Chapter 18 [Forest Outside of Ceofrethburgh]

For several heartbeats, Merlin rode Windchaser through the cloying mists. Chill dampened his skin. Disorientation threatened to rob him of direction. Neither structure, tree nor sky could be seen within the tunnel of sorts. He felt as if the ground moved under the horse's hooves.

Trust me. You are almost there, Freya's voice echoed in his mind.

All right. Merlin agreed. He glanced back toward Lancelot, Bors and Wilhelm. "Just keep moving forward!"

"Do you know what this is, Prince Merlin?" Bors called to him. "Lancelot?"

"If Merlin tells us to do something, it's because he knows best. When it comes to magic like this, I trust him," Lancelot advised the others.

Merlin glanced ahead. For what seemed like hours, they rode on. Then, Light shone ahead of him. I see a light ahead.

That is your portal. Guide the others through it, Freya advised.

Merlin nodded and spurred his horse onward. "Think I have a way out!" He rode ahead toward the light and vanished.

"PRINCE MERLIN?" Wilhelm stared. "What did he just do?"

"COME ON!" Lancelot ground his teeth. Merlin, so help me! His mind struggled with potential explanations for Rodor and Mithian. He galloped ahead and vanished into the light as well.

"Guess they know something?" the wagon driver supposed.

"I do not want to be stuck here. Do you?" Impatience chafed at Bors' tone. "On me!" He followed the others' lead with the same result. He emerged into the forest. Whereas Mist had obscured his vision, Sol shone overhead in the blue skies. Trees passed by his galloping horse. Dirt kicked up under said horse's hooves. The air warmed. He slowed and then stopped by Merlin and Lancelot. "Where is this?"

"I am assuming we are close to the village?" Lancelot looked about the area.

"Freya did not want us appearing in the village. Best to be safe than sorry," Merlin defended his friend's actions. He saw Wilhelm and the wagon riding up to them.

"Prince Merlin, where do we go now?" Wilhelm's eyes darted this way and that.

"Straight ahead." Merlin led the others down the road. Within a few yards, they rounded a bend and emerged into Ceofrethburgh. He pulled up on the reins. "Let's take care. Rememher these people are going through a lot." He urged the others on at a slow pace.

Around them, Devastation still lingered. Dazed men and women sifted through rubble. A few dug holes at the forest's edge. Smoke spit in labored puffs from the forge's stack.

Merlin frowned. He'd seen too many such scenes between the periodic raids in Ealdor and at Arthur's side. Desperation buzzed in the air. He noted only a few rebuilt structures. He stopped Windchaser by the forge. A red-haired man pounded away on a plow blade. "Good morning!"

The smith set his hammer down. With his tongs, he picked up the still red-hot blade and dropped it into a bucket of water. "Aye? Something wrong with your horse, Sirrah? Don't have much metal for horseshoes right now." He stiffened upon seeing the three knights and wagon behind Merlin. "What do you want?"

"My horse is fine. Thanks. We are here with supplies from Whitgate. I am Prince Merlin. These are knights of Nemeth, Sir Lancelot, Sir Wilhelm and Prince Bors of Gaul," Merlin introduced himself. "Are you the village elder?"

"Aye. Randulf is my name." Randulf bowed to Merlin. "So, the old King finally decided to send supplies? That's kind of him." He rubbed the back of his neck. Sarcasm stabbed from his eyes. "Lots of people suffering out here."

"Hold your tongue! That's a Prince you are addressing!" Wilhelm protested.

"Easy!" Lancelot advised. He shook his head at Wilhelm.

"I understand. I know what a raid can do to a village, Randulf. I grew up in a village in the Essetir. We dealt with raiders as well. We have grain for your fields and a few baskets of bread for the people. I am also trained as a physician. Perhaps we can help?"

Randulf sucked in a heavy breath. Skepticism lightened in his face and eyes. "You? A Prince grew up in a village?"

"Aye. It's a long story. I would rather get to helping your village than tell it. Perhaps later?" Merlin dismounted. "Follow me." He motioned for the blacksmith to come around the back of the wagon. "That's what I was talking about."

Randulf stared at the stacked sacks and the baskets in front of him. "Aye! That it will. I apologize, Sire." Contrition paled his face. He bowed and stepped back. He whistled loud and pointedly.

Several villagers dropped their tasks. They ran over toward the strange wagon and knights. Concern and Bewilderment lit up in their eyes. Frowns creased their faces. A few held sickles and brooms in their hands. Others had staffs. They would not endure anymore trouble.

"It's all right! This is Prince Merlin! The King sent him with supplies for us!" Randulf undid the wagon's tailgate. "Harold! Rothgar! Let's get these sacks stacked against the barn! We will figure out what to plant and what to grind into flour later."

A wiry balding man stuck his head into the wagon. "Hey! What's in the baskets up there?"

"Bread! The King sent food for your village!" Wilhelm barked.

"Sir Wilhelm! Enough!" Merlin raised his hand. He shook his head. Then he hefted a sack. "Let's help get these sacks stacked up." He carried the sack on his shoulder toward the intended spot.

"Sounds good to me," Lancelot concurred. He grabbed onto a sack and carried it toward the pile spot.

And so went the assistance….

[Three Hours Later]

Activity buzzed about the village. The grain stacked against the wall. Merlin treated wounds, illnesses and checked everyone's overall health. Lancelot, Bors and Wilhelm assisted with some minor clean up activities. They distributed the bread to the entire village.

Randulf sighed. "I had you wrong, my Prince. I thought Whitgate could care less about us. Glad to see I was wrong. It's been a while since King Rodor sent aid out here."

"We're going to get your village going again." Merlin smiled. He drank from his water skin. "King Rodor, Princess Mithian and I care about you and your neighbors, Randulf. You will be hearing more from us."

"With Mercia on the other side of the mountains, we would like that. That king of theirs likes to make trouble," Randulf accepted.

"Nemeth, Camelot and Mercia have a treaty now. Odin will not be invading again." Merlin glanced around. "That is why we did not come sooner. That enemy army took Whitgate as well. We're all recovering together."

Wonder spun Randulf's head. "You all are out here so soon?"

"You, our people, are important to King Rodor and us," Merlin assured him.

"Aye. I can see that." Randulf bowed. "Thank you, Sire."

"You're welcome. Thank you." Merlin expressed. He noticed his companions already on horseback. "Are we ready?"

"Aye, Prince Merlin. We need to start out," Lancelot reminded him.

"I have to go. Whitgate will send people out here from time to time. It will not be to take over. We want to work with you. Good luck." Merlin climbed up on Windchaser's back. He looked at his companions. "Let's move out!" He spurred his horse down the path toward the woods.

Randulf waved to the departing contingent. He smiled. "And to think I didn't trust them? At least they gave us a new start and the promise of more help." He turned and headed toward where his neighbors worked on their latest project.

Connections mattered after all…..