Beast of Howling Treetop [8]

FLASHBACK - 120 years ago, as recounted through the oral history of Ort's father passed down to him, and Ort himself.

The heart of the island was home to towering trees that dominated the landscape. Surprisingly, there were no treehouses in sight, and the area seemed completely uninhabited. As one ventured further, a cleared and level outer circle stretched out, devoid of unruly grass, bushes.

Encircling this outer perimeter stood the vibrant village of Polester, with houses constructed from a fusion of stone and wood. Their steep, blue-tinted triangular roofs were adorned with patches of moss, lending an enchanting touch to the scenery.

The islanders relied heavily on the inner sanctum, a haven teeming with diverse wildlife, particularly deer—a crucial source of sustenance—and wild pigs.

In a house overlooking the wooden dock, where merchants flocked to purchase timber, a family of three gathered for dinner. Claus, the man of the house, swiftly finished his meal and rose from the table, leaving a tender kiss on his wife Vanella's cheek. "Vanella, I must go to work, today is organising logs," he announced.

Vanella smiled warmly, reminding him, "Make sure to return before midnight, Claus, lest our food grows cold."

"Understood," he acknowledged, making his way toward the door.

Mid-meal, their young son Iva hurried to Claus, clutching the fabric of his loose white shirt. "Papa, may I come with you?"

The boy boasted a mop of short, chestnut-brown hair atop his head, complementing his clear and round face.

However, his complexion wore a pallid white hue, a consequence of his limited excursions outdoors. He sported a neatly sewn shirt, its fabric reflecting the care put into its creation by his mother's skilled hands. Below, he donned a pair of practical, baggy brown knickers that reached just below his knees, also meticulously crafted by his mother's loving touch.

Claus squatted to meet Iva's eye level, placing both hands on his son's shoulders. "Iva, not this time. However, you can play with your friends outside."

Iva's gaze dropped, tears welling up in his bright gray eyes.

"But... I want to help you, please," Iva pleaded, unknowingly leveraging his innocent charm.

Vanella, tidying the table, interjected, "Perhaps, just this once, he could join you. I wager that after getting blisters and a bit of dirt on his hands, he won't ask again."

Claus rose, taking Iva's hand. "Alright, come along. Just remember to heed my instructions, alright?"

Iva's face lit up with joy, tears streaming down his cheeks, quickly wiped away as he smiled, his eyes shining with happiness.

As they stepped outside, the salty scent of the sea greeted them, accompanied by the comforting warmth of the sun. Iva purposely stared at the sun, his vision fading to black with dots. "I can't see, papa!"

Claus chuckled, "Don't stare at the sun, lad. It'll pass soon, your sight will return."

It was a well-known game between Claus and Iva, a secret agreement to prompt Claus to hoist Iva onto his broad shoulders. With a familiar sense of delight, Claus obliged, lifting Iva high above the ground onto his shoulders, their laughter echoing through the air.

While strolling, Claus inquired, "Did you have bookloom today, Iva?"

Iva replied, "Not today, Papa. Tomorrow."

"Ah, right. I forgot about that," Claus acknowledged.

Bookloom, the island's grandest structure, served as a school where children honed their reading, writing, and oratory skills. It also provided an opportunity for them to forge friendships with peers from across the outer circle.

Spotting a familiar face, Claus exchanged warm greetings before making a humble request. "Could you be so kind as to bring some deer meat to my house before the stroke of midnight?"

The plump man, his short brown hair neatly groomed, removed a straw from his mouth and replied with a friendly nod. "Sure thing, Claus. Just remember to settle up after your day's work."

Claus laughed and retorted, "Ah, Urlaf, my old friend, when have I ever forgotten to pay my dues?" He chuckled before continuing on his way.

The lively scene unfolded before them, with women skillfully draping damp clothes over wooden racks, allowing the gentle breeze to coax out the moisture. Meanwhile, men set off in unison, walking in the same determined direction, ready to tackle their respective tasks. Some ventured into the depths of the forest, wielding axes to fell towering trees, while others gathered fallen branches and timber

As they reached an open and grassless area, they found themselves amidst a bustling work site, where wood was received, cut, and organized. The earth beneath their feet bore the marks of countless footsteps, evidence of the labor that took place here.

Claus gently lowered Iva to the ground and advised, "Stay put, my boy. Papa will be back before you can say 'Deer, steer clear of the beer and cheer for the reindeer appear near the pier without any fear'"

Approaching a man adorned with a distinctive hat, proudly displaying an iron emblem featuring two crossed logs, Claus made a humble request. The man, dressed in dignified brown garments with silk breeches, exuded an air of authority.

"Would you be so kind as to allow me boy to accompany me? He'll not be a bother, I assure you. He'll lend a hand and when he tires, he'll observe me work," Claus asked, his tone respectful.

The man tipped his hat slightly with a nod, his eyes twinkling. "The more, the merrier."

Expressing his gratitude, Claus led Iva to an area where he intended to work for the day.

The scene before them displayed a disarray of scattered logs, fragments of the once-majestic trees that were felled. This area served as a chopping ground, where the logs were hewn and shaped. On certain days, a dedicated team of men would arrive to sort and arrange the logs.

The logs varied in color, showcasing a spectrum of shades. Some boasted a pale, almost white hue, while others displayed the typical brown color associated with timber. A select few showcased a deep, rich brown tone. Claus and Iva's task involved grouping each kind of log in specific sections, simplifying the process for the escort team to gather the wood into carts and transport them to the bustling dock.

Observing the men who had arrived earlier and were now working in pairs to handle sizable logs, Iva's eyes widened in wonder at their strength. He turned to his father, remarking, "Papa, I'll be as strong as you and your friends someday."

Claus chuckled heartily. "You will be, once you start eating deer meat."

Iva scrunched up his face in displeasure and remained silent. He never quite fancied deer meat and preferred chicken instead, but deer meat was more readily available.

"Iva, notice those small branches strewn all around? Gather those and stack them over there," Claus directed, indicating a nearby spot already piled with branches.

Iva nodded eagerly, surveying the ground around him, and promptly set off, collecting the nearby branches and accumulating them in his arms.

With the boy engaged in the task, Claus proceeded to join the other workers, exchanging greetings before getting to work alongside them.

...

As the day drew to a close, with unfinished work still at hand, Claus decided to heed Vanella's request and head home before the stroke of midnight.

To his astonishment, Iva persisted in his task throughout, continuing despite getting splinters and dirtying his hands. Claus watched his son carrying a load of branches to the pile, realizing, She misjudged him. My boy not only persevered but didn't rest once. Despite the splinters and blisters, he never gave in. He'll be a woodconner one day, I'm certain.

The man who had granted Claus permission to have Iva with him was a woodconner, a level higher than the regular workers. Their role involved supervising others' work, handling payments, and essentially doing little actual labor.

Claus called out, "Iva, it's time to head home!"

Upon hearing his father's words, Iva's posture and demeanor changed instantly, reflecting fatigue and weariness. Despite ignoring discomfort and fatigue throughout the day, he only relaxed and felt the weight of the day when it was time to leave.

Moving slowly toward Claus, Iva displayed his splintered fingers, complaining, "Papa, it hurts."

Alone, Iva behaved more maturely, but near his father, he sought attention in a childlike manner.

Claus chuckled, "I bet it does. How about I carry you back after I collect our pay?"

Iva agreed, although he didn't catch the part about their payment.

After returning with their earnings, Claus handed one Nord to Iva, saying, "This is your first Nord earned, son. When you're older, you'll get two of these every day!"

Iva accepted the iron coin with a smile, tucking it safely into his pocket.

With Iva atop his shoulders, Claus started their trek back home, mentally noting to settle his debt for deer meat on their way back.

...

Placing the boy on the ground, Claus rapped on the door with a playful rhythm, their daily routine to signal his arrival to his wife without her needing to ask who it was.

The wooden door swung open, and as Claus stepped inside, Iva dashed ahead, embracing Vanella, his mother.

"Oh, such a hardworking lad misses his mother so swiftly," she playfully remarked.

Iva halted his hug, pretending to be tough, displaying his splinters. "I helped Papa today and got these."

Claus closed and locked the door, intervening, "He's been toiling all day without a break."

Vanella, stunned, wordlessly sought confirmation from Claus, who affirmed with a nod.

She bent down, embraced the boy, and commended, "Well done, son. I never knew I had such a hardworking boy."

Iva, overwhelmed by the day's praise, blushed.

A loud growl rumbled from Claus's stomach, lured by the enticing aroma of well-cooked deer meat, almost reminiscent of beef.

Vanella motioned for them to wash their hands in the nearby bucket, and they complied before settling down to eat.

"Mama, I don't fancy this," Iva forcedly chewed on the meat.

"Since you helped your father today, I'll prepare two eggs for you," she said.

Iva smiled but swiftly corrected, "Three!" while holding three fingers up in the air.

"Alright, three it is," she agreed.

Meanwhile, Claus devoured his food ravenously, barely chewing before swallowing. He pushed Iva's wooden plate of deer meat towards himself after swallowing and advised, "You'd best eat those three eggs. Don't waste them."