Lord of the High Reaches

by James Haddock

  Around midnight and a mile short of Windford with our farewells said, they lowered me and the trunk into the top of a large tree. I securely tied the trunk to the uppermost strong leafy branches. I would return later with a wagon to fetch it. The skyships turned south against the starry sky and faded from sight. The trunk secured in the tree, I headed toward the Windford estate. In no hurry, mostly I was just wasting time until daylight so I could approach openly.

  Outside the estate, I found a good perch where I could watch as people started their daily routine. There was nothing out of the ordinary, nothing suspicious. Dropping to the ground, I changed my fur to the golden color used when last here. I approached up the main road and made it to the drive before anyone saw me. Once seen, they immediately recognized me. After all, how many golden C-cats come walking up their drive? Michael came out to meet me before I reached the courtyard.

  "Do not say it," I shouted.

  "What?" he shouted back.

  "You know you had something ready, like, ‘look what the cat dragged in’."

  "Don't be ridiculous, you aren't dragging anything,” he laughed. "Come inside. Breakfast is almost ready."

  Inside, Lord and Lady Windford were in the foyer. I bowed. "Good morning, M’lord, M’lady."

  "Enough of that," Lady Windford said, coming forward and hugging me. "Come to breakfast."

  Lord Windford shook my hand, smiling. "Welcome, lad. Good to see you again."

  "Thank you. Good to be here."

  Taking our seats, Michael said, "You must have been busy."

  "Why would you say that?" I asked, accepting a serving of scrambled eggs and bacon.

  "You have letters and packages; a few look official."

  I waved it off. "It's probably just tax notices," I smiled.

  "No, the taxman comes in person," Lord Windford replied.

  Lady Windford kept the conversation going with small talk about the estate and happenings in town. Once breakfast was finished, we moved into the study. My packages and letters had been set to the side.

  "I received a letter from the king myself," Lord Windford said.

  "Oh?"

  "Yes, the king was letting me know my neighbor was now a member of peerage. Meaning,” he leaned toward me, “you were promoted from knight to baron. Baron Lord Cam Highreacher, in fact."

  "What have you done this time?" Michael joked.

  "In my defense, I was minding my own business. Things just kind of…found me."

  "Things? What kind of things?"

  "Michael, you are enjoying this entirely too much. I think I should consult my solicitor before I say more.” We all laughed.

  "Let me open these and see what news they bring."

  One packet had a royal seal on it, so I opened it first. It held all the royal documents naming me Baron Lord Cam Highreacher. It also named lands and houses attached to the title. There was an estate here in Windford, known as the Watson Estate, with 500 acres of land. There were also ledger books and other paperwork pertaining to it. I'd read those later. There was also a house in the capital, which had a caretaker.

  I handed the packet to Lord Windford, who looked it over.

  “Says, your title is hereditary, quite the honor."

  "What does that mean?"

  "It means, upon your death, your title and lands pass to your heirs. A lot of titles do not extend past the person to whom the title was given."

  "You must have done something extraordinary for the crown," Michael said.

  The second packet contained documents, approvals, and seals for the ‘Highreacher Trading and Transportation Company’. That was not the name Isla had told the king, but maybe that was the way they did business in the capital. After looking them over, I passed them to Lord Windford.

  He read them over. "You have been busy."

  He handed them to Michael, who after giving them a quick perusal, agreed. "Yes, he has. Very busy."

  "I might have made a few friends here and there. I’m a friendly sort of chap," I said, smiling. "But I need more of your help, which is why I’m here. I need to set up a bank account and open my trading house. Since, I’m unknown, I need introductions and advice to do all this,” waving my hand above the documents, “correctly. Offices and warehouses are needed, though it seems I have a house on some 500 acres. It names the Watson Estate. If agreeable to her, I would very much like Lady Windford to help me with proper clothing such as proper for a gentleman."

  "We'll be happy to help anyway we can, and I love shopping." She beamed. Must be the shopping.

  "The Watson Estate? If I remember correctly, it's west of town," Lord Windford said, thinking. "Yes, that's it. It's along a railroad spur. The owner was a big investor in the railroad and built the place, thinking to extend the railroad west. Plans changed, it never went forward. He eventually moved back to the capital."

  "The first thing I need is a wagon to go pick up my trunk," I said.

  "I'll send someone to the station for it," Michael said.

  I chuckled. "It's not at the station. I'll go get it."

  "Cam, where is your trunk?" Lady Windford asked firmly.

  Sheepishly, I replied, "A mile back down the road."

  "Weren't you afraid someone would steal it?"

  "No, ma'am. It's up a tree," Michael and I said at the same time, laughing.

  She shook her head. "Boys, they never change."

  * * *

  After retrieving the trunk, I dressed in clothes and boots borrowed from Michael and went into town. Lady Windford insisted our first stop must be to see the tailor. By the time we left, I looked a proper gentleman. I also bought some ‘everyday wear’. Apparently, gentlemen do not wear work clothes. We hire all work done. It was beyond me why anyone would not work. Except for the sick, injured, or those in the process of birthing, everyone worked in my former clan, even the clan leader. Work was honorable. Laziness was not. This world was new to me, and I had a lot to learn. Michael said if I dressed and acted like a gentleman, people would accept that I was one, cat or not. Perhaps so, but some things were so much a part of me, they could not be cast aside, even for the sake of appearances.

  After visiting the cobbler for new boots and shoes, we were off to the bank where Lord Windford introduced me as Baron Lord Highreacher. The banker, of course, accepted Lord Windford’s vouching for me. All he was really interested in was the money since he was clearly happy to open two accounts, one personal and one business.

  * * *

  After lunch, horses were saddled for Lord Windford, Michael, and myself to ride over to the former Watson Estate. Riding west, we followed the railroad spur, which cut through forested land. Reining in the horses, we looked out over rolling fields with a good size creek watering them. We had arrived at Watson. I was stunned. Rising up from a thicket of tangled overgrowth was a keep. Was this the keep that I had been earlier searching for? The one that King Edward had alluded to? What move was he making in his royal chess game?

  "I had completely forgotten," Lord Windford said, staring. "This was the original keep for this area."

  ‘Keep’ might have been a stretch. To my mind, it was more like a walled fort. Abandoned long ago, the decades of neglect showed. Not exactly a ruin, but it would keep workmen busy for quite a while. The keep itself was built on a rocky outcropping as the foundation and backing. Quarried rock was used to build the rest. All things considered, it was a defensible place. The stonework looked in good condition. The gate, however, would need to be completely replaced along with the portcullis, a drop gate with sharp spikes.

  We rode into the courtyard and dismounted. Checking out the stable and barracks, these also would need a lot of work or replacing. There was no sign of recent activity, well, except for mice and birds. Around the main entrance was more woodwork to be done. Walking through, the old place had good bones, but needed a lot of work. Once finished, it would be a gracious home. I rather liked the place.

  Michael gave a mischievous grin.
"I hope your trading house does well. You're going to need the money.”

  I smiled. "This will do nicely."

  We rode on to the railroad warehouses, which were near the tracks for a look. The first warehouse was full of steel rails, tools, and equipment.

  "There must be enough rails here to build a few miles of new track." Michael was impressed.

  The other warehouse was full of railway crossties needed to support tracks and a few hand carts. There was one last outbuilding in the back of the yard with tracks leading to it. Opening the doors, we found the showstopper. This was the maintenance building holding a steam engine, wood car, and two flat cars.

  "This is their yard engine!" Lord Windford looked thrilled. “I haven’t seen one of these since before Michael was born.”

  "A what?" I asked, as we went inside for a closer look.

  "A yard engine. It’s smaller than the main train steam engines and is used to move cars around train yards. They also use them when building new tracks which, I'm guessing, is why this one is here."

  "I wonder if it works?" I asked.

  "After all this time, you'd have to get someone who knows about steam engines to check it.

  "I might know someone like that, a fellow named Tink," I said, smiling.

  Lord Windford was frowning, looking contemplative. "This reminds me of something. I need to check some things when we get home."

  After looking around a little more, we closed the doors on the maintenance building and headed back to the Windford estate.

  * * *

  Over dinner, Lady Windford wanted all the details about what we saw. "Well, there is an estate there, but it's going to take a lot of work to set it right," Michael said.

  I nodded. "True, there is a lot of work to be done, but I really liked the place. It’s got a lot of what I need already there and has a lot of potential. Part of the land is already cleared for farming, and there is plenty of water for crops and livestock.”

  "Now you're thinking like a proper landowner. If land isn’t working, it only costs you. Your land should support you, make you a living, and pay your taxes. Anything less than that is a waste; you might as well not own it," Lord Windford said with conviction.

  The conversation turned to farming, livestock, timber farming, and estate management. Lady Windford kept the books for the Winford Estate. Unlike other ladies of means, she worked closely with Lord Windford, managing the affairs of the property. She promised to show me how to get started keeping accounts.

  When we had finished our meal, we moved to the sitting room. Lord Windford started looking through old ledgers, while I looked through the ledgers from the Watson Estate. There were detailed accounts of the railroad equipment, parts, the steam engine, and cars. All were part of the estate and now belonged to me, including the right-of-way from Windford township to River's fork.

  As I turned the last page on the entries, I found a handwritten note in clannish.

  Rook, I’m thinking by now you have already been to the Watson Estate. It probably needs a bit of work to set her right. You have also, no doubt, found the railroad supplies and equipment. I'm learning how your mind works. So yes, I want you to add to our existing railroad line. You will of course have to pay for it, but you may charge fees for those using it. When you need more materials, order them form Eastern Central. They will send you what you need at a fair price. Continue the line to the western mountains then to River’s Fork, completing the loop. Doing this will put more people in your lands to keep watch on the southwest border. Until we met again, E.

  I read the letter twice, then remembered the name of my company, "…and Transportation Company". I shook my head and laughed. They looked at me, expecting an explanation.

  "Our king," I began, "is quite the chess player and very devious." I looked around. “Have the servants gone home for the night?"

  Lord Windford nodded. "They have."

  “When last I saw you, I was heading west to have a look over the lands King Edward gave me. I was also scouting for Westie activities," I started telling the story of recent events in my life. Well, most of them, I never tell all I know. I kept Seeker's journals to myself. They listened enthralled, asking few questions. It was well past midnight when I finished my tale.

  "My goodness," Lady Windford said. "That was like a tale from one of those new fiction books they write."

  "Indeed," Lord Windford said. "And to add to it, I found what I was looking for. My grandfather sold the right-of-way to Watson to build his railroad. I also have a copy of the map showing the route."

  "There are notations in the Watson ledgers of the deal between your grandfather and Watson, as well."

  "How strange life is that all this happened to us, with you, Cam, as the catalyst to these events," Michael said.

  I chuckled. "Like I said, I was minding my own business when…”

  * * *

  That night, I slept fitfully, too much on my mind. Finally, I got up and made hot tea. Teacup in hand, I walked over to the window and looked out into the darkness. I am absolutely overwhelmed and don’t know where to begin. Too many projects, too little time. A cat may have nine lives, but he can only be in one place at one time. My father’s words came back to me. “How do you eat an elk? One bite at a time.”

  From the small writing desk in the room, I took pen and paper. Time to make a list, which included hiring help.

  Hire managers for keep renovations, railway extension, trading house, and scouts for the southwest

  Get Tinkman and sawmill onsite for milling lumber

  Check on arming our skyships

  Next day, breakfast was later than usual, since we had been up late the night before. Once our plates were served, Lord Windford opened the discussion. "So, what's your first order of business, Cam?"

  “First order of business is to ask for advice. There is no way I can do all these tasks at the same time. And even if I had the time, I lack the expertise. I need to hire some managers or at least foremen. The 'who' is where I need advice.”

  “Good. The first step is realizing you cannot do everything yourself. My next question is, would you consider a partner on the railroad?"

  "At what percentage split?""49% to us, 51% to you. You own the right-of-way to the track and a steam engine. We'll hire men to lay track and oversee the operation.”

  "Agreed."

  "For the keep renovation, James Woodward. He’s a good foreman. Decades of experience in woodworking and supervising workmen. James will oversee the carpentry and do a fine job. You’ll be pleased. It will take a little longer to find the right stonemason. The rest, we'll work through."

  "Sounds good.” I felt relieved. We had taken a few bites of the elk.

  * * *

  True to his word, Lord Windford set an appointment for Mr. Woodward to see me at the keep the next day. A short man with a confident bearing and laugh lines at the corners of his eyes, he showed up early in his best clothes and top hat in hand, ready to inspect the keep.

  “Lord Highreacher, ‘tis a pleasure to meet your grace,” he said, looking up from his five foot, four inches to my six feet.

  I smiled. “Sir Cam will be sufficient, Mr. Woodward. You’re a bit early.”

  “Call me James, sir. However, to set the right tone in front of tha’ men that I’ll be supervisin’, I’ll be callin’ your royal self, Lord Highreacher. Otherwise, they might become too cheeky. Can nay have that, now can we, sir? As far as bein’ a wee bit early, better early than late.”

  “I agree. On the matter of names, since it’s important to discourage ‘cheekiness’, I will call you Mr. Woodward in front of the men.” Already, I had warmed to this little man. “Lord Winford has already attested to what an experienced carpenter and foremen you are. What say, we take a look at the keep.”

  “I’d be delighted, sir.”

  Three hours later, James had filled a notebook with scribbles and sketches of areas that needed fixed, scrapped, or built new.


  “So, James, how many men will you need to get renovations done within six months?”

  “To answer your question, it’s nay a matter of numbers needed as much as numbers available. At the moment, none are available for another two days. All able-bodied men are workin’ the harvest this time of year. Harvestin’ takes priority as there must be food to carry them and theirs through the winter. Once finished, there are about 35 with the skills needed. That number can get the job done in about six months.”

  “Are these men trustworthy?”

  “I would nay have them workin’ with me if they were not, sir.” He seemed a bit offended.

  “Talk to the men, James, and tell them that they’ll have paid employment when the harvest is over.”

  “Pleased they will be, sir.”

  “Let me know what supplies to obtain so the day the men arrive, they have everything needed to begin. First priorities are the main gate’s timbers and barracks. Trust me on this, James. The gate may be needed sooner rather than later. As far as the dilapidated barracks goes, it’s unfit to live in. Quickly throw up something that will do for sleeping for the time being, but can also be enlarged later on. With sleeping quarters, the men can stay here rather than traveling 10 miles back and forth to town every day. Winter is not long off.”

  “Understood, sir.”

  “There’ll be a cook hired to feed them. If the men have other needs, let me know. I will be here most of the time.”

  “Aye, sir.”

  “Since there is no more that can be done until our craftsmen finish the harvest, I’ll be making a quick trip to arrange for an onsite sawmill.”

  James looked alarmed. “Sir, would you be plannin’ on buildin’ a sawmill right here? In time for when our craftsmen begin the renovations? It can nay be done in two days, sir!”

  “Not quite, James. I’ll bring the sawmill to us.”

  “I don’t know how you will accomplish such a feat, but I look forward ta seein’ it.” Despite his words, he still seemed skeptical.