Weaving Man: Book One of The Prophecy Series

by Tove Foss Ford

  “They haven’t tried to get along with me!” she retorted.

  “That is patently absurd. You have – sit down.” She had burst into tears and was pacing back and forth. She flung herself down on a chair, her eyes streaming. Menders turned away and looked out the window of his office. As he expected, once he was not watching her, Mistress Trottenheim quieted.

  “Now,” he said, keeping his eyes turned to the window, “There is no reason for you to be here. Why not return to Erdahn? I can give you a recommendation. Surely having been nurserymaid for Princess Aidelia, you can get a recommendation from someone at Court as well. You might even be able to find employment with the Court again.”

  “I would not want to be nurserymaid to that child again,” Mistress Trottenheim said, her voice grating with tension.

  “That’s understandable, but surely there are other children in need of care.”

  “You need a housekeeper.”

  Menders blinked. She’d shifted direction so quickly that he had no reply.

  “You need a housekeeper,” she repeated. “You haven’t the slightest idea how to run this house and you’re going to be busy with running the land. The place needs laundresses and cleaners and someone who can organize things. The Princess is growing out of her clothing. I can run the house.”

  Menders turned and looked at her. There was an avid light in her eyes that he distrusted.

  “What experience do you have?” he asked.

  “Before I married, I helped my mother run our household,” she replied eagerly. “It was a very large house with servants, a cook and gardeners. I did the household accounts and directed the servants.”

  “There are no servants here and Cook needs no direction,” Menders said in a calm tone he knew would irritate her. “What is needed is organization of duties. No-one is to be ordered around.”

  “Of course not,” she replied quickly. Too quickly.

  Menders turned away and looked out the window again, letting his mind tick over.

  Of all the people in the household, he knew her least. He’d avoided her because he sensed she had a histrionic nature. He suspected a desire for power was behind her offer – but he had few options and was running short of time and energy for all that needed to be done. It could take months to find someone trustworthy and suitable for the task. Menders didn’t have months. The spring and summer in Old Mordania were short and would be filled with managing the estate, so that sufficient food was put by for next winter. Still, the idea of giving this woman a position of such importance was daunting.

  He shrugged slightly. A sickening pain shot from his overworked right shoulder joint all the way down into his hand, reminding him of the endless labor he performed, except for a few hours of sleep a night. It made the decision. He was not a housekeeper and for now one had presented herself. It would buy him time to locate a better person for the job if Mistress Trottenheim proved unsuitable.

  “I’ll try you at it,” he said, turning back to her. “Take warning. If you should begin to throw your weight around or treat anyone with less than complete respect, I’ll see you on the next train to Erdahn and inform the Queen, my cousin, of the reasons behind my actions.”

  He saw anger kindle deep in her eyes, but she held herself in check.

  “It would also be best,” he went on, “if we agree to keep a mutual distance. Your behavior so far has done little to win my friendship, Mistress Trottenheim.”

  ***

  Hemmett crept quietly along the hallway behind the kitchen, where the door to the backstairs was.

  He knew Menders was there. Menders’ face had been tired and grey and when it was like that, he always went to the backstairs.

  The backstairs were forbidden. Hemmett wasn’t supposed to go near them because Papa said they weren’t safe. Maybe Menders didn’t know they weren’t safe, because he would go and sit on them. He did it almost every day after he’d chopped wood for a long time.

  Hemmett listened hard. He could hear Menders there, sitting on the third step as he always did. His breathing was rough, as if he had run hard, but Hemmett knew he hadn’t. He’d just walked in from the woodlot.

  Hemmett peeked around the doorway and saw Menders there in the dark, sitting with his head down on his knees, rubbing slowly and steadily at his right arm. It must be hurting. Menders groaned softly and rubbed his arm harder.

  Hemmett followed Menders a lot. Menders was fair and he let Hemmett know what he could and couldn’t do. He never changed his mind for no reason. He made up good games and gave Hemmett things to do that made him feel important. Mama and Papa were good but they never stayed the same. One day they would tell Hemmett not to do something, but if he did it the next day they would just pretend they didn’t see. He didn’t know where he was with them. He always knew where he was with Menders.

  “There’s a little mouse in this stairway,” Menders said quietly, not moving his head from his knees. Hemmett shrank back around the doorway and didn’t even breathe. He didn’t want Menders to know he was near the forbidden stairs.

  “You aren’t supposed to be around these stairs, Hemmett,” Menders went on. “You could get hurt here. I don’t want you here again. You don’t need to worry about me. I’m just resting for a few minutes. There isn’t anything wrong.”

  Hemmett didn’t say anything, just stood against the wall, waiting. After a while, he heard Menders stand and walk slowly up the stairs. Hemmett began to follow, but then ran around to the front stairs, which were all right for him to climb, and went up to the nursery that way. He knew that was where Menders was going.

  Hemmett watched from the stairs as Menders went into the nursery and picked up Katrin, who started her funny laughing as soon as Menders went in the room. Then he sat down slowly and stiffly in the big chair, holding her.

  “Hello, Little Princess,” Menders said softly. Katrin crowed and snuggled against Menders. “I’ve cut at least a cord of wood today. Not really, but my arm feels like it. Sometimes I wonder if you can die from cutting wood.”

  Hemmett crept across the nursery floor toward the chair. Menders sounded so sad. Hemmett wanted to help.

  He saw Menders sniff slightly and then smile as Hemmett reached his side. Hemmett plucked at Menders’ sleeve.

  “Hemmett too?” he asked. “Hemmett too?”

  “There’s always room for you too, manling,” Menders smiled, reaching down to help Hemmett climb on his lap. Hemmett snuggled down once he was there while Katrin cooed and reached out to him. Hemmett touched her hand gently, remembering how Menders always told him they had to take great care of her because she was so small, to always be careful.

  Hemmett settled back against Menders and slid his thumb into his mouth. Menders’ arm around him was warm and strong. Hemmett closed his eyes. He felt safe here.

  (6)

  Madame Holz

  When Katrin was six months old and just starting to crawl, with the short northern summer in full bloom, Lucen Greinholz returned from Shadows Halt where he met the weekly train to collect mail and parcels. He came into Menders’ office with a royal decree in his hand.

  Menders opened it and perused the contents. Then he flung it viciously on his desk. He rose and stormed down the hall to Franz’s office.

  “It seems we’re about to acquire a head nurse,” he said when the other man looked up in surprise.

  “Grundar shit! Why?” Franz exclaimed.

  “It seems someone has remembered we are here and has decided to send along a Madame Holz to see to the Princess’ upbringing,” Menders snapped in reply.

  “Oh no.”

  “Why, ‘Oh no’? You know this Holz woman?”

  “Let’s go for a ride,” Franz said, rising from his chair. They’d formed a policy of talking about certain topics away from the house. Some issues concerning the Princess were best kept between Franz and himself.

  The summer landscape was radiant, glowing green and gold but Menders was blind to it.

/>   Franz came straight to the point.

  “Madame Holz, my dear Menders, is Princess Aidelia’s head nurse and she was the Queen’s nurse as well. She reigns supreme in the nursery at the Palace. She’s a drunkard and a great proponent of toughening children.”

  Menders did not respond.

  “I’m talking about toughening, the very old style discipline,” Franz continued. Menders remained silent until Franz burst out, “Well? Don’t just sit there looking at me like a drowned fish. I’m talking about routine beatings and near starvation, Menders! Princess Aidelia is barking mad because her father was, but this woman’s treatment of her certainly hasn’t helped the situation! It’s what led to the Queen being a weak creature who runs to the bottle every time she’s challenged or uncertain!”

  “I’m well aware of the kind of discipline you’re talking about!” Menders shouted, startling Demon. The farlin bolted and Menders had a struggle to quiet him. After a moment Franz caught up to them.

  “I know what you’re talking about,” Menders said again. “All too well.”

  “Close to the bone, eh?” Franz looked at him intently.

  Menders nodded.

  They rode on in silence for a few minutes.

  “And fish don’t drown. You can’t drown something that breathes water,” Menders said quietly, embarrassed by his outburst.

  “You know everything,” Franz joked, and smiled. Menders didn’t respond.

  “I saw on your official orders that your title is Lord Stettan,” Franz continued after a moment.

  “Yes.” Menders spoke reluctantly.

  “I know a little of your late father, but was he...”

  “A believer in toughening? Yes,” Menders replied bitterly. “From birth. The harsh tutors, before them, nurses who hit me if I cried. No blankets in winter or fire to keep the nursery warm, food when they decided I would eat, and precious little of it. Having to memorize endless sagas and recite them, being beaten if I forgot so much as a word. I loved being sent away to the Military Academy. It was a much easier life.”

  “Grahl’s teeth, Menders, I’m sorry. But that’s what’s in store for the Princess if this woman comes here and is her nurse,” Franz said worriedly.

  “My childhood is a done thing, but hers shall be nothing like mine, not while I can draw breath,” Menders muttered.

  “When is this woman arriving? Perhaps we can do something to keep her from leaving Erdahn at all.”

  “She’s already on her way,” Menders answered.

  Franz swore. “I don’t suppose we could blow up the tracks?”

  Menders burst out laughing

  “Don’t tempt me,” he replied, relieved to have an ally.

  “What puzzles me is why she’s being sent,” Franz mused. “Normally, the royal head nurse is in control until the Heiress is ten years old, when a governess and tutors take over. I wonder if she’s in disgrace? Princess Aidelia is only five.”

  “Considering The Shadows seems to be their idea of a dumping ground, I wouldn’t be surprised,” Menders sighed. “But she’s the last thing we need here.”

  “I’ll help you get rid of her – whatever needs to be done,” Franz said, his voice shaking a bit.

  “Perhaps Madame will be amenable to an agreement.” Menders replied. He looked around, seeing the beautiful afternoon for the first time now that his mind was clear and formulating plans.

  “Race you back,” he said suddenly, slackening Demon’s reins. The farlin took the bit between his teeth and raced away before Franz could turn his big gelding. Menders laughed a little as he heard the doctor yelling after him, calling him all sorts of names.

  ***

  From Menders’ Journal:

  Now midsummer, the days are long, only two hours of full darkness at night. Madame Holz arrives by special train this evening.

  Mistress Trottenheim says Madame Holz is worse than Franz believed. She practices “blanket training” of babies. Child is placed on a blanket, is struck whenever it crawls off of i, until it stays there out of fear. This restricts its movement and frees the nurse for other tasks.

  It is hoped by one and all that Madame will find the Shadows not to her liking, and can be persuaded to leave. Should that not be possible, then something else will have to be done. As has often been the case in many final solutions… I will provide that something else.

  ***

  Madame Holz was heavyset, disheveled, ugly as a mangy hog and furious.

  “What is the meaning of keeping me waiting, sir!” she demanded. Her voice had the annoying full richness of someone accustomed to being obeyed.

  “Sit down,” Menders said without preamble or greeting. “You must have documentation with you. Let me see it.” He sat behind his desk, hands folded together with fingers laced. He had deliberately let the woman wait and she was at just the fever pitch of rage he’d hoped to reduce her to.

  She produced an envelope and flung it at him. He perused the documents with excruciating slowness. He willed something to be out of order so that he could send her away. He could find nothing.

  “There is nothing as to why you’ve been sent here when Princess Aidelia is still so young. Has the Royal Family acquired another head nurse?” he asked coolly.

  “I have been sent here because of my vast experience in raising children of the Royal Family,” Madame Holz blustered angrily. “I have not only been head nurse to Princess Aidelia, but to the Queen herself.”

  “And who is Princess Aidelia’s head nurse now?” Menders asked.

  “Princess Aidelia is a very advanced child because of the thorough training she received from me. She now has a governess. “

  Menders knew she was lying.

  “I do not feel, as the head of Princess Katrin’s household, that we have need of your services,” he said. “You may stay here as our guest until the weekly train departs in six days. It is unfortunate the communication regarding your arrival only arrived two days ago or we would have sent word before you left.”

  “Who do you think you are?” she thundered. Spittle flew from her mouth, sprinkling his face and the papers before him on the desk. Menders hated people who did that.

  “I know who I am. Lord Stettan, cousin of Her Majesty, head of Princess Katrin Morghenna’s household.” Menders removed his glasses and fixed her with his ghost-like eyes.

  “Well, Lord Stettan,” she snapped, “that documentation is a Royal Command, and you know it. You aren’t fooling me. And don’t think I’m afraid of your eyes either, I’ve seen freaks like you before. Her Majesty wants me here to raise the Princess properly and that is what I intend to do.”

  “I would suggest, Madame, that you decide on a place for retirement and I will provide you with the funds to go there and settle comfortably,” Menders countered. “Perhaps Surelia? I own a luxurious villa there which could be deeded to you – as my gift.”

  She hesitated just long enough to let him know the idea tempted her.

  “Don’t be absurd! I was sent here by Her Majesty,” she spat in response. “It is my duty to obey her command. Her Majesty would be very interested in the offer you’ve just made me, sir.”

  “Why? Does my cousin wish to retire to Surelia too?” Menders asked, allowing himself a superior smirk.

  Madame Holz bristled at his levity.

  “Princess Katrin is being raised in a manner that I approve,” Menders went on. “She has a wet nurse and two nurserymaids. She is growing well, is healthy and happy.”

  “Happiness is not my concern, sir. Royal children must be toughened, so they can endure the rigors of ruling. This has been done since the time of Morghenna the Wise. It is the express wish of the Queen. She would be indignant to find that my services were refused.”

  She gave him a triumphant glare. Stalemate, he thought. I have nothing left to play right now.

  “In that case, I will show you to the nursery, but there are some conditions under which you will begin your duties,” he said. “
In the first case, there will be no physical punishment of the Princess. She is six months old. That is far too young for a child to be corporally punished. Secondly, there are two nurserymaids employed here who see to her needs. They will continue the nursery routine that the Princess is accustomed to. Lastly, the wet nurse, Mistress Spaltz, is to have access to the Princess at all times, to feed her on demand.”

  “On demand, sir! Absurd! Since when is a royal child fed on demand! She should have been put on a schedule from birth!” Madame Holz drew herself up in towering indignation.

  “The Princess shall not be physically punished or starved,” Menders said deliberately, staring up into her eyes. She quailed and went silent.

  “I will show you to the nursery,” he continued, rising. “Breakfast is at eight. If you prefer something sooner, I can arrange it, though the kitchen is closed for the night.”

  “Perhaps a glass of wine?” she asked.

  “While on duty, Nurse?” he responded with disdain. “That would be entirely inappropriate. Follow me please.”

  He went upstairs briskly. She was heaving by the time they reached the third floor nursery. Eiren looked up at Menders in dread as Madame Holz flubbered in.

  “Madame, this is Eiren Spaltz, one of Princess Katrin’s nurserymaids,” he said evenly.

  Madame Holz didn’t acknowledge the girl. She clumped over to the crib and glared down at Katrin.

  “This child is disgustingly fat,” she announced. “I shall inform the Queen of her condition. It will take much work to correct the damage that has been done here. Royal children are not fed until they’re the size of suckling pigs!”