The travels of Yan Overton

Carrum bay

Carrum bay

Consumed beneath the amorphous shadow Yan became anxious and confused.

"Wake up Yan!" Hollered Jack from out of the blackness, startling him out of his ominous nightmare and back into the refuge of the dimly lit cave.

"Are you alright?" he asked perturbed. "Im sorry to wake you but you were shouting in your sleep"

Yan sat  bolt upright looking somewhat dismayed and breathless.

"I had the most profound dream Jack. The sun had been obscured by darkness and there were these two young girls and a great battle" he said in a fluster.

"Calm yourself" said Jack passing the agitated boy a beaker of water. "I'm no authority on interpreting dreams but I would hazard a guess and say that you have just experienced a prophetic vision. The ability to portend is an inherent characteristic of enchanted beings"

"If what you say is true then the future looks pretty abhorrent" said Yan despondently.

"I am inclined to disagree"retorted Jack.  "You see Yan, for many the future is an uncharted course but for those gifted with foresight its course that can be altered"

"Meaning what?" Asked Yan.

"Meaning that it is easier to prepare yourself for the coming storm if you know that is imminent" he smiled.

"I see!" Said Yan thoughtfully.

"Now my dear boy you will not be prepared for much if anything if you don't get some rest. Try and  grab some sleep but this time listen to your breath and not your thoughts" said Jack.

The Green man's words were like a panacea as in no time Yan was sleeping soundly again. The next thing he recalled was waking up to the distant cawing of carrion crows fluttering over the ravine.

"I trust you slept well" said Jack sitting restfully at the entrance of the cave.

"Yes, very well thank you"replied Yan climbing wearily to his feet.

It  was a bright and breezy morning outside and the wind whined and hissed through the naked boughs.

"Listen to that" said Jack blissfully gazing out above the ocean of swaying trees  "The chant of the oaks"

"I can only hear the wind" said Yan.

"That is because you are not yet versed in the Grayweald vernacular" smiled Jack. "Now listen again carefully and you will hear more than a gale my friend"

Yan listened intently once more.  Faintly amidst the ambient clamour he could detect the subtle groans and creaks of oak limbs in motion. "Yes I hear it!" He said.

"That is the voice of the trees young wizard"remarked Jack insightfully.

"What are they saying?" Asked Yan amazed.

"They are venerating the sun. For soon the days will grow long, just like the leaves upon the sprigs and new life will be reborn afresh in the forests of the world"

"Well I must say, I would never have imagined that trees could actually speak, let alone have someone decipher their language to me" chuckled Yan.

"The forest has much to impart Yan and in time you will become perceptive to its wisdom but until then you have a peregrination to make. We have much ground to cover if we are to reach Carrum bay before nightfall" said Jack clearing away the remnants of the camp fire.