The Elder Origins Read Online Free Page A

their purpose. It was also a fair area to begin building as the stream would provide water. Although, it was still too soon to know if this was their new home. It had to be determined if animals lived nearby for hunting, if crops could be grown, and if there was an area to lookout for protection. For now Madison attempted to take in the wondrous landscape before her, which was truly more beautiful than any sight she had previously beheld in England. Their previous home had become dreary, dark, damp, and colder than she thought possible. And this area was protected from the harsh winds that always left her skin raw back home. Only a light breeze from the sea touched her frame now. The mixture of the scent of the green grasses, the pine, and sea was unlike any fragrance she had taken in.
                  Jamison led them to the small stream and took out a small jug that once held wine. He filled it to the brim and stored it back safely into his tunic pocket under his coat. Madison turned and saw others coming through the border of the trees to gaze upon the beautiful colors that spread across the grass running along the valley. Smiles broke across their faces as if all their doubts or fears had suddenly been silenced.
    She glanced over to the other side of the trees opposite her. A slight movement caught her eyes and she gazed heavily towards a small figure opposite her. He was large enough to see, but one could miss him easily as he barely moved. He only observed. He was hardly clothed that she could see and his black hair fell across one shoulder and down the length of his chest just as her own did when she did not have it tied up tightly beneath cloth. And his skin was darker than Jamison’s became in the warmth of summer. But before she could observe anything else about him, he was gone. So quickly that it was quite possible that she had never seen him.
                  She walked a short distance to the woods and glared into the darkness behind the trees. They were too misty from the morning dew to see anything. And yet she was certain she had seen someone. Perhaps someone else within their party had followed them. But she did not know of any other women on board the ships who had long black hair. She knew not of any man in their party with hair that long or thick either. And his bare chest, she was sure he was only partially clothed.
                  “What do you make of it? Could you be happy here?” asked Jamison. Madison turned quickly as he broke her train of thought.
                  “Yes. Quite happy.” She nodded with a soft smile, her eyes wondering to look closer at the valley beyond them. Perhaps it had been one from amongst their group. There was great reason for excitement amid the crew and the passengers. She could expect some to walk around without the slightest apprehension.
                  Jamison broke her silent thoughts again.
                  “Come along. There is much to get done before nightfall. Perhaps some of the men would be willing to explore for food. There must be animals close to shore.”
                  “I will leave that to you men. Simply bring me whatever you find and I will do what I can for a meal.”
     

3
    3 Months Later
    Time passed quickly with nothing of consequence disturbing their new home. There was no longer any reason for Madison to feel uneasy. The weather was mild, although they expected that to change and prepared for a bleak winter in the months to come. Living in the harsh cold of England taught them to adapt to almost anything and prepare for the worst should it be necessary. They knew better than to be fooled by the landscape’s lovely appearance upon first glance when it came to preparing for a long winter that was bound to come.
    The clay and wooded lo gs they found near shore helped to create small lodgings that appeared more like huts. Yet they were as stable as anything they