Dwellers of the New World Chapter Thirteen ( Pt 6 ) Connections and Confrontations

As they approached the lodge, a woman appeared at the entrance dressed in fur boots, a fur top and skin leggings. She wore feathers in her hair tied with deer skin and her long black hair hung in plaits.

“Ah! Gibor, I had a feeling you'd be passing this way, please come in and have some hot milk, I've just heated it up,” she said throwing some bread to the crows. She saw the two strangers and eyed them up and down. “So...who are your friends?”

“Good to see you Liora...they're not my friends, I've only just met them, come to think of it I don't even know your names,” he declared.

The two men introduced themselves, fascinated at the fact the crows did not fly away. “My name's Jay and this is Ben. We've only just arrived at this Island from the mainland,  we're looking for my parents who disappeared and we were told they came here.”

Liora walked over to Jay sensing his goodness, she took his hand in hers. “You're a healer...aren't you? I can feel your aura, you have the gift.”

Her touch was soft and gentle; Jay felt his spirit lifted as soon as she held his hand. He suddenly became lost for words and stuttered.

“I...I mean we...that's me and him, I mean...Oh! Dear I'm not explaining myself very well, am I?”

Liora smiled and gestured them into her lodge. “Please...come in and sit down, there's plenty of hot milk to go round, you both look chilled to the bone.” The lodge was comfortable with a huge fire burning in the centre. There were skins and furs scattered around, feathers hung from the eaves. Logs crackled as the flames burned bright, giving a welcome feeling.

“I can't stay!” Announced Gibor...got to get back to work, I'll leave you to it.”

“Will you be coming to see me again tomorrow?” Enquired Liora, it would be nice to catch up on any news you have.”

The big man made a guttural noise while grinding his teeth. “I don't know...you know me; if I can I'll visit, but there's a lot of fires to keep going out there.”

“Then if I see you I'll be pleased...you know you're welcome any time Gibor.” Liora said her goodbyes to the big man, then returned to Ben and Jay.

They sat down and immediately Jay felt more relaxed than he'd done for a long time.

“Okay...now for some hot milk?” She announced.”

A goat made a baaing noise as it rested opposite the entrance. Both Ben and Jay suddenly thought of Fern and Netty at the same time, but in different ways. Jay thought about his sister and the memories of childhood, where as Ben missed Fern so much and just wanted to be back home with her and their daughter.

Jay felt his face flush, he'd never felt like this before, it was unnerving, embarrassed he agreed that hot milk would be nice. Liora poured the milk into the wooden containers, Ben looked at Jay and whispered, “you like her don't you? I can tell.”

Jay flushed again and nudged Ben, before telling him to shut up.

Finally they all sat around the fire enjoying the hot...steaming milk.

“So tell me about your parents Jay...please start at the beginning, we have plenty of time and I enjoy a good story,” enquired Liora.

Jay proceeded to tell Liora about his sister Fern and how he was an Uncle to Netty, then about their trip down from the forest and the people they'd left their horses with, and how they got to sail on Bracus's ship to look for his parents Evelyne and Nathen.

Ben told her about the children being taken from their families. Also about Varden and Cinnamon, and how they were prisoners under Bracus; but that the boy and girl had come to Wild Whistling Isle to save a man called Dawson from another world called Obsidian.

Finally after talking for a good part of the day, Liora had a better understanding of the two men. “You mentioned this man from another world called Dawson, I've heard of him...he's being kept prisoner down in the chambers, he sailed here a week ago on board the ship, The Evening Star.” Her expression changed as she remembered his face. “He was in a pretty bad way, much of his spirit had gone and I don't even know if he's still alive.”

Ben suddenly spoke up. “He has to be alive! Varden believes he's come to save us from these bad men that are kidnapping young children...please you have to help us.”

Liora stood up and paced around the lodge thinking to herself. “Your parents...Evelyne and Nathen, I've heard of them too, but I'll have to make enquiries as to where they are. I try to get to know all the new people that arrive here...that is with the help of Gibor and the other fire bearers.” She smiled as she mentioned Gibor's name.

“What about Dawson?” Asked Ben, still wondering how on earth they would get him out of this chamber Liora mentioned, if he was still alive of course.

Liora searched her memory, placing her finger to her lips. “You mentioned a boy called Varden...I seem to remember such a name, he suddenly disappeared, his family were very upset and his mother cried for much of the spring so long ago.”

Neither Ben nor Jay knew what to say next...it was all so upsetting.

“I think the first thing to do, is for me to go and investigate. Have you anywhere to stay for the night?” Liora enquired.

“No...we haven't,” announced Ben. “At least not until we find Jay's parents.”

“Then that's settled...you'll stay here until you find them,” insisted Liora. “You could earn your keep and find some food, while I go and do some probing for information...how does that sound?”

Both Ben and Jay agreed it was a good idea. “Have you anything to hunt with?” Enquired Ben, looking around for some kind of weapon.

Liora went to the her place of sleep and pulled out some spears from under her bedding. “I keep these hidden, just in case bad men come when I'm asleep.” The spear heads were pieces of flint that Liora had sharpened herself, there were designs on the wood of birds, that she'd also carved herself, feathers were attached with deer skin, they were a wonder to behold. “If I'm not back straight away, put the spears back where you found them and make a start on preparing the food, I'll try not to be too long, but I don't know how long it's going to take me.”

“You can trust us Liora!” Declared Jay. “We'll have a fine meal prepared for when you get back.”

She picked up a skin bag and two of the spears, smiling as she left the lodge, leaving the two men to plan their hunt.

Ben and Jay headed down even further into the valley, staring out across the snowy landscape. They spotted some hares munching on the little vegetation they could find. This would be a fine opportunity, but Jay was worried his shot wouldn't be that good, he hadn't hunted for so long, his throw was a bit amateur. “Well!” Said Ben, “it looks like it's up to me. I'll take the first shot; then you wait and move in a bit closer, see if you can get another hare, if not we'll have to look elsewhere or be happy with just the one.”

As the afternoon wore on, they had only been successful in catching one hare. The two men felt a bit deflated at the paltry creature they'd caught. “If we were back home in amongst the trees, I'd have hunted many creatures by now.” Declared Ben; the hare hanging motionless from the spear. This was new territory to the two men and the land was alien to them.

“Wish I was back in the forest,” uttered Ben. “There's more places to hide. It's too open here to hunt anything.”

As they walked back, they saw a herd of deer up ahead, but as soon as the two men appeared, the deer were off. “See what I mean?” Declared Ben waving his arm in the air. “They can see us before we see them. I wonder how other people manage to hunt in these conditions?”

In fact the deer weren't actually running from Ben and Jay, but the gang of men that were watching them further down the valley.

Ben and Jay carried on walking back to Liora's lodge, unaware they were being followed. As they neared her lodge, suddenly they were attacked from behind, arms held their necks and sacks were thrown over their heads, with their hands tied behind their backs, they were left unable to move.

Dwellers of the New World Chapter Thirteen ( Pt 7 ) Friendships | ABCtales