Poor Barney.
Katiyana quickly thought of the animals. Such an unselfish girl. Sacks of food stood against the barn walls, evidence that Barney had been to market since Katiyana’s disappearance. With a renewed look of determination, she fed the animals, pausing to absently stroke the horse’s back. They gratefully munched and pecked in silence. Then the princess grabbed a shovel and began digging a hole in the hard ground, just beside the barn. The bright moon served as her only light.
After several hours, she collapsed, I imagine from fatigue and immense emotional strain.
Perhaps nobody knows better than I how it hurts to watch someone in so much pain and anguish, and not be able to help them. I knew she needed sleep, and I knew the night would grow colder. But sleeping outside was surely a better option than returning to the house where she’d be forced to sleep alone, trapped inside the same space as Barney’s dead body. I closed my eyes and attempted to overpower my worries by means of distraction.
^-]
And what was Jeremy Simkins doing with his little bit of gossip about the missing prince of Mischief? I turned my thoughts to the Simkins home where I found Jeremy packing a bag, again under the watchful eye of Becky.
“Where are you going this time?” she asked.
“This time I’m going far, far away. I’ll be gone for several weeks. But there is enough food to last until then—I’ve worked hard the last few days to make sure.” He glanced at the girl as he shoved a shirt into his pack. “You’ll eat like a queen while I’m gone.”
The girl smiled.
“Are you leaving tonight?” she wondered aloud.
“No, Beck. I’ll be leaving early tomorrow morning. I’m just making sure everything is ready so I have plenty of time.”
“Are you going to walk?”
“No. I’m going to take the horse the king and queen gave me.” Jeremy further tousled the girl’s hair.
“Why did they give you the horse? Are you sure you didn’t steal it? Denuk and Lief are always stealing things. They told me they wanted to steal your horse, but that Mother wouldn’t let them.”
“Yes, but remember what I told you?” He looked powerfully into her eyes, as if desperately hoping she understood.
“Yes,” she said matter-of-factly. “It isn’t right to take something that doesn’t belong to you.”
“That’s right,” Jeremy agreed with a look of pride.
“So why did the king and queen give you a horse?”
“I guess they felt sorry for me.”
“Are you going back to Mr. Barney’s again?”
Sadness came over Jeremy’s face. “Yes.”
“But I thought you hated Mr. Barney.”
Jeremy resumed packing. “I don’t hate him. Remembering certain things about him makes me sad.”
“Because of the girl?”
“Becky, are you ever going to stop asking questions tonight?”
“Because of the girl?” she persisted.
“Yes, because of the girl. Because of Kat.”
“Why?”
“Because he hurt the girl. And I wanted to protect her, but I couldn’t because I have to stay here and help you and the others. I tried to help her, but now I don’t even know where she is or if she’s safe. I’ll stop by Barney’s to make sure the animals are being fed.”
“Do you think she’ll be there?”
Jeremy lifted a corner of the blanket on Becky’s bed and signaled for her to get in. Becky slid under the thin bed cover and Jeremy folded it over her, making sure it fit snug all around. Then he laid his jacket over the top of her for extra warmth. “I don’t know.” The reflection of the candle flickered across Becky’s brown eyes as he sat beside her for one last moment. “Sometimes I wish I had not encouraged her to leave. I wonder if I did the right thing.”
“But you always do the right thing,” Becky said.
“Not always, but I try. Sometimes it’s hard to know what the right thing is. And I couldn’t bear it if I failed Kat.”
“Because you love her?” the young child asked.
“Yes, Becky. Because I love her.” He kissed her forehead. “Now go to sleep.”
“But . . .”
“No more questions. If you wake early, you can see me off. Does that suit you?”
She nodded her head, pulled Jeremy’s jacket up to her chin and closed her eyes, after which Jeremy blew out the candle and curled up on the floor.
^-]
The sun rose and trickled through the orchard branches, kissing Princess Katiyana first on the cheek, and then on her forehead. When she sat up, she seemed surprised to realize the hole was big enough to fit her uncle. The task must have felt insurmountable the night before, and I’m sure she’d been unaware of her progress. With renewed strength of body and mind, she heaved him by the arms from his bed, dragging him with great difficulty across the floor of his house, down the steps, through the dirt and dead grass. Had it not been for his thinness—caused most likely by the lack of having Katiyana to cook for him—I don’t think she could have done it alone. She straddled the grave, one foot tilted sideways from walking on the dirt pile, and continued to pull. With beads of sweat covering her forehead, she gave one final yank. His legs dropped inside, and the weight of him nearly pulled the princess down as well. But she let go and watched his body drop to its final crooked resting position. She gave him one last sorrowful look, and then used the shovel to begin covering him up with the earth.
What a shame. I’d been indifferent to Barney for a number of years. But even though he hadn’t always been kind, I realized what he had given her: a roof over her head, food to eat, clothing, and most important, protection from her hateful mother. Truly, he deserved some honor, and even though nobody knew it, I was happy to be there with Katiyana.
As she rested beside his grave, my mind flooded with memories of her childhood. Scenes from her whole life flickered inside my head like a tragic play: not that there weren’t wonderfully happy moments, but they seemed to mean nothing on such sorrowful days. I couldn’t help but wonder how the rest of her life would play out. Would it end in tragedy? Though a real possibility, I tried not to think about it, turning my eyes to the horizon.
Just as Katiyana stood to go inside, a figure on horseback came into view from around the barn. It was Jeremy, but Katiyana had not yet noticed him coming. I was eager to see how this inevitable interaction would play out.
Katiyana climbed the porch steps, and just before reaching the door, she lifted her head, her eyes open wide. Suddenly, she burst through the door and ran into the living area and up the stairs. Her excitement surprised me. What was she doing? Her eyes stared at the bed in her little room, the bed she’d rested in most of her life. She bent forward and jerked the pillow, tossing it out of the way to reveal a book. The book Jeremy had given her the day before he left. I had forgotten all about it.
She thumbed through the pages, only glancing at the words and pastel-colored pictures. Where had Jeremy come across such a book—with watercolor drawings instead of black and white? It must have cost a great deal of money. As she looked, the pages parted wide to reveal a folded piece of paper. Mystified, she lifted and opened it.
Dearest Kat,
I hope that as you read this book, you will come to understand how much you mean to me. My parents used to read it to me when I was a little boy. It is now yours to keep. Forever.
Love always,
Jeremy
With haste, she thrust the pages back until she found the beginning, as if she couldn’t wait to find the meaning within. I admit suspense filled me as well. What would the story be about? Katiyana read out loud, walking toward the end of the bed and sitting down.
“There lived a shepherd boy
In a valley green and deep
Where in the sun and rain
He kept a flock of sheep.
He tended them with care
And knew them all by name,
Until one frightful day
A vicious wolfpack came.
The shepherd boy ran out
While drawing his red bow,
To meet the pack of wolves
Releasing arrows slow.
The wolves fell one by one
’Til only two remained.
They snarled and drew back
Then turned to run away.
With all the danger gone,
The boy put down his bow
And comforted the sheep
With music soft and low.
But when the sun went down
And darkness filled the air,
The two remaining wolves
Would leave their empty lair.
Now taken by surprise
In the dark and cool night,
The bow could not be reached
And so the boy did fight.
He fought with reckless fists
But was no equal match.
A desperate cry he gave
’Til help appeared at last.
The men came running out
From village houses warm.
They worked to gather sheep
And led them in a swarm.
Now safe, but damp, from rain
The sheep would wait all night,
Bleating for their shepherd
’Til sun’s first golden light.
While all the sheep bore blood,
Not one lamb had been lost,
And under morning’s dew
They all could see the cost.
The shepherd boy had died,
His spirit gone above.
He’d given his poor life
Defending those he loved.”
Katiyana wiped a tear from her cheek. “Oh, where are you Jeremy?” she whispered. Then she looked out the window and spotted his bewildered face as he stood over Barney’s grave.
Fellow Traveler
Katiyana rose from the bed and rushed to the window, where she watched him tie up his horse. Jeremy strode into the barn while Katiyana hurried down the stairs, her light brown linen dress flowing gracefully behind her. Was that a smile creeping across her face? She threw the front door open, taking all the steps at once with a great leap. Jeremy heard her landing in the dirt and poked his head out of the barn just as she rounded the corner of the house. Breathless, she stopped before him.
“Kat?” Did he not recognize her? Perhaps he couldn’t believe it. But his wariness soon gave away to a wide, relieved smile.
“Kat, I’ve been so worried about you.” He began to approach her, but a sudden, cautious look in her eyes kept him at a distance.
If ever there was a time to speak! But the girl said nothing.
“Is Barney . . . Is the grave for Barney?”
“Yes,” Katiyana finally spoke softly.
I figured that not seeing each other for so long had made them both timid. Was Katiyana angry with him? I couldn’t tell. Was Jeremy happy to see her? I don’t know. Curse that stupid mirror! It nearly drove me insane watching them stare at each other in total silence.
“Would somebody please say something?” I asked in frustration.
As if he had heard me, Jeremy spoke. “Where have you been?” His voice was heavy with wonder. I could tell he was dying to know.
“Where have I been?” Katiyana threw back at him. “Where have you been?”
“I’ve been . . . at home.”
She kept any anger in check and the sarcasm to a minimum. “At home doing what? Your important things you needed to take care of?”
“Yes, Kat. I’ve been trying to make a living.”
“For who? For yourself?”
“No, Kat. I mean yes. For both of us. For all of us.”
“Who do you mean by all?”
“I mean my family. I can’t marry you until . . .” He choked a bit on the word marry, but not because his feelings had changed. That hopeful, unassuming look in his eye—he felt insecure. Would she reject him now after all this time?
Time to change the subject. “Do you still have plenty of money?” he asked.
“Jeremy Simkins!” She yelled it as if trying to wake him up from a solid slumber. “Yes, I have plenty of money. I never needed your money. I’ve barely even used any.”
“How have you been living then? Oh, Kat, I hope you haven’t been wanting for anything.” He tried once more to close the distance between them.
“Please don’t come any closer.”
His boots rustled against the dirt as they halted under her gentle command.
Again with the silence! If I had been there, I would have asked more questions.
Jeremy looked at the old house. “How long have you been at Barney’s?”
“Only since last night,” she answered slowly. “I came and found him . . .”
“That must have been awful for you, Kat. I’m sorry I wasn’t here to help.” Such sincerity! Despite his flaws, he was a breath of fresh air compared to Prince Iden. He began inching closer again. “Where have you been staying? Why didn’t you talk to Juno as I asked? Couldn’t you find him?”
“I found him!” I had never seen her so angry before. Such bitterness! “I found him and realized you’d sent me to a rogue. Did you know that he sells slaves on that platform?”
All during her lecture, Jeremy continued to sneak his way forward. Katiyana, in her passionate outburst, seemed unaware of his movements.
“I never even spoke to him. Not really. I purchased a dwarf as a slave. And I’ve been living happily in Fluttering Forest ever since.”
“You don’t sound happy.” Jeremy slipped the words in before she could continue.
“The dwarf I bought lived with six other dwarves, and they let me stay in their home. And I did until . . .” She bowed her head for a few seconds. Was she thinking of Pokole? Looking back at her childhood friend, she continued. “But I am always welcome there. Forever. No matter what. When I return, they’ll be waiting for me. It is my home now.” The finality of her words made me think she would turn and walk away, but she stood firm.
“I’m so relieved you found a safe place to live, and that you made friends.”
“I should probably be returning to them soon.”
Jeremy had almost reached her by this point. “And yet, you are still here.” He closed the final space between them with care. Just before the tips of his boots touched the toes of her shoes, he stopped, placed his hands on her bare arms, and then, as if handling a delicate sculpture, pulled her to his chest and embraced her.
At first, her stiffness convinced me he was too late, that Katiyana would not accept him. But then she melted into him and returned the affectionate gesture.
“Kat, I’m so sorry,” Jeremy whispered. “I know you’ve been waiting for me and that you were counting on me. Believe me, I tried to find you, and I’ve been worried sick for you these last months. But deep down I knew you’d be all right. You always were capable of taking care of yourself. I’m so proud of you, Kat. You’ve done so well.”
It was a lovely speech to be sure, but I knew the princess was not convinced.
“Kat, won’t you say something?”
Her head rested on his shoulder, her eyes closed, her skin its normal olive tone. Though it lacked the extra tan of working under the summer sun, it was nowhere near the color of snow.
Jeremy placed his hands on her shoulders and pulled himself out of her arms with a gentle push. “Kat . . .”
She opened her eyes and Jeremy saw the glistening tears she was fighting desperately to hold back. “Oh Kat, I’ve made you cry.” He fumbled through his pockets for a han
dkerchief.
“I don’t need a handkerchief,” she said when he held the white cloth out to her. “What I need are answers.”
Jeremy lowered his eyes, twisting the handkerchief between his fingers nervously before looking back at her. “Kat, again, I’m so sorry. Sometimes I think it would have been better to just leave things as they were. I’m sorry I ever persuaded you to leave this place. I’m sorry so much has changed between us. I’m sorry that . . .”
“What?” Katiyana asked. “What else are you sorry for?”
“I’m sorry that you don’t seem to trust me. It hurts me deeply, but I know I don’t deserve any better.”
“Why won’t you tell me what you’re doing? Why is it such a secret?”
“It’s not a secret, really. I have to make sure my family is taken care of before I can . . .”
Again he halted, not willing to say “marry” out loud.
“Kat, all I wanted was to keep you safe from your uncle Barney until I could provide for you well enough on my own.”
“Jeremy, did you mean what you wrote in that letter? The one inside the book you gave me?”
He moved quickly, placing a hand on her cheek. “Every single word.”
“And is it still true?”
“Yes.” The answer came unfeigned, with resonating surety.
“Jeremy, I want you to listen to me. Carefully.” She clasped both his hands and looked intently into his pure, light-blue eyes. “I care for you as well. Very much. I’ve ached for you to come back for me. I’ve thought of you every single day. But I’ve also learned that I can live happily without you. I can’t wait for you forever. I won’t.”
“Kat, I—”
“If this is about how you still have things to take care of, I don’t want to hear it.”
Snow Whyte and the Queen of Mayhem Page 16
