It was a trying time while this group settled, Dane thought to himself. He was sitting aside for once, watching the others work while he rested for a moment. From the second they had settled, Frederick had thrown down what he thought was necessary for survival. Frankly, to Dane, it was too much. Did people really need walls and roof over their heads? A bedroll did just fine, at least until winter came. But when Dane had brought up this point, that maybe homes weren't as useful as, say, crops in the first few days, Frederick gave him a glare. Then that Wrenne woman started going on about how roofs protect from rain, and mudslides. Dane just quietly let the matter go. He was pleased that Frederick did take his thoughts into mind though, and the womenfolk were clearing and planting the land while the men built. |
Dane was not sure how to deal with the hand he had been dealt with this situation. It wasn't that he minded his new house, or lack of house, mates but ... they were not who he was expecting to bunk with.
Dane, of the Whyte family (though he never spoke of his family, because that's none of anyone's business), had always thought of himself as a lone wolf type. Not needing much in way of possessions or morals really. This was quite evident when he had brought one pack of possessions to take along, and others had brought wagon loads. Frankly, it confused Dane. Who needed so many things?
But he was getting away from himself here. Dane was a lone wolf. So how did he end up in a household of this Wrenne woman and her three children, along with Jeph Booker and his children? It was madness in total.
First off, that Wrenne woman. Icy beauty, grace, intelligence, and sharp as a bull whip. Dane stayed far from her. She reminded him much of his own mother, long ago.
Second, Jeph Booker. First impressions were drunkard, and ought to be locked away, yet the man had turned himself around from when had first met him. He hadn't seen a drop of drink pass his lips since the first bar meetings. How that man stomached the water from that city mystified Dane though.
Then the children... Technically they were not children, but adults, but this mattered not to Dane. He called them as what he saw them. Now it hadn't been that long since he was an intrepid man of their age, though how long ago that was Dane would not reveal. He kept that wrapped in mystery. Still, Dane did have a good recollection of himself at that particular number of years and found his experiences differed greatly from what he saw in these folks.
But he was getting away from himself here. Dane was a lone wolf. So how did he end up in a household of this Wrenne woman and her three children, along with Jeph Booker and his children? It was madness in total.
First off, that Wrenne woman. Icy beauty, grace, intelligence, and sharp as a bull whip. Dane stayed far from her. She reminded him much of his own mother, long ago.
Second, Jeph Booker. First impressions were drunkard, and ought to be locked away, yet the man had turned himself around from when had first met him. He hadn't seen a drop of drink pass his lips since the first bar meetings. How that man stomached the water from that city mystified Dane though.
Then the children... Technically they were not children, but adults, but this mattered not to Dane. He called them as what he saw them. Now it hadn't been that long since he was an intrepid man of their age, though how long ago that was Dane would not reveal. He kept that wrapped in mystery. Still, Dane did have a good recollection of himself at that particular number of years and found his experiences differed greatly from what he saw in these folks.
But who could he start off with other than Beatrix? That girl was just like her father: crazy. She had remained quiet at the start of the journey, and had remained so until more than a day's ride had past. The first night, at the fire, she ate the food served to her silently, and kept watch upon the road they had traversed that day. Then Dane had watched as she laid herself down for resting that night, but did not close her eyes. She stared at the forest like a woman possessed.
The morning came and passed quietly until midday. Then the child had turned and gone fully mad. She leapt off the wagon and tried to run back. She had to be dragged, kicking and screaming to the group again, and her brother and Jeph sat on either side of her, holding her back.
The wails, dear God. Dane shut his eyes at the memory. Something about a boy, something about love. The tune hardly changed over the next two days. Then she quieted down and refused to speak for a day or so.
He brother was a saint for putting up with her madness, and Dane liked him, in a way. He seemed easy to get along with and friendly with nary a fault. It would seem his sister was the wild card.
Now, the Wrenne children were a quiet bunch, obedient and silent until spoken to. Dane didn't mind that, and didn't mind them too much. In fact, he found it to be quite the ego boost when he saw a blushing Anne or Medea look away when he worked shirtless.
The morning came and passed quietly until midday. Then the child had turned and gone fully mad. She leapt off the wagon and tried to run back. She had to be dragged, kicking and screaming to the group again, and her brother and Jeph sat on either side of her, holding her back.
The wails, dear God. Dane shut his eyes at the memory. Something about a boy, something about love. The tune hardly changed over the next two days. Then she quieted down and refused to speak for a day or so.
He brother was a saint for putting up with her madness, and Dane liked him, in a way. He seemed easy to get along with and friendly with nary a fault. It would seem his sister was the wild card.
Now, the Wrenne children were a quiet bunch, obedient and silent until spoken to. Dane didn't mind that, and didn't mind them too much. In fact, he found it to be quite the ego boost when he saw a blushing Anne or Medea look away when he worked shirtless.
Still, Dane wondered what God had in mind when he was with this motley crew.