Leaf and Branch (New Druids Series Vol 1 & 2)

by Donald D. Allan

  During the preparation many argued emotionally with me about using tomatoes, for most thought them poison. Kennet and I laughed and took bites from the beautiful red fruit to prove them wrong. Some still watched us for signs of sickness. It was funny how some people simply refused to believe something even when it was thrust in front of them. Most caved quickly and the rabbit and tomato stew was emptied in no time at all. The flatbread I made was wiped across every surface until the pot hardly needed a cleaning.

  I made tea and an elderly couple waited close by with their cups held ready. Each night I made a special tea for them that eased the ache in their joints and now they eagerly awaited it. I had examined them when they had asked me a few days ago. The people we travelled with thought of me as a healer and I was glad to help when they asked. It made me feel useful and needed. My powers showed me what I knew already, their joints were worn with age and there was nothing I could do for them but ease their pain. I had given them a small mixture of tea leaves and spoken to them quietly about how to duplicate it. I doubted they would manage to find herbs of the same potency as mine and warned them they would likely need to drink it most of the time and in larger quantities.

  With the mercenary guards near us and watching for highwaymen, most of us quickly went to sleep and passed an uneventful night of welcomed rest. And so it had been over the past few days. We got to know each other fairly well for strangers. I managed to distract their own questions about who I was and why I was headed to Jergen. They gave up trying after a few attempts. I think they understood the need for privacy and they respected mine. Everyone had secrets. All that mattered to them was if I could provide healing and wonderful meals. In truth, it was all that mattered to me as well.

  Before I knew it, we could smell the smoke from Jergen. While the trees along the road still hid the town from our sight, the unmistakable smell of wood smoke, cooking, and human waste could not be hidden. Dog had smelled it first and had lain down and rubbed at his nose. I couldn't understand what had been bothering him until a short hour later I too felt like rubbing the acrid smell from my nose. Jaipers was a very small town and it had its smells. Jergen, on the other hand, was a city and had all the waste and stink of thousands upon thousands of human beings. The city was so large. I couldn't imagine all those people living inside its walls. Hundreds of thousands of people lived here. It was more than my imagination could handle and I took a step backwards. The others laughed at my discomfort. Dog and I shared a long look and I shook my head. Civilisation was dirty, I decided then.

  We approached the gate and I was shocked to find it unguarded. I had worried myself over the entrance to Jergen for I had thought I would have to face an interrogation from guards. We merely passed through and then I found myself saying farewell to my travelling companions as we separated down different roads. Rebecca and Kennit gave me a quick hug and held their son, Euan, up to me to say goodbye.

  I found myself staring at those eyes again and then something passed between us. Or I should say something passed from me to him. A measure of my magyc touched the child and his eyes gleamed for an instance like a flash of bright sunshine. I immediately felt a strong sense of approval from Dog. The couple glanced at one another and I thought perhaps they too felt something. But then the moment passed and they waved farewell and disappeared into the throng of people bustling through the dirt streets. I smiled to myself. Soon they would find the bag of Life Salt from Belger tucked inside the child's swaddling wraps.

  I soon found myself standing in the street with Dog pressed up against my leg, watching people split around us as if we were stones in a river. We stood in the shadow of the towering buildings lining the street and I shivered. Despite having my feet firmly on the earth, I felt Jergen was removed from reality. Perhaps a separation from nature was unavoidable with large gatherings of people. I felt out of my element and I reached out and placed my hand on Dog's warm head and the feeling diminished a little.

  I knew nothing about this city except what Reeve Comlin had told me. He had shown me where to stay and, with my memory of the map he had shown me forefront in my mind, I cautiously started to walk the streets to find the Purple Rose Inn. Dog walked beside me and I kept my hand firmly on him the entire way. The city was overwhelming and Dog didn't leave my side. He seemed okay with all the noise and bustle.

  Jergen was huge, larger than any town or city had any right to be. The buildings dwarfed those from Jaipers and they crowded one upon another with barely the width of a man's shoulders between them. I shuddered to think what lay in those dark alleys — the smell alone kept me clear. The smell of sweat, smoke and who knew what else soon had my eyes watering and nose running. I hated Jergen and wanted to do nothing more than walk out and not come back. The only thing keeping my feet moving deeper into the city was the prospect of getting my hands on the manuscript.

  The people here looked much the same as the people in Jaipers. Just a little better dressed and all wore shoes. Even the children who darted from building to building and betwixt the horses and throngs of people wore shoes. Missing was the shared friendly banter of the people of Jaipers. I realised everyone here was a stranger to one another and I felt saddened. Very quickly I recognised a pattern to walking the streets and kept as far right as I could to allow horses past while I walked the streets.

  Soon we reached what must have been the centre of the city. The road circled a small grassy park, with a few trees along the edges, and with a large stone statue of someone on a horse erected in the middle. I could see a few roads all met in this location. The break from the buildings meant the entire area was bathed in sunlight and it cheered me up. Benches ringed the statue and people of all sorts sat and talked. A couple of vendors sold cooked sausages and sweet bread from small carts. Dog and I paused here to get our bearings and I bought two sausages for two tuppences. We devoured them in no time. Dog breathed his in and then tried to snatch mine from my hand.

  As we stood in the park I had soon discovered having a map in your memory and actually walking the streets were two different matters. I was already sure I was lost. Dog didn't seem to care. He had obviously grown more accustomed to the stink and he constantly smelled the air for who knew what. He kept looking at the sausage vendors and licking his chops. I laughed and closed my eyes and reached to embrace the small slice of nature existing within this bustling chaos of a city.

  I sensed eyes on me and, turning quickly, I opened my eyes to find the pigeons on the statue staring rather pointedly at me. I looked around quickly and was thankful that no one seemed to notice. I mentally bid them to fly away and startled myself when they all did. The birds drew the eyes of all the people nearby and they turned to watch the whole flock of pigeons circle the park and then fly out over the rooftops to disappear. Everyone started talking and laughing about what they had just witnessed and I hustled to clear the area.

  The breeze blew in from the direction the birds had flown and I caught the smell of the ocean. I smiled, remembering the Reeve of Jaipers telling me the inn lay down by the port. I had my bearings and soon was back on the road circling the park.

  Cries rang out and I turned, alarmed to see soldiers on horseback and some carts emerge from a road to enter the area. Dog ran up and pressed himself against my legs. The soldiers up front cried out and ordered the people on the road to move clear under the order of the Lord Protector. I put a hand on Dog to calm him and to keep him close. My eyes were drawn to the officer up front. He sat straight-backed and solid in the saddle, gleaming with gold and reds, his cloak billowing out behind him. His uniform looked almost exactly like the one I saw in Bill Burstone's house back in Jaipers. His eyes found mine and I could see they were bright and intelligent and I sensed a great mirth behind them.

  The officer and I shared a long glance at one another. This was a man I could trust and I smiled. I felt acceptance from Dog. The officer nodded his head at me and smiled briefly back at me before turning his attention back to his progress t
hrough the city. That was strange. Then I watched another officer ride past him and felt his glare on me. That one, I thought with dread, he was someone I couldn't trust. Dog growled low and feral and the man glowered at me. I felt sorry for the first officer and hoped he outranked the other. The first officer talked to another and then looked to me once more. He looked a little sad and then he moved on.

  The carts rumbled past, heavy with their load, and the people of Jergen closed in behind them and, shortly, they were gone. I shook my head and waited for a gap in the road and crossed and headed down the road following the path the pigeons had shown me. The smell of the ocean led the way.

  * * *

  Along the way to where I hoped I would find the Purple Rose Inn, I was marking in my mind those shops appearing to be worth exploring later. I spied an apothecary on a corner. At first, I noticed the shop had taken the time to plant flowers and bushes in the soil in front of the building where the sun would shine the longest during its passage across the sky. Then I read the sign and I felt compelled to enter.

  As I pushed the door open to enter, a small bell overhead gave a tiny peal and Dog woofed gently at the sound. It rang again as the door closed behind me and I made my way past shelves lined with small clay pots and glass jars. They were labeled with tiny meticulous writing and I quickly read they contained medicines with descriptions of their use. Most I had never heard of and I felt a stirring of excitement. Here was knowledge that I could use. Perhaps this place could share with me?

  As I approached the counter, I heard a stirring on the other side of the open doorway. Someone called out "one minute" and I waited quietly, feeling a little bit out of place. I looked down at Dog and he just sat there and began enthusiastically scratching an ear with a hind-leg.

  "Stop it!" I whispered loudly to him. Dog stopped mid-scratch, with his paw still in the air, and stared at me for a moment before going right back at it. "Dog!"

  At that moment, a large, tall man dressed in a white cotton robe with an apron tied tightly to his massive girth shambled through the opening and stood at the counter peering down at me and Dog. A frown creased his forehead. I immediately took a dislike to him and, by the scowl on his face, I suspected he felt the same way.

  "What do you want?" he demanded. "Why are you in my apothecary? Get that mangy mutt out of here!"

  "I-I-I just wanted to see your wares, sir," I stammered, shamed at how quickly he made me feel so small.

  "Get that fucking dog out of my shop!" he shouted, his face flushed red. "He'll ruin my wares! OUT!"

  "Sir, he's very well behaved, I assure you."

  "I don't care, get him out of my shop!"

  I turned to Dog and looked at him. Dog lolled his tongue and then turned and started toward the door. As he passed the last of the shelves his tail whipped across and disturbed some glass jars. He looked back at me and then nosed the door open and disappeared out onto the street. I sensed his amusement and tried to keep the smile off my face as I turned back to the proprietor.

  "My apologies, sir."

  The man was looking a bit shocked and he looked away from the door to me and back again.

  "Yes," he finally replied. "Yes, well good. What do you want?"

  "I was hoping you could tell me a bit about your salves and such. I've never seen so much! And all the descriptions, please, I must know. What goes into them? How do you create some of these?"

  The man blinked at me for a long moment. I watched as redness crept up his neck. "What? You want me to tell you how I make my salves? Do you take me for an idiot? Don't insult me! Whatever should I do that for?"

  "So I could make them, too."

  "So you could make them, too?"

  "Yes, sir."

  "You can fuck right off and get the fuck out of my store," he said and his checks blossomed red and his face was screwed up tight in anger.

  I was startled. I hadn't expected such vehemence. And I had never been sworn at. At least not that way.

  "But sir, I make these as well! Just not so much. And some I've never heard of."

  "Bullshit. Who sent you?" he said.

  "Sent me?"

  "Yes, by God, who the fuck sent you? Rasguard? Did he? That thieving bastard."

  "Rasguard?"

  "Yes, Rasguard! No, it couldn't be him, even he's not smart enough to send a boy to do his dirty work. It was her, wasn't it?"

  "Her?"

  "The deighty old woman! It is, isn't it? Her with the plants, always coming here trying to peddle her wilted things."

  "She sells herbs? Who?" I asked interested at once about hearing about someone else who gathered herbs. "Where is this woman?"

  "Where is she? You'd know wouldn't you?"

  "What? No! I have no idea who you are talking about! I've only just arrived here. Truly! Wait, look at this..." and I lowered my backpack to the floor and opened the top. I reached in and pulled a bunch of dill from the top.

  I laid the dill on the counter in front of the man. I had picked them a few days ago and they would stay fresh for another week or so. Fresh enough to hopefully make a positive impression on this man. He reached out and picked it up and brought it to his nose. He took a sniff and his eyes opened a little wider. He rubbed some between his fingers and smelled them.

  The man pulled a rag tucked into his waistband lose and dabbed at the sweat on his brow while looking me over.

  "Humph," he finally said. "Where'd you get this?"

  "I picked them...today...just outside of town. Still fresh as you can see and high quality, sir. That's what I do, I gather herbs and sell them at market."

  He handed the dill back to me and looked at me for a moment as if deciding something. I just stood there waiting, trying to look exactly like who I was: a simple young man who gathered herbs. It must've worked for he relaxed and then spoke.

  "Take Highborn Street down to the water. Ask around there. Someone will point you the right way. Everyone knows her."

  I paused then, wanting to ask more questions, but knew I should just vacate the shop. I started toward the door and then turned with a question I knew was important.

  "What's her name?"

  "Nadine, the Herbalist. Crazy Nadine is what everyone else calls her. She has a house far out along the cliffs. Ask around. Someone will point her out to you."

  Twenty-Six

  Jergen, 900 A.C.

  "MAJOR GILLESPIE, I don't care. You will gather the men immediately for inspection."

  There was a momentary pause, long enough that Brent noticed the insubordination and raised his eyebrow at the major. "Suh, yes, suh," said Major Gillespie quietly and with little emotion. He turned and strode off, shoulders hunched towards the main camp and the cook fires. Brent could see his uniform was crumpled and dirty from the previous day.

  Brent glanced up at the lightening sky and then nodded to Captain Dixon, who stood nearby, to approach. He came to attention, and saluted sharply.

  "At ease, captain."

  Captain Dixon stood at ease and then relaxed and strode a step closer. "General, sir. Please excuse me. You should have spoken to me about the inspection this morning. The task falls to me. The major won't take the slight well and I'll pay for it, sir."

  Brent looked at the young Captain standing before him. He saw himself in the man. Myself during the long journey to Bill Redgrave's house and the slaughter. I was poorly treated on that trip. Everyone was against me, much like this young man. Hopefully this ends better for him.

  "I see you don't yet understand this, Captain"

  "Sir, beg your pardon. Understand what exactly? Is it the men? Have they offended you somehow? They seem sincere. I think we've made a difference with them. Morale has improved. They get along with one another now. This only pisses them off. Sir."

  Brent snorted. "There's a reason I'm a general, captain. I know I don't look like a wise senior officer but trust me in this."

  Captain Dixon started to speak and then shut his mouth and thought for a moment.


  That's a good sign, thought Brent with approval. Think first, then speak.

  "Sir, I know they aren't to be trusted. But they seemed to be listening. Following orders. Getting along with each other. What more could I ask?"

  "You seem to forget the way things were only two weeks ago. Do you really think the Guard and Army could be getting along so well so quickly? Watch them, James. They hide smirks and jest. But not about each other. They jest about something other than themselves. It's you and me, James. They are playing us."

  "I see, sir. I'll watch closer, just as you ordered me."

  "It wasn't an order, captain. It was a suggestion. You are the only man on this team I can trust. I won't tell you why that is important — just do as I suggest. Watch your back. Keep your ears and eyes open. Never turn your back to them. Understood?"

  The captain nodded. "Yes, sir. Understood. But, this makes the third inspection in as many mornings. Can I ask why?"

  Brent looked the captain over for a moment. His gear was immaculate. He had prepared himself. He had assumed another inspection was coming and had prepared just in case. Brent was tempted to simply tell him, but recognised that it wouldn't help him. Best he figure it out himself, Brent thought. "No."

  The captain pursed his lips. Brent suppressed a desire to smirk. He's piqued by my curtness. Brent waited a moment and the captain nodded once. "No matter. Let me know when you figure it out. For now, we are almost at Jaipers, James. First to Jergen to resupply and take some rest and then we push hard to the West. Hard. I want to be back in Munsten by Yule. Buy new horses in Jergen. Strong ones. I trust you alone in that task." Brent waited a moment to let it sink in. "Anything else, Captain?"

  "No, General," he replied, then sensing he was dismissed he came to attention, saluted, turned and strode off.