“Speaking of Barri, if you believe Talfrin is on the threshold, perhaps we should talk to him about arrangements. There is a village plot a half a meeley away that would be appropriate for him,” the chief dame said, coming towards us. Apparently she had heard the end of our conversation. “Oh and Theron, I believe it is time to send a letter back to the king and queen. They will be delighted I am sure.”
Delighted? She can’t have meant that Alexo was to marry Lunamae? He was just a child by his actions and incredibly rude. I couldn’t imagine his character improving so quickly. Perhaps I was interpreting too much into it, but she hadn’t mentioned the letter that Theron had delivered a few weeks prior to her. Maybe it was to let the king and queen know that their servant was now the village apothecary and doing quite well for himself in his new position. I could only hope.
We were led to the apothecary’s shop, our hair blowing wildly in the wind. I could hear loud deep breaths followed by a long period of silence. The struggle to intake air made me want to demand Theron to do something, anything. I knew he couldn’t. Death was beyond a healer’s abilities. When Theron opened the door we looked upon the gaunt-faced Talfrin. He looked so much older than when I had last seen him only a few weeks ago. The skin clung to his bones and he had lost much weight. It was hard to see someone who used to be so alive in this condition. I didn’t want to leave and I didn’t want to stay. The chief dame could see the look of pain in my eyes. She held me as I started to cry. I wasn’t ready to lose him. There was so much more that could be learned. I wanted to know how herbs interacted. I wanted to know how he had spent his childhood. I wanted to know how he survived Wortha Hill. While he wasn’t sent to fight, he was still close to the battle and could have been easily captured or killed by a passing arrow.
“It’s hard to lose someone dear to you,” she said, tears in her own eyes. I knew she was remembering her husband, the Chieftain Leofric, may he rest with the Creator forever.
“He doesn’t respond any longer,” Theron said. “I can’t feed him for fear he would choke. He hasn’t been up all day. I think his body is shutting down. If you have any words, now would be the time. I have heard that those who may seem unaware can still hear.”
The chief dame and Theron left me to be alone with my old friend. I sat at Talfrin’s side and took his hand. It was bony and thin. It felt colder than mine.
“Talfrin if you can hear me. I’d like you to pass a message to the Creator for me when you arrive. Please see to it that Lunamae doesn’t marry a stranger. I don’t care about myself. I want her to have a good and happy marriage. I will miss you Talfrin, when you are gone. You still have some time left on this earth. I want you to know that we all care for you. I will continue to learn herb lore from Theron. He knows more than I.” I got up solemnly and went to the door. I waited with Theron as the chief dame went to say her goodbye. Theron was the last to visit. While he hadn’t known Talfrin long, he had known him long enough to miss his gentle demeanor and calm instruction. When we had all finished, we left Talfrin to leave Orinda in peace. Theron excused himself to go to his home and I accompanied the chief dame to the keep.
The night was ushered in quietly and we were all silent for the rest of the hours until bedtime. No one felt like speaking. We were all waiting for the expected.
Emylyn and I were called down to the main level of the keep the next morning. Talfrin was gone, sent back to the Creator. It was hard to keep a calm face, but I tried my best. It was a lot easier to know he was in peace in death rather than struggling so hard in life, but the lump in my throat didn’t go away and I was constantly holding back tears. I left Eclipse in my apartment. I didn’t think it would be appropriate having him bounding around a burial service. Most likely there would be rodents stirred up and I could only imagine him howling with a mouse in his chops coming to me to show his prize. Sometimes he did that in the keep since mice have a tendency to wander in. He would stand in the doorstep to the apartment and make such a vocal ruckus until I saw his prey. Emylyn was becoming a little used to it but it wasn’t unusual to hear her squawking about a mouse in the room, not realizing it was dead.
We got dressed in our best clothes. While it was a time to mourn, there was much celebration. Death is only a portal to new life with the Creator. We don’t consider it an ending at all. Some cultures, such as Kyrie and Aelisonia, wear black. The Chalosians wore white for their burials. I knew that Kyrie and Aelisonia followed the Text of Illumination. I wasn’t sure about Chalos. Given their remoteness, it was doubtful.
Presently, the chief dame was at the entrance, talking to Barri. He had the Text of Illumination in his hand. My mother was there also but I didn’t see my father. I assumed he had volunteered to help with the burial. I felt awkward standing there next to the silent Emylyn. Theron entered the keep and I felt relief. He brushed off his hands and approached us.
“How are you doing?” he asked me. I shifted, not exactly sure what to say and not able to keep much back if I did. “You know, in Fanarion they have tools and techniques to preserve the body after death so you can see your loved ones before they are put into the earth. I had watched one of those men do the procedure before. At the chief dame’s instruction I have prepared Talfrin in such a way. You can see him again if you would like. We all can. The casket will be open at the site for all to come and see.”
I was in shock. I didn’t know such a thing existed. We made such a commotion on seeing someone before they died as we would never get a chance to see them again. I was a little excited to see him again, but nervous as to what he would look like. Normally upon death, the body starts decomposing without the soul.
“He looks as he did before he met the Creator, if that makes you feel less uneasy—before what he looked like yesterday,” Theron offered, obviously seeing the worry on my face.
“So you believe in the Creator now, do you?” I wondered.
Theron shrugged. “I have had more time to talk to Barri. It makes more sense having one divine being rather than the several that are in Fanarion. I have a feeling the ones in Fanarion aren’t real—I mean, they never were real. I think they were conjured out of selfish want for something able to be controlled by the ruling family. Not the current one of course. They would rather not stir up hostility by changing what has been in place for hundreds of years.”
“May we go now?” I asked, changing the subject. I didn’t want to cut him off—I truly cared for his spirituality. I just wanted to get to the burial area.
“I think now would be a good a time as any. Angharad needs to finish a little bit of the after-burial preparation with Barri. There is going to be a feast of memory tonight I heard,” Theron told me. Emylyn silently followed behind us as we walked slowly out of the keep. We caught up with Brynna and Logan who were coming to pay their respects to Talfrin as well.
“Have you seen Lunamae?” I whimpered. I hadn’t seen her from my brief browsing around the village. She had grown quite close to Talfrin as well, though not as much as I had. I wanted her company at such a hard time. Brynna shook her head.
“I saw her standing in the apothecary shop as I closed up mine for the morning,” Logan responded. “She wasn’t moving, but staring into space.”
“Should I go check on her?” I asked, although I knew the answer. The group motioned for me to go see to her. I left their company and went to the apothecary shop. On the way I noticed Flurry was lose and running around, meowing for her master. I picked up the cat and petted her as I headed past the stables, the ironsmith, and my brother’s shop. It was so empty now as most of the people had left to the burial. The whole village had used Talfrin’s services at one point or another.
As I approached the shop, I was hesitant. While Theron had taken over Talfrin’s duties in the last few months, it was odd seeing the shop empty. Well, save Lunamae. She hadn’t moved since Logan had seen her. I put down Flurry who ran to Lunamae, rubbing her face on the girl’s skirts. I walked up to her and put my hand on
her shoulder. She jumped a little and twirled to look at me.
“Why do people have to die?” she demanded.
“He’s alive, just not here,” I said calmly. “Remember what you learned in the Text of Illumination. Those who are absent from their earthly bodies are alive in their heavenly ones with the Creator. Of course, he would be with the Teacher as well, and your own father, Chieftain Leofric.”
Lunamae started to smile, though it was barely visible behind her wall of sorrow. I couldn’t imagine growing up and never knowing my father. Thankfully, there was at least a painting for her to get some sense of what he looked at. Chief Dame Angharad had it in her apartment, made by a talented artisan from Aelisonia. Aelisonia was famous for their crafts and artisans. Back in Old Orinda, the kings always had a place on the walls of the stone fortress of Slievenamon. The artisans kept with the craft of their ancestors, especially since Aelisonia kept the rule by kings. Angharad left the painting of her husband hidden most of the time now, but when the pain was nearer, she had it hanging often.
“Are you ready to see him?” I asked her, wondering what her reaction would be.
“See him? Isn’t he in a box?” she inquired.
“The lid will be open. Theron did some kind of preservation technique he learned in Fanarion,” I told her. She blinked in astonishment. I wasn’t surprised. Her face looked like mine when I first heard of it.
“So what of you and Theron?” Lunamae questioned. “I know there is something going on. Occasionally at night I notice the two of you walking hand-in-hand around the village. You might want to be more careful. If your mother found out …”
“She won’t. If she does, Theron has a plan,” I articulated.
“What plan?” she queried.
“Uh …,” I stammered. He hadn’t actually revealed anything to me yet. I wasn’t sure what he had in mind, but time was passing and I was sure that I would know soon enough.
“Come on Muirenn, let’s go. I want to see Talfrin,” Lunamae changed the subject. She took Flurry with her as we headed to the burial area, stopping by her foster house to deposit the cat.
We headed out past the keep, over the bridge, and over to the burial area. The area was more of a mound in the ground, where the bodies were all stored in crypt underground, accessible through a door and pathway.
The villagers were all crowded around the coffin. I heard exclamations every so often on how well he looked and he didn’t look dead at all. I caught my aunt out of the corner of my eye.
She caught my gaze and announced, “What a good job Theron did! I truly wish we had known about this preservation technique earlier. Seeing Talfrin in this state brings me peace. He looks happy, even.”
“Does he look like he did last year?” Lunamae inquired.
“Daughter, he looks like he was maybe even ten years ago!” The chief dame pulled her daughter towards her and urged me to follow as we were allowed a walking path as people parted for her.
I approached the coffin cautiously. I saw Talfrin, looking as though he was only sleeping. I wanted to reach out and touch him, to tell him he could wake up now. Theron had done more than a good job. This was amazing. Lunamae was in awe as well. Her eyes drifted over his hands and face. Her expression could only be described as confused, probably for the same reason as I had just mentioned. He didn’t look dead.
When a little time had passed, Barri took his position in front of the coffin to officiate the burial ceremony. We all backed up a little so the monk had more room. He told us bit about Talfrin’s life. His mother immigrated here from Aelisonia and his father got married to her after she traveled here once with her family to do trading. Barri told us that Talfrin married Nia after he healed her from an ailment she had. While he was helping her get better, they ended up falling in love. Unfortunately she died in childbirth. He wasn’t able to save her from that. He was one of the first people to attend Chieftain Leofric when he was injured in the Battle of Wortha Hill.
Suddenly I heard a shout. Logan was yelling for help. Brynna had collapsed on the ground. She was breathing, I could tell that much from where I was. Theron had one of the men carry her to the apothecary shop as Logan wasn’t able to with his one arm.
“I think this would be a good time to conclude services,” Barri said nervously, his eyes wandering to Brynna. The lid of the coffin was put on and hammered shut. My father and a few other men transported Talfrin’s body into the crypt.
I asked the chief dame for dismissal so I could see what had happened to my sister-in-marriage. She adamantly told me to take as much time as needed and let her know what had happened. She told me to come to the feast of memory if I was able.
“What is wrong?” I asked Theron, knowing he could tell by a touch, only he hadn’t touched her yet. He didn’t want her to know his secret if there were others about. If Brynna was to find out, it would have to be in private, not with the whole village around.
“I’m not sure. She is obviously not the skinniest woman. Extra weight can cause many problems with the heart, blood, and other organs,” he explained to me. He then hushed his voice into a whisper. “You know I can’t do anything with your brother around. You will have to get him out of the shop when we get there.” I nodded in understanding. It would be hard for Logan to leave his wife but he would have to do it for the sake of her health. Some men helped lift up Brynna and carry her.
We crossed the bridge, Logan reciting the different tools in his shop to keep his head level and keep the bridge intact. Once we entered the shop, I tried to get Logan out, but he wouldn’t budge.
“I’m not leaving my wife here with a stranger,” he said defiantly.
“He’s not a stranger. He’s been here for months. Also, I will be there with her,” I told him gently. He calmed down and stood by the door.
“I’m not moving from here. I suppose you could keep the door shut if you must, but I’m not leaving the premises,” Logan blurted. Both Theron and I nodded and went in to the back room. The man carrying Brynna placed her on the bed where Talfrin was only yesterday. The man left and Theron closed the door.
“Finally I can find what is wrong and fix her,” he said with relief. I watched him put his hand on her head, her chest, her stomach and he stopped suddenly. Brynna was conscious now and was asking where she was.
“What is it? Is she going to die too?” I wondered anxiously, not realizing Brynna could hear me. I saw shock flash across her face mixed with worry.
“No. Not at all. There is nothing to fix,” he said with a large grin stretched across his face. “Brynna calm down.”
“What do you mean?” Brynna begged. He didn’t answer her right away. Instead, he opened the door and called for Logan. Logan rushed in and went to Brynna’s side. He held her hand and looked back at Theron.
“Congratulations,” Theron told Logan and Brynna. We all looked at Theron, thoroughly confused. “You are with child.” The two looked at each other, a wash of happiness and joy splashed over their faces.
“But how did you know?” Brynna asked. “Typically there are more warning signs, more obvious warning signs than just a fainting spell, and that was the first one I had ever had. I don’t even show.”
I interceded on Theron’s behalf, knowing good well he’d have problems explaining himself. “There were other signs that he recognized while you were unconscious. Fainting can be a result of many issues and he ruled the others out. Besides, you’ve been married long enough that it would be expected, right?”
“I suppose,” Brynna said slowly. “May I get up now?”
“You may, although I’d have your husband take you back home for some rest. Make sure you keep an eye on the foods you eat. That means no sweets or alcohol. You may have water if it is boiled, and milk. I don’t want you damaging yourself or the baby,” Theron answered. Logan helped her up and they walked together out of the shop. I stood with Theron in the back room.
“Wouldn’t it be nice to have children?” He turned to
me.
“I think so. I’ve practically already raised one so I would have no problems handling more,” I replied. I looked at his eyes which were glazed over. “What are you implying?”
“I would like to marry you, of course,” he stated.
“But you can’t,” I said, in shock. I had never even considered marriage to Theron a serious proposition so whenever the thought entered my mind, I quickly dismissed it. It wasn’t a repugnant thought, but an impossible one.
“But I can,” he demanded. “I have to carry out my plan. Just wait until the feast of memory. Now that I think of it, we’d better head towards. They would be starting soon. Would you mind an escort?” I shook my head and took his arm he’d offered me.
He led me slowly out of the shop and to the keep. It looked as though he loved every minute of it. When we entered the keep I could tell the feast had started. Joyful shouts and merriment could be heard from the feasting hall. We wandered in together and I took my place at the chief dame’s side after scoping the room. The hall was set up differently, with two rows of tables and one at the very end, perpendicular to the rest, where the chief dame sat. I noticed she wasn’t surprised when we had come in together with arms entwined. My mother, on the other hand, was scowling. I caught her eye and she shook her head menacingly. My father didn’t seem to take much note. He seemed to be always that way, however.
People from the village came forth while we all ate to give account of their memories of Talfrin as was customary during this time of remembrance. I was a bit hesitant to come forward but I felt drawn to, as if I had to say something. I didn’t want to regret sitting in my chair and being silent. When the time was right I stood and walked to the center of the room so everyone could see me. Of course, that meant walking around the entire length of the room.
“Talfrin was a good friend and teacher,” I started. “He taught both Lunamae and I all about herb lore as we grew up. If I ever got a spare moment I would go to his shop and learned all I could about the interesting properties of plants. Talfrin was always kind and patient, willing to hear my questions and carefully planning his answers. He always had referred to me as the apprentice he wished he had. I will miss his gentle spirit but I know he’s in a better place with the Creator now.”
Lunamae Page 12
