Leaf and Branch (New Druids Series Vol 1 & 2)

by Donald D. Allan

  Peter scanned the name and then looked to Ben on the bed. "A good choice. The Baron has picked a good man in you, Steve Comlin."

  Comlin nodded and looked to Agnes who looked questioningly back to him. Comlin shook his head and Agnes went back to her ministrations. "And I've picked better people in turn. Do you head out now?"

  "Yes, I'm afraid. Time is precious now. I've done all I can here. Time will cure this man and the love of this woman will see him the rest of the way. And your friendship. Funds have already been transferred to the account. All is taken care of."

  Comlin nodded and hugged the man. Peter stiffened and then relaxed and patted Comlin on the back. "Rest easy, my friend. Trust that there is a purpose in all this. Have faith."

  Comlin choked back a laugh and let go of Peter. "Faith? You sound like the clergy."

  "The clergy?" laughed Peter. "No, never that. The Truth will set us free."

  Comlin nodded and watched Peter gather his things and place a jar of ointment in Agnes' hands. He whispered to her and she hugged him briefly and murmured her thanks. With a rustle of cloth, Peter left the three of them alone in the small dark room.

  Comlin looked at his friend, Ben Rigby and Agnes Butrill, now landowners in Turgany County. A massive piece of land in a beautiful valley. It was the only gift he could give his two best friends. It would need to be enough. He didn't know what else to offer them. His crew would join them and learn to toil the land instead of raise weapons against what remained of the Lord Protector's oppression. But they would live to fight another day. That would have to be enough.

  Ben and Agnes completed their tale and refilled our goblets with the last of the wine. The cheese and apples were long gone and the four or five candles in the room were burnt down to the last couple of inches. Nadine and I leant against one another. The wine had gone to our heads but we felt alert and awake.

  "That was an amazing tale," I said at last. "Reeve Comlin had quite the history. I would never have imagined the life he led before Jaipers. Never. I can see why you admire him so much."

  Agnes nodded and sipped her wine. She looked long at her goblet and then to me. "Used to be I couldn't drink wine anymore. It burned me terribly on the inside."

  "Yes. I corrected for that. But it won't last, I'm afraid. I'll need to correct it every few days."

  "And you can't cure it can you?"

  "No, Agnes. I can't. Not now anyway. Maybe with more time. But, I doubt I ever will. It's...difficult. I won't give you false hope. It's pretty bad right now. It's progressing. You know that already."

  "Yes. Ben and I don't talk about it, but there it is. Out in the open. How long do you figure?"

  "I honestly have no idea. I'm very new to this. That is something that takes experience to answer. I can judge by the damage I see. With my continued assistance, you could probably have another year of this kind of mobility and comfort. It will get worse quickly. I would say two years, tops. The last year won't be pleasant, but I can keep the pain away."

  "I appreciate your honesty, Will. You are a good man. I can see why Steve likes you so much. You were the son he always wanted but could never have, I think. You remind me of Peter, you know."

  "I do?"

  "Yes, I see now he must have been a druid. It explains much. He healed so many of us back in those days. He was killed ten years ago. Horribly. He didn't deserve that. But we founded a home here and we healed, found a peace Peter and Steve deserved just as much. Steve gave us that peace. He handed it over and walked away." Agnes grew quiet. "I'm glad you know Steve so well. We haven't seen him in over ten years. I am jealous of you. He came to visit his daughter Katherine twice. Once after she was born and the last right after the start of all the trouble that poured out of Munsten." Agnes turned her head to smile at her daughter. "She was eight then. Then he left for Jaipers and fell out of touch. When the letter arrived from him telling us of you, we weren't sure we could believe it, to be honest. You should know: we trust you now."

  "Thanks. That means a lot to me."

  "My pleasure," she said. She took a deep breath and forced herself to stand. She leant in to kiss her husband. He looked at her with such love I couldn't help but stare and wonder if Nadine and I looked at each other that way. I hoped we did. It was beautiful. I looked at Nadine and found her looking at me strangely.

  Agnes started to make her way around the table. "Night, love. Don't stay up too late. The sheep are yours tomorrow. Don't forget."

  "I won't. I'll be but a moment. Night, love."

  "Night, everyone."

  We all bid her a good night and watched as she made her way out of the small dining room to her bedroom. Ben took a final sip of wine and emptied the goblet.

  "So," he said. "We talk tomorrow about how to share this farm with these draoi you say are coming. It was likely meant to be. Katherine. To your bed, hon."

  "Yes, da." Katherine rose and gave both Nadine and I a quick hug. She went over to her father and hugged him hard and whispered something in his ear. He nodded and held her tighter before letting her go. "Come on, Dog. Bedtime for you too."

  Dog rose and gave one guilty look to me and disappeared after her.

  "How about that?" I asked Nadine.

  She grabbed my head with both hands and kissed me soundly on the lips. "Yes, how about that. Come. Bed time for you too, young man."

  "Yes, old woman. Need help up the stairs?"

  "Are you sure you want to piss me off before we get to sleep together in a large, soft bed for the first time?"

  "No, I'm not sure."

  Nadine looked from me to Ben and then kissed me again and left for our bedroom leaving Ben and me alone in the room.

  "It was Agnes' idea."

  I nodded knowing what he referred to.

  "She said we needed a child to ground us to the farm. I spoke too much of revenge. About returning to the life of a highwayman. She wanted nothing of it anymore. Said we had a better life to follow, that we should provide our people with stability and we could not abandon them. Steve came to visit once shortly after we settled and we talked. Agnes was very convincing. Said he and I were brothers in more than friendship. In the end, Steve agreed. I convinced him in the end. It took a lot of doing."

  Ben grew silent. "It took weeks to take hold. When the time was right they would come together. Afterwards, I would find Steve drunk beyond belief, crying in his room. It was harder on him than Agnes and me. He loved her, you see. What we asked him to do was cruel. I see that now. When she took with Katherine he left right after and never came back except once when Agnes demanded he see his daughter. He came, met with her and left. We knew he took the job of Reeve in Jaipers. He borrowed some of the crew one day. They came back one short, the traitor finally dealt with. I'm glad to hear he found a calling as a magistrate. It let him put his skills to good use. I've never met his equal, Will. He could track a mouse across a wet field at night. It was supernatural."

  We grew quiet and thought our own thoughts. I thought Ben was asleep and moved to leave when he spoke again.

  "When I see my daughter, I see him in her eyes. The way she moves. She's his daughter by blood but mine by heart. Do you see?"

  "I do. She is your daughter, Ben. She admits it freely and with love in her heart. I can sense it through our bond. It is Truth, Ben. You should be proud. She means it when she says you are her dad. With all her heart."

  Ben sobbed and I moved over to hold him. "I do. I truly do. That man, Stephen Comlin. He is the best of us. I live to honour him and his sacrifice to us. I have never forgotten. He is alone in a small town out West and his crew, the love of his life and his best friend and daughter live in ignorance of all that he is. That's cruel too, don't you think?"

  I had no answer. In time, he got control of himself and I returned to my seat.

  "I have something you should read, Will. Steve asked us to keep it from you but you deserve to read it." Ben reached into his tunic and pulled out a slip of paper. He slid it acro
ss the table to me and I held it against the table with my fingers. Ben rose unsteadily, stopped behind me and patted my shoulder and slowly exited the room, closing the door behind him.

  After a time, I dragged the paper across to me and lifted it and unfolded the paper. I held it up to the candlelight and read the contents.

  Dearest Ben and Agnes,

  Somebody may come to visit you. He is a young man who goes by the name of Will Arbor. If he hides his name you will know him by his blond hair, blue eyes and the unwavering look he will return to your eyes. You will see the truth behind those eyes and recognise a young man who I assure you carries such conviction and strength that he weakens me in comparison.

  He is the son I would have had should fate allowed me such fortune. I ask that you take him in and care for him like you would your own. Love him as I do and help him when he asks. He is alone in this world and needs friends such as you. Find a place for him, I beseech you. He is followed. Hunted, I believe. Our past returns to haunt us.

  He is of the same ilk as Peter, but much more so. He will need allies to protect him. The world is about to change and Will stands at the centre.

  Your friend,

  Stephen Comlin

  I folded the paper and placed it in the pocket of my tunic. I finished my wine and blew out the remaining candles. I staggered to my feet and realised I was very, very drunk. I thought of the note and what it meant to me. I realised I had three father figures in my life. My father who I had thought abandoned me and then was killed. Daukyns who taught me how to love nature and life and then died. And now another who lived alone in another town and hurt with the fact that all he loved he had to abandon.

  For better or worse, I was home. I blew out the candle and stumbled through the dark to find the stairs and my bed. I needed to hold Nadine and never let go.

  Thirty-Nine

  Jaipers, 900 A.C.

  BRENT BAIRSTOW CLUCKED to Shitters and urged the horse to keep its pace. The horse was tired and it hadn't yet caught the scent of the town of Jaipers. Brent could make out the sprawling buildings by the river and the walled main part of the town. It had been a long journey and he was glad to see the town.

  "Doesn't look like much," said James, riding beside him.

  "No, it doesn't"

  They rode in silence for a moment.

  James looked over at Brent. "Captain Mayer reported back. The scouts found nothing. No sign of the Major."

  "Okay."

  "I don't know what his game is. He has to be back there somewhere."

  "You increased the range?"

  "Yes, sir, as ordered. And we deviated from normal procedure. Doubled the back sweep range of the scouts and still nothing found. Maybe he isn't following us. Maybe he went back to Munsten."

  Brent snorted. "Unlikely. Healy would have him put down like a rabid dog. There is no reward for failure."

  "Where do you think he is? He must be back there somewhere."

  "I've no idea. He might be waiting for us to finish our business here and waits in ambush for us to return."

  "That seems likely. Or he circled around and is in town waiting for us."

  "I thought of that, too, but think it unlikely. He would attract too much attention in town."

  James scowled. "I do, too. I'm grasping at straws. Thinking out loud. I know. I'm being repetitive. We've been over this." Brent glanced once at him and smirked. "Sir, if he isn't following us then he's lying in wait. Somewhere on the road back to Munsten. He must be."

  "I agree with you. He doesn't need to follow us to Jaipers. He knows our return route. He'll be north of Jergen on the road. The scout reports confirm that."

  "What if we take a ship from Jergen to Munsten?"

  Brent's horse caught a whiff of smoke from Jaipers and tossed his head. Brent reached out and patted the neck and shushed the animal. "There, there, Shitters. Hush. We'll be there soon." The horse settled and Brent looked back to the column of men behind him. They were looking ahead at Jaipers and not watching the fields and woods. Captain Mayer behind him turned to see what his General was looking at and started yelling at the men to resume their vigil. Brent smiled, Mayer's is a good officer. "The horses will want to run soon. They can sense stables up ahead. Clean water and oats."

  "True. I'll send a runner ahead shortly. Have him confirm with the garrison captain when we arrive and what we need."

  Brent said nothing. He didn't have to. James was a thorough officer and didn't need small words of encouragement to know his worth. "Not by ship, James. I won't risk the cargo."

  "Aye, sir."

  Brent looked over at James expecting to see an insubordinate smirk on his face. James was looking serious. "That's it?"

  James laughed. "Yes, sir. I only presented options. I didn't think using a ship was the solution but had to voice it all the same."

  "Pfft. Sure you did." Brent clucked at his horse and squeezed his knees a little. The horse slowed a little but threw its head forward. It wanted the town ahead. Oats and brushing and all the other good horsey things, thought Brent. "Let's see what happens in town and discuss this later."

  A short time later, Brent and his men rode up to the open south gate of Jaipers. The runner had returned with a member of the garrison who requested they use the southern gate. He had also warned Brent that he should expect a formal welcome. Brent had grimaced at that. It had meant stopping to change into ceremonial armour and swords. Before the gate, the garrison man rode ahead of them to give warning.

  As they rode into the open area, Brent was pleased to see the garrison out in full colours. The people of Jaipers had come to watch the event and Brent counted a couple of hundred people standing in the area surrounding the barracks and garrison office. The area was largely open, almost like a parade ground. Brent focused on the men of the garrison who were out in front of the barracks in a parade state and lined in three even rows. Brent wheeled his men past the garrison captain standing out front of his men with a sword in his hand. Brent called out orders and his men formed up in lines still on horseback. James and Marcel stopped just behind him and Brent could hear the colours of Belkin and the Lord Protector's Guard flapping on the standards they carried braced on their saddles. The carts halted behind them. A silence and their raised dust descended on the area.

  Brent dismounted and drew his ceremonial sword. He held it straight out before him with a bent elbow and then marched up to the garrison captain. He heard Captain Mayer take his place behind him. Brent halted three paces in front of the garrison captain and waited. The runner had informed him his name was Gendred. He looked fit enough. He vibrated with anticipation. He probably saw this as a way to boost his career, thought Brent. The captain raised his sword before his face then swiftly lowered it to a position angled slightly out and away from his body. It was the salute of a junior officer to a senior and the captain had executed it flawlessly. Brent raised his sword to his face and lowered it back to the bent arm position. His sword held to the vertical, all of the weight balanced on top of his closed fist.

  "Captain Gendred reporting the Jaipers Army Garrison. One officer and twenty non-commissioned members ready for your inspection. Ten other men on patrol and guard duty, sir."

  "Very good, Captain. It will be my pleasure to inspect."

  "Very good, sir." Captain Gendred swung his sword up to the front of his face and lowered it to the vertical. He did an about-face, drew in a deep breath, and yelled at his men in his parade voice. "Jaipers Army Garrison will be inspected by General Bairstow, Head of the Lord Protector's Guard. Front rank, one pace forward -- march!"

  The front rank took one practised step forward in unison. Captain Gendred did an about face and nodded to Brent. Sighing inwardly, Brent stepped forward to inspect the garrison.

  * * *

  "The men were very well turned out, Captain. You should be proud. The uniforms were excellently maintained. It's a credit to your leadership." Brent completed the circuit of the small office, stopping
every now and then to pick up a small memento to examine before putting it back down. The Captain's office was immaculate and he turned to smile at its owner. Captain Gendred sat at his desk looking a little uncomfortable but beaming at the praise. Brent had ordered him to sit and the good captain, feeling it to be too inappropriate, only sat at his insistence. The man loves his sense of duty, thought Brent. I can't fault him for that. I, on the other hand, need to stand after a half day of riding.

  "Thank you, sir. If I may say, never has an officer of your rank or station come by our small town."

  "No, I don't suspect anyone has."

  "No, sir, never. It is quite an honour. It pleases me to receive you. Your runner came as a bit of a surprise. I didn't believe him at first."

  Brent laughed. "Yes, he told me."

  "Begging your pardon, sir. The runner also said that Jaipers is the end of your journey."

  Brent stopped and turned his full attention to the captain. "Yes, our destination is here."

  Captain Gendred seemed uncomfortable and looked away. Brent saw his jaw clench and then look back at him. Brent approved. The man has character, thought Brent. How'd he end up in the middle of nowhere? "Well, sir. If I can be so bold, what business do you have here? I've a lot of good people here in Jaipers and if something is amiss I would like to be the first to know."

  "Captain Gendred. I can only tell you so much. I do apologise. I have some questions first." Brent stopped by the window and looked out over the area outside the barracks. James and Marcel were taking charge of the men and getting their equipment moved into the barracks and stores. He watched a man emerge from the small building across the way. He was sure of step and he stopped to watch the men for a moment before walking unerringly over to James and Marcel. He recognises rank, thought Brent.

  James and the man talked for a moment. James looked surprised and then turned toward the garrison building and pointed. The man thanked James and then walked toward the building. Brent watched him approach and was sure he knew who it was.