I unfolded the letter and began reading.
Dearest Muirenn,
I read Eclipse is growing into a sizable opponent for your mouse problem. I’m glad to hear it. I’m glad that he is keeping you company. If you would like, I can send up more for the other women of the court. My neighbor’s cat had another litter. I will try to arrange something so I can see you again so be patient for me. I am glad you have forgiven me for getting us in trouble. I wanted to get to know you. All the girls in the palace are part of the court and the rest I don’t seem to have anything in common with. I wish the letters from you would come faster than a few a month. I know it’s hard to keep them a secret. I have decided that if there is an opportunity to take a job as an apothecary, I will work there—wherever “there” might be. Even though I can’t see you, know that I care for you still.
Theron.
I breathed a sigh of contentment. Since Aust, I had discovered I had really liked Theron. He was a kindred soul. I had to have control and not let on my feelings although Theron didn’t mind doing so. He had grown into wishful thinking. I knew that even if he did want to ever marry me it would never happen, but deep down I wanted it to happen. I just went on and let Theron think that I was completely available. Better than hurt his feelings. It still puzzled me that the king had let him be, but if he was a favored servant I suppose that would explain why. Maybe the king knew about his healing secret. I took out my blank parchment and quill. I gathered the inkwell nearby which was nearly empty. I decided now would be the best time to write back since Father was out hunting and Mother was in the keep, decorating and working with the cook house to get the feast menu together.
Dearest Theron.
It is with great sadness I write you, that you could not be with me to enjoy the wonderful festivities that winter here provides. The keep and village have all been decorated in greenery. I know you don’t have our celebrations since your people have dismissed the Teacher as myth now. In regards to your comment about healing, I may have something that might be of interest to you. Talfrin, our apothecary, isn’t doing so well. Not only is he up in years, he’s also has been having issues with his arm due to an arrow wound many years ago. I know he had mentioned giving up his business, but having no one to give his business to. Perhaps you could come here and work. I don’t know how my mother would fancy you being here, but it’s always worth a try. Eclipse has been keeping me company since Lunamae isn’t here. I am so glad you gave him to me. He likes to cuddle in my lap and be petted and whenever he wants to go outside he stands by the door and starts meowing. That annoys Logan quite a bit but I think since the rodent problem is much less he has allowed the catling to get away with it. Logan doesn’t have bites in his leather anymore from them. My aunt has invited me to be one of the maidens so I think I might accept. My mother was allowed to be relieved from her duties as a matron.
Even though I only saw you for a little while, I feel that I’ve known you for longer since we have this correspondence. Thank you for being here in thought.
Muirenn.
I found another piece of parchment that I folded into an envelope and put the letter inside. I knew that I needed to seal it so the other day I went to the candlemakers shop for some wax. I heated the wax and let it drop on the envelope, making a seal. I took some twigs and used them to make an “m” in the seal. I put it down on the loft so it could dry and went down the stairs to the main floor. Then I wanted to smack myself for not answering the offer of more catlings.
Eclipse started crying for me at the door and I asked him what was wrong. He jumped up into the windowsill and looked out to the Humble Bridge. Now, of course, my catling could easily jump out into the village from the ledge since it was open-aired but he was a good boy and always waited for me.
I looked to see what the catling was looking at. An entourage was arriving from over the bridge. I noticed Friar Barri, a few other Bexweth monks, and a pennant of the Cruacroi clan of Alta with some people behind them, and one who I assumed was the chieftain.
“What on this blessèd earth?” I wondered, my jaw dropping. I knew why the Cruacroi clan was here, but not the monks. It didn’t make any sense. I looked over at Eclipse who caught my eye and mewed. “Let’s go see what they are doing here.”
I went out the door, with the catling following me, and picked him up as the group got closer. He didn’t seem to mind and purred happily. My aunt exited the keep, guards at the ready behind her, and met up with me. She was outfitted in a long wool dress with a fur overcoat. The overcoat was similar to the one I had seen when she met up with the Kyrians, only made of heavier materials to keep out the cold. Her long golden hair was plaited on her head and cascaded in curls behind her and she wore a simple crown on top.
“Chieftain Enrik, so good to see you this day,” Angharad said warmly, addressing the clan leader and walking up to him to extend the hand of welcome. He took it and returned,
“Chief Dame Angharad, what a pleasure again it is to see you as well. The last I saw you, Chieftain Leofric was just seated as leader,” the chieftain answered. He was dressed also in wool garments and a fur cloak which was connected with a brooch. I could see a torc around his neck as well. I looked over at Barri and the monks with him, dressed in brown wool with purple sashes. Each person had their hands gathered to form a triangle as they stood in silent meditation with their eyes closed.
“So you have come to discuss your son, then?” the chief dame asked.
Enrik replied, a bit trodden, “Not exactly. We have other matters we need to speak of that still involve your daughter. Would it be possible to discuss them while all together during the Winter Feast? If we were to travel back tomorrow we would most likely miss it. The people of Aelisonia advised us there will be snows coming shortly.”
“That would be possible, I suppose. We will have to make provisions for you in the keep. If you do not mind waiting in the hall of duty until room are made available,” Angharad told the chieftain who nodded and walked into the keep with his few men.
The monks opened their eyes as Angharad addressed them. “So what brings you here, Barri? We still have ample supply of the beer you provided last month.”
“We come here for the same reason that the Cruacroi do,” Barri said.
“That is a bit puzzling. I don’t suppose you will tell me what that reason is?” Angharad prodded.
“We think it best to wait until Chieftain Enrik breaches the subject, due to how you regard the matter. We would like to discuss the chapel you had mentioned earlier,” Barri said to Angharad who smiled warmly.
“Indeed,” the chief dame stated with curious interest. “Tell me more.”
“Yes, we have considered it and decided it would be very appropriate at such a time, if all goes well with our discussion, to build one on your village premises. Perhaps even I could stay here to lead. We have a brother at the abbey who is more than capable of taking over there,” the monk said.
“This discussion must be important then,” I interjected. At my age and status I was allowed to speak in matters of government, although the chief dame always initiated conversation.
“Yes, it would be quite important for peace, and for all of us in these territories,” Barri said, his response vague. My aunt led the monks into the keep and instructed them to wait with the Alta people in the hall of duty. She left and motioned me to come with her out of the hall.
“So you’ve made up your mind about being a maiden? I’ve had to let some go to start families of their own to help repopulate the village. I am in need of company,” my aunt asked.
“Yes, assuming Eclipse can stay with me,” I said in response.
“Your catling would be most welcome. The women would like to see him rather than a mouse,” Angharad said to me. I went up to the sewing room with Eclipse pattering behind. I decided it would be as good a time as any to finish my present for my mother. During the Winter Feast, it is customary to give and receive presents so I was maki
ng an embroidered wreath with her and my father’s names there with their wedding date. They had been married over thirty years now. I had considered waiting until their actual anniversary but I couldn’t keep the secret. I still had problems with that, except for the secret between Theron. Eclipse decided it would be an opportune time to nap so he curled up near my feet and fell asleep while I worked.
Lunamae arrived in the room with Flurry beside her as I started on the bow on the wreath. She was dressed in warm woolen clothes—a dress, shawl, and hat. She took off the hat since there was a fireplace in the room, and like most rooms in the keep in winter, it was lit. She sat down next to me and didn’t do anything.
“Don’t you have something to be working on?” I asked, pulling the thread taut through the fabric.
“Always,” she said, lifting up her catling and placing the animal on her lap. Flurry purred happily. Eclipse didn’t even wake up. “I wanted to see how you were doing with your mother’s gift. I also wanted to ask about this.” I saw her pull a letter from her pocket, addressed from the king’s favorite.
“Uh …,” I stammered, not sure exactly what to say. That was the letter I had read earlier in the day.
“I went to your house to see if you were there and I found it on the floor. I assumed it fell between the boards in the loft. Obviously I thought it was from Alexo and you were going to give it to me later but I saw it was opened so I read it,” she said coolly. “You couldn’t trust me?”
“I know how you forget,” I stated calmly. The last thing I wanted to do was provoke her.
“I thought I was your friend,” she said, a look of hurt in her eyes. “You made such a big deal over my involvement with Marcus yet you are having a secret relationship with a servant! What is worse? At least Marcus is a Dominar Delegate’s son. There is some status there.” I sat there, downtrodden. I couldn’t sew anymore, I could barely even breathe.
“It’s not a real relationship. I am just leading him on rather than hurting his feelings,” I said. She looked at me closely, as if she was inspecting my face.
Lunamae rolled her eyes at me. “You are such a liar. Besides, lying is something you don’t do. It’s against the Text of Illumination.” Now that I thought about it, she was right. I didn’t lie very well. Yes, maybe I had first thought about this as a game with Theron but the last month it had changed. I felt close to him, there was a connection I couldn’t explain.
“So what should I do?” I asked Lunamae who pondered it for a moment.
“I think you should either tell him the truth that you really like him but it wouldn’t work and that you need to stop writing letters, or you should leave here and go see him in Fanarion,” she said. The latter was impossible to do and she knew it. Additionally, I couldn’t even bear the thought of not reading his words. I was a maiden now and if I left, Angharad would seek to kill me for being a traitor.
“Good grief. Why do feelings and emotions have to be so difficult to deal with?” I asked Lunamae, not exactly expecting a reply. She understood though and hugged me. Then I started to cry which is another thing I didn’t do.
“Let’s just get downstairs for the lighting of the advent wreath,” she said, putting Flurry down so she could help me up. I wiped my eyes so they wouldn’t show tears. We had five candles in the wreath and every week until the Winter Feast we would light one. It symbolized the arrival of the Teacher and our patient waiting for him.
I left the sewing room with Eclipse in my arms because otherwise he’d chase after Flurry. They were quite fond of each other. We walked down the staircase and saw everyone gathered—including the Cruacroi clan. Friar Barri brought forth a lit candle lighter which was all metal except for the wick. He touched the tops of all the candles except the one that would be lit during the Winter Feast.
The friar read a verse from the Text of Illumination and then we all left to go about our business for the rest of the day. I wanted the day to be over and go back to my loft and contemplate. I’d already written my letter to Theron and sealed it. I didn’t want to send two, it would look odd. I decided to go back to working on my present for Mother. As I sat and stitched, I couldn’t help but wonder what the discussion between the monks and the clan would be about.
The day of the Winter Feast had finally come and Angharad was quick to make sure the cook house had its fires started bright and early, before anyone else had awakened. I could already smell cinnamon emanating from the keep fireplaces. Angharad must have been awake and issuing commands. I’m sure she couldn’t sleep well thinking about what the chieftain had planned on bringing up at dinner.
I noticed it was snowing outside so I made sure to put on extra warm clothes and heavy leather boots. Logan had been busy because of the snowfall as many of the village folk had worn their boots and snowshoes out to the point that they were no longer repairable by the cobbler. He made the boots I wore and they were very comfortable. My old pair pinched my toes.
I headed over to the keep with my catling to attend to the chief dame as one of my duties was to help prepare for the day. It was no less difficult than getting Lunamae dressed when I was her charge. Before entering, I dropped off my letter to one of the messengers to take to Fanarion.
Once I got into the keep I went to my aunt’s room. I had never been in there before so I was a little nervous on what to expect. It was not customary for anyone but the maidens to enter. I knocked on the door and was told to come in.
“You are just in time,” Angharad said with a smile. I noticed there were a few other women in the room as well. Tegan had been combing out her long golden hair, Brynna was pouring water for a bath, and yet another, Morwenna, had pulled out two woolen dresses from an armoire. The chief dame pointed to the dresses and looked back at me. “Which one should I wear, the green or the red? I am concerned that if I wear the green one I might blend in too much with the decorations and not be noticeable. If I wear the red I might conflict too much with the Chieftain of Alta.” I looked at her contemplating. It was odd to see her acting so feminine. She always had a rather rough exterior.
“Do you have anything in blue?” I wondered. Blue was still used at this time and it was more neutral. One of the maidens shuffled through the armoire and brought out a bright blue dress made of brocade with silver flowers embroidered on it. There was a woolen shift for underneath and then a softer chemise under that. It would be quite heavy, but very warm, perhaps a bit too warm. Angharad looked at it in acceptance but told Morwenna to remove the woolen shift and replace it with a soft satin one used in spring. She would be inside all day and with all the fires burning, it would be fine.
We spent most of the morning in the sewing room as many of the women had the same idea as I did for presents. I knew that Brynna had decided to enlist my father to make Logan a new set of tools. Tegan decided to knit a scarf and hat for her nephew and Morwenna was doing needlework similar to mine. Angharad decided she would take care of Eclipse so she had him in her lap while she read a book.
When the time approached two in the afternoon, we all got up to go to the feast, although I left Eclipse behind. He was too small to attend with us and I didn’t want him wandering around and getting into mischief. I arranged with a servant that an area would be reserved in the room for him to do his business and I would go back to clean up.
There was only a midday meal on the feast day. We stopped at the keep entrance and put our wrapped gifts under the large tree. When we approached the feasting hall I was overcome by the decorations. It wasn’t my first feast in there as I had attended plenty in years past. This year was different; the chieftain from Alta was here. They overdid themselves with decorations. The ceiling had red and green silk streamers hanging down with alternating bows and pine boughs. There were pine garlands all over the room and an upside-down tree in the center of the room. The tables were all around the tree. The tree was much like the one in the entrance of the keep but slightly smaller so we could all see each other. We were seated near the
chief dame. The chieftain would sit next to her and my family on her other side since they were the closest relation next to Lunamae who sat directly next to her there. The monks and Barri were seated next to Enrik so they could be close enough to converse.
Angharad turned to meet the eyes of Enrik. “So what is so important to require you both here during feast time, and involves my daughter but not her marriage?” the chief dame asked. The chieftain shifted uncomfortably next to her.
“Have you heard of the rhymester tale of the woman born under a full luna on the fifth day of the fifth month?” Chieftain Enrik inquired.
“The tale spoken of by the Kyrians?” she said, still facing the chieftain. Her expression was serious and her teeth clenched.
“That is the one,” the chieftain concluded.
“What about it?” Angharad said.
The chieftain started, “We believe that it is your daughter they speak of. As you know, Kyrie is often at war with the clans to the north—clans like Feyln, which is how we heard of the tale. It is very hard to keep the peace, especially since we are all separated. The Feyln people are telling all the other clans. They think that if Lunamae were to marry a Kyrian, then perhaps they would agree to peace … assuming of course that all the clans united under one rule as well.”
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