Chapter 42

Marcie was inspecting some nails the blacksmith had brought out for her. She inspected Smithy's wares, because he always tried to sell her shoddy or half made goods.

The man himself stood brooding in the corner.

She placed another brittle nail on the work bench when Merrick came sprinting through the door,

"Marcie!" he gasped, panting for breath, "Come quick you'll never guess who's here!"

"What do you mean 'whos here" she asked, holding up another nail to the light.

"Traders!"

"Traders in winter? Don't be silly man"

"No really, they're Daygons"

Marcie froze, what on earth were Daygons doing in the village? And in the dead of winter! The forest was impassable at this time so how?

"Where did you see them?" Smithy asked, his interest peaked,

"South entrance, by the Hunters houses"

Marcie suddenly had a terrible thought,

"Merrick, did you tell anyone else what you saw?" she asked,

He flushed, "Well...I was with Ryna when I saw them" he looked down at his feet,

Marcie ignored his discomfort, there were more important things to think about,

"Did Ryna tell anyone"

"Well, of course shes telling everyone, Roor needs to be notified" he said, still avoiding her eyes,

"Goddesses tits!" Marcie cried, she threw down the nails and ran out of the shop,

"What is it?" Merrick asked as he struggled to keep up with her,

"All they talk about is the war! Idiots will probably start a fight! On neutral ground!"

"What...are you talking about" Merrick said before he had to stop and bend double to get his breath back.

Marcie carried on without him, her legs pounded upon the icy ground.

She arrived at the Hunters homes and did not need to search very far to find the second group of strangers to breach the villages protection within only a few months.

A small group of people was gathered around three majestic horses.

Easily larger than Aldren's beasts, they were the purest white, seeming to glow their coats were so brilliant, the riders wore no saddle or stirrups, but sat upon their bare back, a single piece of fine gold lace around their necks with which the riders held.

Upon the horses sat two men and one woman, or at least, they appeared to be. All three of them were indescribably beautiful. Their skin nearly matched the horses in purity, although not so pale it contrasted greatly with their hair which was the darkest black Marcie had ever seen.

Dara's scales were shiny black and reflected what ever light was available,which was why she gave him his name. These beings, their hair appeared to swallow the light. The woman's hair was cut short while the men's hair was long and trailed down their backs

Their faces varied but all were long and expressionless, their irises were all black, to match their hair and they wore warpaint. The woman had black painted around her eyes that appeared to be dripping down her cheeks, while both of the men sported a large hand print in bright red upon the left side of their face.

Despite the cold they wore only the most basic of clothing. Black dyed leather in simple vests that left their arms bare and tight fitted trousers with knee high boots. They all sported a few leather bands up their arms with brightly coloured feathers.

And all three of them had a sword on their left side, a knife at their right and a bow and quiver at their backs.

Marcie caught her breath and scanned the creatures and the people near them, she could see no sign of Aldren, Jin or Sebastian, so she squared her shoulders and marched past the onlookers to stand in front of the woman.

She guessed that her face markings being different to the others and that the two men flanked her meant she was the leader.

"State your business here" she asked, as rudely as she dared.

The woman peered down at her, then she turned back to her companions and said something to them in a sing song language that went up and down in pitch before turning back to Marcie.

"We wish to speak to The Great Healer who dwells in The Forgotten forest at the end of the world" she said in heavily accented old language.

Marcie was surprised, but she responded in kind,

"The village is considered neutral territory" she warned,

The onlookers watched the goings on with bated breath.

"Our people may be at war but we are not" said the Daygon dismissively with a wave of her hand,

"Do I have your word?" Marcie asked suspiciously,

The woman looked at her closely, and the corner of her mouth twitched in amusement.

She raised two fingers of her right hand to her lips then placed them on her right shoulder,

"I swear to you" she said,

Marcie nodded, accepting the strange sign as a pronouncement of good intent,

"Follow me, I shall take you to Dafne" she said.

The woman nodded, then indicated to her followers with a flick of her hand, the horses moved without a sound or any visible prompting,

Marcie led them deeper into the village, all the while keeping a close eye out.

She thought they were safe as they cleared the village and found the path that led towards Dafne's home, when she heard a cry behind them.

She didn't think, she just ran to intercept Aldren and jin and Sebastianas they marched towards the Daygons.

Aldren didn't even seem to see her when she stood in front of him,

"Aldren stop" she said firmly, holding her hands up in a placating gesture,

"Get out of my way Marcie" he said, eyes fixed on his enemy.

He took a step forward, probably expecting her to move out of his way, instead she placed her hands on his chest and stopped him dead in his tracks.

He looked at her in surprise and tried to push against her.

She did not move.

The female Daygon turned back to her companions and said something that caused the two men to laugh.

Jin caught the perceived insult and charged forward. Marcie turned away from Aldren in time to kick Jins legs out from under him, causing him to slam face first into the dirt.

She turned back to Aldren , keeping half an eye on Sebastian as well,

"Stop this now" she demanded, "They come peacefully, this is neutral ground"

"Do you know what they are? What they have done" Aldren said, speaking right over her, his chest rose and fell rapidly, his hands were clenched by his side.

"I know what they are, I know what you say they have done. They have done nothing to disrupt the peace like you wish to do now" she said desperately.

She spied Jin get off the ground, and rushed to intercept him, holding him back she saw his eyes were wild and far seeing, she did not think he heard her when she called his name.

Desperate,she looked over at Sebastian who's expression was hard but not as blood crazed as the others.

She caught his eye,

"They are armed, swords, knives and bows" she told him,

He glared at her then looked to the Daygons. Seeing the truth of her words he recognised the threat just as Marcie hoped he would.

He caught Aldren's arm and pulled him down whispering urgently, Aldren growled a reply, but listened all the same, gradually the fire left his eyes and he surveyed the intruders.

Marcie longed to hear what was being said but Jin was struggling so much, she used a little of her Dragon given strength and shoved him to the floor again. Before he could get back up, Sebastian yanked his arms behind his back and hauled him to his feet,

"Leave it" he ordered, and he and Aldren dragged the crazed man away. At the end of the path Aldren turned back and fixed Marcie with a cold look and she feared he would never forgive her for this.

The Daygons had not moved. They appeared to have watched the show without batting their incredibly long eyelashes. Such confidence put Marcie on edge.

The woman watched her closely,

"You would jeopardise your relation with those men to protect them from us?" she said quizzically, tilting her head to one side.

Marcie shrugged, "They make interesting company" she said, "Shall we?" she indicated the path and proceeded on wards to Dafne's home,

"I did not know the forgotten allowed outsiders within their midst"one of the men said,

"They were explorers lost in the forest" Marcie explained, "They are staying here until the snow clears and they can have a trader escort them back"

She glanced at the silent horses that were so different to the two Aldren had bought with him,

"Speaking of which" she said, hesitantly, unsure how to phrase her question,"The forgotten forest is nigh impassable even in the midst of summer, how is it that you made it here and on horse back as well?"

There was a lengthy pause.

"We are Daygon" came the reply,

Well.

Dafne's hillside home came into view and one of the male Daygons let out a sigh,

"It is like home" he said with a small smile,

It was undoubtedly pretty, despite the cold the small stream flowed relentlessly and an areas of a few feet around the door was completely free of snow.

No wonder they say Dafne is a witch.

Marcie used the knocker to rap just once. The Daygon dismounted and stood in a formal way next to their mounts.

A few minutes passed.

Eventually the great door swung open and Dafne stepped out onto the stepping stones in all her glory.

Immediately the Daygon all fell to one knee, they raised their right hands, placed them on their lips then placed them on their foreheads.

"Mi'calla Dafne" the woman said, head bowed, "We of the Tre'buine do humbly prostrate ourselves before your home and beg an audience with you"

Dafne stared at the strangers through narrowed eyes, she glanced at Marcie who just shrugged.

"I ere ya Lea'ter, an audience is granted. Come on in out the cold will ya" Dafne growled,

The Daygon rose from their crouch, they looked, to Marcie, to be relieved. What could be so important that they seek out Dafne?

Marcie followed the Daygon in, Dafne just nodded at her and she took that as approval.

The main treatment room that usually only housed a bed was now dominated by a large bleached wood table, five chairs stood around the table, two on one side, three on the other.

Marcie chose not to question the change in furniture but followed Dafne's lead and sat on one of the two chairs while the Daygon were left the other three.

Once seated the Daygon focused all their attention on The Witch. It was unsettling how they all moved in unison.

Dara watched all the goings on through Marcie's eyes, he was fascinated by these people who did not look like people and yet also apprehensive, as though he sensed something she did not.

The female Daygon spoke first, Marcie knew her to be the leader of the group now, and wondered how she had attained the position? Was it common for woman to hold titles like men in their society?

"Mi'calla, we know of your reputation. We also know that you do not leave your forest in any event. However we must beg you to journey with us now, to return with us to our home where your expertise are urgently required" The woman was so intent her whole body seemed to thrum with energy.

Dafne sat back in her chair, she crossed her arms,

"I know you Daygon got your own gifts to deal with anythin that comes your way. What makes you think ah could do better huh?" she said,raising an eyebrow,

"Please Mi'calla" the woman said, leaning forward she placed her clasped hands on the table in front of her, her eyes flicked to Marcie and back, she lowered her voice,

"It concerns the Kes'koon" she said,

Dafne's eyes went wide, her pupils contracted, she sucked in a breath and held it, her whole body going rigid.

"Marcie, go get our guests some tea" she said weakly,

Marcie opened her mouth to argue but Dafne turned to her, she actually looked afraid,

"Please Marcie"

And it was the fear in her eyes that sent Marcie to the back rooms to gather some tea cups.

She itched to listen in, her hearing was so good now that it would require little effort on her part. However she respected Dafne too much, also, it was none of her business.

She climbed down two sets of ruff cut stone stairs till she reached the lower rooms. Here the voices were nothing more than a low murmur.

Despite the cellar being infinetly colder than the cosy upper rooms she potted around for a long time. She examined all the different herbs in their special jars, she ground up some nutmeg and slipped it in her pocket for home. She tried the locked door next tot eh shelves experimentally but found it as firmly shut as always.

The murmuring stopped and she climbed the stairs back into the blessed warmth.

Dafne was sitting at the table alone. She held a piece of parchment in front of her which she hastily rolled up when Marcie entered the room.

"Found the tea" Marcie said holding up two full tea cups, "Or I got somethin stronger" she said with a grin and held up a small opaque glass bottle filled with pale cloudy green liquid.

Dafne's aged face cracked into a smile, she laughed.

"Marcie, you sure now how to cheer an old gal up" she said,

She patted the chair next to her,

"Come sit, lets break that old bottle open yeah?"