[Arry]

Wulfham

Though they were tired, the thought of spending the night in the dead village did not sit well with any of the companions. Brand asked Leod if he knew of a place some ways south, where they could camp for a day, do a little hunting and fishing to replenish their food supplies and then move on from there.

Leod considered the question as they helped him pack up what he needed . . . his herbs and potions and unguents and other odds and ends of those sorts of things common to a healer. With his permission, they also gathered up some of the vegetables from his garden to take along.

When they were done, he thought perhaps he could show them a place where he went during certain times of the year to gather the wild plants that hid in the forested places along the river and would not be tamed to grow in his garden. The night was brisk as they rode out. Unclouded, the moon and stars shone down bright. With Leod in the lead, the horses picked their way along the uneven ground with a fair ease.

He led them a goodly distance to a little glade set in a small grove grown thick with cottonwoods very near the river. There was an old fire pit, ringed with stones in the center of it where they built a little fire to ward off the cold. After a simple late supper of dried meat, apples from Leod’s place, as well a loaf of whole grained meal washed down with a cup or two of chamomile tea, they were ready for sleep.

Brand took the first watch, inviting the dog they’d found to share it with him . . .