With Father Donovan’s written commitment rolled up and tucked away in my back pack basket, I leave the Town Hall and mosey over to the bachelor’s quarters. About half of them were there and Lorenzo met me at the door.
“Treeana, this is a nice surprise. Please come in and have some blackberry tea with us, we already have a big pot of it ready and it is sweetened with wild honey.”
“ Its getting cool out” I replied “That sounds good and warmin.” I went in and some of the fellows flumpped up a bear skin covered chair for me to sit in near the cheerful fire. I stayed there for a while. We discussed the events of the day and I played a couple of games of “Ohwahree” and chess. I won at the rock game, but was easily beaten at chess by Renaldo who was the best there.

It grew dark outside and I decided to call it a day. Having seen Bear tracks on the trail from my hut, I asked if there was anyone there with courage enough to escort me home. They were funny as they good-naturedly argued and wrestled with each other for the honor. Finally, I said, as I walked toward the door, that whoever got ready to go first would be my escort. They scattered like angel chased banshees to win this race, but Estaban, a smart rogue that knew my ways better than most had already prepared himself, musket and all, and was waiting for me at the door. While the rest of them laughed and teased each other for their mutual buffoonery, Estaban and I went out into the chill starlit evening and quietly walked to the village gate. The watchman assigned to that shift let us out and closed the gate behind us.

I liked Estaban a lot. He was rough with his lifetime of hardship, but he showed sincere interest in my healing skills and frequently brought me herbs and flowers. I enjoyed his stories of adventures at sea and on the battlefield and, at times, he made me feel cared about. Tonight I would not be lonely.

Treeana