Stoic disbelief should have risen. Stony conclusions should have prevailed. His mind was abuzz with words of welcome, and the shield of his exacting coldness did little to quiet them. Celebration was heard in the gentle lances of sunlight, applause in the overhead clatter of branches, invitation in the wind and its slight, disarming caress. The witches, hermits, madmen, and starry eyed fools that guided his long search knew of this enchantment. They spoke boldly and adoringly and with intense longing, but knew not to return.
He had scoffed at their superstitions and had cursed their lunacy, but his tireless search brought him to this land, and it knew his name by heart. The name he had forsaken long ago. The name he abandoned for his title and merciless tasks. The land called his name with kindness and acceptance, and he scoffed no more. His search was over, but the sincerity of the call revealed something within that left his breath short and hands shaking.
“You’ve done well, Trapper,” startled him from his confused reverie. He had honed his mind to the search for so long that he’d forgotten to watch for followers. He silently cursed his inattention and turned to the grating, baleful voice of his employer.
The aged overseer held two hatchets with menace, and the four hardened thugs at his sides hefted clubs or daggers with anticipation. Trapper knew what the overseer sought, knew how quickly he would take axe, torch, and mining cart to the revered land until it lie in ruin.
“My work isn’t done,” Trapper answered, gauging the weaknesses of the group as he leveled deadly intent on their leader. “Turn back. I won’t spare you.”
The overseer’s laughter revealed just how greatly he hoped for this turn, and the extent to which he’d plotted various torments. He gestured the men forward with cold satisfaction.
Trapper dashed to meet them with steel in hand. Victory was brief. The warmhearted call rang eternal.
Thick underbrush at the mouth of a stream on a gentle autumn day in Donald County Park, Mount Horeb, WI.
Mamiya C330 Pro-S
Mamiya-Sekor 55mm f/4.5
Kodak Ektar – ISO 100 – 6×6