It was not the first time the glade had seen the company of men. Aranuir paused at the edge of a small, grassy open space. In the center was a ring of small boulders, enclosing a makeshift hearth. Outside the ring were crude stone chairs each made of a thick flat stone for sitting and another longer thinner flat stone as the chair’s back.
The center of the hearth was thick with spring grass. There had not been fires here for many years. Aranuir speculated it could have been a hunting camp once used by the Eotheod, just a half day away.
In any event, it was what he needed, what Wulfric needed. Aranuir tied off the horses. He undid the knots holding Wulfric to his steed. The young man slumped to the ground. Aranuir dragged him over to one chair and propped him up, then loosely tied his torso the back of the chair.
Aranuir found ample kindling and deadfall. Within minutes he had a fire going and a kettle on the boil. From his saddle bag he drew a pouch of dried soup. Back at his homestead in the Angle, he spent time making bone broths from chicken and beef. Allowed to carefully boil dry, they were readily reconstituted, with whatever other herbs, roots or meat he had on hand.
It would just be broth today. He sprinkled some into a metal cup, added hot water and crouched next to Wulfric lifting the cup to his mouth. The fragrance of the broth brought Wulfric to a hazy consciousness. He took a small sip, then two more. His eyed opened a bit and he reached for the cup, then drained it.
Aranuir placed his palm on his head. Wulfric’s fever had eased. The wounds on the side of his face were no longer oozing. The bandage over his damaged arm showed no fresh blood. It had dried as he’d hoped. The arm now began a long healing process.
Wulfric was now munching on some dried apples and deer jerky. Aranuir smiled. The lad would live and live well. He proceeded to make a quick stew from more deer meat, potatoes and wild onions he spotted at the edge of the glade. He glanced over to Wulfric, who was slowly untying the ropes supporting him and evidencing interest in Aranuir’s cooking.
“It appears you will yet live, Wulfric” Aranuir smiled, handing him a bowl of stew.
Wulfric took his first clear look at the old man who had saved his life. Tall, thick but still muscular despite his age. His hair was a long white mane, his face bronzed and lined with creases and wrinkles. His movements were deliberate, yet efficient and confident.
“A long life indeed with more of this stew” Wulfric held out his bowl for seconds.
Araniur scooped up a healthy helping and handed it back.
“We will reach Framsburg tomorrow afternoon. I will leave you with your people.”
“They will come out to greet us well before the burg. It is their way” Wulfric smiled. The old man would be startled by the muster of horsemen surrounding them at the first farm.
Aranuir knew their ways. He remembered the day he arrived with his father Arahael and grandfather Aranarth one hundred forty years ago.
That day they had emerged from the woods bordering the first farms. They had gone barely a furlong when they heard, and felt the thrum of many hooves. Soon thirty heavily armed horsemen had swept out from behind a copse of trees by a far corn field. They quickly advanced, encircling them, spears pointed.
Words had been exchanged with their patrol leader who cocked his head in surprise, then laughed out loud and announced their privileged escort to the chieftain’s hall in Framsburg.
That night, he had watched quietly as the three old warriors shared their adventures together over a massive feast and flagons of ale. Hagar’s three sons and fourteen grandchildren were there, sharing in the remembrance.
He had not been there since, choosing to observe the Eotheod from afar on distance ridges as was his plan this year. Now that was for naught.
As to his welcome today, they would no doubt appreciate his efforts to save Wulfric. They would also be suspicious of his intentions in the uninhabited forests to their south. He would have to explain himself before they would set free one who had seen their land and its defenses.