Farmer McClure's new barn

[bardmcshane]

The lass had gone out for a ride about the countryside as she let the plow hores meander about the roads. Her eyes sought out the lands beyond them, while remaining in that easy go manner. The calls and shouts of a families gathering out in the field. The lass paused and stared a long moment as she caught the sounds of another wagon rolling up form the hill behind her. She lead the horse out of the way as she ducked her head to the folks within.

" Good Mornin ta ya" She offered as the older couple offered a grin as she nodded to the distant gathering. " Whats goin here? " She kept the friendly sort of grin on her face as the old pair chuckled and the woman leaned abit toward the lass.

" Tis Farmer McClure's place, they had a fire not to long ago.. so we all figured it would be neighborly to give a hand getting his barn back up. " She stated as the wagon rolled forward. Erin smiled and gave a nod as she touched her heels to the plow horse's flanks.

" Thinkin they could be usin a coupla other hands? " She asked as she fell in beside the wagon. It was the middle aged man chuckled with a deep baritone voice as he gave a nod.

" I can't see em chasin ya off lass. Come along.. I'm Jeb and this here is my wife, Claria. the boys in the back are Simon an William. " The man introduced them as Erin dipped her head with respect to the small family.

" A down right honor it is to meet ya, Mister Jeb and Mrs. Clairia.. I'm Erin McShane. " She introduced herself as the boys waved their hellos as the group moved down the small dirt path that lead to the farm. She kept a warm grin on her face as they all began to pile out of the wagon and she swung down from her saddle.

A few dozen more introductions before the call of work came. She tugged off the cloak and rolled up her sleeves. Singing for her supper was all well and fine, but she missed the real work that fed kingdoms.
There was something more that she missed, and it seemed for farmers all over the lands, they shared a common goal, a comrodarie that made nearly every one that lifted a hammer, moved a board, or prepared luncheon part of the community.

There came the questions of family and what brought her so far away from home.. which she was used to and expected. The light hearted teasing and eyeing of local boys that made the lass blush and giggle along with the girls her age.

Soon enough it came time to lift the first wall as she brought Rock over to lend a hoof. As she knotted the rope and gave a yell she was ready as did some of the others. She held the reigns as she spoke gently to the horse. And as one the five horses began to walk forward, pulling the heavy beamed walls up.

[bardmcshane]

They raised the first wall as the call was given out to the others in waiting, the second wall was slowly being lifted from the ground as the horses shifted a bit as the weight was tolerable but Rock, if some of the others as well wanted to move further or back up. The men slipped in quickly to begin nailing the two corners together. The lass stood with a grin as the call was given to lend some slack. She walked Rock backwards a bit as the lines were taken over to the third and forth wall. They all moved about as though it were some timed musical, the battering of the hammers and the calls of men as they worked together. As the last of the walls were erected and the nails put in place the ropes were released from the horses as they all turned to marvel at the skeleton frame of the barn.

The women and children cheered as they stood back. The light hearted laugh was given from the lass as she lead Rock back over to the corrall and gave a nod to the thanking folks. She moved off then to lend a hand again with the getting the afternoon meal together.

Erin looked over at one woman as she seemed to be frowning abit, with a cant of her head and dusted off her hands.
" Somethin wrong, Miss?" she asked quietly as the woman turned and looked at her. The eyes held a small amount of fear in them as she seemed uncertain.

" Have ya seen a boy.. about three.. sandy blond hair? " She went on with the description as Erin canted her head.

" I ain't yet.. I'll go an check with the other kids. " She offered and hurried off. She knew what it was like to loose one of the littles, her little brother Clancy had once hid from them for three hours, her Mum was frantic.

Soon after she had the rest of the children look for the boy as well as she glanced and the rest of the mothers had gathered together, calling the work to a halt. Erin moved off from the others toward the burnt ruins as she caught the faint sound of a cough. She canted her head as she listened again and nothing?

She began to poke around the area as one of the workmen called to her to be careful, the old water well had been crushed when the house fell. Erin's eyes few open wide as she demanded to know where. The Mother began crying and rushed over as one of the women caught her as Erin and two men were busy pushing aside the rubble and boards. The sounds of splashing came as she stuck her head through a hole, it was likely big enough for the toddler to have crawled through.

" momma? " The boy called up but soon there was alot of splashing again.

" Get me rope.. " She stated as she grabbed it and knotted it off about her waist. " Hold onto it.. or tie it to one of the horses. " She called out as the men moved quickly while others came over to help with the removal of the old timbers. She poked her head over the hole once more.

" Hiya, ya mind if I come down there with ya? " She asked as the boy's eyes were all that could be seen given the gloom in the dark well. She heard the call that it was knotted off. She slipped over the edge of the well and fell a few feet before the slack was taken up. Erin felt herself being lowered inch by inch into the darkness.

" its a'ight I'm comin ta get ya.. " She offered as she looked down to the lad then.. saw nothing. " Quick he's gone under." She called up. She could hear the frightened cry of the boy's mother as they began to lower her more quickly. She felt the water slip up over her boots then her legs. As she shivered at the icy touch. Once emerced she couldn't see him as she cursed softly.

" Gimmie some slack. " She called up, as the rope was loosened into the well. She took in a deep breath and slipped under the icy water. The pitch black was no help at all as she had to use her hands. Though her body continued to float upward as she used her hands to hold onto the sides of the well, using her feet to feel around. She found something solid as she pushed herself further into the dark water, until grabbing the boy's shirt. She kicked out to propel them to the surface.

" Pull us up! " She screamed up to the surface as the men called and the horse pulled them up as she held the limp little boy close to her as she felt herself rise to the surface. As they came up far enough and offered the boy to the hands held out. Once he was safe in the arms of someone above she caught ahold of hands that pulled her out, she shivered as she turned to watch them try to revive the boy. One of the women had brought over a cloak to drape over her shoulders. She gave a small nod of thanks. There was many that stood there breathless. There were many with tears in their eyes as other mothers clung to their own children.

A couple of the men began to immediately board up the well , as not to have this accident again. It wasn't until the soft feeble cry from the little boy's lips came that allowed them all to breath freely. Erin herself stood there with tears rolling down her cheeks as she found herself caught up in a hug from the Mother and soon to follow the father of the little boy. She ducked her head embaressed as she mumbled it wasn't any big deal.

She and the boy were hustled off toward the cook fires to warm up while some of the others slipped off to find them dry clothing. Erin smiled at the little boy as he came over and seated himself next to her. With a grin she shared the blanket about her shoulders with the boy. She gave his Mum a little nod as she asked if she was alright there for a moment.

The men deemed it was time to take a break as a few others joined in with the sealing off of the well until a new wall about it could be built up. Soon enough Erin had all the littles about her as she began telling stories of her own siblings. Letting the little boy Shawn , rest against her while recounting the terrible twins and what happened to her Mum's prize hen.

[bardmcshane]

As the day wore on, clothing changed into the loose garments belonging to one of the farmers. The children settled in to one game or another as the afternoon meal was shared. She glanced to the slowly setting sun, it was time to go. Erin took the thanks and the well wishes from one and all as she waved to the gathering of new friends. She draped her cloak over her shoulders and drew the hood forward to ward off the cooler air from her cheeks as the plow horse and the young bard moved off.

She waited of course until being out of earshot before putting her heels to the horse's flanks. The hood didn't remain up for long as she leaned in close to the stretched neck of the horse. The pair settled into the comfortable canter as they crossed open fields. Her eyes set upon the goal that being a meeting she was "encouraged" to attend by the way of the note she had received. The small frown touched her face as she drew back on the plow horse.

A few dozen yards inside the forests edge treeline a small dance of flames could be spotted as she shifted a bit and dropped one of the daggers into her palm as she lifted her voice.
" Ello?" The young woman looked over the area, the shadows were studied as well as the upper branches of the trees. The cough was heard directly before her as the dark brown eyes took in the subtle outline of the one waiting on her.

" Yer late. " The voice was flat and scolding as the bard shrugged and shifted a bit. sliding from the saddle. The dagger was replaced within that wrist sheath as she brought up a hand to offer the small flicker of fingers. The small nod was given by the stranger as the tiny form turned about and moved back into the forest's edge.

" I got caught up among some new friends. " She offered cheerfully as she lead the horse in toward the camp. Erin's eyes panned over the camp, taking note of how things were laid out and the tidy way it was managed. The tiny one before her had returned to her seat and dropped like a sack of potatoes.

" New friends are always interesting. " The woman agreed, though as her hands rested on her lap the fingers were moving deftly. Erin grinned and glanced to the fingers.

( The unspoken portion of this will be within "€" )

€ The battle was successful then?€

Erin knotted the reigns off to a low branch as she took in a deep breath and gave a little nod. " I find them so, there is so much here to learn then back home. "

€ Yes, though I had little doubt of that given the people involved. €

" Ya wouldna comes out this way iffin it be like home. " The smaller form snorted as the hands continued their own conversation.

€ your opinion of the people seems high, nothing unusual for green horns. There is no need of investigation further into this matter? €

" true.. though I do miss Mum's cooking." She sighed and gave a little shrug as the two talked back and forth. The small shake of her head was given as if dismissing the thought. yet it was in answer to the others silent question. Erin ignored the slight as being a greenhorn. She understood fully that her attachment to people would color her veiws, but at the same time she was correct. The people here about had come together and held their own.

€ Good enough.. I will pass this along to the others and word to your parents of your good health. €

" I've eatin yer mum's cookin.. ain't nothin ta go missin.. " the woman snorted and snickered as Erin laughed right along. Her mother had a unique form of cooking.. typically it was her Father that ways put on the finishing touches.

The two talked further into the night, however the business of the conversation was concluded as the moon's rise encouraged Erin to rise and begin the trek back toward the castle. The small curly haired woman only gave a nod and wave to Erin as she called back her wishes of safe traveling.

Erin hadn't gotten far before looking back over her shoulder. The sighs of the camp, fire , and woman had simply vanished. Eh.. mages.. though that did seem to be a nifty little trick. The small bard turned about and looked forward again. The night wearing on and her eyes growing heavily as she drew the hood of the cloak up once more.

It was when she was beginning to nod, the feeling of being watched caused a shiver to run down her spine. While not a warrior by any means.. one could tell when they were being watched.. and the sounds of branches creeking over head brought her fully awake. The plow horse came to a halt as she looked to the middle of the road to the large unclean man that stood in the path.

" Evenin lass.. seems a bit late fer a mite like yerself to be out wanderin.. so.. why don't ya let me and me boys sees ya safe?" The turn of the smile revealed his teeth were taken less care of then his clothing.

" Erm.. Naw. ya boys seem ta have da whole night ta go waylayin folks.. why don't ya jus let littlin ol' me pass? " She offered right back in that easy tone.. as she didn't remove the hood and her eyes were counting moving shadows. Hm.. this could be a bad thing.