Dwellers of the New World Chapter Nine ( Pt 2 ) Time To Leave

When Lena finished speaking, Jay glanced at his brother-in-law, trying to get his attention without much luck, so he kicked him under the table on his shin.

“Ow!” Ben glared at Jay. “Why did you do that?” he rubbed his leg, not aware of why he'd been kicked.

Jay couldn't understand why Ben was being so naïve, it was pretty obvious to him. “Ben I need to speak to you outside.” He then turned to the two women, with a smile on his face. “Please pardon us, I need to talk to my brother-in-law in private.”

Ben reluctantly got up, staring daggers at Jay. They excused themselves once again. The two women stared at each other in confusion, at the sudden change of atmosphere.

As the two men stepped outside, the fog had lifted and a wind was picking up. The horses were becoming restless, trying to keep moving and shaking their heads, their manes flying around.

They approached Bracken and Willow, to calm them down. Ben turned to Jay asking, “now what's all that about...why did you kick me...and what's all the secret intrigue, that we can't talk about inside?”

Jay was stunned that Ben didn't know. “What were you thinking, talking about the boy to them? You know Varden said he could be captured if anyone found out about him.”

Ben smiled at Jay, not in the least bit concerned. “Ah! Yes I know...but this is Meradith we're talking about, she won't mention anything to anybody, not if I tell her it's a secret.”

Jay shook his head, a stunned expression on his face, replying. “What about her neighbour Lena? She doesn't come across as someone we can trust, don't forget I know these people better than you. The master controls them with false promises, they believe everything he tells them.”

Ben had not thought of that, he became agitated. “Look...I'll tell you what, the wind is picking up, I think we should say our goodbyes and be on our way, before I say anything else I might regret.”

“I think that's a good idea,” replied Jay. “You go and collect our wraps, while I explain to Meradith that we need to leave.”

“What about Varden? We arranged to meet him,” replied Ben, who was concerned for the boy.

“I think it's probably best if we don't meet him now, not after what that Lena woman said, we could get the boy in more trouble, getting too involved.”

Jay led the horses up to the front door. Entering the cabin, the family were still sat around the table eating.

While Ben collected the wraps, Jay approached Meradith with a smile. “We really appreciate your hospitality, but we must be on our way.”

He put his hand on her shoulder saying. “ We'd like to get down to the sea, before this weather deteriorates.”

Meradith stood up, giving the man a hug. “Jay I want you to know, that you and Ben are welcome here any time...Oh! By the way, give my love to Fern, tell her I'm thinking of her.”

Jay said he would, then turned to Lena. “Well it's been nice to meet you and your family, maybe we'll meet again.”

Lena's children looked despondently at the two men, then Brook spoke. “I thought you were taking us riding after we'd eaten?”

Jay walked up to the boy and knelt down. “I'm sorry Brook, but we really need to be going, the weather's turning nasty, so it wouldn't be a good idea for you and your brother to be out anyway.”

Walking outside, the two men mounted their horses and pulled their fur wraps further around their bodies, the hoods protecting them from the strong, bitter wind, while Meradith, Lena and the children said their farewells and waved them goodbye.

With one last wave, they rode off, leaving the two women wondering why Jay and Ben decided to leave so abruptly, though neither of them actually mentioned it to each other.

Dwellers of the New World Chapter Nine ( Pt 3 ) Danger Lurks! | ABCtales