Serenity Valley (36 page)

Basilea was taking all this in from
her cradled position in Gamel’s arms. She said, “Oh my goodness,
look at those two.”

“Guess those two are getting along
pretty well, then,” Gamel murmured.

Basilea said, “No doubts.”

The group following directly behind
Gamel consisted of Ox, Bells, Fina, and Nesta’s mother, Trina. Fina
looked at Trina and asked, “How do you feel about such goings-on as
this?”

Trina answered, “The rogue lad is of
pure heart an' fancies me daughter more dan a girl deserves. Dat
clear up any question on me feelins.”

Fina said, “He be a fine young man
indeed!”

“The boy is like a son ta me,” Ox
chimed in. “Yer girl best not be a breakin' him heart or we be
havin' words, you an me, Lady Trina.”

“Oh, so 'tis words ya be wantin' from
me, is it? Way ya been lookin' at me, I was thinkin' ya mightin be
wantin' a roll in da hay now.” Bells started to chuckle. Fina
gasped at the accusation.

Ox responded, “Well, of course me be
wantin' ta partake in yer womanly pleasures, who
wouldn’t?”

Fina gasped. “Oh, would ya listen ta
the twos of ya. I think the younglings got yer blood
up.”

“Be careful what ya be wishin' fer,
Mr. Ox,” Trina said. “Not many men can survive me heavenly delights
and live ta tell 'bout it.”

“It be worth da risk. All the same ta
you, I’d soon take da chance. If a lived, it be a
bonus!”

Bells burst out laughing. Fina was
embarrassed at their banter, but Ox and Trina just smiled and
looked at each other. “Well now, Mr. Ox, haves ya ever been wits a
wild woman now?” Trina jibed.

“Never one that being wild
'nough.”

“Well, just how wild a woman ye be
needin?”

Without missing a beat, Ox fired back,
“I always says da ideal woman would be needin' shaked out a tree
when it be time ta come in da house at night!”

Bells was laughing continuously now,
but Fina looked as if she was about to faint. She gasped for air
and fanned herself. Trina said, “In that case, Mr. Ox, you be
promisin, but me got an old man.”

“You want that I should kill
'im?”

It was finally too much for Fina, who
barked out in alarm, “All right now, the two of you just stop. Stop
it right this instant!” Bells laughed heartily. Fina turned scarlet
and then crimson while Ox and Trina stared at each other with huge
grins. Fulk and Nesta returned to the group, and Nesta immediately
went to Basilea to check on her good friend as the procession
continued. Trina bent forward and looked over to Ox, all the way on
the other side of Bells. Ox bent over to look her way and returned
the look. He gave her an obvious wink. Fina cleared her throat and
said, “Moving along now.”

Gamel took Basilea straight to the
sleeping quarters upon their arrival at Sirates House and carefully
placed her in his bed. Healer Warin and Giselia descended on the
injured girl as soon as she was settled on the bed. First, her back
wound was cleaned with boiled wine, packed with a poultice, and
bandaged with fresh white linen cloth. Her upper torso was soon
wrapped, covering her from her arm pits to the sternum. Gamel stood
back and watched the two healers work on her leg next. The bolt had
passed through the midthigh without striking bone. The wound was
cleaned with boiled wine and also wrapped with poultice and
bandage. Giselia explained to Warin that the hollow stem needed to
remain in Basilea’s side for several days. It would be removed when
the lung had healed enough to block the flow of leaking air into
the chest.

Bells had gone to check on Goodwin’s
condition. Ox, Fulk, and Nesta stood back with Gamel to observe the
procedures. When the two healers had finished with Basilea, they
turned their attentions to Gamel and Fulk. They tried to examine
both young men but found they were too covered with gore and blood
to determine what would be an injury. Giselia looked at Ox and
said, “You, Fulk, Gamel take to cleaning, cleaning must to be
done.”

“Get clean clothing da two a you,” Ox
said. “We be headed to da brook; only way ta get ta mess oftin
you.” Gamel and Fulk both retrieved fresh clothes, but Gamel was
reluctant to leave Basilea long enough to get cleaned
up.

Basilea waved Gamel to her and said
reassuringly, “Go get cleaned up. I’m fine. I’ll be right here, and
Nesta is with me.”

Gamel followed Ox and Fulk out of the
house and headed for the brook. Ox brought a large torch for light
and planted it in the ground next to the water’s edge. Ox helped
the boys out of their overshirts and breastplates. He had them bend
over double while he pulled the chain mail suits over their heads.
This is when Ox and Fulk noticed Gamel had numerous patches of dark
red showing on his heavy padded shirt. One stain started just below
his elbow on the right side and continued to the length of the
shirt.

“Well, this don’t look good, “Ox said.
“Let’s get ta rest off.” Once everything was off, Ox examined
Gamel’s wound that had bled so much and stated, “You being lucky
wit this one, lad; just missed da liver. Both of ya get in da brook
an scrub up, be sure ta get da hair too.”

Gamel and Fulk waded out in the brook
and began the task of scrubbing dried blood, gore, and bone
fragments from their bodies. They used sand when they found a
stubborn patch that wouldn’t readily dissolve. They scrubbed their
hair and dunked underwater until they could finally pull their
fingers through the strands.

With the almost full moon and the
light of the torch, Gamel could see his reflection clearly in the
still water. His light brown hair was too long. His high cheekbones
led to a lantern jaw that tended to distract from a nose just a bit
too large for his face. The most intriguing thing he observed was
his eyes. The whites were now dark red. The normally light brown
irises were dark mahogany in color. Gamel asked, “Master Ox, how
long will my eyes be like this?”

“It being one er two month 'fore dey
clear completely.”

Gamel stood up and looked at his
body’s reflection. His thick neck flared into broad, powerful
shoulders and chest. He had always been large, but the countless
hours of running and exercise since they had started training had
packed lean muscle on his frame. His impressive torso tapered to a
slightly small waist. Powerful, well-defined legs finished the
picture. The most unusual thing he saw about his body was that
there seemed to be countless bruises forming everywhere, along with
a number of cuts, some needing stitching. He knew he would be
miserable and sore within a day. Fulk fared much better, with just
a few bruises and cuts for his troubles.

Ox said, “Get ya clothes on'n let’s
get back, some a dis cuts needin' stitching.” The boys dressed
themselves with fresh clothes and gathered their gore-covered
clothing and mail. They began the ascent up the stairs to the
house. “Ya boys be havin' problems in days ta come regardin' what
happened today. Be botherin' ya what ya done during battle maybe,
or what da enemy done. Gamel boy, ya may be fearin' what damage be
done ta ya soul, I thinks. When dis be happening, you boys come
talk ta me. I been havin' da blood rage, been through whats you two
be going through next few days. I be helpin' ta explain things when
da time come.” Both boys agreed to seek out Ox when the need arose.
They continued to the house.

When Ox and the boys reached the
house, Terric, Sayer, Goodwin, and Bells were preparing to leave
out the back to make their appearance at the gate tower. Bells and
Goodwin had changed into clothes they had at the house. Upon seeing
the trio return, Bells said, “Master Ox, how do our young men
look?”

“They pretty much be one big bruise.
Gamel going ta need some stitchins, but they be fine considerin' da
alternative.”

“Good! Good!” Bells replied. “We will
be back as soon as we can. We need to make an appearance and
address the people to put everyone at ease.” Bells came up to the
boys and hugged each one individually, with tears in her eyes.
Nothing else needed to be said. She was thankful her family had
survived.

“Sit at da tables, you two, let’s have
da healers take a good looks at ya,” Ox said once Bell had
left.

We took off our shirts. Warin and
Giselia began their examination in the great room. Every lamp and
candle that could be found was lit. It occurred to me that the
horses needed to be taken care of. I said, “Fulk, we need to tend
Demon and Mildred. Demon has a deep cut on his neck that needs
stitches. They both will have cuts that need cleaning.”

Before Fulk could speak, Giselia said,
“Horses you not worry, care of, Ivan be doing. Gamel, lucky you
being. Wound side near liver, but not hitting, very close,
stitching closed will be needing. You, Fulk, be drinking tea,
water, much liquid be needing quick.”

Healer Warin added, “She is right, you
know. Both of you have lost much of your fluids.”

Fulk said, “I’m all right. I feel
fine.” Giselia moved to stand in front of him, held out her hand,
and said, “You watch, see my skin.” She pinched the skin on the
back of her hand tightly, then let go. The skin quickly flattened
out and returned to a natural skin tone. Giselia said, “Now see
hand of yours.” She grabbed Fulk’s hand and tightly pinched the
skin on the back of his hand. Upon release, the skin stayed in a
pinched condition for some time.

Healer Warin stated, “Giselia is
right. In another half hour, you both will have severe headaches,
followed by uncontrolled fatigue.”

“Might well be doin' whats they
tellin' ya or I be pickin ya off ta ground 'fore long,” Ox broke in
to say.

Listening to our conversation from the
kitchen area, Nesta came scooting over with two huge mugs of herbal
tea. Healer Warin said, “You two keep drinking until you can make
water.”

Fulk and I began sipping our tea. I
stated, “I must check on Basilea. I can’t stay out
here.”

Warin replied, “Basilea sleeps. We
gave her a tonic. She may sleep till morning. It’s what she needs
right now.”

“Giselia, will you stay the night with
us in case Basilea needs you?” I asked.

Giselia responded, “I stay, wagon,
Ivan must go be with.”

Ox boomed, “Nonsense! Ivan be stayin'
right here wits ya. I be fetchin' yer wagon for ya; will haves it
moved ta da main house stables wit'in da hour.”

Ox stormed out of the front door.
Before long, his commanding voice could be heard giving orders to
the soldiers posted. Soon after that, thundering hoofbeats were
heard fading in the distance. Giselia was busy stitching up my side
while Warin worked on a few of Fulk’s wounds. I said, “Thank you
both for saving my Basilea. I am forever in your debt.”

“Thank Giselia, Gamel,” Warin said
adamantly. “I had not the knowledge nor skills to save her. She
saved her while I learned. Lord Goodwin would do well if he could
persuade this talented woman to stay with us. I could learn so much
from her!”

I reached to hold Giselia’s arm,
stopping her in mid-stitch. “Giselia, thank you very much. You are
the best of friends.”

Giselia blushed deeply. “Friend Gamel
not to thank, welcome.”

I thought about what a pure and humble
heart this fine woman had. Ox returned through the front door right
then. “Well, me sees things movin' longs here. I be seeing ta
fixin' da turnout gate an helps Ivan wit da horses.”

Nesta handed Ox two huge mugs of hot
tea. Ox exited out the rear door of the great room. Nesta refilled
Fulk’s tea mug, then moved on to mine, smiling at Fulk the entire
time. “Good sir, the captain tells me you are a local hero after
today.”

Fulk smiled at his girl. “Was nothing
really. Later this evening, I plan to slay two giants and a
dragon.”

Nesta giggled. “Only one dragon,
sir?”

Fulk said, “I fear I must be satisfied
with but one single dragon. They are out of season, you see, and
scarce to find.”

“Well, it is late, and you may be in
need of rest, good sir.”

Fulk responded, “Ah, rest, what is it
to rest? There will be no rest for me, my beautiful lady, for every
time I attempt to close my eyes, I am tormented and haunted.
Visions of your fiery hair dance from the flames and but taunt me
with their enchantment. I dare not lay my head down this night, my
enchantress!” Fulk ended his elaborate speech with an obvious wink
at Nesta. She blushed a beautiful pink and headed back to the
kitchen. Giselia and Warin were chuckling.

I said, “Well said, Fulk. I am so
proud of you!”

Fulk replied, “I will take that as the
highest compliment from a master!” I could see that before long,
things would get back to normal.

Lord Goodwin, Bells, Sayer, and
Captain Terric had made their way through the great hall. They
slowly walked toward the main gate. Great effort was being exerted
by Goodwin to walk straight and true. He refused to show any signs
of his weakened condition. When they reached the great towers
beside the gate, Goodwin led the party to the left tower and
entered. Once inside, he put an arm over Terric and Sayer’s
shoulders. They pretty much lifted him off the ground and carried
him up the stairs. After allowing a few moments to regain his legs,
Goodwin proceeded to the edge of the tower spires and looked out to
the crowd. Hundreds of torches cast an amber light over the three
thousand people in attendance. Lords and ladies, visitors, hold
folk, soldiers, and entertainers all waited to hear Goodwin’s
words. After taking a few moments to gather breath and strength,
Goodwin began to speak in a loud, forceful tone. “Good people,
lords, my ladies, visitors, vendors, entertainers, men-at-arms, and
hold folk, please rest assured, the hold is secure. Your safety
remains my primary concern. The danger is long past, so please,
rest easy! Earlier this evening, a cowardly attack was launched by
an enemy of my wife’s father in attempt to strike at King Ackmer
through injury to his daughter. These invaders were well organized.
Even so, they were easily swept away by De Ferrier men-at-arms,
just like dust on the floor. All of the would-be attackers are now
bartering with their new king in hell!” The entire crowd cheered.
The men-at-arms gave a ferocious battle cry. Goodwin smiled broadly
and resumed speaking. “Good people, I cannot allow any bit of a
victory for the trash that would have ruined such a festive
occasion. Out of respect and necessity, we will mourn and see to
our dead on the morrow. Day after tomorrow, the festivities will
restart and continue the following three days to complete our
long-awaited festival.” The crowd broke out in cheers and applause.
Goodwin continued, “I am sorry for any inconvenience and
displeasure this horrible day may have caused any to experience.
Anyone who needs food can go to the temporary mess hall. It will be
manned around the clock and serve all who enter. All entertainers
will be compensated for an additional day to ensure everyone can
enjoy their talents as anticipated when festival restarts. As many
of you may be aware, I received a slight wound in the skirmish
today. Although my wound is minor, my healer has instructed that I
must rest the next several days. I am disappointed that I will not
be among you as much as I had wished on this festive occasion.
Marshal Sayer and my beautiful wife, Lady Bella, are eager to be
your gracious hosts in my absence. All of us here at De Ferrier
Hold wish to get this unpleasantness behind us and provide you all
with the festival you looked forward to and deserve. Please bear
with us tomorrow as we honor our fallen warriors. These honorable
men gave their life defending lord, hold, and home, true to their
oath and to God!” Another tremendous battle cry boomed out from De
Ferrier and visiting men-at-arms. Soldiers were honoring soldiers.
“Good people, I will bid you goodnight knowing that the hold and
all those within are safe this night!” The crowd raved and
applauded as Goodwin stepped away from the turret. He turned to his
companions. “Well, how do you think I did?”