Lost Scout

[ChickieBooBoo]

"Danielle found him in the mountains on our way here." Ezra explained. "He was wild in nature, but not by birth I don't think. Must've been abandoned by some folks. I let her train him to be a work horse, and he's turned into a real fine animal, as you were saying." His tone of voice sounded proud of his daughter for taking on such a large responsibility and making something good come out of it, despite his earlier refusing of her coming along on the trip.

Once they reached the houses he fell silent and let Aelfric do the talking, he was just along for the ride after all. When the young man named Jasper was selected to join them he was even more grateful that he had instructed Danielle to stay home. She didn't need any distractions in her life, even though he was sure the surgeon's apprentice was a respectful and honest member of the community.

 

[Frundette]

While Jasper was gone, prepping for the trek, the old man led the two outside and to a small paddock where four horses were busy swatting flies. "Will one of you fetch the dappled gelding?" he asked. The horse was small, barely 14 and a half hands, and looked as if it was once a fine specimen, but was now well past it's prime with a rather large belly and swayed back.

"I'll get him," Aelfric volunteered and went to fetch the old horse.

The doctor turned to Ezra. "Jasper's a good lad," he said. "And he'll do his best at whatever task you set him to. But can be prone to heroics when clear and steady thought would serve better. Would you keep half an eye on him?"

 

[ChickieBooBoo]

Ezra looked curiously at the old man, wondering if there was a particular event which spurred his concern for Jasper on this mission. "Of course," he replied with a reassuring nod. "I don't expect to be gone very long. We should be back within a couple days."

 

[Frundette]

"Good, good," the old doctor said. "Oh, I suppose we'll need a saddle," he said and then headed toward a small barn.

A few moments later Aelfric returned with the dappled horse and Jasper came rushing outside, still putting on his coat. He carried saddle bags that had been filled with bandages and herbs, as well as various surgical equipment.

"Good to have you, Jasper," Aelfric said, looping the horse's lead rope around the paddock's railing.

"Thank you, sir," the boy replied, tossing the saddle bags over the railing. "I hope Gytha has suffered no worse than a lame horse," he said earnestly. He had assisted the doctor numerous times over the last few years patching up injuries and tending to the sick, but wasn't sure he was ready to do so alone.

The old man returned, carrying a saddle that looked almost as old as the dappled horse, but had obviously been well cared for. Another few minutes saw the horse saddled and the three were ready to depart.

 

[ChickieBooBoo]

Ezra did his best to hide his misgivings about the horse and rider who were accompaning them. He didn't know Jasper very well, and hoped that his heroic tendencies which the old man had warned him about wouldn't get them into more trouble then the boy was worth. He also wasn't sure if the elderly horse that was provided to him would even make the trip. With that in mind, however, he was grateful that Jasper had medical training. If Gytha was injured, it would make things a lot easier. "Ready to go?" He looked at Aelfric and Jasper. "May this trip be short and uneventful!"

 

[Frundette]

"I'd drink to that, friend," Aelfric replied, pointing his horse toward the path that led eastward from the new settlement. With the horses fresh, the Lord Ragnar's sworn man set the pace at a steady trot, hoping to make some good distance before the sun reached its zenith. He glanced at Jasper's mount every once in awhile, sharing Ezra's concern about the old beast, but the horse seemed to be handling the pace without problem.

"Got your harvest all put up already?" Aelfric asked Ezra as their path led them past several farmers still bringing in their fall harvest. Aelfric made a mental note that he would owe Ezra at least a day or two of help in return for accompanying him on this journey. The old doctor too, for sparing his apprentice, if there was any help Aelfric could offer him.

Not far in the distance, the edge of the Greywoods loomed. The forest was so named for its Grey Ash trees, whose seeds dry into a grey ash like color in the fall, littering the ground.

 

[ChickieBooBoo]

(Sorry for the delay in posting! I'm actually away from home right now so internet is sketchy!)

"If you don't include the garden produce, yes," he replied, steering Panago alongside Aelfric. "Emma and Danielle will finish that before the frost, and get everything put away for the winter." He paused. "What about Lord Ragnar?" His eyes flickered towards his companion, then back to the road. "How are things with him and the settlement?" Being a farmer he didn't have as much contact with the Lord and higher officials as Aelfric did, and he often had to rely on others to give him a sense of how the political aspect of the settlement was doing.

 

[ChickieBooBoo]

Back at Ezra's farm, Danielle was still miffed at her Father's quick dismissal of Duke and her ability to ride him. She finished her barn chores and was about to return to the grass hut when an idea popped into her head. If Father doesn't trust me and Duke together, I will prove it to him! With renewed enthusiasm, she rushed back towards the black colt's stall with a saddle under her arm and swung the door open. Duke lifted his head from his hay net, startled at the sudden noise, but relaxed when he saw it was her. "Hey boy..." She crooned. "We're going to go on an adventure!"

After saddling and packing the majestic animal, she slid open the door and led him out. Olivia can help Mother finish the garden, I have more important things to do! Duke pawed the ground anxiously as she mounted, excited by the sudden commotion, and sprang forward eagerly at her touch. She steered him towards the row of houses a couple miles away, knowing her Father and Aelfric had wanted to find some more help, and with some luck she hoped to catch up with them before dark.

 

[Frundette]

(Sorry for the delay in posting! I'm actually away from home right now so internet is sketchy!)

"If you don't include the garden produce, yes," he replied, steering Panago alongside Aelfric. "Emma and Danielle will finish that before the frost, and get everything put away for the winter." He paused. "What about Lord Ragnar?" His eyes flickered towards his companion, then back to the road. "How are things with him and the settlement?" Being a farmer he didn't have as much contact with the Lord and higher officials as Aelfric did, and he often had to rely on others to give him a sense of how the political aspect of the settlement was doing.

"Better than expected for the most part," Aelfric answered. "The hall, with a solid push, should be completed before the first snow comes. And there's been a bigger influx of settlers than thought. Be glad you laid claim to your plot early. All the best farmland is spoken for now." Part of him understood why Lord Ragnar felt comfortable utilizing man-power to finish construction efforts instead of surveying the quiet landscape.

Looking back and seeing the dappled horse falling behind slightly, Aelfric slowed his own mount, Bayardo, to a walk.

"He's just a bit out of shape," Jasper called, realizing full well why Aelfric had slowed the pace. "This'll do him good."

 

[ChickieBooBoo]

Ezra followed Aelfric's lead and slowed Panago to match Bayardo. "Yeah, I'm glad Emma and the girls were so keen on coming. We have a pretty good spot here, not just us but the entire settlement. Nice land, not crowded." He breathed in the fresh country air. "Lord Ragnar must be pleased."

His voiced trailed off for a moment as he enjoyed the warm breeze, then looked back to Jasper. "So Jasper, how far along are you in your apprenticeship?"