Witan Jewell

by Russ L. Howard

  “Why do you tell me this now, at such an important moment?” Sur Sceaf asked.

  “Because,” Dancing Rabbit said, “We would have perished in the wilderness, but for an old Herewardi wayfaring man with piercing green eyes who came into our camp and led us safely from water hole to water hole until we arrived safely at the camp of Thunder Horse, the old wayfarer said, ’You will need me no longer, but this you must know and hold in the safety of your hearts and those of your nearest kin until it comes to pass. Your fair daughter shall one day be a great queen and rule over many peoples of many tribes. And by this sign you may know that which I speak is true. A king shall ask you for your daughter’s hand.’ The wayfarer walked off into the wilderness and we have never seen nor heard from him since.”

  “So you see,” Sagwi said, “dhis man was probably a Tunder Being and never Dancing Rabbit nor Onamingo was in anyway surprised dhat you should be axsin for Taneshewa to wife. For dhey knew it was da only way da prophecy could be fulfilled. You’s da only one wif king’s blood ever come courtin’.”

  Taneshewa looked straight at Sagwi and then back at her parents, “You all knew of this and this is the first time I hear anything of it?”

  “It was not wisdom in us to tell you at the time,” Onamingo declared. “You needed to work all this out on your own. Just like a baby must fulfill its term before it may present for birth. Your mother and I both consulted with Sagwi and Thunder Horse, and determined this would be the best course.”

  “Does this mean I have your permission to take her as my wife,” Sur Sceaf asked.

  “Yes, you have our permission to take Ahyyyokah Taneshewa to be your queen.”

  Onamingo glanced at Ahy, “Daughter, the final decision is still yours. Just because this has been prophesied and your mother and I gave our permission does not mean you are obligated to be Surrey’s wife. The choice is still yours and the gods will not be offended if you reject it. We have observed that you have learned much since Surrey came into our camp. Although you have made mistakes as most youth do, I have come to trust your wisdom. Whatever your choice is, we will support you.”

  * * *

  After Sur Sceaf’s goodbye to Onamingo and family he returned to his tent. Lana greeted him with a kiss as he came through the tent door. It was apparent she had taken great care to prepare their last dinner on the trek with the table set in a red gingham table cloth and candles. A pitcher of mead was set in the middle of the table, along with honey coated bread with fresh honeycomb in a bowl. There were bowls of potatoes, and honey coated squash, warming on the hob.

  “I haven’t tasted fresh valley honey since leaving Witan Jewell.” Sur Sceaf dipped a finger into some fresh honey comb. “Yum! Where’d you get it?”

  “Aelfheah sent it out from your apiary with Sur Spear’s messengers.”

  “Oh, the sweet, sweet tastes of home. How long I have waited.”

  “Sadly, this will be the end of our lovely honeymoon.” Lana poured him some golden mead into his krug and then served herself some. “Tomorrow thou wilt be with my bride-sisters, who will beset thee like a den of vixen in heat on a lone fox. All of them will be so very envious that I had thee all to myself for so long, but the one whose stick is drawn will count herself the most lucky of women while I must needs fade back into the cycle and rhythm of our life. I’ve enjoyed being with thee on this trek, my lord, but I will enjoy being in my home once again with my little ones rolling on the floors and my handsome son breaking thy colts for thee. Truly, I can’t wait to join with my bride-sisters once again in making merry, laughing, and working together.”

  He gathered Lana up in his arms. “My dear Freckle Fox, you were a wise counselor, you were a constant comfort and support and need I say, you saved my ass more than once. Were it not for you, I should have destroyed myself with my temper. I thank you for all you have done for me, Darling. As always you comforted my soul and breathed peace into it throughout the journey. I will never forget the tender moments we shared together on this trek. In particular for the help you gave me in winning sweet Ahy into our fold.”

  “And thou must give credit to Paloma to send thee a companion and I praise the gods that the Norns favored me. Now, no more talk. Take thy seat and allow me to serve thee. Thou lookest tired and worn.”

  “Perhaps I should bath before dinner.”

  “No, no! Sit and eat and then we can take a hot bath together.”

  He took his seat at the table as Lana dished out the potatoes. “Wert thou happy with thy ride up Ramp Canyon this evening?”

  “Happy, yes! But I also visited Pyr and then Onamingo and Dancing Rabbit.”

  “No wonder you lookest so tired. How was everyone?”

  Onamingo and Dancing Rabbit have given their permission for me to marry Ahy. But she still has not accepted my proposal.”

  She nibbled at his earlobe before whispering, “Don’t worry, my lord. Few are the women that can resist thee. Especially me!”

  * * *

  Sur Sceaf very much enjoyed the evening with Lana, having slept in blissful repose. Upon awakening the urge to go see Ahy was so compelling that he rose, kissed Lana awake and after murmuring words of appreciation and love, explained that he was going to visit Ahy before they left for Witan Jewell. In the dim light of false dawn, he bathed in Deer Creek and put on his best fyrd clothing, before walking to Onamingo’s camp.

  He found Taneshewa in front of her tipi preparing the golden doe hide he had given to her. Going Snake was working on the antlers and pelt that he was gifted. Going Snake winked and pointed at Ahy scraping the hide. Sur Sceaf waved at the little fellow then approached Ahy. He could only say the word, “Ahy!” Nothing else came out of his mouth. He just stared speechless.

  She looked up from her labor, rose and said, “Oh Surrey I have wrestled all night. It is enough! I will be your wife and you shall be my man. You shall be my king and I shall bear your seed in the earth. You showed me last night that you do care about my needs and concerns. I will test you no longer.”

  He remained utterly speechless.

  Turning to Going Snake she asked, “Chipmunk, will you pack my doeskin for me?”

  Going Snake appeared to be amused at the two of them. “Yes, Ahyyyokah!” He walked to the hide then turned. “You two have that strange look in your eyes again. You know like the day you had me give Surrey his shirt back.”

  “Someday you’ll understand!”

  As she turned to Sur Sceaf, her delicate fingers lifted his hand. “Walk with me, we have not had enough time alone. That has been part of our problem.”

  “Tell me again, that you will marry me. I’m afraid the cold stream has affected my hearing.”

  She leaned up and whispered in his ear, “I—will—marry—you.” She planted a kiss on his cheek before taking his arm.

  Overjoyed, but still stunned he walked off into the grass lands with her. They went amidst the flocks of sheep where they could be sure to be alone. With dawn still approaching, most of the sheep were bedded down while a few grazed nearby. The shepherds and their dogs were gathered around a far-off campfire and took no particular notice of them. It was still quite chilly and Ahy wrapped her blanket tighter around herself. They moved into the lee of a rock outcropping and stopped. Sur Sceaf wrapped his arms around her waist.

  Staring into his eyes, she smiled warmly. “You know, last night as I lay awake considering the course I would take, I realized, I first fell in love with your voice, but then your hard-tooled body was so pleasing to look upon even if it was from behind the tip of an arrow.” She laughed nervously. “I can truly say I never tire of studying you, my lord, but I think it is your wisdom that most impresses me. Especially, how you dealt with impossible problems all along this trek, problems that would have crossed my father’s eyes and sent spirit chiefs howling off into the wilderness in madness.

  “My heart would not let you go even when I decided I didn’t want you. Then I thought of the teachings that say some of us have l
oved one another long before this life. Curiously, our love feels that way to me.”

  It was at this moment that Sur Sceaf believed she had truly crossed the last river to becoming his wife. He had to say, “My precious Ahy, I can’t begin to tell you how you burned in my soul that first day I saw you. It was as if the sun stopped in the sky and all nature paused to say this is the moment you were born for. Not my commission, not my command, not anything, but to meet Taneshewa. I was born to meet Ahyyyokah Taneshewa and all else was background for us.” He took her other hand in his. “Since then you have consumed my heart day and night. It hungers and thirsts for you and cries in your absence like a lost lamb for its mother. You’ve helped me subdue my passions, get my pride a little more under control, and learn to truly listen to what you were saying. I’d be a fool if I didn’t acknowledge that you have made me a better man.”

  Ahy tilted her head and offered him a devilish grin. “I know I have been hard on you, but I had to know for sure if I could whole heartedly embrace your bride-covey and way of living. When you touched me during the Booger Dance, that sealed it. I melted.”

  Sur Sceaf’s heart soared to overflowing. He pulled her closer and lowered his head. “You mean like this,” he whispered close to her lips before kissing her.

  * * *

  The steam of oxen breath gushed into the cool morning air below the lofty highlands of High Top as the wagons rolled along toward Witan Jewell. Ahy walked alone, having chosen to walk ahead of her tribe in order to have time to think. She was pondering what it would be like to meet Sur Sceaf’s extensive family and the fact that she had not yet told anyone of her decision to marry. She was smiling in anticipation of Meny’s reaction when she came upon one of the Quailor wagons with their funny looking canvas tops stretched over the metal ribs.

  It was stopped in the road. Ilkchild was struggling to push the wagon out of the mud. A cluster of Quailor maidens in their grey attire with their usual pink cheeks and bright eyes gathered around Ilkchild calling out encouragement to him. On the driver’s seat was a young Quailor boy of about thirteen winters. One she had seen before playing with Going Snake, but she did not know his name. She thought Going Snake called him Yrnst or Dosip, or some other weird Quailor name.

  As she drew closer, Taneshewa saw that the girls fixed their eyes on him and were whispering among themselves. She remembered those days when she and Mendaho would watch the young warriors in their training. She teased, “Looks like you maidens have found some interesting entertainment,” she called out, drawing their startled attention.

  The tallest girl replied, “Vati has put us in charge of the family’s wares by reason of Onkel Zrael taking ill and so Vati has to tend the sheep for him.”

  “It’s Yosepf’s first time driving a large team and he put us in the rut.”

  The third maiden said, “Fortunately, Ilkchild ist our deliverer. He hath come to our rescue.”

  Taneshewa saw that Ilkchild’s horse, Fire Fang’s reins had slipped free from the wagon’s tale gate where it had been tied and quickly stepped forward to grab the reins to keep him from running off.

  “Shall I call upon some of the dog soldiers to help you?”

  Ilkchild looked up at her, his face smeared with mud, “No, I think I can handle this.”

  As he redoubled his efforts, his legs slid across the mud and he landed on his butt in the slosh. The Quailor maidens giggled. Jumping up quickly, he grunted and heaved against the wagon to no avail. Still with undaunted enthusiasm, he tried again.

  The first time she had seen Ilkchild he did not seem of this earth. He was like some golden creature from the heavens. Both his honey-colored skin and his straw-colored hair seemed to be sunshine in flesh. Even when the golden boy was all brown with mud he held a noble bearing.

  As folks passed them, several men asked if Ilkchild needed any help but he waved them all on.

  Still holding the reins Taneshewa moved closer to Ilkchild and whispered, “Ilkchild, even covered with mud these maidens find you attractive and I think you are drawing this out so they can admire your golden beauty all the more.“

  Ilkchild laughed, “Of course they do, Lady Taneshewa. How could they help themselves?”

  “Shouldn’t you be worried about incurring the wrath of those hideous dycons?”

  “Don’t worry, I’m just flirting, nothing serious. Besides I already have two beauties who are both handfuls that I chose for brides and I think that will be enough for this season. Actually, I haven’t even met the other one yet, but my bride to be, Ethelfleda, has sent me a letter saying she has already picked her first bride-sister for me.”

  “Just remember Mendaka has warned you young bloods to keep hands off.” The snort of an approaching horse alerted her to someone’s presence. She turned to see Hartmut astride his mount.

  “There you all are,” Hartmut said to the Quailor maidens as he rode up on his chestnut mare. As he caught sight of Taneshewa holding Ilkchild’s golden horse, he bowed and said, “Pardon me. Hallo, Taneshewa. I was sent back to find out why this wagon broke from the formation, but now I think I know the reason.” He darted his eyes toward Ilkchild, “Me thinks you could use a hand there, lad.”

  “I thank you for your offer,” Ilkchild declared, apparently worn down. “You’d get filthy though. Take a look at me. However, if you insist, jump right in.”

  “I can always change my clothes.” Hartmut dismounted handing the reins of his horse to one of the girls, he then proceeded to take off his coat and hat and handed them to one of the other girls and said, “Hold these for me, Greta, if it please thee.”

  As Hartmut rolled up his sleeves, Herman arrived. Without saying a word he stepped behind the wagon and heaved it from the mud sucking glue that had held it captive.

  “Well,” Hartmut said, “Samson to the rescue. Thanks Herman. Thou hast saved my trousers and Ilkchild’s pride.”

  Ilkchild wiped his sweating forehead and gave out a sigh of relief, “I thank you well, Herman, it seems you always appear where you are most needed, like a genie.”

  The giant smiled, climbed back up in his wagon and moved on.

  Hartmut retrieved his coat and hat, then took the reins and mounted. “Alright, back up into the wagon ye maids and fetch us a towel, please.” Then addressing the boy said, “Just fall in behind for now, Yosepf, I’ll apprise Elijah of thy new position. For now I must find Lana and thank her for sending Coyote to heal Eva. Her recovery is more than anyone can believe. Though, wouldn’t you expect, the dycons are calling it some sort of devilry. I’ll take my leave now Taneshewa and Ilkchild. I wish a good day to you all.” He tipped his hat and said, “Good job, Yosepf. Keep it up.”

  One of the girls leaned out of the back of the wagon and handed a towel to Ilkchild. After he finished toweling himself as clean as possible he handed it back through the hole of the canvas cover. The girl disappeared into the wagon as Yosepf called out in Teutsch, “Macht schnell, du dumma tieren,” and snapped the reins over the oxen rumps.

  With a sheepish look, Ilkchild said, “Thanks, Taneshewa, for keeping Fire Fang from taking off after the mares. Everyone said I should have had him cut, but it doesn’t seem right to me. I want to use him as a sire someday.”

  “Well, it seems the stallion has the same problem as his owner. What would your future brides think if they saw all these pretty young maidens swarming all over you?”

  “Actually, Lady Taneshewa, they wouldn’t say anything. You need to understand that in our world there is no such thing of this idea of possessing a man, the way Long Swan says you Sharaka women think. But I understand your culture is not as evolved as ours is.”

  She gasped for a moment at the young man’s unguarded impertinence. She was only marginally offended by his pride. “Is that what you Herewardi think of us Sharaka? You think we’re not equal to you Herewardi.”

  “Forgive me, Taneshewa, that did not come out right. I merely meant to say, we have more experience with multiple marriage
, but we in no way think of you Sharaka as any less than us. We greatly honor you as a people, a people that are proud and intelligent and have given so much to our culture.”

  “I think you spoke the truth and now you are trying to cover it up. From the abundance of the heart comes the issuance of the mouth. You spoke what your heart believes to be true.”

  Unexpectedly, the hooves of two fast moving horses came to a halt behind them. Sur Sceaf rode up beside them, smiled at Taneshewa and said, “I heard you were having trouble.”

  Ilkchild addressed Sur Sceaf as he took the reins from Taneshewa, “Your timing is perfect, Father.” He said as he mounted his palomino. “The lady Taneshewa was about to take my head off.”

  “This I must hear about.”

  She shot a glance at Long Swan. “Lord Surrey, perhaps Long Swan can explain why he taught the boy that I am possessive of my man and not as evolved as the Herewardi.”

  Long Swan cleared his throat from inside the hood of his office. “Lady, Taneshewa, I did say words to that effect, but they are taken out of context and were not meant to slight you or your people. I merely meant to convey to him that it has taken our people centuries to get to the point where plural marriage is socially acceptable and positively functional and of maximum benefit to our society.”

  “In the Sharaka culture, we see no advantage in passing around our husband and see it as a disadvantage, especially when it comes to children.”

  “My lady, forgive me if I have given offense. I understand perfectly well how it must have sounded. I was afraid that your unfamiliarity with our ways was an obstacle you would not be able to surmount and now I hear the good news that you have. I believed you and Sur Sceaf were truly meant to be together and as I could see some problems developing from what I was observing, I unwisely voiced them to the youth. No harm is meant and I bear you only the best of wishes.”