Suzerain of the Beast (Vision Dream Series Book 3), page 17
❖ CHAPTER 15 ❖
AFTER A FEW more hours of walking, Angelterra was exhausted and cold. She worried about what this freezing weather might do to the young girl, though Selkeeda showed no signs of being either tired or cold. Then behind her, the princess heard the muffled thuds of a horse’s hooves plodding through the snow. She turned and saw a horse-driven sleigh with a single, hood-covered rider upon it approaching them at a brisk clip. Angelterra grabbed Selkeeda and pulled her to the side of the road to let the sleigh pass. Instead of passing them, the rider pulled back smartly on the reins, halting the sleigh next to them. The rider pushed back a hood, and Angelterra saw that it was an older woman with long, brown and gray hair and a careworn face. The woman smiled at them.
“Can I offer thee a ride?” asked the woman. “I live just up the road, so I can only take you a mile or so. But at least you will have a chance to rest.”
“How far is the village of Munkenira from here?” inquired Angelterra.
“Another full day’s ride. You will not make it there today,” said the woman.
“Are there any inns or taverns to rent rooms?” wondered the princess.
The older woman just shook her head. “But you two are welcome to stay with us for the night. If you do not mind being a little cramped and putting up with my husband’s grumblings about having guests.”
Angelterra glanced down at Selkeeda. The child’s small cheeks were bright pink.
“That is very kind of thee. We will try not to be a bother to you or your husband,” said Angelterra.
“Wonderful. Pay no attention to my Harridon’s sometimes-gruff manners. He is a gentle bear inside that rough exterior. He is a masterful farmer, hunter and a guide, but even with all the practice he gets at our house, he does not do well around strangers of the fairer sex,” said the woman. “By the way, I am called Gwelsenla.”
Angelterra picked up Selkeeda and climbed aboard the sleigh. She placed the girl between her and Gwelsenla. Selkeeda stared at the older woman.
“Selkeeda, come now, it is not polite to stare,” said Angelterra, gently. “She has had a bit of a shock recently. My name is Angelterra.”
The child just continued to stare at Gwelsenla.
“Angelterra? That name sounds familiar. Do you live in Munkenira?”
“I am just passing through this lovely area,” replied Angelterra.
“That must be why you do not know how far Munkenira be,” said Gwelsenla. And then the woman slapped the reins on her horse’s behind and they were off at a fast trot. It felt good to sit down. “Your daughter is beautiful, Angelterra.”
“She is not my…she is my charge. I am trying to locate her family. I believe she may live near here or in Munkenira,” said the princess.
“I can tell you this, the girl is not from anywhere near here. I know all the families along this road for several miles in either direction, and I have never seen this child before,” said Gwelsenla.
“Perhaps I shall have better luck in Munkenira,” said Angelterra.
They rode for another half an hour until Gwelsenla turned her horse onto a tiny path that wound through the winter-bare woods. Angelterra was beginning to think they were lost for as long as they traveled down this twisty road, but finally she spotted a small thatch-roofed log home nestled in the back of a clearing. Smoke rolled out of a chimney hole hidden somewhere in the roof. There was no one around, and the windows were fogged up. Gwelsenla pulled the sleigh up to her home and stopped.
“You two can get out here. Give me a moment, and I will bring old Marthleea around back and unhitch her,” said the older woman.
“Thank thee,” said Angelterra, and she went to grab Selkeeda out of the sleigh.
“She sure is a quiet one,” noted Gwelsenla. “Can she speak?”
Angelterra was beginning to wonder too if the girl could speak or not. The princess just shrugged, while helping Selkeeda to the ground.
Gwelsenla looked at her home suspiciously. “I would not believe it, but you may actually need to knock, for I see that my wild band of greeters are nowhere to be seen this day.”
No sooner had she spoken those words when the old wooden door of the home burst open and four children came running out.
“Momma! Momma!” they all yelled nearly simultaneously.
Angelterra saw that all four children were girls. The two middle children ran to their mother’s side of the sleigh and jumped up and down with outstretched arms for hugs from their mother.
“We missed you so much, Momma!” said the younger of the two.
“I was only gone one night, Chammie,” said her mother.
Gwelsenla stretched downward and gave each of the two girls the hug they were waiting desperately for, while smiling broadly. “Oh, I missed all of you, too.”
“Are you going back again? Father, gets so grumpy when you go,” said the other slightly older middle girl.
“Goldie, Auntie Mirrella, is doing much better now, so I am home to stay,” replied Gwelsenla.
The oldest, being not much younger than Jeela, hoisted up the youngest child so that she might kiss her mother’s cheek.
“She learned the number three today, Mother,” said the eldest girl. “Go ahead, HollyBee, show Momma how you do it.”
Hollybee stared at her hand, concentrating hard as she tried to get her tiny fingers into position. Satisfied, she triumphantly held up her hand with three pudgy fingers sticking up.
“That is very, very good, my little bee,” said her mother who kissed the young girl on the forehead.
“You are a fine nanny and teacher, Rosems,” said Gwelsenla.
“Who is that girl?” asked Hollybee, pointing at Selkeeda.
“They are going to be our guests for the night,” explained their mother. “This is Angelterra and the little one is called, Selkeeda.”
“I am, Rose Mary,” said the oldest girl with a slight curtsey.
“We call her Rosems, cause that was all she could say of her own name when she first could talk,” said Gwelsenla. “And these two are Chamomile and Gold Seal.”
“You can call us Chammie and Goldie,” said Chammie.
“Everyone does,” added Goldie, and then she pointed to the littlest one. “We call her Hollybee. Short for Holly Berry.”
“Hollybee. Me,” confirmed Hollybee as she pointed to herself.
Rosems let down Hollybee who then proceeded to walk over and stand before her. Selkeeda stared at the girl, while still holding her doll.
“Hollybee,” said Hollybee and again she pointed at herself. Then she waited for Selkeeda to do the same, but Selkeeda just continued to stare at the girl.
“Selkeeda does not say much right now, Hollybee. But I am sure she is glad to see you,” interjected Angelterra.
“Can I see your dolly?” asked Hollybee. “She looks pretty.”
Angelterra worried that her young charge would become belligerent with a rival for her precious toy which seemed to be Selkeeda’s only lifeline to her past. But to the princess’s surprise, Selkeeda held out her doll for Hollybee to inspect.
“I love her eyes and hair,” said Hollybee.
Selkeeda did not reply. But when Hollybee reached for the doll, Selkeeda started to pull it back.
“Do not worry, Sweetie. She will not be taking it from thee. She just wishes only to see your lovely doll,” said Angelterra, as she stroked Selkeeda’s blonde hair.
“Want to see some of my lovely dolls? Maybe we can play?” said Hollybee, taking charge of the situation.
The country girl then turned towards her home and started to trot off. Selkeeda hesitated for a moment, then slowly followed the now skipping Hollybee. Selkeeda did not skip, but at least she followed, thought Angelterra, glad that the girl finally had some interaction.
“Sorry, Angelterra, but my Hollybee can be a bit head strong,” confessed Gwelsenla.
All the girls groaned their agreement.
“I pray to the Heavenly Father that Hollybee may become the medicine that Selkeeda needs for her to speak again,” said Angelterra. Then she noticed Gwelsenla giving her a strange look.
“You are from the South,” said Gwelsenla.
Angelterra remembered that north of the mountains the Heavenly Father is known by the name Father-of-All.
❖ ❖ ❖
Though the house looked small from the outside, it had a fairly large main room. One side of the room was designated as a cooking area with a large open hearth at its center. Wooden shelves stood on either side of the hearth filled with assorted sizes of iron pots and pans. Near the cooking hearth was a long wooden dining table around which were eight nicely carved wooden chairs. The floor was made of wide wooden planks that had been polished smooth with wear. There were several festive wool rugs scattered here and there and a huge round one in the center of the room. There was a second stone hearth on the other side of the room which had not been lit as of yet. An open door betrayed a long hall which probably led to the sleeping rooms. And there was another door leading out to the back area where the stable and barn were.
It seemed to Angelterra that this Harridon had done well for himself. She had heard that guides who were trustworthy were usually well provided for by their patrons. Angelterra glanced over at Selkeeda and Hollybee who were sitting on a rug in the corner with several of Hollybee’s dollies and other wooden toys scattered around them. Even the two middle girls had joined in and they were concocting wild imaginary kingdoms with the dolls. Selkeeda still remained silent, but every now and then when the other girls would giggle insanely, a brief smile would flash upon the mute girl’s lips. But it was gone as fast as it had appeared. She had even let the bossy Hollybee play with her doll, while Selkeeda put wooden blocks on top of one another. The girls all helped Selkeeda whenever they could, and they seemed to accept her quiet way as normal.
“Here, Selkeeda needs to get out of those wet clothes. These are a few of Hollybee’s things she can wear while her clothes are drying by the cooking hearth,” said Gwelsenla, who was holding a small pile of clothes.
“Thank thee so much. You are very generous to us,” replied Angelterra, touched by the woman’s kindness.
Angelterra called for Selkeeda to come over by the cooking hearth. Wordlessly, the girl complied, and Angelterra had her in warm, dry clothes in no time. Angelterra’s cloak and boots needed drying as well, but only the hem of her traveling dress was damp. Sitting near the fire for a time might cure that, thought the princess. Turning away from the back door while she hung Selkeeda’s wet clothes on a drying rack that Gwelsenla had shown her, Angelterra heard the sound of the back door open and slam shut.
“Pappa! Pappa!” cried all the girls at once as they gathered around their father jumping up and down.
Almost instantly, Selkeeda rushed to Angelterra’s side and clung to her leg, her doll clenched tightly in her little fist. The princess turned back to work at hanging up the wet clothes. This was the moment she dreaded.
Was he going to be an ogre? Would he toss them out like some wild animals that had managed to sneak into his house?
Though her magic was diminished, she felt confident that if the man became violent, she would be able to handle him…for a time.
“Pappa, look we have new friends. They are staying the night,” said Hollybee. “The quiet girl is nice. I like her.”
“Yes, I see, young one,” said Harridon sweetly to his youngest daughter. Then he turned his head to his wife and growled, “Gwelsenla! Gwelsenla, I need to speak to you about this…this…situation!”
Here it comes, thought Angelterra.
“Husband, not here,” said Gwelsenla, calmly. There was no trepidation in her voice, which helped to calm Angelterra’s nerves.
Gwelsenla walked off to the back hall and disappeared down the corridor. Her husband followed. Even though they were behind closed doors, Angelterra could her that his tone was not pleasant, but Gwelsenla kept her voice even and steady.
“Do not worry,” said Rosems. “Father always thinks that everyone is bad these days. He was not always like that.”
“Your father is right to be wary,” replied Angelterra. Then she bent down to Selkeeda. “There is nothing to fear, Sweetie. Do you wish to play some more?”
Selkeeda looked at Angelterra for a moment, and then turned and went back to her place in the corner and placed her doll in a little basket to rock like a baby.
Then the voices stopped, and it was quiet in the back hall. A door opened back there and Angelterra made herself look busy.
“I tell you, you just cannot tell about people these days at first glance,” whispered Harridon, a little too loudly.
“Well, I can still tell, Harr. They need us this night,” replied Gwelsenla, evenly.
The two of them emerged. The princess turned around to face her sentence.
“Ah, well, I ah…” began Harridon, awkwardly. “Have decided that it would be…cruel not to offer you shelter. So I would be honored if you two would stay and share our food, our hearth and our roof.”
“Thank thee, for thy kindest of offers. We humbly accept and are truly grateful,” replied Angelterra doing her best humble curtsey.
“Yes, well…and your name, young lass?” inquired Harridon.
“I am called Angelterra, Kind Guide,” said the princess. “And the girl’s name is Selkeeda.”
“Angelterra… Angelterra…” said Harridon. “Tis an unusual name for here. But I am certain I have heard it somewhere before.”
“No matter, Harr. I will have the meal done soon. You should stoke the small hearth before it gets too much colder outside,” suggested Gwelsenla.
“Yes, I had better. I need to split some more wood on any account,” said Harridon, he put back on his heavy cloak then turned to Angelterra. “Pleased to meet you both.”
“And you, Kind Guide,” said Angelterra.
❖ ❖ ❖
“All right, young lassies, enough chatter at the table. I know you are excited to have guests this night, but it is now time to give the Thanks,” said Harridon from his place at the head of the table. “Angelterra, since you are the guest, it is tradition for you to lead the Thanks.”
Harridon glanced over at his wife who frowned, so he added, “That is, if you would not mind.”
“I am honored to lead the…Thanks,” answered Angelterra.
“Selky, fold your hands like this,” instructed Hollybee, who then demonstrated the proper how-to-make-the-prayer-hands. Selkeeda looked down at her own hands, and then mimicked the same placement as her mentor, Hollybee. The little blonde girl looked up at Angelterra for approval.
“Very good, Sweetie,” complimented Angelterra. Hollybee had been a godsend for this poor child.
“Girls, let us all bow our heads, now,” reminded Gwelsenla.
Everyone’s head immediately, obediently, went down, ready to ask for the blessing together.
“Heavenly Father, we thank thee with all our hearts for the bounty thou has provided us this day. We thank thee for the wonderful friends we have met and who have taken us in to their home. We pray that thou will keep us safe in thy Sacredist Heart. Amen.”
“Amen,” said everyone…except Selkeeda.
The table was amply serviced. There was a fat, round earthenware servicing bowl filled with steaming venison stew. The smell of it was heavenly to Angelterra. Round, high, rolls of still warm bread peeked out from a linen-covered basket. Each place was set with traditional trencher bread instead of a bowl or plate. These trenchers had high walls and a thick, leathery crust. They made excellent stew bowls that would be consumed after the main course had been finished. Earthen mugs were filled with warm, spicy, delightful mulled wine. The children all had cow’s milk to drink and smaller trencher bread bowls of their own. It was actually quite a feast.
“I recognize that prayer…or I have heard ones similar to that,” said Harridon, as he dipped a crude metal spoon into his stew. “We used to get a lotta folk coming up here to hunt from on the southern side of the mountains. Good folk. Paid well. But not anymore.”
“Harridon used to guide for some powerful people from down there,” said Gwelsenla, proudly.
“Now, no need to brag, Wife,” said Harridon. “I was mostly hired by those from Palzintine. And if I had to make a wager, I think it would be a safe one to say that you come from that kingdom.”
“Yes. Tis true. That was…is my home,” replied Angelterra.
Just the name of her homeland drove a stake of sadness through her heart. She missed it so much. And her parents too. Angelterra was sure that her father, an avid hunter in his own right, would have liked this man. Gwelsenla was right. He was more of a teddy bear, than a black bear.
“There be rumors running rampant these days that she fell to some barbarians from a place called Venordaladia,” said Harridon.
Angelterra was not sure where to begin that story. She glanced around at all the children who were now looking at her, eager to hear her tale. She looked over at Gwelsenla who nodded her head indicating that Angelterra should answer, but without too many details.
“They came as a vast army from the sea,” explained the princess. “Far larger than our defenders could handle. Darus too has fallen, I am afraid to say.”
“Terrible news. People here say there were giant beasts and other creatures of darkness,” said Harridon.
“Now, Harr, you are going to scare the children with your questions and wild tales,” scolded Gwelsenla.
The hearty guide looked at his children’s eager faces. And nodded.
“So where are you headed?” he asked, as he shoveled in more stew.
“Munkenira, I suppose. My first priority is to find my young charge’s parents or some other family member. I hope that that town will have some clues for me,” said Angelterra.
“Harr knows many good folks there. Right, Harr,” said Gwelsenla.
