As the Sparks Fly Upward (5 page)

“Where is it, then?”

“Back there on the trail.”

“Well, go get it,” she said quickly.

Colin moved quickly and grabbed the string and pulled it until the turtle was in front of Meg Caradoc. “It is the biggest one I ever saw,” he said again.

“It
is
a big one. I expect you better leave it here with me.”

“No, I'm taking it home. My parents like turtle soup.”

Meg Caradoc suddenly frowned. “Do you think I'm a witch?”

“Well, I don't know—”

“Maybe I'm not the only witch in these parts. I cut things open, you know.”

“That's what I've heard.” Colin was not sure this was the right thing to say.

“Well, I'm not the only one in these woods who does that, am I?”

Colin suddenly felt a chill, as if an icicle had gone down his spine. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“There's only two of us here.”

“How do you know that?”

“Maybe I'm a witch.”

“No, I don't believe that.”

Meg suddenly laughed. “I like you, boy. Most people are
afraid of me. They only come to see me when they are sick and they want my medicine.”

Colin blurted out, “I wish I could do that—give medicine to sick people.”

“Maybe you can.”

“No, I can't. I don't know how.”

“Tell you what, you give me the turtle, and I will teach you a few things.”

Colin was torn with doubt, but he said, “Our bird keeper Dooley has got an awful cough. It sounds like it will tear him in two.”

“Well, what about this, young Winslow? I give you the medicine for your bird keeper, and you let me keep the turtle.”

“All right.”

Meg turned quickly and disappeared into the cottage, returning almost at once holding two bottles. “This one is a mixture of horehound and comfrey. Have him take it in the day. The second one should be taken at night. I can't promise a cure, but it can't be of any harm to him.”

“What's in the second one?”

“Diacodium. Don't tell anyone you got it from me. We'd both be in trouble.”

“You won't be in trouble. My father wouldn't let anyone hurt you. He is Lord of Stoneybrook.”

“Why, harm can come to any of us, boy.” Her bright eyes sparkled and she straightened up. A thought lit up her eyes and she said, “Good thing I never had wealth. The rich find it hard to leave this life. To the poor it doesn't matter so much. But for most people, money and things of that sort are the savor of life.”

“I'm sure I don't understand you, Miss Meg.”

“Why, the sweet taste of life! When you're young, all sensations have savor; all the fruits are good. But when you're old, they lose their relish. That's why I'm glad things were never
sweet to me. I won't have to grieve over them when it's time to go.”

Colin studied the woman, then asked, “Have you ever been married?”

“Never.”

“Or have a sweetheart?”

“I once did, but he loved another.”

“I'm sorry.”

Meg moved her shoulders restlessly and laughed. “Well, there is no doubt that he would've beaten me and sent me to an early grave. Now you can help me cut this turtle up.”

“How did you know I cut things up?”

“Why, I'm a witch.”

“No, you're not.”

“I know you cut things up, but you have never cut up a turtle this big.”

“I like to do it, but my father and mother don't like it when I do it.”

“Well, I will keep that secret.” Meg laughed and winked. “Parents don't have to know everything a lad does.”

Adam's face was tense and his mouth was drawn into a thin line. He circled around his father, seeking a break in his guard. Each time he attempted to close, his father simply parried the stroke. Finally he said with disgust, “I can't do it, Father!”

“You're fourteen years old, Adam, and you're very good. You're the equal of many full-grown men.”

“Will I ever be as good as you?”

“You will be better, Son,” Brandon said with a warm smile.

The remark pleased Adam and he said, “I hope so; I do like swords. Tell me some more about the battles you've been in.”

“Later. Let's go back to the house.”

As the two started on their way, Adam said, “Do you know that Colin's been visiting a witch?”

“What do you mean?” Brandon asked quickly.

“Why, old Meg Caradoc. He goes to her house all the time.”

“He has no business going over there.”

“I'll tell you why he goes. I talked to him about it. He is interested in her herbs—and to be truthful, some of the things she gives sick folks work. It healed Dooley of his cough, whatever it was that Colin brought back. But you know, Father, everyone is saying Colin is crazy. He cuts up birds and animals and snakes—and he stays by himself. He doesn't care about swords or weapons or horses.”

“He's still young. Now, you go take a ride on Thunder.”

Brandon watched as the boy ran away, and when he entered the castle he found Adara pestering her mother. “What does she want now, Eden?”

“She wants to use cosmetics,” Eden said impatiently.

“I'm old enough,” Adara said quickly.

“You are
not
old enough,” Eden said. “You don't need them anyway; you have a beautiful complexion.”

“Mary Harten uses cosmetics. Queen Elizabeth does, too.”

“Well, Queen Elizabeth needs them, but you don't.”

“She does wear a lot of makeup and fancy clothes.”

“She is the queen, Adara. She can do whatever she wants to.”

Brandon picked up Adara and began to swing her around. “When you are forty, darling, you can put all the mess you want on your face.”

“Please, Father, let me put some on.”

“You heard your mother. No makeup.” He put Adara down and she said, “You are so mean to me!” then stomped off with her nose in the air.

“She is so headstrong, Brandon!”

“Well, she's able to get what she wants out of people.”

“She was able to get that opal ring out of you.”

“That's completely different!”

Eden laughed at him. Then he changed the subject. “I'm worried about Colin.”

“Why?”

“He's so strange. He talks to animals out loud, and he's been spending a lot of time with Meg Caradoc.”

“I know, he told me. She's teaching him about plants.”

“Well, he can't make a living pulling weeds from the ground! What will he do for a profession, Eden? He's not strong enough to be a soldier. I'd hate for him to become a lawyer.”

“Maybe he will go into the church.”

“No, he doesn't seem to be turning that way.”

The two continued their talk, each realizing the other was worried. Finally, Brandon said, “When he's old enough, we'll send him to Oxford. They'll make something out of him.”

“I doubt it. He's a good boy, but he has a stubborn streak.” She changed the subject quickly. “Do you still plan to go to court?”

“Yes, the queen wants to see me.”

“Do you know what about?”

Brandon moved closer and put his arm around Eden's waist, then leaned forward and whispered in her ear. “She likes handsome young men.”

Eden hit him in the chest, exclaiming, “The very idea! You are absolutely filled with pride!”

“I don't really want to go,” Brandon sighed.

“You have to go, Brandon. And why don't you take Colin with you?”

“Why would I do that?”

“Because he needs you, and I think it would be good for him to get away for a few days.”

Brandon knew Eden had deeper insight into people than he had. Then he suddenly laughed aloud. “We could take the queen a field mouse he has pulled apart and opened up. That would be a different gift!” The thought amused him, and he held her
tighter and kissed her. “You are even prettier than a mouse that has been pulled apart.”

“Thank you, Husband. You always say the nicest things!”

Elizabeth looked up as Helen Tallon, one of her maids, entered and said, “Your Majesty, Lord Stoneybrook and his son are here to see you.”

“Show them in at once.” She was sitting at the clavichord and playing, and did not look up as the two entered. When she finished her piece, she rose and went to Brandon, holding out her hand. “Well, Lord Stoneybrook, you are here.”

Brandon took her hand, bowed, and kissed it. “Yes, Your Majesty. I'm glad to see you again.”

“Remind me who this is.”

“My son Colin, Your Majesty.”

Elizabeth moved over and stood in front of Colin. She stared into his face and knew that her intense scrutiny made him uncomfortable. Finally, she demanded, “Are you still trying to be a good boy, like you told me the last time we met?”

“Yes, I am, Your Majesty.”

Elizabeth was delighted at the boy's instant response. “And how do you do that?”

“I love my family and obey my parents and don't tell lies.”

Elizabeth ceased to smile, and a somber look came over her face. She did not speak for a moment, then she turned and asked, “Is this a dwarf you have here, Brandon?”

“Sometimes I think so, Your Majesty. But he tells the simple truth.”

“That should make him a novelty at court!” She called out, “Helen, take this young man out while I speak with his father, and see he gets something good to eat.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

After Colin left, Elizabeth shook her head and said, “I don't know what to make of him. So young, but he talks like an adult.”

“I know. He did not say a word until he was almost three years old. Then he started talking in complete sentences.”

“He is too smart to be only twelve. You might keep an eye on that one.” Elizabeth leaned forward and said, “Now, come with me and walk in the garden.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Brandon followed Elizabeth outside and when they were amongst the flowers, she said, “I need a very special favor from you.”

“You have only to ask, Your Majesty.”

Elizabeth laughed. “You promised too quickly. Don't you know that women can get you into trouble that way?”

“Maybe some women, but you wouldn't, Majesty.”

“All right then, I want you to visit Mary, Queen of Scots.”

Brandon stared at her, and he looked as if he regretted his promise. “Why would you want me to do that?”

“I think you know. All of my counsel tells me that Mary is plotting to take my throne.”

“But I am no spy, Your Majesty.”

“No, you're not, and that is what makes this perfect. Mary would know at once if you were, for she's clever. I'm asking you to become a friend to her. It will not be hard for you. You are a good man. She will see that, and it will appeal to her. Take Colin with you, and then take your wife. Mary is clever, but you are a smart man, Brandon. Try to find out what she's doing.”

Elizabeth spoke for some time and then dismissed him, saying, “I will not forget this. Please let me know when you find out what her plans are. I can't believe she is as evil as my counselors tell me. Now bring that son of yours back, and leave us alone. I want to know him better.”

Brandon bowed as she left and then went to find Colin. “The queen wants to visit with you, Son. When she dismisses you, we'll be on our way.”

Brandon waited for Colin to return, and finally Colin came
out of the queen's chamber. As they walked back to their horses, Brandon asked, “What did she talk to you about, Son?”

“She asked me questions.”

“About what?”

“She asked if I thought she was beautiful.”

“And what did you say?”

“I said no.”

Brandon was shocked. Elizabeth kept a full court of men to tell her she was beautiful. “Did she get angry?”

“No, she laughed and said that I was about the only honest man in her kingdom.”

The two mounted their horses and Colin asked, “Where are we going, Father?”

“To see another queen, Son.”

4

April 19, 1574

“I
s this where the queen lives, Father?”

Brandon and Colin had just ridden up to the barbed gates of Tutbury Castle, which rested on a slight hill. “Yes,” he nodded, “this is where she lives. She's under house arrest—sort of like a prison. But I'm not sure you should call Mary ‘the queen.'”

Colin looked up at his father with a puzzled expression. “But some people call her that, don't they?”

“Well, Son, there's a great deal of confusion about Mary. She was a queen in France at one time, and then she went back to Scotland, where she was also a queen. Then she left there and came here, where half of the English people, the Catholics, think she is still a queen. The rest of us acknowledge Queen Elizabeth.”