The Secrets of the Wild Wood

  Dismayed, Tiuri jumped to his feet and followed him. He knew very well that he would never be able to escape from the Men in Green. Jaro had been right after all.

  They stopped beneath the trees that lined the southern side of the valley. The Master of the Wild Wood placed his hand on a trunk and said, in a much less measured tone than before, “I cannot act any differently. I love this forest and I want it to remain unspoilt.”

  He is no more human than the trees of the Wild Wood, Tiuri thought bitterly. I might as well talk to a log or a stone.

  Tehalon went on speaking: about trees, plants and animals, about hidden springs and secret paths in the forest. Tiuri barely listened to what he was saying but, even so, the tone of Tehalon’s voice gave Tiuri hope that maybe he could make this man relent after all.

  Tehalon seemed to notice Tiuri’s expression, because suddenly he stopped and said, “One day you will no longer hate me. Now return to your companions.” He started to walk away.

  Tiuri was sure he would never have another opportunity like this to talk to him. So he said – no, he almost yelled, “Tehalon!”

  The Master of the Wild Wood paused and waited.

  “You want to live here in peace,” began Tiuri, “and not interfere with other people. So why are you stopping me from doing what I want? You must…” He faltered for a moment. If only Tehalon’s face would show some sign of emotion! He would rather have seen anger than that blank expression.

  “You must also allow me, too, to do as I want, freely and without hindrance,” he continued, “because…”

  He paused, trying to come up with truly convincing words, but instead, to his horror, he burst into tears. He tried to control himself, but it was no good; his sobs welled up until his whole body shook. He turned away and hid his face in his hands, deeply ashamed. There he stood, Sir Tiuri, crying like a child.

  After what seemed like an eternity of misery, he felt a hand on his shoulder. It was Tehalon, who forced Tiuri to look at him. Tiuri could hardly see his face, even after he’d briskly wiped his eyes.

  “Sometimes it is good to weep,” spoke the Master of the Wild Wood calmly. “And you need not be ashamed of your tears.”

  Tiuri stepped away from him and did not reply. He wished Tehalon would go away. But the man crossed his arms over his chest and did not move.

  Suddenly a drum sounded nearby. Boom. That was followed by a rapid drumroll. Tok-tok-tok-tok…

  Tehalon raised his head to listen. Boom! Tok-tok-tok-tok…

  The sound was repeated from afar – perhaps from the watchtower by the river. The drum nearby went boom once again, and the other drum replied.

  Tehalon looked to the north and said, “They say many men are approaching from that direction…”

  Only now did Tiuri see a second watchtower, rising up above the trees.

  “I must go there,” Tehalon said to him. “Follow me later, with your companions. Perhaps our conversation is not yet over.” With quick steps, he loped away.

  Tiuri leant against a tree and pressed his face against the rough trunk. The tears were over. But still, when he saw his friends coming, he hid behind the tree. He was not ready yet to face them. They walked around the lake, and then towards the watchtower. The Fool was looking around, as if seeking Tiuri. Lian and Twarik brought up the rear.

  I’ll follow you soon, thought Tiuri.

  A couple of minutes later he did just that, but first he knelt down beside the lake and washed his face with cold water. Then he started running and went after his friends.

  Suddenly, Tiuri felt light and relieved, and in good spirits.

  “Many men are approaching…” Tehalon had said. Perhaps Tiuri could take advantage of the situation, and escape while the attention of the Men in Green was elsewhere. “Many men…” – maybe even friends and allies. They were coming from the north, from outside the wood.

  Behind him, another drum sounded.

  5 PIAK AND ADELBART

  Piak stood on the bank of the Green River. “Don’t let any fate worse than capture befall Tiuri,” he prayed.

  “Over there. That’s where they live,” said Adelbart from behind him.

  Piak just gazed at the water and did not reply.

  “You’re afraid, aren’t you?” said Adelbart. “That they’ll harm your friends. But whatever they may be, they are not wicked people. Unless they’ve changed a great deal.” Piak turned to stare at him.

  Adelbart acted as if he didn’t notice, but looked at the opposite bank, deep in thought. “No,” he said. “I’m sure they remain the same, just as they have always been. But the circumstances may have changed, and…”

  “What are you talking about?” Piak exploded. “Are you talking about the Men in Green? So you do know them! What can you tell me about them?”

  “Not much,” replied Adelbart.

  In the distance, the drums sounded again. An immediate answer came from nearby.

  “Now there’s something approaching from the other direction,” said Adelbart.

  “Ah, is that what you think?” said the Lord of Mistrinaut, walking over to stand beside Piak.

  “He doesn’t think – he knows!” Piak cried. “He knows far more about the enemy than he has told us!”

  Lord Rafox gave Adelbart a searching look.

  Adelbart shuffled his feet, tugged at his belt, pulled a face, and then said, “To be honest, I’ve never regarded them as enemies. I know them as peaceful men, even though they know how to use weapons.”

  “It is time, Adelbart,” said the Lord of Mistrinaut sternly, “for you to tell us your story.”

  Adelbart sighed. “Very well, my lord, here it is,” he said. “Some time ago, when I was a good deal younger, I once went into the forest, along this path. Of course, I got lost, became hungry and thirsty, was bitten by beasts… In short, I was in a wretched state and I would surely have died if the Men in Green had not found me. They took care of me, and when I was back to my old self, I stayed with them – a summer, an autumn and a winter. But Piak knows what I am like: one day I longed to see something different, and so I said I wanted to leave. They let me go but made me solemnly promise that I would never, ever say anything about them to anyone else. I have kept that promise – until now. And I don’t know which is worse: not saying anything before or saying something now.”

  “The situation now is so serious that you must speak,” said the Lord of Mistrinaut. “What kind of men are they, these peaceful Men in Green? Come with me. Brother Martin and my captains need to hear this, too. And I am sure your story is not yet finished.”

  “That really is all, my lord,” said Adelbart a few moments later, when they were all seated in a small circle on the ground. “The Men in Green have lived here for centuries, and their home is in the Green Grottos. Once, they say, Tehalon had a castle…”

  “Who is Tehalon?”

  “He is their leader. They call him the Master of the Wild Wood. He has turned away from the world and is not keen on strangers.”

  “And did he ever attack anyone?” asked the Lord of Mistrinaut.

  “Never, my lord. I spent almost a year with the Men in Green, and I was their companion on the hunt and on many wanderings. If others entered the forest, they knew immediately. They always know exactly what is going on in the wood. They have a great many guard posts, some in trees, others in towers, and they pass on important news by sounding their drums. Every combination of drumbeats means something – they probably just announced your approach.”

  “And what will they do, now that they know?”

  “They used to hide from every stranger,” replied Adelbart. “But back then hardly anyone ever came here. After all, most people believe they’re woodland spirits.” He looked around the circle and then continued, “I don’t believe they’re wicked, but I do think they may be dangerous. They are master archers, but that’s not what matters most. Unlike us, they are so at home in these woods that it is almost uncanny. It is quite possible
that, at this very moment, they are listening to every word I say.”

  He glanced around, and his listeners automatically did the same.

  “And now I am coming to the end of my story,” said Adelbart. “I returned to them. Only one Man in Green would show himself to me – a special friend of mine. Twarik was his name. He told me that Tehalon would allow me to stay only if I swore never to leave. And well… I did not dare to do that. Twarik told me something had changed in the forest. He and his friends never went south of the Black River now and strangers were less welcome than ever. He would not tell me more, but I had the impression that others had come to live in the forest. After saying farewell to Twarik, I stayed in the wood and headed eastwards. That’s where I discovered the Forgotten City.”

  “Do you know anything else about these ‘others’?” asked Lord Rafox.

  Adelbart took a deep breath and said, “I lived in the Forgotten City with some friends of mine.” He glanced at Piak. “We were hunters. Some of them went along the Black River to the west and never returned – all except one. He told me people were living there, soldiers. He was scared and ran away from them. I once saw a few of them in the distance myself: men on horses, dressed in red.”

  “Red Riders?” whispered Piak, his eyes wide with shock and amazement.

  “Red Riders?!” exclaimed Lord Rafox.

  Adelbart was startled by their reaction. “Did I say something wrong?” he asked.

  “It is just a pity you did not mention this before,” said the Lord of Mistrinaut. “Go on!”

  “I have nothing else to say!” cried Adelbart. “I have said everything and told you no lies. Really and truly. I’d happily swear it, if only I knew what to swear upon. Who are these Red Riders?”

  “They come from Eviellan,” replied Piak.

  “Oh,” said Adelbart, but it was clear that he was none the wiser.

  “Red Riders,” repeated Lord Rafox, with a worried frown. “It could just be a few of them, but maybe more. And if that’s the case… Oh, Adelbart, why didn’t you tell us this right away?!”

  “My lord,” said Adelbart. “I would like to make up for my mistake. So I have a suggestion. Let me cross the river, as your envoy. I have already told you the Men in Green do not like intruders, and there are many of them. But I know them, I speak their language, I can talk to them. They will not harm me if I enter their territory…”

  “And what if they hide from you?” said Lord Rafox.

  “I know a certain call,” whispered Adelbart, “a signal, a cry that will make every one of them come to me. Twarik taught it to me, and told me to use it only if I had something very important to say.” In a louder voice, he continued, “Let me go, my lord! Right away! We will have a better idea of what course of action to take once I have spoken to them.”

  “Perhaps it’s not such a bad idea,” said the Lord of Mistrinaut.

  “There’s a watchtower nearby,” said Adelbart eagerly. “I remember the way. It’s about a couple of hours’ walk. Give me until this evening, or tomorrow morning – whichever you think best. If I’m not back by then… well, then something’s gone wrong.” He paused and then quickly added, “But that’s not going to happen.”

  “Agreed,” said Lord Rafox, standing up.

  “And I want to go with him,” said Piak.

  Both Lord Rafox and Adelbart shook their heads doubtfully.

  “Please say yes!” said Piak. “Adelbart doesn’t even know Tiuri. He has no idea what he looks like. I want to go. It’s always better to travel together and I’m surely the most suitable companion for Adelbart.”

  “He has a point,” said Adelbart. “And I honestly don’t think we’ll be in any danger.”

  6 A BLACK SHADOW

  Piak and Adelbart were soon on the opposite bank of the river. Adelbart walked first along the water for some way, to a point where a stream met the river. He led Piak along the stream into the lands of the Men in Green. The ground was boggy and the grass and leaves were wet with dew. “Keep an eye out,” said Adelbart. “There should be a path somewhere around here that leads to the tower.”

  “Listen!” said Piak.

  “Someone’s shouting something,” Adelbart replied. “Probably just one of Lord Rafox’s men. Their camp’s still near enough.”

  “I can hear someone coming,” said Piak. “From the river.” Yes, there he came, one of Mistrinaut’s men, dressed in blue. “What is it?” he called, trying not to shout too loud.

  In just a few moments, the person had reached them.

  “Lavinia!” exclaimed Piak.

  “Sssh,” she said. “I’m Fox.” Out of breath, she stopped and wiped her forehead. Piak and Adelbart saw that her clothes were wet.

  “What’s wrong?” whispered Piak.

  “I’m glad you hadn’t gone too far,” she said. “I had to go back quite a way to find a spot where I could cross the river without being seen.”

  “But why?” asked Piak sharply.

  “I have my reasons,” said Lavinia. “I saw something you need to know about. I hope we can still find it.”

  “What?”

  “A black shadow.”

  “A what?” said Adelbart.

  “A black shadow,” repeated Lavinia. “Come on, before it’s gone.”

  “Yes, but, my lady…” began Adelbart.

  “My name is Fox!” she said. “Please, come with me. It’s not far. I saw it when I was on the other bank, and I crossed the river as quickly as I could.”

  “You swam?” asked Piak, rather impressed.

  “Swam, waded, floated,” said Fox. “Quickly, or it’ll have gone. This way.”

  “But what is it?!” said Piak, as he and Adelbart walked with her.

  “I told you. A black shadow,” Fox replied. “I’m not saying any more than that. You need to see it for yourselves. I hope you’ll see for yourself what I don’t yet quite dare to think. Although… maybe it’s better if it’s not what I think it is.”

  “Now I really am lost!” muttered Adelbart.

  “It was around here somewhere,” Fox soon whispered.

  They saw snapped branches and trampled grass.

  “So it’s not a ghost, this shadow,” said Adelbart. “It looks more like an animal’s trail.”

  “Sssh!” said Fox. “Quietly does it… Look, there!”

  “Oh… yes,” said Piak in a low voice. He could see something dark moving among the trees. And it wasn’t a person.

  Fox stopped.

  “Go and take a look,” she said.

  “It’s not dangerous, is it?” asked Adelbart.

  “I hope not,” said Fox. “Just go and see if it’s him,” she continued to Piak. She suddenly seemed doubtful. “Maybe I just imagined it,” she murmured. “Oh, I’m sorry I…”

  As Piak cautiously walked onwards, the shadow moved away from him. If only he could see what it was… He quickened his pace, afraid of losing sight of whatever it was that was fleeing into the trees. Fox and Adelbart followed behind.

  Piak stopped. The vegetation ahead of him was less dense – and there it stood.

  “A horse!” whispered Adelbart behind him.

  A black horse with a wild mane, looking around skittishly, as if it were about to bolt.

  Piak hardly dared to breathe.

  Fox came and stood beside him; he felt her fingers gripping his arm. “Do you see him?” she whispered in his ear. And he knew what she really wanted to say, “Is it him?”

  Piak looked at her and his lips formed a name.

  Ardanwen!

  As Piak approached, the horse raised his head and restlessly twitched his ears.

  “Whoa. Easy, Ardanwen, Night Wind,” he said quietly. Ardanwen must have recognized him, too, but seemed very nervous. “Ardanwen!” Piak repeated. “Good, loyal horse. Easy, boy. Come to me.”

  The horse gave a whinny and trotted over to him, then bent his neck and allowed Piak to stroke him.

  “Ardanwen,” whispered Pia
k, “what happened to you? Your coat is full of scratches and you’re all alone. Oh, Night Wind, where is Tiuri?”

  “So it really is him,” said Fox, coming to stand beside them. “But then… where is Tiuri?” Her voice was trembling.

  Ardanwen pulled away from Piak, shaking his mane, but Piak soon calmed him.

  “This is Sir Tiuri’s horse,” Piak said to Adelbart. “The most loyal and intelligent animal in the land. If he is here, Tiuri cannot be far…” His voice trailed off. Again he was gripped by fear for his friend’s fate.

  Adelbart understood, as his expression was grave and thoughtful.

  Lavinia stroked Ardanwen’s nose. “If only you could talk,” she whispered. “Where is your master? I’m sure you haven’t abandoned him.”

  “The horse has neither reins nor saddle,” said Adelbart. “Just a piece of rope around his neck, with a frayed end, as if he somehow tore himself free.”

  “What now?” asked Lavinia.

  “Whatever we do, we have to keep going,” said Adelbart, “to find the Men in Green. That’s what we agreed. And as far as you’re concerned, I think it would be best for you to return immediately.”

  “I agree,” said Piak.

  “And you can take the horse,” said Adelbart.

  “No, Ardanwen should stay with us,” said Piak. “He could lead us to Tiuri.”

  “Let’s go on together, the four of us,” said Fox. “I’d rather not go back and have to cross that river again, and besides…”

  “No, I can’t agree to that!” said Piak.

  “Why not?”

  “They could take you prisoner, use you as a hostage. What will your… Lord Rafox have to say about that?”

  “He’s right,” said Adelbart. “Although the Men in Green won’t be surprised to see you, my lady… I mean, young master Fox. Their women and girls often wear such clothing when they roam the forest with their menfolk.”