Chapter five: The drowned lands.



Badenoch, which means Drowned land, is 540 square miles of almost entirely, of wild mountainous country, many hills exceeding 3,000 feet in height, the strath, which is a large valley, typically a river valley that is wide and shallow as opposed to a glen, which is typically narrower and deep

                

the great river Spey and the great glens, and contains with in its borders, the forests of Alder

                

Drumochter the main mountain pass between the northern and southern central Caledonian highlands, and has some of the best deer country in all of the Highlands.

            

The Capital was on the other side of the land and would take me a day or two to travel at a steady pase, however, I did not wish to be traveling out in the open, so my trip would take me through the forest of Alder, adding another day or two onto my journey.

The entry to the Forest was narrow and uneven, hard for the horse to navigate with a rider, so I was forced to dismount and lead the horse, the reins held tight in the same hand I held my bow, ready to fire if needed.
               

By the time we made it deep into the woods, and the tension had eased, for now, we took a rest by a near by stream so the dogs and horse could relax and have a drink.

                 

I sat against a tree near the water, watching as the horse lay in the long grass and the dogs entertained themselves by chasing a rabbit they had no intention of actually catching. Using the knife Ajax had gifted me, I enjoyed some of the cheese, bread and meat my mother had packed for me. Truth be told, I didn't need the knife to cut into any of the food, I just felt a little more at ease with a weapon in my had in case anything tried to jump me or the dogs.
This was a perfect hunting ground for a Kelpie, and I wasn't about to get caught up with one again.. a Kelpie is a water Fae of sorts. It takes on the form of a beautiful horse, usually white in colour, they are most known to appear before weary traveler's, but have been known to pray on all likes. The victim is put under some sort of magical trance and cannot help but mount the horse, which then drags you under the water and consumes you.. I had a run in with one before.. me and an old friend of mine.. and it's not something I am wanting to repeat any time soon.

             
The horse had fallen asleep and the dogs, tired of running after the rabbit came over and all six curled up around me. I fought it as long as I could, but with the warmth of the small fire and a full belly, the serenity of the forest slowly won over and I too drifted off to sleep.

I do not own any of these photos. All and full credit to the owners.