The Complete Trilogy by David J Normoyle

Author:David J Normoyle [Normoyle, David J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: David J Normoyle

Chapter 31

Day 23

“Come over here and help me—don’t be sitting there like a useless lump,” Jakelin said.

Bowe was used to the old man’s ways by now and didn’t take offense. He went to the corner of the room where Jakelin was making himself tea. “What do you need?”

“There’s a box over there in the corner with several vials in it. I want you to find the one with a brown grass-like substance and the one with a dark red powder.”

Bowe opened the indicated box. There were many vials inside the box with various herbs and powders. Bowe wondered what they could all be for as he fingered through them until he found the ones that Jakelin had asked for. They didn’t look like ordinary herbs. “I have them.”

“Put a pinch of the red powder and two grass stems in the tea here.”

Bowe began to do as he was bid.

“Not too much now, whatever you do.”

Jakelin’s interruption almost caused Bowe to jerk too much powder into the tea, but he managed the task correctly in spite of the man’s overzealous instructions.

When he was finished, Jakelin stirred the tea and drank it down in two long gulps. “Now I’m ready. Hold out your arm. I’ll need you to guide me on a visit. It’s been too long.”

Bowe held out his arm and guided Jakelin outside and through the village. As he did so, he noticed the expression on the old man’s face become more serene. Jakelin smiled as if he was happy for the first time since Bowe had met him.

“What was in those vials?” Bowe asked. “Strong stuff, it seems.”

“I probably shouldn’t take so much,” Jakelin said. “It should be okay if I only take it rarely, though. The feeling of the sun’s warmth on one’s face is a beautiful one, isn’t it?”

It was actually a cloudy day, and Jakelin had been out in much warmer days recently and scowled at the sun like it was the cause of all his woes. Whatever he’d taken had been more than strong—it had changed Jakelin into a whole new person.

They reached a house with a tidy garden outside, and Jakelin pulled Bowe to a stop. “They’ll offer you food and drink in there, but do not accept anything except tea or water.”

He indicated for Bowe to continue, and Bowe opened the little gate and led Jakelin up the path. When they reached the doorstep, Bowe knocked and the door was answered by a middle-aged woman whose black hair was streaked with gray.

“I hope I’m not disturbing you, Kara,” Jakelin said.

She beamed. “Marshal Jakelin, you do us a great honor. Come in, you’re most welcome. And your helper, too.” She nodded to Bowe.

The house was spotlessly clean. Bowe and Jakelin followed her into the kitchen where a man sat at the table. He rose when they entered and slapped Jakelin on the shoulder. “Why, you old rogue, how have you been keeping? Still living it large, I hope.”

“No, Middleton, that was never my style.”

“Nonsense.” Middleton turned to Bowe.

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