OUTLANDER

                                                    Chapter 25

                                            A New Day

Captain Gaben Slogin had pulled the Phoenix up to the dock in Roden. Now he was strolling down the street near the port. His first order of business here was to check in with the harbor master, then he could start the process having the ship re-supplied. First Mate Emil Filmer would find the ale houses frequented by seamen and strike up conversations for local gossip about the port town.

Later in the day the two men reconnected to share what they had learned so far.

“Captain, the feeling here in Roden is generally pretty good. Most of the seamen berths on ships that work with merchants and the like taking voyages on fairly regular schedules. I did find one First Mate who would like to have a better position, but there are none to be had. He was a first mate on a whaling vessel for several years he said. But the owner of the ship has recently died and everything is still in the courts as to who either inherits or possibly the ship will go up for auction sometime in the future. The other whaling ships have full compliments of seamen already.”

“Do you think he might be amenable to immigrating and taking a position on our whaling ship in Borland?”

“That is why I mention him, he didn’t say anything about the rest of that crew, but I think he might be approachable.”

“Good, find him again tomorrow and see if he is willing to talk about a position. Remember we have to word things carefully so he doesn’t get any idea of where he would be going exactly though until we both talk with him further.”

“Aye, Captain. How did you do around the chandlers and other suppliers today?”

“Nothing firm, but I got the sense we might do better in the villages around Lake Crystal and Capet.”

“What do you think we should do then?”

“My plan would be to have you stay with the Phoenix and crew. I will rent a horse and travel up river to the lake alone. You and Veltch can see to some work on the ship. You can let the crew have liberty in small groups. It could be that someone will find a few others they think might be looking for a new home to do better. If I find good prospects around the lake, I will have them travel back here to Roden. We are looking for more common laborers in several trades, but finding some in the trades we don’t yet have at home would be good too. If we can talk to this First mate tonight or in the morning, I will leave for the Lake sometime tomorrow. I could be gone for several days.”

“That makes sense. I will leave now and go find the First Mate I talked to before and bring him back here to the ship.”

“Good, I will see you then.” After Filmer left, Gaben walked down the gang plank himself and went to find a stable. When he did he rented a horse for half a moon, he had to haggle with the owner because he was renting it for such a length of time, but they came to an agreement. He also told the man that if he wasn’t back by then to make sure Filmer on the Phoenix knew.

Later that evening First Mate Filmer returned with the one time First Mate of a whaler. The man’s name was Dorcas Traim. He was a large man with a black beard that was short cropped with hair to match. He had a large frame with budging biceps and forearms from a life of strenuous labor. His eyes matched is beard and hair but had a gleam of real intelligence about them. When he spoke in almost a rumbling storm, probably from talking to be heard above the crash of sea waves breaking on a ship.

“Well Mister Traim, my First Mate tells me you might be available and willing for a new post on a whaling ship in another port?”

“I might be Captain, ifin’ it was a good ship and with long standing possibilities? I wouldn’t want to take a demotion though just for a berth.”

“What would you say to a promotion to its Captaincy, that is if we can be sure you are ready for such a posting?”

“I be ready Captain, there are many here who would vouch for that. Might I ask which ship this is and where she be?”

“The ship is the Orca. Where she is at port right now will be something you will find out when we get there. She is a new ship that has had her shakedown cruise and her first successful cargo. What we don’t have is a seasoned Captain or many crew members who are proficient at whaling.”

“The ship sounds fine, although I have never heard of her or a new whaling ship just being built in any of the usual whaling ports as yet. I am not so sure about going to a place I am not allowed to know where it is though.”

“I can understand that, but I would implore you to give it full consideration. I will tell you that I believe you will like where she is when you get there. All that live there flourish and none there wish to be anywhere else again. That is the deal though, if you agree, part of the agreement is that you will be moving for good. May I ask if you have family?”

“I do Captain, I have a wife and two children. Also my younger sister and her husband live with us. The husband is an Able Bodied Seaman, who had a berth on the same ship as myself.”

“Then I will also tell you that this offer includes the members of your family, which would include your sister and her husband. Would he be interested in a promotion to the Orca with you?”

“If I was to be the Captain, I am sure he would. He would also be a good man to have as my Boatswain.”

“Then by all means that would be included. Would you have any other men who might be ready for such a change?”

“They’re very well might be a few more. Say two or three I can think of. When would we be finding out where we are bound?”

“Unfortunately not until we sail. However, you can ask anything you like of any member of my crew, anything about where we live except exactly where it is, until we leave. We all had to make this same choice when we made this same move. Not one person has ever regretted it, how many other places in the world could say that?”

“None that I know of, honestly. I will talk to my family and the few I think might want to make such a move. How long do we have?”

“Actually, I will be leaving on a trip inland for a week or so tomorrow morning. But you can get hold of Mister Filmer before then if you wish. One thing more though with such an offer as this, I would hope you and those you talk to are trusted by you enough not to wag their tongues outside our close circle. We are very private and selective in our offers like this.”

“I understand. I will be talking to Mister Filmer while you are gone and I will probably talk to a few of your crew as you suggested. Thank you for your choosing me to offer this post to.”

“You are more than welcome, and I hope you will be joining us. I will look forward to seeing you on my return.”

Mister Traim and First Mate Filmer rose from their chairs and left the Captain’s cabin. Wilke Saree passed them leaving as he was bringing in Gaben’s evening meal. The next morning Gaben Slogin rode away from the stable dressed in more appropriate attire for his trip to the Lake Crystal area. Gaben was a good horseman, his father had him in the saddle in front of him before he could walk. But it had been the sea that called to him. Like many he felt more at home standing on the deck of a ship, with the pitch and roll of the sea all around where he stood or laid his head at night.

It was late the second day when he arrived at the first villages around the lake. At first everyone he met seemed happy with their lives. But as he rode into a village closer to the range of hills and mountains on the west side of the lake, he thought he felt a more stifled atmosphere. Life was not oppressive but it was less easy and some of the people he met in an inn where he was having his evening meal seemed as if he could start a conversation on such a subject. There happened to be three men sitting at the table close to his, so when the owner took away his empty bowl and refreshed his ale, he turned to speak with the small group.

“Would you gentlemen allow me to join you for some conversation?”

“If you wish to, stranger, where are you from?”

Gaben rose from his chair and sat in the empty one at their table. “I just rode in from Roden, my ship is docked there for a few days. I decided to come down here by Crystal Lake and relax a couple of days.”

“You must have an agreeable Captain, if he lets his crew take a leisurely ride when the ship is docked at a port?”

“In fact it is I who is the Captain and my crew is quite able and trustworthy to do what must be done. I told my First Mate to allow them the same opportunity in Roden while I was away as long as the re-supply and other details got accomplished in my absence.”

“Then it is you who is the agreeable Captain. Are you looking for anything in particular on this ride of yours?”

“Not in particular especially, it had just been a long time since I was in No Fall with the time to visit the lake and it will probably be a long time before I can again. I always found the people here friendly and happy. Many places I go it is not exactly like that.”

“We thank you for the compliment. But it is not always that pleasant to try and make a good living here. Sometimes it is alright and other times it can be challenging to be able to stay, much less thrive as most would like. But we stay and we keep hoping it will get better.”

The man seated on his right then spoke. “Besides that, where else could we go and it be any better? If we were to move, we would have to start over and that can be even riskier.”

Then the first man spoke again. “Leave it to you, Beaman, to make a pleasant conversation turn back to worry and doubt.” Then he turned his head back to Gaben. “I apologize for my friend, he is right in what he says but we do not mean to put our problems on you. My name is Sefton and this other friend of mine is Weemer. Might I ask your name, Captain?”

“Of course, excuse my poor manners; my name is Gaben Slogin. It is nice to meet you all.” Gaben paused for just a moment and then continued. “I had never thought about people here wishing to move to another place and start over.”

“You would be right in thinking that as a visitor, it would not seem that way. For many it would be true as well. But if you are not skilled in certain trades, it is different. We could all do better sometimes in Roden or Capet, but there it costs more to live. So the tradeoff means little.”

“So if I am hearing you men right, if the living conditions were good and you could make more doing what you do, then you and your families would consider moving?”

The three men looked at one another before Sefton answered. “The quick answer would be yes. But again that would be depending on where and what we could make, working all year round like most people can do.”

“Then what if I told you I come from a place where no one wants to leave once they get there. The housing is very good, there is always plenty of work for everyone doing what trade or labor they want to be doing. Food is always plentiful for everyone and in a good variety, people are happy and welcoming of you the day you arrive. Most people feel like everyone else is extended family as much as neighbors, and the opportunities to even try a new trade are many.”

“So where is this place you live, you never said?”

“Now there is the one thing that might keep some from making the move. Deciding to accept this offer has only one stipulation. You cannot be told where it is until we are on the voyage there. I was asked this question the day before I rode down from Roden by a man thinking about himself, a few others and their families. But for him I could make one possibility, he could ask any member of my crew how they liked it there and they are all free to answer any question truthfully, except where it is. They all have made that same decision at one time or the other and are ones who would now live nowhere else. Everyone there knew when they decided to accept this same offer that it came with only two rules, one they could not know exactly where they were going before the voyage had left port; and two that there is no returning once you go there, at least for now. Some day in the future maybe, but not for now. So far no one would think of going back anywhere.”

“That is a lot to think about. How long would we have to consider such an offer and how many could accept?”

“I will not be heading back for two or three days, but I might not be back here until the day I am heading back to Roden. I want to see more of the lake. As far as how many, as long as I meet them first, so I can make sure they understand, then how many is not limited. I can take as many as we can accommodate on my ship. So I think I am hearing you wish to consider it?”

All three men shook their heads yes and then Sefton spoke. “I think there might be others who would consider it as well, if I may talk to them about it?”

“Of course you can, you all can. Just remember the two rules. And I would say this, be sure you are talking to people you trust, care about and be as honest with them as I have been with you.”

“We will and we will see you again in two days.”

“I will see you men then. Now I think I will adjourn to my room for some rest.” The Gaben turned to where the owner was standing at the bar and said. “Innkeeper, would you bring another round for these good men and put in on my room tab, please?” then turning back he said his goodbyes for the evening.

The next morning Gaben was on the road along the lake shortly after dawn. He had paid the innkeeper his tab, and added more to reserve the same room for two days later.

When he arrived at the next village he stabled his horse, taking the horse’s saddle and tack off and hanging them on the rails of his stall. The he spent several moments of picking up hay and giving him a long rub down. This was one of the tasks of a rider that he had always enjoyed. The stableman came by as he was finishing the rubdown and spoke to him.

“You look like a man who enjoys doing that?”

“I always have, unfortunately I don’ get the opportunity very often.”

“Why not, no horses where you come from?”

“Yes, in fact we have many. There are even two wild herds that we captured small herds out of for training and for people to have and use for riding, farming and as draft animals.”

“I have never seen a wild herd. They must be magnificent. We almost never get one to be trained anymore. I would love to be able to do those things. So why, if there are so many, don’t you get to ride or care for one very often?”

“I am a ship’s Captain, I spend much of my time at sea. Don’t get me wrong, my first love is the sea; but I was raised on a farm in Marden. But the sea called and I have been more married to her than anything else for most of my life now.”

“Sounds like a good life. Me, I would rather be in a place like you are talking about though, wild horses to catch, train and a place to make a life doing them both. The owner here always buys the ones already trained, we just rent them stable ones owned by other people and take care of them.”

“So why not go where you can do what you really want?”

“Just let me get a chance and I would tell my wife to pack everything up we’re moving.”

“And she would go?”

“I have a wonderful wife, if it was what I wanted, she would only ask when.”

“Well, I will be leaving here tomorrow, but I will be stopping in the village north of here for the night. But after that I will be going back to my ship. When I get back to Roden I will be shipping out for home. If you really want to have that life you and your wife could join me, or meet me in Roden and I’ll give you passage to my home. The man at the stable there would be happy for another man to help him do all those things and we have plenty of housing for new arrivals. Good homes, plenty of food all year long, and happy people who welcome new families as friends.”

“Don’t be kidding me, Captain, nobody does that.”

“We do, you have my word on that.”

“You are serious, no fooling?”

“As serious as I can be, I will gladly take you there, I think there are other families going to be waiting on me in that village I am stopping at tomorrow night. And more who are going to be waiting when I get there, they have been talking to my crew while I have been here.”

“I will talk to my wife tonight. I am sure she will say yes. So if we are not here when you leave, we will catch up to you by the next morning there. Thank you, I am so glad we started talking.”

“You have not asked where I am from, do you not care?”

“Not really, we have talked long about wishing for a new place to move where we can be happy and make a new home. My wife will probably be packing before we go to bed tonight.”

“Fine, then I will see you tomorrow morning here, or tomorrow night there. Do you have what you need for such a trip?”

“Yes sir. We have those two horses in those stalls over there and a small wagon that’s out back. We only live around the corner.”

“Fine then, I will see you tomorrow.”

“We will be here, thank you again.”

Gaben finished the rubdown, and went to an inn close by. He ate in peace and went to his room for some rest. The next morning he had a morning meal in the inn, then paid his bill and leisurely walked to the stable. When he got there his horse was ready and the stableman and his wife greeted him happily, their team and loaded wagon ready.

“Good morning, Captain.”

“Good morning, when we are not on the ship you can just call me Gaben.”

“Thank you, Gaben. I don’t think I told you my name. I am Thom Danin and this is my wife Shemaise.”

“Then good morning Thom and Shemaise. Let us start up the road.”

Later in the day they were entering the village where Sefton and his friends lived. Gaben rode to the stable first. There he paid for the stabling of all three horses. Thom and Shemaise got the man’s approval to leave their wagon out back, then all three walked to the inn. Luckily the inn owner still had an extra room for the young couple as well as the one reserved for Gaben. After a short rest they all went down to have an evening meal of fine lake fish, greens and mead. As they were eating a rather large group of people walked in. It was Sefton, his two friends and all three men’s families. With these three families were two other families of husbands, wives and children.

The inn keeper was amazed at such a crowd. Gaben looked his way and asked. “May we all push our tables close together, these friends will be joining us for the evening?”

The inn keeper just nodded agreement. So all the men started moving tables and chairs around in a large circle so everyone could talk and see each other. Then a round of introductions were made. Shortly thereafter the inn keeper and his wife were serving everyone the same meal as the first three had ordered. The gathering lasted for quite a while and by the time it broke up everyone was headed to their beds for sleep.

The next morning a little after the full dawn was a bright day, Gaben was in the lead on his horse followed by no less than six wagons of new immigrant families for Borland. Of this expectant group only Gaben knew their final destination. Two days later they rode through the city of Roden toward the docks.

As they reached the pier where the Phoenix was moored Gaben noticed a similar large group of people already aboard the ship and some lounging on crates or sacks along the pier that were as yet not loaded on board. Emil Filmer saw his Captain leading the wagons and came down the gang plank to welcome him back.

“It appears, Captain, that you have done as well as we have in attracting new people to take our voyage with us?”

“Yes, Mister Filmer it does look that way. How many have you here ready to go with us?”

“We have a total of fifty-two people from sixteen families and eight single men. We are still loading their belongings, some have wagons or carts and there are twenty horses, seven head of cattle a few crates of chickens and ducks, 31 sheep and 23 goats.”

“Wonderful, I have brought six more families totaling sixteen people. There are twelve horses, five crates of chickens, one of ducks and one with rabbits. There is also five dogs and four cats. That means we will increase our population by 66 and do much with new domestic animals. I am glad these have also brought wagons and carts. I think our council and friends will be overjoyed when we finally arrive.”

“Do you think we should still make port at Delahl on Tripolia?”

“I do, it will not hurt and we could add some more supplies there before we start the longer part of our return voyage. We might spend two or three days there in port. It will give our passengers their last chance to a visit on land before we start home. Do you think we can be ready to leave port in two morning’s time?”

“We will make sure that we do, Captain. If you dismount I will have one of our men take your mount back to the stable where you rented him.”

“Good, but tell the man to offer this to the owner as a purchase of the horse and his tack. I think he will agree and we would have one more well trained mount for home.”

“It will be as you say.” Gaben smiled to his First Mate and friend and then walked to the gang plank and up to his ship. As he passed the people who had followed him there, he told them that Filmer and his men would get them all situated on board and that they would be leaving on the second morning coming. In response there was happy applause.

Three days later the Phoenix docked at Delahl on the southern tip of Tripolia. Captain Gaben Slogin told all his passengers that they were free to go ashore and stretch their legs or whatever pleased them. He also told them that they would be shipping out of this port in three days and when they did it was a three moon voyage to their new home.

Over those three days people were on and off the ship wandering the streets, swimming or wading in the sea at the nearby beaches or just browsing around the town. Most had never been to Tripolia before and this would probably be the only time they were. Gaben, Filmer and Veltch took turns at looking for any more possible immigrants and by that last night had found two more families and one single man enthused about the possibility. Garen Dilby a bronze smith, his wife Corin, daughter Wila and son Pera; then there was Jance Ensilby a former coal miner, his wife Lila, and sons Domar and Sander.  Lastly was Wilem Axby also a former coal miner and Jance’s friend.

In the early morning hours of the day they were leaving, three young women ran up the gangplank just after the dawn and begged the watch to speak to the Captain. Gaben, who was already awake came to where the young women were standing with the man of the watch.

“I am Captain Slogin, what may I do for you young ladies?”

“We implore you, Captain, let us join your passengers on your voyage?”

“And what would be the reason you come here before daylight and make such a plea only brief moments before we are to be leaving this port?”

“This is the only time we could risk it. There is a man that when he finds us gone will do anything to force us back into his charge, even though he knows we do not want to be there.”

“So, who is this man you are trying to escape?”

“He is a tavern owner in a seedy part of Delahl, and he has all of us tied to him for debts he says we owe. He sells our bodies to the lowest of the low to repay that debt. No one here will help us because they fear him.”

“And do you owe him a debt?”

“No, the debt was a gambling debt of our fathers, he gave us to him in repayment of his loses.”

“How long has this been going on?”

“Almost a full turning of the seasons.”

“And your father, what of him?”

“He died less than a moon after he gave us away.”

“Was he ill as well as a gambling fool?”

“No, he had always been as healthy as a whale. He had been a seaman, but he drank too much and gambled all the time. He lost everything he had.”

“And your mother, what of her?”

“She died a long time ago.”

“Go ahead get on board, before you are seen. We will find you places to sleep. You must know that in going with us, you will never return here again.”

“That is what we had heard. We want to be as far away from here as we can.”

“Well, that is where we go. I will tell no one of your situation, but where we live it would not be held against you and honesty is valued high in our home.”

“We are not ashamed of ourselves, we did not do this by choice. So if it is okay, we will tell any who ask just that.”

“There is always honor in honesty. Welcome aboard.” Then Gaben looked to the watchman. “Find them sleeping arrangements. And tell Mister Filmer we are ready to cast off.”

“Yes, Captain.” That said the man ushered the three young women to follow him.

As the full glow of the sun crested over the eastern horizon the Phoenix had cleared the harbor. Captain Gaben Slogin watched from his upper deck and saw what appeared to be a quite large man standing at the pier they had been tied to. He was shaking both fists at the ship as it continued to make its way into the vast sea headed westward.

                                                                         *****

Dax was standing at the stable’s paddock watching as Arell was breaking another of the wild horses. Several men were doing the same cheering on the former prisoner, but now one of their own and a trusted citizen of Borland. Melody had walked up and was standing beside her husband who had Ginger cradled in his arms.

“I thought I would find the two of you here.”

“Sorry, my love. But Ginger and I enjoy watching the spectacle of Arell being tossed about in his saddle. Ginger laughs when it is the horse that wins at this contest of sheer will power between man and horse.”

Melody smiled at her husband and daughter. “Before too long my husband, you can do this with a son.”

Dax turned to his wife with a knowing look. “Are you sure of that, my love?”

“As sure as anyone could be at this stage. The little one inside me rests differently than Ginger did, and he has started to kick. But it will do him no good as yet. He must stay where he is for two more moons as yet.”

“What are you and Gayla going to be up to today?”

“We will be finishing our notes for tonight’s meeting and feast in the Hall. So far we have heard that everyone possible is planning to attend the meeting, most of the wives have been preparing a variety of dishes. Welman and Benja Yets brought in a mountain ram, they are building a spit and will start roasting it early this afternoon. I hear Ofid is doing the same with a pig.”

“Should be quite a feast then. Having such good food will put everyone into a good mood for all we are going to be discussing.”

“Yes and they should be. We have no bad news or controversial matters to be deciding.”

“No, I hope Gaben and his crew have done well on their voyage. I would think they will be returning by the next two full moons, maybe sooner.”

“I hope so as well. By then it will be the start of the winter season. I would wish we are all here and settled in by the time it starts getting colder again.”

“I as well, my love. The new residences have been finished and those moving into them should be done in time for some small improvements to the ones they vacated in time for the new arrivals. It is always better when we can just assign the new people to good homes when they arrive here.”

“I agree with you, my love. Let me have our daughter and I will take her back to Government House with me. I will see you for the mid-day meal in a while.”

Melody took Ginger’s little hand and they started walking toward the Sovladen center of town. Ruthor passed by them on his way to speak with his Commander.

“Good morning, Dax.”

“Good morning, my friend. I slept like a bear in his winter den last night, how about you?”

“Well, thank you. I was going to ride to the quarry this morning, would you like to join me?”

“Yes, a ride would do us both some good. Is there anything pressing at the quarry?”

“No, I was just going to talk with Mars and Swen about the latest decisions on the next project. Then thought I would stop by Ofid’s on my way back into town.”

“That sounds like a splendid idea, maybe we can get a sample of that pig he is roasting for this evening?”

“My thoughts exactly.” Both men smiled to one another and then headed into the stable to saddle their horses.

                                                                            *****

Captain Moule had just docked in the Throgmarden Harbor. After making his way down the gangplank he headed in the direction of the Council House. His first order of business would be to give his report to Thane Erik and Lords Daka and Ceric.

Once there he found Lord Daka in his office. Daka sent runners to both Ceric and the Thane that Moule was back, and then he and Moule started walking toward the council chambers. Ceric and Thane Erik were there shortly after they arrived.

“Welcome home, Captain I hope your voyage was successful?”

“Thank you, my Thane. It was as far as I am concerned.”

“Fine, then pray tell give us an accounting of how Borland fairs thus far.”

Captain Moule then started recounting the welcome they received upon arrival in Sovladen and the Commander and Commodore’s gracious wishes to be expressed to Thane Erik. He said they were both most appreciative of the new men and quickly put them into their ranks for training. After that he spent a great deal of time telling the council members of all he saw while he was there. The new improvements to the town’s defenses, the new ships, and how the town appeared to be prospering.

He then rolled out the new chart and went over all that had been explored since his last visit. He told them the fact that they were heading out on another voyage as he left to complete their knowledge of the remainder of Borland’s extent.

As a final recount he gave them an inventory of what had been sent back to Thane Erik from Borland.

“Good, this is beginning to have some rewards for us here as well. You say they were building a whaling ship?”

“Yes, my Thane. By now it is probably completed. And if I have learned anything of Commander Dax and Commodore Cavidar it has most likely made its maiden voyage already.”

“By this new chart, it looks as if Borland is much larger than any of us could have guessed or dreamed of. And there are no other people inhabiting it?”

“None so far, Thane, not even any hints there have ever been any, except for that rebel Fargyn’s men who they succeeded in defeating.”

“What is the status of those they imprisoned?”

“That is also quite unusual, Lord. Of the sixteen who did not die but were put into chains, only six remain prisoners. The others have proven worthy of paroles and the pardons and are now fully trusted and well thought of citizens holding many trade positions and contributing to the success of the town and area. The six still in chains are all lifelong criminals and labor at the behest of the town’s council at whatever is the latest priority task. Some of those released are even now married to some of the former captive women.”

“And this is working out? I have never heard of such success with prisoners?” Lord Ceric asked incredulously.

“It is, Lord Ceric, I met with some of them myself. One who is the town’s blacksmith is married to the woman who was the spokesperson for the women after they were freed.”

“Amazing, Dax and Cavidar never cease to amaze me.” Thane Erik added, “This has been a very welcome report, Captain. You must be ready for some rest after your long mission.”

“Thank you, my Thane and members of the council.” After saying this Moule backed up two paces and then turned and left the council building. The only thought he had not expressed in this meeting he would talk with Lord Daka about in a day or two. Captain Moule had decided to retire from service during this voyage home. He would nominate his First Mate to become Captain, if Lord Daka agreed. Then later on he would try to immigrate to Borland himself. He had found during this last voyage that he would also like to live there.