Read Online Ravens Deep (one) by Jane Jordan - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Jane Jordan
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laid my writing to one side, lured somewhat by the warm afternoon sunshine and decided to explore my new surroundings.
I walked along the path that led between the hedgerows. It continued, not across the fields and moors as I had imagined, but into the trees. It looked like a well-trodden deer path. The elevation changed as at first the path led upwards, and then further on, a steeper incline downwards, all the while keeping in line with the distant fields on the right that were dotted with sheep. Perhaps they belonged to Ravens Farm. The woods were cool and peaceful. An occasional warm breeze drifted lazily through the hanging woodlands, and emerald moss grew in wonderful abstract clumps on the boulders and trees that lined the path. I spotted a wild orchid amongst the decaying leaf mould and I left the path to take a closer look.
After making my way cautiously downwards, I suddenly found myself standing on the edge of a deep chasm. I peered over the edge and found myself looking down upon the body of a dead sheep. I felt upset at the grim discovery. But it had probably strayed from the field, lost its footing up here on the steep slope and fallen into the depths below. I could see how easily it could happen and was mindful that it could be just as treacherous for me and unwise to try to negotiate the terrain any further. I quickly returned to the path. As I continued walking, my thoughts came back to Darius.
Where did he live?
He had indicated back through the woods. Now, I wondered where exactly. I could not imagine a cottage or house here, there was no easy path or road. It was devoid of any man-made intrusion of any kind and it was easy to believe that these woods had remained this way since the beginning of time. Beautiful and unchanging, oblivious to a modern world where so many people have forgotten or even know that places like this exist.
Just the same, I couldn’t help thinking about him. Darius had left a distracting
impression on my mind and I had to admit that I was more than a little curious just how close he was living to Ravens Deep. The path continued downwards getting narrower all the time and it really was not safe to stray from it, because of the steep bank on the left side and the deep ravine to the right. I assumed that if I kept walking this path would lead me all the way down to the sea.
Maybe this was an old smuggler's route.
It certainly was in the middle of nowhere, a safe haven where boats could have brought their ill gotten gains. Ironically that idea suddenly seemed to make sense. Could it be that Ravens Deep had been used as an old smuggler’ haunt. Therefore its location had not been widely publicized, and the records erased to ensure the locals would not be aware of what occurred right on their very doorstep. The Exmoor coast had been notorious for smuggling in its past. Maybe that was indeed the answer to the mystery of Ravens Deep, if there was a mystery to be revealed, or perhaps I was just allowing my imagination to run riot.
Just as I began to wonder where I was, the woodlands suddenly seemed lighter and there was a clearing in the distance. Beyond the clearing, I could definitely see the sea. So I had been right, it was a long, difficult but direct path down to the coast. The perfect place for smugglers!
The steep bank on my left had fallen away to reveal a sudden drop off, and I was
looking down on a stone building.
A cottage, Darius‘s cottage?
It was difficult to see clearly as the thickness of the overhanging trees kept it well hidden. I continued downwards and the path curved around towards the stone building. In fact I had been walking downhill for a considerable time, eventually I
I walked along the path that led between the hedgerows. It continued, not across the fields and moors as I had imagined, but into the trees. It looked like a well-trodden deer path. The elevation changed as at first the path led upwards, and then further on, a steeper incline downwards, all the while keeping in line with the distant fields on the right that were dotted with sheep. Perhaps they belonged to Ravens Farm. The woods were cool and peaceful. An occasional warm breeze drifted lazily through the hanging woodlands, and emerald moss grew in wonderful abstract clumps on the boulders and trees that lined the path. I spotted a wild orchid amongst the decaying leaf mould and I left the path to take a closer look.
After making my way cautiously downwards, I suddenly found myself standing on the edge of a deep chasm. I peered over the edge and found myself looking down upon the body of a dead sheep. I felt upset at the grim discovery. But it had probably strayed from the field, lost its footing up here on the steep slope and fallen into the depths below. I could see how easily it could happen and was mindful that it could be just as treacherous for me and unwise to try to negotiate the terrain any further. I quickly returned to the path. As I continued walking, my thoughts came back to Darius.
Where did he live?
He had indicated back through the woods. Now, I wondered where exactly. I could not imagine a cottage or house here, there was no easy path or road. It was devoid of any man-made intrusion of any kind and it was easy to believe that these woods had remained this way since the beginning of time. Beautiful and unchanging, oblivious to a modern world where so many people have forgotten or even know that places like this exist.
Just the same, I couldn’t help thinking about him. Darius had left a distracting
impression on my mind and I had to admit that I was more than a little curious just how close he was living to Ravens Deep. The path continued downwards getting narrower all the time and it really was not safe to stray from it, because of the steep bank on the left side and the deep ravine to the right. I assumed that if I kept walking this path would lead me all the way down to the sea.
Maybe this was an old smuggler's route.
It certainly was in the middle of nowhere, a safe haven where boats could have brought their ill gotten gains. Ironically that idea suddenly seemed to make sense. Could it be that Ravens Deep had been used as an old smuggler’ haunt. Therefore its location had not been widely publicized, and the records erased to ensure the locals would not be aware of what occurred right on their very doorstep. The Exmoor coast had been notorious for smuggling in its past. Maybe that was indeed the answer to the mystery of Ravens Deep, if there was a mystery to be revealed, or perhaps I was just allowing my imagination to run riot.
Just as I began to wonder where I was, the woodlands suddenly seemed lighter and there was a clearing in the distance. Beyond the clearing, I could definitely see the sea. So I had been right, it was a long, difficult but direct path down to the coast. The perfect place for smugglers!
The steep bank on my left had fallen away to reveal a sudden drop off, and I was
looking down on a stone building.
A cottage, Darius‘s cottage?
It was difficult to see clearly as the thickness of the overhanging trees kept it well hidden. I continued downwards and the path curved around towards the stone building. In fact I had been walking downhill for a considerable time, eventually I
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