“That was a close one,” Lemay commented and Eadwulf could do nothing but nod.
They hunted the rest of the morning and into the early afternoon before they finally managed to scare up another boar. This one was old and cunning, but slow, and Sir Oldalf speared it to the ground where it thrashed and squealed against the Danes’ great strength. In the end the large beast died, though none too quickly for Oldalf’s liking. But he was proud and happy that he managed to make a kill in front of his new friends, wanting to show them that the Anglish were not entirely helpless.
The kill belonged to him, but Sir Oldalf had every intention of adding it to the others for the Ealdorman and his household. He cut off the tail for luck, and was about to cut the boar’s heart out for his dogs when Lord Eadwulf interceded.
“I’d a word with ye Sir,” Eadwulf said softly, seemingly very uncomfortable, which immediately raised Oldalf’s suspicions. Most the hunting party was either resting in a glade, or still on the hunt, hoping to come up with just one more prize. “Sir Eadric will tend to yor kill,” he added and Eadric knelt next to the boar and held out his hand for Sir Oldalf’s knife.
“I’ll feed yor dogs well. They be fine beasts,” Eadric said with a smile and a nod. After a brief hesitation, Sir Oldalf handed over the knife and stood, very wary, and even went so far as to put his hand on the pommel of his sword, which Lord Eadwulf noticed but instead of growing angry he laughed loudly.
“Tis na a fight I be wantin’,” he said much to Oldalf’s embarrassment. He didn’t remove his hand, however.
Eadwulf led him off a distance, but still close enough that they would be overheard by several of the Ealdorman’s men, and a few of the strange soldiers. He spoke bluntly and in a tone that carried easily to others.
“Tis yor daughter I’d be wantin’ to speak with ye about,” Eadwulf began, stammering slightly. “Tis quite a beauty...has much of her mother in her, and I be noticing that she be of marrying age...I have na wife and been meanin’ to get me one. I’d like to ask ye for her hand,” he finished up, his face so flushed that Sir Oldalf immediately felt bad for his earlier suspicions. He smiled at his Lord, slightly taken aback by his own good fortune.
“Well, she be of marrying age forsooth, but she be me only dottir and I’ve made it plain to her that she may follow her heart in this matter,” he began, wanting to be honest with Eadwulf and trying desperately not to anger the man. But surprisingly Eadwulf seemed to understand.
“Tis only yor permission to court her I’d be lookin’ for,” he added with a look of hope in his eyes.
Oldalf could not say anything but yes, though he knew his dottir had her hat tipped toward Mayjor Thane.
“Of course ye have permission to court,” Oldalf replied and had to smile at the Lord’s reaction. Mayhap he misjudged the man. Eadwulf seemed genuinely pleased and his attraction to his dottir was clearly understandable. She was growing into quite a beauty…mayhap even a might prettier than her mother. Still, Sir Oldalf felt a bit uneasy about his Ellyn going to live in Rochester with this powerful Lord. Eadwulf slapped Oldalf on the back and grinned.
“Come, let’s ‘ave a drink to toast this day,” he said, his mood now very upbeat, and they started back to the glade, the boar forgotten for the moment. They drank and sat together, celebrating the successful hunt. Sir Eadric soon returned, the dogs following at his heels and behind them came four peasants hauling the dead boar that was nicely trussed to a thick tree limb.
“He’s a fine catch,” Eadric commented. “Big and fat,” he added. He said nothing about Sir Oldalf’s knife, which was safely hidden, deep in his vestments. Sir Oldalf smiled, very happy. Yes it’d been a very, very successful day.
The hunting party returned sporadically from out of the forest, a man here, a dog there and then a small group of drummers. Only the Americans seemed to be able to coordinate their movements. They all arrived just as Sir Eadric pointed out a large buck standing at the top of a hill on the far edge of the large clearing, watching pretty as you please some three hundred yards away. It was an old buck with an impressive rack, and everyone turned to look at him. The deer stared back down at them, apparently unafraid because of the great distance. The locals would have liked to have gone after him, but knew it was futile. The beast was too far away and already alert to their presence. General Peebles, though, was not so disheartened.
“Captain Hersey,” he said softly, not wanting to spook the animal. The buck however, was much too far away to spook, and did not consider the group a danger to him or his females, which were just over the ridge. “Would you do the honors?”
“Yes Sir,” Hersey replied with a grin, and brought his weapon to bear. He quickly took the animal’s range with the laser, and the scope adjusted automatically. The entire camp went quiet as he aimed; even the dogs could feel the expectation in the air and grew still. At the sudden silence the buck’s ears shot up but he stayed motionless for just over a second. He must have sense danger and he started to leap away. The 5.56mm bullet pierced its heart an instant before he moved. He jumped, took one bound and fell over dead. Many of the locals also jumped at the report and a few of them crossed themselves or gave the sign to ward off evil, but the Ealdorman roared his approval and the Æthelred went so far as to clap Captain Hersey on the back.
“Go and get the beast,” Æthelnoth yelled delightedly to a group of nearby handlers. The Ealdorman clapped his hands loudly several times in his excitement. Neither man was surprised that the strangers could kill the animal at so great a distance but Lord Eadwulf was shocked and aghast. It seemed quite impossible that anyone could kill from such a range. Eadwulf could feel the sweat running down his back, and he thought of Colonel Lemay killing the boar earlier in the day. These men were magical, and it was a very dangerous game he was putting into motion. But still he had no second thoughts. The way to any crown was always ripe with danger.
The hunting party was very successful, three boars, a large stag and a pheasant. There would be a feast that night for sure. The locals were very happy for the American’s help and many of the peasant class were beginning to consider the strangers charmed. Everyone was laughing, teasing and genuinely happy, as they made their way slowly back to home.
§
Back at Athelney, Ellyn was loitering around camp waiting for Matt to finishing working on the ship. She was not exactly sure what it is he and his men did inside the strange place, but whatever it was it took a good deal of his time. Usually patient, today she could hardly contain herself, partly because Dr. Rice had gone on the hunt and classes were shortened by Private Guon and Osage, so she really had very little to do. Earlier she was content to sit by an oak with Selby, chatting about their men, but Murphy tromped down the ramp nearly an hour ago and the two had gone off together, leaving Ellyn to wait.
She sat for a while longer, watching the children run and play, and picking at the long grasses that grew near her and neatly weaving them together. Soon she had four complete grass bracelets and still Matt had not appeared, so finally she stood, exasperated. It was after the noon meal time, she was hungry and her impatience was beginning to grow into anger as she marched to the ship and up the ramp.
She stopped at the very top of the ramp, peering in but going no further. “Matthew,” she called softly, announcing herself. No one answered so she took a tentative step inside. Up to this point she’d never been inside the queer ship. She was surprised that she could see perfectly well. There were few windows in the thing but the interior was somehow well lit. She could see no torches or candles but it was bright nevertheless; to her it was artificial, unnatural light and she instinctively gave the sign to ward off evil. The ship was very quiet and very strange. The air inside, though warm, was giving her the chills. She took another cautious step forward and ran her hand down the interior wall. It was perfectly smooth…perfectly and she jerked her hand away. The wall’s perfection was a wonder and a worry. The entire place felt very unnatural. She took another
cautious step. The floor which had been hard suddenly went soft and pliable and her steps were muffled in the softness. Curious, she reached down and felt the floor. It was soft and felt like wool. Ellyn smiled and had the sudden desire to remove her shoes and stockings and walk barefoot around the place. She restrained herself however, knowing that her father and Aunt were scandalized enough by her recent behavior. She took two more steps inside. On the wall ahead was a bank of winking lights, all colors and all shapes, surprisingly beautiful and hypnotic. Intrigued, she moved farther into the belly of the ship.
“Matthew,” she repeated softly and rounded a corner. Her heart was beating quickly in her chest. “Matt!” she called louder this time but still no one answered. She turned another corner and screamed loudly when she ran into Lieutenant Gary Turnbull, who came quickly out of the large cockpit.
“Easy miss, I’m sorry. Didn’t hear you there,” Turnbull said, once he was over his own shock. Ellyn stared at the man for a long moment and then laughed with relief and embarrassment. “Me pardons Lewtenant Turnbull,” Ellyn said speaking the man’s name very slowly. It was a strange name to her.
“Call me Gary,” the Lieutenant replied. “Matt’s back looking at the engines,” he added, getting his first good look at the girl. She was striking even without makeup and he stared for a long moment at the small freckles on her nose.
“Enngenes,” Ellyn repeated and Gary nodded. “Do you know where that is?”
Ellyn shook her head no.
“Straight back...one level up. You can’t miss it,” he said and then moved on past her. “Just holler for him. He’ll hear you.” And suddenly Ellyn was alone again. She moved back into the ship, sniffing, disliking its distinctive odor, the odor of machinery and circuitry, which up to now was non-existent in her time.
“Matt,” she said with more confidence this time as she climbed the stairs to the living area. She paused once more to bend over and run her hand through the carpeted stairs. Still no one answered, and she reached the top and began to move back toward the rear of the ship, but on impulse she stopped, sat down on the floor and quickly took off her shoes. Smiling, she looked about carefully to make sure no one was around, and then she hiked up her skirts and slipped out of her stockings. The carpet felt delicious, better even than she’d imagined and she wiggled her toes and giggled quietly.
“Enjoying yourself?” Matt asked, leaning on one of the rear doorways. Ellyn jumped.
“Matthew, ye scared me,” she yelled, embarrassed. “This...wot do ye call it?”
“Carpet...”
“Carpet, is marvelous,” she admitted, smiling all the while, then she rushed him and gave him several long kisses before turning serious. “Why do ye make me wait all this time, Matthew Thane? Tis just to see if I will, I’m sure. Tis after the noon meal, and still ye work.”
“I know I’m sorry...this ship is driving us all a little crazy,” he answered sheepishly and a little anxious, somehow knowing that this was the start of the conversation he’d been dreading for so long.
Ellyn shook her head and wiggled her small toes. “Tis a ship, forsooth? Tell me then, why it tis na on the river?”
Matt nodded, and gave her a resigned smile. “Come on, I’ll fix you some soup,” he said and led her to the small kitchen in the rear.
“A ship?” She insisted once they had arrived. She sat on one of the chairs and watched him closely as he opened a can, poured it into a bowl and placed it in the microwave.
“It’s not a sailing ship, but a flying ship, like the airplane.”
“This,” she said looking around. “All of this flies through the air...tis na possible.”
Matt laughed, the oven dinged, and he carefully removed her bowl of soup and placed it in front of her. She sniffed at it, cautiously keeping out of the steam. It smelled good.
“Chicken and rice,” he said and handed her a spoon. “This ship not only flies through the air, it flies to the stars.
Her eyes got big and she looked up at him.
“Forsooth,” he said with a smile, anticipating her question. She took a cautious sip, then another.
“Ye will fly to the stars?”
Matt nodded.
“To fight?”
Matt nodded again.
“Twill be dangerous?” She asked, proud of his courage. She took another sip. The soup was thin, but very good.
“There could be danger, but we won’t leave the ship if we can help it,” Matt answered, dreading what was coming.
“Then ye will come back to me?” She asked, smiling coyly as she looked up into the face of her warrior. She was used to the idea of men going off to war. Her father had done so many times.
“No, I won’t be coming back,” he answered softly, meeting her eyes, which showed surprise at the unexpected answer. “Flying to the stars is a strange thing, by the time I return your grandchildren will be long dead, though I will have hardly aged at all. I will return, but you will be gone from this world Ellyn.”
She stopped eating, and hardly noticed when the spoon dropped out of her hand. She slowly stood, using the table to balance herself and then suddenly sprinted out of the ship, pulling her skirts up enough to allow her legs to move faster and faster. Matt didn’t chase after her; instead he sat down heavily into the chair she’d just vacated. The smell of her was still in the air and he could hardly stand it. Slowly, as if in a trance, he walked back into the living area. He stopped when he saw her crude, but dainty shoes lying on the carpet next to her stockings. Slowly he picked them up and carried them to his room where he would sleep during the trip.
Chapter Nine
Immediately upon their return from the hunt, Matt reported to the command tent for the afternoon briefing. Colonel Lemay, Captain John Hersey and Dr. Rice were also present. The hunt had gone extremely well but they all wanted to make very sure that the preparations for the evening’s demonstration went off without a single hitch. They did not want anyone accidently injured at this point. Matt kept quiet through most of the briefing and only offered up his opinion when asked, after the business of the demonstration was concluded he gave a brief overview of the ship’s status, and though outwardly he was calm and professional, everyone could immediately tell that something was very wrong. They’d all seen far too much emotional trauma over the past five years to miss such an obvious change. Back on old Earth, Matt’s condition would have restricted him from front line fighting. To all, he was a walking dead man. But the Major recited the current facts about the ship as he knew them, saluted and slowly stood.
“Major!” Peebles said loudly and Matt sank back into his chair.
“Sir?”
“What the bloody hell’s the matter with you?”
“That’s very British,” Lemay chided his commander with just a wisp of a smile.
“It’s nothing Sir,” Matt began, but realized that this answer was not going to satisfy any of them. “I’ve told Ellyn about the ship…and the trip,” he added deciding to be as blunt as possible.
General Peebles nodded, obviously pleased and unhappy at the same time, but the Colonel’s face remained impassive. Dr. Rice, however, was deeply concerned. Captain Hersey frowned and wondered how he would feel if he had to abandon Hester. ‘Not good,’ he quickly decided
“If you’ll excuse me...” Matt said standing stiffly.
“Of course,” Peebles replied with a sharp salute. Once he was gone the General looked to his two most trusted advisors and saw relief in Lemay and sympathy from Rice, just as he expected he would.
“He looks to be in a very bad way,” Rice said. “I’ve an idea on how to....” he stopped as Father Gillian, Friar Padstone and an unknown peasant man were ushered in to the tent by the sentry.
“Methinks ye should come with us,” Gillian said excitedly, addressing Rice. The Father paused to nod to the General and the Colonel, but everyone could see he wanted the doctor to hurry; something was up, something dire.
“Let’s go,”
Rice replied, not waiting to be dismissed. He was in his doctor mode now, and had no superiors when it came to that.
“Tis Master Jones of Aycliffe,” Gillian introduced the strange man. “His wife be with child, and he brought her here by wagon...took the entire day, but he heard of yor great healing powers.”
“Meg, me wife, be sufferin’ terribly...the baern’s breach, we both know’d it...’nd Ester, de midwife canna do anything...Please Sir Rice...whilst ye help us’n?”
“Of course I’ll help,” Rice answered as they led him toward the edge of camp. “The baby’s breach...you’re sure?”
“Aye, we’ve had a few wee baerns me Meg ‘nd me...” the man said matter-of-factly.
Dr. Rice studied the peasant as they moved and tried to guess the age of the man. On one hand he seemed very old, but the doctor could not get a definite gauge due to the dirt which covered him. The man face was rough and wrinkled and though he looked to be old enough to be a grandfather, Rice knew he’d lived a hard life and could be much younger. Rice finally decided that man to be middle aged, perhaps in his mid to late thirties, and he hoped his wife was a good deal younger.
“How many children?” Rice asked.
“Six living, ‘nd two dead,” the man answered simply.
“How old are you Master Jones?” He asked, unable to contain his curiosity.
The man shrugged as they stopped before a crude wagon, the back end of which barely cleared the ground. The bed was rotted in places and tilted back sharply. A young woman was inside, sweaty, feet pressed against the backboard to keep from sliding down. She wore a simple burlap dress with an old shawl around her head and shoulders. She smiled at the Doctor, but there was fear in her eyes. She was breathing hard and already in labor.
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