Serenity Valley

by Rocky Bills

By now, the whole house was stirred awake. Bells ran into the bedroom with her katana in her hand. She gasped when she saw Nesta’s face and demanded, “What goes on here?”

  “Fulk found out my father beat me. He’s gone to kill him, and Gamel has gone to stop him.”

  Bells said, “If he doesn’t kill him, I will!”

  “No, please no, he’s gone. Mama says I will never see him again.”

  Bells thought about that for a moment. It occurred to her that the man may already be dead.

  Fulk was searching the house when Master Forwin entered the cottage and said, “You won’t find him here, Fulk. He’s gone for good.”

  “Where has the coward gone, Master Forwin?”

  Forwin thought about that a moment and said, “Well, I’ve got a good idea where he be gone to, but I wouldn’t care ta speculate.”

  Fulk ran out of the cottage, heading straight for the kitchen. The axe in his right hand was wanting for use. He ran into the kitchen, full speed, and straight to Trina’s soup station.

  Trina put out a hand to signal a stop and said, “Hold, young Master Fulk. He be gone and won’t be causin' no more troubles.”

  “Where did he go? Trina, tell me. You have to tell me what direction he went,” Fulk demanded.

  “If'n a had to guess, me guess would be south.”

  Eva started to snort. Several of the ladies in the kitchen were struggling to contain their laughter. A very confused Fulk asked, “What’s so funny? Tell me where he’s gone. I won’t rest till I settle with the maggot!”

  Trina walked up to Fulk and put her hands on his shoulders. Looking him in the eyes, she said, “Fulk, ye love me daughter; yer intentions be honorable, buts believes me, he being taken cares of already. He cannots be found.”

  Holding a huge cleaver in her hand, Eva spoke up. “'Tis true, Master Fulk. He been taken care of.” Eva looked at Fulk and then down at the rack of ribs she was working on. She slammed the mighty cleaver into the ribs, cutting through bone and meat. Then, she looked back at Fulk and gave a little nod of her head.

  Fulk turned white with horror. He asked, “What kind of meat is that, Eva?”

  Eva looked at him with a cold, hard stare and said, “Our noble guests will dine on pig today, a very special pig.”

  All the kitchen staff all but burst trying to subdue their tittering. Fulk stood there for a minute, trying not to know what he knew to be true. He finally muttered, “Oh. Oh, I see, oh, oh, my goodness.”

  Trina said, “Well, young Fulk, yer curiosity being satisfied, has it?”

  Gamel had just arrived with Demon and Mildred. He thought he may as well bring them along or he would be fixing the turnout gate. Fina called out to Gamel, “All is well, Gamel, not to worry.” The staff gathered at the window to admire Demon’s new wooden arm. Everyone praised Demon on his much more acceptable trophy. Demon was in a great mood and pranced around with his arm waving and flopping around.

  Trina gave Fulk a hug and whispered in his ear, “Ye be da good man I never hads. You runs along now and takes care of me baby girl; tell her I loves her an' will be by later.”

  Fulk hugged Trina and said, “You did a good deed here, my lady. You saved me the trouble and guilt of taking care of it myself. Don’t let it burden you, you were defending our girl.” Fulk gently released Trina and left the kitchen to join Gamel. The horses were eating their pies. Demon was no longer getting the impression that people were going to steal his prize, so he was much more relaxed and enjoyed his pie this morning.

  On the way back to Sirates, Gamel asked, “So what’s going on, Fulk? You look as if you’ve seen a ghost!”

  “Trina killed the bastard for beating Nesta. Eva chopped him up, and they’re feeding him to the noble guests for lunch.”

  Gamel stopped short and stared at Fulk. He didn’t believe what he had just heard. “That is somewhat disturbing; are you sure?”

  Dead serious, Fulk just looked at his friend and said, “Oh, yeah! Let’s just keep this to ourselves, though, okay?”

  “Good idea. Some things are best left alone.”

  Fulk and Gamel entered the rear door of the house to find everyone sitting at the table eating break fast biscuits with hot tea. Basilea, wrapped as a mummy, sat at the table. She said, “Everything all right? Is he gone?”

  Gamel said, “Yes, he’s gone. We’ve seen the last of him, for sure.”

  Bells asked, “Which way do you think he went?”

  Fulk said, “It is the favored opinion that he went far south.”

  Bells and Goodwin looked at Fulk for some kind of a sign. Fulk checked to see if anyone else could see him. He drew his finger across his throat.

  Bells smiled, and Goodwin said, “Very well, then, I will have the scribe draw up a divorce decree today. I’ll sign it and enter it in the official ledger. By this afternoon, Trina will be a divorced woman, and she can move on with her life.”

  Nesta asked, “Can you do that?”

  “Oh, yes, it’s all very legal, set down in the original charter with powers granted by the church. I can also marry people when and if the need arises,” Goodwin said.

  Nesta may have blushed, but no one could tell with her face so swollen and discolored. She said, “Finally, Mama can be free of that horrible man. That may sound like a mean thing to say, but I just don’t feel anything for him, even if he is my father.”

  Fulk said, “I know it’s hard, but try to put it all behind you. Look at it this way: you still have me. What more could you want!” Everyone chuckled. The mood at the table lightened, and the talk turned to more pleasant subjects.

  Goodwin said, “Ivan and Giselia, runners have been dispatched to your traveling relatives as we discussed. We need to draft your letter to relatives in your mother country. I have a man who will hand carry your correspondence and make all travel arrangements. Have you thought of what your family may like to do?”

  Ivan and Giselia talked for a while in their native language. Ivan said, “Family has many talents, may best to wait and ask what they wish doing. They good horses, sheep, cattle, some farming, woodworking, leather, and some may like still travel and sell on road.”

  Goodwin said, “Fine, when they arrive, they can use a wing in the main house complex until we settle them.”

  Ivan said, “Too kind for offer. Gypsy people never much welcome anywhere. People start travel all time when they be hunted long ago, almost all Gypsy peoples vanish from earth.”

  Goodwin said, “Whether your family farms, ranches, makes furniture, or continues to travel, may Serenity Valley be sanctuary for them. They will be part of our hold society.”

  Ivan translated for Giselia. With a brimming smile, she said, “Never Gypsy peoples welcome; safe home now will have, run no more.”

  Gamel said, “Where would you like to have your house built? A master healer must have a proper house of their own!”

  Ivan replied, “Not knowing where house should be, never have house.”

  Gamel said, “I believe next door to this house would be a good spot. What do you think, Goodwin?”

  “I think that would be a very good place to build. We can save on one fenceline for the turnout by doing that. What do you two think of that idea?” Goodwin asked, turning to Ivan and Giselia.

  Ivan talked to Giselia again. Giselia began crying and nodded her head in agreement. Ivan said, “We not used to people wanting Gypsy near, always push Gypsy down road, go away.”

  Bells got up from her chair and walked up behind Ivan and Giselia, putting her arms around the two of them. She explained, “You are family now. No more running. You will always have a home here.” Giselia turned in her chair and grabbed Bells around the waist. She hugged Bells as tears flowed down her cheeks.

  Ivan said, “Wife of mine very happy, have safe place for home now. Thank you for Ivan and Giselia.”

  “Ivan, Giselia, before you do anything else today, why don’t you get Samuel and bring him home? I know you miss him, and I would like
to meet him!”

  Ivan spoke to Giselia. Giselia started tapping her feet and squealing, then she said, “Me Samuel good boy, you see I bring my Samuel; now is okay?”

  “Of course. Right now, go and get Samuel!” I encouraged.

  Giselia jumped out of her chair and ran out of the front door.

  Everyone at the table was smiling and laughing. Bells sat down across from Ivan and said, “Ivan, you are a very lucky man to have such a wonderful wife!”

  With water forming in his eyes, Ivan said, “I love Giselia, my wife, since I being five years. I be most lucky man alive; my life be Giselia.”

  Bells said, “We know that kind of love. Everyone at this table shares that same kind of love.”

  The rear door opened. Trina, Eva, and Fina entered the house carrying baskets of supplies.

  Nesta yelled out “Mama!” and ran to her mother and put her arms around her.

  Trina put one arm behind Nesta’s head and another around her back as she would comfort a child. “Sweet baby girl, let’s have a looks at ya,” she said as she backed away from her so she could get the full extent of the brutal attack. Brushing Nesta's hair back, Trina’s face went white as a ghost.

  She fainted on the spot. She had no more than hit the ground than Fulk was there picking her up. He carefully placed her on the great chair and put a blanket under her head. Fina put another blanket over her. Bells arrived with a wash basin and a cloth. She began swabbing Trina’s face with the cool water. Fulk added wood to the hearth fire. Eva said, “She be all right. She hasn’t slept or ate anything since yesterday. She just got a shock seeing her baby beaten like that is all.”

  Nesta filled a mug with hot tea and sat on the floor near her mother’s head. She pulled her hair in front of her face to hide herself. Ivan took one of Trina’s arms and felt her pulse. He said, “Heart calm now, soon be normal; she be okay.” Everyone relaxed a bit.

  Gamel said, “Fulk, why don’t you put her to bed? She is exhausted.”

  “That’s a good idea,” Fulk agreed.

  Trina was coming around. She said, “I be all right, just got a bit dizzy tis all.”

  Fina said, “Here, drink this tea Nesta brought for you.” Trina sat up and took the cup from Nesta and sipped the tea.

  “I’m sorry, Mama! I’m so ugly I made you faint,” Nesta said miserably.

  “No, darling child, I fainted 'cause I let dis happen ta me baby. I be ashamed wit da guilt.”

  “No, Mama, you saved me. He was going to kill me. Don’t feel bad, Mama. I would be dead now if you hadn’t saved me!”

  Trina placed her rough, callused hand gently on Nesta’s swollen face and said, “I would rather die then see me baby hurt!”

  “I know that, Mama. You saved me, and now I can have a good life, thanks to you.”

  Fulk stood up and said, “I need to run an errand. Gamel, see that she doesn’t leave. Get her to eat. I’ll be right back.” He flew out the rear door.

  Gamel bundled Trina up in her blanket and picked her up. He deposited her at the table next to Basilea. Basilea said, “Now I don’t feel so odd. Gamel has cocooned you also.” Everyone relaxed and sat around the big table. Bells put together a break fast biscuit for Trina and put the plate in front of her.

  Nesta put her mug of hot tea next to the plate and said, “Please eat, Mama. It will make your poor baby girl feel better if'n ya did.” Everyone at the table grinned. Trina began to eat and wash down the delicious biscuit with the hot tea.

  Trina said, “This be good; no wonder da guards like ta post here!”

  “Mama, Lord Goodwin said he can give you a legal divorce. You will be free to start a new life.”

  “Well, my lord, does ye think it be necessary?”

  A smiling Goodwin said, “It would be best. Then you’ll have no cause to avoid any future social entanglements; should you choose to get involved in such a thing, that is.”

  A couple more minutes passed, then Fulk and Ox arrived through the rear door. Ox boomed, “Fulk here tells me there being a parcel a beautiful ladies here servin' up delicious food.” He took a chair directly across from Trina. Trina and Ox looked at each other and smiled. Nesta delivered a break fast biscuit to Ox along with a mug of hot tea. Ox said, “Why, thanks ya, lass. Come here, lets me sees ya.” Nesta walked over to Ox but hid her face from him. Ox said, “Closer, darlin', I not goin' ta bite ya.” Nesta bent down. Ox moved her hair out of the way and inspected the damage. All the muscles in his face and neck looked like they would burst. The mug he held in his left hand exploded, spraying tea all over the table. Realizing what he had done, Ox calmed himself and let go of the mug pieces still in his grip. Fina ran over with a cloth and began mopping up the mess. Ox said, “Sorry, everyone, got da dropsies tis morning.” Eva replaced the broken mug with a new one. Ox said, “That won’t leave no marks, baby Nesta; be healin right fast, it will. Got me face run over by a wagon once, and look at me pretty face now.” As he talked, he was pointing to the long scar that ran across his nose and down his cheek.

  Bells said, “I thought you got that when you got drunk and fell through a window?”

  Half the people at the table hadn’t heard the story before and were already laughing. Ox moved his hair back and showed his half an ear. He said, “That’s how I lost me ear. Me scar on the face actually caused by a ring.”

  Fulk asked, “How could a ring cause the scar on your face, Master Ox?”

  “Oh, it didn’t; fella made fun of me half ear after a got shit-faced an fell through da window. Said me ear looked like a opossum’s ass. He wore da ring.”

  Everyone was laughing now. Goodwin asked, “So you got in a fight with this fellow and he cut you with his ring?”

  “Oh, goodness no. A beat him unconscious and took da ring. That’s when the trouble started.”

  Trina asked, “Sir, I ain’t following ya, how da ring cause ya scar?”

  “Well, I tried ta sell it to da innkeeper fer another bottle, but thens, I seen his dagger.”

  Basilea asked, “So the innkeeper cut you with the dagger?”

  Ox replied, “Nah, child, I traded da ring for da dagger; a right fine one, 'twas.”

  Everyone was roaring now. Eva asked, “What became of the dagger?”

  “Well, a left da inn and lost da dagger in da street.” Ox stopped and started to eat his biscuit, washing it down with hot tea.

  Fina offered, “I seen him do this before. He won’t go on unless ye asks um a question.”

  Trina was giggling as she said, “Okay, I’ll bite. What becomes a da dagger, Master Ox?”

  Ox slowly took another bite of his biscuit, washed it down with some hot tea, and said, “Well, I be rootin' in da muddy street fer da dagger, an' a wagon comes along an' runs over me head. Smushed it right down in da mud.”

  “So the wagon wheel cut your face?”

  Ox said, “Heavens no, da wagon pushed me face down on the dagger blade, cuttin' me face.”

  Gamel said, “So you traded the ring for a dagger that ended up cutting your face. You lost the ring and the dagger in the end.”

  “Beg yer pardon, me dagger be right here wit me.” Ox placed a finely crafted dagger on the table and finished with, “But a wish I never seen that damn ring!” Everyone howled with laughter. Ox picked up the dagger, and with grin on his face, he began cleaning his fingernails with it.

  It was at least two minutes before everyone calmed down. Even Ivan was wiping tears out of his eyes. Trina said, “No more stories, Master Ox. I almost peed meself.” More laughter erupted.

  The laughter was interrupted by Demon and Mildred’s whinnies. Gamel said, “Sounds like Samuel is here.”

  “Well, let’s all go outside an' welcome Samuel, shalls we?” Ox suggested.

  Everyone started to get up and move to the door. Gamel cocooned Basilea and picked her up. Before Trina could get up, Ox was stuffing her hands under the covers and wrapping her tightly in the blanket. He picked her up gently and headed for t
he door. Trina whispered in Ox’s ear, “Lord Goodwin be givin' me a divorce today. I be a free woman.”

  Ox quietly said, “Well, that be a bit a good news now; yep, bouts da best news me ever heard, I thinks!” They looked at each other and smiled.

  Everyone gathered in front of the house. Demon and Mildred could hear and smell the other horse before he could be seen. Heavy vibrations could be felt through the ground as Samuel climbed the steps from the brook. Coming up over the top of the incline were two huge ears, followed by a huge face with black eyes. As Samuel rose over the hill, his massive body could be made out. He was a dark dapple gray with jet black mane and tail. His fetlocks were covered by long, shaggy black hair. He stood some nineteen hands or better at the withers. His massive muscles twitched as he seemed to move forward in slow motion. Mildred was a big horse, but Samuel must have outweighed her by five hundred pounds. He looked absolutely majestic. On top of his back sat Giselia. She was taller than the average woman, but atop Samuel, she looked like a squirrel riding a bear. Everyone talked quietly among themselves, totally taken by the sight. Ivan said, “Samuel, he good boy, strong and gentle like gentle giant.”

  Ox said, “I hopes so. He could swallows me whole if'n he wanted to.”

  When he got within ten feet of the group, Samuel stopped and bent his left leg at the knee until it was parallel with his back. Giselia stepped on his leg, and Samuel turned his massive head around to her. She laced her fingers together and placed them over his nose. Samuel picked her up and gently lowered her to the ground. Giselia reached up to scratch behind his ear, and he lowered his head until his nose was at her knee so she could reach behind his ear. “Good boy, Samuel, you best good boy, you are,” she said.

  Everyone moved in closer to really take in the size of the enormous horse. Gamel said, “Giselia, he is fantastic. What a beautiful horse!”

  Samuel reached out with his lips and opened Basilea’s blankets so her mouth was uncovered. Basilea said, “Hello, Samuel, I’m Basilea. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  Samuel’s huge nostrils flared, and he sampled Basilea’s scent. Then he did the same to Gamel. Giselia said, “He remember you now, he take scent.” Fulk and Nesta moved in to greet him, Samuel took scents from both of them. He gently pushed Nesta’s hair away and sniffed her swollen face. Then he put his head down and rested his forehead against Nesta’s chest. She scratched behind his ears. Giselia said, “He knows you hurt, sad it make him.”