The Tale of Elske by Cynthia Voigt

Author:Cynthia Voigt
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Chapter 12

IT WAS HARD TO PERSUADE Beriel to keep to her bed for as long as the household would expect for recovery from a feverish illness. It seemed as if the baby had been a stone in Beriel’s belly, and she had needed her best strength to keep it hidden there. Now, Beriel could use her best strength for her own purposes and those required her to be out of her bed.

Elske reminded her, again and again, that she must appear to the servants to be weak, although recovering as her good appetite attested.

Beriel argued, again and again. “I gave birth as a Wolfer woman, soundless, and I think such a woman would not lie abed. Did they, among the Wolfers?”

“They did not, my Lady,” Elske answered patiently.

“They must have been proud,” Beriel observed from her bed. “To have given birth, so, and perhaps to a son. Did I have a son, Elske? You might at least tell me that.”

Elske had given her word, and kept silent. She did, however, point out to Beriel, “The women of the Volkaric were never proud. What could a woman do to be proud of? Not win treasure for the Volkking, not fight in battle. The women couldn’t hunt, either. And even when they hated—for they were good haters—it was only among themselves.”

“You are quarrelsome,” Beriel complained. “Go and find me some book. If I can’t read it myself, then you must read it to me.”

So Elske went to Var Vladislav’s library, where she unexpectedly interrupted him as he sat for a painting of himself. The High Councillor was not displeased at the disturbance. When she explained who she was and that she had permission from his housekeeper to go to this room, and her purpose there, he answered impatiently, “I know, I know you, Elske. Take what you will, but I would ask your mistress, will she spare you to me, to teach me a little Souther, perhaps to tell me of the Volkaric, so I can make a use of these inactive hours?”

Elske carried that request, along with a volume of animal stories she had sometimes read to Var Jerrol’s daughters, back to Beriel, who had an answer quick on her tongue. “If I say yes, will you tell me about my child?”

“No, my Lady.”

Beriel then asked from her bed, “And if I say no?”

“I will obey you.”

When Beriel did not say yes or no, Elske turned to leave the bedchamber. At the door Beriel called her back to say, “Very well, I give you my permission. I will also warn you, Elske, as a kind mistress. Do you know what men use flattery for?”

“For rape,” Elske answered.

Beriel laughed, her ill temper flown like a bird out of the cage. She said, “We must find you some other word, in Norther and in Souther, too, some word that tells the bed pleasures a man and a woman have together. Did your Wolfer women never have pleasure of a man?”

“They had babies. They never spoke of pleasure.

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