The Endurlon

Chapter Two: Dade

ChapterII

Dade

As the early hours of the morning wore on, a cold white mist rose from the marsh, coiling its way up the shallow embankment from the stream. Slowly it crept, like mournful ghostly figures across the flats towards the broken building. Old dead stumps of ruined trees faded in and out of view as the pockets of mist moved. And the light of day struggled to show amidst the blanketing. Dull was the morning light as they stirred, and set forth towards the mire. The mists seemed thicker as they came to the passage of the marsh. And still no sound other than the tired sigh of swaying reeds could be heard. With a soft splash Geldrid stepped into the shallow water, and led horse, and companion into the maze of wetlands and reeds.

After a short while they reached a more firm ground. Thick tussocks of moss and hardy grasses which clumped together formed a pathway. This they could walk and lead their horse on. The mist drew in around them, and it became harder to navigate their way. After a few hours of wandering they stopped and rested.

"It is hopeless to wander unguided by sun or moon, here in this dead wasteland. We should have looked for another way. We shall be lost and time is of our need. When we reach Dade it may well be too late. Those we have avoided may be ahead of us. They will seek to disturb, and set fear in the hearts of those we may need for aid... And you are well aware of this, are you not?"

"Yes...I am aware. But rest now and we shall see." Geldrid replied.

"See what!" Retorted Riona sharply, but soon apologised. "I am sorry...What do you look for?"

"I look for nothing, but I wait. I wait for the midday sun to lift this veil of mist. Then we shall see our way." He calmly spoke.

An hour or so they sat and as the time passed, no sound of beast or bird could be heard at hand. Riona's horse snorted with discontent on occasions which broke the silence. The constant murmuring of water as it slowly gurgled through the tufts of firm undergrowth, continued to pass the time away. Along with the sorrowful swaying, the dead dried rush added to the lowering mood of mind. Slowly the mists moved abroad, and showed a wider, wetter land about them.

"It is time." He said at last. "We should go."

Onwards they slowly marched through broken places of thick grasses and shallow waterways, until they saw ahead an open, well tendered wide area of marshes. For the folk of Dade used this land to cultivate the reeds for thatch. Many of the houses used it for the building of both walls and roofing. Knowing they were near Geldrid turned to Riona and waved his hand towards the east.

"We now come to the thatching fields of Dade. We should make for early supper at the Inn of The Thatchwright, a splendid Inn at that I might add." And he smiled as he looked towards the open flats of the fresh cut reeds. A slim pathway ran due northeast and vanished into an ever thinning mist.

It was not long before they left the reed fields behind, and approached the south road to Dade. Slender thickets of Hazel and Birch edged the sides of the road. Under which, a tangle of dense woven brambles of Blackberry and Gauze forced out new fresh growth. Beyond which the land rose steeply into ruts and rolled away east beyond sight. The road was well maintained as much trade travelled upon it from the south, and the thatching trade of the marshes. They rode on with little worry of danger until the road wound eastwards towards a crossroad and here they continued east. On they rode for two miles under tall thick, heavy limbed trees, before breaking through into an open plane. Before them the gates of Dade stood. Seated between two tall hills and backed up against a ridge of sheer rock. Hidden it was from most who did not know of it, but close to the road for those who traded there. And Geldrid thought it looked different. For the mid-day light now shone bright against the iron fortifications, which now embellished the entrance and walls. And slowly they approached.