Untitled chapter 1
Preface
Far off in Western Tyree, deep in the Green Mountains, in the valley of Olivet along the banks of Alba River where the water runs deep and slow before it flows into Lake Arendt, sits the village of Broughton.
The village can be reached by road most of the year. But if you travel by the road leading along Mount Adder from the west, however the road can be traitorous in places. Most trade is done by barge from the north.
The docks in Broughton are always busy with markets and trade. The boardwalk serves as Main Street, and stretches the entire length of town from north to south.
The town sits on the west side of the river. The only street winds its way past houses making its way north then south up the mountainside. As the road weaves back, then forth it takes you west up the steep mountainside.
The farthest west edge of town only reaches a quarter of the way to the top, so the road is poorly maintained beyond the town’s edge.
West, above the town on the top of the peak and overlooking Broughton stands a stone fortress with a watchtower and a small stone armory deep in its recesses. It was built long before the town below was established, and even before the Rudan War.
Across the river on the east shore is a small dock with a few buildings and houses and beyond that is a large vineyard stretching a ways up the side of Bowl Mountain. The grape vines stand in one row after another. The light green grape leaves stands out in contrast with the darker green of the trees that grow beyond them.
The people of Broughton are hardy folk. They are short in stature with fine delicate futures. Most of the people have light blond or brown hair. The women wear their hair long and most tie it in a scarf.
All of the men dress in a similar fashion with their white broadcloth shirts and black trousers, and a matching black jacket during the cold season. The women wear more colorful clothing, though it is nearly the same style as the men’s; though the women wear a full length skirt instead of trousers. A woman’s’ broadcloth blouse is always decorated with a needlepoint flower pattern on the edge of the collar.
The barges travel river bringing needed supplies for the town but more important it gives the towns people a chance to sell their goods. Broughton is known throughout the kingdom for its wine. Plumb wine is made from the east shore of the Alba and of course grape wine from the west shore.
The far west end of the village of Broughton on the highest street is a row of houses that were built deep into the mountain. They are called the cave houses by the towns’ folk. These houses were built for storing the wine as it ferments.
The last house on the street is one of the oldest. It is known as the Stonecrop house. It may be as old as the tower at the top of the mountain but no one knows for sure. It is rumored that the Stonecrop family have lived there for as long as the house has stood. They say it was this family who brought the plumb trees to the valley.
Mr. Stonecrop is one of the oldest gentlemen living in town. He has cared for his family’s orchard for nearly his entire life. His family’s orchard is the largest in the valley stretching high up the mountainside.
Up at the top of the old man’s orchard is the boundary stone. It was put in place long before the Rudan War. The stone was carved by skilled hands who must have labored many weeks to create such an ornate work. The stone stands as tall as a man. It has four sides, and each side has lettering in the ancient script. On the side facing the Stonecrop property is the family name, with the family emblem at the top.
The forest above and to the south had reclaimed the adjoining property. The only evidence that is once occupied is the ruins of some ancient house or an occasional fruit or nut tree. This is where Grandfather Stonecrop was sitting when his youngest grandson made his morning stroll into the orchard.
Most mornings you can find Mr. Stonecrop sitting in his front yard sipping on hot tea and eating his breakfast. His Son and oldest grandson and their family live in the house with him. His youngest grandson lives with his young wife in a house they built above the river and past the north end of the boardwalk along the old path that leads out of town to the sandbar.
The Stonecrop house is built in the style of all of the houses in town. It is made of hardwood with heavy beams supporting the eves. The large oak door is twice as tall as a man. Its arching top closes tight against the oak door frame.
Just inside the front door is a porch with a stone floor. The table to the right of the front door is where the family eats most of their meals. Left of the front door is a row of pegs holding the family’s winter coats. Below each coat is a pair of winter boots. The heavy oak shelf above the row of pegs holds the family’s winter hats.
From the porch you enter the main house through a delectably carved door with blue glass etched with swans wearing crowns. The main room extends from the front door to the back wall of the house. Along the walls on either side are several doors. The first three doors to the left are bedrooms and the door after that is the lavatory. The next door on the right opens to the pantry, and it is connected to the kitchen, and it is the second largest room in the house.
The kitchen is set up to process the large plum harvests. There they processing plums into wine. At the back of the kitchen is a small wooden door that opens to the large cave where the wine is stored and aged.
In the center of the kitchen is a large table that can seat twenty family members. It is seldom used except processing wine and the occasional gatherings.
Standing at the front door and looking into the house, to the left are doors leading into more bedchambers. In the front of the living room are comfortable seats surrounding a low round table and then at the far end up against the stone wall is a large oak desk where Mrs. Stonecrop keeps her books and conducts the family business.
