Stain shook his hand and then we headed back to our site. "This is a nice set of needles. We will probably need them, just as he stated. A good smith is an important person in any situation."
"They are both smiths. He works on the larger pieces. Shara works on the ones needing fine details. When they work together it is amazing to watch." Tulip was working on another damaged garment.
"They gifted us with these." Stain showed Tulip the pouch of needles.
She grinned, "Shara's work from the look. Those will last a good long while. She also makes my sewing needles, the best ones I have ever found." She held up her needle, it looked much like a miniature sword.
Stain nodded and put the pouch away, "I have seen many such needles and these are some of the finest tipped ones I have ever seen." He sat down and looked around. "So, how many people are aware of your special abilities?"
Tulip gently shook her head and grinned, "This is my family. All the adults know. The children lack some discretion so they just know I am the little, old, wise lady." She grinned at this. "There are a handful of special people throughout our larger group. I am the only one with this small group."
"Are there any other healers in the large group?" Raven posed this question as she handed out bowls of a road stew.
"Yes there are. However, I would say none are at the same level as Master Stain. We have a few healers who can deal with most issues. Having a fully trained healer in our midst will be a welcome relief." She looked closely at Stain and I. "There are a few people who have suffered long and hard that I would ask you to consider doing a true healing upon."
Stain looked surprised, "Would this not reveal our own special abilities?"
She nodded, "It would to a few. However, we can keep secrets better than most."
"Then we will consider it. Ott may have to perform the healings at the time. He is quite good at such things." Stain made this comment with a lot of humor in his voice.
"So, let's move on to lighter things. You made that last comment with a smile." Tulip pointed out, "What is the story behind such a comment and the smile?"
I blushed at Raven's chuckle. "Ott has a way of making sure that when he heals the person is truly healed. I had broken my leg just days before meeting the group on the road."
Tulip looked down at Raven's leg and then over at me. "Truly? But you do not limp."
Raven stood up and pointed at where she had broken her leg. "The bone was snapped in half at this point. He healed it to the point that there is not any sign it has ever been broken." She sat back down.
Tulip looked at me. "You are blessed to have such a talent. If you can work the same methods on a few people, we will be in your debt for all time. You will become family."
"That would be an honor." I stammered around my blush. Raven scooted over beside me.
"You do a good job healing. Just be sure to be careful." She poked me in the ribs.
We sat for a few moments, each enjoying the stew. When everyone was full and the dishes cleaned up Tulip picked up her mending. "Time for a story. I will share one, then perhaps you can share one each." This seemed fair to me.
***
When I was a young girl my family lived near a small village. We traded with the villagers for things we could not produce on our own easily. They enjoyed buying from us, as my parents took great pride in making very fine garments. We had a flock of sheep and goats that provided much of what we needed to survive. I spent most of my time either in the fields tending the flock or with my family learning to make garments. Early on it became obvious that I possessed some special talent with magic. Things would occur around me and creatures of magic were drawn to me. At first it was a surprise, yet over the years we learned to hide my abilities. When I grew from a girl into a woman my abilities grew into their true strength. I foresaw that we would be attacked by a man. One dressed in an unusual manner. He was to wear a blood red cape. We dismissed this as a simple dream, instead of the vision it was. That was our first mistake. The man came upon us and attacked us in the middle of the night. My mother and sister were both killed. My brother and father were able to drive the man away, but both were injured. I alone survived unharmed. We buried my mother and sister in their garden, where they had spent so much of their time. That morning we left and visited the village. We found that the man had been searching for us and a local visitor provided directions.
At first we had no idea why the man targeted my family. Just a few nights later I had another vision and saw that the man would attack us as we laid in our beds. Heeding my warning, what remained of my family escaped to the road, seeking safety among other Travelers. The man hounded us for weeks, my visions the only thing keeping us safe. As we ran we gained more information about the man. He was a hired mercenary, a hedge mage. He possessed some small magic yet was proficient in warfare. My father searched for knowledge. He finally discovered the most important pieces of information, why my family was attacked and who had hired the mercenary. Beyond all belief it had been another family in the Travelers line. They coveted our land and holdings. Wishing to move in on our property and take over our business they decided the only thing to do was to eliminate us where we stood. Once we left the family moved in, yet they instructed the mercenary to continue to hunt us to keep us from coming back and laying claim to our old home. Little did they know that we would never live there again, the pall of death laid over the entire home and my father would never leave the road till his death. Finding out this information my father went to the elders and shared his discovery. The people were outraged at the audacity of the other family, to hire someone to cause harm to another of the Travelers was against all that we hold dear. They ordered the family brought to trial. The parents spit venom and hate, the oldest child did the same. The youngest was an innocent, he never understood what had occurred The parents and eldest child were given a swift death in repayment for their crimes. The young child was placed with another family, to be raised correctly. Our old home was allowed to be sold. The mercenary was never found, he simply faded away when his employers no longer were around to pay his fees.
My visions changed after that time. I saw both good and bad events that might unfold to those I loved. My father avoided death many times thanks to my visions. He died as one of the oldest elders our tribe had ever known. My brother married and produced a family. Some of those of his line travel with us. I myself married twice and had children with both men. The first man was a good man, the second was better. I have buried both and survived where many would have died. Most of this is due to my vision. While it could have become a burden upon my life, I chose to make it into a blessing.
***
Tulip stopped talking and looked around at us, "Thus is my story summed up. While there are many more details and such that I left out, this covers the broad strokes of my life." She grinned and looked at Stain. "I would challenge you to share your story, what you may share, at some point. Tonight, why not share about your first love?"
Stain looked mildly surprised, he smiled gently and nodded. "That I can do easily." He leaned back and took a few deep breaths, obviously preparing himself and focusing on what he was going to say.
"Many years ago I was a young boy. Before magic entered my life I lived with my family. I was the youngest of all my siblings, there were five of us. My parents lived on a farm, raising goats mainly. We also had other animals on the farm. All of us children worked on the farm. My main chore was to feed the birds. We had chickens, ducks, and geese. The geese hated me, always chasing me around, trying to bite me. The ducks were almost like pets. The chickens saw me as the provider of food. Life was simple, yet good. The day I met my first love I was feeding the chickens. My father called me over to the gate, he had her with him. He introduced us and explained that she would be staying with us for a while. I was to show her around the farm, to make sure she knew the rules, and to see that she had a place to sleep at night. She sat next to me at all the meals and kept me company
while I went about my chores each day. I came to talk to her like no other individual. Confiding in her all my secret desires for adventure, my fears, and my hopes for the future. She kept all my secrets. She lived with us for years, always keeping me company, until the day I had to leave. My magic had started to manifest and I needed to go away to be trained. She had to stay behind. She did not understand and would stand at the gate waiting for me to return. My father sent me letters describing her keen loss of my company. One day she simply failed to get up. Her heart had broken and she had died in her sleep. It was my first heartbreak. I still remember her to this day, my first love."
Stain's look showed that he was remembering the exact moments he described.
"What was her name?" Raven asked softly.
Stain looked at her and grinned, "Her name was Lucy."
Tulip was grinning broadly, "I would cry foul if I did not see honest affection for Lucy in your eyes. What color was her coat?"
I looked at Tulip and then at Stain. I could see the sly humor in his eyes as he answered.
"Why her coat was black with a few white markings. She was a very pretty dog." He stated this with humor filling his voice.
"A dog?" Raven sounded annoyed. "Tulip asked about your first love. A dog does not count." She seemed to be disappointed.
"I say it counts." Tulip stated gently. "The love for a cherished pet or companion can be stronger and more deeply felt than the thing we call love of a person." She looked at Stain, "Thank you for sharing about Lucy. Perhaps we can hear more about your life later." She turned to Raven. "Since you are so quick to speak, perhaps you should share a story from your past? Maybe the first loss you ever suffered?"
Raven looked surprised at Tulip's question, "Must I?"
Tulip looked at Raven and put her hand upon Raven's knee. "Perhaps it is time to share it with someone?"
Raven took a deep breath and struggled some for a few minutes. Finally she shook her head, "Not tonight, please?" She asked gently.
Tulip hugged Raven. "When you are ready then share with us, we care for you." She turned to me. "Perhaps we should have a lighter subject? Ott, would you share with us? How about sharing with us about a moment that would bring laughter to our hearts?"
I nodded and grinned. "I can do that. All I have to do is tell you about my attempts to create jewelry." Stain chuckled and nodded.
"That should do it." Stain commented.
I shared the story about trying to make the amulets for Raven and myself. I described the frustration, the failures, even the times I threw pieces of silver across the room. By the time I was done we all were laughing at the ridiculous situation.
"I daresay that you might have the worst ability to make jewelry that I have ever heard described." Tulip stood up. "I have missed sharing my fire with young people. This could become a pleasant habit. I am off to my bed. You should also." She turned and entered her wagon. After a few moments the light went off and then soft snores could be heard coming from the windows.
"She goes to sleep quickly." Raven dryly stated.
Stain stood up, "I myself am going to follow her example. These old bones are tired. Do not stay up too late, we have to maintain the same pace tomorrow as we did today." He went to his tent and closed the flap.
Raven looked over at me and grinned, "Are you tired Ott?"
I grinned and nodded, "Yes, but I would like to spend some time with you." I stood up. "I have a surprise. Stay there." I went to my pack from the day and retrieved a small basket I had quickly woven earlier. I carried it back to the fire and sat beside Raven. "I made this today, I thought you would enjoy it." I gently set the basket in the fire and we watched as it caught fire and started to smolder.
"What does it do?" She asked quietly as she watched it.
"Take a deep breath." I whispered.
She leaned forward and took a deep breath. I knew what she was smelling. It would be a combination of resins, seeds, even some minerals. All combined it would remind her of a spring day. The sun shining brightly. Something to cheer her up.
"Ott! That smells incredible!" She leaned against me.
"Watch the flames. There's more." I pointed as the smoke changed color. It shifted from gray into a soft blue, then slowly to a brilliant green. It continued through all the colors of the rainbow until it burned white. The basket finally burned down and the fire returned to normal.
"Was that magic? I did not feel any." Raven sounded happier.
"No magic. Simply combining the right components in the right order. My father taught me how to do it." I smiled. She seemed more at peace. We sat there watching the fire in silence for a while. The camp was settling down for the night, the noises of people were fading until only the night guards could be heard walking around. Snores wafted through the air.
"I think I am ready for sleep." Raven kissed me on the cheek and stood up. "Thank you for the fire, it was beautiful." She walked to her tent and closed the flap with a gentle smile on her face. I set the fire for the night, making sure there would be coals to start a fresh fire in the morning. I then headed to bed myself. I laid down and thought about the day. I could get used to this kind of life.
***
Our journey continued the next morning. Raven continued to drive Tulip's wagon while Stain and I walked behind. Other minor injuries occurred and we handled them. Sometimes Stain sent me to handle small issues. Over the next couple of days we traveled in the same manner. We were getting closer to when we would join up with the larger Traveler's camp. I worried what would occur then. When I asked Stain he reassured me that things would be fine and I should not worry. Raven seemed to be gaining a good understanding of how to work a team of animals pulling a wagon. I kept talking to the different families about their wagons and figuring out what I thought would work for a wagon of my own. I had found that there were many ways to get the same result, the methods simply differed from family to family. One thing I knew for certain was that it would be a lot of work to get a wagon set for our own use. I was thinking about this when Stain poked me.
"What occupies your thoughts, my young apprentice?" Stain asked, his voice full of humor.
I smiled, "I was thinking about the wagon Raven and I would share. About the different things we would need to do and all the choices in what to have in it."
Stain nodded and looked around, "I think that is a good subject. Just remember to take Raven into account. Discuss with her what she requires and also what she desires.”
I grinned, “Of course. But what about you?”
Stain chuckled, “I have no need for a wagon, but thank you. Tag should do just fine for me. He has done more than enough for me in the past.” He looked back over his shoulder at Tag and smiled. “In fact he has often been my only friend during my travels.”
Tag snorted at Stain and kept walking. I could see a humorous light in his expression.
“So just the two of us then?” I grinned at that thought.
“Do not forget the rest of us.” Mophar poked me in the ear. His finger was cold and wet. “We will most likely be keeping you all company.”
That was a good point. I looked back at Tag where Fioshrach rested, Pat slept, and Cracklecord sat on her metal seat. “What about the rest of you?”
Pat sleepingly lifted his head, “I believe I shall require a hammock inside only when the weather deems it prudent to retire to such a place.” He laid his head back down and slept on.
Fioshrach grinned, “I enjoy being outside. No special accommodations are needed.”
Cracklecord nodded, “A warm fire is always welcome, however I plan on being a visitor. I will most likely come and go.”
“I think we can manage all of that. I have to talk to Raven, we need to work out some basics so we know the size of wagon to locate.” I walked up around Tulip’s wagon where she sat talking to Raven.
“And here comes your young man.” Tulip looked back around the wagon’s side at me.
“How do you know
I am coming?” I asked Tulip once I came abreast of their seat.
She pointed at a small object mounted in front of her seat. “Something you might consider.” I looked closely and realized that there was a small, round, metal mirror mounted on the wagon. When I looked closely I could see that for someone in the seat they would be able to see down the side of the wagon. “It helps an old lady keep her wagon in good shape, I avoid hitting the sides of the wagon on objects or running over people.”
“That is ingenious!” I exclaimed.
“Thank you. One of my family developed them. He was tired of fixing the paint on everyone’s wagon.” Tulip grinned broadly. “Now, I imagine you did not just come up here to discuss wagons. What is on your mind?”
I blushed and smiled gently, “Actually I did come up here just for that. I have been looking around at everyone’s wagon. I have been considering all the various options and accessories that are on each wagon with the thought to what we would need on our wagon.” I addressed this last part to Raven.
“Smart boy!” Tulip exclaimed. “Always consider your partner’s position or ideas on a subject. You will live happier that way.” She turned to Raven, “What thoughts do you have?”
Raven was watching the road but had started smiling at our conversation. “I think that there are many good ideas. But there are also some really bad ideas. We need to make sure that we only have those things that will work for us and not against us.”
Tulip thought about this a moment before asking, “What kind of bad ideas have you noticed?”
“One thing I have noticed is that some of the wagons lack any way to cook food during bad weather. They obviously plan to only cook outside. I think this is poor planning.” She pointed at a green wagon. “If you look closely you can see a small smoke stack poking up from their roof. That means they not only have some way to heat the wagon during cold times, but also a way to possibly cook some food.” She pointed to another wagon, “They have no awnings on their wagon. That means to have any kind of shade they must unpack something and set it up.” She pointed to another wagon, “They, on the other hand, have a roll up awning that is always attached to the side of the wagon. To have shade they just have to unroll it and lean the poles away from the wagon. Instant shade. It can also be put back up quickly.”
A Coursing Passage (A Life of Magic Book 3) Page 6