Page 220 of Circle of Days

“I’ll think of something you can do with your other arm,” said Seft.

When they reached the Monument, the brothers eagerly grabbed slices of salt pork. Seft sought out Joia, and they stood together watching the volunteers arrive. Seft said: “What do you think?”

“It’s fewer than last year,” said Joia.

“Everyone’s heard about the battles with the farmers, and some people have been scared off.”

“But we won! And the farmer army was wiped out.”

“And most people know that. But there’s still a feeling that the mission can be dangerous.”

“Yes—why do I talk as if people are rational?” Joia said ruefully. “I spend too much time thinking about the sun and the moon. They always do what we expect them to do.”

They watched the incoming crowd in silence for a while, then Seft said: “We’re going to have enough volunteers. A crossbar is about half the size of an upright, so each one should need only about a hundred people pulling. And we need only five crossbars.”

“So we’re all right?”

Seft nodded. “And I see Dee’s here.”

Joia smiled broadly. “Yes.”

“I’m glad. She makes you happy. Anyone can see it.”

“I’m a lucky woman.”

“So is Dee.”

“Thank you. Now I think it may be time to start.”

“Right. I’ll just make sure my brothers don’t contrive to get left behind.”

Joia and Dee led the march. Seft found Olf and Cam andherded them out through the entrance and across the plain. They no longer looked so resentful: the salt pork had mollified them.

Seft went ahead to check the condition of the track. He had surveyed it a month ago and ordered some repair work, and he was pleased to see it was still in good condition.

He returned to the main body of the march and listened to what the volunteers were talking about. Right now they were upbeat. Last summer’s mission was spoken of with excitement, not fear. “Were you here for the stampede?” he heard one young man say. “It was fantastic.”

This was the third mission, and spirits were higher than ever. The legend was growing. It would continue to survive setbacks and grow more popular, he thought. It had become something that people did every year. That was necessary, for many more years would be needed to finish the task.

The woman flint miner, Bax, came up beside him. “I noticed you talking to a couple of miners I know—Olf and Cam,” she said. “I just want to tell you that they’re a villainous pair.”

Clearly she did not realize that they were Seft’s brothers. He decided not to tell her yet. He wanted to hear the plain truth. Seft said: “I appreciate the warning, though I do know them. What makes you call them villainous?”

“I saw the fight that gave them those injuries.”

“Ah.” Seft wanted to know more about that. “They told me they were beaten by farmers and robbed of everything.”

Bax laughed. “No, they were the robbers. They were trying to steal from another miner, but he caught them, and he and his workmates beat them up.”

Seft sighed. “I can’t say I’m surprised.”

“How do you know them?”

“To my shame, they’re my brothers.”

“Oh!” Bax was embarrassed. “I didn’t realize…”

“Please don’t apologize. I’m grateful to you for telling me the true story.”