Road From the Abbey
By Abs, Donna and Toni

Hugh Beringar had pretty much taken it upon himself to be Sidney Johnson’s protector. Unlike her darker haired sister, Sidney was a very pale blonde, with
even paler blue eyes. Beringar had been affianced to a young woman, whose father came out on the other side of a Civil War. That arrangement was dissolved
honorably, while at the same time Beringar found himself another lady, Aline Siward. Unfortunately, Aline was not in Edan, nor was there much hope that she would be brought there. Despite his great love for Aline, Beringar was at once smitten by the lovely Sidney. Her locks were much paler than Aline’s gold, but they were just as wondrous to his eyes.

Because of this, and because Sidney liked Hugh almost as much as he liked her, there was a bit of a conflict. Beringar was set to go to Camelot as soon as the snow stopped; he had readily agreed with Cadfael that the castled city was the place for him! And Sidney was more than happy to go along. Her pale blue eyes sparkled with excitement at the mere thought of lords and ladies, knights and squires! But
Philadelphia was not of that persuasion at all, and wanted to go with Book and the Amish back to the farmlands surrounding Edan. She was not sure she wanted to *farm* actually, but like her tutor Hannah Peale, she did see the city of Edan was much more to her liking.

As the storm raged that night, decisions were made, and families split. Cadfael, who thought of Hugh like a son, was sorry to be seeing him go, but at the same time, he knew it would be good for him, and he would be happier in Camelot. He was hopeful the Lady Sidney would go with him, for she would be good for him too. He already wrote to Darius almost daily, what was one more slip of parchment?

The Amish men, certainly, were going south, and so would Trapper with the two native girls. Cadfael had not gotten a good look at them, but they were pretty things, with supple brown bodies. They reminded him a little of the little Greek woman he had loved, and of course of Miriam. The strange, silent knight who stood staring out of the window at a hawk that had followed him was also set to go to Camelot, along with
his servant – if that was what he was – the “Mouse”. He assumed most of the other women were going to Edan, and several of the other brothers – ones Cadfael did
not particularly see as committed to the cloister – were rather unhappy about it.

The Anderson twins chose to go to Edan with the Amish men. They were from a farming family, so that life appealed to them more than living with royalty. Daniel
and Moses were both delighted, and John Book, who was from Philadelphia, himself, used that fact to flirt shamelessly with the girl bearing that name.

Marien was also traveling with the group going to Edan. She was sad she'd never see her father again, but she owed it to him to keep her promise to him and exercise her inquisitive nature, and learn all she could about this strange new world.

Dolores and her servant decided to go to Edan as well; as the biggest established city in the realm and the one in which the government appeared to be located, it was the best place to be, in her opinion.

All that was left was to wait out the storm. When everyone went to his or her bed, it was still raging outside. But at Prime – or dawn – when the brothers rose to start their day, the snow had long ended. The day would be cold, and the snow would be all around, but as long as they had sufficient blankets, warm clothing and food, everyone should make it to their destinations before darkness hit. But only if they left early!

Navarre, who had once more spent a night as human instead of a wolf, came in from the stables, his cloak slung over his shoulders, to tell those that were going with him that all the horses were ready. A small cart had been prepared for the ladies going to Edan, but Sidney was going to ride behind Hugh, while Phillipe rode behind Navarre. 

Sidney was excited about this, and her new life in the castle, but her departure from her sister was tearful. “This is more your type of life than it is mine,” Philadelphia told her. “You always did read those romantic books!” And, with that, they said farewell.
But hopefully not forever.

No sooner did the double laden black and grey horses leave through the gate to the Monastery, than all who were going to Edan got ready to go. Moses volunteered
to drive the cart hitched up to a pair of sturdy looking mountain ponies, while Daniel drove his own buggy, filled with not only their own supplies, but also the bags of clothing the girls had carried with them to wash in the river. Anna, Emma and Marien
squeezed in the buggy with him, while Book, Philadelphia, Dolores and Imogene all crowded in the cart. Trapper had checked over the little paint mare, and decided that she could make the journey if not pushed too hard. The good food and a night of rest in a warm stable had done her a lot of good! He hitched up the travois behind another mountain pony, throwing Echo up on the paint, while Nightwind easily swung up
behind him on his palomino.

Echo was more comfortable on a horse she knew. Trapper was already sensing that she was different, but had not had the chance to speak to Nightwind about her privately.

The journey went smoothly, since most of the way was down hill. The heavier horses pulling the buggy were used to break the trail for the others, until there came a point where the snow was hardly noticeable at all. 

Connor trotted up to the front, and then signaled the others to stop, pointing to a distant vineyard to the right. "That place belongs to a man named Luc. Sal runs the place across the road. A little further down is Waneta and Hudson’s farm, where I will have to turn off. But all you have to do is follow this road. It will take you straight into Edan, where you will all be well taken care of!"

Daniel and Moses both nodded, and the cart and buggy continued on into the city of Edan. As they went, they looked at the passing farms, and were pleased. The weather was chilly – about 50º - but not at all freezing.

Finally, the little group arrived in Edan itself. There was a moment of unease as they all looked at each other, wondering what to do next. Of course, no word could be sent ahead to warn anyone they were coming. And yet people came out to meet and greet them just the same!

Moses and Daniel were a little flabbergasted by it all, but Book was delighted to be in a town, small as it was. They were directed to the hotel, where even more people greeted them enthusiastically!

It took some while, getting it all sorted out. Nathaniel kept sniffing the girls and Lupe was pulling her hair out because they did not have room! Most would need to be sent to the female boarding house.  Book and the Amish brothers were a little disappointed
that it looked like most of the women were going to be spending the night elsewhere, although they did agree it was the proper thing for them to be doing.

Marien's room was small but nice, and Dolores and her servant shared one. She had heard some of the people mention another high born Spaniard, a Colonel Montoya,
and resolved to meet him sometime in the next day or two.

Suddenly Clay Mosby came from the section of the saloon used for gambling. Although trying not to be too obvious, he stared at Hannah Peale, almost white with shock!

Patience was among those greeting the new arrivals, and when she happened to look up and see the look on Mosby's face, her eyes widened a bit with concern. She went over to him and, in a voice too soft for others to hear, asked, "Clay, what's the matter? Are you ill?"

“That woman. The beautiful one theah! She looks just like my late wife Mary!” As he said this, and Patience’s heart began to ache for her sister, and the possible pain she might have to bear if Mosby got interested in another woman, Nick Wolfe came in to the saloon. 

Hannah saw him and her face lit up. “Austin!” she said, running into his arms.

His face first paling and then turning red, the man she thought was Austin gently set her away from him, telling her in as calm a voice as he could manage, "Ma'am, you've got the wrong man. My name's Nick Wolfe."

“But that’s impossible! You’re my brother! Austin Peale!” She looked him over. “But you do look older, come to think of it.”

He sighed, running a hand through his hair, and figured now was as good a time as any. "Well, there's this thing about this particular place; there seems to be a lot of people that resemble each other. See, over there?" He pointed out Simon Ross and Pete Dyson, standing next to each other as they also said hello to everyone.

“Yes,” Hannah said, “that is odd. So perhaps Austin will follow me here. Do you know those two men?” she asked Wolfe.

"Yes Ma'am, I work with them, in the police department. That one's Inspector Simon Ross, and to his right is Detective Sgt. Peter Dyson."

John Book, who was standing nearby, had overheard the conversation. He made his way over to the two men, observing them for a moment before approaching them.
Even though they looked alike, they acted different, not unlike the Anderson twins. He introduced himself, gauging them even further by their handshakes. "I was a cop myself." He went on to explain briefly how he had ended up living with the Amish. Inwardly, he had conflicting feelings. Part of him hoped that they would need him on this police force; part of him hoped that they would not so he could continue to live the way he had been.

“It’s a good thing you have something you like better,” Peter Dyson smiled. “It’s dead boring here and we tend to attract a lotta coppers.” He grinned at Wolfe, who seemed to snarl back.

"Well, keep me in mind if you ever need reinforcements," Book offered, grinning as he watched Philadelphia from across the room.

“If there is an emergency,” Ross said, “and there could be – there are unsavory elements in this new land – we shall certainly call on you! Till then, you might relax and get in a good crop.”

"I do believe I will do just that," Book said with a lop-sided grin, his eyes twinkling as he moved off.

Ross, seeing where Book was headed, chuckled to Dyson under his breath. "If he doesn't watch it, he'll be bringing in a human crop well before Spring!"

***

After peeling away from the other travelers, Trapper Connor led the way through Waneta's farm towards the Singing Creek Camp. "Echo is a very special young
woman, isn't she?" he asked Nightwind, who just said yes in reply. The day of the attack on her village, Echo had become agitated, and as was Nightwind's custom, she took the younger girl away from the others so that she could calm down. In doing so, she had saved both of their lives. Echo was highly sensitive to loud noises, having extra good hearing, and this had always been a problem, ever since she was a small child. The tribe just thought she was touched by the spirits, and kept her safe in case those spirits became unhappy with her treatment.

Since she was the younger sister of Nightwind's husband, she had taken it upon herself to be Echo's protector from the sometimes noisy life of their village, often going off with her during dances and ceremonies so that she did not have to be subjected to the noise and excitement. As they left the farm and followed a well-traveled trail through the woods, Nightwind hoped that the people in this new camp would be just as accepting of Echo and her special needs as her village had been. 

Echo did like music, just from afar. And the dances, with the bright colors and feathers, were just too busy for her. Nightwind would take her farther away,
where she could watch and listen from a distance.  Now, she was taking it all in, looking around curiously without saying a word.

Suddenly Trapper pulled up as he felt the buzz of another immortal, and a moment later, an older Indian stepped out onto the trail. "Hello Coltec," the trader said, grinning from ear to ear. "This is Nightwind and Echo."

The tall native nodded slowly. “Hello, Nightwind.  Echo. Arapaho?” he asked. For some reason, the universal translator did not always work. Either it did now, or Trapper had suddenly learned the language, for the girls brightened immediately at Coltec’s
words.

"He is the camp's holy man," Trapper said, although he had a feeling both of the young women already knew it.

"Yes," Nightwind said. "But our people are no more. This white man said that your tribe would gladly welcome us."

“That we will.” Coltec smiled at her but moved closer to Echo. The silent girl looked at him and smiled, then ducked as he passed his hand over her head. “Very interesting. This one is quite unique. She has a fragile spirit, and yet possesses gifts we may use. 
Come,” he said suddenly, taking the reins of the paint, “let us settle you in.” But Trapper knew he was taking over the care of Echo especially.

Nightwind knew it too, and though she said nothing, she was glad the medicine man of her village had such interest in Echo's well being. She tightened her arms around Trapper's waist just slightly, and the Highlander patted her hands with one of his, giving her silent encouragement as they followed the travois to the camp and a new life for both women.