Serenity Valley

by Rocky Bills

  I was dying to find out about Lord Hamond’s boot order. Unable to resist any longer, I asked, “Goodwin, how did things go with Forwin?”

  A huge smile spread across his face. “It was great! At first, Forwin didn’t understand what Lord Hamond was talking about. I told him the new design he had just perfected for you, and we were off. Hamond was so impressed that he bought all of Forwin’s available stock and placed orders for one hundred pair for his runners and men-at-arms. I got so excited, I ordered boots for myself and our personal guard. They are fantastic boots! Needless to say, you will be seeing a number of forest boots in use tomorrow!”

  Bells, Fulk, and Basilea looked at each other. Fulk asked, “What’s a forest boot, Gamel?”

  “This is a forest boot, Fulk.” I raised my foot, and the three stared with wide eyes. I said, “Wait, I’ll take it off.” I took my boots off and handed them out for inspection.

  Bells looked at them in amazement. “This boot is fantastic: lightweight, supple, and will be invisible in the forest.”

  Fulk was equally impressed. “I could run all day in a pair of these; no, two days!”

  Basilea had figured out the surprise by now and just sat quietly with a huge smile. I said, “Oh, my sweetest beauty, you look like the cat that swallowed the bird.” Basilea just giggled. Everyone just stared at us, wondering what was going on. “Oh, I almost forgot,” I said, as if I had just remembered something that had slipped my mind. “I picked up a few things today at festival.” Everyone looked around the table with puzzled looks. I got the large packages from the pack and distributed them. Everyone was excited and started opening their packages immediately. Soon, everyone was admiring their new forest boots.

  Bells was impressed. “These are the finest boots I have ever owned!” she said happily. Basilea just hugged my neck and said thank you.

  Fulk was grinning when he asked, “How did they get named?”

  “Forwin told me the hold folk call us the forest people because we spend so much time there.” Everyone thought about that for a moment. They seemed all right with the name our group had earned. Changing the subject rather abruptly, I said, “Goodwin, I have a question about Hamond. Right now, he seems to want anything connected to the hold. I sense envy and jealousy. Just how wanting is he?”

  “Do you mean would he try a forceful takeover?” Goodwin asked. “Yes, would he show a threat of arms?” I replied.

  Everyone was a little shocked by my question and the possibility Hamond could be a threat. Goodwin said, “Hamond is a great threat, but not in a direct attempt of force, because I have good standing with the king. Indirectly, though, he could have an outlaw noble take the hold, then unseat him in the name of justice. Now you know why I hate my job.”

  Fulk couldn’t help it, he had to speak up. “Yeah, and he is one of your friends!”

  Goodwin, who was drinking wine, sprayed it all over and began choking. We were all laughing.

  Bells looked at her husband. “I tried to warn you about Fulk.” Fulk was sitting there with an ear-to-ear grin.

  “Oh, Bells, I have one more thing for you. I saw it and knew it was perfect for you.”

  At my words, Bells's eyes grew huge, like an excited child. “Another present for me? I love presents, yummy!”

  I retrieved the long, flat package from the pack and handed it to Bells. Everyone leaned toward her, excited to see what it could be. She said, “Oh, I hate to unwrap it, the wrapping is so beautiful!” She truly looked like a child getting a birthday present as she continued, “But I don’t love the wrapping enough not to unwrap it.” Bells carefully untied the knot and removed the dark green ribbon, placing it carefully on the table. Ever so carefully, she unwrapped the pale green cloth, folded it, and placed it on the table beside the ribbon. It was almost as if she were making this last as long as possible. She then picked up the flat wooden box and examined it. “This box is made by a master woodworker. The wood is rare and precious!” she said.

  “If you’re wondering, Bells, there is something in the box,” I said.

  Bells set the box down in front of her and slowly raised the hinged top. When the top was standing up, she gasped and grabbed her chest with both hands. Her eyes were as big as plates. She exclaimed, “Oh! Oh, my goodness! It’s beautiful! Where in the world did you find this?”

  Basilea asked, “What is it, Bells? Hurry and show us, PLEASE!”

  Reluctantly, Bells picked up the box and held it so all could see it. She was crying. I was starting to think this may have been a bad idea. I didn’t think it was such a big deal. Everyone was ooing and ahhing, which was starting to embarrass me. Bells set the box on the table and withdrew the black comb, bringing it up to her eyes with one hand; the other she placed along her cheek. She said, “Oh, this is amazing. A master artist made this comb. It's black onyx with jade inlay.”

  Basilea couldn’t wait any longer. “Could I see it, Bells?” she asked eagerly, with a trace of impatience creeping into her voice.

  Bells said, “Oh, I’m sorry! Here, of course!”

  She handed the comb to Basilea, who examined it with her mouth hanging open. I couldn’t resist. Reaching over, I pushed her mouth closed with my finger under her chin. She didn’t really realize what I was doing. She blindly waved her free hand about as one would shoo a fly. Everyone was laughing and giggling. Basilea finally said something. “What do you think it says?”

  “Oh, I can read it to you,” Bells said. Taking the comb in her hand, she said, “This language is read from bottom right upward.” Everyone looked puzzled. “I’ll show you!” She put her finger on the bottom right symbol and began moving her finger upward, reading as she went. “A woman’s beauty lies within.” Bells looked very pleased with her ability to read the strange symbols. “It is from the orient where the katana sword is from,” she said as she picked up one of the pins. “These are hairpins that go with it, made with a katana steel shaft, ringed in onyx and jade, with silk thread tassels. Absolutely marvelous! Thank you, Gamel, it is truly a treasure!” Bells gathered her long black hair, twisted it with both hands, rolled it up, and placed it on the back of her head. She took the comb and placed it in her hair to hold it, then stuck the pins through the small holes in the comb so the pin handles stuck up on an angle, with the tassels swinging freely. “Well, what do you think?” She got up and walked around the room, kind of shuffling her feet along the smooth floor. She turned back to the table holding her hands together and bowed. “I think I make a good lady of the Orient!”

  “Well, you certainly make my blood boil!” Goodwin spoke up. “Oh, kind sir, whatever do you mean by boiling blood?”

  “I’ll show you later, my sweet, innocent sorceress.”

  Basilea, Fulk, and I were turning a little red. Bells was giggling, and Goodwin just smiled at his wife. More than ready to change the subject, I said, “Oh, I almost forgot. I got a little something extra for you, my princess.”

  Basilea looked excited. “Oh, sir, you shouldn’t have, but because you did, where is it?”

  Everyone laughed while I gave her the small wrapped package. I said, “I’m sorry it couldn’t be bigger, but remember, it’s the thought that counts.” Basilea just smiled as she examined the small, beautifully wrapped package. Everyone was wide-eyed with interest.

  Fulk couldn’t wait any longer. “Do you need help unwrapping it?”

  “No, I can do it!” Smiling, Basilea carefully untied the ribbon and removed the light red cloth. As Bells had done, she carefully placed them aside on the table. Examining the lid, she commented, “Oh, look! It’s Demon on the top!” She then opened the small box and gasped for air. Holding her breath, she removed the locket and chain.

  Bells had a look of concern as she said, “Remember to breathe, Basilea!” Basilea gulped for air as she examined the finely engraved flowers and vine work on the locket. Everyone was more interested in watching Basilea than seeing the locket. Bells was first to break the silence. “I think it opens.
See if it has a latch.” Basilea looked for the latch and opened the heart. Her lip started trembling, and a great rush of tears ran from her eyes, down her cheeks, and onto the front of her smock.

  Fulk couldn’t stand it. “Oh no, not twice in the same day!”

  Bells looked at him with a smile. “It’s okay, Fulk. Women are supposed to be emotional at tender times; it’s the way we are.”

  Basilea looked at me and wiped her eyes. “Thank you, Gamel. I knew you felt that way, but it’s nice to be reminded now and then.” Smiling, she bent over and kissed me lightly on the lips. “Thank you, Sir Rogue, and you mine since I was six years old.”

  Bells was as excited as a child. “Can I see it, Basilea?” Bells looked at the locket and then the engraving. “Oh, that is so touching. You are such a romantic, Gamel!”

  She passed it to Goodwin. “Oh, oh, now I understand,” he said knowingly as he passed it back to Basilea, bypassing Fulk.

  Fulk barked out, “Hey, what about me? Don’t I get to see?”

  Basilea said, “I don’t know if you can handle any more emotional strain today, Fulk.”

  “Come on, Basilea, enough with the jibe, give it up.” Smiling, he examined the locket and the engraving. He mumbled, “Keeper of my heart.” He put the locket on the table and put one hand to his forehead, crying out, “That is so moving, I, I… feel, I feel faint.” He then reeled over in his chair and fell on the floor. Everyone roared with laughter. Basilea grabbed the locket and put the chain over her head. She closed one hand around the locket and continued laughing with everyone else.

  When order was restored, Bells looked at me. She asked, “Where did you ever find these things, Gamel? The workmanship is of a master level.”

  “I found the comb and locket at the Gypsy booth. Ivan is a master engraver, and Giselia is extremely knowledgeable about horses. In fact, she explained many things about my bond with Demon. I spent a couple hours with them and learned more about my situation than I ever dreamed to know. They are fascinating people.”

  Everyone was keenly interested, especially Goodwin. “Oh, I would like to meet these people, Gamel!” The rest of the group was of like mind.

  “If you think it safe, I could invite them to eat with us tomorrow.”

  Goodwin said, “I defer to your judgment, Gamel. You know their character.”

  “They are good and honest people, in my opinion. Giselia has a bit of a language problem, but I know you will like them.”

  “Good, then. I will make up some excuse to escape the evening meal with the stuffy nobles, and we will enjoy another evening here. I really envy you three. I would trade all the wealth and power for the ability to live a more satisfying life with my Bells, but we must make a good life with what we are given.”

  I thought about what Goodwin said. “Goodwin, I believe that the best nobleman is the one who does not seek or want the title.”

  Bells looked at me carefully. “Gamel, you are much too wise for your short years.”

  Fulk did not restrain himself. “That must be why I make such an exceptional assistant!” Everyone laughed. The evening wore on a while more.

  Fulk, Basilea, and I soon excused ourselves and retired to the sleeping quarters. Within a short time, Basilea was tucked against me in my bed. I noticed she still wore the locket. I got too warm during the night and opened the shuttered window by my bed, and soon fell back to sleep.

  Chapter 9

  Just before day break, Basilea and I were jarred awake by being doused in the face with ice-cold water. We leaped out of bed, looking everywhere at once. Fulk was just sitting up to see what the fuss was about. It was then that I noticed a dark shape in the window. I turned up the oil lamp, which cast light on Demon’s head sticking through the window. Water was dripping from his mouth. I yelled, “Demon, you! I’m going to get you! Just stay right there.” Demon started squealing and tossing his head up and down. “Stay right there!” I said again. “I’ll deal with you!” Demon snorted, squealed, then turned and ran. Fast-moving hoofbeats could be heard all the way out into the turnout. Fulk thought it extremely funny.

  When I went out to feed the horses a bit later, Demon had already forgotten all about it. Horses are well known for short memories. They live in the present. Goodwin and Bells left before breaking fast so they could dine with their guests. The guard stayed in place as part of the cover story. Soon Basilea left for the festival grounds and the bread-baking tent. Fulk and I decided to take the horses out for a bit of showing off.

  The first stop was the kitchen, where the horses traded their flowers for pies. Nesta came out when she saw us. She said, “Good morning, Sir Fulk. Did you sleep well?”

  “No, my sweet. I must say no, for every time I started to doze, I would picture your beautiful flaming tresses. My heart would not allow sleep for missing the sight of your beautiful face!”

  Nesta smiled and giggled. The women in the kitchen started cackling among themselves. “Why, he be as bad as Gamel!” “Another rogue with silver tongue this one be.” “Lord help us, now there be two um!”

  “Good Sir, shall I be seeing you a bit later, then. Do you plan to take me to theatre this evening?”

  “Lovely princess of flame and fire, no force known to man or beast should attempt delay me in my return to your side!”

  Nesta was a bright red and enjoying all the attention. The kitchen staff was snickering at the nonsense Fulk was delivering. I was impressed. He was coming along just fine. Nesta stepped to Fulk and gave him a tender kiss on his cheek. “I will see you after midday meal then, kind sir.”

  “Beloved princess of flame, my heart is shattered in such tiny pieces, they could pass through the head of a needle. Shattered it shall remain until once more I can gaze into your enchanting eyes!” With that, Nesta turned a brighter red, kissed Fulk again, then dashed back into the kitchen.

  The staff was having a fit. “I tell ye, this one’s to be worse than ta other!” “I thinkin' that might be the best lie yet!” “God protect us, this one be ta golden-tongued rogue he be.” “It be romantic; do ya remember young love?” “What ya talkin' 'bout, we ain’t never been young!” With the staff laughing, Fulk and I made our way on the path curving to the front of the main house. Perhaps we could entertain some more noblemen.

  “Fulk, I am totally impressed! You seem to have found the gift of poetry!” I said as we walked away.

  “Oh that, yes, well, it just seemed to be the right thing to say!” We were both grinning.

  “Well said, Fulk, well said, indeed!”

  When we neared the front of the main house complex, I spotted Bells playing hostess to a group of noblemen, ladies, and children of various ages. Bells was dressed in a pale green dress with matching tunic, trimmed in gold and light wood toggles. The dark green sash tied at her waist was the exact color of jade. Her hair was up and held in place with her new comb and pins. The delicate tassels floated from the ends. She was beautiful. So elegant and subtle, her attire made the other ladies look gaudy and overdone in comparison.

  When she saw us, she called out, “Oye, Master Gamel, Assistant Fulk, out for a walkabout, are you?”

  “Yes, my lady,” I answered. “Good day, my lords and ladies.”

  “The ladies want to know where my comb set came from, “she said with a twinkle in her eye.

  “Oh, yes, my lady, it was the Gypsy wagon of Master Ivan and Lady Giselia. They are fine, honest people dealing in rare treasures from the most distant lands.”

  A noble lady asked, “I say, young master, are their prices fair?”

  “Oh, yes, my lady. The comb set was secured for a pittance of its actual value.”

  Bells looked at me, grinning, and winked one of her golden eyes.

  One of the lords took note of the horses. “I say, Master Gamel, those are two fine horses. Is that the Sirates colt?”

  “Yes, my lord. This is Demon and his stepmother, Mildred. Would you like to meet him?”

  “Certainly would
!”

  The group moved closer. I looked at Fulk and winked. He grinned in response. The game was on. Yesterday’s performance was repeated. The lord and ladies were entertained as Demon and Mildred pranced around the group, soaking up praise. Fulk hefted several spoiled youngsters onto Mildred and gave them a short pony ride around the group. Everyone was extremely impressed with the horses. Several lords inquired about paying in advance to have one of Demon’s first offspring. Bells deferred to Goodwin regarding the horse business. Of course, a couple of the lords also inquired about our boots.

  “Master Gamel, what kind of boots do you two wear? I have never seen anything like them.”

  “My lord, these are the newly designed forest boot made right here by our master tanner, Forwin. They are lightweight, extremely durable, and comfortable. They are also available for the ladies in any color desired.”

  Bells added, “Indeed, they are comfortable. I am wearing mine right now. They are my running boots. I confess I should have waited for my dress colored boots to be finished, but I couldn’t stand the thought of wearing uncomfortable footwear.” Bells picked up her dress so they could see her boots. The ladies were keen to examine them.

  “Are they really comfortable, Lady Bella?” one lady asked. “You don’t even notice you’re wearing them. I’m having a dozen pair made in different colors to match my dresses.” Bells once again gave me an almost imperceptible wink. Fulk didn’t miss it, and we both looked at each other casually. It was fun playing with the rich, jealous, privileged class. To polish off the performance, I asked Demon some questions, to which he answered, causing the group to clatter about and applaud. This was Demon and Mildred’s cue to parade and prance around the group. Coming to a stop in front of them all, Demon and Mildred took their bow, much to the crowd's excitement.

  One of the lords asked, “Do Demon and Mildred understand you, Master Gamel?”

  “My lord, Demon and I are bonded together by circumstance. We understand each other quite well. Mildred learns from Demon by example.”