Over five hundred years ago, a land mass was discovered off of the coast of Longhorne. From the combined efforts of five powerful families, known as the Circle of Five, this land was sailed to and settled.
The city of Delle, a dukedom, is controlled by Trenton of Delle, brother to King Tannis of Delle. It remains a place of popularity since its settlement over one hundred years ago.
The glow of firelight washed lightly over the camp. It helped to illuminate the shadows that came with nighttime, and eased the fears of those afraid of the darker forest.
Most nights, when the group was not too exhausted from their work, they would sit around these great fires and talk while they ate their dinners. It was a good treat when Maud produced a bag of dried corn kernels not yet ground for bread.
Each night he would lay his head on his bedroll and fall asleep instantly. Then he would be woken up when first light reached over the hills and eat cold, lumpy breakfast porridge. Then he would work until the sun grew too hot, and eat some hot, lumpy mash. The he would work until darkness fell over the camp, and he would sit down to eat more hot, lumpy mash. Then he would rest his head on his bedroll and fall asleep instantly.
This was Tobias’ life now, and it would remain this way for a long time.
It as difficult to survive, Frederick thought at the end of each day. Food, fuel, and friendships were what was necessary for survival, yet so difficult to find. His head ached when he laid down at night, since he ran around with the others all day.
It was fortunate that his father remembered much from his father's before him hand built home. It was Jeremiah who could press a hand to the ground and tell the others whether the land was good for building or planting.
Dane made himself useful for teaching the womenfolk what berries, nuts and root were edible. "Watch the birds and the forest rodents," he repeated slowly. "They do not eat the foods that kill them. What they eat, we may as well, though it may not taste as good as the market sweets in the city."
The younger girls watched him with awestruck eyes and he deftly plucked berries from thorny branches and snared nuts from before a squirrel's eyes.