The Serpent Lord by E. M. Scott

Author:E. M. Scott
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Brown Dog Books

CHAPTER 13

Arrival

There was just a dim glow of light left when Marcus led the party of travelers over the crest of the path and into the Middle Valley. Pixey was asleep, nestled in the sling that he had tied around him. She seemed to settle as they left the Western Valley, perhaps sensing some familiarity near her birthplace.

About a mile down into the Middle Valley they entered the great evergreen forest. Here they stopped for a brief rest. The forest was filled with holly, yew, pine and some very tall trees that Ariella had never encountered before. Wrapped in a blanket under one of these tall trees, she sat mesmerised.

“What are these trees?” she asked The Magician, who was sitting close by. His sadness was interrupted momentarily by her genuine interest.

“They are called sequoias in their native land,” he answered. “When people of our land are sent out on quests to find and protect the wisdom of the world, they also collect seeds and plants to preserve them as well. Things don’t always take, but these trees have.”

Ariella looked up again. The trees seemed to reach higher than the mountains.

The Magician smiled at Ariella’s wonder. “They are only babies. They grow much taller and live as long as the yews. Here,” he handed her a cone from the tree, “its seed, keep it, and then you can plant it one day.”

Ariella took the cone. She turned it over and over in her hand and then looked up at the trees again. How could this small brown parcel of a cone grow into the magnificent trees that she gazed up at in the fading light?

Marcus’s men were very efficient and experienced in the woods. In no time they had a small fire going and were brewing tea. Marcus sat down beside the fire. Pixey’s little feet and front paws stretched out of both ends of his sling. She was becoming restless and wanted to get out. Marcus caught Eva’s eye. She registered his worry about letting Pixey roam free in the dusk light.

“Not more than a few steps away from Marcus,” Eva sent.

Pixey stopped still for a moment on hearing Eva’s words.

“I’ve told her not to roam,” Eva reassured Marcus.

Morgan watched as the tea brewed and the men started to pass out hot steaming mugs. It was strange smelling tea with a hint of lavender, but not unpleasant. She brought a mug over to Ariella who was still taking a good look at her sequoia cone in the dim light.

“Here.” Morgan handed Ariella the mug.

Ariella looked up. “Oh, thanks.” She was not quite sure if Morgan had brought the tea out of friendship or duty.

Morgan stayed standing by Ariella and looked around. She breathed in the wood smoke from the tiny fire. “I love this,” she said to Ariella. “This is what my father and I used to do as we travelled. You, your horse and” …Morgan’s voice cracked.

“Your dog.” Ariella finished Morgan’s sentence for her. “I’m sorry Morgan. I never meant for you to be separated from Sona.

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