Chapter 11

The days were slow to move on M'lar found herself thrown into a routine of waiting for Camron to guide her or have her guided around the estate.

Her activities were tightly controlled and there were times that she felt as if the very air around her would suffocate her. Just as she had in New Damara, she had arisen early and had found the guard ready to follow her as she ran her required five miles.

Then she had spent the morning after her run of going through the paces of staff fighting in the courtyard. She had found enough sparring partners with Camron's guard beginning to grow accustomed to her presence and her kindness readily won them over.

In the beginning she had worried that it would be a repeat of the first time she had used the staff. That she would be required to fight the guard and then Camron. Instead she found that the only opponent she had was that of the members of the guard she that had escorted her and Grand Master Kronin.

She knew that sequestered on the wall out of sight but prevalent was the castle guards. M'lar found the obvious ploy of remaining present but out of sight disconcerting. She worked hard for it not to get on her one last nerve. On most occasions she had succeeded. Then there were the times she had to hide in her room to calm her unsettled hormones.

When the nobles from the vales were present Camron had expected her to be present for the endless trivial chatter of every day dealings of managing different vales.

However in these meetings noticeably absent were the pale and scurrilous Pansy and the very irritating Andre. When on one such occasion M'lar had asked about them she had been informed that they had wed.

M'lar expressed her congratulations to the happy couple. That had elicited a sudden outburst of tears and the mother of the bride running off to her room to slam her door. Leaving the mother of the groom tearing up and blowing her nose delicately into her kerchief.

M'lar had been left surprised by the curious actions of both mothers. One dashing off in hysterics while the other withdrew quietly to her room. That was when she was told the happy couple had been sent on assignment for the Castle Lord.

M'lar learned rather quickly not to pursue the subject further not wishing to deal with hysterical mothers. She learned quickly not to ask any more questions. Thereby circumventing further hysterics.

One particular evening when the castle lay silent as a tomb and the Lord was away on some sort of quest, M'lar found herself at odds and bored.

Searching out her guard; M'lar went to the stables and requested a horse. Soon enough she found her power, as the 'first' was a good thing with the castle help.

Her horse was saddled and she found she was riding into the countryside to explore the area. The day was growing longer as they happened upon squalor of a village not more than twenty miles from the castle. It was filled with half starved children, unwashed, and ignorant.

M'lar dismounted her horse and walked among the startled populace. They watched her with the stench of unwashed bodies and fear as she moved around the sprawling confines of the village.

"Who here is the leader?" She asked from the gathered crowd.

A spry thin man of some elder years hobbled forward doffing his hat and looking at the exotic creature standing with a contingent of the Lord's guard.

"Do you come to punish us?"

His voice quivered from his fear and concern. M'lar offered a reassuring smile and shook her head.

"Why would I come to punish? I come to offer help if you will take it."

A soft buzz of amazement moved through the now growing contingent of curious onlookers filtered around M'lar and her guardsmen; who now felt unease at the crowds close proximity to the First.

Graven dismounted and moved to M'lar's side. "Malady perhaps we should leave?"

M'lar shook her head. "No, these people and children are in need and as the First of the Lord I have an obligation to try and ease their suffering."

Graven looked back at his men and then to M'lar.

"What does Malady wish to do?"

M'lar looked around and sighed. "Well first of all, we need to get them proper drainage for their sanitation. Then we need to locate some barrels so that they can collect rainwater and then they can bathe. Finally, we need to explain how they can search for food and game and teach them how to catch it to feed their young."

Graven was duly impressed that she had assessed that much in the short time she had walked through the village. "Are you sure you wish to do this malady? There could be disease here and the Lord would be upset with all of us if you were to become ill."

M'lar waved her hand. "That is why I am going to teach them how to avoid such things."

Turning back to the elderly man M'lar smiled, "Kind sir would you be so generous enough as to ask your neighbors to meet with me in the town square?"

The old man looked uncertainly to Graven and the other guards as their horses stamped restless hooves.

"They are not going to harm us?"

M'lar reached forward and took his hand in hers and smiled with a sincerity rarely seen from those that occupied the castle.

"I assure you sir they will do no harm and are only here for my protection. As long as you or your neighbors do not try to harm me they will take no action against you."

The man gave her a toothy smile and turned. "Go gather the rest and meet in the square now."

M'lar nodded to her guard and gently took the man's arm. "I am Lady M'lar, the First to the Lord and you are?"

The old man flushed being held so close by the exotic beauty that fell into step next to him.

"I be Alderman Grigsby malady."

M'lar chuckled, "Well is Alderman your title or your first name?"

He cocked an amused smile and spoke softly, "That be me title."

M'lar walked at a slow easy pace for the elder gentleman while they moved deeper into the village. "Then Grigsby is your last name?"

The old man chuckled, "It be the only name give ta me by me ma aforn she died."

M'lar surmised that they had arrived in the center of the town when Grigsby stopped moving. She glanced around and noticed that it was vermin infested and poorly maintained. She stood on what appeared to be the main staging area. Fearing the boards would not hold her weight she chose to stand in front of it and wait.

She did not have to wait very long as more and more of the towns people began to assemble to peer upon the oddity that was M'lar.

Graven was by her left flank; he stood ever alert to any problems. His men surrounded the four inlets to the gathering place and sat watching for any potential dangers that might befall their charge.

As the last of the stragglers ambled to the rear of the assembly M'lar turned and offered her brightest smiles.

"Hail and well met good citizens."

Turning to Grigsby she asked, "What do you call your settlement?"

Grigsby was a bit overwhelmed by such a generous nature was struck dumb for a moment. M'lar placed a gentle hand on his arm and spoke again.

"The name of this town?"

Grigsby cleared his throat and spoke unsure. "Well malady we have not officially named the town we call ourselves Castlekeep. This was the sight of the original castle before the last king moved and had a new castle built."

Grigsby words were accented by a mumbled agreement by the villagers. "This area was the center of the castle yard.

The original entrance to the castle it self be there."

He pointed to the one large arched structure that had seen better days but had at least weathered the assault.

"Past that was the entrance but we kind of took the stones and used them for our own homes."

Moving to a large slate wall he put his hand to it and smiled.

"This was used by the Captain of the guard to draw plans for his men."

M'lar moved to the wall and looked at the flat black surface and placed her hand to the wall. Though it had some very minor tiny pits, bubbles and indentations it was smooth.

"How?"

She looked at Grigsby curious about how someone could draw on such a thing. He smiled and moved to a small alcove and withdrew a small basket that held some white compacted cylinders of white powder.

"They used this."

Picking out one he moved to the wall and drew a long line of white. M'lar enthused excitedly. "Oh this is excellent."

Taking one of the cylinders she began to draw diagrams of what she hoped to accomplish with the villagers. While drawing she spoke much as a professor would in teaching students on the basics of sanitation, building a bathing and washing area for the citizens to use.

She continued to diagram her plans on how to store potable water and finally the basics. The final diagram was for a tree towers for each member to use as a lookout for potential dangers.

Explaining that they could also a ringing bell to alert the others to seek shelter or protection. While she drew Graven watched the people gathered and began to sit on the ground at her feet to listen and learn.

He was amused at how entranced they were with what she had to say. Soon the area was caught up in rapt silence listening to what she was telling them on how to improve their life style and they watched her draw and explain her drawings.

What was even more amazing it was they got what she was saying making polite comments to each other then offering up suggestions to add to what she had drawn.

Graven was struck by her charm and wondered what magic she had used to capture the attention of this poor village. Finishing her drawings she turned and smiled.

"I will teach three of you to collect herbs and how to blend them to make healing potions. You in turn will teach the others. I will take your men and show them the art of staff fighting so that if you are caught in the fields and are approached by an attacker you can defend yourself."

An elderly lady sitting in the back on a small barrel spoke up, "Why are you doing this Malady what are you to us?"

M'lar sighed and lowered her gaze then spoke softly but clearly. "You are all my friends. You are living beings that deserve to have the knowledge of how to take care of yourselves and have a long healthy life."

The words she was speaking was having a profound affect on the crowd, they had grown quiet listening to her. Then she began to speak of her god and they were entranced noting how soft her voice had gotten but felt the conviction of her sincerely said words.

"My god is a wonderful god, he teaches and expects his priests and priestesses to teach. He believes that with knowledge anything is possible."

The old woman nodded and gave her toothless smile and sat back on her small makeshift seat. A rather large burly man sitting next to the old woman stood up.

At first Graven feared from his demeanor he meant to challenge M'lar. He pulled his work worn hat off and in a deep barrel chested voice spoke. "No offense malady but what do you want from us in return?"

M'lar did not need to think she just smiled and said as softly in her lyrically sweet voice, "I want your happiness and friendship."

This sent a sudden shocked pallor of silence over the assembly. Then the large man appearing young moved forward and stood next to M'lar.

"Then I give aye me friendship and await as aye wishes to direct us to what needs to be done first."

The group stood and ambled around her and up to the board to look at the drawings. There now seemed to be some life and excitement in their voices and faces as they all added their thoughts of how to improve things.

Graven and the other guardsmen began to grow nervous as the towns people gathered around M'lar in their excitement.

M'lar noting that Graven had grown nervous with the crush of the populace she looked to him in the middle of explaining and held up her hand to indicate she was fine.

Soon enough the motivated populace was making their way back to their homes to begin with the first phase of making their village a productive place to live and learn. The women began to clean the hovels to make them more comfortable while the men found picks, axes, hoes and shovels to begin the clean up of the sanitations area.

The area began to explode with a fever of activity; M'lar stood on the one solid platform area of the towns' center watching with a satisfied smile. Graven moved to her side and spoke softly, "My lady the day is growing long and we will be riding in the dark. Perhaps we should begin our journey back."

Sighing softly with disappointment M'lar nodded. "Just allow me to speak with Grigsby with a promise that I will return early on the morrow. Lord Camron will be off world for a while as he informed me today before he left."

She stepped off the platform and began to walk to the last location she saw Grigsby. "If you and the others would not mind we would love to have your input and help in training the young men in the art of combat."

Graven had looked over to his men and noticed they too had grown interested in what was transpiring here and knew they would readily agree to help.

"I think that would not be a problem my lady." He watched her move to the man known as Grigsby. "My dear Grigsby. My guard and I will return early tomorrow and will continue to help. I am sure I can bring back some supplies to help and will continue to return as long as I am needed."

Grigsby's eyes welled with tears impulsively he swept her up in his frail arms and hugged her tightly. "Thankee malady Thankee!"

He released her and watched her step away to her guard and horse. "Until the 'morrow malady!" Turning he shouted, "We have had our prophecy answered my fellow townspeople now do not let us disappoint. Gather around we will do this. . "

Pointing to the drawings on the board, "In shifts." They looked at the expertly drawn graphics and nodded. Moving off in different directions there was left nothing but a renewed feeling of hope and excitement for a new life and venture for their friends and family.

Upon her return to the castle; Graven and his men followed M'lar around the stores area helping her to collect fabric, blankets, grain, seed corn, tools and barrels.

Helping her load the items into three large wagons, M'lar fell exhausted to her bed in the wee hours of the morning. When the sun peaked its healing rays through her window M'lar sat up, dressed quickly, and hurried to the front courtyard.

There awaiting her as anxiously as she had been were her guardsmen dressed in work clothing and sporting excited smiles. Climbing up on the wagon, M'lar took the reins in her hands and they set off to the village.

The caravan of guard and three wagons pulled into the main street of Castlekeep she was surrounded by the bright, clean, smiling, faces of the town's people.

Standing up she smiled down at them. "I have brought you all clean blankets, tools, grain, feed, corn, barrels. I only ask you use what you need. That way everyone may benefit from the use of these items. A gift from your Lord Camron Dragonsbane."

For such a large deprived gathering the villagers in an orderly fashion remove the stores from the wagons and carried them to a large stone structure. It was the same building, which had housed the old woman who spoke at the meeting. She with care and ease directed the others where they should place the items.

M'lar noticed they had given her some deference while she ordered the placement of the stored items. Grigsby happily toddled forward looking all nice and clean.

"Malady, thank you for your generous nature. We wish to show you what we accomplished from yesterday." Graven moved to M'lar and held his arms up to help her down from the wagon. he held her tenderly and allowed her to slid down his body.

He had used the maneuver as a form to try and protect her from falling. The action made them both acutely aware of his arousal. Their eyes locked together and they both felt the sexual tension from feeling her so close to his body. Flushing deeply she stepped back and smiled shyly and turned to allow him time to compose him self.

Grigsby offered his frail arm and began to lead the astonished and awe stricken M'lar around the area. The hovels now had a clean and disinfectant smell and look to them.

The streets had been cleaned from the debris. The sanitation pit had been dug and was now being sloughed to take the offending waste to its deep dark bowels of the earth.

The amount of work and people moving about to make the place safe and habitable was amazing. M'lar turned to Grigsby, "From where did all these people come?"

Grigsby smiled proudly. "We sent runners to the outer reaches and the other villages and they came to help. In return we will go and help them."

M'lar nodded and clapped his shoulder. "This is wonderful, once we get the crops planted and out you all will be able to supply the castle in exchange for other goods and stores and be self sufficient."

Grigsby chuckled softly, "We knew aye would come malady, we knew that all we had to do was be patient and not let our apathy take us and aye would come."

M'lar was puzzled by this mystical bit of information but did not pursue seeing Grigsby did not seem inclined to explain. Turning M'lar followed Grigsby over to the older lady that appeared to be in charge of the items she had brought.

"This be old Mabe, she was the keeper of the storehouse when we had stores. She will make sure everyone gets their rightful amount and will keep records of who got what and who needs more."

M'lar smiled seeing the toothless old woman who wore her age and wisdom with each wrinkle proudly taking charge of the stores.

The day progressed as more and more people from surrounding areas began to arrive to help with the renovations of the town. M'lar along with the guard began to work diligently side by side of the towns populace and were left tired but proud of their accomplishments.

Soon the area took on a look of productivity and the town was shaping into something the people of Castlekeep could be proud to call home.

With the help of the guardsmen and the town's populace they had within a matter of a week Castlekeep slowly showing rejuvenation and an example of urban renewal.

The area took on a more prosperous look. M'lar worked side by side with the men in the fields, splitting her time with the woman in their homes to show them how to sew and make clothing.

Finding the use of the large slate wall as a perfect way to teach and draw what she wanted them to understand became second nature for her. Each time M'lar arrived she brought a wagon of dry goods and supplies so that they could be divided amongst the others town leaving old Mabe in charge.

Some of her time was spent teaching herbal healing and potion concocting, to instructions on how to make more durable clothing. The other time was spent in her explaining the techniques of planting and the importance of irrigating the crops to make them grow.

She would on some occasions join her guard with the young men to teach them the art of combat and tactics. Within a short period of time her name had been spoken by the multitude and they adored their Lord's new First. She took some getting used to because of her looks but she was more than well respected by all.

Upon her arrival she would find little gifts of appreciation left at the town center proper. On one such occasion she arrived to find no one around to greet her at the main road.

Looking with a degree of concern to her guard she jumped down from the wagon and moved towards the center of the town. No one was in his or her houses and the area was deathly quiet, which sent her stomach into a tight knot.

Then as she entered the town square she was struck speechless. Standing in front of a large building that covered the slate wall were all the people that had come to call her friend.

Dressed in their best clothing with clean faces and looking expectantly to M'lar they waited as she looked at the schoolhouse that had been built in her honor. Old Mabe and Grigsby stepped forward and smiled. "We wanted to thank you proper for your help malady. So we all got together last eve after you left and we built this school to thank you for all your help."

M'lar felt the sting of tears as she looked gratefully at each and everyone of them.

"Its beautiful! I love it! Thank you all very much for this is the greatest honor ever and now my honor is more than brighten by this act of love."

The towns' people swarmed around her hugging and kissing her cheek and thanking her for her efforts to bring them hope.

"Well now I guess the only thing left is to find a teacher and make sure your young and anyone else that wishes to learn can read and write."

A shout of approval went through out the throng of people that now herded her towards the one building that set itself apart from the rest.

M'lar moved into the room and noted the large black slate wall with a basket filled with chalk sat on a small table by the side of a nice cross draft window.

In the center of the room was a large desk with a chair. In front of the desk were benches with small long tables to be used as desks, which graced each side of the room leaving an aisle down the center of the room.

The double front door allowed access to the room and those that could crowd into the room to watch her reaction to their efforts. "This is all wonderful my friends. You touched my heart and lifted my soul!"

Jove Clendenin, a tall muscular man who had been chosen to teach the art of tactics and combat by the villagers; stood his full six feet two inches tall towering over the priestess. M'lar noted that his handsome face was freshly shaven; he now smiled politely and moved into the room and doffed his cap.

"Malady, we know how important this has been to you and to show you we understand how important it is that you teach us these things. Well we took this building one step further."

Moving behind the desk, he pulled back the chair and pulled back the rug. There was a trap door outlined in the floor.

"This was under the old staging area."

Opening the trap door, Jove offered to help her move down the trap door. M'lar cautiously moved down the stairs to a large area that had been dug out and reinforced with heavy beams and stone.

She followed Jove to another door in the room. Opening the door he spoke softly, "We figured the old King had this dug to provide a way out of the keep to safety if things got worse."

It was there M'lar saw a heavily made door with a drop bar and it led to a tunnel. Using the torch on the wall, Jove led her down the tunnel for a short distance and paused.

"If we are pursued we pull this lever here and it will collapse the tunnel back ten feet. M'lar nodded her approval and smiled and congratulated him on a remarkable concept.

He smiled his appreciation to her and led her a longer distance to another door. There he removed the bar from the door and opened it out into a wondrously beautiful glade complete with makeshift shelters and a large clean lake. "Oh this is beautiful Jove! This is perfect."