An Autumn Fair in Halabor by Soledad
Larner · 26 December 2007 · Chapter 5: The Mercer
An excellent sale on top of an excellent agreement--his day grows better and better! And a name we also recognize. Very nice.
Author's reply
Thanks. :) So, you remember Master Suanach, eh? I tried to tie in a few charcters who've always featured earlier, so that people won't get too confused by all the new ones. Completely unrelated: will we see more from the tenant of Stadle any time soon?
Larner · 26 December 2007 · Chapter 4: The Wool Merchant
Good--they've come to a necessary alliance that will see both parties doing better in the end. And with Elvish customers who would undoubtedly prefer to buy from open locals than from grasping corporate types, they'll do well in the short and long run.
Author's reply
WEll, they were still in business ten years later, so I guess the alliance worked out. I greatly enjoyed doing something for the Dunlendings for a change, they are another shamefully underused race, put down summarily as "the enemy", who therefore have to be evil *and* ugly. As if things would ever be that simple!
Neilia · 25 December 2007 · Chapter 9999: Epilogue
Waaah! *sniffle, tears tracing down cheeks* Is this canon? :-(
Author's reply
No. Halabor and all its inhabitants are entirely my creation. The whole thing started as a one-shot with "Shadows of the Past"... then I got interested, and see what has become of it! Of course, some things stated in "Shadows of the Past" don't match the current Halabor development one hundred per cent, like the exact circumstances of the destruction and the actual size of the town, but I couldn't bring it ower my heart to change it. Perhaps one day...
Neilia · 25 December 2007 · Chapter 22: The Barber-Surgeon
EEEwwww! Bloodletting is not one of those smart treatments that came from the middle ages. In your research, did you not find it did more harm than good? I like it that Loarne has so much freedom and usefulness. She is fortunate in her place within the family.
Author's reply
Well, actually bloodletting does have its merits agains high blood pressure and a few other things. One of my great-grandmothers used it semi-regularly, at least so family legend tells. Not even Mum can tell whether it's true or not. *g* In any case, for Lord Peredur's mother it was surely useful. She had way too much "bad blood" in her, and other malevolent "humours", to borrow another medieval term. :))
Neilia · 23 December 2007 · Chapter 21: The Builders
This is soooo interesting! I love things made of solid wood and stone. My family used to grouse about having to haul around 'the heavy stuff' when we moved; but, I or my daughter still have the pieces and I am 60 years old now. It pays to buy one thing at a time in solid wood. Then you have something to pass on that will be a reminder of you after your gone. :-)
Author's reply
We have a cupboard of solid wood and a set of ceramic spice containers that used to belong to my great-great-grandmother. They're easily over 200 years by now, and I wouldn't give them up for the world. Perhaps beyond 50, I'm getting nostalgic at my old age, too. ;)) Of course, in the Middle Ages you *had* to acquire solid things. They were supposed to last for generations.
Neilia · 23 December 2007 · Chapter 20: The Ale-Wife
Glad to have met the Ale-Wife! What an interesting and likable lady. She has a beautiful daughter, too. Fourteen or fifteen? Way too young to marry! But I guess that to secure your child's future, even when so young, was desirable in those days.
Author's reply
Fourteen... which was a fairly normal age for a girl to marry in the Middle Ages. After all, a women - assumed she survived childbirth - was, around the age of 30, usually widowed, remarried and a grandmother already.
Kage · 23 December 2007 · Chapter 21: The Builders
X'mas must have come earlier for gifts of double chapters so fast ^_^ It's interesting to see the other side of the coin. Though I can understand the deserving good fortune for this honest hard working young man but still... I been feeling sorry for the wine seller Clemow since reading of his ill fortune. This chapter has cause my thoughts to turn back to his family.
Author's reply
Well, "The Barn" is still operating in "The Last Yule of Halabor", which takes place ten years later (but was written two years ago *g*), so I assume Clemow & Co. have managed somehow. I'll try to put up the last two parts tomorrow, to finish the Advent Calendar on Xmas eve, as it is proper, so cross your fingers for the muse to cooperate. Happy holidays!
Neilia · 23 December 2007 · Chapter 19: The Carpenter
Oh, yes, last but not least...HAPPY HOLIDAYS!! May you have the best ever.
Author's reply
Thanks. I wish the same for you. :) You've already made me an early Christmas, with reading and commenting so faithfully.
Neilia · 23 December 2007 · Chapter 19: The Carpenter
Aww, business! What is one person's bane is another's golden opportunity. The Ale House will reopen and the chips will fall where they may. *sigh* such is life. Great chapter...more?
Author's reply
Your wish is my command. Come and meet the ale-wife!
Neilia · 23 December 2007 · Chapter 18: The Pastry-Cooks
Good chapter. Interesting food and customs. Now on to the next. :D
Neilia · 20 December 2007 · Chapter 17: The Butcher
Oh, I would love to try some of that mutton as described, yum! Silly man, thinking so terribly macho, but I guess it is normal for a great hardy man to not be able to understand frailty. Even today, some men and even women can not seem to 'get it'.
Author's reply
It's a strange thing, actually. The butcher was originally planned to be a much more... jovial character, generally content with his life and with the people around him. But he's somehow gained a life of his own and refused to be whom I had planned him to be, becoming instead the bully that you've met in this part. To be honest, the mutton treat is something I've made up at a whim of my heart. Only the pepper sauce is from the online Book of Goode Cookery. *g*
Neilia · 18 December 2007 · Chapter 16: The Bow-Maker
yes! A bow-maker! Love what a master can do with just the right piece of wood. *sigh* And we were introduced to another magnificent Elf. *another, bigger sigh* Wish I could write Elves as well as you do.
Author's reply
Elves can be truly addictive, can't they? ;)
Neilia · 17 December 2007 · Chapter 15: The Whitesmiths
Cool! I like reading more of Lord Gildor. His history fascinates me. Imagine, having a mirhril chain in your possession and not knowing it! Another great chapter...too short, but great. ;)
Author's reply
Thanks. :) Actually, keeping them short is the only way to produce a new chapter each day - and I'm lagging behind schedule as it is already. If you are interested in Gildor, try "Seaside Conversations 1 and 2", "Innocence", "Dreamwalkers", "Awakening" or "Twisted Paths of Fate". "Seal On My Heart" has lots of him, too, although that's an AU, and so not everyone's cup of tea. Unfortunately, I can't post them here, but you can find them in the TFF archive or on FF.Net.
Neilia · 16 December 2007 · Chapter 14: The Bone-Carvers
At first, I thought *eewww! carving bones, what for?* Then I read the chapter. *Duh...for everything you can think of, silly.* Fascinating chapter. Would love more detail of this particular craft. Could you find more and 'sneak' it in? *giggle* :)
Author's reply
Another time perhaps. ;) But it is true: people used bone for everything we use plastic for now. Only that it was more environment-friendly...
Larner · 14 December 2007 · Chapter 3: The Vellum-Maker
Ah, a wise man indeed. Glad he, too, didn't seek to overcharge his Elven customer much.
Larner · 14 December 2007 · Chapter 2: The Clothiers
Yes, she's done well by herself indeed, and the two Elves have only been slightly overcharged, I suppose. Love the descriptions of the works.
Author's reply
I've read in one of Frances and Joseph Gies' books that - contrary to common belief - women in the Middle Ages *could* learn a craft and have wealth of their own. Of course, that usually happened when male relatives were dead or nonexistent, but it happened nonetheless. I think the Elves would have realized, had Betha tried to overcharge them seriously. They just don't consider money so important as mortals do, perhaps.
Kage · 14 December 2007 · Chapter 13: The Glass Workers
Love your vivid descriptions of the lives of the common folk. I look forward eagerly to the day if you ever decided to struck out as a fantasy writer.
Author's reply
Actually, I've started to write original fantasy at the age of sixteen or so. My grand epos of a thousand and some pages - sadly, written in Hungarian, on an old-fashioned mechanical typewriter - was finished in 1985. Then someone borrowed it, and I never got the middle part of it back. That was my only copy... and I haven't found the strength to rewrite it from the scratch ever since. *sighs*
Neilia · 14 December 2007 · Chapter 13: The Glass Workers
Ooooo, this is interesting. A mystery. Could the young lord have fallen for an Elf maiden? Hmmmm, curiouser and curiouser. ;) Seriously, I adore the details that you have revealed for each craft discussed in each chapter. I couldn't be more pleased.
Author's reply
Not for an Elf. The secret will be revealed in "The Shoemaker's Daughter", in a chapter or two.
Neilia · 14 December 2007 · Chapter 12: The Minstrels
How wonderful! You have helped Clemow out of the terrible mess he was in! *Teehee* I love how the Elves gave Sulain his comeupons (sp). Hmmm, am I a bit 'drunk' on this chapter? *giggle*
Author's reply
It was great fun to write. Sulain is a recurring character in my Halabor stories, and I've long wanted to teach him a lesson. *g* Clemow isn't entirely out of the mess yet, but I think he will manage to keep "The Barn", after all. That's what he has the female dragon - pardon me: his respectable wife - for.
Larner · 12 December 2007 · Chapter 1: The Potter
Ah, indeed a day of good omen, particularly as the healer Elf has benefitted Euney well.
Larner · 12 December 2007 · Chapter 0: Prologue
I love the introduction of the characters. Well drawn.
Author's reply
Thanks. :) I can't get away from these imaginary townsfolk. After four years or more, I'm getting more and more interested in them.
Neilia · 12 December 2007 · Chapter 11: The Water-Carrier
Oh, those sweet loony drunk elves! Of course, sour wine will taste like nectar if the people are drunk enough! hahahaha ;)
Author's reply
You haven't seen nuthin' yet. Just take a look at the next chapter, what turmoil they cause in the tavern! ;)
Neilia · 11 December 2007 · Chapter 10: The Wine-Crier
Yes, dear Soledad, these tales are very detailed. But that is exactly what I like about them. Each set of characters is special, just like every regular 'Jane' and 'Joe' is. To have their lives written about as if they were a Lord or Knight...is heartening. It is a reminder how important individuals are.
Author's reply
Thank you. :) That is exactly the the reason why I keep writing Halabor stories. Well, aside from being interested in the Middle Ages and because I'd hate to waste four or more years of research that I've done so far for "The Shoemaker's Daughter". *g*
Neilia · 10 December 2007 · Chapter 9: The Saddler
Soledad; I do believe that there is a surprise in store for the merchants when the elves are ready to leave the fair, hmmmm, am I right? Or, am I simply on a tangent? I have enjoyed each character as presented and am looking forward to more. This comment is for all the entries up to this one. Excellent read!
Author's reply
Thank you. :) To be honest, I was beginning to despair if anyone would be willing to work themselves through the story. It *is* a bit detail-laden... Re: Elves They don't actually have much to do here - they've already done the important thing in Chapter 7 of "The Shoemaker's Daughter", which inspired this very story. I just used them as a catalysator to bring more Halabor citizens into the picture. But with my charcters, one can never know...
Fantasia · 6 December 2007 · Chapter 5: The Mercer
This is a great story. I have read most of your stories and they are very intersting. You have a lot of details about live in medievel times. I enjoy the plot and learn a lot about those times. Are you going to have an update of the peoples' fate after the orc raid ass you did in the other one (don't remember the title) Keep writing, you are very good at that, I'm waiting for more of Boromir and Faramir stories (Faramir is my favorite character, I loved that one when he was very young and went to see the tournament with his grandpa)I confess that I'm not very fond of slash fics, but I do love the "Sons of Gondor" series, yours, Isabeau, Altariel and Dwimordene
Author's reply
Thank you. :)) It's alwys so pleasant to find a new reader. Re: people's fate after the Orc raid I didn't want to end each chapter so darkly as in "The Last Yule in Halabor". But I might add an appendix when the story is finished, listing the fates of the people featuring here, if the readers are interested. Medieval life is a long-time interest of mine. I like to show it other people that the Middle Ages weren't all dirt and darkness as common opinion seems to think. And these characters had grown on me so much that I feel the urge to give them their own little stories from time to time.