Valley of Doubters was a well known valley in Nod. They were the architects of Nod and they double and tripled checked everything and they loved to debate and check everything. I had never travelled with my Father to this particular place because the souls that dwelled here could drive a visitor mad, and it has happened more than once.
A girl who was at the dock noticed my traveller's bag. "Where are you faring?" She asked with a high pitched squalling.
"I am going to the Glen." I said, looking suspiciously at her.
"That is an awful long way to go. Do you have enough Shields? Do you have enough food for such a journey? Do you have weapons on you, some roads simply are not safe? Are you afraid? What happens if you get sick? What if you die?" Her questions rolled like an ocean and I simply was not sure which to answer if I should answer the questions at all.
I waved her off, and with annoyed huff she left. I heard some people discussing the repairs of the bridge. They were triple checking the estimations and they were arguing with each other the more they doubted the more they argued. The more they argued the more they doubted. I simply walked past them and heard the foreman say, they were years overdue on the bridge because the arguing simply could not get anywhere with the work that needed to be done. I sighed walking past. I was also wondering how my father was able to even do business with such people? I was not about to ask anyone in fear of starting a verbal riot I simply could not escape.
The Valley of Doubt was long and hot and people were bustling about and arguing and haggling to the point of people passing out not sure they were making the right decision and so no decision was made.
I was wondering why Kindness had sent me here, and suddenly I found myself doubting the Path. I had to leave but there simply were no roads that led out of the city. I started to panic in myself and I was not sure exactly where I was supposed to go to get away from the unsettling of these doubtful souls.
A little girl ran up to me and handed me a rice grain and inside the rice grain it simply read:
FAITH
I put it in my satchel and was still surrounded by arguing and those soaked in fear. Faith the word twisted in my mind and I repeated the words of the shepherd of old, I shall put my faith in Him that shelters me in the rock crags.
I wandered around with no clear destination, but then heard something very strange in the Valley of Doubt: it was the gift of song. It was at the very south end of the city and suddenly I saw bridges that labyrinthed down to the docks, and then realized there were two entrances to the city, and then understood how my Father did business here. I decided to hasten my steps to get closer to the music of rejoicing how, I heard it from such a long distance I will never know, but this whole journey was beyond my own understanding anyway, and I did not dare to question anything anymore.
The little inn was round with stained glass windows all around, a massive door that was very solid had the sign above it that read, The Rejoicing Lion. I stepped in and I was quite welcome.
I did a test of sorts and opened my satchel and the owner, who was a a stout little woman with the shiniest countenance I had ever seen and she saw the scroll. "We have one here heading to the Monastary!" She exclaimed with utmost joy.
The whole inn cheered, and one lad paid for my mulled cider, and someone else paid for what we locals call a bear dinner. A bear dinner consists of several pieces of salmon, five potatoes, three rolls baked in honey, and a whole cheese wheel. I of course could never eat that much, and shared with everyone that night. The men gathered us younger ones around the fires and stories of old legends were told, until the fire was completely burned down to embers.
The owner ushered us to bed so she could wash the dishes and lock the entrance in short order. The locals filed out, and her daughter ushered me to a room where there was a huge feather bed, a warm fire stoked, and a huge tub of boiling water that was filled with rose water awaited me.
"Good night sir. May the Author of Life bless you." She hugged my waist. I kissed her on the forehead and went inside, quickly bathed and then went to sleep.
I was restless that night, perhaps it was because of the location I was in, but then I opened my eyes and a little spirit came to me. It was small, had long sharp claws, pointy ears, and blazing black eyes that seemed to mirror death.
"Sleeping is not finding you, Rune. Maybe this is the time to turn back, go back to the safety of your house with your family and dearest friends? You clearly have no idea where you are going, the road ahead is quite treacherous. Leave, abandoned this fool's errand while you are still breathing." His voice was so taunting and the way the words came out they deemed logic I struggled to reason with him.
I remained silent for a time as this creature moved a little closer to me, and as he moved closer to me I felt fear like I had never felt before.
He held a small globe in his hand now and with a claw touched the globe and suddenly I saw images of home, I saw my father die, Tess marrying someone, Pip leaving his father's business because I was not there to mentor him, and the Widow Arlow abandoning my Father. I closed my eyes tight against the globe of false futures. I gulped in air that simply was not coming.
I looked at my satchel and pulled out the scroll and showed this creature the scroll and he backed away.
"What is your name?" I demanded looking at him with a fierceness and strength in my spirit.
"I am the ruler of this Valley, and I see you have not required armour yet from the Monastery I see, so you cannot murder me yet." He taunted.
I was not sure what he was talking about but the scroll unwrapped itself and made a full blanket for me and the creature remained there but the scroll made me deaf to his taunts.
I woke up, and the scroll rolled itself and went back into the satchel. I was wondering what he meant about the Monastery and receiving weapons but it seemed as though I knew what was tormenting all of these people. I felt bad for them.
I knew why the people in my village found happiness. It is because the Author of Life promised to be close to those that are broken hearted. I understood the villages, and valleys were tormented greatly by these creatures and I was not afraid to admit my journey became less enthusiastic but I had a mission and it seemed the scroll was my salvation from evil.
I washed my face and I had left my clothes to be washed at the washing wall. My clothing was laundered, dried, and neatly folded in the chair outside my door. I dressed, grabbed my satchel and my bag and refilled the canteen by asking the inn owner for fresh water. Now, it should be stated that the Valley of Doubt had the best water in all of Nod. I am not sure how such fearful people got the best water in all of the land, but some folks actually would travel very long distances to taste it.
With me tasting it myself, I could see why Father always told tales of the water from the Valley of Doubt. I would roll my eyes and often say, "Water is water is it not?" I would ask with a teasing sarcastic tone. He simply would pat my shoulder and whistle and go about his work. I finally understood.
Breakfast was beyond delicious eggs over easy, with light goat cheese, and black coffee to wash it all down. The owner of the inn brought over fresh egg rolls dipped in butter and my mouth water.
"Drink this." She said handing me a goblet, it tasted good and sweet and suddenly I had joy that filled me.
"This cup of joy will cover you for many miles." She said, looking at me with tender eyes and happiness. I understood how all these good folks combated the annoyances of their neighbours, they drank joy as a part of their morning routine. Then it made sense, Father was always more joyful when he came back from the Valley of Doubt, and now I knew why.
I gave her nine Shields, picked up my satchel filled with Joy, and then the bag that reminded me of home. "Make sure the girls at the washing wall get at least some of that if you don't mind?" I asked the inn keeper.
She nodded and I walked out of the Valley of Doubt pulled on my bag straps and greeted the sun with a joyful step and wondered what the Author of Life had in store for me next.