Chapter 5 : Night Meeting.

Jamie knew that Fairbridge was three days on horseback, which meant a week on foot. Luckily, her hunting knife, bow, and bag had not been damaged. She had walked for over a day and this was her second night in the forest. She had managed to make a fire and was cooking the rabbit that she had caught.

"See Ma and Da, I can cook!" A faint smile formed on her lips as she roasted the rabbit.

"You know they are dead, right?" An old female voice said.

Jamie jumped up and looked around. She saw an old hag with bright blue eyes and crooked teeth. 

"Who the fuck are you?" Jamie said and felt a sharp tap on her head. "This crone just hit me!" she thought, shocked as she rubbed the point of impact.

"Is that a way to speak to your elders, Luvie?" The Crone pointed out.

Jamie looked at the old woman. "Apologies, Elder, I was not expecting you in this forest at night!" She said as she bowed her head to show respect. It was true, her behaviour had been rude.

"Hmph, you youngsters are all the same, not expecting things! Why should you not? It is a lovely night for some mischief!" With a crooked smile, the Crone said.

Jamie looked puzzled and thought "What is she going on about? She must have a sickness of the mind, just my luck!"

Jamie dared not utter those words, as she did not want another tap of the old Crone’s stick. However, her Ma and Da had always said it was important to share with those in need because it pleased the gods. Besides, as long as she stayed away from the stick, she would be okay.

"Erm, would you like to sit by the fire for a bit and share my rabbit?" Jamie said as she gestured to the fire.

"Ahh, I am glad the old ways have not died!" The Crone walked towards the fire and sat down. Jamie took the Rabbit off the spit and divided it into two. The Crone took a leg and started munching on it. She stopped mid-chew and said "I asked you, do you know your parents are dead? "

Jamie looked down and mumbled "Yes!"

"Well then, why do you keep talking to them?" The Old Crone insisted.

"I ...I miss them!" Jamie said, trying not to cry.

"Loss is one of the six sorrows of a mortal, so everyone has to go through it. If you don’t deal with your grief, it will consume you." The Crone said wisely.

Jamie listened and said nothing. She knew what the old woman said was true, but it was too soon and, besides, she felt guilty. "Now, don’t you feel guilty about not being able to bury them. They have passed to the Realm of the Dead and are happy there!" The Crone said firmly.

"How can that be? I did not do the proper death rituals! They are lost in the darkness and it is all my fault!" Jamie was nearly shouting at this point. Tears filled her eyes at the thought of her parents’ souls being lost forever!

"Now, you listen here, Pup, and listen well! I will forgive you for shouting at me because of what has happened, but take heed, I am not known for my forgiving nature!" The Old Crone warned her, as her blue eyes suddenly glowed. The Crone’s continued, "The Old Crone Goddess has led them to the Realm of the Dead."

Jamie wiped some of the tears away with her sleeve and said "The Old Crone.. but, but...she is the Goddess of Revenge! Why would she do that?"

The old woman rolled her eyes and said "What are they teaching you, youngsters, these days? I knew people were getting less intelligent, but seriously? The Old Crone Goddess is a High Goddess. She is the Goddess of Graveyards, Necromancy, and Mischief. Revenge falls into the mischief bit!" She gave Jamie a quick wink before continuing, "Being connected to death means she can, on occasion, guide souls on."

"I never knew that!" Jamie whispered.

"Well, obviously!" retorted the old woman. 

There were a few minutes of silence before the Crone said "Anyway, you must be feeling sleepy now!" The old woman got up and was a small meow of protest from the old women’s skirt. 

"Be quiet, you; it's bad enough being a delivery woman without you moaning!" The Crone snapped at her skirt.

"Yeap touched in the mind!" Jamie pondered.

The old woman turned around and started to hobble away. "Before I forget, look at the fire embers in the morning. Now sleep luvvie, no mortal or immortal will disturb you tonight, " The Crone said as she disappeared into the forest. 

Jamie started to fall asleep almost straight away. "Wait, how did she know about my parents?" Jamie thought, puzzled. She yawned and closed her eyes. As she drifted off to sleep, she swore she heard the old woman say, " I don’t give a crap what my older brother says, and you will keep your mouth shut if you know what is good for you!"

Touched indeed...