Lost Bloodline 5 - Chapter 5

Chapter 5

At odds with how winter had come in quickly to make its presence known, spring crept in while no one was watching.

It started with the slightly warmer days allowing the snow to melt away and reveal the grasses. Then there was an increase in the birds as their migratory patterns brought them home.

The changes to the greenery of the mountain was the most sudden, though. Seemingly overnight the trees that had shed their leaves, as well as the undergrowth and grasses, all sprouted new and green buds that rapidly developed into fresh foliage.

Koda had seen the clues, but they hadn’t really tied into the connections for him until one morning when he’d risen before his mates and gone to stir up the kitchen fires to find the windows open and the scent of spring blossoms washing over him in the morning breeze.

Snow still hid in the shadows of the trees and under bushes, but it was rapidly losing ground as the days warmed. Silverstone rapidly began to change over its day-to-day actions as fields were prepared, crops sown, and the orchards tended to. The miners continued their work, with a small group of trusted senior minors working in the old mine to extract the rubies that had been discovered there.

Those gemstones had been the subject of discussion several times between Koda and Kris, as the two poured over the time-yellowed parchment of the village charter. By rights, the land belonged to the baron and they worked it for him. Their taxes covered the baron’s share of their work, which is why they were able to use and sell some of the mithril and other metals extracted.

However, the two of them could not find any mention of gemstone rights in the charter. In fact, the charter specifically stated that their taxes were to be paid in mithril ore or bars if at all possible, and any other ores discovered were to be used to further the growth of the village.

Kris had argued that this was clearly intended to push the village to keep looking for more mithril veins in the mountains, while allowing them the use of any iron, copper, tin, or the like to build tools. Koda couldn’t argue with her on it, but neither was sure whether the fact that gemstones weren’t mentioned explicitly meant that they could claim the gems for the betterment of the village.

Since the town didn’t really need the boost at the moment, it was decided to explore the pockets of precious stones that Sienna had found, and meticulously record the stones extracted. If they were only a small outcropping, then it would be simple enough to report that to the baron’s tax agents and get an appropriate tax rate. If the vein of ruby went deeper, then a new mine would be established.

And the two of them both agreed that they weren’t sure whether that would be a good thing or not. It would be a boon to the profits of the village, but also a curse in that it would bring further attention to their little valley from people in power.

For now, the rough rubies were collected together by Kris and stored away in hiding. The most secure place they could find was actually in Koda’s basement, with Sienna having created a hollow in one of the walls to conceal a chest to hold the records as well as a small storeroom with jars to hold the precious stones. By the time spring made itself known, they had a good-sized chest full of individual linen sacks of the rough gems.

Despite the warmth of the spring thaw and the pleasure of the world waking from its slumber once more, there were negatives that came with the sudden increase in temperature. The roads, formerly hard-packed earth, became slick mud as the water rolled down the mountain. Several streams overflowed their banks, swollen with snowmelt from higher on the mountain, and washed the road out in two places between Silverstone and the pass.

It only took Sienna a day to repair the roads, her earth magic combined with Koda’s construction knowledge allowing them to repair and then reinforce the roads with ease between the two of them. The streams got similar treatment, but this time with Samira lending a hand with her water magic to help shape the streams along a more secure path without affecting the wildlife too much.

In all, the harsh winter had passed without any real concerns. A few damaged roofs and some seasonal illnesses were the only real prices to be paid.

Despite the muddy roads, or maybe because of them and what they heralded, traders also made their appearances as well. Not only those from Amberpost and deeper in the baron’s lands, but many of the plains tribes sent representatives to Silverstone to trade as well.

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“Where in the world did you get ivory like this?” Koda asked in wonder as he studied the shortsword-sized tusks that lay neatly bundled with leather cords on the table in front of him.

“Wild boar, Champion,” the hunter answered with a broad grin on his weather-beaten face. The fluffy wolf-tail behind him continued to wave in earnest. “There are entire sounders of them to the east that live in the forests along the edge of the plains. We don’t even have to hunt for them in earnest. Most of these are from kills made defending the few fields we plant.”

“They must have been absolutely massive boars to get tusks like this,” Koda murmured, comparing the thick ivory shafts to his forearm and finding them nearly the same length. “I’ll happily trade for these. What were you looking for in exchange?”

“Nothing, Champion,” the hunter replied humbly, bowing his head to Koda. “Word of your work has reached us, and there were some rumors that one of your mates knows the craft of bone-shaping. It would honor the Deep Gulch tribe if these gifts helped you in your work.”

Koda looked down at the bundle of six tusks and then off to the side where a dozen more bundles sat in a pile before looking back at the man with a furrowed brow.

“I can’t take these from you for nothing,” Koda insisted. “You would have had next to no space to carry anything else when you traveled besides supplies. I can’t send you home empty-handed.”

“It truly is unnecessary, Champion,” the wolf beastfolk reassured him. “I did not come alone, and my companions brought ample trade goods to ensure we were able to acquire everything we needed.”

Koda wanted to argue more, but this was the fourth such representative that had come with gifts to him this week alone. The first three had brought other trophy-type items, such as hides, bones, and semi-precious stones. The bundle of lapis-lazuli had been tucked away into the secret storage that Sienna had built into the basement as well, with his wolfish-mate intent on using her powers to shape it into jewelry for the family. Each of the representatives had insisted that Koda take their gifts, refusing flat out any offer of repayment.

I should be happy, Koda thought as he bowed his head in acceptance to the hunter in front of him before the two traded forearm-grips. This means that they believe in me and my connection to Thera. Either the stories are enough, or these people are desperate for the chance of Thera’s return. This makes fourteen tribes that have sent representatives to make agreements with me. All of them border the lands of either the Silent Plains or their near neighbors I met before winter.

He didn’t need to spend too much time thinking about it to know that most of his concerns stemmed from taking advantage of this trust being shown to him. Which only solidified his desire to make his goals happen.

A hand gently mussing his straight black hair once the hunter had departed reminded Koda that he hadn’t been alone while talking to the hunter at Banno’s tavern.

“You are thinking far too hard right now,” Finna chastised him gently, the lapine spirit smoothing his mussed hair back down once she had his attention. “Let’s get these back to the house. I’m sure Arthene would love to start working her magic on them, and I always loved watching the surprise on an enemy's face when one of her bone weapons foiled steel.”

“You are right,” Koda said with a sigh, pushing himself upright and scooping the bundle of tusks up. “And I agree, it is quite satisfying to see that.”

The two of them split the bundles between them, filling their arms with the polished ivory. Koda traded nods with Banno, the older man catching his eye through the window that led to the kitchen, before they stepped out into the afternoon light.

Silverstone was bustling with people moving back and forth. The tribe's traders hopped from storefront to storefront, happily bartering for goods with hides, nuggets of precious metal, and other unprocessed treasures they’d found out in the plains. Meanwhile, the villagers of Silverstone were happy to exchange such items for metal tool heads, treated lumber, weapons, and arrowheads by the basket. The long winter of constant work was paying off handsomely for the blacksmiths of the town, and there was a distinct feeling of community in the air.

“Koda!” the sharp calling of his name as he crossed the square with Finna in tow pulled Koda up short. Turning in the direction of the speaker, he caught sight of Netta, the hawk beastfolk who’d gone on a few of their adventures, was waving one hand over her head as she pushed through the crowd.

With a tilt of his head, Koda indicated the building ahead of him, a long window in one wall propped open so the baker who owned the shop could sell to passersby. Netta nodded and changed the angle of approach.

Since the corner they went to was opposite where the window was, the crowd was thinner there and within moments Netta was standing in front of him with her bow in one hand.

“What’s up, Netta? You look like you’ve been running across the valley,” Koda asked, shifting his bundle of tusks and hefting it up onto his shoulder. It wasn’t heavy, especially considering his strength, but the odd shape made it awkward to hold.

“I have been,” Netta said with a sigh, swiping sweat from her brow and shaking her head, sending the feathers that intermixed with her hair fluttering. “I was hunting with Hannah and a few of the others and we spotted movement out on the plain around Amberpost. Either one of the herds has decided to mosey in and graze on the early shoots of one of the farms out that way, or there are a lot of people camped around or near Amberpost.”

Ignoring the chill that tried to race down his spine, Koda gave a grim nod of understanding.

This must be the campaign that Pippin believed the baron was preparing for, Koda thought silently. At least, I hope so. It might also be a force from those elves, or even another Crooked raiding party.

Unknowing of Koda’s deep thoughts, Netta continued to make her report.

“They are arrayed on the far side of Amberpost from us. If it wasn’t for the sheer number of tents, we wouldn’t have noticed them. Hannah doesn’t think they are causing problems, because she saw a merchant caravan moving along the road towards town. If it was an army that was pillaging, the merchants would be fleeing for their lives, not ambling along the road.”

“Hmm,” Koda murmured, while Finna gave a thoughtful hum behind him.

“If that group is what I believe it to be,” Finna murmured a moment later, “then it is somewhat odd to have merchants coming this way. An army would be an ideal target for those merchants to sell their wares at.”

“Not if they are bringing things like crop seeds, plain clothing, and the like. Sure, if they were bringing things like spices, flour, sugar, and the like then they might stop to sell to an army.”

“But that army might also just choose to seize their goods, depending on whose commanding them,” Netta suggested, a scowl on her face.

“Seriously?” Koda asked in surprise. From the grim looks on both women’s faces, it wasn’t as ridiculous of an idea as he’d initially thought it to be.

“Either way, we should know more once these merchants arrive. Traveling merchants deal in information as much as their goods,” Finna said firmly.

“Which is why Hannah sent me back to report to you. The merchants were spotted coming up the pass and should make it to the village before nightfall,” Netta said, shaking her head again to get her thoughts straight before locking eyes with Koda. “She wanted to make sure you had time to make a decision.”

“What sort of decision?” Koda asked in confusion. They’d had merchants visit the village before, and everyone knew to keep things quiet about anything that might attract the attention of the Golieas church and their priests.

“If these merchants are to be treated as a threat,” Finna said firmly.

“Also if you thought the tribesfolk from the plain need to hide themselves,” Netta added grimly. “Word will get back that we are trading with those tribes when the merchants return.”

“Why would that matter?” Koda asked in confusion.

The two beastfolk women traded looks before Finna filled Koda in.

“There are those that would take exception to it on a moral level, and those who might take exception to it on a political level as well. Those tribes do not pay taxes to the baron, and pointedly remain out of his control and do not live on his land. But they are passing through it and trading with its occupants,” Finna explained slowly.

“Oh Thera’s tits,” Koda swore, having adopted the particular phrasing from Arthene. “Seriously? No, neither of you would joke about something like this.”

Koda went silent for a moment as he thought it through before shaking his head. 

“No, we aren’t going to ask the tribesfolk to hide themselves. It would imply we are ashamed of them or do not want to associate with them. If someone pokes their nose in about it, we can say that we established trade with them during the hard winter in the wake of the Crooked attacks.” Koda’s words were drawing nods from both women so he continued. “Necessity can be the excuse for now, and I’m hoping that the increased trade will keep people quiet or direct their ire elsewhere. For now, we just watch. If they cause problems then they can vanish on the road back to Amberpost as easily as they can while headed up the pass.”

“Understood,” Netta said, glancing over her shoulder at the crowds moving about without a care. “I was hoping for something like that. If we are lucky, the merchants will see the additional folk as the blessing it should be.”

“Spread the word around that we are going to have outsiders in the village for at least the next few days,” Koda said after a minute of thought. “If only so people aren’t caught by surprise and say something they shouldn’t.”

“Let’s get these back to the house,” Finna urged when Koda let the conversation trail off. “I know that the others will want to hear.” Turning her attention back to Netta, the rabbit-eared woman directed the next question to her. “Have you informed the headwoman yet?”

“No, I was heading for her house to see if she could direct me your way when I saw you leaving Banno’s,” Netta said with a huff. “I’m off to talk to Kris next. Do you want me to check in with her about your orders?”

“Of course,” Koda said with a firm nod. “Kris is the headwoman, her word is absolute.”

From the surprised look on Netta and the amused chuckle out of Finna, it was obvious that the two of them disagreed.

Not wanting to dig into that at the moment, Koda continued.

“If she wants to do something else, then go with that. But I have a feeling that she’ll agree. I was just thinking along the same lines as what I’d expect her to do, anyway.”

“Understood,” Netta said with a deep breath that she blew out in one long exhalation. “While I’m happy that the winter has passed and it’s warming up again, I almost miss the peace that the snow brought.”

“This is the rhythm of life,” Finna said with a small smile. “Let us each be about our tasks. The world does not wait for us to be ready, it simply continues to turn.”

Not really having a way to or a desire to refute that, Koda just nodded and the trio broke up. Finna and he hurried silently through the backstreets to Koda’s home, not slowing as they came in through the front door and turned to stack the bundles of ivory out of the way for now.

Koda couldn’t help but think about Finna’s words the entire time. Life continued without a care, and it was now up to him to keep up and not allow it to sweep him away. The break that winter represented was now well and truly past.