by Allan Joyal
I sat down on the bedroll to pull on my boots. "Ron, you are awake?" Lydia called out.
"Sure, why wouldn't I be?" I asked.
"Kariy wanted to surprise you with a warm breakfast. Well she wanted to surprise all the men," Joelia called out. "She said you were going to be working hard all day and needed the energy."
"That is probably true," I said as I stood up. I started to leave the tent but stopped when I noticed my spear leaning against one of the uprights. It took a moment to pick it up, even though I had to be careful not to cut the fabric of the tent. I emerged a moment later and looked at the sky.
The light clearly indicated that the sun had not broken above the horizon yet, but that some rays were giving the sky a slight glow. The morning air was warm and humid. I took in a deep breath and looked around.
All of the adult women except Kariy who had followed me the night before were standing in a circle. "Where's Kariy?" I asked.
"The other side of the tent," Heather said. "We realized this morning that we don't really want Verval and his people coming to this area, so she set up at the edge of the meadow. We should try to clear a bit more space around here when we can."
"When we can," I said with a nod. "Meanwhile, let's grab something to eat. She's right about us needing to work hard all day. Are the others awake?"
"I'll wake Al when Kariy has breakfast ready," Aine said. "Hencktor was already grumbling, so I expect he'll be up soon."
"I'm supposed to say that," Lydia snarled. She followed the snarl up with a giggle and pretended to burnish her fingernails. "I wear that man out every night."
I shook my head and wandered around the tent looking for Kariy and the cooking fire. I found her fire and cauldron right at the edge of the meadow. She was watching a stew simmer while Victoria talked to her.
Victoria blushed and looked away as I approached. "I swear I never knew he'd be this bad," she told me.
"We'll deal with it," I said. "He's got more of the men, but we have the crossbows, the better fighters, and I dare say the girls are better with slings than the boys. At worst we'll work something out where after this winter his people get this part of the valley, and we move west. I expect that he won't be able to maintain his authority for long. Meanwhile, good morning."
Victoria blushed as Kariy rushed to put together a bowl of stew for me. She included a thin biscuit. "We have only a few eggs," she said quietly. "But a couple of the goats look ready to give birth. We might have milk soon."
"That will be nice," I said as I accepted the stew. I took a bite and found the stew to be very hearty and thick. "Good stew," I said.
"Only for people living here," Kariy said with a huff. "I hate men like Verval."
I looked over at Victoria, "sorry."
"I'm not upset," Victoria said. "He's being a jerk, and I'm glad everyone has made that clear. Even Jeff and Gerit aren't happy with him, but they both want shelters build for their wives."
I ate the stew quickly while Kariy and Victoria discussed the situation with the shelters. Apparently Verval had said he had come up with some method to help stabilize the walls. She did say that he was asking Dafalia to find the vines that we were using for rope rather than come to us, but otherwise he appeared to be concentrating on building the shelter. He had kept one saw and one axe to help in the building.
The bowl of stew had been large, but I finished it before the sun broke over the horizon. I glanced around to see that Cimbra and Joelia were ready to go. "Come, let's get started," I called out as I handed the empty bowl and spoon to Kariy.
We quickly crossed the meadow and headed into the forest that spanned the mouth of the valley. As we walked I looked over the herd and the shelters. Many of the cows were clustered near the shelters, but other than a single dog lying in the grass I saw no activity.
We sped through the forest until we reached the section of wall we had already erected. I looked around and could count at least eight felled trees scattered nearby. Joelia whistled as she looked at what we had done. "You built that in six days?" she asked.
"I had help," I said absently. "And it’s not really well built. We need to nail crosspieces in order to really secure the wall. We also really need some kind of watchtower built so someone can see over the wall."
"Today?" Joelia asked.
I looked at Cimbra. "DO you remember how we built the wall to this point?" I asked.
Cimbra nodded. "Dig out a hole for the next log, roll it to the edge and raise it so it drops in. Then use vines to tie it into the wall. Pack dirt around the sides and then extend the hole to prepare for the next log."
"Three logs are ready," I said pointing to a stack of logs that had already been prepared. "See if you can get the first one in."
"What will you do?" Joelia asked.
"I want to mark out the area we want to clear so that we can improve the vision from the wall," I said. "Then once the others come, we'll start chopping down every tree in that region."
Joelia looked out over the area. The area for about twenty feet in front of the wall was clear of trees although the stumps stood as testament to the work we had done before. The young woman looked at me. "You did all this already?"
"We worked hard," I said. "This wall is very important to me."
I walked away from the group. As I headed to the north side of the clearing I looked back regularly, checking to see how far I was and how solid the wall looked. I was surprised to see that the parts we had already built looked secure. There were no gaps to shove a spear or sword through, and the vine ropes looked to be holding.
When I reached the granite cliff I turned back again. This time I noticed an immediate problem with the wall. I decided to complete marking the boundary of trees to chop. I walked about twenty feet past the end of our wooden palisade and then using the butt of my spear began etching a line in the ground. I walked to the east about seventy feet and then turned south. I was almost directly east of the end of the wall when Hencktor ran up to me. The man was carrying several axes and saws.
"Sorry, I was a bit slow waking up," the man said. His face was flushed and he would not look me in the eyes.
"It's not a problem," I said. "I was thinking you, Al, and I can start by chopping trees. Anything between the wall and this line I'm marking needs to be cut down. Don't worry about the stumps though."
"Why not?" Al asked.
"They will form a bit of a barrier against a charge," I said. "We can dig them out in the future, but for now, we need to be able to see from the wall, and we need wood for the wall."
Hencktor looked back towards the wall. My path had me deep in the trees that were still standing. He glanced back and forth for a moment and sighed. "It's a lot of trees."
I nodded. "Tell you what, let's walk back to the wall. I want to mark something on the ground for the ladies putting the posts into the ground, and then we can start chopping. I figure we should cut the trees closest to the wall first anyways."
Hencktor just nodded and trotted off through the trees. I looked to the west and then picked up the spear and followed him. The markings I had made clearly defined where we needed to begin and once we reached that point the line could be extended if necessary.
When I arrived back at the wall I found that Lydia and Heather had arrived. They were working with Cimbra to get the next log into the ground as the kids watched from a safe distance. The women worked together very well, and before I could express any concern the end of the log dropped into the hole they had prepared. Yveney dashed in to start wrapping a vine around the lower section as Heather accepted help anchoring the top with another vine.
Cimbra smiled at me. "We did it," she said enthusiastically.
"And hours later that cheer will be gone," Al said quietly. "This is going to take forever."
"Quiet," Lydia snapped. "We'll get it done."
I nodded and then put the butt of my spear against the log that had just been set in the ground. Carefully I walked southeast for about seven feet, u
sing the spear to cut a groove in the soil. Then I walked southwest, drawing another line perpendicular to the first until I was in line with the wall.
"What is that?" Heather asked.
"We need to build the wall so that it follows the lines," I said.
"Why?" Lydia asked.
"The same reason castle towers extend past the walls. It makes seeing along the wall easier and means we have a more effective way to use projectile weapons. Without these you'd have to lean over the wall to use a crossbow on someone who is right up against the wall," I said.
"We can't see over the wall," Aine pointed out.
"We'll have to build a platform," I said. "But that's for later, once the wall is complete. I'm thinking we'll put in three or four more of these before we are done. Set them at every fifty yards or so."
Lydia nodded. "We can do that. And the girls are ready to prepare each tree. You just need to cut them down."
I walked over to the wall and leaned my spear against it. "In that case, I'll take an axe and get started," I proclaimed.
Hencktor handed me an axe as the group laughed. I headed westward to find a tree to start chopping. Behind me the others started to scatter as everyone began to work.
Chapter 23: Break for Battle
By the time the sun had passed its zenith everyone was covered in wood chips. Our energy had flagged some, but the intensity being displayed was impressive, and the wall was already running straight south. Al, Hencktor, and I had cut so many trees that Yveney, Esme, and Gertrilla had asked for us to slow down. There were fifteen logs lined up to be prepared.
Instead of stopping completely, Al started working on clearing the path of the wall. This required more work as each stump had to be removed to allow us to move the logs into place. While he worked, Hencktor and I looked at the cleared area in front of the wall.
"It’s not really all that big," Hencktor observed.
"That's why I want to extend the cleared area," I said. "But that takes time."
"Makes sense," Hencktor said. His voice faded out as he spoke. "Is that Krysbain?" he asked pointing to the north.
I turned to look and could see Krysbain and Lenoir emerging from the trees. Krysbain was carrying the carcass of a large hoofed animal, and it looked like Lenoir was pulling an array of sticks on which two more carcasses lay.
"It looks like the hunting was good," I said as I waved at the duo.
"Ron!" Krysbain shouted cheerfully. "We worried we'd miss the valley."
"How, the cliff prevents you from going past it?" I asked.
"The river doesn't run straight east," Lenoir said. "We ended up crossing it our first day out. Later we thought we had travelled south when we crossed another river so when we turned back we tried to head northwest thinking we'd encounter the river."
I paused trying to understand the statement. Hencktor caught on first. "You had crossed the river again, and when you tried to travel back you never encountered the river."
"Exactly," Krysbain said. "You can't imagine how good it felt to see the cliff and realize we were north of the river the whole time we were walking back."
"How far did you get?" I asked.
"Not as far as the ocean, but it’s there," Krysbain said. "We saw a number of gulls and other birds that prefer to live near the ocean yesterday before we turned back. It might be easier to use the river to get there. From what I saw, the ford just east of here is the last one. We had to swim to cross both times."
"Not very fast moving?" I asked.
"Not really," Krysbain said.
"We did find some fields that must have once been farms," Lenoir said. "They were very overgrown, but I collected as many seeds as I could."
"This early?" Hencktor asked.
"Some plants have a quick growing cycle," I said. "Natalie would know. It might be something we can ask Kariy to look at for cooking and Natalie for planting."
"Not asking Verval?" Krysbain said.
"Not right now," I admitted. "There have been a few issues regarding my leadership."
"Stupid," Lenoir spat. "You know what you are doing. That wall is a great example. We definitely aren't alone in these forests. I'd say goblins and orcs at the least."
"Are you sure?" I asked as Hencktor claimed the poles from Lenoir. He started to walk back to the wall while I fell in beside Lenoir and Krysbain.
"We saw the signs," Krysbain said. "They don't have camps close, but they definitely are around. If they knew we were here there would be problems."
"They might know," I said worriedly. "Oleiana and Yveney found a footprint yesterday morning. It was about a mile north of the valley, but….."
"If it was an orc or goblin, they might have heard or seen something. And if it was just one, more might visit soon," Krysbain finished. "How long will the wall take?"
I looked at the wall. We had added at least thirty feet to it and it was still growing. "Probably about ten days," I said carefully. "I don't think we'll keep this pace up for long, and we have a long distance to cover."
"I can help now," Lenoir said. "Krys should probably get the deer to Kariy so she can butcher them."
I nodded. "We'll eat well tonight."
Lenoir ran forward. I saw her stop and talk to Lydia before grabbing a saw and starting to cut branches from one of the already felled trees. I remained beside Krysbain as we continued to walk to the wall.
"Sorry," I said.
"I thought it would be me," Krysbain said quietly.
"Humm?" I replied.
"I said this before. When I joined I looked over the group. None of you had been in a guard force. Heck, you had farm implements as weapons. I imagined that something would happen, and after people were hurt everyone would turn to me for guidance," Krysbain said quietly.
I remained silent as we continued to walk. Krysbain sighed loudly. "That day never game. We encountered dire wolves, and you just calmly took one on with your spear and killed it. We ran into the kobolds, and you intimidated them effortlessly while I was still trying to decide how to act. You had us prepared for the Minotaurs and then were able to talk to that strange wizard when we entered that school. Every time there was a crisis you came through."
"I just want to keep everyone alive and happy," I said. "Which is why we need this wall."
"I agree," Krysbain said. "Now I'm going to run to the camp to drop off this deer, and I'll come back to help."
I nodded. "That should work," I replied as I turned back for a moment to look to the north.
A large green-skinned humanoid was advancing out of the forest. The massive creature was wearing a tattered and stained loincloth and had some kind of vest and pauldron assembly made out of bones covering his torso. The creature held a massive club in his hands. He raised the club as he emerged into the field.
I reached out and tapped Krysbain on the shoulder. "Run," I hissed.
Krysbain took off running. I kept my eyes on the visitor and slid in the direction of the wall. As I retreated three more creatures as ugly and massive as the first stepped into the clearing. The fourth was wearing some kind of hide cloak. He pointed at the wall and barked something as the humanoids spread out.
There were gasps to my left as I continued to slide away from the creatures. They were squinting in the late afternoon light, but two started pointing at us and barking louder. The first to appear slammed his club into the earth. The stumps nearby shook as the monster roared at us.
I was within fifteen feet of the wall when Heather ran up. She had my spear in her right hand. "Trade!" she shouted as she held it out to me.
I held out the axe I had been carrying. Heather snatched it out of my hands in reckless haste and then made sure the shaft of the spear was in the palm of my hand.
Hencktor ran up to stand to my right as I swung the spear around and brandished it toward the creatures. They had spread out a bit more. The one wearing the hide cloak advanced between two of the creatures. This time he held a large frog in his hand. The th
roat of the frog bulged alarmingly as the creature advanced.
"Orcs!" I heard Krysbain shout. "That one must be a shaman of some kind!"
"Magic?" I asked over my shoulder.
"Hard to say, but I've heard tales," Krysbain said.
"Take him down!" I shouted.
Two crossbows sang out. One of the bolts missed, flashing over the orc's shoulder and vanishing into the forest. The second caught the frog in the throat. The bladder deflated with a loud pop and a green mist spread out leaving the shaman standing in a fog.
The creature roared something and flung the dying frog towards us. His arm extended towards us as the creature pirouetted and then fell to the ground. "Got him!" I heard Gertrilla shout.
The other three orcs looked at their fallen companion. There was a moment of silence and then the middle one slammed his club into the ground. The other two raised their clubs and charged towards us.
Al appeared to my left as the creatures advanced. "Now I know why you want a wall," the young man said as he flexed his arms and swung an axe.
"They're coming," Hencktor said worriedly as one of the creatures stumbled over a tree stump.
The other orc kept charging, ignoring the slip from his companion. He raised his club, and I saw an opening. I charged forward and lunged, thrusting the spear at the gap between the loincloth and the bone vest the creature was wearing. The spear entered with a sickening slurp. The monster barely noticed and brought the club down.
It was aimed at my head, and I had to release the spear to dive to my left. The monster put his left hand on the spear and tried to pull it out as he backhanded the club directly at me. I rolled away, looking for a weapon and trying to see where the other two orcs were.
The one who had not charged had backed away. It was standing at the edge of the clearing, watching the fight. He seemed almost bored as the fight raged.
The moment I had spent looking for the orc had taken my attention away from the orc in front of me. He whipped the spear out of his gut and then swung it at my right side. The blow knocked me from my feet, and I saw the club rise up.
I tried to crawl out of the way, but a stump left the only direction towards the orc. Praying that I could dive between his legs before the club came down I scrambled forward. My right hand was at the orc's knee when I heard the monster grunt.
