Weaving Man: Book One of The Prophecy Series

by Tove Foss Ford

  She was, in Franz’s parlance, simply magnificent, with beautiful posture and a delectable figure. As she turned toward him, he saw that she had glowing red-gold hair arranged in an elegant upswept style, skin the color of milk with just a blush of pink and naturally pinker lips. As she walked toward him, he could see that she had eyes the color of clear brown agate. Something clicked in Menders’ whirling brain – he knew those eyes from a time before, which now seemed a hundred years ago.

  “Eiren?” he whispered to himself, knowing he was staring and thankful that his dark glasses hid it. The refinement she’d picked up in Erdahn was exquisite.

  Eiren reached Demon’s side and smiled up at him.

  “Hello, Menders,” she said. No ‘Mister’ – and for good reason. She was entirely grown up now.

  “Hello Eiren,” he smiled. There was a particular velvety texture to her skin that made him want to touch it. How could this be that gangly, skinny, awkward young girl with a mouthful of teeth that were too big for her face?

  “I’m glad you came by,” she said, her voice a vibrant alto, the heavy Old Mordanian accent greatly moderated. “I’ve meant to get over to The Shadows but there’s been so much to do. If everyone is well now I was going to come visiting tomorrow.”

  “They’ll all be glad to see you, Katrin particularly. She’s asked after you every day since you came home,” he said, still letting his eyes, behind the blessed darkness of his glasses, rove from magnificent hair to deliciously soft lips to tender and touchable skin.

  “She must be a big girl by now,” Eiren said, casually placing her hand on his knee. He shivered a bit at her touch.

  “She is indeed, you’ll hardly know her,” he said, realizing that he was being extremely rude by sitting on Demon, making her crane her neck to look at him. He slid to the ground quickly.

  Eiren was a couple of inches shorter than he was. He saw that without her very elegant boots she would be a bit shorter still, the perfect height for kissing…

  Dear Gods, Menders thought, what in the hells are you on about? The girl’s only just come home and you’re acting like a complete idiot, as if you’ve never seen a beautiful woman before. She must be wondering what in the world you’re staring at.

  He took her pile of books, clucking to Demon to follow him.

  “I enjoyed your letters, very much,” he said.

  “I enjoyed writing them. To my surprise, I wasn’t homesick after the first few weeks, but I looked on you as my link to home and all that was going on here.”

  “I expect there was much more happening than you put in your letters?” Of course there was, with a young lady away from home for the first time, growing up, living in a big city. There would have been no end of excitement and adventures. And suitors, too, Menders thought suddenly.

  What was he thinking of? A girl had gone away and three years later, a woman had returned, beautiful and full of grace and elegance and he was goggling at her like a cross between a smitten boy and a lecherous old man. He was old enough to be… to be? To be her big brother. He was twenty-five and she was nineteen. Once he’d seen their age difference as a gulf between a man and a child. But while he had remained static in this pokey backwater of Mordania, she had caught up with him. They were now contemporaries.

  When had he begun to think of himself as old? Of course people around The Shadows often referred to him as ‘the old man’, meaning the man in charge. His responsibilities were those normally assigned to a senior man.

  “Oh there was, indeed,” Eiren said, answering his question and effectively derailing his train of thought. “All sorts of things to see and do.”

  “So tell me all about it,” he smiled as they started ambling toward her father’s house, Demon following behind.

  She told him about the college, books she’d read, friends, lectures she’d sat through. Not one to dominate a conversation, she asked questions of him as well, about The Shadows and about Katrin. He began to feel more comfortable. The child he had once known was still there, more mature and enlightened. He could also observe her more carefully without seeming to stare as they walked side by side.

  She knew how to dress. She knew how to walk. She wore a perfume that drifted to him and made him sigh covertly. Hands that had been red and raw from scrubbing baby clothing were smooth and white, with perfect oval nails. Hair that had been tightly wrapped in two stiff braids was a shining, glorious pile that he wanted desperately to touch, to pull the pins from and have it come cascading down in soft thick waves.

  Demon nudged Menders hard in the small of the back. When Menders glared in response, the animal rolled its eyes, as if reading his thoughts and warning him to not go making a fool of himself.

  Menders was sorry but also relieved when they reached Eiren’s home. He suddenly felt awkward.

  “I could stop by for you tomorrow and drive you down to The Shadows,” he suggested, thankful that his voice sounded confident. “You can see everyone and I’ll bring you home so you won’t have to walk back in the dark.”

  “That would be wonderful, thank you,” she replied, smiling up at him.

  Just then Demon, tired of standing around while people made lip music and gaped at each other, lovingly bit Menders on the left buttock.

  Menders yelped and leapt and Eiren burst out laughing. Though he was completely embarrassed and ready to carve the evil little farlin up as dog food, he noticed how pretty she was as she laughed.

  “With that, I leave you,” he said elegantly, bowing a little to keep up the comedy. It made him too tempting a target for Demon, who nipped again.

  Eiren grabbed her books from him and fled, laughing uncontrollably, while Menders, desperately trying not to rub the painfully bruised area, clouted Demon on the head with his open hand. He jumped into his saddle and left precipitously, before the animal doled out any more embarrassing abuse.

  ***

  The next day Menders drove Eiren to The Shadows. She’d dressed for the occasion in a golden-tan dress that played up her beautiful complexion. Her hair was arranged so it framed her face. Menders found at one point that he had his eyes closed, drawing in a deep breath, trying to smell her perfume. Suddenly he felt her hands close on the reins in front of his. He snapped to attention and looked at her sheepishly.

  “You must be tired. I thought you were falling asleep,” she explained. “You always used to sit up late and work so hard.”

  “I am a little tired,” he replied lamely, chirruping to the horse to trot. “It’s a busy time of year.”

  Over the crest of the road, the dark turrets and forest of chimneys that was the Shadows’ roof came into view.

  “Can we stop here for a minute?” Eiren asked.

  Menders reined in and set the brake.

  “I didn’t get a good look coming back from the halt. Everyone was talking to me at once.” She inhaled deeply, one hand pressed against the lace at the base of her throat.

  “It hasn’t changed a bit,” she sighed, exhaling slowly. “I was so afraid it wouldn’t look the way I remembered it.”

  They smiled at each other. Menders released the brake and set the horse into motion again.

  Eiren’s reunion with Katrin was touching. Menders watched with delight as they embraced. At first, Katrin was stuck dumb and seemed confused, for she was obviously expecting the same Eiren she had known to return. Being a bright child, she quickly warmed to the idea that this new Eiren was the same one as before, just a grown up version.

  “You’re big!” Katrin finally cried with delight. Eiren picked her up and looked startled when she found it an effort.

  “And you!” Eiren replied.

  “And you’re pretty!” Katrin added.

  “Why thank you. I was starting to wonder if anyone had noticed. No more big teeth.”

  Behind her Menders groaned inwardly and winced. He’d been so tongue tied, he’d never even said anything! She must think him a complete idiot, rude or blind.

  “We’ve go
t lots and lots of new people here now and I have a new cousin,” Katrin declared. “Let me show you.” Katrin took Eiren’s hand, determined to introduce her to everyone who was new and reintroduce her to everyone who had known her before.

  “Haven’t you filled out!” Cook exclaimed, giving Eiren an enormous hug. “It is wonderful to see you again, my girl!”

  “I’d forgotten how wonderful this kitchen smells!” Eiren said and was given a ginger spice cookie, just as in times past.

  Lucen got very shy, shuffled his feet and nodded, while Zelia gave Eiren a hug and praised her dress. Franz walked in the door, back from his rounds. Eiren smiled and went to him, holding out her hands.

  “My gods, it’s little Eiren!” he bellowed, swinging her around as if they were dancing the holta. “Look at you! Not so little anymore. Erdahn was good for you, if I say so myself. You won’t be single long.”

  “I’m not getting married but thank you for the compliment,” Eiren laughed. Franz spun her around again, more slowly this time, making sure he took in every detail.

  “We have dozens of young men living here now, you won’t be safe,” he chortled. “Why, one look at you and they’ll be lined up from here to the post rail, the lucky devils.” He glanced at Menders. “What’s the matter with you, my lad? You look like you swallowed a toad.”

  “Nothing,” Menders snapped.

  “I can’t get over how much you’ve changed,” Franz beamed at Eiren.

  “Everyone has said so – except for Menders,” Eiren said, smiling over to where Menders was standing alone, separate from the others.

  “That old long streak of misery? Where’re your manners, sir?” Franz jeered. Menders glared over his glasses at him, which provoked raucous laughter on the part of the doctor.

  “Your evil Thrun eye doesn’t work on me, young man.”

  “Eiren, I want to show you my new swing,” Katrin said, taking Eiren’s hand.

  “Go on, there’s plenty of time before dinner,” Cook encouraged. “And Hemmett’s running around out there somewhere. You won’t believe the size of him. Run and play, and then come back and see the rest of us old folks. Look after her, Katrin, don’t let her go running off to Erdahn again.”

  Franz stalked over to Menders after everyone had scattered.

  “You haven’t so much as complimented that girl,” he said gloatingly. “Now I know your heart is dead.” He punched Menders.

  “I don’t want to seem as if I’m leering,” Menders answered.

  “You can hardly speak,” Franz grinned. “The erudite and eloquent Menders is tongue-tied. Oh, I have lived for this moment.”

  “Shut up,” Menders replied, embarrassed that he sounded more than a little angry. “She’s still Eiren! Stop acting like a lecherous old goat!”

  “Haven’t even told her how beautiful she looks. Shame on you,” Franz continued, gloating. “Yes, you belong in here with the rest of what Cook calls ‘us old folks’.” Franz retreated to the kitchen, jeering like a schoolboy.

  Menders went to his office and stared out the window. He must be careful, very careful. In no way could he imply that he was attracted to Eiren. If things had been different… but they weren’t. He’d been her patron, he’d sent her to school. Making advances toward her now would look as if he expected her to repay him with sexual favors. He never wanted her to think that. He would see himself burning alive and screaming in all nine hells before he ever behaved like his father.

  Then he realized he was remembering the smell of her perfume, the glow of her smile, the golden highlights in her hair. Menders thumped his head on the desk. This was no time to get all foolish in love. Several short months ago, he’d murdered people in order to buy Katrin’s safety and he may have to again. Danger was continually present and he must be alert and prepared. There was no time in his life for romance.

  He stayed there, forehead pressed against the cool dark wood, until he heard Katrin talking outside. Then he rose and surveyed his reflection in the mirror.

  He looked stern and old with his hair tied back, so he released it, then gave his glasses a polish. He wished suddenly that he didn’t have to wear them, then called himself ridiculous, put them firmly in place and walked out into the hallway.

  Hemmett and Katrin were both holding Eiren’s hands. They were chattering away and she was laughing at the resulting gibberish. When she suggested that they give Cook some help with dinner they scampered away. Eiren looked up at Menders, smiling. He went to her.

  “Eiren, I’m sorry I haven’t complimented you,” he said frankly. “I wanted to, but…”

  “I was only teasing,” she interrupted gently, looking up into his eyes. “I know you’re afraid I’ll think you’re being forward, because you sent me to school. You are far too good a man to do such a thing.”

  Menders smiled with relief.

  “You’ve come back to us as one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen,” he said.

  “Thank you.” She tried her best to take the compliment gracefully, but then blushed and grinned.

  “Oh, hells,” she said, patting her reddened cheeks as she went to the dining room to check on the children. Menders watched her go.

  ***

  Menders let the horse walk as he drove Eiren home. Eto, the larger of Eirdon’s two moons was already halfway up the sky, while the late summer sunset glowed in the west.

  They talked about everything now that an understanding had been reached. He felt free and easy as she asked him about the establishment of Menders’ Men. She laughed when he told her to expect a population explosion soon, because two of the Men had taken wives and were settling down nicely, with one newlywed couple already expecting. She talked about her school and the things she planned to do when the older children began to attend in the autumn. They discussed the unsettled and unhappy atmosphere in Erdahn that had disturbed her. Eiren was amazed at how knowledgeable Menders was about the situation, given his remote location. He explained how his information networks had expanded recently, which impressed her.

  “Still working hard to keep everyone safe?” she said, more a statement of admiration than a question.

  “It is my primary motivation. As always.”

  “I have always been so impressed by your ambitions,” Eiren said. “But when do you spare time to see to your own happiness?”

  Menders glanced at her. “I don’t think about it that much.”

  “You should.”

  They drew up before the Spaltz farmhouse. He helped her from the phaeton and walked her to the door very properly, taking her hand briefly before she smiled and went inside.

  After that night, Menders managed to ride by the school every afternoon at three. When Eiren appeared after her pupils were gone he would dismount, carry her books and walk along with her to her father’s house.

  Even on the school’s two rest days, Menders found he was riding by the Spaltz farm with great frequency. It was amazing how many errands around the estate could be done if you had a fast mount like Demon, even if you made a three mile detour by the Spaltz farm every time.

  Once he saw Eiren running to help her father, wearing a spring green dress that floated and swirled around her ankles. The image of her red hair trailing behind her as she ran was locked behind his closed eyes for nights to come. Many times he told himself that this was absurd, that he must stop hanging about the Spaltz farm like a lovesick boy. Eiren was his friend. She liked to talk to him about books and philosophy and she probably did think he was, as Cook had said, ‘one of the old folks’, not a potential suitor.

  Besides, what kind of a life could he offer such a woman? He had forsworn marriage for himself. His personal situation could not come before Katrin’s safety. It was best to forget childish notions of romance and keep things no more than friendly.

  But he found himself dizzied by her perfume when he was with her. He caught himself staring at trees in bloom and thinking about her and told himself that he was a fool. One day
, to his complete and utter embarrassment, he found himself idly staring up into a blossoming apple tree on the front lawn, only to find that Franz was watching and cackling from his window.

  “Here, stop daydreaming about that girl and get some work on, you!” Franz called. Flushed with sudden anger and humiliation, Menders raced toward the house, calling out murderous intent to the grinning doctor, who emitted a girlish shriek and slammed the window. Physical abuse was only diverted by the doctor’s hastily bolted office door, which he refused to open until Menders retreated to his office.

  This has to stop, Menders told himself severely. This delirium – she’s nineteen, you’re older, soon she’ll find a young man her own age. This is simply infatuation. You have heavy responsibilities and you cannot offer her what she should have out of life. So stop it, you fool! Stop it.

  He couldn’t. That’s why they call it delirium.

  ***

  It was a school rest day and Menders had every intention of riding Demon over to Artrim, the village eight miles distant to buy flour and sugar, at Cook’s request. He also loved finding something for Katrin when he went to the village, sweets she liked, dolls, toys. Now that she was safely guarded at home without him being constantly present, he took every opportunity to spoil her.

  He was cantering by Spaltz’s farm when he saw Eiren walking along the side of the road, wearing her spring green dress and carrying a basket. He pulled Demon down to a walk and drew abreast of her.

  “Hello,” he said, trips to villages suddenly forgotten.

  “Hello Menders,” she smiled up at him, her expression indicating that seeing him was the best thing that had happened to her today.

  “I’m just off to the village for a few things,” he said.

  “Oh?” Eiren replied in genuine surprise. Then she laughed brightly. “If you are, then you’re going the wrong way.”