The Eye of Erasmus

by Teresa Geering

  As Shasta came closer, she saw him and he raised his hand in acknowledgement while she quickened her pace eager to shorten the distance between them.

  Instantly feeling at ease in his company, she said “Good evening, Erasmus. Isn’t this a beautiful evening?”

  As Erasmus looked deep into her eyes, he thought they shone brighter than the moonlight and for a moment his heart quickened. Gathering himself together he agreed with her.

  By mutual consent he took her arm and placed it in the crook of his. As they slowly walked the length of the beach, discussing the flora and fauna scattered about, Shasta noticed a piece of seaweed. She threw it at Erasmus and it landed on his shoulder. Sensing the fun element, he threw it back but his aim was off and it completely missed. For a split second he was angry with himself but then his anger was gone. Shasta was ready for the next attack and so it went on until they both ended up in the warm sea at waist level.

  As Shasta’s dress became wet around her legs it restricted her movements. This enabled Erasmus to move in to his advantage. Accepting the inevitable, Shasta turned to face Erasmus aware that he was getting closer.

  The waves seemed to respect his efforts to get to her and, as he reached her, he just stood and looked at her as the water swirled about them. Taking hold of her plaited hair he arranged it to hang free around her shoulders. All the while he and Shasta maintained eye contact.

  Putting his hand to her face, he encouraged her gently to come to him. As their bodies touched, he gently kissed her and, as passion took them both, they let the sea enfold their bodies.

  As they waded out of the sea, their bodies still in close contact, Erasmus finally allowed a woman to invade his privacy by inviting Shasta to the warmth of his cave. The evening was still warm but the weight of her now soaking wet dress made it an easy decision for her and she acquiesced.

  Slowly they climbed up to his cave and, once inside, he relit the fire while she removed her clothes. Erasmus produced a blanket to preserve her modesty then, with unexpected shyness on his part, he removed his own and wrapped another blanket around himself.

  The warmth of the fire made them both drowsy and Shasta slowly settled against Erasmus. In time they lay down on the floor of the cave until sleep overcame them. Shasta now lay in the arms of Erasmus and, with a deep sigh, he allowed himself to succumb to slumber and there they stayed until morning.

  Shasta at first couldn’t work out why she couldn’t move. She seemed to be pinned to the bed. Then she realised with horror that she was still in the cave and it was Erasmus keeping her body pinned, not to her bed, but to the floor.

  As she moved, he awoke and was now looking straight into her eyes. As realisation dawned, he began to smile. He kissed her eyes and rolled on to his back, taking her with him. Contentedly he lay there watching her above him. Slowly kissing her mouth, he returned her back to her previous position. Recognising his intent, she tried to move, but he was too quick for her and once again she succumbed to him.

  Finally he released her and, with healthy appetites, they breakfasted on fish from the sea which Erasmus cooked over the fire, and bread which they tore at ravenously.

  As the hour was early and the sun only just beginning to rise, they sat at the mouth of the cave in companionable silence and watched the sea.

  Erasmus, for the first time in his life, was deeply in love and along with his love came trust. He began to tell Shasta of his life from as far back as he could remember. When he had brought her up to date he felt an inner peace come over him. He knew that he would do anything for this woman and intended to get betrothed to her if she would have him. He was content to live in her lifetime and if he ever felt the need to go back to his own time, then the opportunity was there to do so.

  Shasta enlightened him about her life and also explained how she had befriended Hesper and the cat.

  Erasmus helped her to her feet and asked if he could walk back with her as far as her garden. She readily agreed to this.

  As they approached the back gate, she decided to invite Erasmus inside for a drink and, as he didn’t want to leave her just yet, he followed her in.

  Hesper was still asleep on the floor in the kitchen. His crippled leg stuck out at an angle. Merlin was snuggled up on the pillow beside him. Shasta smiled with love at them, her new found family.

  Erasmus, although unprepared to admit it, also felt an unusual feeling of tenderness, especially for the boy.

  As Shasta turned to pour out a drink for them, Hesper awoke and, seeing Erasmus watching him, at first cowered away in fear. Recovering himself, he instantly replaced the fear with distain, which surprised Erasmus. He had crouched down to reassure the boy but, at this moment, Merlin awoke and began to hiss and spit at him and then flew at him, claws extended, and scratched his face.

  Erasmus cried out in surprise more than pain. Shasta, who had witnessed most of the event, called out in disbelief. Scooping up Merlin she put him outside the door and began to attend to Erasmus’s face. Hesper glanced at Erasmus and, with a satisfied look, went outside to join Merlin.

  Neither Shasta nor Erasmus could understand the reactions of either of them. He had done nothing to provoke them. Indeed, he had tried to reassure Hesper that all was well. Merlin had seemed to react in defence of the boy. Fortunately the scratches were not deep and were easily cleaned.

  Shasta decided to leave them outside whilst she and Erasmus drank thirstily. They could wait for their breakfast until later. At the same time she intended to see if she could get to the bottom of what had caused the reaction by Merlin. Hesper and he were inseparable these days. Maybe he had an answer for her.

  Erasmus left Shasta, mutually agreeing to meet back on the beach in a couple of days. He noticed that the boy and cat were on the far side of the garden, so he took his leave and made his way back to the beach and his cave.

  Shasta, having now prepared breakfast, called Hesper and Merlin back to the kitchen. Hesper appeared to be rather sullen and Merlin seemed reluctant to come in. So Shasta scooped him up and put him in front of his food. Sniffing it suspiciously, he began to eat.

  “Why were you afraid of Erasmus, Hesper?” she asked as he began to eat.

  “I wasn’t afraid of him,” he said defiantly.

  “Is there anything wrong?” she asked, determined to get to the truth.

  “No!” he said with emphasis.

  “Hesper, you have to understand that Erasmus is my friend and he will be coming to visit us frequently,” she said trying a softer approach.

  Well, thought Hesper, maybe that would be to my advantage, so I will play along.

  Aloud to Shasta he said “I’m sorry for my behaviour. I will apologise to Erasmus when I see him, but I have come to like living with you and I thought maybe you would want me to leave if he was here.”

  Instantly her face softened and he knew he had achieved his goal.

  “Oh Hesper, I would never ask you to go. You’re now part of this family along with Merlin. You may stay as long as you wish.”

  With an exaggerated sigh he thanked her. Merlin reacted accordingly and began to purr loudly.

  Well thank goodness that is sorted out she thought, and began to clear the dishes.

  Chapter 12

  As Erasmus walked down towards the beach he whistled, happily pleased with life.

  He was still surprised at the way the cat had struck but he could ignore that because he was in love. Yes! He could finally admit it to himself. The light-hearted feeling took some getting used to though.

  His happy demeanour must have been infectious because he realised he was smiling at passersby and actually said good morning to them and, for the first time, meant it.

  As he walked along the sand he took off his shoes and paddled his feet in the water. Looking out to sea he shouted at the waves,

  “I’m in love and I don’t care who hears me.”

  A passing stranger raised his cap and expressed his congratulations.

  Oh boy
did he feel good. All these years this is what had been missing from his life. Always he had used women to suit his needs but this was so different.

  Shasta was beautiful in nature and body and he was determined to permanently make her his.

  Going back to his cave he found that he was hungry again and ate his last piece of bread. Deciding he would have to go to the market, he set out once more bidding everyone good day and receiving pleasant salutations back.

  Why haven’t I done this before, he thought. I have always felt so superior to others and they aren’t that bad really. In fact they seem quiet nice.

  Having collected his provisions he decided to have a proper look around. He bought some ribbons for Shasta’s hair and a new shirt for Hesper. To pacify Merlin, he bought him a wooden mouse on a string attached to a stick.

  Moving on, he was aware of people sitting patiently on the ground in front of an old woman. Walking towards them he decided to sit and listen. The woman, he deduced, was called Liana and she was a foreseer. He wondered why he hadn’t noticed her before.

  He decided to sit and watch for a while as he had made no plans for today.

  One by one as they took their turn, she cast the teeth on the ground in front of her and spoke of their future to them.

  Erasmus was fascinated as to how she could read anything from old teeth and stones. He recalled his mother going to see a foreseer when he was much younger, and she had tried to explain to him how people were able to see the future. At the time he accepted it as he did his own gifts, and never really thought any more about it. He had felt his own gifts to be far superior, although they were completely different to this. Now he thought about it, he had been so happy today, just accepting people for who they were. He had not even tried to read their minds and, somehow, had started to treat them as his equals. He wasn’t sure how he felt about this and, as he began to consider it, he realised it was finally his turn to meet the woman.

  Stepping forward in front of Liana he sat down again.

  Liana had been aware of Erasmus sitting waiting and, if truth be told, she had to admit surprise. He was certainly a handsome man beyond anything she had imagined. She could well understand why so many women had been constantly turning their heads to take a second look and receive a smile.

  Now, in turn, she found herself smiling into his eyes which gave her the impression of deep pools of liquid.

  “Well, Erasmus, so you come at last!”

  Covering his surprise well he said “How do you know my name?”

  “I know everything, Erasmus. I also know that you have finally met Shasta and she is everything that you have ever dreamed of.”

  This time he couldn’t cover his surprise as she was quick to notice. She decided not to comment and, instead, carried on as if nothing had happened.

  “The exact moment of your birth was predestined to be 31st October at nineteen minutes past two in the morning. Shasta was also born at the same time and on the same date, but many years in the future. Fate decreed that you would travel to the future to find her and fall in love.”

  “But why has this happened, Liana? Yes, it’s true, I love Shasta. In fact, I have never been happier. I have discovered that I actually enjoy talking to people and I can now look on them as my equals instead of feeling superior to them.”

  “Ah, such are the vagaries of fate, Erasmus. Humility and tolerance are the greatest of gifts.” Suddenly Liana grabbed his arm. “Beware; in loving Shasta, you may suffer the consequences! Now go.”

  With that, she dropped her head and appeared to go to sleep. Erasmus tried to question her further but he realised that she seemed to be in a kind of trance.

  Reluctantly he got up and, picking up his provisions, he made his way back.

  Yes, he thought, I have started to consider the feelings of others and I admit it does make me feel good. What did she mean though when she said I would suffer the consequences? He had tried to read Liana’s mind, but unsuccessfully. “How very strange,” he said out loud to no one in particular, but he didn’t think too much of it. He would be seeing Shasta soon and that made up for everything. He resolved to make her a surprise visit earlier than planned and deliver his gifts.

  The next day he arose at dawn, cooked breakfast and sat outside his cave watching the spectacular sunrise. By midday it was extremely hot and the beach filled with families making the most of the low tide and the opportunity to cool off. The happy shrieking voices he heard reminded him of the evening spent with Shasta, and her happy squeals of laughter. He mentally ran over his feelings once more marvelling at the way he felt. He couldn’t wait to see her again.

  When it cooled off later, he would go to see her. He hoped she and her little family liked his gifts. Funny he thought how he looked on them as a family. Perhaps soon they would become his family.

  Lying back against a rock with his hands folded behind his head he squinted slightly due to the sun and surveyed with delight the many families around him. With a satisfied sigh he drifted into sleep.

  He was awoken from his slumbers by two men deep in conversation close by.

  “Perhaps we should wait until he awakes,” said one.

  “Well, we need to speak to him soon if we are going to obtain his services,” said another.

  Opening his eyes slightly he said “Can I be of service gentlemen?”

  “Indeed, Sir. We understand that you are learned in the charts of the stars and heavens. You are the man that lectured in the hall a while back.”

  “Yes, that is correct. How can I help you?”

  “Well if it isn’t too much trouble, Sir, we are holding informal talks in the market place and we wondered if you would help us out by attending. If there are questions that we can’t answer, maybe you can help.”

  Erasmus, obtaining more details of the event, agreed to go. His interest was heightened because it was to be held close to where Liana held her readings. There would be plenty of time to sort out his charts if he needed them at a later time. Anyway most of his information was in his head.

  Going back into the cave he picked up his gifts and made his way to Shasta’s house.

  As he approached the garden he heard her laughing with Hesper. Peering at them from under the cover of some bushes, he watched them playing with a ball. Merlin was also joining in. Suddenly Merlin arched his back and his hair stood on end. He was looking off to the end of the garden. Shasta looked amazed. Whatever was wrong with him? Hesper also looked startled.

  As he stroked his fur, he asked “Merlin, what is it? What’s wrong?”

  Somehow he expected an answer from him.

  Looking in the same direction as the cat, he realised it was Erasmus. He wasn’t as well hidden as he thought.

  “It’s Erasmus,” was all he said. Scooping up Merlin he made his way inside.

  Shasta’s reaction was completely the opposite. She ran to the end of the garden and let him in. Demurely gave him a kiss which was returned by Erasmus with passion, momentarily taking her breath away.

  “Hello, Erasmus. I wasn’t expecting you today.”

  “I hope you don’t mind. I have some gifts for you,” he said.

  “Oh how lovely. Come inside and we can look at them.”

  They walked arm in arm inside, to find Hesper sitting in the chair with a sullen look on his face and Merlin on his lap.

  “Oh what’s this?” she asked surveying the scene. “Hesper, I believe you wanted to say something to Erasmus when you next saw him?”

  For a moment Hesper looked taken back. The last thing on his mind was to apologise, but he had agreed and he had to keep up the pretence of friendship, at least for the time-being. His chance would come soon enough.

  “Erasmus, please forgive me for being so rude on your last visit. I thought Shasta would ask me to leave if she became friendly with you, and I was jealous.”

  There, it was said, he thought to himself. Not a word of the apology was meant but Erasmus and Shasta didn’t know that.<
br />
  “Think no more about it, Hesper. I have a gift for you here. See if you like it.”

  Handing the shirt to him, Erasmus suddenly realised he hadn’t thought about size and hoped that it fitted. As luck would have it, when Shasta helped him hold it up against his small frame it did.

  As he gave the ribbons to Shasta, he first held them to her hair to see the effect and decided they looked beautiful.

  “I haven’t forgotten you, Merlin” he said as he produced the mouse on the stick.

  Merlin, who was now on the floor, couldn’t resist the challenge and jumped several feet in the air trying to catch it, but Erasmus was too quick and lifted it higher out of his way, to much accompanying laughter, even from Hesper.

  Erasmus gave him the toy and suggested they went outside to play with it. Judging by Hesper’s noisy expressions of amusement, it was an instant success.

  Erasmus and Shasta stood looking at one another, savouring the moment. Eventually Erasmus broke the silence.

  “I can’t believe how happy you make me feel, Shasta. I love you so dearly. Will you accept my betrothal?”

  Shasta was at first overwhelmed by his sudden proposal, but soon agreed with alacrity. Sealing the betrothal with a kiss, they went out to tell Hesper, unsure of his reaction.

  They were left with no doubt that Hesper didn’t approve. He turned his back on them and hobbled on his crutch to the bottom of the garden. He went out through the gate and started to make his way to the beach.

  Shasta and Erasmus left it a while and then followed at a discreet distance. They mutually agreed to reassure the boy that he would have a permanent home with them.

  Merlin padded back into the kitchen. He got in his basket, curled up and, with deep satisfaction, went to sleep.

  Erasmus and Shasta finally caught up with Hesper down on the beach. By now it was dusk and the Evening Star had appeared alongside the moon. Hesper was sitting on a rock on the beach gazing at it intently. Of course, thought Erasmus, making the connection, he was called after the Evening Star, Hesperus. He related his thoughts to Shasta and she confirmed them.