Two months later, a hot summer sun beat down on the little smithy near the village of Twofords. In the two years since Ulrich had last seen his father the boy had been doing a man’s work and had developed a physique to match. At just over five and a half feet, he was never going to match his father’s height but at least he was on a level with his mother. He still had some puppy fat around his face, but the rest was all muscle.
Whilst he worked he wore his hair tied back, leather trousers and gilet. The latter was a compromise; he would have liked to work bare-chested, but his mother wanted him to cover up with a shirt. The gilet protected his chest from flying sparks but left his arms uncovered to show off his biceps, should any of the village girls call by.
Ulrich sat outside in the shade, his back against the workshop wall to let his lunch digest. He rested his head back against the wall and looked up into the clear sky. He liked to daydream, fantasising about knights killing monsters, and princesses needing to be rescued.
He saw himself a fully-grown man, wearing a shiny suit of armour, and carrying an enchanted shield painted with his knightly arms. Ahead of him was the sorcerer’s castle; it had a crenulated wall and high tower. He scaled the outer curtain wall using a grappling hook and rope.
Inside, the evil wizard cast magic spells at him, huge balls of fire and hideous gargoyles, which he slashed out of his way. Finally, he reached the sorcerer who unleashed a torrent of lightening bolts towards him. However, Ulrich stabbed his enemy in the heart, who died a screaming agonising death.
The way to the tower was blocked by huge green dragon. It reared up on its hind legs and spat a long tongue of fire at Ulrich. He crouched down and lifted the enchanted shield above his head deflecting the flames. Each time the dragon paused its breath, he would run a few yards nearer, until he was as close as he dared to be. The dragon’s breath came at its hottest and when it ceased, he cast aside the shield and unstrapped the five-foot sword from his back.
This was no ordinary sword, he had spent days forging it, then sharpening and polishing it. It was a special sword; it was a dragonblade. He plunged it into the belly of the dragon. The dragon screamed and Ulrich jumped back. The creature came down off its hind legs, but its short forelegs did not carry it high enough and its weight drove the dragonblade deeper.
The dragon collapsed dying. Ulrich ran round it and kicked open the door of the tallest tower. Inside he found a long spiral staircase. He stripped off his armour and started to climb. Round and round the stairs went and higher and higher he climbed. He reached the topmost chamber and rushed in. Standing in the centre, surrounded by thousands of flickering candles stood the princess. Unable to move, she was tied to a stake; her hands bound above her. Ulrich strode across to her. Taking a dagger from his belt, he reached up and cut her bonds. The princess her arms free caressed his bare chest and ran her hands over his arms. Ulrich lifted her up and carried her to freedom.
In his dream, Ulrich leant forward to kiss the princess; sitting against the workshop wall Ulrich ran his fingers over his lips trying to imagine what a girl’s lips would really feel like. He opened his eyes and saw two women leading a horse emerge from the wood overlooking the smithy. He recognized them as his friend Idela and her mother, Mistress Joanna.
Idela was a few years older than he was, but when they were younger, the two of them had spent many a day playing around the smithy whilst their mothers did their laundry in the river nearby.
***
Joanna stood and admired the view; life in this little valley must be very pleasant. Norbert by all accounts had made quite a tidy sum from the war with the Lahblanders. Unlike her own husband who had seen the demand for his fine but expensive wine dwindle as the war dragged on. The news of the final defeat of their neighbours and the demise of their queen would hopefully herald the return of better times. At least the victory celebrations, when the men finally returned, would give a boost to their coffers.
Joanna turned and watched her daughter leading the mare. She had given the girl strict instructions to let the animal travel at a slow pace. She did not want the pretty twenty-year-old looking hot and sweaty when they arrived.
‘Let’s have a look at you Idela,’ she said. Quickly adjusting a strand of blonde hair and pulling the sleeves of the light blouse up over her shoulders. ‘We would like Bruna to think of you as maidenly, you can display your charms to Ulrich whilst I distract his mother. Although I think he is quite smitten with you anyway, but do try to be enthusiastic.’
The matron turned to lead the way, but was held back by her daughter.
‘I think your appearance is just as important as mine,’ said Idela. She quickly adjusted the ties of Joanna’s bodice trying to disguise how loose her mother’s clothes had become. ‘I don’t know who’s more nervous you or me.’
Joanna suspected that Idela knew that she had been skimping on her own meals so that Idela and her siblings could eat heartily.
‘I do like him, Mother; we have good fun together, but I just can’t see him as a husband.’
‘I don’t understand you. He’s turning out to be quite attractive and his father is now very wealthy, and getting richer by the day. He has no siblings so he will inherit the lot.’
‘You know what I mean,’ Idela replied, but paused as if uncertain of her words. ‘When I lie in my bed and dream of men to share it, he isn’t one of them.’
Joanna realised what her daughter was trying to say. ‘It’s probably because he is younger than you and well, he has been a little slow developing. Bruna and I will have plenty to talk about, why don’t you see if you can sample his goods; see how he responds.’
‘Mother!’ Idela exclaimed.
Joanna hoped her daughter understood why they were really here; she had escaped selection for the Dragon for four years, but soon her younger sister, Vanda, would reach the age of sixteen and would now be eligible for sacrifice. On Vanda’s birthday, the chances of Joanna losing a daughter to the Dragon would double.
Idela had been betrothed on her sixteenth birthday, to the son of one of her father’s customers in Holmworth. The betrothal meant that she was not eligible for selection, but the silly young fool got himself killed in his first battle. The war had taken many young men and those that were still alive had a wide choice of prospective brides. However, they would find that on their return that they would have a bride awaiting them, chosen not by their beauty, but by the size of their dowries.
Idela, forever the tomboy, had been more interested in playing rough and tumble with the boys of the village than the more homely games of the girls. When she had reached her early teens, Joanna had put her foot down and insisted that Idela start to become a young lady, and the boys seemed to welcome the freedom male only company brought. However, Ulrich would still call round and talk to Idela and as soon as her mother’s back was turned, they would be up to their old tricks.
Things became different with the other boys though; as Idela became a woman, they would call on her with other intentions. Idela had responded in kind, but Joanna had been pleased to see that her daughter did not neglect her childhood friend. Joanna hoped that Bruna would look upon this special relationship favourably when considering her offer.
***
Bruna came out of the house to greet the two women, when they arrived. She looked Idela over and Joanna was relieved to see her smile favourably.
‘Mistress Joanna, how nice of you to call,’ she greeted them, ‘Idela, Ulrich is in the smithy at the moment, but I am sure he won’t be long if you would like to wait.’
Joanna turned to her daughter as she said ‘We were hoping that you could re-shoe Rosie,’ indicating the mare.
‘Yes of course we could. You take her down to Ulrich, Idela, and your mother can join me in a blueberry wine.’
Joanna ushered her daughter off in the direction of the smithy workshop and entered Bruna’s home. So far so good, she thought.
The house was a very modest affair. The kitchen also served as the living room. It was dominated by a huge fireplace that incorporated an iron stove.
Joanna knew that Bruna had come from a very wealthy family that for some reason had not been very generous with their dowry; she assumed that her good looks had made up for the financial shortfall. Bruna was still a very beautiful woman, her curling dark hair and clear olive skin hinted at a wanton gypsy nature. She retained a curvaceous but girly figure that Joanna could only reminisce about.
Joanna looked around the room in admiration. Despite her privileged background, her hostess knew the art of keeping a home clean and tidy. She wished that she was the same; since she had had to let the servants go, the house had become a pigsty.
‘It’s not easy to keep this place tidy as well as myself,’ Bruna said as if reading her thoughts.
‘But you do it so well,’ Joanna replied.
‘If I can keep the grass greener on this side of the fence, it might stop the bull from straying.’
‘Well I don’t think you’ll have any problems there.’
‘Oh he strays. I know he loves me, but he has little willpower when he sees a pretty young thing. I just have to make sure that he keeps his eyes on me.’
Joanna remembered Idela tightening her clothes for her; maybe there was an upside to the austerity, she thought.
‘Come sit by the window, and you can watch the children, whilst I pour the wine.’
Joanna sat where Bruna suggested and looked out into the sunlight before asking, ‘Have you heard from Norbert yet?’
Pouring the drinks Bruna replied, ‘Yes, good news. Both he and my brother are safe and unhurt, but they still do not know when they will be home. I hope it is not much longer.’ She passed a goblet of wine to her guest. ‘But he was a bit mysterious, saying that he has had some good fortune but doesn’t elaborate.’
Trying not to sound too jealous Joanna added, ‘You must admit this war has been good to you.’
‘Only financially. I have missed Norbert dearly and the extra responsibility has forced Ulrich to grow up more quickly than he needed to. We have tried to spread our good fortune; we haven’t increased our prices unlike some people.’
‘I think I know who you mean.’ Joanna commented. She looked out of the window and saw Ulrich shoeing her mare. She admired the developing muscle as he clinched the nails on the hoof he was working on and his leather clothing tugged at animal desires she had almost forgotten about. He would be quite a strapping man when he was fully grown, but she hoped that he would not loose his boyish grin and sparkle in his eyes.
She checked to see if her daughter was doing her bit by working her charms on Ulrich; no, she was in the workshop pumping the bellows. Ulrich went over to her to check on the state of the next shoe.
‘Conrad has had a letter from the Lord High Selector,’ Joanna said referring to her husband.
‘Being village leader does have some disadvantages,’ Bruna said.
‘One of your former apprentices is no longer eligible for sacrifice,’ Joanna said.
‘Oh who?’
‘Peta,’ Joanna replied as she watched Bruna closely to see her response.
‘Do you mean she has married?’ Bruna took a sip of her wine; Joanna was sure it was to hide her reaction.
‘No. Being no longer eligible means she has been examined and found not to be a virgin and the Selector is claiming her dowry. It is but a trifle.’
‘But not to her family. Poor Peta, she helped me through a difficult time.’
‘But didn’t she leave before she had finished her training.’
‘No, in fact she was very good and she fulfilled her apprenticeship sooner than most. That is why she did not stay as long as the others.’
‘Did you keep in contact with her?’
‘No,’ Bruna replied wistfully, ‘I have not heard of her since.’
Joanna looked back out and saw Ulrich bend over and start on the second hoof.
‘Ulrich is turning into quite a handsome young man,’ Joanna said returning her concentration to Bruna. Facing Joanna, Bruna could not see the workshop, but blushed slightly at the compliment.
‘Yes, I feel that we will have quite a few parents knocking at our door with generous offers,’ She replied.
Joanna had hoped that the subject would not have come up quite so soon and glanced again out of the window. Ulrich was nailing the next shoe in place. This time Idela was standing nearby but still had not loosened the tie of her blouse to reveal her shoulders. Normally the girl would be only too happy to flirt with the boys that called upon her at home. Ulrich picked up the pincers and started clinching the nails. The two were talking and by the smiles and giggles, they were obviously joking with each other.
‘I have a feeling that it was the real reason for your visit.’
Joanna’s attention was brought back to her hostess.
‘I beg your pardon, I’m sorry but I was watching the children.’ She excused herself.
‘I was saying that I thought the true reason for your visit was to make a proposal about a betrothal between Ulrich and Idela,’ Bruna clarified.
Joanna paused and decided that she could not beat about the bush as she had planned.
‘We did need to get Rosie shod, honest,’ Joanna could not lie anymore. ‘Peta’s behaviour will have drawn the Selector’s attention to the village. He’s bound to want to set an example and his men have been seen entering the shire.’
‘You think they are on their way here’ Bruna said a terrified expression on her face.
‘I don’t know,’ She hesitated before adding, ‘Idela is liable to be selected again now that she is out of mourning. And there is Vanda to consider she will be sixteen soon and will have to face the ordeal.’
‘If we could get Idela betrothed, before the Selector’s men arrive, then Vanda will not become eligible until after the wedding, and both of them will be safe.’ She looked at her hostess in anticipation.
‘Who have you approached so far?’
‘We asked Idela for her preferences. She’s older now and having been promised before, is mature enough to have her own opinions.’ Again, she studied the other woman looking for a cue. ‘We suggested that as she and Ulrich were such good playmates when they were little that she would like to consider him. I don’t think she had thought of him as marriage material before.’
Bruna did not reply straight away, but took a sip of wine and thought for a moment. ‘I think Ulrich is still a little young to be getting married. I would like to see him grow up and mature. He’s still a child really.’ Again, she paused. ‘I like Idela but she is four years older than him. It’s just not right to be married to a younger man.’
‘Given how fond of each other they are, surely age shouldn’t matter.’
Bruna turned to refresh the goblets. Joanna looked out again to see Ulrich give a playful tug on Idela’s golden hair. The girl gave a mock scream of pain and punched the boy in the stomach. Naturally, he did not flinch and he led the mare to the trough.
Bruna returned with the drinks and a couple of cobs of bread.
‘Thank you,’ Joanna said. ‘We have put a dowry together so they could start out with their own home and Ulrich would be able to set up on his own. We thought five hundred guineas would be a good start.’ She hated talking money.
‘Don’t be silly, that is nearly twice what you told me you declared to the Selector. Anyway, all of your girls would find husbands easily and that amount would provide for both Idela and Vanda.’ Bruna countered, ‘Besides you know that we no longer have to worry about finances.’
Joanna felt the refusal was meant kindly. She had counted on the possibility of Bruna's generosity leading to a postponement in the payment of some of the monies; other families would demand immediate payment. They had only dismissed the last servant after they had started to spend the money set aside for both Idela's and Vanda's dowries. All that remained was Conrad's stock, and the Selector would make a claim against it, were his men to come for one of the girls. She took another sip and saw Idela sneaking up on Ulrich as he tidied up his tools. She could see the dripping rag her daughter held behind her back. Idela, she thought, how are to going to woo him if you behave like a child.
‘Joanna you won’t have any problems finding a husband for Idela. I know the two are fond of each other, but I don’t believe in love matches.’
Joanna turned back to her hostess. ‘But look at yourself and Norbert; I have never known such a loving couple.’
‘Exactly, ours was not a love match. Aline, my elder sister, fell in love with the son of a lord and as you know my parents were very wealthy, but his parents demanded a large dowry.’ Bruna explained. ‘They believed in love matches and I suggested that they find me a good man whose parents would be willing to settle for a modest amount. They found Norbert, a young widow who thought that the small dowry I brought was a fortune.
‘Only a few short years after their marriage Aline’s husband got bored with her and his eye started to wander. Aline became increasingly unhappy and bitter and I have a feeling that there were several maidens stoned because of my brother-in-law.’
Joanna thought about the officially criminal practice of stoning girls who lost their virginity in an attempt to avoid selection.
‘I went into my marriage expecting nothing,’ Bruna continued, ‘but then fell in love with my spouse. I just wish we could have had as many children as my sister.’
Joanna reflected that her relationship with her husband had been the same; she expected nothing but found that she grew to love the man. They might not be as passionate as rumours portrayed Bruna and Norbert, but she felt deeply about her spouse.
‘It’s not because she’s a foundling?’ Joanna asked, trying to mask the worry in her voice.
‘How could you thinks such a thing of me,’ Bruna snapped back, ‘I took it as a sign of how close our friendship was when you brought her to me to be marked. It showed that you trusted me and I have not broken that trust. I have spoken to no one, not even Norbert.’
‘But you seemed so angry at the time,’ Joanna explained.
‘It was not because she was a foundling, but that you had waited so long. It is bad enough having to brand babes, but to do it to a four-year-old child is worse. Idela could see the hot irons and knew that they would hurt her. An infant only feels the pain.’ Bruna paused before admitting, ‘and I was jealous. Norbert and I had been married for two years and no sign of a child.’
‘As I told you at the time, we did not trust the midwife when Idela was left on our doorstep. Then you married Norbert and moved to Twofords, well it took us a couple of years to really get to know you.’
‘Whoever Idela’s mother was, must have heard about your stillbirth and whatever her own circumstances were, she decided to leave her daughter for you to bring up. That must have been a hard decision.’
‘At the time she did seem like such a gift from the gods. We have never told anyone else this, but Idela must have come from a wealthy family, as they left enough gold to cover her dowry. I’m sorry if I caused you any heartache, by asking you inflict such pain on a child,’ Joanna said.
The women were interrupted as Ulrich yelled out; Idela had found her target. Bruna smiled not bothering to see what had happened. ‘See they’re just children still,’ she pointed out.
Joanna peered out of the window and saw Ulrich reaching over his shoulder as he tried to retrieve the wet rag from down the back of his gilet. Idela was laughing at him nearby. Free of the wet object, Ulrich looked round for a suitable retribution. Joanna despaired for her daughter, she was not behaving very seductively and Ulrich would not have any incentive to press his mother for the match.
Ulrich had an idea and grabbed a pale of water. Idela decided it might be a good idea to put some distance between herself and Ulrich. With water sloshing over the lip of the pale, he chased her around the yard. Idela weaved and dodged but soon found herself backed up against the side of the workshop. Now you’ll get it, Joanna thought. Her daughter put her arms up trying to protect herself from her assailant at the same time she crouched slightly making herself a smaller target. Without mercy, Ulrich threw the entire contents of the bucket over the cowering girl. To her credit, she did not scream.
Joanna felt she had to agree with Bruna, Idela was still a child and looked lovingly at the wet hair plastered about the girl’s face as she looked up and grinned wickedly at Ulrich. How was she to stir a man's loins behaving like that? Arms folded across her chest Idela straightened up. She would catch her death of cold, her mother thought. Her blouse was sodden and her skirts were dripping. She let her arms fall to her sides and Joanna gasped. The wet material of Idela’s light cotton blouse clung to her like a second skin, the water giving it the translucency of glass.
Ulrich was mesmerised at the sight of the Idela’s body now clearly visible through the sodden material. Joanna tried to will her daughter to act coyly, to refold her arms and hopefully Ulrich would do the honourable thing and offer her something to cover herself with. Idela slowly walked up to the petrified boy. No act shy, thought Joanna. Idela put a hand behind Ulrich’s neck and pulled his face to hers. Gently she brushed her lips across his, and then put her mouth to his. Joanna could see him gradually responding to her daughter’s ministrations. Soon the kiss drew deeper and Ulrich pulled Idela to him.
‘I’m sorry that you have had a wasted trip,’ Bruna interrupted the voyeur, ‘but I am not happy with the idea of committing Ulrich to such an arrangement when he is still so young.’
Joanna understood that Bruna was not going to change her mind easily. However, Idela must have set things in motion within the lad’s mind and loins.
***
Bruna opened the door of the house and went out into the afternoon sun. She hardly noticed that Ulrich seemed a little embarrassed and that Idela remained behind the mare. She called them over. ‘Ulrich I’m sure you would not mind escorting our guests on their journey back to the village.’ He smiled at the idea.
Bruna watched the little group walk up the hill and disappear over the crest. She decided to lie under the sun for a short while; it would be at least another hour before Ulrich got back. She had managed to fend Joanna off, but how many mothers could she turn away. Norbert would have something to say about it. The time she dreaded would be here soon.
***
‘You’re still alive,’ Tilla said excitedly as she hugged Miriam.
‘I don’t understand,’ Miriam replied, concerned that Galien had left her alone, but pleased to see her friend again. ‘What has happened?’
‘The Dragon has taken a girl from the terrace,’ Tilla replied.
‘You’ve already told me that, but how did it happen?’
‘It swooped down and grabbed one of the girls resting on the terrace.’
‘This terrace, is it outside?’
‘Yes, on the roof’ Tilla replied, her voice uncertain, ‘haven’t you been there?’
‘I’m kept locked in a room next to Galien’s and when I’m allowed out, she keeps me close to her.’
The two girls stood in a narrow stone corridor and looked around as if expecting Galien to reappear.
‘When you didn't appear in the Harem I thought you had been taken to the Dragon the day we arrived,’ Tilla said.
‘No she kept me in a cellar until I agreed to cooperate,’ Miriam said and looked at her friend, and realised that Tilla was wearing leather armour, whereas she still wore her old dress. Tilla must have realised what she was thinking and Miriam felt the girl’s guilt rise through her emotions.
‘I couldn’t continue waiting to be sacrificed and when I saw the opportunity of joining the corps I took it.’
‘Don’t feel guilty about it,’ Miriam reassured her, ‘I did the same.’
‘They just took you,’ Tilla said.
‘Yes but I was given a choice, that of living the rest of my life locked in total darkness, alone and naked; or I could cooperate.’
The two girls jumped apart guiltily when Galien returned suddenly.
‘You,’ she shouted at Tilla, ‘take Miriam back to her room. Then join me in the Harem, we might have a problem. I am going draw two women from the lottery for sacrifice tomorrow. Miriam prepare yourself, I will have a new task for you in the morning.’
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