A Coursing Passage (A Life of Magic Book 3) (21 page)

I stood up and picked up another sack of food, "I guess worrying about it would be a waste of time. We have too much to do before we leave." I carried the sack into the wagon and tucked it into a small cask, made for just that use. I looked around the inside of the wagon. Curtains now hung in the open windows, the mattress was laying in the sleeping berth, small hammocks swung from hooks high up on the walls, the wagon was filling out and looking more like a small cabin. I smiled and went to gather up more food to put into the correct spots. Almost every item had a set place to be stored. As we worked through the piles and loaded the wagon we stopped occasionally to discuss daily life with a wagon. The most interesting thing to me is how well designed the entire operation of living in a wagon had been done. Each thing had a place and often multiple uses. All of it was designed to work well together. Life traveling in a tent was about packing and unpacking all the time. Life living in a wagon was about making sure all the various objects were in the right spots. Failing to put some stuff back would cause chaos within a short period of time. For those things used the most, they were stored in the handiest of locations. Those things that were to be used outside the wagon most times, were stored in chests that hung from the bottom and sides of the wagons. Those things that would be used for setting up a healing tent were all in one chest, ready to be pulled out and set up hurriedly While each thing had a place and a purpose there was also beauty in each item. Some were simple tools, yet so finely made as to seem to be a piece of art. Others carried touches of creativity in their finish. A touch of scroll work or a decoratively made handle could be found in many things. The function of the object was often accented by the decoration. We each worked in different areas so that we would not trip over one another. Slowly the piles of supplies and tools shrunk as we loaded then into the wagon. Yet the wagon seemed to absorb each item without losing space. The outside of the wagon gained more items and many added beauty and whimsy to the exterior. The lamps were perhaps my favorite. Each lamp hung from a hook around the wagon. They would provide a nice glow in times when a fire was not desirable. Each lamp looked like a different type of fruit made from glass. They looked fragile, yet we found out how tough they were when I dropped one. It bounced across the rough ground, looking like a fallen fruit. I picked it up and looked closely at it, yet failed to find even a scratch.

"I think it is time for some food." Stain sat down heavily on a stool. As we all sat down a small group of people walked into the campsite carrying baskets.

"We bring a peace offering from Artimus's family. He acted on his own, yet we feel we owe a debt to your group." A tall woman with dark eyes stepped forward. "Artimus might have been our elder, however he acted as foolish as a child. We renounce his leadership and I have been voted in as the new elder. I come to offer a hand of peace and friendship to you Master Stain and also to your young apprentices. I hope that our family and your's might never be at odds." She stood there, waiting for Stain to reply. Those behind her looked nervous, worried about how this gesture would be accepted.

Stain stood up and faced the woman, he smiled and pulled her deep into an embrace. She stiffened, surprised by his actions. "I absolve your family of responsibility in this matter. Artimus will be held responsible for his actions." He let her go and stepped back, a grin on his face. "Let us join in a meal together and put the past behind us." He motioned for them all to join us at our meal.

Each person brought forward a basket and soon food was being passed around. We talked and had fellowship with this family. I realized that some were in despair at the actions of their elder. I motioned Mophar to come over close to me. I pointed out those who seemed the most despondent. "Perhaps they could use a little laughter today?" I whispered to Mophar. He looked around and smiled. He suddenly flew through the air and landed on Raven's lap. She screamed and jumped, causing Mophar to fly into the air again. He bounced around, landing on different laps, startling some. Soon everyone was laughing at his antics. The mood lifted and before too long the meal was over. Some of the family left, carrying off baskets. A few stayed and talked. The new elder stayed the longest, talking late into the afternoon with Stain. When she left Stain was satisfied that things were settled with her family.

"Shall we finish loading the wagon?" Stain stood up and stretched. "I am glad they came to talk."

Tulip nodded, "That is a proud family, mainly because of Artimus. Perhaps now that he has been brought low they will rise to their true potential." She poked Raven, "We need to finish with the kitchen things. There are a lot of small items in that group. That way I do not have to carry a lot." She smiled as she said this.

The rest of us resumed packing the wagon. Before the sun set we had managed to pack almost all the items into the wagon. The campsite felt much larger without the piles of supplies and materials crowding it. I stopped loading so that I could prepare our evening meal. We still had all our personal items that were in the tents and loaded on Tag and Evins to move to the wagon. That would happen in the next couple of days. Just before the in grafting ceremony and wedding.

"The food is ready!" I called out.

Raven and Tulip climbed from the wagon, carrying wrapping material out to be added to the pile of waste material to be picked up later. Ruth finished loading a chest and closed it's lid, placing a lock in place. Stain came from around the front of the wagon, where he had been packing items into the storage under the driver's seat. Amelia and Roger had been finishing up their packing today also. Their wagon was pretty much loaded, they just lacked a few personal items to load today. They walked into the campsite carrying a basket and a small cask.

"We bring bread and juice to add to the meal." Roger set the cask down and proceeded to pour out cups of juice for everyone. Amelia started passing out fresh baked bread, still steaming from the oven. We all sat down and ate.

"That was a lot of stuff." Raven looked around at the campsite. "I almost can not believe it all fit into the wagon."

Tulip grinned, "We Wanderers design very good wagons. They hold more than most people would ever believe." Ruth nodded around her food in agreement.

Roger smiled, "You did it in such a short time you were able to see almost everything piled up. Ours was delivered and packed at a much more leisurely rate. Perhaps, one merchant would bring over a small cart each day full of stuff. A mere hour or two of loading to put it into the wagon." He looked at Amelia, "I believe we have almost as much as you, just different things. No healing for us, other than basic bandages and such. I do have a portable forge and storage for raw materials. Amelia has more storage and a folding workbench to do her mixing. Our wagon is slightly smaller, but of the same design as yours."

Pat, who along with Fiosrach, sat on the wagon's roof called down, "Someone is coming."

We looked towards the entrance of the campsite and waited a moment. A short man walked into the campsite, dressed in brilliantly decorated robes. "I seek the ones desiring to be in grafted into the family of the people." He stood leaning on his staff, waiting.

Raven and I stood up and held hands. I answered the man, "That would be us, sir."

The man nodded, "Who stands as your vine?"

Tulip stood, "That would be me, Bernard"

The short man grinned slightly at her naming him. His face turned serious again, "So let it be started. In two dawns you shall be in grafted into the people. A part of a different whole. A joining that is welcome." He handed us a basket. "You must fast tomorrow, taking nothing but what this basket contains as food. You may drink water or juice. Be prepared on the morrow after your fast. You shall be in grafted and become as one of us." He nodded deeply and walked out of the camp.

"What is in the basket?" Raven asked.

I opened it and realized the next day would be a trying day. The basket contained four loafs of bread and a few containers of food. Nuts, seeds, and a few dried fruit.

"The traditional food that was available on the road. Those foods that could be gathered along the trail and prepared while traveling." Tulip grinned at our expressions. "It will only be a few days, you will survive. Plus at the end you will have a party full of wonderful foods, be married, and a part of my people." She grinned wider. "The next few days shall be interesting."

Chapter 3: A new road in life

The next day Raven and I ate only what was in the basket. I found myself drinking more and more juice as the day went by. Raven also drank more than normal. We both started sloshing halfway through the day.

"I feel like a cask of juice." I moaned at one point.

"Stop drinking so much." Stain pointed out. "You are trying to fill up your belly since you are eating less. So you slosh." He grinned, "Many go through this in grafting, none die from it."

I almost tossed a nut at his head, but then I would have less to eat. "Fine. However, I do not see how we are supposed to work as hard as we did yesterday with less food."

Stain shrugged, "Try to do it. You will be surprised at how much your body is capable of doing." He went back to unloading Tag of our items.

I picked up a bag and carried it to the wagon, where the ladies were putting away each thing I brought over. "Here's another bag."

Raven stuck her head out of the window, "If you see my knife case, pass it on up. I have a spot set aside for it." She ducked back in, not waiting for an answer. I grinned and went to get another parcel.

We worked all morning until all the items were unloaded from Tag's shell. He looked smaller without Raven's or mine stuff stacked on his shell. "I guess you will have an easier time walking now." I grinned at Tag.

He looked at me and blew air from his nose. "The load was never a problem, but yes. A lighter load is easier to carry. Just make sure not to stir up too much dust with that wagon of yours."

I scratched his head and nodded, "We will work on that." I carried the last sack over to the wagon. A small pile sat there, stuff waiting to be put into the wagon. We had accumulated a lot of items while traveling. Some we bought, others as gifts. Each having to be packed carefully into the wagon.

"Ott. Over here." Stain called me over beside Evins. "We might as well start unloading Evins also. When we get done we can eat." He handed me a small crate.

I nodded and continued ferrying items over beside the wagon. No matter how much I carried over the pile stayed around the same size as the ladies packed it away into the wagon. Before too long Evins was also unloaded and Stain and I put together food for a meal. The ladies finished and sat down to eat. Raven and I ate some more of our basket while the others had a delicious mushroom stew that also had wild onions. The smell was distracting.

"What else do we have to do today?" Raven asked Stain.

Stain thought a moment. "Most of the wagon is packed and ready to go. There are still a few things that will be delivered today, food and other supplies mainly. Then your tents need to be emptied of all but the needed items. Tomorrow is the in grafting and weddings. After that you will be living in the wagon and the tents will be packed away. Then you will also have to pack the gifts away. So the next few days will be decidedly busy." He grinned. "Then we will leave and head onwards. Shadow's Rest is a short ride down the road. We will pass around it and head farther towards the mountains to find out if the way might be open. If it is not then we will follow the mountains around until we reach the water that breaks the mountains. A boat ride will enable us to pass around the mountains and into our own kingdom, if at the far reaches of the kingdom. We will have to travel a long ways if we must take that route." He seemed worried, yet excited to be back on the road.

"So we are looking at being back in the kingdom within a week?" Raven asked this question.

Stain nodded, "It is possible. But if the pass is not available then it could be much longer. We need to be prepared for either outcome." He stood up and stretched. "I think we have most of the supplies ready. Tulip is ready to go at a moments notice, as is Ruth. Roger and Amelia will be ready at the same time as you two. It will take me a little longer to pack up the camp, however not enough time to cause problems." Looking around he smiled, "I will be glad to be back on the road."

Tulip nodded, "Other than the short trip I took, to find you three, I have not traveled much in a long time. Mainly just between different camps." She looked at Ruth and smiled, "It will be fun to travel strange and different lands once again."

Ruth looked worried for a moment but it passed quickly. "I look forward to it also. I have not traveled much either. It will be nice to be out on the road and away from the all the camp politics for a while."

That afternoon a wagon came around full of food for everyone. We loaded food into our wagon, Tulip's wagon, onto Tag and Evins, into Ruth's wagon, and finally into Roger and Amelia's wagon. This took quite a bit of time to complete. It seemed, to me at least, to be enough food to feed us all for many seasons to come. When it was all loaded we took the time to pack up most of the items from our tents and stowed it away in handy places. My tent seemed very empty with almost everything packed into the wagon. Mophar hung from the hook, resting. Pat laid on my cot, also taking a nap. My cot, a small chest of clothes, and a few bags were all that remained in my tent. I shook my head and stepped out of the tent and looked around the campsite. Our wagon sat lower, filled up with so much stuff. Tulip's wagon was ready to roll out, she only had to hook up her animals and pack a few minor things. The evening meal was already cooking, Raven and Tulip taking on that chore tonight. I went and sat down, resting a short bit.

"What is tomorrow going to be like?" I asked Tulip. I was a little nervous.

She smiled, "An in grafting is a joyous occasion. It is the celebration of someone desiring to become one of us. You will have a few oaths to swear, but I promise they will not violate any of your previous oaths. Stain and I have discussed this at length. When the various oaths have been sworn you two and Roger and Amelia will participate in a short wedding ceremony. We see a wedding as much like our in grafting Two branches of the people are choosing to come together, or be grafted into one vine. It also is a cause for celebration. Normally after either an in grafting or wedding there is a party to celebrate. With two in graftings and two weddings I think this will be a massive party. Many gifts will be given, both for the in grafting and the weddings." She took a deep breath, "When one of our people give a gift it is given with the intent to improve the life of the receiver. Whether you like it or not you will thank each person. If later on you find the gift to be unuseful then feel free to pass it on to someone who can use it. That is our way." She smiled. "I do think that you will get many gifts you need. Stain did not buy everything your wagon needed, I think to allow them to be given as gifts. Also there are traditional gifts given at an in grafting Ott, you will most likely receive some traditional men's outfits. Also you will be given a choice as to certain groups you might join. Be aware of the honors and such of joining. Also be aware of the oaths you might have to swear. Talk to your master or me. We will guide you. Raven, as a women you will be given some traditional outfits also. There will be some gifts that might seem odd, just thank the giver and we can explain later." She looked at Stain. "Anything else I need to tell them?"

Stain thought a moment, "There will be no test or challenges. It is simply a ceremony that formalizes you joining the people. The wedding ceremony is much like other methods of marriage. The words will be slightly different, but they are the same idea." He grinned, "Remember, some wedding gifts will be awkward to receive. A simple thanks is all you need to give in return and continue with the ceremony." His smile was sneaky.

"What kind of gifts can we anticipate?" I asked, a little worried.

Tulip answered this one, "Most gifts will be useful in nature. A beautiful bowl, a basket of unusual material, that kind of thing. Some might give extravagant gifts, usually to make themselves look better. Most of those you will most likely need to pass on, as they rarely merit keeping." She grinned, "My gift is going to be useful and practical. I believe Ruth, Amelia, and George all have gifts for you." She looked over at Stain, questioningly.

Stain grinned, "I have commissioned a gift for both of your in graftings and also a wedding gift."

Tulip smiled, "Of course we will have to wait to see all the gifts. Luckily most people will be sensible in what they give. Also anticipate food as a gift. I know of some who are gifting some." She stood. "I am tired and tomorrow will be a long day. Good night." She went into her wagon and the light went out after just a few moments.

Stain stood, "It is late and we do have a long day tomorrow." He smiled. "By this time you both will have become one of the people and also become husband and wife." After saying this he chuckled and went to bed.

Raven and I sat watching the fire for a while, "It almost seems like a dream. Tomorrow we take our vows and everything changes." Raven said this softly as she leaned on my shoulder.

"Tomorrow changes many things, yet things will still be the same. We will all be traveling together, Stain will be our master, and there will be things we must do." I said this calmly. I just wish I felt as calm. My heart raced at the events that were occurring tomorrow. I just wish my father was here.

"When was the last time you scryed your father?" Raven's mind seemed to work the same way as mine sometimes.

I thought about it. "I think last week sometime. He was in the woods, hunting something from the look of it. He looked up and smiled."

"Why not see what he is doing tonight?" She suggested.

I nodded and focused, casting the spell on the ground. A circle swirled and colors crawled across the dirt. The image resolved into Lightfoot sitting at a campfire, much like ours. He was working on his bow, replacing the string. His head slowly raised, acknowledging that I was watching. A smile crept across his face as I watched. Motion behind him drew my attention, others were camping with Lightfoot. It seemed as if he was a part of a much larger camp. I focused on my spell and widened it's focus, looking beyond Lightfoot. As the view widened Raven and I gasped. Lightfoot camped in the midst of a much larger camp. Thousands of campfires filled a valley. He must be part of an army for there to be that many fires.

"We need to get back." I was worried about my dad now. He was in an army of some sort. I knew he was safe for now, but the idea of my father as a fighter was almost impossible to fathom.

Raven hugged me close as we looked on, "We are going back. No matter what else we are going to make our way back. I will meet your father." Her tone was filled with metal and determination.

We stayed up part of the night, simply watching the camp. Trying to understand what was going on. Finally, too tired to keep the spell intact, we both went to our own beds.

***

"Wake up!" Stain's voice echoed through the campsite. He must be using magic to be so loud. I crawled off my cot and looked out of the tent. There were people filling the campsite, lots of people. I ducked back into my tent and made myself presentable. Stepping out cautiously I walked over to join Raven and Stain.

"What is going on?" I asked him.

He smiled and turned, "It is time to in graft these two lost ones into a vine that springs forth from the people!" His volume was still immense. "Tulip! Step forward!" Tulip stepped from the crowd, wearing a gown that was woven into leaves and flowers. "Do you stand as the vine for these two?"

Tulip stood tall and proclaimed, "I stand as the vine for both Ott and Raven."

Everyone cheered and yelled. Tulip looked around and smiled broadly.

Stain stood taller, "Does anyone challenge this in grafting?"

Never had I heard such deep silence occur so suddenly. The only sounds were natural and the feeling of worried anticipation. We stood there a few moments, waiting. Not a word was spoken.

"Very well. The time for challenges and objections has passed. The in grafting shall now commence!" Stain called this out and the crowd rushed forward.

Raven and I were carried out of our camp and towards the center of the camp where a large flat wagon waited, decorated and set aside. The crowd carried us to the wagon and set us down before Gorcy. He was dressed in what looked like an official outfit. Full of color and symbols. He stepped forward and waved for quiet.

"Welcome my family! We have a great day ahead of us." He pitched his voice to carry across the entire crowd. "Tulip, if you would join us? Stain, you also?" He stood there waiting as the crowd parted to allow the two to join us on the wagon. Tulip grabbed Stain's arm and walked with him to the steps. When they had reached our side Gorcy smiled and turned back to the crowd. "First we shall in graft these two into our family. They are seeking to join with us of their own free will. Taking up the road and wagon. Then not just their wedding but also Roger and Amelia will be having their wedding. Today will be remembered for a very long time." He turned to Raven and myself. "Shall we begin?"

Raven grabbed my hand and squeezed, "Please?" I answered for both of us.

Gorcy's smile grew, "Very well. We will have the in grafting first." He turned and produced a small book. "This book holds all the families, all the members, all the births and deaths of our families. It is a record of who is a part of our family. Today we will write your names in the line of Tulip. Joining your lives with ours. First the oaths." He smiled, "The oath is simple, yet it holds us together."

I looked over at Stain, nervous. He nodded and smiled, lending me encouragement.