“Sure, boss,” grinned Laman. “Should I have Kyle join us?”
“No,” replied Alex, “right now I need your optimism.”
Laman led the group down the main street, joyfully checking out the town. The townspeople looked out in disgust or pity as the group moved by. Alex strolled down the waterfront, trying to think of a way to make money. He wondered how Laman would approach the problem. When Alex reached the small wooden hut by the field he sat down on a large rock and stared at the sea. Soon Kyle came running from the field.
“Alex,” gasped Kyle, “that small stone hut is the custom’s hut and they say that field is only for travelers awaiting inspection to cross the border. They say we have to move on. Laman is trying to charm them, but with his charm we’re likely to end up in jail.”
Alex was trying to hold himself in check. Nothing, absolutely nothing was going right today. The sun was starting to set, the townspeople had the manners of an alley cat, and now some dictator in a uniform was telling these women and children to go home. A home they no longer had. Alex’s fists were clenched and his muscles were tensing up. He was ready to do battle with a custom’s inspector. Alex whirled and started towards the stone hut. Laman and a sandy haired boy were strolling towards him. They seemed to be having a jovial chat and Alex felt his rage start to subside.
“Alex, this is Oscar Dalek, Bordon’s welcoming committee,” introduced Laman. “Oscar, this is Alex Tork, our fearless leader.”
“I am pleased to know that Bordon has a welcoming committee,” quipped Alex as he offered the boy his hand.
“Oh, certainly!” remarked Oscar. “Laman, here, has been telling me that the custom’s inspectors were giving you a hard time about staying in the field. I can take care of them. They’re my friends.”
Alex was starting to relax. At last they had found someone cordial in Bordon. This tall lanky boy put the rest of the town to shame. The villagers deserved to rest after what Alex had put them through. “That is very kind of you, Oscar,” acknowledged Alex. “I was beginning to doubt that there was a decent person in Bordon, and for that I apologize.”
“Oh, no apology is necessary, Alex,” offered Oscar. “I can see that your party has traveled long and hard and deserves a night’s rest. And because of the late hour of your arrival and my good nature, I will only charge you ten crowns for the entire party.”
Alex snapped. He stepped forward and seized Oscar’s tunic with his right hand, lifted the boy over his head and slammed him into the wooden hut. Alex held him against the hut, two feet off the ground. “You little slug,” lashed Alex, “is that what your life is worth? Ten crowns?”
Laman and Kyle tried to control Alex. Laman tried to squeeze between Alex and Oscar and Alex shoved him away with his left hand, sending Laman sprawling. Kyle grabbed Alex’s right forearm and tried to force it downward, but Alex viciously grabbed Kyle’s wrist with his free hand and squeezed until Kyle let go.
“These women and children whom you want to charge to use your field,” spat Alex, “don’t have ten crowns. They don’t have one crown. They don’t have a home. They don’t have husbands or fathers. They don’t have clothes to keep them warm. They don’t have decent shoes to walk in.”
Laman and Kyle looked at each other. They had known that Alex was strong. They had seen his muscular body, but neither had imagined that he possessed such strength. They had both been village boys while Alex had been out in the woods felling trees. They realized that neither one of them would be a match for Alex, but his outburst had captivated the attention of the villagers and the custom’s inspectors were starting to get curious about the commotion. They had to do something quick or Alex was going to be in a great deal of trouble. “Fearless leader,” joked Laman, “perhaps this good citizen can tell us of a field we may camp in. The villagers won’t mind another short walk. We don’t want to upset the customs inspectors now, do we?”
“They don’t have jobs,” continued Alex.
“The customs inspectors are coming Alex,” warned Kyle. “They’ll arrest you, Alex.”
“And your lousy town won’t allow them to have jobs, so now they don’t have hope,” shouted Alex.
“They’re coming, Alex. Alex, please,” pleaded Laman.
“The only thing these poor villagers have,” argued Alex, “is me. And that, Oscar Dalek, gives you something in common with these poor villagers, because the only thing you have between life and death, is me. Now I suggest, sir, that you graciously offer the use of this field to these villagers; with your compliments, of course. I know these inspector friends of yours are going to take me away for mishandling you, but I give you my solemn oath, Oscar Dalek, if these villagers are harassed or abused or forced to move, I will come back to kill you.”
“Hey, what’s going on here?” demanded one of the inspectors.
“It’s okay, Reese,” gasped Oscar. “I made a very unfortunate joke about this gentleman’s sister and he was just enlightening me about the proper protocol in his area of the kingdom.”
Alex lowered Oscar to the ground and turned to face the inspector.
“I told the villagers that they can use the field for a few days, Reese,” added Oscar. Why don’t you come over later and join us at the campfire for some ale and stories. And I’ll try to keep mine socially acceptable this time.”
“Well okay, Oscar,” said Reese, “if they’re friends of yours, they’re friends of mine, but you have a strange way of entertaining your friends.”
Alex told Kyle and Laman to get a fire going. Kyle was reluctant to leave, but he was soon following Laman, who was in a jovial and highly animated conversation with Reese. They seemed to be sharing some joke and Kyle was fascinated at how Laman always managed to find humor in the darkest corners. Reese appeared to be totally engrossed in whatever Laman was saying. They looked like two old friends who hadn’t met in along time.
Oscar straightened his tunic. “Okay, village leader, I have kept my portion of the bargain; I trust you will keep yours and allow me to speak without harm.”
“You may speak,” snapped Alex, his muscles starting to quiver from the reducing tension.
“Bordon is a commerce town,” started Oscar. “Everyone here has to earn their living through their wits. I was merely trying to gain some food for my mother and myself. I assumed you were traveling gypsies and deduced that ten crowns would be fair remuneration for the use of the field. I know nothing of your troubles, but I do now recognize that there are no men in your party. Let us start over, Alex. I have secured your use of the field for a few days, let us sit and talk so that I may become familiar with your troubles. Perhaps I can help you.”
Alex was beginning to feel guilty about his abuse of the boy. He had failed to keep his emotions in check and his thoughts drifted to Jenneva. He wished she had come with them. She had a calming effect on Alex and he could use her to keep his wits. “All right, Oscar,” he replied, “let us talk. Perhaps I have misjudged you as well.”
Alex told the story of the villagers; the death of the men, the flight of women and children, the attack of the Yaki and their trek to Bordon. He also told Oscar about his earlier reception from the townspeople in his quest for work.
Oscar laughed and quickly explained himself, “I am not laughing at your predicament, Alex, I am amused at the townspeople’s response to you. They have no imagination. I need to know what skills your party possesses and what items you will need to start your village.”
Oscar and Alex strolled over into the field, where Kyle and Nolan were starting the fire. The women and children were getting settled in. Lenor and her ten-year-old daughter, Marga, were absorbed in preparing food for the group. The boys had managed to kill a wild boar earlier in the day and it would be a good diversion from the rabbit and quail that had been the standard fare for the last few days. Marga had her long brown hair tied back like her mother. It was easy for Alex to see that Marga resembled her slender mother rather than her rotund father, Fred. Ale
x thought back to that day which seemed so long ago and remembered the farmer, Fred, offering to lead his cows out and slaughter them. Hasra was right; the men had been very brave. They had given everything they had to see their families safe and Alex could not let them down.
Alex and Oscar sat before the fire and soon Laman and Kyle joined them. Alex was saying, “…and nails for building.”
“And carpentry tools,” added Laman.
“Seeds and livestock,” offered Lenor.
The villagers were starting to gather around the boys now.
“Bolts of cloth and thread and leather,” chimed Kara.
“Hoes, rakes, and shovels,” continued Marga.
“Paint and brushes,” proposed Nolan.
“Paint?” queried Oscar.
“Sure,” said Nolan. “Paint stops the wood from weathering and the stores ought to have proper signs attached.”
“With the men gone,” asked Oscar, “are you sure these villagers are going to be able to create a village from nothing?”
“Sure,” asserted Laman, “I can fashion wood almost as well as my dad and he was the best carpenter in the Gordo Region. Alex knows trees and you’re aware of his strength to fell them.”
Larc snickered and Alex felt his face getting warm.
“I’ve been painting with my dad for three years now,” continued Nolan. “And Marga and her mom handled most of the farming at their place.”
“You should see what Kara can do with thread and cloth,” said Lenor.
Oscar was starting to see the wisps of a plan forming in his mind. “If I can get you your supplies by bartering your labor, would that be acceptable to everyone?” he asked.
The group assured him of their desire to do precisely that.
“And would I be out of line,” offered Oscar timidly, “ to expect a broker’s fee for my services?”
Alex laughed. “No, Broker Dalek, you would not be out of line. Providing of course, your fees were reasonable.” Alex was beginning to appreciate Oscar’s tenacity.
“Well, then,” laughed Oscar, “let me go and get us some refreshments to toast our contract.”
Oscar took off for the small wooden shack by the shore and shortly returned with a small keg and some tin cups. A tall, lanky woman followed him with short, auburn hair carrying a plate of dried biscuits. The woman’s dress had seen better days, but it was clean. Oscar introduced Marta, his mother. The cask contained ale and, as if on cue, Reese appeared when it did. Alex was hesitant about trying the ale, but Kyle insisted that it was good ale and that Alex would be insulting their host if he didn’t at least toast their contract.
The talk centered on Bordon and Oscar revealed that his father used to be a customs inspector at this very post. Smugglers trying to sneak goods across the border had killed his father. Reese added that everyone believed the smugglers worked for Tulek, but nothing could be proven. Alex had wondered how this lad had been able to appropriate the customs inspector’s field. Oscar and Reese continued their banter, touching on each of the town’s population. Alex discovered that the large stone house across the road belonged to Tulek, who was considered the mayor and most prominent citizen of Bordon.
Alex enjoyed the bitter taste of the ale and was beginning to feel very relaxed. The talk continued for many hours, with many of the villagers joining in. Alex had left the discussion early. He had begun to feel extremely drowsy and his lack of sleep during the last month finally caught up with him.
The sun was already well into the sky when Alex awoke. His face was warm and his mouth felt like someone had dusted the interior of it. He had a slight throbbing in his head and his eyes had trouble focusing. He could hear a female singing somewhere nearby. He stumbled down to the sea and dove in. The water was cold and the slight shock to his body started waking him up.
“Ah, fearless leader,” greeted Laman. You slept the sleep of the dead last night. Your troops are already in battle.”
“Battle?” quizzed Alex, “What battle? Who?”
“Easy,” replied Laman, “It’s only a figure of speech. Nolan is off painting the Wagon Wheel. Oscar got them to agree to buy twice as much paint and twice as many brushes than they needed, if Nolan would do the painting for free. Oscar also has arranged for Kara to make dresses for sale. She will get to keep an equal amount of cloth and thread for her labors. She was also given a fine set of needles for performing the work.”
“That’s great,” exclaimed Alex, “I may have misjudged our wily friend.”
“Does that mean that you’re glad you didn’t kill him?” laughed Laman.
“Very funny, Laman,” Alex drawled as they were walking back to the campsite. Alex noticed that everyone seemed to be cheerful this morning. A few people were singing, whistling or humming. Others were sporting smiles that Alex had not seen in a long time. Alex noted a couple sitting with their backs against Marta’s shack, talking. It was Carlene, Larc’s mother, and Reese. They looked as if they belonged together. Carlene’s long black hair had the same sheen as Reese’s did, they appeared to be around the same age, and both had similar dark brown eyes. Reese appeared to be listening intently, twirling his long black mustache, to some yarn that Carlene was spinning. They both smiled and waved as Alex walked by.
Kara was sitting at a long table, which must have been brought out of Marta’s house, with bolts of cloth and spools of thread spread around. Ganora, Nolan’s little sister, was there learning Kara’s craft. Oscar came trotting across the field.
“Alex, great news!” called Oscar. “Old man Hoover has agreed to supply many things on your list.”
“Good morning, Oscar,” greeted Alex. “I see our broker has been busy this morning. I will admit, you do seem to have a talent for dealing. I wonder how much it will cost the gods to admit you into the heavens. Still, we are grateful. I have not seen these people happy in a long time and it is your doing.”
“No, village leader,” quipped Oscar, “it is your doing. If you had killed me last night, you would be in jail and these villagers would be lost on the road somewhere. I see you took quite a liking to my ale last night.”
“I’m afraid I’m not a drinker,” answered Alex. “I think I must have drank from the bottom of the cask, though, I have such a dusty taste in my mouth.”
Oscar laughed. “Come into the house and I will fix you some coffee. We can discuss old man Hoover’s requirements.”
“Ah, yes,” said Alex, “coffee is just what I need. What is it that we have to do for this Hoover and what is it that we owe you for your services?”
“Do not worry about my fee, Alex,” answered Oscar. “It will be something that you will gladly do. As for Hoover, he owns the dry goods store here in Bordon. You probably never noticed it because it is small and has no sign. He wants you to paint him a beautiful sign and add a small addition to his store.”
“And for this, he is going to give us many of the things on our list?” asked Alex.
“Well,” responded Oscar, “actually the small addition will triple the size of his store and you have to supply the lumber. Hoover has started a petition to have building tools hit with an import tax, so when the Cordonian workers come in the summer time seeking work, it will be cheaper for them to buy new tools here than to bring theirs with them. I don’t think King Eugene will go for such nonsense, but it does not matter for our deal. He is willing to supply your goods in return for the lumber and work.”
“Very well,” stated Alex. “It looks like I will be teaching Larc how to fell trees. Oscar, I may have misjudged you last night, but I demand to know what my payment is going to be. I do not wish to misjudge you again and I will not bargain what I cannot pay.”
“Okay,” replied Oscar. “I want my mother to have a decent house. An inspector’s pay is very little, but my father chose to live in the town rather than at the stockade. He never had a chance to completely finish our house before he died. I tried patching it up with whatever materials I could find, but my skills
are not the same as yours or Laman’s. We have the worst house in the town and people look down at my mother because of it. Someday I will have Tulek’s house up on the hill for her to live in, but for now I want you to repair this house and paint it.”
Alex smiled. He was starting to like this little conniver. He certainly would never play cards with him, but he was beginning to think Oscar had a heart after all. “Agreed.” stated Alex, “We will make your mother’s home a place for her to be proud of.”
Alex and Larc spent everyday in the woods felling trees. Larc was a good worker. He did not have the knowledge of the trade that Alex possessed, but he was a fast learner and a strong lad. Alex enjoyed working with Larc. Most of the time they worked in silence, but when they spoke Alex realized that Larc was a lot like himself. They would be done felling trees today, and then Alex and Larc could help with the construction.
The villagers were busy. They had tarps to cover the construction work at the dry goods store and a couple for Marta’s house. They moved her furniture outside so that they could remove the roof and start replacing the walls. Marta and Oscar were camping out with the villagers and were sharing the duties as well. The dry goods store had priority, so the boys spent most of the day there. The women were instructed each morning on the tasks for Marta’s house. When questions arose or the strength of a lad was needed, someone would go to the store and fetch Laman or Kyle. In the evenings everyone would sit around the fire and discuss their work or tell stories. The villagers were happy having something to do. They were proud of their work and excited about getting the needed supplies for their village. Nolan’s painting skills were sought after in the town. He had a flair for color combinations and a talent for sign painting. Kara’s dresses were the talk of the town. Bordon didn’t have its own dressmaker, so the dresses previously sold in town were imported. This made them expensive and fairly common. Kara’s dresses were unique and tailored for each individual. The villagers were being accepted by the townspeople.
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