This is a continuation of the story begun in The Crossing, the title of which is now being changed to The Forester. For those of you who haven’t already read them, or for anyone who wants to refresh their memory of what happened, here are the links to Part One, Part Two and Part Three, Part Four and Part Five. Each part is only 250 words, so they don’t take too long to read. Enjoy!
The Forester – Part Six
Genre: historical: early C13th England
Dair awoke with heart pounding, the events of the dream, a jumbled mess of memories, playing through his mind. He forced himself to calm, leaning back against his bedding.
It was over. He was home. And safe.
The familiar sounds and smells settled him: him mother’s even breathing, the snuffling animals in their pens.
The fire had burned low, only glowing embers remaining to warm the building. Whilst mostly recovered from his trials the chill continued to bother him. Clutching blankets tightly around his shoulders he rose and added fresh wood, encouraging the flames to return. Some days he wondered whether he’d ever feel warm again.
His mother continued to sleep. Even resting, her grief and exhaustion showed. She’d cared for him unfailingly over the past weeks – sometimes smotheringly so. It was as if she feared letting him out of her sight.
Today she would have to. Today he was leaving to join Randel and his foresters.
He would have left before, had he been permitted, but his mother and the forester had been adamant that first he rest and heal. Only now was he willing to admit they’d been right. But the outlaws who’d attacked them were still free and he was sure he could find them…
It was still several hours until dawn but sleep would not revisit this night. He dressed, gathering his belongings into a rough knapsack.
And he waited for his mother to wake. He couldn’t leave without wishing her farewell.
Word Count: 250
I thought I’d give you a slightly calmer, less tense installment this week. Dair has been through so much in the previous few that I thought he’d like a little down time before we return to action scenes in the forest. As I’ve mentioned before, this has grown a lot beyond the initial story (hence the change in title). Whilst I haven’t planned out the plot in any detail I do have lot’s of ideas. Hopefully this whole thing will eventually be edited and turned into a novel. If this happens the previous five parts together would be Chapter One. We are now moving into Chapter Two.
Next time: Dair meets Randel’s foresters.
you have such powerful message along with a great image….
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Thank you. 🙂 I’m glad you like the image as well as the story. It started out as a picture of a pleasant sunny, early spring day. It took quite a lot of editing to make it look wintry.
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He’s a good boy, our Dair. Love that he’s waiting for his mama to awake.
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I was going to have him leave before she awoke. He just wouldn’t go. 🙂
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I thought he would but I’m very glad he didn’t.
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I hope Randel and the lads keep him safe. He’s been through so much already!
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I’m sure they’ll look after him as much as they can! I don’t think Dair is one to stand back on the sidelines when there’s trouble, though. 🙂 Thanks for visiting.
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Definitely not – after everything he’s champing at the bit to go out again and help bring down the bandits. I’m looking forward to the next instalment!
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He has been through a lot! Now we can only hope the they will be safe when hunting the outlaws!
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Safe? Possibly not. But at least he won’t be alone… Thanks for visiting. 🙂
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Mmmmm… I thought so!
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Only just caught up… Yes, Dair deserved a bit of a rest. He had to get his strength up for the adventures to come, didn’t he? Nice work, looking forward to the next instalment 🙂
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Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it. He’ll definitely be needing his strength for the adventures soon to come… 🙂
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Thoroughly enjoying the story Louise. Of course I would!! 🙂 There is a part of me too that lives in olden times! I love the image!
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