Nemesis

by Margit Sandemo

  “That’s the right fighting spirit,” she mumbled and embraced his strong torso. “Come lie next to me. Then we can talk about how attractive we are and how much we love one another. That’s is the sort of thing one wants to hear on one’s wedding night. And ... not that I know very much about men and how they ... function. But surely it wouldn’t be impossible to have another try pretty soon? I felt such delightful sensations in my body. They were a wonderful prelude.”

  Where did she get the courage to speak like this? She was stunned. But the words had an immediate effect.

  “Pretty soon?” said Tancred, who had crawled into the bed and taken the awkward nightdress off her. Now he was reckless. “I’m able to do anything again.”

  “Now that’s the right answer,” she smiled broadly. Filled with love and tenderness, she flung her arms around him.

  He must have done something right, for Jessica became pregnant on their wedding night. But she was not the only woman in history who had succeeded in that – especially in an age when brides were expected to be virgins when they married.

  Later that night, they lay quietly in each other’s arms, feeling an almost holy joy at being together and knowing that they were each loved by the one they loved.

  When they had first gone to bed, Jessica reflected, she had been afraid and shy. But Tancred’s slight mistake at the very beginning had made her bold and sure. She would always be strong when something was at stake, she thought proudly. Instinctively, she also understood to use humour to help the situation. Not all men would have accepted that. But Tancred, like herself, was born with a smile on his face.

  They had been under such an unspeakable strain in recent years that for a period of time they had completely forgotten to laugh. Now they could laugh freely again.

  “How absolutely delightful!” exclaimed Cecilie in spring 1652. “Did you hear that, Alexander? You’re going to be a granddad! What name will you give the child?”

  “We’re not yet quite sure of that,” smiled Jessica. But my Dad’s name was Thomas and ...”

  “Yet another one with T,” said Cecilie. “That letter seems to have been repeated in our family. Well?”

  “I’ve always dreamed of having a son by the name of Tristan,” said Jessica shyly. “If you don’t mind, we’ll call a boy Tristan Alexander.”

  “Splendid,” said Tancred’s Dad. “We must keep the knightly traditions. Unless I’m much mistaken, I believe that the knight Tristan was a Paladin. But maybe I’m wrong. And what if it’s a girl?”

  “Then we’d thought of either Lene Stephanie after Grandma Liv and Jessica’s English-born mother, or Christiane after you, Mum,” said Tancred.

  “Won’t you please baptise her Lene after my dear mother, while she’s still alive!” asked Cecilie. “I’m sure she’d be so happy. You can keep Christiane for your next daughter.”

  “Very optimistic,” smiled Tancred. “Anyway, I’ll do my best.”

  “I’m sure we can have a little Tristan and Lene and Christiane and ...”

  “But Tancred,” said Cecilie seriously. “Have you told Jessica about the Ice People?”

  “Certainly, but one has already been lost in our children’s generation: Gabriella’s stillborn daughter.”

  “Yes, but you know there’s more to it. Dear Jessica, descendants of the Ice People always have very few children. So whatever you do, don’t count on having so many children!”

  “I didn’t know that,” said Jessica with a sad look on her face. Then she smiled once more. “Then we’ll have to be grateful for the one, or ones, we have and love them twice as much.”

  “I don’t doubt for a moment that you will,” said Cecilie.

  Spring had arrived at Gabrielshus and Jessica walked about in the park. Tancred was on duty in Copenhagen. He preferred that he and Jessica live at Gabrielshus even if this meant that they were away from one another for most of the week. Right now, Copenhagen was not a good place for Jessica to be.

  To Jessica’s surprise, she saw a woman standing in the small pavilion by the pond. This was an outlying part of the park. You couldn’t even see the castle from here.

  Who on earth would break in there – on what was private property?

  There was something sinister and threatening about the tall woman. Jessica hesitated to walk over there. She was alone in the park now. Admittedly, she had just met Wilhelmsen, but he was on his way in another direction trying to hunt the fox which had killed a few chickens the night before.

  But the woman had seen her. She could not just pretend she hadn’t seen her.

  The woman gazed at her intensely. As if she was waiting for her.

  What did she want?

  Reluctantly, Jessica walked closer.

  The park was dense here. The pavilion was situated in a small grove. But ... did she not know the intruder?

  “Stella!” she shouted at a long distance. “Is that you? Welcome!”

  She hurried to the pavilion.

  Stella remained standing up there, very stiff and very pale, dressed entirely in black. Not a trace of a smile was on her face. But then she had always found it difficult to smile.

  “When did you arrive?” asked Jessica lightly. “And where have you been?”

  “I see that you’re expecting a bastard,” said Stella coldly. “You will never have it.”

  Jessica stopped abruptly at the foot of the small stair. She looked at her only relative with big, incredulous eyes.

  “What are you saying?” she whispered.

  “What sort of a man have you seduced now? You’ve probably slept with someone or other, as you’re in the habit of.”

  “Stella, what’s the matter with you?”

  “My Dad never cared for you. You know that. He laughed at you behind your back. You were always mad about men. I know that you tried to get hold of him behind my Mum’s back but you never succeeded. This was why you killed her.”

  “I didn’t kill your mother, Stella. Have you totally lost your senses?”

  “Yes, you did. It was all your fault. You tricked her. You had Molly wear your clothes so that she would be mistaken. I’m sure you understand that she couldn’t let you live after you’d seduced my Dad? Besides, you had no right to the estate whatsoever. It would have been ours if only you were dead.”

  Finally it dawned on Jessica that something was wrong with Stella’s mind. Her maternal grandmother, who had brought bad blood into the family ... The mother, who became a murderer ... the aunt, who was a nymphomaniac. And the father, a spineless non-entity.

  What else could you expect of Stella?

  “But I’m not to blame for any of this!” said Jessica defensively. “What about your aunt’s death?”

  “Of course, that was also your fault. Surely you can understand that? You ignited the lust in my Dad so that he went to her and then my mother had to get rid of her. It’s plain logic!”

  Jessica tried to walk backwards but then Stella shouted, “STOP! You won’t get away from me. I’ve got a pistol. I’ve been after you for a long time, Jessica Cross. It is my duty, I’m your nemesis, you see, and I’ve got every right to kill sluts like you. I almost got you in Ulfeldt’s house ...”

  “Was that you?”

  “Who poisoned your milk, yes!”

  At last there were signs of life in the stiff face. A horrible triumph.

  “You had a narrow escape. Then that noble idiot Tancred appeared! Do you remember Ella? That was me. No, you’re bound not to be interested in a simple kitchen maid. And then you tricked me. Tricked me to leave for the Netherlands. I hate you for it! I’d hope to get a hold of you on the ship and tell you what a bad person you were and throw you overboard. But that idiot acted like a hero again – and you escaped. I had to spend many months in the Netherlands until I got some money. I have worked hard to find my way back
home. However, I had an objective which kept me going: The thought of killing you! My hour has now come, Jessica! And I’ll kill two in one go.”

  “No! Not the child! It’s Tancred’s ...”

  “Precisely. The idiot hero. I had hoped to kill him as well, but this will be a better punishment for him. Not because he cares for you, don’t imagine that, but men always turn sentimental when it’s about their offspring. Now run, Jessica, it’ll be fun to aim at you. I’ve always been a good marksman. I want to see you run to and fro to escape ...”

  She lifted the pistol and aimed at Jessica.

  “Stella, you’re crazy! You can’t be serious... I’d planned to give you Askinge but now-”

  “I won’t accept charity from you. After all, Askinge will be mine now. Run! Off you go! I want to hunt you!”Jessica froze.

  “It’s not fun to shoot at a hare that sits down but since you’re so slow ...”

  A shot rang out and Jessica thought she had been hit. Only she could not feel anything and then she saw Stella collapse with a surprised expression on her face. With a dull sound she collapsed on the floor in the pavilion.

  Jessica had crouched down to protect the child.

  Wilhelmsen came running out of the grove.

  “I got her,” he gasped. “I heard everything. That poor woman was mad.”“Oh, Wilhelmsen,” moaned Jessica and burst into tears.

  He took her in his arms. “I had to do it. I’m sure you understand that, don’t you?”

  She nodded vehemently. “Thank you! I’ll explain in court ...”

  “Don’t think of me. I’m old. My life will draw to an end soon ...”

  She looked up. “But Gabrielshus isn’t Gabrielshus without you! You won’t be punished for this, I’ll make sure of it.”

  Wilhelmsen was, of course, acquitted because the investigation afterwards confirmed that Stella had been Ella, who had systematically poisoned Jessica. Wilhelmsen had acted only in Jessica’s defence and could not be blamed for anything. He had killed her and not just wounded her, but it was not easy to aim properly at such a great distance.

  After the Paladins had recovered from the shock, Alexander helped Jessica sell Askinge at a good price. She did not want to go there any more.

  They were also relieved that the mystery of Jessica’s sickness had been solved. It had been bothering her with a baby on the way.

  It was no Tristan this time. It was a fine little Lene Stephanie, and the child’s paternal grandmother, Liv, was just as proud and happy as Cecilie had imagined. She asked them to come to Graastensholm as soon as it was safe because she wanted to see her little goddaughter, as she called the baby.

  It was the child that at long last made Tancred mature. It didn’t mean that his sense of humour disappeared, but that he finally learned to have the courage to make mistakes now and then. If you can do that – then you are a grown-up.

  He could sit and admire his little masterpiece for hours on end.

  “She looks like me, doesn’t she?” he would say. “The charming smile and the sophisticated features about the nose. The intelligent expression when she sees herself in the mirror. And her delight at being allowed to rest on your bosom. She’s the spitting image of me! Can’t you see how much she looks like me?”

  Jessica stood next to him and placed her hand on his shoulder.

  “Certainly, but even so she’s bound to do well in life. Just you wait and see!”

  Chapter 14

  Corfitz Ulfeldt and his wife, Leonora Christina, did not stay in the Netherlands for very long. They settled with Queen Kristina in Sweden where they were in their element. Gustav II Adolf’s daughter was very well-bred and cultured; art and culture were the focus at her Court, all the things that Ulfeldt appreciated.

  There Corfitz gathered his brothers-in-law: Ebbe Ulfeldt and Count Valdemar Christian, and Leonora Christina’s elderly mother, Kirsten Munk. In order to truly ingratiate himself, the immensely rich Ulfeldt and his mother-in-law jointly lent the Swedish State 370,000 rix-dollar, with the implied proviso that the money was to be used for war equipment. Relations between Sweden and Denmark had been tense for years. Corfitz Ulfeldt did not exactly make things better. He offered his services to the Swedes and was the agitator of war against Denmark, and above all, King Frederik III. But Queen Kristina was not so interested in war as she was in art and religion. She abdicated in favour of her cousin, Carl Gustav of Pfalz who became Carl X.

  He was a belligerent person, and Ulfeldt gained more favour with him. First of all, Carl Gustav X had to concentrate on Eastern Europe. Yet, he also made plans for future attacks on Denmark.

  This was where Corfitz Ulfeldt was of invaluable assistance to the Swedes. He willingly handed over all the secrets of his former homeland. Now the former Lord Chamberlain was to seek revenge, and regain his honour and dignity once more. What he had in mind is impossible to say. Maybe he had thought of becoming regent in the future Swedish vassal state of Denmark? Or maybe he was more realistic in his reasoning given that he would never be able to set foot in Denmark again? Nobody knows.

  At any rate, he committed treason at the highest level, although he would never use that expression. He believed that he owed Sweden, which had welcomed him so well – much more than Denmark, which had offended a great statesman so badly.

  Carl X Gustav had considered attacking Denmark from the Swedish possessions of Bremen, Wismar, and West Pomerania from the south. These were three small pieces of land which were not connected, but which were dangerous enough for the Danes. This was what he planned to do if only he had the time. At the moment, he had other things to attend to.

  However, Denmark was aware of the danger, and surveillance in Holstein was intensified.

  That was where Captain Tancred Paladin was sent.

  No danger threatened that fall evening in 1654 when Tancred stood guard by the Elbe. A raw fog lay over the fields, hiding the bishopric of Bremen on the other side.

  He longed to be at home with Jessica and young Lene, who was now two years old. The thought warmed him in that cold evening. What might they be doing now? In his thoughts he could visualise the warm glow from Gabrielshus and inside they were probably sitting together with Grandpa and Grandma. Lene would sit on Jessica’s lap, looking at pictures and blinking her eyes. Now she would soon fall asleep, and Grandpa Alexander, who worshipped her and spoiled her terribly, would take her in his arms and carry her up to the nanny.

  And Daddy was not there to kiss the tot goodnight...

  A boat slipped quietly down the river. He heard the quiet splash of the oars.

  Tancred did not react. He knew who it was. It was his friend, Peder, who had a girlfriend on the other side of the river, and in the shelter of the fog he would occasionally cross the river. As Denmark was not directly at war with the Swedish Bremen, this was not forbidden but a soldier ought not, of course, visit a neighbouring country.

  Tancred walked further. Behind him he heard the boat reach the bank and heard Peder’s voice, low but eager say, “Tancred! So there you are!”

  He stopped. Peder came running.

  “Guess what I’ve experienced!”

  “Don’t tell me” smiled Tancred.

  “No, no, it has nothing to do with my girlfriend. Sit down, then I’ll tell you!”

  “Thank you, but I prefer to stand,” said Tancred, casting a glance at the dewy earth.

  “Well, you see, there was this terrible fog on the other side. Now when I wanted to row back, you see. And then I lost my bearings. And all of a sudden, you stood in front of me!”

  Tancred started. Was this a new trick his Ice People legacy had played on him?

  Peder nodded energetically. “In uniform. Almost identical to yours, but not quite. ‘Goodness, Tancred, what are you doing here?’ I said. He looked questioningly at me, and then he said in Swedish, “My name’s
not Tancred. Aren’t you a Danish soldier? What are you doing here?’ I was slightly scared because he was somewhat threatening but then I said, ‘I’ve just visited my girlfriend, cadet,’ because that was what he was. ‘I don’t want to hurt you. But are you absolutely sure that you aren’t Tancred? I could have sworn that you were.’ ‘No, my name’s Mikael,’ he said and then I saw that he was much younger than you, Tancred, and then he said a long last name which I’ve forgotten now. Goodness, Tancred, I’d no idea that two individuals could look so much alike!”

  Tancred stared at him, agitated.

  “Mikael? Mikael Lind of the Ice People? Did he say that?”

  “What? How could you know? Do you know him?”

  “No,” said Tancred as if in a dream. “But he’s a relative that we’ve lost touch with and that we never thought we’d see any more. Take me across the river, Peder, and show me where he is!”

  “Sure, that won’t be difficult because he was very curious and wanted to meet you. Although he obviously didn’t know that you were relatives. He’s waiting on the other side.”

  “What are we waiting for?”

  “But we can’t row the two of us. One of us must stand guard here, right?”

  “Yes, of course. I’ll row on my own. Where do you normally go ashore?”

  “Directly across the river. There’s a spot by the river bank where you can hide the boat.”

  In a matter of seconds Tancred was in the boat and left the bank.

  The Elbe was wide as a lake right here. It was not easy holding the course in such a dense fog, and he prayed to God that there would be no ships on the river now. He bumped into the opposite bank without seeing it at all.

  There was a quiet little hill so he was not far off the mark. Only there was nowhere he could hide the boat. Well, never mind about that in this thick fog.

  He climbed up and stood looking about him, but could see nothing. In the distance he could hear voices shouting at each other; an angry woman’s voice and a man’s voice, which was far more compliant.

  All of a sudden a tall man came out of the fog, dressed in a smart Swedish officer’s uniform. Tancred started. It was like seeing himself. A somewhat ghost-like experience.