The Red And Savage Tongue (Historical Fiction Action Adventure Book, set in Dark Age post Roman Britain) by F J Atkinson

Tomas.
         As they travelled, Dominic took the lead and occasionally would tell them to stop and be silent. Then he would run stealthily ahead , checking the intended route. This done, he would emerge from the trees several minutes later and beckon the others towards him.
         They progressed like this for the rest of the day until they stopped beside a wide-girthed beech. Dominic led them into a group of shoulder-high shrubbery behind the tree. ‘We’ve earned another meal and a night’s rest,’ he said. ‘Now where have I hidden my provisions?’
         He searched for a short while then lifted a crude but effective ladder from the undergrowth. Turf and leaves festooned it, as well as a long coil of rope. He shook the ladder to remove the accumulated vegetation and tugged firmly at the rope attached to its top rung. The others looked puzzled . He laughed and pointed above into the canopy of the beech tree. ‘The ladder gets us as far as the first bough, after that the climbing’s easy. There is a platform thirty strides from the ground which as you can see, or should I say can not see, is hidden from view.’
         Murdoc grinned at Dominic. ‘How many more surprises can we expect?’      
         Dominic shrugged. ‘This is just one of many shelters I use on my travels. They come in handy and I keep the best in good repair. In the trees or underground; I don’t mind as long as they keep me safe.’
         Ceola and Tomas were sitting under the tree talking quietly to each other. They had walked hand in hand all that day and a bond had begun to grow between them. Their shared misfortunes and horrors were drawing them closer to each other, and the young girl was comfortable being with Tomas.
         Dominic saw Murdoc look up, anxiously trying to locate the high platform. Dominic attempted to put him at ease. ‘Have no worries about Ceola getting up there, this old tree provides an easy route up to the hideaway. Once you’re past the ladder, just follow my lead.’
         He placed the ladder against the tree and nimbly climbed up to the first branch, eight feet above the leaf-strewn floor. Tomas and Ceola went next, with Murdoc the last to climb and ready to assist Ceola should she struggle. Dominic’s assurance proved true, and they easily reached the first bough. Then they picked a benign route through the branc hes until reaching the platform—a concealed and roomy loft, high above the ground. Dominic pulled up the ladder with the attached twine.
         That night Murdoc dreamt he was an eagle fledgling ready to take his first flight from a lofty eerie. He sprang from the pinnacle and stretched his wings, only to discover that he was a flightless and foolish man, plummeting through the air. He awoke with a start and sat upright, feeling the rough but reassuring platform beneath him. Ever yone else seemed to be sleeping—Ceola tethered to a branch as an extra precaution—so he lay flat again and returned to his sleep.
         The next morning, Dominic and Murdoc awoke early and climbed down the tree, leaving Tomas and Ceola sleeping soundly.
         Dominic looked anxious as he peered into the distance. ‘I’d feel better if I knew their whereabouts. Every blind turn makes my heart race.’
     Murdoc nodded in agreement. ‘Then we need to find their trail. I’ll come with you if you want, as long as the young ones are safe here.’
         ‘If they don’t stray they couldn’t be safer,’ said Dominic, ‘I’ve spent many days and nights here and know it to be safe. Besides, I could do with your spear alongside my bow should things go wrong.’
         They explained the plan to Tomas and Ceola later that morning , as Dominic provided them with enough food and water to last them a week, and gave them strict instructions not to stray from the tree. He also gave Tomas a spare bow and a quiver of arrows, which he had hidden months earlier in a hollow