Witan Jewell

by Russ L. Howard

  It behooves me to include a brief description of Witan Jewell for posterity’s sake.

  Witan Jewell’s center is a massive wooden citadel that stands three hundred feet above the plain and boasts a five-acre stronghold protected by a one thousand forty-four foot circuit of walls composed of heavy yew timbers that are twenty six feet high, inside of which is another interior wall of redwood timber. The serpentine path from the settlement to the fortress leads one directly into the royal see of Shepherd Hall.

  Surrounding the fortress is an impenetrable woods of madrone and hawthorn and occasional towering oaks with mistletoe laden branches. The fortress’s thick plank and iron gates are formidable to gaze upon. Since their construction some thirty years ago, no enemy has ever breached them nor are they likely to for none have even made it to within thirty miles of here, so alert are the outposts, and so swift to respond are the fyrds.

  Chapter 3 : The Moot Fire of Shepherd Hall

  Taneshewa had never seen so many different and colorful people gathered in one place in all her life as she saw outside the gates.

  Sur Sceaf remarked, “These are the common folk of Heredom. My beloved flock of yeoman.”

  They had every color of hair from yellow, to red, to black, and hosts of tawny haired folk as well, a strange sight to one who grew up with almost entirely black haired people. Now it would be her that stood out as different.

  The fyrds kept the yeomen back on the right and the left as the Herewardi hailed Sur Sceaf with the epithet of “Surrey, Surrey, Surrey.”

  They passed under the massive beam of the gates. Colorful red clad trumpeters with unique sock-like black caps and dangling tassels blasted their horns. Once inside, the road and paths were all of small square stones hammered flat and smooth. The nobility and gentry inside shouted the mantra of, “Hrus, Hrus, Hrus!” striking their chests and saluting him, implying the Eye of Howrus guided Sur Sceaf.

  Sur Sceaf clarified, “These folk, inside this gate are the gentry and nobility. When we get to the hall, you will see the royalty, my family. These homes you see inside the fortress are the homes of my father’s wives and family. And there before us is the Shepherd Hall.”

  Ahy craned her neck to take in the entirety of the building standing well over seven man’s heights. “How can this stand? It appears to be above the trees and the mist.”

  The silver stewards led them slowly and carefully through the crowd which parted like water before a canoe. Taneshewa was hyper-aware of the curiosity in the people’s faces when they caught sight of her.

  She heard a woman ask, “Who is the lovely young lady Lord Sur Sceaf travels with?”

  Sur Sceaf said, “I warned you that we have large families. The people here are for the most part my family and close friends.”

  Everyone he pointed out was a relative, sister, brother or some other kith, kinsman, or friend.

  They passed through another gate. Trees grew within the fort in a horizontal pattern like the trees of Tahlequah. Indeed, the area surrounding Witan Jewell reminded Ahy much of the Land of Tahlequah. Large beasts, wisents, giant bison from a forgotten land called Ur-Ope, were kept as symbols of power within the inner-gate.

  A large fountain burst out of the earth and welled up into a pool before them in the middle of the road, gushing upward in fits and bubbling spurts like a mountain stream. An array of flags surrounded the font.

  The silver stewards leading them stopped before the steps of the Shepherd Hall. Between two massive columns of yew wood were two enormous totem poles carved into different serpent shapes leading up to a bee’s skep on top of each, but unlike the totem poles of the Sharaka, these held a tall pointed roof covered with golden straw.

  Between the columns were three sets of steps separated by platforms as wide as a man is tall. These stairs consisted of three, five, and seven steps between the landings, representing the moral progression a Herewardi takes in moving from a young blood to become a king or a queen.

  Surrey turned to her and said, “Welcome to the governing see of Herewardom. This place is like your father’s long lodge.”

  He signaled that their party should dismount. Young boys called beetles, dressed in glistening dark green tunics, sprang forward to take the reins.

  Rip dismounted and straightened his black suit coat, then quipped, “This structure is magnificent. It makes me feel like I should be dressed in my temple clothes or gold.”

  Shug chimed in, “I’ll wager you it took a boat load of gold to build this structure.”

  Sur Sceaf took Ahy’s hand and folded it in his elbow, and said in a low voice, “You look so lovely, my dear, just like an elfin queen. Do not worry, my people will love you and honor you even as I do.” Then with measured pace he led her up each of the three tiers of steps with the others following a few paces behind.

  At the top waited a man like a Thunder Being. Taneshewa’s heart pounded and her mouth went dry. His visage could only be described as godly. Behind him stood two aged men with long grey beards attired in aubergine robes with deep hoods and golden embossed Herewardi knots along the hems. No doubt his personal spirit chiefs.

  She felt the urge to run, but restrained her feet. This was the most imposing chief she had ever seen. He was large and majestic, with green eyes like Surrey’s that pierced her sharper than an obsidian blade. She squeezed Surrey’s arm tightly for comfort. The man approached them in his reddish-brown leather cape, white shirt, shiny brown leather boots, and matching suit with a large fluffy white cravat, much as Pyrsyrus wear. Around his waist was a silk sash that glistened like fresh red blood. In a deep and rich voice he proclaimed, “Hail Sur Sceaf,” and the two embraced.

  “Hail, my king” Sur Sceaf replied.

  Ahy’s knees wobbled. This was Surry’s father.

  Still embracing, Sur Spear declared, “Welcome back from the anvil of the gods, my beloved boy. You don’t know how we’ve missed you.”

  Ahy was lost in thought. Was he judging her? Did he find her wanting in any way? What if he didn’t like her and told Sur Sceaf not to marry her? She thought, How could I possibly belong here with all these powerful looking people and their fierce piercing eyes?

  Sur Sceaf stepped back, put his arm around her waist and drew her closer to his father. “Father, this is Ahyyyokah Taneshewa, daughter of Onamingo, chief of chiefs of the DiAhman Sharaka. And this is Dancing Rabbit, his wife. I am courting Taneshewa to be my bride.”

  The king took her hand, bowed at the waist, and placed the back of it against his forehead. “Welcome Lady Taneshewa, I look forward to getting to know you better.”

  “And I, Lord King Sur Spear, am honored to be here.” Her voice came out thin and quavering.

  Sur Spear smiled warmly. “My dear, we are all family here. Do not be so frightened. My son has always had the most impeccable taste in his women. We will surely love you.”

  “Thank you!” She said.

  With a hand on the small of her back Sur Sceaf directed her to step to the side.

  Sur Spear then moved to Onamingo. “It is good to see you again at long last, my good friend, Onamingo.”

  They had a genuine affection and regard for one another. The two embraced like old friends.

  Finally, after all were personally introduced and heartily welcomed to Witan, the king welcomed Mendaka as warmly as a son.

  “Welcome one and all.” Sur Spear spoke in his resonant voice. “Great things are before us and you will all tell your grandchildren that you were at this moot fire this sixteenth day following the ghost moon of the Dark Moonth, the very moonth upon which my son was born at Eloheh in the Medicine Mountains of DiAhman. Please gather and join us at the moot fire in the Shepherd Hall in two points of the medicine wheel. We are still expecting our delegations from the coasts. In the meantime I have arranged a repast for you in the ale hall and rooms in the visitor’s lodge so that you may freshen yourselves.”

  With a final smile, the king turned and re-entered the Shepherd Hall
.

  The young blood fyrd waited until the king departed to dismount and take their horses to the stables. As though a signal had been given, a whole horde of young royal women descended on the young bloods like starving pigeons to fresh millet seed.

  Two young boys, twins with different hair colors reached up to pinch Sur Sceaf’s thighs. He jumped, then twisted around to cry out. “Russell and Ev’Rhett. I should have known it was you two imps. Who set you loose?”

  “Father!” they called out as they hugged him around the waist on either side.

  “You little varmints, sneaking up on me like that,” Sur Sceaf said, feigning surprise. “I knew it had to be you or Brekka.” Then looking about, he asked, “Where is my brave girl?”

  “Oh, she and Arundel will be along shortly. They had to corral the livestock,” the twin with the blond shocks of hair declared. “Everybody else is here ’cept Mother Paloma.”

  “Ahy, this is Russell, the other is Ev-Rhett. My little devils.”

  Looking up at Taneshewa was a small tawny haired youth missing his two front teeth with freckles sprinkled across his pug nose, “Who’s the pretty bird you brought home with you, Father?” Ev’Rhett asked.

  “We’ll get to that soon enough,” Sur Sceaf said. He studied Taneshewa for a reaction.

  “I already know.” The one with the white-blond hair declared.

  “No you don’t.” Ev’Rhett argued. “Cause nobody knows her. She’s a stranger in these parts.”

  “Uh huh!” Russell said, “I heard Nigh-Mother Lana talking to the other women. She said, ‘Taneshewa is not shy like Shining Moon. She’s a storm on the mountains. A tor...na...do.’ ”

  Taneshewa was taken aback. She barely had time to regain her composure when Surrey said in a laughing tone, “Brace yourself, Ahy! Here comes my mob.”

  “Your mob?” Taneshewa said, looking up to see an approaching stampede of women and children of all ages.

  “Yes, my family.”

  She took a deep breath and prayed to the Thunder Beings and Grand Mother Wisdom that they would like her as Long Swan, Pyr, and Sur Spear had promised.

  A young, handsome, tall man in his late teens with braided auburn hair and the unmistakable green eyes of Surrey’s clan arrived first. He was dressed in tight fitting grey pants and shirt and cut a fine figure. He was around the same age as she was. He still bore muddy riding boots and a crop under his arm. He could have been a young Sur Sceaf, save for the strong reddish tones in his hair.

  “Hail Fa and welcome home. I was training the new crop of fillies in the stable when the news came that you had just arrived. Didn’t have time to change. Ary was finishing his accounts and asked me to convey to you that he will be along directly with Brekka. It seems the covey have planned a welcome home celebration for you this evening at Fa Mo Mahallah’s. We’ve all missed the order you bring to our clan.” He shot a menacing look at the twins.

  As father and son embraced, the young man’s eyes trained on Taneshewa. She shivered. He looked at her in the same way Standing Bull had, the first time they met.

  Releasing his son, Surrey turned to her. “Ahy, meet Aelfheah, my second oldest son. Isn’t he a looker? In case you can’t tell, he’s Lana’s firstborn.” Then still holding his son by the shoulder said, “Aelfheah, this is the lady Taneshewa.”

  Aelfheah took Taneshewa’s hand, held it to his forehead, then kissed it. “Father, she is the most beautiful girl I have ever laid eyes on.”

  Taneshewa perceived her instinct had been right. He was unabashedly flirting with his father’s wife-to-be. She had to think he did not know they were betrothed and as Sagwi had reminded her many times, all young men are like stallions and need to have their energies corralled.

  Her discomfiture took another turn as a wave of children of all different ages, hair colors, and faces engulfed Surrey in a flood of arms reaching for him. Pressing in to see him faster than he could introduce them. Looking happier than she had ever seen him, he hugged and kissed each one, focusing intently on each individual as they shared a personal word until the next shunted them out of the way. The children continued to occupy him while Lana directed the wives over to meet Taneshewa.

  “Ahy,” Lana said, “welcome to thy new home and family. Thy bride-sisters are eager to greet thee even though thou hast not yet passed the vetting. That is all except Paloma who sendeth her regards. She is busy with her civil duties and must greet thee later.” As Lana gave her a warm hug, she whispered in her ear, “Don’t worry, this won’t hurt a bit.” Turning to the waiting women, Lana said, “Instead of introducing each of them I will let them introduce themselves.” She turned around. “Ladies, this is the Lady Taneshewa. Please make her feel at home.”

  The nearest one declared, “I am Faechild. Perhaps, Taneshewa, you will be able to help us tame this wild stallion.” She turned and gestured at Surrey, who had one child on his shoulder and another in his arms. “Believe me, we’ve all tried and found it a positively hopeless endeavor.”

  Faechild was the express feminine image of Ilkchild. She was beautiful beyond her golden description.

  Faechild continued, “But Lana tells us you have got him by the reins and will soon have him saddle broke for us all to ride.”

  The ladies laughed.

  “I’m not so sure. I rather see him more as a wild bull elk, and one does not easily saddle an elk.” Taneshewa turned to a soft voice speaking her name.

  “Hello, hello! I am Shining Moon, Ahy. I have heard much of you for many years as was told to me by our common friend, Mendaho.”

  “Oh, yes, of course!” Taneshewa noticed the pleasantly peaceful demeanor of the Sharaka sister. Thoughts of Meny flashed through Ahy’s mind. Oh, how I wish Meny was here right now to support me. She smiled. “Shining Moon, daughter of Has-A-Flute, you are she whom Meny has told me so much about. I am glad to finally meet you. How is the new baby?”

  “He’s growing stronger by the day and I believe he will be the image of his father, but for his black hair. I can’t wait to see Meny. I hold her so dear. It’s been ten winters since we last saw one another.”

  Taneshewa glanced over at the gates and said with a long sigh, “I only wish I had brought her with me.”

  Shining Moon smiled. “Of course you do. I can only imagine what this is all like. It was like being tossed into deep water when I first met the clan.” She gave Taneshewa a reassuring squeeze on the arm. “Meny has written much of you. You must have so much fun together. I know we always did. I guess I knew you even long before you knew Surrey. Never dreamed we’d be sisters. I’m sure she told you how I followed Sur Sceaf like a sunflower follows the sun. I still drink in his rays and am glad you will join us in our nest. Oh, Meny and I had such wild play and fun. Is Billy Weasel still chasing after her?”

  “No, she hates him now. Which reminds me, I remember reading your letters about him. How you told her he was no damned good and she could do so much better. Never did I think to meet you, though I wanted to.”

  They were interrupted. A porcelain-faced woman with raven dark hair offered her hand. “I am Milkchild. Lana has told us much of you on our way here so that we already like you very much and can empathize with the struggles you had with that wisent-headed husband of ours. But I don’t want to take you from meeting everybody before our folk moot. We’ll talk later.” Gesturing towards a beautiful, but fierce looking lady, she declared “This is our sister wife, Swan Hilde, the rune singer and lore master, which is an unequaled honor in our culture.”

  “Greetings, Taneshewa,” Swan Hilde said pinning her with the steel grey eyes of an eagle. “You are indeed as lovely as Lana described you. I fear I shall be very jealous of you.”

  “Certainly not!”

  “Oh yes! It is true. I am the jealous one in the lot and both you and I shall have to live with that. Even so, I must question the wisdom of my husband in choosing one so young and unproven as you must be.”

  Taneshewa smiled, unable to discern wh
ether this was a confession, a compliment, or a confrontation. “I questioned the wisdom of it myself in the beginning, but came to realize we had a bond that could not be broken or denied. No matter what obstacles or barriers I or anyone else threw in front of me, we were drawn together so tightly that the age barrier disappeared.” She looked over at Sur Sceaf and caught his endearing smile.

  Before Swan Hilde could reply, she was beset by the same twins that had pinched Sur Sceaf. The boys grabbed Swan Hilde’s hands and started tugging while one of them said, “You promised, you promised we were going to Fa Mo Mahallah’s. Nanny Tucker has promised to teach us some knife throwing tricks.”

  Swan Hilde flushed with embarrassment, “Forgive me Taneshewa,” she said before turning to the twins. “I am going to skin you two alive if you don’t give me some peace and respect. Quit pestering me. Shades of Hell, just stop begging me for Baldur’s sake. Let me at least kiss your father and then we can go to Fa Mo’s.” Swan Hilde gave a strained smile, hurriedly kissed and hugged Sur Sceaf and was pulled away by the two rambunctious boys before they could share a truly intimate moment.

  Ahy shot a glance at her father who was engaging in a conversation with Lana and Alfheah, while Shug, Margot, and Rip were tapping on and studying the glass windows with great curiosity. Elijah and Habraham were speaking with the two aubergine robed spirit chiefs of the king. As the milling crowd parted she caught Fromer standing on the veranda alone with a thunderous frown.

  Finding herself alone for the first time, she watched each wife in turn hug and kiss Surrey. Strange emotions flared up each time, such as when a wind catches a fire. Then the flames began to quiet as she perceived each wife seemed perfectly comfortable with this very strange arrangement.

  Lana walked over to her side. “Thou art overwhelmed by our world, but perhaps it is a good thing. Thou canst see, what we are. This is our family. This is our clan. We’re like the tangled interwoven roots on an old hawthorn tree. We’re all here except for the suckling babes and Paloma, the mother superior, whom thou shalt meet later at the welcoming this evening. What dost thou you think of thy new family?”