Chapter 2
Kaili enjoyed getting to know the runnerbeasts better; Tragen gave her the opportunity to walk around talking to each. Grooms and their underlings stared at her curiously; jockeys even more so. She knew it would be a while before she could sort one face from another – after all, with all the staff attached to the jockeys, the stable staff alone totalled more than a hundred souls! She smiled shyly at anyone she saw looking at her and quickly turned back to the runners!
After the tour of the stables, Tragen took the girl to meet Calum. M'gol had spoken of the man's fascinating accent; but Kaili saw nothing strange in it. The Ruathan construction of his sentences seemed normal to her: and she was becoming used to the broad High Reaches speech.
Calum greeted the girl with reserved deference when introduced by Tragen as his foster daughter; and Kaili bit her lip. Accustomed though she was to be a little spoilt by her family, the last turn's devastating effect on her life and the blunt comments from her sister-in-law L'rilly had made her assess herself. And to be treated like a stuck up Holder Girl was not what she wanted. She said,
"Sure, Calum, and if you'll be treating me like some delicate Holderwench, it's falling out we'll be. If I'm to jockey for Tragen, I'll need to know if I'm out of line."
Calum relaxed visibly.
"My lady Kaili, 'tis surely a treat to hear you say so. Iff'n it's the same to you, then, I'll be treatin' you like one of the lads."
"I'd like it the better."
Calum gave her a warm smile.
"So, me gal, will ye be up at the crack of dawn to work in the stables?"
"I'm used to rise early and do my share, to be sure. I can work."
It was true. Though indulged in some ways, she had always been expected to do her chores. A trader's family's existence balanced always on a knife edge; and slackers were not – could not – be tolerated. Even in the safety of the Weyr, the Mulgan family had repaid the hospitality and kindness by mucking in with everyone else where they could; so Kaili had not become soft in the time since she had recovered from birthing her unwanted twins.
"I'd also like you to show Kai a chart of the organisation of people" Tragen said. "It'll give her an idea of who fits in where; for as my fosterling she must understand organisational skills as well as her duties as a jockey."
"I'll be glad to" said Calum. "Come along into the office, Miss Kai, and I'll be showing you how it works."
Kaili followed the steward; and he spread out a hide with a web of who looked to whom.
Top was Tragen; directly under him, Calum.
"I started as head groom, y'see." The man explained. "And because I understand figures, when Lady Meroni – that was Tragen's wife, see – died, I took on some of her duties until he should remarry. And 'tis many years I've been doing the job, for it's something he's not done, not finding one to his liking" he shot a shrewd look at Kaili, which she did not notice. "For he'd not marry a girl that didn't love runners as much as she loved him – or more!"
"Sure, and with the vices people have, who'd fail to love runners more than men?" asked Kaili ingenuously. Calum gave a short bark of laughter.
"Indeed, 'tis most that do love the thought of old Tragen's mark chest more than ought else" he said cynically.
Kaili snorted.
"What was the Lady Meromi like?" she asked, curiously. Surely she must have been quite special that Tragen had never found anyone to compare!
Calum scratched his head.
"She was a lovely lady. Very gentle and soft spoken. It was arranged by the Old Man – Tragen's father – but they were content enough, I think. She was fond of the runners. Took a deep interest in the breeding and racing."
Kaili nodded. Such a Lady Holder would be efficient; and her respect for Calum's abilities grew as she also turned back to the chart to see just how much needed managing.
Under Calum were four main headings: Stable Staff, Support Staff, Household Staff and Cotholders. The stables and household staff were themselves split into two, the one into Racing and Breeding, the other into Cooking and Housecare. Support Staff had a myriad of subheadings – the smith, the leathercrafter, the weaver, the woodcrafter, the harper and the healer; all with their own staff and assistants. Less complex was the Cotholder section; for each cotholder was largely autonomous with his own family and any hired help he required and could afford. They held the land from Tragen, and he provided help from his own grooms and drudges at harvest time in return for the cotholders' time split half and half over raising food for themselves and food, grain and hay for the main Hold. Tragen also held himself responsible for the upkeep of the cots.
The logistics of the entire operation were formidable!
"When he said that as his fosterling I was to understand organisational skills, what I guess he meant was that I'm to act your assistant and learn to run such a Hold myself, or act your deputy if you were ill or absent, didn't he?" she asked. Calum smiled approval.
"Sure, I was hoping to hear you say that, Kai, m'girl. 'Tis my thinking you'll do just fine" he told her, pleased that she had grasped the things Tragen did not specify.
Kaili blushed, pleased at the praise. Calum went on,
"So I'll be taking you to meet my wife, Tranora. She's the housekeeper. I'll be interested" he twinkled at her "to watch you keep peace between her and Marilly, our head cook. Marilly is Kirissa's aunt – I think you'll have heard of Kirissa?"
Kaili nodded.
"And met her briefly" she told him.
"Then you'll know that for all she's a little dot of a thing, she's pure energy!" he said. "Arrr, Marilly do be like her, to be sure, only older. Her and Tranora have this little private rivalry. All in fun, half the time, I'm thinking." He added thoughtfully. "For they'd neither of them let the smooth running of the Hold be disrupted. But what women! They like to outshine each other over making our Tragen comfortable."
"In what way?"
"Well, if my Tranora makes him a new quilt, Marilly must bake his favourite dinner with a fancy pie. And if Marilly uses a new forcemeat with the roast, Tranora must find a way to fix a rattling shutter."
"None too serious then" Kaili was relieved. Calum grinned.
"No, not serious. Arrr, indeed if 'twas, then for sure Tragen 'ould find out and there'd be Words Said."
Tranora was a round, jolly woman, a contrast to her rail thin husband. She cheerfully explained the workings of the household.
"Though sometimes the areas of autonomy overlap with the kitchens cause, ah, friction" she said. "It's in my brief to see that we have enough preserves and salted, smoked and dried meats and dry goods to weather the winter; but 'tis up to the kitchen to prepare them. Sometimes it's difficult not to get accused of interference" she looked shrewdly at Kaili. "Don't misunderstand me. I've no wish to take away Marilly's character for she's a fine woman and an excellent cook. But two strong willed women will sometimes fall out, and we'll neither one of us back down at times."
Kaili nodded, and frowned thoughtfully.
"Could I help there?" she laid forth a proposal. "If I'm learning the responsibility of running a Hold as Tragen's foster daughter, if I were to check on such things I could take advice of both you and Marilly and be at the same time learning to take the decisions over what is needed. Would that help with the friction?"
Tranora looked thoughtful.
"It might at that" she said. "'Tis a skill you'll need to learn anyway. And if Marilly feels that you have some of the ordering about of me too it could make her resent me the less."
Tranora was a clear sighted woman; she was well aware that she contributed to the occasional loss of harmony by feeling that she must not let Marilly 'defeat' her. She was also aware that her own reaction was childish and always regretted rising to any challenge from the slightly pugnacious cook. Her husband's elevation had been resented by some, however, when the Lady Holder had died, and Tranora had been a little on the defensive at first. Although Calum had more than proved his worth as steward, old habits did die hard. She had always been careful to be aware that one day Tragen might remarry so that she would find herself the underling of another woman; though the likelihood seemed to be receding turn by turn. Yet if he were planning on bringing in an outsider to foster and maybe make his heir, it would, thought Tranora, be as well to be as helpful and accommodating as possible so that her own position might remain secure! Besides, if the child were in need of training, it would disrupt the running of the Hold less to train her to Northfork ways than to have to adapt to the imported ideas of some new Lady Holder! She seemed a pleasant enough girl, and eager; and Tranora felt that things could be a lot worse.
Marilly was at first inclined to look askance at the 'chit of a girl' Calum introduced to her with the explanation that Miss Kai was to learn housekeeping and the ordering of the Hold. Kaili smiled brightly at the tiny woman whose indignant presence was much larger than her stature!
"I'm going to need so much help, you know. I've never had proper training in running so large a concern. I hope you'll teach me all I need – my brother's friend M'gol says he appreciated how efficient Kirissa was, even when travelling – and as I'm told she's your niece, sure and don't I imagine it's the training of her you've had."
Marilly thawed visibly and even glowed under the implied praise. Mention of M'gol, something of a Northfork darling, did much to help!
"Be you weyrfolk then, Miss Kai?" she asked.
"Well…m' brother Impressed last turn and m' sister's a candidate. We've been staying there. But we're not exactly weyrfolk as such." She said. "We're traders – a big family. My Uncle Morrity has escorted runnerbeasts for Tragen in the past."
The suspicion that had entered the cook's eyes at the word 'traders' evaporated.
"If Tragen's trusted your uncle with his beasts, than he must think him a fine man" she said. "No wonder he was happy to foster you. And young Marthengol – no, M'gol, I mean is a friend of your brother too! You'll doubtless be knowing that little red-haired weyrwoman too?"
Kaili nodded.
"Yes, and isn't T'lana just best friend to my sister-in-law. It was L'rilly who suggested I come here – she knows I love runners above dragons!"
"Your sister-in-law? I thought they didn't do things so permanent up at the Weyr."
"Nor did I 'til I got there" Kaili shrugged. "But they're just like regular folk."
"That M'gol's a right one!" declared the cook. "Dreadful flattery! But he's good-hearted and a hard worker, I'll say that for him! You must tell me all about the Weyr, my dear – we'd all like to know more, specially now we know people up there!"
Kaili knew she was accepted!
It had been a busy day; and Kaili was glad to fall into bed in the room Tragen had assigned her. It was quite functional; but a pretty quilt lay on the bed, and some wild flowers had been placed on the press in a little vase. Kaili appreciated the little touches, and was soon asleep in lavender scented sheets.
Kaili was wakened next day as the grey light of dawn filtered in by the sounds of subdued clatterings. She opened her eyes to see a sullen looking girl her own age bearing a mug of klah.
"Hullo! Who are you, and why do I get klah in bed like an invalid?" asked Kaili. The girl looked at her from under a heavy black fringe.
"My name is Isleen, lady. Marilly has assigned me to you as your personal drudge. You are supposed to join the jockeys first thing – so I'm supposed to bring you klah and help you dress."
The tone was studiously neutral; but Kaili could hear the underlying resentment.
"Sure and let's be gettin' one thing straight" she said firmly. "I've not needed help to dress since I could toddle. I learned to make my own klah when I was about six turns. Know what else? I can wipe my own arse too, and wave ta-ta, not like some pampered Holderbrat. Whoever thought you should be dragged from your bed before dawn to wait on me is well off the mark. To be sure, I appreciate having help keeping my clothes and room nice, for I've duties elsewhere. But I'm not helpless. Still, since you're up, why not get a second mug of Klah for yourself and talk to me?"
The girl shot her another look; and nodded. Darting off, she had soon returned with another mug of klah, to find Kaili already washed and dressing.
"You certainly can shift, lady" she said grudgingly.
"Indeed. And Isleen – my name is Kaili, or Kai. Not 'lady'. If you think Tragen's fostering me purely for decoration, you have it wrong. He's no fool."
This won a grin; and it transformed Isleen's face. Kaili grinned back.
"There now" she said. "Let's begin again –it'd be nice to have a friend my own age now m'sister's up for Impression." Her voice was suddenly wistful missing Mirielle more than she could begin to say.
"Did they not offer it to you too?" Isleen was sympathetic.
"They offered. I declined. I like runners better than dragons, though dragons are nice enough. I just miss m'sister." Kaili was proud of herself that her voice barely shook.
"Dragons are awful big."
"T'be sure. But you get used to it quick enough." Kaili shrugged. "Tell me, please, what I'm supposed to do and where should I be and when?"
"Marilly said you were to meet with the jockeys and trainees at an hour past dawn this first day to train. Normally you'd be down earlier."
"How much earlier?"
"About now" the girl said. Kaili grinned.
"I can prove I'm as good as any of them. I only slept in this morning because yesterday was a busy day. Thank you VERY much for the klah, Isleen – perhaps we can talk more later" she swallowed the last mouthful; and let Isleen relieve her of her mug as she swung out of the room and trotted down the covered way towards the stables.
Tragen too was on his way. He looked surprised.
"I left orders to let you sleep this first day" he said.
She made a face.
"I don't do lazy" she said. "Bad tempered and childish I can manage; but not lazy."
He chuckled.
"Alive to your own faults? That's rare. Well then, I can introduce you around."
The shadowy face of the first man they encountered in the stables made Kaili gasp in terror and take an involuntary step back!
The man turned, his face coming fully into the light of the glows and the girl blushed furiously, embarrassed by her loss of control and mistaken shock. She still had a troubled look, and the man said,
"Sorry to startle you, little lady" his voice was puzzled.
Kaili gulped.
"Please forgive me – from the side you looked remarkably like Lord Aven. I – I'm afraid of him."
"Ay, well. There's a reason in that. Through no fault of my poor mother, that piece of dung happens to be my half brother. I tell you once to explain, but it's not something I care to have talked about. It's scarcely a thing to hold in pride."
Kaili had calmed herself down; and managed a tremulous smile. She put out her hand.
"Fresh start?" she asked.
He nodded, with a smile and took the proffered hand.
"Morax" he said. "You'll be Miss Kai. My lad's a trainee too." He indicated a wary faced little boy of about ten turns. "He's been looking forward to meeting the kin of a Bronze Rider."
"Oh dear, is that all about everywhere?" Kaili was mildly dismayed. "Still, I suppose it's fair enough. I'm proud of my brother, so I am. But it makes no difference to my abilities."
The lad grinned at her suddenly, a cheeky grin.
"Arr, but that'll be down to the runnerbeasts, 'on't ut?" be you no good, you'll fall off, iff'n you hev dozens of brothers riding Bronzes."
His father was shocked.
"LYNEL!" he spoke sharply; but Kaili laughed, and so did Tragen behind her.
"It's all true, for sure" said Kaili. "But I'm not going to fall off: and that has nothing to do with D're or Esruth."
"Well said" declared Tragen. "Now, come and meet Kirilly. She's Kirissa's sister, and my only female jockey to date. You'll be her apprentice."
Kaili appreciated the courtesy; she had been prepared to put up with the banter of a male jockey for the privilege of his knowledge, but it had made her nervous!
Kirilly was taller than her sister but less curvaceous. She grinned cheerfully at Kaili.
"Glad t'see t'owd man's taking on more girls – even if 'tis as his fosterling you get to bully un somewhat!" she winked at Tragen.
"Kirilly is well versed in the gentle art of bullying" said Tragen dryly. "I was dubious at first about risking a girl as a jockey and she persuaded her aunt Marilly to send up food not fit for porcines on excuse that she was 'upset about her niece's disappointment'!"
Kirilly gave a wicked little laugh; and Kaili grinned back. The easy familiarity people held with Tragen reminded her of the camaraderie of High Reaches Weyr; and she also got the feeling that any order he gave would be obeyed immediately, even if some sally were passed as it was obeyed! They were only, some of them, treating her with wary deference lest she be like some of the Ranking Holdergirls she and her kin had encountered when trading – spoiled and capricious. It was a good place here!
Kaili was quickly introduced to the other jockeys, grooms and trainees. Morill she had already briefly met; and he was semi independent as a result of the award made to him by Lord Bargen. The rest, Kaili fervently hoped she would soon learn to put faces and names together! The two other trainees were just lads – Lynel, whom she had met, and Felghe, a few turns older. Of all the grooms and stable boys, most of whom were just a sea of faces at the moment, the one she warmed to most was a large lad named Jado, a big cheerful lad about her own age with freckled. Jado seemed inclined to open his mouth and blurt out exactly what he felt without thinking! Kaili thought by his looks he might be related to Kren, just a few turns older; and as Morill treated this lad too with fatherly concern, it seemed likely that Jado was the jockey's fosterling as Kren was. She asked Kirilly about it.
"Oh yes, Kren and Jado are brothers" Kirilly told her. "Orphans, you know. Morill found them sheltering in an abandoned bothy one winter and brought them home. They've been here ever since – and a boon to the Hold they are too. Excellent with animals the pair of them!" she grinned a gamine grin. "I see Ennis was trying to fix his attentions with you" she added.
Kaili scowled. Ennis was a good looking lad, also about her own age. But she had no intentions of letting anyone try to romance her!
"I'm off men" she said firmly. Kirilly's eyebrows rose.
"For good?"
"Yes" the reply was firm and determined. Kirilly laughed.
"Either that'll change or it won't" she said prosaically in the country idiom. "Tell me if anyone gives you any crackdust you can't handle. I'll soon sort it out."
"Thanks" Kaili warmed to the older girl. Kirilly hadn't told her that for sure she'd change her mind as so many well-meaning people at the Weyr had done – just accepted that she might or might not!