Shasta Summer

by Teresa Geering

  Choking on his ale, and with a face drained of colour, Seth tried to recover his composure, but to no avail. As Merlin asked him if he was alright, Seth explained it away by stating that his drink had gone down the wrong way.

  “Why do you ask, Merlin?” he said, still trying to regain his composure.

  “I met him on the way to the village and he said he knew me. I assumed it was because I am betrothed to Shasta which everyone knows about. He also said that she was a beautiful woman and to ensure I didn’t lose her. I have no intention of doing that. I just wondered if you had come across him when you came to the village at any time,” Merlin replied.

  “I only have a nodding acquaintance with him, Merlin,” Seth said guardedly, but also beginning to relax again slightly.

  Merlin decided to forget about Erasmus for a while and joined in with the general ambience of the tavern. Now and again he took a girl on his knee and gave her a chaste kiss and sent her on her way. Sometimes, if he felt generous, he included a coin here and there. Seth also joined in, never at a loss for women, and his popularity stronger than before. He was also ensuring that he drank in moderation these days. With his intention to marry foremost in his thoughts, he needed to show some responsibility. Merlin began to wonder how Shasta was fairing with Abelia and decided to leave the tavern early. Seth, finishing his ale, said that he would leave also and they could walk back together. As they walked, laughing at stories they had heard during the evening. Seth started to feel rather unusual. His head began to buzz and it felt as if it had a steel band being tightened around it, compressing the sides, which could not be put down to an excess of drink as he had only had two tankards of ale. Merlin, noticing that Seth had suddenly gone quiet and that he was holding his hand to his head, asked him if he was alright.

  As Seth took his hand away from his head, Merlin watched in horror as his face suddenly became contorted as if in pain and seemed to change shape into a face that Merlin recognised and never expected to ever see again. Rooted to the spot, he failed to notice that Seth had now got his right hand behind his back. Reaching for the dagger that he always carried sheathed on his belt, Seth raised his arm, the dagger in his hand, ready to plunge it downwards into Merlin. As Merlin tried to back away, he tripped and fell. The last thing he remembered was hearing Seth shouting NO, Nooooo… as he fought to stop the knife plunging into Merlin.

  Chapter 38

  Shasta and May had walked to the bottom of the garden by the wishing well as Merlin had been making his way to the village. Shasta marvelled at the unique way she and May had arrived at Faery Cove; the process of drinking from the well, the sudden reduction in height and the magnificence of the faeries and their clothes was something she could only experience first hand.

  Queen Abelia had been awaiting their arrival and was seated on her throne, talking to Princess Day Lily while they waited.

  “Your majesty seems preoccupied and sad,” Day Lily observed in her gentle way.

  “Many things are happening, Day Lily. Erasmus has been quiet for some years now, and it seemed almost too good to be true, but since Shasta came to the village, he has been up to serious mischief. We will all have to watch him more closely. Hush now, my dear, our visitors are here …. Hello, May, and welcome to my kingdom, Shasta.”

  “I‘m very pleased to meet you, your majesty” Shasta said.

  “Oh please call me Abelia. You and I will be friends for many meetings to come, both now and in the future,” she said. “There are many things we have to talk about, Shasta, as there is evil in the making. First, though, we will have refreshments. Faeries, please bring our guests a drink.”

  * * *

  Sipping their drink from tiny acorn cups, May, Shasta and Abelia were now sitting in her toadstool house.

  “Shasta, because I know everything that happens in the village, I am aware of what took place between you and Seth the woodcutter.”

  For a moment Shasta looked startled at Abelia’s forthrightness. If truth be told she was also a little embarrassed.

  “Don’t be embarrassed, Shasta. I know everything that happens. It wasn’t Seth who instigated the kiss, but Erasmus.”

  Whilst Shasta looked confused by this, May, who had been sitting quietly until now, tried to hide her emotions. She had known the kiss would happen, of course, but didn’t know when. She just hoped that Shasta would confide in her when it did. It was Merlin that she felt sorry for. He would be devastated. Easily reading May’s mind, Abelia said, “Don’t prejudge, May, until you have heard all the facts.”

  Abelia began to explain about Erasmus and her past connections with him, how on several occasions they had confronted one another. Erasmus loved manipulating people’s minds and planting ideas, thoughts and suggestions to suit his own evil ends. Mostly Abelia had managed to get the upper hand with him - at least as far as she knew, she had.

  “Forgive my ignorance, Abelia, but how do you mean you confronted one another?” Shasta asked.

  “Let me try to explain. Sometimes Erasmus comes to me as a vision. It’s his way of letting me know that he has been up to no good. On one occasion he cast a spell over my kingdom which stopped me seeing what was happening in the village. Fortunately, a couple of the villagers were walking past his cottage. Normally the animal skins covering the windows to keep out the draught prevent anyone from looking in, but on this occasion they were pulled back. Out of curiosity they looked in and saw him with his back to them, hunched over a cauldron, mumbling. Seeing a vision of Merlin rise out of the cauldron, they waited to see what would happen next. Erasmus was not aware of them at first but, sensing they were there, he turned and his face contorted into a grotesque mask. The men ran off in fear of their lives, frightened to tell anyone at first in case of reprisals by Erasmus, but then their tongues became loose over a tankard of ale in the tavern.”

  Seeing Shasta’s startled face, Abelia instantly reassured her that all was well. “He has been rather quiet of late, though, which does concern me, I must admit. So you see, my dear, he can be very dangerous. Although I am used to his games, he is quite capable of entering anyone’s mind and, if there is any weakness, he will play on it and manipulate them.”

  “He sounds a thoroughly despicable person,” said Shasta with a shudder. “I hope I never come into contact with him again, either mentally or visibly.”

  “You won’t, Shasta. I will protect you!” Abelia vowed.

  As Abelia uttered the words, she suddenly felt a very strong icy feeling around her, indicating danger, which made her shudder. She tried to see beyond the kingdom but it was hazy. Concerned by this, Abelia knew that there was only one person responsible. Surely it wasn’t possible. The change in Abelia didn’t go unnoticed by May who had remained quiet during this exchange. She had only seen her react once before in this manner, when there had been a murder in the village. That was many years ago, though. Shasta, preoccupied by all that had been said, was completely unaware until May said, “Are you alright, Abelia. Is there something wrong?”

  “I share your apprehension, May,” Shasta said, her stomach suddenly niggling with worry, but why should that be so, she wondered.

  “I fear there is, May. I’m having difficulty seeing beyond the kingdom and, as we discussed, there is probably only one person responsible,” she said, very concerned.

  “Maybe Shasta and I should leave the kingdom, Abelia, and see what we can find out,” May said.

  “That would be very helpful, May,” she said.

  Instantly May and Shasta were back by the wishing well at normal height.

  “Come,” May said to Shasta, “I know it’s late but let’s go to the village and see if we can find out what is happening.”

  As Shasta started to walk towards the top of the garden, May did something she hadn’t done for years and had promised herself she wouldn’t do again - she mentally transported them to the edge of the village green. It was worth it to see Shasta face. After explaining how she did it, she and Shasta s
tarted to look around to see if anyone was about. Instantly they felt tension in the air. The obvious answer was to look in the tavern which would still be open. As May opened the door, followed by Shasta, they were greeted by a deathly silence.

  “What’s happened?” Shasta asked the nearest man.

  “Oh, mistress, Merlin has been stabbed and he may not survive,” the man said.

  Shasta felt a searing pain in her stomach and clutched it in agony as she passed out. Fortunately, the man was able to stop her falling too heavily by breaking her fall.

  May stood rooted to the spot, unable to take any of it in. Gathering her wits, she made herself move towards Shasta. Kneeling on the straw on the floor she cradled Shasta’s head in her arms. Groaning, Shasta started to come around. “Please tell me it isn’t true, May,” she asked as she tried to rise.

  May looked at the long faces of the villagers which confirmed it.

  “Who did it?” asked Shasta in earnest.

  “It be Seth,” said one.

  “No, it be someone who looked like Seth but his face was different,” said another who had seen what had happened. “Seth held the dagger in his hand but the devil himself had taken over, and Seth tried to stop it happening.”

  “Where is Merlin? I must go to him,” Shasta said, trying to regain her senses as best she could.

  “He be at the cottage of Adie on the edge of the green,” said a couple of voices almost in unison.

  “I will come with you, mistress,” May said.

  Both women left the tavern and made their way to the cottage with a couple of the other villagers tagging along and showing them the way.

  Shasta, without waiting to knock, burst through the door, much to the surprise of Adie who was kneeling on the floor beside her pallet on which Merlin had been laid. She was just replacing a wet cloth over his brow.

  “Oh, mistress Shasta, I fear the worst. Who would do this to him?” she asked, her face showing the signs of many tears. “The doctor is coming but he maybe some time yet as he’s delivering a child.”

  Shasta, not listening, rushed over to Merlin and knelt beside Adie whilst noting the dark congealed blood which had stained Merlin's doublet. His face was ashen. Adie reluctantly exchanged places with Shasta who took Merlin’s cold hand in hers and placed it against her face. Through her tears, she sobbed, “My beloved Merlin, I can’t live without you. Please don’t leave me. I came back to save you from death. God forbid that I have failed you. Why didn’t I take you with me tonight and maybe this wouldn’t have happened. Perhaps I can’t change history after all. Oh, Merlin, my love, please open your eyes.”

  May, Adie and the two men who had accompanied them moved towards the door to give Shasta privacy. They stood not knowing what to say or do. May was equally devastated but it was Shasta’s place to be beside Merlin now.

  The door opened and a flustered doctor arrived, carrying a tatty looking bag.

  “Well, one fine boy delivered into the world and, by the looks of this, one fine young man about to depart it,” he said in a matter of fact voice as he glanced at Merlin.

  Shasta, on hearing this, let out a strangled sob. “Please try to save him. You are his last hope,” she said.

  “Then leave me be to get on with my work and stand with the others by the door,” The doctor replied brusquely.

  As Shasta stood up and turned, May put out her arms to enfold her as she would a young child.

  “Oh, May, I’m so frightened of losing him. I came back to this life to try and save him, and I have failed.”

  “Hush, child, his life is in the hands of fate.”

  The doctor opened Merlin’s shirt to get a better look at the wound and, in doing so, caused the wound to bleed afresh. At this, Merlin groaned as a renewed wave of pain hit him.

  “I saw some Fuga Daemonum growing outside. Woman, will you please go and pick a handful or more for me?” the doctor said, looking kindly at May.

  May and the doctor had discovered many new cures through trial and error and they had a mutual respect for one another.

  “Come, Shasta, will you help me? It will keep our minds occupied,” she said gently.

  Glancing firstly at Merlin, she agreed, still terrified that something would happen if she left the room. Adie also went out with them and, being a bit naïve about herbs, asked May why he would want this Fuga whatever-it-was-called.

  “Because,” said May patiently as they all began to gather the flowers, “it has magical and medicinal properties. Normally it’s harvested on St. Johns Day - June 24th - that is why it has the common name of St. Johns Grass. It’s also known as John's Wort or Goat Weed. Adie, surely you must have seen it hung over doors. It is renowned for warding off evil spirits.”

  “Oh, aye, you mean those shrivelled up flowers that look as if they’re dead, May? My friend has some hanging. I wondered what they were for.”

  After they had gathered a large bunch each, May took hold of all of them and led the way back into the cottage. Shasta once more hovered uncertainly near the pallet.

  If anything Merlin looked worse than before.

  “Give me some light, woman” the doctor said, irrespective of the reverence normally paid to her. Then, in a more kindly voice, he added, “Stand by his head, if you wish.”

  She hurried to his head and fell on her knees so she could touch his face easily. May began mashing some of the flowers to produce the required amount of oil. Having prepared what she considered to be enough, she took the mortar over to the doctor. Heedless of hygiene, and having already bared Merlin’s chest, he began to gently massage the oil into the wound. At this, Merlin groaned at the extra pain inflicted on him, little realising that it would help heal the wound. When this was done, May helped the doctor cover the wound. Adie, in the meantime, under May’s instruction had made an infusion by steeping the flowers in boiling water. This would act as a painkiller and quench his thirst. Having strained the liquid, which had now cooled, into a cup, she gave it to May. Instructing Shasta to gently lift his head, she put the cup to Merlin’s lips to enable him to sip the drink. More was spilt on the cloth under the cup than actually drunk, but it at least moistened his lips.

  The doctor stood up and rubbed his knees which had now begun to cramp. A man of few words, he said, “Only time will tell now. I will come back if needs be, May. You know where to find me.”

  With that he was gone.

  Realising that they could do nothing else, the two villagers hovering by the door also took their leave, although May and Shasta were unaware of them going. Adie, deciding that she would probably be in the way, decided to join them and return to the cottage later. If there was anyone left in the tavern she could tell her story and be the centre of attention for once.

  During the night Merlin seemed to improve for a while, giving Shasta hope, but then he deteriorated, fast falling in and out of consciousness. As the cock crowed at dawn, Merlin let out one long shuddering sigh, and with Shasta’s name on his lips, he died. Shasta’s screams of anguish could be heard resounding around the village. May rocked her in her arms as she would a baby, but she was inconsolable. Pulling free, Shasta ran from the cottage, blindly bumping into villagers and anything that got in her way. Finally reaching her caravan, soaked in sweat from her exertions, she flung herself down on the bed. “Oh, Merlin,” she sobbed through her tears, “I can’t bear to live without you.”

  Instantly her mind was made up. Running into the forest, she wildly pulled up as many fungi and plants as she knew to be poisonous, and started to eat them. She was then violently sick and passed out.

  * * *

  Shasta was aware that she was lying on a pallet of straw with someone’s breath very close to her face. At first, she was reluctant to open her eyes as she knew that her attempts to take her life had failed. Eventually she opened her eyes to see Seth staring down at her. She was in his cottage. Merlin was dead and this man was responsible if the villagers were to be believed. She screamed in horror an
d tried to raise herself but was too weak to move.

  “Please, mistress, hear me before you judge me,” he said.

  Unable to move, Shasta had no choice. “How did I get here?” she asked him.

  “I be hiding from the villagers. They wanted to hang me from the oak. I swear, mistress, it weren’t me that killed Merlin,” he said, his accent returning with his fear.

  Shasta asked him again how she got to his cottage. Seth told her how he and Merlin had spent an enjoyable evening supping ale and then, on the way back, he suddenly seemed to have no control over his actions. He had tried to stop himself from stabbing Merlin. He explained that it was as if someone had taken control of his body and he suspected it was Erasmus. He hesitated before he said the name, almost afraid of letting the word leave his lips. He also told her of all his recent experiences with Erasmus and how he had suddenly turned up at the cottage.

  “I hid in the middle of the forest, mistress, and I heard this terrible squawking noise. I got curious and followed the sound. I saw you lying on the ground with a magpie standing beside you squawking for all its worth. I usually see them in pairs, so I knew it meant trouble. There was dirt round your mouth and when I looked inside there were bits of fungus and mistletoe. So I cleared it all out with my fingers and when I lifted you up to carry you back here you were sick again all over me. I saw what happened at Adie’s cottage with the plants you picked 'n' all, and I made you an infusion with foxgloves to clear out everything. Most folk think I don’t know anything, but my family always used herbs. You’ve been here two days now. I think everything you are going to get rid of must be gone by now, and your brow is no longer fevered. I haven’t left your side, mistress.”

  This all came out in one breath. To Shasta it sounded as if he had been trying to make amends for everything that had occurred, including getting her better when that was the last thing she had wanted to happen. Now she looked properly at Seth, she noticed the black rings under his eyes, probably from lack of sleep and worrying in case he was found by the villagers. He had also taken a chance bringing her back to his cottage to look after her. That surely would have been the first place they would have looked for him. Maybe, just maybe, he was telling the truth about what happened to Merlin. He had also saved her life, even though she was trying to kill herself. Maybe she wasn’t meant to die and fate intended her to live. What would life hold for her without Merlin, though? He had become her whole life and that was why she had come back to save him.