“We’d be happy to look after the horses for a few days.” Clai Borre reassured Judd who offered to pay for the safe keeping of Quell and Zeke.

Judd and his party had come across the armed shepherds on their way to the western coast of the continent. Clai Borre and his companions who were mostly family, wandered the rolling hills of the land between the ‘Hump’ and the coast with their large flocks of sheep. Land was rather tightly controlled to the north and more than three quarters was allocated to crops, farmers and cattle. However, sheep required more roaming territory than was available so shepherds of the south were hearty, armed and fearless. Their occupation was a dangerous one and they were very well paid, risking their lives by living much of their life out in the open.

Clai was missing an eye and two fingers and all of his companions had similar injuries yet none of them seemed unhappy with their lot, though they could become lonely at times. The shepherds welcomed the small band of travellers. Outsiders were rarely to be seen and they enjoyed Giordi’s minstrel musings and Verne’s archery which saw them feasting upon rabbit stew.

It was decided that Quell and Zeke, the doe eyed and once castle bound horses, would probably not enjoy a channel crossing and so Judd had asked if Quell and Zeke could wander with the sheep, protected by the shepherds.

“You leave your pretty ponies with us,” Clai Borre grunted with a common slur, “and if you’re gone for more than a week, head to Quarre. We’ll be handing over two score of our finest and replenishing our supplies but after that, our wanderings will become erratic. If you haven’t returned by the time we leave, we’ll stable your horses with Lord LeMewn.”

“Unless we’ve eaten one of them in lieu of payment,” his brother, Rai Borre, tapped his nose with was bent out of shape from several breaks, “I haven’t had a horse steak in many a month…”

“You would not dare lay a hand on those horses!” Aalis blurted, darting forward from where she had been attending her pack. As she did so, her hood fell back, exposing her rather distinctive dreadlocks.

Shepherds, especially armed shepherds, were not the kind of people to scare easily but the sight of Aalis had a profound effect on Clai and his companions. The ruddy shepherd went quite pale and Rai began to stammer apologetically. In fairness, in her gown fettered with plaited belts, pouches hanging from them and even a cluster of herbs she wanted to dry, her reflective eyes sharpening and her dreadlocks seeming to scream a certain ‘stereotype’, Aalis’ alarm was enough to alarm the shepherds.

Clai Borre fell to his knees. “Please, forgive my brother his foolish tongue and do not cast a curse upon us!” He hit Rai in the leg and he knelt as well. “I swear we had no ill intent towards your horses.”

Aalis was both horrified and speechless at their reaction. Judd put his hands on her shoulders and turned her away, giving her a light shove to where Giordi and Verne were standing.

“Aalis is not a witch so you have nothing to fear from her. She was simply concerned about the welfare of our horses.” Judd stated, standing between Aalis and the shepherd brothers.

“I…well, if the people’s champion who put Sir Jesa in his place says so…who are we to disagree?” Clai stood up, casting a fearful glance in Aalis’ direction.

“I did no such thing.” Judd insisted.

“There’s no need to be modest. We have family who chose to live in the safety of Fort Faine’s protection, only to be threatened by goblins.” Clai explained. “We have not long come from Fort Faine where we sold half our flock and the people speak your name with great respect.”

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“Huh…really?” Judd was taken with this notion for a moment before Verne cleared his throat gruffy and he held out his hand. “Well…we should be going. Thank you for your hospitality.”

“Take care on the isle.” Clai warned. “I’ve not heard anything good said about it by anyone who’s come from there.”

“We will.” Judd promised. “Thanks again.” He slung his pack onto his back, turned and faced his party. “Caste, lead on!”

Caste used his compass and pointed them down the slope of the hill they were on. The ground was crumbly and a little dry and the grass that kept it all from scattering in the enthusiastic breeze was rather grey in colour. The sky was also grey and while it did not threaten to rain, it was determined to stop the sun’s rays from shining brightly and warming them up.

“Jolly good of those shepherds to take Quell and Zeke for us.” Giordi announced, strumming his lute.

“You may think a shepherd a hard lot to live

Alone and adrift, only sheep to be with

Yet in his own way, he is knight of his flock

His crook is a sword, his sling a sharp arrow

His kingdom is great though his subjects are narrow

And when they annoy him, he eats all but the hock!”

“What did I do to deserve this?” Caste moaned and none too quietly.

“Perhaps you should have cut some wool from one of the sheep and stuffed it in your ears?”

“Perhaps I could have cut some wool from one of the sheep and stuffed it in your lute.”

“I used to think that music soothed the savage beast…but in your case it just inflames it.”

Judd chuckled and looked over at Aalis to see if she was amused but he could immediately see that she was not listening. She’d put her hood back up and now and then he saw her tug at the edges of it, tucking her dreadlocks back.

“Hey,” he said, side stepping over to her, “you’re not worried about the horses, are you?”

“Not anymore.” Aalis sighed.

Judd nodded. “It’s about what the Borre brothers called you, isn’t it?”

Aalis licked her lips. “I should not be surprised,” she admitted, “after all, I call myself a witch, I lived in a forest and I look like this…” She gestured to herself.

“Why do I get the feeling that you simply adopted the look of what people already thought you were?” Judd asked. “They called you a witch so you went, fine then I’ll look like one.”

The corner of her mouth curled up a little. “Perhaps…but the real alarm was that they thought I was going to curse them.” She turned to Judd, her eyes as moody and blue as the grey clouds above. “I would never do that. I cannot do that…”

“I know.” Judd insisted firmly and Aalis sighed.

“I know you know…and I know the others…well, they tolerate me to some extent…”

“You belittle your role in our party.” Judd argued. “You cook, you heal…you know about poisons, toxins,” Aalis was unconvinced, “but I think the most valuable attribute you have…is your compassion.”

“My compassion?”

He nodded. “When it comes to looking after people, even when they’re clerics who aren’t that keen on you, you’re fearsome.” Aalis laughed outright which was a surprise from her usually quieter reactions. Judd floundered. “Did I say something amusing?”

“Fearsome…is not a word I ever thought anyone would call me.” She shook her head. “Never, never, never…”

“But you are!” Judd was astonished that she was so surprised. “You protected children from the ogre, you stopped me from getting into a fight with Claud then showed me the sick farmers, you kept me from dying in the swamp by going into the heart of the witch village…”

“I do not think of any of those things as being particularly brave.” Aalis replied. “Also, I would like to add, I was frightened while I was doing all of those things.”

“Yet you did them.” Judd argued. He could see that she wasn’t convinced when Verne spoke up.

“This might be a little late to be asking…but how are we going to get to Keenstone Isle?”

“Caste?”

“There is a ferry.”

“A ferry?”

Caste nodded. “It is situated at the narrowest point of the channel and has been established since the colonisation of the isle.”

“Oh good,” Giordi shuddered, “for a moment I thought we were going to have to swim.”

“Judd would be able to build a boat.”

“I was the son of a fisherman…I didn’t build boats. I fished from them.”

“Perhaps you can catch us our supper while on the ferry?”

“Ugh…I hate fish…”