The Saga Of Haven De Milford
Created Wednesday 18 December 2024
Bright the morn and high our hearts as we set out upon our quest. 'Twas Saturday, and our companion Tommy had joined us early to embark on the great adventure that was to become known as the adventure of Haven de Milford.
We had hired a Chariot from Hertz van Rental, the well-known Dutch trader. He had made a special effort for us, opening earlier than his usual hour, knowing as he did the magnitude of our journey and the importance of reaching our destination ere the setting of the sun.
Far we had to travel, verily, and direct could not be our route, for we had yet one more companion to meet upon the way.
We had arranged to meet our final companion close to the borders, ensuring our party was complete before venturing into the deeper wilds of Wales. We intended to meet when the sun was at its highest - 12:44 by the kingdom's reckoning, and it was far to travel before we came to that meeting. But make it we did, with a goodly time to spare. The travelling gods smiled upon us and we met with no major impediments. And in this we were indeed fortunate, for our remaining fellow-traveller had also journeyed well and himself arrived a good half hour before the appointed time.
The extra time thus gained was well-employed, for we dined at a local waystation, refreshing ourselves in preparation for the remaining journey. The fare was no better than adequate, but that sufficed, for the company was pleasant.
And on we ventured, the four of us. Colin son of Alan son of Eric, and his wife Rachel, Tommy of the family Wong, visitor from a far off country, now established in his chosen land of residence, and Bill of family Lu, previously unknown to us, but highly regarded, and possessed of high status in his own realm.
Our journey to Haven de Milford passed without incident. Many pleasantries were exchanged as the questers forged a bond that would see them through the hours ahead. And thus it was that we arrived in Haven de Milford in the light of a westering sun.
We established our camp and saw to the safety of our few belongings before making that day's remaining visit - to pay our respects to the guardians of the portal. It was but a short distance to the centre of control, and that was covered without delay. Thus we reached our first objective in good spirits and with time to spare.
We were greeted warmly by the keepers of the watch, offered refreshment and given time to observe and make ourselves comfortable. Bill was initially content to admire the view afforded of the portal and the equipment of the keepers of the watch, but after a short time he began to question those present concerning the methods used to ensure the safety of those using the portal.
It was clear from the tenor of his questions that in his own land similar needs were felt for safety and security, but equally was it clear that he had not himself used the methods employed here. Thus was his visit to prove fruitful, for both Colin son of Alan, and Tommy of the family Wong were able to enlighten Bill of the family Lu in matters concerning the detection and monitoring of forces yet afar off.
"The detection method employs a tame cousin of lightning." explained Colin, "We send scouting parties in a known direction with instructions for some members to return each time they find something of interest. Using knowledge of their speed of travel we can determine the length of the journey, and thus we know the displacement of our enemies' troops and our friends' reinforcements.
"We then have pictsels to dance in a pattern that shows the relationships between the various forces. They talk directly to the daemons that control the tame lightning, and thus we see the situation as though looking down upon it from on high."
"But are the scouts never confused by nature or by enemy contrivances?" asked Bill.
"Oh, Yes" came the reply. "The scouts, in their scouting parties, have won great renown for their speed, but that comes at a price. They travel very fast indeed - they could encircle the globe 10 times in the space of a warrior's resting heartbeat - yet still they are simple in mind. They must only travel in a straight line, lest they lose sight of their home, become lost and die. They cannot in truth tell the difference between enemy and ally - we must interpret the disposition of those forces they reveal. But worst of all, they are easily confused by mirrors. Even the sparkle from a momentary wave front can send them back, falsely to report."
And thus spake Bill, "Then surely their reports cannot be trusted? When there may be forces concealed behind a headland, or there may be a cloud of false reports cluttering the view, how can you trust what they say?"
And so replied Colin, "Truly, we must be vigilant. We provide more than one home for the pulses, and what may be concealed from one vantage point is thus revealed from another. More complex, however, is the training we must give the pictsels that dance, and the keepers of the portal that watch them.
"The pictsels dance, 'tis true, but they also glow with the exertion of the dance. When a new message arrives from the field they glow brightly with excitement, and such bright light shows the situation as it has most recently been seen by the pulses. And as they dance they gradually lose their excitement until they fade and once again become dark and still.
"The understanding of their dance is not for the uninitiated, but it is clear for those that have eyes to see. Moving forces leave what appears to be a glowing trail behind them, and thus can clearly be seen. False reports that might otherwise clutter our view and cloud our thoughts leave no such trails, and hence are exposed as false."
Bill of family Lu looked troubled as he considered all he had been told. The look of concern that held his visage spake clearly - the matter of disguise by clutter of enemy forces lay heavy on his heart. It seemed apparent that he had long since learned to distrust the reports brought back by the scouts.
At this point there was a pause of some minutes as the time had come to change the watch. The new guardians were introduced to Bill and pleasantries were exchanged. We were again impressed with the warmth of the welcome, although to be sure it can be a lonely vigil keeping watch over the portal and the keepers must no doubt enjoy the company.
Further demonstrations of the keeper's arts were given, including the show of those daemons trained to follow the dancing pictsels. These greatly assist the watchers of the portal, carrying such signs as they are given to declare the nature of the forces represented by the pictsels' dance. Thus much of the burden of the watchers is relieved and they can turn their minds to the maintenance of their journals.
Bill continued thoughtful. "How is it that the daemons follow the pictsels of the forces? Surely they are in constant danger of confusion by the endless sparkle of false reports?"
"It is a matter of concern," replied Colin, "and is the subject of my most earnest study. The pattern of sparkle, the disturbance in it caused by the passage of forces - enemy or ally - all these are signs to be read. My daemons already do well, and their training continues."
Bill seemed satisfied for the moment, although the matter clearly continued to concern him as it was raised again the following day. For now he seemed impressed with the intelligence that could be gained from the dancing pictsels, their formations showing clearly the size and disposition of the forces that had bade the scouts return to their place of origin.
"But come," said Rachel. "Night draws in upon us, and though the sky is still light we had best see to our evening meal." And so we bade farewell to the keepers of the watch and took our leave.
Our original intent had been to dine at one of the several inns in the area, but as fate would have it all were crowded to overflowing. By some chance we had come to Haven de Milford on carnival day, and although the main festivities had been that morning and were now largely over, the people were still in a mood to celebrate, and hence no meal could be found anywhere.
Our plight was recognised by the custodian of our camping site, however, and we were offered the hospitality of her own supplies. She had other demands on her time, and so we were unable to linger over the meal, but it was most satisfactory. Again the company proved pleasant, and evening was upon us.
We learned that as a finale to the carnival there was to be later that evening a show of the alchemist's art by way of a fireworks spectacular. Tommy and Bill chose a vantage point by the river and waited for sundown, while Colin and Rachel discovered that by some act of good fortune their resting place offered an excellent view. Thus the company settled down for the night, agreeing to break the fast together on the 'morrow.
The sun shone brightly upon our rising, and we broke the fast in a leisurely manner. News had come that Tim of clan Morgan was willing to guide us out to the remote headland of St Ann, one of the stations from which the scouts are sent on their missions. Bill had the day before seen the formation of the pictsels showing the situation as assessed from this station, and was now interested to see the station for himself.
We gathered our belongings, paid the inn-keeper for her hospitality, and set off back to the main portal monitoring centre to meet with Tim. An ally of long standing, small in frame but great in strength and skill, Tim met us with a warm handshake and hearty greeting.
We were now five in number, so Rachel rode in Tim's chariot, Colin, Tommy and Bill following. We had been assured that the times were quiet and the road would be safe, but we were as far from our homeland as it was possible to be and the air of wariness never left entirely.
The route we followed twisted and turned, but without complexity of branchings. So thus we found ourselves ere long at the watchtower on the headland. Several dwellings clustered around, no longer in use, for the tower was no longer occupied. Instead the scouts sallied forth, returned, and then would report to the main control centre directly.
Bill was greatly impressed and more than a little amazed.
"How is it that the scouts can find their way?" he wanted to know. Colin took him outside and showed Bill the directional marker. "There's a matching marker at the other end - at the watch station - and the scouts follow this marker to find that one."
"But surely it's too far!" exclaimed Bill. "Surely they would get lost, or confused by the weather!"
"You may think so," replied Colin, "but the method proves very reliable. Only four or five in every thousand fail to arrive, and such losses we can sustain without undue concern."
Bill was assured, although still thoughtful. He had seen much that was new in his short time with us, and so had much to consider.
Our time was drawing to a close. Tim of Morgan bade farewell and took his leave of us, and Bill of family Lu had further commitments on the after-night and thus needed to be making his way. We found a small place of refreshment and partook of a light repast to prepare for the journey back to the New Port.
Our journey back to the borderlands passed uneventfully and we arrive in the New Port in close time for Bill's return conveyance. We bade warm farewells, and gave and received assurances of the mutual benefit our time together had wrought. Bill was honoured that we had given so freely of our time to initiate him in the arcane arts in which we specialised, and expressed his gratitude for our efforts. We in turn made clear how much we valued his visit and time and endeavoured to impress upon him our heartfelt desire for the continuation of our bond.
Truly the visit had been rewarding for us all, and we look forward in hope to renewing our friendship when the opportunity is offered.
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