Thoughtful Thursday 6

It is time for Kiera to get off the road – even temporarily- and meet some of these folks with whom Jace has thrown his lot.

Since necessity is the mother of invention, it is also time to figure out how this collection of outcasts survives in such an unpleasant environment. Pull up a stool and stay awhile.

More of “The Ciaran.”

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Kiera knew they were finally approaching Elura by the increase in traffic. The day before there had been fewer travelers in either direction, a sure sign they were between large towns. As they drew nearer those who took day trips to the townships for trade or sales increased their number.

As the sun reached its midpoint between midday and the horizon, she heard Jace begin to whistle. At first, she thought he was in good spirits, whistling unconsciously to himself as they drew nearer to his base camp. Then she started to hear snippets of birdsong scattered throughout his tune. It puzzled her and she glanced at him.

Jace broke off whistling for just a moment to grin at her, and then began again. Soon, Kiera could hear a second melody, another person whistling a counterpoint to the tune Jace was creating. With a twitch of his hand and head, Jace turned Kago off the road into a thicket and indicated Kiera should follow. Without a word, she did, Lian tossing her head as if in anticipation of a new adventure.

By the time the woman and filly had worked their way through the brambles and into a clearing, Jace had dismounted. He was wringing the hand of a large man who had dark eyes, dark hair and a glowering brow.

“Kulain, I told you I was bringing an old friend of the family to join us.” Jace’s voice was pleasant even as it was firm. “She has midwife skills, and musical ones. She lost her family in the plague. I cannot turn her aside.”

“We don’t need more women. They slow us down.” Kulain turned his glowering gaze upon her, but Kiera met the gaze. Watching him steadily, she waited for some indication from Jace she should speak. She did not receive it.

“We are not in any hurry to change locations. You know we will be here at least another fortnight. That gives us plenty of time to rearrange things so that no one,” he paused for emphasis, “slows down our train when next we travel.” Jace glanced over at Kiera reassuringly, and then brought his attention back to Kulain. “It is much more likely the cows Dane insists we herd along will slow us down.”

Kulain growled, deep in his throat. It was clear his animosity had nothing to do with their speed of travel. Kiera was curious as to what had caused his extreme dislike, but again held her tongue. Even if she only stayed a fortnight with Jace, she would have kept her promise and perhaps learned more about this strange culture of wanderers she had temporarily joined.

Seeing Jace still walking, Kiera dismounted as she followed the men deeper into the forest. It was a strange feeling, moving away from the town and into the wild, but she knew there had to be good reason. If they were making leather goods for the garrison, they would need lots of fresh water. Jace must have found a good size stream his tanner could use.

They passed through another area of brush, where Lian’s saddle blanket got hooked on a thorn. Not wishing to tear the fabric, Kiera took her time to free it, allowing Jace and her detractor time to move farther ahead. She could just barely see the dark haired man’s back when she was able to move forward again. She hurried to catch up, and was startled to step through one more head high hedge and into a bustling mini-village.

The stream was close enough she could hear it, now that her own steps through underbrush did not disguise it. On her left was a corral with several horses and cows in it. From their size, the horses were for driving not for riding. They made Lian look even more like a delicate filly. The thought flitted through her mind she would have to picket Lian elsewhere or that first foal Karla so desired would be something less than a thoroughbred.

Ahead of her were several shelters. She couldn’t tell if they were sleeping areas or for storage, but each was tall enough for a person to stand in and long enough to lie in. On the right, several wagons were visible, their dirty white coverings in stark contrast to the dark evergreens behind them. An oaken table sat near the middle of this half circle arrangement, near a metal cook stove. Its four legs braced by stones, it looked sturdy enough to withstand any storm. Smoke trailed out of its upright pipe, showing the fire within was probably banked until mealtime. A large pot sat closest to the pipe and it looked as if steam may have been trickling out from under a lid.

“Jace, this is incredible!” She almost whispered the words, but in the silence of his mob seeing a new face, it carried well into the clearing.

“Thanks. I didn’t do it alone, of course. And this is only half of it.” He grinned as he crossed over to her and took Lian’s rein from her hand. “I’m thinking Karla wouldn’t want me to sully this little lady with any of my beasts, so maybe she should have her own corral over near the first wagon.” He tossed his head that direction.

Kiera followed his gaze to her right and saw another small clearing pushing deeper into the forest. “Is that near the bath house?’

He laughed. “As a matter of fact, it is. The stream is over that way, so it is easier to keep the water running to and from it. But do check to be sure Kaitlin isn’t working before you bathe. Have you smelled tanning work? Whew!”

“That be enough of that. My tanning be keeping you in clover this fortnight and don’t you be forgetting it.” A petite blond who didn’t look strong enough for her chosen vocation stepped out from the crowd of gawkers. “I be Kaitlin.” She inclined her head to Kiera. “I be thinking you are the friend of the family Jace be talking about.” She walked closer, as if studying the older woman. “That first wagon be mine. If you want to be sharing it, I be sure we can find a way.”

Kiera was startled by the generosity. “You are very kind. I cannot imagine how Jace knew I was coming; I hadn’t really decided to come until just a few days ago.”

Kaitlin laughed and slipped her arm into Kiera’s, leading her away from Jace and the still laden pony. “You be setting that filly to right and start these lazy oafs into setting for supper. We be back as soon as I show our newest recruit about.”

“My name is Kiera.” Belatedly, she realized her breech of courtesy. “I am just so surprised by it all.”

“We all be.” Kaitlin shrugged. “Everything we knew be gone, everything we thought we could count on betrayed.” It was a cynical statement spoken with a voice almost flat with resignation. “But Jace be teaching us we can at least count on each other. Once in awhile someone be coming along who needs to be moving along, but in general, Jace seems a good judge of people.”

“I mean, this village so close to town surprises me. Doesn’t anyone own this land? Isn’t anyone upset by the size of this encampment?” Kiera’s questions tumbled over each other in her hurry.

Kaitlin chuckled. “As long as I be supplying the garrison soldiers with the leather they need for their saddles and bridles, no one be pushing us off this land.” She glanced up, “Here be the wagon. You go ahead inside, see what you think. I be storing most of my gear in the sheds, so we be having room for both of us to lie down. At least, as long as we both stay slight. We be getting too comfortable with our dinner plates and we may be needing to find other accommodations.” Her laugh was infectious.

“Not much chance of that, I am afraid.” Kiera laughed a little more ruefully. “I’ve yet to find much of an appetite.”

“We be fixing that. Don’t you be worrying.” Kaitlin gave her a little push. “You go inside, there be a small pan of water you can use to freshen up a bit. Come out when you feel a little less dusty. I be going to crack the whip so we can eat.”

Kiera wanted to ask what was left to do. The clearing was tidy and the table was clear. The pot seemed to be simmering. Instead, she obediently climbed into the wagon and let Kaitlin go about her business.

The wagon was neat, and two bedrolls were laid out on shelves on either side of a center aisle. She wasn’t kidding, if either of them gained a little weight, Kiera worried the wagon would tip, the shelf would break or at least the sleeper would roll off onto the floor. She lay down on one just to be sure she fit. It was surprisingly comfortable, and she made the mistake of not immediately getting back up.

A knock on the wood at the foot of the wagon woke her from her sudden nap. “Oh, I am sorry, I must have fallen asleep.” She spoke as she sat up abruptly.

Kaitlin stepped up and into the wagon. “That be all right. I expected it so.” She smiled and glanced around. “I thought you may be having the time to rinse the dust off first, but I be wrong. Go ahead.” She gestured toward the front of the wagon, just behind the seat. There was a small pan and a pitcher Kiera imagined was full of water and a cloth resting on a ledge. “Some soap slivers be in that small bag to the right of the pan. I just leave them in the bag, and wet the whole thing. Lather through the pores.” She turned and started down the ladder, then looked over her shoulder. “I be waiting out here in case you fall asleep again.”

“I won’t.” Kiera laughed. She hurriedly did as she was told, noting for the first time that there was space beneath her bunk for her bag of belongings. Once she felt clean and presentable, she ran her fingers through her hair and tidied the bun that kept it swept up and out of her face. Tomorrow she really needed to spend some time with her brush to get the travel tangles out, but for now it was neat enough to meet new people.

She stepped to the edge of the wagon and looked out at the camp. “It really is lovely.”

Kaitlin answered while waiting for Kiera to join her on the ground. “It be not bad. Each crafter be doing what they can to help it be nice. Jace and Fin be doing well with wood so they made the table and the storage buildings. I fear Fin’s heart will break when we leave here, he be quite proud of his work.”

“Perhaps he can sell them to whomever owns the land, let them rent the spaces to another – and everyone wins?” Kiera followed Kaitlin to the table.

“That be a good idea. I think the garrison be owning this land, that’s why they will let us stay, but I be seeing them renting those spaces out, or using them for storage themselves.” Kaitlin nodded. “Keep coming up with ideas and no one will begrudge you a seat at our table.”

“Do they now?’ Kiera’s voice dropped as she asked the question.

Kaitlin only shrugged. “We be bitter. Most of us have be losing family and standing these last months, and bitterness makes for strange friendships. While we be finding our standing amongst ourselves, we be just as closed as them that shut us out.”

Kiera nodded. Her chance for asking questions was done as they approached the table. Kaitlin began the introductions.

“You be knowing Jace, he convinced each of us to join this little band, so if there be any complaining it be going to him.” She laughed as he inclined his head at the introduction. “And I be thinking you and Kulain already met. He be our smith. Made that stove we be cooking on.”

“A remarkable piece of work, Kulain, I am pleased to know you.” Kiera smiled with genuine admiration. It did not stop the smith from glowering at her, but she thought she might have seen a small smile start to glint in his eye.

Kaitlin went on. “There be Gregor. He be the butcher. You won’t be finding any better cuts than he can take off any beast. He also serves as our cook, be saying he won’t be having us ruining all his good work.” The table laughed as the young man, with brown hair and hazel eyes blushed and waved. To cover his embarrassment, he wiped his hands on his apron and reached to the ladle.

“Introductions be not complete, yet, Gregor. You be waiting a bit more, I think your stew can last that long.” Another round of laughter as Gregor dropped the ladle as if it were suddenly scalding. “Over on this side are Dane, Fin and Ryn.” All three men stood and bowed. “Ryn can tell you everything you be needing to know about plants. ”

“Not so!” Ryn protested his blue eyes sincere beneath his tousled blond hair. “I be tell you everything you need to know about tending them, but there be some plants out here I be not knowing. I won’t be sold as a healer.”

Kiera smiled. This must be the farmer who lost his land. He must be enjoying the settled life even for this short time. “Perhaps we can work together, Ryn. I am not so skilled at tending the plants, but I can tell you their medicinal uses.”

She noticed Kulain’s glower came back. Dane cleared his throat and smiled a little sheepishly. “I be Dane. I be taking care of the livestock. I be seeing Jace has placed your filly away from the others. That be a smart move. But I won’t be forgetting she’s there. She be brushed and curried and fed just like the others.” He nodded his head vehemently. “A real lady that one be, she won’t want to be far from you. She told me so.

“She told you?” Kiera was startled, but saw the others all grin. Apparently Dane always claimed the animals spoke to him.

“Aye, she winked at me when I be asking about you.” Dane smiled broader and took his seat.

Kiera looked at the last man standing. “You must be Fin. I hear you did the woodwork around this camp.” When he nodded she smiled. “It is fine enough for a manor.”

Fin blushed and took his seat. She could see he was going to be another quiet one.

“Now that introductions are over,” Kaitlin began but was interrupted.

“Not quite.” Kulain growled. “Who be she?”

“She is my guest.” Jace’s voice was quiet yet firm. Despite Kaitlin’s acting the host it was clear who was in charge of this unlikely troupe. “Her name is Kiera. She is a trained midwife and healer, who lost her spouse and children to the plague.” His voice broached for little comment. “She tended many who were ill and had no more power to stop her own from dying than others had to stop yours, or mine.” He cleared his throat again and changed the tone of his voice. “But I hear she has taken up music, and perhaps we can relax to a tune or two after we eat.”

“If we ever eat,” Gregor’s voice was quiet but full of despair. Kiera wasn’t sure if he was afraid his cooking was going to go wasted or if he was just ferociously hungry.

“Serve up, Gregor.” Kaitlin laughed as she swung her leg over the bench and patted the spot next to her. “You lads first, we ladies had an easy day of it. Tomorrow barbarian rules apply.”

While she watched Gregor ladle out the stew and pass plates around the table, she leaned over to Kaitlin. “Barbarian rules apply?”

With a chuckle, the other woman nodded. “We be planning to spit a couple of the chickens tomorrow. The latest hatchlings have grown and we have too many cocks to travel with.” Her eyes twinkled at the inside joke. “But when we be doing this sort of feast, I always tell the lads they be needing to use flatware and wipe their hands. Tomorrow, they can be tearing their half a chicken however they want.”

“Will Gregor help you with the feathering? Or shall I?” Kiera felt she had to offer, although it was one of her less accomplished skills.

“Gregor does it all, says we be leaving too much on the bird. And truthfully, he be doing all the spitting and cooking as well. Dane be having no patience for chickens. I be caring for many when I lived with my da, so Ryn and I be deciding tomorrow morning which have to go.”

Kiera nodded and sighed. She was never good at raising her own food, she had actually become averse to meat for a long time after she and Triman had tried their hand at farming. It wasn’t that she didn’t understand the need, or the cycle of life. It was just sometimes she was sure the creatures understood more than they were given credit for.

“Don’t you be worrying, Gregor be very humane.” Kaitlin patted the older woman on the arm. It was clear to her Kiera was town bred.

“Thank the Lady for that.” Kiera muttered while she lifted her fork, not even noticing the look her comment elicited from her dining companions. She fell to her meal with a good will and before long her plate was empty. “Gregor, that was delicious!”

The chef blushed and ducked his head, clearly unused to compliments.

“Yes, Gregor, dinner was very nice.” Jake stood up and stepped over the bench. “I suppose it is my turn for dishes again, while our bard tunes up her instrument. I will warn you before she can, she cannot promise perfect pitch, she recently received the instrument and it is only in relative tune.” His eyes danced as he took away her disclaimer. “Let us all tidy up and join back here for a little music before checking the stock and settling in for the night.”

Murmurs and nods spread around the table as everyone moved. Kiera inclined her head and tried to smile through her nerves. She would do the best she could and hope she could remember some lyrics this time.