Dwellers of the New World Chapter Four ( Pt 8 )

Darkness came quickly, as Anise wandered the river's edge. She could see the fish swimming to the surface, then bobbing back down, it made her feel even hungrier than ever.

As she turned a bend in the river, and looking up to the sky, she realised the bird wasn't anywhere in sight, then looking towards the river, she got the shock of her life, for there in front of her were two big grizzly bears, they were out hunting for food before darkness set in, and had come across the fish swimming to the surface.

By now Anise was petrified, she stood very still hardly able to breath. The bears although busy at that moment, were very aware of their surroundings, she knew if they saw her they would also see food.

She very slowly backed away and hid behind a rock, keeping an eye on the huge hairy creatures, never taking her eyes off them for one moment. The only thing she could do now, was wait until they'd eaten and moved off.

It was almost pitch black before the bears decided they'd had enough, then they moved on. Anise looked up to the sky, but still the owl wasn't anywhere to be seen, once more she felt alone and depressed, she thought she would die out here all alone with nobody to find her, the child then wondered if she might be eaten alive. 'Oh! Will this nightmare ever end?' she said to herself.

Her cape was warm, so she put the hood back up and snuggled into the fur, as she lay against a rock. She tried not to go to sleep, for fear of an animal finding her without a fire, but because she was so tired, it wasn't long before she nodded off and sleep took her, despite her will to stay awake. Darkness and silence surrounded her, as she slept.

*******

The travellers gave a feast to be proud of. Brad and Simon had not eaten such good food, in a long time. The drink flowed as men and women danced. Drums could be heard beating all around vibrating through the earth. Women played flutes around the fire, keeping in time with the flames, as they rose snake like into the air.

The flames from the huge fire lit up the darkness. Everyone was warm and in high spirits, not only from the fire, but also the intoxication of the drink.

Simon was very tired, and told his father, he wished to turn in. “You go and get some sleep son...I won't be far behind you.”

Simon took Ida's hand, as they walked across to her wagon, he wiped his tired eyes and waved out to Brad.

As Brad clapped his hands and carried on watching the dancing, he almost wished he could join in, he started tapping his feet, when all of a sudden from out of the sky flew Tawny, he landed on Brad's shoulder, giving him such a fright he almost jumped out of his skin. “What...the! Oh Tawny it's you...I nearly had the shock of my life.”

The owl didn't normally come out of the darkness like this. Tawny started flapping his wings as if he were agitated, then he flew up into the air, coming to land on Brad's shoulder once again.

Man and owl had a bond, Brad knew that something was wrong, he also realised the bird wanted him to follow. Approaching a tree, Brad set the bird down on a branch. “What is it my feathered friend?” he said curiously.

The owl hooted, then flew off in the direction of the river. “Okay...I think I understand, he has something to show me.”

The owl flew back to the branch once more and hooted. “Right Tawny, you sit here while I go and tell Ida where I'm going...okay?” The owl hooted again, as if understanding every word Brad said.

Making his way across to Ida's wagon, Brad knew he would need a torch, as it was dangerous to go walking in the dark, especially alone.

When he reached the wagon, he lifted the skins and called out to the old woman. “Hello...Ida...it's me Brad...can I come in?”

The old woman called out. “Of course...what's wrong? you sound anxious.”

Brad entered and told Ida about Tawny, and how the bird was desperate to show him something.

“You'd better be off then, don't worry about Simon he's fast asleep, I'll be here and look after him till you get back.”

With great relief Brad left the wagon and made himself a torch from the huge fire, he took six thick pieces of wood, just in case he didn't have enough with the one.

Walking back to the owl he spoke. “Well Tawny...let's see what you have to show me, that's so important. Brad wandered into the darkness, unsure of what he would find.

Dwellers of the New World Chapter Four ( Pt 9 ) | ABCtales