A Journey Never Begun Pt. 10

Muddle sighed and then asked, "Would it be a good enough reason to say that Lenore and I have not consummated our marriage and that I am saving myself for her to be my first?"

Jonton whistled slowly and unconsciously before speaking. "So you are saying that you and Lenore are both virgins and you are both saving yourselves for the time when you meet again? Even though you don't know where or when that will be?"

Muddle hung his head and said softly, "I know. It is probably the stupidest thing anyone has ever said."

Jonton jumped up and grabbed Muddle in a bear hug and danced around with him for a minute. Then put the surprised Muddle down and slapped him on the back, shouting, "That is the only answer you need. Half the women in the camp or more would bed you just to be able to say that they had. You are a hero for what you have done to get us over the river and saving Samisha just makes it more heroic. But if you say that you are saving yourself for your first wife. By Santan's three slippery nipples that is the most romantic thing you could possibly say. They will eat that up and you will be a legendary hero, with the women at least, by nightfall. By Santan's hairy twat, you couldn't have come up with a better story."

"But it's not a story," Muddle sputtered.

"And that is what makes it so perfect," Jonton said with a humongous smile on his face.

Slapping Muddle on the back, Jonton said, "I can see my first wife waving so the feast must be just about ready. We must go."

As they approached the tables that had been set up for the feast, another beautiful young lady came up and kissed Muddle on the cheek and coyly asked if he, "would like to share my bed tonight?"

Muddle grabbed her hands and gently kissed them before answering. "Alas, milady," he replied quietly, "As you probably know, Lenore and I are wed, but we have not consummated the marriage yet. I have taken a vow that she shall be my first. So I must regretfully decline your generous offer."

As the meaning of the words sunk in the young lady blushed and said, "My apologies. I did not know that part of the story. Is there anything else I can do instead to show my appreciation?"

Muddle furrowed his brow and then replied, "If you could not spread this around the camp, I would appreciate it. For some reason, your sisters seem to find a virgin to be a challenge and I don't wish to upset them by turning them down all the time, plus, well, it is somewhat embarrassing."

The young lady nodded and ran off. Muddle was pretty sure the story would be told from one end of the camp to the other before the end of the feast. Smiling broadly, he went in search of Daniell.

The feast was glorious. The food was plentiful and the wine flowed like water. Nine months later there were many new tinker and gypsy babies (and a few tinker-gypsy babies) born to replenish the ones that had been lost on the road.

Jonton and Samir each gave wonderfully inspiring speeches and Muddle gave a brief speech thanking everyone for their hospitality and their friendship.

When Daniell finally dragged Muddle to the wagon, there was a small group of young women waiting but they walked away quietly when they saw Muddle with Daniell. She let a small grin touch her face as she saw the crowd disperse without a word.

When he woke up the next morning, Muddle felt like the south end of a northbound donkey. As he sat up he saw he still had his trousers on, so he grabbed his boots and quietly went outside. He took a big drink of water and immediately regretted it as his stomach churned and he proceeded to vomit several times alongside the wagon.

As he stood up and the world spun around him, he pulled some mana and pushed it through his hands which were clasping his head. He said a small cantrip out loud and his head began to clear. A few minutes later all signs that he had been hungover were gone.

As he looked around the camp, he could see some people were up and were getting their wagons ready to leave. He walked over to one of the nearest ones. After chatting with the father, Muddle found out that they and several of the wagons were headed to the west to the towns they serviced. He also learned that within the next day or two, all of the wagons would be heading out. Thanking the man, he headed for Jonton's wagon.

When he got there, he found Jonton sitting on a log holding his hands to his head. Holding back a smile, Muddle stopped in front of Jonton and placing his hands upon Jonton's he pushed some mana and repeated the cantrip he had used earlier.

As his head cleared, Jonton looked up and recognized Muddle. "I don't know what you did, my friend, but the world is much clearer than it was a few minutes ago," said Jonton. "Thank you."

"It was nothing," said Muddle.

"Is there any chance you could put that in a bottle?" asked Jonton hopefully.

"Afraid not," Muddle replied.

"Pity," said Jonton wistfully.

"I talked with a neighbor and he said that the caravan is going to disband," said Muddle. "Are any of you going south?"

Jonton looked up at him and said, "No. The Sea Kings of the south are too greedy. They tax the tinkers so much that we cannot make an honest living there and they shoot gypsies on sight as thieves."

"I had hoped to have some travelling companions when we set out for Stormhold. But if it is not to be, it is not to be," Muddle said sadly.

"Stormhold is the heart of the Sea Kings realm," said Jonton. "Why must you go there?"

Muddle hesitated then said, "At times in my life I am tugged by my destiny and to be completely honest, finding you and your caravan was probably not by chance. The tugs lead me to you and now they are leading me south. The only city I know of in the south is Stormhold."

"Destiny can be a cruel mistress," said Jonton nodding. "But to ignore it can be even crueler. I wish you good fortune and many thanks for putting my head back together again this morning. You are sure you can't bottle that?"

Muddle laughed and said, "I am afraid not."

With that the men shook hands and parted ways, promising to keep in touch if possible.

Muddle climbed back into the wagon to find Daniell still asleep. She at least had taken her clothes off and Muddle gazed in adoration at her naked form. Sighing, he gently touched her shoulder and woke her.

After she stretched and gathered the sheet around herself, she looked at Muddle quietly.

Muddle sighed again and told her that they needed to get ready to break camp and head south. Her eyes got a little larger, but she nodded and said, "Out then while I get dressed. You got more than enough looking at me before you woke me up. So go on out and get something useful done."

Muddle snagged his shirt and headed out the door and didn't hear Daniell's quiet giggling.

A little later Daniell came out and told Muddle that the inside of the wagon was ready. She looked over the job he had done in getting the horses into their harnesses and nodded approvingly. She handed him some water skins and asked him to get some fresh water for the road.

It took a little longer than Daniell had expected, but Muddle explained that he had to talk with the nymph of the stream for a little while. One eyebrow went up but she didn't ask.

Shortly after noon, they walked over to Jonton's wagon and made their goodbyes. They stopped at Samir's wagon as well and Muddle helped clear Samir's head. The bear hug nearly killed him, but Lala rescued him and covered his face with kisses.

Shortly after, Muddle flicked the reins and Zuzzu and Zuzza pulled the wagon out and they were headed south.

As they slowly made their way south, Daniell asked, "So what do you know of the gods of the tinkers?"

Muddle, surprised by the question, answered, "Almost nothing. I know there are 12 of them. Six are males and six are females, but I don't even know their names, except for Santan."

"Then it is my turn to tell a story," said Daniell. "Long, long ago when the universe was first created, the gods were created also and they traveled about until they found a place to call home. Santon was one of these gods and he found this ball of rock floating around a star and for some reason, he liked it.

"Ages passed and he realized that his ball was rather plain so he began carving on it and dug up some rock here and dumped it there until it seemed right to him. But it seemed unfinished. So he thought and he sighed. When he sighed, his breath spread out and became the air. And he was happy for a while.

"More ages passed and he felt something was missing and he spat at it in disgust. The spittle became the oceans and when it evaporated, it became clouds and rain and he was happy again.

"One day as he was walking across the oceans, he saw something. It was something that looked like himself. But not like himself. So he ran up to it to see what it was. It was Santan and he was dazzled by her beauty. For ages they talked and walked and finally they made love.

"Afterwards as they walked, his seed mixed with her juices began to flow out of her and as they were currently walking over the ocean, the drops that flowed out of her became the fishes and the seaweed of the seas.

"Eventually they made love again and this time they were walking over the land and the drops that flowed formed the plants and trees of the land and the animals.

"When they saw what they had done, they made love again. This time Santan bore Santon a son. They called him Sanrog. They were very pleased. Sanrog grew quickly and they decided to have another child, so they made love again and this time they had a second son, Sangon.

"Santon was very pleased and wanted to stop, so he refused Santan when she wanted to make love again. She was angry but she had saved some of his seed and while Santon played with his two sons, Santan took the seed and her juices and used it to make small creatures in their image. She played with her new toys for a while and then went looking for Santon again.

"Eventually he relented and the rest of their children were born. Sanbag a daughter was next, then the twins Sanpon and Sanpan. In order, came Sanlon, Sankan, Sanwan, Sanbon and Sanyan.

"Then came the last son of Santon and Santan. He was stillborn, but because he was a god, he lived. He was the embodiment of all that was evil in Santon and Santan. He fled from them and grew up in solitude and malice. He is the source of much of the pain and suffering in the world. He was the one who created the frost wizards.

"When Santon saw his dead son, he withdrew from the world. Santan grieved and withdrew also. The other children stayed and helped the humans out but eventually they withdrew.

"Santan returned briefly to teach several of the humans about mana and magic and then she retreated again. She knew that was the only way the humans would survive the depredations of her stillborn offspring.

"There was a great battle and the frost wizards were beaten. The evil one could not stand this and he strode forth. The wizards fought bravely but were on the brink of destruction when one of their own reached up to the gods and asked for help. The goddess Santan appeared to him and he was taught a great magic. It was a magic so great that he was able to bind the evil one and placed him deep within the earth. But in doing so, he sucked up all the mana in the area and killed his fellow wizards and himself."

Muddle whispered, "The Dead Zone."

"Yes," Daniell confirmed, "He created the dead zone, which still exists today, millennia later.

"Some of the great wizards had been wounded and had retreated and they were saved. They healed one another and they went to the far side of the Dead Zone and demanded that the frost wizards give up and return to the north with their glaciers.

"Unfortunately, during the battle, the forces of the dark god had surrounded one of the smaller armies that had come to help and slaughtered them all. In that army was the last of the clan Tan, the last of the Goddess Mother's children. When she found out she was doubly grief stricken and she withdrew.

"Until she appeared at your marriage to Lenore and her appearance before us, the goddess has not been seen in the world since that time."

With the last, Daniell grew quiet and Muddle decided she was done.

"Thank you Daniell," said Muddle. "That was an excellent story. But I noticed that the names of the gods all ended in the names of the clans of the tinkers, all except Santan."

Daniell was silent for a while and from her eyes, Muddle could see that she had gone somewhere in her mind. Finally, she spoke and her voice sounded as if it was coming from far away.

"The tribes are we, Child of Destiny. We gods in our early times did walk among the humans of the earth. We taught them and we loved them and made love to them and from some of those unions were born demi-gods. They were part man and part gods. And we loved them even more. We taught them even more than the rest of the humans and they became the leaders of the people.

"To honor us, they took half of our names and they added half of their own. In time, we withdrew in sadness for the loss of our final brother but the demi-gods remained. They gathered together and remembered us while the rest of the humans forgot or believed us to be but myths.

"Each of the bands of those you call tinkers are our descendants. They have bred with the other humans until blood of the gods is nearly gone. But every once in a while, one is born whom we can touch and we renew our ties. This woman is one whom I can touch. She is of the clan Rog and I am Sanrog. She is a blessed one.

"I thank you for taking care of her and keeping her safe. I must go. Cherish my child and she will serve you well."

Muddle sat stunned as Daniell glowed brightly for a moment and the glow expanded briefly into the shape of a man and then dissipated.

"Oh dear," said Daniell with a yawn. "How long was I asleep?"

"Not long," Muddle said. "Would you like to crawl in the back and take a nap where you don't have to worry about falling out of the seat?"

"No," she said. "But if you want to find a flat spot to stop for a few minutes, I can go make us lunch. There were plenty of leftovers from the feast and it seemed that everybody wanted to give us some."

Muddle looked out, made a quick decision and guided the horses to a stop along the side of the road.

"This is as good as it gets," he said with a grin. "We have some shade, the horses have some grass and we are just off the road so we are not going to block all the travelers that seem to be bothering us."

Daniell giggled and said, "You are a very funny man. I'll be back with some food in a minute."

True to her word, Daniell was back in a minute with some bread and slices of several kinds of meats and cheeses and a water skin.

The horses enjoyed their lunch as well.

As Daniell was putting the leftovers back in the wagon, Muddle walked over to the side of the tree and pressing lightly with his hands on the barks, he spoke in the ancient tongue, "Oh fair lady of the tree, we thank thee for sharing thy shade with us and for keeping us safe. May thy days be blessed with sun and thy mornings be blessed with the cool wetness of the dews."

As he turned and started walking away, he thought he heard a soft voice call back in the ancient tongue, "I thank thee for thy blessing gentle traveler, may thine road be smooth and thine travels be easy." Or it could just have been the rustling of the leaves in the gentle breeze.

For three days Muddle and Daniell travelled the roads and for three nights they camped out on the side of the road. Muddle retold some of the tales of his early years and added enough new details that Mr. Frog wasn't too bored.

As they were plodding on towards night, Muddle felt the tug again and turned the horses off the road.

Daniell looked at him but said nothing. It was not the handmaiden's place to question.

It was dark when they came upon a circle of trees. Just outside the circle they could see the dark shape of a wagon in the flickering light of their lantern.

Again Daniell looked at Muddle but said nothing.

Muddle held up his arm and Daniell could see the wedding knots glowing under his skin. Bright white they glowed, as bright as a lantern.

Muddle urged the horses on until they pulled up next to the other wagon. Daniell jumped down and unhitched the horses and hobbled them so they could go forage. When she turned, Muddle was standing there. He reached down and helped her stand and started walking towards the center of the grove, still holding Daniell by the hand.

As they passed the outer ring of the trees Daniell could see dark shapes stepping out of the trees and following them. She knew she should be afraid, but it felt like courage was flowing into her from Muddle's hand.

As they passed the inner ring of trees, Daniell could see more shapes stepping out of the trees and they were starting to get closer. She steeled herself and tried her best not to turn around to see what was following them.

As they got to the final ring of trees, she could see there were shapes in front of them and in the light from Muddle's wedding knots, she could see there they were like beautiful women and she knew they were nymphs. As they approached, the nymphs bowed their heads and opened a passage for them.

As they passed through the final set of trees, Daniell could see a white light in the center and two figures standing. They headed straight for those figures.

As they got closer, Daniell could see the figure on the right was a beautiful woman in a spotless white dress with wedding knots glowing white under the skin on her arm. Daniell turned towards Muddle and saw him in the light from his wedding knots. His dirty road weary clothes were gone and he was clothed in the white linens of a bridegroom.

When they reached the two figures, Lenore, for it could be no other in Daniell's mind but Muddle's beloved Lenore, reached out for Daniell's free hand. At the same time, Muddle reached out for the other Lady's hand and the four of them stood for a moment in silence.

After what seemed to be forever, the dryad brought her hands up and put Muddle's fingers to Lenore's. She kissed both hands and stepped back. Just then Daniell heard the humming or maybe it was a low chanting coming from the other dryads that surrounded them.

As the Lady of the Grove backed away she intoned, "I give thanks to the Eldest for the honor of hosting the union of the Triad. My sisters and I wish to bestow our blessings on your union."

With that, the Lady of the Grove seemed to grow until she was just taller than Muddle, who was the tallest of the three. Beginning with Muddle she kissed each of their foreheads. That started a procession of dryads stepping forward and blessing each of them with a kiss on the forehead as they stood holding hands. When all twenty seven of the three of threes had given their blessing, Muddle released the hands of his ladies and took a step forward and returned the blessing on the forehead of the Lady of the Grove.

Daniell was not surprised when Lenore stepped forward and repeated the blessing. But she was completely unprepared when her body stepped forward and she blessed the Lady as well. As she stepped back, she could see three lip prints on the dyad's forehead glowing with a pure white light.

As the three joined hands once again with Muddle in the middle, Daniell looked down and saw that her dirty clothes were gone and she too was dressed in a pure white gown. She tried but words would not come out of her mouth. Instead the three slowly walked back to the first wagon and climbed in.

When all three were inside, Muddle held out his arm to Daniell. She reached into her pocket and drew out a thin golden colored rope. She quickly and surely lashed the wedding knots onto Muddle's free arm, just where Lenore's was on the other. She held up her arm and Muddle repeated the knots on Daniell's arm.