The Doormaster's Apprentice

Chapter 2

  At first Liam was excited to be on the road. New sights and sounds filled him with wonder. But what started out as an adventure soon became routine. Every day after breakfast they climbed up on the cart and rode until lunch. After eating it was back up on the cart until they reached the next journey camp.

  The camps were spaced about a day’s travel apart. They were primitive, sometimes not much more than a fire pit, but there was usually good water nearby. A few had a rough cabin or lean-to for shelter if the weather turned bad. So far the nights had been fair, and the boys had slept in the wagon. Custom was that travelers using the camps at least replenished the firewood. Those who were regulars on the road sometimes even did a few repairs.

  After two days on the road, Liam was looking forward to spending the night in Fairgrove but they arrived late and the streets were empty and dark. Mica did not want to leave the spelled door unguarded in the stable yard. They told the old one-eyed innkeeper they were short on coin. He grumbled some, but let them sleep in the stable with the cart. The next day they were up with the sun, leaving before the folks in town were out of their beds.

  The next day stretched into another long ride in the cart followed by another uneventful night in a roadside journey camp. The road to Fairgrove had been fairly smooth. The late spring rains had stopped and the king’s men had repaired most of the damage. But the road leaving Fairgrove was still rutted and pocked with holes. Liam shifted his weight on the hard wooden board that served as the cart’s seat just as one of the wheels thumped into yet another hole.

  “Oof!” exclaimed Liam as the jolt pitched him backwards. “You know you don’t have to hit every hole in the road between here and Yellow Finger Lake. If you did happen to miss a few you’ll have another chance to hit them on the way back.”

  Mica cocked his head sideways and smiled at Liam from under his wide brimmed hat. “I’ve heard that too much book learning tends to soften a fellow’s head. But maybe that’s not the whole truth of it. Might not be limited to just his head.”

  Liam smiled in spite of himself. Mica’s jibe wasn’t far from the truth. After four days of being bounced around on this cart, even his bruises were getting bruised. Mica liked to pretend that he was tough, but Liam had seen him wince too when the cart took a hard jolt.

  “That’s right I forgot,” Liam said with a smirk. “You’re the one who’s strong as an old oak tree…and almost as smart.”

  Just then the cart banged into yet another hole, which jarred out an oath from both the boys. They laughed out loud at each other’s misfortune.

  The road here was rough, but their spirits were as high as the bright noonday sun that beat down on them. Liam loved working with the Doormaster, but he was glad to be out in the fresh air away from the dust and stuffiness of the potion room. After three years the Doormaster was trusting him on his own. It was a fine day for an adventure.

  “I know you could stay up here and ride this bucking cart all the way across the seven kingdoms, but stopping for lunch doesn’t sound too bad to me,” said Liam. “That shady spot ahead looks perfect, and it’s not too far from the road.”

  Mica smiled. “It does look pleasing. Judging from the number of trees, there might be a cool bit of water there for Lit' Smoky. Let’s take a look.”

  Mica pulled on the reins and Little Smoky turned off the road. Tall grasses brushed against the bottom of the cart and sprang back into place behind them leaving only a faint hint of their passing. The little donkey had no problem pulling the cart across the meadow. As they drew near the grove, the land started to slope downward sharply.

  Mica pulled back on the reins stopping Smoky near the top of the ridge. She immediately pulled up a mouthful of grass and began to chew noisily.

  “This looks to be as far as we get.”

  Liam stood on the seat. Small trees grew near the edge of the grove, but huge, older trees rose up from the valley floor.

  “Look at the size of those trees. I’d wager it would take six tall men to reach all the way around that oak there…and maybe ten to reach around that willow down near the pond. What do you say we go down and take a closer look at the grandfather of all trees?”

  “You seem to be forgetting something. If we ride down there to have lunch with Grandfather Willow, who’s going to pull our cart back up this hill?” His mouth tightened into a line “You’ll not be a friend to me if you think it fair to ask Lit' Smoky to shoulder such a load.”

  The tone of voice made Liam pull his eyes away from the trees and glance at Mica. He was right. The steep hill started almost at his feet. The little donkey would be hard pressed to pull the cart back up the hill. To force her to do it without just cause would be wrong.

  Still, the wonder of the grove pulled at him. Shade from the giant trees had long since choked out most of the undergrowth leaving mosses and a few tuff grasses to cover the rocky floor. The sunlight that did filter through the upper branches came through as shafts of shimmering emerald green. There had to be a way to take a closer look.

  His mind whirling, Liam turned to Mica. “Couldn’t we leave Smoky and the cart here for just a little while? Just long enough to take a look at the grove and have a quick lunch? What could it hurt?”

  Mica looked down into the grove and then back over his shoulder towards the road. The grass had sprung back up to cover their tracks, and the dip in the land hid the road from view.

  “We haven’t so much as glimpsed a single body on the road yet today so don’t suppose there’s much chance of a thief nicking our cart. Not out here in the back of the beyond anyway.”

  Liam saw that Mica was weakening. He pressed on. “It would give Smoky a rest.”

  “She does seem content enough here.” Mica paused and pushed back the brim of his hat. “I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to stake her out here where the grass is sweet. Maybe take a blanket and a bit of lunch down the hill.”

  Liam vaulted over the back of the seat into the cart before Mica had a chance to change his mind. “You take care of the donkey while I see what’s for lunch.”

  Hoping the Doormaster had left something other than bread and cheese, he lifted the wagon seat. The dust and heat from the morning had left him thirsty. He grinned when he saw two earthenware jars and a cloth sack. The jars were cold.

  He dropped the lid back into place and grabbed a spare blanket. Leaping from the cart, his feet hit the grassy ground with a soft thump.

  “Ready Mica?”

  “Don’t get in a rush now.” Mica gave the stake one last lick with the back of his ax and laid it down. Deftly he tied Little Smoky’s halter lead to the stake. “It would be a long walk with a sad story at the end if Lit' Smoky were to wander off without us.”

  Mica was right, but Liam felt the grove calling. It was like watching preparation for the Harvest Feast and having to wait for everyone to be seated and the blessing to be said before you could begin. He could hardly keep himself from throwing everything on the ground and running full speed down the hill.

  He shifted the sack and felt the cold against his back. “Let’s go,” Liam said.

  “It sort of pulls at your heart don’t it?” Mica said. He lifted his bow and quiver out as he walked past the back of the cart.

  Little Smoky chewed a mouthful of grass and watched through half closed eyes as the boys walked down the hill and into the grove without a backward glance.

  They scrambled down deeper into the grove. Younger trees gave way to taller, older ones. Their tangled branches shaded the forest floor, choking out the underbrush and encouraging the moss. It spread across the forest floor in a course green mat. Mosses of every description grew in the cool green shade, clinging to rocks, flowing over fallen branches, and climbing the trunks of the giant trees. Overhead branches dripped long clumps of moss and mistletoe.

  Liam paused beside one of the giants to brush his fingers against the ancient bark. The yellow green moss crumbled beneath his touch. Tilting back his head he let his gaze trav
el up the trunk. Far above his head the massive limbs intertwined with the branches of the giants growing near it.

  “It almost looks like they are holding hands,” Liam whispered to himself.

  Air currents stirred the top most branches with a breeze that never touched the forest floor. Thin rays of pale-green sunbeams pierced the canopy, capturing lazy spirals of dust motes dancing their way down.

  Liam let out the breath he didn’t know he had been holding and breathed deeply. The earthy smell of growing things overwhelmed his senses. Mica had told him about his travels, but his stories had not been this vivid. Half expecting Mica to be laughing at him, he tried to hide his excitement as he glanced over.

  Mica had climbed onto a moss-covered rock and was gazing intently into the grove.

  “Have you ever been anywhere like this before?” asked Liam.

  Mica scooted off the face of the rock.

  “Can’t say that I have…it's a slice of true wonder!” With the tip of his bow Mica pointed downhill towards the center of the grove. “I spied the edge of the pond down this way. Dare to see a bit more of your grandfather trees?” With a wink and a nod he motioned Liam to follow him as he walked deeper into the grove.

  Liam shifted the bag of lunch to his other shoulder and hurried to follow. Every step deeper into the woods revealed a new wonder.

  Occasional orchids began to appear in the hanging mosses adding splashes of color. Soon they hung everywhere. Their rich fragrance washed over Liam’s senses in an overpowering wave until he could almost taste it on the back of his tongue.

  Mica suddenly stretched out his arm across Liam’s chest holding him back. “Listen!”

  Liam stopped in his tracks and listened, but he heard nothing except the usual sounds of the forest. “What is it?” he whispered.

  Mica didn’t answer, only motioned with his hand for Liam to stay quiet.

  From somewhere high above them came the trilling call of a large bird. “Hear that?” asked Mica a large smile coming to his face as he searched the branches overhead.

  Liam was confused. “Hear? Hear what? I can’t hear anything except a silly bird.”

  Mica’s eyes never stopped scanning the trees. “Silly is it? A closer look may change your mind.” Mica pointed to a nearby branch.

  There in the middle sat a huge bird with a long, hooked beak. It stood taller than a raven but not as large as an eagle. Deep blue iridescent feathers covered its body and wings. The long flowing tail feathers were etched in black. A crest of long white feathers as fine as lace crowned its bright yellow head.

  “You’re right Mica,” said Liam in wonder. “Never would I have imagined a bird like this. Let’s get a little closer.”

  Quietly the boys inched forward until they were only a few feet away. With a jerk the bird snapped erect and tilted its head to one side. Its shiny black eye looked directly at them. Liam froze in place, only half-hidden behind a slender young tree. Slowly the bird marched sideways, the black talons clicking on the wood with each precise step, its gaze fixed on the boys. It reached the end of the branch and leaned forward.

  The eyes seemed to bore into Liam’s skull. Swallowing hard he tried not to shake. The bird was obviously not the least bit afraid of him. Stretching to its full height it loosed a long shrill call and launched itself into the air. Spreading its wings it swooped low. Liam heard the wings snap and felt the air whip past his face as he ducked and spun around the trunk just in time to see the bird disappear into the tree tops.

  Liam sunk down on a convenient tree root his back against the tree, mouth open, still watching the spot where the beautiful bird had disappeared. “I have never seen anything like it,” he said in a low voice.

  Mica moved around to Liam’s side of the tree. “That's a rare chance you’ll not get often. Only a lucky few get to see an Emperor Bird.”

  Liam looked up at Mica. “You’ve seen one before!”

  “Indeed, once when I was very young.”

  Liam wanted to know more, but before he formed the words Mica had pushed away from the tree and moved deeper into the wood. “There's still a pond to see.”

  With a last wistful glance, Liam turned and followed. Small bushes tugged at his robe and he looked with envy at Mica’s buckskins. When they reached the pond, Mica hopped onto a rock and looked out over the water.

  A playful breeze carrying the heavy sweet scent of flowers stirred Liam’s hair. The sun glistening off the rippling surface beckoned. He dropped the blanket and lunch under a tree and sat down on a rock. Pulling off his boots, he dipped his feet into the water. A surprised smile crossed his face. It was warm. He wiggled his toes. It had been a long time since his last bath.

  “Long as we’re this far, how about a swim to wash the dust out of our hair?”

  Mica looked around. Giant trees dripping with moss and orchids ringed the pond. From the branches, multi-colored birds called to one another. Flutterbys floated past on iridescent wings.

  “Peaceful enough spot for a short swim.”

  He hung his bow over a low branch. Leaving their clothes hanging on a convenient bush, they were soon swimming in the relaxing water. It didn’t take long to get clean, but they found they didn’t want to leave.

  Soon they were laughing and chasing each other through the water. Mica caught up with Liam and pushed him under. The water closed over his head and sounds faded away. Bursting to the surface, he shook his head and looked around laughing and sputtering.

  He looked to shore, and his laughter turned to a shout. “Hey! What are you doing? That’s my robe. Come back here.” He lunged forward, thrashing through the water. On shore, a thin girl laughed at his efforts. She skipped from one bush to another, plucking up the last of their clothes. Her pale green dress swirled around her legs like fog. Tuffs of nut-brown hair sprung from her head like spines on a pine cone.

  “Swimming in our pond is not free. We’ll accept your garments as payment. Enjoy your swim.” Her musical laugh drifted across the water as she waved and disappeared behind the bush.

  Water cascaded over Liam's head and into his eyes as Mica splashed past and dashed up the bank. Liam was right behind him. He scrambled out, his feet slipping on the muddy bank. Roots scraped at his feet as he stumbled around the bush. Mica and the girl had vanished along with the clothes. He stood shivering with water dripping off his nose, alone in the woods with no clothes and no food.

  Then he remembered the lunch. Spinning around he spotted the blanket still under the tree where he had left it with the bow hanging from the branch. Relief spread through him. Maybe the clothes were all they wanted.

  Before he could snatch it up, he heard a rustling of leaves. Something was coming. Crouching down behind a tree he waited. The noise got louder. He glanced back at the blanket and bow, wishing he could reach them.

  He turned back to the noise. A familiar face appeared. “Mica! You got our boots. Where are the clothes? Didn’t you catch her?”

  “Deer run slower,” Mica said wheezing slightly. When I got close, she dropped our boots.”

  He pulled a dagger from a hidden sheath in his boot and cut the blanket in half, tossing one piece to Liam. “Wrap this about your middle.”

  The blanket barely reached around his waist. As Liam struggled to tie the bulky cloth, they heard the musical laugh again.

  Scowling, Mica retrieved his bow and pointed to the lunch sack. “Quiet now. Bit o’ luck here, and we win back our dignity.” With a wave of his hand to follow, he crept off in the direction of the laugher.

  Slinging the bag over his shoulder, Liam hurried to catch up. Mica slipped silently through the trees. Even Liam's footsteps were muffled by the thick moss, but their efforts were fruitless. For several hours they chased the laugher and their frustration grew. All they caught were glimpses of the pale green dress as she skipped through the trees, always out of reach.

  Dinnertime came and went, and Liam’s stomach was still missing lunch. His legs were tired. It was g
etting harder not to stub his toes on roots or to avoid low hanging branches that scratched his face and arms as the light faded. His shoulder ached from carrying the bag, and all he could think about was the bread and cheese inside it.

  “Enough,” he said, breaking the silence. “I’m tired of this endless game of tag.” He dropped the bag and slumped down on a fallen log.

  “Never bested by a mere lass before. 'Twill be no happy end to this merry chase. Let's have your lunch, then back to the cart.”

  Liam broke the loaf and handed half to Mica. They ate in silence. The cheese had grown warm and waxy. It stuck to his teeth. An uneasy feeling grew. They had been away from the cart for a long time. It would be well past dark before they got back. Was the door still safe?

  The sun dropped below the trees and the air grew chill. The once captivating grove turned dark and unfriendly. The small diversion had cost them their clothes and almost a full day's travel. Liam made no effort at quietness as he tramped behind Mica. All the colorful orchids and hanging moss were now just dark obstacles to avoid.

  A small branch slapped his face. He wiped a hand across his watering eyes and saw a tiny spot of light.

  “Mica, is that a light over there?”

  The older boy stopped. “Might be the lass with more tricks. Let’s get a closer look.”

  Mica glided through the trees, and Liam followed as quietly as he could. It was farther than he expected. Ahead the light grew brighter. They stopped in the shadows and surveyed a clearing.

  An enormous chestnut tree stood in the center, an ornate lantern hanging from a branch. In its glow a girl sat cross-legged on the ground bent over a book. Her raven black hair was tied back with a band of green leather, exposing delicate ears with graceful points.

  Mica put out his hand and stopped Liam. “This is not the same lass.”

  “What do you think she’s doing out here alone?”

  “It’s plain she's dressed for traveling. There’s a good chance she’s not alone.”

  Tight brown pants were tucked into short green boots with pointed toes and rolled tops that formed a cuff. A dark green vest with a high collar left her arms bare except for a simple gold band on her upper arm. She wore a belt with silver clasped pouches. Light glinted off the handle of a dagger that hung from her belt.

  “She looks to be well armed too. A bow and a dagger.” Mica motioned to a quiver of green feathered arrows resting next to a short white bow.

  She closed her book and looked across the light directly at them. “My hearing is also excellent. If you’re through discussing me, step into the light and make yourselves known.”

  Being addressed by the girl shocked both boys. Liam looked at Mica, shrugged his shoulders and raised his hands, palms up. “Now what?” he whispered.

  “Not much use standing in the dark. She knows we’re here. If it’s a trap, it’s sprung.” Together they stepped into the light.

  A smile crept over her face. “Interesting attire for the woods. Have you misplaced your trousers?”

  Liam scowled. “Some girl in a pale green dress stole our clothes while we were swimming.”

  Her smile turned to bubbling laugher and Mica flushed bright red from head to toe.

  “Swimming with dryads does come with risk,” she said with a smirk.

  “She wasn’t swimming with us,” Liam said, “she came along after we were in the water. We spent hours chasing her through the woods.”

  Her eyebrows raised. “But why chase a dryad? She would never go far. Your clothes are probably lying by the pond at the foot of her tree. I would have thought everyone from Fairgrove knew about the dryad’s pond.”

  Liam shook his head. “We’re not from Fairgrove. No one said anything about dryads when we passed through.”

  “Oh? Where are you from?”

  “No offense, but it's best not to discuss your business with every stranger you happen across in the woods,” said Mica.

  “Then let me introduce myself. I come from the hamlet of Underhill. I’m known as Willow.”

  “I’m Mica.” He pointed with his thumb. “He’s Liam.”

  “We’re from Three Oaks Dale and we work for…” Liam began.

  Mica interrupted Liam with an elbow to the ribs. “We’re on our way to Yellow Finger Lake. There's a man there who needs help with a cabin.”

  Giving Liam a knowing wink, Willow turned to Mica with a smile. “It’s a long way back to the pond in the dark. Did you plan to travel there tonight?”

  “Not much choice in the matter,” said Mica.

  “My people travel this way often. We have a safe haven built in the tree. If you can climb, you are welcome.”

  After talking it over, Mica and Liam decided to accept the offer. Little Smoky was already staked out and the cart was hidden in the tall grass. Nothing more could be done that night.

  Without a sound, Willow glided up the tree. Soon there was a quiet rustling above as a rope ladder fell through the branches. It snapped to a stop about a foot above the ground sending a few leaves fluttering past Liam’s head.

  Mica caught hold of the ladder. “You first. I’ll steady it.”

  Liam looked up. The ladder disappeared into the dark branches beyond the lantern’s reach. He hesitated. “Maybe we should try to go back to the pond tonight.”

  “If that little slip of a girl can do it so can you.”

  “It looks pretty high.”

  Mica grinned. “She did it without a ladder,” and he shook the rope.

  Liam took a deep breath and placed his boot on the first rung. It flexed, but held. “Okay, but if there’s nothing better than a tree limb to sleep on I’m coming right back down.”

  Even with Mica holding it, the ladder twisted and swayed under his weight. His heart hammered. His palms started to sweat making it hard to grip the rope. He wondered how high he'd have to climb. Looking up made him dizzy. He was afraid to look down. Gritting his teeth, he concentrated on one rung at a time.

  Liam forced himself higher and the tree's branches closed in around him. Climbing became easier. Soon he passed through a round hole in a platform illuminated by another lantern.

  Willow helped him step off the ladder. “Are you okay?” she asked, still steadying him with a hand on his shoulder. “I’ve been told that some people are bothered by heights.”

  “Fine…I’m…fine,” Liam said. He did feel better now he was off the ladder. The slight movement of the tree caused the platform to gently sway and he lurched to one side.

  “Maybe you should sit down,” she said. Liam thought he heard concern in her voice. “Catch your breath. Standing up here is a bit different than standing on solid ground.”

  The platform wrapped completely around the trunk and was supported by the limbs below. To his dismay, there was no railing. Nothing to stop him from stepping off the edge in the dark. He decided to take her advice. With a weak smile he sat down placing his back firmly against the trunk.

  More quickly than he expected Mica's head appeared through the hole followed by the lantern that had been hanging below. To Liam’s surprise he showed no signs of being bothered by the height or the swaying platform as he helped Willow pull up ladder.

  “I would love to hear more of your adventures with the dryad,” Willow said with a twinkling laugh, as she pulled blankets out of a chest near the tree trunk. “But we all need to rise early on the morrow.” Handing the blankets to Mica and giving Liam a pat on the shoulder she said, “Make yourself comfortable. Tonight the platform is yours. Sleep wherever you like. I myself prefer to slumber in the high branches where I can feel the wind's lullaby.”

  With no more sound than a wave of her hand she disappeared up the tree.

  Mica handed Liam a blanket. “Right she is. It’s been a long day. Tomorrow will be a long walk back.”

  Liam nodded, wrapped the blanket around himself, and tucked in his feet. Mica put out the lantern and his blanket rustled as he settled in.

  Liam lay
awake. The platform shifted as the tree swayed. In the darkness the movement made him feel like the wooden planks beneath him were tilting. He was sure that if he fell asleep he would roll off. He pictured crashing through the branches and hitting the hard ground. Lying helpless in the dark at the bottom of the tree.

  An owl hooted. Insects buzzed his head. Somewhere below him leaves rustled as some small animal scampered through the thick underbrush. As his eyes grew accustomed to the dark he could make out the tree branches above him. They creaked back and forth in the wind scratching against the night sky. A little shiver went down his spine. He was glad Mica was somewhere on the platform. Reaching out a hand behind him he touched the trunk again just to make sure he wasn’t close to the edge. Then he closed his eyes.