Chapter Two

Vaek scratched at his ears under his cap, oh how he hated that cap. Admittedly it had been a gift from his mother, but it was so uncomfortable. It was made of soft leather and was slightly too big to fit. It had to be, in order to hide his ears. He had lost count of the times she had scolded him for removing it. Even at home, with no one to see him but their chickens clucking in the yard, removing the hat was a sure fire way to earn himself an early night with no dinner. He took it off anyway. She'll never know...

Shaded by a willow tree he smiled as he stepped into the brook that ran past the border of their smallholding. Clear water washed the days dust from his feet, the chill of it made him gasp. At least he had been allowed the day to himself to spend how he liked. Birthdays had some merit after all. It was mid Autumn, but the trees had not yet lost all their leaves. This far north the majority of trees were evergreen conifers, with a smattering of Oak and Ash groves. He had spent the morning practising with his throwing knife, he had actually managed to hit his targets well today.

Feeling pleased with himself he reached over and rummaged in the basket his mother had packed for him that morning. Most of the food was gone, replaced by a collection of plant cuttings from their gardens, along with a few from the forest. Birthday or not, tomorrow would see him up to his ears in scrolls, learning herb lore from Uncle Branel, if he learned well then he was to be taken on as an apprentice. Not that Branel was his real flesh-and-blood uncle, just a fond friend of his mothers. Every week he came to visit, to trade and exchange goods on the way to the village. Branel was a crafts man, his orchard was the most beautiful sight around during the spring. Besides carving furniture and tools he also knew the secrets of making rather excellent cider, or so Vaek’s father had told him, on the rare occasion when he was at home relaxing.

Now then, only one more seedcake left. Vaek unwrapped it from its cloth, then chewed on it thoughtfully. His Father was due to come home within the week, bringing tales of the situation along the border, and hopefully some supplies from the market some days travel away. Vaek had only been there on one occasion, not that he could remember, as it was when he was a new-born. Thirteen years. Thirteen years and all he had seen of the world was within a days ride on Branel’s cart.
He longed for stories and news of elsewhere with a hunger so strong it was almost an ache. Too curious by half, that was his trouble, and he was frequently told so by his Mother.

Having finished the seed cake, he decided to continue his stroll along the bank of the stream. Branel had mentioned a surprise for Vaek, but had asked him to collect supplies first. It was early afternoon, but he was still expected to be home in time for dinner that evening. Still, no point in rushing, and he knew a few places in the forest where the required plants grew. Standing, he stretched and shook out his clothes, picking leaves and dirt off his cloak. Typical of the local style, his brown baggy trousers were loose, and his tunic top reached almost to his knees. Once again, his mother had crafted them to serve a functional purpose, hiding his tail under several layers.

He dried his feet on his cloak and put his boots back on. Mother will kill me for getting mucky... Then setting off he checked a list of the items he had to find. As far as he was aware, the only similarity between them was that they were all a form of poison…