Sean Russell - The Shadow Roads

“Two families we can find room for,” Tam said.

Cynddl seemed to be leading them somewhere, and finally hestopped by a small mound with an angled rock set into the earth at one end.

“Do you see this place,Tam?” Cynddl said. “It is where yourfather was buried.”

“How do you know?”

“I’m a story finder, Tam. His story is here.”

Tam felt a strange wash of emotion, as though he stood onthe beach and was struck by the surf.

“I can tell you the story of how he died,” Cynddl said, “ifyou wish.”

Tam felt his head shake, and he closed his eyes. “I know howhe died. He was murdered by brigands.”

“There is another story to be found here, Tam; how this manhad a wife and son he loved more than life.”

Tam felt his eyes grow moist and warm. “Thank you Cynddl,but that story is known to me.”

Cynddl nodded, gazing down at the sun-dappled grave, thescent of spring in the air. “Then there is one last thing to be done. I willsit here and tell the father his son’s story. How he journeyed down the riverand became a man among men of renown. How he gained the friendship of wanderersand noblemen, and traveled hidden roads to battle the servants of a sorcerer.”Cynddl sat down on a bit of rock that broke through the soft forest floor.

Tam turned aside and made his way through the birch trees.Once, he glanced back to see the story finder seated among the snow drops andfallen leaves, speaking softly in the sunlight.

As Tam walked, the forest began to blur-a world viewedthrough rain-streaked glass. The murmur of Cynddl’s ancient voice followed him,as though it issued up from the ground like a spring, whispering. Treesmurmured their secret tales, and as he drew near Telanon Bridge, these voicesflowed into the story of the river where they swirled away, spinning endlesslysouth toward the speaking sea.