The Stewards of Reed, Volume 1: The Rise of Fallon by RM Wark Read Free Book Online

Colton, but the villagers are kind and trustworthy. Mostly fisherman, as I recall. This would be another good place to stock up on supplies.”
    Hammond studied the maps a bit longer.
    “Your next stop would be the Village of Norman, which borders the far eastern edge of the Taiga Forest. I have never traveled that far, but by these maps I judge it shall take four or five days to reach the village. Speak to the locals in Dawson as to whether there is a particular advantage to taking either the North or South Road around the forest to Norman.”
    “I think I shall prefer to take a path that goes through the forest instead. I may find that missing white deer of yours,” said Gentry in jest.
    His father’s response was swift and stern. “Do not make light of the forest, son. Not even the locals dare to venture far into the trees – at least they did not twenty years ago. One would think that a forest of white-barked trees would be simple to navigate – but the light plays tricks on you and it is surprisingly easy to become lost. If you remember nothing else that I have told you today, you must remember to avoid that forest at all costs.”
    “Aye, Father,” said his son, with more than a hint of disappointment.
    Hammond returned to the maps. “I believe the Village of Norman is primarily a logging town, but I know nothing more of it. You should stock up on more supplies there, though. The terrain to the east is decidedly more rugged and I suspect the journey shall be slow-going.”
    “Unfortunately, these maps do not show any clearly marked paths beyond Norman, but it would seem that your next stop would be the Town of Yukon. It is said that Yukon is Stratford’s main mining town – not unlike Jessum. Be careful of folks in mining towns, son. They tend to attract desperate people willing to risk everything,” cautioned his father.
    Gentry had been to Jessum, once with his father, once without his father’s knowing. He shared his father’s opinion of mining towns and made a mental note to make his stay in Yukon as brief as possible.
    “And then you shall be on towards your final stop – Lady Dinah’s castle on Mt. Xavier.” Hammond’s finger traced an imaginary path on the map from Yukon to the northern end of the Cook Mountains. There was no mention of Mt. Xavier or Lady Dinah’s castle, but Hammond knew it was somewhere around there. “Hopefully you shall find some maps on your journey that provide more detail. From these maps it is impossible to know how long it may take you to reach Lady Dinah’s castle from Yukon. Just take care on those rugged paths, son. The last thing you need is to be trapped in a rock slide or avalanche.”
    That last statement sobered Gentry, who had been lost in thoughts of a beautiful castle high atop a purple mountain. “Aye, sir.”
    The two men walked through the route a few more times, checking other maps to make certain they had not missed anything of importance. It had grown late into the evening and they realized they were both starving. Fortunately Edith had been quietly preparing dinner as they made their final plans. They ate in silence, Gentry preoccupied with the journey ahead, his parents preoccupied with Gentry.
    Gentry was anxious for a good night’s sleep before starting his journey the next morning, but he took care in packing for the trip. Camping gear, extra clothes, some tools, food for himself, food for his horse, Casper. When he was satisfied with the preparations, he washed up and fell fast asleep. His parents, however, did not sleep that night, and did not sleep well for many a night thereafter.

    *************

    Gentry awoke before sunrise, eager to hit the road at the first light of morning. With the intention of making hardboiled eggs, he walked outside to the henhouse. The chickens in the coop paid no attention to him and he was grateful for the lack of squawking. He did not want to awaken his parents just yet.
    His mother was already in the