Ep.23 - The Year Of The Bear
(Start at the beginning)
Little changed before they reached the Hessian border. It was night by the time they came to meet the hill marked out on the map. The last in the range, set apart by some distance of flat land well into the Heesh’ territory. The lush lands of Landan were now behind them, changed to desert tundra, barren by comparison but no less full of its own standard of life.
The Bears had built a campfire by a lone standing tree determined to lay down roots despite conventional wisdom. The perfect place to hitch their horses, and seemingly the only one for miles. It suited everyone else well enough, the sparse branches with it’s small leaves forming a canopy that was better suited to boost morale than providing any hope of shielding the elements. The land lay dark, the moon washed from the sky so that a brilliant display of stars spread unimpeded. Compared to the north, shy of standing atop it’s tallest peaks, it was a vast expanse that could not be matched.
Julia sat close to Dolev, having found a fond friend in her female compatriot. Compared to Carmel and Kodiak, they were not so unalike, and yet were so very different. Unlike Julia, Dolev was cool headed, calm in the face of duress, and had a quiet wisdom of some unspoken age. Julia, by comparison, was flighty, fanciful, and overthetop much of the time. It seemed to serve her temperament to draw energy from one so different, especially when Dolev’s empathetic spirit leant itself to tempering Julia’s wanton self serving interests. Julia was by no means an unreliable soul, quite the opposite, but she tended toward the extremes of emotion when pressed, and the nerves generated could drive her to see both the best and the worst in a given situation.
The Heesh served as one such catalyst for alarm, but with Dolev to keep her company, Julia felt more at east than she ought otherwise. Instead of focusing on the dread that plagued the land, like boogeymen come roaming in the dark, Julia fell fascinated with questions of the not-shamen’s experience and expertise. Dolev had been mostly silent on the issue, denying truths that had seemed clear to others at key moments throughout their journey. Carmel had, at times, expressed his impressions in a few choice words, or a look that conveyed far more meaning than those could. Ever since Lady Fareamay had stated it plainly, despite Dolev’s denial, it seemed a true thing that could no longer be contested. Yet she denied it, as always, explaining away mysteries as though they were little more than everyday occurrences. Julia persisted, asking questions, probing, inquiring, garnering truths or bits of truths that formed a collage of understanding. All of which got at the inevitable heart of what Julia thought she saw, a person adept with uncanny power, or possessing some ageless wisdom. That was until the night grew old and Dolev retreated, along with the others, into slumber.
When the day broke the Bears gathered their things and continued on the last leg of their journey. The finer details leading to the Serpent's layer were not recorded on the map but the presence of a path carved into the hillside provided some bearing. The way was worn with many decades of use, the smoothed stones and short scattering of shrubbery either side providing a stark contrast to the grove that wound its way along the hillside. Julia wasn't the only one to question it, but she did provide some context to the concerns.
“By the way Fareamay spoke, I wasn't expecting traffic.” Carmel said as they walked.
“She said nothing to me about a path. The opposite, the entrance is hidden, masked by a fold in the hill. Nobody should come to the hill for fear of what lurks here.”
“I remember her warning. ‘The Serpent stalks the hill, visit at your peril’, I wouldn't expect to find a trail.” Dolev mused.
Kodiak shrugged, “We’re here aren't we? Can’t just be us after all this time.” He took his weapon into his hand, “Guess we should just be ready.”
“It has to be the Heesh. I couldn't imagine anyone from the Homesteads traveling this far east of the hills, least of all to seek some ancient beast.” Julia paused in her thought then quickly added, “We should go back.” She stopped, causing the slow ascent of the party to grind to a halt.
Carmel turned, staring at Julia from beneath a stern brow, steel in his eyes. “You can go back,” He said with a little nod of his head. “I’ve got business here, Heesh or no.”
Julia opened her mouth to speak and closed it again, considering her options, her leg jittering as it readied to walk away. Why argue, for herself, for them? She was free to go, bound only by the instruction of Fareamay to record the events. She was at the whim of her own discretion, able to spend her life as she pleased. It was obvious the Bears and Carmel were of a mind, which left her with an obvious choice.
She felt the presence of a soft hand on her shoulder.
“You should stay. Stay close with us, don’t go off on your own. We will keep you safe. Bears always protect their own.” Dolev stepped in with her soothing words, quelling Julia’s fear, not to mention the affront caused by the conflict.
Julia scoffed a laugh, the sound of her own cowardice, shame in honest display as she had no qualms with being true about her own standing. “I am no Bear.”
Dolev smiled, her eyes narrowing keenly, “More like a cub, I think.”
Kodiak stepped forward, sword in hand, his height ever more daunting the closer he got. “You just stick close to Dolev, she’ll keep eyes on you. Carmel and I won’t let anything slip by if we can help it.” He said, spreading a toothy smile that was anything but reassuring. His size, skill, and ferocity though, she did not doubt.
They all stared at her, Carmel ready to toss her, Dolev urging her stay, and Kodiak the armed protector, she found herself giving a faint but steady nod.
“Great!” And Kodiak slapped her on the back. “Loads of promise!” And he continued on the way.
Carmel gave a silent nod. There was a reassuring sense in that nod, a silent sign of respect that Julia couldn't help feel. Dolev on the other hand waited for Julia, and fell into lock step behind her.
(Continue to Ep.24)
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