by Rocky Bills
“It’s more than just a fine bow, much more than that, really. He said he always intended to give it to a son he might have one day. No, it’s much more to me than just a bow. Never had much of a father.” Everyone felt Fulk’s pride as he beamed and walked back to the table, returning to his seat next to Nesta.
Nesta reached over and gave his hand a squeeze and said, “Ox would make a fine stepfather, sir. You know he is sweet on my mother, don’t you?”
A surprised Fulk gasped. “Do tell! How long has he held that torch, my beauty?”
Nesta smiled and said, “Since I was old enough to understand.”
“Really?”
“Oh yes, definitely, really!”
“Not only that, the feeling is mutual. You should hear the two of them go at it when you children are not around!” Bells added.
Everyone had a good laugh, and Giselia said, “Those two make hot blood together, together belonging I am thinking.”
“Well, if there isn’t any more disturbing news, I have an idea to find Demon’s hiding spot for his arm,” Fulk said. “Gamel, Ivan, could you give me a hand for a few minutes this morning?” Both Gamel and Ivan were more than willing to help.
Fulk’s elaborate plan to locate Demon’s hiding place for the arm was put into motion an hour later. Gamel climbed up on the roof of the house and took position at the end of the covered turnout. Ivan walked around the turnout until he was almost even with the kitchen. He jumped the fence and walked toward the house, using the cover of trees. It was believed Demon would hide the arm close to the feed trough so it would never be far from him. Ivan took position in a tree about one hundred feet from the rear of the house, which was hidden from clear view. He could see the areas Gamel could not from the roof. Fulk came out through the covered turnout to join the horses, who were finishing their morning meal at the trough. “Well, my good horses, would you like to go to the kitchen for a snack?” he asked them. Both horses whinnied and bobbed their heads up and down. Fulk added, “Well, come on, then; let’s go.” Fulk started walking in the direction of the kitchen and was soon accompanied on his left side by Mildred. Demon did as expected and went for his arm before joining them. Gamel lost sight of Demon as he went into a cluster of pine trees, but Ivan was able to pick him up from his vantage point. Demon stopped under a large pine tree with many low branches. With his ears pricked up in alertness, he slowly walked around the tree, looking, listening, and smelling for any possible intrusion. When he stopped again under the tree, he slowly looked in both directions, then reached up into the tree limbs and retrieved his arm. He quickly looked around, scanning for anyone spying on him. When satisfied, he trotted away to catch up with Fulk and Mildred. When he came up to Fulk’s right side, Fulk said, “Hello, Demon, nice of you to join us.” Demon just ignored him and walked along, carrying the arm, which now emitted its own rancid odor. Fulk dropped the rails in the turnout gate, and both horses trotted ahead to a big patch of wildflowers. Mildred got hers quickly enough and went on to the kitchen. Demon had some trouble. Every time he tried to get some flowers, the arm would flop out and push them away. Finally, he put the arm on the ground and plucked some flowers with his lips. When he tried to pick up the arm, the flowers fell out of his mouth. Demon tried this technique several times with the same result. Finally, he tore some flowers loose with his teeth, then picked up the shirt sleeve of the arm with his lips—problem solved. Fulk was impressed with Demon’s ability to figure out a solution for the problem, although the result was a gruesome picture.
When they reached the kitchen window, Mildred was still eating a pie, no doubt her second or third one. Most of the kitchen staff was collected at the window to observe Demon walk proudly up to the window, carrying the severed arm and some flowers.
Fina remarked, “My goodness, I can smell that thing from here.”
“'Cause it’s rotten, be full of maggots by now, it will. I’ll get it when he goes fer da pie,” Eva said.
Ada talked to Demon. “Well, good morning, Sir Demon. Do you have some flowers for me today?” Demon whinnied and bobbed his head up and down, flinging the rotten arm about.
The grisly sight was cause for many of the staff to gasp in horror. Eva positioned herself next to the window, just out of Demon’s sight, ready to grab the offensive arm as soon as Demon put it down. Ada put a fresh pie down on the wide window ledge and said, “Okay, Mr. Demon, there’s yer pie. Now I want me flowers, sir.” Demon carefully moved his arm to the window ledge, trying not to take his lips away for more than an instant in order to drop the flowers. As soon as he took his lips off the nasty shirt sleeve, Eva moved to snatch the arm. With Demon’s senses on high alert, he squealed and grabbed the arm back, taking several steps away from the window. Without a moment’s hesitation, Mildred snatched up Demon’s pie and began inhaling it. Demon was squealing and shaking his head back and forth in protest. Mildred pinned her ears back and made a pushing motion with her head and continued devouring his pie. Demon squealed, jumped around, and flounced back and forth in misery. Mildred raised her head and looked at him while she ate every last morsel of his pie. She was obviously very pleased with herself, and parade-pranced back and forth at attention with her head and tail high.
Fulk said, “Well, Demon. You know what they say. A stolen pie tastes much better than one received by legitimate means.”
“That be something you should be knowing about, Rogue Boy,” Fina barked out. “You have to do something about that horrible arm of his, 'tis rotten.”
“Hopefully that will all be resolved by late tonight, sweet lady.”
“I hope so. That thing will be sloughing off skin by tomorrow, and the stench is already awful.”
Trina spoke next. “Tis me daughter able to keep up wit da cookin'?”
“Good morning, my lady. Yes, indeed. Nesta is doing a fine job of feeding and looking after all of us.”
“I imagines there be much ta do wit all da extra guards. Tell her ta bring me a list a things she be needin'. We be restockin supplies.”
“I certainly will, my lady. Come now, beasties. There won’t be any performances today. Let’s return to the house.” Fulk walked away with his charges in tow. Mildred was in a great mood, while Demon remained solemn after losing his pie. With his head hung low, Demon trudged along on Fulk’s right shoulder. Fulk returned to the house and checked in with Ivan and Gamel to find out where Demon hid his arm. Ivan had climbed up the tree to spy the exact location. It was easy to find since a kettle was also stashed there among the dense tree limbs. Now that they had the location, as soon as a replacement arm was secured, the switch could be made.
Everyone was preparing for the funeral. Bells and Fulk dressed and put on their weapons. As was done on the day of the attack, cloaks were used to hide numerous weapons and equipment. Goodwin wore his short sword and dagger, although his sword arm would be totally useless. Gamel would be staying behind with Basilea, who had much improved with a night of rest.
Bells and Goodwin made their way to the kitchen and on to their quarters via the secret passage while Fulk, Nesta, Ivan, and Giselia took the woods trail to the front of the great hall’s main entrance. When Bells and Goodwin came out of the great hall, one of the house carriages awaited them.
As the carriage slowly headed for the cemetery, a large procession walked along behind them. The cemetery was almost half a mile away, in one of the western pastures. The site was set on a rolling hill sprinkled with beautiful trees of various species. All in the procession were impressed and touched that nearly two thousand people were already in attendance. All of the hold folk had turned out, along with De Ferrier men-at-arms. The visiting noblemen and their entourages were present, including their own escort soldiers. The two mortally wounded soldiers had passed during the night. Sixteen new graves had been dug, side by side. At the foot of six graves stood the widows and children of the fallen men. Sayer and the orphan boy, Simon, stood at the foot of another.
Goodwin exited
the carriage and made his way to the front of the crowd. Bells stood on his left side, Terric on his right. In a forceful, clear voice, Goodwin addressed the crowd. “Lords, ladies, hold folk, families of the fallen. It is with heavy hearts, we meet this day to lay to rest sixteen brave men. No greater a sacrifice can be made than to give one’s own life that others may live. In the defense of their lord, hold, and home, these men fought and died. They gave their lives willingly, not for the mere purpose of duty and honor, but an ideal, the belief that one could ply a warrior’s trade with honor and dignity. These men did not seek battle to acquire wealth or power for their lord. They defended their hold, their home, and those whom they love. Whatever the reason, they became soldiers; no matter the sins they may have committed in their profession, these men ended their lives fighting for a just cause, and God will look upon them favorably. To the widows and children of these fallen heroes, I say, I am sorry for your loss and thank you for your sacrifice. We all are in your debt. Rest assured that when a man falls defending De Ferrier Hold, the widows and children will be looked after. Widows and children will not be sent from the hold, the hold will remain your home. Widows will be pensioned until such time as they or their children are of age and capable of employment within the hold. This is your home, and you have more right to it than most.”
The widows of the fallen men began thanking Goodwin for his kindness. They took to their knees in respect and thankfulness.
Goodwin spoke again. “My good ladies, you kneel to no one this day. We kneel to you!” Goodwin and all De Ferrier folk took a knee as a sign of respect to the widows. The widows rose to their feet in awe. They looked around at the kneeling crowd with tears flowing from their eyes.
Lord Hamond looked at another lord and said, “Ridiculous! A pure waste of money and sentiment. These were just paid men-at-arms. If they couldn’t keep themselves from getting killed, they weren’t worth the money. It would be a cold day in Hell before I pensioned widows of mediocre soldiers!”
Several of the lords in Hamond’s group agreed with his appraisal of the situation. What they didn’t realize was that a number of the escort soldiers were listening and watching the lords.
Goodwin and all folk rose to their feet. Goodwin spoke once more, “We will now call the roll, Captain Terric.” Without looking at a scroll, Goodwin recited each fallen soldier’s rank and name.
When all sixteen men had been called, Captain Terric boomed out, “All accounted for and present, my lord. All fallen bravely in battle!”
“May God keep and protect the souls of our friends until we meet once again, “Goodwin said. “All salute!”
Every person in attendance at the funeral held their sword at a forty-five-degree angle above the gravesite. To the surprise of the visiting nobles, Bells held her katana in salute, along with every member of the hold capable of bearing arms.
Terric looked at the crowd with pride and satisfaction. He whispered in Goodwin’s ear, “I believe our distinguished guests will think twice before showing a force of arms when the entire hold is armed.”
Goodwin lowered and sheathed his blade as everyone else followed his lead. He then addressed the crowd once more. “Thus the word hold—if you can hold it, you can keep it! By the grace of God, that is what we intend to do!”
The crowd gave a frightful cheer, reinforced by the battle cry of every man-at-arms present. The visiting lords were again stunned. Some were rocked by the cry of the crowd, but most more so by their own soldiers’ participation. Goodwin and Bells walked to the widows to offer their condolences. As the crowd milled about, waiting to pay their respects, a number of the escort soldiers from various camps gathered in deep conversation.
Chapter 15
Goodwin and Bells made their way to the carriage and set a slow pace back to the main complex. Fulk and Nesta walked along the side of the carriage, holding hands. Bells said, “Fulk, have you seen what has become of Captain Terric?”
“Last I saw of him, he was surrounded by visiting men-at-arms, no doubt seeking a change of allegiance,” Fulk said.
“Really? Perhaps it will be easier to bolster our defenses than first I thought,” Goodwin said.
Fulk responded, “Oh, you can pretty much pick and choose who you want from the escorts. I fear the lords did not help their cause this day.”
“What do you mean?” Bells asked.
“They just discussed their opinion of men-at-arms. They believe they are no more than a disposable resource and should be treated as such. The more tribute paid to our fallen, the worse the lords look in the eyes of their soldiers.”
“Well, we really do need to increase our defense force. I guess it will be easier after today,” Goodwin said.
“Oh, no doubts!” Fulk agreed.
“Husband, I have an errand to perform here at the main house. Can you go on to Sirates House? I will catch up in a bit,” Bells said.
“Of course. Fulk and Nesta can see me to the house. Do what you need to do.”
The carriage stopped in front of the main hall. Bells looked around to locate Ivan in the procession. When she spotted the Gypsies, she approached Ivan and Giselia. “Sir Ivan, can you get your saw and meet me at the kitchen side entrance?”
“Saw I get from wagon, meeting at kitchen, yes,” Ivan replied agreeably.
“Giselia, you are welcome to come with us,” Bells said. “We are going shopping in secret places.”
“Yes, shopping I like to come,” Giselia responded happily.
The trio went their separate ways to meet up by the kitchen. Bells walked with Goodwin through their quarters and into the passage that came out in the kitchen. Once outside the kitchen, Fulk and Nesta escorted Goodwin toward the Sirates House. Goodwin was stronger than the day before, but he still put a hand on Fulk’s shoulder to steady himself while he walked.
Bells stopped to talk to Fina and Trina about food stores that needed to be taken to Sirates House to feed all who stayed there, plus the guards stationed around the house. The small strike force stationed at the brook were supplied and fed by the temporary mess hall.
Before long, Ivan and Giselia appeared at the kitchen door. A smiling Bells said, “Ah, very good. I am going to take you to some very secret places under the main house. It will be an adventure.”
Ivan smiled and said, “Adventure be very good.” Giselia was excited and hopped up and down in place.
“Follow me, then. Here we go.” Bells led the way through a false wall in the back of the kitchen. They entered a passageway that held lit lanterns on the wall. The passageway opened to a room with three doorways, leading in different directions. Bells pulled a candle from a candelabra and lit it from one of the oil lanterns. She used the lit candle to light other candles in three holders. With each person carrying their own candelabra, they took a doorway to the right. At around fifty feet, a stairway appeared, which descended into the bowels of the complex. Ivan was smiling. Giselia was about ready to bust with delight as their adventure continued. After descending one hundred steps, another room appeared with four doorways. The rough stone floor was covered with thick dust. No one had been here in some time. Bells pushed on the door farthest to the left, forcing its rusty hinges to work. They entered a long hallway that had many doorways off to the left. They continued to walk for several minutes, until they came to another stairway going up. A number of doorways led off the stairway. After fifty steps were climbed, Bells opened a doorway on the left. They stepped onto a platform that led to a spiral staircase, circling both up and down. Bells looked at her guests. Both had eyes as big as plates, trying to take in all the possible light they could.
A very excited Giselia said, “It so big, how learn how to go?”
Bells replied, “I have been here thirteen years and still haven’t been in half the passageways under the complex. I believe people were housed here at one time. It is like a city, with many functional rooms and facilities. I am going to take you into one of the earliest sections. There is a
storage room there that should contain what we look for.” Bells led them down the spiral staircase that opened into a room that looked like a chapel. The room had tall ceilings. At the farthest end was a platform containing a podium and several tall candelabras. On the wall behind the podium was a large ancient wooden cross bolted to the wall. The walls were covered with aged tapestries too dust-covered to make out what was woven into them. A center walkway was bordered on both sides by lines of benches. The ceiling was host for a massive mural depicting the crucifixion of Christ. Ivan and Giselia just gawked at the surroundings with wide eyes. Bells slowly led the couple through the chapel and into yet another passage. This passage seemed to slowly descend into the blackness. They continued down into the bowels of the maze. Eventually, the passage ended in a crypt filled with ancient stone coffins. Although the tomb was dust-covered, one could still see the intricate carvings on the stone. Many of the coffins were laden with the weapons of the inhabitants. Ancient swords, axes, spears, and bronze helmets adorned the caskets. Bells said, “I know it’s a little creepy, but the storage is just this way.” Giselia and Ivan carefully stayed behind Bells, as if trying not to step on graves. When Bells came to a massive wooden door, Ivan helped push it open. The creaking and groaning of the tired hinges filled the crypt with echoes.
“Now, we shop for a carved arm. In ancient times, furniture was carved in the most hideous way,” Bells said.
Giselia said, “Arm we look here?”
“Yes, look at the old chairs and tables. There are carvings of human body parts on the disgusting furniture.”
Bells, Giselia, and Ivan spread out and began to search. Bells found a table held up in the middle by a carved man on his knees. The hands were not detailed enough. Although the furniture was carved in the most distasteful fashion, the workmanship was excellent. Obviously, the work was done by master carvers. Ivan was awed by the detail of the woodwork, while Giselia was even more fascinated by the whole adventure. It wasn’t long before Giselia started squealing and hopping around. “Arm, arm, here be the arm!” Ivan and Bells rushed to her. Her find was an ancient carved chair. It was carved in the shape of a man, with his outstretched arms used as the arms for the chair. To sit in the chair, you actually had to sit in the carved man’s lap.