|
HARD-BARGAIN HOLD
By Waddie Greywolf Chapter VI~ The Notable Witness Sgt. at Arms and Notable Witness~Bubba Wyaynne (pronounced: Y'-aane) Hooston~ Originally from the Tayzan-Barroyne Clan near the Na'chozs river in the Tayzan area. The Hard Bargain Hold needed a Notable and only had a young boy in trainning. Their beloved and honored Notable Witness had passed away in the fall. The Notable Witness within a community was a position of unquestioned authority. They were not judges, Code Speakers, nor Code Enforcers. They attained their position by beginning from an early age to be schooled and disciplined to observe the truth and be a witness for truth while developing an understanding that every concept, even truth, may have many interpretations. But the ancient concept by some wise man named Occham was the basis for most of their testimonies. No one knew why this simple concept was called his "razor"!. They were much more than civil servant tools. They were trained to tell if a man, woman or slave was telling the truth. Perhaps they were so successful at this because over the years they had developed a sixth sense, their pannormal gift. Some attributed it to an unusual odor a person produced when they told a lie. Pheromones perhaps? Nevertheless, they had become so successful that they had an error rate of less than 1%. Great Notables became legendary and the strength of their word grew until everyone just accepted the fact that you did not lie to a Witness. From the time of their right of passage and induction into the society of The Ney'bros, any young man who had exhibited unusual honesty, bravery, selflessness, and abilities of a slight pannormal degree might be offered by the Keepers the honor of being slowly groomed for the position. After a decade of trainning, if offered to assume the position of one who could be called to Witness, they must agreed, to take on oath of median means. This was a level of allowable income for him and his household depending on number of children and slaves. This was paid out of community funds so no one could gain favor by contributing more. To supplement their sometime lower incomes they were given produce and hand made goods contributed to a central source and they never knew from whom the gifts were given. They were included in all community affairs and were quick to sound off when someone was misrepresenting the truth for their on political reasons. Bubba was a 'tweener. He was a huge bear of a man and had all the hair , face and body, to look the part. He liked to laugh a lot and always had a smile for everyone. He radiated charm, masculine strength, trust, and self confidence. He had a booming bass voice that could be soothing and comforting and then, if necessary, intimidating. The children of the Hold adored him and everywhere he went he had two or more hanging on to his massive arms. They felt they could tell him their deepest secrets and he encouraged them to as his bond was to never repeat a truth told in private unless it was to exonorate a wrongly convicted person. He wanted everyone in the community, freeman or slave, to feel comfortable enough to come to him with anything. Women flirted with him shamelessly with good humor knowing their efforts were taken in good spirits and there was not a man in the Hold who had not felt a wet spot in his leather breeches when Bubba put his big arms around them to greet or comfort one of them. He and his sworn-bond-partner Breeton Tayzan-Hooston with their three children and six slaves arrived at Hard Bargain Hold in the spring of 335 New Date. Two of the children were theirs' , one boy each, by two of their slave women and the other boy child was adopted when a slave woman had a child by one of thier friends. Shortly there after he passed away and left the female slave to Bubba and Tay.
Tay was smaller than Bubba but a fine strapping, good looking man. He was composed and comfortable with himself. He had peircing blue eyes and a mysteriousness about him that made the young girls wish to be his slave. They knew their fantasies were safe as he was a devoted bonded partner to Bubba and had accepted his name. He was a ferrier by trade and a skilled craftman at iron work. He had a well developed body from hard work and he loved animals. He could talk mentally to animals and find out what was hurting them or why they were unhappy. He had no medical training but could sometime heal a sick animal faster than the Hold's Vet. He didn't try to compete with the Vet and the Vet found that if he worked with Tay he got far better results in healing and caring for peoples animals. They became good friends and shared each others interest in animals. Bubba was proud of Tay and would beem when someone sang Tay's praises to him. Someone was always bringing him a miracle story of Tay healing their beloved pet and how they could never repay him their debt. Bubba would tell them that's why he loved Tay so much because he was an animal and only Tay could really tell when he was hurting. People of the hole were generous to the Hoostons. They became a great asset to the community.The two men were welcomed and through a week of celebration and ceremonial induction into the Hold began their new lives. Bubba and Tay, his bonded-other, fit into the Hold like a pair of old comfortable well worn boots. The people of the Hold were damn glad to have them! End Chapter 6 Waddie Greywolf waddie8@earthlink.net
|