by Sharon Gibbs
‘Yes, he’s just having his breakfast. Would you like to come in?’
She looked at the three men who stood with the butcher. One she could tell was a soldier as he was dressed in his uniform, but as to the other two she had no clue who they were. It was then that she noticed the wagon out near the road, surrounded by many more soldiers.
‘Come in, come in, gentlemen,’ she said as she ushered them in the house.
‘I’ll stay here, sir,’ Goodwin said to Christopher.
‘Very well. We shouldn’t be too long.’
Goodwin stationed himself on the stoop where he could keep an eye on the wagon and still remain close at hand.
They entered the foyer and, while the house was clean, it showed the passage of time. Clara led them to wait in the parlour. ‘Just in here, gentlemen. Have a seat by the fire while I let Johnathon know you’re here.’
‘Thank you, Clara,’ Hank said as he settled down on the couch to wait. Clara nodded and left them to let her son know they had visitors.
Mosely placed his cup of tea down as his mother entered the kitchen at the back of the house. ‘Mother, did I hear you talking to someone?’
‘Yes, Johnathon. Hank and two other gentlemen are waiting for you in the front room. Shall I take them some tea?’
Mosely’s eyes lit up with the news. He was genuinely surprised they had arrived so promptly. No doubt they had brought the funds for the town to hand over. ‘No, don’t bother. They won’t be here for long,’ he said, and he continued on with his breakfast. He had no problem with making them wait.
<><><>
‘Gentlemen, good morning,’ Johnathon Mosely said as he entered the parlour some fifteen minutes later and strode over so Hank could make the introductions.
Clarence and Christopher rose from their seats as Hank greeted the young man. It wasn’t that Hank didn’t like Johnathon, it was just that he didn’t agree with all of his ideas for the town. He was young and rash and he promised the people too much too soon. In Hank’s opinion, what the town needed was sustainability.
‘Johnathon Mosely,’ Hank said after they’d shaken hands, ‘these are two of the wizards from Canistar. Clarence and Christopher.’
Johnathon shook hands with the two men. They didn’t look to be wizardly at all. Yes, one did have a beard but then so did many of the men in town. There really was nothing outwardly which set these men apart from any other man he knew. With this thought Johnathon stood a little taller than when he’d first entered the room.
‘Please have a seat.’ Johnathon gestured to the chairs they had just vacated. ‘I hadn’t expected you to arrive so soon after the election. Now what is it I can do for you?’ Johnathon remained standing while he spoke which in turn he felt boosted his authority over the strangers.
‘There’s just a little paperwork that needs to be done before you can take office, I’m afraid,’ Clarence said to set this youngster’s heels back on the ground.
‘Oh… Oh of course there is,’ Johnathon said as he watched Clarence lift up the bag next to him and began pulling out scrolls of paper.
Christopher looked over to Hank and Hank rolled his eyes. What did he think, that they would just hand over the money and that would be it? It worried Christopher maybe this man wasn’t the right choice for the town.
‘Argh, here they are,’ Clarence said as he fumbled around and found the two scrolls he needed. Looking around for somewhere to place them he eventually handed them to Christopher while he placed his other paperwork back in his satchel. ‘Right,’ Clarence said. ‘Let’s get down to business.’ Christopher handed one of the scrolls to Clarence and the other to Johnathon. Clarence unrolled the parchment and began to read it aloud.
‘I, _________, insert your name there when you sign the documents. In accordance to the laws set out in Canameer, accept responsibility for the position of Governor as elected by the people of the town. I agree to adhere to the sub council’s final decisions on all monetary matters related to the restoration and rebuilding of the town. I accept total responsibility for the money handed over to me by Clarence Musat, Wizard of the Order of Canistar, and Christopher Du Laurent, Wizard of the Order of Canistar, for the amount listed below. If for any reason I am not able to fulfil any or all of my duties to the town of Canameer I will rescind my position to another, elected by the council of Canameer, until such time as a new Governor can be elected by the people. By signing this document of my own free will I agree to all conditions herein stated and I accept the nominated amount for services rendered.’
‘So that just about covers it all. If you agree, fill in your name in the appropriate places and sign both documents at the bottom. Are there any questions you’d like to ask?’
Johnathon checked the amount written at the bottom of the page. His heart quickened a pace as he realised it was a lot more than he’d expected the town would be given. He then looked at the annual payment for services rendered. It wasn’t as much as he’d already opted to pay himself, but it was still fair payment. Attached to the last page was another document stating the influence the elected council members would hold, and it also included instructions to pay them for their services rendered.
‘How do I know the amount written on the document is what the chest contains?’ Johnathon asked.
‘As you can see, Mr. Mosely,’ Christopher said, ‘Clarence and I have already signed the document stating that the amount written is true and correct, but by all means you are welcome to count it. We have plenty of time to wait.’
Johnathon looked at the clock. They’d already stayed longer than he’d anticipated, and his wife would arrive home soon. He wanted the business over and done with so she couldn’t interfere and cause a scene. ‘No, that won’t be necessary,’ he said.
‘If you’re having any doubts, you have the right to refuse signatory and rescind the position,’ Christopher offered.
Johnathon Mosely filled in the paper work, signing his name with a flourish at the bottom of both pages. He then gave one of the scrolls back to Henry and retained the other for himself.
‘Good,’ Clarence said, checking the scroll to make sure everything was as it should be. ‘Christopher, have the men bring in the chest.’
It took six burly men to unload and carry the heavy steel chest inside. Mosely was surprised at its size and then he noticed the three sturdy locks fastened on the front.
‘Three locks?’
‘Yes, Johnathon, for security.’ Clarence produced three keys. ‘One key will be yours to keep and the other two will be given to members of the council. No one person will be able to take money from the chest without the approval and consent of the other two.’
Christopher had one of the guards open the chest with the keys to show Mosely the contents. The keys clicked in the locks and both soldiers opened the lid.
‘So you can see the chest does contain what the document states,’ Christopher said.
‘Everything seems to be in order,’ Mosely said, placing his hands behind his back.
‘So where would you like the chest stored?’ Christopher motioned for the soldiers to relock the box.
‘I hadn’t realised you would be here so punctually. In fact, I was thinking of employing a personal guard. Someone to stay here, you know, show their presence,’ Johnathon said. ‘Maybe we should move it into the cellar until something more suitable can be arranged?’
‘I’m sure that will suffice for the time being,’ Clarence said as he rose from his chair. ‘Well, it seems our business is concluded here,’ he said to Hank. ‘Will it be possible to meet with the members who make up the council?’
‘It shouldn’t be a problem. Tonight Johnathon and his wife have organised a celebration and everyone has been invited to attend. The members of council will be present so you will be able to meet them at the festivities.’
‘Thank you, Hank,’ Johnathon interrupted. ‘But I’m sure the wizards have other pressing matters more important than gracing our hum
ble celebrations.’
‘No, by all means we would be delighted to attend,’ Clarence said. He knew Mosely wanted them out of the way, and he felt it was imperative to remind the people that the council had majority rule over any decision.
‘You’re welcome to stay for the celebrations,’ Mosely said as he walked forward and ushered them out. ‘Thank you for stopping by, gentlemen. I’ll see you all later.’
‘Right, I guess we should put that wagon of yours away and get you settled for the night,’ Hank said.
They travelled back to the shop where Hank lived, and out back in the barn, the wagon was left with a dozen guards to keep watch over the two remaining chests. The other men in their party were released from duties to seek their pleasure in the town.
As Clarence and Hank organised for the council to meet later that evening, Christopher went off to find Elle.
Chapter Fourteen
Elle strolled through the market and chatted with friends she hadn’t seen since she’d left. Stopping at the seamstress’ hut, she browsed through the materials stacked on the stall out the front.
‘Well, it’s not what I selected, Mira. I think I would know what I’d ordered. The girl has obviously used the wrong colour. Now what do you intend to do about it?’ a woman sniped loud enough to draw attention to her plight. Elle couldn’t help but overhear the woman standing nearby and as the owner was being belittled she interrupted them.
‘Why, I think that colour’s divine. It complements the colour of your hair,’ she said.
As the woman turned towards Elle, to tell her to mind her own business, she recognised the girl.
‘Elle, is that you?’
‘Why, yes, Hannah, it’s me.’
‘We all wondered what had happened to you,’ Hannah said with genuine interest. ‘Kovak—’ she said as she dabbed her eyes with her perfumed handkerchief. ‘Kovak said you’d been caught up with some troublemakers. That was the last time I saw him,’ she said as she dabbed at her invisible tears.
‘You look well, Hannah.’
‘It’s Hannah Mosely now,’ she said as she showed off her ring. ‘I’m the Governor’s wife. We’re celebrating tonight here in the market. Oh do say you’ll come. It will be a lovely party and so many people we know will be there so you won’t have to worry about being alone.’
‘I—’ Elle began.
‘Oh do say you’ll come. I just haven’t the time to stand and chat at the moment. We can try and catch up later and talk of old times. Although I will be terribly busy, you know with my husband and myself being the guests of honour. But I’ll see you tonight,’ she said, dismissing Elle and turning back to the woman behind the counter. ‘Mira, have the girl remake the dress in the colour I chose and I’ll come by next week for it,’ she said, annoyed that she’d have to wear one from her closet.
‘I’m so sorry, Madam. I’ll see that the mistake is sorted out. Would you mind showing me again the colour you chose? So there’s no mistake this time.’
Hannah selected the colour and strode away from the stall.
Elle felt sorry for the woman behind the rolls of material. She remembered how Hannah could be and she smiled at the seamstress when Hannah had left and asked to see a particular roll of material.
With her purchases in hand, Elle continued around the market stalls. She had just stopped to smell some fragrant soaps when Christopher spied her and made his way towards her.
‘Excuse me, Miss,’ Christopher said and he waited for her to turn around.
‘Christopher, you surprised me,’ she giggled.
‘I believe I owe you these, madam,’ he said and from behind his back he produced a basket of apples.
‘Oh Christopher,’ she said as she took the basket and kissed him. ‘I can’t believe you remember that day.’
‘How could I ever forget?’
Elle smiled as he took her parcels and then hand in hand they continued around the market.
<><><>
Seeing the wagon pull away from the front of her house, Hannah dashed the rest of the way home and flew through the front door. ‘Johnathon! Johnathon, where are you? Who just left?’ she called as she removed her cloak and threw it over the settee. Johnathon was fiddling with his neck scarf when Hannah entered the house and shrieked out his name. Taking a few deep breaths, he wiped his brow and readied himself. She wasn’t going to like the news he had to tell her.
‘Argh, so you’ve returned,’ he said as he entered the front room and walked over to kiss her tenderly on the cheek.
‘Yes, and you’ll never guess who I bumped into in the market, Johnathon. Elle Sanderson,’ she said. ‘Oh, and I’ve invited her to come and join the festivities tonight.’
‘Elle Sanderson?’ he asked, not quite able to place the name.
‘Yes, Johnathon. Elle from the manor.’
‘Oh that Elle,’ he said, still having no clue as to who she meant. ‘Well that’s lovely, dear.’
‘Did you have unexpected visitors? I noticed a wagon pull away as I rounded the corner.’
Johnathon began to perspire. ‘Well yes, dear, as a matter of fact I did. The wizards from Canistar have arrived in town.’
‘Really, already. That certainly was prompt. I hope you invited them to join our celebration tonight?’ She reached out and fixed his neck scarf. ‘You’re an important man. The people should see you mingling with those of power.’
‘Indeed I did, Hannah. Don’t worry, my love, the women in the town will be green with envy when they see you dining with them.’
‘We should have them give a speech. You know, to thank you personally for winning the election. Did they say when they’d be handing over the money for the town?’
‘Well, that’s why they actually came here, dear.’
‘What? Is something wrong? Is there less than we thought?’
‘No. There’s far more, but I hadn’t realised they’d be setting the amount that I receive as Governor.’
‘Oh? Well is it close to what we thought you’d take in payment?’
Yes, it’s close.’
‘How close, Johnathon?’
‘It’s a fair wage for the job, Hannah.’
‘Well, Johnathon Mosely, don’t think for a minute that I’ll be going without. As wife of the Governor, I have a certain standard to up hold amongst the women.’
‘Yes, dear.’
‘And besides, I’m sure you’ll be able to wriggle a few extra coins from the old men at the celebrations tonight. Nothing’s yet set in stone.’
‘Well actually, love, I have already signed a contract accepting my duties and the money we’d be receiving.’
‘You did what? How could you, Johnathon, after all I’ve planned.’
‘They wouldn’t leave the money without it, Hannah!’
‘So where’s is it?’ she asked as she looked around the room.
‘It’s in the cellar until I come up with a safer location to store the chest.’
Hannah strode out of the parlour and down the passage towards the kitchen. As she entered the room at the back of the house, Clara was sitting by the fire sipping a cup of tea.
‘Oh, you’re back, Hannah dear. I didn’t hear you arrive home,’ Clara said. ‘Did you manage to get the herbs?’
The herbs. In her excitement she knew she’d forgotten something. ‘How am I supposed to remember everything? Today of all days…you know how important the party is tonight. It’s been on my mind all week.’
‘But Johnathon was only voted in two days ago,’ Clara said.
‘Well obviously, unlike you, I had confidence in my husband’s ability to win hands down. There was never any doubt in my mind.’
‘Of course, dear, you’re right,’ her mother-in-law said and returned to her tea.
Johnathon bustled his wife down into the cellar and led her to where the chest sat with only the light from the candle he carried to illuminate the way.
‘Where is it, Johnathon? I can’t see anything
down here. The light is too dim.’
‘Over here,’ he called as he pulled back the sacking which camouflaged the heavy steel chest.
‘Open it,’ Hannah said. She lusted to see the treasure inside, but in her excitement she’d overlooked the three large locks which dangled on the rings and kept any one man from opening it for himself.
‘I can’t,’ he said.
‘What do you mean you can’t? Or is it that you won’t?’
‘Now, dear, there’s no need to be like that. I can’t open the box. You see, the wizards only gave me one key.’ Hannah then noticed the three solid locks that held the chest closed.
‘So how will we gain access to the money? Where are the other keys?’
‘I’m afraid, my love, the council will hold the other two.’
‘So all my planning has been for nothing! I made sure you were elected and now we have nothing.’
‘Calm yourself, my love. It’s not so bad,’ Johnathon crooned. ‘We still have enough money. A decent income, and you’re still the wife of the Governor.’ His words soothed her ire some, but she was annoyed that all her planning had not earned her the prize she’d hoped for. No, it wasn’t nothing. Tonight she would show Elle how far she’d come. She was the Governor’s wife and who was Elle? She was nobody.
Chapter Fifteen
Opening the door for Elle, Christopher walked over to the hearth and placed her parcels down. ‘If you’ll excuse me, I still have business to attend to in the village. I shouldn’t be long,’ he said.
‘We’ll see you when you’ve finished, lad,’ Clarence said as he settled down by the fire and Christopher left.
‘Elle, lass. There’s to be a festival tonight to honour Mosely’s ascent to Governor,’ Hank said.
‘I know. I happened to run into Hannah in the market earlier and she couldn’t wait to invite me to witness the spectacular. I’m afraid I brought nothing to wear to such an occasion.’
‘Elle, you could wear a flour sack and still be the belle of the ball.’
‘I think you’ve a little of that flour stuck in between your ears, Hank, but thank you for saying so,’ she said and smiled warmly at him.
