Chapter 10
Sara gave out a small chuckle at the idea of 'morning.' The only difference between when she went to sleep and now was the inch of snow on the ground. It was still dark. She was surprised that she was able to sleep. She thought for sure with everything going through her mind, and that feeling of doom sleep would elude her, but as the night went on that feeling seemed to lift and she was able to get to sleep. She could tell that the rest of the squad was not feeling the gloom anymore either. The squad members began talking amongst themselves again. Somehow, during the night, the dark cloud that had befallen the squad left them. More than gone, it was now replaced with a feeling happiness. Sara could feel it but had no explanation for it.
The squad made short work of picking up camp, and they were on their way again. Sara worried the snow would make the trail hard to follow, but the Woodsman seemed to have no problem. As they rode on, she took the time just to look around at the surroundings. The snow was still gently falling, but she could tell it would not last. They were passing through a section of woods that had both deciduous and evergreen trees. She thought how pretty they were with the snow collecting in their branches. She had seen decorated town halls that were not as beautiful as these trees. She found that she was feeling hopeful about the mission. Their guide was proving himself every day and hopefully by nightfall she would have taken care of the wounded. Whatever gloom she was feeling yesterday disappeared, and in its place was hope and joy.
The Woodsman was not letting up their pace. By the time the sun crested up over the horizon, the snow had stopped falling. They moved on with only minor conversation. Even the wounded seemed to be in better spirits and were joking about being able to defeat the best the Emos army could throw at them from their beds.
It was just before high noon when, as they crested a ridge, that the Woodsman announced that they were no longer in the Wren Clan territory and that it was safe for Private Corval to talk again. It only added to the mood of the squad, and when they finally stopped to eat, Private Corval was inundated with questions about why the Wren Clan hated the Wood-folk. Even Sara wanted to know more.
"I tell you, I have never heard of 'de Wren Clan so I have no idea why 'dey would hate us so," Corval said. "But 'dere is the story of Ernestine and Cho-Wren."
"Ernestine and Cho-Wren?" Colonel Holmes asked.
"Yes, it is one of 'de stories we tell our young," she said. When it was clear that everyone was waiting for her to tell the story, she said, "Now Listen! You see in 'de early days, 'dere were a few families trying to live in 'dese woods. Among 'dem was Ernestine and Cho-Wren. One year, Cho-Wren had had a very bad year and didn't have enough food put away for winter for herself and her family. Although Ernestine didn't have an abundance, she shared with Cho-Wren and together 'de made it 'drough 'de winter. Well 'de very next year, Ernestine had a bad year and didn't have enough food. She went to Cho-Wren, knowing 'dat she had had a very good year. However, even 'dough Cho-Wren had more 'dan enough, she refused to share. Well 'dis goes against our beliefs, so Ernestine when to 'de other townspeople and 'dey all agreed 'dat it was not right. So 'dey all joined together and exiled Cho-Wren and her family out of 'de community. 'Dat is why we Wood-folk always return the action that others do for us." Corval paused, thinking for a minute. "But 'dis is just an old fairy tale told to children."
Holms said, "The basis for many old fairy tales is a grain of truth, maybe the Wren Clan are the descendants of Cho-Wren and her family. If Cho-wren felt like it was unjust to expel her, then it would explain the animosity. How long ago did Ernestine live?"
Corval had a look of surprise on her face. "Ernestine and Arno are just tales 'dat we tell children. 'Dey teach us how to live in our community and how to survive in 'de woods. As a child, I was fascinated by 'de stories but as an adult, I never 'dought 'dat Ernestine and Arno were real people." She paused before adding, "If 'dey were once real, it would have been long, long ago, before anyone can remember."
Holms said, "Well if they were real and that story is why the Wren Clan hate the Wood-folk, then I would say those people know how to hold a grudge."
Everyone listening gave a chuckle at the statement.
Finally, Topher said, "Alright that is enough of the morality tales for now. We have a lot of riding to do still today so let us mount up."
As everyone started putting away their packs and mounting their horses, Sara was thinking about the Wood-folk. She found the story of Ernestine and Cho-Wren interesting. Not for the story or how it could explain why the Wren Clan hated the Wood-folk. It was interesting to her how the Wood-folk society operated. Did they tell their children these stories as a way to educate them and teach them how to live as a member of their society? If so, it was an interesting way to do it. If it was, then she suspected that they did not have schools for their children.
As she thought all this, she put her pack away and mounted up. She rode off, in thought wondering about the Wood-folk.
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