Chapter Two

The decision made, it only remained for Markil and Trina to convince others that this was a reasonable step for them to take.  Their parents’ were the first to be approached.  Trina’s

father was apprehensive.
“How far away is this rocky place?  And how would I know if you were safe?” he asked.
“It is not so far” she assured him.  “We could take you there, and you would know how to find us if you needed to.  We could come back and see you often.”
“I should have to have assurances that it was allowed.  I won’t have you doing things outside the law.”  He grumbled.

Trina appealed to her stepmother, Asta, with a look.
”Corvan! You trust Markil.  You have told me often that you think Trina has chosen wisely.  Why now do you think he would take chances with her safety?”  Asta said quietly,

slipping her hand into his and squeezing it.
 “And you know it is not unlawful.  You spoke with the Councillor on the subject only last week.”
“I know! But this is not for a day on the outside to walk around and look at things, this is for the rest of her life, for being far from her family, for bringing up her children, and I must

be sure.”

“We will discuss it with the Assembly of Councillors, of course.” Said Markil. I have already spoken to Councillor Dant. He asked about access to water and we have found a good

supply, which will be easily piped to where we want it, I think that will please him, and as soon as we let him know we have spoken to you and to my father, he will call the

Assembly together.  They may send someone out to view the area before giving us Council endorsement.  We will not do anything surreptitiously, and I would never put Trina in

peril.” 
With this, Corvan had to be content.

Markil had told his brother what he had found, and that he was showing it to Trina.  Cordot met them as they arrived at the family enclave, and one look at the pair told him that all

had gone well.
“You are happy with what my brother showed you?”  He asked.
“Oh yes!  I am very happy Cordot.  Have you seen it?”
“No not yet, Markil said that you had to see it before anyone else did, and that if you did not approve, he would show it to no-one and keep looking until he found something you did

like.” Cordot grasped  his brother by both hands and then Trina in formal greeting.

The trio moved to the communal area where the rest of the family were each occupied with separate tasks.  The boys’ father was sitting at a table, documents spread about him as

he wrestled with the figures of his monthly accounts.  Their mother was preparing a meal, while Cordot’s consort Matil was teaching their son his letters, in preparation for his formal

schooling to begin when he reached his third birthday.

“I am pleased you are all here,” said Markil, taking Trina’s hand in his.  “Trina and I have made our decision.  We will approach the Assembly of Councillors and seek endorsement

to live outside The Habitation.”
“Do you have your father’s blessing Trina?” asked Thomal, Markil’s father.
“He is finding it difficult, Thomal, but he knows where my heart lies, and he trusts your son.  I think he will not with -hold his blessing.” She answered.
“I too find it difficult, but trust must be demonstrated, not merely spoken of.  I believe neither your father nor I will stand in your way.”

The meeting with the Assembly of Councillors went as well as could be hoped for.  It was an open forum, and as well as both families of the couple, many friends had turned up to

give support. 

Having brought the meeting to order, Councillor Dant addressed Trina first.  He wanted to be sure that she was not being coerced into doing something she was unsure about. 

Having established this, he asked many questions of Markil, about the suitability of the site, ease of access, water, drainage, the probability of supplying themselves with food.
He found that the pair had taken into account that having supplied them with enough to see them through the next growing season, the community could not be expected to supply

them indefinitely.  Markil had investigated the land around the area close to the proposed new enclave, and had decided that there was an area suitable for pasture, as well as for

growing crops.

Markil made a promise to the Assembly, that all goods supplied to them would be repaid in full, and when that was done, they would be in a position to help with the provisioning of

The Habitation.

This announcement went down very well with the assembled community and the councillors would have found it hard not to find in favour of the proposal, but not to make it sound

too easy for the pair, Councillor Dant told them that the Assembly would make a decision only after an inspection of the proposed site. This would take place three days hence, and

Markil must make himself available to guide the deputation of councillors.

When the meeting was over, Markil and Trina repaired to a nearby Teahouse with Cordot and Matil,  (their son, Umas, was happy to return to the family enclave with his

grandparents). They armed themselves with writing materials, and proceeded to compile two lists.  The first one was what they could reasonably ask the community to provide,

which included large items like a transportable power supply, a communication station and a selection of animals, seeds and tools, the other, what they would need besides the

first list.

Much hilarity was enjoyed as the four were joined by friends, who helped (and/or hindered) with the compiling of the lists.  Items were moved from one list to the other, or removed

altogether from both lists, as Joining Gifts were pledged.

Markil was much more businesslike next day when he turned up at the appointed time to accompany the Councillors

The inspection went well, as Markil explained to the Councillors what he intended to do and how he proposed to use the land.  He showed them his water source, and his projected

drainage line.

The inspection party returned to the Chamber of Councillors and Markil was asked to wait outside while the report was made.   Markil felt he was being kept waiting for a very long

time, but eventually he was called inside and was asked if he could inform the councillors of what would be required of the community. He breathed a sigh of relief, and produced his

list.  Although there was some small demur, Markil realised by the looks that passed between the Councillors, that the list was shorter than they had been expecting and was

accepted in full.

The Joining Day was all that the young pair could have asked for.  Everyone had new clothes for the occasion.  Corvan and Asta provided a fine repast, and everyone enjoyed the

music and dancing.

As the celebrations drew to a close, a wheeled vehicle was brought to the exit of the Habitation, and everything that had not already been delivered to the new enclave was loaded

aboard for the journey.  Several of Markil’s and Trina’s friends were to accompany the newly joined pair, as the wheeled vehicle could only go so far, then the goods, mostly

foodstuffs and personal items, would need to be carried up the rest of the way.  The vehicle would then be returned to where it belonged.
One of the stipulations of the Councillors had been the improvement of the condition of the route, to be undertaken by Markil.

Alone at last, Trina and Markil surveyed their kingdom.  They had spent the last few weeks coming back and forth, bringing furniture and furnishings, utensils and animals and

seeds and tools.  While Trina helped by her stepmother and two of her friends, Nada and Miima had placed furniture and draped curtaining; Markil in the company of his brother and

best friend Norno had built fences and sheds and made a start on tilling the land.  There was still a lot to do, but they had all the time in the world to do it.