Chương 103: 102: New People

On the afternoon of Ebril 30th, I sat next to Laeth on my "off the books" wagon hitched to my team of "off the books" draft horses. I looked around and saw everyone but the squad of soldiers ready to depart the homestead for the long wagon ride into Weston. Rupert looked over at me from my mare and said, "John, you sure you wouldn't rather ride into town? This is your horse after all, and it'll be a great deal more comfortable."

I smiled over at him, then patted Laeth's knee in a friendly gesture before I said, "Nah, least I can do is ride with Laeth here." I pointed my thumb back at the wagon, which was filled with most of the rest of the members of the homestead. They were seated on the fold-down benches along the sidewalls and said, "The rest of our fine crew will have numb rear ends in only an hour or two. As this crew's fearless leader, I can do naught but suffer along with them." Rupert laughed and shook his head.

"It does help that with your levels you'll wake up tomorrow morning feeling just fine." I feigned a horror-stricken look and gave an exaggerated "shhhhhh" with my finger to my lip. That caused Laeth to snort out a laugh. The man was doing better after a couple of weeks, but he was still suffering from nightmares and all-around poor sleep. He certainly hadn't become surly, but his enthusiasm had dimmed ever so slightly.

Emily and Colin were both on their horses, and everyone else was loaded into the back of the wagon. The men, sans Laeth who would be driving, would have to walk back since the wagon should be loaded with goods, but everyone was fit enough to do it. The squad would hold down the proverbial fort. With the beginnings of the walls, it was starting to become a real fort. We trudged along on the terrible road until around 1 p. m.

, when we all stopped to stretch and eat a lunch of bread and cold cuts of meat, along with some pickled veggies. I'd pickled a fair amount of asparagus and mushrooms, and offered some to Emily, who put her hand over her mouth as she smelled the pungent aroma of garlic and vinegar. Odd, I thought. I knew she didn't have the same love for asparagus that I had, but the smell had never made her nauseous before. Frowning, I smelled the jar again. Garlic, asparagus, and vinegar. It smelled delicious to me.

"Sorry, dear," I said.

"No worries," she replied.

"I just was not expecting the smell to hit quite so strongly. I do not want any thank you."

"Suit yourself," I said, munching on a nice, still crisp stalk of asparagus. Emily and the rest of the women put together ham sandwiches, with a good helping of mustard, and we all ate and walked around a bit to limber up. Once we were done, we all loaded up and continued our journey to town. Around 4 p. m., we finally approached the gates. I didn't know either of the gate guards, two men from town, but after a quick chat, they told us where we should set up the tents for most of our crew.

There were plenty of empty spots where houses would be built later on, that had wells on them. For bathrooms, the city had brought in outhouses that were situated above the sewer holes that normally had metal caps over them while the lots sat empty. I'd wanted to camp out with them, but Cara had insisted that it would be odd for Emily and I to do so when we rated high enough to get a room in the inn. We were now the largest landholders in Weston, after all.

As a Wizard, Rupert also qualified for an inn, but Colin stayed behind. He was his own man now, so it wasn't too unusual. Once I'd made sure everyone had what they needed, Emily, Rupert, and I rode over to the inn. Ben's booming voice greeted us, but he was way too busy to stay and talk. He gave us the keys to our rooms, then Emily said she wanted to speak with Janice and freshen up. I wanted to speak with the mayor right away.

His message said he'd be available between 5 and 6, and Rupert said he wanted to come with me, so I gave Emily a kiss and headed out. On the way, I asked Rupert, "Does something seem different about Emily?"

"You know, I thought the same thing," he said.

"I haven't exactly been staring at your wife, but she did seem to have a glow about her. Did she take to wearing makeup?" I shook my head.

"Nope, she never does." Rupert shrugged, "Well huh. Maybe we're just imagining things then." As we approached the mayor's office, I returned his shrug. Sitting in the reception area was Mayor Evans' secretary, a thin, balding man who appeared to be in early middle age. His name was Steven Morgan. He smiled at me and said, "Mr Jacobson, wonderful to see you. I'll let the mayor know you're here, then I'll go grab the new members of your crew. They'll head back to your homestead with you after the festival."

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"Sounds great," I said, smiling. Morgan went to inform the mayor and returned after only a few moments. Then he ushered us into Evans' office.

"Ah, Mr Jacobson, good to see you! If I recall correctly, you were passed out this time last year. You missed the evening festivities! I'll be off to get painted once we're done meeting here." I'd forgotten about that. I'd heard the mayor and his wife gave quite the show every year…

"I look forward to the evening's festivities," I said with enthusiasm.

"I hear my goods and the people who will be coming back to the homestead have arrived."

"Yes," said the mayor distractedly. He was clearly still thinking about tonight based on the wistful expression on his face. Breaking out of his reverie, he said, "We have four more barrels of oil, it was all we could get without suspicion on such short notice."

"That's plenty," I said.

"And you have the scrolls and whatnot?"

"Yes," he replied.

"We also managed to find some of those strawberries you inquired about. The governor's wife grows them. The berries are tiny, but apparently they are very profligate plants."

"Wonderful!" I said. I planned to start trying to breed them to make larger strawberries. I loved raspberries, but strawberries were my absolute favorite. The mayor raised his eyebrow at my enthusiasm.

"We have a wagon and team of horses for you, but they're not off the books, so you'll have to bring them back."

"Works for me," I said lightheartedly. That would be handy. Anyone who wanted to ride back still could.

"Yes," the mayor said.

"I understand you'll need quite the amount of lumber to rebuild, so a team will begin bringing loads of the required materials later this week."

"Even better," I said enthusiastically. Rupert finally spoke up and asked, "Have you heard any news about the war? Or my fellow Wizards?" The mayor nodded.

"Yes, your former associates are in the field with the regular army as they harry the surviving forces towards the passes. The army is doing its best to keep them as clumped together as possible as they drive them west. As you have unfortunately seen, that is not always the case." Rupert nodded and was about to ask more questions when the mayor sighed and said, "I believe Steven went to grab your new people, so if you don't need anything else, I will take my leave to prepare for tonight."

Rupert gave me a sidelong glance, but when I just shrugged, he gave a slight smile, and we left the room. We were greeted by a small party of people when we made it to the reception area. Steven smiled and began introductions.

"First, we have my nephew Baddon, and his wife Delyth. I was just informed that Delyth is with child!" he said excitedly. Delyth gave a brittle smile and a small curtsy. She was a short blonde woman who had very pale skin and green eyes. She was cute, but not quite pretty. She was dressed in a slightly nicer version of the usual brownish women's outfit that was the norm in the Territories. Steven spoke on, "Delyth is the youngest daughter of the Chamberlin for our governor."

Baddon, a muscular young man with an impressive handlebar moustache that Colin would no doubt be very envious of, shook my hand. He was maybe five foot ten, so fairly tall for this world. In a strong, deep voice, he said, "Sir, I look forward to working for you. I understand our first task will be building several cabins. That'll help my levels greatly since I have a Carpenter subclass."

"Great, I said.

"I have a man who I'd like to apprentice to you as well if you're amenable." He nodded and said, "Yes, of course, but just so you know, if I take an apprentice, he'll have to take the Carpenter subclass for me to be of real help. I'm still only level 16 and you must be level 20 to take on an apprentice with a different subclass." He stepped back as the next man stepped forward. This man looked like he was early middle age, once again, something that was hard to tell since levels made such a difference.

He was only about five foot six, but was very stocky, a mix of muscle and fat. He stepped forward and gave me a firm handshake. With an accent that reminded me of a toned down version of Brendan's own, he said, "Name's Bryce Hewitt, sir. I served forty years and got out just before the attacks. I was a level twenty swordsman. Had to fight pretty hard not to be conscripted back into the army after the attacks, mind, and when I heard about this opportunity, I reckoned it was time to get out of town." I laughed.

"Well, I can't guarantee you won't have to do any fighting, but we won't be looking for a fight out my way. What are your other classes?"

"I have the Laborer class, also level 20. I also have a Brewer class at level 20. I was told you might 'ave some use for it." I grinned and nodded.

"I like beer."

"An what man doesn't?" he responded with a laugh. The last person to step forward radiated power in a way I'd only seen from Tieg and his crew. This man was as dark-skinned as Seamus, and stood right about six feet tall. He had a thinner build, but you could tell he was powerful. His hair was mostly grey, and I got the feeling that he was actually fairly old. He had been giving me an appraising look the entire time I'd been doing introductions. As he spoke, I noticed he also had the same way of speaking as Tieg.

"I am Jac Maddoc, I am a level 40 Lancer. I recently finished my fifth twenty, and decided I'd had enough." Holy hell! I thought. If I heard correctly, he said he'd served 100 years! I couldn't help myself. I had to ask, "Did you say you served 100 years!?" He smiled faintly and nodded.

"Indeed. I took part in most of the pacification. I even served with the father of one of your men. Laeth Calloway." Yikes, I hoped that wouldn't be an issue. I simply said, "I'm sure he will be excited to hear about that."

"Doubtful," Jac said with a sad smile on his face.

"He and his father are not on speaking terms." It was my turn to purse my lips, something Emily rarely did these days, unless she was dealing with Colin… I took a breath and said, "Well we are glad to have you aboard, but aside from defense, are you going to be working? You're far too distinguished to be working as a Farmhand." He smiled at that question.

"I do not plan to help with farm work, no. I have a very generous pension if you require money for my lodging. But I do intend to provide security for your homestead. I am also a level 20 Distiller. I would like to pursue this hobby." I couldn't help but grin at those words.

"You provide booze, and help fight if necessary, and I'll give you free room and board." He nodded, but said, "I also have my warhorse and draft horse. I can pay for their boarding. They will require oats and hay."

"I'll provide boarding as well." I said. I looked at all of my assembled newcomers.

"Welcome aboard everyone. Will you all be staying with the rest of the crew?" Bryce and Jac both nodded, but Delyth gave me a scandalized glare and said, "Baddon and I shall be staying in the mayor's mansion." Baddon winced, and I had the bad feeling she might be trouble. I simply gave her a tight-lipped nod and told them we'd be leaving at 10 a. m. in two days, in case we didn't see them before then.