Friends

Cam, a dwarf with a white beard and hair, a big nose, and a short squat body devoid of any fat, was the master of arms for the Gabriel family, and had been for almost two hundred years.  His beard was braided to show that he had grandchildren and braided again to show the great grandchildren.  He had trained the seven sons of Noah in their first use with practice swords, and made sure their play with the bamboo had not developed any bad habits that he would later have had to break.  Cam had taught the brothers how to properly shoot a longbow, even though he was not tall enough to shoot one himself, and how to deflect a blow from a bigger opponent using a shield without breaking an arm.  They had learned from him how to sharpen steel, how to swing a hammer, and how to walk like a man that didn’t fear anything.  Most importantly, they had learned to look after family, to be charitable, and to plan ahead so that they could provide for those they were responsible for.  Cam was the Clover Island chess champ.  He had never lost to one of the boys or girls on the island in all the time he had been the master of arms.  He considered teaching how to play chess well his greatest gift, and everyone on the island was a recipient.  He taught them all to plan moves far in advance. Although tone deaf he also tried to share his love of music.

He wasn’t aware of all the things he taught others but playing chess and music were the things he intentionally tried to teach.

Cam’s greatest love was his wife, Claira, followed by his granddaughter Pip and her four children.  Cam and Claira had two boys; the oldest was a lord at the Forgotten Mountain, and the younger acted as Cam’s assistant in training and teaching the Gabriel family. The younger of the boys was Cap, Pip’s father.  Cap was the spitting image of Cam other than his beard was red and only braided once.  Pip’s mother, Tam lived on Clover Island and after her first and only tumultuous ride on the ship that had taken her to the island she had vowed never to leave it.

Cam hurried through the gate, ignored Hadassah and Elijah, headed to the kitchen, and exclaimed in a bellow, “Woman, your granddaughter has arrived. I am getting my presents and heading to the dock, are you coming with me?”

Claira stuck her gray haired head out the door, and without a word held up one finger signaling she would be with him shortly.  Claira could command an army and never raise her voice.  Cam’s whispers could wake the dead.

Hadassah made her and Elijah’s presence known by walking her horse in front of Cam. She blocked his way and asked, “Are we allowed to witness the greeting?”

Cam looked up the horse at Hadassah with delight in his eyes, when Cam had a gift to give the bigger the crowd the better, and the chance to show off his progeny just doubled his pleasure.  They all knew that Cam had ignored them as part of his act, to let everyone know how excited he was to see his granddaughter.

Cam exclaimed, “Hadassah, get off that horse and come down here were I can talk to you without getting a stiff neck.  Come on girl, you too Eli, get off the horses and let’s go to town.  You can get the Holy Father later.”  He rubbed his hands together in excitement then signaled Hadassah and Elijah to get off the horses, as if they were not moving fast enough.  He started to bellow again, but stopped when he saw Claira had already come out the door carrying a cloak and bag.  Cam took the bag from Claira, grabbed her hand, and almost dragged her out the gate. He looked over his shoulder and asked, “Are you two coming or not?”

Hadassah and Elijah smiled and walked beside each other holding hands and led their horses out the gate. 

After a quick trot Cam ducked into a short tent, and almost immediately came back out carrying a pack over one shoulder.  Then he took Claira’s hand and headed to the dock.