[piosenniel]

Berilac – day before the meeting

Once Soran had been seen out of the village and the gate secured again, Berilac made his way to the Town Hall for a meeting with the Mayor. Telien was there when he knocked on the door and was let in. The captain was just sending out one of his men to make the rounds of the Hedge, and had directed him to set up guards along the perimeter to make sure no other outsiders tried to bypass the gates and enter through and gaps.

The three men then put their heads together concerning what offers Bree might make to the Northmen’s leader tomorrow at noon. They were all hoping that they might offer them a plan for moving on and settling in another place. Harald, earlier, had directed one of his clerks to keep a running inventory of the provisions and livestock brought into the village since the threat of invasion had had become a possibility. His penchant for keeping informed on the economic well-being of Bree-land had kept him in touch with those whose interests ran to lumber and smithying, and other smaller industries such as weaving, basketry, and wagon-making. His finger ran down his lists and he rumbled off items and quantities, now, to the clerk he had called in to take notes.

Berilac and Telien were at another table, looking over several maps the Ranger had brought with him. They had narrowed down their suggestions for areas of relocation to two, and were now discussing the merits of both. ‘We should take into consideration they are from the northern lands,’ Telien said, pointing to the area where the refugees had come from. ‘They will be used to that sort of terrain and clime.’ Berilac nodded at this comment and pointed at an area he thought might be suitable. ‘Not too difficult to get to from here,’ he said, ‘which is a definite advantage, and there will be plenty of room for them to build.’ ‘Good water source,’ said Telien, ‘and these hills should provide good hunting and some of the raw materials they’ll need for building. Plus, the flatter areas have rich soil – good for the food crops they’ll need.’

By the end of the day, they had hammered out what they might offer the refugees. Berilac hac spoken with Lilac when he was in the Inn and for the most part, the refugee women and children would be well enough to travel in a week. Plenty of time for the villagers to pull together the supplies they would send with the refugees.

‘We can also send Minastan with them,’ said Berilac. ‘He is familiar with the country around there and can see to their safe passage.’

It had grown late by the time they were done. The three agreed to meet early tomorrow morning to refine any points that might be a little unclear, and then they would go together to the meeting on the field outside the West Gate. Telien, taking no chances, said that he would arrange for a company of long bowmen along the top of the Hedge. They would stand at ease, he assured them, but at a signal from him they would fire a volley and let the trio of Breeland representatives make a dash for the Gate.