Chapter 40 - the Foundling VI
In the morning, Shan and Gullina awoke to a soft rapping at the door. Shan slid the bolt on the door and they waited politely for him to get back under the covers before they came in. It was Gullina's serving friend from the the night before.
Gullina and the girl shared a smile, and the serving girl gave her wit.
"Hmm. I see, in the darkness… that somehow the Lady's coin accidentally fell upon the young Lord's neck."
Shan covered the coin with his hand instinctively as if to hide it. The girl smiled coy.
"It is fine. These things happen, from time to time. It is no matter. And were you two fashioning a new Lord? Or perhaps a new Lady. Hmm?"
Shan was obviously embarrassed.
"We spent… most of the night… talking."
"Oh. I am sure of it. To hear the girls tell of it? Your brothers were quite talkative half the night as well."
Gullina was more used to talking with other serving girls about such things from spending time at the tavern.
"The other two girls? Certainly were friendly after meeting the brothers a short time."
"The Lady Gullina is quite modest. As if the girls in the village are well used to seeing such big men. Even stabling the horses is a problem. They are chasing all the horses around. They had to be separated."
Gullina smiled politely.
"They are far north-men. The father and mother as well. The men and the horses run big up there. Even the mother is taller than most of the men in their village."
"So I hear of, and do not often see, such men. Your young Lord is even taller than the brothers, and they are not small men. I see he is used to taking care he does not bang his head walking through doorways."
"And? You will no doubt notice I am not nearly as wide as my brothers. I am all but the runt of the litter, on my father's farm."
"I mean nothing by it, Lord peen… but they are older than you are. When you are into your beard? That will change, I am sure."
Gullina slid her long sleeping shirt on under the covers, and got up to stretch and walk around. She asked her serving friend if she wanted help with things, and she declined.
"Nothing left to do, Lady. The brother's room? Already attended to. The brothers did have… help already there, quite early in the morning, as you can imagine. Do you two want breakfast up here, or, down in the tavern."
Gullina looked to Shan to see.
"I can walk down the steps to eat. I am no noble twat to be fawned over in my bed."
"As you wish. Your brothers are having breakfast with the girls serving them."
"They are? I'll have sport with them about that. They are kingsmen, they are not meant to grow soft."
"Hmm. To hear the girls tell of it? Your brothers growing soft was not a matter of any concern."
Shan hid his face in his hands to chuckle, and Gullina giggled with the girl. She looked up at Gullina, who was quite tall for a girl in the surrounding villages.
"Are you from the far north as well?"
Gullina laughed.
"I honestly don't know where I am from, to tell the truth of it. I was raised a foundling. I am tall, and have fair skin. The girls in my village never stopped reminding me, growing up."
The girl looked up at her and smiled politely.
"I would be amazed the other girls try to remind you of anything, that you don't wish to be reminded of. If you don't take offense? I would have thought you grew up in the far north as well. From the look of you, I mean."
Gullina smiled politely.
"Lord Peen's mother, often had lunch with me in the tavern in our village. She swears, I am Rhyshian, as she is."
"Well… come down for breakfast if you wish. Duck eggs and pork, bread and tea. Then you can see about the merchants. You all said, you were here for festival clothes."
The girl smiled and went off.
Gullina started to get dressed, and tossed some of Shan's clothes at him on the bed. He looked at her quizzically.
"Shan? After bathing, and then… talking last night? I hardly think you need to be embarrassed getting dressed in front of me. Don't you think?"
"No wonder mother likes you. You? Are about as shy as she herself is."
"Your mother? Always did geft me trousers to run around playing in. She says Rhyshian women often do wear trousers, if they wish."
"Speaking of mother… here…"
And Shan started to give Gullina her coin back for the day. Gullina sprang onto him, pinning him to the bed, like children wrestling.
"Keep it. And wear it… at least until we get back."
"Why?"
"Why indeed. You big men are quite a prize in this village, it would seem. I'm a Gentle Woman, and I would rather not have any problems with any of the village girls that might get any… ideas."
"Your new friend is very polite to you, Gullina. I am well used to being around my family, and mother is tall. As are the instructors at our garden were. Yet… I am suddenly noticing you around all these village girls. These girls are older than you are, and… they still look up at you, like little children."
Gullina smiled down at him, sitting across his hips on the bed.
"I've noticed something else as well, Lord Peen. Perhaps you have not."
"What might that be."
"All the men in the village we have come across. Have you heard the first insult yet?"
"Well, we travel with my brothers."
"It's not just that, Shan. I'm sure of it. All the men in the tavern, all night? Did you not notice, they all smile, and were very polite to you."
"I am new to them. They are not from my village. They don't know I am to be made sport of."
"These new men? Already know all they need to know about you. You are a head taller than your biggest brother. You wear armor. It's obvious you are a kingsman in waiting. If you have not? I have noticed. All the men take great care to smile and be polite to you."
"I'm not well used to this. You know what I am used to, Gullina."
"As if I am the most popular young girl in the village either. Do as I have been doing, then. Just keep your teeth together? And enjoy it. It is more pleasant than what we are well accustomed to, is it not?"
"Aye. It is. Yet… remember the garden, Gullina. If we are to be giants for a day? Be extra polite, and extra gracious to all we meet. I would rather not think about the instructor's ears getting word we were a burden to anyone smaller than us."
"I will take care. Yet… I find I can quickly grow accustomed to being… a Lady. Can you not grow accustomed to being a Lord?"
"It's true. Living in this village, or indeed, perhaps any other one day? Would be much better than where we live now. The days would be much more pleasant."
"Hmm. If you provide even half the entertainment your brothers speak of, at the festival? We well might have pleasant days in our own village. Or… haven't you thought of that already."
"Gullina? Forced politeness, is not nearly half as great, as true politeness."
Gullina smiled and kissed him quickly.
"Still better than no politeness."
"Ah. Perhaps we had better leave them some more time together. Seems they still have much to talk about."
"They did leave the door open."
"Did you two have fun last night?"
"Me and Gullina… stayed up late talking, if you must know."
"Oh. I see, some of that talk, must have been about you wearing her sign coin, little brother."
"Gullina insisted. She says she doesn't want any of the village girls getting any ideas about me."
Both brothers smiled at the doorway.
"It's fine. Much like wearing armor? You can get used to wearing her coin, as well. If she likes seeing you in it, that is."
Gullina walked past the brothers to go downstairs.
"I like seeing him in it just fine, I'll have you know."
When Gullina disappeared down the stairs, Mekall asked Shan if he enjoyed a spirited ride. Gareen punched him in the shoulder laughing, for being so blunt about it. Yet both looked at him for an answer.
"You both already well know, I am not well versed in such things as you two. I am not used to carousing with serving wenches."
Gareen smiled.
"Shan… we grew up on a farm. We would have thought you have the basic idea."
"I'm nervous. And… it's not like me and Gullina are supposed to be carousing like this anyways. Some chaperons you two turned out to be."
Gareen and Mekall smiled at one another.
"So… you didn't…"
"If you must pry? And it seems you both will… Gullina… well, she said you don't have to ride the horse, it was enough to groom it."
"Hmm. And… did grooming the horse… lead you to any sort of… destination?"
"It did."
"Okay. Well enough, then. Didn't know Gullina knew of… grooming or riding a horse."
"Hmm. I mentioned that same thing. Gullina said, and I quote her. Girls talk about such things."
"I guess they would. No man can still a woman's tongue for long."
"Nor would they wish to, should the girl be doing something fun with her tongue."
"Mekall, let's not scare our little brother. He might want to wench around a little bit, before deciding to keep his first coin, you know. Can't have him scared of the serving wenches, in all the villages we ever travel to."
"You know, we three talked about this a couple times already. Gullina displays the highest quality, of the girls in the village. I am quite pleased."
Gareen chuckled at Mekall.
"He sounds a bit like father."
"In what way?"
"Father's story, about meeting mother. Father was young, when he went up to the far north. He hadn't had any wenching, he claimed. Apparently, the story is… mother put a sword to his neck, and demanded he wear her coin."
"Father seems quite happy about it."
"Surely. Mother and father still make eyes at one another. Didn't you ever notice mother keeps her swords in the bathhouse? Odd place for them, don't you think."
"Hmm. Never thought about it much."
"We're older, when talking with father and mother. It's… a family story, why mother's swords hang in there. You're old enough now to hear it. She supposedly claimed father at point of sword. In a bath house, up in the far north, where they met."
"And… what did father have to say of this tall tale?"
"Father? Said it was just as well that he enjoyed mother's company… because once other women saw her coin on his neck? No other woman would so much as speak to him in public, let alone smile at him."
"Why would that be? Father is a handsome enough man, even now."
"No, you young fool. Think about mother, and her swordplay… what other girl would dare cross her. Why, the men in our village, it is said, fear your mother as much as they fear father. If you've not noticed? Mother is not a woman you have to worry about her cutting herself on any knife or sword she takes up in her hands."
"Speaking about mother and her swords…"
"Yes?"
"How much… trouble would you two suppose I am in, for…"
Mekall piped up…
"Oh. Pounds of trouble. Why, when mother hears you were carousing with your friend? You might well lose your head, little brother."
"Oh… and father?"
Mekall made a face.
"Mekall? Enough sport with your brother. Shan? It is no lie, this trip was to kit your wench out in some clothes. That much is true. It was also… to see if the two of you… you know… enjoyed spending time together for… things other than playing touch-stick. You… don't have to wear her coin, if you only like her as a childhood friend. No one can farst a man into anything he would be unhappy with."
"So… I'm not in trouble?"
"No. It has been amusing, to see you so nervous about it. But no. Mother and father asked us to see how you two seemed about… spending time alone together. That way."
"I am going to strangle you two one day. You know this."
"Well, Mekall? If we are to die this morning… let's at least die with a full stomach. Breakfast."
"You two already had breakfast. In your room. The girl that came in here was gossiping about it."
Mekall laughed.
"Well. We ate breakfast, that much is true. Just not food, little brother. I, myself? Ate the serving girl. I honestly don't know what this big fool was doing under the blankets, with his, on his bed. She didn't make nearly the noise mine did, so I do wonder if he in truth, did much at all."
"My girl? Had her own breakfast, I'll have you know."
"Will you two stop? Let's just go get breakfast."
"All right. Done teasing you. But tonight? When you two are… grooming the horse? Think about grooming her horse, if you know what I mean. She might not complain."
"I'll think about it. Food."
The brothers all went down to see about breakfast. Gullina was smiling and giggling and chatting with the serving girls. No doubt all the girls were "talking about such things", it now seemed. During breakfast, Shan now got some of the coy in jokes that went around. What a healthy appetite, to eat a second breakfast. Isn't your friend worried he will grow fat, eating breakfast twice now.
After breakfast, and sitting alone with morning tea… Gullina whispered to him, smiling.
"The girls asked me how the ride was. I told them, I merely groomed the horse, and did not ride it. Do you know what they told me?"
Shan shook his head no.
"They said that was a fine thing, and gave me ideas for… grooming horses. Both our horses. What do you think about that, my lord."
Shan shrugged.
"Well, we'll see about such things tonight then. By Odin, I'm tired from all this traveling. I might need to get to bed earlier tonight. Now you, I don't know. You… might want to stay up with your brothers in the tavern, late. Or? You might want to come to bed early, with me. Whichever way you think will provide you with more fun, I suppose."
"Now that you mention it? I guess I could be a little tired. As you say, all this traveling."
Gullina whispered in his ear.
"You're not tired yet. But, you will be. The girls have been telling me? When you groom and don't ride… it can take… quite… some… time…"
"Really?"
Gullina smiled and nodded, before adding on to it.
"Especially when you groom me. Well, so they are telling me. Shall we find out?"
Shan nodded and smiled back at her.
"My brothers are telling me, there's a family story. Of when my mother met my father, up in the far north."
"Yes?"
"Apparently, the rumor is that my mother claimed my father. At sword-point. That the reputation of mother's sword-arm, created a condition where no other woman would so much as talk to my father. As I am sure you know, most of these types of stories? Quite usually, go the other way around."
"The other girls have had plenty of time to notice you. If you still like wearing my coin after the festival? I might have to claim you in the same fashion. Unless you wouldn't approve."
"Gullina? How could I not approve… of you loving me back."
"You really think you love me?"
"Gullina. We grew up together. I definitely don't look like the other boys around here. My name is different. My skin, my hair? All different. You? The same. Neither one of us were treated well for it. Whoever once took my part over it, but you. If that isn't love? I don't know what is."
"We are also the only two in the village, to finish the garden all the way through. The instructors love us for it, yet, few others… except for your family."
"Where my mother and father come from? The garten is the most important thing. Here? It makes us but a source of amusement."
Gullina shrugged.
"Let them be amused, then. The others in the village? Will go on, to one day clean up the animal shit their parents cleaned up, and nothing more. We are both high reckoners, Shan. Have you seen my bag of coins, from reckoning and scribbling for the tavern-keeper? The other tavern-keepers give me coins, to reckon their bottles of pebbles and square them. Important merchants, would be happy to see us. Some petty kings can not even find high reckoners in these lands. To advise them. The instructors were right about that. We can go anywhere, and do anything now."
"Is that what you would want, Gullina? To go and find somewhere else."
"I honestly don't know, Shan. My life has changed, since I was declared a woman. I have my own clean, warm room. I have my own coins. I don't mind animals, trust me, but… Odin help me for saying so. I don't have to bath in sheep shit every day now. I keep after a few ducks for the eggs. What about you, Shan."
"I hadn't given it much thought. My parents, my older brothers? Were always good to me. The mighty Gareen? Will soon begin to look after my father's concerns. Our farm, and… no doubt the things my father does as the steward, for the Lord Mjolnir. My brothers act as one, I have little doubt but that Mekall will be his man in doing so. Who can you trust, if not your brother. I assume, it would be my place, to do as Mekall would. To aid my brother."
"That's what you want, then?"
"What more is there, Gullina? To love, to be loved back. To make things with your own hands. To keep as yours, what you have made. To have animals about, that do not run from you, when you beckon to them. You forget, Gullina. My father had all three of us brothers, become blacksmiths and woodcutters. We make buildings. It's not as if we would sleep in the barn. Gullina… we would have our own small great-house."
"Your family's house? It looks like a big barn, you know."
Shan laughed with her.
"I know how it must look. Up in the far north, where my parents come from? That's called a great-house. You know the tavern? Up there, they don't have a tavern. Every village, has a great-house. It is… like an inn, a tavern, and also where all the big-men live. The kingsmen from town."
"We would live differently up in the far north. We would be treated differently. Will you really travel there, with your father and brothers?"
"Once I wear the high king's armor? As my father and brother do? Aye, I will. Father kept a small farm up there. We have both heard the instructors lecture on it, have we not? The high king himself, prefers to find high reckoners. And if the high reckoner has a sword arm as well? So much the better."
"You said your place is here, Shan."
"It is. My father and my brothers? Travel back sometimes. On Lord Mjolnir's summons. Once in armor, it would also be my place to travel with them. My father serves Lord Mjolnir. My brothers? Serve my father. So too, would I serve him."
"Would you take me with you?"
"Of course. Mother swears both me and you have Rhyshian blood. Our hair, our skin, our height? My light body hair. She swears we would be welcome to stay when we are there. Remember the instructors, talking of the three people that make up the far north-men?"
"The original far north-men. Also, the Ravinlunden. The tall, blonde mountain people from the east. And, the Rhyshians. The tall mountain people from the west."
"Yes. The Rhyshians mixed with the Ravinlunden, long before they ended up in the far north to stay. The ravens? Have tall women, and they teach them to hunt and use swords, just like the men. That's where my mother comes from. They have two lines. The blonde line, and the red line. Mother is from the red line. Father? Is from the blonde line."
"I can hardly imagine it. Walking around the villages? Filled with tall women, like me. It would be nice to fit in, for once."
"Mother misses growing up there. I can understand. But, it would be the same for me as well. Tall men, with fair smooth skin like me. And Gullina? Just imagine it. Village after village, all chock full of high reckoners. Reckoning farmers and smiths. All with the highest manners."
"I would not want to leave, Shan. It sounds like paradise."
"I suppose it is. That's what my mother and father are trying to bring to the south-lands, Gullina. That way of life. Really, the only difference between the north, and the south? Is the Garten. My parents swear, that once people realize it's the Gartening that makes the difference? People will understand and flock their children to it. Then? Things will change."
"I wonder. These people here? They value only muscles and fighting. It's only a few merchants, that value people that can reckon and scribble."
"Yes. And what happens when they all find out that the high king only wants men that can read and write, to wear his armor. What then?"
"Oh. I see. This was your parent's plan all along, you say."
"Aye. Mother, Father… the high king and his steward… Lord Mjolnir himself. It is meant to be a geft. From the high king himself, to the people of the south-lands. Mother swears it is my purpose in life. That… it is the reason, I had to bear my childhood like I did. Mother claims, it only takes one good example, and the rest will follow it."
"What of me, Shan? Perhaps you were planned. I sure wasn't. Me? I'm just the strange foundling girl. Raised by drunken sheep farmers. Everyone knows, they simply left me in the garten every day, while they drank cheap wine."
"Aye. And look at you now. A high reckoner. The highest manners. You did well in the games all these years. Mother wants to name you a kingmaker. Down here, for now? It doesn't sound like much, but… when we travel up to the far north one day? There's no higher honor for a woman to have. That's why you are the Lady Gullina now."
"You make it sound like a large matter. Our lives."
"It is, to hear my parents talk of it. Gullina, most people… simply live their lives. With no thought about it. Our lives? Have a purpose. We? Have a purpose."
"Shan? You were never very excited about this purpose before."
"No, it's true… I wasn't. I thought this purpose, simply led to me being unhappy. But, I can see it now. What it was all for."
"The only big change I see? Is that you are all excited to finally get to fight the other boys soon."
"Have you not seen me practicing with my brothers. Does it not look well for me?"
"It does. I still can't believe all the children's stick games? Led to that. But yes, I can see it now. Hmm. Remember how much sport was made, because you did well performing the meadow tricks, and the dancing?"
"Aye. My brothers? Insisted on it. Now? I don't stand and fight, like a big dim ox… I can move."
"You know? I have seen your brothers, at the tavern. At big dances out back. They are quite light on their feet, for big men. The women? Do enjoy dancing with them for it."
"Aye. Father? Says one of the men coming in for the festival. From the far north… he's a BladdenMeister, and he is said to dance with women and children all the time. He loves it."
"I wonder if he is made sport of for it."
"Actually? Father said most of the men call him Death behind his back. That he is that dangerous of a man."
"And he likes to dance, with children?"
"Aye. They say, he fusses over his tea, as well."
"A man, dancing and fussing over his tea? And no one has sport of him for it?"
"When a man is named Death behind his back… for good reason."
"I see your point. Hey… if he dances… does tricks… and he's a blade master… that means…"
"That he's a high reckoner? Yes."
"The instructors always say, that the most dangerous men in the entire kingdom, are all high reckoners."
"And all the boys laugh at lunch and play about it."
He paused before continuing.
Father said, that Death? If you didn't already know about him… you would never guess it from being around him."
"Shan?"
"Yes."
"You… are being made, into one of them."
"One of who?"
"Men like your father is talking about. Don't you see that?"
"I'm being made… into a kingsman. Like my brothers are, Gullina."
"Shan? You don't see it. Because it's been a slow thing, and going on your whole life. You are being made, into a very dangerous man. There's been a lot of effort put into this. I don't think it's all… simply to get children to go to the garten more regularly, either."
"Gullina… what other purpose could there be. My father and brothers? All kingsmen. It makes sense that I should become one as well. High reckoners? Are a great help to great men. My father? Is a steward, to a high lord. I'm quite sure, I'm meant to help my father and my brothers. I'm also sure now? That I'm meant to have a little farm… with you. That? Is all."
"Can we have animals other than sheep? I've seen enough sheep in my life."
"My father favors goats and pigs, if you hadn't noticed. Lots of milk, cheese and meat. Easier to care for."
"Anything but sheep, Shan. Herding the damn things? Is impossible. It's like trying to herd fish."
"It's fine, Gullina. There's enough sheep about the village."
"Really? I imagined I would have had an impossible task talking you out of sheep."
"Why so?"
"Sheep's wool makes coin. So? Everyone wants as many sheep as they can lay their hands on every year."
"That's a fine thing for now, but, what about five years down the road? What then."
"Well, every year the wool stays steady or even goes up. By then? They have even more sheep, and they make even more coin."
"Perhaps."
"What are you saying?"
"The quality of the wool, varies year to year. Also, the price of the wool, varies year to year. What will become of the sheep farmers, when the quality of the wool drops from the conditions. When the wool price the merchants pay drops with it. When that happens? You won't be able to trade a large bag of raw wool for a single chicken egg, Gullina."
"What would you have, then. I'm happy, with no sheep to herd and clean up after."
"Chickens, ducks. Give you eggs, and even meat. Are they not easy to care for?"
"Yes."
"Can you not always sell or trade eggs? And extra chickens?"
"Easily."
"A cow or two. For milk. What we don't drink and cook with, you make butter and cheese. Again, all things easy to sell and trade."
"What do you try to make the big coin on, then."
"What big coin? I want to never worry about going hungry, or eating the same thing every day. Oh, we have a couple sheep. You see them, they just run with the goats. They are no matter."
"You can't get a lot of wool off of so few sheep."
"Father doesn't care about that. They're for meat in the winter. With everyone wooling the sheep? There's no mutton about. In the dead of winter? A nice, big pot of mutton stew for a few days, is just the thing. Now. How does an old wooling sheep's mutton taste, as compared to meat sheep mutton in it's prime, eh?"
Gullina agreed on that.
"And so, we have a little of everything. Because we are not packing our fields too much, we have plenty of room for some grains and vegetables. We live on a farm, not some kingdom. How rich can a small farmer even get? Better to simply have all you want and more. Leaves time for some woodcutting, some blacksmith work, making a building."
"You really aren't concerned about trying to get rich?"
"A little sack of hard coin? It is a fine thing, I won't lie. But… you can't eat it. It can't keep you warm in winter. And… gold speaks to men. Gets them to do the wrong things."
"Your father doesn't care about the money to be made from the wool."
"Gullina? My father grew up in the south-lands. A very unruly part of the south-lands. He grew up starving and worked to death. Farmers couldn't eat their own crops or their own animals. Now? Father is always happy. He claims, that he walks around the farm, and he feels like a rich man. He grew up, thinking that only rich people could afford to eat well every day."
"Really?"
"Gullina… do you want to know what father does with the wool we do get off of the sheep every year? Even though we're not woolers… you still have to cut the stuff off them."
"What."
"He makes warm beds for the cats and dogs. A few other animals."
"Is that not a waste?"
"Not to my father. A few copper coins, or, warm and happy animals. The couple of copper coins do not buy so much, and, the happy animals year round? Are worth ten times that to him. The extra cow? It all but belongs to the cats and dogs. Mother makes a few extra loaves of bread, and the animals love the old bread with milk over it. The animals? And the people? We are all happy and well fed."
"Hmm. That… is what you want?"
Shan nodded.
"Is that enough?"
"It's more… happiness, I suppose is how I would say it? Yes. It's more happiness than I am used to."
"Gold? Can't buy happiness, Gullina. You have to make it for yourself."
"Which instructor said that? Still, I like it."
"My father and mother say it. I wouldn't expect you to know many things about father, but… I can tell you. He claims he didn't set out to become important. Mother? Never bargained to be the wife of the steward. They were content on their little farm, up north. Father was a young kingsman that lost his parents, and my mother? Lost her parents when she was young enough not to really remember them. They were happy before all… this."
"But, your father fought in the last great war. He fought with the high king, and all the high lords. Stories still go around."
"Not from my father's lips, they don't. Tell me once, you have heard him boast of it. Indeed, find me one man, anywhere in the village? That can claim he boasted of any of it."
"Very true."
"I know they call it the great war, but… father doesn't like those words. He says there's nothing great about any war."
"Being the steward… surely a reward for his part in the war."
Shan laughed.
"What."
"Father doesn't think of it as a reward. Father jokingly says it's some form of punishment, for being too good at fighting, and not good enough at Gartening."
"He doesn't."
"He does. It is a joke, but… how to explain it. I suppose as he explains it, is the only way. My father didn't set out to lead men, or to be important. In fact, when the war was over? Not only did he not ask for any rewards… he wouldn't accept any, either."
"Why not?"
"He grew up, a starving lease farmer. Always hungry and worked to death. When he went up north, after his father died? He almost immediately ended up with a small farm. Mother found him. He said he wanted? Nothing else. He owned his farm. Kingsmen pay no taxes. He was allowed to eat any of his animals he wanted. He was with mother. He did not want anything else."
"Honestly?"
"I know. The stories of the great battles? Carry further than these. Still true. The high king tried to reward him with gold. He wouldn't take it. They tried to give him land. He said it was more land than he could work, and he didn't want to hire men to make more than he needed. He is said to have claimed, that being the high king's friend was more than enough. Apparently, his statement was… if you get word of bandits? Send for me. I will gather the men and deal with them."
"He just wanted his wife and sons and his farm. That was all."
"To him? That was all he ever sought to find growing up. He had it already."
"Yet… he is the steward."
"Yes. Apparently, the high king, and the high king's wise steward? Were impressed by this. They tried to make him a High Lord. He refused. Send me word, if there be bandits. Father did not want to run things, and they wanted him to do so. The high king had to appoint another man the High Lord, and decreed father would be his steward. The high king and the wise steward? Had to farst my father to become the steward to the High Lord Mjolnir."
"Most men would kill for such a thing."
"The high king has noticed. That men who seek high office? Most times are not the right person for the job. Men that do not wish to be in charge? Are often the better choice. They need to be farstgefted into leadership. Then, they do a much better job. They make decisions that are not just to benefit themselves."
"That? Is a rare thing."
"Down here? Very rare indeed. In the far north? Quite common. The RavinLunden? Are all well gardened, to the last man and woman. Part of being declared a Lord to them? Is that you vow to never seek high office. If the kingdom is threatened? They are the first to fight and the last to leave. The people? All well gardened. To hunt, to fight, to reckon high and make use of wisdom. To find and create new wisdom. The high king wants to spread that."
"But… the High Lords… they lead."
"Aye. To protect the kingdom. Then? They go back home. To the ravens? The greatest thing you can accomplish in this life, is to create a scroll. A scroll that everyone wants to read, and make use of your wisdom. In that way, you live forever. Want me to prove it to you?"
"Okay."
"Who is the richest merchant in the kingdom. The one that has the most gold. Who is it?"
"Oh. I don't know. I'm sure there is one, though."
"I'm sure there is too, but, no one cares enough to find out who, and make a scroll of it. When that… richest merchant is dead? He is gone. Nothing remains of him."
"Now. Well over a thousand years ago? There were a people, far to the south and the east. They valued wisdom, and scrolls. They gardened their people, all of them, quite well. Those people? Are long gone now, yet… their scrolls remain. A very wise man, once put in a scroll… that any kingdom that separates it's warriors from it's scholars? Will have its thinking done by cowards, and its fighting done by fools."
"The Rhyshians, and the Ravinlunden. That is all but their motto."
"Aye. That man's name? I know it. His wisdom? Should last forever. That? Is immortality. That's what the high reckoners are for, Gullina. Where would we all be, if that man had been only interested in seeing how much gold he could hide in a barrel in his great-house. The Ravens? Move around outside the kingdom on commands. They bring back scrolls. Wisdom. Plants and animals to raise so people can eat better."
"It is important, then."
"Very. The high king? It is said, he sees the results of these people's gartening. The high manners. The high character it makes."
"It will take a very, very long time, Shan."
"Will it? Here is how my brothers explained it to me. If I do well entertaining the men at the festival. What will the giant fathers, with giant sons, then see? Remember… fighting is all they value."
"They… would see… that the gartening provided that for you."
"Yes. What will they then think of the garten?"
"Oh. They… will want to…"
"Exactly. All of a sudden, parents will want their sons to attend the garten. They will read. They will write. They will reckon. Sure, they will learn how to fight, but… they will create high character and high reckoning first. If they fail their examination of character? They will not be passed onto the blade-masters. The kingdom has enough fools already."
"You. Your family. You want something more than gold."
Shan nodded.
"My mother and father? Say… it is as if they have been pushing a large stone up a steep hill. We are soon to crest the hill, and…"
"It rolls down the far side."
"Yes. It is to be the high king's greatest geft to his people. If the plan goes well? By the time me and you have gray hairs… we should see it working. If the Rhyshian seeds take firm root, in the children's garden? If it spreads and grows? We might end up in a scroll. Perhaps, a thousand years from now? Someone will read it. We will have done something great, something that truly mattered."
"The high king… your family… you… are trying to change the kingdom."
"Yes. Most people think, that Lords and Ladies are born. They are not. They are made… when Lords and Ladies are born and not made? They simply grow up as spoiled, pampered twats. No character worth speaking of."
"True."
"Are we not both, but foundlings?"
"Aye."
"Is not my mother a foundling?"
"Aye."
"When the next generation of children have been well gartened here? When people come and see it, when people leave here and go out? The gartens will spread. Every village will want one. Then? The high king will answer that call. What did the instructors say, Gullina?"
Gullina laughed.
"The instructors said many things, Shan."
"You can only do so much with a sword."
Gullina smiled.
"The rest? Gets done with a scroll."