Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Chapter 17B-Beer Trickery
"That means we've got to work harder than ever", Rafe said gloomily. Then he brightened up, "That's why we are going to have some fun with this. I've already got some special ingredients in mind."
Tobal knew there were times when the beer had been absolutely nasty and undrinkable. "I hope you don't make some of that real nasty stuff that gives people the runs like it did last July."
Rafe grinned. "We aren't planning to be around to be drinking it. We should both be getting our Masters initiation by then. I hear the medics have some real good stuff and they even make some brandy."
"You're not serious", Tobal gasped in horror at the thought. You wouldn't do that to us would you?" He pleaded with them. Rafe and Dirk were laughing hard now.
"You wait and see", was all either of them would say.
They talked more about the art of brewing beer in the wilderness. The real issue was getting enough sugar to ferment into alcohol. The sugar content came from boiling maple syrup down into maple sugar in the spring. There was only about three weeks when the sap really flowed and the entire Journeyman community helped in boiling it down.
It was not uncommon to see air sleds carrying buckets of maple sap. The medics even provided plastic buckets with lids from used hospital supplies to be used for barrels and also provided the yeast. The other ingredients were left up to the imagination of the brewmiester although the basic recipe was expected to be followed fairly closely. The maple syrup was kept in the same location as the beer and not allowed to freeze.
Tobal shuddered to think of what those two would come up with. Best to enjoy the beer they were serving today which was rich and tasty. He told Rafe he would talk with him sometime later after circle and they could both meet with Ellen to see what she had found out about the rogue attacks. Then he went off looking for the others.
There was no sign of Tara and Nick. Tobal guessed they were snowed in and making the best of it. The weather was bitter cold and the three day travel to circle was something only the brave or desperate would willingly tackle. Tobal came because it was his social connection to the others, a time to forget his own troubles, celebrate and have some fun with others.
He found Sarah over by the cooking pits slicing off choice pieces of roast and getting some stew. The stew was the main way the clan had vegetables in the winter and everyone contributed from their own stores.
His own stomach started to rumble. "Is the stew any good?"
She glanced at him, "Oh, hi Tobal. Yes, the stew and roast is excellent. Grab a bowl."
Tobal grabbed one of the large wooden bowls that were stacked nearby and went over to the roast first.
He cut several chunks of meat off the roast and filled to bowl to the top with stew. Then he grabbed a wooden spoon and tasted it. She was right. It was delicious.
"Did you get your winter camp setup all right?", he asked her between spoonfuls.
"Butch and Mike helped me get things together and it's really great! I'm so glad they were able to help because it was a lot of work. Did you hear they are going to get Rafe' old base camp?"
"Yes, I heard they were going to check it out anyway", he chuckled, "That is if they can find it. Rafe's camp is hard to find."
"I know, that's what I told them too", she said. "I had a hard time finding Rafe's camp the first time I was there too. You remember that don't you. It was when I was training with you and we needed to go there and get your old winter supplies. We went together."
"Oh, that's right", he smiled sheepishly. "I must be getting old. I completely forgot about that. We did have some fun and some good times. I bet you miss your father though."
"It's kind of surprising but I really don't miss him that much. In fact there are times I feel he is right here checking up on me. It's like I can see him with my mind's eye. I know he's not really there but part of him is and it helps me." She started crying and Tobal put his arms around her and comforted her. Finally she stopped and wiped her eyes and nose.
"Sorry about that", she sniffled. "I guess I miss him more than I thought I did."
"That's alright", he said. "Maybe I shouldn't have brought it up." He changed the subject, "Now that your base camp is ready are you going to partner up for the winter?"
"Actually", she said, "I'm going to try for my first newbie and see how it goes."
"Really?"
Tobal was both surprised and pleased that she would try her first newbie during the hardest time of the year. She did have a nice base camp though and plenty of game in the area. She also had enough furs to get her newbie protected from the elements until they could manufacture their own.
"That's great!" He gave her a big hug and a kiss. "Let me know if you need anything."
She said she would and they finished their meal chatting about other things. She was happy and in much better health than she had been at the store. Tobal could tell she was thriving out here and being around people her own age.
Together they washed the bowls and spoons so others could use them and went over to change into robes for circle. The line was forming for entrance. Misty and the High Priest were casting the circle. Ellen was standing as a guard at the circle’s entrance. She motioned for Tobal to come closer.
"Meet me after circle", she said. "We've got some things we need to talk about."
"Can Rafe come too?" He asked.
She considered and then nodded, "He probably already knows more than I do doesn't he?"
Tobal nodded and chuckled, "I'll tell him. We’ll see you later then."
Together Tobal and Sarah found Melanie, Becca and Nikki and sat with them. They chatted and were telling stories about newbies. They were excited and impressed that Sarah was going to train a newbie in the middle of the winter. Together they watched as the newbies were initiated.
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