The Forest and the Farm

by Vance Huxley

  “And to show off your new clothes. You’ll be spending plenty of time explaining the gobbler since I don’t reckon many have seen one, me among them.” Ellibeth smiled. “Not with the feathers on anyway and maybe not without. You’d better bring them inside or half the Village dogs will be here trying for a piece.”

  “Not with Rabbit here, but the crows are bolder.” Billi pulled the two fowl inside and sniffed at the aroma of roast pork.

  Ellibeth chuckled. “Since you’ll have no cook tomorrow I put in a joint with roots and taters, and there’ll be gravy once I get to it. I thought you could save the rest of the roast to eat cold, with the fresh bread. You could carry that with you when ye go wandering, to save stopping.”

  Billi sniffed again. “Mmm, yes, fresh bread as well.” He sat and pulled off his boot, and put on the soft one he wore indoors. A beaker of warm berry juice landed on the table.

  “Now while dinner finishes cooking, you can tell us about that gobbler. Where on Forest and Farm did you find it?” Beyond Ellibeth, Rubyn settled down on the fur with Rabbit and Spots. His hopeful gaze went from the gobbler and back to Billi.

  “Well, this one came uninvited and unexpected. But usually…” Billi found that his attentive audience wanted to know all about gobblers. Why the males strutted, why they were called gobblers, and where they usually lived. Eventually, by the time Billi finished his dinner, dusk was drawing in.

  “I’d best get you home so I can start dressing that.” Billi gestured at the gobbler.

  “It’ll take you all night just to pluck it. Those feathers are pretty.” Ellibeth pointed at the shiny reds and greens on the gobbler’s neck.

  “If you’ll pluck it ye can keep the feathers. They’ll go with those.” Billi pointed at the swan.

  “How do ye mean Billi? You want me to pluck the swan as well? Though taking the feathers is too much just for plucking. I’ll dress and pluck them for the feathers?” Ellibeth estimated, looking at the birds. “It’ll take me a while.”

  “That’s a deal for the gobbler, but the feathers on the swan are yours anyway. That’s today’s pay since I couldn’t find a goose.” Billi laughed. “That should finish off the pillow. Ah.” He’d just remembered. “Don’t skin Perry. He didn’t tell me, Gordi did.”

  “I’ll skin him anyway for spreading my business about.” Though Ellibeth’s heart wasn’t in the threat because she was staring at the swan. “A swan is too much. Either find something from the store, Billi, or I’ll give ye some fowl from home when we get there.”

  “All right.” Billi figured that once the swan was in Viktor’s house, it would be harder for her to say no.

  “I can’t carry that.” Rubyn sounded despondent.

  Billi knew the littlun enjoyed showing his Ganda the day’s pay, so there had to be something small to add in. “I noticed fresh straw in with the hens. Where did that come from?” Billi hadn’t tonight, but he’d noticed a bit of fresh straw other days so that was a safe bet.

  “I picked it from the fields nearby. Ma said ‘twas all right if I took Spots and stayed close.” Rubyn looked anxious. “Ma said I could take the straw left by the Farmer after harvest.”

  “True, but there’s only scattered bits so I never have the time to collect enough. Since you spent the time,” Billi sighed, “I suppose you’ll need paying.” Ellibeth started to object but Billi raised a hand to stop her. “Since ‘twas for the hens I suppose they’d better pay. I reckon two eggs. What do you think, Ellibeth?” Billi nodded at the question in her eyes.

  “Well I don’t know. I thought he was playing more than finding straw.” A spark of mischief showed in her eyes.

  “But it was a straw-finding game? So work as well? Please, Ma?” Rubyn’s eyes were bright and excited. He was going earn two whole eggs!

  Ellibeth shook her head in resignation. “I’d not be as soft, but since Billi seems to be feeling generous you’d best take advantage.” Rubyn’s eyes moved back to Billi.

  “Two eggs it is, providing we’ve got two left someplace?” Billi looked round as if searching for them while Rubyn kept starting to get up to fetch them, then stopping because he wasn’t sure he should.

  “I reckon.” Ellibeth tried not to laugh since Billi’s hens produced more than that every day.

  Billi suddenly ‘discovered’ the big bowl with the eggs in. “I’ll sort out a couple or maybe you should. Brown or white, Rubyn?”

  Rubyn shot to his feet as if he’d been sat on a stinger nest. “Brown taste better, Billi, if you don’t mind?” The two adults stood, smiling, while Rubyn debated over choosing two out of the five brown eggs. He cradled one in each gloved hand all the way home, and went into the house with no dashing this time. Though he still shouted.

  “Ganda, Ganda! Look at what Billi and Rabbit found this time. They’re enooormous. Come and look, Ganda.” Ganda came and looked, and Billi turned to show what hung on his back.

  Viktor laughed. “I’m pleased to see the rest. I’d just wondering what could be standing behind you, peeking over your shoulders.” Billi and Ellibeth laughed as well, because the heads were laid on Billi’s shoulders. “What are you going to trade those for? A farm?”

  “Well one is to save for Winterfest when Ellibeth’s done plucking it, and ‘tother is Ellibeth’s pay for today.”

  “I’ll need to give Billi some back from the larder, Da, if that’s all right. A swan is too much for one day.” Ellibeth headed for the door.

  “Sort something out. We’ll need extra room in there to make room if these monsters are moving in.” Viktor smiled. “At least they won’t be eating anything.”

  “No, no. I’ve got a store full of meat including fowl, and a cold roast to see me through the next few days. I’ve no space either.” Billi smiled. “I’ll have to eat something before the gobbler comes home for freezing.”

  Ellibeth turned quickly, and her face flushed pink. “I told ye no, Billi. A swan is too much.”

  “A swan only takes one arrow the same as a goose. It’s a big goose, that’s all. Rabbit got a bit more exercise, but that stops him getting fat.” At the note of humour in the song Billi wondered again just how much Rabbit understood.

  “I don’t know Billi, that’s an awful big goose. That’s even big for a swan, as far as I recollect. ‘Tis a lot for a day.” Viktor eyed the bird, looking uncertain.

  “There were three swans and no geese, and this one came closest. I daren’t go for a smaller one in case it got away. I had to guard the reed-cutters so I took the certain kill. That’s the Law, Viktor.” Billi shrugged. “I’m not carting it home again; my leg is tired now.” Billi had started to wonder now because he’d expected Viktor to back him.

  “Da, tell him. Explain it’s too much. Explain to Billi why it’s too much.” Ellibeth looked nearer to red than pink now as her blush deepened and she disappeared through the door in a rush.

  Viktor looked as baffled as Billi felt. “Why so much, Billi?”

  “Because Perry let slip she needed the feathers. I went looking for a goose, and this came along instead.” Billi shrugged. “Then I thought why not? Ellibeth has sort of reminded me how poor I am at dusting, and Perry and Timath aren’t much better but I expected that. You should see the difference in my hut.”

  “Yes, both my maids are something ferocious with a broom and duster. But even so, ‘tis a lot.” Viktor sighed. “You heard her. Ellibeth says it’s too much.”

  “She said you’d explain why.” Billi never had been able to sort out values for meat when compared to hut sitting or baking, not really. A bit of care, an arrow, and lugging the result home cost about the same regardless of size. Though he knew what the Traders would pay for the meat, the values in copper or silver.

  “Ha, I wish I knew. Maids are a mystery even to their Da. Now I’m stuck in the middle since you won’t take it back and Ellibeth won’t accept it.” Viktor chuckled. “I could camp out here with the thing until I’ve eaten enough for Ellibeth to take the rest?”


  “How about extra pay for the bread and pies, and the goats and chickens are looking happier than since Bliss left.” Billi knew he was being stubborn but the swan really had only cost an arrow, and not even that since he’d got the arrowhead back.

  “That’ll be Rubyn. To hear him talk he spends half the day with them. What are the eggs for?” Viktor wore a little smile now. “He says he earned them?”

  Billi laughed. “Gathering straw, but really just so he had something to carry home. I’m not getting into a tussle over two eggs.”

  “Nor am I. So bread, pies, the roast, the animals look better, and the quality of her sweeping and polishing. I’ll try. Does all that really make much of a difference?” Viktor still didn’t look convinced.

  “Oh yes. I’ve come home to a cold hut and set into cooking for a lot of years. Now I find that a warm hut and a hot dinner are worth a lot to me, especially with real pastry or bread instead of my attempts.” Billi grinned. “Edan did me a favour, since letting out the chickens led to Bliss spoiling me.”

  “Don’t tell Edan, he’ll burst a blood vessel.” Viktor sighed. “I’ll try and convince Ellibeth her version of hut-minding is worth extra. Just to prove that’s true, I’ll arrange for her to look after your hut every fourth or fifth time instead of Perry or Timath if you don’t mind?”

  “I’d like that. The dust and spiders won’t have time to make themselves at home. If you don’t mind, could Ellibeth be there the last day when I go on a long walk?” Billi smiled. “I really do like warm fresh bread and it smells and tastes even better then.”

  “I’ll see if that flies, though those two layabouts had better work very hard on fences and gardening if Ellibeth is cleaning up inside.” Viktor shook his head, then called out. “Ellibeth?”

  The maid came out and her blush had gone. “Did you explain, Da?”

  Billi tried not to smile as he actually saw Viktor brace himself before answering. “I did, and then Billi explained. Now between us I reckon we can pick up your pay, then we’ll come back for the gobbler.”

  “But Da!” Ellibeth stared at her Da and her cheeks started to darken.

  “I’ll explain inside. That’s if I can make sense of it myself. If not, you can go and see Billi, and cart the swan with you.” Billi and Rabbit left while they were bickering, and Billi felt sure about the humour in Rabbit’s song this time.

  * * *

  The following day Billi went to see the elders. The elders didn’t lay down the law in the Village, but they were the oldest surviving villagers. As such they knew more lore and history, and had the time to chew it all over and make decisions. He called on Kina, the Eldest, and she sent the nearest littluns scampering off. Then they talked about the crops and weather until a half dozen elders gathered. “Billi the Hunter wants advice. I reckon we’ve enough?” Kina looked around at the group.

  Heads nodded in reply. “What have ye found now, Billi?” Werne the fiddler loved to spread the latest gossip.

  “I don’t know. A new idea, or maybe an old one, or maybe it won’t work.” Billi spread his hands. “So I’m here. Does a landclaim have to be in the Village or Farm?”

  “No. We can all answer that. Nothing in the Law says where Farm has to be, but be warned, the Wild will want your crop or stock. If ye can keep it, the land is Farm.” Kina sounded absolutely certain and all the heads nodded. “How far away is it Billi? You’ll need to clear and plant before summer.” She glanced at his peg, not the best thing for digging.

  “That part is done, providing reed is a crop.” Billi waited as they all thought that one through.

  “You’ve still got to tend it, and keep it from being taken by the Wild.” Kina stopped, suddenly thoughtful. “Do the Wild want reed? How would you farm reed?”

  Billi explained the weeding and clearing the old reed, the digging to keep it healthy, and the yearly crop. This time the elders spent a lot longer muttering between themselves and definitely frowning. “I put the tithe outside the reeds, into the Forest.”

  Werne stared. “What tithe?”

  “All the rotting reed and pulled up weeds, as well as the guts and such when I took birds there.” The elders all stared, then went back to muttering. One after the other they all nodded to Kina and sat back.

  “We think yes, under the usual conditions. That is, if you let the Wild back in, if you stop weeding and maintaining the land, you’ll lose it.” Kina sighed. “We believe the Wild will respect that, providing you’ve got your bow and Hound of course.” They all laughed including Billi. That part applied to any dealings with the Wild.

  Billi had been thinking hard while the elders did so now he asked, and felt Rabbit’s interest spike as he did. “Would fish be a crop?”

  “I don’t see how?” Kina started frowning again and then she smiled. “What have you come up with now, Billi? How do you expect to farm fish without digging a hole in good farmland?”

  Billi took a deep breath. “I might have found a place, and a way. If I cut off a big enough bit of water to keep the fish trapped, then I can crop as I wish. If I do that regular maybe that’s a proper crop according to the Law. Keeping the waterways and ponds clear of weed and sediment to preserve the flow might be farming. Keeping the bushes from growing back on the banks is the same as claiming after a fire. Maybe.” Billi sat back and waited.

  The perplexed faces told him the answer wasn’t a straight no, but the storm of discussion meant he’d definitely come up with something new. Unfortunately, the Forest and Wild didn’t usually welcome new, and couldn’t actually talk to the Farm. Even the Legends weren’t sure how the Laws had been agreed in the first place. The elders were intrigued as Billi’s description did fit the Law, it had just never even been considered. “We don’t know Billi. We don’t think anyone ever tried that, but if they did there’s no Winter Tale about what happened. That is a good sign, since if it had happened and been a disaster, the tale should be in there.” Kina shrugged. “We are happy for you to try because if it works, this is another way to grow the Farm. Don’t complain if the Wild doesn’t like the idea.”

  “If the Wild doesn’t like it, you’ll never find my bones. So far, so good.” Billi smiled. He wasn’t going to give any hints yet.

  “We would like some idea?”

  “If the Wild does object it might be best if a Stumpy Hunter found out, rather than lose more Hunters trying to do the same? This way of farming is something only a Hunter can manage, if that makes sense.” Billi didn’t want some youth pushing the boundaries of the Law along the river and going missing. More so since right now a young Hunter the other side of the Farm had been out two days too long and he’d gone to hunt, not to wander.

  “That makes sense, as long as you register landclaim once you are sure. Then your claim will be respected by the Village though we really would like it registered as soon as possible.” Guthra and several others were leaning forward, nodding.

  “Why does that matter?”

  “If your idea works, the Village need to know where and how, just in case you don’t come home one day. Then another Hunter can take over so the Village doesn’t lose the extra food.” Billi felt a pang. Even if he never really expected to have anyone to leave a landclaim to, it hurt that the elders seemed to agree. Rabbit’s song immediately rose to sooth and reassure, as always.

  Werne frowned. “What about this reed bed? You should register that since we’ve all heard what Fellip has been bringing home. We all thought you five were pillaging a wild reed bed just the once, not making a claim.” All of them leant forward again, expectant.

  Billi pulled out Fellip’s drawing. “There it is.”

  There were two low whistles, then Guthra worked out the pacing, to get a true area. “That’s as big as some landshares. Who paced the boundaries and drew this?”

  “Fellip. He’ll be a partner in the reed cutting, but says I have to claim the land since only a Hunter can.” The reaction had startled Billi. He knew the reed bed sprea
d much further than his plot and yes, the area looked huge once cleared, but even so he hadn’t thought a full landclaim.

  “Where is it? One moment.” Kina found a quill and a little pot of ink and turned the paper over. “Can ye sketch the river? Is it our river? We’ll not need measurements, just the bends and landmarks.”

  “I can do that. It takes me about a third of a day, and is obvious really.” Billi sketched as best he could. “Is that good enough?”

  “That’ll do it. Right. It’s yours now.”” All the elders sat back looking satisfied.

  “That’s it?”

  “Oh yes.” Kina wore a wicked grin. “The Village will respect our decision and if the Wild won’t, that’s your concern.” Everyone agreed and Kina produced ale to go with the congratulations.

  * * *

  Over the next two days, before Fellip came back, Billi considered his options. He talked with his advisors long into the night and finally thought he’d got it sorted out. When Fellip arrived he looked very serious, which worried Billi a bit. “I’ve claimed it, Fellip, all official and the Elders say ‘tis settled as far as the Village is concerned.” Billi smiled, “Now Kina says I’ve got to convince the Wild.”

  “Then we must make a proper on-going agreement. I’ve worked out what the value of that reed is, or rather what I think I’ll get for it. The final value depends on the Traders and how their supplies are, but I’m confident they’ll take any surplus. First off, will you be taking your share in silver now, or when the reed is used or sold?” Fellip sighed. “If you want it all now, I’ll be selling some as soon as possible because you’ll take all my silver.”

  “Really? Sorry Fellip but that still doesn’t really make sense. It’s just tall stiff grass to me.” Billi bent over the figures that Fellip showed him. Then he sat back and thought it through because all his previous calculations were completely wrong, in a good way. “The top list shows the coppers and silvers I’ll get anyway, for guarding and for paying the youths? You’ll pay that in silver?”