by Vance Huxley
He remembered his original impression, more water came over here than came down the cliff so where did all the water come from? Even as he stumped slowly along the side of the valley Billi reluctantly let go of his dream. With his crutch and stump it would take too long to carry meat and hides back to the Village to trade. He’d need arrowheads and salt, herbs and clothing, or a new pan, and Billi couldn’t keep the animals locked up in a hut for the length of time that would take.
* * *
Then Billi saw where the water came from and had a new puzzle to work on. A deep cleft in the rocks spilled a steady flow into a small deep pool that then overflowed to form a short stream into the big lake at the valley head. Now that his brain worked properly instead of dreaming Billi remembered his original mission, which doubled his disappointment because he’d never get to the source of the stream now.
Billi had no intention of trying to wade into that low, dark hole. “That’s done it, Rabbit. A complete waste.” Rabbit’s song disagreed, but he enjoyed being out in the green anyway. So did Billi when he thought about it, so the trip wasn’t a complete waste. Rabbit whined and looked into the little pool, then hopped towards the lake.
Billi laid on the edge of the small pool and shaded it with a hand, peering into the dim depths. The pool seemed to be more or less bare rock with no gravel, though the moving water and surface ripples made it hard to be sure. Maybe the stones didn’t come from the cleft? Billi put a hand into the water to collect a sip and knew that nobody would be trying to wade into that opening even with two legs. The bone-chilling cold in the water would numb and then drown them.
Rabbit’s inquisitive itch still sounded in the song and even if it wasn’t to do with stones Billi wanted to check if anything came in this way. He smiled and looked over at Rabbit. “This is your fault.” Billi sighed, took a deep breath and put his face under the surface. Then he opened his eyes and waited a moment while they recovered from the icy shock. Now he could see better and in the short while before the deep cold forced him back Billi had a good look. Either the stones and gravel came in here and were flushed straight out again or they came from elsewhere. The bottom of the rock pool had been worn in whorls and smooth bumps but looked clean apart from a couple of big rounded rocks.
Billi rubbed the feeling back into his face and ears and headed for the gravel bar. Rabbit sounded happier now, but still very curious about something. Billi searched for suitable sized pebbles and had a surprise result, a nicely sized shiny stone. Or one that would be shiny when the Tinkerers had finished, because Billi knew this was the type the Tinkerers would buy. The stone also decided the size of pebble Billi needed for the test. He took four pebbles the same size, dropped them into the pool and left them while he scooped three fish from one of the smaller pools and chopped enough wood from a dead branch for a small fire.
Billi left the fish on their sticks to cook while he went back to the pool. Now Billi knew how cold the water would be he didn’t fancy a repeat but the urge to know had him firmly gripped. Once again he suffered the cold, then pulled his head back out and sat rubbing to get the circulation moving. “You were right, Rabbit. The pebbles are still in there so the stones come from someplace else.”
Billi eyed up the waterfall. Maybe a spring flood came over there but surely that wouldn’t wash some of these rocks down. The way the larger rocks were smoothed and half buried, they had to have been here a long, long time. There wasn’t a regular flood anyway or the beaver wouldn’t be living there. A decent flood would destroy the dam which meant this cleft had to be the source or as near as Billi would get.
He sat sharing the cooked fish with Rabbit, who had already caught a couple of his own and wolfed them down raw. Billi looked around to work out why the small stones were washed downstream without a strong flow over the cliff. A heavy downpour could gather on the hillsides and perhaps before the dam tamed it the swollen stream had the power to carry stones. Maybe the cleft had a stronger flow then?
So the stones could still come from there. Billi laughed at himself and cleaned his hands. It didn’t really matter since that lovely big gravel bar lay right there, and if he’d found one already there would be others. He’d spend the rest of the day searching and head back tomorrow. Billi could make a faster trip back since he’d been stone searching and fishing on the way here and he would hunt for some meat near the end of the trip for paying Bliss. Even if he found none, the maid would probably take stones to trade on.
Billi looked at the remains of his meal. Maybe he’d take some fresh fish from the lake on the last morning to pay Bliss, who would be wondering by then if she’d ‘inherited’ a hut. Billi took the entrails and remains to the edge of the valley and threw them into the undergrowth as the tithe. A tongue of trees came along the bottom of the escarpment and curled round and up, just into the valley that side. That came near enough to class as the Forest, and far enough from Billi to keep whatever took the tithe from getting greedy. Then Billi set into some serious gravel searching with his enthusiastic assistant.
By the time dusk lengthened the shadows, and he’d shared more fish with Rabbit, the pair had collected a pouch full of possible sparkuls. As he built up a big fire and gathered dry grass and leaves to pad a spot to sleep, Billi wondered how fast he could build up his nest egg with stones. After all, he’d started using his leg more now so it might give up sooner. Billi nagged away at his old worry, about not having enough for his old age, then the stars and the crackle of the fire worked their magic and he calmed and slept.
* * *
First thing the next morning they headed homewards and travelled fast, or as fast as he could stump along anyway. Billi made a late camp in the dark and set off the following morning before dawn, catching a fine plump buck taking an early morning drink. Billi quickly dressed and packed the meat, tying the lot in the hide with the antlers across the top. He had been travelling light, so the meat still wouldn’t slow him too much.
The antlers weren’t very big but Bliss could take them home for her Da to use for knife handles or whatever. Until he’d employed her and listened to what she said about his home Billi had never thought about such things. A Hunter’s home always had plenty of horn, though Billi hadn’t always lived in a home with a Hunter. Thinking back to his childhood Billi realised why he had fond memories of fresh bread and butter and crumbly, tangy cheese. His folk were farmers so the only meat came from slaughtering stock, a rare occurrence.
Few farmers raised meat beasts on the Farm as the good land grew the food crops, so only the rougher parts were grazed. Sheep and goats did best on that and mainly supplied wool, hair and milk, not meat. Billi hadn’t even thought about that even when he’d been blessed with a Hound. Rabbit played with his sibs and generally fitted around the family dogs without making any ripples, and Billi hadn’t been a proper Hunter. No wonder Ma cried when he brought home that deer, and made such a fuss over the succession of other small animals. That meat must have been a big help in the three winters before the croup went through the Village in the winter and took both Da and Ma.
His older Bro took the house for himself, and his lass of course, and the landshares had been sorted out as Da had already determined. Sis had captured a Farmer with her brideshare, or maybe her laugh, and with his landshare they had a good living. So did Billi’s other Bro and his lass with his landshare, and her brideshare still to come. They had enough for their families, but only for that which was why Billi kept building his nest egg. He’d been a burden to his family as a littlun and didn’t want that again in old age.
Thinking of the differences between a Village home and a Hunter’s house kept Billi occupied through the third gruelling day. When he recognised the site of the Wood Hunt Billi realised they wouldn’t make it home before dark, and he had been a bit ambitious even trying. Billi debated with his best advisor. “We shouldn’t really travel by night, Rabbit, but at least we know this path. I’d rather push on and get a decent bed.”
T
he song soared at the idea of a decent bed, and Billi wondered if the travelling had made Rabbit sore as well. He’d only got three legs, after all. “It’ll be full dark when we get out of the Forest, but I’m up for it. You’ll have to be extra careful since I’ve got this pack to lug about.” Rabbit bounced ahead a bit and looked back, and cast his vote for warmth and comfort. Billi laughed and set himself for the trip. His Hound thought he’d be safe enough, or at least as safe as camping out in the Forest was anyway. The larger Wild hunters didn’t usually come near the Farm so this bit would be safer than the last eight days. “I’ll walk Bliss home and apologise to her Da for how late it is, and we’ll sleep late tomorrow.”
With home in mind Billi pushed hard but sure enough he came out of the trees with only a bit of moonlight to show the clouds in the sky, the sun had long gone. Nearer to home he exchanged greetings with the night guard and his Hound, sleeping by the corral. Billi had been gone much longer than expected, and the hut really was a welcome sight. He opened the gate. “Well at least Bliss hasn’t gone home in disgust.” He could see a chink of firelight around the shutter, but Billi didn’t expect to hear the deep tones of a Hound from inside and raised voices!
Moments later, even as Rabbit answered the baying with his own, the door opened and a tall figure stood there with a spear. “Who is it?”
“Billi and Rabbit.” That caused some confusion and as he came closer Billi realised Hektor stood in his doorway, with Dapple of course. During the fulsome explanations with the slightly flushed faces, and Bliss rushing round plumping up and smoothing down and putting on water, Billi realised that they hadn’t expected him back. That meant that Hektor calling round to make sure Bliss felt safe had a slightly different connotation.
Billi thought it a safe bet that Viktor had no idea just how late Hektor called round to check on Bliss, or how long he probably intended to staying given that he was in shirtsleeves. Hektor had brought meat as well so intended being here long enough for a meal, and not tonight. Billi had a hard job keeping his face straight. Bliss seemed to have found a Hunter to answer her questions, and trapping seemed to be a better solution than chasing.
While Hektor explained for about the fourth time that he had just called past on his way home Billi saw the skinned knuckles. “Who have you been punching? Did one of the maids try to steal your tusk?” Billi meant that as a joke since Hektor would never hit a maid. Anyway, looking at the current situation only one maid had a chance of getting the tusk as a necklace, and might not have to steal it. Both blushed scarlet and neither wanted to answer. “Well that stopped you talking, but now I really am curious?”
“Um, well. You should know. It’s er.” Hektor kept glancing at Bliss.
“I’ll check the chickens, Billi.” Bliss left with both Spots and Dapple so she’d certainly be safe out there, though the chickens were safely locked up anyway at first dark.
“It’s well, someone. They. Well, you give Bliss meat. Er.” Hektor still struggled and still blushed bright scarlet. “Someone said it might be because she didn’t always leave when you come home.” That came out in a rush and Billi felt his own fist clench.
“Edan. I give Bliss extra meat because she makes pies and cleans up. If ‘twere not for Edan I’d not need anyone.” Billi opened his fist and clenched it again. “I’ll deal with it.” This time he’d thump Edan and worry about the mess afterwards.
“We know why you give Bliss the meat. Everyone decent knows.” Hektor stood up very straight. “No need to deal with it. Nobody will be insulting Bliss in future.” Billi looked at the youth’s knuckles and understood.
He turned enough to open the door. “You can come back now, Bliss.” She came in and glanced at Hektor. “Hektor explained, and that there’s no need to worry about it.” Billi thought the proud look from Bliss might set Hektor on fire. Nobody would be insulting Bliss, but if her Da saw the maid’s look he’d be expecting a bit more room at home soon. There didn’t seem to be much chasing or running left to do and Billi might need another housekeeper sooner than expected.
“Since you’re here, maybe you could walk Bliss home. It’ll be a help because I’ve pushed hard today.” Billi turned away to his pack to avoid laughing at them because Hektor looked relieved, probably because Billi wouldn’t be talking to Viktor and mentioning finding Hektor in the hut. “I fell over a plump buck. Unless someone will think it’s too much?”
“Someone will be keeping away from me and will never know.” The mixture of pride and satisfaction shone through Bliss’s voice. “So thank ye, Billi. We appreciate it, all the family do. The pantry is full of meat these days.” She glanced at Hektor so maybe he’d contributed. “Have ye any hides to be dealt with?”
“Just the one, but I do have an extra something if you’d like one. I followed the stream this time, and looked for stones. Here, pick one.” Billi smiled. “To make up for me being late.” He thought about the look and Viktor’s pantry being full. If Hektor really had started chasing Bliss, openly, there probably would be extra meat going there. “Take stones instead of some of the meat if ye like.”
“I’d like that Billi, thank ye. Just a few stones because as Da says, we eat more than a pack of Hounds.” Billi held out a dozen small stones and Bliss picked out one, then another, and carefully unwrapped a haunch of the buck. “If that’s right with you, Billi?”
“That’s seems fair to me, Bliss.” The meat or the stones were all found goods to Billi, though the maid certainly knew her stones and chose quality not size. Once they left Billi relaxed and had a long laugh. Bliss hadn’t even asked how he’d got on with following the stream to its source. He used the water Bliss had put to warm for a good wash and both Billi and Rabbit slept long and late.
* * *
Three days later while trading a few low quality stones and skins and collecting a dozen new arrowheads, Billi saw Edan. The youth would have trouble insulting anyone for a while. Certainly until the split and swollen lips healed, and he’d have trouble seeing as one eye had turned rainbow coloured and swollen firmly shut. Edan didn’t see Billi and looked to be trying to avoid seeing anyone, as did the two youths with him. Billi did wonder if that would work. Probably for Bliss, but Edan would just go back to making up tales about Billi.
One thing, Billi needn’t worry about the poor girl being all alone in his hut. He stumped home with a little smile on his face. Nobody discussed Billi finding Hektor in his hut but Bliss took care to check if Billi really would be out all night, or if he might be home so she could let her Da know she might get home late. That put a bit of a smile on Billi’s face as well; it was sweet really.
The summer moved on and this year the kids Billi’s goats dropped grew bigger and stronger with someone actually keeping an eye on them. Usually the goats stayed in the pen while Billi went hunting, but now Bliss let them out in the day and the young blossomed. The chickens were allowed to hatch a few chicks since with all the extra hunting Billi could afford the feed. He liked eggs, especially when cooking for himself because they were easy to fry, and they tasted even better if Bliss had left a bit of fresh bread.
“Billi, where does your goat fodder come from? This stuff, because there’s nothing like it round the Village.” Bliss held out a few long, thin leaves and stalks.
“Those are half grown green reeds. When they get older and stiffer I use some for the goat bedding and the roof of the chicken hut. I don’t grow corn and don’t have enough grazing so there’s never enough straw and hay.” Billi laughed. “As usual, I just pick some up on my travels. You must think this is a very strange place.”
“Not strange.” Bliss giggled. “Though your hut really is very different.” Then she sobered. “So the bedding is the same plant as this? Would you mind if I take a little bit of bedding, or could you tell me where it is, Billi? I’d like some for repairing the thatch on the chicken coop at home. Your goat bedding is tougher than straw and the hens might not steal reeds for nests. They keep pulling on the straw w
e use for the roof.”
“Take some of what’s there and I’ll go that way and collect some more old stuff, though you’ll end up with ducks or geese for your pay if I visit the reed bed. Will that matter?” Since the reed beds always had plenty of wildfowl that would be easier for Billi.
“Oh no, Ellibeth will appreciate the feathers.” Billi took a trip to the reed bed along the river, gathered some old reed and collected a goose and two ducks.
Bliss took some reed home and announced that the chickens didn’t seem interested in the thicker, stiffer stalks. A few days later Bliss asked if there were a lot of reeds, because Fellip the Thatcher had noticed the new roof on the chicken hut. The Thatcher wanted to know because there weren’t many by the river and reed made stronger thatch. Billi told her, yes, there were a lot. He asked if the Thatcher wanted an escort to get some.
Two days later a giggling Bliss came with a reply, giggling because the Thatcher almost choked when he found that reeds were being used as goat fodder and bedding. Could he come and talk to Billi about it all?
Billi sent a message back that he didn’t mind at all, and the following day the Thatcher turned up at Billi’s hut. Billi invited Fellip the Thatcher inside, and the tall thin man immediately asked about the reed, any reed in a sizeable bed. Billi offered him some ale, and considered getting in a bit more ale for visitors. Fellip slowed up for a moment while Billi sat, then set straight in again. “Is it true you use reeds for goat bedding and fodder?”
“Yes. I use the old stuff for bedding but the goats eat the young growth. They seem to like it well enough.” Billi kept the smile from his face.