The Dragons Egg - Chapter III - Dulga Forest - Draft

III

Dulga Forest

Aed

The soothing sound of rain droplets crashing against the outer walls of the roundhouse awoke Aed from his heavy sleep. Outside, the village dogs could be heard barking as the men rose early to attend to the fields of crops which had been badly disturbed by the heavy rains that had fallen in the last three days, ruining the summer crops with which the village depended on for the coming white months. Stretching his long arms and legs, Aed heaved in a deep sigh, allowing his right hand to land gently upon the swollen stomach of his wife, Branna, who lay on her back asleep, the curve of her belly prominent under the heavy cotton blankets. Turning upon his side, Aed propped himself up onto one elbow and stared down into his wife’s beautiful face. Softly he lifted his hand away from her swollen stomach and gently began to trace her graceful features, a rush of warmth sweeping through him as she smiled lazily in response. Branna’s long and thick brunette hair nestled about her head as though it were a halo of her essence. Her round face and fair skin shimmered against the last of the flickering flames of the fire, her curled eyelashes casting a shadow across her deep cheek bones. With a slanted smile, Aed skimmed his index finger over her small nose and full lips, arousing Branna from her sleep. He watched with silent satisfaction as her eyelids began to open, exposing her large, brown eyes to him. Branna smiled softly and lifted her lips to Aed’s, kissing him gently whilst allowing her left hand to fall upon his swarthy cheek.

“The rain eases,” she announced gaily, letting her head fall back upon the pillow, but keeping her hand in place, her fingers skimming over Aed’s thick, golden brow.

“Let’s hope it clears,” Aed returned with a grim expression. “God knows we will need what’s left of the crops before the white rain descends from the mountains.”

“There are still reserves from last year,” Branna said with a knowing expression. “And the cull are still to bypass our village on their way up to the mountains.”

“If the rain persists they will divert and take the route through the forest, via the river,” Aed replied as he fell back down beside his wife and wrapped his arms about her slight frame, moulding her body into his own and resting his chin upon her shoulder lightly.

“Stop worrying, the gods will provide for us,” Branna soothed quietly, feeling the babe within her kick. “Come feel your child move.” Finding her husband’s hand, Branna guided it across her abdomen and settled it upon the bump. Aed felt the babe move and smiled with pride.

“I think she is sending us a message from the gods,” Aed teased, kissing his wife on the shoulder.

“And does that not satisfy your worries then?”

“For a while,” Aed lied as he closed his eyes and felt his child move beneath his hand. It would be their first and never had the need for survival been stronger than within the past year, since the day he had met his wife upon the river and married her upon the next sunrise before his father, the leader of their village, Aedan and the seerer, Ducarius. As a farmer and village soldier, Aed took his responsibility of protecting Dulgar seriously. He knew that living within western kingdom of Galgor was perilous, the King, Beon driven mad by the black witch, Ethla and her fanatical supporters. The villages south of  the great Galgorian city, Gaul, had not yet felt the touch of Ethla’s power nor the King’s, but Aed knew that groups of galgorian soldiers were pillaging villages and towns, collecting food, weapons and men for the great war ahead. Those who opposed Beon were executed, be them man, woman or child and many loyal to the High King were made examples of in the most degrading way, a way known to Aed and his fellow men as black hanging, in which the victims were hung upside down and their bodies drenched in boiling hot tar. The inhumane acts of the violent and radically driven soldiers of Galgor had worsened in the last six months and they were now actively seeking out those in opposition to the King, Aedan being one. Aed acknowledged that soldiers would soon descend upon the small village which lay at the edge of the great and enchanted forest of Dulga. In truth he knew the village had been spared thus far because of the great forest and the dread it spread into all those who knew of its terrible power. It was this fear that had protected the village for so long and Aed understood that their period of grace would be up within the coming months. It had dawned upon Aed some days past that he and the villagers could take refuge within the forest if needs be but then his gaze fell upon the village freak, Lug. Lug’s story or lack of was renowned amongst the village. Fifteen moons ago, upon his name day, he was dared to spend a night inside the forest, a game all the young men of the village played upon their name day and was not seen for seven months. When he returned, he returned naked and with his tongue cut out. Since his return, Lug lived in isolation, keeping himself hidden from the villagers who feared he had been cursed by the terrible enchantress who it was said, roamed the edge of the forest, seeking out human prey so that she may use their bodies in which to disguise herself. To keep the enchantress from entering the village, the seerer had the villagers sacrifice a cull each moon year and stain the trees with its blood whilst placing the body close to the edge so that she may take the cull and refrain from killing any villager. Some elders believed Lug to be a curse, proposing many times during a village meeting that he should be forced to re-enter the forest so that the enchantress would descend upon the village no more.

 Aed had never been a believer of the Dulga tales, but he wasn’t naive to the terrible fate that had befallen upon Lug, a once happy and boisterous young man and farmer. He and his best friend Cadr had regularly defended the poverty stricken Lug and over the last summer, built him a small roundhouse and with the help of a few other sympathetic villagers, providing food and clothing for him. Aed had often found himself sitting upon an old log and simply glaring into the depths of the forest, wondering what really happened to Lug. Of course he and Cadr had spent the night under the trees upon their own name day, but nothing came of their stay and to Aed’s surprise he found the forest less wearisome than he had expected. Today however was the name day of three young men, including his youngest brother, Gil. Gil was everything the sensible Aed was not. He was boisterous, impeccably arrogant and was a risk taker. Gil’s boyish behaviour and lack of respect towards his father had greatly troubled Aed. Gil’s bad qualities greatly outweighed his good qualities. Many of the elder woman simply discarded his slightly erratic behaviour, believing it to be the consequence of the sudden death of his twin sister, Meredith, four years previous. They explained many times to Aed that Gil was before Meredith’s death, a kind, compassionate and understanding young man, who took pride in his duties and responsibilities and Aed had to agree with their observations, unfortunately their hard and often emotionless father did not see Gil in such light and was as many believed ashamed of his son. Aed understood why his father felt a certain type of loathing towards the careless Gil, but in truth if acknowledged in the right light, Aed felt for Gil. His behaviour was as felt among the villagers, an obvious consequence of losing his twin sister and mother. Unlike Aed, Gil and Meredith had grown up without a mother, who died shortly after giving birth to the twins. They did not lack for motherly figures as many of the elder women cared for the twins as they grew up in the shadows of their grieving father, who had little time for them. Aed was eleven years older than Gil and so had grown up with both parents, who had married for love, which was a rarity in the village. Aed did not agree with his father’s treatment of Gil, but understood to a point why he had little favour for him. Many of the men had little respect for Gil, bar the young and impressionable men who for some apparent reason seemed to be in awe of the risk taking and rule breaking Gil. Aed had to agree that Gil was one of the best swordsmen in the village and he was a gifted blacksmith, spending precious hours making his own weapons and giving them to his young friends as gifts. Aed envied his youngest brother’s freedom and often felt angered at him, himself being heavily burdened with duty and responsibility.

“When do you leave?” Branna asked gently, summoning Aed away from his troubled thoughts.

“When the sun begins to set and the feast is over,” Aed replied, feeling his wife’s body move slightly.

“Are you worried about your brother?”

“Should I be?”

“I know you believe him to be irresponsible and without honour but have faith in him, he will one day rally and turn into a man desirable of your respect.”

“Why is it that all the woman in this village are rendered soft by my brother and yet think me too serious?” Aed asked with an irritated sigh.

“I suppose through our eyes we see Gil differently,” Branna replied, her eyes on the dying fire which lay in the middle of the roundhouse, the rich smell of fin wood filling her senses. With keen observation, she watched as the thin wisps of white smoke swirled about, reaching for the small outlet above the fire.

“You indulge him too much,” Aed said with a stern voice.

“Maybe my maternal instincts are too strong,” Branna teased in hope that the air would lighten slightly, not wanting to put her serious husband into a foul mood. “Carrying a child as I do now has allowed me to understand how I would feel, knowing that I had left this world whilst giving birth and the fear that would ignite within me, to know that I had left a vulnerable child without a mother to love or embrace it.”

“I did my best to look after the twins when they were brought forth into this merciless world,” Aed argued hotly. For some unspoken reason, his role as a substitute father had never sat well in the eyes of the village mothers.

“And I believe you to be a great and honourable brother for doing so, but try to see it from his point of view for one moment please?”

“I lost my mother too,” Aed whispered into her hair, almost weakened with realisation. Branna moved away from Aed and turned to face him, her swollen bump creating a slight divide between them both. With a soft hand placed upon his cheek and a tender smile upon her lips she said with feeling.

“I know you lost your mother and I understand that you refuse to be seen as emotionally weakened by it, but you had your mother for twenty one years of your life,” Branna began with a cautious glance. “Gil and Meredith did not and without meaning to sound cruel, your father was rarely around when they were growing up. Meredith was his constant friend and ally and when she lived, Gil was as honourable a man as you are now, he would have done anything to save Meredith. When she died, he fell apart and we mothers could not but take him under our wings and look after him. I know he causes endless amounts of problems and has a weakness for woman and wild drinking, but you have to believe that the honourable Gil is still somewhere to be found.”

“I would prefer my brother to initiate his honourable self in the near future, I cannot indulge his bad behaviour any longer, it has been four years,” Aed announced under his breathe, unable to quite meet his wife’s stare, knowing that he would only find truth in her eyes.

“Not everyone is able to hide their true emotions like you Aed, not everybody has the iron strength that you so obviously wield, including Gil,” Branna returned gently, allowing her forehead to touch her husbands. “Gil is dealing with his grief as it comes, but you…it has been festering within you for years and at some point it will catch up with you when you are unguarded and Aed,” Branna lowered her voice and forced her husband to meet her gaze. “You will not be able to flee from it as readily as you have done in the past. You may actually find yourself in need of Gil’s help for once and he may surprise you.”

“Remind me again why it was that I married you?” Aed said with raised brows. Branna smiled teasingly and rolled her vivid brown eyes.

“I believe you married me because of my dowry…”

“Of course…your drowsy, what was it again?” Aed smirked, feeling their child kick once again.

“One cow and three goats?” Branna laughed aloud.

“Not to mention your blunt opinions, fine eyes and fiery temper!” Aed said with mocking brows.

“And why was it that I married you I wonder?”

“It wouldn’t have anything to do with intensely smouldering looks now would it?” Aed teased as he brought his wife closer to him.

“I believe it was the promise of two cows, three sheep and a horse,” Branna laughed gaily as her husband showered her face with kisses. After several moments the couple eased away from one another. “Come it’s time to rise and meet the world once more.”

“Time is cruel,” Aed groaned as he swung himself out of the small bed. Standing at least two feet taller than his petite wife, he held out his hands for her. Branna clasped her husband’s large hands and drew herself up onto her feet, her cotton gown falling to the stone ground.

“Go and milk the cow, whilst I warm some water for you,” Branna ordered meekly as she walked away to stoke the fire into life once more. With a secretive smile, she watched her husband leave the roundhouse, strong in both body and mind. Time she believed had bestowed upon her the riches of life, and she wished her husband drew the same comfort from such precious moments as she did.

*

Aed and Cadr, both making their way back from the fields, looked on at the village with a mixture of exhaustion and pride. His back sore and his clothes dirty from the day spent harvesting, Aed looked across at his friend, who was leading both his own horse and Aed’s.

“Are you still adamant that you will be joining me tonight in the forest?” he asked his friend. Cadr, tall and lean let his head fall back and laughed aloud.

“You don’t think I would leave you in Dulga forest alone with your brother do you?” he laughed gaily, his bright blue eyes sparkling. Aed thought about his comment for a moment before letting it go.

“You should be with your wife when she has the fever,” Aed said with a serious tone as he wiped the buds of warm sweat from his forehead. “I will be fine.”

“You can’t be serious can you?” Cadr said with a confused expression. “No one else is willing to spend the night in Dulga, not with the state of the fields and the unpredictable weather. You need all the help you can get, especially as it is Gil that is spending the night under the cover of Dulga. God knows what kind of mischief he will conceive. I wouldn’t be surprised if by morning we found him missing.”

“He has been warned several times, to keep himself safe and not to venture into the forest, even if feels he must,” Aed sighed heavily with a troubled mind. Gil was exactly the kind of person to follow the path of curiosity. “I’m hoping that with Lug coming along to the festivities this evening, it will give him food for thought.”

“Gil has never been one to shy away from danger, especially this kind of danger,” Cadr said aloud as they both neared the village. “Why exactly do we encourage this act of rebellion every year? Please give me a valid reason as to why this act declares you a man?”

“It is a tradition and I suppose only a real man can face such fear as is believed to be within the forest,” Aed replied as he observed the dozen or so small roundhouses, all centred around the main square. Beyond the village was the great forest, which lay beneath the majestic mountains of Calnuthe, high and mighty they stood, their peaks already covered with white rain. A few fleeting birds flew overhead, squawking and spiralling high into the blue skies above. Over to the east, the sun began to fall behind the thick and ancient forest, causing the skies to fill with an array of warm colours that tickled the soul of any man.

“Pffft, I bet you two puts that the tales are simply a fragment of someone’s deprived imagination,” Cadr said with a wave of his hand.

“How do you explain the strange case of Lug then?” Aed asked his old friend as they made their way down the main street of Dulgar.

“Maybe he cut out his own tongue?” Cadr said with flashing eyes as the pair wound their way through the thickening crowds.

“I highly doubt your theory,” Aed returned as they both took a left and made their way down a small ally, making for Aed’s house which lay upon the edge of the village, close to Cadr’s. Walking in silence, both Aed and Cadr heard a groan close by and stopped moving, turning to each other with confused expressions.

“Did you hear that?” Aed asked Cadr as he scanned the area carefully. Cadr simply nodded his head as another louder groan akin to suffering rippled down the narrow ally. “Stay here whilst I look about.” Cadr held onto the reigns of the horses with calmness as Aed went in search. It did not take him long to find the village seerer, crumpled upon the muddy ground in the foetal position, his body shaking with violent tremors. Aed fell to the old man’s side and tried to help him up, but found himself swiftly thrown back, his own body falling into a puddle of mud. Wiping the stains of mud from his already dirty face, Aed crawled over to Ducarius and watched on as he mumbled words under his breathe, his large green eyes open and glazed, as though staring into a void of terror.

“Fo…llow,” he stammered aloud. “Black…wi…witch, follow black witch,” he almost cried out in agony. Aed frowned as the old man shook, his fingernails digging into the ground roughly. “Bel…nun.” With a sudden tremor, Ducarius stopped moving and fell unconscious upon the ground, his body moulding into the mud and his eyes shutting heavily. Soaked and alarmed, Aed lifted his head and cried out to Cadr, who with swiftness came to his aid, tying the horses up to a nearby house.

“My god what has happened to him?” Cadr said aloud, the distant cries of feasting filling the air about them. Together with the help of Aed, Cadr lifted the old seerer up from the ground and gently sat his back against the mud wall of a roundhouse. With his knees bent, Cadr looked into the seerer’s face, all but black with mud and grime. His long silver hair, stuck to his skin and covered his face. Gently, Aed swept away the mass of thick hair and looked on at the man with confusion.

“I’m not entirely sure, when I found him he was shaking upon the ground and stuttering words, I did not fully understand,” Aed replied quietly as he tried to find a pulse upon Duracrius’s wrist.

“What was it that he was stuttering?” Cadr asked carefully as he observed his old friend, the light of the evening beginning to fade away.

“Something about following a black witch and Belnun,” Aed said, his face paling as the sudden realisation of the seerer’s words descended upon him, like a bucket of ice cold water. Cadr held still, registering the shocked expression upon Aed’s face. There gazes met and without a word, Cadr simply nodded.

“Is it possible that he has had some sort of a vision?” Cadr asked Aed as he gently tapped the seerer’s face, prodding him to life.

“It is not unusual for a seerer to have a vision I guess,” Aed replied with a shrug. Ducarius groaned deeply as Cadr brought him forth from his momentary collapse into oblivion. With a tremor of shock, the elderly seerer awoke and looked into the faces of both Aed and Cadr, his brows furrowed.

“Why am I covered in mud upon the ground?” he asked pensively, his large eyes filled with worry and confusion.

“Do you not remember falling?” Aed enquired with a calm tone. Ducarius shook his head as though in disbelief.

“I cannot remember falling,” he explained through gritted teeth. “I remember nothing.”

“You don’t remember the words that you spoke?” Cadr prodded, raising his gaze to a surprised Aed. Ducarius looked from Aed to Cadr as though he were embedded within a terrible nightmare.

“As I said, I remember nothing,” he reiterated cautiously. “May I ask what it is that I am supposed to have proclaimed?”

“I found you upon the ground, shaking violently and muttering the following sentence,” Aed began, his face serious. “Follow the black witch…Belnun.” Silence passed over the trio as the seerer fell back against the wall as though a sharp blade had pierced his abdomen. Tightly he closed his eyes and with all of his strength, he clung onto his stomach as though willing the pain away.

“Are you alright?” Cadr asked quickly, afraid that the seerer was about to fall into another state of unconsciousness. A cold gust of wind swept up the alley, taking with it a cloud of dust and a faint smell of the great fire which had been coaxed into life. Observing the old man shivering, Aed unpinned his heavy cloak from his shoulders and wrapped it about the man’s frail body, feeling him tremor under his touch.

“I must have had a vision,” Ducarius whispered faintly, as though engulfed within a terrible predicament. “And you were fortunate enough to be here at the right time in which to observe such a rare phenomenon.”

“I am not quite sure that I share in your good fortune,” Aed said darkly. “The black witch you spoke of, I believe is Ethla?”

“Indeed, she is close, I can feel darkness here,” Ducarius drew a hand to his heart and thumped down upon his chest hard. “She is coming.”

“Why is she coming here?” Cadr asked quickly, alarm in his eyes.

“She is not coming to Dulgar,” Ducarius whispered, his eyes upon Aed intensely.

“She is looking for the remains of Belnun,” Aed said simply.

“Indeed,” Ducarius nodded. “The gods have sent me a warning, she must not enter the forest.”

“How can we stop her?” Cadr asked aloud as he rose to his feet and began to pace up and down the ally, his weary head within the palms of his hands. With the help of a troubled Aed, Ducarius lifted himself up from the ground and watched the young farmer. Cadr stopped pacing and turned to the seerer. “What does she want with the remains of a dragon?”

“With the Lord Galean upon his death bed, Ethla will be looking for a way in which to eliminate the threat of his dragons,” Ducarius explained as he smoothed down his muddied gown. Aed stood away from the seerer and his friend and gazed up into the sky, now darkened and filled with bright stars. He knew inexplicably what the seerer was saying and felt a heavy mass of responsibility fall upon his shoulders. “Nuyay cannot be easily killed, nor can his mate, Aurora. With a dozen dragons still living and under the rule of Galean, Beon cannot hope to win any battle with the threat of a dragon raid looming over his head. He must rid Meer of the dragons whilst the dragon lord is unable to defend them.”

“But Belnun is dead and has been for centuries,” Cadr said with an irate tone. He glanced over at the silent figure of Aed and felt pity, his back bent and his shoulders hunched over his tall frame as though a heavy load weighed down upon his body. Ducarius made his way over to Aed and swept back a mass of his long, silver hair.

“If Ethla can find the bones of Belnun and a dragon’s egg, then she will have the power to bring Belnun back to life once more.”

“This cannot be right,” Cadr said aloud with impatience. “Belnun when alive, nearly wiped out the race of men. Why would anyone think it rationale to bring such a creature back from the ashes?”

“Galean may be the lord of dragons, but the blood of his mother runs through the veins of Beon and this may mean that he has the power to control a dragon, if the dragon submits to him,” Ducarius explained to Cadr. Aed closed his eyes and let his mind fill itself with the merry sounds of singing.

“Belnun submitted to no one when alive, what makes you think he will submit to Beon?” he said aloud, folding his arms beneath him. He could feel Ducarius behind him and shivered with discomfort.

“Ethla is a powerful sorceress, she will perform an enchantment and thus Belnun will pledge his allegiance to Beon,” Ducarius explained darkly, his words causing Aed to turn on his feet and meet his gaze. “I do not believe in coincidences, you found me here upon this ground for a reason.”

“Don’t talk silly,” Aed said bitterly.

“I know you have never been a believer,” Ducarius pleaded quietly, placing a frail hand upon Aed’s shoulder. “And I respect your views, even if they conflict with the views of others. But I beg you to see beyond religion and tradition and acknowledge the truth. Ethla and her plans will ensure that the race of men will swiftly fall. If the Gods have chosen you to stop this from happening then you are rendered powerless, they will guide you whether you adhere to their call or not.”

“How can a man with no power stop a sorceress from awakening an ancient dragon?” Cadr interrupted, his long hands upon his hips. “How can Aed stop a witch from entering a forest which runs for about twelve leagues?”

“You must alert the forest and all those who live within it, if you can do this, then there is hope for us all,” Ducarius said, his eyes searching Aed’s face for any signs of agreement.

“This, the forest you have so lovingly devoted your life to ensuring that none of us enter for fear of certain death?” Aed said, his tone brittle, his brows deepening and his fists curling. “My wife is pregnant and our child will soon be with us and you would have me willingly enter an enchanted forest to alert those within of the arrival of Ethla?”

“Aed is right,” Cadr interceded with a nod in Aed’s direction. “Are you out of your mind? He would never return and if he did, he would not return as Aed.”

“There is no other choice,” Ducarius pleaded openly as he brought his hands together and raised them before Aed in desperation. “The lives of those you hold most dear are in peril.”

“Then why don’t you go? If you are unafraid of the forest and we are as you have said in peril, then what is halting you from going forth into the forest?” Aed demanded, his blood beginning to boil with impatience. The air grew quiet and the men stood in a circle glaring at one another as a black heathen flew over, squawking loudly.  After several moments of intense silence, the soft whisper of distant voices, passing over them, Ducarius sighed heavily and looked to Aed with pleading eyes.

“Do not be naive in thinking that Ethla will be unaided in her quest,” Ducarius warned sharply. “She brings with her great Galgorian soldiers and our men will not be able to defend the village by sword alone,” he pleaded softly, his thin lips quivering. “I am all that stands between them and those we love. My power is greater than the power of a sword. If you want your wife to survive, then I must stay here, where I am needed most.”

“I hate to say this, but he is right Aed,” Cadr said with a frown. Looking on at the elderly seerer, Cadr thrust his rough fingers through his greasy, blonde hair and let out an agitated groan, his bright, keen eyes upon the night sky above, where currents of orange and red burst into life, a signal that the great fire was growing and warming. The sound of merry singing and wooden flutes also infiltrated the air, almost teasing the trio of distressed men, all helpless to oncoming wave of darkness that was soon to consume the last remnants of an old life. The history of Meer, the great kingdom of the north, known for its mysterious people and ancient lands, would be forever changed in the coming months. All that was and all that had been would simply fade away under the white rain.

“There is nothing to be done tonight,” Aed said aloud, breaking the silence. “We must enjoy this day if it is to be the last. I will think on your proposition tonight, whilst I watch over my brother and will give you an answer at dawn. Until then, I will have my father set a watch surrounding the village. Cadr and his brother can see to the defences, weak though they are. Maybe the women and children can flee north to the river and find refuge at the town of Cal, close to the lake.”

“Have you not heard that the town was set alight this past week by the black guards of Caldul city?” Ducarius said with a confused expression. Aed looked to Cadr with weary eyes. Cadr shrugged in return, obviously he had been ignorant to the news as well.

“I have not spoken with my father for a few days,” Aed said, a shiver of a chill spiralling up his spine with malleolus intent. “I have been in the fields with the men.”

“Why did they set the town to light?” Cadr asked quietly as he walked away towards the horses and untied them from a wooden post, bringing them down the ally.

“They refused to pay higher taxes for the war and refused to supply the guards with weapons and soldiers,” Ducarius explained as he wrapped Aed’s cloak around him tightly. “A black guard sent your father a box containing the hand of the town chief and his signet ring. They will soon look to our village if we do not comply with the Kings new orders, concocted by the heinous Brustan.”

“Why wasn’t I notified of this?” Aed said aloud, anger causing his skin to become irate.

“He believed it would be detrimental for you to know, as you have said, you have been busy helping the men in the fields,” Ducarius answered plainly. “I believe he would have spoken with you soon on the subject.”

“Come we shouldn’t stand around any longer, the village will be sending out a search party for us soon,” Cadr interrupted quickly. “Come Aed, you do not want to miss Gil’s blessing.”

“Cadr will you take Ducarius with you and allow him to wash alongside you?” Aed enquired. “I will go directly to my father and meet you there.”

“Are you sure you do not wish to change out of your clothes before the feast?” Cadr said as he helped the elder man to his side.

“No, I must speak with my father urgently before we leave the village.”

“Alright, I will meet with you later,” Cadr said with a hesitant tone. Aed looked over at the downcast seerer, his body bent over and trembling with a chill.

“Please keep this conversation between us, until I have come to a decision.”

Ducarius merely nodded in reply before turning away and following Cadr up the ally, holding onto his strong arm for guidance. When the seerer, Cadr and the horses were to be seen no more, Aed bent double and splayed his large hands over his face. The village was unprepared for such an attack and there would be little time in which to ready it with suitable defences. And what would happen to the woman and children if the village of Cal had been set alight? Where would they go? Aed’s mind began to fill with worry and despair. Why was it so important that those within the forest should be warned of Ethla’s intentions? Surely they could defend the forest without the aid of Aed. A fleeting image of Lug’s arrival back to Dulgar formed within Aed’s mind and he found himself prey to nausea. He had understood that a day would soon approach when the village would be under attack, but he idly did not believe it would be this soon, especially as the white rains were now descending from the mountains. Had he severely miscalculated the time of attack, thus placing everyone he loved in mortal danger? With a deep breathe, Aed forced his body upwards and made his way down the ally. As he came closer to the centre of the village, the warmth of the fire hit his skin pleasantly and his dull eyes enlarged at the merry sight of his fellow friends, dancing, drinking and eating together. The centre of the village was in the shape of a square and in the middle stood a tall, stone monument, known as an isolec which acted as a clock. Around the base of the isolec was a great fire, in which the great colours, reflected off the top of the isolec, which was decorated with iron. Young men and women, danced in a large circle about the monument, all dressed in their finest clothes. About the square were long tables of food and laman, decorated with great garments of green navee and red berries. To the north of the great isolec was the chieftains table, in which Aed found his father, sitting quietly, his eyes upon the people of his village. To his left sat Branna, whose face illuminated with joy when her gaze fell upon her husband. To the right of Aedan sat Gil, his face strained and pale, much to Aed’s surprise.

“You are late and have not washed nor changed for the ceremony,” Branna chided her husband as he came to sit beside her, filling a wooden goblet with laman.

“Some of the men stayed behind in the fields,” Aed lied as he downed the full goblet in one go. “Anyway I am here now.”

“Your father has been chastising your brother,” Branna said with a frown as she gently stroked her swollen stomach. Aed groaned and looked across at his forlorn brother with sympathy, no doubt his father had given him a roasting over his recent drinking expedition. “Do you like the robes I made for him?”

“They are crafted to perfection,” Aed smiled as he observed his wife’s needlework with pride. Gil looked across at his brother, with a forlorn expression upon his young and youthful face. In return Aed simply shrugged in understanding. “Brother, would you care to dance with my wife whilst I speak to father?”

“I don’t know if I can dance tonight,” Branna said under her breathe. Gil without a word, arose from his chair and made his way around the table, until he stood before Breena with an outstretched arm.

“I will keep you safe sister,” he said with a gleeful smile and mischievous eyes. It was hard not to fall for Gil’s charming ways, it was Aed believed to the great misfortune of all the young women, whose eyes could never quite look the other men of the village. Gil broke hearts just by smiling and as was custom, Aed made sure to piece them back together again. Branna raised a brow at her husband before standing up from her chair and making her way around the table. Taking the hand of her brother, she allowed Gil to whisk her away into the crowd of merry dancers. Aed watched his wife, dressed in a fine red, woollen gown and felt a current of warmth and love spread throughout him. He could feel his fathers, grey eyes upon him and refused to meet his gaze for a moment, unable to take his own off his dancing wife and merry brother, whose once weary face now was filled with joy and youthful pleasure.

“You know,” Aedan announced, his voice deep and sharp. Aed simply nodded his head as his refilled his goblet once more. “I was going to tell you this evening.” Aed turned to his father, robed in a heavy cloak of wolf fur. His greying hair, fell down over his wide shoulders and his heavy brows pursed together in contemplation. He was a serious man, who many believed to be the fairest and greatest of chieftains. Law and order under his rule had created a fair and just society among the small tribe. But Aed knew his father’s image altered greatly behind closed doors. He was no brute, but he was hard and unyielding and despite loving Aed and Gil’s mother very much, not even the love of a good woman seemed to pacify his cold nature. It was true that life had prospered under his stealthy and controlled leadership, but Aed had been the recipient of his cold anger since he could stand. The hands that comforted the vulnerable, scarred and branded Aed’s skin. The words of leadership and wisdom, scarred and branded Aed’s mentality. The love that rarely made itself known, had been withheld from Aed, this cooling his own warm and indulged heart. Had it not been for his wife, Aed believed he himself would have ended up in his father’s shadow. He had sworn a promise to his unborn child and the gods that he would never treat his offspring with such little love.

“I will see to the defences tomorrow when I return from the forest,” Aed replied, his voice baring no hint of feeling or warmth. “We must take the winters supplies and safe keep them elsewhere.”

“I have already seen to that,” Aedan said firmly as he tore apart a piece of meat and brought it to his mouth. Aed watched as the juice of the meat ran down his father’s mouth and seeped into his thick beard. “Gadan and Oar have taken the supplies to the underground tunnels.”

“The black witch rides with the guards,” Aed whispered, not wanting the elders to overhear. Aedan’s face froze at his sons words. With controlled calmness, Aedan set his goblet down upon the table and looked into Aed’s face.

“How do you know this?”

“Cadr and I bypassed Ducarius upon the ground, passed out and under the spell of a vision,” Aed explained to his father. “He foresaw the arrival of Ethla and the black guards. He also made mention that she intends on entering the forest and finding the cave of Belnun.”

“Why?” Aedan said under his breathe, his grey eyes flashing.

“She intends on resurrecting Belnun, in order to create a weapon which can bring down the great dragon, Nuyay and his mate, Aurora.”

“Only a dragon lord can control a dragon,” Aedan said with a confused expression.

“Ducarius believes that because the blood of Beon’s mother runs through is veins, that it is possible that he can control Belnun.”

“This is grave news.” Aedan said with a shudder. Aed rarely glimpsed any weakness within his father’s character and was thus surprised to see vulnerability in his hardened gaze.

“He has ordered me to go into the forest of Dulga and warn those who live within of Ethla’s plans,” Aed said with a hardened stare. He could feel his fingers curl upon his lap with displeasure.

“No,” Aedan said with a simple shake of his head. “You are not to go into the forest, you are needed here. Those within the forest can deal with Ethla without our aid.”

“Ducarius believes that I have been chosen by the Gods to bear this ill tiding to those of the forest.”

“Ducarius forgets himself,” Aedan said with a wave of his hand. “I forbid you to enter the forest under his instructions. You are to be the chieftain when I am gone from this world. Do you think I would have you taken from me?”

“I told him that I would give him an answer at dawn, when I return from the forest with Gil and Cadr.”

“You answer to me and not him, nor the Gods.”

“Yes father,” Aed said as he drank from his goblet. Gil and Branna made their way back to the table and sat on either side of Aed, both with heavy breathes and glistening foreheads.

“Are you prepared for your night of testing?” Aed asked Gil. Gil plucked a small orang from a plate and plopped it into his mouth.

“Can one ever be ready for the unknown brother?” he replied with a teasing manner.

“Yes, one can try to be as prepared as possible,” Aed said with a heavy sigh, his eyes meeting his wife’s.

“Do not worry husband, I have prepared your bags for the night,” Branna said as she sat back against her chair and let out a long breathe.

“I do not see why you and Cadr have to come into the forest with me,” Gil groaned as he took a sip of his brother’s leman. “I am perfectly capable of looking after myself.”

“Your notion of capability greatly differs from my own, brother.” Aed said with a knowing glance.

“Afraid that I will never return?” Gil laughed as he spied Lug, sitting in solitary stillness beyond the crowds, his heavy gaze upon their table and him in particular. “It isn’t as though I will return without a tongue now, is it?” As he words rolled off his tongue like water, Aed suddenly grabbed him by the shoulders.

“You think it funny that a good man, should return from the forest without his tongue? Do you think it funny that there is such a creature that could do such a thing?” Aed growled darkly, his blue eyes bright and angry. “Arrogance will be your downfall brother if you do not keep it in check. Things beyond your comprehension dwell within the forest of Dulga, let’s hope that you are not stupid enough to encounter any.” Gil’s body turned to jelly under his brothers harsh words and for a moment, Aed saw a glimpse of the old Gil and felt shame.

“I thought you did not believe in superstitious tales?” Gil whispered through his chattering teeth as Aed released his hands from Gil’s shoulders. Turning away from the gazes of Gil and Branna, Aed glanced over at the poverty stricken, Lug.

“I am not idle to Lug’s condition, nor am I idle to the dangers of the forest either.”

“Tonight is for feasting and celebrating, not fighting,” Branna interceded with a worried look. “You are brothers, not enemies.”

“My brother thinks me idle and foolish dear sister,” Gil said with a sour laugh as he rose from the table and glanced across at his father, who was now deep in talks with the elders. “And my father thinks nought of me at all. Maybe if I were to disappear into the forest, I should bring them ease and comfort.” With a smile, Gil walked away from the table and joined his group of friends and young women.

“You know sometimes I find myself disappointed in you Aed,” Branna said with a downcast look.

“And I in myself,” Aed replied under his breathe.

*

Aed heard Cadr’s call and carefully wrapped his fur cloak about his body before picking up his bag and ensuring his sword and knife were well sheathed. Branna stood beside the fire watching her husband ready himself and quietly untied the small necklace which had been bestowed upon her by her mother. Her feet slender and dainty, made their way over towards her tall and sturdy husband. As she came to stand before him, a chill swept over her heart and she felt something strange curdle within her, a feeling almost akin to a warning.

“I wish you would stay,” she heard herself murmur aloud. Aed finished tending to his broach and looked down at his petite wife, her brown eyes large and fiery.

“Am I dreaming that my wife is wishing me to refrain from looking after my brother?” he said with a deep voice, laying his large hands upon her small shoulders. Branna felt herself warm under his intense gaze, but could not sweep aside the strange feeling which curdled within her, deep and unyielding.

“I feel something strange within me, almost a warning,” she whispered softly, her small hands shaking slightly.

“It is natural to feel some caution,” Aed soothed tenderly as he wrapped his strong arms about her slender frame, feeling her swollen stomach against his own torso. “You are with child and find it frightening to be without your husband. But I shall not be away for long and Ethel will keep an eye on you during the night. I shall be returned by dawn and when you awake, you shall awake with my arms about you.”

“Why do I feel a feared that something terrible will happen this night?” Branna asked, lifting her brown gaze to meet with his own blue gaze.

“There is nothing to fear from this night my love,” Aed whispered into her thick tresses as he held her close. “I am with you, here,” Aed pressed a hand against her heart. “I promise that I will return.”

“Take this,” Branna placed the small necklace within the palm of her husband’s hand. “It was my mothers, she believed it acted as a shield against bad omens.” Aed looked down into the palm of his hand and observed the small seed, which had been a family heirloom. Many believed it to be from the tree of eternity, a tree which is was said to have once lived within the centre of Dulga forest.

“I have been told that it is a seed of the tree of life,” Aed said with curious eyes.

“That is only a story, I am not sure it is the truth, but if there is any truth to it, then it shall serve you well,” Branna answered with a slight smile. Another wrap at the wooden door alerted Aed to Cadr’s presence outside.

“I must go now,” Aed said as he kissed his wife’s forehead tenderly. Together the couple exited their small roundhouse and met with Cadr outside.

“How is Merith?” Branna asked her husband’s friend.

“Her fever lessens by the hour,” Cadr said with a relived smile.

“I am pleased,” Branna replied as the two men readied themselves. Aed turned to his wife and smiled.

“I shall see you in the morning,” he said with warmth and love. Together, Aed and Cadr turned and began to walk away from the village, seeing the torches of Gil, Welsam and Quill by the edge of Dulga. As he walked away from Dulgar, Aed stopped in his tracks and turned and looked over his home, his worried wife, standing upon the threshold of their home, gazing on at him with intense eyes.

“Aed? Are you alright?” Cadr asked aloud.

“I will be when the sun rises,” Aed returned as he turned his gaze from his wife and followed Cadr down to the forest. Gil, Welsam and Quill stood in a circle quietly, their gazes fixed upon the darkened forest before them. With a knowing smile, Cadr rolled his eyes at Aed who smiled in return, seeing and sensing the fear which radiated from the trio of young men, all garbed in their fur cloaks with their heavy leather bags upon their backs.

“Brother, I see you are on time and,” Aed lifted his nose into the air. “Without a hint of laman upon your breathe.”

“I would like to be in charge of my senses this night,” Gil replied sourly as he tried to calm down a frantic Welsam, whose body was shaking at the mere thought of entering Dulga.

“Welsam are you sure you wish to enter the forest?” Cadr asked as he took out his sword, his eyes upon the fat young man. “You may return to the comfort of your family if it is too much.”

“I would shame my family if I returned,” Welsam said sheepishly as he tried to search for his unused sword. Cadr smiled to himself and made a mental point to protect the young Welsam from harm, he was no swordsman, nor was he brave, he was however incredibly well read and versed on the ancient laws of Galgor and those where rare qualities among the Dulgar tribe. Cadr highly doubted that Welsam’s family would think him a shame, they were kind folk with ready hearts and goodwill. Welsam was to his family a rare jewel, even if he thought such a statement bewildering. Cadr laid a gentle hand upon the young man’s shoulder.

“You will not need your sword this night young man,” he said simply. Welsam let out a sigh of relief, and placed the small sword within its sheath once more. Aed gazed over at Quill, he was known to be Gil’s equal in swordsmanship and was an excellent bowman. He stood a foot taller than the rest of the company and his dark green eyes were filled with curiosity and determination. He reminded Aed of himself when he was a young man, filled with arrogance and pride. Beside Quill stood Gil, quiet and pensive, his blue eyes upon the ground.

“Come brother, you will be fine,” Aed whispered into his ear as he placed a hand upon Gil’s tense back. “There is no need to unsheathe your sword, Cadr and I will protect you.”

“That makes a fine change,” Gil said under his breath as he stalked away from Aed. Surprised by his brothers sour words, Aed raised his brows and watched Gil step forth into the dark and thick forest. Without thinking, Aed followed suite along with the rest of the company. He had forgotten the strange feeling that washed over his body as he entered the dense forest. With only one torch lit, the company in silence made their way eastwards through the thicket of ancient trees, the long branches cutting at their heads and bodies as though in defence.

“How many leagues till we find the camp?” Welsam asked Cadr as he tried to unhook his cloak from a thorny branch. Helping the young man, Cadr moved his head slightly as though in contemplation.

“I should say about one or two leagues at the most.”

“Is it true that great red winged birds with only one eye live within the forest and feed on human blood?” Welsam asked as they began to follow the group once more. Cadr smiled slightly as he felt the torturous terror that struck the young man. He knew not if such evil creatures existed but thought it in jest to terrify the young man as this was his night of testing.

“I have heard rumours of their like about the western edge of the forest this much is true,” Cadr lied as he helped Welsam over a fallen tree. Above them, strange noises could be heard, almost as though the forest had awoken and were now on watch. Welsam looked upwards into the thicket of branches and felt his stomach turn heavily. “But they were only rumours. Come Welsam, many young men have made this journey every year and but for a few, they have always returned unharmed.”

“What about Lug?” Quill said aloud, joining in on the conversation as he used his sword to make his way through the trees, the branches hitting Cadr hard on the chest.

“Nobody knows what happened to Lug, despite the countless stories of untruths,” Aed said about the others, his eyes keenly upon his quiet brother. “For all we know it could be something completely unrelated to the forest tales.”

“When I was young, I once saw Lug, sitting upon the edge of the forest, his legs crossed and his eyes gauging the trees for something hidden.” Quill said as he helped Aed to hold back a perilously long branch for Cadr and Welsam. As the moon rose in the sky above them, the company journeyed in silence, only to be shaken by a sudden loud squawk causing them to stop still in their tracks. Aed held a hand in the air, motioning the company to stay quiet. After a moment of caution he dropped his hand and the company moved ever deeper into the forest once more. With a sudden wave of anxiety, Aed scoured the trees and found Gil nowhere to be seen.

“Gil!” he hissed loudly, running ahead of the company. Quill followed Aed without hesitation, leaving Cadr and Welsam alone.

“Is it not imperative that we stay together?” Welsam asked Cadr.

“In theory yes,” Cadr replied as he hunched his bag over his shoulders. “But Aed and I both know the way to the camp like the back of our hands, so do not worry, we will be there in an hour or so and you will find them waiting for us, hopefully with a small fire burning.”

Aed lifted the torch high enough to see before him and once again called out to his brother.

“Gil!”

Out of breathe, he stood bent over and felt Quill come to his side.

“Give me the torch,” he ordered kindly, taking the torch from Aed.

“Stay with me!” Aed said loudly, his voice tinted with anger. “Why does he never abide by the rules?”

“He has always been a follower of curiosity, despite the trouble it tends to bring him,” Quill said fondly, his loyalty to his childhood friend, firm and cemented. “He will show up soon.” As soon as the words dropped from his tongue, both of them heard a cry not too far away and stood up straight, their gazes meeting.

“Gil!” Aed whispered, suddenly flying into a sprint, closely followed by Quill. It did not take long to find Gil upon the ground, writhing in pain. Quill dropped the torch and fell to his friend’s side.

“My foot!” he cried out with pain, his face pale and beaded with sweat. Aed sought his foot and found it encased in a trap.

“Is that an animal trap?” Quill asked, almost speechless with surprise.

“It seems so,” Aed replied sharply, taking a closer look at his brother’s foot. It was not badly hurt, the trap being made out of wood. “Your foot is lodged and it seems your big toe has been engorged by a wooden spike.”

“Why did you run away from us?” Quill asked the quiet Gil, his eyes closed and his mouth twitching as Aed tended to his foot carefully.

“I saw something,” Gil whispered to his friends through gritted teeth.

“Saw what?” Quill asked, his curiosity spiking. Gil opened his eyes and made sure that his brother was busy before looking up into Quill’s face, only lightly illuminated by the torch.

“There was someone watching us,” he whispered heavily. “They were coming closer to us and I ran onwards to steer them away.”

“Are you lying?” Quill asked with a serious expression, his woollen trousers beginning to soak against the wet forest carpet.

“No, I swear I lie not,” Gil said with passion, his eyes shutting tightly as he felt the wooden spike exit from the top of his toe. Quill quickly placed a hand over his mouth, to mute out the sound, his heart filled with dread. Someone was watching them. After several minutes, Welsam and Cadr caught up with the group. Letting Welsam take over from aiding Gil, Quill took Cadr by the arm and drew him away.

“Quill, what is it?” Cadr asked, his hand upon the hilt of his sword.

“We are being watched,” Quill whispered, his eyes scanning the immediate area as he spoke with haste.

“Impossible,” Cadr said under his breathe. “Have you seen someone?”

“No, but Gil did,” Quill replied quickly. “He said that he saw someone through the trees coming closer to the group and that that was why he ran on, to create a diversion.”

“You cannot think he tells the truth, can you?” Cadr smiled awkwardly. “He is always getting into trouble and leading others astray.”

“I know Gil and I know when he lies,” Quill said with a sharpened tone. “Believe me when I say he is not lying. We must turn and head back, the forest is not safe.”

“Stay here and keep a watch while I speak with Aed,” Cadr ordered the young man. Quill kept his sword close to him as he kept watch over the company. Cadr quietly made his was over to Aed and bent down beside him as Aed, wrapped a cloth about Gil’s foot.

“Quill believes we are being watched, and I agree,” Cadr whispered into Aed’s ear, his eyes upon Gil, who was lying very still, Welsam wrapping his cloak about his body to conserve warmth.

“Nonsense,” Aed said as he ripped the cloth using his teeth. “Gil let his curiosity get the better of him, again.”

“Aed I am being serious, we must turn back, the forest is not safe, this you know,” Cadr pleaded, his right hand falling on top of Aed’s causing him to look up into his eyes. “It would be perilous to go on with Gil’s foot so badly wounded.”

“He will be fine and we are not too far off from the camp, it would be logical to make for camp and to see to his wounds there,” Aed said, pride taking place of logic. He was unwilling to allow his brother to ruin Quill and Welsam’s night, even if it meant carrying Gil to the camp. “Who would be following us anyway?”

“Aed you know that Ethla is making for the forest,” Cadr said quickly, his grasp upon Aed’s hand tightening. “What if she is already here?”

“Ducarius said that he felt her moving towards the forest, he said nothing of her actually being in the forest,” Aed argued lightly, tying the cloth tightly about Gil’s foot. Cadr released his hand and sat back upon the damp leaves.

“It was a fool’s errand to think it wise to bring these young men into Dulga this year, not when our lands are under siege and war is brewing to the east. Who knows what the creatures of the forest are up to,” Cadr said, his last plea failing to coerce Aed into returning.

“It is one night Cadr, don’t tell me you are scared too?” Aed smiled weakly as he released his brother’s foot and laid it gently upon the ground.

“If you insist upon going on, then we must get rid of the torch and be cautious,” Cadr said as he helped Aed to bring Gil to his feet. Gil bite down upon his lip and tried to balance himself.

“Do you think you can walk a little further till we make camp?” Aed asked kindly, his anger abating as he looked on at his pale faced brother.

“Cadr is right, we should turn back,” Gil whispered as he draped an arm about Quill. Welsam picked up his friend’s bag and draped it across his shoulders.

“I cannot believe that my brother wishes to turn,” Aed smiled as he picked up the torch and rid it of light, basking the company into a foul darkness. Everyone stood still, allowing their eyes to acclimatise to the darkness. “You are safe brother.” The company still divided, hesitantly and cautiously began to move once more, ever careful of their surroundings and prying eyes. After a good half hour of walking, the company finally made it to the camp. It was a small space in the shape of a circle with no trees within the circle. Aed looked up and found the night sky, and felt a sigh of relief leave his body. The moon was bright and the distant tips of the mountains could be seen ever so slightly over the tops of the trees to the south. With a sullen quietness, Aed and Cadr made camp and started a small fire, the gazes of the three young men upon them intensely. There were great tree trunks that had been used as seats, surrounding the fire. With ease, Gil made himself comfortable, sitting upon the ground with his back against a tree trunk. Quill loyally attended to his friend and ensured he was warm and his foot was without pain. Aed, once finished with the fire, opened his bag and searched within for his wife’s pot of salve and the leather pouch of laman. As the men made themselves comfortable, Aed made his way over to Gil.

“How does it feel now?” he enquired, unwrapping the wounded foot and handing his brother the leather pouch of alcohol. “Drink this for the pain.”

“For the first time in my life, it is I that feels above you,” Gil said harshly, gulping down the laman as his brother soaked his foot in water and lathered salve over the wounds.

“How so?” Aed answered, trying to keep his brothers attention away from the pain.

“I tell you that we are in danger and you simply wave away my concern as though it is of no consequence,” Gil said through gritted teeth, his hands digging into the rough ground below. “Do you thin…think so lowly of me?”

“Gil, I have made this journey a dozen times and many of those times, young men have complained that they were being followed and still as always they made it home by dawn,” Aed said with a roll of his eyes. “It is perfectly natural, no normal that you would think that we are being followed. The darkness of night can do strange things to one’s mind.”

“You think I am seeing things?” Gil said with anger.

“It isn’t impossible that you are, as I have said many young men have believed themselves in peril,” Aed replied curtly.

“Is that what you said to Lug when he returned? That it was all in his mind?” Gil thundered on, his blonde hair wet with sweat. Aed stopped tending to his brothers foot and looked up. He saw the desperation in his eyes and felt pity, he always seemed so strong, so capable and to have much more gumption than he.

“That was a long time ago Gil,” Aed replied, holding his brothers gaze. “No one but Lug knows what happened that year.”

“You don’t believe his cut out his own tongue do you?”

“No.”

“Then how else do you explain what happened to him?”

The camp became quiet as Gil asked his question, causing the rest of the company to turn their eyes to Aed.

“I cannot explain what happened to Lug,” Aed admitted as he sat away from his brother, turning his eyes to the small fire. “Whatever he encountered within the forest allowed him the liberty to leave, but to leave without his tongue, so that whatever he witnessed could not be spoken of.”

“And this does not cause you concern?” Quill asked as he sat upon his own trunk, his hood raised over his face, concealing his expression of worry. Aed looked up at Quill, his eyes filled with flames.

“Yes, I admit it does,” he said thoughtfully. “But whatever it was that attacked Lug, it has not made itself known to us and therefore must not wish to make itself known.”

“You better hope that the creature does not make itself known to us this night, brother.” Aed did not reply, he merely felt the doubt of his own words reverberate throughout him. The company after an hour of setting up the camp, lay down upon their cloaks, puffing on their pipes with their gazes upon the night sky, filled with thousands of bright stars. Aed lay quiet, fiddling with his wife’s necklace. Close by the sounds of animals could be heard, forcing Aed to look away from Branna’s heirloom. Doubt fed its way through his logically inclined mind and Aed had to admit to something that had been festering for days, whatever it was that Lug had witnessed, it was so secretive that his tongue had to be cut out. And yet they let him live. An animal capable of only cruelty would surely have killed him and thought nothing of it, but whatever it was that he had indeed encountered, it had let him live as though it too was guided by natural law which included principles of morals and ethics, akin to human beings like himself. With a frown, Aed wondered if a sacred and ancient tribe lived within the forest and wondered if they knew more about his tribe than he had first thought. Turning, he looked over at the other men and found them to be sleeping, apart from Gil, who sat up wide awake against his log, his eyes upon the distant trees.

“Close your eyes brother,” Aed said aloud as he pulled his cloak up about his face. “There is no peril here, you are safe.”

“Never is a man more vulnerable to danger than when he feels at his safest,” Gil replied before turning his body away from Aed. “Think on that brother.” With an uneasy feeling in his heart, Aed turned his body away and lay for several minutes before falling into a troubled sleep.

*

A rough shake awoke Aed from his sleep and with a groan, he sat up quite suddenly. Before him stood Gil, an index finger to his mouth. Aed turned about to see the rest of the company still asleep.

“Follow me,” Gill whispered urgently as he hopped away from the camp, his sword drawn. The fire was dead and the sky was nearing dawn as Aed stood up and followed his brother, taking his own sword with him. Warily he watched as Gil came to stand close to a thick tree. With his fingers he motioned to Aed to look westwards. Standing close to his brother, Aed looked westwards into the forest and spotted a group of soldiers making their way into the depths of the forest, followed by a woman, cloaked in black. Aed felt a shudder take him as he recalled the seerer’s words.

“They have chosen you…”

As they stood close to one another, the roots of the tree suddenly began to move and twist as though it too felt the evilness of the witch as she passed by, her face concealed by her heavy hood. Aed grabbed Gil and held him tight as the ground beneath them began to move perilously.

“We must move now!” Aed ordered quickly, taking his brother by the arm and dragging him back towards the camp. As they moved so did the ground, causing the rest of the company to awaken from their states of unconsciousness. “Run!” Aed cried out to the company. The trees which stood to the east of the forest began to close about the camp, creating an impenetrable wall, which closed the path directing them home. Scared and frightened, the company ran deeper into the forest, away from the moving trees, their cloaks and bags hanging from their bodies haphazardly. Cadr led the way and was followed by Quill, who dragged a bewildered and frightened Welsam behind him. Aed kept his hand upon Gil’s arm as he dragged him onwards, uncaring of the pain his foot was now in. After what seemed to be an age of running, the group stumbled upon an open airing of forest and fell to the ground, breathless.

“What was that!” Cadr cried out as he came to his feet once more and made for Aed, taking him by the arm and leading him away from the rest of the company.

“She is here,” Aed said aloud. “She is in the forest.”

“The black witch?”

“Yes.”

“But that cannot be, the seerer did not feel her quite so close,” Cadr said as he eyed the rest of the company over Aed’s head.

“I assure you she is here, close to us now,” Aed said as he searched the area, his eyes filled with fear. “We must return to the village before the black guards attack.”

“But we cannot, the forest has closed itself over, there is no way in which we can get through the trees,” Cadr said in desperation, his mind turning to his own family. Aed stood away and dropped his head into the palms of his hands in desperation. He could not reach the village or his wife. With a tremor of anxiety, he felt himself fall upon the hard ground.

“My wife,” he said aloud. “She is expecting our return.”

“Ducarius was right,” Cadr conceded roughly as he fixed himself. “You have been chosen for a reason Aed and there is nothing you or I can do about it.”

“What must we do?” Aed asked his friend.

“We must regroup and make a plan and soon. If Ethla is close, then we are in danger,” Cadr announced, helping his friend up from the ground. “If you want to save the village then we must adhere to the Gods and let us hope that if we succeed, the forest will open itself to us so that we may return with haste.”

“But where do we begin? Who is it that we must warn?” Aed asked Cadr as they made their way back slowly to the rest of the company.

“I don’t know,” Cadr said with a shrug. “But I believe that whoever it is we are to warn that they will soon find us.”

“We do not have enough supplies to see us through,” Aed said as they re-joined the others.

“We will make do,” Cadr said as he and Aed stood before a bewildered Gil, Quill and Welsam.

“What is it?” Gil enquired as he brought forth his sword and looked to his brother, searching his face for answers.

“It seems the forest does not wish for us to return to Dulgar,” Aed announced to the young men, who looked at him with confused expressions.

“Why?” Welsam asked, his full cheeks red and blotchy.

“The black witch has entered the forest with the intention of finding Belnun’s cave,” Aed replied, twirling his wife’s necklace about within the palm of his hand.

“What does she want with the bones of a dragon?” Quill asked aloud as he paced about, his hands upon his hips.

“She wishes to resurrect Belnun and use him as a weapon of war,” Cadr interceded, seeing the paleness of Aed’s skin. “We were both warned of this yesterday but did not take heed to the seerer’s words.”

“You knew she was coming and still bade us to stay the night?” Gil said bitterly, walking up to Aed and forcing him to meet his gaze.

“Ducarius believed her not to be close to the forest,” Aed pleaded desperately. “I did not think danger was so close.” Gil turned away from Aed and laughed aloud.

“To think it is I that always finds trouble,” he said aloud, his right hand tightening upon the hilt of his blade. “And yet it is you that has brought this ill omen upon us.”

“What is to be done?” Quill asked, coming back to the group. Cadr and Aed looked at one another.

“The seerer believes that we must alert whoever it is that lives within this damned forest,” Aed replied coldly. “God knows who they are or where they are.”

“Great so we are lost!” Welsam cried out. Aed prepared his answer but felt his mouth dry at the sight of a great wolf, which stood upon the edge of the outlet. Following his eyes, the rest of the company turned to face the great white wolf and suddenly began to step back ever so cautiously.

“Please explain how we get ourselves out of this mess brother,” Gil said, his hands trembling with fear. Aed looked on at the wolf, its giant blue eyes upon him intensely and tightened his hand upon the hilt of his sword.





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