Winter Weather (Part 1)

A few months ago I was prompted by a heatwave to explain how it was unusual that Mellowdene experienced extreme weather. I implied it was rare for snow to encroach into the village, and that if we did see it, it was towards the north of the county where the break in the mountains had more influence. Well, guess what? We've had snow.

Although deep at the northern boundary of the county, there was only a smattering within the village, melting away in two days but staying long enough to have an effect. Whilst the temporary layer of white comforted a few villagers with thoughts of the Snow Queen myth, was a source of fun for the children, delighted others with a more pronounced variation in the climate, there were some negative aspects. Highlighted by some visitors.

Chris Snow-Warren and his brother Nigel came to Butterglove house, and Nigel was pushing a third visitor in a wheelchair. Tara Lapine-Frost. 

 

 

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Cecile fussed over the invalid - an invalid who wasn't too happy at her situation.

"Don't be too kind with me, Cecile," said Tara, "as I don't deserve it. I've been clumsy and I'm angry with myself."

Nigel rubbed her shoulder. "It was an accident, Tootle. It could have happened to anyone."

 

Tara's lips compressed in irritation. "Yes, but it was me, Niggy. Don't go on."

Nigel and Chris exchanged smiles out of Tara's line of sight. I assumed that this was typical of Tara's reaction, hating to be dependent upon others. She let out an extended breath.

"Don't be late for work, Nigel. Cecile and Jackson will keep me company."

"Alright, Tootle. I'll be on my way. I'll be back this afternoon." He kissed her on the cheek, bade us farewell and left. 

 

Cecile tried not to laugh. "Tootle?"

Tara glared at her briefly before relaxing and providing us with a begrudging smile. "I only allow Nigel to call me that."

"You mean Niggy," said a straight-faced Chris.

That did it. Tara laughed. "Oh, I'm sorry. I know I'm a bad patient. I'm so used to being in control; I don't know why Nigel puts up with me."

"He probably realises you're an extraordinary person," I said.

"And he loves you," said Cecile. "It's obvious. And sweet."

"He's always been a bit odd," said Chris. 

Tara sputtered with laughter. "I think you'd better leave too, Christian. My arms are perfectly functional."

"Fine," he said with a grin. I'll see you later, Jack. Charity is expecting me back to help with Susan's birthday preparation for tonight."

This left the three of us alone.

"Right," said Cecile. "I'll make us a cuppa and you can tell us what happened."

 

 

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Tara had no problem talking to us. In fact, I suspect it was comforting for her to be open with someone in Mellowdene who had knowledge of her more unusual activities.  And those activities still felt unusual to us - how could they not? Taking excursions around Sylvania via underground routes - speed tunnels compressing journey time to a fraction - contradicts any school science we learned. That said, this aspect of her story didn't surprise us unduly. We were more interested in the details of how Tara Lapine-Frost became injured. 

This is what she said.

I was visiting the hospital on business and Henry Bearbury happened to mention that they were low on blue feathermint. In case you don't know, it's an ingredient of a natural antiseptic ointment. Henry introduced it here after seeing its benefits at the Greybear Clinic. He can get supplies from there, but prefers it if Nigel makes it freshly in the hospital pharmacy.

 

I would normally provide the feathermint for them but the weather last year meant that growth had reduced in the usual places I'd go. I only harvest so much, so I needed other sources. Somewhere with snow.

Henry said that it might be worthwhile chatting with Avril Husky. Blue feathermint had cropped up in conversation when he was treating her son Hayden. Apparently there were times they'd use the unprocessed plant where they used to live.

 

I thought I'd get more information and the precise location of the plants from Avril to see if it was a worthwhile visit.

I called at the Husky residence. Avril told me that they used to live in the snowfields high in the South Atlandian Mountains, and described to me an area where an abundance of blue feathermint grows. It didn't concern me that this wasn't on the Sylvanian mainland. In fact I have some rabbit contacts in that general area. 

 

 

"We'd crush it, then apply it to wounds with a snug bandage," Avril explained, and whilst that works, I know it's a little wasteful of the plant. Nevertheless her words implied there could be a good supply. 

That led me to use a particular speed tunnel taking me to the slopes of the southern mountain range on the Island of Atlandia. 

 

The portal is hidden in a cave not far from the cabin where my contacts live - the brothers Kristian and Nikolaj Snow. 

 

The cabin is on the edge of one of the calm strips that marks seasonal boundaries across Sylvania. It is ideally placed as a base camp for treks into the snowfields - a plateau of ice and snow nestled within the peaks of the mountain range. Snow rarely falls near the cabin, unless the weather in the snowfields is on the bad side. Even then, the snow doesn't remain for long.

 

After a catch-up of recent events I told them where I wanted to go.

"I remember the Husky family," said Nikolaj. "Vincent used to bring his brood down from the snowfields to socialise at South Camp. We'd share a drink whilst the children would zoom about on their tandem. The place you mentioned is a little difficult to find unless you've been there. Do you agree, Kris?" 

"Definitely. It's off the main trails in an area that few visit other than polar bears and huskies. We should come with you, Tara."

And that's what happened. Which was just as well...

 

Light snow had begun to fall near the cabin suggesting that the winter weather in the snowfields had taken a turn for the worse.

 

The brothers told me that it should have taken around twenty minutes after leaving the established trails but it took us the better part of an hour to find the area where the feathermint grew. The good news was that I found a significant crop there. I only needed to harvest a tiny fraction of it to get what I wanted.  

Nikolaj watched me gather the winter herb with interest. "It's always rewarding when you discover something you're seeking. Especially when it's a sustainable crop that you can revisit."

"That's a fact," confirmed Kristian. "We're still looking for diamond berries. They're getting hard to find on the lower slopes. Maybe we should search the snow fields to see if the hardy variety has established itself up here."

 

"It's a thought, brother. But you know how they tend to grow."

It was nice to be working alongside fellow field-searchers. I hadn't seen diamond berries for a few years but had successfully found alternative plants in more temperate zones. "I can bring you sootwort if that's any use, Kris."

"Sootwort? That would be useful."

 

Nikolaj agreed. "It would be preferable." He saw me fasten my bag. "Are you ready to go back, Tara?"

 

I was. We retraced our steps. Although the blowing snow had obliterated our trail, the surrounding peaks were familiar indicators to my companions. I looked forward to the warmth of their cabin, or better still my own cottage in Mellowdene.

 

We had nearly completed our trudge out of the snowfields when I caught sight of something glistening on a nearby slope, not too far from our trail. Could it be? I moved to get a closer look. Yes, it looked like the dark foliage of the plant the Snow brothers sought, laden with diamond berries.

 

I turned to call to Kristian, but his name turned to a yelp when the snow beneath me gave way and I lost balance. I fell forward and started to slide down... down towards the dark opening of a narrow crevice...

 

 

(To be continued)

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