My woodworking business has been getting better of the late, with Cedwyn buying boards and other various tools for baking pastries, and Barliman buying furniture or needing repairs for furniture. I was able to sell one of my rare eagle carvings at the last market. The man that I sold it to seemed to be of a spirit consumed by wanderlust, a man that wanders and wanders, seeking stories and tales of far off regions. Perhaps he will learn of tales, and spread his own of a expert carver in Eriador. Alas, I doubt it, but a man can dream. I plan to strike up a deal with Fiontann, owner of the Thirsty Boar inn, if I can soon. His inn has been quite busy of the late, at least when I've been there, for when I last visited, a friend I met at the pony, Kaiell, alongside some mercenary folk, Taala and Eroforth, to name a few. I believe they were working for a company named the Bloody Dawn. I haven't seen Burwod for some time, which is concerning. I was hoping to see if I could build any more weapon racks for him. I have secured a deal with the Combe Lumber Camp, that they would supply me with materials to build furniture, instruments, and the like. Mason Thorne is the man which I spoke with, the foreman of the lumber-yard. I've deemed him to be a good man, certainly a man of good taste in profession.
I discussed with him how dangerous the nearby forest has been, for I heard rumors and tales by frightened foresters. "Hmm, yes. I've heard tales and rumors from my own men. They say that the wolves have grown in size and ferocity, their gray fur is now white and more vivid. Like some sort of more evil type of wolf came down and started to breed with it's lesser, smaller, gray-furred brethren. Its all nonsense I say! The only type of wolf in Bree is a normal wolf, not some white, larger, demonic, looking one. I'd say those are only tales spread by anxious foresters that get their feathers ruffled up too quickly. Ha! They even say the trees in the Old Forest near Buckland move. Just fools wishing to stir up trouble, like those swarthy fellows from down south. That's another thing my men are getting mad about, they say the all these swarthy folk from the south will steal their jobs and make em poor. Now, if you ask me, all these foreigners ain't good for business, thats for sure. As Barliman says, "One thing drives out another!". Now, what do you think he means by that, hm?"
I smiled, laughing as he began to rant onto another subject, then another. "Well, perhaps you already know, your rant there can be easily summarized with that quote. But, if you ask me what Barliman means by that, I think you already know. Simple as this really. One thing, or person in this case, drives out another. Like the swarthy folk are driving some of your men. I believe thats what he means by that. Now, if you'll excuse me Mason, I have to get into town here. I hope that we'll be able to speak more about our partnership sooner, rather than later. Till we meet again, and good luck with your forestry!" The conversations that Mason can make are simply amusing, but oft do they provide me with fresh thought. After I spoke with Mason, I went to the Comb and Wattle tavern in Combe. A drink is always good before the return home, that is for sure. It appears that others were holding a meeting of some sorts. I spotted Geswine among them, and after ordering my drink I went offer, making myself known. I heard two more names, Maldwyn, and Freyga. We quickly were introduced, and it seems that Freyga is another eorling. The conversation which they were having was that of a mead hall, here in Bree-land. To find a hearth and share tales of home, or of tales we've made. I found the idea amusing, as I originally thought it was simply a jest, but it appears not. I responded in jest, saying that it would be wise. Freyga said that she is clearing land in Middleham, and needs all the help that she can get. I told her that I am a woodworker, but do not work for free. She told me that she will pay, if need be. I departed with the thought of it upon my mind, was it too much commitment for me to handle as of the moment, to aid in the construction of a mead hall with strangers?
I departed back to home and slept upon it, for many a hours I lied upon my bed, thinking. I have no other home, in truth, unless I go back to Rohan and brew up a plan to put Sigehelm in the eye of justice, and expose him for what he had done, I had no other home but the one which I slept in. I will need to think it over more, it is certainly a good idea, and I could lend my services to it, but I do not know. The market provided a good time to think while I was not being distracted by my customers. The first one that I had was a poor-looking lass, showed great interest in my various weaponry and mallets in the back of my stall. I sold one to her, taking pity, I sold it for five silver. I couldn't help but notice that she had done something to my figurines, and in truth, she did! She stole my wolf figurine, one of my finest ones too. No matter, the lass most likely needs it. Cedwyn had bought my figurine of a Rider of Rohan atop his steed for twenty silver. And finally, my last customer, which I was able to get a name out of, was Curnden. A good man with a good heart, I say. He was going to tell me a tale of his past, that he was a carpenter before he went into war. It was a shame that he wasn't able to complete it. Curnden had bought my Elder Longtusk figurine, one of the few carvings that I was able to see in person, breathing and moving. I gave him a discount of twenty silver, for him and the watch protecting Bree. I believe that gesture made his day, or at least, softened it up. We spoke about how the criminal activity had made the market shut down, or at least, for a time it did. The response that I got out of made my day, "Nay, never lad. Thats how you let the bastards win." Those words from a watcher are quite reassuring, i'd say. Curnden departed, I packed my things up, and met with Cedwyn at the Prancing Pony to have a drink and to have some of the honey biscuits. An evening well spent, I say. After the market today, I believe I have my thoughts all confirmed. I'll help with the construction of the mead hall. It'll be home away from home. Aye. I will have to find Freyga and make her aware of these new developments, but that shall be fore another day.
