Serenity Valley

by Rocky Bills

  “Oh, my lady,” I rushed to say, “I beg forgiveness for my insensitivity. The reason I did not comment is that this is quite overwhelming. Truly the only thing more beautiful in this house is yourself, my lady!”

  Lady Bella smiled. “I’m glad you like it. It is the last of it. It was left over from the great hall floor. Follow me.”

  The lady took us back into the great room. We exited through a door in the rear wall. This door opened into a large covered area with two side walls. The rear had what looked like two offset overlapping walls. The two rear bedroom windows could be seen on the bedroom wings. A large hitching post was present, and a large walk-in cabinet was built into the side wall next to the hitching post. The lady opened the cabinet to reveal a very complete collection of tack. Ropes, saddles, halters, and bits were stocked along with a mucking cart and various ground implements. I realized for a covered area such as this one, it was extremely bright. I spied a very unusual roof, seeming to have a large box cut in it.

  “Lady Bella, what is this box in the roof? How does it make so much light?” I asked. “It is what I call a light box. It is a roof above a roof, with openings to allow light in. A series of carefully placed bright tiles reflect the light through the tunnel and into the covered area. It is a very common design in my mother country.”

  “It is most effective, my lady. You are a very wise woman, indeed!”

  “Thank you, Gamel, now come.” We walked through the maze walls to get to the outside turnout. “As you can see, there is ample turnout for a number of horses. Everything has been done to avoid cutting trees, and the rear of the turnout fence can be seen from the kitchen if you know what to look for.”

  Fulk was finally beginning to recover from his daze, and he spoke up. “My lady, this is all too grand! What could we have ever done to deserve living in such a grand place?”

  “Consider it reward for devotion to the Sirates line and for your design.”

  “Design, my lady?”

  “Yes, this has all been built to your specifications, has it not?” We all just looked at each other with confusion. “Did you three not plan and draw this facility?”

  Then it hit us. The Lady had gotten ahold of the plans we drew up during lunch that one day. “Oh, my lady,” I said, “we never dreamed it would ever be built. It was only that, just dreaming.”

  “Well, it is my pleasure to inform you that once I showed the plans to Sayer, he fell in love at once. He has the task of increasing the outposts for the new pastures and also housing for mounted men-at-arms at various locations throughout the valley. At this moment, timbers and materials are being prepared to reproduce this facility in no less than 10 locations. You see, you have provided a great service to the hold in producing the template. Now come, only one more thing to show you.” We entered the great room, and Basilea couldn’t help but brush her hand over the beautiful clay oven as she passed. We came to the front door once more, and the lady stopped. “Look above the door,” she said.

  Above the door was a painted sign in fancy lettering that read: Sirates House. We all just stood there staring, with our mouths open, until Bella said, “You three get acquainted with the new home. Gamel, there is no training this afternoon. I will be by after dark to work on your language study.”

  We all just looked at each other, then we realized the lady had vanished. It seemed as if it was all just an illusion, except we were still standing in the middle of our dream. We smiled at each other, and then trotted off in three different directions. Fulk headed for his quarters and Basilea to her beloved kitchen. I dashed out the rear door to the turnout.

  Upon entering the covered turnout, I encountered Demon, who was making a thorough investigation of everything. He trotted from here to there, sniffing and snorting in excitement. “Well, young man, how do you like your new home?” Demon trotted over to me and roughly head-butted me in the stomach, knocking the wind from me. “Okay, okay, don’t kill me. I know you’re excited. Let’s check out the turnout, shall we?” With a high-pitched squeal, Demon turned and trotted out through the maze walls. I followed right on his hocks; I was just as excited as he was. I exited the maze walls to find the rear turnout included the woods, as well as grasslands. No trees had been cut in the process of construction. Providing for the trees caused many jogs in the fence line, but it was well worth it. The large pines would provide good shade during the warm summer months and act as a shelter from the wind during the winter storms. Farther from the rear of the house, the trees' density thinned, giving way to great expanses of grass. This is where I found Mildred grazing. I said, “Well, Mildred, what do you think, big girl?” Mildred picked up her head and gave a high-pitched, excited whinny. “I agree, my lady; it is a paradise.” I continued my investigation, walking deeper into the turnout. After a moment, I said, “Now where did Demon get to?” Still in the thinning tree line, I panned to the left and to the right. Just off to my right, perhaps one hundred feet, I could detect movement. “Ah, so you want to play find me if you can?” I carefully walked from tree to tree towards the right, keeping the movement in my peripheral vision. When I was within fifty feet from the place I had seen the movement, I could make out a one-foot diameter tree with a good-sized horse behind it, the tree only big enough to hide his head. Demon was hiding his head against the trunk. Occasionally, he would peek around the tree then pull back and hide again. I almost laughed, but contained myself and looked away. He actually thought that if he didn’t see me, I couldn’t see him. It was a hysterical sight. Well, who am I to ruin his fun? Happy to play along, I said, “I sure wish I could find Demon. I wonder where he is?” I continued walking out of the trees, ignoring where Demon was hiding. When I got into the clear grass area, I detected Demon had left his hiding spot and was moving to intercept me. I said, “My goodness, I sure wish I could find Demon. Wherever could he be?” With that, Demon nudged me in the back and let out a loud bellow. I grabbed my heart. “Oh, for heaven's sake, you scared me to death!” Demon whinnied loudly, rose on his hind legs, and began pawing with his forelegs. Obviously, he had learned much too much by watching Lady Bella’s antics. He sure was enjoying himself. I couldn’t help but laugh. “Good job, Demon; you are a very sneaky horse!” Demon shook his head up and down in agreement.

  Out in the clear sun, I could tell Demon was starting to shed his baby feathers. His legs were turning deep black, as if he had stepped in ink, and it was being slowly wicked up his legs. Another month and he would be the inky blue-black colt I had predicted. “Let’s go find out where the rear gate is and pay the kitchen a visit, shall we?” Demon nodded his head and trotted off in the direction of the kitchen. I gave a whistle for Mildred and soon heard what sounded like a stampede coming through the trees. Mildred was very bright and quick to learn new things. She was learning a lot by just observing the interaction between Demon and me. With her by my side, I said, “Let’s go see if we can beg a snack at the kitchen, shall we, Mildred?” She whinnied. One of her favorite human words is snack. With Mildred by my side, we made our way to the rear fencing directly across from the kitchen. Demon was already there trying to figure out how to drop the poles to open the gate. “Well, at least they put the gate in the right place, didn’t they?” I said to them. Demon snorted; frustrated with his failure to push the pine poles back far enough to drop them. I moved the poles out of the way so one end fell. Demon didn’t wait for us. He just bounded through and headed for a thick patch of wildflowers. Mildred took off to catch up with him. I noticed she was allowing him greater separation these days as he gained independence.

  When Demon and Mildred had secured a good bunch of flowers, they trotted off for the kitchen window. By the time I arrived, the flowers had been traded for the fresh baked pies of the day. Both horses were busy devouring their prize when I reached the kitchen.

  “Oye there, Rogue Boy, what say you of the new house?” a voice asked. It was Fina, the kitchen manager, stepping out of one of the side doors. The entire staff app
eared to be following her. They soon surrounded us.

  “My Lady Fina, it is a waking dream, not fit for mere mortal habitation!”

  “Well, Rogue Lad, is we invited to see this spectacular house of the heavens?”

  “Oh, yes, my lady, and all beautiful maidens of fine food fare are welcome, anytime, day or night.”

  Fina said, “Good then, young rogue, we wish to see it now.”

  “Oh, of course, my lady. All are welcome to come.”

  So off our group went toward the rear turnout gate, with Demon and Mildred leading the way. Demon was doing his noble personage impression, head and tail tall and proud, with a gracefully arched neck as he led our band of twenty to Sirates House.

  “Dear Lady Fina, how long have you known of the construction?” I asked.

  “Oh, boy, not to bother, we all have known since the day it began. Nothing goes on here we don’t soon know abouts. The way ta information is through a man’s stomach.”

  As our troop of kitchen ladies entered the turnout gate, I pointed out the fence lines. When we reached the maze walls, Demon led the way, more than happy to guide our visitors through. Once in the covered area, I explained how the light box worked to light the considerable area. I also showed off the walk-in storage room and all the training gear. The ladies were quite impressed with the amenities. I opened the rear door to the great room, and the curious filed in. Once inside, the ladies started cackling like hens, going here and there and asking Basilea questions about the kitchen. Fulk and I took smaller groups into the bedrooms to show off our quarters. We both elaborated on the efficiency of the small round clay heating stove and told of its origins in Lady Bella’s country. About half of the group stayed inside for a bit to chat with Basilea and get a list of what goods or equipment was lacking in the kitchen. Fulk and I showed the group that went outside the porch, the outbuilding, and our newly stoned well. The ladies were much impressed with the layout of the structure and were giving much praise.

  “Thank you, kind ladies,” I said. “Lady Bella informed us that the design is to be used as a template for new outposts throughout the valley. Come, ladies, I want to show you my favorite spot in the valley!” With enthusiasm, the ladies filed in behind Fulk and me. We went deep into the forest to the big stone steps that led down to the brook.

  There were various comments from the group. “I say, these steps are fine indeed.” “Oye; they sure be nice indeed. Like castle steps, they is.”

  When we came to the small clearing in front of the brook, I said, “Well, ladies, what do you think? How do you like my favorite spot?”

  The ladies were in awe. “Oh, lad, this is wonderful.” “Indeed, boy, you picked this spot right you did!” “This place would be good for a naked swim on a hot day, it would!”

  “Yea, and today is a hot day; I’s going in, I am!” With that comment, Lady Trina, the soup cook, kicked her shoes off, stripped naked, and ran into the brook, diving underwater and surfacing some ten feet farther out. She called out,” ‘is a fine day for swimming, it ’tis!” With that comment, all the ladies began stripping, and before long, some ten naked women were sloshing in the water. “Well, rogue boys, are you just going ta stand there with your mouths open; are ya too good ta come in?” Trina called.

  Fulk and I looked at each other for a moment, smiled, then stripped naked and jumped in the brook.

  Everyone was having a good time splashing, swimming, and floating in the water when the second group of ladies arrived. Lady Fina looked out at the sight with glaring eyes. Everyone stopped what they were doing and stared like children caught in mischief. Fina barked, “Well, now, this is a fine sight, now isn’t it? Half the kitchen staff taking a naked swim in the middle of the day, don’t those just be like it now. Well, only one thing to do, then.”

  Lady Fina started to strip with the other women in her party, and within seconds, ten more naked women joined the frolicking in the water. Although always interested and curious about women, I found that it was not a sexual experience when everyone was naked and no one cared to bother about it. I noticed Basilea had joined our naked group and was shocked to see the changes in her body since the last time I had seen it. We were eight when I nursed her from the pox; all mysteries of her body were answered then. During that time, though, my only thought had been for her to survive, to live; I just wanted her body to recover.

  After a few minutes in the water, the ladies began to surround me. Lady Fina pressed up against me, and Lady Trina stepped behind me so I couldn’t escape. The other ladies started to titter and moved in as well. Fina said, “So, young Master Rogue, we were wondering which you prefer?” She picked up her enormous breasts in her hands and began rubbing them in my face. “Do you like big ones?” She turned me to face Trina, who picked up her petite breasts in her hands and rubbed them in my face. “Or do you prefer small ones?” All the ladies began to laugh hysterically. Looking around, I found Basilea and Fulk also unable to restrain themselves.

  “Well, rogue boy, which is it then?” Fina said.

  “Oh, dear Lady Fina, I say it's unfair to ask such a question. Due to my very recent and unexpected education in the woman’s body, I have learned that a woman’s body comes in all different shapes and sizes, every one of them unique and beautiful.”

  “I’ll say he got educated today, that’s for sure!” Trina piped up.

  The ladies all began laughing again, until Lady Fina quieted them. “Let Young Rogue speak.”

  “What I mean to say, fine and beautiful ladies, is no matter an enormous bosom or small one, thin body or plump, large butt or small butt, all women are uniquely beautiful because of the mysterious and bright soul within their body, whatever it may be.”

  Fina beamed at me. “Well answered, Rogue Boy, well answered indeed!”

  “Aye; I wish I were twenty years younger, unmarried, and without me three childs; I would show him some of my inner beauty, I would!” one of the staff said.

  The ladies began another round of laughter and began splashing about in the water. Suddenly, a very penetrating voice was heard above all the noise.

  There, standing on the shoreline, was Lady Bella with her best viper-eye glare locked on us. Everyone hushed and turned to face the lady. They knew they were in serious trouble now. In a booming voice, Bella said, “Imagine finding the entire kitchen empty of personnel, then following a terrible racket to this place. I find my entire staff playing naked games in the brook with two young boys, and not one informing me of such doings!”

  Knowing the good lady as well as I did, I immediately understood how this was to play out, and I spoke up, “Oh, but fine Lady Bella, please forgive us as we fell ill from the frivolity of the moment. I am afraid our manners had temporarily departed. My gracious lady, please forgive us and join us if it pleases you!”

  Those few kitchen ladies not experiencing mortal fear started gasping in surprise at my ridiculous offer.

  “Well, I guess I will forgive you for your transgressions in that case,” Bella replied.

  More gasping could be heard, but no one had the courage to say a word. With her comment, Lady Bella immediately stripped naked and joined us in the brook. Lady Bella had an olive-colored skin compared to the rest of us. The most defining thing about her was her physical attributes. Although feminine, with ample bosom and delicate curves, she was also very muscular and lean. Very little body fat covered her well-developed muscles, probably due to her regimen of exercise and running. Everyone relaxed and began playing again. Many of the ladies were looking at me as if to ask what this was about. I just looked back at them and grinned.

  Lady Bella swam over to where Basilea, Fina, and I were talking. She said, “It is a fine day for a bit of cooling off.”

  Lady Fina spoke. “Yes, my lady, it is. I don’t know how long it’s been since the staff was in such a grand mood. Thank you for allowing us to enjoy ourselves, my lady.”

  “Oh, nonsense, Fina. They deserve a break. A better staff no
one could hope for.”

  The kitchen staff moved in closer to hear the conversation as Fina said, “Young Rogue here has offered us hospitality at Sirates House any time, day or night. We have yet to hear if that welcome extends to the use of his favorite swimming hole?”

  I thought to myself that this was an opportune time to reaffirm my unconditional admiration for the kitchen staff—and the commitment to care for one’s stomach, of course. “My beautiful ladies and creators of fine cuisine, by all means, please feel welcome and accept the hospitality of the house and the brook whenever it should fancy you,” I said in my most gracious voice.

  Lady Bella smiled. “Well, I guess that answers that question. And would I be welcome also, young master?”

  “Oh, my sweet lady, of course. I only omitted saying it for I felt it went without saying!”

  Basilea was next to Lady Bella, and she leaned in a bit closer as she said, “Watch out for him, my lady. Gamel is known throughout the hold as Silver Tongue Rogue.”

  “Oh, I’m quite aware of his charms, but I’m afraid I am not totally immune to his flattery,” Lady Bella replied.

  Fina added, “Yes, he charms my entire staff, ensuring his stomach never goes wanting.”

  Everyone laughed easily. All tension from having Lady Bella join us had dissipated. I couldn’t help but notice that there was some sort of symbol painted on the lady’s left breast. I knew that in many countries it was a common practice for men and women to put ink on their bodies.

  Unable to resist the urge, I said, “My lady, I do not wish to be crude, but do you have an ink symbol on your breast?”