Chapter 3:
The First Gate
Harry pulled his long-coat tighter about himself, futilely trying to keep the light sprinkling of rain out. It has been over two months since he and Ginny first arrived upon the grassy hill, and since then the weather had progressed from the nice sunny days to windy then wet. He and Ginny just finished gathering the last of the firewood, actually small sticks and fallen branches, for the day and loaded them onto a sled. The kind matron took care of chopping and splitting firewood, claiming that it was too dangerous for children. Instead, she would allow the kids to gather smaller pieces of wood and tinder from the forest. She did show them how to use a hatchet, in case they ever needed to gather supplies if she was not around, and she did lecture them on proper safety. However, she wouldn't actually let the kids do the job just yet. Shivering, Harry wanted to bring the wood in to dry out before he got any more soaked. Trudging along in the mud, Harry pulled the sled behind him while Ginny pushed. Even with Ginny's help, the weight of the sled and the swampy ground worked against him. His feet scrabbled for purchase on the slick ground before Harry slipped and fell into the mud. Looking up, he saw Ginny hurrying to help him up.
"Are you alright, Harry?" Ginny asked him, worry and concern lacing her voice.
Harry spat some muddy saliva out of his mouth. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just embarrassed, wet, cold, and frustrated." He accepted Ginny's hand up.
"Come on, then. The sooner we get back, the sooner we can warm up by the fire." Ginny gave him a reassuring smile.
Harry grinned back, in spite of himself. "I think a warm bath might be a better idea."
Harry had been happier these past couple months then he ever remembered being. He found a friend in Ginny, a grandmother in the old caretaker, and a home. He was encouraged to eat, to play, and to belong, which was more then the Dursleys ever done. He and Ginny were given chores, but they were important to do, the work was divided fairly, and they were done together like a family. A far cry from life at the Dursleys where he was neglected and made to do more then his share of the work, including chores that a child shouldn't do. He felt loved, a new sensation for him. And, not only would the little old lady tell them the grandest stories, but she was teaching them to read, to count, to cook, and many other things. While thirteen months younger, Ginny was ahead of Harry academically. She could count higher, read very simple words, and knew all of her colors and shapes. The Dursleys never bothered to show Harry any of this, though he picked up some from overhearing them with Dudley. It was only this past year, when he began schooling, that he got a real opportunity to learn his colors, shapes, words and numbers. In short, Harry felt the two months there more than equaled his entire life with his Aunt and Uncle. In fact, Harry wouldn't trade a dozen of those two months for a lifetime with the Dursleys.
Ginny, at first, missed her family fiercely. She'd distract herself as well as she could, but often she sat on the dock, crying. When Harry found her like this, he'd just hug her close with one arm and silently vow to help her find her way home someday. Over time, the hurt faded and she kept busy playing, working, telling stories, and being Harry's best friend – though there were still moments of homesickness that came upon her suddenly. And when she would learn of some hurt from Harry's past, she'd hug him close and silently vow to find his family and give them all a good spanking.
Harry's thoughts turned back to struggling with the sled, which kept sinking into the mud. The little old lady was preparing to leave for the winter. She said that soon, the weather would turn harsh and cold snow would fall. She was too old to properly take care of herself, let alone all three of them, but she knew of a place where she had been spending her recent winters at. Harry and Ginny were excited for the opportunity for another adventure.
"Oh Harry! You poor thing, you will catch your cold like that." The Old Lady managed to approach without the kids noticing her. They had been focused on trying to move the heavy sled. "Look at all these branches. Next time, only load up what you can carry. I don't want you hurting yourselves." The matron helped Harry tug on the sled, while Ginny pushed, and soon they got it moving.
Once back at the cottage, the three of them quickly unloaded the kindling into a small lean-to shed that was used to hold the firewood. Ushering the shivering kids inside, their guardian hobbled quickly over to the fire to stoke it up. "Go get some dry clothes and take a bath, kids. I'll get some soup ready."
"You go first, In-Gin." Harry motioned to Ginny that she should go first into the bath before plunking himself down by the fire.
Ginny smiled. "OK, Harry-hair-hair."
Once the kids cleaned up and were dry again, they helped pack for the trip. The matron was grinding salt into boxes as the kids packed up some of there clothes. The old lady was slowly making them things to wear as well as showing the kids how to make their own. Sewing, being delicate work, was difficult for them, but Harry and Ginny picked up knitting easier. They didn't have much to pack as it was.
"What's all the salt for?" Ginny asked her guardian as she sat down in a kitchen chair.
"Where we'll be going, they do not have much salt. I like to bring them plenty to show my gratitude for putting me up for the Ice season."
That was when Harry walked in. He always enjoyed watching the old lady use her salt grinder. It had no openings and took no salt rocks. Yet, no matter how much you cranked the handle, salt would always pour forth from the opening. It was one of the first truly magical objects Harry had ever remember seeing. He also liked the lamp in the library for that same reason. It was a small, frosted glass globe on an iron stand. No cords came from it, and you could move it anywhere. Touching the globe could switch it between on and off. It was the only lamp like that in the whole house. Everything else was lit by window light, fire light, or candle light. The lamp was useful in the library, as then one did not have to worry about a candle accidentally starting a fire among the books. Occasionally, they would bring the lamp into the kitchen when having a late meal. Fortunately, the days have been long and plenty of daylight was usually available to eat by.
"Need any help?" The only thing Harry enjoyed more than watching the grinder being used was getting to use it himself.
"Bless you, child. I could use help, my arm isn't what it used to be." With the three of them taking turns, switching off as their arms became tired, the work went by faster.
The next day, the small family had pack their things onto the sled. Boxes of salt and bags of fleece were also packed to be delivered to their hosts as a sign of appreciation for putting them up. The old lady hitched a couple of beasts, that Harry hadn't seen before coming to this world, to the sled. Ovicuds were what the old lady calls them, but neither Harry nor Ginny heard of that kind of animal before. Their fleece were amazingly soft and warm, and the kids loved playing with them, especially the lambs and hoggets. They had learned from soon after their arrival how to shear the wool from them with a special razor. So as not to hurt themselves or the ovicuds, the old lady had them go slow. How much they got done was not important, as just by helping they were getting more done together than her alone.
With the last bit of stored grain thrown where the flock of beasts could get to them in the depths of winter, and ensuring the kids were bundled tightly and warmly against the rain, they set off. The old lady was in the lead, tugging on the reins to guide the brace of ovicuds on their journey. Harry and Ginny walked on either sides of the grandmotherly matron, excited by the prospect of a new adventure.
"Look Harry!" Ginny excitedly pointed off to one side of the trail they were on. When Harry glanced over, all he could see was the swaying branches of a bush. Whatever was there had ran under the bush. "Aww, you missed it. It was one of those bunny-cats." Ginny and Harry had, time to time, seen some cabbits as they explored and played. It was Ginny aspiration to keep one as a pet.
"I hope they have enough to eat this winter," Harry stated with worry.
"I'm sure they will be alright," the old lady said to sooth the kids concerns.
As they traveled slowly, the old lady not being as spry as she once was, the kids chatted and asked all kinds of questions while occasionally holding aside branches so they wouldn't snag on the large horns of the ovicuds. Soon, they reached one of the runs of the wall that ringed the Core of the Labyrinth. Harry's and Ginny's new home was enclosed in an eight sided wall, each side being miles long. Within this part of the wall stood a door made from dark wood, black like ebony. Inset in the door was an emblem made from bronze with opals and emeralds inset.
"This is the earth gate." The elderly guardian spoke with a solemn seriousness. "Their are eight gates from The Heart, each lead into a place more wild and dangerous. Some much more so than others. Within and behind each gate lies more gates, though many are hard to see unless you know they are there. The deeper one goes into the Labyrinth, the more dangerous it becomes. Many horrible things are imprisoned deep within. Just to the other side of this gate, it is not too dangerous. It'll be warm and there will be people. So do not worry. But some of the other gates lead unto danger. I don't want you two going through any of the gates without me, OK?"
Harry and Ginny nodded. Satisfied with their reaction, the Old Lady turned to the gate and pushed it open. Walking through, the trio found themselves in a verdant valley. Tall mountains dominated the sky to either sides, green forests ran up the sides of the valley, and smoke curled up from a distance.
Harry turned to look behind him, he was met by a stone wall where he expected to see home. "Where did the gate go?" Ginny turned at his question and gasped in surprise.
"I'll show you how to find it when we return. Come along, children." She then gave the brace of beasts a tug on the reins to get them moving. The trio, the two pack animals, and the sled, slowly made their way in the direction of the tendril of smoke, as from a chimney or cooking fire.
The travelers pulled up to a cabin, tired from their journey. A middle-aged woman came out of the cabin while wiping her hands on her apron. A bearded man with sandy colored hair followed close behind. They smiled when they saw the old lady. "What's the good news?" they cheerfully greeted the travelers.
The two helped unhitch the sled and led the ovicuds to a fenced in pasture. "We were starting to get worried, you were expected three days ago." The woman fussed over the little old lady as they began to unpack the sled.
"Not as quick as I used to be," the Old Lady replied with a smirk.
The man gave Harry and Ginny an appraising look. "Picked up some strays too, I see." Mirth danced about his face as he threw the kids a wink.
The Old Lady slapped him on the arm gently. "Oh, hush! Acorn, this is Harry and Ginny. Kids, this is Acorn and Elma. Say hello, kids."
All four of them replied, "Hello kids," before breaking down in laughter.
Harry and Ginny had only been in the village for a week, but they were already enjoying themselves greatly. Besides having kids to play with, everything was a new adventure all over again, whether it be eating dinner, listening to stories around a fire, or just helping out with chores. And even though it was a small, one room cottage, life there seemed so much more relaxed than back at the Dursleys'.
One night, a friend of Acorn's stopped by. "Wha'z da good newz, Acorn?"
"What's the good news, Squirrel? Come in, come in." Elma quickly got to making a plate of biscuits and jam while Acorn pulled out a jug and poured two mugs.
"Mighty fine jam," Squirrel complimented Elma as he watched her bustle about. When Acorn placed a mug in front of him, Squirrel snatched it up greedily. After a long draught, he sighed in contentment. "Mighty fine wine."
"I can't wait for the vicos harvest. It promises to be a good crop."
Squirrel nodded. "I ken nawt stay long. I brought a few ol' things for yonder gurl. En I brought sum pies."
The little old Lady that took the kids in smiled. "Thank you. We appreciate your kind gesture. And I have always been fond of your wife's pies."
Harry bemusedly watched Ginny look through the small pile of clothing she was brought. "I only has de li'le gals," Squirrel tried apologizing to Harry.
Harry smiled, "I'm good. Thank you."
The next morning saw other friends visiting who brought clothes for Harry. Harry blushed as he stared at the generosity. "Thank you," he whispered as he smiled at the young couple.
"Keep 'em," the husband replied in a warm, gruff voice.
Elma lead Ginny to a grove of giant trees. "My Granny told me that her granny told her that when men first came to these lands, they brought the vicos tree with them. Soon, the vico-fruit will be ripe and we'll be picking them for weeks. The best way to keep them is as jam. This is a vicos. If you give Acorn some fruit and honey, he'll make vicos wine."
Ginny stared up at the tree and the ripening vicos, a kind of small, white fruit. "Are they any good?"
"Child, they're the best. Come, I want to show you the pigeon pens."
Meanwhile, Acorn was showing Harry how to set up snares. They were behind Acorn's and Elma's little cottage. "OK, the trick is in the tying of the knot. It helps to use a stout tree to anchor it too. Here, watch how I do it."
Harry watched as Acorn slowly worked his twine, then tried it himself with a bit of twine he had.
Acorn returned from hunting with a full sack. "Come along, Harry. I want to show you how to prepare dinner."
Harry came up. "Oh? What did you catch?"
"I got me a couple rabbits in my snares and I came upon a fox. Come, now. It is important for a man to know how to dress game, how to roast what he caught, and how to make it taste good."
"We're going to cook it too?" Harry asked befuddled. He never recalled Uncle Vernon doing any cooking.
Acorn laughed. "Of course we are. It's unfair to the womenfolk to make them do the work. They work the home and fields, what would they know of hunting? They didn't hunt it, they don't cook it. Leave them to make their womenfolk dishes. I'll show you how a man cooks."
Harry blinked. "There's a difference?"
The weather was pleasant that evening and the town gathered in the open spaces by Mapleshade's cabin. Everyone brought a dish to share, and as twilight descended, the menfolk built a large bonfire. With good food in their belly, Harry and Ginny were playing some kind of game with the other kids. They had scratched out, in the dirt, a sort of playing field and were using small stones. Harry was intrigued by the carved wooden top, with six sides coming to a point, that was central to the game-play. There were different markings on each side and which ever was face up after the top stopped spinning determined what you could do with your stone.
The Old Lady sat with the other local ladies all clustered, some knitting, to gossip. The men were quiet, smoking from pipes made from oak wood and drinking vicos wine made the year before. Overall, it was a peaceful night.
As the kids were nearing the end of their third round of the game, Hawthorna began to tune up what looked like a somewhat small guitar, though it only had four strings. It wasn't long before Harry and Ginny were sitting side by side, near the fire, listening to Hawthorna play and sing as most of the villagers kept time by clapping or tapping their feet. As the soft music lulled Harry into peacefully nodding off, he felt Ginny slip her small hands into his and lay her head upon his shoulder. When the two next awoke, it was a brand new day.
Harry and Ginny were playing with little carved men and little carved animals as the day bled into twilight. They were in front of Acorn's and Elma's cabin.
"What shall we do about the scary beast that is eating all our food," Harry asked in a low voice as he made one of the figures bob up and down.
Ginny made her toy move side to side. "We should hunt it and eat it. Surely, that will teach it."
"Oh if only we know a hunting song," Harry lamented.
Ginny blinked. "A hunting song?"
Harry shrugged. "It sounded good in my head. Plus you're the one rhyming."
Ginny pursed her lips as she tapped a finger under one eye. "I did make a rhyme. How brilliant is that?"
"How are we to hunt the beast," Harry said in play.
Ginny's figure rocked. "We'll set a trap and cast a hex upon it."
"What hex shall we use?"
"The Bald-and-Bad-Breath hex of a thousand nightmares."
Harry blinked. "Is that even a real hex?"
"Could be. Charlie told me a story once where the evil wizard used it to scare everyone into not saying his name."
"Wha'z da good newz, chilldz?" Squirrel greeted.
Harry nodded shyly to him. Ginny smiled and waved gaily. "What's the good news?"
"You twos no needin' to be playin' on yore lonesome, like. Come, meet de udda chilldz. I got me three of mine own."
Harry blinked. "Let me ask." He then went to go find Elma to get permission. Meanwhile, Ginny stayed to talk with Squirrel. "OK," Harry said when he returned, "Elma says it's alright."
"Oh, Harry," Ginny gushed, "Squirrel says he can teach us a couple songs. He's got some instruments for his family. Let's go!"
Harry laughed; Ginny's enthusiasm for life always buoyed his spirits.
When they reached Squirrel's cabin, there were three girls playing outside. "Chilldz, these here be mine chilldz. Maple, Moonlight, and Mornin' Dew meet Harry and Ginny. Now youse'all play pole-ice like."
Harry and Ginny had fun playing singing games. After lunch, Squirrel brought out a wooden whistle with four holes, a small three-stringed instrument, and a couple wooden rods. Indicating the rods, Squirrel explained, "Dese be knawkerz, you knawk 'em like this." He held the rods in his fingers and then slapped them into his palm. They made a knocking nose.
"Dis be a pippa." He then brought the whistle to his lips and piped a short tune.
Finally, he strummed the last instrument. "A lyrgord." It was shaped like a gourd, had a fretless neck, and was small, about a foot and a half in length. "Dis be hawd to play a' first. I play dis. You learn Pippa or Knawckers."
Harry let Ginny have the wooden pipe and he grabbed the wooden knockers. Which pleased him quite fine because those looked the easiest to play. Squirrel's three girls ran in to grab their own instruments. One had a guitar like Hawthorna's, another had a pippa and sat near Ginny so she could watch, and the last had a small hand drum. The last one sat near Harry to help him keep the beat.
Squirrel started with a simple and easy song, a child's rhyme set to song. Everyone, but for Harry and Ginny, knew the words but the two learned as they play. Harry thought the song was repetitive until he realized that Squirrel was probably repeating it a few times to give Ginny more time to learn it.
"Gud," Squirrel commented as the final cord faded away. "Naw, I teach da Vico' Song."
Maple nodded. "E'eryone sings it a' da festiwal."
"What festival?" Harry wondered.
Morning Dew pouted. "When's da festiwal, Pa?"
Squirrel chuckled. "Not for anudder cup'le weeks."
Harry was excited. It was hard not to be. That night, after a light dinner – as more food was promised for later – the village built up a large bonfire and there was much merry dancing and music making. Harry was quite enjoying the revelry. He and Ginny twirled around and around the fire, both playing knockers to the beat of the music.
When the moon was high in the dark sky, the revel-makers broke away and the musicians led a procession into the forest where the plot of vicos was. They broke up into smaller groups, to twirl and whirl around chosen trees. Harry was confused why Acorn was pouring some sweet smelling wine down the bark and upon the roots of the tree.
Then, many a young ladies came around, singing and offering revelers – even the young ones – a sip from an earthen bowl. Harry tried some, and found it to be a sweet and spicy mix of the vicos juice and crab apples. Then many a person started plucking vicos from the trees and eating the soft, fleshy fruit. Ginny, mouth full of fruit, smiled at Harry. "It tastes like figs." Harry didn't know what figs were, but he didn't care.
"Here," Ginny said as she handed one to Harry, "try it."
The soft, sweet flesh erupted into juice as he bit into the tender morsel. "Mmm, this is good."
"Now I want some in pie," Ginny wished.
As people got tired, they went back to the bonfire where bread and cheese was served.
Harry was woken early, and before he knew what was going on, he and Ginny were among all the others plucking all the ripe vicoses. The spry climbed up high into the trees while others harvested what was easy to reach from the ground. The harvest went fast and was done before dinner. During dinner, all the kids were excited but Harry was confused about what they were anxious for. Right after dinner, Acorn and Elma dragged the kids in, with knowing smiles. "Come, you need to get ready. We got you some proper clothing."
Harry was feeling self-conscious, he was swaddled in cloth about his torso and loins so as to leave his legs and arm bare. He was standing with Ginny and all the other village children – likewise dressed – who were so eager with anticipation as to be positively vibrating in place. Harry wasn't quite sure what was going to happen, though, but figured it had to be big.
To his surprise, the big event was when the men would dump bushels of the harvested vicos into a bunch of troughs and the children were allowed to stomp and trample all over them, causing the pink flesh to puree and the juices to flow. The fruit smelled sweet, and Harry's feet quickly became sticky from the juices.
He later learned, from Ginny, that the first day of the harvest was also juice day, so the men can make wine. For the next few weeks, they'll be having fresh vicos at dinner, as well as pickling and jamming them to have the rest of the year.
Ginny and Harry huddled together for warmth from the rain. They were playing with the other kids, but got lost.
"Harry?"
"Yes, Ginny?"
"I'm hungry."
Harry nodded. "I'm hungry too. When it stops raining, we can try looking for the others again."
"I'm sorry Harry," Ginny softly sobbed.
"For what?"
"I got us lost." Ginny buried her face into Harry's neck.
Harry patted her back reassuringly. "No you didn't. 'S not your fault."
"I wanna go home," Ginny said, quietly.
Harry hugged her tighter. He knew that she didn't mean with Acorn and Elma, or the Old Lady's log-cabin. "We'll find our way back. I promise to help you."
Ginny sniffed and sniffled. "I miss my mommy."
Harry kept rubbing her back. "I wish I could remember mine."
"Harry?"
"Yes, Ginny?"
"If you gots no mommy, do you have a home?"
Harry tensed up, sighed, and relaxed again. He didn't reply right away.
"Harry?"
With another sigh, he answered, "Only when I'm with you."
The kids lapsed into silence once more. "Ginny ... Do you think I can stay with you and your brothers when you go home?"
Harry woke up to something licking his face. "Hey, over here! Ah found dem!" Someone yelled loudly from nearby.
Harry blinked his eyes, realizing he must have fallen asleep while waiting for the rain to end. One of the village dogs was enthusiastically licking his face. Next to him, Ginny was stirring awake as another dog kept nudging her with its cold, wet nose.
"You OK dere, kid?"
Harry blinked up at his rescuer. "Hey, Squirrel. What's the good news?"
Squirrel chuckled good-naturedly. "Well, a cupp-all o' foolish chilldz managed to get demselves good and plum lost. Maybe you seen dem? Wun's a runt 'bout your height and the other haz hair like a firelog an' a temper to match."
Harry blushed. "Sorry about that."
Squirrel guffawed. "No harms dun. Come 'long, now, chilldz. Ah hear dat Acorn haz gotten himselve a nice plump boar on da hunt. You'ill be eatin' good-like tonight."
"Thanks, Squirrel," Ginny said from where she sat up by Harry's side, yawning.
Acorn's and Elma's cabin was buzzing with activity as the duo returned, Squirrel escorting them back.
"Ah, there's Harry now. Thought you could get out of helping prepare this beast by getting lost, huh?" Acorn laughed at the look on Harry's face. Harry noticed how Acorn was chopping large pieces of boar into smaller ones. "Come on over, I'll show you how to properly roast up meat."
Not long after, Ginny was pulled into helping the womenfolk prepare a stew from corn, turnips, and other root vegetables. Meanwhile, Harry was being shown how to sweeten and season the meat and cook it with berries, such as juniper and currants, and savory herbs, such as dill and tarragon. Acorn let Harry help him drop the meat into the hot cauldron that already held oil, onions, lavender, and celery root.
While Ginny was busy preparing a sauce with a big wooden mortal and pestle, grinding away at a mix of oil, parsley, rose hips, and honey, Harry was shown how to hang the boar's legs on spits over the fire and the importance of turning them over frequently.
In cabins all over the village, similar activities occurred with the game caught by the men that day.
Harry was in a nearby field with Acorn, who was teaching him how to shoot a bow. He held a simple, small bow in his hands and watched intently as Acorn demonstrated. Ten paces away was a simple target made up of a slice off of a log suspended with rope from a oak tree.
"Now you try," Acorn instructed with a smile.
Meanwhile, Ginny was with Elma and the old Lady. They were walking through a wooded field as the two matrons taught her which mushrooms and plants were safe to gather and which to avoid. They showed her the berries that can be eaten, and the ones that would make her sick. They showed her a grove of nut trees and a meadow of sweet violets.
Later, they were all sitting around a small fire, relaxing. "You kids want to hear a story?"
"Yes, please," Ginny agreed.
Harry nodded. "Can it be the one about the orphan that was a prince? I like that one."
It felt like months had gone by, but Harry was content and enjoyed being a part of the village. At that moment, a neighbor was showing him how to whittle and carve wood into little toys. Ginny was inside, tying a bow in her hair that she had made herself.
"Am I pretty?" She came out of the cabin and showed off her new bow.
Harry smiled at her. "Yes."
"I made it all myself. With a crooklette and some yarn."
The neighbor nodded. "In no time you'll be making socks." Ginny smiled. She then sat her self down and watched Harry whittle. Convinced that Harry wasn't going to cut himself, the neighbor excused himself. "I best return, it is almost dinner."
Soon it was dinner for the kids too, which was a simple but tasteful affair. Plenty of wild game and root vegetables was served, more than usual. And after the main course was done, vicos and berries in a syrup made from the juice of vicos and honey was brought out. Harry wondered if there was an occasion when their old guardian announced a surprise. "Well, it's about time I wandered on. Tomorrow, me and the kids shall take our leave."
Harry was torn, he really wanted to stay but he didn't want to leave his Ol' Granny either as he knew she needed his help to get things done.