by F M Andrews
“I know, I know” Errin sounded tired, “It's just that we are so close now, ten more turns and we will be in the best position that we have ever been. I would just hate to send people who were not fully prepared.”
“As do I”Fenrick replied “I just don't think he is going to oblige us and wait till we are. He is acting now. These creatures that he has sent, these troll like animals, have been sighted outside the boundary on several occasions now. The king has sent prince Dissan and all the knights he can muster there in the hope of preventing them from crossing. The real fear is that they will attack a guardian outpost, creating a break in the boundary, and that is something we are not sure we can repair.”
Errin sighed and nodded. “These creatures seem to be immune to the wild magic. What are they, and where have they come from?” She asked.
“I don't know, but if they do create a rift in our defences it will not only let the wild magic enter, it will also allow him to find you. You are just too weak to face him yet, too weak for this battle. Until you regain your full strength he will be able to crush you in the blink of an eye.” Fenrick paused and took a deep shuddering breath. “We need to act now.”
Turrin stirred, he could not make sense of anything they were saying but it seemed as if Errin was in trouble, how could this be? Who would want to harm someone who lived in a small out of the way village in the middle of nowhere, someone who only acted out of kindness to everyone? What had Fenrick meant about a battle, Errin was a middle-aged lady who wouldn't hurt an insect? He sat up and rubbed his eyes
“What are you talking about? Who is attacking?” He asked in a sleepy voice.
Fenrick gave Turrin's shoulders a squeeze.
“Thought you were asleep young man. We were just talking about politics and court intrigue. Boring stuff really.”
Errin stood, and groaning, placed her hands on the small of her back and leant backwards to relieve sore muscles from sitting too long.
“Time you were put back into your own bed I think” She said, holding out a hand for Turrin. “Plenty of time to catch up with Fenrick tomorrow.”
It was so unlike either Errin or Fenrick to dodge his questions that alarm bells began to ring in Turrin's head however, he knew he would not get any further information from either of them tonight.
#
The next two days were a whorl of preparation for the harvest festival. Turrin only saw Fenrick at meal times and then the conversation was all about the latest village gossip or catching up on the exciting life Fenrick lived going from one court to another.
As always, Fenrick’s stories where enthralling. Often they were very funny, sometimes a little sad but always captivating. The days just flew by and any conversation that Turrin managed to have with the bard was always cut short, either it was time to go back to his chores or Fenrick would be whisked away by some villager or other asking questions or needing advice.
It was not that Turrin had forgotten that late night conversation. On the contrary, it occupied so much of his time that Errin had called him a daydreamer more than once in the last few days, and the alarm bells that had been set off that first night, were still ringing. Somehow, he felt that whatever they had been talking about was like a terrible storm slowly but inevitably approaching and he knew that asking questions would only make the storm arrive quicker. Right now he lived in sunshine and he wanted to enjoy it for as long as he could.
The evening before the festival was warm and calm and the slight dust in the air made the last rays of the sun dance and shimmer. Turrin had finished feeding the chickens and had stopped to watch as the blue of the sky intensified into the deep indigo of late evening, the empty chick feed bucket forgotten in his hand. The world was truly beautiful.
“Let's hope the weather is as good tomorrow.”
Turrin jumped, the bucket banging against his thigh. He had not heard Fenrick approach at all. Turrin grinned at him, knowing the bard would have enjoyed seeing him startle.
Looking back up into the sky he noticed a bright star like a chip of sparkling ice appear just above the horizon. “Do you see the same stars all over the world?” He mused.
Fenrick came and placed an arm over the boy’s shoulders as he too gazed up at the sky.
“Mostly, all the big constellations are the same, there are one or two different stars when you go to Tex but not so many as to make a difference to the night sky as you know it.”
They stood in silence for a while each enjoying the moment, each with their own thoughts.
“I have a song about the stars” Fenrick said thoughtfully “I could teach it to you if you would like.”
“I think that you may have forgotten one very important fact about me.” Turrin smiled up at his friend.
“I can't sing.”
“Ahh yes I had forgotten that. No improvement then? ” Fenrick asked.
“No, not really.” Turrin admitted, thinking it was time he changed the subject.
“What saga are you going to sing tomorrow night?”
It had been a hotly debated topic in the village. Turrin hoped he would sing the tale of Princess Qussan who had wanted to fight in the tournaments and so she had dressed up like a knight and entered. She did quite well really and was only found out when she was knocked from her horse and her helmet had come off, revealing her long blond hair. The bard could tell this tale so well that he would have the whole audience howling with laughter.
Fenrick rubbed his chin thoughtfully, the sound of his whiskers making a rasping noise in the quiet of the evening.
“I thought that it was about time to remind people of our history, how we survived against such huge odds as well as reminding people of the bravery of those who made it possible for us to live as we do now.”
Turrin groaned inwardly. Although Fenrick could make any tale enjoyable this sounded like a serious one with not a lot of laughs in it. Turrin wondered if this choice was related to the conversation he had overheard the other night.
“Fenrick, has this anything to do with the trolls at the boundary?”
Fenrick turned to look at him in surprise, then laughed.
“Ha! Might have known that you would not have let that go.” He chuckled before becoming uncharacteristically serious. Sighing, he looked down at Turrin sadly and in a quiet voice, he began to explain. “For some time now there have been worrying reports coming in from the boundary about sightings of strange troll like creatures raiding our outposts. By their description they sound very much like the animals that attacked your parents.
If these things breakthrough the boundary we would be virtually defenceless. We have lived in safety for so long now that we forget what it is like to live with danger. The people need to be reminded of how brave we are, that we have defeated a bigger foe in the past and that we can do it again if we have faith in ourselves.” He sighed once more before turning back to look into the night sky where more and more stars were appearing, before going on gently.
“Before your parent’s attack Feld was reasonably safe. Sure, there was the occasional crime but we have not seen war, and all of the five states get along with each other tolerably well. Now we think that whoever or whatever attacked your parents came from outside the boundary. We are not sure how many of them there are or how much of a threat they pose, but the king's knights will be passing through here on the way to reinforce the guardian’s outposts soon and it would not hurt to remind people that we still need heroes.”
That night Turrin found it hard to sleep. He felt that the storm was drawing closer, and now he knew exactly what that storm would feel like. Memories which he had worked so hard to minimize were suddenly large as life again, even down to his churning stomach. He kept trying to calm himself, trying to tell himself that the king has had a warning now, and that surely the knights would be able to deal with whatever came out of the wilds.
Eventually he fell sleep after Thad came and purred him a lullaby, yet in the morning, the day of the Harvest F
estival, he did not feel at all rested.
Peering out the window he could see that the weather was going to be kind. Judging by the sun, it was quite late in the morning and Errin would be needing his help to load the cart with barrels of cider and mead, baskets of apples, jars of honey and the odd salve and bandage just in case.
Throwing on his pants and a jerkin he raced downstairs. Sure enough the kitchen was empty. Errin had left him a bowl of porridge on the bench, and although it was cold, he knew that it would taste delicious with a little honey stirred into it. He did not even bother to sit while he ate, scooping the whole contents of the bowl into his mouth in less time than it would normally take him to say good morning.
As he opened the door a flock of small birds rose from their perch on the fence, scolding loudly as Thad strolled passed on his way to the barn for his daytime nap.
Turrin followed him in, hoping to find Errin inside. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the darkness, but he knew the warm slightly musty smelling interior so well that he could navigate it with his eyes closed. Errin was in the horse stall brushing down Trog, her dappled grey carthorse, and whispering sweet nothings in his ear. It amused Turrin how Trog always looked as if he was listening intently, almost nodding in agreement.
“Finally crawled out of bed have you? I sent the cat to get you up but I think that dratted animal decided to join you instead. Last time I send him on an errand. Did you find your breakfast?”
Turrin nodded, “Sorry I slept in.” Then looking around asked “Where’s Fenrick?”
“Oh he’s long gone, couldn’t wait all day he said.” Errin looked sideways at Turrin, just one corner of her mouth twitching into a lopsided smile. “Said he had a few people he needed to talk to. Now how about getting Trog hitched and then we can start loading.” Errin gestured to the wagon outside. “Going to be a warm day I think.”
It did get very warm. It was almost as hot as a summer’s day, a day when all you can think of is shade and a cool drink. Fortunately the road to the village was lined with trees, which provided intermittent shade, but even so, both of them were very hot, dusty and thirsty when they finally reached the village.
The normally quiet village green was a hive of activity. Hay bales were being placed in a big circle around a huge pile of firewood in the centre and trestle tables had been set up in the shade of a huge oak tree that dominated the place. These had been covered in beautifully embroidered cloths and already some were bearing baskets full of fruit.
Both Errin and Turrin clambered down off the wagon and went in search of someone to tell them where to put their produce. Everyone was so busy that their arrival was hardly noticed.
Turrin looked around, there was activity everywhere, and everyone had something to do or someone to talk to. Wonderful smells wafted in the air and the sound of a flute floated through the buzz of conversation and bubbling laughter.
“Errin, there you are! Come, bring your wagon over here we have a table especially for you.”
Tobrrin the village elder’s booming voice carried across the green long before he himself strode into view, gesturing to an empty table.
“Let me help you with those precious barrels. Elixir of the gods eh! What would the harvest festival be without your wonderful brew?” He sighed looking wistfully heavenward.
Errin said nothing, regarding Tobrrin with dancing eyes. Tobrrin’s attention slowly retuned from the place his memories had taken him, and noticing Errin’s look he hastily added.
“And you, I mean it is also wonderful to have your gracious presence here too.” He looked slightly sheepish “Oh, you know what I mean.”
Errin laughed.
“Yes I do know what you mean and I am glad that my brew brings such light into your life, old man.”
Turrin was looking around to see if he could find any of his friends. He knew that the best spot to find them would be near the food.
“Errin, would it be okay if I went to look for Werrin?”
“Yes of course, I'll see you later;” She said not taking her eyes off the barrel being manhandled onto the table.
To Turrin’s surprise, Werrin and company were nowhere near the food, in fact, it took him quite a long time to find them. He eventually tracked them down after overhearing one of the younger girls complain that the older girls wouldn't let them come along to the river. This could only mean one thing. The older girls were having a bathing and gossip session and sure as the sun will rise tomorrow, his friends would be somewhere close by, watching.
He knew all the likely places and in no time he spotted a set of tell-tale feet sticking out of a bush that overlooked a deep pool in the river.
Quietly he slipped in next to Werrin, giving a quick nod to the three other boys.
“See anything?” He whispered
“Yeh, you got to hang your head over the bank a bit but they are right down below us, you can see almost everything.” His friend replied in an awed whisper.
Turrin squirmed forward, looked down and gasped.
Right below him were five of the village older girls, all naked, covered in soap and giggling so hard they could hardly stand up. Turrin had seen naked women before but somehow they had never seemed that interesting, but this time he found himself fascinated, this time he could not take his eyes of their unrestricted breasts. They moved in a way he would never have thought possible, in a way that had a strange effect on his breathing. He was spellbound by them. He had heard the men talk about a woman’s attributes before in hushed voices and now he was beginning to understand the fascination they held.
As he watched, the girls finished covering each other in soap and began to wade out into the river. Turrin caught his breath as a new revelation was presented, bare bottoms, so round and soft that he wondered what they would feel like. He realized he would very much like to touch one to find out.
As the girls waded further in and began to head around the bend in the river, all five of the boys squirmed a little further out not wanting to miss a single, glorious moment.
“Turrin! Werrin! Where are you?”
It was Werrin's annoying younger brother Crorrin, who always wanted to follow the bigger boys everywhere, and he was yelling their names at the top of his voice.
Werrin wriggled backwards, cursing under his breath.
“There you are I have been searching everywhere....” Crorrin's voice became suddenly muffled as Werrin clamped his hand firmly over his mouth and dragged him backwards into the cover of the bushes.
A quick peek showed the boys that the girls had not noticed anything out of the ordinary, but this was definitely the end of any more sightseeing today. Turrin was very grateful that he was not cursed with the fate of having a younger brother. From what he could see they were nothing but trouble!
“Stop squirming brat. I’ll let go when you shut up and stay still.”
A few moments passed as Turrin watched the last of the girls wade out of sight around the bend and then with a sigh he turned to look at Crorrin
“What is all the fuss about? Can’t you find your own entertainment without ruining things for everyone else?”
He was not normally so angry with Werrin's little brother but for some reason today he felt frustrated and annoyed.
Crorrin sat in a jumbled heap with twigs in his curly hair and mud on the side of his face from when Werrin had held him down. He was glaring defiantly at the five boys and taking short sharp angry breaths through his nose. Turrin could see that he was trying hard not to cry and he had an indignant look on his face as if he had been severely wronged in some way.
'Well if that’s the way you feel, next time I won't bother to come and tell you that Prince Dissan and a whole bunch his knights are just about to ride into the village.” He pronounced, jamming his fists on his hips for emphasis.
But his gesture was wasted as all five of the boys were busy scrambling passed him, each eager to be the first to catch a glimpse of the awe inspiring sight of th
e mounted knights in all their splendid finery.
Chapter Two
The boys skidded to a stop on the top of the rise that overlooked the village, their mouths hanging open in wonder.
It was indeed a sight to behold. The knights’ horses’ coats shone as they trotted, double file along the dirt road. Pennants flew gently in the slight breeze, held aloft on lances whose metal points glinted in the warm morning sun. The knights themselves were all dressed in royal red, but each had their own crest emblazoned on the front of their jerkins. They rode relaxed in the saddle; many were smiling and gesturing to each other. There was a real sense of brotherhood and camaraderie. The boys were transported to another world, a world of men and adventure, of excitement and thrills. Each one of them would have given anything to be one of those lucky few riding with the prince.
As the men rode into the village Fenrick pushed himself away from the trunk of the old oak he had been leaning against and ambled into the road.
“Fenrick, you old reprobate, might have known you would be in the thick of it,” the prince, who was at the head of the procession, bellowed, a smile splitting his face in two.
He was young, fit and handsome, with short-cropped fair hair and startlingly blue eyes. All the girls melted and all the boys wanted to be him.
“Can't let you have all the fun, can we?’ Fenrick replied, placing a hand gently on the prince's horse’s neck. The animal turned and quietly snuffled at Fenrick's hair.
Tobrrin was puffing as he ran down the road hurriedly pulling on his best jacket as he came.
“Welcome, my lord. Welcome. This honour is so unexpected but you have come at a very fortuitous time as it is our harvest festival tonight and you would be our guest of honour!” he called, breathlessly. “We have a wonderful campsite by the river and I am sure you will want for nothing while you are here. And you, yourself, would be most welcome to my humble abode.” He was red and sweating from his unaccustomed running but beaming from ear to ear.