The Braedsen Village Chronicles I

Alright, so I said I'd write a story, and so I will. However, I think that it'll prove to be too long for just one post. I will therefore post the first Chapter, and, pending approval, post the next a week from now.


THE BRAEDSEN VILLAGE CHRONICLES
Chapter 1
Keitha Mairi (K.M.)

It was a common enough day as days go in the country surrounding the village of Braedsen. Keitha Mairi was tending her sheep, with her faithful dog, Kevina, helping her. It was Spring, and there had been many births among the flock. At such a time there were normally many predators waiting to get a lamb. It had, however, been a quiet day, no wolves or other predators had attaked the flock yet. Keitha Mairi was just beginning to hope that the entire day would be like this, when she heard a frightened bleat. She crabbed her crook, and called for Kevina to follow her, as she raced to the spot the bleating was coming from. She was too late. There were only blood stains in the grass, and she saw fresh cart tracks where the bloodstains stopped. Keitha began to cry. She knew that it was impossible to save them all, but she was angry and frustrated, with herself as well as with the culprits. Wolves she could handle, but this.... this was a different matter. Oh, there were bandits enough, but the sheep always bleated if one came near. Not bandits, but rogue shepherds. They were the most dangerous of predators. Deceptive. They have their own flock for shearing, but they'll take from others when they want meat. Being shepherds, they smell of sheep, and the sheep don't think them a threat until it's too late.
Keitha just sat down, she yelled, and cried, and yelled, and cried. She was so angry, she didn't notice that Carrie, her faithful goat, had come to lay beside her. She put her head in Keitha's lap, but Keitha shoved it right out of her lap and shouted, "Go away you stupid old goat! Can't you see that I'm angry?!"
But Carrie just put her head back in Keitha's lap.
This made Keitha very ashamed. "Oh Carrie, my friend, I'm sorry. I know you're just trying to comfort me, but now I feel worse then before. Because I've hurt you now."
And Keitha spent the rest of the day sad, but extra watchful.

Keitha Mairi was in low spirits as she herded the sheep back into their pen. Her father, Rubert, came out to greet her. He was getting on in years, and so the shepherding fell to Keitha.
"Oh, shoot," he said in a weary voice, "how many did you lose? Not more than three I hope."
"I lost one, but.."
She never finished what she was saying. Rubert had burst out laughing.
"Well, dopey, you can't expect to go half a year without losing one. You haven't lost one in over a year. You're doing fine honey."
But Keitha just burst into tears.
"I know dad, it's just that I was supposed to be watching them and I let myself drift off. I should have been more watchful, but I let myself rest because the day looked so nice. I should have known that it was just the kind of day that.. that. And it was a rogue, dad. I... they make me so ANGRY! I wish they'd all choke on their stolen meat!"
Rubert had just sat back and let her get it all out and, seeing that she was finished, he comforted her.
"Well, I know it seems worse because it was a rogue, but that lets you know that it wasn't entirely your fault. There are very few shepherds that can guard against them. As a matter of fact, I'm glad that you didn't catch them. I know that you're very good with your crook, and I'd hate to be on the recieving end of one of your kicks, but rogues have their own weapons. They're heartless, and I've heard tell that they've taken to throwing daggers. I am VERY relieved that you didn't get there in time to stop them."
This made Keitha a little happier. She gave her little brother Mikel strict instructions as to the feeding and watching of the flock. It was his job to watch the flock in the evening and night while Keitha rested from her day of work.
Genna was finishing dinner when Keitha and her father entered the house. Genna was a beautiful young girl with long blonde hair and delicate features. She also had a very womanly figure. The family always said she looked more like a princess then a pauper. Genna loved to sing, and was doing so. Like the rest of the family, Genna had inherited a temper. Rather than being fiery, Genna's temper tended more toward sauciness and brattiness.
"Well hello, Keitha. I wondered when you'd get home, if ever."
Genna seemed to be in a decent enough mood, but something was bothering her.
"I don't suppose that you might have considered that today would not be a very good day for being late??"
Never mind. she was in a very bad mood.
Keitha was in no mood for a fight so she just said, "I'm glad to see you too, Genna.", and sat down at the table.
Rubert, however, looked from Genna to Keitha and said, "I'm sorry K., but you don't have time to eat with us. Your mother has fallen ill, and we need you to go see the Gypsy, and get some of her herb medicine. Mikel's the only one beside yourself who knows the way, but you are on friendly terms with her, so it falls to you to go."


End of chapter one. There are many more characters and you'll get to meet them all..... if you decide you like it enough.