Mosscroft, p.20
MOSSCROFT, page 20
Crayton looked at the two women. “Yes, I think I will,” he said.
Together the three entered a garden where they sat and ate. Conversation passed as if it was just another afternoon. When the meal was over and the conversation began to wane, Lusonda led them back inside.
“I’m afraid it’s time for me to leave the pleasure of your company ladies.”
“Before you go,” Lusonda said, “I need you to promise me something.” Her words contained the same softness as always
You could see, Crayton respected Lusonda and admired her. She was one of the few women in his life he ever did.
“I can try,” he answered.
“Protect my son.”
Crayton was surprised at her request. “Haven’t I always?”
“Yes, and I thank you. But now, more than ever.”
“You have my promise,” he said with a slight bow of the head.
She smiled. “Wait here. I have something for you.”
Lusonda left the room leaving an awkward audience behind. After a moment Crayton turned his attention to Franceska.
“Now, care to tell me what you know about me?”
Franceska stared at him as he walked closer to her. “As soon as you tell me how you know I’m not Mina.”
“Well that’s the first time you’ve admitted you’re not Mina. We’ve made progress.”
“I admit nothing.” Darn, she said to herself for her slip-up.
He walked slowly around the room, collecting his thoughts while she stared blankly ahead.
“Who are you?” He asked again.
Franceska refused to answer and remained silent.
“Look, you know my name is Crayton. I’m guessing you heard it from your friends from Mosscroft and you would be correct. Your friends and I met on our way to Greisling. Ronan showed me pictures of his children, Magnus, and Mina. Now, who are you?”
“Thank you,” said Franceska. “Finally a straight answer. My name is Franceska. I’m a Stepper in Mosscroft and a friend to Magnus.” Franceska was relieved to reveal herself to someone. She no longer cared whether she should or not.
Crayton smiled. “Thank you. Just so you know, you can trust me?”
“You must be kidding.” She answered.
“Let me assure you, you can consider me a friend. Tell Lusonda I’m sorry but I could not wait any longer,” and then he was gone.
Franceska remained rigid in her chair but the stiffness in her back began to subside. She wasn’t sure what had just happened, but her breathing became less strained and the tightness in her chest had disappeared. She tried to remember exactly what Magnus had said about Crayton, but her memory failed her. Unable to answer her own questions regarding Crayton, she began to speculate on his relationship with the lady of this house and whether Lusonda and Crayton were lovers.
Lusonda returned and looked around for Crayton. “Did he leave?”
“Yes. He said to tell you he couldn’t wait.”
“So have you known Crayton long?” Lusonda placed herself next to Franceska.
“No. I never met him before your son took me to him. I’m Franceska. My name is Franceska.” And as soon as she began to speak the tears fell in great pools. She threw her face in Lusonda’s lap and instinctively Lusonda stroked her hair gently. She didn’t know whose child she was, but she was someone’s child, and she was alone.
When the tears finally subsided Lusonda leaned Franceska gently back against the sofa and poured her something to drink. Franceska drank it gratefully. It warmed her throat and eased her nerves and when she collected herself, she began to apologize.
“Please forgive me,” she lowered her face in embarrassment.
“There’s nothing to forgive.” Lusonda said. “You’ve been brought here by force and by people you’ve never known. I think you’re very brave to have held on as long as you did.”
Franceska raised her tear-stained face. “Will you help me?” she asked.
Lusonda placed her hand under Franceska’s chin. “Trust me, I am helping you. But you must tell me everything.”
And then she did. Franceska told her of the events in Greisling Hall and the meeting between Ronan and Dagmar at the Fen Way Wicks. She described in detail their argument. Lusonda listened without interrupting.
“Now you know everything and how I came to be here. How your son mistook me for Mina. Crayton knows I’m not Mina and I’m sure he’ll tell him as soon as he sees him.”
“Why are you so afraid of Dagmar finding out who you really are?”
“I don’t know. My first impression of your son was based on what I witnessed in Greisling. But after meeting you, and the fact that he wanted me here with you, mystifies me. But then of course he believes I’m Mina, his niece.” A weight seemed to lift from her shoulders and the fear of Dagmar left.
Lusonda watched the change and smiled. “When those doubts reenter your mind…and they will… I want you to remember something. Dagmar would never hurt a woman whether you’re his niece or not. Not ever. Also, know this. You are not involved with what is happening in Greisling.”
“What is happening in Greisling? Do you know?”
“Yes, I’m afraid I do.”
For some reason, Franceska was not surprised. However, she never expected Lusonda to admit to it. “Then what is it. What does your son want? Does he really want independence for LODS?”
Lusonda stood and poured herself a strong, gold drink, made from grain and alcohol, called cask. Taking a sip, she allowed it to glide down her throat slowly, enjoying the heat as it passed from lips to throat to chest.
“It’s so simple yet so complicated,” she answered. “Yes,” she answered. The people here want exactly what Dagmar asked for at the assembly. They want LODS to rise in stature, to be equal to the other nations. They want the same rights as Mosscroft, Airabon, Diagonae and all the other provinces of Juno. And mostly they want respect. Unfortunately, it is their methods that are questionable.”
“Regardless of their methods, this is a land of criminals.” Franceska answered.
Lusonda laughed. “Come with me.”
Together they left the confines of Lusonda’s home. They were heavily escorted but free to walk wherever they chose. They walked past long blocks of elegant and architecturally designed homes. They walked through the market area, past shops filled with delicious pastries artfully displayed and mannequins eloquently dressed in windows. Lusonda purchased various delights and passed them to their escorts to carry.
Later that day they sat at an outside table to rest their feet and to enjoy the sun filled day. A gentleman came quickly carrying a bottle and two petite glasses.
“Lusonda, how nice to see you,” he said. He poured them each a drink.
“Thank you Siro. It’s such a lovely day, I thought we’d just sit and enjoy the warmth.”
“You sit all you want. Your beauty attracts good business.”
“Siro, you’re such a flirt and I love it.”
“If I thought it would do any good, I’d flirt with you all day but…” He smiled again and left.
Lusonda raised her glass, closed her eyes, and took a small sip and smiled. Franceska too, tasted hers. Contrary to the cask they had at Lusondra’s, this was sweet with a delightful after burn.
“It’s so hard to believe.” Franceska said as she looked around her surroundings.
Lusonda watched her. “Amazing isn’t it. You probably expected to see filthy streets, filthy people, and chaos running rampant.
“I guess I did. But it isn’t that way at all. How is that possible?”
Lusonda placed her glass down. “Because many of the people banished here brought their families, and many of those families were good families. Some who were sent here were misjudged.” She watched Franceska’s reaction of disbelief. “I know what you’re thinking and yes, you’re right. There are some who were evil, but we have ways here to deal with them.”
“How?”
“Some are given to Airabon. We pay Airabon to take them.”
“You pay them?”
“Yes. We pay Airabon to put them in their cells and keep them there. Others are thrown out and where they go no one cares.
“But isn’t there a lot of crime here?”
“We have less than you think and you. And you have more than you know,” smiled Lusonda.
Franceska’s eyes widened.
“Did I offend you? I’m sorry if I did. I guess I can get carried away.”
“I’m not offended, just surprised,” answered Franceska. “You seem to have strong feelings regarding criminals. You’re almost defensive of them.”
“I’m not defensive of them. I don’t like them anymore than you do. It’s just that I recognize them. Criminals understand and identify with each other. Eventually they build their own hierarchy and give each other respect along the way. Here they hide behind names. In your world they hide behind titles. Different names, different hierarchies but the results are the same. They all feed their egos and usually at the expense of someone else.”
Franceska noticed the quiet detachment in Lusonda as she spoke. Whether she agreed with her or not, she understood why Crayton respected her.
“Well enough of all that,” said Lusonda. “We need to get back. There’s still someone I would like you to meet.”
“Who?”
Lusonda smiled. “You’ll see.”
Lusonda paid the bill and said good-bye to Siro.
“Are they always with you?” Franceska asked as she looked back at the following escorts.
With a heavy sigh Lusonda answered. “Yes.”
The escorted ladies returned to Lusonda’s house by entering through the kitchen. In single file they passed through undetected. Lusonda grabbed an empty cup, handed it to Franceska and moved directly to the cellar stairs. The passage was dark and moist with mold-stained rock. At the base they entered a large room filled with shelved wines and stored barrels filled with other brews. They continued at a quick pace, winding in and out of the stored beverages. Soon they stopped in front of a heavy locked door. Lusonda reached in her clothing and pulled out a large octagon crystalline key. Before placing it into the lock she turned to Franceska.
“On the other side of this door lay the hidden tunnels that will either lead you to the lands outside of LODS or deeper into LODS. Once I open this door, stay close to me, and say nothing.”
Lusonda placed the key into the lock. A small shelf appeared. She placed both her hands on it and then a click was heard. The lock released. Before opening the door Lusonda turned once more towards Franceska.
“Remember, say nothing. Whatever you see, whatever you hear, no matter what, you cannot speak, not even a whisper. Our lives depend on your silence. Understand?” Lusonda directed one last time.
Franceska nodded. Lusonda was clear.
On the other side of the door was a small landing protruding above the waters of the tunnel. The walls were no longer stone, but matched the properties of crystal, brilliantly illuminated against the waters.
Lusonda stood there and reached her arm out showing the crystal octagon she held in her hand. The crystal walls became brighter, and a liquid figure began to emerge from the middle of the waters.
“PPAASSWWOORRDD PPLLEEAASSEE,” said the voice from the liquid figure.
Lusonda reached for the cup from Franceska’s hand and stared into Franceska’s eyes reinforcing the command of silence. She turned and scooped the water up with the cup, and from shoulder level, she allowed the waters to flow from the cup back into the waters below, stopping at 3 different intervals. When she finished, she returned her arm to her side.
“MMAAYY II HHAAVVEE YYOOUURR CCUUPP?”
Lusonda did not answer. She gently placed the cup into the water, and watched it sink until it was gone from sight.
“TTHHAANNKK YYOOUU. YYOOUU MMAAYY PPAASS.”
The watery form took the shape of the same cup Lusonda had placed in the water, only now it was larger. Much larger. It slowly moved over to the platform where Lusonda and Franceska stood. Lusonda flung herself over the side of the cup and extended her hand to Franceska who quickly followed. Lusonda then took a folded piece of paper from her pocket and placed it into the water, and it too disappeared into the darkness below.
With a jerk the cup began to spin and flow across the top of the waters, carving its way through the crystalline tunnels. In front of another landing it stopped abruptly, throwing the women into the center of the cup. Quickly Lusonda regained her footing and once again, flung herself over the side of the cup, unto the safety of the platform. She reached for Franceska’s hand to aide her. Franceska, dizzy from the spinning was thankful for the help.
Just when they grabbed each other’s hands, and out of habit and without thinking, Franceska said, “Thank you.”
Quickly Lusonda grabbed at Franceska with both her hands. The cup disappeared and the water turned to a heavy black oil with veining fingers, fighting Lusonda for Franceska.
With a backward motion, Lusonda ripped Franceska from the holds of her oiled death and before Franceska could say another word, Lusonda covered her mouth, starring at her intensely. She placed the crystalline octagon into the keyhole, as the oily veins began to slither closer. A welcomed click was heard and without hesitation Lusonda dashed them both through the door and slammed it behind them.
Franceska was frozen in fear and said nothing.
Lusonda looked at Franceska. “Are you alright?”
“Yes. I think so. What just happened?” asked Franceska, as she tried to breath.
“You talked! But now there’s something more important I need to show you. I’m giving you a gift. It’s a gift of trust. Hopefully it will calm your fears,” she too, said breathlessly. She held out her hand and Franceska quickly accepted it. Together they walked up some dark steps and into another underground chamber. Siro was there waiting for them. They walked through the back of an unknown establishment and up another stairway. Soon they stopped in front of a closed door. Siro first looked at Lusonda, then Franceska, and her oily dress, and smiled.
“She talked?” he asked.
“She talked.” Lusonda answered.
Siro blinked at Franceska and walked away. “They never listen,” he mumbled.
Lusonda waited for Siro to disappear and then knocked on the door. The door opened and a man appeared. He was a handsome man with dark skin, dark hair equally mixed with gray, and brown welcoming eyes, and a friendly smile. His clothes were clean and crisp, and he was refreshing to look at. They smiled at each other but before he welcomed them in, he looked at Franceska in bewilderment and then looked back at Lusonda. She gave him an approving smile and it was obvious he trusted her...the elusive trust.
He opened the door wider and allowed them to pass without speaking a word. It was a comfortable room and one designed for a man, enhanced with heavy wood and well cushioned chairs.
He again looked at Franceska and asked, “She talked?”
Franceska snapped back. “Yes, I talked. I was told not to, and I did. I admit it. It was stupid. I was stupid.”
The three looked at each other and together they laughed, even Franceska.
“So, do I get to know who this mysterious stranger is?” he asked.
Lusonda leaned forward and touched his hand. “I’d like you to meet Franceska. She is a friend of Magnus. Franceska, I’d like you to meet Rupert, Magnus’s grandfather.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX:
THE FOREST
TARS
In single file, with Jonas in the lead, they forged through the dense foliage as the heat and humidity drenched their bodies with the salt of their sweat. The path that had once been familiar to Jonas was overgrown with wild vines which blocked their every step. The foliage was so thick, it was hard to breathe. Large vines twisted around the trees and across the ground, making the ground unstable for walking. Only enough sun broke through allowing them to see where they placed each step. Their clothing aided against the onslaught of biting insects but, it did not stop the oversized thorns and razor-like edges of the great hanging leaves. Bronwyn and Lilan escaped much of the discomfort since their fur offered added protection. But their ankles where exposed to the burrs which soon became entwined in their fur.
As they put distance between them and the waterfall, their fear of detection began to subside, especially since they had not seen another transit. Occasionally, well above their heads, they would hear the rustling of leaves from the winds. They each wished desperately that the winds could reach them to cool their overheated bodies, but the denseness of the trees forbid it.
The hours passed against the slow-moving procession, but when they were near exhaustion, they reached a clearing where they could sit and regenerate themselves. There were no trees and for the first time they could finally see the sky. The edge of the clearing was weighty with vines and small saplings of bushes, but otherwise it was void of all vegetation.
For a short time, Jonas was confused against the unrecognizable and overgrown path, but the clearing allowed him to regain his confidence. He knew exactly where they were. He had served meals to the generals here long ago. The trees were cut down to feed the fires while tents were raised. The sounds of warriors had filled this place long ago. Its width had shrunk from time, but he knew this place. Yes. He knew this place well.
As each searched for a place to rest Magnus noticed Lilan was limping and leaning against her mother. Quickly he moved to her side. “Is there something wrong?” he asked.
“I’m afraid she has something in her ankle.” Bronwyn answered concerned.
“Sit here and I can take a look.” Magnus guided her to a large stump and kneeling before her, he raised her ankle to his knee. Heavily thorned and prickly, several burrs were embedded in her fur. They had worked their way directly into her skin causing her to limp. Reaching for his pocketknife, he started to cut them away.
Bronwyn watched as he skillfully and tenderly removed the burrs.
“Thank you.” Lilan smiled at him. His touch was gentle and kind as was his manner. The freedom from the burrs had given her immediate relief.
