(This tale happens on the way to the market described by Duncadda in his tale The Bancross Mystery: Problems and Pains. )
Seeing Northgyth walking along the path past our home, and heading most likely to the market, I waved greeting to her and bade her wait a moment for me. It would be good to catch up with her a little more on village news. There were a few matters I wanted her thoughts on, knowing her to be far more knowledgeable than some other sources.
Re-entering the house for a moment, I caught Waelden’s attention. He and I had planned on visiting the market ourselves, mostly to see what vegetables they still had. Pottage may not be Ethel’s preferred food, nor Waeldens if it contained more than a smattering of oats, but it was a good and warming staple that could make use of almost anything we had left. It would also make our store of meat last longer. A few onions or leeks would help with the flavour, if we could get them. And then we also wanted to take a look in Duncadda’s barn. He had set up his carpentry trade again, and as a notable maker of furniture we expected him to do well… once the winter had passed. We had intended to take a look for some time.
But although Waelden waved back at me, he was in one of his discussions with Ethel on the importance of actually getting out the door. Oh, she wanted to come with us. She wanted to see and hear what was happening in the homestead, and also take a look at what Duncadda had already made. We had suggested she may have a new writing desk some time this year, and who better to acquire it from. But Ethel also liked to do things in her own time, and was her hair combed through well enough (she was in a no braiding phase) and did she have time for some more mushrooms, and for that matter, where was Herne?
I could have helped her with any and all those things, and I often did, but I was well aware she was growing up rapidly. This time between father and daughter was precious. Although I also loved her greatly, I would not intervene more than necessary.
“Northgyth is outside, dear,” I spoke softly, not wanting to intrude on the warm laughter of the moment. “I shall walk on ahead with her. See you both there.”
Ethel looked towards me thoughtfully. “I can hurry a bit, mama. I want you to be there when we look in the barn.”
“I promise we shall all look at Duncadda’s work together, Ethel. I won’t set foot in that barn until you and your papa are there.”
She grinned.
Waelden winked at me. “We won’t be far behind you, love.”
So I returned to my waiting friend, and we continued along the path at a slow and steady pace.
“You heard about our ‘visitor’ yesterday?” I asked her.
She nodded. “I did. Little remains a secret for long in Bancross, as I am sure you now know.”
Pulling her thick woolen shawl more tightly around her shoulders, Northgyth continued. “It is high time this winter weather improved. I am tempted to think some of what you and Waelden encountered in Wildermore has found its way south. Wizard’s work, indeed. Well, there is one more snow storm to come if I know anything about weather, but already the sun fights back.”
I looked where she indicated, and true enough, there were some primroses and almost spent snowdrops at the edges of the road, and among the trees on the hill.
“We shall all be glad for better weather, Northgyth. And better days? It seems as if… oh, I do not know how to fully explain, but as if Bancross is having more problems of late?”
With a knowing twinkle in her bright blue eyes, my walking companion nodded. “All places have good and less good times. It is the way of things. But you are right that something has changed lately. Do not be overly concerned about master Criba though.”
“We are not,” I replied, as we started to climb the hill, our backs now to the house and stables that Brynleigh owned. “I think Ethel and the animals are more than a match for him. But… I don’t like any man watching her like that. Waelden would like to have a few words with him too.”
Northgyth nodded with understanding. She halted for a moment, placing a hand on my arm and biding me to listen well. We stood in a spot where the weak winter sun could shine on us, and in that moment I felt strangely warmed.
“Criba has a history here in Bancross. He is a bully at heart, and likes to try and intimidate those he deems vulnerable. He has made a few mistakes in that regard. I believe he made another such mistake of judgement yesterday. But… foolish though he seems, there is more to him… and to this than meets the eye.”
A touch discomforted by her words, I made to ask more. She held up a hand. “Do not be overly concerned, as I have already said. At present our intrepid Sergeant Thilwend has him at the garrison, under lock and key. That is more likely for his safety from Heartha, I suspect. Our master smith has not taken kindly to the news he threatened her favourite apprentice. But we should talk a little further about this before he is released, as I also suspect is likely. A stern warning from Captain Denholm first perhaps, but that is all. He has already had justice meted out on him by that Fell-goat of yours. Yet this matter has more to it than Criba enjoying threatening others.”
Now I was concerned. Northgyth obviously knew, or suspected something. I wanted to understand it all then and there. I wanted to know Ethel was safe.
“I will speak with you and Waelden about him soon, Yllfa. Alas that Criba isn’t our only concern.”
“Those men who rode in the other week, you mean? I haven’t seen any myself, but Hild talks about them a lot.”
Tilting her head to one side, Northgyth said “Ah, Hild! Well she has been trying to keep an eye on them, and I am sure she bids poor Paega do the same. But I actually mean our Thane.”
“The Thane, and the lack of a Boar Hunt this year?”
She nodded. “If there is more to Criba than meets the eye, I suspect there is far more to Thane Averel of late, and to some of his friends, than he would like us to know. But again, some of the matter is for our ears only. You and I and Ymma, I mean.”
I had many questions; far more questions than when I had joined Northgyth in the walk. But they would have to wait. And then we moved on, up the hill, past the orchard to Gwenwynn’s market, hoping she still has some basic supplies in store.
“I am looking for more root vegetables,” Northgyth said conversationally.
“Onions,” I replied.
