Chapter 2: Finn Departs
By noon, the three of them were exhausted. They came back to the house, went straight for the table, and collapsed into their chairs. Margaret came around and poured hot soup into their bowls.
Margaret had white hair, just like her husband Finn, but her face had aged much better than his. Her face still looked soft and beautiful. It was only her hands that showed her age. When she poured the soup out, the wrinkles and veins on her hands were visible.
After she had served them their soup and bread, Margaret sat down at the table herself to join in the meal.
At first, Catherine, Carlyle and Finn were too tired to talk, so they sat in their seats and just ate their food. Margaret let them eat for a couple of minutes, but then she began asking questions.
“Did you finish?” she asked.
Finn grunted. “Finished. All the logs are sawed and in the cart.”
“When will you leave?” Margaret said.
Finn wiped the soup off of his chin with his bread. “Arthur should be coming around shortly,” he said. “I’ll leave when he gets here.”
“And how long will you be gone this time?” Margaret asked.
“Same as usual. It should take us two days to get down into the forest, and then two days to get back.”
“Can I come with you?” asked Carlyle.
“No,” said Finn flatly.
“But I can help pull the cart,” said Carlyle. “I’ve never seen the forest.”
“Arthur and I can pull the cart fine. Besides, your mother and sister need you up here.”
“We could all come,” said Catherine. “That way you won’t have to split the money with Arthur.”
“You’ll stay here,” said Finn. “And Arthur’s son, Alfred, will stay with you as well.”
Catherine groaned.
“What’s wrong?” asked Finn.
“I hate it when Carlyle’s friends stay over,” said Catherine. “They always talk nonsense the whole night. And Alfred is the worst of them.”
“I’m sorry,” said Finn, although his tone did not indicate any sorrow. “But it needs to be done. While I’m gone, you’ll need someone else in the house in case there’s another attack. Alfred is old enough to help in a fight now, if he needs to. But it’s also for his own benefit. It’s not safe for him to stay alone while his father is with me. Anyway, it’s already been agreed to.”
Catherine rolled her eyes, but didn’t argue.
“There’s one thing I’ve never understood,” said Carlyle. “Why do the forest people always give you money in exchange for lumber? There are plenty of trees in the forest. Why don’t they just cut their own lumber?”
“Because,” said Finn, tearing off another mouthful of bread with his teeth, “You’d have to be crazy to make the trees angry when you’re in the forest.”
“What does that mean?” asked Catherine. But Finn ignored her question.
“Then why don’t the forest people come up here to cut down the trees,” asked Carlyle.
“They do, sometimes,” said Finn. “But the mountains are dangerous. There are all sorts of dangerous creatures that live up here that the forest people aren’t used to. Plus they don’t know the area. You remember the group that got mauled by the bears four years ago? Those were forest people. They came up here to cut down some trees, and they didn’t realize how close they were to bear territory. And because they weren’t used to watching for bears, they didn’t notice it when the bears started to creep around them. And then when the bears did attack, they didn’t know how to fight them.”
“I remember you telling us about that,” said Carlyle. “But you wouldn’t let us see the bodies.”
“You didn’t need to see the bodies. Arthur and I brought what was left of them back to the forest, and their families paid us something for our trouble. But ever since then, no forest people have come up here again.”
“Is it safer in the forest?” asked Catherine.
“Much safer,” said Finn. “That’s why the forest folk don’t know how to handle themselves when they come up here.”
“Well if it’s safer in the forest, then why do we live up here in the mountains?” asked Catherine. “And why don’t you ever let us come with you when you go into the forest?”
“Too many questions,” said Finn angrily. “Why can’t I ever eat a meal in peace?”
There was a knock on the door. Instinctively they all reached for their weapons. “That’ll be Arthur,” said Finn. “Everybody relax.” Although Finn still kept his hand on his sword.
“It’s me, Finn,” came a voice from outside. “Open up.”
Finn walked over and undid the latch. Arthur stepped into the doorway, and with him came a gust of cold air. Arthur had a healthy pink looking face, and a full head of brown hair, and a thick curly brown bread. With broad shoulders and a big chest, he fully looked the part of a mountain woodsman.
“Whoa! What is that smell?” Arthur bellowed as he came into the house.
“You know what it is,” said Finn in a tired voice. “It’s Margaret’s collection of plants and herbs. As usual.”
“Hello Margaret,” said Arthur. “Glad to see you haven’t lost your touch. Still keeping your medicine cabinet fresh, I see.”
“Hello Arthur,” Margaret replied. “Yes, I’m still collecting the useful herbs and roots. If you ever get sick, you know where to find me.”
Arthur laughed. “I promise, you’ll be the first person I visit,” he said. “Hello Catherine. Hello Carlyle. My you two are getting big. How old are they, Finn?”
“Fifteen this year,” said Finn.
“Getting old enough to finally help out around here,” said Arthur.
“Getting old enough to bother me with a lot of questions,” said Arthur in a grumpy voice. “How is Alfred doing?”
Arthur stepped aside to reveal his son, who was standing behind him. “Fourteen this year. And getting strong and tough, just like his father.”
Alfred grimaced in embarrassment at this, but then he caught Carlyle’s eye and let out a small laugh as if to say, “How ridiculous that he’s embarrassing me this way” Carlyle laughed back, and pretty soon Arthur joined in the laughter as well as he tousled Alfred’s black hair with his big hands. Alfred put up with the tousling briefly, and then slowly stepped out of his father’s reach.
Arthur was slightly smaller than Carlyle and Catherine, but because he was constantly running around outside and getting into fights, he did indeed look strong and tough.
“Alfred, I appreciate you staying with my family,” said Finn. “There shouldn’t be any attacks this week. We gave them something to remember when we fought off the last attack. But just in case, Catherine and Carlyle will show you where the weapons are.”
“Yes sir,” said Alfred.
“Do you want any soup?” Finn asked Arthur.
“No, the boy and I already ate,” said Arthur. “We should get going. It’s past noon already.”
Finn started stepping outside.
“Don’t forget your coat, Father” said Carlyle, running after Finn.
“It’s alright,” said Finn, patting Carlyle affectionately. “It’s actually not as cold at the bottom of the mountain as it is at the top. We’ll be fine in the forest without coats.”
“Bring it anyway,” said Margaret. “Just in case.”
Finn recognized the tone of voice, and knew better than to argue. “Yes dear,” he said.
“I still don’t understand why we can’t all come,” said Carlyle. “I want to see the forest.”
“When you’re older,” said Finn.
“But why?” asked Carlyle.
“When you’re older,” said Finn again firmly, and he patted Carlyle on the back again. “Take care while I’m gone. You too Catherine. And take care of your mother, both of you.”
“And stay inside if you can,” Arthur added. “There are rumors that the goblin army is marching through these mountains again.”
“You be careful as well,” said Margaret.
“I’m bringing my sword, as always” Finn said.
Finn and Arthur walked to the cart. They each had a sword strapped to their back, which they then threw onto the cart. Finn threw his coat onto the cart as well. Then they each grabbed one of the shafts, and with a great pull, set the cart in motion.
From the doorway, Carlyle, Catherine and Alfred watched their fathers pull the cart down the mountain path until they had disappeared out of sight.
“Right,” said Alfred. “Who wants to go exploring?”
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