Witan Jewell

by Russ L. Howard

  Taneshewa was pondering what she meant when Pyrsyrus declared, “Lady Swan Ray, Brekka’s father has told me she has been filled with the spirit of prophecy since she was a child. I think the lady Redith has given her much gift in it.”

  Swan Ray nodded. “Then we shall not stop the mouth of a prophetess. I, too, have had a dream of a tree.”

  As Swan Ray turned back to Brekka, Taneshewa could see that Swan Ray’s eyes exuded a brightness she had never seen there before. Surrey’s child was truly remarkable.

  “I shall ponder deeply your message, Holy Child,” Swan Ray said softly, “and I thank you for it. Baldur has put his fire in you. I believe your gift has lifted me of a great burden.”

  * * *

  Once again in the afternoon hours the moot fire was convened in the Shepherd Hall. Sur Sceaf took up his position in his valley as the people slowly filed in and assembled. He looked back at the ‘Empty Chair’ to see if Yggdyung was there, but he was not.

  As though reading his mind, Onamingo remarked, “Old Yung is not here today.” He raised a brow. “I, too, had many questions for him.”

  The grokking of ravens outside turned his attention to the windows as he thought how much he wished Yggdyung would return. His mind was filled with questions he would ask the All Father. “I suspect he is not going to return.”

  Onamingo frowned, “That’s the way it is with Thunder Beings. They want us to have our own journey and only come when they are the most needed, usually, at the last possible moment.”

  It appeared Onamingo too, realized that Yggdyung was more than a mere man of the mould. Just then the long swan staff struck the floor and sounded for order. Sur Spear asked Onamingo to open with a prayer. After which he opened the floor for discussion on the benefits of harvesting the deep.

  Many elders and heorls spoke against the dangers of travel in the Aurvandilean Sea. Turtle Duck seemed at his wit’s end just trying to explain to them that the seas were now navigable. “Tyranus has ceased his wrath and now permits the sea-gods to calm the waves. Aegir, the Ground-Shaker beckons us to come and partake of his bounty.”

  Just when Sur Sceaf thought Turtle Duck had won the heorls and elders over, one elder stood without warning, asked to be recognized and then recounted the horrors he had endured as a young man while on a fishing trip, the sea abruptly turned raging and a kraken took his brother with its raking tentacles. He pointed at Sur Sceaf, “And you, young Prince Sur Sceaf, are you prepared to have one of your young bloods swallowed by a sea-monster or to see them ground to grist by the grinding ice that rides the waves?”

  Sur Sceaf found his tongue paralyzed. Of course, he was not prepared to witness any such horrors, nor did he want any sacred blood on his garments. Unexpectedly, Xelph petitioned for the floor.

  “I am Xelph the Sharaka, whom my father sent to live with the Herewardi as a very young man here in Witan Jewell. As many know, most of my family was killed along with the Frink Glen Band. My elderly parents moved here, and after their deaths, I was kindly taken into the House of Sur, so I count Sur Sceaf as my second father. First off, if Turtle Duck says the seas are safe then they damned well are as safe as they can be. For the gods’ sake, men have drowned in their own farm ponds here abouts, but that doesn’t keep us from fishing or swimming in them. Bulwylf was drowned by one of his own bulls in one of them, but I don’t see anyone giving up their livestock. Secondly, no man amongst the Sharaka, the Quailor, or the Herewardi is worthy of the title of Good Shepherd, if Sur Sceaf is not. I do not know if Sur Sceaf has picked his crews for the great deep just yet, but if he hasn’t, here am I, send me and the damned kraken be cursed.”

  Sur Sceaf smiled to himself. Although he had not selected a crew yet, Xelph would certainly come under consideration.

  Even before Xelph resumed his seat, Long Swan rose from his chair in the Roufytrof asked for the floor and then in a strong voice declared, “I have lived with my brother, the Aetheling, all my life, and I’m sure Pyrsyrus will vouch for the same, the life force is upon him in double the measure of most men. He possesses the Ur Fyr more powerful than anyone I have ever known. We would all do well to follow the counsel of one the gods have shown such favor to. These heorls that have opposed would do well to stop their mouths, lest they offend the course the gods have set and the Norn sisters have woven. After all the testimony we have heard it is an affront to Odhin to continue to oppose the course of deliverance that has here been revealed.”

  Sur Sceaf was taken aback by the praise his friends heaped upon him. He reclaimed his voice. “Men and brethren, great ladies and sisters, heorls, elders, and lords, I am not so great a prophet that I can tell you our journey on the Whale Road will be without loss, but I am wise enough to discern that if we do not take this opportunity, we will come to loathe ourselves and rue the day for not having done it.”

  Talk went back and forth for another two hours before the body of the Twelvers of the Roufytrof stood. The hall went utterly silent. Athelstan the Wise and Noble spoke for them. “We have heard much counsel on both sides. It is the will of the Twelvers to override the negative counsel and to encourage Sur Sceaf to take to the great deep with his crews. In this counsel we have repurposed our goals and are committed to making the procuring of whale oil our priority, that we might amass the necessary funds to finance and supply more fyrds, acquire allies, build a navy, and hire mercenaries. Without these resources we cannot launch the extended warfare we must needs engage in to eradicate the Pitters. We charge you to do it before we send the bulk of settlers to the city-states on the coast.”

  The voice of the people then said, “So mote it be!”

  * * *

  Sur Sceaf had spent the second night with Swan Hilde, and the third night in his estate of Namen Jewell in the arms of Paloma, where he laughed at all the comical details and antics of the wives and children during his absence. He marveled at how well she dealt out humor in the presence of those close to her. She could take the most mundane and painful experiences and spin them into something comical and joyful.

  She said, “You can laugh now and so can I, but I’ve got to tell you, my love, I was ready to skin both Russell and Ev’Rhett alive. They made me doubt the prophetic abilities of the Elder Moot. When you are gone, they simply will not yield to governance.” Paloma grew sober and silent. Then in a more serious vein said, “Does the revelation trouble you that you are to become the Haeland, the divinely appointed leader of all the Herewardi and prepare the way for the Seed of the Woman?”

  “What bothers me, is that the Elder Moot has just given report of the mandated census to Sur Spear and there are close to twenty one million Herewardi, counting their allies, servants, and workers in all the settlements from the Kalifornias to the Charlotte Islands and from the coasts of the Deep to the White Mountains in the Arid Zone. And that does not take into consideration all of our offshoot tribes, the members of the Sire Sheaf, nor the tribes of all our allies that have joined us. How is it possible to govern so great a people? As you see, I have enough trouble just governing my own wild twin sons.”

  She reached up and smoothed the hair out of his eyes. “You govern White Fire and no one else could do that. It’s the same principle. It’s not the whole animal you have to control. You just have to control the head and the rest of the beast will follow. The important point is, you must assemble a good head. You must form a core of leadership that steers the body of people anywhere you turn the head. It seems to me you have already started the process with Long Swan, Mendaka, Snake Horse, Pyr, Crooked Jack, and your ever loyal young bloods and we must never forget Elf Beard.”

  “As always you offer wise counsel and indeed those you mentioned are near and dear to me, but there must be so many more. I must wisely discover those men who are above reproach, moral, loyal, and utterly trustworthy. Above all they must be young and a mix of the nations. The news that Wose sent warning of spies in our midst, means I must be very weary of those I allow into my circles of leadership.
”

  He studied Paloma’s face, whiter than the driven snow, traced her long, swan-like neck with his fingers, gazed into her deep blue eyes, and remembered how much he had come to love this wife of his youth. He was happy to say he could still feel the same intense love for her and that he still rejoiced in her breasts. He thought of the endless hours of service and love she rendered to him, the children she had begotten him, and the community she surrounded him with. No wonder the bride-sisters all referred to her as the Great Wife. His heart filled with gratitude for her. Paloma is truly a queen among women.

  Paloma stirred beneath his touch and caresses. She glanced through the curtains and sighed, “My mother always told me it is a sin for the sun to catch one in bed. Although I hate to leave your arms, I must be up and about. I called for the Council of Women to meet with Dancing Rabbit, Sagwi, Mendaho, Miriam, and Sarai and the rest of the midwives. I plan on establishing a maternity house to accommodate the births that will take place during the time of sojourning, certainly something more comfortable than the birthing wagons and tents. I told Taneshewa to meet me so we could go together. I’d hate for her to think I’m not a punctual person just because my husband makes my flesh hum.”

  “I have seen Ahy at work. She has very good hands for midwifery. She’ll know what’s needed and don’t worry about being late, she’s used to waiting on Mendaho.”

  Paloma rushed over to the mirror and said, “You didn’t leave any kiss-bites on my neck, did you?”

  “Get along woman! You worry too much about appearances. Everyone knows you romped with me last night. That’s just the way it is.”

  After they had a hefty breakfast together, Sur Sceaf went out into the pastures in just his housecoat. He made it a point to bring his seer stones and the gold medallion of his commission with the minted image of Washington upon it. He entered the long bottom meadow alone and found the large stone his kids had named the Wishing Stone. He sat on the large lichen-covered rock watching his sheep grazing contentedly in the broad sun-filled mead. Larks rose from the grasses and sounded their good morning songs while grass sparrows answered in chorus with their almost insect sounding songs. He noticed how an ancient oak had been split in half, struck by lightning while he was gone on the trek, but somehow it still managed to keep half of its branches alive. It put him in mind of Ilker, struck down in his might and yet some how half of his house manages to live on and flourish despite the burns.

  A rare blue sky shown above and he could feel himself decompressing and relaxing after all the meetings and celebrations during the last few days. After thoroughly reviewing his stewardship in his mind, and coming up with valuable insight, he put the medallion back in his pocket.

  As he sat there on the Wishing Stone listening to the song of wrens and the tearing of grass by the sheep’s teeth, he drifted into deep thought about his flocks. So deep was his revery that he was startled when Redith’s arthritic hand lifted up his chin.

  “I’m sorry. I was in too deep of thought to see or even hear your approach, Mo Mo.” He pulled his house coat closed and tied it securely.

  She braced one hand on his shoulder as she settled on the rock next to him. “I knew I would find you here on the Wishing Stone. You have inherited my love for following after the sheep. Nothing restores my soul like watching over them.” She turned her gaze from the flock to him. “How fares my young prince today?”

  “It feels so good to be home with my wives, Mo Mo. When I was in the pit I took great strength from thinking on my wives and kids. I ran my spiritual roots back into this soil and from it I drew the strength that let me survive what I shouldn’t have. This land and my family are my lifeline and anchor.”

  Redith’s brow furrowed, “When I got the news that you were cast into that hell-hole, I was very upset that I had not even received an inkling of it happening even after having sent up daily prayers for you. I began to doubt my ability to receive premonitions for awhile, but now I see there was no need. The All Father had you under his wing and protection. My services were not needed. Yggd Yung purposed for you to be pounded on the forge of the gods, and who am I to stay the hammer of Tyranus. And now I see, you are become a purified tool for the tasks ahead. Tyranus always twists tight the strings of our heart to make us play sweeter music. You are now ready to do the works of the gods and they will lift your arms and guard your back.”

  “Oddly, I had a vision of Brekka and Taneshewa while in the pit. Both encouraged me to hang on. I even saw Ilker in the Spirit World. Only yesterday, Brekka told me she had a vision of coming to my aid at what I figured was close to the precise moment I was at my darkest point in the pit.”

  Redith took a deep sigh. “Tis true, she did. My gift did not begin to manifest itself until I was twenty winters old. Yet Brekka’s has manifested itself since she was a child of a mere three winters. We can expect great things to happen, unless she gets the boy craze and darkness blots out the fire of the gods in her. I hope you’ve noticed that she is turning into a woman now.”

  “I agree, her gift is from the gods and I suspect she has the Ur Fyr in double measure, but she is still my little girl. All my kids have their own particular gifts. Each twists the skein of fate to their own designs. Look at Aelfheah and Elwod in their horse skills, horse masters to the core. Take Arundel, a sheep master and bee master. You should see the work he has done with the apiary. The hives have doubled under his hand.”

  “Yes, let me remind you that all of your children stepped right in, in your absence, and kept things running pretty smoothly, if you take Russell and Ev’Rhett out of the picture, that is. At least they were busy keeping us praying you would return soon.”

  He laughed. “We just have to hold on and wait for their Elf blood to kick in. Then maybe we’ll see if they live up to the prophecies or not.”

  Redith cleared her throat. “Well, now I’m curious, whatever thoughts were you locked into just now as I approached?”

  He looked off into the distance at a flight of swans flying south. “Just about everything, but I was mostly thinking about how confident Arundel was that Elwod could be a good steward over the flocks of sheep and cashmere goats. Elwod’s holding his own, but his flocks did not increase nearly as much as Arundel’s did. But the colts are in marvelous shape and all the horses are thriving. So I suspect his talent lies with the horses. In the future I will have Elwod and Aelfheah run my horse stables and Ary will have to stay with the sheep to train with Zrael to become a sheep master.”

  “And where do you see Russell and Ev’Rhett fitting in? Their talents so far lie in making mischief.”

  “Paloma said their talents are in hunting. She did not lack for venison the whole time I was gone. I’m just afraid they have a wild spirit and we’ve got to let them have reign over their own nature. They take all as a contest and each tries to outdo the other.”

  Redith said, “Though I see no special gift of the Ur Fyr in them, it may develop by and by.”

  He nodded. “They do usually accept Brekka’s leadership readily.” Redith always had the ability to clarify his thoughts and put them in an order he could understand.

  “Mo Mo, I’ve also been thinking about who should go on this whaling venture with me. I’ve considered every possible combination of men and crews. No matter how I work it, I feel that Ilkchild should come with me again, and I also got strong feelings that Xelph should attend me. However, I felt it is essential that Arundel watch over my bride-covey. Namen Jewell is far from neighbors or nigh-farmers. The women need his presence for protection.”

  “That sounds very sensible. Why are you troubled?”

  “Because once again I am taking Ilkchild and leaving Ary behind for the domestic responsibilities, he’s certain to feel house bound. But he needs to husband all that I hold so dear. He’s the only one that can set my mind to ease over my family when I am gone. On top of that, I am concerned about pulling Ilkchild away from his newly acquired brides, but he insists it won’t be a problem.�
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  Redith gave a dismissive look and said, “Don’t fret yourself. People are meant for different roles in life. Part of becoming a man is learning to do your duty when you’d rather be doing something else. Besides, the Young Prince Arundel takes great pride in running your estate. He loves bartering at the market. He loves the planting of crops and lambing season. And above all, protecting the women empowers him. We all know that Ary was born to be a warrior. His performance in the tournments attests to that, but there is more to being a lord than just skill in the battle arts. Running an estate the size of yours will prove to be effective training for ruling any kingdom and commanding any fyrd.”

  “Do you agree with some of the heorls that prophesied evil on my head if we should take to the Whale Road? Do you think I should postpone the venture till we are more skilled?”

  Redith looked at him. “Never! I would never attempt to dissuade you as I feel the gods are directing you. Still, I strongly urge you take precaution with you. Most ventures have their worst failings in the beginning. I cannot advise you who to select, but I do know you should be most judicious in your choice of crew members. Listen to the Ur Fyr and take none whom the spirit does not confirm you should take. You must take Ilkchild with you, that much was clear to me. It may give you some comfort to know I scryed Ilkchild, as always at your side. Besides, he loves you more than anyone else. After all, you are his replacement father. He ever watches your back. More than that I could not see! That is why I sought you out in hopes of scrying together.” Looking him straight in the eyes, she asked, “Did you bring your eyes with you?”

  Sur Sceaf took the pouch from around his neck and poured the two egg sized seer stones into his hand. “Yes, I have the stones here. I was just thinking everything through before I consulted them.”

  “Before embarking on any great endeavor like this, we must pray and seek oracular guidance from the gods and then consult the Elven stones. Nor may we trust in our ability to see a direction without checking and counter checking our revelations with other seers for veracity and acceptance. Do you wish we should view the true and proven pair of stones together so that we may discern the truth?”