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The Year Of The Bear - Ep.8

ButonflySep 11, 2018, 11:28:07 AM

(Start at the beginning)

So what if she’d bargained? As far as she was concerned it was for her life, and what good would she be dead? There was no telling what these people might do, these bears. That thought alone was enough to send a shiver of dread down her spine, especially after the way she’d seen them treat the young girl.

Kass was her name, and like Julia she was a prisoner under the Wildermans hand. Not that it was quite that bad. Julia had managed to maneuver herself into the position of emissary, or guide if she could be called such a thing, while Kass remained bound at the hands to be dragged around on a lead. Julia was free, relatively speaking, so long as she towed the line. Payment for a service rendered, or for crimes committed, depending on who you asked and how they chose to look at it. Naturally, Julia prefered herself in the more favorable light.

The Bears had split at day break. The business of the Yos, and the concerns for the spreading malady had made their mission two fold. As a casual observer, Julia had taken mental notes of everything she’d heard, but stayed her hand from recording any notes. The title of spy wasn't one she enjoyed, and the Bears were already weary of her intentions.

Papa Bear had decided to take the bulk of the Bears, including most of those who had recently come down from the mountains (Brown Beard, Coddington, Dayna, and Based among them) and travel west to learn more of the Yos- where they were located, and what business they had in mind.

That left Kodiak the Cursed, Dolev, Carmel, and the two captives to travel south to Landon.

Julia had agreed, reluctantly mind you, to take them to speak with her Mistress, the Lady Fareamay, in Torethorn. It was agreed that such a person would have far reaching knowledge of the surrounding lands, and may be able to offer something regarding the malady. An idea Carmel had forwarded and relentlessly insisted upon, much to Julia’s chagrin.

As if further testing the limits to her humiliation, Kodiak had suggested ransoming her back to her Mistress, though she wasn't sure if he were serious or not. Either way, the thought was horrifying despite having every confidence in her Mistress’ loyalty.

The road out of Ipswitch was little more than two narrow, hard packed ruts in the earth that stretched along the mountainous terrain. The upshot was that the horses they’d acquired in town were doing all the hard work, and given Julia’s predicament of being stranded in town, the silver lining was at least she was heading home.

It was some leagues from Ipswitch, during a lull in one of the many songs Kodiak was singing that Julia plucked up the nerve to ride alongside Carmel. He looked over at her with a mark of concern etched in his brow, for no other reason than the fact the two were looking at one another. Julia didn't know if she should feel ashamed or proud by the sight, and felt it best to push any conclusion far from the reaches of her mind.

“Carmel, I can call you Carmel can’t I?”

Carmel gave a nod, “Suits me.”

“Is it true you come from the High Northern Wilds?”

Carmel nodded again, “There abouts.The Roving Hamlets it’s called. Why?”

“I’ve just never met anyone from there. It’s not everyday you get the chance, and the location is so remote, traveling there is unimaginable. You can understand.” Julia smiled, looking every bit as interested and engaged as her facilities could allow.

Carmel just stared at her, looking annoyed.

“Do you, Rovlets.. Hamlety’ings..” She stammered for an appropriate term to label his people, but nothing right came to mind. Carmel studied her with look that did not invoke confidence.

“People?” He offered, “Wildermen seems to be a favorite,” He added.

“Yes, do your.. People,” It sounded so bland to Julia’s romantic ear, “Do they come over the mountain often?”

“Carmel shrugged, “Some do, on occasion. Looking for trade, mostly. Otherwise we stick to our own.”

“What’s it like over there?”

Carmel stared at Julia for a long moment; weighing her, she thought perhaps garnering her intention. To her relief he didn't seem to harden, though his answer was far from satisfactory.

“My father once said ‘It’s a hard place for hard men’, or something to that effect. Why? What’s it like where you’re from.”

“I err,” Julia had to think on that for a second in light of Carmel’s answer. “It’s a hard place, in it’s own way.” She nodded to reassure herself. She could never dream of summing Torethorn up in such a simple sentence, and had she it would somehow seem to make it small by comparison, at least in Carmel’s sights. She felt confidence in her own, personal standing however, which was something. “The people are interesting. At the least I can say Lady Fareamay does not disappoint.” She seemed proud at the fact.

Carmel nodded approvingly, “For your sake she better not.” He agreed.

Julia laughed, albeit nervously.

“So this is your first time south of the mountain, how bad is it up there?”

“Peste runs everywhere and spreads beyond reason. Some die, some change, I don’t see degrees of trouble.” Carmel appeared stoic at the topic, more than Julia herself could be giving such news.

“Your father? Is he..”

“Died, long ago, when I was a boy, or so it’s assumed.”

That peaked Julia’s interest. Her fascination was already growing. “Assumed?”

“He went out hunting and never returned. The Wilds are perilous, it’s a fair assumption.”

“Oh.” The statement was so matter of fact it might have been sad if not for the manner of acceptance that came along with it. Still, Julia thought it sad. Carmel didn't seem to mind.

“What’s the matter? Carmel got your tongue?” Carmel said mockingly, letting lose one loud, heavy laugh.

Julia couldn't see the humor off the back of two awful topics, both of which amounted to death, or worse. “No, I…”

Carmel laughed some more and kicked his horse into a trot, pulling himself away. Julia watched, still caught up for words, wondering what had just happened.