TILE#4 October 25th - DOING THE ROUNDS

The village of Brocks Barn straggled along either side of the single rutted lane that meandered West to East from the forest to the riverside. Other farm houses could be seen further afield, amidst their various meadows and croplands, usually accompanied by pens for pigs and cattle. These animals and some sheep provided the village with almost all their needs. Cloth, soap, leather, balm to name but a few essentials. The forest provided lumber and tannin for curing hides and the river provided fish and power to the mill that ground the corn into flour.

"Wealth beyond the dreams of avarice if the Citadel did but know it, so that's why we keep ourselves to ourselves, taint many as can even find Brocks Barn lessen they knows the secret ways through the forest," remarked Freda as she led Timmy up toward the forest "so I'll start by showing you a glimpse of that and then we'll work our way downward, easier than doing it the other way from the river up, eh?"

Even in the bright sunlight that had greeted them on leaving the Hodson's cottage, the forst was cool and dark. Occasional sunbeams pierced the dense canopy above but if anything they emphasized the surrounding darkness. "Once your eyes become accustomed you'll find it's not as dark as it first seems" said Freda "I'm looking for a few useful herbs and flowers, see those fiddlehead fern shoots? Gather me up as many as you can Timmy."

Some time later, her bag filled with greenery, Freda led Timmy down toward the forge, the first building on the right. "That's the smith name of Jake but he looks right busy, thats three horses waiting to be shoed, so we'll leave him be for now maybe stop by later to bring him a burn ointment because he's sure to be needing some." She waved at the forge but nobody waved back they were too busy watching Jake shape a horse shoe.

"Next down on the right is George the Artisan's workshop but he aint home now if I know him he'll be fishing the river or else frog gigging in the marshland. Nasty way to hunt frogs is that and then all thats edible is the legs, I don't approve of unnecessary cruelty.

First cottage on the left is vacant, sad story that, t'was meant for a young couple but they went off together on a boat to seek their fortunes and nobody never saw them again. George bought it for them if they ever come home for the girl was his daughter Sue but its been many years now and no ones coming back I fear."

So her introductory village tour went until almost dusk when they fetched back home, weary, hungry and full of the news and views and copious pharmaceutical plants for Charles to turn into ointments and essences.