The Forest and the Farm

by Vance Huxley

  Billi salted some fish and left them in the cold store, filling his pack with lion meat and the pelt. The stripped bones and offal probably made a welcome easy meal for the Great Hunter. The tracks the following morning said that the big cat had taken the lot from the Forest edge where Billi left his tithe. Rabbit kept marking any sign of the huge cat anywhere around the lakes so the marking war was still on.

  The other war still continued in the Village, though not fiercely enough for Billi to let it worry him. Despite the shunning, now lifted, Edan still managed to spread tales and rumours or Billi assumed Edan did so. The young man did nothing open, but occasionally Billi would get some unfriendly looks from folk he had never upset. Unpleasant though the looks were, he no longer assumed that his lack of a leg was to blame. There were a small number of people who refused to talk to him and avoided contact but most seemed to be the small group that Billi associated with Edan. Some of Edan’s friends and his Ma glared, but said nothing to Billi’s face and nothing would alter their opinion, so Billi didn’t try.

  He now had more friendly nods and greetings than Billi had ever expected to see, and a welcome in the alehouse and the stores. The maids didn’t seem to be put off, and were occasionally emitting shrieks of panic when the bear came near. Edan’s continued campaign stayed annoying, or rather the thought of Edan still out there plotting and stirring rumours annoyed Billi sometimes. The muttering and stories no longer caused Billi any actual trouble in the Village, nor any real distress.

  Meanwhile Billi continued going hunting when he wanted, and coming back to fresh bread and a thoroughly dusted home. He continued the trapper training and Rubyn started building a little stack of the plush pelts from his share of the take. Both of his Unks were taking ‘lessons’ by coming with him and both had spoken to Farmers and negotiated fields for their own trap lines. The three of them had a Tanner at home who helped them with the pelts, and Perry used his to perfect his own skills.

  Viktor’s skills, or experience, led to another something new or at least different. The young lion’s skin had a half-grown mane because of the cat’s age, which Ellibeth and Rubyn hadn’t seen before. Nor had most people, even Hunters, and a good few called round to see Viktor and take a look. The lions within the normal hunting range of the Village were older, wilier beasts presumably driven out by younger males as were the occasional old, scarred wolves. Though driven out from where puzzled the Hunters since few females had ever been seen.

  The old discussion came up, why Wolves and Lions, Boar and Stags had names but many others were simply striped hunter, dappled hunter or straight-horned deer. As usual nobody could decide since the reason lay somewhere back beyond legend and memory. This beast looked like a lion, and the pelt seemed right, but nobody could remember a male without the full shaggy mane. Viktor told Billi the half-grown mane would make a warm but unusual fur hood so he asked about getting one made. Ellibeth sewed it as a thank you for her Da’s pillow but Billi wasn’t to mention the pillow to Viktor. Ellibeth explained that with the number of swans and the geese, and some feathers from Timath, Ellibeth had enough spare to make a pillow for her Da, for a Midwinter present.

  She even lined the lion-mane hood with some of the soft fur from the traps near Billi’s huts and looking at it he thought the result much too good to wear out in the Forest. Ellibeth’s neat stitching in the thin leather included a bit of fancy along the edging and the hood looked more like a maid’s luxury item than something to keep a Hunter’s head warm. Billi arranged for Ellibeth to stitch a pair of soft fur mitts for his Sis once he’d seen her work. She put on a bit of embroidered ribbon and some fancy stitching so her Bros were right about her never doing any plain sewing. Billi had plenty of the small soft furs since the vermin were determined this year and One-shut ate well while defending the chickens and their feed.

  The only real cloud on Billi’s horizon wasn’t a big one but became more urgent as Midwinter approached. With all the fuss at Harvestfest Billi never did sort out the gift problem, what might be suitable. Now time started running out and there’d be no Tinkerers to buy from. Billi finally plucked up courage to corner Barimar at the alehouse for a quiet word. “What exactly is the right and wrong thing to give a maid as a present if she is a friend? A gift that won’t embarrass her by suggesting more than friend?”

  Billi didn’t expect the strangled laughter, only strangled since Billi had asked Barimar to keep this private. “Forest and Farm, Billi. Half the Village are wondering if you are chasing Ellibeth because of what you’ve already put on her table and bed.” Barimar sniggered. “A good few are wondering when she’ll stop running. Then there’s one or two maids thinking that if she keeps running, you might prefer an easier target.”

  Barimar paused to get his breath back and have a drink of his ale. Billi tried again. “I’m serious, what are the rules if I’m not chasing?”

  Barimar kept to just smiling this time. “There are no set rules about gifts. A lot depends on how the gift is given.” Barimar shrugged. “After all, if too much is given without any hint of chasing, there might be rumours of a different arrangement.”

  Billi sat a while, puzzled, and then blushed scarlet. “No! I’d never do that! Ellibeth is a respectable maid, not a Tinkerer.”

  “Nobody thinks any different after your building spree, Billi, and if they do they’ll never dare say so.” Barimar laughed again. “Ooh, I haven’t had so much fun for ages. This is better than trying to steer my littluns through it all since you’re a grown man, Billi. How did you get to what, twenty-five summers, without knowing any of this?”

  “I’ve never had any real friends since I lost my leg. This is all new, Midwinter gifts and folk who invite me into their homes and I don’t want to spoil it.” Billi sighed. “I still don’t expect to ever have a lass all proper like, but this is better than I had hoped for at one time.” Billi looked up at the head of the Great-Boar. “I owe that beast a lot.”

  Barimar sobered up. “Ah, right. Never thought of that. You were out there in that hut, and you rarely came into town. We more or less forgot you were there I suppose. Hide and Hair, but you’ve fixed that now! Just the Billi-huts will keep your memory alive long after you go to the rock, Billi.” Barimar took a pull of his ale. “Right, gifts. Friend not chasing, though I reckon you should consider that with the right maid at another time. You might be surprised, Billi.”

  “Friends, Barimar. I’ve got all on dealing with that right now.”

  “Friends.” Barimar smiled. “Those spotted skins, if you’ve still got them, and Tinkerer sparkuls, if you ever get any, are not on the friend list. They are at the top of the chasing list or more probably the catching list. You know that stones, claws and teeth aren’t for a maid, not as a friend anyway?” Billi nodded. “Furs are acceptable, from a Hunter at least, providing they aren’t too much. A long fur coat would be more than friendly.”

  “What about mitts or a hat, maybe boots?” Billi still couldn’t work out how this was scaled.

  “Yes, mitts or a hat, or maybe a pair of winter boots from a Hunter wouldn’t be too much. The fur doesn’t matter quite as much if it comes with lunch rather than bought specially. Though a full set would be a definite statement of interest. Some would think four swans was.” Barimar laughed as Billi blushed again. He tried to explain about the sewing and the older Hunter cut him short.

  “I know Billi. We all do since Ellibeth made a point of it to a couple that asked questions. I just couldn’t resist teasing you.” Barimar finished his ale. “Have you got the idea now, or do I get some more fun?”

  “No thanks. Barimar. I think I’ve got the idea or near enough not to offend.” Billi finished his own ale and went home to plot with Rabbit.

  Billi still felt a bit confused but he had an idea now and just before Midwinter spoke to Viktor. Billi carefully explained that he valued Ellibeth too much as a friend to embarrass her but wanted to give her a Midwinter gift. Viktor promised to make sure that Ellibeth knew t
he gift wasn’t meant to embarrass and needn’t say where it came from if she preferred. Billi had gifts for the rest of Viktor’s family because that wasn’t such a problem, but didn’t mention them or the man would try to get something in return. Billi knew the Tanner didn’t have much to spare, and didn’t want to put him in that position.

  Billi went into the Village to the seamstress with the hood, which already seemed suitable for a maid but now he wanted some real fancy work on it. They discussed just what sort of fancy sewing would look best. Like many others, the seamstress seemed to be over her previous antagonism and she suggested some bits of ribbon for a maid’s gift. Especially if it was for a special maid? Billi explained maid but just a friend and she smiled and agreed to find something suitable.

  * * *

  Viktor probably had a bit of a shock Midwinter morn when his family opened their presents. Billi had never had someone to buy gifts for before. He had planned what the youths were getting back in autumn, while he had plenty of meat and hides to sell. Billi decided on belt knives for Perry and Timath. He also traded for a knife for Rubyn. Just a small blade in a soft sheath with a bit of fancy on it, enough for nine summers and yet useful for skinning small prey. All of the knives were good blades from the Tinkerers, even if the grips were plain. Held up to the light, they all had that wavy pattern in the metal though every pattern seemed different. Billi had looked and they were both a mystery and pretty.

  Viktor received some pans and a new kettle because Ellibeth had mentioned the kettle getting thin and it had been mended twice. Billi already knew Viktor had few pans since the man had said so himself. Bliss and Hektor received a young cat, allegedly one of One-shut’s offspring and definitely the same charcoal black. The kit had already become a fierce mouser so if he grew to the size of his sire Bliss’s hens would be safe. A good mouser at that age cost him some fierce bargaining but Billi wanted a decent cat for them because the house cat at Hektor’s home farm hadn’t produced this year.

  What Billi didn’t expect when he delivered the kitten was the little bundle Bliss gave him to take home. Nor did he expect the wrapped presents from Viktor’s family when he left his own little surprises. Presents made Midwinter’s morn completely different in the little hut this year.

  * * *

  Midwinter morn Billi ended up sat in his chair with his small mug of warm cider and the opened bundles on the table in front of him. He was a little bemused by the soft furry ear muffs, fancy carved horn tips for his bow, a complete set of new sheaths with fancy stitching for his set of hunting knives, and a small pillow from the two youngest, to use in the Forest. A pair of thin leather gloves with fancy stitching were ‘for dancing’ according to Bliss.

  Rabbit had a big bone, One-shut a couple of thin lean slices of cold roast, and they were all sat contentedly when the Hound came to his feet. The small noise and lift in the song turned into a little whine of welcome and he hopped to the door. Billi looked out to find a repeat of the visit after Harvestfest, which seemed a year ago and wasn’t.

  Viktor waved as they all trooped in through his gate, smiling and muffled up in winter clothes though Perry, Timath and Rubyn all had their knives on their belts in plain view. The two littluns had small folding knives since a youth or even a littlun needed a knife to learn with, to Billi’s way of thinking anyway. He knew he’d loved his first real knife. The little folding ones weren’t cheap but were less likely to end up stuck in a leg while the youngest got used to them.

  He knew that Ellibeth wasn’t embarrassed because she wore the lion mane hood with a big smile and stroked the outside to make sure he noticed. Ha, everyone would notice and Billi hadn’t realised just how distinctive that would be. Billi had settled on the hood because Ellibeth had helped make it so it wasn’t such a big gift. Not significant, just friendly. Now he wasn’t sure if maybe he’d been wrong. Maybe he’d overdone the extras? All the fancy coloured stitching had definitely made it a maid’s hood, a pretty one. The blue ribbons to tie it, threaded back around the edge to draw it tight around her face, sort of drove pretty and maid home. The hood was warm though, as Ellibeth told him on the way in. Just as Billi started wondering where they would all sit he found out nowhere.

  Ellibeth started banking the fire and took the pot of water off to cool, the youths were getting Billi’s coat and Rubyn brought one big furry bearskin boot. Viktor clapped Billi on the shoulder. “I’ve enough pans to cook for a visitor now, and we’ve picked on you. We need another to make sure all the pans get used, according to Ellibeth.”

  The family escorted him and Rabbit back and Billi spent the day in the middle of a happy family. It was the busiest and happiest Midwinter for Billi in many years, and he ate much better than he expected. Rabbit also had a Midwinter feast, and laid by the fire with the two dogs. The song said Rabbit felt happy, contented, and had maybe eaten just a bit too much, which was how Billi felt as well.

  Ellibeth wore her hood to the evening dance and pointed out to those who asked that Billi had given her a hood because he didn’t trust her with a knife. That wasn’t true as she often helped him to cut and trim his catch into handier joints after bringing it home, but her answer took some of the speculation out of the questions. The fancy fur hood with the luxurious lining now looked to be well past borderline as a friend gift but Billi didn’t care because that wasn’t bothering Ellibeth. He thought she might really like it because the hood had been improved. It now bore some bright red ribbons with a little bit of embroidery on instead of the plainer dark blue the seamstress had provided. It certainly looked a lot prettier like that, and ensured that everyone noticed what she wore.

  The bearr jokes were in full flight and in the end, of course, Billi had to stand and brace himself against the big centre post. A succession of maids swung around him by grabbing his arm and then pretended relief at escaping. Several waved little bits of cloth and carefully tucked them safely away else he might grab them, and they all had a lot of fun. Billi danced with more maids than in his entire life up to now. Not hard to do but still he had a great time. Ellibeth put her hood on and made a great play of the hanging ribbons when she danced past, so he caught one and the hood. After the cheers and laughter, a lot of loud speculation started over what the forfeit would be to get her hood back. Ellibeth moved closer and grinned at Billi, then turned to the others.

  “Billi is too good a man to ask for more than the usual forfeit, the chance to buss the maid.” Ellibeth put a bit of apprehension in her voice. “I’m lucky it was Billi caught me, and not the bearr.” She turned back, smiling, and Billi bussed her firmly. The Village youths cheered while others laughed or called out tips on how to hold a maid properly for bussing.

  Viktor came over to them. “Here Billi, I’ve brought a cider to ransom my maid since she’s been careless enough to be caught.” He grinned. “I thought she’d got more sense.” A blushing Billi sat back down with the older men and spent the rest of the dance there. Several of the other youths stood by the post with their arms out for maids to swing on. There were definite attempts to catch some of the maids and some made sure they were caught, so the youths and maids had a new game they could claim was just dancing.

  The older men were more interested in the landclaim and several of the younger men and youths dropped by to ask questions. The questions weren’t general, they were about the area and the land nearby. Could Billi be sure about there being no water on top of the hill? A lot wanted to know if there might be room for another hut and landclaim inside the valley. Billi told them the place wasn’t fit for anyone to live there just yet. Once he’d got it squared away, he told them, he’d take someone out to have a look. It wasn’t a “no,” and all they really wanted to hear. At the end of the dance Billi and Rabbit went as far as Viktor’s gate with the family before heading home followed by good wishes. After this dance Billi slept well without any cider to help.

  * * *

  Winter ground slowly on and gave no hint of relenting and eventually t
he river actually froze over. The ice stayed thin in places and holes were smashed to water the stock but the freezing came as a startling indication this year was much colder than usual. Only Kina and one other elder remembered the river freezing before, when they were littluns. That boded ill for the Village as both remembered the winter being very bad, lasting long enough for the farmers to kill breeding stock for food. Families inspected their stores and some started to tighten belts to ensure that there would be enough to last through until spring.

  Anyone going outside muffled themselves up in thick furs, and came back indoors as fast as possible. Ellibeth had good use out of her hood, and the soft fur mitts her Bros had made her from their trapline victims. She also had a pair of soft furry ear muffs from Rubyn, the whole family had them and they were handy for quick trips into the cold for firewood or suchlike. Billi wore them inside his hood when out in the Forest to deal with the draughts even if they muffled sound. Rabbit’s ears were better than his anyway.

  The water fowl deserted the reed bed because that froze over as well. That came as a blow because Billi had told Hektor and some of the other Hunters they could take a few birds when the hunting became harder. He didn’t even get out along the banks to set his traps as much because of the heavy snow. After the big freeze Billi stopped trapping along the river bank as they were emptied by the Wild before he got to them. Many of the small streams also froze so the chances of fish from them dropped away. Even Billi’s usual extra sources weren’t helping this winter.

  At least the freeze meant a snow crust firm enough for him to walk on so Billi could visit the lakes and he collected more pelts and a pack full of fish. He also cleared the ice dam on the gravel so the spring thaw would be less destructive, though spring seemed a long way away. The morning he packed to leave Billi opened the door and stopped dead, because the Great Hunter crouched by the trees! The beast had several fish on the snow, taken from where Billi had smashed the ice yet again.