The Sage Seed Chronicles: The Unraveling (18 page)

She wiggled forward until her head and
shoulders were totally in the hole. She stretched as far as she
could and it wasn’t quite enough. Wiggling forward she reached as
far as she could, fingers splayed out in full extension. Yes! She
could just grab Tempo by the scruff of the neck. “Got him. Pull us
out!” With a long tug Erin was out to her forearms and she was able
to lift Tempo back to the surface. He was covered with dirt and had
rocks and mud in his fur but he was back on the ground!

The rest of the wagon had halted when they
saw Lor stop and jump off of his wagon. Erin was brushing the
debris from the little skunks fur after he shook to get some out of
his ears and around his eyes. ‘Are you hurt any where?’

‘No, I’m fine. I’m not going to look for food
in those cracks again! That was very, very scary! I could feel the
ground move and getting tighter around me.’ He was trembling as she
picked him up.

“He is fine. I’ll bet he won’t go hunting
near those ground splits again. Sorry to delay you.” she said to
the guild members.

“Nonsense!” said Kennet. “How many times has
that little critter saved us from disaster by his early warning?”
Several heads nodded in agreement. Erin climbed onto the wagon seat
with Tempo and the whole caravan started in motion again. The rest
of the afternoon Erin groomed the little skunk and got all of the
debris out of his coat. Even the pads of his feet and his long
claws had received attention with Erin’s soft cloth! It made both
of them feel better to remove the remnants of the near disaster
from Tempo’s body. He was very comfortably clean and his coat
gleaming by the time they stopped for the night.

They set up their camp on the Pastarham
plains in early evening. They would need to be back on the road at
dawn to arrive at Terresville, a town the size of Wellyn, by mid
morning. In the distance there was a blur on the horizon that was
probably a herd of cattle. There were some clouds but it didn’t
look like it was going to storm tonight. That would be good as they
all could use a good nights sleep.

Erin had seen Keir earlier, riding the
thermals while hunting. There was barely any light left when she
caught sight of the Merlin flying, behind the train, just skimming
the ground. At the last moment, Keir slipped up under the eaves of
Lor’s wagon. ‘Slick flying, my friend!’ she told him with a
smile.

She had groomed Kennet’s and Lor’s horses and
checked them for any injury or strain. Being cautious, she also
made a point to stop by each team, as they grazed, tethered near
the wagons. She mentally spoke to each one urging them to remain
calm if the ground shook again.

The rolling prairie was peaceful with only
the sound of crickets and frogs interrupting the silence. Tempo was
out stalking some of those delectable noise makers. He was keeping
relatively close to camp and in mental contact with Erin. Nuit was
also hunting and keeping an eye out for any people in the area.
Returning to Lor’s fire she saw that they were eating alone that
night.

Lor had made a stew from some of their finely
chopped nuts and a lot of vegetables. It smelled great. Erin had
been given some flat bread by Tassy. They ate in silence, both of
them lost in thought. All of a sudden Erin had goose-bumps on her
arms and she looked over at Lor. He had a look on his face that was
both concentrated and vacant. After a moment he blinked and looked
over at Erin. She made a motion of rubbing her hand down her
sleeve, indicating that she knew he had been silently
communicating. He gave a slight nod, in acknowledgment, stood and
stretched. “I’ll be right back, I need to speak to Alliz briefly”
he said and Erin gave him a wave. She watched him start across the
open area to Alliz’s wagon.

He hadn’t even made it to her wagon when the
Great One spoke in her mind. “Erin, this is Gyan. I have been
looking into what we spoke about. I am not all knowing but there
are areas of data I can get to, though it is very difficult. I have
never tried to access this information, let alone interfered in
this area before. I do not know who or what is responsible but we
have a definite decrease in our realm’s skunk population. Since
they eat a lot of bugs, larva and the like, they help hold those
populations in check. The skunk numbers are not as dire as the sage
population but I would like Tempo to know that he could help his
population recover when mating season comes. It is usually in late
winter but sometimes, when the species numbers are low, the
female’s time comes a little earlier. Ree has found only one skunk
in her area. It is a young female skunk and it is under her
protection. There are also skunks in the woods northwest of
Sherroton and near my home in Khanlund. Tell Tempo not to worry but
to take care on himself.”

Erin thought about what Gyan had said. “I
will pass on your information to Tempo. I know that he has been
distressed because he could not find any of his kind.”

Gyan responded to her. “He has every right to
be concerned. There are no other skunks in the region you have been
traveling. There should be. Hopefully he can locate some where I
indicated. He needs to be very careful otherwise we can lose him
also.”

“Lor has a name to check in the record hall
of Terresville and Sherroton, that will help us piece together
information about the individuals killing our people. Take heart.
We are in danger but there are plans being put together.” Gyan
concluded.

Erin immediately spoke from her heart. “Can I
be of any help in stopping these people, Great One?”

“Erin we do not have our plan complete but if
it works that you can help I will call on you.” she thanked him
then felt him leave her thoughts.

Looking across the way she saw that Lor was
still with Alliz. She called softly to her companions, “Did
everyone follow that conversation?” She got three affirmative
replies. “Tempo, if at any time you want to leave our fellowship I
would understand.” The little skunk came scampering around the back
of the wagon to her. He put his soft front paws on her knee and,
standing on his hind legs. looked into her face. “I appreciate your
understanding” he said, “but I may be able to do both tasks and
that is the option I would prefer. They’re hurting both of our
families. Let’s see if we can stop the bad people first. ”

There was a Whoo-woo in agreement at the
same time that Keir said softly in her head, “That is the first
task. The little one is right. All other plans are secondary!”

They were up at dawn and moving. Lor, Erin
and Tempo ate their cereal of berries, grains and nuts on the wagon
seat while making time on the road. The goal was to be in
Terresville by mid morning at the latest. While they were riding
they shared with each other information that the Great One had
given them. Lor had a friend who worked in the City archives in
town. He was going to briefly see her as soon as they got into
town. Lor could not run his booth and get the information, they
needed, from the archives at the same time. He had known this woman
for several years and trusted her, intuitively. Erin shared that
the Great One had taken the trouble to look into the skunk
population. His information was reassuring in that they knew where
there were others. Tempo wanted to stay with her as a companion at
least until ‘the bad people’ were stopped.

The caravan made good time and they pulled
into Terresville a bit earlier than expected. The wagons arranged
themselves in the field just to the south west near the old foot
bridge. Lor’s wagon was the farthest one out but in no way
isolated. Flar’s was close by. The booths were set up and ready for
the gather to start. Erin tucked Tempo into the back of the wagon.
It was most important that he not draw any attention to himself so
close to Erin’s home territory. She had almost completed the large
circular sweep back to the area where she used to live. They were
assuming that it was also the home ground of the murders. Extra
caution was important!

Lor had Erin arranging the glow stones as he
went to the city’s ‘center’ building. Erin kept busy with
connecting the pedestals to the stored energy from the solar panels
and placing the stones to give their best light and color. Lor
wasn’t long and soon all Erin had to do was check the animals then
she was off to buy a hot cheese blintz.

Even though Terresville was a smaller town
the crowd was heavy and Cob was doing a brisk business. Erin had
her ‘door’ open. She mingled through the crowd listening to the
friendly chatter. Children were running around and the whole
festive atmosphere was just as to be expected. The conversation was
about the quakes, the fall weather and the interesting goods
displayed. She did not ‘hear’ anything from the seeker and did not
see Targ or Wras in the crowd.

It was just past mid day when she sensed a
friendlier ‘vibration’. It wasn’t a shout like from the ‘seeker’
but was a sort of a smiling tap on her shoulder. Erin had just put
the last bite of cheese blintz in her mouth as she casually turned,
trying to locate the source. It was barely a whisper of a
sensation. Not strong enough for the seeker to sense but more like
the careful level of talk she had with her companions. She was
drawn back in the direction of Lor’s and Flar’s wagons. She stopped
at Kennet’s wagon. There was a break in the crowd and Erin had
something to ask him that she had been thinking about. She could
survey the crowd as she spoke to him.

“How are you, lad? It is a great day for the
gather!” he said cheerfully.

Erin grinned back then nodded toward his
table. “I am great but I have a question for you. Do you have glove
leather? I am interested in getting some gloves and I don’t know
the cost or who could make them. Could you tell me?”

Kennet paused to consider.“Well now, lad,
that is a good thought. With all that you do a pair of gloves would
come in right handy. There are people who make gloves. They are
usually in the towns or cities and we do not stop anywhere long
enough for them to be made for you. They take a bit of careful
stitching or they chaff or bind between the fingers or across the
hands. I have some apprentice samples to show. Let’s see what size
you would wear.” and he started to sort through a box of garment
samples. He pulled out several gloves. Some were fancy but others
were regular gloves you would wear for general work. Erin dutifully
tried on gloves he handed to her. Most were big but there were a
couple that could work. He pulled out the last two out of his box
and said, “Any of those fit?”

“These two aren’t bad,” she indicated the
small pile in front of her.

“This one would be too big” he said and put
it back in the box. She put on the last set. “This pair fits pretty
good. So I would be this size.”

“Okay, I’ll make note of that and get back to
you tonight. Here come some more customers.” He smiled and nodded
as she turned to get out of the way of the oncoming people.

“Thanks, Kennet,” she said and waved to him
as she walked away toward Lor’s.

She could still feel, through her ‘door’ the
presence of the low level thought. The source was in the direction
she was going. She passed the tinker’s display and waved. At Flar’s
wagon she paused to listen with her mind and her ears. The
sensation she was getting in her mind remained the same. What she
was hearing was more talk about the weather and quakes. A few
people wanted herbal mixes for colds and rheumatism. Erin drifted
back to Lor’s wagon. As she passed the wagon she peered into the
tailgate. Tempo looked up at her but she put her fingers to her
lips then touched her forehead and brushed her ear. Tempo got the
message and remained silent but was in her mind listening. Erin
moved on, following the mental touch. She stood on the far side,
away from the city and surveyed the crowd. Lor looked up in inquiry
but she just inperceptively shook her head then brushed her ear. He
went on talking to customers but kept her in sight.

The tone of the emotion suddenly changed to
joy and delight. It seemed to be near. ‘Erin, it is good to see
you! You have gotten stronger, dear heart.’ It was all she could do
to be casual as she turned her head and saw Ree standing at the
edge of the wooded road from the foot bridge. The wise woman was
dressed in her favorite russet colors but in an attempt to be
subdued and not stand out had on a brown shawl instead of her
favorite scarlet one. She carried a basket on her arm as did many
of the shoppers in the crowd. Her face was warm with love as she
smiled at the ‘scruffy boy’.

Erin strode over to her in welcome and
grasped her hands then gave her a brief hug. “It is so good to see
you Ree. You are not putting yourself in danger are you?”

Ree looked at Erin. She pulled the hat off
and ruffled Erin’s roughly shorn head in affection. She said, “I‘m
careful. Do you hear them? I don’t.” Erin cocked her head at her.
“I have never heard Targ”, she said quietly, “only the other two
and we are not sure if they are working alone. They may have
confederates. It wasn’t one of those three who tried to kill
Tempo.”

Ree nodded. “Your point is well taken. I
traveled here only to see you and have watchers with me. We’ll
discretely visit then I’ll go back home. It is important that I
talk with you. There is a little bench over by that tree. We will
be in view of Lor but just beyond the edge of the crowd. Keir is
there watching. Erin escorted the old woman courteously, as a well
mannered boy ought, to the bench so she could sit down. Ree spoke
softly, even though no one should have been close enough to
hear.

“I was saddened and alarmed to hear of the
loss of so many. Gyan has contacted all of us remaining. Your
original description of the poison and his further bits of
information has gotten me puzzling out what it might have as
ingredients and if there is anything we can do. With the shovel
handle it might have been difficult to tell but was there, perhaps
a slight sheen?” Erin thought back. “Maybe. It wasn’t sticky like
pitch from trees or honey which would have trapped a lot of dirt
quickly.” Ree nodded as if that confirmed a thought she had. “I
believe part of the ingredients came from the sea. Fish slime could
be the sticky ingredient. The oily smell could also be from fish.
There are several toxic things that could be added. The combination
to bring about the high fevers had to be carefully calculated. I
imagine several animals died before the ‘seeker’ had worked out the
formula. I don’t have an antidote but I do have something that
might help, particularly if applied very shortly after
contact.”