Word Usage Key is at the end. The brackets after a character eg CLAIRE (4nc) indicates Claire is a character who is 4 years old. nc indicates new character not encountered before.

29th of Towin Day 2

Hazel had gone to observe the meeting, chaired by Lovage assisted by Bram, of Mistress seamster(1) Faith and Bryony the quilter. Bryony, a medium highth(2) brunette in her middle twenties, had managed in the time she had been on Castle to acquire sufficient materials to make a sample of her quilting. Faith was impressed, and it shewed. She explained to Bryony how the somewhat loose craft of the seamstresses was constructt,(3) and there were numerous crafts within the seamstresses, seamsters, knitters, crocheters, furriers and many more. She advised Bryony she should join the craft, “Come to a meeting, my dear, there’s a Treday(4) meeting every tenner, bring your sample and ask for recognition of quilting as a new craft within the overall craft. I shall sponsor you, the sample will ensure you are secondet,(5) and then you are Bryony Mistress quilter. No doubt there will be many wishful to learn how to quilt, and probably some younger members desirous of apprenticing to you.”

“You know I find it hard to believe what was just a pleasant way to pass the time is now going to become a way of life for me,” Bryony remarked rather thoughtfully.

“That’s true for many of you, my dear,” Hazel telt her. “In more ways than one, this is literally a different world. Turning to other things.”

Bryony went pale, looked at Bram, and said, “I shan’t change you know, I can’t.”

Hazel shushed her for a second or two and telt her, “I am over eighty years old, Child. There’s little on my world capable of surprising or shocking me any longer, but the archives of the world whence you came regularly manage to do both by their repeatet(6) references to its constant intolerance and many unkindths.(7) You are what you are. None here would expect you to be aught else. Whom you share a bed with is only the concern of you and the person or persons in that bed. On Castle a marriage is defient(8) by the folk involvt,(9) be that however many of them, and of what ever combinations of women and men. It is only our customs involving the protection of children and the vulnerable that are non-negotiable. Your obligations to them may never be passt(10) to any other this side of your deadth.”(11)

Bryony taekt(12) a few seconds to absorb Hazel’s words and began to cry. Huge tears rolled off her cheeks, no sobs just tears. Bram, without a trace of expression on his face, offered her a clean handkerchief. That was just too much kindth(13) for her, and she started to shake uncontrollably. Hazel put her arms berount(14) her and held her for a minute. Bryony, after drying her eyes and blowing her nose, turned to Bram and said, “Thank you. Thank you very much.” Bram smiled at her but remained silent, and she turned back to Hazel, “You have no idea what I have been through because…”

“Because you prefer women, my dear,” said Hazel in a calm and matter of fact voice.

“Yes, because I prefer women,” Bryony said in the same tone of voice Hazel had uest.(15) “I had to be spirited away to another world to find acceptance.”

“Did you leave any you caert to(16) behind, Dear?” Hazel asked her.

“No, not really, only people who used and abused me.”

“There’s time aplenty to find someone to care to. There are women like you here. None hides it because none cares. Much more to the point I believe you like children and would be comfortable in a family situation?”

“Yes, I should like that.”

“There are many couples here with children who would adopt you as a sister. Sister to the wife, sister to the husband or sister to both of them. It is a relatively common arrangement which would give you a family and a home, but I have to warn you, probably some permanent obligations to the children. The most usual agreement is if aught happent(17) to the parents you would have total obligation as though the children were yours. It would possibly be to your advantage if the wife were a member of your craft, but it’s a riandet.(18) I am sure Faith will know of such.”

Hazel looked to Faith who said, “There are several such couples in my craft and some widowt(19) mothers too, though all the ones I know of are seeking a man.”

“Ah well, I can’t have it all.”

“May hap, may hap not” said Faith, “but you could ask Lovage to make enquiries. Her office may be able to help, Lovage?”

“There are such enquiries as you mention on our books,” Lovage replied. “I know of one seeking a wife who has three children and loes(20) her wife and a child last year, another seeking a wife who has care to orphans of close kin, and there are certain to be others. I am aware of a woman who has four children and loes her wife sincely(21) just after reaching agreement, the children were her wife’s, but are now hers. She has not registert(22) with us yet, but doubtless she will eventually. I could arrange an introduction for you at the Greathall thiseve.”(23) She spake(24) of the event and what it was for, and she asked if Bryony wished her to do that.

“This place is definitely different,” said Bryony wryly. “The Government acting as a lonely hearts bureau for trans-world travelling lesbians.” Seeing the puzzled expression on Hazel’s face she continued, “Unlike Castle, my world was full of people who lived their lives looking to be offended, and invariably their search was successful. So much so, they became in their turn offensive, particularly to people like me. I’m sorry. I’m not really bitter. It’s just all so different. Yes, please, Lovage, I should be grateful. Now if you don’t mind, I’ll go and wash my face and get ready for later.”

She left without a backward glance. What had totally stunned her wasn’t the acceptance of her sexuality itself, after all there was a sizeable minority on Earth who accepted that, it was Lovage’s expression “her wife,” which implied a much deeper and wider level of acceptance than she had ever even considered possible. After she had gone Bram said, “That must be a terrible place whence she came.”

“Indeed. If you’d spent as much time as I have with the archives over the years you’d realise how bad. My sorrow, Lovage, for taking over there,” apologised Hazel.

“No. My gratitude for stepping in. I bethink me I should have had considerable water over my head,”(25) said Lovage.

“That,” said Hazel, “is one of the advantages of advancet(26) age. One of the very few advantages I may add.”

29th of Towin Day 2

Hazel’s second observation was of the watermill restorer, who was a substantially built, if not to say
statuesque, late twenties looking woman of heroic proportions named Judith who was thirty-four. Master miller Briar was looking decidedly appreciative of Judith’s ample charms, but reflected Hazel, he being married to Molly, who without doubt was much more generously breasted, maekt(27) it natural enough.

Raoul was in the chair assisted by Ymelda. Briar and Judith were spaeking(28) of craft matters and after a few minutes he said, “You know your craft, Judith, but there isn’t enough work for a full time mill maintainer. There’s discussion of building a new mill north of the river, but that’s been going berount for nigh on five years now with no decision reacht(29) yet. Mind, with you here it may happen now. Till now, the millers have had to do most of their own repair work, the woodworkers can only do part of it, but with you specialising in the craft you’d be given all the work, but it would only keep you going less than half the year. If you can dress the stones too, there’ll be more work than two of you could do. Have you ever dresst(30) stones?”

“No,” she said, “but only because I couldn’t find any one prepared to teach me.”

“That’s easy to arrange. The two dressers we have would be pleast(31) to have another crafter because they are hard presst(32) to do it all, and Storm would prefer to make new stones any hap. Hard work mind,” he eyed her with his eyes twinkling, “but I’m sure you’d manage.”

“I am sure I should, and I’d like to meet those dressers.”

“That’s as much as I can contribute here. I’ll be off, and I’ll arrange for Bay and Storm to find you. I need to rough-mill twenty thousand weights of oats for the plough horses by nextdaynigh.”(33) He left at almost a run.

“It looks as if it will be a complicatet(34) craft set up,” Raoul remarked, “but I’m sure you’ll all make it work, and it will probably end as a cross craft placement with the millers, woodworkers and stone dressers.”

He turned to Ymelda who was going to discuss the personal placement. She asked Judith what she knew of their customs regarding these matters.

“I listened at the meetings, and I took it in. It’s much more direct than where I’ve come from. It suits me really.” Realising Hazel, Raoul and Ymelda hadn’t understood her Judith continued, “That miller, Briar. I know what he was looking at, and I appreciate being appreciated. I had a man once. He became more and more idle as time went on. I was doing all the work and feeding both of us. I threw him out in the middle of the night when he said he was too tired to make any effort in our bed. Biggest shock of his life, idle! I’m suited for this place. I’ve no time for artificial sensitivity. I’ll go the Greathall, and I’ll be looking for a man. From what I’ve seen the Folk are more my kind, or maybe it’s the other way about. I want a man. I can do the work I enjoy here, and I’d like to have children. I’ve never wanted them before because the place I was in was no place to rear them.” She changed the subject without pausing for breath, “How will those two dressers get in touch?”

“You’ll probably meet them thisnight,(35) nextday(36) forenoon at the latest. They’ll be seeking you,” Raoul replied. “Their work load is every bit as bad as Briar sayt,(37) and the mills have to be readyt(38) for this year’s harvest.”

“Right then, I’ll be going. I need to see a man about a gown.” She eased the front of her frock down at least a span exposing even more of her charms, and said with a laugh, “You have to use live bait if you want to catch a predator,” and disappeared.

“Some man’s in for a bad time thiseve,” Ymelda said with a laugh.

“I bethink me not,” said Raoul. “That one’s absolutely plumb.(39) If she’s interestet(40) she’ll say so and go through with everything she’s agreen(41) to. If she’s not she’ll say so, but I don’t even will to bethink me of what she’ll do to any man who won’t take no for an answer though.”

The three of them tried to envisage it, but all they could come up with were visions involving the infirmary.

29th of Towin Day2

Hazel’s third observation was of a forty-one year old knitter named Bronwen. Mistress Timothy, also forty-one and a knitter of the seamstresses, was there to meet with her. Bronwen was a small, slightly plump brunette with attractively cut short hair, brown eyes and a welcoming smile. She had managed to obtain materials, and had several small samples with her. Mistress Timothy was saying, “We are familiar with your tube work, what you call Fair Isle and your cable work, but the double sidet(42) work you call fisherman’s brioche rib is unknown to us. I can see why it’s callt(43) fisherman’s, for it will knit to make a comfortable and warm garment, and I’m sure Fulke, who knits men’s sweaters, will be most interested. Shew me again how you recover a dropt(44) stitch.”

Raoul who was in the chair, assisted by Ymelda, coughed and said, “For the record, Mistress.”

“I’ll be proud to sponsor Bronwen to the craft, Raoul. Bronwen, you have to tell Raoul whether you accept or no.”

“Of course I accept,” Bronwen said.

Ymelda, as previously agreed, said, “That leaves the matter of personal placement, do I have to explain that, Bronwen, or do you understand already?”

“I understand,” said Bronwen. “I was in a relationship that ended badly a year and a half ago. I am over it now, and I suppose the truth is I have been looking for some time. I’ll go to the Greathall tonight and see what happens.”

“If you come to our stores we can find something pretty for you to wear, and you can meet some of our members too,” Timothy said.

“Thank you, that’s very kind of you.” The two knitters left.

“How long before she finds a man would you say?” Hazel asked cautiously.

“Not long at all,” Raoul said. “She is pretty, but more importantly she has that comfortable look all men desire, but few are prepaert(45) to admit to.”

Hazel turned to Ymelda who replied, “She’s looking. I agree with Raoul.” At that, they waited for the next meeting.

29th of Towin day 2

The meeting observed by Siskin and chaired by Grayling assisted by Larch had been a success, and Felix had apprenticed to Vinnek. He had at the same time changed his name to Farsight which was a newfolk name for his newfolk beginning. He had telt Grayling he had no ideas concerning a personal placement and wished to think on it for a few days at least.

He had been given the name Felix at birth. He had been told his mother had died when he was two, but he subsequently found out she had left his father for another man, and his father had managed to keep his son, more to spite his ex-wife than because he wanted him. From being able to speak his stammer had been derided by his father. He was constantly told he was useless, “Just like your mother.” He grew up afraid of the scathing remarks of his father, shy, reluctant to engage with strangers and the natural victim of his peers at school. That he was able both intellectually and manually didn’t endear him to his peer group. He spent many solitary hours making ships and putting them in bottles, and according to his father on other equally useless activities. He was afraid of his father, who enjoyed humiliating him and who he knew could and would compel him to do his bidding till he was old enough to say no with the force of the law behind it. He had been biding his time till he could walk away and nobody could make him go back. He wasn’t worried regarding his future. He would find something to do. He knew he was intelligent and he could use his hands. The only thing that bothered him was his stammer, but even that wasn’t bad when his father wasn’t there. He became a tall, thin sixteen year old with dark hair, no friends, and even less experience of girls. His father, a high flying business man who earnt a lot of money and who had no leisure time in which to spend any of it, or even any interests outside work to spend it on, his son didn’t count, eventually had a heart attack and was admitted to hospital.

Felix went to see him only to suffer even more derision regards how he was going to survive without his father to tell him what to do. Felix had had enough, “I’ll probably manage. After all mother did once she left you,” he said. His father was angrier than Felix had ever seen him before, and his face turned an alarming colour as he started shouting and reviling Felix yet again. Felix, calmer than he had ever felt when dealing with his father, said, “I’ll say good bye father, and if your anger triggers another heart attack I shall regard it as suicide. Good bye.” He left the private ward, and as he walked out of the hospital main entrance thought over his decision to go to sea. He had a small amount of money, which he had saved over the years, and decided to conserve it by staying at home till the last minute. That night he went to sleep hoping he would be able to join his ship before his father was out of the hospital, but he was ready to face him if not.

Cold, he was awakened by someone wearing strange looking clothes shaking him gently by the shoulder saying, “Follow me to the warmth of the fire.”

Felix had listened carefully to all he had been telt, and the Master at arms staff, after having spaech(46) with him, had arranged the meeting for him with Master wainwright Vinnek. He reflected he didn’t know what ship he had joined, but of a certainty, he had travelled farther than he could have ever possibly imagined. He had found a craft to practise with a mentor he both liekt(47) and respected. He had bided his time, and he had walked away. None could make him go back. Now all he had to do was find a solution to his personal situation.

Word Usage Key

1 Seamster, strictly a needle worker, one who sews.
2 Highth, hight.
3 Constructt, constructed.
4 Treday, third day of the tenner.
5 Secondet, seconded.
6 Repeatet, repeated.
7 Unkindths, unkindnesses.
8 Defient, defined.
9 Involvt, involved.
10 Passt, passed.
11 Deadth, death.
12 Taekt, took.
13 Kindth, kindness.
14 Berount, around.
15 Uest, used.
16 Caert to, cared for.
17 Happent, happened.
18 A riandet, a matter of no importance.
19 Widowt, widowed.
20 Loes, lost.
21 Sincely, recently
22 Registert, registered.
23 Thiseve, this evening.
24 Spake, spoke.
25 To have water over one’s head, Folk usage equivalent to being out of one’s depth.
26 Advancet, advanced.
27 Maekt, made.
28 Spaeking, speaking.
29 Reacht, reached.
30 Dressed, dressed. In this context dressing is the process of bringing tired, blunted mill stones to new condition.
31 Pleast, pleased.
32 Presst, pressed.
33 Nextdaynigh, the day after tomorrow. Compare with Lastdaysince, the day before yesterday.
34 Complicatet, complicated.
35 Thisnight, tonight.
36 Nextday, tomorrow.
37 Sayt, said.
38 Readyt, readied.
39 Plumb, in this context straight-forward, honest or open
40 Interestet, interested
41 Agreen, agreed.
42 Sidet, sided.
43 Callt, called.
44 Dropt, dropped.
45 Prepaert, prepared.
46 Spaech, speech.
47 Liekt, liked.