[Mkguild] Heraldic Beginnings (5/7)

[C. Matthias]

Part 5!  This scene is a little rough and may be revised before being 
posted on the archives.

---------


March 25, 708 CR

Charles and his family began the day with a trip to the baths. Heated 
baths were not so easy to come by in Glen Avery as most folks just 
took their dip in the lake, but he was not going to let this last 
opportunity slip by him. And judging by the look on Lady Kimberly's 
snout when he suggested it that morning, he knew he'd made up for his 
occasional gawking at the suggestively dressed Magyars.

Of his children, only little Baerle seemed frightened of the water 
still. While the rest splashed in one of the shallow wading pools, 
their youngest daughter curled up in the farthest corner she could 
find, tail tucked up to her nose. Kimberly tried to coax her out of 
the corner with sweet words, but their little girl just shook her 
head. Charles tried to pick her up but she squeaked defiantly every 
time he got close. Eventually he just picked her up anyway, held her 
at arms length while she squirmed like a snake, and then dunked her 
in the pool while Kimberly rubbed the cleaning salts through the back 
of her fur. She spent the entire time squeaking or coughing when 
water got down her throat.

Of course, once she was clean, she joined her brothers and sister in 
frolicking as if the baths were the most amazing place in all the 
world. Exasperated parents just looked at each other and then turned 
to their own cleaning needs while keeping an eye on their children.

They were not alone in the baths. The hot, humid air was so thick 
that it overwhelmed all but the strongest of musk, but none of the 
patrons that day smelled so potently as to be noticeable. The baths 
were always popular, but more so on a day just after a heavy rain. Of 
the many others who came into the baths, he only recognized a few, 
but one in particular caught his eye. There was no mistaking the 
hulking green-scaled, red-robed form of the Steward of Metamor, 
Thalberg himself. But Charles had never seen the other alligator, 
this one clearly a woman by her dress, that accompanied him. Nor had 
he ever heard the Steward speak as gently as he heard him speak to 
the other alligator.

"That's Miriam," Kimberly told him when he asked. "She's one of the 
refugees from Bradanes. Bernadette says Thalberg has been spending a 
lot of time with her lately."

"No I didun," their elder daughter piped up from behind them.

Kimberly laughed and wrapped one arm around little Bernadette's 
shoulder. "Oh, I wasn't talking about you my little treasure."

The two alligators moved off into the deep end of the pool where they 
were completely obscured by the steam rising from the water's 
surface, and despite spending nearly another quarter of an hour there 
making sure that all of his children were clean, and then another 
fifteen minutes drying themselves, he never saw a single green scale 
emerge from that cloud again.

They returned to the Long Hall and their quarters within in order 
both to pack all of their things for the trip back to the Glen, and 
also to attire themselves properly for Liturgy. As the first Sunday 
Liturgy after the quarantine was lifted, the entire cathedral was 
filled from altar rail to vestibule. Despite this, they were able to 
find a place to stand and kneel without any difficultly thanks to 
their small stature. Not so the strange three-horned dragon-like 
Keeper that ended up standing in an alcove and poking his large head 
out around the corner, or several of the other Keepers that had been 
cursed with large bodies.

Father Hough was assisted at the altar by all six of his seminarians 
and he spared no element of the ceremony, filling the air with 
incense, and echoing it with bells. Though it was still the season of 
Penance, Father gave a homily full of optimism and counsel to 
remember that there would be good times and there would be bad. His 
words were eloquent and impassioned and all of Charles's children 
were rapt and did not fidget, at least until they had to kneel during 
the Eucharistic prayers.

But when the Liturgy finally came to a close, Charles and his family 
gathered their things, said one final farewell to Misha, Caroline, 
and the other Longs, before heading out to the second gate where 
Julian waited with one of his sleigh-carriages. Garigan was already 
there, as were Murikeer and Kozaithy. By the time they had finished 
putting all of their things inside the wagon, Sir Saulius arrived 
riding Armivest and leading Malicon behind him. Charles thanked all 
of his friends, mounted his pony, and together they set off from Metamor.

The day was moderately warm, with wind from the south blowing briskly 
and carrying distant scents of sea and Spring. The sky was still 
cloudy, but it began to break up after an hour into their ride and 
once past Tarrelton on the northwestern road that lead to the Glen. 
Charles and Saulius flanked thew wagon and spent their time chatting 
idly with their friends, and watching the children play in the middle 
of the wagon. His eldest boy Charles had found some leftover hay from 
a previous trip and had stuck it in his headfur like a laurel crown 
and was trying to portray an imagined King Pelain who had slain all 
of Cheskych's enemies and now ruled a city ready to go fight some 
more enemies. Little Erick once again though he should be Pelain and 
the two were squabbling good-naturedly. It eventually deteriorated 
into wrestling and scampering about while their sisters played with 
the little dolls that Kimberly had fashioned for them.

His ears perked when he heard his student grump and rattle his claws 
against the side of the wagon, "I don't know how you could have 
traveled for so long with such a disreputable fellow as that Dream 
Serpent, Malger, Moranasi, Archduke of Sluthouse, or whatever it is 
he is." Charles encouraged Malicon to trot a couple of extra steps 
ahead to bring him in line to where Murikeer and Garigan were 
speaking. The ferret's black-masked face was twisted into a rictus of disgust.

Murikeer hissed angrily at the ferret and narrowed his one good eye. 
"Do not speak of my friend in such terms! You do not know him at all."

"I have been accosted by his Sensates several times since I came to 
Metamor. Any many who would sponsor such... filth..."

"Garigan, please," Charles said, while lifting one paw. "Murikeer 
himself was also so accosted if I am not mistaken. If he could 
journey with Malger, a tale I've only heard portions of, then there 
must be many depths to the new Archduke of Sutthaivasse. He helped 
save the lives of myself and my friends when we were trapped at 
Marzac. I will not have you speak so ill of him either."

Garigan blinked in surprise, and then let the revulsion flee from him 
body. He bent over double in a way that only a ferret or their kind 
could, and let out a heavy sigh. "Forgive my foul words, Murikeer. I 
have never met Malger Sutt, and I should never have spoken evil of a 
man I do not know."

"Very rightly," Murikeer agreed, his hackles still raised. "At your 
age you should know better than to speak as foolishly as a child."

Garigan flinched but did not lift his eyes. Charles reached over, 
tightening his grip with his legs on Malicon's back, and gently laid 
a paw on the ferret's shoulder. "Spend a little time in meditation, 
Garigan. Calm yourself, and do not hold what the Sensates did to you 
against Malger."

Garigan nodded, and put his paws over his face as he bent over, 
lowering himself into a kneeling posture, and turning away from both 
of them. Murikeer sighed and shook his head, turning to look at the 
rat. "He is not like them... the Sensates. He bears his own pains, 
aye, but he heals the pains of others. He cares deeply for those 
close to him, even will not hesitate to avenge a loved one or to 
reach out a hand to help another stand. And he will tell those 
Sensates to leave his friends alone."

"They have never bothered me," Charles admitted as he slipped back to 
a firmer perch atop his steed, one paw running through the roan's 
mane. "I spent a bit of time with him while we were coming back from 
Marzac to Sutthaivasse. He went to great lengths to make sure that we 
would be safe and well treated." He gestured at the rat-head buckle 
at his waist. "It's because of him that I have this delightful 
ornament. But he did not speak much of himself or of his journeys. 
Nor how he knew you to begin with, Muri. Kayla says that you became 
friends very soon after you arrived at Metamor."

"We met at Glen Avery actually," Murikeer replied, the skunk's 
demeanor settling into a friendly calm again. "We had Llyn in common 
at the time." He lifted one paw to the leather patch over his ruined 
eye socket, and then lowered it again, casting a quick glance with 
his one eye at the white-furred skunk sitting next to Kimberly and 
chatting amiably about the children. "He loved her too, even if his 
heart was always meant for another. That brought us together and 
helped see us through our differences. They in turn helped us survive 
in Sathmore; his music, my magic, and Elvmere's singing saw us 
through many a town and Inn on our journey.

"Elvmere?" Charles asked.

"An acolyte in the temple," Murikeer replied in haste, "He was 
Malger's apprentice on our journey. He didn't approve of the Sensates 
either. But Malger understands and I think he is trying to restrain 
some of their behavior. I do wonder how that will proceed now that 
his noble heritage has been unmasked."

"Aye, that will be interesting, as long as it is good for Metamor." 
Charles's whiskers drooped in thought as some elusive snatch of 
memory continued to dodge his tongue. The wagon rolled over a small 
stone in the road, bumping everyone inside, and alone of them only 
Garigan didn't move. The rat noted his student's fervent 
contemplation, and then that memory fell beneath his claws. His pupil 
had called Malger a Moranasi.

"One thing I am curious about," Charles said in as amicable a voice 
as he could, "Magler does not seem to be interested in hiding his 
allegiance to Nocturna. I know you are a faithful and devout 
Lothanasi. I thought Moranasi the enemies of all Lothanasi."

Murikeer nodded at first, but then shook his head. "Followers of 
Baal, Lilith, Agemnos, Suspira, or Revonos are certainly evil and are 
our enemies. Yours as well as mine. But Nocturna is not like them, 
nor is Malger's devotion to her anytihng more than his own personal 
connection. And by it, as I could hardly believe, that he uses to 
bring healing to others; even to me."

Charles blinked in surprise, seeing the sudden introspection and 
specter of pain fill the skunk's eye. When nothing more was said, the 
rat leaned in closer and asked, "What happened?"

"Llyn died at the hands of my own student, one who had given into 
evil ways and powers. I blamed myself for a time, at least until 
Magler brought her to me in my dreams."

"He made you dream about her?"

"Not dream about her. It was her, come to visit me. I... I do not 
know if I have ever said this to another, and I'm surprised I say it 
to you, Charles. But there it is. I don't know how, but it was what I 
needed in order to forgive myself."

Charles's heart beat faster as he imagined the bereaved skunk having 
one last chance to be with the woman he'd loved and who had been 
cruelly snatched from him. That thought dancing back and forth in his 
breast, he nodded glumly and turned their conversation to more pleasant topics.

----------

The rest of the journey to Glen Avery passed without incident. Not an 
hour later, Garigan put his meditations behind him and he and 
Murikeer engaged in friendly conversation again, while Charles and 
Saulius spent a bit more time watching the woods on either side for 
signs of bandits and Lutins. But they saw nothing other than a few 
hunters out catching small game, a couple of merchants from the Glen 
and Hareford, and Metamor soldiers keeping watch over the road.

The day was drawing to a close by the time they reached the Glen. 
Charles's children had grown weary of the journey and spent most of 
the last hour wondering if they had finally arrived, to which both 
mother and father assured them that they had not but that they would 
soon, sooner if they did not speak or squeak. This admonition worked 
for a few minutes at a time but no more.

They were met first by the incorrigible Marcus who was especially 
delighted to see Garigan again, but who also jumped into the middle 
of the wagon and play-wrestled with all four of the little rats at 
once. Angus and James followed in short order, and together they 
escorted Julian's wagon into the Glen commons where they were met by 
Lord Avery and his two boys. Charles and Kimberly both breathed sighs 
of relief to be in their woodland home again, while Garigan bounded 
out of the wagon to bow in gratitude to Lord Avery and his family. 
"Forgive the lateness of my return, your lordship. I was unexpectedly delayed."

Lord Avery laughed and dragged the ferret to his feet and then 
wrapped an arm around his shoulder. "Were glad to have you back, my 
friend. Now none of this `lordship' either. Don't tell me the court 
at Metamor has corrupted you too!"

He did not wait for Garigan to answer before turning to the rest of 
the Metamorians climbing out of the wagon. Marcus jumped down from 
the lip with the two boys under his arms. They spread all of their 
limbs like they were flying. Kimberly rushed over and brained the 
pine marten on the top of his head before rescuing her children from 
the adventurous scout.

"Master Murikeer! Charles. It is so good to see you both again, and 
your families. And such a relief to see them safe." The squirrel lord 
clasped the skunk's paw and waved to the mounted rat, and then he 
bowed lightly to each of the women. "And we are honored to have you 
amongst us as well, Kozaithy, Lady Kimberly. We have saved some of 
the feasting from the Equinox festival for you, including some of 
Lars's Caribou." A hard stare from his wife made him temper his 
enthusiasm. "But that can wait. Doubtless you are all tired from your 
journey. Darien, Christopher! Be good strong lads and help them with 
their things."

"There's no need for that," Murikeer assured him with a faint laugh. 
"We have little enough, no need to trouble your sons."

Lord Avery looked at his two boys, both only a head shorter than he 
now, with long, bushy tails twitching as feverishly as hummingbirds. 
They both scrambled over to the wagon in their eagerness to be the 
first to take one of the parcels brought by the Matthias family. "Oh, 
it is good for them, Master Khunnas. Best they learn to serve others 
now while they are young than later when that is what their station demands."

Murikeer blinked and then smiled. "How very wise. Then they can take 
this and be the better for it." He slipped his knapsack over his 
shoulders into Darien's waiting paws, while keeping the heavier 
traveling pack on his back. The young squirrel stared with big black 
eyes at his prize and then wrapped it around his shoulders, the pack 
bouncing off his hips as he returned to the wagon to fetch something else.

"Oh," Kimberly sighed in delight as she stretched her toes into the 
muddy loam. "It is so good to be home." She turned to James who had 
picked up the lady rat's trunk and hoisted it onto his shoulders. 
"And where is your Baerle?"

James's lowered his ears in an obvious blush. "Cleaning your home 
from dust, milady. We wanted it to be ready for when you came home."

"It won't stay very clean with all this mud."

"We have a washbasin by the door to clean your feet." James smiled at 
the edge of his supple lips. "It doesn't seem right for you to return 
home to muddy paws either."

Kimberly patted the donkey on the cheek and then called to her 
children, who had gone scampering off around the trees as soon as 
they were off the wagon. Charles dismounted and laughed. Malicon 
nipped at his right shoulder as he passed and he patted the roan's 
cheek with one paw before taking the reins and guiding him past the 
wagon. "Thank you for coming out to meet us, milord. You didn't have 
to do that."

"Of course I did," Lord Avery replied with warmth as he grasped the 
rat's left shoulder, digging into the leather tabard with his sharp 
claws before letting him go. "After all that has happened, of course I did."

Charles smiled, feeling his heart lift at those words. "Now maybe we 
can have some peace and joy here at home too."

"I hope so," the squirrel replied, before turning to the still 
mounted Sir Saulius and saying, "And welcome back to you, Sir 
Saulius. Walter wanted me to let you know that it is ready."

"'Tis good news; thank thee milord!" He swung down from Armivest's 
back and lead the pony forward, pointing him toward the stables at 
the rear of the Matthias home. "I must tend to my steed now, but I 
wilt come see thee this evening to continue our discussion from earlier."

"I look forward to it, sir knight!"

Sir Saulus brought Armivest around between them and waved to Charles. 
"Come, squire. Let us tend to our steeds and then you can have your 
paws washed!"

Charles laughed, waved once to Kimberly who was hustling the children 
in the direction of their home, to Murikeer and Kozaithy who were 
trying to direct the Avery boys as to which parcels belonged to them 
and which to the Matthias family, and then to Julian who remained 
atop the wagon with a bright beam in his eyes as he watched his 
friends rejoice at their homecoming. Together with his knight, he led 
his pony to the stables, their paws squelching through the mud with 
each step. Yet through the air he could smell the scent tang of pine 
and birch, and even a hint of a fresh baked pie cooling in a nearby 
window. It was very good indeed to be home.

----------

May He bless you and keep you in His grace and love,

Charles Matthias


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