Metamor Keep: Divine Travails of Rats
by Charles Matthias and Ryx
Pars VI: Acceptio
(i)
The First Hour of Sunday, May 13, 708 CR
Charles Matthias sat upright.
His tail pinched beneath him as he shifted on a
pallet with a warm quilt covering both legs and
tail and bunched together in his lap. Beside him
lay the marten Malger also beginning to stir from
sleep. A candle that had burned almost to a nub
and a censer long-since spent were positioned on
the floor between them. The familiar granite
walls of the caves beneath Glen Avery and the
faint aroma of wine surrounded them. Reclining
with a startled expression before the single door
in the storage chamber was the fox Misanthe.
Sir Matthias! Are you all right. You look...
Charles stared for a moment at the brown fur of
his arms, turning them over and over again seeing
only the familiar color of his fur. There was no
more black; no more shadow. Satisfied, he pushed
the quilts off, laughing as he did. I'm back!
I'm back, I'm back! Once free he jumped to his
feet and ran through the door. Misanthe did not
even have enough time to try and stop him.
Behind him he heard Malger's voice cry out, Let him go. He's free!
There was barely enough light for even a rat to
find his way in the caves, but Charles ran down
the hall, up the two sets of carved stairs, and
then through the main decanting hall and the
tuns. The whisker-curling aroma of fermenting
mash curdled his nose for only a pair of seconds
before he was out into the night and angling out
of the wind from the rancid mélange.
The Glen was dark and the air was cold. His arms
wrapped about one another as he ran and chastened
himself for leaving his cloak behind. But no
recrimination could last in such excitement. The
rat barreled down the hillside to the Glen
commons and continued running east until he saw a
familiar tree. A dim light shone in one of the
windows for his children, but not enough to have
woken them. No light shone from the main level or
from his bedroom. But there was a light emanating
from the stables around the far side of the tree.
Standing watch outside was a figure he well knew.
James! Charles cried when he saw his donkey
friend. The donkey's ears had turned at the sound
of his running and now he turned his head as
well. His muzzle stretched into a grin and he brayed right back.
Charles! It's over! I felt it! It's over!
The two friends clasped arms and hugged tight,
laughing a delight too great to be contained.
Charles tightened his grip and nodded when at
last he could speak. It is over, my friend.
Marzac is gone forever. You felt it?
James nodded, ears lifted high, and then thumped
his chest and tapped his head. Just a moment
ago. It felt like some great weight had lifted
from me. I could breathe again. I knew it had to
be over. I didn't know why, but I knew that had
to be it. You did it, Charles. You beat it too!
I almost failed... but... is Kimberly...
James tossed his head at the stables and let go
of the rat's shoulders. With Murikeer. Go.
Charles needed no further incentive. He rushed
through the open doorway and was greeted by a
rearing Malicon to his right, and an excited
skunk at his left. Murikeer looked the rat over
once and then let out a long breath. It is good
to have you back, Charles. He said nothing more
as he took a step back and allowed the rat to see who reclined behind him.
Draped in the green tendrils and purple blossoms
of his vine was a lady rat with soft tan fur and
eyes shut tight. Her hands were pressed tight
about a familiar purple stone as her jowls moved
with words repeated over and over again. Charles
felt his heart pound at his chest like a prisoner beating down his cell door.
With tender steps he came and knelt before her,
gently pressing his fingers to her cheeks. My
love, my Lady. I am here. You have saved me.
Kimberly lifted her head, eyes opening. Full of
intense anxiety, they quivered as if not quite
believing what they saw. Charles? Her hands
lowered the stone to her chest and then reached
up to touch his face. They brushed behind his
whiskers, and then up beneath his eyes. He could
feel them stumble over the scar around his right
eye before descending through the thicker ruff at
his cheeks. Her eyes danced over his face, unable
to settle until centered upon his own.
Charles slid his hands down to her shoulders
where the vine slipped from her and wrapped about
his wrists. I am here, my Lady. You saved me. I love you.
Their eyes locked and the fear held within hers
finally broke. It is you, Charles! I love you!
She thrust herself forward into his arms, her
snout pressing against his neck, he arms wrapped
tightly about his back. The vine and stone
pressed between them but Charles felt no
discomfort. He held his wife tight in his arms as she sobbed her relief.
Is it... over?
He nuzzled one of her ears. It is over. Marzac is gone forever.
The vine slipped from around Kimberly to embrace
Charles. He smiled at it but said nothing as it
pressed down his back beneath his tunic. He felt
a warmth as the root found its place once more in
the flesh above his tail. He could almost imagine
it expressing relief and joy like his friends. He
whispered in his mind to it and knew that his
voice had been heard. I missed you too, my
friend! Forgive me for not trusting you.
They held each other tight for several minutes
even after Kimberly regained her composure. He
could hear Murikeer and James conversing quietly
outside the stables joined by both Malger and
Misanthe. Within the stables his pony Malicon was
scraping his hoof against the stall to get the
rat's attention. All of them needed his love and
gratitude as well and he would give it.
Impatient, Malicon gave a snort and redoubled his
efforts to jab his hoof through the wood of the
stall. Charles and Kimberly shifted where they
knelt and turned their heads to regard the roan.
They laughed as one and then Kimberly nuzzled her
husband's snout one time more. I love you. I have been so afraid for you.
He felt a brief wave of guilt touch him and his
smile faded. For how long, my lady? How long have I terrified you?
She leaned back, her smile broad enough to put a
gap between her incisors. Not long. Do not think
of it, my knight. I have you back and that's all
that matters. She tapped his nose with one
finger as she slipped free of his embrace. Now
you tell your horse you love him before he breaks his stall down.
Charles laughed and sighed, a sense of pain
lingering in his heart but the overwhelming joy
he felt from the final vision and from holding
his wife again kept it at bay. He leaned forward
to brush his snout across his wife's one last
time, then climbed to his paws and walked over to
his steed. The roan pony calmed as soon as he
approached, snorting in satisfaction when he ran
his hands down his neck. Could you tell too, my
friend? We've some good riding ahead of us, don't you fear.
The touch and his words calmed Malicon who
contented himself with lipping the rat's
head-fur. He patted his steed a few more times
before turning to the doorway where his wife
waited. Their hands slipped together and into the
night they went, the witchlights illuminating the
stables following behind them.
A dozen paces away they saw James and Murikeer
quietly conversing with Malger and Misanthe with
a trio of witchlights a few feet overhead to help
them see. Charles's Long Scout cloak was draped
over the marten's arm. And it was he who saw the
rats leave the stables first. He lifted his free
arm and his muzzle creased into a welcome smile.
You forgot your cloak, Sir Matthias!
Together they joined their friends and Charles
held out his left arm, the right entwined about
his wife, and let the marten deposit his cloak.
Thank you, Archduke Sutt! I owe you more than I
can ever say. Tell your lady that I am sorry I tried to deceive her.
Malger nodded. James frowned, ears lowering, but
said nothing. The marten continued, She knows
and understands. There is another matter we
should discuss, but it can wait until morning. I
am sure you both wish for real sleep. I know we
do! After a bit of yon brewer's wine methinks.
Charles sighed and for a moment let go his wife
to give Malger a firm shake. Thank you for your
help. He turned to Murikeer and shook the
skunk's hand too. I'm not sure all you have
done, Muri, but I know you have given everything
you could. Thank you. I am in your debt.
The skunk gave him a firm shake back, long
monochromatic tail lashing awkwardly behind him.
Think nothing of it, Charles. Seeing you and
Lady Kimberly together without fear is a debt paid.
He turned to James and they also shook hands.
Thank you for summoning everyone this last week.
And thank you for helping to watch over my wife
in her hour of need. Truly I can have no better friend than you.
I owe you everything I have, Charles, James
replied as his heavy fingers pressed against the
rat's forearm. And I still owe you after breaking your jaw two months back!
The rat laughed and shook his head. If it showed
Baerle how much you care for her then it was
worth it! The donkey backed his ears in an
equine blush and stammered something under his
breath, tail whipping back and forth even as
Murikeer chortled beneath his breath.
At the last he turned to Misanthe and offered her
a slight bow. And thank you, milady, for
watching over us as we dreamed. If there is more I owe you, I will repay.
The attention appeared to discomfit the slight
fox and she also backed her ears. Whatever you
owe to Ma... Malger is sufficient for my sake, Sir Matthias.
Charles nodded and slipped his right arm about
his wife's back again. I must see my children
now. I bid each of you good night. Malger, until
tomorrow. James, let Garigan know when you see him that all is well.
And I will let Kozaithy and Rickkter know when
they arrive. We sent to fetch them hours ago!
Charles blinked and shook his head. And
apologize to both for the inconvenience I have
caused them in a needless trip to Metamor and
back! I will buy Rickkter something from Lars for his trouble.
The skunk favored him with a lop-sided grin.
That might begin to cover the annoyance he'll
feel! Now go, be with your family and get some sleep. It's over.
Indeed it is. Charles and Kimberly turned and
walked arm in arm around the roots of their tree.
Their four friends lingered a moment longer
before venturing their separate ways. James
followed them a few paces back to their door but
waited there as they went inside. Charles felt
excitement build in him anew. The familiar scent
of his home, rich in wood and in the pleasing
tang of his wife and children, was enough to make
him turn to the stairs from which a flickering
light shown. Kimberly followed behind him a few
paces to keep from stepping on his tail.
The calm relief he'd felt around his friends now
gave way to the energy he'd felt on rising from
the dream. He rushed up the stairs so quickly
that he scampered on all fours to the top. There
he found Baerle sitting in the rocking chair with
a single lantern hanging from a hook in the wall.
The opossum turned when he reached the top and
her eyes widened. Charles, you're back! Are you...
He stood and lifted one hand to assure her. I am
well. Thank you for watching them, Baerle. His
ears lifted at the sound of a squeak from their
chambers. He dashed to the doorway and pushed
aside the heavy curtain. One of his wife's
witchlights rushed ahead to shine within and he
saw his four little rats stirring from their
beds. His heart, overwhelmed by love, pushed him into the room.
Before he'd taken three steps his eldest boy
lifted his head and rubbed his eyes, Dada? Did you get lost?
Charles knelt down and pulled his eldest boy up
from the bed into his arms. I did, little
Charles. But now I'm found. I love you, my son!
He nuzzled the boy's dark head fur and the boy
squeaked happily. His other children, hearing
their voices, also climbed up from their beds.
He held out his arms, and scooped each of them up
one by one until he held all four of his children
in very full arms. Little Baerle stuck her nose
in a purple blossom poking around one of his
shoulders and giggled. Bernadette nestled her
head against his chest and wiggled her tail in
his lap. Erick almost stood in his arms, eyes
bright and curious. Dada, you okay?
I am now that I have you four! He laughed and
nuzzled them each, pulling their little bodies
close. I love you all, my dear ones. I love you all!
Their voices could only squeak in delight. With
Kimberly at his back and his children in his
arms, Charles Matthias, knight of the Glen,
looked heavenward and knew his youngest son was smiling right back at him.
Thank you, Eli. Thank you!
Charles did not know how long he remained there
holding his children in such gratitude. He only
knew that it was the happiest moment of his life.
----------
May He bless you and keep you in His grace and love,
Charles Matthias
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