by R D Blake
Then a large flock of birds landed all about him: on the crumbling battlements, the cracked pavement, above in the branches of some ancient shrubs that had found some means to thrive having driven their roots down among the loose cobbles. The birds lit up in excited song, almost as if they were speaking to him: their warbling and trilling such that Erick felt entranced. And they kept on so that, if his legs would have allowed, Erick would have danced.
When they had more or less finished, though a few continued to sing on with a tune of their own, he bowed to them, acknowledging their gift. “I thank you for your kindness to me. And thank — ” He decided to risk it. “Thank your mistress as well. If only I had means to return your gift; but I have no talent to sing, though once, some years ago, I knew something of how to play the lute.” That brought a cacophony of sound from the meadowlarks and they rose and flew around him now seeming to talk more to the wolves and the bear than among themselves. But those predators seemed to want nothing to do with whatever these birds were suggesting.
Erick decided to set things aright before a stronger argument arose between these two groups. “Alas, it would be of no use until my arm is healed more completely.” Those words of his seemed to end the dispute and most of the birds left though a few remained eyeing him speculatively. “Really, I know little of music. And I was a poor student. Though — though now I regret not putting more effort into it.” That put the wrens and starlings to silence, but soon they too flew off again. The bear huffed and shook his head. Whatever was going on did not meet with his approval. Erick felt like laughing. This was so much like the antics at court.
A few more hours passed by with Erick standing or sitting on the walls, but he caught no further sight of the woman. He whiled away the time, using his practiced eye to imagine how he would bring this vale back to life: where the fields would be remade and aligned, where roads would be cut and ditches laid out. Further, he examined the stonework beneath his hands and feet. Though it was aged and worn by time and use, he knew it had been excellent work — perhaps better than what was done even within the kingdom he had come from. Minutes later, he was brought out of his reverie by a quick nip by one of the smaller wolves. “Back to my cage? H’mm?” Erick had meant it as a slight jest, but the wolves did not like it and his words earned him another nip — this one much stronger.
Over the next week, Erick spent as much time outdoors as his guards and the weather permitted. He exercised his legs and arms — the splints and wrappings had been removed the second night after he had been released from his chambers. And on that same morning a lute had mysteriously appeared resting on his chair. Erick smiled at that and carried it with him as he walked to his perch to watch the activities of the day — meaning for the most part this mysterious woman. A covey of birds appeared as he settled himself on the wall and began to sing to him: one note at a time. “So you have taken me seriously and now the lessons begin?” He chuckled and it seemed the bird did too — though the bear who appeared to be his only guard this day, growled at this. “Friend, I will do my best not to offend your ears. But I am afraid I am much out of practice and the pure notes will be few and far between over the next few days.” The bear apparently believed him and shuffled a good distance away and held his great head under his paws.
And so the lessons began — one painful note at a time despite this instrument being one fine-crafted. Erick wondered if he was worthy of it when he would finally put it away at the end of the each day, feeling only his numb and tired fingers and bruised lips. But he begged off practice from these strict, disciplined birds whenever the woman came into sight. He watched her trying to discern some insight into the mystery of her, but each day ended in a sigh — as long as he was bound to these upper battlements he would discover little.
By the end of the first week he could play two octaves of notes and had begun to practise the few songs he could barely remember. In the week that followed the wrens and larks took matters into their own hands or better yet to say “their wings” and began to teach Erick a song of their own. Though he believed he only fumbled to match their notes, eventually Erick must have accomplished something close enough to meet with their satisfaction; for the next day while lounging atop the wall, he saw the woman chased and almost pushed in his direction down below him. The animals herding her would not allow her to pass beyond them once she had reached a station below him. Then stupidly, Erick simply looked at her. Once she had espied him, the woman had cast her eyes down upon the ground and had vainly tried to leave again; but the press of the deer, the dogs, the wolves, and all the others about her, would not allow her a means to leave. So in a huff and with some sharp words Erick could not hear, she plunked herself down to sit on a rock, in a clear state of dissatisfaction, prepared to endure whatever was to inflicted upon her. The birds swarmed about him, chirping and several landed upon his shoulders to peck at him, reminding Erick of what he was to do.
An unfamiliar nervousness rose up in him, for Erick could not play as well as these birds demanded. Yet now all was silent about him. They wanted him to play for her. Erick girded himself, afraid he would do a terrible job, disappoint these creatures, or worse yet disappoint her. But in some way he knew these birds wished him to please her, to assuage some hurt — to give her a gift — a thanks for what she had done for him. So Erick picked up the lute and closed his eyes and played: played as purely as he knew how.
When he was finished, Erick recalled not a note or whether he had played well or not — only that he had tried. The walls about him and below him were still silent. But he felt all the eyes of the creatures upon this woman and though he could not see them he believed he felt hers upon him. In some strange twist of emotions, Erick found he could not abide them and he fled from the wall and ran to his room, and if there had been a door he would have slammed it shut. For in that tilt of that hidden head he had discerned something, though he knew not what it was; but only that he could not endure its loneliness.
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Ilena had fled also for too many thoughts and moods and feelings had arisen from that simple song. She had found she could not endure it and had run out into the fields and remained there all that whole night until the morning sun found her dew-stained and cold, surrounded by all the creatures of field, air and fortress — still within the cradle of their love.
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Another week passed and though Erick did not wish it, the birds taught him more of their songs. At times as he played, he caught the woman stopping to listen for a few brief moments; but most often it seemed she chose to ignore him and his music, if it could be called such, and by her postures she appeared to be scolding her companions if they deigned to delay her from her tasks.
Eventually it came to be that Erick felt the time had come for him to do else but simply practise on his lute, and so he knelt before the bear and wolves and asked: “My body has mended and I wish to be idle no more and I chaff at being a burden. If you would allow, give me some task that I may do. I have much to thank both you and your mistress for.”
He observed the animals consult among themselves in their silent, unknowable ways. It seemed not long before they came to a decision and the wolves loped off directing him to some new passages which led downwards over broken steps and through rooms whose ceilings were exposed in part to the sky. Erick ignored all of that, intent on finding the lady, but he found himself disappointed; for the wolves led him out to a field beyond the fortress where vegetables were being raised. Two gripped a hoe in their teeth and dropped it before his feet.
There could be no clearer message as far as Erick was concerned and he began to use it to strip the ground of the weeds that had grown up around the cabbages, lettuces, radishes, cauliflower, beans and late season peas. At times, he glimpsed the woman at other tasks coming in and out of the ruins, for the most part carrying in huge bundles of wild flowers. But if he tarried too long regarding their mistress, the wolves would howl and nip at his leg
s, expressing their disapproval. Then Erick would return to his task but all the while wondering what part of the fortress the woman lived in and what — what did she do with all those flowers.
And so it was that Erick found his hope dashed of meeting the lady of this ruin that day and for days afterwards. But he discerned that there was a test in all this; his guards had granted him more freedom, but only to see what he would do with it. Erick hoed and raked, gathered the crops, scythed the grain, bundling it into sheaves and repaired some buckets and other implements with tools seemingly brand new. He asked about that expecting no answer and received none. His frustrations only grew, for he wished to meet and talk with this woman; but these great creatures forbade him until some days after he had gleaned and bagged the grain, the wolves and the bear led him to the well and by their motions indicated that he was to draw from it.
This Erick did and followed them to a different entranceway into the fortress — one she used. Eventually, the wolves led him to a kitchen where the woman sat mending some garment. She started at his sudden appearance and Erick stopped in his tracks uncertain of what to do next. It was clear she meant to leave by another exit, but the wolves had blocked that and they and the bear growled and yipped and yapped at her. Clearly unhappy and frustrated, she sat down heavily on her bench again looking only at the floor, having cast aside her mending on the table top.
Erick stood dumbfounded before her. For months, he had mused and mulled over all the things to ask of her and to say to her. And now — now that the moment had come, he could think of nothing to speak of. How his mother and father would wonder at what had become of all his training.
Finally, mercifully, she pointed silently toward a basin at the far end of the room. Fumbling with the bucket, sloshing out far too much water, Erick carried it and poured it out. He looked at her; but the woman would not deign to regard him, turning on the bench to face away from him. By this time, more animals had entered the room, in their silence regarding the two of them. And by the stance and black eyes of the bear who partially blocked the doorway he had come in, Erick understood this was another test. Was it just for him or taking a flickering look at the woman — for her too?
But Erick could take no more of this. He had waited months for this moment and he could not let this opportunity pass without making an attempt. He approached the woman remaining still many steps from her and went to his knees, bowing as low as he could before her. “Only three things I will say to you, my lady. First my thanks for your care in bringing healing to my body. I owe you all of what I am for what you have done for me. Second, forgive me my imprudence of some months ago. I should not have touched you without your permission. And lastly, command me in any way you will. I would choose to serve you as do these creatures of yours.”
The woman gave him no response. After a long silence, the bear chuffed and Erick knew that as a command to leave. He did, picking up the pail and following the bear out of the room. Had he passed or failed the test? Had she?
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Ilena felt his presence leave the chamber. Finally, she could lift her eyes from the floor. She regarded all of the mice, rats, hares, cats, dogs and those confounded wolves and that bear through the gauze of her mask. “I know what you do. But can you not see how cruel it is? To him? To me? He must go. That is my command! Obey me in nothing else but this. Take him away from here — back to wherever he has come from. If not, then I will leave. Leave you and this place!” Ilena balled her hands into tight fists. “You know he has vexed me with his presence since you brought him here. He has only caused me to think of all I have lost — all that is denied to me. While he remains here, I will never have peace. None! If you love me at all, I beg you do this!”
None answered her, all of the animals shifting their eyes to regard some other feature of the kitchen chamber. “So that is to be the way of things?!” Ilena could not suffer to endure any more and left the room to hide once again out in the far fields.
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Chapter Six
Connor woke in the midst of the night: sodden, sweating from a dream in which she had escaped from him again. Marta! Images of her crowded into his night visions and Connor knew he thought far too often of her during his waking hours when other matters should be taking precedence. Must take precedence. Subtly, he and his father were building greater alliances — both within the kingdom and without it.
But he was impatient. Why not act now? Maddeningly, his father was in no great hurry. Plodding, too careful, pr so it seemed to Connor, but he grudgingly knew his father was a sly old man and one not to cross — ever. So Connor played at being the obedient son. He would be patient until the right opportunity presented itself. Both father and son knew how to play games.
So what was he to do about Marta the Good? Surely she could not be that pure, that devoted to a God who only rewarded the strong. And Connor knew he was strong. He would have her one way or the other. But as he tossed the damp blanket onto the floor Connor vowed he would continue to be patient despite how much he wanted her: the Good Sister who only God believed He could have. Connor laughed with scorn at that notion. He would see who was the stronger.
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The bear and wolves now allowed Erick to tote water into the kitchen each day, but the woman had vacated it. Why did she act this way? Had he offended her so much by that one rash act that she refused to forgive him or to grant him an audience with her? Yet these animals seemingly wished the two of them to meet in some way or fashion. This whole situation spoke of something much more complex than it seemed on the surface. If only she would speak to him, answer a few of his questions, even if ever so briefly.
Another day followed and another group of animals had gathered in the kitchen after he had filled the basins and washed all that there was to clean — another task added to a growing list of gardening, harvesting, sweeping, raking and readying what needed to be prepared for the coming winter. Yet these menial tasks that were so far below his station in life gave Erick what he considered as the first tastes of a new found freedom.
This particular day the animals bade him to make a meal. Meat, Erick understood, though all that ever was served here was fish when it was available. Likely, he mused, that with all these animals about, meat would be considered a gross violation of proprieties. So fish it was. He found some flour and after gutting and cleaning the fish, covered them in it. Then it became apparent that these animals wished some sort of pie to be created. Apples were rolled out of bins and more flour was poured out onto the table.
Now as a boy, Erick had visited the court’s kitchen many times, inveigling much from the cooks there, and while partaking of their pastries and sweets had idly watched the scullions create the food that was set before him and all the other nobles. Those old memories served only to add to his trepidation as Erick attempted to make such a dessert. Apples he could peel and he remembered to remove the cores though a few seeds found their way into the pan. But the making of a pie shell seemed beyond his limited skills.
In the end Erick fashioned something much unlike anything he could recollect being served to him. Nevertheless, he placed it in the oven with the fish and then went about cleaning up the kitchen that had completely become a shambles. He brushed and swept and created some order out of the chaos he had created and then he worked on cleaning himself, leaving the room to use another where a fresh basin of water resided for such needs. Having completely forgotten about his cooking duties Erick spent an unwarranted amount of time washing the flour off his hands, his clothing and his face and lastly out of his hair. By the time he re-entered the corridor, smoke was billowing out of the kitchen, and a harsh low, almost guttural, voice was screeching out ahead of him. “What has happened in here? Has the entire world gone mad!”
He rushed in to see black smoke spewing out from the now open oven with the woman in the process of removing the ruin of his cooking. Without thought, Erick pushed her aside, and taking the
pans containing the black burning residue, ran them out and tossed them away into the midden heap. Then sheepishly, Erick returned fearing equally that the woman still remained or that she had left — likely never to return after what he had so carelessly done.
He found her amidst the smoke still spewing from the ovens. How could so little food cause all this? And this seemed to be her thought as well, for once she became aware of his presence she spun on her heels and berated him. “Do you have any idea what you have done? It has taken me years to make this kitchen as it was and now you have ruined it all!” Her raspy, hoarse, husky voice contained all of what a woman peeved beyond endurance would hold. She almost shoved her hand fiercely at him but caught herself and then turned away from him. “And — and my flowers! Look at them. They will all have to be replaced and — and… ”
“My lady, please!” Erick begged. “Let me remedy this for you.”
“I do not wish for your help! Have you not done enough already? Whatever gave you the foolish idea to use my kitchen?” Her low voice was sharp as any knife.
Erick rubbed the back of his neck. “I know I’m not much of a cook.” That earned him a snort of disgust. “In fact, this is the first time I’ve ever tried.”
“Obviously!”
“I’m sorry, my lady. Show me how and I promise I’ll fix everything such that it will be as it once was.”
Her bent back straightened and for the first time, Erick thought he detected a bulge up upon her left shoulder. But its implications did not faze him. More than anything Erick only wanted her forgiveness. He thought she was going to send him away, but she finally uttered out a long exasperated sigh. “Everything must be taken from here. Everything! Do you understand that much? Start with the flowers. I cannot bear to see them as they are. When this place is empty, the martens will inform me and then I will set you more tasks.” And then, only then, did she leave him.