The Secrets of the Wild Wood

  “Yes, in part,” replied Piak. “But it’s more about my friend, Tiuri, actually Sir Tiuri. After Sir Ristridin and his men routed the rob… I mean, chased away your friends, they went deeper into the wood, to the west.”

  “That’s right,” said Adelbart with a nod.

  “They were looking for the Men in Green,” continued Piak.

  “The Men in Green?!” exclaimed Adelbart. “If you’re looking for them, you won’t find them. They never get involved in anything and they harm no one unless, of course, you tread on their toes.”

  “How do you know that?” asked Piak.

  “Yes, hmm, how do I know that?! I… I’ve heard it from various people – maybe the monks at the Brown Monastery. Leave them alone, and they’re no trouble.”

  “I don’t believe a word of it!” cried Piak. “Did you know Sir Ristridin has disappeared without a trace and his men have been killed? Treacherously slain by enemies! And Tiuri, my friend, was ambushed and captured. That’s why I need to go to King Dagonaut as quickly as possible to get help and to tell him what’s happened.”

  He stood up, suddenly realizing how little time he had to stop and talk.

  “Well, I’ll be…!” exclaimed Adelbart. “And it was the Men in Green who did it?”

  “They were there,” said Piak. “Along with others. And the night before we were ambushed, we heard the beating of drums, a terrible sound.”

  “Drums?” repeated Adelbart.

  “Have you ever heard them?” asked Piak. “Do you know anything about them?” He suspected that was the case.

  However, Adelbart shook his head. “I’ve long known that other people live in the wood,” he said. “But I’ve never gone looking for them or bothered about them, and neither did my friends. There are some things you’re better off not sticking your nose into!”

  “There’s something mysterious going on,” whispered Piak, “and no one is allowed to find out about it. But Sir Fitil knows, Sir Fitil of Islan. Have you ever met him?”

  “No,” said Adelbart. “I never go south of the Dead Stone.”

  Piak shivered when he heard that name. “I had to flee from Sir Fitil’s men,” he explained. “That’s how I ended up here. Pursued by Islan’s warriors, who were supposed to be going to Deltaland.”

  “Deltaland?”

  “Yes, there’s been an invasion, from Deltaland,” said Piak. “But perhaps that’s not even true. Sir Fitil could have made it up… but no, the messengers came from Sir Arturin.”

  “I can’t follow this at all,” said Adelbart. “An invasion… knights captured, killed, vanished! All manner of things have been happening while I was daydreaming in my Forgotten City. Well, I fear that’s the end of my peaceful solitude. Would you like anything else to eat?”

  “Thank you,” said Piak. “But I really should go. Could you tell me the quickest way to the Green River and where I might be able to find help?” As he spoke, he grew even more worried. The City of Dagonaut was still so far.

  Adelbart gave him a questioning look, then laid a hand on his forehead and said, “Fine, I see that I can’t stop you, even though I’d rather you stayed another night. I’ll take you as far as the river, on my donkey. Yes, I have a steed. At least I have one if it doesn’t refuse to budge.” He thought for a moment and continued, “The king’s city is far away, and you say there are enemies in Islan. The Brown Monastery is nearby – not that the monks will come to your aid with a sword, but they know a great deal, have friends everywhere, and will surely be able to send a message to the king or to Castle Mistrinaut.”

  “Castle Mistrinaut?!” Piak almost yelled.

  “Calm down, my boy! You startled me!”

  “I know that castle!” said Piak. “Is it really that close?”

  “From the monastery it’s a day’s ride on horseback,” replied Adelbart. “And from here to the monastery won’t take any more than a day. I should imagine that’s welcome news.”

  Piak looked at him, his eyes gleaming. “It certainly is!” he said.

  Castle Mistrinaut! A mighty man with a long name lived there, who was one of Sir Ristridin’s best friends. He was also a friend of Tiuri’s, as was his daughter, Lady Lavinia.

  “Oh, Adelbart,” said Piak, “show me the way to the Brown Monastery. Then I shall ask for help from Mistrinaut, which I am sure to receive!”

  4 TO THE BROWN MONASTERY

  It was late in the afternoon when Piak, Adelbart and his donkey set off.

  “I would have liked to show you my city,” said Adelbart. “It’s beautiful, when you take the time to look. When I think how old it must be and about all the people who must once have lived there, I feel very small and insignificant. Which I am, all things considered.”

  “Not for me, you’re not!” said Piak. “Whatever would I have done without you?”

  Adelbart nodded thoughtfully. “The ways of fate are strange,” he said. “Or the providence of heaven. I so often thought myself a sluggish coward, just getting on with my life in the Forgotten City, while all kinds of things were happening elsewhere in the world. But now my lonely life turns out to have been good for something: I was able to help you. And who knows what consequences that will have?”

  There was no path from the Forgotten City to the Green River, but Adelbart said he knew the way blindfolded. He insisted that Piak should sit on his donkey, and Piak was secretly glad he didn’t have to walk. The effects of the fever and the exhaustion had still not entirely left him.

  As they travelled, they talked to each other, mostly about Piak’s adventures. But as evening fell, Adelbart said they had better be silent.

  “You never know who might be listening,” he said.

  “Do you mean my enemies could be near?” whispered Piak.

  “I’ve heard a few strange footsteps…” replied Adelbart.

  They both fell silent. Adelbart strode without hesitation, and after a while he said, “Now let’s sleep. The river is nearby and we’ll be at the monastery in good time tomorrow.”

  It was a glorious morning when they reached the Green River. There was woodland on the opposite bank, too – pine trees on low hills – but it was no longer the Wild Wood. To their left, on their side of the water, they saw the roofs of houses.

  “Some woodcutters live in that village,” said Adelbart, pointing, “but we’re not going over there. We can cross the river here. Giddy up, Neddy!”

  The donkey stuck its head forward and brayed indignantly.

  “Keep your mouth shut, beast,” said Adelbart irritably. “Get along now. On you go!”

  A man came hurrying towards them from the village; his face was red and angry. “That’s my donkey!” he yelled.

  Adelbart cursed to himself. “That’s all we need,” he muttered, giving the reluctant animal a push.

  As the red-faced man reached them, Piak saw he was armed with a stick. “Now I’ve got you, thief!” he said. “That’s my donkey, the one you stole!”

  “Calm down, calm down!” shouted Adelbart, glancing uneasily at the stick. “I didn’t steal it. The creature was wandering around in the forest and I only took it so I could keep it safe until I found the owner.”

  “Lies!” said the man. “I know you, Adelbart! You’re a good-for-nothing – you can’t even steal something without getting found out. I’m taking my donkey back, of course – but I’m taking you, too! There are other folks in the village who would like a word with you.”

  “I haven’t done anything!” said Adelbart. “You can have your donkey back, but there’s no need to act like an ass yourself. You’d do better to thank me for taking good care of the stupid animal. And if you want to talk to me, you can come and visit me in the Forgotten City.”

  “Not likely!” the man shouted angrily. “And you’re coming with me whether you want to or not.”

  Piak, who so far had listened in silence, decided it was time for him to speak up. “Adelbart is coming with me,” he said. “Our business is more impo
rtant.”

  “And who might you be?” growled the man, jabbing his stick at Piak.

  Piak put one hand on the hilt of his sword. “I am the squire of Sir Tiuri with the White Shield,” he replied. “And Adelbart must come with me to the Brown Monastery. Take your donkey and let us go.”

  His manner seemed to make an impression on the man, even though Piak didn’t look too impressive after all his adventures. The man looked at him with some surprise and then said grumpily, “Suit yourself.” He took his donkey by the bridle and walked away.

  “That was nicely done,” said Adelbart, after they’d crossed the river. “Thank you.”

  “Oh, you’re welcome,” said Piak.

  “It was true, you know, what I said,” Adelbart continued. “The donkey just came wandering my way.”

  “I believe you,” said Piak, but he didn’t mean it, because he was starting to think Adelbart had a rather relaxed attitude to the truth.

  “That’s not what your face says!” cried Adelbart. “All right, I stole the creature. I already told you I’m no good! I always really want to do the right thing, but before I know it I’ve done something wrong again. I’m weak. The best thing I can do is hide myself somewhere far away from temptation.”

  Piak laughed. “You’re an odd one,” he said, “but I still like you! And what you do is none of my business.”

  “But if you like me, it is your business!” Adelbart objected. “So far I’ve broken only a couple of commandments, but sometimes I’m scared that one day I’ll do something truly unforgivable. And what then? We’re on our way to the monastery now, where I lived for a year as a lay brother. I’d like to try it again but I wouldn’t be doing it for the right reasons. A man must be a monk because of his convictions, not because he wants to hide away from the dangers of the world.”

  They were now walking along a path that took them first through the wood to the north and then to the west. Hills hid the Green River from sight.

  Adelbart continued his musings. “I could go on a pilgrimage,” he said. “At the source of the Blue River, in the mountains, lives a wise hermit, or so I’ve heard.”

  Piak stopped in his tracks. “Menaures!” he exclaimed.

  “You know everyone I mention,” said Adelbart in surprise. “It really is destiny that we should meet. Have you ever visited him?”

  They went on walking. “Have I ever been there? Oh, yes!” said Piak. “I was born in the mountains and I lived with Menaures for some time.” He sighed. Suddenly he felt homesick.

  “Yes, now I understand,” said Adelbart. “Now I understand why in spite of your youth you seem to know what you need to do, without confusing right and wrong. You have lived with Menaures! I think I shall go to see him one day, too. Would he give me advice, do you think?”

  “Certainly,” replied Piak. “But he’ll tell you that you need to find your own way in the world. That’s what he always said to me.”

  A little later, Adelbart asked, “You’re not getting tired, are you? The monastery isn’t far now, just at the end of this track.”

  Piak was tired, but he didn’t say so. He was thinking about Tiuri and the Fool. He didn’t know Tiuri had also walked along this road, months ago, when he was taking the letter to King Unauwen.

  “Good. We’ll be inside before sunset,” said Adelbart, as he rapped the knocker on the door of the Brown Monastery.

  A short gatekeeper opened up for them. “My, my!” he cried. “If it isn’t Adelbart!” He didn’t seem too happy to see him.

  “It is indeed Adelbart,” said Adelbart. “But please pay no attention to me. This young man has come a long way and been through a great deal. He is looking for help and strength here, Brother Julius.”

  The gatekeeper let them in.

  “Slide the bolts,” said Adelbart. “And be careful who you admit. Worse rogues than I might follow.”

  “What nonsense is this?!” cried the gatekeeper. “There’s always something with you. Why have you come back here to bring more turmoil and disruption?”

  “If anyone is bringing turmoil and disruption, it’s my friend here, Piak,” said Adelbart calmly. “Now welcome him, Brother Julius, and take him to see the abbot.”

  The gatekeeper turned to Piak. “You are, of course, welcome,” he said warmly. “Adelbart just confused me for a moment. Who are you and what brings you here?”

  “I am the squire of Sir Tiuri with the White Shield,” replied the boy, “and he is in great danger.”

  “Tiuri,” repeated the gatekeeper, as he walked with Piak and Adelbart across the courtyard, where a garden was planted. “Tiuri… I know that name. So you wish to speak to the abbot, do you?”

  “Yes, please, reverend brother,” said Piak. “As soon as possible.”

  “Just wait inside,” said the gatekeeper, “and I’ll ask Father Hyronimus if he can receive you.”

  A few minutes later, they were taken to see the abbot. A young monk was with him; he was introduced as Brother Martin.

  “Please sit down,” said the abbot after greeting them.

  “Shall I… I’d probably better go, had I not, reverend father?” asked Adelbart a little shyly.

  “No, of course not,” said the abbot. “I thought we would see you again, Adelbart.” He turned to Piak and continued, “I have heard you are the squire of Sir Tiuri, whom I know. He was also here, last year, when he was just a squire himself. But first tell me why you have come. I understand it’s a serious matter.”

  Piak took a deep breath. Then he told the abbot everything that had happened in the Wild Wood, as concisely as he could.

  “Then our enemies took Tiuri and Marius,” he concluded. “They went along the Black River, towards the Owl House. They need help as quickly as possible – soldiers to free them. Lots of soldiers, because the enemy’s numbers are great.”

  “Sir Ristridin rode out with twenty men,” said Brother Martin quietly. “Are none left alive?”

  “I fear not,” said Piak. “Except for Sir Ristridin himself, but no one knows where he is.” And he added, “Tiuri instructed me to tell all of this to the king.”

  “Of course,” said the abbot. “King Dagonaut must receive these ill tidings as soon as possible. We shall send a messenger immediately.”

  “But the king is so far away!” said Piak. “And Tiuri and the Fool remain prisoners in the meantime. That’s why I thought of the Lord of Mistrinaut.”

  “It was a good thought indeed,” said the abbot. “Brother Martin will go to Mistrinaut. He’s an excellent rider and he can leave at once.”

  The young monk rose to his feet. “Certainly,” he said. “I shall borrow a horse from Farmer Roldo. And I shall tell him to prepare more horses. Perhaps his son can ride to the king.”

  “Yes, indeed,” said the abbot. “I shall commit to paper the essentials of what Piak has told me. And Brother Martin, have Mistrinaut send a messenger to the capital, too. This message must not be lost.”

  “As you wish, Father Hyronimus,” said the monk. He gave Piak a nod and disappeared.

  “And what can I do, reverend father?” asked Piak.

  “Tonight you can sleep, my son,” replied the abbot. “Brother Martin is leaving at once, but even so we can’t expect the Lord of Mistrinaut to be here before tomorrow afternoon – probably later if he still needs to equip his men.”

  “I’d really like to…” began Piak.

  “There is nothing you can do until tomorrow but use your patience, my son,” said the abbot. “We will ensure that help arrives as soon as possible. The Lord of Mistrinaut will certainly want to help. And all of us here will pray that the dangers in the Wild Wood may be averted and that you’ll see your friends again soon.” He turned to Piak’s companion. “Stay here tonight, too, Adelbart,” he said. “We really should talk, don’t you think? Goodnight to both of you, and may God bless you.”

  5 MEN OF MISTRINAUT

  The Brown Monastery was usually an island of calm, but turmoil and
disruption had indeed accompanied Piak within its walls. The Wild Wood, which had always seemed so far away, even though the monastery was practically on its borders, now felt threateningly close.

  The Lord of Mistrinaut arrived the following day, and Piak was immediately summoned to him.

  Sigirdiwarth Rafox of Azular Northa, the Lord of Mistrinaut, was a large man with red hair. He barely seemed to fit inside the abbot’s small cell. Piak felt rather shy in front of this powerful lord with his stern face and those penetrating eyes beneath bristling eyebrows. But he told him what he had to say, and he kept it brief and clear.

  “I have twenty-five men with me,” said the Lord of Mistrinaut. “They have set up camp outside, reverend father. I did not wish to impose too much on your hospitality. The rest of my men are coming this evening. Brother Martin will be in their company. I have also sent word to the Lord of Westenaut and asked him to send men, and of course there are messengers on their way to the king.”

  Piak nodded with satisfaction. The Lord of Mistrinaut was a man who could be trusted, as he had always known. A burden seemed to have lifted from his shoulders now that this man was here to help.

  “I believe it would be best to act as quickly as possible,” the Lord of Mistrinaut continued. “The rest of my men will be here soon, so we can enter the Wild Wood tonight or tomorrow morning.”

  “Yes!” exclaimed Piak.

  “I can take sixty men,” said the Lord of Mistrinaut. “And Brother Martin also wanted to join us, Father Hyronimus, with your permission.”

  “You have my permission, Lord Rafox,” said the abbot. “Brother Martin has been into the wood a number of times. I am sure he will be of assistance.”

  “Sixty-three men in total, then,” said Lord Rafox. He turned his sharp gaze on Piak. “Of course you will be with us,” he said. “Is our number sufficient, do you think?”

  “I believe so, my lord,” Piak replied. “But I cannot know for sure. As you are aware, Sir Ristridin had twenty men with him. I have seen only the enemies who ambushed Tiuri – there were about fifteen of them. And of course the men of Islan.”