Nemesis

by Margit Sandemo

  “Yes, so I heard. Who would believe that they’d talked about poisoning His Majesty?”

  “But Dina was sentenced. She had to pay for her crime with her life. That’s what I think is happening now.”

  “No!” whispered a pale Jessica.

  “Yes. She was to be decapitated in the Town Hall Square.”

  Jessica remembered the elegant lady she had seen parade out of the Ulfeldt couple’s house with a mocking expression on her face. She imagined the head with the beautiful face roll over the cobble stones as the headless body collapsed.

  Instinctively, she reached out for Tancred’s hand. He rode over to her horse so that she could feel his thigh against hers. His strong hand took hers in his.

  “Come,” he whispered and turned the horse. She followed him, half-paralysed by fear.

  She pondered: ‘Are human beings born cruel and suppress the fact, or are they born good and then turn callous bit by bit?

  ’ She knew someone who must have been born good and who would never change and that was Mattias Meiden, the young medical doctor with the life-giving eyes. She hoped that he would have many children. Now and then, when she saw some doubtful types with lots of children who quickly turned into thieves and miserable scoundrels, she would think an ungodly thought: ‘What a waste of God’s creation. It’s not you who are to inhabit the world!’

  Whereas a person like Mattias might never get married.

  When they had gone a good distance into a parallel street, they heard a joint exclamation, like a sigh, from the crowd in the Town Hall Square. Jessica closed her eyes and moaned.

  Tancred got off his horse shortly before the Ulfeldt’s house.

  “This is as far as I can take you.”

  Jessica stretched out her arms towards him and he lifted her down.

  Without letting go of her, he said, “Now you take good care of yourself! We’ll meet in three days’ time at the inn down by the harbour.”

  She leaned against his chest. They stood still, each feeling sorry for one another because they could not be together.

  “No ducks are quacking here,” she mumbled with a clear hint.

  “No, that’s a good thing,” he smiled.

  She waited but since nothing happened, she let go and got on her horse once more.

  Tancred also got on his horse, said a serious goodbye, and then they parted.

  It was not until he had passed three streets that he understood her small hint about the ducks.

  He thought about riding back but she had probably already reached the Ulfeldt house. He swore like mad at himself and continued to the drab barracks.

  Jessica was welcomed warmly into a hectic, excited house. Her little protégée wept with joy and many sighed ‘at last’ because Eleonora Sofia was not always easy to control.

  Leonora Christina, who was dressed in an emerald silk dress with gold lace, was agitated.

  “She got what she deserved,” she repeated over and over again, as if to convince herself. “Her head’s on a stake outside Copenhagen and her body interred below it. Jørgen Walter will be exiled, so I’ve heard. How could anyone dare to imagine that we would have committed a crime against His Majesty? Or that my dear husband would have anything to do with that cheap slut? May God show mercy upon her soul,” she added quickly. “Jessica, it’s been a difficult time here, and I’ve been unable to take care of the children the way I’d have liked to. Poor Corfitz has demanded all my attention. It’s wonderful that you can relieve me a bit with Eleonora Sofia. She’s so sensitive. And my husband gets so nervous now when he hears a child cry. He’s also been under tremendous pressure.”

  Corfitz Ulfeldt had locked himself up in his office, where he spent the first few days after Jessica had returned. When Ella, the cook, heard that Jessica had come back, she could barely conceal the smile which threatened to break out.

  She had given up her plan of poisoning Jessica. Now she had a new one, and at the end of it she would stand before Jessica and tell her everything she’d been keeping in.

  “Nemesis,” she whispered quietly to herself. “This is my nemesis, Jessica Cross!”

  But on 13 July, many lives in the Ulfeldt palace were changed.

  In complete secrecy, King Frederik III signed a long series of charges against Corfitz Ulfeldt, including how he had handled his government post. He had been defiant, greedy and nepotistic, favouring his relatives and friends.

  After Christian IV passed away, Corfitz Ulfeldt had been the rightful regent in Denmark before his half-brother-in-law, Frederik, came onto the scene. After the old King’s death, Ulfeldt had locked himself up in the the King’s office and gone over all the documents, all the papers – everything. The Lord Chamberlain was strongly suspected of abusing his power. It was said that he had transferred the most valuable deeds to himself. What plans Ulfeldt might have had is difficult to say, but he was the only one in the Council of State who did not sign Frederik III’s coronation charter as elected King. A malicious rumour said that Leonora Christina had already tried on the Queen’s crown. ... It was doubtful whether it was true. But they were sure to have thought about it. Both were fanatic careerists.

  Somehow the secret about the King’s accusations against the Lord Chamberlain was leaked. On 14 July, the evening on which Jessica was supposed to have met Tancred at the inn, the entire Ulfeldt Household was in chaos. Everything that could be brought along was packed at a furious pace. Leonora Christina shouted orders to the servants; she was everywhere at once; she saw to it that the children were properly dressed; she assured her husband that he had been treated unjustly – and at the same she tended to everything. Corfitz Ulfeldt was merely agitated, moaning about his own situation and was not of much use.

  Jessica was in despair. She had no opportunity to meet with Tancred – something she had been looking forward to every hour of the day. There were still a few hours before she was due to arrive at the meeting place, but the entire family and a number of servants, including Jessica, were ready to escape from the accusations, which would undoubtedly condemn Ulfeldt to eternal ignominy – if he was not to lose his head outright.

  The suspicion raised against him was certainly well-founded. However, cunning as he was, he had placed considerable funds – which were rightfully those of the State – in the Netherlands ...

  Jessica knew very little about all this. She had been told that they would be moving abroad. When she eyed the chance to slip out unseen for a moment, she quickly scribbled some words on a piece of paper and ran out into the back yard. There she came across a wood seller with his ox cart.

  Jessica said breathlessly, “In a few hours’ time, would you please go down to the inn by the harbour? The one on the corner of the inlet and give this letter to the handsomest man you see there. Ask him whether he is Tancred Paladin! Here’s a rix-dollar for your trouble.”

  A rix-dollar was a lot of money for a wood seller, so he nodded and promised to do as she said.

  “And don’t say a word to anybody!” she whispered and hurried back indoors again.

  When Tancred had sat for some time in “The Elk,” a corner inn known for its good cuisine, a man walked up to him.

  “Are you Tancred Paladin?”

  “Paladin. Yes.”

  “I was asked to give you this letter from a young lady.”

  “Thank you.”

  The man remained standing. Tancred took out one rix-dollar.

  That was a good day’s earning, thought the wood seller. 2 rix-dollar. That is what a servant maid earns in one year!

  Tancred read the letter and his brow became furrowed.

  Dear, dear friend! I have to leave. The Ulfeldts are traveling abroad today I don’t know where to. It happened so suddenly. We will be journeying via Hørsholm to Hammermøllen by Elsinore. A ship will be waiting for us. Goodbye, my beloved. Yes, I’
m writing that even though you’ve never kissed me. Surely you could have done so, despite a bad cold and ducks, even though nothing will ever come of it between you and me, anyway. It’s not my fault.

  In the greatest haste.

  Your Jessica.

  Tancred had not heard about the Ulfeldt’s sentence. Otherwise he would have raised the alarm. All he understood was that Jessica was about to slip through his fingers.

  Shortly afterwards, he rode northward along the coast at a furious speed to catch up with the entourage. First of all, he rode to the Ulfeldt home and thereby defied the unspoken ban against associating with the Lord Chamberlain. When he got there the servants who were left told him that the coach and horses had departed from the farm two hours ago.

  So he rushed out on the street again and continued his ride.

  Only one thing was on his mind: Jessica.

  He arrived too late in Hørsholm. They had merely stopped to fetch a few things and some loyal servants, then they had continued to Elsinore.

  They must be in a great hurry, he thought. And once again, his thoughts only revolved around Jessica.

  ‘What if I’m too late? What if I see the ship sail away and disappear on the horizon?

  Then I’ll take a fast boat and follow after. Oh, God, where on earth have my thoughts been?’

  It was dark when he reached Hammermøllen. But he saw a light down by the harbour and people rushing back and forth across the gangway to a small ship ...

  Tancred jumped off his horse so quickly he almost fell and ran out to the quay. To his joy, he caught sight of Jessica almost immediately – she came to fetch some clothes for the children, which lay on top of a trunk.

  “Jessica!”

  She looked up with a smile but was also concerned.

  “Tancred, are you mad? Something rotten is going on here. Please be careful that they don’t see you!”

  “Here. Come over here behind the shed!”

  They hid and he embraced her.

  “Jessica. You mustn’t leave. I won’t let you! I also understand more now. Ulfeldt is fleeing! I can’t stop them on my own. He’s bound to be desperate. Dearest, you mustn’t join them. He’s stigmatised, and your life will be ruined if you join them.”

  “But I can’t leave Eleonora Sofia.”

  “She has her parents, her siblings and a whole lot of servants. What have I if you leave? Jessica, stay with me,” he whispered, agitated. “I can’t live without you.”

  “Oh, Tancred. You know there’s nothing I’d rather do!”

  He pulled her even closer to him in desperation. “I shouldn’t be doing this. I’ve no right to ask you about it because I’m drawing you into endless misery but ...”

  “May I not be allowed to share your endless misery?”

  “Oh, but you’ve no idea how bad it is! And yet I ask you to stay, my beloved, because I just can’t stand seeing you leave.”

  “Together, you and I will fight this misery,” she said hopefully. “But I need to fetch my things.”

  “Are they on board?”

  “No, I don’t think so.”

  “Then, please hurry!”

  They moved forward. Tancred remained standing in the shadow of the shed while Jessica ran over to the luggage that was left.

  She was unfortunate because just as she had found her trunk, Leonora Christina appeared.

  “Where are you off too, Jessica?” said the woman sharply.

  “I won’t be joining you, Your Highness,” stuttered Jessica.

  “But surely you can’t let us down now?”

  “Yes, I have to. I’m to marry Tancred Paladin!”

  He had not proposed but Jessica had decided to stand by him, even if he only needed her as a friend.

  “But what about Eleonora Sofia? Will you honestly leave her to her fate for a fleeting romance?”

  “Oh, she’ll soon forget me. She has all of you. But I’ll never forget Tancred. Goodbye, Your Highness. Greetings to the girl and good luck!”

  Then she ran as fast as she could with her trunks in tow.

  “Stop her!” yelled Leonora Christina. From the ship, a child could be heard shouting, “Jessica!”

  The shout cut in Jessica’s ears. “Oh, God. Why must everything in life be so painful?” she moaned as Tancred ran towards her, taking her trunk. Together they rushed towards the horse. “He’s here! Stop them! Shoot!” yelled Leonora Christina. “No, catch them!”

  But the men were on board the ship and didn’t get any further than the gangway before they were both on the horse, rushing away. For quite some time, they could hear the agitated cries from the ship.

  “Quick! On board! Throw the anchor!” ordered Ulfeldt with authority.

  That was the last they heard.

  At long last, Tancred stopped the horse while Jessica tried to compose herself again after the dramatic scenes.

  “That was that,” he said with a sigh of relief. “Thank God I arrived in time. Just imagine – you could have been on the open sea. I’m exhausted just thinking about it.”

  “Me too!” said Jessica, trembling all over. “Did you get my messy letter?”

  “Yes. God bless you for it!”

  They rode in silence for a while. He had his arm around her, as if she had always belonged there. She, on the other hand, had a terrible job holding her trunk in place. Either it cut into her bosom or into her thigh. It was in the way no matter how she held it.

  “Jessica, you said that we’ll be together. Does that mean you intend to marry me?”

  She was silent for a long while. Then she said helplessly, “My dear Tancred, as far as I know you’ve never asked me.”

  He also hesitated, then answered, “No, I haven’t. But you know that I would – if only I could.”

  “So what are your plans for us?” she said somewhat shyly. “Do you think I should go back to Askinge and just forget you? I want so much to be able to help you and to stand by your side. Only you don’t give me the chance to do so.”

  “My dear Jessica, how could I?”

  Although she was afraid of the answer, she asked, “Is there another woman? Have you got entangled in something you can’t get out of? Or do you have a child you don’t want to acknowledge? That is the only thing that would really concern me.”

  “Good heavens, no!” said Tancred, shocked. “Who do you think I am? You’re the only woman in my life and you know that perfectly well!”

  “How am I to know?”

  It warmed her heart but this time she had no intention of giving in. “But you won’t confide in me. Where are we riding to now in this darkness?”

  “To Gabrielshus, although we won’t make it this evening. I was supposed to be back at the camp by 10pm, but I’d better take my punishment. You’re more important right now.”

  “So ... we’ll stay at an inn again?”

  He held her in a tight embrace. “Yes, but don’t worry – nothing improper will happen!”

  “I know,” she said, sounding slightly disappointed.

  Meanwhile, aboard the ship sailing across the Sound was Stella Holzenstern, pale with fury. She was now leaving Denmark bound for the Netherlands – and Jessica was still in Denmark. Stella had tried to disembark once she had fathomed the reason for the consternation. But the gangway had been removed and the men held her back. By then, she was weeping loudly because she was so disappointed.

  What was she to do in the Netherlands?

  Later that night, Tancred and Jessica reached a small inn. Tancred had asked her whether she wanted a room of her own, and she had answered,“You promised that nothing indecent would happen, didn’t you? Besides, it seems we only have a short while together and I’d much rather spend all that time with you.”

  With a loud voice, Tancred ordered “a room for my wife a
nd myself,” and Jessica’s heart was bursting with both joy and sadness. Tancred also ordered supper for them.

  When they had eaten in silence and the hostess had taken out the plates, Tancred locked the room for the night. Jessica was about to close the windows when he put his arms around her from behind.

  “Jessica, dearest, what are we to do?” he whispered sadly. “Do you have the courage to accept me now that I’m such a burden to you?”

  She turned and looked into his sad face. “You know that I do. When I mean something to someone, I can tackle the most incredible situations. But I can’t see you suffer without understanding why.”

  “It may mean poverty and ruin.”

  “Am I afraid of poverty?”

  “And unbearable dishonour?”

  She stroked his cheek, followed his eyebrows and his chin with her fingers.

  This was too much for Tancred. He held her fervently to him, kissing her throat right beneath the ear.

  “For God’s sake, Jessica, help me. I can no longer tackle this on my own!”

  “Yes, let me help you, my dear,” she whispered, intoxicated by his closeness.

  The next moment he had found her mouth in a desperate kiss, as if they were never to see one another again. Jessica felt that her entire body was ablaze, as if her skin became alive, and Tancred was a part of her while at the same time being unbearably exciting and estranged.

  He pulled back and with a deep sigh said “Don’t decide if you’ll marry me until you’ve heard ...”

  Her heart was pounding. “I’m ready to hear it now.”

  “Now?” he said. “I can’t face talking with you when you’re standing so close to me.”

  She looked feverishly around the room. “Let’s kick off our shoes and lie on the bed,” she then said. “Then we can be close without touching one another. It would be so awkward if we each sat in a chair.”

  He did as she said and put out the light.

  “It’s going to be terribly difficult,” he began.

  “So I’ve gathered.”

  “Because it’s about somebody else. One who I like very much. I’m strongly averse to giving them away. Even to you.”