Part Ten
Dale remained lying in the straw until he heard light footfalls approaching and sat up. He saw a glow of light and then The Brown came around the corner of the stable, a light of some manner atop his staff. "Come Mr. Maple," he said. Dale stood, certain he was to be discharged from service because they had finally judged him too unstable to help their cause.
"Please do not make me go."
The Brown produced some leaves of paper from within the folds of his robe. "Leave? You have received no such order. You will remain at Stone Keep between any other assignments you may receive. Here, the commander's written orders. Now, collect your things, I will take you to your new quarters tonight."
Dale followed The Brown to his barrack. The staff lit the room and several of the Men woke. "Back to your beds. Mr. Maple has simply received his new orders and will collect his things to move to new quarters. All your things, Mr. Maple, even those hidden beneath the floorboards."
Some of the Men were shocked or panicked that the resident Wizard knew of their covert operations. Dale dutifully collected his things, leaving those things only that had been gathered specifically for others in Second Company. The Brown led the way with his staff, into the yard.
As they crossed the yard to find the area where the more experienced Rangers kept their quarters they saw the south gate opening and Rangers with torches leading in a small figure on a pony. "Why do they open the gate after curfew?" Dale asked.
"It is no concern of yours, Mr. Maple," The Brown replied, but he knew this was the courier they had awaited. "On our way."
The Rangers who were stationed at a fort were assigned to groups smaller than the Companies of the recruits and these were called Squads. Each Squad was assigned to live in a cabin, with a loft for sleeping and a common room below with a stone fireplace, wood-burning stove for cooking, some cabinets and shelves for storage, a table and a few chairs.
As they entered the cabin, they found it empty and somewhat dusty. The Brown pointed out some scrolls on a shelf. "Here is the list of duties and regulations regarding maintenance of the cabin and the members of your squad. You may have as many as six other cabin mates coming over the next few days. Read the rules carefully, Mr. Maple, mind that you are a Ranger now. The Rangers as an organization must be self-supporting. Whatever trade or craft you know will be plied to benefit the organization. In return you will receive, as a squad some allowance of the foods brought into the fort and some small allowance of coins."
"Then we are to have no personal possessions?"
"Read the scrolls, there. You will understand. The former residents seem to have left you a small supply of wood and a brush and bucket. There is no curfew pertaining to activity within the cabin, but the gates will still be closed for the night at eleven. I trust you know where the well and washhouse are. If you have questions, ask your neighbor Rangers or the Captain. Do you know the bell that rings call to assembly?"
"I have heard it."
"The yard before the meeting hall is where Rangers will meet at the bell. The captain will inform your squad of all other orders, such as communal chores about the camp, guard duty and assignments outside the fort."
Dale sighed. As he did some other Rangers came into the cabin, bringing Dale's belongings from the armory. The Brown excused himself and the Rangers introduced themselves to Dale as his neighbors to the left of the cabin, from Eagle Squad. They gave him some advice on how to run the cabin and the squad. They said that it was best he wait to see who his squad mates would be and then discuss with them how to best use their skills to meet the food and craft quotas. If a squad filled the quota the fort asked of them, they could retain surplus for themselves to save against a time when they could not harvest as much food or had not the time or supplies to make craft goods.
The Rangers might be assigned duties around the fort, they said scrubbing the washhouse was the least pleasant. Guard duty was not difficult, so long as they could stay awake and knew to defend a wall with bow and sword. "And do not get caught taking bribes from recruits." They laughed, making Dale feel that they knew of his bribes, though these two had not accepted any favors from him.
When they other Rangers left, Dale did not feel like sleeping. He did not feel he should go over the wall. He found flint and knife and made a small fire in the fireplace for light and then went about sorting his belongings, storing them, reading the regulations and cleaning the cabin such as he could with one bucket and brush and a small bit of soap.
The Brown, after leaving Dale, made his way to Barad's office, where he knew he would find him awake and dealing with the matter of the courier. The Brown did not find the courier present, but Barad and Thorn were sitting at their meeting table in candlelight discussing strategy. When the Wizard came in, Barad invited him to sit.
He explained that he had met with the courier in private and put him up in his own quarters. "I wish to keep his business as secret as possible. The Rangers at the gate know a courier came to see me, but we have directed them not to speak of the matter or begin speculation."
"That sometimes works," The Brown mused.
"I have heard from our courier and he says that it is acceptable that we delay a few days or even a week. My plan is to send out the two teams, as we discussed." The Brown and Thorn knew the plan and assured Barad that they understood. "I believe we can time the departure to coincide with redeployment of the newly recruited Rangers. If our enemies are about, they may not realize when or how the courier is being sent out, if we are sending out so many groups of recruits to our other forts."
"Then at first, we will have many decoys, and as we are sending out multiple teams told they have the same mission, our enemies may still not know who to follow or hinder later," Thorn said.
"Let us hope our plan succeeds."
"Let us hope the Elves and Wizards know what they do," The Brown whispered.
When morning came, Tsuki and all of his Company were still among the recruits. They were given their breakfast in the hall and afterward most had time to pass, though Tsuki, Gib and Cal returned to the smithy to work.
In the afternoon Thorn came to the smithy to see them working with the fort's smith, a Man of Red Stag Squad. "How is your progress, have these recruited Rangers nearly finished their assignment?" Thorn asked.
"We are nearly done," Smith replied, "The kits are made and now we are doing some final hammering and polishing."
"Is it work you may complete today?"
"Yes. Within a few hours."
"Then I have orders for these three." Thorn passed the scrolls to each of the new Rangers, "You may read your assignments, and as soon as Smith is satisfied with your progress you may report as directed in your orders."
The new Rangers confirmed their understanding and anxiously opened their scrolls to read them. "I am to join a convoy to River Forge and be posted there," Gib said.
"I have been there," Tsuki said, "There is a mid-sized town there and it is along a busy trade road."
"There are mines and a large foundry there," Smith said, "and sometimes nuggets found along the river. Many different races live there, other Dwarves, and also Men and Elves."
"Then I shall be content."
"What are your orders, Tsuki?" Cal asked.
"I am to remain on post in Stone Keep and report to cabin number five with all my belongings."
"I also am assigned to that same cabin," Cal said.
"You will be in the same squad then," Smith told them. He suggested they get back to work, but as they worked, he spoke to them about the duties of Rangers while posted to a fort and gave them much advice.
Gwindor was with his sister outside the ladies quarters when Thorn found him. Thorn presented his orders. Gwindor read the scroll. "I am assigned to travel with a group to River Forge and be posted there."
"How strange that I traveled here to meet you, when you might have come to me after all," Lenaduiniel said. "I shall travel with you of course. I know the way well now and River Forge is a nice town. There are even a few Wood Elves there."
"I wonder if our two friends will be posted there as well?" Gwindor said, when Thorn had left. "I think Dale has not, he was not at breakfast and some Men of his acquaintance informed me that The Brown had escorted him to other quarters in the night."
"What time do you report?" Lenaduiniel asked, "perhaps there is time for us to find them and say farewell."
Gwindor examined the scroll. "I should be in the barrack two more nights and we leave the morning after that. It is probably to allow time for Barad to make his decisions and assign orders, so that we may all leave at once."
Dale was sitting in a chair, his arms and head resting on the table, when the first of his new cabin mates came in carrying their belongings. This was an Elf with long jet black hair in many braids; unlike red, black was a common color for Elf hair. Dale knew him somewhat, as one of those skilled at weaving and knotting. "Dior, isn't it?"
"Dior Lannén. They call you Dale, but you are Mapulinanlóme. Are there no others here yet?"
"Not yet. Have you received any orders other than to come here? I was told we should all read the scroll on the shelf there; it tells the rules for the cabin and squad. I have already claimed a bed and some shelf space. I have done what I can to clean the cabin and garden, but I have only been here since last night...alone."
Dior put his things on the floor and went to read the scroll. As he was reading, Brandy the Halfling and Leo the artist, who had both been in Second Company with Dale, came into the cabin. Dior introduced himself to them.
"My real name is Branduhar, but everyone calls me Brandy," Brandy said cheerily.
"Leofheru," Leo said, giving his formal name.
"You can just call him Leo; it's easier to say," Brandy told Dior.
"You sound as if you have learned the tongue of the Vale Elf," Dior said, "I do not find your proper names difficult to pronounce."
Brandy went on to explain that the three had been in the same company and Dior volunteered that he had been in Fourth Company. Soon they had all read the scroll detailing quotas and bells to assembly and chores they might be called to do, and were moving in and out of the cabin, cleaning, gathering wood and water and speculating on whether they would have more cabin mates.
Dale was in the loft with Dior, spreading herbs beneath the sheets of the mattresses they had just beaten clean in the garden, when the next two squad members joined them. Tsuki carried his belongings in with Cal. Gib was with them, helping Tsuki to carry his luggage.
"We are to have a dwarf living with us too?" Dior whispered, "Or is he still enthralled by the half-wizard and made to carry his bags."
"I think they have nearly become friends, though Tsuki paid him in true silver jewelry to join his team for the final project."
Tsuki looked up and saw Dale looking down from the loft. He wondered if Dale would still be upset with him and hoped it was not going to be awkward for them to be in the Ranger squad together.
Dior listened to the ones below introduce themselves in the Common Speech. The Dwarf was not to be among them, as he was moving on to River Forge. Dior's recent lover and bathing companion had also been posted there and he was not very happy about his orders. It was not that he had been overly attached or devoted to his companion, but that he would be living with perhaps only one other Elf. Even if he could find a new lover in another cabin, it would still be awkward to meet with three Men and a Halfling about.
"I wish they would assign more Elves to live together," Dior said, "Do you share yourself with some lover posted here?"
Dale glanced to Dior. "I have had a lover of sorts, but I have not yet heard if he will remain or be assigned to another fort."
"Then you are not with that Eastman?"
"Tsuki is not my lover," Dale said, "Are you offering, or are you about to mock me?"
"I was offering to share with you. My lover has been ordered elsewhere. It would be most convenient to not have to go to other cabins. I know that you are Mapulinanlóme, but I am not afraid, and I believe it would be best you did have an Elf to share with." The offer was made most casually, as was the way with Elves in negotiating such things.
"I do not like to do it in the day, or with all my garments removed, I do not kiss and I bathe alone. If those terms will satisfy you, then I will share with you."
They were not the best terms, but Dior accepted. If he found a better offer, he would simply tell Dale that he should share with him less or perhaps not at all, though it would be most courteous to share with him somewhat until he found a new lover of his own.
Tsuki brought a portion of his things up into the loft and found the Elves sitting on one bed. "Dale, we have been assigned to the same squad. I hope that is well with you. Do either of you know which beds are available?"
"Take the one beside mine," Dale said, "I will tell Brandy to move."
"You should treat him more kindly."
"I assure you I do not give him orders based on his race, it is simply that he is very agreeable as a person." Dale turned to Dior, "Tsuki smells quite good for a Man. He prefers fish, if it is available, to larger game and he enjoys our hair-wash and soaps."
"Does your Halfling have a supply of weed? I should not have wanted to sleep so close if he had. They smoke those pipes."
"Not a constant supply, but he does enjoy his meals and smoke." Dale called down to the room below. "Brandy, you are moving so that Tsuki can sleep next to me!"
"Very well, Dale!" Brandy called. "I dread sleeping so high up, no matter the bed."
"We could put one bed below if it would make you feel better."
"If no other squad mate comes, we could put one bed below," Dior suggested, "so that if one of us be sick of watching the fire..." Or two of them want privacy, was what he did not say, though Dale understood.
"We shall put a bed downstairs as a sickbed or for one to tend the fire at night, but if another cabin mates is assigned us, Brandy will have to take that bed for himself. You should learn to sleep up here for now, Brandy."
"It is easy for Elves to say, they are accustomed to living in trees."
Dale laughed. "Neither of us is Sylvan and Men do not live in trees. It is quite safe."
One bed was passed down from the loft and placed beneath the sleeping area at the back of the common room. There was little else to arrange, just the rectangular table and four chairs. The squad then went about putting their things away, mostly keeping clothing and a few favorite items in the loft and all the rest in the shelves and cabinets below. Some horseshoe nails driven into the wall across from the fireplace seemed left for hanging weapons and so their various swords and bows were placed there. Brandy and Dale designated a particular case of shelves near the stove for storage of their shared supply of food, which was now quite meager.
Tsuki separated those wizard things that were more The Art from those that related to mysticism. Clothing and jewelry were placed in a leather case beneath his bed. The various oils and powders, instruments, vials, and such things as lenses, hourglasses and lamps and his original compass that he had only recently gained access to, we placed neatly on shelves near the door. The ceremonial objects, precious stones, and gems were kept hidden from view within his chest, which was placed near the shelf he had claimed.
Cal placed what clay he had remaining and some clay items he had recently made and wooden sculpting tools Tsuki had whittled for him across the room from Tsuki's area near the door. What paper, charcoal, pigments and other tools Leo had were placed near a window, at the back of the room, near the bed, where there would be light. Brandy had few possessions, but made himself busy with hanging herbs to dry above the fireplace and finding a place to put his weed. Dale filled a case of shelves near the fireplace with scraps of leather, Orc trophies, flint and hammer stone, and assorted other items he had collected for trade. Dior claimed the area near Dale's for his many garments, needles, twine, yarn and string
When they had sorted out their own belongings, the group sat down, some in chairs, and Dale and Brandy on the deep stone hearth, to discuss how to work with the rules they had been given. Tsuki took out a tome, ink and quill to make notes and Brandy read from the regulation scroll. They were given the location within the fort of a Ranger in charge of requisitions and if there was equipment or good they needed to continue their trade or craft, and which they could not acquire on their own, they were to go there and make a request. Dale suggested they use that option as little as possible.
The squad discussed who should be selected as leader and it seemed to come down to Brandy and Dior. Brandy, Dale and Leo knew, was very organized, trustworthy, intelligent and so long as he was fed, cheerful enough to boost morale. Dior was polished and highly educated and 530 years old. With a vote by secret ballot Brandy was selected as Squad leader.
They then made a list of what each of them would need to contribute to their quota of goods for sale or trade, not including food. The goods might be commodities they produced or acquired, or finished craftwork. Some goods they knew how to get for themselves, such as wood for Tsuki to work, or clay from the stream for Cal or natural pigments for Leo. Tsuki solved the problem of Leo's need for paper by saying that he knew how to make paper and had done so for the Wizard he had lived with; he did not call him Master. Tsuki would show Leo how to make a screen for making paper; Leo would need such things as wood scraps, bark, leaves, sawdust and a large pot for making a pulp. Sawdust was a byproduct of woodworking, so it was suggested that Tsuki attempt to learn to do more than Whittle and he agreed. He was generally good with his hands and enjoyed wood as a medium. He would need some woodworking tools.
Cal wanted a potter's wheel and knew how to make one, but he lacked the flat round stone that was rather like a grinding stone, so they would have to seek such a stone. Dior worked with knotwork, handweaving and needlework and knew how to sew some types of clothing. He did not know how to weave or spin. Dale said that the town nearby raised and sheered sheep, so they should be able to get a supply of fabric and yarn at least, though they might have to do some trading to get it.
Brandy decided that he did not really know a craft, but he was already Squad Leader and willing to do a larger share of working toward their food quota. Leo also said he would not mind doing gardening and Dior said that he would not mind doing gardening, but he was better at foraging and would look for plants they might need.
Dale did not know one craft very well, he knew various crafts. He thought, since he was good with needles but Dior also knew to sew, that he would concentrate on working in leather. There was a fort tanner and if they should happen to hunt to feed themselves or other rangers and take the skins to the tanner he would collect the skins to work them. He also knew to made stone blades, but he was not sure this was valuable to many. He said he might try to learn something knew, like basket weaving, because baskets were so useful. Dale also indicated that he was plotting some means to aide their food quota and would need a large pot and some buckets.
They added to their list of things they needed a broom and other such things that would aid them in maintaining the cabin. The group agreed to put off discussing the food quota until they had located the things on the first list.
Dale suggested they leave the cabin while it was still day and split the list between them. "I will take some of the pots from our cook kits for my plan, take Brandy to the Nightgardeners, and collect some wood and pigments and maybe a few other useful things. Tsuki and Cal can either go to the tanner and smith directly or to the requisition office and get us some buckets, large pots, leather, woodworking tools and the grinding stone."
"If there is time afterward, I will go for more clay or do some firing."
"Dior and Leo can go to the town and find cloth for the screen and for Dior's work. See if they have any particular needs there or things we can use. Then we can all return here and figure a way to make a supper for us all."
"Smith gave us one of the new cook kits, he said it was the commander's order," Cal explained. This did not impress half of the squad.
The squad rejoined each other after many others at the fort had already had supper. Dale and brandy were the last to return. Tsuki was building rough boxes and Cal was forming large clay pots by torchlight in front of heir cabin; their plan was to fill the pots and boxes with earth and grow plants inside, near the windows, to have either food or herbs farther into winter. Inside Leo was already making the screens for crafting paper and Dior was reading a tome from the fort's library on how baskets were made. Brandy came carrying an armload of various plants, Nightmare was loaded with dry dead wood, and Dale came carrying a torch and a wooden box swarming with bees.
The Nightgardener's hive had sent out a new Queen, Brandy whispered to the others. Nightmare had already ran off once because of the bees and Dale had received stings, but they would have their own hive, which meant they could add the commodities of wax and honey to their quotas.
Dale placed the hive behind the cabin, in their garden. He said they would need to be sure to have flowering plants nearby and that they should have smudge pots in winter. The sisters had told him that they would need tar for these, but that smithies often had tar for use in hammering, if the fort smithy did not, he should be able to bring some in. Tsuki said tar was also good as a water seal, for buckets and roofs.
"Did we get buckets?" Dale asked, "I had to use the pots...remembered the other thing I knew how to do...make maple syrup. We found some obliging trees and tapped them."
"Dale says the tree sap is boiled down and it makes a tasty sweet syrup."
"Yeah, we used to make it, when I was a child; Men and Halflings traveled to the valley to trade with us."
"What shall we have for supper, I'm starving," Brandy said.
"I collected our allowance for the month, it is made of staples, grain and flour, salt, oil...we can go for eggs and milk as needed."
"If we have oil, perhaps we can stir some of the vegetable we have left in a helmet."
"More Wizardry?" Cal asked.
"Something from the east. Those in the Middle Kingdom make hammered pots that do resemble some headwear; they get them very hot and use little oil to fry strips of meat and sliced vegetables. They do not have rice in this part of the west. I wish that we did."
"What is rice?" Brandy asked, "A food?"
"A grain, but unlike barley or wheat. I wish I knew how to make...soba or udon, but I never learned."
"Foods made with rice?"
"No, with barley or wheat. A prepared food unlike like bread or quite like any dough I have seen in this region. It travels well, and would cook with vapor."
Talk in the cabin that night and the following morning was focused on
food, on what to eat and what to produce to meet their quota. The hive
would take some time to produce honey and the trees needed time to bleed.
Brandy and Leo tended the previously abandoned garden, identifying existing
plants, moving some, transplanting others they had found. Dior and Dale
helped to gather earth for the containers and Brandy and Dior cooperated
in determining what they should grow indoors. Several took beans and others
herbs, including mint.
Cal and Tsuki had already proven they could make useful craft items and
so the others agreed it was fair they did less work in meeting the food
quota, as they would do more to fill their other quota. Brandy and Dale
seemed able to do more to produce food and the remaining two members of
the squad would make up the balance of each quota, it was hoped.
Tsuki had made a broom and a simple loom for holding Dior's knotwork and handweaving. Cal had Dale to help him make the wheel, so Tsuki said that he would go to the library to see if they had tomes or reports on woodcraft that he could study, and that he might go to the other cabins to ask the more experienced Rangers some questions.
In the past, Tsuki would not have approached others to speak to them.
Tsuki sat in the library reading manuscripts in Elven detailing choosing dead wood, asking trees for their green boughs, changing the shape of wood through heat or soaking, shaping wood with tools, methods of joining wood and finished to be put on wooden goods. As Tsuki was studying, The Brown came into the library, seemingly to return a tome to its shelf, though he had sought to meet Tsuki.
"You will be taking up woodcraft then, Mr Eru?" The Brown said in his usual tone, which sounded superior to most. "No whittling of Wizard wands for the masses or selling of talismans?"
"I never actually sold a talisman."
The Brown laughed. "You have recently made or enlisted help in making ceremonial objects."
Tsuki knew better than to deny this to a Wizard. "I have."
"Had you been an apprentice it would have marked a rite of ascension when you conceived of your own ceremonial objects and modified or discarded those your mentor gave you. It would have marked another rung when you learned to guide your mind by holding the objects in your mind only."
"It still helps me focus to hold them."
"Yes, but you do not need them. I believe it is true you do not have what it takes to join our order. You were never deceived on that account, but you have realized more power within yourself than many Men of this age. Yet, I understand that your greater aptitude has always been for The Art."
"The rules that govern the universe and the nature and property of all things have always interested me."
"You have the patience for trial and error."
"Sometimes."
"And no wish to harm if it can be helped."
"Yes."
"Woodworking is a good way to ground oneself or to earn a living, but do not neglect your devices and potions."
"My trade is that of a Ranger, but as the Rangers are not such an order that will be supported by a king's tax on the people, we must do ply crafts and trades that will allow us to police the roads and protect the people. If I made potions to aide the people who trade with us to clean their homes some child might happen to drink one and be poisoned, thus I am settled on woodcraft. I do not know that all people would be able to read cautionary inscriptions."
"I noticed that the Gib Son of Gib inscribed such a warning on each pot lid of your kit."
"It seemed common sense to me to avoid contact with the vaporous water when lifting the lid, but Gib and Cal were each burned and told me it was not so obviously dangerous as putting one's hand into boiling water. At least if someone does complain, we can said we attempted to warn them. It is the best we can do; I do not see avoiding construction of the kit as an alternative. Fire can burn, yet wood caries no written warning upon it."
The Brown laughed. "You are quite correct. Perhaps in the future we shall need no such warnings; my foresight shows me only so much."
Tsuki took his leave of the Wizard and showed the Ranger on duty within the library the tomes he was taking away for reference. Tsuki went then to the other cabins where more experienced Rangers lived. Some questioned him on what the name of the squad in Cabin Five would be, but Tsuki could only answer that they had not decided upon a name. The other Rangers said that the newly formed squad in Cabin Six was called Bear Squad.
Tsuki learned much viewing the interiors of the other cabins. Some had trophies that showed they hunted game to produce food, others had indoor planters, Grey Wolf Squad had a press for extraction oils and juices from vegetation. Tsuki was most interested in its design and pointed out ways addition of additional pulleys or a screw might make it easier to operate. Eagle Squad had positioned sheets of polished copper to redirect sunlight into specific areas of the cabin to conserve wood, oil or wax used for lighting. They were almost willing to share their methods, as it ultimately meant more support for the Rangers, yet the cabins were not all alike but often specialized.
Tsuki went back to his own cabin and found Gib was sitting in one of their chairs with all but Dale and Dior present and working. "Gwindor has come to say goodbye to your friend," Gib told Tsuki, "We are both to depart for River Forge in the morning."
Tsuki understood that Gib must have also known Dale to be Gwindor's lover. "Where is Dior? I saw he was interested in weaving baskets also and there is good information for finding materials in this tome."
"All the Elves are in the loft," Leo told Tsuki.