back of his neck stiffened in warning.
“A new energy I suspect and it’s close. It’s not at all like what we’ve come to investigate. This one has a sweet and spicy aroma. Do you agree?”
The horse whinnied her response.
He straightened in the wagon seat, a frown etched on his face. “So you agree, my friend. Well, we will see,” he said softly. He continued moving down the trail, the pull of the energy’s signature getting stronger.
The scent of lavender and roses filled the air when he turned the bend. He stopped. Night was quickly falling. He would have to stop soon and he hoped the energy would stay in one place for the night. He mustn’t lose its trail. Wetting his lips, he dragged his sweaty palms down his shirt. He got off the wagon and as he passed the horse, absentmindedly patted her nose as he went on alone to scout ahead.
The dark smoky aroma of fresh burning wood caught his attention. He surveyed the landscape, looking for the source. In the distance, he saw the campfire just off the trail. As he approached, he felt a snap. Surprised, he came to an abrupt stop. The energy turned cold with apprehension. The stranger knew he approached.
He continued on to the campsite. The stranger slowly stood and took an intimidating stance, legs comfortably apart, a staff held in both hands. It was a neutral position but made the point. The stranger was at high alert and on the defensive.
Only a few feet away now, he called out, “Good eve.”
“Good evening.” The stranger’s voice was husky, cold and distant.
Silhouetted by the campfire, Doward couldn’t make out who it was. He must be careful. There were too many strange things happening lately. He inched over to the right, forcing the stranger to turn. He kept his hands in full sight and spoke
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