Chapter 11. Travelin' a ribbon of a road
Sarah lay asleep with the black cat curled up along side her, dreaming of a crystal ballroom and a King whose sad face as she left haunted all her dreams when Colyne tapped lightly on the wagon door at just before dawn. Toby, sleepy eyed but rested opened the door slightly and looked up at the Laird. Wordlessly he held up the fishing tackles and pressing a finger to his lips motioned the boy to awaken the other and come fishing. Swift as lightening the boys dressed in the clothes that Fiona had left out for them. The old man led the boys down to the wide and rushing stream. The water spray was cold and invigorating.
Toby watched as the old man baited the hook with a bit of pig fat, and then dangled it seductively in the water. "Ye have to tempt them, me lad." The Old Laird teased, and moments later a fine fat fish took the bait. After taking it off the hook, and placing it in a reed bag in the cold waters, the Laird supervised the two boys in baiting hooks of their own. All three stood on the river banks and were joined by other men in the caravan to catch breakfast.
"There is no meal as fine as fresh cold water fish." Colyne teased the lads.
"Ha!" jeered a man a few feet away. "Quail eggs and scones."
"No," another jeered, "It has to be fresh hot bread and honey."
Toby listened to the banter but kept his eye on his hook, he dangled it the way the old man had. When the bait was taken the boy shouted. "I've got one!"
Colyne moved closer and told the boy how to play the fish out and to bring him in. When Toby lifted the line from the water there was a eighteen inch fat fish on the end. "Well done laddie!" Georgie was the next to win the Laird's praise as he too hooked a fine fat fish.
The sun was above the horizon when the men returned from the stream singing as they came into camp. The two little boys walked proudly along side the Laird. Sarah had risen and dressed in clothes that were less fancy than her Brigadoon costume. She smiled, standing beside the Laird's wife. "Look at their faces… they must have caught something."
"Aye," agreed Fiona. "And by the looks of the bag, it's a big something."
Colyne strutted over to his wife and the girl and puffed out his chest. "We've fine fishermen here!" He opened the bag and showed the catch to his wife; "Gutted and cleaned, ready to cook."
Fiona sent him and the boys to wash while she and Sarah prepared the fish. "He never brings a catch to me that have not been gutted and cleaned." She began to fry the fish with onions and spices. "Most men are not so thoughtful, but as he is teaching these boys… they will follow his example, just as our son does."
Sarah set the table that she'd help Fiona set up. It was really just a few planks of wood, with a clothe spread over it. She placed out the cutlery and the pewter plates that Fiona had pointed her to. She also put little tankards out that would be filled with spring water. Soon the fragrance of fish filled the encampment, as each of the little families cooked their breakfast. Sarah noticed that the encampment seemed to be low on occupancy.
"I thought traveler families were larger." Sarah commented as she brought food to the table for Fiona.
"Oh some of our numbers are away right now with harvests." Fiona said blithely.
"Aye," Colyne began to put food on the plates and pass them around. "Our clan has orchard harvesters and some who work for the other farms in the area. In the spring we come and help with spring planting and spring lambs… then we travel about doing odd jobs as we need to. We are well paid for our labors and free to roam when we are not working. A good number of our young men, including our son Thom are working in the orchards that boarder this wood."
"Aye and soon they will return," Fiona agreed.
Colyne spoke as he ate. "You see, Widow, we are not tramps or thieves as some say we are. Now that's not to say there are not thieves on the road, but not among our members. Our Clan is honorable, and law biding. We are hard working laborers; we do a job and move on. Some are trained in the working of leather, others in metalsmithing, and still others in working with live stock. We give honest days work for honest days pay. There are a few lords in the five kingdoms that would cheat us, but they would cheat anyone who crossed their paths."
Sarah listened. "I see."
"We are free to roam the five kingdoms as long as we keep to the travelers roads." Fiona added. "Some Kingdoms are better than others to roam. Some Kings are more just."
Sarah thought of one King, one with beautiful mismatched eyes and a voice that could talk angels out of the heavens. She smiled at the thought. "How close to you come to the Labyrinth in your travels?" she asked.
"We sometimes are in its very heart." Colyne sighed.
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Jareth sat on the sill of the window, gazing out over his Kingdom. The sun bathed his face with its warmth and he smiled. Soon the days would take on a chill, not that it ever got really cold here. But it would be cooler, and dark with storm clouds. The landowners in the kingdom were complaining that harvest time was upon them again. Jareth wondered if they really wanted him to prolong the growing season.
He leaned his head on the wall and let the breeze play with his fine pale gold hair. It looked to be a fine day, and there was much he was pleased about. Thoughts that somewhere in the five Kingdoms a girl with green eyes and raven hair was wondering about pleased him most. Sooner or later he knew that the universe would thrust them back into each other's lives.
Adrianna entered the King's private chamber in the turret and stared at him as he sat dreaming on the window sill. "What are you doing?" She asked in a breathy voice.
"Thinking," he answered.
"What about?" She asked with a pout.
He looked at his child bride, so sweet, so perfect, so…boring. "I was thinking we should plan a harvest festival, would you like that my dear?"
The pretty Fae Princess nodded enthusiastically. "Oh yes," she clapped her hands in delight. "Will there be music and dancing?"
"Of course," Jareth swung his lanky legs back inside the window. "What would a festival be without music and dancing?"
Adrianna spun around like a child, "Wonderful, and pretty dresses?"
"As many as you need." He said coyly.
"Wonderful!" She giggled.
Jareth looked back out the window, his mind on the girl missing in the wood, and a boy with pale gold hair and eyes like his. "I shall have Gandar see to it at once, come Samhain we shall hold the finest festival in the Five Kingdoms."
The pretty Princess let her mask drop for a brief second; he was not looking toward her. He was distracted by some thought that drew his attentions out the window. Adrianna wondered what it was that occupied his mind so deeply. In the few years they had been married she had never seen him so preoccupied and unfocused. She left him to his thoughts, wandering down to her court and the young ladies who doted on her.
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Sarah sat with Fiona, sewing the garments collected for the boys. A few stitches here and there and the shirts fit perfectly. Fiona had taken a scissors to the fabric in the uniform jackets the boys had worn. All military trim and braiding had been taken off and shoved into a remnant basket that Lorna had kept. Soon the dark wool of the uniform jacket was reworked into jackets that would keep out the cold that would be coming with the change of the season. The uniform pants were given the same treatment, all the trims were taken from the legs and they were reworked.
"Good thing boys out grow clothes quickly at this age." Fiona said.
"Yes, but that will mean buying cloth to make them clothes, Fi… and I don't have money." Sarah lamented.
The wife of the Laird looked over at her, "You are under the protection of the Laird, child. He would never allow you or the boys to go naked or unfed, or without a roof."
"But for how long?" Sarah looked toward the man teaching her boys to groom a fine looking Irish Cob mare. "How long can we impose on the good graces of your Laird?"
"For as long as ye need." Fiona said kindly, also looking at her husband with the boys. "Aye and it does me heart good to see him with youngen's again. He's always had a way with children."
Sarah returned to her needle work, making short work of the legs of Georgie's pants and starting on Toby's. "I noticed a basket in the wagon with what looks like a quilt being worked on…Lorna make quilts did?"
"Aye she made fine quilts… she was working on one when she took ill, that must be what ye found." Fiona was still watching the man and boys.
"Do you think it would be alright if I finished it?" Sarah asked.
Fiona looked at her, "I think Lorna would like that." There was gentleness in her eyes.
The sounds of men singing and a wagon being driven slowly into the encampment filled the air. Women came out of wagons, or halted their work in the encampment. What few children in the encampment came running out of the woods, having left behind the baskets they carried to gather herbs and roots. Men jumped from the wagon tossing fresh fruit to the running children who caught it in eager hands. Fiona laughed watching the joyous reunions.
At the sound of her laughter, the handsome young man driving the wagon stood up and waved. She turned to Sarah. "My son, Thom he and the men have returned from the orchard they were working. And it looks like the good orchard owner gave them some of the pickings as well as paid them."
The strapping young man, a younger version of his father jumped down form the wagon and raced to his mother's embrace. "Aye and ye fill me eyes with joy, Mother. I think you got younger while I was gone."
Fiona lapped up the loving comments. "Aye and ye are a silver tongued devil just like yer Da!"
Sarah felt a bit embarrassed about witnessing the tender moment betwixt mother and son. She would have edged away had Colyne not come over with her boys.
"Welcome back whelp." Colyne gruffly greeted his son, but one could tell it was a warm relationship shared by these two. The Laird gathered his son in his arms and hugged him soundly. "Ye look none the worse for wear."
Thom looked at his father and smiled. "Ye've had a good day, eh da?" Sniffing the air he smiled knowingly. "Ye've been fishing and must have had a good catch."
"Smart Alek pup." His father ruffled his hair.
Thom took notice of Sarah and the two boys; he smiled at the green eyed girl. "Who have we here, Father?"
"Behave boy," Colyne's voice was still warm but now a bit stern. "This be The Widow McFadden… Sarah… and her boys… Georgie and Toby. They will be traveling with us for now. I've given them the use of Lorna's belongings, including her mare." He looked with soft kind eyes at Sarah. "Sarah, darlin' this sorry excuse for a man is my son…Thom."
Sarah knew that the Laird was joking with them, and she smiled pleasantly at the young man. "Hello Thom, it's nice to meet you."
"And you Sarah." Thom let his eyes waltz over her. She was a fine young beauty in his estimation, and he hoped she was not going to be clinging to widow's weeds for long. He pointed to the wagon he'd driven in. "There's fruit enough for one and all, you must help yourself."
"Thank you," Sarah said feeling a faint blush come to her cheeks.
"Come, Widow." The younger Brodie man teased. "I'll help ye gather a bushel." He looked down at the boys, "You too!" He motioned them to come along.
Fiona watched they walk toward the wagon and she sighed, "Wouldn't it be nice for Thom to settle down with a fine gal like Sarah?"
Colyne nodded, but as he put the stem of his pipe between his teeth he warned his wife. "Darlin' don't be setting your hopes on a union there. I've a feeling that our wee Sarah belongs to another already." His wife waved her hands at him in exasperation.
Sarah looked at the apples in the cart. "It's best to take a good variety of apples, Widow McFadden." Thom addressed her formally. "One type is good but to add and blend the different kinds makes for better flavor in pies and crisp and in jams." He grabbed an empty basket and showed Sarah which apples would go well together. He handed each of the boys a sweet crisp apple to munch on. "Ye've find boys, Widow."
"Could you call me Sarah?" she asked quietly. "Addressing me as widow makes me feel as old as the hills."
"Sarah," He said letting the name pass his lips slowly, like a caress. "I'd be happy to call you by your given name." He raised the bushel onto his shoulder and carried the filled basket over to her wagon, placing it on the ledge to her door.
"Sarah, Thom, come to dinner." Fiona called.
Thom looked down at the little widow. "Ye take yer meals with my mum and da?"
"Aye, we do." Sarah said lightly. "They have been very kind to take us in."
Thom walked at her side at the two boys raced over to the Laird and his wife.
"Sarah would ye give me a hand with the stew?" Fiona asked pleasantly, then looked at her son. "Sarah made the stew…and I must say it's far better than my own."
"Impossible!" He son said loudly. "Why you're stew is renown in the Five Kingdoms!"
Fiona preened with pleasure at the complement. "Aye, that be true…but wait until you taste Sarah's stew." She placed a loaf of heavy bread before her husband to cut. She looked at the boys. "And did ye wash the dirt off good this time?" She inspected little hands, found them to be to her standard of clean and motioned the boys to their places.
Sarah was ladling out the thick broth and large chunks of meat and vegetables. She handed each bowl to Fiona as she filled them. When the last one was filled she carried it to her own place at the table. Colyne sat at the head of the table, and the boys to either side of him. Fiona sat on one side, Sarah the other, and Thom took the end of the table. His mother and Sarah on either side of him, he smiled softly at Sarah as the Laird offered a blessing.
"May the Gods and Goddess bless this bounty that we may enjoy its nourishment;" The Laird intoned.
Sarah waited and watched as Thom took the first spoonful of stew. By the look of pleasure on his face, Sarah could tell her stew had his approval. She motioned her boys to eat, and she took dipped her spoon into the rich broth.
Colyne smacked his lips after the first spoon. "Fi is right Sarah, this stew is better than hers."
Fiona nodded, "Aye and she showed me a few tricks to preparing the meats before you brown em."
Sarah blushed. "I worked for a cook for a time." She said in explanation, knowing that these wonderful people would not understand she'd worked in a Nightclub and hung out in the Kitchen between times working on the dinning room floor.
"Aye, did you now?" Thom conversed easily with the girl who was a few years younger then he himself. "Well the master of that house must have eaten fine meals."
"He did." Sarah agreed, thinking of Eddie's appetite and his desires for interesting dishes.
Sarah gathered a bowl of scraps at the end of the meal, she started toward her wagon. Thom followed her. "Don't tell me ye have another person hiding in the wagon." He teased.
"No, this is for Midnight, my cat." Sarah said laughing at the man's tease.
"Yer cat?"
Sarah pointed to the black cat sitting in the widow crying. "Midnight," she opened the door and coaxed the young cat out and placed the bowl down for her to eat.
"That is one sorry excuse for a cat, Widow." Thom teased again. "Why look at it, I doubt it could wake up enough to see a mouse let alone catch one."
Sarah gently stroked the cat as she devoured the remains of the stew. "Would not matter to me if she could…" The cat purred deeply as the girls fingers moved over her. "You see, Midnight here saved my life, and that of my boys… so I owe her a life-debt. I will care for her and treat her like royalty for the rest of her life."
The younger Brodie heard the seriousness of the words and refrained from making light. "Well then, I owe you my thanks, Midnight, for saving this fine lady, and her lads." He reached over and also stroked the happy cat. His eyes met the girls.
When the cat finished her meal Sarah took the bowl back to where Fiona was already getting the hot dish water prepared. Sarah helped clear the table and clean thing up.
"Father," Thom addressed the Laird. "We've finished here, and there's but one more orchard due to come to harvest."
"Aye, I imagine it's time for us to head toward the boarder." Colyne agreed lighting his pipe. "Pass the word to each of the families that we move at daybreak. Have everyone prepare travel foods, and put up supplies of herbs, roots, and water." He looked at Sarah after his son went to pass the word that camp was breaking up come sun up. "There are jugs in the Bards wagon for water; Thom will help you and the boys."
Sarah nodded.
Thom returned. "Everyone is eager to get on the road." He said.
"Help, Sarah and the boys prepare." Colyne instructed his son. "They've lived in towns mostly and have little experience on the road."
Thom went with Sarah back to her wagon, entering only when the boys had entered first. "Even with your being a widow," He said delicately. "Certain actions would be taken as inappropriate and unacceptable to our society. To keep your reputation above reproach, I will never enter this wagon unless the boys are here."
"I understand, and I'm very…grateful…Thom." Sarah replied.
Thom handed water jugs to the boys and to Sarah. He led them to the hidden spring that the travelers used for fresh water. The jugs filled he showed them how to cap them and store them. He then helped Sarah go though the stores of supplies that Lorna had left. Making note of what she was low on and what could be traded with others in the caravan. He carried the items in a basket and headed to a large gathering in the encampment's center. He showed Sarah how to trade respectfully with others and get the best bargains in trade. Once her cupboard was filled and orderly he showed Sarah how to prepare travel foods. He also saw to it that the wood burring stove in the heart of the wagon was stacked and ready to set flame to. He checked her oil lamp and set the wick.
"We will all light the lamps tonight." He told her as he brought her lamp to the central fire. "Come morning the women will light fires from the lamp in their woodstoves. This will enable them to cook while we travel."
"Are we going far?" She asked as he lit the lamp.
"Not too far, a little more than a days worth," He said melodiously. "But we will not stop until we reach our destination."
Sarah looked at the encampment, already missing it. "I'll be sorry to leave here." She admitted to the man at her side. "It's been like a sanctuary."
Thom followed her back to her wagon, placing the oil lamp on the hook outside her door. "Ye've seen troubled times, haven't ye?" when she looked at him in surprise he added. "I can read it in yer eyes, darlin' Sarah."
"Yes, Thom, I've seen troubled times." She went no further.
Taking her hands into his own, he spoke to her with earnestness. "I am hopeful those times are behind ye now."
Sarah didn't answer him.
"I'll be saying good night to ye, Sarah…Darlin'. He gave her hands a squeeze, and then released them to return to his parents' wagon.
The boys were already in her wagon, and were in their night shirts making up the bed they would share. Sarah smiled at them as she closed and latched the door of the wagon. Sitting on the bed, pretty as a picture was Midnight curled up between two love worn teddy bears. Sarah shooed the cat out of the bed and tucked the two tired but happy lads in.
"Do you want me to leave a candle burning for you?" She asked gently, knowing they were still getting use to being in the new surroundings.
Toby yawned. "No, we don't need it."
Georgie smiled at her as well. "Nope… we're fine, mum."
Sarah kissed each boy on the brow, and looked down at the boys and their bears. "Well then good night, sweetest dreams and I'll see you two come sun up… what an adventure we are about to have, my lads…." She blew a kiss to the boys and carried the candle back where her bed was. She released the cord and the reed curtain went down.
Toby reached under the blanket and moved the smooth round crystal orb that was glowing closer to the top of the blanket. Georgie cautioned him to keep it covered so it would not disturb Sarah's sleep once she blew out her candle. Toby settled it between them, and clutching his bear to his heart drifted off to sleep as did the other boy.
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Just before sun up; Sarah awoke to the sounds of the boys in the other part of the wagon. She wondered what it was they were doing and moved toward them to investigate. When she raised the curtain she was surprised to find them dressed and their bed made and them getting things ready for the journey ahead. "Good morning." She greeted them.
Toby brought her a fired clay mug with tea in it. "Auntie Fi sent this over for you, mum."
"Lovely." Sarah said, "I'll take it with me and dress, go ahead with what you're doing."
Moments later Sarah joined the boys outside the wagon and watched as the Laird and his son hitched up a fine-looking cinnamon colored mare to the wagon. Colyne motioned Sarah closer. "This is Lorna's mare, her name is Tawny. And she's as gentle as a breeze in spring. Thom and I will hitch her until you get use to doing it, we'll teach you how, you and the boys that is. I think boys should have chores, it helps build character. I've already shown them how to groom the mare."
Sarah watched, asking questions as they worked the leather over the horse and set her before the wagon.
Colyne placed a hand on the girls shoulder. "This is not meant as an insult so don't take offence, but do you have any experience with horses?"
"I use to ride with my Granny occasionally, but I've never driven, if that's what you're asking." Sarah smiled at the man who worried about her feelings.
Thom nodded, and his father nodded back, the Laird addressed Sarah. "I've asked Thom to drive the wagon today for you. He will show you how to handle the riggings and to give orders to Tawny." Looking about he gauged the progress in camp. "We leave in an hour." He went to finish his own packing.
Sarah smiled at Thom. "Thank you for offering to help."
Thom smiled coyly. "Now Sarah, don't be thanking me…it was my way of getting to spend some time with you."
Sarah laughed, it was a pretty sound. "Thank you anyway, Thom Brodie!" She cleared her throat, "I've some bread and cheese with meat sliced…would you care for some?"
"Thank ye, Sarah…I would indeed." He bowed to her.
The boys were sitting at the table eating; Sarah took one of the slices of bread, and brought out the open faced sandwich to the man who was getting her wagon ready to roll. "Thom, your father said we don't stop…I was wondering ….how….does.. one…"She flushed with embarrassment.
Thom laughed softly. "Chamber pots, Sarah." He understood where she was going with the inquiries and saved her more embarrassment. "I'll show you where it's stored."
Hiding her face in her hands she groaned. "You must think me a moron."
"I think," he said firmly. "That you are a sweet unspoiled girl. One I will take great pleasure in getting to know."
Sarah peeped at him though her fingers. "Thank you, Thom."
An hour later, the last thing Thom did was lift the compartment under the driver's seat and take out the travel cushion from its storage place. He plumped it up and took a seat Sarah sat at his side and the boys looked out the wide windows behind Thom. The Laird's wagon was the first to move out of the encampment followed by Sarah's wagon. Each wagon moved out of the loose circle of encampment and onto the path that would lead them to the road.
"This road is a public road," Thom said as they left behind the trail that led Sarah to the encampment. "It is used by all. Ahead, about an hour, is the next branch of the Travelers Road. We will take that and go to the next orchard that will be ready to harvest. We use Travelers Roads mostly, but when we have to we use Public Roads… we never travel on the private roads… too dangerous for our kind."
"Will you be harvesting apples in this next orchard?" Sarah asked wanting to keep the conversation going.
"No, the next orchard is not apples." He said smiling.
"No? What will you be harvesting then?" Her green eyes were quizzical.
"Salway, Fox's Seedling, Beer's Smock, and Lovett's White," He stated with an enthusiastic gleam. "Peaches, Sarah me Darlin'… The finest Peaches in the Five Kingdoms!" He didn't notice the tremor that had run though the girl.
Sarah turned her eyes toward the road, and looked ahead, fearfully. At the end of this ribbon of a road she feared she was going to come face to face with fate. And no amount of wishes was going to prevent the collation. "Peaches," She swallowed the bile that had entered her throat.
Thom, unaware of the connection went on. "Oh not just any peaches, my girl. But the only peaches that are fit for …a King."
Sarah winced, wondering if it had been one of the so called finest that had been the bearer of her crystal ballroom dream. "I'm not very fond of peaches." She said softly.
"I am." Toby shouted from behind her.
Sarah sighed, "You would be." She watched the ribbon of the road open and the enchanted woods were left behind her. She glanced back and bid farewell to that which had been. Ahead, traveling down the ribbon of a road was her future. She vowed to face it, without making wishes to stall it any further.