by Melina Grace
Caris looked around, she knew Crispin would be cold too, wet as he was, but Indira’s need was more urgent. She quickly dragged him to a sunny spot, not worrying about the rocks that made it an uncomfortable bed. She grabbed her blanket from her roll, wrung it out and laid it in the sun to dry, she then grabbed her dress, wrung it out and proceeded to use it to rub Indira down. It was wet, but it was all she had and it would warm up as she used it.
She coaxed Indira into eating some grass, while she rubbed her down. Caris wished she had something warm to give her, but grass would be better than nothing. When Caris was finished, she went and got the blanket which, though not completely dry, was at least warm from the sun. It will finish drying in the sun just as well on Indira’s back, she told herself as she draped it over her beloved horse. The blanket acted like a signal to Indira who finished chewing, laid down the rest of the way, and fell asleep.
Caris sat back, looking at her horse. She was content that, though exhausted, she was warm and should be fine once well rested. She looked around, as long as there are no more predators for us to flee from, rest should not be a problem.
Caris surveyed her surrounding area from her seat on the ground. They were on a rocky beach, a stone’s throw long and half as wide. This was the first beach she had seen for a long time as the river washed them along in its powerful current. There were some low scraggly bushes at the edge of the clearing and then the dense tree line she had viewed from the water began. The trees stood close to one another and shot straight to the sky, taller than any she had ever seen before.
Caris dragged her eyes away from the intimidating scene and, reluctantly gathering her feet beneath her, moved over to tend Crispin. He was cold but the sun had already started to warm him. Caris was encouraged by his occasional moans as she stripped his outer clothing off him and draped it out on some rocks to dry. She moved some of the pointier stones from under him and then set herself to thinking about dinner.
She stood with a groan and went to unpack the rest of her belongings, laying them on the rocks to dry. Picking up her bow, Caris contemplated the trees. She only had one arrow. Exactly how many I need to get dinner, she thought with satisfaction. She walked to the edge of the clearing and, taking a deep breath, stepped into the forbidding gloom of the forest.
It took a while for Caris’ eyes to adjust to the dark under the trees. The ground was clear of underbrush and Caris worried there would not be many animals in an area so lacking in places to make their homes. She thought of the wide empty land of her home where she had always been able to find food. She had so quickly become accustomed to the abundance of the jungle at the bottom of the fall but she could learn what this place had to provide as well. Caris had loved the colours and serenity of the jungle but this place felt alien. It was quiet but not peaceful.
She weaved through the tall trees that stretched far above her forming a canopy higher than she could shoot an arrow, entirely blocking out the sun.
As her eyes adjusted to the shade, Caris began to notice small droppings and animal tracks. Indeed, though there was not much undergrowth, there were empty bowels in the trees and the occasional fallen giant trunk that would provide shelter for animals. In the end, Caris started checking holes for an animal that didn’t appear to have young and finding one, shot her arrow straight in.
Caris was relieved to leave the ominous shelter of the trees. She looked down at the animal she carried. It was strange, it had looked out at her with small brown beady eyes, its fur was a coarse blue and it had a long bushy tale. It was easily big enough to fill two pots and Caris found it quite heavy carrying it back the short distance to her makeshift camp. She hoped it tasted good.
Indira and Crispin were where she had left them; after checking on them, she set about preparing the animal. Caris decided to keep its fur. It was a beautiful colour and with Crispin finally rousing, she would be glad of having even a small skin to lie on at night while he used her bedroll. She planned to stay by the river another day to rest Indira and Crispin before trying to make her way back toward The King’s road. They had been washed so far southwest she didn’t know how long it would take and didn’t think it was worth trying to make it back to the trail along which she had followed the grey people. It would take too long and she didn’t want to cross paths with those predators again. She would head due east and that would eventually bring them out at some point on The King’s road.
After skinning the animal, Caris wrapped the meat in some cool wet leaves and left it in Indira’s shade. It would be handy to have a horse, that wasn’t skittish, carrying her kills, so she intended to slowly acquaint her with the smell of blood. She cleaned the skin, as best she could, and strung it up to dry.
Caris picked up her soap, she had wrapped it well and it had survived the river mostly intact. Checking Crispin was still asleep, she stripped off and washed all her clothes.
She managed to get most of the horse smell out of her dress and hoped the sun would do the rest. Though Caris had spent a lot of time wet over the last few days, her clothes had dried on her, along with dirt and sweat. It felt wonderful to clean herself properly. Although she didn’t dare go too far into the water, for fear of being swept away in its fast current, she luxuriated in the feel of its cool freshness swirling around her ankles, finally lying down in it to relax.
Caris had had a good night’s sleep the last two nights but apart from quick breaks to eat, she hadn’t really stopped during the day. Knowing she should stop for a full day and a half to rest Indira made her feel like she was having a holiday. Caris lay in the water, first on her front and then on her back until the cold became too uncomfortable. She got up and lathered herself with soap then splashed it all off.
Coming out of the water, Caris looked at Crispin self-consciously. She considered dressing in her wet clothes that were lying on the rocks drying, but Crispin was in a deep sleep, so feeling a bit shocked at how free she was becoming but enjoying the feeling at the same time, she stretched out on a large flat rock and fell asleep in the sun.
Caris woke mid afternoon feeling strangely content; she had saved Crispin. His waking up in the river had lifted a great weight of worry from her mind. She knew he was a long way from fully recovered, but now she thought he would at least have a fighting chance. She had reunited with Indira, she was clean, for the moment safe, had food ready to cook, nothing urgent to deal with for the next day, and a horse to get Crispin back to safety.
It felt good to let her mind relax and not have to deal with all the problems she had faced over the last few days. She stretched her stiff muscles out and looked at Crispin, sighing in relief when she saw he was still asleep.
Caris got up and put on her dress, she would save her hunting clothes for when she began her walk out of here. She began to make a stew. There were not many greens to contribute but she did find some downriver along the water’s edge under the trees. Caris had seen some mushrooms on fallen trees in the forest but she was not desperate enough to test them yet, maybe tomorrow.
When the stew was ready, Caris managed to rouse Crispin. She had to sit behind him propping him up and feeding him like a baby; but he ate! Caris was so excited she could hardly contain herself. Crispin was terribly groggy, he barely opened his eyes and didn’t seem to know what was going on or who was with him. Caris concentrated on getting the small tender pieces of meat into him. After about ten mouthfuls, she allowed him to lie down again. She jumped up and danced around the campsite exuberantly, until finally, still smiling, she sat down and ate her own meal.
After eating, Caris went to Indira and turned her blanket around, it had mostly dried but Caris wanted it completely so before nightfall. Then, steeling herself, she took her knife and headed back into the forest. It took a long time but eventually Caris found a sapling that looked suitable. Hating the abuse of her knife Caris began cutting branches off the small tree, until she had an armful of small lengths.
She carried them back to camp where she
eyed them critically. They were not ideal, but she thought she would be able to fashion them into serviceable arrows. Caris was good at making arrows; her arrows had been in high demand in her village, it would be more difficult with her limited resources but she would manage. Finding a comfortable spot, she settled down and began her project.
Caris slept that night against Indira’s back, sharing her blanket. With the fire on one side and Indira on the other, she would have been toasty if not for the cold ground beneath her. Before sunrise, she had been tempted to pull the blue fur down to lie on but she wanted to dry it as much as possible before she started travelling. She awoke later to the sound of Crispin moaning and thrashing about. She went over to him. “The pendant” he was saying, “I have to get the pendant”.
“Crispin, Crispin wake up,” Caris said gently shaking him. He roused enough to look into her eyes.
“I have to get the pendant back. They took the pendant.” He grabbed her shoulder, “We have to get The King’s pendant back!” He said, trying to get up.
“Crispin! Crispin, lie down. It’s ok. The others will get the pendant, lie down please.” Caris pleaded with him, speaking softly until he finally slipped back into an uneasy sleep.
Caris spent the morning alternately placating Crispin and working on her arrows. At one point, she fed him and herself. She was glad to see Indira up and contentedly cropping grass. She brushed her down, the slow rhythmic strokes easing the tension out of her own shoulders that had built up from trying to calm Crispin’s anxious outcries about the pendant. When Crispin finally fell into a deep sleep Caris slipped off amidst the trees to get some meat for their evening meal.
She spent her afternoon in much the same way, but instead of hunting when Crispin slept Caris treated herself to another wash in the river. She felt spoilt having two washes in two days, but after the exertion of trying to calm him all day she more than deserved it, she reflected. Her life in the village when she would wash every day seemed a lifetime ago.
There was still a knot of pain at the back of her stomach whenever she thought about her family. She missed them terribly and wished they were living their lives safely and happily in the comfort of their homes, but she did not wish herself back there. As difficult as her days were and as terrifying as some of the things she had faced, she at least knew that what she was doing counted for something. Caris didn’t know what was so special about the pendant Crispin kept raving about: Syngar had said it was something of great value, Crispin had called it The King’s pendant.
She thought back over their journey on The King’s road. She had never really questioned what the group she was with had been doing so far to the north, while there was a war going on at the frontier down south. The King’s Horse did come through every couple of years, and it had never occurred to her to wonder at their task.
Thinking back, there had been mention of them being on some kind of mission to the north. She wondered whether it concerned the pendant and just how important it really was. Crispin seemed to think it was more important than his own life. Caris could not agree. A leader like Crispin gave heart to all that followed him, and Caris was sure The King would not want to lose him.
She didn’t think the two of them had any chance of catching up with Janen and the other King’s Horse who had followed the grey people west. They would have to get past the grey-scaled beasts to find their tracks and with Crispin in his weakened condition, she didn’t think it would be possible, and, even if they did, the trail would be many days cold. Caris had no desire to make the attempt.
She didn’t know how important the pendant was but she did know the value of Crispin and she wasn’t going to take her duty to care for him lightly. Caris hadn’t thought the day would ever come when she would willingly go against Crispin’s wishes but she did not believe he was lucid enough to be making these kinds of decisions at the moment. She hoped he didn’t give her a direct order. She didn’t want to disobey him.
As she settled down for the night, Caris looked regretfully at Indira who was content to sleep on her feet. She had collected some dry leaves from the trees and laid her new fur over the top of them. It wasn’t really ready to sleep on, she had stretched it out in the sun that afternoon, and would do so again tomorrow but it still smelt. She didn’t care, she would rather be warm. She had collected plenty of wood for the fire and had a blanket but would miss the warmth of Indira’s back.
She lay awake enjoying her view of the stars; it seemed like forever since she had seen her old friends studding the night sky. Caris pondered her plans for the morrow, she had hoped to begin the journey back but she didn’t know if Crispin would be able to ride. She couldn’t just tie him onto Indira now that he was waking and rolling about, and now that he was conscious the need didn’t feel as urgent.
They were so far from help, Caris hoped Crispin would be fully recovered by the time they reached The King’s road anyway. She decided to give him another day to recover before setting out. His head had been giving him pain all day and Caris didn’t think riding would be good for it just yet.
Caris woke the next morning dreading another day of placating Crispin. She was happy to care for his physical needs but she found his constant anxiety exhausting. He was still asleep when she rose and she decided to heat the stew and feed it to him later rather than rousing him for it. He slept long and Caris spent the morning tending Indira and working on her fur and arrows, always with one uneasy eye on Crispin lest he wake frantic.
When he finally awoke, Caris was down at the water drinking. She had turned and started walking back before she noticed him sitting quietly watching her. “I lost the pendant”.
“Yes, you mentioned that.” Caris walked up and poured a small bowl of stew for him, he began to eat it hungrily and she went down to the river to get him some water. She helped herself to a small serve of stew and sat down beside him. It was a great relief to see him lucid but Caris was worried he would insist on chasing the grey people. If he was well enough they would go, but she was worried he didn’t have the strength for it.
“What happened?” he asked her. “Where are the others?”
“They were unable to get away from the fighting; I think some of them eventually went after the grey people and the pendant.”
“I knew you were following us, you’re a very good shot with those arrows. I thought there were others with you.” He looked at her “Bridee? Frystal?” Caris shook her head. “Janen said you were an exceptional shot, but... I was convinced there were a few of you out there.” He scrutinised her. “Impressive. I was mostly out of it; no human should push themselves as hard as they do,” he said shaking his head, then wincing and cutting short the action. “I remember going over the fall and kicking to regain the surface. I came up and rolled onto my back to look back up to the top, then something hit my head,” he looked at her. “That’s all I remember”.
“I was watching from the bushes, I tried to stop them from throwing you over, but once they had the pendant they didn’t care that I was shooting at them,” Caris pleaded with him. Crispin started to shake his head, and then thought better of it.
“There was nothing you could do.”
Caris considered his words and decided to accept them. “I ran to the top of the fall, but they were so exuberant about the pendant they ran off with it without taking any notice of me. I saw you floating down the river so I tied a log to myself and jumped in after you. I don’t know how to swim,” she said by way of explanation. Caris continued to fill him in on how she had recovered Indira, their encounter with the scaled attackers and their journey downriver. She stared at the river as she talked, not noticing his wide-eyed look of astonishment. Finally, finishing her tale, Caris looked back to see the disbelief on Crispin’s face.
“You jumped off a fall?”
Caris laughed. “I don’t know why, you’ve been nothing but trouble ever since.”
Crispin smiled and replied quietly, “Thank you Caris, you’ve saved m
y life multiple times over this last week. Thank you.”
Embarrassed, Caris rose and took the bowls to wash them. “It’s not a big deal,” she called over her shoulder as she walked down to the river.
Crispin rose cautiously and walked slowly down to the water to drink; Caris caught his arm as he almost stumbled in face first. He rose from his drink, his face white from the exertion. Caris looked at him concerned. “I’ll be okay,” he reassured her, but he accepted her help back up the beach. He started to head over to the trees and when Caris tried to assist him, he stopped her with a small smile, “There are some things I’d rather not have help with.”
“Oh” Caris blushed, and then turned away with a laugh.
Crispin spent the rest of the morning sleeping in the shade. Caris, again, headed in amongst the trees to hunt. She had been drying some of the meat from each kill, so that they would have food to eat during the day as they travelled, she wouldn’t be able to make three fires each day, and the last of her bread and biscuit had been ruined in the river.
Caris strode through the trees to a hole in the ground she had noticed the previous day. She had grown more used to these woods but still did not like the feel of them, they felt threatening. Caris liked to spend as little time as possible under the trees and dreaded the coming journey through them.
After lunch, Caris and Crispin sat watching the water and talking. Caris felt a lightness in her spirit. She hadn’t realised how isolated she had begun to feel. Crispin was quite dejected about the pendant but his habitual kindness aided him in holding up his side of the conversation despite his worries. He had many questions about what had happened over the last few days and it was a relief to Caris to be able to talk about it all with someone.