“Mum, I’m going to head over to the Jenkins farm this morning, if that’s okay? I’ve finished those plow straps he wanted and I was going to take them over to him,” Cali said.
“Yes, honey, that’s fine. You’re going to ride over so you can get back by lunch, right?” Bethal asked.
“Yes, Mum. And Chase has gotten very good at following with me when I’m riding, so he can come along.”
“I didn’t expect anything else, Chase is always with you!” her mom laughed. “Just be careful and come back as quick as you can. Oh, and take Jenkins some of this jam that I made.”
Cali packed the jars of jam along with the new straps into the saddlebag of her horse. Her mom had surprised her with a sort of a sling so that she could carry Chase while still having her hands free. He was growing fast, but sometimes still wanted Cali to carry him.
She adjusted her bow on her back and put Chase in the sling so he could ride with her for a bit. They climbed up into the saddle and set off towards Jenkins’ farm. It was a bit of a trip, but on horseback, she shouldn’t be gone past midday. She was anxious to get back, she wanted to start working on her new quiver, and the collar for Chase.
Passing through the east fields, Cali waved at the farmhands. Ahead, the trees grew thick and closed in around the road that led to other parts of Edelaine, including Jenkins’ farm. She urged the horse on to a trot, excited to deliver the straps to Jenkins and get her first pay.
It had taken slightly longer than normal to fully prep the boar’s hide for working since it was thicker than the hides she normally worked with. She was surprised that it wasn’t much more difficult to work than the thinner hides though.
Cali hoped Jenkins would like the new straps. She had cut the straps and embellished the edges with thin rawhide stitches for reinforcement.
It was cooler here on the road under the thick trees, but the day was going to turn hot. Cali wanted to make quick work of this and head back home before it got too humid. She decided once she got back, she would work on Chase’s collar first.
Chase seemed content in his sling and didn’t want to run alongside, he alternated between napping and looking around.
Cresting the top of a hill she could see the small road to Jenkins farm ahead on the right. Unlike Cali’s family farm, you didn’t have to go through fields before getting to his house. She rode up, tying her horse to the post as Jenkins walked around the corner of the house.
“Young Miss Cali!” Jenkins shouted, raising his hand in welcome. “How are you on this beautiful day?”
“Hi, Jenkins! I’m doing great, thanks. Mum sent you over some jam, and I’ve brought your new plow straps.”
“Oh, Cali, you have made my day! I’m not sure which I’m more excited about. Those old straps of mine are about worn through.” Jenkins replied. “Come on in the house, let me get your pay.”
They walked inside when Chase poked his nose out to look around. Cali sat at the kitchen table as Jenkins went to get her pay. He stopped by the back door telling Rowan to go say hello to Cali.
“Father, really, Cali is a bit young, don’t you think? I’ll not be married off yet!” Rowan complained but did as his father asked.
Rowan walked into the kitchen nonchalantly, with Jorah running in excitedly right behind him.
“Hi, Cali. Oh, your mom sent jam?” Rowan asked seeing the jars on the table.
“Cali! It’s great to see you! Hey, when are we all going to head over to the lake?” Jorah asked, his words coming out all in a rush.
“Hi! Yes, that is from Mum’s latest batch, and there’s more where that came from.” Cali smiled. “Hi, Jorah, it’s been so hot, we ought to get everyone to the lake soon before summer is gone.”
“Here you go, young lady. My, that little fox is growing! He’s almost twice as big as when I saw him at the gathering! You’ve got him trained up good?” Jenkins said as he came back in the room.
“Yes, sir. He’s a great friend, smart too,” Cali replied. “Wow, Jenkins, this is more coin than I expected, are you sure?”
“Cali, you did fine work on these straps, you deserve no less. Oh, tell your father that old man Jossin was rambling on the other day about losing some sheep again. It’s probably nothing, but I know he’d want to know.”
“I sure will, Jenkins. I better be heading back, I told Mum I’d try to make it back by lunchtime!”
“Then you better be off, young miss! And tell your mother no one makes jams like her!” Jenkins laughed.
With several shiny silver coins jingling in her small drawstring purse, Cali and Chase pointed the horse back toward their farm and set off.
***
Chase ran alongside Cali on the ride back, jumping at bugs and the occasional leaf. With the sun at its peak and no breeze, it felt stifling even in the shade of the thick trees on the road. She was thrilled at the money she made from Jenkins and couldn’t wait to tell everyone at home.
Suddenly, Chase stopped in the middle of the road with a low growl, looking into the forest. Cali jumped down from her horse thinking he may have hurt a paw and knelt beside him. He was trembling, fixed on whatever it was he sensed in the woods.
“What is it, boy?” Cali looked around at the trees but didn’t see anything.
There were no sounds. Not even the rustling of leaves in the heavy air. Breaking out in a cold sweat she could feel eyes on her, but there were no eyes she could see. She scooped Chase into his sling, brandished her knife and got back on her horse. Something was not right here. Not right at all.
“Who’s there?” Cali demanded. “I know you’re there, come out!” She hoped she sounded more confident than she felt. A tremble of fear crept across her skin raising the hair on her arms. She needed to get away from there.
Urging the horse to a full run with her heels, she leaned forward to protect Chase and gain speed. Once she entered the east fields she finally slowed and rode on to the house. Bethal saw Cali ride up and met her by the back garden.
“Hi, sweetie, I’m glad you made it back before lunch. Are you okay, you look a bit shaken?” Bethal asked. A farmhand came over and took the horse to the barn.
“Mum, I’ve got some great news, but I have to tell you something else first.”
They walked into the kitchen. Cali sat at the table, Chase hopped down and sat beside her. Bethal poured a cold drink and handed it to her daughter.
“Mum, there was something in the woods about halfway back from Jenkins. I think there’s another boar or something out there. And Jenkins said to tell dad that old man Jossin said he had some sheep go missing.” Cali said in a rush.
Bethal’s eyes widened. “Did you see this animal, Cali?” she asked, then called out the door to the worker to go find Erwin.
“No, Mum. I didn’t see it. Chase sensed it first and was mad and scared. And I could feel it looking at me, I know it was there, I could feel it there, Mum, I could!” Cali said, trying to convince her mother.
“Cali, honey, it’s okay, I believe you. You and Chase are safe and back home. That’s what matters. It’s okay. Here comes your dad, let’s tell him and then you can tell us your good news.” Bethal smiled. Her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes though.
Cali told the whole story to her dad and Bodric who had come in too. Erwin and Bodric planned to ride over to see old man Jossin the next day and would look along the road to see if they could see any signs of the animal.
“Now, what’s this good news?” Bethal tried to lighten the subject.
“Oh, Mum! You aren’t going to believe this!” Cali jumped up and jingled her drawstring pouch around. Chase bounced around at her feet. Cali proudly poured her coins out onto the table for everyone to see.
“Well, looky at that, Cali girl!” Bodric said. “You’re a gonna be richer than all of us soon!” he laughed.
“That’s good pay for those straps, Cali.” Her dad said. “Did you see Rowan while you were there?”
Bethal lightly smacked Erwin’s shoulder. She knew that Jenkins not-so-secretly hoped that Rowan and Cali would eventually be married. She also knew that Cali had no interest in Rowan, even if he was a handsome older boy.
“Sure did, Da. And Jorah, too. We are going to get everyone and go to the lake soon,” Cali said.
“You know, honey, that Jorah is a good boy, and he’s only a year older than you,” Bethal said slyly.
“Mum!” Cali rolled her eyes and headed to her room. She put her coins away, then headed out to the small barn to work on Chase’s collar.
She had forgotten all about the animal in the woods, and was focused on what she was going to make next, and if she should start making leather items to sell to the other farms.
***
“Erwin, you and Bodric go and check that place out tomorrow. And you let me know what it is.” Bethal said once she knew Cali was out of earshot heading to the barn.
“Beth, dear, it’s just animals. I’m sure of it. Of course, I’ll let you know either —”
“I think we need to sit her down and —” Bethal started.
Erwin held up his hand, interrupting his wife. “No, Beth. No. If we run into any sign this is anything other than just hungry, wild animals, then we’ll talk about that. But right now? No.”
Bethal wasn’t convinced, but she trusted her husband.
“Bethal, I’ve known you all since we’ve been little sprouts, listen to Erwin on this one. You’ve got nothing to worry over. And that’s a heavy burden to put on anyone, you know that best of all,” Bodric said, trying to ease Bethal’s mind.
“I know, and you’re right. I just can’t shake it. I guess I’m just jumping at shadows — or boars — in this case.” Bethal laughed. “No, we won’t tell her, no reason to.”
“It’s been generations since it was needed. Since well before our time. And there’s no need now. Don’t worry yourself.” Erwin stood, giving his wife a kiss on the forehead.
“Bodric, come on, let’s get a couple of the hands to go with us tomorrow, we’ll stop by the other farms too and camp overnight at Jossin’s.”
Bodric laid his hand on Bethal’s shoulder. “Only thing to worry about is all that cooking for another boar roast coming up!” He winked, laughing as they headed out the door.
© 2017–2026. Morigan Shaw. All rights reserved.
This episode and its accompanying text are part of The Idoramin Chronicles and may not be reproduced or distributed without permission, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.
