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The Year Of The Bear - Ep.12

ButonflyOct 11, 2018, 10:51:04 AM
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(Start at the beginning)

“I honestly didn't think I’d see you again,” Mathias said with a laugh that quickly broke into a hacking cough. The middle aged man opened the door to his wood log home and motioned for everyone to go inside.

Carmel dipped his head as he entered the spacious room and looked for somewhere comfortable to rest. Dolev joined him with Kass at the table, while Kodiak drifted like a moth to the wood log fire that crackled at the far end of the room. Julia followed last, smiling and playing intermediary to their hosts good graces. “Something tells me you’ve not returned to take up my offer.”

Now it was Julia’s turn to laugh- nervously. “Generous as it was, I’m afraid not.” She touched the man graciously on the arm, working the magic of social graces in a way Carmel had not quite seen before. The elder man seemed content.

The door closed, the room seemed suddenly warmer with a host of bodies filed into it. The light inside was dim, but lent itself to a quiet evenings peace earned after a long days work. There was a familiarity it bore to home, in which Carmel found solace.

Mathias moved slowly to join them at the table. Before he got there, two teenage girls appeared through an archway from an adjacent room. They looked over their guests, apprehensive at first, but were quickly moved by the need to aid their father. “Papa, you should not be out in the cold.” The eldest of the two said as she swept toward Mathias with a blanket.

Mathias waved his hand somewhat dismissively, “I’m not chilled,” He disagreed. “See to my guests, there’s more important things in life than my health.” His voice came stern but leveled, from someone intent on a straight upbringing but with enough care to avoid becoming overbearing.

“Yes, Papa; food and drink.” She nodded, gave a curtsy to her guests, and turned with her younger sister to fulfill the task.

Mathias took the blanket about his shoulders, and drew it down to sap any space for air. He smiled at his guests, taking in their faces in the revealing light. Carmel did the same, wondering at the mans ailment given his appearance.

Mathias was a tall man with a broad frame. His arms and shoulders were heavy set with muscle, undoubtedly carved from whatever work he did in his town. His boys were of similar build, and considering Mathias’ advanced age, he was doing well to keep on par with them.

He wore a scruffy beard of brown, filled with gray flecks that suggested a no fuss attitude. It went well with his tangled head of jaw length hair. By all appearances he looked the able bodied, hard working man, with the exception of whatever illness currently troubled him.

“You two look like Bears to my eyes,” Mathias said, splitting two fingers to point at Dolev and Kodiak simultaneously. He turned his attention to Kass, “I’d wager you’re out of Ipswitch with that hair and those cheekbones.” His eyes dropped to the binds holding her wrists but he didn't dwell on them any more than that. “And you,” He looked to Carmel last, “What’s a Wilderman doing this side of the High Northern Wilds?”

“You’re familiar with the Wilds?” Carmel asked, curious.

“Aye. The Roving Hamlets. I’ve traveled as far in my time, and I’ve had time enough to do so. Who holds favor in the High Halls these days?”

Carmel shook his head, “The Halls have no favor. The Hamlets are dispossessed. All who rise have fallen ill, or worse. Plague sweeps the crags.” The words came out graven and the tone betrayed some of Carmel’s feelings on the subject.

Mathias nodded, “I’m sorry to hear that.” His sincerity went a long way to sooth the cursed tone that had descended upon the room. “So tell me the story of this girl? What is the reason behind those bonds?” He motioned with both hand and head. Kass stared back, keeping a quiet tongue.

Julia laughed politely, more nerves that mirth, yet eager to smooth all the tumultuous topics that lended themselves to the general unease- perceived or otherwise. “They say she’s ill. She’s acting sporadically. It’s for her own protection more than ours.” She nodded, as though the act would invite agreement.

“Ahh,” Mathias sounded. His daughters returned, placing platters of cheese, bread, and cured meats for their guests to feast upon. Mathias thanked his daughter with an intimate gaze that spoke of pride and invited his guests to help themselves. Ale was served in wooden mugs. It was enough to draw Kodiak away from the fire.

Dolev pulled a lump of bread in two at the ends of flayed fingers and held them aloft before her. “At the gate your son mentioned troubling folk harassing the town. We’re not accustomed to barred entry into towns, even after dark. Is there concern on the roads?”

“Not that I’m aware of, but there certainly has been trouble in town. Some outfit by the name of Yos came this way in the past week, speaking platitudes and waxing the minds of the townsfolk. It was a recruitment of some sort as I understood it, but for what exactly I wasn't sure. Having something of a standing here, the townsfolk deferred to me, and I sent them packing back to the wilderness. After that we started to see light skirmishing, then a raid. They were free northern folk from what I’ve been told, slinging stones and arrows, and raiding the edge of town intent on slaughter. We lost four good men in a pitched fight the other day and sent half as many of theirs to the grave.”

“Your illness, it came on after meeting the Yos?” Dolev said having fashioned her pieces of bread into two packed balls of doh.

“Ya, it did. You speak as if you know these Yos?” Mathias coughed.

“We’ve had dealings. It seems they’re driving some sort of campaign across the North.” Kodiak interjected, thrusting a knife into a chopping board before popping a piece of cheese in his mouth. He grinned.

“The people here listen to you. You stand in opposition to the Yos. It’s no coincidence you’ve fallen ill.” Dolev continued, ominously.

Mathias stare went from one person to the next, seemingly lost for what to say. His face disguised his thoughts.

Carmel assumed the worst. “You’ll have to forgive this lot,” He thrust his thumb toward Dolev and Kodiak. “There’s not a lot of manners where the Yos are concerned. But I’d take them at their word. That cough and look about you is all too familiar to me.”

Mathias wasn't so sure either way. “It seems little more than a mild cold.”

“Given time it will get worse. You will grow weaker, then all life will drain away until nothing is left but a void; a void in the world to be filled.” Dolev placed one ball of doh between her teeth and bit it in half.

Mathias looked to his daughters who looked back, concerned. He sat a little straighter in his chair, defiant at the news, making a show of bravery, of strength. “You’re saying I’ve been poisoned, but how?”

Dolev shook her head. “The Yos don’t use conventional means. It’s sorcery at work I’m afraid.” She said solemnly but not without intention. Bit by bit she seemed to be drawing Mathias along, engaging him with wild truths while distractedly going bout her ritual with her meal.

“Bah! Sorcery? In all my years I’ve never come across it, though I’m not surprised to hear a Bear speak of it.” Mathias coughed at the excitement of his descent.

“You wouldn't be the first to fall.” Dolev replied. “I may even be able to help.”

There came a silence, disturbed only by Kodiak helping himself to another slice of cheese.

Mathias looked to Carmel, “Those favorless Halls of yours, is that the Yos too?”

Carmel gave a curt nod, “It seems like it.”

Mathias fell into thought.

Before any more could be said a horn sounded from the night- a call to arms.

(Continue to Ep.13)

(Episode Directory)

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