Page 105 of Circle of Days

“You have nothing to be afraid of, as long as you don’t speak of killing. And now I think you should leave, before you talk yourself into serious trouble.”

“I’m going,” said Stam. “But remember this: when I find out who’s hiding here, it won’t be mere talk of killing.”

Han cocked his head and said: “What’s that sound?”

Pia listened and said: “It’s like a crowd of people walking and talking.”

“It’s coming from the north side of the river,” said Han. “I’m going to look.”

“I’ll come.” She struggled to her feet. She was fearful. People meant danger.

They went to the shore and peeped through the vegetation, staying out of sight. Thunder joined them.

On the north shore were woodlanders, too many to count, walking past the derelict house and the muddy beach, taking no notice of the stone circle on the hill. Some carried small children, most had shoulder bags. They walked at the moderate pace of people who have a long way to go.

Thunder growled at their dogs, and Han said sharply: “Silent!” Thunder hushed.

Pia said: “This is their migration. They’re following the deer. But you and I didn’t notice the deer passing.”

“Deer move silently. I could have shot one if we’d heard them. Which is probably why they’re so quiet. Which the woodlanders are not. They can be silent when they want, but now they’re noisy.”

“It’s because they’re enjoying themselves. I’ve noticed that. When people go on a journey in a large group, they have a good time, see strange places, maybe fall in love.”

They watched the procession for a while, then returned tothe shelter. Han said the woodlanders posed no threat, but Pia remained concerned.

Han had shot three fat pigeons, and a mouthwatering fragrance was coming from the boiling pot. He lifted a pigeon breast from the water, using a pointed stick. “Almost cooked,” he said. He was always hungry, but he divided everything in half, even though he was bigger, because Pia was eating for the baby too.

Suddenly Thunder barked.

“Hush!” said Han.

The dog’s ears were up and he was staring north, in the direction of the migrating woodlanders. Han stood up and headed the way Thunder’s nose pointed, and Pia followed. When they came to the shore, they saw two men in the river. Woodlanders were not great swimmers, and they were holding on to a log and kicking their legs behind them. Following them, swimming effortlessly, was a dog with a white patch on its nose.

Pia said: “Oh, no! They’ve found us.”

“It’s all right,” Han said. “They’re friends.”

Pia looked harder and said: “So they are—Bez and Fell!”

As the woodlanders approached the shore, Han knelt down and helped them out of the water. There was ironic cheering from the other side as they stood up on dry land. Han pulled the log out of the water for their return journey.

Pia hurried them into the interior of the island so that they would be out of sight. She did not like so many people seeing where she and Han were. Once they were hidden, they greeted one another warmly, and the dogs sniffed each other warily.

They sat on the ground outside the shelter, and Pia said: “How did you find us?”

“We saw the smoke from a fire,” said Bez. “We guessed it might be you.”

Pia disliked the sound of that. “Someone else might reason the same way.”

“I’m afraid you’re right,” said Bez. “We had a visit from Stam before we left. He’s still looking for you. He knows you’re with Han, but he doesn’t know where you are. He thought you might be with us in West Wood.”

“We’re in danger, though,” Pia said.

“I’m here to protect you,” said Han. “But you’re right, we need to be vigilant.”

Fell smiled at Pia and said: “Your baby is coming soon.”

“I hope so.” She checked the pigeon stew and found that the meat was cooked. “Would you like something to eat?”