Witan Jewell

by Russ L. Howard

  “Well, that’s one of the differences between our cultures. You see we were both the elect of two ancient and royal bloodlines, hers from the Taxus, mine from here, both through Odhin, Hereward, Shakespeare, and Howrus. And at only seventeen winters everyone expected us to marry. So we more or less chose one another out of social expectation and the hopes of our parents. It just felt right at the time and feels even more so now.”

  Taneshewa probed, “What do you mean at the time?”

  A soft breeze lifted up the tree branches and showered the deck with floating leaves and sprigs of white berried mistle-twig.

  “Well, we were young and wanted to please everyone, not that we were not pleased with one another. It’s just that when Lana came along, I learned what it was like to be driven by passion and to make my own choice and to marry for my own reasons alone. Then Faechild came along and once again it felt good to make my very own choice. Both of those marriages started with romantic love,” Sur Sceaf declared. “Don’t get this wrong, I love Paloma with all my heart, but we had to grow into romance over the years, whereas the others were just spontaneous.”

  She took a moment to digest that before asking, “What about your other marriages?”

  “Well, Milkchild was more of a friendship type of love and both Paloma and Lana wanted her for themselves as their bride-sister. Swan Hilde was all passionate love and intellectually parrying. I think I married Shining Moon out of spirituality. Something in her moved me very deeply on the spiritual plane. She has helped me much to quiet my mind and still my soul.”

  “Have any of your feelings changed over time?”

  “Yes, of course. We are all growing and changing and I believe for the better. Marriage is really just a dance. I discovered through all my choices that we connect with different people differently, but none above the other. Besides what initially bound us in marriage, I have now found many new forms of love for each of them. There are really all sorts of love the gods proffer us.

  “My marriages have improved and are moving to a more enjoyable and harmonious state all the time. I feel more in tune and my wives report they are feeling the same.”

  “If you could love but one wife, which one would it be?”

  “If I was forced to answer that question, I would utterly disintegrate.”

  “You are right. It was an unfair question, but I have to ask one more. What about me?” She looked expectantly into his eyes, “What am I to you?”

  Instinctively he glanced around to make sure there were no eavesdroppers. Particularly of the twin type. “Ahy, my love for you feels like it had roots in the far distant past. Deeper than one may dig. It existed before this world. It seems to echo through from eternity to eternity. I never wanted love so much, nor fought so hard for it, nor felt so right as I do with you. My love for you was an echo from another time, place, and glory. A world that was better than this one.”

  Taneshewa pulled away slightly, he noticed her eyes pooling with tears. “I feel the same way. I am so sorry I ever doubted you. I can’t wait until we are married.”

  * * *

  By the time Sur Sceaf and Ahy found Hartmut and Meny and arrived at the party, most of the guests, leaders, and family had already assembled. A large banner said, WELCOME HOME SURREY, with children’s hand prints and special emblems painted around the words to identify each member of the family.

  The large trestle tables were spread with goodies, meats, cakes, cheeses, and breads. Fresh mutton turned on a spit in the large fire place. Alabaster sconces burned with oil, emitting a lovely amber hew to the large room. Milkmaids and cupbearers were busy delivering the ales, spirits, and nibbles to the hungry guests. Paloma had arranged a special long table to be set for Sur Sceaf and his guests to be near the host and hostess.

  While Hartmut was busy explaining to Mendaho the best ales to drink, Sur Sceaf walked Taneshewa over to his dear mother who was seated with Paloma, still dressed in the gold embossed aubergine robes of the Council of Women.

  “Mother, may I introduce you to the lady Ahyyyokah Taneshewa, daughter of Onamingo and Dancing Rabbit.”

  His mother’s smile lit up her face. “You certainly may. I am Mahallah, Taneshewa. I finally get to meet the lady so many people have been in such a buzz about,” the queen said. “I do hope to get to know you better this evening. Please introduce her to everyone now, Surrey.”

  “I surely will, Mother, and with pleasure.” He turned to Paloma. “And this lovely lady is my first wife, the lady Paloma, daughter of Malcolm the Great and of the hearth of Rabenfae from Leakey, Taxus.”

  She and Paloma couldn’t be any more different in appearance if they had tried; one with black shiny hair, the other a golden honey blond; one bronze in skin tone, the other white as alabaster. Paloma’s uplifted eyebrows and Ahy’s smile showed that they were both delighted to finally meet one another.

  Paloma took her hand. “You are as lovely as Lana described you.” She smiled, “And to think you had to endure Surrey’s driving nature while on the trek. He’s always been a slave driver anytime he wants to be somewhere, but he’s not at all like that when he’s home. You will truly come to see him as a very pleasant sort of fellow when he finally settles onto his own nest.”

  “I know exactly what you mean, lady Paloma. He’s just like my father. All drive when it comes to getting anything done.”

  “I look forward to spending more time with you, Ahy. Please don’t think me rude. Duty calls. I must get the party started.”

  Mahallah said, “I’ll assist you.”

  “No, no, no. You’ve already done so much with the food and decorations. Please allow your daughters to serve you, Mother.” She stood and gave Sur Sceaf a blazing smile and hurried off to the kitchen.

  Aelfheah came up and said in a low voice, “Father, it seems the family is going to present you with a gift. Mother asked me to attend Taneshewa, while you’re busy.”

  Sur Sceaf noticed a frown cross over Ahy’s face. “It’ll be alright,” he tried to reassure her. “This shouldn’t take long.” He looked to his son. “Aelfheah, please escort her to a place where she can watch.”

  “It’s my pleasure, Fa.”

  The lady Paloma struck a grail with a spoon for silence. When the noise died down, she took the floor. “Welcome home, Lord Surrey, on behalf of your bride-sisters and family I present you with this robe.” The children and wives pressed forward. Paloma continued, “We have all missed you as much as the living miss the sun this time of year.

  “We present you this robe as a symbol of your triumph and our love.” She held the robe up for viewing. “Each one of your wives have personally spun the silk and threads for this garment with the hope that you would one day model it before each of their hearths.” A round of hearty laughter followed. “We give it to you as a token of appreciation for all that you have given us, your family, your friends, your people, and the other tribes. The gold is to show you that the light of your spirit triumphed over the pit. The pit, as you will see, is represented by this black circle, and the silver disc within it is the stone your back shall now bear no more in heaviness, but only in comfort. Atop the circle are the two ravens with your hair claw, one with it in his beak.”

  “How do you know it’s a he,” Pyrsyrus inquired.

  “That’s enough of that Pyr.” She fired back. “Why, because of it’s big beak and loud mouth, of course.” There was laughter before she continued. “Around the sleeves are the colors of black, red, and beige to symbolize the three tribes you carried in your arms safely to Witan Jewell like the good shepherd you are.”

  Cheers and clapping followed. As Sur Sceaf looked around he saw the encouraging looks of Mendaka and Little Doe, his wives, the children, and his parents. It felt good to be home again. Conversations were electric as they passed back and forth. He must have heard Taneshewa’s name whispered a hundred times until Paloma rang the grail for silence. “Please, allow my lord to give his response.”

  Sur Sceaf
was overwhelmed. He swallowed a lump in his throat for a moment. “This is the most refined silken robe I have ever seen,” he said as he held it up for those who might not have gotten a good view of it. “I shall cherish it all the days of my life. All the more because it was fashioned by the hands of those I love and it is woven with such momentous events in my life.”

  He drew Paloma near him and kissed her. The guests clapped and cheered.

  He heard Ev’Rhett give a loud sigh. “Finally, we can start eating now.”

  Russell said, “I’m going for those walnut cakes and that baklava candy, Nigh-Mother Milkchild made.”

  Swan Hilde grabbed the two boys and pulled them back to their seats by the scruffs of their collars.

  Shining Moon beseeched. “Surrey, take off your sword and try on the robe.”

  Paloma waited till Sur Sceaf divested himself of his sword. He handed it to Aelfheah, then Shining Moon assisted him in putting on the robe, hugged him, and kissed him once again. “Welcome home, my love.” She leaned into him and whispered, “I could eat you alive right here on the spot.”

  Sur Sceaf whispered back, “I can’t wait. Come to me against midnight and we shall pledge our love anew.”

  Ev’Rhett pleaded, “Can we eat now?” Swan Hilde relented, released the boys like hounds on a chase and the twins ran for the dainties dish where elbows were flying.

  Sur Sceaf’s wives gathered around him with their children, kissed, and embraced him as he murmured some endearing words to each. This is what he loved best and missed the most while he had been on the trek. For, here, he was in his own element. Here he was complete. He could see in the faces of his wives and children how happy they were at his return. However, as he hugged his daughter Aryfae, he saw Ahy appeared bereft.

  People started yelling, “Speech, speech.”

  Sur Sceaf raised his arms and the crowd quieted. “I thank the gods and elves for the mighty deliverance they wrought through the great men and women that aided me in this trek.” He walked over to Ahy, saw a look of relief come over her face, and took her arm in his. “I must now let all Herewardom hear how much Sur Sceaf loves Taneshewa. Beneath the Medicine Mountain of DiAhman Lake, in the camp of Eloheh, I found a pearl of great price. She is now here as my lovely petitioning-bride. As you get to know her, you will be as impressed and delighted as I am. Behold, Ahyyyokah Taneshewa.” Sur Sceaf gestured at her while she blushed and the company said, “Here, here!”

  He noticed his Mo Mo Redith looked pleased as if she had already known what the outcome was going to be. He was grateful for how much she could tell about him just with her countenance without having to speak or utter so much as a word. He was honored that she sat in his house like a wise old owl ever watching over his bride-covey, imparting wisdom, and sheltering his family under her comforting wings.

  At a signal from Paloma, the cup bearers and milkmaids brought around trays with drinking horns on them. Paloma announced, “These are filled with Govannon’s ale, a particularly rich and smooth barley drink that makes the heart joyful and full of mirth though the return of Surrey is cause enough for mirth and merrymaking, but how much more shall our hearts be merry when baptized in this Elven brew.”

  Paloma passed the horns out, giving one to each wife then she handed an ornate golden horn to Ahy. “Taneshewa, I hope this will be the first of many horns we share with you. Drink deep and enjoy the company of your sisters-to-be on this holy season.”

  Pyrsyrus and his wives raised their horns and said in unison, “To Taneshewa!”

  As all the wives stood around her, Ahy took a deep drink. “I hope to get to know you all better in the coming weeks.”

  “Don’t worry! You will!” Faechild said and all the wives laughed.

  Paloma gave the last horn to Sur Sceaf who said, “Nectar of the gods,” And gulped deeply from the mead horn. “May the windows of Heaven open to us all this night.”

  Cup bearers brought Sur Sceaf’s other guests their mead horns while Paloma declared, “We have all missed you. We now drink to your honor for the sacrifices you have offered to be true to the commission the Council of Three Tribes placed on your shoulders, my love.”

  Shouts of “Hrus, Hrus, Hrus,” filled the hall.

  Once again Sur Sceaf held up his hands to the exuberant crowd, the room grew quiet, and Sur Sceaf walked to the table of guests and dignitaries. “Permit me to introduce our special guests this evening.” Pointing with his hand, he said, “Chief Onamingo of the Sharaka and Dancing Rabbit, his wife, Mendaka the spirit chief and his lovely wife, Little Doe, who the most of you already know, Elijah, chief high priest of the Quailor and his wife Miriam, Fromer, chief dycon, and his wife Sarai, Hartmut Hagele and Mendaho, the daughter of Chief Burnt Tobacco and Prancing Owl. Without their help, the trek could not have been successfully completed.” He lifted his horn and drank the Elven brew.

  All but Fromer joined in chanting, “Hrus, Hrus, Hrus.” Fromer merely sipped his drink from his horn, but Sur Sceaf noted he put a hand over his wife’s horn and forbade her to drink any.

  Sur Sceaf said, “Permit me to introduce a very special guest, a man who went beyond the bounds of duty and without hope of compensation, saw to the safe arrival of a Quailor contingency. I give you, Shug Moss, the chief of the Columba Rogues.”

  Shug bowed at the neck to Sur Sceaf, “Without hope of compensation!” he boomed. “I don’t know how anybody could say that.”

  The company laughed and cries of “Here, here,” went up.

  Then Shug boomed again, “So I don’t know how I could have gone beyond the bounds of duty because I knew Sur Sceaf would reward me most handsomely. Shucks, I’ve already made more than I do on ten years of river running.”

  “Handsome is as handsome does.” Sur Sceaf said, “You have earned your wages, my friend. Now permit me to introduce a charming latecomer to our alliance, who joined us from the numerous Hickoryan tribes migrating this way. I give you Miss Margot Green.”

  “Here, here!” Everyone toasted.

  Ev’Rhett said, “Did any of you notice that she’s black.”

  A round of laughter followed. Margot said, “I don’t think anyone noticed, little fellow. I’m glad you pointed it out.”

  Sur Spear stood and raised his horn. “All of us here can see how happy Sur Sceaf is in the presence of his family. Now that he is back, I can only ask that he be tasked with the far more difficult commission of keeping Russell and Ev’Rhett on leash.” The room erupted in laughter.

  Sur Sceaf noticed that although Taneshewa laughed, she was also stifling a yawn and knew she must be dreadfully tired. However, he knew the power of Govannon’s ale to rekindle the spirit and hoped it would soon catch.

  Sur Spear continued, “It is so obvious we are becoming a diverse people. The joining of our tribes is much like the marriage of many wives. Every one of them has their own particular needs and require absolute sovereignty over their own house to be happy. I look forward to becoming much closer to you all, but am particularly happy to honor my son back home before he leaves us yet again. The gods have surrounded you with noble friends, my prince. It is a gift beyond measure.”

  Holding up his mead horn, Sur Spear called for another hailing. He nodded at the musicians and they began to play.

  A blast from a herald’s horn sounded off, announcing a message had come to Sur Spear. The high king got up from the table and walked over to the silver herald who handed him one of the capsules used to convey messages by pigeon. Sur Sceaf watched him carefully open the bamboo capsule and pull the message out. He looked up at Sur Sceaf after reading it then raised his arms up and said, “I am sorry that this joyous moment must be briefly interrupted, but I need to speak to my sons, Sur Sceaf, Pyr, and Long Swan in private for a moment.”

  After excusing himself and promising to return as soon as he could, Sur Sceaf followed Long Swan to Mahallah’s sitting room and closed the door behind them, muting the sounds of the party. Mahallah, always the considerate
hostess, had left lamps lit to accommodate any guest who should require a moment of privacy. He had always liked this room as it was where his mother would read him stories and tales of Hereward the Wake, Robin Hood, and the Warriors of Yore.

  Sur Spear turned with a concerned look on his face and said, “The message the harrier just delivered to me was from the Wose, who met some members of the Sire Sheaf at Bear Killer’s camp on Nine Dog’s Lake. They reported there are Pitter spies among us right now and that an enemy named Cha’Kal is coming this way with the sole intent to assassinate you, Surrey. You will need to take precautions to be vigilant and protect yourself.”

  “My first concern is to protect my family. I’ll talk to my wives and children and ask them to increase their vigilance and I’ll station the young blood fyrd at my estate day and night to check all comings and goings.”

  * * *

  Taneshewa took in all the sights, sounds, and smells of the Great Hall as Sur Sceaf met briefly with his father then returned with Long Swan to her side. It had been a long day, indeed, and even though she initially felt an urge to crawl into bed, now the ale was starting to revive her. By the time Surrey had returned, two additional children arrived and he introduced them to her as Elwod and Aryfae. She wondered how he could keep track of all of them. She certainly couldn’t, but he assured her the familiarity would correct all that.

  Elwod bowed at the neck to his father and then to her, “Sorry we’re late, Fa. Arundel had a flock of goats that went feral on us and we had to bring them in for the counting before we could break away. And that’s after he had us working all day to make the bee yard just perfect for your inspection.”

  “Would you have rather that I put Alfheah in charge of your labors?”

  “No, no! He’s mean. The last time you sent me to learn horse skills from him, all I did was shovel horse shit.”

  The door opened to admit a young man who was clearly another of Surrey’s sons. Surrey’s eyes lit up. The two embraced. The young man saluted Long Swan.

  “Ahy this is Arundel, Son of Paloma and my Firstborn. Ary this is Ahy, my prospective bride to be.”