Sacred Water, Book 2, The Time Before

by Charles Kaluza

Chapter 18

  When those of the exploration and those of Heather's advance group had gathered within the snow building, Heather opened the council by asking, "I would hear first of our new friend and of this wonderful building."

  Stan arose and said, "This is Frederick of the village of Isendorf. They are a clan from south of my village and he has asked to join with us. This snow fort is used while traveling because it is fast to build and hard for those of the Red to find."

  Heather said, "I would congratulate Stan on his rapid learning of our way of speaking. I welcome you Frederick of the village of Isendorf, but before we hear your story I would have a report from those that brought you to us."

  One of the hunters whose age was uncertain, but whose eyes were most clear, stood and gave the report. They had made good time across the ice field and through the passage to the lands of those left behind. Stan had guided them along the road those of the Red had made, to the site of his village. Nothing remained except for some charred timbers. They continued south and met with few. Whenever they interacted with a hunter or scout of those left behind, Stan would tell of the coming war and of those who lived beyond the great ice field. All pledged their efforts to disrupt the supply lines but there were few remaining after last summer's attacks by those of the Red. The only intact village they found was the village of Isendorf, which had escaped destruction. On the return they camped in the cave that Stan had used before being found. Those who were studying in the cave of knowledge detected the smoke the morning after the fire. The weather was less cooperative for the return journey but it was otherwise without incident.

  Heather said, "A report will given. I would now hear the story of our new friend."

  Both Stan and the young priest worked hard to interpret the story of Frederick of Isendorf. Their village consisted of about fifty families living as hunter-gatherers in a valley with fairly good southern exposure. The valley opened only to the northeast and was thus hidden from those of the Red. Their council had met with Stan and those of the Forest and pledged their support. They had asked to send Frederick back with them to help prepare for the coming battle. They would mobilize all they could find in an effort to disrupt the supply lines.

  While they were listing to the story of Frederick, Betty whispered to Heather, "I like the old one but not this new one."

  Heather began to listen with a new awareness to the story of Frederick. Something too was troubling her heart but she was unsure what. When the story was complete she said, "Frederick of Isendorf we welcome you. I would ask that the stories wait for a while longer and if Frederick and Stan would be willing to teach those of the Forest how to build these buildings of snow. They are much warmer than our tents and less likely to betray our position."

  As those of the Forest moved out of the snow fort, the biting cold was waiting for them. Heather, with a gentle touch on Daniel’s arm, implied she wished to speak with him. Outside, the two from those left behind began demonstrating how their simple snow saw was used to create the blocks. As others began constructing their own saws, Daniel and Heather moved slightly further away and Heather asked, "What is your feeling of Frederick?"

  Daniel replied, "He seems friendly enough. Why do you ask?"

  "Betty does not like him. Do you feel the story rings true about his village escaping detection?"

  Daniel thought before replying, "The story is plausible but those of the Red Ambassador seem to have their ways. I will ask those of the Forest their opinion. I would not disregard Betty's opinion lightly for her sense of people is good."

  They returned to the work and Heather sought out Jeremy. She told him only that it would be best if the new stranger was not burdened with too much knowledge of the Forest or of their capabilities. She asked him to send one of the hunters to seek out those of the large group who were following, and for now keep them and their supplies one day’s travel away from the base camp. They discussed possible secondary campsites and the need for long-range scouting. Jeremy reminded her that they were few and having several away on scouting missions would leave the camp poorly defended.

  Heather stood silently thinking and then replied, "I would another eight to ten of the best scouts from the large group join us. I would also have Stan travel with the one you send and teach those of the Forest how to make the snow buildings."

  Jeremy asked, "What of Frederick? Without Stan he will have trouble communicating."

  "I think it is best if Frederick stay here with me and the young priest. I would learn what we can from him without his learning too much from us."

  "You are the warrior and the planner and I will do as you say. Trust you not Frederick?"

  Heather said only, "Time will tell."

  After Jeremy had left to consult with those of the Forest, Heather sought out the young priest. She asked him if he would be willing to take Frederick under his wing and the young priest readily agreed. Heather told him, "I would you speak entirely in the tongue of those left behind. You should learn from him all that you can of his people and any interaction they have had with those he calls of the Red. It is important for now that he not know of the Forest or of our capabilities."

  The young priest agreed and asked not the reason why. He simply said, "I will do as you ask. It is probably best that I concentrate on learning his tongue. Teaching him of our way of speaking would be much easier if I was better able to speak his tongue."

  Heather then said, "I would learn from him any words used by those of the Red. We will need to communicate with them eventually."

  Despite the longer days, dusk was coming on before the new snow buildings were all completed. Daniel and Heather were given the large building initially built, and of course Betty joined them in the shelter. Those of the Forest much preferred sharing their travel rations outdoors despite the frigid temperatures and constant wind. Huddled around a very small fire that gave only a little light and almost no warmth, they shared stories. Heather and Daniel mostly watched and as the chill settled deeper into Heather she finally said to Daniel, "I tire so easily and must go rest."

  As they bid the group goodnight and walked to their snow building, Daniel said, "I would expect the thinness of the air still affects you. It will be a little worse when we climb to the top of the ice field. You should adapt, but until then you need to listen to your body." With that they climbed into their sleeping robes and within minutes both were asleep and heard not Betty when she joined them later in their snow house.

  The next morning dawned clear without wind but bitterly cold. Jeremy had everyone airing out their sleeping robes after the breaking of the fast. Those who had been assigned tasks departed soon after and those left continued the construction of a somewhat more comfortable camp. By evening of the third day, the sky showed some color and Jeremy again began to fret about the weather. With many gone, the small group remaining shared their rations and stories into the evening. The wind began to pick up and all retired early to their snow houses. Morning light came not, as their world was again engulfed in another snowstorm. Heather worried about those she had sent forth but Daniel was confident in their ability. The practicality of the snow houses became even more evident, because now the wind seemed to flow across the top without the shaking and rattling they had experienced in their tents. The air remained cold but seemed to rob their bodies of less heat because the snow blocks provided far greater insulation.

  The storm was thankfully short and they awoke the following morning to silence. When Betty and Heather tried to exit the snow building, their way was blocked with snow. Daniel assisted them in digging out the tunnel. When they crawled outside they were greeted with brilliant blue skies and air so crisp and cold that Heather needed to breathe through a scarf to prevent the inside of her nose from freezing. During their morning ritual Betty said, "When the wind quit blowing through my mind, I heard last night. Some of the Forest are near."

  Heather asked, "Wh
y does the wind bother your hearing?"

  Betty replied, "The wind makes me upset and confuses my mind. I like it not. I cannot hear when my mind is confused."

  "Can you hear who of the Forest is near?"

  Betty said, "I hear the one you were sewing with and several others."

  When they returned they broke the fast with Daniel and Jeremy. Heather told them what Betty had said. Jeremy spoke up, saying, "Edna would be one of the best scouts, but what of her knee?"

  Daniel said, "She knows her limits. If she comes it is because she is able."

  Heather was glad to see Jeremy's concern, for she sensed that Edna was attracted to him. It was late afternoon when the party of scouts joined them. They had learned of the snow houses before leaving the larger camp and had weathered the storm reasonably well. The stories continued into the evening hours but Heather's tiredness had her seeking the comfort of her sleeping robes early. The morning dawned with a somewhat moderated temperature and Heather's scouts were soon sent out on their missions. She now spent her time receiving reports and planning. One team was assigned the task of destroying the smaller snow bridges. Daniel accompanied this team, using very small charges of his black powder to bring down the bridges.

  At the base camp the explosions could occasionally be felt. Frederick kept asking what the meaning of the ground shaking was. Heather had the young priest explain that it was the ice mountain trembling. This did not seem to satisfy Frederick, but Heather would explain no further. The young priest was becoming fluent in the language of Frederick but had learned very little of Frederick's personal life or of their interaction with those of the Red. The weather cooperated and for a week the work continued unabated but on the seventh day the sky began to change. At the evening meal the young priest asked if anyone had seen Frederick.

  Heather's angst immediately increased and she asked, "Why do you ask this?"

  Young priest replied, "He left me to help prepare some supplies."

  "How long ago was this?"

  "It was shortly after the midday meal. Should have I said something sooner?"

  Heather responded not, instead giving the order, "To the ice cliff with your weapons." They were several minutes from the cliff face and when they arrived they found only their climbing lines tangled up at the base of the cliff having been cut from the top. Jeremy and several others immediately began organizing a climb. Heather looked to the West and saw the land was becoming obscured by the grayness of the approaching storm. With the storm almost upon them and the light of the day coming to an end she said, "Climb not now. I will not risk you to the storm. I would return to our camp and have everyone inspect their supplies and report to me in the snow house."

  As they returned to the camp, Heather spoke not. The fading light showed her face under the large fur hood and it appeared chiseled of stone with the brows pulled together and her lips pursed and tensed rigidly. She did not relax even when they arrived back at the snow house. She finally spoke to Daniel, saying, "I should have listened better to my heart. I am afraid we have been betrayed and I should have prevented it."

  Betty ever so quietly spoke up saying, "He long way from here now. I think I was supposed to learn to hear him."

  They both looked at their small friend and Daniel finally said, "Betty of the little people you may speak with wisdom. Only the God of the Sacred Water alone knows what will be, and for now all we can do is plan."

  Heather asked Daniel, "Did you ever ask those of the Forest of the village of Frederick?"

  Daniel nodded with a somewhat embarrassed look on his face saying, "I forgot to tell you that they had no trouble finding the village, and felt if one had looked it would have been found."

  Others soon joined them and reported on the supplies. Apparently, Frederick had taken with him a heavy backpack loaded with food and supplies. Otherwise their supplies were intact. When all were assembled Heather explained why she had not been fully open with Frederick but apologized to all for her failure in preventing his escape. She then tried to determine how much Frederick would have learned. The young priest replied that Frederick asked many questions but he avoided answers and that Frederick appeared not to understand their way of speaking. Some of the Forest reported he had watched their activities with an unusual interest, especially those setting out with Daniel to destroy the snow bridges.

  Heather let the discussion go on for some time before interrupting them saying, "It would seem the time for planning is ending and the time for action is beginning. We need to bring forward all of those from the large camp and move our forward camp onto the ice field. Our scouting will now need to extend to the pass of those left behind and a relay set up for communication." She answered many questions and then asked, "Do those who returned from the land of those left behind with Frederick think the stranger learned of the cave of knowledge?"

  The Hunter who had reported of the mission said, "The stranger would've learned not of the cave from us or his travels with us but it was discussed at our council. I know not if he understood."

  Heather turned to the young priest who spoke up saying, "Frederick asked no questions of the cave."

  Heather closed the meeting by saying, "I would on the morrow, if the storm has weakened, that some be sent to the large camp to bring them forward. Others I would have return to the cave of knowledge, to retrieve the priest studying there. We must get them back to the safety of the Forest. We will finish the planning after the breaking of the fast on the morrow."

  Daniel and Heather visited for only a short while before Heather said, "I must sleep. We will plan on the morrow." For a change it was Daniel who found himself laying awake worrying the future. It was only as he began contemplating Betty's comment that he finally relaxed. If one of the little people could have such trust in the spirits of the Forest, then he certainly should be able to trust in the God of the Sacred Water.

  Morning came and after the breaking of the fast their planning resumed. The wind had slackened but the snow continued. Those of the Forest were confident and soon were on their way to the larger camp. Those who were to cross the ice field had the additional delay of needing to reestablish climbing lines on the face of the ice cliff. By midmorning the lines were secure, and as those who were to travel were preparing to leave, Heather told them, "I would the stranger Frederick not be allowed to return to those of the Red. If by chance he is found, do what you must."

  Heather had those remaining prepare to move forward onto the ice field and begin building the snow houses. She instructed them to plan well so the houses would not be visible to those crossing from the other side of the ice field. She was worried that much harder snow of the ice field would make building difficult but those of the Forest showed her a new iron version of the snow saw and thought they would be able to build without difficulty.

  Soon all were gone except for Heather and Daniel with their Betty and three of the hunters with the young priest. They joined together in the larger snow house for the midday meal. They talked of moving supplies and supporting their small army. Heather told them how much easier it was to plan with those of the Forest who were so self-sufficient, rather than a traditional army. Still, much work was required to make sure they would survive the harshness of the ice field. The discussion then turned to the best way of utilizing their small numbers. Heather said, "I have thought much of this and the planning has been difficult. We will number less than 200 and I would expect the army of the Red to be ten times that number. I would also expect their weapons to have greater range than ours, which means we need to use surprise as our primary weapon and the harshness of the ice field as our major defense." She then explained how she would divide her forces into three divisions. The largest division would be positioned on their side of the large remaining snow bridge. A much smaller group would be positioned behind the expected enemy line. This group would have the responsibility of disrupting the enemy scouting missions an
d attempts at resupply. The third group would be given the responsibility of defending the ice cliff from those attempting to descend.

  It was late the next day when those sent out onto the ice field returned with the priest from the Forest. Heather needed not ask for the older priest explained, "It was five days ago that the smoke appeared in the cave of knowledge. We left at once and were met by these of the Forest, who helped us across the snow bridge."

  Heather calculated that the army of the Red were probably already onto the ice field. They had but a few more days to prepare. She told them, "We welcome you and would hear your story but not until after you have rested and eaten. Settle into one of the snow houses and come join us for food and a little tea."

  Daniel said, "I will prepare the oil stove and melt some snow for the tea. How long before the army of the Red arrives?"

  Heather was calm as she replied, "It would seem that the God of the Sacred Water is speeding things up. Our enemy will arrive in three days if they travel as those of the Forest, but if they travel as the army of my father it could be over a week before they arrive. I would expect they would push hard across the ice field, for they will suffer from the harshness greatly."

  The evening meal was simple travel rations with a little warm tea to celebrate the safe arrival of the priest. Their story was fairly simple. They had spent the weeks remembering the scrolls with only a small portion of the time spent in studying the actual content. When they returned to the monastery they would transcribe what they had remembered and then the studying would begin. The young priest had many questions and as evening wore on, Heather's fatigue returned again. She finally interrupted saying, "At first light in two days you must depart for the safety of the Forest. Until that time, I would you teach our young priest all that you can about those of the Red, especially their weapons and their language. Now I must rest."

  As she was settling into her sleeping robes, Heather told Daniel, "I would you be prepared with your powder in two days’ time. We need to plan for both the destruction of the snow bridge and possibly a means of creating an avalanche at the ice cliff. Now I will sleep, knowing of your love."

  Daniel gave her a gentle kiss and turned down the oil lamp. He sat in the darkness, listening to his bride breathe and wondering somewhat at her fatigue. Mostly he worried about what lay ahead and how he would use the powder to protect the Forest. Betty to was soon asleep and yet Daniel sat with his thoughts. He visualized in his mind a way of controlling the explosion of the powder. If the powder could be contained within a very strong tube, the force would be directed entirely out of the end of the tube. This would propel a projectile far faster and at a much greater distance than any catapult. He took out his sketch pad and began drawing different possibilities. The simplest solution was a thick metal tube closed on one end with only a small opening for a little powder trail. The main charge of powder would be fed down the barrel of the tube and held in place with some wool packing. Stones or steel balls could then be placed in the barrel. When the powder trail was ignited the explosion should send the stones or steel balls flying outward at great speed.

  It was late at night, the lamp almost empty of oil, when Daniel finished his drawing. The morning light came and Heather and Betty left to complete the morning ritual with Daniel yet sleeping. He awoke not until they began preparing for the breaking of the fast. Heather asked why he slept so hard. Daniel replied, "I thought of a new way of using the powder as a weapon and could not sleep until I had drawn out my idea. Let us break fast together and I will share with you this idea."

  Heather took great interest in Daniels plan but asked, "How would you build this new machine out here on the ice?

  Daniel explained how the old furnace at the mining camp might be capable of producing the new weapon. He asked her if the priest could not stop at the camp and present the drawing to those working at the camp. Heather nodded her head in agreement before saying, "Time is short. This new machine will help us not, but for those of the Southern Kingdom it may mean survival. I will ask the priest to give your drawing to those working at the old mining camp." She continued, "Have you a plan for destroying the snow bridge?"

  Daniel said, "If you would the bridge be destroyed while they are crossing, it is more complicated. The powder must be kept dry and the burn tube which will ignite the powder will have to be short. Using a candle to ignite the burn tube would give me ample time to move away if cover is available." He continued, "Preventing discovery of the device and the burning candle concerns me."

  Heather asked, "Could we not use burning arrows to ignite the powder?"

  "With the wind and the snow, this too would be difficult. If we created a pool of oil in the small snow cave where I was going to hide the candle, it might be possible. Maybe best if it was a backup plan to the candle." Daniel then asked, "Why is it important to destroy the bridge while they are crossing?"

  Heather replied, "I would think there would be great fear of the ice field amongst those of the Red who are of the city. Whatever we can do to increase that fear will give us great advantage. I would not risk those of the Forest needlessly, but feel this is important."

  Daniel said, "I will plan accordingly. I would travel with Jeremy today to find the best location for the powder and the snow cave that will house the candle and the burning tube. I will not place the powder or the burning tube until the day prior to the enemy arriving."

  The day's activity seemed to continually increase in intensity as those of the large camp began to arrive. Heather was so busy with her planning and directing that the day was gone and she had forgotten to eat the midday meal that Betty had brought her. This resulted in a pretty firm scolding from Betty. When Heather objected that she was not hungry, Betty stood as tall as she could with her hands on her hips and a very stern look on her face and said, "You will eat. We need you be strong."

  Heather replied, "I will eat and rest."

  The evening meal was nearing the end when Daniel and Jeremy returned and with them was one of the long range scouts. Heather welcomed them back warmly and said, "Rest and eat. We would hear your story."

  Jeremy began while he was yet eating saying, "It took Daniel almost forever to decide where he wanted to place the charge of his powder. It is a good spot where archers can be protected and still have access to the opening of the snow cave. The plan should work."

  Heather thanked him for the report and asked the scout for his report. He spoke slower than Jeremy with little emotion in his voice. He had traveled hard and fatigue was obviously upon him. He said, "The enemy should arrive with three more days of travel if the weather holds. They are two to three thousand strong and most are pulling a sled with supplies. They are truly an army of the Red." When he was asked to explain this he replied, "They are all dressed in bright red uniforms."

  Heather asked, "Do they seem prepared for the harshness of the ice?"

  The scout reported, "They are using standard tents and their boots seem to be of leather not of fur. Most are on snowshoes."

  Heather thanked him for his efforts and said, "On the morrow when we're both rested I would hear more, but for now let the stories continue."

  In the morning she divided her small army into the respective groups. Jeremy was to lead those who would position themselves behind the enemy lines and was to establish a communication relay back to Heather's main force. Only thirty of the hunters would stay at the base camp to defend against anyone trying to descend the ice cliff. This left Heather with only 150 of those of the Forest to defend the snow bridge. They would need to also be prepared to spread out along the region of crevices to prevent those of the Red from building other bridges. It was few against many. As those of the Forest were dividing themselves up, she asked Edna to stay with those guarding the ice cliff, saying, "Betty hears you well. It may be important and I would you listen hard to the spirits of the Forest."

  Edna said in reply, "I will
do as you ask. I hear not as well as Betty of the little people but I will try."

  By midmorning, camp was broken with the vast majority moving up onto the ice field. Heather had to work hard to control her breathing and prevent any sweating. When she finally reached the top of the cliff the starkness of the ice field settled in upon her and she began to daydream of soaking in a hot tub with a soft bed. When Daniel asked her if she was all right she smiled and replied, "I was dreaming of the good times. I pray to God of the Sacred Water that these hard times end soon and I can again share my life with you without such worry."

  Daniel held her hand encased in the heavy fur mitten and said nothing. They were soon again moving and traveled most of the day until they reached the region of the crevices. As the sun was setting, a sliver of light came through the overcast sky and radiated off the huge crevice that lay ahead of them. The redness of the light created almost a darkness of the ice and Heather had this horrible image of blood upon the snow. She had to actually shake herself to clear the image from her mind.

  The preparations continued and the night was short. With the morning light, Jeremy's group moved off across the ice bridge to hide behind those of the Red. The weather was cooperating by providing plenty of wind and some snow to obliterate all signs of travel. Heather inspected Daniel's chamber for the powder and his plan of escape. She said, "Your planning is good. I would pray to the God of the Sacred Water that you would not have to take such a risk, but I know of no other way."

  During the evening meal Heather told those with her, "By the setting of the sun on the morrow the army of the Red will arrive. I would expect they would send scouts across the snow bridge. I would these scouts find no trace of those of the Forest and be allowed to report back to those of the Red. On the day following, I would expect the army to begin moving across by first sending a small group to defend our side of the snow bridge. I would again those of the Forest remain invisible to those of the Red. Only when the main troop starts crossing the snow bridge will we respond. Our first response will be the igniting of Daniel's powder, and then we will need to make ourselves seem as if we are a thousand. I pray to God of the Sacred Water for our success and your safety."

  As they were preparing for the night Heather asked Betty, "Can you hear those of the Red?"

  Betty replied, "I hear only the dull roar off in the distance."

  Heather asked, "Can you hear the one you do don't like named Frederick?"

  "I hear him not."

  Despite her worries, Heather's fatigue brought sleep fairly quickly. The scouting reports arrived with the morning light. The army of the Red would indeed arrive by nightfall. They had scouting parties of approximately ten soldiers fanning out ahead of the main party. They seemed not to notice much of what those of the Forest would see but rather were intent only on spotting enemy troops. They left obvious sign of their passage.

  Everyone was working hard with final preparations. Daniel had several help him with final construction of the snow cave for his powder and burn tube. Others created the hiding structures for the archers who would provide backup for Daniel’s retreat and have the burning arrows to light the oil if needed. To Heather, it seemed if she had given everyone a task except for herself. She used the time to practice with her sword. The activity seemed to relax her and her mind cleared somewhat. She had planned her best and now it was up the God of the Sacred Water.