Innocence often brings a false sense of security for those who have not experienced the many vagaries of mankind. A certain naive look at the world leaves these individuals open to trials of fear and pain.
Strangely these are often the ones who survive, for they do not know to fight until they are fully ensnared. The hope for such as these is that those who are evil often create their own downfall and the innocent escape.
Our young heroine will soon learn her journey -- the real journey -- has many goals. Many more than she could have imagined . . .
Anisah stumped along the road to Varspree. No one had ridden by, in a long while, and she felt terribly alone and afraid. She had never been farther than the village from her home and family and she missed being there.
Hearing the sound of horses, she stepped to the side of the road. The horses slowed and stopped.
"So, my beauty, where are you off to today?" A man spoke to her from one of the horses. She turned and saw a fat, repulsive man, missing more teeth than he still had, sitting on an old horse smiling at her with a grizzled face. "Wouldn't you like to have a little ride with me?"
"No, sire. I'm fine walking." She responded, turned away and began to walk along the road again.
"One as pretty as you needs an escort, I think," he persisted, walking his horse beside her. She refused to look up or talk to the man.
Suddenly she was rising in the air, her clothing pulled upward at her neck and strangling her. She struggled to break free, but the man was too strong for her. He plopped her down on the saddle in front of him and trotted off. The other men roared with laughing approval.
Anisah couldn't believe this was happening; she had just started her new life and now this. She tried to remain still and stop her trembling, shrinking away from the man's touch as much as possible. She wasn't able to succeed with her resistance and as her anger grew she became quieter, ignoring the violations, planning an escape.
"You should keep Old Sumt’r's bed warm tonight," he laughed loudly, squeezing the girl even tighter to his foul and sweaty body. Anisah held back the tears that wanted to flow.
How could this be happening. I've done nothing wrong.
The party rode most of the morning in relative quiet. The men were all gruff and dirty and smelly.
The sun was just reaching its highest point when one of the younger men yelled at the others. "Hey, I'm gettin' hungry. We've been ridin' since before sunup and we didn't have a mornin' meal."
"You're so right, Garr’k, I could do with a bite of somethin' myself," replied Sumt’r. "Let's top that ridge ahead and we'll find a spot to stop. This lovely lass can make herself useful," he added, pinching Anisah on the bottom through her dress.
"You can cook, can't you dearie? Girl like you should be married by now. Were you running away from some husband who made you cook, clean and do other wifely duties, is that what you're doin'?" he breathed into her ear, hugging her tightly.
He was being particularly offensive now and Anisah was beginning to worry he might start something she didn't want to happen. She jerked out of his grasp.
"I can cook," she replied haughtily, "what do you have that's fit to eat?"
"Well, you do have a bit of life in you, huh?" he laughed, "I was beginning to wonder."
He stopped crushing her, kicked his horse into a trot and quickly reached the top of the rise and reined in his horse.
"Okay, men, I can see a clearing just ahead, check to see if there's water nearby. We'll set up camp and do a little huntin' for our supper."
In a short time, they found a small stream well hidden from the road. Sumt’r began shouting orders.
"Garr’k, you and Ald'n gather some wood and make a fire. Rar’s and Legg’t, see what you can find for the stew pot. Red and Kar’n, see to the horses and make sure you hobble 'em good."
He swung from his horse and lifted Anisah down. "You lassie, will get the water," he said, pointing to the stream, "and be sure you boil the water good. Don't need any bad water."
From a pack on the mule he was leading, he pulled two battered pots and handed one to her. "Come along now; They'll have the fire going in no time," he added. He pushed her toward the stream with the pot he still held.
Anisah flung her hand out to knock the pot away and started walking silently ahead of Sumt’r toward the stream.
Her heart was beating fiercely but she began to form a plan for an escape and Sumt’r himself had presented it to her. She could certainly cook and she knew just what she wanted to prepare for these gentlemen. She grinned and looked away from Sumt’r so he couldn't see it.
She searched for herbs along the stream's bank, looking for just the right ones. The herb, aldock, grew almost everywhere; she noticed it bunched beside the road during the long ride today. She assumed these particular men had no idea what the herb did or how it was used.
Aldock, used sparingly in many prepared dishes provided an interesting spicy flavor, but applied too liberally would cause severe stomach cramps, nausea and other intestinal difficulties. Mistress Elspeth warned her about those problems years earlier.
Anisah found a small patch of the herb and, fortunately, in the same patch was mixed with a gentler green. She could gather both and not be noticed at all. She stood and spoke to Sumt’r who was watching her closely.
"Do you have any seasonings for the pot? Stew's no good without the proper herbs. I could collect some, if you like, like wild onions and drayslip root from this patch of greenery here by the bank," she suggested, pointing around the general area near the aldock. She could tell the thought of a good meal was making Sumt’r's mouth water.
"That sounds just fine, I'll sit here while you get what you need. Just make sure I can see ya." he said and sat, leaning against the trunk of a broad oak tree, and watched her closely.
Anisah actually gathered other wild herbs besides the aldock. She always gathered in this way. Each herb provided a special potion for healing, aches and pains, or for sleeping, any she picked might come in handy later.
Anisah never expected this whole affair to happen. She chastised herself for her blunder.
It's my own stupid fault, I should have known better. I should have known there are people who might want to harm me along the road.
She pondered her problem.
There seemed no doubt what these men, particularly Old Sumt’r, planned for her, and, if that wasn't enough, she also assumed they would kill her afterward.
Well, if my idea works, I shouldn't have to concern myself with my fate at the hands of these men. They are probably going to be very sick and very busy.
She was strangely amused, despite her dangerous circumstance.
I probably can just walk away without any problem.
"All right, time to head back to the camp," Sumt’r growled abruptly, "the fire should be hot by now and we need to get this water on and the greens cooked for when the boys get back from their hunt."
"You'll need to carry both buckets, my hands are full," she told him, holding the greens she had picked in a small fold in her skirt with both hands. She didn't want to take the risk Sumt’r knew about aldock.
Sumt’r picked up both buckets, growled something about lazy women, started away toward the clearing, suddenly stopped and looked back at Anisah.
"You get in front of me, just like I said, so I can keep an eye on ya," he spoke sharply. Anisah lengthened her stride until she was marching along in front of him.
They reached the clearing just after several of the hunters arrived. They were preparing some of the game for the fire.
"Got us a couple of fat hares," Rar’s shouted, holding the skinned animal aloft.
"And some quail," Legg’t boasted, laughing with his success and holding the plucked birds for everyone to see.
"Just shut up and finish cleaning the rest of the game! The water's gonna be hot in a few minutes and I'm gettin' hungry," Sumt’r yelled at his men. They jumped up and scurried around trying to rush th
eir efforts.
Anisah was sorting the herbs.
"Could I please borrow a knife or possibly one of you would like to chop these greens?" she asked sweetly, trying to be careful not to antagonize or make a mistake in what she was doing.
Red wiped the small hunting knife he was using to skin the hares on his pants' leg, looked over at Sumt’r to make certain it was all right.
Sumt’r nodded his approval.
"Aye, give it to her. I ain't chopping no vegetables," he sneered.
Red handed the knife to her, handle first
"Thank you," Anisah said and smiled up at Red as she kneeled next to the fire. He looked at her and grinned sheepishly, turned and walked back to the others, joining in the chorus of jokes, tall tales and stories they were shouting out.
They were being strangely boisterous, particularly since any passersby could probably have heard them, for no apparent reason. Once they all turned to look at her, Rar’s slapped Red on the back then they all laughed, poking one another like little boys.
I can imagine why they are acting so stupidly but I'll see how that turns out for them.
She quickly cut the herbs, adding them to the pot. When she was through with the general preparation, she cleaned the aldock
The men again laughed loudly again and, when she looked, she noticed they were still glancing over at her and laughing even harder.
Maybe just a bit more of my favorite item in this. Maybe just a bit more for you fine gentlemen.
There were only a few opportunities for Anisah to take some of the stew out for herself before she added the aldock. There was one coinciding with another round of laughter from Sumt'r henchmen.
"I don't have a bowl," she said loudly,“may I get my cup from my bag?"
Sumt'r turned and stared at her a moment before waving his hand toward their bags now laying on the ground at the edge of the camp. She cautiously walked to her pack, searched around for her cup and drew it out, showing it to Sumt'r.
“I's watching for any of yore tricks,” he said, calmly, grinning at her. “Tricks can come later.”
She walked back to the fireside, took some of the stew out into her cup, then put a generous portion of the aldock into the pot, dusted her hands and stirred the mixture until all the greens were mixed thoroughly.
Soon the men brought over the game they had cleaned. She added the hares to the pot, stirring them into the brew, choosing to save the quail for herself for later.
Yes,a brew. That just describes this concoction.
The men lay about under the trees, laughing and joking while passing around a wineskin. Anisah occasionally stirred the pots, silently watching the men. She smiled each time someone looked toward her.
Might as well make them feel comfortable. Can't run.
The men were slightly intoxicated by the time the stew was cooked enough for Anisah to know the aldock was mixed in well.
"Stew's ready, if you care," Anisah announced.
The men jumped up, staggering, pulling their bowls from their packs and rushing to be first. Pushing and shoving, they jostled for position at the pots. Sumt'r spooned himself a generous portion, much to Anisah's delight.
Sumt'r stood and walked near her.
"Eat up, we have a long way to go before dark," he growled at her and began to eat his stew.
The men gulped their meals quickly, asked for more, and finished the second portion quickly, handing their dirty bowls to Anisah to clean.
"Red, take her down to the stream and watch her while she washes those. Fill the water skins while you're there," Sumt’r commanded, tossing the water skins to Red. “We need to move to a safer place for the night.”
The others began putting out the fire and saddling their horses. It took Anisah and Red only a few minutes to do their chores. After they returned, everyone mounted their horses. Sumt’r grabbed Anisah roughly and jammed her in front of him again.
The ride was the same as the day before, the men talking and joking crudely, laughing the most at those about loose women, when Kar’n suddenly doubled over clutching his stomach, almost falling from his horse.
"By all the Gods, I'm dyin'," he cried out, feebly pulling back the reins to stop his horse, weaving in the saddle with his head resting on the horse's neck.
"Stop tryin' to trick us, twar’n't no arrows comin' through here," Garr’k laughed, looking about in case he was wrong.
"Ain't no arrows, you dope, it's comin' from inside like a rabbit's trying to scratch out of my gut," Kar’n groaned, falling from his saddle to the ground, rolling in obvious pain.
"That's what ya get for being so greedy," Sumt’r roared with laughter at Kar’n squirming in the dirt.
Suddenly, his face contorted in pain and he doubled over grabbing at his stomach. "You scoundrel, whatever you got, I got it too. What were you doing back in Aleria," Sumt’r groaned, slowly slid from behind Anisah to the ground.
She held on tightly to prevent being dragged from the horse.
Legg’t suddenly fell from his horse, shouting and cursing, holding his stomach. The other three men also jumped to the ground, clutching themselves, crying out, and desperate to get away from the pain. Two of them tried to run into the bushes – neither made it in time.
Anisah sat, eyes wide, watching the men writhe on the ground. She had never used aldock in larger doses before and was amazed at what was happening.
"Look at her. She's not suffering. Witch, witch, you put a curse on us. We're all gonna die," Legg’t shouted, twisting his face, pointing his finger at her, "We shoulda taken you and killed you when we had a chance."
Anisah, alarmed at the accusation, jammed her heels into the horse's flank and it bolted forward, almost pitching her off backwards.
As the horse broke into a full gallop, she desperately grabbed the mane flying in front of her, held on tightly and closed her eyes.
She had never ridden a horse before and was too frightened to look at first. After a moment she realized she hadn't fallen off, so she decided it was a good time to learn how to stay on and more importantly, how to guide the animal.
She opened her eyes and saw the reins flapping against her leg. Building up her courage, she let go of the mane with one hand, reaching desperately for the reins flailing just out of her reach.
Finally, the reins flew around near her. She lurched to the side and grabbed them, pulling them into her other hand, but still holding desperately to the mane. Only then did she look up to see where she was going.
The road ahead turned sharply to her left and she began to worry the horse wasn't going to make the turn because he was going so fast, or he was going to run into the woods where the branches were low enough to knock her from the saddle.
She quickly sat up straight, yanked back on the reins as hard as she could, holding her hands close to her face with the effort, leaning as far back as she could, her fear of falling overwhelming her.
The animal twisted its head to the right but kept running, but he began to run more slowly. She pulled her left rein harder.
"Whoa, horse, whoa! Please stop! Please!" she began yelling at the animal. The horse eyed her wildly; it yanked its head forward almost pulling her off its back, running even harder now.
"Oh, please stop, please stop," Anisah was crying and pulling back on the reins with all her strength.
Suddenly, the horse stopped, stiffening its forelegs and jamming its hoofs into the dirt road, skidding to a stop. Anisah quickly grabbed the pommel of the saddle and was somehow able to stay on the animal though she smashed her face into the horse's neck as she pitched forward.
The horse stood panting heavily tossing its head, and blowing foam everywhere. Anisah glared at the animal for just a moment, stopped rubbing her nose, reached forward and hit the horse as hard as she could on its neck.
"You stupid horse, where do you think you're goin'," she screamed at it, still crying but happier now the horse had stopped running.
They stood in the road for a while trying to recover when Anisah heard yelling, back toward the direction she had come.
She turned to look and could see the men trying to crawl to their horses, attempting to mount them. Unfortunately for them, standing was almost impossible since every attempt to stand straight sent searing pains through them, and they flopped back to the ground holding their midriffs with both arms.
Anisah thought she should leave before they were able to get back on their horses. She gently bumped the horse with her heels this time and it began to trot down the road in the direction they were running earlier.
As she rounded the turn, she could here Sumt’r cursing and screaming at her, "You witch, I'll find you and we'll see who wins the next fight."
She then decided she should go a little faster, bumped the horse with heels and started a slow trot which bounced her about at first. But she soon caught the rhythm and the ride began to be more fun. She suspected the effect of the aldock would soon be wearing off and there was plenty of reason to put as much distance between herself and Sumt’r's band as she could.
After an hour, Anisah pulled the horse up. She looked around to make certain she was safe and slid to the ground, holding the horse's mane.
She, and the horse, just stood for a few minutes trying to regain their breaths. She looked around, trying to decide what to do and spotted a likely hiding place. Taking the reins, she led the horse off the road and into the woods.
When she was comfortable with her distance from the road, she stopped to watch and listen for any movement beyond her shelter. Satisfied all was quiet, she led the horse further into the trees and found the same stream that flowed by the campsite the previous night.
Here the banks were sandier and less steep. She led the horse to the water and it began to drink eagerly. She moved upstream a couple of paces and bathed her face in the cool, clear stream.
She sat for a while waiting to see if she was being followed, letting her face drip-dry. The breeze blew softly through the trees overhead and she began to relax some.
I'd love to shed these dusty, foul smelling clothes and splash in this beautiful sparkling water. But I believe that wouldn't be too smart today.
She looked at the stream, particularly at one small pool beckoning her. She shook the thought away. She had no idea where Sumt’r's gang was. And no way of knowing how quickly they would recover, nor how far behind they were if they were following her -- which she assumed was going to happen and decided she needed to leave. She breathed a great sigh at having to leave without her bath, grabbed the horse's reins and led him slowly toward the road, stopping to listen occasionally as a precaution.
When she reached the edge of the trees, she cautiously peered out through the leaves making certain there was no one about, and guided the horse back to the edge of the road.
But being exposed made her feel uncomfortable.
I wonder whether I should stay in these trees longer. I believe I will for a few more miles. So, I start in the morning. So much for big plans.
She took the horse back inside the forest, tried to mount but found it impossible because the horse kept moving away from her. She finally discovered she could pull hard on the right rein when she stepped up in the stirrup the horse moved toward her rather than away, and she was able to mount him finally.
Once again, she sat quietly listening for any sounds, heard none and slowly walked the animal through the trees, keeping the road in sight as she dodged branches and moved around other debris in their way.
After an hour or so passed, she turned the horse out through a clear spot in the trees, looked up and down the road, seeing nothing she moved out, crossed to the middle of the road through a rocky patch, to cover their tracks.
She trotted the horse slowly down the road, occasionally looking over her shoulder to see if the men were behind her. The next few hours passed without incident. She saw no one for the remainder of the day. She lost most of her jitters and, toward the end, began to enjoy the trip.
It was becoming dark and she was getting a bit hungry. She decided she should make a camp, found a likely area, veered off the road again choosing a rocky patch of ground, got off the horse and led him into the woods looking for the stream again.
She soon found it and looking around she noticed the woods were particularly thick here.
The thicker the better. Maybe no one will see a small fire if I'm careful.
She watered the horse, tied him to a small tree with a line long enough for him to feed in the grass near the bank and built the smallest of fires.
Retrieving the pot from Sumt’r's bag, still on the horse, she boiled some water and cooked some of the greens she had saved in her bag from the previous day. She then wrapped the two quail she had hidden in some wet leaves and dropped them into the coals and waited. The leaves smoldered and smoke rose, but it was becoming dark and she felt no one could see.
Well, this was an exciting two days. I'm not as certain as I was this trip to Tariny is what I should be doing. Maybe I need to just go home.
The night closed softly around her, She was very tired, not having slept well the last two nights. She gazed through the branches over her head, up at the stars and the two moons overhead, and felt comforted by how peaceful the place was.
"And maybe I don't," she spoke softly, pulled one of the quail out of the coals and chewed it slowly and ate some greens, "going back would be a big mistake. After all, if I can survive what happened these last two days, I probably can handle whatever lays ahead."
Suddenly she stopped talking thinking she heard some rustling in the woods across the stream. She waited for more movement.
Then she relaxed and shook her head.
"I'm just too jumpy, everything's fine. I just need to rest," she talked aloud again, finished her small meal.
Carefully dousing the fire with water from the stream, she walked around in the area looking for a place to sleep.
Maybe I can bathe in the morning. These clothes are impossible.
She soon found a soft spot near a great tree, pulled her clothing around her and fell asleep quickly. She dreamed about a day when she helped others with her skills.
You will have many other adventures, young Anisah, but do not be afraid, for you will succeed in what you wish. Find two young men from Peetle, they will help you complete your journey. There will be other deeds you must perform before you can become a healer. And healer you will be, but more. The day approaches when you will help save your world.
She awoke the next morning with a start, looking around her frantically, and then realized she had only been dreaming.
She lay back on her bed of dirty clothes, looked up through the trees, and was thankful she had survived her ordeal of the day before. The horse stood patiently at the end of the rope she had used to tie him to a tree.
I've got to get up and get on my way. Sumt’r and his gang may have passed last night, but they may be behind me yet.
She stood, walked to the horse and took her packs from the back of the saddle. She left the packs on the poor animal overnight because she was afraid she wouldn't be able to get them back on if she had to leave in a hurry.
Leaning back comfortably against her tree, she dug the last of her bread and cheese out of her pack. Opening Sumt’r's larger bag, she found an old weathered tunic and some baggy pants; an old cloak covered with patches; the pots she used to cook her concoction of poison vegetables; a mug; utensils; a bowl; a rather large knife and a small leather bag.
She pulled out the leather bag and opened it.
Oh, happy days, it has a bit of money in it – gold, semi-silvers and coppers. Sumt’r must have taken this from some poor soul and simply thrown it into the bag without thinking.
She finished the last bit of her bread and cheese, got up, threw everything back into the pack and tossed these over the horse's back, except the coin bag. She tucked it into a hidde
n pocket of her dress.
She untied the horse, grabbed the saddle horn, placed her foot in the stirrup, and mounted the horse without effort and realized, with satisfaction, she was getting much better at relating to the animal.
As she prepared to leave, she suddenly heard voices nearby, froze and jerked back on the reins. The horse grunted and backed noisily into the small clearing.
Did they hear that?
"Cursed witch! Harlot! Blasted Slut!" shouted several voices, all of them much too familiar. Sumt’r and his men caught her, but they were passing by on the road, making much too much noise and didn't notice her sitting just inside the tree line. She held her breath and watched them through the limbs of the trees. She leaned over, wrapped her arms about its neck patting the animal softly.
"Sh-h." She whispered, “Please don't make any noise.”
None of the gang looked in her direction as they trotted past. She held the horse tightly, hoping it would not whinny to the other animals.
Her heart was pounding, her eyes closed, she was trembling so violently she was afraid the men could hear it.
Time seemed to stop; there was nothing she could do but wait. There was nothing in her world, but her heart pounding in her ears and the voices of the men passing by on the road.
After what seemed like hours, the voices faded. Sitting slowly upright, she got off the horse again. Holding the reins, she walked quietly to the edge of the trees, looked in each direction and decided to move slowly toward the road. She saw nothing in either direction and sighed a breath of relief.
Well, this is as good a place to camp as any. At least for tonight.
She couldn't bring herself to actually walk onto the road. Shaking her head, she turned about and lead the horse back into the trees. She wanted to give Sumt’r a very long lead.
Once safely behind the trees, she patted the animal on the nose. "Seems we stay for the night," she muttered.
Retying the horse to another trees near another grassy spot, she removed the packs from its back and actually discovered how to take the saddle off.
She remade her camp and took the old cloak from Sumt’r's bag to give her added warmth. She was afraid to make another fire and the cloak would keep her warm enough.
She walked into the woods to find something to eat. She quickly found some berries, took them back to the creek to clean, sat and munched them slowly, wondering what lay ahead.
The rest of the day passed without incident. She took the bath she needed, washed some of her clothes and Sumt'r's old cloak.
They dried while she sat in the sun, with her own cloak wrapped around her, peeking through the leaves just in case she had unwanted guests.
She decided to wait until dark to start her journey again. Her days were much more adventurous than she wanted and the tension had exhausted her. She lay quietly for a while and actually dozed a bit. But each time she woke she did so with a start – still apprehensive.
After her clothes dried, she put them on, spread Sumt’r's old cloak under the tree, wrapped her own cloak around her, rolled into a ball to keep herself warm, and quickly fell asleep.
As the first rays of light blinked through the trees, Anisah opened her eyes, looked around, and was amazed she slept so soundly. She thought she would be awake all night.
But she felt much better after the rest and was ready to go.
She packed everything again, placing the bundles back on the horse. She washed her face in the stream, pulled the reins over and mounted the horse easily, walked him through the edge of the forest, looked both ways, and slowly approached the road.
On the road, she again looked behind her, kicked the horse, heading for Varspree, hoping to reach the town by evening. She soon had the horse trotting at a good pace.
She rode all day, often walking the horse, stopping only to grab a bite to eat from the herbs she spotted on the side of the road, or to water the horse and get a drink herself.
She began to see more people as she traveled; most of them paid little attention to her passing. Occasionally, a child would wave at her and she would return it.
The variety of people began to change from those who lived in the farm areas to city people whose descriptions were indescribable in most cases. Most were on foot or horseback, some in carts and buggies, all looking dusty and tired.
Probably like I do. Tomorrow, there will be new life to begin.
She was so tired she wasn't certain whether she thought that, or it just appeared in her thoughts as though someone had spoken to her.
She closed her eyes as the horse walked toward the lights she could see in the distance.
Not much longer now, maybe I can be at peace in this place.
RAB'K