Chatelaine of Forez

by Vijaya Schartz

  Under the banner of the golden dolphin, Ida and his well trained knights battled with unflinching heart. Men and horses fell in agony on both sides. The stench of blood grew overwhelming. Artaud fought with blind rage, letting Caliburn do the fighting for him.

  From a distance, he spotted Damas at his richly adorned armor, and the white plume upon his helmet. The betrayer rode in the midst of a circle of knights sporting the Couzan cross on their chests.

  Trusting in Caliburn, Artaud spurred his stallion toward the traitorous knight he'd once considered a loyal friend.

  * * *

  From the top of the rampart, Melusine watched Artaud launching himself upon the knights protecting Damas. She shuddered and prayed Caliburn would keep him safe. Using her far-seeing ability, she closed her eyes and transported her awareness to the crux of the battle, next to Artaud, to lend him her support in his time of need. Dear Goddess, help me strengthen my beloved, and lead him to victory unscathed.

  * * *

  Couzan's knights now surrounded Artaud on all sides, attacking relentlessly. In the dust, the smell of sweat and the oppressing heat, Artaud ignored the weight of his chain mail to strike with a steady arm. The enemy had made a barrier of knights to shield Damas.

  Artaud protected his blind side with his shield, keeping his back to the sun. Caliburn emitted a bluish glint in the hot glare. Blood rivulets slid off the blade, as if to keep it pure and clean... and deadly sharp. Severed limbs littered the ground around him. Some kind of new awareness directed his mind. Melusine?

  Let me be your eyes, beloved.

  Artaud could see the battlefield as if he flew above it. He turned in time to catch an attacker from behind. No more blind side. Thank you my love.

  Caliburn sliced through chain mail, piercing armor like fresh butter. The enemy ranks thinned around him. Ida fought like a she-demon. Soon, Artaud's knights yelled victory cries. The enemy riders must have realized they had lost. They turned tail and galloped for the woods, abandoning Damas.

  Surrounded by Artaud and his men, Damas threw his sword to the ground, dismounted, and knelt before Artaud in the trampled dry grass and dust of the battlefield.

  His former commander knew Artaud would never strike an unarmed opponent. Damas deserved to die for his betrayal. Artaud hesitated. Should he execute him here and now? It would be clean and simple.

  Artaud wiped his forehead and grunted. He'd killed enough for one day. Besides, he didn't want Damas to become a Christian martyr. Sweaty and breathing hard, he motioned to Ida with his sword. "Take him away!"

  Artaud watched Ida bind the betrayer's hands and tie the rope to her saddle. Then the victorious knights galloped toward the main gate, Artaud in the lead, Damas half running, half dragging and finally falling and sliding through the burnt grass, until the riders crossed the now open gate.

  A loud victory cry erupted from the battlements. The battle was over, and Artaud had won. Scanning the bailey, he saw Melusine rushing to meet him. The radiant smile on her face told of her relief, and her happiness to see him alive... and victorious.

  Chapter Eleven

  Early September 1029

  How Melusine enjoyed the harmony and peace of the victory feast. The aroma of roasted mutton and sweet-smelling herbs filled the Great Hall. Animated conversations and laughter mingled with the heavenly music. At the center of the U formed by the trestle tables, a lady plucked a tall harp with deft fingers, eliciting pure, crystalline harmonies.

  Artaud took Melusine's fingers. She enjoyed the tingle as he deposited a kiss inside her palm. How strong and handsome he looked, with dark hair falling on broad shoulders, the square line of his jaw, and a straight, chiseled nose.

  He trapped her hand under his on the white tablecloth. "It did not take long to clean the castle grounds from all traces of battle."

  Enjoying his loving touch, Melusine met his dark gaze and smiled. "‘Tis because your betrothed is an efficient chatelaine, my lord."

  Artaud chuckled. "I am lucky to have you, indeed. Look at all this."

  She winked. "Like by magic."

  Artaud nodded and surveyed the great hall with a contented smile.

  She followed his gaze around the Great hall, illuminated by many torches and candelabra. Servants hurried with platters of steaming food and ewers of wine. Through the wide open doors, the feast also spilled into the courtyard, where soldiers and villagers gathered along many more trestle tables.

  A slightly inebriated knight rose and raised his cup. "To our Lord Artaud, who fought alone against a score of enemy knights, and managed to defeat them all, then single-handedly brought the traitorous Damas of Couzan to his knees!"

  Ida cheered, and Guilli applauded at the retelling of their older brother's exploits.

  Artaud waved away the cheers as he rose. "Damas is now securely locked down at the bottom of our dungeon. Let him ruminate alone upon his bitter defeat, while Forez lives in harmony and tolerance."

  The cheers redoubled as the knights raised their cups.

  "Tomorrow we harvest the first grapes, and trample them to make the new wine. This year the grapes are plentiful." Artaud raised his silver cup. "To a good harvest!"

  "Here, here," echoed the knights and ladies. "To a good harvest!"

  Melusine's chest filled with pride as she gazed upon her beloved people. She could now rejoice at the prospect of more serene days. Her hand went to her belly. She would bring her sons into a kinder, more tolerant world... under the Great One's protection.

  * * *

  Within days, peaceful life and harmony resumed in Montarcher. In the hustle and bustle of the grape harvest, Melusine almost forgot about her deadly stalker.

  Almost.

  Until her cursed Tuesday afternoon, when she must leave the castle and venture out alone in the open. The memory of the man in black haunted her as she hurried through the dense forest. She glanced back often. Despite her glamour of invisibility, she couldn't shake the feeling of being watched.

  She sensed the man's evil presence, although when she focused her second sight, she could not see him in her mind. Perhaps, ‘twas all in her head, since simple mortals could not see her. But she suspected the assassin in black to be more than a regular mortal.

  A sound among the trees to her right made her turn. Not an animal sound. Human steps? She struggled to visualize the source of the sound. Why did her Fae gifts fail her now?

  She wished she'd borrowed Caliburn from Artaud. After all, they'd won the battle and peace reigned... but the sword was his to carry and wield. Besides, he might need protection in her absence. Damas still had powerful friends, and several of his knights had escaped the slaughter when they fled the battlefield.

  The ground squished and sucked under her booted feet as the forest turned to familiar swamps. At the water's edge, she untied the small boat moored to a wide tree trunk then climbed into it, careful not to tip its balance.

  As she traversed the shallow waters, tendrils of mist rose from the surface. Melusine listened intently. No bird chirped, no frog sang, no fish frolicked. Nature stood still, except for the splash of her paddles. This meant her malevolent stalker must be close. Her skin skittered with foreboding.

  Soon, her rowboat floated like a cork upon the deeper waters of Fae lake. Her island rock stood safely hidden in the mist, and her abode, carved within its cliff, remained invisible from the outside world. She had naught to fear. Taking heart, she rowed firmly through the magic fog, letting her inner sight guide her.

  Of course, there was the bridge Artaud used when he'd discovered her abode... but a glamour of invisibility camouflaged it. Still, Artaud had seen it, but he was immune to Melusine's spells. Her stalker was not.

  The man in black hadn't seen her in the forest last time. He could only sense her presence, but perhaps he could track her that way, too. Some mortals with Fae blood did serve dark, depraved angels cast out of heaven long ago for their wickedness. May the Goddess protect her from these warped beings.
>
  She glanced up. The mist filtered and dispersed the rays of the lowering sun... almost sunset. She beached the rowboat on the familiar shore. Hurrying her steps, she reached a thick bush at the base of the rocky promontory.

  A last look around showed nothing amiss, but her senses still detected something evil nearby. Brushing aside the vegetation, she entered the secret tunnel. The inside lit up with supernatural light at her presence, and she breathed easier. Why did this assassin rattle her confidence? Was he even around?

  Aye. She sensed him close by, but the fact that she couldn't visualize him bothered her more than she wanted to admit. What dark, ominous magic shielded him from her inner sight? A cloud of pure evil surrounded his presence, and she shuddered at the thought.

  Perhaps she should set deadly traps for unwanted visitors. Until now, safe enough from simple mortals, she'd never felt the need. What if the Goddess couldn't protect her from such dark evil?

  As she stepped into the familiar subterranean level of her home, her favorite cave came to light with the warm glow of many torches. Melusine finally relaxed. She was home... safe... under the protection of the Great One.

  She released her veil of invisibility, then slowly removed her boots, her chatelaine belt and her blue gown. Out of habit, she folded her clothes upon a flat rock near the oval pool of deep, emerald water. She would need her clothing on the morrow, when she returned to human shape. She would feel the cold then. For now, the familiar ritual appeased her mind.

  She cupped her convex belly, relishing the presence of her babies safe inside. "All will be fine, angels."

  "Well, well, well." A chilling voice violated the serenity of her secret abode. "I understand what Count Artaud sees in you, my lady."

  Melusine gasped and her hands tightened on her belly. Her heartbeat raced in a crescendo. She turned toward the voice. There, in her own home, leaning against the stone wall, stood the slim man in black, the malefic soul who had been stalking her. In the warm glow of the torches, his striking blue eyes shone above a leering grin.

  Ignoring her nakedness, Melusine focused upon her Fae gifts. What could she do? She could not let a mortal witness her imminent transformation. Her curse and her refuge must remain a secret. Only Artaud knew. No one else could... and live. But although Melusine could kill with Caliburn, she had never learned to kill with magic. It went against her beliefs.

  The man plucked a blade from the diagonal strap of his baldric and threw it. The knife whistled through the air. Melusine turned sideways, barely avoiding the blade meant for her heart. The weapon clanged against the rock wall behind her. Perhaps she could distract or unsettle her attacker... until it was too late for him.

  "It seems you keep missing the mark..." She hoped he could not hear the trembling in her voice. "Not so good at your craft, are you?"

  The leering grin faded, and the man unsheathed a sword. Unarmed and naked, Melusine struggled to breathe. Think fast.

  The assassin advanced upon her, determination in his hard blue stare. No sense in becoming invisible. Even under the veil, he could sense her and maim or kill her easily in such a closed space. Better focus on her own weapons.

  She must save her life, for her sake, for Artaud, for the unborn children in her womb. Perhaps she could stun the man, then let Artaud deal with him.

  She aimed the flat of her hand at him and let fly a fiery bolt of lightning. It fizzled against some invisible shield, leaving the assassin unscathed and smirking... three steps away.

  Dear Goddess, what now?

  The man brandished his sword to strike. Melusine summoned an invisible sword of her own and parried his hacking down-stroke. Astonishment froze his face, then he thrust at her. She parried again, and they battled in earnest.

  Melusine had trained with the sword, but without Caliburn to keep her strong, she would soon tire. She could not match a skilled warrior strike for strike... at least not for long. Dear Goddess, inspire and protect your unworthy daughter.

  Then she felt the first pangs of her monthly transformation. Her legs cramped. If he saw her change into an ondine, she would have to kill him without delay.

  The man gasped in awe when she collapsed under the force of the curse and writhed on the stone floor. Her legs joined and elongated into a Great Serpent's tail. Melusine ignored the wrenching pain and focused on the pull of the curse, as she delved deep into the mindset of the ondine.

  The man's blue eyes widened. "You are a Satanic creature yourself, aren't you?"

  His malefic smile only cemented Melusine's resolve. He must die. He would die. In ondine form, Melusine had the strength of many men. The primal beast in her could do the job... if he didn't strike first.

  As she contorted in the throes of her transformation, he raised his sword straight up to drive her heart into the stone floor. Melusine twisted. Her serpent tail twined around the man's feet, tripping him. His sword clattered to the flagstone. He stumbled next to her, arms flailing, at the edge of the green pool, where the deep water of the lake lapped invitingly.

  Melusine tightened the grip of her tail around his legs. Her strong hands clutched the man's shoulders. "So, were is your dark protector now?"

  Fear widened his eyes as she shoved him with her and dove into the green water. In ondine form, Melusine could hold her breath like a dolphin.

  The man struggled, batted at the short blades on his baldric. He pulled a knife and stabbed Melusine. She flinched at the pain in her side, but refused to let go, instead, she drove him down the water tunnel, into the depths of the lake.

  Clutching the assassin in a deadly embrace, she swam deeper and deeper, all the way to the bottom, among the deep grasses. By the pale gray twilight penetrating the water, the man in black stared at her with bulging eyes. His mouth moved but made no sound... only bubbles. His futile struggle slowed and turned sluggish. Soon, he stopped fighting her.

  His black hair formed a halo around his handsome face. His blue eyes remained open, but he did not see her anymore. Her ondine magic had overcome the protection of his evil master. But Melusine couldn't take any chances. Driven by the need to protect those she loved, she tied the body to a bottom boulder with the strap of his baldric. Fish swam around, investigating the potential meal.

  Satisfied, Melusine flipped her serpent tail and undulated straight up toward the surface, leaving a trail of blood.

  She breached the water under a glamour of invisibility and took a deep breath. The moon shone bright, and night creatures filled the air with trills and happy songs. The evil was dead.

  The wound in her side bled, but the knife had not affected her babies. The powerful magic of the ondine in her would heal the wound overnight. Melusine smiled as her consciousness returned to more civilized thoughts. Artaud and her babies would be safe.

  Thank you, O Great One, for helping me vanquish my enemy.

  * * *

  Montarcher, September 1029

  In the Great Hall, in front of friends and family, Melusine stood at the high table, in blue and gold, and Artaud in a white tunic sporting the golden dolphin of Forez in a sea of crimson. After the scare of the assassin, he'd insisted upon a quick wedding.

  No priest or druid officiated at the event. After the formal betrothal that very spring, the marriage proper was a simple, private matter. Since the victory feast had taken place just a short while ago, and everyone worked hard during harvest time, only the castle residents, close family, and long time friends lined the tables set for the small banquet.

  This was a far cry from Melusine's lavish first wedding to Sigefroi in Luxembourg over six decades ago, but just as important, and even closer to her heart. This time, she didn't just obey the Goddess, she truly loved Artaud. Melusine took a deep breath before saying the simple vows.

  "I promise to remain your faithful and loving wife, until death us depart, and thereunto, I plight thee my troth." Of course it would be Artaud's death, but Melusine refused to think about that, yet.

  "And I promise
you the first cut of my meat, the first sip of my wine. I swear to honor you above all others, to protect and provide, and keep you and our children safe as long as I live." The sincerity in Artaud's gaze and smile took Melusine's breath away. She caught his meaning.

  His vows confirmed that he didn't fear the Church and would keep her close, and fight for her, no matter what the pope and his bishops decided.

  Cheers and applause roared from the guests, who stood up in their excitement.

  Artaud pulled the chair for Melusine to sit. He brushed her shoulder as she did. The kind touch filled her with tenderness.

  Ida's face radiated a warm glow as she sat back down next to Artaud on his right side. "Congratulations to both. I'm glad to have a new sister."

  "So am I," Guilli cut in, his dark eyes twinkling above a wide grin.

  Melusine smiled, basking in the warmth of their welcome. "I love having you both as my family."

  Guilli laughed. "Now, let's eat."

  Artaud chuckled and turned to Melusine. "Young people always seem to be hungry."

  Entertainers took the floor in the hollow space of the U-shaped tables.

  Artaud leaned toward her. "What a coincidence that the minstrels happened to be stopping by Montarcher on their way south, to Provence, Aquitaine, and Aragon, like so many migrating birds."

  "Coincidence indeed." Melusine winked at him. "I believe the Great One is simply blessing us."

  She motioned for the servants to bring the food and drink, and the conversations soared in a tinkling of ewers. Boys ladled stew on the bread trenchers. Men carried large platters heaped with roasted pork and geese. Soon, the sweet aroma of honey and spiced meats filled the great hall.

  Ignoring trencher and wine cup, Artaud scanned the guests, rubbing his smooth jaw.

  Melusine frowned. "I know that look. What are you searching for?"