OUTLANDER

                                                     Chapter 21

                                           Winter White

Winter was finally here on Borland. Big white flakes were fluttering to the ground and covering everything on the ground. Cavidar’s men had secured the sails earlier that day and only the watches on the three ships were making their rounds of the decks. Dimzer was on duty at the Watch Tower and even at its height his view had been diminished to the point that he could not make out the docks clearly. He could hear the waves crashing on the rocks at the bottom of the bluff, but not another sound carried clearly so high up this evening. So he sipped at the warm mulled ale Sergeant-at-Arms Wolch had just brought him.

The families of Djan and Zahal had stayed at their farmsteads this night. Neither man wanted to trudge back home in this weather in the dark of the night. Their children however were still cavorting outside, not yet so cold as to be warming themselves by their fireplaces as their parents were doing. The livestock had been ushered into the bairns during the afternoon when the snow had started falling.

Rales, Skotic and Dessa had secured their Dhows to the pier earlier, but were in the hall with most of Sovladen’s people having a communal evening meal. The halls large fireplace ablaze with warmth and a bright glow. The oil lamps around the walls gave the hall an almost cheery ambiance.

“I would like to raise my glass in appreciation to all those here and those who could not be with us tonight. You have all done admirably great jobs in getting our town ready for this now starting winter season. Some of us were not here last winter since we were back in the Waste and Lagdian at the time. My compliments to you all.” Dax sat back down as the cheering started.

It was Mesan who stood next. “I am not given to public speaking as some are. But I would like to thank Commander Dax, Commodore Cavidar and their men for rescuing all of us who were captive here and giving us the opportunity for the lives we now enjoy.” This said Mesan returned to his seat next his wife Delpha as a thunderous round on applause ensued with half of the people in the hall standing and looking toward the two men.

The rest of the evening passed with people laughing, telling stories and sharing warm remembrances of the past months working together. Due to the continuing snow outside everyone left for their homes before it was too late. They wanted to snuggle down in their beds with their loved ones and stay as warm as they could. Tomorrow could be an as yet unfamiliar cold.

Dax and Melody were doing the very same thing. She lay in her husband’s arms feeling warm and cared for while Ginger was already fast asleep.

“What is on your agenda for the morning?”

“Ruthor, Cavidar and I are going to talk with the prisoners in the morning in the hall. I have recently heard that maybe a few more might be exhibiting some changes in their behavior. If that could be the case, then it might be that we could put some on parole, like we did Mesan, Argin and Welman. That proved to be beneficial to the settlement. Would you like to sit in with us and give us your opinion? You have been here more constantly than I have over the last moon or so.”

“I think I would. What if I ask Delpha and Gayla to join me, Delpha has been here longer than either of us?”

“Even better, a round table of both men and women. I will tell Ruthor and Ernstal during the morning meal. We can all meet after that. The Gaol platoon will bring back the prisoners and guard them at the far end of the hall while we talk to the ones that have been mentioned more privately.”

Melody snuggled a little closer and then whispered. “I like that, now let us sleep in this warmth until daylight.”

“Yes, my love.”

The following morning was cold and there was about two knuckles of snow covering all that one could see as they walked outside. The dawn was rising higher in a clear sky, this first winter storm had passed over as they slept.

After everyone had returned to their homes and prepared for another days work. Cavidar, Dax and Ruthor moved some tables together at the end of the hall where the fire still burned brightly behind them. Melody, Gayla and Delpha sat tankards of steaming tea on the tables for them all and an ewer of tea on a table close by with a few cups placed close to it. So that the men asked to join them for an interview could have a drink if they wished one.

Shortly after that was done, the Gaol platoon brought the 16 leg shackled prisoners in through the Hall doors at the other end of the room. Then seated them on benches left there.

Dax looked down at the notes that had been written about the prisoners and walked toward them for an initial statement about why they were there instead of on a work detail already.

“You have all been confined to our new Gaol for some time now, except when you were working or having your meals. Many people have talked to us during that time about the work you have been doing and their perceptions of your attitudes while doing them. That is why we have had you brought here this morning. We wish to talk to each of you for a few moments and give you our assessments of both things. A few of you may be offered the same chances that were given three others of you once before. Those three have become valued members of our citizenry. But know this if you are given such a chance and misuse it. You will be returned to the Gaol and may not be considered for such a possibility again. All of you are guilty of serious crimes against those that were captive here, those that were killed in bringing those captives here and some are fugitives of life long imprisoning crimes before that. So let us be clear in the depth of our conditions, on any possible chance you have here for any lenience.” That said Dax walked back and sat back down in his seat at the table in front of the fireplace with his friends.

The first man he called to come to the table was a man named Torrance Hatch. He stood and then walked to the chair sitting in front of the panel of men and women, the sitting down.

“It says here that at one time you were a stone mason. It also says you killed a man in a fight some years ago in an ale house in Viral. Are these statements correct?”

“Yes, I was a stone mason and I did kill a man in a fight. I was not wrongly accused in as far as that much was charged.”

“Is there something else that could have changed the verdict that was rendered?”

“No. The man died of my beating him, I was guilty of that.”

“It has also been reported here by some who have watched you work, that you are an experienced mason who is happy in his work at dong that. There are those who do not think you were happy in the role you were playing as one of Fargyn’s men. And has also been said that you were also not one who took pleasure in the rough treatment of captives here. What do you say to these statements?”

“Yes, I do like working with stone, it has always allowed me solace. I have been a prisoner and one chained to the oars of a ship, so no I do not see any pleasure in abusing those that are. But in truth I did not attempt to help them either, that could have made it harder on me. So in that you might call me a coward.”

Now it was Delpha who spoke. “I do not see cowardice in you. I do see one who was a prisoner of sorts as we women here were. None of us risked added abuse to what we were already receiving either. That is self-preservation not cowardice.”

“Thank you Lady Delpha, I will accept that as it was meant.”

“The final question that I think we have is, would you wish a chance at a parole for a time, to determine if we find you worthy of release from your present sentence. Remember this is a one-time possibility, if you break such a trust, you will be incarcerated and there would never be another offer.”

“I would, and there would be no breaking of such a chance by me.”

“That is all for now. Return to your seat with the others and we will make our decisions after we have talked with all sixteen of you. And tell Wilem Forestall to come forward.”

“Thank you. I will.” Hatch stood and walked back telling the next man to go forward. Once he was there and seated Ruthor started this interview. Then one at a time each man was questioned in a similar manner and had every possibility to make his own statements on his own behalf. It was time for the mid-day meal by the time all the prisoners had been interviewed.

Once the mid-day meal had been served, then the Hall cleaned afterwards; the same six resumed their closed discussions of what they felt about each man. It was the middle of the afternoon by the time they had reached their final consensus and decided to make their decisions known at that evenings meal to all that were there, this would be a time when other of the citizenry could add comments if they wished. If there were no real objections; Dax, Ruthor and Cavidar would make these known to the prisoners in the morning after they had eaten their morning meal, but before their work day began. That way those being put on parole could start their day as just that.

After the evening meal, Delpha stood and talked to the gathered assembly and opened the discussion. There were several questions asked by the citizens. At one point Mesan stood from his seat and turned to let everyone know not only about the men under discussion, but also about the fact that not all of Fargyn’s men had been criminals before. Some, like himself had simply agreed to become one of his men rather than face death when the ship they had been on was attacked and later sunk or taken as a prize by Fargyn’s forces. Delpha had corroborated his accounts. By the time everyone was leaving for their homes that night, all were in agreement. There was no minimum set duration for such paroles though. Each man would be judged on his own merit.

As soon as the next morning’s meal was eaten; Dax, Ruthor and Cavidar went to the Gaol and talked with the prisoners who had been mustered for this rendering of the decision from the panel. In all six men were being granted paroles, initially they would be watched closely and their shackles would still be worn. As they progressed in trustworthiness, shackles and supervision would lessen. Those six men were; Torrence Hatch the former Mason, Wilem Forestall the former wheelwright, Desher Rawl a former farmer and dairyman, Thom Nidder a former glass smith, Pavil Scomes a former chandler and Mikel Dunig son of a beekeeper. They would all be moved to a house that morning and no longer be incarcerated in the Gaol. Four more of the remaining prisoners were told that they would be considered for such a parole later, if they continued to exhibit attitudes similar to these six. These were; Pavil of Viral a former Mead brewer, Bordig Jym a one-time farmer, Arell of Capet the son of a horse breeder and Aden Perce a one-time ceramic tile maker. However the remaining six, whom it was decided were long time criminals and had shown no such attitudes of remorse, were for now considered real threats and were not in consideration for any lenience. They were; Renal Daskalm, Skar of Hapwell, No Ear Dinball, Kern Davice, Wilden Hensail and Mandan Twiez. Those not being given paroles on this day were then taken to their assigned labors.

The six new parolees picked up their clothing and bed clothes and were taken to their new common residence. Then Torrence went to where the masons were working that day. Wilem went to the blacksmith shop and would start looking into working as a wheel wright there for now. Desher and Mikel were going to report to Ofid’s farmstead and start trying to prove themselves there. Mikel especially would start looking for bee hives, they had already talked about establishing a new farm incorporating beekeeping on a farmstead next to Ofid’s if they were allowed. Pavil Scomes and Thom Nidder asked to go to the Potters and start working on a combined shop next to his. Both would need kilns and other ovens to be made so they could pursue candle making and glass.

Eron and his platoon were leaving that morning on a mission to explore the area between the route they had taken back from the western shore and that area explored along the southern coast most recently before winter arrived. They planned on being gone for probably half a moon.

Dax and Cavidar were standing talking in the square when two young couples approached them. It was Reva Tors with her toddler son Carsyn and Benja Fens the son of Wendyl Fens who was also a Barrel maker. With them were Wyona Gryn carrying her infant bay girl, Nesa and Paol Dahl the forester son of Weren.

“May we have a word with you gentlemen this morning?”

“Of course you may.” Dax answered the two couples.

“Benja and I have talked with our fathers and been given their approval, as have Wyona and Reva from the Lady Delpha. Now we are asking you two gentlemen if we could have your assistance in becoming husbands and wives?’

“Of course you can, this is wonderful news, and I congratulate you all.” Dax replied almost instantly.

“I congratulate you both as well.” Cavidar added. “What may we help you with and how soon do you wish to have these weddings?”

“Thank you both. We would like them to be soon. It is our hope that you will officiate at them Commodore. We would also like it if you would stand up for Wyona and Reva Commander, as the Lady Delpha will as their mother.”

Dax and Cavidar looked at one another and then turned in unison and said. “We will both be honored. I would assume that we will be planning two weddings in the Hall quite soon then?”

“Not exactly, we all wish for it to be a joint event, if that is okay?”

“Yes, that will be perfectly fine. So how soon would you like this joint wedding to happen?”

“Would it be possible to plan it for say, half a moon from today?”

“Of course. You let your fathers and the Lady Delpha know and I am sure they will be most helpful in the planning. Would you allow us to announce this at the mid-day meal today?”

“Please, if you will?”

“Oh we are most happy to make this announcement. We will see you then. You all have much to do now. The women of our town will be buzzing like bees for the next half-moon planning and helping all of you.”

The two couples turned and walked briskly away the young men holding their future brides hands as they walked. Benja was also holding the little hand of Carsyn and Paol had Nesa in his other arm.

By the time a half moon had passed Eron and his platoon returned the day before the double wedding ceremony. Eron had surprising news of his own so he went straight to where Dax and Ruthor were standing in the square having a conversation, before they had even noticed the platoon walking into town.

“Commander, we are back and I have excellent news.”

“Welcome home, Lieutenant. What is this excellent news?”

“Wild horses, Dax, we found a small herd of wild horses.”

“Where, and can we catch them. That could make many things so much better for many.”

“There is an almost hidden valley that is beyond a waterfall on a river that flows from the valley three days north of Mount Fang. It has one blind canyon and two other passes toward the north of it. If we took men and built tall weir fences across the two passes and then a similar one with hidden gates across the blind canyon, then I think we could run them into the trap.”

“How many were in this herd?”

“Not totally sure, but at the least forty. A few stallions, one wondrous black one is the leader. A few colts and foals, but the rest are all mares.”

“Great news. You and your platoon get rid of your gear and take a rest. You will want to join everyone at a double wedding this afternoon. Then in the morning we will make plans to capture as many as we can. Hopefully twenty or so. We’ll take the stallion and mare on Ofid’s farmstead with us, Ofid will want to be in on this. But go and rest for now. Like I said, we’ll plan tomorrow.”

As Eron took his men and headed for their platoons quarters, Ruthor turned to Dax with a bright smile. “I am so ready to have horses again, Dax and I know you are as well.”

“I am, I will not lie about that. But depending on how many we can catch, we will only break a few for the Wolf Pack, for now. The rest we tame for other uses around Sovladen.”

“I agree, we should talk with Wilem Forestall about making some wheels for wagons and the black smiths about being ready to make horseshoes. Maybe even assign the prisoner Arell to Odin’s farm for the horse training.”

“All that sounds good. Now let’s you and I see to our wives and help them get ready for this nights festivities.”

“We will be ready, my friend. I hope more of our young here start to get the same idea. These women we found here deserve good husbands and a better life. I’ll see you at the Hall.”

During the morning meal the next day Dax told everyone in the Hall of the discovery of wild horses. Cheers erupted throughout the building. All knew of the importance this could mean. Then he informed the gathering of the planning for a mission to capture as many as they could, but leaving enough in the wild herd so it could continue to thrive and repopulate that same valley. Many men offered their services for that mission.

Three days later twenty men left Sovladen for the trek to what they now called, Wild Horse Valley. It took the party five days to get there and another two to set up the barricades at the two passes and build a weir fence with gates at the blind canyon on the west side of the valley. Two men stayed at the camouflaged gates when they were done. One group hiked around to the north pass and another to the eastern most pass. Dax and Ruthor on the two horses from Ofid’s farmstead started the stampede from the top of the water all on the south end of the valley.

As the herd headed for each of the two passes, one after the other the groups of men there jumped out from cover and scared them toward another direction. With Dax and Ruthor yelling on their two horses pushing them ever forward, the herd was forced to keep turning in the direction of the blind canyon.

As most of the herd kept running at full speed ahead, many of them went through the two open gates unaware of the trap. A couple of the younger stallions and about half of the mares diverged from the main group following the black stallion, thus avoiding the trap. Men of the group did as they had been told and let these horses escape back into the valley. When the tally was made that late afternoon twenty three were captured within the trap.

Over the next several days, Arell of Capet taught men how to rough break the wild horses. A few men incurred bruises and Yans Wilde suffered a separated shoulder, which Garth pulled back into place. Those who broke a horse were then appointed to ride those back to Sovladen. It took four days before the group, some riding with ropes tied around the unbroken ones and the other men walking behind just in case a horse got free, walked back into the town.

People began lining the road and square to get a look at the men and herd. The entire herd was then taken to Ofid’s farmstead and put into a corral that had been constructed while the twenty men had been gone. Arell of Capet was then assigned to Ofid’s farm until all the new horses were fully broken and trained for their new tasks.

The wild horses were not quite as large as the original stallion and mare which were draft horses by breeding. But all were of good size, lines and strength.

It was Dax who broke and then trained the Black Stallion to become his mount. Ruthor, Ofid, Cran and Eron all chose and did the same with those they selected from the herd. Arell of Capet spent a half moon breaking the others to be plow horses, draft horses and a few more for riding like the five broken by the Wolf Pack Officers. When all this was done Arell of Capet was given his parole and allowed to build and run the new stable for the town. In this stable Arell would house the Wolf Pack’s mounts plus five more riding horses and four draft horses for community use.

In all twelve horses had been broken for riding purposes. This way when a patrol would be sent out in the future, the patrol could all ride, allowing patrols to travel at a quicker pace and carry more provisions and weapons.

The original two draft horses stayed with Ofid as well as his mount. Beinjin Yets, the hunter was given one of the riding broke ones. Each of the three original farmers were given one draft horse each. Waren and Paol Dahl were given two to use to pull a wagon load of logs to where ever they were to be used. Two more draft horses were given to the Quarrymen for the same reason as the foresters. The last draft horse was given to Otis Kemp for his grain mill so that he could easily move the milled products into town or to the storage house. There could be more horses captured and broken as the need arose.

Later during the following moon three more couples got married. Maynard Symes married Wyla Sandsol with her daughter Willa. Raol Clayson married Dolyn Piest with her infant boy Fidel and Darl Mamed married Danea of Seaby.

During this same time the masons, remaining prisoners and some of the Wolf Pack were busy building Wolf Pack Head Quarters and new Barracks near the battery on top of the northern hill of Sovladen. Those members of the Wolf pack who were not working on that project were the ones getting training with Ofid for the newest of the wolves. This training was proceeding well and soon there would be six more of them fully incorporated into the Pack.

Around the end of this moon cycle the first buds and blooms were peeking through the ground and on the trees. Winter was finally in its last stages before it would be full spring time on Borland.

                                                                        *****

“Good morning, Captain Moule. How many have you recruited thus far?”

“I have a full ship’s compliment of sixty men ready, Lord Daka. Many of them have wives, and some have children. All are just awaiting my instructions on when to prepare for the voyage. With your Lieutenant’s help we have found twenty men willing to make that voyage and join Commander Dax’s Wolf Pack. Some of them are married and have children as well. In all we would be taking 102 people to Borland with us.”

“That is fine, when would you be ready to ship out of port then?”

“We could leave within three or four days, if you wish? All are here in Throgmarden already. I have made the arrangements for supplies for the voyage already. What I have not done is acquire any materials or supplies to be taken for Borland itself.”

“We have had no word from there since you returned, so I have not considered any resupply of the settlement. Your report stated that they had ample livestock, wildlife and natural plants to sustain them. Our main concern was for additional troops for this voyage. Everyone you have recruited is a loyal Marden citizen, as we discussed correct?”

“Everyone, my lord.”

“Good, then set your day for departure. I will discuss this with Lord Ceric and Thane Erik. If you do not hear from me on any additional supplies to take, then just be sure to be amply supplied for your crew and the immigrants. Are the additional crews for the ships well trained?”

“What any of them are not experienced in, they will be getting fully capable of during the voyage itself. This will be their shakedown training voyage as we travel there. It will take us over three moons to get there so that should be a good measure of them by the time we arrive.”

“Good then. I will let you go about your work then. I will go and report to Thane Erik and Lord Ceric this morning."

Daka turned and left the Captain’s cabin, then disembarked his ship and headed up the streets from the port toward the council building. Once Daka was in the Council building, he went to Ceric’s office and then they both went to find Thane Erik. Luckily he was in his chamber and told the guard to let them enter.

“What can I do for you two this morning? Come on in and sit down.”

“My Thane, I have just left the port and Captain Moule will be ready to leave port within the next four days for Borland. All the new military personnel are here in Throgmarden and ready. He will be putting the new naval personnel through their paces during the three moon voyage as they cruise.”

“Fine, then when he returns we should have more recent news of how our settlement there is thriving. How about you Lord Ceric, any news from your friend Neven Salas?”

“I did get a messenger bird from him yesterday, my Thane. But it was more no news actually. He said he had not had a bird as yet from his apprentice on Borland since he left. We both now think that there was ample time, considering the time frame it takes a ship to make the passage at least twice. So, we both are surmising that the distance is too far for a bird to make the flight. We will know for sure when Captain Moule returns though.”

“I understand, we will thought that could be the case. A three moon voyage would be a very long flight for one of the birds with no location for rest or finding food.”

“That is true my Thane. But we had to try. I feel sure that commander Dax has found other duties for the young Mage apprentice though.”

“Yes, I am sure he has as well. At least we will have a report from Captain Moule when he returns in six or seven moons. That is the best we can hope for.”

Both Ceric and Daka agreed. After a few more items were discussed between the three men, Daka and Ceric took their leave to go about other tasks of the day.

That evening while Thane Erik was relaxing with his family, Queen Daneen asked him what it was that her husband was so thoughtful about.

“I know it is useless to be disappointed, but I do hate the lengthy amount of time between reports from Borland.”

“I can understand, Husband. Are you having any trust issues with the men you have there?”

“No. not trust issues, they have proven themselves loyal and diligent in their duties. But to go a half a year and longer between any news is frustrating.”

“I agree, it would be so with anyone. However, console yourself with one thing though. These men and their men with them have done for you what no other has ever done for any ruler in many generations. They have found and re conquering a new land for you, and even better it is one that no other realm even knows exists.”

“That is the one thing, my love that makes the waiting bearable.”

                                                          *****

“Captain Meldon. What information were you able to acquire?”

“Nothing that fully answers your questions, my King. The Marden Captain did bring the Lagdian ship back to Viral and had the Cog with him. Ha had an audience with King Magdar who rewarded him by paying all the Captain’s resupply costs for his ship. That was the most that most men along the docks and merchants knew.”

“I hear a hesitance in your voice.”

“Only in what a man in one of the ale houses said, my King.”

“Which was what?”

“He said the Captain spent time talking to some people, who had nothing to do with resupplying his ship. Then later heard that a few people had left Viral and surrounding areas about the same time. Not sailors, just ordinary people. People move all the time, for better wages or just seeking better living conditions, or even to escape some judgment for an offense. He just thought it odd of the coincidence between these things happening so close together.”

“Do you have the same feeling about it?”

“Not really, my King. But I would not neglect in telling you everything I was told. Regardless of how vague it might be.”

“I am glad you have. I will think on this. Here, allow me to make some recompense for your efforts on our behalf.” Ormish Drofeld then tossed a leather pouch of coins to the Captain.

“Thank you, my King. You are most generous.” Meldon then turned and left the Kings hall. As he walked back to the docks and his ship, he wondered at why the King was so curios about the Marden Captain and how he had recaptured the cog from the Lagdian rebel. He decided it was none of his concern. What he needed to do was ship out of port and set off on s trading voyage for Crogdom and do some trading in the other realms for a while. All this clandestine asking of useless questions of other people in other realms was not what he wanted to be involved in longer.