The Secrets of the Wild Wood

by Tonke Dragt

  Tiuri turned around and headed into the great hall. Breakfast was ready, but no one was there yet. One of the windows was open, the same one Lady Isadoro had been standing at yesterday when she’d told them about Sir Ristridin. Tiuri looked outside, but could see little more than a wide tower and a high palisade. So this couldn’t have been the window through which Isadoro saw Ristridin approaching…

  A quiet sound made him turn around. It was the person he had just been thinking about: Lady Isadoro, her skin whiter than ever in a moss-green gown.

  He bowed, wished her good morning, and then fell silent. He felt a little shy in her company, even though he hardly wanted to admit that even to himself. Isadoro, though, was in a talkative mood. She wanted to find out all about him: where he lived, where he’d been, what he’d done. Had he often visited the City of Dagonaut? Had he spoken to the king? Had he seen any tournaments? Or taken part in them?

  As Tiuri talked to her, he forgot his shyness. Isadoro was a good listener; she was interested in what he had to say.

  “You cannot imagine,” she said, “how wonderful it is to hear all these things. I would so love to visit the capital, but Father does not wish to leave Islan and I can’t abandon him. I am all he has since Mother passed away.”

  “Do you ever feel lonely, Lady Isadoro?” asked the young knight.

  “Yes, at times I feel very lonely, Tiuri. May I call you Tiuri?”

  “Of course you may, my lady.”

  “Please call me Isa. None of this ‘Lady Isadoro’ or ‘my lady’, just Isa,” the Daughter of Islan said with a smile.

  Isa. Tiuri liked the sound of her name: short, light, elfin – Isa. Tiuri thought they were both around the same age. So he could see Isa as a friend, instead of as a beautiful, mysterious lady who made him feel tongue-tied. He looked at her. Why was she smiling? She wasn’t laughing at him, was she?

  “Good morning. I’m not disturbing you, am I?” asked Piak’s clear voice. He was standing in the doorway with what Tiuri thought was a disapproving look on his face. That was nonsense, of course. Piak had absolutely no reason to disapprove of anything – and yet Tiuri suddenly felt a little guilty.

  “Not at all, and good morning to you,” said the lady. “Are the others coming, too? It’s time for breakfast. Father’s up and about already.” She gave Piak a smile that was just as friendly as the one she’d recently given his friend. “Sir Tiuri has told me a great deal,” she continued. “You must be proud to be his squire.”

  “I certainly am,” said Piak. “Did he tell you about his journey to the land of King Unauwen?”

  “No. No, he didn’t tell me about that,” she replied, giving Tiuri what appeared to be a look of reproach.

  “It was a long journey,” said Piak. “I was with him for some of it. We saw so many places! Castle Mistrinaut, for instance.”

  “Castle Mistrinaut?” said Isadoro.

  “Didn’t Tiuri tell you about it?” asked Piak with a mischievous glint in his eye.

  “There are lots of things I didn’t mention,” Tiuri said. “How can I have told her everything? We’ve only just met!”

  “You met all kinds of nice people at Castle Mistrinaut, too, didn’t you?” Piak persisted.

  Tiuri was becoming annoyed with him. Did Piak really have to start on about Lavinia again now? He was allowed to talk to another young lady, wasn’t he?

  “Like, Sir Ristridin, for instance,” said his squire.

  Fortunately, Bendu, Evan and Sir Fitil arrived at that moment. Piak didn’t say a word to Tiuri and Isadoro during breakfast. They were sitting opposite each other and Tiuri kept glancing over at her. But he was thinking about Lavinia. Her face, which had faded a little in his memory after he’d seen Isadoro’s, now came back clearly to him. She was so different from the Daughter of Islan. He knew he’d never have felt that self-conscious sitting opposite Lavinia.

  After breakfast, Bendu said again that he wanted to ride in the direction Ristridin had taken a few months before.

  “To the Forest of Islan, then,” said Sir Fitil. “I shall go with you, although I think there is little point. But it is little enough trouble to ask a few questions of the people who live there.”

  “Are you coming, too?” Bendu asked Evan and Tiuri.

  Evan nodded, but Tiuri said he’d actually prefer to head towards the Wild Wood. That was where Ristridin had come from, after all.

  “Oh yes,” said Piak. “I dreamt about the Wild Wood last night. It was full of little men in green.”

  “And, of course, you want to go and catch them now,” Bendu teased him.

  “No, you already did that,” Piak pointed out. “You were in my dream, too!”

  “What strange dreams a man can have,” Bendu growled. Then he added, “So if you and Tiuri head to the west, today we can take in Ristridin’s known route.”

  “That’s a good plan,” said Tiuri.

  “You’re not going into the Wild Wood, are you?” said Isadoro, sounding shocked. “You’re sure to get lost!”

  “Isadoro’s right,” said her father. “Sir Tiuri and his squire can go there, but they must stay on the paths, because it’s so easy to get lost. And do not ride into the Unholy Hills… But that’s too far for a day’s ride, anyway.”

  “The Unholy Hills, we’ve heard of them,” said Piak. “Are they really that close?”

  “Oh, you can wander around those hills for days,” said Sir Fitil. “If you’re determined to go into the Wild Wood, then take the road to the old hunting lodge. That’s the road Ristridin came along.”

  And so they all had something to do – except for Lady Isadoro, who pouted and asked if she was expected to stay at home alone.

  “Come with us,” said Evan.

  Piak looked at Tiuri as if hoping his friend would not say the same. But Tiuri paid no attention and repeated Evan’s words.

  “No, no,” said Isadoro. “I am not fond of the road to the east, and I never go to the Wild Wood.”

  “You could go with us now,” said Tiuri.

  “Or… I could always stay here,” said Evan.

  Tiuri opened his mouth to say the same, but then he changed his mind and held his tongue.

  “No, I don’t want you to do that,” said Isadoro, friendly but firm. “You are not staying away for long and I have much to do here. Go, all of you, and enjoy your ride.”

  “Come along now,” said the Lord of Islan. He went over to his daughter and said a few quiet words to her.

  Soon after that, he left, with Bendu, Evan and his dogs.

  Then Tiuri and Piak headed to the stables. As they were leading their horses across the courtyard, Lady Isadoro walked up to them.

  “Are you really going?” she called.

  “Yes, Isa. You don’t mind, do you?” said Tiuri.

  She came closer and replied, “No, no, it’s fine. It’s just that I don’t like the thought of…” To Tiuri’s surprise, she suddenly stepped back. Then he saw why: she’d been startled by his horse, which was a little restless.

  “Ardanwen won’t hurt you,” he said.

  “Is that his name? Ardanwen?” she asked, still looking nervous.

  “Yes, it means Night Wind. Really, he won’t do anything.”

  “You can stroke him if Tiuri doesn’t mind,” said Piak.

  “He looks rather spirited to me,” said Isadoro. “No, don’t let him come any closer.”

  Piak gave her a withering look, but Tiuri just smiled. “There is no better or more loyal horse,” he said.

  “Oh, I believe you,” replied Isadoro, but she made sure to stay at a safe distance.

  Piak climbed up onto his horse. Then Tiuri said, “Isa, what was it that you didn’t like the thought of?”

  “What do you mean?” she said.

  “You just said that…”

  “Oh, nothing,” she said, shaking her head. “Wait. I’ll go and fetch my cape. I’m coming with you. Tell the stable lad to saddle my horse.” She turned around and w
alked away, quick and light on her feet.

  “Why does she have to come?” grumbled Piak.

  “I hope you’re going to behave yourself!” snapped Tiuri. “What do you want me to do? Am I supposed to tell her to stay at home? You could try being a little more… knightly towards her!”

  Piak went red. “I’ll leave the chivalry to you, Sir Tiuri,” he replied.

  “Well, you can at least be polite,” said Tiuri abruptly.

  Lady Isadoro rode a dapple grey. She wore a white cape, lined with bright red, and a small cap of green velvet on her long hair. Together, they rode to the Wild Wood, Tiuri on her right, and Piak on her left.

  The sun was shining and a mild breeze blew from the south. After a while, they could see the Wild Wood very clearly and, beyond it, mighty summits, hazy blue, violet and white.

  “The mountains!” cried Piak.

  “They’re still a long way away,” said Isadoro, “although one would not think so today. Even Father has never been there.”

  “How long would it take to reach them?” asked Piak.

  “I once heard of a man who wanted to travel to the mountains,” Isadoro told them. “He entered the wood in good spirits and wandered around for weeks. And finally… finally he saw light shining through the trees. He was so delighted! I’m almost there, he thought, but when he reached the edge of the wood, he realized he was back where he’d started… He was on the Plain of Islan! And the mountains were still just as far away.”

  They all laughed.

  “But did that really happen?” asked Piak.

  “Well, it certainly could be true!” Isadoro said seriously. “There’s no place you can lose your way as quickly as in the Wild Wood.” She gave a shiver. “I’m scared of it,” she continued. “It was once much closer to Islan than it is now. The trees came right up to the castle. Father had many of them chopped down, but sometimes I dream they are surrounding the entire castle and I can hear the rustling of leaves outside my window. Oh, Islan is such a lonely place! That’s why it makes one think such strange thoughts.” She shot a glance at Tiuri and a smile lit up her face as she added, “But with you, Sir Tiuri, and your brave squire, I would dare to ride anywhere.”

  They rode past small farmsteads and barns, and people at work in the fields greeted them. But the closer they came to the Wild Wood, the quieter their surroundings became, and there were no more houses in sight. The road grew narrower, and Piak had to ride behind Tiuri and Lady Isadoro. It was almost midday by the time they reached the edge of the forest. They could no longer see the mountains, and the wood didn’t actually look all that wild.

  “It’s just like any other forest,” said Piak, sounding rather disappointed.

  “That’s because it’s spring,” said Isadoro. “There are only very few leaves now, and they’re still young and pale green and bright, don’t you see? Anyway, it only becomes truly wild once you venture into it.” She reined in her horse and pointed ahead. A red ruby sparkled on her finger.

  Like a drop of blood, thought Tiuri, but he didn’t think it a very good comparison.

  “Look,” said Isadoro, “what a pretty little patch of grass. Shall we stop and rest there for a while?”

  Tiuri and Piak were not tired, but they got down from their horses, and then Tiuri helped Isadoro to dismount. The grassy patch was a small meadow at the edge of the trees, full of sunlight, with yellow flowers growing all around.

  Isadoro was about to take off her cape and spread it on the ground, but Tiuri beat her to it and put down his cloak instead. She sat upon it and asked him to join her. Piak fetched the bag of food and drink.

  “If we’re resting, we may as well have something to eat,” he said.

  Before long, he leapt to his feet and suggested they should be on their way. Isadoro wanted to stay a little longer, though. “Then, if it’s all right with the two of you, I’ll go and scout ahead,” said Piak, disappearing into the forest.

  “Don’t stray from the path!” Isadoro called after him.

  Tiuri lay on his back in the sun, with his eyes closed. He could feel himself growing sleepy. It really was time to get up and ride on, but he was so comfortable lying there and it was so peaceful… He smiled. And this was the infamously terrifying Wild Wood!

  But then his smile vanished. He could hear something – was it nearby or in the distance? Footsteps! Eyes still closed, he imagined someone peering at him from the bushes. If he were to open his eyes, he would see him, if only he knew in which direction to look. He held his breath… Something brushed against his cheek, tickling him.

  He sat up with a start, and found himself looking into Isadora’s smiling face. She was still holding the blade of grass that she’d used to tickle him.

  “I thought you were asleep,” she teased.

  Tiuri looked around. There was no one hiding in the bushes. Of course not! And the footsteps must have been Piak. But then why did Ardanwen raise his head and snort so restlessly?

  “What’s wrong?” asked Isadoro.

  “Oh, nothing,” mumbled Tiuri, a little embarrassed. “I must have been almost asleep. I think I was dreaming.”

  “What about?”

  “I can’t remember,” Tiuri began. But then he said, “Maybe… about you, Isa?”

  The lady leant back, still with her gaze on him. Her eyes were green, with long, dark lashes. They seemed to be speaking to him, to be asking a question that could not be uttered with words. Tiuri leant towards her.

  Then he was startled by the sound of Piak’s voice.

  “Tiuri, Tiuri! Come here!”

  Isadoro looked down and turned her face away. “Your friend is calling you,” she said.

  Tiuri sighed impatiently. If only Piak had called him just a little later.

  “Tiuri!” came his voice again, loud and urgent.

  “You don’t think anything’s wrong, do you?” Isadoro said anxiously.

  “No, I’m sure it’s fine,” said Tiuri. He jumped up and shouted,

  “Piak, where are you?”

  Yes, there was something moving in the trees. He nodded at Isadoro, who was still sitting on his cloak, and ran into the forest. Piak came to meet him.

  “Is something wrong?” asked Tiuri.

  “N-no,” replied his friend. “Not… wrong.”

  “So why did you call me?” said Tiuri, feeling rather annoyed.

  “I wanted to show you something,” said Piak, and more quietly he added, “Have you encountered anyone?”

  “Encountered anyone? No,” said Tiuri. “Why?”

  “I saw someone,” replied Piak, “or perhaps I should say that I saw something. At least… I thought I did. It felt like someone was watching me from behind the trees. When I went over to take a look, I heard rustling and…”

  Tiuri thought of the vision he’d had a few minutes ago.

  “And?” he said. “What happened then?”

  “Then? Nothing!” said Piak. “I thought I saw someone walking away, but I’m not certain.”

  Tiuri looked around. The leaves of the trees were trembling in the wind. There were patches of light in the undergrowth, and birds chirping. “Do not mention any of this to the lady,” he said. Then he headed back to the little meadow.

  Piak followed him.

  Isadoro was impatiently waiting for them. “So what was the problem?” she asked.

  “Piak just wanted to show me something,” replied Tiuri.

  “Yes,” said Piak. “I found a stone. I walked down the path for a while and then it split in two. One path went straight on…”

  “That’s the way to the old hunting lodge,” said Isadoro.

  “The other was much narrower,” Piak continued, “and that was the path I took. And that’s where I found the stone. There were words on it.”

  “What did they say?” asked Tiuri.

  “That’s the problem – I don’t know,” said Piak. “Will you come and take a look? It’s nearby. And we were planning to go into the wood a
nyway, weren’t we?”

  Tiuri realized that he hadn’t been thinking about the purpose of their ride at all. “Yes,” he said, “we need to follow the road that Sir Ristridin came along.”

  “Sir Ristridin came from the old hunting lodge,” said Lady Isadoro. “The other path leads to the Unholy Hills.”

  4 YELLOW FLOWERS

  They headed into the forest on foot, with Piak leading the way. The path was easy enough to follow and it was covered with a thick layer of dead leaves, which muffled their steps. Tiuri stayed alert, but he didn’t see anything unusual.

  Isadoro said, “We can take a look and then ride to the old hunting lodge. But I can tell you now that you’ll only see pine trees and bushes there.”

  “Does your father ever go hunting here?” asked Tiuri.

  “He used to, but that was a long time ago. The hunting lodge isn’t used these days. When Father goes hunting now, it’s in the Forest of Islan.”

  Piak pointed ahead. “It’s this path,” he said. “We’re nearly there.”

  He walked on, but Isadoro hesitated. The path was not only narrow, but also extremely muddy. There were big puddles everywhere.

  “Do I really have to go on?” she said, smiling yet clearly reluctant, as she glanced down anxiously at her clothes, which were indeed most unsuitable for a walk in such surroundings.

  “Are you coming?” called Piak. He’d already gone on ahead of them.

  “I’ll carry you!” offered Tiuri.

  “Fine,” said the lady. “If you really want to.”

  Tiuri picked her up. Isadoro was light, but still he could feel his heart thumping away as he carried her onto the path. She had put one arm around his neck and her hair lightly brushed his cheek. He wondered if he would have kissed her, before, if Piak had not called out to him. What had that question in her eyes meant? He held her tightly and hoped the rest of the path would be just as muddy.

  “Ha, finally! There you are!” cried Piak.

  Tiuri almost missed his footing, but managed to stay upright. Carefully, he put Isadoro down, avoiding Piak’s eyes, and looked for the stone.