Heading for Loudeac
Heavily troubled, her gaze painfully fell to the
stone floor. Tears slowly trickled down her cheeks.
Without looking up, she said, “Father is beyond the
doctor’s means. He said he cannot heal Father.”
Looking up, she forced a smile and quickly
added, “There is still hope, though. The doctor
said that there is one man that could help if he
could be found in time. It is Merlin, the last great
protector of the oak. He follows the old ways when
man, beast, and bird were one with the land.
“Someone must search the distant ends of the
Brocéliande Forest for this wandering wizard.
Darian, the doctor has great faith in this man but
said he must be found soon.”
“It worries me, Sab, if this man is our only hope.
For I have heard of this man and Father is the
very person who spoke so poorly of him. The words
that Father used to describe this man were ‘madman’
and ‘menace’. If Merlin is our only hope, though, I must
find him, then.”
Laughing, she remarked, “U’ve got to be joking,
Sir Hero. Blood pours out of U like a stuck pig.”
“Besides, how do U expect to find a hermit in
the darkest forest in all of Armorica in the middle
of the night, no less?”
“No one knows these woods better than me for
at least two leagues in every direction,” the young
man quickly boasted.
“That’s right because there isn’t another town
within six. U can’t go riding around while being hurt
like U are,” stated Sabrina.
“If Merlin is such a great healer then he should
have no trouble healing me. Besides if U are so
damn concerned about my well being then go pack
some rations and fill some flasks for me,” spouted the
short–tempered squire. Continuing, he added sharply, “If Udon’t want to help, so be it. Either way, leave me
now because I have a long ride ahead of me. As far as
I am concerned, the sooner I start the sooner I can return.”
Knowing that his words cut her deep, Darian
quickly looked away. Unwilling to see the hurt he
caused her, he began to gather things for his journey.
As he did, Sabrina silently left. After loading overnight
travel gear onto his horse, Darian scooped up a healthy
handful of sweet feed and held it up for Boocaress to
munch on.
The squire walked with his horse to the front
lawn. At the wishing well Darian met up with Sabrina.
Handing some supplies to him, a look of concern
appeared on Sabrina’s sad face as he packed the fresh
rations.
Knowing that he had to go, she still didn’t want
him to leave in his present condition, though. Walking
over to her, he gently took both of her hands in his.
Looking deep into her eyes, good memories spent
with her replayed in his mind. They only made it harder
to leave, though. Leaning toward her, he kissed her
cheek. Softly, he whispered, “I will always love U, Sabrina.
Always.”
Turning away, he mounted his steed and then
said, “If any travelers come by, tell them to spread the
word that Merlin is needed and, if the doctor hasn’t left
yet, tell him to do the same thing when he heads south
for home.”
“Sure. Good thinking,” she said.
The trio separated as Darian and Boocaress hurried
on their way. Having no clue where to find this Old
Age healer, Darian headed west towards Loudéac into
the wildest part of the great ancient forest.