Episode 3: Farmer's Interlude

Mandy drew herself erect, well acquainted with her unlikely comrade's unique warning system. She shuffled her feet with such grace and agility almost as if it was a dance.. a warrior's dance. The traveller kept his keen eyes on Mandy, attempting to decipher the mystery of her person. It was obvious that she had gone on several such expeditions before. Drawing closer to their targets, Mandy's breath paced itself with steady control, unmoved by the uncertainty of the impending comfrontation.

Picking their pace, the trio brushed past a cluster of Acacias, disguised in robes of ferns and ivys. Instantly, Mandy flung her rod and thrusted it into a shrub. Her keen senses and reflexes sent a wolf howling... and bleeding. The traveller attempted to follow the scuffle that ensued but his lack of experience was evident.

The pack of five, upon seeing their comrade wounded shifted swiftly to surround the trio... their amber eyes lit... their silver teeth grit. Mandy's eyes, and perceivably her heart, were fixed upon her stolen charge, flanked by two of the beasts. The Sojourner stared into his eyes and saw a distinct confidence even within the churning moment. He addressed the beasts and attempted to reason, "We'll be on our way once you give him back to us."

All he heard were growls in reply. And he understood that no Aletheian water would have been sufficient.

"There shall be no compromise with the enemy" instructed Pigdor. "You cannot reason with them. You must fight them." The traveller glanced at both Pigdor and Mandy with the swiftness that the intensity of the moment would permit him. He noticed Mandy's concurrence with Pigdor written on her steady gaze. She meant to maintain her offensive.

The next moment, she was above three of the wolves, descending with awesome force. The other two, perceiving the inexperience of the lad, pounced on him. One bit his hand but was knocked over when Pigdor gave him such an awesome force of a headbutt. She repeated her charge upon the other who, for a moment remained silent with his claws upon the traveller's face. But Pigdor gave such a terrific outcry that for a moment, the wolf actually doubted the fact that she was indeed a pig. This was enough for Mandy to pass him with a good blow between the ears after which Pigdor eventually sent him flying. Mandy resumed to take on the other three. Pigdor secured the hostage while the traveller recovered. Fumbling with his slingshot, he attempted to aid Mandy who obviously needed none. His shots narrowly missed her elbow.

"Drrriiinnnkk!" cried Mandy.

Remembering the flask, he drank. His eyes were sharpened. Clarity returned to his senses as he replaced his wounded hand upon the slingshot, quick enough to injure the other two returning wolves and sending them to flight. Having returned their favour, he proceeded to help Mandy once again, only to see the other three in retreat, having received a good, sufficient beating. Pigdor was a few metres beyond the next undergrowth, safe with the sheep, and the traveller proceeded to join them.

He turned around towards Farmer Mandy. She observed a moment on her knees, with her rod laid down in front of her, while uttering something towards the King of Aletheia- a gesture the Sojourner did not understand. She then got up and joined the rest.

"I tried to run away..." explained the sheep "but it seems that I'm getting old..."

"I'm just glad that you're back with us now" replied Mandy. Her voice carried such care and warmth amidst her steadfast gaze. It was obvious that she truly loved her animals and knew each one well. She was genuinely relieved, but her fresh bruises brought her eyes again to a distant time. "It's getting late" she smiled. The four of them headed back to the farm.

On the way back, the traveller was formally introduced to Sheepvin, the sheep. The four of them laughed together as the wise elder one recounted stories of when he was still in his prime and how his wool-style had changed over the years to keep up with the trends in Aletheia. What amused the traveller the most was the story of Sheepvin attempting to sneak up behind a comrade during a trip to the village market to pull a surprise. Having lost himself in the moment, he had failed to discern the intricate subtleties enabling one to distinguish one sheep from another, and in so doing, he ended up giving another old sheep a nasty shock.

The traveller was entertained by Sheepvin's lighthearted antics but was even more impressed with his capacity to simply stride on without much thought to his just-ended ordeal. Amidst that light-heartedness stood a strong resilient heart, bruised by neither circumstance nor affliction; one whose confidence was beyond himself. Such a bold bearing to move forward was beyond many men, as was Pigdor's display of courage. The traveller acknowledged within himself that he was in the presence of greatness, bundled in small packages.

The traveller pondered all this and enjoyed the delightful company. However, Mandy's mystery was still fresh in his mind... She was unlike any farmer. The strength of her character was almost as if she was also a warrior general. And then there were those distant eyes... He wondered if she would remember to tell him her story. To him, she certainly had a hidden life... yet its strength certainly exudes from within her heart, even such that her charges were bearers of the same attributes. And his flow directed his thoughts to himself. Why should the King have chosen one such as Mandy to get him started on his journey? What, then, should that journey be?