by ForestRage
"We have a lot of work to complete before the major snow storms."
"But Chu can't we just remain in the cellar? We can always come out and move around. When the snow really comes down it sometimes reached waist height."
Chu nodded in agreement to Ming. In the middle of winter, the snow can reach nearly three to four feet in-depth. That was one of the reasons the village tended to hunker down during this time. It was also why hunting and woodcutting grinned to a halt. Only seasoned hunters would venture out into the forest at this time.
Even if the snow became compact, one will still find themselves sinking knee-deep in snow while walking. Chu realized he had always taken the weather forecast for granted. Now he understood the importance of having any sort of forecast.
He continued talking as he reached for another piece of bread.
"And that is why we need to get this place prepared. I want us to be comfortable, but I also want us to be ready to handle any of the dangers that may befall us."
Chu looked around at his team members. The sight proved an entire difference from having seasoned and motivated staff at one’s beck and call. The benefits of molding these children into trustworthy individuals outweighed the lack of experience.
Having a batch of men at his command would be the best. But when things turned for the worst he might end up being the first sacrifice. At present he was too weak. Who would see a little boy as their leader? A weakling like him served as a tool to be exploited.
This became one of the main reasons he refused to throw in with Griz at the Trading post for the winter. Their relationship might be good, but in time it might change into him being locked down in service. In this world he was aiming to at least be free to do what he wanted.
Munching on the butter softened bread, he gave out some orders.
"Clod take Ming and repair the barn door. I will show you how I want the doors designed and constructed."
"Will do, but the large door on the ground might prove too heavy for us to lift. "
Chu looked at the half-open entrance. The barn door spanned about ten feet in height to allow easy entrance of animals and carts. The half-door still attached lay open and crooked.
"When you’re ready we will all help. If we can't raise, dismantle it and nail it back on piece by piece. Lucy and Miki will cycle as lookouts. They can provide help on the outside when needed. "
"Okay. We will start right away."
"Wait until the meeting is over, then start. I want us to have an idea on where everyone is during the day."
Chu replied while continuing
"Sue, you will handle the cooking. We will bring some stone slabs from the broken house next door. I want to build a small oven under this platform in the corner furthest from the cellar. During the day that will be our main kitchen area.
In the cellar we will make a simple fireside in the passageway near the well. On normal days we cook in the barn. If there is danger and we must remain in the cellar, then we cook there."
"I understand. I can do it. The hardest thing is gathering the flat stone slabs."
Chu agreed nodding his head.
"Find some suitable ones and stack them. When you’re ready we can help you bring them inside at once. Don't forget you also have to cook. For today, just prepare the bread and some fruit or something. When we complete the oven, you can start cooking normal meals."
Ming piped in.
"Chu when can we eat the meat?"
"Sue can start cooking the meat from tomorrow. Mix the days between the deer and the bear. Spread them out with vegetable days in between. Remember that we are only eating enough not to starve. Three meals, just to keep us full. You will be responsible for making our food last Sue. That is your responsibility as cook."
Sue nodded her head vigorously. This was her opportunity to become someone of worth. For someone who had nearly given up on life, she became fully motivated with a new goal.
"Dyna and Sakura will get this top floor and the barn cleaned out of all trash. Pay close attention to the wooden walls. You can get Clod to patch the rotted places, once the doors in front are fixed."
"Yes."
"Ok."
"That's the plan, I want to get that door done today and any holes that are big for wild animals to be patched up."
Everyone scattered to work. They were not stupid not to understand that Chu wanted to make the entire barn secure. Instead of living like rats in the cellar, afraid to exit they would have the entire barn to roam.
Little by little their circle of activity would increase to encompass…
When they climbed down the ladder Chu waited on Clod. He was the last due to his leg. Chu instructed him of the modifications for the interior. A stout fence to enclose the underneath of the platform, with a trapdoor exit to the top.
He would leave spaces wide enough to attack with spears but small enough to keep large beast out. That way he would save on the lumber he purchased. The only access to the platform from the wide-open floor of the barn would be a removable ladder.
With this they could gather around the oven to keep warm during the day in safety. If the doors of the barn were breached, they had adequate time to fight safely behind the fence or escape under the cellar.
Chu went to the well and placed a long plank across. He tied a rope and bucket and tested it out. They would use this to bathe and for cooking in the barn. He then replaced the wood cover and hid it partially with some shrubs. Once not in use he wanted to keep it like this.
The rope and plank were strong enough, so they could use it as an escape from below by climbing up out of the passage.
"How is it?"
Chu asked Miki as he went across. She was sitting on top of an old tree at the back of the well. The barn doors faced the forest to the west. The well was on the side of the barn between it and the ruined farmhouse. The only blind side from the tree was where the barn blocked the view. That was covered by Lucy patrolling in the front.
"I can see as far as the forest line until the barn blocks me. As for the back it's not a problem. I can even see the smoke from some of the farmhouses in the distance to the east."
"That's good. I don't want to be sneaked up by people or beast. This branch is perfect for a swing in the future."
Chu left and went to help Sue gather the flat stone slabs. He wanted to make a small oven by stacking the bricks up and around like an igloo. Luckily the kitchen in the farmhouse had a broken oven. He quickly dismantled it knocking out the bricks one by one.
Calling for assistance, they made short work moving them inside.
"Can you build it like how I showed you?"
Chu asked the young girl.
"Yes, I can try, I just need some mud and water to help bind it. Once it dries it should be strong enough."
"Ok, bring all the buckets, I want to fill as much water as possible before covering the well."
When they got their work done, Clod was ready to get the door back up. As he said before it was too heavy for all of them, so he decided to frame the entrance before nailing the boards. This way he constructed the doorframes to conform to Chu’s design.
"If that's the case, I want the door tall for us but short that a grown man needs to bend down and walk in."
"Ok, but this will take longer since we have to break up the door."
"I can help, this is important. We can secure the barn for now and make the door properly inside. When its finished then we'll install it."
"Amazing. Only you could have come up with such an idea. Chu you are so smart."
"Stop sucking up and get to work."
By late evening a crude door was made on the barn entrance that was barred by a thick plank across it. The couple of weathered sideboards were replaced and larger holes were patched. It was not skilled work but effective and enough for their immediate needs. Clod experience from a farm was a bonus since he was like an all-round handyman.
They sat on the floor around a fire in the mi
ddle of the barn. Although it was old, it was more sturdy and safer than some homes in the village. Chu's next plan was to build a flat mud and stone fireside on the platform, so they could light a fire on it.
That way they could keep warm on the platform and have light for reading. He felt more relaxed if he was on a height rather than on the ground.
"Tomorrow we need to finish the fence inside. I did buy enough materials to bar the doors but since we reused most of the wood planks, we should have extra."
"The oven should be ready in two days. I want it properly dried first. Sue can make us a soup tomorrow in the cellar. Sue, make enough for the whole day and just keep it over coals to remain warm."
The barn was not too dark as there were small windows high up to provide light. They were like slits so nothing large could pass through.
"Sakura tomorrow you and Dyna should get some of the padded clothes out. I want Lucy and Miki to start wearing theirs. The short swords and scabbards are a little bulky for us to wear on the side, we'll strap them on our backs. Once anybody ventures outside the barn they need to be armed!"
After getting the nods from all he continued.
"When the inside fence is up we will keep two spears near the kitchen to use. I want one hidden on the platform for emergency use. Tomorrow evening we will start practicing with the crossbows."
Chu had brought eight short swords and eight wooden spears with iron tips. He didn't bother wasting money on long swords or two-handed ones. Given their strength it was a sacrifice of length and heaviness for ease of handling. He also purchased five crossbows that were the lightest he could find.
Their main stash of weapons would remain in the cellar. The crossbows were light ones that were easy to load. For the children it was still tough to operate. He preferred them to bows and arrows because it was a simple point and shoot. Training with a bow would need too much practice for children like them.
He didn't even have any instructors, so the weapons were like a deterrent and a source of comfort. He only hoped they could make use of them when needed.
This little stash cost them some serious gold nearly causing him to bleed tears. One crossbow bolt alone cost ten copper. Chu had ended up buying a hundred. He banked on reusing most of them. As for the swords and spears they were near eighty silvers for one.
From his transactions he understood why the startup cost for hunters and adventurers were high. Not anyone could just walk in and grab a job. Most started as apprentices and worked their way into better equipment.
"Dyna, I want to get some sheets up on the platform in a corner. We can use them when we're up there to keep warm. Make a trip outside tomorrow with Sakura and gather some fresh grass before the snow covers it all. We can use that under the sheets to make softer beds in the cellar."
After they ate Chu left them to continue his self-studies until the darkness fell.
When everyone cleaned up and readied for bed, they filed into the cellar and closed the trapdoor. A small fire already lighting near the well provided a little light and more importantly warded of the cold.
Chu had tested this for the cellar to remain with fresh air and not become dangerously filled with smoke. He still considered arranging a night guard for safety. A sheet acting as a wall divided the cellar into two giving the girls their privacy.
With soft rag-filled quilts acting as bedding and covers, this was a welcome difference between the life they were accustomed to some months ago.
Risking his life for just this simple lifestyle was worth it for the time being. He hoped he didn’t have to make it a habit in this life.
Chapter 19
Living a better life
The first month of winter rolled over quickly. Snow storms thundered across the skies intermittently and the plains were now constantly under at least a foot of snow. A white ocean immersed the grasslands blanketing everything.
Amidst this monotone sea, a brown colored barn stood out like an island. Like the rest of the ruined structures that dotted the surrounding landscape, it emitted a dreary and gloomy feel. Inside this building however, housed a comfortable and bright atmosphere.
The space under the platform was now secured with a stout wooden fence. Behind it an oven was in operation with its cook currently baking a batch of bread. At the side were two girls sitting on crude benches happily sewing and chatting away. A small lamp on a table burned at the side providing additional light.
On the outside of the fence in the middle of the barn a small fire was blazing helping in warming up the entire barn. The temperature here was cool compared to the biting chill on the outside. A girl was laying down on the earthen ground on one side with a crossbow in hand.
She practiced her skills by shooting a target made up of a straw filled cloth scarecrow. The barn wall behind the scarecrow had a sheet stuffed with grass hanging down. Crossbolts and numerous holes adorned and checkered it from frequent activity.
On the other side of her sat a boy on a bench sharpening a knife on a small grindstone. Another boy stood close by, chatting away while swing a short sword in a rough manner.
Above all of them lying at the top of the platform, a boy covered himself with a quilt like a tortoise. A few books rested open before his exposed head, as he mumbled out loud.
At the rear wall of the platform, a restored wooden ladder extended upwards to the sky roof of the barn. This allowed the farmer access to the high roof for conducting repairs. The roof itself had a flat middle and sloped on the two sides for ease of servicing.
A small platform was built to allow easy access to the small opening. This repair exit was now modified. The skylight remained opened and a crude structure made of wood and thick canvas constructed over the hole. The appearance from a distance showed similarity to the crow’s nest on a ship.
Standing on the platform under this small tent one could view the entire landscape in full circle. Currently a small girl huddled on the platform, covered under a thick cloak and quilt. Every so often she would get up and take her time scanning the surrounding.
She would then sit down and relax under a thick blanket fiddling with an unloaded crossbow. A small box nailed to one end stored crossbolts ready for use.
A young girl's voice called out from below at this time.
"I'm finished! The bread is done. Ming come and carry a bowl of hot stew and some bread for Miki. A warm stomach is the best thing for the cold."
After a while Ming climbed up to the platform Chu was on carrying a bowl of hot bear meat stew and the equally piping hot bread both secured in a small woven basket. He deftly climbed up the ladder to the platform and handed Miki her lunch.
By the time he returned, Sakura had already brought Chu his lunch. As Chu sat up and took a break from reading to eat, the rest of them clambered up the platform with their bowls. Like this everyone ate together chatting with even Miki up above.
This was the result of their hard work throughout the month. With the oven completed, Sue constantly cooked up fresh food daily. She also had packages made of cloth that contained dried rations stacked in a shelf in the cellar. This food would be used in the event of an emergency.
Despite his leg condition, Clod filled the position as a general worker. Being raised in a farm made him familiar with lots of different chores. He helped Sue gather water, supervised and handled the construction, while discovering and modifying the lookout on the barn.
The lookout served as the perfect crow's nest in the endless sea of snow. It negated the tireless and dangerous task of having to patrol around the barn. Since the location offered easy access to them, even Dyna and Sakura could participate.
Every evening Chu conducted training practice with the crossbows. Miki scored the best and won her own crossbow for her personal use. She had Dyna make a strap, so she could sling it on her back.
She strutted around with the crossbow on her back and a small dagger on her waist. Chu had to stop her from sleeping with the weapon, she was that happy.
Everyone else could now hit a target at point-blank range. Chu had Ming constantly practicing with the short sword to get familiar with it. Since they sometimes made a sortie on the outside for firewood under the watchful eyes of the scouts, they had to at least be able to defend themselves.
The bonfire in the middle was always lit during the day providing a little warmth and light in the late evening. They all still slept in the cellar with one person on watch near the trapdoor. Chu preferred to be safe than sorry. In the morning they were cautious when returning to the barn.
In the passageway they had a makeshift lamp that Chu made burning at night for light. Maybe the well acting as a chimney for the warm smoke kept the cold away or possible because it was deep, and the top kept partially covered. The water did not freeze and remained liquid. Chu never questioned the science of it, he just had Sue heat the water for them when it was time to bathe.
The only drawback was a good toilet facility. Chu had Clod construct one lower down the hill not too far from the barn door. They nailed down some sheets around the wood for privacy. He did this after seeing Ming pissing just outside the front door.
A few slaps later Clod built it for him. The last thing he needed in the height of winter was a contaminated water supply. Since then, he had Sue boil the water they used.
Compared to the past, the children sported healthy complexions. Swelling muscles, coated with thin layers of fat, rid their once frail and reedy limbs. Their faces turned rosy, with the deep sockets making way for full complexions.
Their skin bore remnants of sores and scars from the harsh life, but their condition had now elevated them higher than most village children.
"Sue how is our food storage?"
Chu asked while dipping the bread in the stew. The daily meeting occurred over lunch. Chu trained them slowly, so he wouldn't have to bother about simple tasks. He relinquished small responsibilities onto them. As they grew confident he continued giving them the kinds that had them thinking.