“We should camp here in the clearing tonight,” she began. “It did not take them long to notice our presence last time, as if they patrol the area. Perhaps, they follow hunting tracks through or near to the clearing,” she speculated.
“Will it be wise to have a small fire? And we will need to find a source of fresh water. What we brought from the ship will not last long,” said Pool.
“There are some low walls over there,” she said as she pointed to the north. “If we set up the tent in the crux of the walls we will be largely obscured and so will our fire. I they chose to come and introduce themselves, however—peacefully, that is—it will save us a trek through the woods.”
Pool was relieved at being given tacit permission for a fire. He never relished cold supper or breakfast, and hot tea would be refreshing in the morning.
“I am not overly concerned about our safety tonight in the clearing. We are still within site of the Hut and can signal them if we need to be extracted. The real danger begins once we are deep into the forest.”
The Black Forest was called that because of the impenetrable nature of the wood. Not just was the bark of the oak fairly dark, but the mossy depths shut out all light and from the clearing looked as black as night.
The camp was made. Despite Pool’s insistence on two tents, Etelka had countered that one was sufficient and would lessen the amount they would have to carry and assemble each day.
As the sun was dropping behind the distant trees to the west, Pool attempted to construct a small fire, but ultimately needed the assistance of the baroness, who was clever in many unexpected ways (or so he thought.) Dried grass was lit by sparks from a certain kind of rod and the back of a knife blade. To this little flame were added small twigs, more grass, and finally, small branches foraged from the edge of the imposing forest.
Work in progress. Mistakes and misspellings are present. This is a very rough draft. Copyright 2021 Ion Fyr
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Ion Fyr 