Chapter 41 - the Foundling VII
"Gareen. Look."
"Hmm. Look at them talking. Smiling. Mother was right."
"Aye. I see the eyes they make at each other, as well."
Their serving girls came and sat with them.
"What are you men planning?"
"Today? Little. The traveling is over, for now. Our task is now a pleasant one. We are to see that girl, over there? Into some proper clothing for a young Lady to wear. Some festival clothes. And, though she does not yet know it? A few things for everyday."
"Oh. A fine silk dress for a young Lady?"
"Well, for the festival, surely. She can't hardly wear that every day now, can she? She's used to burlap trousers and tunics. A few things more durable than that. She's earned it."
"By having the young Lord make eyes at her as he does?"
"More than that. Those two? They share a bond. They both really went through it, growing up."
"Really. I thought we shared a bond. Last night. And again this morning."
"Try not to take offense, but… a bond quickly forged? Is a bond quickly broken. Now… what they share? Is strong. It took years in the making. That girl? Shows great quality."
"From what I heard, she shared some of that quality with him last night."
"Not that. That? Is but the frosting on the sweetbread. No… they were friends all through childhood. She was the only child in the village? That took the young Lord's part. In children's squabbles."
"No doubt, to enjoy what she's enjoying now."
"No. This was innocent. He wasn't at all popular with all the other boys. She? Was not popular with all the other girls. She had nothing to gain by taking his part, and threatening older boys with a sharpened stick. In truth? It cost her, what little popularity with the other girls she even had. No, she gave up what little popularity she could have? To take his part at every turn."
"Your brother. The young Lord… he doesn't want one of the more… popular girls in the village? That's odd."
"He doesn't want her popularity… he desires her quality."
"He is young. A pretty enough girl? Could turn his eye well enough."
"Oh, he will speak politely to the girl you send to try. He has high manners. But… he won't let her sit in his lap, nor let her kiss him."
"I don't know. We have pretty girls around the village, you know. I smell a wager."
"While I am sure my wager would be already won before it starts? There is the other matter to consider."
"What matter?"
"The girl? Even if she does not close on your wager? That girl you send… will have to face her, and answer for it. You have stood next to her. Would you fancy answering for it to her face?"
"I'd rather not."
"Exactly. There are older boys in the village? That will not face her with a sharpened stick in her hands. So you see, while I might be talked into wagering on my little brother's loyalty? I would not seek to profit from what became of the young woman that tried it. As I said, the older boys will not trifle with her. You can imagine the wide path the girls give her."
"Stop. You? Are making me jealous. Why don't I have a bond like that."
"I can't answer that for you. It comes from loyalty. It comes from quality. Those eyes you see them making? It's been years in the making. As I said… you are ogling the frosting going on now. The bread? Has been baking a long time."
"Now? I have definitely, grown jealous."
"Entertaining jealousy? Is not good character."
"Listen to you. Everyone, grows jealous now and again. It's a normal thing."
"It is. Yet… what you do with it? Is where the difference lies. If you try being happy for your friend having something you envy? Truly happy for them? You will find, it chases jealousy away. Now, take me here. I could easily grow jealous of what my little brother has. Instead? I get joy in seeing him enjoy it."
"I thought you two were fighting men."
"We are. We wear the king's own armor. Everyone knows, you can't just buy the armor. It has to be earned."
"Then how does a fighting man speak so."
"Do you really want to know? Or are you just passing idle time on my lap."
"I would know. So tell me."
"When I was young? I was gardened. I first had to learn to read and write, and to reckon and scribble. Then? I was taught to fight. You can get any fool to swing a sword and an ax around, you know. A man with more wits, is far more dangerous."
"You get all of this, from working in a garden growing up?"
"Not a vegetable garden. A KinderGarten. A child garden. The children go there every day, while growing up. Then, when they are grown? You get a much better adult that way."
"I? Have never heard of this. Before from your lips, today."
"That? Is the problem. That, is what we are trying to remedy."
"You are in the village for a bit, are you not?"
"We are. Our duties are small."
"Well then. You can tell me more about it. Tonight."
"That? Is tonight. Today? We should move around, and see which merchants the young lady prefers."
"Can we come with you?"
"Mekall… can the girls go with us, to see about Lady Gullina not wearing burlap to the festival?"
"They have duties here, do they not? I would not have the keeper on us for stealing their help."
"Pah. It's early in the week. Besides… don't you want someone that knows the merchants? Perhaps the Lady Gullina would want a girl's eye to aid her in her choice. Or… do you fighting men also learn how to choose clothes for women. Gareen, I mean your Lady no disrespect, but… she seems to know all about burlap, and little about silk. If you take my words as best you may."
"Mekall… you can hear this, I am sure. Should the girls go with us?"
"Hmm. She is right. We're from out the village. The merchants? Will try their best to fleece us. They might know which are trustworthy. I don't know how to pick a dress, and neither do you. When I take her words as best I may? She may be right about the Lady Gullina. She may have learned many things in the course of becoming a high reckoner… yet, choosing finery might not be one of those things."
"And how do we know, that these two are not leading us into some merchant trap. They might be related to one of the merchants."
"Gareen. Our uncle is the tavern-keeper. He only has one brother, and our father makes tools for the merchants. There is no profit to be had. Besides… the last thing we want, is for you to get fleeced. We enjoy your time you spend with us at this tavern. I do, in fact, want many things from you. Yet… your purse is not one of them."
"Mekall?"
"I agree with her logic. As far as I know. Up to you, brother."
"I suppose so. Now then, there's only one more matter… getting those two up and walking."
"We could douse them with cold water. It works wonders on the cats."
"Amusing… but no."
"I'll handle this. Where we get her to go? He's sure to follow."
The two girls went and got Gullina to go and look at the merchants wares. By her hands. Shan, true to the girl's plan? Trotted behind neatly. As it quickly turned out to be obvious… two young women, in all but a garment village… did in fact know about all the merchants, their wares, and their reputations. After hearing of every merchant shop, they visited each one quickly to look. Even those that had a bad reputation for one reason or another, just to see. Then, they went and sat at the fountain in the middle of town. To review their options.
"You want pretty, and you want durable. There's really only one option. Silk. It feels pretty to the skin. It looks pretty to the eye. And believe it or not? It's actually stronger than rope. You are basically paying for the material… they will drop it over her head, and mark off how long. What they cut off? They will make sashes and kerchiefs out of, or add it back onto the neck or the cuffs. You might as well get the sash and kerchiefs out of the extra. The way silk hangs and bundles up on a tall girl? There's not much work for them to do. Now, fitting a whole dress tight? Looks very pretty, but, it almost doubles the cost, and… you can barely bend over in it."
"A loose sash silk dress? That's your best thing for a festival dress. You might not want the thin see through silk material. If you get the medium thick silk? You can't see through it, and, it will last forever. You just soak it in cold water overnight, and it comes clean."
"So… Mekall… do we go and see about the silk?"
"Why are you asking me? I know nothing of festival dresses, that you yourself have not heard come off of these girl's lips."
"Gullina?"
"What?"
"It's your dress. What do you think."
"Honestly? If you had told me a week ago, that I would be picking out a silk dress for the festival? I would have declared you a madman. I… feel funny about it."
"It's fine. My mother wants to show you off to her friends coming in for the feast. She doesn't want to parade you around in burlap. You're not a farmhand."
"Actually, Gareen? I was a farmhand."
"Okay, girls. Anything else we need to know about the silk dress?"
"The color."
"You pick a color. That? Should be the easiest thing. Just point at the color you want."
The girls both rolled their eyes and smiled.
"White. Young girl. Virgin. Purity. A little harder to keep clean. Black? Looks very fetching, but… some people think the color black is… you know. Evil. I know, it's silly, but… Red? Adorable. Older women usually wear red though. People make jokes if a young girl wears red. In everyday words? The darker the color, the easier to keep clean. Purple is another good color. Mulberry dye is not expensive. It never washes out. It's the color of royalty, though."
Gullina spoke up quietly.
"I like black. I'm not silly about colors being evil. It will never show a stain. And, these two brothers? They tell me, that royalty, or nobility? Is something they make fun of, in the far north. So, purple is a no. So, black then."
"Well. The one silk shop, looks like the one. I honestly thought this would cost more. We can get a second dress. What about at night? What about that hooded thing I saw. It really wasn't expensive, and it was in black."
"That's not really a dress. That's a night cloak. Silk is warmer than you would think until it gets cold out. It's really just buying material. It's a giant silk robe with a big loose hood. It will also… make more cut off material. Again, you might as well get a few things whipped up out of it, it's basically free at that point. If you don't cough up the extra copper coin or two? They just keep the extra material, and sell it for bags and kerchiefs and sashes."
"Gullina? Black festival dress? Black night cloak?"
"If you think I'll look okay in it. I don't know what to say."
"Just say you'll wear the goat fucking thing."
"I will… I promise."
"So, we go back to the silk shop, and…"
"…and? You three go somewhere. We have to undress the Lady Gullina. Put the silk hole over her head, and arrange it around. Then? They mark it with white chalk, so they know where to cut and sew. Going with no sleeves? Much cheaper, less to cut and sew. More extra fabric, as well. We're there, to keep them honest and have them make things out of the extra fabric. The night cloak? Makes up for the no sleeves late at night. Plus? It makes for more little drawstring pouches and sashes and scarves. She can wear those? All the time."
Gareen asked Mekall, who shrugged. Gareen then asked Shan… who also shrugged. The two girls then all but dragged Gullina, smiling, off to the silk shop.
"Shan?"
"Yes?"
"You have the main purse, do you not?"
"I do."
"Are you the high reckoner?"
"I am."
"Then… shouldn't you tag along, and make sure the merchant knows he is to be paid? See when we should pick the dress and night cloak up."
Shan gave a weak smile.
"A fine-plan."
"Then come back? Unless you want to ogle her naked and dripping in silk, which I could understand, yet… thought we could walk around while we wait. See what else we can get her. Everyday clothes. Work clothes."
Mekall smiled at Gareen, who pretended to be irked, but finally cracked and smiled back.
"I know. He's all excited. Now… what are we planning for regular clothes? I've never once in my life, seen a serving wench, in burlap before."
"They all wear about the same thing, you know that. Even mother's old clothes from when she was young, running a great-house up north? And by Odin, we both know what serving wenches wear, even underneath."
"Yes. We know a little more than we should, what serving wenches wear, don't we? Always the thick, loose, cotton tunic."
"Extra long, and it doubles as their night shirt."
"Black leather drawstring bust. Black leather apron dress. The leather cleans off easily."
"Sturdy, black leather boots. At least knee high. So they can go in and out in weather. I can't remember ever seeing a serving wench, in any tavern or great-house, in any other outfit. You could trade these two, with two from the far north? No one would suspect a thing from the way they were dressed."
"Okay, good. One pair sturdy, leather, knee high or better boots. Two of the rest of the outfit, so she can always wear one and wash the other. A few extra long cotton tunics. Eh… a nice pair of goatskin gloves. For handling hot things and cold things."
"Don't forget the meadow trick shoes. She danced and did tricks at the garten. She might not know mother will want to trade out her wooden touch sticks for metal touch sticks, but… don't forget those."
"Good, good. I almost did forget that. Now… what's she going to wear riding? Being outdoors? She's not some dainty little thing, that will hide inside when not working, you know."
"She wears trousers, like mother does. What about some thick, leather, drawstring work pants. And work shirt. You know, tanned and oiled. Waterproof."
"She likes burlap. How about a small roll of soft burlap. It's obvious she makes her own stuff out of old feed sacks from the sheep farm up until now."
"We're in a garment village. They have piles of soft burlap clothes. With real pockets and buttons. I swear, it's just a way to sell the burlap. We'll get her to try some on for size? Then we'll grab an armful of pants and shirts in that size. They sell them by the pile you know."
"There you go. We'll get the leather work pants and shirt to fit over the soft burlap."
"Where are we going to find foot furs, down here in the south? I swear, these southerners act all amazed every winter. Look! What's this white stuff? Why are my feet turning blue?"
They both laughed.
"We have a pile of them, somewhere. Father brought down a thick pile of them. Remember when we ran out that one winter? Father made sure that wouldn't happen again. We just need to remember to find them, before the snow hits."
"Why no one wants the things in winter down here? I'll never know. How hard is it. Tan and oil the inside, leave the thick bear fur on the outside. Oiled leather strips to tie them up."
"Does Shan know about fresh hay?"
"We live on a farm, Mekall. He knows more about hay, than the hay itself knows, I'm sure."
"No, you fool. Fresh hay. You know…"
"What for--- oh! Uh… If I had to guess? He probably thinks fresh hay? Is so it smells nice when you have a woman in your bed. One or the other of the two of them? Will figure that out, on their own. No sense embarrassing him any more than already."
"You're right. He'll skin his knees up once, then figure it out. Soft old hay is great for sleeping, not so great for… night riding."
"Hmm. How did he say it? She only groomed the horse, she did not ride it."
They both laughed at his wit in explaining it as politely as he could, whether he intended the wit, or not.
"Should I tell him, to get her to leave the knee high leather boots on? I always love when I get one to wear them. Doesn't take much. Oh, you look so cute in those boots, would you mind putting them back on? Then… a spirited ride."
"What is it, with you and the damned boots?"
"I like it… really does something for me."
"Why?"
"I think, it's because… one of the first ones? Wore the boots. You know, she said she was gonna ride me hard, and put me away wet? Then… she did. So? I like boots. You don't like the boots?"
"I don't mind boots… I just don't request them every damn time, like you do. I sometimes wonder, if you like the serving wenches more? Or their boots."
"Hey, those weren't just any boots that one wore, Gareen. You ever see the ones that go all the way up, way past the knees?"
"Please, tell me you don't share this with anyone else. I simply pray you don't make jokes like this in front of mother, when you're in wine."
"No, but… like father is going to say anything. He laughs about being… how does he say it? Oh yes… turns out, son… being goat fucked at sword-point? Is great sport."
"Mekall… they were young. I'm sure the swords hanging there by this point? Are just a joke between them."
"And how would you know this? Do you go in and check up on them in there?"
"By Odin's all knowing balls, I surely do not! Mother herself? Would run me through with a sword, and? The swords are hanging right there, too handy for the task! Father? He can rip a man in two with his bare damned hands. Like I am disturbing that ox when he is about his duties in the bath. I was born at night? I was not born last night."
"I'm telling you, mother still goat fucks father at sword's point."
"How would you even know that. I know you don't have the sack to come out and ask mother or father for that bit of wisdom… how in the goat fucking hell would you pretend to know what goes on in there, when they are moving the fairy dust around, in the magic water, eh?"
"Thread."
"What?"
"I simply put a thread over the swords. You'd never notice it, and, if you pull a sword out? The thread is on the ground."
"So? It comes off when someone oils the swords. Do you know how much coin those damn things must command? You have to commission swords like that. Too unique… no, the only sword getting oiled in the bath? Is father's own sword, if you take the meaning of my words, and I'm sure you do."
"Well. If you put the thread on, and the thread is wet and on the ground after they come out… it's rather obvious."
"Do things like this keep you up at night?"
"Not since the thread told the tale, it doesn't any longer, no."
"Why the swords, though?"
"How would I know."
"Although, to be honest? You've seen father with his tunic off, swimming. He still looks like Thor himself, I swear. How he doesn't break mother in two? Is beyond me. Maybe? She holds him at sword's point, you know, to make him go easy."
"Isn't there anything you like to get a girl to wear for you? Has to be something you prefer, Gareen. There's something for everyone you know."
"Oh. All right. I guess… I like foot-furs."
"Foot-furs? Winter foot-furs…"
"Yeah. And, I'm never going to get that again, until I travel back up north, I'm sure."
"And you make fun of me for the boots."
"Oh, all right. The one girl I liked? See, they had a very unruly night at the great-house. Someone threw an old bearskin rug at the fire. It… was old, they were all drunk, laughing, burning stuff in the big fireplace."
"You had her wear her foot-furs and the old bearskin rug? Wow. And, did she growl and scratch a bit."
"No… she saved the bearskin rug. Instead of throwing it out? She saved it… cut the burned parts off. Trimmed it up. Oiled it all nice. Made it into… really warm foot-furs. They went… all up her legs."
"Over the knees?"
"Oh yeah, about all the way up. We got all drunk, and… we're laughing, she left those on."
"Hmm."
"What?"
"I'm just saying. I like the boots up past the knees. You? Want foot-furs up past the knees. Maybe… everyone likes that, and just doesn't talk about it."
"Well? I wouldn't know… simply because, no one… talks about it! Except you, of course."
"No one talks about what?"
It was all three girls and Shan, returned.
"Nothing. Not important."
"The girls went with her, and them, in the back, and… got her, you know… all fitted. The girls got a lot of little things made out of the extra fabric. They were serious, it basically cost nothing to have the extra stuff. A couple small coppers, nothing."
"So we are doing well?"
Shan hefted the leather coin bag in front of him.
"Didn't touch it. What next?"
Mekall and Gareen went through what they planned out. The two girls agreed with the serving girl clothes, since she was working at a tavern anyways. Most women wore the outfits when around the kitchen and house even if they didn't work in a tavern.
They first got the tunics that doubled as sleeping shirts, and a few extras. An arm-pile of soft burlap clothes, it was like they were giving them away for the cost of the burlap. It didn't take long to reckon, however… Gullina was a tall girl, and needed sizes like normally men wore. This kept her from getting any pretty things on her clothing, but she didn't seem terribly concerned with that anyways.
They hit the leather merchant last. His largest size leather lace up bust, fit her well enough the girls liked it on her. Gareen's talkative girl? Had one request. Delivered with her hands out for emphasis.
"Shoes! Is she supposed to wear wrapped burlap, with a brand new silk dress and night cloak?"
"I know, we talked about this. Sir… for meadow tricks. Dancing. Tight goatskin leather slippers?"
"Oh, yes. I have to trace the foot to fit it. If you would stand over there, on that piece of leather? That is the sole. I mark it out with this stick of soft lead. Now… very important. You lace them up really tight… then soak your feet in cold water. Then? Do not touch them, until they have completely dried. They will get awful tight, but, leave them be. When they are completely dry? They will be formed to your foot forever. If you can wear them out? I can put a sole on. For very little."
Gareen's girl took over.
"Well, that's wonderful. Do you have black leather? The dress is black."
"Yes. Anything else?"
Mekall cut in.
"All the serving girls wear the leather boots. A pair of those."
"That's common. Right… there? You can see a couple for other people that have not paid yet. Knee high is the most normal thing. Unless she rides in the brush? Then, the taller ones protect the legs. If you keep them oiled? You honestly can't wear them out. She can be buried in them, I swear. Waterproof, again, if you keep them oiled. If you can wear the thick soles out? It doesn't cost hardly anything to get them soled."
Mekall recommended the extra tall riding boots. Gareen gave him the look that only a brother can, without saying a word.
Gareen sighed.
"Shan? Which boots do you think you'd like looking at her in. The short ones are out, the girls would get ale and wine slopped down in them on busy nights. Knee high, or… those things."
"Gullina, do you like riding? We have to all the time, to exercise the horses and keep them in shape. I know we three, all have woodcutting boots we use for riding."
"Shan… I don't even have a horse."
"We have too many. We have to exercise them whether we want to or not. If you think you want to go riding…"
"Yes."
"Get the tall ones, I suppose."
Mekall shot Gareen an I told you so, shit eating grin. Which made everyone look at him wondering why.
"What? I simply predicted, beforehand, that Shan would probably pick the taller boots. That's all."
Shan looked at both his brothers, furrowing his brow. He often never really knew what they were up to, they had their own little world sometimes.
"For riding. Sure."
Mekall smiled again. At Gareen. Who hid his face in his palm.
"Right. For riding."
The leather-worker cleared his throat…
"There's just one thing. I have to bring it up."
Gareen bid him to go on…
"Breaking them in. These? Are full grain, full thickness, fully tanned bull-hide. They will last forever, and stay water and mud proof, and… animal mud proof as well. If you keep them oiled. But… it will take some time to break them in. The only way? Is to wear them around, a little every day and night, when you aren't working. It will seem to take forever, but, when they wear in? It's forever. Honestly, I know how this sounds, but… I see her wearing burlap for shoes right now. You might want to consider something inexpensive, just to tide her over until those things break in. There's going to be snow up to your knees before those things can be worn all day without bleeding. That said? They will form to your foot slowly, and… you won't want to wear anything else the rest of your life, I swear… but, only after they break in."
"Okay. What would work for a tavern, until then?"
"Soft stag leather. Lace up. Works just like the meadow trick shoes. Laced up tight, cold water soak, then just wear them and don't touch them until they are completely dry. No break in. Waterproof, ale-proof, wine proof. The girls get them, so they have something to wear while they wait for their main boots to break in. Just remember… do not forget to keep wearing the hard boots around the house, until they break in."
Gareen looked at the two serving girls.
"He's right. Mine? Three winters now, comfortable as going barefoot, but… it is easy to forget how long it took to wear them outside my room."
"Don't you need to trace her foot out two more times?"
"No. I get that, off of the other one I already have. Yet… what I do need? Is the bare leg."
He gave Gullina a large robe to wear, so she could put her bare leg out for him to measure it. He took a piece of cord, and wrapped it around her ankle, marked it carefully, and cut it. Laid it down. Next, he did the same on her calf muscle. He had her stand on her tiptoes, so when her calf flexed, it wouldn't rub her raw. Then another around her knee, with it bent. one above the knee, and the last up her thigh. He carefully preserved the order of the length cords, and he showed them a pair "open", as he cut the leather to fit. They could see where he laid the cords out, to gauge the thickness to fit the customer.
"These work on both boots. After all, it's the same leg in both of them."
"How long?"
"Hmm. The meadow trick shoes? I would have them today, that's easy. The soft stag leather? Probably tomorrow, easy. The high heavy boots? Several days. Could be a week. Is it a problem for you to stay in the village a while? Or, do you want to come back through, I have no idea what your plans are. I simply know you're not from here, or I would have seen you before today, I'm sure."
"You can guess which tavern we are at."
"I can. I remember making both those pairs of serving boots, that you see on the girls, right there. Have you two been keeping them oiled? You must keep them oiled."
Both girls smiled and nodded. The leather worker was as adamant about oiling the leather, as a mother getting her children to eat their vegetables.
"If you oil leather? It can last a lifetime. You forget to oil it? You might as well be throwing copper down a well. Do, you want me to send word to the tavern, when my work is complete?"
He politely glanced at the wrapped burlap Gullina was getting back into, as she had already got her trousers back on, so as to be able to take off the temporary leg measuring robe.
"If you would like? I'll send word on the stag leather. No heel, soft and thin leather? It's quick work. I was reckoning, that you might want to make use of them before a week is up. If you prefer."
They thanked the man, and all left.
Gareen's talkative girl was all smiles.
"You poor boys. Stuck here… all week… with only us for company. How will we pass the time."
Gullina chuckled.
"Well? Shall we just walk around to every merchant in the village, and let them see me out of my clothes? I thought I was going to die, getting the dress fabric fitted over me. That man? Just saw more of my leg than anyone except Shan ever got to see."
Mekall was his usual self.
"I might have to become a merchant."
Gareen made a face.
"Since exactly when, have you ever once wanted to be a merchant?"
"Since I just found out, they get to see all the young girls, and they get to measure them in their skin. What can I say? I like girls."
"Mekall?"
"Yes…"
"You do realize, you also have to see every man and every old lady, as well. Aye?"
"Oh. Bad idea. Can I not sell only to young women?"
"No, Mekall. I am pretty sure, it does not work like that."
Gareen's girl smiled.
"If you boys wanted to, you might be allowed to measure us, later tonight. For practice. See if you have anything that might fit… anything we might be interested in."
Mekall's girl. The quiet one… just smiled and nodded at this plan.