Dwellers of the New World Chapter Ten ( Pt 1 ) Finding Accommodation

After leaving Meradith's home, Jay and Ben had ridden Rainbow and Bracken like the wind, in order to avoid the bad storm. They finally reached the ocean just before nightfall, a feeling of fatigue was upon them, they needed to rest and eat.

The storm was at its worst when they arrived at one of the many bays, so the first thing they needed to do was find somewhere to stay.

They approached a beach, where men were packing up after a days work, carving – bending and shaping wood for the ships, the rain and wind made it difficult to work, but the workers were used to all different types of weather. The two riders approached one of the men who was soaked to the skin, but was glad to be going home soon. “Excuse me!” said Ben.

“Yeah...what can I do for you?” the man enquired, placing some wood into the ship they were working on, water dripping from his nose, as he wiped it with the back of his hand.

“My friend and I, were wondering if you knew of anywhere we could stay for the night.”

The man thought about it, then replied. “If you go around the next bay, you'll come to a couple of stone cottages, there you'll be able to get a bed and some food.”

There were some rowdy men singing and in high spirits, further up the beach. “Sounds like they're enjoying themselves,” said Ben to the man.

“Ah! That be Bracus and his men, they'll be setting sail soon, so they're making the most of their time on dry land, don't seem to be one day goes by, when they're not drinking or chasing women, talk about lock up yer daughters.” The man's face showed no expression, he turned away carrying on with the job in hand.

Ben smiled, not sure if he would want to bring his daughter Netty up in a place like this. “Well thank you for your time...we'll be on our way.”

Ben and Jay managed to find accommodation in one of the bays, a bit further on up the coast. It was a pretty cottage, although the weather was bad. The accommodation was run by a fisherman's wife. A couple of candles stood in the windowsill, a welcoming sight for the two weary travellers on such a stormy night.

They knocked at the door and a woman appeared, she was an older plump lady, with an ample bosom, or so Ben thought.

“Yes...can I help you?” she enquired with a shaky voice.

“I hope so,” replied Ben wanting to get in out of the rain. “We're looking for accommodation, just for the night. We were told that maybe you could help us.”

“Please come in...my name's Aesileif. Please excuse my husband, he always likes to have a nap after he's eaten.”

A man rocked back and fourth in a rocking chair by a roaring fire as they entered, it was a welcome sight for Ben and Jay.

“Please sit down...I'll get you some food,” said the woman, already serving up two big helpings of fish soup.

Ben and Jay sat down at the wooden table, relieved to be finally out of the rain and cold.

She brought the soup to them with some bread. “I hope you enjoy the soup, though I'm afraid it's all that's left,” she declared.

“The food you give us, is more than sufficient,” replied Ben, taking a mouthful.

“It's really good,” commented Jay, dipping his bread in, taking a mouthful and chewing. “

“I've never tasted any soup quite like this,” announced Ben.

“That's cause it comes fresh from the sea. Me husband goes out fishing most days, but not as much as he used to...he's getting old you see, can't take the pace any more.” She grinned, an awry smile.

Jay turned to the woman. “Is there anywhere we can put the horses for the night, out of the rain?”

“We have a lean-to at the back of the cottage,” said Aesileif. “It's open, but there's a roof and some hay. We keep our horse and cart there, you're welcome to use it.”

“That would be fine,” replied Ben. He decided that this would be a good opportunity to ask about Fern and Jay's parents. “Aesileif...could I ask you a question?”

The old woman nodded, “what is it?”

“Well...we have come down here looking for my wife's parents, their names are Evelyne and Nathen, they disappeared some time ago. We've travelled down here from the upper forests where we live, I was wondering if you knew or heard of them?”

The old woman shook her head, wiping her hands on her apron. “I'm afraid I've never heard of them around this bay, but there are many other bays they could be living in. If you don't manage to find them here, it could be they've been shipped off to the Wild Whistling Isle.”

Ben looked at Jay, then back at Aesileif. “So where is this Wild Whistling Isle?”

The old woman spoke as she stoked the fire, wishing her husband would awaken soon. “It's on the other side of the ocean, you'll have to enquire when the next shipment of people are sailing, if you wish to travel there.”

Jay felt nervous and uncomfortable. He tapped Ben on the shoulder, as the woman had her backed turned to the fire.

“Um...if it's okay with you Aesileif, I think we would like to retire to bed, we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow.” Jay wondered exactly where they were to sleep, there didn't seem to be enough room within the cottage.

“That's fine!” said the woman. “Come with me.” She took one of the lanterns off the wall and lit the wick inside, leading the two men out of the cottage, down a path to one of the other buildings.

The rain was still coming down, though not as heavy as when they had arrived at the cottage, but the wind still blew. Ben and Jay could hear the waves as they lapped the beach, the little narrow path winding its way down closer to the sea.

They reached the door of the stone cottage. Aesileif led them inside. Upon entering she hung the lantern on the wall beside the entrance.

There was a musty, damp smell, as if the cottage hadn't been used in a long time. The two men stared at each other holding their noses as if to sneeze. Along one of the walls were two beds, that were at floor level and had curtains for privacy.

“I'm sorry for the cold and damp, only we don't get many visitors around here except my sons, but they don't really stay long enough to worry about the cold and damp. You're welcome to light a fire, there's some wood in our lean-to.”

Jay and Ben thanked the old woman for here hospitality, saying that it was more than they had expected.

After she left, Ben was about to suggest getting wood to build the fire, when Jay turned to him nervously again. “I don't like this Ben...there's
something not quite right.”

“What do you mean?” asked Ben.

“Well...these people seem to be too trusting, they let us into their home, without any questions, feed us, give us a bed for the night,
don't you think it's a bit strange.?”

“Perhaps they're just a kind...trusting old couple, I'm sure there are
those around that would go out of their way to help in times of trouble.” protested Ben.

“Don't forget I know these people better than you Ben,” said Jay.
“I don't believe anyone can be trusted down here, not unless you know them personally.”

“So what are you saying? Should we just leave and sleep on the beach in the rain?” replied Ben sarcastically.

“Of course not.” declared Jay. “I just think we should be extra cautious, be aware that people are different down here and not always what they seem.

Ben couldn't understand what Jay was saying, but he knew that his brother-in-law had been down South quite a few times and had more knowledge of the people than him.

They set to work, first taking the lantern and making their way back up the path to the old couples lean-to and found some logs.

They fed the horses some hay that lay in a corner of the lean-to and settled them down, then with logs in hand, they made their way back down to where they were to sleep.

Using the flame from the lantern, they soon had a fire going, the room began to feel more welcoming. There was a table to one end of the room, which they felt would make a good clothes horse, so after lifting it closer to the fire, they began to get undressed and hung their clothes
on the table to dry.

The bedding which was sheep skin was slightly damp, so they also placed that in front of the fire too. It was soon warm and dry and they were ready to retire.

Ben and Jay were so tired, they soon fell asleep. As they slept, they were unaware of the figures peering in through the only window in the cottage.

Dwellers of the New World Chapter Ten ( Pt 2 ) Unexpected Callers | ABCtales