Chapter 25 – May Odin bless their wind
As morning made a mad dash towards afternoon, a large crowd had gathered outside The Sheep’s Stirrup. Word of the Queen’s abduction had spread like wildfire and the air was full of murmurings, rumour, wild speculation and some speculation that was much better behaved. The crowd had also heard of the Companionship of Wind’s quest to win the Cestrian Music Tournament, to save the faerie queen, to win freedom for the land, to be able to fart freely, and to win the right to their cheese. So they figured that anyone attempting that little lot needed a good send off.
Aiden trotted down the stairs into the bar carrying the black knapsack that Mr Kneepatcher had kindly given him, and he was wearing the leather jacket he had bought. Maurice, as usual, was behind the bar. ‘What time is everybody rendezvousing?’ he asked Aiden, pouring him an orange juice.
‘Thanks, Maurice,’ Aiden said, taking a sip from the glass. ‘Oldfart said that we’d all meet here at 12:00 pm.’
As if on cue, Oldfart came through the front door. ‘The lads will be along in a minute or so. Thankfully, Ethel has agreed to take us, so that’s a relief,’ he said.
‘What would you have done if she’d refused?’ Aiden asked.
‘Well, generally she has a pretty common sense attitude to things, so I was hoping that the circumstances would make her choice academic. I did promise I’d polish her, though, and she’ll probably hold me to that when we get back. Or should I say if we get back.’
‘Now, don’t be thinking like that!’ Maurice cried. ‘You’ve got the will of the people behind you, and I’m sure you’ll get plenty of backing if Blacktie tries any rough stuff.’
‘Actually, that reminds me,’ Oldfart said, rummaging in his jacket pocket and producing a piece of paper, ‘Cracky asked me to pass this on. He wants you to contact this person as soon as we’ve left, but please don’t say anything to anyone.’
‘Of course,’ Maurice said, taking the piece of paper from Oldfart.
Maurice read the name and the message, and then his mouth dropped open. ‘Not a word, please Maurice,’ Oldfart said.
Harold and Greta appeared from upstairs with Vindy and Tikky. Both curries were steaming nicely, a sign they meant business. ‘You have to remember,’ Vindy said to Oldfart, ‘we have friends in lots of places, including the Chester Stroganoffs, and you don’t want to get on the wrong side of them.’
Cracky, Theo and the others had already left for the cheese mine without any fanfare, and all agreed that this particular part of the operation needed to remain as clandestine as possible. However, the members of the Companionship were afforded a reception like heroes when they arrived at the pub… and Charles brought his trumpet, as promised.
‘I suggested he pass it over to Henry, to travel with the rest of the OSO, like I’ve done with my cello, but he was having none of it,’ Cliff said to Aiden. ‘Henry had an absolute fit when we told him what we were doing, but Uncle Charles just said he should “lighten up and loosen his fleece”. His face was a picture.’
Mr Kneepatcher was looking very dapper in his check suit and walking boots, with a matching check holdall. ‘I just hope I’ve not forgotten anything,’ he said to Olaf. ‘And I’ve only brought ten cravats, I hope that’s enough.’
‘Right, then, I think it’s about time we made a move,’ Oldfart said. ‘Did you and Smid load the weapons into Ethel, Agnar?’
‘We did. I’ve even brought the old spiked club along for good luck!’
The Companionship’s path to the river was lined with cheering people and sheep. Bunting that had stayed securely indoors for the Baron’s visit had been set loose, and messages of good luck constantly filled their ears as Ethel honed into view. There were also several unrepeatable messages about Baron Blacktie that questioned his parentage, and made some lascivious assumptions about his private habits.
‘We should probably say something, you know,’ Grundi said to Olaf, as they walked up Ethel’s gangplank.
Olaf took in a deep breath and turned to face the crowd. ‘Good people of Llangollen, we have been christened the “Companionship of Wind”, and on behalf of us all I’d like to express our gratitude for your support and good wishes. We travel now, with our loyal and brave companions, to take our music and wind to a tournament that has acquired enormous importance, and we will not let you down.’
Olaf then introduced each of the Companionship and every name was met with cheers and applause. Then someone shouted ‘Hail to the Companionship of Wind’, which was echoed by the crowd, followed by ‘May Odin bless their wind’, which was also enthusiastically belted out by the assembled throng.
Charles Corriedale had tears in his eyes as he looked over at Aiden. ‘Are you alright, Charles?’ Aiden asked.
‘Oh, my, yes. I’m fine. It’s just that ever since I was a little lamb I’ve longed to be part of something as important as this; something that could make a real difference to people. Bless my clacky hooves, but I feel like a hero and I don’t think I should.’
‘You are a hero, Charles,’ Aiden said, as his eyes too began to fill with tears. ‘And you’re not the only one who’s always wished to be part of something like this.’
And then Aiden felt compelled to speak. The words flowed true and sure from his lips and his heart beat with passion and pride. ‘I am a newcomer here,’ he shouted, ‘but I have been made to feel as if this is my home. I look out now and I see friends everywhere.’
The crowd cheered again, with fists and hooves pumping in the air. ‘But, although this is a land filled with goodness, honesty and respect, there is an evil that sits at its heart. I tell you all now, the days of this evil are numbered. These brave people, sheep and curries that I am so proud to call my friends are about to embark on a quest which could involve great danger. But they are happy to face that danger because they care more for this land, more for the people they love and more for freedom then they do for their own safety.’
The cheers were reaching deafening proportions and the atmosphere was electric. ‘And, no matter what dangers they may face, no matter what sacrifices they may have to make, no matter what horrendous smells they may encounter, I will stand with them. Will you stand with us also?’ And then he pulled out his pocket knife and raised it into the air.
‘We’ll have to do something about that, he needs a bigger weapon’ Smid said to Grundi, as the crowd roared their approval.
Mara rushed towards Aiden and gave him an enormous kiss. ‘That was magnificent,’ she said, with a smile as beautiful as anything he had ever seen.
‘I tell you what,’ Olaf said to Oldfart. ‘If his mixing on the night is as good as that speech then we’ve already won.’
And with that, Agnar blew the horn at the stern and Ethel moved gracefully up the River Dee towards Chester. The sun appeared from behind the clouds, pouring radiant beams of light over the ship and transforming the river in front into a channel of sparkling diamonds. ‘How do you feel?’ Oldfart said to Aiden.
‘I’m not sure I can describe it,’ he replied, honestly. ‘But I’m struggling to think of a time when I’ve felt better.’
Oldfart looked up into the sky and sniffed the air. ‘We could be in for some stormy tides ahead,’ he observed.
He was right.