Serenity Valley (8 page)

I thought about mentioning the plans
we had drawn up, but only for a moment. “Thank you, Sayer. We have
everything we need,” I said instead. “All is good.”

“Glad to hear that. How is Fulk
working out? I can give you someone else; you just have to give the
word.”

“Fulk is doing a fine job. He is
fitting in very well!”

Sayer had a suspicious look on his
face as he said, “All right then, just let me know of anything I
can do to help!” With that, we bid our goodbyes, and the horses and
I started out on our training walk once more.

Everywhere we walked, people stopped
their work and came to see the new Sirates colt. We were going by
the schoolhouse when all of the children and the teacher came out
in front to see him. I could hear the excited children talking. “My
Papa says he’s the biggest colt in the whole world!” “I thought his
mommy died.” “My brother says he won’t stay white, he is going to
change color.” “Horses can’t change color, can they?” I stopped for
a bit and talked to the children. I was amazed at how many
questions they had and how intelligent the younglings were. Demon
could tell that everyone was talking about him, and he remained in
his regal stance so everyone could pay proper tribute. As we
finally walked on, I said, “You know, Demon, you really are full of
yourself!” Demon turned to look at me with his left eye, bent his
ears back, and snorted his disgust with me. I couldn’t help but
laugh, until he stepped on my foot. I know he did it on purpose!
“You know, you’re not a nice horse!” Demon nickered and continued
to look around and drag me everywhere.

When we came even with the kitchen,
always a favorite destination of mine, the staff emptied out the
side doors to greet us. Everyone went on and on about Demon's size
and how regal-looking he was. Of course, he stood in his royal pose
for his due praise, just a natural show-off, I guess. Dear Basilea
came up to us, and he actually allowed her to rub his nose. She
started scratching behind his ear, and he even bent his head and
pushed into the scratching.

“Demon, my beautiful Lady
Basilea keeps
my
heart!” I told him sternly.

Basilea actually dropped her mouth and
looked at me. The other kitchen ladies got quiet as if something
very important just happened. The silence was broken when Demon
bent over and promptly lipped her breast. Basilea stepped back in
surprise, and the hens started.

“Just like a man, he is!” I heard
exclaimed. “He’s just pointing out differences is all,” I said. The
crowd laughed, and I continued, “Well, he is a stud after all!”
More laughter ensued. “Sorry, Basilea,” I told her quietly now, “I
don’t know what got into him. I’m so sorry!”

“It’s okay. He’s just a
baby.”

Just when things were starting to
settle down, Demon bent his head down, shoved his nose in Basilea’s
crotch, and sniffed loudly. “DEMON, get out of there!” I
yelled.

He snapped his head up, surprised, and
looked at me as if to say, “What, what’s wrong?” Basilea and I were
so embarrassed that we both turned a bright red.

The gathering of kitchen staff started
gasping and laughing and talking all at once. “Well, he’s a boy all
right!” “Isn’t it just like a man?” “Guess he figured out the
differences.” “Another rogue, that one is!”

When I don’t know what to say, it’s
best to just apologize. I stammered, “Sorry, I’m so very, very
sorry!”

“It’s okay, Gamel,” Basilea assured
me. “He knows nothing of human manners.”

“I’m just very, very sorry!” At the
time, I had no idea how often I would be saying that during the
next year. Demon was doing his best to live up to his
name.

When I got back to Demon’s stall, Fulk
had cleaned it and put out fresh straw. A new water bucket hung on
the wall for Mildred, as well as a feed trough. The big mare was
happy to find feed waiting for her and immediately concentrated on
filling her belly. The day was winding down with the setting of the
bright, orange sun, which was silhouetting the rolling hills and
trees to the east. The mare had finished her feed grain and then
had a good long drink, which required refilling the water bucket.
Demon soon started his meal, and all seemed as it should be. Fulk
and I felt it safe to take a meal in the eating hall and headed out
in that direction.

The eating hall was adjacent to the
kitchen and seated nearly one hundred people, if necessary. It
contained its own cooking hearth, where a good-sized caldron hung.
Stew of some form, probably leftovers, was always warm at the fire,
along with a heavy clay pot with warm tea or cider. Bowls and mugs
were stacked on a stone mantle above the hearth, and any time of
day or night, a person could get something to eat and drink in the
hall. Running the length of the hall were two rows of long tables,
with benches on each side. The eating hall was about a third full
this evening, and we found open seats close to the kitchen. A
couple of the kitchen workers promptly brought large bowls of beef
and vegetable stew, some fresh fruit, and mugs of hot tea. We were
just digging into the stew when Basilea approached us with a fresh
loaf of aromatic black bread. Steam rolled from it. It was no doubt
fresh, just taken from the oven. She set the bread in front of us
with a dish of butter.

“Thank you, dear princess, we are not
deserving of such fine fare,” I told her with a smile.

Fulk looked at me and just shook his
head back and forth in disbelief. “Thank you, Basilea, the bread
smells great!” He said.

“You’re welcome, Fulk,” she said.
“It’s a new recipe; I hope you like it!” She then produced a huge
knife from her smock and carved off two monstrous slabs of the
bread and liberally buttered them. The bread was hot, and the
butter quickly melted into the dark pores. I couldn’t wait any
longer; I took a huge bite and chewed quickly. My taste buds
erupted with ecstasy as I savored the taste. I could taste the
nutty wheat flavor along with the sweetness of honey and just a
hint of ginger. I wanted to compliment Basilea, but I wanted to
take another bite even more, so I ignored her and went with eating
more bread. Basilea sat watching me for some sign of approval, but
one bite led to another until the entire piece was devoured. I
looked at Fulk, who was just finishing his piece.

“Well, boys,” she finally asked, “what
do you think?”

I just waved my fingers toward my
body. “Again, again!”

Fulk stared greedily. “Me too,
please!”

Basilea started to laugh and prepared
two more giant slabs of the heavenly bread and handed them to us.
We pushed our stew bowls away and concentrated on our more
important task. By now, the sweet aroma was filling the hall, and
others were wondering aloud where the wonderful smell was coming
from.

Basilea excused herself and scurried
off to the kitchen. In less than a minute, she returned with two
serving girls carrying large trays filled with steaming loaves of
the delicious bread. Basilea dropped two loaves in front of us and
continued distributing the bread to other tables. Now the hall was
filled with the heavenly scent. A quiet ensued, and all that could
be heard was guttural sounds of pleasure. I closed my eyes to enjoy
the flavor even more. When I opened them once again, I was alarmed
to see Lady Bella sitting in front of me. I choked a little, and
she grinned. I looked at Fulk, who was staring, with a mouthful of
bread.

“I had to come and find out what that
wonderful smell was,” Bella said calmly.

“My lady, it’s Basilea’s bread,” I
answered.

“Oh, it smells wonderful!”

I quickly cut her a large slab,
buttered it, and gave it to her. She wasted no time sampling the
treat. “Oh, that is the most wonderful flavor!” she exclaimed.
Shortly after that, Lord Goodwin and Sayer joined us at the table
and helped themselves to the bread. Basilea ran back to the
kitchen. Within moments, Basilea and two helpers were setting stew
and cider in front of Lord Goodwin, Lady Bella, and Sayer. Three
more loaves of the amazing bread were set on our table.

Lord Goodwin got Basilea’s attention.
“Basilea, this is the most wonderful thing I have ever
tasted!”

Beaming with pride, she said, “Thank
you, my lord, you are much too kind.”

“Nonsense, girl, this is amazing. We
will have to eat in the mess hall more often.”

Similar compliments ensued from Lady
Bella and Sayer. Basilea was embarrassed to the point of blushing a
perfect rosy hue. A sudden loud crash was heard from the opposite
end of the hall. People were yelling. I could hear the sound of
running footsteps and curses.

At the end of the hall stood Demon,
where a long table had been moments ago. Demon was posed in his
arrogant stately stance, and was searching the hall with his eyes.
When he spotted me, he began running up the aisle, Mildred right on
his tail. There was no room for the big mare in the aisle, so
people were climbing on top of the tables and jumping to the side
as Mildred flipped tables and benches in her quest to stay with the
colt. Food and furniture were flying through the air as people ran
for safety. The sounds of cursing and screaming, along with the
crashing furniture and shattering dinnerware, filled the hall.
Demon stopped next to me and let out a loud bellow. Everyone stared
with mouths open and eyes the size of plates. In obvious discomfort
from the confined space, Mildred held her place behind the rebel
colt.

“Oh, no, Demon. What have you done?” I
looked around and was surprised to see smiles from everyone at the
table but Fulk, who was shaking his head in disbelief.

Fina, the kitchen supervisor, appeared
next to the table and started yelling at me. “Rogue Boy, get your
beasts out of my hall. NOW!!”

By now, everyone at the
table was laughing, except for Fulk, who was still shaking his
head. I stammered, “Of course, my lady, quickly, my lady, sorry,
sorry, my lady!”
Sure have been using that
word a lot since the colt was born,
I
thought.

I quickly turned the colt and started
him back the way he came, trying to avoid Mildred overturning more
furniture. Demon stopped for a moment, bent down, and picked up a
whole loaf of Basilea’s heavenly bread, then continued trotting
behind me. Mildred left a widening path of destruction. I could
hear the lord comment, “I guess he came for the bread also!” from
behind me. The entire hall erupted in laughter. I turned hot with
embarrassment and quickened the pace for the door.

Once outside, I looked at Demon
fiercely and said, “You know, Demon, you are really not a very nice
horse!” Demon whinnied and playfully shook his head up and down.
“And give me that bread!” Demon whinnied again and stretched his
head straight up so the bread was out of my reach. “All right,
then; it is the best bread in the world, can’t blame you on that
account.” Demon whinnied again.

When we got back to his
stall, I found the gate lying on the ground, its hinges yanked from
the stall wall. “Okay,” I told him, “you stay here while I get some
tools.” I ran to the storage room for nails and hammer. When I
returned, I saw Demon had positioned himself at the table and had
his left hip resting on one of the casks. On the table was the loaf
of bread that he and Mildred were in the process of
destroying.
Great, now he’s going to want
a table and chairs.
“You know, Mildred, I
can understand him acting badly, but you are the mother. You should
know better and control him.” Mildred raised her head to attention
hearing her name, turned an eye to me for a moment, let her ears
relax to the point of drooping, then dropped her head and resumed
eating the bread scattered on the table. “So, I guess I can’t count
on you for any support, then.” Demon whinnied calmly and bobbed his
head up and down. “Are you happy?” I asked him. “You have already
corrupted her.” Demon pinned his ears back, then released them and
continued eating. When Fulk got there, the horses were in the stall
with Demon feeding. I was just finishing work on the hinges.
Without being told anything, Fulk went to fetch feed for Mildred.
We saw to the water bucket and straw, and by then, it was getting
late. I told Fulk to go ahead and get some sleep while I cleaned up
the horse spit and bread crumbs left on the makeshift table. I
noticed the scroll containing our mini stable plans and thought how
nice it would be to have proper accommodations. I looked in on the
horses and found Demon snoring in the corner while Mildred made
haste to finish her meal. “Mildred, please look after him. I’m
going to bed now.” I withdrew quietly, trying not to wake Demon. I
had cleared the stable area and felt relief. It would be nice to
lie in my own bed and rest my exhausted body.

Although the living quarters was a
large dormitory style building adjacent to the stables, each living
space had an oil lamp, small reading desk, storage cabinet, and
bed. It is all I had known since my eighth year, having moved from
the blacksmith’s quarters once the new smith arrived with his
family. They had offered to keep me on with them, but I had too
many sad memories of my stepparents in that place and moved to the
dormitories with the other stablehands. When I reached my bed, I
found the clothes Basilea had taken for cleaning. My leather
breeches were cleaned, scraped, and oiled. Next to my breeches were
all of my underclothes, carefully folded. Stretched out on the bed
was a new dark blue shirt. It was made of good stout linen and had
heavy but careful stitching. Basilea must have been working on this
shirt for some time and rushed to finish it when my clothes were
ruined. I thought of her now and felt a pang of torment in my
chest. I never understood why I felt a sort of pain when I thought
of someone I loved. It seems like conflicted emotions and was very
hard to understand. I put the clothes away in my cabinet and sat on
the bed to take off my boots. I needed to oil them again soon or
they would lose their waterproofing. I stripped to my underclothes
and relaxed on my most welcome bed. By the time I pulled up my
blanket, I was sound asleep. I don’t think I was asleep very long
when I began to dream of Basilea. We were sitting on grass under a
tree, and the breeze was flicking her soft golden hair in my face.
I reached up to touch her hair, and something soft and sticky
grabbed my fingers. With my heart trying to jump from my chest, I
opened my eyes and found Demon staring down on me.