Mercerian Tales

by Paul J Bennett

  “Yes, madam.”

  * * *

  Fortified by a stiff drink, she made her way back to her niece's room, opening the door to peer inside and see little Anna fast asleep.

  “So,” she muttered aloud, “no tossing and turning this evening. It appears we have made some progress.”

  “I’m sorry,” said a voice, behind her. “Did you say something, my lady?”

  She turned to see a young maid, “No, I was just thinking out loud. Pay no attention.” She made her way back to her room, settling in for the night.

  * * *

  Felicia resolved to take Anna on a tour of the estate the next day. This time she rose early and had everything ready to go. She entered Anna’s room as the servants woke her, and spoke while the maid dressed the young girl, “We’re going on a look-see today, Anna.”

  “Look-see?” queried her niece.

  “Yes, we’re going to walk the estate. I’ll show you all the land hereabouts. I think you’ll find it most engrossing. I’ve arranged for a meal to be prepared. We shall meet the servants on the hill overlooking the northeast fields. Now, we need to get you going, it’s a long way from here, and we still have to find some sticks for Tempus.”

  Anna hurried into her clothes, and then they headed downstairs to breakfast. Tempus, picking up on the excitement, barked out loud, charging ahead of them. The meal was a rush, and then they were out of the Hall, into the fresh, warm, summer air. The sky was clear, and the sweet fragrance of flowers drifted across the fields. Tempus ran ahead, dashing from side to side as he heard the sounds of birds calling.

  Anna was entranced and wandered the field alongside her aunt, her head turning all about at the sheer wonderment of it all. They stopped from time to time, and Felicia showed her some of the flowers that she recalled from her own youth, so very long ago. As she had arranged, noon brought them to a small hill overlooking the grounds. Hanson was already there, along with a handful of other servants who had carried the food. The two of them sat on small wooden chairs, looking into the distance as they ate their meal.

  “This is your home, Anna. All that you see around you is part of Uxley.” She could almost see her younger self, frolicking in the tall grass, chasing after her little sister, Elenor. Life had been joyous, and she wished she could return to those happier days.

  Tempus barked, and Anna pointed at him, “Look,” she cried out.

  Tempus was wagging his tail, chasing a butterfly, drawing Felicia back to the present. These are happier days, she thought. For too long I’ve grieved for the loss of my husband. It’s time to embrace life, to live the life I would like, she decided.

  Lady Felicia rose to her feet. “Come along, Anna,” she called. “It’s time to give Tempus a hand.”

  Through the grass, the two ran, down the hill, following the dog's trail. Their elusive prey vanished from view, and they rushed back up the hill to collapse on the ground, their eyes staring up at the sky.

  “Are you all right?” queried Hanson.

  “I’m fine, Alistair,” she answered, gasping for breath. “Just a bit winded.” She rolled onto her side to look at her niece. “Oh Anna, isn’t it wonderful? This is just like when I was a little girl.”

  “Here?” asked Anna.

  “Not here, but back in Kingsford, where I grew up. My sister and I used to run across the fields whenever we could. My family had a small estate just on the outskirts of town. Your grandfather raised horses, did you know that?”

  “Clouds are beginning to roll in,” observed Alistair. “Might I suggest we reschedule the rest of the walk in favour of another day?”

  “An excellent suggestion, Alistair. Come along Anna, we must hasten back to the Hall, or we’ll get wet.

  * * *

  By the time they returned, the rain had started and Lady Felicia, soaked head to foot, laughed in delight as they entered the structure. Only a few short days ago she would have been furious to get wet in such a manner, but now all she could do was look at her niece, the delight evident on her face. This was life, she thought.

  * * *

  Trips across the estate became more frequent with time, and by the end of summer, the entire household had become accustomed to Lady Felicia’s presence. It was a joyous place to work and barely a day would pass without seeing smiles cross the faces of even the lowest of scullery maids. It was a sad day in early autumn when she finally decided it was time to leave. The servants assembled by the entrance as Lady Felicia came down to enter her carriage. Hanson held his arm out for her to steady herself for, despite her activity, her health was tenuous, at best.

  She paused by the carriage door as Hanson spoke, “Must you leave, my lady?”

  “I’m afraid so,” she replied. “It has been an absolute pleasure to be here, Alistair, but my health is getting worse, and I don’t want Anna to see me in decline. I said my goodbyes inside, better for her to remember me as I am now.”

  “We shall miss you, madam,” he declared.

  “As I shall miss you all,” she responded. “Look after her, Alistair, she is our future.”

  “I will, madam,” he promised.

  She entered the carriage, the door closed behind her, and the driver hopped up to the front. The carriage pulled away, and Alistair Hanson watched as it bounced on its way.

  * * *

  The room was silent save for the scurrying of a quill across paper. Alistair Hanson dipped it once more into the ink and resumed his fine handiwork. There was a knock on the door, and he bid them enter. The door opened to reveal the face of Harris, one of the footmen.

  “A letter has arrived, Sir,” he said.

  “That’s odd,” remarked Hanson. “It’s not the usual day for such things.” He looked up to contemplate the document being offered. “Thank you, Harris. That will be all.”

  The footman nodded, exiting the room quietly.

  Hanson turned the letter over, examining the outside. It was a folded parchment, bearing a wax seal which he didn’t recognize. The words ‘Alistair Hanson - Uxley Hall’ were written in a careful hand across its front. It was thick for such a letter, and he wondered if there might, perchance, be another enclosed within. He took his knife and, laying the letter on the table, carefully pried open the seal. Sure enough, inside was another letter, along with a small note. He looked at the smaller letter first, laying it flat in front of him.

  * * *

  Alistair Hanson,

  * * *

  It is with the greatest regret that I must inform you that Lady Felicia Warren has, this past month, passed from this life. She had been ill for some time and left this world in the greatest of comforts. In accordance with her instructions, I have forwarded the enclosed note for your perusal. Though I am unaware of the contents of the letter, she was most explicit in her demands. Funds should be arriving within a fortnight, pursuant to her arrangements. If you should happen to require assistance in any manner, please feel free to contact me,

  * * *

  Your obedient servant,

  * * *

  Jason Wendel

  * * *

  He looked at the name carefully, but it meant nothing to him. He glanced down at the second letter, instantly recognizing Lady Felicia's handwriting. Breaking the seal, he unfolded it, knowing it would be her last communication.

  * * *

  My dear Alistair,

  * * *

  I know I am not long for this world and the exertions of the last few months have proven to be most burdensome. I have taken it upon myself to make arrangements for my niece, Anna, for I know my sister well, and I fear that one day her interest in her own offspring will wane. I am aware that these instructions may place you at odds with the orders of the king, Alistair, and yet I hope that you can see, in your heart, that they are the right thing to do.

  * * *

  Anna deserves a life, not to be locked up in a stuffy old house. I beg you to make sure she is looked after properly. You have been a loyal servant for man
y years, my friend, but I would ask this last favour of you. Ignore the king when you can, she needs love and attention. The king will likely never acknowledge her, so I beseech you to treat her as you would any other child, with decency and respect. I have arranged an annual stipend for you. This is not to be recorded anywhere and may be used at your discretion. I can only hope that, with time, she will find friends and colleagues that she can count on, as I know I can count on you.

  * * *

  Farewell Alistair, may you find happiness and prosperity in your life. I leave mine now, knowing that my time on this world has not been wasted.

  * * *

  Lady Felicia Warren.

  * * *

  Alistair Hanson carefully folded the letter back up, and then stared at it for a few moments. He rose, making his way to the bookshelf, to withdraw a small wooden box, which he set on the desk. He opened it, placing the letter within, with exaggerated tenderness, closing the lid as quietly as he could. A tear ran down from his eye, and he let it remain, tracking its way to his chin, then he placed the box back upon the shelf.

  “Goodbye, Lady Felicia,” he said. “You will be sorely missed.”

  Finale

  Bodden

  Summer 960 MC

  “Fascinating,” mused Gerald. “I’d always wondered where the princess got her love of books from. Tell me, my lord, did you know Lady Warren?”

  “I only met her once,” said Fitz. “I was in the capital, long before I became baron. Edward and I were staggering about town, a little the worse for wear.”

  “That must have been when you met Mother,” piped in Beverly.

  “It was indeed. Edward and I were completely soused. We came out of the Boars Head and tried to climb into her carriage.”

  “Why would you do that?” asked Beverly.

  “Well, we were drunk. One doesn’t usually make good choices when one is inebriated.”

  “So what happened?” asked Hayley.

  “As far as I could tell, not much. Lady Warren seemed amused at our fumblings, but her husband was outraged. He ordered us out of the carriage, and then made us stand by the roadside while he lectured us.”

  “Couldn’t you have just left, my lord?” asked Gerald.

  “Of course! But Lord Warren was an imposing figure. They say he could break a man just by staring at him. He tore into us and then told us to piss off. Edward and I couldn’t contain ourselves, for you see Lord Warren was a most proper noble. To hear him utter those words ‘piss off’ was just too much to take. We ran as fast as we could, but our laughter must have enraged him for he came after us. Luckily, we lost him after a few blocks, and it was as we caught our breath that Edward decided he wanted to pay a call on a young lady he had met earlier in our visit. That’s when I met your mother.”

  “Astounding,” exclaimed Gerald. “I never knew you to be like that, my lord. I always pictured you as the perfect example of nobility.”

  “And of course I am,” Fitz grinned. “Now it’s getting late, and you lot have to be up early in the morning.”

  “Most assuredly, my lord,” said Gerald turning to the princess, only to find her fast asleep.

  “It appears some of us have already succumbed,” uttered the baron. “Perhaps we should get her to bed?” He looked to Sophie, who began making her way toward the princess.

  “I’ve got her, Sophie,” said Gerald.

  “Isn’t she becoming a burden, now that she’s grown?” asked Beverly.

  “Never,” said a resolute Gerald, “she could never be a burden.” He lifted her gently, Tempus shifting ever so slightly to enable it. He rose, straightening his back. Beverly saw the effort required, for Anna had grown in the last few months and Gerald was getting no younger, but the look of determination on his face said it all; this was his honour and his alone.

  Beverly rose, stretching as she did so, “This may be the last time in a long while that we’re gathered all together like this.”

  “Then let us have one last toast to remember the occasion,” said Fitz, raising his glass. “To old friends and new. No matter where you go, your friends shall be with you in your heart!”

  The Mermaid of Colbridge

  A Mercerian Fable

  A long time ago, when the kingdom was in its infancy, the city of Colbridge was a great port. Ships and boats would make their way down the river, past the ancient swamp, to the sea of storms where all manner of strange creatures lived.

  In the city lived two brothers, Aiden and Caiden, who were fishermen by trade. Every morning, before the sun was up, they would launch their boat on the riverbank and sail downstream to fish near the mouth of the river. Here they would cast out their net, letting it sink to the depths, to be pulled back in with its haul.

  Three times they cast their net, each time bringing up a meagre haul.

  “This is not working,” complained Aiden.

  “There are not enough fish here,” agreed Caiden. “Let us go further out into the water and try again.”

  They sailed out onto the sea, always keeping the shore carefully in sight. They saw an old wreck of a ship, out on the rocks, its masts jutting from the water.

  “Let’s fish near that,” said Aiden.

  “Yes,” agreed Caiden. “There will likely be lots of fish near the wreck, they would use it as a home.”

  They approached the ship, careful to keep their distance.

  “Cast the net,” said Aiden, and his brother threw it out as far as he could.

  The net sank beneath the waves while Caiden held the hand line. A moment later, he pulled it in to reveal a copious deposit of fish.

  “Do it again,” said Aiden.

  “We have enough to eat,” said Caiden.

  “We can sell the rest at market,” said Aiden, and so Caiden, once again, cast the net.

  The net sank beneath the waves, and then Caiden began pulling on the hand line to retrieve their haul. He emptied the contents onto the small boat, and the fish flopped around their feet.

  “Perfect,” said Caiden, “now we have plenty to eat and some to sell.”

  “Cast again,” said Aiden, “for the haul is bountiful and we can sell even more.”

  For a third time, Caiden cast the net, dutifully holding onto the hand line. The net sank beneath the waves, but when he tried to pull it back in, he found it resisting. “There’s something heavy in the net,” said Caiden.

  “Let me help you,” said Aiden.

  Together, they pulled on the hand line, and as the net drew near the surface, they saw a most wondrous sight, for before them, trapped in their net, was a mermaid with scintillating blue scales and hair the colour of gold.

  “It’s a mermaid!” exclaimed Caiden.

  “We must kill it!” yelled Aiden, grabbing an oar. “Mermaids are evil!”

  Aiden leaned over the side of the boat, using the oar as a club and began striking the mermaid.

  The mermaid wailed in pain, and the scream carried out across the water.

  “Stop!” yelled Caiden. “You’re hurting it!”

  “No,” yelled Aiden, “it’s evil and must be destroyed.

  Caiden tried to stop his brother by grabbing the oar, and they struggled for control. The tiny boat was upset, and they lost their balance, both falling into the water.

  The oar floated away as they struggled to swim in the rough waves. The hand line, now forgotten, sank beneath the waves, releasing the net. The brothers tried to swim to their boat, but the heavy waves of the sea drove it away from them.

  Soon the waves were swirling around them, and Caiden looked at his brother to see the mermaid appear behind him. She rose, waist high, out of the water and placed her hands on his brother's shoulders. A moment later they both disappeared beneath the waves, with only a few bubbles of air rising to the surface.

  Caiden swam faster, but the boat was still floating away. He heard the sound of rippling water and turned to see the mermaid behind him. She gazed into his eyes and he floated,
mesmerized as the mermaid put her arms beneath his and rolled under the water. A moment later he was being pulled across the surface. He looked up to see the boat, within easy reach. Caiden hauled himself aboard and then looked back at the water.

  The mermaid was treading water at the side of the boat.

  “Why did you kill my brother?” asked Caiden.

  “He was mean,” she said, “and wanted to kill me.

  “And why did you save me?” Caiden asked.

  “You tried to help me and saved my life. You should always treat others the way you would like to be treated,” she responded, then dove beneath the waves, never to be seen again.

  Cast of Characters

  Albreda: Druid of the Whitewood and close friend and ally to Baron Richard Fitzwilliam.

  * * *

  Baron Richard ‘Fitz’ Fitzwilliam: Baron of Bodden and father to Dame Beverly Fitzwilliam. Mentor to Gerald Matheson, his former Sergeant-at-Arms.

  * * *

  Dame Beverly Fitzwilliam: Knight of the Hound and daughter of Baron Richard Fitzwilliam. Trained by Gerald Matheson and sworn into service with Princess Anna.

  * * *

  Dame Hayley Chambers: Former King's Ranger and now a Knight of the Hound sworn to serve Princess Anna.

  * * *

  Gerald Matheson: Former Sergeant-at-Arms to Baron Richard Fitzwilliam and close confidant to Princess Anna.