Chapter 54 North

As they walked in to the tavern several people greeted Will and Minnie.Hey captain, glad you’re back, evening Minnie, everyone was happy to see them.He could recognize several of the parents sitting with their children, the place was quite full.Stephen and the other councillors were sitting at a long table, close to the kitchen and were waving them over.“Hey Will, Minnie…come join us.Got lots to talk about, I think.”, called Harold, the youngest councilman.

It looked like this was the place to be tonight.Celebrating the return of the children, the ore and the fish.The tavern was definitely the heart of Laketown.

As Will and Minnie sat at the table, Naomi joined them from where she had been visiting with friends.“Crew stays together right Captain?” she said as she sat by Minnie.The pub did not have a menu at the tables but a sign above the bar showed what was available to order.Minnie couldn’t decide between a steak or ribs, Will encouraged her to order both, she could always take a doggie bag.

Now that took a while to explain.

As they waited for food, they talked of the trip.Will told them of the wave that nearly capsized them.The water trip, and the sharp hunt.Minnie helped by acting out the hunt, it was a dangerous time indeed.“The barges are coming along Will, but won’t be ready for a few weeks yet.They’re just so big, need so much lumber.”, said Stephen.“Maybe, when they are ready we could do a tree load, to replenish what they took.”suggested Will.He explained the could anchor close to shore, near a good supply of trees.Cut and float and load.Councillor Margaret thought that was an excellent idea.

“The construction is for the good of Laketown but it has cut into our supplies a lot.”’ she added. “A full trip of logs would be a great help.”. Boris asked “Would you take the same crew again?”. “We can always handle twelve extras, more than that and we are too crowded.”, replied Will. “Those guys were hard workers, and lots of fun, we can take them again.”, said Minnie. At that point food was brought out.

Plates of well cooked ribs, a large plate of steak, cooked rare and sliced. Side dishes, soft rolls and fresh butter. And, to maker her day, fresh milk for Minnie. She would probably never like tea or coffee, but as long as there was milk, she was content.

A simple meal but oh so welcome after the last days of salt beef and pork.

While eating talk turned to that awful wave. You could tell the lake was a place to be feared by the reactions. The children had talked to their parents about how terrifying it had been. They had been sure the boat was done for. It was a close call, but the Rose was a strong well made craft with a good crew. Will was able to settle some fears, not all though. It was a dangerous job, doing what they asked of the kids. To leave home weeks at a time, work hard all day, but it was the only way things worked here.

Regina had asked where they were heading after unloading and restocking. “We have been looking to head west, the north up the coast, see what we can see.”, said Will. He explained their maps didn’t show any towns, villages…nothing. “I’m sure Magnus headed that way at least once, but he was not a chatty man.”, added Margaret. “Yeah, he didn’t write much down on the maps.”, said Minnie “Dad writes on and on and on…sitting there just scratching away for hours, we could go swimming but no..gotta write it down…bleh.”.

Will laughed “Sometimes it’s important Min.”.“I know there are other communities to the north of us, but we haven’t had contact for a long time.There’s no way to go on shore, lakes…well the lakes horrible.”, said Stephen, “Before you came to us the Rose had sat for years, waiting.”, said Harold, “Since I was a boy, Magnus had his last voyage and she came back alone.”.

Will thought on this. “How long til the barges are finished you think?”. Stephen looked at the other councillors. “A month at the earliest, ready for water testing.”, answered Harold. “Well, after a couple days of refitting, reloading of supplies..we are going to head west then north from the ore shoals.” Will decided. “Let’s see what’s there, and we will be back here in five or six weeks.”. Naomi had been sitting quietly until then but added “Could we go to Newton and north from there?”. Will looked at Minnie who was still attacking ribs “As long as we’re together, where we go doesn’t matter to me.”, she said. Will patted her arm “Me too. So sure, let’s head to Newton, a bit of trading. Maybe a run and then north.”.

Dinner was finished up then, dessert brought out. A large iced cake in the shape of the Rose. Will thought it was a sweet gesture and said so. A pot of tea had also come out of the kitchen and night was complete. Tea and cake, couldn’t get better. Minnie was handed another glass of milk, and along with her cake, she too was happy. Sitting by Will, just content to be here.

The tavern was emptying out as the hour got later and later.Not really very late but still that time when you start to think about bed.Tomorrow was unloading day and Will was looking forward to cleaning out that hold, same as the sharp messed up one.Naomi was staying ashore tonight so it was just Will and Minnie walking toward the lake, under the stars.They could hear the call of night birds, rustlings in the long grass besides the road.Nothing ominous just night sounds.As they reached the lake the wind brought the smell of salt to their face.

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The wind had picked up since they left and they could hear the Rose bobbing at the end of the dock. When they reached her the lines were holding and things were good. The boat was still quiet, so empty after the last weeks of activity. Climbing aboard they headed to their cabin and quickly fell asleep. Not really dreaming, that he could recall in the morning, but just drifting through his previous life. Highs and lows, memories.

Waking up was a chore today, Minnie had decided that the bed was a war zone and she wanted to win.Floundering and flailing she had finally settled just before first light.A crick in his neck from lack of a pillow, it would pass soon though.Leaving his sleeping friend Will headed to the galley for tea.

Lighting the stove, finding the tea and a cup was all automatic.His thoughts were on the trip to come.More sights to see, things to discover, people to meet.“You’re making tea already…how awful.” said Minnie from the doorway.She looked very unkempt and rustled from her usual neat self.“Want some?”, asked Will.“Yuck.”, was the reply “Apple juice though, cleans out the taste of yesterday.”Laughing he poured her a glass, his kettle was ready too.Letting the tea steep they went on deck.Sitting at the bow they enjoyed the morning air.The town was waking up too.They could hear the people calling , horses and cows in the nearby fields.The blacksmith and forges were already blowing smoke as they readied for work.

“Unloading today huh, let’s just watch someone else do it, I’m feeling lazy today.”, said Minnie with a yawn.Will nodded “ We can do that, toss Naomi in the hold until it’s done.”.Minnie spun and glared at him “You monster…good idea, I’m gonna tell her that too..”.At that moment Minnie heard Naomi calling from the lands end.“Did you hear her too…no?It’s cause of my beautiful ears, I’ll go get her.”, Minnie jumped off the boat and ran down to bring Naomi aboard.

Will could see Minnie yapping away and could only imagine what she was saying, luckily Naomi knew better than to believe everything she said.Hopefully anyway.Reaching the Rose they boarded and Naomi went and stood beside the hold, “Ready captain, I’ll work hard.”.Maybe not, he thought.“Okay, try to land on a soft bit, scream for help if you need us.”, yelled Will, running towards her.Minnie started laughing as Naomi tried to get away “Told ya so.”.Turning to chase Minnie down Will reached out for his little friend, no chance, she was just too quick.Cornering her in the bow she leaped into the water thinking she was safe, not expecting Will to follow her in.Splashing like maniacs they managed to drag themselves aboard, Minnie giving a good shake and drenching Naomi with spray.“Thanks Min.”, said Naomi unhappily.

Drying off in the warm morning sun the crew was waiting for the wagons to show.A beautiful late summer day.Lots to do as usual, but not yet.Time to just sit, enjoy the company and the day.Naomi startled them by saying she would like to try escorting the wagon down.To see if she was truly immune and could shelter others.Will was all for it but “Are you sure you want to…come out…like this?You might be pressured to do the same for others, maybe even forced to.”.Minnie was shocked “Do people really do that?Everyone we have met here is really nice.”.Will explained“In our old world it happened all the time.People would use or exploit others, force them to do what they wanted.”.“How?How would you make someone do something they don’t want to?” she asked.It made Will sad to have to tell her how things had been there.The violence between people, simmering under the surface all the time, erupting into mindless fury.Simply because they didn’t get their way, or were irritated, or something.People had been easily triggered.“This world is different, and your right, everyone we have met has been a good person.I don’t think we will encounter…bad or misguided people here.”.

“I hope not, I wouldn’t know what to do.We argue but you never force us to do anything, it’s just not your way…our way.”, added Naomi.Listening to Will talk of their old world was always a bit shocking.The wonders they had but this talk of violence was unsettling.To think of using….no…better to not think of it.

They heard a long “Halloo.” from the shore and saw the wagons waiting. Raising an eyebrow Will looked at Naomi and she nodded “My turn.”. Stepping off the Rose onto the long dock by herself was a trial, but she was sure of her immunity. Will kept a close eye and Minnie was ready to launch off at the first sign of trouble. The dock seemed abnormally long today but it was only her, walking over the open water under the sturdy planks. Trying not to think of how deep it was, and now thinking of only that. The deep green water below, going down and down into the unknown depths.

“Isn’t it only ten feet deep there, still scary but not horrible like where the sharps were?”, asked Minnie. “Still deep enough for these folk. It must have been a real trial for the docks to be built.”, replied Will. “And she made it.”, cheered Min. Naomi had reached the wagons and the carters seemed stunned by her presence. She climbed up on the first wagon, joined by the other driver and started backing out onto the dock, on the way to the Rose.

It only took a few minutes to reach them, and Will and Minnie greeted them happily.“Well that was a surprise captain.”, said Owen as he stepped down.“Looks like you have a full crew now huh.”, added Dave also climbing down.“Yup, it’s a new thing, not sure how long it will last but it’s sure helpful.”, said Will.“We think it’s cause she hangs around us so much.”, added Minnie.

The unloading of the copper ore started well, large buckets lowered to the hold, filled and swung over and dumped into the wagon.The first wagon filled quickly, trundled off down the dock and the other brought up.It didn’t look as though the level was dropping much in the hold but Will knew to be patient.It would all turn out well.The day wore on, wagons in, wagons out.The crane dipping in and out of the hold, Rose shipping a bit less water every load.

They all took a break at midday, Regina brought a meal from the tavern.Resting at the bow they enjoyed the hearty soup and sandwiches.“How many days to unload Captain ?”, asked Regina.Will thought for a moment “At this pace we’ll be empty day after tomorrow.Couple of days clean up, hosing down and such.Restocking supplies will take a day to line up, load trade goods for Newton.”.

Minnie sighed “You make it sound so busy, no time for fun, swimming and tag, I love swimming.”. Will smiled at her “ We always have time for swimming, like right now!”. He lunged at her and finally caught his slippery friend, “Over you go.” he said and jumped off the side of the boat carrying Minnie.

Her scream of betrayal was epic but turned quickly to laughter as they swam around and under the Rose. Naomi and Regina just looked on, Naomi like she wanted to join but Regina was nervous. If she hadn’t been present it was likely the young girl would finally have jumped in. The dripping pair climbed back onboard, cooled down and happy. The wagons reappeared so it was back to it.

After several more loads had been taken out Will called it a day. A total of eight full wagons loaded with ore had rolled out, a very good start. The Rose was not wallowing as much with a lot of extra weight gone. The crew decided to stay on the boat for dinner and Naomi had volunteered to walk into town to pick up what they needed. She had returned with a small pushcart full of what was needed for a couple of days. Fresh meat, milk, cheese, bread…all courtesy of the council. Even some freshly brewed ale for Will. He didn’t drink it often but it was nice to have on hand. Their routine of cards after their meal was held on deck until it was too dark, then it was off to bed.