Visiting Harthunn

Old South Road - Dunland <>

Through the high weeds, brush, and forestland the remnants of the Old South Road pass through Dunland. The road is little more than a conglomeration of dirt and broken blades of grass which sprout in its midst. It is not overgrown yet, it is not well trodden. There seems to be just enough traffic to suppress the forces of nature from reclaiming the pathway as its own. Hills and valleys make up this stretch of roadway, contorting the Old South Road in no one set direction, although as a rule it remains running north and south.

To the north, an old watch tower towers over the road and stands out as a solid blot against the night sky.


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                      Dunland Time and Weather Forecast
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Real Time is:       Thu Apr 16 23:14:23 2009
IC weather is:      Wind:  - Clouds: moderate
IC Moon is:         Not visible
IC date is:         Trewsday, Day 13 of September in the year 3046.

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[Saffron(#15443)]
It is early morning in the small village of Harthuun. A scant hours before, the group arrived quietly in the dead of night, exhausted. Aside from a couple of volunteers keeping watch, most of the people were asleep. Accommodations were found quietly - some staying at friends', others in barns, still others at the tiny village's only tavern.

Thick mist swirls about in the air, adding an air of mystery to the air of excitement, for this small settlement rarely sees visitors.

Carac had requested to stay with one of the elders, and it can be assumed he is still inside his hut.

Saffron, on the other hand, is already up and about, visiting with other early risers of the village who came out to the tiny square to hear all about her travels.

Brev has never been much of a one for sleeping late, whether in barn or bed. Still, he is yawning as he emerges into the village square. His focus settles immediately on the group around Saffron, and he turns his steps that way, calling out a simple, "Morning." The greeting is brief, curt - perhaps owing to his lack of sleep, but he adds immediately after. "What work d'you need me to do?"

[Saffron(#15443)]
Eyes of the curious crowd turn towards the young man. Some squint as if trying to recall where they had seen him, while others who've shared a meal without exchanging words with the man offer a friendly greeting.

"Welcome to Harthuun. Hope you slept well." An matronly woman smiles.

"Good to see you again, Brev. Thank ye for the offer but don't worry about chores till after breakfast." A wiry man with a distinct gap in his teeth waves.

 "Are you the one who faced those murdering forg .."

One of the little boys starts to ask in wonder when Saffron cuts him off. "How about if you offer Brev a cup of hot broth and ask him how he slept hmm? And ask him if his wound troubles him."

"I ... uh ..." The words trail off into silence as Brev squirms under the scrutiny, and he takes a deep breath. "Fine, the barn is fine," he assures the matronly woman. "After I've supped I'll see about patching that leak. Might as well work for my keep, eh? What with harvest coming and all ..."His relief as Saffron directs the little boy away is short-lived at her next words he shakes his head, reiterates a little more grumpily, "I'm fine!" Edging in a little closer to the woman, he murmurs desperately, "Kiern, Saffron, can't you get them off me? They're so damn friendly."

[Saffron(#15443)]
The corner of her mouth twitches at Brev's discomfort, but the steely woman maintains her stern look.

"Go on and ask your ma to warm up some of her famous broth," Saffron tells the little boy, who eagerly takes off to his little house, eager to tell his mother that her broth is famous. As for the rest of the crowd, Saffron claps her hands.

"There'll be time for socializing during supper. I'm going to take Brev and show him around a bit. You know, this place is so big and busy, he's bound to get lost."

Her deadpan sarcasm earns a chuckle or two, and the crowd start to go off to their homes.

"Can't blame them for being curious. They haven't seen a new face since Ada had her new baby," Saffron cracks a smile.

The matronly woman stops in her tracks to turn around. "Haven't you heard, Saf? Ada's baby died while you were gone. Sad, very sad." The matronly woman shakes her head slowly and walks away.

Saffron sighs heavily. "Ada likes baked apples. I'll take some over later." She says softly to herself before nodding to Brev. "Let's walk to the stream and I'll show you some of the farmsteads. These people had to learn farming the hard way."

Brev gives Saffron an awkward smile, and mumbles, "Thanks. Guess I owe you for that." He trails after her as she moves away from the villagers. "Is there any other way?" he echoes at her last words. "Even in Ranich, where I wintered last year, they have to work at it. Guess I won't be going back there any time soon." He shrugs.

He walks a little while longer in silence, then offers quietly, "Don't take it so hard. We'll all die - it's the only thing any of us is certain of."

[Saffron(#15443)]
"Any other way.." Saffron mutters before pointing at a dilapidated cabin next to an even worse barn.

"See that farmstead there? It belongs to a family whose father was a moneylender in Kierkgard. Before coming here, he didn't know the difference between weed and wheat, and he harvested thistlebloom last autumn. Luckily, there was enough food to go around that we all enjoyed a good laugh."

She laughs a little, and nods at Brev's comment about life.

"It is true, Brev. And being here, fighting and surviving, made us stronger. Still.." she wistfully looks over her shoulder at the small village. "The babe was Ada's first. I am sure she is broken hearted."

Swiftly, she changes the subject, even changing her tone. "So, what are your plans now? Harvest time is nearly here and we could use all the help we can get."

Brev focuses at first on the dilapidated cabin, but something in Saffron's voice makes him turn back. At her wistful look his eyes narrow, and he lets out a thoughtful-sounding, "Hmm."

He shakes his head as though to clear it, sending dark curls flying, and then shrugs. "Well, I can fix up /that/," he jerks his head toward the cabin, for starters. I'm a carpenter, you know - when I'm not busy lying, spying or anything else you'd rather not speculate on." The words are accompanied by a sudden grin. "Plans? I follow Carac. Wherever he says he wants me, that's where I'll be. Not sure if he'll want me to go back to Caerdh." At this last, he sighs.

[Saffron(#15443)]
"Oh that would be most appreciated!"

Saffron's eyes light up when Brev reveals that he knows carpentry.

"If you could help straighten out some of these houses, or better yet, teach us how to build houses that stand straight, maybe we can finally start walking straight, instead of leaning to one side all the time."

The prospect of learning carpentry from a real carpenter seems to have lightened her disposition. Even the morning mist has begun to clear. By the time they reach the stream, the running water is sparkling from the rays of the early morning sun.

"You and Carac must be cut from the same cloth."

She leans down to pluck some wildflowers growing along the bank.

"Always traveling, always moving, always looking for something. Me, I like to settle down to one place and nest. Yes, perhaps that is why they call me the chicken woman."

She moves slowly down the bank, gathering flowers. "So why not Caedrh? What happened there?"

For a moment Brev returns Saffron's words with a genuine smile. Then it is replaced by a guffaw. "Does that mean that if I build the wretched things too straight you'll forget how to lie down?" He watches her start pickiing flowers with an expression of bemusement. "Suppose you're right - about the travel, that is. Worst thing about being stuck last winter in Ranich was that it was so damn /slow/. Nothing moves faster than a tree grows. I like change."

The other question brings out a shrug. "What happened in Caerdh? Nothing much. They don't like Hawk - and they got hold of some fellow who'd been with the Hawk all winter, knew a bit too much about them and me. Right now, going back feels a little like sticking my head in the noose. Though it would be useful, I suppose ..." He lets the words trail off. "Would /you/ never travel with Carac? He could use a decent healer - I don't know much."

Saffron's fingers stop plucking as she looks back at the curly haired fellow.

"You told a joke."

Saffron deadpans, then unable to keep a straight face, she starts to laugh, startling a nearby squirrel to race up a tree. By the time the squirrel comes down from the tree, the pair of humans had moved down the stream some more. The woman continues to point out the tiny houses that sparsely dot the landscape.

"In a noose? Why would you go and do something that would get someone so mad?" She asks curiously, airing out the question for him to answer should he choose.

"I like watching the trees grow. And they do change. Maybe not as fast to your liking, but you see. One day, you are looking at a leafy green tree. The next day, it would be bare, with no leaves left."

When she had gathered enough flowers to make a handsome bouquet, Saffron begins to turn back towards the village. "I will show you the village in a bit. For now, I think there is a cup of broth waiting for you, and a family who is dying to hear how you like it."

She pauses a bit before she answers his last question. "I don't know, Brev. Chickens rarely wander far from its coop. Have /you/ ever heard of a travelling chicken?"

Brev gazes back at Saffron, scowling fiercely for a moment. Then his lips twitch. "Didn't know it wasn't allowed. Next time I'll try harder. He matches her laughter with a sudden smirk. The woman's next question is seemingly forgotten in the aftermth of the levity.

He listens and nods as Saffron points out the various steadings, though whether he'll remember all their names is anyone's guess. At the mention of the broth, though, he groans. "Kiern! I'd forgotten that. Can't you tell them I'm deaf or something, then I won't have to answer all their bloody questions? Eh, never mind. I'll endure it."

Heaving an exaggerated sigh, he starts retracing his steps, pausing only to add, "No. But then most chickens I've met don't take charge or wave axes around. Maybe there's a fledgling hawk in you after all."

Several weeks later ...

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                      Dunland Time and Weather Forecast
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Real Time is:       Fri Apr 24 14:32:21 2009
IC weather is:      Wind:  - Clouds: dense
IC Moon is:         Not visible
IC date is:         Mersday, Day 6 of October in the year 3046.

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Day is drawing to an end. There is a chill in the wind, which sends leaves tumbling across the ground and fat grey clouds scudding across the sky. Autumn is here, and winter will not be long.

It is several weeks now since Carac and his companions came to Harthunn. The villagers have been by turns welcoming, questioning and plain curious, - but life must go on for the new settlers, and ancient scrolls or no, there's a harvest to get in. Thus it is that the newcomers have been absorbed into the round of daily activity - or some of them at least.

The sound of hammering sounds from one particular little cabin, now looking decidedly less ramshackle than before, and as one comes into view of it they would find Brev nailing new shutters to the window. There is grime on his hands and clothing, and sawdust in his hair and in the untidy beard he's let grow since his time in the Gap. The little boy that has appointed himself the shadow and follower of this 'mighty warrior' is off elsewhere right now (no doubt much to Brev's relief). The carpenter pauses in his work, gropes along the windowsill and mutters, scowling, "Damn. Thought there was one more nail."

[Saffron(#15443)]
Autumn and with it, comes the harvest festival. For some, such rites are held sacred, especially in this remote, tiny village. For others, it is a good and valid reasons to rejoice and celebrate. Understandably, there is excitement in the air.

"Here's another handful of nails we pulled from that barn. I bet you can use it. And a drink of water from the well."

Saffron comes into view, holding a little sack and a tall tankard.

"The house is looking good. At this rate, the entire village will have houses standing up straight." The chicken woman holds out the tankard and the sack for Brev.

Brev glances over his shoulder at Saffron and the scowl melts away, replaced by a tired smile. "Thanks. Saves me standing here propping up the wall for another hour or two till Collen comes back from whatever mischief he's got himself into this time. Hand one over here, will you? A nail that is." He gropes behind him with one hand, the other remaining in position on the shutter.

"And dunno about 'straight'. After an ale or two no-one will notice the lean, anyway." He squints critically at his handiwork. "Do you need stuff done on your house? I'd not thought to ask," he admits a little awkwardly.

Saffron roots around the sack for a nice straight one, and not one riddled with rust. As she hands it to him, she adds, "I would be much obliged, if you're in no hurry. You are going to stay for the festival, aren't you?"

Just then, a sour looking old woman passes by, and these women are wont to do, sticks her nose into the conversation.

"We are under a curse, don't you know? That is no time for festivities," she scolds.

Saffron looks at the old woman and shakes her head. "The curse has been lifted. We went to the land of the cursed people to bury the remains, remember?"

The old woman bahs and shuffles off, talking about how back in HER day, they didn't have time for any festivities.

Saffron rolls her eyes slightly. "There will always be people who are contrary to everything anyone says. Why, I heard that the elders are in disagreement over what Carac brought, and that is why it is taking so long to examine them."

Brev takes the nail, and blinks at the question. "Sure. As long as Carac-" Just then the old woman comes along he turns away (possibly to hide his expression) and begins industriously banging away, no doubt hoping that will discourage the naysayer.

When he's done he sets the hammer down and stretches out his arms. "Oh?" he remarks at Saffron's final words, one brow raising. "It wouldn't have anything to do with wanting to keep s few more strong hands and strong backs around as long as possible, then?" The corner of his mouth pulls up in a sudden smirk.

He looks after the old woman and sighs, the mirth fading. "Which of us does she think brings a curse?" he asks quietly.

[Saffron(#15443)]
"Pay her no heed," Saffron says dismissively.

"She is talking about the murdered souls whom we buried in the Gap. One of the elders thinks that the death of Ada's baby is proof that the curse has not lifted. Like you said, death is a part of life out here. But there are also others who, even in a place like this, seek political power through fear."

The sound of children's laughter breaks the darkness and there is once again a smile to Saffron's voice. "I daresay, it has been nice to have strong hands and strong backs. But I am thinking some of the lasses will be even more appreciative of those with swift feet for dancing."

"Ah." At Saffron's first words Brev relaxes visibly, letting out a soft sigh as he reaches for the water-tankard she had brought him. One would almost think /he/ fears he carries a curse. The next words bring a sudden scowl. "That sounds too much like Brodie. Kiern, but he was a nasty piece of work! Saffron - if one of these elders starts hurting you or the others, you let us know, right? One of us could sort him out ..." He elects not to say how this might be done, instead raising the tankard to his lips to gulp down some water.

The continuing sounds of childish laughter break the tension, and by the time the tankard is lowered Brev is chuckling. He raises an eyebrow in Saffron's direction. "Oh? Got any particular lasses in mind? You're always claiming you're too old for such things ..."

[Saffron(#15443)]
"Thank you," Saffron nods her head.

"I certainly will watch to make sure no one tears down this village from the inside, when we work so hard to keep it up on the outside."

Her tone is determined and earnest. "And if it takes the entire Hawk clan to knock some senses into some of these people, well then, I'll supply the hammer and you supply the strong arms." Her expression is serious - but soon breaks into a grin to show that she is kidding. Sort of.

Someone plays a few notes on a lute in the distance, probably practicing for the festival, but it is enough to make most people pause to look up and listen.

"I never learned how to dance," she says lifting her head to listen to the music. "I spent most of my life in and out of bed with some sort of sickness. I'm all better now, but it seems silly to learn now. How about you? Do you know how to dance? Or sing?"

Brev nods his head solemnly at Saffron's initial speech, but at her confession both brows shoot up in clear astonishment. "You didn't? Well," and the corners of his mouth start to twitch, "we'll have to remedy that. Consider yourself asked to dance." Setting the tankard down again, he mock-bows. "Aye, I can dance. It's not so different from weapon-play - except you're not /trying/ to maim your partner." He winks. The amusement falls away, though, as he adds, "But it was my brother who was the singer. Wanted to be a bard ..." He looks away, his features hard.

Just then there is the sound of running footsteps, and then a boy comes flying round the corner, skidding to a halt in front of Brev and Saffron. After he has got his breath back he announces, "Ma says dinner's ready," then bursts out disappointedly, "There was nothing in the snares. I checked."

That brings a harsh bark of laughter from Brev. "Well of course not - we only set them this morning. Didn't I say you had to be patient?" At the crestfallen look on the child's face he relents, and reaches out to pat the boy on the shoulder. "Rabbits like to feed at dawn and dusk. Tell you what - if you're early to bed this eve, you can come out with me tomorrow to check them. Now, run and tell your Ma I'm on my way."

[Saffron(#15443)]
For a moment, Saffron's tough exterior drops to show that she is genuinely flustered.

"Dance? Me? Oh no. No no no. I couldn't possibly trouble you.."

She says no but her eyes say maybe. In the distance, the lute stops playing and everywhere, people stop working for their dinner.

"You're telling Collen to be patient?" Saffron chuckles.

"This is the boy who, after he planted seeds in his vegetable garden, kept pulling up the sprout from the ground every day to see how much root it grew."

At that, Brev manages a chuckle. "Ach, we were all young once. Anyway, you're not getting out of it that easily. What are you afraid of? I can't possibly do you much damage - can I?" His grin is positively wicked.

He lifts his hammer and stoops to collect his bag of nails and the empty tankard. "Suppose I'd best be getting back. Don't want to disabuse folk's hospitality. I just wish they weren't so damn ... grateful all the time." With a rueful smile he raises his hand and steps away, admonishing, "Don't forget that dance, now."