Shelia turned to leave as Xander tried out his shovel for the first time. The spring time had given the ground a lot of give, not at all like the frozen ground of winter. Xander went at the ground with a furious pace, before long all of the others stopped what they were doing just to watch him. Before an hour was up, Xander had dug a 9 foot deep hole six feet across.
“By the gods boy,” Trevor started “How do you have this much energy? You have done by yourself almost as much as all the lads here! I am sending you to get yourself some rest before you burn out, you can start again in the morning. Our washroom is the building located next to old Jack’s place. We share the wall with his forge using that heat to keep the water nice and warm. Now go get you some rest.”
Xander started towards the washroom and took a good look at himself, if he was dirty before he was downright filthy now. Walking into the washroom, he could see laundered clothes stacked up neatly on a bench. Silently thanking the Gods that simple clothing in Rangel was free, Xander stripped off his better made clothing and folded it, figuring he would wash it later. Xander walked into the room and could see it was little more than a hole dug into the earth surrounded by stones. Xander could not tell how they changed the water but figured they probably used the same system of canals and dams they used in Riley. Xander grabbed a bar of soap and retreated into the water. Xander found the water a little warm but appreciated the chance to clean off all the grime, he had never been this dirty in his life. Xander first started with his hair, he could fell the dirt pouring out of it and wished for a comb, he would have to see if someone would mind lending him one. After finishing with his hair, Xander leaned against the edge and was on the verge of dozing off until he heard the door to the washroom open, opening his eyes he could not believe the sight, it was Mesha.
“Well at least you know where to wash your behind at, now at least you won’t stink up the stables” Mesha said looking down at Xander.
“Lady Mesha, this is the washroom what are you doing in here?” Asked Xander as he hoped the water covered his modesty.
“I’ll go wherever I like boy, I am a female. My mother sent me here to invite you to dinner.”
“I’m sorry Lady Mesha it sounded like you were inviting me to dinner.”
Mesha grinded her teeth before asking again, “Xander would you like to join us for dinner.”
“Only if you will sit by me and not toss out another insult” said Xander figuring out that her mother must have had words with her about her treatment of him. Figuring this was too much to let her off that easy, Xander increased his demands. “And that you will engage me in polite conversation and take a walk with me later on.”
“I will do no such thing! The nerve of you speaking to a lady like that, I shall have you flogged for the insult” Mesha screamed as her face started to turn red.
“Then I must decline your offer Lady Mesha, please explain to your mother I am scheduled to be flogged and cannot make it to her home.”
Mesha stared at Xander trying to calm herself down. After a couple of moments she began to speak, “I would be honored to spend time with you. See you at dinner Xander. Mesha then walked away as Xander giggled silently to himself.
Xander soon got out of the bath feeling like a new man, putting on some more clothes, he figured he had a couple of hours to kill before he had to go to dinner. Xander picked up his old dirty clothes and looked them over.
His mother knew what she was doing when she had them made in the style most men who wore the free clothes wore. Now that Xander had on a set of free clothes, he could tell his, even when filthy were vastly superior and more comfortable than what he presently wore. The free clothes were thin and scratchy, his were thick and supple. Xander knew the normal fashion when your clothes were dirty was to just leave them at the washroom, the launderer would pick them up and wash them prior to redistributing them. It did not matter because every man wore the same clothes. Only the rich could afford to have theirs personally done by a clothing shop, normally for a sizable fee. Any others who wanted to keep their clothing had to launder it themselves; luckily Xander’s mother made sure that was one of the skills he acquired.
Xander found his way to the launderer’s and started washing his clothes since the man who ran it was probably out digging the trench. After Xander finished he brought his clothes to the stables and hung them up. Around this time he figured dinner was ready, and knocked on Shelia’s door.
“Xander won’t you come in, I see Mesha must have found you” said Shelia as she ushered Xander inside.
Xander came in and sat at the table, no longer feeling as self-conscious as he had before, when he was dirty with a growling stomach. Mesha took a look at him longer than Xander would have liked, perhaps thinking of new ways to kill him or because she had never seen all of his so clean.
“You look lovely today Lady Mesha, Xander said as he stood and pulled out the chair next to him for her to sit.
“What game are you playing boy? Cozying up to me won’t get you out of commitment” said Mesha roughly.
“My lady I am simply remarking on a beauty, I meant no offense” said Xander happy his mother made him read all those books on courtship. “Forget I said anything, I am not trying to upset you.”
“Xander I have been nothing but cruel to you, why would you say something nice about me”
“My Lady I have met your mother, a very kind heart as females go. I doubt she could raise a child as horrid as you pretend to be. Besides I have been in town all day and have not heard one bad remark about you” Xander said looking into her eyes.
Mesha started blushing and looked away quickly, not wanting Xander to see the effect she had on him.
“I do have a question though my Lady, are you and your mother the only females in this town?”
“Why do you want to know, no other woman here is going to get you out of your duty.”
“It’s just that I don’t believe it is safe out here in a town full of men, we may be second class citizens, but we still are the stronger sex physically. What would stop a bunch of them from doing awful things?”
Xander could tell Mesha’s shoulders lowered a bit, some of her earlier rage leaving her. “Xander no other woman would be caught dead out here in this hole. Back in Meadow, we were not noble or anything just ordinary women. Although we did enjoy the perks all women receive, we were not special until the Queen started looking for volunteers to create new towns in the wilderness to help ward off bandit attacks. Of course no one volunteered until it was announced she would bestow the title of Baroness to any successful towns that can last without any help from the crown for a period of five years. We have been here for three years off and on with my mother given the title of mayor. After which she will be made a Baroness we me inheriting that title shall I wish to stay. No upstanding female though would leave nicely made buildings, rich food you do not have to cook yourself and along with all the amenities just for a title. When my mother left, she handpicked everyone that was to follow her. Most of these men have already completed their commitment but grew weary of living in Meadow. The men that are here now are mostly those who volunteered to be out here, attacking us is the furthest thing from their minds. They like their freedom here away from the nobility, the watch and others and would do nothing nor allow anyone else to jeopardize what they have. They want my mother to succeed and become a Baroness, that way they could enjoy her protection.”
“You seem to hate it here though, one day you could become a baroness if the title passes down.”
“I would be Xander, but life in Meadow even as an unknown was much easier compared to this, if I go back now I could receive a house and live an easy life.”
“Well then why don’t you go back to stay then? If you don’t really like being here” asked Xander.
“Because I would be humiliated, my longtime boyfriend left me for a girl that was discovered to be a witch. She went to his mother and asked for his hand in marriage which of course
was granted provided she could secure a writ resolving him of his commitment. She already had one drawn up before she went to his house, he chose her over me.”
“Well that sounds like a blessing to Lady Mesha, imagine if you had married without knowing his true character? My mother told me life of a witch affords you little time to actually spend with your family. He will be stuck raising kids if she decides she wants them and keeping house while she is out adventuring. He will get what he deserves and a pretty Lady like yourself can find someone truly worthy of your station as a future Baroness. I bet once this place takes off plenty of mothers will be trying to marry their sons off to you.”
“You really are a sweet boy Xander, sorry for being mean to you.”
“Apologies are not necessary my Lady, a smile is all I require.”
“Ooh smooth talker” said Shelia as she entered the dining room holding a tray of food. “Are you trying to lay your hooks into my daughter young man?” Shelia said jokingly.
“I wish!” Xander said making Mesha blush.
“I am happy to finally see you getting along; my Mesha just needed someone her own age. Around here there is nothing but old men. No one for her to court, her only time with people her own age comes when we visit Meadow, a place she doesn’t like hanging around as much anymore.”
“I do not see why not, she doesn’t have the extra pounds many women in the city carry around because of their sedentary lifestyle. Any man would be a fool to turn down such a woman, especially a future baroness at that” Xander said as he began piling his plate.
“I think so too Xander, my Mesha has more to offer than she thinks. A lot of digging has been done since you have been resting but we still have a lot to do. Trevor told me he thinks if there is going to be any attack, he thinks it will be here in valley with only a small attack happening on the road. You have had some good ideas so far, how would you best protect our shipments?”
“Lady Shelia, when I was younger I had an idea for a covered wagon, not a wagon covered in cloth but wood instead. It would have slits all around it so archers and crossbowmen could fire off bolts and arrows all the while staying protected in the wagon. I also think there should be some type of door retreating into the wagon for the driver. I would send that wagon out ahead to scout, but I would conceal its true nature somehow, no one I think would stand much of a chance if they had to fight off that attack plus that of regular swordsmen” Xander said remembering how once back in Riley and Army caravan had come under attack from numerous arrows from which they sustained heavy casualties.
“Xander I wish I would have had you here earlier. We do not receive many people on their commitment and we do not really have any fighting men or even a single witch. But I think we can outthink these bandits. I do not want to wind up like some other small towns especially since we receive no help. The ruling class does not want any more nobles, however minor my title may be when I get it. The Viscountess Dahlia, which whom land I am technically on, certainly does not want me to take over her land whether she was using it or not, and that is echoed by her benefactor Countess Black. We are supposed to be leaving the day after next, I do not think we have time to build this armored wagon of yours, would we be able to use my carriage instead? It is an old one I was given for coming out here. It is not in the best shape but it is road worthy.”
“I think it would do fine my Lady” Xander started. “In fact by your leave I think I will cut my dinner short and tell Hoss all about it. I believe I saw your carriage around back. We have plenty of work to do before we take off.”
“Just don’t work yourself too hard Xander, you are still young and the problems of this village shouldn’t even be on your shoulders” said Mesha in what Xander thought was a surprising display of compassion for him.
“Worry not my Lady” said Xander as he headed for the door.
Xander reached Hoss and told him about his plan to fix up the carriage to be a rolling attack fortress.
“And Lady Shelia went along with that, destroying her carriage?” Said Hoss before continuing, “That’s why I will never leave Valley along with the rest of them. Boy you will be lucky to be stationed here or someplace like it for your commitment. I have a couple of slats I think would do the trick, but right now I have a bigger problem. You can see I have already roughly split the logs you made, but driving these thick nails are taking a pounding on my muscles. Can you see if you can at start on some more of this floor work while I see what’s what with that carriage?”
“I can” said Xander as he picked up the big hammer Hoss was using. Looking at the hammer, it looked more like a Warhammer than what a carpenter would use, it was probably given to him by Jack. Xander waited for Hoss to depart before he pulled out his dagger and started inscribing on the side of the hammer his word for strength and poured his ether into it, this time making the hammer for use by everyone. It took more out of Xander, but he figured this way everyone could use it, and it would save Hoss. A short while later Xander had all of the floor completed as Hoss came driving up in the carriage.
“Boy I don’t know how you are doing this but thank you” said Hoss as he climbed down. I know you have been told to rest but this time I am enforcing it, go to sleep!”
Xander left and went to his spot in the stables, where he found a thick mattress and a plate of covered food. Xander first thought it was from Lady Shelia, but upon reflection she would have invited him in the house, insisted upon it. Xander ate his food and went to bed.
The sun still was not out when Xander awoke, just the way he planned it. Xander went to see the work that had been done on the gate and could see in many areas the outside was at least ½ done, which would probably not be complete by the time they left. Xander grabbed a shovel and put the same enchantment he put on his first shovel, except everyone could use it. Xander decided to do one more before he would eventually feel weak then went to bed awaiting the sunrise.
Xander could feel the morning sun on his face and opened his eyes seeing the sun much higher than where he wanted it to be. Jumping up, Xander made his way to the gate where he could see the two shovels he left inside the gate were being put to use. Already a sizable amount of dirt was moved so Xander decided to secretly enchant one more before moving on to breakfast.
When Xander returned from breakfast he could see the outside must have been done completely since Trevor and everyone else were working on the inside. Xander could see that for the town to expand, they eventually might have to fill everything in and shook his head at the amount of work that would take.
“Hey Xander, looks like you are rubbing off on these lads, it’s not even noonday and we finished the outside and are working on the inside! I think even Hoss had that carriage of your fixed the way you wanted. I am not sure if there is anything left for you to do to tell you frankly.” Trevor said looking around.
“Well sir, if you are telling me to go have fun instead of work, then I’m outta here” Xander said smiling.
“Well then get!” Trevor said as he continued to work.
Xander walked to the bath house and took a much needed soak. After his bath he dressed in a new uniform and walked towards Lady Shelia’s home. Before Xander could knock on the door, Mesha stepped outside.
“Hi Xander, are you ready for our trip tomorrow?” said Mesha looking happier than usual.
“I’m a little nervous to tell you the truth, I have never been to a big city before” said Xander.
“Well we still have to make it there first, but with you here, I don’t think there will be any trouble” Mesha said smiling.
Xander really took a good long look at Mesha, the first time he had ever really stared at a girl his age. He thought she looked absolutely beautiful from the way she smiled to how her hair was moving with the soft breeze.
“You look a lot happier, you must really be looking forward to your journey to Meadow” said Xander.
“Meadow is fun to visit sure, but I think I just needed my self-confidenc
e back, thank you Xander” Mesha said as she gave him a small peck on the cheek and walked out towards the rest of the town.
Xander felt the heat rising in his body as that was his first kiss! He decided to see how Hoss was doing with the carriage. Xander found Hoss by the blacksmith whom everyone called old Jack laughing and smiling about something.
“Ah and here is the boy of the hour, are you ready for our trip boy?” said Old Jack.
“I am, I just wanted to see how the carriage was coming along” said Xander.
“Hell the carriage is done lad, we even improved upon it, instead of having all that stuff on the outside, we just armor plated the inside. It still looks like a regular carriage on the outside, but the inside there are four seats each facing out, no way somebody will get close without an arrow for their trouble” Hoss laughed.
“We really got nothing for you to do boy, just be ready though, we are leaving about two hours before first light. Bandits are normally sleep by then and we want to be on the road early, you are riding with the rest of the lads surrounding the carriage. Lady Shelia and Mesha are both going to dress up as men and depart with a bigger group on horseback about an hour later. That way if we get into a scrap, a rider can be sent back telling them to find an alternate route. You know to shoot a bow?” asked Old Jack.
“I’m one of the best I have ever met sir, and that’s not bragging either. But I don’t have a bow” said Xander.
“Hell we got plenty of bows, arrows too. You might have noticed we are not the best with swords this being a village full of old men and all, but a damn arrow don’t care how big, tough or young you are. Go get with Trevor and he’ll show you where they are kept, go find one you like for the trip” said Hoss as he returned to talking with Old Jack.
Xander found Trevor and asked about the bows where he was directed to a weathered looking shed. Looking in Xander could see there was trap door under some planks exactly where Trevor said it would be. Xander thought it was smart the way they hid their armory and walked down the steps. Inside he lit a torch and could see hundreds of bow with countless more arrows. Xander looked around and could see the Bows were nowhere near the quality of the one he had lost, but saw they were functional enough to get the job done. Xander spent the rest of the morning and afternoon finding him a spot he would ride in the carriage, complete with making sure he and whoever rode with them would have enough ammo. Afterwards knowing he had a busy next couple of days ahead of him, Xander turned in early.
The Enchanter of Rangel: Child of War Book 1 Page 7