As planned, in the morning Forro helped Dulabi take the farmers to Dulabi’s grove while I visited Graff’s farm and asked him to tend things for Telor and Mishe. I asked Graff if he had seen any strangers passing through. He hadn’t seen anyone recently but was happy to help out in whatever way he could. They had been neighbors nearly all his life and the couple had always been there to help him.
I made my way back to the grove and found Dulabi with the farmers. She had them resting at the edge of the pond, their feet wrapped in herb-soaked cloth and dangling into the water.
“Kiernen, I understand you will be making a journey to see Mim.” Dulabi spoke over her shoulder while she prepared a simple meal for the farmers. “What, child, could possibly drive you to her side? Have you not listened to a word in those legends about her? She has no soul, child. No kindly spirit, no care for what her price will cost you. She will take what she wants whether your needs are met or not. Do you understand?”
I swallowed around yet another lump in my throat. I was going to have to find a way to stop doing that. “Dulabi, I know she is dangerous. I know she can’t be trusted, and I know that she takes pleasure in watching the writhing and whimpering of her victims.” I paused and wiped a tear from my cheek. “He is my brother, Dulabi; and he is all I have left in this world – my only remaining family. Think about it. Would you do any less?”
“No, and that is why Forro will go with you. And I will give you what aide I can from here. I would go along as well, but it looks as if I will be needed here for some time.” She set the bowl down and stepped into her house for a moment. When she returned, she held a small pack in her hands.
“Forro will be able to help you find your way, and he will guard and protect you. But he is a warrior, not a healer. And he does tend to get himself hurt from time to time. You will both be glad of this bag if you run into trouble. There are two potions in here – use them only in the most dire circumstance. They are very precious; do not let anyone know you have them. They can bring a person back almost from the grave. They will not heal you completely; time and rest are still the best cure for injuries. But they will give you a chance to put time and rest to good use.
“There are also simple herb remedies for common problems. You will be familiar with them, I am sure. And finally, there is a small amount of Wolf’s Bane. Forro has not yet passed Gr’hp’ha. He may be affected by the full moon, however slightly. You must see that he uses this each night before you rest.”
I put my arms around Dulabi and thanked her for the pack and its contents. I went over to Telor and Mishe and wished them swift and strong healing, and I told them Graff would care for their farm while they healed. Dulabi directed me to the eastern edge of the grove to find Forro.
I found Forro piling wood and gathering thresh for Dulabi’s home. He finished his work as I approached. We greeted each other civilly, but with some reserve. He could see that I was still a little unnerved by his actions the night before. Feeling the need to be moving on again, I asked if I could help him gather his things so we could go.
“My things are gathered already. I will get them when we stop to say goodbye to Dulabi. Did you make arrangements with Graff? He will tend Telor’s and Mishe’s farm?”
“Yes, Forro. He is happy to repay their constant kindness. I’m still amazed at the horror they went through. Graff said he’d watch out for any strangers passing through and send word to town if he saw anything.”
We returned to the house and got Forro’s things. He said his goodbyes to Dulabi and the farmers and we made our way back to the southeast road.
As we passed the farm of Telor and Mishe, we decided to take a look at the house. The door hung open and breezes from the night before had blown dirt and brush onto the charred floor in front of the fireplace. The horses were out in the pasture, grazing peacefully; the cow lifted her head and mooed softly at our approach, and several chickens clucked and scratched their talons on the ground. Graff had clearly been by already to tend to the feeding of the animals.
The house was dark inside so I lit a candle from my pack. The fireplace was opposite the door. It was a blackened pit, and the floor before it was burned, the wood almost completely destroyed. Oddly, the fire did not extend beyond a sphere of about two arm-lengths. The rest of the house looked perfectly normal, except for the dinner plates with food still on them. I took a moment to tidy that up for them and sweep the floor before we headed out, closing the door as we left.
We were some way down the Southeast road when I realized what disturbed me about the odd pattern of the burn marks. The pattern reminded me of something, but it took some time for it to come clear.
The marks on the floor reminded me of the scorch marks where Eidero had stood in his library—the marks that I saw in my mind when I closed my eyes and tried to not to worry overly much.
“Kiernen! Wait! What is this burst of speed?” I heard Forro call out to me from behind and was confused at first. My thoughts had taken over and I had apparently put greater emphasis on speed, hoping desperately to reach Eidero in time. I had no idea for what I hoped to be in time. I only knew that I must be, no matter the consequence.
Forro caught me up and I apologized and explained myself. Together we quickened our pace towards Mim’s Cottage. Whatever lay within her walls, we would face it together. That was an amazing comfort to me.
