Brookflowing

By Piano. Bookworm

Chapter One

The sun shone lazily down on the woodlands, making it warm and bright. There was a sleepy feeling about the whole afternoon, but it was lost on the two travelers.

They were hurrying though the forest, which was strange at any time, but even more so when you saw that they were both young. The girl was talking to the boy, in complaining way.

    “You said you knew the way. Are we lost, Arlan? You said—”

“I know, I know. Will you please stop bothering me? It’s hard enough to look for the trail without someone complaining the whole way. Ah, there it is!”

This last was spoken as they came over the top of a hill and into the clearing. On the far edge a small cottage stood. A few small children were running and playing. You could tell by their happy shouts, which could be heard even from the edge of the large clearing. A large cliff rose up behind the cottage.

“This is Brookflowing? I thought it would be bigger. And I don’t see a brook anywhere!”

The boy, who was more of a young man, smiled slowly. “Aye, this is Brookflowing. You’ll see why it’s called that when we get there. It’s the happiest place I know of. At least we’ll be safe here; for a little while, at least.” And they started over the clearing towards the cottage called “Brookflowing.”

The robber lord Grenn Macehand strode through the castle his warriors had just taken. “Where is that child?” he shouted. “She was supposed to be here. You said that no one escaped, Dranvor. So where is she?”

Dranvor, the leader of the robber army, quailed. “Sire, she must still be somewhere in the castle, hidden, perhaps, by a nurse. The child Arabella, heir to this castle,--”

“She is not heir anymore! Do not mention that to me! The point is, where is she? Take some of the prisoners and bring them to me for questioning. I will soon get the truth out of them!” The robber lord held up his hand, showing that the interview was at an end. Stopping Dranvor, he told him, “Take me to my chamber. And…find that girl!!!!”

The tall robber Dranvor was ashen faced when he came out of the room. Grenn was dangerous, even to an experienced fighter like Dranvor, when he was angry. Dranvor knew he had to find some trace of Arabella to appease his master. “Durba, Rano, the master wants you! And take those two prisoners of yours with you!” he called to two men sitting next to a fire. They grumbled as they got up.

“Aww, we just got started cooking supper,” the shorter of the two moaned.

“Yeah, can’t a body have a bite to eat around here?” grumbled the taller, darker one, but he stopped when he saw the glint in Dranvor’s eye. “I-I-I didn’t mean it. We’ll go right away, sir—“

“Good. You know, grumbling is dangerous around here. Take care you don’t do it anymore.” Rano heard the menace in Dranvor’s voice. His eyes widened with fear as he nodded and turned away, to follow his brother, Durba.

Meldrum the woodcarver stepped away from the bed. He called to his wife, a short, plump, merry-looking woman standing near the stove. “Look, Molly, I think he’s waking up!” He gestured toward the bed, on which a man lay. He was tall, with dark brown hair and a fearsome scar on his forehead. He tossed and turned and thrashed around in the bed.

“Ohhhh,” he moaned. “Water, please, water!” Gasping, he opened his eyes. Molly hurried to give him a drink.

“Hush, now, you’ll be fine. Just lay still. We’ll get you better soon,” she fussed as she bent over him.

“Where am I? Wh- who are you? Why am I here?” he asked wonderingly as his eyes moved over the cottage. “I- I can’t remember….anything!” Then he sank back on the bed, exhausted.

Molly glanced at her husband. He shook his head. “No, don’t tell him anything yet, he’s too weak. I wonder who he is; he doesn’t look like anyone from around here.”

“Well, Meldrum, maybe we’ll find out when he wakes up….That is, if he wakes up. I sure do hope he lives, but that wound on his head was awful! Well, we’ll see.”

Meldrum sat thoughtfully for a while. Then he jumped up, an idea lighting up his rugged features. “I’ve got it, let’s take him to Brookflowing. It’s been a while since I was there, and he’ll get the best of care there.”

Molly and Meldrum started packing at once. After a lot of discussion, they agreed to leave as soon as their patient was able to be moved.

“Auntiee, Auntiee!” the little girl-child was pulling at Bella’s skirt. “Me want carried!”

Bella looked down at little Arenka, who’s tousled hair looked as if it hadn’t been combed for days. Bella knew better, for she had just combed it that morning. “My goodness, child, what have you been doing to your hair? It looks like a tornado ripped though it!”

“I d’know. Renka just playing with Burl dis mornin’!” She stuck her thumb in her mouth.

“Oh, you little scamp! That explains that messy hair! So, you want carried, eh? Where do you want carried to?”

“Me want to go to de apple tree. Lots of kids are dere. “A mischievous grin lit up her face.  “Strawbrees grow unda apple tree, but don’ tell Grammy Benna. She say, ‘Too many strawbrees make likkle childs have stummickache.’” This last bit was spoken in a loud whisper and a stern look at Bella from Arenka.

“Don’t worry, I won’t tell,” Bella chuckled. Her and the girl chattered as they moved off towards the orchard, which was more like a small grove of fruit trees. These two were some of the inhabitants of Brookflowing. They were almost to the orchard when old mister Jake, who was the gate keeper, came out.

“Travelers approaching!” he called out. “There’s two of them!” He saw Bella and Arenka and smiled, lighting up his grizzled old face. “I’m going to get Grandpa Mart. He’ll give those young ‘uns a welcome!”

Bella could not keep the surprise out of her face. “Young ‘uns!” she echoed. “I- how could they have gotten here by themselves? It’s a hard trek!”

Jake stroked his chin thoughtfully. “Waal, one of them is a real young ‘un.  She couldn’t—“

Bella could not help herself breaking in. “She?!! A young girl?!!!” Then, seeing the look on the gatekeeper’s face, she hastily apologized. “Oh, sorry, keep going.”

The gatekeeper stroked his chin again. “As I was saying, the girl couldn’t be much more than ten. But the other one is a young man, although he couldn’t be very far past his eighteenth year. But here we are, wastin’ time, while the travelers are getting closer every minute!” And he scurried off, towards the building behind.

Arenka was squirming in Bella’s arms, having grown impatient while Bella was talking to Jake.

“Lemme go! I wanna go inna orchard!”

“All right, little one. Go play with your friends!” Bella smiled as she watched Arenka run off, calling to her friends as she ran.

“Don’ eat alla strawbrees! Burl, wait fo’ me!”

Bella turned and went towards the house that marked the entrance to Brookflowing.  “I better go welcome those who are arriving. They will be tired from their journey!”

When Arlan and his fellow-traveler reached the cottage, Ella (for that was what she was called) realized that that children’s shouts were coming from behind the cottage.

“Why, Arlan, look!” she gasped. “The cottage goes right into the hillside!”

Arlan was amused at her amazement. “Yes, it does,” he replied. “Y’see, --“

But he was interrupted by the door of the cottage opening and a lady coming out. “Hello, travelers. Welcome to Brookflowing! I’m Auntie Bella. Would you two like to come in? You must be tired from that trip!”

Arlan looked at Bella for a little while. Then he sprang forward. “Auntie Bella! Remember me? I’m Arlan, the forester’s son!” He exclaimed eagerly.

Bella looked him over. “Why, so you are, but you’ve grown. My, you’re taller than me now! You’re quite a grown-up young man, Arlan.

“And who is this little missy, here? I don’t think I’ve seen her before.” She looked at Ella inquiringly.

“This is Ella,” Arlan said hastily, before she could answer. “She’s a friend of mine.”

“Well, why don’t we go on in now? Perhaps you’d like to see the real Brookflowing, Ella. Just go right through that door. I’m sure all the children will be glad to see you.” And she opened the door for Ella.

As soon as the girl was through the door, Bella turned towards Arlan. “Now what was that all about?” she asked. “You were acting strange, when I asked Ella what her name was.”

Arlan quickly glanced around. Then he spoke in a low tone, close to Bella’s ear. “That’s something I need to talk to you and the elders and Grandpa Mart about. Can you tell them that I need to talk to them as soon as possible?” Then he changed the subject as they entered Brookflowing.

Arlan was never quite able to restrain the awe he felt when he entered Brookflowing. It had been built by the founder of Brookflowing, Master Elias, and a forester renowned far and wide for his feats of daring and weaponry. This had happened so long ago that no one, not even the oldest ones, could remember anyone who remembered it being built. After it was built, the forester faded out of the history books, and none of them even recorded his name, so he was basically unknown. No one was quite sure how Master Elias and the unknown forester had built it, but they had; and it was an amazing piece of architecture.

The cliffy hillside that the cottage was built into was not a hillside at all, but a great wall, carved so as to make it look like cliffs. There was ivy planted and growing all over the wall, to hide the windows cleverly carved in it. The cottage was the main gate to Brookflowing. It was situated on the western side. There were two others, one facing south and one facing north. These were tunnels, which extended about 100 yards into the forest before surfacing. These entrances had thick foliage about them, so not to be seen as easily.

The eastern wall did not have a gate in it, because it was built along a real cliff. There were a few windows in it, but they had bars over them so that people would not fall out of them. These windows were in recesses of the wall, so that they would not be noticed from below.

When you entered the cottage, you realized that almost the whole back of it was open, and you could walk straight into the main courtyard of Brookflowing. There were also a few rooms in the cottage for the use of the gatekeeper.

Once you were inside you saw why it was called “Brookflowing”. There was a spring of clear water fight in the middle of the grounds. It made a pool that a stream flowed out of. The stream ran through the orchard and out through the southern wall. It was disguised to look like a spring coming out of the hillside. After it came out of the wall, it joined into a river not far away.

Pretty close to the spring stood the main building. It was very large, made out of the same blue-grey stone as the walls around it.

Next to the orchard were the vegetable gardens, where much of the food for the Haven of Brookflowing was grown. There were a few good-sized cottages here, also. These were where school was held, and some were houses for people recovering from illnesses. Here also is where visitors were kept. Brookflowing was a very happy place.

As Arlan and Bella entered the “cottage”, they found Ella standing there, looking in amazement at the scene before her.

“Oh, my! This isn’t at all what it looks like on the outside!” Arlan, why didn’t you tell me?”

“Well, Ella, I did, but you didn’t listen!” A smile slowly worked over his face. “And when you saw this cottage, you immediately thought that’s all that there was to Brookflowing. Well, you know better now!” he chuckled. “Come along, and see the real Brookflowing!”

            Several kids were playing in and around the orchard, and Ella looked hesitantly at them. Bella, noticing her look, said, “Why don’t you come with me and I’ll introduce you to our children? I’m sure you’ll have lots of fun together.”
            Ella nodded, and Bella led her over to the children, while Arlan watched. Soon Ella was frolicking happily with the other kids.

            Grenn had summoned his soothsayer, Druzila, to attend him. He was in a bad mood, so she stayed a cautious distance away from him and his mace.

            “Sire, you called for me?”

            He nodded sharply. “Can you tell me anything about the child? I know you can learn things that no one else can.”

            She sighed inwardly. Why was Grenn so worried about this child? She nodded her head to acknowledge the praise and answered. “Sire, the omens are cloudy. I have not seen anything concerning the girl.”

            “But I have!” His outburst surprised her. She looked up quickly.

            “Sire?” She looked at Grenn inquiringly.

            “I have had dreams about her. She comes, with a young man and another, who is dead, fighting for her. Can you tell me what this means?”

            Druzila murmured vaguely. “Only the ones who dream can see what they dreamed. Sire, I cannot tell thee. Perhaps they only exist in your dreams, for if one of them is dead, why not all of them?”

            Grenn became impatient. “How should I know? You are the soothsayer, not me. If you cannot tell me what these dreams mean, then get out of my sight!” He threw his goblet of wine at her in sudden fury, drenching her.

She hastened to leave. As she hurried down the long corridor, she met Dranvor. He glanced at her inquiringly. She nodded. “Grenn is in a bad temper today. Thou would do well to stay out of his way!”

Dranvor brushed past her, apparently taking no heed to what the soothsayer had to say. His mind, however, was working quickly. Grenn had sent for him, no doubt about the girl. Well, he had news, so he could brave Grenn’s anger.  He hurried down the hallway—to Grenn.

A moment later, Dranvor stood in Grenn’s chamber. Grenn looked at him.

“Well, have you heard anything about the girl?” Grenn’s eyes were as hard and as cold as stone.

Dranvor gulped. “Well, sire, one of the servants said that she had seen a young girl, bout Arabella’s age, running southeast through the forest. That is our only clue.” Dranvor looked up. Grenn seemed preoccupied by something. “Sire, did you hear me?” he enquired.

“Yes… Was there anything else?” Grenn sounded distracted, but Dranvor dared not risk his wrath.

“Yes. The servant said that she thought the girl was accompanied by a young man.”

Suddenly Grenn was alert. “A young man?” His voice was as cold as steel. “Send a search party in that direction. If they find them, they should bring them here to me. Do not kill the girl and the young man, just capture them.”

“Aye, sire. I’ll do it right away.” And Dranvor turned to leave, but Grenn called him back.

“Wait. You saw that tall knight who I killed with my mace. Do you think he could have survived?” His voice was innocently questioning, which put Dranvor instantly on alert.

“Sire, no one could survive a blow from your mace.” His curiosity overcame his fear.  “Why do you ask?”

Dranvor jumped back as Grenn’s face turned ugly. “That is none of your business!” Grenn roared. “Go; send that search party out now!” When Dranvor stood a little while longer, Grenn became even angrier. “Go now, before I have you executed!”

Dranvor went, quickly.

Durba and Rano, the two brothers, were sitting by the fire when Dranvor came up to them.

“Durba, Rano, come with me.”

“Why?” Durba, the shorter one, whined. “Wot’ve we got to do now?”

“Just come with me. You’ll know when I tell you, and not before. And be quiet! D’ye hear me? If either of you breath a word of this, you’ll have a long slow death.” His voice was low and grim. One look at his face showed that he was in earnest. The two brothers shut their mouths.

Soon they came to a hallway in a deserted part of the castle. Off this hallway they turned into a small chamber. Then Dranvor turned to them.

“Do you two know anything of the forest southeast of here? Now, make sure you answer me truthfully. If you don’t, it will go hard for you.” His voice was like a soft purr, but his eyes were as cold as steel.

Rano answered for both. “Aye, sir. We grew up in that part o’ the country. We know it well enough.”

“Good.” Dranvor looked into their eyes searchingly. “Do you know of anywhere someone wanting to hide from, say, Grenn, would go?

Rano thought for a moment. “Well, sir, they might’ve gone to Brookflowing.”

“Brookflowing?” There was a note of contempt in Dranvor’s voice. “And where, pray tell, might that be?”

“It’s way to the southeast, sir. It’s… sort of like a castle no one can see.”

“Oh? Then how do you know about it?” Dranvor’s voice was mocking.

“Well, it only looks like a cottage next to a cliff. But I’ve heard sounds coming from be’ind the cliff. The cliff’s the walls o’ that place! It would make an idee-al hidin’ place!”

Dranvor was silent a moment. Then he spoke. “Do you two think that you could find your way there?”

Both robbers nodded their heads vigorously. “Yes, sir! If you want us to get you there, we sure can!” Rano asserted.

“Oh, I don’t want you to take me there!” purred Dranvor. “Just your company.”

Rano and Durba looked at each other. “Our company?!!” they chorused. “You mean…”

“Yes. You two are now promoted to the rank of captains. But you’d better not fail me, or Grenn will make you his personal slaves!”

Both men envisioned that and shuddered. Then Rano spoke up. “I beg y’pardon, sir, but why are we going to Brookflowing?”

“You are looking for a young girl named Arabella, and a young man. You will go to this Brookflowing, and you will bring back Arabella and the young man…or else!”

The chilling meaning of that “or else” hung in the air for a minute. Then Rano broke the silence. “Where are those men we’re commanding, sir? We’ll start out for Brookflowing as soon as they’re ready to march.”

Dranvor nodded. “Good. Now you know the consequences if you fail.” And he swept out of the chamber, leaving Durba and Rano by themselves.

Durba and Rano looked at each other. Then Durba spoke. “Well, brudder, looks like we’re cap’ns now, eh Rano?”

Rano could not hide the greed in his eyes as he answered. “Yeah, us’ns are cap’ns now, shore enuff. Y’know what that means? We get to order people around!”

Both brothers looked at each other once again. “Hahahaharr!” Durba chuckled. “Oh, yesss. Let’s go find our men.” Then he broke into laughter once again, and this time Rano laughed with Durba.

Chapter Two

The heavy cart trundled through the forest slowly. A slow drizzle impeded their progress. Molly went patiently. It was better for their patient to go slowly. Meldrum couldn’t help a little grumble about their progress, though.

“We’re only ‘bout halfway there! Wisht we could go a liddle bit faster. This rain’s soaking me to the bone. And I have to push this heavy cart! I tell ye, I almost caint stand it!”

“Ah, shut your complaining mouth. Do you want to go slower? I could not pull and make you do it all!” Molly scolded him. “And what about our poor patient here? It won’t do him any gook to be jouncing around like a sack of wheat!”

Meldrum was silent, but could not resist complaining to the unconscious man a little bit. “That’s my wife for ye! Drivin’ a body almost to death, but not lettin’ ye go any faster!”

Molly looked threateningly at Meldrum. “I heard that, you great fuss box! One more word out o’ you and you’ll be sittin’ in the mud with a knot on your head where I hit you with my frying pan! Now shut your mouth an’ push!” And the cart rolled slowly on down the path towards Brookflowing.

At Brookflowing, the elders were using the drizzle as a convenient time to have a meeting. Grandpa Mart was there, along with Jake, Grandma Benna, Bella, Anjulie the teacher, and several more. Grandpa Mart opened the meeting.

“Well, young Arlan, Bella tells me that you wanted to have a meeting, so here we are. What do you want to tell us?”

Arlan stood. “I must tell you that what I am about to say will cause no small amount of trouble. If you wish, Ella and I will leave after I tell you this, and so you may. But now I will tell you the story.

“I am from around here, as most of you know. I knew about this place, having been here many times. I liked it here, as you know well, but when I was twelve I left to become a squire of Lord Mordan, of the castle Greykeep.”

Just then Anjulie, who was writing down everything that transpired at the meeting, looked up. “Lord Mordan?” she asked. “He is a powerful friend of ours, but we have had no news from him for a few months.”

Arlan smiled sadly. “I can tell you why you have had no news of him recently. Greykeep has been attacked by a robber lord!”

A moment of shocked silence occurred, and then everyone began talking at once. Grandpa Mart silenced them by raising his hand. “Please, everyone, listen to what Arlan has to say!” he pleaded. “Go on with your story, Arlan. How did this happen?”

Arlan took a deep breath. “Two months ago, several robber bands were seen in the area around Greykeep. But they were always gone, by the time Mordan’s soldiers had heard about them. Lord Mordan didn’t take too much notice of this, but I was a little worried, and so was Sir Lanel, a mighty warrior. He said that he only knew of one robber band that could move so quickly and do so much harm: Lord Grenn’s.” Loud gasps were heard from those gathered. Arlan continued his story.

“Now I had become friends with Mordan’s daughter, a little maid named Arabella. Mordan made me her guardian, and told me to take care of her if anything happened, but he didn’t think anything would. Then the worst happened. Lord Grenn, along with his army of ten thousand robbers and pirates, showed up before Greykeep’s walls. He demanded that we surrender the castle. When Lord Mordan refused, Grenn besieged us.

“We were able to hold out for a month, with everyone on half rations of both food and drink. Then Mordan saw that we could hold out no longer, and decided to give his solders a choice: to die fighting, or by starvation. Everyone knew that after having held out against Grenn for so long, he would show no mercy, even if we surrendered.

“Well, everyone chose to go with Lord Mordan and if need be, die fighting. Just as we were about to make our last sortie, Grenn came up to the walls under a flag of truce. He told us to give up and that we couldn’t hold out any longer. His terms were to give him Arabella as a hostage, and name him heir to Greykeep. Lord Mordan asked Grenn to give him and hour to think about it, and Grenn granted it.

“Mordan was naturally very concerned that Grenn knew he had a daughter. He had been going to leave her behind and thought that Grenn might give her mercy, since she was a girl. Now his plans had to be changed, which was why he had asked for the hour. He had no intention of giving in to Grenn.

“In that last hour, Mordan gave his soldiers their last orders. He told me to take Arabella and flee, right after everyone had gone out. He also chose six promising young soldiers and told them to come with me for a little while, then band together and harass the robbers after they had taken the castle. To the rest, he gave only one order: Take as many enemies with them as they could.

“The hour passed. Grenn asked if we would surrender or not, and Mordan answered him by shooting an arrow through the flag of truce. Then the battle began.

“Lord Mordan had us open the main gate. He and all the soldiers marched out, with flag flying and drums beating.

“Then it was time for Arabella, the six soldiers, and me to leave. We were dressed in clothes like the robbers, and made it through the battle unnoticed. In the mêlée we were unnoticed.

“When we got to the edge of the woods, I turned back to look, but I didn’t let Arabella, and it was good that I didn’t. I saw the gallant Sir Lanel fall, brought down by a blow from Grenn’s mace. Then Mordan fell the same way.

“With heavy hearts, we turned to go. When we reached the place where the path fords the river, the six soldiers left us.

“We continued down the path for a while, until we came to the great oak tree that marks where to turn to come to Brookflowing. We camped there that night.

“The next morning, struck off the road towards the southeast. Thus it was that we arrived here yesterday afternoon.”

Anjulie’s eyes were wide in surprise. “You mean that only happened two days ago? Oh, my!”

Arlan nodded. “Yes. That only happened two days ago. I came here because I could think of nowhere else to go, but if you don’t wish us to stay here, I’m sure I can find somewhere else to go.”

Bella raised her hand. “That’s something that confuses me. Arlan, you keep saying that we might want you to leave Brookflowing with Ella, who I suppose is Arabella. But I can’t see why we would want you to leave!”

Everyone started talking at once, wondering why Arlan and Ella should leave the Haven. Grandpa Mart held up his hand. “Arlan, Bella has a point. Tell us why we would want you and Ella to leave Brookflowing Haven.” Everyone quieted, waiting for Arlan’s answer.

“Don’t you see? Grenn needs to make sure that he has no other heirs to claim Greykeep! He is sure to try and kill Arabella. She is a dangerous child to harbor!”

Several small children were running around in the corridors of the main building, because they couldn’t go outdoors to play. One of them, a mischievous imp named Eljo, had produced a little broom and was chasing the others around with it.

“Roaar! I’m gonna sweep ya! Roaar!” The kids were running away, almost falling over with giggling.

They careered around a corner, smacking straight into Jordy, one of the Brookflowing cooks. The impact knocked him over; fortunately, he wasn’t carrying anything. The burly cook loved children, but he tried not to show it. “Hey! What’re you liddle rogues doin’, knockin’ a decent cook over like that?” he growled, trying not to let his grin show. “Hey! Why’re you all sittin’ on me? Can’t you liddle villains let me go?”

The kids looked at each other and grinned. “We tatch oo! Now oo need to takus to titchen, an’, an’, give us cookies!” declared Burl in a moment of genius, sitting on Jordy’s stomach.

“Yeah! C’mon, Jordy, cookies!” exclaimed Michaeljohn, who was usually called Mikey. He tugged on Jordy’s arm, and Jordy sat up.

“Cookies? Why should I give you cookies?” cried Jordy, indignance written all over his face. “My wonderful, delicious cookies made for good little kids, given to these rogues? Never!”

Arenka made a face like she was about to cry. “Me didden’ jump onna you, pwease can ‘Renka ‘ave tookie?”

“Ah, oh, awright, liddle hooligans, com’on down to the kitchen.” And the little group moved down the stairs to the kitchens. Jordy was plied with questions as they did so.

“Jor’y, why is the sky so sad today?”

“Did the sun get sick?”

“Will we ever get to go pway outside again?”

“An’, Jor’y, kin we ‘ave…”

There was silence in the meeting room for a moment or two. Then Jake spoke. “I think that the best thing to do here is find Kelu riverlord and his people. They’ll be able to give us sound advice. And, o’ course, let’s jest keep callin’ Ella Ella, not Arabella. That’ll be best.”

Arlan could hardly believe his ears. “You mean… you’re going to let us stay?”

Grandpa Mart chuckled and slapped Arlan on the back. “Of course we are! We couldn’t let you fend for yourself out there, now, could we?”

“Of course not, Arlan! You’ll be able to stay here as long as you want.” Grandma Benna answered.

Anjulie spoke up. “I think Jake’s suggestion is the wisest and most sensible course. Can any of us speak the Running’s language?

“Hmmm, Abbaye the horse trainer can. Let’s ask her to ask them.”

Arlan looked confused. “The Running’s language? Who are the Runnings, and what do they have to do with this?”

Old Jake chuckled. “The Runnings are two sisters who can run real fast. They talk a different language, a very fast one, and few can understand what they say. I think they kin understand us, though. We’ll ask ‘em to contact the riverlord and ask him to help us. Since they kin run so fast, they’ll only take half a day findin’ him when it would usually take two days.”

“But if they speak a different language, how will the riverlord understand them?”

“Oh, his daughter, Karebeh, can not only understand their language, she speaks it well. She’ll tell her dad what they said.”

Grandpa Mart smiled. “So, who should we send to go get Abbaye?”

“Humph!” muttered Grandma Benna. “Probably Jordyn. She’s out dancing in the rain, I guess she likes it for some reason!” she sarcastically noted.

“Yes, Jordyn would be very good,” Bella agreed. “She won’t mind going through the rain to ask Abbaye.”

Arlan had been thinking. Suddenly, he spoke. “Please, may I go with Abbaye and Jordyn? I think that I would like it.”

Bella nodded her head. “Yes, I’m sure that you can go. Just don’t complain about the rain!”

Jordyn was standing in front of the ovens in the kitchen, having just come in. “Whoa kids, you don’t need to crawl all over me! Go get that brother of mine who gives you too many cookies!”

Watching, Ella could hardly stop a giggle. “Jordyn, they’ve already gotten him. In fact, they’ve gotten so many times that his cookie jar’s empty!”

Jordyn looked up in surprise. “But…all the cookies weren’t eaten, or were they? If they were…”

Ella nodded her head, grinning. “Yes, all the cookies were eaten. Even the ones at the bottom of the jar that Jordy put chili powder in!”

Jordyn groaned. “So that’s why all these kids are crawling all over me! I should never have stood in front of this sink!” (There was a sink right next to the oven that Jordyn was standing in front of.)

Ella was giggling. “Sorry, Jordyn, I’m not making fun of you, but it sure looks funny, all those kids crawling over you. Teehee!”

Ella and Jordyn had already become great friends in the day Ella had been there. Jordyn was about to retort to her giggling when Arlan burst in.

“Hi, Ella. Hi, Jordyn. Jordyn, you and I need to go get Abbaye the horse trainer!”

Jordyn looked puzzled. “Why do we need to get Abbaye? Is something wrong?”

“No, we just need her so we can talk to the Running girls,” Arlan replied. “You will do it, won’t you?” he asked eagerly.

“Sure! It’ll be fun! See ya later, alligator!” she laughed, running out of the kitchens. Arlan followed her, shouting indignantly.

“Hey, wait for me! I’m supposed to go too, you know!”

Arlan caught up to Jordyn as they went through the dining hall. Breathless, he panted, “What were you thinking, running off like that? Now we won’t have any energy for the rest of the way!”

Jordyn grinned. “I’m not tired; I was only running off my extra energy.”

Arlan’s jaw dropped as he realized what Jordyn had just said. “You were only using up your extra energy?! But you were out dancing in the rain all while the elder’s meeting was going on! How do you get so much energy?”

“Oh, I don’t know. Ooh, look, the steps! I’ll jump down all of them! Wahoooo!” she shouted as she jumped. At the bottom she called to Arlan. “C’mon, you jump too!”

He hesitated a moment, but, seeing that no one was looking, he jumped too. “Hahahaha! That’s fun, Jordyn, but we better get going. Oh, what would Grandma Benna say if she saw!” and, chattering away, the two youths went in search of Abbaye.

Soon Jordyn held up her hand as they came to the edge of a clearing. “Shh! Listen!” she whispered.

Arlan listened closely. “I think I hear something like horses! Is that Abbaye?” he asked excitedly.

“It could be. You stay here. I’ll go on and see,” Jordyn said, but, seeing the disappointment on Arlan’s face, she laughed. “Oh, alright, you can come too! Heeheehee! You looked like you had just eaten a lemon! Heeheeheehee!”

“Oh, I looked like a lemon? Then you look like a giggling grape!”

Jordyn could hardly catch her breath for laughing. “Oh, heeheehee, we probably, hahahaha, ought to go around and see. Oh, oh, sh, sh-sh-sh!” and, controlling their laughter with difficulty, they made their way over the clearing. When they got to the edge of the clearing, they saw a brook, with several horses grazing nearby. Arlan saw that there was a younger woman, about Bella’s age, riding one of the horses. She slipped off her horse as Arlan and Jordyn came up.

“Oh, hello, fellows. I’m Abbaye, the horse trainer. I was just about to have tea. Do come and have it with me.” She quickly led the way through the trees to a small shelter. Arlan and Jordyn followed her.

A fire was going, and a pot of tea was on top. As Abbaye poured the tea, Jordyn sat down and Arlan followed her lead. “So, do I know you?” enquired Abbaye. “Wait, don’t tell me.” She looked at Jordyn. “You look like…Jordyn? Jordyn of Brookflowing?”

Jordyn grinned from ear to ear. “Yep, that’s me! But who is this?” she asked mischievously, pointing to Arlan.

“Hmm. I don’t quite know. You look sort of like Ardan, the forester, but you’re far too young.”

Arlan smiled. “I’m his son, Arlan. Jordyn and I just came from Brookflowing.”

Abbaye sat down, pulled her knees up, and clasped her hands around them. “You come from Brookflowing? Why? What did you come for?”

Arlan looked at her. “We came to ask your help.”

Abbaye chuckled. “In all this rain? Well, if I can, I’ll help. Tell me why you need my help.”

Meldrum sat forlornly on the wagon, his feet dangling in the mud. “Molly, are we lost?” he asked, his face the picture of misery. “’Cos if we are, I’m going to lie down and get some sleep. Now, this lucky feller, here, he gets to lie around the whole way!”

Molly answered him sharply, though with a gleam in her eye. “Well, if we’re lost, you great windbag, you need to pull us to the top of that hill before you go to sleep. If you don’t, we’ll get stuck here!” she noted wryly. “So, what will it be? Pull to the top o’ the hill, or get stuck here? Choose quickly, or I’ll bop you with my cooking pan!”

Meldrum rose reluctantly.  “Awwlright, but you need to help me pull it up the hill,” and he gave the wagon a tug.  As the cart started moving, Molly pushed from behind. When they were about halfway up the hill, Meldrum lost his grip on the handles. He slipped in the mud and fell face down in the mud. Molly was startled when the full weight of the cart pushed down on her.

“Meldrum, why’d you let go of the handles?” she scolded. “Hurry, get a hold on them before the cart starts running over me!”

“Mmphtfff! Mshlugnmdp!” came the muffled answer.

Molly peered around the edges of the cart, trying to see what the matter was. She noticed a stone that she could keep the cart from rolling away with, but it was just out of reach. Thinking desperately what to do, Molly realized that the cart had sunk deep enough into the mud that she could take her hands off it for a little while. She quickly got the stone and put it behind the back wheel of the cart, then she ran forward to see what the matter was with Meldrum. She found him cleaning the mud out of his face and sputtering with frustration.

“Molly, I’m sick of traveling in this muck! We’re camping right here!” Molly tried to protest, but it was useless. Meldrum had set his mind.

Seeing that it was useless to argue, Molly set to work making camp.

As Arlan finished his story, Abbaye stood up. “Certainly I’ll help you! We mustn’t let Brookflowing get captured by ruffians! Let’s go see the Running sisters right away.”

Arlan and Jordyn followed her as she led the way out into the wet forest.

They slogged through mud and wet leaves for a while. Abbaye suddenly stopped as they passed under a large oak tree. She put her finger to her lips. “Shh!” Then she raised her head, looking up into the tree. “Chittaheeyoo! Abbahorsee witteefrens ere! Pleescum deeen!”

            Arlan muttered to Jordyn under his breath. “What’s she doin’ that for? Sounds like gibberish t’me!”

            Jordyn smiled secretively. “You’ll see!”

            Suddenly a rustling started in the branches of the great tree. A shower of leaves came down, followed by a young girl[S1]  clad in running clothes. “Abbahorsee[S2] , chittaheeyoo! Heeheehoo alldese, frensof yoos?” she asked, pointing inquisitively at Arlan and Jordyn. “Julse cumeendun heesoon.”

            Arlan watched open-mouthed. “They live in a tree house? That would be so much fun!”

            Jordyn pushed him. “Shh! Abbaye’s talkin’ to her.”

            Abbaye was chattering away in the Running language. “Desebe Jordeen an’ Arleen. Wecum toask yootoo dosumtin hee.” Then she turned to Jordyn and Arlan. “Chaps, this is Racega, the youngest of the Running girls.” Just then another girl descended out of the tree.

            “Heehee, woodyoos leekto cummupere? Cheehee, norain gettup theere,” she explained. “Wekin talkup theere goodhee!”

            The two girls whispered together for a little while. Then, giggling, they led the way around the back of the tree, where Arlan saw a knotted rope hanging from the tree. He couldn’t see the top of it, because the leaves hid it from view. The girls quickly scampered up the rope, and soon Arlan saw Racega’s head poking back down.

            “Climbuppa heerope, slowuns! Cumuppa heefastonow!” Her head disappeared back into the leafy foliage.

            Abbaye smiled. “Looks like we’ve got to climb up the rope, chaps. C’mon, follow me!” She swung up the rope easily. When she reached the top, she called back down to them. “Alright, Jordyn, it’s your turn now!”

            Jordyn grinned at Arlan and started up the rope. About half-way up, she stopped and started swinging on the rope. “Wahoo! This is fun!” she yelled. She was stopped by seeing Arlan’s glare as he looked at her.

            “We don’t have time, Jordyn!” he reproached her. “Stop playing and get up the rope.”

            Jordyn complied, and soon she was up the rope. She poked her head back down and called to Arlan. “Hey, Arlan, it’s fun! Your turn now, so come on!”

            Arlan hadn’t climbed many ropes before, but went at it with a will. His arms and hands were pretty tired by the time he reached the top, but he had climbed the rope quite well.

            After he regained his breath, he looked around. He was on a platform made of cleverly woven sticks, and there was a roof of the same material above him. It looked like there were different rooms, for there were walls with doorways in them on two sides. Towards the outside of the tree the walls were about waist-high, but you could not see far because of the thick foliage.

            Everyone was sitting on the floor on small mats. Racega motioned him to another rug as she sat down; then the other girl started to talk.

            “Whatdo yoowantus toodo f’yoo? Cheehee, dodese nowho I’m, Abbahorsee? Telldem!”

            Abbaye turned to Arlan and Jordyn. “This is Julse. She’s the oldest.” She looked at Arlan. “So what, exactly do you want me to tell them?”

            Arlan[S3]  thought a moment. “Just ask them to tell riverlord Kelu that we need his assistance at Brookflowing, I think.”

            Jordyn spoke just before Abbaye told Julse and Racega what Arlan had said. “Also, Abbaye, tell them that they can come to Brookflowing too, if they wish. It would be fun having them there!”

            Abbaye quickly translated this. After the girls had conferred for a little while, they turned to Abbaye. “Wego quickylike, Cheehee! Telldem togo bactoo Brookeefloween. Wecumdere soonhee!”

            When Abbaye had told the youths that Julse had said to go back to the Haven, Arlan was crestfallen. He had wanted to go with the runners. He pleaded with Abbaye. “Ask them if I can go with them, please!”

            When they heard Abbaye’s request for Arlan, both girls pursed their lips and shook their heads. Racega spoke. “Youar slowun. Yeecudn’t catcheeup witus! Weesory butchew cantcome.”

            Jordyn had a problem after she heard Racega’s response. “But won’t they be slowed down by the mud?” she asked, a puzzled look on her face. “I mean, it will slow them down, won’t it?”

            Abbaye smiled to herself as she translated the query. She knew how the girls got around so fast and was not surprised when she heard their answer. “Cheehee, mudwon’ bot’rus! Wego inna chreetop allaway!”

            Jordyn was reminded of squirrels when she heard what they had said. Now she saw why Arlan would not be able to keep up with them. She nodded to show that she had heard.

            There was a moment of silence. Them Racega broke it. “Cheehee! Wegotta goquicknow! Seeya at Brookeefloween!” There was a flash of color and both girls were gone. Jordyn, Abbaye, and Arlan sat looking at each other in surprise. Abbaye was the first to speak.

            “Well… I suppose we had better head for Brookflowing, fellows,” she commented, a trifle weakly. She had been expecting a sudden departure of the girls, but still had not been ready for it. “We can’t let the riverlord already be there when we arrive.” She went over to the rope quickly and descended into the rain, with the kids following closely behind.

Chapter Three

            Anjulie had been searching through the old Haven records all day, while Arlan and Jordyn had been visiting with the Running girls and Abbaye. She had not had much luck so far, for she was searching for records of battle at Brookflowing. There had had been very few of these. So few, in fact, and so ancient, that she could find no records.

            As she was digging through a drawer full of scrolls, a bag of ancient leather caught her attention. She carefully pulled it out and gingerly opened the brittle leather. Inside the bag a small tablet of wood was laying. Anjulie pulled it out and looked curiously at the old-fashioned letters carved on its deep brown surface. The side she looked at first had an inscription carved on it that read:

            In the unlikely event that Brookflowing Haven is ever in danger, this riddle will show the way to go for help. Beware! Only the most brave, stout, and strong people, in both mind and body, will be able to do as this says.

                ~ written by order of Master Elias, in his 20^th year as Master of Brookflowing.

            Anjulie could hardly stifle her excitement. It was written in the days of Master Elias! That was as old as the Haven was! But she didn’t see a riddle. It occurred to her that the riddle must be on the back of the tablet. She turned the tablet over, holding her breath as she waited to see what it said on the other side.

            When she saw the writing in old-fashioned script she almost squealed with excitement. The riddle[S4]  ran thus:

    To go this route you are brave or a fool;

        But if go you must, then follow this rule.

        Don’t go towards the stew, ‘tis wrong,

        Just follow the path that seems to be wrong,

        Where no one goes but the ants and the birds.

        One dark, one light, and look up for the words,

        They’ll tell you how, now follow them true!

        Go to the shout and through the dew,

        Then leave the path, fool, or you’ll rue it

        And if black death comes from the Rewitt,

         Remember what the words above

        Told you to do, and do it!

        Now journey on, one day, one night,

        Oh, now be glad! You’ve found Labright!

        Seek out the leader, go to him

        He’ll give you help, if the right one wins.

            “That’s one hard riddle!” exclaimed Anjulie as she set down the tablet. “I wonder what it all means!” She went out of the little room in the gatehouse/cottage set aside for the records. Jake was sitting at his usual place, looking out the window to see anyone who came. She smiled at him. “Hello, Jake. Have Arlan and Jordyn returned yet?”

            Jake shook his grizzled head. “Not yet. Oh, I’ll bet that’s them! Look,” and he pointed out the window.

            Anjulie peered through the window, trying to see. “But there are three of them! I wonder who the other one is,” she puzzled.

            Jake bent to get a better look. “Waal, mebbe it’s Abbaye. She could ‘a come with ‘em.”

            Stifling a gasp of excitement, Anjulie burst out, “Really? Abbaye? I haven’t seen her since… oh, I can’t remember when! See you later, Jake. I’m going to see if it really is Abbaye!”

            Chuckling, Jake watched as she rushed off. Anjulie and Abbaye had been best friends for a long time, even though they didn’t get to see each other very much.

            It was Abbaye. She and the two kids were walking towards the Haven . There was a slight stir at the cottage/gate, and a person came running out. Abbaye called the kids’ attention to it.

            “I say, fellows, who do you think that is? See, over by the gate.”

            Jordyn looked hard towards Brookflowing. “Uh, it’s hard to see, and I can’t be sure, but it looks like it could be Anjulie. I’ve never seen her run like that though.”

            Both kids were startled by Abbaye’s reaction. “Anjulie!?! Oh, my!” and she started running towards the figure who was running towards them.

            The youths looked at each other in bewildered astonishment. Then Arlan spoke up. “Well, let’s go see what the fuss is all about!” and they took off running after Abbaye.

            Durba and Rano and their band of robbers were lost. There was no other word for it. They had been blundering through the rain and mud all day and had just now stopped for a halt.

            Durba kicked at a small, sly looking robber that had been huddled on a log. “Cummon, git a fire started. Hurry it up!”

            The robber, whose name was Slindu, groaned at Durba’s stupidity. “’Tis impossible to make a fire, ‘cos of the rain. Git that into yore thick head!”

            Rano, the more ruthless of the brothers, came over. He had not heard Durba and Slindu’s exchange, which was good for Slindu. Rano would have killed Slindu if he had heard his comment about Durba, and Slindu knew it. He was relieved when Rano started grumping to Durba, and he slunk away, but he stayed close enough to hear what they were saying.

            “Durba, I thought yew said we’d be there faster if we went sout’west first. So now where are we?” Rano challenged.

            Durba feebly protested. “I’m right, Rano, jest the mud an’ rain has slowed us up. Aw, don’t worry. All we ‘ave to do is follow the path, e’en though’t seems to be goin’ the wrong way.”

            Rano rolled his eyes. “Alright. Yew git two more days to git us to Brookflowin’. Den if’n  we ain’t there, I’m takin’ over. Alright?”

            Durba sighed and slumped over in a sulk. “Oh, alright,” he reluctantly said. “But kin we ‘ave a fire now? I’m real cold,” he whined.

            Rano said nothing, just went over to Durba and shook him hard.

            “Ey! Wot’re you doin’ that fer?” protested Durba.

            “I’m trying to shake some sense inter yew! It’s raining, Durba, raining! There isn’t any dry wood ter make a fire with, an’ even if there was, the rain’d put it out! If yew want to git warm, go look fer a comfy spot that’s dry. Then come tell me. If yew find one, we’ll sleep there. Alright?”

            With a face wreathed in smiles, Durba nodded and went off to look for a good, dry place to sleep.

            Slindu narrowed his eyes. Well, know he knew that they were going someplace called “Brookflowing”, and that it was only about two days’ march away. But he still didn’t know enough for his plan. He would just have to follow Rano and see if he could learn more.

            Grenn sat on the makeshift throne in his room, his hand straying to the mace by his side. He was exhausted, but he didn’t want to sleep. His dreams had been haunted by the young man, Arabella, and the knight he had killed since the battle in which he became ruler of Greykeep. Fighting it off as long as possible, he slowly drifted towards sleep…

            Suddenly Grenn was standing on the roof of the keep, laughing over a victory he had won. Then he heard a sound behind him. There was the knight he had felled! Grenn reached for his mace. It wasn’t where he had put it! He swung around, hearing a laugh behind him. Holding Grenn’s mace and laughing was the young man. Grenn turned to run, but there was nowhere to go. Arabella ran towards the knight, holding a marvelous sword. The knight raised it and called Grenn’s name. “Grenn! Grenn!”…

            “Lord Grenn!” Lord Grenn? Why would the knight say that? Suddenly Grenn realized that he was no longer dreaming. Druzila stood at the door. “Lord Grenn?” She bowed, seeing that her lord was on his throne. “Sire, is anything wrong?” she asked cautiously. “I heard a commotion.”

            Grenn looked at her coldly. He was not going to admit that he had been terrified by a nightmare. “No,” he answered shortly. “I, Grenn Macehand, in trouble?” he laughed arrogantly. “You were mistaken. Now get out of my sight before I get tired of your ugly face and kill you!” he snarled in a sudden outburst of anger. “Go!” and he gave an impatient gesture.

            Druzila bowed low and hastily retreated from the chamber.

            The rain pounded down outside the window. Grenn sighed and slumped over, his hand on his forehead. Would he ever get any rest?

            Lieutenant Perry Bowman stood leaning on his longbow at the forest’s edge. His dark green uniform blended with the forest behind as he looked towards Greykeep. The tall, muscular man glanced at his companions, lancer John Lancearm and the scout Marjory Mae Mellflower.

            “I can’t see ol’ Grenn from here. MM, you come take a look. You have sharper eyes than me.”

            “I’m not MM!” Marjory protested. “I won’t help you if you call me that once more, but this time I’ll look.” She silently stood and peered at the castle. “Hmm. You know,” she pondered out loud, “Lord Mordan had his private chamber on the other side of the castle. I bet ol’ Grenn’s made that his room. What do you guys think?” Marjory looked at them.

            Lieutenant Perry nodded his head in approval. “I think that’s a good idea! Well thought of, M… Marjory.”

            Marjory glowered at Perry, but John broke in before she could say anything. “Good, you two. Let’s go around to the other side of the castle and see. We don’t have all the time in the world for bickering, we’ve gotta hurry!”

            Marjory and Perry hung their heads. “Well, I s’pose we better get over there, huh?” Marjory mumbled.

            John smiled grimly. “That’s better. Now, let’s go.” With John leading the way, the other two followed.

            A sudden commotion on the roof of the river boat of the family of the Riverlord woke Annie, the wife of Kelu Riverlord. She started going outside to see what was happening, but as she moved toward the door, her baby, Liga, sat up in her cradle.

            “Mamabagrglphmph,” Liga giggled. “Bdrdrdrmba!” She looked at Annie and gave a charming smile and held out her hands to be picked up.

            Annie hesitated only an instant before picking up Liga and then going outside. By now there had also been two thumps on the deck of the boat, and she was pretty sure what was happening. What she heard next confirmed it:

            “Annee Ligamum, chittaheeyoo! Wherehee Kareebehchee?” The Running girls were there. Annie knew a little of their language, especially those two sentences, which meant: “Hello, Annie the mother of Liga! Where’s Karebeh?”

            “Hello, Julse and Racega,” she called to them. “Just a minute. I’ll get Karebeh.” She went back into the boat and into a side cabin. Karebeh[S5]  was there, reading a book. She was stretched out on the bed with a lamp at her side. Annie smiled before calling her daughter.

            “Karebeh!” When Karebeh looked up, Annie went on. “Julse and Racega came to see you, even in all this rain. They’re waiting up on the deck.”

            Karebeh jumped up eagerly. “Julse and Racega? Oh, that’ll be fun!”

            Annie smiled. “Well, go up and talk to them. They seemed to be a little bit more urgent than usual.”

            Karebeh was a little older than the Running sisters, but she was good friends with them anyway. “Alright,” she replied. “I’ll go up there right now.” She ran up the stairs and out into the rain on deck. There she almost ran straight into Julse, who had moved to stand right in front of the door.

            “Whoa!” she exclaimed, startled. “Hee! Ina’ dinna shedat yoodere! Ah, chittaheeyoo!”

            The girls giggled. “Chittaheeyoo, Kareebehchee! Wegotta sumtin’ totellee yoohee!” Julse exclaimed.

            “Cheehee, yees!  Hee, Wegotta tellee yoodaddee too! Kinyoo takus tohim?” Racega added.

            “You need to tell Dad something?” Karebeh asked. “Chee, cumma wit’me. Heesover here!” She went and got in a small rowboat, with the girls close behind her. Then she rowed over to another riverboat close by. (These riverboats were more like small ships than the modern-day riverboats.)

            There was a rope ladder hanging over the edge, and Karebeh nimbly climbed over and onto the deck. “Dad!” she called. “The Runnings have something they need to tell you!”

            The Runnings watched as Kelu Riverlord stepped out onto the deck. He was a tall man, with powerful muscles and a shock of wayward brown hair. He went over to Karebeh and looked fondly at her. “What are you doing here?” he questioned here. “You know that I was having a meeting with the leaders to decide where to go next.”

            Smiling, Karebeh looked up at her dad and smiled. “Yes, I did know that, Dad, but Julse and Racega have something they need to tell you. I thought that you might want to hear it before you all decided what to do, in case it was something that would affect your plans.”

            Kelu smiled wryly. “Well, that was a good idea, but, remember, I can’t understand a word of what they’re saying. You’ll have to translate.” He grinned mischievously at her. “And you know how much you hate doing that!”

            “Da-ad! You know that’s not true!” Both father and daughter grinned. Then Kelu turned towards the Runnings.

            “And what do these two have to say that could be of such moment to the counsels of which way we go on the rivers?” he asked in a half-serious, half-teasing tone.

            Karebeh translated to the girls, who immediately started chattering.

            “Abbahorsee tellee usto askyoo toogoto Brookeefloween,” Julse stated matter-of-factly. “Dey needyoo to ‘elpem!”

            Karebeh thought a second, then turned to her dad. “They said that Abbaye told them to ask you to go to Brookflowing. They need you to help them for some reason.”

            “Well, ask them if they know why the people at Brookflowing need our help.”

            Karebeh did so, but Racega shook her head. “Wenot know ‘bout trubble. Dere’sa newone atta Brookeefloween now. Mebbe dat’swhy!”

            Karebeh translated. “They don’t know, Dad, but there’s a person at Brookflowing that they haven’t seen before. Maybe that has something to do with it.”

            There was silence for a moment, as Kelu thought. Then he spoke. “Tell the girls they have done good work, Karebeh. Ask them to stay until the meeting is over. I will go inform the leaders of this news.” He moved over the deck and beck into the cabin, leaving Karebeh with the girls.

Chapter 4

            That night, a strange bird flew over the forest. He saw Greykeep, where all the lights were out except one. Turning south, he observed a band of men just barely visible, not far from a cart stuck halfway up the hill. He wondered vaguely how someone could get stuck up there, but flew on. Soon he saw the glint of moonlight on water, where the night’s stillness was being disturbed by shouted orders and the creaking of oars. Curious, he turned east and flew up the river to the stone nest. He had seen it many times in his travels. There many lights were ablaze, and in the meeting, a cacophony of voices was to be heard. There were two of the ground dwellers in the orchard; they must be old friends, since they were talking so much. Maybe they hadn’t seen each other for a while.

            The bird pondered all the strange activity in the woods that night as he continued eastward and slightly south, but he had no answer for it.

            If the bird had stayed over Brookflowing a little while longer, he might have seen strange rustlings in the trees, that seemed to pass form one tree to another. These rustlings went straight the edge of the trees around the Haven. Here they stopped, for there were no more trees. But two figures came out into the open space and started climbing the wall. The ivy gave them an easy climb; and soon they were on the top. Then the Runnings, (for it was them, of course) started down the inside of the wall. They reached the foot just inside of the orchard, where Anjulie and Abbaye were talking.

            Their chatting soon stopped when they heard to noise of the girls climbing the wall. Anjulie looked up. “I wonder what that could be.” Bewilderment showed plainly on her pretty face. “I’ve never heard that sound before!”

            Abbaye listened for a moment. Then she burst out laughing.

            Now Anjulie was even more puzzled. “What’s so funny, Abbaye?”

            Amusement still showed on Abbaye’s face, even though she had stopped laughing. “That sounds like the Running girls. They must be climbing the wall.” Anjulie’s face looked so funny when Abbaye said this that she burst out laughing again.

            “Climbing over the wall? Oh, my!” Anjulie was stunned for an instant. Then a look of puzzlement came over her face. “But why would they do that? The gate is just over there.”

            Shrugging her shoulders, Abbaye stood up. “I don’t know. Maybe because it’s easier for them, but I think that it’s more likely that they do it just for fun.” Moving towards the wall, she pondered out loud. “I wonder what news they brought.”

            Another thing that the bird missed was the small fire burning in the woods close to Greykeep. Around it, six people were sitting. Two of them were women, and the other four were men. They were talking about what had happened that day.

            Lancer John was speaking. “You should see them!” he commented, gesturing towards Lieutenant Perry and Marjory. “They have such a feud going over what he calls her that I had to break up their quarrel three times. And we never got a good shot at Grenn or one of his brass. Maybe next time.”

            Perry sputtered in indignation. “Hey! Marjory just won’t accept a perfectly good nickname! If she wouldn’t get so mad about it, it would be fine.”

            Marjory looked at Perry. “Oh, yeah? Well, I think it would be fine if you stopped calling me MM!”

            John rolled his eyes and glanced at the others. “See what I mean?”

            The other lady stood. “Yes, bro, I do see what you mean. Stop it, you two!” She was the Lancer’s twin sister; a scout and also very good at archery. Her name was Jane, (Lancearm, of course) but the others called her “Archer” most of the time because of her prowess with the bow. Now she took Marjory away from the others into the forest a short distance.

            “Now, Marjory, what’s this all about? Why does Perry calling you MM work you up so?”

            Turning away, Marjory spoke in a discouraged tone. “You don’t understand. Archer is a good nickname, not a silly one like MM.” She spat out the nickname. “It just drives me crazy when he calls me that!”

            With her brow furrowing in sympathy, Jane thought. “You’re right. I don’t understand. But I do know that if something is bothering me and I just ignore it and then later ask the person who is bothering me to stop, then they usually will. Maybe you should try that.” She sounded like she truly cared, for she did and wanted to help Marjory.

            But Marjory had a problem. She frowned. “I know, but…” She sighed. “It’s so hard to ignore. And he’s doing it on purpose! It feels like he’s trying to hurt my feelings!”

            Jane thought some more, hard. “Well…, maybe Perry does call you MM on purpose, but I’m sure he doesn’t mean to hurt your feelings. Why don’t you just talk  to him and tell him how you feel about it?”

            Narrowing her eyes in frustration, Marjory burst out, “But he does know how I feel, at least, he should! He should be able to tell.”

            Jane shrugged her shoulders. “Well, I don’t know. Men think different from us; maybe he doesn’t realize how it hurts you. I still think you ought to talk to him about it.”

            Marjory raised her eyebrows doubtfully. “Well, alright. I’ll talk to him if I get the chance,” she reluctantly acceded.

            Jane smiled. “Good. Now let’s go back to camp.”

            Marjory nodded.

            “Alright, then, let’s go.” Jane led the way, with Marjory slowly following. She was thinking of how she had such a hard time controlling her feelings and emotions. I…need help, she realized. But I don’t know anyone who can help me, she thought, a feeling akin to terror rising up in her. What’s missing? Looking up she saw that Jane was quite a ways ahead, and she hurried to catch up.

           

            In the meeting room at Brookflowing, the council and Arlan were discussing the riddle Anjulie had found.

            “This is very strange,” Bella remarked. “I can’t even get an idea about what it means.”

            “Well, the first two lines are clear,” Arlan pondered, his brow creased.

“‘To go this route you are brave or a fool;

But if you go, then follow this rule.’

“That means that it’s a really hard way to go, and if we go that way, then follow the instructions in the riddle. But I can’t figure out the next line:

‘Don’t go towards the stew, ‘tis wrong.’ What’s a ‘stew’ mean, and why should we not go towards it? Are we not supposed to go toward the kitchen?”

            “Well, we need to figure out the first part, at least. If we don’t, you won’t be able to go on your journey, Arlan,” Jake dryly commented. This startled Arlan.

            “MY journey? I’m going to have to go this way?” Arlan’s reply was a mixture of dread and hope.

            Jake chuckled. “Well, I don’t think that I can make a long hard journey, do you? What about Grandma Benna? Think about her going on a long journey!”

            Arlan did so, and smiled inadvertently.

            “And Grandpa Mart! He ain’t goin’ nowhere very soon, and Bella and Anjulie are indispensable, not that we aren’t. Anyway, looks like it has to be you, Arlan.”

            Arlan gave a resigned sigh. “Oh, well.” He brightened up. “And it might be sort of fun!” With that, he changed the subject. “By the way, where are Anjulie and Abbaye? I haven’t seen them for a while, and we sure could use their help on this riddle.”

            Grandma Benna overheard his question. “Anjulie and Abbaye? Ah, they’re probably out somewhere talking their heads off, since they haven’t seen each other for a while. Why don’t you try the orchard? That used to be one of their favorite places to talk.

            “Are you sure they’d be in the orchard? It just stopped raining! I’ll go look for them,” said Arlan, ignoring her nod in response to his question. He didn’t think anyone would be out in the damp, cold night air in the orchard, just to talk, let alone sitting in the mud. He ran out of the chamber in search of the pair.

            His search in the main building showed that they probably weren’t there. They weren’t in the dining hall, the bedrooms, the kitchens, or anyplace else he could think of. He met up with lots of kids up past their bedtimes, but no Abbaye or Anjulie.

            Finally he decided to check the out buildings and see if they were there. As he headed outside and started down the steps, four figures appeared in front of him. One of them spoke:

            “Arleen, issa yoo? Chittaheeyoo!”

            Then he heard another voice. “Oh, hello, Arlan! The Runnings just got here, and we were bringing them in.”

            Arlan peered into the darkness, but his light-adjusted eyes could not make out their faces. “Anjulie, is that you? Is Abbaye with you?”

            “Yes, I’m here,” came another voice. “We were in the orchard.”

            “You were?” Arlan asked, incredulously. “In all this mud? Oh, I should have listened to Grandma Benna. It would have saved me searching all over this place for you guys.”

            Anjulie’s laugh sounded. “Oh, we don’t mind the mud. Come; let’s go inside where you can tell us why you were looking for us, Arlan. Also, we’ll be able to see each other!”  And, laughing, they went inside.

            Meldrum’s snores were issuing from the back of the cart as Molly checked to see if their patient was warm. He was mumbling something and thrashing around, and the blanket was down around his feet. Molly bent over to pull it up again, but as she did so, her dark curls fell around her face. She finished pulling up the blanket, and brushed them back out of her face. When she looked up, the man was looking at her.

            Blinking like he had just awakened, he looked around, bewildered. “Why am I here? Where is here?” he asked.

            “You’re in a cart in the woods, and you’re here because we’re taking you to a place called Brookflowing,” answered Molly, doing her best to stay calm. “You’re hurt.”

            The man closed his eyes. “Brookflowing. I like that name. It sounds nice.” Suddenly he opened his eyes again. “How was I hurt?”

            As Molly looked at him, she could tell he was a great warrior, even though he was weakened by sickness. He gave her a steady look, reminding her of his question. She sized his situation up quickly. His fever had broken, so he would probably wake up in the morning. “Oh, don’t worry about that,” she soothingly replied. “I’ll tell you in the morning; now you need to get some rest.”

            Satisfied, he relaxed and seemed to go to sleep. Molly returned to her bed, after deciding against telling Meldrum her news. It wouldn’t hurt him to have to wait till morning too.

            Slindu listened for Durba’s snoring, knowing that when he heard that, he would have a chance to spy on Rano. His eyes gleamed as he thought of his ambitious plan. But it all hinged on knowing what Rano was going to do, and he hadn’t been able to figure that out yet.

            With his mind intently focused on listening, his muscles tensed when he heard the tell-tale sound of Durba’s snores. Stealthily he slunk out from the camp to see what Rano did after he no longer had to worry about Durba.

            Druzila had once again been summoned to Grenn’s chamber. He looked at her sharply when she entered, and nodded towards a glass of wine.

            “Here, you can have that.”

            Nodding her head in acknowledgement of the gift, Druzila murmured her thanks. Then she turned her attention to the matter in hand. “Sire, what is thy need? For I can tell when you need me.”

            Grenn frowned darkly. He did not like the idea that Druzila could read him so easily. But his frown faded the instant it appeared, and he again gazed at Druzila sharply.

            “I will tell you, but you must not tell anyone—on pain of death!”

            Druzila looked up steadily. “Thou need not fear that I wouldst tell upon thee. What is thy need?”

            Seeing that it was useless to delay further, Green took a deep breath and closed his eyes. “I have been having nightmares, ever since the battle in which we took this castle. They have been disturbing my sleep and causing me to get no rest. Can you make one of your potions to help me sleep?”

            Druzila closed her eyes in thought.  “I believe I can. I will go to my chambers and mix this compound, if you so desire.”

            Nodding, Grenn answered, “Yes, go. But mind,” he warned in a chilling whisper, “Do not tell!”

            As Druzila turned to leave, a sudden thought struck Grenn. “Wait,” he called out. “Tell me what herbs you are using in this potion.” He smiled slyly. “That way I can be sure that you are not poisoning me.”

            Seething inside because Grenn suspected her, Druzila calmly replied, “Thou knowest I would not harm thee, but I will tell you. To make this potion I use chamomile, passion flower, some mint, and oatstraw. These herbs I steep in boiling water to make the drink. It will not harm, just make sleep come easily to thee. Do not worry.”

            Grenn eyed her suspiciously for a moment, then waved his hand. “Alright, you  may go.”

            Bowing low, Druzila left.

            At the soldier’s camp, Jane and the other two soldiers, Acton Bickford and Floyd Branson, had made their report of seeing a group of the robbers leave Greykeep and head in the direction of Brookflowing. They had decided to check it out the next morning and stay where they were for the night.

            Marjory and Lieutenant Perry were on first watch. Marjory decided to use this time to talk to Perry about her feelings.

            “Um, Perry?” she called.

            “What, MM?” came the reply.

            Feeling anger swelling up in her at Perry using his nickname for her, Marjory was silent for a moment, fighting it back. Gritting her teeth, she forced herself to continue. “Uh, that’s what I was wanting to talk to you about—you know, you calling me that.”

            “Uh-oh. I must be in trouble.” It sounded like Perry was having fun!

            Marjory narrowed her eyes in frustration. “Please, Perry, I’m serious!” She hoped her anger didn’t show. “When you call me MM, it really hurts. Could you please stop?” There was a long silence. The coolness of the night enveloped Marjory, and its stillness. There was not a breeze blowing, and it felt like you had to whisper. She had whispered the last sentence.

            Finally a sound came from Perry. “Oh.” That was all. It sounded like he was looking down. “I’m—sorry.” Then came another whisper. “I’ll try.. not to call you that.”

            As the moon rose, both stood lost in their own thoughts, waiting for something,(though they weren’t sure what). Both were glad that they had made peace between them.

            As Arlan, Abbaye, Anjulie, Racega, and Julse crossed the dining hall, Arlan couldn’t help glancing at the Runnings. It was a huge hall, and it had stained-glass windows at the very top of the walls. Above these, the roof soared, so far that it was almost lost in shadows. Arlan had been amazed when he first saw it; and he figured that the Runnings hadn’t seen it before, so he was looking for their reaction.

            When they had entered the hall, Julse and Racega had both stopped for an instant in awe, but Julse had recovered from it. She was walking along unconcernedly, as if she had seen it every day of her life. Racega was trying to do the same, but couldn’t help an amazed glance upward or sideways now and then.

            Arlan was so amused by the girls’ reaction to the hall that he didn’t notice the person right in front of him. That was why he started when a voice talked right next to him when they got to about the middle of the hall.

            “Arlan! There you are! Have they finally figured out the riddle, or have the given up and ended the meeting?”

            Arlan quickly looked over and saw Jordyn standing there. “Oh! I mean, I didn’t see you. I thought you were with Ella in the kitchens. Didn’t I just see you there?”

            “She’s with Rosalie. They’re helping Jordy get breakfast ready. Now will you answer my question?” Jordyn rather impatiently replied. “And why are Abbaye and Anjulie and the Runnings here with you?”

            Still a little confused, Arlan tried to recover. “Well, no, they haven’t finished the meeting or solved the riddle. I’m out here because Abbaye and Anjulie had left to talk, so I came out here to find them. And they had met the Runnings, so they were coming in, and I met them. I guess the girls have some news.”

            Jordyn snorted. “Why don’t they have the younger one in the meeting? We could prob’ly solve the riddle in no time.”

            Arlan cocked his head. “I hadn’t thought of that, but it gives me an idea.”

            “What?” Jordyn asked curiously.

            In response, Arlan smiled secretively. “I’ll tell everyone when I’ve got it all thought out.”

            “Hey! Why won’t you tell me now?”

            Arlan smiled mischievously. “I don’t know, maybe just for the fun of having secrets from you.” Jordyn narrowed her eyes and looked at Arlan, who backed off. “Aw, I was just teasing. I’m only not telling you because I don’t have anything more than a general idea. I haven’t got it figured out yet.”

            Jordyn gave an unsatisfied “humph.”

            “Well… maybe I’ll tell you before the others,” Arlan conceded. Then he looked around to see where the others were. “Oh, Jordyn, look!” Jordyn looked in the direction Arlan was pointing. “Let’s catch up to them. I’m sure you can come in with us to help solve the riddle,” Arlan urged.

            Jordyn pretended to be reluctant, but she really wanted to see what was happening in the meeting, so she went along.

            Things had been sort of quieting down in the meeting room when to door opened and Abbaye, Anjulie, and the Running sisters walked in. Clamor instantly broke out again.

             Calling for silence, Grandpa Mart turned toward the foursome. “Who are these girls, Anjulie? You know that this meeting is not for children.”

            Anjulie smiled, her eyes sparkling with fun. “Well, you might want to let these children in.”

            “That’s right,” Abbaye agreed. “These aren’t your ordinary youngsters.”

            “Who are they, then?” Emmila was a younger woman, who had only been in the council for a few months. That was why she hadn’t spoken before.

            Jake stood up. He had been chuckling silently ever since Grandpa Mart had asked what the girls were doing. Now he spoke, addressing Emmila at first. “Why, ma’am, those are the Running sisters, and they’re a very unique pair.” He turned to Grandpa Mart. “I think we ought to listen to them; they probably bring news,” and he sat down.

            Just then, Arlan and Jordyn came rushing in. Grandma Benna saw Jordyn and was about to disapprove, but Arlan spoke faster. “Uh, hi, everyone! I brought Jordyn in because I thought she could help solve the riddle. Is that alright?”

            Everyone nodded their head and murmured their assent, except one: Grandma Benna.

            “I don’t know,” she shook her head. “Not in a council meeting. But I suppose she can stay here while we hear these girls’ news.”

            “Oh!” Arlan smacked his forehead. “I forgot that you hadn’t heard it yet. Sorry!” As he sat down, he whispered confidentially to Jordyn. “I hadn’t heard it either.” She smiled mischievously and winked at him. As the Runnings started to speak, things calmed down… For a little while.

Chapter 5

The night was becoming colder, and the breeze was growing stronger. If her hair hadn’t been pulled back in a neat braid, it would have been blowing in her face, making it even harder to see. She wondered exactly where she was. Surely she must be getting close! Suddenly she tripped and fell. Looking around as best she could, it seemed to be a good place to rest for the night. It was sheltered from the wind by trees and bushes, and somehow had escaped being transformed into mud during the storm.

            Before she lay down, she knelt. “Lord, Master of the Lendain and Ruler of all, thank You for providing me with this warm place to sleep. Please help me to carry out this mission that was assigned me by the Lendain. Give me strength, for without You, I am nothing. Thank You, Lord.”

Absarabah[S6]  of the Lendain lay peacefully down to sleep, blissfully unaware of the trouble that she was headed straight into.

Julse began by saying: “Chittaheeyoo, Brookeefloween frensof us! Webringa noosfrum Rivvalord Keludaddee, chee!”

Abbaye translated. “ ‘Hello, Brookflowing friends of ours. We bring news from Riverlord Kelu,” is what she said.”

With an impatient twist of her long braid, Racega stepped forward. “Wewenta Keludaddee anasked ‘im wotyoo tellustoo.  Den wewait wilee talktalk wit’is cheefs.”

As Abbaye translated, Julse continued. “Wen Keludaddee gettadun wit’ talktalk, hetellus toocum’ere an’ tellee yoo datdey’ll be’ere atta noonday ‘morrow. Dat’s all, chee!”

Racega nodded. “Ayah, dat’sall. Isit goodhee?”

Everyone could see that they had brought good news, even before Abbaye translated. “Well, when Kelu got done with his meeting,” she paused for effect, her eyebrows raised mischievously, “he sent them back with the news that the Rivertribes will be here by noon tomorrow!” Cheers broke out around the room, and Abbaye ceased being translator for a moment. “I say, that’s rather delightful news. Hopefully the Rivertribes will be able to help us out with the jolly old riddle, eh!”

After order was restored to the room, Emmila raised her hand. “Um, I was thinking that, to celebrate the tribes coming, we could maybe have a feast.”

Grandpa Mart beamed. “That’s a wonderful idea, Emmila. Benna, do you think that you and Jordy are up to it?” She nodded, so he continued. “Abbaye, could you ask the sisters if they would like to stay for the feast?”

Julse and Racega were nodding and excitedly chattering their assent almost before she got done translating. She relayed the news back to Grandpa Mart, but it was almost unneeded.

He nodded his head in satisfaction. “Good. Now, it’s late, and we all need to get to bed. We can work on the riddle more tomorrow. Now, no arguing! Off to bed with all of us!”

As the meeting slowly broke up, Jordyn walked over to Anjulie’s side. “Uh,  I was wondering, I mean, I . . .”

“What is it, Jordyn?” Anjulie asked with a smile.

“Well, uh, I was wondering if you’d let me look at the riddle,” she shyly murmured, fiddling with her tunic’s hem. “I wanted to see if I could solve it, or something.”

Anjulie looked at Jordyn kindly. “Why, certainly you may have it, but you must be careful not to damage it, and I will need it back before breakfast.” She took the tablet out of her pocket and handed it to Jordyn.

“Oh, thank you!” Jordyn exclaimed. “Don’t worry. I’ll have it back before we eat.” Clutching it to her chest, she hurried off to her room to look at it closely, and search for clues.

Slowly the lights at Brookflowing flickered and went out, one by one as the inhabitants fell asleep, dreaming of the exciting changes. But the creaking of oars on the river continued, moving slowly and steadily up the river to Brookflowing; and two soldiers stood watch over a small fire.

Even though their light was out, Rosalie and Ella were not asleep. Rosalie had asked if Ella could stay the night in her room instead of having to go through the mud to the guest house, and since Rosalie’s parents agreed, Ella had said yes.  So now they were talking and giggling together.

Ella snuggled under the blankets. “Oh, it’s so much fun to be here! You must have a lot of fun, especially when you’re here all the time.” She sighed happily and pulled her blankets up to her chin.

Rosalie shrugged. “I guess, but I must’ve gotten used to it, since I haven’t been anywhere else. Didn’t you have a fun time where you lived?” She gave a puzzled frown. “And where did you live, anyway?”

Shifting uneasily, Ella tried to answer. “Well… it’s way to the northwest… I think. It wasn’t as much fun because my mom died when I was just a baby. So my dad raised me by himself, with a nurse. I couldn’t play as much.” Ella knew that she shouldn’t tell who her father was, but she hoped Rosalie didn’t ask too many questions.

Unknowingly, Ella had set herself up for a question she wasn’t supposed to answered, and it was also an answer that she really didn’t want to think about.

“So why isn’t your dad with you? Where is he?”

Rosalie was stunned by Ella’s sudden sobs.

“What’s wrong? Did I say something? . . .”

Jordyn was now old enough to be in a separate room, so she kept a lamp going as she looked at the piece of wood. As she turned it over in her hands, she noticed a small bit of carving on the edge. Quickly she peered at it. It read:

    =  

She couldn’t believe her eyes. Here was a clue, but she couldn’t read it! Passing on, she looked at the other edges to see if there were any more clues. Seeing none, she went back to the strange writing.

“What could this be?” she wondered aloud. “It looks like ordinary letters, but I can’t read the words!”

As she sat pondering the strange words, a solution came to her.

Her eyes widened as she realized what it said, and what it meant for the riddle.

“Oh, my! I need to show this to someone!” she cried. Hurrying out to the hall, she looked around to see if anyone was still up. Seeing no one, she sighed and went to bed, blowing out the lamp on her way.

Rosalie stared worriedly at Ella. “Are you all right?” she asked, her eyes wide. “I didn’t mean to. . .” her sentence trailed off.

Ella drew a long, shuddering breath. “I’m sorry. It’s just that. . .” she hesitated, trying to think what she could tell Rosalie.

“Just that what?” prompted Rosalie.

Ella looked down and fidgeted with the bedcovers. “It’s just that I’m not sure where Daddy is. I’m afraid something might have happened to him.” She sniffled a little bit. “I miss him a lot.”

Rosalie’s eyes were cast down as she replied. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know,” she whispered.

Both girls were silent for a moment. Then Ella turned over. “It’s all right.” She reached over and squeezed Rosalie’s hand. With a sigh, both girls fell asleep.

Marjory shook her head, trying to clear her mind of its weariness, and blinked hard. The night was wearing on, and it was becoming harder and harder to stay alert and awake.  Her head slowly nodded. Suddenly she jerked, standing straight upright. Her eyes scanned the forest on all sides of her. Was that something, or was it just her tired brain playing tricks on her? She shook her head again.

“BOO!” A cloaked figure jumped out from behind Marjory. She whirled around, arrow pointed directly at the figure.

“If you move, I’ll shoot!” she warned, speaking through gritted teeth.

Much to her surprise, the figure went into gales of laughter. “Oh, hahaha! You looked so funny, jumping like that! Heeheehee!”

“Aw, you. . .” Marjory accused. “Is it you, Jane?”

“Oh, heehee, yes, Marjory,” the shaking figure replied, between giggling fits. “We, heehee, wanted to surprise you. And it, haha, worked!”

“Huh! Jane, sometimes you sure can act younger than me, even!” Marjory stood with her hands on her hips, glaring at Jane. She tipped her head slowly and looked at Jane steadily. “You said we. Who’s with you?” She crossed her arms, waiting for an answer.

Another cloaked figure stepped out of the woods. “Just me, Marjory.”

Marjory gasped indignantly. “Is that you, Perry? If it is . . .”

“Aw, don’t worry, Marjory. John already relieved me, so Jane and I decided to sneak up on you. We can go to bed now.” Perry smiled. “It was fun, sneaking up on you like that.”

Marjory let out her breath in a huff. “Well, I think you two have a strange sense of humor.” She stared at them a moment, then shook her head. “I’m too tired for this. Oh well, the joke’s over. Thanks for coming, Archer.” She sighed, briefly closing her eyes. “Come on, Perry. Let’s go to bed,” she mumbled.

Rubbing her eyes, she turned toward camp. Perry looked at Jane, shrugged his shoulders, and followed Marjory toward the camp.

In the dark, with her weariness, Marjory was stumbling over her own feet. Perry easily caught up with her. They walked together the rest of the way, Perry supporting Marjory if she stumbled.

At the camp, Perry threw a log on the fire while Marjory got wrapped up in her blanket.

Perry turned toward Marjory. “Marjory?”

“Mmm?” she replied, too tired to speak.

“Good night.”

Within minutes, both were fast asleep.

Chapter 6

Slindu took out his knife. He rubbed his finger across the blade, testing its sharpness. Satisfied with what he found, he re-sheathed the knife and crept on.

Finally he spotted his prey. He sat down with his back against a tree, coolly surveying the situation.

Durba lay about six feet away from the base of the tree where Slindu was sitting. About five feet past Durba lay Rano, wrapped up in his blanket.  None of the others in the band were close.

Slindu crept up beside Rano quietly and struck him on the head with the hilt of his knife, knocking Rano out. His body went limp, and his head flopped sideways a little, but he made no sound.

Slindu turned from Rano, an evil glint in his eye. This was going to be too easy. Durba snored and rolled over, oblivious to his brother’s condition.

Raising his knife, a barbaric chuckle burst from Slindu’s throat.  The knife dropped, transfixing Durba’s heart. He jerked once, then lay still.

Slindu drew his knife out of Durba’s body and wiped it on the grass. Smiling viciously, he turned away and went back to his blanket. So far, his plan had worked, but it had yet to be tested.

Grenn Macehand paced around his chamber, trying to tire himself enough that he could get some rest. Why was this bothering him so much? He had done countless other things just as bad, or worse, than killing the knight.

A soft rap on the door startled him out of his thoughts.

“What is it?” he snapped.

The door slowly creaked open and Druzila timidly peeked around the edge.  “I have made the sleeping potion, sire. Do you wish it now?”

“Aye, you may bring it,” Grenn said absently, then his alertness returned, and he looked at Druzila suspiciously. “Do you have it with you now?”

Druzila bowed her head humbly. “Aye, sir. I brought it with me, thinking that thou wouldst want it.”

Grenn’s eyes narrowed, and he cast an overt glance toward the cup which Druzila held in her right hand. He motioned toward it, seemingly carelessly.

“How can I be sure that you have not poisoned it?” he asked, feigning indifference. His voice was a low purr that sometimes fooled his men into thinking that he was in a kind mood; however, that was not usually the case.

Druzila was not fooled. She knew Grenn was in a dangerous mood, so she chose her words carefully.

“Nay, sire, it will not hurt thee,” she said reprovingly. “If you wish me to prove it to you, I will gladly do so.”

Raising his head imperiously, Grenn gave a short nod.

“Good, then take a drink of it,” he commanded shortly.

Druzila raised the cup to her lips confidently and took a long sip. Lowering the cup she gave it into Grenn’s hand.

“Drink, sire, and lay thee down. The potion will not work if you do not go to sleep soon after drinking it.”

Sure now that he would not be poisoned, Grenn quaffed the drink at one gulp. Turning, he motioned Druzila to the door.

“You may go now, woman. Hope that this helps me sleep, or you will not sleep another night!” His eyes became slits as cold as steel.

Once again Druzila bowed and left the chamber, leaving Grenn to himself.

Dranvor had blown out the light in his chamber, but he was not asleep. He was thinking about Durba and Rano’s company. The men had said that they could get to this Brookflowing place within four days, and then one of them could get in and spy to see if the girl was inside.

Still, he felt uneasy about the whole thing. There were a few men in the band he didn’t trust.

The dark one, especially. What had been his name? Lindo? Dranvor was sure he would desert at a moment’s notice, but he was a good scout.

Maybe he could send a messenger to them to see what was happening. Yes, that was a good idea. He would send one of the female scouts, so she didn’t raise as much suspicion. He would do it the first thing in the morning.

Heaving a deep sigh, Dranvor rolled over, satisfied that he had found a sufficiently good idea. Closing his eyes, he was soon asleep.

Chapter 7

Karebeh stood on the deck of their house boat in the early morning light. Her best friend, Elissamay, had come over and was sitting next to her.

They sat in silence as the boat gently rocked in the waves, with the rhythm of the oars. The sunrise bathed the river in a warm rose hue. Oars creaking had become part of the background noises as the flotilla of boats moved slowly up the stream. Elissamay was the first to speak.

“How soon do you think we’ll get there?” she asked. Elissamay had fearless deep, blue eyes and long black hair tied back in a ponytail. She looked at Karebeh inquiringly.

“Dad said that we’d probably get there at somewhere around noon,” Karebeh replied. “We’re making pretty good time, I think.”

Elissamay nodded. “There’s the big oak tree that shows we’ll get there today, definitely,” she remarked, pointing.

The sun popped over the horizon and the river turned bright red as the sun reflected off of it. Karebeh got up, squinting.

“I think I hear Liga. Let’s go play with her,” she said, turning to go into the boat.

Brookflowing was buzzing with activity! Everyone was up early, despite the late night, to help prepare for the feast. After a quick breakfast, everyone was put to work.

Even the weather seemed to be trying to help, for the sun was shining brightly and there was no sign of rain. Everything pointed to a fair day.

Under the direction of Uncle Lorimer, the haven’s blacksmith, tables were moved out of the dining hall and out into the orchard. The gang of small children was running around watching them, constantly getting underfoot. Little Mikey was the leader, directing the others to a table near the apple tree. They drug a tablecloth along with them.

“Aright, evrywun, let’s put the tablecloth on this table!”

“Why this table?” questioned Eljo, a little challenge in his voice.

Mikey explained patiently; the others were younger and didn’t know as much as he did.

“B’cause, if we have it here we can have,” he lowered his voice to a whisper, “strawberries!” Mikey grinned triumphantly as he finished his explanation. “See, look! Right below the table!”

Satisfied, the kids started tugging the heavy tablecloth onto the table.

Jordyn had come out to see that the table moving was coming on well, and spotted the kids. Going over to the table that they were putting the tablecloth on, Jordyn looked sharply at the children.

“Alright, what’re you doing?” she asked suspiciously.

Arenka looked at her with wide, innocent, eyes. “We’re just hewping.”

Eljo looked at Jordyn fiercely. “Yeah,” he said vehemently. “We’re helping!” He sounded angry that Jordyn was even questioning their motive.

The other kids nodded.

Jordyn frowned. She was still suspicious. What were the kids doing? “Alright, go ahead and help, just don’t get into trouble.”

Kent, one of the older ones, smiled. “Don’t worry. We won’t get in trubble.”

Jordyn drew in an uncertain breath, shook her head, and walked away. She still felt like the kids were up to something, but she didn’t really know, so she went back in determining to watch them closely whenever she could.

Inside that kitchen, madness and mayhem were that order of the day. Grandma Benna oversaw the making of cakes and pies, while Jordy supervised that stew bubbling on top of the stove. People milled around doing odd jobs as they were asked and offering advice. Others were just trying to sneak a quick snack.

Rosalie and Ella were making a pie crust, with Grandma Benna helping them.

“There, dear, that’s right, roll it out nice and flat—careful! Don’t roll it too thin and make a hole!

A hole was in the dough, and Ella sighed, discouraged.

“That’s the third time I’ve rolled it too thin! I’m never going to get it right.” She hung her head in discouragement.

Rosalie looked up from the batch of dough she was mixing up and smiled encouragingly.

“You’ve done a really good job for you first time making pie crust. Do you want to trade with me and mix up the dough instead of rolling it out?”

Ella shook her head stubbornly.

“No, I’m going to get this pie crust rolled out first. After that, we can trade.”

Nodding her head, Grandma Benna agreed.

“That’s the spirit! Do it until it’s done right.”

Setting to with a will, Ella started rolling the dough once again.

At the stove, Emmila was talking with Jordy, who needed to get another ingredient for the stew.

“Could you get some of the hot pepper and an onion or two?” Jordy asked. “Oh, and a sprig of parsley.”

“Alright,” Emmila answered cheerfully. “Is that all?”

“Um, I think so, “Jordy replied. “If you see anything else that goes in the stew, go ahead and bring it, too.”

As Emmila turned to go, Jordy stopped her. “Wait!”

Confused, Emmila stopped. “What?”

Jordy explained. “I think I better go instead, because I know what’s in and out of the stew. Could you keep an eye on the stew for me?”

“Sure,” Emmila shrugged. “There’s not anything special I need to do, is there?”

“No, just stir it every few minutes and don’t let Jake near it.”

Emmila smiled. The grizzled gatekeeper was known for his love of soup.

“Alright. Don’t worry, I con do that,” she grinned.

Jordy nodded and hustled toward the cellars.

A lady bustled over to Grandma Benna with a bowlful of lettuce.

“Here’s the lettuce for the green salad, Gran,” she said. “Should I start making it?”

“Yes, yes,” Grandma Benna said, and whisked her to an empty table.

Ella looked on in astonishment. “Grandma Benna gets so much done!” she murmured in amazement to Rosalie.

Rosalie nodded. “Gran is very energetic for her age.”

They worked a little longer, then Rosalie said, “There! That’s the last pie crust.” She gestured to all the pie pans with crusts in them. “Now we need to fill them.”

As Jordyn walked inside, she met Anjulie.

“Hello, Jordyn,” Anjulie called. “Could you come to my study for a little while?”

Jordyn quickly assented, and they walked down the hall.

As they walked, Anjulie brought up the subject of the inscription on the wooden tablet.

“Thanks for leaving the tablet in my study this morning. By the way, did you get anything figured out?”

Jordyn replied enthusiastically. “Did I find anything out? Oh, yes!” and she described what she had seen on the edge of the tablet.

Opening the door to her study, Anjulie posed a question. “So what does that mean?”

Jordyn rushed through the door.

“I’ll show you!” she cried. Taking the tablet up off of Anjulie’s desk, she turned so Anjulie could see the strange letters: =

Anjulie pondered this. “They have the strangest letters, but it looks like backwards t,u,o,h ,and s,” she said slowly.

Jordyn was nearly dancing with excitement. “Can’t you see?” she exclaimed. “The words and the letters are backwards! What it really says is: shout = south! South!”

Anjulie’s eyes widened. “That explains some of it. Do you think other points of the compass are hidden in the riddle like this, too?”

Julse and Racega had found a tree with a swing on it and were playing around on it. Racega giggled.

“Chee, hee! I gonna getway hyuppa, hya den yoo!” she crowed. Grinning, she started climbing as fast as she could, with Julse in close pursuit.

As they reached the topmost branches, Julse looked down at the busy people below. She turned toward Racega.

“Yawanna helpem sum?” she asked.

Racega shrugged. “Howa? Chee, deynot unnastan’ yoonme.”

“Wekin git Abbahorsee.”

Eyes lighting up, Racega put a suggestion.

“Chee, letus goto Rivvatribe anna helpa Kareebehchee!”

Julse happily agreed, and they were quickly over the wall and on their way down the river.

Chapter 8

Liga laid down for her morning nap after playing with the girls for a while, so Karebeh and Elissamay were back up on the deck of the boat. Karebeh’s dark curls blew across her face in the breeze. She brushed them out of her face and sat down impatiently.

“I wish we had something to do!”

Elissamay looked up lazily from where she was laying face-down on the deck.

“We might as well just relax until we get there. If we could practice our archery it would be different.”

With a sigh, Karebeh started to lie down. Suddenly she started up again.

Elissamay looked up, surprised.

“What’s the matter?”

Putting a finger to her lips, Karebeh shook her head.

“Listen! I thought I heard something over there.”

Both girls listened intently for a moment, then Elissamay nodded.

“I hear it too,” she whispered. “That strange rustling in the trees.” She was silent a moment. “Can you tell what it is?”

Karebeh was looking toward the trees from whence the strange rustling came. She nodded solemnly to Elissamay.

“Yes, I know what it is,” she said soberly, her eyes wide.

A worried look crossed Elissamay’s face.

“Is it something bad?” she asked steadily. “Do I need to get my bow?”

Racega snickered as she watched the two girls.

“Eeleesamaya duzzent noweer heer,” she giggled to Julse. “Kareebehchee issa foolin’ er!”

Julse giggled quietly as they kept alongside of the houseboat. She peeked around the tree and waved to Karebeh as Elissamay looked away.

Karebeh kept a straight face with difficulty as she answered Elissamay.

“No, you don’t need to get your bow. Dad considers these people just a minor annoyance.”

“Well, do we need to go back inside?” As Elissamay glanced toward the cabin, Karebeh say Julse wave at her out of the corner of her eye.  She just managed to disguise her laugh with a fit of coughing.

“No, we’re not in any danger.”

Just up the river, two trees on opposite banks arched over the river toward each other and their branches touched. Julse tapped Racega on the shoulder and nodded towards these trees. Racega eagerly nodded, her eyes shining with fun, and both girls zoomed ahead so they could cross the river.

When they reached the other side, they went back down the river. Silently jumping onto a boat, they started leaping from boat to boat, nearing the one which held Elissamay and Karebeh.

Elissamay looked back at the trees.

“I don’t see anything. Do you?” she asked, puzzled. “I just heard some more rustling, it seemed to be leaving.”

Shaking her head, Karebeh spoke. “I don’t see anything anymore. They must have left.” She scanned the trees, hoping to catch a glimpse of the two girls. Seeing nothing, she turned and looked up the river, where she noticed the trees that went over it. Guessing what the girls had done, she looked across the river.

Elissamay cocked her head and looked at Karebeh strangely.

“Alright, Karebeh, what aren’t you telling me?”

Karebeh whirled around, eyes wide.

“Me? Not telling you something?” she asked guiltily.

Putting her hands on her hips, Elissamay glared playfully at Karebeh.

“Yes, you not telling me something! Now, what is it?”

The Runnings had reached the boat next to Karebeh now. Sneaking up, they got on the same boat, right behind Elissamay’s back. As they jumped, they heard Karebeh exclaim:

“Too late!”

Elissamay started and yelled, but the giggling girls landed right on top of her.

“Heeheehee, we gotcha yoonow!” cried Julse.

Glowering at Karebeh, Elissamay shook Julse and Racega off of her.

“Karebeh, you knew it was them the whole time!” she accused.

Karebeh smiled guiltily, trying to restrain a giggle.

“It sure was funny, seeing you get all worried like that.”

Elissamay rolled her eyes. “Yeah, well, you and your dad were right, except for one thing.”

Karebeh looked confused.

“What do you mean?”

“You said that your dad said these two were a minor annoyance. They can, however, be a major annoyance!”

Julse looked insulted. She chattered quickly to Karebeh.

“Wena’ ‘noyaces! Doya wanna hearbout Brookeefloween ornott?”
            Raising her eyebrows, Karebeh nodded and responded, “Yessa wanna nobout Brookeefloween!”

Pouting, Racega crossed her arms and retorted, “Den Eeleesamaya needto saysory.”

Elissamay could understand the Running language almost as well as Karebeh, but she had trouble speaking it. She rolled her eyes.

“Alright, I’m sorry for calling you annoyances.” She smiled mischievously. “You usually aren’t--very much.”

Julse studied Elissamay as if deep in thought. Suddenly she spoke happily.

“Alrite, datworks.”

Racega nodded. “Now lisenup! Wegonna tellyoo ‘bout Brookeefloween!”

Leaning over Anjulie’s desk, she and Jordyn were studying the riddle. Anjulie gave an exclamation of triumph.

“Look! Here are some more words like that! See:

Don’t go towards the stew, ‘tis wrong.’

The word stew has the same letters as west!”

            Jordyn couldn’t help bursting out. “So the person following the riddle isn’t supposed to go west! That’s clear.”

Anjulie nodded her head wisely. “Yes. That is the part everyone was having trouble with, I think. This clears up a lot.”

Abbaye wandered out onto the lawn of the orchard, where the tables were all set up. She bumped into Arlan as he headed inside to find out what he could do next.

“Hullo, Arlan!” she called. “Just the chap I was looking for. Have you, by any chance, seen the Running girls? I can’t seem to find them.”

Frowning, Arlan shook his head. “No, I haven’t seen them,” he puzzled. “You’d think that they’d stick around you, since no one else here understands them.”

Abbaye shrugged her shoulders. “Well, I haven’t seen them since breakfast. I can’t think where they could be.” She turned at a tug on her skirts. “What are you doing here?” she asked Arenka, who was the one that had pulled her skirt.

Arenka babbled eagerly. “I saw, I saw, da, da uhning gouls!”

Wrinkles appeared on Abbaye’s forehead as she tried to decipher what Arenka had said. “What did you see? I didn’t hear you very good.

Arenka was insistent. “I saw da uning eals!”

Mikey had been listening, and he came up to Arenka. “The Running girls?” he asked her.

“Yeah,” she explained, “the runing geuls.”

“Why, those are the very ones I’m looking for! Where did you see them?” Abbaye inquired.

“Dey were, dey were, climbin’ up da big wall!” Arenka’s eyes grew wide as she reported this fact. “Den dey jumped offa it!”

Arlan looked at Abbaye. “It sounds like they’ve left. Do you think they’ll come back?”

Abbaye nodded confidently. “Oh, they’ll come back. You don’t need to worry a bit. They’ll be back for the feast, I’ll warrant.” She turned toward the main building. “Speaking of the feast, I’d better go help prepare. There’s plenty to do!

As the sun climbed higher and higher in the sky, the inhabitants of Brookflowing worked on, preparing for the feast. Finally, as the sun neared its peak, everything was finished. The tables were set, the food was cooked to perfection, and the drinks were ready to be poured. The only thing left to do was wait for the Rivertribes.

And so everyone scattered to their various nooks and crannies to pass the time while they waited. The last feast of spring was about to start.

Chapter 9

Marjory Mae Mellflower was puzzled. She had been out looking for berries or anything else they could eat. She had taken her bow in case she found a rabbit, or a robber. And here was this strange object. It was a maroon colored string with a gold pendant on it. That in itself was not so strange, but the symbol on the pendant was. It looked like a bird with a leaf in its mouth, and on the bird were two lines crossing each other. The vertical line was shorter than the horizontal line. Marjory was sure that this was not a robber symbol, but she had never seen it on any of the coats of arms in the castle. Who could have dropped the pendant? Surely the little band would have noticed anyone strange. After thinking about it awhile, Marjory determined on a plan of action. She left the pendant where she had found it.

Absarabah was stumbling through the forest once more; she was not at home in the woods. About the middle of the morning, she sat down to take a rest.

Opening her pack, she took out a book and started to read. After reading a little, she closed her eyes.

“Great ruler,” she spoke after a time, “You know where I am going, even though I don’t. I must rely on you to guide me there, because I couldn’t find my way through the forest if I knew where I was going. Please bring me to where You want me to be.”

Rising, she pressed onward through the forest. A few minutes later, she put her hand to her neck to feel the medallion she kept around her neck always. With a shock she realized that it was gone. I must have left it somewhere, she thought. The elders had given it to her when they had blessed her. It showed that she was one of the Lendain, a peace loving person, and no danger to anyone. She often touched it as a reminder of whom she was and who she ought to be. Now she hurried back the way she had come, searching earnestly everywhere it could be.

A long ways back on the trail, she saw a glint of gold. It looked like her medallion! She started toward it.

Marjory looked curiously at the figure bumbling her way through the forest. The stranger’s brownish-blonde hair was pulled back in a tight braid, but wisps of hair were falling out and getting in her face. She wore a long purple tunic falling to just below her knees, and maroon leggings. A belt the color of her leggings went about her waist, and a small knife was in it.

Noting that she seemed to be looking for something, Marjory watched her a little closer. Maybe this was the owner of the pendant! Marjory strung her bow and nocked an arrow to the string, just to be on the safe side, although she was sure that this was no robber.

As Absarabah drew nearer, she became sure that it was, indeed, her medallion. When she saw the maroon string, she was sure of it.

Hurrying over, she picked it up. Yes, it was her medallion. Suddenly she realized just how far she had to go back. Scolding herself inwardly for all the time she had wasted, she turned to retrace her steps once again.

“Halt!” The sharp command startled Absarabah. Turning, she looked where the voice had come from. She saw nothing. She turned around quickly, but still saw nobody.

“Who—who’s there?” she asked uncertainly. “Is anyone there?”

“Yes, I’m here!” came the reply. A young woman appeared where Absarabah was sure there had been no one before. The woman was clad in a green tunic and leggings, and was pointing an arrow directly at Absarabah. “You’re here too, and you are going to tell me who you are. You don’t look like a robber,” she added under her breath.

Absarabah closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath. “Lord, help me,” she said in her mind. Out loud she spoke calmly.

“I’m Absarabah of the Lendain, and no, I’m not a robber. Why would you think I might be?”

There was a long pause. Then the young woman lowered her bow. “Well, you don’t look dangerous. You’re not from around here, are you?”

Puzzled, Absarabah shook her head. “No. I’m from northeast of here. May I ask who you are and what this is all about?”

The young woman frowned. She appeared to be thinking. She gestured the opposite way from where Absarabah had been going.

“Well, you’d better come back to the camp with me.  It’s no good going thay way. You’ll learn everything you need at camp. Come along, and don’t play any tricks, you hear?” With that, the woman went straight into the forest. Looking back she added, almost as an afterthought, “By the way, the name’s Marjory.”

Meldrum built a fire with some dry wood he had found. When it was going, he leaned back, satisfied with the results.

“Molly! I got a fire goin’. Think you kin cook us some breakfast?”

Molly poked her head out of the wagon.

“Sure I can, if you hush yourself. Our patient’s sleeping, and I’ll not have him wakened,” she gently scolded.

Meldrum quieted instantly. “Sorry. By the way, how’s he doing?” he asked in a much softer tone of voice. “Has he said anything yet?”

Molly pursed her lips and stood quietly a moment after she got out of the wagon. Finally she spoke.

“Well, don’t get carried away or make a fuss, but yes, he talked to me last night.”

When he heard this news, Meldrum could barely contain his pleasure. He gave a little leap in the air, then turned back to Molly. His face glowed with excitement.

“So did he tell you who he was?” You could tell Meldrum was having trouble keeping his voice down.

Molly sighed. “Sit down, Meldrum. I told you not to make a fuss. No, he didn’t tell me who he was. I’m not even sure he knew. He was tired, so I didn’t ask him anything. When he wakes up, I’ll see if he’s strong enough to talk.”

Meldrum’s excitement was subdued, but he was confused. “I guess that that blow he got must have wiped out his memory. I wonder if he can remember anything at all.” He thought a moment. “Do you think we could maybe help him remember?”

Molly shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know. We certainly can try.” They both sat in silence for a moment or two. Then Molly shook herself back into action.

“Well, it’s no use just sitting here and thinking. I’ll better start making breakfast. We don’t need to starve ourselves, since it won’t help our patient get better.”

She immediately got up and started bustling between the fire and the wagon, where the supplies were. Meldrum, however, still sat thinking quietly.

Soon breakfast was ready. Molly looked over at Meldrum, who was still sitting and thinking.

“Meldrum, breakfast is ready. Are you going to come eat?”

Looking up, Meldrum nodded his head. “Yes, I’m coming. Do you think I should check on him first?”

Molly pondered a moment. “Alright. Go ahead and check on him, but don’t wake him.”

Smiling broadly, Meldrum went over to the wagon and looked in. The man seemed to be sleeping, but then he turned his head and looked straight at Meldrum.

“Who are you?” the stranger asked. “Are you one of Grenn’s horde?”

“No!” cried Meldrum, put on the defensive by the man’s steely tone. Even in his weakened state, the man would be formidable to fight. “I took you off the battlefield when you were wounded. Would one of Grenn’s robbers do that?”

The man gave a weak laugh. “No, friend, one of them would not do that. So you picked me up off of the battlefield? Thank you.” The man closed his eyes. “Do I smell food? I’m hungry.”

“Yes, you smell breakfast. Do you want me to get you some?” At the man’s nod, Meldrum hurried out of the wagon and went to Molly, who was waiting rather impatiently by the fire.

“Well? What took you so long?” Molly looked at Meldrum askance.

“The stranger woke up!” Meldrum sat down in front of the fire. “He’s hungry.”

Molly looked at Meldrum, astonished. “Meldrum! You didn’t wake him up, did you?”

“No, I didn’t. He was awake when I got there. Now are you going to take him breakfast, or am I?”

“I will. But did he say anything, other than that he was hungry?” Molly was busy loading up a tray with some biscuits. “I mean, like who he is.”

“No, he didn’t say who he was. He was glad we took him in. I guess his wound must be healing fairly well.”

Molly hurried over to the wagon and took the tray to the man.

“Here are some biscuits for you to eat. You are hungry, aren’t you?”

The man looked at Molly. Recognition crossed over his face. “You. . . I talked to you sometime, didn’t I? A little while ago?”

Molly nodded. “Last night. You do want something to eat, don’t you?”

The stranger nodded eagerly. “I’m strangely hungry. When did I last eat?”

“Well, you had some food yesterday morning, but you’ve been asleep since then.” Molly sat down and began giving him biscuits. He ate ravenously, talking between every few bites.   

“These are very good biscuits. Mphmm! Oh, do you know who I am?” He finished his biscuit and looked at them seriously. “I can’t remember.”

Chapter 10

As soon as Dranvor got up, he sent for one of the female scouts to report to him at once. A few minutes later a dark, slovenly woman entered the chamber. Her black hair was matted and her clothes were dirty. She carelessly looked at the general, almost with contempt, though she stood at attention.

“You called for me.” It was not a question. Her voice had a dull, bored sound.

Dranvor hardly glanced at her. “Yes. I need you to find the party commanded by Rano and see if they have reached the place they were trying to find.” When the woman did not reply, he looked up. “You can track?” he asked sharply.

The woman made a motion like tossing her head. “Don’t worry. I can find them.” She spoke lazily, with a dry half-smile.

“Good. After you find them, stay with them for a day or however long you need, but be sure to report back to me when they find the place. Understand?” There was a barely hidden threat in his tone.

Looking off, the woman nodded. “I understand. Do you need me to do anything else?” It was clear that she was bored.

Dranvor narrowly examined the woman, looking her up and down and sharply appraising her appearance. Seemingly satisfied, he leaned forward in his chair.

“Yes.” His voice was low, but something sparked the scout’s interest. Her eyes lost their bored look and she cocked her head, examining Dranvor keenly. He continued.

“I need you to watch the band and see if there are any signs of insurrection.”

The dark eyes of the scout now wore the cool confidence of someone who knows what she is doing. She looked at Dranvor coolly, without fear. “You want me to spy on them.” It was not an accusation, just a matter-of-fact statement.

Dranvor exulted inwardly; he had a scout who knew what she was doing! However, he did not show it.

“Well, at least you know what you’re doing,” was all he said.

“Yes sir. I know what I’m doing.”

“Good. Now, do you have a weapon? I want you to get back alive.”

“Yes, sir. Don’t worry, I’ll come back.” The woman’s voice was quiet, but had a hard edge that made you sure that she would get rid of anyone in her way.

Dranvor nodded. He leaned forward. “This job may mean promotion in the army for you. Now, you might as well get on your way. They left toward the southeast.”

Smiling superiorly, the scout bowed low and retreated from the chamber.

“Arrgh!” A rock flew towards the other robbers who were slowly waking up. They started, looking in the direction which the rock came from. As Slindu watched, Rano emerged from the forest, waving his sword in front of him furiously.

Slindu chuckled to himself. He knew what this was about, and now was his chance. He sidled up to the angry Rano.

“Sir, may I ask what the problem is?” he asked, making sure to stay out of reach of Rano’s sword. “You seem to be upset.”

Rano’s eyes nearly popped out of his head in his rage. He stormed and spluttered as, eyes blazing, he tried to force an answer out of his mouth. Finally, he took a deep breath and spoke through gritted teeth.

“You wanna know what’s wrong? I’ll tell ya what’s wrong!” His voice rose to a shout and he grasped his sword tighter. “My brudder here wuz murdered last night! Oh, jest wait till I catch whoever did that!” He glanced around at all the men who were standing nervously. “I’ll tear them limb from limb! I’ll . . .“ he nearly choked, turning purple from rage.

The men glanced at each other nervously. In this mood, Rano was likely to just start killing people, no matter who it was. Slindu, however, had complete confidence in his ability to calm Rano down. He opened his eyes wide and gave an indignant gasp, backing up a half-step.

“Durba was killed? Who could have done such a thing?” he exclaimed. Then he lowered his voice to confidentially whisper to the glowering Rano. “Just wait. Don’t do anything yet. I bet those people we’re trying to find did it. They probably spied on us. I’ll keep an eye on the other men, just in case one of them did it.” A cunning gleam crept into his eye. “You can trust me.”

Rano quieted down, confused and suspicious. He scratched his head.

“ ‘Ow dew I know I kin trust yew?” he challenged.

Slindu was not abashed in the least.

“Sir, I am sure that one of your ability would be able to discern and detect any treasonous tendencies in me. You need not worry.”

Flustered, Rano blinked his eyes. He couldn’t quite understand all Slindu had said, but he liked how good it made him sound. Slowly a smile crept onto his face.

“Alright. Yew come wit’ me Slindu. Let’s talk.” He strode off into the woods.

Slindu could have laughed out loud as he followed Rano into the woods. Everything was happening just according to plan.

Grenn was rudely awakened from his first good sleep in a week by an arrow crashing into the wall over his head. He sat bolt upright in the bed before he realized what had happened. Seeing the arrow, he sprang out of bed. Since he couldn’t use the mace against a bow, he ran to a loophole next to the window and looked out. It seemed to him that something ducked behind a tree, but he wasn’t sure. He looked long enough to make sure that there was no more than one person there. Keeping away from the window , he turned toward the door.

His eye fell on the arrow, still lying on his bed. In a burst of anger, he grabbed the arrow and broke it. That was how he’d deal with the miserable scum that had sent it.

“Dranvor! Druzila!” he roared. “Where are you? Come at once!” Opening the door, he nearly bowled over Druzila, who had been about to enter.

“What happened, Sire?” she asked, backing away quickly.

“Some woodlander just tried to kill me! Go find Dranvor.”

Druzila nodded. “Yes, Sire. I will fetch thee Dranvor at once.”

She hurried toward Dranvor’s apartment. As she neared them, she brushed by a dark woman who had just left Dranvor’s room. Neither of them took any notice of the other one.

Perry Bowman looked up at the looming castle. He felt a bit uneasy, especially now he had shot the arrow. Maybe he shouldn’t have come, not without someone else. He had felt like he needed to come, and everyone was doing something else. Jane was keeping watch at camp, the other men were investigating that lone robber band, and Marjory was foraging. And he had decided to patrol Greykeep by himself. Well, it was done now.

He looked up at the window he had shot the arrow into. Maybe there was no one in there. That would be good. He turned and began to continue to the other side of the castle, scolding himself for his foolhardy act.

Dranvor was in a chair at a table, planning what he would do when the scout returned. He was not expecting anyone so was very surprised when Druzila burst into the room. Looking up, he saw her glance at him imperiously.

“Sir Dranvor, Grenn needs thee to go to him at once.”

Dranvor rose from the chair slowly. He detested being ordered around by Druzila because she was much younger than he was. Still, he knew he must obey.

“Aye, m’lady. What’s he need me for?”

Druzila stamped her foot impatiently. “Sir, he needs thee now! An impudent woodlander tried to kill him.”

“I’m going, I’m going. Is he in his chamber?” Dranvor paused in the doorway to hear Druzila’s answer.

“I left him there, though I would not be surprised if he followed me. He was in quite a temper.”

Turning, Dranvor hurried down the corridor, where he learned that Druzila’s surmise had been correct. Grenn was striding towards him, looking around impatiently. Suddenly he seemed to notice Dranvor.

“There you are! What took you so long?” Grenn stared at Dranvor accusingly. He twirled his mace menacingly. “I might have been killed while you lounged in your chamber!” He advanced threateningly toward Dranvor, who backed up fearfully.

“S-sire, you wanted me?” He raised a hand, as if to keep Grenn away from him. Grenn drew closer and shook his mace.

“I was attacked, not ten minutes ago, by a single bowman. He’s somewhere in the woods below my window. Send your men out to find him at once!”

Dranvor bowed. “Right away, sire.” He quickly turned, eager to get out of Grenn’s reach, but Grenn called him back.

“You go yourself. See that he is not killed. I want to see him myself.” Grenn’s eyes flashed, and he smiled greedily. “I will punish him severely for trying to kill me.” He waved Dranvor to go. “Mind, if he is not found, you’ll receive his punishment. Hurry!”

            Dranvor turned and dashed down the hall, calling his captains as he went. “Tragu, Woodshank! Hurry, we need to get out in fighting shape immediately! Will someone find Dron Longarm? I need him!”

Grenn watched him go and smiled craftily, satisfied. He returned to his chamber to watch the men bring his would-be killer in.

Perry had barely gone a step when he noticed a slight commotion coming from the gate. Someone must have noticed the arrow.

Forgetting his patrol, Perry looked around to see where he should go. There was rocky spot a few yards distant that led into a thick copse of trees. He quickly moved onto the rocks and hurried toward the trees, where he hurriedly hid himself. He wouldn’t be able to outrun the robbers, but he could elude them, perhaps.

He got out his bow and stuck his arrows into the ground beside him. It was best to be on the safe side. If they attacked, Perry Bowman intended to give the robbers a fight to remember!

Three companies of robbers streamed out of Greykeep’s gates, Dranvor at his head. He had given the men some hurried orders, so now Dron Longarm’s company went around Greykeep the long way, while the other two went directly to the side the archer had been seen on. Here Dranvor halted his men and sent the trackers ahead. They came back to him quickly and reported.

“Sir, there are tracks below Lord Grenn’s window. They go out into the forest a little, then continue towards the other side of the castle. Should we keep following them?”

Dranvor moved his hand to the hilt of his sword. “Yes, keep following them! That is what your orders are. Still, be careful. If you lose his tracks or think you’ve found him, come back and report to me.” He gestured toward the men behind him. “We will follow you at a distance, so as not to disturb the trail.”

The trackers saluted and hurried forward, ever closer to where Perry was hidden.

Perry watched them draw nearer with some resignation to his being found. Still, he hoped that they would lose his trail. He silently nocked an arrow to his bowstring. He would probably need to use it.

As the trackers moved away from Dranvor, one of them muttered to his friend. “Hah! He just doesn’t want to get in any danger! Dranvor don’t care about messing up the trail.”

The other one shrugged. “Oh well, Denlor. We still gotta do wot ‘e says.”

They lost the trail at the rocky spot and split up to search for it.  Denlor kept going toward the copse while the others went different ways.

He went along grumbling and muttering to himself about it not being fair. Looking at the copse, he saw an arrow fly out of the trees. He was dead before he could cry out, an arrow buried in his heart!

After a little while, the trackers met up again. When they noticed that Denlor wasn’t with them, they started to search for him. His friend found his body and seeing the arrow, hurried away. They reported to Dranvor at once.

The leader spoke, trembling. “Sir, we lost the trail, but Denlor was killed, just over there. We didn’t dare go any closer, because he was killed with an arrow. The person you’re lookin’ for is prob’ly there.” Pointing toward the copse of trees, he showed Dranvor. “Wot should we do, sir?”

            Dranvor smiled evilly. “You are probably right. The man will still be close. Don’t worry about tracking anymore, you don’t need to.” Turning, he gave his orders to his captains. “Tragu, you go around to the back of those thick trees. Woodshank, you go to the front here and send one of the scouts to Dron. Hopefully, he’ll be getting here soon.” Smartly giving a salute, the captains started to giver orders to their respective companies. Soon a young runner dashed past where Perry was hidden.

            Perry watched the young man run out of sight around the castle, curious as to why he was going that way. If Perry had had time, he might have realized what was happening, but he had no time. As soon as the man had run out of sight, the robbers approaching in the front diverted his attention from the scout. He grimly nocked another arrow to his bow, determined to fight to the last.

            Soon the horde in front was on him. Perry shot as fast as he could, but as soon as one robber fell, another one was there to take his place. Quickly dwindling, Perry’s supply of arrows was soon almost gone. Only two were left, when another robber broke into the copse, sword in hand. He fell, an arrow through his heart.

            Now Perry had only one arrow left. Desperately he looked around, searching for any possible way out. Crashing through the undergrowth, a robber came into sight and Perry released his bow automatically. As the robber fell onto the pile of dead, Perry threw his now useless bow aside and readied his lance. He heard a rustling in the trees behind him and turned, just in time to see the club descending on his head!

            Dron Longarm looked at the still form at his man’s feet. He nodded in satisfaction.

            “Good work. Dranvor will be pleased.”

            Nodding, the robber gave his club a pat. “I didden’ kill ‘im, jest gave ‘im a good tap on the ‘ead. Prob’ly oughter tie ‘im up, ‘fore ‘e wakes up wi’ a headache.”

            Dron laughed heartily and clapped the man on the shoulder. “Ah, you’ve got brains in yer head. What’s yer name? Ye’ll git a good reward for this.”

            A proud look crossed the man’s face. “I’m called Dick Club, cos o’ my club ‘ere.”

            Dron smiled. “That’s a good name fer yew.” He went on. “I’ll tell Dranvor ‘ow yew did it so cleverly.” Looking back at Perry’s still form, he continued, “Git some others. That won’t be too hard. We need to carry ‘im to Sir Dranvor.

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