Dwellers of the New World Chapter Three ( Pt 1 )

As Simon and his father were preparing to leave the heath, to go south for the Winter, they said their final goodbyes.

Burying family and friends, Brad had a feeling they wouldn't be returning here, it was all too painful. He just wanted to be off.

Tawny flew across the sky in search of a morsel of food. Spying a rodent darting through the undergrowth, he dived down preparing for the catch. The owl was successful and picked the creature up in his talons, giving out a hoot, as if with pride at his triumph.

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Further down South, in the great forests, they too were preparing for the coming Winter. The early morning mist glided through the forest, resembling ghostly figures between the trunks of the large...tall trees. Many people had taken to staying close to the caves, not really wanting to be left out in the elements during the icy rawness of the Winter.

It was early Autumn and although not freezing, it was still very cold at night. Insects had gone into hibernation, you no longer could hear the dawn chorus, people slept longer conserving their energy, food was prepared and stored, berries were collected and the children would be sent out to collect as many of them as they could find. The berries were not available during the Winter, so the people would fill up on them, or collect some honey from the bees, then turn some fruit into a mead, the honey would act as a preservative.

Staying close to her father, Netty watched as Ben placed some flowers down on the ground where his mother and father had been murdered ten years ago, he came here every year, to pay his respects and keep their memory alive.

“Father!” Netty pulled her father's top, while sucking her thumb.

“Yes what is it Netty?” replied Ben.

“Can we go to the stones and see all the pretty flowers and crystals. I want to hear the music and dance?”

“So many questions Netty my dear. Yes of course we will go to the stones, we always do, but it's not until the end of Autumn, then everyone will meet up and we will all go together.

All the families will come down from the North, we'll have a wonderful time as we always do.”

“I can't wait!” replied Netty jumping with excitement.

“Well I'm afraid you'll have to. Now Netty I want you to lay your fresh herbs down here, then we will think about your loved ones that you've never met.”

Ben told Netty about her grandparents, how her grandfather was a great hunter, and how he captured a huge grizzly bear single handed. He also told Netty that his mother was a beautiful lady with long flowing dark hair.

But whenever Netty asked how they died, Ben would never tell her the truth, he always said it was an unfortunate accident, to do with fire, he didn't want to scare his daughter.

As Netty lay the herbs down, Ben watched her, feeling very proud of his daughter. She was six springs old and had her mother's dark hair and fair skinned looks, she was also very tiny and petite, just like her mother.

Ben and Fern had wanted more children, they had been trying, but Fern just couldn't seem to get pregnant again, Ben thought that maybe it was because Fern was so small, but they lavished all their love on Netty and were so thankful for her.

Once Netty had placed the herbs down, Ben took her hand as they made their way back to their winter cave. It wasn't very big, just enough room for the three of them, some chickens and a goat. They had a couple of horses that stayed near the cave, but were quite happy wandering in a bit of meadow close to the cave.

The two of them walked along the path, when who should appear? It was Netty's uncle Jay, he had come over to see his sister.

Netty ran to meet him smiling and calling out. “Uncle Jay! Uncle Jay.”

Jay caught Netty and picked the little girl up, giving her a cuddle.

“And how's my favourite little niece?” he asked giving her cheeks a gentle squeeze.

Netty laughed and said she was fine, shyly.

“We haven't seen you in a while,” exclaimed Ben walking up beside him.

“I know...I've been moving around a lot, with some friends, there are so many people that need to know about the work we do.”

Jay had become one of the long line of those, who went out into the world doing good. Nathen Jay's father had wanted him to become a hunter, he was very disappointed when the boy refused to hunt, but Jay was thirteen summers old now and had been travelling around for a winter and a summer as a practising priest. He enjoyed what he did, and the group of friends he travelled with supported and looked after each other.

They approached the cave and then walked inside, Fern was busy cooking up a stew in a big cauldron. As she stirred, Ben called out...”look who's here?”

Fern turned to look. When she saw Jay, she stopped what she was doing and ran to him, giving him a hug. “Brother...how are you?”

“I'm fine, but a bit hungry, that stew smells wonderful, can I stay for lunch?”

“Of course you can Jay, it's almost ready, I'm just adding some potatoes.”

Netty, Ben and Jay went down to the little stream. Ben asked Jay if he fancied doing some fishing later, but Jay wanted to ride the horses, he loved to ride, it invigorated him.

Netty asked if her uncle would be staying long? Jay told her he would like to stay the night, but tomorrow he would visit Evelyne and Nathen.

Netty wanted to go. “Please father can we go too?” She loved going to see her grandparents.

Netty's grandparents were living in a part of the forest called Pine Cone Grove, it was named this, because a lot of the Pine trees were clumped very close together, it gave a wonderful protection from the elements and the smell of the pine bark, was wonderfully fresh.

Though, they did have to watch out for the bears, as they also loved this part of the forest. Ben agreed they would all go the next day.

Walking back up the path, Jay said how good it was to see his sister again and how she was looking so well. They reached the cave, the smell of the stew made their mouths water, so they all quickly sat down and Fern served the food up.

They sat talking. Jay had so much to tell about his travels, he told them about the great ocean he had seen. Ben told him he would love to take Fern and Netty, but Fern wasn't too sure, she liked living in the forest, with the trees for protection, it was all she'd ever known. She was not very adventurous like her brother.

After lunch Ben and Jay went for a ride. Once again Jay was energized, the feeling of elation after a ride, was something he missed so much.

Upon their return, Fern gave them some mead, that Ben had made and they talked into the night, until it was time to sleep.

Dwellers of the New World Chapter Three ( Pt 2 ) | ABCtales