The Valley

Magpie Tale #98

Still.

That’s what it is up here. Oh, there’s a cool breeze the plays with the leaves, but it dies quickly. And a few birds join it every now and then and I think I saw a squirrel a while back. But down in the valley, there’s all the movement. Constant, obvious movement. It starts with the river that cuts the valley in half, and flows fast. Horses stamping and tossing their heads, dogs running between legs and once in a while I can see a cat dart through the crowd. The people mill around; from up here it seems senseless, but I suppose they know what they’re doing.

Yes, it’s very still up here. And quiet. I can’t hear the clamor coming from the valley floor. The shouting, and barking dogs and neighing horses and clashing metal. All I can hear are a few birds. The wind. The crunch of snow as my comrades left; it was quiet enough that I could hear it. The waterfall as it plunges into the river. No, I can’t hear that, it’s too far. But I like to think I can.

I have a good view of the mountains on the other side of the valley. Sharp peeked and with lingering snow, just like the ones on my side. But it’s spring now not winter. Even the aspens have leaves, so it’s no longer just the pines that are green. I say it’s spring; it’s spring up here. Cold and fresh and clean with the glint of snow; damp and moist. Down in the valley it’s already been spring and now it’s summer and hot and dry. I could almost be glad to be up here.

Stillborn, that’s how I think of the valley. It could have been beautiful. I think it wanted to be beautiful. But it’s in the wrong place. This valley, it’s the only pass through these mountains. It’s been eager to welcome everyone who passes through. The people haven’t been welcoming though. And whenever the valley seeks to give life, it gets death. Oh, yes, there’s been battles here, famous ones. Guntram died here. And so did Ratimir and Fenrir and Cynbel. The great sword Amund was broken here. There’ll be more; like as not we’ll have one before summer’s over. That’s why I’m up here; keeping watch.