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FORESTER

dedicated2 James Foster

"Know ye neighbors," spake old Noah to council. “We Wrights, Ship, Cart and Wheel, must be ready to sail well before this flood hits: Caucas and kind by land to the mountains of NorthEast, bordering the Caspian Steppes, where your pale complexion will camouflage you in snow. Fin by ship straight north, gathering other redheaded stepchildren unto you. Azor, your blonde Egyptian skin will populate a land far beyond Gibraltar. Azor agreed with vision, "I will build my ship of reed."

Noah thought a moment, "you will need sails of silk, I suggest you go to BomBay tomorrow." Fin paced, "I must recruit Archers, Hunters, Fishers." "Aye," said Noah, "but your land path rolls through Scythia, where Hemp of premium quality grows in abundance. You must acquire many pallets, and take them to a White Sea, and there you will rule when a thaw occurs during the flood.

Nuba will Sail south to mountains far across SuDan, black skinned race will be populous. Ry and Brit will hope to hold the AngelLands, with full moon shuttles from Isle of ManKind. That area locked in ice many dozen hundred moons."

Caucus paced, "what of the slant eyed barb speared invaders?" Noah looked to his chart, "the flood will set them back toward the yellow land for some time. Come now forsake dyes and finery, concentrate energy like never before to build the most seaworthy crafts imaginable, may forestry efforts in Lebanon be blessed by God, may injury and theft be minimal."

Fin was to plant apple orchards in the north for sons to build ships. He horded sea rations, gathering contracts for supplies within the moon. He visited many clans. Adventurous teenage sons troubled Archers, boys Tor and Cro pledged sharp shooting duties. Hunters disliked an independent marriage daughter Patty, so sent that son; Hel. She was of Baker stock, so very adept at oven arts. Fishers sent sons adept at hunting. Jay and Gil, and a daughter Bra, with knowledge of Weaver techniques. A Cook, Mel, recruited. Fin set camp near the coast.

Azor was ready to sail within a moon. Reed ship resin caulked, silk sails billowing. He must sail soon, while wind constant, trip far west likely dry. Though majority of citizenry scoffed at Noah's doomsday prophecy, when Azor sailed from the port, families began taking heed, offering sons, daughters, assets and favors. Masons and Rockers, not affiliated closely with Shipwrights, entreated to join caravans, for at some destination forts and castles would be needed.

Strong brother Azov to sail extreme east as Azor west. Being from Persian Descent, both gathered adventurous souls or broken hearts with eastern blood. Tales of a sea beyond the Black intrigued him, as tale of expanse past BomBay. He would not sail the Red to Indus but the Black, nearer his Persian Ancestors and destination of Caucus suited him more.

Fin's home near crossroads of Nile delta influence, as opposed to fraternities of Tigris or Euphrates Valleys. Memphis culture, slower to develop than the twin rivers region, nonetheless multiplied importance as sailing techniques advanced. Easy roads connected Red Sea with the southern arm of Black Sea, a Concrete dominated Mediterranean.

Noah and friends were colleagues of King Dominos of Concrete. Thick bearded tyrant ruled Mediterraneans from various castles on CyPress, Crete, or LesBos, but welcomed barter of culture. Whether gold or wisdom. This close association would be needed to navigate Troy at Hell's Point, the very tip of the Turnkey peninsula.

At CrimeA bustling Scythian peninsula jutted into Black Sea from the North, Hemp trade paramount, HempFlower trade fueled extracurricular activity. Fledgling democracies of Sparta and Troy enacted tariffs on Hemp, governors hired pirates to police supplicant merchants, demonizing the flower of Hemp as immoral or destructive. These very politicians often used excessively of HempFlower, wine from Gaul VineYards, and Indian Opium from Egypt.

So Fin, red haired ShipWright, would lead many freaks and misfits through hazardous Aegean to the Black, up a wondrous cold river to a City of Masons led by master at building barbarian fortress, dark skinned Kievin. Then overland to distant, some claimed mythical, White sea. He stroked red beard, watching Sawyers and Millers fit ship joints together. Chiefs Miller and Sawyer consulted him, each to send a son, Kip and Tom respectively, to help harvest far off trees and build things a community would need.

Fin contemplated. Masons would be plenty at Kiev. Cooks, Hunters, Fellers, crews of utilitarian nature to be contracted soon. Fin remembered long sea journeys round Africa or Australia, one in particular involved music played when becalmed. The water ran short, and had not one sailor been a cunning Harper, mutiny or madness could very well have claimed the voyage.

"Yo Archer," Fin shouted across busy market square. Near the fountain, various laborers retrieved water in assorted containers. Archer smiled and said, "I have no interest in losing my life trying to sneak by Concrete. And do not entreat my sister, I warn you." Fin shook his head in mock pity, "I have no interest in a secure man, Sid. Plenty of your brethren are awaiting trial for something or other, they will gladly sail, and your sister is indeed, but what of the Harpers, which used to contract cat gut from your stores?"

Archer thought a moment. "They live in the glades, beyond OldOliveGrove. What use could you possibly allow for such wastrels?" "I remember pleasing poems read accompanied by Harpers." "You had better string bows of war, for Mace, Thrace, Troy and Samos will no doubt demand heavy tribute." “You speak wisely, but treaties exist that only Wrights know of, for one strange ship could not possibly navigate the treacherous Aegean, barbarous Persia to the East, assorted scoundrels such you catalogue so incomplete besetting on all other sides- Know this, my vessel will make Kiev, and there it will be traded for wheeled caravan, and I am informed your sister has knowledge of Scythian language. "

Archer sat with him amid the bustle, "she and a dishonest Harper played at some odd theater for a community of failed menders in Transylvania. She wakes up screaming of leeches often." "Her knowledge of the dialect will help us greatly. If she chooses to return, her safe passage will be aided by the same allies who promote our cause to the Black."

Glen a magical place. Ancient corner of Virgin olive forest chirped or whistled with song birds. Deep in multi layered sun dappled understory clearing eclectic sounds and screams of family played Harpers very sensual, hearing forest and seeing sky with artist’s intensity. Camp ragtag, cooking pots bubbled, pretty young girls around a crystal held hands up for still as Fin approached.

Suddenly a flap of tent drew away. Beautiful dark haired maiden strummed pretty song. Muscular boy with chaotic air accompanied on Nubian bongos or Indian snake charming flutes. The alluring young woman sang to Fin:

"Won't you take me. Fine Wright of the sea?

For I've talent aplenty as you see.

be that not enough to sway your wise head,

I'll cook your meals, and warm your bed."

She danced amid waving ferns and peacock feathers, prancing to smile at others in attendance. Fin watched closely, entranced by great beauty and charisma,

"my brother here,

 has a special gift

 of kindness

 royalty courts do accept his magic smile

We seize the day,

 greet the midnight moon.

 My dog FireStone will round wild horses up."

So Fin enlisted Sarah Harper and brother Shaq. Kennels would be needed for dog FireStone, all Harpers heaped praise on the animal. Shaq determined to bring a parrot and monkey. Not as Noah's exhaustive collection of animal pairs, Fin was not building an Ark. Fin allowed plans for certain contingent of beast and fowl.

From largest tents came gentle people, Wrights Brit and Ry moved graceful, a curious Baker shuffled uneasily upon spying Fin. Brit beckoned Fin to a table, curly locks framed smiling face, Persian sleeves puffed about smooth wrists . "Come, good friend," from cake sized metal ingots bread made from rye had baked. Slightly underdone, thin coating film left when muffins knocked out molded easy, if cultivated to proper thickness and ingested could produce strange visions, feelings of pleasure or revelation, or awareness.

Fin declined, he knew Brit and Ry could not sail to assigned destinations, AngelLands had been ice locked many moons. They felt too comfortable, thought Fin, and warned both to ready vessels.

Caucus took many Wheelers and Carters, overland passage would near headwaters of Tigris river, he had contacts among Foe-Nations of the region. Horses from southern Arabia would aid. Olives, olive trees, and olive oil would be traded for many staples to help the Caucus company set stores at some mountain retreat. A white Tiger prowled a cage, sent by Noah, to be loosed in snowy mountains. Pale, long haired goats chewed placidly as if contemplating fate.

Camp working feverishly, Chiefs like Sawyers and Millers sending only inept or ornery sons, several poured souls into building  fabulous ship commissioned by Fin. Distant surf glinted, Fin frowned in concentration, "what have I forgotten?" He shouted to a luncheon of expert contractors, "think! I have hired Harpers and Bakers, adequate company of Hunters and Archer, my crew is rounding out nicely, animals planned for, bad weather, I have hired Deckers, Poles, I have represented most professional orders and familial arts or sciences. I have a well documented plan based on Noah's prophecy. You Cooper, have you not built the very finest ships animal shelter ever?"

Cooper smiled eating lunch, "yes indeed. Lebanese cedar milled by Arabian Stablers." "And you-" said Fin to Fowler, "haven't you sent your eldest son Paul tending egg laying hens, pot ready friers, Fletcher favored fowl, and hunt ready Falcons?" Fowler nodded. Fin shrugged, "so we will make this trip, and there will no problems we will fall to eliminate them with vehement expedience. Sanders! Would that you put a little elbow grease!"

Fisher camp arduous, mini forge smelted sinkers. Variety of family members, many joined the voyage, worked nets and lines over one last time. Chief Fisher studied charts, "bolt shooters must man harpoons at all hours. Whales beached and alive must be harvested for lamp oil, the Black is often aclutter with bergs of ice." Fin watched activity sagely, "yes."

Ham, gregarious teenage son of Noah pure of heart, quite victim of unwise affairs with wives, sisters and daughters of men wealthy or vengeful. Ham, loved by all, master of joust or wrestling, able bodied and bright eyed, bound by only one rule: no tolerance for wine. After one swallow he was apt to throw his Mason/Carpenter tool into a skull or break a neck in tussle. Fin watched Ham dance beside a beautiful Fisher girl.

Thought occurred to Fin tensions would be strife. He would need a mender of minds, more than trifling Harpers and jealous muse. Hunter mature and strong. Baker steady. Wheeler of high moral fiber. Wine and HempFlower to be rationed severely, recreation to be at minimum once journey to Kiev underway.

Chief Mason not helpful for insight to habits of western Scythia. "I have hated Kievin since the crib," he stated flatly, "and the politburo says that evil HempFlower from CrimeA doth corrupt youth and make slant eyed heathens rape." "Take it from a ShipleyWright, Mason, with no small knowledge of sea trade, these competing politburos are stirring the pot, ruining good men with black deception, robbing coffers with money changers, even enslaving our daughters for far away harems of ruthless hidden kings, even while knocking at us to change our flag."

Midge was abnormally small, dwarfed in size, but perfectly formed. Quite a court of suitors entertained around her, gentle black giant Arubu protected the group from ruffians. Midge and her folk worked hard to compensate for lack of size, needed little room for travel. Shet was Midge’s favorite, little Jester strutted with Ham often. Fin had warned sternly of shenanigans, trusted big black Aruba, jungle wise and incredibly capable. Aruba shook Fin's hand with peculiar black style. Midge and Shet nodded ready for quiz.

Meltons readied also. Chief sent two nephews, Lap and Jut, youngsters sturdy, well trained, not rumored troublesome. One mothered by a Trojan could be helpful in the region. Ships forge would heat, clean, repair and help propel the vessel. Chief Melton was very innovative conserving and utilizing fuel and heat disbursement.

Smiths adventurous types, brother or Chief authentically gifted in artistry of tin, tireless packing airtight containers. To make eyelets and fasteners for future sails, Ork Smith and family, several of Tucker talent, assembled a line to factory crimp sail corners during duress. Hideously ugly Ork and wife Hil wanted desperately to raise ugly children in the outland, to give values untainted by wicked children of public school

Fletchers, a finicky bunch, worked slow, grafting and crafting each arrow finely. Archers and Hunters valued special care given. Fowlers harvested certain birds for craft. Barkers collected straight saplings. ArrowSmiths pounded tin for broad heads, resin from Lebanon mixed with crude black oil from the Red Sea created usable adhesive. Two girls went, Emma and Ella, both tall blonde early risers with tireless fingers and deep knowledge of hunting and war arrows. Of particular notice, fletching of harpoon darts, big and sturdy, each refletched after shooting, sea water dissolved much of the feather. Elder Fisher said certain Gulls needed. Chief Fowler sent Jay and Gil with Hel Hunter in a skiff along the coast to scare some up. On return Fin would have ship and crew ready to sail.

Chief Potter was jovial, wife Mary railed against sending daughters. Young Got Mason loved both as friends (everyone wondered how the triangle worked), he protected Hope and Cherokee and worked closely, for though Potter’s finishing stages required artisans touch, mass producing many transport and cooking utensils often required intensive labor. Strong armed Got and the sturdy Smith family could do much.

Forkers worked with Meltons. Special forks made for most orders. Turners and Rettingers used large, wide pitching forks for hay and hemp, Farmers and Gardeners for potatoes or other produce. Fishers used barbed gigs, Harpers liked sounds of a certain tuned fork. Tin or bronze eating utensils favored Cooks.

Oilers worked long to finalize lamp systems. Forges pumped headlamps continually. Fishers and Hunters must provide ample whale blubber, much would be needed. 0live oil shipped in quantity, much to trade in northern regions. Also another blackish Arabian concoction proved durable lubricant for various moving parts.

Archers secretly stockpiled Arabian oil. Black liquid flammable, proven useful in various sieges near Oman. FireStone the dog was said to find wells of the stuff when asked.

Boah Skinner was not attractive. Deformed and ugly, he maintained good cheer, scoffers left him be for fear of deftly handled knives. He did  ugly work for Tanners, Hunters, and Cooks. Boah wished for solitude, hoped to homestead a remote location. Ork Smith and ugly family often accompanied him.

Foresters and Fallers, a rowdy contingent rounded the crew. Gutsy and smart in trees, Bob Feller swung from ropes and would tend the ship mast, assisting Hunters and Fishers in many fearless ways. Fin warned of careless antics, banning the practice of ariel quick drops, in which a climber leaps from very high, using certain knots in rope to slow descent. The practice burned rope unnecessarily, fine rope must be conserved, indeed, thought Fin, as every drop of water.

Earnest Green a worker of no particular order. His name originated near Euphrates River northeast. Earnest and family spread about, wives or apprentices connected in roundabout ways with most orders. For instance a son married a Thatcher daughter, becoming apprentice to her father, and knew techniques unique to roofing. A daughter married a Tyler, and helped on the job so she knew much. Another daughter married a Slater, when the man was killed on a job site, she retained much of his knowledge. Earnest Green talked much at markets, courts, or pub.

Fin inclined to include the Greens: Earnest, wife Autumn, daughters Scotia, Kristen, Hope, sons Vik, Spitz, and Josefus. Ingrained with positive work habits, group knowledge of most any family order, and so often needed on self sufficing journeys, teamwork.

In city proper museum Fin studied artifacts. Rough sculpture of Concrete origin showed a man gnawing a shark carcass. Partial skeleton of some gargantuan lizard grinned in timeless death. Hewn tablet of countless tiny antelopes, whittled wood navigators instrument, flaked rock arrowheads found in ancient mariner holds. Of particular interest a bronze scythe, razor sharp cutting edge curved, long handle stout. Fin held the instrument sturdily, stepping into open area to swing briskly, harvesting imaginary crop. A bushel of wheat, a few hemp stalks. Elders in Transylvania carried scythes as head cleaving weapons of death. Eastern barbarians hesitated to attack Scythians, who always carried and swung such unorthodox weapons so deftly. When an army aroused to abandon harvest for fending invaders, such shrieking evil rarely encountered. A horde of Scythians aroused were fearsome. Strong shoulders quickly flung curved blades with cruel precision. Shepherds with staffs join flanks. Dukes and crew join with staffs, scepters, and bow. Scythian merchants were not fat, always machete ready. Harvesters tallied and inspected, animal sense about. Scythians adopted city states, competing merchant districts, numerous on the CrimeA peninsula alone.

East would be Transylvania, menders could be contracted. Reliable Masons of Kiev would not be cheap, nor a CartWright with intimate knowledge of routes. Far away lands little known, legends told of ancient lush green forests and white seas with smooth cart paths, where Sled Right camps attracted DeerShephards, DogTrainers, CookCarts, and Peddlers.

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