Traveller Inceptio
93

The journey through the forest was arduous, an ordeal for both the wounded and those who bore them. The muddy ground made footing treacherous, while roots tripped the exhausted and unwary. Though the three patients were sedated, Michael forced himself to remain as conscious as he could. Tatae held his hand while Eadric and Alric took turns with the Travellers to share the burden of his stretcher. Hurley grimly staggered onwards, cursing his inability to help while in his semiconscious state.

To make matters worse, the weather became chill. An intermittent rain fell like icy tears.

Michael dimly recognised the glade where he had first arrived months ago, certain that with the size of the human entourage, the wolves would have fled.

Hurley marched groggily to the artificial stump and placed his foot on it. “Will the Transporter take us all at once?” he asked.

“I doubt it,” replied Leishman. “I think it best we take one stretcher and bearers per transfer.” He looked at those who wouldn’t be coming with them. Michael realised the villagers had never before seen any Travellers arrive or depart. He wondered what impression their vanishing would make on these simple folk. For those trained in the process and used to technology, it was fantastic enough, but to those not familiar, it would look like magic.

“Ok, Leishman, d’you want to make the first run with Morris and me?” Hurley asked as he consulted his watch. He rubbed his eyes and gently shook his head to shake off persistent dizziness. “It looks like we’ve about two minutes.” He glanced at Tatae with Michael and then exchanged a glance with Leishman. “What about her?”

Leishman shrugged and said nothing.

He bent to Michael, “He’s bloody impressive, is old Oeric. He’s like a little lion of God and a true Christian,” he said quietly. As Morris lay on the stretcher on the ground, Leishman and Hurley hugged each of the Saxons and Brother Oeric prayed for them. Hurley nodded his thanks as Brother Oeric kissed his hand. The small monk praised the men for their sacrifices, hugged each of them close and kissed their cheeks with a holy kiss.

As they moved to the Area of Convergence, Hurley winked and said to Brother Oeric, sotto voce, “I’ll put in a good word for you.”

Brother Oeric looked awed and delighted. Leishman looked up at Hurley in horror and shook his head at his poor humour. Morris lay on the stretcher, deathly pale as he reached up and clutched Leishman’s hand on the spear shaft that was the stretcher handle.

Then they were gone.

Hands firmly gripped crucifixes or amulets, Brother Oeric cried out, and the other villagers gasped in wonder at the miracle they witnessed. McFee and McAlister carried the stretcher with Osborne. Osborne looked over at the Saxons, his face wan, and he gave a tired smile and a thumbs-up as they also winked out of existence.

***

Suddenly terribly afraid, Tatae looked at Michael.

“Don’t worry, my love, you’ll be fine,” said Parker and he patted her small, but sturdy shoulders. She nodded and tried to smile, but only succeeded in looking terrified. She briefly released Michael’s hand for a moment as she rushed to hug each of the watching villagers, even Brother Oeric who blessed her as she kissed his scraggy cheek. With peace between them for once, she dashed back to regain her precious grip on Michael’s hand. Brother Oeric stepped forward and kissed Michael’s forehead. Big tears ran down his weathered cheeks.

“Don’t worry, Brother,” murmured Michael dreamily. “We did well, did we not?”

Brother Oeric sobbed mightily. He would miss his friend, the Archangel Michael, now in the care of his brothers.

They moved into position and Tatae looked excited and terrified. She waved. Then they were gone.