The Bond that Grows Chapter 2
Author's note: This chapter was hard to write, since Hans is making an appearance with Kristoff. Apologies for the late post.
With the flick of his reins, Kristoff was able to pull his horse to a halt. He quickly then guided his horse to a nearby trough. After his horse took a few seconds to drink, Kristoff then loosely tied up his horse onto the post. "Be a good boy." he whispered, as he grabbed his sack from the saddle. He then walked on over to the dining hall across the street. While he was walking to the dining hall, he was glancing around the town. He couldn't help but survey over the stumps that were once from the majestic trees beforehand. The pine trees looked so beautiful with their thick luscious evergreen pine needles. From the thickness of the pines to the smell of the needles, Kristoff knew the price that he is willing to pay for these kinds of pines. He knew that it would take guts to become a lumberman, but he was willing to do anything to get there. So far from what he had heard was that Dale Edwards had a made a small fortune from the pines nearby the town.
Growing up, Kristoff knew that Grand Pabbie would like for him to invest into lumbering. Both he and his grandfather were very similar in their personalities. They both had the same physique and hair color. However Grand Pabbie's body had worn down with age. Grand Pabbie was always very thoughtful and kind to his favorite grandson. He even gave his grandson a small hunting knife, as a gift. He knew that the hunting knife wouldn't be used for lumbering, but it would only be used as a weapon of self-defense. As he walked around the dusty old town, he took out his knife and red sash. He knew that the knife was an amazing gift that his grandfather gave him. He also knew that the red sash would hold memories of him being a shanty boy at a lumber camp, when he was younger. As a shanty boy, he was always the laughing stock of the group. He was laughed at, picked on, and been roughed up a bit by the other men. Heck, he would get a hard punch in the gut, if he didn't song for the other men to entertain. Now if someone were to ask Kristoff to sing, he would look at them and casually croak out a tune.
Overtime, he knew that being a shanty boy was something that had definitely became a part of his life, but so has the information about his grandfather's inheritance. He didn't actually know what the inheritance contained, but as far as he knew was that he could be rich from it. "You need to get the lumberin' business out of your head." his father's thoughts had interrupted his own, as he walked on past the river and into the dining hall.
"I'll make it my business." he scowled, as he surveyed the dining hall for a seat. The dining hall had a rustic feel to it. From the leather stools set up at the bar, to the round thick wooden tables spread throughout the room. The smell of sweat, musk, and pine was far different from than the smells Kristoff was used to back home. Kristoff knew that he had a place back with his parents and brother, but he knew that his home would be in the lumber camps throughout the state of Michigan. He smiled at the thought of him being a lumberman and making his name well-known to others. However, his father's words had appeared, yet again, in his mind, "Son, you need to get this lumberin' business out of your head."
He again scowled at those words; he couldn't understand why his own pa doesn't want him to be in the lumbering business. His pa told him that he was crazy, but Kristoff didn't care. All he cared about was to prove to his pa and everyone else that he can be a lumberman. Maybe becoming a lumberman would help his pa realize that someone that is worthy in his eyes. He grunted at the thought of his brother and his friend, Anna. He didn't like the idea of his pa whipping his brother and her. To make that situation even worse, he had to step in and save Anna from his pa's lashings. "Why couldn't Fredrick come out and protect her." he thought as he sat down at one of the round tables.
"Need something?" a young brunette barmaid had asked, while making her rounds.
"No thanks." he replied, leaning back in his chair, "I'm waiting for someone."
"hmm… a lady friend, I presume?" she batted her eyelashes at him.
"No ma'am." he simply replied, "I'm looking for Hans Westerguard."
"Ah I see." she rolled her eyes, "He'll be here shortly."
"Thanks."
The young barmaid continued on her way through the rowdy crowd. The young barmaid had reminded Kristoff of Anna. The bright spunkiness in her eyes was nothing compared to Anna's misty blue eyes. "Stop thinking about her, Kristoff." he whispered, hoarsely.
"Stop thinking about who?" an eager voice had appeared.
Kristoff then turned around and faced the voice right in front of him. A young clean shaven man had appeared right before him. The man seemed a bit out of place right in the dining hall; from the white suit and red tie, to the red hair and sideburns on his face.
"The name's Hans Westerguard." Hans stood in front of Kristoff with his hand out.
"Kristoff." Kristoff had stated, while shaking his hand, "Kristoff Bjorman."
"Ah," Hans licked his teeth, "any relation to Pabbie Bjorman?"
"Grandson." Kristoff had cocked an eyebrow at him.
"I see." Hans chuckled, as he took a seat across from Kristoff, "He was such a good man."
"Indeed." Kristoff still kept an eye on Hans.
There was something different about Hans' appearance once Kristoff had mentioned that he was Grand Pabbie's grandson. Whether it would have to do with the lumbering business or not, Kristoff would soon have to find out.
"Now, are you hungry?" Hans' eager voice had interrupted his thoughts, "'Cause I am."
Kristoff just shrugged his shoulders in response.
"Maid!" Hans snapped his fingers, demanding for a barmaid to come over, "Need some food here."
"Comin' right up, sir." a young frisky blonde had responded.
A few minutes later, their food had arrived at their table. Hans ordered a simple dish of catfish and vegetables, while Kristoff had ordered a simple stew. "I've had better meals than this." Hans scoffed, after he was finished with the catfish.
Kristoff continued on eating away at his meal. He was already starting to get annoyed with the man in front of him. He couldn't even believe that the man sitting in front of him knew all about the lumbering business. He seemed to be a bit out of place, especially in a dusty, yet growing, little town called Arendelle. Arendelle is a very small, yet prosperous town for everyone that would want to stay there. Kristoff didn't mind growing up in Arendelle, but that doesn't mean that he actually plans on staying there.
After both Hans and Kristoff were finished with their meals, they made their way out of the dining hall. Kristoff felt the soft fresh breeze flowing through the hard stubble forming on his face. Hans gave a serious look as he cupped his own cheek and puffed out a smoke. "I heard that Willie Weston is trying to take over some of the property that Dale Edwards wants." Hans whispered low enough for only Kristoff to hear, "They may take it to court."
They continued on walking down the dusty street.
"A while back, Edwards told me to be on alert and to at least try to put a stop to it." Hans continued, as he looked on past the town.
Kristoff remained calm, while feeling both the anxiety and excitement growing inside him. He knew that these types of fights could get dirty. He figured that these types of fights are part of being a lumberman. He even thought that these fights may help him release some of the anger that he had towards his pa.
"Well, what do we do now?" Kristoff had questioned Hans, yet trying to contain his emotions.
Hans stopped in his tracks. "Before I even met you, I went into the clerk's office and filed. Weston had told me that his timber cruiser had already filed before me and the clerk was barely paying attention to him."
"Then its your word against his." Kristoff said, while watching the young children run off into the distance.
"Kristoff," Hans kept his voice stern and fair, "you see, what he doesn't know is that I keep two records for safekeeping. One is always filed at the clerk's office, while the other is filed with Edward's lawyer, Justin Westerguard. If Weston bought him, I'll know about it. And if it's not him, then it would have to be the clerk getting paid off by Weston."
Hans then puffed out his last smoke and dumped the leftover contents onto the ground.
"So this Justin Westerguard," Kristoff felt a bit uneasy, "he's your…"
"Oh my apologies," Hans had let out a smile, " Justin Westerguard is my brother. A bit older than me, but yes he is my brother."
"Oh." was all that Kristoff could muster out of his mouth. He couldn't even believe that Hans had an older brother, as a lawyer.
"My brother should be in his office, right now." Hans clearly stated, as he turned around and walked the other way, "Care to join me, Mr. Bjorman?"
The courthouse looked like it was freshly repainted. The building stood tall and firm with the fresh hint of pale dull colors painted on the rooftops and walls. The signs were painted with both black and gold lettering, saying "Arendelle County Courthouse." A young couple had made their way out of the courthouse, passed Hans and Kristoff. Kristoff made a polite greeting to the young couple, while Hans had continued his way into the courthouse. Kristoff glared down at Hans; he couldn't believe that Hans was being disrespectful towards the young couple that came before them. Once they came inside, Kristoff could see the magnificence of the building. He noticed how clean and well-furnished the building was right in front of his eyes. From the sign that boldly states "No Hobnails Allowed" to the new wooden floorboards on the ground. They continued on walking down the hallway and to the left of the building Hans' brother's name was proudly etched out on the door. Hans simply opened the door, without any hesitation, and Kristoff had followed him in.
Justin Westerguard looked up, with a frustration in his face. He had a simple red mustache and beard, with a couple of grey streaks in them. He wore a simple dark green suit with a gold wedding band on his ring finger. The room was filled with smoke and ash all coming from the pipe that was being smoked, "Whatcha ya business here brother?"
"Edward's timber walker filed at the clerk's office," Hans gave his brother a serious grin, "You know, for the section that Weston wanted."
"Well then," Justin stated, "When was it filed?"
"This morning, my brother."
"Then you have already filed last night, correct?"
Hans let out a cold laugh, "Of course, how could I forget."
Kristoff's face went white. He felt that something wasn't right between those two.
Justin glanced over his brother's should and then back at Hans, "Now, who is he?"
"Kristoff Bjorman. He's going to be my timber walker."
Kristoff moves his arms from his front to behind his back. Justin stared down at Kristoff, "You know how to keep your mouth shut?"
Kristoff felt his heart racing. He didn't know what to say as a response. He simply nodded his head.
"Well then," Justin got up from his seat and casually strolled on over to the small fireplace adjacent from his desk, "You should be a smart man. Remember, this is a dangerous business." Justin's eyebrow had risen, as he placed a piece of wood into the fire, "Bjorman, that name seems familiar. Any relation to Pabbie Bjorman?"
"My grandpa."
"Well, well."
Kristoff nodded in response.
"You in charge of his timber tracts?"
Kristoff froze for a moment right there. He didn't know about the tracts, but he also didn't want Justin and Hans to think that he didn't know about the business matters.
"Well?" Hans had implied, impatiently.
"My pa is," Kristoff had managed to clear his throat.
"Well, that's too bad," Justin continued, "We could have worked out something with Edwards. He's buying land faster than my own brother would find and claim it. But maybe your pa would be interested in selling it?"
Kristoff had cleared his throat again, "Doubt it. He keeps everything from everyone."
Hans smiled and placed his hand on Kristoff's shoulder, "Kristoff wants to be a lumberman. That's why he's coming to work for me."
Justin took out his brass pocket watch and flipped it open, "I'd like to get my hands on Pabbie's lumber."
Kristoff didn't want his pa o be involved with the lumbering business. Hans coughed and looked over at his brother. "Let's get going, time is of the essence, my dear friends."
Justin went and sat back down at his desk. There he wrote in a ledger. He soon blew on the ink, blotted the paper, closed the ledger, and carried it securely in his arms, "Ready?"
The clerk's office was about three doors down and to the right. Five men were already waiting at the clerk's window, but Justin had opened the gate and walked around to where the clerk was finishing up his paperwork.
Kristoff had kept an eye on both Justin and the clerk as they were talking quietly. Justin opened the ledger and handed it over to the clerk. The clerk then nodded and wrote out a piece of paper for Justin.
"I'll tell one of Weston's men that I've made an error." Kristoff heard the clerk whisper after he handed the paper to Justin.
"Alright then," Justin gave the clerk a firm handshake, "it was pleasure doing business with you, my dear good man."
Kristoff slightly panicked, "Did that just happen?"
Hans glared at Kristoff, "Keep this between you and me, got it?"
"But the clerk cheated!"
"This is how the lumbering business works nowadays. So keep your trap shut. Got it?"
Kristoff furrowed his brow deep into his thoughts. He couldn't even believe that they were cheating out Weston! His own heart was telling him to leave and forget about doing business with Hans Westerguard.
"Kristoff, don't let my brother know about your insecurities when it comes down to cheating." Hans whispered angrily.
Justin walked to his brother and shoved the paper into his hand, "Here, your claim deed."
His heart was pounding in his chest. His grandpa had taught him to always be an honest man. However, being honest may not help him get the cash that he so desperately needs. At that moment, the only two people that did something wrong were both the clerk and Hans' brother. He continued on keeping his mouth shut and followed Hans out of the courthouse.
"So ready to learn about bein' a cruiser?" Hans casually mentioned, once they had gotten out of the courthouse.
"Ready as I'll ever be." Kristoff had grunted in reply.
"Well then," Hans gave out a devilish grin, "the pay is good, if you plan on staying alive."
Kristoff nodded as they continued down the road. Kristoff knew that he was desperate for money and right now, he'll do whatever he can to earn it.
