The Facemaker of Sabada averted his eyes. 'Too much, my friend, far too much. I have
enough problems of my own without adding your burden to my mind. How has one of your
age lived through such perils ? I saw things in your eyes I have never seen, even in dreams.
Somebody my own age who has had the experiences of so many years. No, Ben, it is too
much for me to understand, let's not talk about it. Your secret shall remain with you, and Ned,
too, I think. Trust me, I will be a true friend to you both.'
Ben shook the artist's outstretched hand gratefully. 'Thank you, Dominic, I know you'll be a
rare and good pal. There, that's that! I hope Karay and Ned find water soon. Tomorrow we'll
travel together, all four of us, to the fair at Veron. But, for now, let's enjoy a bit of peace and
quiet without our fierce girlfriend.'
Dominic smiled. 'Oh, she's fierce and quick-tempered alright, but Karay has a good heart, I
know it.'
Still feeling the odd drops of rain, they sat back and relaxed, the fireglow creating a small
cavern of light and warmth in a dark forest night.
Both the lads had dozed off for the better part of an hour when they were roused by Karay
and Ned returning. Boisterously the dog and the girl romped in, emptying their spoils onto a
flat chunk of rock. Karay was wet but triumphant, and Ned shook water from his coat,
woofing softly as he gave out thoughts to Ben. 'Fish! Look at those beauties, I caught one of
'em!'
Karay busied herself with the four fat rudd, strung through their gills on a thick reed. 'Pass me
your knife, Facemaker. Your Ned's a good fisherdog, Ben, he caught this big one!'
She chattered away animatedly whilst cleaning the fish. 'Ned found a stream, quite slow
runnin' and clear. I tickled the rudd out from under the bank, an' Ned trapped one in the
shallows. Found watercress too, see? Got some wood sorrel, dandelion roots an' raspberries.
You just watch me, I'll make a meal for us, fit for a king ...'
While Karay rattled on, Ned communicated with Ben. 'You should've seen her, mate, she let
those fish swim into her hand, tickled them a bit, then slung 'em out onto the bank. A body
would never be hungry long with Karay as a pal!'
The girl was as good as her word. They dined on roast fish with chopped herbs and toasted
bread. The raspberries provided a dessert.
Karay sucked on a fish bone. 'That's the last of the bread— how far is it to Veron?'
'About six hours' steady walking,' Dominic replied.
Karay piled more wood on the fire. 'Good! If we set off at dawn we should make it about
midday. Get some sleep now.'
Ben saluted her. 'Aye aye, marm, right away!'
Ned stretched out and sighed. 'Bit bossy, but a good cook!' Ben was surprised when Karay
lay back and began singing. Her voice had the husky sweetness of a Spanish lady he had
heard singing on the quay at Cartagena, soothing and melodic.
'I will search the wide world over,
By the sea or by land,
Like a dove I'll soar the seasons,
'Til I touch his hand.
Through the towns where folk gather,
O'er lone windswept hills,
I will never cease roaming 'til
My dreams he fulfills.
And I'll cry to the moon above,
Where oh where bides my true love?
Will I see his face at dawning,
Like a poor maiden's prayer?
In some purple-shaded valley,
Will he be waiting there?
In the still silent waters,
Will his fond face I see?
Ever smiling, eyes beguiling,
And he'll love only me.
Then I'll cry to the moon above
Here oh here is my true love.'
Ben slept more peacefully than he had in many a long night, with the embers warming him
and Ned stretched by his side, surrounded by the tranquillity and silence of enveloping
woodland darkness. No nightmares of Vanderdecken steering the heaven-cursed
tinted the boy's slumber. From afar the angel spoke, soft, clear, but insistent.
'A man who has not children
Will name you as his son.
In that hour, you must be gone!
Turn your face back to the sea,
You will meet another one,
A father with no children,
Before you travel on. Help him to help his children,
As his kinsman would have done.'
All night the words echoed through Ben's mind. He did not puzzle over them, knowing that he
was unable to resist any destiny that heaven had already planned.
17
A FINE SUNNY MORNING reigned over all as they left the woodlands, emerging onto a
hilltop. Ben stopped a moment to take in the pleasant panorama. Dominic explained where
they were and whither they were bound. 'We're travelling south—those mountains you see
ahead are the Pyrenees. It's uphill and down dale from here. That third hilltop, 'twixt here and
the mountains, that's Veron. Perhaps we can save a bit of climbing by following that stream
around the hills and through the valleys.'
Karay set off, calling back to them as she ran alongside Ned, 'Come on then, we'll race you
there!'
Ben watched them dashing downhill. 'Let them go. She'll get tired of running before Ned
does. Come on, mate, we'll walk like ordinary, sensible folk.'
He and Dominic set out at a leisurely pace. They found the girl sitting panting on a stream
bank at the foot of the next hill. Ned was tugging at the hem of her dress. He looked up at Ben
approaching and sent him a message. 'Weak, fickle things human beings are. Look, she's out
of breath already—a puppy'd have more stamina than this girl!'
Dominic winked at Ben, remarking to Karay as they strolled past her, 'Good morning, marm.
If you sit there all day you'll miss the fair at Veron. I'm told 'tis a good one!'
Both boys ducked as the girl splashed stream water at them. 'Wait for me, you villains!' She
had to run to catch up with them.
Veron was classed as a town, albeit a rather small one. It sat atop a gently sloping hill, with a
meandering path leading up to its gates. Veron must once have been a fortress, for it was
enclosed by stone walls, ancient but thick and solid. The fair was little more than a weekend
market held once each month from a Friday midday to a Monday late noon.
Ben and his friends arrived early, taking their place behind a line of country folk waiting to be
