Traveller Inceptio
41

Report - Traveller 2

It was early yesterday morning, the day after the Sabbath, when we bid farewell to Godric and Hilda, and to Giolgrave. As I had told Godric, this would be a journey where Eadric must be a valued part of our team and vital to preserve the safety of the monks, so he had to travel light and he had to be armed.

I walked from the monastery with the monks after a tearful blessing from Abbott Aldfrid and we met Godric’s family at their home. Even though the morning mist clouded the village, they waited patiently. As you see in the images, the mist gives the whole occasion a surreal, magical feel.

I can’t stress how big a deal this is to Godric and his family. This was the day when Eadric would leave as a boy to return as a man and would probably be the most important journey of his life. I was honoured, yes, that Godric and Hilda had such trust in me, but also a little concerned that I didn’t only have responsibility for the monks, but also for this young man. Though he regretted that he couldn’t make this journey with Eadric, I can’t help but feel that Godric was a little cunning in giving me this task as it ensures that I return. I would have to return anyway, to get back to The Transporter Area of Convergence, but they don’t know that.

Hilda was pale and looked like she’d been crying for most of the night and struggled not to show her grief. She had a look of great pride as her eldest son was to become a real man, but I could see the thought of how quickly they grow was going through her mind.

Eabae had the look of stricken loss and she was giving me those cow-eyed glances that she had down pat. The other siblings milled about, for once uncertain and a little frightened at the change that was taking place in their family.

Eadric was impatient to get going and he had his travel attire about him with a pack slung over one shoulder, blanket roll slung over the other, seax at his back and spear in his hand. He looked more excited than frightened because this was going to be his first journey away from home, family, and the security of the village.

Godric stood off to one side, silent, aloof, and watching. As Eadric moved from the fond kisses of his mother and sisters, his young sister Achae gave a sniffle and Wuffa stood wide-eyed and silent. The middle son, Saba, was unsure of what to do, whether or not to cry at the potential absence of his older brother. He just stood uncomfortably, shifting from one bare foot to the other. Eabae gave Eadric a hug and a kiss on the cheeks; he blushed furiously, yet he hugged her tightly. Cyneburg, unsure of what was happening, held on to Eadric’s leg a moment and then toddled off to play.

To Saxons, family is everything.

I watched them ache for their son and brother. They all wanted life to change, but change is always painful and a little disorienting. Eadric gave me the impression of a baby bird about to leap from the nest. Both Hilda and Godric knew they couldn’t keep Eadric at home forever. Like any parent, they have to trust that the life skills they had instilled in him will help him to return as a man.

I knew this was a big deal, so I treated it formally. One thing I’ve found is that Saxons just love formality, so I said something like Lord Godric, your family has shown me great comfort and friendliness in my time here and I have felt the warmth of your hearth and home. Hilda, wife of Godric, though I have not much, as we part for the moment I ask that you please accept my gift as a token of thanks for your kindness, your food, and your wonderfully warm blanket. At this Hilda smiled, because Saxons also love gifts. Remember she had Eadric bring me a blanket when we were hunting. It’s a terrific blanket and vastly superior to the blanket on my humble monastery bed. I went on, as I do at times, please know I will look out for the safety and strength of your son. He will return a man, a good man. Yada yada yada.

Hilda bit her lip and held back tears. She’s such a handsome woman, and with her guard down, I caught a fleeting glimpse of the young girl Godric risked so much to marry and keep safe. She must have been a real honey. So anyway, I held out my closed hand, fingers down, and she, with a small frown, held out her worn, slender hand. I placed my hand in hers and opened it to reveal a coil of bright, red ribbon.

Hilda and her daughters exclaimed in delight. I’m pretty certain they wouldn’t have seen such red before and they marvelled at how the ribbon shone in the dim morning light. She took the end of the ribbon in her other hand and it uncoiled to the ground. When you look at a coil of colourfast, synthetic satin ribbon, we take it for granted, but to Saxons the vibrant colours are undreamt of. Two metres of ribbon might be of little consequence to us, yet I know this gift will be treasured. Hilda’s eyes were wide and she looked like a kid. I stepped forward and held her lightly and kissed her on the cheek like family. She blushed, but returned the light peck with a close hug and pressed her cheek to mine in affection.

I then turned to Eabae and her pretty ears blushed a bright pink. As you know, she’s also quite the babe. Just be thankful Poxon isn’t here or she would’ve been a wreck. Her light brown hair had been tied back into a ponytail with a series of leather thongs that included fresh daisies, all very Saxon and very pretty indeed. I smiled at her and held out a hand. Wide eyed, she held out her small hand to receive a coil of blue ribbon. She was delighted and she stared at the little piece of cloth as if she could’t believe her eyes. When I gave her a hug and kiss on the cheek, Achae giggled and the boys smiled and looked at each other in mischief. I must admit that got me blushing, to the barely suppressed amusement of both Godric and Hilda.

The three monks stood some paces away, broad-brimmed hats on their heads, and they shuffled their feet, anxious to be on their way.

As a final part of our little ceremony, Eadric and I presented ourselves to Godric, who stood tall and strong with no expression. Eadric stepped forward and Godric clasped his arm for the first time as a man. He nodded and Eadric nodded back, uncertain, excited, with his face working to keep his emotions in check. I then took Godric’s arm, felt his strength and his suppressed emotions. As I’ve said before, he’s a good man and I suspect this journey will see changes in Eadric that, Godric knows, are essential to his growth. Most of all, I appreciate the trust Godric has in me to care for and instruct his son.

But I’ve said that already, I think.

As we headed off, we didn’t look back. That much I understood was an important part of their custom.

The monks carried staffs and small packs similar to Eadric while I have, of course, brought my full pack. As we walked the dusty path from the village, there were calls of support and farewell from the villagers while the village’s crop of tow-headed children ran ahead of us in excitement. Ceolwulf, squatting in his smithing workshop, raised his hand in farewell as we passed.

For the village, it was a major event and I’ll always remember their calls and friendly well wishes. It felt like I was leaving home.