Resettling the Lost Kingdom

[Himaran]

"Look out!"

Olin dived to the side as an old stone pillar toppled down several feet from his previous location. "Can't you darn fools be more careful!?" He roared. Already, bored, tired and murderously hungry, the exitement of exploring an ancient city had lost its glamor. The bosses were aslo visibly grumpy, and the dwarf was now willing to yell right back at them. On top of that, it didn't help that he had nearly been pinned (and possibly squashed) to the ground by a someone elses ignorance.

Olin stomped away from the site of his near demise and collected another cart. How long would it take to get each and every load back to the settlement? A line of overflowing wheelbarrows extended through much of the ruins, and the dwarf was tired of walking to the back of the line - as the majority of the good material was at its head. "Fools, idiotic self-absorbed fools," he muttered; although not to anyone in particular.

His primary thought as he pushed the cart up to a stone pile and began loading it was of food; he had not eaten anything since breakfast, and it was late in the afternoon. Olin's exausted, frustration-wraught mind began to fantasize. "Beer... yes, yes, that would be nice. Malt, of course. Perhaps with a nice slab of cheese, some warm bread, a roast fish or too... maybe even a good, plump, fried chicken. Hm... what about some fresh fruit? No, no, too light; solid food is the key, yes, solid fo-"

The dwarf's wheel barrow tipped over, dumped his load of stone onto the legs and feet of several others who were resting. They awoke from their dozes instantly, and preceded to send an avalance of curses in his direction. And Olin gave as good as he got; tempers were frayed at the site indeed.

[Kryssal]

The last of the sun's light was fading slowly over the hills. Tane and the two Rangers he was staying with had long ago built up the fire for the small dinner they'd eaten and the light that was now needed.

Tane had momentarily thought of riding back to camp, but it was too dark now to go back in the safest way. A slightly pressing weight of his duties had started coming back to him. Sighing, the new leader put his face in his hands, though he let his eyes peak out through his fingers at the flickering flames.

Tane had never expected to take command of the Rangers so soon, if ever. It was always a slight possiblity since he was second in command, but Rangers shifted groups constantly and he could well have been in another part of Middle Earth when Thorgil finally gave up his command. Tane hadn't been trained properly for dealing with all the responsibilities. He did know how to logistically run the camp, but all the politics and ethics were things you couldn't learn unless in deep leadership training.

Giving his face a slight shove with his hands, he leaned back into a stretch and finished with wringing his arms a few times. Darkness had truly set in now and unless the three decided to make idle banter they'd be making bed soon. As soon as he woke, he'd return to camp and resume command, but right now he had to wash the dishes he had used for dinner.

[Bêthberry]

Midmorning had brought another kill for Calumdril and Cuilad, this one the boy's own doing. Their horses were laden with three now and Calumdril was beginning to question the need for more slaughter. Good enough that the boy had one himself, thought Calumdril, but who knew how many animals other settlers had felled. And the rangers. It would not be good to take too many from the herd all at once.

Calumdril watched the boy's excitement at his first success and for the first time noted that Cuilad was mouthing words as he worked over the animal, even if his voice was mute. When he was done, the boy looked up, his face inquisitive and eager to go on.

"No, lad, we've enough now. I won't even start a fire to send a signal. We'll head home."

The boy's face fell flat and disappointment clearly registered in his eyes.

"You've done as well as me, lad. We each took one and shared in another. Your dad will nave nowt to complain of you and much to commend."

The boy stood still, stubbornly rooted to the ground, feeling as if he was being denied a precious opportunity. Calumdril took no note of the rebellion but went about collecting his things before beginning a quiet talk with the boy. It was awhile yet before they set back to the settlement.

~ ~ ~

The mud had made the going harder, as the horses' hooves slipped as often as did their own. Yet as the sun rose higher in the sky, the earth dried partly and they were able to make their way faster. The two could hear the ringing of hammers and thuds of axes as they neared the settlement and then the rise of voices as their approach was noted. Calumdril was eager to hand the animals over to Illith and the other women. He wanted a swim in the cold lake and relief from the days of worry over the need for food. And he wanted time to think of the body he had found with the Rangers. His job was done. Let others prepare the feast.

[The X Phial]

Borgand watched as the last roofing slate was put in place and the last few boards were hammered home, beaming. The town hall was finished! Weeks of work and agonising waiting had finally paid off with the completion of the first building of the settlement. The former soldier heard a cheer go up from the people in the makeshift streets and it took him a few moments to realise that the cheer was not for the finished building, but for the returning hunters.

Borgand hurried to greet Calumdril and Culiad and sighed with inward relief when he saw that their horses carried fresh meat.

"Hail, Calumdril," he called. "It seems our team has also found the herds. I congratulate you! I was awaiting your signal fire, but will be happy to send one myself letting everyone on the hunt know that the contest is now over. The town hall itself was just finished, and I believe we are all primed for a celebration."

The Ithillian smiled at him, clearly weary, and handed off his prizes to a waiting lad of maybe 12 who was eager to be near the hunters. Culiad seemed less weary than resentful, but Borgand knew that a young man with a taste of freedom was usually the hardest to satisfy, and that honour at the feast tonight would cool his temper.

Calumdril jumped from his horse and handed the reigns to another lad...they seemed to have srung up around him in a kind of hero worship. "I'll ask you lads to take care of my animals. The horse needs brushing, feeding and water and the deer need cleaning. I'll trust you to figure out which is which," he told them with a wink and a smile. "Now, I am off for a swim."

"An excellent idea," Borgand agreed. He turned to the men who had been working on the town hall. "Let's clean this place up and then it's a swim for all while the preparations for the feast are underway!"

Another cheer went up from the townsfolk, and Borgand got back to work overseeing the cleaning of the site, but taking the time to kindle the signal fire himself, as he had promised his friend.

**********

Several hours later, as dusk was settling in, things were looking almost festive. Infected with a party mood, no one seemed to want to slack just yet, and the work, rather than falling off, had actually increased. More hunters from both sides kept arriving, brought back to the camp by the smoke signals which indicated that the contest was over. As they returned and their kills were added to the tally of those already sent back by messenger for preservation, it became more and more evident that the settlers would have more than enough for a feast and smoked and cured meat for several months. Though not the end of their troubles, seeing such a bountiful take had lightened everyone's mood.

Women tended fires, cooked and cleaned the game, worked on other dishes to supplement the meal, attempted to keep their children from running wild in the excitement, and generally laughed, smiled, and joked in spite of the stress. Tonight everyone would eat, everyone would sing and make merry, and it was worth the extra work now. Some men, after bathing, had set about helping with the food preparations, others had gone through the camp gathering every spare chair, table, and flat surface for setting up the interior of the town hall. Soon they would have proper furniture, but for now the assembled goods of the town were sufficient and added to the holiday mood. The rangers were also not immune from the excitement. Though they seemed less abandoned in their joy, it was impossible not to feel the celebration when your return was hailed as heroic and the smell of hundreds of savory dishes reached your nose.

In all of the excitement, Borgand moved from fire to fire encouraging, lifting tables, tasting stews and sweetmeats, and generally keeping an eye on how the preparations were going. As woman all across the camp seemed to be putting the finishing touches on their food after bathing both themselves and their children, he hurried to the town hall and pulled his battered battle horn out. With a single blast he signaled the beginning of the feast and streams of excited faces, each with something good to eat or drink in hand, began to pour past him into the hall. He allowed himself a moment of quiet before joining his people inside their new town hall.

The feast had begun.

[Kryssal]

Tane was back in camp and looking over a request sent from the settlement’s trader when Rherrin came into the cabin.

“Is Awyrgan or Alearindu back in town already?” Naturally Hothem had told Tane that he sent Rherrin into town and under which circumstances, but Tane thought it unlikely that either team would be back yet. Awyrgan had wanted to scout around and would need several more days to get a good enough look around. Hunting had not been easy and if Alearindu had already found enough game Tane would be pleasantly surprised.

“Awyrgan and Thoronmir came in yesterday. It seems that they got into a spat with one of the hillmen and came running back as if their tails had been stepped on. They’re afraid of retaliation and had me scout for good defense positions around town, even though it’s obvious there aren’t any saving spots.”

“Did they kill the hillmen?” If Awyrgan was afraid of an attack it must have been a good fight and the hillmen still had the death from the Rangers former leader Thorgil to think about.

Rherrin shrugged his indifference. Tane narrowed his eyes at the Ranger. He knew that Rherrin an Awyrgan didn’t like each other, every Ranger knew. However, Rherrin was a Ranger and had duties to perform that went above personal regard.

“Next time, bring a full report. Your switch comes in tomorrow,” Tane continued before the other could speak back. “You’re dismissed.”

Rherrin looked as if he was going to argue for a couple of minutes, but when Tane held his gaze he nodded sharply and walked out.

Tane let out a quick sigh. He had just gotten back into camp that morning and now had to go to the settlement. Hailing Hothem again and explaining the new situation, he once again left his post, riding Skit to the settlement. His first stop was to Awyrgan’s camp where he found the two Rangers in need of a healer. They were probably a bit too proud and preoccupied to seek one out.

“What happened?” Tane asked as he dismounted.

“Were out when we happened on a hillman. Had a good fight and came back to warn you, who were out on a ... trip,” Awyrgan spoke from his sitting position.

Tane ignored the side issue of his absence. “Did you kill him?”

Thoronmir said “No” as Awyrgan shook his head. Thoronmir elaborated. “As Awyrgan said, it was a good fight and he got in some harsh blows.”

Tane nodded and looked at the two. “I know you have something to say Awyrgan.”

The older man nodded again. “They’re not going to sit idle anymore, not after this. It’s too close. I think they’ll come after us. By us I mean Rangers or town. They know we’re the competition, but they’re not stupid as to the settlement’s value.”

Tane nodded and looked off toward the town.

Thoronmir spoke up again. “They’re having a celebration tonight and no one is worrying about any hillmen. They need to understand that just because they found some game doesn’t mean that they aren’t in danger.”

“You’re right,” and even from the small camp Tane could see the preparations under way for the festival. “I’ll talk to their leader tonight and consolidate the Rangers tomorrow. Right now I want you two to go into town and find the healer. If you’re right about the attack, I’m going to need you at full strength if possible.”

Awyrgan scowled a bit and Tane cocked his head. “Would you rather I find the healer and send him out here to you?”

Awyrgan narrowed his eyes and answered a short, “No.”

Tane mounted and nodded at the two men. “I’ll see you tomorrow to keep update you.” Then he turned and had Skit take him to the town a little faster than he normally would have. The news had made him a bit worried because he thought the possibility of an attack was probable. Now, however, he had to see to the trader and his request. It didn’t take Tane long to reach the post and was grateful to see the shopkeeper still inside, helping a last minute customer before closing for the celebration.

“Ah, Tane, thank you for coming so quickly,” Kaben smiled warmly and walked over for a firm handshake once his customer had left. “I would have talked to you about this when you came in the other day, but I simply forgot. Can you do anything for me?”

“A trader is coming in and you want a couple of Rangers to keep an eye out for it and then bring it in, correct?”

Kaben continued to smile, “Yes, that sounds it. Can that be done? It’s just that the town needs some of those supplies and I don’t want anything to happen to it. A broken wheel could make the candles and food stuffs late.”

Tane almost stared at the trader. The town was next to notoriously dangerous hillmen and he was worried about the wagons getting bogged down in some manner. The town did need those supplies however, and a small watch wouldn’t hurt them. With the town being in danger though, he might need to have most of his Rangers in the settlement. Quickly crunching some numbers and switch dates in his head, he slowly nodded at the trader. “I think I could spare two Rangers to find and bring it in. Are you sure it’s going to be coming soon?”

Kaben nodded vigorously. “Yes, he’s one of my best connections and promised to come within about a week from now. Always a day or two on either side for travel though, you know how it is.”

Tane nodded and hoped that he would be able to find sufficient men to hold all positions that needed to be watched.

Kaben clapped him on the shoulder and laughed. “Good, makes me feel a little more at ease. I was just about to go to the festival, care to join me?”

“No, I’m sorry. I have to find the leader of the Rangers group and then talk to Borgand. You don’t perchance know where the Rangers are, do you?” It was a small chance, but if he did it would save Tane just that much time in wandering.

“I would suspect at the newly finished town hall, but I can’t be positive.”

Tane nodded and thanked him as he headed out to find Alearindu.