28th of Towin Day 1

Thomas had decided he would conduct the afternoon meeting at the incomer camp himself, so as to gauge the nature of the incomers and their reactions at first hand. The meeting was to be held in the big Gather tent which had Oak’s portable braziers in it to provide heatth.(1) He’d been informed by members of his office there would be one hundred and ninety-four incomers there. The healers had removed from the camp to the Keep an additional six girls and three boys who were under fourteen and whom they considered to be immediately placeable, in other words they posed no threat. In the tent there were one hundred and eight women, ranging in age from fourteen to over sixty, of whom nine were pregnant and below twenty, there were also eighty-six men ranging in age from fourteen to over sixty. Thomas reminded himself all the age information had been given in Earth years.

Thomas was with the cooks drinking a mug of leaf awaiting the incomers to be assembled by his staff, and if necessary Will’s squads. He saw Will coming towards him, and wishing to have it over with he drained his mug and started walking to the tent and Will. When Will met with him he said, “Those nine pregnant women Gosellyn is trying to make see sense are difficult. I’ve two big men on each with instructions, given in their hearing, to gag them if they present any problems at all, and that boy of Geoffrey’s was right, there are some bad men in there. We’ve six under guard at knife point who became violent when askt(2) to attend this meeting. Better to let my staff kill them now, Thomas. It’ll be less trouble at the far end of it.”(3)

Thomas knew Will wasn’t joking, and if he gave the word it would be done, and done with no recriminations afterwards from any. It was his decision to make, and all would know it had been done in good faith and in the best interests of the Folk. He seriously considered it, knowing Will would almost certainly be right. Yet if even one of those six could be salvaged the Folk would benefit.

Will knew Thomas was measuring the options(4) and seriously considering what he had suggested. He was quite happy to accept what ever decision Thomas maekt.(5) It was for the Master at arms to decide and for the Master huntsman to make sure Thomas’ decision was carried out. At last Thomas said, “No—” He was going to explain further but Will cut him off.

“No need, Thomas. If no it is, then no it is. I know what you were taking the measure of,(6) and I’m glad I didn’t have to do it. Too much thinking makes my head hurt. Now let’s go in there, and you say what you have to say. There’d better be at least ten of my best berount(7) you as protection because that’s the order I givn.”(8) Thomas knew it was pointless to say aught to Will of his last statement, so he allowed himself to be escorted in.

There was less of a buzz of conversation in the tent than Thomas expected, but then he realised Will must have put his entire office in the tent, and all were visibly armed with their full attention on the incomers. He saw the six under guard, and it was indeed at knife point, and more to the point at the points of the knifes(9) of Will’s most sanguinary crafters. He looked for the nine young women and saw them with Will’s men. The gags were in evidence just in front of them on a small table. As he reached the dais, Will’s staff closed berount him. Will brought the meeting to attention by the simple expedient of taking his bow from a nearby guardian and loosing off three arrows just over the heads of the incomers. The arrows all hit the centre of a target at the far side of the tent, more than half their longth(10) disappearing through it. It was a carefully set up, simple but effective demonstration of authority.

There was total silence, and into it Will announced, “The Master at arms is going to spaek.(11) There will be time for questions after he has finisht.(12) Any interruptions will be dealt with firmly. What he has to say may decide whether you live or die. I suggest you listen carefully. The Master at arms.”

Thomas was surprised at Will’s short, but self explanatory introduction. He knew Will only spake(13) at all fluently in public when he was angry or felt threatened, but mayhap this time it was both. He looked across the incomers and started. “I am Thomas, Lord Yew’s Master at arms. I sign the deadth(14) warrants on Castle. To do so I need the permission of none, and I don’t have to justify my decisions to any. None will think of it at all after I have so done and the Master huntsman’s squads have carryt(15) out my wishes. Any whom I consider to be a threat to the Folk will die. Lord Yew and the Folk expect me to make sure any such dies. I am telling you this not to threaten nor aflaiten(16) you, but so you do not do aught flaught(17) that could literally be the deadth(18) of you.

“For any whom the huntsman’s staff kill in the belief she is a threat to the Folk I shall sign a retrospective deadth warrant. They have instructions to take no chances with any of you. If they kill you by mistake I shall personally apologise to you afterwards. I am not joking. This is our home, and you are well come,(19) but if you wish to have our protection and to live mongst(20) us you must do so as one of us which means you have to live by our Way, or you will die by my will.(21) It behoves you to make all necessary accommodations with us, not the other way berount.(22) If you are unwilling so to do, to let you die we are willing wheresoever and howsoever you will. Our archives tell us to expect between ten and twenty of you will perish either from your own lack of wit and intransigence, or because I will your deadth.

“We regard this as a waste of valuable human beings. We don’t will you to die. We will you to become members of the Folk because we value persons above all else. Threeteen(23) adults have already joint(24) us. One of them is wife to one of my staff. Some children have been adoptet(25) into our families, and betimes the rest will be too, a few days at most.”

A buzz of conversation ensued at that, and the crowd looked berount them as if to see who was not there. As Will indulged himself in more target practice, the arrows a little closer to the heads of the crowd this time, silence fell again.

“We place much emphasis on having a placement here. This is essentially having a place in our society, contributing. We shall support none who cannot be sayt(26) to have a placement. This is a rich land that can give you a good living, but it is oft a calt(27) and flaitsomely(28) harsh place. The climate will kill you if you don’t have the support of the Folk, if you are not one of us. We all need family, kin, clan and kith: persons whom we can rely on for help when needet(29) who know in times of want we shall help them. You cannot survive alone on Castle, yet if you so will to try it do. None will try to stop you. Why should they? You’ll be dead before the Mother has set and risen twice.

“Thieft(30) is not part of the Castle Way. The Folk don’t thief(31) from each other because we don’t need to. If we have a want of something all we have to do is ask because needs are always met. If you thief aught we will track you and kill you. I’ll repeat that. If you thief aught we will track you and kill you. You need to know and accept your future only holds two eventualities, and they be resolution of your lifes(32) with those of the Folk or deadth. Moreover, we shall not help you to survive apart from us because we do not desire an alternative culture out there which could be a potential threat to us in the future. We prefer that you become dead now.

“Many of you have arrivt(33) here having left lovt(34) ones behind. We grief(35) with you, but we cannot return you, and we know naught of how you came here or why. We just know every fourty(36) to fifty years between two and three hundred of you arrive. Our archives say this has been happening for centuries. There are many here who were in the last such incursion. My wife is one of them. To become one of the Folk is easy. All you need to do is join us, contribute to our society and craft with us. Lucky were you to have been findt(37) so quickly, for though it is midsummer it was ten heats below freezing with a harsh wind when you arrivt.(38) There were many little ones mongst you. We’ve taken them to the Keep you can see from outside over there.” Thomas pointed in the appropriate direction.

“Here we regard all over fourteen as adult. As an adult you are subject, if necessary, to the full force of our law and custom. It is not usual for us to marry before reaching fourteen, but it is not unknown. As near as we can tell fourteen of our years is a little less than eighteen of yours. This is a camp for incomers, and all that has been providet(39) for you here is temporary. The moment you join the Folk we shall provide alternative accommodation in the Keep. This camp will be strikt(40) in less than one lune, that is thirty days. The food you are eating is a gift of well come. We shall neither feed you nor chamber(41) you for long unless you join us, and then it will no longer be necessary. You must realise the seriousth(42) of your situation. If you join us you live, if you don’t we shall have to watch you perish. In answer to how do you join us, and what can you do to provide for yourselfs?(43) I suggest you bethink yourselfs of your skills which includes your hobbies and crafts. May hap you wish a new craft. Have spaech(44) with my staff who will help you. They will to help you, and we will you to join us.

“There was a fevers last year that taekt(45) many of our lovt ones away from us. We mourn our lovt ones a full year, which is fourteen lunes or months in your spaech. Because families are important to our survival there are many mongst us seeking a new husband, wife, children and grandparents. Without serious thought don’t dismiss any offer because any offer maekt will be a serious one. We are not frivolous concerning our relationships. Many of our marriages start as a result of personal and family need, oft tragedy, and are initially baest(46) on mutual respect and liking. We know for you this may seem impersonal and extremely pragmatic, may hap it is, but we find love is easily birtht(47) out of such adversity.

Four times a year we have Quarterday, the next one is four days hence. By tradition on Quarterday, any may publicly state their desires, needs or aught else they choose. We call this making an appearance. Marriages, adoptions, craft propositions and many other matters are raist(48) and usually bringen(49) to a successful conclusion. Matters dealt with publicly at Quarterday have the force of law behind them since they’re attestet(50) and approven by any who care to listen, usually several thousand of us. Have spaech with my staff of this for fuller explanations. If you are seeking a wife, a husband, or to join a family in any capacity, or for a craft partnership or opportunity have spaech with them, for they can advise you and will be glad to help. They also know best who in our society is seeking what.

“In conclusion, betimes I hope to be able to greet you as Folk. I hope you find fulfilment with us. My greatest hope is to us you bring new crafts, skills, arts, songs, music, dance, but most of all yourselfs as wifes,(51) husbands, parents, grandparents, sisters, brothers, and family members in every capacity. Those of you who have maekt up your minds already to join us, you are most well come. My staff are in the next tent to your right as you leave this one. Even if there are matters you will to question, if to join us is your will go there and ask, and go immediately. Staff from my office will have spaech with you and make notes in order to help you meet whomsoever you need to have spaech with. There are also women and men from the last incursion there who will be able to help you in many ways to understand Castle and to adjust to our ways. My gratitude for listening. Those of you who have not yet decidet(52) to join the Folk, my sorrow, but I shall answer your questions when the tent has cleart.”(53)

28th of Towin Day One

After the midday meal, Mercedes had been invited to listen to Thomas, who she was telt was the Master at arms, which she had concluded was a cross between the chief constable [chief of police for a sizeable area and population] and the mayor, and he was going to spaek to the incomers, as the Folk referred to them, himself. She’d returned to the large tent, where the first thing she saw was six men, the ones she had avoided earlier, under guard. They had two bleak faced guards each, both of who had long knifes drawn which were virtually at the men’s throats. One of the six had a black eye and facial contusions he had not had when she had seen him earlier.

The pregnant teens she had avoided were now looking decidedly sulky, and also had two guards each she noticed. Their guards had no knifes out but were watchful. Mercedes had been relieved at that, because whoever these Folk were they were nobody’s fools, which was reassuring. She’d listened intently to Thomas, and tears of joy had begun to run down her face. This was what she had been seeking all her life, she just hadn’t known it. When she was asked to go to the tent on the right on the way out if she wished to join the Folk, she hurried there with her feet barely touching the ground, her heart was singing for the sheer joy of being alive which was a feeling she had never known before.

28th of Towin Day 1

Llyllabette and Yoomarrianna considered the spaech around them to be English which neither could speak, but which they’d heard tourists speak when they had been in the town for the market. What maekt things so difficult for them to understand was they couldn’t tell there was a difference between English and Folk so could not appreciate what was happening at the incomer camp. They knew they were somewhere else and were grateful for the warm clothes they had been given, but couldn’t understand how they had got there. They left Thomas’ meeting with the majority of the incomers who were joining the Folk, unaware that implied they had chosen to join the Folk. A frightened Llyllabette holding hands with Yoomarrianna was one of the first to be interviewed. Beauty realised immediately they did not have a mutually understood language. She smiled and making a record of her decision motioned them to follow the juniors who were to escort the newfolk to the Keep.

The couple joined a group of twenty or so newfolk and followed the junior out of the tent. The animal husbanders on horses and on foot had managed to take the kine(54) to the Keep hours ago, but after a very trying forenoon, Castle sheep and goats were much more amenable than these incursion animals, were finally managing with the aid of what appeared to Llyllabette to be at least fifty dogs to take the sheep and goats and some other animals she didn’t recognise to the Keep. The dogs kept the animals tightly bunched and seemed to be under the control a man and two girls who looked no more than twelve. Llyllabette noticed some of the animals had really tight udders that must have hurt them and indicated they should have been milked hours ago. “Look at those poor animals, Yoo. That’s wicked. They must be in terrible pain. This is not a good place we have come to.”

“I don’t know, Llyll. They are taking them at an easy pace, not driving them hard and they don’t look like they don’t care. To me they look desperate. Those dogs aren’t harassing the animals. They are properly trained and under astonishing control. I don’t understand it any more than you or why we were in that tent with those others, but let’s wait and see. At least I’m still alive.”

The couple continued on their way to the frightening looking wasserschloß(55) keeping a close watch on the animals. When all were in the courtyard there was a little confusion for a while but Llyllabette and Yoomarrianna followed the animals rather than the folk from the tent. They were taken to what appeared to be a huge stone built barn where some of the animals were penned and those in need of milking taken to a bigger milking house than Llyllabette had ever imagined. One poor nanny with an udder so distended it looked ready to split was bleating her distress and it was more than Llyllabette could take. She noticed others using cream on their hands to ease the pressure their hands would apply but didn’t think it would help.

She petted the nanny and led her to a platform, “Yoo, fetch me a pail please.” Gently she washed the nanny’s teats and barely touching she stroked her finger tips down the udder and teats to encourage the nanny to let her milk down with no applied pressure. The jets of milk hitting the side of the pail driven by the pressure in her udder had a heavy ringing sound as the nanny just stood in relief. When the flow eased and the nanny was no longer suffering Llyllabette said, “Yoo, you finish milking her now. I’ll help another,” One after another Llyllabette taekt the initial pressure from the udders of sheep, goats and the unfamiliar animals with the long necks leaving others to finish milking them. Alfalfa’s crafters were amazed at her technique and her skill and after observing closely started to use it on the distressed animals.

It was clear the couple didn’t spaek aught remotely like Folk, but many crafters managed to exchange names with the couple wondering how they could help them. The couple went with a group of the animal husbanders who indicated they were going to eat and invited them to join them. They enjoyed the meal though couldn’t recognise most of what they had eaten, fish was a luxury beyond the means of any they knew and spargus(56) too. When the meal was over a couple of their new friends taekt them to meet with another group of folk who shewed them to two bedchambers. Llyllabette realised the locals were uncertain as to her relationship with Yoomarrianna, so she kept pointing to her wedding ring and hugging and kissing him, she also tried to mime being pregnant. It seemed the locals understood for they left them in the chamber with the double bed.

Key Word Usage

1 Heatth is the noun uest for heat. Heat in Folk is a verb.
2 Askt, asked.
3 At the far end of it, a Folk expression equivalent to in the long run. An alternative meaning for ‘the far end of it’ is the hidden truth of a situation not generally known.
4 Measuring the options, same as taking the measure of. See immediately below.
5 Maekt, Made.
6 Taking the measure of, a Folk expression equivalent to weighing up.
7 Berount, around.
8 Givn, gave.
9 Knifes, knives. F never becomes V in order to form a plural in Folk.
10 Longth, length.
11 Spaek, speak.
12 Finisht, finished.
13 Spake, spoke.
14 Deadth, death.
15 Carryt, carried.
16 Aflaiten, frighten.
17 Flaught, silly or foolish.
18 Deadth, death.
19 Well come, welcome.
20 Mongst, amongst.
21 Will, wish or want. Want is only a noun in Folk never a verb.
22 Threeteen, thirteen.
23 Threeteen, thirteen.
24 Joint, joined.
25 Adoptet, adopted.
26 Sayt, said.
27 Calt, cold.
28 Flaitsomely, frighteningly.
29 Needet, needed.
30 Thieft, theft.
31 Thief, thieve or steal.
32 Lifes. Lives.
33 Arrivt, arrived.
34 Lovt, loved.
35 Grief, grieve. Uest as both a verb and a noun in Folk.
36 Fourty, forty.
37 Findt, found.
38 Arrivt, arrived.
39 Providet, provided.
40 Strikt, struck.
41. Chamber, in this usage a verb, to provide with a chamber, i.e. to house.
42 Seriousth, seriousness.
43 Yourselfs, yourselves.
44Spaech, speech.
45 Taekt, took.
46 Baest, based.
47 Birtht, born.
48 Raist, raised.
49 Bringen, brought.
50 Attestet, attested, witnessed.
51 Wifes, wives.
52 Decidet, decided.
53 Cleart, cleared.
54 Kine, cattle.
55 Wasserschloß, a moated castle.
56 Spargus asparagus.