Chapter 9. And We’re Off.

  Next morning dawned bright, a blue sky that never ended. No wind yet but a deep cold. The crew were busy in the holds, sorting through trade goods. Deciding what to leave here and what was useless to the northers. Any kind of metal goods, be it cooking utensils or hunting equipment, would be top of the list. Then iron mongery such as nails and brackets, glass for windows, bolt after bolt of cloth, hundreds of needles, miles of different threads, bags of buttons. Foodstuffs next. Flour in hundred pound bags, sugar and salt, baking powder, yeast, many wheels of cheese. All to be traded for furs, leather, seal skins, reindeer antlers, more of the gems found in the meteorite fields. As they loaded pallets it occurred to Will he was making these people dependent on the ship and crew. The more they traded for, the more they’d need. Pulling away from the old ways. Was that a good thing? Was it progress? But he really didn’t see these people prospering without outside aid. When he’d first met them their way of life was just about done. If the ship had come two or three weeks later there probably wouldn’t have been too many left. Through no fault of their own but it would have been game over.

  He’d mentioned this to Minnie and the lads, while packing things up. While they understood his quandary, about when helping became supporting, they had no other solution. “I think it’s too late to stop now, this is just the way it is.”, Minnie said. And she was right. To withdraw the help now would probably condemn the village to death. The boys agreed with her, what else could done now…nothing. So tons of supplies were readied to go. Twenty sealed barrels of what Will referred to as ‘emergency supplies’ as well. These would be dropped off at the inn, there was ample storage there.

  First to go up were the new carts. Glistening under the bright sun, one a bright red, the other a cheerful yellow. They even had names painted on the front, the red one was named Aster. The bright yellow was Daisy. When he’d first seen them, in their new colours and names, he’d told Minnie she’d done a wonderful job. Shaking her head she told him it wasn’t her, it was all Percy and Ron. “Now pop.”, Minnie started to say, “Try not to leave these behind hmmm.” Will interrupted her with a snowball to the backside. That, apparently, was a signal for a general free-for-all snowball fight. Not a bad idea, everyone needed a bit of exercise. Jump rope in the holds was about all they could do to burn off steam, in weather like this that is. No swimming or playing tag on deck, too cold for tetherball, or volleyball. Soccer was an onshore thing, and obviously not happening. The exercise warmed them up nicely but fifteen minutes was enough. Then it was back to bringing supplies up, then onto the pier. Arnold and Mason had seen what was going on and brought the other two carts down from the inn. Minnie’s eyes lit up when she saw them, “Hey look guys, it’s the carts, it’s sure been a while since I saw them.”. Will just smiled at his little friend, what else could he do. He had, in fact, forgotten them, and it brought her such joy to tease him about it. “Morning lads, bit brisk today hmm?”, he called out. “It’s not so bad, you do get used to it.”, Mason replied. “This all going to the barn? And oh sorry, good morning everyone .”, Arnold added. “Yup, there’s nothing that the cold will damage in this load.”, Minnie replied. “Next couple will have to go in the inn though, some stuff shouldn’t freeze, but we know which is which .”, Will said while they were piling the carts high.

  Wheels creaking on the hard pack snow the four heavy loads were run up to the long low barn. While used as a workshop while building the pier and inn, it was now storage. Solidly built with stone walls and an flat sloped roof, no windows to prevent drafts, but double doors at each end and the same in the middle. There was easily enough room to pile first the trade goods, several pallets of food and the barrels. On one end of the huge space were the bales of furs and leather the northers stored here. Even now, in the dead of winter, there was an impressive load waiting to go. Percy and Uma started tallying the piles, making sure what they were taking matched the records Arnold kept. His position had many facets. Representative of the Rose, Laketown, and Newton, as well as kind of a storekeeper. Young as he was, as they both were, they were thriving here.

  When a pile of hides were counted, Ron and Will would tie them securely and load a cart. On the side of the barn were several ironwoods, some had been cut short, or the ends messed up while cutting them square. Just left here, now being loaded up. The old fella in Laketown might have a use for them, in any case they weren’t needed here. “We’re leaving soon, aren’t we Auntie?”, Uma took a break from counting. Minnie sighed, “Yeah sweetie, this was kind of an unplanned trip. We have obligations back south.”. The young girl wrinkled her brow a bit, “What’s an obla…what you said?”. “A promise to do something.”, was the answer. Uma understood that, after being aboard this long she knew the crew took their jobs seriously. If a promise was made, they stood by it, no matter what. “We’ll leave today, later but not too much later.”, Will said.

  Now there were four carts loaded and ready for the ship, so off they were trundled. After being in the slightly warmer barn the cold was a bit of a shock, but the warm snowsuits did their job well. Tossing the load into the hold, then piling the last of the supplies into the carts, and then back up the hill. But this time to the inn doors. “Wouldn’t want all this cheese to freeze.”, Will remarked as the various crates and bags were tossed from hand to hand. In this way the carts were emptied and the last of the job was done. Will checked his watch, it was nearly twelve noon, “High tides in a couple of hours, that’s when we’ll leave.”. They were relaxing in the inn, by the fire. Winter gear off for now, sitting around in shorts and light shirts. A pot of tea was warming on the hearth, and a jug of cider for the weirdos that didn’t like tea.

  When reading dads log book later, Minnie snorted a laugh when she read that bit, “Weirdos hah!”.

  “Do you think the rest of the family will stop here today, or should we go to them in the village?”, Uma fretted. She knew they had to leave but wanted to say goodbye. “Arno and family are coming after the noon meal, Tor and the others usually come along too.”, Mason said with a slight blush. Seeing this Minnie smiled at him innocently, “So tell us all about her, your girlie, your sweetheart honeybunch sugar pie.”. Percy joined in the fun, “You have to tell us every detail of your angelbaby, the precious poppet who stole your heart.”. Arnold was flat out laughing at his friend, surrounded by little people demanding answers. Mason didn’t mind at all, he loved to talk about her, “Giselle, oh miss Minnie she’s so pretty. Big brown eyes I could just sink into, her hair is golden, like the rising sun in the spring, long and curly, she’s a bit taller than me but that’s okay.”. Behind him Arnold was pretending to gag, Ron had to stifle a laugh as Mason went on. “Did I tell you about her lips and her ears, I just love her ears, hey…what have you got in your ears? Are those holes? And earrings through the holes, Giselle would love those.”. Now Arnold was interested too. “I think Marielle would like to have some too, those sparkle so nice and would match with her eyes, so dark blue like the sea. Or maybe red gems to match her hair, did I mention that, a beautiful dark red. And it blows in the wind when we’re walking together, like a cloud around her. She’s an angel, my angel.”. Holy moly, Will thought, these guys were smitten and smitten hard.

  Before Minnie could answer about the earrings, or Will could ask anything about their young ladies, the door opened and several figures rushed in, getting out of the cold quickly. To Uma’s joy it was her family, come to say goodbye. She threw herself at Tor who caught her gently and thoroughly hugged her. “I was worried I’d miss you, we have to leave today.”, she managed to get out, while still hugging her brothers and sister. Tor smiled down at her, “Captain Will told me you’re leaving today, we’d never miss saying goodbye.”. Uma glared a bit a Will, he merely said “Surprise!”. “What’s for lunch today?”, Din asked, “Can it be oatmeal, please let’s have oatmeal.”. Mason nodded, “Sure can.”, and headed to the kitchen. Ron followed, always ready to lend a hand. While they mixed and measured, boiled and stirred, Mason continued to regal anyone who’d listen about his love. “Sure would be nice to meet these two, before we go.”, Minnie said to Will. He laughed, “I dunno, their angelic presence might stun me, we’re just mere mortals after all.”. Percy overheard of course and gave a bit of a giggle, “They’re sure in love aren’t they father.”. “Yeah they are.”, Will sighed, “But they’re very young. I think I need to talk to them and Arno before we leave.”.

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  To Dins pleasure the oatmeal didn’t take very long to prepare, and soon anyone who wanted had a steaming bowlful. The crew passed, they’d had a hearty breakfast earlier and were looking forward to a late dinner. Uma did have a serving though, young folk need the fuel to grow with. She and Oona were inseparable for the moment. Talking of their different lives. It sounded very exciting, being stuck in the tent while a blizzard raged. Or how wild the seas were on the way here. Exciting to hear about but not to live through, not for Oona that is. This little one preferred to stay firmly on land, this was where she’d live her life. Visiting with her sister once a year, when the Rose came to trade and to rest and relax. Will was telling the brothers this was definitely the plan, the Rose would show up in spring or late summer. Stick around for a month then back to the lower world. “We might bring kiddies with us, but then it’s not as relaxing being responsible for ten…twenty youngsters.”. The lads nodded, they had one little person to take care of and it wasn’t easy. There’s a certain weight on you when your in charge of another. Being the one who makes the decisions, who takes care of another’s needs. And when, heaven forbid, something happens, something that you could have prevented if you’d paid a little more attention. Well then you feel that weight come crashing down. Knowing you should have done better.

  Will didn’t want to feel that again, it happened too many times in his life.

  “That’s yet to be decided, but the five of us…definitely.”, Will let them know. He checked the time, getting close now. Time to wrap it up. And time to have a word with Mason and Arnold, he sighed, young love. He caught Arnolds eye, pointed at Mason, then toward the kitchen. A couple of minutes later the two young men came in, he was sitting on one of the high work stools at the counter. They looked worried. “Is something wrong captain?”, Mason started. “When we started on this trip I was and still am standing in for your parents or guardians, right?”, Will started. “So how serious are things for you both? Are you in the ‘just having fun stage’, or the ‘we’ll love each other forever stage’. I sure hope it’s not the ‘we have to get married’ stage, is it?”. Both boys blushed bright red, Arnold stammered for a moment then shook his head. “No, it’s not anything like that.”, he managed. Will nodded, “Good, not that starting a family is a bad thing, but you’re young, there’s time…trust me.”. Mason got over his blush, “Just having fun, Arno’s a pretty tough guy, he made it clear about things. I…we don’t want to get on his bad side.”. Will was relieved, “Okay, I’ll pry no more. Just be careful, have fun, live your lives but remember some things can’t be undone, some things can’t be unsaid.”. Standing up, he hugged both lads. “Time to say goodbye.”.

  Returning to the main room Will gave a piercing whistle to get the others attention, “Sorry everyone, it’s time we get a wiggle on.”. Dressing for the outside took a few minutes, but eventually they were ready to go. No one was coming down to the pier to see them off, it was just not the weather for it. Goodbyes were said here, “So we’ll be back in about seven months, just at the end of summer or early fall.”, Will announced. “Sounds like a long time, but we’ll be here again before you know it.”, Minnie said to the twins, she could see parting was going to be difficult. One last hug and out the door the went. It was a very cold day so there was no dawdling, just a beeline to the boat and down below. There were a few chores to do before untying and all hands got to it.

  The cargo was just tossed down the day before and now needed securing. Same with their supplies, there were gaps in the racks and shelves. This wouldn’t work, too much shifting and the result would be a giant mess to clean up. But they’d rigged for bad weather before and it didn’t take long. With everyone working away the ship was ready in just under an hour. Now the boiler was set to max, the auto feeders were loaded up with good black coal. Fire roaring and pressure building fast, it was time.

  As they weren’t spending much time outside it was just jackets and boots for the trip to the wheelhouse. When everyone was inside and ready, Will popped out and untied from the pier. Seeing this Minnie started the Rose off slow, then a bit faster. Not cruising speed yet, it was important to see how the cargo being shifted would change how she handled. They always tried to balance things as they unloaded or loaded, but it took a trial run to make sure of things. Today was no different. After a few minutes it was obvious she was heavy to port, this was an easy fix, just shuffling some of the ballast stones over. That done, Minnie whistled down all was well, so up to three quarter speed and out of the bay. Out of the protective coast and into the high waves. All of the crew were fairly used to this by now, not that it was taken for granted. Not a good thing to do. Weather and water can turn on you at any time, so in this weather you took extra care.

  The return trip would take just as long, but it always seemed shorter. With just the five aboard supplies would last well, after all they had loaded so much aboard at the start. They sure missed fresh food though. Eggs, milk, veggies and fruit, and fresh meat. Steaks and ribbies, roasts and chops, oh yeah…Will was drooling a bit writing all this. The preserved food was great, precooked before going in the thick jars, it was lasting well. As was the smoked hams and slabs of bacon, kept near freezing in the lowest part of the ship. Actually, now there was ice readily available, Ron kept the primitive refrigerator well stocked, so he didn’t have to go searching when they wanted bacon or sausages. Which was quite often to be honest. As he was writing all these fascinating things in his notebook, Will was alone in the wheelhouse for a while, Minnie needed a bathroom break. They had both been toying with the idea of somehow adding a toilet in the wheelhouse, like they did for the boys room. It wouldn’t be that difficult for the most part. A spot was picked out, a five by six space for a commode and sink. Some shelves would need to be moved, a couple of cupboards. But all that was easy, the construction of walls no problem. The concern was the plumbing. If they did it right they could tap in to the water and outflow in Will and Minnie’s stateroom. Having a washroom available would be a great improvement, especially in weather like they were travelling in now. So, when they returned to Laketown Tom and the other lads would have another job. “Why can’t we do it, we’ve got the wood and piping?”, Minnie asked, when they decided to go ahead. Will laughed a bit, “We’re kinda missing the most important part.”. She went a bit red when she realized, “Oh right.”. The one spare part that wasn’t on board, the actual commode itself. “We might wanna pick up a couple of those, if one of ours broke we could be in trouble.”, she said after a minute. He couldn’t agree more, so on the list it went. Percy was in charge of that particular list, Will had been glad to pass this important chore over to him, he could take care of it and had been doing so for a couple of years now. Percy however loved making lists, to-do lists, wish lists, check lists, task lists, chore lists. Every day a new page or two would be posted in the mess hall, in his incredibly neat printing. If Will didn’t know better he’d swear there was a typewriter hidden somewhere. Nothing too much and never nagging about things, mostly reminders of this chore, or that job. Sometimes there’d a be a space to fill in, if a crewman really wanted a certain meal, or a special dessert. He was very efficient and enjoyed this part of his role as quartermaster.

  So he was alone for a little while, she was usually quick about calls of nature. But she might get distracted in the mess if biscuits were ready. In bad weather like this it wasn’t possible to use the stoves so no fresh biscuits today, hahah. There were however always a few dozen from previous baking. Ron was very diligent about that. During the day he’d mix bread dough, letting it do the usual risings, then set it baking as soon as the ship was anchored. Same with biscuits. The batter or dough, depending on which kind, was mixed during the day. And then put in as soon as the oven was hot. Will was thinking about something else, he’d seen a stove top on gimbals years ago. It would self level while the ship was pounding through the waves. Not practical here though, no electricity or gas. He could of course make it but you’d still need wood in a firebox. What if the whole oven was suspended, firebox too. But then how would the smoke vent? It would have to have a flexible chimney fitting. Oh yeah he could see that working like a charm. Nope, never going to happen. In mid thought Minnie entered with a mighty gust of wind. “Cold out there pop, real cold.”, she chattered, “That wind is harsh, went right through my jacket, and it’s a darn good thing we built the walkway. The decks awash.”. Will went to the voice tubes and whistled down to the mess, Percy answered. “Stay below until we give the word, okay? Too cold and too rough.”. He waited til Percy acknowledged. “Sure hope you brought some kind of snacks, I’m running on empty.”. Minnie laughed, “Of course.”, she held out a well stuffed box. Bread and cheese, sliced sausage and pickles, and of course…biscuits. Shortbread all lovely and buttery and soft raisin biscuits, redolent of nutmeg and allspice. “Excellent. Wanna play a hand or two?”. She was already getting the deck out, “That’s my girl.”.