The House That Jack Built (Open)

[Jack Trades]

In a short time after Shaden had left on her journey to find a lost heir, there was activity on the large country-side property that she and her husband had recently purchased. A shack had sprouted on the property over-night, made of roughly hewn planks and three penny nails, but large enough for a dozen men to stand inside of. A short chimney puffed smoke into the cold winter winds that were kept at bay by thatched mud stuffed in between the planks. A door hung on boot leather hinges swung open as a burly figure clad in a black oilskin poncho and broad-brimmed hat stepped outside. The snow that crunched underfoot glistened in the mid-morning sun.

Already the Mistress' good name and fortune had been used to make procurements. Thickly muscled arms bore a bundle of things towards the road. Upon reaching the desired spot, the bundle was unfurled, and calloused hands set to work. A compass, transit, level, and copies of records from the surveyor's office were set up, used, moved, and used again in succession as the toymaker made notes on the documents and drove stakes into the ground to mark important points. Already a mind whirred with what was about to become, but was interrupted as a horse diverted from the road. Trotting hoof beats could easily be heard as they crossed the open ground. The burly figure did not pause work as the rider neared.
"Oi, who are you?"
"Who be asking?" replied Tades without removing his attention from the instruments.
"I'm the law around here - Sheriff of the County so straighten up!" the rider fairly shouted.
"What business do ye have with me?" was the monotone reply.
"No lad, the question is what business do you have here? Don't you know this land is owned by wealthy and noble people?
"I do," Jack made the reply without ceremony as he scratched more notes.
"Well then, you ought to know they don't take kindly to people mucking about on their property. And I've a mind to put you in the stocks for stinking up the place."
"Constable," a grumbled rumbled from the barrel chest like thunder peeling off its fickle creator, and now the work paused as the brim swiveled to the rider, "does the usual riff-raff ye encounter run about with parchments and instruments that ye, likely, were nae schooled in? I'm nae a squatter. If'n ye insist, ye may inquire of me at the surveyor's office and the mason's guild, though it will take ye until after lunch tae complete the task, and I donnae know how much time ye want tae spend on me."
The Sheriff growled back, "If I have to come back here, I'll make a necklace for my niece out of your teeth!"
With that the Sheriff wheeled the horse and cantered off. A shout down the road brought a mounted guard back up the road to post at the property's edge.

The darkly clad figure continued work without heed.

[Jack Trades]

In the following days the property began to change. Tents and lean-tos sprouted up as a mass of laborers converged on the scene to break ground. Picks, shovels, draught animals, and sweat were all put to good use by the Aramoire fortune. The laboring men were overseen by two foremen that shuttled to and fro flipping through charts and directions. From the forest of stakes Jack had planted on the grounds, the footprints of two buildings began to take shape. One by the small lake, and a larger footprint that fairly dominated the landscape.

A dozen of them broke off from the rest to get water. They then meandered to the spartan shack where they spent several minutes inside. Upon exiting, they picked up their tools, walked over to another staked area, and began digging. The keen-eyed foreman noticed this and called out to them in a high voice that could be heard over the din of digging.
"Oi! You there! You're in the wrong spot! Back over here lads!"
The group did not respond, seeming not to hear him. The foreman shouted again, waving his arms to catch their attention. No response. So he trotted over, the call growing impatiently angry at being dragged away from the rest of his duties. One of the dozen men looked up, and noticing the angry foreman, signaled the others to stop.
"What, are you all deaf or just daft!? I said stop! You're in the wrong spot! Now move your arses back over to the rest of the group and don't give me any lip about it!"

"Belay that!" A hearty voice bellowed as the leather-hinged door clapped open against the side of the shack. The oilskin-clad brawny figure strode over the distance while the foreman called back in protest.
"This area is not on my charts, and no alteration is to be made unless authorized by Trades himself!"

The hearty voice replied, "It be so authorized."
"But-" the foreman started.
"What, do ye hear me announcin' meself as 'Queen Mary of Scots'?", the rumble deepened but almost as if the purr of a panther. "Ye do good work, Foreman. That's why I sent fer ye and ye alone. Now, off whence ye came. The other men will be needin' ye soon."
The foreman blinked for a moment, nodded, and went back to work.

The weather-beaten brim turned back to the dozen men gathered there still, and Jack spoke in a flat, unceremonious tone.
"Grabung, wie Sie erklärt wurden." (Excavation, as you were explained.)
The group collectively nodded with a few adding, "Ja, Hauptvorarbeiter." (Yes, Head Foreman.)

After night fell, the workers left or bedded on site, and the hulking shadow of a man stepped off the site and onto the street. The rhythmic thump of hob-nailed boots carried his bulk to the local pub, where he settled in a booth near the back of the dimly lit room with a bottle in hand.

[Queen Beathag Aberdeen]

There once rode a High Lady on out of the town to go to the site to stand on a hill overlooking the house that Jack built..

or something to that effect. Nursery rhyme's pendantic rhythm could be easily stated to the pace of the horse's canter through the city, if not beyond it. For a woman of all things, of late the want to forge new lines near old items of note was thick. She had thought much on the nature of life; behavior, circumstance, beginning and end. The more simpler reason was that she also did this on horseback because riding was as habitual as thinking. Nature. Subject of thought playing out in life.

Beathag had not heard mention of the Lady Aramoire in a great while, nor had her husband made any headway in bringing up her name. While some conversation still brought the name up with a hiss, she felt it a pitiful shame. The red-headed temptress was responsible for portions of the freedom some of Scotland enjoyed, if not for keeping the old king sane in his ailing days. Rumor. It tasted bitter-sweet, but was palatable with a good pint when the memories needed to be chewed. She had done things on Adam's requesting that no woman should do, and had things done to her polite ones didn't speak of. Still, the years pulled some salt out of old wounds. The Mo'r Triath's harem of delights was as much a passing fancy as the Mo'r Oukselo's inability to give him children. To her credit she produced him four, by blood bonding ceremony another two, and five lived of it to this day. Aramoire might rest easy enjoying her well earned, well deserved fortune. The Govenor of England was helping to take some of the mistress talk beating these days.

The season of winter with a spring that warred to come early each year lent intself to some interesting times to start to build. Inquiring of a workman as she came upon the site what it was, and for whom, she couldn't help but to watch the progress.

[Jack Trades]

The first glow of morning light had found Jack sitting silently by a fire. Cooks milled about, muttering resentments about being up so early as their breath clouded the frigid air. The sounds of food preparation took over the kitchen and before long, the hulking Trades rose from his seat. The walking shadow traversed a slow but methodical path through a mass of tents that might now be large enough to be considered a small hamlet. Tent stakes were kicked, poles shaken, canvas swatted, and all the while a low rumbling timbre wrestled the occupants from the vestiges of slumber. The glints of morning light were cresting over the hills as the hulking frame went through the chow line as soon as the first plate was ready.

With the sun up, the construction site was in full swing. There had been a few days of inactivity on the site as the soil was allowed to settle and the frost abated. The digging was replaced with tamping. After a short while a loud whistle sounded and the digging stopped. The laborers climbed out of the holes and others climbed in. Under the watch of both foreman and the stolid shadow, the leveling and measuring went slowly and methodically. Nothing was left to chance. A handful of soil was taken and handed off to Trades. The weather-beaten brim canted slightly toward the sun before the clod was tossed aside.

Another whistle blew and the bustle of activity resumed. As they labored, wood was brought to the site along with rope and tackle. The beginnings of scaffolding and treadmill cranes were manufactured. Within the next hour carts began arriving laden with masons, stone, mortar, graveled cement, water, and all the accoutrements. They unfurled just in time to break for lunch. At which time Trades was absent. The rhythmic thump of hob-nailed boots came to a halt a pace's distance from the freshly arrived Queen. The hearty voice rumbled with a nod from the wrinkled brim.
"The auspicious guest arrives inauspiciously. Been a long time, Bess. How has life been treatin' ye?"

[Queen Beathag Aberdeen]

Another whistle blew and the bustle of activity resumed. As they labored, wood was brought to the site along with rope and tackle. The beginnings of scaffolding and treadmill cranes were manufactured. Within the next hour carts began arriving laden with masons, stone, mortar, graveled cement, water, and all the accoutrements. They unfurled just in time to break for lunch. At which time Trades was absent. The rhythmic thump of hob-nailed boots came to a halt a pace's distance from the freshly arrived Queen. The hearty voice rumbled with a nod from the wrinkled brim.
"The auspicious guest arrives inauspiciously. Been a long time, Bess. How has life been treatin' ye?"


The 'Queen' was only so in informal titles speaking of her reluctance to accept the title or in those who called her 'your majesty' to inflate the importance of her place in the world. The Queen-to-be as she should be properly called or the Mo'r Oukselo as she was unto the present day leaned forward enough to near prop a hand up to support her face. The approach of Jack was the approach of the foreman, she gathered.

Early morning activity gave way to the beginning of the work day, but it was noon by the time she reached them. It'd been a long time since she saw ropes, stones, wood and the construction of pulley. "Ah'm well, good Trades. Wot brings ye back untae the Isle n' wot pretty piece o' thing be ye makin' ere?" Did it matter that she was here to see it? Hopefully not. Life should go on with her near or far. She would not take the men from their work, but she couldn't help but to be curious.

[Jack Trades]

There was silence while the darkly clad figure observed her response. The weather-beaten brim dipped in a nod to punctuate the voiced sentiment, "Glad tae hear yer well. I hear a lot has changed and often the heads that hold the laurels of state hang heavy. The short answers be that a long and hard road has brought me back, and I'm buildin' a house. Lady Aramoire has commissioned me tae-"

"Hallo there!" called an approaching voice.
The burly figure turned quickly as if mounted upon hinges. The source was a white-haired man in fine clothing flanked by two younger men dressed in plain working attire.
"Master Mason," the hearty timbre rumbled while a hand parted the folds of oilskin cloth. They shook hands firmly as the slightly wrinkled face turned up in a smile.
"It is good to see you, jah?" the old man clapped him on the shoulders. "My, I knew you'd grow big, but not this big! Und how is my favorite Ezermester? You sent word about this project, but nothing of yourself. Still toting yourself as a 'Johannes Factotum', I see."
"A pleasure, as always, Master. There be much to discuss. I've also an unexpected treat fer ye today," A calloused hand motioned as he spoke, but the hearty timbre hushed to just above a whisper. "The lady behind me be Mo'r Oukselo Beathag Aberdeen, or Bess, as I've come tae know her. She be travelin' informally today."The old man shot Jack a look with a quirked eyebrow before smiling to Bess. "Hallo, M'Lady! I am Arnold Schulz, Master Mason." He extended a hand to her with a small flourishing bow.
Jack continued, "So what bring ye out this way, Bess? I imagine this'd be a busy time fer ye."

[Jack Trades]

Jack Trades: The brawny frame stood quietly by while the Master Mason introduced himself to the mounted Bess. One of the two foremen came forward from the lunch crowd and addressed Jack. "Sir?"
"Aye?" the reply came without ceremony as the hulking frame turned towards him.
"Sir," he said scratching his head, "the masons are setting up, and some of this doesnae make sense tae me. I know they answer to the head mason, but it looks all wrong."
"Donnae be troubled," the hearty voiced rumbled soothingly. "The masters be such fer a reason. In fact, why donnae ye take the rest of the day off. There nae be much else fer ye tae do today. I'll still pay ye fer a full day."
"Yessir," the foreman nodded, "and thank you."

Marren McCleod: Of course news traveled fast about and in and around Turas Lan.. and it all seemed to culminate at the Lily.. seemed there were many and interesting men, using the coin that Jack paid, to buy themselves some of the famed delights of the Gilded Lily. It seemed none had a problem telling of the work they were contracted to do.. either, building a New Grand Lily... for none other than Jack Trades it seemed.. tongues wagged and of course things would always get blown out of proportion, skewed and twisted.. but with the latest events at the Lily.. well.. who could blame the speculation.. After all it seemed that Shaden had Left Nicholas.. for his best Friend Brom.. and disappeared to parts unknown.. and if that wasn't shocking enough.. Nicholas had taken one of the Lily's to his own bed.. and was now her Sole Patron.. further more he had fired Gerda, and some of the Lily's had left with her.. now it was a split house.. it seemed.. foundering without a leader... actually a new leader was emerging in the tall lithe frame of Nicholas's new Lily Marren... and when she got wind of the fact that Jack Trades was building a new Lily.. for Shaden.. well she had to go and see for herself.. it was a hitch in her knot that she needed to untangle and retie.. in a manner.. that would befit her.. and damage Shaden all the more.. so it was that Marren.. the beautiful blond country girl did arrive on horseback at the site of the build... poised atop a cream colored mare.. she looked over the massive build... her eyes scanning for the man she had seen with Shaden at the Lily.. this Jack Trades

Jack Trades: The iconically clad Trades waited while Arnold and Bess exchanged pleasantries as esteemed folk should. When a whistle sounded and lunch began to give way to the afternoon's work, only then did the hearty timbre call to them. "Master, I apologize, but time be short. There be much fer us tae discuss."
Arnold turned from Bess, his cheery expression souring to a sneer at Trades, "Of course, time is always short in construction. Don't you think I know that? I taught you better manners than this!"
"Fergive me, but please endure this fer the moment."
Ach, very well, und only because I shall not keep our guest from pressing matters,' Arnold sighed. With a resumed cheer he excused himself from Bess and started to walk with Trades toward the spartan shack.

Marren McCleod: The cream colored mare, begin to pick it's way down the hill once the target of Jack Trades had been acquired.., rider and horse moved toward the shack with a grimace of distaste.. how could this.. have been what Shaden was with before Nicholas.. the man was a giant.. and lived in a shack.. practically and ogre - well she could go back to him because Nicholas was far from her reach now.. now that she carried his child in her belly.. he would never leave her for that Barren redheaded bytch... and she knew it.. but still.. it was nice to have information.. and a secondary plan.. " Mr. Trades...?" she called to him before he entered the Shack.. still sitting primly upon her mare, the cornflower blue riding habit doing little to disguise her figure.. Marren was indeed a beautiful girl.. and most of the men about were stopping to turn and gawk at her.. long blond ringlets bounced over her shoulders as she cast a beautiful smile to them all.. she was one accomplished actress

Jack Trades: The boot-leather-hinged door swung open to reveal the oilskin clad ogre. "Who be callin' fer Trades?" the hearty timbre rumbled in a monotone manner that was slightly tinged with
impatience.

Marren McCleod: " I am Sir... I'm from the Lily... I heard you were building a new one and my curiosity got the better of me " she would play at being the silly blond.. it served her well on many occasions She slipped down from her saddle.. holding the reigns in her hand and turned up a wholesome smile to him, as her eyes scanned the site in feigned wonderment... " It's so big... amazing.. "

Jack Trades: The weather-beaten brim canted slightly to the side. It swiveled and craned back behind the doorjamb for a moment as something was whispered. Trades then exited the shack, closing the door behind him. If the shack had a porch or stoop, Jack would still be standing on it as the voice rumbled on from under the brim. "Aye, it'll be a big building. I imagine that being a Lily ye'll enjoy it judging by yer reaction. So a curious lass comes out all the way tae see me. What would ye like tae know? And how might I address this lovely guest?

Marren McCleod: Marren.. will be fine " she smiled so that the dimples pulled in the corners of her lips and leaned toward him... a bit.. she seemed like such a nice girl.. didn't she.. " I want to know everything.. when it will be finished.. who commissioned it.. when Shaden is coming back.. we are all wondering.. ?" like and excited child on Christmas she babbled on.. harmless enough right " Can you show me what the plans are?"

Jack Trades: The hulking frame stood stolidly, unmoved by her proximity. A moment passed before the wrinkled brim shook slowly. "I be quite sorry, Marren. I hate tae damper yer enthusiasm, but this be a construction site. 'Tis nae fit fer tourism. Would ye nae prefer tae see it when it be finished? 'Twill be like opening yer Christmas gifts.

Marren McCleod: She pouted artfully... gazing up at him with puppy dog eyes.. "But I rode all the way out.. could you not spare a little time.. and when will it be finished.. when Shaden comes home.. when is that " she looked about up on tiptoe curiously once more... " I cannot wait for her to see it... she will be so happy "

Jack Trades: A calloused and ogre-ish hand parted the folds of oilskin cloth to lightly buck the pouting lady's chin as if she were a child. "Truly it be a shame, darlin', but 'twould be a worse shame if'n ye carried that pout all day. Donnae let it trouble ye. Is it correct then that Shaden has nae sent word tae the Lily of her return?"

Marren McCleod: She shook her head slightly at his question " We all worry over her.. it's been over a month now.. some say she is gone for good.. " one could only hope...she thought hatefully in her mind.. each day that passed without Shaden home helped her immensely.. slowly she was taking over Shaden's life, with Nic and the Lily... " We are left in limbo " she even managed to look upset, and her eyes watered with.. false emotions.. " When I heard you were building a Lily.. I though perhaps you had word.. or something?" she gave him a hopeful look that would sear most men's souls.. she was good!

Jack Trades: The walking shadow stood as stolidly as ever during the display, but the wrinkled brim shook pitifully as she finished. "Aye, beastly bad luck it is. Ye poor souls. I can tell ye've been sick over this. How be the rest of the house fairin' during this limbo? Are things still running smoothly? Do the couriers still deliver parcels from abroad on schedule? Have ye spoken tae them at all?

Marren McCleod: She lied... " We send someone each day to the docks.. to seek her sisters ship.. or word.. and nothing... The girls are fractious and scared.. they no not their future.. we all depended on her so much " she bit her lip turning from him a moment to peer at the house... " It was my hope... that you might know something..." she didn't mention Nic nor Gerda's firing.. that would bring up things far to volatile..

Jack Trades: Broad shoulders rose slightly in a shrug, setting the oilskin to rustle slightly. "Well, in theory those ye sent out after the ship ought tae bring the best news back the fastest if'n ye've given them naught else tae do. I be truly sorry that I cannae help ye. Please, get some rest. Go have a drink at the Lily and tell Gerda tae put it on me tab. I can have one of me men walk ye and yer steed out.

Marren McCleod: She wanted to stamp her feet and slap the beast that thwarted her questions.. did it show for a moment in her eyes.. as they narrowed... then widened once more as she pasted on a disappointed look... " It seems my trip was wasted then... and I have nothing more to report to the girls.. they will be most upset.. " she sighed heavily.. pouring it on thick... and turned toward her horse.. despicable dirty bum.. she hoped he and Shaden ended up together they deserved one another.. and the shack he lived in!

Jack Trades: The brawny figure stayed where he was until the lovely maiden had mounted her steed and trotted off. Only after witnessing Marren had left did Trades venture back into the shack. The interior was light by a single lantern. In the warm glow sat a rough-hewn table at which sat the finely dressed Arnold Shulz and velvet-cloaked figure still wearing the hood.
"Und who vas that?" the Master Mason asked.
"That was Marren, come tae spy on us. It would seem me men didnae exaggerate her beauty, but apparently she isnae smart enough tae know that the happenings of a brothel are always on the lips of a work camp comprised almost exclusively of men. Time be short," Trades whispered to them. The brim centered on the cloaked figure, though the voice did not rise, "Is yer tea still warm?" The hulking frame sat at the table. "Now, please start from the beginning again, Gerda."

[Jack Trades]

Jack Trades: A waxing moon gave a dim imitation of daylight to the construction site. All was quite save a few campfires still burning in the small hamlet of tents that had taken root on Shaden's property. The foreman's shack was dark and silent, as were the streets at the edge of her land. Though slowly warming to Spring's touch, the stone and cement that formed the foundation of her new house still lay quite cold. Treadmill cranes and freshly built scaffolding began to climb like ivy scaling an invisible wall.

Shaden Aramoire: She had not been able to sleep.. to many things weighed on her mind.. so it was in the late of night she rode out to the Site of the Grand Lily.. where it would be one day.. at least.. if construction went well.. Merribell was happy to get the chance for some exercise.. but flustered at being roused in the middle of the night.. as usual the mare was her fractious and testy self.. but that was part of her personality.. it was then late in the night when the Madam of the Lily did appear on site.. most of the workers asleep.. or retired into their tents for the night.. Cantering up.. she slipped from Merribell's saddle and onto the ground.. her reigns tied to a low oak limb just outside the construction site.. from there she moved quietly in the moonlight like some ethereal cloaked vision.. to see what had gone on during her absence

Jack Trades: Just the cloaked figure was about to enter the last clearing around the new birthed foundation, a low grumble rumbled in the darkness. Soured and gravel-laden, it grated over the chilled air like steel over rough granite. The words were thick and slightly slurred, but still quite clear. "I told ye the site be clos'd! Nae tourists! Now...Marren, ye know ye can be arr'st'd fer spyin' on a mason's work, don' ye nae? Ye hear me lass!?" The darkness did not part, and the rumble eddied back into the night as if no corporal form had uttered the words.

Shaden Aramoire: "I would think that I would be allowed on my own construction site " she turned facing the gruff growl with a grin, the cowl of her cloak falling back and revealing the fiery curls and sparkling eyes of Shaden to him.. " The work goes well I take it ?" she flinched as he said Marren's name.. so she had been here as well.. what part of her life hadn't the girl tried to insert herself into..?

Jack Trades: The grumble suddenly roared like thunder peeling off its fickle creator. "Donnae give me that shyte, ye smilin' she-witch!" The shadows parted as the oilskin clad toymaker barreled forward like an angry boar. A single motion drew long curved blade, black as the night he had just stepped from. The blade was pointed at the Shaden's face, hovering just few inches from her nose while the grumble rumbled on. "There nae be 'nough pl'sntreez in the world tae fool me. Yer a lousy actress. Wearin' Shaden's stuff does nae make ye her - ye bytch. And this nae be yer site. Nor will it e'er! 'Tis Shaden's! And if nae hers, then it be mine! And I have reason tae cut ye in twain he'e and now! Just twitch once, pr'test yer ill-gotten pos'tion, and I w'll celebrate Passo'er early with yer blood on the new Lily's doorstep!" The keen of eye might have noticed a bottle in tow of Jack's free hand, and though the blade stayed motionless, his bulk swayed slightly on its feet.

Shaden Aramoire: "Really Jack.. drinking alone " she grinned lifting her eyes to him.. " Tis me Shaden.. I've come home.. " she didn't move noting that he was drunk and swaying.. and apt to cut her nose from her face by accident.. " Let me step into the moonlight so you can fully see me.. " she requested , her voice not much above a whisper.. it was obvious that Jack was not impressed by Marren.. whatever their previous meeting had been..

Jack Trades: The grumble lilted upward in disbelief sparking rage. "Ye think me daft!? I can still smell a rat nae m'tter how m'ch perfume ye wear! Aye, go on. Enjoy yer last glimpse of the moon afore I cut'cher thighs open and let the muscles evi'sur-evier..evhishurate...pop out tae sides!" The blade poked at her slightly to prod her on to play out this little farce.

Shaden Aramoire: She almost chuckled had the knife not been so close to her face she might.. the blade poked at her shoulder as she backed into the moonlight.. it's silver fingers brushing over her features.. highlighting in stark relief that it was indeed his former lover and not Marren.. " Do you believe me now.. and I hope I do not smell like a rat.. I pay a premium price for this perfume " she laughed.. at the look on his face.. and gave him a motherly look.. " Why are you drowning your senses in whiskey Jack?"

Jack Trades: The blade dropped to his side limply, cutting a small line in the earth. The shadow of a man swayed for a moment before the blade was retracted into the folds of oilskin cloth. "Daft I be..." His now free hand reached out to steady himself on a large stone that had yet to be set, but managed to only numbly flop against it. His bulk followed, sliding down its length until it thudded in a heap of oilskin at its base and spilling some of the bottle still in hand. The free hand pushed against the ground, but the hulking frame did not budge. "Shaden...I still cannae believe it's ye. I'm sorry...I spent a bit of your money on booze."

Shaden Aramoire: She moved before him and knelt as he hit the ground picking up the bottle and righting it.. " I don't care if you buy booze or not.. what I care about is why you feel the need to be so drunk.. what ails you Jack ?" she handed him back the bottle and then settled on a pile of stones that had yet to be, cut or honed in the proper shapes for adding to the foundation.. " it's sure enough me.. though by your words I see you have met the bane of my existence Marren.. what business did she have here?"

Jack Trades: He shifted a bit bodily, reaching something of a more seated position, but the weather beaten brim hung low as did the head underneath it, shading his features form the dim moonlight. The grumble subsided to a hushed timbre that straddled the line between speech and whisper, though the words were still thick. "I'd hug ye if'n I had the strength. It be very good tae see ye again." The thought seemed to trail off. "I seem tae remember meeting ye on a night like this...seated by stones...in a graveyard." The brim bobbed a bit before refocusing. "Marren...she came by once. She wanted tae know about the construction, if I knew when ye'd be back, and
Jack Trades: I'm certain she wanted tae know how tae wrest yer new house intae her hands."

Shaden Aramoire: " I remember that night.. you me and Kendrew.. drinking in the graveyard.. it was memorable to say the least... " she chuckled leaning forward to hug him tightly before retaking her position on the stone pile.. and look thoughtfully.. " She may have my husband.. and be baring his child.. but she will not have either of the Lily's.. la Petite.. nor La Grande.. " she pulled the cloak about her straightening it's folds... " I've seen a barrister to complete the paperwork.. and have released her from her contract. and settled a sum of money on her for her keeping.. she is no longer my business "

Jack Trades: "Good," the reply came simply, "It'll save me washin' blood off me fine work." The bottle rose in an arc to meet his lips in a swig, but halted. It wavered in his hand for a moment as he seemed to ponder, before dropping back to the ground. "I've been watching, but only from afar. Was yer search successful? How are ye holdin' up, Shaden?

Shaden Aramoire: She made a sound of a laugh that was wry and dry.. at his proclamation of spilling Marren's blood... and for all the world that she wanted to blame the girl.. it was not her fault that Shaden had left without telling Nicholas where and what she was doing.. nor that Nicholas had not trusted their marriage.. and her.. to keep himself from Marren's bed... " Marren is a casualty of mistrust and failure in my marriage.. not it's cause.. Nicholas actually thought that I was having an affair with his brother in Arms Brom.. as well as you... " she blushed softly " not that you aren't both handsome virile men, but I've kept my vows.. to Nic.. and intended on doing so for the rest of my life.. " she looked saddened for a moment and then smiled.. ' But yes... we found Jadrien.. and another orphan from Athelia.. as well and brought them home.. they are wonderful children..." the look on her face spoke volumes of the love she already bore both children.. and she did not further expound on how she was holding up.. it was obvious.. she couldn't sleep and was out roaming the countryside at all hours... she leaned forward and pressed her hand out toward him in asking for the bottle.. " I think I need a drink as well "

Jack Trades: "Intended?" The brim canted up a bit at her now, as he studied how her face beamed brighter than the moon. An unsteady motion passed the bottle off to her. "Do ye still intend tae keep those vows?" He paused while she
Jack Trades: drank. "Ye know, in a sense I could be angry with Nic. Nae fer mixin' with Marren, but fer stepping intae the life I was hoping fer when we all came back aboard the StormShadow...Ye know, if'n it'll help ye sleep, I do have a bedroll in the shack. Different location and all that. I'd watch o'er ye."

Shaden Aramoire: She handed him back the bottle after she took a nice long pull and looked thoughtful for a moment.. " I don't know what I intend to do... it seems that the fates do not decree me an easy path.. " she shook her head softly as if making a joke at her own expense.. " All I know now is that there are three children .. Jadrien , Gemma and this unborn child.. who's lives have to be put in order before I can.. even think about my own.. Jadrien and Gemma are my main concern.. I've spent my last few days.. wallowing in self pity that gets nothing accomplished.. nor makes anything better.. " her eyes lifted to him when he spoke of being angry with Nic.. his confession of wanting a life with her.. when he had come back.. glacial hues that held a deep hurt and sadness in them.. " Tell me what happened while you were gone... I though you had left me.. " ironic that she though he had left her.. and moved on with Nic.. and now the same said thing had happened when Nic thought she had left him and moved on with Marren.. the difference was however.. Nic and Shaden were married.. and it had been less that two months Shaden had been gone.. and Jack had been gone.. now some 4 years...

Jack Trades: "I see. Well, ye can take heart in that ye'll have me tae talk with." Taking the bottle back, it rose and fell in a short swig as the conversation grew headier. The barrel chest expanded with a deep breath before slowly exhaling. The hearty voice dropped all semblance of warmth or cheer as if it were a stone in a deep lake. "Long before I met any of ye, I languished while trying tae launch the endeavor we set upon. Now I languish still. Only now it be worse since much has been spoiled in the attempt, and many lives have been lost. Ye asked me what happened...I cannae tell ye. I couldnae tell the three of ye afore we landed on the treasure, and I cannae tell ye now that we be further from it than ever before. Maahes and Ealora are fat and happy in their home. Ye have children tae care for and a homestead tae make yer own again. Maahes I think has another war fer me tae fight with him, and I have a house tae build fer ye. I hope I can secure another trip from Maahes, but I willnae tear ye from loving children that ye love in return. I have tae go back, but should I nae return...this house shall be the most I can give ye."

Shaden Aramoire: She listened to him and as he spoke she rose and moved to his side.. settling in next to him a slight shiver before she brought her cloak about her.. stealing his warmth as the chill of the night settled about them.. " Maahes and Ealora have children as well.. do not think me so frail I could not aid you.. if need be.." she teased him as she curled in beneath his arm, then stole the bottle taking a drink... " And why do you say you wouldn't' come back.. why cannot you find your treasure and return..?" she looked up at him with inquisitive and questioning eyes.. " It may take years to build La Grand Lily.. will you stay until it's complete.. or are you merely gathering coin and supplies for a voyage that will take you forever from these shores?" her mind wandered over the past and the future... wondering where this time next year would see her.. watching Nicholas and Marren.. with their child ... with Jadrian and Gemma.. while she was alone.. in her Grand Lily... sometimes looking into the future made one long for the past.. and sometimes.. it was just sad.. daunting and hazy... no one new what the future held.. for any of them..

Jack Trades: As she settled, a burly arm curled over her slender shoulders as it had many times in the past, drawing part of the poncho over her and into the warmth underneath. Though at her question, he stiffened and in a very rare moment, the hearty voice rumbled in exasperation. "Coin and suppl-...what, do ye think I spent four years just sitting at the docks waitin' tae bum a ride across the pond!? I-" He stopped, grumbling under his breath. The voice softened again as his bulk settled against her. "I cannae tell ye. I couldnae trust the three of ye with that information afore we were there, and I still cannae, especially since I couldnae keep ye all
Jack Trades: with me through the first time. But rest assured, Shaden, I will complete the tasks that I have undertaken."

Shaden Aramoire: She froze as he let out his exasperation, and frustration.. deeming her.. Maahes and Ealora... untrustworthy... her face fell in disappointment.. " I'm sorry... I have failed you.. " she moved to get up, her emotions already raw and showing from her failure of a marriage.. " It seems to be a particular gift.. failing those I care for " three steps and she was away from him.. her few sips of whiskey not making a dent in her usual grace and fleetness of foot before he could react she was at Merribell's side, cursing roundly as she tried to untangle the reigns from the low branch now that Merri had moved about so to cause it to tangle.. angry jerks of the leather as she cursed even more. "Dammit Merri do you always make such a mess "

Jack Trades: Though slow to rise, he made it to his feet. The strong constitution of the brawny frame bore through the poisonous effects of the alcohol. Now given some time to sober a little while talking, a roughly straight line could be walked towards the fleeing Shaden. Steady strides brought him to her, where his arms wrapped over and around her angry jerks, holding her gently but unyielding to her struggle with the reigns. The voice rumbled softly and sadly in her ear. "Shaden, I've failed ye too. And I've failed so much afterward. Yet ye greeted me back with open arms. There nae be need tae run from me. I be building a house for ye, that ye might
Jack Trades: live happily in it, however ye choose."

Shaden Aramoire: His gentleness undone her.. he held her and the fight went out of her as she turned in his arms burrowing into his chest like a sorrowful child, " Jack.. I'm so lost.. I don't know anything anymore..." she sobbed miserably... " only that I've made so many mistakes.. that I can never take back.. I'm sorry.. " she sobbed against his chest.. she had thought all her crying done and over.. yet again her misery surfaced to the top...

Jack Trades: There were no words. He held her close while she sobbed. Without hurry, the embrace lasted until the tears slowed enough for a gentle touch from rough and scarred hands to usher her to the spartanly built shack. Somberly and tenderly, he urged her within. Shortly after the door shut, the warm glow of a light filtered through the seams of the shack and a thin plume of smoke wafted from the short, barely existent, chimney stack atop the roof.

[Queen Beathag Aberdeen]

La Petite, La Grande. Beathag wasn't one for squeezing additional languages into her head but she was proud to say that trade made one gather the basics of several customs in rag-tag manner. Small and large. One was the lesser of a grander substance, but no less revered.

When a person built anything there was a certain make of them that went inside of it. No matter how grandly it was to be decorated or the materials to be used, if it wasn't built with zeal it would lack zeal. If whom kept it had no spirit, there would be no spirit. Or if it were the wrong spirit than the house would be victim to a curse. Heathens and Christ-folk alike kept similiar logic. While she kept her conversation with Arnold Shulz, it was the man whom brought him on to the project she wondered over most. What was Jack laying of himself in the foundation of the house? What was being added to the bindings by the strange woman who came about with a good show?

Matters of state kept her from her odd customs longer than she would have liked. Beathag missed the way it felt to travel with the sway of the horse's body, Brom for company, and the opportunity to speak to the people that were the backbone of the world she was given to reign over. A queen shouldn't be fascinated by a man building a house nor those whom might call it home if they did nothing unseemly, but Beathag would never be a woman to fit the model of convention. Within days, a crown would settle atop bangs blown in the wind; effortless was the motion of the hair moving with nothing to hold it back. She couldn't help to feel that the foundation was firm but its creators weren't right.

It would be no less than three weeks between one visit and the last that carried her hence again to the house that Jack built. "Master Mason Shultz, Trades, are ye about?". Her voice was lower for the time was evening. The men were moving towards supper, sleep, or distraction. The time between her first care free ride and the necessity of her full honor guard, three men, with others upon call in the distance painted a different portrait of the day's talk of things to come. Still, what nagged at her mind were that if things were not right among the people, what could be right anywhere else?

[Jack Trades]

The twilight had not yet completely past, and yet a full moon crested over the hills, looking as big as a harvest moon with a golden glow. The "Soon-to-be" Royal entourage turned more than a few heads amongst the workers. One dirty and haggard worker looked at Beathag a little blankly until she spoke names. The dusty man nodded and started a call that passed down the distance to through the site by a few that looked up and recognized the word, "Hauptvorarbeiter!"

After a few moments passed, the iconic profile of poncho and hat appeared amongst the tents. The rhythmic thump of hobnailed boots steadily carried his bulk over the distance to where Beathag had halted. Nearing the entourage, the usual nod was replaced by a flourishing bow more befit a gentleman than one who set folds of oilskin cloth to rustle with grace. The hearty rumbled out from under the weather-beaten brim. As he spoke, the brim held a tint of the moon's golden glow as if, while they weren't looking, some fae creature had deigned to dress him up a bit for the arrival. "The auspicious guest now arrives auspiciously, and so close tae her very important event. What can I do fer ye, Bess? I take it this be an official matter?"

[Queen Beathag Aberdeen]

Mo'r Oukselo Beathag Aberdeen

"The auspicious guest has a plain question tha' may leave fer longer stay given a longer answer. Somethin strikes me as off." Beathag came right to the center of the matter; the hood of her cloak was pushed back as she instructed with a hand the men of her guard to give space for Jack Trades to stand near her. "Requires more than a 'orse n' escort tae come n' ask tha' question, but here it be. Wot be about this place, Jack? I feel like those tha' wish it built are nay well, n' some come about who do nay mean well." What would the Queen-to-be care of those who built houses or commisioned them? She hadn't spoken to Shaden much as the years transpired beyond Aberdeenshire. Members of her court were shadows on wall, eyes set in lustrious skin. Their words weren't ever forgotten, never their deeds either. The world was changing, what changed for them? (d)


Jack Trades

The iconically clad figure stood stolidly while Bess asked the question. From horseback, it would be difficult to see anything other than the top of his hat and oilskin draped over broad shoulders. The hearty voice rumbled smoothly, but without ceremony. "A feelin', ye say? Perhaps ye'll make a better queen than I thought. Well, there be much about this place. Always is with construction. I've practically a small town tae run here. Be it possible fer us tae speak in private? (d)


Mo'r Oukselo Beathag Aberdeen

"Aye, take me tae where ye think we should gae ,Ah'll have the men stand outside. Feelin' n' sense are how o'er three quarters o' my reign thus far has gone, Jack Trades. As a duchess it has nay failed, one would think tae only hone tha' sense as Queen, though if ye would 'ave told me Ah'd been born tae be Queen o' Skye or Scotland, would 'ave called ye made." A lack of ceremony was fine, for she wished only that which was necessary to correspond as people (d)



Jack Trades

"Very well. Follae me." The hulking figure turned as if mounted upon hinges and strode back to the spartan shack that had served as his headquarters on the worksite. As he passed, a short whistle squeaked out from under the brim to a nearby cook, and a short order for tea was made. The simple door of the shack was opened and the bootleather hinges were held back until Bess was squared away and stepped inside. Jack followed and shut the door. As the door shut, darkness reigned in the shack. Leaving Bess at the doorway, the quiet ogre passed through the black void wih ease. The shuffling of parchment could be heard with a few short strides, before the darkness was parted by the war glow of a freshly lit lantern. As the flame was given life, the weather-beaten brim nodded Bess to a rough-hewn table above which the lantern was hung. "Intuition eh? Sounds like a powerful one if'n ye've relied on it as much as ye say. What does yer intuition tell ye about me and me site? (d)



M'or Oukselo Beathag Aberdeen

Of the three men, one was Kendrew's chosen and the other two were family. Resemblance was not discussed but the keen observer could find that both the young blonde man and his older, auburn headed counterpart had facial features that couldn't be denied in their similiarity to Beathag. In fact, so keen were they the blonde was nephew to both auburn headed and Beathag, and the auburn head was her brother. With them, the triad formed outside of the shack door that swallowed the ward within. Darkness divided across the spectrum of her eyes; shapes formed in the shapeless places. Substance took store so that by the time the lantern flared up to illuminate what she speculated things to be, she had a firm sense of her surrounding. "Tha' woman wot 'as been here when I visit at time, lookin like she's pryin n' her name is nay Shaden. Dun nay like the idea o' some woman tryin tae ursurp the countenance o' one o' m'courts ladies. Just feel like ye may be watched, by e'en more than ignorant chits. Tis just the nature o' the times bein' wot they are. War be war n' many have them n' end them, but this is more than some exception tae who's borders be wot. (d)


Jack Trades

"Ah, I see." The brim nodded. "Well, the good news be that yer a little late. The bad news be that there be much bad news." Just then, there was a knock at the door. Jack made short work of rising and collecting two cups of tea from the cook at the door and shutting them back into privacy. A calloused hand set the tea before Bess in a slow and stylized method fit for her soon-to-be-royal proceedings, before setting himself back across the table. "Either way, I drink this tea tae ye fer still havin' the heart tae care about us still. What ye heard was correct. The lass' name was Marren...of the McCleods, I believe. Me memory may be wantin' there. Already, Marren has been exposed as a usurper, with the aim of ruining Shaden's life and takin' it fer herself. Shaden and Nic are sifting through the ashes, and last I heard a Mr. Jean-Claude was set tae purchase her services from the Lily. Though, tae be brutally honest, Bess, there be a limit tae what I can - will - divulge." He paused, as the teacup disappeared under the brim momentarily. "Please donnae be offended, as I have high regard fer ye, but I realize that though ye rule the land, yer life be further subject tae political influence. 'Twill be times when yer will shall nae be yer own." (d)


M'or Oukselo Beathag Aberdeen

"Where it gets tae personal Jack, Ah dun need tae nor demand tae know. As far as m'will gaes, the length at which tis gone fer it tae remain m'own are staggerin n' nay gracious talk for tea." What Beathag had heard was enough - beyond enough - and if they wished her to hear the rest they would tell her. Weren't there places good women weren't supposed to go for besmirching their genteel heritage? Her heritage served blue blood, so the gruff happenstance of words in shacks was not far from the childhood where noble retainers of great Lords lived for years in a long house with their hands to make the existence, not the lords they served. The cup was brought to her mouth, her brow furrowed as waves of thought painted her eyes while settling on one set expression of face. "She be but one layer o' another set o' layers tha' holds up the Griffin's reign. But given the nature o' her place within the world n' the place o' the Lilies tae, Ah'm given the site m'personal shade o' guard, m'white talons. Fer wot has come n' wot vera well may ye may find a use for them, or if nay let them think us sae crazy as fer the White Lady o' the West tae grant one o' m'husbands many alleged mistresses m'personal protection. There are some whom may vera well think tha', amidst other things but tis mandate. .. N' if tha'..McCleod woman returns, nay matter the occasion? Ye may remind her tha' if she wishes tae meddle further, she can meddle her way out o' pleadin her honor tae wot e'er sept house she comes from in the larger clan, n' she has nay place accostin' a woman o' the court, nor any tha' provide service tae tae the same. Includin yerself. Hornets nests come n' many shapes n' sizes. Mayhaps we may prevent a few more spells o' bad news." The tea was craddled in an upturned palm. Still unadorned by nothing save a silver chain suspendng a tear drop shaped pearl in the center of her brow, the head uncrowned churned with many thoughts. "Ye may serve as an ear tae the woman better than me, m'thinks she fears m'reputation in our constant conversation, though she amuses me greatly. Tell er, n' the other lilies be wary o' their companions. As it stands we nay popular among some visitin' foreigners whom come tae make n' spend their coin about the Isle n' Turas Lan. Have ye a heed o' yer own workers. Tis nay the honest men tha' disturb me, only the ones with veiled intentions. yet aside from all o' m'suspicion n' thought, M'hope is tha' ye dae well." (d)


Jack Trades

The brim canted and bobbled a little as an easy chuckle burbled form the barrel chest. "Aye Bess, though as yer speakin' tae a man who has shed blood fer ye, let nae graciousness of drink halt ye." Settling, the brim leveled again as she continued. "The be very generous of ye indeed. I didnae expect tae counted in that number. Though this all be much more than necessary tae keep a wandering cow out the pasture [;-)]. Tae start, I have a request. The first be that the guard limit themselves tae the perimeter of the site. The Masons be very protective of their trade, and willnae work where their secrets may be exposed. Without goin' intae great detail, I can say that while I cannae possibly account personally fer every head in me little villa, I can vouch that every foreign head has been brought with very specific qualifications and loyalties. We will do well in policing their own. Though ye can aid me in ensuring this. Bess," the hulking figure leaned closer over the table," what in the world is comin' down the pike? I've heard rumblings, but what kind of war are we headed fer? What can we do tae prepare?" (d)



Mo'r Oukselo Beathag Aberdeen




"The guards will only be as beh necessary tae ensure ye safety, n' shan't be a full company by any means. Tae the perimeter. Aye. Done. Ye are one who's shed blood fer me, sae ye are one guarded. Despite contrary opinion o' the malady o' my emotions,and the lack o' intact memory, tis quite long. Longer than any road wrapped thrice about Scotland, fer a woman near forty. Ah trust the accountability o' yer men, n' if any seem suspect the white talon guard is equipped tae help ye remedy the situation, outright. With proof they have m'leave tae kill on sight. While I favor our ways o' justice n' trial n'..fairness, I be nay sae foolish as tae believe tha' the quicker route is outdated." Putting down the tea cup, she tapped her fingers against the table before leaning forward on two crossed arms. Green eyes sought out the pin pricks of his under the veiled hat brim. "An outright war o' the rights of whom may trade wear, n' with whom, n' wot the e'en the Church may have tae say on it. Our enemies shall be the Spanish n' their united crowns. Our navy tae their navy. The Isles o' Lewis and Harris within our chain, just beside us will be a potential battleground. Some may seek tae fight on the sands o' Morocco. Twill nay be a war they seek tae touch Skye, nay directly, but around her..tae weaken her I believe. The neighborin Isles..the revolts in England..tis all tied Tis the war tha' will establish the face o' the new monarchy, and our ability tae survive as fledglins in Europe. This be why tis important tae closely survey ye men. There have already been attempts at m'archivist, and her husband. M'archivist because Adam elected her tae translate a piece intae a Berber language fer the Amir, n' tha' is how it all began, at least tae the extent we can trace. The greater is tha' our ability tae conjure resource ,n' renaissance, as we have, draws as many enemies as it does allies." She looked down at her hand, finding some ancient scar that told of a time beyond this one, when she only fought for Scotland's freedom for the ones she called King, never seeking to be the consort of one. "If they shouldtravel again, tell Shaden n' theirs tha' unless they seek the express protection o' the Lady Govenor, stay way from it. At all costs. Adam has nay seen yet the reports wot come taeday, but the truth o' the matter is England's hold and Adam's place as its King may well be secured in more blood than he could stomach tae know. There are many fer him, but the price they are payin is..ghastly. N' the Spanish are assitin' them, with the chance tae rule tha' throne through their former Queen, now the Queen o' Spain. Sae, Spain, Muslims, Church, an outright crusade against us if all gaes tae nill. Bein' vigilant is all tha' ye can dae, n' I will dae m'best tae lend council tae m'husband and tae enact my own power, as we reign in equal accord." (d)

Jack Trades

The wrinkled brim remained still as she spoke, the warm lantern glow cascading over its features to leave his face shaded underneath. The only motion was the lifting of the teacup that perhaps looked ridiculous in the dirty and calloused hand that held it. As she finished, the brim dipped in a nod and the voice spoke slowly and solemnly. "This be much larger than he quarrel in the Valley of the Stars. I'd expect this tae be a long and protracted campaign. Maahes already wants tae recuirt me tae improve our forces' technological effectiveness. I can see why now. And I thank ye fer bein' so frank with me about it. It be the clearest explanation I've had yet. I have another request. I can fully appreciate how much be at stake, but fer the gurads and use of lethal force, assert that it be delivered on me command only. Languages and customs can be misunderstood, particularly among those nae of the trade. I'll nae send any guest of mine home in a pine box unless me word put him there. 'Twould be as damaging tae our relations with merchants and artisans in other nations as a loss on the battlefield. Me efforts shall be redoubled. Shaden's home will be built ahead of schedule, and I will work on making Skye's kin fearsome beasts." (d)


Mo'r Oukselo Beathag Aberdeen

"The Mo'r Triath comissions many things at yer disposal should Maahes commission ye. Our nation has a league up upon use o' black powder weapons n' formations. With yer experience should Maahes hire ye, then it may be said tha' the royalty already approves of his choice, n' expects it tae excel forthwith. Merchants are the backbone o' this whole enterprise. Part o' ye ne'er stops bein one." She furrowed her brow as she looked beyond the door, "Ye may have command o' the men in tha', unless yer life or the life o' their charges is directly threatened. Kendrew may come tae look o'er the guard tae see they fit yer specification. There is also a clan war at hand, Jack, brewin' in the south. Fine way tae begin a reign but tha' is how our time as a Duchy was forged. Ye dae good work fer this place. Maahes may seek o' ye somewot n' as such sae will I. Serve him if he asks ye, n' with m'backing, and wot masons ye trust when ye are finished with this house. Lend tae me. There be work tae be done in the passageways o' the city here. And in Stornoway, at Lewis. Twill require great masons n' fer their secrecy n' work they shall be well compensated n' remembered." Hands came together as she looked to the slit in the door, the quiet men beyond it. "N' if things should become such tha' yer men fear, wot trades they house they make take shelter with tha' trade guild within the city, n' we shall see them held as local members in esteem." (d)


Jack Trades


Though his face was still shaded, a smirk could be heard in his voice. "Aye, this will work well. 'Twill be good tae see Kendrew again after all this time." Another sip was taken, and the cup emptied. The voice continued more matter-of-factly, but the words held no less meaing. "Thank ye, Bess. Methinks ye'll be the only monarch I'll ever be able tae stand tae work with. I will pass on me recommendation tae the Master Mason, but once their contract with me is complete, I will nae have authority in whether they stay on or return home. I'll nae betray what ye've told me, but I cannae in good conscience urge them tae endure times of war when they are away from home. When I give my writ, the Master will have knowledge that war is a distinct possibility. They are tight-knit by necessity, and I donnae think any of them will stay unless all of them stay. If'n the timing works out, the clan war ought tae be a good opportunity fer Skye tae get acquianted with the new weapons I'll put in their hands." (d)



Mo'r Oukselo Beathag Aberdeen

"Tis come on quick, there may nay be time fer it, twill be man n' beast against man n' beast, but if ye are quicker still Ah'll give ye m'royal sealed mandate tae try yer weaponry in tests in Scotland, and if the General spares ye, tae be sent tae England tae subdue the riots. As fer yer Masons ah understand. Tae work is one thing, nay tae endure war. E'en if it will nay touch them, it is better they nay be trapped here either. N' the nature o' the work will require their secrecy n' a certain sense of loyalty tae the land iffn they should find any tae uphold, if nay then I shall search out others. (d)



Jack Trades

"Always build tae purpose. I will have something ready. It seems we have an accord then. I tell ye in advance though, that once the dust settles, and lands are secured, I may venture off again on a more personal endeavour. Ye may have interest in it at that time, or ye might nae. We'll see." With that, a calloused hand wiped itself and reached across the table in offer to the almost-Queen. "Shall we shake on it?" (d)




Mo'r Oukselo Beathag Aberdeen

"We have an accord, n' should ye seek yer ventures as a free man ti ssomethin a part of my heart will always miss. But m'freedom comes in other ways now." She reached across the table to secure his hand in his, and that was how the future Queen would contract business with a Jack of All Trades, a Master of many things instead of none. (d)

[Dame Aegraine lePower-Zurban]

Asking for Help Two weeks before the Coronation/ Spring 1333

by the Writers of Jack Trades & Aegraine

When she recieved her assignment for the harbor at Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Aegraine sought advice from another who worked in construction, a man of experience and good reputation in his field. She sought out Jack Trades.

The engineer Aegraine rode out from Turas Lan, her path dictated by a need to know more. Dressed for the weather, a light drizzle and spring warm breeze, she wore black leathers once owned by Victoria and a hat served for a visor to keep the line of sight on her goal. There was new construction, an exciting fact in its self, to one who did most of her work replacing and repairing walls someone else built. Along the trail, the first wild flowers began to sprout, soon all the land would be welcoming spring and its new King and Queen. Before then, she had to speak to this Jack Trades. She turned Alt to the sound of orders to workers being spouted, to the clang of hammer and stone, and the light trail of smoke from a utility fire. This was home, earth moving apart to allow stone to grow forth a building. From what all she had seen, slowing Alt to a walk, the new Lily was going to be something to see. See it. She would never see its interior. Would Shaden would even speak to someone like Ae? The Zurban woman had no power, no influence. She was not a real lady, townsfolk said. Over three years wed and no child; was she even a woman? There were those who said such aloud, these days. Talent and career do not ask, they choose. For that, Aegraine was destined to work for a living, so it was a good thing she lived here In Skye.

Ae reined in Alt and sliding off the saddle, landing with a mild splash of her boots in the shallow mud, she looked to the nearest workman and inquired, " Can you direct me to Jack Trades? Engineer Zurban to see himself; business, not social."

The construction site was more of hamlet populated by masons and laborers. Already the new Lily was taking shape and looking much more like a building than a heap of stone. Both English and German were tossed about as commands were doled out by two foremen, the Master Mason Arnold Shulz, and Jack Trades. The usual dust of the work site had turned to grit in the light drizzle, and the gritty workman that Ae confronted looked at her quizzically for a moment before wearily replying, "Ich spreche nicht Englisch." A second gritty workman stepped over and clapped the first on the shoulder and chuckled, nudging him off to continue the interrupted task. He spoke with a cokeney accent as thick as his meaty fingers, "Sorry luv, but 'he doesn't know a word of the Good Lord's English. 'Ere now, Trades is up yonder where the main show is happenin'. But, uh, after yor bizzness, how about a little social, luv? Hm? Maybe a more private show?" He smiled lewdly and started to lean toward her while fluttering his eyebrows.

It was then that a thick, heavy clod of mud slammed into the side of the workman's face with a sloppy splat. The workman wheeled around fast, the other side of his face red with rage. "Who threw that!? I'll skin-" his breath caught in mid-sentence. There stood a burly figure clad in a black oilskin poncho and broad-brimmed hat, each dotted with the remnants of the drizzle. A calloused hand rested casually on the butt end of a shovel, and the figure stood as if resting on a cane. The end of the shovel was as wet and dirty as the workman's face. A hearty voice rumbled out form under the wrinkled brim. "I hope ye know yer job better than me whereabouts." The workman's face had since flushed white, and he slunk away muttering apologies.

After the workman's ungraceful exit, the brim centered upon the new arrival, and the hearty voice rumbled on. "I apologize. Know that I donnae pay him fer his social graces. So, what business bring ye tae me site?"

"Mister Trades." She held out one hand in greeting, much as her Father did, " How nice we meet at last. Engineer Zurban from Turas Lan Castle. Aegraine, if ye like. I was admiring the building, off to a fine start." Then she fumbled with a carrier of scrolls and drew one of them out to unfurl. "I have been set a problem and I hear you are one with possible solutions." Her accent was so English, so crisp and pure one would not guess to be Irish.

The weather-beaten brim canted slightly as the hand was extended and then occupied by scrolls. The voice continued as the shovel was set aside. "Aegriane, eh? Come, step intae me office." The calloused hand gestured towards a spartan shack as hob-nailed boots plodded rhythmically over the mud. The leather-hinged door of the shack was held open for her to step inside.

"I thank you, and for your time." She wiped her boots on the sill of the everpresent mud and entered the office building, cradling even more scrolls in both arms, a cloth carrying bag hung over one shoulder clanked with a wine bottle and a few packets of food from the marketplace. "Perhaps a bit of lunch while you look these over? I have maps of the Isles of Lewis and Harris, one harbor in particular." She balanced scroll on scroll and unrolled the one marked Stornoway. "I heard you might know what defense makes sense in such a wide, flat bay." Tacit or the order of serious business had not sifted into her ways, for she was still young and anxious to get her work on the way. "Can you please look these over? "

Ae stood waiting to hear what Trades might say.

The interior of the shack was light by a single lantern which cast a soft orange glow on the dirt floor. The door was closed and Trades stepped past her. The exposed hand plucked one scroll from her balancing trick and motioned her towards a rough-hewn table with two bench seats. The voice rumbled casually in the dim light as his bulk settled onto one of the seats. "Nae, thank ye. I can see ye try hard tae please. I'll have a look, though on the condition ye have a swig of that wine. 'Tis nae wise
fer an engineer tae be hasty." Scarred and slightly gnarled fingers rolled open the scroll. He sat motionless for a moment before the voice rumbled again from the deepning shade, "...and that ye set valuable diagrams down afore ye drop them. Please, have a seat and be at rest."

"I will." she perched on the edge of a bench, drawing the wine bottle and two wooden cups from her tote bag's depths, along with a chunk of yellow cheese and several small rye breads, fresh from the smell of them. At last Ae breathed easy, the worst was done, or so if felt like. "I am being sent to Stornorway, by order of His Majesty Adam, to make the harbor there safer for trade traffic. There are no look out posts or defensive barriers in place; as it is any ship can approach the three piers and dock. Trouble can come in by sail, if any have the mind of it. I am given 100 workers and two weeks to do the task." It was the time limit which set Ae in this anxious state. She poured them both a bit of wine. "That is the problem. See how wide the harbor is?"

"Two weeks?" The wrinkled brim tipped up slightly to her. "Nae wonder ye've come seeking help." A sigh escaped the darkness under the brim. "If'n ye could double the manpower or the time frame ye may have a shot of building something solid that could withstand a naval bombardment. With this, however, ye'll have tae think light. What kinds of armaments do ye have at yer disposal?

"Well, I am able to fund another 100 workers, if I can hire farmers and townsfolk, before the planting season. It only needs to get announced that I can pay cash wages. Building materials, there might be some delays with that. Unless I am permitted to confiscate from private warehouse, with payment of course. And that too depends if such supplies are on hand, anywhere there." She drew a small parchment list from her waistband and showed him the list, in Dmitrii's handwriting. "There are stationery small canon to herald when a friendly ship approaches harbor, but no tower to site them from or defensive measures if a trouble maker comes through. Canon might help there, as well as more conventional weapons, and Dmi," Ae slipped and used the name she calls her husband, "will be getting another 100 men trained and ready to patrol and man what defenses there will be."

All these things Adam fore saw had to be in place at the time he became King.


The weather-beaten brim shook slowly from side to side. The voice spoke as if reading items off a maid's grocery list. "So yer telling me that ye have unreliable material supply, low manpower, lack of skilled labor, only herald cannon at yer disposal, a very wide and open area tae defend, two weeks tae complete it, and a company-sized group tae operate it all after completion. This project be woefully undersupplied." The calloused hand tossed the scroll in its grip onto the rough table. "It cannae be done. I'd say it be possible if only concerned with the odd privateer or band of smugglers, but I know that Skye stands tae face down a well-trained armada. Harbor defenses capable of repelling a flotilla could take years tae construct with a large workforce, and then need hundreds of men tae operate. And so far this does not include defending the harbor from an overland attack. Methinks ye'll have tae return tae Adam and further discuss what kind of threat level yer expected tae guard against, and what ye can get devoted tae that end."

"Ah! I have taken your time, Mister Trades and for what? To realize what I was afraid to admit." She tore one of the breads in half and slid the greater part to him. "I have got me into spinning gold from straw, and that straw scattered out far and yon." She poured them both wine, being generous with the cups. "An Armada? Chyt! I should have seen that possiblity. "You know if I were the attacker on this harbor, I'd go in from the west, distract 'em enough so, why they'd never see what all was comin' in from the sea until it was upon 'em." Aegraine knew the lay of the land from one of her Dad's maps.

There it was in a nutshell. Open wide harbor without the walls and rows of canon and other defenses Turas Lan had.

"Telling the soon to be King Adam how impossible this situation right before his coronation ought to be gruesome." She had to do it, however. Ae took a good drink of the wine and sat her cup back upon the table. "Well, it's my neck and I will have to do something. Obtaining more canon, more weapons without enough manpower to hold the isle is likely to turn back and bite the hand that fortifies 'em."

She slumped, propping her head with one hand, in dark thought."Nice construction site you got, Mister Trades. It reminds me of all the places where I grew up. At my Da's building sites."

Scarred digits took hold of the bread that was passed to him. The end disappeared under the brim, and reappeared with a bite taken out of it. The brawny frame rose and paced very slowly in the dimly lit space. Each step was evenly and methodically placed. After several moments, the voice rumbled and eddied off the plank walls. "Hm, perhaps yer dad lacked a little in yer development. 'Always build tae purpose'. That be a credo that generations of engineers have lived by. Logically, that dictates ye know what the purpose is afore ye start building."

The slow pacing stopped and his bulk settled onto the bench. It leaned back against the wall casually.
"Donnae despair, Aegraine. I can give ye a method fer overcoming this oversight. From what ye've said, it doesnae sound that Adam has given ye terribly specific orders. When ye report tae him, explain the utterly vulnerable state of the harbor. Ye may tell him that phrase is endorsed by meself based on what ye presented tae me. He may have merely wanted a status report to begin with. Then ask him what sort of threats ye are expected tae repel. I can help ye draw up a defense then, and calculate what ye'll need tae implement it. Yer second report tae Adam will be a presentation and materials request. It will cost an extra day or so in planning, but will save months of delays and reworkings."

Aegraine sat there, turning a bit of bread into crumbs, staring into the shreds as she did. "I do not report directly to Adam, I get my orders through the Weapon Master, who is a good friend of Adam. " The only time Ae had talked to the King and Queen to be crowned was when she applied for her work at Turas Lan. After that, she had only seen Bess and got her orders from Dmitrii.

"Da took his reasons to build from who would pay for their walls and fortifications; they were constructions of generous time, money and materials. Either his Majesty thinks this island is fairly safe or he wants the best can be done in a short time" She sighed and swept the crumbs into a neat pile, rounding it all around, there on the plank table. "The way to defend such a large bay might be from the sea, but if that is the plan, I have no way of knowing." It worried her that the cargo shuttle they were going to ride to Stornoway was unarmed and unaccompanied. "I cannot wait to see this situation for myself."


Broad shoulders rose in a shrug. There he sat without any change in his posture. "That does nae change me answer fer ye. In fact, it only reinforces it. Unless ye know what yer objective be, ye cannae reasonably expect tae build a defense that matches it. Ye'll have tae return tae whomever ye report tae."


"I thank you for your advice, Mister Trades. If there was another answer to be had, I had to try and discover it." She rose from the bench, gathering the maps and scrolls in hand as she did. "I will talk this over with Dmitrii, so we go to the islands it will be with the thought of how to establish a long term defense best, for that would take two years to get done. Perhaps the Weapon Master and I can set up a short term but less effective system, until real building can begin." The lunch food was left on his table. "I wish I were going to be about to see this building at its completion.", meaning the new Lilly.

She still lacked the nerve to seek audience with Adam and all her instructions came only from Dmitrii. "Farewell, sir." She reached out her and to shake his, in parting.

Then the engineer departed from the site, leading her horse through the mud of the site, until they came to the roadway. Before she got back into the saddle. Ae gave one look back at the new Lilly building, as it was beginning to shape up, with a wish she was still young enough to be apprenticed, again. There was much to be learned from an intelligent, practical man like Trades. As it was, Aegraine went forth back to her work for Turas Lan, head in the clouds and a dreamer, like her Da. Jack Trades? Yes, she did not hesitate to admit to herself, she liked the man. If things were different, he was the type she'd have as a friend.

The walking shadow rose to accept her handshake. A calloused hand took hold of her slimmer counterpart with a gentleness beguiling its size and appearance. "Ye be quite welcome, Engineer Aegraine. Please come and see me regardless of the outcome of yer talks. I'd like tae know what comes of this. If it so turns that ye must make do with an unconventional defense, I can help ye make the most of unconventional means. If'n ye donnae disappear, ye may get yer wish tae see the new Lily completed."

After the engineer left, the bread sporting a bite mark met a timely end, and the rhythmic thump of hob-nailed boots carried him back out to the still humming work site.

[Jack Trades]

That evening, the iconically clad burly figure stood looking out over the lake that resided on the Aramoire land. The heel of a hobnailed boot thumped hard as it stomped on the wooden slats that comprised a deck and a dock that stretched over the lake shore and into the water. Large wooden support beams that were encased in rock and mortar held the structure above the waterline. A rough and calloused hand ran over the smooth and ornately carved hand railings that lined the edge of the deck. The beginnings of the deck butted up against the second footprint to be set into the land, out of which was growing a two-story house still fenced in by scaffolding and treadmill cranes.
"Do you approve of the carpentry? I carved the edgings myself." The tip of a cane thudded lightly on the deck as Arnold Shulz approached the hulking frame.
"Ye've out done yerself, Master," the hearty voice rumbled back.
"Indeed, Jack." Arnold smiled proudly for a moment before clicking his tongue. "You know I really hate calling you dat. Why can't-""Shh!!" The sound was uttered hard and fast as the brawny frame wheeled about to face the Master Mason. In the next moment the weather beaten brim bowed and the voice rumbled somberly. "Aye, I know, and I be very sorry. Ye've done well and it be greatly appreciated. How went tunneling today?"
Shulz folded his hands over the top of the cane as his weight shifted with a sigh. "Difficult, as expected, but your designs are holding the water out. I did not think it possible. You surpassed me long ago, didn't you?"
A rough hand reached out to rest on the Mason's shoulder. "Do ye think it wrong of me to still call ye Master?"
"Nein," Shulz's lips upturned in a slow smile as he nodded a little, "I suppose not. Come, dinner is getting cold."

The following morning a runner was sent with an invitation to Shaden Aramoire to inspect the work site.