by P. A. Wilson
Jode released her hands. “I will not beg. You need to have time to clear your thoughts. I understand that. I will leave you to your decision.”
He left, closing the door quietly behind him, cutting off the gentle sounds from the musicians, sounds that seemed familiar to Madeline.
8
Jode walked toward the sound of stringed instruments rising and falling in an unfamiliar tune. He smiled. New music for the feast was a good omen for the journey. The sweet sound of the gutier played notes slowly then quickly and a sudden drum repeated bang, bang, bang, bang. A voice sang in a harsh tone, “I see a red door…” and the music collapsed into noise. If that is an example of the new music, I wonder if it will be a good omen.
He found the musicians practicing in a small room at the end of the ballroom. Pushing aside the curtain, he saw Simon leaning over a sheet of music with goblins grouped around muttering together.
“What is going on in here? That noise is the least musical sound I have ever heard.”
Simon looked up and answered, “You aren’t kidding, these guys have the music down, in fact they are very good at new sounds, but Christ that voice. Man, we need a lead singer.”
“Was that supposed to be singing?” Jode covered his ears in mock pain. “Even I can sing better than that. Was it a ballad?”
“I guess, if you can have a ballad to grief and pain,” Simon said taking another paper and sharpening a pencil with a small knife. “I’m trying to help these guys with some music for the party. Do you know what kind of songs would be best? Is there dancing?”
“It would be best to provide the usual music.” Jode glanced at the four goblins who looked crestfallen at his words. He relented. “What music do you have to offer?”
“Maybe it would be better to have something a bit more oldie first. We can bring the music up to date later.” Simon drew some marks on a piece of paper and handed it to the musicians. “Try this, guys. I’ll write out the words, Jode, if you can really sing I would love to hear it.”
The musicians passed the paper around, then one picked up a flute and trilled a few notes. Simon turned back to them and nodded. “Look, try these words out.” He passed the second piece of paper to Jode.
Jode listened, and then told the flautist to start again. After a few notes he sang, “It’s not the pale moon that excites me.”
“Wow, you really can sing, that puts the Chairman to shame.” Simon leaned back against the wall of the small room. “So, can you join these guys tonight, or are we totally instrumental in their first gig?”
“I cannot join the musicians, it would not be seemly.”
Simon shook his head. “Dude, we can’t let that voice go to waste. I’ve got hundreds of songs in my head. You would be perfect for a Chris Isaac style, or Michael Buble, or, anyone. I can train you up to be the biggest rock star in this world. The chicks will be hanging all over you.”
Jode put up his hand to stop the rush of words. “I do not know these people you mention. I have no idea why a flock of baby chickens attached to me would be desirable, and I don’t know what a dude is. I have duties that require me to be with Lady Arabela and have no time to practice with this group of musicians.”
“No time, or no desire?”
“My desire is not important. I have duties.”
Simon grinned. “You can’t let that voice go to waste. Hey, if it’s about the rock and roll thing, I can put the scores of some serious music on paper. I have a kind of musical photographic memory; I guess it’s a phonographic memory.”
“What the future will offer me as choices I do not know. For now, I need to talk to you about helping Lady Arabela destroy this enemy.” Jode took one more look at the group huddled around sheets of music and sighed. “Will you come and sit with me over a cup of wine? I am looking for your advice.”
“Sure.” Simon waved goodbye to the band. No one noticed, they were watching as one assembled something from a set of wires, tiles, and sounding boxes. “I’m totally in heaven here. Look at them assembling that keyboard.”
Jode stopped at the kitchen to pick up a jug of wine and two pottery cups, and then they walked outside where the grounds were still bustling with people. They sat on a stone bench against the wall of the building and Jode poured two mugs of red wine. “These people are willing to throw their lives at certain death for Lady Arabela’s command.” Jode pointed to the groups, now working together to build fires in the empty areas between camps. “Are you willing to come?”
Simon nodded. “I don’t know what I can do to contribute, but I’m in. I’m in need of an adventure before I settle down. If that involves saving the beautiful princess from the evil usurper, sign me up.”
“It could mean your death. Are you not concerned?”
Simon drained the wine and refilled both mugs. “The way I look at it, I’ll die someday. I can live a long time if I am careful, or a short time if I’m stupid. I don’t want to look back on a long life with a list of regrets.” He nodded up to the second floor of the building. “Madeline is having a hard time, but she’s not the same as me. I’m willing get involved in what is happening; she’s worried about committing to something that might happen.”
“Do you know how I can, or how anyone can, help her with this decision? I must confess I wish I could take away her fears, but I don’t know how.”
“Yeah, I’d noticed you watching her. Man, you picked a hard one to fall for.”
Jode laughed. “I don’t think I picked her. I think she was picked for me. What a fate. I have found my match in a woman who wishes only to go somewhere I cannot follow.” He slapped Simon on the shoulder, Simon grunted. “Ah well, fate will have its way. How well do you know her? Is there something I can say that will help her? At this moment, I care not whether she chooses to help or to return to your world. I care only that her pain be eased.”
“You are going to need to let her work it through. I know her well enough that she won’t take kindly to you taking charge. If she needs anything, she’ll ask for it.”
“Ah, she asked me questions about the history of the Summer Lands.” He leaned back against the sun-warmed wall. “Perhaps I have already provided her with something that will help her.”
“Maybe, but I wouldn’t count on her being satisfied with it. I know that she likes a fight, usually not a physical one true, but part of her problem is that she does want to help. If she decides to stay, no matter what conditions she applies, she will be all in. She’ll be a giant pain in the ass, but she will give the quest her heart and her soul.”
“Then we must wait for her decision.” Jode took a long drink of the wine. “Now, Simon, tell me about this music. I confess, like the musicians, I find myself drawn by the thought of new songs.”
“I was part of a group of musicians, we call them bands, when I was younger. I always wanted to go back to that when I had the money and time. Now, maybe, I’ll have the time.” Simon paused as the sound of a piano floated out. “It seems your instruments have a similar sound, even if they look completely different from ours.”
“That is another new tune. What is it called?”
“Didn’t I blow your mind this time,” Simon answered. “It’s a great last song at a party, nice and slow. Lets you get close and cuddly.”
“It is a sad song I think. Give me the words, and then we will see what the song sounds like. It will be something to help pass the time on the journey.” Jode rose and picked up the empty mugs and the jug. “I must return to Lady Arabela. She will need my assistance in planning the journey.”
9
Waking from her all-afternoon nap, Madeline stretched all the kinks out of her body, picked up the still full jug and plate and took them to her room. There was a dress of forest green fabric laid across the bed, and white embroidered slippers on the floor waiting for her feet. She ran her fingertips across the cloth; it was like fine velvet, smooth under her fingers. “I love this,” she said then ran to the convenience to fresh
en up, returning quickly to change.
Elise was in the room when she came back. “Madeline, I hope you enjoyed your day,” she said while putting the dress away.
“I slept most of it away in the library.” Madeline watched Elise change the beautiful green dress for a plain beige and green set. The white embroidered slippers had disappeared too, in their place a pair of unadorned brown ones. “Why are you putting the clothes away?”
“They were for the feast. It has been postponed until tomorrow. The Lady decided to wait one more day before starting out. That will give the seamstress time to make you a more suitable dress for the party.”
“Why can’t I wear the other dress?”
“It is not appropriate for this evening.”
“But, it’s beautiful.”
“Yes.” Elise shut the wardrobe door. “But too pretty for tonight.”
“Will I get to wear it sometime?”
“If you are staying.” Elise smiled and raised her eyebrows. “There will be plenty of opportunities.”
Madeline hid her disappointment in the plainness of the clothes and started to dress. “Do you know where Arabela is? I need to talk to her.”
“She will be with the priest now. You’ll find her in the dining room soon.” Elise tied the strings of the overdress behind Madeline’s back. “I think she will be talking to the servants in preparation for tomorrow.”
Madeline patted her loose curls and tucked a strand behind her ear. The dress and slippers fit her perfectly and, despite the plain cut, she liked the look.
“I’ll go in search of her then,” she said and turned to the door with a quick goodbye to Elise.
As Madeline walked down the stairs, she heard the music again. This time she knew the song, Jammin by someone who had never heard of Bob Marley or reggae music. The voice was not bad; it added a gravelly Tragically Hip quality to the song. “Simon, you’re having too much fun,” Madeline muttered as she headed towards the sound. When she opened the curtain that screened the small room, laughter bubbled out of her.
Simon was trying to sing the original beat while three goblins were playing their own version of the song. Somehow, the goblins had found a way to turn their hair into dreadlocks. A fourth goblin was reading a stack of papers. He looked up at her when she disturbed them and cocked his head on the side.
“Is the music not pleasing? Simon tells us we are not doing it properly but it is good.” He stepped forward. “I am Dox; I play on the drums.”
“Madeline.” She shook hands. “I think the music is great. How did you change your hair so quickly? It looks very much like the original singer in my world.”
“Ah, you do not know goblins.” He grinned widely, uneven teeth showing from side to side. “Watch.” He closed his eyes and Madeline saw the long dreadlocks untwist and somehow shorten until the goblin had only a few inches of curly black hair all over his head.
“Oh, that’s wonderful.” She didn’t know what else to say.
“Yes, I sketched a picture of Bob Marley for them and they changed their hair in honor of the master. I’m not sure if it will be amusing for anyone else but I liked it, too.” Simon walked over as the song ended. “I think we’ve invented a new song genre. What would you call it?”
“Reggae lounge. It sounded like Frank Sinatra crossed with Michael Stipe and blended in a tropical drink.”
“We do need a new lead singer. These guys could murder every song I know.” Simon turned and gave the band a thumbs up sign as they started to play some version of Wild Night. One neither Van Morrison nor John Mellencamp would have recognized very easily.
“I hope you aren’t getting started on something that you won’t be able to finish. You shouldn’t make plans you can’t follow through on.”
“Not a problem. It’s like the old rock and roll on our world. Now it’s started it can’t be stopped. I plan to be a part of this as long as I can.”
Madeline didn’t want to discuss Simon’s future, on this world, or otherwise. Putting aside her frustration, she wished them luck and turned to walk back across the room to the kitchens. Arabela might be with her priest for a while, so Madeline decided she had time to grab a pre-dinner snack to keep her blood sugar up, and maybe her temper down. She was determined not to lose it. It was important to have a calm conversation with Arabela. If not, Madeline didn’t think she would be able to get to the point where she could make the right decision. A decision based on facts and information, not stubbornness or guilt. She knew that if she stayed she would have to do so without reservations.
The kitchen was busy; large cauldrons of soup boiled on one fire; small animal carcasses turned on a spit over another. As Madeline crossed to the table, a woman took a tray of bread from one of the vast ovens on either side of the fire. On shelves along the left wall stood what looked like cakes and pies.
“May I have some bread and cheese,” she asked a passing woman. “And some caf, please.”
The food and drink appeared in front of her and she filled her stomach while she watched the preparations. It looked like the meal tonight would be a light one, probably in preparation for tomorrow. “Are you feeding the people in the yard?” she asked two women sitting opposite her having a break while the pots simmered.
“The soup will be offered to add to their provisions, but no, they feed themselves from the game in the woods and the supplies they carry,” a blond woman answered, wiping her shining face in her apron.
“We will serve the household and the remainder will feed the overnight workers.”
Madeline glanced down at her plate. “I’m sorry. It’s my fault you had to do this extra work.” She knew that her indecision had consequences. She didn’t like facing them.
“Not at all, now that the feast has been postponed, we can prepare special food. Food that is as important as the event the feast is celebrating. I didn’t care for the haste of making a feast for tonight,” a redhead in braids said.
“Yes, head cook was in a fine temper this morning trying to work out how to create a meal for so many different tastes in such a short period of time. He was a lot happier when the Lady came and changed the night,” said the blonde. “And the musicians will have more time to practice this new style of song. I heard them earlier and it’s very interesting. I could feel my feet starting to tap without my mind driving them. It’s a very exciting beat.” She moved her head to the faint sound of LA Woman.
“Yes, it’s certainly interesting.” Madeline felt a pang of jealousy at how easily Simon had become part of this world. Then she smiled imagining the goblins with a Billy Idol platinum spike look. “I’m sure it will become more and more interesting over the next few days.”
“Elga, Jossa, back to work,” a large bull of a man called from the far side of the room.
“Head cook,” the blonde acknowledged him with a nod. “I see his normal humor is back.”
The two women returned to the vats of soup and stirred before using a spoon to taste the contents. One added some red powder from a jar on the mantle of the vast hearth.
“I was worried about you,” Arabela said sitting down beside Madeline. “I hope you enjoyed your walk.”
“I found the library and passed the day there.” Madeline poured caf into a mug for Arabela. “Unfortunately, I slept the afternoon away rather than reading.”
Arabela laughed. “I have slept a few afternoons away there too. If you like reading I’ll have Blu find some lighter fare for you. I don’t think you will be able to decipher the books in there.”
“I appreciate it, but Jode promised to bring me a book or two. I miss having one on my night table.” Madeline reminded herself to stay calm and not get angry as she moved to a more difficult topic. “I was wondering if we could talk.”
“Of course, we can take our food to the large dining room if you like. It is set for dinner with some of our allies.” She picked up the jug and motioned Madeline to follow her. “I have an urge to listen more closely to t
his music before dinner.”
Madeline rolled her eyes, “I think the dining room is a good idea. I’m sure the musicians will be happy to have you listen.”
The two women sat at a table next to a wall of French doors.
“I’ve been thinking this over and over and I have not been able to come to a decision,” Madeline started. “I know how important you think it is that I stay. I don’t know what I can contribute.”
“The prophecy said you were the one who would make the difference. Simon will help, but it said you were our success. I don’t understand why you cannot just believe.”
“I’m not a person who just believes; I’m sorry.” Madeline sighed and listened to the strains of The Eagles, Peaceful Easy Feeling come from behind the curtain. “Why do you think I am important? What could you possibly have missing in your company that I will provide?”
“Can you fight with a sword or bow?”
“No, well not really. I fence for a hobby and I can ride a horse, at least at a trot, and when I’m properly outfitted.” She lifted the skirt of her dress. “Not in this.”
The voice that came from behind the curtain was warm and fully in harmony with the music, and with the intent of the words. It wasn’t Simon, his voice was fine but this one was top quality.
“It is good then, that we have no need for sword fighting.” Arabela seemed to be thinking, her fingers were tracing circles on the tablecloth. “If it was so simple we would not have had to endanger Sir Jode.”
“There are many people on my world who would fight this battle for you. There are mercenaries that will take the contract if you can pay.”
Arabela looked up sharply. “What are you suggesting? My warriors are the best in the land. They do not need someone to fight for them.”
“Okay, let’s not get all worked up again. That’s not going to get us anywhere.” Madeline heard the twang of a guitar come from behind the curtain. Then Simon’s voice started the lyrics to Colin James’ Why’d You Lie, one of her favorites. “I was suggesting maybe I could find someone who would be better than me. I could go back and send them here. Or, could you ask for another prophecy?”