Once Upon A Story | Fits & Starts: From the Beginning
Chapter 7

The sky was dark, no stars visible for the clouds that hid even the moon as the small group of travel weary riders entered the small clearing around the cabin. Josi was huddled against Clayton’s back, Lin against Troy’s, and Alysian sat rather rigidly behind Allen, still upset that Tim had won the shoot to ride solo. Beth and Joy huddled together in Beth’s cloak on Tchimney’s back, the cold wind biting at their cheeks.

“This is it,” Troy announced.

“It’s kind of small,” Joy looked at it dubiously.

“It’s got a roof and walls, that’s all I care about right now,” Lin replied.

“That’s the spirit,” Tim said dryly.

Beth helped Joy down, then slid off herself, “I’m putting Tchimney in the barn before the rain starts.”

“Good start,” Troy dismounted and helped Lin down.

“I’ll help, too,” Josi volunteered after sliding down from behind Clayton. She grabbed the reins from Clayton and took Allen’s as well, then followed Beth and Tchimney.

“I guess I’ll see about a fire, then,” Allen headed into the house, then called over his shoulder, “See what you can find for firewood in the forest, before it’s all wet.”

“Not going to see much, but it’s worth a try, come on, Tim, give me a hand,” Clayton walked into the woods they’d just come through.

Joy, Lin, and Alysian stepped gingerly into the dusty cabin, then quickly headed toward the warmth of the fire Allen had already started. Alysian’s eyes lit on a lantern on the mantle; quickly, she held the half burned candle in the flames and secured the light back in the lantern, then slipped out the door to the woods to help gather kindling and wood.

Everyone returned to the cabin at once, Troy relieving Alysian of her burden so she could hold the lantern aloft. She entered first, to reveal Joy, Lin and Allen attempting to clean several years worth of dust and grime. The area around the fire was already fairly clean, as were the chairs that had been pulled into a semicircle around it, but the rest of the single room and loft was a sight to behold.

“May as well get to work,” Beth sighed, and took the bed, as they’d need that soon. Pulling off the heavy, dirty quilt she found the sheets were in better condition then she’d expected, and were at least usable for a night or two. She dumped the old quilt in a pile next to the door, declared it the washing pile, then pulled the quilt she’d saved from the fire from among her things and spread it over the wide bed. It didn’t quite cover the top, but it’d do.

Tim dumped his burden of wood in the box next to the fire and sprawled on a wobbly chair. Troy, seeing a chance for retribution for countless pranks, hooked his foot around the short leg of the chair and pulled it out from under his brother. The startled blond hit the floor with a crash, then glared at Troy.

“No lazing, little brother,” Troy dropped a broom on Tim’s chest. Tim got to his feet, muttering under his breath, then began an energetic sweeping that achieved little beyond stirring the dust into the air, mostly around Troy.

Alysian used the built in shelves to climb up to the loft, determined to claim it for herself. She smiled in satisfaction when she saw it; the loft floor formed a ceiling over half the lower room, and had no wall, but had an open view of the floor below. The roof angled up from the right and left sides so that the peak extended straight ahead of her, only a few inches over her head. She could see the rain starting through the small round window in the far wall. A straw ticking mattress lay on the floor in the far left corner, bare of sheets or blanket, but at least not terribly dirty; a small dresser with a chipped pitcher and basin on its top sat under the window, tipping drunkenly for the lack of its fourth leg. “I’m staying up here,” she announced.

“Forever?” Clayton teased, “Oh, well, at least this way you and Tim will cease your incessant arguing.”

“Noting wrong with a little healthy discussion,” they retorted.

“There, see,” Lin said, “They can agree on something.” She had taken over Tim’s sweeping before he managed to make too much more work, and was working her way backward towards the door not noticing Tim’s overturned chair behind her. She gave a squeak of surprise as she toppled over it, and found herself cradled in a strong pair of arms. She looked up into Allen’s dark chocolate eyes.

“You should be more careful,” he smiled down at her, “I’d hate to see you hurt.”

She nodded, rather startled at the comment and the attention. He chuckled at her bemused expression, then gently set her on her feet and placed the broom in her hands.

“Not to be the bearer of bad news” Clayton spoke up, “But there aren’t enough beds for everyone. Where are we all going to sleep?”

“Why, we’ll stay inside,” Joy gestured at the five girls, “And you’ll sleep out in the barn.”

“What?!”

“We can’t stay in the barn, there are holes in the roof, it’s cold and wet,” Troy objected.

“If you’re gentlemen you’ll stay in the barn,” Joy primly twitched her skirt into neat folds and clasped her hands before her.

“Yes,” Alysian jumped down from the loft, landing with a thump, “You said this place was ours, and we say you should sleep in the barn,” she looked quite pleased with the idea.

“Lisy,” Josi started, causing Alysian to wince, “I don’t think we can make them stay there, we had trouble finding enough dry stalls for the horses.”

Lin gasped, “Josiphene, you don’t mean you want them to stay in here!”

“Well, no, not permanently,” she reassured Lin, “But for a night or two, just until something can be done.”

“Thank you,” Tim bowed teasingly over her hand. She snatched it away.

“Don’t take it personally, I’d bring the horses in here first if I could.”

Troy snickered and whispered to Allen, “Tim’s losing his touch!”

“I’m pleased to know we’re to be allowed inside,” Clayton said dryly, “But now we’re only back where we started. Where are we all going to sleep?”

“Josi, Lin and I shall take this bed,” Joy decided, “And Lisy,” Alysian winced, “ And Beth will sleep in the loft, and you,” she gestured toward the men, her tone regally imperious, “May sleep on the floor before the fire.”

“Generous of her, don’t you think?” Allen asked his friends.

“Sounds like a good plan to me,” Alysian gave them a cheeky smile.

“Not that I mind,” Lin finished sweeping the dust out the door and shut out the cold drafts, “But why are Alysian and Beth in the loft?”

“Well, we certainly can’t climb up there,” Joy admonished, “The very idea, climbing about in skirts. Why, it’s positively indecent!”

Lin voice showed her amusement, “Of course, you’re right. How silly of me.”

“We can’t sleep anywhere if this place isn’t cleaned up. You boys wipe down the furniture,” Josi began ordering, “Lisy... Don’t wince like that Lisy, it’s bad for your posture; you and Beth can start cleaning the loft, since you’ll be staying there. Beth, you may help me with dinner when you’re done up there. Don’t worry about those windows now, Lin, we can do a thorough cleaning tomorrow. For now, see what blankets you can find. Joy, wash off some of those dishes, please, and set the table, after it’s been wiped. Don’t just stand there boys, clean something!”

Alysian muffled her laughter at the shocked looks on the four male faces. “I guess they thought she was all sweetness and light, sugar and spice!” she whispered to Beth. “Come on, before she starts on us.” She quickly scaled the bookcases, then looked down at Beth, who was making slow progress. “Something wrong?”

“No, I just don’t like climbing things I’m not used to.” She finally crawled into the loft. “Oh, what a wonderful little room! Not very clean, though,” she examined the grime her fingers had picked up from the floor.

“Try jumping off.”

“What?!”

Alysian grinned, “It’ll help with your fear, if you know it doesn’t hurt to jump off you won’t be so scared.”

“Oh! I thought you’d decided you didn’t like me! I don’t really think that’d help, though. I’m not scared here, just on the way up. I’m afraid I’ll bring the shelves down on me.”

“The shelves are built into the wall.”

“I didn’t say it was a sensical fear,” Beth grinned, “I think I’ll work my up to jumping, if it’s all the same to you. I’m not really very brave at all.”

Alysian had been opening the drawers of the dresser while Beth spoke, and the final one rewarded her efforts. She pulled out a slightly moth-eaten set of sheets. She sneezed. “Bit dusty,” she commented, then shook them out vigorously.

Several yelps and a sneeze could be heard below. “Sorry,” Alysian yelled with a guilty grin.

Joy dragged a bucket before the fire; she may have to wash, but she could be warm while she did. Then she frowned and looked around. “Josi, there’s no water,” she complained.

“What? Well, there’s a rain barrel outside, try to get some from that.”

“But it’s raining outside, and cold. Ooo... Tim! Could you help me?” She fluttered her lashes and gave him a helpless look, “I need some water from the rain barrel outside, could you get me some, please. I wouldn’t ask, but I’m afraid it’ll be too heavy. I’m sure you could carry it, you’re so big and strong.”

Tim grinned, pleased with the flattery, “Anything for milady!” He grabbed his cloak and ducked out in the rain with Joy’s bucket.

Joy smiled, pleased with her work; then glared at Allen, who, choking on laughter had commented to Troy and Clayton, “I can’t believe he fell for that!”

A minute later a sopping wet Tim burst through the door with the bucket full of water. “Hmm, now I’m all wet, guess I’d better dry off by the fire.”

With a disgruntled expression on his face, Troy dunked his rag in Joy’s water and commented, “Maybe he isn’t so stupid, after all.” He tossed his soggy scrap of fabric on the table and began recklessly scrubbing.

“Hey!” Allen objected, his perfectionist sensibilities offended, “You’re getting water everywhere.”

“I don’t like cleaning,” Troy growled, “Besides, it’s all got to be cleaned, doesn’t it?”

Josi, who’d been cutting vegetables, yelped as some of Troy’s water hit her skirts. “Be careful!”

Troy gave her a wicked grin, “That’s what happens to bossy little girls.” She primed her mouth and went back to cutting, ignoring him even when he purposely flicked more water at her.

“I haven’t found any blankets yet,” Lin called from the dark corner, “But there are some candles here, and some old potatoes.”

“Bring me some of the potatoes, please,” Josi requested, “Maybe they’re still good.”

“We could use some candles,” Alysian told Lin as she passed, narrowly missing being hit by the dirty, damp rag which hit the floor in front of Lin with a splat.

“What are you doing?” Lin brushed at the splatters newly adorning her skirt.

“Well, it seemed silly for us both to be running up and down with wet clothes, so I stand here and rinse them out for Beth and she tosses them down when she’s done cleaning. HEADS UP!” She gave the rag such an energetic toss that it hit the ceiling and stuck for a second, dripping. She giggled, pleased with her work.

“Here,” Lin handed her some candles, amusedly tolerating her antics. Until a dirty rag landed squarely on her head. Alysian laughed so hard she doubled over, tears on her cheeks. The others turned to see and couldn’t help but laugh, quickly muffling it to squeaks, shaking and flushed cheeks at Lin’s glare. Beth peeked over the edge of the loft guiltily, then pulled back into the shadows, trying to muffle her own laughter, and more importantly, to avoid notice.

Fighting a smile, Allen gently pulled the rag off her head.

“Not a word!” she snatched the cloth from his fingers, tossed it at Alysian’s face, and stalked back to her search. Allen chuckled softly and shook a finger at Alysian.

“Oh,” Lin’s startled gasp drew everyone’s attention. “Look at these,” her annoyance apparently forgotten, she held up a quilt, obviously old, with amazing workmanship. The vibrant colors had obviously faded, but that only gave the blankets a greater beauty. They had aged gracefully, better protected than anything else in the place, herbal sachets for keeping insects away giving them a pleasant scent.

“That’s it?” Tim asked, confused, “What’s so special about some blankets?”

Beth glared down at him. “Philistine,” she muttered, then asked, louder, “Do you think we should use them? I’d hate to damage them.”

“We’ll have to, for now, or we’ll freeze.” Josi pointed out practically. “ But you’re right, we should find something else to use as soon as possible.”

“Something else,?” “Why?” All four men were bemused.

“Well, we wouldn’t want to wear these out,” Lin gently admonished.

“Isn’t that what you’re supposed to do? Use them until they’re worn?” Clayton fingered the edge of one, but Alysian pulled his hand away.

“Don’t get it dirty,” she warned him.

“You’ve never made a quilt,” Josi pointed out, “You don’t know that it takes a lot of work, creating a pattern, cutting all those blocks, making all those tiny stitches... These must have taken months to make, and they’re old. They’ve got a history, a mother might have made this for her children, or a bride might have created these for her trousseau. We shouldn’t damage them when we could save them.”

The men just shrugged and went back to cleaning, leaving the women to shake their heads over them.

“Why don’t you pass one of those up to me before I come down,” Beth lay down on her stomach and leaned out over the floor. She accepted on of the bundles, struggled a bit, then began giggling helplessly.

“What’s so funny?” Joy asked.

“I ca..can’t, I can’t mooove,” she gasped, then reined herself in enough to tell them, “I can’t lift the quilt in this position. I’m stuck!” she fell into another fit of giggles, “I’ll... I’ll b-be here... forever!”

Joy giggled at the image of Beth, stuck hanging halfway off the loft, unable to stop laughing, for the rest of her life. The other three just shook their heads, smiling.

“Beth, let go of the quilt,” Alysian instructed her, “We’ll catch it.” Beth did as she was told. “All right,” Josi called up, “Sit up and I’ll toss you a corner, then you can pull the rest up.” They tried that and soon the quilt was up and piled half on half off of the dresser.

“Could someone toss me a stick?” Beth requested. Clayton, who was nearest to the firewood box passed one up to her.

“What’s it for?” he tried to jump high enough to see what she was doing.

“I’m going to beat some of the dust out of the mattress. Do you think some of the straw in the barn could be spared? What’s in the mattress smells rather musty.”

“We can check that tomorrow, for now, come help me finish dinner, so we can eat and get some sleep. We’re all to tired for anything else tonight.” Josi then proved her point by yawning.

“What are we having?” Troy hungrily eyed the table Joy had gone back to setting.

“Not much, I’m afraid,” Josi sighed, “We don’t have much left, mostly dried meat and some vegetables. I’m not sure what to do with the potatoes, they have a lot of bad spots.”

“I have an idea, for the potatoes anyway, I’ll need some boiling water though; if there’s a cooking pot we can just put it outside the door while I cut the potatoes. I can do something with the vegetables, too. The meat’s beyond me though.” Beth climbed halfway down the shelves before Clayton plucked her from her perch to set her on the floor. She nodded her thanks, and got to work.

Within an hour the cabin was silent, the fire dying as nine exhausted people slept under a roof for the first time that week.

“Alysian, Beth, time to get up,” Josi sang out cheerfully. Beth obediently wakened, but Alysian merely grumbled and turned on her side.

“Alysian, I mean it. Wake her up, please, Beth.”

Beth poked Alysian’s shoulder, “I don’t think this is optional.”

Alysian opened her eyes and stared grumpily at the ceiling.

“I take it she’s a morning person,” Beth said gently amused.

“Yeah.”

“And you aren’t.”

“No, and you’d better not be either.”

Beth laughed, “No, I’m not really much of an anything. I guess I’m just a when I’m awake person. Though I must say, I didn't think this was when I’d be awake.” She yawned, slid onto the floor and once again made it half way down the bookcase before being plucked off and placed on the floor. She smiled sweetly at Troy, turned away and promptly tripped over Allen, who’d tried to get a few minutes more sleep. Tim cracked up laughing.

“Terribly gallant, aren’t you,” Beth made a face at him. He went back to building up the fire, still chuckling.

“Are you all right?” Lin looked concerned.

“I’m fine,” Beth assured her, grabbing a corner of the quilt and helping Lin make the large bed.

“What’s for breakfast?” Allen dragged himself to his feet and sat at the table.

“Eggs, maybe,” Josi looked up from where she was stirring something, “I found some wild ones,” Tim looked alarmed, recalling cranberry omelets, “But I wasn’t sure what Beth had meant about them not being the same, so...”

“Oh, I just meant that they taste a bit different and you can’t mix them with other things as well as you can regular eggs. Mixed with herbs and some salt they can be rather nice, though not as good as domestic eggs, I think. Do you want me to help?” Beth peeked into the bowl.

“Certainly. Can you do something more with those potatoes? You seem to be a bit more inventive than I.”

“I think I’ll fry them. It’s too bad there isn’t any flour, I could’ve made some sort of biscuits.” Beth began cutting the potatoes into thin slivers.

“Actually, there is.” Lin overheard Beth’s comment as she brought in some water. “I found a tin on that shelf last night. It’s pretty old though.”

“Doesn’t matter,” Beth eagerly pulled the lid off of the tin, “Flour keeps.” She pulled another tin marked sugar off the shelf, pried the lid off, and screamed, throwing the container away from her.

Everyone spun around, frightened, looking for whatever horror had caused such a sound. Beth, realizing she’d just frightened everyone, apologized. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare everyone like that. It’s just.. I opened the sugar canister and it was full of bugs, and I was just so startled... I can't stand bugs. I’m sorry.”

Allen gave her an exasperated look, Lin smiled soothingly at her, Troy patted her shoulder, and Josi just went back to work.

Joy laughed, “Hey, at least she got Lisy up!” Alysian, who was climbing the bookcase paused to glare over her shoulder, only to change her aim to Clayton when he set her on the floor. He just grinned, shrugged, and took the offending sugar tin outdoors. Alysian picked up an old teapot and filled it with water to boil, then sat down at the table with her bag of herbs. Poking around a bit, she pulled out a loosely woven piece of cloth and several herbs.

“What are you making?” Beth asked eagerly.

“Tea,” Alysian yawned, then pointed at the different dried plants, “Rose hips, chamomile, and mint. I’ll crush them a bit, then tie them in this,” she pointed at the cloth, “And I have my very own blend of herbal tea.”

“I’ll stick to coffee, thanks,” Allen mumbled.

“Eggs are done,” Josi called.

“So are the potatoes,” Beth seconded. “The biscuits will be done in another five minutes.”

“What kind of biscuits can you make with just flour?” Lin asked. “I’ve never seen a recipe that didn’t need something to make them rise.”

“They’re called hard tack biscuits. They’re used a lot on ships, especially for long voyages, because they keep well. They’re hard, though, so it helps if you have some liquid you can dunk them in, gravy, or even tea and coffee. They aren’t wonderful, but I thought it’d be nice to have something baked.”

“I don’t care what it is,” Clayton shoved Tim over so he could sit at the table, “As long as it’s food. I’m starved!”