A New Pathway

[Dame Aegraine lePower-Zurban]

A New Pathway Spring 1333

Ae tries to keep her mind occupied while Dmitrii is away helping Kaelyn.


The days dragged along and Aegraine began to discover she was not ill, after all, in spite of the daily gag when she smelled her breakfast plate. She hoped it was what good luck forbid her to mention. Three years and a half, each month she had waited, counting carefully each time and this was the first time she thought she might have a child. Not speak it, she denied herself even the thought, lest it jinx her. If nothing had changed by the time Dmi came back from Kaelyn’s rescue, she’d tell him and no one else. What if she was wrong?

As far as keeping her thoughts in line, Aegraine kept on her daily routine of reciting her collection of Castle and Fortification plans, mentally. She knew them so well and had done this for so many years, it was not quite enough white noise to fog what she tried not to dwell upon. So, in addition she let her thoughts wander, while sitting in the kitchen waiting for the cook to toast a plain slice of bread, one of the few foods which agreed with her lately.

She watched Grace reach for a new candle to refill their small dining room candle holder and it caught her attention. Inside a large metal box, to keep the tallow from rodents, there was an angled floor, so that only one candle rolled out the slot opening, for use next. When the cook picked up the candle, another rolled into place, ready for use. They were shaped a lot like arrows, rolling along. While the Eagle Tower of Caranarfon Castle flickered in the background of her mind, and the smell of warm toasted bread wafted from the hearth, Aegaine got an idea. Not like the rote patterns she had come to depend on, nothing to do with fantasy or stories, but a real practical idea. “What if a crossbow could be supplied with fresh arrows, like the candle carton, one at a time without reaching for one to re-arm? What if it could be wound so that it fired more than one arrow? A single crossbow archer might do the defense work of five, ten?”

Munching toast at the kitchen hearth, the engineer got a parchment and her pens, and began to sketch what she had in mind. “Perhaps the bow might have to be fired parallel to the ground, with the holder full of arrows off to one side? Does it need a stick to balance the weight, like this? Or how much more would this device weigh?” There were sketches and notes filling eight more parchments, ready to give Dmitrii once he returned home.

Something had changed for Aegraine, not only in her body but in her mind. Today she took her first steps on a new Pathway, one rich and full of the most wonderful times in life.

[Sir Dmitrii Zurban]

Dmitrii and his men rode back to Lake Manor. The Weapons Master dismounted and entered his home. The servants waiting for him at the door, each bowing as he entered… “Aegraine !! Yer husband has returned…” he bellowed loud, and in Russian… his voice echoed off the walls.

Ae dumped the rolls of new invention drawings she had been carrying onto a side table in Dmitrii's weapon work room and ran down the hallway, thin leather shoes making little noise on the tiles. Her dark green hung loose on her, one shoulder slipping off as she ran, long curly hair unbraided, flying back of her. "Dmi !!” Arms wide open, she took a leap into the air, to give her husband a hug, even before she thought about was he injured, even.

She was a figment of true beauty as she made her way down the stairs… usually refined and demure, he smiled as she raced down the stairs toward him and into his arms she lept, and when he caught her into his strong arms, he lifted her from the floor and spun her around.

“Is Katlyn here? How is she? Was there a battle...tell me everything." Her news was set aside as were the weapon plans had been, until she knew what had occurred. "Was anyone injured?" Ae wrapped her arms her around her tall husband and leaned her face on the armor he still wore. "I missed you a little." She joked.

As they settled, he winked at her; then a hand gathered in her dark hair, and drew her to him. It was a kiss that would rank among the best between lovers. He had missed her tremendously and now that he was home, he would make up the time they were absent one from the other.

"How is she? Safe? Where is your sister?" Aegraine had expected to see her sister-in-law present at their home, healthy, without a scratch. Ae slid back to stand on the floor, her boots clicked a hollow empty clatter in the now silent hall. "Kaelyn lives, right?" She had to get rid of her worst fear, no matter what he was going to tell her.

“My sister is recovering in the Infirmary… she was wounded by the smugglers. They appeared to be Spanish. Their ship was sunk by the Griffin Fleet and many were either killed, captured, or fled into hiding. We lost several men, but most shall recover from minor wounds.” The pair would make their way into the manor and spend quality time with one another.

The next few hours were spent in recovery from the past few days; events. Horses were brushed, fed, and stabled. Livery were cleaned and set upon racks, swords were cleaned and resharpened, lances set back into designated racks. The wounded remained in Turas Lan’s Infirmary, and their comrades prayed for their well-being.

Aegraine helped with grooming of the horses and whispered her thanks to Troika, for his part in keeping Dmitrii safe and bringing him back once more.

Dmitrii would smile as he brushed Troika’s flanks as he saw Aegraine linger next to the large black horse’s head; as if she was talking to it. He knew not what she said, but it seemed important to her. Recovery tasks complete, he washed his face and hands and together the pair returned back to the house.

"I was so worried for your sister, Dmi. I feel as if I should have been there, to help the wounded if nothing else." Like any other woman of her station, Ae was good at treating cuts and injuries that came along with a skirmish like this. She sat a platter heaped with scones of her own baking beside Dmitrii's place at their dining table and then went to her seat across the table.

The evening meal, as usual, consisted of the pair, their resident friends, Vanguard commanders, and house staff. Though the people always ate with the pair, their conversation seemed more private than any others, with the occasional anecdote or joke offered between all members. With all the food available, her’s was a special entrée and at that he simply canted his head.

"Dmi? I am sorry I was not able to go with you. I am much better now, now that I know what was making me ill." She bit into the toast, crunching, little nibbles as if it were the most tasty item on a banquet table. "I have an invention for you to look at, a weapon that might work. Can You look over the drawings and tell me if this is workable?"

“M’Lady, tis alright… we had plenty of healers supporting our men…” his hand sought hers and with a slight squeeze, he spoke softly. “I know yu desired to be there, but personally, I prefer yu at home…” It was not to exclude her talents, but the surety of her personal safety. “An invention?” his attention peaked. It had been a long time since her last idea was brought to fruition. The last being the singular rotating brace on the trebuchet that allowed better alignment of the swing for firing accuracy. “I would love to look at the plans…” and he sat back in the chair, his belly full.

"One more thing, Dmi. What name would you choose if we had a son? I should like Rosetta, if it be a girl." After three and a half years, this is how she told him. "None but you know, but I think it looks as if we might have a child coming in about seven months or so." She knew what signs to look for and from all indications, this was it. At last.

As he sat with his arms crossed across his chest, satisfied to just look at her beauty, and listen to her sweet voice. But his subject confused him. They had been married for 3 plus years now, and yet they had been unable to produce a child, despite their intense, and unorthodoxed, schedule of copulation. They were young by modern standards, and middle aged by old standards, but their sex lives was anything but boring. Having tried the most scientific treatments and even the oldest of remedies, still no child filled their future. With a smile… “Rosetta is a beautiful name… and be befitting her Mother…” and he smiled. “For a boy, I have preferred the name “Pyotr… [Peter] the name of my best friend as a youth in Kievan Rus. He was older, and more learned than I and a true swordsman. He is the one that taught me…” and he smiled again. “The only man I have known to use dual swords…”

His thoughts veered to a great man… but suddenly returned to her with a cant of his head. “Aegraine, do you have something to tell me?” And he gave her that wicked lil smirk, the neatly trimmed beard quirking in that most familiar manner.

Once she heard all about the incident with Kae's rescue, there was time to tell him of news at home. "Dmi? You recall what we wanted for ever so long, over three years? I am as sure as I can be, in maybe six months or seven, we will have our child." At this point, she did not care if boy or girl.

Why had she been so hesitant in telling him? Her ramblings a bit concerning. His hand coveted hers with a lsight squeeze at the grand news… he smiled and stood at the table overlooking all the others… “Hear ye…hear ye… I have grand news… my wife, the dearest Lady Aegraine believes she is with child…” and a smile crooked the neatly trimmed beard… And as the crowd began to proclaim huzzahs, and hoorahs… Dmi looked down at her and smile… and she was ablaze with embarrassment. “Stand m’dear… stand…” and when she did, the room broke into the clatter of fists upon tables, and utensils upon mugs… Dmi's hand found her belly and he rubbed it slightly with a wicked smirk... and she got redder.

Soon others would be approaching her, bowing and curtseying, offering praise and well wishes… and the proud father-to-be… he was just taking it all in.

As soon as the din of conversation settled to a mild roar, Dmi scooted closer to her. “My congratulations M’Lady… I am so proud this day…” but the look upon her face spoke a different story.

"The other news is that my father has sent a letter of request to King Adam, to send me to England to be trained hands on for earth moving and large building base construction. He wants me there for about two years. Years, Dmi! I cannot be away from you so long. I do not want our child born in England." Ae could not appeal to her Mother, for Ae was born while out on a field work assignment. "My parents will not understand. They are sending a fill-in replacement at their expense, so to persuade Adam to send me."

Everything she had ever wanted in her life was there, almost here and now. Her parents were back together. She had married Dmi. They were going to have a child at last. Now came the crowing jewel of her career, this learning opportunity in England. In it all, Ae did not mention the new weapon whose sketches sat in the office, forgotten for the moment.

Dmitrii sat back in the chair… his arm extended, refusing to release his wife’s hand. “M’love Aegraine… Your place is here at Lake Manor… we are finally blessed with an opportunity with child… England shall wait… If that is what yu desire… but I do nay wish to hold you back should this important task further your career…” he looks at her with understanding steel-grey eyes. “Child bearing is no easy task…and as I understand, it will take all your strength… I for one shall provide all you require in this time… yu shall lack for nothing…” he smiled, the beard crooking in all the familiar places. “Do nay worry about the King… I am sure he can be persuaded to look elsewhere for the task. He is resourceful to say the least. After the baby comes, you can always resume duties as Royal Engineer...”

Standing, he pulls at her hand. “Come, we shall discuss this in private, where we can think properly…” Then looking to the crowd… “May you all enjoy the food and drink… the Lady and I are retiring so we can privately indulge in the moment…” and that in itself caused the dining table to erupt into applause… and the beloved pair retired to the sanctity of their chambers.

[Sir Dmitrii Zurban]

Once in their quarters, away from the ever present household staff, Ae relaxed enough to wipe off the serious face and smile. It was being in a large family living here in Lake Manor.

"I know what I want to do, for we have waited for so long, I want to just concentrate on being strong and healthy, staying close to home and seeing our child safely into this world." She perched on the end of the bed in his room, swinging her feet in the air, as the furniture was well off the floor. "The women from the estate here tell me their stories about child birth and frankly, it cannot be that bad." Superstition and old wives' tales did not frighten her all that much.

Closing the door to their quarters, he turns to her as she spoke. His sword-wielding hands course against the soft material of her gown. Once she had worn only work clothes… knew not how to cook or bake… and now she wore gowns and often baked… though still having difficulty cooking, the ingredients often too little or too much… but her husband afforded cooks… especially with the large members of the household.

His strong hands gently massaged her arms as he stood before her. “Ae, my love, yu do what yu so desireth… We have waited long enough… I am strong enough to keep our standard of living…” his hand went to her hair and he smiled… that familiar crook of the neatly timed beard offering her peace and security. “I worry about childbirth… each time I think of that day soon to come… I pray to God for a healthy child and its mother.” His hand captured her neck and pulled her forehead to his. “Aegraine… my love, my wife… and soon mother to my child… I love thee more than you know…” the Russian accent ever present… then in a whisper, he repeated it in Russian… capturing the statement in both languages.

"The King will not send me away from you, I trust. Will he?" Her father was adamant that she go to England, for the chance to learn more of what he could teach her from practical building of the new structures. The day's light was turned to dusk and there were fireflies off in the distance along the shore of the lake. The beauty of their home at any season of year was especially lovely in summer.

He glanced up from their intimate moment. “If we must, and if it comes to a grave moment, you can always resign to private practice…” he winks… “But I do nay think the King would ask such of you my dear.” He smiled, attempting to reassure her in her time of need.

On the window seat were scattered pages she had sketched out while Dmi was away, all manner of levers and how to use them to best advantage for the task, each describing where to place the lever in relation to the fulcrum, what force was used. First, second and third class lever drawings had her exacting writing detailing how they worked. Some drew doodles; Ae drew up what was stored in her mind.

Life as she knew it was going to change for Aegraine. Her work for the King and Queen's castle was going to have to be set aside, or even given up, now that a child was coming into their lives. It was about time for Ae to stop repelling over the highest walls and working with the cannon crew. It was not only the child to be, but she was middle-aged for these days and hers had been a young woman's career. The cloud that her claim to fame was over, set heavy on Aegraine, but she did not admit to the truth. She was giving up what she was good at, her career, to go full time into parenthood, something she was never educated to do. "We will be good parents, won't we, Dmi?"

Standing in the room face to face, forehead to forehead, toe to toe… their own intimacy secure from the prying view of others, his baritone voice soft and soothing… “My love… I see in yer eyes, that hesitation has set upon yu… Of course, we shall be very good loving parents… I also know that yu shall miss the walls… the grime and dust… the exciting swinging upon walls high above all…” his hands cupped her head… and he raised her head, his lips finding hers… the tickle of his beard against her soft skin. He kissed her lightly once then twice… “After the baby, we shall explore what yu can do afterwards… Even maybe in only less active leadership role…” he shrugged a bit… then he enveloped her into his arms.

Men often boasted on how they were with their fickle wives during child bearing… and he listened… And he talked to other mothers of the castle, including Queen Beathag… and listened to them. Making up his own mind as how to please Aegraine in her moods… He did not want to make her feel abandoned during the child-bearing months… for she never had forsaken him, even when he knew he should have stayed home.

The touch of her lips, his hands upon her would excite him as it always did… yet despite the rush of excitement within, he restrained. What he wanted to do was remove her gown, lift her gently into strong arms and place her upon the soft bed… and begin to make passionate love to her. And with that thought, he sighed.

Since she was aware, knowledgeable that she was alive, as a tiny child carried about by one parent or the other, Aegraine had control of her mind and body and an even calm but determined demeanor. She always had energy and was in the most a quiet but even tempered person. Changes in her body chemistry were about to run her through the gamut. Already her ankles were puffy enough that she could no longer wear her boots most days. She had to store her work trousers and tight jacket in the clothes press, as they became uncomfortable. Worst of all were the mood swings. This was not Aegraine, at least Ae as Dmitrii knew her.

Experienced in many things, mostly dealing with victory, and staying alive, in battle, Dmitrii thought childbearing was easy…. for a man. But… now he was in a different situation… it was not another man’s wife who was with child… it was his… and he was finding out things were a bit different. With things rapidly becoming different, he began to consult the physicians at the Infirmary, mid-wives, and yes, even the Queen. Who else to tell him the truth than a bold woman, a true friend, and a trusted confident. And upon his slow ride back that morning from the discussion, he had much to think upon.

"Dmi? These months ahead are so long." she sighed, for the time dragged along for them both. "Do we really have to keep so apart now? I do not want to go back to where it was like before we married. How do I know what is safe for the unborn and what is not? I wish I had the type of Mother I might ask. But she is in England, with my Da."

Back to the present, Dmitrii was on his own in dealing with the new Aegraine… and he sat her down upon the soft padded benchseat he had made for her. His calloused hand took hers as she spoke. Those steel-grey eyes sparkled when she spoke of her condition and fears…. His voice soft and genteel… the Russian now understandable to Aegraine. “Da Darogaiya…[yes my dear], three quarters of a year shall appear long… but we shall overcome…”

His head shook… “Nyet… I have spoke with the King and Queen… and I have no responsibilities at present. They will be on dealing with the situation in Sleat and Struan, and afterwards, they shall venture to Lewis-Harris for vacation, then travel abroad a while… General Maahes and the Parliament has control of the city until they return…” he smiled… “Possibly we can go to Lewis-Harris ourselves… as we wanted… things are calmer now, and that is what yu require, is it not?” Pale eyes that could bore a hole in a man’s soul, now were faded and soft, almost an eerie color, but not to Ae… those eyes showed her love undaunted.

So many questions at once… her body was definitely in overdrive… as told by those he consulted. Never to go into battle unaware, Dmi now entered this war of the body a bit more educated. He simply offered her a smile. “Child bearing is said to be difficult… and as Bess said, it makes it all worthwhile…” he squeezed her hand. “We shall do this together… There are sufficient mothers around to provide guidance…” He smiled. “The head physician, in Lady Aislin’s absence, told me that Skye far exceeds other nations in healthy live births now, which outrank stillborns by far…” he smiled and squeezed her hand again attempting to comfort her. Leaning to her he kisses her cheek and whispers… “We shall be fine parents.”

"I used to wonder why people wanted to have children, but now I know." She leaned her head lightly on his shoulder, and continued. "One day we will see our one little walk and run, waving arms and calling out real words. He will be us, our one special time together, that moment - us alive and together for another's lifetime, and on and on, Each descendent thereafter is us, still alive through the ages, still together." Her condition had not improved her moods and this particular one today was stranger than most. The piles of drawings of inventions piled up. The mood odd as they were, were productive in more way than one.

Glancing to the drawing table, that was now in their private chambers… “I see yu have taken to drawing… the child within must be motivating the imagination…” he winked at her.

"I almost forgot, there are plans in your weapons room for a repeating crossbow!" Ae held onto his arm and looked up with a wonderful enthusiastic smile. "There are some details for you to consider and perhaps manufacturing bus to iron out, but this idea hit me like the others, like gifts from the blue." Was it changed body chemistry or her relative inactivity that spurred Ae's imagination? It did not matter. She was no longer going over and over the rote memorizations her Da had insisted she do and this was the result. Her mind bubbled over with ideas.

Dmitrii smiled, the familiar quirks of the corners of his mouth, proving she was surely humorous in her rapid fire thinking. “I see yu are excited m’love… truly…” and then he canted his head… “Repeating crossbow…” as the words finally hit his brain. “Very interesting…” he said, the Russian accent rolling the r’s. “I would love to see the plans…”

"If you notice, the scones I bake are improved. That is because I had the estate wood carver make little cups that are each exactly the same as one handful of flour, a pinch of salt, etc." She was so exacting that it did not translate to cooking, until now. "If the new weapon is workable, if it is worth a try, come and let us go look at the plans now." Ae took Dmitrii by the arm and encouraged him onward to his weapon office. "If it is not practical, I had such fun drawing it up." It was not the product, it was the writing down ideas that had caught fire with Ae.

Again she was jabbering… and the smile reappeared. Snatching a scone off the table as he was pulled by the arm toward the weapons room. “Hmmm, much better than before… not as salty and hard… yu ARE truly getting better…” as he filled his mouth, his words were lost to the scones…a truly better tasting one than the rock-hard salt ones she baked a month or so ago… Of course, he refrained from teasing her about those… at least for the time being… Maybe the phase with child has been better for her than one could ever imagine…

"Did I tell you, Alan sent his second son to work in my stead at the castle; he is older than I am, but we were trained at the same time, so the workers will barely feel the difference. The same whistle signals, the same patterns." There was no mention of her Mother's absence or the fact that her maid Marie had insisted that Ae use a side saddle when going out riding. Both of them hurt Ae's pride but she kept quiet on that front.

As Dmitrii watched Ae unroll the plans, he saw an odd thing… a crossbow, yet very odd. And again she jabbed away…. “Oh, that is grand news… now see, did I nay tell yu not to worry? Alan is a good man…” Dmitrii had met the man only once, but he could sense deep dedication to a job. Not the kind of dedication from furthering himself despite others, but loyalty… to Martin and Aegraine as far as a true mason was concerned.

"We can dance at Lewis-Harris castle like we did before? I have had a letter from the Duchess there and she is going to make sure we will have comfortable accommodations on the ship there." What no one told the young lady was that expecting ladies get far sea-sicker that any other mortal being.

The drawing furled up and Dmi caught the edge and laid it back out… “This weapon looks very capable. I shall have to check with Master Jonathan to see if this is feasible…” and yet again Aegraine shifted the conversation. “A letter from Lewis-Harris eh? It seems that His Grace really wishes to have us visit.” He took his wife by the arm and guided her back to the bedchambers…

In the privacy of their own domain, he sat her down… then knelt down before her. She appeared confused at his insistence… “Aegraine… I know I do not say it enough… but I hope that I show it much more… but I love thee more than yu realize… yu make me proud, oh so very proud. And so yu know… I have permission from the King, for both of us… that whilst he is in Struan… we may go to Stornoway… and enjoy ourselves… He shall be there in 10 days, depending upon how the trial progresses….” He rose a bit to kiss her lips… and offered her a very personal and familiar smile. “Would this make yu happy?”

[Dame Aegraine lePower-Zurban]

Dora and the News

by the writers of Dmitrii , Aegraine and Dora

It was a stable boy who saw the dust eddies on the main road, the one approaching Lake Manor from the direction of Turas Lan. One rider, the lad recognized… and that one in a hurry. Only one thing, if that was a horse, it was going at the wrong speed.

"Good Lord! I forgot about the dogs!" Dora Lynch screeched as she was butted off her mule and onto the ground, the object of two overgrown wolf hounds licking her face. "Beo! Wulf! Enough boys! Let ole Dorie up. I gots businees I am about." She petted both the shaggy heads and dragged herself upright by way of the animal's strong shoulders. "Come, let us get old Mary Dolores into the barn and you boys some water. Tis too hot a day to be out under the sun if there be no need."

The dogs trotted ahead and she got her mule, Mary Dolores, the uncooperative, into the shade at least before continuing to the Zurban home. "Tell the Master and Mistress that Dora come to visit and I brung onions, of course." A gift of onions she might have sold in the market place for cash coins meant that Miz Lynch was about to ask a favor. And in this case, a very big favor, if indeed it was going to be required at all.

Dmitrii and Aegraine had been spending a cherished moment in the privacy of their chambers when the stable boy ran into the house all excited… Meanwhile, the liveryman had ordered the dogs away…. And helped the Mistress Dora to her feet… offering his sincerest apologies…

The excited lad explained to the Chamberlain that Mistress Dora had come to visit but Wulf and Beo scared her mount. The Chamberlain in turn informed the Lord and Lady… who came quickly down the stairs… as quickly as Dmi would allow his pregnant wife.

"Aegraine! Like me child you are!" she ran arms wide open to embrace the young woman. "Ye look so rosy and pretty, what be up with that?" she winked but Ae knew her so well, she knew that the edge of good humor was blunted today. Dorie was about to tell them what she was asking but not before she greeted Dmitrii, for it was from him she was seeking the favor.

Dmitrii bowed slightly at Dora…. “M’Lady… I sincerely apologize for Beo and Wulf… I pray yu were nay harmed…” and he offered her a smile as his hand found his wife’s back.

"Dora! I missed you so! Come, sit and Cook will bring some tea and perhaps you can stay and dine with us?" Aegraine led Dora to a chair and watched with concern as the elder woman perched on the chair seat edge, her hands wound up in a bedraggled hankie, nervously tied and untied in knots as she spoke.

"I gots to tell you dear folks, that I have had me some troubles, these come since me older son Liam run off to Ulster to be in the army, I suppose he be safe, Almighty willing. But it is that I come to give you some papers to hold for me, Aegraine, writings I got done in case me and Clovis died. So Loomis and the farm be not lost. I got Mistress Janice listed to care for Loomis, or to say who will be his parent, when we be gone. The other is that Sir Dmitrii have control who manages the farm until Loomis and Liam be of age, for it tis their home to share, when me and the man are gonners." She gasped and came to the crux of the thing. The request she was going to make to Dmitrii.

Dmitrii listened and made the sign of the cross, and said a silent prayer for the woman. “M’Lady, Nye speak of the future so bleak… If Aegraine and I can help, please speak… I implore yu…” The r’s rolling with the heavy Russian accent. He glanced to Ae who just nodded at Dora in agreement with Dmi’s words.

"We got a body rabid wolf bit at the farm, present time tied up in the barn but slipping fast. Beginning to suffer some, too." It took all her courage but Mistress looked up at Dmitrii with eyes underlined with dark circles of worry and exhaustion. "Might I have the loan of a crossbow, Weapon Master, and the gift of a few arrows? To put a rabid bit poor soul out of misery?"

Nodding… “Lady Dora… I can come and put the sick animal out of his misery… No need you to witness such an act.” Assuming much, though he never dreamed of what would come next.

"What was bitten by a rabid wolf? One of the boy's pet dogs?" Aegraine was sympathetic and put one arm about Dora's skinny little shoulders, the still strong shoulders that has borne up so well under this stress of having a rabid animal to dispose.

"Ain't what, but who. It be me man Clovis. Bit almost six week ago but he had kilt it and buried that wolf off in the forest. I done all that he told me, to keep the family and the farm animals safe; sent all away but meself. Now Clovis can't drink no water anymore and he is gaspin' for air; this is when he told me to get a bow and end his sufferin' as there is naught else to be done." With more grit than even Dorie realized she had, she spoke in steady firm tones to Dmitrii. "Please loan me the crossbow and I will pay your for what arrow I need to use. I cannot stand to see my love suffer no more.”

Dmitrii’s facial features displayed near horror… and his steel-grey eyes seemed to glisten. His hand went immediately to her shoulder, while the other made a quick sign of the cross then took Aegraine’s hand. “By Almighty God, Dora…” he shook his head. “Nay M’Lady… Should worse come to worse… I shall do the task that need be done… nay you… you do not need such misery…” he jumped at the chance to alleviate her pain.

Dora looked at Dmitrii and sighed, her gown was unwashed for some weeks and her hair hung in greasy braids, which she had been too busy to re-do. "He told me that I was to see to his comfort, and to bury him in the woods at the base of the Huggy Oak Tree. I am so tired, Sir. I am accepting to what ever need to be done for me Clovis' relief. Anything. He told me to be brave, but I ain't." the last words she pronounced with a quiver. "I ain't strong, not no more."

“Have yu had the Physician’s look at him… Is there nay anything they can do… Worry not about expenses, I shall cover anything required…” and he squeezed Ae’s hand. “But if the last resort is required… My offer remains…” and he looked down, immediately saying a short prayer for Dora.

"I asked and the local healer come but he never went too close, as Clovis warned him off. Both of them agreed that if after one moon that Clovis did not get the fever and fall ill, then he was not going to get sick at all. And if he was sick with the rabid, there be no cure. I just stood there and looked at him. I thought the last time I kissed him good bye to go to the woods that day was the last time I was ever gonna.." Her voice waivered but Mistress Lynch had no more tears. She was all cried out.

"We had healers and animal healers to ask and every one say that there be no cure for the rabies. That it is like even being already dead. I prayed every day that it be took from him, but facts is facts. He cannot take no more." This time she rolled her dark circled eyes to Aegraine.

"Come in the kitchen, Dora." Ae kept one arm around her former servant and begin to lead her to the hearth, recalling how warm and safe it felt there, there where Dora away went when she needed to comfort herself. "Cook will make us some gruel, eh? Remember how we used to sit by the fire and talk? I would love to hear more about how Loomis and Liam are doing." She whispered as they went through the doorway, "You can trust Dmitrii to do what is needed. We are here for you any time, Dora, you know?"

Yes, Dmitrii was a warrior… and the last to seek a fight… but he was always the first in, and the last out, of a battle…. For it is said, that A True Warrior Seeks Peace Most… He was accustomed to killing… and it would be difficult to kill Clovis… but he could live with it much better than allowing Dora to… He was humane…

Dora was relieved that Dmi was going to do her duty, for although Clovis' body was still there, suffering the tortures of that rabid wolf bite results, it tore her in shreds to watch. Dmitrii's aim would be good and true. And she knew in her heart, Clovis' soul, his sprit was already on the move to where ever his people went when they died.

She thought of him, as she sat watching cook stir the gruel cauldron and cast busy shadows on the walls, she thought of how she met Clovis.

"One day when I was in the forest, gathering up me a load of firewood, for them sellers in Turas Lan market cost too dear for our little budget, eh Aegraine?" Dora sighed. "I seen this man getting all this firewood and him so strong he was pulling the sledge himself, no horse at all. I says 'Good morn to you neighbor." for that is the friendly way, and how I had gotten to talk with folks in this new town. He greeted me with a laugh and asked iffen I was a little bitty bird, as alls the wood I could carry was like a bird getting sticks to make a tiny wee nest. I just laughed. Set me down on a rock and laughed; we laughed and had us good humor from the first words. And a few day later he come to the Weir house with a offer; trade a goodly pile of firewood for a nice hot cooked lunch, and that is how we got acquainted, sittin on your front stump for lunch, Ae. Love snuck up on us and once we knowed it, he asked if I would get handfasted wif him, on a May Day. For one year. Well, it was not so long and since my first marriages went bad before that long, I sayed yes; one year. Well before that year was done, we had got our little boy Loomis, the miracle of our lives and got handfasted for life. "

Aegraine handed Dora a bowl of gruel, a cube of butter in it and a pinch of salt, just like Dora liked it, as the older woman continued to talk. "For life; and his life is most done. A good life, I have had me the best man for the woman I am. The Almighty has give me a gift. Good to the very end."

Dmitrii would leave Dora speaking with Aegraine… her words of finale sent him into the other room… Picking out the truest crossbow he had… he chose several bolts of the best quality.

Meanwhile, in the little barn at Lynch's farm, a once muscular form slumped on the mid of the earthen floor, his arms secured by stout ropes so he did not run amok, and struggled to breathe through a throat that was slowly but surely closing off to the exchange of air. The mad patterns in his fevered mind had no relation to sane human thought. There was nothing but pain and madness left to Clovis. If this was not eternal suffering, why it seemed close enough.

"Now Dora. Let Dmi go see what is going on with your Clovis. Perhaps he is going to be well; maybe the healers have diagnosed him wrong?" Although Ae did know the facts, she was grasping at straws that the once sturdy man, love of Dora's once wretched life might pull through. The air in the kitchen buzzed with heat and humidity, for the day was a scorcher. Aegraine felt her head whirl and then the kitchen went dark, and she could still see the bright colors of vegetables on the counter and the faded out apron Dora wore, but for only a moment. Ae fainted then and there, for the heat, her condition and now poor Dora's plight got to her. She crumpled to the wooden flooring and lay there, oblivious to the world.

Dmitrii dropped the unloaded crossbow and went to Aegraine… The Russian words were alien to Dora, but she could guess what he said by his reactions as he knelt down to her… Cradling her in his arms, he looked to Dora.


"She be expectin', Sir Dmitrii?" Dora got to the floor and began to mop Ae's face and hands with a cloth dipped in cold water from the pitcher nearby. "Tis nothing; I will tend your wife, while you go to see my man. See there? She is coming around already. Her and me have to have a little talk, you know, lady things about youngin's."

“Aye… she is… our first… and we have been trying so long and hard to have a child… she even gave up a chance for higher learning to have the baby…” Dora would be able to sense his concern. Then he gave a silent prayer and was nudged from his comfort zone by the elder lady.

"Yes, please let us know how he is." Ae sat up and clasped the cold cloth to the back of her neck. "If he is agreeable, perhaps we can send a healer from the city?" Dmitrii's wife knew better, but she too wanted to make sure all avenues were checked upon before doing something extreme, like using that crossbow.

Seeing Ae was alright and in capable hands, he reluctantly moved to the crossbow. Picking it and the bag of bolts up, he began attaching the bolts to the carrier on the crossbow. Leaving by the back door of the Manor toward the stables. “Saddle Troika for me… and be hurried in task…” he ordered the liveryman. “Goin’ huntin’ Milord?” the man asked… and Dmitrii sighed… “Of a sorts…”

Moments later, Dmitrii had secured the crossbow to the saddle, mounted and rode out toward Dora and Clovis’ farm… And within the hour, he was dismounting outside their small cottage… From the distance to the barn, he could heard guttural sounds of pain… Taking the crossbow from the saddle, he loaded a bolt… and held the others in his hand. With a deep inhale of air, he walked toward the barn.

Opening the door to the barn, he saw Clovis… upon the earthen floor, wretching in pain… and he looked to Dmitrii holding the bow…

Keeping his eyes on the man, Dmitrii bent to stand upon his knees a distance from Clovis… “God, forgive me for what I must do. Accept the man before you into your loving Grace… he shall be in pain no longer. Guide my arrow true, to prevent anymore suffering unto him… Take care of the man’s soul, as he is a kind and loving man… Take care of his beloved wife, and when her going home is due, accept her into your loving Grace. Blessed be your name… Amen.” He prayed without taking his eyes off the infected man.

Rising, he knelt once again to only one knee… leveling the crossbow, taking careful aim at Clovis… one eye closed, the other focusing on the man’s chest… he took in a deep breath and let it out only partially.

This was the hardest time Dmi ever had at killing a man… and when the man looked at him, they were not the eyes he remembered, but the diseased stare of a man on death’s door. With a deep inhale of breath, he exhaled a bit again… With careful aim, he squeezed the trigger, the slack now void, he squeezed harder… and with a sudden twang, the bolt flew from the bow… its trajectory swift and true…

The bolt buried deep into the man’s chest, right near the heart… and with an animalistic growl of pain, the manimal lurched forward to the ends of the restraints. Dmitrii stood quickly, jumping back, and loaded one more bolt… As the manimal struggled to eliminate the foreign object… Dmitrii aimed, and quickly pulled the trigger with the expertise of a skillful marksman…

With another twang, the manimal lurched again to the ends of his restraints and as his head tilted upward in a loud death scream, the bolt entered his throat dead center of the jaw bones, buring deep into his skull from underneath. With a gurgle, the manimal fell backward… stumbling until he fell. Dmitrii loaded another bolt for safety sake. The manimal twitched and choked… Dmitrii neared the man and fired once more, the bolt ending the suffering of man and beast… The man known as Clovis was dead.

No kill… no death imposed… was harder for Dmitrii to handle… but he knew Clovis was now in peace… in a place no one, or no thing, could ever harm him again. Setting the crossbow down, he disrobed his jacket and began to collect logs for a funeral pyre out past the old oak tree…

Over an hour later, Dmitrii went to the barn, cutting the restraints with his dagger… He dragged Clovis to the pyre. Taking the bolts from the man’s body, wiping the blood off the bolts he shoved them into his jacket, then he lifted the dead weight onto the pyre.

By evening, Dmitrii had watched the pyre flamed high, the diseased body burned into ashes… Again Dmitrii said a prayer for the man’s entry into Heaven. The deed done, and the best burial he could give the diseased body, he mounted his black stallion and rode back to Lake Manor.

Dora waited by the gate and stood her vigil alone, having tried to shoo Aegraine back into the house as night airs were bad for the little unborn one. She wrung her hankie around her hands, hands gnarled with heavy farm work, for that was going to be her lot for life, now her go Clovis was gone.

The black stallion pranced down the road, returning a deed for a friend… a deed forlorn… a deed none desired to perform… The steed prancing was in no sense of the way Dmitrii felt. He had to kill… murder… assassinate… whatever word one would use… to end the life of a friend… a life ever so strickened with disease... Some would name is mercy… but the feelings he felt would be easier to endure than feelings his friend would have to feel… and endure…

She met his at the stable… and he looked down to her… glancing only to his beloved wife then back to his friend, Dora.


"Sir Dmitrii?" Dorie called out to the outline of a strong man riding a dark cloud of a horse, back to Lake Manor. "He be at rest? I cannot never thank you for going to see me man. Ask me any favor, any boon and I gladly give it. He asked me special for him to rest at the big Huggy oak in our wood, he love that tree." She looked up at Dmitrii with eyes all cried out of whatever tears she had, weeks ago. "If you tell me he is at rest, then I need nuthin more but your word."

Dmitrii stepped down… his hands going to her arms… the reins of the horse, taken by a servant, who quickly moved from their presence. “The man rests peacefully, and none can harm his anymore…” he did not offer any details… and he tried to keep it as vague as possible, to ease her pain… Taking her in his arms, he held the strong woman. “Know that the Good Lord, God Almighty, protects him now…” and he kissed the top of her head, slipping a pouch of coins into her pocket before releasing her. He figured it would be a while before she realized he gave her some money; an amount sufficient enough to get her over the difficult times.

“Dora…” as he moved to his wife, his arm wrapping around her waist. “Nay boon doth thy owe me… Know that Ae and I are here should yu ever need us…” and knowing the pouch was in her pocket unknowingly made him feel better.

The Huggy oak was the most ancient tree alive that the Lynch knew. It was so wide that a body had to hug and chalk and hug and chalk, over and over to get their arms about it. It was at this site, Clovis first kissed Dora, where he asked her if they might be handfasted. It was under this tree, they both had talked that their earthly remains would lie in death, peaceful and becoming a part of this tree's life force.

Dmitrii and his wife stood arm in arm as they waved to Dora as she rode away from Lake Manor…

Later, when she took her little spindly mule back home, against the protests of Aegaine and the polite invitation to stay at least the night from Dmitrii, Dora walked into the deep woods. In the growing gloom, the air smelled of a recent fire, that which had been his pyre. It smelled clean now. Done.

Dorie walked until her bare feet located where the earth had been dug up then refilled and curled her long toes into the loam, feeling what it was like in there, under the land's shell, where her Clovis' body rested. He rested. At last, no more suffering. Here under the very oak he loved.

Widow Lynch braided her long silky gray hair and held the thin braid in her left hand and with a small dagger in her right, cut her hair off clean to the hairline. Then with a stick she scraped a shallow crease into the new cut dirt and dropped her braid in, covering it and stomping it good, with her feet. She was feeling that act as she had not felt anything for so many days. Dora whispered into the empty air, where mosquitoes and fireflies flitted about, brushing their humming wings with her words, from her mouth to the Almighty's ear.

"Rest ye good sweetie. I have put a bit of me in there with ye. In case life take me away. I make my promise true, that we be together even iffen it is only a bit of the live me, only me braid. You did always say you liked me hair." Off in the dark, some long paces away, a frog croaked in Summer's Pond and an owl hooted back by their little cottage. Dora Lynch went home that night and slept like there was no tomorrow.