It was early, and the air felt clean and bright for once. The sun had risen only a little while ago, so the streets were somewhat still. Only market merchants were awake, and setting out their stores.
The merchants eyes them warily, and no one could blame them. They were a mish mash of people, things, and animals. Their carts were sturdy, but chipped. Their animals were thin. Items had not yet been placed into their carts. People were milling about, trying to fit one last item on a cart, saddling a horse, or leaning sleepily against a post.
The merchants eyes them warily, and no one could blame them. They were a mish mash of people, things, and animals. Their carts were sturdy, but chipped. Their animals were thin. Items had not yet been placed into their carts. People were milling about, trying to fit one last item on a cart, saddling a horse, or leaning sleepily against a post.
A few nights ago they had gathered for the last time in the inn. They had spoken late into the night, so late that the innkeeper had to ask them to leave since it was long since they'd ordered food and drink. Papers had covered the table, each with a scrawl. Some had poor drawings and numbers next to them, because Jeph couldn't read, but he knew numbers.
Edward Griffin had been introduced by his brother, Theodore. They were merchants, but Theodore was the eldest and had inherited his father's business. Their father had perished in the sickness as well, or so they thought. He was on a ship when he died and had been thrown overboard when he had passed.
Edward Griffin had been introduced by his brother, Theodore. They were merchants, but Theodore was the eldest and had inherited his father's business. Their father had perished in the sickness as well, or so they thought. He was on a ship when he died and had been thrown overboard when he had passed.
Frederick head ached, and outwardly he blamed it on the sun. Inside he knew it was from dealing with the variety of people he had under his wing. Why he had to be the leader was beyond him. Jeph, thought he didn't know the writing script, was a much better leader, but he had deferred to Frederick.
Dane kept to himself and refused to accept much obvious responsibility. But Frederick felt better about the man, despite his silences and lack of obvious commitment to the group. He had brought three sacks with him, and a bag of personal items. Dane kept the bag close, but handed over the sacks quietly to Frederick. Inside was corn kernels in one, wheat and barley in the other, and sturdy nails in the last. Each sack was heavy to Frederick and he struggled to move them. Dane had handled them with ease, if awkwardly with three full sacks. Each sack was worth its weight in gold to someone who was starting a new community, and Frederick was grateful for Dane for bringing them. He only wondered were the coin came from to pay for them, but pushed the thought aside.
Dane kept to himself and refused to accept much obvious responsibility. But Frederick felt better about the man, despite his silences and lack of obvious commitment to the group. He had brought three sacks with him, and a bag of personal items. Dane kept the bag close, but handed over the sacks quietly to Frederick. Inside was corn kernels in one, wheat and barley in the other, and sturdy nails in the last. Each sack was heavy to Frederick and he struggled to move them. Dane had handled them with ease, if awkwardly with three full sacks. Each sack was worth its weight in gold to someone who was starting a new community, and Frederick was grateful for Dane for bringing them. He only wondered were the coin came from to pay for them, but pushed the thought aside.
The group chattered quietly as they organized themselves while Frederick ticked items off a list. When he had decided that all the supplies they needed were at hand, he stood on a crate for a head count.
The Wille family: Jeremiah, Lilliane, and Frederick.
The Draytons: Matilda, Tobias, Alys, and Morrys Foxe.
The Bookers: Jeph, Beatrix, and Allister.
The Wrennes: Maud, Joseph, Anne, and Medea.
The Griffens: Edward and Tamora.
The Whytes: Dane.
Seventeen people in all. Frederick closed his eyes briefly. At least there were no children, or babies.
The Wille family: Jeremiah, Lilliane, and Frederick.
The Draytons: Matilda, Tobias, Alys, and Morrys Foxe.
The Bookers: Jeph, Beatrix, and Allister.
The Wrennes: Maud, Joseph, Anne, and Medea.
The Griffens: Edward and Tamora.
The Whytes: Dane.
Seventeen people in all. Frederick closed his eyes briefly. At least there were no children, or babies.
When he opened his eyes he found everyone looking to him, and silence fell. He took a breath and exhaled slowly. He nodded and stepped down. Animals were rigged together and to carts. The elderly lifted themselves onto horses or carts. The gates opened and they set out.