The Congruent King by Dave Schroeder

Author:Dave Schroeder [Schroeder, Dave]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fantasy
Publisher: Spiral Arm Press
Published: 2020-05-18T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 31

Nûd Sorts Things Out

Three Mountains Valley was filled with tens of thousands of people milling about, setting up tents, tending animals, and staring at the unfamiliar snowcapped peaks to the west. Close to Rōlin and Peregrína’s solidly built log home, Nûd stood on the back porch and addressed a collection of kingdom nobles, provincial leaders, and village elders.

“There’s plenty of grass for dairy and beef cattle east of here,” said Nûd, projecting his voice so that everyone gathered could hear him easily. Eynon, Merry, and Bonnie stood to Nûd’s right while Rōlin and Peregrína were to his left, near the door to their kitchen. Nûd pointed down the valley and continued. “Wheat farmers should head south and get a crop in the ground as soon as possible. The growing season here is shorter than we’re used to.”

Most of the people listening to the king nodded, though some seemed eager to ask questions.

“That’s right,” added Rōlin. “I have seeds that will germinate quickly. We’ll also need to plant barley—it’s hardy and thrives in this climate.”

“Barley means beer!” shouted one of the Dâron nobles who looked like he’d had plenty of beer to drink over the years, even after recent short rations in the caverns.

“Only if we have enough surplus grain to brew it,” said Nûd. “If not, barley means porridge to feed hungry mouths.”

“We’d best plant lots of it then,” said the noble. Others in the crowd laughed and so did Nûd.

“I have seeds for barley as well,” offered Rōlin. “Plus seeds and cuttings for beans and sugar beets.”

“What are sugar beets?” asked an elder from a village on the Moravon river south of Tyford.

“They’re fat roots the size of a baby’s head and as sweet as honey, without the need for bees,” said Rōlin.

“Except to pollinate them,” added Peregrína with a smile. The listeners gathered ’round shared her expression.

“We won’t lack for meat in the short term,” said Nûd. “There are several large wisent herds close by, and lots of game in the forests.”

“I saw deer with strange antlers to the north up the valley,” noted a senior Roma administrator from west of the Abbenoth. “They look like they’d be good eating.”

“Those are pronghorns,” said Nûd. “They’re quite tasty, if you can catch them.”

“I haven’t seen a deer that can outrun an arrow,” said a second Dâron noble, the prickly Duchess of Whitrose who had been surprisingly even-tempered and supportive while they were hiding in the caves.

“Good hunting to you,” said Nûd. “Just know they’re fast and love to leap.”

The duchess laughed and loosed an imaginary arrow from an equally imaginary bow to illustrate she understood Nûd’s advice. “What about shelter?” she asked. “Where can we stay to be out of the elements? We can’t live in tents all year.”

“I’ll show you how to make cabins from logs,” said Rōlin. “Like this one,” he continued, waving at his home.

“Though not so large or elaborate,” said Peregrína. “At least not initially.”

“There are plenty of trees nearby,” said Nûd. “Our wizards—and Eynon’s mobile ad hoc gates will help us cut and transport the logs expeditiously.

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