"Good evening son, and nice to see you Widow Arlow." He said smiling. My father was always jolly, never a cruel word. After he washed and had some mulled cider, I told him in depth about the scroll and showed it to him, and then told him about the plan about having Widow Arlow take my living quarters on the southside of the house.
"Your mother would be pleased, and yes, what an amazing thing you have arranged, the Author of Life, will be pleased you answered the call. The Deceiver has been busy and souls need to be rescued from their fate.
The night wore on, and though I was thrilled to be going I was growing nerves as the sun tried to move itself from the clouds and rain that never left the Valley of Despair. Of course I thought, the day of my departure, the sun decided to grace me. I smiled to myself as I stretched and caught a whiff of my father's delicious cooking wafting from the kitchen.
Widow Arlow arrived as I was eating fish cakes, hot milk, and dates. It was a grand breakfast, and I knew I was going to miss home very much, but serving the Author of Life was a vital calling.
"Rune, this is the first time someone from the Valley of Despair has ever received a scroll to the Monastery." Widow Arlow spoke just above a whisper. "It is about time, our little hamlet of rain is put on the map of greatness as it were". She smiled at me. I knew what her eyes said things her heart wanted to say, but she was too kind to ruin the moment of her own sorrow.
I knew she was thinking her son could be on this journey but his heart was cold to life, and at some point he signed the warrant with The Deceiver. It was this event that led Widow Arlow to take residence in the Valley of Despair. I thought it was the death of her husband but the way she looked at the scroll and then back at me, I fully understood how she ended her footsteps in this hamlet of rain.
Before, I could lighten the mood for her just a little bit, I heard a familiar whistle echo through the wind, and I knew that was Pip and I heard his father whistling next to him, it was grand to see them both before I had to depart.
Pip and Caspian arrived and the door swung open and then all of us were eating. Pip led me outside and then showed me the travelling pack of his grandfather's and what I saw was a masterpiece of excellence.
The bag was the size of a small child. The straps were made of stretched leather and fur lined the straps making it soft for long distances. A massive canteen that was separate hung over the one side that could hold three days worth of water. The metal workings meant that the giants of Ironside had cleaned the bladder of a mammoth to create such a large canteen.
"Open the bag Rune." Pip demanded with a heartbroken voice. I obeyed, and then suddenly a massive fur coat was tucked at the extremely bottom of the bag. The coat was made of Mammoth fur and a hood that weighed as much as me was lined with double fur and lamb's wool. Huge thick gloves were made of silver fox fur and were woven with wool gloves that fit me perfectly.
"How did you get the coat? The gloves fit me perfectly." I asked knowing that whoever made it knew my measurements almost perfectly.
Tess appeared right as I finished my litany of questions. "Rune, I have been doin' your washin' for a long time now lad, Pip came by the washing wall, and all of us pitched in, we stayed up all night making it. Was sprayed down with Black Marsh oil, and will keep you dry completely." Tess said coming closer to expect the work of the washing girls.
"They are marvelous gifts Pip and tell the washing girls I love the coat the double gloves are marvelous and I can assure you I won't freeze." I said hugging them both. I would miss them more than I could let my conscience understand at that moment. I hugged them and just let the rain fall on us. I knew it would be a long time before I would see home again. If I even returned, I would not think about it just this moment.
Caspian, Widow Arlow, and Father, all came out and my father, I hugged each of them, and my father handed me a new satchel. "I had the Onyx Maiden enchant with the blessing of the Author of Life so only those who serve the Author of Life can see the scroll and your Shields. Have the test be given to all the inns you go. Roam where you must but sleep in the shelter of the Author of Life." My Father explained.
"Did you go last night as well?"I asked. There was only one very old Onyx Maiden in the village and she lived on the southside of the Valley.
My father blushed and hugged me and a few tears fell on my clothes. I hugged him and then he patted me on the back, giving me the signal it was truly time to depart.
My family waved me good-bye and with all the love felt, I understood that the Valley of Despair could feel love despite the pain. I waved back until I got to the road that curved around and I could no longer hear the words "Goodbye Rune."