Damian moved quietly across the half-built woodshed roof, balancing a bundle of cedar shingles beneath one arm while trying not to let the planks creak beneath his boots. Guy claimed a good worker, announced himself with the sound of his hammer. Damian preferred the opposite.
As he laid the shingles down, his thoughts drifted to how he ended up here.
‘A perk of being a Porter is that it takes me around enough that in time I get to spend time with everyone. Though, that time is generally short lived. This trip for example let me spend some time with Guy. Such a kind and dedicated man. The kind that reminds you of the value of completing hard work and doing so diligently.’
The villagers of Ciricraga Clyfun had taken to Guy quickly. The carpenter taught while he worked, showing the forester families how to cut straight joints, brace beams against snow weight, and shape pegs that would swell tight when rain came. Damian had expected long days of hauling lumber and listening to old men complain.
Instead, he found himself enjoying the work.
The woodsheds rose first beside the cabins. Then came the hare trapper huts along the outer trails, small lean shelters tucked beneath heavy fir branches. The tanning racks near the creek took longest – and where Damian had spent a considerable amount of effort – but even there Guy turned every mistake into a lesson instead of a curse.
As the weeks of work wore on, Damian started to hope there might be some leftover materials – if there were, maybe he could ask Guy to help him put together something to store his boots a little neater. Being honest with himself, he’d had the idea the week before they set out, after he knew he’d be working with Guy on this effort.
He worked up the courage to ask.
“Hey Guy, could I trouble you for a moment”?
“Yeah, everything alright D?”
“Of course of course. I was just wondering if maybe you thought we would have any extra materials and if -“
Guy cut him off mid request, pointing to the corner of the room.
There, a sturdy and simple, yet beautiful, multi tiered rack capable of holding maybe eight, no, ten pairs of boots. A bit stunned, Damian turned back to Guy.
Guy explained with a grin, “Gilbert and Felix had a hunch and had added it to my list of requests for the trip. You really could have asked sooner. I would have made that for you any time.”
After a brief pause, Damian responded “Thank you Guy. Should I take it back to my quarters”?
“No, no. That one is for the hare trappers. Yours is already back at The Fort. I think you will like that one a bit more”
Damian couldn’t hold back his smile. With a chuckle he retorted “I appreciate you Guy, I will get out of your hair then”.
Guy gave a simple nod as Damian departed.
