Dirty Villains

by Cheri Marie

  One last shrill scream blasts down the chimney putting out the roaring fire of mixed spices and sending chills up the midwife and her assistant’s neck. The midwife lights more candles. She sees that in that disturbing moment a raven headed girl had been born. She was molten red and blue-- an unhealthy color which prompted the midwife to snatch up the babe still attached to her mother. Quickly her wrinkled hands appeared young as she tied off the cord in a quick motion before rubbing the babe’s body down with a mixture of oil and herbs to help keep evil at bay. The babe not happy with this rough treatment protested with a wail that made the banshees quail in their wintery cloaks.

  The midwife busy making sure the baby was breathing normally was unaware of the contractions which racked mother’s body again. The silvery headed woman turns to hand my mother her first daughter when she sees the pain and sheen of sweat on mother’s red face. By now father was curious, as he had heard a baby crying, he bounds through the door hoping to see his son. An heir was what he needed, someone to raise the family in status with the right marriage.

  The smell of coppery blood hits Celeun as soon as he walked through the wooden door. The fireplace crackled and popped and Celeun’s strong stomach rolled at the sight of his wife, her face as white as the fleece of a sheep. He spots the small crying child suckling from his wife’s milky breast.

  Before he can make his way to her and his new son, the midwife stops him with her wrinkled, bloody hands. “Your wife’s work is not over. Another bairn is making its way now,” Her voice is thin and reedy yet Celeun knows the old woman means business as she pushes him out the door.

  He sits on a log outside the house and takes out his old knife and the piece of wood he had been whittling on all day. It was a miniature horse, a gift for his newborn son. The blustering storm had worn itself out and the stars twinkled and glimmered as they danced through passing clouds. A smile lit up Celeun’s tan face as his calloused hands worked magic on the pliable wood. Twins.

  Celeun’s wish came true, the latter twin was the boy and heir he had begged for since finding out his radiant wife was pregnant. He spoke to the old gods, venturing deep within the dark forest until he reached the spot the druids used for rituals. Several large twisting trees grew and the place was always eerily quiet like there was some presence unseen. Celeun would leave mead and honey as gifts to the gods and goddesses. He had prayed to the new Christian God, donating money to the traveling priests without his wife, Melusina, finding out.

  Chapter Two

  The eldest twin was a beautiful maid child with eyes the same purplish hue of Melusina’s. The boy’s eyes were sky blue and looked around taking in his surroundings. Mim and Merlin, declared our father as soon as the midwife’s assistant placed us in his arms. Our mother weak but happy sipped a cup of spiced mead. She told me once before she died that she had read our cards before we were born. She had seen we were born for greatness, and she also knew we would never see eye to eye.

  Like all children, we grew quickly pestering our father as he herded our flock of goats. We ran behind the goats laughing and screaming until father chased us away with threats of a beating. We swam in the river snaking through the sleepy village. I guess I should say that as children my brother and I were closer than we would ever be as adults. The villagers thought us odd warning their children to stay clear of those “twins.” There were strange whispers that our mother was seduced by Bran, the Blessed One, a king turned god who protected our country from foreign invaders, resulting in Merlin and myself.

  There were a few children who would play with us, mostly those without parents, who liked to run through the village sampling the food or terrorizing our mother for a reading from her cards. We raced through the snow-blanketed meadows and climbed trees to spy baby birds being fed worms by feather ruffled parents. Animals flocked to Merlin without any thought of danger and he always had a gentle word for them. The other children thought nothing of Merlin’s ability to speak with the animals or they thought him mad and decided against saying anything.

  Merlin and I would sneak out at night and head to the god’s forest. The exact spot our father had spent so much time pleading for a son. Upon entering the overgrown forest, the animals and insects could be heard scattering about with a buzz, hiss, or chirp. The forest was busy with activity but as soon as we stepped into the clearing where the white gnarled trees stood against each other, all noise ceased. The wind blew strange bringing with it scents of calming lavender, uplifting jasmine, and refreshing mint. We spent many full moons here just sitting and whispering secrets to the wind and trees. We knew nothing of the world and the world knew nothing about us, but that was to change for one of us, at least.

  Mother spent a lot of time in her herb garden making sure she would have a good supply throughout the cold months. She made tisanes and poultices to help the sick and wounded. She kept a dark room with a tall cabinet containing different phials, a table full of parchment, candles, and unused cutting of plants. The room was full of upside down plants hanging from the low rafters to dry. She had a book explaining various plants and their uses and I loved to escape to my hidden nook behind the fireplace. During the summer, my hiding place was too hot for the fire sputtered as it was stoked to cook our meals, but during the winter it was the coziest niche in the whole house. I would lose myself in the description of the different plants and where to find them.

  One late summer afternoon, Mother was inspecting her garden-- deadheading flowers, pruning this plant, and weeding the herb beds. Forgotten for sometime, I begged Merlin to follow me down the river past the meadows and into the Black Forest. We were warned to stay away from the haunted forest, but Mother’s book of plants stated that the only place to find Yarrow, known in my times as Knight’s Milfoil, was in the Black Forest. This plant could be used to treat headaches and battle wounds and had the magical ability to ward off negative influences and energies. I just knew Mother would be happy to add this cure-all plant to her growing garden.

  The forest let not a shimmer of light through, hence its name. The trees stretched high into the sky with long busy branches pushing into the other trees. Vines encircled the trees like ribbons keeping the trees held tightly in place. The air cool and damp settled on our skin causing goosebumps to travel down our necks.

  “I don’t think this is such a good idea, Mim,” Merlin whispers trying not to disturb any tree spirits. The only other noise heard is our feet crunching dead leaves with each step. His blue eyes wide in anticipation as his crooked teeth gnaw on his lower lip.

  “Really Merlin, don’t be such a baby. I am going to be quick.” I snapped upset that he wanted to spoil the adventure. I didn’t come all this way to go back empty handed and I wanted to surprise mother with some of my knowledge. My hands gripped the small sack I had brought as well as the small shovel for digging I had snatched off the table in Mother’s dry room.

  She had promised when I was old enough that she would begin my lessons, but I wanted to start learning now. I thirsted for knowledge like the flower I am looking for thirsts for rain. Merlin was content to learn about farming, but I knew Merlin longed to flip through the books we had seen hid away in mother’s heavy, wooden trunk where the linens were stored.

  So, on we walked without another word until I saw the colorful flowers indicating they were indeed, Knight’s Milfoil. Within a few minutes, I had extracted enough that mother would have some she could dry now while cultivating the others with her green thumb. Merlin held the sack as I shoved the pink and white flowers into the rough tan sack.

  “Now can we get out of here?” Merlin asked nearly above a whisper this time as he ties the sack and ties it to his pants. As he looks up, Merlin begins to shake, his eyes bulge and his mouth hangs half open. I followed his frightened gaze deep within the forest at the two yellow eyes that glowed brightly in the inky blackness of the trees. My hand flies to Merlin’s as I snatch him forward running wildly toward the light of the sun shining just beyond the t
rees.

  We are almost out of the Black Forest when I look over my shoulder to see if the yellow-eyed demon was following us—nothing. There was no evil beast tearing through the forest to eat two naughty children. Feeling a little braver, I slow down and begin to laugh hysterically. Merlin red-faced is bent over trying to gasp for air.

  “You think to play tricks on us, do you? Think we are afraid?” I yell into the forest while my knees tremble and knock each other. Merlin tears his hand from mine and takes off running without me.

  “Wait,” I scream after him as my own feet slap at the damp ground below. The trees quake loosening debris down upon us and the forest below. Before I could catch up to Merlin, something large jumped from behind the remains of the long forgotten home which Merlin was soon to run past. I see the hairy beast’s teeth jagged and sharp. It was a large wolf hungry and on the scent of my brother. I pump my small legs as fast as they’ll go yelling a death cry hoping to frighten the furry beast away.

  Merlin stopped dead in his tracks as the wolf circled around him. His fist clenched tight ready to strike at the wolf if he makes his move. I am a foot away from Merlin when the wolf growls low and snaps at Merlin, but he moves quickly sidestepping the huge animal. The wolf lunges again grabbing Merlin’s trousers and whipping his head back and forth almost ripping the black pants from my brother. I grab a broken piece of stone and throw it at the wolf hitting him in the head. He gives a bark and backs up for a minute shaking his head, but he isn’t going to be distracted from his meal and he rushes Merlin once again.

  Chapter Three

  All I can do is scream as the wolf makes his way toward my brother. When the nasty beast reaches my brother, he sits right in front of Merlin and bows his head for my brother to rub. Merlin reaches his hand out slowly and begins to stroke the wolf’s head. My mouth is agape and I am scared to get any closer just in case the wolf decides that he wants dinner, but Merlin smiles at me and waves me on over. I take the few steps cautiously and stick my hand out for the wolf to smell. Surprisingly, he licks my hand and started jumping around both of our feet. We talked it over and agreed to take him home, maybe mother and father will allow us to keep him.

  We take off towards home with the black wolf running behind us laughing at the adventure we had just survived. The wolf stuck to Merlin running close behind him as if his protector. I couldn’t wait to see father’s face when he sees the wolf coming up the lane. Their mother might appreciate their boldness but they would be punished for disobeying. Merlin chatted happily the rest of the way home and I was happy to know my brother was still alive and by my side.

  Just as I figured, father railed at us for bringing a wild wolf to the house, especially because he knew that he would end up eating the goats and sheep. Merlin promised to train the wolf and even made a wager with my father that he would have Wolfy herding the goats and sheep within a month. Mother couldn’t help to laugh at Merlin’s wager and father couldn’t pass it up either as he wanted to see if his boastful son could deliver his promise. I kept my eyes averted from my mother’s because I knew she would want the full truth as to how we come upon the wolf and a tame one at that. But the truth would have to be spoken.

  After the initial shock of a wolf at the farm, Merlin and father walk to his small workshed with the wolf staying right on Merlin’s heels. Mother started for the gardens and called for me to follow. We walked into the dark dry room where I handed her the sack of Knight’s Milfoil with a slight smile hoping this would take the sting out of whatever punishment she meant to hand down. She opens the sack tentatively and takes a second look at its contents when her mouth makes an O shape as a soft exhale escapes her soft lips.

  “Where did you find this?” She asks with curiosity as she carefully laid the contents of the sack on the worn table. It’s the one question I dreaded answering but I knew not to keep her waiting for the answer.

  I begin stumbling over my words. “I.. well. we.. but Merlin only went because I asked him to. I read that the plant was a cure-all.. good for headaches and wounds.. protective properties. The book said that it could only be found in the Black Forest. That’s where we found the wolf. Well, it found us really.”

  I leave out the part about thinking the wolf was going to shred my brother to pieces before making him dinner because mother’s face goes blank and her eyes glint with a hint of anger. “I only thought the Knight’s Milfoil would be the perfect addition to your garden, Mother. I only wanted to make you happy and proud,” my voice is broken with the tears that well up in the back of my throat.

  My mother looks at me with tears in her purple eyes. “You and your brother could have been badly hurt. Mim, knowledge can only be transferred to those who are ready. You have shown you have no restraint and dragging your brother into the situation shows you are foolhardy and think only of yourself.” The words cut like a dagger and my head hangs in shame as she dismisses me with a wave of her hand. She doesn’t even thank me for finding the yarrow.

  The following days, mother kept me busy with chores around the house—sweeping, cleaning the hearth, churning butter, and weeding the garden. I didn’t complain especially since I was able to see the Knight’s Milfoil take root in mother’s garden. Between training Wolfy and helping father on the farm, Merlin is kept busy too. Both of us so tired at the end of the day, that we fall into our beds barely undressed. Both father and mother had agreed after our adventure in the Black Forest that we needed to be kept busy around the farm and house.

  “They need to learn a normal way of life Melusina,” my father says gruffly. I overheard them talking one day when I was supposed to be collecting water while Merlin was given care of the sheep and had taken them towards the meadows to graze.

  “Tis not normal, those two, husband, you know that very well. Isn't the wolf proof enough? The old gods want Merlin and no matter what we say or do he will have to follow his destined path in life just as our wild daughter must. I only want them to know what they are capable of so that maybe they will be able to work together to keep our way of life safe from the foreign priests and those Kings who think to convert this land.” She finishes her tirade as my father looks around making sure no one has overheard.

  “Show them what you must.” Wiping the beaded sweat from his brow, he continues. “But how do you plan on keeping them safe from those who will brand them as witches and wizards doing the work of a demon?” Father questions her. I hold my breath waiting for her answer but Mother stands on her tiptoes and lightly lays a kiss on my father’s bearded face and turns and walks off leaving father standing by himself.

  His question lay heavy in the air and my heart pounded and I knew Father must hear it, but he turned in the other direction and marched off toward the village. Probably going to the tavern for a drink with the other farmers. I hurry off to gather the water mother wanted before she catches me spying. Afterward, I disappear and find Merlin and tell him what I have heard Mother and Father discussing. A scowl creases Merlin’s face and he looks at the clear sky. Was he hiding something from me?

  “I know sister, Mother spoke with me the day after we brought Wolfy home,” he speaks clearly but with a hint of sorrow. He reaches out to take my hand but I keep my hands behind my back because I can’t understand why mother sought to tell Merlin anything before me.

  I register the hurt expression flash across Merlin’s face and it makes me madder because I know why she chose him over me. He took the time to think things through while I ran headfirst. He could empathize with others while I had a hard time understanding people. I can’t stand to look at Merlin’s face—even if he didn’t ask for all of this. I was the oldest and her only daughter. I turn my back on my twin brother running as fast as possible to the god’s forest.

  Mother always goes there when she has a problem or needed some peace away from her husband and kids. I wanted a place to feel sorry for myself without feeling bad about it and the clearing with the white trees was the perfect place. I fall to the gro
und tearing at the green blades of grass while screaming at the unfairness of it all. I always knew Father loved Merlin more than me but I thought I had Mother’s eternal affections.

  Chapter Four

  My throat raw from screaming is parched and moving me to get to my feet and find water. My tantrum over, I push myself onto my feet. Before I can turn my back to the mysterious god trees, a soft light shimmers and I hear a faint laughter tinkling in the air. A fairy, it must be, mother told us stories of these mischievous creatures. Curiosity propelled me toward the trees.

  The light grows brighter as I approach the old gnarled trees as low branches sweep by my tear-stained face. Fear starts to tingle through my body making the hairs on my arms stand straight up. “Is anyone there?” I could barely get my tongue to form the words. Silence can be more deafening than sounds at times. There is a sound like water flowing in my ears, like waves of the ocean breaking on rocks of a mountainside.

  My stomach is all a’ flutter like a million wings of butterflies. That’s when I see the strong chest of a man, yet he seems more than a man, more like a god with his muscled arms and chiseled face. He walks from between the trees with a broad smile showing off a row of straight pearl-like teeth. His hair is long and flowing like liquid sunshine down his strong neck. A black raven flies out of one of the trees cawing with laughter as it lands on the strange man’s shoulder.

  It can’t be I muse to myself, but everything points to this golden man being a god and one of my mother’s, the Celtic god, Bran. No—it must be a trick. As I am lost in amazement, the god steps closer to me. I notice he is barefooted and dressed finer than myself. I pull at my tunic as I scratch the back of my leg with my other foot. I must seem like such a child at twelve and I try to stand taller. The man and his raven laugh softly as he sits down on the ground and beckons me to him.