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out of the grass as they searched for insects. Devon walked over to where Gerard and Gustov sat on a blanket in the sunshine.
    ‘Here, Sir, have a drink to quench your thirst and there’s plenty of bread and cheese,’ Gustov said.
    ‘Thank you,’ Devon said and he sat down on a corner of the blanket and took the drink that Gustov offered him. After they’d eaten and rested, they took a walk around to stretch their legs before they headed back to the carriage.
    ‘Won’t be too long now, Sir, before we’re in Little Scarn. We’ll stop there for the night,’ Gustov said and closed the door on the carriage.
    Later that evening they arrived in the small village. It was much like the inn they’d stayed in the previous night, friendly service, good food and a comfortable bed. There was breakfast in the morning and then they set off again for another day’s travel. The landscape ranged from fields of crops to pastures filled with livestock and they passed through wooded thickets and prairies where the grass rippled in the breeze. Some areas were rocky and some overgrown and there were small streams, which they crossed along the way.
    When the evening drew in on the fourth day, they made a camp not far from the road. Gustov and Gerard gathered wood while Devon collected rocks and placed them in a ring to contain the fire. Others he stacked near its edge and Gustov placed the heavy iron pot on top. Gerard and Devon had never slept outside before or eaten food from a campfire and Gerard was excited, it was an adventure for him. Gustov cooked them a hearty stew made from vegetables, greens and some salted meat. They ate the stew and thought it was delicious. Later Gustov told stories from his childhood and also about the history of the area. He even told them a little about the Keep where Gerard was to stay.
    There were tales of how the Wizards studied for hours on end and how they bonded with the moon and the seasons of time. Some of them studied the philosophies of old and others mixed magical medicines. Gustov told them how rare it was to find one with the gift of prophecy but all of them had one thing in common—they were teachers and mentors to the young students. He talked late into the night about the Wizards’ circles that he’d visited and the Solstices he’d attended. From winter to summer and all in between with their love for life and all forms of nature be it beast or plant, fire or water, the Wizards celebrated it all.
    As the fire burnt low they prepared for bed. Gustov climbed into the carriage and lifted the leather seats. The base had been made into storage and he pulled out thick warm furs and two rolls of canvas, one large and one small. Most of the furs he arranged on the seats inside for Gerard and Devon and he only kept a couple for himself along with the small roll of canvas.
    ‘I think it’ll rain tonight,’ Gustov said. ‘But you’ll stay warm inside.’
    ‘What about you, Gustov?’
    ‘I’ll be fine, Gerard. I’ll sleep under the carriage. This here canvas will protect me from the rain and the furs will keep me toasty warm,’ he said.
    Devon and Gerard bid him goodnight and climbed in. It wouldn’t be as comfortable as a bed but it would do for a night.
    Gustov laid his canvas on the ground underneath the carriage and arranged his furs on top. Then he stacked some wood under there as well to stay dry in case it did rain. He climbed up and placed the larger canvas over their luggage and strapped it down to keep out any rain. Gustov crawled into his bed and snuggled himself in the furs and then he flicked the tarp over to cover himself and protect him from the cold. It wasn’t long before he was toasty warm and he drifted off to sleep. The others settled down for the night and arranged their furs to keep them warm. They were surprised how comfortable and soft they were.
    It wasn’t long before Gerard heard his father snoring and as Gerard lay in the soft furs he thought about the