Serenity Valley (38 page)

Ivan and Giselia spoke in their
language for some time. Ivan finally said, “Very kind your offer to
us, but we cannot accept gift. We very proud peoples.”

“It would not be a gift. I propose
that Giselia be employed as a master healer. Our healers can learn
much from her. When your family arrives, they can be employed in
numerous forms of work at the hold, or a lease can be arranged for
tenant farming or ranching as they wish. You would all earn your
way, just like everyone else in Serenity Valley.”

Ivan and Giselia conversed for some
time, then Ivan spoke again. “Offer is very good offer, our family
like settled life one place. Giselia and Ivan like travel some
time, to feel free.”

Goodwin replied, “That would be
perfect! When you feel the need to travel, Giselia and you could
travel through the valley, visiting our tenants and outposts. Many
people live in remote locations and suffer from lack of a
healer.”

Ivan and Giselia were deep in
conversation when Gamel interrupted them. “Please say yes. No
better friend would a person need or want than the two of you. I’m
sure your family is just as precious as you, my
friends.”

Giselia looked at Ivan with a huge
smile. Ivan nodded at Giselia, and she said, “Yes, we are home here
now.” Everyone at the table gave a holler of excitement.

Everyone able hopped to their feet.
Gamel was the first to pick up a squealing Giselia in a bear hug.
He was followed by Fulk and Bells. Ivan was busy shaking hands with
everyone, except Bells, who grabbed him in a strong bear hug of her
own. Still weak, Goodwin sat at the table pounding his palm against
the polished wood in appreciation of the moment. As everyone calmed
down and took their seats, Goodwin said, “Tomorrow, we will make
arrangements to bring your family to the valley. Where are they
now?”

Ivan said, “Some are still in old
country. Few, like Giselia and Ivan, traveling to make
trade.”

Goodwin said, “Very well, then. We
will send runners with dispatches to those traveling. We will
arrange passage for those in your mother country as soon as
possible.”

Everyone at the table was lighthearted
while they enjoyed their food together. No one could be more
welcome to the close-knit group than their fine Gypsy friends. A
huge tray of break fast biscuits was taken out to the guards as the
conversation turned to another subject.

Bells asked, “Gamel, have you and Fulk
figured out what to do about Demon’s arm he is keeping?”

“Well, it’s not really the arm he
wants, but the big, sparkly ring on the hand. If there was some way
we could substitute the arm out with something else that held the
ring, he should be satisfied.”

Fulk added, “This morning, I tried to
find where he hides it when he eats, but I didn’t have any
luck.”

Ivan said, “I could carve wooden arm
with hand to hold ring on finger.”

A very excited Bells said, “Exactly! A
carved wooden arm. I know something that would work very well!
Ivan, do you have a small wood saw?”

“Yes, saw for wood I have,
yes.”

“Gamel, Fulk, you two find his hiding
spot and figure out how to make an exchange. After the funeral,
Ivan and I will go in search of a carved wooden arm. I know just
the place to find it!” Bells said.

“Ivan, Giselia, please stay with us at
Sirates house until your quarters are built,” Gamel
said.

After an exchange, Giselia said, “We
must be closer to good boy, my Samuel.”

Gamel replied, “Good, then it’s
settled! You will bring Samuel here to be with Demon and
Mildred.”

A joyful Ivan spoke to Giselia in
their language. Giselia started squealing again, ran to Gamel, and
gave him a huge bear hug. Ivan said, “I told you, my wife, hot
blood she has, best wife Giselia is!” Several different
conversations broke out at the table. Everyone was enjoying the
mood when there was a knock at the door.

Fulk went to the door and opened it.
“Good morning, Devin. What’s the news?”

Devin replied, “All is well, Fulk.
Master Ox sends word that the field and forest have been cleared of
all battle evidence. Forest people's weapons have been collected,
cleaned, repaired, and sharpened as necessary.” Devin stood at the
door with a handful of weapons, belts, and chain mail. Behind him
was another soldier with an armful of like equipment.

Fulk said, “Right over here will be
good,” pointing at the corner. “We will sort it all out in a bit.
Thanks, Devin. How is your wound?”

Devin and the soldier deposited the
weaponry in the corner as Devin said, “The wound is minor. Just a
few stitches, and I be good to go. Master Ox said it will be a
little longer to repair Basilea’s mail, as they had to cut it off
of her. It’s good to see you up, Lady Basilea!”

Basilea replied, “Thank you, Devin.
It’s good to still be here! I’m afraid they won’t let me attend
today’s funeral, but please tell the families that I’m sorry for
their loss.”

“Not to worry, lady. Just concentrate
on your health, and I’ll pass on yer wishes.”

Basilea said, “Did the guards get
enough food this morning, Devin?”

“Oh, yes, my lady. Everyone is fat,
slick, and happy!”

Everyone at the table enjoyed the old
horse phrase and laughed heartily. Devin and the soldier left the
house to resume their duties. Fulk retrieved a huge quill of arrows
from the stack of weapons and hung them on the wall next to his
bow. He ran his fingers over the varnished surface of the bow in
admiration. Bells stated, “Ox must hold you in high regard to give
his bow to you.”

“It’s more than just a fine bow, much
more than that, really. He said he always intended to give it to a
son he might have one day. No, it’s much more to me than just a
bow. Never had much of a father.” Everyone felt Fulk’s pride as he
beamed and walked back to the table, returning to his seat next to
Nesta.

Nesta reached over and gave his hand a
squeeze and said, “Ox would make a fine stepfather, sir. You know
he is sweet on my mother, don’t you?”

A surprised Fulk gasped. “Do tell! How
long has he held that torch, my beauty?”

Nesta smiled and said, “Since I was
old enough to understand.”

“Really?”

“Oh yes, definitely,
really!”

“Not only that, the feeling is mutual.
You should hear the two of them go at it when you children are not
around!” Bells added.

Everyone had a good laugh, and Giselia
said, “Those two make hot blood together, together belonging I am
thinking.”

“Well, if there isn’t any more
disturbing news, I have an idea to find Demon’s hiding spot for his
arm,” Fulk said. “Gamel, Ivan, could you give me a hand for a few
minutes this morning?” Both Gamel and Ivan were more than willing
to help.

Fulk’s elaborate plan to locate
Demon’s hiding place for the arm was put into motion an hour later.
Gamel climbed up on the roof of the house and took position at the
end of the covered turnout. Ivan walked around the turnout until he
was almost even with the kitchen. He jumped the fence and walked
toward the house, using the cover of trees. It was believed Demon
would hide the arm close to the feed trough so it would never be
far from him. Ivan took position in a tree about one hundred feet
from the rear of the house, which was hidden from clear view. He
could see the areas Gamel could not from the roof. Fulk came out
through the covered turnout to join the horses, who were finishing
their morning meal at the trough. “Well, my good horses, would you
like to go to the kitchen for a snack?” he asked them. Both horses
whinnied and bobbed their heads up and down. Fulk added, “Well,
come on, then; let’s go.” Fulk started walking in the direction of
the kitchen and was soon accompanied on his left side by Mildred.
Demon did as expected and went for his arm before joining them.
Gamel lost sight of Demon as he went into a cluster of pine trees,
but Ivan was able to pick him up from his vantage point. Demon
stopped under a large pine tree with many low branches. With his
ears pricked up in alertness, he slowly walked around the tree,
looking, listening, and smelling for any possible intrusion. When
he stopped again under the tree, he slowly looked in both
directions, then reached up into the tree limbs and retrieved his
arm. He quickly looked around, scanning for anyone spying on him.
When satisfied, he trotted away to catch up with Fulk and Mildred.
When he came up to Fulk’s right side, Fulk said, “Hello, Demon,
nice of you to join us.” Demon just ignored him and walked along,
carrying the arm, which now emitted its own rancid odor. Fulk
dropped the rails in the turnout gate, and both horses trotted
ahead to a big patch of wildflowers. Mildred got hers quickly
enough and went on to the kitchen. Demon had some trouble. Every
time he tried to get some flowers, the arm would flop out and push
them away. Finally, he put the arm on the ground and plucked some
flowers with his lips. When he tried to pick up the arm, the
flowers fell out of his mouth. Demon tried this technique several
times with the same result. Finally, he tore some flowers loose
with his teeth, then picked up the shirt sleeve of the arm with his
lips—problem solved. Fulk was impressed with Demon’s ability to
figure out a solution for the problem, although the result was a
gruesome picture.

When they reached the kitchen window,
Mildred was still eating a pie, no doubt her second or third one.
Most of the kitchen staff was collected at the window to observe
Demon walk proudly up to the window, carrying the severed arm and
some flowers.

Fina remarked, “My goodness, I can
smell that thing from here.”

“'Cause it’s rotten, be full of
maggots by now, it will. I’ll get it when he goes fer da pie,” Eva
said.

Ada talked to Demon. “Well, good
morning, Sir Demon. Do you have some flowers for me today?” Demon
whinnied and bobbed his head up and down, flinging the rotten arm
about.

The grisly sight was cause for many of
the staff to gasp in horror. Eva positioned herself next to the
window, just out of Demon’s sight, ready to grab the offensive arm
as soon as Demon put it down. Ada put a fresh pie down on the wide
window ledge and said, “Okay, Mr. Demon, there’s yer pie. Now I
want me flowers, sir.” Demon carefully moved his arm to the window
ledge, trying not to take his lips away for more than an instant in
order to drop the flowers. As soon as he took his lips off the
nasty shirt sleeve, Eva moved to snatch the arm. With Demon’s
senses on high alert, he squealed and grabbed the arm back, taking
several steps away from the window. Without a moment’s hesitation,
Mildred snatched up Demon’s pie and began inhaling it. Demon was
squealing and shaking his head back and forth in protest. Mildred
pinned her ears back and made a pushing motion with her head and
continued devouring his pie. Demon squealed, jumped around, and
flounced back and forth in misery. Mildred raised her head and
looked at him while she ate every last morsel of his pie. She was
obviously very pleased with herself, and parade-pranced back and
forth at attention with her head and tail high.

Fulk said, “Well, Demon. You know what
they say. A stolen pie tastes much better than one received by
legitimate means.”

“That be something you should be
knowing about, Rogue Boy,” Fina barked out. “You have to do
something about that horrible arm of his, 'tis rotten.”

“Hopefully that will all be resolved
by late tonight, sweet lady.”

“I hope so. That thing will be
sloughing off skin by tomorrow, and the stench is already
awful.”

Trina spoke next. “Tis me daughter
able to keep up wit da cookin'?”

“Good morning, my lady. Yes, indeed.
Nesta is doing a fine job of feeding and looking after all of
us.”

“I imagines there be much ta do wit
all da extra guards. Tell her ta bring me a list a things she be
needin'. We be restockin supplies.”

“I certainly will, my lady. Come now,
beasties. There won’t be any performances today. Let’s return to
the house.” Fulk walked away with his charges in tow. Mildred was
in a great mood, while Demon remained solemn after losing his pie.
With his head hung low, Demon trudged along on Fulk’s right
shoulder. Fulk returned to the house and checked in with Ivan and
Gamel to find out where Demon hid his arm. Ivan had climbed up the
tree to spy the exact location. It was easy to find since a kettle
was also stashed there among the dense tree limbs. Now that they
had the location, as soon as a replacement arm was secured, the
switch could be made.

Everyone was preparing for the
funeral. Bells and Fulk dressed and put on their weapons. As was
done on the day of the attack, cloaks were used to hide numerous
weapons and equipment. Goodwin wore his short sword and dagger,
although his sword arm would be totally useless. Gamel would be
staying behind with Basilea, who had much improved with a night of
rest.

Bells and Goodwin made their way to
the kitchen and on to their quarters via the secret passage while
Fulk, Nesta, Ivan, and Giselia took the woods trail to the front of
the great hall’s main entrance. When Bells and Goodwin came out of
the great hall, one of the house carriages awaited them.