Loch lifted the shovel, throwing the load onto the pile. Even with his strength, he was only able to get it a dozen feet up the height, most of it sliding down the steep slope. The pile was large, as high as they could get it, but now spreading out with a larger footprint. That meant less space for anything else.

  And there were a lot of snow piles.

  Loch stepped back, looking at the path. He’d been working a couple hours to clear it. All across the yard, others were doing the same. In the back, he could see a cloud of steam rising into the air, too hot to freeze. For now. Kim Hudson was using her Elementalist Abilities to melt the snow. It was a slow process, but it would free up space for more snow.

  He thought they were about three quarters of the way through the winter, but wasn’t sure. It seemed to be lasting longer than he remembered, but without an accurate way to tell it was hard to guess. He could talk with Harry Bolton and the others that had developed a method of tracking the days, setting up a new calendar, but part of him didn’t want to know if the winter was longer. The days were getting warmer, which was a good sign.

  Walking down the path, he scanned the yard, looking for where he could help out. There were dozens of clan members out shoveling, working their shift, after the previous night's snowfall. What would be at least a foot was now down to six inches or so. Another good sign that winter was coming to an end. He started walking toward the entrance to the school, figuring he’d angle down toward the fields to help clear those areas. The greenhouses that had been built in the back had worked out, even better than hoped. More were now being built down the hill where they would get more sun. Teams of shovelers were now clearing the area around the sites so building could continue. They were making small piles that others were then shoveling into wheelbarrows and wagons that would be brought to the larger piles.

  Slow and arduous work. No one liked doing it, which is why Loch made it a point to be seen on shoveling duty. If he, as Clanchief, could do it, then everyone else could as well.

  As he started down the hill, Loch saw a small group of people walking through the gate. They were Elves from the Northlake Clan, the former Silver Bark. The band consisted of six, hunters and warriors.

  “Lord Lochlan,” the elf in the lead called out, raising a hand.

  “Casian,” Loch said, waving in greeting, altering his course to meet the small group. “What brings you here?”

  Casian held out his hand, Loch shifting the shovel from right to left so he could shake the elf’s hand.

  “I have something I would like to discuss,” he said.

  “As the new Clanchief?” Loch asked with a smile.

  It had been a couple weeks since they’d received word that Serio XXX had stepped down as leader of the new Northlake Clan, nominating Casian Nightgrass in his place.

  “Yes,” Casian said, but his expression was an odd one, making Loch wonder what exactly the elf wanted to discuss.

  “Come on inside, we’ll get some tea and can talk.”

  ***

  “Thank you,” Casian said, holding up the steaming mug of tea. “I know how in short supply this is.”

  “It’s fine,” Loch said, taking a sip of his hot chocolate. “We’ve actually managed to start growing some tea leaves in the greenhouses.”

  “I heard of those special buildings. I hope that next season we can have some.”

  “Of course, we can share the plans on how to build them. The glass is the hardest part.”

  The door opened, Ed and Kristin walking in. They took seats at the table across from Casian, Loch at the head. Ed leaned over to shake the elf’s hand.

  “Good afternoon,” he said. “Loch said you had something you wanted to talk to us about.”

  “Indeed,” Casian said, turning around to look at the map pinned to the wall.

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  It showed Northwood, Stratford and parts of Pittsfield, Epsom, Deerfield, Nottingham and Barrington. Different areas were marked off, including the dungeons, the wall west on route 4, the smelting building on Bow Lake Road, the chicken farm, turkey farm and the location of the elves camp. Other areas were marked in different colors, indicating where the future village would be built in Bow Lake Fields, along with another area in Johnson’s Field for another future village. There was a smaller area along the shores of Northwood Lake.

  “Is that a future fishing village?” Casian asked, pointing to that area.

  “Yeah, we figure just a half dozen houses would be enough,” Loch said.

  “I do not see one on Bow Lake?”

  “That’s your territory,” Loch said. “We figured we’d stay off that one.”

  “You can build a village here,” Casian said, pointing at the spot of the elves' camp.

  “But that’s your camp, where you’ll build the village in the spring,” Loch said, confused.

  Casian shook his head, turning back to face them.

  “No. Come spring we will not be there, or at least most of us will not.”

  “I don’t understand,” Ed said.

  “I am not a very good Clanchief,” Casian said with a sad smile. “But no one else wanted it. I didn’t want the role either but it was handed to me and I will make the best of it that I can.” He leaned forward, hands laid flat on the table. “There are not many of us left. The winter has been harsh and we have lost some as have you.”

  Loch nodded as they all had a moment of silence for those they’d lost during the harshest part of the winter.

  “Most of those that came through the portal were warriors. There were not many support Classes and most of those had already joined Clan Brady,” Casian said, holding up a hand to stop any protests. “That was not your fault. You did not force anyone to make a choice and really that is the fault of those of the Silver Bark leadership and those of us that allowed the mistreatment of the support Classes. I do not blame them for leaving.” He leaned back, looking at each of them in turn. “But that left a void that we cannot fill.”

  “We can lend you carpenters and such,” Loch offered.

  “No, we would need our own and everyone we have is Classed. It would be years before we had enough children to start to develop support Classes. Years that we would be reliant on your help.” He again held up a hand to stop any protests. “I know it is help you would freely give, but it is also help that you will need for your projects.” He looked at Loch. “Tell me true, could you really spare those people?”

  Loch sighed. He wanted to say yes, but that would be a lie.

  “No. We really can’t.”

  “Us of the new Northlake realize that and over this winter we have come to a decision. It was not an easy one but it is one we think best for the continued survival of our people. Not just their survival but for them to thrive.” He stood up, walking to the map. Casian ran his finger along the area that had been highlighted as the elves’ territory. “When the snow melts, Clan Brady will find itself larger and with more territory. When the snow melts, about two dozen of the Northlake Clan will be leaving. We will start our journey northwest toward this place called Alton. The rest of the Clan will remain behind and willingly join Clan Brady.”

  Loch stared at Casian’s back, trying to understand what was being said. Ed looked shocked. Kristin, as practical as always, was jotting down notes. She was adding up population numbers, rough Classes and other calculations.

  “The two dozen of us will remain as the Northlake Elves, no longer a true Clan but a wandering band. We will be nomadic.” He smiled, looking at Loch’s dour expression. “Do not worry too much, we will return. We hope to use your Clanhold as a base when we do come back this way. Maybe on our return, whenever that will be, some of your people will join us.” He turned back to the map, pointing at the spots not shown. “There is a much wider world out there and we would like to see what we can find.”

  He turned around, looking at the three. Ed was leaning back, fingers tapping on the table. Kristin was still writing in her notebook. Loch stood up, walking over to Casian. He clasped the elf’s shoulder.

  “That’s.. Wow… I can understand that desire,” he said, shaking his head and smiling. “I kind of envy you the ability to do that. Like you said, it is a wider world and I’d be curious what had changed. I bet there’s a couple in the Clan now that would join you. But rest assured my friend, the rest of your people will be welcome in Clan Brady. They, and you, will always have a place here.”

  “I know and thank you, my friend.”