[Mkguild] Inchoate Carillon, Inconstant Cuckold (2 of ?)

[C. Matthias]

And here's Part 2.

Inchoate Carillion, Inconstant Cuckold
By Charles Matthias



March 2, 708 CR


It was only a day after the Bishop had left and 
already the air warmed with expectant Spring. 
Rickkter was grateful for it as it gave him an 
opportunity to stretch his legs and weary muscles 
with a good long walk around Metamor and 
Keeptowne early in the morning before the bustle 
of the city crowded the streets with millions of 
cries, concerns, and consternations. Which made 
it all the more easy to enjoy the crisp but not 
unpleasant air and the woman at his side whose 
musk gave it a sharp and unmistakable tang.

Rickkter nuzzled the top of Kayla’s head and she 
leaned into him. “It is good to be able to do 
this again,” he mused wistfully. “Seems like forever.”

“Just nine months,” she replied with a faint 
laugh. “At least you’ve healed completely.”

“Took long enough,” he muttered, but laughed a 
moment later. “No thanks to you!”

Kayla gave his chest a little shove and tried to 
laugh, but the memory of the evil dragon inside 
her mind was still very frightening. She couldn’t 
help but think of her friends who each might face 
a similar corruption. Things had been so quiet in 
the three weeks since that at times it was hard 
even to remember that there was danger still to 
be confronted. Life at Metamor was peaceful for 
once, and with Duke Thomas married, the 
excitement and good cheer was infectious. It took effort to fret.

“But you’re better now, and we’re together,” 
Kayla added. “Sometimes it feels like nothing’s changed, but I know it has.”

“Well, you are working for the bat again,” the 
raccoon pointed out. “You’re falling back into 
your old routines and seeing familiar things. It can’t be helped.”

The skunk nodded, long tail curling behind 
Rickkter as they passed by a handful of merchants 
arranging their wares in the market square. They 
followed the wide stone road toward the castle 
now, its tall towers still dark in the early 
morning hours. The topmost reaches shone 
brilliantly, a testament of the sun’s imminent 
rise over the mountains. Narrow wisps of clouds 
drifted north so high in the sky their undersides were bathed in gold.

Walking toward them through the marketplace from 
the direction of the Keep were three figures 
equally remarkable in their appearance. The most 
obvious was the white gryphon whose golden and 
black eyes arrested all who dared to meet them. 
His wings folded against his back and around his 
chest and sides a harness of tough leather and 
hide was attached. A saddle of some sort nestled 
between his wings and against the feathery mane between neck and shoulders.

Next to the gryphon was a small man with ruddy 
cheeks, long arms, and a dark mop of hair on his 
head over small almost curdled ears. He rested 
one hand on the gryphon’s right shoulder 
unafraid. He dressed in heavy woolen jerkin, 
trousers, and buskins, all lined with fur. He 
carried a small pack on his back with a pair of 
ice picks holstered on his belt.

On the opposite side of the gryphon was a tall 
creature dressed very lightly in silken blues and 
greens that did little to provide warmth. Long 
black hair was held back in a tight braid and 
pointed ears framed it ever so gently. Behind 
these emerged the exquisite ivory handle of his 
sword, and before them were high angular cheeks, 
tinged with grey, that were only the last touches 
to show this was no man. Nevertheless, in the way 
he walked, dressed, and appeared, his was the 
acme of grace and strength. The reed that bends but does not break.

Kayla almost jumped from Rickkter’s arms when she 
saw them. “Good morning! I’ve barely seen any of 
you this last week! Where have you been?” She 
hugged both Binoq and Åelf, but the Nauh-kaee she only smiled toward.

Guernef settled on his haunches and turned his 
black beak eastward. “We have been preparing provisions.”

“Provisions?” Rickkter asked as he walked in behind the excited skunk.

“For our journey back to the mountains,” Abafouq 
replied with a diffident moue. “And Andares’s return to the woods.”

Kayla’s face fell and she looked from one to the 
other for some denial. They’d only just arrived 
in Metamor! She told them that too.

Andares sighed and shook his head. “This is not 
our home, but yours. This day had to come. We 
shall each return to our homelands. If matters 
are well, we may each visit again. I dearly hope 
that it will be so. Any journey through the lands 
of man is one I welcome. More so one that will 
return me to this land and to my friends.”

“But why so soon?”

“There are affairs of our own that need tending 
to,” Abafouq admitted with some displeasure. “It 
has been almost a year since we left our home, 
our cave in the mountains and I know that Guernef 
at least is needed amongst his people.”

Kayla could hear the reluctance in the Binoq’s 
voice and looked at him firmly. “But what of you? 
Surely you do not need to go back to that place? 
You are well loved here by your friends.”

Abafouq nodded, keenly aware of the Nauh-kaee’s 
intent gaze which captured him whole within a 
single pupil. “I am, and I have found a few 
pursuits to tend my time. Jessica’s friends did 
need quite a few pyrocks for instance! But I know 
I cannot stay just yet. As hard as it may be, and 
I am thinking it will be very hard indeed, I must 
at least see whether I can return to Qorfuu and 
redeem my name. If I cannot...” He swallowed 
heavily and then tried again, “If I cannot, then 
if Guernef permits, I would like to return here.”

“Permits?” Rickkter asked in confusion. “I 
thought you were friends, not master and slave!”

“It is not as you say, master and slave. Rather, 
it is more complicated. Friends we are, and 
friends I hope we will always be. But when I was 
dying, he saved my life and took me in from the 
cold. For that I owe him my life, whatever is 
remaining. I will not, cannot leave him unless he bids me.”

Rickkter frowned but nodded slowly. “I have heard 
of a life debt being forever, but it is rare. 
Still, I think I understand.” He turned his gaze 
on Guernef, and though he glared in strong 
disapproval, the Nauh-kaee did not regard him any 
differently than before. “You ought to let him return if that is his choice.”

“His path may take him not to the earth,” Guernef 
replied with a sharp click. “Of that we shall see.”

Kayla wasn’t sure what the Nauh-kaee was 
suggesting but it unsettled her faintly. She 
thought for a moment to mention it but a soft 
assurance that all would be well stilled her 
concern. Instead she asked, “Where have you 
gathered your provisions? I see nothing on you.”

“In the foothills of the mountains,” Abafouq 
replied. “There we have built a cache and after 
we have given all our companions our farewells we 
shall return to them and begin our journey into 
the mountains. Apart from Andares.”

“I will journey to the south by the roads of 
men,” he said with a bittersweet smile. “There 
are a few others I know along the way with whom I 
greatly desire to speak.” His golden eyes were 
far away for a moment, then returned full and 
warm. “If I never come this way again, I am 
honoured to have met, fought, suffered, and bled 
with you. Your names will ever be sung in my city 
with the greatest of reverence.”

Kayla’s long tail curled about her legs and she 
felt the heat of a blush fill her. “Oh, I don’t know if I’ve earned all that.”

“I’d take it,” Rickkter added with a slight 
smile. “Having the fair folk offer you anything 
other than a mystery is a rare delicacy. Savour it and every moment of it!”

Andares turned to the raccoon and the corners of 
his lips turned upward. “You have a very peculiar 
way with words, Master Rickkter. Ill chance that 
we should not have more occasions to test your rhetorical regimen.”

“Alliteration is one of my least favoured 
gambits,” he replied with a half yawn, long 
tongue curling at the end of his snout. “It often 
pairs words of rampant dissimilitude in the hopes 
that the audience understands neither but marvels 
at the orator’s feigned eloquence.” He frowned 
suddenly and dashed one paw on his breeches. “And 
damn if I know how you do this to me. Every time 
I see you I want to speak like a fool. I’m 
direct, Andares. What is it about you Åelf that 
shroud even our tongues in mystery!”

Andares laughed brightly and set a pearly hand 
upon the ruffled Keeper’s shoulder. “No matter, 
that was a delicious rejoinder. But I fear we 
cannot tarry long. We have many to wish farewell 
to and an entire valley to scour for them before our day is over.”

Rickkter offered him a paw. “Then best of luck on 
your travels. I hope you find the roads open and 
the Inns warm and well-lit. And a few good 
looking wenches.” Kayla elbowed him in the side. 
“Ooof! Okay, a lot of good looking wenches.” And 
for that he received a firm yank on his tail. 
“Yow! You know that actually hurts!”

Even Guernef’s beastly manner appeared to lighten 
in mirth as both Abafouq and Andares laughed. 
Kayla gave her lover a kiss on the nose, and then 
turned to Andares and offered him a firm hug. 
“Our love go to your people! Please be safe!”

“And my love and honour go to you and your 
intended.” He eyed Rickkter meaningfully but the 
raccoon said nothing. He then stepped back out of 
the way as Kayla moved to Guernef.

She smiled to the Nauh-kaee and wrapped her arms 
bout his broad neck, nuzzling her snout close to 
one of his eyes. “Fly safely, Guernef! I don’t 
always understand you, but you’ve been a tireless 
and faithful companion and friend. Thank you!”

Guernef lifted his foreleg and placed the talons 
ever so gently on her back. He opened his beak 
the width of her hand and said in a quiet chirp, 
“As have you. May you both be very happy 
together.” It was, Kayla considered much later, 
the most human thing she’d ever heard him say.

At last she came to the Binoq who waited almost 
like a child for his mother. He looked up into 
her face and had to dry a tear. “Oh I’ll miss 
you, Abafouq!” She said, bending down and 
wrapping her arms about his neck. He held her in 
turn and sighed, snuffling a bit in his nose.

“And I will you. You’ve been the truest friends I 
have ever known.” He tried to say more but 
couldn’t. For several long seconds they held each other wordless.

When Kayla finally stood, she wiped one of her 
eyes and swept the trio once last time. “Where will you go next?”

“For now we seek the beginning of this convent 
and Tugal who resides within. She too was part of 
our company, if only for a day. To her we shall 
provide our farewells, and then to Glen Avery.”

“I heard Charles went south to watch over the Bishop.”

“But James did not,” Abafouq managed. “We will 
meet Charles on our way south; he will be last I 
am thinking.” He swallowed and straightened his 
jacket. “Farewell, Kayla. Continue your studies. 
I will, if nothing else, write.”

They said goodbye one last time, and then Kayla 
and Rickkter stood aside to let them pass through 
the market. And they stood there for some time 
even after the conspicuous silhouettes 
disappeared about a bend in the road. A cool 
vapour curled about them and Rickkter shivered, 
finally finding the strength to turn back to the 
castle. “Well,” he said as he noted the glimmer 
of sun along the length of each tower, “it isn’t 
going to be quite the same without them.”

“No, it won’t,” Kayla agreed in a faint whisper.

Rickkter stretched and then wrapped his arm about 
her shoulders, drawing him in close to resume 
their walk. “Now where were we? Ah, yes! Talking 
about falling into old routines. Here’s one I 
would like to start again: breaking fast 
together! The Twin Hearth isn’t far, and I’m told 
they have some of the best omelets in all of the 
valley. Would you care for some?”

Kayla nodded, smiling some, but head and eyes 
ever looking behind her where her friends had 
disappeared into golden-dappled streets and homes of Metamor.

----------

“Now put everything into your heart. Everything. 
Anger, joy, all of it. Do you have it in there?”

“Aye, Dada.”

“Good. Now imagine that your heart is inside a 
hand. You can make it your paw. Just place your 
heart inside that paw. Do you see all your little 
fingers there curling around your heart? Claws, 
fingers, and inside of them a bright red heart all filled with your feelings?”

“I put it there, Dada.”

“Now place a mark on your paw, son. Put a mark on 
your paw. You choose whatever you want to put there.”

“Can I put a sword?”

“Oh, oh, yes, put a sword on your hand, son. 
That’s wonderful. Do you have it there?”

“Uh huh!”

“Good! Now open your paw and release everything in your heart.”

Charles gazed at his son Ladero, the black fur of 
his face like a hood over his shoulders scrunched 
in concentration relaxing into a very familiar 
contentment. His large dark eyes opened and he 
peered with eager delight into his father’s face. 
“The anger’s gone, Dada! You made it go away!”

Charles reached forward and tapped his son’s pink 
nose and made his prodigious whiskers tremble. 
“No, you did, son. I just told you how. You can 
always do this when you’re feeling upset or 
grumpy.” He felt his own heart swell with 
delight. Ladero was still so young but already learning many techniques.

“Now,” he continued with a firm but gentle 
instruction, “you’re going to practice focussing 
your strength again. Remember, it all comes from 
within.” He handed his son a shaft of bountifruit 
wood. “This wood is too strong for Whales to use 
in building her ships. It won’t give the way it 
needs to. It cannot be broken with your muscles. But you can break it still.”

“How Dada?” Ladero asked, his eyes showing no 
confusion, only an abyss of learning.

“You must draw out the strength from within 
yourself.” Charles crossed over and sat next to 
his son, their tails laying flat behind them 
together. “It is within you. Reach from your 
heart to the wood. Now grip it in both paws. 
There at the ends. Yes, just like that. Now, 
reach out and snap the wood like a twig.”

Ladero pulled the ends of the wood toward each 
other, and for a moment nothing happened. Then it snapped with a wicked report.

----------

Charles snapped his eyes open. He lay on a bale 
of hay with his blanket for warmth. The rich 
scent of horse, cow, goat and sheep filled the 
air. He wrinkled his nose and felt a vast 
emptiness. He closed his eyes tight and cursed 
the day. His dreams lately had been so full of 
joy, a joy that vanished with the crashing of dawn’s searing reality.

His boy was dead; his Sondecki child had been 
torn to pieces inside the Sondtodt. A brutal 
malady that led the force of the Sondeck to turn 
against the bearer’s flesh. That force, able to 
shatter brick and wood, to bend metal, and to 
crack stone, that force that let their bodies 
move so quickly that the eye could not hope to 
follow, turned into the most vicious beast when 
unleashed against unskilled flesh. It had 
literally ripped his son’s sinews apart from the inside.

Charles had seen victims of Sondtodt in his 
youth. All of them received the aid of the 
healers amongst the Sondeckis and very few ever 
died of it. But the pain, the excruciating pain 
often left them bedridden invalids for years even 
after they were cured and their Sondeck repaired. 
He would have sat with his son for however long 
it took for him to recover enough to walk again. 
He would have lifted Ladero from the bed and 
exercised his muscles for him until he could use 
them for himself again. He would have risked 
losing all he had in Metamor to have Ladero still with him.

But that traitorous Artela had sent him away. And 
Velena had betrayed him too. He’d trusted them to 
heal his stony flesh, but his own son they would not aid.

“Well damn them,” he muttered angrily.

He sat up slowly and the blanket fell from his 
bare chest. Dawn had just arrived and he could 
see light trickling through the cracks in the 
hayloft wall. It took the rat a moment to 
remember where he was. After watching Bishop 
Tyrion’s carriage depart beyond the boundary of 
the Curse, they’d opted to journey east to Jetta 
which was only an hour away and there spend the 
night. It would be a long day’s ride to return to 
the Glen, but Charles had every intent on making it.

Charles rolled over and glanced down at the 
horses stabled. The roan pony Malicon snorted and 
looked up at him. He stomped one hoof and nudged 
the feeding trough. Charles felt his heart 
lighten some. “All right. I’ll be down in moments.”

He knelt down on his blankets, stroked one paw 
over the vine growing across his chest and back, 
and savoured the way the growing leaves trembled 
in delight at his touch. Kimberly didn’t like to 
see it but she understood how much of a companion 
this vine was to him. It was not as large yet as 
it had once been, but with Spring almost here he 
was certain it would quickly become too big for 
him to shelter in his flesh anymore. He cupped 
one paw around a slender bud and brought it to 
his snout for the briefest of kisses. Then he 
pulled a tunic from his knapsack and slipped it 
over his large head. He left the lacings in the 
front undone. The vine curled ever more closely against his hide.

Neither Saulius nor Egland or his squire had 
opted to sleep in the barn. They all took the 
offer of the farmhouse they’d slept in a few 
nights before. Strangely restless, Charles said 
he wished to stay close to his pony, a suggestion 
that delighted Saulius’s heart no doubt. In truth 
he’d wanted privacy which he’d not been able to 
have in longer than he knew. A night alone to 
think, to pray, to contemplate, to consider.

Instead, he’d fallen asleep halfway through his 
meditations on the sleeping pile he’d prepared. 
That he’d even had the presence of mind to draw 
the blanket over his shoulders was an impressive feat.

Charles climbed down and poured some feed into 
the trough outside both Malicon and Armivest’s 
stalls. The ponies nudged him thankfully with 
their heads and then started eating. The rat 
smiled at them both, stroking their manes for a 
few minutes before returning to gather his 
things. He had his saddlebags packed and ready 
when the barn door opened and Sir Saulius entered 
followed by the young farmhands ready to take the 
cattle out to pasture. The rat knight smiled at him and then shook his head.

“I fear that we shalt not be returning north this 
day.” He spoke with real regret in his voice, but 
a firmness too as a master should have with a 
pupil. Charles flinched beneath it.

“Why ever not? The Bishop’s gone and our duty is finished.”

“A messenger didst come last night with orders 
from George. We hath been tasked to aid with the 
local patrols for the next two days. Today here 
in Jetta, tomorrow further north along the river to Lorland.”

Charles had to let go of Malicon’s ear lest he 
pull it and hurt the innocent animal. “I was 
going to ride back to the Glen today! I promised 
Kimberly and the children I’d see them this evening!”

Saulius nodded and sighed, eyes lowered, almost 
ashamed for the news. “I know. I didst raise this 
objection with the messenger, but the orders 
didst come from George. We dare not disobey them.”

Charles sneered and nearly beat his fist against 
the stall door. “Whatever happened to Misha’s 
vaunted promise to let me spend time with my family! Hah!”

Saulius lowered his eyes and added in a quieter 
voice. “I dost not believe that thy friend Misha ordered this.”

“I don’t owe that jackal anything,” Charles said, 
turning to Malicon. “He can throw me in the 
dungeon if he likes. I’m going to my family.”

“Charles!” Saulius snapped. “Control thyself! Thou art speaking madness.”

“Don’t you speak to me that way!”

Saulius stood taller, eyes firm and unyielding. 
“I shalt correct my friends when they dost speak 
madness! Thou art a better rat than this, Charles!”

Charles paused and then took a long deep breath. 
What had he been teaching Ladero in his dreams? 
Relief from the anger. So why was he now so 
angry? He should know better. Saulius had never 
before spoken to him so harshly. Two days more 
doing his duty to Metamor was not that much to ask of him.

He pictured his heart and tried to pour 
everything in, but there was just so much he gave 
up and let out a long sigh. “Very well, Erick. 
You’re right. I’m being stubborn and stupid. What are we to do today?”

Saulius let go his breath and smiled, stepping 
closer to Charles and gently putting one paw on 
his shoulder to guide him away from the stalls. 
“First, we shalt break our fast together. Then, 
after the horses hath been readied, patrol the 
countryside; we’ll sleep here again tonight and 
then journey along the river tomorrow to Lorland.”

“And then I can return to the Glen?”

Saulius gripped his shoulder tighter, the two 
rats close together, their scents subtle but 
present. He leaned closer until their whiskers 
were nearly brushing. “I wilt go with thee in the 
early morn before anymore messages from George can detain thee.”

Charles smiled and, a warmth tantalizing his 
heart. “Thank you, Erick. Sir Saulius.” Together, 
the two left the barn and headed for the farmhouse where a warm meal waited.

----------

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

Charles Matthias


!DSPAM:4e63f04d31871804284693!
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.integral.org/archives/mkguild/attachments/20110904/d320ad35/attachment-0001.html>