At the opposite end of the village were stables and these were clearly in daily use. The stables were for protecting the oxen and cattle. The oxen were owned and shared by most of the farming families as was the community bull. Cows were owned by individual families.
At a further distance away from the stables there was a pen built to contain pigs. It was large and the containment fence had a serious, sturdy look to it. The pen’s construction declared that the size of its occupants required a structure that could withstand powerful shoves and heavy bodies leaning against it.
While the pen contained the pigs, it failed to contain their smell. Even in these pre-deodorant times, pig smells on a hot day were more than most villagers could tolerate.
Traveler and Glenda had taken in the entirety of this hamlet in a few minutes and proceeded to the entry door. Traveler had a worried look as he stood facing the heavy door. “What’s the problem?” asked Glenda.
“I hope M is right that our books have equipped us with the necessary language skill, I don’t want to try sign language. Everyone is suspicious of strangers and nothing screams ‘outsider’ quicker than your language.”
“Relax. I trust M and our books. I bet we are the masters of whatever language they use here. If we have a language problem it’ll be that we know too many words. These are simple people and unless there is a poet here, which I seriously doubt, their vocabulary may be quite limited.”
Then she added, “I understand that the English language has something around 170,000 words, but a working vocabulary of just 3000 words is sufficient to understand most common text sources like newspapers, twitters and blogs.”
While he was half listening to Glenda’s tutorial on vocabulary facts, he studied the outside of the wooden building. “This place has all the architectural grace of a large wooden box. No Frank Lloyd Wright concepts here, well simplicity maybe.”
Standing in front they noted that the only changes in the front of the box were a series of small dormers jutting out from a second floor. There was also a narrow overhanging porch roof that ran across the front of the building. Immediately above the porch roof and below the dormers were a series of open windows protected by thick wooden shutters.
With Glenda watching him Traveler said, “I guess it’s time to step up to the plate and confirm we can survive in this place. In this world men always lead, so I’ll head in first.”
Smiling Glenda answered, “I know it’s men first. That’s why they call this ‘the Dark Ages’.” Traveler gave her a grin back. Humor to bolster their confidence.
Traveler stepped to the door and looked down for a door handle. What he saw was a stubby thick iron bar protruding outward. “I guess this is what passes for a doorknob, I’ll try it.”
He pushed down on the bar and felt the door begin to open. The door itself was heavy oak, clearly it was not just an entry point but also served as serious “lock them out” security. Traveler pushed and the door slowly opened. He stepped inside and Glenda immediately followed him. Once inside she instinctively shut the door. A flashback came as she heard the orphanage staff cry out, “Shut the door kids, we can’t heat the outside.”
With the door shut the room was instantly dim. Some light filtered in through the slatted windows but large burning candles were necessary for additional illumination. Part of the candle’s illumination benefit was lost as they gave off a smoky fume. Their eyes needed time to adjust and Glenda quipped in a whisper, “Definitely the Dark Ages.” They remained standing just inside the door doing listening reconnaissance while their eyes dilated. Now with large irises, Traveler grinned at Glenda, “Call me a barn owl.”
“Call Hooo what?” she answered back.
As they surveyed the room, they could see it was large and filled with heavy wooden tables accompanied by heavy wooden benches. At the far-left side of the room was an open staircase going up. On the right side was an arched doorway from which cooking smells and sounds emanated. In the center was a stone chimney with a flickering, smoldering fire. The fire now provided more smoke than light or heat.
Traveler made a summary of their surroundings, “Looks like we’ve found the local tavern. With luck we may have a source of friendly food and shelter, I hope.”
“Yes, we can hope,” Glenda replied. “The apple and half cookie are ancient history to my stomach.”
Traveler was studying the details of the entry door. He wanted to know how to make a fast exit if necessary. “Interesting door handle design,” he said, pointing down. “It’s an iron bar and acts as an entry and exit key. Note how it rests on an iron fulcrum with holding side rails. When you’re outside you push down on it and it lifts this inside bolting bar.
“From the inside it can be pulled out then hung on this nail. Once removed there is no way for someone outside to get in. It’s a fast way to have protection when you need it. Someone could batter the door down, but that’s a very heavy door. I bet when they pull out the key at closing time they sleep like babies.”
Glenda nodded, “Ingenious. Plus, they don’t need to pay monthly security company bills or worry about security failures when there’s a power outage.”
“Don’t believe I know you!” called a commanding voice from the open kitchen doorway. A large, slightly portly, gray-haired man stepped in, he had obviously been studying them from the dark hallway.
In the moment he appeared more curious than challenging. “We don’t see new faces, particularly young ones. You’re very lucky my dogs didn’t find you. They can be quite deadly unless I control them.”
As he talked, both Glenda and Traveler found they could understand him perfectly. They had the same thought at the same time, My books are still taking care of me. M is right again!
“You are correct sir, we’re just passing through. We hoped we could earn a meal and a night’s lodging.”
Traveler paused to show respect before asking, “I assume you are the proprietor and the man in charge of this fine establishment. May I ask your name, sir?”
Chapter 28
Earning Dinner
The innkeeper’s eyes remained focused on Traveler. The young man was certainly a tall one and looked like a capable worker. He noticed the young woman kept her mouth shut, a sign of a proper upbringing. He had taught his own daughter to only speak when he signaled permission with a small hand movement. He found similar hand directions worked well on training his dogs.
The innkeeper frowned as he considered Traveler’s question. The request could be considered out of line among adult males. Names were given when the adult male decided to voluntarily share it, but not in response to brusque questioning from a young stranger.
The innkeeper noted, however, that the young man spoke like a noble and carried himself with a natural confidence. Nobles of all ages expected answers from the underclass. The keeper decided to accommodate the request, no reason to offend until more was known about the pair.
“Yes, I am the proprietor. With pride I say you may call me ‘Hermann’. I am a direct descendant of the great Hermann. Now what are your names?”
Looking at Glenda Traveler said, “My sister answers to ‘Glenda’ and myself to ‘Traveler’.” Glenda fought back a major frown, Traveler’s phrase of “answers to” made her sound like a dog. Relaxing her face, she thought, It’s not him, it’s this time period.
Innkeeper Hermann now considered their request to work for their lodging. If they had a noble lineage they would simply pay and never request work. At the same time there was something about the pair that said they were not the young traveling peasants their clothing would indicate. I will err on the side of meeting their request for work and see where that leads.
“A meal and a room are possible if both of you can give me honest labor until the sun is down. There is still a half day left so you will need to give your best efforts. I’ll judge the results and provide food and shelter to match your efforts.”
Hermann’s response reminded Traveler of his early Am
erican history. The first settlers arriving from England landed in Virginia in 1607. Their colony was named Jamestown and the leader was Captain John Smith. The settlers constantly struggled to survive, the lack of food was a recurring threat.
Smith observed that even with survival at stake the gentlemen of the upper class felt work was below their noble birth station. Smith is famously remembered for saying, “He who does not work, neither shall he eat.” The gentlemen quickly took up their work responsibilities.
“Sounds fair to us,” Traveler answered. “Tell us what you’d like us to do.”
The innkeeper reached into a dark corner and brought out a heavy two-headed ax. The ax indicated the likely nature of Traveler’s work. Motioning for Traveler to follow him he turned toward Glenda, “You stay here, I’ll be back shortly.”
Following behind the ax-carrying innkeeper, Traveler noticed a small burlap sack hanging from a peg and slipped it into his back belt. I can use this, he thought as he fell into his instinctive routine of planning ahead. They proceeded past the kitchen to a rear exit. Traveler noted this heavy door had the same locking mechanism as the front door. Security all around, he thought.
Chapter 29
Trees and Pigs Offer Different Challenges
As they stepped outside Traveler saw a haphazardly stacked pile of cut trees. They were generally twelve to fifteen feet long with trunks that varied from six to nine inches. They still had limbs that were waiting for the ax and he noted the limbs were intertwined.
The innkeeper handed Traveler the ax saying, “That’s your work pile. Pull one out, cut off the limbs then cut the trunks into four to six-foot lengths for the fireplace. Try not to hit your leg, blood is a pain to get off wood and bloody wood smells up a room when burning. I’ll be out at dusk and determine what you’ve earned.”
Hermann humor. Enough already, thought Traveler.
With that parting gibe the innkeeper went back inside. At the door he turned to observe Traveler. He chuckled to himself. With a lot of effort, he should earn a nice bowl of oats and maybe a slice of bread and butter.
Traveler waited until he knew the innkeeper was finished watching him was and back inside. He heard the heavy door as it was pulled shut. Now he turned his attention to the woodpile. He saw the trunks were from hardwood trees. They would generate a lot of heat once the sap was driven out.
As he studied the pile, he knew that cutting was going to be a demanding challenge. Traveler took off his heavy, long-sleeved coat and then his lighter-weight body-shirt. Bare-chested he took the burlap sack from his belt and tore it into long strips.
Looking at his hands he thought, Not a single callus. Reading books certainly did not toughen my hands and I don’t need blisters. Blisters lead to infections. He proceeded to wrap the burlap strips around his hands to form protective gloves.
Glenda was waiting patiently for Hermann to reappear. When he walked in, he was wearing a wide smirk. Clearly he had enjoyed handing Traveler his job and was ready for Glenda. “Your boyfriend–” he started.
“Brother,” Glenda corrected him.
“Either way he’s in for a long afternoon. He’ll sell his hands for a penny by the end of the day.” Glenda did not respond other than with a raised eyebrow indicating her acceptance of their fates.
“I respect ladies, so I’m giving you a chore that the women of the village normally do. You will get up close and personal with the livestock. The pigs are ready to be fed and their slop is in a holding tank in the kitchen.
“You will use two buckets to carry the slop up to the pens at the far end of the buildings. But don’t fill the buckets, if filled then they are too heavy, even for a strong man. You will need to make multiple trips. Make as many trips as you can before it’s dark.”
Glenda listened patiently and said, “Thank you for the advice. I’m a farm girl so I’m stronger than I look.”
The keeper looked at her again and thought, Wait until you lift the buckets, farm girl. Even filled a third of the way they will be more than you can lift.
“Well my strong farm girl, there is a padded shoulder pole that lets you carry both buckets at once. Again, don’t attempt to fill them up too much, I don’t want to lose you before you get started. Our biggest women only fill them about a third of the way, and you’ve seen the size of our women. You should get started now, my little piggies are hungry.”
As he turned to leave he added, “One more thing I need to caution you about. The piggies are not really little and they are very excitable and aggressive at feeding time. They will go for the buckets, or you. In and out fast, that’s the way to do it. Oh yeah, be sure and lock the pen when you enter. You don’t want to try and catch a loose pig.”
“Well I’m ready, so lead me to the slop tank.” Hermann pointed a finger and Glenda followed him back to the kitchen.
Chapter 30
Transylvanian Trees Meet Paul Bunyan
Outside and tugging on the first tree, Traveler was quickly sweating. His years of high school distance running started the perspiration flowing immediately. He felt his muscles bulge as he grabbed a trunk end and yanked it. The intertwined branches required multiple yanks to separate the trunk from its comrades.
Once he had the tree separated from the pile, he looked at the branches and planned the order of cutting them away. With a plan in mind he braced his legs apart and swung the ax. The largest branch was liberated from the trunk with one blow. He became a limb-removing machine taking one swing to cut off a branch.
Once the trunk was barren of limbs, he studied it for cutting. The trunk was resting on the ground and he knew that the ground would not give him the solid surface he needed to cut down on.
Looking around he spotted his cutting platform. It was a cleanly sawed-off trunk three feet high with roots still buried in the ground. The trunk was at least four feet in diameter and offered a level cutting surface. Possibly it served as an outdoor dining table, but for now it would be a cutting surface.
Traveler dragged his tree to the cutting table and pulled it across so that it was balanced across the trunk’s wide diameter. He studied the tree’s length and picked the first cutting spot.
Satisfied with his mental mark he lifted the ax and brought it down with a single powerful blow. A six-foot length fell off one end. He pulled the remaining length onto the chopping block and another blow resulted in two more lengths.
Looking at the remaining pile he thought, One tree down and a lot to go and I feel strong! Let’s see how many trees Paul Bunyan can cut before the keeper gets back! I could sure use Babe, Paul’s big Blue Ox, to help move these guys while I cut.
After an hour he looked at the growing pile of neatly cut and stacked logs with pride, Man’s gotta do what a man has to do to eat and I’m a very hungry guy.
Chapter 31
Should Be Bacon
Glenda looked at the slop holding tank then at the slop buckets. The holding tank was filled with a disgusting mess of accumulated kitchen leftovers, it reminded her of a compost pile for plants but this one mainly had animal remains.
She wanted to hold her nose but refused to give the keeper the satisfaction. Smiling Hermann said, “Use the big ladle to start filling a bucket, fill it about a third of the way but no more. Stir up the slop so you get the good stuff off the bottom. There are lid covers you need to put on after your buckets are ready. We don’t want to waste good pig food spilling out as you walk.”
For a moment Glenda thought about sticking the keeper’s head into the tank but she restrained herself. “OK,” was all she said. As he left the kitchen the keeper gave her a head nod to start.
Inwardly he congratulated himself, What a clever Hermann! I am getting these two to slave for their food. Her brother’s hands won’t be able to break the bread, I may not even have to feed him. Then he felt a passing pang of shame, the girl reminded him of his daughter. Maybe I’ll be generous with the girl and include some cheese.
Glenda waited until Her
mann was gone then she studied her task. She took the large ladle and stirred the tank. Can this smell any worse? she thought as she dumped the first ladle into the resting bucket.
Ignoring Hermann’s advice, she filled the bucket to the brim then knelt down, held her breath, and sealed it with the cover. She proceeded to load and seal the second bucket. With both buckets filled and sealed, she attached them to the notched carrying pole.
The pole was short and just went across her shoulders. Each bucket hung close to a hand so she could grab a bucket if it began to sway as she walked. She noted with appreciation how the thick padding protected her shoulders.
With the load balanced across her shoulders she left the kitchen. The keeper was waiting in the great room and said in a softer tone of voice, “Follow me slowly. You don’t want to hit anything and it’s awkward balancing two buckets.”
They went out the front onto the rutted center road. Once outside Hermann said in a slightly contrite voice, “I’m sorry for being unreasonable. I never thought you would actually agree to feed the pigs. I never thought you could lift one bucket much less two. I’ll make the next trip instead of you.” He had no idea both buckets were filled to the top.
Glenda looked at him and gave him a smile, “Really, it’s OK, but thank you for your nice words. I’m used to hard work and it’s only fair that my brother and I earn our keep.”
As they walked toward the pen the keeper continued, “There’s a little more to tell you. The pigs are dangerous due to their size but there is a boar in there and he’s much nastier, he even bothers me. I usually just heave the slop toward the trough and let them eat off the dirt.”
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