The Sampler Platter: A Little Bit of Everything

by Susan Skylark

Doomed

  “You are doomed,” said Melph grimly as they rode along one morning upon their journey. Zack laughed in amusement at his friend’s strange humor on such a beautiful day. It was one of those fresh summer days that feels as if it is the first morning of the world and nothing could dampen the spirits of any sensible, living thing, but apparently Melph was either insensible or not living this fine morning. He continued, “you were doomed the moment you set eyes on HER!” Zack laughed warmly, remembering the wonderful woman his friend was referring to. His mind wandered back twenty years to their first class in Astoria. Melph and he had come to Astoria together from the same village, intent on learning whatever they could and finding their place in the wide world. In those days, they had been nearly inseparable but the inexorable press of time and varied interests gradually drew them apart. They had, of course, not been alone in that class and one of their classmates happened to be a rather shy but quite stunning young woman. It was not long and Zack found himself hopelessly in love with the girl, much to his friend’s chagrin.

  The only problem was that the girl wanted to join the Brethren from the start and the boys had vowed to each other that they would not be drawn into such nonsense, being the worldly and wise men they assumed themselves to be. But the girl perked Zack’s interest in the Brethren, as many men suddenly find themselves fascinated by strange hobbies when pursuing their lady loves. He still enjoyed her company, but he also found himself drawn deeper and deeper into the ‘foolishness’ he had promised his friend he would avoid. As these stories go, Zack of course eventually joined the Brethren and married the girl, much to Melph’s continued disgust, but he had grown used to the idea in the last two decades, but he was still unsure either the girl or the Brethren had done his friend any favors. Things had progressed relatively smoothly until about a month ago when the Lady of Astoria, who at the time was nearing her three hundredth year suddenly vanished, as usually happens to the Lady when she reaches that age and another was raised to replace her. The new Lady was what had Melph so concerned on such a lovely morning as her husband now rode beside him, not caring a whit for his own impending doom!

  Said Melph, “why are you so unconcerned about all this? Your wife is the Lady of Astoria!”

  Zack gave him a confused look and said, “that is fairly common knowledge but I see no reason for concern in it.”

  Continued Melph, “while you were so busy with all your official duties, I took the liberty of asking a few questions of your precious librarians pertaining to the history of men married to the venerable leader of the Brethren.” Zack gave him a curious look but could not help but smiling for all he was worth. Melph ignored his friend’s mirth and continued, “of the three or four men recorded in such a position in your histories, not one of them survived longer than a year after his wife’s sudden promotion. Do you not see what this means?”

  Zack grinned in that annoying manner of his (at least to Melph’s more cultured sensibilities) and laughed, “I do not see how it pertains to me. I may easily out live you by two hundred years or I could drop dead tomorrow for all I know. I will continue to serve the Master until he calls me home, whether that be today or centuries from now. I will not walk around in morbid anxiety wondering which breath shall be my last. I would ask that you do the same for both our sakes!”

  Melph grumbled, “I was just trying to be helpful. At least she saw fit to get you out of Astoria for a time. This little adventure she has set us will be just like the old days, before female entanglements and moral enigmas ruined you!” Zack smiled to himself and tried to remember the ‘good old days’ but could not seem to recall enjoying the weary journey to Astoria as much as he had even the worst of his adventures with the Brethren. True, he was a Philosopher, and sometimes did not leave Astoria for years at a time and when he did leave it was not to have adventures such as the Messengers and Warriors faced on a daily basis, but he truly enjoyed every task the Lady had yet set him.

  This little outing should be rather simple and certainly enjoyable with Melph for company and such lovely weather. An aged and childless lord whose estates and holdings had dwindled to nothing over the course of his life had written to the Lady saying that he had a dozen fine horses he wished to sell at a bargain price to the Brethren in gratitude for their kindness to him when he studied in Astoria as a boy. They were all the wealth remaining to him and he hoped to live quietly on the proceeds of the sale for the remainder of his days. He had lived wantonly and thus squandered his fortune but hoped his waning years would be more sensible and perhaps he might even exercise the wisdom the Brethren had tried so hard to inculcate into his young mind. Zack and Melph had been dispatched to visit the aging lord, inspect the horses, and if the bargain seemed sound, finish the deal and bring the animals back to Astoria. Zack was an expert in all things horsy and was often employed in teaching the Students horsemanship and its related disciplines. Melph was something of an independent tradesman who made his living acquiring specific things for specific people, or more often rulers or countries. The previous Lady had employed him on several occasions and the new Lady was not long in following suit. Between them, they made an excellent pair to represent the Lady in this matter.

  Melph interrupted his friend’s introspection and said, “why do you not just resign your Oath and follow me on my adventures? It would certainly be more interesting than teaching clueless children which end of a horse is which, day after day for the next two hundred years!”

  Zack laughed, “I thought you said my days were numbered, besides, one does not so easily revoke one’s Oath. I would rather die than forsake my calling. Besides, it would be a little difficult since I am married to another of the Brethren and we believe in neither divorce nor being married to one outside the order. I am happily unable to comply with your wishes.” Melph grumbled under his breath but was starting to catch his friend’s humor.

  They traveled on for several more days and Melph began to worry less about Zack’s longevity and spoke more about what he hoped to find at journey’s end. Zack’s usual good humor suddenly slipped from his face as it grew grim as death. He drew rein and Melph looked at him in wonder, “what is it? We are nearly there.”

  Zack nodded grimly and said, “do you smell smoke?”

  Melph’s wonder suddenly became deep concern, “yes, look!” He pointed in the direction they were heading and a great plume of smoke was easily seen spiraling out of the trees before them. They urged their mounts quickly in the direction of the blaze. The horse fought his rider but the unicorn screamed his eagerness to discover the source of his master’s unease.

  It was a grim scene before them as they drew rein in the overgrown garden enclosed in a wall of crumbling stone. The great stone house before them smoked and occasionally a tongue of flame would shoot out like that of a snake or lizard. The collapsing stable was completely consumed by the flames. “This does not look promising,” said Melph acerbically.

  Zack ignored him and said, “you check the stable, I shall check the house.”

  Melph did not reply but dismounted and ran for the structure that would soon be lost to the inferno. Zack dashed to the house, darted in, and much more slowly withdrew, dragging the prone form of a man with him. He laid the sprawling form upon the weedy drive, splashed water on his face, and tried to revive him. The man suffered not only from the smoke but also from a ghastly wound in his side. Melph ran up and reported, “there is nothing in the stable except what looks to be a dead servant with wounds to match his master’s.”

  Finally the old man roused from his faint and blinked in surprise to find himself face to face with a stranger when he assumed himself dead or worse. “Who are you?” gasped the old man.

  Zack quickly replied, “we have come from Astoria at the behest of an aging lord in these parts.”

  The man laughed hoarsely but it became a spasm of pain and coughing as he said, “you have co
me too late my boy! I am all that is left of my once great house which shall shortly cease from the earth. Perhaps it is a fitting end to the wanton life I have led.”

  Zack asked gently, “what happened? Are there others about that yet might be in danger? We found a murdered man in the stable.”

  The man groaned in pain and said, “bandits lad, bandits! They took my beloved horses, all I had left and hoped to bequeath to your Lady. There was only myself and poor Jacob my last, faithful servant and friend about. He went to protect the livestock and you know how that ended. They ransacked the house but found nothing of value for there was certainly nothing left. They stabbed me and set the house afire with me still within. Why could I not have lived a better life that I would not be so ashamed here at its end?”

  Zack said sadly, “you cannot live again your life but perhaps your death need not be in vain.”

  The man laughed with his remaining strength and gasped, “truly one of the Brethren I see! Fear not lad, your Master has finally won over my stubborn heart. I may not have much to show for my life but at least I do not fear death any longer…” He trailed off and his eyes glazed. Zack whispered a prayer under his breath.

  While the old man had been talking, Melph stood and was slowly backing away from his friend and the moribund man. He whispered harshly as the man expired, “I do not think it wise to stay.” And he dashed from sight with all speed. Zack looked around in wonder at the strange behavior of his friend when his unicorn alerted him to strangers approaching, many strangers.

  He made to stand but he felt a sword at his throat and a man barked, “if you value your life scoundrel, stay where you are!” Zack froze and felt his sword and dagger being confiscated. The man commanded, “put your hands behind your back.” Zack complied and mentally fought furiously with his unicorn to keep him from doing anything foolish. The creature screamed his displeasure but otherwise continued to act the part of a stupid horse. Melph was nowhere to be seen. The overgrown yard was filled with nearly two dozen men and their horses. Zack’s captor demanded, “what have you done?”

  Zack said calmly, “I have done nothing save to hear the last words of a dying man.”

  “Who died by your hands wretch!” scowled the man.

  Zack sighed, “I did nothing but draw him out of the burning house, wounded as you see. It was bandits that set the house afire and murdered the inhabitants.”

  The man growled, “we shall see what the Brother says.”

  Zack brightened, “you have one of the Brethren in the area?”

  The man sneered, “yes and he shall be most interested to hear your confession. A strict one for justice is he. Now come along!” He forced Zack to his feet and pushed him towards his waiting mount. As Zack awkwardly mounted, the man demanded, “where are the rest of your companions?”

  Zack said, “there was but one other besides myself and he has committed no wrongs either.”

  The man smiled darkly, “we shall certainly see.” He told off six of his men to chase down the fugitive and the rest rode back towards their village.

  Zack hoped Melph would not do anything foolish but was unconcerned as to his own fate if one of the Brethren were truly in the village as the man had said. His unicorn was not so sure as he felt none of his kin within fifty miles of the isolated village. Zack sighed and wondered what strange adventure lay before him. They finally arrived at the village, which was in uproar as the men returned with their tale of murder and arson committed against his lordship. No matter that the man had become rather strange of late, he was still their rightful lord and no outlander had the right to impose such an ignominious end upon him. Zack was forced from his perch in the saddle and forced to his knees before the imposing personage that emerged from the finest house in the village. All of the villagers followed suit and were soon bowing reverently before this esteemed man.

  Zack’s captor was the first on his feet and said with all respect, “my lord, we caught this man in the very act of murder even as our dear and late lord’s estate burned round about him. His compatriot is fled but we hope he will soon be in our grasp. This heretic refuses to admit his acts even when his hands are red with innocent blood.”

  His lordship looked surprised for a moment as he looked over the hostage and said, “what is your tale then stranger if it is not murder?”

  Zack stood as there was no one any longer forcing him to his knees and said, “we came upon the burning house and I dashed inside to see if anyone required aide. I found a dying man with terrible wounds about his person. He declared that bandits had murdered him and despoiled his house and set it afire. He died in my arms even as your friends found me.”

  “Bandits eh?” said the man curiously as he stroked his mustaches, “well we shall see if our search for your missing companion turns up any bandits else I am afraid your future looks grim.”

  Zack cocked his head and frowned a question, “I was told one of the Brethren was to be found hereabouts.”

  The man laughed darkly, “it is to him you speak. Why?” Zack was about to say something about the man being a fraud when the man blurted, “do not tell me you claim such an allegiance? Fool! Do you not know I can tell my brothers at sight and know that every word which you have spoken is a lie? Lock him away until we can have a proper trial! Believe no word he says for he shall certainly try to claim allegiance to those which he knows nothing about.” The grim villagers nodded and herded the prisoner towards one of the smaller houses and pushed him into a small room and locked the door behind him.

  An hour later, a woman entered the dark little room, bringing with her a candle and a plate of food. A grim looking man followed close behind with an even grimmer looking stick in his hand. Two children peeped in at the door in terror and curiosity at such a creature in their house. Zack began to speak which made the man raise his stick and the woman freeze in her steps but Zack continued and said politely, “who is this man you call the Brother? What authority has he in the village?”

  The woman looked nervously at the man who nodded and motioned towards a little table and then towards the door. She nodded, placed the food and light on the table and vanished out the door with the children in tow. The man seated himself in a chair and lay the grim stick across his lap as he said, “we are a quiet folk and prefer to be left alone, but we also hope our fellow men will come to trust in the Master as we. He is love you know and abhors nothing but crimes against property and persons, yet even these he will forgive if we but ask him. In light of this I will speak with you in hopes that there yet might be hope for your wretched soul.” Zack gave him an intrigued look and the man continued, “the Brother was sent from Astoria, as are all such men, to guide us and protect us. He teaches of the Master and administers justice in the village and surrounding farms. Our lord, whom you murdered, was quite content with the arrangement until just lately when his thinking became skewed with age or illness and he began to object to the Brother’s presence. The Brother has been with us for nearly five years and is the best thing to happen to this village in living memory. He brought us out of our ignorance and superstition into true life!”

  “Before the Brother, we had always believed the Master asked his children to live according to his laws and statutes as well as trusting that his blood covered our innumerable sins if we would but accept him,” continued the man, “but the Brother has taught us that there are no sins save those against property and your fellow men. One may live as one wishes as long as one does not injure his fellows or their property. The Master being Love as it were, this quite makes sense and even if we do sin against property or other men, he yet can redeem us if we are so willing. Now take my woman for example. Most folks elsewhere would be appalled that I had not married her though we have two children, but it is only fair that we each are able to seek happiness elsewhere if this relationship falls through. We need to do what is best for ourselves a
nd each other which is what loving your neighbor is all about. You do not judge his behavior and he does not judge yours and we all get along. If your neighbor steals your cow, then the Brother settles the matter. We give a certain amount of our earnings to the Brother for his services and he uses some of that to help the less fortunate. It is a rather nice little system actually. Now you have only to admit your part in the murder and perhaps you can gain forgiveness and even redemption, if not I am afraid the Brother may have to be rather harsh with you. Make an example and all that.”

  Zack gaped, “what proof has this man shown that he is numbered among the Brethren?”

  “None of that,” laughed his host, “he said you would try something of the sort. But we will certainly take his side in the matter. Do not start preaching that the man is a heretic and his teaching false, that is what the old lord sounded like ere the end! We are content with our system and need none else. Now what of your confession?”

  Zack shook his head, “I have nothing to confess! I have told the truth!”

  “Well,” said the man sadly, “the Brother will be in to speak with you shortly but I fear if you do not confess we will be forced to execute you for your crimes.”

  Zack gaped, “without an objective trial?”

  The man sighed, “you will have your trial and no one is more objective than the Brother but examples must be made in such cases if the offender will not bend his stubborn will and seek mercy. I would reconsider were I you!” The man stood, gave the prisoner a last, pleading look, and vanished from the room. Zack ignored his supper and wondered what the impending visit of this fraudulent brother might reveal.

  Suddenly he heard a noise on the far side of the room and turned quickly to find the one window finally letting in the fading light of day as someone took off the heavy shutters barring it from the outside. Zack smiled to see Melph poking his head in the window and whispering, “you had best make a break for it! They have not yet seen me or posted a guard at this window but they are talking rather excitedly over the fate of a certain murderer on the morrow!”

  Zack said quietly, “I must be a witness to these deluded folk!”

  Melph growled, “you fool! You cannot fulfill my dire prediction so soon! These people will not hear you! You must either run, break Oath by confessing, or die for a crime you did not commit. You should hear some of the ideas they have for putting you to death! Now let us be gone!”

  Zack shook his head sadly, “they need to hear the Truth even if I die for it and no one believes a word I say. I cannot go.”

  Suddenly a commotion was heard at the front of the house and Melph shuttered the window and vanished as the door of the room was opened and the Brother entered, followed by a rather large and sinister looking henchman. Zack remained seated and the man smiled at his insolence and said, “you have courage for a heretic. I take it you are truly one of the Brethren? Who else would be so stubborn? You know what faces you on the morrow if you do not confess. I know quite well you did nothing wrong but my followers do not know that and neither shall they know that I am truly the one behind it. That old fool finally decided to see the light after all his years of profligacy and was on the verge of upsetting my dear followers thus he must be got rid of. It is sheer delight that you happened upon the scene and have taken the blame and my bandits have gotten away scot-free. It has been a long time since we have had a decent example made around here. It will be amusing to watch you die as I am sure you will not forsake your precious Master?”

  Zack nodded grimly and the man continued, “I only hope we catch your compatriot. Is he also of the Brethren?”

  Zack shook his head and said, “he fled at the first sign of danger.”

  The man grinned madly, “and you stay in hopes of convincing my poor deluded followers of your Truth?”

  His smile deepened with malice as he said, “that would never do. I give you one last chance to turn to me for help. Forsake your Master and save your life!” Zack’s reply was a stern look. The man laughed, “so be it. Let this be a prelude to what tomorrow will bring. And know that your hope is a futile one as you will never say anything to anyone again.”

  He motioned to his minion who approached the prisoner who was now on his feet and backing to the furthest corner of the room but there was nowhere else to go. Sounds of a scuffle and a muffled scream that died away into incomprehensible groanings were heard by the master of the house who quickly dashed from the door where he had been listening. The Brother and his minion emerged, the latter clutching a bloody dagger and what the horrified host soon recognized as the prisoner’s tongue. Laughed the Brother, “he will no longer spout heresy in my presence. He may yet confess on the morrow else he knows what awaits him. See to his comfort and security until the trial.” He laughed as they vanished from the house.

  The host dashed into the makeshift prison and found the man seated upon the bed, clutching at his mouth. The host stuttered, “see what comes of crossing the Brother? Worse will come of it unless you confess!”

  There came another clatter at the window and Melph appeared once more. He shook his head grimly and said, “you will be witnessing to no one now my friend! Curse your stubbornness, now let us be gone!”

  Zack eyed his host who only gaped at the strange man and finally nodded in resignation but before he could act, Melph yelped and vanished from sight and the vile henchman looked in the window and growled, “we caught your friend!”

  The window was secured and the minion vanished with his prisoner. Zack’s eyes were wide but not at the capture of his friend nor with the pain but with wonder. His host’s eyes suddenly became even wider as the captive spoke in awe, “I have been healed! I can speak! Did you overhear what your so-called Brother said of his part in the murder of your lord?”

  The man gaped, “how?”

  Zack smiled, “the Master has his reasons. Come!”

  The man blurted out, “I heard everything! Can it be true? Is it all a lie?”

  Zack asked, “what has your conscience always told you?”

  The man looked dejectedly at the floor and said, “that I was living a lie. The Brother was constantly reassuring us that we might live as we choose but ever our consciences smote us. I never felt such constant remorse under the old ways! What the Brother has just spoken only confirms what my heart has always known. What am I to do?”

  Zack said, “I must go after those bandits. They are the allies of this rogue Brother and if I produce the true thieves, my friend and I will no longer be accused of this crime and perhaps your deluded village might actually listen to the Truth.”

  The man smiled sadly, “I doubt it, most will side with the Brother regardless, they like what he says too much. It is much easier to believe that the Master is all Love and not Just or Righteous.”

  Said Zack, “yet he is also merciful and gracious. He will take you back.”

  The man shook his head, “I am not so sure my comrades will want him back. They like their justified hedonism. Even if you can find these scoundrels and get a full confession I fear you will still be in very grave danger.”

  Zack nodded grimly, “so be it but it must be attempted.”

  The man asked, “how will you find them and confront them alone?”

  Zack smiled, “my unicorn has tracked them and tells me they are very nearly incapacitated with drink. It will not be difficult.”

  The man gaped, “are there truly such things as unicorns? Oh fool that I have been to believe the Brother! You are truly one of the Brethren.“

  The man smiled, “then I will let you go, for I can no longer dwell under the rule of such a man and may the Master have mercy upon me!” He grinned ruefully, “to think I had tried proselytizing you!”

  Zack smiled, “and you did a fair job of it, even if your theology was a tad askew.” The man made sure there was no one watching the house an
d then helped his late prisoner vanish into the night.

  Melph was taken to the Brother’s great house where he met his Greatness himself. Once they were alone save for the horrible henchman, the Brother began, “are you willing to confess? You saw what came of your friend’s stubbornness. You need not share his fate.”

  Growled Melph, “I suppose it is his stubbornness that got me into this mess. I shall humiliate myself but it is not a fate worse than death. What must I do?” The Brother smiled and began to preach to his new acolyte.

  Thanks to the scouting foray of the unicorn (who had nothing else to do while his master was incarcerated) the drunken scoundrels were easily captured. Zack rode into their midst with his great mount revealing his true form and they were so drunk and overawed that they became as docile as kittens. He herded his captives back towards the village and came with the dawn just as the stir began that the prisoner had escaped. The unicorn made the villagers uneasy, as did the bandits. What was going on? The Brother wasted no time in storming up to the yet mounted man and demanding, “what is this?”

  Zack smiled and to the Brother’s astonishment said, “your murderers and thieves. Release my friend and tell these people that you have lied to them all these years.”

  “How is it you speak?” said the awed Brother.

  Zack smiled, “the Master had mercy, but more to the point, a use for my tongue. Now release your hold on these folk.”

  The Brother turned to his people and asked, “well? Who will you believe? This scoundrel or your beloved leader?”

  Zack’s former host spoke up, “I heard the Brother proclaim last night that he had plotted our lord’s murder and was only too happy to blame it on these men.”

  Melph spoke, “I, like a fool, lost faith and was ready to confess to a deed I did not do to save my life! This man is a liar and a murderer; my friend speaks the truth.”

  The villagers began to murmur and mumble amongst themselves. They did not like being deceived but neither did they like the idea of returning to their old ways after so many years of living as they pleased. The Brother sensed their disquiet and said grimly, “you had best choose quickly. Will you choose me or these conspiratorial heretics?”

  Finally one brave man spoke up, “I do not like this fool traipsing in here and telling us that the way we are living is wrong! If his precious Master really loved us would he not let us live as we pleased?”

  Zack asked, “is a parent unloving when they reprimand a child for doing some wrong or do not allow the child to always do exactly as it pleases? The Master is most concerned about your soul and the growth thereof, sometimes we must do those things which we must rather than what we wish. It is the only way to grow.”

  The crowd began to murmur, they did not like being preached at by one they thought a murderer only the day before. Melph and the repentant villager had edged closer to Zack who had slid from his unicorn’s back to address the Brother. Melph whispered, “this is not looking good.”

  Zack nodded grimly, “it will take a miracle to turn the wrath seething within the villagers’ hearts and minds. You two may have earned yourselves an untimely death.”

  Melph laughed grimly, “I told you you were doomed, but at least I can say I am proud to die alongside you and at last I understand why you are willing to die for such a cause. My one regret is not coming to this conclusion sooner.”

  Zack shared an enthusiastic smile with his friend and the villager said, “at least I saw the light before the onset of night. I am proud to die beside you my friends.”

  “And who said you must die?” asked the Master as he stood before them in all his radiance. The three men and the unicorn were suddenly on their knees before him and trembling with awe and joy. He smiled at their stunned expressions after such a rescue and said, “you did require a miracle did you not?” The whole world seemed to dance for joy with his mirth and he continued, “now you had best return to Astoria and see what the Lady would do about this heretical village. Your sudden disappearance will cause quite a few hearts to reconsider what you have said and they will require your wisdom in the coming days. As for the master heretic and his henchmen, they must face justice for their crimes. Farewell!”

  Suddenly he was gone and they found themselves on a hill overlooking a city that Zack was pleased to recognize as home. They rode quickly to the Keep and reported their strange ordeal to the Lady. By the time she sent her servants to the distant village, the Brother and his bandits were fled but the villagers were lost in confusion and conflict and finally began to listen to what they had long denied as Truth. The Brother and his lot were finally captured in their continued attempts at banditry and found justice at last. Zack, much to Melph’s surprise and great joy, lived at least a decade longer than expected and for all I know might be living still.