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pleased. I, recalling his blue-and-red leggings, his pointy shoes of better days, was not as pleased. Still, I tried to tell myself that it might bring us a little closer to leaving.
    Now and again, Aude and Troth left the bower for periods of time. Whenever they walked out, Aude kept a hand on Troths shoulder. She was that dependent on the girl. Though they stayed away all day, they did not tell us where they were going.
    Then for an entire night they were gone. When they returned the next morning I was startled to see what looked to be blood on Aude’s garments. It alarmed me greatly. After all, I had never seen them with meat of any kind, only the plants Troth found in the woods. What kind of blood rituals might they have done?
    I crept to Bear’s side.
    “Bear,” I whispered, “did you see the blood on Aude?”
    He nodded.
    “What can it mean?”
    “I don’t know.”
    “Bear,” I said to him, “surely you must know now we’re in great danger.”
    “I don’t know. What makes you think so?”
    “These people … I suspect they are … witches.”
    His look seemed to suppress a smile. “Have you questioned them?” he asked.
    “Of course not!”
    “Perhaps I should, then.”
    Feeling he spoke as if I were a child, I quit his side and kept to myself. What kind of freedom, thought I, did I have if it meant I was always bound by his decisions?
    Later on, I lay with my head cushioned in my arms, feeling drowsy. Troth was busy with her herbs. Aude sat before the smoldering fire. Bear pulled himself from the bed of old straw and sat opposite the woman, across the flames. After a goodly while, I heard him say, “Old dame, may I ask a question?”
    Aude mumbled her assent.
    “Might that,” said Bear, “be stains of blood upon your garments?”
    Across the bower Troth stopped her work and looked around. I dared not move but listened closely.
    “It is,” I heard the woman say.
    “Have you been hurt?” said Bear. He spoke gently.
    At first Aude said nothing to this. Then she muttered, “Aude practices midwifery.”
    “Ah!” cried Bear. “Then you helped deliver a woman of a babe.”
    She nodded.
    “And all was well?”
    “It was.”
    Bear was quiet for a moment. Then he said, “Where would this have happened?” asked Bear.
    “In the village.”
    “A village!” said Bear. “I had no idea one was near.”
    “A few leagues.”
    “Does it have a name?”
    “Chaunton.”
    “I never heard of the place. Do they call on you often?”
    Aude seemed to consider the question. Then she said, “There is no Christian priest in Chaunton. There is only a bailiff, who lords over all and even preaches to the people. Falsely so, they tell Aude in secret, for they fear him. That bailiff rejects Aude. Spits on Aude. Calls Aude pagan. Tells people that Troth is evil. Warns them not to use Aude, lest they lose their souls.”
    “But all the same, they call on you,” said Bear.
    “The women do. And some men.”
    “And you help them in their time.”
    “Aude has the hands, the skill, and a belt that’s never been fastened.”
    “Then you are much blessed,” said Bear. “And does Troth assist you?”
    “Aude is very old. More and more Nerthus calls to her. Aude shall go to her soon. Aude is teaching Troth all she knows. Troth will take Aude’s place.”
    Only when Aude and Troth slept did I dare question Bear. “Why does Aude use a belt?” I asked.
    “An open belt laid on the birthing woman’s belly gives her ease. But then, opening all closed things in her dwelling can help, too. I assure you, Crispin, it’s common wisdom. The town is blessed to have Aude near.”
    “But, Bear,” I burst out, “what are these people?
    He looked at me, smiled and only said, “Kind.”
    “Aude spoke of a town close by,” I pressed. “You said yourself we’re not far enough away from Great Wexly. The longer we stay, the more likely we’ll be discovered.”
    This time Bear considered my words seriously. “As for