Thistlewood. Eventually, you will move to the tower as I do not wish to direct too much suspicion to Brackenburgh. I will help as much as I can , but this project will take a lot of organization and I cannot afford to spend too much time at Thistlewood. ”
Branan nodded. “ Our goal is to divert attention away. ”
“ I must say, learning you are a laird has allayed my previous reservations of your organizational skills , but I remained concerned as I do not know your military experience. Currently, the mercenary raids I am conducting against Strickland are keeping him quite busy. Our ranks grow daily. Do you have the skill to organize these fighting men into an army? ”
“ o mfont> Of that, ” Duguald said before Branan could reply, “ I hav’no doubt. I trained the lad myself. ”
Courcy nodded.
“ And I will be with you too, Branan, ” Gavin said.
“ But what o’the manor house, Gavin? Surely , ye need to rebuild it. ”
Gavin winced, his jaw flexing. “ I fear rebuilding the manor house will only draw Strickland’s eye back to us...and to you ” He paused and shook his head. “ Nay , Branan, the manor house will wait until the true heir of the Wardenship returns to his proper place. ”
Branan nodded, seeing the wisdom in Gavin’s choice.
“ Tomorrow, ” Courcy said. “ I will fetch my steward and you can look at the records. They will give you a solid grasp on what I have started. ”
“ We willna be able to do much against Strickland until spring. But I plan on putting the time until that day to good use. ”
“ Well said, MacTavish. With you taking over the endeavor I will be able to turn my attention to planning my wedding. I have a feeling four months will prove shorter than we think. ”
Branan fought down the chill clenching his gut and managed a nod.
****
The next morning, Courcy and his steward, Edmund, left Branan in the great hall with a mass of journals and ledger tallies piled around him. They had discussed the basics , but other duties called Courcy and Edmund away, leaving Branan to fend for himself.
Duguald and Gavin had also abandoned him in favor of working in the lists for a short time. Branan discovered he would much rather be with them. The sheer volume of organizing something like this was overwhelming.
“ Is it safe now? ” a soft voice asked from behind him.
Branan turned, blinking at Catriona in surprise. “ Safe? ”
She nodded and stepped next to him. “ I don’t feel like arguing with Richard about being cooped up in the solar. ”
He chuckled and gestured to a chair. “ Courcy is tending some business at the moment. I would verra much enjoy yer company. ”
She smiled brightly as she sat then stared at the journals. “ Oh dear, they left you with everything. ”
“ Aye, ” Branan said, rubbing his eyes. “ This is becoming most difficult. ”
“ How so? ”
“ I’ve organized and managed many things as laird of my clan , but I’ve ne’er been involved in building a keep. The weapons and materials are reasonably constant and easy to predict. The other things can be more difficult. ”
“ I understand, ” she said and looked over his shoulder at one of the ledger tallies. “ Now that will never do. ”
“ What’s that? ”
“ Your foodstuffs. ”
“ We have enough for forty men, right now there are only thirty. ”
Catriona arched an eyebrow. “ But look here, Branan, a few lines down, there are bales of raw wool to be sent to Thistlewood. Who will card and spin it, then weave it? ”
Branan blinked. “ Aye, that will require the knowledge of women. ”
“ There are many things here that will require women. Even though the tower is not complete , you must think of it as a community already. You know the men will probably want to bring their womenfolk, so you will have hands to do the work, but you need to make sure you have enough supplies for them. It doesn’t stop with just food items used in the kitchens, you will
Branan nodded. “ Our goal is to divert attention away. ”
“ I must say, learning you are a laird has allayed my previous reservations of your organizational skills , but I remained concerned as I do not know your military experience. Currently, the mercenary raids I am conducting against Strickland are keeping him quite busy. Our ranks grow daily. Do you have the skill to organize these fighting men into an army? ”
“ o mfont> Of that, ” Duguald said before Branan could reply, “ I hav’no doubt. I trained the lad myself. ”
Courcy nodded.
“ And I will be with you too, Branan, ” Gavin said.
“ But what o’the manor house, Gavin? Surely , ye need to rebuild it. ”
Gavin winced, his jaw flexing. “ I fear rebuilding the manor house will only draw Strickland’s eye back to us...and to you ” He paused and shook his head. “ Nay , Branan, the manor house will wait until the true heir of the Wardenship returns to his proper place. ”
Branan nodded, seeing the wisdom in Gavin’s choice.
“ Tomorrow, ” Courcy said. “ I will fetch my steward and you can look at the records. They will give you a solid grasp on what I have started. ”
“ We willna be able to do much against Strickland until spring. But I plan on putting the time until that day to good use. ”
“ Well said, MacTavish. With you taking over the endeavor I will be able to turn my attention to planning my wedding. I have a feeling four months will prove shorter than we think. ”
Branan fought down the chill clenching his gut and managed a nod.
****
The next morning, Courcy and his steward, Edmund, left Branan in the great hall with a mass of journals and ledger tallies piled around him. They had discussed the basics , but other duties called Courcy and Edmund away, leaving Branan to fend for himself.
Duguald and Gavin had also abandoned him in favor of working in the lists for a short time. Branan discovered he would much rather be with them. The sheer volume of organizing something like this was overwhelming.
“ Is it safe now? ” a soft voice asked from behind him.
Branan turned, blinking at Catriona in surprise. “ Safe? ”
She nodded and stepped next to him. “ I don’t feel like arguing with Richard about being cooped up in the solar. ”
He chuckled and gestured to a chair. “ Courcy is tending some business at the moment. I would verra much enjoy yer company. ”
She smiled brightly as she sat then stared at the journals. “ Oh dear, they left you with everything. ”
“ Aye, ” Branan said, rubbing his eyes. “ This is becoming most difficult. ”
“ How so? ”
“ I’ve organized and managed many things as laird of my clan , but I’ve ne’er been involved in building a keep. The weapons and materials are reasonably constant and easy to predict. The other things can be more difficult. ”
“ I understand, ” she said and looked over his shoulder at one of the ledger tallies. “ Now that will never do. ”
“ What’s that? ”
“ Your foodstuffs. ”
“ We have enough for forty men, right now there are only thirty. ”
Catriona arched an eyebrow. “ But look here, Branan, a few lines down, there are bales of raw wool to be sent to Thistlewood. Who will card and spin it, then weave it? ”
Branan blinked. “ Aye, that will require the knowledge of women. ”
“ There are many things here that will require women. Even though the tower is not complete , you must think of it as a community already. You know the men will probably want to bring their womenfolk, so you will have hands to do the work, but you need to make sure you have enough supplies for them. It doesn’t stop with just food items used in the kitchens, you will
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