Child of the Kindred, page 32
part #2 of The Rienfield Chronicles Series
“Come now children, it is time to go home,” he said in a warm, quiet voice, as he picked up Jamison.
Aiden then helped Marina and Oriel to their feet, and they all walked over to the horses. Giving one more sad glance at the gravesites, then turned the horses away, and rode back to the main roadway and down to the city.
When they arrived at what was once the merchant’s square, Laurel was happy to see Fraoch waiting for her. He walked over to her horse, insisting she not dismount for him.
“I was very glad to be able to bid you farewell my Lady, as well as saying goodbye to my young friends. It was a pleasure to have you stay with us at our home camp,” Fraoch said with a friendly tone, reaching up and taking Laurel’s hand, and then smiling over at Marina and the children.
“Thank you, for all that you have done for us my friend,” Laurel replied, her voice trembling with emotion.
“It was truly an honour and pleasure my Lady. Our fair city will soon be known as the haven for everything lovely and all the wonderful goods and wares once again,” Fraoch replied in a cheerful and encouraging tone.
“I have no doubt that it will be. I look forward to seeing all of the progress that will be made by the time we return,” Laurel said, smiling back through her tears.
“If there is anything we can do for you, do not hesitate to ask,” Caleb remarked, reaching down and shaking the little Kadesh’s hand.
“Thank you, Sire, that is most kind of you, perhaps someday I shall. For now, I only wish to say farewell, and may you have a pleasant journey home,” Fraoch stated, stepping back slightly to allow them to ride past him.
They all said goodbye once again, and he waved several times, watching them sadly as they rode out of the gates, thankful they did not see the tears in his eyes.
The ride to the river was slow going, and as Tolemais had predicted, Laurel needed to stop twice, becoming ill from the riding and stress of the morning. It was well into the afternoon when they arrived at the camp. Laurel went to lie down while Caleb and Aiden spoke with their father. He had wished to stay at the camp until they had all arrived then would be leaving shortly for Heathwin, arriving there later that night. The children and Marina, as well as Wendell, Owain and Tulla were walking about the river bank, allowing the children to release some nervous pent up energy from the long ride to the camp. Throwing rocks and sticks into the water, the children were happily distracted until Jamison noticed movement on the water’s edge, telling Oriel to stop throwing rocks and pointing at the water.
“I do not see it Jamison,” Oriel, complained, as she moved nearer.
“Shh, look closer. Something is in the water,” Jamison whispered, as they both peered into the water.
“Jamison. Oriel. You are getting too close. Step away from the edge of the water, please,” Marina, who was standing a few feet away talking with Owain, Tulla and Wendell, called out to them.
The two children glanced over at her, moving slightly, then turning their heads back to the river as more movement just below the surface could be seen. Then quite suddenly, the tops of two small rounded heads, both with large eyes, popped out of the water. The children both gasped lightly in surprise, then smiled at the comical looking wet furry faces just in front of them. They moved closer, gliding effortlessly through the water and coming on to the lowlying riverbank. They had small but long bodies, the size of cats, covered in silky short hair, their paws resembling webbing, along with long thick tails. Their eyes were large, black and luminous, also showing intelligent curiosity. The children giggled in delight as the curious creatures moved even closer, Jamison reaching out to touch the wet silky hair on the small round heads.
“Jamison! What are doing? Do not touch it!” Marina yelled out as she rushed over to the children.
“Marina! Wait, do not run,” Owain yelled out to her, as he tried to take her arm, but she was too quick and was out of his reach instantly.
The children stood up abruptly, as Marina ran over to them, causing the two small creatures to make a shrill bark sound and dive back into the water. Without warning, out of the river burst a much larger and ferocious version of the two smaller creatures. With a deafening roar, it lunged with terrifying speed at the children, causing them to scream in panic, as Marina jumped in front of them. Owain reached her in that same instant, but the powerful creature still managed to knock her down, grabbing her left foot and shaking its head viciously, with Owain striking the enraged animal with his short sword.
“Dobhar-chu! Dobhar-chu!” Owain yelled out at the top of his lungs.
Wendell and Tulla ran forward, grabbing the terrified children, Tulla screaming out Owain’s name, Wendell yelling out in alarm to anyone who could hear.
Caleb and Aiden as well as a group of Sentinels, immediately responded to the cries at the river, their blood running cold at hearing the dreaded cry of, “Dobhar-chu!” as they all ran to the river. Moments later another of the creatures burst out of the water, just as the first had let go of Marina, turning its vicious jaws on Owain. Wendell ran forward, helping Marina to stand and moving her back to safety. Owain, for a moment, was overwhelmed trying to fight off both of the dangerous and swift creatures. The first creature to appear, cried out in pain as Aiden’s arrow, unleashed from his crossbow, found its mark in the creature’s side. Owain struck once more, and it fell down in a shuddering gasp, unmoving. The second creature, at seeing the group rushing upon it, dove back into the river, disappearing from view in only a moment. All that could be heard was Owain’s laboured breathing, and the children crying as they huddled on the ground with Marina and Tulla. Caleb placed his hand on Owain’s shoulder, watching, as Aiden walked over and knelt down next to Marina, holding her close.
“Are you alright?” Caleb asked Owain, noticing the blood on his shirt.
“I am fine. The blood is from the beast; it is not mine. You may want to check Marina’s foot, though, as the Dobhar-chu had quite the grip on her for a few moments,” Owain answered, catching his breath and seeing Tulla walk up to them.
“Well done old man. I did not think the River Dogs would come so close to us. I have not seen them in several seasons,” Caleb remarked, looking at the river uneasily.
“Well I could certainly use a mug of chicory root about now,” Owain stated, smiling charmingly at Tulla as she looked at him with concern.
“Are you alright dearest? You were so brave. You should have seen him, Caleb, he was utterly heroic,” Tulla gushed, as she reached up to kiss his face, Owain’s smile even wider.
“I did indeed see him, and he certainly is the hero. Go and relax by the fire, we shall help the children back to camp. I see Father is on his way over. Please let Laurel know all is well, we will be back in a few moments,” Caleb remarked, patting Owain on the back as they turned to leave for the camp.
Caleb then turned his attention over to where the children had been placed, noticing they were still crying and leaning into Marina, Wendell sitting next to them, looking sad and worried. Aiden was just removing Marina’s boot when Caleb walked over, kneeling down next to him. Marina flinched in pain, as Aiden pulled the boot off her foot. Caleb noticed the very distinct teeth marks on the top and front of her calf high soft boots. Aiden then very gingerly removed her heavy woollen stocking, to reveal a few minor bite marks, along with large bruises.
“Well, we shall need to get our dear Marina back to camp, so that nasty bite can be cleaned and tended to. Laurel wished to come over here, but I persuaded her to remain at the camp and perhaps get whatever medical supplies she had, ready in case they were needed,” King Fergus suggested, as he crouched down next to the still shaken group.
“Thank you, Father, that was an excellent suggestion. Come along, my poor little waifs. You have all certainly had enough excitement for one day,” Caleb stated in a calm, quiet voice, smiling warmly at the children, who were still trembling with their tears.
He reached over and helped both and Jamison and Oriel to their feet, then picked Jamison up, as King Fergus stood and took Oriel by the hand. Wendell stood, sighing in relief as Caleb patted him on the shoulder.
“Good job, Wendell. To move Marina out of harm’s way as quickly as you did was not only quick thinking but most brave as well,” Caleb mentioned to the young Scribe.
“Oh no, it was not brave Sire; Owain did all the dangerous and terrifying things. I was just glad to have helped in some small way,” Wendell replied in shy reserve.
“Do not be so modest Wendell. You did take me out of harm’s way so that Owain was able to keep the creature from attacking me further,” Marina admitted in a trembling voice.
“The area is secure Sire. The Dobhar-chu seem to no longer be in the immediate vicinity,” one of the five Sentinels that had run over, spoke up as Wendell finished speaking.
“Very good, Jaren. They should not return after seeing the mate has been slain,” Caleb remarked, looking down at the large, sleek and muscular creature on the ground.
“Come along, Wendell. The rest of us were about to sit down and have a bit of tea as the cook says the stew is nearly finished. Have supper with our group tonight, and you can join us for the first watch. We will tell you some patrol stories, that should keep you awake,” Jaren said to Wendell, who smiled nervously as Jaren and the Sentinels laughed and led him back to camp.
“The big water monsters will not come back?” Jamison asked in a teary voice, looking at Caleb with large, worried eyes.
“No, most likely not. They certainly will not come into camp, with the fire and all the Sentinels on the watch to keep them away. Where were you standing when it first came out?” Caleb asked him and Oriel calmly.
“It did not come out first. Little ones came out, and when Jamison went to touch them the big mean one came after us,” Oriel explained, sniffing and wiping her eyes.
“Yes, Jamison was trying to touch what appeared to be a young one, and that is when this creature attacked us,” Marina said while pointing to the dead one, as Aiden helped her to stand.
“Well that explains a bit more,” Aiden said with a grin, as he looked over at his father and brother.
“The young must have been curious of the children. Otherwise, there is no reason they would ever come near anyone,” King Fergus commented, looking at the children with a sad smile.
“You must never go near the river again, and most certainly, never try to touch a wild animal or creature. You may only play with your little red squirrels, and that is all,” Caleb chided in a quiet tone, not wishing to be gruff.
“Alright, Caleb. May I still play with rabbits?” Jamison asked, sniffing and rubbing his nose.
Caleb grinned at him and looked over at the rest of them, Marina smiling and shaking her head as Aiden began to snicker, taking her up in his arms and walking back to the camp.
“I suppose rabbits and squirrels are fine, but not until we are all back at the Lodge. No more excitement until we arrive home,” Caleb answered, walking back to camp with the children.
When they walked back into camp, what they immediately noticed was a fresh and calming scent coming from a small cast iron pot sitting just above the fire on a grate. Laurel, holding the handle carefully with a thick cloth, placed the steaming pot on the ground and added a bit of cool water to it. Everyone sat down around the fire, as Tulla’s grandmother as well as the camp cook, offered mugs of tea. Laurel, after placing two small squares of fabric in the water, went over to Marina to examine her bruised and wounded foot.
“This will ease the pain and draw out any toxins out you may have encountered from being bitten,” Laurel explained, as Marina flinched slightly from the heated cloth being placed on her wound. “I am most happy to see the wound is not deep,” Laurel mentioned, in a soft, comforting voice.
“Thanks to Owain and Wendell, the beast loosened its grip, and I was helped to move away from it,” Marina replied, her voice shaking slightly.
“That word you yelled out to us Owain, is that what the creature is called?” Laurel asked, reapplying the warm cloth after placing it back in the herbal water.
“Yes, Dobhar-chu. It means River Dog in old speak,” Owain explained, then took a long drink from his mug.
“River Dog? I have heard of them, but have never, of course, encountered one. I remember Mother was saying once, she had treated a young man who had been attacked by one when he was fishing. His wounds, however, were severe. Others have stated that they knew of some others who had been attacked by a pack of them, while out on their small boats,” Laurel mentioned while helping Marina dry off her foot.
“I have also heard of that happening a very long time ago, but in more remote areas than this. We have not encountered any of these creatures in several seasons,” Caleb said, as he looked over at the children’s still worried expressions.
“Then why would they suddenly show up now?” Laurel asked, handing Marina a pair of clean, warm stockings.
“I do not think they suddenly showed up, it is probable they have always been here. This is most likely the first time that their young have ever encountered children,” Aiden remarked with a slight grin.
“Yes, it would seem that is what Oriel and Jamison came across first. The young ones became as curious as our youngsters and introduced themselves. Only Jamison apparently could not help but reach out to them, and one of the adults attacked, perceiving it as a threat. Given the aggressive nature of the Dobhar-chu, it would typically continue its attack until it felt the threat was gone,” Caleb went on to relate, with Laurel and Marina looking at each other in slightly alarmed faces.
“They will not show themselves again, however, while we are still here. River Dogs will never come this close to camp, and the fire will keep them away as well,” Caleb added, noticing Laurel and Marina’s expressions.
“But Caleb…I did not mean for the River Dogs to attack us,” Jamison spoke up in a tearful voice, with quivering lips.
“Of course you did not Jamison. It was not your fault, or even the River Dogs themselves. They are what they are, and sadly what happened could not be easily prevented. You had no idea what they were, and we were not aware that they were here any longer. There are many different things in Heathwin you did not have to deal with in Gwenlais. So you will have to be very careful, stay in the back garden, and never touch or play with an animal you are not familiar with,” Caleb relayed, reaching over and tousling the little boy’s hair.
“But, what if the River Dogs come back looking for Jamison?” Oriel asked in alarm, as Jamison looked back over at Caleb in terror, beginning to cry again.
“They will not be coming to look for Jamison. I said they will not venture that far from the river, and the fire will keep them away. They will not come back,” Caleb replied quickly, while Aiden and Owain as well as the other Sentinels, smiled at each other drolly.
“But what if they do?” Oriel asked with insistence this time, causing Jamison to now sob frantically.
“That is quite enough Oriel; you are frightening your brother. They will not be coming back,” Caleb said with a low but scolding tone, as he took Jamison onto his lap to console him.
King Fergus and Tolemais could not help but chuckle at Caleb’s expression, and this new role he was now finding himself in. King Fergus then stood up, walking over and kissed Laurel on the top of her head, and slapping Caleb on the arm.
“Well my children, now seeing as everyone is safe and sound, Tolemais and I shall be heading back to Heathwin. I have no doubt your mother is waiting up for me, as she is unquestionably still making sure all the preparations for everyone’s arrival is being finished. And by the Maker, please remember to have someone sent ahead of you to let us know when you will most likely be arriving. Your dear mother has something quite amazing she is planning when you all ride through the main entrance to the city,” King Fergus smiled, shaking his head as Tolemais laughed, patting the King on the back.
“She is getting back at you for not being able to have an official procession ride for your wedding,” Aiden remarked sarcastically to Caleb, who just grinned and shook his head at everyone’s laughter.
“It may be truer than you think. Have a relaxing evening everyone. Do not worry anymore, my little ones, you are quite safe now. Sleep well,” King Fergus said, placing his hands on Oriel and Jamison’s heads for a moment, then turned and made his way with Tolemais and four other Sentinels, to the waiting horses.
A short time later the cook announced that the stew was finished, and began handing out bowls to everyone, serving it with warm, sweet skillet bread made of ground cornmeal. Marina and the children had never had it before, remarking on how much they enjoyed it.
“Gammy makes the best skillet bread. She would make it for us almost every night while I was growing up,” Tulla spoke up, holding her grandmother’s hand as the old woman beamed at her lovingly.
“Our dear Gammy has some delightful patrol stories of her own that her husband shared with her,” Owain commented, smiling at Caleb and Aiden.
“Well do you, now? Would you be kind enough, dear lady, to share one of those with us?” Caleb asked, smiling at her charmingly.
“Oh, you both flatter me too much, Sire. I am sure my stories could not be as exciting as what any of you young men could relate,” the old woman replied with a shy smile, though her eyes danced and sparkled.
“Oh, I doubt that. Why do you not tell us one and we shall let you know afterwards,” Caleb re-joined encouragingly.
“Oh, very well then. I shall tell you my favourite,” Gammy began as she smoothed her skirts, shifting slightly on the cut log seat, pulling her shawl closer about herself.
She began by telling of her husband’s first patrol, when he encountered Boblins, and how they had ransacked the camp and stole or ruined many of their food supplies. Everyone would smile and glance at Aiden, watching his expressions. Knowing this, he kept his looks guarded. The Patrol had to hunt or fish an entire week until assisted by one of the northern villages. Much fighting with the Rabkins went on during that time, so they were always on alert. She remarked how her husband, if still alive, would be most amazed at how the Rabkins had fought together with the Princes’ and helped to open the gates during the battle that had saved Laurel’s life. She then ended the story with how they had first met, she a young girl in Kilkenny, the only daughter of a woodcutter. Her future husband was just returning from patrol and was on his way home to Larne, the first Sentinel in his family. He stopped his horse to help her retrieve her basket of wild filberts from a group of mischievous boys. She smiled warmly, her eyes crinkled in happiness at the memory she retold, of him placing her on his horse and bringing her home. Her father insisted he stay for supper, and she then baked him skillet bread, made of sweetened corn flour. He returned two days later with a sack of wild nuts, apples and a lovely bouquet of flowers for her mother. Two days after that, he came back with flowers for her and asked her father if he could be allowed to court her. Three months later they were wed. They had only one child, later than most couples, Robyn, Tulla’s mother. Robyn met the son of a simple farmer at the Harvest Festival in Gwenlais and fell in love. Though her father did not approve of the union at first, he gave his blessing, seeing the love and happiness in his daughter’s eyes. When Tulla’s parents died in a tragic barn fire, they moved to Gwenlais to raise Tulla and retire quietly.
