Chapter 51 - the Steward's Curse
The first day of the festival was to be nothing special. A feast, every morning. Every afternoon, then a grand one in the evening, that would last into the night. Drinking, of course. This would be the hallmark of every day of the festival. Friends and family gathered. Plenty of good food and drink. No labors beyond entertainment.
Stuart wanted to go for a walk. Wulfgar asked to go with him, and he politely begged his lifelong close friend off. Wulfgar made a motion with but a finger when Stuart's back was to him; the nearest two Ravin's smiled and fell in easily alongside the pleasant giant. They made motions to two others, that came and replaced themselves where they had been.
Stuart was not only the wise steward, he was also the North Star. The mad high king, that did not lead men in error. He was unarguably the single most important man in the whole of the kingdom. He walked and found a path to the rolling hills out a back edge of Ryeamund's land. When he stopped to laze about at a nice creek, The Ravins relaxed setting against the base of nearby trees.
These Ravin's were beyond trustworthy and loyal to the death and beyond, were the slightest danger to threaten the great man. Naturally, none did. They were well versed in being around Wulfgar and the steward and even the North Star. It was nothing for Stuart to go off somewhat alone, and gaze into his reflection in water. He would talk to the North Star in such a manner. He was the mad high king. Doing it now, once again? Nothing new in the slightest.
The close by Ravin smiled and backed off considerably to more join his companion. It was only polite if the steward wished to speak with the high king on any matter of state.
"Stuart. I thought you might enjoy a break from it all. Are your days down there pleasant?"
"Aye, Northy. Are things well up there?"
"Peaceful and orderly, until I hear otherwise, old friend."
Stuart nodded. Odin knows what is in men's minds and hearts, and he smiled warmly.
"Stuart. Are you troubled?"
"A little."
"Tell me of it, then."
"I am at my ease. I find it quite pleasant. I go to sleep, and wake up where I lay down. My clothes are my own at all times."
"Sounds as if all is well, old friend. How are matters with Eira, and Little Rye, then."
"Much better than I could have even hoped. You were right, as was Wulfgar. All is forgiven. It is all? As if it never was."
"Do you not enjoy your time alone, for a change?"
"Aye. After all this time? I feel a little selfish, if those words make sense."
"Nay, old friend. You have more than earned any break you wish to have. May I ask an old friend something?"
"Aye, Northy."
"I wanted to see if you enjoyed our time apart. I will not be insulted, if you enjoy this time alone. I understand."
"Aye, Northy. It… is better than a good dream. It… is almost, as if…"
"I know, Stuart. I know. I feel guilt, for all I have asked of you. All you have done. All you have given up. Old friend, you gave up your life, for the kingdom. I know it was not fair. I needed you, I needed a high reckoner. A man of your highest character. There was simply no other way, old friend."
Stuart whispered softly.
"I know."
"Old friend?"
"Aye."
"Would it pain you, for us to be apart? I take no insult, if you say aye."
"Oh. My… time I am enjoying. It… could be… a little longer, perhaps?"
"Aye. If you wish it."
"How long, then."
"Stuart. If you would wish it? It could be… all but forever."
The steward cried softly and quietly.
"Northy. For this time? It… is almost… as if… I am not mad."
"Old friend? As a father's heart grows heavy, when he sees his own child suffer. I feel that every day."
Stuart nodded at the reflection. Ripples passed over his own face, as tears fell and landed.
"Would you wish it, to finally go your own way, old friend? I will not be insulted. I understand."
"But, the kingdom. It---"
"Shh. It is secure. All? Is well."
"I… you mean to say…"
"Aye. Lift your madness, as your words would say."
"That, would seem a fine thing, yet… what if I needed, what if the kingdom needed…"
"You have but to ask. Advice, aid. Near any selfish thing you could ask for? I would grant you, old friend. Anything your heart desired, if it were a good thing. You gefted your entire life, to Odin. To his kingdom. I would feel great joy, were I to be allowed to return any small measure of that back, old friend. It is less than you deserve. You deserve more than you could ever ask for."
"Yet…"
"Yet what, old friend. Would you not have your madness lifted?"
"Aye, yet… I fear…"
"Stuart? If you needed me, if the kingdom needed me? You have but to ask. Fear not."
"Truly?"
"If you wish it."
"I… would come home, and…"
"You will be as you were. Before we met."
"No more… sleepwalking. No more…"
"None of that. Would you receive a few small gefts, before I would leave you be alone again?"
Stuart whispered.
"Anything…"
"Speak to Arroch. Speak plain. Take him aside, and ask him. How I talk to him. He will explain it. No one need know we speak."
"If you say. And… if I need---"
"Just ask. I will come and handle the matter, then leave at first chance. You have Odin's word, and I will not swear a false oath."
"I… feel as if… I am preparing to say goodbye, to…"
"I know, old friend. I know. Go to the old man Patch. He follows the old ways. He is wise. He will give you something, and that will be the end of it, unless you are ever in need. Unless you wish it."
"All right."
"Before we part, old friend…"
"Yes?"
"Know these things, and know them well. When your days are over, you will be in Valhalla. You will sit at my table, for all days after. You will have every honor."
"Aye."
"Stuart."
"Northy…"
"Your woman. You know the one."
He cried silently for a short time.
"Aye."
"Old friend. Her man, was a good man. Her life was good. He fell ill, and he passed on. When you get home once again? Go to her. Take Wulfgar. Let him speak for you, on your behalf. It will aid you."
"I will try."
"I will do all I can, to help."
"Is there more?"
"Remember these words, old friend. I have asked you for too much already. Enjoy all your days. You will want, for nothing. Be selfish for a time, if you will. It is a fine thing. Odin loves you. Go, and be at peace, old friend. I can ask you for no more."
"And that… is all?"
"Aye. Remember Arroch, and the old man Patch. And that is all. Goodbye old friend. We will soon part ways, unless you ever need me. Or wish to say hello, as but one old friend to another."
"What… will I fill my time and days with. I have grown used to…"
"Spend your idle time, as you wish. You have earned it. We have an heir now, old friend. The kingdom is finally secure."
"Goodbye, Northy."
"Goodbye for now, old friend. Be at peace."
Stuart cried with his eyes closed, silently for a time. When he opened his eyes again? He marveled at his reflection. It was his own face. As it had been, when he was young. He all but danced a jig, and skipped around.
The one Ravin looked at the other. The mad king? Was quite pleased. They walked back, the three of them. Stuart, the steward? Stopped at any water he saw. He laughed, he smiled. He pointed at the water, and his reflection. Each and every time.
"Look! It is me! It is only… me! Ha…"
And he would skip around, and whistle. They had left for the walk, before the morning fog had entirely lifted. Everyone else had morning eggs and morning pork, and it was now nearly noon. Stuart as a young man, at the garten? Had danced, and done meadow tricks. He was quite light on his feet, for such a size man as he really was.
When he hit the grass and caught sight of the tables, the first day of the festival… he broke into a run, and squealed with delight. He made a beeline for Wulfgar. He ran into him, and lifted him up around the waist, and whirled him around a few times, before setting him back down. He skipped around some, giddy with joy.
"By Odin, man. You are one happy steward."
"Aye, Wulfgar! By Odin!"
No one knew quite what to make of him, and his new mood. He was given to be quiet, serious, polite. A mild depression, or worry and anxiety. Those were normal states for him to show. This… was something quite novel. Those that knew him? Simply smiled, and nodded their heads. He was, after all… the mad king. But they loved their mad king. Because his works? Were true.
He smiled, and strode up to Eira and Ryeamund. He stood straight, smiling. He seemed quite pleased with himself.
Eira cocked her head, and smiled.
"Stuart?"
"Aye, Eira. Who else would I be?"
Eira just smiled and wagged her head a little. That's how it often was with the mad king. You did that. Everyone did. You smiled and nodded a hell of a lot.
Ryeamund smiled, too.
"Aye, wise steward. You? Seem in a good mood."
"No, Rye. My mood? Is great!"
He about marched in a circle, turning around. Like a little kid at play. Giggling and squealing, as all but a small child.
He leaned over the table, at Eira and Ryeamund. Smiling broadly.
"Eira… may I have a goblet? Of water."
"Here, Stuart. Have mine. I only just got it."
He ran around the table, to come up behind Eira and Ryeamund, to stand between them. He smiled and gazed down at the goblet. Adjusting his head and angle. For reflection.
"Look, Eira!"
"Aye. Your… goblet of water, you asked for. Would… you rather have tea, then? I can---"
"Nay. Look! It? Is me!"
He smiled, chuckled, and poked the water with his fingertip. Seemingly amazed at the ripples and that his own face came back each time. He leaned in conspiratorially close to Eira.
"It is… just me. And that? Is all!"
Eira and Ryeamund just looked at one another briefly, then back to the mad king. They smiled and nodded politely. Wulfgar came up, walking slowly.
"Stuart?"
He whirled around suddenly, grinning ear to ear.
"Aye, you snake eyed bastard! Are you coming up, to play tricks on my teacup?"
"Man, you have no tea, to---"
"No! I don't, do I? Ha…"
"Stuart? Perhaps a word, if I may…"
"Hmm. No. You? May not. How is that, then."
"Aye, then."
He laughed easily.
"You? Must obey my commands. And why? Because, old friend… I am the king. The high king."
Wulfgar stood politely. Smiling and nodding politely. It was hardly as if it wasn't a completely normal thing to do, after all these years.
"As you wish, then."
"Exactly! And do you know why? Because, old friend. I? Am not the steward. I? Am the high king! It is wonderful, is it not?"
"Perhaps for you, at this moment, man…"
"Ha! I? Can be selfish, if I desire it! Oh, just a little bit. Just? For a little while, Wolf! Would you mind it much, if I were only a little bit selfish?"
"Not at all. And tell me, what would a selfish steward wish for, right at this moment, eh?"
He leaned in close, smiling.
"Yet… I am not a steward. I am… a high king. I? Can have anything I wish. Can I not?"
"Oh. Aye. Name it, then. What would a selfish high king want. At this very moment."
"Hmm. I… would wish, to… hunt! We could arrange that, could we not?"
"I hardly see why not. What shall we hunt, then."
"Anything, Wulfgar! Any… thing… I honestly am not concerned, if we only bring down a field mouse! But? Let's go and do it, man! Right now!"
Wulfgar shrugged, and waved his hand and wiggled his fingers. The two Ravins came over.
"Men? The stew--- Excuse me, Stuart. Ah, men? The king. The high king. He wishes to hunt. For anything. Let us see to it, then."
He put his arm around Wulfgar, and shook him gently.
"Wolf. Old friend. How many times, did we ever sit and wish we could go, and hunt. As we did? When we were young men. And now? We will go, and we will do it! Is it such a labor, as your king commands you, to go and do it?"
"Nay. A pleasant chore."
"Yes!"
Wulfgar, and the mad king, and the two Ravins… went off. They were back a short time later. Stuart was all but skipping back, and showing off a small pheasant. He had shot it with one of the Ravin's crossbows. He showed it off, much as any young man that had gone and killed his first… anything.
He suddenly grew quiet, though he still smiled.
"Lady Eira?"
"Yes, Stuart."
"Do I have your permission, to use your kitchen? I wish to… cook this thing. Then? Eat it."
"Surely… go… I'll have the tavern mistress, see to---"
"Nay! I know my way around a pantry, and a kitchen, both."
He all but skipped to the kitchen. On the way there? He stopped abruptly. Suddenly, a little bit serious. Wulfgar asked what it was.
"Oh. I almost forgot. I simply must find Arroch."
"At… this very moment?"
"Yes!"
"All right."
They found him just outside the kitchen, inside the great-house.
"Arroch? You grand ox!"
"Aye, Stuart."
"Come. Walk with me. Just? A moment. That is all. I must ask you something. I promised, I would."
He turned to Wulfgar, and the two Ravins.
"Leave us. We are fine."
When they were out of earshot, by the fireplace? Stuart smiled.
"Arroch? It is Northy. He bid me to ask you? How he talks with you. He said, you would tell me."
"Ah…"
"Arroch? Your king asks. You must tell him, aye?"
"Surely."
Arroch leaned in, and gave a brief explanation. The mad king smiled, and nodded. Thanked him profusely. Then? He ran off, and wasn't happy until he had a tiny pheasant on his plate. He marveled at it outside, at the table. He marveled at it and poked it, before he ate it. He grinned from ear to ear, as he picked tiny pieces of meat off, and plopped them into his mouth.
A couple of village men, were smiling, pointing, and giggling among themselves. Wulfgar excused himself from sitting next to Stuart for a moment. He walked easily up to the men, and stood across from the three men sitting there, chuckling. Wulfgar stood easily, idly sniffing his goblet.
"Aye, men. Good day, is it not?"
"Quite."
"It is a pleasant day. And… would you three men, enjoy it to stay pleasant?"
The one in the middle, spoke quietly.
"I think we would."
"I see you men talking lightly. Pointing. Laughing. Are… you in some jest? I am a man for fun, I would have you share it with me. Come. Make my day pleasant as well."
"Well? We were… entertained by the giant man, skipping about like a wee little girl. It is… amusing. And that is all."
"Hmm. You… are amused."
Wulfgar had a way about him. He would stand ever so easily. His fingers loose under his goblet, move it around to gesture with it.
"Let me share something equally amusing with you boys."
These were men in their full beard.
"Perhaps you have heard. We are all? Ruled by a king. Not some petty twat, with a perfumed beard. A high king. A mad high king, as the tale goes. Perhaps you know these morsels of gossip, that I speak of, eh?"
The middle man nodded.
"Aye."
"Well. I hope you are all equally amused? To learn you are pointing, and laughing… at your own… high, mad, king. That? Is who you are making sport of. And I? Find that less than amusing. Most men? Find it in their heart, to be pleasant with me. If only to be polite, and show high manners. Yet… you will no doubt next ask, who I am. And? I will tell you. Since you have heard of the high mad king? You have no doubt heard that he has a right hand man. The Wolf, they call me. Wulfgar, when you are being polite. Oh, I have other names. The men? Have such amusing names for me behind my back. And, since as I said? I am a man for fun… I will tell you one of them. One such amusing name as they have for me? They call me… Death."
All three just looked at him. Said nothing.
"Aye. I see you have heard of me before. The amusing name, Death. It is only a jest, of course. Still…"
His smile disappeared, and his easy manner stayed. As if nothing in the world was amiss.
"It is, likely… only half a jest. Perhaps? Even less than half a jest. And so… if you continue to point. Laugh. Make sport of the high king? I tell you. I will put your head in your lap. Where you sit. I will put all three of your heads in your laps, before the last of you can even stand up."
He put his little smile back on, and his easy manner remained without a missed beat.
"And so. Men that enjoy idle fun, in my experience? Also enjoy idle gossip. And now? You have some of that to share. Do have a pleasant afternoon, boys. I know I will. Whichever way it all goes. Now. I? Am off to get my afternoon tea. Would any of you boys care to take tea with me, then…"
It would seem none did.
"Well. If you change your mind about the tea, allow me to know. I'm off then. Do mind my pleasant words, however."
He idly wandered back over to Stuart, picking and smiling at his little pheasant.
"Wolf. Was that any matter?"
"Nay, Stuart. It… was as nothing. Pleasant words."
"Would you have one little bit? I say, how long has it been since we last hunted, man…"
"Oh, you are right, of course. Perhaps just a tiny little peck, at that…"
Wulfgar smiled warmly and took a finger's pinch of the pheasant, and popped it in his mouth. He glanced over at the men he had just talked to, they were looking over a bit. He smiled, and waved his goblet at them. The one waved back and looked away, then all of them looked back to their own little huddle.
Stuart was still excited, but his jumping had settled down to just a great mood now.
"I tell you, Wolf. When we eventually get back? We should go hunting. What say you, man. Stag, of course. Aye?"
"Oh, aye, Stuart. Would that please you?"
"Old friend? Very, very much. And you?"
"I might well do meadow tricks, at the very prospect of such."
"Good, good. Life is short, man. We should enjoy it a bit. Is not all the hard work done, at least for now?"
"Surely, it would seem so."
"Aye. That's the good spirit, man. Oh. Wolf? If you would excuse me, just for a short little bit. I almost forgot, I must speak to old man Patch. I'll be back."
Stuart was up and walking briskly, beaming and grinning and went to the old man.
"Patch. May I?"
"Oh, surely. Now, Stuart, is it?"
"Aye. I… have a request. Might seem a bit strange."
"If it is pleasant? Strange or common, it is fine, man. What can I grant you? If it is within my power, I certainly will. I do just love a man of high reckoning. It is just the thing, as the kingdom needs. My words on the matter, if I might have them. And, your request?"
"Well. That's the strange part. A… close friend? Did recently tell me. I was to ask you, if you had anything for me, man. I know, as strange as all that. Yet, there it is."
"Oh. A request, yet you know not for what. Now. That, is a strange one. Yet, pleasant enough. Hum. Now, I try to be wise, you see. Now then. If a pleasant man, has a request… and knows not what he is asking for? Whatever am I to do, with that."
"I would not know. I said, it was strange."
"Well then. I am not a man of much coin. I have little. But… what I do have? Is a little bit of tea, and a tale."
"A tale?"
"Aye. The tea might not be enough, but it came to me, with a tale. So? I shall share the amusing story with you. And, how would that be, then."
"Old man Patch? Sounds a fine-plan. Go on, then."
"Well. Before I was here? I was naturally… somewhere else. Of the many places I happen in on, this one place. I have a friend there, who was mad. Now, his madness? Was a fine sort of it. He's no trouble at all. Just… a different sort of fellow, and that is all. And so. He tells me? Another fellow, that he had just met. Tells him. He? Has special tea. And the tea? Cures madness! Now, I ask you… how amusing, is all of that."
"Oh my. I ask for anything, and I simply get it. Do go on."
"Now. My mad friend? He's… not quite so mad, I am noticing. I told him? Well then, man. The tea? It worked! And so, he gave me some. Now, tea is tea. Some tea is better, some tea is worse. And yet? I had no tea, and here is some. So? Why not. My jest… I am not mad, at least I do not think so. But… what could it hurt, aye? And now, I say if only in jest… I might never go to madness, for I had some of the tea."
"Quite a tale."
"Aye. Here…"
Patch produced the small pouch of tea leaves from an inner cloak pocket.
"So. Stuart. Shall we both have noon tea? And… prevent madness. Both, at the same time. What say you, then."
"I? Say… aye! Why not. Now… where can we go, and make a little tea. I suppose the kitchen…"
They went in, and old man Patch filled the cast iron pot with water. Boiled it over the fire-hole, between the tavern mistress making other things.
"Oh, Little Rye has rock sugar. How wonderful…"
They sat at the table, and each had a little wooden tea bowl. They sat sipping it, and gabbing easily. When they were done, Patch said it had been fun.
"And, Stuart. Even if the tea was middling at best… did the tale at least amuse you."
"Oh. Very much, Patch. Very much. I thank you."
"Well then. We'll have pleasant words again, perhaps. Oh, Stuart?"
"Yes?"
"You follow the old ways, aye?"
"Oh. Aye. I do, actually."
"I only ask, that I remember correctly, and do not offend. Not everyone, follows the old ways."
"Yet I still do."
"Well then. Odin loves you, man. Go. Be at peace."
Stuart stood rooted to the spot. The old man Patch simply smiled with a merry twinkle in his eye, as some old timers have. He felt… not scared, but… some sense of awe. Icy fingers danced up his spine, though it was not an unpleasant feeling. He took a great, slow breath in… and exhaled slowly. He felt… as if a heavy burden lifted off of his shoulders, and he felt light on his feet. At his… what even was that. Complete ease, and calm.
Patch touched his forehead with his hand, and swished it down and out. Stuart returned the old ways gesture of goodwill, and went off. He hadn't felt better? In so many years he wasn't even sure. He walked idly back to Wulfgar at the outside tables.
"Hey, old friend. Still have a seat for me, then?"
Wulfgar smiled. Gestured next to himself.
"Always. We go back. All the way back, Stuart."
"My thanks. For… everything."
"Perhaps I do not tell you often enough, Stuart. It has… all been my pleasure. You are a great man, Stuart. None of… all this? Without you, man."
"The Wolf flatters me."
"It is not flattery, if it be true. Now Stuart. I was preparing to… examine you. Lightly, as I do. About your great mood you have suddenly taken to."
"And?"
"And, I shall not. I shall simply… enjoy it. It has been… I can't tell you how long, since I have seen you, so…"
"Wolf? I can tell you how long. Since, before… everything started. Aye?"
Wulfgar looked up and out.
"Aye. I like this. I do."
"And? I like it… more. Wolf?"
"Hmm?"
He leaned in, quietly.
"Old friend. I feel… not just well. I feel… whole again."
"Whole…"
"I feel as if… my madness? Has left me. Now. How fine a thing… is that, eh?"
"Well. Stuart… I would hope it lasts. Truly."
"Oh. As if I do not hope so, as well. Now Wolf. I heard some gossip."
"Did you. Will you share?"
"Aye. The words were… remember my… lady friend?"
"You refer to…"
"Wolf. You know the one. Aye. Her. My lady."
"Stuart? I would caution you, if I may. To… not ruin your novel mood."
"Well. The gossip. Was that her man had… gone to Valhalla."
"Eh? I had not heard such. And where, did you hear this, then."
"Right before my… madness left me. If you can believe it."
"Oh."
"I am not happy, to hear she lost her man. Yet…"
"If it were so, Stuart, then… I could see what your words mean, yes. And if so, what of it?"
"On our way back? We will stop by. Village Naxon, naturally. I would, all of us? Stay back, and send you in. To… lightly examine if what I heard was true gossip or false. Would you… examine the matter for me?"
"Aye. And if it be true?"
"Well. If it be true. And? Only, if you agree that up until that very moment, you judge me to be… whole, as I claim. I would have you… request… we have a few words. Not alone, naturally."
"Old friend? If it be true, and bears out. And… if this… mood of yours? Stays. Then… perhaps I will."
"All I ask, old friend. And you? Decide. Not me."
"Stuart. May I inquire…"
"Yes. You are my dearest and oldest friend I still have, you know. What should I hide from you? Nothing. Shall I say it plain?"
"If you will."
"Wolf. I suspect, that my madness? Has left me."
"Hmm. And… how would this be."
"The truth? Northy said, if I wished it… he would go. Unless I need him. Unless? The kingdom needs him. He said, the kingdom is in a fine state now."
"Stuart? Would it trouble you terribly, if I… waited to reckon this to be so? I mean you no insult."
"I take none. Of course. I would naturally depend on you, to say yea or nay of it. As if a madman, can proclaim such."
Stuart paused.
"Wolf? You have all the festival. All such time as we might stay… then the whole of the trip back. And? Until we reach Naxon. To decide it. Take it all, make the decision in no haste."
"I promise you, Stuart. I will."
"All I ask. Now. What shall we do first, eh?"
"Oh. Some morsels for you, I would suppose."
"Hmm. The pheasant? Small though it was. I am fine, for now. Perhaps later. I might even wait until the night's feast. I feel so well."
"Stuart. Will you continue to amaze me, all night?"
"I would hope so."
"And, I do as well."
"So, Wolf. As I said. What should we do next."
"Oh. Tea, perhaps."
"You know, wolf. I have had enough tea. I would try some… fine-mead."
"Aye. I'll get some water, with it…"
"Nay. No water. I would try some."
"As you wish. I shall be right back."
"And Wolf?"
"Aye."
"I would have you know. For a snake eyed bastard, with a ball of ice for a heart? I don't imagine, any man ever had a greater friend. Than you."
"Stuart? And I would say, you are as a brother to me. However…"
"Aye?"
"You are not as a brother to me. You are my brother. Let me get the fine-mead, then…"
Stuart just nodded.
Then, he caught motion out of the corner of his eye. He glanced over. It was old man Patch. The old man smiled at him. He nodded his head back. Patch touched his forehead, and swished his hand down and out.