The Guardian

Chapter 3

Chapter 3True to his word, Gavril showed up the next morning. He had a small cart with a well-cared-for horse to pull it. The animal’s coat shone to the point that Edison wondered if it had been groomed or polished. Cydymaith appeared from nowhere and landed on the wagon, allowing Gavril to pet him.

Looking up from the raven, Gavril grinned at Edison.

“Can’t be a traveler if you don’t have transport. Besides, for my work I need to get supplies that are too heavy to carry. Some of which I get from the town. I thought I’d save you a walk. But you’ll need to be prepared to walk if you can’t afford transport. At least down into the village. The mine sends a cart to bring the men in and home again. Pointless having miners already tired from a walk. The mine needs men fresh.”

“Hmm. Can’t see that I’ll be popular on a cart. But better than walking.” Edison leaped agilely up to settle beside Gavril, but careful to maintain distance. If we hadn’t been going through the village, I wouldn’t care. But you need to have men willing to watch your back down a mine.

“Right then, off we go.” As Gavril turned his wagon around, Cydymaith flew off. Although he went high, it seemed the raven was determined to keep his beady eye on Edison.

Just as with the previous day when they went through the village, many of the women looked, but were quick to turn away, but a few less of the older men glowered.

Edison glanced around. “Seems some aren’t staring as much as yesterday.”

“That’s because you came down the hill. There’s only one place you could have come from. Despite everything, Mam Eira is still revered by the majority of those who live here. She’s helped most in the village at one time or other. Including the previous pastor and his wife when she had trouble birthing. But he got moved and the new man, favoured by the squire, is big on hellfire and damnation. He warns against women like Eira.” Gavril shook his head. “Her religion is as old as nature itself. While some may go to the church in the light of day, they sneak out under cover of darkness, to ask for her help and advice, whereas others have turned away.”

“Their loss.” Edison folded his arms. “His sermon won’t save someone who’s ill and needs medical treatment.”

“That’s what Mam Eira says.” Gavril chuckled.

The rest of the ride was completed in companionable silence, except when Gavril spotted a bird or animal that Edison wouldn’t have otherwise noticed.

The mine looked much the same as any other from the surface. Although Edison was aware of some where the miners cut down into rock to create a quarry from where tunnels led inside, he’d yet to work in one. This was an underground mine, and he studied the shaft with some curiosity.

“I’ll wait here, turn the wagon around.” Gavril indicated where they’d stopped. “Best I don’t go in with you.”

“More fools.” Edison growled the words, then jumped to the ground.

“I agree. But keep it to yourself.” Gavril gave him a wave, then urged on his horse to be able to complete his manoeuvre. “You might mention my name to Anand Wraith. He’s brought business my way.”

Even though he knew Gavril was right, it didn’t help Edison’s mood, but he minded both what his friend and his aunt had said and adopted an anxious expression and demeanour as he made his way toward the foreman’s office. A rabbit warren, Gavril said. And if the squire gets bored, orders the men to start digging somewhere else. The man has more money than sense.

Edison spent a moment studying the scene as he walked. A mix of men and basic automatons scurried or clanked to and fro, moving the extracted ore from mechanical trucks that vanished back in the mine to be refilled with the ore-laden stone. But as Edison approached the shack, a man emerged that stopped him dead.

Hands jammed on hips, the newcomer—Anand Wraith, presumably—stood like a man-mountain. His shock of unruly blond hair, which refused to remain tamed under his bowler, matched his close-cropped beard.

Right, let’s do this. With his aunt’s advice in mind, Edison hesitantly made his way toward Wraith, who stood unmoving and frowned as Edison got closer. Edison bore the other man’s scrutiny and made sure to keep down his gaze.

“Who are you and what do you want here?” The man’s voice was deep, and his accent wasn’t local.

Edison yanked off his cap, clutched it in his hands, and risked a quick glance upward. “Please, sir, my name is Edison Jones. I’ve worked on the coal face and am looking for work. I was told by a friend you have need of experienced miners.”

“A friend, eh? Who would that be?” Wraith folded his arms.

“His name’s Gavril, sir.” Edison chanced another upward glance and didn’t miss the flash in Wraith’s eyes, although his expression remained stoic.

“That we may be. I’m Anand Wraith. The mine foreman.” The man’s slow drawl had Edison think he might be from Southern England, possibly Cornwall, where there were many such mines. “We’ve opened a new tunnel. There’s work down there, a little more dangerous than in the established areas. Give me your pedigree.”

Without hesitation, Edison reeled off the last places he’d worked. He had written testimonies to prove he was a good worker. Crunching his cap in his hands, he looked up at the still-unmoving man with his best pleading expression.

“Not necessary at this time. I prefer to see someone show me their work ethic and skills. How did you come to be here?”

“I wanted to get out of the city.” That’s no lie. “I’m staying with the old lady who lives on the hill. Until I get paid work, I’m doing odd jobs for her.” No lie either. Edison waited while Wraith pursed his lips, studying him intently. Edison shook his head. “I was a fool, sir. Now I have nothing.”

“I see.” Wraith tugged at his beard. “If you work here, I expect a full day’s graft. I expect my men to work for their wages. Whatever you do to help your landlady won’t be able to interfere here.”

“No, sir. Of course not, sir. I give you my word that if you give me work, you won’t regret it.”

“We’ll see, won’t we. Be back here tomorrow at five. There’s a cart that goes to the village to pick up men with no transport of their own. It leaves at half-past four on the dot. Tell them I said to bring you in. If they ask. Not a crowd for talking to strangers.”

“I promise you, sir, that you’ll find me no slacker. As I said, you won’t regret giving me a chance.” Edison injected even more eagerness into his tone, which seemed to appeal to the bigger man. Edison would have normally offered his hand now, but instead settled for gazing fully, for the first time, into the pale-blue eyes of his new foreman.

“Good. I’ll let the men know we have a new starter.” Wraith twisted his lips into a grim smile. “Not that it’ll count for much. A rum set of coves, these men.”

“Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.” Edison backed away a few paces before jamming the cap on his head, turning, and striding away.

Back at Gavril’s cart, Edison clambered up next to the other man, who clicked his tongue and said nothing until they were away from the mine.

“How did it go?” Gavril asked.

“I start tomorrow. Half-past four in the morning is when the cart leaves. I start work at five.” Edison glared at Gavril as his friend chuckled.

“I feel for you, fy ffrind.” Gavril clutched dramatically at his chest, but there was no mistaking the glint of mischief in his eyes.

“Bollocks,” Edison grumbled, but smiled when Gavril laughed out loud. “You’ll be laughing at me while your lazy arse is still abed.”

“Well, maybe.” Gavril glanced at Edison and they both laughed out loud, the cawing of Cydymaith joining in as the raven perched on the back of the wagon.

“Lazy bastard.” Edison growled, but Cydymaith only cawed, tossed his head, and turned his back on him. “Satan’s balls, I’d swear that bird understands what I say. Look at him. Sulking.”

“Like Mam Eira says, they’re intelligent. You should be making friends with him, not insulting him. Offer to give him some treats when we’re back at the cottage. Cydymaith has a sweet tooth.”

Another caw from the raven and it turned back to face them.

“I’ll probably make a friend of him a damn site sooner than the miners. Surly bunch, according to Wraith.”

“That’s right. Don’t expect a welcome, or even the luxury of a greeting. You won’t get either.”

“Charming. Ah well, by the sounds of things, I won’t get much of a chance to lament the lack of companionship.” Edison heaved a sigh and lapsed into silence.