The island was naturally covered in clover and as green as one would expect considering its name, Clover Island. The north side has a small harbor and around the island are a number of little coves. The south and west sides have grassy hills with a few pockets of trees well suited for raising cows. The east side has a number of plains that were perfect for raising grains. Many large fields surrounded a very small hamlet that housed the hired hands and their families who worked the fields. The north side of the island was characterized by rocky crags and steep hills with a number of plots that were fenced off for growing crops, potatoes being a favorite, and raising sheep and goats. Among the rocky crags and looking down on the harbor was the manor house. It was a large building with the kitchen acting as the great hall taking up most of the main part of the house. The front side of the house had two stories and numerous windows with a large double door. There were two wings extending off the sides at right angles, and the back of the building was made up of many sleeping chambers. At the back of the house and at the end of each wing were double chimneys. Having the kitchen in the manor was unusual because of the risk of fire burning the building. The chimney that rose out of the main part of the house was for a large dwarf made cast iron stove. The craftsmanship of the dwarves from the Lost Mountain was legendary because of the quality, and since few knew where the mountain was anything that bore the mountain’s stamp was considered a precious commodity. The chimneys from the wings of the house were for fireplaces that heated the wings from the small library or reading room on one side and solar on the other side. The solar contained a number of chess sets so that the younger members of the family would learn the value of planning a number of moves ahead. Outside was a sweeping covered porch that rounded the sides and front of it. Each side and the front of the house had at least one large swinging bench and a number of wicker rockers.
The compound of the house contained various other buildings and two large barns. Leaving the compound was a road connecting it to a small village that had developed by the harbor. The village contained the families of the various tradesmen and hired help that worked on the island or in the local waters. Some of these cottages were owned by their inhabitants.
The island was famous for its cheese, a result of the clover, and its owners, the Gabriel family, which was famous for having two saints in their ancestral line, and for the virtue and honor of its fighting men. Most of the island had been in possession of the Gabriel family for generations. The manor provided a safe haven for all of the seven sons of St. Gabriel and their families.
Sitting on the porch was a large man named Isaac; he was the oldest son of Noah Gabriel. The Order of St. Gabriel was named after Noah. Isaac at forty eight was a young man but had a look of experience about him. Along with him were two women, Eliza, a big boned blond with braided hair kept high above an elfish face, and the demeanor of a person who works at a firm and steady pace. The second woman was Sarah, a small slim brunette with a matching face that regularly seemed to carry a look of concern. She always worked at a frantic pace. They were enjoying the quiet after the sun had set and a momentary loll in what was normally a very active house to discuss the coming events for the Gabriel family.
Eliza pushed a plate of cookies toward Isaac, her husband, and with a smile commented, “This is pleasant, the first time I think I have sat down today.”
Sarah leaned forward to listen to a noise in the house, tenderly patted Isaac’s hand and motioned for him to ignore the noise and stay with them on the bench that he shared with both women. Then with the sound of regret in her voice she whispered, “It is going to be lonely around here without you. I can’t wait for you to get back, and you haven’t even left yet. Maybe I should take after Hadassah and Claira and go with you when you leave in the morning.”
Isaac smiled and kissed her on the top of the head, “With Claira and you gone nothing would get done.” Eliza elbowed Isaac in the ribs and he gave an exaggerated grunt. Both women knew he was stretching things a bit, but there was a lot of truth in the statement because Eliza was too kindhearted to discipline anyone. When she did scold someone she felt terrible for days and lavished affection and sweets on the guilty individual until she felt she had done enough penance. When Sarah wasn’t around Hezekiah would annoy Eliza until she lost patience with him; he thought that the benefits more than made up for any punishment.
Eliza asked, “How long?” not feeling the need to put more words into the question. They all looked down into the harbor were an elfish designed cog with two masts sat at the main pier among small fishing boats. The bow of the ship was contoured like the smooth backside of a swan with the front of the hull narrowing at the forecastle, matching the slope of the swan’s feathers toward the neck, and resulting in the figure head of a large swan. The railing gracefully followed the contour of the ship without sharp corners. Even though it sat low in the water it appeared ready to quickly move.
Isaac thought for a moment and then said, “A week of sailing depending on the winds and a little more than a day to unload at most. Hopefully Seth will be there or right behind me. He should have set sail a week ago from the Lost Mountain.” Then in a happier voice, after giving Eliza a nudge, he exclaimed, “I haven’t seen Hezekiah in over three years and I want to be there for the wedding.” He stopped to think for a moment then continued, “Of course that is if they haven’t been wed before I get there, you haven’t met Tess yet, she is a fireball, and might not wait for me.”
Sarah tilted her head to the side and commented to no one, “Two peas in a pod there.”
Isaac continued as if he had not been interrupted, “I want to talk with Luke and I don’t know if he will be there yet. If Pip can’t get the five kings to make a treaty of alliance to defend Miller Pass I might just load our solders up and leave them to their own fate.” A moment passed, “If Luke hasn’t started for Porto he will need to soon.” He continued quietly, “It will be the first time all seven of us will be together since mother died fifteen years ago.” Both women leaned their heads on their husband’s shoulders in sympathy.
“Caleb and Joshua will join Luke in Salem with approximately one hundred bowmen who have been trained by the Brothers of St. Michael to work with the spearmen that Luke is bringing.” With a sigh he continued, “Elijah and Cam should have their troops at least half way prepared. I have never seen Cam so disgusted in my life. Some of those boys were so skinny it was evident they hadn’t eaten a decent meal in months and the fathers were even worse. They had to put some fat on them before Cam could work any muscle into them. He had planned on starting the training right away but knew he would have to go slow at first.” Brushing some crumbs off his lap he continued looking at Sarah, “I know I have said it, but the relief on your fathers face when we started unloading the grain was heart breaking. I could see the concern he had for the refugees and we all know he would sacrifice his kingdom trying to help them all. It is unlikely that the other kingdoms, all combined, had as many refugees as he did. I don’t think many of them went home for the winter; the orcs wouldn’t have left any food behind when they retreated. He was running out of silver to pay his retainers because of all the food he had already bought. I think he probably only had about ten retainers on hand when I left and your little brother was trying to increase the household guard, but with what your little brother had to work with it would cost more than they would be worth.” With a sigh he finished, “Of course any honorable man with integrity would spend his last coin to defend his homeland.”
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