Waiting for Spring - Part I

Chapter Ten

My dearest Bryant

Herbalist Glendal arrived today. I told him he is needed in the field, but he is such a gentle and kind man. The baby is due in two moons he tells me. A boy he says, but I have a feeling it will be daughter. I know you will love her as much as you love me. He made me tea for the sleeping sickness as well, but he tells me that there is nothing to worry about. Winter is a good season for childbirth he tells me.

I wish you were here, my dearest Bryant. I hope for your safe return each passing day and I read all your letters every day. I long for the day they give word of your homecoming. I and our daughter will be waiting at the gates and we will have to name her.

Yours forever, your loving Anna

-A letter to her husband, Lady Anna of Ravenhill, Windsor.

An unfamiliar but gentle hand shook April's shoulder. Three days had passed. They had stayed one night in a farmer's old stable and two in a tavern hayloft. Pete had shared some stories about his life, but nothing interesting had happened.

"April, we're at my house now." The voice tickled her ears as she tried to open up her strained eyes. The red evening sun on the horizon dazzled her. She felt bemused. When she finally opened her eyes she noticed how Pete stood bent over her with his right hand on her left pouldrons, an anxious smile upon his lips.

"What?" April asked with bleary eyes trying to focus on the man. "Are we there yet?"

"We are, and I am afraid this is where you'll continue by foot. I'm sorry I had to wake you."

April was not pleased to hear those words. She sat up for a moment and was on the edge to fall back in the soft hay once again. How wonderful it would be to just go back to sleep.

"Have I slept all way?" she groused and made a weary face.

"Indeed, you have," the man chuckled.

"I'm sorry, I did not mean to... I mean-"

"It's all right; you did not pay to chat with me."

April stood up, feeling slightly less drained. Jumping down from the cart she reeled and put a hand on the wood, before brushing off some hay.

"I'll take my leave then. Thank you for the ride. It was kind of you," her words were bashful, yet amiable.

Pete grinned and stretched out his hand towards her. At first she just glared at it, unappreciative.

"Oh," the merchant chortled. "You are supposed to grab it. It's a sign of... Ehm. Well." A pause appeared before he continued. "Never mind."

April took his hand in hers and looked at the smiling man.

"Take care, April."

"You too, Pete."

The road was in better shape here than it had been at the periphery of Berry Forest. More and more trees assembled all around with bushes and other verdure. The lone hoot of an owl could be heard somewhere far away and the fervent song of grasshoppers even more so. The quite night felt murky and tranquil. It was not a forest even though the trees stood close, but it made April comfortable. It felt more apt and familiar.

Her boots tapped on the cobble as she walked uphill, the moon on ascent. She wondered how much longer she would have to walk before she would see the great wall of Highland Wall. Having slept almost all day in the gazing sunlight had made her more alert than before. She felt how she was ready to scale a mountain.