A World Long Sundered -- Chapter 10 PART 2

It quickly became clear that Auryn remembered little of the previous night, or the last week for that matter. When questioned, he only remembered dreaming of falling—falling endlessly in the rain. Lucia explained to him that he’d taken a very nasty fall but reassured him that everything would be fine now that he was awake. Neither mother nor daughter mentioned anything more regarding the night before. Lucia wasn’t sure if Kyndra remembered much anyway. The girl admitted that she had planned on sneaking away to the Bo last night but was silent about anything else. Perhaps it was best this way; Lucia doubted anything good would come from forcing the issue.

Lucia kept a close eye on her children for several days, letting them rest as much as possible. It was almost as if the night had never happened—her children were nearly their old selves again, if a bit exhausted. Kyndra insisted on helping Lucia around the house, and did so to some extent, but tired quickly and slept often. Yet, her smile sprang quickly to her face when she woke and she played an instrumental role in returning cheer back to the household. Auryn ventured from his bed very little the first few days. Although he laughed often, which was usually due to the antics of his sister, he also tired easily and often grew dizzy when attempting to stand.

There was little that could be done on the farm anyway until the storm waters receded. Everyday a little more normalcy returned to the farm. With time, most of the damage caused by the storm was patched or repaired. Thankfully, the eastern bridge had held despite being under water for some time and would require only minor mending. The Primm twins arrived shortly after the waters retreated and were more than willing to offer their assistance where needed.

Even after Auryn returned to light duties, the twins returned nearly every day to check on Lucia and her family. She was very grateful for their help, but eventually told them that she was sure that they had their own obligations at home. Shaking their heads in unison, the taller of the two, Lawrence, only replied that they all remembered what Lucia had done for their younger sister when she wouldn’t wake from her fever last winter. They had been waiting for the opportunity to repay her ever since. Lucia still sent them home with several jars of salve for their efforts.

The barn held just enough spare lumber to rebuild the chicken coop. The next day, the twins surprised them with a new rooster as well.

“He’s still a bit young ‘en all, but ol’ enough to be fighten’ with the other male. Momma was jes’ eyein’ ‘im for the pot enyhow,” explained Sebastian. Kyndra thought this rather humorous and took a liking to the scrawny looking fowl quite quickly.

“Let’s call him Soup! It’ll always remind him of how close he came to the dinner table!” The chicken gave a perfunctory cluck or two but seemed to handle the change in environment well.

Lucia was reluctant to return to exploded field shed. Most of the wood and supplies were far too damaged anyway. Even if they had had enough supplies to build another, Lucia didn’t feel inclined to linger in the spot for too long. It made her arm itch. She gave the task of cleaning the area up to Lawrence and Sebastian. Kyndra had gathered up the swollen sacks of silvadena. Lucia almost had her throw them in the compost pile but prudency got the better of her. Together, they took cuttings from the plants and began the slow process of re-rooting them in numerous starter pots, which Kyndra took to placing all over the house wherever she could find enough sunshine. Of course, the greenhouse would have been more appropriate, but not only did it still need a good deal of repair, but Kyndra seemed far too interested in the project to separate her from it for now.

Neither child ever mentioned wanting to visit the Bo, for which Lucia was grateful. She wasn’t quite ready to return there just yet. Nor, for the moment, did she have any need to. She had a good supply of dried blossoms, and with the destruction of the recent crop, it would be a while before she went through her supply.

Thinking of the Bo concerned her though. Even when she could move past the image of her battered son lying at the base of the tree, she still feared what the state of the Bo meant for her family. For now, it was easier to not think about it too much. In all her life, she had never seen the great tree shed its foliage like it did that day. Would the blossoms return? Kyndra had ceased referring to the Bo as “sick.” In fact, she hadn’t mentioned her Nana at all since the storm. Lucia knew they would have to return to the Bo eventually, but for now her focus was on farm and family.

Lucia was pleased to see Auryn rapidly regain his strength. He resumed his usual duties and some added ones with a newfound drive and vigor. Kyndra teased him about it one afternoon while the three of them worked in the barn.

“If I’d have known that all it took was a little fall to get you to pull your weight around here, I’d have pushed you off that tree myself!” She accentuated her last words by shoving him into a pile of hay. Laughing, they both tumbled into the straw. Auryn didn’t seem to mind at all; he was glad that his sister could laugh about the incident.

Whether Kyndra saw it or not, Lucia noticed a change had come over her son. He quarreled less and assisted more. He took an increased interest in the daily activities of the business, such as inventorying supplies, organizing storage areas, preparing shipping orders and so on. It was Auryn who first mentioned that he wasn’t sure whether they would have enough Nana’s Blessing prepared for Cleric Donovan’s arrival and trip to Haverglenn.

Lucia had already been aware of the shortage, but feigned ignorance to encourage her son’s concern for the well-being of the business. “You’re right, but if we are short, it shouldn’t be by much. I suspect that we weren’t the only ones hindered by the storm. Most will likely understand. But we’ll just have to work extra hard to replenish our stock again.” Auryn only nodded.

The conversation brought up another thought that shamed Lucia for not thinking of it earlier. In all the chaos, she’d forgotten that Cleric Donovan had never returned after his departure just prior to the storm. She had put it out of her mind since she knew he would be unable make the journey due to flooding and the unknown state of the bridge. Well, he was very busy, especially for someone of his age. He most likely had his hands full helping those affected by the storm in the city. The Primm twins had given her his regards when he had originally requested they check on her and her family. So, he must have been able to stay ahead of the storm. Regardless, she would make time to pay him a visit on their next trip into the city.

As it turned out, the need to travel presented itself sooner than she had anticipated. More building supplies would need to be purchased, and the larder was running low. Auryn’s newfound energy had a side effect—the boy was constantly hungry. Lucia was glad to see him eat, but they would need to restock on dry goods. They grew most of their own vegetables, but the garden had fared roughly the same as the greenhouse, which meant buying more seed as well. Stopping by Fletcher’s shop to refill his inventory of Nana’s Blessing and other medicinals would most likely provide them with enough coin for repairs.

Years ago, Lucia had set up stall in the Haverglenn open market to sell her wares, but as the popularity of her product increased, several merchants approached her requesting to carry her goods directly. Unable to travel to every merchant in the Three Cities, an arrangement had been made with Donald Fletcher, manager and owner of Fletcher’s Emporium. He had several stores throughout the Cities, and if Lucia agreed to prioritize resupplying his inventory, he would handle delivery and wholesale any excess product to other merchants throughout the Three Cities. This arrangement saved Lucia a great deal of time and allowed her to reach a larger customer base than she could have herself.

Originally, Fletcher had even sent his own drivers to pick up products from the Riggs’ farm directly. One day an elderly gentleman approached Lucia. He proposed that, for a small fee, he would be willing to make the deliveries instead and deliver whatever the Riggs family needed from in town to their farm as well. This was how they had met Cleric Donovan. Since then, the old man had become a family friend and mentor.

It was possible that Donovan had assumed the bridge destroyed, or perhaps he had already tried to make the return journey when the bridge was still underwater.

Auryn prepared and loaded the wagon with as much wares as they were able. Overloading it would put too much pressure on Gill, their already aging horse. Kyndra had named him as well--he was completely brown except for a pair of uneven short white stripes around his neck, which Kyndra had thought made him look like a fish. Gill had spent far too much time in the barn during the storm and was eager to begin the journey. They were off by midmorning, despite the late start.

Much of the ground was still soft and damp, but the waters had receded enough to allow the road to dry considerably. It would be a muddy journey, but if the road was still mostly intact, Lucia predicted they would likely return shortly after nightfall. Gill handled the wet roads well and soon the family lost themselves in conversation interspersed with the mirth that only a pleasant summer day can bring.

“Why do they call Donovan Cleric Donovan?” Kyndra asked, after their mother had told them she planned to visit the old healer today if possible.

“Well, he’s not really a cleric,” Auryn responded in his know-it-all voice.

“I know that! That’s why I’m asking!” she retorted impatiently.

Lucia interjected before Auryn had a chance to retaliate. “I suppose it depends on what you think a cleric does, Kyn. What do you think?”

“They heal people!”

“If that was all it took, then we’d all be clerics.” Auryn had grabbed his sister with one arm and began tickling her side with the other to accentuate his words.

“Not in the wagon, Auryn. The road’s dangerous enough as it is.” She adjusted the reins. “But, you’re both right actually. Yes, clerics did heal people. They still do, before and after The Fall.”

“Not with magic they don’t. The gods don’t hear us anymore,” countered Auryn. His face had regained most of its youthful complexion, but a hint of gauntness remained.

Lucia’s head whipped around to look at her son, her eyes widening slightly. She hid her sharp intake of breath with a cough. She hadn’t expected a silly little word could make her so jumpy. You’re being foolish.

Neither of the children seemed to have seen her reaction, so she responded as naturally as she could. “Well, I’m not sure it’s up to us to say what the gods hear or don’t hear. The Fall brought many changes, but it’s best not to jump to conclusions too quickly. Who’s to say the disappearance of magic and the silence of the gods is related?”

“How could it not be?” he asked thoughtfully.

“Hmm, well most people would likely agree with you, and I’m not saying you’re wrong. The evidence for the decline of magic is all around us, but the gods have been silent long before our time. There may be a connection, but just because everyone thinks one way doesn’t mean it’s true. Besides, are any of us experts in magic, or the gods for that matter? Hmm?” She was having fun with them now despite the worry that budded within her.

They were used to her encouraging them to think differently. She knew Auryn would be readying a response to challenge her. She loved his confidence, yet she wanted him to learn to make decisions based on evidence, not assumption. To her surprise, Auryn only nodded.

She continued, “Anyway, Donovan knows a good deal about how the body works. It just so happens that he takes care of a small congregation as well. Few people spend their time in worship anymore, so the building mostly houses the sick and infirm. The people refer to Donovan as a Cleric more out of respect than out of his ability to communicate with the gods. I suspect whatever coin we pay him for his deliveries finds its way into the pockets of those he cares for one way or another.”

Auryn knew his mother had given Donovan more than just coin. A little extra batch of Nana’s Blessing or some other concoction would often find its way into the old man’s cart. Donovan was genuinely grateful and always found ways to repay them. Over the years, he had become as close as family. Lucia respected him not only for his uncommon knowledge of the healing arts, but also for the fact that he never asked too many questions regarding the forest or the R’leigh Bo.

Donovan knew of the great tree. How could he not when Kyndra normally mentioned it several times a day? At first, Lucia thought Donovan had taken it as childish fancy, but he always took whatever the children said about the forest with utmost sincerity. Once, Kyndra had even invited him to see the Bo. Before Lucia could interject he’d already responded.

“Oh, tis a special, powerful place, the forest. One of the last, I’d reckon. Yet, power oft’n demands a price child—and I fear I’ve little left to offer.”

Lucia remembered how Kyndra only shook her head, laughed, and hugged him, but accepted the cleric’s response. Donovan was like that, a peace that only age provides--and rarely at that--hung about him. Peace, tempered with wisdom and gentle strength.

Any number of things could have kept Donovan from returning to their farm. Yet Lucia still worried for the old man. Caring for the sick, feeble, and injured was tireless work, and he wasn’t getting any younger. She also knew, though, that taking the old healer away from his work would likely put him in the grave faster than the work itself. Purpose was like that; it asked a great deal, but promised just as much, if not more in return.

They had loaded the deliveries and covered them in such a way that allowed the children to lay down in the back of the wagon. The weather had warmed considerably and they enjoyed watching the clouds drift by during the trip. Bits of flotsam and debris had been gathered and deposited around the bridge area due to the still higher than normal water level. The bridge itself had weathered the storm well enough and the family left it behind them with little event. The road took a slight bend from southeasterly to eastward, dipped a bit then rose again. Soon, the sound of bleating sheep carried by the light breeze found them.

Beyond the bridge and further east of the Myrr mountains, the terrain began to change. Reaching the top of the rise, the three were awarded a picturesque view of the eastern valley leading down to Haverglenn. Although always windy, this spot was their favorite part of the journey. Verdant rolling hills cascaded for miles below, seemingly untouched save for the wind that caressed them. Entire fields and meadows danced in the wind as it travelled for miles westward winding through hills before climbing up the base of the Myrr and meeting the Riggs family. An occasional oak dotted the landscape, twisting to the sky in supplication. It was perfect land for the Primm’s sheep farm.

The farm was quite a bit further down the trail, but the sounds of the sheep, carried on the wind, made the farm seem much closer. The trail declined from here for several miles before leveling out, and although not steep, the recent deluge had made a somewhat tricky trail rather treacherous in several locations. Lucia thought it was a wonder the twins made it up to them when they did. She would have to do something nice for them. Wherever the trail had washed out, Auryn and Kyndra were forced to walk. If Gill lost his footing or if the wagon decided to tip, Lucia didn’t want them thrown off or caught underneath. Her concerns were unrealized, and they soon reached the bottom of the slope and the outskirts of the Primm’s land.

The farm itself was tucked away around a bend and beyond a hill so as to afford little view of it from above where Lucia and her family had come. Several of the sparse oaks shaded the house and barn. An ancient low rock wall surrounded much of the farm. It looked like it had been repaired numerous times in several locations. Moss and lichen covered its surface. It contrasted with the newer construction of the farmhouse, but still functioned well for penning sheep when they weren’t roaming the surrounding hills.

The Riggs family stopped only briefly to thank the Primms again for their help and let them know they were heading into town. This was common practice whenever they made the journey. Lucia always inquired whether they needed anything from town. It was also an unspoken request to keep an eye out for passing travelers in case they were seeking Lucia the Healer. The Primm farm had fared little better and their list of needed supplies was larger than usual. Lucia offered to return with as much as she could to the great relief of Mr. and Mrs. Primm. Before long, they were on the road again.

As the road descended further into the valley, travel grew more difficult. Much of the earth was still saturated, forcing the Myrr runoff to settle between hills and, unfortunately, flood the road. Lucia and her family were forced to detour over rougher higher ground several times. Waiting a few more days would have provided for an easier journey but none of them wanted to return now. Eventually the road evened out and began to climb again slightly. Late afternoon approached by the time they reached the outskirts of Haverglenn.

Little could have prepared them for what they found there.

Copyright © 2017 by David Kottas. All rights reserved

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