I apologize for the long delay in posting the
final part to my story. Just as I was getting it
all done two weeks ago, my computer crashed on me
and entered its final death throes. My email no
longer worked and I only had enough time to make
sure I had all of my important data off the PC
before it finally decided it wouldn't even boot
up in Safe Mode anymore! Thankfully I saved
everything. I'm currently working off my lap top
and hope to have a new PC soon (I hate typing on
a Laptop, the keys are too small and too close together).
Here's the final part of my story. I hope everyone has a Blessed Easter!
Part 3 of 3
Metamor Keep: Dance of the Betrothed
by Charles Matthias
Erick hummed a tune as he led his betrothed and
her protector along familiar forest trails to the
clearing his sisters loved. It felt good to be
out of the cramped keep and away from any teasing
from Bertram or his sisters. Astride a horse in
the woods, the scents of trees and little animals
touching his nose and whiskers, a rat could feel at peace.
He glanced behind every so often to make sure
Lenora and Clark were keeping pace. His betrothed
rode with one hand gripping the saddle horn and
the other pressed to her chest, head turned so
both her eyes could watch him; those red eyes,
the more they fixed on him, the larger they
seemed. Erick never let his gaze linger on her,
always shifting to the bear who followed the
horses with trained silence before turning back to path ahead.
The clearing was not far from the Keep, but the
trail twisted around the folds of earth at the
base of the mountains so the ten minute ride
seemed much longer and much further. Erick had
traveled these woods with his father many times
as a child, and after they moved to the Narrows
had played and trained in them; he and his
sisters knew the trees so well they even named
some. As they rode past he whispered each name in
greeting, offering the tree a smile and tip of his new hat.
The clearing was on a gradual slope up one of the
smaller peaks framing the valley and had been
formed when a large oak toppled in a brutal snow
storm not long before Erick was born. The oak and
snow knocked over other nearby trees, leaving a
wide open space in which mountain grasses,
flowers, and now blueberry bushes flourished.
Little shoots of pine appeared every Spring but
they always uprooted them to keep the clearing for themselves.
Here we are, Erick announced as they emerged
from the wood. Warm sunlight bathed the field in
radiant greens, blues, yellows, and pinks as
wildflowers swayed in a light breeze off the
mountain. Many of the bushes were laden with ripe
berries, though most branches had already been
cleared by his sisters in the last few weeks or
by the local fauna. Erick slipped from his saddle
and guided his horse to one of the bushes where
he secured the reins. The horse happily cropped
the grass and flowers while he stretched.
Lovely isn't it, milady? He asked as he gestured around the clearing.
Lenora rode her bay mare who clopped after his
stallion and began grazing nearby. She looked
around and a smile touched her face. There are
so many flowers, Sir Erick. I've never had blueberries from the bush before.
It's when they taste best! He motioned for her
to follow, then grimaced and walked toward her,
feeling an idiot. Here, let me help you down.
He reached up, gripped her middle and eased her
down from the saddle. Her tail slid over the back
of the saddle and thumped to the ground a moment
after her feet had settled in the swaying grass.
The hem of her dress brushed through the flower
petals and little specks of color stained it.
Lenora yanked the hem of her dress out of the
grass and Erick felt his heart sink. Oh, I'm so sorry. I hadn't thought...
But his betrothed shook her head. It will clean
well enough. She let go of her dress and offered
him an assuring smile. Do you come here often, Sir Erick?
My sisters come here once or twice almost every
week once Spring arrives. Bertram and I often
come along when our duties allow us. He gestured
toward a bush still laden. Come, milady, you must be hungry.
Lenora followed while Clark tended to her horse
and kept watch from a respectful distance. Erick
was grateful for his presence as it meant none
could accuse either of them of a clandestine
indiscretion. Whether he liked his marriage bed
or not he would go to it undefiled in both deed and word.
A dozen paces away was a small semi-circle of
bushes; the side facing the woods had all been
picked clean, but the inside of the curve facing
the mountains was still lush. The bushes had
grown almost as tall as the rats and so Erick
didn't even need to bend over to test the
berries. He squeezed one between his fingers and
juice smeared his soft pink flesh and around his
claws. Excellent. They're perfect! He pulled
the berry free and plopped it on his tongue where
he crunched it and let the juices soak through
his maw. A trickle escaped his snout and he wiped
it with the back of his hand before swallowing. Here, why don't you try some?
Lenora took an uncertain step toward him and her
red eyes looked up and down the bush. She glanced
once at his hands, already purplish-blue from his
very first berry, and then down at her own still
bright and clean. What was she worried about, it
was just a little juice? A good scrubbing and it would come clean.
You'll never have any if you don't pick them!
Erick chided her as he plucked another blueberry
free and tossed it to the back of his tongue. He
bounced it from molar to molar before chewing;
this time he swallowed ere the juices could stain
his chin. It's not hard. Here, let me show you.
I didn't think to bring anything to clean
ourselves, Sir Erick, Lenora admitted with
drooped whiskers. Your hands are already a mess!
You should have seen the youngest after
Bernadette and Baerle took them here last week to
pick berries. I think they had more on them then
in the baskets or in their tummies! Trust me,
milady, we at the Narrows are used to cleaning rat fur!
Her whiskers lifted and a chittering laugh
escaped her throat. Her eyes brightened as Erick
took one of her hands in his and guided it to a
plump berry; he positioned her fingers at the
base and he let go. Now, just give it a little
twist and you'll have picked your first blueberry, milady!
Lenora did so and on her third try the berry came
free. She cradled it, ginger and uncertain,
before setting it between her incisors. Juice
sprayed forward as she bit and Erick laughed.
Lenora swallowed the rest and dabbed her snout
with one of the leaves, shooting him a glare.
You'll make an even worse mess if you bite it
with your incisors! I'm sorry, milady, I should
have warned you. How was the blueberry?
Delicious! I did not know they could be so sweet
and tart! Lenora eyed the many more berries
thrust out from the bush and then turned her red
eyes upon the knight. Well, Sir Erick, are you
going to select some for me? I know which to
chose in the market square, but which do we pick here?
Any will be good this time of year. Just pick the biggest ones you see.
Lenora's snout and whiskers seemed to twist into
a displeased moue and Erick could only shake his
head. She had fingers and claws; surely she could
pick her own. He plucked a handful free, letting
them jostle together between his fingers as he
settled down on a small rock to watch her as he ate.
His betrothed took her time examining the berries
before selecting another. She bent down a little,
her tail lifting in a comely pose, as she worked
her fingers underneath the berry. It took her a
few twists to work the berry free; this time she
plopped it in her mouth and ate; she licked her
fingers and claws as clean as she could before starting her search for a third.
If you hold them a little tighter you'll get them off easier.
Lenora flicked her ears at his words but said
nothing. He ate two more berries before she found
another she wanted. Again she bent over and Erick
caught himself admiring her lovely almost-white
tail as it arched in the air. He could hear
Bertram's croaking taunts already and grumbled to
himself. Aye, she is lovely and pleasing to the
eye! Now go soak your head you silly frog!
Oops! Lenora squeaked when her third blueberry
popped free and right out of her hands. She hiked
her dress higher as she went to her hands and
knees to find it in the tall grass and wildflowers.
Erick was up from his rock and at her side in a
moment. Watch out and keep still! You could
squash it with your knees if you move around.
She nodded and cast a quick glance at both knees
but the fur was still white. He bent over beside
her and together they pushed the grass aside
until the slippery blueberry was found at the
base of a small patch of yellow flowers. Erick
lifted it and she leaned back on her knees and
opened her mouth. He set it on her tongue,
remembering the many times he and his sisters had done the same for each other.
Thank you, Sir Erick, she said as she stood and
brushed at the grass stains adorning her dress;
most came off. Had I known we were going to pick
blueberries I would have worn something more sensible!
He grimaced and plopped another blueberry between
his molars. He'd hoped she would love the
clearing, but she was dressed for the castle, not
the forest. I apologize for the ruin I have
brought to your dress, milady! Perhaps we should go back to the Keep.
Lenora shook her head and offered him a smile.
It is just a dress. I'm sorry I made such a fuss
over it. Teach me how to pick the blueberries and
the flowers and I will try not to worry about
this little thing. She plucked at her dress and
lifted both whiskers and ears in a broad rat
smile. You know, you do look better here in the
woods, Sir Erick. You look more comfortable here
than you ever did on your visits to Metamor.
Erick felt a flush touch his ears. His heart
thumped and he took a step back, stammering,
Well, I... I guess I... I grew up in Glen Avery;
I was born and raised inside a tree. They're...
home to me. Wood is... warmer than stone and I...
I guess it's more friendly too. Stone is good I
suppose. He thought of his father and the scars
of stone and his heart beat even faster. And
there is a lot of stone I love and cherish,
but... I... oh I guess I just love the forest
more. It's home. You understand, right?
Lenora nodded and cast her eyes upward and than
off into the woods; Erick could tell she was
trying to see something not there. Oh, aye, I
do. I do. She bent over and tried to pluck another blueberry.
Here, let me help you. As he stood by her side
and showed her how, he could see Bertram croaking
another salacious ballad. He wrinkled his nose
and whiskers at the mere thought. Shut up, frog!
----------
By the time they returned to the Narrows Keep her
dress was ruined by the grass and flowers and
occasional spurts of blueberry juice, but it was
a small price to pay to save Erick from further
embarrassment. Her hands and the fur around her
mouth were also marred by blue stains she could
not seem to remove, but in this she was no worse
off than Erick or even her protector Clark. The
bear said nothing as was his way, but she knew
he'd gorged himself with his own patch of blueberry bushes.
At least the blueberries had been delicious and
the scent of flowers very pleasing. Despite the
stains she had enjoyed herself as she ate and
stole glances of her betrothed. To her even
greater delight, she had caught him admiring her
several times. Usually it was her tail, but when
he thought she couldn't see he'd also admired her
ears, face, and snout. At least he didn't seem
bothered by her red eyes; far too many could not
help but find them unsettling, even those who'd
lived at Metamor their whole lives.
After stabling the horses Erick escorted her back
to the keep where she excused herself to the
chambers in the Inn the Matthias family always
reserved for them. Her maid-servant, who had
arranged all of her things in the three rooms
she, her father, Clark, and their personal
servants would share for the few weeks they would
stay in the Narrows, removed the ruined gown and
gave her an impromptu bath in freshly heated
water. It took a bit of scrubbing but the
blueberry stains did come out of her hands and
fur and soon after she was dried and attired in a
mahogany-brown gown with russet lace surplice to
compliment her eyes and make the white of her fur
even brighter than a fuller's bleach.
Dinner followed not long after and it was the
first time since they'd arrived she saw her
father. All of the Matthias children were excited
to have their Uncle Julian there for a visit and
her father had wisely made sure each of them had
received their gift before dinner. He sat next to
the Baron and Baroness. Gibson sat beside him and
she next to Gibson so she could sit with
Bernadette and Baerle and talk more freely during
the meal. Erick and Bertram sat across from her
and she tried not to listen in on the frog's playful needling of her betrothed.
As a night of welcome to guests, the Matthias
family offered a sumptuous feast of roast mutton
in a dark, spicy sauce once popular at court.
This was preceded by courses of soup, fruit and
vegetables, cheese, fish, and truncheons of bread
and potato, followed by more cheese and fruit
with dipping creams of various flavors, and
finally cake and a bitter cup of coffee after all
the wine. Lenora ate as much as she could after
so many blueberries in the afternoon, and watched
Erick as often as she could. Her betrothed filled
his plate anew for each course and while he never
quite managed to empty it, still ate more than
three times what she could have managed even on
an empty stomach. Was this the appetite of a
warrior, or indulgence at a rare feast?
The dinner extended well into the evening; the
youngest litter of Matthias children who were
boisterous and noisy at the start were all cranky
or nodding off by the end; the Baroness and the
older daughters all helped carry the little ones
off to bed. When they returned, her father
expressed his own interest in retiring for the
evening. The Baron was gracious and bid them a
pleasant night sleep and many beautiful days in
the Narrows ahead. Lenora offered Erick a parting
smile before she followed her father from the great hall and out of the Keep.
Despite his professed fatigue, her father walked
a spirited pace and both she and Clark had to
rush to keep up. He whistled a tune with a
familiar air of satisfaction and it made her
heart rush. Discussions with the Baron must have
gone very well indeed if her father were in such a good mood.
He did not slacken his pace until they entered
the nearby Inn and even then it was mere courtesy
to avoid running into the many folk preparing for
the numerous guests they would receive in the
weeks ahead. When they reached their rooms, her
father first turned to Clark and said, You did
well today running all about the Narrows after my
future son-in-law. Get your sleep, my friend, I
do not think we need fear assassins this night!
I will be all the more ready tomorrow, Master
Julian, Clark assured them in his basso rumble.
The bear inclined his head respectfully toward
her father, and then patted her on the head
between her ears. Lenora chittered in
appreciation and then wondered; would she be able
to keep her protector after she married?
After Clark left to the room fronting their own,
Julian turned toward their personal servants. His
was a gray-muzzled mouse who'd come to Metamor
many years ago in search of healing. Hers was a
cursed-born shrew who'd lost her parents during
the last attack against the Keep and whom her
father gave a home after Lenora was born.
Willem, Hallie, you've both done well this day.
The rooms are just as I like them! Prepare
comfortable clothes for us tomorrow and then you
may enjoy the rest of the evening as you see fit.
Lenora and I will prepare ourselves for bed this
night and we'll leave our garments in your room to tend in the morning.
It is our pleasure, Master Julian. You and
milady enjoy a pleasant night's sleep, Willem
offered with a chitter and pleased twitch of whisker and ear.
Hallie smiled and gave Lenora a quick hug, You
must tell me all about your day in the woods with
the dashing young knight tomorrow, milady!
Lenora chittered a laugh and hugged the shrew in
return. Oh, I will, I will. Goodnight, Hallie.
After both servants left, her father stretched
and sat down on his bed. Their room was at a
corner, with windows in two walls to keep the air
fresh. There were two beds opposite the windows
with modest frames but comfortably stuffed with
thick curtains to keep them warm in the cold
mountain air. A wardrobe occupied the corner
between the windows, while a writing desk and a
service filled the remainder of the room,
offering a token of comfort for the well-to-do
traveler. The door next to her father's bed led
to the other two rooms they had, those for their
servants and their supplies. The door next to
Lenora's bed was locked and led to a secret
staircase down to a hidden exit if ever they needed to flee the Inn.
Ah, I know Lenora... I know. You wish to hear of
the negotiations! Ah, I am blessed to have you as
my daughter. Come, sit beside me; we may have
eaten but my incisors could stand a chew.
She sat next to him and smiled. Mine as well.
Are things here as difficult as we heard?
Her father took two short sticks from his pouch
and handed her one. They were flavored with a
touch of honey and peach juice, and made a sweet
chore. They both soothed their incisors for a
full minute before he lowered his and gave a deep
sigh. If not more difficult, but Charles will
come to my way of thinking in a few days. The men
we arranged to supplant his crews will be here in
a week if all goes well. Charles has already made
generous offers to both stone masons and the
engineers yet they still refuse to work. Let us
see how fears of starvation suit them. They break
guild practice to demand so much and must be
taught a lesson. Charles is a good man and dear
friend, and he can build a beautiful city here too in time.
But?
But he needs to be convinced sometimes he does
no wrong to punish those who would take advantage
of his generosity. You may need to teach Sir
Erick the same lesson in time. It has been too
long since Charles has had enemies; he knows how
to fight with sword and pen but not with coin.
But, Julian smiled and lifted the chewstick to
his incisors again, he has earned our friendship
many times over and deserves all we can give. In
a few days he'll see things our way, Lenora. In
two weeks time the stone masons and engineers
will be working again or they will have no work at all.
Lenora smiled around her stick as she listened.
She had seen her father do something similar when
some of their drivers or soldiers demanded more
coin than the rest. There were always plenty of
folk in Metamor willing to drive a team of horses
or lift a sword or bow in defense.
They sat in quiet but for teeth grinding into
wood and for the evening village voices drifting
up through their cracked windows. Compared to
Metamor it may as well have been as silent as an
empty temple. She slid her tail along the
bed-quilt until it brushed against her father's.
He tilted his head toward her, warm red eye
searching her face. He said nothing until he finished his chewstick.
And how was your day, my flower? I hear Sir
Erick took you to the forest to pick wild blueberries.
He did. I fear the lovely white dress you bought
me may be ruined. I only asked him to show me
some place in the Narrows he loves. He loves the forest, Father.
He grew up in a tree. You remember visiting it
when you were little. I still remember the first
time you tried to climb those branches with
Natalie. He chittered a laugh and his smile
warmed her. Did you enjoy the places he showed you?
I would have more if I had not been worried
after my dress so. The woods were beautiful, the
flowers very pretty, and the blueberries were
delicious. It was so quiet though. Everything here is too quiet.
Except their dinner table!
Lenora frowned, ears dropped, and cast her father
a withering glare. You know what I mean.
Aye, it is certainly quieter here than in
Keeptowne. But the Narrows are young. With time
and cultivation this place will seem just as
noisy and full of life as our home. Her father
ran his claws through the fur behind her ears,
something he'd often done to comfort her when she
was young. Does the quiet bother you?
It... doesn't seem right. It makes me anxious, Father.
Is it the only thing?
Lenora took her last few bites of her chewstick
then set her hands in her lap, smoothing the
wrinkles out of her burgundy evening dress. I
don't think he wants to marry me, Father. I'm
afraid he won't love me because I prefer the city
and only feel awkward or anxious in the forest
village. I don't want to marry someone who won't
love me, Father. I don't want to be away so far
from you and everything I know. She surprised
herself when she felt tears dripping down her
cheeks. She thrust her arms around her father's
chest and pressed her face in tight.
Julian continued to run his hands down the back
of her head and neck while his other arm pulled
her in close. Sir Erick is a good rat, Lenora.
He may be older than you, but he is still young
and there is still the boy in him. It takes men
longer to know they must love a woman. If today
he showed you a place dear to him, then you can
rest assured he does care about you. Love will
grow in time. All true love does. It is not a
thing known in a moment, but cultivated and
deepened with every sacrifice and every shared memory.
He leaned back and lifted her snout so their eyes
met. Your mother and I... oh, we had our moments
when we were so angry we did not even want to
smell each other's fur on anything of ours! But
we loved each other in what short time we had and
always overcame our anger and our wounded pride.
I see so much of her in you, Lenora. In many ways
I love her more every day even if we cannot be
together. Do not fret over whether Sir Erick will
love you or not, or whether you will love the
Narrows or not. If you are willing to love them
and do so, then both will be true in time.
And do not fret over missing me; you will gain a
new mother and father and many, many brothers and
sisters who will be eager to love you. And beyond
they, I will certainly spend as much time here in
the Narrows as I can. I love you, Lenora; I am
your father and I will protect you. I would never
force you to marry a man you hate.
Lenora brushed the last tear from her eyes and
squeezed him tight. Oh, Father! I love you too.
I do... like Sir Erick. He is handsome and
charming. And he is a good rat. And I do want to
help him and his brothers and sisters. I... I just...I'm just scared!
He continued to comb her fur with his claws while
the tip of his tail brushed across her own. We
always are. I was terrified the day I married
your mother; but the terror turned to joy, and so
will yours. I promise. And you have another three
years to prepare. There will be many more chances
to know Sir Erick. He will be an older and wiser
rat when you wed; he will see the ducal heir try
to woo a woman first-hand, and learn the
importance of treating his wife well if he does not know it already.
And if all I have said does not comfort you,
Lenora, know this. Her father lifted her snout
again and fixed her a firm, but comforting stare.
If in three years time you see something in him
you fear, I will bring it to the Baron's
attention and we will dissolve the betrothal if your fears are true.
Lenora blinked and stammered, Oh I... I don't...
but... I don't want... I... She chastened
herself and then took a deep breath, Far be it
from me to ask so cruel a thing of you, Father.
Sir Erick is a good rat. The only thing I fear is
I will not be the wife he hopes for in his heart.
His whiskers twitched and the familiar glint of
the merchant at the bargaining table touched her
father's eyes. Perhaps. Perhaps not. But you can
be something better. You can be the wife he needs
to be more than just a good rat. You can be the
wife he needs to be a good Baron and father in
his turn. You can be the wife he needs to make
the Narrows prosperous. You can be the wife he
needs to transform him from a knight without
renown into an elder lord of Metamor. And in the
midst of it you will give him what every man
truly desires a family of his own. His smile
transformed his face into one of profound joy. I
was never truly happy until you were in my life,
Lenora. You will understand it one day, as will Sir Erick.
Lenora nodded and a small smile touched her
snout. Her whiskers twitched as she pondered her
father's words. I will try, Father. I promise you I will.
I know you will, my beautiful Lenora. Now,
enough serious talk. Let us ready ourselves for
slumber. There is much work we both have in the
days ahead and we have had a very long day.
Together they slipped down from the bed and
father and daughter, as was their custom from her
earliest years, helped each other prepare for sleep.
----------
It was well into night when Erick climbed the
long steps into the mountains behind the Keep.
He'd had to endure far too much of Bertram's
needling and ribald witticisms for one night and
the cool mountain air felt refreshing on his fur.
The mountain stairs were rough and in some cases
barely visible, especially on a cloudy night
despite his rat's eyes. But every night his
father came this way the steps would become
smoother and easier to climb as he communed with the mountain itself.
And they were easier than last week; his father would be up above.
After dinner Gibson had wanted to see how well
his son could fight and so Erick sparred with
Bertram for a short while. He did his best to
give the frog a few clever openings to impress
his father and Bertram took all but one. Erick
would regret the bruises in the morning, but they
were better than his banter. When they were done
Bertram retired with his family, but not before
offering Erick a whispered thanks.
For a moment, Erick didn't wish his friend would
be betrothed to a foul-smelling mud puppy.
He left the Keep and wandered the Narrows for a
bit, watching the lamplighters at their work in
the village streets, before walking down to the
outer wall and climbing the unfinished tower. He
leaned against the rocks and stared into the sky
for many long minutes, but apart from occasional
glimpses of stars behind the clouds, there was
nothing for him to see. Nor would his thoughts
settle and so not long after climbing back down
he would not jump like the second litter he
found himself making the mountain ascent.
Erick did not have to climb far before he found
his father. The Baron was leaning against a large
granite extrusion, his chest up to his arms and
head fully stone, while his legs melded into the
stone, trousers and all. There was no sign of his
tail. It was not the first time Erick had seen
his father this way; when he was younger he was
always awed by what his father could do with
stone, and especially the way he cajoled the
mountains into providing them colorful little
gems to shine and sparkle. But in the last few
years he'd noticed all the little scars his
father received turn to stone and stay; every
time he saw his father meld with stone now he
knew it was only a matter of time before there
was nothing left of his father but a statue of living granite.
And how long after before the statue was nothing more than ordinary stone?
Good evening, Father, Erick did his best to
keep his voice level, but a little squeak escaped at the end.
Ah, Erick, I knew you were coming. The mountain
told him so; or the ivy which climbed along the
stairs. I will be done here in a moment. Please
forgive me for letting you see me like this.
Erick nodded but said nothing. He wanted to turn
aside but he was not a child anymore. He would
face this like a rat. For a few minutes it seemed
as if his father did nothing but close his eyes
and press his hands against the surface of the
granite block. But Erick could feel the stone
shifting beneath his toes. An edge pressed
outward and into his claws until a new step in the long stairs emerged.
Once the changes stopped the Baron opened his
eyes and rose upward from the stone. His tail
slid free and took on the quality of flesh, as
did his chest, apart from the scar Erick's
brother gave him at the Summer Festival. The
trousers returned to cloth as they broke free
from the granite, and last his paws pulled free
until his toes also splayed across the new step.
The Baron ran a paw over his bare chest, pausing
only briefly at the granite scar. I know I've
tried to keep you from seeing these, but you've known... how long?
I've suspected for a couple of years. About six
months ago I saw the one on your side. Erick
gestured at a small scratch along his father's
right side just above the waist; he'd nicked his
father there while they were training last
Winter. And the night at the festival, I stayed
up and hid in my minor form until you came back. I saw what Charlie did.
His father nodded. Please assure me you have forgiven him as I have?
I have, Father. But... what of you? Are you going to turn into stone forever?
Perhaps, his father admitted with a moue
darkening his already night-dark features. But
my friends are helping where they can; they are
very powerful and should be able to keep the
stone at bay for many, many years yet. Please do
not be afraid for me, Erick. I would rather spend
my many years seeing you grow into a man ready to
take on the burden of tending the Narrows than worry over matters of stone.
I don't want to lose you, Father.
Charles reached over and gripped Erick by the
shoulder. He felt the claws through his tunic. I
promise you I will not leave you, your mother,
and your brothers and sisters. I love you all too
much. This stair... it is something I must build.
One day you will understand. But enough of me!
Your new hat looks very fetching on you, Erick.
He reached up and touched one corner and his
whiskers twitched into a grin. Oh, yes, it is!
And very comfortable too. It is my favorite already.
And I hear you took Lenora to the clearing to pick blueberries.
Erick nodded. I even took her through our secret
passage. I don't think she enjoyed picking
blueberries as much as I hoped she would. She was
too worried about dirtying her dress.
Well, perhaps you can take her again another day
when she's better prepared. Perhaps she was also
fatigued from her long journey. Don't be too hard on her, son.
I am trying. It'd be easier if Bertram wasn't
teasing me about her all the time.
Oh?
Aye, he does nothing else when it comes to Lenora.
And there will be a time in his life when you
can return the favor. His father laughed and
pulled Erick in closer. Oh, my son. You are
blessed to have such a good friend as Bertram! If
he did not tease you so I should have to hire
someone to do it. We all need a friend who will
shield us from pride and conceit. You know what
James does for me, as well as Master Julian! And
let us not forget every time Misha Brightleaf
visits! If I dared become too proud of my title
he'd use of one of Pascal's permanent dyes!
Erick laughed and felt the better for it. Bertram
was his friend and he wouldn't want any other at
his side in battle. He should still have to marry a smelly mud puppy though.
And Lenora is a good rat too. She is smart,
gentle, and a lover of beauty. Like Master Julian
she is shrewd and cunning. She can help you make
the Narrows prosperous, Erick, and in a way I
never can. She may not be as used to the forest
as we are, but give her time. I grew up in a
great city too, one even larger than Keeptowne,
but I fell in love with the woods. So can she.
I suppose... it's just... I... well...
Even in the dark Erick could see his father's
face twist in a bemused grin. Well? What is it?
She's well... she's like... I... my...
Come now, Sir Erick, is my young knight
frightened of something? Erick felt a blush in
his ears. His father called him 'young knight'
when he was a ratling riding a cloth and stick
horse into battle with his mighty chewstick.
Well, it's... Lenora is... she feels like she's
my sister. There, he finally said it. I do like
her. She is sweet and very kind. But... she's
like my sister. I cannot marry my sister!
Nay, you cannot. But she is not your sister. She
is going to be your wife and the mother to your
children. You will love her more closely and
share more with her than you ever have with your
sisters. No one will be closer to you nor more
necessary to you than she. So drive any thought
she is your sister from your heart and mind. You
are seventeen years old. You are going to be
spending the winter aiding Sir Dupré at his
little wall, and you will spend most of next year
away with your brother and his grace Bryn Hassan
in Vysehrad facing unknown perils! You cannot
afford to act like a boy anymore. Not before them
and certainly not before your betrothed.
Erick scuffed his claws against the new step.
But I didn't chose her, Father. You did. You
didn't have a wife thrust at you. Why don't I have a choice too?
No one has a choice in these things, my son. A
fondness filled his father's voice as he leaned
in and gripped his shoulder anew. None of us
did. I and your mother had no choice. I sought
only to console her when she became a rat, and
yet our hearts bid us closer together until
before I knew what had happened I could not
control myself at all. I had to have her for my
own and I had to belong to her if I was to know
any happiness. My choices have only been to
deepen the love we share in the time since our
marriage. There were many times I could have let
little angers fester and wound my love for her,
but I would not. Ask any man if they chose their
wives and the only unhappy ones you will know are those who say, 'Aye'.
You may not have chosen Lenora, my son, but you
can choose how to love her or not. It is those
choices you make which will determine whether you and she will be happy.
As his father spoke, the clouds in the east began
to part, letting the light of the moon warm the
mountain path with a silver radiance. For the
first time he could see his father's eyes clearly
and in them he saw a firm gentleness. I love
you, Erick. You are my flesh and blood and I have
named you my heir. I want only your happiness and
a long, prosperous life filled with family and
joy. Aye, Lenora was chosen for you to bind our
house with the merchant's guild. It will secure
for you avenues of wealth only available to me
through Julian's largess. And it will help both
Julian and Lenora for he has no heir and no other
family. There is nothing wrong with practical
considerations when making a betrothal.
But I would never have agreed to it if Lenora
was not of good character. She likes you, Erick.
She admires you. Your mother told me how much she
enjoyed giving you your gift; and not just this
one, but all the ones before it. You know, it was
Lenora who picked this out for you?
She did? Erick reached up and touched his new hat.
Aye, she did. Stop being afraid of her and do
more of what you did today. Share yourself and
what you love with her. She wants to love you;
let her. And in your heart I know you want to
love her back, my son. Do so. Be gentle where she
is weak and uncertain; the forest is not her home
but it can be if you teach her. And trust her
where she is strong; she grew up at the
bargaining table and knows the ways of merchants.
There is little about her, my son, to quibble or
fear. She will be your wife and you must be a good husband to her.
Erick sighed and dug his claws in further. I
will try. I just... I... I just hope I can,
Father. I just hope I can be a good husband like
you. You can do so many things I cannot. Both you
and mother and Charlie and Natalie and Misha, you
all have these powers I don't. I'm just a rat
trained as a knight. What do I have to offer her?
What do I have to offer the Narrows?
The moon glowed on the granite scar across his
father's chest, yet it was not brighter than the
pride in his father's eyes. You are far more
than just a rat trained as a knight, Erick. You
are valiant. You are honest. And you are wise to
know where you are strong and where you are weak.
My powers dictated the course of my life, as have
Charlie's, and to a lesser extent Misha and
Natalie's. There are some things you cannot do,
aye, but you also have a freedom they do not. You
have a freedom I did not. I had to betray my
order to have the life I have now, and it was a
terrible burden to pay the cost for my betrayal, but...
It's a long story, Erick finished.
His father chittered a small laugh. Aye, it's a
long story. He pulled Erick into a tight
embrace. He could feel the cold of the granite
scar, but all else was wiry fur and warm flesh.
Ah, Erick, you have already proven yourself to
me. You will show your worth to Lenora and the
Narrows. Do not fear. Now come. Let us return home to our family.
Erick hugged his father tight, doing his best to
smile. I will try, Father. I promise.
And you will have scores who love you dearly
helping you every step of the way, my son. Now
come, we have a long day of wrangling with Master
Julian, the stone masons, and the engineers
tomorrow. We're going to need our rest.
Together the two rats walked down the incomplete
stairs, Erick standing just a bit taller. Lenora
was pretty. She was smart. Maybe it wouldn't be
so bad. Maybe they could love each other. In time.
Bertram could still use a good thrashing. Erick
chittered a laugh as they headed back home.
----------
May He bless you and keep you in His grace and love,
Charles Matthias
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