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 Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 5:08 am
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Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2008 1:23 pm
1. chapter It was at night, the fall 1581, when the rime was mixed with the red flames on the night sky over Trondheim, at two women walk across the street without knowing about one another.
One of the women was Silja, about 17 years old. Her eyes were big and the look in them was full of loneliness and hunger. She was really cold and had put her cold hands under her clothes that were just like a sewed up bag. She had enwrapped old leather binding over her shoes, but around her hair she had tweed shawl some she was used to have over her when she had found some place to sleep.
Silja departed from a dead body that lay on the street. Another victim of the plague she said to herself. The plague – she didn´t know number what this plague was because so many plagues had come and go over this age -she had taken all her family away from her two or three weeks from now. That was the reason why she had to go out too look for food for herself.
Her father had been a builder on a big farm, south from Trondheim, but when he and all of her family died she had to move from the farm, she could not work her father’s job, how could a woman do a man´s job?
She had been really glad when she had to move from that farm, she had a secret, something she never told anybody, because it was so big part of her. That was the big mountains in southwest; she called them the Shadowland or the Nightland. All of her life, since she had been little they had charmed her somehow but also scared her. They were so far away that you almost could not see them but when the sunset shined on them, her imagination took all control over her, and then she could look at them all day long, scared but still charmed by them.
Then she could see by her imagination, the creatures that lived there. She saw them raise up from the mountains and come to her, with they´re yellow eyes, then she was wanted to run away and hide. But these creatures had names, but people on the farm had never spoken loudly about them, but she had heard them once or twice and that had given her, her imagination.
Never go there they had said. There is just dark magic and evil things there, witches, warlocks and demons. The Icefolk is not human, it lives in ice and shadows and they are not good...
The Icefolk, everyone talked about them, but only Silja had seen them fly, looking for her. She never knew what to call these creatures. Not trolls, because they were not trolls. Not ghosts or demons, she could not find the right word for them.
She thought so much about the Shadowland that she sometimes dreamed about it. Then you could understand Silja when she walked from the mountains when she moved, not at them. She had gone to Trondheim because there were a lot of people there and that would end her loneliness and misery. But she understood very soon that no one wanted to take some stranger in to their house when the plague was there.
It had taken her one day to get in to the town. She followed another family that lived in the town and wanted to go back in after a small trip outside, she walked with them and that was how she could fool the guards.
But she didn’t get any help from the people in this town, they sometimes gave her hard bread or threw some things at her when she walked past them, and that was what she lived on. She had heard drunk people singing on the square one night and she, so childish and lonely. But she had found out it very fast that this was not good company for a good-looking young girl like her. She tried not to remember the things that happened that night but she could not always. She had to walk a long way to Trondheim and her legs hurt because of that and she felt lonelier than ever.
But the fire that painted the sky so red that night attracted her, because she was so cold and fire brought heat, but also that people were burning dead people that had died in the plagues, that fire had burned in three days and tree nights and next to it was the place where witches and criminals was executed.
Jesus Christ, protect me from the evil spirits that are there, give me strength in the faith that I have on you she prayed I need the heat, so my frozen limps won´t fall off my weak body because of the cold . She was scared but she was cold, so she walked to the fire. She got to the gate where the guards were.
At the same time there was young lady named Charlotte Maiden on the run to take care of some secret business. She steped scared in her silk shoes on the dirty street. Because the frost had been so much that it had stopped all the drainpipes in the town so the dirt didn´t go away. In her hands she did hold a small bundle and she sang for herself an old dance song, to distract her. She had hard time walking, her lips were white and she sweated like hell. She was scared.
She still didn’t know how she managed to hide her condition all this awful months. But she had always been very slim and small so it didn´t show much. The fashion had helped her a lot because now the corset where in new style so it had been very easy to hide the pregnancy so no one had suspected anything not even her maid.
She hated it, that it little life that had grown inside her. It was god’s way to punish her for sleeping with that handsome gentleman from Denmark. She had heard it later that he was married. She never told him. She didn´t want to. It was her burden to bear, not his.
She had tried everything to get rid of that bloody baby. She had taken strong pills, jumped from high places, taken a very hot bath but nothing worked. That baby had lived inside her all this months. She had been so scared, she still was. But the strange thing was that she didn´t hate the baby so much now like she used to. Now her feelings were different, warmth, sadness and desire.
No she could not think like that, she had to go on and get rid of it! But it was so cold.
No, No!
She saw a young girl; just a baby walking down the street and she ran in to the next corner and hide there, until the girl had left. She had looked do lonely that poor girl.
No, Charlotte couldn’t think like that now, no weakness.
She was walking to the fire, where the people were burning the dead bodies. She had to stop with the guards
Just one more body... I am just going... she said showing him the baby in the small bundle and the guard let her walk inside.
She didn´t walk at the fire, she ran to the woods. The moonlight guarded her, the way, but she was so tiered and she felt so ill. The towel some she had planet between her legs was all wet and slimy. She had given birth to the baby in the stable. She had placed a block of wood in her mouth so no one could hear her scream. She had then lied there so tiered for a long time before she could muffle the linen around the baby and get up. The umbilical cord had she let go, the baby had nothing to do with her anymore and to shout it up the had she used linemen. It was still at live, she could feel it breath. She had to get ride off this shame and go to her palace and be free, free! Finally.
She placed it under a big tree far away from the trail. Her hands was shaken, when she pout the small bundle on the frozen earth, and when it cried it burned her heart a little bit. She had pod some warm wrap around it and a bottle of milk. She knew the baby would never get the milk but she didn´t want to think about that.
She stood still in a while but then she walked back home, cold and anguished.
Silja walked throw some street, she was happy that the moonlight was shining tonight and showed her the way. She walked, step by step like a robot; some could walk forward without thinking. She knew if she would stop walking se would feel the hunger, the cold, the loneliness and the feeling that she had no future.
Someone did cry near her. She stopped. There was the town gate in west. It was dark where she was, somehow the moonlight didn´t shine there. There was someone crying, she saw a door, half open. It was a child crying behind the doors, Silja felt the pain in the child’s voice, she stepped slowly inside.
It was a little girl, lying on her knees next to a dead body, a woman’s body. The child was trying to weak her mother up from the dead. Silja was still very childish but she was changing in to a grown woman. Her heart is afraid to see the child, but when she saw the woman. Her face, the froth in her mouth, everything told her that here had the plagues be.
The pestilence some had swept in Trondheim was really two plagues. Every deice was cald the plagues, this time the plagues came from Denmark. He was cald the Spanish pestilence
And described itself with a fewer and pain on the chest. But then another from Sweden, a plagues where people got big abscess and headachy some brought with it total madness and a pain on the side. Silja knew the symptom to well she had seen them so often. The little girl hadn’t noticed her, Silja was a slow thinker, because she was very tired but one thing she knew for sure.
She had been only one who survived the plagues at home, she had walked witch dead and dying people and the plagues had not got infected, she was not worried that the plagues would affect her but she was worried about the child.
She had a change to survive the plagues if she would go, but no change if she would stay witch her mother.
Silja walked to the girl and said genteelly to her - your mother is dead. She can´t talk to you anymore, you have to come with me.
The girls lips shake but she didn´t cry. Silja walked at the door, she was locked. The woman didn´t live here, maybe she had just come here to die.
Silja tarried some pieces from her dress and made a doll out of it. She put it in the woman’s arms, now she could not come back and hunt her child. And then she pried for the woman’s soul.
-Come, she said to the little girl, you have to come witch me, we have to go. But the child didn´t want to go with her. It did still hold very tight to her mother’s coat. It was a beautiful coat. The girl was not bad dressed ether. And her mother had been very beautiful when she had been young, now her broken eyes stared cold at the moon.
Silja didn´t want to take the coat of the dead woman’s body, she didn´t know what to do, and the child didn’t want to fallow her.
Come on now she said, but she felt so helpless when the girl started to cry. Silja took the poor girl up and carried the girl witch her – we have to find some food for you she said.
She had no idea where she could find food for the girl, but the word food seemed to have some magical trick, the girl did still cry but she did not struggle and try to go back to her mother.
Now had her problem got even worse, she had not only had to find food for herself, she had to take care of the child to. She walked at the gate, the child would probably die from the plagues very soon, but she had to take care of it until then.
She was a young woman leading next to a wall of some old house, she looked existed.
Can I help you? Silja said to her, but the young lady didn´t answer, she just walked fast past her no one can help me she said.
She must have the the plagues Silja thought she is right I can´t help her.
The gate would close in an hour or so, so she must hurry, she would not want to go back to that town, she had to find some old house in the country to stay in, with the child.
The guards stopped her, - why did she want to go through?
I have the plagues she laid, don´t want to affect anyone. The guards let her past he gate.
Now she did just have to go through the woods there to get away from that town and to the fire.
But what did she hear, a week cry somewhere in the woods. She was scared in the woods; everyone in the town was scared of the woods that were so many things in there, some people were afraid of.
She put the child down, can you walk now? She asked I will carry you later, OK?
The child didn’t answer but she walked in silence beside her. The was both scared. What was that? She thought she saw a beast with yellow eyes somewhere in the woods.
They walked slowly through the woods, she thought she saw the beast fallow her.
Then she heard that cry again, that week, painful cry of a baby, a new bourn baby.
That could only mean one thing - a baby some someone had carried out, the thing that scared Silja most.
She had heard so many stories about child´s some and had been carried out and had always been scared to meet one of them. They could be so dangerous. They was a ghost of a died children som had been born in secrets and then carried out to the woods to die, and if people walked in front of their grave they would hunt you and kill you. She had heard so many stories about what had happened to the poor people some walked accidentally in front of their grave.
The child ghost could go into all sorts of forms, like a big black dog, headless child and ravens and all evil creatures some they could think of. Silja could not feel her legs, she was so scared, and she could somehow not run away. But the child didn’t want to run, she said something that Silja could not understand, „Nadda“ or something like that.
Maybe she had a little brother or a sister some had died. The child took her hand and wanted to go where the child cry came from, but Silja baulked, she didn´t want to go there, she wanted to run. Nadda, Nadda the child crying
No it is dangerous Silja warned her but the child did not listen to her we have to get out of here, to the fire, there is warm, come on Silja tried but the child did not want to go. Running away with a ghost after you, that was a brilliant idea.
The carried out child wanted maybe name, it was maybe just screaming at its mother Silja thought. What should she do to give the child a name she was no priest. But she could try. What were the words again, I christen you in the name...
Just get on with it she thought. She took a deep breath and told all the prayers some she did know while she walked with the child trough the woods.
The cry had stopped, the prayers must have worked. She became a little bit more confidants and walked faster and said to her while she walked;
I found you at night in the dark. I will name you Dag if you are a boy but if you are a girl, Liv.
Was it not dangerous to name the child Liv, if it was a girl, would the child ghost just not rise up... no she could not think like that!
The child really wanted no find that baby so Silja was sure that she had have a brother or a sister. She just let the child drag her trough the woods. The child stopped, it must be here Silja thought. Her hands shacked and her heart beaded very fast. How would that poor little child be, would she just find the bones or was it a frozen body? She did not know, but she did want to run away, far away. She could not see anything in the shadow of that big tree som the little girl had stopped by. She just groped until she found something, warm clothes, and a little bundle. When she touched it, it cried. He took it up, it was a baby, and it was at life.
Thank you, you have just saved a life she said to the little girl.
Nadda she said and fumbled on the child until she found a bottle of something. Silja tried to drink it, it was not frozen. It is milk she said. She had drank a little bit of the milk and now the children should have some, so she past the milk to the girl some drank it happily and the she let the little child have the rest. But the child did not want to drink it, she tried to wheat some peace of one of its blankets but it didn´t want to drink the milk. So she gave up, most child is born well-lined. She could not hold on the baby and the bottle so she drank the rest of the milk, but she didn´t want to. She took the baby up and hold the girl´s hand, and then they three walked through the woods. She could see the fire now, not so far away. Next to the fire was the gallows, there was the criminals killed. She didn’t like that place. There was a men heading to the gallows. Rather beautiful, Silja thought when she saw his face in the light of the fire. She could feel all of the pain some the poor man would go through, behind him was men with bludgeons. They were going to beat him and break every bone in his body before they would kill him. And the executioner was waiting with the axe. What man deserves that?
She had not meat many young men in her life but she could tell that that one was special. What was him? A thief? No then he would not have so many soldiers around him. He must be roil.
She startled when a deep voice spoke to her what are you doing here, woman?
Both the girl and Silja turned around to the man that the deep voice belonged to. The little girl screamed and Silja wanted to do the shame, but she could keep it down. In the middle of the woods stood a man, or a half man and a half animal Silja thought. But then Silja saw that he was just in a wolf coat and it was the wolfs head some he where as a hat some made him just like an animal. But it was something wrong witch the shoulders, the was just so strong like on a bullock they was just so malformed. And his eyes were glowing the dark; the face was pale and scary. His white teeth were showing when he smiled to her and the light from the fire made his face even scarier. He did not move.
She answered his question shaking; I just wanted to go warm me with the fire.
Do you have these kids? He asked in his deep dark voice. My? No Silja said I am only sixteen years old, sir. I just found them, tonight, all alone.
He looked her up and down for a long time. Silja got a little bit in barest and turn awe from him. The little girl was scared of the big man and hide behind Silja.
So you saved them? He asked her, do you want to save one more tonight? His staring and glowing eyes made her a little bit confused. One more? She asked confused. I don´t know... I don´t understand...
Your face is witch hunger that you look two or three years older. You can save my brother’s life. Do you want to save him?
She had never seen so unlike brothers, the beautiful, blond man some was about to be killed and that big man witch his goofy, black hair.
I don´t want him to die she hesitated but hove are I suppose to save him?
I can´t do it myself, the area after my too the man said and took up a crumbled letter. Here take this; it has the king’s seal on it. You go out there and say that you are his wife and this is his children and that you life her in Trondheim, his name is Niels Stierne and he is the kings messenger. What is your name?
Silja, Silja hesitated
No! Your name is not Silja like some farms daughter; it is Cecelie and your area viscount. You have to hide this letter in his clothes and pretend to find it there.
It sounds dangerous Silja thought but she said, hove can I pretend to be viscounts? No one will believe that.
Have you not looked at the child some you are holding on? The man said angry
She looked down and startled, no but...
She saw in the light from the fire the clothes some the baby was in, a wrap from very fine wool, that Silja had never seen nothing like that. In the wool was weaved in small goldfibre and beautiful pattern. Around the baby was a very fine white blanket some she had tried to feed the milk to the baby. The man stepped closer to her, she backed away from him. There was a some strange thing like shadow of a long gone time. He was just so beastly attractiveness that she thought that he was roiled or something.
It is a blood on the baby, are you sure that it is not yours? He asked
Sir, I am a reputable woman she said offended. He smiled but he looked worried at the execution place, they were not ready yet because the priest was trying to let the brother confess his shame.
Where did you find the baby? The man asked her
In the woods, it had been carried out Silja said
At the same time as the girl?
No, I found her in the town, with her mother´s body.
The plague? He asked her
Yes.
You are brave he said to her
I am not afraid of the plague, she have followed me everywhere I go. I have not gotten it.
Silja thought she saw him smile but she was not sure. Me neither – are you going there? He pointed to the execution place don´t worry they won´t take you, you have the children… but they have to have some names.
Silja hesitated I was going to name the baby dag if it was a boy but Liv if it was a girl Silja said
Ok, but the girl
Well, they are both children of the night so... it will by Sol she said
You think more than other people, don´t you. Are you going to go? He asked her
She blushed I am scared she said
You will be well rewarded he said
I don´t want money she said I will do this for the young man if I can have some food and place to stay for me and the children she said.
Now had the light from the fire faded so she could not see properly in the man face anymore.
I will take care of it he said.
Good. Then I will go she said but my clothes, viscounts would not where in this rags.
I got it covered he said to her and took a dark blue coat under his wolf coat where this, it will cover the worst parts.
She obeyed and took deep breath wish me luck she said to him and smiled to him.
He smiled back.
She closet eyes like she was focusing on something. She took in the girls hand really tight and walked to the execution place with the baby in her arms.
She felt the man’s eyes lay on her. She felt like the was burning on her
It had been a strange night. And she was just beginning.
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Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 2:01 am
Chapter 2 Silja tried to run as fast she could, when she had come to the execution place. The little girl, Sol could not almost keep up with her. She shouted to the distance
– What do you think you are doing?
She did not have to pretend to be exited. She was so excited to save the young man’s life. He was the kings’ messenger. She had always known that he was special.
The men looked at her. The executioner took hard in the axe shaft. Was he afraid to lose his victim?
- Have you lost your minds? She yelled – this is my husband!
She looked at the man some the men hold in, he has so pale face. She knew that he was about to brake. She had never seen a man hide his fear as well as he did now. He was as surprised to see her as the men’s but he was very quick to realize what she was doing for him.
- What are you doing here he yelled at her - and you brought the kids with you!
One of the men tried to push her away - I am so sorry, if that is your husband, he said
- Don´t you know who he is? She said angry and exited. It was fun playing a viscount.
- O, yes that we know, very well the man said
- Oh, do you. Do you treat all of the king’s messengers like that?
- Hey, you have no right to reveal who I am the man said angrily though Silja could still see death agony in his eyes.
- You are willing to die for it she said yelling at him – You never think about our kids or me. However, I am not going to lose you mister. I am Cecilie Stierne, viscount and this is a king’s man. My husband was born here and is often send here for the king.
- Cecilia her “husband” yelled
- Oh, you shut up! I sit on our home, thinking that you will come home soon, but then I hear that you have been taken and you are going to be executed. I come as quickly as I could, to try to save your life! She walked to one of the man and whispered at him – He is in a secret mission
- Don´t listen at a word some she is telling you, she can lay that b***h the man yelled
The men looked confused.
- Why could he not tell us that himself? One of the men said
- Because it was a secret mission. Kings man can never tell anything about their mission, the couch death over that.
The man believed her a little bit, Silja was very convincing.
- We know that man. He is Heming Sheriffkiller. Moreover, his head is worthy lot of money the man said coldly.
Silja looked around her. Next to her was all this equipment to kill people in a very painful way. She could feel the pain some come from them and she felt sick.
She knew that the yellow eyes were watching her far away so she lived her in the role of the viscount Cecilie Stierne.
- This man in not a killer. Yes, I know he is dirty and tired but who would not be that if you had to come riding over the mountains. Look at him, his daughters, is this kids of a killer.
She had said that on purpose. She thought if they would know that it was a boy, they would try to kill him too. She just hoped that it was a girl, if they would check on the baby and it would be a boy, she would be in trouble.
-Are you going to let my daughter’s Sol and Liv, live without a father? She asked the man. What would the king say about that?
The man looked at her with cold in his eyes -and what secret mission was that? He said coldly to her.
- It would not be much of a secret if my husband would tell you that. He is faithful to the king. He would rather die than say one word about that mission. Moreover, you are going to put him into a lot of pain and misery just because his is loyal to the king! He don´t even want to show that bloody letter!
- Letter. What letter? The man asked, laughing at her. – He does not have any letter on him! Moreover, how do you know that he has a letter on him?
-Because he always has it on him. I had to sew an extra pocket on his jacket so he could keep it save.
- That is not possible. We looked on him. We found no letter.
- Well, you have just not looked very well! She said angry. She walked at her “husband” and tried to but the letter in his jacket. It was hard, because of the baby, but it just had to get used to being pushed against her for a while.
- Cecilie, I will never forgive you for this the man said “trying” to push her away, but the men who hold him, would not let go of him.
Finally, she “found” the letter in his jacket. One of the men took it from her and was going to open it when the man and Silja yelled at him - You don´t break the kings seal!
- Of course not, another man said and took the letter from the man some had hold the letter.
He looked at the letter, turned it around a looked at it carefully. – it is real he said disappointed
He looked at the other men’s and said angrily - who said that this man was Heming Sheriffkiller?
The other men pushed one man forward.
- I thought that this man was… He began
- Do you know Heming Sheriffkiller well? The man said
- I saw him one time the poor man said
- were you close to him? Did you spoke to him? The man said
- No-no. I saw him from distant, but He had the same blond hair. He looked like this man, sir.
-Looked like? Is that it? The man was angry
The man nod and looked down on the ground, full of shame.
Silja looked around the execution place. She saw a dead body hanging in one of the gallows. She saw that the little girl Sol had seen it to. She looked calmly at it and laugh with herself, like she thought it was funny. She did just not understand it, she was so young.
The man looked at the man –we are the kings’ man too. Why did you just not tell us?
- All across the country is traitors and spies, it is more important that the letter will come in right hands, then I live. Could you let me go now?
The men let him go and he stood up and stretch – can I have the latter now so I can complete my mission and go home to my wife and children’s.
The man apologized and handed the man “his” letter. He bowed for him
-We are so sorry, sir. It was all a misunderstanding
However, the man did not look at him – Come Cecilie he said - I am very disappointed at you. You have indentify my and it leaves a big mark on my reputation.
-your wife did the right thing, sir one of the man said smooth-tongued – It was very brave thing to do, she is a good wife. You can count on that we will not say anyone who you are. And what a beautiful baby you have hear he said smoothly and pated the little girl, Sol on her head.
He took his family and walked fast forward, to the woods – I have to complete this mission. This holdup has cost this country very much.
Silja could now take it easy, the man had believed her, and she had saved the man. She had done a good job. It was lucky that these men did not know what was going on in Denmark. Then they had wondered why the king messenger had been from Norway not from Denmark.
Fredrik II was fair king but had no interest in Norway. He had not come to this country until he had come for a small visit in 1548. If the man´s leader had known how pathetic trick Silja ad used on his men, he had been furious, so dump could no leader be. Silja was still even dumper then the men´s leader. She was only proud for saving a life of the messenger.
The king had let the Norwegian Sheriffs role the country. The taxes were very high and farmers had to sell their products on very low prices and had sometimes to give sheriffs “gifts”.
Silja was so happy that she had saved the young handsome man´s live. She glanced her eyes at him, what a beauty. Soon as the reach, the woods and hurried trough him until no one could see them because of the shadows of the trees.
- You fool the heard dark voice say and the man in the wolf coat and slapped the young man so he ran away further in the woods
- Don´t lay our hands on your brother Silja cried
- He is not my brother the man said
- But you said… Silja started
- I lied. What was I suppose to do? He said angry explain everything to you. I did not have the time
- I do not like men some lie to me Silja said furious
His voice was cold and rasping - I did not want to lie to you. I had to save this man, or he would blow the whistle on us. He is so scared of any pain. Moreover, we need him.
Silja wondered who this “us“wore - So are not a roil man? Silja asked
- I am not a roil man, no. And he is not a roil man nether he laugh
- What, I believed you. I thought I was saving one of the king’s messenger
- Well, that was the point. No childishness, Silja. You could lose your honor and dignity or your live.
She was not happy that she was so beastly attractive to him.
- I am not scared of lose my dignity, I have fought it many times and I have always won.
Her words seemed to calm him down a bit. He did not want the coat some he had borrowed her – You need it more than me he only said and walked past her, she followed him. – You should guard the babies close with your life he said they could come in handy, another time.
She thought him so big and hulking, but that was maybe just the wolf coat some made him so big. He was a true mystery.
She wondered how she could walk so fast in the dark, but she was not so surprised, this man seemed to do anything, he could perhaps see in the dark.
- Please do not walk so fast, the little girl can´t keep up with us she shouted
He stopped and waited for them but she could tell that he was impatient.
- I was impressed with your, how you talked to the men and played the viscount, and now you are just like so regular farm girl, impressive. Who are you? Moreover, where are you from?
- Oh, I am just Silja. It is a long history who I am or where I am from and why I can talk like fine woman, when I want to she said calmly
He walked slowly so they would not fall behind; the little girl was obviously tiered.
Silja went thinking about the beautiful young man - He was pretty she slipped out of her accidentally
The man sneezed - Every girl thinks that he said - he risked his live for women, he don´t watch himself, what he says or does.
Silja blushed - he is a woman´s man then, she said
- He is not your type. He stooped again and walk even slower than before when Silja had reached him again –but maybe he needs a girl like you he said drily
- A girl like me?
- Yes, Strong, brave and smart girl but, still very loving. That could pep him up.
- I am not strong or anything of that other stuff you said about me Silja said blushing
He turned around in the dark and faced her; she could feel the warmth from his body and the strength some lay from him.
- You took a child with you some without fail has the plagues and another some you thought was a ghost. You were not scared to risk your own live for a complete stranger and acts like you are his wife. You are either very brave and a strong woman or so stupid that you don´t know anything about the danger some you ware in. I am starting to think that the second one is right.
He did not say anything more; they walked in silence trough the woods. They walked a long time until they came at a trail; there was a cart some horses pulled, and some man riding on horses, waiting in silence. Where they ware was easier to see because the moonlight reached through the trees. In the moonlight, she saw the young man again; she blushed a little bit when she saw him again. She had been afraid that she would never see that beautiful man again.
The wolfman like Silja did now call the man in the wolf coat in her mind; walked to the man some was driving the cart. He talked a long time with him. Then he mounts on his hours and ridded away and the men followed him.
The charioteer helped Silja and the kids up in the cart and they drive away. The young man did go up in the cart as well.
Then Silja started to cry, still no one noticed. Her willpower was gone; it was she did not have him anymore. He was all gone, as it had just been taken away from her; she was just so lonely and helpless now. So tired, so cold and so hungry. Now she had never had the courage to go and save the young man’s live.
She sat on the cart some joggled after the road. She had put the baby underneath her clothes so it would not be as cold, so it could feel the warmth from her, if there was some warmth to get. The little girl did now sleep in her lap. Silja took the coat some the man in the wolf coat had given her and put it over the children and her. She was so tired, her eyelid was so heavy that she could not possibly hold them open any more, and her body was frozen by the cold, she thought, she could not feel him anymore.
They did drive very fast after the road, and the cart joggled very much. Silja was scared the joggle would wake the children but the continued to sleep like babies do. They did not go near Trondheim, they did go south or that was what Silja thought, she was not sour.
- Where are we going she asked the young man, her lips was blue after the cold so she could not speak properly.
- You and the children are going south, on a farm where many people have died of the plagues he said. I am going somewhere else
- Sorry for asking, but I was just wondering… there is one thing I don´t understand
- Just one thing? You are clever the man said even colder then the last time
She did not like that, that he teased her, as if she was some stupid child
- That letter with the kings’ seal. Was it real?
- Yes, yes it was. We have used it many times. It is an old trick, the young man said
- How did you get it? Silja asked curios
- Now you have asked too many questions the young man said and laughed a little. Nevertheless, thanks for the help he said after a while.
It was about time Silja said to herself even she had never expected anything like that from him.
They did not drive through the woods anymore. The young man sad slantwise from Silja and had put his legs next to her. Silja could now she the young man properly in the moonlight. Beautiful face, the tight cheeks and his beautiful nose. He smiled happily but the smile fainted when he heard her next question.
- Who was he? She asked
- Who? The young man said he said quickly
- You know whom I am talking about, the man in the wolf coat, who is he?
He did freeze up – I have no idea who you are talking about
- The man in the wolf coat, the man who slapped you
- Nobody, No one, he was no one! Do you understand no one! He yelled. You were dreaming. OK? Just dreaming, everything you did see tonight was just a dream he whispered
- Ok she said just a dream
He got softer when he heard her say that. – You must be tired he said calmly let me hold that baby for you, just for a while. Is it yours?
- Mine? No. How could I possibly have a child? No, I just found them tonight. She looked at the baby and suddenly got scared - I don´t know if it is dead or alive. It has been so quiet sense we left the place where I found it.
- It is probably just sleeping he said calmly and took the baby from her. It was wonderful to be able to stretch the arm, and feel the blood come back in the arm again. Silja lay down next to the sleeping girl and but the coat some the wolfman had given to her. The moonlight did shine on them. Silja thought it was a good sign, that the future was bright, and then she saw the stars. That was even better.
She thought that she could not sleep, when she sat next to the handsomest man she had ever seen. However, she was so tired, so cold. Nevertheless, she could not sleep. Therefore, she just lay there with closed eyes, as she was in a coma or something. She did not feel anything.
She “woke up” one time, then she thought she feel the cart stop and something put in her arms, but then she fell asleep and did not woke up until the driver did shake her.
- Where are we? She asked him
- We are here. I have spoken to Mr. Benedikt. You can stay here.
She saw some man take the children. The moonlight was gone, it was almost daytime. The girl cried and screamed for her mother. The driver helped Silja down from the cart. She could not stand properly so he had to support her.
- Who is Mr. Benedikt? She asked the driver, while the walked
- He is the painter in the church the man said a little weird, but he has offered you to stay with him.
- And the children?
-And the children
- Where did the young man go? She asked
- Heming? He jumped of half hour ago the man said to her
Heming… Heming Sheriffkiller? Then, it was true! Silja felt bad for helping a murderer… but he had been so handsome and young.
- He is one of them some is fighting for Norway to be free? She asked
-Yes, Miss Silja the driver said
Therefore, he was only killing people for the country, which is not bad Silja thought. And, what a man the driver was, Miss Silja it must be that fine coat some the wolfman gave to her.
- But the other man? Is he fighting for the country to? Silja asked
- Who? The driver said
- The man in the wolf coat, some spoke to you.
The man looked down, at his shoes.
- No one, just Heming. Heming spoke to me the man said
- It was only a dream then Silja said
- Yes, it was only a dream Miss Silja the driver said
Inside the house was warm. She heard friendly voices talking to the children, some old women were dressing them in some warm cloth.
- What a lovely child, she is one of the old woman’s said to Silja what is her name?
- I do not know Silja said I think I am going to name her Sol. How is the baby doing? I have been so worried.
- He is fine. However, the umbilici cord is still on him, we need to get rid of him.
- He. Oh, I did not want to do that. That could have end up badly Silja said. Dag that is his name, Dag. He did not want to eat anything from me...
- Don´t worry dear, he is newborn, he does still nourish on the food some he did bring in this world. We are going to give him a hot bath and cut that umbilici cord. Moreover, do not worries about that he come so unchristian way into this world; we will take care of that.
- The little girl is so tired; we should get her into bed the other woman said. Here are is some soup. Do you want some?
Silja saw the old woman walk the girl some she had named Sol into warm bed. She had immediate fallen to sleep.
Silja took the tankard with the hot soup some one of the old women gave to her. He drank it; she had no time to use a spoon. She had not felt so hot like that for weeks.
It was more like porridge then a soup. Nevertheless, it was wonderful. It was a like a milk soup with rice’s witch a little bite of a meat in it.
After she had finished the soup, she walked slowly to her bed. The old woman’s tuck her in. she had never felt so good in her life. Silja slept like a baby after that.
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Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 10:32 am
Sorry that it took so long time to post him here. I have been very busy in school heart chapter 3
Silja had fallen to sleep before sunrise. It was night when she woke up again. She had slept all day long. She looked around the room, the roof was low and the walls wore made of rough timber and a one window.
A window! Silja was only used to some hole in the walls with some people opened and closed with a wood handle. Not a window with a glass in it! The glass was green at color and very harsh but the last bit of light could still get in.
The kids that were the first thing some she did think about now, the little girl (Sol) was not in the bed next to hers, but if she listened closely she could hear happy l from her in the laughter, someone was playing with the little girl. In the distance, she could hear Dag cry, but then suddenly it stopped, had someone feed him? It was warm where she was, there was a fire in the fireplace, then someone must had come here and put up the fire. Then she remembered, someone had pulled the pelt of her, she had tried to pull it back on her again.
-Don´t worry someone had said you have nothing to worry about miss. We are old men, and we have lost all our lust, we will not harm you. She had open her eyes scared and saw two men standing over her. Silja relived when she could feel that the dress was still on her.
- This is the towns barber said the muscular man with the gray beard and long, thin gray hair. He was in very odd and color full clothes.
- He has some medical skills the man said to her I am Benedikt the church painter. He said it as if she was supposed to rise up and bow for him.
The barber was now looking at her feeds – how long have your feeds been like this? He asked
Silja some had not got out of the shoes in many weeks and now she saw her feed for the first time after all this time. They whore swallowed, motley and sore, and very dirty but that could easily be fixed.
- We will put some hot fomentation on them the barber said calmly and the hands are not better then the feed, but I have seen worse. I have good recommendation from very roil people like the baron of ….
He started to say big list of roil people some he had served until Benedikt stopped him , then he sit down on the bed next to Silja.
- Talk to me for a little while he said fatherly – what lost bird are you? I was told that you had saved to children and Heming and we are supposed to take good care of you. Nevertheless, why are you dressed so poorly?
-They are not mine, I gave mine away to an old woman some needed them more than I did.
- But your cloths some you are wearing now?
- I made them myself, from some old tacks some I found on the hayloft on some farm.
The painter shacked his head – I have never heard a story like this. You gave your clothes away. You speak very beautiful languish. Who in hell are you?
Silja squirm – I am not very special. I am just Silja Arngrimsdotter, the child of the builder. I had to go away from my family because she died in the plague. If I speak beautiful languish then it is from other reasons.
- I still think that you are something special, the painter said to her and it was some playfulness in his friendly eyes. – You have a very big heart, and that is unusual on this century. It must be good to have guardian like that.
The barber was now starting to take care of her feet´s again; he was also cooking something in a big cauldron. Silja wanted to ask Benedikt what he meant with “have a guardian like that”
Nevertheless, she did know better, she could talk about beautiful Heming but about the wolfman, that was impossible. Not a word.
- Tell my from your live, on the farm the painter said what did you do there?
Silja did not say a word, just sat there still in silence; she did not want to talk about it.
- It can wait until better time come up he said – let me show you what I made yesterday.
She walked with him into a room next to hers, there was painting of doomsday but that was not what Benedikt wanted to show her, it was nearly finished painting of the virgin. She blushed and looked away.
Some sparkle came in the painters eyes – did you see this barber? Maybe she likes my paintings! That is not many people some like my paintings, maybe I will take her the the church tomorrow. Silja, then you will see piece of art!
Silja smiled – Thank you. I would love to.
-Not on this feet’s the barber muted
- I cannot walk. I am not allowed to walk? Silja asked
-No the barbers said and took the poultice some he had been cooking in the cauldron and pout that on her feed´s.
They were so hot, that it almost burned her, and that smelled was from vegetable oil.
- You should have this on in few hours, I think you can go back to sleep now if you want to.
- I will do that she said, but what about the children?
- The old woman’s some live here with me will take care of them, don´t worry the painter said.
Then they go so she could sleep. She was warm and relaxed so she did sleep like a baby.
Now it was the sun was going down, she could see that on the sky, so red. She tried to stand up but it was very painful, but not that painful that she could not stand and watch the sunset.
- God, please let all the struggle be over. Let me and the children stay with this kind people!
Moreover, she had not thanked them for their kindness, for letting her and the children stay. What did the church painter think of her?
Her old clothes was gone, on the place some they had been down lay a blouse made of uncolored cloth and a dark dress some was tight around the waist and very soft shoes.
Silja dressed quickly and comp her hair. There was no wrapping some she could put around her hands but she did use lotion some smelled of mint.
She wanted to dive herself in warm, aromatic water so she could drown in cleanness...
I have become demanded Silja thought it is very nice to let someone spoil you. In earlier times, I was thankful if I got dry crust.
The clothes fit her pretty well she thought. Little loose but she could just tie the belt tighter. She could not braid her hair, but she could live with it. There was also a jacket with leg-of-mutton some was very tight, the flange was stiff, he was very loose around the waist. Some house cleaner must have had these clothes.
She limped at the door. It did crunch in the woodfloor. She was used to mould or stone floor, this was new to her. She walked outside, she peered the eyes at the sun some was now going behind the mountains. Dark houses were all around the farmyard. Except for one house some was more “colorful” than the others were, other vice it was a big farm and very beautiful.
No one was outside now; she was starting to feel little cold after haven being in the warm house.
No. It was like the all her blood had left her body.
- Oh my god she whispered – it cannot be. NO!
She grape the doorknocker so she would not fall, she was so shocked. She looked up again. She could not believe it. The highest trees could retch over the rows of the houses and next to the trees was a road, when Silja looked in the way some the road lay she could see them, the mountains.
The Shodawland, the Nightland.
She was even closer to them now then she had been before, so close. She was now so near the place some the Icefolk was hidden. She was so close to them.
Beyond the meadow did they rise, high, unclimbed and so powerful. They could tough the sky, so high was they; it was as if they wanted to go to heaven and destroy it.
I have to get out of here! That was the first thing some she thought when she saw them.
Then she came to her senses. She was not a child anymore. All her ideas about demons, some did glided in the sky, it was just – fantasy. She made them up herself. They did not exist. Moreover, that stupid tale about the evil Icefolk was just some story. Was she really going to leave her first home, after she had been kicked out from the farm, just because she had wide imagination some was so childish .
One of the old women came out of the big house and told her to come. Silja stopped to looking at the mountains and limped back in.
- Come now dear, we are in the kitchen, eating. You must be hungry she said kindly
- Yes, I am Silja said happily but I want to wash before I eat.
She went to the bathroom and then she walked in to a big, beautiful kitchen. The fireplace was huge and all people some whore on the farm did sit with long table. Not many people was with the table, just the two women’s some had the two children with them, Benedikt and some boy.
The two women´s must have been sisters, they was so alike. They were both in long, black dresses and smiling all the time. They must be a good people, always looking out for that everyone was okay.
She relived when she saw that the baby boy, Dag was staring to eat. Sol smiled happily to her, then turned at Dag and started to play with him, she giggled so much when she tickled him.
- Silja, darling, come and sit with me Benedikt said to her
She bowed to him and prayed a little prayer before she sat down next to him. It did seem to her that the church painter not as rich as she had thought, because the dinner was only in three parts. Meat, pork and salt meat and little bit of cabbage, and some big barrel of ale was on the table. It was a small dinner compared that people in the country had about their dinner in six parts and very rich people had fourteen or more for dinner. A grown-up man had over six glasses of ale each day, but it was not to unusual to see people drink about twelve glasses.
While Silja eat, she looked at the children – I have never seen they in daylight before she said humble - they are both very pretty and very different from on another
- Well the little girl is little prankster one of the old woman said – She is most of the time so happy, but she can be very hasty. One second she is very happy and the other, if something does not go her way then she will be furious.
Silja nodded – I did see that yesterday
- The boys will fall for her, when she grows-up, with these yellow or green eyes and with this black hair.
If she will live, that long Silja thought sadly. If she will live the next few days, she could live a long live.
- I think the boy is very good looking for a new-born someone said and Silja stopped thinking of the little girl and looked at the little baby-boy, Dag.
- Yes he is, no one knows where he is from. Did you see the blanket some he was in? Benedikt said
- Yes, I did see them yesterday. This is odd.
- Scandals can also happen in the roil families Benedikt did murmured in low voice
- I was asked to keep a good eye of them Silja said
Benedikt nodded with serious expression on his face. – That you should do. Was young Hemming Sheriffkiller such good thinker?
She did always blush when someone spoke his name, just if she could see his beautiful face again.
- Not, that was not him. It was strange man, just like half animal and half man. Nevertheless, I am him very grateful, he did send me here – and while we are talking about this, I just want to thank you all for letting the children and me stay here, and how kind you have been with me.
- Well, we have to do what he says Benedikt said. Something in his expression on his face did show Silja that he did not want to talk about this and he was quick to bring up new question.
- I never thought Heming was so vice. Nevertheless, what should we do with you Silja, as you can see are we not many here. Moreover, we really need help around here. Can you work only for food and place to stay?
- Yes I can, and thank you, so much she said looking down on the flour. – I will try to focus only on my work.
- And don´t let your mind wonder? laugh Benedikt - People have to daydream ones in a while. Some people more than others. People like you and me. -Most of the people here died from the plague, my brother and his whole family. Therefore, I will ask you to don´t mention them here.
- I understand. The plague did take all my family away from me too Silja said with respect
- I live in the well-decorated house here on the farm. – And I don´t work here on the farm. He seemed very proud of his job.
- You drink very little ale. You can have seven glasses of ale if you want, or more. We have plenty of it.
- No thank you. I only drink three glasses of ale pare day.
- What kind of chikenhead are you? Drink ale like some kind of a bird. Nevertheless, I understand you, I only drink vine. That is a drink for an artist.
Silja looked out of the window. It was better glass in this window, than in it was in her bedroom.
- The mountains. I got shock when I saw them, they are so close.
She became more brave and stated to tell them the story when she had been kid, when she had lived on a farm far away from here. She had still seen them their and became very scared of them. From the creatures, some could fly, and how scared she was of them.
Benedikt looked at her – I am not surprised that you whore scared of them. I am scared of them to. They are so close to us, as if they are going to eat us alive one day. And, all that horrible tale of the Icefolk. They told you the tale of the Icefolk?
- Yes, I suppose they did. What is that Icefolk anyway? She asked and could now feel her heart beat very fast.
It was not usual to see the master of the farm and the servants talking together. But the time had change and people were lonely, especially on the plague years. So was Benedikt not an ordinary man. He was well-respected artist and did what he wanted to do.
It was not a question that he liked Silja as a person. She thought that they was spiritual connected.
- The Icefolk he said dreamy so everyone listened to him. Everyone had finished their dinner and all eyes were on Benedikt.
- The Icefolk is just an old tale. It is told to have magical abilities and be the children of Satan. I suppose you know the tale of Tengel, the evil spirit of the Icefolk.
- Mister Benedikt! The other woman cried but the other crossed herself.
- Superstitious Benedikt said, well Silja have you.
- Just some secretly references she answered him – no one did really tell my anything about them.
- Then I will tell you about it. I am not afraid of demons or the trolls some live in the mountains. Young Tengel did go to the mountains, four or three hundred years ago. He was expelled of some king from some village, along with some other farmers. Tengel wanted revenge! He did sell his soul to Satan, and became the master of the Icefolk. And the Icefolk, it was named that, because it is impossible to find them. You have to go under the ice, in some hallows under the earth.
- Did Tengel know how to perform magic before he went their? Silja asked him
- No one knows, but the tale says that he had only been ordinary men and he got all his magical abilities after he had sold his sole to Satan. – And the fame of the Icefolk did grown more and more, because his children had the same magical abilities as he had. Benedikt was now starting to whisper – And I have been told that, Tengel had never died.
Silja´s eyes expanded – did … did the devil take him? Alive?
- I don´t know. I don´t think so Benedikt said – the Icefolk could do extraordinary things, but it is only some stupid tale, just a story.
- So the Icefolk is not really, it does not exist.
- I have never seen it, and here have I lived all my live. Nevertheless, I have to admit I will not go willingly up in the mountains. That is for another reason. The mountains are fritting and dangers.
The woman some had hold Sol in her arms, had covered her ears so she could not hear anything.
- watch what you say Benedikt …. people don´t talk about… them…
The boy was braver – of course aren’t they real. Maybe a long time ago, but not now.
They must have died from some disease or something, like one of the plagues some have been in Norway for centuries. Like Black Death some was here over two-hundred years, almost everyone died from that plague. I have many times gone up in the mountains; I have never seen a soul or sign of that someone could live there.
Silja relieve, it was just a story, a tale. They did not exist. She did not have to be afraid of them anymore. Here she could eat all the food some she needed. She was warm and had clean clothes to wear. What more did she need. She would be very happy here.
This is just like heaven she thought.
Silja thought also about the plague and looked frightened at Sol, how long would she live? She would know the symptoms when they would come. She had seen it so many times before. Still the little girl was beautiful and happy but how long would she be that.
Her eyes had ones or twice gone very strange and her lips shake and she had said - mommy, mommy? In a sad voice but the one of woman’s told Silja, that she would forget her, after a while.
Silja told her story, especially what had happened the last 24 hours. When she had found the children and meat the wolfman in the woods and saved hemming live.
However, no one wanted to tell her who the wolfman was, but the woman’s looked each other in the eye and muttered something. The boy did look down so no one could see the expression of his face.
Suddenly they heard hoofbeat; they heard noses in an armors and clink in swords.
- The shuffler must have sent these men Benedikt said while he looked out the window – did you talk to them, at the execution place?
It was dark and she could not see properly but she was sure, she had not seen these men before.
- Then you don´t have to hide from them, Greta take the children away Benedikt said to one of the women’s.
Benedikt did go out, to talk to the sheriffs’ men´s. The other stood still and listened.
Benedikt said hello to them asked them what the accession was.
- Have some unfamiliar or strange person come here, last night?
- No. Who are the man some you looking for?
- You know that Benedikt, the troublemaker Dyre Elvssen and his men´s. He has burned down some house some one of the shuffles knight lived in. We want to put end on this nonsense. Can we look in the pedestal?
- Yes, of course, if you want to see my old, fat horses. You don´t think that I have something to…
- Don´t think. The leader snorted at Benedikt and walked inside, with his men behind him, following him like dogs. It did not seem that this was their first visit to Benedikt.
- Where is Hemming Sheriffkiller? The leader said when he walked outside again with empty hands.
- I have not seen him for years Benedikt said so convincing that Silja herself did believe him, even though she did know that he was lying. – I have no interacted with to that villain.
- That is good. That is fore your own good. Some of the men’s did look in one of the outhouses, as if they did expect that some strange horses did hide their. Then they jumped back again at the houses and ride away.
- You better watch out Benedikt the leader shouted back at him – You will never go to heaven, not even if you will paint the all churches in the country.
- Neither will you Benedikt shouted back at him
Now Silja did know who the wolfman was, Dyre Elvssen. She had heard his name before. He was the man some the sheriff could never find, some was threat to all kingdom of Denmark some lived in Trondheim. Almost every man and woman in Norway did the best that they could to hide him.
The people of Norway did not hate the king; the farmers could not care less who was running the country. They did not care what the kings’ name was, just if they had something to eat. The king was so far away that they did not think about it. However, they did complain about taxes and other stuff some was closer to them. Nevertheless, there were always some men some was rebellions and the bravest and most respected of them all was Dyre Elvssen.
Silja had never seen him; she did not know how old he was or where he did grow-up. Now she did know how he looked like. She was not going to tell the sheriff about him. Now she understood why no one wanted to speak of his name when she asked about it.
Moreover, Hemming … her heart started to beat fast again. She could tell it right away that he was rebellion. She had seen the teasing look in his eyes. His straight nose and mouth some always seemed to be smiling and the blond hair some did shine like gold in the moonlight.
In her heart, she could feel new feelings, some she had never felt before. It was only reasonable that her first love was only based on the other persons look. She blocks away all the other person flaws and can only focus on the good parts.
The day had gone fast by for Silja. The people did go to bed early and the women’s did ask Silja if they could have the children one more night. Silja could not say no to the kind women’s.
Silja did not think that she could go to sleep that early, but she was wrong.
The dreams did come and go. She did talk in her sleep and twitter was in both her arms and legs – as if she was trying to run away from something.
She was back home and did lay in the grass, outside the farm; the Nightland was far away in the distance. The mountains, the Icefolk and the golden sky. Something did come from the mountains. Some creatures with black wings. Demons, her demons. She tried to run away from them.
They were not many, maybe six or eight. Nevertheless, they were dangerous. They glided in the sky and they were looking for something, she did know that they had seen her, even though they did pretend to haven´t.
Suddenly she realized that she was naked. However, she did not care; no one could see her, just the demons so she did not care.
They did come near, her heart started to beat very fast. She could see them so clearly now. They were also naked and they were all men. Their look made her beastly attractive to them. They had no claws, and their body was little bit between man and animals. She did saw the face of one of the demons; he was very pretty even though he was very beastly. It was a face of a young man, with blond hair. He had horns of a stag. She did know him, it give her the creeps. She did know that they all wanted her. He did not come near to her, the lower part of him was also like a stag, his strong arms where outstretched in wings and they whore big! Somehow, she wished that he were not naked; she did only like his face, not other parts.
Then they did fly away. From the Shadowland came new creature, he did just fly there in the sky. It was as if the sky was burning now, she did know who that was, even when he was so far away. His face, so seducing, forbidding, attractive, lustful…
However, she did not see his body, even when she tried. She wanted to see him, so bad, but he was covered in shadow, she could only see the form of the body. Only thing some she compared it to was a faun.
Her body was so heavy and strange. She had trouble breathing, she was so hot. Where she lay their naked in the grass. She did move slowly. She draw up her knees, scared, so afraid of him, but in the same time so impressed by him.
Now he was coming closer, slowly.
She screamed and woke up.
She did lay their still, so relived, but still very disappointing that the dream had to end, right there. Her body did burn, as if it had never done before. She was so hot, so afraid. She tried to cover her shame with her hands, but her tough gave her some sparkle- now was no turning back.
She did fall so tired on her pillow. She found as if she could die from shame, but she could still remember the happiness some she had felt inside her.
It was very simple and natural. Silja was becoming a woman.
It was not the cutch in their province some Benedikt was decorating. He said he had done that a long time ago; she did not need to be painted more then she already where.
Next church was not far from here and he was working in her now. After lunch did he take Silja with him, she was going to help him. Benedikt did not like to be outside in the cold. Silja could see that on his nose. It was blue and read.
She was sure that everybody could see what had happened last night, even though it had just been imagination.
But no one did notes. Everyone did speak normally to her.
It seemed very weird. She thought it was wrong and so humiliated the things some she had done.
Moreover, what made it even worse, was that she had not wanted the blonde one; she had wanted the other man. But this was only a dream.
Benedikt did talk, all the time when they ware on their way to the church. He told her about all the beautiful paintings some he had made. He did curse all the priests some was now; they had painted over all the old and beautiful paining with white calcium and said that they were immoral.
- Immoral, they are not immoral he said angry. The dirty thoughts some the old men´s some no woman want to be next to, they are immortal. There is nothing immortal with the love.
With these words, Silja did not feel as shamed for the thing some she had done last night.
- But there is still some descent priest some did stop this nonsense, as much as they could. They used Gregarious words for it. From paintings they will understand, those people some don´t know how to read. Now that I call to respect a proper art. You should see my angel of doomsday. I used hemming as a model.
Silja did blush a little bit – I guess that he is a good model
Benedikt did laugh – but his soul is dark. Could you consider being a model for the seduced virgin? – In my doomsday paining?
-No! She said upset
- Oh, You would be so great, with that long and beautiful brown hair some shines like gold. Of course, you would have to be naked.
- No. Please stop now.
-I am just joking. You have the soul of an artist, but you are still young and truthful he did mutter
But she did not want to listen to that kind of talk. She did crossbones her arms and looked down. If she did look to the sides she would she those horrible mountains.
The mountains did charm her more than usual. Maybe the creatures would come back… maybe the big one…
- Is that the church, over their she asked
- Yes. You are not afraid of her, are you?
- No, I just…
She could not finish that sentence. She could feel the lost, just like last night. She did not say anything.
She walked to every paining in the church and admired Benedikt´s work, she had be careful to not walk on the scaffold some Benedikt was standing on.
She did recognize some of the stuff some he had painted, they were from the bible. There was some paintings off people some was sick, from the plague. Some off a brave warriors and one of the death himself. And there was the angel of doomsday. Heming.
Silja was so empresses of that beautiful painting.
She did complement everything some she did see and Benedikt was always happier and happier.
- See this, did you see this? You have to see this he said and did drag her around and show her paintings.
- How do you like this one? He asked
- Well… I do not get it. Why is the devil standing behind the woman and churn butter?
Benedikt did laugh – Well, they want it. They want to have some fun. The priest, the deacon and the people in the church.
-I still don´t get it Silja said childish
Benedikt did stare at her – You don´t get it. You don´t get the meaning of that? Have you never seen someone churn butter? Have you never churned butter?
- Yes. I have, but…
She did blush so she went read like an apple. She did walk away from him. So disgusting. So...
Benedikt did not seem to feel comfortable – You are a mystery, my little hot-blooded virgin. Yes, you are hot-blooded, it shines of you. Maybe you can help me, to paint he said to make up for the other thing some he had said. – You can paint this part, he pointed at the war paint some was unfinished. You have painted before, don´t you?
Silja had never painted before, but she did not want to miss this opportunity.
He did show her the colors some she was suppose to use. Red was Caput Mortum. Kimereyk was black, but she could not use too much of black then it would become too spooky, and she had not the right to mix the colors together. She was not supposed to make too much mess around her either.
She was a little scared when she started to paint. It did take her half hour to fill out one piece of the painting. She was so scared to paint outside the lines some Benedikt had draw on the wall. But after al little while she become more confident. They talked together about art all day long. Benedikt was almost with the row, painting Eve and Adam. Silja was still painting her war paint.
Silja did not know anything about art so Benedikt was trying to teach her and he did felt very good about himself when he had to explain everything to her.
- Are you bored? He asked after al little while.
- No! This is so exiting. I have never talked about stuff like that, this is interesting.
Benedikt smiled. He enjoyed talking to her.
It was not until they where home that they remembered that they had forgot to eat.
- I have to say, that I always knew that you would be good at this. You have made the pieces some you painted full of live. Who did teach you to make shadows like that?
- No one Silja said proud and confused – I just tried to see the pieces in my head and paint by it.
- Can you come with me again tomorrow? The “aunts” can babysit the children again. They had so much fun today. We did also have fun today. He smiled
Silja smiled back. She cared so much for this old man, some she had known in so short time.
He had helped her to get her live back on track. Silja was the lost bird some did now live on his farm.
She did now have a place to live. – She had now found a new world. Maybe she belonged there.
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Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 10:56 am
Chapter 4. heart
The following day Silja could not go to church to help Benedikt with his paintings. Her leg suddenly felt ill and she could not go anywhere or walk very much. She spent the day playing with sol and some little work some she could do when she was sitting down.
Sol was very playful little girl. She was so sincere and so open. You could not find playact in her. If she was angry, she was angry, and if she was happy, she was happy.
She did most of the time laugh and smile to anyone some she did see.
Nest day the leg was much better and Silja could finally go with Benedikt to help him with his paintings.
This time Sol went with them do spare the old women’s to have to run after her all day long.
Silja did get harder job now then the last time. She was supposed to paint the halo over the angels’ heads. She did that beautifully
- You are a true artist! Benedikt said to her – come here and see what I did yesterday while you did sad at home.
He did drag her to one of the small chapels and showed her some paintings from doomsday. Silja did see what he wanted to show her. It was a close-up of the fallen virgin. She looked away in shame and blushed.
- She looks just like you he said happily – Her face is so much like you! But the body was just after my imagination.
Silja could not say anything, she was so shocked. He had not even painted her right. Her stomach was much flatter than that and she had more breasts then that. What a deform.
- I am nothing like that she shouted at him
- That is your fault. You did not want to pose for me he said smiling. I can chance her fore you; just tell me what is wrong.
The right thing was to turn around and walk away but Silja could not think for one moment that her face would be on that horrible body. She did point all around the painting to show Benedikt what he had done wrong.
- Of course you have bigger breast and bigger hips and your stomach is flatter than that. I will fix that for you. Now we only need is a demon. But that have to wait. I have more important work to do.
Silja went to church every day. She –tried to hide how much her leg hurt when she walked. Sol did not go with them anymore. It was too much work to look after her.
Every day Silja went in the beautiful coat some the wolf man had give her. Benedikt noticed that and brought that up one day when they where driving to the church.
-you pet that coat as if it is your lover he said
She winced – she is so soft
- I have also seen hove you enshrouds around you and inhales the smell of her to you. I guess that is also because she is so soft.
- It is the most beautiful thing I own she muttered.
It had been four days sense Silja had gone to the church for the second time and Silja was now string to do something harder that she was used to. He had now so little time to go and so much to do before he had to be done with the church.
Did she want to paint the demon some was trying to tempt the virgin? If he would draw, the lines and she would just follow them.
She was shocked, was she suppose to draw whole person.
She thought she could do that, she had known sense she was a little kid. But she had never done anything like that.
- I will try, but… if I fail her Stammer
- Then we will just paint over it. Nevertheless, I think you can do it.
Silja put her soul in to that demon. She wanted so much that it would be good. She did work all alone in the small chapel. She did forget the world when she was painting that. Benedikt was working far away from her and he did just come to her to see if she was doing something wrong.
She was nearly done, she had just one food left and she was done.
- You have not eaten anything today Benedikt said when he looked at her one time - it is getting dark, we should stop today and get home.
He stood there, she had walked away and now he could see the paining properly.
- Oh my god. What have you done!
She walked to him and stared at the demon some she had painted. The demon stood behind the woman like Benedikt had drawn it, but she had changed it very much. She had put his claw like hands over her breast and the woman was now with her head on his shoulder. His big and long tong did like her neck and face...
- Oh, No! Silja shouted – I did not see this
No one some had ever seen the man in the wolf coat could never guess who Silja had used as a model.
- We have to paint over it Benedikt said scared.
She took up her paintbrush had was ready to paint over it but he did stop her.
- No, don´t. This painting is to good do be destroyed. It is something about that painting. We just have to hope that the kings’ men´s will not come into this church. I could never think for a moment that so truthful and virtuous girl like you could paint like that. You can see the lust in the demon´s hands. See how he stands he said shocked
Silja was also shocked to see what see had done – I don´t understand this. I did not even know that I had painted this. It just happened.
- You are ether bewitched or you are a true artist. It is as if you have painted in some kind of a trance.
Yes, I think it is something like that. A true artist don´t sometimes know what he is doing under influence of inspirations. But I thought that you were in love with Hemming.
So he did recognize the wolfman.
- I thought so too. I do not know why I did paint this face.
Then Benedikt laughed. At first it was week but after a while it became louder and louder.
- You could not have found a better model for the demon. What an adventure, what an adventure. Do not tell anyone about this. Thank the lord that it is dark here.
They did now go home in the dark. It was warm outside but they did know that the warm weather was only for a minor time, winter was on his way.
Silja had been with Benedikt and his people for ten days when Sol felt ill. The little girl did lye in her bed and was crying. Silja sat all day long next to her. She did change her clothes and tried her best to keep her warm.
The barber had come and was now looking at the girl.
-Yes it is the plague. Do not make the little boy go anywhere near her. The others can survive this. We have all done it before. Have the girl had christening. Maybe we should get the priest.
- The priest is dead someone one of the woman said. It has not come a new one. The old one was taken care of the sick people and died of the plague. He was such a good priest.
She tried to avoid crying. Everybody loved Sol.
Silja sad still with her after the barber had left. She loved that little girl, as it was her own.
- Help us, help us god, help us. Please don´t let her die. She is so full of live. Please do not take her away from me.
However, the heat did not go down, he did just go up. Silja did just wait for the next symptoms.
Sol opened her eyes and looked week at her.
- Please, get well again, Sol Silja asked her. I cannot see you suffer like this. I need you Sol!
Sol eyes expended – you need Sol?
- Yes, yes I need Sol! I need her so much. We have to take care of your little brother together. I love you so much my little Sol.
The little girl did smile to her and put her hot hand into her hand. Then for the first time Silja realized that Sol was happy to be with her.
She had called Dag little brother. That was dangerous if they ever had to separate. But she did not want to separate. She did not want to have to burry this little girl one day.
Later that night she heard that they had gotten another visit. Someone did come riding with Benedikt some had been working at the church.
She heard some men talk together in the hall and suddenly someone stood there in the door.
- Go out Silja he said in a low voice.
It was dark inside and now he was not in his wolf coat. He had darkbrown cloak over his tunic.
She did recognize him immediately. Her hands did shake a little bit when she stood up from the bed.
Silja did cry when she stood up and tried to reach for her.
- Shouldn’t I stay with her she said and looked him straight in the eyes, even though she was sure that he could see right through her.
He looked at her with his eyes some looked like iceblue behind his dark eyelashes.
- do you care for the little girl?
- Yes I do. Very much
- Then go. Wait in the kitchen with the other women’s.
She did go, even if she did not want to and tried not to hear the cry from the little girl.
No one said a word in the kitchen. Why? Were people scared? Terrified?
It was maybe not very fun to have Dyre Elvssen at their home. Maybe it was even dangers.
Benedikt stood worried, looked through the window, the boy sad with the table, and turned his hat in circles in his hands but the two women´s did not move at all. Silja did take a seat next to the boy and pried for Sol. The other woman started to pray with her but then Benedikt shouted at them to stop.
- Sorry Mr. Benedikt the woman said, her name was Maria she had been more with Sol then the other woman.
Silja could not sit still and stood up – he has been there so long. I am going to look if Sol is all right.
When no one tried to top her, she walked at the little room and pulled the door open.
The man was leaning over the bed, but as she came in, he looked up. He did not seem to be angry or surprised to see her.
- This is a strong child he said in his harsh voice some was so strange. – She will defeat this deice. However… he suddenly became quiet.
- Really? She will live Silja could not believe it nor did she want to, he could be wrong. – How do you know?
He only smiled at her- you self know that many people can survive this plague. You should stay so she will not become lonely.
-That I will do. I shall be with her day and night.
Sol was now calmer then before and smiled tired to them. He looked at Silja – you hobble he said to her and pointed at her leg
- Oh, it is nothing really….
- Let me look at it he said
- No!
- She was very embarrassed when she heard how spiteful he said this. However, when he saw how embarrassed she was he smiled very calmly to her.
She did give up and sat on the bed. He did sit on the flour and pulled her sock of gently, He tickled a little bit and a strange feeling took her body when his warm hand touched her skin. He looked calmly at her and took with his both hands around her foot.
-You have walked way too much, he said and she could now feel some strange heat around his hands and around her whole leg. After a while, she felt like he was burning.
- Did you do this to Sol? She asked at looked at the sleeping child. But he did not answer her, he let go of the leg and took something up from a small box some he was with him.
- put this on your leg tonight, it will ease the pain.
Silja did thank him – did Benedikt send after you? She asked him
- No. I came to him, at the church.
- At the church Silja was terrified, did he saw the thing some she had painted the thought
- Yes, I did see it he said to answer her thoughts
Silja wanted to die at this moment. What a shame. She tried to pull out some coerce and ask him when he was living. – But the little boy, he does not have the plague does he?
- I don´t know, I will look at him he said and trend around and then Silja could feel the power of his body from the dream when he walk next to her side to the room where Dag was. The light was on his face now and she could see that it was not an old man it was a young man. Not a teenager but a young grown up man. However, much younger then she had expected
Still there was something like an animal with him or beastlike.
In his eyes, with his mouth, and his catlike movements.
She did follow him into the kitchen and looked at this tall, straight gay with shoulders some was too big for a regular man. He did seem so confident. However, he did stop when the door came at the kitchen and waited until Silja reached him and pulled them open.
When he walked in the two women ran out when the saw him and the boy tried to hide, Benedikt was the only one who did not move, still he seemed terrified.
- What? Benedikt did say in his shaky voice
- Sol is fine, she is going to be fine Silja said happily he is going to see Dag and look if he is all right.
Benedikt called at Greta some wads in the room where Dag was, but she did not want to come into the kitchen.
- He is not christen jet she said
- Silja did christen him when she found him the man said – That is enough for now
- Yes, it is Benedikt said quietly - Greta remind me to get the priest here to christen the boy will you.
Now Greta did come just with her face into the kitchen, and she almost closed her eyes so she could not see the man. – Yes Mr. Benedikt I will. Because f he would die, his sole would go straight to….
However, she suddenly became quiet and looked terrified at the man who was in the kitchen and then she ran as fast as she could from the kitchen an into Dag room and a minute later and she had not come out with the boy so Silja went to get him and put it in the man’s arms.
He looked at her with his eyes and Silja could see that he was sad.
- You are the only one who shows me some trust here. I will do what I can for that baby. Nevertheless, I would like to be alone.
The rest of the people some was in the kitchen went out and waited outside the kitchen.
Silja looked at him one more time before she locked the door. It was weird to see that big man with that small baby in his arms, a little bit strange too. The boy almost disappeared in his arms.
Dag looked with his big eyes at the big man and started to cry.
Silja started to wonder if she had done something wrong when she had put the baby in that man’s arm. However, the baby did not cry for a very long time.
The people did wait in the livingroom after the man. It was jus Silja, the boy and Benedikt and none of them said a single word while they were waiting.
Then the man did come in with the boy.
- Baby is that young usually have their own defense he said, do not worry too much; he will not get the plague.
Silja walked with him to his horse, she thought he wanted her to because he had not given her the baby jet.
- I know who you are she said to him when he was going on back on his horse
- You do. He said surprised at as if he did not believe her.
- Yes I do and I will never tell anyone where or who you are. Because you are my friend and if you will need my help… some you will probably never have to
He looked at her and said – it could happen. However, you have to understand that I am a lonely man some cannot trust so many people.
She smiled at him to show him that she understood.
- You like it here. He asked her
- Oh yes, I could not be better. Thank you so much sir for sending me here. Moreover, thank you, thank you for everything some you have done for me.
He waved his hand as if that was his only answer.
- Silja, Silja he said dreamy – you are still just a child but you have grown a lot since I last saw you. You are not as skinny as you where, now you look like a new-bloomed flower. Moreover, do not hesitate to send after me if you are having some kind of a trouble.
He did now ride away from her and into the night, Silja waited until she could not see him anymore then she walked inside with the little baby-boy Dag.
She went in to look at Sol, and she was surprised to see Maria there. She had crept next to the room but when Silja had walked in, she stood up and walked fast out of the room.
Sol was still sleeping but she was ruddy-faced. That was good, then the heat was going.
Silja wanted to know what Maria had been doing so she crept down and saw a little silver coin lying there; it was used to for defense agents the dark arts. She hesitated but then she let the coin lye there.
Even if she did not want it, she started to think about the dream some she had have. She started to think what had happened if she had not woken up. Why did Hemming not fly to her? Why it was the wolfman who made her feel so weird. She wanted it to be Hemming, the young and handsome Hemming some had done that. If she would dream the dream again, and another man would come, another lover. Soon as she thought about it, she became all hot-blooded. However, the image of hemming was fading away, fading slowly away.
She did now try to sleep and put her head on her pillow. She was so tired and soon she had fallen asleep. The next thing she knew about was that when she did wake up next morning her food was a little better. And in the bed next to her was sol some was now fine and was jumping up and down and wanted Silja to come and play with her.
- No Sol, you have to lye still today. No one can get well that quick. However, I shall be with you all day long.
She was now no longer afraid of the mountains. She looked at them with lustful eyes as if she was waiting for the creatures to come with is master to her. Then she became full of shame and turned around.
Sol was not sick after two days in bed and was starting to play with Dag again. Silja could then start to work with Benedikt in the church again.
Silja did only work with Benedikt now; she could not paint any more demons or angels – no one can product what you could paint this time Benedikt said.
When they had painted together for a long time and not said a word Silja asked Benedikt – He has some kind of medicalpower doesn’t he?
Benedikt figured very soon, whom she was talking about and said – Yes, he has.
-why do not more people know about his ability?
- He uses him only for a special casino.
- Because he has to be in hiding?
- You could say that, yes. He don´t let many people see him. I have only seen him few times all my live. Still I think he trusts me. However, it is strange that he is showing more and more these days, but that must be a reason for that.
- How old is he anyway. I have been thinking about that a lot these days.
- Me to. No one knows really how old he is.
- He told me that he had come here in the church.
- Yes. He came to asked me if you where all right back there and then I told him about little Sol, so he wanted to come and help her.
Benedikt hesitated – he cares about you Silja, you should be glad but try not to abuse that trust.
-why not? She asked
- Do not make this harder for me he said to say something
- I really want to know
- Well... He waved his arms in the air so the panting did go on the flour – clean this up Silja. Well…I would not want to be his enemy.
- The Sheriff and his man´s is his enemies not us Silja said he must be angry at the not us
- Well, yeah that is true Benedikt muttered
In a beautiful and elegant castle in Trondheim did Charlotte Maiden lay in her bed. It was night and she could not sleep. It was her fifth time in a row when she could not sleep at night she could only sleep in the morning and then she usually get nightmares.
Her heart was made of stone and her eyes were dry. She stared up in the air, in her room was all lightened up with candlelight’s because now she was become afraid of the dark.
Her old and beloved furniture’s was in there but she did not notes’ them. Closet in the corner like the France had it, very elegant chares; some had always reminded her of Richelieu Cardinal, beautiful dresses. She could not see any of those things.
When the spring comes it will be warmer she thought. The spring will come soon, just after Christmas and then everything will be better. Then no one will get cold.
Her parents did worry about her. It was as if they did not understand her anymore. They could not understand why she was so tense, did not understand why she did not want to go and visit her family in the country , and why she did always scream out of terror when her brother and sisters did come with their children to visit them.
Now she could not stand children. She did lock hr self in and refuse to come out.
What had happened to that girl? Charlotte had always been such a happy and playful child. She had been quick to answer if someone asked her a question. Everyone did love to talk to her. Everyone was in a good mood around her even if she was not pretty. Now she was different…
She had not been herself for the last half year. Dreamy and strange and no one could talk to her.
Charlotte looked out of the window. The thing some had changed her so much, the thing some had disturbed her all this sleepless night was now finally coming to her. She knew that she could not fit it
If I had only went out again that night. She could not help it but think of it. Or, the next morning. Or the day after that or the night after that day. I was always going to go back but I kept pushing it backwards.
Maybe it had all turned happily ever after then. Now was it too late. Thirteen day had past. No child in the world could look after itself for thirteen days.
In her head, she could see the little bundle under that tree. Covered in snow and whet – started too rotten. And inside him could she no longer hear his cry or his movement. Charlotte cried. She could not hold it together anymore.
Ever since she had hid that child under that tree, she had thought that she was free. However, she was not.
She cried so loud that her chambermaid did come running inside to her. She had never heard someone cried that loud.
- Is Miss Maiden all right? She asked frightened
Charlotte could not stop crying. Her cream could be heard around the whole castle.
- What should I do what should I do Miss Charlotte? Should I get the Mrs. Or?
- No, no, no Charlotte cried not call for my mother
-Are you sick Miss? She asked
She thought she heard Miss Charlotte say, “No, I am not” but she could have been wrong. She had it heard it what she had said.
The chambermaid had always - like all servants was suppose to do, kept her distant from the people some they served but now she was confused so she sat on the bed next to Miss Charlotte.
Charlotte sat up, hugged her tightly, and cried on her shoulder.
- Help me, oh help me! She said to her chambermaid
- What is wrong? The chambermaid asked shy. She had to force herself to sit still. She was not too good at to talk to another people.
Charlotte was going to ask her chambermaid to go out in the woods and look for the baby, but that was a silly thing to do and she could feel the chambermaid objections about that she was hugging her.
However, she could no longer keep the tears away and she started to cry again.
It is too late, too late! She cried Oh my good lord make me go back in time, help me!
If that was possible to go back in time and get her baby back. Keep it warm. She had been care of the shame and humiliation of it. She just wanted her baby back.
The door flung open and her parents walked inside followed by curios servants.
-What is wrong my child? Her mother asked her. – What is wrong, did you have a nightmare?
- I would give anything for that it had only be a nightmare Charlotte said. However, she cried so much that no one could understand a word some she had said.
Her mother and the hotel cleaner switched sets so the mother could hold her crying child in her arms.
- What is the matter with her, Elsbeth? Mrs. Maiden whispered at the chambermaid
- I do not know Mrs. – She was like this when I did come inside. She keeps saying that it is too late. I do not understand.
- Too late, Charlotte? Do you mean that it is too late for you to get a husband? Do not be silly, you are only twenty-five
- No, no! I will never get married. Never ever. Never, you hear me! Charlotte screamed
Her mother did not know what to do or say. – You are too much inside Charlotte. Tomorrow we will do something fun shall we? Let us go outside into the woods...
This word did just upset Charlotte more. She screamed so loud that her lungs were about to explode. Then she started to hit the air around her. Until he was too tired and her head did fell back on her pillow.
- Should we get the barber and let him take some of her blood her father suggested. – Maybe we have to clean her blood form evil spirits.
No Charlotte said tired – this is over now; this was only a bad dream
The people some was in her room stepped outside t let her sleep. They did all care so much about young Charlotte.
- This is just some sort of a female hysteria Charlotte heard her mother say outside – do not worry this will pass by
However, Charlotte knew that this was not over. Maybe the rampage where about to end, but the scar some this had put on her heart would last forever. It would never heal.
This thought would torture her for the rest of her live. Would crawl in to her mind every single night of loneliness.
heart
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