Letter Ten

Sent to the Goose Girl, Ange
From the Village of Glaukos, Mirth


Redd to old King Cole’s court - whadda story

Snatched by simple simon, the pieman and read to his half son - little jack horner
- this was long in coming
- what’s going to happen
- read, don’t ask questions.

Ran by the fat baker in place of his friend, Karl the Runner.

Picked up by Hans Little, after the baker had a heart attack.

Given to the Goose Girl by the bird, Falcon.

--

Ange,

Geese! ! What shall they think of next? Whatever do you raise geese for? It sounds silly to me. Horses are much of a much better stock. I wonder if trade routes with the Geyonaian’s would be profitable for Carentas…

I must apologize for my insensitivity. I know you are cold, exhausted and tired but my dearest cousin and only true friend, I am very proud of you!

Let not the calloused hands of work sour your sweet, pure soul.
Or turn you into a mole.
Oh Lackscroft, that was a good one.
 Why thank you Roe.

Oh bugs. These traveling poets are a nuisance. They have been following me around since the Harvest Moon Ball and have given me no peace at all!

Much has happened since I’ve last written. I am not sure whether what I am about to relate is good news or bad news. I believe I am still suffering from shock because the events of last week have not seemed to have touched me. I feel very cold and indifferent to the world. Much like I feel when I’ve been thrown off a horse rather badly. Except my father is not around to pick me up and set me back upon it.

Bugs. I’m all gibberish these days. Horses. Whatnot. I seem to have forgotten how to pen a proper letter.

The Harvest Moon Ball. Was very tall. Where the dark maiden fall.
And there was a wall.

Yes, but what does the wall have to do with anything.

Well, it’s a metaphor of sorts.

A very weak metaphor.
No, I think it’s a stone metaphor, actually.
What’s a stone metaphor?
Well something quite solid.
I think you are making this up Lackscroft.
No, I mean, it’s something I learned from the elves.
I think it’s something you learned from the Birch Beer.
Hmm..hoo…well that too.
Hmm hoo? Who Hmm hoos? It’s Ho HUM you dolt.

You bolted dolt to you!

Regamire…

Is not a dear
Or even a Deer.

Nice distinction.
Yes, thank you. I rather think it was necessary.
Me as well.

I can’t write now. Perhaps later, when my headache leaves.

And falls to the ground like a leaf
Sounding much like a sheaf.

I think you mean sheep?
Then you must mean leap
Ah…good catch Roe.
Yes. I dare say.

Moontide, the month of rain.--- a week later

The infernal poets have left and so I am at liberty to write this letter to you in my chamber.

Let me begin with the Harvest Moon Ball. Objectively and clearly. Perhaps writing to you will help me make sense of everything that has transpired since then.

The Mayor and his family throw a huge ball for the entire town of Glaukos. It lasts for three days. The ball is held in a rather worn castle about ten miles from town, rather nestled and hidden in between the hills. I scarcely knew it existed until Regamire enlisted my ‘ sense of taste’ to help with the decorating. The Castle is nothing compared to Carentas’ opulence. In fact, I would call it a large mansion rather than a castle. It has no drawbridge or moat to boast of and instead of having hundreds of rooms layered on top of each other and stretched out as in Carentas, it really only has twenty rooms and three floors to boast of. Twelve of the rooms are dedicated to the servants quarters—including a kitchen, pantry, wine cellar, and servant rooms. I am not counting the stables in these rooms, but they are a sorry sight. The rest of the rooms- throne room, bedroom, dining room which served as a ballroom are modest in size but worn with age. The impressive part of the castle lay at the very top, where the roof opens out into a sort of garden. I have never seen a garden on top of , well really anything before and I was very impressed with this one. You see, the top of the castle is flat and lends itself to the most spectacular garden to be grown on top it that you have ever seen. It is unfortunately that no gardener has really kept up his work, but the roses are something to behold, in all their wildness!

Which lead me to my theme for the Harvest Moon Ball—Enchanted garden. Reggie was very impressed and of course told me so in many ways.


“And you shall be the queen of the garden and I shall be your humble servant to do whatever your bidding!” he said gaily, bowing gracefully before me.


I laughed and put my hand in his.


“Then as your queen,” I said mockingly, “ I command you to tell me the secrets of this place!”


He looked very serious all of the sudden and his eyes seemed to lose their happy quality. Indeed he looked almost pale.

“What's wrong? Did someone die here?” I asked, taken aback by his sudden change in mood.

Just as suddenly he laughed, “ You goose! No. But there is a secret....more like a surprise.....for you.” He took my hand in his and seemed very interested in it for some reason.

“Surprise?!” I asked, eagerly grabbing his other hand. “ What suprise! Tell me! Tell me!”


“Ah,” he said looking into my eyes. “ that, you must wait for....at the Harvest Moon Ball.”


“Where I will be queen!” I said triumphantly, releasing his hands and twirling around like a whirling dervish.

“And I will be your servant ever!” said Reggie catching me and twirling me even faster.

It was inexcusable on my part that I did not sense what was to come next after such a free display of light heartedness. Perhaps I think too much of myself in situations. As mother has often said, I am too impulsive and headstrong for my own good. Had I been discreet and ….oh Bugs, I don't know, Ange. All I know is I am in a muddle...a terrific muddle.
Let me continue.

The first night of the Harvest Moon Ball arrived. I had been planning on wearing just a blue dress with roses in my hair as a crown, but Reggie had something more impressive in mind. He sent my brothers doublets of gold, my mother a dress of the finest black silk ( as suitable for a widow) and for me, a dress of gold silk. Instead of poofing as Carentas dresses do, this dress left my shoulders bare and fell like water to the ground. Whenever I walked, it swirled out in front of me. For my hair, he sent a crown of golden roses and golden rose shoes for my feet. It was a dream and must have cost him a fortune.

When we arrived at the Ball, Everyone was dressed in costumes made to reflect garden themes-- the richer folk had nicer clothing ,but even the peasants joined in the festivities wearing simple clothing and masks that reflected grain. It was marvelous . Of course nothing compared to Carentas, (My mother was quick to point that out) but it was still delightful all the same! Reggie found us at once and paid lovely compliments to my mother and was all the perfect gentleman with my lousy brothers. They both went off to find the Innkeepers daughters who were dressed in scandalously low flowing red dresses--- I suppose they were to be red roses, but they just looked....

“Like red peppers” Reggie whispered in my ear.

I stifled a giggle.

“You're terrible” I murmurred, “ they are looking right at us.”

“Well then, “ he said “ we shall just have to look right back.”

I burst out laughing then and turned to him.

“Well, you are looking very beautiful tonight.” He said surveying me with an arched eyebrow.

“All thanks to you! “ I said smiling.

“Well then, I have done such a thing, I think we should dance! “

And dance we did. I believe I might have been a bit too encouraging that night. I danced every dance with Reggie.

The same happened the next two nights--- I arrived with my family in a dresses made from the finest gold silk and danced the night away with Reggie. On the third night, I asked for my surprise.

We were dancing a folk dance which left me breathless. I turned to Reggie, laughing at the end and asked mockingly “ I have been very patient! I think it's now time I get my surprise!”

“As you wish” His eyes, dancing, he took my hands and took me up to the front of the hall. In front of everyone he asked for silence.

And then. It happened. Everything slowed down and stopped moving. Except me. I stood in the midst of living statues. Reggie's mouth was open in mid sentence, Lottie was in frozen in midair above the punch bowl, Mother had a glass to her mouth and was smiling.

“What....is going on?” I asked. My words seemed clearer, louder. I felt them in my mouth.

Then, at the end of the hall, I saw four cloaked figures.

The first one said in a deep throaty voice“ Seek the Golden Goose”

The second one said in a high clear voice “ Seek the one you love.”

The third one said in a gravelly voice, “ Beware the sorcerer.”

And the fourth one did not say anything, but pointed to a spot behind me on a tapestry.

When I turned to look, time took hold again and Reggie was speaking. I glimpsed the tapestry for a second and saw that it was a collage of scenes. One of the figures was wearing a golden dress. But Reggie was holding me hand and I had not time to look any longer.

“I'll look at it later” I promised myself. I turned.

“..... When I was seeking my love, I thought she would be just like my dear mother. But with more youth of course.” Here everyone laughed. “ and now, with much happiness, I would like to say I have found the one I love.”

My thoughts were slow and dull. I was still burning to look at the tapestry. Reggie was about to propose to someone. How lovely. I hope she was nice.

He turned to me smiling. I smiled automatically back, still thinking about the tapestry, the four figures, the slowing of time....what sorcery was afoot?

“Mirth. I know I am just a humble mayor's son and that I have nothing to offer that could compare to Carentas.....except my heart. Please, Mirth” and he got down on one knee “ will you make me the happiest of men ever and be my wife?”

I stared at him blankly. Marriage? To Reggie? I looked at my mother. She nodded encouragingly. Everyone's eyes were on me. What had the second figure said “ seek the one I love?” I looked back at Reggie. A mayor's son.... My heart bulked a little at the thought. Princesses of Carentas do not marry mayor's sons. His eyes were eager and hopeful. He looked so vulnerable. I could crush him one blow. But then....Glaukos, my family was happy and we would finally live in a house that would afford us some comfort.

“Mirth....my knees hurt” he whispered.

You would never have to work again, a voice whispered in the back of my head........


I laughed and threw my arms around Reggie. The crowd clapped. My brother fell into the punch bowl. My mother cried.


We are to be married.....after Moontide.


But I feel strangely muddled. We've moved to the Mayor's house for the interm to plan the wedding. The Innkeepers daughters are apparently to be my bridesmaids. I am in the midst of planning but something is not right. Reggie has went out on business--- to gather supplies for a new house and trinkets for me. Though all I want right now is to ride and ride and ride and never come back.


OH Ange. I am happy. Am I happy? Yes. I'm happy. My brother's are happy. My mother is happy. I too am happy.


I have a puppy-- a gift from Reggie before he went off. It's very...yappy.


I miss you.

Please come to the wedding, at least.....

I miss you.

The soon be mayor's son's wife,

Mirth.