Chapter 8 Harvest Field

The harvest fields are as much a place of work as a place of community in the Kingdom of Grunwald. While generally more of a peasant spot, the upper class at times have reason to pass through. Lady Swan was on a walk and decided to say hello to a peasant couple working there. The peasant couple greeted the lady uncertainly.

Lady Swan sensed the peasants discomfort. She told them the fields appeared well tended, then continued on her walk. The peasant couple relaxed a little at the compliment, but maintained a polite silence. Lord Sven the Viking stopped by for a little fun. He played a solo game of darts as the peasants worked nearby. As the day waned the peasants quit their work to have a simple meal of sausages.

For the joy of it Sven took up a fiddle nearby. Not only did the peasants enjoy it, but the animals as well.

Lord Sven went home to his wife, rather unaware of the attention he attracted. Queen Matilda took a late walk after her dinner.

Soon the sun was setting. She was about to head home when she noticed people still about in the harvest field. It was curiosity that brought the Queen to the field.

Queen Matilda quite forgot herself as she stared at the peasant man. A real peasant. She had never seen a man who looked so dirty in her life. His clothes appeared more coarse than the trash sacks the castle maids carry. Aside from appearing rough and dirty, the man also appeared strong as a working man would. His manner was meek before his queen.

It took a moment for Matilda to notice the peasant man had served her a sausage. He had been so quiet. He hadn't even looked up at her. If it weren't for the sausage, she might not have known he had seen her standing there.

Matilda had already eaten dinner. She thought briefly of telling the man so. She realized just in time that this was likely from the peasants' own meal. Not something cooked for royalty as she was used to. She couldn't refuse the food the humble man had offered her. She was far too great of a lady to risk hurting a man's pride, even a peasant man's.

It did smell good. Matilda's mouth watered. Suddenly she was hungry again. She decided to eat the extra dinner and then walk home. Matilda ate, finding the sausage most delicious. She found herself too hungry to notice anything around her. She went home content and happy.

Meanwhile, Thomas the Wiseman greeted the peasant man.

Thomas spoke briefly with the man before heading back to the sanctuary.

His companion Allen stayed later.

Allen met a different peasant man by the name of Patrick.

Soon the 2 men were playing a friendly game of darts.

Near the end of the game Patrick appeared quite worried that Allen would throw the winning dart. The game was quite close.

"It does not matter who wins the game.", Allen reassured Patrick.

"It's a good thing you think so Allen."

"What do you mean?"

"Take a look."

Allen stared at the dartboard in disbelief.

Patrick chuckled. "It doesn't matter who wins the game."

Allen left a humbler man than he arrived. As he left his thoughts returned to the fair maiden he may have offended.

Perhaps this is a lesson in humility. The dartgame was humiliating indeed. Could possibly hurting a fair maiden be humility as well?

No, it was unkind, inconsiderate, possibly cruel... Or was it? Had she merely been shy? Allen was a gentle soul. The possibility of hurting a maiden he barely knew pained him despite the time that passed.

Chapter 7 Old Joseph Meets a Good Man

The Sanctuary had been well planned. Within the walls the wisemen are able to provide for themselves. Without the need to venture out, the wisemen had not been hit as hard by the plague. When the threat had been long past, they had been unable to find others in the kingdom.
There had been a very small number who had hid so well the wisemen did not find them. It is they who buried the dead and cleaned the town. It had taken years. They now served the people of the kingdom, as gardeners, maids, etc. Who else would make better caretakers of the kingdom?
Now that the kingdom has come alive again, Old Joseph decided to venture out of his home. The old man traveled far and grew quite weary.
"Good Sir, my wife has prepared more food than we could possibly eat. Would you care to join us?"
"Why yes good man. I would be most appreciative." Indeed he was. The good smells made him acutely aware that he is nearly as hungry as he is tired.

"Good man, I am called Old Joseph Wiseman. I thank you both for this meal. What may I call you?"
"I am John and this is my wife Sandy."

"And your family name?"

The man hesitated. "I was quite small when my family died of the plague. I do not know my family name."
Old Joseph studied the peasant man. It was clear the man was quite bothered.

"My good man, then I shall give you a family name. You shall be called, John Goodman. It is a fine name to be sharing with your wife."

Old Joseph felt certain he had named John Goodman well. As his wife came to clear his plate, he stood to thank her for the meal, holding her hands and looking at her in a tender way. The sight filled Old Joseph more than the food. Many a man didn't see reason to treat a wife kindly.

Old Joseph left the peasant home rested and content. He was quite happy to have made the journey.

Chapter 6 A Pirate Among Us

King Erik ran into Lord Sven on the low lands.

"Your Majesty, meet my wife, Lady Brooke Lionheart." King Erik was pleased to meet the charming young woman. He was also relieved. Vikings are known for taking any wife they take a liking to, married or not. Though if meeting Sven was not enought to quite dispel this idea, meeting his wife certainly is. The happy woman showed no signs of having been plucked unwillingly from either husband or father.

"Your Majesty, we have company."

King Erik turned to find himself face to face with a pirate. He approached him and they sized each other up.
"I am King Erik Lovejoy. Welcome to the Kingdom of Grunwald."
"I am Pirate Jack Roberts. I wish to stay docked here, if it pleases you Your Majesty."

The pirate was unexpectedly well spoken.

"I would be pleased to have you join my kingdom. I'm sure we will all be quite safe with both a viking and a pirate among us."
Pirate Jack understood the meaning behind this. He was wary, yet needed something more permanent now that he had a wife aboard. He decided to agree to the king's terms. If the king did not please him, he would take his ship and go.

"I would be most honered Your Majesty."

Pirate Jack soon greeted a wiseman and a nobleman.

Allen the Wiseman he felt he could trust right away. What had he to fear from an old man? The nobleman, this Lord Robert Locksley, he was uncertain of him. Likely they'd either become great friends or great enemies, he knew not which. "My lovely wife, Lady Sylvia Roberts is cooking a fine meal. There's plenty for all. Please, come aboard my ship."

Once aboard King Erik took a moment to introduce his noblemen. It was a little strange introducing a man he had only met on paper.

They seemed to take to each other right away. Lord Robert appeared facinated with the viking. Erik couldn't blame him. He'd been wanting to see one since he was a small boy. Fascinated would not quite be the right way to describe how Pirate Jack felt about Viking Sven. The 2 men didn't trust each other. Perhaps this will change with time. Lady Sylvia served the men in silence.

So long she had looked out to sea.

Now as she did her work, she looked to land.

Lord Sven observed Pirate Jack Roberts. At first he seemed like the King's guard.

Pirate Jack seemed fairly harmless. Sven relaxed, but didn't join the frivolity.

Pirate Jack taught King Erik and Lord Robert a game. It consisted of kicking a brightly colored leather sack of sand. He called it kicky bag. He said it was a pirate game. No doubt soon the whole kingdom will be playing it.

As he relaxed, Sven mostly watched his wife. He breathed easier watching her, happy, safe, with people. This seems to be good for her. Perhaps he needn't fear her among other people. If she could survive an evening aboard a pirate's ship with a smile, perhaps he was underestimating her.

Sven was not the only one observing Lady Brooke. From his corner, Allen the Wiseman watched her as well.

She had not approached him. Did this mean he had upset her? She seemed content enough. Was she avoiding him? Simply busy with the other guests? Allen hoped so. He did hate to think he may have offended a lady.

Chapter 5 Old Joseph

Old Joseph liked to garden while deep in thought. He had much to think about. He had overheard Thomas and their visitors this morning. In his great wisdom he let the new king's words sit with Thomas all day. Good King Lovejoy gone! So sad. The good king had lost his wife when she bore their only child. It was then that Old Joseph had counseled the king to go into hiding like so many others had. There was hardly anyone left. King Lovejoy didn't want to move his wife before she had her baby. Old Joseph and the other wisemen were too old to follow. Many of the wisemen had died, but a few of them still remained. Old Joseph would honor his king's memory by honoring his son and his wife, the new royal couple.

What good news, the throne taken up again. It had been many years since Old Joseph had seen signs of the plague upon anyone. He had feared he and his wisemen may be all that's left of the world. If the royal couple lived, perhaps others have also survived. Perhaps some have already arrived at this great kingdom. Old Joseph felt confident that people would come. After such devastation, the security of a kingdom is just what people need.

He would have to speak with Thomas. As the oldest of the wisemen, it was his responsibility to counsel the others.

Thomas did not need much counseling. Like his father, King Erik's words have a way of striking the very heart of a man. They'd been eating Thomas up all day. He felt quite foolish. Instead of admonishing Thomas, Old Joseph encouraged him. "You seem to have learned from this experience Thomas. Do not fret anymore. I trust you didn't mean harm." Thomas nodded solemnly. Old Joseph could see a couple arriving at the sanctuary. Joy rose within the old man. "Here is your chance to try again. Greet our visitors Thomas. " He quietly left his younger companion.

Thomas was a little startled to see a viking. Old Joseph had taught him to welcome all at the sanctuary, from the highest king to the lowest prostitute. He swallowed. Then he swallowed again. The viking had a woman with him. Had he done the woman harm? Thomas knew he shouldn't judge....he still couldn't stop himself from wondering.

"Welcome to The Sanctuary. I am Thomas."

The viking gave a loud and hearty laugh. Then he firmly grasped Thomas's hand and shook it.

"I am Lord Sven the Lionhearted, Nobleman of Good King Erik Lovejoy. This be my wife, the Lady Brooke Lionheart."

Thomas felt relieved. This viking meant the kingdom no harm. He invited the couple to come here as often as they pleased.

Sven was also relieved. He had promised to take his wife out and about, but had been secretly hoping not to run into any people. While Sven appeared confident, even overbearing at times, he was very slow to trust. He is a viking after all. And Brooke...his sweet innocent wife. He is the only person she has laid eyes on. He had been only good to her. He didn't want her to meet anyone who would treat her otherwise. A stern look or a harsh word in her direction would break his heart.

As a viking Sven also knew that a confinement does no one good. A viking likes to be free. He imagined a woman would like the same. He had no idea it would be like this, wanting to give his wife freedom, wanting to protect her. Sven had great doubt that Brooke would tell him if he erred. Worse, she might not know it if he didn't treat her right and love him right through it. It only made him more determined to do right by her.

Sven grabbed his wife about the waist somewhat roughly, but kissed her cheek in the most gentle way.

"We are safe here. Wander about as you please. I'll be nearby if you need me." He spoke softly that she may be the only one to hear. Brooke's face lit up. She gave him a little squeeze, then bounded off like a little cat, both timid and bold.

Lady Brooke soon encountered Allen. They'd barely been introduced when he swept her up in a great hug. Brooke laughed, both nervous and delighted at the old man's kindness.

Allen chuckled as well.

"My Dear Lady, your laugh is like your name, a lovely Brooke."

Later that night, after the viking couple left, Allen took an evening walk about the sanctuary.

Allen had found much delight in Lady Brooke, especially her pretty little laugh. He had meant well when he had told her so...but wasn't sure she took it right.

Allen is not one to hurt anyone, in jest or otherwise. Had he hurt this sweet young woman? He wasn't certain.