Chapter 14
The Search
1642 - Autumn and Harvest in Dunnedin
A young man appeared in the village one autumn day. He was an attractive lad, with dark hair and deep blue eyes that always attracted the lassies. Yet, no matter how many women surrounded him, he only had eyes for one. His Anu. Gawen arrived from Glastonbury and he was looking desperately for her and felt she was close. He paid for a room at the Tavern and began to ask around. The Tavern was quite a busy place every evening, and new faces
appeared, allowing him the opportunity to question many people within a very short period and limited area.
Starrling visited the tavern twice, narrowly missing this young gentleman and his inquiries. One evening, a friend of Starrling's approached her in the tavern and advised her of the questions that were being asked and that a young woman answering to the name of Anu and fitting Starrling's description was being sought after. For a moment she froze as she listened to the description of the man, then suddenly she bolted like a frightened deer. She
hopped upon Cobweb and ran him at a full gallop till she was well out of the village. Slowing at last, she took time to think more sanely. Her mind raced. What was he doing here? Did he not know how this jeopardized her safety? The safety of her family, her friends and all the villagers back in Glastonbury? And why was he here? What did he want of her? Was not their relationship done and over with? By the time she arrived at the cottage, tears streamed down her face and chin. She did not wish to go through all this again.
To soothe her raw nerves, she took Cobweb to the barn, provided him with food and began the calming duty of rubbing him down. The repetitive movement put her in a trance-like state and she soon found a bit of comfort again in her familiar surroundings.
That night she was unable to sleep. Mistletoe and Dragonbreath, disturbed by her tossing and turning, each gave her such a look that she finally gathered the quilt about her and sat by the fire. She poked absentmindedly at the peat to stir up a bit of flame. Her eyes glassed over with unshed tears as she saw pictures of her past in the fire…..
Chapter 15
HOME
