Teon by Sefton A.J

Author:Sefton, A.J. [Sefton, A.J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-02-24T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

The fortress is like an oppressive womb. There is everything needed to nurture her mortality. Baker, blacksmith, bath house. She is protected by the sharp, pointy walls and the strong warriors that make up the hearthguard. She is safe. Safe from life, safe from being. Now there is no space, she has grown all she can and she is suffocating. Ermenilda needs to be reborn.

She cannot do it alone. Her husband, the king, is isolated by his youth and his military endeavour. Her family is moons away in Cantaware. Her spiritual father, the cleric Bishop Cellach, has been confiscated by her boy-husband on his mission. The closest she has to a companion is her Saxon hand maiden, Inga. Her children bring her joy as they play and laugh in her chambers, but each time they leave her heart is lugged in a reminder that she has no child. She has no one of her own.

Ermenilda's fortitude did not bolster when Inga told her that she had seen the king's raptor circle above the palace.

"Surely this means that the men are coming home," the servant says. "The king will be pleased to see you, my lady. There will be a great feast."

The women go outside to see the eagle. It was indeed Wulfhere's bird of prey. But even from the high position of fortress, no returning armies could be seen.

"Let us prepare a feast anyway. This will give us time to bake more pastries," Inga says.

"Where are the men? Perhaps they have been defeated and the raptor returns without them."

"She flies faster than they walk. They will be tired, no doubt, but she has massive wings. The bird is just ahead, that is all."

"I like your spirit. I hope you always stay with me."

Inga stops for a moment, flattered. "Of course I shall stay with you, my lady. Why would I not? I enjoy being your hand maiden."

The baking complete and cooled, but still no men have returned. The eagle has stopped circling and has settled on the roof of Ermenilda's chambers.

"Why has it set here? What omen is this?"

"It is just a bird resting, my lady, I am sure. The men will be here soon."

But night falls and the queen enters her quarters alone. Inga has lit the candles and torches on the wall and the fire on the hearthstone and gone back to her own home.

It is windy. Smoke is pushed sideways. The flames flicker on the candles and blow out. They are quickly relit but just as quickly go out again.

"Why is it so draughty in here?" Ermenilda calls out. It is a common complaint at Wulfherecester.

In her chambers it is dark. The wind whistles through the walls like a taunting, sinister bird. Banging. A door must be open somewhere.

It is easy enough to find her bed. Its form is huge and black at one end of the room. Ermenilda pushes her shoes from her feet and sits on the bed with her legs tucked beneath her body.

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