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« on: December 26, 2023, 06:22:05 AM »
Withdrawing westward meant moving away from the attack shelter now north of him. On this side of the river he assembled another shelter. When he had a war party this could of use in launching an attack then. That would be some time, if ever. The markers would also serve to mark to those who knew them where to land a punt to make their approach.
He selected a U of spruce near the frozen river. A mixed choice to be sure. In the summer this would be well hidden from the land side. In the winter like now it was viewable from the ice side. Rocks and a large stone are assembled for a fire ring though he will make no fire. Were it lit the rocks absorb heat, block sparks while the larger stone’s heat draws the smoke to itself. A fallen tree is brought to the shelter, chopped into blocks and some further processed into firewood. A guard trap is set on one side. More spruce is laid in the floor to insulate.
Snow falls from the clouds like feathers from a swan. This further hides his tracks and the shelter. With the protection of Swan Maiden around him Calle feeds Marikka and himself before snuggling up together on and under the spruce.
Day 1 of the 2nd week before summer season
In the morning improvements of more secret markers and another guard trap were set. The traps were disarmed for now. Being left inactive meant able to set them up quickly on a return.
He arrived back at the “Button stream” community. First seen was the boy Teppo.
Calle studied Teppo. Thoughts of the dangers of the nearby raiders troubled him. What might happen to Teppo? A greater force and better equipment would give a better future to the boy.
Perhaps this is what was meant by being the “smith of the north”. To equip the people well enough so that several, not just Calle, would be well equipped warriors. For now the vision of his many deaths chilled his heart as deeply as plunging into a river while North Wind danced.
Hunter Kalerva came over greeting Calle. Calle spoke of spotting the war camp, their numbers he guessed at and the locations of the attack shelters.
With Apro Calle traded for a linen dress. It wasn’t the smoothest of stitching. A part of Calle hoped to have a lady companion stay with him. This would be a gift for her or payment for working. For it he traded his eight bone tipped arrows, 2 of his broadheads and foods.
Salme waved to Calle, “Thank you. I worked on that dress this winter. Glad it will find a home. We all hope you’ll find someone for it soon our friend!”
Calle blushed.
Moving on Calle skied on slightly different paths to expand his knowing of the lands. As evening came he swung into the homested of Maiden’s Stream. These too he warned of the war camp. Feeding Marikka one of his swirl hardtacks, having traded off the meat, they settled down to discussing with the stead folk. In time warriors might gather. It was the way to focus on living with the spirits not making war on people.
Skiing on home they spooked a weasel letting it dash under the spruce.
Striking closer to home they were startled by the appearance of a hunter slinking out of the spruce.
<CALLE 161 vagabond hunter>>>