At this prospect he began to feel quite weak and his heart beat more rapidly. Unsure of the true meaning of love, he only knew that he must possess her body and soul whatever it took. With that thought he retired to his bed and whatever the following day would unfold.
Chapter 10
Shasta arrived home and, after feeding Merlin, she sat in her favourite chair in the kitchen. She placed her basket on the stone floor by her feet and watched the kitten clean himself with his paw.
“What a sweet little thing you are,” she said.
Merlin stopped cleaning himself and appeared to be listening. He then walked across the floor, jumped into her basket and curled up. Resting his head on his now outstretched front paw, he let out a deep sigh of contentment and drifted into sleep. After a while he began to snore, much to Shasta’s amusement.
Before retiring to bed that evening Shasta sat by her open kitchen door. It was wonderful to smell the sea air, mixed with the night perfume of all that grew in the garden. She felt a deep contentment.
Aware of the kitten by her feet, she picked him up and allowed him to select an unused part of the garden. Returning to her seat, she placed Merlin on her lap. With gentle stroking he began to purr which Shasta found very satisfying. How very comforting cats are, she thought.
That night she slept soundly.
The kitten in its adopted basket lay on Shasta’s shawl knowing that he had been successful. Having found Shasta, his mistress, he now only had to find the Evening Star. That would probably be more difficult but he had all the time in the universe.
The following morning, Shasta awoke to see the sunshine coming in through her windows. She had not pulled the curtains the night before but instead had lain watching the star-studded sky until she drifted off to sleep.
Looking now to the side of the bed, she found Merlin awake watching her and, for a moment, it unnerved her. Although he was only a kitten, his eyes seemed to penetrate.
Suddenly feeling a bit stupid, she swung out of bed and stood by the window. Today, she reassured herself, would be a good day but, moments later, a sense of foreboding came over her for no reason and she felt cold.
Shaking it off, she scolded herself. “Stop being silly,” she said with a firm resolve and, scooping up the basket along with Merlin, went down to the kitchen. Today she would learn about astronomy and astrology, an anticipation which happily sent her about her tasks.
Merlin loved Shasta’s basket, deriving comfort from the warmth of her shawl. Sometimes he would play chase with the toys Shasta had made him but then, tiring, he would revert back to the basket and sleep.
This was how it was as Shasta prepared to attend the lecture. She scooped up the basket and made her way to the hall. Feeling a sense of excitement, she began to smile to herself and joined the throng of people making their way into the building.
The fixed seating was arranged in semi circles at different levels which enabled all of the audience to view the lecture area. The hall was already packed but, climbing the steps to the back of the auditorium, she was able to find a spare seat next to a rather rotund man. Due to the closeness of the seating, she found herself squashed between him and a large but friendly looking lady wearing a voluminous straw hat with cherries pinned on one side. The hat was worn at a rakish angle and, as she moved her head, it seemed to swivel with her.
Oh well, thought Shasta, at least I got a seat.
To keep an eye on Merlin, she placed the basket on her lap which brought forth “Ahs” and “Ohs” from the people in close proximity.
A hush came over the crowd and the speaker came to the table. He had an air of authority about him as he stood with his hands clasped behind his back surveying the audience. Although Shasta’s seat was near the back she had a clear view of him. Her mouth dropped open in surprise, and her hands flew to her mouth to eradicate any sounds.
Before her was Erasmus. She only had to go back down the flight of stairs, walk forward and she could touch him. As this thought passed through her mind, Erasmus began to speak. His voice carried around the auditorium and he spoke with confidence and clarity. The hour seemed to rush by and then he took questions which he answered with complete authority. The audience was in no doubt; here was a man of great learning.
During this time Shasta was again able to study him. Once or twice, when the question came from her direction, he seemed to look straight at her, which caused her to blush. Then, after a five-minute break for a drink, he began again, this time discussing astrology and answering questions as his lecture progressed. When necessary, he pointed to relevant features on his charts which he had pinned to a board. The time went very quickly.
To cheers and rapturous applause, which Erasmus accepted as a matter of course, he walked off and out of sight. He didn’t want to hang around. The intensity of the lecture had left him drained and tired.
As the hall began to empty, Shasta went down to the now empty table. Only the teacup remained on the table, and she tentatively picked it up. Erasmus had drained the cup dry and only the dregs were left in the bottom.
Automatically reading the dregs, she gasped with despair. The future did not look good for Erasmus and she saw danger from a source known to her.
Puzzled, she tried to read more but nothing was forthcoming. With concern, she replaced the cup back on the table and left.
Outside, the sun beat down with intensity and she realised how thirsty she was. Passing a vendor carrying fruit, she selected a large orange, peeled it and savoured the juice which on occasions dribbled down her chin, leaving a sticky residue.
As Merlin seemed quite content, she began to walk towards the beach to soothe her feet in the water. As she got close to a young skinny child begging near a doorway, Merlin sat bolt upright in the basket and began to meow pitifully. Then he tried to jump out.
Shasta put the basket down on the ground to settle him but he jumped out and sped towards the child and sat down beside him licking his foot. The child, who at first appeared to be withdrawn, began to laugh. Throwing a few coins to the child, she called Merlin to her but he wouldn’t move. Instead he moved even closer to the child.
As Shasta tried to pick him up, he scratched her and she dropped him in surprise. What was wrong with him and why wouldn’t he leave this child, she wondered.
Well, she couldn’t stay here all day. Her gentle nature took over and she decided to take the child home, give him a good meal, then he could do whatever he willed.
The child indicated that he didn’t understand Shasta’s meaning. As her offer became clear to him, he reached for a stave lying on the ground.
Merlin, sensing that he was getting up, moved slightly out of his way. It took several moments for the child to raise himself and, as he began to walk, Shasta realised that he was crippled also.
Satisfied that the child was coming with them, Merlin jumped back into the basket in preparation. Shasta’s pity went out to the boy. His affliction was bad enough but he had to survive by begging for alms. Well at least he would have a good meal tonight and maybe even a bed, provided he cleaned himself up first.
Whilst Shasta paddled her feet in the sea, the boy sat on the sand and played with Merlin who took great delight in rolling in the sand. The boy’s happy laughter was a pleasure to hear and it caused Shasta to turn and watch them.
Something caught her attention as she glanced up towards the rocks. She imagined she saw Erasmus watching her but then decided it was her mind playing tricks.
When she came back and sat down, she decided to find out a bit more about the child and asked to know his name. Picking up a stone lying nearby he wrote in the sand the word HESPERUS and then, in brackets, (Hesper).
She was amazed that the child could write. He was probably no more than ten years old. He was usually called Hesper for short. By the time they left the beach, Shasta had not only ascertained his name but that he had always been able to read and write. He claimed that his parents had died in a fire, although his
father’s body had never been found. They were apparently very wealthy and owned a large house that had stood on an isolated rocky crag. Due to the isolation, no one was near enough to help put out the fire. He had looked after himself on the street for three years now and mostly he fed off of scraps thrown by well meaning individuals.
Shasta was confused by the boy’s story. The house in question had been derelict for years, indeed for all of her lifetime. Nevertheless, whatever the truth, she was determined that tonight he would eat fit for a king and they slowly made their way back to her house.
Hesper had never really walked that far and was exhausted by the time they got to the house. He flopped in the kitchen chair nearest to him and promptly picked up Merlin who sat on his lap. Turning twice on Hesperus’s lap, he settled down with a deep audible sigh.
Obviously they are both worn out, thought Shasta, and began to prepare a meal. Hesper closed his eyes from time to time and Shasta sensed she heard him mumbling to himself.
While the meal was cooking she sat in her garden and contemplated how she felt about the day. She had seen Erasmus and the dregs in the teacup showing danger from a source close to her. She began to wonder again who that could possibly be. No one in her circle of friends surely, and she wasn’t aware of anything when she had done their readings.
Hesper, of course, and the way Merlin had reacted, that was certainly strange and she still bore the scratches he had given her.
Going back to the kitchen to attend to the food, she put it out of her mind for the time-being.
Waking Hesper who had fallen asleep, she suggested he might like to clean up as dinner was almost ready. With great reluctance, Merlin settled back in his basket. As Hesper went to clean up, Shasta registered that he did so with a quicker movement now that he was rested.
During dinner, Shasta and Hesper discussed many things and then, fed up with his constant pitiful cries, she put Merlin’s basket at the end of the table near Hesper. They seemed to be becoming inseparable she thought to herself.
Out of curiosity Shasta asked Hesper if he knew why he had been called Hesperus.
“It means Evening Star. My mother was in our garden stargazing when I decided to enter the world. I entered too quickly and was born under the stars. Hesperus the Evening Star was shining brightest at the time so I was called Hesperus”.
“What a lovely story,” she said as she began to clear the dishes.
“May I take Merlin outside for a while, Shasta?” he asked, changing the subject.
“Certainly, but keep an eye on him as he likes to wander occasionally.”
With his stave propped under his arm, and Merlin tucked under the other, he made his way outside.
Shasta made him a makeshift bed in the kitchen. The nights were very warm and he would be comfortable.
Listening to the happy laughter of the boy, she felt very sad in her heart for him. When they returned, Merlin settled himself on the bottom of Hesper’s bed with no intention of moving. The boy with some difficulty slid in around him so as not to disturb him.
Saying goodnight to Merlin and then Shasta, he thanked her for her generous hospitality and settled himself for the night.
Obviously he had started to receive a good education, she thought, as she left him to his slumbers and went to her room.
Many thoughts went through Shasta’s mind concerning the boy and she would make a decision in the morning.
In the kitchen the boy had only been feigning sleep and to the kitten he whispered “At last we have found one another. We are each other’s strength and I vow we will never be separated again.”
Merlin, on hearing this, crept up to Hesper’s pillow and settled beside him with a small sigh of contentment.
Chapter 11
Erasmus walked back to his cave elated with his work and the response he received from the audience. Being so focused he had only been aware of a sea of faces in front of him. Some of the questions had intrigued him while others he considered were very naïve. What could he expect, though? These people were inferior to him.
He had been asked to give further talks in the future and he said he would consider it. He also knew that if he agreed he would never be left alone.
He had come to be with Shasta and that was his first priority. When he was lecturing in the hall he felt sure she was near but his mind was preoccupied with his subject.
As all these thoughts passed through his mind, he stood up and walked to the entrance of the cave. Then, bored with watching the water ebb and flow, he looked to the surrounding area. Generally it was quiet in the early evening with only the occasional person collecting driftwood thrown up by the tide.
He scanned the horizon slowly. In the distance he could make out an isolated house which seemed to be balanced on the hillside. From this distance it seemed to look neglected and derelict. He made up his mind to have his meal and to take a walk up to view it more closely. The sun usually set over that way so it would be very pleasant. Maybe it would be useful he thought, but not really sure what for.
As he strode out towards the house, he thought he could see someone in the distance. They seemed to be walking the same way. He cursed under his breath but still carried on walking.
Approaching the house, he realised that it was mostly a ruin. The roof and stone outer walls had stood the test of time and the inner layout gave a rough impression of the various rooms in the house which had been weathered by nature. Erasmus got the impression that it might prove to be of some use to him in the future as it seemed quite dry inside. Satisfied, he walked back outside and toured the perimeter once more. As he turned the corner, he bumped straight into Shasta who, preoccupied, had not seen him.
Recognising him, her hands flew to her mouth in embarrassment. Erasmus, more in control but nevertheless surprised at seeing Shasta so unexpectedly, recovered more quickly.
“Good evening, Mistress. Please excuse my tardy manners and accept my apologies for causing you distress.”
With a gentle bob in acknowledgement, Shasta also apologised.
“My name is Erasmus. May I enquire after yours?” he asked with amusement.
“If you please, I am called Shasta, Sir,” she said shyly.
Neither Shasta nor Erasmus gave any hint that they had knowledge of one another. Instead they remarked about each other’s interest in the house and speculated as to what had happened to it.
Shasta explained that she had recently learned that there had been a fire at the house which was why it was now in ruins. She had come out of pure curiosity and had not expected finally to meet Erasmus at the same spot.
“But not a recent fire.”
“No,” Shasta replied. “It must have happened many years ago, before I was even born.”
They mutually agreed to walk back together as they were going the same way.
As they walked, she admitted that she had been at his lecture that afternoon and declared her interest in the subject. Erasmus was both flattered and pleased and asked if they could meet later that evening. If she were agreeable he would explain the different clusters of stars to her. Shasta readily agreed and it was decided they would meet later when the sun had set.
Having reached her house, Erasmus remarked on its lavishness and the beauty of its garden and, with a cheery wave, left Shasta as she went into the garden to find Hesper and Merlin. Seeing them by the garden arbour, she stood for a while watching their antics. Hesper was balancing on one crutch and Merlin was attacking it then backing off and darting forward again. Hesper’s laughter could be heard around the garden.
With a deep sigh she felt contentment in her decision to have the boy stay with her. He and Merlin had become inseparable now. It was as if they were one and Merlin had grown beyond recognition.
Shasta had gone to the ruin of the house Hesper claimed to have been his to satisfy her curiosity and to confirm in her mind that she had made the right decision. She had not entertained meeting Erasmus though. Excitement and slight f
ear were experienced at the same time. Realising she would have to prepare a meal and ensure her two charges were settled before she met Erasmus, she called out to them. Hesper came hobbling over to meet her, with Merlin walking sedately beside him on his best behaviour, unaware that Shasta had witnessed their previous game.
Over their meal she told Hesper of her meeting with Erasmus and for a split second a look of annoyance came over his face. She passed it off and they finished the rest of their meal in silence. Even Merlin had remained in the basket looking at her piercingly in that way that only a feline can.
As the evening was exceptionally warm, she wore her favourite silk midnight blue dress edged with silver. On her feet, peeping out from under the hem, was a pair of walking shoes which she used for the beach. Her hair was in two plaits coiled over one another and pinned at the nape of her neck for coolness.
Leaving Hesper and Merlin together, Shasta made her way down the nearby path, which led to the beach. The tide was out in the cove, which pleased her as she loved to walk on the sand. Often she would take large strides and then stop, turn and check her footprints, which she did now. Coming up to a small rock pool she looked at the crabs and silver fish unaware that Erasmus was watching her.
Erasmus had been watching Shasta since she left her house. He hadn’t realised how close she had been to him. The house could be seen from the outside of his cave and yet he had not realised it was hers.
He found this new experience very unnerving. He was used to being in complete control and nothing like this had happened to him before. From the moment he had first seen her in his vision, he’d felt weak to the core. Now, seeing her in the flesh, her dress shimmering in the moonlight and clinging to her like a second skin, left him feeling what…...? He couldn’t define it but he knew he felt vulnerable and he wasn’t used to it. He was accustomed to having a complete upper hand with women.
The Eye of Erasmus Page 3