While he was sitting there, his eye caught the tail of a shooting star as it streaked overhead. He let out a little gasp. Mother would say that was a message of reassurance. So, I’ll take it like that and try to stop worrying.
The next morning, they packed, loaded up, and continued their travels. Oh’Dar took turns riding Beauty so his grandmother could sit on the wagon bench with Ben. Though she was an expert rider, long days in one position being jostled around on a horse was wearing on anyone.
At the next little town, Oh’Dar took the wagon with him. He did as he’d said and returned with a massive load of very nicely woven wool blankets.
“Gracious,” Miss Vivian exclaimed. “Did you buy out the whole town?”
Oh’Dar laughed, “It looks like it, doesn’t it? I just thought I should buy all I could find.”
He set the blankets down and went back to the wagon. He had another surprise for them. Pillows.
“Where in the world did you get these?” she asked.
“For a small town, not even the size of the Webbs’, they had a very well-stocked general store. And a large tavern. I also got you this.” He tossed a fairly large flask to Ben.
Ben opened it and sniffed, “Cider?”
“Yes,” said Oh’Dar. “It’s apple pressing time!”
Ben handed it to his wife, who took a sip, smiled, and handed it back. “That is a treat!” she exclaimed.
“And this.” He returned to Beauty, reached into the saddlebag, and retrieved an even larger package. He handed it to his grandmother, who opened it to find bread and cheese.
“Thank you, Grayson, this is much appreciated.” She tore off a piece and put it to her nose, enjoying the yeasty smell before handing the rest to Ben.
Oh’Dar nodded, but he was still concerned about how they truly were faring.
“I think we should stay here today,” he said. “This is a nice setting. The weather looks a little dark in the direction we’re heading, and there are a couple of streams we have to cross before we get to the Webbs’ village. I’d feel better if you were well-rested before we move on.”
Ben got up to gather more branches and logs for the fire, and Oh’Dar headed into the brush in search of whatever berries he could find. It was late in the season, but the last crop of raspberries should still be out—if the birds hadn’t finished them off.
When Oh’Dar returned with his pickings, he stopped to watch his grandparents sitting at the fire talking and laughing. They seem happy; they really do. I need to control my worrying and enjoy the journey more. There isn’t much road to cover before we pass by where the Webbs live.
Oh’Dar divided up the berries, which they devoured.
“I could take my rifle and find us a turkey,” Ben offered, “or a rabbit.”
After thinking for a moment, Oh’Dar said, “Why don’t we wait until we get a little farther away. I’ve always let it be assumed I was traveling alone because I don’t want to cause any curiosity. I think we’re far enough away that you wouldn’t be recognized, but I’d still prefer that any stories about a stranger passing through are that he traveled alone.”
Ben nodded and went back to tending the fire.
They need a really good meal, thought Oh’Dar. I guess I’m just going to worry every bit of the way after all, and I have to resign myself to it. I wish I had my mother’s faith. That evening when they turned in, he was only able to stay awake a short while. He was exhausting himself, not only with worry but also from tiredness—staying up too late every night watching the fire lest his grandparents get cold as they slept outside.
The next morning, they arose early, all feeling the chill. Realizing he’d let the fire go out, Oh’Dar jumped to his feet and immediately went about rebuilding it.
Ben put his arms around Miss Vivian, trying to warm her up. Oh’Dar stopped what he was doing to bring his blanket over and added it to those already wrapped around her. She clasped it and pulled it more tightly to herself.
After they’d eaten breakfast, it was time to pack up and move on.
The day’s journey was uneventful—mostly flat terrain covered with sparse brush, through which the horses had no trouble pulling the wagon. It was terrain that Oh’Dar had traveled several times, and he was saddened by the thought that this was almost certainly his last time. They interspersed long stretches of the journey with rest stops and periods of hunting. Oh’Dar gave Ben lessons on using a bow and arrow to avoid the noise a gun would make.
Ben drove the wagon, and Oh’Dar rode on Rebel. That day, Miss Vivian sat in the wagon, where she could rest and more easily keep warm.
As they traveled, Oh’Dar thought back to when he’d returned from Shadow Ridge with Kweeuu, riding almost entirely at night. How he’d occasionally stopped along the way for the wolf to eat a kill. He’d also worried himself sick then, so afraid that someone would spot and shoot the wolf. He remembered the relief he’d felt at approaching the Brothers’ village with Kweeuu and imagined that the feeling would be even greater with his grandparents being involved.
Storm clouds rolled in as the journey continued, and a sharp breeze came up. Those are definitely snow clouds, Oh’Dar thought. Snow flurries can’t be far behind. If only we’d left a month ago.
Another couple of days’ travel and they’d be near the Webbs’ village. From there, it was mostly open terrain and wilderness, but a significant leg of the journey was behind them.
Oh’Dar was right about the weather. Within a few hours, the skies had darkened, and heavy grey clouds seemed to press down, giving everything an ominous feel. Not too far ahead was the first river they had to cross. It was reasonably shallow, but he still stopped them before they reached it and explained.
“Ben, I know you’ve faced rivers before, and this isn’t very deep, but this time it will be cold, so be sure to keep a tight hand on the reins.”
Oh’Dar dismounted and walked up and down the bank, looking for the shallowest spot where he was sure the horses would be able to see the riverbed. When he found the right place, he mounted and rode Storm ahead of them to lead the way. As soon as Storm entered the water, he seemed to remember his previous crossings and relaxed. His lead calmed the other horses, and Ben was able to urge the wagon team on.
Slowly they made their way across the river. Once the wagon was safely on the other bank, Oh’Dar and Storm returned to fetch the other horses, which had been tethered to a tree on the opposite side. Luckily, they were also reassured by Storm’s confidence, and Oh’Dar got them all safely across.
Unfortunately, they weren’t as lucky when they came to the next river.
Oh’Dar surveyed the expanse of water before him. A breeze was kicking up spray, making the air colder, and the current was moving faster, all combining to be more unnerving for the horses. Beauty seemed agitated and pawed the ground. He looked over to see the wagon team already swishing their tails and tossing their heads nervously. The clouds had darkened even more, and he could smell rain in the air.
This time, Ben decided they should bring the spare horses over ahead of the wagon. He mounted Storm and led them all into the water. It took a little work to get the others going, but Storm’s confidence seemed to reassure them. Then once again, Storm crossed the body of water without hesitation, which gave Oh’Dar an idea.
“Grandmother, why don’t you take Storm; he isn’t afraid of the water, and he’ll cross more easily than the wagon. You’ve ridden him before, haven’t you?” he asked.
“Only a few times. But I don’t think he takes to me.”
“She’s right, Grayson. Storm really only accepts you and me,” said Ben.
“Alright. Grandmother, stay on the wagon bench beside Ben and be sure to hang on tightly. I’ll go ahead with Storm, and you follow with the wagon.
The current was strong, and the wagon started to angle sideways downriver. The team struggled to keep moving forward. They were almost clear when suddenly both horses stopped mid-stream. The current was too much fo
r them.
Oh’Dar brought Storm back around. He watched helplessly as the water buffeted the wagon, worried that the current might start to carry it downstream, dragging the team with it. Not knowing what else to do, he jumped down off Storm and into the icy waters.
“Grayson!”
“I’m fine, Grandmother, just stay where you are, please,” he called out. He moved to the left of the front horse and tugged on the bridle, encouraging it to move forward. Its eyes were wild with fear, and it was threatening to buck
“Vivian, sit down!” Ben called out to his wife, who had stood up to see if her grandson was alright. “Sit down!” he called out again, but Miss Vivian ignored him.
Just then, a clap of thunder broke out overhead, and the team startled, jerking the wagon forward.
Before Ben could react, Miss Vivian had been thrown into the icy water.
Oh’Dar turned around when he heard Ben frantically calling out. Hanging onto the reins for dear life, he looked to where Ben was pointing just as the team jerked the wagon across and onto the shore.
He quickly turned to see his grandmother a little way downstream, pulled down by the weight of her clothes and now partially submerged in the fast-moving current. Oh’Dar ran along the bank to get ahead of her and then plunged back into the cold waters. He managed to scoop her into his arms and struggled to pull her over to the bank, weighed down as she was by the soaked clothing. With Ben’s help, he got her out of the torrent and onto the shore.
“Grandmother!” Oh’Dar patted her face and shook her gently. He could have cried when she finally opened her eyes.
He turned her over as she coughed up some water, “I’m so cold,” she said, her voice wavering.
“Let’s get her into the wagon,” said Ben, and they lifted her and carried her to the back opening. Oh’Dar himself was soaking wet, but nothing mattered except taking care of his grandmother.
“We need her to get out of these wet clothes,” Oh’Dar said. Then he hung his head, and turning away from Ben, broke down.
Ben jumped onto the wagon bed, in his desperation furiously opening one trunk after the other until he found some of Miss Vivian’s clothing. He turned back with it bundled in his arms.
Once Miss Vivian had changed into her dry clothes, Oh’Dar brought some of the dry blankets over, and he and Ben wrapped her up as much as they could.
Oh’Dar pointed to a grove of trees on a higher ridge not too far away. “Let’s try to find shelter there. I think I remember a rock outcropping that we could perhaps use as a windbreak if there are no other inhabitants since the last time I came through.
“Ha!” Ben snapped the reins on the wagon team and headed for the ridge; Oh’Dar on Storm was right behind him and the other horses.
Once Oh’Dar caught up to Ben, he rode on ahead and found the little cave he’d used on his trips back and forth. He tied up the horses and went in to inspect it, coming out fairly quickly and signaling that all was well. Ben pulled the wagon up as close as possible, then began unloading the dry blankets to make a spot for Miss Vivian.
Ignoring how cold he was himself, Oh’Dar immediately started gathering kindling and firewood. Once it was blazing, they moved Miss Vivian close and bundled her in extra blankets.
“It’s a good thing you bought so many, son,” Ben said as he furiously tried to rub warmth into his wife’s hands.
“Best you get out of those wet clothes of yours, son,” Ben urged Oh’Dar. Realizing for the first time how much he was shivering, and now that his grandmother was as safe and warm as they could manage, he could finally take care of himself.
“That’s all we can do,” said Ben. “Let’s hope she doesn’t get a chill. How far is it now to the Brothers’ village?” he asked.
“Far,” Oh’Dar said quietly. Then he turned to look at Ben. “We’ll see how she is in the morning, but if she takes a turn for the worse, we may have no choice but to take her to the Webbs where she can recover inside, warm, and get some home-cooked food.”
“They know your grandmother, right?”
Oh’Dar nodded, knowing Ben was referring to the attention they didn’t want. “It can’t be helped. Let’s get her as warm and dry as possible. I’ll make her some tea, and we’ll sleep on either side of her tonight. In the morning, hopefully, she’ll have recovered.”
Oh’Dar added more wood to the fire until the flames seemed high enough to lick the sky.
Ben sat down next to his wife and wrapped his arms around her. He could feel her shivering, and he squeezed his eyes shut and hugged her tighter.
Oh’Dar went to check on the horses and covered them with some of the extra blankets. He was grateful they had so many.
That night, Ben slept up against Miss Vivian’s back, and Oh’Dar slept in front of her, both using their body heat to keep her as warm as possible. Between the heat from the fire and the body heat trapped under the pile of blankets, her shivering finally stopped.
In the dark night, the tears Oh’Dar had held back finally slipped loose. Please, Great Spirit. Please don’t let my mistake, trying to cross the river, cost my grandmother her life.
The next morning, Oh’Dar awoke to find Ben already up and another blazing fire going. His grandfather had heated some water to make his wife some tea. They helped her move to the fire, and once she was wrapped up tightly again, Ben gave her the tea to sip.
“This will warm you up inside.”
Miss Vivian took the cup and wrapped her hands around it, warming her fingers.
“Thank you,” she smiled at her husband. “I’ll be fine; don’t worry.”
Oh’Dar came over from the wagon and handed her the last of the jerky. “Eat this, please.”
She nodded and took it from him.
“As soon as you’re warm, we’re going to visit the Webbs,” Oh’Dar announced.
“But Grayson—”
“Grandmother, please. You must be looked after. We still have a way to go, and you’re in no condition to continue.” He paused and knelt before her. “I’m sorry, Grandmother. I should never have—”
Miss Vivian hushed him, “Grayson, please stop right there. None of this is your fault.” Just then, she gave a mighty sneeze and caught her grandson and her husband exchanging glances. “Alright. If you insist, we’ll go to the Webbs.” She tried to suppress the shivering that was threatening to start up again.
She watched, clutching her cup of tea, as Oh’Dar and Ben went about breaking up the camp, and finally, it was time. They helped her up and led her to the back of the wagon.
“Now lie down, and I’ll make sure the blankets go all the way around and tuck under you,” said Ben as he continued to fuss with making her comfortable. “You can rest and keep warm while we travel.”
Oh’Dar had wrapped a towel around a warm rock from the edge of the fire, and he placed it under the bottom of the blanket to warm her feet.
Miss Vivian grasped her grandson’s hand as he tucked the coverings back. “Grayson, look at me,” she said.
Oh’Dar stopped and met his grandmother’s gaze before looking away.
“I’m going to be fine. You’ll see. I haven’t come this far in life to let a little dip do me in. Now go and finish what you were doing and let’s be on our way. I promise I’ll stay wrapped up,” she said. She let go of his hand, and in jest, tipped down the brim of his hat.
“Alright then,” said Oh’Dar.
Before long, she heard the snap of the reins and settled in for the balance of the ride. Her view from the back was of the horses walking behind, their beautiful coats gleaming in the sunlight, and the sound of the wagon wheels lulled her to sleep.
Oh’Dar led them through town, past the familiar buildings. They continued down the main street and then on to the Webbs’ farm, which was down a winding dirt road not too far out. As they approached the house, he could see it was in a bit of a shambles. I don’t remember it being run down, he thought, looking at the weeds that had grown up around the fencing
. Mr. Webb always kept the place up; I wonder what has happened?
Oh’Dar dismounted, looped Storm’s reins over a fence post, and ran up to the familiar modest farmhouse. He brusquely knocked at the door and waited, then knocked again and waited some more. He twirled around when he heard a familiar voice call out his name.
“Grayson!” It was Grace, and she hurried up to greet him, barely noticing the wagon that Ben had stopped some way away.
“Grace! Oh, my, look at you, how you’ve grown! Where’s your mother?”
“She’s back in the barn, come on!”
As they approached, Oh’Dar could see Mrs. Webb inside, mucking out the stalls. “Oh, Grayson,” she exclaimed. “How good to see you!”
“Where’s Mr. Webb?” he asked, surprised that she was undertaking such a task.
“There’s so much to tell you, Grayson. This can wait; let’s go inside and sit down for a bit!”
“I can’t just yet, Mrs. Webb. I need your help,” he said.
“Anything, Grayson, what is it? What’s wrong?”
“My grandparents are with me. Well, my grandmother, Miss Vivian, who you’ll remember, and her new husband, Ben, who you haven’t met. But she took a spill in a river on the way here. I need a place for her to stay that’s warm, where she can get her strength back. She’s in the wagon, and I’m terribly worried she’s caught a chill,” Oh’Dar explained.
The Edge of Hope: Wrak-Ayya: The Age of Shadows Book Eleven Page 2
