“It is good, indeed, to see you,” Fury said. “It has been many years. I thought I might not ever see you again.”
Teddy stood up and approached Fury, staying well away from the cyclone.
“I’m glad to be back,” he said, and mounted the unicorn. He found it much easier to do with his taller stature.
“You have grown much,” Fury said.
“You look well,” Teddy replied.
“You will be pleased with the family,” Fury said. “Sven works on his father’s ship now. He is to be married in a few days.”
“Married? How old is he?”
“Nearly 30. High time. He has spent his years since his schooling finished learning the fishing trade and the proper handling of ships.”
“Are Taurek and Hilda very old then?”
He noticed they took the path through the woods to the village.
“Not so very old. Taurek is nearly 50, and Hilda is a year younger.”
“And their daughter?”
“Altha is married. She has a daughter, Birgid, and twin sons, Garth and Leif.”
“And the prince?” Teddy asked.
“King Alexander, you mean? He is married and has a son about your age, Prince Erik, and a younger son, Prince Ranulf. Queen Laeta is expecting another child. They hope it will be a girl.”
They rode on in silence until they emerged from the woods. As soon as they arrived at the town, people stopped their work and conversation. Children raced to where Fury stood, and everyone cheered Lord Teddy’s return.
People he had played with now had their own children. One woman stared at him, and he thought she looked vaguely familiar. Then he realized it was Altha. He slid from Fury’s back and dashed up to her. Both were about the same height now, and he embraced her.
“Altha, it’s good to see you.”
She looked very like her mother now, and she blushed and curtsied when he released her.
“Lord Teddy, this is my daughter Birgid.”
“Hello, Birgid,” he said, shaking hands with the four-year-old.
“Hello Lawd Teddy,” she said, trying to curtsey as her mother had. She reminded Teddy of Altha the first time he saw her. Beside Altha a carriage with two seats held two little boys.
“These are my sons.”
“They look lively,” he replied.
“Come, you must see my mother,” Altha said. She led him to the old homestead, and he greeted old friends along the way. It was odd seeing them all so much older than he was.
Hilda was beyond happy when Teddy entered the house. She kissed him and looked him over as if he were her own son returned from a journey.
“Haven’t you grown tall!” she said. “Taurek and Sven are away on the boat, but will return tonight. I suppose you’ve heard Sven is to be married?” Teddy nodded. “Yes, of course, Fury is such a gossip,” she replied.
Teddy laughed. The image of Fury standing in a group of horses whispering gossip about the townsfolk struck him as hilarious.
The three sat around the table while Birgid played on the floor with her doll, and the boys slept in the carriage.
“I rely on Fury to keep me informed,” Teddy said.
“And what of you?”
“I’ve been taking fencing lessons.”
“Indeed?” Hilda asked. “They do sword play in your realm?”
“For sport.”
“Ah, the king will be proud of you!”
They chatted about Sven’s apprenticeship and how only last year did he become a full mate on the ship. He was making his way in the world. The women expressed a hope that Teddy would be there for the wedding. Somehow, he felt he would.
They asked Teddy about his life, and he told them he had more friends now since he started practicing with swords.
“I didn’t know there were solitary people like me before,” he said.
Mother and daughter glanced at each other.
“You are very amiable, Lord Teddy. People here like you very much,” Hilda said.
“Of course, now that you have many friends in your own world, you may not come here anymore,” Altha said.
“That’s not true!” Teddy replied. “I like it here.”
Both women smiled, and they told him of his former play fellows, and how the old king had died peacefully in his sleep. They spoke of what a good king Alexander was. Time slipped easily as they spoke, and Sven and Taurek entering the house surprised them all.
“Lord Teddy, as I live and breathe!” Taurek exclaimed.
The menfolk hugged and Hilda scurried about to get dinner ready. Altha took Birgid and the boys home to get dinner made for her own family.
The meal was jolly, with Sven and Taurek taking turns telling tales of their latest sea adventure. Hilda still looked at her husband with joy, and showed a mother’s pride in her son. Teddy noticed that Sven had grown tall, but remained lanky, with strong muscles, but not the bulk in them his father had.
It amazed Teddy how much time had passed. His friends were now so much older than he, and some of their children were nearly his age.
Soon it was time for bed, and Teddy fell, exhausted, into the bed. He was asleep almost before his head hit the pillow.
Morning came, and Teddy was still in Blevny. He dressed and went out to the main room where Hilda prepared breakfast.
“A messenger from the king arrived a short while ago,” she said. “The king wishes to see you at your earliest convenience.”
He ate his breakfast quickly and went out to find Fury waiting for him.
Fury trotted through town. Teddy noticed subtle changes such as a new house here and a business there. Some of the grownups he had known were gone and his childhood friends took their places. Some homes had been torn down, replaced by better ones.
When they left the town the grasslands looked much the same as he remembered, although the journey to the castle felt shorter.
The guards came to attention when they arrived and a footman – not Landis – escorted Teddy to the king. Teddy bowed.
Alexander looked the same as he ever had, but older. He smiled broadly.
“Lord Teddy, how good it is to see you. May I present my wife, Queen Laeta.”
“Your Majesty,” Teddy said with a bow. The queen smiled, but said nothing.
The king, queen and Teddy retired to a small room off the great hall. There were comfortable chairs grouped in twos and threes with small tables nearby. Once they were settled there, a footman and a maid brought the same drink Teddy had before and small lemon cakes.
Alexander asked all sorts of questions about Teddy’s life. He was pleased to hear the boy had learned to fence.
“We have been at peace for many years, so the joust is only for sport. Many of our young men ply the narrower swords as you do. My son, Erik, loves the challenge of a new fencing partner. You wouldn’t mind, would you?”
“That would be great,” Teddy replied. “I had hoped to fence against you until I found out you were the king.” Ted was about to say so much older, but thought that might sound rude.
Alexander smiled, as if understanding what Teddy truly meant, but took no offense.
“I was sad, indeed, when you weren’t here to take lessons, but it is the way of things with a realm traveler,” the king said.
“Where are your sons?” Teddy asked, looking around.
“They are with their tutor,” the queen replied.
“You shall meet them as soon as they’re finished their lessons,” the king replied. “Erik has had many questions about you since you arrived in the realm.”
“How did you know I was here?”
“We are informed as soon as you appear.”
Teddy told them about Hilda and Taurek, about Sven’s impending marriage and Altha’s children.
“It’s kind of sad that my friends here have all grown up without me,” Teddy said.
“It must be difficult for you,” the king said.
Before long, two boys raced i
nto the room. One was Teddy’s height and blond like his father. The other was smaller, with dark hair like the Queen’s.
“Lord Teddy, this is Prince Erik,” Alexander said, indicating the blond, “and this is Prince Ranulf.”
“I’m pleased to meet you,” Teddy said, standing and giving the boys a bow.
“You said Lord Teddy was your friend when you were young,” Erik said, as if his father had lied.
“And I also told you he is of the real world realm, where time passes more slowly.”
Erik didn’t look convinced, but shook hands with Teddy.
The boys sat on the floor, Erik asking questions of Teddy in the silences between his father’s chat. Erik was very anxious to fence Teddy when he heard the visitor knew how.
They took Teddy to the fencing room. The king and Ranulf watched. The queen, who didn’t care for sword play, went off to take care of other things.
Erik’s movements were quick. He was impetuous and didn’t think of strategy. Teddy easily beat him on the first bout.
“You have learned well,” the king said when the bout was over. Teddy wondered if he should have let the prince win.
“Best of three?” Erik asked.
Teddy nodded, and they had a second bout. Erik was more cautious, drawing Teddy in. The second bout was a closer contest, and Erik won by a single point.
The third bout was more drawn out, each looking for the other’s weakness. When Erik made the winning touch, he crowed his victory. The two boys shook hands, masks in the opposite hand. Then they took off their gear.
“Thank you, Lord Teddy. You are a worthy opponent.”
“As are you, Prince Erik.”
Erik and Ranulf raced off to another part of the castle. Only when he was sure they had gone did the king speak.
“That was gracefully done, Lord Teddy. You didn’t let Erik see that you let him win.”
“But I didn’t –”
The king held up his hand. If I could see attacks you failed to make, I’m sure you know of them as well, although you made the misses look like mistakes.”
Teddy looked at the floor.
“I thought it wouldn’t be right to beat the prince on our first meeting.”
“You are far better than you let Erik see. But you are truly generous. I wonder, would you have been as generous with me if I weren’t too old?”
“I’m sure you have far more experience and expertise than I, so I wouldn’t have had to be generous.”
Alexander laughed. “Very diplomatic, Teddy.”
Teddy was tired and satisfied when he returned from the castle. He also brought a gift the king had asked Teddy to give to Sven and his bride. Sven was overcome by Alexander remembering him.
The day of the wedding dawned bright. The house was full of excitement as Taurek and Hilda made their preparations. Teddy dressed in the fine outfit in the wardrobe. He was astonished that whatever was there fit him perfectly.
Sven was that happy-nervous that people get when they’re about to do something important in front of many people. His mother hovered over him, making sure his clothes were just so, from his new black trousers and high-necked shirt to the black linen jacket with the row of silver buttons down each side of the front.
When she wasn’t worrying about Sven’s clothes or her husband’s, Hilda was arranging a pin on her new spring-green tunic or brushing an unseen speck of dust from her matching trousers. Teddy wondered if his own parents would be this nervous if he ever got married.
When all was ready, Sven donned a light cape, as did his parents, and they all walked to the town square. There, a circle made of hand-sized stones had been made. The guests had to stand outside the circle. The circle was about 10 feet in diameter. Inside that circle was another circle about half as large, also outlined in stones. Those were painted bright colors. A path edged in brightly colored stones led to the circle from the opposite direction from the way Sven’s family had come.
Sven parted company with them when they reached the town square. Taurek led his wife and Teddy to the front of the outer ring of stones. The guests stood chatting excitedly, greeting newcomers and greeting Lord Teddy.
Soon music started from flutes and lutes. At first Teddy didn’t know where the music came from. Then he saw a white tent back a little way from the gathering. Taurek confirmed that the musicians were in the tent.
“Our high priest and Sven are in there as well,” Taurek said.
Teddy hadn’t seen Sven go into the tent. He was curious about what would take place, since he knew nothing of their religion or their ceremonies.
The crowd was silent. Hilda pointed toward the path, and Teddy saw the bride, dressed in a bright yellow tunic with fancy lace trim and yellow trousers that were so flowing, they almost looked like a skirt. A cape that matched her clothes was attached at the shoulders and hung down her back to the ground. Her long, coppery-red hair hung down her back to her waist.
When she reached the outer circle, Sven was waiting for her. He took her hand and led her to the inner circle, where the high priest awaited them. He wore a long white gown and head gear that looked like a tall, round white box with cloth hanging down the back to his shoulders. There were symbols Teddy didn’t understand embroidered around the hat.
“Good people, you come here today to witness the joining of Sven Taurekson and Freya Onidsdaughter.”
Sven and Freya joined hands and faced the priest, who began a long prayer in a language Teddy had never heard before. When it ended, the priest held out both of his hands. Sven placed his hand in one of the priest’s hands, and Freya placed hers in the other.
“You come to ask the blessing of the gods on your union?”
“We do,” the couple said.
“You promise loyalty and love for life?”
“We do.”
“Your children will be raised as upright preservers of the law?”
“They will.”
He took Sven’s hand and Freya’s and joined them again, sandwiching them between his own two hands.
“Let it be so. Let no man and no woman break this pledge between you. Let your lives be long and your prosperity be great. Let your happiness last long and may you be a source of joy to your family and your neighbors.”
Taurek, who stood near the priest but outside the circles, handed the priest a vial. He took the stopper out of the vial and poured some of the liquid – a perfumed oil – onto his finger. He traced a circle on the couple’s clasped hands and then on their foreheads. He said another long prayer in a foreign tongue. When he finished, he took a step back from the couple.
“Let all rejoice in the joining of Sven and Freya!” he said.
The music started, and people cheered as Sven and Freya walked hand in hand down the path. Everyone moved to tents set up across the town square. The day was filled with food and dancing, words of congratulations and stories of Sven’s and Freya’s childhoods. Teddy tended to think of these people as only existing when he was here, and the stories he heard surprised him. They had full lives as he did, getting into mischief, having adventures and times that made Teddy wish he lived in this realm always.
Sven introduced Freya to Teddy. She was shy at first, meeting the legendary Lord Teddy. Ted found it strange that an adult would be shy around a 14-year-old boy. But soon she was laughing and telling stories as everyone else did.
Lord Teddy,” Sven said, reaching into a pocket and pulling something out, “I want you to have something. You have always been a true friend to me, even when I was too young for you to notice. I’d like you to have this as a token of our friendship.”
He handed Teddy a ring with a fish etched on the front.
“Thank you, Sven. I wish I had something to give you in return.”
“Oh, but you have. Last time you were here, you left your wrist watch. I still have it.”
Teddy was astonished. He’d never missed the watch.
Hilda and Taurek were proud of their son, and ha
ppy that now he, too, would start a family.
“I wonder what my life will be like,” Teddy said without realizing he’d spoken aloud.
Hilda smoothed his hair in a motherly fashion, and gave him a hug.
“Your life,” she said, “will be what you make it. You’ve had an amazing adventure already for one so young. I know you’ll do your parents proud.”
When the celebrations finally ended, Teddy went home with Taurek and Hilda. Before he went to bed, he slipped the ring into the pocket of his jeans.
Chapter 6
Teddy awoke with someone pounding on the door. He looked around and found himself back in the storm cellar.
“Teddy, are you in there?” The voice was his mother’s. She sounded frantic.
He jumped up and unbolted the cellar door.
“Hi, Mom,” he said.
“Teddy, I was worried. The siren sounded a half hour ago that the storm ended. I didn’t know where you were.”
“Sorry. I guess I fell asleep,” he said, putting his hands in the pockets of his jeans. The ring was there, and he slipped it on his finger.
“Well, I’m glad you’re safe. Come on in the house.”
He followed his mother into the house. It was strange to think he’d only been in the storm cellar 30 or 40 minutes when he’d been in Blevny for several days. This was his longest time there so far. He liked being there.
“I was worried,” Teddy said. “This is the first time I’ve ever been there alone during a storm.”
“You know what to do.”
“I know. It’s just – different,” he said, not wanting to admit he was afraid.
“I had a meeting at school, and then I waited till the storm had passed. It was here longer.”
He went to his room to work on homework. When he came down for dinner, the sunset glowed through the living room windows.
“Where did you get that ring?” his father asked.
“I found it in the corner of my locker. It fit, so I decided to keep it,” Teddy said.
“It looks like a good ring,” his mother said. “Did you try to find out who it belonged to?”
Fury: The Wind Unicorn (The Unicorn Tales Book 2) Page 5
