Ravenwood by Nathan Lowell Read Free Book Online Page B

properties of the willow hadn’t yet taken effect. “That’s a good idea, mum. I think I will.”
    “We’re going to take Megan away and let you sleep on your own now. Will you be alright by yourself, do you think?”
    Sadie nodded sleepily. “Yes, mum. That will be fine.”
    Tanyth nodded to Megan and the two of them left the hut. “You probably have your own work to attend to this afternoon, yeah?”
    Megan nodded. “Indeed I do, mum. And thank you.”
    She smiled in return and gave the younger woman an encouraging nod. They separated, Megan heading to her hut, gathering her children as she went. Tanyth headed for the Mapleton’s door and some food that her stomach assured her would be most welcome.
    In spite of the fresh breakfast, she missed her morning oatmeal and lunch was a very attractive notion.

 
    Chapter 5
An Unexpected Invitation
    After a light lunch of bread, cheese, and fresh tomatoes from the small patch behind the hut, Tanyth returned to Mother Alderton’s to begin the long process of sorting through the jars, crocks, and packets on the shelves. It was a legacy of sorts that belonged to the village, and Tanyth felt drawn to discover what might be useful in the collection. Unlike the dusty, dried materials, which held little value beyond fireplace tinder, these jars and packages might still hold potency, depending on what she found and how it was made.
    She spent a pleasant afternoon sorting through the collection and discovered blocks of bee’s wax, small crocks of various salves and ointments, as well as a collection of dried and powdered materials. One crock on the floor held sweet olive oil. She also found a couple of bottles of neutral spirits as well as two well sealed bottles of lamp oil. Each jar, bottle, or packet was labeled neatly in a firm–if sometimes thin and spidery–hand. There was even a small alembic for distilling essential oils from various herbs. Tanyth concluded that Mother Alderton could have taught her a lot and she offered a prayer to the All-Mother in the late woman’s name.
    The shifting light from outside reminded her that the days grew shorter very quickly and that the current one was fading fast. She pulled her bedroll from its lashings under her pack and eyed the cot dubiously. The rope webbing didn’t look that comfortable with just a thin bedroll to pad it and she was of half a mind to sleep outdoors when Riley came up to the door and hallooed.
    “Mum? I’ve yer tick here. Ma had me’n the other kids fillin’ it up with sweet grass all af’ernoon!”
    She looked up to see the boy, surrounded by his pack, dragging a canvas ticking with odd bulges. She smiled at the flushed and sweaty faces. “Thank you, all!” She waved an arm to invite them in.
    The small tribe of children–she counted five but it seemed like many more–wrestled the heavy canvas bag of sweet grass through the low doorway and onto the bed frame in the corner. Riley was the largest and eldest by what looked like a year. There were a pair of tow headed twins–a boy and a girl–next in line and then a couple of younger children who regarded her shyly through dark eyes. They were all nut brown and infused with the puppy-like energy of small and healthy children. They were also covered with grass litter and other assorted grimes. Tanyth smiled and remembered her own Robert, fondly this time–without her normal pang of regret.
    Riley gave the corner of the straw-filled mattress one last tug into place and smiled up at her. “There you go, mum. Bestest tick in the village!”
    “Thank you, Riley. I do appreciate the help you and your friends have given me.” Tanyth beamed around at the flushed and sweat smeared faces smiling up at her.
    Riley stepped into the silence. “Alright, you lot! Out!” He waved his arms toward to the door as if shooing chickens and they all pelted for the open door way. In an instant they whooped and hollered outside, running off toward the barn.
    Tanyth