‘So, good people, what shall our course be? Will you do as I suggest and search for a new site, or shall remain here to serve the gods who allowed your town to be smashed by lightening?’

There was an unquiet rusting in the gathering, and many downcast faces. Mr Lillywhite, the ex-landlord of the tavern was first and last to speak.

‘We’re coming with you, sir. Mayhap this doom that has plagued us will be left a-hind.’

‘It may well be, sir, it may well be so,’ said Michael, hiding his enthusiasm very well before all the sad glances. ‘Do you voice the mind of all men here assembled?’ In answer to his question there was a few nods here and there, but mostly there was nothing but the quiet resignation of people who have no hope of a normal life no matter what course they take. ‘You, sir, are you willing to accompany your kinfolk?’ said the Michael to the priest who was sitting on the edge of the gathering half turned from the speaker. The thing man looked around at him with barley disguised malice flashing in his eyes.

‘Ay, I will come, if only to guide these poor unfortunates who have chosen to throw in their lot with a ruffian such as yourself.’

‘I heard no complaint when I was going to save your sorry town from the very threat which your own church could not vanquish!’ snapped Michael. ‘I have no need for you or your archaic ways, sir. If you think you may have rather seen the light of your last day by this town then I shall encourage you to make amends and cease any further thought of insult to me or any man who follows me rather than you of his free will.’ His piece well stated Michael stood down from the stump and walked away to begin organising the people into walking parties. He sent those who were willing to scavenge in the ruins of the town for anything which may come in useful on the long road to the place promised by the jester. They returned soon after with little of extended application. No wood survived, little cloth and what was left of the metal was without handle and in some cases twisted beyond recognition. Michael rallied the group, surveyed the shards before him and selected some likely pieces to make such weapons as they could manage from the surrounding woodland. The rest of the people he set to gathering their belongings and anything else they wished and making such bundles as they could carry with ease on their backs, for no cart survived the fire, and only two horses were available. His own beast he would need to scout ahead and use to trek up and down the train, and any man approaching the jesters horse had to remind himself that it was just a horse and there was little likelihood that it could in fact wink.

When all was prepared the people cast one last look back to the town before setting off in the wake of Michael. The priest scuttled back to the town after everyone had left and found his way quickly to the church. He returned to the back of the train before he was missed, and on his back he carried a sack which he had not seen fit to earlier.

At the head of the column Michael was riding tall in his saddle, aware that behind him people were looking n his stature with something of reverence. He felt the weight of responsibility growing with each promise made to the people. Before he was confidant that he could keep hem, but no he was not so sure. He had not seen the jester during that day, and he only knew vaguely whither to lead the people. He let no one know of this, confidently steering them at every crossroads. As they passed through small villages, people there watched in amazement, and soon the gathering had grown with people who could see more direction in the stumbling tribe than in the muddy fields. No one complained at this, because they were no better or worse off then anyone else, so more people only meant that they took up more road. Michael only noticed the swelling later on when they stopped for a time on a large meadow. He could do nothing for them because had he told them to return home and they had refused, someone else would certainly have taken their place and caused unrest in the remaining people. He saw no harm in their presence because they ad no food and nothing can easily be equally shared by as many mouths as may want some.

By the end of the first day they were miles beyond the bounds of even the furthest travelled, and the people looked around at every step with growing wonder as they saw hills they never had before, and streams they knew not the destination of. They rested overnight in a small copse by a wide river, the fording of which would be the task of the next day, and perhaps many after that.

Before he retired to sleep Michael was surprised to see someone leading his horse from near his tent. Running with rage in his heart he was once more surprised to see that the horse was not his, and the jester was quietly taking his beast away.

‘Greetings, Michael, he said, looking over his shoulder at his enraged friend.

‘Indeed so. In such garment sounding not the bells of joy you make such a thief as would render many palaces empty before dawn.’

‘I have neither desire nor use for the trinkets of man, and my dress serves only to hide that which may otherwise brighten the night to a degree beyond the name.’

‘You retain the talent for speaking in riddles, sir. Do you oppose the answer to the question why do you require the horse on this dark night?’

‘The horse has four legs, I have two. Therein lies the answer to your question. I shall, however extend you the same courtesy. I have no doubt you have seen the river thence. How do you propose to cross its swift face?’

‘I have lent the matter but small issue of my mind. Until daylight I cannot make a plan to any degree.’

‘If you would not be offended by t, I have a situation which may prove advantageous to you and another man to whom I owe a small dept. Around this meander in the great course of the river there lies a bay in which, on the hour of noon every day, a man sets his raft afloat on the water to carry whoever may pass over the river for nothing more than the company. He tarries at this duty for a short while, so I bid you on the morrow hasten to there and wait for his arrival.’

‘If this is the case, I shall make it so.’

‘That would be strange indeed,’ said the jester quietly to himself. ‘For such luggage is not known for it’s talent as a seamstress.’ Michael looked blankly at him for a second before dismissing his words as those suitable for foolish ears.

‘I thank you for your assistance, good and charitable sir.’

‘Thank me not yet for charity uncollected, because the promise if oft short of the sum. I have little doubt that our paths are destined to intersect at least once more beefier the moon turns dark. Until it comes to pass, keep the mountains ahead and your steering can be only slightly awry. Farewell in your new-found duty, sir.’

The jester mounted his horse and with the twinkling of bells which caused a stir in the camp he rode away into the night. The priest was not unknown to the moons path, and he watched the departing fool with hate in his sunken eyes.