Wenn & Wolf Tales

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~~~ Foot to Path ~~~

"Beg pardon?" Wenndolyne didn't want to seem disrespectful but truthfully she could not believe what she'd just heard. She paused in her packing of the leather satchel and sat rather heavily on her small cot in Othala's private tent. Haggardly Othala grinned. It was not a pleasant sight. Nothing about the old rune mistress was a pleasant sight actually, but none could be more caring.

Othala reached out to gently tap the younger woman's pale cheek with her sun-leathered fingers then drew her own skirts around her to sit on the other side of the satchel from Wenn. The old wooden cot creaked and groaned, even as Othala herself creaked and groaned while getting settled. "Yes, Wenn, dear. Camelot. You must go. There's need of ye there."

Wenndolyne trusted Othala and her wise judgment, as did the whole of the Stone Warren but still she protested, albeit diplomatically. She wasn't at all knowledgeable in the Way of Stones and therefore certain she was the least of any that should be sent. She had resumed folding her things and stuffed but one dress in the satchel last. Even though it carried just a few items of clothing, the leather ties were loathe to meet.

Othala leaned to assist and again the cot uttered its protests. When the satchel was at last tied, Wenn placed her hands gently over Othala's knotted old fingers where they rested upon the smooth leather. "I am not the one to send. I had planned to go northward, perhaps to---" Her words were cut short for Othala was shaking her head and making a clicking sound with her tongue, the one usually heard when a rune lesson had been completely bungled and she knew it was for lack of study.

"Hear what I say. To the west ye must go, for there you'll be needed. The Stones will likely help ye with the rest." Did the cot sigh relief when Othala stood again? Wenndolyne grinned to the old woman's back just thinking of it. She watched her rock back and forth as she shuffled out into the sunlight. Slinging the satchel over one shoulder, Wenn followed after the rune mistress in her own much lighter and more graceful steps. She turned at the last to take one look back at her temporary room. With Othala's power of runes and the Second Sight, she deserved more than this small tent, a few trunks, uncomfortable cots for sleeping and chairs that barely held her. Yet, who would dare tell Othala how to live? She seemed to prefer slow and simpler ways.

Patiently Wenn paced along with Othala as they made their way to the edge of the encampment of the Stone Warren. Winding through the tents and wagons, there were waves and calls of farewells to the younger lass and a few taunting jeers at the older, who merely scoffed a few curses in return. None of the curses were meant in earnest, of course, nor were the jibes. When they neared the last of the tents, a small girl, hardly more than five summers, ran up to Wenn and grabbed her skirts, hugging around Wenndolyne's leg. Othala smiled but kept moving, finding it more and more difficult to get things started again, once stopped.

Kneeling to wrap the little girl in a hug, Wenn got the first twinge of sadness at leaving. Always the Warren was moving and there was a constant flux of individuals and families. Only for feasts or days of ritual did the majority gather at one place and time. It seemed to Wenndolyne that she had never spent enough time with them at a stretch to get to know many well, but ne'er a stranger did she meet so they were still friends that she was leaving behind. In some ways, she had come to think of the Stone Warren as home.

"Wennda? Ye leavin' now? This verra minute?" The small blonde and willowy child now had her arms hugged around Wenn's neck.

"Ah, Mila, yes. Tis time for me to go, but worry not, little one." She released the hug and leaned back so she could look into the girl's sweet face, though it was a tad forlorn just now. Wenn tapped the tiny nose. "I shall be just fine and so shall you." Mila seemed unconvinced.

Wenn furrowed her brow a bit as she inspected the child more closely. She gently rubbed a few dirt smudges from her face and dusted at her soft brown dress and apron. She knew that certainly Mila's mother would be upset to see her in such a state. "Just what have you been into, little one? You're covered in soot."

Mila's big blue eyes got wide and her smile brightened, as Wenn was accustomed to seeing her. "Oh! I got a present! A present for you!"

A warm grin was exchanged for the child's enthusiasm. "I thought that big hug was just the perfect present."

The small bright smile giggled, "No" then giggled again, "I have 'nother one." Concentration appeared on Mila's face while her tongue stuck out at the corner of her mouth, all seeming to aid her somehow in fishing something from an apron pocket. At last a tiny and even dirtier hand came from the pocket. Little fingers slowly opened to show Wenn… a stick of charcoal.

Arching a brow, Wenn took up the charcoal in her fingertips, trying not to get similarly smudged. She reached into one of her own pockets and drew out a handkerchief. First she cleaned some of the black soot from Mila's hand then lay the cloth in her own open hand to gingerly place the charcoal in it, as though it were something fine and precious. "So this is how you came by the soot."

Mila's blonde head nodded. Her grin had returned. "It's for dwah… um… drah… um…"

Wenn offered help, "Drawing?" and exaggerated the difficult word.

Again a little head nodded with a smile. "Drawrring. So you can make me a map. So you can come back to see me."

Wenn giggled lightly at the child's heartfelt though backward logic and stood again. After wrapping up the charcoal and letting Mila see how tenderly she slipped it into her pocket, Wenn bent to kiss an upraised forehead. "Be well, little Mila. You draw for me too, hm? We shall have a show of lovely art when next we meet." Mila giggled behind her hand, leaving a new black smudge across her cheek. She then nodded and took off running back to her family's tent, message and gift having been delivered.

Standing with Othala again, now at the road, Wenndolyne leaned her slight frame to peer around the old woman. Her sapphire eyes scanned across the quiet morning activity of the camp. As Wenndolyne straightened again, her gaze was met by golden eyes, sparkling with life and knowledge and beauty of the soul, if not the body. Wonderful Othala, Wenn thought. Despite the seeming centuries of wrinkles on her craggy face, there was always something exciting in her eyes, perhaps even a hint of amusement or a knowing grin from secrets the Second Sight had shared with her.

"Go now, love." She was shooing Wenn with her stubby little hand, but playfully and still there was her crooked, ancient grin. "Foot to path a journey begins. Ye shall lose the day. Be off wi' ye." There was, as always, a deep affection in Othala's voice, no matter how cold her words might seem.

With a light giggle, Wenn turned and took a pace or two then in a swirl of her long skirts, she turned again to walk backward for a bit, easily done by her youth and light step. "Aye, foot to path and so it shall be! For the Rune Mistress commands it of me!" Wenn paused and bowed ceremoniously with her teasing verse then giggled and continued her backward steps. Othala watched the smiling young woman recede and leaned upon the knotted branch, long used for a cane and worn smooth from many more years of use than most would believe. Old but bright eyes watched, while the lass faded further into the distance. Long light auburn hair caught the sun's golden warmth as Wenn turned away on her path to the east.

In truth, Wenndolyne was excited to be on a journey again. There had been many small adventures on her sojourns to and from the Warren. She always learned much on these roads and thrilled to meet new people, sharing in their lives for a space. For her own part, the most rewarding of times came when she could be of help, whether by mundane means or through the workings of the Stones. In between, while walking here to there, she hummed to herself or kicked a rock in the dust with her small slippered feet for some random count of trees. Always, always did she speak to any persons who crossed her path. Only once, years past, did this prove unwise, but she had not let that ruin the chance of meeting countless others.

Wenn had her doubts though about Othala's implication that she could be of use in such a place as Camelot. Never having been there, she could go only on gossip of the shining city, but it certainly seemed to her that whatever the need was, she would be entirely inadequate to fill it. Her work with the Stones was nearly haphazard. Her father had seen to a fine education for her, but Wenn felt all her skill was in being friendly and willing to help. Twas nothing special in it, so far as she was concerned, just the way everyone should be. So, in the first day's travel, Wenn pondered what to do upon reaching her destination then promptly put that aside. She decided the journey should be unburdened with such thoughts, and simply enjoyed.

Wandering through the countryside in her usual way, Wenndolyne was always headed generally in the right direction but unhurried and pleased to stop, make acquaintances and offer assistance as able. One road and village led to another and another. At each, Wenn would ask of Camelot, not only the path there but also what may be known of it. It was as much a way of introduction as anything else. There were few who had been there but many who had heard and for the most part, all said was favorable. In fact, Wenndolyne heard much of valiant knights, courtly ladies and very confusing tales of others not so mundane. Dwarves and elves were not uncommon but it seemed, to those telling, that there were all manner of creatures to be seen in that particular city. Wenn listened intently, then each night when she settled into a hired room, she opened her journal and wrote down what was important to her about that day, or at least, the parts she could recall.

After three days of eastward travel, Wenndolyne came to the largest bridge she had ever seen. This, she had been told, would take her across a channel and to the Isle of Hope, where she was to find Camelot. Fascinating as the huge stone and cobble structure was, Wenn chose to drift northward a short bit where some had told her twas a ferry. Othala said go. She hadn't said that Wenn need arrive quickly. Wenndolyne grinned to herself as she paid the ferryman and found a spot to stand, near the roped edge of the barge.

The ferry was crowded with people, carts, crates, animals and children entertaining themselves, mostly with teasing the animals and each other. Wenn watched as two lads seemed bent on twisting a stick into the long twitching tail of a rather large horse. She hoped these boys were being closely watched by more than the, so far, patient knight who sat astride the beast. Either he didn't care or hadn't noticed. Wenndolyne looked away, not wanting to see who was caught first, the boys or the horse.

As Wenn turned her head to look out across the water, a small cloud of acrid black smoke crossed by her. It sent her coughing and waving it on downwind. She turned her head to see whence it came, only to be caught in a pair of shining black eyes, staring at her from the shimmery green face of a creature whom she instantly decided must be a dragon or something of the sort. This one was much smaller than she'd heard in all the tellings. It was hardly larger than the man holding its harness. Though it seemed perilously close to her, it was in truth some paces away. Wenn broke her locked gaze with the thing and used all her concentration to look down to the water. Somehow, staring at something like that while it was starting back, didn't seem a wise thing to do.

As the men along the ropes drew the varied cargo across the channel, Wenn stood with others between them, just to watch the water seem to pass beneath the barge, and to check the approaching shore. Odd, Wenn thought, she had not been aboard any water vessel in a few years, not since leaving Flaxley and her father's estate.

Wenn patiently awaited her turn to disembark. In doing so, she avoided further eye contact with the diminutive dragon. She also got to stand back and snicker as the knight paced along on his horse, whose tail was sporting a dandy stick braided into its length. The two boys had rejoined their parents and bowed ever so graciously to the passing suit of armor. Immediately after they'd cleared his sight, they elbowed each other and giggled their congratulations on success of their quest. Wenn lost track of the boys as it came her turn to queue up to go ashore but later saw them once again. They were now talking quickly to the Channel Guard who had by then extracted the stick from his fine steed's tail.

Once again Wenndolyne traveled along the dusty roads, winding ever eastward on the wide paths through the woods. The roads here were much wider, she thought, owing to the bridge and ferry no doubt. Even better was the presence of fellow travelers, all apparently heading toward some part of Camelot or its immediate neighbors. The more she saw and heard, the more pleased and excited Wenn became. It was comfortable here. The friendly people, small villages and general kindnesses to be found on the Isle, were the same as any other place she'd traveled. This pleased Wenn much. The channel was indeed merely a waterway and had not put her in a foreign place at all. Everything here was still familiar, however, there were grand tales and rumors of fantastic things that she dared not believe but was anticipating nonetheless. Hardly six hours walking and only a few stops later, Wenn began to see the profile of a large city approaching on the horizon. Her inquiries verified that it was indeed Camelot.

((break?))

On the outskirts of town, Wenn began to look for shops and inns. The streets were rushing with people trying to complete the day's business. The hour grew late and she had so hoped to get something new to wear to meet… whomever it was she might need to meet. Othala had been quite vague on that point. Wenndolyne giggled to herself, wondering if Othala's Second Sight was aging too. Her smile must have caught the eye of the shopkeeper where Wenn had paused to look at clothing displayed in a small window. She hadn't meant to tarry there for she could see only the keeper's face as the door was closing for the day. Instead of being shut and the bolt thrown, the door opened again and the small peeping woman waved Wenndolyne inside.

"Oh please, " Wenn said, "You needn't trouble for me. I can see you're prepared to end the day. I could return on the morrow." Wenn hesitated just at the threshold and let her eyes adjust to the darker interior of the small store. It was a clutter of things, not much in the way of a ladies dress shop as Wenn would have preferred, but at this hour, it might have to do.

The other woman had already turned her back and was weaving through many small heavily laden tables toward one larger one heaped with colorful clothing. Her head was shaking "Nae, lass, pleased for ya t'come in. I can see yer size already and t'be truthful, I've not many wantin' somethin' tha' small but tall if'n ya see what I mean. I assume yer lookin' fer yerself?"

Wenn grinned as she proceeded to follow. "Yes. I am looking for a dress for myself." It was all she could do not to make a quip aloud on the phrasing of the woman's question. Instead she was idly running her hand over the fabric of various items within easy reach. While the place looked more the peasant hovel than a shop, the merchandise seemed of reasonable quality. It appeared that most anything could be had here, from chain mail to slippers, though there was a limited selection in most things. She began to wonder if perhaps the items were second-hand. No crime in that, Wenn thought, so long as a garment was still in good condition.

While the shopkeeper rummaged through the table she had selected, her eyes drifted to regard Wenndolyne. It was not from her usual habit of watching for pilferers, which there were plenty of in this area of town. Instead, something about the young lass seemed out of place. She was dusty from the road, carrying her own pack, skirts at once fine yet simple. Her way of speaking was right proper and her carriage, graceful. To the keeper's mind, the lass was more that of a lady than should be seen in these parts, alone and dressed so plain. "My, my. Yer not elven I can see, but nearly tall and slender as 'em." she said, then continued to look for the dress that came to mind when she first saw the lithe lass.

Wenn looked up and eventually made the last paces to the table being searched. "Oh? Do you think I'm too thin?" She had the urge to sneeze from a stirring of dust but fought it. She could see the particles drifting about in a beam of waning sunlight coming through a back window.

Finally there was a satisfied sigh from the shop keep. "There it be!" she exclaimed as she extracted a soft dress in a pale blue from the now disorderly heap of other dresses and coats. The short woman had to hold up the long gown in two places to keep its full skirts from dragging the floor.

At last she looked up to Wenn again and extended the dress to her with an amused chuckle. "Too thin? Gods no. I 'magine a knight'd fancy a lady such as you, jist as ye be."

Wenn blushed and fidgeted with the dress to gauge it for fit, trying her best not to be caught whilst checking it for signs of wear. "Oh, I don't feel much the lady. Just a dusty traveler newly arrived… and very grateful for your attention so late." The sleeves were slit to allow a chemise to billow through but the cuffs were fitted and satin trimmed so they would have revealed prior use. The neckline too, scooped with the same satin braid trim and tasteful lacing, showing no wear at all. She held the dress up to herself and drew the full skirt out. Yes, this would do nicely, she thought. A simple damask to wear for… she still had no notion whom.

The keeper had proceeded on around to another table, laden with white bundles of fabric. She waved off Wenn's concern for the hour as she now rummaged through this slightly organized heap. Again she smiled as she more quickly found what she was looking for and offered up a white bundle of linen. "Jist the sort of lady I like and not here long 'nuff to get hauty 'bout it. That there'd be an underdress that should fit ya." The smaller woman leaned in close to whisper, even though the shop was otherwise empty. "They're not the best bargain but can serve as night coverin' too, ya know." She leaned back and shrugged. "Who'd be the wiser?"

Wenn then leaned forward, dress and bundled chemise in her arms, to whisper in return. "If it's all the same, might I have two? I'd not want to be caught without, day or night." She grinned. Truth was, she knew her present slips had been mostly ruined by the foot travel.

The little woman leaned back and laughed with a clap of her hands. "Two it is! A lady and a gen'rous purse! I'll be glad to have stayed open for tha' smile." There was another moment of rustling to find a second chemise in what the keeper was sure was the right size.

Eventually, Wenn trundled along behind the small shopkeeper with her load of new clothing and her own satchel she'd carried in. The dress was neatly folded along with the slips then placed in a handled canvas bag. Wenn drew her pouch from her waist and set it onto the counting table where the little woman was bent, making sure the last edges of clothing were tucked properly. Wenndolyne's purple velvet pouch thunked upon the wood loudly enough to make the other woman pause and wonder what could be so heavy when she'd not heard the familiar jingle of coins.

Drawing open the pouch, Wenn slipped her hand in and began sifting. The woman tried not to watch but could not help it, as there was a distinct glitter of color coming from that open pouch, gems to be sure. When she finally told Wenn the cost of her purchases, it came out almost in a stutter. If that whole pouch was full of precious stones then who was this young lady of means and why had she not some servants to do such buying for her and... The questions rattled on in the shopkeeper's head, interrupted only as Wenn's hand slipped from the pouch and opened up to reveal a quite small but smooth and fiery opal.

"Shall this cover what I've selected? I must apologize that I hadn't time to locate a money changer since arriving." Wenn knew the approximate value of the stone for she was accustomed to using such as payment, but never would she assume another was obligated to accept her appraisal.

The other woman knew her face reflected surprise and perhaps shock but couldn't change it. She simply nodded and gently took the stone from Wenn's hand, then her other hand pressed over Wenndolyne's and down onto the pouch.

The action caused Wenn to look directly into the keeper's eyes. She saw genuine concern, almost fear, as the small woman spoke in a hushed whisper. "Ne'er do that again, m'lady. Nae in this town. Bright as she seems, there're all sorts about. If they see ya with tha' purse, yer life may nae be worth a copper." Wenn shook her head and smiled, opening her mouth to begin explaining but the shopkeeper shushed her. "Listen now. Do as I tell ya." She dropped the opal into an apron pocket then from another extracted two gold coins and pressed them into Wenn's palm. All the while, the warm brown wide eyes never left Wenn's bright blue gaze. "Use these coins t'pay fer lodgin' til ya can get to th' changers… and don't never, NEVER show no one tha' pouch agin."

Wenn decided against her explanation and nodded. "I do thank you for the coins but are you certain the one stone is enough to cover that as well as the other?"

The shopkeeper nodded and grinned. "Aye, lass, plenty 'nuff and I'll not sleep a peaceful wink til I get this wee stone safely put 'way."

Wenndolyne grinned back then picked up her bundle of new clothing and situated her pack over her shoulder to balance the load. "If you're certain, then I shall leave you to close up your fine shop and be on my way toward a comfortable bed. With any luck, a bath as well!" Her bright smile and sparkling eyes were met with a sincerely warm wish for a good eve. The shopkeeper walked with Wenndolyne to the door and offered her a suggestion as to clean, safe lodging then sent her on with one more whispered warning about the "secret". She dared not even say what the secret was concerning, fearing someone in the street might overhear about the gems.

Heading northward for just a few blocks from, as directed, Wenndolyne easily located the inn which the shopkeeper recommended. It was indeed a nice place, one of the larger and better kept buildings for several streets. Finding the inn was not such a task as wading through the crowded narrow streets without dropping her bundles. With business completed, everyone was in a hurry to get home or to a pub. At last, Wenndolyne made her arrangements for that night with the innkeepers, an elderly couple having rooms to let. Cost for bed and breakfast had been negotiated.

Getting the bath added to the bargain was a bit more work but eventually the wife elbowed her husband and he relented. As Wenn ascended the stair, she had to stifle a giggle for there seemed to be some argument over who would have to haul water for the bath. A carefully crafted comment from the husband prompted the wife to insist that she would do it and he had best go find some place else to be.

After the nice warm bath, not only cleansing but relaxing, Wenndolyne sat on the bed in her room, all curled up in a newly purchased and pristine chemise that was indeed just the right size. She opened her journal to make the day's entry but paused in thought and gazed out the window. There was a halo reaching into the night sky, from the town's torches and light glowing from within the clusters of buildings. So far, she hadn't seen anything so fantastic as the tales had promised, but it seemed a good place. On the morrow, Wenndolyne would perhaps make inquiries of guilds or such that might need a Maid of the Stone Warren. She shook her head and smiled crookedly as she began to write, still feeling that Othala had sent the wrong person.

(..)