Merryfield Farm

[Uncle_Buzz]

Through the broad, forest vales, linked by narrow trade roads just wide enough for trailers and carriages, were the rolling farmlands of Myrken Wood. In the spring, the wild bluebells made the unsettled valleys into oceans of flower; in the summer, after long hours of hard, honest labor, some of the East End farmers and their children gathered at Shadow Pond, where the trees bowed over to shield their sunburnt brows from the far-reaching rays of a scorching sun; there was joyous harvest in the fall, a celebration in Myrkentown with bright banners and songs that would not have been quite so delightful if not for the copious ale; the winters always promised a shining, white Yule.

At least that's how it used to be,thought Buzz Aberdeen one late evening on the front porch of his thatch, half-timbered farm house. He looked out over Merryfield Farm, knowing that anyone who passed on the far road could pick out what home they were passing with ease. None of his neighbours had blue gables. They'd built onto the house over the years, mainly because Granny Faine never died; she was creeping toothlessly over the one hundred year mark, not only too stubborn to pass on - but also too stubborn to pack up and move. She was the only thing that had kept them, Buzz thought, from following the Bates' example. Not that he would ever tell anyone that.

Still, there was no denying the rightful truth: things had gotten worse. They were lucky to have a farm at all in these harsh times, what with the fires, the attacks, the drought, the bugs. There was a lot of grumbling amongst the neighbours when the curfew started, but there was not a peep from Merryfield. Sometimes he could see the patrol passing late at night, and he knew that if his wife Ola were awake, she'd have said a quick prayer for the brave soldiers.

Buzz glanced over at the empty rocker. In warmer climes, Ola would have sat outside while knitting woolen stockings by lantern and starlight; there was earlier and easier sleep in the winter, though, and he almost envied her. But these were broad stretches of land, dotted with woods and expansive fields; a man would be a fool to think that the patrol could be everywhere at once, and Buzz Aberdeen may not have been a lot of things...

... but he was paranoid.

There were farmhands for the livestock during the day, but at night he was the only man on Merryfield Farm. Most of the neighbours had many children to help out on their farms - but after losing their first born son to the bloody flux, Ola and Buzz were left with little Gertie. "She's not so little anymore." He couldn't remember how many times Ola had reminded him, and sometimes he wondered if she wasn't the stronger of the two. Still, a man with three women and a farm to look after in a place like Myrken Wood, was a man who'd lost a lot of hair. The only thing that kept him sane came once a week, when the whole family, including Granny Faine, took the cart into town for Father Eine's miracle plays at the chapel.

Buzz stared out at his land; it looked peaceful now, thinly carpeted by snow. The fence gate was closed at the end of the lane, and he couldn't see any life on the dark road beyond. Pepper, Gertie's spotted pup, was huddled up under the porch. The lumberjack of a man turned and went inside at last, bolting shut the door.

[Ola_Aberdeen]

"There's corruption in the council, mark my words!"

"Patty," Ola eyed her friend across the table. "Do you even know what that means? Eat the biscuit."

It was just another sparkling, white afternoon on Merryfield Farm. Buzz had gone to town for grain and sugar, and one of the hands was out in the yard, steadily chopping wood for the fire. Ola Aberdeen had invited Patty over for afternoon tea, and as usual, Patty was on about the local affairs in town. The elections that came before Midwinter Solstice were the talk of everyone who cared to talk about anything.

Ola found herself watching the door, half expecting her boy to come hustling into the house after his morning lessons at the Priory of Stonebrook. It had been the distant hoops and hollars of other young boys on the road, returning to their homes. She wasn't the only mother to lose a child to the bloody flux. Magda's child had been much younger. Those Kaczmareks were a strange lot, no doubt about it, but their misfortunes and loyalty made the family an admirable one - always welcome in Merryfield.

"What do you think about that Treadwell coming back?" Patty broke the silence again, and Ola's sigh was her only answer. Impatiently, the woman stirred her tea. "All right, all right. Something else, then. I'm sure you know that Juniper's Baking Contest is coming up already. Lord, please tell me that you're not going to be in it again!'

"Of course I am. I've won the Juniper Bake for the last seven years with my cranberry jam cookies," Ola boasted playfully, but honestly as well. It was a welcome distraction, and she'd nearly forgotten all about the annual contest. Not only was it an excuse to be festive with the neighbours, but it was also a chance to walk beyond the gates of Juniper Manor. Even in the winter, the garden there was breathtaking.

"Lord help us," Patty groaned.

[Ola_Aberdeen]

Dear Mary,

I hope that life is well beyond The Wall; I can't believe how long it's been. How is John? How are your sisters? How are all the Bates? I hope that the silence means that it's been a mild and peaceful winter. The Juniper Bake is coming up very soon, and it won't be the same without you there.
It was a pleasant Midwinter here for the most part, if anything can ever be called pleasant again after all the murders. The meetinghouse was destroyed, the governor disappeared and then came back. A lot of strange things have been going on in the council. No one knows what to think anymore, even with the recent elections. They've set a curfew on us, too, although I can't say that I mind it very much. It keeps Buzz at home, and we've been thinking about stopping Gertie's reading lessons because of the walk through the forest to Patty's house.

How times have changed...

Well, my bread is finished baking. You have my best wishes, and I hope to hear from you soon, Mary Bates.

Sincerely,

Ola Aberdeen of Merryfield

~*~


The Aberdeens couldn't afford the likes of Milo Lirian, the finest courier in Myrken, but they did well enough amongst their own: a couple of local lads were going on a journey to visit their relatives, and were glad to drop off the missive along the way. They weren't just glad, though, they were curious of what had become of the Pritchites - and they'd be the Envy of All Gossipers after seeing them all first-hand.

[Dhugal]

Dear Ola!
My stars dearie, it’s good to hear from you! We are all well
and prospering here in our new home. John is as quiet as ever and
has done wonders with the new farm. I swear it’s amazing what that
man can do with a toolbox and a supply of good wood!

My sisters are all well, praise Pritchard, even Phoebe who
still insists on smoking that ridiculous little clay pipe that belonged to
our dear papa. Just between you and me, I am not sure Phoebe is
wholly right in the head if you catch my meaning, but she IS family
after all.

The biggest news is that our boy Matthew is courting Edna
Walker’s daughter Prudie. If all goes as expected they will be asking
for permission to marry. I’m planning on a late Spring wedding after
planting's over so expect an invitation to arrive soon!

As to the news of Myrken, I of course grieve for those
who’ve lost their lives in the recent evil that has been visited upon
them. But I cannot help but feel a certain satisfaction over that
Meetinghouse, considering how some of the former Council dealt with
our folk before we left.

John is not pleased when I say this aloud but in my heart
of hearts I know this is The Divine’s punishment on Myrken Wood for
how that girl in the tavern and others in Myrken mocked us for our
belief in the Blessed Pritchard.

As for the governor, I’m sure if someone had conducted a
more thorough search they’d have found that fop in some kitchen
wearing an apron and baking biscuits!

There’s so much else to tell, Ola, but I need to go make
dinner. I’ll just tell you about the pumpkin the Tyler’s grew that is
the biggest I swear I’ve seen in years. You’ll like this! The Tyler
children found an old hat somewhere and drew eyes on the pumpkin
and named it Treadwell! Can you imagine? Matthew says it’s almost
the spitting image of the man but without the legs of course.

I miss the Juniper Bake. Shall I tell you my secret recipe?
Add a tablespoon or two of rum. Better yet, add four!

My John sends his best regards to your Buzz. Watch for
that invite to Matthew’s wedding. Please say you and Buzz and Gert
will come, Ola. I miss the talks we had while we shelled peas or
shucked corn.

Pritchard protect you all,

Mary Bates.

[Uncle_Buzz]

Buzz was still chuckling to himself over Mary Bates' letter as he walked to the mill. It was a little easier to see humour anymore, though he still felt some bitterness over how the whole affair had happened. Ola was still in the kitchen, reading it for the third time. He always liked listening to his wife read, since he couldn't read himself - and during the day, he didn't have enough time to bother learning. At night, dim lanterns strained the eyes too much, and he'd rather keep his sharp gaze on the farm. He didn't know how he would protect his family if the time ever came, but be-damned if he'd be ignorant to anything happening on his land.


"We have to go to the wedding, Buzz!"

" .. but who will - "

"Osburn and Skiff can look after the farm. It'll only be a few days!"

"They aren't even engaged yet, Ola. You sound like Patty Mae.'

" .. but there's a good chance that they very soon will be! Weren't you listening? Besides, I want to take Mary some preserves."



The One God bless the women-folk, is all that Buzz could think after that conversation in the kitchen. Like the bright stars in the sky at night, their minds were enigmas to be reckoned with. What's worse, Granny Faine would insist on coming along - and no one would be safe from her sharp tongue if they took the cart all the way beyond the Wall, and to the settlement. As skeptical as he was, though, he couldn't completely put off the notion. He missed The Bates, and he missed their rum, and most every farmer had a great love of gatherings and celebrations.

It was Gertie that he worried about the most. It wasn't that he hadn't always treasured his daughter, but the bloody flux had brought a lot of things to light. She'd gotten sick right along with her brother, Nolan, and barely survived. If Ola wasn't there to keep him straight, he would have locked her away forever by now, somehow out of harm's way.

Ola wasn't entirely unlike him, though.


"If we let that child run wild, she'd be off with the likes of Billy Shaw! That girl's a bit too fond of the ladies, if you ask me, but I guess that's what they get for giving her a lad's name. It's awful how that father of hers gambled away old Glenn's horses. It's bad enough the few times she's seen that Agnie. Did you see how our Gertie was looking at that girl's sword? Girls with swords, Saint Iona help us!"

Buzz shook his head and chuckled quietly, stabbing his hoe into the snow and dirt. Not far off, Skiff was labouring over logs that needed splitting for the fire. Thock, thock, thock.

It was time to get started on another Merryfield morning.

[Gertie]

"Ser, Sera -- this is not necessary. If you've ears for such a thing, I have come to you to speak of the beast that plagued the Tolmers, the O'Cynens."

" .. Giertruda, take the boys and go outside .. Must we speak of this over dinner?"

"I mean that you be warned .. "

" .. Karol was in the crowd that day..."

"Let's hear this warning."

"Ser, Sera, this cannot be gently said: the Baie lives. Thrives. I have seen.. "

"... the One God protect us."


On the night that the Kaczmareks came to Merryfield for dinner, eavesdropping Gertie listened quietly through the wall; a torn piece of her nightgown hung to the floor like a fallen sail. The winter wind howling over the roof and the constant yapping of Dog made their voices fade away at times.

She held her breath at the rebounding of the door, ear pinned to the cold wood. There was some commotion.

"Do you believe what she tells you? Are you now all afraid of this shadow she speaks of? Well, good. It is something to be feared, if you listen to the gossip. When you are ready to hear the real tale, send word for me. Galacia Tarin-Talus-Vraal. But you can just send for...."

" .. I may be found at Sera Darkblayde's tavern .. "

"We're scared o' nothin'."

" .. fools .. "

Gertie heard movement and scrambled to her feet; she pattered across the small, slant-roofed room to the window and hugged the curtain, looking around it with puffy eyes. There she watched two, mysterious figures leave in the night by way of the shadows on the road ...

[Uncle_Buzz]

As the last of his neighbours cramped into the barn house, a steady rainfall thronged across the roof. A leak was dripping into a cracked cistern. Buzz Aberdeen looked upon the men and women gathered, bundled in their coats and low hats.

"Sorry for the short notice, folks, and thank ya'll for coming. The One God knows I'm no Joseph O`Cynen, rest his soul, but when a man's charged with tellin' his neighbours what they've got the right to hear - then a man does what he's got to do."

" .. God rest his soul .. " There were several, serious, echoic murmurs and nods following the mention of Joseph. He was an honourable man and a good councilour before his strange, troubling death.

"A few nights ago we had a visitor," he told them. That night had been a strange one, with stranger visitors. "A woman by the name of Ariane Carnath-Emory. She was real intent on not startin' a panic, but she told us some real troublin' news."

Some of the farmers began to talk quietly, hurriedly amongst themselves until Buzz raised his hands, making peaceful, quieting motions until they died down.

"We were all prayin' and hopin' it had gone, but we was wrong. No use in losing our heads. We've just got to take all the precautions we can, folks." Was Buzz Aberdeen trying to be suspenseful? All the faces staring at him were pained with the need to hear it outright, what he was trying to tell them.

"Miss Ariane came t' our dinner table to tell us that the Baie Monster is on the move again. That it's alive and she's seen it with her own eyes." It was not so much that the pain eased from their expressions; it was more like the pain came to its culmination in the form of outcry, of shouts, of movement in the leaking barnhouse. There was such a stir that Buzz felt his heart racing.

"Impossible!" "God help us!" "If that thing sets foot near me'n my family .. " "What did it look like?!" " .. wot the devil d'we do?!" "The woman's probly a bloody liar!"

"Y' remember what O'Cynen told us back then. It can change its face. Awareness is the best thing we got right now, so spread the word," he tried to speak over them, and they slowly quietened. "The lady told us that we could find 'er at the Broken Dagger if we got any questions."

Buzz was done after that - and the group milled around in the barn for a while as it rained, talking amongst themselves; most of the anger and panic spawned was from the sheer inability to do anything about such an elusive threat.

[Uncle_Buzz]

Not a full day passed after the arrival of Mary's missive, and Buzz's wife, child, and elderly mother were packing up everything that they thought they would need - particularly the preserves. Maybe the contestants of the Juniper Bake would have a chance this year after all, if Ola was going beyond The Wall.

--

The night before, Ola had embraced him lovingly as she asked. "Are you sure you won't come with us, Buzz? "

"Someone has to watch the sheep, Mary - and what about Jasper? No. Osburn will take you, Gertie, and mother in the cart." Jasper was the mule, so old that he could barely work anymore; by Buzz's reckoning, he'd worked so hard all his life that his last stretch of time on earth should be peaceful as possible.

"Skiff could watch them."

"Ola... " Buzz had given her a very stern look.

"Don't fault an Aberdeen for trying, Buzz. Isn't that what you told my father when we were courting?"

"When I was trying to court you," he'd chuckled.

"Oh, I don't want to go, Buzz. But Gertie... "

"But Gertie," he'd agreed.

--


Buzz now stood on the porch and looked out at Merryfield farm, hands deep in the pockets of his weathered coat. He always stood on the porch when he was thinking, and there was a lot to think about when the house was filled with the movement of departure. Keen eyes watched Osburn ready the cart and horses for safe travel. Every now and then the young farmhand dashed past him and into the house; he always returned shortly after with supplies or luggage.

One glass later they were all out on the porch. Ola was helping slow, old Granny Faine down the steps. Gertie stood by herself, staring down at the tops of her slippers; her mother had made her wear a bonnet, and she always hated wearing bonnets. It was to keep her ears from getting too cold. Buzz swept her up and kissed her cheek, and she hugged his neck.

"I know I can count on you to take care of them," he grinned. Gertie stiffened straight in his arms and firmly saluted. Buzz put her down, and the girl bounded off the porch and ran across the snow-patched yard toward the cart.

They were ready to head out. Buzz and Ola met halfway between the house and the cart and embraced. "We'll be back soon. Don't miss us too much."

"I love you, Ola."

Before they left, the farmer looked over the riggings of the cart and horses and checked to make sure that none of their luggage would fall out of the back. This was mostly just a means for delaying them a few moments longer. But he couldn't keep them forever, and soon his family was rattling up the path toward the road. Ola and Granny waved back at him; Gertie did not wave - she solemnly gazed back as the distance grew.

When they turned onto the road, Buzz watched them until they were mostly out of sight. He hauled the wood-chopping ax up against his broad shoulder and went back to work.

The end of winter was going to be very long ..