[Bêthberry]

With concern at being called away and unable to attend to Maedlyn, Bethberry had saddled Cailleach up and ridden swiftly back to Edoras. Lairwyn's news about the stable fire was disturbing, particularly after last year's theft from the stable. If I lose the Inn as well as the stable,, thought the Innkeeper, I will likely have to leave. I don't have enough money to rebuild both. Then, forcing herself to think more positively, she had made plans about how to proceed. By the time she entered Edoras, and passed through the gates after hearing the guards' reports of the blaze, she was prepared.

She rode up the back path to the Horse in order to avoid the gossiping attentions of the crowd, and left Cailleach tethered in the small leanto behind the Inn. Here, she hoped, there would be enough room to stable all the horses that had survived the fire. She looked over towards the garden, where the mounds of Madi's apple pips could still be seen amid the light green spring growth of vegetables. She looked up at the three stories of The Horse, each room having a small latticed window looking out onto the outskirts of the town. She looked to her right, at the blackened ruins of the stable. The air was thick still with smoke and stench. She knew immediately that there had been losses, hard, terrible losses, and her heart went heavy with regret and sadness.

Yet there was much work to do before she could allow herself the luxury of tears or grief. Spying a large dog sniffing through the ruins, and a strange cat wandering around the leanto, Bethberry put out some bones with meat and a dish of milk--as far apart as seemed necessary--and then entered through the kitchen, seeking out Aylwen, to confer with her before making a public appearance.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Lunch had been cleared away by the time the Innkeeper strode into the main hall. She was thankful for Aywlen's quick thinking in providing a rich, substantial meal for all those who had helped put out the fire. Let it never be said that the White Horse was a stingy establishment!

Then, resolutely but with a brave face, she posted the following notice on the chalk board:

Wanted: Many Hands

To rebuild the stable:
Foresters and lumberers (to provide lumber)
Architects and artists (to design plans)
Carpenters
Roofers

To serve in The Horse:
Cook (Froma is leaving)
Scullery maids (two likely)
Wait Staff
Maids and launderers

To work in Edoras:
bowyer
bricklayer and stoneworkers
apothecarist
candlemaker

Please apply to the Innkeeper, Bethberry, stating experience. Wages: Room and Board, with additional sums as befits level of work and skill.

~ ~ ~

Bethberry stepped back and observed the notice. It would do, she decided. Froma came up behind her.

"I won't leave 'til you've found a replacement," he told her. "I've saved enough to leave off working, and as my gout is bad, I'll take my health."

Bethberry nodded at him. "Many told Aywlen they wish to help rebuild the stable. I'm expecting them to come forward here and present themselves to me, so I know what's about. I will be seeing to getting a large wagon this afternoon, so we can haul in lumber from outside Edoras. We'll need straw for tonight in the leanto at back. Can you arrange that?"

Froma nodded. He hesitated a moment, and then spoke up again, more quietly this time. "Ruthven will be wanting to see you. She's needing someone with your skills, at the bakery."

Bethberry caught the look in his eyes and nodded her understanding. First she would see if any were about who wised to speak with her about the positions.

[ 2:47 PM December 01, 2003: Message edited by: Bêthberry ]