News from afar changes lives, practices and habits – forever!
Julina starts her involvement with the evening very early on – and what an involvement!
The original characters and plot of this story are the property of the author. No infringement of pre-existing copyright is intended.
This story is copyright © 2013 - 2020 Julia Phillips. All rights reserved.
It uses some of the associated characters and situations that arise from the world called ‘Anmar’ created by Penny Lane, whose stories
are also copyright © 2010 - 2020 Penny Lane. All rights reserved.
Another day, another start, another frayen-riding visitor before we had finished our breakfasts, with another problem that required hasty discussion.
But this time, the gentleman caller was for Papa, not for me.
And we all scrabbled round, making ourselves tidy and giggling with embarrassment at our varying states of undress. And clearing space for the men to sit and discuss and so on.
At least at first.
“Your Honour, Captain. Welcome to our humble abode.”
“Master Kordulen, Mistresses Swayga, Julina and Kordulet, girls and boys. I humbly apologise for disturbing your household so early, but I find I have need of Master Kordulen's expertise and that I must have the knowledge before our major Assembly meeting tonight. I have taken the liberty of summoning Masters Bezan, Fedren and Yarling as well. I find I must request some things from you. We will need some table surface, and perhaps Mistress Julina, knowing your abilities, I could prevail upon you to make some notes of our discussions. I have brought a parcel of that paper with me and some reedlets, in case you have none handy. Naturally, I would have summoned Master Jepp but he is down to the Forest Roadhouse on another matter for me.”
“Of course, Your Honour. I must get dressed, if it pleases you, before the others arrive.”
“Thank you Mistress Julina.”
A small silence fell just then, broken only by a slight gurgle from the Steward's tummy and the rustle of my clothes as I walked away.
“Your Honour,” said Swayga, “perhaps you have not yet had the time to break your fast? If you are here for a discussion, then perhaps some space next to you might be found for a platter and a mug? We have some porridge, some cold cuts, cheese, bread, eggs. And I dare say you might appreciate some pel? How may I serve you?”
“Mistress Swayga! That would be a life-saver. Please don't go all mad and try to present everything with a flourish, a simple mug of pel and maybe some bread and cheese or whatever you have already to hand?”
Kords was already headed to the kitchen before he had finished speaking and Swayga bobbed a little curtsey before rounding up the others and ushering them away. She led them to their rooms and then she went to check on Kords getting the refreshments before returning to chivvy the children into making themselves more presentable.
I hopped smartly to my room and found my dress. I cursed my hair for being particularly awkward today, and was silently shouting at it, if you understand what I mean, when Kords rushed in and helped me without asking. She is a very thoughtful young lady – at times.
We chatted quickly, both of us wondering what on Anmar could have caused this minor chaos. But we knew well enough to leave it to be explained, recognising a moment when patience would bring us our answers. Kords also told me that she would help take notes, for which I was astonished to find myself extremely grateful. Two minds to recall the events for the final report would be an advantage, as I suddenly discovered myself to be surprisingly nervous about doing something new; and it being so very official – a job for the very highest person in our immediate lands. I then helped her tidy her hair quickly and she slipped into her dress before going off to finish the pel for everyone.
I heard another two animals arrive, the riders talking to each other as they approached: so their voices told me it was Master Bezan and Master Fedren. The third arrival came up shortly afterwards, just as I finally twitched my dress into place and pushed my feet into my slippers.
Soon the five men, Kords and I were seated round our dining table, the pot of pel in the middle, and a pile of paper in front of us. The bread and cheese for His Honour had disappeared in a trice and Julu whisked the empty plate away, blushing as the Captain thanked her nicely. Meanwhile Kissa enquired if any of the others required something to eat; however, they all indicated a negative to food, but were happy to have some pel.
Swayga then ushered all the rest of the family away into the depths of the house, making it clear they were to be as still and quiet as possible. This then left the meeting free to get under way with an introductory speech from His Honour.
“Masters all, Mistresses Julina and Kordulet. I must thank Master Kordulen for allowing us to invade his privacy and I thank you all for attending at such short notice. The urgency will make itself clear as I report the relevant events, and we need to be as informed as possible to make some decisions tonight at the Assembly meeting.
“I received from the shuttle last evening an official document from His Grace, Lord Gilbanar. I must briefly take a moment or two to praise the efficiency of the Valley Messenger Service. It was sent as a 'fast' delivery rather than as an 'urgent' one, and also as a 'no immediate reply required'. So the Valley Messenger Service rider caught up with the shuttle just at the top of the incline, by the Strettalm bend and handed it over to the driver there. Naturally he knew the shuttles are licensed to carry. He had left Tranidor, near where he had overnighted, that dawn. The message was despatched from Dekarran at noon and they got it to just north of Teldor that night, then up to near Tranidor the next night. He tried to get to the Forest Roadhouse before the shuttle departed but just missed the noon deadline. A valiant effort indeed. So I repeat: praise to the Valley Messenger Service for efficiency. Part of my mind wonders what they would have done had it been an 'urgent' delivery.
“Now circumstances constrained such that I only read the despatch this morning. I had been out last night and the message was left with Master Mesulkin, who handed it to me when we met first thing. It gave me some degree of urgency this morning, I can tell you.”
He paused and looked around. Every single one of us was waiting with bated breath to discover what the message might have been.
“Our Baroness, you will recall, left us eleven nights hence. She, the Prince and their party managed to reach Dekarran after some several delays on the road; they were delays of a political nature I hasten to add, it's not that there were any more attacks or anything like that! Lord Trosanar of Tranidor was 'invited' to accompany the party and this all resulted in a very important discussion or two down there in the Duke's castle, between the Duke and his vassals, Lady Garia and Lord Trosanar. These discussions resulted in some changes for all of us, all the way up here in the farthest reaches of the kingdom.”
He took from one of his pockets a much-folded piece of sturdy parchment. He dropped the item onto the table with a certain flourish and I, along with all the others, strained to read the hand-written words at the bottom. There were only two words, but my head was at the wrong angle to make them out clearly. However, it mattered not at which angle my head was to determine what the document was all about, since the basic premise was absolutely plain. It was obviously a hastily-drawn copy of a part of a map.
It was Master Bezan who was the first to hiss his breath in and say: “Maker!”
Master Yarling took away my confusion by saying: “New borders.”
This was the trigger that made it suddenly became clear to me.
Duke Gilbanar has handed over more land to Mylady.
And the direct result of that was that it meant that Captain Bleskin was suddenly responsible for a larger area – a much larger area it would appear, but this was beyond my capabilities and I had to leave it to the men to pick the information out of it.
I include at this point a copy of the map fragment that had been sent all the way up to us from Dekarran, for you to refer to …
There was more silence as the men studied the fragment and then sat back in their chairs to think through the foreseeable results of such a change.
The Captain allowed a good while for their thoughts to be gathered as I just sat back, not having anything at all to contribute – this was, I repeat, all far beyond my range of capabilities.
“There is more!” added the Steward suddenly. “The east / north-eastern border of House Blackstone lands is now along the Chaarn Road up to the crest of the first pass which is roughly where we see the Chaarn road stop on this map. All this means we now have a hand or thereabouts of roadhouses under our control and some extra roads to be maintained. Hence Master Kordulen's involvement here. We have gained some fertile farmland with this so maybe we have some increased food supplies. We have control of the entire forests down to this new border here on the west bank and this new border on the east bank here,” he tapped the map for emphasis, “so that might make finding the wood for our expansion up here in town a little easier, but I would remind you that Mylady is adamant that any trees felled must be replanted to sustain adequate growth in the future. These are just my first thoughts at this moment. Gentlemen, the floor is open to you and your initial thoughts.”
I could feel Kords tense up just as my own nervousness increased; we poised our reedlets ready to note down what was said …
There was silence.
It was obvious that each man was thinking furiously. And Captain Bleskin was wise enough not to fill the silence. He himself was thinking hard.
Kords and I glanced at each other and giggled. We replaced our reedlets onto the table, knowing the wax doesn't like being gripped in hot hands and fingers. It suddenly occurred to me that we might have a problem, so I leant into Kords and whispered into her ear: “I'll note what the Steward says, and what Papa and Fedren say, you take the other two. OK?” She nodded in acceptance.
When the men began to speak, then it was both of Kords' candidates, so we hastily changed our agreement and made it alternate speakers. Somehow, this impromptu method enabled us to muddle through with making the notes of the discussions.
“There are more and more topics affected each heartbeat I think on it.”
“I agree, Master Bezan. I can see my miners being involved again with matters other than digging out coal. I shall have to go and survey the route up to the crest on the Chaarn road I suppose, to see if there are easier workings for coal extraction along there. Mylady had already requested me to do a survey of the Chaarn road for some distance, in case some arrangement needed to be made with whoever, probably Vardenale, but whoever it is who might control the lands to the east of the Chaarn road. Previously, Mylady's demesne was restricted to this area up here, but now it extends so much more, I must investigate all possibilities so swiftly as I can.”
“Aye Yarling, Happen so. And I shall have marks more of roads and their sides to inspect and maintain. I can see I shall require additional staff. There will be accommodation to pay for unless I can recruit from down there.”
“As you say, Kordulen. And shall I have responsibility for peace-keeping over all that area, Your Honour?”
“It seems so, Sheriff. But they must have some system in place that works at the moment. I myself shall have to visit each community, and soon, and I need to discover Mylady's desires with regard to taxes and so on. So tonight, we shall require a plan of action. Which is why I want us all to think about it during the day, so we waste little time later. There is already a packed agenda and this will change priorities, I'm sure.”
“Hah!” said Master Bezan, almost bitterly. “It's not as if we have had to do that before, huh?”
There were some sympathetic chuckles from all around, before the Steward continued.
“This will also increase our expenditure considerably, so we will have to increase the coal production as soon as we can to pay for it all.”
Master Bezan groaned theatrically again. “It's a cycle. A vicious cycle. Increase coal production, so increase traffic, so increase roadbuilding, so increase housebuilding for the displaced ones, so increase water supplies, so increase the workforce, so increase coal production to pay for it and so on. I wonder I have any hairs left to tear out!”
“Gentlemen, if I may? Just for a moment? I believe I might have an idea here that could be of assistance.”
His Honour waved Papa forward.
“We require the income from the coal, thus this must be maximised as soon as practice can make it so. One major problem we have that is restricting the quantities is the uphill part of the route, where the road to Tranidor starts climbing at a small bend and works its way up the flank of the valley to the junction with the Chaarn road. The coal wagons cannot be fully laden because of this climb.
“I have a solution to that but which would require some new infrastructure. Not much, but nevertheless some. I have been assured that my suggestion is practical. And I believe that it could be brought into life as early as next spring. I know all this since Master Bezan here asked to me to scout out a route that would negate the necessity for that uphill stretch.” He reached out to the map on the table.
“Here look, on this border map. Going up from the bottom and following the red road upwards, we see it climbs up the east flank of the Bray Valley just after passing the new border. Then comes the junction that leads to us – there, the slightly narrower red road.” His finger stabbed the map fragment showing us all where he meant. “The road descends from that junction, through the kink to the right, the kink to the left, across the river marked, and another lesser stream only faintly marked and reaches the final of the three kinks, this one to the right. Can you all see that?”
He waited until everyone round the table had nodded assent.
“From the road junction to that northernmost kink is something like seven or eight marks. It is 17 marks from the junction to the Forest Roadhouse, so you can all see this is slightly less than half that distance.
“Now that northernmost kink is the point at which the road ceases sloping down and starts sloping up again.”
A further thought was signalled by a flash across his features, so he turned to the Captain directly. “Er, Your Honour – I could spend a few moments reporting in more detail this point here or I could just give you an overview? I feel maybe that it will prove better down the line if we all have some of the detail now, so that time can be gained in this evening's meeting? The information will make clear just how I know these things and will explain my conclusion.”
“Very well. Let us have the depth now – but maybe as shallow as possible?” he finished with a friendly grin.
“Thank you, Captain. The key to what I wish to explain is that northernmost kink. There is a forester's track that runs almost straight down to the river there. If you look closely at this map, you might make out a second stream north of the main stream, this main stream as I have termed it is the one which comes down from the Chaarn Road pass. Let me tell you what I did when I went down there scouting. I followed that forester's track and as I got near the river Bray, I came across a narrow, quite steep-sided canyon. I was on its north bank of course.
“The canyon I emphasise is not that wide – too wide for a man to leap, but really not much more than that. The major problem I came across is that the south bank of this canyon is in fact the side of a small peak. I followed the canyon all the way down to the river itself, a further cast or two but the steep side across the stream showed no sign of diminishing. There is a cliff that finishes that peak, and that cliff drops vertically down to the river some hand of strides below. It was impossible for me to see what was further downstream along this bank of the river.
“I tried going back upstream of the river Bray to see if that afforded a better view but it didn't. I made a note of noticeable signs and markings on both sides of the river and headed back to the main road. I wanted to cross that stream and then go back to the river's edge, following the south bank this time. Which is what I attempted to do. But all I achieved was to come across the back of the peak. I could not pass to the north side of the peak as I had suspected. The flank of the peak falls directly into the canyon. I therefore followed the foot so to speak of the peak in the other direction, leaving the stream and canyon behind me, thus working my way downvalley. A little further on, I came across a second stream, almost a river in itself. This was much bigger than the first, and far faster flowing. This too was in a steeply-edged canyon, and once again I was on the north bank. I followed this downstream as far as I could, but again did not reach the river, the blocking peak preventing me just as it had done on the other, upvalley, side. So again I had to turn back, going this time upstream along this second cross-river. I followed it, as near as I could in the thickness of the forest, back up to the main road. There was little difficulty in the ground and the canyon-like nature of this river route shallowed gradually out. It was just the trees that made passage awkward. Once I gained the main road again, I realised that in fact this second cross-river is the very river that flows down the pass that the Chaarn road follows. It is plainly visible on this map.”
Again he tapped the parchment on the table.
“I crossed this large stream using the main road, and again followed the river/stream towards the Bray river, this time of course on its south bank; the canyon developed steeper and steeper sides as it neared the main river. This time, however, I made it all the way down to the Bray. The peak was blocking my view upstream, of course.
“I looked around to see if there was anything that would enable me to judge the distance to the other side of the blocking peak. Imagine how much I was astounded to see a tree across the river that had a particular scar where the bark had peeled away. I had last seen that tree when I went down to the river at my very first attempt, following the waters of the first cross-stream, on the upvalley side.
“As a result, I estimate that the two canyons reach the river only a cast or so apart, which in turn means that the peak is quite narrow as it reaches the river. Both canyons are easily bridged distance-wise, but these two bridges are separated by at the most one and a half or two casts of sheer rock. I suppose that a way could be constructed around the point of the peak, on some sort of gallery, but then it would not be a gentle curve as my task was described. It occurred to me that maybe a tunnel could be bored through there, but there would be a difficulty finding a starting platform for such a thing. I would require some mining expert to confirm my feelings. It must be feasible. Maybe the nose of the triangle of the peak could be sliced off, so to speak. This would allow an almost straight stretch of road, thus fulfilling the terms of my brief.
“The rest of the way downvalley from there is simplicity itself to construct a roadway of gentle slope which could in fact rejoin the main road almost opposite the fifth roadhouse after the junction, as you descend, of course. There are far fewer trees in comparative fact downslope from the junction itself, although it is still a forest. To have a completely gentle slope from the start point I suggested to rejoin the main road below the junction, I would estimate could take up to fifteen marks depending upon how soon you might want to regain the existing road. Master Bezan did suggest maybe a single direction system so that laden wagons descending are the only ones to use the new road, upvalley traffic could use the existing road.
“However, that I feel is probably some years away. There is another possibility, which seems to me to offer some rapid advantages.”
He paused and took a sip of pel. Bezan and Yarling nodded to each other, having heard this already, at this very table, while the rest listened eagerly, if that's possible.
“There is only at most three casts of dense forest from which to hack out a passage. The forester's track would also need widening, but of course there is space there already between the trees. At most a single mark of new road, maybe a mark and a half, but I doubt it is so much. We could thus have a functioning road down to the very water's edge. And transship the coal to a barge.”
He sat back with a certain amount of pride.
“A barge, Master? But we would then need to negotiate with barge companies and so on, not to mention other landholders nearby. I don't see that as being conducted in any degree of haste.” He must have seen the look on Papa's face, because he continued queryingly: “Do we have any experience with barges?”
“Actually, Captain, we do.”
Suddenly, our Steward sat up straighter.
Papa continued: “My brother-in-law-to-be, that's the brother of Swayga, works down at the Forest Roadhouse. He used to work for a barge company before coming upvalley. His name is Steef and he is second-in-charge of the Roadhouse. Swayga might be able to give you more details, but Steef was one of the bosses of that barge company until it was squeezed out of existence, some say by Lord Trosanar down to Tranidor.”
“Yes, I have been informed of the thinking of Lord Trosanar. I am also reliably informed further that that thinking has changed and barges could now be a viable option. I must arrange to meet this Steef at the earliest opportunity. Now, Master Kordulen, you are the only man here that can tell us … what DISadvantages of this proposal do you see?”
He shook his head as he answered: “Your Honour, there is even a rocky ledge down there that is almost a ready-made wharf. The only disadvantage I can see is I have no knowledge of water levels during the rains. All the rest is eminently doable. The tree-felling is relatively minor, and would provide needed wood for the expansion here. And it could be brought into action by spring, if not earlier, given an easy winter. Maybe one other awkwardness is that there is no life down there and the workers would have little civilisation at first.”
“Thank you, Master. Your information is excellent, and it was wise to go to that level of detail. Do any of you others have any questions of Master Kordulen?”
They all shook their heads and the Steward took over once more.
“So we have a relatively easy option to increase the flow of coal departing our lands, using the increased lands Mylady has been granted. Let me now ask each individually of the difficulties you foresee in each of your areas of expertise. Fedren, you start.”
The Sheriff simply reported that he was already stretched just dealing with events in the town. If the greatly enlarged Barony were also to be included in his brief, then he needed to recruit aggressively and rapidly. But maybe first he would need to travel downvalley and ask the people down there how it functions at present. He should also establish some contact with his counterpart in Tranidor, but that would have to be done once he had sufficient staff here to cover his absence.
Yarling followed and made a good point when he said that if coal was to be found in the Chaarn Road Pass area, then it would likely be far easier to transport it out of there and that Blackstone's development would as a consequence be able to be cut back.
Bezan finished the session by saying that Yarling's point was perhaps the most fundamental, and should be pursued as soon as possible. Thinking of the logistics, he felt that maybe a small village should be built down there, which would address Papa's point about the loneliness of the workers and also maybe assist Fedren by having somewhere to base some of his staff. He wondered if maybe the Steward should like to base himself down there. More in the middle of his responsibilities rather than have so far to travel from the uttermost end.
“I understand the logic behind your suggestion, but that might be something I'd consider in a few years. At the moment most activities will be here – unless Yarling finds something of value. Maybe then we would have to consider moving the baronial seat.”
He thought for a moment or two – but I confess it seemed a lot longer.
“Right then. Yarling and Kordulen, can you both together go down and investigate the coal possibilities of the Chaarn Road Pass, if it pleases? You can also establish an initial contact with the roadhouses that are now ours. Then Kordulen, you can show Yarling your wharf/tunnel/gallery area and get his opinion of the rocks around there. It's around 40 marks to the junction from here, so you could get down there in a little over half a day on frayen, it being downhill all the way! If you start tomorrow early, then you could be at one of the resthouses, settle in and do a little investigation in the late afternoon. You could then spend the morning doing some more and pass on to another of the roadhouses for that night. Work your way back to the two canyon area and have the third night in the Forest Roadhouse. That way you could be back here by noon of the fourth day. I don't see you can do it any quicker, unless you don't visit the roadhouses and simply camp out.”
Again there was a silence as each man tried to think of anything else relevant.
“Right then. Keep this in mind for this evening's meeting and off you go about your normal business. Sheriff, you may inform that ruffian in your cell that his trial will be on the morrow at the sixth bell. I have too much to do today and it will do him good to sit and stew for a while. I want this to be a public trial so I will ask Mistress Sukhana if we can use her courtyard again. Master Jepp informed me of the details after Mylady and His Highness told me what had taken place. I deem many women will want to be present, and I want to be sure that they see justice is done. They will be less complaining if they see that we care. It may be of great benefit to us.”
He stood up.
“Master Kordulen, we thank you both for your hospitality and your neat possible solution. We also thank your two valuable daughters here, who have done such a good job as makeshift scribes. Please convey our thanks to Mistress Swayga and also to your other children for keeping this meeting interruption free. Gentleman, I shall see you all this evening – and no doubt your good self too Mistress Julina. It would appear I have many letters to write and others to see. If I rush, maybe I have time to get to the Forest Roadhouse and back. Steef I believe you said the name was. Or maybe I should send for him. That would probably be best. Otherwise I have to rearrange too many other meetings. I'm sorry, I was thinking aloud. I must away.”
With that, he swept up his hat and strode to the door before hurriedly mounting his animal and moving smartly off.
The other men followed, after generous thanks. They also went quite swiftly and suddenly we who remained were left alone, breathing quite rapidly it seemed.
What a whirlwind of a way to start the day.
… … …
The levelling teams were back to their usual positions now that the work had been done on East Street. Perhaps that's not quite accurate. They were now concentrating on the Loop Road, working their way round the valley head and angling down in a great gentle arc towards the new bridge. Already the Loop Road had been extended from the last place I had seen it, although the surfacing of the new road sections was noticeably absent.
I was fascinated both to see our town from the west side of the valley and to see the sights as we passed round the head of the valley on our morning ride to get there. We, Papa and I, had nearly been late after the 'emergency' of the morning but our companions were fascinated by our news, which of course we passed on as we rode up that way.
“Good for the Duke,” declared Sookie forcefully. “He is obviously very bright, and knows that Mylady will manage this well.”
“It seems so,” agreed Pomma as Papa and Parry rumbled noises of approval.
Our chats about the new lands were interrupted as we passed by the third quarry, the entrance to which was so far above our heads. There was a new contraption there which fascinated us all. Lumps (and dust!) of freshly mined coal were being carried down from the mine entrance to a waiting wagon at our road level by a long piece of cloth, it seemed to me. A few moments of study revealed how it worked, and, as always, the simple things give the most delight.
No less than three, one of them ancient, dranakh were harnessed to a turntable. To this turntable, a stout rope was attached. The rope we could see was a big loop going round some machinery at one end of this cloth thing that ascended the hill to the mine entrance, or descended the hill from the mine entrance laden with coal. We saw that the cloth was actually a giant loop of cloth, maybe a stride wide. When the coal reached the end of the cloth, it simply dropped off into the belly of the waiting wagon. The cloth went round a roller and was dragged back up to the top of the incline once more, this time not being laden of course as it went under the descending other half of the loop.
We rode nearer to the apparatus at the end and could then see that the machinery caused another wheel to turn and this wheel was attached somehow to something that at first we could not see clearly. But we could see that it was this something that drove the cloth bit which was loaded with coal, carried on rollers that rotated. When we got even nearer we could see a complicated arrangement of gears that was providing the driving force. The coal simply fell off the end of the cloth into the wagon's belly. The piece of cloth it had been travelling on looped down over a roller before travelling back up to the top again, underneath the loaded portion of cloth.
As we rode on past, we discussed what it might be called and we all decided that the name 'continuous carpet' was our favourite.
We rode on to the point where a track joined ours as it descended from an acute angle to our right. Papa told us this was the track that led up to the Stone Sea, as Sookie nodded her agreement, and added there would not be time to go all the way to the Sea, but maybe to what they called the 'false ridge'. Of course, everyone else wanted to go up there, but I knew I had not the time – I had a meal to prepare for about twenty people! Papa agreed to accompany me back and let the others return at their own pace. We said goodbye to the other three, agreeing – of course – to meet for another ride on the morrow. We retraced our way and again marvelled at the continuous carpet.
As we got next to the Miners' Village, there was some sort of ceremony or celebration going on. So of course we had to slow and observe. We could see the water channels sloping down through the three levels, but what was interesting was that these channels were covered only until about half-way down. As we watched, there was a cheer and we could see water cascade down the channels on the extreme left. Enquiring of a worker nearby, we learnt that the lowest level of all, where there were six sheds evenly spaced round the edge of the lowest semi-circle, was the level for the privies.
Here is a quick description, as given in an earlier tale:
There were three levels prepared, each a half circle. The levels were joined to each other by two wide ramps that cut the half circles into three equal areas. These ramps were just wide enough for a wagon. The upper level was about thirty strides from one side to the other. The next level was two strides lower, I could judge that fairly accurately by seeing the height of one of the wagons being used down there compared to the upper surface. This level was about a cast wide as its circle was that much greater than the one above. The third level I guessed to be much the same, two strides lower and a cast or so wider. There was a final level that was NOT a half circle – instead a number of simple circles all of their own.
My memory says that I counted a hand of the privies before, but six makes much more sense, two for each third.
The celebrations were that now the left-hand segment (as we looked from the main road) was fully integrated with a water supply. The workman laughed wryly as he added: “Without a lid on the waste channel, the smell might be quite strong!”
“Why are there no covers all the way on the channels?”
“Oh, the stone required has been allocated to another project that came up, the new street over to the east of the town. We have run out of cut stone it appears and that new street doesn't have enough to surface it either, so we end up with two projects not completed. This place is a shambles.”
We took our leave and rode back down to the Claw where we left the animals, before scampering up the slope to home. I changed swiftly, and then Papa and I loaded our arms with various buckets, carry bags and containers and went down to M's.
I got to the kitchen half a bell before I had arranged to be there and started checking that the ovens were hot and so on. Kassama and Haka had done marvels, the kitchens were clean, the ovens were indeed hot and the water tank was filled, as well as several cooking pans. I thanked Papa and waved him away, knowing that I would be here for many bells now. Papa was to be included in the evening's meeting, so he could escort me home afterwards.
Tonight, I would be cooking for 22 people, 7 of whom would not be in the dining room. Which thought made me want to do another check before I got started in earnest.
I quickly went to the dining room and tables had been grouped together to make one large one. I counted quickly and there would be space indeed for 15 diners. Gyth and Kelly were going to be the ones to serve the diners, so they could do the table setting. Michet would supervise. I had to learn to let others do things and not control them myself. I think that turned out to be my most awkward job of all!
Back to the kitchen, then. There were three ganifilis to be done first. I would make some more stock and some more soup from these, then cook them as the back-up dishes in case anything went wrong. I slipped an apron over my head, and got started after moving the tank of fish out of the way of my chosen place, where the most light spilled onto the work-surface.
… … …
The meal was a success.
I shouldn't boast, but it really was a success and everyone was delighted. I could tell this wasn't simply a formal nice polite saying – it was a genuine expression of delight.
I reacted as you will have expected – I blushed at the lavish praise, but I did make sure that Molly got her share of praise too.
And the whole evening was also a very valuable exercise for the five of us most closely involved with the organisation of the Salon.
Yes, there were things that didn't go right. A simple accident meant that two of the main dishes were dropped on the floor as they were being carried to be served. They had to be thrown away. We learnt from that that we must always have a spare dish or two on the side, just in case. This evening we had seven people to feed who were not in the dining room, so it was simple to slip two of those plates in, with time to remake two more in the privacy of the kitchens.
A few things went wrong in the kitchen, a few in the dining room. All very valuable lessons indeed and so, as far as we were concerned, the evening was a huge success. The Foti dish was a complete surprise to those not in the know, and the Captain was delighted, Kelly said. And everyone declared that the food we served was delicious.
A certain amount of Assembly business had been conducted whilst they ate, the girls informing me that they were minor topics, but still necessary for the overall running of the town. The major topics had been left until after the meal was out of the way, mainly because, Papa told me later, the Captain wanted me to be there in case any questions arose about the notes of the morning's meeting.
That part of the evening started at around the half bell announcement after the second bell. It was heralded by the four of us girls being called into the dining room where, as I mentioned, we were all embarrassed by the lavish praise. The Steward then apologised to the three others that he had a need for me to be in the room for the next topics to be discussed and would thus have to leave the clear-up to the others just this once. He announced that an entire Solly would be donated by the Assembly to be shared amongst us as a thank you for what we had done. We were amazed – that was a whole hand of feniks for each of us! We stuttered our shocked thanks, and then the girls left to clear up. Michen went with them to help after escorting Master Morden to his sitting room, where he apparently fell asleep almost as he was sitting down into the chair. Kassama was just finishing her meal in the kitchen as the others trooped back in, followed by “The Boss”, who was grinning with delight that his/her Salon was a success.
… … …
“… and so Masters, and Mistresses Lendra and Julina, there is now a MUCH larger area to administer. Master Yarling, accompanied by Master Kordulen, will travel down to the junction and from there up the Chaarn Road to the pass to see if there are any easier-mined coal seams. If so, then the development here in town may be put off, at least for a while. So their report is crucial as to how we proceed. They will depart tomorrow morn, early, and I would expect them back by dusk of the fourth day after that. So on the fifth morning, we shall all reconvene here at the second bell – Master Michen has agreed that we may use this room as our Assembly room until the Community Hall is built.
“With the increased size of the lands, there will come a time when we need to raise a few more guards and they will need to be trained. And not just for guard duties. Forgive me, that is the years I have had at the Palace talking. There is not much here to guard and the men we will need to recruit are hardly likely to need to be as proficient with weapons as real guards are. If any invaders get here, then the professionals downvalley will have been defeated already. However, men will be required for a variety of duties. Communications, controlling, expediting. I don't know what to call them really. Militia maybe. There is a military aspect to the requirement. Even now, we require staff for the semaphore system, and this I feel should not be a burden to the Sheriff in HIS duties. Maybe, it would be sensible if the Valley Messenger Service were to take over those semaphore duties, after all it IS about getting messages about the place.
“The Sheriff himself will require to recruit some more staff and a recent development means that we shall have to have some females working for him as well. Quite how the differing duties can be resolved between the Sheriff's department and a more military department is a matter for further discussions, maybe not this evening – in fact almost certainly NOT this evening. We have a lot of detail to get through, and we must not clutter up the time we have.
“What is absolutely clear and obvious is that I myself cannot devote all my time solely to the guard , sorry, militia that will have to be here; I have a host of other duties to perform. As a result, I therefore have an urgent need of someone to whom I can delegate these more military tasks. That person would have to be responsible to the Assembly and to my mind, it makes sense that he is also a member of the Assembly.
“Do any of you object to having someone in such a position? Please feel free to discuss this openly. As usual, if you have anything against, then I expect you to say so. I shall never, I hope, become a dictator. It is my duty to think ahead and prepare this now expanded Barony for the immense development that is envisaged and for the inevitable problems that will be brought along as a consequence. Our entire country is going to change within the younger generation's lifetime and indeed within some of ours.”
There was a general murmur of agreement and those seated at the table looked round at each other.
But no-one took up the Steward's offer to make a discussion of it.
So, with no gainsayers, the Captain continued: “I therefore officially propose that such a position is created and becomes a member of this council. All those in favour?”
Everyone raised their hand.
“I see I have no need to ask if anyone is against, nor if there are any abstentions.”
Everyone chuckled as the Steward gave Master Jepp time to record the events.
“Now, we need to find a candidate, or candidates, to fill that position. Does anyone have any suggestions? I have one in mind, but would be interested to see if any of you have any ideas.”
There was a general conversation at this point, with various names half-suggested and mostly rejected. But one name was suggested from various sides and they all sat back in their chairs and breathed the equivalent of “Of course” when they heard it.
I didn't know what to do, but just then the Steward said: “Excellent. Master Michen was my candidate too. Mistress Julina may I trouble you to go and fetch him? Thank you.”
I was in turmoil at this moment as I could foresee some difficulties ahead. Outside the room, I met Kassama and asked her where Michet was – she told me that she was using the toilet and would be out very soon. I told her that Master Michen was required in the Assembly room and she promised to send HIM in as quickly as he could get there.
I returned to the Salon and heard the Steward making the case: “... the details will need to be thrashed out, but as we are all here, and we all foresee that this may become a larger requirement in the future, then I see no reason to delay. As far as I am aware, we have no other decorated guardsmen in town, the Assembly room is now in his house, and he also has the time. He is the leader of the hunters. He is furthermore fully aware of the ideas and aims of our Baroness, and is still injured from the battle up in the Vale in which he distinguished himself, again. He has fought at her side, and he has discussed many things with her, and he has added ideas to the town and its development. Are there any gainsayers to or abstainers from this proposal? If so, please raise a hand now.”
There was silence for a full moment, and not a single hand was raised.
The Steward said: “So be it. Again, unanimous.”
At that moment, Master Michen came into the room. Master Brydas was the first to start clapping but none of the others was too far behind.
“Master Michen is therefore voted onto our Assembly with the rank of Quadrant and he can be our militia leader. Please remark it as so in the record, Master Scribe.” The Captain beamed, and turned to M as he said: “Welcome Quadrant Michen to our body. You now have full voting rights in our Council.”
M blushed very heavily and looked directly at me anguishedly before saying: “If it pleases you all, can we just hold back on that, I beg of you. I'm not at all sure I can accept that.”
Julina is closely involved with the Assembly meeting, and then another day with some tough decisions to be made.
The original characters and plot of this story are the property of the author. No infringement of pre-existing copyright is intended.
This story is copyright © 2013 - 2020 Julia Phillips. All rights reserved.
It uses some of the associated characters and situations that arise from the world called ‘Anmar’ created by Penny Lane, whose stories
are also copyright © 2010 - 2020 Penny Lane. All rights reserved.
My mind was racing for a way out of this difficulty when we were all shocked (well, I, for one, was shocked, and some others' faces seemed to be as well) by Master Jepp laughing out loud. This was a surprise on two counts. Just to see him laugh was a surprise, as he was normally a very staid and … solid … citizen.
“I thoroughly approve of your sense of humour, Master Michen,” he chuckled. Then he turned to address the Steward, saying directly to him: “If I may be permitted to point out, Your Honour, that this body is not, as it happens, allowed to appoint Quadrants – that particular function has to be done by either Mylady Garia or the head of her guard, Commander Feteran. As a result of that, I have been thinking of which title we might provide for this appointment and I remember there is a word, a name at the back of my mind, which I seem to recall is of Chivan origin – I know we covered it when I was learning all this. There is another word from possibly another source that might also be appropriate. Neither word is springing easily to mind. With your permission, I shall leave the title open in the records of the meeting, to be ratified at our next occasion. I shall have had time to research it by then. As I recall, then the original Chivan word for which I am striving describes a person who was responsible for various things: for representing the folk to the lord of the land (or, as in this case, her Steward) and for representing the lord or Steward to the folk, thus allowing the Steward to concentrate on the many other aspects of governing a region. This official was responsible also for collecting taxes and rents, which would not apply in this case, unless it happens that the town imposes some, and responsible too for chasing down unpaid fines and the like. I shall look forward to researching that. This is the sort of thing that I find gives me pleasure in my quieter moments.”
All this gave M and I time to flash messages to one another, which the Steward caught – he is a VERY observant man. Which I suppose should not have surprised me as much as it did.
“Thank you, Master Jepp for your accurate observations. I regret I overstepped the line there – please mark this down, all of you, to a lack of a thorough grounding in Stewardly procedures. I have been accustomed all my life to making these decisions in a military environment and just extended that to here. I stand corrected, and rightly so. Now, before we continue, I suggest a comfort break. I remind you we have a lot to get through this evening and we must not be distracted. I myself do not require it, but I see a few of you fidgeting. We will break now and reconvene in precisely five moments, if that is sufficient for you all?” He looked around. “Good, then a hand of moments break. Perhaps, Mistress Julina you would be kind enough to show me your kitchens where you produced such a marvellous feast. It seems an appropriate use of our time whilst the others are relieving themselves. Master Michen, it is after all your house, so would you like also to accompany us?”
Oh, how very cleverly done! I admired the smooth way he had guided us into a reclusive place, where a private conversation could be had, and how he had fitted in this fact-finding moment into a busy schedule in case it threw out any of his plans.
We reached the kitchens where all activity stopped at our entrance. The girls had been busy cleaning up and tidying away, aided by Kassama and Haka. I had to catch M's eye when I saw Haka there and got a resigned shrug that said 'so be it' in reply. We had already agreed with our eye messages that I should inform the Captain.
I spoke quickly to prevent the others being dismissed.
“Your Honour, I saw that you caught the unspoken exchanges between myself and Master Michen in the other room. Please allow me to explain. Everyone here, except Haka, knows the secret. May I present Mistress Haka, a talented seamstress, mother of a lovely son called Haris, and wife of Suril, the Sheriff's deputy? Mistress Haka, may I present Mylady's Steward in these lands, his Honour the Captain Bleskin?”
The two murmured a formal and non-committal greeting as one does in those circumstances. More formal than actually meant. Haka found herself compelled into dropping a deep curtsey, from which the Captain graciously waved her up to her normal stance.
“Mistress Haka, my pleasure.”
He turned to me and said: “And you Mistress Julina are very observant. Was it so obvious I caught your exchange with Master Michen?”
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak just at that moment. If I agreed, it could be seen as saying that his Honour was naïve and easily read. If I disagreed, maybe I was being rude. But he himself was very observant as I reported, so I could also have come back and 'accused' him of the same thing. This was an area of uncertainty I did not wish to enter.
Haka was more than a bit flustered at the formal presentation but I could see her alive with inquisitiveness as to what everyone else knew, other than herself and the Captain. Dranakh could not have dragged her away just then.
The Captain turned to M and raised a querying eyebrow.
“I shall have to leave this to Mistress Julina, your Honour,” stammered a very uncomfortable M.
The Captain turned to me, again not saying a word.
I drew in a deep breath, being aware that M trusted me and hoping against hope that I could find the right words.
“It is a matter of honour, your Honour.” I inwardly cringed as my tongue used the word 'honour' too much. “A solemn undertaking; a promise made. Master Michen is honour-bound,” (cringe – there it was again) “not to tell anyone. However, we have discovered that the original promise was that Master Michen could not tell anyone. I discovered the facts purely by accident, and I am not therefore bound by that original promise. However, I am bound by a promise myself. I can only tell anyone with Master Michen's explicit permission.”
We all turned and looked at M, who was still crimson with embarrassment. We did hear a mumbled “Granted” from the middle of that tortured face.
All eyes turned back to me.
“Your Honour, my personal feelings are based on my disapproval that this promise was extracted from a child who was far too young to understand the decision, and I find it reprehensible in the extreme that another person's entire life has been made so very difficult by a promise extracted from a six-year old. I am quite angry with the person who insisted on the promise, and hope one day to be able to express that great dissatisfaction. However, it doesn't alter the facts. Up to about a week or two ago only three people in town knew the truth, one of them is here present, Mistress Kassama, the housemistress hereof this home. Once we started this venture, and selected the workforce for it, it was determined that those who work here would also need to know, thus my friends were also informed. Your Honour, I have extracted a solemn promise from each of them here never to repeat this information without permission from Master Michen. So before I go further, I require the same promise from yourself and from Haka. Do I have that promise?”
Haka was quick to give hers.
The Captain, however, was more cautious.
“I am unprepared to give such an undertaking at this moment. If the information you are about to reveal causes problems with my duties, or with the well-being of these lands, or anything like that, then I may have to reveal it myself without gaining permission. I ask you to trust my judgement on that, but otherwise I shall willingly make the solemn undertaking of such a promise.”
I looked at M and she looked back at me, nodding the once.
“Very well, then I shall accept that as agreement in principle, with matters of state maybe overruling.”
I paused.
Then, very formally, after I took a deep breath and exhaled some, I said: “Your Honour, I have occasion now to present to you a further person. On the one hand we have here his Honour, Captain Bleskin, Mylady Garia, Baroness of Blackstone's Steward of Blackstone lands. On the other hand I present to you, Mistress Michet, daughter of Master Morden. Mistress Michet has been a girl and woman all her life, the manly front is a mere mask.”
Haka let out a gasp to show her surprise and then, to MY surprise, she breathed “Of course! NOW it makes sense.”
We all looked at the Steward.
His reaction was even more surprising, surpassing anything I, or anyone else present, could have expected.
“And when …... ah! Master Morden is close to his pyre. You have to wait until then?”
“Exactly, Your Honour.”
“Thank you for your trust in me. And Mistress Julina, I believe you have served your friend here excellently. I commend you.”
He continued to surprise us by turning to M and saying: “So you, Mistress Michet are the one! We knew of a woman in the guard at Dekarran for years, it was an open secret, but no name was ever mentioned. I did not expect to meet her. It is my honour to do so. I have seen the reports of the action for which you were decorated. You should have a further decoration for your part up in Blackstone Vale.”
There was a pause as he thought rapidly.
“I still feel my instincts are right, and would value your involvement. I shall change my tactics in the chamber there. May I expect an affirmative to my proposal? We will find a title and a job description by the next meeting. And you may retain your secret for now. I shall not breathe a word nor make any indication that anything has changed.”
“I should be honoured, Captain.”
“So be it. Now we have a meeting to get through. Mistresses Michet and Julina, please attend.” His eyes twinkled. “Though I suspect it should at this moment be Master Michen I am ordering about.”
With that, he turned on his heel and marched back into the Salon, we two trailing in his wake.
… … …
“Thank you all for a prompt restart. We had a small unresolved matter from beforehand which has made me reconsider our progress – slightly. Most of us were round the table, not this one of course, when Mylady had her last meeting. She made a strong 'suggestion' at that meeting which I wish to address now. As usual, her 'suggestions' gain value and credence the more we think them through. Recent events in the town have also added their weight, as Master Fedren our Sheriff is only too willing to attest. Mistress Julina here is to be thanked on several happenings, but the most immediately relevant is the rescue of our valued colleague here, Master Blandel, from his depression. Another of Mistress Julina's friends, having been introduced by Mistress Julina, made a suggestion that has increased production of our coal.
“I am aware of the women's circle here in town – there's no need to be so shocked Mistresses, I would be a very slack Steward if I was not aware of it – and also that Mistress Megrozen runs businesses both up here and in Tranidor. I could go on for the whole evening about various other incidents, but will leave that to your sensible and objectively applied knowledge. In my considered opinion, we would do well to harken to Mylady's words. I have considered the matter and I have concluded that Mistress Lendra here, with her contacts and broad reach throughout the community would be the most suitable to be our first female council member. I therefore officially propose that she be voted onto our Assembly. Please use a part of your mind to consider that as I continue. We will return to this in a few moments.”
There had been some sharp intakes of breaths around the table, but, in accordance with the Captain's wishes, no words were yet spoken.
“My immediate predecessor, Master Mesulkin there, has much valuable information and experience that it would be most criminal simply to discard. He has indicated to me that the function he most misses is that of formalising marriages and so I therefore propose that he also be voted onto our Assembly, specialising in marriages, but making his vast experience available to us all on most subjects. Master Jepp and I have discussed this beforehand, and the title to be bestowed upon Master Mesulkin would be that of Alderman – this word begins with an 'A' by the way, for reasons lost to us. I am informed that the original was Elderman, with an 'E'. This is a title which is particularly appropriate here, as it was a post created for semi-retired leaders, the so-called Elders of the community, to take up. This was designed precisely so their knowledge would not be lost.
“Now I want you all to be brutally honest with yourselves. Is there any reason, other than tradition, that these appointments should not be made? I wish to make these appointments now, so that the following topics can be voted upon by us all. If so, please voice those reasons clearly and concisely. However, I will state clearly here and now that I am NOT prepared to accept any reason as valid if it is just another way of saying 'but we have never done it that way'. We need to get on, so please keep your remarks now to the minimum. Master Bezan, your views?”
“I have had the pleasure of talking and working with her Ladyship, I have also learnt to be grateful, particularly to Mistress Julina, for some ideas from the townswomen. And you are right about Master Mesulkin. I am in favour.”
“Master Yarling?”
“I agree with Bezan, although I confess the female thing leaves me uneasy, but I cannot justify that. In favour.”
Masters Fedren and Brydas also indicated they were in favour, also with unquantifiable reservations, while Master Blandel was almost over-enthusiastic in his support for having a woman – he cast a beaming smile at me as he said this.
Master Selden saw no reason to have a female just because they were female, when nearly all business decisions were made by males. However, he did agree that Mistress Lendra was a very suitable candidate if it really had to come to that.
Masters Torin and Sinidar were against having a woman in their number but failed to convince with their arguments. They both looked a little ashamed as they tried to justify their statements.
This just left Master Jepp. He pointed out that he himself had argued for women apprentices and felt that women could provide much valuable insight to their deliberations on how to develop the town for ALL its citizens. He therefore had no qualms whatsoever in supporting the motion and would “indeed, be proud so to do”.
“Thank you all. So I ask now for a show of hands. All those in favour of these appointments to the Assembly, please raise your hands now. Ah, a clear majority. Are either of you who have not raised their hands voting against the motion? No! So therefore you must be abstaining, is that correct? Thank you. Master Scribe, please note that the three appointments are now made with a vote of 8 to 0, with two abstentions. So now Mistresses and Masters Landra, Mesulkin and Michen - welcome. Your views on all are expected, and furthermore expected to be open and honest, with no other influences apart from your own thoughts. We know enough never to adjust our views according to what we think the other or others might like to hear. As of now you are entitled, and indeed fully expected, to vote on each subject that arises.
“As for myself, I shall only cast my vote from now on in the event of a tied decision. I doubt though that we will have many of those with twelve of you!
“Now, for those newcomers, I will mention the urgent things we have to discuss this evening. Essentially they all come under the heading of town developments, and Master Bezan will be able to report on most of that. There are some things that will seem strange to you, but we all know them and you will have to trust us when we say they have all been thought through and indeed discussed. Just to give you a flavour, Mylady Garia has told us, and shown us in some small ways, that it will be possible, if not in our lifetimes, certainly within the life of someone like Mistress Julina, to travel from Blackstone to Tranidor AND BACK within a single day!”
There were gasps from those who did not know – the loudest probably from me. I heard Papa breathe to himself: “Ah! Hence no sharp corners! At those speeds the curves must be gentle.” He sat on the edge of his chair, full of attention now he realised the importance of his research.
“It is therefore incumbent upon us to lay the groundworks for that to occur. Mylady has called this method of transport a 'railroad'. Most of you will have seen the mining wagons on their rails inside the mine entrance? Well, Mylady, or, more appropriately, Guildmistress Garia has told us about a giant version of this, with wagons pulled by machines, powered by steam engines. Master Brydas is working with steam engines, and correspondence from downvalley indicates that more powerful ones than just the demonstration version Brydas has here are available. Most of the development costs of this railroad will have to be funded by the extraction of coal, so we have to prioritise that. But that gives us conflicting necessities as we try to balance our resources.
“However, there is something else more important to report to you all. Some here know already, and I shall explain that. But the fact is we have today had a further disruption to our plans. The information became available when I received it only this morning. It was actually delivered at dusk last night to Master Mesulkin who passed it on to me first thing this morn since I was absent at delivery time, and we didn't meet until after we woke.
“Mylady Garia is a vassal of Duke Gilbanar whose seat as we all know is down in Dekarran. The message I received was sent from his Grace, and was countersigned by both Mylady and also Lord Trosanar of Tranidor. Mylady has been awarded ALL the land between here and almost the end of the forest. That means that WE all present here are making decisions for things that happen from here down to beyond the Chaarn Road fork. And also on the west bank of the Bray.”
Again, there was a combined hissing in of breath from those who had not been present this morning.
“Master Kordulen has recently been sent down to those regions by Master Bezan to scout the route for that possible railroad. He is here tonight to be available for questioning about his report. This morning I naturally required a quick meeting with several of us here and Master Kordulen as he knows more than anyone else about those far parts. Master Jepp was away and it occurred to me that Mistress Julina can write, so it made sense for the morning meeting to be at Master Kordulen's home. Mistress Julina is here tonight in case we have any questions arising from her notes she made. Personally, I must say that my belly as well is extremely pleased that she was here tonight!”
I tried not to be proud as the gentle laughter was accompanied by looks and gestures of thanks.
“We are unaware of exactly what the newly-awarded lands will provide, but I repeat our existence is underpinned by coal extraction. If coal is to be found in the new parts, and is found to be more easily extractable from there than from here, then all our efforts and priorities will be switched as soon as possible. However, we cannot make that decision without knowledge. So until that knowledge is acquired, we must continue on the assumption that we will be at the heart of things here in the town.
“Masters Yarling and Kordulen are leaving first thing on the morrow to make an initial survey down there. We estimate that the entire thing will take some four days, so our next meeting will be here, in this room, at the second day bell in five mornings time. Then we can know the priority of our efforts.
“Now, I believe I have set the foundations for the rest of the meeting and I can therefore hand over to Master Bezan to detail all we need to know. And to allow my tortured throat some liquid refreshment.”
Grins appeared on the faces round the table, and then Master B stood to start his discussion.
This was the first I heard of the three more street blockages that had occurred this afternoon, whilst I was busy with my cooking. Master Bezan decided to start with the traffic problems and explained how the East Street solution would solve many of these. The problem at the moment was the lack of stone to finish the road surfaces. Master Blandel explained that the demand for stone was excessively high with extra roads being built as well as water supply channels – and while he was 'ill' his senior man, Mostar, had been taken off for other duties involving the aqueduct and dam. More stone was being quarried but it takes time. He apologised for his lack of efficiency in recent weeks, but he would make up for it as soon as he could. He was also looking for other sources of stone, and apprentices to train in stonemasonry.
Papa interjected at that point, just asking people to remember this bit, he had something to say about it later.
M was encouraged by Papa's contribution so he then felt it was alright to add a little something to the discussion. It didn't stop him looking a little embarrassed whilst doing so: “In my duties with the guard, and with the wagons I started out on, I have seen many different roads. One particular one springs to mind at this moment. But first allow me to set some background and to check some facts.” He paused briefly. “Now I believe that the four cross alleys are all fully surfaced, am I correct?”
There was several nods from others.
“Good, then we solve the problem by taking up those surface stones again. Hold!” he said smiling while holding up a hand, which gesture silenced the potential clamour we could all sense was about to burst out.
“What do we need on East Street? More surfacing stones. Where do we have them? In the alleys. The alleys are not being used right now, at least not as the design requires them to be. They are designed for the one-direction system to work, so that lower buildings do not have to go all the way up to the campingplace before turning downhill. Lower buildings would simply need a short uphill journey before using the cross alleys as access routes for the new downhill one-direction road we all call East Street.
“At the moment we have two-direction traffic on Main Street. The blockages come there. So we provide East Street with a workable surface, and the traffic that is designed to use the alleys can use the Main Street as we do now in two directions, in other words, keep it exactly as it already is.
“But the bulk of the traffic will be routed downhill on East Street, making that a one-direction street. A vast diminution of the traffic on Main Street. Far fewer blockages.”
There was a moment of silence, and then everyone was wondering why they hadn't thought of that.
Until Master B said: “An elegant temporary solution, but even the alleys have insufficient stone to surface East Street – and we cannot allow traffic on there without a reliable surface. The levelling would be ruined within a few moments, and the water channels would be knocked down in a heartbeat.”
“Ah but Master Bezan, this is where my memory of a particular road type comes in. We just need two stripes of stones for the wagon wheels to run on; a third stripe in the middle would be best, one for the dranakh to walk on, but their footpads are wide and won't damage the surface too much, particularly as the traffic would be descending. As more stone becomes available, the road can be completely covered without disturbing traffic too much. Then the alleys can be redone, starting of course at the bottom end, until Main Street becomes one-direction too.”
Another silence ensued as people realised how simple a solution it was.
The Steward broke in: “Excellent. You have already proved your worth amongst us. Thank you.”
And so the meeting progressed.
I was involved in an unexpected way when I was asked about the fish I had cooked earlier, obviously a ploy by Master B to talk about the fish farm. I told them about the foti, where they were caught and how they were transported. I also mentioned we still actually had four swimming in a tank in the kitchen. Master B then suggested we travelled tomorrow down to Little Lake farm and introduce the extra fish to the lake there, to see if they would survive. That would make a good excursion and I looked to Papa before remembering he would be away early on. It just meant that I would have to think of another meal for the family for tomorrow evening. Then there was all the food left over from earlier since we had cooked an 'emergency meal' as well. Why we …
The others round the table were impressed that already extra ways of feeding the population were being considered already, and my thoughts were brought back to the subject matter by a scattering of applause. It suddenly occurred to me that Papa had invited Master Pocular to dinner, so I would have to tell him about the changed circumstances. Maybe he would still co.....
I was jerked back to the present once more though, this time a little more harshly.
Master B's next topic was more serious and more shocking.
“Master Deegrum is a splendid individual in nearly every way, and I am proud to consider him a friend. However, he is causing us a problem, which, at worst, is more drastic than anything else we could ever imagine. He does his job, for which we, that is the Town, recompense him. But he just does his job. He knows WHAT to do, but sadly does not know WHY he does it. He simply does what his father told him to do. He lacks the imagination to expand on his knowledge. And therefore there may be hidden problems awaiting us, from leaks in the aqueduct to requiring a new dam. We may be in danger of losing our water supply.
“We need to find a capable and dedicated team to thoroughly inspect what we have. Deegrum has removed bushes for example from the wall of the dam. He did this by chopping them down. But he never dug the roots out. If those are still burrowing their way unseen, there may be a huge problem. Of course, we will need to find some emergency plan and some plan for possibly replacing the existing dam. More requirements for stone work.
“And this indeed is my greatest problem. Changing priorities. We originally stated that the building of the Community Hall would be our priority, but to do that we had to remove some houses, so we had to provide new houses first, so the new houses needed new water channels and we needed access roads for the materials, so we needed to have new roads, so we needed........ and so it went on and on and on. I can do nothing on many tasks until some things settle down. I believe that Master Michen's excellent suggestion about the road surface will mean that we gain a little breathing space, and will be able to ship a little more coal as a result.
“However, we are limited in the amount of coal we can transport out, since the long incline up to the Chaarn Road junction has dictated that we cannot completely fill the wagons. This is why we sent Master Kordulen down there, to try to find another route that would remove the incline. And also scout out a possible route for the railroad. He has in fact, with one problem, found a workable route. But more than that he has made a further suggestion, which, coupled with the news out of Dekarran, means that we should be able to ship more coal than we are doing at the moment. Master Kordulen, would you explain?”
So Papa got up and gave a shortened version of the report I had now twice heard. He concentrated naturally on the route to bypass the incline and mentioned his idea about barges, which was greeted with muted enthusiasm, as barges were not going to affect us up here in the town. He did, however, conclude his report by picking up on the earlier point that he had asked everyone to remember.
“I have done now a rough survey, more details would naturally be required, but it seems to me that the route for this railroad would cause least confusion and involve the least tree-felling if it roughly hugs the eastern edge of the valley almost all the way down to the incline. It seems to me that this is a golden opportunity to re-open the ancient stone quarry in the valley wall behind Strettalm. By widening the access to that stone quarry, then that could also play a valuable part in the construction of the railroad route, if my suggestion for that route is adopted. If we make it the best we can make it now, then we have far less work to do further along in time. I would consider that to be the prudent thing to do. This would allow us to have two stone sources being productive. Some say that there must be a third one somewhere as we have never found sign of the Chivan workings for the dam stones, but at least we KNOW of the one behind Strettalm, it is just unused at the moment.” He paused at this point, before continuing with a twinkle: “But, it may upset Master Bezan's priorities again, what with yet another new road to be built.”
There were loud chuckles at this from all around, and Papa sat again with many thankful and congratulatory nods cast in his direction. I was glowing with pride for his good job.
As it happened, I was not required to expand on my notes from the morning meeting, Master Jepp congratulating me on the clarity of my writing, and that of Kords. I was offered the chance to leave but there was no way I was going! I was fascinated to learn about all the things that were discussed and considered by these people, so I sat through the entire event.
Each Assembly member had many valuable things to say and to talk about and my eyes were opened to a lot more that was going on around us, unnoticed in everyday experiences. I gained an appreciation for the giant balancing act that was going on, and how resources needed to be closely managed.
Every person there gave a report, some briefer than others, and it was all to the point. This was truly Papa's favourite saying in action - “Economy of Speech” indeed.
But looking back on the evening, the thing that astounded and fascinated us (me) most was the description of the message system that Papa had misheard as being the 'semi-four'. I asked Master Jepp after the meeting how this should be written and he kindly gave me a lesson in some of the words. It was here I learnt that I had always been spelling Milady wrong, and environment, and semaphore, and camping place and a few others. He also mentioned that my dialect use of saying “down to the Claw” was wrong, it should be “down at the Claw”, to use one example. I was very grateful for his help and corrections.
But back to the semaphore system.
Leaving aside some of the details as being irrelevant, Captain Bleskin gave us enough information to see how valuable such a service might be – and of course, why this too should have a priority. We were amazed at how it might work and the things it could be used for. Ask a question here in Blackstone, for example, and get a reply from Tranidor within a morning perhaps.
Then came the difficulties in using it, as far as they could foresee. There would need to be an active and observant team of operators. But to cope with the narrowness of the valley and the potential weather interruptions, the stations would need to be relatively close together. The more stations, the slower the message. Also, how could we construct a station on top of a peak for example, and then expect someone to go all the way up there to work, far from any supplies and human contact? So many factors to take into consideration. There were several discussions and suggestions on these topics.
Finally, the meeting was brought to an end by the Captain announcing the trial of the man who was beating his wife, Neerkel was his name. It would be held in the courtyard of the Claw at the sixth bell. He wanted some discussions before that with the Sheriff and with Master Jepp, to get some legal procedure advice.
I was sure there would be many interested observers in attendance at that trial – it being the first public one presided over by the Steward, and many would want to see the tone he set on his rule of us. He had, to behind-the-scenes approval, banished the men who had insulted Sookie, the Town and Milady Garia. That didn't need a trial as such, it was generally agreed. Those men had come here to work and had insulted their hosts. This other one was different, with many differing facets to be examined.
“I thank you all for coming, and for our two non-members, Master Kordulen and Mistress Julina, for their very valuable contributions. I believe we have found a comfortable semi-permanent home here in this room, and indeed you will notice two cupboards open. We have been allocated that as storage space for us, to save us having to carry things to and fro. Feel free to use the space as you will. We will have all our meetings here from now until we move again – but as that depends upon having the Community Hall and that in turn depends upon Master Bezan getting his priorities sorted out, then ….......”
He left it there and laughter broke out.
He signalled the end by saying: “Good night all.”
Amid the gentle-natured teasing of Master Bezan, the meeting broke up with some good laughter.
There was one more thing from that evening which was a major surprise. Uncle Brydas, I see now looking back upon it, made sure he was the first to the street door and he quietly controlled affairs from there.
He opened the door and ushered his fellow Assembly members out onto the street. There was a gasp from each as they exited.
For across the road, attached to the corner of the Forge House, was a bright flickering light casting its radiance all about, lighting the hitherto darkness, but I noticed it was also creating deep dark shadows never seen before in our town. It was shocking, fascinating, attractive and scary all at the same time.
Which feelings were reflected from the now visible faces of each and every one of the crowd gathered around and, frankly, gawping at the flickering light. It was the middle of the night, but we could see faces clearly. I saw that this was the lantern fuelled by those gases that Sethan had gathered from his coke oven.
I felt as if the starlight and moonlight had been dimmed somehow, and something made me shiver at that thought.
… … …
“Good bye little foti. Enjoy your new home.”
Sookie, Parry, Pomma and I watched as Master B released the final fish into the lake. It was obvious that the fish were near the end of their strength, having been in a small metal tank for nearly two days. We wouldn't have had any fish to release back into the wild had we waited another half day, I'm sure.
Sookie had asked me if they were different genders, but I just didn't know. All I did know was that three of the four had the same colour on the topside fin, whilst the last had a different one. I couldn't see anything else that might be a difference between them.
Our six frayen were munching gently at some of the vegetation on the banks of the lake. We had followed the only visible path which led us through the reed bank onto an obviously man-made stretch of packed earth that poked out into the water. Try as hard as I could, I could see no life in the water but I did see some late insects skimming the surface, and one or two actually walking on the water. I wondered how they managed that. It wasn't there for long though. A gaping mouth popped up, sucked and disappeared below the surface. I recognised the colour of the fin on the back, it was our singularly coloured foti. At least one of them had had a little snack, so I felt hopeful.
I had slept well for a shortened first sleep and was thankfully woken by Kords for the between-sleep period. At the time I wasn't thankful, and was distinctly grumpy. I felt like I had glue in my mouth and in my brain and it took an enormous effort to get into motion. But I forced myself to do it, and went to help with the water set up, you know, for warming it all up ready for breakfasts. It was only later that I realised that the weariness worked itself unnoticed away.
I sat down and wrote my notes of the day from which of course I have built this report for you.
The second sleep was different. It was long, it was deep and it was needed. And I awoke after everyone else. Papa was long gone by the time I emerged, bathed, fed and dressed.
My first visit of the day was to Kelly and we rehashed the previous evening, learning some lessons. We decided to call all the girls together for a talk about what had happened and what improvements could be made. We agreed to do that at this time tomorrow morning. Kelly agreed with a suggestion I made, and we would confirm with the girls.
After that, I popped into Pomma's and together we went down to the Claw for our riding excursion, going via the glassmaker's to tell him that Papa was out of town on urgent business. He declined the invitation to come anyway and welcomed my suggestion that Papa would call upon him when he returned.
Pomma and I made our way to the Claw and found that Master B had already arrived. He had explained what was required of us today, and everyone was ready when we turned up. The load was placed on another frayen, one tank, each holding two fish, on either side to keep a balance.
And so we rode down to Little Lake farm, and found the access to the lake. I dare say the spot might be beautiful on a spring, summer or early autumn day, but today was overcast and there was a cold wind blowing downvalley. We were glad of our coats.
Sookie invited us all to take a luncheon with her so we could have a good seat for the trial, and we set off back to the Claw quite smartly. It was not a day for lingering.
… … …
“Please stand to honour the president of this trial - his Honour, Captain Bleskin, Baroness Blackstone's Steward of Blackstone lands. Master Scribe Jepp will be recording. Bring forth the prisoner.”
Neerkel was brought forward accordingly, struggling and swearing all the way – until Suril caught his eye and again used his knife to clean his nails. The contrast in his behaviour could not have been greater. Uncle no longer required his considerable strength to fight the man for every inch of progress.
Soon a silence descended as the Sheriff raised his hands and brought the gathering to order.
“Please state your name for the record,” began the Captain, addressing the man directly but with a trained voice that carried.
“My name is Neerkel.” A dig in the ribs from Uncle prompted a further “Your Honour”.
“Do you have any family, Neerkel?”
“Yes Your Honour. I am married – to Vittima.”
“Will Mistress Vittima please make herself known?”
There was no movement, no call.
“It appears that your wife is not here. Why might that be, Neerkel?”
“I expect it's because I told her not to do anything without my permission.” Rib-dig. “Your Honour.”
“I see. Is this your normal behaviour to your wife? Does she obey you in all things?”
“She'd better.”
“Oh, and what might be her incentive so to do?”
“She knows better than to disobey …. your Honour. I know how to keep women in control. My belt is never far away.”
There was a murmur from the gathered audience, making a close-packed crowd that filled the Claw's courtyard. Well over half were women. Such a murmur, and some hisses were heard frequently during the following chain of events.
“I see. And is it your belief that all women should be treated in this fashion?”
“How else, your Honour? They are all the same and they need the wilfulness knocked out of them.”
“What of the notion that women are smaller and weaker than men, and thus require protection?”
“That's for other women, your Honour. A wife is a property and just does what her man tells her.”
“Why do you imagine any woman would get married, if that were the case?”
“A woman needs a strong man to survive. That's why they attach themselves to one. Her job is then to breed sons. Mine has failed in that, so she needs some encouragement. So you see your Honour, nothing untoward has happened.”
“What think you of Blackstone, Neerkel?”
“Frankly your Honour, it seems to be an out of the way backwoods town. All this activity appears to have made it lose its head. There is a lot going on, but I fail to understand why.”
“Neerkel. There is indeed a lot going on, and there is much to do before winter arrives. So we require every able-bodied worker we can have. To work properly, those men require adequate sleep and good relaxation. It is our duty to provide as well as we can such an atmosphere. The first phase of the overall project here is to provide accommodation and resources for the workforce to come. We do not need anyone who disturbs that plan. You may now keep silent, whilst we enquire of others. You might do well to recall exactly why I am here today, upon whose behalf I am acting!”
And so a string of people were all called up to publicly explain the disturbances that this man had caused. And observations of the effects he had had on his neighbours. And declarations of how terrified Vittima was of him. And some of his neighbours apparently also went in fear.
His work foreman was called to ask about his working skills and attitude and his was the only positive testament upon Neerkel's behalf.
“Neerkel. Do you have anything to say at this point?”
“Your Honour – you will have heard how I am a valued worker, a worker on your workforce, working to improve your Town. The other tales were just from women. I urge you to let me go.”
“We have heard testimony here today that even some of your male neighbours walk in fear of you. Let me ask one final question of you. Have you ever brutally attacked a woman, outside of your wife?”
“Never your Honour.”
“Are you quite sure, man?”
“Certainly, sir. It is the responsibility of other men to control their wives and daughters.”
“And that is your final word?”
“It is, your Honour.”
“I call upon Julina, daughter of Master Kordulen – she remains a minor, so the Court will treat her lightly.”
I was shocked to be called but stepped up and calmly and clearly stated the injuries suffered by the other woman. Sookie was also called and gave her description of the injuries suffered by both women.
Finally Suril was called, his credentials established, and his description of events entered into the record.
“The Court has heard all relevant witnesses and will pass judgement now unless anyone else has anything further to say?”
There was an expectant silence but no-one else had anything to add, not even Neerkel who seemed to think he didn't need to.
“Very well. It is NOT the place of this court to come between a man and a woman who are married. We have been told by many that the wife lives in terror of her husband, and that she desires to be rid of the burden placed upon her by a brute of a husband. A court such as this has no jurisdiction in marital affairs. We shall send despatches to her Ladyship and her liege, Duke Gilbanar for advice, with the recommendation that a divorce is ordered. But I repeat, this is not the function of this court here and now.”
A broad smile spread across the prisoner's face and a low hiss of disappointment spread from the crowd. The Captain held up his hand and his smile somehow conveyed a message to everyone there – Neerkel started to look worried.
“However, the prisoner has lied to the court, and has caused grievous harm to a woman to whom he is not married. We have witnesses to that event, including a sworn member of the peace-keeping force. Others have told of other assaults for which we have no witnesses, but of a regularity that cannot be overlooked. This court finds that the prisoner is a coward, a liar and a bully. He has assaulted women and caused them damage. He has disturbed fellow workers in their rest and he has therefore hindered the development of the town. For most of this latter, the punishment would be a stiff fine and a warning to behave in the future. However, to attack a woman, any woman, is unforgivable. The prisoner is therefore sentenced to be branded on the left hand and to work in his current position for one year from today, whilst shackled at the ankles. He will receive no pay for this. He will be handed over into the care of his wife. Neerkel, there is one other fact of which you need to be aware. Vittima has been offered a job with the town, and she has accepted that employment. Any attack on her, even within the privacy of a marriage, will be considered an attack upon the Town. The punishment will be severe. I strongly suggest that you obey whatever commands your wife gives you for the next year. She after all will be earning the money in your marriage. And let there be no more disturbances of your neighbours. The court will not be so lenient at any further complaint against you. Take him away and shackle him. If he resists in any way, then a further month shall be added to the year. Remove him from our sight.”
There was a surprised silence as the sentence was pronounced and then there was a current of approval that made itself felt. Some indeed laughed at the thought that the bully was now dependent upon the very person whose life he had made so dreadfully miserable. Neerkel was visibly stunned as it all sank into his brain. It was in a way amusing to watch his face as he realised that maybe it was time for him to get angry. That was exactly the moment when once again Suril went up to him and whispered in his ear. He went quietly with Suril, Fedren, Uncle (and a few more large men) up towards the Forge.
As everyone drifted away, they were of course all talking, rehashing and dissecting what had just gone on. It was an interesting opportunity, so I indulged myself by listening to the other women chatting away as they dispersed. Some took the time to actually seek me out to thank me for my statement. Others were so disgusted with what that man had done, and were upset that the Captain had been so lenient. Now THAT was a surprise. Branding and shackling for a year was being lenient?
The main theme, though, that I detected was generally that they approved of the Steward – what with this decision and the previous banishment of those men that had insulted Sookie and Milady. It appears that they were pleased at last - at long, long last - to have somewhere to live where they felt an extra degree of safety. I had the feeling that they would support many of the town's plans in the future.
… … …
I went first of all down to visit the animals, as I was already in the Claw. From there, I went out and inspected the new paddock, the plantings and the new house. It was only as I got there that I realised I had negotiated the way entirely on my own. I had to laugh at the thought that that was probably the safest time I could ever have done that.
So, as I said, I went out to the new house, which I felt I had neglected recently, and looked around at it. It was just about finished, but had no water connections. I peered up East Street and could see some of the parallel stripes of stones that M had suggested, but by then the dusk was falling rapidly so I went back up the hill to our home.
I got some strange looks from Swayga as I turned up alone, but she was wise enough to keep quiet about it.
And finally I had a family evening after a very busy day or two, and I confess it was lovely to relax with those I love.
I was questioned closely about the events of the night before, and what I had learned. There were gasps of amazement as I related all that was going on in the background. Swayga was excited about the news of the possible barge traffic starting up again, and was delighted that we had already tried to start the fish farm.
I myself was delighted to learn that the differently coloured topside fins were the only way to differentiate the boy fish from the girl fish. So we had at least one of each down there in the lake.
And it was thus that I related what had happened, what was happening with the lands, what the semaphores were, what staff would be required and they actually cheered when I told them the details of the trial.
As I lay in my bed that night, and all the things were whizzing round my head, I was shocked to realise that my entire viewpoint had changed in less than a week. Not that long ago, I was just worried about what was happening inside our four walls – at least that's how it seemed. Now I was worrying about what was happening for the 40-odd marks down the road.
And I realised that I cared.
That I think was the biggest revelation.
Mind you, no further revelations were possible.
I was fast asleep.
Julina learns more and more, some of which maybe she didn't want to learn.
The original characters and plot of this story are the property of the author. No infringement of pre-existing copyright is intended.
This story is copyright © 2013 - 2020 Julia Phillips. All rights reserved.
It uses some of the associated characters and situations that arise from the world called ‘Anmar’ created by Penny Lane, whose stories
are also copyright © 2010 - 2020 Penny Lane. All rights reserved.
So I awoke refreshed in both body and mind, and yet my mind was already buzzing away. It appeared I had slept through a noisy storm which had been based over to the east, probably up in Blackstone Vale. It had not reached us here, so must have been another one of those ferocious but short-lived ones we get, particularly in spring and late autumn.
As usual, I reviewed what I had in store for me today as I lay in the warm bath with Kords and Swayga.
I had the review of the Salon's trial run with the girls, and M of course; this had been arranged for early on.
I had a riding excursion, of course, but that had been put back a bell today.
And that was about that.
And I realised I had nothing at all planned for the next few days. I would go down to the fish farm in a week or so, being the impatient person I am, but I didn't really hold out any hope of there being anything for me to see. But in the immediate future, I had nothing to do – a very strange state of affairs.
Oh, wait. There WAS something else. I had to deal with the huge mound of extra food we had cooked, that M decided we would be charitable and give away up at the camping place at the dusk bell. We would have a small market stall set up and when it was gone, it was gone. The food had been cooked for a full day and an overnight, so it wouldn't keep very much longer – two full days being the generally accepted limit. And the rest of the Gavakhan needed cooking. So I would be busy down to the Salon, oh no that's wrong, down AT the Salon for a bell or two this day. The thought did not worry me. I found myself looking forward to it.
I came out of the bathhouse and went into the kitchens, where sweet little Kord made a fuss of me, which was pleasing.
Soon we were all sitting round the table while Swayga fed us and generally looked after us. We chatted again about some things I had said last evening, and the children were annoyed they hadn't seen the 'lantern on the street', as we had dubbed Sethan's light at the Forge House. They realised that maybe they could see it now, it still being dark but I pointed out that by the time they were all dressed properly to venture outside, it would be light. The pleasure of seeing it wouldn't be for a while for most of them, as they had to sleep when it was alight.
As I had said, a few moments later we could all see the sky lightening quickly outside and I knew I would have to leave soon.
It was then we talked about the expanded Blackstone lands.
Which made Kord ask his question.
Which caused an amazing uproar in the house. Both Swayga and I eventually had to calm everyone down.
Questions from a five-year-old rarely have such an effect, and Kord was both scared by the raised voices and proud that he had contributed something of importance to his family, and garnered some attention that way. I just hoped that he didn't think this was the right way to get some attention.
Such a simple question it was.
What's the difference between a wood and a forest?
'Kin started the 'conversational' ball rolling.
“Duh! EVERYONE knows THAT. Just a typical Kord question! You're just too young to understand!”
“You don't know yourself!”
“Of course I do, you silly little boy.”
“Well, go on then you big know-it-all. Tell us.”
In a VERY condescending way, guaranteed to anger his younger brother, 'Kin said: “A forest is just a big wood. Same as a wood is just a big copse.”
At this, Kords, as well as Kord, got angry with the elder of her two brother's attitude and she decided to cut him down to size: “Now who's being dumb? That's not the difference at all. A forest is different to a wood because, because, because … oh, I know it's nothing to do with size. Papa told me that parts of the forest are open grassy meadows and gently rolling hills. Things with NO trees on them. A Wood is ALWAYS filled with trees.”
And so it started, all five of my siblings yelling at each other. I was shocked to find that I didn't know, but I did remember Papa saying something like that to Kords one evening when the others were safely abed. I wasn't sure that Kords had represented Papa's words entirely accurately. I did however realise that we all somehow used forest as a sort of measurement of size.
Eventually, after it had all calmed down some five moments later, I asked them who they would believe if I brought that person home with me.
I had already guessed the answer - of course.
Master Michen, if it couldn't be Papa.
Thus it was I set off to M's to meet her/him and the other three girls, in a rush as the fuss had delayed me slightly. We had agreed to start almost as soon as it got light as two of the girls would need to leave for other things they needed to do, and I wanted my ride, even though it would start later at the third bell today; everyone had something to do early it seemed. M had taken the idea from Milady that all involved should get together after an event to describe what had happened, and to learn lessons from mistakes and so on. I thought this was a good idea and approved of this 'debriefing' as M called it.
We found that we had done pretty well all in all, some small errors were recognised (Kelly served the food from the 'wrong' side once, Gyth splashed some wine on the table). Molly and I made suggestions as to how to keep the food as hot as possible before the girls came to serve it – for example, we won't plate up all twenty plates again before starting to release it to the girls.
M thanked us all deeply again and hoped that we all were still happy to start working for the Salon, and we all agreed. There was an excited sense of anticipation now that the project was definitely going ahead. And M gave us all a hug, saying she was so excited at providing the best food and service in town.
I chose then to present my suggestion to the girls.
“The Town kindly provided a Solly for us to share, a hand of feniks each. We could not have done such a good job as we did had we not had help. The kitchens and the room would not have been in any state for us to use had not Kassama and Haka worked hard in advance. And they helped us to clear up – particularly as I was required elsewhere. I feel that therefore the cleaner or cleaners should always have a share of our little extras. Now this might, in the future, be hard on Kelly and Gyth, as they are most likely to be given extras, we in the kitchens being mostly out of sight. I would propose that all extras are pooled together and split between us five. I say five since Haka will be moving out soon. I would be happy to let Michet here make the allocations. What do you all think?”
They all agreed with me, which was very heartening.
“As regards our trial run, then Haka helped as well. I therefore suggest that we each contribute a fenik, so that those ladies can have a pair each. If you agree, I shall give Michet here four feniks myself and each of you can slip me one when we next have a chance. What do you think?”
The girls all readily agreed, and only Molly didn't have any coin with her, so we did what I had suggested. I think we all expected M to do her bit when we weren't there, but he called Kassama in immediately and she was reduced to near-tears of gratitude that someone else should think of her. So we were all extra glad to have done it.
I proceeded to cook the rest of the food so it didn't spoil, with the help of all the others. M assured me that the household had enough for the rest to be donated this evening, we just had to portion up the give-away food before the distribution.
… … …
I left M's in her and Kelly's company – no, that's not true – I left M's in the company of Kelly and Master Michen. I still had just over half a bell to go before our agreed time for our abbreviated ride so I thought to go up and say hello to Malet, before swinging by Pomma's and going down with her.
As we emerged into the sunlight, there was a cheerful hail from a mounted frayen-rider.
“Mistress Julina, Master Michen ... oh, and Mistress Kellonika!”
“Well met, Master Walden,” we all greeted him back. M almost forgot to do her 'manly' bit though.
“Mistress Julina, look after Mistress Pomma for me please. Your riding together has made her so happy, and I thank you for it – and thus value the friendship that has grown. I have to travel to Tranidor to chase up some supplies and make some other business arrangements. We shall be a party of five for safety, and shall be away for a week, we expect. I trust you shall be a good companion to my poor abandoned woman?”
“It will be a pleasure so to do,” I replied, laughing. “Safe travels.”
“I thank you, and wish you a pleasant week. Master, Mistresses!” So saying, he urged Boxin into a faster gait, to avoid any more blocking of the busy Main Street. He raised one hand in farewell.
We turned uphill for a few paces to time our moment to cross the street, and scuttled across as soon as the right gap appeared.
We gained the relative safety of the opposite sidewalk just under the Sethan lantern and turned uphill once more. As we got to the entrance to Uncle's world of metal and heat, we heard a scream that changed into a grunt quite quickly. All of us were wondering what that was, so we looked of course into the working area. We saw four men holding another who had shackles on his ankles. The man's left arm was held taut by a quivering rope round the wrist, tied to one of Uncle's anvils. The left hand was over another anvil and we realised, just as the smell of burnt flesh assailed our noses, that this was the branding of the bully Neerkel.
At the base of the furnace was a pile of rods lying on the ground, which I recognised as a number of differing brand-irons.
“Michet, why are there so many different ones? Do you know?” I asked quietly enough to be able to use her name.
“As it happens, I do know,” came the reply. “There is a code for the offence. So first the right brand has to be found, to show the world what he has done wrong. Then there must be a symbol as to how long the sentence was for. Then there must be a month/year code so anyone can know when the sentence is finished. So four differing rods must be found, bundled firmly together and then heated. Offence, duration, month, year. This month is, of course, Zuberak and the year is 1174 since the Great Flood. Some forgemasters have a rod for the decade, and then another for the individual year in that decade. That way only one new one needs to be made every ten years, rather than one each year. In this case, that would be a hand of rods to be used. But all at once. To do one after the other would be too cruel to the recipient.”
By this time, we had reached Kelly's front door. We were all about to go in when another frayen rider called to me. This one was looking very strange as he was using the old-style saddle. I wondered at how quickly this had become old-fashioned to my eyes.
“Master Brethen, well met. How may I be of assistance?” I then did the introductions.
“Goodman, Mistress, not Master. I am a master of nothing. If it pleases you, Rathina was wondering if you knew any more about the possibility of schooling for the children? I have been in town, as have the other menfolk, earning good coin, but must necessarily travel back from time to time to keep up with the maintenance up there. I return there first thing in the morning, so wondered if there was any answer I could convey?”
“At the moment, I must confess that I have had no chance to …” I gasped as a thought struck me most forcefully. “... Nay! Hold! I have an idea! Where may you be found? In the camping place? Then I shall be here with your answer at the eighth bell.”
“Mistresses, Master, I wish you a good day. Mistress Julina, I shall look forward to seeing you later,” he finished as he rode away towards the Miners' Village.
“Farewell, Goodman,” we all trilled at the same time, even M - which brought forth a frown from both of us. He blushed, which was almost as much of a give-away.
Talking of which …
“Now what are you up to, Mistress 'Lina? I know you well. You are bubbling with excitement.”
“Oh, Kelly! This would be the most wondrous thing if I can get it together. I need to speak to Pomma first …”
I wasn't so deep in my thoughts that I missed my companions rolling their eyes at each other.
“We shouldn't ask her yet, Mich...en. She's got that 'planning' look. You'll see her face totally change when she's … look, did you see that? We can ask her now.”
I had to laugh at how well Kelly knew me, but her words had triggered another memory.
“Ah! You just reminded me. I have something to ask our well-travelled friend here. Tell me, Em, ooops I mean ...”
“No! That's fine. I like it. And it's sensible. Particularly under these circumstances. Em it is.”
“So, Em, can you tell me please what is the difference between a wood and a forest?”
… … …
“ … and because you told me you had always wanted to see it!”
“Julina! What a … well, I'm … I mean … Would it be right?”
“And why shouldn't it? What think you, Sookie?”
“Well actually, you have given ME to think furiously. I shall be unable to ride from the day after tomorrow. The usual four or five day problem. And Brydas and I,” she still blushed prettily as she mentioned her now-obvious partner, “have long said that we must have a day together. I know that he has a slight slacking off of demand right now, having capable assistants. Hmmm. You know, I think that would work out really well. Yes, let's do it. Leave at dawn. Oh, how exciting! Suril, can you take a full day and leave early? Parry, would you care to accompany us too?”
Suddenly my idea had turned into an expedition.
Suril and Parry both agreed with obvious delight, Suril saying that he would get permission from Fedren as he could clearly demonstrate a job-associated reason to do it.
“I shall tell Brydas he is coming. So that makes the six of us … Hold! What's this?”
She exclaimed as she pointed down the road. We saw a frayen approaching at pace. The yellow headband told us all that it was a messenger from the VMS. We made room for him on the road and he thanked us with a wave as he swept past.
We were on a short ride, as I mentioned earlier, and decided to go down the road to the fourth markstone and back. The idea being to see if an average of eight marks a bell was actually a reasonable amount to take into calculations. We had nearly completed our four mark downhill half when the messenger came up to us.
Of course, we all speculated upon the nature of a message that was so urgent and we all agreed that it must be some addition about the award of the extra land, probably a 'hurry-up' to get the semaphore completed or something like that. We actually chuckled and giggled at that – an urgent frayen message to encourage a system that would make the frayen message of the future take a back seat.
I could see, however, another look on Sookie's face, and wondered what that heralded.
We reached the fourth markstone, and cut across the naked land to the river to give the beasts some refreshment. The denser trees on the far bank showed us the start of the woodland, whereas, on our bank, there was still a half mark or so (by my estimation) before the trees became dense enough to obscure other details.
We sat and chatted awhile and there was a pleasant fellowship feeling between the five of us. Sookie related an event on her journey up to Blackstone when Milady Garia and Milady Merizel mounted their beasts and took off at a full gallop, leaving Feteran and the Prince scrambling to catch up. Sookie explained that that moment was when she became determined to ride, and to do things like that. The speed of the VMS messenger had triggered that memory. Although he wasn't going as fast, probably because he had to harbour his beast's resources.
We remounted and made our way back to the road, probably having used a half a bell since we left the surface.
We turned to face uphill and started out at our usual quick walk. Sookie put on a face full of mischief and said hurriedly: “Last one back to the stables at the Claw does the animal maintenance!”
With that, Sookie shook up Tixi's reins and off they went.
We four looked at each other, nodded and joined in.
Oh, how exhilarating that was!
We went faster than I had ever gone before, and the rush was indescribable. Something however made me slow Dralla down. Surely she could not maintain this pace for four whole marks. Sookie was already over a hundred strides in front, going like the wind; the rest of us were spread out behind her. I was in third place at that moment. I looked around and saw Pomma just behind me, her face a grin of fear and delight. Suril was just behind her, also torn between the two emotions.
I eased back slightly on the reins and sensed Dralla's displeasure. But she obeyed my commands. It occurred to me that I actually knew nothing about the stamina of frayen. Was I making too great an assumption?
Pomma passed me with a whoop of triumph and Suril came alongside. I told him my thoughts.
“Mayhap you're right, Mistress. I will match you all the way and we shall learn much that way. And we will share the duties if we are wrong.”
“Deal!”
… … …
We turned into the Claw, all grinning widely. I had been vindicated in that we had caught up with the others. Sookie was screaming with laughter and enjoyment and still took the time to acknowledge my thoughts as being quite valid. Tixi was breathing very heavily indeed whereas Dralla was comparatively fresh. In an unrehearsed gesture of solidarity, we all turned into the Claw's courtyard at the same moment. No-one was the winner and no-one was a loser.
There had been some consternation when we all appeared in such a rush, but the fears were dispelled by the laughter and fun we had obviously enjoyed. Even the men and workers milling around the courtyard broke into smiles.
We dismounted, made a fuss of the animals as we tidied them away and exited the stable block. Sookie was delighted to throw herself into Master Brydas' arms. For a moment there, the two were in their own world.
Sookie then told him of her plans for the morning and he instantly, without the slightest hesitation, agreed. Now we had six of us committed, seven if you counted the instigator who had yet to be informed.
We were discussing some more of the details when there was a cough from behind us. None of us had noticed the approach of Captain Bleskin nor Master Bezan.
They both had very grim faces which sobered us all up rapidly.
“I find that the timing of this to be uncanny. I believe that Master Bezan and I shall accompany you tomorrow, at least for the majority of the expedition. I find it imperative to visit those parts as soon as I can. I must study the lay of the land.”
His seriousness affected us all even more than just before.
“Mistresses and Masters, I regret to have to inform you that a state of war now exists between Palarand and Yod. I have strict instructions as to what is required of us – mostly increased coal production and shipment.”
We were all shocked into silence, although we must have had a hundred questions each.
“Forces of Yod invaded Palarand in an attempt to capture or kill Milady Garia. They were repulsed and utterly defeated, but 'twas a close-run thing. I regret to have to report that there were both fatalities and casualties.”
“Not Milady, nor Merizel?” gasped Sookie. “Commander Feteran? Or any of the team. Please no. Oh Maker. Who?”
“The Prince and Milady survived, as did Commander Feteran and nearly all of the party that left here.”
“Only nearly?”
“The driver Helen, I regret to report, did not make it, along with one of the wagon guards, Samir. And neither did young Jasinet. There have been some injuries to others of your ken but none appear to be life threatening, with the exception of another wagon guard, Keet. He is in the healer's care, and they are unable to predict the outcome. The full roll of honour is included with the documents recently arrived, but I believe that those names are the ones that you will know best. I do not mean to belittle the other sacrifices. Mayhap there are others that some of you may know, or may have got to know whilst they were all here.”
The hidden bitterness in his voice was threatening to make itself known, making me realise the depth of his feelings – and suddenly I was aware that he wished to have been there himself, to wreak havoc upon those who had dared to offend him so deeply. I shuddered at what might happen if he ever had one of those near him.
But poor Jasinet. How much hope she had in her, able at last to escape the unreasonable demands of her parents. A tear trickled down my cheek as her face was reproduced in my mind.
This news changed the way that I viewed our planned happening on the morrow. I had thought that Pomma, with no duties at home as her man was away, could give her staff a couple of days break and could come up with me, riding of course, to the farmhouse up in the Blackstone Vale. We would naturally require an escort. We could stay overnight for two nights, I could make a start with the children's lettering and numbering, and we both could see sights we had never seen before. Knowing Pomma's abilities when it came to sketching, I imagined that there would be more than a few opportunities for her to indulge her hobby. We would return on the third day. But the news would ensure that it wasn't the joyous trip I had first envisaged.
The others I could see were torn as to whether or not they should go, but The Captain said: “This is an opportunity that may not repeat itself for some while, and the more people that can see the land up there the better. I apologise for removing some of the joy that might otherwise have been involved, but all the original reasons to do the trip still pertain and are still valid. There is little I can do here in town until I gather information so it appears I must travel up there. Goodman Brethen is definitely going. So you ladies will have an escort. You know it makes sense.”
Sookie has wanted to see the Vale ever since Milady's excursion up there, and Parry and Suril were happy to have another opportunity to see something new, so they had decided to make a full day of it, escorting Pomma and I up there, having a quick look around and then returning to town for the evening, leaving we two with the family there. We would get Goodman Brethen to escort us back when it was time, if that was convenient to him.
Now there would be another two with us, for the Captain wanted to be able to discuss some matters with Master Bezan as we rode, which meant that the reasons for the excursion had changed and the lightness, the holiday mood, had indeed been dissipated.
It was a very subdued lunch of which we five riders partook.
… … …
With little to do, I decided to return to Em's, to finish off portioning the food we were going to distribute later. I was escorted there by Pomma and Kelly and we parted company on the doorstep, still feeling sombre.
I went in and made my way towards the Salon. I heard voices from the room and poked my head round the door.
Em and the Captain were there, studying maps and discussing heavily matters of a very military nature.
“As usual, Mistress Julina, you are the answer to a problem. Would you, could you, bear to make some more notes for me?”
“Of course I shall, your Honour. But I must warn you that there may be words, certainly even concepts, with which I am totally unfamiliar.”
“My child, please don't let that worry you. I am struggling to make notes myself as we discuss these things. I constantly need to refer to other documents and the like. Any assistance would be invaluable. I can indicate the important things to note.”
And so it was I sat down again to be a scribe. The men started again from scratch, to make sure that I was more familiar with the topic, and to ensure they were both clear with each other. It was fascinating, if chilling, stuff.
I will not list everything that was said but just say that I learnt there were two natural defensive positions on the route to us – one just after the Chaarn Road junction at the two cross-stream area that Papa had reported, where the land was restricted between the valley wall and the river, and the dense forest constrained anyone to the road. The second was the route as it climbed across the face of the rock from the Forest Roadhouse to the Strettalm bend. A light defensive force should be able to deny the road to any invaders and the passage behind and round the Strettalm did not permit of an army's traverse. It would not take much to just throw rocks, and other more nasty things, down on to the road and create blockages.
The talk then changed to creating false passages through the trees that any invaders would have to investigate, and have these passages lead to what they called “killing fields”. The dispassionate way they discussed these things made me shudder.
Logic told me that this is what soldiers must do, but my instincts were rebelling against the logic. I knew I could never treat with these men in the same way I had up to now. And Michen was very much a man at that moment.
One thing did come out of this session poring over maps. The final decision was taken about the placing of the semaphore towers. Apparently the weather, particularly at this time of year, frequently cut the direct line of sight from the Strettalm to the Cistern, both of which plainly had to be stations. So an intervening one would be built on the WEST bank of the Bray, just townside of where two canyons came together and whose streams combined to create a broadening of the main river. A small access road would be required.
At any other time, I would have giggled at that thought and how Master Bezan would take it – but this was a very much more sombre affair.
Another semaphore station was to be erected at the junction itself, and then one halfway between the junction and the Strettalm. Apparently, there is a taller hill, not really a peak, just beside the main falls in the river. This too would require an access road, probably less than two marks long.
A final semaphore station would be built on the border of the lands which should be visible downvalley from either bank.
So, to cover the entirety of the Bray valley that lay within Milady's lands, there would be six semaphore stations in all, covering a total distance of some fifty marks.
“Access?” The Captain looked stern as he said that.
“Only via the road to be practical. I suppose that a determined enemy could ship all the way round to Chaarn itself and then march the thousand or so marks along the road, and then across some of the cross valleys. But even we hunters get confused and lost up there. As for the other side, then it would have to be from the Tel Botro road and across untold valleys and ridges. It doesn't make sense.”
“How did those bandits attack Milady up in the Vale?”
“Ah, they used the canyon behind Little Lake farm, where the fish farm is now to be. So their access point was already this side of the forest. There is no other way to get in unnoticed. The Vale itself is defended by a very narrow defile, very narrow indeed. You shall see tomorrow.”
“A pity you are unable to accompany us, yet.”
“The arm, according to Mistress Lendra, may recover most of its use, as long as I don't use it at all. Riding would be too much of a risk. Mistress Lendra says to look at it again in the new year. She was most indignant that I had used it for the removals. That can be one very scary lady.”
“Could you handle some crossbow training? We have been warned to raise a levy. I would be happy with a fifty man force in the first instance, but suspect that we might have to do with only twenty or so. We need to find some volunteers and ex-military men among the workforce. In the first instance we could have a short training sessions either first thing in the morning or at the end of the day, before the light fails. But I find I need to go and see the country up the Vale. In desperation that would be our final retreat destination.”
“My number two in the hunters could do the demonstrations, while I do the theory and the shouting, so it would be possible.”
“Mistress Julina, I am aware that the subject matter has been distressing for you and I trust that we have not disgusted you too much. Once again, I am in your debt. Your notes will prove to be most valuable, and your taking of them has saved us as much as a bell.”
I bobbed a curtsey to him, and to Em and took my leave. I didn't trust myself to speak and simply went to Kelly's where she and Malet allowed me to run off my agitation with suitable noises of support and help and disgust and so on as I let loose the flood of emotions that had welled up in me.
… … …
The distribution of the extra food was well-received by most. It was spoiled by some who came too late and then complained at receiving nothing. But they were mostly shouted down by their neighbours.
Whilst there, Em was interrupted by a hail from the day's shuttle. Apparently the first load of plates and pots for the Salon had arrived, so Kelly and I went and unloaded that delivery whilst Em stayed serving food. Using the arm to move heavy boxes might have been damaging to it.
I had met Goodman Brethen and told him the news for which he was grateful, but he too was worried about the war. I knew I had to keep quiet and let the men, and Em, sort it all out, but I was concerned at the wildly inaccurate rumours that were buzzing around. It was my introduction to the human ability to weave vast fantasies from very few facts and indeed from twisted and misunderstood or misinterpreted facts. At least one rumour was based on selecting some convenient facts and ignoring other facts because they didn't fit in.
I was escorted home quite early and spent a while packing a carry bag which of course led to numerous questions from Kords. Swayga was actually very approving of an opportunity for me to see something new, but the news of the war cast a spell even over a family gathering.
However, the mood was picked up a little when I told them I had asked Em the question and had received an answer. I made them promise to not fight about it and not to crow should one or the other be proved correct.
“Is that clear?”
“Yes, 'Lina.”
“Right then, everyone was correct. And everyone was wrong. The big lesson from this is never to take only part of an answer and assume that it is the complete answer. Always look for the complete picture.
“I shall start with a wood. A wood is always filled with trees, for its purpose is to provide trees for heating and shelter. Its use and indeed cultivation was and is solely for that purpose. Woodsmen are responsible for keeping these areas maintained, felling mature trees, planting new growth, disentangling encroaching undergrowth and so on.
“A forest however is something else. Its primary purpose is to provide a hunting area for the landowner. A forest itself must therefore be far bigger than an individual wood. A forest contains many woods, and many fields, and many copses, and many pastures, and many ponds, indeed many villages in some areas.
“Her Ladyship has declared that she wishes most of the forest lands to be retained as unspoilt land, and now these large areas are hers to control, then it shall happen with foresters and woodsmen employed to keep it as unchanged as possible, areas of natural beauty that should not be lost to future generations of humans AND animals. This particular forest has seen little or no hunting activities for many years and so the animal life is probably well-established, indeed may require a certain amount of control.
“Some parts of these forest lands may need to have trees felled and ground cleared to make way for this new railroad I have mentioned, but Milady has even told the roadbuilders to provide secure passage for animals either over or under the new roadway.
“So everyone was right this morning. A wood is always made of trees, a forest may contain empty spaces. As a forest may involve many woods, then it must be bigger than a wood. So all that fuss, shouting and general bad behaviour was totally unnecessary. You should really be ashamed of yourselves.”
It was a subdued evening as we went to bed, and a strange between sleep period. My writing came slowly for some unknown reason.
… … ...
But when I awoke, it was if the bad news had been absorbed and there was a determined feel to get on with life while we could – at least that was how I interpreted it.
I hugged my family for the farewells, and yes there were a few tears all around.
Then I left the house for the first time in my life with the firm intention of leaving them behind, even if it was to be only for a few short days.
Fear and anxiety, excitement and anticipation. Also a sense of unreality somehow.
I think that Pomma felt the same, but then I knew her better than I did the others who were travelling with us, except maybe Suril. I looked around at them as we all gathered down in the Claw's stabling. I had gone down there on my own, explaining to all at home that I would be safe at such an early hour by going down the deserted track directly to my destination. Swayga and Kords had still accompanied me part of the way.
So we mounted up, eight riders in all, and made our way up Main Street. Captain Bleskin and Master Bezan were leading a pack animal each. We met Goodman Brethen just by Kelly's front door. Kelly and Malet were there to wave to me and I waved back. Again there was that hint of tears.
There were some grumbles from the people who were wanting just a few more moments of sleep as eleven frayen picked their way through the unordered sleeping arrangements littering the camping place. We got to the Cistern, headed up the short slope to its right and set out along the roof of the aqueduct towards the dam, led by Goodman Brethen. Behind him, we rode in pairs, Pomma and I behind Sookie and Uncle. They had Parry and Suril in front of them and we had the Captain and Master Bezan behind us, bringing up the rear with the pack animals. Already the pair behind were deep in discussion, and Pomma and I were treated to tantalising snippets but were unable to hear the entire conversation. Not that we wanted to, you understand, nor were we silent for long. I pride myself on the fact that our chatter lifted the mood somewhat, so that there was a certain relief from sombriety, if such a word exists.
We reached the dam and carried on past it along a track that had obviously been used sometimes by a wagon, as there were marked ruts. But it was also obvious that there had been few of them, that a wagon passing this way was not a common occurrence. This was new territory for all of us except Brethen, so we all kept our heads swivelling as we progressed.
At one point, the edge of the track had crumbled into the lake and we all could see that it would be extremely difficult for a wagon to squeeze through what was left of the width. We passed on, heading ever closer to a rock face that appeared to block our passage. But as we neared it, where the lake narrowed down to just a stream, we saw the passage that led off to the right of it. The face itself was obviously the site of an ancient rock fall as boulders of different sizes were scattered haphazardly down the face. The age was given away by the plant life all over the spill. I asked Uncle if he knew how old this was and he didn't know, so the question was passed up all the way to Goodman Brethen at the front. It was quite amusing that the entire column came to a halt while the answer was passed back.
“Not known.”
An extra instruction reached us too – we would have to dismount and lead our animals through a narrow gorge that was only a few casts long, but was very tight, the footing made awkward by the stream that runs though it and feeds the lake. Brethen also pointed out that the stream was a little more active this morning after the short storm of last night, but it wouldn't be uncomfortably deep if we were to step in it.
Brethen led off again and Parry and Suril were just starting to do the 'you first' dance, when I could have sworn I heard the bleat of a pakh. I hadn't noticed any around but Pomma heard it too. I asked the two behind us if they had heard anything, and the Captain was studying the rock fall closely, raising a hand for silence. Then I heard it again as did Pomma, Master Bezan and the Captain.
“How very strange! The sound appears to come from behind these rocks, but there is no gap through there. It must be a complex echo, tumbling down from above and reflecting off the different faces of the stones.”
We all nodded our agreement as we continued to make our way into the narrowing gap.
I found myself swallowing a lot and tensing up, which mood transferred itself, it seemed, to Dralla.
I was frightened.
There, I admit it.
The walls of stone were so high that the light that came down from the clear blue sky above was restricted in amount. I felt I could stretch my arms sideways and touch each wall at the same time. If we had been mounted, then our legs would have been almost rubbing the walls since the bellies of the animals were filling most of the space.
A curious flickering quality in the light made me look up and I saw it was caused by clouds scudding across the narrow view, cutting out more direct light as they went.
I felt as though the world was squeezing me and the passage seemed ever longer. I felt as though I was about to panic. My feet were stumbling a little in the bed of the stream which also looked frightening somehow – I think it must have been the speed of the water. As Brethen had said, the water wasn't that deep, but it was still an extra hazard that I really didn't need right at that moment.
I kept my eyes on the flanks and rump of Pomma's animal just in front of me. I suppose that there was in fact space for a person to be next to an animal, just.
But I felt my wits were scattering.
I had never appreciated before that I had a fear of narrow places. I had only that animal in front of me and Dralla behind me. I felt, unreasonably, that I had no escape from this giant's press.
The rock faces forced us into a slight left turn, but the walls did not release their threats.
Just as I thought I could take it no more, the light improved and I could see the walls pulling apart from each other up ahead. A few strides more and we were through and into quite wide country that was such bliss to encounter, despite being obviously wilder than the country back the other side of that narrow passage.
It had a rugged beauty that made me understand how this family could live out here. But I knew that I myself could not, not with that terrifying bottle-neck as the only means of access, and not without possibilities of reacting to other people, seeing and chatting with them. And not to forget, I was a rather special eating place manager now.
To the left of us the valley wall ran away from us, dotted here and there by rockfalls and waterfalls and small canyons, whilst the right wall ran away from us almost equally quickly but was markedly smoother than the other wall. It was still rugged, mind you, but not as much so as the one to our left. Maybe the rockfall just a cast or so away, with signs of new falls made up an observer's mind up very early on.
“Goodman Brethen!”
The column halted again as the Captain rode up to the head, the valley having widened out so suddenly that we could already have ridden all of us abreast.
“Your Honour?”
“Is that passageway the only access to your Vale here?”
“Not exactly, your Honour. We can go over the top of the hill here to the north, in other words to our left. The landscape leads you up almost to the Stone Sea and then you can drop down from there, by Larsenar's semi-ruin and lean-to down into the Bray Valley. Or the ridge to our right drops into another valley, down which the stream flows in the opposite direction to this one. After that another valley, and another and another, all in different directions and all wild country. Even we get lost up here sometimes. But this next valley, well the top narrows into a thin canyon and leads upwards until at the very top there is a long canyon, slightly wider, going up to a lake. The far end of the lake, there is a ridge from which another canyon drops down into the Bray Valley, through a passage narrower than the one we used. That was the one the bandits used when they attacked Milady.”
“So there is no way an army could invade us through here?”
“Oh Maker, your Honour. They would have to be a very determined army to get up here. To the north there is the Stone Sea and that is impassable to men and beasts, only avians can manage to traverse that. To the west, north-west is only the saddle across to the Bray Valley head, and from there a further forty or fifty marks across very jumbled country to the Palar Valley. To the east and south-east is just a maze of high-altitude valleys, canyons and more jumbled country, broken eventually by the road to Chaarn.”
“And how might I inspect the access to the tops of those walls we came through?”
“Ah! Now that, your Honour, is not easy. I have found no access at all to the wall on the south side, from here. As for the north side, there is a narrow scramble that needs squeeze between some rocks at one place, and a hop over an awkward split at another point. When I was a lad, I carried a stout board up there with me and laid it across the two walls. Once I had crossed, I saw immediately that the ground up there is difficult. That valley top just leads back to the Bray Valley and the steep sides. Yes there is a shortish canyon that digs into it, but that is not climbable. And it drops sheer into the bandits' canyons so there is no access from there.”
“Thank you, Goodman. A good report!”
All of us were looking around and all of us were impressed. Sookie and Uncle held hands as we started off once more, this time abreast rather than in column; we were heading for the building with the plume of smoke climbing into the sky like a welcoming beacon.
“Goodman, why don't you go on ahead and tell your family of your two visitors and their companions for the day? And then, if it pleases, I would have you show me round the battle field, that I might put real sights to my mental vision of the site. I would suggest that the women do NOT accompany us, I'm sure there will still be some grisly traces.”
That was a sobering thought again, but the sheer beauty of the wild and hidden Vale was so worth the trouble it took us to get there. It was impossible to imagine it being despoiled by war.
“That might take a little longer than you have, your Honour. I can point out the ptuvil stone circle from below, from the camp circle, that would save a little time. But with this terrain it would be close to two bells duration, and here we are already just about a bell before noon,” he explained by taking a quick look at the sky. Which I noticed was clouding over.
Suril suddenly exclaimed: “Maker. So much good food for pakh up here. We should keep this Vale for pakh, your Honour. They would thrive up here. We could feed the town from up here,” he laughed as he continued, “as long as they would be happy with an unrelenting diet of pakh meat.”
I realised with a start that Suril had only experience of farming pakh over in the Bray Valley and I looked around, trying to see what he saw, with his eyes.
As he scanned the area, he pointed out “Dranakh!”, “Pakh”, “Ganifil”, “More Pakh” and it was like my eyes were opened to the animals and wildlife. They were still where they were when we emerged but I had just seen the valley walls, the rocks, the plants – suddenly it seemed to be teeming with animals and avians. I guessed that one of the dranakh was Josten, for I knew Jafferkin was in town, and many of the dranakh wandered off in this direction when they were released to forage.
But I was glad to be nearing the home – I suspect all us females were. It had been quite a while since our last 'break'.
And I felt we deserved a mug of pel.
Good old Rathina had got THAT underway the moment her man told her there were 3 women with the party, so when we arrived some hand of moments after Brethen, the water was almost ready for the making of the life-saving drink.
And it was nice to see the whole family once more – even nicer to see them all lined up to welcome us to their world.
Julina's horizons expand yet again as she and Pomma pay a visit.
The original characters and plot of this story are the property of the author. No infringement of pre-existing copyright is intended.
This story is copyright © 2013 - 2020 Julia Phillips. All rights reserved.
It uses some of the associated characters and situations that arise from the world called ‘Anmar’ created by Penny Lane, whose stories
are also copyright © 2010 - 2020 Penny Lane. All rights reserved.
Oh beautiful sweet relief!
And followed by beautiful sweet pel!
I suppose it was somewhat inconsistent that all three of us women were in such a hurry to replace the fluids we had just delightedly ejected, but there is something calming and settling to sit in a friendly home and sip on a warming mug of well-made pel, after a few bells in the saddle.
These pleasures had, for me, been just a little delayed since it was I who was the one who actually knew the most people here and thus it was I who was required to make all the introductions.
There were 8 in our party – Captain Bleskin, Master Bezan, Master Brydas, Mistress Sukhana, Mistress Pomma, Master Suril, Parrier and I.
Then at the farm were the ones I knew – Goodman Brethen, Mistress Rathina, Venna, Kalisel, Matwyn, Portra, and the older woman, Tarina.
Two of their men were down in town, earning coin – Denesar and Brandar - and the grandfather, Hamenar, was still hanging on down there as the healers did what they could.
There were three faces I didn't know, who turned out to be Jorilda (the ancient one they also called Ganna), Renys, a shy girl about 11, I guessed, and young Toren, who was 6, I was told. These last two were a little reserved somehow, as if they felt they didn't really belong – but I couldn't work it all out right then.
So our entire collection numbered 18, exceedingly crowded inside the sitting room of the house – a room that was getting warmer with every second. They opened all the windows and doors, and kept the small ones out of the way in a corner so we just managed somehow. You can imagine how long it took before all these introductions were done, and how quickly the pots of pel needed replenishing! Once introduced, then the children were ushered away which helped with the overcrowding, and also the faster delivery of pel!
The family were grateful that I had found the time to give them two full and two half days for some writing training, and fully understood the need to travel with a companion, so were just as grateful to Pomma for making it all possible.
Later, when it was less crowded in the house, the women were even more grateful when I unpacked one of my little chests and gave them enough food for Pomma and I for a week! I also offered to help a little in the kitchen, but wanted to have two or three bells a day to see more of their almost private vale. One thing led to another and I offered to do a ganifil that evening, a task I enjoyed always, and which was almost second nature to me. There were the usual protests and so on, but I insisted and got my way.
As the Captain had a limited time for his look around the vale, he and Master Bezan were keen to get on, and Uncle and Sookie, Suril and Parry were going with them, so there was a little friction as they struggled to get under way, with Goodman Brethen leading them. Eventually, they managed to organise themselves and get going.
Once he had mounted, the Goodman issued some terse instructions having called Venna, Kalisel, Renys and Matwyn to him, led by Rathina.
“You will have to take the fodder to the captive pakh – I'm sorry, but you'll have to manage on your own this time. Take the dray. And don't go in there, any of you! Your Honour, we may depart!”
And off they went, promising to return to say goodbye on their way back to town.
The Goodman's instructions were very intriguing to me, so I asked Rathina about them.
“Down near the narrow access passage, to the right as we look at it from here, there is a rock fall. You can see it as different to the others by the fresh rock scars up near the top, comparatively speaking. We had a low-flying grakh and, when some of the pakh panicked, they fled down there. Now you probably know that pakh are very stupid. Very stupid indeed. So twenty or so of these stupid creatures rushed to the rock fall and squeezed through a narrow gap. We know there must be a cave of sorts behind there because we can hear the animals. They just can't find their way out again, even if we lay food right by the only way in and out.
“Brethen went down there once with Denesar and Brandar, they tried to widen the passage and were nearly injured when a further rock fall came down. I was furious. The only three able-bodied men in this family were nearly all killed at the same time. It took a very concerted effort to get my message through but eventually the three of them finally understood how they had endangered us all. I actually asked them if they were stupider than the pakh! And all they achieved was to make the entrance smaller. Men!
“Now, of course, he, well, they rather, are over-protective of the rest of us. We are thinking that the work down in town will provide enough for us to hire a dranakh team to clear that rock fall. It will, we hope, afford a cave large enough to protect our herd from the worst storms, and prevent us having to repair our outhouses. It's a gamble, but we feel that it would be worth it as we see that most of the pakh farming must be up here or above the ridge that leads to Larsenar's when you go directly from town.”
“Larsenar? I heard the name recently, I feel.” I felt my brain searching for a connection or something. But the simple name didn't seem right somehow. There was something, though. Something else. Something not to do with this man. I tuned back in to what Rathina was saying.
“...... years up there. He is an ancient recluse who lives above the Bray Valley head, up against the Stone Sea wall. There is a tumbled down ruin there and he has built a lean-to against the one good wall. He makes Jorilda here look young.”
“Ah yes. Goodman Brethen mentioned him in describing the Vale access points to the Captain.”
“Mayhap. Seems likely. Now, we must load the dray and get down to the rock fall, we are running short of time.”
“Oh, Pomma and I can help you, and we have frayen that are rideable. Surely we can make it a little more efficient?”
And so it was that Matwyn and Renys were able to stay behind, for which they were grateful. It was plain that they did not like this chore. Actually, the other two children could have stayed behind as well, but they wanted to be with these freshly-arrived strangers as much as possible.
We went down to the rock fall in question, and I could see what they meant. The gap at the entrance was not big enough for an adult, and the only ones small enough would be the children, who certainly couldn't be asked to go in there. I could see where the recent rock fall had made the gap smaller than it had been, and I could also see that dranakh were required to pull the rock fall away. Right up at the top, there was clearly a quite large gap above the jumbled rocks, between there and what appeared to be the roof of a cavern leading back into the gloom. That roof must have been ten or so strides above us, and I guess that the top of the rock fall was seven or so strides above us. The floor of the cave was obviously uneven, but there was a slightly deeper channel that emerged under the jumbled rocks, down which a little strongly-smelling water flowed, eventually joining the stream just before it went into my hated narrow gorge.
We laid some food by the entrance hoping to entice some activity from within but nothing happened except for a few pakh bleats that sounded far away. We waited quite a long period but, with no sign, Rathina and the girls turned to get some long poles. Each I would estimate to be four strides long, with a smallish flat board attached to the end. I wondered what they were for.
Just then, there was a scrambling accompanied by a loud and pathetic bleat. We all swirled round and saw a tiny baby pakh emerge down the tunnel. I suppose seeing five humans, most of whom were armed with poles, scared it, for it screamed in fright, at least that was what sounded to me like a scared pakh scream, and then it turned round as soon as there was space and it dived back in again as though a whole army of grakh were swooping down. I had time for my brain to wonder if grakh actually swooped in armies, or maybe it should be herds, or flocks, or …...
I blinked and found we were all looking at each other in amazement. That poor animal had had wide eyes that melted our feminine sensitivities.
But it was absolutely filthy which upset our feminine sensitivities.
No matter how entreating we made our tones, we were unable to encourage any further sign of the poor baby, so the fodder was poked in with the poles, using the flat boards (now I understood their design) and we headed back towards the house.
But first I had them pick up some chalky rock that I tested by scribbling on a darker rock. Yes, it made marks and could be rubbed away. Another teaching tool found, one that would protect my little stock of precious reedlets.
I had an idea and asked if Venna would like to sit up on Dralla in front of me so I could hold her. Her little face nearly burst with her smile, and of course Kalisel had to go up with Pomma. This left Rathina alone, which was good since she had an old-style saddle. It was also good, since the children were not carried in the dray and so we could all progress at a faster rate than that which we had used on the way out.
Of course, upon our return there were jealous cries of envy from the other children once they saw the young riders, and they were followed by even more jealous cries when they heard of sighting the baby pakh, an event that the two who had accompanied us loudly declared before they even dismounted.
“Julina? Hello, Julina?” Again there was some idea was trying to make itself felt.
I shook my head to dispel my thoughts as I dragged myself back to the assembled company. I swung down from Dralla's back.
I must have stood still again, because Pomma nudged me quite hard, and we all trooped indoors. That idea was forming in my head, something to do with that entrance the baby pakh had come out of, but I still hadn't managed to get it all lined up. I sent it back to the back of my head to simmer there, while I went to fetch my paper and my reedlets. I had also found a large slate that Rathina allowed me to use, and I tested it with the chalky stones I had found. It all worked perfectly.
And so the day turned to lettering lessons.
I wanted to start by showing the children these tools and to impress how precious they were. I mentioned not to hold the reedlets for long, since the wax might melt, and they seemed to get the message. So I let them make some meaningless marks with them on one piece of paper and then did most of my teaching with the chalk and slate.
One thing led to another, and I found myself fully into the delights of training receptive minds when there was a call from Matwyn, who was peering from time to time out of the opened window.
“They come!”
So suddenly everyone swung into action. Pel was put on to brew, and a handful of honey cakes were set out for the travellers, to give them strength before moving on.
… … ...
“No, no, Mistress. We could not possibly.”
“Oh we have had ours whilst waiting for you, your Honour,” lied Rathina with a straight face.
“Oh very well, we thank you.”
Sookie came in from the outhouse at that moment and smiled a heartfelt 'thank you' to us all. They told us of their ride, and of the sights that they had seen. A field picnic had been their lunch, hurriedly consumed to waste as little time as possible.
Goodman Brethen asked about the task he had given them as he left and the children told him about the baby pakh. He paid attention to the young ones, but nodded his thanks over their heads to Pomma and I for helping.
“You went back to the lakeside of the gorge?” asked the Captain disbelievingly.
“Oh no, Your Honour! We stayed this side of the gorge! There is a rock fall that has trapped some pakh, and we have to feed them through a small entrance tunnel. It is too small for a grown man and I will not allow the children to risk entering. We hope soon to be able to afford a dranakh team to clear the cave entrance that we might then have a cave for weather protection of the beasts. 'Twould be best to leave a stout wall across the front and have a safe passage through it.”
“Hold! We heard pakh noises behind a rock fall when we arrived.”
“Of course, your Honour. That's what we were telling you.”
“No, no, Mistress. We were the far side of the gorge.” Master B, Pomma and I all nodded in agreement.
There was a stunned silence.
The quiet was broken by my voice saying: “Deegrum! Deegrum and Jeefer! It must be investigated.” That brewing idea had just come together and forced its way out of my lips.
Master Bezan hissed an intake of breath before he agreed with me: “Why you are right, Mistress Julina. That would be an excellent idea, if he would take the risk. I will speak with him this evening, and if he is agreeable, I shall bring him back on the morrow, or the day after. No, hold! The day after that, then we can escort you two ladies back to town, leaving Goodman Brethen to his duties here.”
The Captain expressed himself in agreement with that and Sookie and Uncle eventually started nodding. Everyone else was left looking very confused.
“I shall explain later, to everyone here, and you can bring Suril and Parry into the know on your way home.”
“Thank you Mistress Julina. So be it! And now, good people we must take our leave. We are grateful for the refreshment.”
So saying, the Captain stood up and went to the door, followed by his fellow travellers.
… … …
Brethen and Pomma went off somewhere on frayen, taking the two younger ones who had not ridden, Matwyn and Renys, with them, much to their delight. They wouldn't be the first to have done it, but they would be getting a MUCH longer ride. So ran the sibling rivalry that erupted at that moment. Brethen and Rathina told them that unless it stopped immediately, no-one would ever mount a frayen again as long as we were with them. That worked.
I told Brethen to take Dralla so both children could be carried. Pomma had mentioned, far too modestly, that she had some talent with drawing and Brethen had said he knew just the place to take her. He would like a picture for his family too, to remind them of their beginnings.
I had, in fact, been put out a little by all this as I had imagined that I would have all the children at once, but we arranged it such that Venna and Kalisel were to be taught to be the teachers, so they had priority. This also went some way to mollifying their disappointment that the younger two would have so much more time in the saddle.
Jorilda and Tarina declared themselves too old to be bothered to learn to write and count, since they had comparatively little time left to them. And I could find an easy exercise for the little ones (Portra and Toren) to keep them occupied, which left an intensive lesson for Rathina and the two elder sisters. The younger ones would pick up some information as they listened while working on their task.
I actually started all five of them off with the same little exercise.
“Who would like some pel?” I asked.
Tarina and Rathina both got up to get it but I waved them down and sent a message with my eyes. They subsided and looked on with interest.
The four children politely held up their hands and chorused: “If it pleases, for me!”
“Fine. Then you shall have some,” I paused, “as soon as one of you can write the word 'pel'.”
The grown women grinned.
This is what the final version SHOULD look like ------
My earlier lessons were then employed, for I had told them back then about words being made of letters, and we had all begun to do a 'p' already.
This was always a favourite letter to do, being squiggly and curly curves, so I had long ago discovered it was a good one to start with. Actually, 'a' is a simpler letter, being as its symbol is in fact just the top half of the 'p', but I find it causes a little confusion to teach 'a' then later 'p'. Doing it the other way round is simpler to grasp for students, it appears.
(I interrupt this story to explain a little more about what I have just said. This is because in an 'a', the symbol in question is the body of the letter, indeed is the whole letter, whereas, in a 'p', the same symbol is merely a top to the body of the letter. Sigh. Tops and bodies. I didn't want to do this right now, so I hadn't mentioned any of this to the students. I would soon be telling them about the body of each of the letters, and how some letters have tops and some have tails (and some words have letters with both), but it is easier just to let them draw the basic letter first in their own way. In our script, what we call the bodies of the letters are all lined up next to each other, creating the line on the page; the tops or the tails then extend either above or below this line-up. The bodies of each letter are supposed to be all the same height, but I confess that not doing so is a minor flaw in my writing. Here is how the word 'paper' should appear …....
….... as you can see, the bodies are all the same size and all in line. See also that the letter 'a' is larger than the same symbol used simply as the top on the letter 'p'. And now back to the tale …..)
So I told them now to write a 'p' on their scrap of paper.
(By the way, I was deliberately repeating the word 'paper' because that was going to be a word to do soon – bringing in the difference between 'a' and 'p' – and I was using other related words such as 'scrap' – we teachers need to be cunning sometimes.)
Rathina had the best memory and was soonest finished with her 'p'. The other two were not so far behind. The letters were a little uneven, but I knew practice would soon ease out the shaky handwork. I told them not to try to be so painstakingly accurate as that was just blocking their fingers and their wrists. Try to let it flow. We would refine it as we went along.
Then I told them to draw a hand of 'p's – as quickly as they could. Then we went back to writing our word 'pel' and, sure enough, the first letter just flowed much easier, and they understood my message about just doing it.
“So, the word 'pel'. How many letters do you think there are in it?”
We settled on three quite quickly as I went “Per - eh - ell”.
“Do any of you know how to draw that middle letter? No? Well some say it is the easiest one of all. Look, this is what we do …....”
… … …
“ …. and can you remember the colour of the rocks over there? Were they covered with little plant life?”
Pomma was teaching the two children who had gone with her how she coloured the sketches she did. She had some dyes which she mixed with water and then brushed onto her drawing to bring the subject matter to life. All six children were closely attentive, and also the older ones in the room were impressed by her drawing, even uncoloured.
We had had a simple, but pleasing supper, the older women being impressed with the way I did my ganifil dish and they thanked me for showing them.
I was impressed that little Portra could do honey cakes so much better than my little Julu. But I was pleased to know that there was a chance Julu would improve.
Just before we sat down, I had introduced the idea of the 'vowels' to my students, now including the other two, since they returned a bell or so before we ate. I used things around the table to reinforce the use of vowels and the children enjoyed having a game made of it – I had the impression that family meals were normally more sedate and quiet affairs. I believe that Pomma and I made them more fun for everyone – even Brethen had a smile occasionally. At the end of the meal I am certain that everyone round the table knew what a vowel was and how to name each of the eight.
The younger children were sent off to bed, then the older ones, and we grown-ups were finally left to talk amongst ourselves.
We swapped stories of childhood – mine being the shortest naturally – and so we forged a friendship between us all and titles were soon dropped.
Even after their explanation I still didn't understand the exact family relations, it seemed that Brethen and Brandar were brothers but thought they were cousins, or something like that anyway.
I explained the remarks earlier about Deegrum, how he was shorter than most adults and how he worked in dark tunnels all his day. They were also impressed when I mentioned that he had been a pakh-farmer until his father retired from dam work, and that he was a grenn trainer, Jeefer being a fully trained pakh grenn. Then they understood just why he was the perfect candidate to go in the tunnel and see what was behind the rock fall.
Pomma and I went quite late to the large bed we had been allocated to share but neither of us were awake very long.
… … …
"Don't turn around now", I heard a whisper in my ear.
Out of the land of shadows and darkness, we were returning towards the morning light.
Almost in reach of places I knew, escaping the ghosts of yesterday. Someone was behind me following closely.
Just on the very verge of the morning, daylight was dawning, freedom was but a step away.
Now with the deep dark river behind us, what could go wrong?
My head turned all on its own, and …....
“Hush now, sweet child. Hush. It's just a bad dream. You're safe. Gently now, gently. 'Tis I, Pomma, here holding you. You are fine. We are staying in the Vale with Brethen and Rathina and the children. Gently, sweet, gently.”
“Oh Pomma,” I sobbed. “I was inside that cave where the Pakh are, and there were ghosts and monsters and a huge deep river with a tiny ferry and a single man to operate it. He had held out his hand as though he required coin. I felt I had nearly escaped this strange world with some unseen, unknown companion, when I turned my head and all resolve left my legs.”
“There, there. You were just dreaming. You had a fright yesterday when you learnt you do not like enclosed spaces. It is just your mind playing tricks, weaving a complicated story around your newly-discovered fears. Just think about letters and vowels and numbers. And KNOW that you are safe.”
It took a little while but seemed much longer (looking back at it, I felt better quite quickly actually) and decided to use this awakening as my between-sleeps period; so I wrote my notes of the day, made some plans for the next lessons and so on. I went back to sleep and managed to pass the night with no more scares.
… … …
And so we started the next day without the bath I had become used to; they did not have a proper bath up here. They had a hand of things that looked like half-barrels with a slat in it to sit on. All waste water was taken by dray to a large marshy area, to avoid pouring any waste into the stream that ultimately fed the Town. They relied upon Nature to leach the impurities out before the waters joined the stream down near the gorge.
We breakfasted, and again it seemed that Pomma and I introduced some fun and smiles to which the others were unaccustomed. Even the old ladies giggled at one or two events or tales.
Pomma went off with Brethen again, but again he used Dralla and the new saddle. We decided that it might be unfair to his beast to use my saddle on it, as then it might be unpleasant to go back to the old style. Rathina and Brethen both remarked that the introduction of Dralla and Wiget into their family stockade seemed to have changed their beasts. They seemed less gloomy somehow. The family were amazed when Pomma and I fed our animals the nibbles and this morning their three had all come across and got some too.
So the day started, Pomma helped me with the lessons when she returned by going with the younger ones, who were still doing the 'pel' and 'paper'.
Rathina and the older girls were reading my notes, asking what this or that letter was, and were doing very well as their reading increased their vocabulary and their deductive skills.
“Is this word 'fikt'? I recognise the 'f' and the 't'. And I must suppose that the second letter is the vowel 'i', so that third letter must be a 'k'. Oh how super! I worked it out myself!”
“Excellent! You are right. Now write it on the slate!”
And so we progressed through the morning, taking a pel break (and a comfort break) before we started again. Pomma made the three breaks we took in the morning interesting by continuing to colour her drawing of that Vale view. I noticed that actually she had done two copies of the drawing so she would need to colour all three. Applying that particular colour to each of the three made sense to me, rather than have to come back and mix that colour for each of the versions. The children grasped that way of thinking very well.
I taught, we broke, we wrote some more, we broke again, a bit more colouring, I tested their knowledge, I taught some more.
Then it was time to have some light lunch. The plan was that after the lunch, Brethen, Pomma and I would go for a ride.
But those plans were shelved for a moment, when Brethen exclaimed: “Visitors! It looks like that Master Bezan and someone else, someone with a grenn. Maybe it's that Deegral fellow, he looks short enough! Oh – there's a third man too. And three or four pack animals.”
“Deegrum,” I automatically corrected.
A quick flashing of eyes told me that Rathina would stay here with everyone else, whilst we three would ride down to meet the newcomers.
When we got close, I recognised one of the miners' foremen; he was also quite a small man when compared to Master B.
Brethen had indeed recognised those other two. It was an impressive feat from such a distance.
I dismounted and greeted Deegrum with a quick hug. I dragged Jeefer's nose out from where it was aimed for. Wretched grenn.
Master Bezan greeted us and made the introductions before explaining: “The Captain and I discussed this on the way back yesterday and we have a suspicion about this. We think that there is a cave system that runs through this nose of rock here. But we actually suspect it may not be a cave system, it may be an ancient Chivan coal mine. If it is, then we need to find out quickly. So he despatched us up here as soon as possible. This is just an investigation, and we expect to be returning to town inside two bells. But I must say that that will mean it will be close to dark by the time we get back to report, if we stay the full two bells. We have brought our food,” he finished as I offered to go and fetch them something.
The scene there was so unremarkable that I was able to laugh at the fears of my dreams last night. I actually felt like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders.
Deegrum sent Jeefer through the entrance and we heard a few pakh bleats and other kerfuffle. Two moments later, Jeefer returned. I really do believe that Jeefer told his owner that it was alright for him to go through.
With no more ado, Deegrum picked up a miner's lamp, lit it, closed its door and just stooped down with no hesitation and disappeared down the entrance.
He reappeared quite soon and in his usual way, barked: “Bolts, cords, ropes, ladders. Right. Left.”
And with that he was gone again, back into the darkness he was so used to.
Master Bezan and the miner each took a crossbow and loaded it with a bolt to which was attached a thin cord. I saw the cord was regularly marked with white chalk marks. Master B told me when I asked that there was a mark each ten strides. They laid the cord out on the ground so that no tangles would impede the flight. Each length of cord on the ground showed three marks, before it curved back on itself and headed in the other direction. There were four lengths laid out, making it that each cord was one hundred and twenty strides long.
The miner fired his bolt, not taking any particular aim, over to the right side. The bolt shot up, into the gap above the rock fall and below the ceiling of the vault. There was a rattle as it struck the rock roof and dropped out of sight.
Nothing happened.
Still nothing happened.
The miner started laying out the cord attached to another bolt whilst Mister B was doing the same, but on the left of the entrance. Just as the miner loaded his crossbow again, the original cord was jerked, and pulled. He unloaded his bow before placing it on the ground. He went to the original cord and tugged it three times. He was answered with a further three tugs.
A thicker rope was then tied to the cord, and a further tugging signal started the pulling of the thicker rope into the cave. The miner called across to Master Bezan: “Forty strides, Master.”
Master B then went to one of the pack animals and unloaded four coils, one after the other. He unrolled the first and I saw that it was a ladder made with rope sides and wooden steps. He attached one end of the first roll to the start of the second roll and I realised that he was going to make a long ladder, forty strides long, which would be dragged up and over the rock fall. The cave would then be accessible to an adult. I was very impressed at the thinking that made this possible.
And so it happened, first on the right hand side and then on the left; so were two ladders positioned.
The ropes and the cords were drawn back to the outside by Deegrum as he exited once more.
“Smelly. Pakh shit everywhere. Doesn't smell like coal.”
He dropped the cords and ropes, then turned round and went back in.
The men this side explained that Deegrum must be securing the ends of the ladders on the inside, just as they were doing this side. When they had done that to their satisfaction, there was some small discussion after which the miner picked up a lamp, lit it, closed its door and crawled through the entrance, disappearing rapidly from sight. I was quite amazed that a man could wriggle forward so quickly on his belly.
The whole exercise had so far taken less than a bell, as we discovered when Rathina came down to us with a packed lunch. She also brought the fodder for the animals, explaining that it was silly to do so many journeys. She was present when the miner returned through the entrance, again on his belly, which was now filthy. She gasped when he came out, and he just grinned at her.
Then his eyes caught sight of the poles they used for pushing the fodder in there. He explained something to Master B, but I was chatting with Rathina and didn't hear what was said. Master B then left in a hurry, going back to the narrow access gorge and walked into it. Meanwhile the miner took the fodder push rod and marked it with chalk, one mark for each stride in length. He pushed it in front of him as he wriggled back in, taking a bundle of fodder with him, tied to an ankle.
After a good quarter of a bell, Rathina and Pomma departed back to the house after making sure I would be alright being alone with men. So Brethen and I chatted for a while and suddenly there was a scrambling and both men emerged with all the equipment they had taken in there. Jeefer was close behind them.
The men poled the rest of the fodder into the entrance.
They stood up, faced each other and then …....
They started hitting each other.
… … ...
Brethen and I stood well back as the clouds of dust and dirt flew off their clothing.
Jeefer went and jumped in the stream, wriggling like a fish.
Master B reappeared from the gorge, a little out of breath showing that he had run most of the way.
He said to the miner: “One, two, two – and, finally, one and a half.”
He laughed when we demanded an explanation: “The men inside said they travelled to the far end and spotted some tiny shafts of daylight, chinks between the rocks of the fall there. There were four such holes which would handle that fodder pole, so he stuck the handle through the holes. The holes were all hidden from eyes from the outside due to the angles of them, but those numbers I gave were the lengths of the handle that I could see in the fresh air OUTSIDE the rock fall. So both ends of this cave, or whatever it is, are blocked with fallen rocks. The blockage the far end is not so very thick, it seems to be about two or three strides.”
He turned to the men and asked if they knew what it was inside there.
It was the miner who answered: “I'm fairly sure it ain't coal, Master but need more light to be fully certain. At far end from here, there was a smashed wagon, and a few human bones, what with there being a skull and all. There was another of them funny wagons standing there away from the fall, except I ain't seen no wagon nothing like that 'un. Seems to have 'ad only two wheels, a rounded front where the yokes stretch forward and an empty back end. Any driver would have 'ad to stand, I reckons.”
“Deegrum, do YOU have any idea what it might be there?”
“No. Never seed a wagon like that 'un.”
“And what did you think they used to do in that cave?”
“Dunno. Strange marks, slits in stone. Need light. A bit familiar, like.”
“Familiar?”
“Somehow, but not comin'. Blasted thought's stuck in blasted head.”
Brethen looked sharply at me when he swore, but I just ignored it and he relaxed slightly.
Master B and I knew not to press Deegrum, and we both indicated to the other men not to do it.
After a short silence more, Master Bezan got things moving again: “Right, we'd better pack up and make our way back to town then. At least we have some knowledge to report now.”
The men quickly and efficiently packed up their equipment and waved goodbye as they left, the pack animals following Master B in the lead, with the miner following them, trailing his frayen. Deegrum and HIS frayen brought up the rear.
We called our farewells.
We were just turning away when Deegrum yelled: “Stones. Dam stones. They was in there.”
… … ...
Brethen, Pomma and I eventually had our ride. Without getting too close to the areas where men had died, Brethen pointed out the relevant sites of the battle and talked us through the events as they happened.
I understood the Captain's remarks then.
To actually see the countryside made it easier to imagine the dreadful frightened scrambling run of Milady and the Prince, with Jenet and Commander Feteran. I could see the attackers sweeping over the ridge. I could almost hear the crashing of weapons at the lower stone circle, and the Ptuvil Circle, as it was now named, loomed somehow gloomily up there, higher up the slope. Brethen made sure we did not get too near, assuring us that we would not enjoy it.
The scenery was spectacular, the wildness was something I had not imagined could be so near to the relatively domesticated town. That gorge I hated so much was without doubt a dividing gate. The views from high up were indescribable as my eye swept round in a large circle.
Brethen took us over to the South Ridge and positioned us so we could just see, high above the north ridge, the saddle that led to the headlands of the Bray Valley. It became obvious that the gorge was the preferred way to go back to town.
Brethen then led us back to the spot from which Pomma had made her sketch, and I gasped at how well she had captured the view. She had only coloured in the half of it, but her eye for colour and detail was breathtaking. I really appreciated at that moment the fact that she was a near-genius at this.
We dismounted here for Pomma to study the scene again, once again fixing the colours and shadows into her mind. Brethen indicated that he would keep quiet so as not to disturb her, and I took the hint.
For the first time, a feeling of insignificance spread over me, a sort of awe at the grandeur of Nature. I started to think of a wider picture than any I had previously considered. The peace, broken only by avian calls and the odd sounds of grazing frayen, was almost mind-altering. I lay back, keeping quiet so as not to disturb Pomma, and pondered weighty matters.
This feeling reminded me of how insignificant we all are when compared to Anmar and the sun and the stars and the moons - “are they even aware of us?” I wondered as Brethen and I looked together up to the skies.
Pomma suddenly said she was done and I realised that it was far too nice a day to lose myself in such imponderables.
Brethen took us over the south ridge and showed how the stream ran in the opposite direction to 'his' stream and we started out to go up the canyon at its upper end, the one down which the bandits had come. But the walls started leaning in on me again, and I could not go on.
My companions were understanding and we rode back to the farmhouse, with a new feeling of association.
I explained to the entire family, once we got back, about the need for stone quarries and that it seemed their pakh cave had been where the Chivans chipped out the huge stones used for making the dam. I told them that they could be almost certain that it would be opened up again, and probably be a much broader passage than that nasty gorge. Stone was important to the town right now.
They were worried that any works would have to be done from the lake end, and their pakh might run away. I think they believed me when I told them that the town wouldn't let that happen. I made a mental note to tell Master B of their fears.
It was obviously a long journey to come over the Bray Valley Head and then over the saddle up there and down into the Vale. It made sense that the works would be done from the lake end. It would be far easier to bring dranakh there. I smiled to myself as I thought of the fact that there was another new road for Master Bezan to fit into his schedule. Mind you, the surfacing stones wouldn't be too far away in that case, would they?
Then I got down to work again, drumming as much knowledge as I could cram into their heads.
I repeated some of the stuff they had already done, just to break them in gently, and to help fix those bits in their minds. Then we got going on new stuff. I wanted to have every letter at least shown to them by tonight.
Pel, lettering, numbering, colouring, pel, lettering, numbering, supper, lettering, testing, bed for the little ones.
The little ones wanted a story though before they would go off that night, and I was surprised when every female settled down and started relating the requested tale. Suddenly I understood how family traditions were passed down. Everyone in the family knew every word, and there was a satisfying peace, or something like that, that descended as they all played their parts. The children were asleep before the story reached its end, smiling as they nodded off.
Then there was just us older ones. Chats, jokes, interest in my tales of town expansion.
Suddenly I had another idea.
“How many of those tales do you have? Your family tales?”
“Why we have a hand of them. That one tonight is Portra's favourite.”
“Can you bear to tell me it again? I confess I would like to know how it ends, but it just occurred to me that each of you know every word, right?”
They all nodded.
“So if I write it down on some of these paper sheets, then you have something to help you with your reading. You will see every word written down. And you already know what that word is.”
“What a clever idea. We could do all five!”
I laughed as I said: “And my hand will drop off the end of my arm if I have to write all that!”
Well we managed one and a half of those stories before I had to admit defeat.
Long after I had got to the point of regretting this foolish suggestion of mine.
It was another later night for Pomma and I as I needed to rest from my tasks before we went to bed.
Again, it seemed I was the one talking most as I expanded on some of the things I had told them. When I got onto the fact that Milady's lands had been extended, a part of my mind realised that Papa would have returned home by now. And I further realised that there was going to be an Assembly meeting tomorrow morning, which I was going to miss. This last thought was just very silly, since I wouldn't have been invited to attend anyway, but I had this funny resentment that things were happening without my involvement, and that bothered me somehow.
Pomma was good and she contributed some towards the conversation with tales of saddle making, of the new shoemaker, and tales we all hung on of the old shoemaker. Then I remembered that Jasinet had been killed in the battle when Milady had crossed the river. I couldn't believe that I hadn't mentioned anything about that yet and so that started another round of memories from all.
I think that everyone was impressed at my knowledge of so many people in the town, and I promised to tell them Epp's tale tomorrow after dinner.
I also had their attention when I discussed Suril, Haka and Haris. Pomma was surprised at the revelations about Haka's mother and the others all tutted at how cruel families can be.
Which led on to me describing Vittima's horrible life, and the trial and the sentence. And the different brands. And the shackles.
All of which they found fascinating, and then Rathina asked a simple question.
As mentioned elsewhere, it is the simple questions that cause the most consternation.
“And did anyone ask Vittima what SHE thought of the sentence?”
Julina does what she can up in the Vale and then gets back to Town
The original characters and plot of this story are the property of the author. No infringement of pre-existing copyright is intended.
This story is copyright © 2013 - 2020 Julia Phillips. All rights reserved.
It uses some of the associated characters and situations that arise from the world called ‘Anmar’ created by Penny Lane, whose stories
are also copyright © 2010 - 2020 Penny Lane. All rights reserved.
The waking routine here was so different to the one I was used to at home.
And yet it wasn't that different from the one that I had had yesterday, of course – just a little different, just subtly other somehow. I think the major cause of the difference was that the children had got used to us by then, and thus the second breakfast was less of an unknown quantity to them.
For me, it was also different because I had had very little sleep.
And neither, consequently, had Pomma.
Rathina's question had opened a completely new way of looking at things, which brought with it hundreds of possibilities.
Pomma and I agreed with each other that we should be ashamed.
We, and many, many others, had been pleased to see the bully punished and pleased that a strong message had been sent out. Pleased indeed to see that the authorities care.
But we, and many, many others, had given not one single thought to the victim in all this.
Was Vittima better off?
Well yes, fairly obviously, she would no longer be beaten. But the sentence on her man now made her responsible for looking after someone she didn't even want to have to look at. Someone she was desperately trying to get away from.
For the first time ever in her life, she was now earning coin – and she would have to spend it on maintaining the brute that had married her.
This was hardly fair.
On the other hand, she WAS his wife. And men have certain rights as regards their wives. It was ever thus. In normal circumstances, a father handed over responsibility to the husband for looking after the woman. She was no longer a drain upon the father's resources which is why it was usual to offer a present to the husband, to ease the inevitable transition caused by a newly-added burden to HIS resources.
From what little I had gathered here and there, it seems that it was this present that had attracted Neerkel rather more than Vittima herself. Apparently, Neerkel had been smiling and charming, particularly when Vittima's father was around, until shortly after the marriage.
Pomma and I agreed that not one single woman in the town would look after the brute – they would let him rot; we had never heard a single good word about his domestic behaviour. So it would have to be his wife that would feed him, and do all the many chores that a wife has to do for her man.
The Town, represented by his Honour, required workers, so was this all actually a sop to the women, when they wanted this man, and as many others as possible, to continue to do work for them? Neerkel's job did carry some responsibilities and so the thought lingered that maybe they wanted to keep this resource working rather than have to spend time training a replacement.
And so our discussions had gone fore and back throughout the long dark bells.
I knew I would have to be extra careful during the lessons this day, for without sleep I tend to get irritable and grumpy. It wasn't the children's fault, nor Rathina's really, that I had so little sleep.
Young Kalisel was shaping up to be the most able, but Venna wasn't that far behind. Rathina had intelligence but was torn between learning and running the household, so she was dropping behind a little. The other four children were much as I expected, they were receiving a little less of my time, since the plan was that Kalisel and Venna took over a teacher's role once I had departed. We all knew that it was impossible to learn to read and write in just three days, but hopefully I could introduce a solid base for them.
My writing of their familiar family stories would be a big help to them so I gritted my teeth, strengthened my wrist, and made the second session of the morning one that was happy for them, and a chore for me. We managed to get the second story finished, and the third one started. Some bits went a little slower than others. We took some time with complicated words like 'porridge' and they crowded round as I slowly wrote it down.
After a while, in the middle of the third, my wrist and fingers required a break – so it was time to set my students a little test. A thought sprung into my head that made me grin a little. THIS exercise was going to be interesting.......
I started it by getting each to write their own names.
First we said each name out slowly, making all of us find out how many letters were in each one.
Then, when all understood, I got them to write their own names out.
I helped when we came across unfamiliar letters to be used and they were all proud that they had done it by the end. I made a mental note to include that in my future lessons; it involved the student at a very personal level.
I donated another precious sheet of paper to get each of them to write their own name on it a hand of times. Again, the repetition did wonders for everything other than paper usage.
Then I made them write out the names of the others gathered round. Very soon, all could write every name down legibly. The paper was filled to every corner it seemed.
There was still a little time before we would all have to start the chores so I pondered upon ways to continue. I thought I would try something out …...
I made up some phrases in my head and got them to write them down. Simple statements using the letters they were most familiar with, and expecting them to ask when we came across more difficult ones.
“Feed the frayen fodder.”
“The scrap of paper” and then added “was spoilt by the pel spilling.”
“Ganna goes green with no water.” (That one fetched out a shout of laughter, even from Jorilda herself. The others seemed more surprised at that than at my made-up sentence.)
“Porridge produces (difficult those two words, so I was a little mean there) strong men and women.”
…... and so it went on …... and on …..... a few more of such a nature.
… … …
Lunchtime appeared, and we all gratefully took an extended break. Little Toren delighted the assembled company when he took an extra mug of water across to Jorilda and, with a big twinkle in his eyes, told her he didn't want her going green. She laughed at that, and her whole body jiggled to such an extent that we thought the water would end up on the floor.
That little event was cut a bit short by Brethen announcing: “Visitor! Three casts to us from the gorge. Lone man on a frayen.”
The household jumped to it, and a welcoming group was in place before the visitor had time to ride halfway to the house.
I recognised him some way off, as did Pomma, so we told everyone his name, Kalkulin, and that he was a chargehand working for Master Blandel, the stonemason. We all had a fair idea of why he was here, and so it was proved.
“Good morrow,” he called, his eyes sweeping across us all and focussing on the only grown male amongst us.
We each murmured a reply.
“Have I the honour of addressing Goodman Brethen?”
“Happen so, young Master. Kalkulin, isn't it?”
He was taken aback by that. “Err....., I'm sorry Goodman. Do we know each other? I think I recognise you from around town. I regret I can recall no introduction. And I 'aven't been too drunk recently.”
Brethen chuckled: “Nay lad! 'Twas Mistresses Pomma and Julina here that recognised you as you approached.”
Kalkulin looked at us and his eyes widened. He hadn't expected to see anyone he knew all the way up here. His male eyes had just seen women and children and had skipped across our actual faces. We all could see him readjust his thinking.
“Mistresses, good morrow.” We bobbed the smallest possible of curtseys in an easy greeting.
“Now lad, you've come to tell us that you have to remove that rockfall on the lake side of the gorge. Correct? And you're starting on the lake side because it's easier to get your dranakh there, rather than have to climb all over the saddle above the Bray Valley head, since the dranakh cannot pass easily through our narrow gorge?”
His eyes widened again. We all giggled – well Brethen chuckled, the rest of us giggled.
“Why ….yyyyyesss,” he stammered. “Master Blandel done sent team up to do that. There's an Assembly Meet this morn otherwise he'd a bin 'ere 'imself.” His speech dropped back from that over-formal way he had initially employed. As he got more off balance, his speech returned more to his roots.
But I could easily understand him, as could we all. And I had a pang that I wasn't down in town for the meeting. I know it's silly, but a flash of resentment scooted through me.
The men sorted out quite easily what to do with the captured pakh once they were freed – just lead them through the gorge and let them wander – and Kalkulin promised to number them. He was told there were young in there so not to be surprised when they popped out.
Kalkulin explained that they would use their three dranakh to tug out the topmost boulders from the right side as they looked at it – the side nearest the gorge. They would then work their way down the edge and across the top simultaneously. The first steps would take some time as they weren't sure of the stability of it all, but they did expect to be finished clearing the slide after three of four full days work. He expected the dranakh teams would have turned up by the time he got back to the worksite.
We waved as he turned and went back, his message delivered.
And so we tidied up after the lunch and then Pomma and I joined Brethen for another ride round the Vale. Pomma and I giggled at Brethen's complaints about the old style saddle.
The wildness of the Vale was seeping thoroughly into our souls. It was taking our breaths away at every twist and turn. That day was a little warmer than the day before, the clouds having mostly disappeared. I was glad there was still some cloud though, the sudden shafts of sunlight shining on features created real beauty. One such happened to spill onto a small pond fed by a smaller stream, round in one of the many mini-valleys in the sides of the Vale. The colour explosion was startingly pretty and even Brethen was moved. My eyes took it all in, and then we turned, following this little stream as it exited the pond and trickled its way down to the main stream that ran all through the Vale.
Pomma and I appreciated that ride very much. We knew that this time tomorrow, we would be on our way back to town; who knew when we might be able to return.
… … …
“Oh Mistress Pomma! That is SO good.”
The children were all gathered round her as she put the finishing touches to all three of her pictures. The older people in the room nodded in agreement, but were not rushing to see it. Pomma had told them that she would leave one of them behind – they could have the choice – and give one of the others to me, keeping the last for herself.
We were just after the last lesson before supper, having a break which Pomma had filled with her final dobs of painting. The pictures would be put to one side to dry, and then, after supper, the family would make their choice.
The afternoon lessons had gone well, better in some ways than I had expected, and I was actually hopeful that they could practice enough to get them up to the beginner's standard that Epp and I had agreed. There was still the question of how these children could actually attend the school, but with enough minds thinking of it, I was sure there would be a way found. Another small exercise I set them, this time to do without any help, had enabled me to do a little more of the third story, using many of the words as examples.
After supper was finished, it was getting dark outside. The younger ones would have to get to bed soon, so they decided to start the fourth story. This was so I could make a start on it, and the children would listen to the start of one rather than picking up the by-now-disjointed third story.
And so my fingers and wrist were again put to a severe test.
Finally, the younger ones were abed and asleep, and the next batch were being prepared to be sent to bed.
Brethen, Rathina, Tarina and Jorilda studied the three copies of Pomma's painting and selected one. Pomma then handed one to me, and I was delighted.
Here is why …..
… … …
Getting up that third morning was a little easier than on the previous day. We had slept like the dead as the previous night and day caught up with us. I noticed that Pomma found it a strain and supposed that the older you got, the less easy it is to go without a proper sleep.
The breakfast was a peculiar affair. The children were sorry that Pomma and I would be departing later, and we were too in a way, and yet both of us were looking forward to getting back to our own homes. Brethen, I suspect was not looking forward to a journey back to town to provide us with an escort and then having to camp again for a night before returning. I knew that our afternoon rides had strained his resources about getting necessary things done in preparation for the winter, and that extra journey would not make it any easier.
But he and Rathina were determined that their children would have a better set of opportunities in life than they themselves had had. So they embraced the writing and numbering lessons with an almost overwhelming enthusiasm.
I gave some more lessons in the morning, did a LOT of revision with my students and still managed to complete the copying of the third and fourth stories.
Our pending departure weighed ever more heavily on the children, so our lunch was quite a bit sadder, even more so than the breakfast had been.
We three loaded our animals and, after a strangely tearful leave-taking from the women and children, set off towards the dreaded gorge. I was already steeling myself for coping with it and Brethen had suggested that actually I led our little column through it, thus having better vision in front of me. I agreed to give it a try.
It was a little better I have to confess. Having unobstructed views forward helped me and I didn't feel quite so bad as I had before.
This was probably a big part of why I screamed so much when I turned the bend that goes to the right, in the middle of the gorge, and bumped full tilt into someone.
… … …
The workers at the end-of-the-lake rockfall all had a good laugh.
I can sympathise slightly with them as it must have been a very unusual sight when they saw a woman astride a frayen, facing the backside of the beast, as the said frayen backed out of the gorge.
I think it helped Judd though, that I was able to gently guide him as he walked backwards.
For it was into Papa's breast that I had bumped.
It took a little rapid explaining from Brethen for Papa to understand the depth of the problem, so, once the problem had been grasped, he just lifted me onto Judd's back. Which helped immensely, and I could help the beast as Judd backed out of that side of the gorge. It was slightly wider there and there was room for my legs to dangle. The saddle wasn't comfortable mind you.
But being raised, having unblocked vision and gripping my father's hand all allowed me to negotiate the short journey with relative ease.
I scrambled down from Judd's back as soon as I could, and was quick to remount Dralla. When the workers saw me remount, then some of their laughter drained away to be replaced by a certain amazement. A shout shook them back into work mode soon enough.
Papa and Brethen had a short conversation while Pomma and I rode our beasts off to one side to keep out of the way of the workers and possible rockfalls.
Ropes, leather harnesses and metal spikes, some with spreading metal hooks, were lying about, as men on ladders drove other spikes into the gaps between the jumbled rocks with heavy hammer blows. On the ground were a few rocks lying around that had obviously been dragged down before. Two dranakh were waiting patiently for the ropes round the rocks in the rockfall to be connected to their harnesses. One worker slid down his ladder far faster than I could ever have imagined, and then he teamed up with three others as they dragged the ladder out of the way. The other ladder was similarly dealt with.
The dranakh were eased forward until the ropes tautened then they leaned forward to take up the strain. They pulled steadily and in perfect time with each other; and made ground a thumb at a time. Soon, the rock at the top wobbled in its seat and the animals strained more. Suddenly, the rock toppled forward, the dranakh almost ran until they released their pull (again, in perfect timing with each other) and there was a huge crash as the rock piece thumped into the ground. This was followed by a strange sound, almost a whistle and on top of that were suddenly louder pakh noises.
One of the workman called across to Papa and Brethen and asked if either knew what was the other side. He was most disconcerted when I, a mere female despite being mounted, answered: “It is a cave system. The far end is also blocked to humans by a rockfall, but there is a gap between the top of the rockfall and the roof.”
“Ah! No wonder we have such a gale blowing through here then. Now we have created a gap, there is nothing to prevent the wind blowing through.”
His call though had brought the two mounted men over to us, and suddenly I was just a mere female again.
It wasn't, I decided, worth making a fuss about.
We watched for another half a bell, as two more rocks were brought down. The third dranakh was employed to drag the tumbledown rocks into a sort of curving wall, which the foreman explained would guide the released pakh into the gorge. The gap was slowly widened as two or three more loosened rocks came down with less effort required and so the wind noise diminished as a consequence. Now some of the top rocks were cleared, two of the men scrambled up the ladders again and stood on top of the 'wall' where they swept, kicked and tossed down more and more rubble.
Papa wanted to stay for a bit longer. He had come to fetch us for which Brethen was grateful, as that allowed Brethen to return to his now less-interrupted tasks. And so there were just we three onlookers. However, Pomma and I suggested that it might not be wise to stay for too much longer. We were, after all, a long way from an outhouse.
We did all agree that we would be back soon, though.
“I particularly wish to see those funny wagons the miner described, as well as see what else the removal of that wall exposed. I'm not sure, though, that I would be able to bring myself to actually go in there.”
“I know what you mean, Julina. I am also drawn to it and yet have a fear of entering, although the gorge did not worry me as much as it did you. Maybe it's just a fear of the unknown.”
“That is entirely possible, Mistress Pomma,” said Papa, nodding. “Many is the time I have observed that in my life. Often it happens that the person involved laughs about it afterwards and wonders what the fuss was all about.”
… … …
As it was, Pomma and I managed to make it all the way back to the Claw before needing the facilities.
And we went the long way round!
Papa kept up a conversation with us as we wended our way along the lakeside. We came across a spot where the track had obviously been dug out of the hillside by a stride or so. The markings were extremely fresh.
“The track had crumbled here, Papa and was scarce wide enough for a wagon. I see they have already made it safe. Such a difference.”
“Aye, lass, I can see the signs of the work. Very recent this is. But this is nothing really. A trivial difference.”
His tone made me look sharply at him, but he deflected my unspoken enquiry: “So did you get up higher in the Vale, maybe to the Ptuvil's Circle, as Master Bezan tells me it is now called?”
“No, we did not approach that place. Goodman Brethen ….....”
… … ...
And so we carried on, reaching the dam not that long afterwards.
“Now, ladies, it is time for you to choose. We can scramble down the flank here to the stream bed, and we can be at my home relatively quickly, should you require a comfort break. Or we can follow the aqueduct round to the Cistern. The overview of the town would be better going the long way round.”
Pomma and I glanced at each other as we wondered why Papa should think we needed to have an overview. But there was something in his tone, indeed in his entire body posture that suggested strongly we should take the longer route. Our eyes told us that neither were in need of a comfort break, and unlikely to be so for another maybe bell.
“Very well then Master Kordulen. Be pleased to lead us to town by your preferred route.”
“So be it.” Papa led off along the roof of the aqueduct. “So no doubt you picked up a new recipe or two?”
… … ...
As we rode along, the town slowly exposed itself to our view. We came round the slight right-hand bend where the aqueduct seems to make its break from the Blackstone river, and looked eagerly as the houses came into view. The obvious first thing that was different was that East Street was now in full use. Seeing the stream of wagons descending really brought home just how much traffic Main Street had carried. It itself was very busy, but we could see that there were many more gaps for foot-goers to use to cross safely.
We could further see that East Street was now actually fully paved all the way up to the Claw.
Actually, I should reword that statement as it is a one-direction road. East Street was paved from the Claw all the way down to where it joined Main Street again.
We could see some workers adding paving stones to the surface for about a cast upwards, and some were adding an extra layer just inwards of the stripe. Again, I admired the way that they were obviously doing it. The outside of a stripe was finished first, a task that was unaffected by the traffic passing, and which then gave a certain more room for the wagons to use, then they added a next bit to the inside of the stripe, done when there was a gap in the traffic. Then they did the same exercise on the other side, the other stripe. And then finally they would fill in the middle. This caused almost no disruption whatsoever.
“Oh what very clever thinking! I see how they can expand that surface even whilst it is in use. Very few complete interruptions I should imagine.”
“Aye, lass. And I'm proud of your intelligence.”
“You are clever, 'Lina. Why, I could never have gleaned that detail just from the quite short glances we have had.”
“Oh, tush, Pomma! Had you been there at the meetings, then the subject would have been equally as interesting to you. You would have been looking at the scene with different eyes. I could never look at some scenes with YOUR eyes. Oh Papa, wait until I show you the absolutely brilliant picture she has made of part of the Vale …...”
We went on whilst still both talking and observing, getting ever closer as our roof-top route above the aqueduct angled in towards the buildings at the top of the town.
Mind you, we still couldn't see the very top end of the town, but we could grasp many of the details slightly lower down. It looked to me like our new home might be connected to the water supplies, both fresh and waste, judging by the channels that had been dug. But those water channels were still open to the elements.
I could see that Suril and Haka's new home was …... hold! That was them, surely? Carrying furniture and belongings into the new residence. Yes, definitely that was them. And I could see a thin spiral of smoke from that chimney. And I could also see that the water channels had yet to be connected.
Just behind was the start of another new building, closer to the Watch House. Hmmm. What on Anmar could that be?
Oh! Maybe that would be the female lock-up! Yes, that must be it. A much smaller thing altogether.
By this time, we had progressed to the next kink and rounding that had exposed the top of the town.
Pomma and I reined in in surprise.
We just stood there for a good moment or two while Papa was chuckling to himself. My mouth was dropped open and Pomma later told me hers was too. We didn't look at each other though. Our eyes were goggling at the sights that had just come into view.
I realised now just why Papa had heavily suggested we came this way.
… … ...
Oh where to begin to explain? Now I am writing this some little while after the event, it is easier to set it down logically, but at the time my eyes darted hither and there, skipping from one change to another.
“Oh Maker! So many changes. Some small, some major. Hold a while that I might take them all in.”
“I agree, Pomma. We need time for this. Thank you Papa, for keeping this all a surprise.”
All the major changes had a common factor, it seemed, except for the obvious expansion of Master Pocular's space, and an obviously new settlement of two adjacent workshops that had sprung up way, way over there on the west bank of the Bray. There must have been nearly a mark of roadbed laid now on the Loop Road, and it became obvious now that those workshops would be inside of the roadway.
For the rest, the common factor could be described as the camping place.
But as that was so large, I have found it to be difficult to choose with which change to start.
I suppose the best place would be with something I have already mentioned, and to then work my way round from there.
East Street. And its junction with the camping place at its south-eastern corner.
“Look you, the top two or three casts of East Street are fully finished! That is indeed very sensible as traffic entering it might not always do so at the same angle, therefore the wheel stripes may not have been convenient for all. This way the traffic has time to line itself up with the stripes that continue down the hill!”
“Aye lass. Excellent observation! Now if you also look …..”
… … ...
A quite technical conversation then ensued regarding road building, which left Pomma and I a little time to look at some other wonders while Papa was going off about one of his favourite subjects. The two of us listened with half a brain.
To continue to describe the changes, I shall continue working my way round the stretched circle that made up the camping place then.
(Older Julina says: Nowadays of course, the levelled area is less and there are more houses around what has become the market place, but back then it was quite different.)
So then I shall resume my descriptions, going from its south-east corner, from East Street, and starting out heading west, towards the sun that was now visibly sinking in the sky.
All the haphazard tents that had spread along the south side of the camping place had disappeared.
Completely.
I shall return to these.
Instead, there was now one quite large structure. I don't mean to imply that this structure took up the entire space along that edge of the camping place, but it was positioned some three or four strides in from the edge and was fairly central between the places where the two major roads intersected the south side of the area – Main Street and East Street.
This was like a house but without an end wall as far as I could see. At my first sight, we could see only the east end of the structure, and only at an oblique angle at that.
But before I come to more of this 'house', let me first deal with the embedded wagon marks within the entirety of the camping place. There were several obviously favourite routes, but nearly all were lightly marked into the surface.
The most obvious came down from the track that led to the quarries and the Loop Road which, you probably know by now, approached the camping place from the north-west, the far corner from our current viewpoint.
There was a clearly etched wagon track that entered the camping place there and headed towards the new structure before turning off. We actually watched as a laden coal wagon lurched from the Loop Road / Quarry track, down to this new building, almost hitting it before turning left and heading for East Street, following the strong marks in the surface. A sharp turn right led into the exit from the camping place, and the wagon was on its way out of town, with no traffic coming in the opposite direction to hinder it. It was immediately apparent just how much of a relief to the traffic this new one-direction system was proving.
So, back to the new structure, whatever it was. It had no obvious tracks into or out of it.
I asked Papa what it was but he just shrugged and didn't answer, his eyes sparkling at me.
The way he did that told me he knew what it was, and was waiting for me to be amazed. Grrrrrr. Sometimes I could get angry with him.
Pomma just mouthed: “Men!” to me and I had to grin.
But there was too much else to take notice of for me to be angry really.
Main Street had always approached the camping place uphill from the south, at an angle across the slope. It had ended at the camping place, with maybe one third of the camping place to the west (left) of where Main Street joined it, the rest being to the east. The track to the quarry, and now to the Loop Road, had always been almost a continuation of Main Street, considered so as, if that street had run directly up to the north side of the camping place, it would meet the mouth of the Quarry track.
I would estimate that the camping place was some three or four casts wide at that point. You will remember that Malet's and Kelly's home was on the corner there, where Main Street joined in, to the left as you came up.
I have described this is some detail since it is now time to describe the next major change that had taken place in the four days of our absence.
If you drew a straight line from Main Street to the Quarry track, this line would form the side of a new area.
The entire west side of the camping place had been cleared, and marked off somehow. I was too far distant at that moment to see clearly how it was marked.
“Look Pomma. There, the western end has been separated off. What have they used for markers? I can see that they're white but I can't make out what they are?”
“Nor I. Do you know, Master?”
“They are large stones, stones that have been squared off, much like the marker stones on the main road downvalley, but without the domed top. They have been whitewashed in the same way, though.”
I saw small groups of men moving about within this marked-off area. A few heartbeats of observation told me that they were most probably military or something similar. I wondered at the validity or usefulness of ten or so men in groups arranged in rectangles and marching about as lonely figures shouted at them.
Continuing my description of the changes by continuing to travel round in that direction, we got, of course, to the start of the quarry track, which I shall from now call the Loop Road. On the west side of that road, the walls of what I knew to be the new public bath-house were already erected. Indeed, I fancied I could make out some steam from heated water being made ready already.
“Aye lass, happen you're right. The workers can now have warm showers, and some take baths, at the end of the working day. I cannot express to you how much the atmosphere has improved in the workforce since that happened.”
On the east side of that road, as you are all already aware, sits the squat, windowless, looming block of the Cistern. This takes up almost all of the north side of the camping place.
And contained probably the greatest of the changes I need to describe. Although 'contained' is the wrong word.
On top is the accurate description.
On top of the Cistern was an enormous structure, which seemingly consisted of a middle-sized hut with pairs of tall poles either side. Arranged between these tall poles were horizontal poles which stuck out either side. Attached to the ends of these extensions, were arms that were either up or down. The whole contraption seemed to be connected with ropes and so on to the hut below. It was some strange, almost menacing structure.
As we watched, several arms flicked up or down, waited a few heartbeats, and then did some more. This continued for a moment or two, before the hut door opened and two men came out, stretching and easing their backs. They seemed to nod to a group standing by and at that moment several of these men started swarming over the structure, attaching other ropes, testing the movements of the arms and so on. I realised that the operators had finished for the day, and the maintenance men were checking and testing the structure, to be sure that everything was in order.
It took my breath away.
“So that's a semaphore station!”
“Semaphore what, what's that?”
“Oh sorry Pomma, I should have told you all. It never really came up in conversation. Actually, it should have done. It's a good reason to concentrate on spelling. Why, I could have ….”
“Yes, my dear. But WHAT IS IT?”
“It's a way of sending messages. So much quicker than by frayen. ….. ” I trailed off as I thought about how to describe it easily for her.
“Mistress Pomma! On a clear day, we can see the Strettalm from here, right?” Papa attracted her attention.
She nodded. “Indeed, Master. It has often been a wonder to me to see that peak rising above the trees. When the sunlight catches it right, it can be quite startlingly beautiful. I have a picture I made of it once.”
“Well, there is another of these on top of the Strettalm. The operators have things called telescopes. They make distant objects seem closer. With a telescope, it makes it seem like the top of the Strettalm is as close as the start of the forest, or even closer. By arranging the arms in a certain way, a letter can be sent from here to the Strettalm, followed by another letter and then another. In five moments, the operators on top of the Strettalm can have received an entire message.”
“But why would they?”
“They then take that message and send it on to the next station. Before you know it, the message has reached to Tranidor! Or at least, it will happen so when the chain of stations is complete. We can ask a question of someone in Tranidor, and receive an answer within a matter of bells, rather than take a whole week.”
“Maker!” she said faintly, as the full implications began to set in.
“Yesterday we had our first ever useful message via this method. A wagon has broken down at the Forest Roadhouse, and the wheelwright was able to load a spare wheel onto the shuttle before it departed. That saved at least a day's delay.”
Finally, to complete my descriptions of the changes, back on the camping place, north of the track marks joining the Loop Road to East Street, were arranged the tents of the workers. In orderly rows and columns. I was amazed at how neatly they fitted into so small a space compared to what had been there when I left.
So you can now readily understand that much had changed. And why Pomma and I were quite so amazed.
Hold!
A further change caught my eye and I saw now why the tents were seemingly taking up so much less space.
It was because there were in fact so many fewer tents. The Miners' Village had far more buildings there now.
I saw that there were many bodies scurrying round over in the Miners' Village, but it was just too far distant to make out details, and the closer we got to the end of the aqueduct, the more the Cistern blocked off of the views up there. But I still had seen the change over there.
So many changes in all.
And we had had only three nights away!
… … ...
We dropped down the slope close to the east side of the Cistern, skirted the foot of it, then rode diagonally across to the top of Main Street, this time not having to thread our way through tents and campfires and the like.
We got a closer look at the new structure as we crossed. Both ends were open, no walls at all. Under the roof, against each wall was a sort of raised edge and both had some packages or baggage or baskets stacked on them. There were some notices attached to the walls in various places.
I looked a question at Papa, but he shook his head, mouthing to me to wait. Really! Some men! Sometimes I could scream!
… … …
Pomma and I, as mentioned earlier, made it back to the Claw before requiring a comfort break. Sookie was delighted to see us and we had a little time to let her know what we had been up to before Papa started to get irritated. We arranged to have a further morning ride on the day after next, Sookie being certain she could get back into the saddle by then. Instead of the morning ride tomorrow, we agreed to come down here and fill Sookie in more properly on the events that we had experienced up there. Papa was pleased with that arrangement as it meant we could leave a little earlier.
He escorted us up to Pomma's and made sure that everything was in order for her to return to. Nothing was untoward, and it was apparent that her housekeeper was pleased to have her back. Both Papa and I were relieved that everything was good enough to allow her to come home without difficulties. We left her and made our way across Main Street and down to the Watch House. I was intrigued to see the latest arrangements in the life of Suril and Haka – and Haris, of course.
Of course it didn't work out like that.
Kassama caught sight of us leaving Pomma's and got Em to interrupt our stroll. We were taken straight to the Salon.
Where another surprise waited for me.
The entire room had been coloured – I detected Gyth's influences here – and the tables were so improved with cloths, they were no longer recognisable.
The door had been rehung such that it opened outwards into the corridor, giving a little more space inside the room and the corridor had been fitted with a door either end to minimise draughts. As a result of this, there was space to hang coats of the diners outside of the dining room, but inside the corridor. There was also a small room created for the doorkeeper.
The new colours made the room seem a little lighter than it had been, which must be an improvement; it would have been difficult to be more gloomy. The colours were considerably aided by the fact that there were two of the new windows that had been installed. They were standing open to help clear the smell of the paints. The outlook was merely to the wall and backyard of the neighbouring building upslope of this one. The special alley to connect Main Street to East Street passed on the downslope side of 'our' building, so there would be no interruptions from that source.
The kitchens had not been neglected, and there were beautiful new pots and pans and kettles and bowls and boards and everything you could imagine.
Em was delighted, and I was caught up in the moment. There were only a few things left to complete and then the Salon could open.
“Em, don't forget that I shall be going down to Tranidor shortly, with the girls. The grand opening will have to wait until my return.”
“That might not be happening, daughter.”
I turned to Papa, shocked to my core.
“We need to find out what this war business will cause, first.”
… … …
Once again, this far-off war had burst the bubble of my happiness.
I gushed appropriately when we got to Suril and Haka's. They were moving out of Em's but would be back for bathing and feeding. Little Haris was in Haka's arms, and was almost asleep, his fingers entwined in her hair.
They showed me the new building that was indeed a lock-up for females, and it was well thought out. There were two cells themselves, and a properly equipped bathroom for THOSE days. There was an outer 'office' with two desks, one for the duty officer, usually going to be Vittima, and one for the female boss who was indeed Mistress Grizanthet. The building would require a few more days before it was usable.
Papa was getting uncomfortable, constantly checking the door and the angle of the sun. I suddenly realised that he was waiting for something.
“And just what are you getting twitchy about, Papa?”
“Ah! You know me too well, my child,” he said shamefacedly, “it is always so difficult to surprise you. I have seen you get irritated this afternoon with me when I don't tell you things you want to know. Just be patient a little longer, I beg of you.”
The others around, I became aware, were all smiling, so they also knew what was in store. And my mood brightened just a little. I think it showed, since I felt a tension in the room lessen.
My mood was further improved when little Haris gurgled at me and played with my finger. There was something about that little mite that tugged at my heart.
We chatted about the experiences I had had up in the Vale, but I had barely scratched the surface of all that could be said when the door opened and in walked Master Fedren. His arm was in a sling but his face was still a healthy colour, so I knew that his injury, whatever it was, could not be so bad.
“Master Kordulen – it comes!” He nodded to me before he turned and left as suddenly as he had appeared.
… … …
And so it was that Papa, Suril, Haka (and Haris), Em and I found ourselves up the hill, under the roof of the new structure.
I looked around, trying to make sense of what I saw.
On either side, was a raised platform maybe a stride above the ground. There were bundles, bags, boxes and baggage of all sorts piled up. On the left as we walked in, the setting sun casting our shadows further into the structure, were four large notices on the wall. One said 'Roadhouse', the next said 'Brayview', the third 'Tranidor' and the final one simply said 'Farther'. Each had a distinct pile under it, the second being the smallest. On the other side, the piles were a little more spread out.
Between the two platforms, which had a set of steps at either end, I could just make out some wheel marks, so I realised that wagons must come in here, hence no walls at either end. Then I suddenly realised what this whole building was.
It was the end station for the shuttle.
“Why a building like this?”
“The roof keeps off the worst of the weather from goods that have been delivered, or from goods that are to be sent. Goods to be sent are sorted by destination, so unloading the wagon is easier when they are loaded in sequence. Also, passengers have here easy access to an outhouse, and may remain out of the weather as they wait.”
I nodded as the explanation made sense. But what didn't make sense is why we were all here.
That was explained a few moments later, when the shuttle turned into the level area after climbing Main Street, came across the intervening distance and pulled into the 'shed' as Em called it. I could see now why the platforms were the height they were, and why they were the distance apart that they were.
The two passengers to get off could step easily onto the raised wooden floor, and the driver could easily unload the goods, everything being at the same height. The wagon itself fitted neatly between the platforms with only a very little gap.
I noticed this only in passing, for one of the passengers had come to me and given me a hug.
“Master Steef,” I sputtered in surprise. “What brings you here?”
“Two things really. I have a meeting with his Honour to discuss more details about the barges. First thing in the morning.”
“And the second thing?”
He didn't say a word, just nimbly hopped into the belly of the wagon and twitched aside a goods blanket after untying the ropes that held it from slipping or flapping.
I gasped in surprise, and delight, at the two metal tanks of foti fish, each with at least a hand of fish swimming around in them.
“We shall take them down to your fish farm tomorrow,” said Papa. “Steef shall stay with us tonight and travel back on tomorrow's shuttle. We have arranged that the shuttle shall pick up the empty tanks from the roadside at the second roadstone. It makes no sense to transport them back here just so they can be taken back down the hill.”
I caught a smile on Steef's face as Papa said that, and another on the wagoneer's face. Something else was going on. I made sure not to show my impatience.
We then left to go back home, but going by way of the Claw since my packs were still down there. So the entire group of us retraced our steps down the Main Street taking our leave of Em first, that being the first home to pass, of course.
We neared the Watch House area and Master Fedren was just approaching it from the direction of the Bell, talking to a quite heavily built man I recognised from somewhere.
When Fedren caught sight of us, he laughingly 'hid' behind his companion, and everyone sniggered and looked at Haka. She blushed a deep red and looked uncomfortable.
I plucked at her sleeve and asked: “What's that all about then?”
She looked at me and said: “I shot the Sheriff.”
Julina has some more firsts – and initiates some too.
The original characters and plot of this story are the property of the author. No infringement of pre-existing copyright is intended.
This story is copyright © 2013 - 2020 Julia Phillips. All rights reserved.
It uses some of the associated characters and situations that arise from the world called ‘Anmar’ created by Penny Lane, whose stories
are also copyright © 2010 - 2020 Penny Lane. All rights reserved.
”But I didn't shoot the Deputy,” continued the stricken Haka.
You will readily understand that there was no way on Anmar I was going to leave without getting a full understanding of what was involved in THIS story, even if it took all night.........
With what seemed to be about a hand of hundreds of people all talking at once, it was unnecessarily complicated to piece together the events, but I believe I have done so at long last. I may actually have stamped my foot once or twice. And my glare certainly worked on more than one occasion.
The Sheriff and Suril had recruited an extra six people, four men and two women, as deputies and Em and the Captain had also found some dozen trainees to form the basis of a part-time soldiery. With some overseeing by their respective bosses, both Em and Suril started the required training for each of the two groups.
It soon became apparent that there were several areas of overlap and the two leaders worked ever more closely together to save duplication of effort. This was not a permanently on-going activity for the soldiery, who had also to do other work, whereas the fresh deputies were being paid to be deputies. On one of the days, they decided to combine an exercise with the objective being to see how capable all these fresh recruits were when it came to shooting crossbows.
Using the garden at the corner of our new house, and shooting across the Claw's empty paddock, the test firings took place on the morning of the day before Pomma and I returned. One recruit, one of Suril's team, was detailed to carry out a stand-up target for the other recruits to aim at. The idea was to place the target quite near the assembled personnel, let them have at it, then move the target back a hand of strides and repeat the exercise, eventually finding those who could still be accurate at farther distances.
The recruits started shooting their bolts at a mere ten strides and some of them proved to be quite accurate. The target was then retreated by the hand of strides and so the exercise was repeated. No-one was eliminated at this stage, so it was time to start again. And again.
As the next rotation took place, the first shot at the target had knocked it over, it having been placed unsteadily on the ground. As a result, the target man was despatched to restand it at a better place. He repositioned it and stepped away, but then saw one of the feet was sinking so he turned back. At that moment an over-eager recruit let a bolt loose. It struck the target man in the thigh, who collapsed with a bellow, clutching at the injured and bleeding leg.
All the rest immediately dropped their weapons to the ground and rushed to help the wounded man.
Haka, with Haris in her arms, had been inspecting our new house and came out to see what the commotion and fuss was all about. The first thing she saw was a discarded but loaded bow pointing straight at her. She immediately skipped to one side, shielding her baby. Deciding that this could be dangerous to someone else, she thought to change things. She reached down with her one spare hand, intending to point the thing in a safe direction.
Her finger touched the trigger. Unfortunately, the bow had not been latched properly and the apparatus shot its bolt as soon as she touched it, narrowly missing her. The thing arrowed up into the clear skies before lazily turning point down and plummeting earthwards once more.
The Sheriff was just crossing East Street to view the training session when the bolt from the blue slashed down the length of his forearm, fortunately only scratching the skin rather than actually penetrating the flesh. That didn't stop him yelling mind you. It took but a heartbeat or two to discover that the damage was minor and nowhere near as bad as it could have been. Nor was the other man injured seriously, the bolt there 'just' passing through the fleshy part and missing any vital bits inside.
Needless to say, safety standards were devised and strictly enforced from that moment on!
… … …
Finally, we managed to return to the Claw so I (and Papa) could retrieve my packs. There was a note on them to call on Sookie before departing, so, amid harrumphs and tutting from Papa, we had another short delay.
“I forgot to say earlier, Julina, that you should be at the parade ground at First Bell tomorrow morning.”
“Parade Ground?”
“Yes, the western end of the camping place that the Sheriff and your Master Michen have taken over. I really strongly recommend that you come, and get your Father to accompany you too, maybe even the whole family. Now I have to dash back inside, I have some meat in the oven, and your father's patience may not last much longer! See you up there tomorrow morning.” So saying, she turned on her heel and scurried away.
Papa looked at me as I looked at him. We both shrugged at the same moment, neither being any the wiser as to Sookie's strange request. And Sookie had not given me a chance to tell her that I was in fact going for a ride in the morning after all, and would have to fit in my tales of the Vale after that. I realised that maybe I should also tell Pomma, and said so, but Papa took me firmly by the elbow and hustled me up the slope towards our house.
Thus it was that we finally made it back to our old home. As we went past, I had noticed a slight difference at the new one but again Papa refused to let me linger, saying that tomorrow was time enough for all that.
… … …
It was very gratifying to have been missed so deeply, but the welcome from my siblings nearly bowled me over. They all rushed to me at the same time, yelling their heads off and making enough of a din to be heard down in Tranidor, it seemed. I was swamped by reaching arms, and young Kord needed to be picked up. He was very sniffly which made me feel a little guilty that I had abandoned him, but then I realised that actually I hadn't really and I told myself that he would have to get used to it. Swayga looked over their heads to me and smiled her own welcome back, and I responded in kind.
The chaos was immense at first until Papa enforced some order upon them all: “If you would have a little patience, then I'm sure dear Julina will answer all your questions. And she will only have to explain things once rather than once for each of you. So let the poor girl at least go to her room and change out of her travelling attire, and then she can keep us entertained as we eat.”
Although I was the one talking most throughout that meal, I did discover some new differences. Both Swayga and Kords could now ride, having bras and riding skirts and breeches. The Claw had a hand of new saddles cut for generic use rather than tailored as Papa's, mine and Pomma's were, and fully two hands of frayen had been delivered up to us, all of which were currently being used to train riders, but the deputies and the militia leaders would gradually stake claims to them, thus reducing the number of beasts available for the 'riding school' as they called it. They also used the beasts to hire out to riders who could prove their competence.
Sookie, Parry and Papa were all making some (little) coin from this new enterprise, Papa saying that he had already recouped the outlay of half of one of the hand of beasts he had purchased. The other hand had been purchased by the Town as the deputies would be using them. Sookie was beginning to get concerned about these 'outside' activities overwhelming her responsibilities as Tanon's 'depot manager', but realised that half the new intake of beasts would soon be leaving as would Boxin and Wiget return to Waldan and Pomma's home.
They all oohed and aahed when I showed them the drawing that Pomma had done, and they were fascinated by the tale of the discovery of the old Chivan stone quarry. There were some sighs from the girls about the baby pakh. One part of my mind was amazed at how matter-of-fact all this seemed to me already, having related the tales before, and yet, to this audience, the stories were still fresh.
And so the evening drew to an end, Kords and I leaving the adults to do whatever it is that adults do by retiring to our bedroom and we chatted for a little while before sleep claimed me.
… … …
The awake period was strange for me, I suppose because of the disruption of the travelling. It was only later that I discovered I had lost all my notes of that evening, the notes from which this part of the tale was wrought. Thus this one is more purely memory than anything else. It was sort of worrying to me, because I had never done anything so silly before. I put it down to tiredness. And hoped that it would not come over as being too disjointed a tale.
… … …
And so another day began.
A beginning so completely different that I felt there should have been a thunderclap, or a peal of bells or something similar.
But it didn't seem like that at first.
I could feel in the air that we had a cold start, and when we went outside we could see we had one of those funny weather periods, that could sometimes last up to three or even four weeks. The skies here were clear and crystal bright. And cold. Looking down the valley, I saw as I had by now expected, a sea of cloud, out of which the peak at Strettalm rose with a grandeur and a disdain all at the same time. The background of the clouds behind it meant that I could just about make out the semaphore structure balanced precariously on the peak with my unaided eyes. From many stories related over the years, I knew that under the cloud, the land would be having miserable weather, rain, sleet or even snow. It seemed to me always as if this weather pattern sucked out the moisture from our air up here, and moved it all down valley. We all went back in to get a thicker coat, or add an extra layer to our clothing.
Note, I said: 'We all'.
Every single one of us in the family went along to the 'Parade Ground' as Sookie had suggested we do. And every single one of us was amazed when we got there.
I was initially very shy but let myself be persuaded by Sookie to join in, so Swayga and Kords did as well, we three feeling some safety in numbers, and after some initial reluctance, so did Papa. It was not too hard to join as there were a good fifty people all gathered there, and each and every one of them welcomed us politely and without any outward sign of being judgemental. We stepped into the crowd of doers, I suppose that's the right word, rather than just joining the observers. Molly, Kelly and Gyth all saw me start, so they took part as well.
Not that anyone was actually doing anything at that precise heartbeat. As for us newcomers, none of us had any idea what this was all about. We stood around and asked questions, which were not really answered, when there was a short, sharp and yet authoritative triple clap from the middle of the throng.
“Good morrow, all.”
Everyone turned and looked at the speaker, falling immediately into a respectful silence, after murmuring a reply. Sookie, of course, was there with Uncle. Also Masters Bezan and Yarling, and I saw with a little shock, Master Blandel. Suril, Haka and Em, although Em was restricted by the bandaged arm, as was Master Fedren. Epp was there, and Grizanthet, and …..... It brings nothing for me to name everyone present, so I shall cut the list short there, and continue my report with what this stranger then said.
“My name is Tarpsik, and I have been honoured to be selected as today's leader for the Tiechee (or some word like that – it was new to me). I have been doing this for many weeks now, and indeed I noticed yesterday that we have another form we practice downvalley that comes after the last of the forms I observed when I arrived. I understand that Milady departed a few weeks ago and maybe she did not have the time to demonstrate the extra one before she left. I know them all as I am based in Palarand City and have been with her trainers down there. I ask that today we try to ensure that an experienced practitioner is at hand to ease the awkwardness for the many newcomers I see, recognisable due to their extreme but unwarranted nervousness.”
With that, he smiled a gentle and yet commanding smile, spread his arms wide and concluded with: “So, my Lords, Ladies, Gentlemen. We shall begin.”
He turned his back to us as everyone gathered themselves together, Sookie whispering instructions to me and Swayga.
And this strange dance, this Tai Chi as I later learned it should be written, commenced. I followed as best I could, my awkwardness rapidly disappearing as I saw all manner of people following these steps, movements and body twists. Some men were extremely stiff, some children ungainly as they unconsciously tried to force their movements. Maybe I'm biased, but I thought the women were the most graceful.
And it was surprisingly invigorating both physically and mentally. I knew that I would want to continue to do this and thanked Sookie for the encouragement. She assured me that it would not take that long to learn.
Once the exercise was over, it was noticeable that the observers were making more noise than the practitioners, who to my eyes were contemplative and yet somehow charged up. Those who had not participated felt able to criticise those who had, and I found that very irritating indeed.
I took the opportunity and explained to Sookie about the changes to the plans for the day, following which we all turned away to head towards the Claw.
However, there came an interruption, one that made Sookie, Swayga, Kords, Kissa, Kelly, Molly and Gyth all giggle, and me blush.
“Mistress Sukhana, a moment if it pleases! This lovely young lady with the red hair I have not seen before. Will you not introduce me?”
As I was the only redheaded young lady amongst this large group, it was obvious about whom Tarpsik was talking.
“Ah! Certainly,” said Sookie after a quick eye check with both me and Papa. Laughingly, she continued: “Goodman Tarpsik, may I present Mistress Julina, who has been away with friends up in one of the valleys round here for a few days? Julina, my dear, may I present Goodman Tarpsik, a leading wagoneer in Master Tanon's company. He arrived the day before yesterday, together with another wagon sent by the authorities in Palarand City, no less. He and his colleague Danfik were delivering two new and far larger steam engines to Master Brydas here, sent from the Guilds once they read Milady's letters about the need for more powerful machinery to help with many aspects.”
“Mistress Julina. It was nice to see such a willing newcomer to the Tai Chi. I regret I know the town not at all well, else I would invite …..”
“And Goodman Tarpsik, may I present Master Kordulen, Julina's father? Mistress Swayga, Julina's soon-to-be step-mother. Her sisters, Kordulet, Kordulissa and Jululet. Her brothers …..”
The poor man had to stand there as Sookie drew out the introductions to everyone else around. It would have been rude in the extreme to have walked away in the midst of the list, and he kept flicking nervous glances towards Papa as Sookie continued. I think some others caught on as to what was happening, as it seemed to me that several others sort of wriggled through the throng and caught Sookie's eye, giving her another name to add to the list. There were several grins all around while this was going on and I was hard put not to show mine. The man was probably ten years older than I and certainly did nothing for me, but nevertheless I felt a little sorry for him and the situation in which he found himself; this helped me hide any grin that might have crept out.
I, as was proper, had my eyes downcast – for the most part. I did however, notice an unusual event going on in the background and watched out of the corner of my eye as a messenger boy was despatched from the semaphore station above the Cistern and ran over towards us, obviously searching for someone. He changed direction abruptly as he caught sight of his target, and I kept watching, trying not to be obvious about it, as he ran up to where Masters Bezan and Yarling were strolling off towards the Steward's House, in the company of the Captain and Master Fedren. There was a certain amount of consternation amongst the recipients of whatever the message was once it had been delivered, and the lad dismissed; their heads all swivelled around. Finally, one of them spotted someone else, and they all went over towards that extra person, but then my vision was blocked.
By that time, Sookie had reached the end of her enormous list and Tarpsik nodded a genial and smiling acknowledgement to everyone around, his eyes twinkling as he realised what had been going on. That spoke well for the man, not that it made him any more attractive to me, mind you!
“And for your information, Goodman Tarpsik, Julina is not yet counted an adult. You would require my permission if you really wished to pursue this matter.” I'm not sure I have ever heard that stern note in my father's voice before.
“My apologies, sir. She has the air of someone far more mature. Had I known the circumstances, then I would naturally have approached you. Now if you would forgive me, Danfik and I have to be leaving in the morning with loads of coal and the letters that several here will have written to the Guildmasters. We have much to do today to prepare for the long journey.”
He backed away and took his leave with no lingering awkwardness and everyone bade farewell before turning to each other and continuing to make small talk.
I wanted to ask more about this Tai Chi business, but was again interrupted.
“Mistress Julina, good morrow. And Mistresses Kellonika, Molleena and Gythy. And of course, all here assembled.”
“Your Honour, Masters Yarling, Bezan, Michen. Good morrow.”
“We have just received a message from the Forest Roadhouse via the semaphore. Apparently, a party of three men has just departed there bound for here. One is a Guildmaster, travelling with two assistants. It would be best if we were to provide them with one of your special meals in the Salon this evening. Would that be at all possible? Master Michen here has no objection.”
I flashed a look at the others in our team and got my answers from each.
“Certainly, your Honour. Provided always that Master Michen can provide the food, of course. For how many mouths do we have to cater? And how many courses?”
Thus it was decided there and then, that there would be eight to feed, not counting household members. They made it clear that they wanted it a fairly simple meal, to convey a certain simplicity of life up here. And so it was confirmed with no further discussion that I and Molly would get to the Salon at the first full bell after noon, the girls a little later.
Finally, we all separated on our own tasks, chores and events.
… … …
They all laughed at my face when I saw the extra surprise that had been hinted at the night before. Only Pomma showed any surprise, so I knew all the others knew.
We had left the Parade Ground and made our way down to the Claw, collecting Pomma on the way. I explained what was happening and she was delighted to have another ride, and to have some time chatting with Sookie about our Vale adventures once the ride was over.
So it was that Papa, Swayga, Kords, I, Pomma, Parry and Master Bezan set off from the Claw. It was a gentle ride, to be kind to Swayga and Kords, just down to the Fish Farm with the two tanks of foti that had been delivered the night before. The twin tanks were draped across my animal's back as we walked down the road. We would release the fish into the lake and then go back to the Claw – just a gentle 'break in' for the newer riders.
We progressed down the road, slipping into a position, sufficiently far away from either to prevent dust problems, between two coal wagons although the temperatures were cold enough to make even the dust want to stay in bed and not venture out into the air. Crisp would be the right word to describe that air, I feel. Not quite cold enough to freeze the water in the metal tanks, but enough for the fish to be noticeably slower in their movements. At least I assumed that was the reason for the slower movements. I hoped they weren't dying or anything like that.
I noticed something different as we approached the second roadstone. And not just the wagon sitting stationary there. There was also a pile of something just off the road, covered with a tarpaulin. As we had approached, the driver of the wagon in front of us had alerted me to it; he gestured to the pile and spoke about it to his labourer/guard. What they said I have no idea, they were too far away to be audible, but their gestures were eloquent enough.
Papa went a little faster so he could get to the pile and remove the coverings before the rest of us got there. The others were all grinning, which made it obvious that just Pomma and I were not in on the secret. I didn't need to get all the way up to them to recognise them for what they were. I just needed to be closer to be able to count them. Another hand of pairs of fish tanks. Papa assured me that there were a hand of fishes in each. So all in all we had a further sixty fish with which to stock our lake. I was struck by the confidence everyone had that they would survive here. The driver of the stationary wagon grinned delightedly as the full surprise was finally sprung. I recognised him as the shuttle driver from the previous evening, when all in the plot had make it seem that that pair of tanks was the totality of the present sent up by, presumably, Master Steef.
Certainly, their plan had worked – giving me the glimpse of the two tanks last night had in turn given me something to look forward to, and also a good reason for selecting the Fish Farm as our ride's destination this morning. A perfect distance for the new riders. Swayga and Kords particularly were grinning still with the delight of being astride an animal, just as they had been all the way down here.
And so the men loaded the tanks, including those on my beast, onto the wagon, and also a strangely lumpy pair of sacks. We all moved on, once again dismounting near that passageway through the reed wall.
There is not a lot of interest in describing the release of the fish, but I feel the awe on Swayga's and Kords' faces is worthy of a mention. They too were amazed at the expansion of their horizons, just as I had been oh so recently and they were fascinated to actually see the lake which I had only described to them beforehand. The sacks turned out to be filled with something an expert (Master Steef?) suggested would be good fish food, and half of one of the sacks was scattered on the surface. We were gratified to see a frenzy of activity as the fish realised that they could rise and scoop the stuff off the surface. I think they were anxious to add to their reserves for the winter which was obviously well on its way. Master B, with a nod from Parry as well, explained that the other half sack should be scattered in a week's time, and then the final sack emptied over the following two weeks. By then the fish should have settled in and slowed down for the winter. Swayga immediately volunteered herself and one of Kords or I to come down to feed the fish each week. The Spring would tell us if out attempts to establish a food supply were successful or not.
Thus it was that we all returned towards the Claw smiling and chatting as we slowly made our way up the road, unhampered by much other traffic going in our direction. The extra wagon had left as soon as it was unloaded, the driver being required to leave with his shuttle at the noon bell. In direct contrast, a constant stream of coal wagons was passing downhill; I did not envy them that as the cloud cover, which started not much farther down from where we were, was not looking very inviting. It was much more fun up here in the sun.
We knew that these wagons took nearly half a day to get to the Forest Roadhouse, and that therefore the volume of traffic would decrease sharply after lunch. In fact, there had developed a habit of 'afternoon wagons' parking on the level ground by the bridge if there was insufficient time to reach the Forest Roadhouse, and the drivers would then awaken early and set off at first light, some apparently getting all the way to the Brayview roadhouse during the day that followed.
Some took this idea a little further, literally, and actually drove down to the junction where the Loop Road would join the Main Road, once it was opened, and parked there. Giving themselves a few more marks less to travel. But the long walk back from there was sufficient to deter most of the drivers from doing that. Getting back down there of a morning was never going to be a problem, of course. So by mid-afternoon on most days, the level place was already mostly filled. I could see a time when we would need a larger parking area.
I felt an idea brewing in my head, and I turned round to check a few things out. I looked behind us down the road, and just had to laugh. We all reined in and turned to see what had amused me.
There were five heads, bobbing up and down just above the top of the clouds, their mounts being totally invisible. Even as we watched, first one, then another, pair of frayen ears appeared as well. I guessed that the riders had another quarter of a mark to go before they were fully out of the cloying clouds. Every step though that they were taking revealed more and more. But to have just seen their heads was a remarkable coincidence of time and weather, and we all thoroughly enjoyed the moment. A descending wagon waded into the cloud and we watched as it disappeared until finally only the drivers' head was left. I doubt any of us will see the like of that again in our lives.
We turned back and started out again. I estimated that the travellers would catch us up as we got near the bridge at the bottom of town.
And so it transpired.
… … …
“Might ha' known. Don't pay you for picnicking with women, Bezan. I want to see you this afternoon, tell me why you're not working proper. And you!” said this short prickly, pugnacious person to Parry, “who are you and what do YOU do?”
Master Bezan was obviously trying to formulate a polite reply but Parry had no such qualms: “I don't know who you are, sir. And we are at war I am told. I shall tell you nothing until I know your allegiance.” With that he walked on ahead of the rest of us who had all stopped in one large group.
That didn't last long. A shout from a wagoneer left no doubt his opinion of riders that block the road. What annoyed me was that, as soon as he saw there were some women riders here, then of course the blockage was entirely due to women, even though every one of us was actually on the verge and it was the men blocking the road, particularly the five men who had caught us up.
I recognised two of these men, they were Blackstone residents. Apparently, they had accompanied the other three up from the Forest Roadhouse, just for that journey. They tipped their hats to us all and continued on to their destinations, leaving the pompous, noisy man, who was obviously in charge, and his two assistants to join together round Bezan, leaving us women unacknowledged. We decided to leave the men here, now that we had all moved off onto the level place by the bridge, and we women would return the animals to the stables at the Claw. We started to move off, but a call from Master B stopped us.
“Hold, ladies, please. I shall escort you, as I should.” He turned back to the little man. “Guildmaster, if you would bear with me, I shall accompany these ladies to their stabling and can then come with you to your allocated rooms.”
“Allocated rooms? We've only just arrived on a surprise visit. How can we 'ave allocated rooms?”
“The semaphore told us of your departure from the Forest Roadhouse, Guildmaster, and we laid plans accordingly.”
“Don't be daft, man. There was so much cloud and snow down there, not even a light could penetrate the overcast.”
“There is a peak near the roadhouse and if you turn and look, and your eyes are still sharp enough, you can see the top of it there ABOVE the cloud layer.”
“Harrumph. And I suppose in this frontier town, t' accommodation will be quite crude? Some inn perhaps?”
“The Steward has agreed to accommodate you as his personal guest for the time of your visit. You will find him a very pleasant fellow, but a stickler for 'form' and not one to accept injustice in any form. I believe you will have heard of him. Captain Bleskin?”
“Bleskin? Of the Palace Guard? Well blow me down. What's HE doing up here in the wilds?”
“He is a personal friend of Milady and is her representative here. His word is Law as far as anything goes around here. Not someone anyone else would wish to upset. He believes in people using their minds, but comes down hard on those of us who fail to take ALL knowledge into consideration before making judgements. He does NOT accept jumping to conclusions.” There was a quiet but distinct warning in Master B's tone as he said this, a message clearly received and understood by the Guildmaster, who was torn between showing his now-recognisable natural aggressiveness and a more sensible business or even political attitude.
Whilst this exchange was taking place, two more coal wagons had started their descent into the snowy conditions that awaited them; their drivers and labourers and guards had all recognised the Guildmaster and straightened to attention as they passed, looking, to my eyes, faintly ridiculous as they saluted whilst remaining seated. The Guildmaster acknowledged each with a peculiar wave that hovered somewhere between formal and informal. I realised that these wagoneers were ones that worked for the Miners' Guild and were not working for Master Tanon.
… … …
Pomma and I spent some time with Sookie, telling her about our time up in the Vale, and we agreed that tomorrow's ride would be to the Chivan stone quarry, to see developments there. Pomma told us that actually that would be her last ride for a while. Swayga and Kords wanted to accompany us as well and Sookie and I agreed that it wouldn't really be too much for beginners. We did warn them that their muscles would be protesting, but they laughed that off. Sookie and I looked at each other and raised our eyebrows.
Pomma, Swayga and Kords all came with me up to the Forge, from which came a lot of clamour and puffing and hissing.
Yes, we had to go in and investigate. I for one was impressed at the size of the new steam engines, when compared to the little one I had seen before. It looked far more powerful, and Uncle told me they were going to test its strength on the morrow.
“In the afternoon, I trust? We are riding to the far end of the dam lake in the morning!”
“Very well, I shall arrange my day to fit round yours!” But he was laughing as he said that, knowing that Sookie would want to be there too.
I went home with Swayga and Kords after that and we had a nice lunch, all the family together before I had to go off to work.
… … …
Molly and I were getting to be a much better team now we had some experience, so we arrived at the kitchens and got straight into it. This time it was a simpler meal than before and that, coupled with our growing abilities and experiences, enabled us to get nearly all the preparations done before the sun disappeared. We went outside and sat on a rock to watch the last of the direct sun – it was a pleasant, cold admittedly but still pleasant, little break that we took as we watched the sun disappear from our view behind the western ridges and peaks. The eastern peaks were still basking in direct sun even after we had been plunged into shadow.
Molly drifted off in her thoughts somewhere and I knew her well enough to let he do what she wanted without interruption. She was muttering to herself for a good few moments before she sighed and said: “Got it! Tell me what you think?”
She took a breath and spoke again, in the tones people use for reading stories to others.
“And now the day is over,
See the shadows start to grow.
The sun has done us well today -
In flaming crimson he'll explode;
In a burst, a million colours
Are sent to spill across the sky.”
I was silent for a heartbeat or two, and she was getting really worried. I realised that I needed to reassure her.
“Molly, that's just beautiful. It's just perfect. I am very impressed. Well done indeed. Remember it and I'll write it down for you. No, better still, we'll get Pomma to make a picture of a sunset and add your words to it. Ooooh – that might be an idea for a little extra coin. We should think about that. But now it's time to go back into the kitchens and start the actual cooking. The other two will be here soon, and we'll have …..”
“Hah! Look at this Kelly. I found two lazy kitchen staff just sitting around doing nothing.”
We stuck our tongues out at Gyth, leaning there in the doorway; all four of us laughed and had a quick hug before returning once more to the warmth of indoors. Our team swung into action as I told them what we would be serving this evening and to how many and so on. Soon we were all working merrily together, setting the tables and starting the meals. We knew that we would also be feeding Em, Master Morden, Kassama, Suril and Haka too, as well as ourselves, making 17 meals in all. It no longer seemed the huge task that it would have appeared only a week ago!
… … ...
“I don't like him! He's far too well dressed to ever go down a mine so what makes him the big boss, huh? And he's hardly big is he? Why should he get a lot of money because other men dig coal and ores out of the grounds?”
“It's just because he didn't acknowledge you properly.” Nor had he me, either, but then I had an idea of what to expect after the earlier meeting with him.
“Nonsense. He's aggressive and so sure of himself. I hope that meeting in there puts him right. And his associate, that Brathan. He hates women, you can tell. Fancy trying to tell Gyth and Kelly they weren't allowed in the room!”
“The Captain soon squished him, though. I thought I would laugh when he told Brathan to go and eat elsewhere if he felt that the Captain's arrangements were unsatisfactory. At least that Horran, horrid as he is, backed up the Steward's point of view on that point.”
“True, true. … … Here, what do you think? Are these desserts serveable like this?”
“They're excellent Molly. Even the sourpusses should smile at THOSE!”
Which is exactly what happened.
As usual, we were called into the dining room to be thanked and the only sour face was that of Master Brathan. I think we were all surprised when Guildmaster Horran offered another Solly for us to share, by way of thank you. I caught a quick look of respect flash across the Captain's face, before we were ushered out again to get on with the cleaning up. Again Kassama and Haka helped us and it was all soon done. We shared the gift in the same way as we did before.
We chatted, I'm sure you will be surprised to learn, as we did the tidying up, and the girls reported that His Honour was often irritated by the Guildmaster but they actually had constructive conversations.
His Honour did pull the Guildmaster up on one point and laid down the law to him. He made it plain that the Miners' Guild were not paying Master Bezan anything, that Master Bezan was employed directly by Milady and that the Guildmaster had neither responsibility nor authority over anything that Master Bezan might do. This had been confirmed and agreed with the Guildhall and the documents were handy for inspection should they be required. The Guildmaster objected that it was he who arranged for Bezan and Yarling to join the caravan initially and was corrected immediately and firmly by the Steward, who pointed out that the Guildhall in Palarand had nominated the persons, the Guildmaster merely had to arrange for them to join the caravan.
Kelly told me that there had been hints about secret instructions given to the men, particularly Master Yarling, and the Guildmaster wriggled a little in his seat at that. However, the three visitors, His Honour, Masters Bezan and Yarling, Master Fedren and Master Michen generally had a good meeting. Once the developments that had occurred and were envisaged had been thoroughly explained, the Guildmaster actually expressed his approval. They all agreed that the most limiting factor was actually the water supply, Master B announcing that they were, just but measurably, using now more water than was provided by the dam and aqueduct system. There was no danger of running out in the next half year, but sense dictated that no more residents were taken in – this in turn meant that the miners present would also have to help with some of the other jobs around, as they were doing now. The rainfall at this time of year was a factor, of course, there being obviously less.
Kelly and Gyth were reasonably certain that the Guildmaster was left with an appreciation of the required juggling of priorities, and a new viewpoint of how developments should be handled in less civilised areas. He was a little put out that his secret visit was announced before he reached us, but understood the huge advantages the semaphore could give. It was all weather-dependent of course, everyone understood that, but even so, to be able to pass messages so swiftly on most days of the year would be a great boon in many ways.
We were just packing up the very last of the things when Kelly asked if anyone knew where the Guildmaster was staying.
“He is in the Steward's house and his associates are sharing a room down to, sorry down AT, the Bell.”
As I said this, it was like a bell sounded in my head, and that thought I had had this morning sprang into my mind. I put down my cloth and told the others I would be back immediately. I went to the dining room door, knocked and poked my head round.
A silence fell in the room, except for a shocked and disapproving 'Tut' from that Master Brathan. I knew enough to wait until asked to speak, so I was prepared for a little delay.
“Mistress Julina,” said the Captain. “To what do we owe this pleasure? Don't look so worried. You have not interrupted anything of major importance.”
Brathan could not hold back his disgust. “You allow mere servant women to just interrupt whenever they feel like it? Really Your Honour – I am most astounded.”
“Master Brathan, you have had enough warnings as to your behaviour to have realised that your attitude is hopelessly out of date and is in fact offensive. I shall expect an apology before you leave, if you are incapable of giving one now to us all, including the young woman you have just offended. Do I make myself clear?”
“.......Your …. Honour,” he stammered in reply.
“I repeat my question. Do I make myself clear?”
“But Your Honour, she is a mere kitchen worker – a woman. I fail to see any requirement for an apology.”
“Master Brathan. You have been present at a meeting between your Guildmaster and Milady Garia, have you not? Did you really think that what Milady said was nonsense and to be just brushed under the carpet? This young lady here has done more for this town in the past weeks and months than just about anyone else. It was she who cooked your dinner tonight and it was she who had the idea for this room to be a private dining room. There is a list of her achievements almost as long as this table. I for one, and Master Bezan for another, would probably drop whatever we were doing to listen to one of her ideas. So yes, an apology is expected and already overdue. I suggest strongly that you think hard about it.”
He turned to me and smiled nicely: “Mistress Julina. Do I detect from that expression on your face that you have indeed had another idea?”
I had blushed heavily during the preceding, so I could only squeak out: “If it pleases, Masters, I have indeed had an idea. Perhaps Master Bezan could have a chat before he leaves. I shall wait in the kitchen.” I drew my head back hurriedly and returned, shaking, to the others.
I quickly explained what had happened and there was much tutting and sympathy from the others. I told them not to wait for me as I had no idea how long Master B would be, but they all stayed with me, whether out of sympathy or inquisitiveness I wasn't sure. Probably both. But I wasn't prepared to speak up about my idea until I had dealt with my doubts about it, and those answers would only come from Master B.
So we sat there, still chatting away for a full quarter of a bell before Master B arrived.
I sprang to my feet: “Oh Master Bezan, I am so sorry to have caused a problem. Should I go and apologise?”
“Do not dare do so. It is not you that requires to apologise. That man's manners were appalling and I have never seen Captain Bleskin so angry, apart from when he received the news of the attack on Milady. That man brought it entirely upon his own head and has been banished from the town. Even Guildmaster Horran agreed that he had overstepped the bounds. His Honour told him that he could overnight tonight in the Bell, but that he had to leave before the first bell tomorrow. Even then he refused to apologise, so I feel a letter shall be sent to the Guildhall. If I am any judge, the man has just shot himself in the foot, to refer to crossbow accidents for a moment. I suspect he can kiss his career goodbye. His only hope is to claim the wine got the better of him and that he apologises in the morning; I just don't see it is going to happen though.”
“Oh I wish I had never come in now.”
“Now, now, Mistress Julina. This is not your fault. He has been upsetting nearly everyone since he arrived. Yours was not the sole cause. There is something in his background that has made him thus. Now, what is this idea of yours?”
“Oh it seems so trivial now. I wonder if it's worth all the fuss!”
“Come on, girl. We all know your ideas have merit. Now tell us!”
“Well, I was thinking. There are many wagons parked at the level ground near the bridge, right? So they can get away early in the morning? So many in fact that some are now parking off the main road all the way down by the third roadstone, using the unused bottom end of the Loop Road. By doing that, they can get away first thing, and with good conditions get all the way down to that other roadhouse, Brayview, I think it's called?”
“Yes, that is indeed happening. Not many do it, because it's awkward getting back to town once they have parked. They can always get a lift down in the morning of course, as all the other wagons set out.”
“But that seems to me to waste the very advantage of parking down there in the first place. They need to get a lift back down to their wagons, and then they start out later than they could.”
“Hhmmm, true.”
“Just opposite the junction is an old building, that seems sturdy to me. The occupants today were wondering if they should depart, but maybe they could be persuaded to take on the responsibility for the Fish Farm. Their current home would then become available. Why not turn that building into a bunkhouse? The drivers could spend a night there. Get some breakfast at dawn, and get immediately underway. Some staff could go down on the shuttle maybe each day, prepare the beds and the breakfasts, and return on the evening shuttle, or even stay overnight to serve the breakfasts and get a lift back to town with the first traffic that comes along. Surely that would get the coal downvalley just a little quicker? And that seems to me to be a priority nowadays. It would also provide another small business opportunity for someone to gain just a little coin.”
“Once again, you have seen a simple and sensible solution to a problem that we hadn't even seen. This just might fit in with another little problem I have. Again, we all thank you. I shall get back to you to let you know how it develops.”
… … …
And so it was that another day came to an end, and I slept easily and well. Ready for my next day.
Julina gets a little forceful as developments continue
The original characters and plot of this story are the property of the author. No infringement of pre-existing copyright is intended.
This story is copyright © 2013 - 2020 Julia Phillips. All rights reserved.
It uses some of the associated characters and situations that arise from the world called ‘Anmar’ created by Penny Lane, whose stories
are also copyright © 2010 - 2020Penny Lane. All rights reserved.
“But it's so cold out!” whined Kord. “I don't want to go outside. It's the middle of the night.”
“You'll be sorry if you do not take this opportunity. I myself have seen the like less than a hand of times in my entire life. I promise you you will be fascinated. Now hurry up. Don't spoil it for everyone by making us all miss it. It won't last forever.”
All the while, I was helping the others into warm clothes, and arranging things that would be required. I got Papa to heat a lot of water for the pel we would need to warm us up again once we came back in, and he said he would open up one of the fires as well, the one in the family room. He wouldn't come out himself having seen the effect several times in his longer life.
So much chaos and activity was a rare event indeed in any awake period, but the prospect of seeing a happening that occurred so very seldom made me drive the others. I had noticed the flickering lights when I poked my head out to do a quick check on the weather; I was lucky enough to choose the right heartbeat to do so. Had the lights not flickered just then, I would not have known what was going on.
“Come on, come on, come on. We must hurry, all of you. And Kord, if you try one more delaying tactic, then you shall stay in here and forever wonder about what you missed. Now, MOVE it!”
My chivvying worked, possibly along with Papa's whole-hearted agreement and encouragement, and we all trooped outside before scrambling up the slope a cast or two. I was really worried that the sight would have finished its spectacular show before we all got there, but thankfully the splendour continued long enough for all to be awed by it. Even Kord. Little brat.
The western peaks and ridges were being lit by intermittent flashes. As mentioned, even Kord stopped whinging as the beauty of the near-silent light show worked its magic on his soul. No-one said a word, just stared open-mouthed up at the ridge on the western side of our valley. We had a good quarter of a bell of observation before my voice shattered the spell, and the silence. I ushered them all back in, to a welcome merrily blazing fire and a steaming mug of pel.
Just before I went in, as the last one of course, something caught my eye and made me pause, one hand still holding the door open. I gave a little horrified gasp, which only Kords heard. She turned round immediately and came back to me, worry and concern in her eyes. I just pointed downvalley and she gasped too, her hand going automatically to somewhere between her chest and the base of her throat, just exactly as my hand had done to mine. We looked at each other in concern and looked back downvalley. The awful sight was still there. We were unable to tear our eyes away until, all of a sudden, it just disappeared. We sort of blinked and were about to say something about it.
Just then, Kord wanted help inside; Kords and I we looked at each other, both more than a little scared. Our eyes agreed not to say anything to the others, so we made our faces neutral and went back in to join the rest of them in the family room. It was surreal to see everyone else acting so … so … so normal.
Swayga held Papa's hand and smiled a thank you at him as he poured mugs of pel, handing them round as Kords and I helped the others out of their outdoor clothes and back into their sleeping clothes. They all wanted to talk about what they had just seen and experienced but didn't really know where to start. Meanwhile Kords and I were struggling with our little 'secret'.
It was Swayga who asked the first question: “Well that was certainly impressive, I have seen nothing like it before. Pray tell us, Kordulen or Julina. What exactly was it? I can make a guess, but would like to know for certain.”
I glanced at Papa, but he nodded for me to take the lead here in this chat. After all, it was I who had raised all this middle-of-the-night activity.
“What, my dear mother-to-be, is your guess? But first, does anyone else want to make a guess?”
I looked round, but they all decided to wait for Swayga to continue so I gestured for her to do so.
“I have seen something similar before. I remember when I was a little girl, sitting on the sea wall that makes Viridor's harbour, wondering if I could see my parents out there on the huge expanse of blue. I was sitting in the sunshine, swinging my legs over the waves that were crashing against the wall. It never occurred to me that what I was doing was dangerous, until I became an adult. It was just something all we kids did, lined up on the top of the sea wall, just sitting there, giggling and telling jokes and sometimes punching each other. Normal kids stuff. ... Hmmmmm ... But I have drifted away from the topic. Sorry. While I was sitting there one day, I observed a thunderstorm way out to sea, and the silent flashes I saw then were similar to what we have just seen, but that storm had only dark clouds to see the flashes against. Here we had mountains and the night sky to provide a far more impressive picture.”
“Excellent. Good observations. That is exactly what it was. A thunderstorm, but not here, it was in the next valley. The storm itself was probably about our altitude, maybe even a little lower, but the rock walls of the valley hid it from us. All we could see were the flashes of light from the lightning, light that was travelling UPWARDS from the storm clouds and bouncing off the rocks. And we could hear the odd rumble of the thunder, but muted by the distance it had to travel. It always amazes me just how long the sound takes to reach us as compared with the time taken for the light to reach us.”
“Thank you, 'Lina, for making us go and see something so eerily beautiful,” finished Swayga, looking meaningfully round the other faces. It worried me slightly that I could see no sign of tiredness from the children. Had I made them do too much to be able to sleep again for the rest of the night?
The others did all add their thanks, even little Mister Grumpy, Kord. Then a torrent of conversation started as they all described to each other what they had seen. I actually grinned a little at the futility of that, since they had all been there and seen it for themselves – but children will be children, I suppose.
As I suspected, it took them a considerable time to get back to sleep after this awake period, but they did.
Thank the Maker I had slept well in the first sleep period.
It took Kords and I much, much longer to sleep again. We could not dismiss the scary sight that only we had seen.
And my dreams were scary as well. It was not an easy rest. In fact, Kords and I ended up in one bed, cuddling for security and comfort.
… … …
The next morning's Tai Chi helped us both, and I confess I was delighted when I saw all the members of my family taking part. Kissa seemed to be more of a natural at it than any of the rest of us. I got flustered in the second form when I advanced the wrong foot at the wrong time. It seemed very simple but remembering all the moves was taking a lot of my mental strength so I was usually half or maybe a whole heartbeat after everyone else. Kissa on the other hand just seemed to flow from one movement to the other with no effort whatsoever. And I wasn't the only one observing that. Some around her were copying her rather than the day's leader, and that created a sort of mini-knot of people. Sookie and Master B took particular notice.
… … ...
“You four run down to the Baker's please, and get our bread. Here is some coin to pay our account. Swayga and I need to talk to 'Lina and Kords for a second. Make sure you bring back the correct change.”
They scampered off, delighted to be doing a chore for Papa. I was just a little hurt, as every time I had given them chores there had been scowls and grumpy faces. But the crisp air, and the bright sunshine that suddenly poured over the ridge to the east as the lazy sun finally got out of bed and shone directly on us at last, and the empowerment from the Tai Chi all combined to ensure that any negative feelings were quite despatched.
Nearly.
There was still a remnant of my scary experience from the night before.
“Now, you two. There is something worrying you both. It was noticeable when you all came in from watching the thunderstorm over yonder, and you were sleeping together when we roused you this morning. Pray tell us both what it is that has happened to worry you both so deeply?”
I looked at Kords and she looked at me, finally gesturing that I should be the one to explain. I took a heartbeat or two to consider how to say what I had to. That pause was almost too long, as Papa took a breath to speak again. I rushed in to fill the gap before he could start.
“Papa. I … we … were scared by something we saw outside just as we were coming in the door. I have worried about it and can find no explanation at all.”
Another pause before, and after, my next sentence: “We both saw a frightening sight,” I swallowed this time as well, and cast a quick glance at Kords, mostly for support. She nodded encouragingly.
“I glanced down the valley to see if I could see in the bright moonlight what was happening to the clouds - to gain a clue as to what to expect from the weather today.” Pause. “As I did so, I saw a strange light. It sometimes seemed just one source, and then two. It was like some animal staring at us with a pale silvery light in its eyes. The head seemed to be floating in mid-air and its unblinking stare looked at us. Again, I stress that sometimes there seemed to be two eyes, sometimes just one. It quite chilled me to the bone. And Kords saw it too, so it wasn't my imagination. Here, now, in the sunlight it doesn't seem so dreadful, but in the middle of the night, I found it very worrying. We didn't want to upset the other children, so we kept quiet about it.”
“Maker! I can understand your concerns. Disembodied eyes staring at you. There must be some other explanation. You are not one to make up stories like that, so I must believe you. I will see if I can find an explanation during the day today – failing that I shall observe this strangeness myself if it reappears at the same time this coming night.”
“Thank you, Papa. I confess I feel just a little easier now.”
We turned to go and meet the children when we were joined by Masters B and Yarling and Horran, the latter of whom looked a little uncomfortable. But it was he who wished to communicate, as we could tell by all their body postures. He cleared his throat and swallowed before opening his mouth to speak. His eyes went first to Papa, as was normal, but somehow I knew that his remarks were really for me. I waited patiently as the politenesses were performed.
“Master Kordulen was it? Mistresses Swayga and Julina ... young lady.” He paused after looking at Kords and acknowledging her presence. We all murmured a greeting back, as he switched attention once more to Papa. “Happens that I find I must apologise to your daughter for the behaviour of the man I brought with me.”
He turned his head slightly and spoke directly to me: “Mistress, Julina – I don't understand what 'is problem were, but 'e were ever tenser as we came up 'ere. He departed, alone, some three quarters of a bell ago, t' Steward having banished him. 'e'll be troubling you no longer. As man in charge, I must apologise on 'is behalf. 'e were rude, and that's a fact. We're all sorry.” He took a breath before continuing: “On t' other hand, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you on a fine dinner, and 'twere good to see a well-run team in action. I'm told ye're the one as runs it. So I give you both apologies and congratulations.”
“Guildmaster, it was really almost nothing. The man was rude certainly, but not anything I have not previously encountered. And he is departed. I confess I dislike the man intensely and am grateful we built in the fork checks in the Salon. I wondered if he was deliberately trying to take one of our forks or whether it was indeed the habit that he claimed to pocket his fork. Kelly handled that really well I thought.”
“Aye, she did. A good reflection of their team leader, I see. I must confess it surprised me, for I couldn't recall seeing 'im use a fork at meals. But then we eat together rarely. It's only on this trip that we have been so close day in and day out.”
“I thank you for your concern and also your appreciation of our efforts to provide you with a good meal.”
“'Twere better than most I 'ave 'ad in Tranidor and many I 'ave 'ad in Dekarran, I can tell you. I shall be tellin' many as come 'ere to try to get an invitation to your Salon. Now, if only you could get some decent wine to go with t' food, then I would ha' been in t' Palace!”
“You are very kind, Guildmaster. I'm flattered, and I appreciate your taking the trouble to do this. Now, may I present more formally my father, Master Kordulen, and his wife-to-be Mistress Swayga? And this is my sister, Kordulet. I know you met them all briefly on the road yestere'en, but 'twas very informal. Father is Blackstone's road inspector and responsible for the maintenance of all the roads, roadside ditches and roadstones.”
“A big responsibility, Master. But from what I seen, you 'ave done well. Most orderly indeed. Most orderly! And a family to be proud of.”
“I thank you.” said Papa, inclining his head in acknowledgement, “on both counts. The road responsibility has but recently become even larger, Guildmaster, now Milady's lands have expanded. I find I must recruit some extra assistants. And yet I am conscious that the town's payroll is ever widening. Our Assembly do wonders balancing both the tasks to be done and the finances. I know not what contract you have with the Town and such matters are probably above my head, but it seems we have found a workable and mutually beneficial balance for the time being.”
A strange look settled on the Guildmaster's face at that moment, one I didn't recognise. Papa told me much later, just before I wrote this tale in fact, that it was the same look I get when I have the start of a thought. If I had recognised the signs, I would have wondered if the idea was a grower, or if it was one that was ready to spring out, fully formed. I assumed his mind worked the same way mine did.
“I thank ye all again, Master Kordulen, Mistress Julina, Mistress Swayga, and you, young lady. Mayhap I shall meet y'all on the road again sometime! Although I confess I still find it strange to see women astride a beast.” He turned from us and looked once more at his companions. “Now, Masters, tell me more about your current construction projects.”
“Well, Guildmaster,” began Master Bezan. “Look downvalley and you will see that the clouds are just a tad lower than they were yesterday. Some of the trees are visible now, and to the west side of the valley, you can see some more features. Indeed, down there, just where that lighter rock face disappears into the cloud, you can see an outcropping. We need to build another semaphore station there, to give us a little more communication for those days when the Strettalm is not so easily visible as it is now. See there, the tall peak more to the left, that is the Strettalm. It towers over the Forest Roadhouse.
“From time to time, the air here is not so clear; Strettalm lies beyond easy sight. And thus we need a further station roughly halfway between here and there. Just as we have had to build another down on the outcrop to the east of the main falls on the Bray. That one is nearly complete thanks to the forester's tracks down there. It will enable Strettalm to communicate with the station up on the hill above the Chaarn road junction, both these not being able to directly see each other. A sixth station is being erected on the border of Milady's lands; we should be able to send messages to beyond Brayview from next week. A seventh is envisaged for the crest of the pass on the Chaarn road which is now the limit of Milady's lands to the north, which will also be visible from the road junction station.
“But for us up here, for more reliability in less favourable weather, we need that extra station, over on the west side where I pointed to beforehand. Of course, to build that intermediate station, we need to make a supply track to the site. And we will make that as a lane leading off the new Loop Road to save the expense of yet another bridge or two. So we must needs finish the Loop Road before we can do that. And now we have the new road to the new stone quarry too. And one to the ancient stone quarry. And before we can finish the Loop Road, then we must …”
“Hold, Bezan. Hold, man!” The Guildmaster interrupted in some agitation. His face had taken on an angry twist, and I think even the men standing next to him were more than a little scared by the ferocity that appeared. I know we women were, every one of us.
“That slimy, conniving, scheming, cheating, coin-grabbing nasty little bastard! Oops, 'scuse me ladies!”
“Guildmaster?”
“I 'ave been more than a little slow, 'aven't I? It just occurred to me when you made your explanations Bezan, just how involved you personally are 'ere in this enterprise. You identify with it very strongly. 'WE need to do this, and WE need to do that. WE decided this and WE discussed that …'. That realisation 'as made summat trip in my mind – sorta like opening some door in there. That, and summat what were said yesterday; Steward told me ye're on t' Town's payroll, ain't yer?”
“Aye, Guildmaster. I have been for many a week now, since long before Milady departed. Why is that relevant?”
“That schemin' little thievin' pakh-rutter (sorry ladies)! That slimeball Brathan. 'e's bin chargin' us for your salary every month. So t' Miners 'ave been paying HIM not you. Maker! No wonder t' man was nervous coming up 'ere. I must needs check every one of his contracts. Is it too late to chase after 'im and arrest the blighter?”
“Mayhap it is, Guildmaster. With that weather, he could disappear into the woods with no trace.”
“I'll have that scheming blighter's balls … Ladies, forgive me. I am overwrought. I need to get a message down to Guildhall as soon as possible to prevent 'im from destroying evidence. Let's away to the Valley Messenger Service office!”
“Excuse me, Guildmaster?”
He was just bustling away when I interrupted his activities.
“Mistress Julina? We are pressed for time.”
“Why not send a message with the semaphore, and have the man arrested when he gets to the Forest Roadhouse? The message would easily overtake him. You would then have plenty of time to get a message downvalley to wherever.”
He stopped his bustling and turned some very shrewd and calculating eyes my way, looking at me with a certain dawning amazement, before saying slowly: “I begin to understand much more. I thank 'ee, Mistress.” He turned to Master B and said: “Aye, a valuable resource that 'un!”
… … …
We rode up to our house, much to the delight of the younger ones, leading the mounts for Swayga and Kords. Sookie, Papa and I had decided that it would help to lessen the amount of riding that Swayga and Kords would have to do, as they were still relatively newcomers. To that end, those two had been sent home along with Pomma who had agreed to look after the younger ones for the estimated three to four bells we would be away.
I can and will never understand how it is that children can cause such chaos, even if not directly involved themselves. This time it was Julu who caused the most problems and she upset me immensely. It's not worth repeating the details, but I was very hurt and very offended by what she did and said. Both Papa and Sookie were getting irritated as we had quite a long ride planned for that morning and time was pressing. Somehow it took another quarter of a bell to leave, so we went quite fast across 'raw' country in a relatively direct direction towards the dam.
I had long since turned on my heel and remounted, otherwise I would have been stuck disciplining the children. I guess that something must have shown on my face because Swayga and Sookie both asked if I was upset. They didn't seem reassured by my terse answer that “Everything's alright.”
I didn't look back as we turned away and commenced our ride, and the others found it awkward to include me in their conversations somehow. This was making my mood worse, so I just shook up Dralla's reins and we ran ever so fast across the ground, ahead of the others for half a mark or so and I screamed out my anger and frustration when I stopped. By the time the others caught up with me, I felt a lot better and apologised. That broke the awkwardness and soon we were all chatting again together. It took a little longer for the laughter to reappear, but it did.
You will remember that Pomma and I had returned from the dam lake just the afternoon before last, accompanied by Papa. So you can imagine my surprise when we turned the final corner in the canyon/valley, the narrow bit just before the dam, and we saw a huge bustle of activity. It reminded me of something, which only occurred to me much later – it was akin to the busy-ness (a word I just invented to be different from 'business') that surrounds Epp's epprihouses.
Anyway, there was the making of a sloping road from the valley floor up to the top of the dam. Which was a complete surprise to me. The way was quite long, more than a few casts.
“Papa? Why are they building a road there and at such an angle?”
“Well, 'Lina m'dear. Why do we need a road here at all? Why the sudden activity here and at the end of the lake?”
“Er – to open the stone quarry and thus have more stone available for the roads and drains, I thought.”
“Precisely. So when things swing into production, what sort of traffic would be using this piece of territory?”
“Wagons, mostly. Or at least, so I deem.”
“And what would be in those wagons?”
(It was at this point that I realised Papa was using me and my answers to educate the others as well.)
“Why the quarried stone of course.”
“Very good. And a wagon full of stone is light in weight?”
I laughed. “No, of course not!”
“So what other route is there for the laden wagons?”
“The way we came back with Pomma the other evening.”
“And please tell the others what way that was.”
“Well, along there, that thing that looks like a path up there. The roof of the thing we now know is called the aqueduct.”
“And what does the aqueduct do?”
“It delivers all our water to the town.”
“And what would happen if a heavily laden wagon were to break through the ancient roof of the aqueduct?”
“Oh!”
The others all drew in their breaths too. Even young Kords.
Sookie said: “Oh Maker! That would be a disaster wouldn't it? I had never fully appreciated just what that aqueduct does for us all. And it's thousands of years old. That is a real danger to us all, isn't it?”
“Aye, Mistress Sukhana …”
“Oh. Please just call me Sookie like most everyone. Julina has become a real friend and it seems so stuffy to keep being so formal with her father.”
“I thank you for the honour, Sookie. And I am Kordulen, usually shortened to 'K'. My parents loaded a big mouthful upon me, I regret.”
I said, sort of under my breath but made sure it was loud enough for him to hear, and in a pretend disgusted tone: “And it's not as if you continued the tradition is it?”
Everyone giggled at that, Kords and Swayga particularly. Even Parry was trying to hide a grin. Papa smiled as well and nodded in my direction, acknowledging a good point made fairly.
“But please, K. Continue.”
“Now, where was I?”
“The dangers of losing the water supply.”
“Ah, yes. The Chivan design is clever, very clever. Most admirable really. But it is very wasteful. Constantly streaming water in both channels whether being used or not. I understand that Milady sent some details that we should try to help with water conservation, and they are being tested – I believe that is another of your Brydas' projects at the moment. However, the increase in population has meant that we are now requiring more water, so the sluices have been opened ever wider and this cannot continue as it stands. So we must ensure we do everything we can to protect that most valuable resource. Which includes not running the risk of collapsing the only system we have.”
“Papa?”
“Yes, Kords?”
“But where will the wagons go when they are down here on the floor? How will they get into town?”
We all murmured in agreement with that question, or those questions, to be more accurate.
“There is still some debate about the exact route, but it will probably follow the way we just used to get up here. That has the advantage of being the gentlest incline. And having a gentle incline is why this sloping road here is so long. We don't want wagons to have to struggle up a steep slope, even if they will mostly be empty. But back to Kords' questions.
“Now, you all know where the new Community Hall is going to be, right? It will have a road approach it from each side. The one to the south of it will zig-zag first up the slope from where the new East Street currently joins the Main Street at the bottom of Town. This road will gain the height of the Hall and then will remain at that height as it follows the hillside round to that new Hall. The road on the other side of the Hall, actually a continuation of the road I have already described, will continue at that height until it reaches the Camping Place, roughly where East Street now starts.”
“But Papa, why this talk about the Community Hall, which isn't even built yet – they've only just started the foundations and then the crew got called off, again, probably to work here, seeing as how I recognise some of the men? I was actually asking about the road to town from the dam.”
He smiled gently at her as he kindly and carefully explained: “Would you have us build yet another road? Suppose we make this road from here join in with the Hall road I have just described, somewhere roughly at the top of its zig-zags? Isn't that a better solution? That way this road will be shorter and will use another already planned road. Advantages all round, really.”
“Ah! Of course!” We all nodded wisely as the facts sank in and came together.
It was Parry who thanked Papa on all of our behalves. I got the impression that all this exposure of his to the decisions being made about the town was maturing him rapidly. Gone was the brashness of his youth in only a few days – it was now about ten days since my first ride, and he was far more confident in himself now than he had been then.
I found myself surprised to be thinking about him at that moment, so I swiftly concentrated once again on what was happening in the group as a whole, and the information that was flowing.
A few more questions and explanations passed forwards and back and then it was pointed out that it was definitely time to move on.
So it was a thoughtful group who continued, trying hard to minimise the disruptions to the workers. We had a few moans from them, but nothing major. It was quite a steep scramble to get up to the level of the dam, we couldn't use the new roadbed yet, and Kords squealed at one point as the angle became uncomfortable – her mount however ensured that she would be safe and she quickly settled back, trusting the beast and our words of support. I suppose our setting an example was also a good help there.
Soon after that, after threading our way past the tangled confusion up at the dam level, we were on the track that ran along beside the lake. I noticed immediately that it was far more worn that it had been only the afternoon before. Even here there were more workers, and I could see two levelling teams – they seemed to be making wide bays beside the track, each bay being some two or three casts long. Sookie asked Papa to explain, which he did willingly – he always likes to be able to explain things to people – and he adopted his 'lecture' tone, which made Kords and I, and, to my surprise, Swayga all roll our eyes and giggle a little bit. Hmmm. Thinking about it, then maybe that's where I get it from, my happiness and willingness to teach. I decided that too was a thought to file away and ponder later.
“These largish bays you can see they are creating – they are going to be passing places for the traffic. At first, this will continue to be a single track, so, as traffic will be in both directions, they will need to be able to pass one another. One wagon will pull into the passing place and wait until the other wagon, the one going in the opposite direction, has passed. That way there will admittedly be a slower progress, but at least progress will be able to be made. The road will thus be brought into use much sooner. Then, the workers can work on the passing places, making them longer and longer, so first making short stretches of two-way road. They can do this work even while traffic is flowing. Eventually, the passing places will all be expanded and elongated until they are all joined up, making this a two-way track like all the other roads round town.”
Again, the explanation made sense to us all, especially after the careful way Papa had given the information. We all forgave him the lecturing tone; indeed most of us had forgotten it.
Thus it was that we passed on in a pleasant and comfortable companionship, Swayga's and Kords eyes were round as they took in the sights that were so new to them. They were seeing for the first time the dranakh grazing on the far bank of the lake, and the free-wheeling avians coursing through the air above us and to the sides; the mysterious shadows caused by the sunlight and the little canyon walls, the scudding clouds across the blue of the sky. Something about those clouds distracted me for a little while but once again I filed it away for future pondering. It was a delight to watch the delight on their faces. I could only imagine what my face must have been like the first time I came this way.
Thus it was we came to the final area of eppriness.
That word shocked me as it tumbled out of my head and into my writing hand; but it was a term that seemed most sensible to me and I found I enjoyed using it; so I shall claim I have invented a new word. It seems to me to be so much better than 'busy-ness'.
But I should really get back to my descriptions.
The area here outside of the quarry had, of course, changed quite considerably since we left it two days ago. Not all the rockfall had been cleared as yet, and I was disappointed to discover that that strange wagon thing had not yet been able to be excavated. Oh well! I'll just have to come back again.
However, observation and conversations with the workers made it obvious the way things were to be developed.
The workers reassured me, on my first question, that all the poor pakh who had been trapped inside had indeed been released and herded back through that narrow gap I hated so much.
Most of the rockfall was cleared away on the right-hand side as we looked at it, and a huge column of rock had been built about one third of the way across the entire quarry from the right-hand edge. This, we learnt, was to minimise the risk of any further rock falls as any 'supporting' rocks might have been taken away. Another column of rock was also in the process of reaching the ceiling, this one about one third of the way in from the left-hand side. Once this second pillar of rock was completed, then the careful excavation of the strange wagon could begin. But the second example of one of those wagons was plain to see, parked there as it was, inside the giant cave, and with daylight now flooding in.
It was very strange indeed, a flat platform above a single axle with a wooden spoked wheel at either end. One side of the platform was open entirely while a curved wall constituted all the rest of the perimeter. On top of the curved wall were little metal bridges, but I could not imagine what they would be used for. From the sides, above the wheels, long wooden rods led forward. One had broken, but the one on the left, the side farthest away from our vantage point, was still intact, so we could see what the pair must have looked like. This was something else that was odd to us. Was this where they carried loads? And there was indeed no driver's seat. Did they do everything standing up?
We were not allowed to enter the quarry (thankfully, since I confess I was scared to do so) as it was still so dangerous, but the clearance had enabled some viewpoints. I could see the way the ancients had worked the stone, and marvelled at how much they had managed to achieve without our more modern tools. As we watched, a laden wagon creaked out of the gloom at the back of the quarry. We could see its load was not shaped stone, just a jumble of various sized and coloured rocks. We learnt that it was an early load from the clearance of the rockfall at the other end.
We watched and looked and inspected and asked various questions for maybe half a bell before remounting and heading back. Discussing as we went, of course, what we had seen and heard.
Papa was impressed with the plans they had made for the entrance to it. Apparently, as the whole thing was even now being opened at the other end as well, the one where the Vale rockfall was, then some method would have to be provided to prevent animals from just wandering all the way through. The solution they came up with was to build a wall at ground level from both sides of the dam-side opening, these walls being slightly staggered. Then a gate could be made to cover the gap between the walls. Wagons would have to make a sort of S-bend to negotiate the hindrance but that was just a trifle.
As I thought it all through, I couldn't help but squeal in enthusiasm: “Yes. That would work for everyone. Goodman Brethen and Mistress Rathina will then have their covered protection for their animals and the town will have another stone quarry, one that is far more accessible than the current one. And the journey time to the Vale will be reduced, making life a little easier for those in the Vale.”
I thought I had finished but then something else shot across my brain: “Oh! It just occurred to me! They could have wagon access too! Brethen and Rathina and all of them. I bet they'll be pleased. That would ease some of their burdens, being able to move large loads in and out.”
“Aye lass, you have the right of it. And that cleared rockfall has provided much stone for the roadbed along …. hello, what do we have here?”
We all looked ahead at where Papa was looking and saw another group of riders approaching us. I glanced at Papa and saw he was calculating something. He raised his hand.
“Hold, all! We don't have time to make it to the next passing place, so we will wait here and attend this other party. It looks like Masters Bezan and Yarling, so the little one will probably be the Guildmaster. I see he still has one of the old saddles. So that other with an old saddle must be his remaining assistant. Is that Master Jepp with them, and mayhap the Steward too? There's another as well, but the indistinct ones are bunched at the back of their pack.”
It was noticeable that the other party, as soon as they realised we were waiting for them and thus leaving their route clear, put on a quickening of pace, showing that they too were considerate of the other party.
Papa's view of the make-up of the other group proved to be accurate and the one he couldn't identify turned out to be Master Blandel. I suppose it made sense for the chief stonemason to inspect the new quarry, so I was surprised that I was surprised. Thinking about it later, maybe it was because I thought he would have already been, but I acknowledge that that was slightly unfair. After all, it was only a matter of days before this project started, so maybe this was the first opportunity he had had. So much had happened in my life in just a few days, that it actually felt like a week or more since I was here.
There was the usual round of introductions that went on forever, and then the conversation started. We were asked for our impressions of what we had seen and so it continued. Questions were asked, answers were given, some supplementary questions were asked, a couple of which opened up a new thought or two. A few separate conversations sprung up as threads were picked up upon and continued. Sookie and I were a little surprised that the men actually, sometimes, listened to what WE said. It was a refreshing change and we eyed each other.
It was Kords actually who broke up the mounted meeting.
“Hey, 'Lina, look. Those clouds are like water pouring over a waterfall.”
I looked where she was pointing and saw she was right. The weather was as if it was boiling up out of the valleys to the east, and spilling down into our one.
“You're right, Kords,” I replied. “And experience suggests that we will have a storm this afternoon. The clouds in the valley will rise, we will have some rain and at least it will be a little warmer for a few days. This early cold snap we have had will disappear. With luck, for a good few weeks.”
“Happen you're right, lass. Gentlemen, I recommend you get up to the quarry as soon as you can, because we are getting some weather coming in.”
“Thank you for your advice, Master Kordulen. We will part without formalities, if it pleases you. Ladies, Gentlemen.”
“You're very welcome, Captain. Gentlemen.”
And so we parted once more, each group travelling in our required directions. We continued our discussions as we went, and when we descended to the level below the dam, Papa repeated the weather warning to the chargehand there, who thanked him and immediately started issuing instructions to protect as much as they could. I realised that it would take quite a while to do the job. Obviously, it would be impossible to protect everything, but they could try to minimise the effects of rainwater washing away some of their efforts. I remembered the dejection of the workers when that sudden storm had flattened the new house quite early on in the build. I hoped their entire sloped roadbed wouldn't be washed away. Imagine how depressing THAT would be.
We dropped down from there to our old house and left Kords and Swayga there. They were both grateful, and I could tell, although they said nothing, that their muscles had been almost overused. I could remember MY muscles at that stage of my riding. I suspected that the two of them would slide into a hot bath as soon as they could.
Papa and Parry, Sookie and I went back down the hill, leading the two spare mounts. We stabled them all, cared for them as we could and then we split up; Parry and Sookie to their other duties, Papa and I up to the new house.
… … ...
Where I saw that there was yet another alteration to the original plans. I was about to ask about it when Papa started talking first.
“Now 'Lina, lass. Swayga and I are pleased and delighted that you thought of us and allowed that private sitting room. We will keep it and think of you when we use it. What we have done though, is to add an extra room to the west end of the house, a room with its own entrance from the outside and, of course, with a connecting door to the rest of the house. Our only worry is that it is quite some way away from the 'facilities' so we thought to have an extra 'outhouse' placed nearby, and the water channelling for that still has to be finished. Otherwise we would have moved in already.”
“But what would that achieve, Papa? An extra room and an extra toilet?”
“I was hoping to leave all this as a secret until we moved, but Swayga and Kords pointed out the impossibility of doing that, particularly as you will needs be heavily involved in the organisation of the move itself. That extra room shall be yours. Your own private area, since you turn into an adult in a matter of days. Kords shall therefore also have a room of her own, as you would effectively be moving out of hers. So that room can be a little smaller than planned. Thus we have saved a little space there. It wasn't at all too hard to adjust the walls and things and we have just about finalised everything. Tomorrow that final piece of roof will be finished. I just hope the tarpaulin will hold in the storm that is coming in.”
I instinctively glanced outside where the sun was shining but knew that Papa was right. About half the time this weather pattern happened, the accompanying disturbance was quite strong. Occasionally nothing happened other than a little rain and a warm period following, usually under cloud, for a week or more. But this one just felt a little more violent than that. Neither of us could justify that feeling, but we both thought that this one would be quite nasty.
I flung my arms around Papa's neck to thank him for the present of a room of my own, with my own private entrance to enable me to come and go as I wanted. He started to get all sentimental about what I had done for the family and I felt tears welling up in my eyes as he half-spoke and half-sobbed.
So I just hit him on the shoulder and gruffly told him not to be so stupid.
But I must confess it was nice to be hugged in some strong and caring arms.
We broke apart and both became business-like as we walked through the house, planning where what would go and so on and so forth. It was pleasantly warm in the building and I saw how very superior this all was to our old well-worn home. There was a strong smell of fresh wood, of course, which had been alleviated by opening those marvellous new windows. We went round shutting them all again, in view of the impending weather, which we both felt would descend in three or four bells time.
We left and went up the hill, our arms linked and a very companionable silence between us. I gave him a little kiss on his cheek just before we went in to join all the others, and his eyes moistened again when I did that. Which made me sort of snuffle. But we straightened our shoulders, drew in a breath and marched into the home and the chaos of younger siblings.
As I had foreseen, Kords had had a bath and was now organising everyone else, whilst Swayga soaked her muscles in some warm water. Pomma had departed before we got back, but nevertheless her influence could be felt by the preparation that had been done for a mid-day meal.
And by the shy and tearful apology I got from Julu. She was quite relieved when I forgave her. I didn't hold much store, mind you, of her promises to “never do it again.”
I realised with a start that I was really quite hungry, so I joined in the throng of helpers with enthusiasm. Soon the eight of us were seated and stuffing our faces amid a lively conversation that flowed amongst us all. It was one of those rare, fun and peaceful meals that make you wish we had more just so.
Julina's afternoon could hardly be described as peaceful.
The original characters and plot of this story are the property of the author. No infringement of pre-existing copyright is intended.
This story is copyright © 2013 - 2020 Julia Phillips. All rights reserved.
It uses some of the associated characters and situations that arise from the world called ‘Anmar’ created by Penny Lane, whose stories
are also copyright © 2010 - 2020 Penny Lane. All rights reserved.
“But what can we do? You all seem to just know, but I don't. It's not fair.”
“That's for you to decide not me, nor Swayga, nor Papa. You have to learn to stand up for yourself sometime, so why not make a start now?”
“How do I decide that? For that matter, how do I decide anything?” he nearly wailed.
“Make a little list in your brain, and start with the thing that you most want to do. Then think about that. Think about it BEFORE you start to do it, don't just leap in and start doing it. Does it annoy or inconvenience anyone else? Yes, it does? Then pass onto the next in your list. No, it doesn't? Then start with some more questions. For instance, ask yourself if there is time to complete it before whatever is to happen next in the household. … Is there time to complete it? Yes, there is? Then get on and do it. No, there isn't? Then ask yourself if it can be left unfinished until you have the time to get back to it. And so on and so forth. All sorts of questions come up. Do I need someone else to do this with me? If yes, do THEY want to do it? Have THEY got the time. And so it goes on.
“This is what WE all have to do all the time. YOU need to start doing this now you are getting to be such a big strong lad. You can always ask any of us older ones for advice, but I don't want you to rely on them any more to tell you what to do.”
I looked Kord straight in the eye as I was saying this, holding his eyes with mine, almost daring him to look away. I knew he dare not, so I added one last command: “And when there are chores to be done, like laying the table, or carrying pel pots, then you won't be told any more. You do it. Even, and I want to make this perfectly clear, even if you are in the middle of doing whatever it is you have decided to do. Chores have priority and it is YOUR responsibility to look around and observe and see where you can help. No more babying for you, young man. If you ever want to be respected as a Master, then now is the time you start earning that respect. This is what everyone else in this household does and you are now old enough to do the same. Leaving that window open just the other day when it started to rain was just plain thoughtlessness. From now on, YOU will clear up any mess that your thoughtlessness causes. And it will be worse for you if you do not even recognise the necessity.
“Think on this for now, and then come back to me later – or any of the others. Your time will start from when we wake tomorrow. Are you fully clear?”
He nodded, somewhat reluctantly, but nevertheless he nodded. I sighed inwardly. Another child growing up all too fast. I reflected that maybe it was for the best to get him started before I became officially an adult. With that, I turned away to continue with packing up my private things, which was a task that I had set myself for that afternoon.
And a task I had strongly suggested that the others start doing.
… … ...
After lunch, most of the others had put their heads down for their afternoon nap, even though we were doing the two sleep nights, but Papa, Kords and I went down the slope to the new house to discuss practicalities. Swayga stayed at home, of course, to be there for the children should they wake.
We three decided that it was time to take some things with us, to make it a little less empty down there, so we managed between us a small table and three chairs. The table was in fact my night table, but we solved any problems that might cause by shifting Kords' one into the space between our beds, and we could share that for the short interim period. We also took a candlestick, some candles and an oil lantern, so we were all quite well-laden!
As we descended the slope, we saw the party of men returning from the far end of the dam lake. We would have waved but our arms were full. Master B started to detour towards us, signing that he wondered if we required help. Papa somehow, despite having full hands and arms, conveyed that it was not necessary, so they went on down to the Claw, whilst we stumbled our way to our destination.
When we three arrived at the house, we met a team working feverishly to get the last roof pieces attached and properly finished.
They had re-opened the windows, the ones you will remember that Papa and I had closed before, to let some of the new wood smell escape. We placed our burdens in the family room and went to chat with the roofers and to see what they were doing.
But we didn't make it there before we were distracted.
There were some totally unexpected and very loud clanging noises from the kitchen area that attracted our attention, so we went down there to see what was happening. A pile of piping had been dropped on the floor, which action created the clatter that had drawn us there. There we found two of Master Rostan's apprentices and one of Master Torin's, the carpenter. The first two I didn't know well, just having seen them around town, but the carpenter's man, that was Denesar. Kords dug me, none too gently, in the ribs and swayed out of the range of my retaliation. The three of them looked up at our footfalls.
“Hello men,” started Papa. “I am Master Kordulen, the soon-to-be occupier of this new house, along with my family. I wasn't expecting to see anyone in here today. What, pray, are your assigned tasks?”
The two plumber's men all looked at Kords and me and sort of dismissed us, before turning their attention to Papa, but Denesar gave a grin and a little wave to us both, trying to acknowledge us without interrupting the men's explanations. This didn't work, since they were more interested in why Denesar should be so friendly. It took a meaningful cough from Papa to regain their attention.
“Seems, sir, we have to run some piping from the kitchen to the bathrooms. Some new-fangled idea that is bound to go wrong, but that is what we was told to do. The other lad here is to drill the holes for the pipes in the wooden walls. 'E works for Master Torin, like, and we's from Master Rostan.”
I realised suddenly that they were going to try my idea of a hot water tank in the kitchens and pipe feeds of the water to the baths. I gasped in surprise and must confess I sort of had a private glow of pride.
But as they described their task further, I grew more and more uneasy. They wanted to run a separate pipe for each use, rather than have one big pipe that was gradually split as it approached a usage point. There would be two baths, well three actually since there would be a second smaller one in the women's room for THOSE days, and a hand basin in each of the bathrooms and in each of the privies.
“No, no, no. Don't do that,” I said. “That's just a waste of effort. Run a bigger pipe from here to the first bathroom, for example, and then split it there. Don't have many pipes all from here. Apart from the waste of pipe, it means that there have to be so many more connections into the tank. Just have one. Maybe have two just in case, but certainly no more.”
They all looked at me in astonishment, the plumber's men with a sort of sneer, showing that they couldn't grasp the fact that a mere woman could correct them. They looked at me long enough to be sure I had seen, then they turned away dismissively, using the movement to return their attention back to Papa.
“So anyway, Master. We will put these seven pipes through here …..” there was a very slight emphasis on the word 'seven' and I think that was the thing that tripped Papa's anger.
“Enough! Get out now. Don't come back. I shall be speaking with Master Rostan as soon as I am able.”
They looked up in astonishment, mouths hanging open much like the foti I had seen down at the fish farm. The spokesman was about to speak when Papa beat him to it.
“Begone! Now! Say not a word. Just go. NOW.”
They scrambled to their feet and beat a hasty retreat, leaving Denesar standing there wondering what he was supposed to do.
They tumbled out of the kitchen door into the 'courtyard' and stood there for a moment, looking completely confused. They started muttering to themselves and gesticulating, then they cast dark looks towards Papa standing in the doorway and went off, heading directly towards the plumber's.
Papa turned round again and went over to the third of the workers.
“I'm sorry, young Denesar. It appears there is nothing for you to do right now. Until we know the correct size of piping to be used, we won't have to drill any holes in the wooden walls. My compliments to Master Torin, and tell him the plumber's boys were insubordinate and I sent them home, so you have currently nothing to do. This will all be able to be done actually at any time, so we may even be moved in before you needs cut your holes.”
“Very well, Master. Farewell. And farewell too, for now, Julina, Kordulet.”
We smiled, admittedly with somewhat strained ones, but nevertheless we smiled our goodbyes.
When he had gone, Kords said to Papa: “Papa! Wasn't that a little strong? Those boys were just trying to do what they had been told to do! They weren't rude or anything.”
Papa looked gently and fondly at Kords, before saying: “They were disrespectful, disrespectful in the extreme. They disparaged your sister and showed no respect for you either.”
“Oh poo, Papa. It's not anything unusual. We are women, girls. It's the sort of behaviour we get every single day of our lives. Even from YOU!”
“From me? When have I ever put you down like that?”
“Every single time you answer for us, make decisions for us, accept other people's greetings on our behalf. Every time you carry on a conversation with us standing around behind you. Every time someone greets us as a family group, they always direct their remarks to YOU. Just now you even told them that this was YOUR home, with your family, but you didn't even acknowledge us standing right here with you. Then there's the times …... oh, I can't be bothered to go on. Every single man treats us as incompetent, weak, thoughtless, mindless, useless, not worthy – until they want something, usually food, washing, pressing or nursing!”
Papa looked shocked. He glanced at me, about to say something, but a little shake of my head let him know that it would be better not to protest further.
There was a pregnant silence broken when he took a little breath, obviously having been thinking deeply about what Kords had burst out with. His face cleared slightly as he gently spoke once more: “And also, Kords – dear Kords. Thank you for your very educative remarks. You should know that there was another factor as well. This change they wanted to do, this running of pipes and so on. You remember that they said from the outset that it was a stupid scheme that wouldn't work?”
Kords nodded.
“Well, it was your sister's design! They were telling me that they thought your elder sister was incompetent.”
Kords was struck speechless and glanced over to me for confirmation, which I gave her using my eyes and a little nod. It was Kords' turn to have her mouth drop open.
“Come on you two,” I said brightly, “let's go and annoy the other group of workers.”
… … …
We scurried up the hill to the old house where the others were waiting, probably awake from their naps by now. Despite our scurrying, we were still caught by the first drops of the downpour to come. Heavy drops, but thin and icy, striking our exposed bits quite painfully. I would describe it as like being stabbed by blunt needles. We had cut it just too fine. Fortunately we were only a couple of casts from the shelter, so it wasn't as bad as it could have been.
Down at the house, we had gone along to the workers who were adding the roof over the area allocated to just me. They had brought with them two large pre-built blocks of wood which proved to be simplicity itself as they attached them to each other and to the roof resting bits at the ends, as well as to the rest of the house at one end. I have no idea what they call those resting bits, but the roof pieces simply rest on them, each side angling down, so the resting pieces can be described as being triangular.
Now, some of you will have noticed that I said it was simplicity itself to attach the giant roof slabs to the resting pieces. What I have not reported is that it was awkward, but not TOO difficult, to get those resting pieces into position.
It was, however, EXTREMELY difficult to get the heavy and unwieldy roof slabs into place in order to be attached.
It was at that time that we found that Papa's dismissal of the plumber's apprentices was a fortunate happening after all.
For they returned to the house, along with Master Rostan and also Master Bezan who had been drawn into the discussions, apparently meeting them all on the footpath of Main Street, just below the Claw. They all decided to come up to our new place, to get the problems solved as soon as possible. (It was only later, as you shall see, that I learnt that my design had been incorporated in several houses, and thus any changes needed a rapid solution – if there was a fault in the design, then it had to be identified as soon as possible.)
Thus it was that there were five extra male bodies present (the two apprentices, Masters Rostan and Bezan, and Papa) just when the roof builders needed a lot of help. With all those willing hands, the job was a lot sooner done and the roof-builders were very grateful.
I was fascinated to watch how they did it.
First they loaded one of the giant roof bits on the back of a wagon, along with some large number of equally-sized stone blocks. Then they backed the wagon up until the tailgate was just touching the wall of my room. You must bear in mind that all our houses have a large overhang of the roof when looking at the walls. This is because the walls are almost always followed, on the outside, by a walkway, so people can remain relatively dry in the rains.
I had been told that the overhanging part of the roof was referred to as the “eaves”, a strange word that I needed help with to spell out properly, but this is necessary as you shall soon see.
When it rained, then the water would cascade down the roof and drop off onto the ground a stride or more away from the walls. This way, the walls need not be quite so stout, protected as they were from the greater part of the weather. In the hot sunshine, the overhang provided some degree of shade. One minor disadvantage, but as it happened so rarely it really was very minor, was that anyone standing there, under the roof overhang, could hear what was said inside the house. They had made a special word for that, a word I found excellent because of the mental picture it conjured up. Anyone standing under the overhang was between the house and the point where the rain dropped off the roof – or, better said, the point where the eaves forced the water to drop. So we described these folks out there, unseen by those inside but listening to the conversations within, as being “eavesdroppers”.
Anyway, back to the roof construction.
Half the wagon, well maybe not exactly half, but a stride and more was under where the eaves would stick out to. (I am told that this should read '….. where the eaves would project to', but that seems wrong somehow – it doesn't feel like MY sort of language.)
The men then swung the roof bit around until it was on its bottom edge and was standing vertically, the sides in line with those triangular resting pieces I described earlier. The men then tipped the roof piece to one side, raising the bottom edge on one side. They then slipped one of the stone blocks under that corner. Then they strained and tipped the roof piece the other way, slipping two stone blocks, one on top of the other, under the opposite corner. Then they tipped it the first way again, and so on, building up the blocks under the roof piece, until it was above the correct required height. Using ropes, they then lowered, as gently as they could, the roof piece into place. Of course, it wasn't quite right the first time, so they had to raise it upright again, shove the whole thing a thumb or so to the right, and then lower it again.
Thus they found the first roof slab its correct position and it was gently eased into place before being secured to the resting places and the top of the walls. As this was an addition to the house, then it could also be secured to the main wall of the house, this roof being a step down from the already built main roof, and its overhang.
Then they had to do the same exercise for the roof on the other side of the ridge. This was even a little trickier since the ground there did not allow for the approach of a wagon, so they had to first build a sort of platform that would take the weight of the roof slab AND of the stones AND of the men.
Finally it was in position and fixed. They would normally have then stuffed the joints and sealed them, but as mentioned elsewhere, time was getting short.
Master Bezan and I went back to the kitchen with the three Plumbers, whilst Papa scrambled up a ladder onto the roof, calling for a few buckets of water to pour over the joins to see if they kept the water out properly. He commanded Kords to stand inside and check.
Meanwhile, my conversation was going on as we passed along inside the house, and I could point to the various doors and rooms as I went.
“Master Rostan, when we first spoke, you told me that making a joint in the side of the tank weakens the tank. And yet these men of yours told me that they were going to make no fewer than seven. And if you think about our water supply as we get it now, there is one large 'pipe' which brings it to the Cistern, and then a series of smaller 'pipes' which supply each place in which it is used. I just applied the same principle here. Let's have one larger pipe running from the kitchen, through the stores cupboards corridor, and into the first – the men's - bathroom, through that, then through the first and second privy and into the second bathroom, our bathroom – the women I mean.
“You further told me that it is easier to make a joint in a pipe than in the side of a tank. So it seems to me that it is far better to just run thinner pipes to where they are required as branches from the thicker pipe, once that thicker pipe has reached the relevant room.
“This will allow simpler maintenance everywhere, and will also mean that there are far fewer holes to be carved out in each of the walls through which the pipe shall pass. Each room should also have a control valve, as we discussed, so that in the event of a break in a pipe or a spigot, we don't simply lose all the hot water we have been at such pains to produce.”
The two apprentices, once again, had their mouths wide open as they observed a mere girl talking to two Masters almost as an equal, and being listened to respectfully. I could almost hear their brains creaking as they struggled to accept what had until then been absolutely unthinkable to them. Under any other circumstances, I would almost have laughed out loud, but this whole thing was my idea and my idea alone. I had conceived it, planned it, discussed it and formulated it all by myself before telling anyone about it. Papa, Master Rostan, Uncle and Master B had all been involved in various ways, but this was my idea, and it felt like it was my baby somehow, something I had breathed life into and brought into this world.
So I was really quite ferocious in my opinion.
The rest of them gathered around all managed (eventually) to accept my point of view, and (eventually) the others, the Plumbers, went off back to their workshop to work on the new design, Master Rostan having filled Papa in when he came in with Kords and they both joined us after testing the new roof.
Apparently, it was a fairly water-tight fit all the way around, and also at the joint of the two slabs, only a few spots where drips might get through. The roofers and Papa had been keeping an eye on the weather, and they saw the first curtain of rain high up on the hillside. The rain was approaching but not too rapidly. The roofers would nail down a tarpaulin as a short-term measure, there being insufficient time to stuff and seal the joints (with boiling pitch) properly and to finish the new pieces of roof with slates. They would cover what they could and then scurry off to shelter before the weather broke upon us.
Thus it was that Kords, Papa and I were left to close all those marvellous new windows once again and to make haste up the slope to where Swayga and the others were awaiting us. We dashed, as mentioned, the last few strides to get out of the painful rain. Of course, all three of us could not fit through the door all at once, this time Kords scrambled through first. For the umpteenth time in my life I was grateful for the overhang provided by the eaves, as Papa and I did the 'you first, no you' dance, which Kords interrupted by laughing at us. I lost, and entered before Papa, just turning my head once more to observe the horrible weather. Already the new house was lost to sight, as was the great majority of the land that separated us from there.
I had a little shudder as I remembered seeing those spooky eyes from exactly that spot. I think Kords had felt the same but she was already inside, as reported.
Water was pouring off the eaves almost in a curtain and I was grateful we didn't have a wagon to ….... an idea sprang up in my idea-birthing place somewhere in the deep recesses in my mind, only to be replaced by another, more urgent one that was also something to do with the water curtain pouring down. But quite why this second one was so much more urgent, I was then unable to determine. Both ideas were not yet formed fully enough for me to use in any way.
… … …
I was therefore distracted somewhat as I came in, shaking water as well as I could from my clothing. I nodded to Swayga and the children, lost in thought, but something in their attitude made me sharpen my focus upon the others.
They were all up, dressed and being suspiciously well behaved.
I looked around and saw all except Kissa were present and grinning at me.
Little Kord started chanting: “'Lina has an idea. 'Lina has an idea.” It was so childish, I just had to grin.
But there was something else too. Something I had obviously missed. I looked again at them, I counted them, a slight frown starting as I saw nothing out of place, except the missing Kissa. A movement of Swayga's eyes made me look behind me, towards the dining table, which was, as usual, majestically commanding its place in the family room.
And I saw we had a visitor.
Well two actually.
Haka and Haris were there, Haris sleeping peacefully while Haka had the cloths, some clothes and all the sewing kits out, as she and Kissa pored over the work table, deeply engrossed in whatever it was they were doing. They barely looked up, according to Swayga, when the rain started drumming on the roof; they certainly hadn't even registered our return. They conversed in an almost inaudible murmur, the sounds of the actual words drowned by the downpour beating on our roof. Their fingers moved, stroking, rubbing and pointing, it seemed to me, on various pieces of work lying there.
So the grins hadn't been entirely at my expense; they were also for the two seamstresses, so totally lost in their world, oblivious to their surroundings.
It transpired that Haka had actually come to see me, sent by Hasinet for some reason, but decided to wait and got sucked into more sewing by Kissa. Julu wanted to join them but Swayga made her do something else first. As soon as that task was finished, Julu scooted over to the other two. Her arrival prompted a little blinking on their behalf and they broke out of their technical world and came back once more to us.
“Julina! You look lovely, as usual. And you Kordulet, too. Oh! Master Kordulen, forgive me, I didn't see you come in. I just popped up to ask Julina a sort of favour, which is also from Mistress Hasinet and also Master Fedren in a way and somehow I got sidetracked when you all weren't here. My goodness, that's a heavy rainstorm, isn't it? When did that start? Maker! It seems I must stay here until it eases, with your permission, of course.”
And so my afternoon continued, chatting with family and a friend, allowing little Haris to play with my fingers and hair – which again caused some strange feelings to course through my body – and learning some more about sewing, needlework and cloth cutting.
Oh, and pricking my fingers more than once on a sharp needle point.
The downpour continued for nigh on three bells before easing, during which time, under Haka's expert supervision, a dress 'for best' had been completed for Kords, and two more started, one for each of Swayga and Kissa.
At one point, the conversation had switched to the Tai Chi. We all found it very interesting and were amazed when Kissa just upped and repeated the first few 'forms', as we had learnt to call them, with no hesitation and no stumbles.
“Oh, it just flows together in my mind, just like the way I can feel the cloths we are sewing with. Somehow, it is obvious to me what should go where and so on. This evening, 'Lina, if you like, I will take you through the forms again, ready for the next time. I'm sure you will gain much from this as it will allow you to benefit without being stressed by what comes next. Just feel the flow and movement and forget about pre-planning it all. Pre-planning is one of your strengths of course, one from which we have all benefited through the years, but if you can let yourself relax into it, I am convinced, even after so little exposure, that you will gain much.”
I think we were all taken aback by Kissa's confident assertions and we all looked round quickly at each other. My little sister was growing up – rapidly.
Papa had poked his head out of the door, and offered to escort Haka back as it seemed the rain had ceased and the skies were brightening. I decided to go with them, and carry little Haris, since I wanted to also go with Papa to Uncle's – we were both intrigued by the newer steam engines, and Uncle, you may remember, had promised a demonstration/test this afternoon. We assumed the weather had not made him cancel.
We soon started out, slipping a little as we went down the slope rather than across, to cut short the travelling time.
I think we were all amazed at the clarity of the air as we stared down the rain-dirty valley, and gasped at the swelling of the streams we could see.
We three could also discuss the request, which, as Haka had said, involved both Mistress Hasinet and Master Fedren.
It was no secret that there was an expedition planned for me and the girls to travel down to Tranidor, although that impossibly far-off war may affect that. Mistress Hasinet had blossomed since Haka (and Haris) had come into her life, and now she had a trusted companion to work with. She wanted Haka to accompany me down to Tranidor and for her to do a search and buying session down there. This was to be a kind of test for Haka, one of which Haka was fully aware. Haka was treating it as another, by no means the last, opportunity to impress upon Hasinet her trustworthiness and abilities.
At the same time, Master Fedren, wounded as he was, was not up to such a journey just yet, and wanted to send Suril down to Tranidor to meet with the equivalents there, to set up some sort of working relationship. There were also a few other things to be done, so it made sense that their little family accompany us all. Yes, there were obvious disadvantages, but also advantages.
It seemed that there were tests for the entire Suril family.
I would need to talk it over with Epp, of course, and maybe the girls as well, but to me, it seemed a sensible and proper thing to do.
I said so, and Papa agreed with me too. I had the sudden sense that maybe the 'officialness' of this request, may have tipped the balance into Papa letting us go, so my heart lightened as that realisation set in.
Haka's face was a picture of delight, when I cautiously agreed, but made certain she understood it was not a definite 'yes'.
As we passed the level of the new house, we looked across at it of course, and again something made my previous idea/thought spring to mind. I didn't notice Papa sign to Haka to keep quiet and to not ask questions. (She told me much later that that had happened.)
Wagons. Wagons, were somehow in my thought. Wagons, and curtains of rain. The latter being in both of my ideas.
I tried to force them to come out into the light of reason, but both the thoughts turned all shy and scurried back into the recesses of my mind, hiding once more until either one or the other, or both, wanted to be considered.
… … …
“Er, Uncle? May I ask a question?”
He was about to snap off a reply to the effect that they were all very busy, but something made him stop before he uttered anything. He looked at me questioningly, before adding: “Of course, m'dear.”
I was quite surprised when His Honour, Masters Bezan, Yarling and Blandel as well as Papa all turned attentively to me. I think some of the other men around were actually shocked that a woman would command so much attention, but a frown from the Steward made them bite their tongues.
All the attention made me nervous, of course, but I swallowed and continued: “The new steam engines. Are they easily moved? I would assume so, as you had planned a demonstration before the weather intervened. So my guess is that it wouldn't be too difficult to move one around, at least a little bit.”
“Yes, my dear, you are quite right. But we must first dig out this wagon load of stone from the mire. The rain softened the ground too much for it to roll easily across the surface, and it has become bogged down.”
“Yes, but you told us you were fairly sure this steam engine here could pull three loaded wagons up the slope of Main Street, provided that the ropes were strong enough. And that that was your planned demonstration?”
“I'm very glad you listen to me and remember my words.”
“So may I make a suggestion?”
“We are all waiting for it, Julina,” Uncle replied with just a touch of exasperation.
“Could you not try to use the steam engine to pull out that bogged down wagon full of stones? Rather than try to manhandle it out? If it works, you may not have to unload it so much. And it would be a good demonstration at the same time, wouldn't it?”
Sookie's delighted laughter rang out and several of the men slapped themselves on their foreheads. The Steward was heard to mutter: “She does it again!” as he shook his head.
“It's worth a try! Thank you again, young Julina. Don't worry about asking permission in the future. Just suggest away to your heart's content.”
Uncle issued a series of commands and people scurried around in every direction it seemed. The engine was loaded, with great effort, onto a wagon and driven the short distance to the top of the slope above the stuck vehicle. There, with equally great effort, it was unloaded onto a solid base and anchored there as firmly as the men could manage.
Meanwhile, a burning fire was brought from elsewhere and placed in the fire compartment of the steam engine, with added fuel shovelled in alongside. As much already hot water as could be scrounged up was brought and poured into the water compartment and the process of heating the water got underway as rapidly as these humans could manage.
A doubled, or maybe even tripled, rope was prepared and wound round the special drum attached to the steam engine. This was led down to the stricken wagon and firmly attached. I was interested to see they attached it to the FAR end, and not the near end, the end most downslope rather than the end nearest us.
“Why do they do that, Papa?”
“I know not, my child. Mayhap, Brydas, you might care to explain?”
“Well, I have to confess that I know not the full strength of this machine. If I release the full might too rapidly, and the wagon down yonder is too deeply mired, then I just might pull the wagon apart, if it is not sufficiently sturdy. This way we are pulling the bottom towards us directly, rather than dragging it by pulling on the rest of the wagon. Hopefully the strain on the rest of the wagon will thus be reduced, and 't will survive our rough handling of it.”
His explanation made sense to me, after a while, but it was not a factor about which I would have ever thought nor considered. It made me realise that I wasn't quite so clever as all the others seemed to think I might be. I blushed at that realisation.
Soon, or so it seemed, a loud hissing prompted Uncle to announce that they would shortly be ready to make the attempt.
He would not allow everyone to be too close to the steam engine “just in case” which made Sookie grab my arm in anxiety.
Fascinated though I was by the events unfolding before my eyes, I still had a look around and counted the number of people there watching. I made it no less than a hand of hands, with two further hands being involved in the operation in some way or another.
There was a loud whistle that silenced everyone and Uncle pushed a few levers and checked a few things over and then shouted: “Ready! Three, two, one, go!”
He eased a lever forward and there was a great “Chuff” as the big wheel revolved and all the slack was taken up in the rope. Another “Chuff” and we could see the machine straining. The rope was now so taut, I fancied I could hear it humming.
“Chuff” - and a loud cheer echoed up from the bottom, followed immediately by loud cries of “Hold! Hold! No more!”
Uncle immediately reset the controls, relinquished his position and scrambled down the slope as best he could, slipping over and getting entirely muddy in the process. I stifled my giggles, and Sookie punched my arm, saying “I'll have to wash all those now – again. That's the third set he's had today.”
I wandered over nearer to the steam machine, but didn't get too near to it, in case I slipped and hit some control or other. Papa and Sookie came with me, and I suppose we emboldened a few others to do so too.
As we went, a sudden bright light hit Papa in the eyes. I turned to see from where the light came and I was blinded for an instant. Someone over there had opened one of those new windows in their home or workplace, and the glass had reflected the sun straight into our faces. It was dazzling in the extreme and it took a fair while for the bright light spot in front of my eyes to fade away again. Papa and Sookie were likewise affected, but Papa had a funny frowning look on his face as well as the contortions caused by the dazzlement.
I recognised this as HIS 'idea look' and left him to it as I used my clearing vision to try to inspect the steam engine that was sitting there hissing, it seemed to me, in a most menacing way.
Both Sookie and I stayed quite a way away from it, feeling a sense of danger somehow, but the men appeared to have no such inhibitions.
Uncle came back up, making his way as well as he could. He gestured at his sopping clothes and pulled a wry face as he shared a look with Sookie. He grinned and shrugged at me when he caught my eye and I grinned back, pretending to hold my nose as a defence against a great stink.
He laughed before he started a quick explanation: “It seems that attaching the rope to the far end was not quite such a good idea, after all. The pull wasn't exactly central and the wagon was beginning to swing sideways. So we will now attach some more ropes to each of the near corners, and then attach them to the pulling rope. That way the wagon should stay fairly straight. If that doesn't work, then we will have to try just pulling from the near end. But we did get the wagon to roll a hand of thumbs at least, so we have much more hope now. I have no idea why I didn't think of this solution, so I thank you Julina for pointing out the obvious to us. I hope we can get it all done before the light goes this evening. I deem we have scarce a bell at most remaining to us.”
He turned to Sookie and continued: “I apologise for ruining our afternoon and evening together. I had been looking forward to it so much. It now seems you must cook for me after all. Not quite such a rest as we had planned, huh?”
Papa suddenly signalled to me from behind their backs and I flashed him an agreement. I saw that Papa had a very self-satisfied, almost smug, look on his face, so I knew his idea had popped out into his mind. And I was glad that he thought to invite Sookie and Uncle to dine with us. I knew we had enough, since it was a normal 'prepare for the next few nights' occasion. They were delighted to accept, and I was surprised at just how delighted I was to be able to entertain them for the first time.
After three more, gradually better, attempts, the final arrangements of ropes and guides and drivers and steam engines and whatever else was involved allowed for the wagon to be hauled back up into the Smithy's yard. There was a great cheer that went up when it finally arrived intact and nearly fully-laden. There really could not have been a better demonstration of the capabilities and power of this machine and many of the men there were quietly thinking about the possible changes that this might mean. I think many of them began to be almost nervous about the power demonstrated here this afternoon so the chatter was in a way quite subdued.
A number of people had crowded round us to congratulate me for my idea and I was very busy blushing for a good few moments. Papa was basking in the glory and ended up inviting Masters Bezan and Yarling to dinner as well, but I noticed that he first asked Uncle and Sookie's permission to expand the guest list. This was a politeness that I filed away for future use, not having considered it before – one invitation had been issued and a second one might have changed the factors involved that were current at the time of the first one. I was so busily kicking myself for never having considered that before, that I nearly missed the question that Master Yarling had addressed to me.
“I'm sorry, Master. I was elsewhere in my thoughts. Would you please repeat your question that I may be certain I understood it correctly?”
“I merely enquired as to whether there might be something for me to bring that you would like?”
“Nothing as regards food or drink, Master. But I would be fascinated to see your pictures, as I had a glimpse of some of them. I would be delighted to hear something of the stories behind them. I am but recently very much involved in this ability and would learn more.”
“As you command, dear Mistress. I shall bring my portfolio.”
I turned to Master B and asked: “Do YOU have any pictures to share with us and perchance discuss. I can't ever recall seeing you with any.”
“I fear that that is an ability with which I have not been blessed, Mistress. I am but a simple hewer of wood and hacker of stone. Not like this delicate creature here, who is more gifted in the artistic pursuits – probably because he was somewhat work-shy when younger,” he finished with a teasing twinkle – which remark brought forth a round of chuckles and laughs from all the men surrounding us, many of whom joined in with the teasing of the poor unfortunate Yarling. I admired the way he accepted the joshing and gave back many jaunty jabs. It was all in fun, and there was not a single note of malice to be heard.
But it was still a very male environment, not one in which Sookie or I could join. I was actually, once again, impressed with the way Em had managed to fit in with this world. I wondered how she would fare when it came to joining the female half of the world on a permanent basis.
I also wondered how the rest of the world would accept that change. I suspected there might be a few who would be nasty about it.
I was grateful for all this as it enabled me to step quietly backwards and allow the attention to be on someone else at long last.
I tugged on Papa's arm and mentioned that we should perhaps slip away as soon as we could, to let Kords and Swayga know there would be an extra four mouths to feed this night. He acknowledged the reasoning and so we bid our farewells and tried to slip away.
This however, served only to re-attract the attention and it took us far too long, in my opinion, to get away.
… … …
“Well I suppose that it's alright. At least we have been doing the meals for the next few days. You will have to go and get some more wine, just in case. And if you had actually given us a little more notice, I would have had time to straighten the place and to change into a better dress. Sometimes, Kordulen, I feel you don't think things through far enough.”
“It's fine, Swayga! I was there and I assure you I considered it all carefully. I shall quickly tidy up the privy and then I shall change, taking over from you when I return, then you two can go and get ready. It is all doable, if we act sharply.”
And, interspersed with a few more grumbles, that is entirely as it worked out. Papa went off for the wine, I hastily tidied the privy, quickly changed and went to relieve Swayga and Kords.
The children were delighted to have some more company – it meant that again they could have a delayed bedtime.
I think Kords and Swayga joined in with my deep breath of relief.
I chivvied them all and indeed everything was acceptably ready when the first heavy knock came on the door. Uncle's fist was instantly recognisable.
Julina has a very full evening followed by a less remarkable day.
The original characters and plot of this story are the property of the author. No infringement of pre-existing copyright is intended.
This story is copyright © 2013 - 2020 Julia Phillips. All rights reserved.
It uses some of the associated characters and situations that arise from the world called ‘Anmar’ created by Penny Lane, whose stories
are also copyright © 2010 - 2020 Penny Lane. All rights reserved.
“ ….. and then he said: 'Like a pakh does!'”
A storm of laughter erupted from us all as Uncle finished yet another tale. Another storm of laughter, to be more accurate in my reporting, for my sides were already aching.
I looked round the table and saw Swayga wiping the tears from her eyes. The three other grown men were all chuckling still and little Kissa had to dash out in that funny, scuttling way that told me she had had a little 'accident' brought on by the laughter.
Little Kord was delighted and 'Kin was especially pleased that a character very, very, very like him had been the hero of the story. The grinning Julu and Kords were busy handing round little cloths for people to wipe their eyes, whilst I felt my face would split with the wideness of my grin and/or smile. And my ribs protested that they were nearing their limits.
Which left just Sookie.
Her eyes were bright as she too was laughing freely, but those eyes were for just one man and the adoration that shone out of them was just SO intense somehow. I suspect that I was the only one to notice it, maybe Swayga had as well, but there was no doubt where the wind lay in THAT relationship. And the subject just sat back to take another draught of the beer in the huge tankard in front of him, a look of surprise and innocence plastered on his face that made us all laugh some more. But he too had been, from time to time, casting looks designed for Sookie's eyes only. And their hands would reach out and touch the other as the occasions permitted.
Both of them oozed contentment and their bodies were saying to each other: 'For me to love you now would be the sweetest thing'.
And we all heartily approved, it must be admitted. I could see the men swallowing some ribald remarks which they would probably think were funny, but wouldn't say out loud in front of the children. I thought it was sweet, and Swayga had a misty-eyed and somehow wistful smile on her face before going to fetch another pot of pel.
Uncle and Sookie had brought with them, on a hand-dray, a cask of the now-famous ale she brews down at the Claw, and Uncle had also brought his own personal flagon to drink it out of; but, judging by his actions, maybe it would be more accurate for me to say 'quaff' rather than 'drink'. He had also brought along the favourite mugs of both Master Bezan and Master Yarling, having fetched them from the Bell specially.
As well as that of Papa, which was a bit of a shock to us all – we had no idea that he attended the Bell often enough to have a favourite mug there. Certainly, Swayga, Kords and I viewed him in a slightly different light from that moment on.
The evening had actually started out a little awkwardly – Sookie was feeling guilty about having some time off from her hostessing and managing at the Claw, and my adoption of Master Brydas as my honorary uncle was highly confusing to my brothers and sisters. Swayga was worried to be catering for a renowned caterer, for some silly illogical reason, and Papa had been worried that all these invitations might have been too much for Swayga and Kords to cope with, particularly since tomorrow night was a scheduled Deegrum night.
I smiled fondly at Papa for that. He was a good provider for us all and he was a good Papa (on the whole – there was not one of us who could claim to have never found some reason to doubt that from time to time) but he was hopeless when it came to organising the household. Of course, he maintained that he was just letting me do it my way and was trying not to interfere, but I shudder to think of the chaos we would have had had I not imposed some order these past few years. Now I had 'retired' from those duties, I noticed Swayga also had to overrule him sometimes, at which point he would throw up his hands and disappear.
To the Bell it had now become apparent.
As it transpired, the slight awkwardness at the beginning of the evening was made ever so slightly more so by Uncle's attempts at joviality with the younger ones. They were totally unused to a character with quite so large a figure and personality, so they started to withdraw from him and search for my or Swayga's protection. It was here that Sookie's character came out and saved the day for it was she who quietened him down (at first!) and who settled the children's nerves. She soon won them over and from that point in time it was easier for them to accept her man.
Sundown had already paled the sky when our further guests came a'knocking. The arrival of these two other Masters, both of whom were, of course, by now familiar to us all, and the obvious respect and friendliness that they had with the Smith and with Sookie, must also have been of assistance in allaying any fears the younger ones might have had. As a result of all of this, I don't suppose that any of that awkwardness lasted for more than half a bell, during which we each had a serving of whatever we would drink – pel for all the women, ale for the grown men, water for Kord and water with a splash of Papa's wine for 'Kin.
“.... there are some pastries here, just to soak up some of that drink, but you are not to eat too many, lest you spoil your meal. Is that understood?” asked a mock-stern Swayga.
“As you command, Mistress,” was the general tone of the replies. I had the feeling that, were they guardsmen, they would have leapt to attention and saluted.
The meal was tasty and filling and the conversation flowed well, Master Brydas warming the kids up with his attention, once they had overcome their natural shyness. I had spotted the quick interchange from him with Papa and Swayga, asking their permission, before Uncle started to let 'Kin have a sip or two of the beer, pretending that they had to hide it from Papa particularly. Papa made sure to not notice, as did Swayga, once she caught on to what was happening; which was after Papa tapped her on the arm to stop her making a fuss about it. 'Kin was soon a firm follower, and that helped enormously with Kord. Both boys declaring before their night's end that they would become smiths when they grew up!
And they would have flagons to drink from.
Not only the boys were won over, for the girls had also fallen under his spell, since he also made sure to address them individually and to include and involve them in the conversations that were, at times, fast and furious.
Now I do not wish to imply that Uncle took over the entire conversation at table, not by any means. The others all contributed too, and they also involved the children as and when they could. I loved it, especially as it meant that the kids were exposed to a variety of points of view, which could only be of benefit to them – a sort of rounding of their education, if you like.
Once all the supper things had been cleared away, which event I had never seen performed so thoroughly and rapidly (all the kids not wanting to miss anything that might be said) then it was time for Master Yarling to take the lead, since I had encouraged him to bring along his stock of pictures to show us and to discuss with us.
Now I, of course, had seen some of Pomma's work and her picture of the Vale had impressed us all, none of us imagining that her skill could be much bettered. But I feel a tad disloyal here by having to declare that Master Yarling's work was at least a step better, and it showed. His lines were somehow superior, his colouring somehow more vibrant, his subjects unfailingly of interest.
I really have to jump in now and say that Pomma's work is acknowledged by others as being good, far better than just adequate; there was a life and a tone to her work which was noticeable. But these drawings done by Master Yarling seemed to draw you into them, seemed to make you feel you were actually there.
Ah! That's the difference I am trying to explain! I had been struggling with how to present this difference, but there, it just leapt to my fingertips as I was scribbling.
Pomma's pictures were accurate reporting, which made you gain an understanding of the subject. They were like mental images that you retain, but of someone else's viewpoint which was presented to help the viewer understand. But Master Yarling's pictures made you feel somehow involved, somehow present IN the picture itself. They made you live the picture rather than Pomma's more simple recording of a view.
(Older Julina says: I filed away these ideas at the time since I was aware that I was breaking some new ground in my thoughts, and I would need to mull over all this. At that time I knew not the meaning of 'philosophy' but I was certainly indulging in it!)
And so it was that Master Yarling entertained us for a bell and more. With twelve of us round the table, the pictures were passed, reverently, from hand to hand, right to left as the picture circled the table, whilst he gave a condensed, but nevertheless thorough description of what, where and when. He did not make the mistake of handing out too many pictures at once, such that his commentary could then well have been about a picture that an observer did not have actually in their hand, they looking at a different one entirely.
As it happened, I was sitting at his side as he went through his collection, so I, and Master B who was to his other side, got to see many more than he showed to everyone else. I was fascinated, but totally in the dark as to understanding it, by his selection process. Some he just skipped over, some he considered, some he took out straight away.
“I really don't know why I keep this one,” he muttered to himself at one point and went to tear it up, obviously having meant to do that on frequent occasions beforehand.
I cheekily and swiftly grabbed it from his hand and studied it. I couldn't help but gasp, since it was one I found particularly arresting.
“No, no. You cannot destroy this one. It's beautiful!” I placed it face down on the table with my hand on top, keeping it until the previous picture had finished it's round. I then handed that picture round for others to see, looking for support for my statement.
Which was not long in coming. Everyone that saw it also exclaimed that it was a particularly good picture, and wanted to know, not just all about the picture, but also why he wanted to destroy it.
“It is one of the worst pictures I have ever done!”
“Oh nonsense man! It is excellent, although I feel you have now cast a small doubt in my brain. Maybe I imagine it after your words, but it gives me a slight feeling of unease, but I could not say why.” Master Bezan managed to say what we were all thinking.
“I must confess that most of this picture is as good a representation as I have ever done. But I have made a mistake, a fundamental mistake, which I suspect is the root of your unease. Just above the bottom left corner I have ruined it, and it annoys me every time I see it. I have got the angles of the reflections wrong. And that is what bothers. For some unknown reason, I drew the first tree at an un-lifelike angle, and then I aligned all the others on THAT, rather than on a sensible angle. I may have been able to rescue it had it just been that first tree, but I did all those trees, and the light gaps between them, which are as well too wide, all at the wrong angle. I have no clue as to why! And, as the painter, it annoys me to distraction when I see it.”
Here – you be the judge:
“Is that up the Telar Minor? From that small island we all used for fishing?” asked Master Bezan.
“Indeed it is. You have a good eye and a good memory. When were you there?”
And so the two of them discussed their experiences in that valley as we all looked at the picture he wanted to destroy. Everyone, when it came round to them, agreed he should keep it.
'Kin asked: “Why don't you just cut that bit out? Or overpaint it and start again?”
“I see your brother, Mistress Julina, gets his directness from you. It must be a family trait. It is most refreshing. Just speaking thoughts, unlike us adults who are burdened with all sorts of considerations that just don't occur to those a little younger.”
He turned to 'Kin to continue: “Well young Kordulkin, those were splendid suggestions, and believe me when I tell you I have considered those actions often. So, to answer your questions, let's examine the possibilities, shall we? The whole point of doing anything like that would be to preserve the picture, to render it still useful without the glaring mistakes, right?”
'Kin nodded in agreement.
“So just cutting that bit out would also remove much of the 'useful' part. I have looked and looked, and can find no obvious cut lines, so the excised part would have to be very oddly shaped, and that in itself would detract attention from the picture itself. So I feel that cutting out a great lump would be too much of a distraction.
“Which leaves the repainting option. Now that is certainly a doable option. However, it is a highly complicated operation. First the existing piece would have to be overpainted with a neutral base colour. This is easy but would add extra thickness to the picture in just that part, and then more thickness would have to be added on top of that when I did the repainting. This would make a ridge which would cast a shadow, even if it was ever so slightly.
“Also there's the question of matching the colours. These colours have faded over time, so if I mixed up a shade to match exactly the colours at the moment, then they, with a different base and a different start composition, would fade differently in the future making it obvious in time to come that alterations were done. I see no way out of the difficulty, so I thought to just throw it away.”
There was a small silence as we all thought about what he had said, broken by Kords with a nervous-sounding question.
“Master Yarling, do you have any other pictures of that spot?”
“That is precisely my problem, Mistress Kordulet. I regret that I have no other. That's the only reason I have kept the picture, even though it annoys me so much.”
“I just thought that maybe I have a solution for you.”
There was a silence all round the table as everyone sharpened their attention upon her. I could see her get nervous at that, and her voice was shaky as she continued, but there was also a determination in her to get over the anxiety. I think we all admired her greatly for that; I know I felt a swelling of pride in my breast. As she was talking, she took one of the pieces of paper we had used for lettering lessons and was using a sharp knife to slice it into a strange shape.
“Have you considered using a piece of paper? You could cut out a piece of paper to the correct shape and simply paste it over the bit you dislike. You could write a description on the piece of paper and the writing and the material of the paper would hide nearly all that is below it, but allow a hint of it to show through. It would disguise the worst of the bad bits, but would tell a viewer that there is still a part of the picture that has simply been covered up.”
She took the piece of paper she had sliced and placed it on top of the picture. There was meaningless writing on it of course, but it was excellent for use as an example.
There was a short moment of silence before we all applauded her, which made her blush ferociously. She announced that she needed to just go and do something in the kitchens, just so she could escape the attention. I went with her and we had a good 'sisters session' away from prying eyes. I was touched when she told me that it was my example that had made her think of things, and made her brave enough to suggest them, so half the applause was for me really.
By and by, we dried our tears and, with a final hug, we returned to the other room, only to find a fierce argument in full swing.
A very friendly argument, mind you, with many laughs and jokes and teases and everything like that. All about the wording to be used on what someone had suggested should be called a 'caption'.
… … …
It was too much to expect that we would have an evening without tears, and they, totally unsurprisingly, came when the younger boys had to go to bed. I could sort of sympathise with 'Kin as he was roughly two years older than Kord and so, logically, should have been allowed to stay up even later. However, I had made it clear to him earlier that this was a special treat for Kord to be allowed to stay up later rather than a hardship for 'Kin – thus it was that the tears came from Kord and the (reluctant) acceptance from 'Kin. And Kord's tears were really just a factor of over-excitement and over-tiredness.
I suppose it was more embarrassing for Masters B and Y as they had no children and had had no exposure to them. All the rest of us were, in our way, used to it, even Sookie had some past exposure we discovered.
That unpleasant interlude over, the rest of us settled down to some more discussions, Julu being fully aware she had another half a bell at most, and Kissa to go soon after that.
So we chatted about generalities for that first period, Uncle taking care not to cause too much laughter, aware that that would just make it worse for Kord and 'Kin. The discussions got more serious once the two younger girls had gone to bed and I saw suddenly that, nowadays, Kords was very much counted amongst the grown-ups. That state of affairs had crept up on us somehow or other, but we as a family were all happy with it, and I don't recall any problems stemming from that in the times that came from then on.
When the discussions started about the town and developments, Papa demanded attention as he wished to clear up a mystery, or so he said. He wanted to talk about the semaphore and it was Master Yarling, surprisingly, who opened the chat on that subject.
“Well, Kordulen, I'm glad you picked that topic as I have some developments to report. They are starting to build one up there at the top of the pass on the road to Chaarn, where you and I visited – the extent of our travel. That will join in with the one at the Chaarn road junction, again built where we suggested. The one at the edge of Milady's lands and the road junction one have now been completed, and the one at the falls is due to be finished tomorrow or the next day. Staffing for these has yet to be finalised, but the builders have been told to stay for a maximum of 3 days for testing and the like. The one between here and Strettalm has been surveyed and a suitable spot chosen. All this means that, with the better weather conditions and with a bit of luck, we could, from tomorrow be in touch with the southernmost point of Milady's lands. The weakness being, of course, the distance between here and Strettalm, a connection available only in the very best of weathers. Mayhap, Bezan, you know a little more?”
“Actually, I do have some more for you. The station at Milady's borderline is positioned close to the river and from there southwards, the other stations are easily positioned on the river banks, or nearby at the very least. Sightlines are considerably easier. I am told that one has been built on the EAST bank of the river by the bridge into Tranidor and another on the hill above Count Trosanar's keep, and a third at the mouth of the Sufen. How they are arranged up the Sufen valley, I have no idea and, frankly, no interest; just as likewise I have no interest in how they arrange the flow of messages between their three stations dotted around the town. For us, it is the Palar valley downwards from Tranidor that is of significance. So, finally, on the inside of the large sweeping bend in the river south of Tranidor, another has been erected. Tranidor is already in touch with Holville, where it has been erected on the bit that used to be an island, and we shall join in in the next day or two. South of Holville, I know not, but I feel there lacks just one other station to join Haligo to Tranidor and thus to us.”
“Well, I confess I am quite shocked by the speed, although I understand not why I am so shocked,” said Papa. “We knew that they were building stations even as Milady departed, so I suppose the surprise for us is simply the knowledge that they are already prepared, having heard nothing of the ongoing process. Now I think more clearly upon the matter, I can see that we would only really be involved with our station here and on Strettalm – and the intervening one. But for now, with permission, I wish to concentrate upon the Strettalm station. I understand that, due to the awkward access, a bunkhouse has been built atop the peak?”
“Ah – bunkhouse. I have something else to report to you later Julina, please don't let me forget,” replied Bezan. He returned his attention to Papa before continuing: “Indeed so, Kordulen. They have placed a bunkhouse with a kitchen and latrine up there, although, of course, the water supply is a problem up there. They are working on that, constructing I believe a device to lift buckets from the stream, with an access point some halfway down. But at least it is now considerably more civilized than it was.”
My thoughts were grabbed by one of my background ideas, one that was once more bubbling up, one that I had begun to think about earlier to do with curtains of rain and so on.
But again I was distracted before I could delve deeper.
“And may I suggest that maybe the bunkhouse is some two or three casts from the station?”
“Why yes it is! It's actually just under four. How on Anmar did you know? Or has someone already told you?”
“It is a logical conclusion from what I believe to be the solution to a problem that Julina and Kordulet had the other night.”
Kords and I looked at each other, not knowing what Papa was going on about. I was still trying to regather my thoughts, so I was more than a little fuzzy in my head.
He looked at us and said: “Your 'spooky eyes'?”
MY eyes widened at that, and so did Kords'. We were all agog to hear Papa's solution, but first he asked Kords to describe the problem which she did with a noticeable shudder. The men smiled indulgently, which sort of irritated me as it was obviously being written off as mere female imaginings. But Papa picked up on that and spent some time addressing that impression. Soon, his earnestness convinced them of the scariness and they were suitably contrite after that.
Papa continued by talking to Kords and I, and we nodded our agreement of each of his points as they came up: “It was near a full moon that night, was it not, Kalikan shining brightly? And not too cloudy? And the 'eyes' appeared downvalley from here? Almost exactly along the line of the wall outside? And Kalikan was over your shoulders when you looked at the 'eyes'?”
He paused, unnecessarily dramatically, at this point.
“Both Julina and I had an experience in town earlier which tipped my thinking to the solution. Julina, m'dear and sweet Kords, I believe that your 'spooky eyes' were in fact the reflection of the moon in the new glass windows of the buildings atop Strettalm.”
He stopped at that point and stood back, exuding a sense of self-satisfaction and self-gratulation.
The memory of being blinded by the reflections of the sun from one of the windows was almost as blinding as the realisation that Papa had indeed solved our mystery for us.
Kords and I breathed a sigh of relief and looked at each other quite sheepishly when we realised the plain and simple explanation rather than the fanciful conclusion to which we had originally jumped.
But even then I could feel another idea birthing in my idea-forming pool, an idea connected to what was just said and to my visit to Uncle's smithy a short while ago, or was it Pocular's?. Hmmmm, another idea that would need to simmer there at the back of my mind.
Thus it was that the spooky 'eyes' were forever banished from bothering us, all the facts neatly dovetailing into Papa's hypothesis.
… … …
I asked for a reminder about what had been said about civilization on the top of the Strettalm and Bezan nodded knowledgably, saying: “Ah yes! The bunkhouse. Well remembered. Well your idea about the bunkhouse at the end of the Loop Road …...”
“No. No. Hold! Something was said about about the one at the top of Strettalm that made me think about something else, something that's been worrying me all afternoon.”
“Let me see, bunkhouse on Strettalm. Four casts from the semaphore station? Newly built. Getting water up to ….”
“That's it! Water! Water supply. Water runs downhill not up. The hot water tank in our new kitchen. To get the hot water to the bathrooms and the privies, the tank will have to be higher than the outlet, and the pipes will have to run DOWN. How can it work? The tanks aren't that high up, perching there on top of the ranges. That's what's been bothering me. Do we have a design problem?”
“Ah! I must say I am impressed that you managed to work that one out. No, I believe that we have found a design or two that gets round that problem. One is something called a 'siphon'. If no air can get in, then a pipe can be filled with water and automatically make water flow as long as the output point is lower in height than the input point. So we can have a pipe that descends from a small 'header' tank, runs across the floor and CLIMBS again the other side. The water will still flow properly through it. The other solution, which is probably the most practical, is to raise the water as it comes out of the hot water tank and pour it into the pipe system as high as possible, using a header tank there. A simple pulley arrangement should work for this. But we have thought of that problem, I assure you.”
“Your solutions seem to conjure up more questions, Master Bezan. The pulley system seems to defeat the object of having pipes in the first place. But that is just a first thought. I feel I need to sit and discuss this so I understand it, but I deem it too complicated for an evening such as this. Perhaps we might chat soon?”
“I should be delighted. I shall let you know when would be best.”
“Thank you. Now, you were saying about the bunkhouse at the Loop Road?”
“Yes,” interrupted Papa. “That sounds like something I have not yet heard about.”
The others all nodded as well and so Bezan explained the background and then continued: “...so the family have agreed to move to the fish farm, they shall get more space to live in and they could also provide cleaning services for the bunkhouse, and it makes the breakfast production and serving so much easier. So all around, there is an advantage, any which way you look at it. We shall start converting the building to a bunkhouse as soon as both the weather breaks and we can get the existing house builds finished up here in town. We reckon at most three days for the conversion.”
“I strongly suspect that the weather will break this night – I fancy I saw some clear patches just before the light went.”
“Aye, Kordulen. Happen you're right. I noticed the same.” Uncle nodded as he agreed. “That Guildmaster should have an easier trip in the morning, when he departs. Oh, talking of that, Fedren tells me that there was a problem arresting that assistant of his down at the Forest Roadhouse. Apparently, the semaphore operators were not believed and the men to be used for the arresting at the roadhouse were employed by the miners. So Brathan simply told them that it was just a hoax used to test the semaphore system and went to his room. When they went to call him for a meal, it was discovered that he had disappeared. And his frayen was no longer in the stables, as was another traveller's beast. It would appear that Brathan has stolen that as well, for whatever reason. A Valley Messenger Service urgent message has been sent. He will be having a miserable time of it in the weather with no civilised shelter for many marks. But of course it took time to bring the message up to us and then get the Valley Messenger Service into action. Fully a day will have passed before the message can even be imagined to overtake the thief.”
Master Bezan then picked up the conversational thread. “Talking of shelter, that shed for the shuttle has proved to be a boon. With the known arrivals and departures of the shuttles, many of the 'campers' used its cover to escape the worst of the weather recently, and the wagoneers, of course, are pleased to have a comparatively dry space to ….”
“That was it! That was my other thought!” I burst out, unable to stop my tongue for the moment. “I'm sorry Master Bezan to interrupt you, but I had two thoughts not quite formed before this evening. One was jogged into existence by the conversation earlier and it was the pipes question. Now this one has been jogged into being – our new house, and more specifically its roof line. The way it is at the moment, any wagon delivering to the house would back into our 'courtyard' as we designed. But only the back part of the wagon would be under shelter, the roof there would make a curtain of rain descend into the belly of the wagon.”
“Maker! You are right. We need to change that roof part. Well spotted!”
I sighed a huge sigh of relief. Always carrying round those unformed thoughts was exhausting. Now I had rid myself of two of them. Only one left now, the one that had been triggered earlier in the conversations this evening. I had the feeling that it was a refinement of a thought I had already had and mentioned, some while ago.
But before we could go any further, Uncle jumped in on the word 'roof' and another topic was opened.
“What has always puzzled me,” he began, “is the way we build these rooves. They are all the same, all over the place. Even down in Tranidor and Teldor. They all have steep pitched angles. And when I asked about it, they explained to me that a flat roof might gather too great a weight of snow and collapse under the strain. Rain, they explained, wasn't a problem as even the slightest angle would make it slide off, but snow can stick and gather. I have always wondered why we need snow-protective rooves up here. Our climate, even when it gets cold, is not such that we get a great amount of snow. And yet, somewhere there is something that says we must have a roof that slopes so sharply. It's like no-one dare think for themselves. Which is why Julina and her family are a breath of fresh air to us all.
“Long may you and Kordulet, and the others, keep having these ideas, 'Lina. My fear is that, as you grow up, you will begin to be weighed down with all the so-called important stuff that we elders burden ourselves with, so much so that we lose sight of the simpler things. I feel we look at matters in a far more complicated way and have more inhibitions about speaking our minds. Your ideas, and please don't be offended by this, appear to be born of a child's curiosity, and are unhampered by the host of considerations that we elder ones tend to heap upon such matters, unimportantly it seems, now you have shown us the way.
“I find myself thinking slightly differently nowadays, having been exposed to your insights and viewpoints. Your father has started to think in different ways too – previously he would probably not have found the solution to your 'scary eyes' or whatever it was that you called them. But he did. And so many others are also doing it, I have remarked. It's almost as if our minds are awakening after a long sleep.”
I was naturally blushing so much by now, I could barely reply: “It was something that just seemed so right once I had observed Milady. It was HER attitude that made me sit up and take notice. It's nothing really to do with me. I just have these thoughts and questions – like why do we do something in a certain way, is there something else, some other consideration, that everyone else seems to know about but not me? So Milady taught me that I should ask. That's all it is.”
“But it requires a certain intelligence to apply the knowledge and that is what amazes us so much. But enough of that, I don't wish to embarrass you further. I have little further to report, other than we have decided definitely to go ahead and create a new village downvalley exactly where the road kinks and your proposed railroad route crosses, Master Kordulen. We can clear a road there down to the riverbank, though the last few casts are very dense, and investigate the possibilities of using barges to ship the coal downstream.”
“Excuse me,” I interjected. “Do I understand that you want the road to go all the way to the riverbank? Would it not be possible to use one of those continuous carpet thingies like from the third quarry up here in town? Then you would just need a walkway and a passage just wide enough for the conveyor.”
Again the men looked at each other, shaking their heads.
“Another worthy suggestion, Mistress Julina. I feel you may have saved Milady much more coin now. And we can get going sooner. I shall make a note of that. I find your mind a wonderful thing. Long may it so continue.”
“Er, it was nothing, Master B.” I managed to stammer out.
Yarling decided to change the subject to save yet more blushing from me. “Kordulen, what of you? Which projects are benefiting from your experience at the moment?”
“Well, I am having a sort of half-holiday at the moment as you are aware – this, for the benefit of you others, is for me to be able to supervise the move into our new abode. But in practice it means that I accompany my wife-to-be and my two talented daughters on a morning excursion as they get more and more practice at riding frayen, where I can not only provide them, and Mistress Sukhana as well, with an escort, but I also get to see most of the new roads that are being built and can keep an eye on their developments. I have made suggestions for the improvement of the new dam slope road and I am pleased to be able to report that my suggestion is being acted upon.”
“And what might that be?” asked Uncle and Sookie at the same time, after which they both laughed at them selves.
“Well, there will be a lot of heavy traffic on that road, wagons laden with stone mostly, so I proposed that actually they start by reinforcing the roof of the aqueduct just where the dam lake road joins it presently. At that point the road will not be able to be straight and so we might as well have a bend or two there. They will also create a solid foundation on the outside of the aqueduct to provide the base for the roadbed, and they will ramp that foundation down at a gentle slope parallel to the aqueduct for as much as four casts, more if we can make it so, to make the slope as gentle as possible. The slope they have just constructed will be for access to the work site as the construction takes place, and later for light traffic, since the slope is that much steeper than my proposed one.
“Then, once that slope is completed, we will be in the narrower part of the canyon, and the road can follow the side, at its base of course, of the aqueduct for a bit more, gradually losing height as it gets to the point where the canyon widens out, the point where the aqueduct makes its only remaining sharp bend. All this will have to be a single-track road with passing places, at least in the first instance. Eventually I imagine a divided road, with one for upvalley traffic and another for downvalley traffic, but I know not whether the traffic density will be such as to justify the expense. And the narrowness of the valley just there would make it difficult, there really being only room for a single width.”
Swayga spoke up then: “Kordy,” I think we all winced a bit at that, “if there is lateral place for just a single width, would it be possible to do what we used to do back when I was a child? On the boat, we often needed to have two or more separate channels for things, but needed to use as little space as possible, so we built the channels on top of each other. You surely have no vertical space problems? Could you not have a roof over the lower road, and use that roof as the roadbed for the upper road? Or simply strengthen the roof of the aqueduct for much farther, and then construct a further slope down from there?”
I confess I was reeling with shock at that point, since I was still amazed at the 'Kordy' business, that was the first time we had heard her use that term of endearment, and that amazement was nearly as great as that created by her suggestion; not just because the suggestion had much merit, but because Swayga had made it. I don't wish to imply that Swayga is in any way stupid, but that was the first such practical suggestion she had ever made in our hearing.
All conversation stopped and many mouths dropped open.
It was Yarling who said: “It must be catching. There must be something in the wood of this house.”
Papa slowly answered: “My dear, that is certainly a suggestion that I should consider, and I would have to discuss load strengths and so on with these three Masters as well, so it is excellent that they were here to hear it. My immediate reaction is to go with the two-tier solution as I fear the effects of possibly blocking the water flow to the town by working on the aqueduct, even if only temporarily, could be very grave. But the problem I immediately see with the two-tier system is that, at least in one direction, we would be restricting the height availability of the loads. Hmmmmm.”
“But how many existing loads are so tall? I can barely recall a single one that extended above the driver's head level.”
“Ah that may be so at the moment, but what do we see in the future? Maybe …........”
… … ...
A very pleasant, laughful, interesting and absorbing evening came to an end a while later. Further topics had been raised, Yarling's third quarry and the progress there, Uncle's bridge supports, Sookie's problems down at the Claw, Bezan's expanded problems now Milady's lands were so much bigger and his continuous need to juggle resources, our house move. The final topic was the start of the schooling and I had some things to say which made all my listeners open their eyes a little.
“Mistress Epp tells me to plan for a two week absence for our trip down to Tranidor, although it is anticipated that it may be as short as a pair of hands of days. Once that is over then the Salon can open in earnest and the schooling can begin. Mistress Epp and I will try to finalise as many details as possible whilst on the trip, but I can foresee a problem coming up that I do not know how to solve. So maybe I dare ask all of you here to consider it with a part of your brain and we can discuss it properly upon my return. The children up in the Vale. They will also require schooling, but they cannot travel back and forth each day, no matter how much of a shortening is achieved with the dam lake quarry. I have thought about and discarded so many schemes for accommodating them, that the new ones are getting more and more fanciful and less and less practical.”
“How many are involved?”
“Let me see, Sookie. Denesar is the oldest, but he is already here in town, apprenticed to the carpenter. But his siblings and cousins are a different matter. There are two boys, Matwyn and Toren, aged 10 and 6 respectively. And there are four girls, two of whom are twelve or thirteen, that's Venna and Kalisel, then the ten year old who is Renys, she's a little shy and withdrawn, and finally there's Portra, also a six year old.”
“So six in all. What thoughts, sensible ones that is, have you had?”
“Epp and I have a strong feeling that two days a week would be good to start out with, so we thought that the Vale children could stay somewhere for the nights before and after school days. They would thus be four nights a week in town and three back at home. However, that schedule would depend upon one of the adults being available to either bring them or fetch them. We here in this family would have nowhere to accommodate more than one of them, and even then it would be a pinch, we are already so many. If M.... Master Michen's Salon starts soon, as is foreseen, then having any of them staying in the rooms above would not be too helpful, considering the probable noise that that enterprise will generate. Furthermore, Epp and I feel that none of the children should be alone, being as how everything would be so strange for them at first, so we would need somewhere for at least two of them to stay together.”
“Well the women's accommodation down at the Claw is scarce used so we could take all four girls together, with the parents' permission of course. I could make one or two of the individual rooms available, I suppose, keeping the larger dormitory free for any travellers. It is above my own accommodation, so the noise should be at a minimum. But I confess I have no suggestions regarding the boys.”
“Well that is a BIG help, and an excellent start. My problem has now diminished considerably.”
… … …
“I think I have just become a fair weather rider!”
Swayga, Kords and I sat there listening to the drumming of the rain on the roof. We were dressed for riding, we were all disappointed, and we were all wondering about which of the many chores to be done we would make a start on instead.
It hadn't been raining last night when the evening finally broke up. The moon was shining but we couldn't repeat the 'spooky eyes' thing so our guests left and we quickly cleared away before doing the night chores. I slept well and enjoyed writing up the notes of the day during the wake period. I also made some plans for the day. They were quite exciting actually so I tossed and turned a lot during the second sleep.
So when I got up and pottered around, thinking and thanking that, at last, morning has broken, I had my day already sorted in my mind; my time would be occupied by some simple but satisfying plans.
Which were totally destroyed when the heavens opened again just after we had got ourselves prepared.
Kords it was who volunteered to brave the rain and scoot down to the Claw to let them know we were not keen on a ride that day and I confess we were getting worried about her when she eventually returned some bells later, quite some time after that final flurry of rain had moved on and the sun had reappeared. But she explained that Sookie had provided her with some dry clothes and then they had fed nibbles to the animals and they had had a chat whilst her own clothes dried in the heat of the kitchens. She was fascinated by events there, and learnt some tricks that would be useful for mass catering, which she offered to tell me. But there was an air of something else about her, something she was delighted with but wanted to keep to herself.
I tried, using subtle and direct methods, to extract her secret, but nothing I could say or do during the entire day worked, which was mystifying because usually I could worm information out of her. I felt quite frustrated actually.
It was with some surprise that I realised as I went to bed that night, after an excellent meal this time with Deegrum as our guest, that for the very first time since the arrival of Swayga, I had actually had a full day at home, going nowhere and burying myself in the household chores. And I STILL hadn't found out what she was keeping to herself. But I also had a strong feeling that some, if not all, of the others knew as well. It was all very, very frustrating.
I suppose I should have been surprised at the ease with which I fell asleep; but, being asleep, I had neither opportunity nor capacity for surprise.