Cawley's farm on Nost Creek was mentioned by Horst as a possible refuge for the children of Carvahall, when the villagers were planning the defense of their village. Loring disagreed, claiming that although Cawley was a kind man, those further down the valley couldn't help the people of Carvahall as it would bring imperial wrath down on them. The villagers decided that Loring was right.