Orange... everywhere it thrummed in vibrant hues; rising from the shimmering sunset, enriching the strange and flowing garments, the fragrance of the ever present spices, it was the color of this place. It was the color of the suffocating and all engulfing heat, cascading down from a pitiless sun that reigned, godlike, above them. Noise and squalor, riches and holy poverty... and all around, multitudes of varying shades of brown skin, delicate features, almond eyes that ran the gamut from deepest mahogany to sea foam green. Curiously watching... the sight before them strange enough to transcend good manners.
The Lord of Selcouth and a small party of nobles rode their fine Andalusian mounts through the sea of people who parted slowly before them as if before Moses’ staff. In their travels the men had met Spanish mystics, been entranced by sacred Sufi melodies in Tunis, had conversed with Gnostic priests in the holy land, but nothing could compare with the wonder that was India.They had come to the fabled shores in search of knowledge, both mystic and arcane. Selcouth, himself a collector of all manner of rare and magical artifacts, had travelled forth to view first hand the Singh Stambh, the great iron pillar of Delhi, said to possess untold magical power, and to view the antics of the Siavite jangamas ascetics, and perhaps gain some wisdom. They had come now to Vrindivan to explore the city that was said to be the dwelling place of the 8th avatar of Vishnu, the Lord Krishna. It was said there was much mystical activity in this place, and so this society of learned men had come to experience it for themselves.
The fine horses and unusual clothing of the travellers drew the attention of the crowds, who stopped in whatever activity they happened to be performing in order to watch the procession pass. Silence seemed to fall upon the busy city square for many long moments, and the only sound that could be heard was the jingle of the bridles and the soft clipping of hooves on dust... until a loud bellow broke the crowd’s reverie.
The bellow came from the throat of Padvan Singh, a carpet maker and general blustering personage, who had just tossed a few coppers to the nearest chai wallah, and was standing with his cup held out, waiting for his hot beverage. Like Padvan, and the rest of the crowd, the wallah was distracted by the curious sight, and overfilled the carpet merchant’s cup, letting the boiling liquid spill down onto the man’s bare, dusty foot. He found a cup broken over his head for his pains, and the crowd laughed and jeered and called out to Padvan. The spell had been broken and the sea of humanity continued in its constant ebb and flow, as if the strangers had never been.
As the small group rode in silence along the river watching the heat shimmer up from the banks they came upon an odd sight. Nearly 100 women, young and old, sat swathed in white linen and dusted with ashes, singing on the river’s edge. They did not have the gaily colored saris or gold bangles of the other women busily moving through the square. Their voices were lifted in mournful reverence as they swayed gently, their strange, repetitive words filling the air...
Govinda Jaya Jaya
Gopala Jaya Jaya
Radha Ramana Hare
Govinda Jaya Jaya
Selcouth was fascinated by this curious sight. He raised a hand, calling a halt, and gestured their Italian guide to him. “Giosafat, what manner of ritual is this?” He asked, gesturing to the women. The guide came close by, he was a small, travel wizened man with tanned skin deeply lined by sun and wind. He called one of the porters over and spoke to the man in rapid Hindi. The man looked reluctantly at the women and then answered in a few short sentences. The guide looked surprised then turned to Selcouth.
“These women have been thrown away.”
“Thrown away?” Selcouth said with astonishment. “What does this mean?”
“They are widows, sir.” The guide stated.
“And do they have no family to care for them? Surely there are not so many who have no people?” His eyes roamed over the women who he now saw were thin and ill fed, and whose garments were threadbare.
The guide again spoke to the porter who, though seeming reluctant, explained further.
“They are widows, they can not remarry. Their families throw them out, throw them away. They come here to live in ashrams and sing to Lord Krishna. If they sing Bajhans, they will get a cup of rice from the priest. They are cursed, they have no husband.”
Selcouth looked appalled. Of all the foreign customs he had encountered in his travels, this was one of the strangest he had yet heard. He thought of his wife Elspeth and his young daughter Anatisha at home, what if he were to die on his journey? He could not imagine them here in such a terrible state of misfortune... then something caught his eye, a young girl, perhaps no more than three. Her hair was shorn from her head, and by the looks of it, it had been done roughly. She had milky skin and almond eyes, and sat with such solemnity as she chanted with the rest, that the man’s heart went out to her.
“What of that child there?” He asked the guide. Giosafat gestured for the girl to come to him and she stood and came, but not with the tumbling gait of a child. She moved with a strange grace and held herself with such dignity that again Selcouth found himself at once charmed and dismayed. He looked down at the girl and saw, with wonder, that her eyes were unusual in color... like the horizon betwixt sea and sky, neither green nor blue, but some unnameable shade in between.
Selcouth gestured absently at Giosafat, his eyes not leaving the girl... “Her name, what is her name?”
Giosafat spoke to the girl, who did not cower from the stranger, but rather fixed him with a steady gaze as she listened to his query. When she answered, her voice was quiet and dignified.
“She says she has no name sir, she says it was taken from her when she was brought here. The other women call her Krsna, after their pagan lord who was said to have been a child in this city.”
The girl Krsna turned her strange eyes back to Selcouth.
“Who would bring a child to such a place and leave it?” He demanded, his sensibilities outraged.
Again the exchange between guide and girl in the lilting language.
“She says her grandmother brought her here after her husband died sir. She says she had been betrothed to a man, but he died before she came of age. She is of the Brahmin caste, sir. She can not remarry, it is forbidden. She should have died with her husband, but her grandmother kept her from being thrown on the pyre by her husband’s family. She brought the girl here, to Vrindivan.”
Selcouth, who was a man of unusual sensitivity for his time, was mortally outraged. It was not unheard of, even in his land, to betroth girls in their infancy... but to kill a child because the man she was betrothed to had died. It was barbaric. He felt righteous indignation rise within him as he looked down at the small girl, who gazed steadily back up at him, eyes hollow, face pinched with hunger. He thought of his own daughter and his heart was broken.
“We will take her.” He said with finality.
“B..but sir! We can not just... I mean, how can we just take her?” The guide spluttered his protests at this unexpected turn of events. The other men’s voices rose as they sought to bring their comrade to reason.
“We will take her! That is an end to it!” Selcouth shouted, and the rigid set of his jaw told the others there would be no argument. The guide cringed and trotted over to the oldest of the other women. There was some haggling, and voices were raised... finally, after tossing some coins in the begging bowl, the guide trotted back and mounted his horse.
Selcouth reached down and pulled Krsna up, settling her in front of him. They rode on and the child never looked back.
On that day, for seven silver coins, Krsna, widow of Vrindivan, became Krsna, Lady of Selcouth.
The Stories of Selcouth
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Some Lay Dreaming... (by Velveeta Biedermann)
Velveeta watched as Krsna hurried off to see after cook. She knew
that she should probably follow and help her sister but at this
moment, she felt the need to put some space between them. Velveeta
wasn’t sure she wanted to be chastised again for exploring the land
that they called home. Quickly making up her mind, she grabbed a
cloak hanging by the door and wrapped it around her shoulders,
bringing the hood up to cover her hair. With a furtive glance over her
shoulder, headed back out into the rain.
The rain had lessened and was now just a light drizzle as it fell
softly on her. She walked, not paying attention to where she was
heading and if truth be told, not really caring. The musty, earthy
smell of the wet ground was a pleasant sensation for her. It made her
feel comfortable. Not closed in and suffocated like the manor did at
times. Velveeta knew her sisters meant well but at times she really
missed her father. He never scolded her when her dress was dirty or
when she failed to do her chores. Instead he would cluck his tongue
and with a smile in his eye ask in a stern voice “What am I going to
do with you?” Velveeta would grin back, her green eyes sparkling “The
same as you always do Father!” and they would both laugh, the incident
forgotten. She was roused from her memories as a deer bounded across
her path and she watched as it disappeared into the forest. The wind
picked up and she looked around trying to figure out where she was as
she drew the cloak tighter around her. it was then that she saw the
white branches of the Brenhines Wen and heard Krsna’s warning from
earlier “I have told you to keep away from there..." Velveeta
straightened her shoulders and with a resolve, headed for the tree,
mainly because she was told not to, and she was tired of being treated
like a child.
Velveeta moved through the forest coming up with reasons as to why she
was near the tree, ready to answer the question, or accusations, she
knew would come when the sisters found out she was here. With a
start, she realized she was upon the majestic white tree before she
knew it and looked around, hoping no one was near enough to see her.
Velveeta looked at the tree with a sense of wonderment. It looked so
out of place in the forest, surrounded by the dark green of the other
trees that the branches almost seemed to shimmer. She moved towards
it, feeling a sense of calm settle over her as she sat on the fallen
fallen branch. The offerings of the villagers to the Brenhines Wen
sat near the broad base of the tree. Tucked in the little bunches of
flowers and wood carvings, Velveeta recognizes an offering of barley
stalks tied with a kind of patterned cloth that one of the peasant
women weaves, left for her sick child.
She raised one knee and with a sigh, rested her head on it. “It’s not
so bad here...” She thought as she watched the branches almost dance
around her. Lost in her thoughts she didn’t see the man approach,
appearing almost from a swirl of mist. “You have been told about this
place, little one. Why are you here?” The deep, calming voice
stirred Velveeta but it took her a moment to realized she knew it
“Father?” she asked in shock. The man took a few steps, bridging the
distance between them “Aye. And again I ask, why are you here?” She
looked at him with wonder. He looked younger then she remembered, his
hair didn’t hold as much grey and he just seemed...taller to her.
Velveeta slowly rose and walked to him, placing her hand on his arm.
Her hand tingled at the touch but she ignored it, choosing instead to
concentrate on how strong he felt. Just like she remembered.
“Father... I....” she was never at a loss for words... except for
now. “I don’t know” she said softly, a perplexed look on her face.
He gave a shake of his head and when she looked at him again, she saw
that twinkle in his eye that she remembered and she smiled. “You
need to listen to your sisters, little one” Before she could utter a
complaint against this, he tipped her chin up and placed a finger on
her lips, as if to silence her. “Come, I have something to show
you.” He took her by the hand and lead her away from the Brenhines
Wen.
In a blink of an eye they were at another spot on the estate.
Velveeta looked around, trying to get her bearings but couldn't find a
landmark she recognized. Puzzled, she looked up to father. “It is
time.” He said as he took a step to the side, and in doing so,
revealing the entrance to a cave. “Marcus will help you find your
way.” She had a million questions for her father but before she could
ask even one, he seemed to shimmer and start to fade “And Velveeta?
You mustn’t tell your sisters about this. They have to find their own
way.” She started to reach for him, to stop him from leaving when she
heard a voice from behind her “Good day, Lady Velveeta” Velveeta spun
and let out a gasp. “You seem to know my name and yet I don’t believe
I’ve made your acquaintance” She managed to get out while maintaining
her composure. “I am Marcus” said the dragon.
Velveeta let out a scream and sitting upright, looked around widely.
She was under the Brenhines Wen. “It was all a dream.....” she tried
to tell herself as she stood, brushing off her skirts. Velveeta looked
at the the tree with wonderment and fear and started to back away from
it She hadn’t brought an offering for her dream and legend had it
that the Brenhines Wen could pull her back, to live in the dream world
forever. Velveeta hurried back to the manor, one thought on her mind
“I need to find Marcus.”
that she should probably follow and help her sister but at this
moment, she felt the need to put some space between them. Velveeta
wasn’t sure she wanted to be chastised again for exploring the land
that they called home. Quickly making up her mind, she grabbed a
cloak hanging by the door and wrapped it around her shoulders,
bringing the hood up to cover her hair. With a furtive glance over her
shoulder, headed back out into the rain.
The rain had lessened and was now just a light drizzle as it fell
softly on her. She walked, not paying attention to where she was
heading and if truth be told, not really caring. The musty, earthy
smell of the wet ground was a pleasant sensation for her. It made her
feel comfortable. Not closed in and suffocated like the manor did at
times. Velveeta knew her sisters meant well but at times she really
missed her father. He never scolded her when her dress was dirty or
when she failed to do her chores. Instead he would cluck his tongue
and with a smile in his eye ask in a stern voice “What am I going to
do with you?” Velveeta would grin back, her green eyes sparkling “The
same as you always do Father!” and they would both laugh, the incident
forgotten. She was roused from her memories as a deer bounded across
her path and she watched as it disappeared into the forest. The wind
picked up and she looked around trying to figure out where she was as
she drew the cloak tighter around her. it was then that she saw the
white branches of the Brenhines Wen and heard Krsna’s warning from
earlier “I have told you to keep away from there..." Velveeta
straightened her shoulders and with a resolve, headed for the tree,
mainly because she was told not to, and she was tired of being treated
like a child.
Velveeta moved through the forest coming up with reasons as to why she
was near the tree, ready to answer the question, or accusations, she
knew would come when the sisters found out she was here. With a
start, she realized she was upon the majestic white tree before she
knew it and looked around, hoping no one was near enough to see her.
Velveeta looked at the tree with a sense of wonderment. It looked so
out of place in the forest, surrounded by the dark green of the other
trees that the branches almost seemed to shimmer. She moved towards
it, feeling a sense of calm settle over her as she sat on the fallen
fallen branch. The offerings of the villagers to the Brenhines Wen
sat near the broad base of the tree. Tucked in the little bunches of
flowers and wood carvings, Velveeta recognizes an offering of barley
stalks tied with a kind of patterned cloth that one of the peasant
women weaves, left for her sick child.
She raised one knee and with a sigh, rested her head on it. “It’s not
so bad here...” She thought as she watched the branches almost dance
around her. Lost in her thoughts she didn’t see the man approach,
appearing almost from a swirl of mist. “You have been told about this
place, little one. Why are you here?” The deep, calming voice
stirred Velveeta but it took her a moment to realized she knew it
“Father?” she asked in shock. The man took a few steps, bridging the
distance between them “Aye. And again I ask, why are you here?” She
looked at him with wonder. He looked younger then she remembered, his
hair didn’t hold as much grey and he just seemed...taller to her.
Velveeta slowly rose and walked to him, placing her hand on his arm.
Her hand tingled at the touch but she ignored it, choosing instead to
concentrate on how strong he felt. Just like she remembered.
“Father... I....” she was never at a loss for words... except for
now. “I don’t know” she said softly, a perplexed look on her face.
He gave a shake of his head and when she looked at him again, she saw
that twinkle in his eye that she remembered and she smiled. “You
need to listen to your sisters, little one” Before she could utter a
complaint against this, he tipped her chin up and placed a finger on
her lips, as if to silence her. “Come, I have something to show
you.” He took her by the hand and lead her away from the Brenhines
Wen.
In a blink of an eye they were at another spot on the estate.
Velveeta looked around, trying to get her bearings but couldn't find a
landmark she recognized. Puzzled, she looked up to father. “It is
time.” He said as he took a step to the side, and in doing so,
revealing the entrance to a cave. “Marcus will help you find your
way.” She had a million questions for her father but before she could
ask even one, he seemed to shimmer and start to fade “And Velveeta?
You mustn’t tell your sisters about this. They have to find their own
way.” She started to reach for him, to stop him from leaving when she
heard a voice from behind her “Good day, Lady Velveeta” Velveeta spun
and let out a gasp. “You seem to know my name and yet I don’t believe
I’ve made your acquaintance” She managed to get out while maintaining
her composure. “I am Marcus” said the dragon.
Velveeta let out a scream and sitting upright, looked around widely.
She was under the Brenhines Wen. “It was all a dream.....” she tried
to tell herself as she stood, brushing off her skirts. Velveeta looked
at the the tree with wonderment and fear and started to back away from
it She hadn’t brought an offering for her dream and legend had it
that the Brenhines Wen could pull her back, to live in the dream world
forever. Velveeta hurried back to the manor, one thought on her mind
“I need to find Marcus.”
Sunday, February 6, 2011
A Story From Before the Mist (by Kevin Nordwind)
The drizzle and fog covered the sounds of the horses hooves in the
dirt and stone as he approached to the edged of town. Not that he was
trying to avoid being seen. His wool cloak and hood wrapped tight in
the wet rain, his horse kept a steady rhythm as he had done a thousand
times before. The guards ate edge of town stood under a makeshift
cover of hides while they warmed themselves by a small fire. When they
finally heard him, he was practically on top of them.
They moved quickly into position. Two on the right side, and three on
the left, away from his sword arm. "Halt!" one called. "What business
do ye have here?" questioned the obvious leader. He had a straighter
stand and looked like he had been around a field or two in his day.
The others stood vigilant, but not as sure of themselves.
"I come from Conwy with a message for the Bishop" he said as his horse
shifted slightly below him. His eyes moved back and forth below his
hood, assessing each man. He beckoned the lead guard forward with his
hand. "I have a letter of travel with the seal of the Bishop himself."
He patted the bag that was hanging at his side under his cloak that
was only opened enough to see. The leader slowly approached, keeping
himself on sheathed sword side. Smart Kevin thought. He knows that he
has more time to move away should I draw my sword.
The lead guard moved closer with his torch. He could not see into the
hood at the strangers face, but he did look quickly at his boots. A
mans boots told you a lot about the man. These were well worn but of
solid build. Mud caked on the bottom as you would expect. But he grew
nervous as he could see the mans boots were stained with blood. I was
soaked into the creases in the leather. He approached with more
caution. As the stranger pulled his cloak aside far enough to show the
bag, but not wide enough to let the drizzle get to him. His hands were
worn as well, tough, calloused. But not as a Farmers or Blacksmiths
was. His were weather worn. And there was no doubt as to the mans
background when the hilt of his sword glinted in the light from his
torch. "Aye, let me have a look"he said as he reached out and took
another step that would put him in reach of a blade.
The horse quivered slightly at the shift of weight as the stranger
reached in his bag and pulled a parchment to hand to the Guard. He was
betting that the guard could not read. But bet he knew the seal of the
Bishop. The Guard took the parchment and recognized the seal. He
glanced quickly up at the stranger then asked. "Deliver a message, is
that you are here for?"
"That and a place to dry and rest. That is all. I will be gone before
daybreak." He was sure that the tavern he knew was next to some
stables where his steed could get some grain and get out of the
weather. He reached back for the parchment and placed it back in his
bag. The guard looked at him closely and finally catching glimpse of
his face in the dim flicker of the torch.
"Do I know you?" he asked. "Have you ever been to Wrecsam before?" The
guard seemed to have a faint hint of a memory of that face. He looked
for any other telltale signs that this stranger was known to him.
"Many times my good man. Many Times." With that he squeezed his legs
around the horse which slowly moved forward slowly towards the other
guards. With a nod from the lead, the others parted to let him pass.
"Now get out of this weather. Not fit for Man or Beast" he called back
over his shoulder to the group as he waved. He could hear them as the
horse slowly moved towards the center of town, "Did ye know him
Allister?" and a short reply "I am not sure, but I think I have seen
him before". Then the fog and drizzle silenced any sounds from them.
It a few short hours, it would all be over. Just one stop, then bed
the horse and he could get some mead and some food. The horses hooves
kept a steady pace as he slumped on its back. He was sure that he was
not followed. he wound his way through streets he knew as he made his
way to the church. He reached it sooner than he would have wanted, he
was still tense from the ride. His arm still throbbed and the twitch
in his sword hand was still there. His nerves were still on edge.
He dropped off and tied his horse, stepped back and gave it a pat and
rub between the eyes. Shaking the wet from his cloak, he opened it
wide and dropped the hood. He moved to the steps and pushed the door
open. He stood inside the doorway letting his eyes adjust. As he
looked around, he saw the deacon look at him. He nodded and the deacon
acknowledged him and hurried off. Within a few minutes, the Bishop was
walking among the pews towards him.
"Your safe. Good, we were worried" said the Bishop as he put an arm on
his shoulder and moved him to an alcove off to the side. The bishop
was a tall thin man that looked more like a haggard man from the
fields than a man of the church. "Did you have any trouble on the
way?" he asked.
"None more than usual" Kevin answered as he reached for another
parchment in his bag. He knew the Bishop was worried, but also knew
the man did not want to know more than what he had told him. The roads
between Wrecsam and Conwy were always dangerous. Better to spare the
man details of the desperate men and the sites he had seen and dealt
with over the past fortnight. He passed the parchment to th Bishop who
quickly checked the seal, then opened it. He watched the Bishops eyes
as he read the note. He hid whatever it was he was thinking well.
"Thank you for this Kevin. We have waited a long time for this."His
eyes came up from the parchment and he hurriedly slipped it under his
robes and his hands came back into view with a small pouch. "A little
something extra above the price we agreed upon. Now I must go and deal
with this. Is there anything more I can do for you?" he asked as he
clapped the traveler on his shoulder. "Food, Drink?"
"No, its late. I need to tend to my horse. Then I will make my way to
the tavern for some food and a bed." With that the Bishop smiled at
him and turned to walk away. Within a few feet he stopped and looked
back.
"Bless you son, you have done enough. I know that this was your last
call. Do go with Gods blessings, and find peace."
With that he was gone. The church was now empty except for the deacon
at the front of the church tending to some candles. He took a moment
in the shadows to breathe. He looked up at the windows and the class
that kept the rain out. Without saying anything, he left, quietly
pulling the door closed as he did.
He mounted, and without speaking or much movement, he guided the steed
back down the road in the direction he had come. Towards the stables
and tavern. Just a few hours and it would all be over. All of it.
...to be continued
dirt and stone as he approached to the edged of town. Not that he was
trying to avoid being seen. His wool cloak and hood wrapped tight in
the wet rain, his horse kept a steady rhythm as he had done a thousand
times before. The guards ate edge of town stood under a makeshift
cover of hides while they warmed themselves by a small fire. When they
finally heard him, he was practically on top of them.
They moved quickly into position. Two on the right side, and three on
the left, away from his sword arm. "Halt!" one called. "What business
do ye have here?" questioned the obvious leader. He had a straighter
stand and looked like he had been around a field or two in his day.
The others stood vigilant, but not as sure of themselves.
"I come from Conwy with a message for the Bishop" he said as his horse
shifted slightly below him. His eyes moved back and forth below his
hood, assessing each man. He beckoned the lead guard forward with his
hand. "I have a letter of travel with the seal of the Bishop himself."
He patted the bag that was hanging at his side under his cloak that
was only opened enough to see. The leader slowly approached, keeping
himself on sheathed sword side. Smart Kevin thought. He knows that he
has more time to move away should I draw my sword.
The lead guard moved closer with his torch. He could not see into the
hood at the strangers face, but he did look quickly at his boots. A
mans boots told you a lot about the man. These were well worn but of
solid build. Mud caked on the bottom as you would expect. But he grew
nervous as he could see the mans boots were stained with blood. I was
soaked into the creases in the leather. He approached with more
caution. As the stranger pulled his cloak aside far enough to show the
bag, but not wide enough to let the drizzle get to him. His hands were
worn as well, tough, calloused. But not as a Farmers or Blacksmiths
was. His were weather worn. And there was no doubt as to the mans
background when the hilt of his sword glinted in the light from his
torch. "Aye, let me have a look"he said as he reached out and took
another step that would put him in reach of a blade.
The horse quivered slightly at the shift of weight as the stranger
reached in his bag and pulled a parchment to hand to the Guard. He was
betting that the guard could not read. But bet he knew the seal of the
Bishop. The Guard took the parchment and recognized the seal. He
glanced quickly up at the stranger then asked. "Deliver a message, is
that you are here for?"
"That and a place to dry and rest. That is all. I will be gone before
daybreak." He was sure that the tavern he knew was next to some
stables where his steed could get some grain and get out of the
weather. He reached back for the parchment and placed it back in his
bag. The guard looked at him closely and finally catching glimpse of
his face in the dim flicker of the torch.
"Do I know you?" he asked. "Have you ever been to Wrecsam before?" The
guard seemed to have a faint hint of a memory of that face. He looked
for any other telltale signs that this stranger was known to him.
"Many times my good man. Many Times." With that he squeezed his legs
around the horse which slowly moved forward slowly towards the other
guards. With a nod from the lead, the others parted to let him pass.
"Now get out of this weather. Not fit for Man or Beast" he called back
over his shoulder to the group as he waved. He could hear them as the
horse slowly moved towards the center of town, "Did ye know him
Allister?" and a short reply "I am not sure, but I think I have seen
him before". Then the fog and drizzle silenced any sounds from them.
It a few short hours, it would all be over. Just one stop, then bed
the horse and he could get some mead and some food. The horses hooves
kept a steady pace as he slumped on its back. He was sure that he was
not followed. he wound his way through streets he knew as he made his
way to the church. He reached it sooner than he would have wanted, he
was still tense from the ride. His arm still throbbed and the twitch
in his sword hand was still there. His nerves were still on edge.
He dropped off and tied his horse, stepped back and gave it a pat and
rub between the eyes. Shaking the wet from his cloak, he opened it
wide and dropped the hood. He moved to the steps and pushed the door
open. He stood inside the doorway letting his eyes adjust. As he
looked around, he saw the deacon look at him. He nodded and the deacon
acknowledged him and hurried off. Within a few minutes, the Bishop was
walking among the pews towards him.
"Your safe. Good, we were worried" said the Bishop as he put an arm on
his shoulder and moved him to an alcove off to the side. The bishop
was a tall thin man that looked more like a haggard man from the
fields than a man of the church. "Did you have any trouble on the
way?" he asked.
"None more than usual" Kevin answered as he reached for another
parchment in his bag. He knew the Bishop was worried, but also knew
the man did not want to know more than what he had told him. The roads
between Wrecsam and Conwy were always dangerous. Better to spare the
man details of the desperate men and the sites he had seen and dealt
with over the past fortnight. He passed the parchment to th Bishop who
quickly checked the seal, then opened it. He watched the Bishops eyes
as he read the note. He hid whatever it was he was thinking well.
"Thank you for this Kevin. We have waited a long time for this."His
eyes came up from the parchment and he hurriedly slipped it under his
robes and his hands came back into view with a small pouch. "A little
something extra above the price we agreed upon. Now I must go and deal
with this. Is there anything more I can do for you?" he asked as he
clapped the traveler on his shoulder. "Food, Drink?"
"No, its late. I need to tend to my horse. Then I will make my way to
the tavern for some food and a bed." With that the Bishop smiled at
him and turned to walk away. Within a few feet he stopped and looked
back.
"Bless you son, you have done enough. I know that this was your last
call. Do go with Gods blessings, and find peace."
With that he was gone. The church was now empty except for the deacon
at the front of the church tending to some candles. He took a moment
in the shadows to breathe. He looked up at the windows and the class
that kept the rain out. Without saying anything, he left, quietly
pulling the door closed as he did.
He mounted, and without speaking or much movement, he guided the steed
back down the road in the direction he had come. Towards the stables
and tavern. Just a few hours and it would all be over. All of it.
...to be continued
Thursday, January 20, 2011
A Calf Named George (RP - Krsna, Vel, Rhia, Zera)
Vel entered the hall, letting the heavy doors slam behind her, humming an off key tune, she didn't seem much bothered by the dirt on her dress. Reaching into a basket in passing, she pulled out an apple, giving it a quick glance before biting into it, the juice running down her arm. Her eyes twinkled when she saw her sister.
"Krsna! Come see what’s happened!"
Krsna turned from where she trimmed the wild thyme she had
just picked from where it grew in bunches around the back door. Glancing at Vel she smiled, turning back to her task.
"do not yell, Vel, and for heaven sake, you are trailing dirt on the floor."
Vel looked down at the floor and pushed at a leaf with her toe.
"I'll clean it later! Come see!"
"one moment." *Krsna trimmed the ends of the last bunch, and deftly wound twine around the stems. She walked over to the drying rack and hung them carefully, then replaced the small knife in its sheath, tucking it into the pocket of her kirtle. She smoothed down her
skirt and looked up. "you must learn patience... now, where are we going?"
Vel laughed. "Patience is for the patient." She headed for the back door calling over her shoulder "I promise to work on that... later"
Krsna sighed and followed, wiping her hands on her skirt. They crossed the rolling green that led to the barn and the fields beyond, Vel several paces ahead as she laughingly
urged Krsna to move faster. As they rounded a small copse of trees, a gentle whickering met their arrival.
Vel ran over, calling to the horse. She gave it the rest of her apple, thenturned back and headed into the barn "In here Krs!"
Rhia, the milk maid, stood inside one of the stalls staring at a cow before gently reaching over and patting its hind quarters. "Aye Daisy, it's hard being you." She laughed a little as the beast's leg shot out to kick. Rhia jumped away just in time. "Silly cow, kickings are for kids" and laughed at her own joke.
Krsna entered the barn at a more sedate pace. She stopped at the threshold, looking in,
then lifted her skirts and stepped inside. "good day Rhia," she spoke genially as she passed.
Rhia turned around with a start , then visibly relaxed when she aw both Lady Krsna and Lady Vel. Offering a kind smile, Rhia stepped out of the stall wiping her hands down the front of her skirt "Good day to you both as well, hope it's finding to be a nice one?"
Vel stopped in front of the stall Rhia had just stepped out of. "Krs! we have a new calf! I think we should call it George." She looked back at Rhia "you haven't named it yet, have you?
Krsna looked past Vel to the small calf that trembled on unsteady legs next to its mother. "what have we here?"
Rhia nodded her head towards the new born calf "Well, I dare say we have a heifer but Lady Velveeta insists on calling it George, but I don't think she would mind too much." She leaned in to kick a bit of straw around underneath it "She'll lay down soon enough after she nurses. This puts the milk supply up a bit once I move her."
Krsna nodded, taking stock silently in her head. Veal would have been most welcome for the table, but another milker will be better in the long run.
Vel shrugged her shoulders as she looked at the calf "I was too excited to tell you... I didn't look."
"I have another that should be butchered as soon as I talk with Zera. She'll know if it's definitely ready" Rhia glanced at Lady Vel and smiled "George it is, she won't mind at all. And it's
more interesting then yet another Daisy, don't you think?"
Krsna looked thoughtfully at the calf. "Zera, I have not seen her for several days, is she gone
to the forest yet again?"
Vel reached out and patted the mother on its hindquarter "Call it Georgette. And we call name her first son George." She turned, not giving the two a chance to comment and went
out to see the horses.
Rhia shook her head as she watched the girl walk away and dto herself "Some day, she'll just have to accept where her meals come from" turning towards Lady Krsna, Rhia spoke a bit
louder "Yes, last I saw Zera, she had her cross bow and was heading towards the forest. "
The two women walked slowly from the barn in a moment of companionable silence.
Krsna looked out into the distance, then spoke as if an afterthought. "ah, then perhaps there will be venison." She looked at the field of waving grain. "The barley is coming along well. We are
blessed in our bounty." Then glanced past the field to where the ever present mist encroached, studying it for a long moment, then looked away, watching a lamb gambol across the grass.
Vel gave the horse one final scratch on its head and hearing her sister, went over to her. "I saw the herbalist today. She found something new in the forest and was trying to figure out what it
was. I suggested she see you."
Krsna Samsara nodded... "though, Zera might be the one she should see, she knows every plant in the forest... if you can coax her into telling you."
Rhia watched the sheep grazing outside the barn and mumbled something about fences before they tore apart the grains before harvesting or the make their way to the orchard.
Krsna Samsara looked at the sheep as well. "their coats are coming along fine... twill soon be time to shear and I shall have good wool to spin and weave.
looking down at her skirts Vel ran a hand over them in an attempt to brush some of the dirt off "I know.. but she's so....." She let out a small sigh and looked up, having given up on her skirt ever being clean again "I just thought you could talk to her."
Krsna Samsara looked back at Vel and smiled. "I shall, indeed. Yes, our Zera can be truculent, but we must be charitable toward her nonetheless."
Rhia nods and asks quietly with a frown on her face "I suppose I shall be shearing alone again Lady Krsna?" with a resigned sigh remembering the fiasco last time she had to sheer and the
animals running from her and off through the fields
Vel perked up at Rhia's question "I can help you Rhia!" She had a smug look on her face as she thought that helping Rhia shear would get her out of household chores
"Of course not, we shall all lend a hand on shearing day." Krsna was not afraid to work and was no stranger to the peasants as she often worked along side them to bring in the harvest or see to
the livestock. She spun and wove cloth for them with her own hands.
Rhia breathed a sigh of relief and absently rubbed the head of a lambthat wandered over and pressed itself against Rhia's leg. "Thank you Lady Krsna, I certainly didn't want to have that task all my own" she glanced towards Velveeta and frowned for a moment "You know, maybe
waiting until after the grain is harvested might be a good idea?"
Vel nodded and turned her gaze out to the fields "how soon until that happens?"
Krsna looked at the heavy heads of grain. "not long.... " she looked up just as several large raindrops began to fall.
Rhia felt a drop land on her head and sighed "Great for the crops and livestock, not so much the hair" and quickly ducked into the barn for cover before the rain became heavy'
Vel felt the first drops of rain just as Krsna looked up. She let out a sigh and let her shoulders drop. Rain meant she would have to go back into the house and one of her sisters would most likely try to get her to do something they considered "proper." She looked up to the sky to see how black the clouds were and started off in the opposite direction from the house "Ill go find Zera!" she called over her shoulder
Krsna smiled as she saw Vel's attempt to dodge housework. "I was thinking of walking to the alehouse for a cup of warm beer..." She let the offer hang in the air. "Perhaps there will be mulled ale."
Rhia walked over towards the stall with the new calf in it. She noticed that was laying down and not feeding. She dropped to a knee and rubbed its side. Leaning in she whispered "not hungry yet eh?" and glanced up at the Daisy that birthed it
Vel stopped in her tracks and slowly turned to Krsna "I'm sure Zera is capable of finding her way back. Perhaps I'll go with you. "She looked back to the sky as more drops began to fall "But
we should hurry. Rhia? What about you? Will you come too?"
Rhia stared at the cow for a moment and frowned calling over her shoulder "I better not Lady Velveeta" then let out a gasp "No way!" She quickly stood up and ran around the mother cow and felt her belly, pressing on it hard.
Krsna Samsara turned back to the byre hearing Rhia exclaim. "what is it?"
"It's another freaking calf!" She called out as she made her way back to the hind quarters and shook her head. "breach, already coming out..." She looked around for a rope.
Krsna Samsara looks with interest at the cow then back to Rhia. "is there anything we can do?"
Vel followed inside the barn, the promise of visiting the ale house quickly forgotten as she watched Rhia examine the cow. Rhia gestured to a coil of rope laying on a pile of hay. "Here!" Vel said as she grabbed it and gave it to the woman.
Rhia grabbed the rope and quickly tied it onto the legs protruding from the cow and nodded "yes, you can grab the rope and help me pull!"
Without hesitation Krsna tucked her skirts up into her belt and rushed over, grabbing the rope and looking at the woman for a cue when to pull
Unlike Krsna, Vel didn't tuck her skirt into her belt, it was already soiled beyond repair. She grabbed the rope behind Krsna and waited. Rhia jerked the rope slightly to bring it taut and said "On three, pull! 1.....2......3...NOW"
Krsna pulled with all her might, looking worriedly over Rhia's shoulder at the cow. Vel felt her muscles strain and the rope cutting into the palms of her hands as she pulled. The cow made a low grunting noise and strained against the backward tug of the rope, they could see the muscles in its side rippling, and they felt the calf move and inch or two.
Rhianon Evans contorted her face and grunts "keep pulling, she's gaining!" and yanked on the rope even harder knowing that the calf hadbeen in the mother too long since the first birth and getting it out would be its only chance for survival. Vel planted her feet firmly against the ground as she tried to gain some leverage and once again, pulled with all her might. The three of them heaved back on the rope, and again the cow made a strained sound, this time her front legs dropping to the knees.
Krsna looked alarmed. "Rhia, she is going down!"
Rhianon Evans looked at the cow and a look of consternation crossed her face "Damnit, pull on the rope now!" and desperately starts pulling it with all her , wishing Zera were there to help as well. Hearing the tone of Rhia's voice, Vel dug deep and pulled as hard as she could. The beads of perspiration trailing down her face with the exertion. Krsna pulled as hard as she was able, clenching her jaw and squeezing her eyes shut with the effort. The cow lowed with a strained, mournful sound and the hindquarters of the calf began to show.
Sweat dripped from Rhia's forhead and roll down her face as she tugged the rope with every ounce of strength she had. "Come on Daisy....you know you can push the baby out" she said between clinched teeth "just a bit more sweetheart."
Vel pulled again, her muscles crying with the strain "Is it out?"
The cow's head dipped, her sides heaved from the exertion. They pulled with all their strength, and with a great gush of blood and matter the calf expelled out upon the straw. The cow lurched over onto her side and lay heaving, the calf lay still. The women fell back onto the straw, so great was the force they exerted. The cow's breathing became shallow as blood pooled in the straw.
Rhia flew back and landed on the ground with a thud as the calf finally separated from its mother. Scrambling to her knees, she quickly crawled over to the small thing and pried open it's mouth shoving her hand inside of it and dragging out some blood and ooze. Without paying
attention she flung it out of her hand towards the ground and suddenly punched the belly to try and get it to breath. Vel fell back onto the ground and watched, fascinated, as Rhia tried to save the calf . Krsna landed in a pile of limbs and skirts with the other women, then quickly scrambled up, watching Rhia tend to the calf.
"Rhia, what can I do?"
She looked over at the cow, now laboring to breathe and crawled through to straw to its head, smoothing a hand along its jaw.
Rhianon Evans continued punching the calf as tears fell from her eyes. Punctuating with each hit, she cries "Make...it....breath....it....has...to..." when suddenly, the calf lifted it's head and gasped for air "....breath" Rhia finished and dropped her fist to it's head to rub it down with very fast motions. Taking a breath, she asked "How's Daisy?"
Krsna watched as the large, brown eyes glazed over and the cow breathed its last. she looked up at Rhia.."she's died. Best bleed her quickly Rhia, we can still save the meat" she gave the big head a final pat, then stood, pragmatically ."
Vel scrambled to her feet and made her way to the calf. Picking up a handful of straw, she started to rub it. "Will it be alright? " She looked to Rhia for the answer and unconsciously held
her breath as she waited for it.
Rhia glanced up from rubbing the calf and looked at Velveeta, nodding,
her voice raspy. "It has a chance, as long as it's fed." She glanced between Lady Krsna and Daisy. Dropping her head for a moment, she pulled herself up and walked over towards the hay. Wiping the slime from her hands onto the hay pile, she grabbed a knife and made her way back
to the stall. Stopping she stared at the dead cow for a moment before dropping her shoulders in resignation and moved towards it's head.
Krsna Samsara heard a commotion near the gamekeeper's hut and made her way out, wiping her hands on her skirts. "Its sounds as if Zera has returned, I will have her come in and see to the cow. Rhia, stay with the calf, we can not loose them both. "
Rhianon Evans wiped the tears from her face with the back of her sleeve and nodded in relief. Setting the knife down for Zera, she went back to the calf and said to Velveeta "We need to clean it up and get it moved to another stall"
Velveeta Biedermann watched as Rhia set the knife down. She turned
her head not wanting to know what she was planning to do next instead
she took in a deep breath and wiping the tears from her eyes, stood to
help the maid move the calf..
Rhia shook her head and knelt back down by the calf "We can't move it yet, we have to clean it up" and took a handful of hay and began to rub the calf down with it "Like this, and when the hay is dirty and bloody, toss it into the stall and grab more. Keeps the mess here instead of all over the barn"
Vel nods at the directions and without another word, and continues to rub the calf down. Zera quickly strode in, a surly expression on her face, mud encrusting her boots and breeks. She looked down at the cow then back up at the milk maid with a look of disgust. She shook her head and sighed. "I'll have to go down to village and get help. Have to drag her out, cant
bleed her in the barn."
Vel's head snapped up and she looked at Zera "Bleed her out? What do you mean?" Her gaze shot from Zera to Rhia, waiting for the answer.
Rhia caught the look from Zera and straightened her shoulders. Leaning back on her heels, she told Velveeta "We've gotten it as clean as we can, help me get it to stand up" and glanced at the
other calf in the stall then back to Zera. With a cold voice, she said"Breach and delayed birth for the second one born at least an hour later"
Zera Caradoc looked at Velveeta like she was crazy. "You daft? can't let all that meat waste." she nodded at Rhia's words then bends to the calf and takes it by the tail, pulling it up.."swear.. lady Krs is only one born with sense. up ye come lass *she talked much more civilly to the calf as she prompted it to rise*
Rhianon Evans suddenly pulled herself away from the calf and threw her hands up in the air "You know Zera, if you had bothered to stick around knowing a cow was about to give birth, it would have been helpful" standing up she turned to face the very tall woman "As it was, the three of us did our best and if that's not good enough for you then...- you-....deal with the aftermath" turning on her heel she moved to the other calf and pulled on it's ear to get it to turn around and walk towards the other stall.
Zera looked unimpressed with the outburst and continued shoving the newborn calf into the stall. "you see to cows." Was all she said with a grunt.
"Then stop swooping in all sourly ass and cranky when you don't think I do a good enough job" Rhia responded as she moved the one calf over to the other stall.
Zera made a noncommital noise in her throat.
Vel lowered her head as she followed Rhia, not wanting Zera to see the tears. "Rhia, how will the babies eat?" she asked quietly so Zera couldn't hear her.
Glancing at Velveeta, she replied. "By hand of course"
Zera got the calf into the pen with the other then turned without a word, striding out of the barn and down to the village to get help with the cow.Vel watched Zera leave and with a shake of her head,turned her attention back to the calves. "I'll help you Rhia. Just tell me when."
Rhia nodded gratefully at Vel "it's going to be often" and then offered a grin and laughed "but it will get you out of household chores"
Vel gave the maid a rueful grin "Is it that obvious that I hate housework?"
Rhia patted the calf gently on the head and leaned over to scratch the other one behind the ears "Just a wee bit, but it's ok" she lowered her voice and quietly said "I do too."
"Krsna! Come see what’s happened!"
Krsna turned from where she trimmed the wild thyme she had
just picked from where it grew in bunches around the back door. Glancing at Vel she smiled, turning back to her task.
"do not yell, Vel, and for heaven sake, you are trailing dirt on the floor."
Vel looked down at the floor and pushed at a leaf with her toe.
"I'll clean it later! Come see!"
"one moment." *Krsna trimmed the ends of the last bunch, and deftly wound twine around the stems. She walked over to the drying rack and hung them carefully, then replaced the small knife in its sheath, tucking it into the pocket of her kirtle. She smoothed down her
skirt and looked up. "you must learn patience... now, where are we going?"
Vel laughed. "Patience is for the patient." She headed for the back door calling over her shoulder "I promise to work on that... later"
Krsna sighed and followed, wiping her hands on her skirt. They crossed the rolling green that led to the barn and the fields beyond, Vel several paces ahead as she laughingly
urged Krsna to move faster. As they rounded a small copse of trees, a gentle whickering met their arrival.
Vel ran over, calling to the horse. She gave it the rest of her apple, thenturned back and headed into the barn "In here Krs!"
Rhia, the milk maid, stood inside one of the stalls staring at a cow before gently reaching over and patting its hind quarters. "Aye Daisy, it's hard being you." She laughed a little as the beast's leg shot out to kick. Rhia jumped away just in time. "Silly cow, kickings are for kids" and laughed at her own joke.
Krsna entered the barn at a more sedate pace. She stopped at the threshold, looking in,
then lifted her skirts and stepped inside. "good day Rhia," she spoke genially as she passed.
Rhia turned around with a start , then visibly relaxed when she aw both Lady Krsna and Lady Vel. Offering a kind smile, Rhia stepped out of the stall wiping her hands down the front of her skirt "Good day to you both as well, hope it's finding to be a nice one?"
Vel stopped in front of the stall Rhia had just stepped out of. "Krs! we have a new calf! I think we should call it George." She looked back at Rhia "you haven't named it yet, have you?
Krsna looked past Vel to the small calf that trembled on unsteady legs next to its mother. "what have we here?"
Rhia nodded her head towards the new born calf "Well, I dare say we have a heifer but Lady Velveeta insists on calling it George, but I don't think she would mind too much." She leaned in to kick a bit of straw around underneath it "She'll lay down soon enough after she nurses. This puts the milk supply up a bit once I move her."
Krsna nodded, taking stock silently in her head. Veal would have been most welcome for the table, but another milker will be better in the long run.
Vel shrugged her shoulders as she looked at the calf "I was too excited to tell you... I didn't look."
"I have another that should be butchered as soon as I talk with Zera. She'll know if it's definitely ready" Rhia glanced at Lady Vel and smiled "George it is, she won't mind at all. And it's
more interesting then yet another Daisy, don't you think?"
Krsna looked thoughtfully at the calf. "Zera, I have not seen her for several days, is she gone
to the forest yet again?"
Vel reached out and patted the mother on its hindquarter "Call it Georgette. And we call name her first son George." She turned, not giving the two a chance to comment and went
out to see the horses.
Rhia shook her head as she watched the girl walk away and dto herself "Some day, she'll just have to accept where her meals come from" turning towards Lady Krsna, Rhia spoke a bit
louder "Yes, last I saw Zera, she had her cross bow and was heading towards the forest. "
The two women walked slowly from the barn in a moment of companionable silence.
Krsna looked out into the distance, then spoke as if an afterthought. "ah, then perhaps there will be venison." She looked at the field of waving grain. "The barley is coming along well. We are
blessed in our bounty." Then glanced past the field to where the ever present mist encroached, studying it for a long moment, then looked away, watching a lamb gambol across the grass.
Vel gave the horse one final scratch on its head and hearing her sister, went over to her. "I saw the herbalist today. She found something new in the forest and was trying to figure out what it
was. I suggested she see you."
Krsna Samsara nodded... "though, Zera might be the one she should see, she knows every plant in the forest... if you can coax her into telling you."
Rhia watched the sheep grazing outside the barn and mumbled something about fences before they tore apart the grains before harvesting or the make their way to the orchard.
Krsna Samsara looked at the sheep as well. "their coats are coming along fine... twill soon be time to shear and I shall have good wool to spin and weave.
looking down at her skirts Vel ran a hand over them in an attempt to brush some of the dirt off "I know.. but she's so....." She let out a small sigh and looked up, having given up on her skirt ever being clean again "I just thought you could talk to her."
Krsna Samsara looked back at Vel and smiled. "I shall, indeed. Yes, our Zera can be truculent, but we must be charitable toward her nonetheless."
Rhia nods and asks quietly with a frown on her face "I suppose I shall be shearing alone again Lady Krsna?" with a resigned sigh remembering the fiasco last time she had to sheer and the
animals running from her and off through the fields
Vel perked up at Rhia's question "I can help you Rhia!" She had a smug look on her face as she thought that helping Rhia shear would get her out of household chores
"Of course not, we shall all lend a hand on shearing day." Krsna was not afraid to work and was no stranger to the peasants as she often worked along side them to bring in the harvest or see to
the livestock. She spun and wove cloth for them with her own hands.
Rhia breathed a sigh of relief and absently rubbed the head of a lambthat wandered over and pressed itself against Rhia's leg. "Thank you Lady Krsna, I certainly didn't want to have that task all my own" she glanced towards Velveeta and frowned for a moment "You know, maybe
waiting until after the grain is harvested might be a good idea?"
Vel nodded and turned her gaze out to the fields "how soon until that happens?"
Krsna looked at the heavy heads of grain. "not long.... " she looked up just as several large raindrops began to fall.
Rhia felt a drop land on her head and sighed "Great for the crops and livestock, not so much the hair" and quickly ducked into the barn for cover before the rain became heavy'
Vel felt the first drops of rain just as Krsna looked up. She let out a sigh and let her shoulders drop. Rain meant she would have to go back into the house and one of her sisters would most likely try to get her to do something they considered "proper." She looked up to the sky to see how black the clouds were and started off in the opposite direction from the house "Ill go find Zera!" she called over her shoulder
Krsna smiled as she saw Vel's attempt to dodge housework. "I was thinking of walking to the alehouse for a cup of warm beer..." She let the offer hang in the air. "Perhaps there will be mulled ale."
Rhia walked over towards the stall with the new calf in it. She noticed that was laying down and not feeding. She dropped to a knee and rubbed its side. Leaning in she whispered "not hungry yet eh?" and glanced up at the Daisy that birthed it
Vel stopped in her tracks and slowly turned to Krsna "I'm sure Zera is capable of finding her way back. Perhaps I'll go with you. "She looked back to the sky as more drops began to fall "But
we should hurry. Rhia? What about you? Will you come too?"
Rhia stared at the cow for a moment and frowned calling over her shoulder "I better not Lady Velveeta" then let out a gasp "No way!" She quickly stood up and ran around the mother cow and felt her belly, pressing on it hard.
Krsna Samsara turned back to the byre hearing Rhia exclaim. "what is it?"
"It's another freaking calf!" She called out as she made her way back to the hind quarters and shook her head. "breach, already coming out..." She looked around for a rope.
Krsna Samsara looks with interest at the cow then back to Rhia. "is there anything we can do?"
Vel followed inside the barn, the promise of visiting the ale house quickly forgotten as she watched Rhia examine the cow. Rhia gestured to a coil of rope laying on a pile of hay. "Here!" Vel said as she grabbed it and gave it to the woman.
Rhia grabbed the rope and quickly tied it onto the legs protruding from the cow and nodded "yes, you can grab the rope and help me pull!"
Without hesitation Krsna tucked her skirts up into her belt and rushed over, grabbing the rope and looking at the woman for a cue when to pull
Unlike Krsna, Vel didn't tuck her skirt into her belt, it was already soiled beyond repair. She grabbed the rope behind Krsna and waited. Rhia jerked the rope slightly to bring it taut and said "On three, pull! 1.....2......3...NOW"
Krsna pulled with all her might, looking worriedly over Rhia's shoulder at the cow. Vel felt her muscles strain and the rope cutting into the palms of her hands as she pulled. The cow made a low grunting noise and strained against the backward tug of the rope, they could see the muscles in its side rippling, and they felt the calf move and inch or two.
Rhianon Evans contorted her face and grunts "keep pulling, she's gaining!" and yanked on the rope even harder knowing that the calf hadbeen in the mother too long since the first birth and getting it out would be its only chance for survival. Vel planted her feet firmly against the ground as she tried to gain some leverage and once again, pulled with all her might. The three of them heaved back on the rope, and again the cow made a strained sound, this time her front legs dropping to the knees.
Krsna looked alarmed. "Rhia, she is going down!"
Rhianon Evans looked at the cow and a look of consternation crossed her face "Damnit, pull on the rope now!" and desperately starts pulling it with all her , wishing Zera were there to help as well. Hearing the tone of Rhia's voice, Vel dug deep and pulled as hard as she could. The beads of perspiration trailing down her face with the exertion. Krsna pulled as hard as she was able, clenching her jaw and squeezing her eyes shut with the effort. The cow lowed with a strained, mournful sound and the hindquarters of the calf began to show.
Sweat dripped from Rhia's forhead and roll down her face as she tugged the rope with every ounce of strength she had. "Come on Daisy....you know you can push the baby out" she said between clinched teeth "just a bit more sweetheart."
Vel pulled again, her muscles crying with the strain "Is it out?"
The cow's head dipped, her sides heaved from the exertion. They pulled with all their strength, and with a great gush of blood and matter the calf expelled out upon the straw. The cow lurched over onto her side and lay heaving, the calf lay still. The women fell back onto the straw, so great was the force they exerted. The cow's breathing became shallow as blood pooled in the straw.
Rhia flew back and landed on the ground with a thud as the calf finally separated from its mother. Scrambling to her knees, she quickly crawled over to the small thing and pried open it's mouth shoving her hand inside of it and dragging out some blood and ooze. Without paying
attention she flung it out of her hand towards the ground and suddenly punched the belly to try and get it to breath. Vel fell back onto the ground and watched, fascinated, as Rhia tried to save the calf . Krsna landed in a pile of limbs and skirts with the other women, then quickly scrambled up, watching Rhia tend to the calf.
"Rhia, what can I do?"
She looked over at the cow, now laboring to breathe and crawled through to straw to its head, smoothing a hand along its jaw.
Rhianon Evans continued punching the calf as tears fell from her eyes. Punctuating with each hit, she cries "Make...it....breath....it....has...to..." when suddenly, the calf lifted it's head and gasped for air "....breath" Rhia finished and dropped her fist to it's head to rub it down with very fast motions. Taking a breath, she asked "How's Daisy?"
Krsna watched as the large, brown eyes glazed over and the cow breathed its last. she looked up at Rhia.."she's died. Best bleed her quickly Rhia, we can still save the meat" she gave the big head a final pat, then stood, pragmatically ."
Vel scrambled to her feet and made her way to the calf. Picking up a handful of straw, she started to rub it. "Will it be alright? " She looked to Rhia for the answer and unconsciously held
her breath as she waited for it.
Rhia glanced up from rubbing the calf and looked at Velveeta, nodding,
her voice raspy. "It has a chance, as long as it's fed." She glanced between Lady Krsna and Daisy. Dropping her head for a moment, she pulled herself up and walked over towards the hay. Wiping the slime from her hands onto the hay pile, she grabbed a knife and made her way back
to the stall. Stopping she stared at the dead cow for a moment before dropping her shoulders in resignation and moved towards it's head.
Krsna Samsara heard a commotion near the gamekeeper's hut and made her way out, wiping her hands on her skirts. "Its sounds as if Zera has returned, I will have her come in and see to the cow. Rhia, stay with the calf, we can not loose them both. "
Rhianon Evans wiped the tears from her face with the back of her sleeve and nodded in relief. Setting the knife down for Zera, she went back to the calf and said to Velveeta "We need to clean it up and get it moved to another stall"
Velveeta Biedermann watched as Rhia set the knife down. She turned
her head not wanting to know what she was planning to do next instead
she took in a deep breath and wiping the tears from her eyes, stood to
help the maid move the calf..
Rhia shook her head and knelt back down by the calf "We can't move it yet, we have to clean it up" and took a handful of hay and began to rub the calf down with it "Like this, and when the hay is dirty and bloody, toss it into the stall and grab more. Keeps the mess here instead of all over the barn"
Vel nods at the directions and without another word, and continues to rub the calf down. Zera quickly strode in, a surly expression on her face, mud encrusting her boots and breeks. She looked down at the cow then back up at the milk maid with a look of disgust. She shook her head and sighed. "I'll have to go down to village and get help. Have to drag her out, cant
bleed her in the barn."
Vel's head snapped up and she looked at Zera "Bleed her out? What do you mean?" Her gaze shot from Zera to Rhia, waiting for the answer.
Rhia caught the look from Zera and straightened her shoulders. Leaning back on her heels, she told Velveeta "We've gotten it as clean as we can, help me get it to stand up" and glanced at the
other calf in the stall then back to Zera. With a cold voice, she said"Breach and delayed birth for the second one born at least an hour later"
Zera Caradoc looked at Velveeta like she was crazy. "You daft? can't let all that meat waste." she nodded at Rhia's words then bends to the calf and takes it by the tail, pulling it up.."swear.. lady Krs is only one born with sense. up ye come lass *she talked much more civilly to the calf as she prompted it to rise*
Rhianon Evans suddenly pulled herself away from the calf and threw her hands up in the air "You know Zera, if you had bothered to stick around knowing a cow was about to give birth, it would have been helpful" standing up she turned to face the very tall woman "As it was, the three of us did our best and if that's not good enough for you then...- you-....deal with the aftermath" turning on her heel she moved to the other calf and pulled on it's ear to get it to turn around and walk towards the other stall.
Zera looked unimpressed with the outburst and continued shoving the newborn calf into the stall. "you see to cows." Was all she said with a grunt.
"Then stop swooping in all sourly ass and cranky when you don't think I do a good enough job" Rhia responded as she moved the one calf over to the other stall.
Zera made a noncommital noise in her throat.
Vel lowered her head as she followed Rhia, not wanting Zera to see the tears. "Rhia, how will the babies eat?" she asked quietly so Zera couldn't hear her.
Glancing at Velveeta, she replied. "By hand of course"
Zera got the calf into the pen with the other then turned without a word, striding out of the barn and down to the village to get help with the cow.Vel watched Zera leave and with a shake of her head,turned her attention back to the calves. "I'll help you Rhia. Just tell me when."
Rhia nodded gratefully at Vel "it's going to be often" and then offered a grin and laughed "but it will get you out of household chores"
Vel gave the maid a rueful grin "Is it that obvious that I hate housework?"
Rhia patted the calf gently on the head and leaned over to scratch the other one behind the ears "Just a wee bit, but it's ok" she lowered her voice and quietly said "I do too."
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Brenhines Wen
Brenhines Wen, the White Queen, grows deep in Selcouth forest. A white Birch of great age and beauty, she rises in a majestic pillar towards the sky, even as her weeping boughs sweep back to the earth again. She is a tree of ethereal loveliness, and some say mystical power. Look there among her gnarled and ancient roots and you will see offerings left there by the peasants and villagers. It is said that if one sleeps in her shadow, Brenhines Wen will grant the sleeper lucid and prophetic dreams... but beware. If She does not accept your offering, you may never wake, and shall walk in the dreamland forever. The common folk believe her to be home to the Bendith Y Mamau, the fae folk of Wales, and so give her great honor and offerings on holy days, but give her a wide berth the rest of the time, lest they be drawn into the otherworld. Some swear they have seen the Will o’ the Wisp dancing in her branches, while others have sworn they have heard the howling of the Cwn Annwn, the death dogs, and seen their shadows creeping across her roots
The Story
1415
The Stables were abuzz with excitement and the doors to the dairy were firmly shut against the noise as not to upset the cows. The clink of armor and stamp of horses echoed in the cold, dewy morning as the Lord of Selcouth Manor and his men readied to ride out and join the forces His Royal Majesty, Henry V, against the French.
His three daughters stood close by, each one holding a precious family relic as the procession to the main road began. The eldest held a hunting horn, bound with gold. The youngest carried a golden cup, encrusted with jewels. The middle daughter, brought by the lord from a far away land, held a dagger of fine workmanship and set at the hilt with a blood red ruby. The few peasants and household staff followed solemnly behind the mounted men who trailed the somber Lord and the three young ladies.
As they approached the boundaries of Selcouth land, a strange tingle of magic could be felt in the air. This was not strange to those who followed, for it was well known that this was a magical place, and it was well accepted. The Lord raised a staying hand, and all who followed came to a halt. The three daughters approached him along with the surly gamekeeper, who carried the squirming body of a hare.
The Lord snatched up the Hare by the ears and took the jeweled dagger. He deftly cut the small beast’s throat, and the cup bearer brought her golden vessel to catch the blood. The gamekeeper retrieved the hare and stepped back into the watching crowd. The Lord took up the cup and the horn and then his deep voice boomed in the morning mist.
“We, your men, are away to war. Be kept safe until our return. The mists shall shroud you and keep you in safety. Do well until they again part.”
The mounted men crossed the boundary, gathering behind the Lord. He then poured the blood out onto the ground at the place where Selcouth land came to an end. He muttered quiet, ancient words of magic, then blew the horn a resounding blast. The fog closed between him and his daughters like a heavy curtain. The daughters stood for a moment, then retrieved each their item, and turned back toward the manor.
Henry's war eventually came to an end, but the Lord and his men did not return to lift the enchantment from Selcouth Manor. His daughters dwell there still... The enchantment holds Selcouth fast in its grasp, and so, as time passes for the outside world, it moves not for those within the mist. The land exists in between our world and the one beyond, and as such... one may encounter all manner of magic folk who come and go through the mist as they please. An occasional unwary mortal traveller will, from time to time, stumble upon the place, but once the mists have closed upon them, they can not escape for the land appears to them as an island with impassable fog and waters at every side. Many are the secrets and mysteries that lie in this magical place, and much is there to be discovered. Weclome to Selcouth Manor.
The Stables were abuzz with excitement and the doors to the dairy were firmly shut against the noise as not to upset the cows. The clink of armor and stamp of horses echoed in the cold, dewy morning as the Lord of Selcouth Manor and his men readied to ride out and join the forces His Royal Majesty, Henry V, against the French.
His three daughters stood close by, each one holding a precious family relic as the procession to the main road began. The eldest held a hunting horn, bound with gold. The youngest carried a golden cup, encrusted with jewels. The middle daughter, brought by the lord from a far away land, held a dagger of fine workmanship and set at the hilt with a blood red ruby. The few peasants and household staff followed solemnly behind the mounted men who trailed the somber Lord and the three young ladies.
As they approached the boundaries of Selcouth land, a strange tingle of magic could be felt in the air. This was not strange to those who followed, for it was well known that this was a magical place, and it was well accepted. The Lord raised a staying hand, and all who followed came to a halt. The three daughters approached him along with the surly gamekeeper, who carried the squirming body of a hare.
The Lord snatched up the Hare by the ears and took the jeweled dagger. He deftly cut the small beast’s throat, and the cup bearer brought her golden vessel to catch the blood. The gamekeeper retrieved the hare and stepped back into the watching crowd. The Lord took up the cup and the horn and then his deep voice boomed in the morning mist.
“We, your men, are away to war. Be kept safe until our return. The mists shall shroud you and keep you in safety. Do well until they again part.”
The mounted men crossed the boundary, gathering behind the Lord. He then poured the blood out onto the ground at the place where Selcouth land came to an end. He muttered quiet, ancient words of magic, then blew the horn a resounding blast. The fog closed between him and his daughters like a heavy curtain. The daughters stood for a moment, then retrieved each their item, and turned back toward the manor.
Henry's war eventually came to an end, but the Lord and his men did not return to lift the enchantment from Selcouth Manor. His daughters dwell there still... The enchantment holds Selcouth fast in its grasp, and so, as time passes for the outside world, it moves not for those within the mist. The land exists in between our world and the one beyond, and as such... one may encounter all manner of magic folk who come and go through the mist as they please. An occasional unwary mortal traveller will, from time to time, stumble upon the place, but once the mists have closed upon them, they can not escape for the land appears to them as an island with impassable fog and waters at every side. Many are the secrets and mysteries that lie in this magical place, and much is there to be discovered. Weclome to Selcouth Manor.
Seldan Cuth
On the border of England and Wales, directly North of Chepstow by 30 miles, lay the Estate of Selcouth, or so local legends say. A grand manor presided over by its lord, whose name has now been lost to antiquity, and his three daughters. But, like Avalon, and Atlantis before it, Selcouth faded into the mists, and its disappearance has been shrouded in mystery and speculation ever since...
Long, long ago, when Britain was still a land of warring tribes, and Wales was called Cymru, Selcouth land was known as Seldan Cuth. The Silures, a powerful and warlike tribe, built their hillforts across Seldan Cuth, and there they worshipped their gods and made sacrifices to them. They felt the strange currents of the land, which sat on several converging lines of power, and discovered many of its mysteries, guarding them fiercely from the Roman invaders. Eventually the Silures were subdued by Rome. Seldan Cuth changed hands many times, but its secrets were honored and protected by the local Welsh countryfolk. In 1066, William the Bastard conquered Harold the Saxon, and England fell into Norman hands. By 1100, Wales too had come under William’s strong control, and his Earls were settled all along the borderlands. The lords of Seldan Cuth were established, and the name transformed to Selcouth on the Norman English tongue. Though, in the eyes of the local people, the Normans were ignorant brutes, there were a small few among them who could recognize old ways and old powers. Such were the lords of Selcouth. The first Earl built his manor house of strange stones that held a green hue not seen in any quarries for hundreds of miles. It took many years to bring the unusual rocks to this remote place, but finally a grand house was built. Legend has it that any who lay their hand upon the stone could feel a strange tingle, as if something living inhabited the very rock itself. Legend also says that the lords of Selcouth were skilled in mystic arts and upon being granted their land, kept to themselves, caring for their peasants, and letting the wilds that surrounded their estate grow into a thick barrier that deterred any who would come to call.
This is all legend of course, and search as you may, from Chepstow to Abergavenny, you shall find no trace of Selcouth or its grand manor house. Just beware the mists.
Long, long ago, when Britain was still a land of warring tribes, and Wales was called Cymru, Selcouth land was known as Seldan Cuth. The Silures, a powerful and warlike tribe, built their hillforts across Seldan Cuth, and there they worshipped their gods and made sacrifices to them. They felt the strange currents of the land, which sat on several converging lines of power, and discovered many of its mysteries, guarding them fiercely from the Roman invaders. Eventually the Silures were subdued by Rome. Seldan Cuth changed hands many times, but its secrets were honored and protected by the local Welsh countryfolk. In 1066, William the Bastard conquered Harold the Saxon, and England fell into Norman hands. By 1100, Wales too had come under William’s strong control, and his Earls were settled all along the borderlands. The lords of Seldan Cuth were established, and the name transformed to Selcouth on the Norman English tongue. Though, in the eyes of the local people, the Normans were ignorant brutes, there were a small few among them who could recognize old ways and old powers. Such were the lords of Selcouth. The first Earl built his manor house of strange stones that held a green hue not seen in any quarries for hundreds of miles. It took many years to bring the unusual rocks to this remote place, but finally a grand house was built. Legend has it that any who lay their hand upon the stone could feel a strange tingle, as if something living inhabited the very rock itself. Legend also says that the lords of Selcouth were skilled in mystic arts and upon being granted their land, kept to themselves, caring for their peasants, and letting the wilds that surrounded their estate grow into a thick barrier that deterred any who would come to call.
This is all legend of course, and search as you may, from Chepstow to Abergavenny, you shall find no trace of Selcouth or its grand manor house. Just beware the mists.
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