AFTER THE DAY: Timothy's History of the Valley: The Dispute. Introduction.

The 'dispute' really began with John's report to the gathering. The main disagreement concerned as Terry called it, 'letting sleeping dogs lie.' "Why risk announcing ourselves to a potential enemy,"

John and Lilly were the the champions of the opposing view, that an unknown, 'enemy' was far worse than a known one, but both felt caution, and learning as much as possible before any contact with the people of the valley of frequent smoke, was the best strategy.

The first expedition really only showed that a group, could journey close, to the valley of frequent smoke and return safely. Though we also learned that the people there, had fortified their valley with a large wooden gate and watchtowers. After the expedition returned, John and Michael had trekked through the hills to the north of our valley, to a mount we all knew as 'the high hill', John felt sure would allow a good view of the gate: he had been correct.

The hill was high enough to see partway into the valley, with the aid of the most powerful of the communities six pairs of binoculars. And working in shifts the pair watched the gate and the small part of the valley they could observe. There was what both were convinced was a forge and a stable, and a well used trackway led into the part of the valley they could not see. At irregular intervals one or more carts with at least one mounted guard, would arrive at the gate, sometimes days apart, sometimes  several times in one day, and occasionally there would be a lone rider, who almost always arrived at a gallop.

There was a ritual surrounding the entry of a cart or rider: the transport would arrive and there would be a conversation between the mounted rider and an occupant of one of the towers. Then a figure would be seen walking up the trackway into the hidden part of the valley, though on one occasion the figure ran as if there was some urgency about his message. The pair only saw three people carrying guns. There were two figures who seemed to take turns in charge of the gate, who both had what looked like rifles. The third was the one who always returned with whichever messenger had gone to find him. He had what looked like a shotgun, but also a pistol, which John had observed him waving at a guard who had done something to displease him. John had dubbed him 'bossman'.

Bossman would always climb the tower have a shouted conversation of some kind with the rider, or the driver of the cart, and then give an order which resulted in the gate opening. Departing did not however seem to require the personal attention of, Bossman, though he was seen giving one rider a send off, shaking his hand and embracing him, before the gate was opened.

When the pair returned and presented what they had seen to the Gathering, Terry was quick to point out it just looked like they were cautious of who entered their valley, and that clearly some kind of trading was taking place. Lilly however spoke to the Gathering in reply, saying that there were signs that control was important to what was happening in the valley of frequent smoke: why did 'Bossman' need to check all visitors in? Why did the guards have no authority to do this themselves? How often did Bossman have to wave his pistol at his own guards to get what he wanted?

Although Terry was the centre of what became known as the 'sleeping dogs' faction, he had volunteered for the first expedition, and he had the common sense to recognise why Lilly's thoughts were important. It was decided to keep a permanent presence on the High Hill, to watch the comings and goings of the Valley.

The next part of the dispute concerned the relative armaments of 'The Valley', and the 'Valley of frequent smoke,' though increasingly people talked of, 'the smokers'. Lilly was convinced that guns outside our valley had been used liberally and amunition was likely becoming scarce. The 'sleeping dogs' faction was largely in agreement with this, but some on both sides thought it was a dangerous assumption. We in the Valley had however been careful, not only with the ammunition we had, but also, first David and then Lilly had manufactured more. Something that would have been impossible without Joshua's and later Simon's chemistry, though Mary had jokingly, dubbed them 'the alchemists',  and the name had stuck. The gun club in the valley had of course helped too, meaning there were more than enough guns to arm every one of us if needed.

Observation of what was now universally called, 'the smokers valley' continued, and John carefully worked out what he thought the numbers of guards were, which he put at between 30 and 50. Which roads the carts and riders came from, which seemed to be two thirds from the Western Road, and a third from the Northern Road. Though John was persuaded that the carts from the north were heavier.

Despite her conviction that the Smokers, had likely got limited amunition and weapons, Lilly cautioned against over confidence. Prehaps we might be better armed, but that would not help if we were outnumbered. She proclaimed loudly at the Gathering her fathers adage, that guns can make one feel powerful, but it's a power that vanishes when faced with someone as well armed as you.

And so the dispute rumbled on. It was an odd 'argument' because the disagreements all seemed to resolve themselves into the same action. Observe and learn, do not act rashly, prepare for the worst, but look for the best.

The Gathering decided that a permanent lookout on the High Hill was prudent, as was one on the hill known by everyone as Luke's View. Lilly made a big fuss about good communications and because of this,  Joshua was tasked to find ways to make the old two way radios work, after his and Sally's success with running the farm's old generator on alcohol. Though as yet they were unable to make enough to run the generator for any length of time.

So despite the 'dispute' there remained a consensus in the valley, the construction of a wall between the high and low villages was agreed, and work begun.  It seems to me we decided that we had an advantage in knowledge and looked to increase it wherever we could.

Things went on in this way for more than a year, the activities of Bossman were watched, practice with the guns increased, Joshua worked out a battery which whilst heavy allowed the 2 way radios to work. Work on the wall went well, and was nearly complete, when the travellers arrived.