The Cursed Forest
(or The Lumberjack)
Drip, drip The rain slowly came down over a forest on the east of a small island in the South Ocean. It dripped over the oaks, onto the leaves and through the grass. The water ran over a cart resting near the forest, and dripped down across the wood that was in a messy pile at the head of the cart. The rain dripped into the mane of the horse tied to a tree nearby. The horse picked at the sparse grass that surrounded the tree it was tied too.
Baleo sat up. He had slept beneath a few wool blankets under his cart. A small pile of oak logs beneath the handles of the cart kept it parallel to the ground. He had slept through the light drizzle that had made most of the lumber wet. The sky was still dark as he folded up his blankets. The tools were under his cart, but he had forgotten to do the same with his food. He reached down to the pack resting on the wheel and brought it up to the bed of the cart. He untied the leather drawstring and peered inside. With slow hands, he set the food out on the grey wool blanket. The bread that had been resting on top was soaked. Only one piece of the four loaves would taste any good. The rest he would have to dry. They would probably be stale after they dried, but at least he could eat them. The rest of the food was fine, his salted lamb, and apples didnt seem to mind the rain.
He put most of the food back in the pack again except for the bread and a few dried apples, and a ripe yellowish apple. He took the ripe apple to the mare tied to the tree, holding it out. The brown mare bit into the apple and Baleo removed his hand.
The apple split in two, and after the mare finished with the first half, she lowered her long head to eat the second half, which had fallen on the ground.
Baleo noisily ate and then drained a bit of mead from a keg underneath his cart. He used a short but wide clay bowl to drink from. Before loading the cart, Baleo untied the mare, and walked her to a stream nearby. They both drank from the cold waters and then walked back to the cart.
Baleo attached the mare to the cart, putting the harness around her long head. Then he began the long task of filling it with the oak wood he had chopped.
After all the supplies and wood had been loaded, he took his axe and chisel, and placed them between the rolls of his blankets in the cart.
He took the reins and began to walk eastward, away from the woods.
The light in the sky began to increase as Baleo led his mare across the thin road west. Short sloping hills rose on either side of the road. The landscape was covered in green grass and sparsely covered in oak and pine trees. Baleos steps were long, but slow. His gait indicated great height, which he indeed had. He was more than six feet tall; it was quite common for those of his nation to be of such height. His long unbraided, raven-colored hair fell well to his waist. A green woolen hood covered his head, and his shoulders. Baleo scratched at his short beard. It covered his strong chin. Whispering over the hills and valleys, the southern winds blew with the chill of an early autumn.
Shrilly, a crow called out as it flew above the cart. Baleos blue-eyes scanned the sky. The grey clouds hid the sun from view.
At the bottom of a small hill, nearly four leagues away, there was a small settlement. It took less than three hours to reach the bottom of the hill at his leisurely pace.
The settlement was a small arrangement of shops and an inn. The lodgings were not very large inside each room, and the comfort was a bit lacking. Most of the shops sold lumbering equipment. There was also a store that sold food, but its selection was limited and prices were high. There were two reputable axe stores, one of the blacksmiths had a sawr or something like that. It was a new tool from Elum. It was very expensive, seeing as it was the only one he had.
Baleo stopped at the outskirts of town, at the lumber mill. He said a command loudly and his horse stopped. He went in the large front door. A tall man sat at a desk with a few papers.
Ho Tokan! Baleo called out.
The man turned his head to look towards Baleo and a smirk briefly crossed his lips.
Good morning Baleo.
They reached out to shake hands, in the Saitish way, shaking arms by grasping the forearm instead of the hand.
How are you old codger? Baleo asked affectionately.
Well enough, Tokan said, slapping Baleos shoulder.
Smiling, showing only a few teeth in front, Tokan rubbed his hands together. They walked out the large front door to Baleos cart.
What do we have here, he said eagerly, looking at contents of Baleos cart. About four cords of oak, he said rubbing his hands together.
Theres nearly six in there, Baleo said curtly.
Tokan laughed, Well how bout I pay you for five?
Baleo held out his forearm, and they shook on it, palm to forearm. Baleo took the horse in the mill with his cart. Inside were a few stacks of wood. Up front, a man was cutting wood into smaller pieces to be stacked into smaller piles. In the back Baleo started to unload his oak. He stepped up onto the cart, and he heard a snap and the cart fell to its side. Wood toppled down, nearly hitting Baleo.
Valores drum! Baleo cursed.
After piling up the wood in parallel and perpendicular rows he disconnected the harnest from the cart and walked his horse over to Tokan.
My damn cart broke on me, he said furiously; his horse snorted.
Hmmm maybe you did have six cords in there, he said with a smirk.
Not funny. That cart belonged to my father. It was old.
Well youll have trouble getting another one unfortunately. I heard from one of the young ones here that Ahene had a terrible misfortune. His store was burned down in a fire last week. He hasnt started making any carts yet.
A fire? But it has been so cold lately.
Aye, even so they say it was a lightning storm that did it. Ahene was lucky that he survived. But he was unable to save any of his woodwork. Tokan paused, I do believe I have a cart I can part with, but youd have to pay a premium for it.
How much? Baleo asked dubiously.
Much more than what that wood is worth, Im afraid. I could have you work for me to pay it off, Tokan said with a smirk. I have some lumber that needs delivered to Tavor.
Tavor? Hmm well I guess I dont have much choice.
Ill go get Danew to set you up with my cart and an extra horse. Youre going to need em for this load. Ill have a cart ready for you after you do the next job, Its a bit smaller than your old one, but Im afraid it will have to do for now. As soon as Ahene gets his carts made again, you should be able to trade yours in. I dont doubt that Ahene will be charging extra for a while, though. He lost quite a profit in that thunder storm, and he will want to earn it back somehow.
Alright, Ill wait outside for Danew, Baleo led his horse outside, his supplies were strapped to the mares back.
The new cart that Danew brought was much larger than his last. Baleo could go at the same pace but only because Tokan loaned Baleo another mare. Tokans mare was the color of coal with light spots of ash-grey on her chest. Baleos horse was much lighter, almost all ash colored, with a few spots of burnt charcoal on her side. They both had large hooves that were covered with a bit of long hair that covered the tops.
The cart was full of oak cut into long rounds. Baleo was to deliver all of the wood to a rich clan leader in Tavor, Danew had explained. Baleo didnt understand why someone would take such trouble to have lumber delivered when they could hire someone to cut if for them locally. Or why would they want to build their house of something so easily burnable? The thought to make a wood house had occurred to him before, but they were very expensive, and although he could probably make one himself, hed always feel like he was living in a house made of money.
Baleo looked across the west road, over the hills. It wouldnt be too a long trip, but Baleo was eager to be finished with it already. There was a seat behind the mares, for someone to hold the reins of the horses, but Baleo felt more comfortable on the ground, walking the horses forward.
Baleo walked fairly fast, trying to keep a good pace that would carry through the journey. Baleo thought about how long it would take as he walked. Almost a hundred leagues there and back. He could probably travel twenty leagues a day with his current load, after he dropped the wood off he could go faster. It would take nearly five days then including a night of rest.
Baleo was pleased to get out of the woods and out of the small town of Cutter, but he also knew that not much would happen on his trip.
Occasionally, Baleo would encounter other travelers on the way west. Most were heading east, he had a few friends that cut lumber as well, but the rest were people visiting relatives, or people transporting goods to Cutter or Tavor.
Since there wasnt much to do, Baleo kept a count of how many people he met each day. Usually hed talk with them for a while, discussing what the weather is ahead,, anything to keep things interesting.
In fact Baleo lost count on the second day because about noon time on he met a supplier and his wife traveling to Tavor. He had met a few people during the day, but the suppliers wife made him forget all the others. Her husband caught Baleo staring while they were discussing the weather. Baleo was sorry to see them pass him up, but they were in quite a hurry.
The sky was lightly cloudy, but it had not rained again since Baleo had left the Jade Woods. He had noticed though, a large dark green forest up ahead as he rose the next hill. It was off to his left in the far distance. He stopped and looked at it, it was quite large.
After a few more hours of travel, when the sun began to set, Baleo set up camp. He fed the horses, and made a small meal for himself. His camp was near some trees about half a mile from the road. He fell asleep thinking, he would be glad when the trip was over and he was done with Tokans deliveries.
Baleo woke up to clear skies. The day was cool, and the wind blew across the highlands. Baleo met a family traveling east towards Cutter, to visit the blacksmith there. He didnt meet anymore people that day; it was quiet until the sun was high in the sky. He heard animals ahead.
The sound of bawing sheep reached his ears as he plodded forward along the dirt road. Baleo saw grey forms crossing the road ahead. Obstructing the road ahead was a small herd of sheep. A sheppard with a blue tartan hood was moving the sheep forward from the back.
Ho sheppard! Baleo called out.
Greetings traveler, the sheppard said with a smile. He seemed happy to see someone else, very pleased in fact.
Excuse me, is Tavor much farther? It is my first journey to this part of the country and I wonder if I am making good time or not.
You have just a small distance between you and Tavor friend, he said pleasantly. It is just over the next hill.
Thank you, Baleo said politely. The sheppard walked across the road, following his flock.
Baleo led the horses up the hill. He could see a small village in the valley as he rose to the top. Grey smoke rose from the chimneys as the afternoon sun shone across the thatched roofs.
Baleo led the cart down the main road, between the houses on the outskirts. He stopped at one where a small boy was playing in the dirt outside with a stick.
Ho! Young master.
Ho stranger, the boy said sheepishly.
Do you know where the clanleader Temek lives?
Aye, he lives in the big house with the tall totem outside, the boy pointed down the road towards town.
How far is it?
Not too far, he said, I walked there once with my pa.
Thank you, Baleo waved with his palm facing himself, in the Saitish way.
The young boy waved back in the same way. Baleo walked nearly a mile before he saw the tall totem. Many faces were carved into the wood, presumably the many clanleaders of the past.
Baleo led his wheelbarrow to the front of the thatched stone home.
Ho Temek! He shouted. There was, silence for a minute and then a thunderous voice.
Ho! A grey-bearded man exited the home and pushed back his hood. His tartan was dark green with dark brown criss-crossed stripes. Temek reached out his forearm.
What brings you here? he said in a friendly manner.
Ive come to deliver this lumber for you.
Ah yes, more lumber for the cabin. Follow me and Ill show you where to stack it. Temek was quite tall, nearly Baleos height. He took long slow steps as they walked around to the back of the house where long rounds were stacked. Baleo followed with the horses and cart in tow.
There were staves in the ground fencing in the logs so they wouldnt roll off.
Stack them here, and Ill have payment for you inside when youre done. You are welcome to stay the night, and you can tie the horses here in back, there is a trough and some oats to feed them, he gestured to the wall of the house where there was a place to tie horses.
Thank you Temek. Baleo took off his hood, as Temek walked away. He began stacking logs. It took nearly twenty minutes to finish the entire cart. He put his green hood back on and walked back around the house. He knocked on the front door solidly and waited. After a short while Temek answered the door.
Come on in, hmm I dont believe youve told me your name yet.
Im sorry Temek. My name is Baleo.
They shook in the Satish way and nodded at each other.
Well sit down at the table, he said, My wife is almost finished cooking dinner for us.
Thank you very much Temek.
Baleo looked at his surroundings. Overhead were many planks covered with straw thatching, making the roof. The room they first entered was a small hall. The ground was smooth dirt, flattened by constant footfalls. A little way down the hall to the right was a large entryway to the kitchen and eating area. There was a cast iron stove in the corner with a stew pot brewing on it. On the counter next to the stove was a basket of bread and a ceramic jar full of water. In the center of the room was a round table surrounded by four wooden chairs. The table had a simple white cloth covering its wood surface.
Temek reached out, to point with his whole hand at the woman ladling soup into large bowls on the counter.
That lovely woman is my wife, and Ill introduce you to my two daughters shortly. Lovely, this is Baleo, he delivered the wood for us,
Thank you Baleo, she said as she turned around. She was just a bit shorter than Temek, her brown hair was tied behind her head in a long braid. Her common face was rosy. Smiling, she set a bowl down on the table.
Youre welcome Lady Temek.
Oh please call me Jorni.
Alright.
Please be seated, Temek said as he pulled out the seat in front of the bowl.
Thank you, Baleo said as he sat down.
Girls, dinner is ready, Temek said down the hall.
Jorni continued to fill the table with bowls and a girl followed by a young woman entered the kitchen. The girl was about eight years old and her black hair was tied behind her head in a single short tail. She wore a green dress that went to the knee, and she was barefoot. The young woman who followed wore a bodice and a long wool skirt that hit her ankles. She also wore straw sandals. She looked about seventeen years old, with her brown hair long over her shoulders. She wore a thin white linen blouse. Her face was plain like her mothers.
She looked long at Baleo, but he did not linger on her face as she did on his. She sat next to him at the table on his left, and Temek sat on his right.
These are my daughters Lori and Lica, Temek indicated his younger and older daughters respectively with his hand.
Licas yet to be married, he said nudging Baleo in the arm.
Lica blushed coyly.
I cant believe the daughter of the clanleader has yet to be wed, Baleo said honestly.
Well she has just come of age and but there has been only one man asking her hand, but I didnt approve of him.
A man with not much financial support? Or looking for only love?
Nay, he was a priest of the Temple of Valore. If you ask me those men should take an oath of chastity. Some of them have so much faith that it clouds their judgment I fear. I do believe in the gods but the clergy seems to take many things too seriously. They believe in forsaking your family to make the gods first priority, Temek shook his head. Tell me Baleo are you a religious man?
Baleo searched for words, and then simply said, Nay, there has never been any proof to me that Valore or any gods exist. I see my life being mostly luck and nothing to do with fate.
Temek slapped Baleo on the shoulder, startling him.
Just what I wanted to hear, he said, Most people I meet try to impress me with lies. Im glad youre comfortable enough with yourself to say what you truly feel.
Temek there is something that has been bothering me about this trip.
What is it friend?
Why have you gathered so much wood, did you say you were making a cabin?
A log cabin, Temek said with a smile. Baleo frowned. Obviously you do not approve, surely someone who cuts wood for a living wood appreciate a home made entirely of wood?
Its not very fire safe, Baleo said flatly.
The wood can be covered with a liquid that makes it much harder to burn. It soaks into the wood.
Hmm, Baleo said dubiously.
The priest wanted to bless the cabin, because he thought it would protect it from Valore. If Valore misses the ground and hits my cabin, so be it, he chuckled.
So how has business been lately?
Not as good as I had hoped. Even though the Jade Woods seems to be the only source of wood we have in Sait, there are plenty of trees spread over the country. Most everyone is content to cut it themselves, and too poor to higher a professional.
Normally I cut wood for the mill, but its not my only living. Occasionally I cut wood for people that are too busy to do it themselves, such as most professional carpenters. Traveling to Tavor to deliver these rounds is completely new to me. In all my eighteen summers, I have never been here.
First time for everything huh? How do you like it?
It seems to be a large town, impressive, Baleo said, But I have only seen the outskirts so far.
This is the biggest town around here, mostly due to the travelers passing through Sait on their way to the shipyards to the south, or to Elum to the north.
Temek, do you mind if I ask a question?
Not at all what is it?
Tell me, why did you not simply pay someone in Tavor to harvest lumber from the forest I passed on the way here? The trees look very strong and the forest looks untouched.
Temek laughed softly.
Whats so funny? Baleo asked.
You mean your not joking? Those are the cursed woods, they are forbidden to us. I admit its a somewhat foolish custom, but most of our clan, and the surrounding clans believe that some many centuries ago Valore found his wife Pasea fornicating with Bast. Valore became so angry that he smote the earth with a huge lightning storm that burned the highlands on Temek land. Soon after, a dark forest grew on that soil. It is rumored that Valore decreed that any person to cut a tree from that forest would certainly suffer the wroth of his lightning. The priests here preach that not a single person should even set foot in the forest because of the curse. Men that do are never heard from again.
The entire family looked upon Temek, silent.
Foolishness, Baleo said after the pause in the story.
Aye, but if I was to go against that custom, the people of our tribe would lose faith in me. Tradition is very hard to break Baleo.
There conversation on the forest ended and they spoke about little things, until everyone was done with their food and drink. The sisters stood up and went to their room to get ready for bed, and Jorni did the same.
You are welcome to share bedding with us Baleo. Lica and Lori can sleep in the same bed; you can sleep in Licas bed.
She need not, I can sleep on the floor.
Nay she doesnt mind.
Thank you Temek, Baleo said gratefully. Temek nodded. They stood up and walked down the hall.
Well goodnight Baleo, Temek said with a hand on his shoulder. Sleep well, he entered his bedroom to join his wife.
When Baleo walked into the girls bedroom, Lica and Lori were already in the smaller bed.
Baleo faced the wall and began to undress. The sisters closed their eyes. Lica didnt close them all the way though. When he was finished undressing Baleo pulled the covers over himself and rolled on his side facing Lica. Her hair was tucked behind her ears and her eyes were closed. Her skin looked pale in the flickering candlelight.
Baleo blew out the candle with one big puff.
Darkness shrouded everything. Sticks cracked as Baleo plodded on through the forest. Faint pale light shone from above. There was a small clearing and a large tree in front of him. Baleo took his large axe from his back and squeezed the wood handle between his fingers.
He brought the axe behind his head, but when he was about to swing he felt something pushing him back.
He thought he heard someone say his name. Leaves began to fall from the tree and he felt something nudging him again.
Baleo, wake up, Lica pushed his shoulder with her palm.
Baleo opened his eyes.
G-good morning, she stammered. Lica smiled, Father wanted me to wake you. Mother is nearly finished with breakfast
Alright, Ill be there shortly. Thank you, Baleo waved his hand in the Saitish way, palm facing himself.
Of course, she uttered, bowing her head. She left the room.
The clothes felt cold against Baleos skin as he put them on.
Baleo again brought up the topic of the forbidden forest at breakfast. Lica never seemed to take her eyes off Baleo as she ate quietly, but Baleo didnt seem to notice.
Yes there might be a small change; defying the law might break down the old theological traditions. But also the risk is breaking the trust in other laws that we assume are based on theology, such as sisters and brothers never marrying because of Paseas commandments. I need to set an example of adherence to laws. One cant pick and chose which laws of the gods we follow.
I suppose, Baleo rubbed his chin thinking.
Well we cant stay here talking too long, he said. You should start for home before it gets too late. Already the sun is at its highest in the sky, you should use what is left of the day.
Aye, Baleo said.
They both rose from the table and went outside. The horses looked eager to get moving, all the food was gone from the trough. Baleo untied the horses and placed harnesses on them, attaching them to the cart. He only had his small bag of supplies, his blanket, his axe, mallet, and wedge resting in the cart, where someone would sit behind the horses.
I was pleased to meet you Baleo, Temek held out his arm. Baleo took his arm, and they shook arms in the Saitish way.
Likewise Temek, perhaps we will meet again.
Lica stood at the door, she was sad as Baleo led the horses away from their house. Lica went back in the house and laid on her bed, pouting. She wished that she wasnt just a common looking woman. She wanted to be Baleos every desire, what he wanted, so that he would notice her. She prayed to Valore that he would make her beautiful.
Baleo couldnt help but think about the forest as walked along the road out of Tavor. He saw the forest as he rose up the hill. From the top of that hill, he changed his course straight to the forest. He had to go slower because the cart was much more difficult to run in the grass, and he had to be careful he didnt run over anything that could damage it, especially since it was a loaned cart.
He didnt seem to be gaining much ground as noon came along. The forest still seemed to be about the same distance away, it was quite strange.
Baleo stopped the horses for lunch. He gave them some water that Temek was kind enough to provide, along with some oats. Baleo ate a few dried apple slices and a bit of salted lamb. He took a small drink from his skin of water. Lunch lasted no more than twenty minutes, then Baleo began plod forward again, leading his horses forward, making sure the cart would find even ground. There were times when he had to back track, because of hills or thickets that would block the carts path. As the sun began to set, Baleo finally saw the forest on the next hill. The horses seemed tired, but Baleo continued to lead them on, until it was very dark and he had reached the large untouched forest. It was like nothing he had ever seen before. The trees were not any that he was familiar with. The leaves were small and almost round with long stems connecting them to the branch. Baleo tied the reins of both horses to a tree. The trees of the forest ranged from about twenty to forty feet high. The branches spread out near the top of the tree so that they made almost half of the height. The leaves looked good compared to how autumn leaves normally are tattered and falling. Baleo could tell the leaves were green even though he couldnt see their color. It was a new moon tonight, so the darkness was almost complete.
Baleo looked with wonder on the foreign trees. The bark felt his touch as he rubbed his hand across the surface of the trees. Quickly, Baleo went to his cart and got out his axe with the strap attached to its end. He tied the end of the strap around the base of the axe head so he could sling it around his shoulder.
Baleo walked through the dark forest, walking over the tangled mess of roots and pushing past the branches. He looked back over his shoulder. It was so dark, that he couldnt see the horses he had just left. He looked around for a tree small enough that he could fell. The wind soughed softly behind him, his hair flew forward and covered his eyes, he thought he heard his name on the wind, slowly being uttered.
Baleo turned around, moving his hair from his eyes. Off to the left was a small tree. It was beautiful to Baleo, a perfect size, something he could fell with not much difficulty. He wondered how long this lumber would burn. He wondered if the clergy restricted access to this wood because it wasnt very good for burning.
Baleo took the axe from his shoulder and untied the strap. He wrapped it around the handle and tied it near the top, near the axe head. Baleo spread his feet shoulder width apart and squeezed the grip in his hands. Then he swung the axe behind himself and then into the trees flesh, with a grunt.
When he hit the tree Baleo thought he heard a small cry.
Hello? he called out. There was an echo that sounded tiny and feminine. Baleo shrugged it off, this forest made strange echoes.
Baleo swung again. The bark was soft but beneath it was hard wood. It would be tough, but the wood felt like it was very strong.
Baleo swung again, grunting, and the feminine echo coming again.
Baleo swung again, hitting deep, dark sap began to drip from the gash. Baleo looked at it briefly. It wasnt very thick, and it dripped quickly down the bark.
Again and again Baleo swung his axe, but he set it down to rest. He bent forward and set his hands on his knees, trying to breath slowly.
Youre a tough tree, he said quietly.
It sounded as if a feminine voice echoed, youre killing me. Baleo stood up.
Hello? he called out again. And again there was a tiny feminine echo, but it sounded strained.
Baleo rubbed his hands over his face and his fingers over his eyes. He must be quite tired, he thought to himself, if he was hearing voices.
He picked up the axe and swung. He swung many times, it seemed like an hour or more, but finally with one last chop, and a small feminine scream, the trunk was severed and the tree fell, with a crash, against the larger trees.
A murmur seemed to fill the forest. Baleos eyes darted into the dark, looking for the source of the sounds. Baleo heard voices on the wind, but nothing discernable, it may have been another language, or maybe it was nothing at all.
The murmur got louder; Baleo picked up his axe, he turned and ran over the roots and between the trees, the murmur filled his ears. A root caught his boot. Falling forward, he bashed his head against a tree.
Damn Valore, he said between clenched teeth. The axe lay in front of him. He picked it up and began to walk quickly through the forest; he wasnt sure which way to go. The murmur in his ears was nearly deafening, but then it began to fade as he walked.
Baleo rushed forward thinking the end of the forest was ahead, but he saw only a felled woman. Baleo dropped his axe, and he noticed that the axe head was covered in blood.
She was beautiful. As he reached her, he fell to his knees. The young woman lay naked on top of the tree he had cut down. She had deep gashes into her stomach and blood seeped over her soft flesh onto the tree.
Baleo looked at her face, she looked like Temeks daughter, but something was different. He looked over her body. She looked beautiful and perfect to him, perfect except for the deep wounds which had torn her waist. Looking at him with slow breaths, and glassy blue eyes, she slowly raised her hand. Baleo softly pressed her hand between his, looking deeply into her eyes.
