“Meny, you always know what to say, don’t you?” Ahy said, “but what about Hartmut, surely he sees your beauty.”
“He would never want me. Besides, even if he did, Ahy, he wouldn't risk being cut out of his community and that's just what would happen. It’s just a game we play. He's a lonely man and I'm a desperate woman, that's all. Men hate desperate women. It's like they smell me coming.”
“Meny, please don't knock yourself. The gods are saving something special for you.”
“Yes.” She looked downcast, “Some old bald man like Fromer, with fetid breath and a sour puss.”
* * *
Three days later at midday, as Ahy and Meny traveled along the cobblestone road to Namen Jewell, Mendaho said, “Look at all these nut trees. And what are those, apple trees? Now over there, those are definitely persimmon trees. No wonder the Herewardi have such rosy cheeks. And did you notice how plump some of their women are? I guess they like ’em soft and bouncy.” They laughed. “But honestly, did you ever see such a sight? Most of the land in this area is planted with fruit trees. This whole place is the garden of the world.”
“In the time I had with Surrey, before his departure, we toured by horseback. He took me to his sheep cotes and his horse farms. He even showed me his cattle ranch and something called an apiary.”
“What on earth is that?” Mendaho asked.
“Believe it or not it's a bee farm.”
“I knew they value bees highly, but I didn’t know they kept them. That sounds crazy. How do you farm bees? Aren't they wild?”
“They keep them in little square houses and in rounded straw skeps that look like a hornet's nest. Honest, hundreds of them.”
As they passed a horse pasture where mares fed with their foals, Mendaho said, “Oh look, a newborn black colt. Aren't all their horses supposed to be white.”
“Sur Sceaf said they’re born dark and turn white with age.”
“Reminds me of how much you kicked like a young filly being dragged to the corral when you met Surrey for the first time.”
“Alright I admit it, I thought he was perverse. Wouldn’t six wives scare the hell out of you if you had never known the Herewardi from anything but a distance? Didn't it seem morally wrong to you too, at first?”
“Maybe at first, but not if a hunk of a man came with it. Besides, I have given it a lot of thought. No perverse man could ever accomplish the feat of sustaining the love and support of a free woman for his entire life. Let alone six women. For such lasting and enduring relationships as the Herewardi have, it takes some moral science.”
“I think I'm just beginning to understand it. But you can't fault me for resisting the idea. After all I had just dumped Standing Bull for good. I mean one love hadn't yet died when the other love sparked. I think I've done pretty good.”
“Yeah, but you scared me back then. I thought you wouldn't make it through your encounter with Surrey without a broken heart and spirit.” She laughed. “And to think of the fires that leaped out of your tipi when you first met Surrey. I have never seen you so angry before.”
“If I hadn’t met with Sagwi and Little Doe, I probably wouldn’t be here today. And most of all, it was you Meny. You helped me realize I needed to get unstuck from Standing Bull.”
Both girls turned their heads and spat at the mention of his name, then laughed.
“If you ask me, I think it was that eclipse ritual you did with him that hooked you.”
“Perhaps, but it was a series of things. There was his honoring me after Standing Bull sought to shame me. Or the tender way he touched me at the Booger Dance. It was the best kiss I’ve ever had Meny.”
“What made it special? I mean a kiss is pretty much a kiss. Isn’t it?”
“Before, I would have agreed with you, but this kiss was like a spiritual cleansing. I felt infused and engulfed with warmth and cleanliness and an indescribable energy flowed through us. I could feel it and I knew he was feeling it too.”
“Girl, I know you,” Mendaho said, “You don’t fool me. You fell in love with him the first day you saw him. Admit it! Ain’t it so?”
“You know, Meny,” she paused in revery, “I think I have to admit, you are right. I just had to get all the garbage out of the way.”
“Yep, sure enough. That kind of love could cut right through stone to get where it’s going.”
As they walked down the cobblestone road watching the lambs following after the ewes, they heard the clatter of carriage wheels coming their way. Meny glanced back briefly. “Better get over or this crazy bunch of Herewardi bitches are going to run us down.”
The carriage rounded the bend, approaching at great speed. As it neared, it slowed down. A joyful driver leaned over the open carriage and said, “Tan-eshe-wa, Men-da-ho.”
Donya, Swan Ray, and Face-of-Stars pulled up slowly beside them.
“We thought you were about to run over us.”
“We just got carried away with the spring weather in the air.” Donya declared. “Can ju feel it?”
“Sorry,” Face-of-Stars scrunched down. “We should probably drive slower. Donya wanted to see how fast we could go. There could have been children in the road.” She gave Donya an uplifted eyebrow. “Say! We’re going to Hrusburg to look at some fabrics, catch a passion play, and have a dinner there. That handsome actor, Sur Tyr, is playing Oberon in the Half-Shell Theatre. You really must see him. Would you care to join us?”
Ahy frowned, “We’d love to, but we’re on our way to Namen Jewell now. Maybe we’ll catch the second act when we return.”
“Well, it’s our loss then. We’d so love to have you come with us,” Swan Ray said, with a disappointed look. “You girls come by and visit more often. I’ve heard your examination, the Rite of Yays and Nays, is coming up soon. Good luck and Os-Frith.”
“Os-Frith!” They waved as Donya brought the reins down with a smack and the carriage made its way down the road.
“Who in the hell is Oberon?”
“No idea. Probably another famous Herewardi man I'll have to learn about.” They laughed.
Just then they came upon a tri-fork in the road. The signpost pointing right read, Jack Daw Manor. The one in the middle read, Woseburg. The one on the left read, Namen Jewell.
As they turned the bend, they saw a large wooden fortress. Mendaho exclaimed, “There's Namen Jewell.”
“Yes it is. According to the instructions, Lana gave me, we have to go to the bamboo grove just ahead to get to the entrance gate.”
Upon entering the gate, the two young red-clad stewards greeted them beneath a Saxon green banner of two swans betwixt which hung a golden obelisk from one’s mouth suspended over a large magnolia blossom. The entire scene was edged in Hawthorn blossoms formed into Herewardi knots for a border.
The broad shouldered blond youth wearing the same flying H or mirrored F on his back as the fyrd members wore, looked at Mendaho and took her hand, “The lady Taneshewa and her companion I presume,” he said bowing.
“I’m Mendaho,” she said, directing his gaze with the direction of her head, “she’s Taneshewa.”
He flushed red. “Your pardon, please, my ladies. It’s just you are both so lovely,” the tall handsome steward said. “You are expected.” He began eying Mendaho, who flirted back with her most gracious smile. “Just proceed straight ahead to the large hall doors.”
“Thank you, gentlemen,” Ahy said.
The tall blond guard looked like he had swallowed his tongue whenever he looked at Mendaho.
“I always did like men in uniforms,” Meny said, once out of earshot, “and blond gentlemen at that. Do you think it’s because they will be gentle?” Mendaho shot a glance coyly back at the guard and waved.
“Behave yourself, Meny! I’ve got to make a good impression here.” Taneshewa said, trying hard not to laugh.
Walking for a plow length, they came upon a smaller inner gate. Children's laughter and playful screams came from behind the gate.
<
br /> “Well, the last gate could have stopped a stampede of buffalo. What do you think they keep inside this one, besides children?”
“Probably, little monsters. I still don't know all of them by name.”
The gate opened into a broad lawn with a cobblestone road leading right up to the lofty manor. Mendaho looked up ahead and said, “This place reaches into the clouds. How do they ever build this high? It looks like a large upside down boat with lots of windows. I'm curious as to how they get all that thatch up there.”
“Paloma told me, Surrey had it built by the guild when he was twenty and six winters after he made it rich by selling stock from his wisent herds. She said they have to re-thatch that roof every two years.”
They entered the courtyard of the manor to the joyous sounds of children playing. Older children stood with a tall brown haired youth who was instructing them in falconry.
“Look, that's the young prince, Arundel, Surrey's firstborn.” Ahy said.
Ary was throwing his bird up, which would then fly back and catch a dead mouse out of Ary’s hand.
“I'd think the bird would be capable of finding its own mice, wouldn't you?” Meny said.
“They call it falconry and it is said that Ary is a master of horse, hawk, and hound. A true huntsman, if ever there was.”
“I know. I was testing you to see if you knew what a falconer was. Did you ever notice how many different things the Herewardi aspire to? Sometimes, I think they are haughty and could stand for a few humbling experiences. It would waken them from their pride and privilege.”
“I have had those thoughts before,” Taneshewa said, raising the eyebrow to indicate she no longer felt so. “But after I studied their history of late, I've discovered that you could strip them of their lands, titles, names, and property and in no time they would bounce right back. As a people they are truly like a fanisk bird. They'll rise out of the ashes every time.”
“Why do you think that is?”
“I have to suppose that it is as their lore masters say, they are of Elven blood.” Taneshewa pondered for a moment. “It's like they have this brilliance that I can't quite put my finger on. From now on, Meny, I hope to embrace them as you do.”
The younger children were supervised by older children while playing an odd game of hitting a wooden ball through rings or hoops on the ground with a wooden mallet.
“Holy Tah-Man-Ne-Ea, there must be a hundred children playing in here.”
“Well, thirty some of them are Surrey’s children, you do know.” Ahy declared.
At the end of the courtyard were Swan Hilde and several young men busy digging her precious potatoes.
Mendaho stifled a mocking laugh. “She looks too pregnant to be working. And she looks like she’s attacking the ground with that hoe. Is there something wrong with her? What about her, Ahy? Is she a bitch, like I heard?”
A large cloud moved over the sun causing a temporary drop in temperature. Taneshewa pulled her shawl up over her shoulders, “She’s been polite enough to me, but not exactly welcoming.
“She’s probably already black balled you.”
From the stables the braying of an ass sounded like a trumpet which was followed by a rooster's crow.
“Maybe, but it will take more of the wives than her alone to keep Surrey and I apart.”
“Ahy, have you seen the beautiful stone fountain the water comes bubbling out of, over there,” Mendaho asked half tripping over a doll on the road.
“It’s just like the one in Witan Jewell.”
Taneshewa caught sight of Brekka running down the wide stone stairs of the manor on the opposite side of the fountain.
Brekka waved her hands. “Os-Frith! Taneshewa! And Mendaho, Os-Frith to you. Mother said you’d be coming when the guards blasted their trumpets. And I have been given the honor of escorting you around the manor.”
Mendaho smiled, “Tell me, do you get many compliments on your hair?”
“All the time, but many more insults.”
“Insults,” Meny asked. “Who? Why? It's so incredibly beautiful.”
“Yellow Horse says, ’Red haired and freckle faced, a disgrace to the Herewardi race.’ Once he even told me he would ‘slap me around like a red-headed step-child,’ like when I beat him at staves on the Calapooya Bridge. Of course, he’s the jester so, out of respect, I'm not supposed to punch him.”
“It’s good to see you again,” Taneshewa said, hugging Brekka warmly.
“What are all those big houses over there?” Meny asked. “Are those for the wives?”
Brekka nodded, “Yes! I forgot you are not used to Pagan polygamy. Each bride-sister has their own home.” Brekka glanced up at the sun. “We will meet in the great hall in just a few more moments. That’s where we usually meet as a clan and share a common mess.”
“And which house,” Meny asked, “will be Taneshewa’s, so I’ll know where to visit my friend?”
“Oh it’ll be that one surrounded by the magnolias and camellias. The other one, with the boxwood around it and ivy growing up the wall, is where Pyrsyrus’ wives are staying for now.”
“Ahy, isn’t it beautiful.” Mendaho said, “I can just see us sitting on that porch with Sagwi, Little Doe, and Dancing Rabbit. Maybe even riding in a carriage with Swan Ray and wearing those beautiful dresses and going to one of those plays like you got to see.”
Brekka perked up. “Well, Shakespeare’s play, A Mid Summer’s Night, is playing in at Hrusburg today.”
“We heard,” Meny said. “Can you tell us who Oberon is?”
“For sure. He’s the king of faeries.”
Taneshewa looked over at the home she was to likely live in. She declared. “Well, Meny, we won’t live there long, but it’ll be the first house I live in, that’s for sure.”
“Why?”
Taneshewa said, “The plan is, we are all to move over to the coast.”
A mare came running loose with a large red jack ass chasing it through the courtyard, the steel-clad hooves beat out a syncopated beat. The two young stable hands came running after it with rakes raised. A shriek went up from Swan Hilde as she swung her hoe-handle at the white mare to keep it out of her garden.
One stable hand said to the other, “I told Ary, he shouldn't let Aelfy handle the breeding of jacks yet. Especially now, he's just not focused enough.”
“Really weird acting lately, ain't he?” the other one said.
Ahy shook her head then resumed, “Brekka’s the one I told you about, Meny, who has the great gift.”
Meny looked puzzled.
“You know, she’s a seeress like Sagwi and Swan Ray. You're always talking about wanting to know your future. Have her give you a reading.”
“Sagwi always just reads the tea leaves. Is that how you do it, Brekka?”
Brekka reached out her hand. “All I need is to touch you to get a reading. The gift of second sight was given to me by the gods that I might bless those who seek truth.” Brekka reached out her hand. “May I take your hand?”
“Just tell me if you see a man in my future, Brekka, and I'll kiss you,” Meny said as she held out her hand, “But likely you’ll see a very old and ugly man, an empty womb, and a lonely old maid.”
Taking Mendaho by the hand, Brekka paused, looked back up at Meny with a surprised look on her face. “Your days of loneliness shall soon be gone. Melted like the last snows before summer’s warm hand. I see tender love coming your way. He is a wise man, strong of body and mind. Yes, strong, slow, measured, and faithful as an oak and not old or ugly either. Just the opposite.”
Meny's mouth dropped open.
“See, I told you,” Taneshewa said. Then she saw a look of concern pass over Brekka's face as she looked back into Meny's hand. “What is it Brekka? What do you see? Is it bad?”
“I see the strong man will have to purchase you at a very great price, with his own blood as ransom. He shall have many solidus in his possession. And he shall purchase you very dearly,”
as Brekka released her hand.
Meny laughed, “Hah! That rules out Hartmut. He's nothing but a dirt farmer. Hardly a solidus to his name, I'll wager you, and certainly not a warrior or man of blood in the least.”
“At least you would always be well fed,” Brekka said, and they laughed.
“Alright,” Mendaho said, “now it's your turn Ahy.”
“I'd love to, but we don't have time.”
“Oh, yes, we do.” Brekka said.
Reluctantly, Taneshewa gave Brekka her hand. As before, Brekka remained silent for awhile. Then a smile came over her face. “This is unusual. Now I am looking at you through Father’s eyes. He highly prizes you and is looking forward to your wedding day. You will bear him many children and be remembered in the Folk Mouth as a great lady and the perfect compliment of the Sun King. Greater than I had imagined and you will--” Brekka hedged, but Ahy did not press her.
“Don’t tell me you see something awful.” Taneshewa felt sickness enter her stomach.
Meny motioned with her hands for an answer. “What is it, Brekka? What are you seeing?”
“I don’t know. The vision just stopped like a wall of water. Redith says when that happens, it means the gods do not wish for something to be revealed and so they block it from your sight. It means this is unlawful for me to look upon.”
“Like what?”
“In most cases it is not lawful to see our own deaths or those close to us. It is also unlawful to use the gift to gain power, dominion, or personal gain over others.”
“Now you've got me fretting over what the future holds for me.”
“You mustn't fret. You can always ask Redith for more clarity.”
Taneshewa shot a questioning glance at Meny and said, “I'll have to consider that.”
Lana stepped out to call Brekka in for help in the house. Meny and Ahy waved happily, but Lana only nodded her head and went back inside.
“You two can wander around all you want,” said Brekka. “I’ll come find you when I’m done. It should only be a moment.”
Once Brekka was inside Meny and Ahy went to see Swan Hilde toiling in the garden, and shouting commands at her twin boys, who seemed reluctant helpers at best.
Witan Jewell Page 19
