The characters in this story are derived from Hilari Bell's Goblin Wood, and are not mine.
Chapter 18
The Knight:
When Tobin woke, his Hedgewitch was still fast asleep. Her hair, messily braided to the side as it was, showed him a clear view of her face while she slept on the cot by the hearth. He thought her beautiful. That he had her back with him was a source of immense joy, but with it came a tinge of longing. She stirred when he rose from his bed on the floor, turning over and opening her eyes. He got up to prepare hot water for tea. It was Agna's suggestion that she should drink it daily as a preventative ritual against the curse's mark, alongside the tincture application. Tobin had taken it upon himself to make sure she abided by the recommendation. Groggy from the night's ale, Makenna was not her usual stubborn, sharp-witted self and so she accepted the tea with little protest. It seemed to lift her from her daze somewhat and soon she was commanding Tobin to ready their stead for the journey with vigor. Having a considerable hangover, Agna was late to rise and slow in his movements. He only just descended from his loft as they were preparing to leave. They stood by the door, bundled and ready to face the cold that awaited them outside. Agna offered them each a rune of protection, which hummed reassuringly around them, and as he worked Tobin could see Makenna's sharp eyes memorizing his movements.
"Full glad am I to have met you both. If Itola and my aching bones permit it, I will visit in the spring. That is, if your goblins will have me." He said with a smile.
"Thank you, Agna." Tobin said, offering a short bow. Agna regarded him warmly.
"It is good to see the ways of chivalry have not fallen so far in the world." He said. Tobin grinned.
Makenna opened the door, and in rushed a gust strong enough to blow papers from the table. She looked back at them sheepish and mumbled something that could have resembled an apology. Their stead awaited them outside, tied to a post and unaffected by the blistering wind, packed high with their supplies. Makenna mounted first, then Tobin behind her. Just as Tobin was about to spur the stead, Agna caught Makenna's foot and waggled it.
"Best you study your runes and green lore, Hedgewitch. You've a talent for magic and mayhap I'm in need of a protegee. I hope your goblins now how lucky they are to have you." He said.
"You're a strange priest Agna. The goblins might even like you... just remember, you're going to need to pack a lot of buttons if you want to get to know them." She said with a knowing smile. Tobin chuffed behind her. The priest starred back, his brow twisted in confusion.
Tobin and Makenna waved their goodbyes and began the trek around the lake. As the wind picked up, Makenna shivered against its bite. Unthinking, Tobin pulled her in closer to him, his hands on the reins in front with his arms enveloping her. At first, she stiffened, but then relaxed and her shivering subsided.
Meanwhile, Tobin's eyes scanned the tree line. The last time he'd ventured out here, it was with a keen sense of a danger that awaited him in the canopy's darkness. After a time, Makenna noticed his watchful gaze.
"The wraith is gone, you heard Agna." She said, her tone mollifying. Tobin hummed to himself.
"It's not that I mistrust him, but... it's like my body won't forget the feeling of it following us. I'll be glad when we are out of this forest." He said.
"When we are out of this forest, we will be in the forests and plains that lay between the centaur city and the goblin city. I hope the goblins have gotten back okay. There's so much still to do." She said, voice trailing in thought.
"I'd wager they have. Mourry is a capable Tracker, he'll have found a safe way back. And Miggy, he'll have kept the city safe in our absence. Though, to be sure they'll be happy to have their hedgewitch back." Tobin said, hoping to reassure her.
"No doubt I'll owe them a pile of pinecones." She said, distracted, looking around at the terrain.
After a considerable silence, Makenna spoke haltingly.
"Tobin?" She asked.
"Hmm?"
"How did you ride up here, with me unconscious?" She asked. Tobin's cheeks puckered in a grin.
"I slung you over this saddle like a sack of potatoes." He said, cheerful.
She elbowed him in his stomach, just quick enough to startle him, but no harm done.
"You would do that to a lady?" She asked in a false chastising tone.
"You're a sorceress, don't you remember? Can't let my guard down for one moment around you." He said.
"I'm a General too, and don't you forget it." She warned. He smiled.
Another silence followed. They wound their way through the trees, which protected them from the harshest part of the wind. The din of the forest sounded muted by comparison.
"Tobin?" Makenna asked, her voice ringing between the trees.
"Yes, Lady Makenna?"
"Did you... ever kiss me while I was...?" She asked, uncertain. Tobin bristled and felt himself flushing.
"I did not!" He said, indignant. He felt her shaking with laughter before he heard her. It was a rare thing indeed and only served to confused him further.
"What's this about?" He asked, still red. Suddenly, Makenna pressed herself into him and rested her head under his chin, smiling. He froze.
"It's just, I was thinking that if you did, I would want to remember it." She said, her tone uncharacteristically gentle. Tobin felt hot and cold all at once, uncertain of what he was hearing. He stole a glance down at her and cleared his throat nervously.
"If I kiss you, you'll certainly be awake for it, and it's not something you'd soon forget." He said, chest puffing. Makenna laughed at this and he deflated immediately.
"We'll see about that." She said, confident. He sat a bit straighter in the saddle, alarmed.
In the afternoon they took a break to stretch and give the ram a moment's respite. Makenna wandered through the glen they'd chosen to rest in, weaving between trees and inspecting the potential for climbing their limbs.
"The goblins would like it here. This place reminds me of the northern forests in... the preist had called it the Old Realm. I suppose it is to us now." She said, more to herself than him.
He watched as she lifted her discerning gaze to pierce the canopy above, and for a brief moment the sun peaked its light through the overcast sky, spot lighting her face. She closed her eyes and relished in its warmth, something he'd never seen her do before.
"Are you well, Makenna?" He asked, concerned.
"Don't you start fretting over me, knight." She said, tartly.
"I mean...you seem different." He said, uncertain, taking a few steps toward her. She turned away to look through the forest more and shrugged.
"Aye, that's true. I feel different as well. Being in that dark place... it reminded me of a time when I'd forsaken people and lived in the darkness myself. Now that I'm back, it's as if my eyes see things a bit differently, more vividly." She said, turning and smiling.
Without much else to say, they returned to the ram and set out once more. By twilight, they'd set camp and prepared a fire for the night's meal. Sleep did not come easily to either of them, and in the morning their eyes seemed to be dragged down with weariness. Yet, their journey remained uneventful. The mountain pass west of Agna's cottage did prove to be a significant short cut, and its narrowness proved why the centaur had not marked it on their maps. They pressed on, comforted by the simplicity of living on the road, but with their closeness came a sense of tension that had only been hinted at before. Tobin had not forgotten the hedgewitch's teasing words, which had spun his heart into a tumult.
Before long, they entered the plains east of the goblin city. Their supplies were beginning to fall dangerously low, and the nights were still cold. They sat by the fire one night, in a smattering of trees while a light mist fell, clinging to everything with a chilly wet bite. Their teeth chattered. Tobin saw that Gwen's lips were nearly purple.
"Come over here, it's warmer on this side." He said. She shook her head, shivering still.
"St. Spiratu, you're willfull." He muttered under his breath and rolling his eyes. He stood up and walked to her side. When he sat down, he enveloped her in his arm, much as he had that night in Agna's cottage. Only this time, they were both awake. Makenna leaned into him, pulling her cloak more tightly around her.
"You've grown bold, Knight." She said, sour. He shifted.
"Shall I go back?" He asked, pulling away. She grabbed his arm and held it in place.
"Don't you dare, this is the warmest I've been all day." She said. When he smiled, she looked up at him and narrowed her eyes.
"But don't go getting any ideas." She warned. He moved his face closer to hers. Her eyes widened.
"Like?" He whispered. Her mouth hung open and she stammered. Tobin chuffed.
"The sorceress, speechless?" He taunted. She growled.
"Don't go calling me that." She said.
"Only if you stop calling me knight." He replied.
She frowned and looked back at the fire. Yet, he couldn't take his gaze from her. The color had returned to her complexion, and he was glad to be near her.
"Makenna?" He asked.
She looked up, expectantly. Before she could reply, he leaned down and kissed her. When he pulled away, her eyes remained on him, speechless, her face flush and warm. Struck with a realization, he chuckled.
"Why are you laughing?" She asked, suddenly indignant. Tobin couldn't stop. A sudden burst of euphoria took over him and soon his laughter brought tears to his eyes. Makenna starred back confused and nearing anger.
"Was it bad?" She asked in earnest. This only made him laugh more. Finally, when her expression turned dark and vengeful, he found a reason to calm himself.
"I was only thinking... what would the goblins say?" He said. At this Makenna smiled.
"I imagine they might be repulsed and tell you to stay away from their General." She said, smiling still. He chuffed in agreement.
The sound of rustling in the brush startled them from their interlude. A voice cried out in a hushed whisper.
"Ow! Gill, watch it!" Said a small voice, low to the ground. Tobin started up, arm reaching for a weapon that was no longer there.
"Who goes?" He called.
The rustling continued and increased in fervor until two knee high goblins and one taller one spilled out of the brush and into their makeshift camp. They tumbled over one another and then scrambled for footing. Tobin recognized them immediately.
"Gen'ral!" Onny said, relieved. Gill turned to Mourry, a smirk on his sharp featured but boyish face.
"Who needs a Charmer, when we've got one right here." Gill said, giggling. Mourry rolled his eyes.
"Hold yer tongue around the Gen'ral, want-wit." He barked.
Makenna turned to them, eyes wide.
"Mourry, Gill, Onny...what are you doing out here?" She asked. All three goblins turned to her at attention.
"Pardon, Gen'ral. I was hunting earlier in the day when I notice your ram's tracks. I thought they were centuar, so I returned to the city to tell Miggy and enlist Onny, she's become a very good Finder since we left on campaign. Gill only came along because, well, he fancied an adventure." Mourry explained, sending Gill a sharp look.
Before she replied, Makenna instinctively reached to the buttons on her chest. She popped one off, and flicked it to the Tracker, who caught it eagerly.
"Well then, it seems there's no time to waste. I thought we were at least a day away from the city, but with you here, I've no doubt we'll make it back in half the time." She said. Mourry's eyes shown in appreciation.
"Yes, Gen'ral. It's good you're back. You two, help pack their things." He said, passing them little beads. The two younglings accepted them gratefully and began dissembling the camp. The Tracker eyed the ram, weary, and returned his gaze to Tobin.
"You, could you deal with that creature?" He asked, weary. Tobin obliged.
With that, their new retinue made way through the darkest parts of the forest with little effort. Mourry, seasoned as he was, wove through the brush easily, while the younglings struggled to keep pace.
"Tell me, is the army back safe and sound?" Makenna asked as they walked. Mourry nodded.
"Aye. The ambassador's warning came naught one moment too soon. I cannot say I was sorry to leave the centaur city." Mourry said. Makenna seemed considerably relieved at his words.
"What of Miggy, have the food stores been replenished for the winter? What about the battlement improvements, did he do as I bid?" She asked. As her questions came more rapidly, Tobin could see her ready to fly into a frenzy. Mourry seemed to noticed and leveled her with a gaze.
"Pardon, Gen'ral, but you're distracting me. Once we're back, you can call council." He said. Makenna seemed cowed, and bit her tongue, but Tobin could tell she was flustered.
"Lead on." She said, her tone more authoritative.
By morning's light, they wound their way through the lower portion of the city. The earliest waking goblins gaped at Makenna as she passed, and their jubilant cries woke the rest who'd remained sleeping. Soon the main path up the hill of the city was full of goblins of all shapes and sizes, some faces he recognized and others he did not, cheering and welcoming their hedgewitch back. Makenna looked back at Tobin, her eyes teary and grinning, and he couldn't be happier.