Ep.35 - The Year Of The Bear
(Start at the beginning)
“It shouldn't matter what any one man, Bear or otherwise should choose to do. Only that what he chooses is good and right.” Big Bear wheezed, choked for breath after the proclamation. It gave the room a moment's pause, each member in hearing humbled in honest thought, left with a choice to confirm it within himself or to deny. The Bears could be a rowdy bunch, individuals standing alone, carving their own path through life, wrestling with the chaos of the world by their bare hands, creating order where none would otherwise exist. It was to the core of their ideals that the Big Bear spoke, as he always did. One reason why he stood in such high regard, like a meeting pole for others to gather, to get their bearing and find direction. It was no wonder why his loss would be the Yos’ gain, it was no surprise to see their sorcery upon him, having him laboring for breath. He drew deep. “If it is the will of the Wilderman to confront this threat, it is for the good of us all. I for one will see him on his way and be sorry not to go with him.”
While no single Bear held any authority over another, the affirmation of one so revered helped stir much approval amidst the gathered throng. Others retained their skepticism while still others remained silent, or kept their thoughts quietly guarded and to themselves.
Carmel gave a nod of thanks to the Big Bear who raised a feeble hand in return. The assembled body dissolve into its own functioning chaos leaving Carmel to withdraw back to his friends. The occasional passing Bear gave him a moments fond word or a pat on the back as he did so.
“I was expecting more cheer,” Julia said with some concern. “If anything the Bears seem divided on the Yos, hardly united at all.”
Dolev shook her head, “Then you do not know the Bears. I would wager every man here has his heart is in the right place, but how to look at it and what should be done is as different as each man's face. It would take a unique circumstance to have them all pulling in one direction at the same time, and even that would last only long enough to see it done. Just be thankful so many are gathered here to begin with.”
“It doesn't solve our issue though, traveling west we might as well be wandering blind. I didn't have much expectation, but a little more offering of help would have gone a long way.” Carmel said grimly.
“Give it time,” Brown Beard gave a stout nod. “You’ve just arrived, take the day, more if you need, let your words take root in the hearts of those who listened. In time others will approach, I’m sure of it. There’s many restless Bears here, some with axes to grind, some who’re desperate, others with motivations that are plain and simple, or just beyond reckoning. All will have one thing in common, a desire for decisive action, you’ll see.”
“I hope your right,” Carmel gave half a wry smile, not wanting to hold up his hopes.
“Oh he’s right, I’d stake my life on it,” Kodiak grinned still looking the cheeriest in the room. “Id stake yours too if it makes you feel any better.”
“What of the Spy? Will you be needing a place to call home here while your here? Space is tight but I might know of a room you could share with Dolev for the time being.” Brown Beard asked.
“I’m a Chronocoler, I’m not here to stay. I’ll be going with Carmel and Kodiak, someone has to keep an account.”
Brown Beard gave a grumble, “Just Dolev then.” The others exchanged questioning looks, all holding tightly to an obvious answer but none willing to share it in Dolev’s hearing. The common thought was that her blindness was a liability and going into enemy territory was a very real danger. None had been willing to discount her, but up until this point there had been no option but to have her along. Now they were suddenly at a crossroads, and it was more a wonder as to what Dolev’s thinking was more than the opinions of the others.
“My path is hidden from me,” Dolev finally answered. “For all my foresight I do not know where to go from here. I will need time but I thank you all the same, old Brown.” She reached for his hand and being given it, gave it a squeeze.
“Very well, I best get back to it,” Brown Beard gave a nod and made his way out the hall.
****
That evening in the cool crisp air of the night, when the fog had lifted and a cloudless sky left a canopy of stars twinkling bald and bright overhead, Carmel rested quietly by a cookfire contemplating the freely flowing thoughts of his journey ahead. While the comfort of a room and bed was unavailable, having well guarded walls meant that the tents and furs the group were sleeping in had an extra layer of security. Unlike on the open road where one had to remain ever vigilant, this was the first time in a long while that Carmel had known peace. Kodiak had certainly taken advantage of the situation, wandering off to meet with old friends, intending to engage in a measure of rowdy business backed by the steady consumption of northern ale. Despite fair warning, Julia had skipped along behind him, curious and unwilling to miss whatever it was she thought to be of great importance. Dolev had chosen to spend the greater part of the day tending to the Big Bear to see how she might help with his plight against the Yos treachery. So it was a surprise for Carmel to see her hobbling down the gravel path toward him, a long stick in hand, feeling her way slowly out among the stone walls and spindly hedges that curved through the village.
Carmel said nothing, only watched, sure she would walk right on by in her blind travel, and a curious travel at that. Instead, as she shuffled by, her stick tap tap tapping, she suddenly stopped and wheeled her head around as though caught by a distraction. “You know you could have said something?” She chided.
“I was curious,” He replied. “I’ve never met a Shamen before, your ways are strange to me, a man has to know what he’s up against.”
Dolev gave an indignant chort, “I’m no Shamen, how many times have I said that?”
“Many times, and maybe you weren't but it seems to me you’ve become one all the same, what with seeing without vision, and all this talk of sorcery. What else should a man call it?”
There was no response but after a long pause she spoke again, a little more cutting than usual, “Are you going to help me over or just watch until I stumble into the fire?”
With a grin, Carmel threw the twig he was holding into the flames and bound to Dolev’s side. He showed her to a place by the fire. Seeing her shiver and lean close to the flames, he came to realise how chilled she was. Reaching for a heavy bear pelt, Carmel wrapped it tightly about her shoulders, having her all but disappear within.
“How’d it go?” Carmel asked as he reclaimed his seat.
“Not so good, a powerful spell is at work, I haven't the knowledge to contend with it. In time the Big Bear will wither and fade. It makes me sick. I’m ashamed I can’t do more.”
“You’ve already done plenty, you’re too hard on yourself.”
“You might be right, it doesn't make me feel any better though.”
“We’ve all got things enough to feel sorry for, the trick is spinning it into gold.”
“A kernel of wisdom, the way you say it makes it sound inherited.”
“Words straight from the mouth of my father,” Carmel admitted.
“You still blame yourself for what happened with the Serpent, but you shouldn't. It was my choice to step out of the shadows, mine to reveal my true nature, and to deal with that devil.”
“But not without my say’so. I still think there was another way.”
“There was but not without paying for it, I foresaw that much. You must understand, the knowledge we sought had been stricken from our world, there was no way you or anybody else was going to obtain it without a heavy trade.”
“Then why not leave it to someone else? I was willing to trade, or find another way about it. It didn't have to be you.”
Dolev smiled, amused by some dark twist, “I thought I was getting a bargain. Give up my second sight, be rid of it. Instead now it’s all I have.” Ever the cruel irony where Dolev seemed concerned.
There came a silence as the two turned to introspection, Carmel running the conversation over in his mind, the crackling of the fire and dancing of the flames lending themselves to the process instead of providing a much needed distraction. Eventually the need to break the cycle had him speak his mind instead. He picked up a stick, threw another log on the fire, turned over one half burned to get an extra burst of heat from the thing, then poured the mulled words out over his tongue, “Well, if I do nothing else, I intend to spin this one sorry into gold, for you and me both.”
Dolev gave a quiet nod to that. Another silence broadened the space between them, the cold beginning to settle in and bite at Carmel’s arms. Then without a word, Dolev got to her feet, took a few cautious steps around the edge of the fire, and sat close to lean comfortably into Carmel. He responded in kind and wrapped her in his arms.
(Continue to Ep.36)
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