OUTLANDER

                                                      Chapter 22

                                         Promise of Spring

Dax heard Dimzer blow the horn from the Watch Tower, followed immediately by his yell. “There’s a Ship on the horizon and its making course for Borland.”

“Can you see what kind of ship, or whose it is?”

“It looks like a Marden ship, much like the last one, Commander.”

“Thank you, keep us posted.” Dax turned and saw Cavidar and Ruthor walking his way. “It appears that there is a ship from Marden. Dimzer says it looks like the one Captain Moule was on during his last visit here.”

“I’m not surprised, it’s been quite a while since they heard from us. Too bad young Wile’s messenger birds couldn’t survive the flight from here to Jav.”

“Yes, I agree. It will be awhile before they make port and dock. I’ll meet you there before that.”

“We’ll see you then.”

Dax turned and went to find Melody so she would know. She and Gayla were in the new offices that had been completed in what had been the second women’s house. As more of them were married, those as yet still single had moved back into the one they had been in before Fargyn was defeated. The second one they had been given was now called “Government House”. Melody and Gayla worked there now keeping records, making agendas for council meetings and starting records compilation of land ownerships, marriages, disputes brought before the council and so on. They had been delighted to take the positions, since they could have their children with them while they were at work. It also meant they would be to interact with all of Sovladen’s population on a regular basis and make some difference in how things were decided and recorded.

Melody was happy to see Dax come through the door. ”Good morning, my husband. We heard the warning horn from the Watch Tower, is that why you are here?”

“It is, Dimzer says it looks like the ship Moule commands. I thought you and Gayla might want to be there when it docks?”

It was Gayla who answered. “I know I would.”

“So will I. We’ll bring the children with us.”

“I will go to the Blacksmith shop then, and tell Mesan and Delpha. See you at the docks in a little while.”

Dax said before he kissed his wife goodbye. Then he walked out the door, turned and headed up the street to the blacksmith shop. The answer there was the same, both Delpha and Mesan would join them at the docks.

As Dax left the shop, Cran walked by and asked of his Commander what the horn had been about. Cran had been walking down from Ofid’s farmstead watching the newest wolf pups practicing with their new Wolf Pack partners.

“A Marden ship was seen on the horizon. Dimzer thinks it looks like Moules. Join us there if you wish, how is the training going at Ofid’s?”

“Quite well Commander. Ofid thinks they will be ready to go on patrols very soon now.” As the two men talked Darma and East were smelling each other’s back sides and wagging their tails. “I will go see if Aiela and Balen want to watch the ship come into port.”

A short while later the ship was indeed tied to the dock and the gang plank lowered. Captain Moule was the first one coming down the plank. He saw his old friend Commodore Cavidar standing next to Commander Dax and his family, behind them were Captain Ruthor and Lieutenant Cran, both with their families.

“I didn’t expect such a dignified greeting party as I docked.”

“You are a most welcome sight my old friend, and as you can imagine, we do not get many visitors here on Borland. Although that is the way we prefer it for now.”

“As I would if it was me. I bring you new men for your growing navy Ernstal, 60 in fact and a few have wives and families with them. For you, Commander I have 20 soldiers and again a few have their wives and children with them as well. In total there are one hundred and two immigrants for Borland.”

“Magnificent, Braden, we are in your debt. How long can you allow this shore leave to last, before your eventual return to Marden?”

“No time limit was given. But you can rest assured if I linger too long, the council will be over anxious for my return with news of how your settlement progresses.”

Everyone standing close burst into laughter at his saying this. After the jovial whimsy settled down all took the time for hand shaking, slaps on the backs of men and a few coos at the children either in a parent’s arms or standing close by.

Ruthor and Cran turned saying they would rejoin everyone after they got the new soldiers in quarters. As they walked away Cavidar looked for his Captains and asked them to do the same with the new Navy personnel and their families.

“Do you have ample housing for this number of people on such short notice?” Moule asked.

“We do. Some of our single people have married since you have been away and we have constructed new quarters for the Wolf Pack and Navy. We have been planning for the eventual need for such an increase in personnel and civilian immigrants as well. You do ride a horse, Captain, I would presume?” Dax asked in a polite fashion.

“In fact I do. But if I remember right you only had a stallion and brood mare when I was last here.”

“True, but we have another surprise for you in that department as well. We discovered a wild horse herd in a hidden canyon in the mountains west of Sovladen. We have made one trip to capture about twenty, which have been trained for several purposes already. A few are being kept as both breeding stock and for occasional use for all without steady need of a horse or team. Our horse breeder and keeper of the stable was one of the prisoners that were here. His name is Arell and he is now a trusted member of our community. You will meet him tomorrow. It will be easier if we tour the area around Sovladen on horseback now, much has changed.” Dax finished bringing Moule somewhat up to date, if albeit briefly.

“Yes, I can see some changes right here at the docks. I see you have a third ship of the line now. And it looks as if some other kind of ship is being built at the fishing dock, which looks enlarged as well.”

“It has and yes, a new ship is under construction, it is to be a whaling vessel. Our other two were Dhows and not suitable to catch and bring back the spoils from whaling ventures.”

“I may have to be here a while to digest all that you are accomplishing.”

“You and your crew will be welcome for as long as you can stay.”

That said everyone started walking toward the town so Moule and his men could settle in. they would all meet again at the evening meal.

Almost everyone on Borland came to the hall for Evening meal that night. They were welcoming the new Wolf Pack and Navy men with their families. Many wanted to hear news from the Old World, as they now called it and showed true interest in Moule’s men who had made the voyage possible.

Finally all set down to tables heaped with various; meats, vegetables, fruits and some delicious looking desserts.

“What is this delicious meat that I took, Dax?” Captain Moule asked. “I don’t think I have ever tasted this before.”

“That is Bear meat, Captain. And that greenish yellow looking fruit is what we call a plantain. It is good as well when we mix it in our breads. The rather orange vegetable is a sweet potato and it is yummy if you spread some of the cow’s butter in it while it is still hot. That meat my husband favors is of the wild pigs we have on Borland and those greens come from what we call mustards.” Melody answered before Dax could look up and see what Moule had on his platter. “If you can stay with us long enough, you can savor many of our various fish dishes, both from the sea and the rivers here. We have also found some new types of spices for flavoring our foods. Some are especially tasteful in desserts, while others rather heat up some of the vegetable and meat dishes. Food is not a problem here.”

“I can see that, if I stayed here too long I would have a waist problem.” Moule confided.

“That is a fine complement to our cooks, Captain. I will relay your comment for their happiness.”

“We will send you back with those that could survive the voyage back to Marden. Some we will dry for you some we can pack in a way that they could still be unspoiled when you get there.”

“That would be a treat many would enjoy.”

The rest of the evening was spent in good natured conversation among most in the hall. Moule said his men would gladly assist in any projects that Dax and Cavidar thought they could contribute to. Dax said they could talk about that the next day or so, for right now he just hoped they would relax a few days from the long voyage. Moule agreed, but assured Dax and Cavidar that his crew would appreciate the distraction of working with their men on shore for a while. It was deep into the night before the last of the crowd made their ways home and to their beds for slumber.

After the morning meal the next day, Captain Moule assigned several men from his crew to begin helping in the building of the whaling ship at the fishing dock. Some of his crew would be working on general mountainous repairs of his ship and the remaining would be assigned to working on the improvements to the naval barracks near the south side entry around the outer reef into the port of Sovladen. The camaraderie alone with the sailors and seamen of Borland would be good for the morale of all, he had stated to Dax and Cavidar. Both men agreed with that premise. They walked to the stable and Moule noticed the wheelwright working on some rather large wheels as they passed.

“Those are some rather large wheels he is working on?”

“Yes, they are a new design that Wilem is creating. He says they will be more lasting for a heavier wagon that he has designed for the blacksmith and carpenters to build. He thinks they will improve how we transport heavy quarried stone and larger shipments of coal. We discovered a rather large outcrop of coal to the west of town and somewhat south west of the main Quarry. Lieutenant Eron and his platoon are scouting in that general area for the next few days looking for a slate outcrop. Kurl Mars and Dom Swen found a few broken pieces of slate not far from the Quarry. If Eron can find the source we can quarry slate and improve the roofs of many or all of Sovladen’s houses and buildings.” Dax answered.

“You all continue to amaze me. You are not just surviving here, you are prospering and innovating how you do things at the same time.”

“We have been blessed in that Borland has so much more to offer than we ever expected when we first ventured here. Not just in its immense size, but also in the natural resources it has to offer. You will see the coal mine during our travels today. I am thinking it would be one thing we have to offer in shipment back to Marden. The coal is of the hardest I have ever seen, which in turn allows for better heat capacity and longer burning time.”

“I am certain Thane Erik would be enthralled by such a commodity. Especially since it will be additional to the foods we talked about last night.”

“We may think of some other things we can send back with you. We both can agree, I am sure, that the more he can see and touch as a gain from Borland, the more he will be pleased with the settlement we are creating.”

“There is no doubt about that.”

By now they had progressed to the stables and were passing one of its paddocks, this one had a few of the draft horses grazing as they walked by.

“Those are fine looking animals. Are these the ones we will be riding today?”

“We could, but no, these are draft horses. Arell was to have three ready for our ride today inside the stable. They are not too different from the type we found in Wild Horse Canyon, just ones better suited for riding.”

“Did you say that this Arell was once one of the prisoners from Fargyn’s forces?”

“He was. You will find that we have already pardoned several of them. First the deserving ones get a parole, then when they prove themselves they are granted a full pardon and join our citizenry completely. Some have even married some of the past captive women. When a couple meets and becomes desirous of such a marriage, the whole town turns out for the ceremony and celebration. Thus far, all of the unions have proved good for the couple and the town.”

“So your prisoner count is dwindling I imagine?”

“We only have six prisoners left. All six are lifelong criminals and show no signs of changing.”

“Only six left? That is amazing as well. Most prisons never see that number rehabilitating.”

“I think it is more because most of his men were left little choice, they were only given the choice of join or die. A lot of his most loyal died in the attack. So being given the opportunity to prove they wanted to be good citizens was an easier choice to make and keep.”

“Still, this will be considered another accomplishment on how both of you are leading Borland forward to a thriving community.”

Now they were inside the stable and Dax introduced Moule to Arell. The horses were ready as planned and the three men mounted up for their ride around the fairly close areas and be back to town in time for the evening meal. Delpha had made food for a mid-day meal and Arell had that loaded in their saddle bags tied behind the saddles. There were also flagons of mead tied to the saddle horns of both horses.

They started by riding by the main Quarry letting Moule get a look at its operation. Then they rode west and Cavidar motioned to the area of the mountains where Eron and his platoon were searching for the outcrop of slate. A while later they arrived at the coal surface mine, no one was working here today but Moule could see the extent that was possible just on the surface for future mining. They dismounted and walked around so he could pick up pieces of the hard black material and feel its heft in his hand. They took a break and took short drinks of the mead.

“This is a very fine mead you are making. What is it in here that gives it this distinctive flavor?”

“This particular mead is made from a honey from bees that feed mainly on clover. We here have developed a taste for it.”

“I can see why. It is has a most pleasant flavor.”

Dax pointed in the general direction of Wild Horse Canyon, but explained that they get there by a better more southern route. Then they all remounted their horses and headed to the area where the four main farmsteads were. Once there they dismounted again and took some time talking with Lieutenant Ofid who was having more training sessions with the latest wolf pups and their new partners. Ofid and his family joined the three men for their mid-day meal. After that they rode around the north side of Sovladen and went to the new headquarters of the Wolf Pack. Moule admired the new headquarters building, practice grounds, single men’s quarters and those houses for men who had families. The officer’s quarters he said befitted men of stature with families. And he admired the most recent improvements at this slightly lower bluff for the protection of the coast and Sovladen. He also commented on the forward planning in surrounding the entire area with a defendable wall, battlements, heavy gates and small towers.

Sometime later they came back to the stable and returned the horses to Arell. Moule complimented him on his excellent choice and training of the mounts.

After walking through the square they walked slightly to the southern side of Sovladen near the bay and came to the naval compound where there was a seawall and formidable gates at the entry that were open. Inside there were, Captain Cavidar’s command center and his house sitting beside it, then there were single story houses for the officers, gentlemen and their families, an armory was next and then buildings in which there were houses that were quartered into four quarters each for the able bodied seamen. Finally there were four two story structures built as dormitories for the single sailors. Behind these dormitories was a row of smaller house for sailors with families. In front of all this was a parade ground where men could exercise and engage in competitive activities. A few smaller buildings made up the southern side of the compound and two towers in the inside corners near the seawall itself.

“I can see that you have planned ahead in your construction of both the Wolf Pack and Naval compounds. The men I brought on this voyage are probably already settling in quite well.”

“We did not expect to fill them so soon. But, yes I am glad we had these built as priorities. We should let you rest and get ready to join us for evening meal. I hear that tonight is to be a seafood feast.”

“I hope your ladies are not going to feed me so well, that I need to use this exercise field myself.” All of them had a good laugh at him saying this.

As they were finishing their meal of different fishes which included mussels and lobster served with warmed butter and a sauce Moule had never had before. To finish of the fare was a variety of green salads and vegetables. Dax made Moule an offer.

“If it would be of interest, Ernstal, Captain Pendil and the Shark are planning on a voyage to our north along the coast in a couple of days. He and Lieutenant Cran’s platoon will be trying to follow that coastal area to the last part of our coastline where we ended our search along the west side of Borland. I cannot say how long they will be gone for sure though it could be a full moon or more before they return to Sovladen.”

“I would dearly love to go on such a venture, but I doubt I can linger here for such a long time. Thane Erik and the council would be beside themselves if it were that long before I returned to Throgmarden.”

“I fully understand, but wanted to make the offer if you would?”

“My thanks. I think though, that I should be shipping out in let us say just a few more days. You will probably be able to fill me in when I get to return on my next voyage here.”

“We surely will. Then I suppose we should start having men mine wagons of coal and the other things we have talked about so they can all be here and loaded on your ship within that time table.”

“I am sure you are sending back plenty to please all in Marden already. Thank you again though for the offer of such an adventure of discovery.”

By now the gathered wives had sat quiet for long enough and started joining in more pleasant conversations until it was time for families to start heading for their homes and begin putting young ones down for the night.

Dax and Melody walked hand in hand to their home with Ginger in her father’s arms and her tiny arms wrapped around his neck. Once there mother and father kissed her goodnight after tucking her in, she was already fast asleep. Now the couple could get ready for sleep themselves.

“It was a pleasant evening, my Husband. We get few visitors to Sovladen.”

“Do you miss that kind of distraction from the day to day normalcy?”

“Not really, I rather like the way our lives are now. Fewer interruptions is actually a blessing and it makes the rarity of a visit more pleasant. But also I am always glad when it is over. Does that make me a bad person?”

“Not at all, I am the same. Besides for me less intervention in what we are trying to establish here, makes it easier for us to actually create exactly what we want in this new land.”

“We are of one mind my, love. I heard you say that Cran is going on an expedition in a couple of days. Would you like to be with him and see the rest of our new lands extent yourself?”

“Of course I would like to be there and get a good feel for it myself. But it could be a lengthy journey. It would be good to not only find the exact look and feel of our entire coastline, but also trek back here cross country as we did the last time. Who knows what more we could learn of Borland’s interior from a more northern route back. But we could be gone two moons possibly. I would miss that time with you and Ginger. She is growing up so fast.”

“She is and we will both miss you while you are away. But I agree with the fact that it would be better if you were there, you have a need to know all that you can about Borland. It is important to us all.”

“You are right of course. I will accompany the party then. I will talk to Cavidar and Ruthor tomorrow and tell them of what we have decided.”

“I will always be here waiting for you, I know you will always return. Now let us enjoy this night, before we go to sleep.”

“Now that is our best decision tonight.”

Dax took Melody into his arms and brought her close to him. She then looked up into his eyes just as they started to embrace warmly, which gradually became more desirous as each took great pleasure in embracing all that each knew of the others most pleasurable desires. Eventually they fell asleep still wrapped in each other’s arms.

Three days later Dax left on the Shark with Cran and his men heading northward along the Borland coast. Two days after that Captain Moule and his crew left port for Marden. They had several loads of the hard coal in the orlop deck and a few barrels of salted fish, bear meat and a few of different vegetables and fruits. He knew they would need to keep a watch on some of these, if they started to spoil, then his men could use them as rations before they started to rot or throw them overboard.

Ruthor was spending much time with the newest recruits on the training ground at the Wolf Pack compound. These newest recruits were starting to show promise and could probably be placed into platoons within a moon.

Wilem’s new wagon was nearly complete. Mesan and the carpenters had done fine work on it. He thought that within days they could harness a team of draft horses and take it to the quarry for its trial run.

The men and young wolves training with Ofid were now in hunting and patrolling training. Soon they would be fully fledged duos of the Wolf Pack. Already the wolves were living with their human partners all the time and the bonding appeared to be complete. Dire Wolves walking, eating and sleeping near men and at times with their families had become so commonplace in Sovladen, that few even took notice. When allowed and agreed to by the man with a wolf, others had gotten so used to their presence, that they occasionally asked if they stroke one’s neck or back. Often this was allowed, but it was kept to a minimum, so the wolves would stay bonded only to their human partner.

Eron and his platoon had just returned from their search for the slate outcrop. They had been successful, however the raw outcrop was slightly higher in elevation and more distant from the main stone quarry than they had hoped it would be. Quarrying the slate would be somewhat easier than the bulk stone, but it would take some ingenuity and work to get a road from the stream side valley up to where they could quarry it and obtain the best sized slabs for use as roofing tiles. He had talked with Ruthor and Commodore Cavidar with his observations. They had all agreed that a few of the Wolf Pack and Seamen would make up a team to build a suitable road. They would leave for the location and set up a camp there until it was finished. The extra teams of draft horses would pull a wagon and tools to the site and stay with them to aid in the construction of the road. Once done, this team would pull the first load back to Sovladen and the first house could be reroofed with the slate tiles.

The work on the whaling ship was also nearing ready for its maiden voyage out into the sea beyond the reef. After this initial shake down voyage a crew and one of the Captains would make its first voyage to find and return with its first shipment of whale bounty; meat, fat for rendering into oil and those bones that were of use for many projects. The actual voyage could last for a full moon or more if they were lucky, if not some whaling voyages were known to take much longer. The difference would be that this ship only needed enough whale meat and fat for one community, Sovladen and its over 300 people population.

                                                               *****

A half-moon had passed since the Shark left the port of Sovladen. It was just now nearing the point where the first voyage along the northern coast had stopped and returned to the port. Dax was standing along the starboard side with Darma lying at his feet, she was less interested in the coastline than Dax, and this being on a ship for days on end was not what her breed endured well naturally. It was Captain Pendil who was on the voyage. Which had been decided because it was not he who had been on the first exploration of the northern coast. They wanted more men to have direct knowledge of Borland.

“Commander Dax, look there just ahead. That is the point that was in front of those on the voyage. It was about here that they made about started the return voyage for Sovladen.”

“Fine, so with the lateness of the day should we anchor and make way in the morning’s dawn?”

“Yes. I would. Then we will not pass any shoreline in the dark. It will make our charting the coast more accurate. When you find points that you want your men to explore inland just let me know and we will find anchorage accordingly.”

“Thank you, Bien. I am sure we will all be within earshot most of our sailing time anyway.”

Not long after that the Shark made its anchorage for the night. The evening was so pleasant that almost everyone enjoyed their meal on the upper deck. Chatting and watching the bright stars overhead. The moon was well on her way across the sky by the time most everyone except the watch were taking to their berths.

                                                                     *****

Captain Moule stared across the vast sea as his ship coursed east. Three moons would pass before he made port in Throgmarden. He had now made this voyage several times, if he could have he would have lingered longer and taken that journey of discovery with Commander Dax and Captain Pendil. But he’d sworn his allegiance to Thane Erik many years ago and was duty bound to serve him and Marden to the best of his abilities. He hoped his next voyage here could last longer.

                                                                     *****

Neven Salas had just closed his door as the man from the court in Jav walked down the street away from his house. Damna the Great was having men turn over every stone of the Waste trying to find Dax, or one of his men, or for that manner anyone who would admit to knowing any information about Dax or his men. He wondered how much longer Pollocan could keep his position as Mage to such a small minded ruler, or even his life.

As he turned to walk toward his office, he heard Dens call him to the larder. As he turned and heeded her call, he wondered how his apprentice was faring in that new and unknown land to the west.

                                                                         *****

Melody was sitting at her table in Government House looking over the latest notation about the construction of the road to the slate quarry when Deson Dessa walked in through the door.

“Good Morning Deson, how is your father, Teman?”

‘He is fine, Lady. It is he who said I should come here this morning instead of joining him and my brother on the fishing boat today.”

“Does he have some manner of business he wishes you to handle for him this morning?”

“In a manner yes, he wishes for me to show you something and then make a record of it on the charts. Also he wishes to know your thoughts concerning the proper recording of the item I found while diving a couple of days ago.”

“Alright, show me this find of yours.”

Deson handed her a small leather pouch that was tied and seemed to have an object inside. Melody accepted it and untied the thong keeping the contents safe inside. When she poured the object into her palm, her eyes went wide and bright.

“Gayla, come in here if you can?”

“Coming, Melody.” A few seconds later Gayla was standing at the side of her friend staring down at the object in Melody’s palm. “Is that a pearl?”

“Yes, and look at its size. Deson, where did you find this?”

“In the second bay north of here. We had finished our day’s catch when my father allowed me to dive for a while. I found an area of the bottom where there were a great many oysters, so I dug one of them from the bottom and brought it back onboard our boat. When father open it we found this inside. He asked me what else I saw on the sea floor there and I told him there were many of these in what looked like a large area of the bay. So before he sailed out this morning he said I was to come here instead of going with him.”

“Well we are not experts, Deson, but this is a very fine pearl. We can put it in the vault that was built to keep records safe from a possible fire if you want. We could also make a notation in the ledger as to it belonging to your family. Is that what your father would want?”

“Yes Lady Melody, if you please?”

“Of course and we will also make an entry in the land register of you finding an oyster bed in that bay. Come show me on the chart, exactly where it is.”