Audio Read-along:
Recap: After promising the town authorities that he would take responsibility for Eloise, Jerard takes the young herbalist to his secluded cabin in the forest.
(Click here to read from the beginning.)
Segment 5: Ancient Whispers
The morning sun filtered through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the walls of Jerard’s cabin. Inside, the atmosphere was tense. Eloise sat at the rickety table, her fingers drumming the wood, while Jerard busied himself at the bubbling cauldron.
“I know it’s not much,” he said without turning, his voice gruff, “but it’s safe, and it’s hidden.”
Eloise nodded, though her eyes wandered uneasily around the cramped space filled with jars of strange herbs, tanned animal pelts, and books piled pell-mell around the floor. “I guess it’s better than a cell,” she gave a weak smile.
He turned, a small vial in his hand, grinning. “Don’t worry. I’m not going to make you stay here,” he said, extending it towards her. “This will mask your presence in the village. Lavender and chamomile, with a touch of valerian. It’s mild.”
She accepted it but did not drink. “What do you mean? Those aren’t magical herbs, as far as I know.”
“Yeah? I’d imagine there are whole libraries full of stuff you don’t know. I’ve studied in a fair few of them. This draft will protect you, let you pass unnoticed through Hawthorne Hollow. If you don’t drink it,” he added, raising his bristly eyebrows, “you’ll have to live here with me. And I know you don't want that. This place looks like shit.” For a moment, their eyes met, and then both of them laughed. Suddenly she jumped up and hugged the old man fiercely. “Thank you, Jerard. Not just for this,” she gestured with the vial, “for everything.”
“Get off, get off,” he grunted, flapping his hands until she released him. “I’m not really doing this for you. I’m just trying to figure out who killed Elsbeth.”
Her smile faded, and he hastened to add, “But, if we catch the killer, it clears your name too. That’s worth something.” her expression cleared, and he managed a half-smile. “Now, drink up. We’ve got places to be.”
Eloise took a deep breath, uncorked the vial, and swallowed the contents in one gulp. She grimaced and said, “Ugh, Valerian root is disgusting. Let’s go then,” her voice was now more determined.
The two stepped out into the crisp morning air, the forest alive with the chirping of birds and the rustle of leaves. They followed the winding path that led back to the village.
As they approached the edge of the town, Jerard glanced back at the trees with a determined look. “Before we head back into the village, there’s somewhere we need to visit again—the clearing where we found Elsbeth.”
“Do you think we missed something there?”
“There’s something I want you to experience firsthand,” He replied evasively.
As they approached the clearing, the morning light struggled to penetrate the dense canopy, casting an eerie glow over the forest floor. They stopped in front of a large, gnarled tree that stood imposingly at the edge of the clearing.
"Touch the tree here," Jerard instructed, pointing to a spot on the trunk. "Tell me if you notice anything... unusual."
Eloise placed her hand against the bark. At first, there was nothing, but slowly, her eyes widened in surprise.
"Hear it?" Jerard asked, observing her reaction closely.
"Yes," Eloise replied, her voice a mix of awe and confusion. "It’s like... whispering. It’s talking about danger…about stolen power and corrupted roots."
The wizard’s face was serious. "That’s what I thought. This tree is ancient and deeply connected to the magic of this forest. It seems to be communicating with you, which is rare."
"Why me, though?"
"I’m wondering that myself," Jerard admitted, stroking his luxuriant grey beard. "You've a knack for herbs, more than just skill. Maybe it’s deeper, part of something innate. But what exactly... that remains to be seen."
"And the stolen power it mentioned... what do you think that means?"
His reply was slow, as if he was pondering every word. "It's hard to say without more information. We need to be cautious and keep this between us for now. This isn't just about solving a murder anymore."
They both looked back at the whispering tree, its branches swaying slightly as if nodding in agreement.
Jerard removed a pipe from his pocket and lit up. “One more thing before we go,” he said, his voice low and urgent.
“What?”
“I need you to know the nature of this stolen power. If it’s as deeply connected to the village’s history as I suspect, we might be dealing with something…very old, very crafty.”
Eloise nodded, her face grave, “So, what’s our next step?”
His expression softened slightly, a hint of a sly smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “Tonight, after the village quiets down, meet me at the library. Not many people know what old Tobold’s got up there in his stacks. There are hidden records that might shed some light on this mystery.”
“Alright, I’ll be there.”
“Be careful tonight, Eloise,” Jerard murmured as they made their way back to the path. "Tread carefully, keep your senses sharp. You’re likely to notice things others would miss."
As Eloise and Jerard emerged from the shadows, the crisp air of the village seemed charged with a subtle tension. Jerard paused, his gaze fixed on a disturbance in the village square. ‘Look there,’ he murmured, nodding subtly towards where Caius stood, visibly upset, amid a cluster of agitated villagers.
Eloise’s eyes narrowed as she observed the scene, noting the rigid posture and focused attention of the guardsman. As Caius broke from the group and started toward them, Eloise grew tense.
‘He’s seen us,’ she whispered.
Caius approached with a purposeful stride, stopping just a few feet away. His expression was unreadable, his gaze shifting between Jerard and Eloise. ‘There’s trouble brewing,’ he said without preamble. ‘And I have a feeling you two know more about it than anyone else here. It’s time we talked. Seriously.’
Jerard nodded slowly, exchanging a look with Eloise that carried a silent agreement. Whatever Caius’s intentions, their path forward had just become even more complicated.
Oooooo I'm nervous!!