Merliz had been at sea for a month and her journey was nearly at an end. An old friend, Kashi, had gifted her a small oak-paneled cabin to use for the trip. It would prove to be a calm haven as the ship tossed its way through the perilous Sea. It came with a hanging bed, a small writing desk, and a chair that were both nailed to the floor. Further, as a final token of caring Kashi had installed a rough wooden perch for her Falcon, Henry.
Regardless of this luxury, she was hungry for the open air. The stench of the crowded vessel had infiltrated her body and she knew it would take some days to cleanse the odors of sea living.
She was not even halfway down the landing ramp when she spied the Seeker’s cowl amid the muddle of departing passengers. He was striding forward at a fast pace and looking up searching for her. Their eyes met and remained locked as she wound her way through the throng. Apart from meeting her at the wharf, it was clear to her that there must be other things on his mind. In short, other business was afoot.
They rode through the night and arrived at Crosscombe in the early morning of the next day.
The Seeker took her hand and led her through a small garden gate that was framed with wild honeysuckle. Merliz had just returned from a faraway land and she had not slept well for many nights. Her inner core was beaming with anticipation for the journey her Seeker was about to take her on. Thoughts of it had indeed kept her going over the past few months.
The Seeker had arrived two days earlier and had made preparations to welcome her. He had set out two chairs under the apple tree. However, when Merliz entered her gaze didn't rest on this area. No, her eyes wandered around the garden wall that enclosed them in this private world. A small, yellow-painted Hall stood to her right, and to the left was a little iron fence with a gate that separated the lawn from the cottage garden. Finally, she smiled when she noticed the village Church bell tower that poked up above the wall. Oh, how she looked forward to hearing the bells chime.
Her baggage could wait for now, and with a gentle smile, the Seeker led her to their first area of rest. He walked off, through the old wooden door of the Hall. She sank down and stared up at the plump green apples that had already begun to fatten. The bird song began to melt away the pungent memories of the land she had just come from. That vibrant Country where abject poverty took its place within or among modern-day opulence. A place where the crowded streets left travelers vulnerable. Where the noise of life was deafening at all hours. It took a little while for Merliz to detoxify her mind from the recent memory of it all.
The Seeker reappeared with a jug of summer libation that dripped with fruit and sweet Mint. The tray he carried held a perfumed liquid concoction of gin, quinine, and spices in a large glass jug, with two fat earthen mugs, a platter of cheese, and some crisp fresh bread.
Here they were at last. It had been so very long since they had been alone, together, naturally. It was yet another one of those moments in time when they would cast a mist around themselves, divorcing all interruptions as they had promised. For the next nine days, they would disappear into their world of childlike discovery. They would breathe in the ancient places that their kind had visited across time. Places that held the keys to our very existence - Where spirits wandered freely, encouraging an appreciation of nature hand in the hand with mankind. They would skirt around any areas that had been bruised by intentional wounding.
They drank and ate but their conversation was overridden initially by the emotion of it all. Each time she looked into his eyes, her eyes would begin to well up and her mouth quivered until it broke into a smile. A smile that was accompanied by a shaking head and giggling, the type that enabled streams of joyful tears. While the Seeker didn’t cry, he laughed heartily with and because of her!
It was as if their time apart had never been. It was forgotten because they were in the now.
The libation soothed them as the day began to dim. And so the Seeker took the hand of his most trusted companion and led her towards the Hall.
Candles burnt brightly within as they entered the kitchen. The walls were painted muted yellow, and jugs of wildflowers were everywhere. The door on the right led into the main room which was framed by arched stone windows. She let her gaze travel up the wall to discover where, many years ago, a second floor would have rested. A large wooden table was ahead of the comfortable seating area in front of the stone fireplace. She blinked as if dreaming - this room was not for tonight.
He led her up a small staircase passing by a small arched window that framed the Church’s spire above the garden wall. Up they went until, with much glee, he pushed open the wooden door that led into her place of rest for the next two days.
A large feather bed presented itself in front of a small iron fireplace. He had drawn the curtains intentionally because he wanted her to rest. And with a kiss on the cheek and a bear hug, he pushed her down into the bed and told her to “rest little Merliz”. And she did.
She awoke to the birdsong. Her body ached but it was not the time to rest. As soon as she opened her eyes she knew where she was. Curtains parted, she flung open the windows and looked down and then across the magnificent view. She was still clothed in her travel wear and finding her case at the end of her bed, she delved into it to find her white cotton nightgown. Leaving through the door she searched for the washroom which was easy enough. The water was cold but it suited her. She was so happy to be alive.
She crept quietly to discover the other areas of the upstairs. There was only one other door she had not been through. It creaked as she opened it. Inside she saw a larger room with three beds, one of which was occupied by her Seeker. And he slept. So she went downstairs to the kitchen to begin preparing a simple breakfast.
There was a basket of big brown eggs, some rich red strawberries, and juice. She filled the large iron kettle with water. When boiled, she would infuse it with herbs to make a bright morning tea. But before that, she wanted to discover the outside and so off she went.
Along a small path, high hedges on either side. It was dawning and she tracked the path of the breaking sun through the gates along the way. A fox crossed her path, together with a hare and a few sweet rabbits. She must have walked about a half mile before she remembered that she had left the kettle burning. And so she began to trot back, bare feet picking out the moss-like bits of the path. She was being a child again and as she and her Seeker would celebrate the many years they had spent on this earth this very day.
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