in

Morgus, E007, ‘Green Tomato Cow’ part 2

Morgus

Episode 007, Green Tomato Cow 

Morgus 

Our serial series is set in Kenneth Shumaker’s medieval fantasy realm of Quantos. We find the Apprentice Mage Morgus is out from the Mage’s University and on his one-year walk-about before he returns for his journeyman certification test on Autumn 50 of Pine, during the reign of King Regeanus III in the royal city of Mount Oryn’s South State district. Our intrepid hero, with a checkered past, is an attractive thirty-three-year-old human Jalnoric male with a bold personality and is determined to survive his walk-about year at any cost, even if it means snuggling in and working with nobility.

We continue now with Morgus episode E007 on:

Autumn 84 Unicorn

Leza and her brother arrive with Bushnel, in the carriage during the rain, two hours after gods-rise, to the cheer of Morgus who eagerly greets the two. “Let me show you around Hessan estate. Then we can enjoy a wonderful meal in the staff social dining room, where we will be undisturbed.”

The two follow Morgus through a tour of the estate’s many acres of buildings and gardens for over an hour. Arriving back at the house, he gives them a tour of the ground level, showing them the chapel as well. Then he leads them to the cellar, the staff social area, and lastly into the dining room. There they find a meal of roast hare, spiced roast tubers, and boiled peas in butter sauce, with a dessert of a hardy bread pudding in a rich, smooth cream sauce. After indulging in the scrumptious meal, they retire to sit in front of the blazing fireplace. Content, Morgus sighs, and he addresses Sesan, “So, what trade do you seek to apprentice in?”

Surprised at this turn of conversation, Sesan looks to Leza for a moment before turning back to Morgus. Sesan says with a somewhat blank expression. “I don’t know. I work stables as a labourer for a duster a day now, and I work every day.”

Stumbling a bit, Morgus nods, and looking to Leza, he grins. Morgus then views Sesan again. “Then meet with me tomorrow at the Reeve’s house around midday. We’ll see what we can do.”

Leza places her hand on Morgus’ hand, asking, “You’d do that?”

Nodding slowly, watching Leza, Morgus then asks, “How much would your shop cost?”

Shaking her head, Leza replies, “No, you couldn’t. It wouldn’t be right. I couldn’t pay you back.”

Winking and grinning, Morgus sighs and then utters, “What if I didn’t ask to be paid back?”

Blushing, shivering, Leza shakes her head. “No!”

Sesan watches the exchange and nods, and then he replies, “I’ll meet you.”

Watching the young average appearing Jalmal, Morgus smiles. “Good, I like that.”

Autumn 85 Unicorn

This morning, for hours before gods-rise, it rained so hard that there were rivers of running water. Morgus set out on foot for Renol fief, but the water slowed Morgus down considerably, resulting in him arriving three hours afternoon. Morgus now realises how far it really is to the fief.

Walking to Bailiff Gaeric’s house, Morgus finds the Jalmal, who is over a century old, at home. Morgus asks him if Sesan had been there.

Gaeric drawls out, “Yes, the boy was. He seemed very disappointed that you didn’t arrive when I sent him back to the community stable.”

Grunting, Morgus considers events, then sighs. “Tell me, is there a tradesman in need of an apprentice?”

Pausing, as he thinks deeply about this, Gaeric nods and replies, “Yes. Yes, there is … Free Carpenter Journeyman Tensen is in need of an apprentice.”

Smiling, Morgus considers this and then nods. “Tell me where I can find Carpenter Tensen?”

Shrugging, the bailiff replies, “Currently, he works for Bargewright Toaren.”

Groaning, Morgus nods. “Where did he set up his camp?”

Abstractly pointing south, the bailiff says, “He set up at the end of the south field trail.”

Nodding slightly, Morgus exits. Walking through the sloppy, slimy red clay mud of the trail, he works his way out to the logging and timber camp.  Finding the location after nearly thirty minutes, he sees several tents and two structures standing in a tight grouping. There are many people around the structures, Morgus observing the construction being pursued on one structure, and he advances there. Finding Bargewright Toaren, he addresses the man boldly, “Gods-grace and good fate Master Toaren.”

Grunting, the pirate master nods.

Looking around, Morgus observes the workers. “I’m looking for Carpenter Tensen; may I speak with him?”

Nodding, Toaren points to an old octogenarian Jalmal who is toiling with building the framework for the cutting towers. “Be brief; I pay him well, and he’s slow.”

Saluting half-assed, Morgus walks over to the pampaloo, addressing him. “Gods-grace and good fate Master Tensen. I’d like to speak with you for a moment if I might?”

Stopping his work, the pampaloo heaves a sigh and catches his breath, “Yes?”

“I have a man who I would like to set up as an apprentice in a trade. The man has no trade skills, but he’s physically strong, healthy, and in his early twenties. He’s local but can relocate here. He works on this fief daily now.” says Morgus.

Looking at the mage, Tensen smiles, asking, “What’s his name?”

Having the attention of the carpenter, Morgus aims to keep it. “He is Master Sesan – works as a labourer in the stables.”

Chuckling, Tensen then replies, “I know the lad. I’ll take him for a hundred Flairs fee.”

Toaren, who is standing behind Morgus, clears his throat saying, “I want a hundred Flairs to let another worker on the site.”

Turning around, Morgus asks, “How so?”

To be continued in Morgus E007, “Green Tomato Cow”, part 2.

©2017 by Kenneth Shumaker with Inevitable Unicorn Press

www.inupress.ca www.owerton.ca inupress@inupress.ca

We would like to acknowledge the following for their contributions:

The episodes’ author is Kenneth Shumaker.

Our episodes’ editor is Donna Shumaker.

The graphics and headers are by Kenneth Shumaker.

The episodes’ distribution, marketing, production, promotions, and publishing are by Inevitable Unicorn Press, known as InUPress.

Coming soon in 2018, we have Kenneth’s second medieval fantasy novel, ‘Dendar: Souls of Desperation’, in the ‘Lost Souls’ series.

Join us on Virily to fulfil your reading and creative desires. View the creative images and writings of our Virily author’s by joining up with a Virily subscription, satisfying your creative enquiry desires.

If you desire to learn new creation or business skills, seek out those new skills on a learning platform of over 50,000 courses offered by creative authors, editors, business people and hundreds of other creative professional crafts, business, and technical people. Sign up for a subscription and learn nearly any skill you can think of, improving your abilities in your creative work and your business.

Find out more and join us at Virily as well as Skillshare with InUPress’ author, Kenneth Shumaker on these links:

Join Virily through this link: Virily.

Access a Skillshare subscription and join through this link at: Skillshare, and receive a bonus.

Or seek out more from InUPress’ author’s writings at this link: InUPress.ca.

Thank you, yours sincerely, Kenneth, with Inevitable Unicorn Press (InUPress).

Report

What do you think?

10 Points